Buku setebal 558 halaman yang struktur kisahnya rapi dan dinilai koran "The Observer" sebagai buah dari riset mahasempurna ini menyingkap muslihat kaum kapitalis yang secara menyeramkan menggasak aset negara, tak peduli jutaan orang mati dan jatuh melarat karenanya.

Para kapitalis ini mengarsiteki sekaligus mensponsori kudeta-kudeta berdarah di seluruh dunia, swastanisasi aset dan sistem pelayanan publik, krisis moneter, merger dan akuisisi perusahaan pasca krisis, liberalisasi perdagangan, invasi Irak, bahkan gerakan demokratisasi.

Selain mewujud dalam perusahaan-perusahaan multinasional (MNCs), mereka mengotaki Dana Moneter Internasional (IMF), Bank Dunia, Organisasi Perdagangan Dunia (WTO), bahkan organisasi-organisasi bantuan internasional seperti Badan Bantuan Pembangunan Internasional AS (USAID).

Mereka melekat pada lembaga-lembaga "think tank" terkenal seperti American Enterprise Institute, Heritage Foundation dan Cato Institute, sementara ruhnya bersemayam dalam sejumlah universitas Barat yang menjadi tempat berkuliah para teknokrat negara berkembang yang belajar karena biaya asing.

Kaum kapitalis ini tak peduli sebuah rezim zalim atau tidak, demokratis atau tidak, korup atau tidak, yang penting menguntungkan mereka, persis pepatah mantan pemimpin RRC Deng Xiaoping, "Tak penting kucing itu putih atau hitam, yang penting bisa menangkap tikus."

Kaum yang disebut Naomi neoliberal ini sangat anti kepemilikan publik dan berupaya membuat pemerintahan di banyak negara lumpuh sehingga merekalah yang sesungguhnya berkuasa atas negara dan sistem transaksi sosial, ekonomi dan politik antar-bangsa.

"Saya ingin pemerintah dikerdilkan sampai saya bisa menyeretnya ke kamar mandi untuk kemudian membenamkannya dalam bak mandi," kata Grover Norquist, pelobi kepentingan bisnis MNCs terkenal di AS sekaligus pembela fanatik neoliberal.

Untuk mengerdilkan pemerintah, mereka mempunyai modus, yaitu mengacaubalaukan negara dengan menciptakan situasi krisis sampai kesadaran nasional negara itu hilang, terutama berkaitan dengan konsep dasar pengelolaan ekonominya.

Negara itu lalu dipaksa menelan resep ekonomi propasar dalam dosis tinggi nan beruntun, tak peduli rakyatnya bakal sengsara. Hal terpenting, negara itu menjadi amat tergantung pada modal asing(kapitalis) sehingga setiap saat bisa dieksploitasi oleh kaum kapitalis itu.

Metode membuat syok nasional sehingga negara tak sadar telah dikuasai kapitalis ini disebut Naomi Klein sebagai "Shock Doctrine."

Naomi menganalogikan terapi syok ekonomi ini dengan doktrin militer AS "kejutkan dan takutkan" (shock and awe) dan metode cuci otak ala dinas intelijen AS (CIA), "kubark counter intelligence interrogation."

Lewat "kubark", CIA membunuh karakter manusia dengan teknik interogasi mengerikan sehingga memori manusia hilang untuk kemudian diganti karakter baru jadi-jadian, seperti dalam kisah trilogi "Bourne" yang dibintangi aktor Hollywood , Matt Damon.

Dalam format berbeda, para ekonom neoliberal mengaplikasikan metode dekarakterisasi ala CIA ini ke tingkat negara dengan membuat negara berada dalam suasana krisis, sehingga gampang dipaksa untuk menelan resep kebijakan ekonomi prokapitalis yang formula dasarnya adalah liberalisasi pasar, penghapusan subsidi, dan swastanisasi aset publik.

Penggagas terapi syok itu adalah ekonom Universitas Chicago, Milton Friedman, seorang penentang intervensi negara dalam pengelolaan ekonomi yang dulu disarankan ekonom besar pasca-Perang Dunia I, John Maynard Keynes.

Friedman percaya bahwa perekonomian harus diserahkan sepenuhnya pada pasar dan ia ingin dunia mempraktikannya tanpa kecuali.

Terinspirasi sukses Mafia Berkeley di Indonesia akhir 1960-an dan junta militer Brazil pimpinan Castello Branco yang mengakhiri ekonomi kerakyatannya Presiden Joao Gullart pada 1964, Friedman membidik Chile sebagai kelinci percobaan pertamanya.

Chile awal 1970-an diperintah Salvador Allende yang mengusung sistem ekonomi sosialis yang tak mengharamkan kepemilikan swasta, namun mengharuskan negara melindungi kepentingan publik. Ekonomi sosialis Chile berbeda dari komunisme, seperti diklaim AS, bahkan mirip azas demokrasi ekonominya Mohammad Hatta di Indonesia.

Karena ingin menasionalisasi perusahaan asing, maka sosialisme Allende itu lalu dipandang korporasi-korporasi multinasional asal AS sebagai ancaman. Salah satu yang terancam, American Telephone & Telegraph (AT&T), mendesak pemerintah AS untuk mencungkil Allende dari kekuasaannya.

Sebelum mendongkel Allende , AS mendidik mahasiswa-mahasiswa Chile di Universitas Chicago di bawah asuhan Milton Friedman dengan tujuan mengimbangi popularitas para ekonom sosialis pimpinan Pedro Vuskovic Bravo yang menjadi arsitek kebijakan ekonomi Allende.

Untuk mengaburkan intervensi, pemerintah AS bersembunyi dibalik Ford Foundation, yang juga mensponsori para mahasiswa Indonesia berkuliah di Universitas California, Berkeley, pada 1956 hingga menjadi teknokrat Orde Baru.

Para mahasiswa Chile yang dibiasakan mempelajari ekonomi neoliberal ini disiapkan sebagai teknokrat pasca Allende.

Pada 1973, Allende akhirnya digulingkan oleh Jenderal Augusto Pinochet dukungan CIA.

Selagi Pinochet menebarkan teror hingga rakyat Chile syok dalam ketakutan, para ekonom Friedmanis menyuntikkan resep propasar (prokapitalis) dalam dosis tinggi hingga Chile terperangkap utang dan kekuasaan asing.

Paparan Chile ini adalah awal cerita horor pasar bebas yang menjadi isi utama buku yang disebut Dow Jones sebagai salah satu literatur ekonomi terbaik abad 21 ini.

Horor berlangsung hingga era pemerintahan George Bush yang disebut sebagai puncak kebrutalan pasar bebas hingga dunia pun muak sampai-sampai Amerika Latin alergi dengan apa pun yang berbau Friedmanis seperti IMF.

"Tuan-tuan, kami ini berdaulat. Kami ingin melunasi utang kami, tapi maaf-maaf saja jika kami harus membuat kesepakatan lagi dengan IMF," kata Presiden Argentina , Nestor Kirchner.

Sambil membopong diktator dan rezim sokongannya, kaum kapitalis mensponsori para ekonom didikan kampus-kampus neoliberal untuk menyiapkan karpet merah bagi kapitalisme dengan menyusun kebijakan ekonomi reformis propasar, satu eufemisme dari kebijakan prokapitalis.

Afrika Selatan pasca-Nelson Mandela, Rusia di bawah Boris Yeltsin, dan Polandia pasca-komunis adalah beberapa contoh.

Negara-negara yang semula khidmat mendengarkan rekomendasi para ekonom reformis bimbingan Bank Dunia dan Dana Moneter Internasional (IMF) itu kemudian sadar telah dibohongi para ekonom dan birokrat bimbingan Barat yang ternyata para calo swastanisasi negara.

