ugnet_: A BOMB BLAST IN BOGOTA -COLUMBIA
Blast at Bogota Club Kills More Than 20 52 minutes ago By ANDREW SELSKY, Associated Press Writer BOGOTA, Colombia - A bomb tore through an elite social club in the capital, killing more than 20 people, wounding 100 and raising fears that Colombia's leftist rebels are making good on threats to attack the ruling class. AP Photo The powerful bomb rocked the 10-story El Nogal Club in north Bogota on Friday night, blowing brick and mortar onto a busy avenue, collapsing floors, and starting a fire that burned for about two hours through much of the building. No one claimed responsibility for the attack, but the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, had said several months ago it intended to attack Colombia's elite. The rebels have recently brought their four-decade war from the countryside into the cities. The club was one of Colombia's most exclusive, and a symbol of wealth and power. It was frequented by politicians and business executives and included restaurants, a mini-golf course, a gym and rooms for overnight guests. Witnesses had said children were to put on a ballet show at the club Friday night, and several children were among the injured. Their fate was not immediately known. Jorge Velandia, who works at the miniature golf course, said the blast opened a hole in one of the floors and people tumbled through. Paramedics gave CPR to a man lying amid the rubble. "It was a huge explosion. I thought an airplane had crashed outside," said Luis Moreno, who lives across the street from the club on Seventh Avenue and whose apartment building's windows were shattered. Bogota Mayor Antanas Mockus said more than 20 people were killed and 100 or more injured in the blast, which could be heard for miles across this city of 7 million. Officials said the bomb had about 450 pounds of explosives. "We felt an explosion that shook the whole building," said Alfonso Espejo, a doctor employed by the club. "It was almost impossible to breathe in the smoke." It was the worst terrorist attack in Colombia since Pablo Escobar's Medellin drug cartel orchestrated a wave of bombings and assassinations in the 1980s and early 1990s in Colombia's cities to avoid his extradition to the United States. After Escobar was killed by police in 1993, Colombia's cities saw little of the violence frequently seen in the countryside. After Friday's bombing, black smoke poured from the building and flames licked out from upper windows. Scores of people stumbled from the wrecked building, many of their faces streaked with blood. President Alvaro Uribe, who has promised to crack down on the 40-year leftist insurgency, visited the scene at midnight with his top security officials. The attack was the second blow to hit Colombia in as many days. On Thursday, a small plane carrying Minister of Social Welfare Juan Luis Londono and four other people disappeared on a domestic flight. Suspected rebels fired on a helicopter Friday searching the Andean mountains of central Colombia for the plane. The helicopter was hit four times but returned safely to its base and no one was injured. Civil aviation spokesman Martin Gonzalez said the search would continue despite the danger in the area, which is controlled by FARC rebels. The Mulindwas communication group"With Yoweri Museveni, Uganda is in anarchy"
ugnet_: Fwd: Fw: China Keitetsi visits Germany1
Subject: Fw: China Keitetsi visits Germany1 Date: Sat, 8 Feb 2003 00:38:40 +0100 China Keitetsi visits Germany and talks about "My life as a child soldier" Sent: Friday, February 07, 2003 9:16 AM Subject: China Keitetsi visits Germany1 China Keitetsi visits Germany and talks about "My life as a child soldier" China Kitetsi, the lady who wrote about her life as a child soldier in the NRA is in Germany reading and talking about her book. She arrived here on 04.02.2003 and will spend about a week visiting public libraries, bookshops, NGOs and other institutions associated with children and their rights, talking about this work on her biography. On this day (04.02.03) at 8:15 pm central European time, she talked about her book in a bookshop called Rhianon. Rhianon, located in Ehrenfeld in the heart of the famous German cathedral city of Cologne has a collection of books from all parts of the world mainly talking about women and children. In one corner, one could see the books "Lawinos lied/ Ochols lied"- a German version of "Song of Lawino and song of Ocol" written by the Ugandan genius, the late Okot p' Bitek who died in 1982. On the main table were piles after piles of china's book in German that were selling like hot cakes. Although it was a working day when one would have expected people to stay at home and relax after a hard day's work, very many people turned up to hear this lady talk and the bookshop hall was full to capacity. China began by narrating how she joined the NRA in 1984. At barely 8 years of age, she joined the NRA in the bush. She was not the