Color revolution in Kazakhstan 2022

Diplomat Magazine
-
0
Color revolution in Kazakhstan 2022

By Konstantin Strigunov and Dr. Andrei Manoilo

Events of the first decade of new 2022 year in Kazakhstan clearly showed not only that the power of systemic social and political destabilizing has not extinguished yet, but also that such destructive processes got new features tailored to the country, where they have been launched. It should be noted that the insurrection in Kazakhstan was triggered, like in some countries before, by actions of the public authorities, which doubled the prices for gas being a popular fuel in Kazakhstan, that served both as lighter and detonator for the future bloody bacchanalia. 

The organized nature of the gangs’ assaults, which are still interpreted as “civilian riot” by some poor excuses for observer and analyst, was shown pretty clear. Indeed, it is fair to say that the people’s anger, which is righteous at the background of sudden worsening of their condition due to the authorities’ actions, was also present. However, which is not rare, expressly anti-state forces hid behind the people’s honest indignation. They started to manifest themselves from the very first days of protests, targeting the law enforcement authorities, National Guard, National Security Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan for their assaults. They also seized, robbed and set on fire buildings of akimats (city administrations). The insurgency started in town Zhanaozen, but then spilled over some other cities, such as Aktau, Aktobe, Almaty, Karaganda, Kokshetau, Nur-Sultan, Uralsk, Shymkent. Like a hurricane, the unrest transformed into mass civil disorders, acts of violence involving murders of policemen, property abuse and looting. 

Almost from the very beginning, the rioters proclaimed such political slogans as resignation of the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, resignation of the cabinet etc. Despite the authorities agreed to several relaxations, as e.g., reduction of price for gas in Mangistau region to 50 tenge and resignation of the cabinet (on January 5), none of them had any impact to already actively spread unrest, which had clearly grown to riot. A state of emergency was enacted, first in several regions and then on a country scale, on the same day. However, the violence did not stop and its scope was so pronounced and severe that the law enforcers and even army were not able to efficiently counteract the gangs and violence distribution. 

Manifestation of people’s anger

At first sight (even in the very beginning of the situation only), indeed, it could appear that everything that was going on was just a manifestation of the people’s anger taken to the extremes by their desperation. Despite that was also present, as discussed above. Review of the events identifies pretty clear the peculiar features of control over the violent processes in the Republic of Kazakhstan. This way, the insurgents seized building of the National Security Committee in Almaty and emptied the armoires. Those were law enforcement and local authorities that were assaulted. There are videos showing distribution of weapons to the gangs right in the centre of the city, in order to use the same against the authorities and law enforcers. Information about two policemen found with their heads cut appeared. 

The President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Tokayev said in one of his speeches that 20 thousand gangsters operated in Almaty only. Some analysts believed that such number is somehow overstated, but it does not appear to be unplausible, when speaking about all criminals participating in the riot, not just about the core of the same. It is clear that the core of the riot was smaller, but it acted as an organizing base in this case. It is important now to understand how it turned out that such massive assault was missed. Was that just negligence or treason? What was the core of the riot, who was a part of it and who guided the core? In order to treat the matter in a comprehensive manner, we need to make a brief introduction, as to enable to have a complex outlook of the matter.

Due to its historical, social and cultural features, Kazakhstan is a specific state, where the tribalism is present, i.e., when the politico-social structure is based on the tribal community. There are the so called zhuses in Kazakhstan, which essentially represent the tribal unions on the specific territories. Therewith, the more far located from the cities, i.e., in some far rural regions, the more important role is played by these tribal and unofficial relations than the state laws. In general, the most part of residents of such regions gives a priority to tribal and clannish unions over the state.

It should be noted that pejorative word “mambet” (and a number of some other words that we shall not mention) is used to denote a resident of rural area, which means an undereducated, ill-mannered and unruly man (i.e., scum). Such environment with population lacking education, but having strong clannish and tribal ties, living under hard social and economic conditions, often shows enhancement of criminal relations. As a matter of fact, the organized crime became some kind of compensation mechanism, where the state authority got weak or it is missing, in full or in part. Preparation to a riot seems to be a well possible task for such depressive regions, whereas intelligence work is more difficult (while not impossible) there and requires substantial resources. Remarkably, such communities already have ready organizational structures of at least lower level, which are covered by criminality due to local rules, belonging to some ethnic (tribe) etc. This point is of special importance for us. 