Para penyusun kebijakan reformasi ekonomi tersebut memang kerap berperan menjadi mulut korporasi asing, bahkan konsep kebijakan swastanisasi Bolivia semasa Presiden Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada disusun para analis keuangan perusahaan asing, seperti Solomon Brothers dan ExxonMobil.

Nelson Mandela adalah salah satu yang kecewa karena cita-cita memakmurkan warga kulit hitam, seperti dipesankan Piagam Perdamaian tak tercapai, justru karena orang dekatnya, Tabo Mbeki, menyusun kebijakan pro-kapitalis sehingga mayoritas rakyat Afsel terpinggirkan.

Polandia juga menyesal mematuhi nasihat pialang George Soros dan ekonom Jeffrey Sachs, seorang Friedmanis dari Universitas Harvard, sehingga aset-aset strategis Polandia jatuh ke tangan asing, justru ketika Partai Solidaritas memerintah negeri itu.

Demikian pula Rusia, yang kehilangan aset-aset strategisnya setelah ekonom reformis Yegor Gaidar, seorang Friedmanis di bawah bimbingan IMF, mempromosikan kebijakan propasar. Vladimir Putin kemudian mengoreksi kesalahan itu, dan mengakhiri hubungan mesra Rusia dengan IMF.

Buku tersebut juga menyebut krisis moneter Asia 1997 sebagai hasil desain kaum kapitalis karena mereka ingin menguasai aset-aset strategis di kawasan itu, mencaplok aset-aset perusahaan nasional Asia yang tumbuh meraksasa, dan hendak menggulingkan rezim-rezim yang berubah kritis, seperti Soeharto di Indonesia.

Menurut Naomi, di masa tuanya, Soeharto yang pro-Barat itu bosan diperah korporasi asing, sehingga ia "berkhianat" dengan membagikan aset nasional kepada kroninya yang berakibat korporasi asing itu berang, lalu merancang pembalasan dengan membesarkan skala krisis moneter Asia.

Ketika Indonesia dan Asia akhirnya lunglai karena krisis moneter, IMF datang menawarkan obat dengan syarat liberalisasi pasar, sebuah formula klasik ala Friedman. Semua Asia menerima resep itu, hanya Malaysia yang menampik formula rente itu.

Hanya dalam 20 bulan, perusahaan-perusahaan multinasional asing berhasil menguasai perekonomian Indonesia, Thailand, Korea Selatan, Filipina dan juga Malaysia lewat 186 merger dan akuisisi perusahaan-perusahaan besar di negara-negara ini.

"Ini adalah pengalihan aset dari domestik ke asing terbesar dalam limapuluh tahun terakhir," kata ekonom Robert Wade.

Tak puas di situ, para kapitalis merancang serangan ke Irak setelah Presiden Saddam Hussein memberi keleluasaan pada Rusia menambang minyak di Irak.

Perusahaan-perusahaan minyak seperti Shell, Halliburton, BP dan ExxonMobil lalu mengipasi pemerintah AS dan Inggris untuk mencaplok Irak.

Namun, saat Irak sulit digenggam karena masalah terlalu kompleks, negeri itu disulap menjadi lahan bisnis keamanan sehingga para pedagang senjata, konsultan keamanan perusahaan di wilayah krisis, tentara bayaran dan para spesialis teknologi keamanan mendadak bergelimang uang.

Kemudian, saat kaum kapitalis itu membutuhkan relaksasi setelah penat berburu laba, maka sejumlah lokasi dibidik menjadi situs wisata eksotis, diantaranya Srilangka.

Namun, para nelayan miskin yang mendiami pantai-pantai indah Srilangka tak mau hengkang sampai tsunami menghantam Asia bagian Selatan pada 2004.

Bertopengkan bantuan rekonstruksi pascabencana dan bergerak dalam kerudung USAID, para kapitalis menyandera pemerintah Srilangka, agar "menukarkan" pantai indah Srilangka dengan bantuan tsunami. Situasi serupa berlaku di Thailand dan New Orleans pasca-badai Katrina.

Intinya, kaum kapitalis telah membisniskan perang, teror, anarki, situasi krisis dan bencana alam. Naomi Klein menyebutnya, "kapitalisme bencana". (Helmy Fauzi)

La CIA utiliza para financiar sus redes globales no gubernamentales un gran plantel de fundaciones, algunas ficticias, otras reales. También hay un gran número de organizaciones que reciben fondos de la CIA: revistas académicas de renombre, sindicatos y think tanks políticos, por supuesto que todas dedicadas a la difusión de las ideas que Washington considera oportunas. Estos beneficiarios de una supuesta asistencia en metálico en realidad son parte de una estrategia del imperio, que no se caracteriza por dar puntada sin hilo precisamente.

Estados Unidos elaboró desde el final de la guerra fría una nueva doctrina de golpes de estado soft mediante la utilización de técnicas no violentas. Inspirándose en la eficacia de las luchas políticas que desarrolló en la India Mohandas K. Gandhi, la no violencia activa, Washington trata desde hace poco más de una década de derrocar los gobiernos que no le gustan mediante un dispositivo que le garantice el apoyo de la opinión pública internacional. Para logar estos fines por medio de la nueva doctrina, las organizaciones no gubernamentales, tan populares ante los medios de difusión, juegan un papel esencial. Como señala el periodista de Counterpunch Jacob Levich, «las organizaciones no gubernamentales -asociaciones teóricamente independientes y con la reputación de humanitarias, conocidas bajo de la denominación de ONG- están ya abiertamente incorporadas a la estrategia de conjunto de Washington para consolidar su supremacía global».

En Paraguay jugaron un papel fundamental en marzo de 1999, cuando el presidente Raúl Cubas fue derrocado por medio de movilizaciones lideradas por periodistas y activistas de ONGs que fueron coordinados desde la embajada norteamericana, con notable capacidad de sincronización.
Otro tanto había acontecido en Ecuador poco tiempo antes, y volvió a repetirse en Argentina después.
En Paraguay, basta que un funcionario norteamericano visite el país y establezca sus lineamientos a través de la prensa, para que un coro polifónico de personajes vinculados a las ONGs, USAID, IAF, NED y periodistas de la misma índole levanten sus voces como un enérgico eco del visitante. Es lo que sucedió a principios de 1999, cuando bastó una visita del promotor del Plan Colombia Peter Romero y unas declaraciones en contra del gobierno de turno, para que se movilice todo el aparato manejado desde la embajada norteamericana de Asunción: beneficiarios de USAID, ONGs, movimientos políticos subsidiados por NDI, IAF, periodistas a sueldo de la NED y sus patrones los jerarcas de la SIP.

Eso también explica el poder que tiene la embajada sobre la sociedad, a la que además le resulta fácil influenciar desde los medios que reciben dinero de la National Endowment for Democracy, establecida por el Congreso norteamericano en 1983 como extensión alternativa de la CIA. En la campaña del obispo Fernando Lugo, fue notoria la preferencia de la prensa hacia los activistas de movimientos y partidos vinculados a este aparato montado por la IAF, NED y USAID.

Dos de estos grupos, el Tekojoja y el Pmas,que simularon pertenecer a la izquierda marxista, fueron sus protegidos y tuvieron una preferencial atención, a pesar de que uno de ellos ni siquiera alcanzó representación parlamentaria y el otro no tuvo ni el dos por ciento del total de votos.

