Baloch nation prepares for National Remembrance Day for Baloch Martyrs
Quetta : Baloch pro-independence parties in Balochistan and exile appealed the nation on Saturday to observe 13 November as the Baloch Martyrs Day. In their separate statements of the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons, Bugti Patriots of Motherland, The Baloch National Voice and Baloch Four Party Alliance announced to support the call to observe 13 of November as National Remembrance Day for Baloch Martyrs. Earlier Baloch Student Organisation – Azad, IVBMP London, Sweden and BHRC &IVBMP Canada; and Baluch Verein Deutschland [Baloch Community Germany] had also announced to observe and support the National Remembrance Day. Meanwhile Vice Chairman of the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons, Abdul Qadeer Baloch, urged the relatives of abducted Baloch activists, students and political activists to go to the protest camp of the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons, outside Quetta Press Club, on 13 November and show their solidarity with the families of enforced-disappeared and Martyred Baloch activists. The Voice for Baloch Missing Persons’ protest for the release of enforced disappeared Baloch, and demand for the arrest of the perpetrators involved in kill and dump in Balochistan, entered 960th day on Saturday, at Quetta Press Club. The Baloch National Voice in their statement said, “Martyrs of liberation sacrificed their lives for our better future and freedom of Balochistan. It is the struggle and sacrifices of Baloch freedom fighters, political prisoners and martyrs that introduced Baloch national identity to the world. Today the world powers are acknowledging the Baloch freedom movement because of endless sacrifices made by the patriot sons of Balochistan.” The Baloch pro-freedom organisations said no nation has got their freedom as a gift neither have the international powers supported any liberation struggle against their vested interests. They further said, “Oppressed nations struggled and paid for freedom with their lives. The oppressed and occupied nations always relied on their own strength; similarly the Baloch nation should bring momentum and strength in their ranks and force their enemies to withdraw from Balochistan. Baloch should show to the world that they are able to gain and sustain their freedom, only then the international and regional powers will support the Baloch for their own safety and interests.” The BNV said it was the responsibility of Baloch youth to preach the message of freedom to every household in Balochistan and make the nation aware about the curse of slavery. Baloch freedom loving forces should bring unity in their ranks and counter the conspiracies of enemy against Baloch struggle. The Baloch National Voice urged the Baloch nation to overcome all personal likes and dislikes and spend their energy to fulfil the dream of Baloch martyrs. In a separate press release Wadera Rahmo Bugti the central leader of Bugti Muhabiyan e Watan (Bugti Patriots of Motherland) has announced to support the Baloch Martyrs Day on 13 November. “Today the Baloch have gained national and international recognition because of the sacrifices of Baloch martyrs and freedom fighters”, Mr Bugti said. He said the unanimous announcement of Baloch resistance and pro-freedom political parties to observe 13 November as the Baloch Martyrs Day was a positive step and a good news for Baloch nation. “Those who believe in single programme of Balochistan’s freedom should intensify their effort to advance the Baloch national struggle instead of promoting personalities or organisations”, said Mr Bugti. Rahmo Bugti said ‘Bugti Patriots of Motherland’ respects the sacrifices of Nawab Akbar Bugti, Mir Balach Marri and thousands of other Baloch martyrs. Those who believe in slogans of enemy and use self-made confusing terminologies to deter the liberation struggle will be considered as the enemy of Baloch and Balochistan, he added.