We believe that the events of Kazakhstan are likely to be a consequence of enormous fail of the security services and law enforcement authorities. Considering that the most severe fights with the authorities take place in such cities as Kyzylorda, Almaty, Taldykorgan (where the anti-terror operation is being implemented) and Shymkent and Taraz, various questions arise. By way of example, these cities are located near the border with Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, where the border control is rather difficult. It’s no wonder: border length between Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan is 1,212 km, and 2,351 km between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. Total – 3,563 km. Considering that total number of Military Forces of Kazakhstan, its National Guard and other military units is about 100 to 120 thousand people (with total population of a bit more than 19 million living in the country with an area of 2.7 million square kilometres), it can be concluded that the borders are quite sparse and various instigators, including criminals, can penetrate to the Republic of Kazakhstan through them. The presence of the latter is indirectly evidenced by messages about repatriates from Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan among the rioters. 

In fact, it will not be a problem for transnational crime to establish itself in the Republic of Kazakhstan by interaction with local criminals, whose representatives impose tribute on entrepreneurs, shops, and markets. Criminal authorities also participated in the riots themselves, like Arman “Wild” Dzhumageldiev (he was recently arrested), who was known for his connections with Turkish mafiosi, such as Sedat Perker, who had close ties to the Turkish intelligence service MIT. There is evidence of close contacts of Arman the “Wild” with the criminal authorities of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Azerbaijan (in particular, code-bound criminal Nadir “Loto Guli” Salifov). It is known that Mr. Dzhumageldiev tried to legalize himself in politics. By the way, he was behind the Russophobic “language patrols” in Kazakhstan. In fact, this representative of the criminal world is embedded into the pan-Turkic project, the centre of which is Turkey. It is known that the Turks actively use illegal methods and means in parallel with spreading of their influence through the Turkish armed forces, instructors, sale of military equipment (assault and reconnaissance UAVs, etc.), creation of NGOs and NCOs, “cultural centres”. In particular, they do it by supporting the Muslim Brotherhood terrorist organization, banned in Russia, by using terrorist proxy groups in Syria, Libya, etc., together with the SADAT private military company. With that, another specific and unadvertised part of the Turkish expansion is the use of crime which actively interacts with criminals in other Turkic-speaking states (Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan) and not only in them. This solves several problems at once.

Firstly, management of criminal flows is intercepted, in particular, regarding drugs, which, as you know, also go through the Central Asian region to Turkey, and then get to Europe, which is one of the largest markets in the world, through the Balkans. 

Secondly, informal, but very important connections and influence in Turkic-speaking countries are established and strengthened. In fact, the increase in influence on crime in certain regions can exceed the influence that local governments have.

Thirdly, it becomes potentially possible to create sleeper cells through agents embedded in criminal structures, which can be reactivated at the right moment to destabilize the socio-political situation in a certain country. 

Fourthly, criminal elements are integrated into local ethnic (tribal) groups (unions), which means that they receive ready-made grassroots organizations, to a certain extent, that can be used for a rebellion subject to an agreement with local elders and “authorities“, who will receive their share if the “event” succeeds.

Fifthly, outright extremists and terrorists including those returning from conflict zones can be introduced under the guise of criminal elements (it should be noted that it was the Turks who took part in the Syrian war providing logistical, informational, and resource support to the Kazakh militants, and Turkey itself was a refuge for them). 

Sixthly, presence of regions and social (ethnic and tribal) strata that are difficult or impossible to control for the authorities of the country creates significant opportunities for those officials and representatives of individual clans who have lost the apparatus struggle and have been thrown out of power structures, which means they have been deprived of their powers and moved away from social and material benefits that gave them the high official status formerly. 

That last point should be considered in more detail. Considering the scale, level of coordination, and fierceness of the rebellion, its extremely high dynamics (in fact, the rebellion in Kazakhstan overcame the path that the “Maidan” in Ukraine went in a few weeks in three days), there were more than weighty suspicions that what was happening in Kazakhstan was not only a colossal failure in terms of its scale, but also a betrayal of persons from among the leadership of the state, secret services, and law enforcement agencies. Then the high efficiency of the rebels’ actions becomes understandable. It also becomes clear why the Almaty NSC administration building was surrendered almost without a fight. This is also indicated by the message of January 8, according to which the former head of the NSC of the Republic of Kazakhstan Karim Masimov, who is suspected of treason, has been detained. It is worth noting that the clans in power also took advantage of the situation in the nomenclature struggle with each other. Presumably, the clan associated with Elbasy Nursultan Nazarbayev will be pressed out as a result of the rebellion suppression.         

