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Issue 9 Vol I, February 15, 2006analysis New
Tory Government has a Bumpy Ride Ahead
Emerson took everybody by surprise after being sworn in as the International Trade Minister in the new Conservative government. Until the day of his election he continued attacking Harper and his party. His defection to the Tories sparked angry protests in his Vancouver Kingsway riding. The Liberal supporters of his riding are now asking him to seek re-election as a Tory candidate. While the Liberal supporters feel having been deceived, certain Conservative MPs are also feeling uncomfortable working with a Liberal turncoat indicating a bumpy ride for the new government. Two Conservative MPs are asking Emerson to step down. They feel that the Harper government has deceived them by repeating the history. When the previous Liberal government lured a former Tory MP Belinda Stronach into their camp, the Conservatives had accused the Liberals of indulging in morale corruption. Belinda was immediately appointed as federal minister in the minority Liberal government. However, the Conservatives have settled their score by luring Emerson to their side. A section within the Conservative Party is feeling frustrated at the whole episode. Unfazed by criticism, Emerson is not willing to step down. He claims change of heart even after being re-elected as a Liberal MP. Interestingly, he was the star candidate of the Liberal Party.
The NDP is also planning to bring anti defection legislation in the house. If passed, the legislation will make it mandatory for a defecting MP to seek reelection. A previous anti defection legislation brought by the NDP could not pass. Harper has also invited criticism from his Punjabi supporters. There is not a single Punjabi member in his cabinet. One of the two Punjabi Conservative MPs, Deepak Oberoi has been appointed as Parliamentary Secretary, which is not a cabinet post. Oberoi is an experienced MP and has been reelected as Tory MP from Alberta. While the former Tory MP Gurmant Grewal did not run this time his wife Neena Grewal has also been reelected as Tory MP. However, none of the two Punjabi MPs was taken into cabinet. Some feel that Harper should have considered taking Oberoi in his cabinet instead of inviting a Liberal turncoat. The two successive Liberal governments in the past had one Punjabi minister each. In the previous Liberal government Ujjal Dosanjh was the Health Minister. The Conservatives have won 124 of the total 308 seats in the parliament, while the Liberals have won only 103 seats. The Bloc Quebecois has 51 and the NDP has 29 seats in the new house, while one seat has gone to an independent candidate. While Conservatives are rejoicing their victory, this government may not complete its full term. Martin also led a minority government that fell after 17 months in power. How far the left wing NDP or the BQ will support the far right Conservatives is yet to be seen. The NDP supported the previous minority Liberal government. After the understanding between the two sides broke on the healthcare issue, the NDP withdrew support triggering a fall of the Martin government. The Tory Premier of Alberta where the Conservatives had a sweeping victory has indicated that he is going to allow the private healthcare system in his province even if that means violating the Canada Health Act. This reflects the position of the Conservatives and raises doubts over the possibility of agreement between the Tories and the NDP. | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Partners
in World Peace FROM the bipolar configuration of the world prior to disintegration of the USSR, it has now become unipolar with USA as the only super power. with this distinction America is increasingly taking over the role of the world policeman and is forcing the world to accept its policies or suffer the consequences. It has also assumed the role of a parallel UN and other international fora are virtually controlled by it. Its old gun diplomacy and assumed a new cutting edge and with a doctrine of attacking any country in the name of containing terrorism and establishing its own version democracy . Even though unipolar world is a fact as on date, there are other power/economic centers emerging. European Union, China, Russia and Japan come easily to mind in this context. India too is an emerging great power. In a study on South Asia, a RAND Corporation research has opined that India would emerge as the third pole of power in the region along with China and Japan if India continued its impressive growth rates achieved in recent years and is not get embroiled in a major war. India has all the ingredients of becoming a major world power. It has the three required Ms i.e. Minds (Trained Manpower ), Money (Economic Strength) and Muscle (Defence Forces.) As India keeps climbing up the ladder of importance in the regional and world affairs, it is essential that it moulds its foreign affairs in such a manner that its eventual aim becomes achievable at the earliest. It is essential that Indian equation with the USA, China, Russia , Pakistan and our other smaller neighbours are maintained and developed with due clarity of our future role in Asia and world affairs. Recently there have been a lot of initiatives taken to improve Indo-USA relations and develop closer ties with America. Even though this is a welcome change, it appears that at times we are sacrificing our own national interests/requirements to achieve this closeness. Indian vote against Iran on nuclear issue without a national debate is one such action. It appears that we are obeying the dictates of USA. American opposition to our gas pipe line project with Iran and Pakistan is well known. Our action in voting against Iran on the nuclear issue may cost us the vital project the importance of which is immense for our country. It, however is a matter of full separate as to what should have been our stance on this issue, keeping in view the double standards of