The New Nation - Internet Edition

BANGLADESHI manufacturers, according to a recent newspaper report, have been making strides in strengthening and expanding their position in the multibillion dollar global market of processed food items with their export proceeds posting a 119 per cent rise in the first fiscal year. The annual earning from export of more than $60 million in the current fiscal year may cross $100 million mark in the next fiscal year as Agricultural Marketing Company Limited- that leads in exporting processed food-alone is targeting to earn $30 million by 2009 against its earning $10 million in 2006. Agro-processed foods including biscuits, candies, jam-jellies and fruit juice had grown by 119 per cent in the 2006-07 fiscal year to $23 million. Whatever is the figure now in earnings by exporting processed food items; the achievement in getting positive response is remarkable with the expectation of expanding the export base in the days to come, as one exporter was quoted to have said. At present, the AMCL that markets its products under 'Pran' brand accounts for more than 50 per cent of the country's total export proceeds from agro-processed foods. Some other companies also have become serious in exploring export markets and Bangladesh's Export Promotion Bureau senses that many of them will eventually become bulk exporters within a year or two. Only 15 of the country's 200 modern agro-processing units have seriously explored the export markets. Long-term vision and effective marketing efforts are essential for new companies to gain space in export destinations. It is encouraging to mention that exporters here have found a highly potential market in Africa with the taste, choice and consumption of the people there complementary to the business. India, too, would be a very potential market if tariff and para-tariff barriers are not there. Lack of advanced and attractive packaging facility and high freight costs are the factors that affect the competitiveness of Bangladeshi exporters and force them to lag behind their counterparts of India, Pakistan, China, Malaysia and Thailand. To cite an example, specifically it was pointed out that while an Indian exporter needs $500 to ship a container of food items, for a Bangladeshi exporter the cost is $1500. Despite growing demands in the export market in recent years, the Export Promotion Bureau's list of agro-processed foods does not include frozen beef, mutton, chicken and mustard oil and excludes agricultural produces like fresh fruits, vegetables, spices, betel nut, refined and edible oil though the country earned $88 million by exporting these items in the current financial year.

Frozen shrimps and fish that account for the second largest chunk of the export earning pie after apparels, earned $512 million in the last fiscal year. Exporters here from our country are active and innovative and can go ahead with their ventures provided peace, stability and tranquillity prevail in the country.

BEFORE the advent of the satellite television, cinemas had been almost the main medium of entertainment for people of all walks of life. Movies were the main mediums to project art and culture as well. But films have now lost that glory. Those are increasingly being abused with the addition of obscene footages, vulgarism, nudity, sex, violence, horror and absurdity. Vulgarism and nudity have become inseparable from a large number of contemporary Bangladeshi cinemas. At present, the young generation and people of low-income groups who cannot afford to buy television sets and other electronic entertainment devices are the main moviegoers. The vulgar movies leave serious harmful impacts on their character and mental make-up. The alarming tendencies of increased drug addictions, violence, immoral sex habits and crimes are fostered by such films.

Films are subject to censorship. It is obligatory for every film to go though scrutiny by a film censorship board. No film can be released for public show without a censor certificate. But the censorship board stationed in the capital has proved to be inadequate to ensure keeping films free from vulgarity. Local government bodies reportedly do not see whether censor restrictions are strictly followed later on. It is alleged that after receiving a censor certificate, movie makers add to the films so-called 'cut pieces' containing vulgar scenes. In absence of an effective monitoring system, the dishonest section of filmmakers and distributors are doing illegal business promoting vulgarity. A Task Force of the Film Development Corporation (FDC) has been formed with a view to saving the film industry from nudity and vulgarity. It is reported that the TF is engaged in making a list of the producers, directors, actors-actresses and distributors involved in making such films. The perpetrators would be banned from the FDC premises and punished duly. Such an initiative was long over due. It is hoped that this initiative would help free movies from vulgarity and bring back the industry's past glory.

But the efforts of a central censor board or a task force, while very urgent and necessary, are not enough to guarantee permanent results. In this era of sophisticated technologies, the makers of nude films will find alternative ways to carry on their misdeeds. The local administration should play its due role to stop the screening of vulgar films. On the spot strict monitoring by local government bodies would help stop vulgar film shows. The local administration should regularly monitor film shows in cinema halls, confiscate vulgar movies, cancel licences issued to cinema hall owners and penalise the violators of laws and rules. Local elite may be involved to support the official efforts. The task force should be able to identify and haul up the rackets involved in ruining the traditional entertainment medium and causing harmful social impacts.

