UBUNTU PLATFORM

2012-01-28T11:42:00.000Z

South Africa has pushed its campaign for Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma to head the African Union executive, a key post to be decided at a summit this week.
But who is she?Born 27-01-1949 in South Africa

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma is a South African politician and was an anti-apartheid activist. She is Minister of the Department of Home Affairs as well as a member of the African National Congress (ANC) National Executive Committee (NEC) and National Working Committee (NWC). She is also a member of the African National Congress (ANC) Women's League National Executive Committee, National Progressive Women's Movement of South Africa.

2012-01-28T09:55:00.001Z

Ayoub mzee with former Ghana President Jerry Rawlings

2012-01-28T04:52:00.000Z

Nigeria Foreign Affairs Minister Olugbenga Ashiru in hard negotiations here with the the Kenya Foreign minister hon watengula

The kenya and nigeria foreign ministers

As African heads of state and government arriving ahead of the African Union (AU) summit scheduled to begin in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa,
Observers say a record number of African leaders are expected to attend this year’s summit.

The foreign ministers are kept busy negotiating and strategsing as the leaders are expected to elect the new head of the African Union commission, as well as formulate a framework to promote trade and commerce among African countries.

2012-01-27T10:52:00.004Z

For immediate release: 27 January 2012

EU takes step towards conflict-free supply chains

Global Witness and CCFD-Terre Solidaire welcomed a commitment today by EU Trade Commissioner De Gucht and Development Commissioner Piebalgs to make supply chains more transparent, a move that will help prevent natural resource-fuelled conflict. The two groups called on the Commission to swiftly roll out regulation requiring companies sourcing minerals to do checks – known as due diligence – on their supply chains.

Abusive armed groups in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have illegally used proceeds from the minerals trade to fund their fight in a brutal civil war that has lasted for over 15 years. These minerals – tin, tungsten, tantalum and gold – are used in products sold to European consumers, but few companies actually carry out checks on their supply chains to find out whether their purchases are causing harm.

The EU Trade and Development Communication follows a move by the US Congress to address the dire humanitarian situation in eastern DRC by introducing legislation on conflict minerals. The law, which forms part of the July 2010 Dodd Frank Act, requires US listed companies to carry out supply chain due diligence on minerals sourced from DRC or neighbouring countries and report to US regulators and the public on the measures they have taken.

“The Communication is an encouraging first step towards conflict-free supply chains in Europe and beyond. The EU must now follow the US example and introduce regulation obliging companies to do due diligence and make sure their business activities aren’t funding war – in DRC or elsewhere,” said Annie Dunnebacke from Global Witness. “It’s no longer acceptable for companies to be allowed to claim ignorance about where their products come from and how they’ve been produced.”

Today’s announcement states that the EU will advocate greater use of the due diligence standards published last year by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The OECD guidance applies to companies sourcing minerals from conflict zones and areas at high risk of conflict. The standards include comprehensive recommendations for users of tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold supply chains, but could be applied to other supply chains also.

“The OECD guidance is essentially a blueprint telling companies how to carry out supply chain due diligence. It already commands broad support from governments, companies and civil society organisations, and should form the basis of any EU regulation,” said Dunnebacke. “European consumers and investors have a right to know if their purchases are financing conflict and human rights abuses. The reality is that if the EU doesn’t make the OECD recommendations compulsory, many companies won’t do the checks, thereby undercutting those firms that do try to do the right thing.”

Certain European firms will be obliged to comply with the requirements of the Dodd Frank Act. An EU law on supply chain due diligence would level the playing field and ensure that all companies in Europe are meeting the same requirements. Moreover, it would guard against EU businesses finding themselves at a disadvantage in a global market in which buyers are increasingly demanding conflict free materials.

Zobel Behalal from CCFD said: “Today’s statement also makes an encouraging commitment to provide support to developing country partners’ efforts to strengthen natural resource governance. The Congolese government’s recent introduction of a directive making compliance with the OECD guidance mandatory in DRC is precisely the kind of initiative the EU should encourage.”

/Ends

Contact:

Annie Dunnebacke (Global Witness): +44 7912 517 127; adunnebacke@globalwitness.org

Sophia Pickles (Global Witness): +44 7730 529 766; spickles@globalwitness.org

Véronique de La Martinière (CCFD-Terre Solidaire): + 33 1 44 82 80 64; v.delamartiniere@ccfd.asso.fr

Note to editors:

To download the EU Trade and Development Communication, published on 27 January 2012, please see: http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/html/148992.htm.

It is an insult to the African Union and to every African that in 2012 a building as symbolic as the AU headquarters is designed, built and maintained by a foreign country - it does not matter which.

WHO: Organized by the African Union Commission (AUC). The Assembly meeting will be attended by Heads of States and Governments of the 54 African Union member states, or their designated representatives

WHY: The ordinary session of the Assembly of AU Heads of States and Government is a statutory meeting of the AU. It is a time for the African leadership to take decisions on African integration and development in order to achieve the vision of the AU i.e. a united, prosperous and peaceful continent

Ayoub mzee at the Africa union headquaters

OBJECTIVES: - The AU Heads of State and Government will discuss the theme of the summit i.e. “boosting intra African trade”. They will consider the recommendations of the Executive Council on the report of the Commission on the implementation of previous Decisions of the Executive Council and the Assembly; the report of the Peace and Security Council on its activities and the state of peace and security in Africa, including the activities of the Panel of the Wise; the report of Mr. Meles Zenawi, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Chairperson of NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee (HSGOC); and his report on the 17th Conference of Parties of the UNFCCC (COP 17), that took place in Durban, South Africa, 28 November – 9 December 2011

The ghana Foreign Minister and the south Africa foreign mnister

The Presidents and heads of delegations will also exchange views on the report of Mr. Denis Sassou Nguesso, President of the Republic of Congo and Africa’s Coordinator on Africa’s preparations for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio +20) with respect to the Common Position and Strategies vis-à-vis the challenges posed by the global economy and the international governance of the environment. They will discuss the report of Mr. Ernest Bai Koroma, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone and Chairperson of the Committee of Ten on the UN Reforms and that of Mr. Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, on the 4th High Level Forum on Aid effectiveness held in Busan, South Korea, 29 November – 1st December 201.

Ayoub mzee with the daughter of kwame Nkurumah HON Samia Yaba Nkurumah MP (JOMORO CONSTITUENCY)
Other issues under consideration by the Heads of State are the progress report of the Commission on the implementation of Assembly Decisions on the Hissene Habre Case and the progress report of the Commission on the transformation of the African Union Commission into the African Union Authority among others.

OUTCOME: During the Summit, the Heads of States are expected to adopt the Decisions and Recommendations of the 20th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council as well as the Declarations of the Summit. They will also agree on the date and venue of the 19th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union.

2012-01-27T04:32:00.000Z

Ayoub mzee with the foreign minister of Tanzania Foreign Minister Bernard Membe in addis Ababa ethiopia

Hon benard Membe speaking to teachers at the swahili school in addis ababa ethiopia

Teachers and students and the foreign minister in a group photo

The tanzania ambasador J Biswaro and the hon foreign minister

The Australia foreign minister with the Tanzania foreign minister during lunch

the swahili students in addis ababa

Hon B membe attends a swahili class

The foreign minister hon membe consulting with his permanent Representative at the Africa union ambassador J Biswaro

2012-01-27T04:02:00.003Z

You are invited to attend:

General Meeting
Saturday, 04 February, 2012 from 2:30 PM - 5 :30 PM
ANC London Interim Branch General Meeting

Agenda for the meeting as adopted by the BEC:

•Opening and welcome
•Political input from the chairperson
•Branch status, report back on US and Ireland interim Branch.
•Task Committee report: Tour ANC History in London
•Task Committee report: Centernary Celebraion in UK.
•Task Committee report: ANC interim mini International Conference. (Led to the policy conference in June)
•General questions and discussion
•Meeting closure
RSVP: info@anclb.org.uk if you wold like more information concerning the BGM, you may contact Khaya Thwala (+44) 7974752355

Refreshment Available, this is an opportunity for you to have your SAY!

Please note: 04 March, 2012, Centernary Celebration Lecture, (1924-1927) (1937 -1940) Former President of the ANC Zaccheus Richad Mahaban Lecture by our comrade Former Chairmen of the ANC London Branch and Director of the Constitutional Litigation Unit of Legal Resourses Cetre, Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, more information coming soon.

10 March, 2012, "Tour ANC History in London" Bus start outside Royal Festival Hall, £5 ONLY, more information coming soon.
Covent Garden Dragon Hall Trust
17 Stukeley Street
Newton Street Room
London, London WC2B

Ayoub mzee with the MOST powerful woman at the AU - the communications Director Habiba Mejri-cheikh

ELECTION OF MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION ON THE AGENDA OF THE 18TH AU SUMMIT

Addis Ababa, 19 January 2012 – African Heads of State and Governments will as from 29-30 January 2012 meet within the framework of the 18th African Union Summit. This year, one of the most anticipated moments of the Conference is the election for a term of four years of members of the AU Commission, namely, the Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson and the eight Commissioners

Election of Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson

In July 2011, the Commission notified Member States on the vacancies of the above mentioned positions and the deadline for submissions for the candidacies was set for 15 September 2011. As of that date, the Commission received the following submissions; For the position of the Chairperson of the AUC, Dr. Jean Ping from Gabon who is vying for a second mandate and Ms. Nkosazana Clarice Dlamini-Zuma, Current Interior Minister of South Africa

With regard to the position of Deputy Chairperson, the Commission received the submission of Mr. Erastus J. O. Mwencha, from Kenya who is currently holding the post, as the only candidate for this position.

Worth noting that during the elections, the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson must not derive from the same region.

The Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson are elected by secret ballot and a majority of two thirds of the members with the right to vote, that is, Members States that are not under sanction. According to the rules of the AU Assembly, the members must be "competent women and men, with proven experience in the field, leadership qualities and experience in the civil service, parliament, international organizations or any other relevant sectors of the society.” The election will take place in the afternoon on 29 January 2012, on the day of the official opening of the AU Summit. It will be preceded by the debate on the theme of the Summit: "Boosting Intra-African Trade." The election results will be announced the same day.
Election of the Eight Commissioners

According to the rules governing the elections of the eight Commissioners of the AU, the candidates are submitted by the regions.

As of the expiration of the deadline on 15 September 2011, submissions for twenty-five (25) candidates from the different regions were received for the following portfolios: Peace and Security, Political Affairs, Infrastructure and Energy, Social Affairs, Human Resources, Science and Technology, Trade and Industry, Rural Economy and Agriculture, and finally Economic Affairs. These candidates were selected following criteria such as work experience, education and age (35 years minimum).

Among the Commissioners who were elected in 2008, Ambassador Ramtane Lamamra is a candidate for a second term of office for the post of Commissioner for Peace and Security, Professor Jean-Pierre Ezin is a candidate for the position of Commissioner of Human Resources, Science and Technology, Dr. Elham Mahmoud Ibrahim is candidate for Commissioner of Infrastructure and Energy and Mrs Tumusiime Rhoda Peace candidate for the Commissioner of Rural Economy and Agriculture.

The statute of the Commission limits the mandate of the Commissioners to four years renewable once. Therefore, four of them will no longer run in these elections. They are Mrs. Julia Dolly Joiner, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Advocate Bience Gawanas, Commissioner for Social Affairs and Dr. Maxwell Mkwezalamba, Commissioner for Economic Affairs. The late Mrs. Elizabeth Tankeu, Commissioner for Trade and Industry, died in October 2011, while completing her second and final term.

Immediately after the election of the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the Commission by the Assembly, the Executive Council retires to another room to elect the eight Commissioners of the AU. The results are announced at the end of the close session dedicated for the election during the Executive Council meeting.

The 18th AU Summit will be very interesting and eventful as it will also feature the election of ten members of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the AU for a term of two years. The AU PSC consists of 15 members, 5 for a term of three years (from Equatorial Guinea, Kenya, Libya, Zimbabwe and Nigeria) and 10 others for a period two years. This difference in the duration of terms ensures continuity in the work of the PSC. The candidates for the next election for a term of 2 years each are drawn from the following countries: (North) Egypt; (West), Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana and Guinea (East), Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Uganda; (Centre) Congo and Cameroon; (South) Angola and Lesotho.

Meanwhile, according to the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly, the Heads of State and Government at the sidelines of the January Summit elect one of their peers to assume the rotating Chairmanship of the Union. In 2012, the Responsibility of the Chairperson of the Union will go to West Africa in conformity with the principle of geographical rotation.

2012-01-26T10:40:00.000Z

Press release

For immediate use

Speech to the Oxford Media Convention - Harriet Harman

CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY

Harrriet Harman MP, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party and Shadow Culture, Media and Sport Secretary said today in a speech to the Oxford Media Convention:

I'm very pleased to be here today - meeting up with those of you I haven't met before and with many of you who I have known for years - but in my new capacity as Shadow Culture Secretary.

At the age of 61 it’s exciting to be part of Ed Miliband's new generation. Not so much the face book generation as the face lift generation.

We meet in historic times:

*Never before have the creative industries been so important to help take us through these difficult economic times

*And never before has the media been under such scrutiny because of the phone hacking scandal

And all of this against the backdrop of astonishing developments in technology.

One of the things that we are most proud of from our time in government is the support we gave to culture, the creative industries and sport.

From free entry to museums and galleries, to boosting the film industry with tax credits, to winning the Olympics.

Labour supported something that is hugely important to people's lives, something we are good at in this country and something that has a massive importance in the future.

If our politics is to reflect the aspirations and concerns of young people, then culture, media and sport must be at its heart. In my constituency of Camberwell and Peckham - as everywhere else - it is impossible to overstate how central culture, media and sport is in the lives of young people. They are all consumers - and great many of them want their future to be working in your industries.

You, in the creative industries have punched above your weight economically and as well as being the centre of our cultural agenda you must be at the heart of our education, economic and business agenda.

That is why the DCMS must never be seen as the ministry of fun. It is fun – but it’s bread as well as roses. DCMS policy must not stand alone but must be completely integrated with Education, Business and the Treasury.

I am determined to do that and next month, I’ve brought together a summit with our shadow chancellor, Ed Balls, our Shadow Business Secretary, Chuka Umunna, and our Shadow Schools Secretary, Stephen Twigg.

We want to work with you to develop a comprehensive plan for jobs and growth in the creative industries - and knowing Ed Balls it’s bound to end up being a 5 point plan.

We will be looking at a number of areas that many of you have raised including:

*Access to finance – making the City realise that creative industries are a good investment
*Making sure that the next generation have the right education and skills – to foster the designers, the technicians, and the animator of the future
*Giving proper support for our exports - when the Prime Minister leads a high level business delegation overseas – I want to see the creative industries right in there
*Protection against copyright theft and getting the correct balance for intellectual property rights.

Britain creates some of the best and most sought after content in the world. We’re the world leader in exporting television formats, the second biggest exporter of music and our video games industry is one of the largest in Europe. These industries bring great pleasure to millions of people here in the UK but they are also an engine for jobs and growth across the economy. That’s what we were trying to support with our Digital Economy Act. It is vital that new business models are allowed to flourish as technology advances but we must also support the creators and owners of copyright to have a right for their work not to be stolen. The irony is that many of the kids who are downloading free music want to make a living out of creating too. We need to protect their right to a future in the industry. It’s tough for young people entering the industry today. The force of the internet ripping through age-old business models mean many industries are still searching for new ways to generate revenue.

That’s four points - the fifth one is still up for grabs.

What has been well reflected throughout today's debates is that there are huge issues across the landscape – from newspapers to broadcasters. And we’ve heard today from BBC Chair - Chris Patten.

It’s impossible to describe - without sounding gushing - the centrality of the BBC in the life of this country. We think we bring up our own children - but Auntie is there alongside us as we do it. The BBC news is most trusted not just here – but around the world. The sheer scale of the BBC – the world’s biggest broadcasting organisation - means that it is able to be - and is - a massive centre of gravity for our creative industries. Under its wings, there flourish an eco-system of trainees and independent production companies. The BBC doesn’t belong to the Government of the day. And when we were in Government we were not always the best of friends. But the BBC doesn’t belong to the Government of the day, it belongs to the people which is why they trust it more than any Government and why my approach as shadow sec of state is to be an ardent and outspoken supporter of the BBC.

Many who usually come to this conference aren’t here today because they’re in the High Court – at the Leveson Enquiry.

The phone hacking scandal went to the heart of the politics, police and the press and one thing is clear – things will have to change.

Though there was nothing new about public figures complaining about the press, what changed things and where public anger erupted was that it was not just celebrities - the rich and powerful who had been targeted - but ordinary people who had suffered terrible tragedy.

It was because of the revelations about what had been done to the Dowler family that Ed Miliband spoke out against News International and called for a judge-led inquiry. He was right to do that - it was brave – and it led to the Government setting up the Leveson Inquiry.

Leveson has been a painful process as everything has been played out in public. However it has been powerful and cathartic and it should leave no-one in any doubt that it cannot be business as usual.

There is much heat and justifiable emotion in the demand for change. But there is an important need too, for the response from politicians and the press to be balanced.

It is a paradox. The public worry that the relationship between the press and politicians has been far too close. The press worry that politicians will use this scandal to exact revenge on the press and settle old scores for the friction which is inevitable when the press hold government and politicians to account.

Its fair to say that over 30 years in parliament, I’ve don’t ever remember being described as a "darling of the press". Harriet Harperson - Hapless Hattie – “she who hates men” - and those are some of the nicer things that have been said.

So it might come as a surprise to some that I am standing up for press freedom.

But I have spent enough time in Opposition to dread the thought of the Government interfering in the press.

And I've spent enough time in government to recognise that government power is dangerous if not held to account by the press.

And, indeed, at the start of my professional life, I fought the cause of press freedom - at Liberty. And because of my work there holding the government to account – I was prosecuted for contempt by the then Attorney General who launched a prosecution against me in what became the landmark case of Home Office v Harman.

Those of us who are politicians in a democracy should be the first to understand that politics cannot operate in a democracy without a free press.

In my new role as Shadow Culture Secretary, I want to be very clear Labour’s starting point will be a commitment to defend the freedom of the free press.

Because the press are now in the dock, it looks like special pleading from a vested interest when they make the case for press freedom.

So that’s why its all the more important that politicians must insist on the freedom of the press.

But the press must acknowledge the outrage that was felt by people all round the country. And editors must understand that the status quo is not an option. It will just not be good enough to let the dust settle and then go back to business as usual.

There now needs to be a thoughtful, clear-eyed sober debate that focuses on shaping the future for the British press

There appears to be an emerging consensus around some key principles. That a new system must be:

• Independent – independent of political interference but also independent of serving editors. There needs to be advice and expertise – we can’t have people marking their own homework.

• It must be citizen centric – it must be accessible and straightforward for people. Seeking redress should not work just for the rich and powerful.

• It must apply to all newspapers – there can be no opting out.

These are all clearly sensible principles but we need to see how they could be made to work. And the key question is who is in the best position to do that.

Instead of doing things the usual way - Government and Opposition each coming up with our own proposals and then Leveson coming forward with his - I propose something different.

I think it would help Leveson if newspaper editors got together and came forward with a solution and I challenge them to do that. We have had a good airing of concerns and scoping of the issues but it is time for editors to lay their cards on the table and come up with a solution that guarantee these principles. It cannot just be rhetoric. I would like to see them frame the solution rather than have one imposed upon them

And with regards to the Press Complaints Commission. I know there are attempts to revive it. But I feel strongly that we’ve gone beyond that and it is time for a fresh start.

On the question of media power and cross media ownership, it is important that we have plurality in our media because it allows for competition and prevents obstacles to new entrants in the market which is bad for the consumer.

This is what the plurality framework is for.

But, by the end of the fiasco around the Murdoch/BSkyB takeover bid, it was clear to everyone that change is needed:

*To make clear that the judgments are made independently and not politically
*To make sense of the application of the "fit and proper person" test
*To make sure that we look across the media - not just at the newspapers – or any one siloed sector in a converging world - in a vacuum
*To make sure that, even without an "event" such as a takeover bid, there is the power to stop a monopoly developing

In the end, our plurality laws were intended to ensure that no one person gained unwelcome control over our media and accumulated too much power in our public affairs. In July, Parliament, at the instigation of a small number of MPs, and backed by Ed Miliband and others returned to this original intent. We must now complete that work and Ofcom and the Culture, Media and Sport select committee will have an important role in leading the debate on this.

Finally, can I turn to the press and the police? The police are prohibited from taking money from the press for stories - and the press are not allowed to pay them. But clearly that has been happening and no doubt Leveson will bring forward proposals to address that. We have to be sure that the police investigate without fear or favour.

We, in Labour, embrace the cultural vitality of our media sector. The richness it provides our nation and the opportunities it offers our people. And its appeal to modernity.

A vibrant and flourishing creative and cultural life is a symbol a of modern, progressive society. From Harold Wilson’s “white hot heat of the technological revolution” to, dare I say it, Tony Blair’s “Cool Britannia”, we’ve striven to champion an advanced media sector.

It’s a real privilege to be holding the responsibility of this brief at such an important moment, and I look forward to working with you.

Ends

2012-01-26T04:30:00.002Z

18th ordinary assemby of heads of States and Government
The advent of the African Union (AU) can be described as an event of great magnitude in the institutional evolution of the continent. On 9.9.1999, the Heads of State and Government of the Organisation of African Unity issued a Declaration (the Sirte Declaration) calling for the establishment of an African Union, with a view, inter alia, to accelerating the process of integration in the continent to enable it play its rightful role in the global economy while addressing multifaceted social, economic and political problems compounded as they are by certain negative aspects of globalisation.

The main objectives of the OAU were, inter alia, to rid the continent of the remaining vestiges of colonization and apartheid; to promote unity and solidarity among African States; to coordinate and intensify cooperation for development; to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Member States and to promote international cooperation within the framework of the United Nations.

Indeed, as a continental organization the OAU provided an effective forum that enabled all Member States to adopt coordinated positions on matters of common concern to the continent in international fora and defend the interests of Africa effectively.

Through the OAU Coordinating Committee for the Liberation of Africa, the Continent worked and spoke as one with undivided determination in forging an international consensus in support of the liberation struggle and the fight against apartheid.

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary
________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release January 24, 2012

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
IN STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS

United States Capitol
Washington, D.C.

9:10 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, members of Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow Americans:

Last month, I went to Andrews Air Force Base and welcomed home some of our last troops to serve in Iraq. Together, we offered a final, proud salute to the colors under which more than a million of our fellow citizens fought -- and several thousand gave their lives.

We gather tonight knowing that this generation of heroes has made the United States safer and more respected around the world. (Applause.) For the first time in nine years, there are no Americans fighting in Iraq. (Applause.) For the first time in two decades, Osama bin Laden is not a threat to this country. (Applause.) Most of al Qaeda’s top lieutenants have been defeated. The Taliban’s momentum has been broken, and some troops in Afghanistan have begun to come home.

These achievements are a testament to the courage, selflessness and teamwork of America’s Armed Forces. At a time when too many of our institutions have let us down, they exceed all expectations. They’re not consumed with personal ambition. They don’t obsess over their differences. They focus on the mission at hand. They work together.

Imagine what we could accomplish if we followed their example. (Applause.) Think about the America within our reach: A country that leads the world in educating its people. An America that attracts a new generation of high-tech manufacturing and high-paying jobs. A future where we’re in control of our own energy, and our security and prosperity aren’t so tied to unstable parts of the world. An economy built to last, where hard work pays off, and responsibility is rewarded.

We can do this. I know we can, because we’ve done it before. At the end of World War II, when another generation of heroes returned home from combat, they built the strongest economy and middle class the world has ever known. (Applause.) My grandfather, a veteran of Patton’s Army, got the chance to go to college on the GI Bill. My grandmother, who worked on a bomber assembly line, was part of a workforce that turned out the best products on Earth.

The two of them shared the optimism of a nation that had triumphed over a depression and fascism. They understood they were part of something larger; that they were contributing to a story of success that every American had a chance to share -- the basic American promise that if you worked hard, you could do well enough to raise a family, own a home, send your kids to college, and put a little away for retirement.

The defining issue of our time is how to keep that promise alive. No challenge is more urgent. No debate is more important. We can either settle for a country where a shrinking number of people do really well while a growing number of Americans barely get by, or we can restore an economy where everyone gets a fair shot, and everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules. (Applause.) What’s at stake aren’t Democratic values or Republican values, but American values. And we have to reclaim them.

Let’s remember how we got here. Long before the recession, jobs and manufacturing began leaving our shores. Technology made businesses more efficient, but also made some jobs obsolete. Folks at the top saw their incomes rise like never before, but most hardworking Americans struggled with costs that were growing, paychecks that weren’t, and personal debt that kept piling up.

In 2008, the house of cards collapsed. We learned that mortgages had been sold to people who couldn’t afford or understand them. Banks had made huge bets and bonuses with other people’s money. Regulators had looked the other way, or didn’t have the authority to stop the bad behavior.

It was wrong. It was irresponsible. And it plunged our economy into a crisis that put millions out of work, saddled us with more debt, and left innocent, hardworking Americans holding the bag. In the six months before I took office, we lost nearly 4 million jobs. And we lost another 4 million before our policies were in full effect.

Those are the facts. But so are these: In the last 22 months, businesses have created more than 3 million jobs. (Applause.)