Se confirmó la eficacia del andamiaje cuando fueron llamados a ocupar puestos en el gabinete exponentes que en su totalidad estaban vinculados a estos òrganos promotores del neoliberalismo, agentes del FMI y personajes promocionados por USAID. LA

Fuente: http://despertar.fullblog.com.ar/post/el-golpismo-de-las-ongs-501215969829

Five Sudanese men accused of murdering a U.S. aid worker are religious extremists who plotted to attack foreigners at New Year's Eve gatherings, Sudanese prosecutors told a court on Sunday.

The five defendants chanted "God is great" as they walked into the East Khartoum court and were greeted by a crowd of supporters who shouted religious slogans and "Down, down, USA".

All five men wore beards and traditional white gowns, and a Reuters reporter at the court saw two of them spit in the faces of two Western women journalists before walking into the building with iron shackles on their ankles.

John Granville, a 33-year-old officer with the U.S. Agency for International Development, was shot dead while returning home from New Year celebrations in Khartoum early on January 1. His driver, Abdelrahman Abbas Rahama, 39, was also killed.

Granville was the first U.S. government official to be killed in Khartoum in more than three decades.

Semakin jelas terlihat, ikhtiar tersebut sepantar dengan perjuangan merebut kemerdekaan pada tingkap individu dan tingkap komunitas dari fakta bahwa hingga pada masa Reformasi ini pun, upaya memenuhi hak sipil politik dan hak ekonomi sosial budaya di negeri ini masih berlangsung dengan intensitas yang kurang lebih sama belaka.

Hak individu dan hak komunitas masih terus hendak direbut bahkan hingga Proklamasi Kemerdekaan berusia 63 tahun, katakanlah melalui gugatan baik terhadap developmentalisme maupun neoliberalisme pasar. Tafsir waktu manakah yang dipakai untuk memaknai ”dalam tempo yang sesingkat-singkatnya” pada teks Proklamasi Kemerdekaan itu untuk membereskan hak individu dan hak komunitas dari pemerintahan ke pemerintahan: Soekarno ke Soeharto ke Habibie ke Gus Dur ke Megawati bahkan hingga ke SBY ini?

Merdeka secara formal

Pertanyaan ini menyiratkan bahwa persoalan kemerdekaan kita tersisa hanya dalam level individu dan level komunitas saja. Dalam aras negara-bangsa (”bahwa kemerdekaan itu adalah hak segala bangsa”), kita sudah merdeka persis per 17 Agustus 1945 ketika atas nama bangsa Indonesia, Soekarno dan Hatta mengumandangkan teks Proklamasi itu. Betulkah?

Penelusuran sejarah mengatakan: secara formal, ya; secara substansial, tidak. Kehendak kita ”diselesaikan dalam tempo yang sesingkat-singkatnya”. Kenyataannya, dalam tempo yang sesingkat-singkatnya kita sebagai negara-bangsa justru mulai menyerah kepada pihak asing hanya empat tahun setelah Proklamasi dan itu berlanjut sampai sekarang di bawah payung globalisasi. Inilah indikasi yang telak mempertanyakan kemerdekaan di aras negara-bangsa. Dimulai dengan Belanda si penjajah, dilanjutkan dengan asing-asing lainnya baik atas nama negara sendiri-sendiri maupun atas nama persekutuan negara dalam bentuk lembaga-lembaga antarbangsa.

Dari Konferensi Meja Bundar (KMB) kita hanya diberi tahu telah mendapat pengakuan kedaulatan. Namun, buku rekaman sidang KMB mencatat bahwa kita diminta menerima warisan utang Hindia Belanda. Dalam Bagian D mengenai penyelesaian utang-piutang, khususnya Pasal 25 dan Pasal 26, pemerintah Republik Indonesia Serikat (RIS) mengakui bertanggung jawab membayar bunga maupun angsuran modal dari utang tersebut yang dimulai dari tahun 1935. Rupanya pemerintah Hindia Belanda waktu menjajah Indonesia punya utang dalam negeri 3,3 miliar gulden dan utang luar negeri 3 miliar gulden sejak tahun 1935.

Dalam KMB, Indonesia diminta menanggung seluruh utang itu kalau mau berdaulat. Setelah negosiasi akhirnya dicapai kesepakatan, Indonesia hanya bersedia menanggung utang dalam negeri yang 3,3 miliar gulden plus utang luar negeri 1 miliar gulden. Jadi, Indonesia yang belum berutang itu harus menerima dikte sudah punya utang 4,3 miliar gulden demi pengakuan akan kedaulatannya.

Masih ada catatan lain dari KMB. Pada Pasal 14 dan Pasal 15 termaktub bahwa RIS dan Nederland masing-masing akan mengikhtiarkan tata keuangan dan sistem moneter yang sehat. RIS akan mengindahkan aturan-aturan Dana Moneter Internasional (IMF) meski belum menjadi anggota lembaga itu. Maka, kalau mau bicara ihwal ketergantungan Indonesia pada IMF, jangan mulai per 1966 atau 1998, tetapi mulailah sejak 1949!

Pengakuan berutang itu diperkuat dengan ratifikasi Parlemen melalui Undang-Undang Nomor 5 Tahun 1951 tentang Pengesahan dan Pengakuan Hutang terhadap Kerajaan Belanda. Yang menarik, UU itu ditandatangani bukan oleh Soekarno selaku presiden, melainkan oleh Hatta yang wakil presiden. Mengapa? Penelusuran sejarah kemudian memperlihatkan bahwa dalam voting di kabinet, memang Hatta menang. Satu-satunya yang menolak putusan KMB itu adalah PSI.

Bahwa ada persoalan antarfaksi dalam menerima intervensi asing itu baru terlihat dari dibatalkannya pengesahan dan pengakuan utang Hindia Belanda itu oleh kabinet di bawah Burhanuddin Harahap pada tahun 1956. Pembatalan itu kemudian berlanjut dengan nasionalisasi perusahaan-perusahaan Belanda dan asing lainnya (Inggris), kecuali perusahaan Amerika Serikat, yang beroperasi di Indonesia. Peristiwa-peristiwa penting datang beruntun setelah itu: PRRI-Permesta, Dekrit Presiden, penggabungan Irian Barat dengan Indonesia, konfrontasi dengan Malaysia, bahkan 30 September 1965. Adakah keterlibatan asing di sana?

Antimodal asing

Penelusuran sejarah tentu akan menjawab pertanyaan itu. Namun, mari melihat beberapa fakta yang berhasil disisir sampai pada diskusi Lingkar Muda Indonesia kali ini. Pada Agustus 1965, sebulan sebelum Peristiwa 30 September, terbit UU Nomor 16 Tahun 1965. Isinya mencabut UU Nomor 78 Tahun 1958 tentang Penanaman Modal Asing. Bagian Menimbang UU itu berbunyi antara lain ”bahwa penanaman modal asing di Indonesia, yang bagaimanapun juga adalah bersifat menarik keuntungan sebanyak-banyaknya dan dengan demikian menjalankan terus-menerus penghisapan atas rakyat Indonesia, serta menghambat jalannya Revolusi Indonesia dalam menyelesaikan tahap nasional demokratis untuk menjalankan Sosialisme Indonesia berdasarkan Pancasila”. Jadi, dalam UU Nomor 16 Tahun 1965 ini Indonesia jelas sekali mengambil sikap tegas antimodal asing dan itu disahkan pada 23 Agustus 1965, lima minggu sebelum Peristiwa 30 September 1965.

Tentu banyak sudut pandang sejarah yang mencoba menjelaskan maupun mengaburkan apa sebetulnya yang terjadi di balik Peristiwa 30 September 1965 itu. Apa pun model penafsirannya, satu hal jelas bahwa peristiwa itu merupakan upaya sistematis pihak asing kembali meletakkan Indonesia di bawah kekuasaan mereka. Mari melihat lagi fakta sejarah. Bulan Februari 1966 keluar UU Nomor 1 Tahun 1966 tentang Penarikan Diri Republik Indonesia dari Keanggotaan Dana Moneter Internasional (IMF) dan Bank Internasional untuk Rekonstruksi dan Pembangunan (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development). UU ini memang keluar setelah 30 September 1965, tetapi ia sudah telanjur diproses sebelumnya dan baru disahkan pada Februari 1966.