only child there for she found hundreds of other children there, some even at the ages of 6 or 7. After a brief training, they were taken for real combat activities. Their commanders, all grown-ups, would put them in front, directly in the enemy fire line and shout orders from behind. Asked about what they did with captured enemies, China was in tears, as she tried to answer the question. She took a rest and recomposed, then she said that they were made to tie the enemies' hands tightly behind their backs (Kandoya), with their chests threatening to break apart, and after that hit the enemies with Akakaumbi small hoes on the head until they die. They were told that these enemies, called the Anyanyas, coming from northern Uganda were different kinds of people. The commanders said and repeated over and over again that these Anyanyas are half human beings, really animals, who would not feel the pain when hit with the hoes on the head. Any Kadogo "Child soldier", who feared to do this beastly act of killing with the hand hoe would be called a coward and turned into a laughing stock of the rest of the children. It turned out that being called a coward was the most hated thing amongst the Kadogos and every child soldier smiled whenever he was said to be "Sharp". Another question posed to China was whether the male child soldiers were treated preferably / better than the female "colleagues". China said, when at the front line, there was no room for preferable treatment. They all fought shoulder-to-shoulder to defeat the enemy. The difference comes in when the female soldiers were used as sex slaves by the high-ranking officers. The officers made sexual advances and called it an order. You as an ordinary soldier must not and could not say no. "You see me standing in front of you here. All those 11 years that I spent in the NRA, I had to say Yes Sir, Yes sir to everything that the officers said. An officer would say, I want to see you in my tent at 9:00 pm and you knew what awaited you there but you could do nothing to prevent it for you did not have the power. You were just a tool being used by the officers. Because of the regular sexual abuses being meted to us by the officers, we were nicknamed "Chakula ya Wakubwa" (Food of the big men) and/ or "Gunduria" (rain coats). Do you still feel threatened, now that you have left Uganda, a country that we hear from the mass media is coming up as a beacon of hope for Africa? To this question, China pulled out of her bag a print out of an article which appeared on 01.02.2003 in "The monitor" with the title "Govt to counter Keitetsi, Ssekyaya lies". She read this article which says the Ugandan Govt plans to take her (China) to the international court of justice in Den Haag (The Hague in Holland) because of this book and her "film" talking about her life as a "Kadogo", and the "listeners" nearly went wild as they expressed anger at this threat from the Govt. One lady immediately stood up and said "I have heard you talk and share your experiences with us China. You can always count on me. Let them take you to Den Haag and we will face them". This was greeted with much applause. China thanked the participants and sat down to give her signature or sign the books that were being bought. On the second day of her visit, 05.02.2003, China goes to the German city of
ugnet_: Fw: [CONGOTRIBUNE] China Keitetsi visits Germany1
Matovu We are very proud people, aren't we. Em The Mulindwas communication group"With Yoweri Museveni, Uganda is in anarchy" - Original Message - From: S1D3Maswana Djo'Lamana Jean-Cluade To: '[EMAIL PROTECTED]' Sent: Saturday, February 08, 2003 5:36 AM Subject: RE: [CONGOTRIBUNE] China Keitetsi visits Germany1 Are Ugandans different from Evils?JCM-Original Message-From: Mulindwa Edward [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]Sent: Saturday, February 08, 2003 7:30 PMTo: [EMAIL PROTECTED]Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED];[EMAIL PROTECTED]; Rwanda; [EMAIL PROTECTED];[EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED];[EMAIL PROTECTED]; anarkosyndikalismsweSubject: [CONGOTRIBUNE] China Keitetsi visits Germany1China Keitetsi visits Germany and talks about "My life as a child soldier"Sent: Friday, February 07, 2003 9:16 AM Subject: China Keitetsi visits Germany1 China Keitetsi visits Germany and talks about "My life as a child soldier"China Kitetsi, the lady who wrote about her life as a child soldier in theNRA is in Germany reading and talking about her book. She arrived here on 04.02.2003 and will spend about a week visiting publiclibraries, bookshops, NGOs and other institutions associated with childrenand their rights, talking about this work on her biography. On this day (04.02.03) at 8:15 pm central European time, she talked abouther book in a bookshop called Rhianon. Rhianon, located in Ehrenfeld inthe heart of the famous German cathedral city of Cologne has a collectionof books from all parts of the world mainly