Monday, July 11, 2011

South Sudan

South Sudan, officially The Republic of South Sudan, is a country in East Africa. Its capital and largest city is Juba, located in the southern state of Central Equatoria. The landlocked country is bordered by Ethiopia to the east; Kenya to the southeast; Uganda to the south; the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the southwest; and the Central African Republic to the west; and the Republic of Sudan to the north. South Sudan includes the vast swamp region of the Sudd formed by the White Nile, locally called the Bahr al Jabal.

What is now South Sudan was part of the British and Egyptian condominium of Anglo-Egyptian Sudan and became part of the Republic of Sudan when independence was achieved in 1956. Following the First Sudanese Civil War, the Southern Sudan Autonomous Region was formed in 1972 and lasted until 1983. A second Sudanese civil war soon developed and ended with the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2005. Later that year, southern autonomy was restored when an Autonomous Government of Southern Sudan was formed. South Sudan became an independent state on 9 July 2011 at midnight (00:00) local time following a referendum held in January 2011 in which nearly 99% of voters opted for separation from the rest of Sudan.

South Sudan has applied to join the Commonwealth of Nations, the East African Community, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank. The country was declared eligible to apply for membership in the Arab League as well. The United Nations Security Council plans to meet on 13 July 2011 to formally discuss membership for the Republic of South Sudan; and shortly thereafter, it is widely expected that the General Assembly will vote on a resolution to accept the new nation as the 193rd member state of the United Nations.

History
There is little documentation of the history of the South Sudan until the beginning of Egyptian rule in Sudan in the early 1820s and the subsequent extension of this rule into the south. Information before that time is based largely on oral history. According to these traditions, the Nilotic peoples—the Dinka, Nuer, Shilluk, and others—first entered South Sudan sometime before the 10th century. During the period from the 15th century to the 19th century, tribal migrations, largely from the area of Bahr el Ghazal, brought these peoples to their modern locations. The non-Nilotic Azande people, who entered South Sudan in the 16th century, established the region's largest state. The Azande are the third largest nationality in South Sudan. They are found in the Maridi, Yambio, and Tambura districts in the tropical rainforest belt of Western Equatoria and Western Bahr el Ghazal. In the 18th century, the Avungara people entered and quickly imposed their authority over the Azande. Avungara power remained largely unchallenged until the arrival of the British at the end of the 19th century. Geographical barriers prevented the spread of Islam to the southerners thus enabling them to retain their social and cultural heritage as well as their political and religious institutions.


John Garang de Mabior led the Sudan People's Liberation Army until his death in 2005 The Azande have had difficult relations with the neighbours, namely the Moro, Mundu, Pöjulu, and the small groups in Bahr el Ghazal, due to the expansionist policy of their King, Gbudwe, in the 18th century. The Azande fought the French and the Belgians, the Mahdist to maintain their independence. Egypt, under the rule of Khedive Isma'il Pasha, first attempted to colonise the region in the 1870s, establishing the province of Equatoria in the southern portion. Egypt's first governor was Samuel Baker, commissioned in 1869, followed by Charles George Gordon in 1874 and by Emin Pasha in 1878. The Mahdist Revolt of the 1880s destabilised the nascent province, and Equatoria ceased to exist as an Egyptian outpost in 1889. Important settlements in Equatoria included Lado, Gondokoro, Dufile and Wadelai. In 1947, British hopes to join South Sudan with Uganda were dashed by the Juba Conference, to unify North and South Sudan.

It is estimated that South Sudan region has a population of 8 million, but given the lack of a census in several decades, this estimate may be severely distorted. The economy is predominantly rural and relies chiefly on subsistence farming. In the middle of the 2000s, the economy began a transition from this rural dominance and urban areas within South Sudan have seen extensive development. The region has been negatively affected by two civil wars since Sudanese independence – the Sudanese government fought the Anyanya rebel army from 1955 to 1972 in the First Sudanese Civil War and then the Sudan People's Liberation Army/Movement (SPLA/M) in the Second Sudanese Civil War for almost twenty-one years after the founding of SPLA/M in 1983 – resulting in serious neglect, lack of infrastructural development, and major destruction and displacement. More than 2.5 million people have been killed, and more than 5 million have become externally displaced while others have been internally displaced, becoming refugees as a result of the civil war and war-related impacts.