Dr. M. S. Haq

This evening (25 November 2007), PM Nawaz Sharif has returned to Pakistan. The event may, in many respects, be considered as a victory for Pakistan, for the people of Pakistan, for President General Pervez Musharraf, for Saudi government, for PM Nawaz Sharif and for others when it comes to efforts towards taking national reconciliations to a new height, in one way or another. A brief analysis of the outcome of recent developments in areas of politics and democracy in Pakistan would reveal, among other things, the president and the administration have been making solid and visible advancements towards promoting and sustaining an enabling environment for repositioning democracy in Pakistan on a more solid ground and preparing the country for recovering losses on account of for example, democracy related insufficiency and its ramifications at local, national, regional, global and other levels.

The good news is: if developments of above and related nature are allowed to continue through the foreseeable future in a more purposeful, peaceful, proper, collective, result-oriented and sustainable manner, the outcome of those developments could afford Pakistanis yet another opportunity for cultivating democracy largely in the way the people of Pakistan wants to see it growing, wants to practicing it, wants to sustaining it, and wants to promoting it - all in pursuits of greater interest of Pakistan and the future of Pakistan, among other things.

In that respect, it will be essential for Pakistan to initiate and implement measures - as soon as possible and as practicable - in pursuit of making its democratic power compatible with its nuclear power (used in a wider and deeper sense) provided that the country is willing to harness maximum benefits from an N/10 solution (used in a chemistry sense) of above powers through the foreseeable future and that it is interested in becoming an influential, reliable, viable and respected regional, as well as world power and partner, to mention a few. But if it fails to achieve those and other related things in a timely and satisfactory fashion, a fallout from resultant developments could not only endanger its own peace, progress and security but peace, progress and security at regional, global and other levels, for an instance.

In light of above, the choices for the people of Pakistan are, at this point in time, pretty straight forward. They will have to decide:

Whether or not they would allow political parties to boycott upcoming elections en mass or otherwise? Whether or not they would allow political parties to play games with upcoming elections in the names of democracy, development, and so on?

Whether or not they would allow political parties to harness maximum possible opportunities for building upon gains the country has made so far, particularly, under the stewardship of President Musharraf?

Whether or not they would allow Pakistan to move forward, in a peaceful, matured, responsible and forward looking manner, with its agenda on say, democratization and development? Whether or not they would show patience, tolerance, objectivity and entrepreneurial skills when it comes to meeting challenges of, and harnessing opportunities for, democracy and development in the country between now and the foreseeable future?

Whether or not they would force and assist - as required - political parties when it comes to taking the right decision at the right time and cost in their behalf (meaning, the people) in relevant areas?

Whether or not they would allow terrorism, extremism and other anti-state activities in the country to taking toll on their life, religion, values, property, freedom, liberty, democracy, security, progress and prosperity, as applicable and on a continuous basis, for example? Whether or not they want to push the country towards say, instability, confusion and corruption beyond a tolerable level?

Whether or not they would allow political activities that might perhaps result in situations warranting the declaration of martial law in the country by the president or lead to a military coup or a series of military coup in the country through the foreseeable future?

Whether or not they would rise on the occasion to advice and guide President Musharraf, political parties and others in pursuits of best for all solutions, per se? Whether or not they want a people's government or otherwise on an urgent basis and in an effective manner?

Kindly note: the questions mentioned above (as examples) have been designed to facilitate further efforts towards reminding once again the people of Pakistan of their rights and obligations with regard to maintaining and promoting well-being of Pakistan and the world at large under present and evolving situations, as well as circumstances and to assist them in taking the right decision at the right time and cost without fear or favor in those situations and circumstances. I believe Pakistanis are aware of the facts that the existing and continuing political instabilities and attempts to destabilizing Pakistan (if successful) could affect - inter alia and in varying degrees - their per capita entitlements, especially those of the poor people.

The people of Pakistan and others should be ready for meeting, in the immediate future, situations (products of assumptions) like the ones mentioned below.