The picture of the situation

Thus, the following situation emerges. With a high degree of probability, the core of the rebels were trained provocateurs from among criminal structures, former or current secret services, and radicals (it should be noted that some of them were likely to be of exogenous origin, as Mr. Tokayev stated). A significant part of the “mambet” rioters turned to robbery, looting, and murders, which added to the confusion.

At the same time, it is important to note the fact that, at a certain stage, network resources controlled by the West joined coordination of the rioters, like the notorious Nexta, the telegram channel controlled by Polish secret services, which coordinated the unrest in Belarus during the so-called “Belomaidan” in August to September 2020. This channel is still active. In addition to Nexta, social networks, such as Twitter and Reddit, were also “marked”, where an entire campaign was unleashed to discredit the presence of the CSTO troops in Kazakhstan. 

There were also odious characters, such as, for example, Mukhtar Ablyazov, who actively campaigned against the authorities of Kazakhstan and took the side of the “protesters” from Kiev. Besides, it would be expedient to say about the alleged participation of the UK in these processes, which almost manages Turkey’s foreign policy according to a number of analysts. Since there is less and less doubt about the presence of the Turkish trace in the rebellion in Kazakhstan, then, following their logic, London should also be behind this. In reality, everything is naturally much more complicated and it is wrong to consider Turkey a kind of a British puppet. Yes, of course, there is the influence of London, but the Turks themselves are largely subjects, although they do not act without looking to the West. However, their resources and political will, as well as their unique geopolitical position, make it possible to play an independent game. Ankara is well aware that the West is unlikely to harm Turkey, which is part of the NATO, since a strike against it will automatically strike at the alliance itself, and also because neo-Ottoman pan-Turkism under Erdogan fits well into the strategy of the West to constrain Russia and China.

It should also be noted that Kazakhstan is an important country both for Russia, since the two countries have historical, cultural (to a certain extent), political, military, and economic ties, and for China, since one of the routes of its global project “One Belt, One Road”, a giant transcontinental infrastructure and logical network launched by Xi Jinping in 2013, passes through the Republic of Kazakhstan. By the way, he announced its creation exactly in Kazakhstan in 2013. Therefore, destabilization of the Republic of Kazakhstan affects both Russia, reducing its influence on the post-Soviet periphery, and China, since it is potentially capable of hindering the implementation of the Chinese mega-project in the Kazakh territory. A ricochet blow can also hit Iran, which also participates in this project logistically connected with the Central Asian region. 

In connection with the foregoing, it should be noted that the decision to bring in the CSTO contingent was inevitable, since almost the only way out in the conditions of a combined attack on Kazakhstan from outside and inside was contacting that particular military organization. Nevertheless, bringing in the peacekeeping contingent of about 5 to 7 thousand people (3/4 consisting of the Russian military forces) is fraught with certain risks. Let us mention them:

  1. external and, apparently, internal forces will use the fact of deployment of the CSTO troops to stabilize the situation in Kazakhstan for anti-Russian purposes (a massive stream of fakes about Russia’s “occupation” of Kazakhstan is already being observed);
  2. there are risks when the blame for suppressing the internal conflict between the elites and the people can be laid by this very people on external “interventions” (that is, not instigators from clans and criminals are to blame for ethnic violence and human casualties, but the troops of the “new Warsaw Pact” that repeat the “Prague Spring” in Kazakhstan);
  3. in the long term, external actors may try to create several zones of instability, including those in the countries of Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan), as well as to repeat the Belarusian scenario of 2020 taking into consideration the failure of the year before last;
  4. there is a possibility that this way (through activation of several crisis situations along the perimeter of Russia at once) they will try to create the effect of an overstrain of Moscow’s resources, and try to deprive it of manoeuvre at the same time;
  5. it is possible to activate destabilization processes inside Russia in synchronization with external crises to create a destructive synergistic effect.