talking about women andchildren. In one corner, one could see the books "Lawinos lied/ Ocholslied"- a German version of "Song of Lawino and song of Ocol" written bythe Ugandan genius, the late Okot p' Bitek who died in 1982. On the maintable were piles after piles of china's book in German that were sellinglike hot cakes. Although it was a working day when one would have expected people to stayat home and relax after a hard day's work, very many people turned up tohear this lady talk and the bookshop hall was full to capacity. China began by narrating how she joined the NRA in 1984. At barely 8 yearsof age, she joined the NRA in the bush. She was not the only child therefor she found hundreds of other children there, some even at the ages of 6or 7. After a brief training, they were taken for real combat activities.Their commanders, all grown-ups, would put them in front, directly in theenemy fire line and shout orders from behind. Asked about what they did with captured enemies, China was in tears, asshe tried to answer the question. She took a rest and recomposed, then shesaid that they were made to tie the enemies' hands tightly behind theirbacks (Kandoya), with their chests threatening to break apart, and afterthat hit the enemies with Akakaumbi small hoes on the head until they die.They were told that these enemies, called the Anyanyas, coming fromnorthern Uganda were different kinds of people. The commanders said andrepeated over and over again that these Anyanyas are half human beings,really animals, who would not feel the pain when hit with the hoes on thehead. Any Kadogo "Child soldier", who feared to do this beastly act ofkilling with the hand hoe would be called a coward and turned into alaughing stock of the rest of the children. It turned out that beingcalled a coward was the most hated thing amongst the Kadogos and everychild soldier smiled whenever he was said to be "Sharp". Another question posed to China was whether the male child soldiers weretreated preferably / better than the female "colleagues". China said, whenat the front line, there was no room for preferable treatment. They allfought shoulder-to-shoulder to defeat the enemy. The difference comes inwhen the female soldiers were used as sex slaves by the high-rankingofficers. The officers made sexual advances and called it an order. You asan ordinary soldier must not and could not say no. "You see me standing infront of you here. All those 11 years that I spent in the NRA, I had tosay Yes Sir, Yes sir to everything that the officers said. An officerwould say, I want to see you in my tent at 9:00 pm and you knew whatawaited you there but you could do nothing to prevent it for you did nothave the power. You were just a tool being used by the officers. Becauseof the regular sexual abuses being meted to us by the officers, we werenicknamed "Chakula ya Wakubwa" (Food of the big men) and/ or "Gunduria"(rain coats). Do you still feel threatened, now that you have left Uganda, a countrythat we hear from the mass media is coming up as a beacon of hope forAfrica? To this question, China pulled out of her bag a print out of an articlewhich appeared on 01.02.2003 in "The monitor" with the title "Govt tocounter Keitetsi, Ssekyaya lies". She read this article which says theUgandan Govt plans to take her (China) to the international court ofjustice in Den Haag (The Hague
ugnet_: [FedsNet] Rukungiri cops quiz 3rd term opponent
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>The harrassement of 3rd term opponents has begun in our "shriving democracy". The article below by Alex Atuhire gives us some detail. In another article entitled "Museveni successor need not be sought" (Monitor 28 January 2003), Emmanuel D.Kavuma told us that President Museveni was "unequivocally clear" when he said that the constitution gave the incumbent no more than two consecutive terms. The president seems to believe that his pledge to "follow the constitution" would take away suggestions for his re-election and discourage arguments for a bonus term. Unfortunately, the conversation has just begun and critics of this government should be preparedfor harrassement if the 3rd term talk does not stop. Arresting people or detaining them may not stop the debate, therefore I suggest that the president be more clear than he has been. Anyone who wants to hear an "unequivocally clear" message ought to listen to former US president Lyndon Baines Johnson who said in 1968, at the height of an unpopular war in Vietnam, that: "I shall not seek the nomination of my party, I shall not accept the nomination of my party and shall not serve as president ". On the other hand, when Bill Clinton was asked, during the 1992 presidential election primaries, if he had ever smoked marijuana, always as sleek as a shark, he said that he had never broken any federal laws of the United States. Museveni`s technical answer to the question of succession is similar to Bill Clinton's answer on marijuana