Dari sudut perundang-undangan kita bisa melihat apa yang terjadi sebelum 30 September 1965. Ada UU yang mengakhiri modal asing yang sedang diproses serta sudah siap dan berhasil ditandatangani sebelum Peristiwa, tetapi kemudian ada UU lain mengenai keluar dari IMF yang baru ditandatangani setelah Peristiwa tapi tetap ditandatangani oleh Soekarno. Setelah November 1966, cerita berbalik. Keluar berturut-turut UU Nomor 1 Tahun 1967 tentang Penanaman Modal Asing, UU Nomor 7 Tahun 1967 mengakui kembali utang Hindia Belanda, UU Nomor 8 Tahun 1967 mendaftarkan Indonesia menjadi anggota Asian Development Bank, dan UU Nomor 9 Tahun 1967 mendaftarkan Indonesia kembali menjadi anggota IMF dan World Bank.

Tahun 1951 Hatta menandatangani UU pengesahan dan pengakuan utang Hindia Belanda, tahun 1967—sebelum dimakzulkan oleh MPRS—Soekarno yang menandatangani UU sejenis. Demikian pula UU yang disebut tadi yang keluar pada tahun 1967. Pertanyaannya: apakah Soekarno yang plin-plan atau Soekarno di bawah tekanan asing? Jawabannya mesti dikaitkan dengan fakta bahwa setelah itu, Soekarno tersingkir dari pusaran ”kekuasaan”.

Sejarah pun berulang

Mengapa tidak terlebih dulu Soekarno disingkirkan, kemudian keluar beberapa UU bertarikh 1967 tadi dan ditandatangani Soeharto?

Rupanya pola yang sama terjadi pula kepada Soeharto. Sebelum dijatuhkan pada Mei 1998, Soeharto harus terlebih dulu menandatangani apa yang terkenal dengan nama letter of intents dalam pengawasan Michel Camdessus, bos IMF.

Setelah itu, pada masa Reformasi ini, sudahkah kita merdeka sebagai negara-bangsa? Dalam situs www.usaid.gov tersua kalimat ini: USAID helped draft new oil and gas policy legislation submitted to Parliament in October 2000.

Jadi, yang menyusun rancangan UU Migas adalah USAID. Seorang peserta diskusi Lingkar Muda Indonesia menceletuk, ”Jangan-jangan tanggapan Dewan pun sudah dibuatkan sekalian oleh lembaga itu.” Untunglah, pasal-pasal dalam UU Migas yang melanggar UUD kita sudah dibatalkan oleh Mahkamah Konstitusi.

Salomo Simanungkalit

POSITION SUMMARY:
o Serve as an evaluation expert for QED’s Health Practice
o Serve as QED’s HIV/AIDs technical resource
o Lead new business development by developing technical approaches and technical writing of Health Practice proposals
o Complete short-term technical assignments in the Health Practice under the USAID Global Health Technical Assistance IQC.

KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
o Work closely with the Director of Health to grow QED’s Health Practice, including contributing to the long term strategy ;
o Serve as QED’s point-of-contact for technical issues related to HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases (e.g. malaria, tuberculosis, etc.)
o Proactively seek out new business opportunities to grow QED’s health portfolio;
o Contribute to the development of technical approaches and methodologies for new business proposals; and take the lead, as needed, on the technical write-up of proposals;
o Assume the role of project director on new health projects;
o Conduct short term technical assignments under the USAID/GH Tech Project;
o Respond to ad hoc requests for technical input on projects in QED’s health portfolio;
o Publish in peer reviewed journals and/or present work/papers at conferences and meetings;
o International travel as required; and
o Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:
* Advanced degree (MPH, PhD, or related degree in health or social sciences, e.g., evaluation, demography, epidemiology, etc.) including training in quantitative methods;
* At least fifteen years professional work experience in international development as it relates to HIV/AIDS required;
* At least ten years experience with USAID and other donor funded health programs with particular emphasis on HIV/AIDS; experience with other infectious diseases an added plus;
* PEPFAR program experience is required; Global Fund program experience is highly desirable;
* Experience in project design, monitoring and evaluation methodologies required; experience leading teams to design and/or evaluate health programs is highly desirable;
* Expertise in evaluation survey design and methods required;
* Experience with sampling and quantitative data analysis using statistical software packages desirable;
* Experience with building evaluation capacity of host-country counterparts desirable;
* Business development experience required, including proposal writing, and new project identification;
* Comfortable with corporate representation at national/international fora;
* Africa experience required; Asia and Middle East experience is desirable;
* French language proficiency preferred and/or proficiency in at least one UN language required;
* Outstanding written and oral communications skills;
* Well-organized, attentive to detail, and able to seamlessly handle multiple tasks simultaneously;
* Work well independently and in teams; and
* Pro-active in anticipating work requirements and completing tasks in a fast paced environment.

Please submit your resume, with salary requirements, to recruiter@qedgroupllc.com with “Sr. Associate, Health Practice” in the subject line. No phone calls please. Only candidates who meet the requirements will be contacted for an interview.

EEO M/F/D/V

The QED Group, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

للصحفي عبد القادر مبارك صدر الكتاب الأول الذي عنونه بالمرأة السيناوية : تراث بدوي وواقع أسير ، الكتاب  صدر بدعم من الوكالة الأمريكية للتنمية بالقاهرة  USAID والناشر المنظمة العربية للاصلاح الجنائي .

ونحن اذ نهنيء الصديق عبد القادر مبارك علي مجهوداته الثقافية والاعلامية والسياسية في خدمة المجتمع السيناوي نعده بعمل أمسية رمضانية في مدينة الشيخ زويد حول هذا الاصدار يشارك فيها كل المهتمين بالتراث البدوي وتنمية المجتمع السيناوي ، مبارك للعبد القادر مبارك علي اصداره الأول وبالتوفيق

Gostei demais dessa idéia!

Espero que este blog possa refletir a aventura que foi viver os anos 60: a intensidade das intermináveis assembléias, onde aprendemos a encaminhar questões, palavras de ordem…

E as passeatas pelas ruas de Rio Claro city? Ah, as passeatas, onde protestávamos contra .. o que mesmo? Talvez tudo: educação conservadora, imperialismo americano, ditadura militar. Tenho na memória alguns bordões: Mais pão, menos canhão! Fora, MEC/USAID, Vagas para todos.

Muitíssimo jovens, fomos amadurecendo nesse clima efervescente, oras mais oras menos conscientes de que por trás da aparente “apenas rebeldia” da idade, provocamos e muito as estruturas e promovemos significativas interferências/mudanças nas questões educacionais.

Êita geração que marcou presença, não? E estreitou e alicerçou grandes amizades!

Três palavras marcaram meus anos 60: Coerência, Realidade e Ação, não necessariamente nessa ordem e necessária e exaustivamente questionadas em todas as suas dimensões e sentidos.

E, se não ponho ponto, a prosa num termina, pois lembro de Alfredo, Otto, Abílio, Raul (lembra “daquilo infiltrado” denominado Raul????) e tantos outros…

Valeu, colega!

Abraços,

Saudações “fafianas”,

Olguinha Salati

The Mirror, Vol. 12, No. 575

“Phnom Penh: The government of the United States of America and the Royal Government of Cambodia will sign two bilateral agreements at a total cost of US$34.3 million as donor funds for 2008, from the U. S. Agency for International Development [USAID] to promote priority sectors in Cambodia – health and education.