Last year, they created the most jobs since 2005. American manufacturers are hiring again, creating jobs for the first time since the late 1990s. Together, we’ve agreed to cut the deficit by more than $2 trillion. And we’ve put in place new rules to hold Wall Street accountable, so a crisis like this never happens again. (Applause.)

The state of our Union is getting stronger. And we’ve come too far to turn back now. As long as I’m President, I will work with anyone in this chamber to build on this momentum. But I intend to fight obstruction with action, and I will oppose any effort to return to the very same policies that brought on this economic crisis in the first place. (Applause.)

No, we will not go back to an economy weakened by outsourcing, bad debt, and phony financial profits. Tonight, I want to speak about how we move forward, and lay out a blueprint for an economy that’s built to last -– an economy built on American manufacturing, American energy, skills for American workers, and a renewal of American values.

Now, this blueprint begins with American manufacturing.

On the day I took office, our auto industry was on the verge of collapse. Some even said we should let it die. With a million jobs at stake, I refused to let that happen. In exchange for help, we demanded responsibility. We got workers and automakers to settle their differences. We got the industry to retool and restructure. Today, General Motors is back on top as the world’s number-one automaker. (Applause.) Chrysler has grown faster in the U.S. than any major car company. Ford is investing billions in U.S. plants and factories. And together, the entire industry added nearly 160,000 jobs.

We bet on American workers. We bet on American ingenuity. And tonight, the American auto industry is back. (Applause.)

What’s happening in Detroit can happen in other industries. It can happen in Cleveland and Pittsburgh and Raleigh. We can’t bring every job back that’s left our shore. But right now, it’s getting more expensive to do business in places like China. Meanwhile, America is more productive. A few weeks ago, the CEO of Master Lock told me that it now makes business sense for him to bring jobs back home. (Applause.) Today, for the first time in 15 years, Master Lock’s unionized plant in Milwaukee is running at full capacity. (Applause.)

So we have a huge opportunity, at this moment, to bring manufacturing back. But we have to seize it. Tonight, my message to business leaders is simple: Ask yourselves what you can do to bring jobs back to your country, and your country will do everything we can to help you succeed. (Applause.)

We should start with our tax code. Right now, companies get tax breaks for moving jobs and profits overseas. Meanwhile, companies that choose to stay in America get hit with one of the highest tax rates in the world. It makes no sense, and everyone knows it. So let’s change it.

First, if you’re a business that wants to outsource jobs, you shouldn’t get a tax deduction for doing it. (Applause.) That money should be used to cover moving expenses for companies like Master Lock that decide to bring jobs home. (Applause.)

Second, no American company should be able to avoid paying its fair share of taxes by moving jobs and profits overseas. (Applause.) From now on, every multinational company should have to pay a basic minimum tax. And every penny should go towards lowering taxes for companies that choose to stay here and hire here in America. (Applause.)

Third, if you’re an American manufacturer, you should get a bigger tax cut. If you’re a high-tech manufacturer, we should double the tax deduction you get for making your products here. And if you want to relocate in a community that was hit hard when a factory left town, you should get help financing a new plant, equipment, or training for new workers. (Applause.)

So my message is simple. It is time to stop rewarding businesses that ship jobs overseas, and start rewarding companies that create jobs right here in America. Send me these tax reforms, and I will sign them right away. (Applause.)

We’re also making it easier for American businesses to sell products all over the world. Two years ago, I set a goal of doubling U.S. exports over five years. With the bipartisan trade agreements we signed into law, we’re on track to meet that goal ahead of schedule. (Applause.) And soon, there will be millions of new customers for American goods in Panama, Colombia, and South Korea. Soon, there will be new cars on the streets of Seoul imported from Detroit, and Toledo, and Chicago. (Applause.)

I will go anywhere in the world to open new markets for American products. And I will not stand by when our competitors don’t play by the rules. We’ve brought trade cases against China at nearly twice the rate as the last administration –- and it’s made a difference. (Applause.) Over a thousand Americans are working today because we stopped a surge in Chinese tires. But we need to do more. It’s not right when another country lets our movies, music, and software be pirated. It’s not fair when foreign manufacturers have a leg up on ours only because they’re heavily subsidized.

Tonight, I’m announcing the creation of a Trade Enforcement Unit that will be charged with investigating unfair trading practices in countries like China. (Applause.) There will be more inspections to prevent counterfeit or unsafe goods from crossing our borders. And this Congress should make sure that no foreign company has an advantage over American manufacturing when it comes to accessing financing or new markets like Russia. Our workers are the most productive on Earth, and if the playing field is level, I promise you -– America will always win. (Applause.)

I also hear from many business leaders who want to hire in the United States but can’t find workers with the right skills. Growing industries in science and technology have twice as many openings as we have workers who can do the job. Think about that –- openings at a time when millions of Americans are looking for work. It’s inexcusable. And we know how to fix it.

Jackie Bray is a single mom from North Carolina who was laid off from her job as a mechanic. Then Siemens opened a gas turbine factory in Charlotte, and formed a partnership with Central Piedmont Community College. The company helped the college design courses in laser and robotics training. It paid Jackie’s tuition, then hired her to help operate their plant.

I want every American looking for work to have the same opportunity as Jackie did. Join me in a national commitment to train 2 million Americans with skills that will lead directly to a job. (Applause.) My administration has already lined up more companies that want to help. Model partnerships between businesses like Siemens and community colleges in places like Charlotte, and Orlando, and Louisville are up and running. Now you need to give more community colleges the resources they need to become community career centers -– places that teach people skills that businesses are looking for right now, from data management to high-tech manufacturing.

And I want to cut through the maze of confusing training programs, so that from now on, people like Jackie have one program, one website, and one place to go for all the information and help that they need. It is time to turn our unemployment system into a reemployment system that puts people to work. (Applause.)

These reforms will help people get jobs that are open today. But to prepare for the jobs of tomorrow, our commitment to skills and education has to start earlier.

For less than 1 percent of what our nation spends on education each year, we’ve convinced nearly every state in the country to raise their standards for teaching and learning -- the first time that’s happened in a generation.

But challenges remain. And we know how to solve them.

At a time when other countries are doubling down on education, tight budgets have forced states to lay off thousands of teachers. We know a good teacher can increase the lifetime income of a classroom by over $250,000. A great teacher can offer an escape from poverty to the child who dreams beyond his circumstance. Every person in this chamber can point to a teacher who changed the trajectory of their lives. Most teachers work tirelessly, with modest pay, sometimes digging into their own pocket for school supplies -- just to make a difference.

Teachers matter. So instead of bashing them, or defending the status quo, let’s offer schools a deal. Give them the resources to keep good teachers on the job, and reward the best ones. (Applause.) And in return, grant schools flexibility: to teach with creativity and passion; to stop teaching to the test; and to replace teachers who just aren’t helping kids learn. That’s a bargain worth making. (Applause.)

We also know that when students don’t walk away from their education, more of them walk the stage to get their diploma. When students are not allowed to drop out, they do better. So tonight, I am proposing that every state -- every state -- requires that all students stay in high school until they graduate or turn 18. (Applause.)

When kids do graduate, the most daunting challenge can be the cost of college. At a time when Americans owe more in tuition debt than credit card debt, this Congress needs to stop the interest rates on student loans from doubling in July. (Applause.)

Extend the tuition tax credit we started that saves millions of middle-class families thousands of dollars, and give more young people the chance to earn their way through college by doubling the number of work-study jobs in the next five years. (Applause.)

Of course, it’s not enough for us to increase student aid. We can’t just keep subsidizing skyrocketing tuition; we’ll run out of money. States also need to do their part, by making higher education a higher priority in their budgets. And colleges and universities have to do their part by working to keep costs down.

Recently, I spoke with a group of college presidents who’ve done just that. Some schools redesign courses to help students finish more quickly. Some use better technology. The point is, it’s possible. So let me put colleges and universities on notice: If you can’t stop tuition from going up, the funding you get from taxpayers will go down. (Applause.) Higher education can’t be a luxury -– it is an economic imperative that every family in America should be able to afford.

Let’s also remember that hundreds of thousands of talented, hardworking students in this country face another challenge: the fact that they aren’t yet American citizens. Many were brought here as small children, are American through and through, yet they live every day with the threat of deportation. Others came more recently, to study business and science and engineering, but as soon as they get their degree, we send them home to invent new products and create new jobs somewhere else.

That doesn’t make sense.

I believe as strongly as ever that we should take on illegal immigration. That’s why my administration has put more boots on the border than ever before. That’s why there are fewer illegal crossings than when I took office. The opponents of action are out of excuses. We should be working on comprehensive immigration reform right now. (Applause.)

But if election-year politics keeps Congress from acting on a comprehensive plan, let’s at least agree to stop expelling responsible young people who want to staff our labs, start new businesses, defend this country. Send me a law that gives them the chance to earn their citizenship. I will sign it right away. (Applause.)

You see, an economy built to last is one where we encourage the talent and ingenuity of every person in this country. That means women should earn equal pay for equal work. (Applause.) It means we should support everyone who’s willing to work, and every risk-taker and entrepreneur who aspires to become the next Steve Jobs.

After all, innovation is what America has always been about. Most new jobs are created in start-ups and small businesses. So let’s pass an agenda that helps them succeed. Tear down regulations that prevent aspiring entrepreneurs from getting the financing to grow. (Applause.) Expand tax relief to small businesses that are raising wages and creating good jobs. Both parties agree on these ideas. So put them in a bill, and get it on my desk this year. (Applause.)

Innovation also demands basic research. Today, the discoveries taking place in our federally financed labs and universities could lead to new treatments that kill cancer cells but leave healthy ones untouched. New lightweight vests for cops and soldiers that can stop any bullet. Don’t gut these investments in our budget. Don’t let other countries win the race for the future. Support the same kind of research and innovation that led to the computer chip and the Internet; to new American jobs and new American industries.

And nowhere is the promise of innovation greater than in American-made energy. Over the last three years, we’ve opened millions of new acres for oil and gas exploration, and tonight, I’m directing my administration to open more than 75 percent of our potential offshore oil and gas resources. (Applause.) Right now -- right now -- American oil production is the highest that it’s been in eight years. That’s right -- eight years. Not only that -- last year, we relied less on foreign oil than in any of the past 16 years. (Applause.)

But with only 2 percent of the world’s oil reserves, oil isn’t enough. This country needs an all-out, all-of-the-above strategy that develops every available source of American energy. (Applause.) A strategy that’s cleaner, cheaper, and full of new jobs.

We have a supply of natural gas that can last America nearly 100 years. (Applause.) And my administration will take every possible action to safely develop this energy. Experts believe this will support more than 600,000 jobs by the end of the decade. And I’m requiring all companies that drill for gas on public lands to disclose the chemicals they use. (Applause.) Because America will develop this resource without putting the health and safety of our citizens at risk.

The development of natural gas will create jobs and power trucks and factories that are cleaner and cheaper, proving that we don’t have to choose between our environment and our economy. (Applause.) And by the way, it was public research dollars, over the course of 30 years, that helped develop the technologies to extract all this natural gas out of shale rock –- reminding us that government support is critical in helping businesses get new energy ideas off the ground. (Applause.)

Now, what’s true for natural gas is just as true for clean energy. In three years, our partnership with the private sector has already positioned America to be the world’s leading manufacturer of high-tech batteries. Because of federal investments, renewable energy use has nearly doubled, and thousands of Americans have jobs because of it.

When Bryan Ritterby was laid off from his job making furniture, he said he worried that at 55, no one would give him a second chance. But he found work at Energetx, a wind turbine manufacturer in Michigan. Before the recession, the factory only made luxury yachts. Today, it’s hiring workers like Bryan, who said, “I’m proud to be working in the industry of the future.”

Our experience with shale gas, our experience with natural gas, shows us that the payoffs on these public investments don’t always come right away. Some technologies don’t pan out; some companies fail. But I will not walk away from the promise of clean energy. I will not walk away from workers like Bryan. (Applause.) I will not cede the wind or solar or battery industry to China or Germany because we refuse to make the same commitment here.

We’ve subsidized oil companies for a century. That’s long enough. (Applause.) It’s time to end the taxpayer giveaways to an industry that rarely has been more profitable, and double-down on a clean energy industry that never has been more promising. Pass clean energy tax credits. Create these jobs. (Applause.)

We can also spur energy innovation with new incentives. The differences in this chamber may be too deep right now to pass a comprehensive plan to fight climate change. But there’s no reason why Congress shouldn’t at least set a clean energy standard that creates a market for innovation. So far, you haven’t acted. Well, tonight, I will. I’m directing my administration to allow the development of clean energy on enough public land to power 3 million homes. And I’m proud to announce that the Department of Defense, working with us, the world’s largest consumer of energy, will make one of the largest commitments to clean energy in history -– with the Navy purchasing enough capacity to power a quarter of a million homes a year. (Applause.)

Of course, the easiest way to save money is to waste less energy. So here’s a proposal: Help manufacturers eliminate energy waste in their factories and give businesses incentives to upgrade their buildings. Their energy bills will be $100 billion lower over the next decade, and America will have less pollution, more manufacturing, more jobs for construction workers who need them. Send me a bill that creates these jobs. (Applause.)

Building this new energy future should be just one part of a broader agenda to repair America’s infrastructure. So much of America needs to be rebuilt. We’ve got crumbling roads and bridges; a power grid that wastes too much energy; an incomplete high-speed broadband network that prevents a small business owner in rural America from selling her products all over the world.

During the Great Depression, America built the Hoover Dam and the Golden Gate Bridge. After World War II, we connected our states with a system of highways. Democratic and Republican administrations invested in great projects that benefited everybody, from the workers who built them to the businesses that still use them today.

In the next few weeks, I will sign an executive order clearing away the red tape that slows down too many construction projects. But you need to fund these projects. Take the money we’re no longer spending at war, use half of it to pay down our debt, and use the rest to do some nation-building right here at home. (Applause.)

There’s never been a better time to build, especially since the construction industry was one of the hardest hit when the housing bubble burst. Of course, construction workers weren’t the only ones who were hurt. So were millions of innocent Americans who’ve seen their home values decline. And while government can’t fix the problem on its own, responsible homeowners shouldn’t have to sit and wait for the housing market to hit bottom to get some relief.

And that’s why I’m sending this Congress a plan that gives every responsible homeowner the chance to save about $3,000 a year on their mortgage, by refinancing at historically low rates. (Applause.) No more red tape. No more runaround from the banks. A small fee on the largest financial institutions will ensure that it won’t add to the deficit and will give those banks that were rescued by taxpayers a chance to repay a deficit of trust. (Applause.)

Let’s never forget: Millions of Americans who work hard and play by the rules every day deserve a government and a financial system that do the same. It’s time to apply the same rules from top to bottom. No bailouts, no handouts, and no copouts. An America built to last insists on responsibility from everybody.

We’ve all paid the price for lenders who sold mortgages to people who couldn’t afford them, and buyers who knew they couldn’t afford them. That’s why we need smart regulations to prevent irresponsible behavior. (Applause.) Rules to prevent financial fraud or toxic dumping or faulty medical devices -- these don’t destroy the free market. They make the free market work better.

There’s no question that some regulations are outdated, unnecessary, or too costly. In fact, I’ve approved fewer regulations in the first three years of my presidency than my Republican predecessor did in his. (Applause.) I’ve ordered every federal agency to eliminate rules that don’t make sense. We’ve already announced over 500 reforms, and just a fraction of them will save business and citizens more than $10 billion over the next five years. We got rid of one rule from 40 years ago that could have forced some dairy farmers to spend $10,000 a year proving that they could contain a spill -- because milk was somehow classified as an oil. With a rule like that, I guess it was worth crying over spilled milk. (Laughter and applause.)

Now, I’m confident a farmer can contain a milk spill without a federal agency looking over his shoulder. (Applause.) Absolutely. But I will not back down from making sure an oil company can contain the kind of oil spill we saw in the Gulf two years ago. (Applause.) I will not back down from protecting our kids from mercury poisoning, or making sure that our food is safe and our water is clean. I will not go back to the days when health insurance companies had unchecked power to cancel your policy, deny your coverage, or charge women differently than men. (Applause.)

And I will not go back to the days when Wall Street was allowed to play by its own set of rules. The new rules we passed restore what should be any financial system’s core purpose: Getting funding to entrepreneurs with the best ideas, and getting loans to responsible families who want to buy a home, or start a business, or send their kids to college.

So if you are a big bank or financial institution, you’re no longer allowed to make risky bets with your customers’ deposits. You’re required to write out a “living will” that details exactly how you’ll pay the bills if you fail –- because the rest of us are not bailing you out ever again. (Applause.) And if you’re a mortgage lender or a payday lender or a credit card company, the days of signing people up for products they can’t afford with confusing forms and deceptive practices -- those days are over. Today, American consumers finally have a watchdog in Richard Cordray with one job: To look out for them. (Applause.)

We’ll also establish a Financial Crimes Unit of highly trained investigators to crack down on large-scale fraud and protect people’s investments. Some financial firms violate major anti-fraud laws because there’s no real penalty for being a repeat offender. That’s bad for consumers, and it’s bad for the vast majority of bankers and financial service professionals who do the right thing. So pass legislation that makes the penalties for fraud count.

And tonight, I’m asking my Attorney General to create a special unit of federal prosecutors and leading state attorney general to expand our investigations into the abusive lending and packaging of risky mortgages that led to the housing crisis. (Applause.) This new unit will hold accountable those who broke the law, speed assistance to homeowners, and help turn the page on an era of recklessness that hurt so many Americans.

Now, a return to the American values of fair play and shared responsibility will help protect our people and our economy. But it should also guide us as we look to pay down our debt and invest in our future.

Right now, our most immediate priority is stopping a tax hike on 160 million working Americans while the recovery is still fragile. (Applause.) People cannot afford losing $40 out of each paycheck this year. There are plenty of ways to get this done. So let’s agree right here, right now: No side issues. No drama. Pass the payroll tax cut without delay. Let’s get it done. (Applause.)

When it comes to the deficit, we’ve already agreed to more than $2 trillion in cuts and savings. But we need to do more, and that means making choices. Right now, we’re poised to spend nearly $1 trillion more on what was supposed to be a temporary tax break for the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans. Right now, because of loopholes and shelters in the tax code, a quarter of all millionaires pay lower tax rates than millions of middle-class households. Right now, Warren Buffett pays a lower tax rate than his secretary.

Do we want to keep these tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans? Or do we want to keep our investments in everything else –- like education and medical research; a strong military and care for our veterans? Because if we’re serious about paying down our debt, we can’t do both.

The American people know what the right choice is. So do I. As I told the Speaker this summer, I’m prepared to make more reforms that rein in the long-term costs of Medicare and Medicaid, and strengthen Social Security, so long as those programs remain a guarantee of security for seniors.

But in return, we need to change our tax code so that people like me, and an awful lot of members of Congress, pay our fair share of taxes. (Applause.)

Tax reform should follow the Buffett Rule. If you make more than $1 million a year, you should not pay less than 30 percent in taxes. And my Republican friend Tom Coburn is right: Washington should stop subsidizing millionaires. In fact, if you’re earning a million dollars a year, you shouldn’t get special tax subsidies or deductions. On the other hand, if you make under $250,000 a year, like 98 percent of American families, your taxes shouldn’t go up. (Applause.) You’re the ones struggling with rising costs and stagnant wages. You’re the ones who need relief.

Now, you can call this class warfare all you want. But asking a billionaire to pay at least as much as his secretary in taxes? Most Americans would call that common sense.

We don’t begrudge financial success in this country. We admire it. When Americans talk about folks like me paying my fair share of taxes, it’s not because they envy the rich. It’s because they understand that when I get a tax break I don’t need and the country can’t afford, it either adds to the deficit, or somebody else has to make up the difference -- like a senior on a fixed income, or a student trying to get through school, or a family trying to make ends meet. That’s not right. Americans know that’s not right. They know that this generation’s success is only possible because past generations felt a responsibility to each other, and to the future of their country, and they know our way of life will only endure if we feel that same sense of shared responsibility. That’s how we’ll reduce our deficit. That’s an America built to last. (Applause.)

Now, I recognize that people watching tonight have differing views about taxes and debt, energy and health care. But no matter what party they belong to, I bet most Americans are thinking the same thing right about now: Nothing will get done in Washington this year, or next year, or maybe even the year after that, because Washington is broken.

Can you blame them for feeling a little cynical?

The greatest blow to our confidence in our economy last year didn’t come from events beyond our control. It came from a debate in Washington over whether the United States would pay its bills or not. Who benefited from that fiasco?

I’ve talked tonight about the deficit of trust between Main Street and Wall Street. But the divide between this city and the rest of the country is at least as bad -- and it seems to get worse every year.

Some of this has to do with the corrosive influence of money in politics. So together, let’s take some steps to fix that. Send me a bill that bans insider trading by members of Congress; I will sign it tomorrow. (Applause.) Let’s limit any elected official from owning stocks in industries they impact. Let’s make sure people who bundle campaign contributions for Congress can’t lobby Congress, and vice versa -- an idea that has bipartisan support, at least outside of Washington.

Some of what’s broken has to do with the way Congress does its business these days. A simple majority is no longer enough to get anything -– even routine business –- passed through the Senate. (Applause.) Neither party has been blameless in these tactics. Now both parties should put an end to it. (Applause.) For starters, I ask the Senate to pass a simple rule that all judicial and public service nominations receive a simple up or down vote within 90 days. (Applause.)

The executive branch also needs to change. Too often, it’s inefficient, outdated and remote. (Applause.) That’s why I’ve asked this Congress to grant me the authority to consolidate the federal bureaucracy, so that our government is leaner, quicker, and more responsive to the needs of the American people. (Applause.)

Finally, none of this can happen unless we also lower the temperature in this town. We need to end the notion that the two parties must be locked in a perpetual campaign of mutual destruction; that politics is about clinging to rigid ideologies instead of building consensus around common-sense ideas.

I’m a Democrat. But I believe what Republican Abraham Lincoln believed: That government should do for people only what they cannot do better by themselves, and no more. (Applause.) That’s why my education reform offers more competition, and more control for schools and states. That’s why we’re getting rid of regulations that don’t work. That’s why our health care law relies on a reformed private market, not a government program.

On the other hand, even my Republican friends who complain the most about government spending have supported federally financed roads, and clean energy projects, and federal offices for the folks back home.

The point is, we should all want a smarter, more effective government. And while we may not be able to bridge our biggest philosophical differences this year, we can make real progress. With or without this Congress, I will keep taking actions that help the economy grow. But I can do a whole lot more with your help. Because when we act together, there’s nothing the United States of America can’t achieve. (Applause.) That’s the lesson we’ve learned from our actions abroad over the last few years.

Ending the Iraq war has allowed us to strike decisive blows against our enemies. From Pakistan to Yemen, the al Qaeda operatives who remain are scrambling, knowing that they can’t escape the reach of the United States of America. (Applause.)

From this position of strength, we’ve begun to wind down the war in Afghanistan. Ten thousand of our troops have come home. Twenty-three thousand more will leave by the end of this summer. This transition to Afghan lead will continue, and we will build an enduring partnership with Afghanistan, so that it is never again a source of attacks against America. (Applause.)

As the tide of war recedes, a wave of change has washed across the Middle East and North Africa, from Tunis to Cairo; from Sana’a to Tripoli. A year ago, Qaddafi was one of the world’s longest-serving dictators -– a murderer with American blood on his hands. Today, he is gone. And in Syria, I have no doubt that the Assad regime will soon discover that the forces of change cannot be reversed, and that human dignity cannot be denied. (Applause.)

How this incredible transformation will end remains uncertain. But we have a huge stake in the outcome. And while it’s ultimately up to the people of the region to decide their fate, we will advocate for those values that have served our own country so well. We will stand against violence and intimidation. We will stand for the rights and dignity of all human beings –- men and women; Christians, Muslims and Jews. We will support policies that lead to strong and stable democracies and open markets, because tyranny is no match for liberty.

And we will safeguard America’s own security against those who threaten our citizens, our friends, and our interests. Look at Iran. Through the power of our diplomacy, a world that was once divided about how to deal with Iran’s nuclear program now stands as one. The regime is more isolated than ever before; its leaders are faced with crippling sanctions, and as long as they shirk their responsibilities, this pressure will not relent.

Let there be no doubt: America is determined to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, and I will take no options off the table to achieve that goal. (Applause.)

But a peaceful resolution of this issue is still possible, and far better, and if Iran changes course and meets its obligations, it can rejoin the community of nations.

The renewal of American leadership can be felt across the globe. Our oldest alliances in Europe and Asia are stronger than ever. Our ties to the Americas are deeper. Our ironclad commitment -- and I mean ironclad -- to Israel’s security has meant the closest military cooperation between our two countries in history. (Applause.)

We’ve made it clear that America is a Pacific power, and a new beginning in Burma has lit a new hope. From the coalitions we’ve built to secure nuclear materials, to the missions we’ve led against hunger and disease; from the blows we’ve dealt to our enemies, to the enduring power of our moral example, America is back.

Anyone who tells you otherwise, anyone who tells you that America is in decline or that our influence has waned, doesn’t know what they’re talking about. (Applause.)

That’s not the message we get from leaders around the world who are eager to work with us. That’s not how people feel from Tokyo to Berlin, from Cape Town to Rio, where opinions of America are higher than they’ve been in years. Yes, the world is changing. No, we can’t control every event. But America remains the one indispensable nation in world affairs –- and as long as I’m President, I intend to keep it that way. (Applause.)