1. The members of major opposition political parties who have filed or will file nomination papers up to and including tomorrow (26 November 2007) for 'participating' in upcoming elections might withdraw their nominations afterwards, either in part or in full, depending on situations that might evolve either before or after President Musharraf take the oath as a civilian president. It implies inter alia the concerned political parties are either buying time for saying "no" to their participation in upcoming elections and change eventually their present face or they have not yet made up their mind in respect of their participation in the elections. In such an event, if a sizable majority or influential political parties sided with the government in favor of elections, the elections would take place as scheduled, whether under the emergency or otherwise.

2. Either one of the former prime ministers could become the next prime minister of Pakistan, if they and their parties could fetch, either individually or as part of a coalition, majority of the national seats in the election and if the bar on say, third time prime-ministership is removed through the required majority via an amendment in the constitution, for example.

3. If the political parties are able to mobilize popular support in favor of boycotting upcoming elections, if the law and order situation remains under control of the government and if the military does not interfere in the state of affairs, it is likely - the elections might take place at a later date, under modified or changed environments or structures or both - whether or not as a result of national reconciliations by the president and his team, or as the outcome of political contracts agreed (to be) between and among the president and political parties, or otherwise.

4. The government will be formed by political parties who will win in upcoming elections slated for 08 January 2008. Political parties who will be unsuccessful in the election or who will not participate in the election or both might elect to continue their effort in the names of say, democracy through the future time. A windfall from that could witness inter alia a continuing instability in domains of the country's politics, development and democracy, relative to time, space and other variables, though - making developments of Pakistan an increasingly difficult task in an increasingly competitive and uncertain environment at local, national, regional, global and other levels.

By the way, President Musharraf and political parties could explore jointly the possibility of forming inter alia a government of national unity after the elections. It should be noted here: a more effective and efficient transaction between the presidency and the parliament, under the present system of governance in Pakistan, will be critical to promote a continuing progress and prosperity of the country and the world at large. Otherwise: Pakistan could perhaps re-enter into vicious cycles of political and developmental calamities in a more hydra headed and destructive way than ever. It is expected good sense will not only prevail in minds of Pakistanis to whom it may concern, but will find productive expressions through relevant deeds in the days ahead. It is also expected the commonwealth will soon be able to withdraw its suspension related decision regarding Pakistan and the country will not become an unnecessary victim of investment related diseases, among other negative things. Wishing all the best to President Musharraf and others.

Kamal Hyder

Problem of peace and re-unification of two Koreas is the urgent issue in East Asia. After dismantling main atomic re-actor in Yongbon by the DPRK following summit meeting in Pyonyomg of October last, world is looking for advancement and the peoples of North and South Koreas eagerly waiting for peaceful and independent re-unification of their fatherland.

Dates back in the history that the United States, in the situation of the end of World War-II, proposed so-called proposition of partition, and occupied a half of Korea south of 38th parallel.

Korea, a unified country with 5 thousand years-long history, was divided into two parts not by international agreement but only by the line drawn by the US troop's occupied South Korea by General Order No. 1 of MacArthur, only an US Army commander, which was greatly indignant.

After the occupation of South Korea, the United States established the pro-US separate government and provoked the Korean War on June 25, 1950.

The United States has worked harder for division and confrontation after the war, far from drawing a lesson from a disgraceful defeat it suffered in the Korean war.

In 1960s as when the reunification trend in South Korea was rapidly heightened under the slogan of let us go to the north, come to the south, let us meet in Panmunjom, the US staged the May 16 military coup.

In 1970s when the July 7 North-South Joint Statement clarifying the three principles of independence, peaceful reunification and great national unity was published the US mapped out the separatist two Koreas policy and established the Yusin dictatorship government.

In 1980s as different dialogues between the north and the south started and art troupes and hometown-visiting groups were exchanged the US put forth, argument on crossing recognition and escalate team spirit joint military exercise.

In 1990s as the 10-Point Programmes of the Great National Unity for the re-unification of the Fatherland was presented and the agreement on conciliation, non-aggression, cooperation and exchange between the north and the south as adopted, the US reopened. Team spirit joint military exercise raised the anti-DPRK nuclear clamor.

In 2000 when the meeting of the top leaders of the north and the south was held and the June 15 joint Declaration was published, the US ambassador to South Korea picked on that it was impossible not to inform about such a surprising decision in advance between friendly nations and the United States called the person in power of South Korea into Washington DC to make an issue of the independent stand of the Declaration and press to repeal it.