Obama Myanmar Visit Set For Later This Month, Official Says

President Barack Obama meets with Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012, in Washington. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

YANGON, Myanmar -- President Barack Obama will make a groundbreaking visit later this month to Myanmar, an official said Thursday, following through with his policy of rapprochement to encourage democracy in the Southeast Asian nation.
The Myanmar official speaking from the capital, Naypyitaw, said Thursday that security for a visit on Nov. 18 or 19 had been prepared, but the schedule was not final. He asked not to be named because he was not authorized to give information to the media.
The official said Obama would meet with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi as well as government officials including reformist President Thein Sein.
It would be the first-ever visit to Myanmar by an American president. U.S. officials have not yet announced any plans for a visit, which would come less than two weeks after Obama's election to a second term.
Obama's administration has sought to encourage the recent democratic progress under Thein Sein by easing sanctions applied against Myanmar's previous military regime.
Officials in nearby Thailand and Cambodia have already informally announced plans for visits by Obama that same week. Cambodia is hosting a summit meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and Thailand is a longtime close U.S. ally.
The visit to Myanmar, also known as Burma, would be the culmination of a dramatic turnaround in relations with Washington as the country has shifted from five decades of ruinous military rule and shaken off the pariah status it had earned through its bloody suppression of democracy.
Obama's ending of the long-standing U.S. isolation of Myanmar's generals has played a part in coaxing them into political reforms that have unfolded with surprising speed in the past year. The U.S. has appointed a full ambassador and suspended sanctions to reward Myanmar for political prisoner releases and the election of Nobel laureate Suu Kyi to parliament.
From Myanmar's point of view, the lifting of sanctions is essential for boosting a lagging economy that was hurt not only by sanctions that curbed exports and foreign investment, but also by what had been a protectionist, centralized approach. Thein Sein's government has initiated major economic reforms in addition to political ones.

A procession of senior diplomats and world leaders have traveled to Myanmar, stopping both in the remote, opulent capital city, which was built by the former ruling junta, and at Suu Kyi's dilapidated lakeside villa in the main city of Yangon, where she spent 15 years under house arrest. New Zealand announced Thursday that Prime Minister John Key would visit Myanmar after attending the regional meetings in Cambodia.
The most senior U.S. official to visit was Hillary Rodham Clinton, who last December became the first U.S. secretary of state to travel to Myanmar in 56 years.
The Obama administration regards the political changes in Myanmar as a marquee achievement in its foreign policy, and one that could dilute the influence of China in a country that has a strategic location between South and Southeast Asia, regions of growing economic importance.
But exiled Myanmar activists and human rights groups are likely to criticize an Obama visit as premature, rewarding Thein Sein before his political and economic reforms have truly taken root. The military – still dominant and implicated in rights abuses – has failed to prevent vicious outbreaks of communal violence in the west of the country that have left scores dead.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/08/obama-myanmar-visit_n_2093157.html?utm_hp_ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false#sb=1999054,b=facebook

After losing to Obama, what should Mitt Romney do next?

Luckily for the defeated Republican candidate, the internet has some ideas. What do you think he should do next?


Should Mitt Romney now ask his supporters for employment advice? Photograph: Brian Snyder/Reuters

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/video/2012/nov/07/mitt-romneys-concession-speech-video

Democracy comes out on top on Nov. 6.

by: SAM WEBB

After a long and bitterly contested battle, the forces of inclusive democracy came out on top yesterday. The better angels of the American people spread their wings, as they went to the polls.

An African-American president was re-elected to the office of the Presidency, the Democrats unexpectedly strengthened their hand in the Senate and House, and victories, including big ones for marriage equality, were registered at the state level.

Moreover, the balance of forces - that is, the ground on which people fight going forward - has shifted in a progressive direction. And thanks in large measure goes to what might be the most notable development in this election - the emergence of a multi-racial, male-female, working-class-based electoral coalition that has the potential to transform America in the years and decades ahead.

The Communist Party said a year ago that the 2012 elections would be the main front of the class and democratic struggle, and subsequent events have confirmed that fact.

Indeed, we argued (and not everyone on the left agreed and probably still don't) that defeating right wing extremism was the key to moving the whole chain of democratic struggle forward in the coming period.

Conversely, we said that a victory by right-wing extremism would set into motion a far-reaching assault on the people's living standards, rights, and organizational capacities, the likes that we've never seen.

