Money Translates to Modernization

As an American, I am bound to my debts, my bank accounts, my student loans, and the interest rates that will cause me to work more than I need or want to in the future. But DAMMIT I have to have a car, a house, a college education, a savings for emergencies, medical insurance for my family and I, money to feed us, money saved for retirement, money to send my kids to college, money for EVERYTHING. So, basically I need MONEY.

In developing countries, this is certainly the case...but in a much different context.
In the United States, we have come to believe through society that we must have a certain way of life in order to fit the model of what society expects of us. We are conditioned to fit the standards of capitalism and financial power. Part of what we see in this society is those who invest money. Now, there are several different reasons for investing, and I have covered a few in my initial introduction, i.e., money for retirement, and money to send my kids to college. My argument behind all of this is simply this: Is it necessary for developing countries to open financial markets for investment in order to move forward with modernization?

I found an article related to this question at USINFO.STATE.GOV that shows the Bush administration pressing the issue.

"Bush administration officials say that more prosperous developing countries have failed so far to submit adequate offers in World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations for opening their markets to financial services. Of the 148 WTO members, 69 have submitted initial offers, but "the quality of offers in emerging markets of greatest interest is still poor," said Christine Bliss, acting assistant U.S. trade representative for services and investment (USINFO.STATE.GOV, 2005)."

After examining this particular portion of the article, I wanted to know if these 69 developing countries' offers were "poor" in terms of U.S. market standards or standards in relation to the world as a whole? In the United States, we are made to believe that the more wealth we accumulate, the more security we will have. Money can pry us out of just about ANY situation in this country. Money is what matters the most here and don't let ANYONE tell you differently (but never admit this or people may find you shallow). There is such a strange attitude toward money in the United States and I feel STRONGLY that develpoing countries should be given more latitude when it comes to "catching up" to western ways of living. In many other countries, money takes a backseat to other important facets of life such as say.....HUMAN LIFE.

"We need greater participation, particularly among emerging markets, such as Brazil, India, China, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, South Africa and the Philippines," Bliss said.
They remain stalled a month before a December 13-18 ministerial meeting in Hong Kong, even after the United States made an effort to revive them by proposing substantial reductions in domestic agricultural support payments and agricultural tariffs. The standoff over agriculture in part has prevented substantial progress in the negotiations over cutting industrial tariffs and opening markets in services. Still, the U.S. position remains that the Doha round negotiations should conclude by the end of 2006. According to Bliss, the United States wants from the WTO financial services negotiations increased market access for U.S. suppliers coupled with transparency in the development and application of laws and regulations for banking, securities, asset management, pension funds and financial advisory services (USINFO.STATE.GOV, 2005)."

"More specifically, she said, the United States asks its WTO trading partners to submit offers on:
• Commercial presence, meaning the right to establish new and acquire existing companies;
• Cross-border supply and consumption rights, which are especially important for marine, aviation, transport insurance, reinsurance and brokerage services; and
• Removal of discriminatory limitations such as monopolies, quotas and economic needs tests.
She said the United States is working with the European Union (EU), Canada, Japan and Switzerland -- other financial services exporters -- to promote offers from other countries.
Developing countries have their own interests in the services negotiations, of course, Bliss said. Some, especially India, are pressing hard on what the WTO calls "Mode 4" -- temporary access for their workers to perform jobs in other countries.
So far, she said, the United States has submitted no offer on Mode 4, mindful of resistance in the U.S. Congress.
Also testifying was Clay Lowery, assistant secretary of Treasury for international affairs. He cited World Bank estimates that by 2015 income gains from services liberalization could provide 4.5 times the gains from goods liberalization alone.
He argued that opening financial markets also would promote financial stability among developing countries (USINFO.STATE.GOV, 2005)."

I suppose it is necessary for a developing country to invest, but as long as those investments primarily serve the BEST interests of that investing country and its citizens. The United States, is certainly unique, but NOT the most dominant or exemplary. Setting standards should be shaped uniquely for each country in order to serve all facets of that society from agriculture to healthcare.

Link: http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2005&m=november&x=20051115163139ebyessedo0.9043085

A COUNTRY VICTORIOUS

A Glimmer of Positivity for Iraq

Sunday, July 29, 2007

The Iraq soccer team defeated Saudi Arabia 1-0 winning the Asia Cup in Jakarta, Indonesia. This piece interested me because "In 2003, an iron maiden was discovered in an abandoned soccer field in Iraq by invading American forces, and former athletes stated that it had been used to punish athletes who were not performing up to standard. The device was likely used under the direction of Uday Hussein when he was in charge of the Iraqi Olympic Committee (Wikipedia, 2007)."

In recent modern history, Iraq has not been without suppression. Especially under the brutal regime of former dictator Saddam Hussein. This victory signifies a great change for the Iraqi people.

In the 71st minute of the Asia Cup match between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, captain Younis Mahmoud headed a goal into the net giving Iraq a 1-0 lead over the Saudis. After the match, captain Mahmoud called for the United States to withdraw its troops from Iraq. Mahmoud said "I want America to go out, today, tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow, but out. I wish the American people didn't invade Iraq and, hopefully, it will be over soon (SI.com, 2007)."

"Jubilation over the team known as the "Lions of the Two Rivers" gave Iraqis a rare respite from the daily violence. The victorious run sent men of all ages cheering and dancing in Baghdad. Celebratory gunfire resounded across the city and revelers poured into the streets in defiance of orders from authorities while mosques broadcast calls for the shooting to stop. Security forces enforced a vehicle ban in an effort to prevent a repeat of car bombings that killed dozens celebrating Iraq's progress to the finals (SI.com, 2007)."