A referendum was held from 9 to 15 January 2011 to determine if South Sudan should declare its independence from Sudan, with 98.83% of the population voting for independence. (The results for that referendum were released on 30 January 2011.) Those living in the north and expatriates living overseas also voted. This led to a formal independence on 9 July, although certain disputes still remain such as sharing of the oil revenues as an estimated 80% of the oil in the nation is secured from South Sudan, which would represent amazing economic potential for one of the world's most deprived areas. The region of Abyei still remains disputed and a separate referendum will be held in Abyei on whether they want to join North or South Sudan. The South Kordofan conflict broke out in June 2011 between the Army of Sudan and SPLA over the Nuba Mountains.

South Sudan is at war with at least seven armed groups with tens of thousands displaced. In the SPLA's attempt to disarm rebellions, they have burned scores of villages, raped hundreds of women and girls and killed an untold number of civilians.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Aviation Week : Israel, U.S. Strike F-35 Technology Deal



Coutesy: http://www.aviationweek.com
Jul 1, 2011
By Alon Ben-David, Amy Butler, Robert Wall
Le Bourget, Le Bourget, Le Bourget


A major obstacle blocking Israel’s purchase of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter has been cleared, perhaps signaling that the U.S. is relaxing its hard-line approach to exporting JSF technologies that may be crucial to securing additional foreign sales.

The U.S. has been cautious about sharing sensitive technologies for the stealth fighter, but existing program partners and international competitions—­such as in Japan—are increasing pressure on it to do so. The breakthrough comes as more international JSF partners near buying decisions. However, the added numbers will likely have only little impact on the debate about the F-35 unit cost, since initial procurement numbers for non-U.S. buyers are relatively small compared to the Pentagon’s purchases.

By far the most contentious fight over F-35 technology has centered on Israel, which wants to adapt the aircraft to use indigenously developed electronic warfare (EW) equipment. After strongly resisting this for some time, Washington now has agreed to allow Israeli F-35s to be rewired so that Israeli EW systems can be installed on the aircraft. That would allow Israel to gradually add indigenous EW sensors and countermeasures on its fighters once it receives its first squadron.

With that deal in hand, officials for both the Israeli air force and Lockheed Martin expect the $2.7 billion contract for the procurement of 19 or 20 F-35As will be signed by early next year.

“I believe that Israel could receive its first F-35s in late 2016,” Tom Burbage, Lockheed Martin’s general manager of the F-35 program, tells Aviation Week. A senior Israeli air force official, who until recently was concerned about delays in the program, says the schedule agreed upon is “very satisfactory.”

The Israeli air force initially presented a long list of unique and costly requirements for the JSF, but it has accepted that its first F-35s will be almost identical to those of the U.S. Air Force, with only Israeli command, control, computers, communications and intelligence (C4I) systems installed in them. The plans to add Israeli EW systems, air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions as well as an external fuel tank, were approved in principle but will be deferred in order to protect the budgetary framework and delivery schedule.

Until recently, Israel insisted that only its own EW systems would be suitable to meet the developing anti-aircraft threat in the region, such as the deployment of SA-17 and SA-22 air defense systems in Syria. But now, claims the Israeli air force official, “the F-35s we will receive will be more than ready to meet those threats.”

According to the program schedule, Israeli F-35s will be manufactured within the seventh and eighth low-rate initial production (LRIP) lot. The LRIP 5 cost is being negotiated by the Pentagon and Lockheed Martin. “Israel could still be the first international customer to receive the JSF,” says Burbage.