That’s why, working with our military leaders, I’ve proposed a new defense strategy that ensures we maintain the finest military in the world, while saving nearly half a trillion dollars in our budget. To stay one step ahead of our adversaries, I’ve already sent this Congress legislation that will secure our country from the growing dangers of cyber-threats. (Applause.)

Above all, our freedom endures because of the men and women in uniform who defend it. (Applause.) As they come home, we must serve them as well as they’ve served us. That includes giving them the care and the benefits they have earned –- which is why we’ve increased annual VA spending every year I’ve been President. (Applause.) And it means enlisting our veterans in the work of rebuilding our nation.

With the bipartisan support of this Congress, we’re providing new tax credits to companies that hire vets. Michelle and Jill Biden have worked with American businesses to secure a pledge of 135,000 jobs for veterans and their families. And tonight, I’m proposing a Veterans Jobs Corps that will help our communities hire veterans as cops and firefighters, so that America is as strong as those who defend her. (Applause.)

Which brings me back to where I began. Those of us who’ve been sent here to serve can learn a thing or two from the service of our troops. When you put on that uniform, it doesn’t matter if you’re black or white; Asian, Latino, Native American; conservative, liberal; rich, poor; gay, straight. When you’re marching into battle, you look out for the person next to you, or the mission fails. When you’re in the thick of the fight, you rise or fall as one unit, serving one nation, leaving no one behind.

One of my proudest possessions is the flag that the SEAL Team took with them on the mission to get bin Laden. On it are each of their names. Some may be Democrats. Some may be Republicans. But that doesn’t matter. Just like it didn’t matter that day in the Situation Room, when I sat next to Bob Gates -- a man who was George Bush’s defense secretary -- and Hillary Clinton -- a woman who ran against me for president.

All that mattered that day was the mission. No one thought about politics. No one thought about themselves. One of the young men involved in the raid later told me that he didn’t deserve credit for the mission. It only succeeded, he said, because every single member of that unit did their job -- the pilot who landed the helicopter that spun out of control; the translator who kept others from entering the compound; the troops who separated the women and children from the fight; the SEALs who charged up the stairs. More than that, the mission only succeeded because every member of that unit trusted each other -- because you can’t charge up those stairs, into darkness and danger, unless you know that there’s somebody behind you, watching your back.

So it is with America. Each time I look at that flag, I’m reminded that our destiny is stitched together like those 50 stars and those 13 stripes. No one built this country on their own. This nation is great because we built it together. This nation is great because we worked as a team. This nation is great because we get each other’s backs. And if we hold fast to that truth, in this moment of trial, there is no challenge too great; no mission too hard. As long as we are joined in common purpose, as long as we maintain our common resolve, our journey moves forward, and our future is hopeful, and the state of our Union will always be strong.

Thank you, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America. (Applause.)

END 10:16 P.M. EST

Remarks of President Barack Obama – As Prepared for Delivery

State of the Union Address

“An America Built to Last”

Tuesday, January 24th, 2012

Washington, DC

As Prepared for Delivery –

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, members of Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow Americans:

Last month, I went to Andrews Air Force Base and welcomed home some of our last troops to serve in Iraq. Together, we offered a final, proud salute to the colors under which more than a million of our fellow citizens fought – and several thousand gave their lives.

We gather tonight knowing that this generation of heroes has made the United States safer and more respected around the world. For the first time in nine years, there are no Americans fighting in Iraq. For the first time in two decades, Osama bin Laden is not a threat to this country. Most of al Qaeda’s top lieutenants have been defeated. The Taliban’s momentum has been broken, and some troops in Afghanistan have begun to come home.

These achievements are a testament to the courage, selflessness, and teamwork of America’s Armed Forces. At a time when too many of our institutions have let us down, they exceed all expectations. They’re not consumed with personal ambition. They don’t obsess over their differences. They focus on the mission at hand. They work together.

Imagine what we could accomplish if we followed their example. Think about the America within our reach: A country that leads the world in educating its people. An America that attracts a new generation of high-tech manufacturing and high-paying jobs. A future where we’re in control of our own energy, and our security and prosperity aren’t so tied to unstable parts of the world. An economy built to last, where hard work pays off, and responsibility is rewarded.

We can do this. I know we can, because we’ve done it before. At the end of World War II, when another generation of heroes returned home from combat, they built the strongest economy and middle class the world has ever known. My grandfather, a veteran of Patton’s Army, got the chance to go to college on the GI Bill. My grandmother, who worked on a bomber assembly line, was part of a workforce that turned out the best products on Earth.

The two of them shared the optimism of a Nation that had triumphed over a depression and fascism. They understood they were part of something larger; that they were contributing to a story of success that every American had a chance to share – the basic American promise that if you worked hard, you could do well enough to raise a family, own a home, send your kids to college, and put a little away for retirement.

The defining issue of our time is how to keep that promise alive. No challenge is more urgent. No debate is more important. We can either settle for a country where a shrinking number of people do really well, while a growing number of Americans barely get by. Or we can restore an economy where everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules. What’s at stake are not Democratic values or Republican values, but American values. We have to reclaim them.

Let’s remember how we got here. Long before the recession, jobs and manufacturing began leaving our shores. Technology made businesses more efficient, but also made some jobs obsolete. Folks at the top saw their incomes rise like never before, but most hardworking Americans struggled with costs that were growing, paychecks that weren’t, and personal debt that kept piling up.

In 2008, the house of cards collapsed. We learned that mortgages had been sold to people who couldn’t afford or understand them. Banks had made huge bets and bonuses with other people’s money. Regulators had looked the other way, or didn’t have the authority to stop the bad behavior.

It was wrong. It was irresponsible. And it plunged our economy into a crisis that put millions out of work, saddled us with more debt, and left innocent, hard-working Americans holding the bag. In the six months before I took office, we lost nearly four million jobs. And we lost another four million before our policies were in full effect.

Those are the facts. But so are these. In the last 22 months, businesses have created more than three million jobs. Last year, they created the most jobs since 2005. American manufacturers are hiring again, creating jobs for the first time since the late 1990s. Together, we’ve agreed to cut the deficit by more than $2 trillion. And we’ve put in place new rules to hold Wall Street accountable, so a crisis like that never happens again.

The state of our Union is getting stronger. And we’ve come too far to turn back now. As long as I’m President, I will work with anyone in this chamber to build on this momentum. But I intend to fight obstruction with action, and I will oppose any effort to return to the very same policies that brought on this economic crisis in the first place.

No, we will not go back to an economy weakened by outsourcing, bad debt, and phony financial profits. Tonight, I want to speak about how we move forward, and lay out a blueprint for an economy that’s built to last – an economy built on American manufacturing, American energy, skills for American workers, and a renewal of American values.

This blueprint begins with American manufacturing.

On the day I took office, our auto industry was on the verge of collapse. Some even said we should let it die. With a million jobs at stake, I refused to let that happen. In exchange for help, we demanded responsibility. We got workers and automakers to settle their differences. We got the industry to retool and restructure. Today, General Motors is back on top as the world’s number one automaker. Chrysler has grown faster in the U.S. than any major car company. Ford is investing billions in U.S. plants and factories. And together, the entire industry added nearly 160,000 jobs.

We bet on American workers. We bet on American ingenuity. And tonight, the American auto industry is back.

What’s happening in Detroit can happen in other industries. It can happen in Cleveland and Pittsburgh and Raleigh. We can’t bring back every job that’s left our shores. But right now, it’s getting more expensive to do business in places like China. Meanwhile, America is more productive. A few weeks ago, the CEO of Master Lock told me that it now makes business sense for him to bring jobs back home. Today, for the first time in fifteen years, Master Lock’s unionized plant in Milwaukee is running at full capacity.

So we have a huge opportunity, at this moment, to bring manufacturing back. But we have to seize it. Tonight, my message to business leaders is simple: Ask yourselves what you can do to bring jobs back to your country, and your country will do everything we can to help you succeed.

We should start with our tax code. Right now, companies get tax breaks for moving jobs and profits overseas. Meanwhile, companies that choose to stay in America get hit with one of the highest tax rates in the world. It makes no sense, and everyone knows it.

So let’s change it. First, if you’re a business that wants to outsource jobs, you shouldn’t get a tax deduction for doing it. That money should be used to cover moving expenses for companies like Master Lock that decide to bring jobs home.

Second, no American company should be able to avoid paying its fair share of taxes by moving jobs and profits overseas. From now on, every multinational company should have to pay a basic minimum tax. And every penny should go towards lowering taxes for companies that choose to stay here and hire here.

Third, if you’re an American manufacturer, you should get a bigger tax cut. If you’re a high-tech manufacturer, we should double the tax deduction you get for making products here. And if you want to relocate in a community that was hit hard when a factory left town, you should get help financing a new plant, equipment, or training for new workers.

My message is simple. It’s time to stop rewarding businesses that ship jobs overseas, and start rewarding companies that create jobs right here in America. Send me these tax reforms, and I’ll sign them right away.

We’re also making it easier for American businesses to sell products all over the world. Two years ago, I set a goal of doubling U.S. exports over five years. With the bipartisan trade agreements I signed into law, we are on track to meet that goal – ahead of schedule. Soon, there will be millions of new customers for American goods in Panama, Colombia, and South Korea. Soon, there will be new cars on the streets of Seoul imported from Detroit, and Toledo, and Chicago.

I will go anywhere in the world to open new markets for American products. And I will not stand by when our competitors don’t play by the rules. We’ve brought trade cases against China at nearly twice the rate as the last administration – and it’s made a difference. Over a thousand Americans are working today because we stopped a surge in Chinese tires. But we need to do more. It’s not right when another country lets our movies, music, and software be pirated. It’s not fair when foreign manufacturers have a leg up on ours only because they’re heavily subsidized.

Tonight, I’m announcing the creation of a Trade Enforcement Unit that will be charged with investigating unfair trade practices in countries like China. There will be more inspections to prevent counterfeit or unsafe goods from crossing our borders. And this Congress should make sure that no foreign company has an advantage over American manufacturing when it comes to accessing finance or new markets like Russia. Our workers are the most productive on Earth, and if the playing field is level, I promise you – America will always win.

I also hear from many business leaders who want to hire in the United States but can’t find workers with the right skills. Growing industries in science and technology have twice as many openings as we have workers who can do the job. Think about that – openings at a time when millions of Americans are looking for work.

That’s inexcusable. And we know how to fix it.

Jackie Bray is a single mom from North Carolina who was laid off from her job as a mechanic. Then Siemens opened a gas turbine factory in Charlotte, and formed a partnership with Central Piedmont Community College. The company helped the college design courses in laser and robotics training. It paid Jackie’s tuition, then hired her to help operate their plant.

I want every American looking for work to have the same opportunity as Jackie did. Join me in a national commitment to train two million Americans with skills that will lead directly to a job. My Administration has already lined up more companies that want to help. Model partnerships between businesses like Siemens and community colleges in places like Charlotte, Orlando, and Louisville are up and running. Now you need to give more community colleges the resources they need to become community career centers – places that teach people skills that local businesses are looking for right now, from data management to high-tech manufacturing.

And I want to cut through the maze of confusing training programs, so that from now on, people like Jackie have one program, one website, and one place to go for all the information and help they need. It’s time to turn our unemployment system into a reemployment system that puts people to work.

These reforms will help people get jobs that are open today. But to prepare for the jobs of tomorrow, our commitment to skills and education has to start earlier.

For less than one percent of what our Nation spends on education each year, we’ve convinced nearly every State in the country to raise their standards for teaching and learning – the first time that’s happened in a generation.

But challenges remain. And we know how to solve them.

At a time when other countries are doubling down on education, tight budgets have forced States to lay off thousands of teachers. We know a good teacher can increase the lifetime income of a classroom by over $250,000. A great teacher can offer an escape from poverty to the child who dreams beyond his circumstance. Every person in this chamber can point to a teacher who changed the trajectory of their lives. Most teachers work tirelessly, with modest pay, sometimes digging into their own pocket for school supplies – just to make a difference.

Teachers matter. So instead of bashing them, or defending the status quo, let’s offer schools a deal. Give them the resources to keep good teachers on the job, and reward the best ones. In return, grant schools flexibility: To teach with creativity and passion; to stop teaching to the test; and to replace teachers who just aren’t helping kids learn.

We also know that when students aren’t allowed to walk away from their education, more of them walk the stage to get their diploma. So tonight, I call on every State to require that all students stay in high school until they graduate or turn eighteen.

When kids do graduate, the most daunting challenge can be the cost of college. At a time when Americans owe more in tuition debt than credit card debt, this Congress needs to stop the interest rates on student loans from doubling in July. Extend the tuition tax credit we started that saves middle-class families thousands of dollars. And give more young people the chance to earn their way through college by doubling the number of work-study jobs in the next five years.

Of course, it’s not enough for us to increase student aid. We can’t just keep subsidizing skyrocketing tuition; we’ll run out of money. States also need to do their part, by making higher education a higher priority in their budgets. And colleges and universities have to do their part by working to keep costs down. Recently, I spoke with a group of college presidents who’ve done just that. Some schools re-design courses to help students finish more quickly. Some use better technology. The point is, it’s possible. So let me put colleges and universities on notice: If you can’t stop tuition from going up, the funding you get from taxpayers will go down. Higher education can’t be a luxury – it’s an economic imperative that every family in America should be able to afford.

Let’s also remember that hundreds of thousands of talented, hardworking students in this country face another challenge: The fact that they aren’t yet American citizens. Many were brought here as small children, are American through and through, yet they live every day with the threat of deportation. Others came more recently, to study business and science and engineering, but as soon as they get their degree, we send them home to invent new products and create new jobs somewhere else.

That doesn’t make sense.

I believe as strongly as ever that we should take on illegal immigration. That’s why my Administration has put more boots on the border than ever before. That’s why there are fewer illegal crossings than when I took office.

The opponents of action are out of excuses. We should be working on comprehensive immigration reform right now. But if election-year politics keeps Congress from acting on a comprehensive plan, let’s at least agree to stop expelling responsible young people who want to staff our labs, start new businesses, and defend this country. Send me a law that gives them the chance to earn their citizenship. I will sign it right away.

You see, an economy built to last is one where we encourage the talent and ingenuity of every person in this country. That means women should earn equal pay for equal work. It means we should support everyone who’s willing to work; and every risk-taker and entrepreneur who aspires to become the next Steve Jobs.

After all, innovation is what America has always been about. Most new jobs are created in start-ups and small businesses. So let’s pass an agenda that helps them succeed. Tear down regulations that prevent aspiring entrepreneurs from getting the financing to grow. Expand tax relief to small businesses that are raising wages and creating good jobs. Both parties agree on these ideas. So put them in a bill, and get it on my desk this year.

Innovation also demands basic research. Today, the discoveries taking place in our federally-financed labs and universities could lead to new treatments that kill cancer cells but leave healthy ones untouched. New lightweight vests for cops and soldiers that can stop any bullet. Don’t gut these investments in our budget. Don’t let other countries win the race for the future. Support the same kind of research and innovation that led to the computer chip and the Internet; to new American jobs and new American industries.

Nowhere is the promise of innovation greater than in American-made energy. Over the last three years, we’ve opened millions of new acres for oil and gas exploration, and tonight, I’m directing my Administration to open more than 75 percent of our potential offshore oil and gas resources. Right now, American oil production is the highest that it’s been in eight years. That’s right – eight years. Not only that – last year, we relied less on foreign oil than in any of the past sixteen years.

But with only 2 percent of the world’s oil reserves, oil isn’t enough. This country needs an all-out, all-of-the-above strategy that develops every available source of American energy – a strategy that’s cleaner, cheaper, and full of new jobs.

We have a supply of natural gas that can last America nearly one hundred years, and my Administration will take every possible action to safely develop this energy. Experts believe this will support more than 600,000 jobs by the end of the decade. And I’m requiring all companies that drill for gas on public lands to disclose the chemicals they use. America will develop this resource without putting the health and safety of our citizens at risk.

The development of natural gas will create jobs and power trucks and factories that are cleaner and cheaper, proving that we don’t have to choose between our environment and our economy. And by the way, it was public research dollars, over the course of thirty years, that helped develop the technologies to extract all this natural gas out of shale rock – reminding us that Government support is critical in helping businesses get new energy ideas off the ground.

What’s true for natural gas is true for clean energy. In three years, our partnership with the private sector has already positioned America to be the world’s leading manufacturer of high-tech batteries. Because of federal investments, renewable energy use has nearly doubled. And thousands of Americans have jobs because of it.

When Bryan Ritterby was laid off from his job making furniture, he said he worried that at 55, no one would give him a second chance. But he found work at Energetx, a wind turbine manufacturer in Michigan. Before the recession, the factory only made luxury yachts. Today, it’s hiring workers like Bryan, who said, “I’m proud to be working in the industry of the future.”

Our experience with shale gas shows us that the payoffs on these public investments don’t always come right away. Some technologies don’t pan out; some companies fail. But I will not walk away from the promise of clean energy. I will not walk away from workers like Bryan. I will not cede the wind or solar or battery industry to China or Germany because we refuse to make the same commitment here. We have subsidized oil companies for a century. That’s long enough. It’s time to end the taxpayer giveaways to an industry that’s rarely been more profitable, and double-down on a clean energy industry that’s never been more promising. Pass clean energy tax credits and create these jobs.

We can also spur energy innovation with new incentives. The differences in this chamber may be too deep right now to pass a comprehensive plan to fight climate change. But there’s no reason why Congress shouldn’t at least set a clean energy standard that creates a market for innovation. So far, you haven’t acted. Well tonight, I will. I’m directing my Administration to allow the development of clean energy on enough public land to power three million homes. And I’m proud to announce that the Department of Defense, the world’s largest consumer of energy, will make one of the largest commitments to clean energy in history – with the Navy purchasing enough capacity to power a quarter of a million homes a year.

Of course, the easiest way to save money is to waste less energy. So here’s another proposal: Help manufacturers eliminate energy waste in their factories and give businesses incentives to upgrade their buildings. Their energy bills will be $100 billion lower over the next decade, and America will have less pollution, more manufacturing, and more jobs for construction workers who need them. Send me a bill that creates these jobs.

Building this new energy future should be just one part of a broader agenda to repair America’s infrastructure. So much of America needs to be rebuilt. We’ve got crumbling roads and bridges. A power grid that wastes too much energy. An incomplete high-speed broadband network that prevents a small business owner in rural America from selling her products all over the world.

During the Great Depression, America built the Hoover Dam and the Golden Gate Bridge. After World War II, we connected our States with a system of highways. Democratic and Republican administrations invested in great projects that benefited everybody, from the workers who built them to the businesses that still use them today.

In the next few weeks, I will sign an Executive Order clearing away the red tape that slows down too many construction projects. But you need to fund these projects. Take the money we’re no longer spending at war, use half of it to pay down our debt, and use the rest to do some nation-building right here at home.

There’s never been a better time to build, especially since the construction industry was one of the hardest-hit when the housing bubble burst. Of course, construction workers weren’t the only ones hurt. So were millions of innocent Americans who’ve seen their home values decline. And while Government can’t fix the problem on its own, responsible homeowners shouldn’t have to sit and wait for the housing market to hit bottom to get some relief.

That’s why I’m sending this Congress a plan that gives every responsible homeowner the chance to save about $3,000 a year on their mortgage, by refinancing at historically low interest rates. No more red tape. No more runaround from the banks. A small fee on the largest financial institutions will ensure that it won’t add to the deficit, and will give banks that were rescued by taxpayers a chance to repay a deficit of trust.

Let’s never forget: Millions of Americans who work hard and play by the rules every day deserve a Government and a financial system that do the same. It’s time to apply the same rules from top to bottom: No bailouts, no handouts, and no copouts. An America built to last insists on responsibility from everybody.

We’ve all paid the price for lenders who sold mortgages to people who couldn’t afford them, and buyers who knew they couldn’t afford them. That’s why we need smart regulations to prevent irresponsible behavior. Rules to prevent financial fraud, or toxic dumping, or faulty medical devices, don’t destroy the free market. They make the free market work better.

There is no question that some regulations are outdated, unnecessary, or too costly. In fact, I’ve approved fewer regulations in the first three years of my presidency than my Republican predecessor did in his. I’ve ordered every federal agency to eliminate rules that don’t make sense. We’ve already announced over 500 reforms, and just a fraction of them will save business and citizens more than $10 billion over the next five years. We got rid of one rule from 40 years ago that could have forced some dairy farmers to spend $10,000 a year proving that they could contain a spill – because milk was somehow classified as an oil. With a rule like that, I guess it was worth crying over spilled milk.

I’m confident a farmer can contain a milk spill without a federal agency looking over his shoulder. But I will not back down from making sure an oil company can contain the kind of oil spill we saw in the Gulf two years ago. I will not back down from protecting our kids from mercury pollution, or making sure that our food is safe and our water is clean. I will not go back to the days when health insurance companies had unchecked power to cancel your policy, deny you coverage, or charge women differently from men.

And I will not go back to the days when Wall Street was allowed to play by its own set of rules. The new rules we passed restore what should be any financial system’s core purpose: Getting funding to entrepreneurs with the best ideas, and getting loans to responsible families who want to buy a home, start a business, or send a kid to college.

So if you’re a big bank or financial institution, you are no longer allowed to make risky bets with your customers’ deposits. You’re required to write out a “living will” that details exactly how you’ll pay the bills if you fail – because the rest of us aren’t bailing you out ever again. And if you’re a mortgage lender or a payday lender or a credit card company, the days of signing people up for products they can’t afford with confusing forms and deceptive practices are over. Today, American consumers finally have a watchdog in Richard Cordray with one job: To look out for them.

We will also establish a Financial Crimes Unit of highly trained investigators to crack down on large-scale fraud and protect people’s investments. Some financial firms violate major anti-fraud laws because there’s no real penalty for being a repeat offender. That’s bad for consumers, and it’s bad for the vast majority of bankers and financial service professionals who do the right thing. So pass legislation that makes the penalties for fraud count.

And tonight, I am asking my Attorney General to create a special unit of federal prosecutors and leading state attorneys general to expand our investigations into the abusive lending and packaging of risky mortgages that led to the housing crisis. This new unit will hold accountable those who broke the law, speed assistance to homeowners, and help turn the page on an era of recklessness that hurt so many Americans.

A return to the American values of fair play and shared responsibility will help us protect our people and our economy. But it should also guide us as we look to pay down our debt and invest in our future.

Right now, our most immediate priority is stopping a tax hike on 160 million working Americans while the recovery is still fragile. People cannot afford losing $40 out of each paycheck this year. There are plenty of ways to get this done. So let’s agree right here, right now: No side issues. No drama. Pass the payroll tax cut without delay.

When it comes to the deficit, we’ve already agreed to more than $2 trillion in cuts and savings. But we need to do more, and that means making choices. Right now, we’re poised to spend nearly $1 trillion more on what was supposed to be a temporary tax break for the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans. Right now, because of loopholes and shelters in the tax code, a quarter of all millionaires pay lower tax rates than millions of middle-class households. Right now, Warren Buffett pays a lower tax rate than his secretary.

Do we want to keep these tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans? Or do we want to keep our investments in everything else – like education and medical research; a strong military and care for our veterans? Because if we’re serious about paying down our debt, we can’t do both.

The American people know what the right choice is. So do I. As I told the Speaker this summer, I’m prepared to make more reforms that rein in the long term costs of Medicare and Medicaid, and strengthen Social Security, so long as those programs remain a guarantee of security for seniors.

But in return, we need to change our tax code so that people like me, and an awful lot of Members of Congress, pay our fair share of taxes. Tax reform should follow the Buffett rule: If you make more than $1 million a year, you should not pay less than 30 percent in taxes. And my Republican friend Tom Coburn is right: Washington should stop subsidizing millionaires. In fact, if you’re earning a million dollars a year, you shouldn’t get special tax subsidies or deductions. On the other hand, if you make under $250,000 a year, like 98 percent of American families, your taxes shouldn’t go up. You’re the ones struggling with rising costs and stagnant wages. You’re the ones who need relief.

Now, you can call this class warfare all you want. But asking a billionaire to pay at least as much as his secretary in taxes? Most Americans would call that common sense.

We don’t begrudge financial success in this country. We admire it. When Americans talk about folks like me paying my fair share of taxes, it’s not because they envy the rich. It’s because they understand that when I get tax breaks I don’t need and the country can’t afford, it either adds to the deficit, or somebody else has to make up the difference – like a senior on a fixed income; or a student trying to get through school; or a family trying to make ends meet. That’s not right. Americans know it’s not right. They know that this generation’s success is only possible because past generations felt a responsibility to each other, and to their country’s future, and they know our way of life will only endure if we feel that same sense of shared responsibility. That’s how we’ll reduce our deficit. That’s an America built to last.

I recognize that people watching tonight have differing views about taxes and debt; energy and health care. But no matter what party they belong to, I bet most Americans are thinking the same thing right now: Nothing will get done this year, or next year, or maybe even the year after that, because Washington is broken.

Can you blame them for feeling a little cynical?

The greatest blow to confidence in our economy last year didn’t come from events beyond our control. It came from a debate in Washington over whether the United States would pay its bills or not. Who benefited from that fiasco?

I’ve talked tonight about the deficit of trust between Main Street and Wall Street. But the divide between this city and the rest of the country is at least as bad – and it seems to get worse every year.