“The [signing] ceremony will be held on 25 August 2008 and will be presided over by Samdech Hun Sen, the Prime Minister of the Royal Government of Cambodia, Mr. Joseph Mussomeli, the US Ambassador to Cambodia, Mr. Hor Namhong, a Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Ms.
Erin Soto, USAID Mission Director, who will sign on behalf of the US government. These new funds will add to nearly US$200 million since USAID granted funds for the health and education sectors of Cambodia since 2002.

“An announcement by the US Embassy on 23 August 2008 said that the first agreement will be a grant of a total volume of US$32.2 million to strengthen the health sector as a priority. This fund will promote all activities aiming at the reduction rate of infections and of the impact of HIV/AIDS, and the prevention and the wiping out of big infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis and bird flu, in order to improve child and maternal health and reproductive health, and to strengthen the public heath system, also including the strengthening of additional technical skills for health staff.

“The second agreement will provide more than US$2 million in total to support plans of the Royal Government of Cambodia for the education sector. The funds will be used for the existing programs to improve the quality of education as the basis to increase access to schools for Cambodian children, as well as for children of minority peoples, and for those who do not get access to employment [disabled persons?], and also support the schooling of very poor children. This activity will also focus on the implementation of new study programs at the national level with educational standards which will cut down the rates of dropping out of school and of the repetition of classes through the enhancement of the quality of teaching and through assessments of the results of the students' studies.

“In addition to the activities in the health and education sectors, USAID assists also some programs for the benefit of all the Cambodian citizens, including programs to strengthen human rights, the rule of law, of basic good governance, and of decentralization, the fight against corruption, the development of the private sector, and the fight against human trafficking. USAID expects to grant US$57.5 million to Cambodia in 2008.” Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.16, #4676, 24-25.8.2008

Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Monday, 26 August 2008

Deum Tnot, Vol.1, #32, 25-26.8.2008

• Samdech Krom Preah Norodom Ranariddh, the Former President of the Third Term National Assembly and Co-President of the Council for the Development of Cambodia, Had [a huge number of] 59 Advisors and 66 Assistants

Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.7, #1728, 24-25.8.2008

• National Election Committee Rejects Opposition Party’s Request to Show Evidence [of irregularities for deleting voters’ names – NEC claims that the names were deleted a long time ago]
• Many Mountains in Pailin Seriously Destroyed [by powerful people's land grabbing]

Khmer Machas Srok, Vol.2, #229, 24-26.8.2008

• People Talking on Mobile Phones Were Killed by Lightning, because [Posts and Telecommunication Minister] So Khun Is Poor in Communication Technology [???]
• Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha Will Take Evidence to Complain to UN Together, in Early September [over irregularities in election]

Koh Santepheap, Vol.41, #6432, 25.8.2008

• Government Official [Minister of Information Khieu Kanharith] Accuses an American Newspaper [The Modesto Bee] of Insulting Cambodia [an article by Pulitzer Prize winner former journalist and now professor of journalism at Stanford University Joel Brinkley, quoting the Phnom Penh Post report and the US Ambassador about a fatal traffic accident and impunity: “The world leader in corruption is – Cambodia”]

Rasmei Angkor, Vol.11, #1351, 25.8.2008

• Robbers Shot at Gold Seller and Robbed Him of Nearly 300 Chi of Gold [worth approx. US$30,000]; the Gold Seller Is Wounded and a Neighbor, Who Tried to Help Him, Was Shot Dead [by robbers – Angkao, Phnom Penh]

Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.16, #4676, 24-25.8.2008

• United States of America Grants More Than US$34 Million for Heath and Education Projects in Cambodia
• Samdech Krom Preah [Prince Norodom Ranariddh] Decides Not to Enter Politics [according to Prince Thomico]
• Thai Opposition Group Announces to Hold a Large Demonstration to Expel the Government on 26 August 2008

Click here to have a look at the last editorial - some fundamental challenges into the future


Back to top

Russia to keep posts in Georgia

A senior Russian general says Moscow intends to maintain a military presence of more than 2,000 troops in Georgia.

Gen Anatoly Nogovitsyn said Russian forces would be stationed around the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the focus of recent conflict.

Correspondents on the ground say they have seen what appears to be a significant troop movement from Georgian positions to South Ossetia.

Georgia has said it will not accept any "annexation" of its land by Russia.

Russia's land forces commander earlier said that all Russian combat troops would be moved back from Georgia proper to South Ossetia by the weekend and that most of the soldiers sent to the region as reinforcements would return to Russia within 10 days.

Correspondent says he has witnessed hundreds of Russian armored vehicles, including tanks and armored personnel carriers, withdrawing from the town of Igoeti, about 35km (21 miles) from the Georgian capital, Tbilisi.

Our correspondent says buses of Georgian police are arriving to take control after Russian troops removed their road block and pulled out.

There are also reports of a pull-back from the Georgian flashpoint town of Gori to South Ossetia.

'Snail's pace'

At a briefing in Moscow, the deputy chief of the Russian military general staff, Gen Nogovitsyn, said the withdrawal of all combat troops was going according to plan.

"The troop pull-back has been started at a rate to make sure that the Russian troops be within the zone of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping contingent by the end of 22 August," he said.

"We are not going to correct this plan or increase the speed of withdrawal."

Gen Nogovitsyn said Russian troops were setting up checkpoints on the borders of South Ossetia and Abkhazia with Georgia.

The so-called zone of responsibility also includes Georgia's main airbase at Senaki, and cuts across Georgia's main east-west highway, which stretches from Tbilisi to the Black Sea.

Russian officials say the zone was established in principle in an agreement between Russia and Georgia which pre-dates this month's conflict, but was never put into force.

Georgian State Minister for Reintegration Temur Iakobashvili told Reuters that such a zone was "a violation of any agreement".

PEACE PLAN No more use of force Stop all military actions for good Free access to humanitarian aid Georgian troops return to their places of permanent deployment Russian troops to return to pre-conflict positions International talks about security in South Ossetia and Abkhazia

Russia's four-day war with Georgia began after Tbilisi tried to retake the Moscow-backed breakaway province of South Ossetia on 7 August, following days of clashes with separatists.

The fighting ended with an EU-brokered ceasefire deal, and a promise by Moscow to pull back its forces by 22 August.

But the commander of US forces in Europe, Gen John Craddock, said Russia was taking too long to pull back, saying "if they are moving, it is at a snail's pace".

The first of the Russian Black Sea Fleet warships, which have been deployed off the west coast of Georgia's province of Abkhazia, has returned to its base at Sevastopol in Ukraine.

Ukraine's President Viktor Yushchenko criticised Russia's use of ships from the base leased to Moscow, saying there was a danger of his country being passively drawn into an international conflict against its will. Protesters reportedly greeted the ship's return on Friday.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres, has arrived in the capital of South Ossetia, Tskhinvali, to assess the humanitarian situation there.

Thousands of civilians are reported to be in urgent need of relief supplies.

The UN estimates that nearly 160,000 people have been displaced across the whole of Georgia since the conflict began.

The Georgian government is seeking $1-2bn (£0.5-1bn) in aid to repair and develop infrastructure following the conflict with Russia, the head of the US government aid agency, USAid, said. The World Bank has also announced that it is sending a team of experts to the country to assess its reconstruction needs.

'War with Nato'

Diplomatic efforts at the UN have reached deadlock over rival resolutions on the crisis from France and Russia.

Thousands of civilians are reported to be in urgent need of relief supplies

Russia has reiterated its opposition to a rival French text, which reaffirms Georgia's territorial integrity.