and in my opinion there is nothing unequivocal about these answers. The president has demanded that we focus on the real issues of development instead of speculating on his intentions for 2006. Well, I recognize that this president is a patriarch in Uganda's politics, but I don't believe that he can nor should tell citizens of a free country what they should not be talking about. First, to be fair to the president we must entertain the possibility that he is serious about retiring, and that being a skilled politician he recognizes that in order to continue to command and demand compliance from his subservient team, he needs to keep the possibility of a third term open. Parliament which would have offered opportunities to develop leadership is largely composed of people who cannot tie their shoes unless they are "guided" by the president. It is therefore smart politics for the president to remain vague because if he announced "unequivocally" that he would not be around after 2006, members of his team would begin to ignore his "guidance" as they would be too busy shopping for another "guide". Second, not even critics of the president think that he will issue some dictatorial decree to suspend "obstructive" articles in the constitution in order to extend his tenure. The issue, or fear among his critics, has been the possibility of amending the constitution to allow him another term. The critics believe that Museveni wants another term and is quietly working the movement structure to manufacture a "massive and overwhelming" wanainchi support for the amendment. When the amendment to change the presidential term of office comes before parliament, critics believe that the "honorables" will offer as much resistance to seduction as a "sex-worker" on a Wednesday night. Museveni will take the oath of office in 2006 and invite the nation to celebrate the triumph of democracy. He will have been "faithful" to the constitution (as amended) and therefore the event would not be inconsistent with thestatements he keeps making. If the president has already made up his mind not to seek or accept the presidency after 2006, he should unequivocally declare, Lyndon B. Johnson style, his decision. If on the other hand, he thinks that such a declaration would paralyze the smooth running of the country, then this suggests a lack of faith in our "democracy", an absence of patriotism in our people, and a lackluster commitment of his team to a president whose departure from office is certain. Either way, the conversation about meaningful democracy has just begun. M.Muwanga Batuuka article below Rukungiri cops quiz 3rd term opponent By Alex B. Atuhaire Police in Rukungiri yesterday questioned a youth who officiated at a debate that opposed another five-year term for the Movement. Robert Darius Tweyambe was questioned for more than two hours on the orders of the officer in charge of CID, Enoch Ndyomugyenyi. Tweyambe said on phone that he was asked about the Jan. 19 debate at Nyakitabata PS, Bugangari in Rujumbura. The debate, organised by Kakindo Student's Association, opposed the extension of the Movement and a third term for President Yoweri Museveni. Rukungiri OC Station Abu Kalule declined to comment on the issue, while Ndyomugenyi was not in office. Tweyambe is not new to controversy. On Dec. 16, 2002 he was discontinued from a three-week Chakamchaka (cadre training) course
ugnet_: Fwd: DRC
Note: forwarded message attached. __ Do You Yahoo!? Everything you'll ever need on one web page from News and Sport to Email and Music Charts http://uk.my.yahoo.com ---BeginMessage--- DRC: Interview with MLC leader Jean-Pierre Bemba http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=32145SelectRegion=Great_Lakes KINSHASA, 6 Feb 2003 (IRIN) - Investigators of the rebel Mouvement de liberation du Congo have delivered to their leader, Jean-Pierre Bemba, the report resulting from their inquiry into acts of cannibalism and other violations of human rights reported to have been perpetrated by MLC fighters in Mambasa, in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo [DRC]. The inquiry failed to verify any acts of cannibalism, but has confirmed that MLC fighters did indeed perpetrate a number of other violations. Bemba spoke to IRIN about the findings of his investigators. The following are excerpts of that interview on Tuesday. QUESTION: Sir, your organisation, the Mouvement de liberation du Congo, has just completed investigations into human rights violations allegedly perpetrated in the eastern town of Mambasa by your fighters and those of your ally, the Rassemblement congolais pour la democratie-National [RCD-N]. What were your findings? ANSWER: Our findings were that 27 of our soldiers are suspected of having participated in crimes and violations of human rights. These consisted of extortion, rape, assassination, looting and disobeying orders. These people will be court-martialled in the presence of international observers. The