Some of this has to do with the corrosive influence of money in politics. So together, let’s take some steps to fix that. Send me a bill that bans insider trading by Members of Congress, and I will sign it tomorrow. Let’s limit any elected official from owning stocks in industries they impact. Let’s make sure people who bundle campaign contributions for Congress can’t lobby Congress, and vice versa – an idea that has bipartisan support, at least outside of Washington.

Some of what’s broken has to do with the way Congress does its business these days. A simple majority is no longer enough to get anything – even routine business – passed through the Senate. Neither party has been blameless in these tactics. Now both parties should put an end to it. For starters, I ask the Senate to pass a rule that all judicial and public service nominations receive a simple up or down vote within 90 days.

The executive branch also needs to change. Too often, it’s inefficient, outdated and remote. That’s why I’ve asked this Congress to grant me the authority to consolidate the federal bureaucracy so that our Government is leaner, quicker, and more responsive to the needs of the American people.

Finally, none of these reforms can happen unless we also lower the temperature in this town. We need to end the notion that the two parties must be locked in a perpetual campaign of mutual destruction; that politics is about clinging to rigid ideologies instead of building consensus around common sense ideas.

I’m a Democrat. But I believe what Republican Abraham Lincoln believed: That Government should do for people only what they cannot do better by themselves, and no more. That’s why my education reform offers more competition, and more control for schools and States. That’s why we’re getting rid of regulations that don’t work. That’s why our health care law relies on a reformed private market, not a Government program.

On the other hand, even my Republican friends who complain the most about Government spending have supported federally-financed roads, and clean energy projects, and federal offices for the folks back home.

The point is, we should all want a smarter, more effective Government. And while we may not be able to bridge our biggest philosophical differences this year, we can make real progress. With or without this Congress, I will keep taking actions that help the economy grow. But I can do a whole lot more with your help. Because when we act together, there is nothing the United States of America can’t achieve.

That is the lesson we’ve learned from our actions abroad over the last few years.

Ending the Iraq war has allowed us to strike decisive blows against our enemies. From Pakistan to Yemen, the al Qaeda operatives who remain are scrambling, knowing that they can’t escape the reach of the United States of America.

From this position of strength, we’ve begun to wind down the war in Afghanistan. Ten thousand of our troops have come home. Twenty-three thousand more will leave by the end of this summer. This transition to Afghan lead will continue, and we will build an enduring partnership with Afghanistan, so that it is never again a source of attacks against America.

As the tide of war recedes, a wave of change has washed across the Middle East and North Africa, from Tunis to Cairo; from Sana’a to Tripoli. A year ago, Qadhafi was one of the world’s longest-serving dictators – a murderer with American blood on his hands. Today, he is gone. And in Syria, I have no doubt that the Assad regime will soon discover that the forces of change can’t be reversed, and that human dignity can’t be denied.

How this incredible transformation will end remains uncertain. But we have a huge stake in the outcome. And while it is ultimately up to the people of the region to decide their fate, we will advocate for those values that have served our own country so well. We will stand against violence and intimidation. We will stand for the rights and dignity of all human beings – men and women; Christians, Muslims, and Jews. We will support policies that lead to strong and stable democracies and open markets, because tyranny is no match for liberty.

And we will safeguard America’s own security against those who threaten our citizens, our friends, and our interests. Look at Iran. Through the power of our diplomacy, a world that was once divided about how to deal with Iran’s nuclear program now stands as one. The regime is more isolated than ever before; its leaders are faced with crippling sanctions, and as long as they shirk their responsibilities, this pressure will not relent. Let there be no doubt: America is determined to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, and I will take no options off the table to achieve that goal. But a peaceful resolution of this issue is still possible, and far better, and if Iran changes course and meets its obligations, it can rejoin the community of nations.

The renewal of American leadership can be felt across the globe. Our oldest alliances in Europe and Asia are stronger than ever. Our ties to the Americas are deeper. Our iron-clad commitment to Israel’s security has meant the closest military cooperation between our two countries in history. We’ve made it clear that America is a Pacific power, and a new beginning in Burma has lit a new hope. From the coalitions we’ve built to secure nuclear materials, to the missions we’ve led against hunger and disease; from the blows we’ve dealt to our enemies; to the enduring power of our moral example, America is back.

Anyone who tells you otherwise, anyone who tells you that America is in decline or that our influence has waned, doesn’t know what they’re talking about. That’s not the message we get from leaders around the world, all of whom are eager to work with us. That’s not how people feel from Tokyo to Berlin; from Cape Town to Rio; where opinions of America are higher than they’ve been in years. Yes, the world is changing; no, we can’t control every event. But America remains the one indispensable nation in world affairs – and as long as I’m President, I intend to keep it that way.

That’s why, working with our military leaders, I have proposed a new defense strategy that ensures we maintain the finest military in the world, while saving nearly half a trillion dollars in our budget. To stay one step ahead of our adversaries, I have already sent this Congress legislation that will secure our country from the growing danger of cyber-threats.

Above all, our freedom endures because of the men and women in uniform who defend it. As they come home, we must serve them as well as they served us. That includes giving them the care and benefits they have earned – which is why we’ve increased annual VA spending every year I’ve been President. And it means enlisting our veterans in the work of rebuilding our Nation.

With the bipartisan support of this Congress, we are providing new tax credits to companies that hire vets. Michelle and Jill Biden have worked with American businesses to secure a pledge of 135,000 jobs for veterans and their families. And tonight, I’m proposing a Veterans Job Corps that will help our communities hire veterans as cops and firefighters, so that America is as strong as those who defend her.

Which brings me back to where I began. Those of us who’ve been sent here to serve can learn from the service of our troops. When you put on that uniform, it doesn’t matter if you’re black or white; Asian or Latino; conservative or liberal; rich or poor; gay or straight. When you’re marching into battle, you look out for the person next to you, or the mission fails. When you’re in the thick of the fight, you rise or fall as one unit, serving one Nation, leaving no one behind.

One of my proudest possessions is the flag that the SEAL Team took with them on the mission to get bin Laden. On it are each of their names. Some may be Democrats. Some may be Republicans. But that doesn’t matter. Just like it didn’t matter that day in the Situation Room, when I sat next to Bob Gates – a man who was George Bush’s defense secretary; and Hillary Clinton, a woman who ran against me for president.

All that mattered that day was the mission. No one thought about politics. No one thought about themselves. One of the young men involved in the raid later told me that he didn’t deserve credit for the mission. It only succeeded, he said, because every single member of that unit did their job – the pilot who landed the helicopter that spun out of control; the translator who kept others from entering the compound; the troops who separated the women and children from the fight; the SEALs who charged up the stairs. More than that, the mission only succeeded because every member of that unit trusted each other – because you can’t charge up those stairs, into darkness and danger, unless you know that there’s someone behind you, watching your back.

So it is with America. Each time I look at that flag, I’m reminded that our destiny is stitched together like those fifty stars and those thirteen stripes. No one built this country on their own. This Nation is great because we built it together. This Nation is great because we worked as a team. This Nation is great because we get each other’s backs. And if we hold fast to that truth, in this moment of trial, there is no challenge too great; no mission too hard. As long as we’re joined in common purpose, as long as we maintain our common resolve, our journey moves forward, our future is hopeful, and the state of our Union will always be strong.

Thank you, God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America.

###

2012-01-25T07:45:00.008Z

Ayoub mzee at the new headquaters of the Africa Union in Addis ababa .This building was built by the chinese as a grant.
Fuelling its own boom at home, China is also desperate for new markets to sell goods. And Africa, with non-existent health and safety rules to protect against shoddy and dangerous goods, is the perfect destination.
The result of China's demand for raw materials and its sales of products to Africa is that turnover in trade between Africa and China has risen from £5million annually a decade ago to £6billion today.
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A century after Sir Francis Galton outlined his vision for Africa, the Chinese are here to stay. More will come.

The lesotho ambassador

The lesotho Kingdom delegation

The Malawi amabassador in black suit

The Tanzania Parmanent representative and ambassador H.E J BISWARO(with glasses) leaving the meeting at the 2nd day of the 18th ordinary session of the assembly of heads of stae and government at the UA headquaters in addis ababa - Photo by Ayoub mzee

2012-01-25T04:31:00.000Z

2012-01-24T10:16:00.000Z

Welfare Reform Bill -- no going back to Dickensian days

* Defend Child Benefit for all * Oppose all benefit caps and sanctions*
Cap greedy landlords, not low-income people!*

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Next Vigils & Lobbies: 1pm-3pm, MONDAY 23 JAN, WEDNESDAY 25 JAN, TUESDAY 31 JAN.

called by Single Mothers’ Self-Defence, WinVisible, Zacchaeus 2000 Trust

Meet opposite Parliament – Lords’ entrance

Old Palace Yard, Abingdon St SW1 – Westminster tube

All welcome

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We have had two very successful vigils attended by over 30 people – people with disabilities, single mothers, claimants and other activists. The Royal College of Nursing joined the vigil last Tuesday. Alex Callaghan who leads their policy work on the social determinants of health had photos taken for Nursing Times.

® Monday 23 January, the Bishop of Ripon and Leeds plans to raise his amendment to keep Child Benefit out of the benefit cap which will be taken from the poorest families. See SMSD & Global Women’s Strike press release

Baroness Hollis and Lord Ramsbotham will raise amendments proposed by Zacchaeus 2000, protecting people forced to repay overpayments made in error, and consideration of claimants circumstances before sanctions

® Wednesday 25 January, last day of report stage

® Tuesday 31st January, is the 3rd reading of the Bill where it will be passed or not as a whole by Lords.

THINGS YOU CAN DO

Come and raise your concerns on the Vigils ♦ Bring placards with your organisation’s name and issues you are concerned about ♦ Lobby the Lords – support amendments to keep Child Benefit out of the benefit cap, extend concessions for women fleeing domestic violence, ensure immediate benefit payments for people coming out of prison, and Zacchaeus 2000 amendments to protect claimants from unliveable benefit repayments, sanctions and bailiffs ♦ Lobby your MP; contact them to make an appointment or write to them about your personal situation – find your MP here.

Please join us again, and publicise it on Facebook, Twitter and email lists.

If you can’t come, you can ring and write to the Lords (0207 219 3000, fax 020 7219 5979), for Lords’ addresses see here; and sign the Zacchaeus 2000 Trust e-petition against the benefit caps.

Government defeats so far:

•no cut to Housing Benefit for having a spare room.
•to keep benefit entitlement for young people who are severely disabled, so they have financial independence coming into adulthood;
•increasing to two years the one-year time limit on National Insurance-based sickness benefit for people who are recovering;
•entitlement for terminally-ill people – the government wanted to force people who have longer than six months to live, to attend work-focussed interviews to get benefit.

Press coverage

2012-01-24T09:50:00.004Z

ADDIS ABABA THIS MORNING

2012-01-24T09:17:00.003Z

AYOUB MZEE at the Africa Union 18th ordinary assembly of Heads of state and Governments Summit in addis ababa

2012-01-23T05:29:00.002Z

Mwili wa Mh.Regia ukiletwa kwa ajili ya ibada

Mvua ikinyesha
Katika ibada

Watawa na wananchi katika ibada

United States to Engage With Nigeria on Regional Security

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC

January 20, 2012

A U.S. delegation co-chaired by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs William Fitzgerald and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Defense Joseph McMillan will meet with Nigerian government officials January 23-24 to discuss regional security cooperation.

The meeting marks the sixth working group meeting of the U.S.-Nigeria Binational Commission convened to advance shared objectives since its initiation in April 2010. The working group is expected to discuss areas of cooperation for addressing the professionalization of security responses to extremism, political responses to security threats, and the role of development in improving security.

Rais Jakaya Kikwete akiweka sahihi kitabu cha maombolezo
Rais Jakaya Kikwete Akimpa pole mjane wa Marehemu Jeremia Sumary, Mbunge wa Arumeru na Naibu Waziri wa Fedha wa wa zamani aliyefariki leo asubuhi jijini Dar es salaam. Hapa ni nyumbani kwa marehemu, Mbezi Beach, Dar es salaam jioni hii

2012-01-22T17:28:00.001Z

Press Releases: On the Sudan - South Sudan Oil Negotiations

On the Sudan - South Sudan Oil Negotiations
Press Statement
Victoria NulandDepartment Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
January 21, 2012
The U.S. supports the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel’s (AUHIP) Roadmap proposal for an agreement to resolve the current oil crisis and set a timeline for a final oil and financial agreement between Sudan and South Sudan. We urge both countries to agree to its terms. We further urge the parties to redouble their efforts to reach an agreement on permanent oil and financial arrangements as the impending crisis threatens not only the flow of oil but also long term damage to infrastructure. Therefore an agreement that addresses the current crisis has become necessary and is in the interests of both countries.
The AUHIP proposal recognizes and takes into account the concerns of Sudan and South Sudan that will need to be addressed in a permanent agreement. It will allow for the immediate resumption of normal oil operations, which is critical to the stabilization of their economies. The proposal requires both Sudan and South Sudan to refrain from any unilateral action related to the oil sector that adversely affects the interests of the other State. It sets a firm agenda and timetable for negotiations on a final agreement to include both commercial oil rates and a transitional financial arrangement.
The U.S. commends the efforts of the AUHIP in facilitating these negotiations and we urge the AUHIP to continue its work on reaching a final agreement in the timetable proposed.

2012-01-22T04:27:00.001Z

Johnnie Carson, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of African Affairs; Ret. General Colin Powell, former U.S. Secretary of State; Susan R. Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations; and Ambassador R. Barrie Walkley inaugurating the new U.S. Embassy in Juba, South Sudan on Independence Day.

Secretary Clinton watches a skit at the Center for Research and Action for Peace in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012.
AP Image / Jan 17, 2012

Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar Balozi Seif Ali Iddi akiangalia eneo la uwanja wa mao unaotarajiwa kuengwa upya baada ya taratibu kukamilika. kushoto yake ni Waziri Ofisi yake Mohd Aboud Mohd.

Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar Balozi Seif Ali Iddi amefanya ziara fupi ya kukagua Uwanja wa Michezo wa Mao ambao Serikali ya Mapinduzi ya Zanzibar iko katika mipango ya kutaka kuujenga upya Uwanja huo.Balozi Seif alikagua Ramani ya eneo la uwanja huo akiwa na Kamati Maalum iliyoundwa ya kuandaa michoro ya uwanja huo.

Miongoni mwa wajumbe wa kamati hiyo ni pamoja na Waziri Ofisi ya Makamu wa Pili wa Rais Mohd Aboud Mohd, Waziri wa Habari Abdillahi Jihad Hassan, Waziri Ofisi ya Makamu wa Kwanza wa Rais Fatma Abdull habib Fereji,Waziri wa Mawasiliano na Miundo mbinu Hamad Masoud, Waziri asiye na Wizara Maalum Machano Othman Said na Katibu Mkuu Wizara ya Habari Dr. Ali Mwinyikai.

Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar Balozi Seif alisema uwamuzi wa Serikali ya kuimarisha Uwanja wa Mao ni kujenga mazingira mazuri ya kusherehekea vizuri zaidi sherehe za Mapinduzi.

Alisema uwanja wa Amani hivi sasa haukidhi mahitaji ya sherehe hizo kutokana na ufinyu wa eneo pamoja na kuepusha hitilafu za uwanja kutokana na gwaride la Vikosi vya Ulinzi ambalo ndio chachu ya sherehe hizo.

“ Kwa kweli bila ya gwaride hakuna sherehe. Na hili ndilo linalowapa nafasi zaidi wananchi kufurahia sherehe hizo” Alisisitiza Balozi Seif.

Wajumbe wa Kamati hiyo walipata fursa ya kujadiliana michoro ya ramani hiyo wakisisitiza kuwepukwa kwa nyumba zilizo karibu na uwanja huo wakati ujenzi utakapowadia.
Uwanja wa Mao ni miongoni mwa Viwanja Vitatu vinavyotegemewa na Wanamichezo kuhudumia michezo kikitanguliwa na kile cha Amani Unguja na Gombani Kisiwani Pemba.

Balozi Seif akionyesha uso wa matumaini ya kuboresha uwanja wa mao kushoto yake akiwa na katibu mkuu habari Dr. Ali Mwinyikai. Kulia ya balozi ni waziri wa miundo mbinu Hamad Masoud Mwenyekiti Wa Baraza La Michezo Zanzibar Sherry Khamis Na Waziri Ofisi Ya Makamu Wa Pili Wa Rais Wa Zanzibar Mohd Aboud Mohd.

2012-01-21T03:14:00.001Z

Press TV

20^th January 2012

PRESS RELEASE: Ofcom Bans Press TV in the UK

OFCOM HAS REVOKED Press TV Limited’s Television Licensable Content Service licence. It means that the British public can no longer watch Press TV on BSkyB’s Sky platform. Press TV International has released the following statement:

The British government's media regulatory body, Ofcom, has banned Press TV's broadcast in the UK and removed the channel from the Sky platform without responding to a letter sent from Press TV's CEO to Ofcom's chief executive earlier this month.

This after Ofcom fined Press TV Limited in London a hundred thousand pounds for the channel's airing of a 10-second news clip. At the same time, Ofcom made moves to revoke the license of Press TV Limited in the UK for what it called Press TV Limited's lack of control over the channel's broadcast. We asked Ofcom, if Press TV Limited did not have control over the broadcast, why was it getting fined; if it did have control, why would the license be revoked?

Ofcom’s contradictions are nothing new for Press TV. The British government's tool to control the media has on several occasions changed its decisions regarding Press TV in its two-year campaign against the alternative news channel.

In response to Press TV's complaints about Ofcom's subservience to the British government and the monarchy, which have been a focus of Press TV's critical coverage in recent years, Ofcom claims it is not a government organization. But there is every indication that it is. It gets both its authority and funding from the British government. Ofcom was created by an Act of Parliament and gets most of its funding from governmental grant-in-aid. Britain's Office for National Statistics has also said Ofcom must be classified as a central government unit.

As a news channel broadcast in the UK, Press TV has shed more light on the British government's domestic and foreign policies. It has aired critical views regarding Britain's involvement in wars of aggression in Iraq and Afghanistan. It has also shown the close ties between the British Royal family and UK-founded monarchies in the Persian Gulf region, including the autocratic regimes in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, which have been oppressing their people for decades. Press TV has also provided critical coverage of the extravagant costs of Britain's Royal Wedding at a time of great financial difficulty for ordinary Britons. The channel covered the 2011 unrest in Britain and the heavy-handed police crackdown, drawing the resentment of London's ruling establishment.

Wikileaks cables have revealed that London and Washington are exploring ways to construct a case to silence Press TV. And, Ofcom, the media arm of the Royal family, exhausted all efforts to put an end to Press TV's broadcasting in the UK. But it fails to grasp the reality of mass communication in the modern era and the impossibility of containing the flow of information. Press TV will do everything possible to make sure that its voice will definitely reach its audience in the UK.

For more information, please contact Press TV International on info@presstv.ir.

Waziri Mkuu,Mizengo Pinda akizungumza na Sheikh Mkuu wa Tanzania, Mufti Shaban Bin Simba Ofisini kwake jijini Dar es salaam Januari 18, 2012. Katikati ni Waziri wa Nchi, Ofisi ya Waziri Mkuu,William Lukuvi.Picha na Ofisi ya Waziri Mkuu
Rais wa Chama cha Madaktari Tanzania (MAT), Dk. Namala Nkopi akifafanua jambo wakati wa mkutano mkuu wa madaktari nchini, Dar es Salaam, ambapo pamoja na mambo mengine walizungumzia kuhusu tamko lao la kuitaka Serikali kuwarejesha Hospitai ya Taifa ya Muhimbili, madakari wenzao walioko mafunzoni ambao wamehamishiwa hospitali za kawaida baada ya kuitisha mgomo wa kudai malipo yao
Mwanafunzi wa shule ya Msingi Luilo Ludewa akiwa amebeba majembe baada ya naibu waziri wa Tamisemi Aggrey Mwanri kuagiza warudi madarasani Jana asubuhi.
Mwalimu wa shule ya msingi Luilo kata ya Lifua wilaya ya Ludewa mwalimu Mgaya akipita katika eneo ambalo wanafunzi walikuwa wakilima na kuacha majembe na kukimbia kujificha
Wanafunzi wa shule ya Msingi Luilo Ludewa wakiwa wamejificha katika kichaka pamoja na walimu wao kumkwepa naibu waziri wa Tamisemi Aggrey Mwanri jana

safara wa naibu waziri wa tamisemi Aggrey Mwanri ukipita eneo ambalo wanafunzi walikuwa wakilima.Picha na Mdau Francis Godwin

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BAADA ya naibu waziri ofisi ya waziri mkuu Tamisemi Aggrey Mwanri kuukataa mradi wa umwagiliajikatika kata ya Lifua wilayani Ludewa uliojengwa kwa zaidi ya shilingi milinio 500 bila kufanya kazi kutoka na kubomoka kabla ya muda na ule wa ukarabati wa nyumba ya mganga kata ya Lupangailiyokarabatiwa kwa kiasi cha shilingi milioni 7 ,mbunge wa jimbo la Ludewa acharuka mbele ya naibuwaziri amkataa mhandisi wa maji na mhadisi wa ujenzi ataka naibu waziri kuwapeleka jimboni Kwake ama jimbo la waziri mkuu Mizengo Pinda.

Mbunge Filikunjombe aliwakataa wahandisi hao wawili Christopher Nyandiga wa maji na mhandisi waujenzi Rashid Mtamila leo katika ukumbi wa Halmashauri ya wilaya ya Ludewa wakati wa majumuishoya ziara ya siku mbili ya naibu waziri huyo katika kutembelea miradi ya kimaendeleo katika wilaya hiyo ya Ludewa.

Mbunge Filikunjombe alimweleza naibu waziri huyo kuwa wilaya ya Ludewa imegeuzwa kuwa ni shamba la bibi kwa baadhi ya viongozi wasio waadilifu ambao wamekuwa wakitumia vibaya nafasi zao kwakuhujumu miradi ya kimaendeleo inayoibuliwa katika wilaya hiyo.

Alisema kuwa kila wakati amekuwa akiwaonya watumishi wa wilaya ya Ludewa kufanya kazi yao kwa uadilifu ila baadhi yao wameshindwa kabisa kuonyesha uaminifu katika utendaji wa kazi yao.

“Viongozi wenzangu na madiwani wangu wapo walionifuata kutaka niwatetee kwa uozo huu ila nasemaheri kulaumiwa kwa kusimamia ukweli na kupinga ufisadi unaofanyika katika wilaya ya Ludewa ila nipo tayari kuendelea kufanya kazi na viongozi waadilifu “

Alisema kuwa wahandisi hao wameendelea kuwa kikwazo kikubwa katika wilaya ya Ludewa na kuwamiradi mbali mbali inayosimamiwa katika wilaya hiyo imekuwa ni mibovu na haina sifa japo imetumiafedha nyingi zaidi .

Mapema asubuhi naibu waziri huyo alifanya ziara ya ghafla ambayo haikuwepo katika ratiba katika banio la mradi wa umwagiliaji wa Lifua ambalo umejengwa na kampuni ya Summer Communication kwakiasi cha zaidi ya shilingi milioni 357 toka mwaka 2009/2010 bila kufanya kazi .Kitoa taarifa ya mradihuo mbele ya naibu waziri Mhandisi wa maji wilaya ya Ludewa Nyandiga alisema kuwa awamu ya kwanza ilitumia kiasi cha shilingi milioni 357,262,990 na mradi huo kukabidhiwa kwa Halmashauri toka mwaka 2010 japo hautumiki kutokana na kuvujisha maji.

Wakati awamu ya pili mradi ulijengwa na kampuni ya Tan Direct Co.Ltd ya Dar es salaam kwa gharama ya shilingi milioni 227,613,136.15 kwa kazi ya kujenga mfereji wenye urefu wa mita 1725,usakafiaji wa eneo la kuingia na kutoka kwenye daraja hilo ,ujenzi wa vigawa maji vinne na ujenzi wa vianguko vya maji vinne na ujenzi wa kivusha maji kimoja na kuwa hadi sasa mkandarasi huyo amelipwa asilimia 64.9 ya fedha zote na kazi hiyo imefanyika kwa asilimia 73.2.

Akimhoji mkandarasi huyo naibu waziri huyo Mwanri alimtaka kueleza sababu ya kulipa mamilioni ya fedha katika mradi huo bila kufanya kazi na hauna maji katika kipindi hiki cha masika ,mhandisi huyo alikana kuwa yeye si msanifu wa mradi huo hivyo hawezi kujibia swali hilo.

Akitoa majumuisho yake na maombi ya mbunge Filikunjombe ya kutaka wahandisi hao kuondolewa katika wilaya hiyo ya Ludewa naibu waziri huyo alisema suala hilo linawezekana kwani pia kwa upandewake hajapendezewa na ufisadi mkubwa uliofanyika katika miradi hiyo.

Kaimu Mtendaji Mkuu wa Wakala wa Huduma ya Misitu Tanzania (kushoto) akiteta jambo na Waziri wa Maliasili na Utalii, Mhe. Ezekieli Maige alipokuwa akiwaeleza wafanyakazi wa Msitu wa Hifadhi Ruvu uliopo Kibaha, Mkoani Pwani nia ya Wizara kuanza kuzalisha nishati ya mkaa na kuni, hivi karibuni.