One issue that remains to be settled between the two countries is when Israeli air force crews will begin training on the F-35s and on whose platforms. Burbage says training could commence in 2016, but it is for the Pentagon to decide which aircraft will be made available for Israeli training.

Facing a series of tectonic shifts in the region, some perceived as threatening, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are drafting a new work plan for 2013-17. The underlying assumption of the plan is that the dramatic changes in the Middle East could turn peaceful neighbors to the country’s south, such as Egypt, and to the east, such as Jordan, more hostile to Israel. The IDF consequently aim to build a larger, more flexible force that will be capable of dealing with more than the traditional northern front of Syria and Lebanon. The Israeli air force claims to be the only service with that flexibility, and it calls for accelerating the plan to procure 75 F-35s by 2030.

In the coming years, the air force will begin decommissioning dozens of its aging fighters, such as F-16A/Bs and F-15A/Bs, and with only 20 new F-35s, its fighter fleet will reach its lowest point ever.

However, there is strong competition for funding. Israeli ground commanders argue that because of the potential threat that the giant and modern Egyptian army would be turned against Israel, it is necessary to establish an additional mechanized division, equipped with Merkava tanks and the new Namer armored personnel carrier. The production of the Merkava-based Namer was moved to General Dynamics Land Systems in the U.S. in order to enable Israel to procure them using U.S. military aid funding, the same funding source used to acquire the F-35s.

Still unclear is whether the U.S.-Israeli deal means Washington is recognizing that it needs to be more pragmatic in terms of JSF technology controls to secure international deals. Program officials do note that any foreign buyer will have the same level of stealth with which the U.S. will operate.

A key test of how much the technology transfer approach has changed will come in Japan, which recently issued a request for proposals for new fighters. Japan has specified a high degree of technology transfer and work on the program, with an expressed interest in a domestic assembly line. U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. C.D. Moore, deputy director of the JSF program, says the government is working closely with Lockheed Martin and engine provider Pratt & Whitney to put together an attractive deal. However, he also points out that Japan has ranked capabilities as the most important source selection criteria, even ahead of industrial participation and life-cycle cost.

Australia and Italy are expected to be among the next countries ready to commit to buying JSFs, likely placing their first contracts as part of next year’s LRIP 6 package. Turkey is expected to come soon after. Although the Norwegian government recently put forward a proposal to buy the first four F-35s of its larger procurement, the actual contract for that deal may not be signed for another three years.

Meanwhile, Denmark is planning a fighter competition and is expected to make a choice quickly. Pending elections in Copenhagen could even see an acceleration of the competitive time line. The F-35 would face stiff competition from the Boeing F/A-18E/F, Saab Gripen and Eurofighter Typhoon.

Photo Credit: U.S. Air Force

Arab News : Expatriate tenants feel the heat of rent hikes

By FATIMA NAVEED ARAB NEWS
Published: Jul 3, 2011 21:47 Updated: Jul 3, 2011 21:47

JEDDAH: Expatriates across the Kingdom are suffering due to the steep increase in rent prices, leaving them feeling the pinch.

A large number of tenants said they are suffering at the hands of merciless landlords who increase prices according to their moods. They added that landlords’ pockets have become bottomless wells and they are driven by greed.

Pleas to authorities to pass a law to regulate price increases have fallen on deaf ears.

Currently, there is no clear law regulating hikes in rent. In Dubai, landlords cannot increase rents by more than 5 percent annually.

An interesting trend has also started to occur where landlords are buying villas, demolishing them and constructing new buildings there. They say there is more profit in leasing out apartments due to the lack of laws.

An opinion echoing among all expatriates is that landlords are only increasing prices because everyone else is doing the same.

They said not only are the rent hikes unreasonable, the landlords have adopted a “pay up or leave” policy as they know due to the shortage of houses other desperate tenants will pay up.

