The New Nation - Internet Edition

Making non-issue an issue A demand that has raised most eyebrows on the occasion of the International Women’s Day was the one for equality in the division of ances

Mohammad Shahidul Islam

Bangladesh has very diverse and distinctive flora and fauna, which include a mixture of species at the Sundarban and Chittagong Hill Tracts. Many of them are unique to Bangladesh and largely unknown to the rest of the world. In fact, numerous globally threatened and endangered species inhabit Bangladesh. Combination of diverse landscapes, unspoiled habitat, and some rare wild plant and animal species have become a subject of growing international attention and conservation efforts. Tourism is always proud of having inherited all resources of environment. Besides all measures, tourism law may effectively come forward to contribute to over all conservation of environment. Deforestation and poaching of birds and animals are a threat to the development of tourism.

This is the right time to initiate a long-term plan to develop Bangladesh as an internationally competitive tourist destination supported by mid-term plan to enhance tourism in the region and short-term plan to develop new tourism destinations, products and attractions. And this is time to adopt measures for tourism development through enacting strict tourism law.

To denote tourism as the world's largest industry, there is some statistics for those who like facts and figures against the belief of real scenario. A according to the World Tourism Council, last year tourism generated revenue over US$6 trillion. It provided around the world 221 million jobs, with an expectation that by 2015 it will be providing some 269 million jobs. Between 2006 and 2015, tourism's growth rate is expected to average 4.6 percent per year.

Law for tourism industry in Bangladesh would definitely result in a great success for controlling deforestation and conserving environment. The cardinal objectives of tourism law may be:

To drive economic and social development in the country, while respecting its forest, fauna, flora, mineral, archaeological and heritage, sites, which should be preserved and passed on to future generations;

b) To preserve historical and cultural values and promote national pride;

c) To contribute to the harmonious and balanced development of the country;

d) To contribute to job creation, economic growth and relief from poverty;

e) To stimulate the domestic private sector to participate in the promotion and development of tourism resources;

f) To establish mechanisms for inter-institutional coordination and participation;

g) To promote the conservation of biodiversity and marine and land ecosystems;

h) To improve the standard of living of local communities, encouraging their active participation in the tourism sector;

i) To encourage measures for the safety and tranquillity of tourists, consumers and suppliers of tourism services;

j) To ensure equal rights and opportunities for all those subject to this law.

Tourism Law is eclectic and can be divided into two broad parts: first, the general laws which apply to this industry often in unexpected ways because of its peculiar characteristics, eg damages for disappointment. Second, the industry specific laws from the ancient common innkeepers and carriers doctrines to the labyrinth of local, state, federal and international regulations which now govern this industry.

Travel, by definition, involves cross border social, cultural and commercial transactions, which arguably raise more regulatory challenges for this industry than perhaps, any other. To establish " Bangladesh as a land of tourism" beside "Land of birds and rivers", the enactment of tourism law is urgent for action.

Tourism in Bangladesh has strengths to play a significant role in expanding domestic demand, increasing earnings in foreign currencies, eliminating poverty and providing jobs. The existing rules and regulations on tourism service cannot meet the needs for the development for the tourism industry in the context of present era.

So, the Tourism Law should be enacted as soon as possible in order to standardise the development of tourism industry.The law should define the status of tourism industry in the national economic and social development, and the government policy and measures on expanding the tourism industry. The law should decide on the system for the rational development and scientific utilisation of tourism resources and environmental protection, and provide for the protection of tourists' rights and interests. There is an increasing recognition by industry, government and international agencies that effective laws and institutions are fundamental to achieving upshot.

Would Ahmadinejad's visit normalize Iran-Iraq ties

Dr.Abdul Ruff

Leading a large delegation that included his Foreign Minister Mottaki, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad arrived for two days on 02 February in Baghdad, a nation that was once Iran's bitter enemy. Iran and Iraq are both led by Shiite Muslims, though Iraq has more Sunnis than Iran. The two countries were hostile to each other and fought a long and destructive war during most of the 1980s, in part because of the border dispute, with the weapons purchased from USA and USSR, killing an estimated one million people. After murdering Saddam and overthrowing his regime, USA has established a Shite regime in Iraq by keeping puppets in power. It would take years for them to come to term with the reality and improve relations in real sense between them. Obviously encouraged indirectly by the occupying USA, Iran and Iraq have already begun talks on trade, energy cooperation and a long-running border row, though the two neighbours have yet to sign a peace treaty.