Georgia's President Mikhail Saakashvili told the BBC he would never accept what he called Russia's "annexation of its territory".

He warned that Russia's involvement in South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Georgia were intended to send a strong message to the West.

"If Nato fails now to come up with a united response, nobody's safe, even if they are in Nato already," he said.

"It's all about reconsidering the role of Nato, the role of international law and borders in this part of the world. This is no longer about Georgia anymore.

"Russia decided to win war with Nato without firing a single shot at it."

A Nato spokeswoman says Russia's defence ministry has decided to halt all military co-operation with the bloc to protest at what Moscow calls the alliance's biased, pro-Georgian view of the conflict.

The move by Moscow followed a Nato statement that there would be no "business as usual" with Moscow unless its troops pulled out of Georgia.

Terwujudnya pengembangan desa siaga itu, tak lepas dari bantuan teknis yang diberikan Health Services Program (HSP) Usaid. Program-program yang diberikan tim HSP mampu meningkatkan pengetahuan tim kesehatan desa. Meliputi pelatihan fasilitatator desa siaga, pendampingan tim kesehatan desa untuk program P4K, penguatan tim kesehatan desa dengan seed fund, pelatihan fasilitator cuci tangan pakai.

“Kabupaten Malang terpilih oleh HSP Usaid yang berkonsentrasi menurunkan angka kematian dan kesakitan ibu dan bayi baru lahir. Khusus untuk desa siaga ada 12 yang tersebar di 4 Kecamatan,” ungkap Kepala Dinkes Kab. Malang dr. Agus Wahyu Arifin kepada Malang Post.

12 desa siaga tersebut tersebar di Kecamatan Turen (3 desa), Gondanglegi (3 desa), Kalipare (3 desa), Jabung (1 desa) dan Kepanjen (2 desa). Agus mengatakan 12 desa siaga itu akan dipacu melalui empat kriteria, siaga bina, siaga timbuh, siaga kembang dan siaga paripurna.

“Dari 12 baru dua desa yang menjadi desa siaga paripurna, target kita setiap Puskesmas di kabupaten Malang mampu mempunyai satu desa siaga,” ujarnya.

Sementara itu, keberhasilan program desa siaga paripurna di Twangrejeni terlihat dari bertambahnya fasilitas kesehatan. Hanya saja karena dibantu HSP Usaid, fasilitas yang menonjol berkisar pada kesehatan para ibu hamil. Keberhasilan itu tercatat dalam enam program, pencatatan ibu hamil dengan program stiker di rumah-rumah, bank darah desa, bantuan ibu hamil yang terkumpul Rp 4.124.000 (dasolin) dan Rp 500 ribu (tabulin) serta penyiapan 30 kendaraan sebagai sarana transportasi kesehatan.

“Prestasi ini harus dipertahakan dan digethok tularkan ke desa yang lain,” komentar Bupati Malang Sujud Pribadi saat mengevaluasi program itu di SD II Tawangrejeni.(ary/eno) (bagus ary/malangpost)

Program ini memfokuskan perhatian pada keluarga miskin dan retan. Setelah tiga tahun eksis di Kabupaten Malang, pada 21 dan 22 Agustus 2008 akan dilakukan evaluasi pelaksanaan program HSP - USAID di Kabupaten Malang.
Menurut Bupati Sujud Pribadi, HSP merupakan program pembawa bendera Basic Human Services di Indonesia. Sedangkan pendanaan dan dukungan dari The United State Agency for International Development (USAID).

“USAID memberikan bantuan kepada Indonesia melalui kemitraan terpadu dalam program kesehatan makanan dan gizi, air dan lingkungan,”ucap Bupati Sujud usai pertemuan dengan tim HSP-USAID akhir pekan lalu di pringgitan pendopo Kabupaten Malang.

Kegiatan yang sudah dilakukan bekerjasama dengan Dinas Kesehatan Kab. Malang antara lain bagaimana masyarakat mampu secara swadaya dan berperan serta dalam melakukan penurunan angka kematian ibu dan bayi yang baru lahir melalui program P4K (Program Perencanaan Persalinan dan Pencegahan Komplikasi).

Selain itu juga memberikan bantuan teknis kepada Dinas Kesehatan Kab. Malang membuat perencanaan dibidang kegiatan ibu, bayi baru lahir dan anak melalui work shop. Hasil dari work shop tersebut akan diadvokasikan ke DPRD untuk melahirkan Perda APBD dan Perda Kesehatan ibu, bayi baru lahir dan anak. Bupati sangat mendukung program ini, karena tidak menjadikan masyarakat sebagai objek tetapi subjek. Dengan menjadikan mereka subjek atau pelaku akan menimbulkan rasa memiliki atau sense of belonging program tersebut. Bantuan yang diberikan dari USAID bukan berupa dana melainkan bantuan teknis yang diharapkan nantinya akan berkelanjutan.(*/eno/malangpost)

Mobility International USA (MIUSA), a national nonprofit organization founded in 1981 and based in Eugene, Oregon, promotes the human rights of people with disabilities through international exchange and international development. MIUSA seeks a qualified Project Manager with excellent international development, leadership, interpersonal, project management, writing and training skills to manage the USAID-sponsored Building an Inclusive Development Community project. This position reports to the Director of Programs and is the lead position for a team
of staff working on this project. The position is based in Eugene, Oregon USA.

Since 1998, MIUSA has been changing the paradigm of international development by framing the inclusion of people with disabilities as a human rights issue. With funding from the US Agency for International Development (USAID), MIUSA serves as a bridge to promote inclusion and bring together disability and development organizations. MIUSA provides technical assistance, training and resources to disabled peoples' organizations (DPOs), USAID Missions and development agencies through the Building an Inclusive Development Community project.

Qualifications:
* BS or BA degree required; Master's degree strongly preferred in international development, international studies or related field
* Minimum two years field-based experience in international development, inclusion of people with disabilities in international development, or related fields, using a human rights framework and/or gender lens
* Five years experience managing complex projects with diverse stakeholders
* Experience managing federal grants and projects
* Experience managing project budgets and following financial procedures
* Excellent presentation and training skills
* Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Office, online research and data tracking
* Excellent writing, editing, and organizational skills
* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
* Ability to multi-task in a fast paced environment
* Optimistic outlook with the ability to lead by example during difficult or stressful times
* Knowledge of one or more languages other than English strongly preferred
* Ability to travel nationally and internationally
* Passion for empowering people with disabilities in international contexts

For more information regarding the application go to: www.miusa.org

To apply:

Applications are due by September 5, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. for initial consideration and screening. Position open until filled.

Competitive salary commensurate with experience including excellent benefits. Equal Opportunity Employer. People with disabilities and others encouraged to apply.

Send detailed cover letter with "Project Manager" in the subject line, resume and list of references via email to crothvinson@miusa.org.

Or, via postal mail to:

Mobility International USA
*ATTN: CERISE ROTH-VINSON*
Director of Administration
132 E. Broadway, Suite 343
Eugene, Oregon USA 97401



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At 3pm on July 22, 2006, Amanullah sent his ten-year old son to get a much-needed haircut. As usual, the father and son had been working since the morning selling ice-cream from their cart. This day, however, changed that routine forever. As his son reached the hairdressers, a suicide bomber exploded a car-full of explosives that were directed at a convoy of Canadian troops. Eight civilians, including Amanullah’s son, were killed.

Amanullah immediately ran over to help his son. A second suicide bomb then exploded and shrapnel became embedded in Amanullah’s feet, legs and arms. Since that day, Amanullah has found it almost impossible to support his family of six women and small children. He no longer has an assistant to help him with the ice-cream cart and his injuries make it difficult for him to undertake the hard physical labor required to make and sell ice-cream.