Suisse Group AG estimates that the Kingdom will need 2 million homes by 2014 to keep up with the demands of a population that has quadrupled over 40 years.

Expatriates who can afford rising rent prices said they have trouble finding suitable accommodation and often end up settling for something that is not only expensive, but also in poor condition.

They added that the rent increase is not in line with any pay rises they receive, putting a huge burden on them. “Nowadays, a four or five bedroom apartment is being leased at SR20,000 plus. I had to change my apartment because the landlord increased the price from SR15,000 to SR19,000,” said business development executive F. Ali, who lives in Jeddah’s Al-Faisliyah district.

“Another major problem with the rent increase is that landlords are not offering any incentives. The buildings are old and have very little or no maintenance. The price increases are being used to fill the landlord’s pockets and nothing is being done to maintain the building, so residents are losing either way,” said Ali.

L. Ansari, an expatriate doctor who lives in Alkhobar, considers a hike in rent a big issue. Being a father of three, he is especially frustrated due to the rise in school fees.

Ansari also mentioned that in Alkhobar the rent of a two bedroom apartment is at least SR20,000, making it difficult to find an affordable, decent-sized home. To cope with the rising prices, Ansari and his wife are both working.

R. Bhatti, who lives with his wife and two children in Riyadh and is employed in the private sector, is also facing a difficult time in his life due to the rent hikes.

Their rent increased from SR24,000 to SR25,000, an increase that was enough to force them to move to a smaller apartment in the same building.

The new two-bedroom apartment does not have a living room and only one bathroom, despite costing the same to rent as their previous apartment.

Bhatti’s company rent allowance is SR18,000 and the rest comes out of his pocket.

On average, his monthly rent is SR2,100, while the company allowance is SR1,500. The extra SR600 puts a strain on his finances because he only makes SR5,000 a month. He also pays SR3,000 a month for his children’s school fees. Bhatti is left with SR1,400 every month to run his house and meet expenses such as groceries, fuel and supplies. To make ends meet, both husband and wife are working.

H. Kassem is an expatriate who had expressed serious concerns on the increase in rent prices. He works as a marketing manager in the private sector.

He was living in a compound but it was demolished and all the expatriates there were asked to vacate. If they wished to return there, they were offered a place at a much higher price.

Kassem said finding a new place was extremely difficult and attributed it to the shortage of good homes available in Jeddah.

Arab News: Expert warns Nitaqat may trigger flight of expat funds

By IBRAHIM NAFFEE ARAB NEWS
Published: Jul 4, 2011 23:42 Updated: Jul 5, 2011 01:04

JEDDAH: A financial expert has warned of the possibility of foreign workers withdrawing their funds from Saudi banks over concerns about future job prospects in the Kingdom under the Nitaqat system.
Fearing their inability to continue working in the Kingdom, many of the estimated 8 million foreign workers may seek to transfer whatever local savings they have to their home countries. Some estimates put the amount of deposits in Saudi banks by foreign workers to be as much as SR15 billion.

Al-Riyadh newspaper reported recently that the volume of investments made by foreigners in the Kingdom’s retail sector alone amounted to SR140 billion. Nearly 80 percent of this vital sector is dominated by expatriates.

Yasin Al-Jafari, a prominent financial expert, told Arab News that most foreign workers are ignorant of the goals of the new Nitaqat program as well as the required percentage of Saudization in each sector. Under Nitaqat, companies are classified by their compliance to quotas of Saudi employees, and can have their ability to recruit or retain foreign workers curtailed for noncompliance.

“Most foreigners think that the required percentage of Saudization in various sectors is a potential threat to them. A majority of expatriates who work with the companies that come under the red category (of noncompliance) are scared. Believing that it is impossible to get their iqamas renewed, they are now transferring their banking investments and savings,” he said.

Indeed, under Nitaqat rules, companies in the red category — meaning they do not have enough Saudi employees — will not be able to renew work visas for their foreign employees following a six-month grace period.