trial will be fair and public. The accused will be allowed lawyers of their choice, and if they do not have any, we will provide them. Q: Did your investigations establish that MLC or RCD fighters practised cannibalism, as the bishop of Beni-Butembo, Monsignor Melchisedec Sikuli [Paluku], and some human rights NGOs have claimed? A: The pygmies and Italian missionaries were among the people the investigators interviewed. Not a single pygmy admitted to having experienced or helped in acts of cannibalism. None of them, like Father Francko, the spokesman for the Italian community, made any reference to acts of cannibalism. Q: Is it not because they fear reprisals that the priest and pygmies did not speak about this? Was it not these same people who have claimed that there had been acts of cannibalism? A: These people were interviewed in Mambasa in the presence of [the UN mission in the DRC, known as] MONUC observers. There are videos that we have sent to our representatives in Kinshasa. If you want to see them [the videos] you can ask them [the representatives], you will see that they [the interviewees] spoke freely. The accusations were the work of the Mayi-Mayi chief in the name of Monsignor Melchisedec Sikuli. Q: There is a pygmy delegation from Mambasa right now in Kinshasa. Members of this delegation, who are calling for an international criminal tribunal, assert that they have witnessed cannibalism. What do you say to this? A: This is manipulation by the government, which wants to delay the application of the Pretoria accord. I think, of course, that all lies are punishable by the law. False testimony is punishable even under international law. If these people continue in [advancing] the testimony, all they need to do is to show us the bones of the pygmies whom our fighters have eaten. And in such an event, we will ask for DNA analysis to determine if they are really the people they are talking about. This can go very far. Q: Will you submit the results of your investigation to the UN Security Council as an answer to MONUC's preliminary report - which contradicts yours - into the accusations? A: We will if the council asks. It has asked us to punish the guilty. This is what we are about to do. [ENDS] = In Foreign Parts: Magic of Mayi Mayi proves a potent force for Congo's warriors Declan Walsh in Ndolera, Democratic Republic of Congo 08 February 2003 http://news.independent.co.uk/world/africa/story.jsp?story=376417 Inside a church nestling among the hills of eastern Congo, a venerable warrior gives a rare audience. He is talking about politics, war and why he is invincible to gunfire. I am a Mayi Mayi general so I carry the gris-gris [magic charms], declares General Jeannot Ruharara, a whiskery, weatherbeaten man. They protect against snakes, lightning, disappearance and, of course, bullets. He has a wooden staff in one hand and a mobile phone in the other, but the tools of his magic are pinned to his chest like medals of honour. It is a selection worthy of a Shakespearean cauldron tail of buffalo, claw of eagle and horn of antelope but also cola nuts, dirty feathers and plastic beads. He reaches into the hairy confusion, pulls out a dark phial, and smiles. This is the maji, he says. The maji Swahili for water had been blessed at a
ugnet_: VP Kazibwe warns Buganda off Federo
VP Kazibwe warns Buganda off federo-Monitor 8/02/2003 By Mercy NalugoVice President Dr. Speciosa Wandira Kazibwe has told Buganda to be happy with the little they have got from government and stop agitating for federalism (federo).Kazibwe was Friday speaking at a dinner organised by the Busoga Development Association at the Nile Hotel.The dinner was requested by the Kyabazinga of Busoga, Wako Mulooki . Nyama ntono okayaana eri mu nkwawa. Omuzizi aba wa mpisa mbi era azimba twe (Meaning, treasure the little that you have so far acquired. No one will bend low for those who cannot take what has been offered).In case something is impossible then you should preciously guard the little that you have so far achieved. Wisdom comes from the East, therefore we cannot have Africa united under one union and then allow one village to form another, Kazibwe advised. Busoga kingdoms premier, Dan Batuwa had said: Those who want federalism should do it in collaboration with what government wants and they should wait for the outcome of the constitutional review commission.Buganda has launched a renewed demand for federalism, which it says the kingdom was cheated out of in 1994 during the writing of the new constitution. On Jan. 28 the kingdoms prime minister, Mulwanyamuli Ssemwogerere presented a document to the constitutional review commission making a pitch for this claim.But Kazibwe insisted: For me I have no time for federo and even the Baganda people know it for I hate people who kugumaaza (hoodwink) others.The vice president said the only way cultural institutions can be sustained is if they kept out of active politics.She said Ugandas main problem is poverty and corruption not federalism.She advised Basoga to draw up a charter that will unite people and present it to Parliament for debate as advised by President Yoweri Museveni. The occasion officiated by deputy Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, attracted cultural representatives from Toro, Bunyoro, Tororo, Teso and Ankole.Buganda was represented by deputy! Katikki ro Kaaya Kavuma and the minister for Youth, Kabuuza Mukasa. February 08, 2003 10:53:17Return to index Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now
