CURRENT AFFAIRS

Angela Merkel’s visit to India
German Chancellor Angela Merkel came and went in good humour. Both Merkel and Prime Minister ManMohan Singh touched upon various important subjects such as defence trade, security, research and education. Apart from all these, they discussed Af-Pak problems and terrorism in detail. On the matter of terrorism both nations shared common and serious views as it is prevalent the world over. In the contemporary world, there are few nations not affected by terror threats and it assumes No.1 position in the talks among countries.
Naturally the recent flare-ups in Pakistan was a topic of serious discussion. In the aftermath of Osama Bin Laden’s capture and killing by US terrorist attacks intensified in Pakistan. Not a single day passes without suicide bombings killing many innocents also destruction of properties. Pakistan Taliban the dreaded terrorist organization is the main culprit behind these attacks. The army and the civilian govt both seem helpless in containing the menace. It is a wide network, please read Pak Taliban, better organized consisting of hardcore terrorists always prepared to strike at will.
Of late, besides terror attacks NATO bombings killing innocent civilians are on the increase and Afghan President Hamid Karzai has angrily asked NATO forces to put an end to killing of innocents. It is not at all a surprise that in the talks between Ms. Merkel and ManMohan Singh, Pakistan and Af-Pak relations came up for discussion.
So far so good.
But when ManMohan Singh raked up the issue of election of a new chief to head International Monetary Fund. Ms.Merkel maintained a studied silence. He took up the issue of European nations choosing their men to head international institutions and took a strong objection to it and demanded that the best available man from an outside nation be chosen as IMF Chief.
A clever Angela Merkel distanced herself from the demand, she being a European is understandable.
On the question of permanent seats in United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for India and Germany both joined hands. When the chips are down, who is likely to be the IMF Chief – Christine Lagard, Finance Minister of France or anybody from an Asian Country? Or some other dark horse? Most probably a European himself or herself….
Yemen on the boil
The fight for democracy in Yemen has assumed dangerous proportions. Rivers of blood flow through the streets of Yemen especially capital Sanaa and second largest city Taiz as a result of violent clashes between Yemeni forces and tribesmen. In spite of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh applying an iron-hand by ordering his forces to train guns on the protestors fighting for democracy they are determined to oust him from power. Al-Quaida men have joined the protesters in fighting Yemeni forces, please note, Yemen is a haven of Al-Quaida elements and Saleh a close friend of US, the latter keeps mum on the violent goings on in Yemen. Several months have elapsed since the revolution broke out in Yemen, it was soon after the Jasmine revolution in Tunisia followed by Egypt. While writing this the fighting rages on and going by the trends in other Arab countries Abdullah Saleh will have to bow out of his position in the not too distant future. Await.
Libyan Conundrum
Jacob Zuma, South African President is back in Johannesberg after his failed mission in Libya. A rapprochement between the beleaguered Col.Muammar Qaddafi and Libyan rebels ended in a fiasco. Qaddafi is in no mood to abdicate his post and the rebels not willing for a ceasefire despite Zuma’s persistent efforts.
The stark truth is that Qaddafi’ army strength has reduced by 80 percent and many of his loyalists have defected to other nations.
It is reported that five Generals, two Colonels and one major who have defected to Rome held a press conference and revealed that now only five Generals have left behind and Qaddafi’s position is getting weaker and weaker everyday.
The continuous barrage of NATO forces, their presence on the soil of Libya all are pointers to the fact that Qaddafi’s strength is waning.
There is no surprise that the man with an authoritarian streak in blood is desperately holding on to power even after his loyalists are defecting wife and son succumbing to death, widespread damage to properties including his palace knowing that he will be left with no option except flee the nation in the end.