Na Tulizo Kilaga

WIZARA ya Maliasili na Utalii iko kwenye mchakato wakuangalia uwezekano wakutumia maeneo yake yalioko Kibaha mkoani Pwani kwa ajili ya uzalisha wa nishati ya kuni na mkaa.

Hatua hiyo inakuja kufuatia kukosekana kwa ufumbuzi wa tatizo la nishati ya kuni na mkaa ambao kwa miaka yote asilimia kubwa ya nishati hizo hasa mkaa hutumika jijini Dar es Salaam.

Katika ziara yake ya kutembelea misitu ya hifadhi iliyoko Mkoani Pwani hivi karibuni, Waziri wa Maliasili na Utalii, Mhe. Ezekiel Maige alisema kwa miaka yote asilimia karibia 50 ya nishati ya

kuni na mkaa unaozalishwa nchini unatumika jijini Dar es Salaam kutokanawakazi wake kushindwa kutumia nishati nyingine kama umeme na gesi.

“Hali ilivyo sasa ni lazima tukubari tutaendelea kutumia mkaa kwa miaka kadhaa ijayo,na ili kufanya hivyo ni lazima tujipange kuwa wazalishaji wa mkaa, Wizara sasa haioni haja yakusubiri

watu wachome mkaa na kuanza kukimbizana nao na badala yake imeamua kukabiliana na mahitaji ya nishati hiyo,” alisema Mhe. Maige.

Aliongeza kuwa kanuni ya uchumi zinasema kuwa jinsi unavyoongeza ugavi ndivyo unavyopunguza bei, na jinsi unavyopunguza bei ndivyo unavyowapunguzia hamu wazalishaji

wapya kuingia kwenye eneo hilo kwa sababu halitakuwa na faida. Hivyo wizara inaweka mikakati yakuzalisha mkaa.

“Wizara kwa kupitia Wakala wake wa Huduma za Misitu (TFS) inafikilia kuanzisha mashamba ya kuni ambapo itapanda miti inayokomaa kwa muda mfupi na baadaye kuchoma mkaa na

kufungua vituo vya kuuzia mkaa kwa bei nafuu kuliko mkaa wa wizi au mkaa unaotozwa ushuru mwingi kwenye maeneo yaiyoruhusiwa,” alisema Waziri.

Mhe. Maige alisema hatua hiyo itaiongezea kipato TFS na kuwapa changamoto wazalishaji wa nishati nyingine na kupunguza presha ya uvamizi wa misitu kwenye maeneo ambayo yamezuiwa.

Aliongeza kuwa utekelezaji wa mpango huo utahusisha sekta binafsi kwa kuwa sheria inaruhusu kuingia mkataba wa muda mrefu na watu wanaotaka kuendeleza misitu. Hivyo wawekezaji hao

watalazimika kupanda miti na kuuza huku ardhi ikibaki serikalini ili kuongeza uzalishaji.

Kwa upande wake, Kaimu Mtendaji Mkuu wa Wakala wa Huduma za Misitu, Bi. Monica A. Kagya alisema wakati wa kuanzisha mashamba hayo watazingatia mahitaji ya wakazi wa maeneo husika

na kuchanganya aina ya miti kutokana na mahitaji ya wananchi, lakini dhumuni kuu litakuwa kupata kuni na mkaa.

Aliongeza kuwa, zoezi hilo litaanza kutekelezwa mara baada ya wataalamu wa misitu kukamilisha utafiti wa aina ya miti inayofaa kupandwa na kukomaa kwa muda mfupi huku ikizalisha mkaa mzito

unaopendwa na wengi.

Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Pwani, Mwamtumu Mahiza alisema atahakikisha vijana wanaotumia nguvu kazi zao kufanya uharibifu, wanashirikishwa kwa nguvu zote katika shughuli za upandaji miti inayokomaa kwa muda mfupi kuanzia msimu huu wa mvua ili kuweza kuzalisha nishati ya kuni na mkaa kwa wingi bila

kusababisha uharibifu wa mazingira.

Mkoa wa Pwani ni eneo linaloathilika zaidi na mahitaji ya mazao

ya misitu ya mkoa wa Dar es Salaam kutokana na ukaribu wa mikoa husika ambapo takwimu za mwaka 2010 zinaonyesha kuwa Tanzania hutumia magunia milioni 64 ya mkaa kwa mwaka ambapo

nusu ya hayo hutumika jijini Dar es Salaam.

2012-01-20T03:13:00.000Z

Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, Mheshimiwa Dkt. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete
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Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, Mheshimiwa Dkt. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete amemtumia salamu za rambirambi Spika wa Bunge la Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, Mheshimiwa Anne Semamba Makinda (Mb.,) kutokana na kifo cha Mhe. Jeremia Solomon Sumari, aliyekuwa Mbunge wa Jimbo la Arumeru Mashariki kwa tiketi ya CCM na Naibu Waziri wa Fedha na Uchumi, kilichotokea usiku wa kuamkia leo tarehe 19 Januari, 2012 katika Hospitali ya Taifa ya Muhimbili alikokuwa amelazwa kwa matibabu.
“Nimeshtushwa, nimesikitishwa na kuhuzunishwa sana kutokana na taarifa za kifo cha Mheshimiwa Jeremia Solomon Sumari kwani alikuwa kiongozi aliyewatumikia vema wananchi wa Jimbo lake la Uchaguzi la Arumeru Mashariki na Taifa kwa ujumla katika wadhfa wake wa Waziri kwa umahiri na uhodari mkubwa”, amesema Rais Kikwete katika salamu zake.
Rais Kikwete amesema kutokana na kifo chake, wananchi wa Arumeru Mashariki wamepoteza kiongozi wa kutegemewa sana huku Taifa likiachwa na pengo kubwa ambalo si rahisi kuzibika ikizingatiwa kwamba alikuwa kiongozi katika Wizara ambayo ni mhimili muhimu kwa maendeleo ya nchi yetu.
“Kwa dhati ya moyo wangu, natuma salamu za rambirambi na pole nyingi kwa familia ya Marehemu Jeremia Sumari kwa kumpoteza kiongozi na mhimili madhubuti wa familia. Ninawahakikishia kwamba nipo pamoja nanyi katika kuomboleza msiba huu mkubwa, na namuomba Mwenyezi Mungu, mwingi wa Rehema aipumzishe roho ya Marehemu Jeremia Solomon Sumari mahali pema peponi, Amina”, ameongeza kusema Rais Kikwete.
Ameiomba familia ya Marehemu kuwa na moyo wa uvumilivu na subira katika kipindi hiki kigumu cha maombolezo ya mpendwa wao kwa kutambua kuwa yote ni mapenzi yake mola.
Imetolewa naKurugenzi Ya Mawasiliano IKULU
19 Jan 2012
Makamu wa Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, Dkt. Mohammed Gharib Bilal, akisalimiana na Balozi wa Tanzania nchini Kenya, Dkt. Batlda Burian, wakati Balozi huyo alipofika Ofisini kwa Makamu Ikulu Dar es Salaam leo Januari 19, 2012, kwa ajili ya kumuaga rasmi kwenda kuanza kazi nchini Kenya baada ya uteuzi wake.

Press release
Thursday 19 January 2012
For immediate use
Ed Miliband's speech on responsible capitalism
Ed Miliband MP, Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Labour Party, said at a visit to Which? this morning: "From bank charges to train costs, from energy companies to low cost airlines and pensions, the Government can act. "You’ll have noticed that it’s not just me talking about irresponsible capitalism. "We had a speech earlier this week from the Deputy Prime Minister and today we have a speech from the Prime Minister. "I welcome the fact that other leaders are coming onto the ground that I set out in my Labour Party conference speech about the need to tackle predatory capitalism. "But what I say to David Cameron is: "Let’s judge you on your deeds and not your words. "If he is serious about tackling irresponsible capitalism he needs to clamp down on the fact that train companies are ripping people off. "If he is serious about tackling irresponsible capitalism he needs to take action to break up the rigged energy market. "If he is serious about tackling irresponsible capitalism he needs to take action to stop those exorbitant bank charges. "That’s the proof that he is really serious about this agenda. "And if he takes action, we’ll support him. "But if he doesn’t take action, we’ll call him on it. "Because I frankly don’t believe that this Prime Minister is serious about this agenda. "Why? He attacked me last year when I talked about irresponsible capitalism and I’m afraid its never going to work if your basic view is that government should just get out of the way. "What you need is government willing to take action - willing to stand up to the vested interests. "I strongly believe that this agenda is incredibly important to people at this time when people are hard pressed. We are determined as a party to show that we will stand up for the squeezed middle. "We as a Labour Party are determined to be champions of the consumer. "We are determined to stand up against the vested interests that are imposing a surcharge culture on people."Ed Miliband also highlighted the Government’s lack of action on executive pay and bank bonuses. He said: "I think that you’ve got to judge politicians on their deeds, not their words, on this issue. "Look at everything that the government have done so far: not making it easier for train companies to overcharge customers, not acting on the energy market, and not acting on the bonus culture in our banks. We’ve got another example of that today with Stephen Hester’s potential bonus from the Royal Bank of Scotland."All those things suggest that this is a government not acting in a way its rhetoric would suggest. "I’m up for any politician talking about these issues. But let’s judge everyone on their action, not on their rhetoric. "That is the test for David Cameron today. Not whether he can talk the talk on responsible capitalism, but if he walks the walk. "What action is he going to take on behalf of hard pressed consumers, on behalf of the squeezed middle who want action from him, not words."
Ends
Editor's notes:
1. Labour has set three tests for the Government on executive pay:1. Transparency:- One salary, one bonus – pay awards have become increasingly complex and it has become difficult for shareholders to know the full value of remuneration packages so, to improve transparency for shareholders and the public, executives should be paid a basic salary with a performance-related element where justified.- Publish what is paid – Labour has called for firms to publish the ratio of average salaries of employees to executive pay; further to the publication of the ratios we would require the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills to publish a league table of the worst offenders with the highest ratios2. Accountability: - Put an employee representative on the renumeration committee of every company- Empower pensioners and investors - to increase accountability, investors and pension fu nd managers should be required to disclose how they vote on remuneration decisions so pensioners and investors would easily be able to access information on where their monies are being used to finance big pay deals. The last Labour government legislated in the 2006 Companies Act for this to to happen but the Government has refused to bring it in to force. 3. Fairness:Labour’s five point plan for growth and jobs already includes a proposal for another round of the bank bonus tax to pay for 100,000 jobs for our young people

2012-01-19T17:00:00.002Z

Dear Mr Ayoub Mzee
The ANC’s 100th Birthday:When does it become a political party?
18 January 2012
On 8 January 1912 in a small Wesleyan church in Bloemfontein (now called Mangaung) as one scholarly account puts it, several hundred of South Africa’s most prominent Black citizens, professional and chieftains, ministers of religion, teachers, clerks, interpreters, land holders, businessmen, journalists, estate agents, building contractors and labour agents met to establish what shortly afterwards was to be called the African National Congress (ANC). Present at that meeting was the ANC’s first president, the Reverend John L Dube, an educationalist, ordained minister and editor of Ilanga laseNatali. (Incidentally, the ANC’s nemesis, the National Party was also born in Bloemfontein but two years later.)
So 2012 started off in Manguaung, South Africa, with the African National Congress’s centenary celebration. The sharp differences of opinion within the organisation relating less to ideology and policy than to personalities, positions and perks, were temporarily brushed under the carpet. Only one speech was featured and that was delivered by President Jacob Zuma – to which I come back in a moment.
However, to put this in context, especially for our international readers, the ANC has played a major and honourable role since its establishment in bringing about full democracy in South Africa and ending racial discrimination. In the process it produced several great and inspiring leaders going back to people like Dube, Albert Luthuli, Oliver Tambo, Govan Mbeki, Walter Sisulu and Mandela himself. The organisation stands out among the many liberation movements which emerged in different parts of the world between the two World Wars and of course immediately after the Second World War with the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, other similar human rights accords, and the growing afro-Asian demand for independence. The ANC takes credit for galvanising international opinion against apartheid South Africa. For that reason, the ANC in its recent celebrations highlighted its historical role, and for that it deserves the respect of all South Africans and indeed that’s how last week-end’s celebrations were viewed.
But putting history to one side, there is growing discontent with the ANC as a government. After 17 years in office, it is faction-riven, divided, indecisive, lacking in vision, and failing to provide essential services or curb wide-spread corruption. Indeed, it is failing to govern, which President Zuma’s speech typified. To quote Phylicia Oppelt in her Sunday Times column – and I do so generously because she expresses the disappointment so well:
“Zuma’s rambling speech in Mangaung – summed up in the Mail & Guardian as having consisted of 5,708 words - was an ill-prepared monologue on the history of the ANC over the past 100 years.
His predecessor Nelson Mandela would have drawn us closer with a language of reconciliation, with references to what binds together as a nation rather than what separates us. Madiba would have offered 10 decades of hope, optimism and idealism because that is what the character of Nelson Mandela would have demanded.
Mbeki would have given us beautiful, memorable imagery, something akin to his “I am an African” speech, that would have excavated the rich history of our country and its people.
But there was Zuma, lumbering and heavy, plodding through 40-odd pages of dense history without offering a vision of our future………Our nation deserves more than lethargy, more than uninspired plodding and vacillation. Our young country in all its promise and fragile nationhood, needs a leader who will, if nothing else, lead decisively and be bold enough to rectify mistakes.”
One thing is for sure, with this speech President Zuma didn’t improve his prospects for a second term.
Other criticisms of the celebration reflect the commendably high levels of civic awareness in this country. Thus several commentators tellingly made the point that the ANC in its historical account failed to mention other organisations which have figured significantly in the freedom struggle. Dr Farieda Khan, an independent social and environmental historian with an interest in heritage matters, wrote: “Acknowledging the movement’s history and heritage it must also be recognised that, despite claims that “the ANC liberated the country”, the ANC is but one role-player, although an important one, in the story of how racial discrimination was fought and democracy (or “liberation” to use ANC terminology) was eventually established.” Dr Khan lists organisations like the All African Convention (established in 1935), the National Liberation League (1935), the Unity Movement (1943), the Liberal Party (1953), the Pan African Congress (1959), the Progressive Party (1959), the African Resistance Movement (1960), the Black Consciousness Movement of the 1970s, and the United Democratic Front. These organisations were assisted by countless civil society organisations, both in South Africa and abroad, from humble civic and faith-based groups to mighty workers’ organisations. All worked to create a climate in which democracy could eventually take root – no single role-player can take the credit for this.
So much for the history. One aspect of the ANC situation, which is in some respects quite unique but which is bothersome, is that the ANC in power persists in regarding itself as a liberation movement. It is only nominally a political party. It still thinks and acts as a liberation movement. Like other liberation movements, it aimed to seize power – not to share it – and like other liberation movements, it wished to gain control of the regime. That is still the ANC’s culture and organising principle, with the consequence that the distinction so critical to any democratic system between the state and political parties, is blurred. In these circumstances, aside from the use of state resources for sectional political ends, a strong and independent public service simply isn’t possible – because the ANC determines what the job specifications are and who gets what and why by way of deployment.
The blurring of the distinction between state and political organisation was evident, as Farieda Khan puts it even in the financing of the ANC celebrations. Her article says it all under the heading – “ANC should pay centenary costs”. Instead, millions of taxpayers’ money was spent on the event.
There were people who hoped that with the centenary celebrations the ANC might want to reconsider its role. That it might wish to move more towards being a genuine political party. That clearly hasn’t happened, and it won’t happen to any great degree until a completely new generation comes to control the organisation.

2012-01-19T15:53:00.003Z

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CONTAINER PRICE TO EAST AFRICA
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We specialise in Forwarding to East Africa,West Africa ,Middle East and USA and ESAC Ltd provide clearing goods if require to Tanzania.
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Channelstvlive

2012-01-19T14:44:00.000Z

Channelstvlive

2012-01-14T07:57:00.000Z

PRESS RELEASEMay/28/2009
For Immediate ReleaseContact: Stephanie LusterCell: 202-560-9954Email: Stephanie@friendsofthecongo.org
Lumumba 51
A Benefit Concert in Support of the Congo Movement
When: Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Where: Taj Lounge
48 West 21st Street,
New York, NY

WHO: Friends of the Congo
www.congoweek.org/events.html

January 17, 2012 is the 51st anniversary of the assassination of Congo's first democratically elected Prime Minister, Patrice Emery Lumumba. Friends of the Congo will commemorate the day with a benefit concert at the Taj Lounge in New York City. Queens native Tobias Truvillion, a celebrated actor, who regularly debuts on the ABC soap opera "One Life to Live", will be the Masters of Ceremonies for this red-carpet event.
Acclaimed Poet and Author, Ms. Toni Blackman will serve as Mistress of Ceremonies for the dynamic series of performances featuring: Hasan Salaam, the Jersey-bred MC who was voted the winner of FUSE TV's "Hip Hop President" contest; The Mahina Movement, a phenomenal 3 women trio who "combine poetry and song to create passionate music straight from the heart; Congolese artist and orator, Isaac Katalay who is a co-founder of CONTEMPTRA - a Congolese dance concept that combines contemporary and traditional Congolese dance moves. Ghanaian Model Afua Boni will bring her magnetic beauty and resplendent presence to the festivities.
In addition to the musical performances, attendees will experience a live DJ, film shorts and introduction of the 2012 Congo Week events calendar. "This premier location will set the standard for the caliber of events people can expect from FOTC and highlight previous productions in a visual presentation," says marketing professional Nakeisha Jennings of Prime Planners. This event will showcase how everyone can lend their strengths to elevate this global movement - activists, students, socialites, musicians, community leaders/organizers and people of conscience. All are welcomed to join in this electric evening.

About Friends of the Congo
The Friends of the Congo (FOTC) is a 501 (c) 3 tax-exempt advocacy organization based in Washington, DC. The FOTC was established in 2004 to work in partnership with Congolese to bring about peaceful and lasting change in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), formerly Zaire. Visit congoweek.org or friendsofthecongo.org for more information about Congo Week!

2012-01-13T06:40:00.000Z

Dear All,

I am pleased to inform you that "THE OUR READING COMMUNITY CONCERT AND AFTER PARTY" is just two weeks away and will be taking place on "SATURDAY THE 14TH OF JANUARY" @ THE GOSPODA BAR, 2 BEDFORD ROAD, READING, RG1 7HS AT 6PM ON THE DOT."THE OUR READING COMMUNITY CONCERT AND AFTER PARTY" is aimed at:1. Promoting Reading4U Commuinity Radio Station in Berkshire and South East vicinities2. Improving Community Engagement, Community awareness and Social integration in Reading area3. A platform to build and maintain relationships amongst Creative artists, Community leaders, Social entrepreneurs, Role models and people willing to make a difference to BerkshireThis event will be enhanced with a wealth of diversity with motivational speakers, singers, poets, community leaders and West african masqueradesLIST OF MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKERS ON THE DAY WILL INCLUDE:1. MR WINSTON ELLIS- BLACK BRITISH ACTOR AND 3 TIME MARTIAL ARTS CHAMPION FROM READING2. MR DES O CONNOR- DATING AND RELATIONSHIP COACH3. MR ROBERT NTEFON - MARRAIGE MENTOR, PUBLIC SPEAKER, TRAINER AND SUCCESSFUL INTERNET ENTREPRENEUR4. MR MATHEW DANIELS- BUSINESS ENTREPRENEUR, COMMUNITY LEADER AND AUTHOR OF 5 BOOKS5 MRS C . MWANIKI- UTULIVU WOMENS GROUP AND AUTHOR OF SEVERAL BOOKS6. MRS ELNETTE PARSONS- SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR7. MR CHIDI- OWNER OF PROUD TO BE AFRICAN CLOTHING8. MANY MORELISTS OFSINGERS AND PERFORMING ARTISTS ON THE DAY WILL INCLUDE:1. TUDOR LODGE- JOHN AND LYNNE- READING BASED2. SIERRA LEONIAN MASQUERADES SUPPLIED BY LEGLOMA ASSOCIATION3. MISH- READING BASED SINGER AND SONGWRITER4. ISREAL ONORODE- HIGHLIFE MUSICIAN, COMEDIAN AND PHOTOGRAHER 5. BETH WRIGHT- READING BASED SINGER6. THE PHATT LADY - KINGSTON BASED SINGER AND SONGWRITER7. AYESHA NEWSAM - POET8. LYNDSEY CLARKE- PERFORMING ARTIST9.CELESTINO - SINGER10. MALCOLM EFFIONG AND HIS BAND11. THE LION CREW OF READING4U RADIO STATIONTHIS FREE EVENT is going to be the first of many aimed at improving community development, social networking and social harmony in ReadingI look forward to seeing you all on the day, Any questions My number is 07882809005Tony Tokunbo Eteka FernandezWriter, Mentor and Radio Presenterhttp://www.africa-awakening.co.uk

Tanzania Tourism board officilas at one of the english premiership grounds in blackburn

WHY HAS TANZANIA INVESTED IN THE ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP ?

Football is the most widely followed game in the world. Last year’s World Cup yielded an estimated 5.9 billion viewers in 54 countries; 41% percent of the audience was women. The sport’s main event during the year is the English Premier. Every week from August through May, the league holds a captive audience of at least 76 million people in 190 countries, making the Premier the most popular league in the world.
Deloitte’s Annual Review of Football Finance, released last week, supports the English Premier’s supremacy. It generated the highest revenue (1.4 billion pounds) and operating profitability (138 million pounds) for 2006, much of it in broadcasting. The future looks brighter still. According to Deloitte’s Dan Jones, “We believe the relatively small changes in Premier League clubs’ financial results over the past three seasons represent the calm before the storm.” In coming seasons, the league is forecasted to widen the lead substantially over its closest competitor, the Italian Serie A. Revenue increases from higher broadcasting contracts and reasonable wage cost controls will result in an estimated 260 million pounds’ operating profits for the 2007/08 season for the EPL.
Large-scale investors who have seized this opportunity are achieving results. One of the more noteworthy acquisitions in the past 5 years was that of exiled Russian oil oligarch Roman Abramovitch, who purchased Chelsea FC in 2003 for nearly 60 million pounds. To date, he has poured 485 million pounds of additional financing into Chelsea, to acquire the world’s best players. His financial commitment has been crucial to Chelsea’s 2 Premiership titles in the past three seasons.
American money was not far behind Abramovitch. In 2005, Malcolm Glazer decided to diversify his assets into the “other football.” The owner of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers purchased the most popular sports team in the world when he paid 809 million pounds for Manchester United. Like Abramovich, Glazer’s investment has yielded handsome dividends as Manchester won the most recent Premiership.
Besides the greater ticket sales, endorsements, and contracts associated with title victories, these foreign owners are adding value to their soccer clubs. The enhanced reputations allow the clubs to be bought out at a premium.
Other American sports franchise owners have jumped into the English soccer scene. They include Cleveland Browns owner Randy Lerner and Texas Rangers/ Dallas Stars owner Tom Hicks. Those only recently aware of soccer’s potential are getting in on the prospect. Right now, Abramovitch’s fellow exiled billionaire (and former Prime Minister of Thailand) Thaksin Shinawatra, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, and the sheikh of Dubai are all negotiating acquisitions with English Premier clubs.
Besides financial opportunity, what has opened the floodgates of foreign investment into football clubs? Owners’ interests are mixed. According to Michael Stirling, a commercial director at Global Sponsors, “Some have a genuine interest; others just have excess money. The super-rich used to buy yachts; now it's football clubs.'' The rich have found another status symbol to separate themselves. It’s an ultra-exclusive club of 20. Since the EPL has a fixed number of teams in their league, the clubs are a non-renewable commodity – and nothing appreciates like a commodity of capped supply with skyrocketing demand.

sHOULD YOU NEED MORE INFO PLEASE CONTACT AYOUB +447960811614

Whats up guys ? Gen obasanjo the former Nigeria head of state seems to tell the Ben tv oga Dr alistair soyode

TIKEN JAH FAKOLY IN ERITREA
A world star in Asmara to sing against FGM
6 & 7 February 2012
Eritrea is proud to welcome the world famous reggae star Tiken Jah Fakoly who will be joining
anti-Female Genital Mutilation activists for International Day of Zero Tolerance to FGM, the 6th of
February.
Alliance France d’Asmara, National Union of Eritrean Youth & Students (NUEYS) in partnership
with PFDJ Cultural Affairs will present the world renowned artist in Asmara.
The charismatic singer and his band will be performing on Monday 6th of February at Cinema
Roma and on Tuesday 7th of February a free concert on the outdoor stage at Bahti Meskerem.
Tiken Jah Fakoly is a Pan-African artist who evokes the socio-politics of his country, Ivory Coast
and of Africa in his songs and sings mostly in his own language, French and sometimes in
English.
Tiken Jah has established himself as one of the figureheads of the reggae scene in the world.
Fusing his infectious reggae beat with hard-hitting lyrics, Tiken Jah has become a spokesperson
for an entire generation of music fans, speaking out on political and social issues through his
music. He uses his Ivorian experience to call for unity within diversity in Africa and denounces the
artificial division between ethnicities, groups and areas in Africa.
CULTURAL AFFAIRS
(P.F.D.J)

2012-01-12T18:25:00.000Z

Press release
Thursday 12 January 2012
For immediate use
Labour will address excessive pay and rewards for failure - Chuka Umunna
Speech to the High Pay Commission and IPPR

-CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY-Chuka Umunna MP, Labour’s Shadow Business Secretary, in a speech to the High Pay Commission and Institute for Public Policy Research today, said: Thank you for that introduction Michael and to the ICAEW for hosting this event.And thank you too to the High Pay Commission and the Institute of Public Policy Research for inviting me to speak.All three organisations have made major contributions to informing and stimulating the national debate on this issue which has dominated the news agenda since the year started, the High Pay Commission in particular.The headlines and clipped news reports do not do justice to this issue so today my aim is:- to explain why excessive pay and rewards for failure matter from the point of view of our businesses, those who own them and society at large; and,- to get to the heart of the problem and outline the solutions as we see them in Her Majesty’s Opposition. The economy is the issue of this parliament not simply because of the lack of growth and the highest rate of unemployment for 17 years which people are experiencing in the here and now. But also because of the long term structural trends in an economy which has failed to deliver incomes to keep pace with rising living costs, a pattern repeated in other developed economies.What do I mean by this? Not enough of the reward from rising productivity has found its way into the wage packets of average earners with the result that middle income earners have actually seen their wages stagnate from 2003, whilst high earners have seen their wages soar. Consequently many people have come to feel that, in the good times the economy did not really work for them, while in the bad times they were being made to carry much of the risk.So it is time for some hard reflection on the nature and direction of our economy and the changes we need to make:- changes to get growth going again in the short term, which is why we have put forward an immediate stimulus package in the form of our 5 point plan for growth and jobs;- changes to ensure that future prosperity benefits everyone;- changes to ensure we can pay our way in the world and take full advantage of the new opportunities that new markets bring – which is why we need to build a New Economy based on a reformed capitalism. The FT have just started a series of articles under the title Capitalism in Crisis. I wouldn’t go as far as those dangerous lefties. Capitalism has been and remains a powerful engine of human progress. But in recent speeches and, again, over the weekend I argued that what we need is a New Economy based on a better, more responsible and more productive capitalism than our current national variety.That New Economy must be built on a partnership between productive business and active government: the entrepreneurial impulse in us all encouraged and supported; closed circles broken up and opened to everyone. And, as Ed Miliband said in his speech on Tuesday, we must think how we build a New Economy that delivers fairness for Britain at a time when there is less money to spend.In many ways, the issues around executive pay are a good place to start. Excessive pay and rewards for failure are symptomatic of what is wrong with the way our economy has been operating over the last 30 years – of how wealth is created, how opportunities are shared, how success is rewarded, and how power is exercised in our companies. It is something Ed Miliband has been talking about for many, many months now.There are some who say it is no business of government - no business of politicians - to be commenting on these matters. We have no right to interfere in the affairs of privately owned companies is their refrain. I could not disagree more strongly with that statement.At the heart of my politics is the belief that we are all mutually dependent. This notion is deeply embedded in the values of the Labour Party. Better together. Stronger together.So to argue that politicians and society at large, should not take an interest in these matters, is to feed the idea that society is here and business is over in the corner there which is dangerous.Why? Because business and society are not separate islands - they are mutually dependent. Business needs a strong society, providing it with human resource, talent and custom. A strong society needs everything that productive business can offer: the jobs, the growth, the innovation, the opportunities, the wealth creating potential. That is why we should take an interest in the pay issue.And while it is right that those who work hard, generate wealth and create jobs for our country are rewarded, where failure is rewarded or people award themselves huge pay rises that bear no relation to performance or what their companies can bear, trust is severely undermined. As Ken Costa, the former Chair of Lazard International said last October:“Put bluntly, ultimately businesses cannot work, banks cannot lend, economies cannot function and societies cannot flourish without mutual trust and respect, or without fundamental honesty and integrity.”That is why the contributions that the ICEAW have made are so welcome - you are the important keepers of the accountancy flame, your mission to ensure that “people can do business with confidence”. And here you are helping to ensure that people can have confidence in business. That has to be right.As Sir Roger Carr, the current Chair of the CBI, said on taking up his post last year, business needs to show that it is “a force for good.” This is why it was so ridiculous for the Prime Minister and others to infer or suggest that Ed Miliband was being anti-business for raising these issues in his Labour Party conference speech last year – it is very much in the interests of business to resolve these problems and it is rather ironic that the PM is now talking about the need for reform in much the same terms as Ed.The discussion should start by asking what we pay people for? We pay people to do a job and, where they do so successfully, people do not object to them enjoying the fruits of their success. As for bonuses – my colleague the former Chancellor Alistair Darling put it well last Sunday when he said a bonus is surely “something special, something unusual, something that you give for that little bit extra, not a matter of routine and entitlement.”Having a skill that is in short supply but high demand is likely to be well rewarded in the marketplace. And as the size of some markets has increased – to become continental and in some cases genuinely global – so have rewards to those at the top have risen.Of course it is not easy to chart a successful course for a major corporation, where the contours of the market place can change rapidly, where new competitors are around every corner, and where new technologies can make an entire business model obsolete overnight. It takes special skill and extraordinary commitment. So no one is against success that rewards this merit and application. Success should be rewarded.But increasingly, what we have seen is something else. Reward that is not linked to success or performance: a self-perpetuating spiral of remuneration for those in the golden circle. Handsome rewards for failure. Rewards that seem quite unbelievable to the vast majority of people in this country; rewards from another planet.And while there are more egregious examples that have gained notoriety, this is not about individuals. The growing gap between increases in pay and increases in company performance is systemic. In the last decade the value of FTSE 350 companies increased by eight per cent, while the average total earning of executives in those companies increased by one hundred and eight per cent.As rewards at the top have become disproportionate to company performance, so rewards for executives have become disconnected from the rest of the workforce. They are no longer just the best paid employees. Increasingly, they are becoming a class apart.And let us be absolutely clear who we are talking about – we are not talking about the budding entrepreneur, the small business owner struggling in tough times; this does not apply across all business. We are talking about the relatively small number of people running our largest businesses and working in our more prominent financial institutions. We are talking about FTSE 100 bosses who were paid 14 times the median pay of a worker in 1980, and who are now paid 75 times the median pay of a worker.I should also point out that this is not a recent phenomenon, but a trend over the last three decades. In the three decades to 1979, executive pay grew 0.8% on average. In the last ten years, growth in the pay of FTSE 100 executives has been closer to 20% a year. It has now reached a point where, as Richard Lambert, former Director General of the CBI said last November, it is “damaging the interests of British business in political, economic and reputational terms”.Why is this ballooning pay such a problem? For three reasons: it is a bad for the companies themselves; it is bad for our economy overall; and, yes, it is bad for our society.For the companies themselves, the issue is a classic problem of agency. Since the 1980s there was a move to create an entrepreneurial culture amongst executives at the top of our large corporations but it didn’t quite work. I’ll explain why.The owners of the company – the shareholders – entrust executives with substantial powers to make far reaching decisions about the running of the company. Oversight is difficult, because those involved in the day to day management have plenty of discretion and a large information advantage. How can shareholders ensure their agents, the directors – the executive directors in particular - act consistently in those shareholders best interests? The solution was to try to align the incentives – through bonuses, shares, share options, incentive plans and the like, using different mechanisms and over different time frames.But the fact is that it is hard to create a true entrepreneurial culture among executives at the top of a large corporation. Upside incentives can be made similar, but the structure of downside risk is completely different for an entrepreneur who has everything on the line. Entrepreneurs have most of their own money on the line when they make decisions; executive directors of large companies do not.The result has been that the value of incentive packages for executives has risen out of all proportion to improvements in company performance. If it ever worked, it seems that there are now declining returns. In the first decade of this century FTSE 350 firms increased their pre-tax profits by 50% and their earnings per share by 73%, while year end share prices fell by 5%. Over the same period, bonuses for executives in these companies have risen by 187%, long term incentive plans by 254%. This demonstrates what psychologists have already found – that the relationship between financial incentives and performance is far from simple, and is not even reliably positive.At the same time, the heavy focus on the alignment of high powered incentives risks crowding out other, more rounded but equally powerful intrinsic motivations of executives that are just as relevant to the company’s success – the satisfaction of doing a good job, the pride in leading and growing a great company, of winning in the market place, of having the respect of peers, of creating a legacy of sustained and sustainable success.We are not opposed to performance related pay but it does make you wonder: if a company is so concerned that an executive paid only their salary won’t be motivated to work hard in the best interests of the company, then maybe they have the wrong person in the job?At its worst you end up with perverse incentive structures which encourage the wrong kind of decision making, as the failures in many financial institutions in the wake of the 2008/9 financial crash so clearly illustrated.And this approach to executive reward creates negative consequences in other parts of the business. Overemphasising the importance of the contribution of those of those at the top can undermine the motivations of others in the business. As the High Pay Commission has shown, there is a growing body of research that confirms that just as relative rewards matter as a basis for social comparison among executives, so they matter to other employees too. They matter for employee engagement, and their sense of identification with company goals. Feelings of unfairness in pay reduce the willingness to cooperate, can reduce effort and weaken commitment. Unsurprisingly, greater pay inequality in a firm has been found to be associated with lower firm performance.So excessive pay and rewards for failure are undoubtedly bad for business.The second reason this is a problem is because it is bad for our economy. I’ve lost count of the number of companies I’ve visited who say to me that they can’t find the engineering graduates they need to hire. Where are they? Lets face it - many of them are following the money. In the decade to 2007, 60% of the increase in the income share of the top 10 per cent went to finance workers. This talent drain, with rewards disproportionate to success, has distorted the market and makes the challenge of rebalancing the economy – by region as well as by sector – so much harder.Likewise, entrepreneurs, those running our small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy, providing approximately two thirds of private sector jobs and almost half of private sector turnover. We need people to take risks and set up these businesses - why would they do so if they can earn excessive wealth in the boardroom and the City?And the third reason this matters is because it is bad for our society. Executive pay has helped promote inequality and there is a huge body of research to show that this has a detrimental impact on society. At this juncture many people refer to the “Spirit Level”, the book by Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett.Today, I’ll refer you to comments of the former Chief Economist at the IMF, Raghuram Rajan – the IMF is of course George Osborne’s institution of choice when it comes to quoting people! He has argued that high levels of inequality contributed to the financial crisis. In his recent book, Fault Lines, Rajan explains how high levels of wage inflation at the top and wage stagnation for the rest of the population led to a growth in easy credit.So I have talked about what we pay people for, how a small group are being paid far in excess of what they deserve, and the adverse impact this is having on our businesses, our economy and our society. What would we - the Opposition - do to change all this?The High Pay Commission has put forward a tranche of recommendations to increase transparency, accountability and fairness. The recommendations enjoy support in the business community and are in line with measures implemented in the U.S., Germany and other countries to address these issues. We support them too.In the main, the Commission suggests seeking to effect the changes through the UK Corporate Governance Code in the first instance, followed by legislation if the amendments to the Code do not bring about the change needed. This is the right approach. Legislation should be the last resort, used only if there is not sufficient compliance with the Code within a reasonable period of time.On the proposals themselves: first, transparency – over the level of reward and over the approval of reward packages. In trying to align executive incentives, reward packages have become increasingly complex, making it difficult for shareholders to understand exactly what is being paid.This problem is intensifying. Increasing numbers of directors are being rewarded through ever more complex service agreements. Individual reward packages are more generous and ‘performance’ targets seem to be getting easier to hit.To enhance transparency, the High Pay Commission recommends that:• Executive pay should comprise a basic salary, with only one additional performance related element where necessary; • The publication of pay packages of the ten highest paid employees outside the boardroom; and, • The reporting of pay packages in a standardised form, including a single figure showing total remuneration.We endorse these proposals. They will give shareholders access to simple, standardised information on which they can make reasoned judgements. While we wait and wait for this Conservative led-government to match words with deeds, there is no reason why business cannot begin taking action now.In addition, the Commission proposes that investment and pension fund managers be required to disclose how they vote on all issues, including on remuneration. This transparency would allow pensioners and investors to see where their monies are being used to finance big pay deals. It is their money, after all.This increase in transparency would also increase accountability, and is just one of a number of changes needed to do so.To examine the dynamics of a remuneration committee is to observe a case study of what happens when responsibility is diffused, backgrounds of participants are homogenous, and loyalties can overlap. Participants are drawn mostly from a narrow class of, mostly male, current or former executives. The voice of employees is silent and shareholders vote in an advisory capacity on remuneration reports after the event. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to detect a problem with this old way of doing business.The way non-executive directors are appointed and the backgrounds from which they are drawn – they are often ex-executives themselves – is not conducive to the appointment of people who are prepared to shake it up and introduce new ways of thinking. That is why we endorse the Commission’s recommendations to have employee representation on remuneration committees and to open up the recruitment of non-execs to a wider pool. But I want to look at where we should go further. In the UK, the nomination committee of the Board - which is responsible for hunting out people to serve on boards - is made up of other Board members. Candidates are nominated by those Board members at the company’s AGM and, in most cases, are elected as a matter of course.We should consider moving towards a system which other countries have adopted where the nomination committee is not composed of board members but is composed of the four or five biggest shareholders in the company along with the non-executive chair of the board – that same committee, composed of shareholders, also recommends the structure and amount of remuneration. This would create far stronger lines of accountability to those who ultimately own the business and would promote the shareholder activism and engagement which is key.In addition the role of remuneration consultants must be looked at, as the Commission says in its report. In his 2006 letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders, Warren Buffet referred to a remuneration consultancy called “Ratchet, Ratchet and Bingo”; “The name may be phony,” he said, “but the action it conveys is not”, highlighting his view that such consultancies inflate executive pay. There are widespread concerns that these consultancies are ratcheting up pay here too.Indeed, it is my view that, unchecked, their effect could be similar to that of unscrupulous football players’ agents – inflating salaries sometimes way beyond talent or contribution and often working against the long term interests of the companies themselves.Part of the problem is that – in their advisory role to remuneration committees – the consultants owe their duties to the Board and not to shareholders. This needs to be looked at, along with the risk of conflict where consultants are advising both executive management and non-executive directors on remuneration. That is why it is right that companies should publish the extent of their use of remuneration consultants.I am aware of the voluntary guidelines to prevent remuneration consultants cross-selling services but, given the risk of conflict, consideration should be given to taking a more strict approach. Lawyers giving legal advice in the same context are not subject to some voluntary code but to binding rules that prevent the provision of advice where there is a potential for conflict of interests, unless strong, viable and properly policed Chinese Walls are erected. Why should the same not apply here?Finally, on fairness, the disconnection of executive reward from the pay of other employees is at the heart of loss of trust. This needs to be rebuilt. That is why we endorse the Commission’s call for companies to publish the ratios between the highest paid employees and the median.It is also another reason for having an employee on the remuneration committee of the Board, something the Prime Minister has failed to commit to implement – as Ed said on Tuesday, it would mean top executives would have to look an ordinary member of staff in the eye before they award these pay packages.To continue to inform this important debate, we endorse the High Pay Commission’s call for a permanent body to monitor high pay, along the lines of the Low Pay Commission Labour established.All of these measures are designed to empower shareholders – to give them the tools to be able to take action, and to increase the accountability of directors to them.David Cameron has sought to do this by making shareholder votes on remuneration binding. We will examine this proposal when Vince Cable, my opposite number, provides further detail later this month.However, there are a number of problems with what he has suggested. First, it is backward looking. As CBI Head John Cridland has said, this would be like shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted.Secondly, there are large practical difficulties with the proposal as its retrospective impact would create legal problems in trying to unpick contracts already agreed – I say this from my own experience, having practiced as a specialist employment law solicitor for the best part of a decade.And thirdly, without a matching requirement of transparency – the provision of clear and simple information – shareholders may not be any the wiser about what they are voting on, and may even be less inclined to vote.So it is not enough for David Cameron to say he wants shareholders to be given a vote on these issues. We have seen and heard this kind of thing from him before - talking a good game but fiddling at the margins.I believe in shareholders’ democracy but democracy is about more than voting. If we are to empower shareholders, they need information provided through greater transparency of boardroom pay – as well as the means to mobilise and become more active in the running of their companies. And this takes us to the heart of the issue – the need to encourage greater activism amongst shareholders. We cannot ignore the long term trends that are working against this. Since the early 1990s, foreign ownership of total UK equity has increased from less than 15% to around 40% in 2008. The average length of time investors hold their shares has fallen from 5 years in the 1960s to less than 8 months by 2007, with an enormous increase in high frequency trading.These trends make it harder, but all is not lost – there are grounds for optimism. Voting by shareholders in FTSE 350 companies has now risen to a respectable 68%. There is clearly an appetite for more shareholder power and we have to nurture the use of it. It can be built upon by putting more – and more effective – tools in the hands of shareholders in the way I have described.And all this needs to be underpinned by a renewed and explicit focus on relative reward based on merit – the fairness that inspires employee loyalty to a company, and the fairness that renews public trust in business.The current business environment is as tough as it has ever been. Labour has set out a plan for jobs and growth to get the economy moving again, get people back into work, and to reduce the deficit.But we also must address the underlying challenges in our economy that have persisted over many years, and which the financial crisis brought in to sharp relief. Excessive executive pay is one of them.That is why I am glad that this debate is going on and proud of the role that Ed has played in leading it. Let’s make it count. Let us begin preparing the ground for the better days that lie ahead. Let us build a better economy for Britain. Thank you.

2012-01-09T20:56:00.001Z

2012-01-09T04:57:00.000Z

Press Releases: Establishment of the Bureau of Counterterrorism
Friday, 6 January, 2012 20:13

Establishment of the Bureau of Counterterrorism
Special Briefing
Daniel BenjaminCoordinator, Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism
Washington, DC
January 4, 2012
MS. NULAND: Good afternoon, everybody. Before we do the daily briefing, we have a special briefing today on the next stage of implementation of Secretary Clinton’s Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review, the establishment in the State Department of a Bureau of Counterterrorism. As you know, we’ve had an office under Ambassador Dan Benjamin. It is now about to become a full-up bureau. So to tell you more about that, Ambassador Daniel Benjamin.
AMBASSADOR BENJAMIN: Well, thank you very much, and thanks for coming today. Today the State Department is pleased to announce the establishment of the Bureau of Counterterrorism, fulfilling one of the key recommendations of the Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review, which was concluded in December of 2010. We believe that this change will strengthen the State Department’s ability to carry out its counterterrorism mission around the world. My office and the Department have been taking on a growing role in counterterrorism in recent years, moving well beyond coordination. And the creation of this new bureau is another important step to ensure that we can accomplish the mission that the President and the Secretary have set out for us.
The mission of the new bureau will be to lead the Department in the U.S. Government’s effort to counter terrorism abroad and to secure the United States against foreign terrorist threats. The bureau will have a number of concrete responsibilities. In coordination with Department leadership, the National Security Staff, and U.S. Government agencies, other U.S. Government agencies, it will develop and implement counterterrorism strategies, policies, operations, and programs to disrupt and defeat the networks that support terrorism. The bureau will lead in supporting U.S. counterterrorism diplomacy and seek to strengthen homeland security, countering violent extremism, and build the capacity of partner nations to deal effectively with terrorism.
There are many examples of the growing importance of civilian counterterrorism work, what we here call strategic counterterrorism, which the Secretary discussed in her September 9th speech on the issue. The Administration puts a strong emphasis on increasing counterterrorism diplomacy, both multilaterally and bilaterally. And just last September, you may recall in a major initiative we established the Global Counterterrorism Forum with the goal of building an international architecture for dealing with 21st century terrorist threats. The GCTF offers CT policy makers and experts an opportunity to exchange best practices and to improve programming around the world. The new bureau will work with partners in the GCTF on a wide range of challenges, such as strengthening the rule of law in countries where terrorism poses the greatest threat.
Our ability to oversee and implement CT programs, which cover, by the way, everything from police training to countering the al-Qaida narrative, will be strengthened by the establishment of the bureau. The new bureau will lead the Department in U.S. Government efforts to reduce radicalization and mobilization abroad. It will work with the recently established Center for Strategic Counterterrorism Communications to de-legitimate the violent extremist narrative, to develop positive alternatives for populations that are vulnerable to recruitment, and it will work to partner with governments and civil society in building capacity to counter violent extremism.
As part of the standup, we are reorganizing and taking steps to make the new bureau effective across a wide range of policy and program activities. For example, we’re creating a new Strategic Plans and Policy Unit to improve our ability to do strategic planning and to develop metrics to measure the effectiveness of our programs. We’re also making changes that will tighten coordination between counterterrorism policy and programs, and we’re doing more to improve program implementation.
Finally, I want to emphasize that in these tight budget times, we’re doing our part to be good stewards of public funds by standing up the bureau with existing resources. PA will have a Fact Sheet that outlines the bureau’s mission and its priorities, and will provide you with some additional detail. And I’d be happy to take a few questions now.
MS. NULAND: Arshad.
QUESTION: Not about the creation of the new bureau itself per se, but can you give us an update on where things stand on your ongoing review of the MEK’s status as a Foreign Terrorist Organization?
AMBASSADOR BENJAMIN: Well, obviously, designations of Foreign Terrorist Organizations is one of the core activities of the office and of the new bureau, and it will continue to be so. And what will also continue is the policy of saying that we continue, pursuant to the U.S. District Court’s order, we continue to do the review. And obviously, it’s a very exhaustive effort, and we’ve been exchanging material with counsel for the other side. And it – I – there’s – we don’t have a date set for any decision, but you will certainly know it when it’s done.
QUESTION: And one other one, if I may, on Pakistan. As you well know, there’s been a significant deterioration in the U.S.-Pakistani relationship over the last year, going back certainly to the case of Raymond Davis, but other – lots of other events. From your vantage point, to what extent has or has not U.S.-Pakistani cooperation on counterterrorism deteriorated over the last 12 months or so?
AMBASSADOR BENJAMIN: Well, metrics are important, but I don’t think we have metrics for assessing exactly that. There’s no question we’re going through a difficult time in the wake of the cross-border incident and a number of other incidents that have occurred in the last year. But let me go back to basics. We think that it is essential that we have a good counterterrorism relationship with Pakistan. We believe it’s in both of our nations’ interests. No country has suffered more at the hands of militancy than Pakistan.
And I would add that this bureau, when we’re doing our job right, is also going to be working closely with Pakistan. We hope to continue building civilian capacity for countering terrorism, which is an essential need there and which was one of the working groups of the Strategic Dialogue that the Secretary created with the Pakistanis and which I am sure is something that we will continue doing. And it’s in everyone’s clearest interest.
So I can’t – I’m not going to give you a meter – a needle reading on the meter. We obviously have issues that are being worked out. The Pakistanis are doing their own review within their parliament. But we look forward to resuming some of our collaborative efforts.
QUESTION: You say, “When we are doing our job right, the bureau will be working with the Pakistanis.” Is it fair to say then that you’re not really doing anything now with the Pakistanis?
MR. BENJAMIN: No, it’s not.
QUESTION: Your bureau?
AMBASSADOR BENJAMIN: We do have these long-term processes going on. We are deeply engaged with our post in Islamabad on countering violent extremism, on disability and capacity building, on what we’ve done in the anti-terrorism assistance program. So we’re not going to make any blanket statements that we’re not cooperating by any means. Absolutely, we’re still working together.
QUESTION: Can I ask you a question about Iran? In the last couple of days there’s been a lot of bellicose talk from Iranian military leaders. And I’m just wondering, are you worried that as the sting of sanctions grows over this year and as Iran finds itself feeling more isolated, that the threat of Iranian terrorist activity is going to rise or destabilizing activity abroad?
AMBASSADOR BENJAMIN: Well, another issue that we’ve dealt with extensively as an office and we’ll continue to deal with extensively as a bureau. Obviously, Iran was and remains the number one state sponsor of terrorism in the world. The recent discovery of plotting to kill the Saudi ambassador in Washington and the arrests in that connection have certainly given us a great deal to think about and to wonder about exactly the same question you posed.
I don’t want to engage in hypotheticals and suggest that the Iranians are going to amp up their support for terrorism, but we know that they do believe that it is a legitimate tool of policy, something we vehemently disagree with. And we’re, of course, going to be as vigilant as we can to ensure that no one is resorting to terror to strike at us or our partners.
QUESTION: I’m not asking you, obviously, where, when, or how, but do you see it as a rising threat based on the tendencies that we’re seeing right now?
AMBASSADOR BENJAMIN: I see it as an existing threat and one that has been there for quite some time. And we’ll have to see how the Iranians respond to the fact that this plot in our hemisphere, in our country, was disrupted.
QUESTION: Related to that, you just referenced –
MS. NULAND: Can I?
QUESTION: Oh, sorry.
QUESTION: Yeah. Last year top – several top terrorist leaders were killed in Afghanistan and Pakistan region. Can you give us a sense where do you stand in terms of achieving your goal of defeating these terrorist organizations, terrorist outfits in that region?
AMBASSADOR BENJAMIN: There’s no question that 2010 – I’m sorry, 2011; I have to get my calendar straight – 2011 was a very successful year in terms of taking some bad actors off the street. And as Administration spokesmen have said on many occasions, we will continue to do what we need to to safeguard our national security against the groups that carried out the 9/11 attacks. But as – I want to underscore we all know that there is no way to shoot our way out of this problem conclusively and forever, and that’s why strengthening our engagement with others to support their civilian institutions so that they can actually hold that territory, police that territory, try people who want to carry out violent attacks either against people who live there or abroad, is an absolutely vital undertaking.
Al-Qaida, core al-Qaida, as we’ve called it, is certainly under greater pressure than it has been at any time since 9/11. But as the President has said and as others have said, the job’s not over and the work goes on.
QUESTION: And secondly, in November Secretary Clinton has said that the sanctions against Haqqani Network is on its way – they are – U.S. is very close to declaring this as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. Where do we stand now on that front? When is it going to become –
AMBASSADOR BENJAMIN: Well, much as we discussed a moment ago, we don’t set timelines or dates as to when we’re going to put out particular decisions on designations. So we are looking at that very closely and we’ll continue to do so. And obviously, we have a huge concern in reducing the ability of the Haqqani Network to carry out terrorist attacks.
MS. NULAND: Can you identify yourself?
QUESTION: Mike Ledeen with Fox News. In terms of the bureau, can you talk about what the bureau will be doing that the office before it didn’t do, and also what the bureau will be doing that other parts of government aren’t already doing?
AMBASSADOR BENJAMIN: The establishment of the bureau in many ways is a confirmation or ratification of the things that we have been doing increasingly in recent years. So the fundamental tasks remain the same, but what we have now is an infrastructure to continue doing them more effectively and building on those successes in the future.
So we now are in a position where we can continue to innovate our programming to counter violent extremism, to enhance partner capacity around the world, to do the bilateral diplomacy that we do with other countries to discuss the threats, to underscore where there are gains to be made against particular terrorist groups in particular regions. We have a better platform for doing the work we undertake with, for example, the Department of Homeland Security to work jointly to stop terrorist travel, to improve aviation security, to do all those things we need to do to make for a safer United States at home and to protect our interests abroad.
So the fundamental mission doesn’t change, but we now have a much better organization for building on that and for moving beyond this outdated organization that we had that was really to support coordination, which is something that we’ve long since left behind.
QUESTION: And in terms of what the bureau will be doing that other entities in government don’t do?
AMBASSADOR BENJAMIN: Well, we’re the State Department; we have a set of tools and a set of activities that others don’t do. No one else does the bilateral kind of diplomacy that we do with others on a number of different issues, whether it has to do with how we reduce the space that terrorist groups have to fundraise, to operate. We provide a lot of training. We fund other agencies of the U.S. Government to send their experts out to do it in countries around the world, whether it’s anti-money laundering, counterterrorism finance, border security, rule of law with regional resident-led legal advisors – a whole range of different things that are really in the diplomatic toolkit and that we work with our partners in the government to do. So these things couldn’t be done without a strong State platform for carrying them through.
I hope that answers your question. There are just different things that are in different agencies’ lanes, and the State Department remains at the forefront in terms of those foreign engagements.
MS. NULAND: Karen.
QUESTION: I’m wondering how important the cooperation of certain governments will be in your effort and how much you can achieve. If the – if Iran is the number one sponsor of terrorism and it won’t cooperate with you, and Pakistan – let’s say they choose not to cooperate with you, and other countries where terrorism is a problem, how effective can you really be?
AMBASSADOR BENJAMIN: Well, I would say that in terms of the international cooperation assessment, the glass is 98 percent full, and you’ve got, at least on Iran, the 1 percent that isn’t and the one or two other countries that we have grave concerns about. But international cooperation and the partnerships that have been built have really been one of the great unsung successes of the last decade. There’s extraordinary cooperation in intelligence around the world, in military affairs, and in the diplomatic work to constrain the ability of terrorists to operate and to cooperate, to arrest them, to ensure that they can’t carry out attacks.
Yes, there are problems, and we have countries that we have serious challenges working with, and there are a small number of countries that still view terrorism as a legitimate instrument of policy. But I think the remarkable thing about the post 9/11 period is how much countries have cooperated against al-Qaida, the core al-Qaida, against al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula and their – the governments of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Yemen, Qatar, on and on, against AQ in the Islamic Maghreb, as they call themself, and there we see much greater cooperation among regional partners, for example, in Southeast Asia.
There have just been tremendous strides, and frankly, we’re hoping that this Global Counterterrorism Forum will build on those strides and that terrorist – counterterrorism experts will be able to exchange best practices and identify problems and design solutions in a way that we haven’t been able to before on a multilateral basis.
MS. NULAND: Samir.
QUESTION: Yes. The Syrian Government, after two bombings happened in Damascus two weeks ago, accused elements of al-Qaida behind the bombings and they said they came from Lebanon. Do you know if al-Qaida have a presence in Lebanon?
AMBASSADOR BENJAMIN: Well, let me just say we’ve seen the reports, and I don’t have any further comment on them. We certainly know that there have been sympathetic groups to al-Qaida in Lebanon for many years. You may recall that the Lebanese forces went into one of the refugee camps some years ago to deal with a group that had an al-Qaida-like ideology. So it is certainly true that there have been elements like that in Lebanon over the years. Whether that had anything to do with what’s going on in Syria is another matter entirely.
QUESTION: A follow-up --
MS. NULAND: I understand that the Fact Sheet on the bureau has just been released, so that should be available to you all.
QUESTION: And do you think that al-Qaida was behind the explosions in Damascus?
AMBASSADOR BENJAMIN: I don't know. We don’t have anything conclusive on that.
MS. NULAND: Said.
QUESTION: Thank you. Yes, sir. Do you ever reexamine your classification of Hamas, the entity that governs the Gaza Strip, as a terrorist organization in view of steps taken in the last few months, sort of distancing themselves from Syria and Iran and inching their way towards a unity government with the Palestinian Authority that is a partner with the United States in the peace process?
AMBASSADOR BENJAMIN: I think we’ve been very clear about what Hamas needs to do if it wants to get out from under the FTO designation, and that has to do with renouncing violence and accepting the Quartet principles. I think that the groundwork is there. The step – the footprints are on the ground. They need to go through them, and we would certainly welcome that, and it’s long overdue.
QUESTION: A couple questions on --
AMBASSADOR BENJAMIN: Arshad.
QUESTION: -- that I think are addressed in the – I don't think they’re addressed in the Fact Sheet. How many people are there in the bureau? Do you know?
AMBASSADOR BENJAMIN: Yes. I believe that we have 70 FTE government employees and then detailees, contractors, and the like, I think we get to 120, roughly that.
QUESTION: Okay. And it’s no – when you said in being a good steward of the public money, you’re not getting any more money or any more people than in becoming a bureau, correct?
AMBASSADOR BENJAMIN: That’s correct.
QUESTION: And then will the bureau continue to produce the Country Reports on Terrorism? And will the intel community continue to separately – as has been the case for years – produce the underlying data based on number of terrorist incidents?
AMBASSADOR BENJAMIN: Let me just say that we – it’s a congressionally-mandated report, the Country Reports on Terrorism. We’re already gathering information for this year. Rhonda Shore sitting over there has this task, and we’ll be putting out the report again.
QUESTION: And last one from me. And admittedly, unabashedly, it is hypothetical, but I think it’s of sort of topical interest. Brad talked about the threats that Iran has made and obviously the threats towards the Straits of Hormuz. The question I have is whether an attack on shipping in the Straits of Hormuz would be regarded as an act of war or an act of terrorism, and what is the key determinant? Is it whether it is a non-state actor and therefore it’s terrorism, but if it’s by a state military then it’s an act of war? How do you determine those things?
AMBASSADOR BENJAMIN: I think that that’s – falls into the – square in the category of hypotheticals, and if there is such an attack we’ll make that determination at that time. As you know, the whole issue of what is an act of state-sponsored terrorism, what isn’t, it’s one we get into frequently. We did with the North Korea issue, for example. So rather than lay out lines that will immediately be overtaken by events, I’ll just leave it at that.
And I think that I would remiss if I didn’t save some time for your reliable spokesperson.
MS. NULAND: Excellent. Thank you all.
AMBASSADOR BENJAMIN: (Laughter.) Okay. Thank you.
PRN: 2012/012