ugnet_: Diverse views about Federo-Monitor 8/02/2003
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR- MONITOR 8/02/2003 Tribalism is showing Apecho Lilian Daphine I am of the opinion that Bugandas clamour for federal government is just a cover for tribalism. They are disregarding the unitary system. To my dismay, its has been reported that the Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) and Reform Agenda (RA) have joined the bandwagon. This is an indication that UPC and RA are succumbing to the law of diminishing returns. The Movement should protect us from the doom of those political parties otherwise Uganda will be partitioned if federalism is granted.February 08, 2003 11:21:08- Federalism wrong for Uganda Paddy Musana Though Im a teacher, who should be knowledgeable, I must confess that that I dont understand what this clamour for federalism is all about.What I know, however, is that Uganda has had different forms of government over time. I say Uganda is a country, not a nation because we are just an aggregate of different tribes.When the Katikkiro of Buganda took the kingdoms views to the Prof. Frederick Sempebwa constitution review commission, I feared we could be heading for a repeat of the 1966 crisis that saw the exiling of Kabaka Mutesa II.I also fear that the kingdoms renewed agitation, coming at the same time with this talk about a third presidential term for Yoweri Museveni, could have something to do with the bush war agreement allegedly reached with them. But Before the Constitutional Review Commission adopts any recommendation, some of us need to be educated on the systems of governance so far not tasted by Ugandans. Thereafter, we can go for a national referendum on the issue. Let us work towards national integration. This is the only key to development. We should not perpetuate our individualistic tendencies in whatever form. Otherwise, I subscribe to the views professed in our anthem: United, free, for liberty, together we'll always stand.February 08, 2003 11:19:48-
ugnet_: Kazibwe word in Federo has funny smell- Editorial Monitor 8/02/2003
Kazibwe word in federo has funny smell Vice president Specioza Wandira Kazibwe has jumped into the federalism (federo) debates (See story on page one). She insists people must spend more time working to solve problems of corruption and poverty.In speaking about the need for Ugandans to improve their living conditions, Kazibwe is on the money. However, her entry into the federalism debates raises new questions about governments honesty.When the vice president speaks on such a contentious matter it cannot be taken lightly. Pro-federalism activists would be right in imagining that Kazibwes utterances are in consonance with governments position, and that once again the President Yoweri Museveni government is bent on frustrating their wishes.In 1995, during the writing of the present constitution, Buganda insisted that a large percentage of the country supported federalism as a system of government a fact, which was included in the draft document written by the [Chief Justice Benjamin] Odoki Commission. But when the issue came up for debate in the Constituent Assembly, it has been alleged government plotted to scuttle it. Ganda royalists, who think this way, point at governments alleged manipulation of the then Head Prince of Buganda Besweri Mulondo to do its dirty work.The constitutional review commission is presently collecting views from the public on diverse issues, and on Jan. 28 the Baganda, with Katikkiro Mulwanyamuli Ssemwogerere leading the pack, presented their demands before it. Pro-pluralism advocates continue to press government to remove the present restrictions on political party activity to which demand government responds: Take your views to the Constitutional Review Commission. Now, if Kazibwe can express such an opinion about federalism where is the goodwill? Clearly the pro-federalists will think the commission is another public relations exercise from which nothing can be gained. They will also see some form of intimidation in these statements.The consequence of Kazibwes remark! s is tha t she has unwittingly called into question the credibility of the commission and endangered the right of the people to express their free will on matters concerning how they will be governed. That right is guaranteed in Article 1 of Ugandas constitution.February 08, 2003 10:57:58Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now