Had Romney won the Presidency and the Republicans the Congress, it would have accelerated to warp drive a capitalist class counterrevolution - a reversal of seventy years of social progress. In a matter of three months time, the entire body of social legislation dating back to the New Deal could have been expunged.

But that won't happen due to the fact that voters - new as well as old - in their majority rejected Romney, a host of right-wing extremist candidates, their ideology, and their model of governance.

While many things went into last night's victory, what was notable was the ability of the democratic movement to turn back Republican efforts to suppress the vote; what was history-making was the determination of the people's movement (with labor in the lead) to reach, educate, and turn out tens of millions of American voters on election day; what was not surprising was the continuing, strategic, and sometimes underappreciated role of the African-American people (93 percent voted for the president) in the front ranks (at the head in many instances) of struggle for progress and democracy.

What was heartening was the readiness of millions of white workers and trade unionists to stand with the President even in a weak economy and in the face of unrelenting and savage racist appeals, especially in the battleground states; what was of fundamental importance was the full-throttled entry of the Latino people onto the national political stage; what was extraordinary was the turnout of the Asian and Pacific Islander people; what was encouraging was the enthusiasm with which young people again supported the president; what was no surprise was the skill with which the president contrasted his views and values from those of Romney; what was critical was the capacity of the American people to sift through the myriad of lies and deceptions that came from the Republican side.

Above all, what was decisive was the unmistakable election imprint of a rainbow working-class based electoral coalition, which has the potential to effect a process of long-term political renewal and realignment the likes of which we haven't seen since the New Deal coalition of the 1930s.

The Republicans say that no sweeping mandate emerges out of this election, but if we think about it more deeply, we arrive at quite a different conclusion: the vote, and here I include more than a sliver of Romney supporters, is an insistent call for governmental action on the most pressing problems facing the working class and people.

This was not a vote for savaging social programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid; or rolling back domestic spending; or resolving the budget crisis on the people's backs.

It was instead a vote for jobs, housing relief, withdrawal of our troops from Afghanistan, an end to U.S.-led wars in the Middle East, the preservation of the package of benefits and rights that the American people now enjoy, equal pay for women, health, and reproductive rights, infrastructure renewal - an issue that took on greater forces in the wake of Sandy - marriage equality, a larger commitment to public education, a tax system in which the wealthiest families and corporations pay a much larger share, reform of our punitive and anti-democratic immigration laws, a reduction in the unconscionable inequality that sets us apart from other advanced capitalist countries, and, not least, an America that stands for fairness, tolerance, and decency.

As I mentioned, the Republicans are not on board with this assessment. Too many act as if nothing has changed.

But in some ways, the bigger problem at this moment is that politicians on both sides of the aisle, major opinion makers, and the corporate elite are saying that a "Grand Bargain," is the order of the day, beginning with spending cuts for people's needs, a weakening of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, along with some extra revenue collected in the form of a tax increase on the wealthiest Americans. Otherwise the country, the "grand bargainers" claim, will fall off a "fiscal cliff" threatening the economic recovery, global markets, and the long term viability of existing social programs.

But the conventional wisdom in this case is problematic. Many mainstream economists correctly say that the real crisis is not a fiscal one, but a jobs and growth crisis.

Once people get back to work and once economic activity picks up, they go on to argue, the nation can turn its attention to reeling in deficits without endangering economic recovery, but along very different lines than proposed by too many politicians on both sides of the aisle. On the table must be cutting military spending, ending corporate subsidies, and increasing corporate taxes.

Without catching its breath, the AFL-CIO and its allies are organizing actions against a bipartisan resolution that falls on working people. But organized labor can't do it alone.

The coalition that mined the country for votes over the past several months and the rainbow electorate that elected the president and defended democracy yesterday must spring back into action. Tens of millions must be mobilized. Diverse forms of struggle must be employed. Not everyone has to be an Obama voter. The fight to get the anti-austerity message heard above the din of the major media is a real challenge. But it can be done.