BABY JUNIOR APAGAWIZA COVENTRY LONDON

2012-01-08T15:22:00.010Z

BOB JUNIOR BAADA YA KUFUNIKA BOVUUUUUUUU LONDON NDANI YAPIT STOP {UWANJA WA NYUMBANI} ANAMALIZIA MAKAMUZI YAKE YA MWISHO COVENTRY JUMAMOSI HII NDANI YA PALMS BAR SHOW INALETWA KWENU CHINI YA WATAALAAM WA BURUDANI UK BONGODEEJAYS NA CHRISS LUV PROMOTIONS .watu walifurah

2012-01-08T05:49:00.000Z

Hallo,This is to inform you that Mumbi Books publishers of author Macharia Gakuru's books have published two new books for your information and web-links; 1. Mumbi - who is she? ISBN - 978-0-9561781-1-4About the book – MumbiThis book is about an immigrant child in the United Kingdom. She was not aware of herhistory, or how she ended up in the UK.Mumbi was bullied at school. This motivated her dad to tell her of the story of their originsand how the family came to be in Europe.2. Prince Olympics visits London. ISBN - 978-0-9561781-2-1Prince OlympicsThe gathering of Olympians that happens once every four years is going to be in London. Prince Olympicsthe chief guest is coming for the first time since London hosted him in 1948. The Olympics torch is referredto as the Prince in this book. The Prince Olympics will be carried around London’s major tourist landmarksbefore the opening of the games.This book encourages creativity. It will act as a simple guide to many children who would love to visitLondon during the Olympic games.
Macharia Gakuru is also the author of Deya and the Miracle Babies ISBN - 978-0-9561781-0-7 published in 2009.
For distribution please call 07947893396 or email mumbibooks@gmail.comAbout the Author.
Macharia Gakuru moved to the UK from Kenya in 1995. He is the founder of a community magazine – Eastern Africa Magazine first published in the UK in 2000 and he is also co-founder of the Western Africa Magazine. He has traveled extensively all over Africa including Nigeria, Sudan, Tanzania and many countries in Europe. Gakuru is also a TV broadcaster and producer on African TV Channel, Ben TV, Channel 198 on Sky. He is the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) representative in the UK and is also a commentator on both print and visual media including BBC, CNN, Aljazeera among others. On the social front he has been in the fore-front in raising theprofile of Africa. In 2005 he organized African open day supported byseveral London High Commissions and Embassies in line with Commission for Africa. The Chief Guest was HE Amanya Mushega, East Africa Secretary General. In 2002 he was part of Her Majesty the Queen’s jubilee celebrations wherehe presented the Queen and Prince Philip with pictures of the Tree -Tops Kenya, where they were staying during their honeymoon on the night she became the Queen in 1952. His publication The Eastern Africa magazine won the most outstanding Kenyan publication in the UK in 2004. In 2009, Gakuru was voted by Kenyans as the most outstanding Kenyan journalist and writer in the UK.

2012-01-07T18:44:00.002Z

No going back to Dickensian days – defend benefit rights, stop evictions

Vigil & lobby of Parliament

1pm Wed 11 January
Oppose the Welfare Reform Bill & benefit caps. Cap greedy landlords, not low-income people!

Meet opposite Parliament – Lords’ entrance Abingdon St SW1

All Welcome
On 11 January, the Lords’ debate on the Welfare Reform Bill continues. The Bill threatens basic entitlement to housing and other benefits – a roof over our heads.
Benefit cap of £500 a week including rent: larger families including those with informally-fostered children, single mother families, households with disabled people, families of colour more likely to be on lower incomes – face eviction from central London and other cities if the cap goes through. For more see here.
The housing benefit cap is already forcing people to go without food and heating to pay the rent, or into unbearable overcrowding. Like in the US, people will end up homeless, destitute, begging and on the street.
The Social Fund relied on to furnish a new home or cope with emergencies – children coming back from care, women fleeing domestic violence, people coming out of hospital and prison – is being abolished. People won’t be able to start a neaw life or escape a violent relationship; they’ll at the mercy of loan sharks.
Disabled children and adults face all-round cuts: to disability benefits, benefit additions and concessions – a return to hardship and charity.
Child Benefit – which all mothers earn and all children need – will be taken from the poorest families by the benefit cap.
Income Support, which recognises the contribution of mothers and other carers, is being abolished and replaced with back-to-work conditions as soon as the child turns one.
Protest forced the government to drop plans to cut mobility money for people living in residential homes. But other cuts to disabled children and adults are still in the Bill. On 14 December, after lobbying and testimony from people affected, the Lords defeated government moves to cut housing benefit by £12-22 a week for Council tenants who have a spare room.
Come and raise your concerns on 11 January Bring placards with your organisation’s name and issues you are concerned about Lobby the Lords – support amendments to keep Child Benefit out of the benefit cap, extend concessions for women fleeing domestic violence, ensure immediate benefit payments for people coming out of prison, and Zacchaeus 2000 amendments to protect claimants from unliveable benefit repayments, sanctions and bailiffs Lobby your MP; contact them to make an appointment or write to them about your personal situation – find your MP here. If you are unable to come on the day, ring them or write, for Lords’ addresses see here; and sign the epetition here.

2011-12-31T05:15:00.000Z

In full: Queen's Christmas Speech
.
"In this past year my family and I have been inspired by the courage and hope we have seen in so many ways in Britain, in the Commonwealth and around the world.
We've seen that it's in hardship that we often find strength from our families; it's in adversity that new friendships are sometimes formed; and it's in a crisis that communities break down barriers and bind together to help one another.
Families, friends and communities often find a source of courage rising up from within. Indeed, sadly, it seems that it is tragedy that often draws out the most and the best from the human spirit.
When Prince Philip and I visited Australia this year, we saw for ourselves the effects of natural disaster in some of the areas devastated by floods, where in January so many people lost their lives and their livelihoods.
We were moved by the way families and local communities held together to support each other.
Prince William travelled to New Zealand and Australia in the aftermath of earthquakes, cyclones and floods and saw how communities rose up to rescue the injured, comfort the bereaved and rebuild the cities and towns devastated by nature.
The Prince of Wales also saw first-hand the remarkable resilience of the human spirit after tragedy struck in a Welsh mining community, and how communities can work together to support their neighbours.
This past year has also seen some memorable and historic visits - to Ireland and from America.
The spirit of friendship so evident in both these nations can fill us all with hope. Relationships that years ago were once so strained have through sorrow and forgiveness blossomed into long-term friendship.
It is through this lens of history that we should view the conflicts of today, and so give us hope for tomorrow.
Of course, family does not necessarily mean blood relatives but often a description of a community, organisation or nation. The Commonwealth is a family of 53 nations, all with a common bond, shared beliefs, mutual values and goals.
It is this which makes the Commonwealth a family of people in the truest sense, at ease with each other, enjoying its shared history and ready and willing to support its members in the direst of circumstances.
They have always looked to the future, with a sense of camaraderie, warmth and mutual respect while still maintaining their individualism.
The importance of family has, of course, come home to Prince Philip and me personally this year with the marriages of two of our grandchildren, each in their own way a celebration of the God-given love that binds a family together.
For many, this Christmas will not be easy. With our armed forces deployed around the world, thousands of service families face Christmas without their loved ones at home.
The bereaved and the lonely will find it especially hard. And, as we all know, the world is going through difficult times. All this will affect our celebration of this great Christian festival.
Finding hope in adversity is one of the themes of Christmas. Jesus was born into a world full of fear. The angels came to frightened shepherds with hope in their voices: 'Fear not', they urged, 'we bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
'For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Saviour who is Christ the Lord.'
Although we are capable of great acts of kindness, history teaches us that we sometimes need saving from ourselves - from our recklessness or our greed.
God sent into the world a unique person - neither a philosopher nor a general, important though they are, but a Saviour, with the power to forgive.
Forgiveness lies at the heart of the Christian faith. It can heal broken families, it can restore friendships and it can reconcile divided communities. It is in forgiveness that we feel the power of God's love.
In the last verse of this beautiful carol, O Little Town Of Bethlehem, there's a prayer:
O Holy Child of Bethlehem,
Descend to us we pray.
Cast out our sin
And enter in.
Be born in us today.
It is my prayer that on this Christmas day we might all find room in our lives for the message of the angels and for the love of God through Christ our Lord.
I wish you all a very happy Christmas."

2011-12-30T09:41:00.000Z

Congo: Elections, Democracy and The Diaspora Awakening
The November 28th Presidential and legislative elections were fraught with tremendous irregularities and widespread charges of fraud. The National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI in French) announced on December 8th that Joseph Kabila won the elections with 49 percent of the vote and long-time opposition, Etienne Tshisekedi garnered 32 percent.
The Supreme Court validated the results published by CENI and dismissed a challenge to the results by the opposition, led by presidential candidate Vital Kamerhe. The opposition categorically rejected the results as fraudulent. Nonetheless, Joseph Kabila was sworn into office on Tuesday, December 20th, where only one head of state (Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe) attended although 12 other African heads of states were expected to attend. Ambassadors from foreign nations, including the United States, were present for Kabila's swearing-in.Rejecting the results, Etienne Tshisekedi announced that he would have his own swearing-in among the people at the 80,000 capacity Martyrs Stadium on Friday, December 23rd. Being under virtual house arrest, Tshisekedi was confined to his residence by the Kabila regime. The government also prevented the population from entering the stadium with a heavy show of force from the police, armed forces, and presidential guard. The regime blocked routes leading to the stadium with heavy tanks and artillery. Instead of a swearing-in at the stadium in front of a large audience, Etienne Tshisekedi had to perform the ceremony at home in his garden. In addition to domestic pressure, the government is experiencing intense international pressure; the European Union has said it will re-evaluate its cooperation with the DRC and make judgments based on how the political crisis unfolds and Mme Christine Lagarde, head of the International Monetary Fund said she is following the situation in the Congo with a particular focus on the rule of law and the political climate, especially the pre and post-electoral periods.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is at a critical juncture in its tenuous march towards peace and stability. The Kabila regime suffers from a severe crisis of legitimacy and the future of the democratic project is in the balance. Stability will be fleeting without legitimacy. What is at stake in the Congo is not merely an election but respect for the will of a people and the future of democracy in the heart of Africa.
The Carter Center said the Presidential results announced by the CENI "lacked credibility," while the Archbishop of Kinshasa, Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo, said that the results announced by the CENI reflects "neither the truth nor justice." The European Union chimed in, noting that the process evinced a lack of transparency, with its missing polling stations and lost results totaling an estimated 1.6 million votes. South Africa noted that the elections were "generally OK," while the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU) found little wrong with the elections. Nonetheless, the CENI has ceased the counting of the legislative results and invited an international technical team from the United States and England to help with the counting of the legislative results, which are expected to be announced by January 13th - a constitutional deadline that will be difficult to meet.
Congolese in the diaspora have responded with universal outrage and have taken to the streets throughout the globe. Demonstrations have occurred in London, Brussels, Paris, Berlin, Rome, Johannesburg, Tel Aviv, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, New York, Washington and numerous other cities around the world. The central demand of the demonstrations is that the will of the Congolese people be respected. Click here to see videos of Congolese demonstrations!
Due to greater access to information combined with the freedom to express themselves, Congolese in the Diaspora have voiced the frustrations and concerns of their countrymen and women. The Congolese population inside the country has been under a military clamp-down with tanks in the streets, omnipresent security forces, SMS shut down (a major tool of communication for Congolese), and opposition television shuttered. Moreover, the Kabila regime has already demonstrated a willingness to use its armed and security forces to fire on unarmed civilians (see Human Rights Watch Report) and round-up and disappear civilians (see Amnesty International and Voix Sans Voix Statement).
The best option to rescue the country from a descent into a deeper crisis is the activation of a national mediation mechanism supported by the international community (Southern African Development Community (SADC), African Union (AU), European Union, United Nations and United States). However, political will on the part of the political class to prioritize the people's interests over partisan interests is a necessary prerequisite for this option to be successful.
Continue to take action and support Congo's pursuit of democracy: "Our offices have gotten quite a bit of input from the Congolese Community in the US for which we are grateful." U.S. Senator Christopher Coons1. Contact key world leaders and demand that they refrain from recognizing Joseph Kabila as President of the DRC.2. Demand that the technical team from the United States and England assess both the legislative and presidential results.3. Participate in teach-ins to learn about what is at stake in the Congo and the nature of Congo's democratic movement. (Click here for comprehensive list of actions!)On January 17, 2012, the 51st anniversary of the assassination of Patrice Lumumba, Friends of the Congo and its allies will join in solidarity with the Congolese people by organizing a rally, teach-in and Lumumba Commemoration in Washington, DC and New York City. We call on our supporters and people of goodwill throughout the globe to join in solidarity with the people of the Congo as they continue the over 125 year pursuit to control and determine their own affairs.Stay abreast of the latest developments on the elections by visiting our elections corner or follow us on Facebook or Twitter for regular updates.

2011-12-30T05:09:00.003Z

Happy memories-Ayoub mzee at Chobe safari lodge in northern Uganda

Press Releases: Special Joint Press Briefing On U.S. Arms Sales to Saudi Arabia
12/29/2011 03:46 PM EST