Ahmadinejad is the first Iranian president to visit Iraq. The Iranian leader went from Baghdad's airport to a meeting with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, a Sunni Kurd speaking fluent Farsi, who gave him a red-carpet welcome. Iraqi President Jalal Talabani welcomed Ahmadinejad with a guard of honor, as a military band played the national anthems of both nations. Talabani, who grinned broadly and eagerly shook Ahmadinejad's hand, called the visit "historic." Talabani's headquarters are located right across the Tigris River from the mammoth new U.S. Embassy in the fortified Green Zone, an area that has been repeatedly hit by mortar attacks, with the U.S. blaming Shiite militants. Apart from Iraqi President Talabani and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki-both of whom have visited Iran since taking office-Ahmadinejad also met with and Deputy Prime Minister Barham Saleh. After meeting with Ahmadinejad, al-Maliki said the visit was "an expression of the strong desire of enhancing relations and developing mutual interests after the past tension during the dictatorship era." Talabani called Ahmadinejad's visit "historic. The tone among Ahmadinejad and his Iraqi hosts was more than cordial. Ahmadinejad said talks on 02 March with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, a Sunni Kurd who told the Iranian leader to call him "Uncle Jalal," were "brotherly."

President Mahmoud said his landmark visit to Iraq opened a new chapter in "brotherly" relations between the two countries, which were once bitter enemies. He said Iran wants to reopen the historical ties between these "brotherly" nations. The Iranian president said he was "truly happy" to be visiting an Iraq "without the dictator" Saddam Hussein. He said the people of Iraq were going through "tough" time. "It is friendly to all groups in Iraq. Isn't it ridiculous that those who have deployed 160,000 troops in Iraq accuse us of intervening there?" Ahmadinejad is quoted as saying. He sought to reassure Iraqis ahead of the trip that Iran is not fueling violence in Iraq. Iran has no need to intervene in Iraq. ".. the Iraqi people will overcome the situation and the Iraq of tomorrow will be a powerful, developed and unique Iraq," a smiling Ahmadinejad said. "A united, powerful and developed Iraq is in the interests of all countries of the region," he said.

While Iraq is largely Arab, Iran is mainly Persian. Iranian President hailed Iran and Iraq as world leaders in "justice and morality". Ahmadinejad's two-day trip illustrated one of the unintended consequences of the 2003 U.S.-led invasion. "We believe that the major powers who have come to the region from thousands of kilometers away should respect the will of nations and leave this region. That's the best service they can offer these nations," the Iranian leader told reporters after meeting with Iraq's president. Iranian president said that six years ago there were none of these terrorists. When the others stepped foot in this country and region we find a foothold for the terrorists, referring to the U.S.-led invasion of Iraqi in 2003… Nations are dissatisfied with the rules that now dominate the world. They want justice. The nations of Iran and Iraq are front-runners in establishing justice, morality, kindness," he said in comments carried by Iranian state television.

The visit has given Ahmadinejad a chance to highlight the improved relationship his nation has with post-Saddam Hussein Iraq while also serving as an act of defiance toward the U.S., which accuses Iran of aiding Shiite extremists in Iraq. The Iran-brokered "truce" between the two Shiite heavyweights in Iraqi politics, the Mahdi Army and the Supreme Iraqi Islamic Council (SIIC), is now history to prevent the shedding of Shiite blood back in August 2007. Iraqi prime minister told Ahmadinejad that Iran had "helped enormously with security and stability in Iraq". Iran is also helping Iraq to reduce its chronic shortage of electricity, with new transmission lines to the Iraqi national grid from power stations in Iran. Now Al Maliki wants to regain a majority in Parliament the Shiite bloc of Sadr and SIIC that would make Al Maliki's supporters a total of 156, re-gaining a majority. The man to thank for all of this is Ahmadinejad.

Addressing a news-conference, Ahmadinejad said: "We have had good talks in a friendly and construction environment. We have the same understanding of things and the two parties are determined to strengthen their political, economic and cultural co-operation. We have had good talks in a friendly and constructive environment. We have the same understanding of things and the two parties are determined to strengthen their political, economic and cultural co-operation." The news conference appeared to end abruptly after a reporter asked Ahmadinejad about the People's Mujahedeen Organization of Iran, which was allied with Saddam during the bitter 1980s war between the two countries. The group has opposed Iran's Islamic republic and has operated out of Iraq. The U.S. and European Union list it as a terrorist organization. Talabani interjected, saying: "This issue has been discussed earlier and the presence of those as a terrorist organization is constitutionally not allowed. We will endeavor to get rid of them out of the Iraqi territory soon."