Al-Jafri noted that a large number of foreigners with investments in business and commercial sectors have started withdrawing their investments. Their investments in the capital market alone account for between SR4 billion and SR5 billion.

Farouk Al-Khateeb, professor of economics at Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz University, said that transfer of investments by foreigners would not pose any threat to the Kingdom’s economy thanks to the vibrant policies being pursued by the government. He sees no possibility of foreigners withdrawing a bulk of their banking investments.

“There could be a withdrawal of about 15 percent of the volume of investments amounting to SR10 billion to SR15 billion. Also, there is no possibility of any foreigner selling or transferring his investments in mutual funds due to the steep fall in the value of their stocks.” he said.

According to Al-Khateeb, foreigners are now passing through a phase under which they are closely watching the situation and the state of affairs with regard to the implementation of the Nitaqat system. “For them, it is too early to decide on taking their investments out of the Kingdom,” he pointed out.

Mohaib Ali Akbar, an Indian national, said he was not sure whether he could continue for more years in the Kingdom after the implementation of the Nitaqat system.

“I am now seriously thinking of withdrawing my savings from Saudi banks and buying a house or real estate in my native place,” he said.

Mohaib, who works as administrative manager of a foreign-owned company, said that there have been unconfirmed reports and rumors about the fallout of the Nitaqat program. “But one thing is for sure: private companies would be forced to increase the percentage of Saudization and reduce the number of foreigners as the only way to come out of the red category. Hence, many of our colleagues are seriously thinking of sending their families home in preparation of facing the worst scenario,” he said.

Farouk Hamdi, who works with a contracting company in Jeddah, voiced his fear over the risk of his iqama not being renewed in view of the fact that his company is in the red category. “This situation is forcing me to withdraw the money that I have invested in the local bank over 13 years and transfer the funds to my country, Egypt,” he said.

Arab News: King wants all graduates given jobs

JEDDAH: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah instructed the private and public sectors in the Kingdom to provide more employment opportunities to all graduates and other employment seekers.
The king also congratulated graduates of all levels of education in the country in the weekly meeting of the Council of Ministers at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah on Monday.

In the meeting, the king called on the Arab countries that are currently passing through political disturbances to give priority to national security and stability and avoid bloodshed.

The king also welcomed the efforts of France to revive Israeli-Palestinian negotiations on the basis of the withdrawal of Israel to 1967 borders. The negotiations should begin with talks on borders of Israel with Palestine and security as a preliminary step to settle the core issues such as Jerusalem and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state under a time schedule that does not exceed one year, the Council of Ministers said.

The council also congratulated UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on his re-election, Culture and Information Minister Abdul Aziz Khoja said in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency after the Cabinet meeting.

The king also briefed the Council of Ministers on his discussions with Jordan’s King Abdallah, who visited him Sunday, and on the message he received from Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari. The king affirmed the strong relationship between Saudi Arabia and Jordan.

The council approved a new pay scale for the medical staff in the armed forces with allowances in parity with medical professionals in civilian hospitals.

The council also approved the inclusion of the director general of the Anti-Narcotic Directorate to the membership of the National Anti-Narcotic Commission.

The council authorized the minister of justice to conduct discussions with his French counterpart on a draft agreement of cooperation in the field of justice.

The council approved an amendment to a clause in the National Plan for Response in Radiation and Nuclear Emergencies for increased periodic review by the Permanent National Committee for Response in Radiation and Nuclear Emergencies at the rate of once annually in the first three years and after that once in two years.

The cabinet also approved appointments of Yusuf Al-Khozaim and Adnan Bustagi as ministers plenipotentiary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Marwan Ismail as a legal adviser at the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers. The council also appointed Abdullah Al-Dahmesh as the secretary-general of courts in the Ministry of Justice.

Meanwhile, King Abdullah met with visiting Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and discussed bilateral relations.