Further, we note the following specific features of the coup attempt in Kazakhstan:          

  1. a pronounced factor of crime in the actions of the rebels;
  2. merging of organizational structures in tribal alliances with local crime and transnational crime, which, in conjunction with foreign secret services and, presumably, renegades from among local secret services and officials, managed to create stable intelligence and combat networks;
  3. the factor of transnational crime has become one of the key ones in establishing channels of communication between apostates from among state officials and secret services of the Republic of Kazakhstan with foreign secret services;
  4. to a certain extent, the use of the “DDoS revolution” technology described by the authors back in 2019 was observed in Kazakhstan. Its essence is in the following. We noted that  “the danger is that such processes [protests and riots – author’s note] can pass at approximately the same time, but in spatially separated areas. In this case, it is much more difficult to adequately respond to them. In small states, the transfer and concentration of the required number of security forces at a specific location in the shortest possible time is much easier because of short distances. However, in states with a fairly large territory, such as China or Russia, resource manoeuvring becomes more difficult due to significant distances between cities […] Consequences of such delay can be devastating. Thus, there is a superposition of instabilities: with an increase in the number of cities engulfed in unrest, there will be an exhaustion of the authorities’ ability to control the situation. As a consequence of this, as the environment continues to deteriorate, the authorities’ resources will continue to dwindle rapidly, and their ability to stabilize the situation will be drastically declined. As a result, a self-sustaining deregulation regime will arise with arising of a negative synergistic effect[2]. Apparently, this effect manifested itself to some extent in the events in Kazakhstan (due to the area of the Republic of Kazakhstan). The threat of such technology is of particular significance for Russia given its size.

At the same time, the situation in Kazakhstan revealed a number of the following positive aspects:

  1. a precedent arose for using the CSTO military force to suppress color coups attempts, which can be used in the future if, with competent actions by Russia and the CSTO, it does not cause rejection, but, on the contrary, becomes associated with stabilization;
  2. the CSTO has had a chance to actually show its usefulness, since there have been more and more talks about the fact that this organization is incapacitated in the recent years, which is not at all the case, as the events in Kazakhstan have demonstrated;
  3. it became possible to advertise the actions of the CSTO peacekeeping contingent in the most positive aspect, subject to competent actions in the political and diplomatic line and in the information and psychological sphere;
  4. stabilization of the situation in Kazakhstan with the participation of the CSTO will stabilize the entire Central Asian region and the entire post-Soviet territory (CIS).

A powerful factor in the events in Kazakhstan was operations in the information and psychological sphere, to a certain extent comparable in their importance to counter-terrorist operations to restore order. This is explained by the fact that the actions of the CSTO in the event of a loss in the information war will be presented in the most negative light and will cause rejection among the population of the Republic of Kazakhstan and other CIS countries, which will be extremely difficult to change in the future.

In this regard, it becomes extremely important to create a specialized center for counteracting information operations and various forms of coups, including color revolutions, adapted to the conditions of a particular country participating in unions in the post-Soviet territory (CIS, CSTO, the Union State of Russia and Belarus, etc.). At the same time, experts with theoretical skills and practical experience in countering the aforementioned threats are needed. With such a structure and experts acting in close coordination with the CIS/CSTO member countries (the authorities of these countries, their departments, and analytical structures), it is possible to achieve positive synergistic interaction to repel the threats that we have observed over the past year and a half in Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. 


There is practically no doubt that some foreign actors will try to aggravate the situation along the perimeter of Russia as much as possible by 2024, by the time of the presidential elections in the Russian Federation. Therefore, there is very little time left and the increase in fake news against the CIS and the CSTO countries, activation of coup and war attempts (like the Second Karabakh War of 2020) in the countries adjacent to Russia clearly indicates that external aggressors will try to “load” Russia and its allies as much as possible by 2024 to enhance the destructive effect. It should be noted that stability in the CIS countries is maintained largely thanks to Russia, which was shown by the crisis in Kazakhstan.

Therefore, destabilization of Russia will automatically create a devastating blow to all countries of the CIS. Consequently, each member country of this organization has a common interest in preventing the escalation produced by destructive forces both from outside and from within these countries, since we mean preserving their statehood and territorial integrity. However, effective coping requires adequate structures capable of counteracting such threats systematically and in all areas, particularly, the information threat.   

This article has been previously published by IFIMES

About the authors:

Konstantin Sergeevich Strigunov – leading analyst of the Association of Information Operations Specialists (ANO), political expert. Konstantin Sergeevich was one of the key participants in the successful information operation in Venezuela in 2019, carried out under the leadership of Andrey Manoilo. 

Andrey Viktorovich Manoilo, Doctor of Political Sciences, Leading Researcher of the Department of Europe and America of the Institute of Scientific Information for Social Sciences of the Russian Academy of Sciences, professor at Lomonosov, member of the Scientific Council under the Security Council of Russia.