Special Joint Press Briefing On U.S. Arms Sales to Saudi Arabia
Special Briefing
Andrew J. ShapiroAssistant Secretary, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs
Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Dr. James N. Miller
Washington, DC
December 29, 2011
MS. NULAND: Good afternoon, everybody. Before we do our regular daily briefing, we have a special briefing today on U.S. arms sales to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. With us today, we have Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Andrew Shapiro, and we have Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy James Miller.
So without further ado, Assistant Secretary Shapiro.
QUESTION: Can we attribute the on-time nature of this briefing to the fact that someone from the Pentagon is here? (Laughter.)
MS. NULAND: Absolutely. We have military discipline – (laughter).
ASSISTANT SECRETARY SHAPIRO: Well, thank you everyone for coming this afternoon. And as Toria mentioned, I’m joined by Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense Dr. Jim Miller.
As you may recall, in October 2010, I officially announced the Administration’s plan to sell to Saudi Arabia a significant defense package that would include advanced F-15 fighter aircraft and helicopters. We are pleased to announce that over this past weekend, the United States and Saudi Arabia signed a letter of offer and acceptance for the sale of up to 84 advanced F-15SA fighter aircraft. It also includes upgrades to its current fleet of 70 F-15 aircraft, as well as munitions, spare parts, training, maintenance, and logistics.
This sale is worth $29.4 billion. These F-15SA aircraft, manufactured by the Boeing company, will be among the most sophisticated and capable aircraft in the world. This agreement serves to reinforce the strong and enduring relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia. It demonstrates the U.S. commitment to a strong Saudi defense capability as a key component to regional security.
Since announcing in June – in 2010 our intent to conclude this sale, the Departments of State and Defense have worked closely with the Saudi Government and industry to finalize the particulars of the deal. Jim and I both recently made separate trips to Saudi Arabia, in part to discuss the sale.
Let me outline a few of the reasons why this defense package is so important and historic, and how it will advance U.S. national interests. This sale will send a strong message to countries in the region that the United States is committed to stability in the Gulf and broader Middle East. It will enhance Saudi Arabia’s ability to deter and defend against external threats to its sovereignty. It will advance interoperability between the air forces of our two countries through joint training and exercises. And lastly, this agreement will positively impact the U.S. economy and further advance the President’s commitment to create jobs by increasing exports. According to industry experts, this agreement will support more than 50,000 American jobs. It will engage 600 suppliers in 44 states and provide $3.5 billion in annual economic impact to the U.S. economy. This will support jobs not only in the aerospace sector but also in our manufacturing base and support chain, which are all crucial for sustaining our national defense.
I also wanted to note that this sale was carefully assessed under the U.S. Government’s Conventional Arms Transfer Policy. This policy requires such sales be deemed in the national security interests of the United States, are consistent with the country’s legitimate security needs, and support U.S. regional security objectives. With this agreement, the United States and Saudi Arabia have accomplished a historic achievement in our longstanding security partnership, a partnership that furthers security and stability in the Gulf region. Our longstanding security relationship with Saudi Arabia and other partners in the region has been a primary pillar of regional security for decades. And this sale further illustrates the firm commitment of the United States to the security and stability of the Gulf region.
I’ll now turn it over to Jim Miller, who has more to say on the details of the sales package and how it advances U.S.-Saudi military-to-military interests. After that, Jim and I will be happy to take your questions.
Jim.
MR. MILLER: Thank you, Andrew. And good afternoon and happy holidays to everybody.
Let me start by reiterating that the United States is firmly committed to the security of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as we have been for nearly seven decades, and that more broadly, the United States and Saudi Arabia have a strong mutual interest in the security and stability of the Gulf. Close cooperation between our militaries is central to that security and stability, and we are really announcing today the most recent example of that cooperation.
On December 24th in Riyadh, the United States and Saudi Arabia finalized the letter of offer and acceptance, or LOA, for the purchase of 84 F-15SA aircraft and, as Andrew said, for the upgrade of an additional 70 F-15SA aircraft to this SA configuration. And this government-to-government or foreign military sale is valued at $29.4 billion.
I’d like to say just a few words about the capabilities that are under consideration. This aircraft, the F-15SA, will be the most capable and versatile aircraft in the Royal Saudi fighter inventory. And indeed, it will be one of the most capable aircraft in the world. The F-15SA will have the latest generation of computing power, radar technology, infrared censors, and electronic warfare systems. As one example, the F-15SA will be equipped with an active electronically-scanned array radar, or AESA. This radar includes the latest technology and will ensure that Saudi Arabia has the capability to operate against regional air threats. This sale also includes AMRAAM and AIM-9X air-to-air missiles, which provide both radar and infrared guided capability. The F-15SA will be able to strike targets day or night in all weather with a variety of precision-guided munitions. The air-to-ground weapon capability includes laser-guided and GPS-guided weapons, along with missiles that can attack ground-based radars and missiles – the Harpoon in particular specialized for maritime attack capabilities.
The communications systems of the F-15SA will allow the U.S. Air Force and Royal Saudi Air Force to operate effectively together in the same airspace. And the system’s interoperability will also allow both countries to – excuse me – to participate in coalition training, which is a priority for both of our countries. And in fact, this F-15SA package includes not just aircraft and munitions but the training and logistics support that Andrew talked about, and it’s a very robust package. Much of the Saudi training in the F-15SA will occur alongside U.S. forces. This will enhance our already strong defense relationship. And approximately 5,500 Saudi personnel will be trained through 2019 – 5,500 through 2019, further strengthening the bonds between our forces and between our countries.
I’ve provided just a very high-level overview of the F-15SA’s impressive capabilities, and I know that the Air Force and the Boeing company will be glad to offer a lot more details. As Andrew said, the U.S.-Saudi security relationship has been a pillar of regional security for decades. And this F-15SA sale demonstrates the firm commitment of the United States to the kingdom, and reinforces our mutual commitment to security and stability in the Gulf.
And with that, Andrew and I would be pleased to take your questions.
QUESTION: Yeah. So, Andrew, you said that it sends a strong message – this sends a strong message to countries in the region the U.S. is committed to security. You didn’t mention any – I presume you mean both friends and foes. I’d like to talk – ask you about two countries that are not mentioned, both of which begin with “I”, Israel and Iran.
One, on Israel, how did – how easy was it to overcome any sensitivity that they might have about this sale? Does it affect their advantage that you seek to preserve? And then, on Iran, you didn’t mention it, but presumably that is the biggest threat to the Saudis in the region. Is that your thinking? Do these planes come equipped with, like, a map leading to Iran and have Israel, like, blacked out? What’s the thinking – what’s the specific message to Iran that the sale sent?
ASSISTANT SECRETARY SHAPIRO: Well, I’ll let Jim talk about what maps are equipped on the aircraft. But on the Israel point, let me just say that by law, all sales to the region must be evaluated for the impact on Israel’s qualitative military edge. We conducted that assessment, as I mentioned during the congressional briefing – during the briefing last year to discuss the congressional notification. We conducted that assessment, and we are satisfied that this sale to Saudi Arabia will not decrement Israel’s qualitative military edge.
As far as regional threats, aircraft are a platform that lasts for decades. So they’re designed to address both current security threats as well as threats that may emerge down the road as well. So these aircraft will be delivered over the coming years and are a long-term commitment of the United States to Saudi Arabia’s security.
QUESTION: So I can’t get you to use the word Iran? It’s only four letters.
ASSISTANT SECRETARY SHAPIRO: (Laughter.) As I mentioned, it’s designed to allow Saudi Arabia to address threats to its sovereignty, and we believe this aircraft is able to provide that capability (inaudible).
QUESTION: But where do you see that threat coming from right now at this specific moment in time.
ASSISTANT SECRETARY SHAPIRO: Well, as you know, the Middle East right now, there’s a number of threats. They’ve had border security issues. They have threats in the Gulf as well. And clearly, one of the threats that they face as well as other countries in the region is Iran. But it is not – this is not solely directed towards Iran. This is directed towards meeting our partner Saudi Arabia’s defense needs.
MS. NULAND: Jim, anything to add?
MR. MILLER: I think Andrew covered it very well.
MS. NULAND: Welcome to the State Department briefing room. (Laughter.)
Jill.
QUESTION: Just the same question, but a little bit differently. The timing of this. Obviously, you said the deal was struck, I think, December 24th. Today is a day where there’s a lot of news about this standoff with Iran, the Strait of Hormuz. Can you definitively say that there’s no connection even in the announcement today?
ASSISTANT SECRETARY SHAPIRO: Well, we’ve been – I’ll be perfectly honest. We’ve been planning this announcement since the deal was struck, before the latest tensions in the Straits of Hormuz, and so – and this deal was – first, we’ve been talking with the Saudis about how to provide for their air power needs for a number of years. And as I noted, I announced this congressional notification of this package last year. So we did not gin up a package in response to current events in the region, but this is part of a longstanding discussion with our Saudi partners about how to best meet their needs, and we are announcing it because the LOA was signed on Christmas Eve, which wouldn’t have been the right time to announce it.
MS. NULAND: Let’s go here. One more Pentagon, yes.
QUESTION: Amy Butler from Aviation Week. I’m curious if you can say for us, did they decide to go with a GE engine or did they go with a Pratt engine? Also, what is the delivery timeline? And has Saudi Arabia expressed any interest in some of the add-ons that Boeing has proposed that add potential internal weapons carrying stealthy characteristics for the future for their fighter fleet?
MR. MILLER: Let me take the question about delivery first. We expect the first delivery of the F-15SA of the new aircraft in early 2015 and expect the upgrades of the F-15S to the SA configuration to start in 2014. That’s the expectation now. Of course, schedules are as schedules are.
With respect to the internal capability of the aircraft, it has very substantial capabilities. I’ll give you just a little bit more in terms of the – I mentioned the – some of the munitions – the HARM anti-radiation missile that goes against radars for precision strike capabilities. We’ve got the Joint Direct Attack Munition, JADM; also the Paveway, which has an analogous capability, the Harpoon anti-ship missile; a very capable system called the Sensor Fuzed Weapon; and for the Defense people in the room, with the Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser, which is just an incredibly capable system against moving vehicles; and of course air-to-air AMRAAM and AIM-9X capabilities as well. So very significant capabilities.
There’s always the possibility that the Saudis would ask for more. This provides them everything that they asked for in their letter of request, and I know we have ongoing discussions that – where something else could be provided in the future.
QUESTION: Okay. And then on the engine, did they go with the GE or the Pratt?
MR. MILLER: I would like to defer that to the Boeing Company.
QUESTION: Oh. Okay.
MR. MILLER: Yeah. Please.
MS. NULAND: Please.
QUESTION: I wanted to ask you about any conditions were put on this sale considering Saudi Arabia is an important member of the GCC countries, considering the situation that happened in Bahrain recently, whether this use can also be applied to other countries that Saudi Arabia is part of or this purely for the use of Saudi Arabia just in case for its own defense?
ASSISTANT SECRETARY SHAPIRO: This was a sale to Saudi Arabia, and it is designed for Saudi defense needs. That being said, we are interested in working with all the Gulf nations in developing a regional security architecture that will enable them to meet the challenges and threats posed in the region. However, this is a sale to Saudi Arabia that will be used by the Saudi air force in order to defend its sovereignty and borders.
QUESTION: Well, I think the question, though, is related to the fact that the Saudis, as part of the GCC, sent people into Bahrain to put down – so I think her question is: Are there restrictions on this so that the Saudis can’t kind of, I don’t know, loan them out or send them for use against protestors in allies of Saudi?
ASSISTANT SECRETARY SHAPIRO: Under U.S. law and regulation, any attempt to transfer weapons to any other country requires our approval. So they have – and they – since they’ve not obtained these aircraft yet, there has been no such request made. And indeed, if they wanted to transfer these aircraft to any other Gulf partner, they would need our approval to do so.
QUESTION: No, but I don’t think it’s a question of transferring; it’s a question of if Bahrain, as part of the GCC, or some other country as part of the GCC, requests assistance and that assistance would include – I don’t know; this is obviously very hypothetical – but would include Saudis sending planes to Bahrain, not transferring them to the Bahrainis but using them in Bahrain, are there any restrictions like that?
ASSISTANT SECRETARY SHAPIRO: I’m not going to get into highly speculative, hypothetical – particularly when these aircraft are not going to be delivered for – until at least 2015, as Jim said. But at the – our common understanding with the Saudis is that these aircraft are to help with their security needs and to protect their sovereignty.
QUESTION: Was there anything in the Saudi request that wasn’t granted in the --
ASSISTANT SECRETARY SHAPIRO: Well, as Jim mentioned, there was a letter of request, and all that was in the letter of request was met in the letter of acceptance.
QUESTION: Are these planes more sophisticated than the planes you are going to send to Iraq?
ASSISTANT SECRETARY SHAPIRO: I’ll let Jim take that one.
MR. MILLER: As you know, we’re looking to sell F-16s to Iraq, different set of capabilities. The F-15SA is a terrific capability that includes some of the best attributes of the F-15s that we have in our inventory and some things, including these – this radar that really go beyond what we’ve had for ourselves to date, and we’ll be looking to bring analogous capabilities in for ourselves.
Really different missions, different focus for the F-16 and – F-15 and F-16. I wouldn’t compare them. We’re looking to provide a very significant capability with the F-16s to Iraq as well with a very heavy focus on air-to-air capabilities in that case.
MS. NULAND: Just looking to see if any of our other Pentagon guests – another one here.
QUESTION: I’m just curious, was there any sort of a work share offset? Is Saudi going to be doing any of the work in country?
MR. MILLER: That’s a topic that is not government-to-government but, as you know, is between the company – between Boeing Company and the Saudi Government. And as you probably also know, it’s standard to have something in that regard. I would, again, rather than speaking to it, defer that over to the Boeing Company to answer.
MS. NULAND: And the last one, Goyal.
QUESTION: Thank you very much. Quick one, two: One, if you had informed Israel in advance and what is the reaction from them? And second, did you see any immediate threat in the region against Saudi Arabia that you had to take such a dramatic action now – I mean by Saudi Arabia and by the U.S. to have these sales?
ASSISTANT SECRETARY SHAPIRO: I --
QUESTION: Because – sorry – Saudi had been peaceful ever since kingdom, no demonstrations, no problems of any kind.
ASSISTANT SECRETARY SHAPIRO: On your first question, I’m not going to get into private diplomatic discussions with Israel other than to again note that our evaluation is that this sale will not have an impact on Israel’s qualitative military edge.
On your second, again, the timing of this – this has been long in the making. Discussions over providing aircraft for the Saudi air force have taken place over a number of years. We announced the congressional notifications package last year in 2010. And we’ve negotiated the agreement over the past year, and it was signed on Christmas Eve.
QUESTION: Just one quick?
QUESTION: Thank you, sir.
MS. NULAND: Okay. One quick one here and then (inaudible).
QUESTION: How the payment is going to be?
ASSISTANT SECRETARY SHAPIRO: I’m sorry?
QUESTION: Payment on the – is there a timeline as to --
MR. MILLER: Under the foreign military sales, this will be analogous to many others that we’ve done. There is a payment schedule. The first payment will be due in the coming weeks and months, and they will – the payments will occur over a period of a number of years.
QUESTION: When – you mentioned the first delivery is in early 2015. When is it completed? When is the – when do the last planes get there, or the last upgrades finish arriving?
MR. MILLER: It will be several years after that.
QUESTION: So five, ten? I mean, how many – how – we’re talking – the reason I’m asking is that because it goes without – I think it goes without saying, but I want you to say it anyway, that this is a sign or an indication that you have faith in the stability of the Saudi monarchy and think that it’s going to be around for at least a little while longer.
MR. MILLER: Look, this is – we have a nearly seven-decade-strong relationship and partnership with the Saudi Government.
QUESTION: Yeah, but as you know --
MR. MILLER: We expect it to continue for the long term.
QUESTION: So – yeah, so you have faith in the stability of the Saudi monarchy --
MS. NULAND: I think he’s answered that question.
QUESTION: -- long --
MS. NULAND: -Thanks, guys, very much.
QUESTION: Well, I still am waiting for how long – how many years does it take for this deal to be completed.
MR. MILLER: The – there are various – there’s various elements of it. We’ve got the aircraft themselves that will be over a period of several years after the initial delivery. We’ve got the training that will occur – that will start sooner and that will occur over a period of – I believe it’s 10-plus years, and so that it’s something that is a sustained effort and shows sustained commitment between the U.S. and Saudi Governments, and both for Saudi security and U.S.-Saudi relations, and for promotion of regional --
QUESTION: So is there no real end date for when the – all the planes are delivered?
MR. MILLER: There is a target date. It’ll be several years after the – 2015. I’ll give you --
QUESTION: Several is how many?
MR. MILLER: I’ll give you a precise answer.
QUESTION: Perhaps we should ask it this way: For how long do you expect for this deal to sustain and support those 50,000 jobs you touted?
MR. MILLER: Round numbers, a decade-plus.
MS. NULAND: Okay. Thanks, guys, very much.
QUESTION: Thank you.
# # #

changa moto la maafuriko dar

2011-12-30T00:28:00.000Z

Heshima yako Bwana Amani,
Mimi huwa mara nyingi nasita sana kuchangia hoja ambayo wanayoshiriki siwaoni au siwafahamu, maana nawafahamu wengi ambao wamekuwa very genuine katika kuchangia hoja katika msingi ya uzalendo na uchungu wa Taifa ambalo ni letu wote isipokuwa madaraka yake si yetu wote , hivyo unapotoa hoja inayokosoa walio madarakani, basi unakuwa umewapa sababu ya kukukandamiza. Ila nataka niamini kuwa wanaochangia hoja hii wengi wana uzalendo wa kweli kusaidian kupata 'constructive ideas' ambazo zitatusaidai kutoa muongozo stahili kwa swala ambal lisposhuglikiwa leo au kesho, keshokutwa maafa yake yatakuwa zaidi ya haya. Na ndiyo maana nadhani kuwa utamaduni unaojitokeza wa baadhi ya taasisi au vikundi kugawa nguo, sukari , au sabuni is simply trying to 'prescribe the wrong medication to a terminal disease'.
Nilikuwa nyumbani kipindi cha Bunge la Bajeti, nikamusikia Mh Anna Tibaijuka akitoa vision ya serikali kuhusu Bonde la Msimbazi, nadhani alikuwa anawaasa watu walioko kwenye bonde hilo wahame ili ligeuzwe kuwa mahala pa mapumziko(Gardens). Nakumbuka pia Mh Zungu wa ilalla nadhani akichangia hoja hii, alichangia hoja hii kwa jazba na, mchango wake haukujaribu kujenga hoja yoyote kati ya hizi tunazojaribu kujenga miezi mitano baada ya bajeti. Yeye aligeuza hoja kuwa campaign yake ya 2015, akafika kumwambia Mh. Tibaijuka, kuwa nanukuu ' Siungi mkono hoja, sis wakazi wa Dar Saaalama, biashara yetu kubwa ni nyumba, hatuna ziwa, au mazao kama nyie wa Kanda ya Ziwa, na Mikoa ya kati, na ndiyo maana mlikuwa wakali wakati wa bajeti ya Uchukuzi na Mawasiliano, sasa leo sie muntwambia tuhame bonde la msimbazi ili nyie mpate sehemu ya kuja kumpumzikia mkila koni, mimi niko tayari kuongoza maandamano kupinga hili wazo, maana hatuna maala pengine pa kwenda, hivyo nyie bakini huko huko mkila koni zenu, sisi tutakula ubuyu'
Nilijiuliza mambo mengi KM. Huyu mbunge ameongeza nini katika hoja hii? , Je ilifika fika je kuwa Wa mikoa ya Kanda ya Ziwa na kati vs Dar es Salaam? Huyu bwana kwanini hakuhoji zaidi mambo ya msingi yaliosababishwa hoja hii ikaja bungeni, Je sera za serikali zinapobezwa kwa simple politics , nani anaumia.
Lakini jamani , mimi niko tayari kusimama popote to prove this bein said, maana katika picha zote sikumuona Huyu Mbunge among the victims, if they are really victims, na hatuwezi kudai ni victims wa sera mbovu za serikali , wakati zinapoletwa panapositahili kuhojiwa, kurekebishwa, na kufafanuliwa zaidi, waliopewa dhamana wanafanyia
siasa zisizo na tija.
Mimi nadhani, uwajibikaji ulitakiwa kuaanza na wabunge kama kina Zungu, walitakiaw baadala ya Kuchochea watu wasiondoke, wangetumia ubunge kufuatilia hilo swala Wizara husika, na sio cheap politics.
Mimi nina imani na hakika kuwa kwenye hoja ya serikali kwenye Bajeti, haya yote tunayoyahoji yatakuwemo, kama yamo, hakuna kisingizio kwa wanaoitwa 'victims' kuhama. Otherwise, inakuwa siyo serikali, tusishabikie kuwepo sheria na sheria kuchukua mkondo wake pale serikali inapojaribu kuzima upinzani wa mawazo na sera, bali hata pale inapojenga hoja na wanainchi wakakaidi kuitekeleza.
Nawasilisha Hoja!
JOHN LUSINGU

2011-12-30T00:02:00.002Z

This blog wishes all my readers and followers a happy new year in advance
Ayoub mzee in Addis ababa at the africa union head quaters

bye bye

2011-12-26T06:44:00.001Z

BEN TV sky channel 184 ,KASSU INTERTAINMENT,MAMAA PROMOTIONS WISHES TO THANK PROFESA JAY AND HIS TEAM FOR MAKING THE 50 YERS OF TANZANIA UHURU A SUCCESS IN THE UK
Ayoub mzee with prof Jay

Prof Jay with shay banks of mama A promotions

2011-12-25T06:07:00.001Z

Did you know that our brothers from Kenya have just celebrated their independence annivesary ?

The kenya high commissioner H.E NGARE celebrating with his countrymen at the continental hotel in london

Christmas Day Viewing – Ballet Boyz on More 4

BalletBoyz: Next Generation follows the rise of a new all-male dance company, from auditions to a performance in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It will be shown on Christmas Day at 11.05pm.

Filmed over two years this observational documentary follows the meteoric rise of an all-male dance company, exploring what it takes to turn eight individuals into one formidable company, and follows the process from first auditions, through boot-camp training and creating work – right up to their performance in Addis Ababa earlier this year.

Altitude sickness, broken bones, rolling power cuts and a punishing schedule are only some of the hurdles faced by the talent as they bring the BalletBoyz to Ethiopia and stage a performance in the prestigious City Hall, Addis Ababa.
The documentary will be shown on More4 on Christmas Day at 11.05pm

The film also features performance footage of The TALENT from the last two years.

Produced in Association with Channel 4 and Arts Council England

For further details see http://www.balletboyz.com/ or the Channel 4 website at: http://www.channel4.com/programmes/balletboyz-next-generation/episode-guide/series-1/episode-1

ENDS

2011-12-24T23:34:00.002Z

Ayoub --

I've known the President and the First Lady for a long time.I've seen them face some big years before. But the year ahead will be the biggest.And as we head into 2012, I think we should show Barack and Michelle how many folks are standing with them.
A couple of us on the campaign are putting together a card for everyone to sign with our names and notes, wishing the President and the First Lady well for the year ahead. It may feel like a small gesture, but it's one that becomes very large, very quickly, when hundreds of thousands of people add their names. I just know it's going to mean the world to them.This is Barack Obama's last campaign. Let's show him and Michelle that we'll be behind them every step of the way next year:https://my.barackobama.com/page/m/55c16634/6c7ff0e4/1d9c8c50d/118a58bb/1752111733/VEsF/p/eyJKU1ZGVFVGSlRDVWwiOiJzd2FoaWxpZGlhcmllczJAeWFob28uY29tIiwiSlNWYVNWQWxKUT09IjoiMDAwMDAiLCJKU1ZEVlZOVVQwMWZSRUZVUVZORlZGdHpiSFZuUFhkb2FYUmxiR2x6ZEYwbEpRPT0iOiIiLCJKU1ZNUVZOVVRrRk5SU1VsIjoiTXplZSJ9/Thank you, and best wishes for a happy new year.-

JuliannaJulianna SmootDeputy Campaign ManagerObama for America

2011-12-24T05:39:00.001Z

The Tanzania community ended the year in style

ENGLISH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
23rd DECEMBER 2011
PRESS RELEASE / ON BEHALF OF THE CONGOLESE COMMUNITY IN THE UK

Over the years, we have seen leaders of countries misuse and abuse their power – suppressing democracy; holding their people back politically and economically; and, preventing the country and its people from reaching their fullest potential. We must stand united and demand that democracy returns to all parts of the world.

Observers from the Carter Center, founded by former US President Jimmy Carter, found “the provisional presidential election results announced by the Independent National Election Commission (CENI) on the 9th of December 2022 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to lack credibility.” Based on the report of its 30,000 election observers, the largest of any group, Kinshasa Archbishop, Cardinal Monsengwo Pasinya, said that “…there is no reason to firmly conclude that these results conform to either the truth or justice.”

Recognising rigged elections means supporting dictatorial regimes, injustice, conflicts and human insecurity in Africa. We will continue to Stand by the Congolese people in demanding the respect of The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) recognises the right of all peoples to self-determination, including the right to "freely determine their political status", pursue their economic, social and cultural goals, and manage and dispose of their own resources.

The people of the Democratic Republic of Congo thirst for democracy in their country and, as such, stand united in their resolve to ask for action. Diaspora Congolese People in the UK have been demonstrating since 28 November and will be demonstrating again on the following days AND CONTINUALLY AFTER THESE DATES:
24th DECEMBER 2011 - from 11am to 6pm. March from TEMPLE station to 10 DOWNING STREET

and
28th DECEMBER 2011 - from 11 am to 6pm. AT HQ OF BELL POTTINGER -
Holborn Gate, 26 Southampton Building, London WC2A 1QB. Chancery Lane station.(Buses: 8, 17, 25, 45, 46, 242, 341, 521) (Organised by Congolese Women)

We invite every Journalists, Reporters, NGOs and Charities who are so keen on reporting on DRCongo's populations misery to accuratelty report on THE CONGOLESE UPRAISING - a Movement by Congolese people in the Diaspora and the DRCongo, in unison who want CHANGE in DRCongo, regardless of the affiliations.
We have the right to a fair and accurate reporting and to inform the World and British citizens in particular about the DRCongo, where the tax payer money have been invested heavily.
Please contact us if you require more information and video links about our protest in France, UK, US, Congo, Belgium, Canada, Ireland, Italy , Denmark and South Africa: shana@africalives.org

2011-12-23T05:58:00.000Z

GHANA HIGH COMMISSION IN LONDON WINS IT AGAIN

The high commissioner and the the HOC reading the engravement on the awards

The Ghana high commissioner H.E Prof Kwaku Danso-Boafo recieving the Ben tv diplomatic awards .One is the Diplomatic Pride of Africa awarded to the High commissioner himself and the other is the award was given to the ghana high commission for good customer service ,Diaspora development,country's human development ,economic and cultural development

2011-12-22T21:17:00.003Z

The Rwanda high commissioner H.E ERNEST RWAMUCYO was in coventry to participate in a rwanda community football match as part of the community cohesion scheme.Community cohesion is about ensuring different groups of people share a common vision and sense of belonging, where similar life opportunities are available to all. It is defined as working towards a society in which there is a common vision and sense of belonging by all communities; a society in which the diversity of people’s backgrounds and circumstances is appreciated and valued; a society in which similar life opportunities are available to all; and a society in which strong and positive relationships exist and continue to be developed in the workplace, in schools and in the wider community.This tournament took place at the allan higgs leisure center in coventry

Janneh gets Africa’s economic icon award, recognised for leadership in peace building
ECA Press Release No. 163/2011
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 19 December 2011 (ECA) - The United Nations Under-Secretary General and the Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa, Mr. Abdoulie Janneh, has been honoured with two distinctions in recognition of his extensive work on the development of Africa and the leadership his has shown in promoting the culture of peace on the continent. Editors of the African Leadership Magazine said that Mr. Janneh emerged winner of the “Distinguished African Economic Icon of the Year Award 2011.” The prize was given at a ceremony in Washington D.C. on 16 December on 16 December 2011.. The African Leadership Magazine is a pan-African flagship publication circulated to over 180,000 targeted international investors, business executives, government policy makers and multilateral agencies in Africa, Europe and the U.S., according to the Information and Communication Service of ECA. Three days ealier that is on 13 December the Dakar-based Femmes Africa Solidarité (FAS) had also awarded the 2011 “Femmes Africa Solidarité Leadership in Peace Building Recognition” to Mr. Janneh in honour of his outstanding contributions to the African women’s peace movement. At the awarding ceremony which took place on 13 December, at the Hotel Meridian in Dakar, Senegal, the founder and Executive Director of FAS, Ms Bineta Diop, described Mr. Janneh as “a steady supporter” of the organisation, saying his “efforts have contributed to the important progress made by women on the continent.” Accepting the prize, Mr. Janneh’s representative read a prepared speech in which he called for more women in peace mediation and negotiations, as they are most often the first casualties of war. “We know that men far outnumber women as combatants and perpetrators of war, yet women are increasingly the biggest casualties, including being victims of sexual and gender-based violence”, he said. He recognised the many steps taken in Africa towards gender, peace and security and encouraged each and everyone to “join hands and accelerate that walk, monitor each other and increase accountability.” Mr. Janneh earned the 2011 Distinguished African Economic Icon of the Year Award thanks to his prudent leadership of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, according to the award committee. The committee recognises ECA’s work in harnessing the intellectual resources that have enhanced the ability of a good number of countries on the continent to adopt effective policies which account for the steady growth rates registered by the countries. Mr. Janneh now joins the list of distinguished personalities who have recently received the award. They include H.E. President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia; Dr. Mo Ibrahim of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation and Mr. Peter Hinson, Managing Director of First Bank, United Kingdom. Issued by: ECA Information and Communication Service P.O. Box 3001 Addis Ababa Ethiopia Tel: 251 11 5445098 Fax: +251-11-551 03 65 E-mail: ecainfo@uneca.org Web: www.uneca.org