Re: ugnet_: Re: [FedsNet] More on language
Netters, Isn't it ironic that those who say a national language is unimportant and "that we shouldn't spend so much of our precious time on" are precisely doing this -- i.e., spending several hours a day, each time this topic crops up,spreadingforth their opinions across various Internet forums? Whether you believe that a national, regional, or globallanguage is important/necessary or not, the notion that there is such a thing as"nature taking its course" in the development of a language is not borne out by historical fact. vukoni ---Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).Version: 6.0.449 / Virus Database: 251 - Release Date: 1/27/2003
ugnet_: Fw: [Mwananchi] Re: MANDELA'S VIEWS
The Mulindwas communication group"With Yoweri Museveni, Uganda is in anarchy" - Original Message - From: Stuart [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, February 08, 2003 6:55 PM Subject: [Mwananchi] Re: MANDELA'S VIEWS --- In [EMAIL PROTECTED], ajiliema@a... wrote: A HREF="'mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]">[EMAIL PROTECTED]mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]"[EMAIL PROTECTED]/A,That is the reason why you have failed badly to understand why Africa bleeds and vomits as you described below--faling to speak the truths and fight the evils of their own society is Africa's greatest problem sir, not colonizers or even the West. Amazingly, you have been silent about the enslavement of Africa for over a thousand years by the very Arabs whose civilizations are now under scrutiny.Howe refreshing to see somebody having the courage to express such a view as opposed to "Blame it all on them...", and "We demand you give us more..." African countries which threw off the "yoke" of colonialism (British, French and Belgian) over HALF A CENTURY ago indulge in the luxury of blaming the former colonial "masters" for all their present evils. Let us leave aside for the moment the argument that the wicked colonists also had a positive impact - leaving behind a solid infrastructure, tried and tested system of justice and an organised civil service (Yes, give them a little credit as well as condemnation.) Ghana, left with a huge balance of payments and a glittering future, indulged in a post-colooial spree of foolishness throwing millions of pounds away on grandiose statues, conference centres nobody wanted, huge Russian aircraft greedy on fuel and which had to return to Moscow every 500 hours for servicing and so eventually had to be mothballed.It somehow cast the mould followed to a lesser degree, admittedly, by so many others. "Freedom" takes on a distorted aspect as mini-emperors have grabbed and held on tightly, to the reins of power, appointed buddies and family to positions of influence, filtered off endless millions into bank accounts overseas and used armies of "security men" to maintain their position. Once elected they feel entitled to hold power forever, clinging to outdated policies that bring their countries to the edge of ruin. To a considerable extent they also nurture tribal divisions to sustain their place.Africa could be compared to a family of ambitious youngsters desperate to leave home to take their place in the world. Having done that they beging to buckle when things get tough. Instead of busying themselves in each ot her's nations, each African country should be working hard to establish a democratic and stable regime embracing all its tribes and cultures, where Presidents are made aware they are the SERVANTS of their people and thus open to being voted out of office if their performance is unsatisfactory. Their primary objective should be the welfare of their people, education, food, initiatives for the entrepreneurs, educational awards for the gifted and talented who will help their country blossom and flourish.What a pitiful sight it was - before the starvation-causing "land reform" era - to see Mugabe's diplomats winging round the world (first class) holding out the begging bowl. All dignity gone.Is this how Africa wishes to remain? I doubt it. Africans are proud people - apart from the corruptibles. Surely their greatest wish must be for true independence - political AND financial to take their true, well-earned place in the world as adult nations.The past is behind us. We cannot go on putting it forward as an excuse. Some of us endured bitterly unhappy years of childhood. Despite those times we have allowed old images to fade and toiled to make a better, happier adult life. Much of Africa must do the same. Just look at the map, Where is there NOT a political, tribal or religious conflict or at least dangerous tensions bubbling under the surface? The Mwananchi Group welcomes your opinion on diverse issues affecting us Africans. Site: http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/mwananchi Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