Amanullah borrowed money from his relatives to support his family and to pay for hospital bills and was in despair about his future. ACAP, however, heard about his situation and contacted him to offer assistance. “This help was a miracle,” he told me. After interviewing Amanullah about his skills and employment options, ACAP agreed to fulfill his request for a cow. “I asked for a cow,” he said, “because I can keep it and feed it and we will sell the milky products of the cow and get money for our daily needs.” ACAP is also providing stationary to two of Amanullah’s children who are attending primary school.

The Guardian has a great article titled: Indonesia: Aceh villagers face homelessness again - in name of tsunami aid from US government where they detail the destruction of homes that were erected by charities after the 2004 tsunami in order to make way for a new USAID funded road project from Banda Aceh to Meulaboh.

Months after new quake-proof homes on stilts were built, almost half could be torn down to make way for a coastal highway billed as the US government's signature project for tsunami reconstruction.

We were in Indonesia about a year ago and I remember driving along this same road and observing as literally half a house was torn down to afford the necessary set back that the new road required.  The mortar on the bricks hadn't even dried and they were already dismantling the structures.

[googlemaps http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&t=h&s=AARTsJp_recf93rzeM96Vd1dgm_EUWFyeQ&msa=0&msid=113883642294925316276.000454875149a4f735fe3&ll=4.893941,95.976563&spn=3.830488,4.669189&z=7&output=embed&w=425&h=350]

It is hard to point fingers as the unbelievable sums of money that were made available for tsunami reconstruction actually seemed to make the job of rebuilding more difficult than easier.  I heard numerous complaints from aid workers that they just had too much money and nowhere to spend it.  I am not sure it was a failure of the system rather than a surplus of funding.  We observed rows and rows of houses that were totally abandoned and were told that there was so much housing available that some families had 3rd and 4th homes and they were renting out the spaces they were not living in.

Read on...

]]> http://civicfieldreports.wordpress.com/?p=179 Fri, 15 Aug 2008 18:44:39 +0000 warvictims http://civicfieldreports.wordpress.com/?p=179 Posted By: Rebecca W., working with CIVIC's Erica in Afghanistan

Around 8am on February 27, 2007, Mohammad was driving to the Pakistan Embassy in Kandahar city to collect his visa. He traveled regularly to Pakistan to buy parts for his successful car business. On the road ahead, an ISAF armored vehicle had broken down. Mohammad failed to pull over, despite requests from ISAF soldiers that he should stop his car. The ISAF soldiers responded with lethal gunfire leaving Mohammad’s mother, wife and four small children without a son, husband, father, and provider.

Today, I interviewed Mohammad’s brother-in-law, Bilal, who has been supporting Mohammad’s family since February 2007. He told me how his sister had previously had a good life; her husband was a successful businessman and she had everything she needed. Now, Bilal told me, “if you take her two apples, she is excited. When she sees other families, with husbands and children happy together, she starts crying.”

ACAP was the only international or national organization to offer Bilal assistance. ACAP developed a business plan and provided money to the widow who agreed to invest the cash into her brother’s motorcycle shop. This money will be used to buy spare parts and any profit made from selling these items will generate income for the widow and her family. The widow’s brother told me that, without this assistance, the family would have been left feeling desperate and frustrated. ACAP’s help “showed that the international community cared and helped us see that the harm was not intentional.” Before receiving the ACAP assistance, Mohammad’s widow would spend all her time worrying about the family’s next meal. Now she is able to focus on the future and on the education of her young children.

This is the fiscal year (FY) 2007 Report to Congress from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) about obligations made during the year in drinking water supply projects and related activities. The figures presented in this report are based upon actual obligations reported by USAID Operating Units around the world. The report also briefly summarizes associated supporting water management programs that help ensure water security and sustainability with equity. These include water resources management, water productivity, and water-related disaster risk reduction.

During FY 2007, USAID provided access to improved water supply to more than two million additional people. Another two million additional people were provided with access to improved sanitation. The Agency’s investments in “drinking water supply projects and related activities” reflect the urgent need to provide safe and affordable domestic water supply that is effectively integrated into overall water resources management.

In FY 2007, USAID exceeded both the worldwide ($200 million) and the Africa ($50 million) Congressional directives, obligating $213 million worldwide for drinking water supply projects and related activities, and obligating almost $104 million for drinking water activities in Africa. This $213 million for FY 2007 represents an increase from the $203 million in FY 2006.

Table of Contents

1. Section 1-A: Introduction and Summary
2. Section 1-B: 2007 Congressional and Agency Background
3. Section 1-C: Overview
4. Section 2-A: “Drinking Water Supply Projects and Related Activities” FY 2007 Obligations
5. Section 2-B: Regional Distribution of FY 2007 Actual Obligations for “Drinking Water Supply Projects and Related Activities” and Results
6. Section 2-C: Programming Trends from FY 2005 and FY 2006 to FY 2007
7. Section 2-D: Drinking Water Supply, Sanitation, Hygiene, and Wastewater Activities
8. Section 3: Water Resources Management Activities
9. Section 4: Water Productivity Activities
10. Section 5: Disaster Risk Reduction Activities
11. Section 6: Overall USAID Water Sector Funding Trends: Water Supply and Sanitation...
12. Section 7: Summary Regional Distribution and Water-related Activity
Distribution of 2007 Estimated Actual Water Obligations
13. Section 8: Appendix