US Senate approves Amy Gutmann for ambassadorship in Germany

Diplomat Magazine
-
0
US Senate approves Amy Gutmann for ambassadorship in Germany

Tuesday, 8 February 2022, Washington D.C., U.S.A.: The US Senate approved the presidential nomination of the eighth University of Pennsylvania’s president, Amy Gutmann to serve in the capacity as US Ambassador to Germany. She received 54 votes in her favor during the senatorial ballot. 

Ambassador-designate Gutmann (born 19 November 1949 in Brooklyn, New York) holds the distinction to be the first ever woman to be appointed ambassador to Germany, and for being the hitherto longest serving president of the University of Pennsylvania, a position she has held since 2004. Previously she served as Provost for Princeton University.

Ms Gutmann is known in the world of academia for being a rather influential political scientist. She holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from Harvard University. 

Gutmann’s German father Kurt fled Nazi Germany in 1934, and later emigrated to the USA from India. She has spoken repeatedly in the past about how the story of her father, who came from the Franconian town of Feuchtwangen, shaped her. Kurt Gutmann had successfully persuaded his four siblings, and parents to flee Germany in the face of the increasing persecution of Jews.

Until her arrival, and formal accreditation in Germany, Chargé d’affaires a.i. Clark Price remains at the helm of the US mission in Germany as he has been since June 2021. 

For further information 
The White House’s nomination for Senate approval: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/01/04/nominations-sent-to-the-senate-54/

Biography of Ambassador-designate Amy Gutmann: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amy_Gutmann
US Embassy in Germany (Chargé d’affaires a.i. Clark Price): https://de.usembassy.gov/appointment-of-clark-price-as-charge-daffaires/?fbclid=IwAR3zg-8TQ8LQmiL28T81xxp81TqUznsCpwlnlQ1JtYtarr0HBQXeeIJ050g
———

For image licence see: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Amy_Gutmann_University_of_Pennsylvania_Commencement_2009_01_(cropped).jpg

Nicholas O’Brien received by First Mayor Tschentscher 

Diplomat Magazine
-
0
Nicholas O’Brien received by First Mayor Tschentscher 


Monday, 7 February 2022, Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, Germany: Ireland’s Ambassador in Germany, Dr Nicholas O’Brien was received for a working and acquaintance call by Hamburg’s First Mayor Dr. Peter Tschentscher at the historic City Hall.

The meeting likewise served as follow-up to the earlier encounter between O’Brien and State Counsellor Almut Möller, Plenipotentiary to the German Federation, the European Union and for Foreign Affairs, that transpired on 16 October 2020 at the Representation of the City-State of Hamburg located in Berlin-Mitte. 

The two dignitaries exchanged of views as to the strength of the relationship between Hamburg and the Republic of Ireland through trade, as both sides acknowledged trade is central to the success of their economies. In a post-Brexit Europe, they recognised the potential to deepen trading and cultural links. 

Ambassador Dr O’Brien toured the City Hall, and was rather impressed with its pulchritude. He was accompanied by Irish Honorary Consul Dr. Michael Fisser. State Counsellor Almut Möller was likewise present during the meeting. 
During his journey to Hamburg, Ambassador O’Brien was also received by the Speaker of Hamburg City-State Assembly, Carola Veit and signed the Honorary Guestbook thereto.  

For further information:
Irish Embassy in Germany:https://www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/Germany/

Obituary: The Majestic Lata Mangeshkar Dies at 92

Diplomat Magazine
-
0
Obituary: The Majestic Lata Mangeshkar Dies at 92

By Roy Lie Atjam

The legendary Indian singer Lata Mangeshkar has passed on February 6th  2022, at the Breach Candy Hospital Trust in Mumbai, to which she’d been admitted, sick with Covid-19.

“The divine voice has gone quiet forever but her melodies will remain immortal, echoing in eternity “ (President of India)

Lata Mangeshkar, has been widely credited as India’s most respected singer, the Nightingale.

Lata Mangeshkar was born on September 28, 1929, to classical singer and theatre artist  Deenanath Mangeshkar and Shevanti in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Her father started teaching her music at an early age. At the age of five, Lata participated as an actress in plays written by her father.

The central government decided that as a mark of respect to the departed dignitary, two-day state mourning was observed from February 6 to February 7,with the Tricolour at half-mast.

The Government of India has decided to issue a commemorative stamp (28 September) in the memory of Lata Mangeshkar.