Whatever the outcome of this immediate battle, the struggle to put the people's needs and nature before corporate profits and war spending will be a long one. This still- emerging multi-racial, working-class based coalition will experience victories, like we did on Election Day. But it will also encounter defeats. The main thing is that it never lose sight of the necessity of deepening and extending its reach, unity, and multi-racial, class-based character.

The task isn't to replicate the movements of the 1930s and 1960s, but today's activists would do well to draw the lessons from those movements and adapt them to current conditions.

Both have much to teach, but given the concentrated corporate economic and political power that the American people are up against, today's movement has to eclipse them in terms of scope, depth, and class and anti-racist understanding and unity. We are at the dawn of a new era.

Photo: Democrat Elizabeth Warren takes the stage after defeating incumbent GOP Sen. Scott Brown in the Massachusetts Senate race, during an election night rally at the Fairmont Copley Plaza hotel in Boston, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012. Michael Dwyer/AP

http://www.peoplesworld.org/democracy-comes-out-on-top-on-nov/

Q&A: ‘Baloch Groups to Unite Against Pakistan’

By Karlos Zurutuza
Karlos Zurutuza interviews ALLAH NAZAR, Balochistan Liberation Front commander.

Baloch fighters at a location in Pakistan. Credit: Karlos Zurutuza/IPS.

SAN SEBASTIAN, Spain, Oct 26 2012 (IPS) - Fighters in the Balochistan province of Pakistan will soon set up a common front to take on the Pakistani military in their fight for Baloch independence, a senior commander of the Balochistan Liberation Front tells IPS in an interview.

“We are in full coordination with all Baloch resistance movements and we are soon to form a united command,” Dr. Allah Nazar, a doctor turned guerrilla fighter tells IPS in the interview on the phone earlier this month.

Divided by the borders of Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan, Baloch have their own language, and live across a land the size of France they call “Balochistan.” The rugged terrain under their feet boasts enormous reserves of gas, gold and copper, and untapped oil and uranium. But this is also the most underdeveloped region across these countries.

Baloch insurgents in Pakistan are fragmented into several groups, mainly the Baloch Liberation Army, the Baloch Republican Army, the Baloch Liberation Front and the Lashkar-e-Balochistan (Balochistan’s army). Several analysts say this fragmentation reflects the tribal element among the Baloch. But the groups are all secular, and share a common agenda in seeking independence for Balochistan.

This IPS reporter interviewed Dr Nazar on the phone after extended visits earlier to the three parts of the region (Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan) in 2009 and 2010. Excerpts from the interview:

How would you describe the group you lead?

In the Baloch Liberation Front there are people from all walks of life, from peasants to doctors. There are more than 6,000 fighters in our ranks and the number is growing by the day. The BLF is waging a guerrilla war inside East Balochistan which is under Pakistani control.

Do you coordinate with Jundullah (“Army of God”) – the Baloch insurgent movement in neighbouring Iran?

We know the people fighting in Jundullah are also Baloch but we have no relation with them. Ours is a pure nationalist war, miles away from Jundullah´s religious extremism.

Islamabad has always claimed that the Baloch resistance is been backed by India.

That´s just fake propaganda from Pakistani state media in order to show the world that the Baloch are proxies. India is not supporting us.

Pakistan controlled Balochistan has a provincial government. Why have you taken up an armed struggle and not parliamentary politics?

We had been declared an independent state from Pakistan in August 1947, even before Pakistan came into existence. Seven months later, Pakistan occupied our land by force. From the first day the Baloch have not accepted the occupation of Pakistan, so our struggle is a continuation of the struggle of our forefathers. Parliament makes laws brutally against Baloch national identity, our culture and language. And the Supreme Court is legitimising the brutality of the State.

Some Baloch leaders speak of self-determination and not independence.