A regional judicial system which uses its own code of laws and methods of enforcement has been initiated in the Caribbean with the implementation of the Caricom’s Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) and its communication arm, the Joint Regional Communication Centre (JRCC), which is prided for its access to Interpol databases.
According to a Caribbean Community (Caricom) website, “The multi layered security platform that was implemented by the Caribbean to host [2007 Cricket World Cup] CWC, saw the establishment of the JRCC. This centre utilised a number of watch lists, including Interpol’s ( ...) database to check every passenger arriving in the Region or traveling throughout the region by air and sea. Caricom Heads of Government have already agreed that the JRCC, which is headquartered in Barbados, will remain as a permanent structure. The other agency to remain is the Regional Intelligence Fusion Centre (RIFC).”
However, the “security platform” had its roots in a data sheet from the year 2000 which was issued by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), called “Rule of Law.” The project was funded in that year at approximately a half million in aid to improve “the efficiency and fairness of the legal systems throughout the Caribbean.”
The USAID data sheet lists the program to have met its aims, part of which appears to be a decrease in national sovereignty. “Cases that formerly had to be decided in the formal court system are now being referred by judges for mediation,” the sheet says.
For the future, “Laws will be developed to support free trade and competition, curb international crime, and protect human rights,” claimed USAID. Since 2000, when the report was written, the region has seen a dramatic increase in crime; a crippling increase in free trade, which has translated into food importation and a subsequent loss of food sovereignty; and increasing human rights issues stemming directly from the new security measures.
Ultimately, and perhaps underhandedly, the Caricom-hosted Cricket World Cup was the vehicle used to push through more stringent customs and immigrations policies in the region. Caricom was subsequently able to boast “the first region in the world to integrate a national and regional border control structure with Interpol’s global database.”
After May 2007, when the temporary Caricom special visa requirements ended, travelers were told that procedures had gone back to normal. But very little has gone back to normal; security measures have become yet more stringent, and any guidelines to help travelers comply have gone underground.
As part of heightened security in the area, the JRCC uses not only the Interpol database of terrorists to screen travelers, but also Caricom nations’ lists of “individuals of concern” for a more involved screening process.
Why all this is necessary seems to be a mystery, but the results are clear. People are being denied entry into Caricom nations without any delivery of explanation of suspicion, or offered proof. Others have been detained, then repatriated “without the cumbersome process of extradition” to their countries of origin under the Caricom Arrest Warrant Treaty, which predictably denies the detainee access to the “formal court system” mentioned above.
Free Movement of People.
According to Guyanese President Bharrat Jagdeo, these regulations have not assisted the “free movement of people,” which is one of Caricom’s goals and the stated reason for so many alien procedures. In practice, however, it has become increasingly burdensome to travel inside and into the region.
Guyana’s Government Information Agency reported the stance of President Jagdeo that although “it was in recognition of this [free movement of people] that we decided to fast track arrangements for the unrestricted movements of our people throughout the region,” President Jagdeo noted that the very opposite is happening and people have not been able to enjoy “one of the basic rights of hassle free travel.”
Public Humiliation.
Guyana’s head of state also stated, “What I find most disturbing is not the issue of the denial of entry of CARICOM citizens at the various ports of entry in the community but, the humiliation suffered at the hands of some of the immigration officers at these ports.”
GINA continued by saying, “A number of Guyanese have complained about the treatment they received at the hands of immigration authorities in Barbados. Though these complaints have declined, they have begun to emerge from Guyanese attempting to enter Trinidad and Tobago [TT] with a group of Guyanese recently complaining about the treatment they received when they attempted to enter TT for employment purposes.”
Local authorities have also been publicly humiliated by the policing body in place for the CWC which consisted of international and regional officers. Deputy Prime Minister of Barbados and Head of the Caricom Ad Hoc Committee on Security and Other Related Matters for Cricket World Cup 2007, Mia Mottley, complained about the open frisking of Barbados Police officers by CWC officers during the games. She stated in a Caricom press release that “there had been prolonged discussions between CARICOM member states and CWC officials long before the commencement of the tournament in respect to this issue. These discussions had clarified the role and responsibility of the national police forces in relation to enforcement of law and order and the primacy of the police in respect to national security within any host country, over and above the role of CWC officials or private security. The Deputy Prime Minister stated that the authority of the police was a fundamental element of national law that could not be ignored. She added that there will be dialogue with CWC officials to ensure that such action will not be repeated.”
It is not clear why CWC officials had the authority to ignore Deputy PM Mottley’s initial requests.
The Associated Press reported on the new “Rule of Law Index,” which came out on July 3 at the World Justice Forum in Vienna. The Index is “aimed at helping the United States and others countries pursue more fair policies in the pursuit of terrorists.”
Jurist, reporting on the same Forum, stated, “Developing a more quantitatively-oriented assessment tool was deemed important because dictators often use the language of democracy to legitimize their actions. In its World Report 2008, Human Rights Watch criticized established democracies for not doing enough to expose dubious democratic claims by authoritarian regimes.”

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The carpenters paid for their hospital treatment by selling their cars and furniture and by relying heavily on the assistance of family members and friends. They now have debts that make it very difficult to survive. The men finally received some assistance when ACAP approached them in January 2007. ACAP agreed to provide them with funding for their carpentry business, tailoring training for their family members, stationary for their children and additional medical treatment.

I met these men on the day that they were collecting the ACAP assistance. I asked them what the aid meant to them. Mohammad summed up the sentiments felt by all the men: “We are hoping to make an income with the assistance we get. Nowadays, if you get a piece of bread from someone, you are happy. So this aid is very important. It will help to expand my supplies and to expand business. It will bring positive effects to my family. With this business, we can pay off the loans that we owe to people.”

The incorporated and unincorporated third sector organizations have not been brought within the tax network of the government. However, to get tax exempt status, they must apply to the National Board of Revenue under specific provisions of the Income Tax Act. With more and more big NGOs getting into commercial activities, the Chamber of Commerce and trade organizations have raised concerns about nonprofit organization’s tax exempt status. Paid workers of the third sector organizations are not exempt from paying income tax and if their employers pay income tax on behalf of the employees, as is done for government employees, specific rules must be followed. The NGO sales outlets are supposed to pay VAT and must have VAT registration. This is however not common, except for some big organizations. Donations to NGO, social and community organizations by individuals or business houses are not tax deductible unless the receiving organization has tax exemption from the National Board of Revenue.

In the recent past (May 2005), only one non-profit organization, Dhaka Ahsania Mission has been allowed tax exemption status by the National Board of Revenue (NBR).

Organizations registered with the NGO Affairs Bureau can receive foreign funding, and for every case, require to get approval from the government.

References: Finance Bills (Various Years)

References: Income Tax Act (Various Years)

There is always the case for qualified tax exemption for genuine NGOs but the responsibility of tax exemption and the determination of the true state of their non-governmentality and non-profitability lies on the government. Organizations that try to dodge the government to evade taxation deserve to be outlawed and punished. (see # 30 & 31 in my manifesto for more on this). All individuals and organizations must file for taxes whether or not they receive tax exemption that will be determined by the government. The government needs a modern and computerized tax accounting department to correctly assess taxation. Tax filing must be made paperless and people-friendly through online filing options for taxation. This is something that I plan to do as a Mayor of Dhaka if I am elected. If I am elected, I will put all information on taxation online, including how we spend the taxes paid by the people of Dhaka. This way the people of Dhaka will know upfront where their tax money is going and what it is being spent after. Total online transparency, including the names of individuals and companies that evaded taxation or defaulted on tax payments will be published online to ensure total transparency. We will also publish online, the names, addresses, credit standings and environmental performance ratings of all contractors who signed any contract with the City of Dhaka or have been a defaulter with the City of Dhaka. This is to make sure that there are no corrupt or dishonest contractors on the job for the City of Dhaka. The people of Dhaka as the taxpayers of Dhaka will be in total control of their public finances.

Abed is a classic example of a tax dodger, an accountant who has since founded BRAC Bank which is not a non-profit and not a non-banking-finance company. The BRAC University educates the children of rich elites of Gulshan (who can only afford it) and employs retired Civil Servants and CSP officers as highly paid employees who serve to promote the vested NGO interests of the BRAC in the community of the social and political elites of Bangladesh that are out of touch with the people. The kind of tax fraud that are being committed by NGO heads like Abed are commonly known in the legal lexicon as white-collar crimes for which they deserve to receive long jail sentences if the people of Bangladesh are to be protected from tax fraud.

The disturbing picture of a "freedom industry" emerges, with crime (on the part of the political parties) as the base of the pyramid and the donors as the apex. The total silence of the NGOs on the subject of student politicians killing each other over turf can be explained in terms of their eagerness to please donors: the students are an integral part of the democratic process. If these boys did not take to the streets (hartal), the parties would not rotate in power. This is disingenuous. As we have seen, civil society played no part in the struggle for democracy: foreign donors brought about democracy in Bangladesh, as in so many other parts of the world. NGOs were perfectly happy to work under General Zia and General Ershad. In Bangladesh, civil society acts only when it pays to act – and is paid - to act. The donor community has achieved the legitimization of violence, and the anaesthetization of conscience.

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Zalmai was a taxi driver and the main earner for his family. His income supported ten family members, including an older brother who was shot by the Russians and is paralyzed down the right side of his body. Now the family, which includes four children under the age of three, is finding it extremely difficult to survive. They receive wheat and vegetables from relatives and depend on their neighbors’ generosity.

Things began to look a little more optimistic for Ahmed when one of his relatives told him about the USAID-funded ACAP program. “Finally,” he told me, “I began to feel that there might be hope.” ACAP has agreed to buy the family a cow. “With the cow, we can manufacture milk, yogurt and we will sell this in the bazaar and get income.” As he told me this, a smile finally appeared on his face. Ahmed is still clearly grieving for his son, but now at least he can continue building a future for his family.