USA and its silence on Pakistan and Israel acquiring nuclear technology and arsenal. While taking our policy decisions related to America we must keep in mind that even though it is a great democracy, it has not sided with other democracies in the event of crisis. It has blatantly promoted and supported Monarchies and Dictatorships. It came to our help in 1962 on a small scale only because the war was with China and the USA was anti everything communist. It openly supported Pakistan in 1965 war. Genocide in erstwhile East Pakistan in 1971 war evoked no response from USA. In fact it again supported the Pakistani Dictator and even moved its seventh fleet in 1971, to Indian Ocean in order to intimidate our Navy. Even till date in spite of clear knowledge of Pakistan giving bases, training and support to terrorist organizations operating against India, no credible US action has been taken against Pakistan. For the USA a 'Yes Man' Pakistan will always remain a close friend.. USA will never tolerate an `Independent Thinking' India. All it needs from other nations is to say 'Yes' to its policies or actions and provide its needed oil and other such strategic supplies. In view of this it is important for us to support USA only based on our ideology and in matter of our national interest and not succumb to its pressure, and adopt a policy of appeasement. Chinese have taken great initiates in improving their economy and military strength. They have modern Defence Forces and huge manpower resource. Their economy is on the boom. They have been fairly successful in controlling their population by adopting one child norm. They have taken big strides in nuclear and space technology. Due to the location, size and strength of China, it will always remain a competitor of India. Its position as one pole of strength in the region is well established and it is a possible world power of the future. Under these circumstances it will be prudent to understand that that there would always remain chances of clash of interest, between the two of us. `Hindi Chini Bhai Bhai lasted for sometime but the reality came to the fore in 1962. Chinese, even though not hostile to us now a days, are not very supportive of our growing stature whereas their support and preference for Pakistan is well known. It is apparent from the Chinese objection to India becoming a permanent member of UN Security Council. Despite the fact that China did not physically intervene to support Pakistan in 1965 and 1971 it did support Pakistan materially and politically. It is in our interest to keep our relation with China cordial and keep our border problem with them on the back burner till an amicable solution is found. In this regard it is best to follow the Chinese thought i.e. 'There is no time limit factor to resolving any dispute' and it should be resolved at an appropriate time. However, it must be realized that we have to contend with the Chinese in our own journey to power and thus we must be in possession of equal amount of 3 x Ms as the Chinese. Pakistan has realized that annexation of Kashmir by force is unachievable and that its support to terrorism will draw international condemnation, even then it is unlikely that, it would shelve its plans for either, in the near future. Its efforts to modernize its armed forces with the help of US and China will continue. India will have to maintain its force level in J & K and maintain/modernize its Defence Forces to a level that Pakistan cannot risk a war with India. RAND Corporation has predicted an 'ugly stability' in South Asia which appears quite logical. India should therefore keep its Defence Forces modernized and well trained and also deal effectively with terrorism both on LOC and the hinterland. Related to our other neighbour in South Asia our policy should not be like that of 'Uncle Sam'. Our being bully with them will only make our position weaker in the region. We should, like the Chinese, support these nations economically and resolve our disputes with them adopting an approach of magnanimity and understanding. Now that communism is virtually dead and Russia is embarked upon its economic resurgence, it is time that India and Russia develop more closer and stronger bonds. Traditionally the Russian have been our trusted friends. Russian support in foreign and military affairs to India is on record. The Indo-USSR treaty of friendship signed in 1971 was strategically the single most important document signed, pre 1971 war. It is this Treaty, which kept the Americans and the Chinese out of active conflict and gave India an opportunity to register the only decisive victory in war, achieved by a single nation, post II World War world war. The Russians have provided us with modern equipment for our armed forces and continue to do the same. Our vital national interests do not clash with those of the Russians and we have a rich history of past cooperation. A strategic thought similarity between India and Russia is the key to future world stability. Such an understanding will also restrain the Americans from adopting a hagemonistic approach and the Chinese from intruding into our sphere of political influence and zones of economic interests. |
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SOUTH ASIA POST INC. |
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THE
minority Tory government took the reins of the country on February 6. The Prime
Minister, Stephen Harper took the oath of the office along with his cabinet
ministers, including David Emerson, who was elected as a Liberal MP during the
January 23 elections.
Even
though Liberal MPs are attacking his credibility, none of them came forward to
make a formal complaint against his defection. So far, the NDP MP Peter Julian
has filed a complaint against him with the Ethics Commissioner. Julian has asked
the Ethics Commissioner to find if his defection was part of some deal to
accommodate him in the government. Emerson claims that if the Ethics
Commissioner finds him guilty he would resign.