Leaders such as Akhtar Mengal – former chief minister of the province and leader of the Mengal clan and head of the Balochistan National Party are calling for “national self-determination”, but that’s still a vague term. Self-determination has a broad meaning and it can imply that we remain inside the state. But we have our own history, our own language, our own national identity and so we want our freedom.

What do you think of the Freedom Charter, a road map for Balochistan independence supported by leaders like Hyrbyair Marri, the London-based tribal and political leader?

The Freedom Charter is a very good step as taken by Hyrbyair Marri. All Baloch fighting for freedom should suport the Freedom Charter.

Islamabad claims that projects such as Gwadar’s deep water harbour would boost the economy of Balochistan.

The Gwadar project has been planned in the interest of Punjabi and colonial powers and not for the welfare of Baloch people. It´s meant to bring demographic change in Balochistan; they want to bring in the Muhajirs –immigrants – and other people into Balochistan in order to unbalance demography. Gwadar is a death warrant for Baloch people.

The Baloch say the government in Islamabad is trying to Talibanise Balochistan in order to quell the Baloch nationalist movement.

That’s true. Balochs are basically secular, by their culture, by their tradition, by their historical background, so the Pakistani regime is trying to Talibanise the Baloch society. Just where I am right now, the ISI – the Pakistani secret service – has set up two religious militant groups against the Baloch national struggle: one is Ansar-al-Islam and the other is Tahafuz-e-Hadoodullah (Protectors of God’s Rule).

They have formed these groups in the name of Islam but their real aim is to crush the Baloch freedom movement. Pakistan is the cradle of the Taliban and the breeding ground of the Taliban. Pakistan is nourishing and funneling the Taliban and Al-Qaeda terrorists into Afghanistan, India, Saudi Arabia, Yemen… Pakistan is an irresponsible state that is putting the civilised world in danger. A free Baloch state would therefore be in the interest of the whole civilised world.

Washington is reconsidering a pullout from Afghanistan due for 2014. How will this affect the Af-Pak region?

If America and NATO pull out from Afghanistan, that will lead to turbulence and destabilisation. A weak Afghanistan will not only destabilise the region but it will be harmful for the whole civilised world.

Pakistan is using international support to commit atrocities in Balochistan: BSO-Azad

Quetta :  The central spokesperson of Baloch Student Organisation – Azad said on Sunday that Netherlands announcement to provide 2.5 million dollar to Balochistan police in name eradication of drug crimes implementation of law is a matter of great concern. This amount will directly be used for Baloch genocide by Pakistan’s security agencies. The BSO-Azad statement further said, “The police are hand in glove with criminal gangs in an attempt to supress the Baloch national struggle.” Enforced disappearances, discovery of mutilated bodies of missing Baloch, bombardment on civilian populations and violations of international human rights laws are rapidly on the rise in Balochistan, the spokesperson added. The spokesperson further said that human rights violations by Pakistani administrations, intelligence agencies and security forces are a matter of grave concern for the world community and providing logistic support to Pakistan puts a question mark to the claims of international community about their claims to support human rights. Pakistan’s security forces are already using NATO and American provided support against Baloch people despite clear reports from international institutions that Pakistan intelligence agencies and police were directly supporting criminal gangs against Baloch freedom struggle. Similarly, the support provided by Netherlands will be used to suppress Baloch nation in the name of fight against drug crimes. “In the light of on-going human rights violation in the region the world should reconsider their support for Pakistan because it is using the international aid to help extremist groups which a danger to world peace”, said the BSO-Azad spokesperson. The statement of BSO-Azad further read that Pakistan was bombing civilian populated areas to conceal her defeat in Balochistan. The state was spreading terror and fear in different areas of Balochistan, few days ago Pakistan air force bombed Fazal Chayl, Koh-sunt and Mawand areas in Kohlu. Separately, the FC has harassed and humiliated people during a raid in Prome area of Punjgur few days earlier.