The Iranians are worried that sometime in the near future, they might lose their Hezbollah ally in Lebanon. All countries that have a significant Shiite population, like Saudi Arabia or Bahrain, are off-limits for the Iranians because they would be too difficult to penetrate. Iran thinks Iraq is ripe, however, for another Hezbollah. This visit creates background for the future course in that direction. In mainly Sunni Arab Falluja west of Baghdad, protesters marched through the city waving banners saying "Get your non-Arab hands off Iraq". In the holy city of Najaf, historically the centre of Shi'ite learning, Ahmadinejad's trip was welcomed. Ahmadinejad, a Shiite himself, visited the shrine of Imam Mouse al-Kati around midnight. He travelled in a motorcade under tight security through Baghdad's streets to the shrine in the northern Kazimiyah district.

The first visit by an Iranian president since the 1979 Islamic revolution aimed to boost business, political and cultural ties with its immediate neigbor Iraaq, now under occupation by US-led forces. According to Iraqileaders, the visit benefits the nation of Iraq as it strengthens the relations between the two countries. Iraqi officials said up to 10 bilateral accords would be signed soon on behalf of the ministries of transport, including railways and freight and sea transport. Today trade between them is brisk. Iran on March 01 announced that it would export 200 megawatts of power to its neighbor Iraq from next week. Speaking to reporters here, Iran's Energy Minister Parviz Fattah said power exports would be possible after connection of power networks in Iran's western city of Abadan to Iraqi city of Basra. Millions of Iranian pilgrims travel to major Shiite shrines in Iraq, and Iran is building a major airport for pilgrims to fly to Shiite shrines in Najaf and Karbala.

The visit is a strong show of support for the Shia-dominated government in Baghdad. he hoped it would decrease tension between the two countries. His visit sends a clear message to Iraqis that the Iranian influence in the country is significant and enduring. Iran wants to be seen to be playing a positive role in Iraq, which the United States can ill afford to isolate or ignore and Ahmadinejad made it clear he believes Iranian and Iraqi stability are mutually dependent. His trip was as much about symbolism as it will be about cementing economic and political ties between Iran and Baghdad's Shia-led government as well as an attempt to improve the security situation in Iraq. The trip is also a strong show of support by Tehran for the Shiite-dominated government of Prime Minister Nora al-Maliki.

A vehement U.S. critic, Ahmadinejad's visit to Shiite-majority Iraq is set to underline Western concerns about Iranian influence in the region that Washington alleges extends to aiding militants in Iraq and also destabilizing Lebanon. It not only highlights his country's growing influence on its Arab neighbor in the post-Saddam Hussein era, but it also serves as an act of defiance toward the U.S. It will be closely watched by the US that refuses to vacate Iraq and Afghanistan. Iraqi officials have urged Washington and Tehran, which have not had diplomatic ties for almost three decades, not to use Iraq as a proxy battleground to fight out their differences, which include a row over Iran's nuclear ambitions. Iran also has ample instability to contend with already - to the east, across the border in Afghanistan. There has been a lot of symbolism during this visit, and not a lot of substance. But at the same time, he doesn't want to threaten the Iraqis or Gulf States who fear that Iraq will be an Iranian satellite.

Ahmadinejad also should be trying to use his historic Iraqi visit to bolster his support back home. His performances in and out of Iran are seen as referendum on the Iranian president, who has come under criticism from all sides in his country for spending too much time on anti-Western rhetoric and not enough on economic problems plaguing the country. The Iranian president may welcome a foreign policy success to distract attention from the economy and double-digit inflation before a March parliamentary election that will test his popularity and indicate his chance for re-election in 2009.

However, what matters for Iran is that all indicators point to the seriousness of an upcoming US offensive on Tehran, although the UNSC sanctions against have been shelved for the time being at the instance of Russia and China. The US game-pan in West Asia has always worried the nations there. As it is known, Afghanistan and Iraq continue to reel and pose threat to US supremacy.