"The players have made us proud, not the greedy politicians," said Sabah Shaiyal, a 43-year-old police officer in Baghdad. "Once again, our national team has shown that there is only one, united Iraq (SI.com, 2007)."

This victory for Iraq shows unity and spirit for a country who has been ravaged by war.

Link: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/soccer/07/29/iraq.saudiarabia.ap/index.html

Covert Operations in Somalia

Suffice it to say that when I think of the term "3rd World" the first place that comes to mind is Somalia. For nearlt twenty years now, the instabilities in Somalia have garnered a huge amount of attention. Throughout the war-torn country of Somalia, there are miltitias, warring factions, and off-shore pirates who plunder passing ships. This primitive nation operates without any government and even to this day, many are dying there do to lack of nutrition and legitimate opportunities.

In 1993, the United States sent a large military force to Somalia in order to oversee that foreign aid reached residents of Somalia that had been intercepted by militia men in order to feed the war-lord's armies. The most renowned war-lord at that time was Mohamad Farrah Aidid, of which the United States government was frothing at the mouth to get thier hands on. Aidid was caught however, not without the loss of over twenty U.S. servicemembers in what is now referred to as "The battle of Mogadishu."

Today, it is rumored that the United States government has been doing covert operations in the horn of Africa for many years since the tragedies in Mogadishu in 1993. I came accross an article from The Washington Post that had reported on U.S. covert operations in the horn of Africa. The article is quoted as reporting "US analysts of Africa policy and officials of Somalia’s interim government say that the Bush administration is secretly supporting secular Somali warlords, whose groups are battling Islamic groups for control of Mogadishu (The Washington post)."

If this is the case, we may have another Iran-Contra type situation in our hands. At this point in our human history, it is not surprising to find another accusation of a literal "ghost war" taking place behind the shroud of U.S. liberal media coverage and spoon-fed propaganda. What many do not understand is that the United States government has operated this way for decades. It is indeed controversial, and many question the sanctity of secret operations involving U.S. interests.

Somalia is a sore-spot for the world, and not many understand the involvement both past and present by the United States. It is an important place to establish a stronghold on radicalsim because without control of some sort, the breeding ground for new types of problems will cultivate matters of great concern. Aside from helping the people living in the horn of Africa, it is also imperative that someone take steps in helping to achieve balance to a dying nation and breath life into hundreds of thousands of struggling residents. In conclusion, the question is this: Are covert operations to establish control evil or necessary?

Link: http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=viewArticle&code=CHI20060527&articleId=2524

Reality Can Both Stifle and Stimulate

"The world breaks everyone, and afterward many are strong at the broken places."
-Hemingway

Sudan (Highlighted in Red)

My Focus Country: Sudan

Nestled beneath Egypt and neighbored by Ethiopia, Sudan is a North African country whose history is etched in stone, and painted with blood. In my International Studies class, we have each been assigned a focus country of which we are to analyze, and construct in depth reports. I have little knowledge regarding Sudan, and it intrigues me to think that I may come to know many wonderful bits about Sudan and its culture, cuisine, traditions, and battles for sustainability. Topics ranging from the civil war there in the 1970's up and through to Darfur which has been a massive issue in recent years. In this world, when millions of people are perishing on a biblical scale in one concentrated location, it draws the attention of many nations. Much has been done to help facilitate the ever-dangerous and tragic situations in Sudan. In September of 2004, then Secretary of State Colin Powell called the Darfur conflict "genocide" stating that the conflict is one of the "worst humanitarian crises of the 21st century (Wikipedia, 2007)."

With regard to my International Studies class, we have been given a list of characteristics which can place a nation into the category of being "3rd World." One of the deciding factors in determining this is the inability to establish consistent political habits of which allow a country to build a foundation for its own sustainability. Sudan has militias who have been accused of crimes against humanity and have also been noted for creating disruptions regarding any recent political processes. So far, 2.5 million residents of Sudan have been displaced, and it is estimated that anywhere between 200,000 and 400,000 Sudanese have died or been killed since the dawn of Darfur (Wikipedia, 2007)."

It is my great hope that I will be able to delve into the blueprints of Sudan's history and construction allowing for a new vision of how to help solve the galactic issues that Sudan faces.

In my intital research process regarding Sudan, I came across an article that stunned me. In the opening paragraph of this article written by staff writers of AFROL news, they quoted the United States as saying that they "do not intend to stand by while violence and atrocities continue in Darfur, do not doubt our determination. A military intervention is being considered (Afrol News, 25 July 2007)."

Considering the current political tensions in our world, especially those between the United States and nations of the Middle-East, I feel that such talk is overzealous and uneccessary. Any military action taken in Sudan will inevitably end in tragedy just as we witnessed in Somalia during the 1993 incursion of U.S. forces to remove threats interfering with foreign aid. This region of the world is incredibly unstable and much like Iraq and Afghanistan, any military force faces an enemy capable of violating any and all guidelines established by the Geneva conventions. Lives will be lost without legitimate rhyme or reason (not to say that ANY life lost ever truly is). War and/or conflict is something that this world needs LESS of. Especially the united States and another Middle-Eastern nation. As history often repeats itself, we may see a new transcription of this generations desire for humanitarian efforts to change the world. Unfortunately, we may end up seeing these transcriptions written in blood.

Link: http://www.afrol.com/articles/13383