Recently it is going to bring into South Korea a huge amount of up-to-date military equipments worth 13 billion US dollars.

Since the occupation of South Korea, the US have killed lots of Korean people. The United States put down the popular uprising against the US military rule in Cheju Island in April 1948, and it is alleged that, exterminated one fourth of the population by the most cruel way. There is allegation that about 1 million people were killed during the pre-war period of 5 years after its occupation of South Korea, massacred 1.24 million innocent people throughout South Korea during the 3-year war, slaughtered 83 thousand South Korean people in every unconceivable manner since the end of the Korean war.

The US troops in South Korea have killed even a 3-year child and a shoeshine boy, branding the former as a thief of petrol, and, the latter as a robber. In case of shoeshine boy, they stabbed him, pulled out his two big toenails and hairs, painted his naked body, put him in a wooden box, and threw it out.

It is alleged that over the past 60 years since their occupation of South Korea, they committed more than 300 thousand crimes, in which 2 million and hundreds of thousands of civilians were killed. This would be the record massacre of civilians after the World War II, if their killings in the north of Korea are excluded.

The United States of America from very beginning specially since the country's illegal division as legacy of World War-II persuading a hostile policy towards the D.P.R. of Korea to increase their supremacy over Korean Peninsula in the name of so-called US interest.

The USA never learn from the history and did learn nothing from shameful defeat in Vietnam. They occupied Iraq despite US and world populations strong criticism and USA also do not learn anything positive from political and diplomatic failure of their intervention against to establish peace in Korean peninsula.

Independent and peaceful re-unification of Korea is unanimous desire of the Korean population living across the artificial border. It is USA creating all about obstacles against fulfillment of peoples desire to keep their supremacy by force. Seven years before June 15 joint Declaration of North-South took place, but yet to proceed further due to US unwillingness.

World population is convinced and believe that all these achievements made in the D.P.R.K. will lead to re-unification and peace in Korean Peninsula shall finally triumph. So, the US authority should stop all kinds of hostility and proceed in free and frank mind to create atmosphere for peaceful coexistence with the D.P.R. of Korea that could lead to re-unification of Korea and establishment of peace in the Korean peninsula.

Stanch that in the Presidential election of South Korea on middle of December 2007, one Ri Hoe Chang is foolish and funny enough to make desperate efforts to gratify his greed for power, a behaviour quite contrary to the trend of the times and the will of the nation. This is no more than the last-ditch effort of a politician whose days are numbered.

Ri is a diehard pro-American conservative and a traitor to the nation ill-famed for being an icon of conservatism, confrontation between fellow countrymen, and corrupt politics in south Korea, and goes on:

He was twice defeated in the last "presidential elections." In fact, such defeat was a stern punishment by history and the people. However, this scum of history forsaken and marginalised by the nation is again going reckless, unable to repress his unlimited greed for power. His deed is lashing the people into fury as it is unpardonable political hooliganism mocking the history and the nation and going against the trend of the times.

It is quite natural that all the ruling and opposition parties and people from all walks of life in South Korea are becoming increasingly critical of his running for "presidential elections." As asserted by the public, Ri's action is a disgraceful "return" of "a guy crazy about the presidential office" or "a boss of conservatives" and it is no more than the desperate frenzy of the diehard reactionaries. Ultra-rightist Cold Warminded forces to stem the trend of the history and bring back the era in which they could embezzle truck loads of money.

In a "declaration of his candidacy for the elections" Ri pulled up the north and criticised the ruling and opposition parties' polices toward it, terming the present government a "leftist government" and ballyhooing about the "nature of the state." Such provocative and dishonest remarks can be made only by a diehard separatist keen on anti-national and anti-reunification and confrontation. His behaviour is extremely disgusting as he again blew the worn-out trumpet to incite confrontation.

He has gone so mad with greed for power that he is neither sensitive to the trend of the times nor able to face up to the reality. Being a politician more dead than alive as he is forsaken by the people like a rotten dead tree, this guy is however, making desperate effort to realise his dream of becoming a "president" by fishing in troubled waters. But for this he will only face a merciless judgment by history and people and destruction.

We including world population on all Koreans do hope and believe that people of South Korea will give their verdict in favour of peaceful and independent re-unification of their fatherland.