US president Bush seems to consider now, after ignoring it for too long, the advice of a section of Washington based strategists to go for rapprochement with Iran and Syria in order to solve the Iraqi explosive situation and shift the military equipment to Afghanistan to concentrate on Muslims fighting the invaders there. This offers credence to the belief that US is encouraging Iran-Iraq rapprochement, though they have not shelved invasion of Iran.

India needs some healthy populism

Praful Bidwai

NOW that India has to have the next general election within 14 months, if not earlier, the Congress is making moves to face the contest, if not quite fight it. It's doing so without its heart in the exercise. Or else, it wouldn't have adopted defensive, dodgy or tactless postures, neglected alliance-building, and presented an unappealing appearance. Last week, the Congress did something a confident party shouldn't do: train its state-level spokespersons in corporate-style "media management". It invited self-styled desi gurus like Ujjwal Chowdhury to a two-day session on "anger/stress management", "the right way" of shaking hands, dressing up for television and deciphering body language.

The spokespersons got "capsules" on the India-US nuclear deal, Ram Setu and the Sachar Committee from TV-oriented Congressmen like Kapil Sibal and Salman Khursheed. A couple of journalists were thrown in too, to caution against "off-the-record" conversations and excessive drinking. Amidst this image-polishing exercise, most participants forgot that an image derives from its object. If you don't have an inclusive economic policy, you can't sell Special Economic Zones by citing their (negligible) employment potential. If your decision-makers believe the only strategic-political "game in town" is the American one, it's futile to sell the India-US nuclear deal by claiming it's good for India's energy security (which it manifestly isn't).

It won't do to chant the Aam Aadmi slogan while giving tax-breaks to the rich and demanding lower EMIs (equalised monthly instalments) on housing loans for the upper classes, and saying nothing about the majority who don't even have a pukka house with a toilet.

The Congress can't lay claim to a pluralist notion of Indianness based on a multi-lingual, multicultural identity, and defend the right to live and travel anywhere in India while mollycoddling the ultra-chauvinist Shiv Sena and Raj Thackeray. The Congress hasn't risen beyond "SEZ-EMI" salesmanship. This won't win the votes of the majority. The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance has pursued GDP-obsessed policies which have increased inequalities and jeopardised millions of livelihoods - from the tribals in Orissa's and Chhattisgarh's mineral-rich tracts to farmers working lands being acquired for posh housing, to vegetable-hawkers and raddiwalas everywhere.

As organised retail grows, stores catering to the middle class are (under)selling vegetables at half their wholesale prices. Some retail chains are even offering Rs25 for a kilo of old newspapers - directly hitting some of India's hardest-working people, who perform a valuable ecological function by recycling waste.

The greatest irony is, the UPA is only half-committed to its own progressive schemes. These include the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act - being extended from 200 districts in 2006 to all 600 districts now - the Right to Information Act, and the Forest Rights Act, which grants tribals modest plots of highly degraded forest land.

The NREGA can annually create 100 days of employment at minimum wages for each rural poor household. Admittedly, it needs improvement. In 2006-07, only 56 per cent of below-poverty-line households got the promised employment - a fair increase over previous year's 41 per cent. Yet, wherever the administration followed the rules, it got good results - even in Rajasthan and Assam. Elitists have crusaded against the NREGA, ridiculing it for spreading corruption without denting poverty. Some cite a provisional, limited report of the Comptroller and Auditor General. A careful look at it shows that corruption runs in the lakhs, not crores, and can be greatly reduced through safeguards built into the Act's guidelines. Independent citizens' groups and academics like Jean Dreze, have conducted several NREGA audits. They conclude that corruption can be substantially reduced, and employment targets met, through popular involvement, and proper attention to the schemes' location, application procedures, distribution of job cards, record-keeping, etc.

A scheme like the NREGA needs the widest publicity on rural television/radio, with an emphasis on the right of the poor to work. It also needs dedicated bureaucrats willing to work with civil society, as well as a strong push from above. The UPA continues to drift Rightwards on foreign and security policy too. India's "strategic partnership" with the US, and Israel, is growing just when these two are making the world more insecure. Meanwhile, India is losing stature in West Asia, Southeast and South Asia, and now in Africa.

Having agreed with the Left not to negotiate the US-India nuclear deal further, the UPA is caving in to pressure from the US to abide by a tight deadline (early May) to complete it for US Congress ratification.

(Praful Bidwai is a veteran Indian journalist and commentator.)