Mangeshkar was honoured with several awards:  the Bharat Ratna, Padma Bhushan and  Padma Vibhushan. In 2009 the government of France conferred on her its highest civilian award  ‘Officier de la Legion d’Honneur’.

Tributes Pour in from heads of states-governments in South East Asia and further afield as Sri Lanka, Trinidad&Tobago, Mauritius, Guyana, Suriname.

Some believe that Lata Mangeshkar was the most recorded singer in history. Allegedly, she has recorded more songs than The Beatles and The Rolling Stones combined.

Lata Mangeshkar toured and performed in numerous countries, becoming the first Indian to perform at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall in London in 1974.

When  Lata Mangeshkar visited Trinidad & Tobago and Guyana (1980),  the day of her arrival was like a public holiday, the whole country seemed to have gathered in Georgetown, Guyana. Thousands of people lined the roads. They were people of all ethnicity.

Lata Mangeshkar’s influence can be felt in many songs of Soca and Chutney singers, and her voice has served as an umbilical cord between the Indian diaspora and the ancestral land of India.

High Commissioner Arun Kumar Sahu of India in Trinidad & \Tobago said Lata Mangeshkar’s career spanned over 75 years, during which she is reputed to have sung over 35,000 songs in more than 35 languages. Besides filmi songs, she has sung innumerable geet, ghazals, bhajans and patriotic songs.

New York City

The mourning of Lata Mangeshkar’s passing was not limited to India. People from around the world were grieving her demise.

A tribute to the Queen of Melody on Times Square featuring Mangeshkar smiling at new yorkers from the digital boarding as her songs played in the background.

“Lata Didi or Lata Ji” as she was fondly called, enjoyed listening to Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, the Beatles, Barbra Streisand, Harry Belafonte and Nat King Cole. She also loved movies, cars, dogs, she adored  Cricket. Captain Virat Kohli said her songs had  “touched millions of people “.

Lata Mangeshkar’s  passing left a never filing void in people’s heart, however her musical legacy is being safeguarded by the 3rd  generation of singers in the Mangeshkar family. With their remarkable singing and music compositions, the Mangeshkar sisters Lata, Usha, Asha, Meena and their brother Hridaynath have set a benchmark in the music world.

Lata Mangeshkar was cremated with full State Honours in Mumbai in the presence of the Hon. PM. Narendra Modi, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray along with his family. Furthermore,  actors Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan, and Sachin Tendulk a former cricketer, Shraddha Kapoor and others paid their last respects to the music icon at the Shivaji Park.

India’s immortal Nightingale Lata Mangeshkar Lata Ji has departed, but her music has and will continue to have that impact, to comfort, motivate and entertain millions!

The name Lata Mangeshkar will remain indelible in the hearts of many!

French Rafale Aircraft Arrive in Greece – Shifting the Power in the Eastern Mediterranean

Diplomat Magazine
-
0
French Rafale Aircraft Arrive in Greece – Shifting the Power in the Eastern Mediterranean

By Eleni-Vasiliki Bampaliouta

After necessary personnel training, the first 6 of 24 total state-of-the-art Rafale fighters will be gradually introduced into operational planning of the Greek Air Force from January 19. Six more are expected at the end of this year and the rest will be delivered in the beginning of 2023. The acquisition of the Rafale will be an excellent multiplier of capability for the Greek Armed Forces and will upset the balance of forces in Greece in favor of great strategic importance.

With advanced radar capabilities and air-to-air weapons, the aircraft has great advantages in aerial combat and even a small number of units are able to dominate within both short and long distances, effectively prohibiting rival air forces from operating in areas where they are not welcome.

Rafale Aircrafts flies over the Acropolis in the colors of the Greek flag

In the Aegean, Eastern Mediterranean, and beyond, the large operational radius of these planes will prove important. These Rafale-type planes also can carry EXOCET missiles for advanced operations against naval targets. This capability is also enabled by the advanced naval detection sensors, which allow for air-to-sea operations from long distances, making them important in protection of friendly shipping and a major asset against movement of enemy naval forces.

Possibly the most crucial aspect of these aircraft, though, is their Active Electronic Scanning Array (AESA) which gives an effective range of 200 km and the ability to target 40 individual entities simultaneously, and to target 8 at distances over 100 km distance. With capabilities for air-ground SCALP missiles, anti-ship EXOCET missiles, and air-to-air METEOR missiles (with an effective range of about 150 km) these planes will play a crucial role in the future of Greek Air Forces. Specifically, METEOR capabilities are important, providing a range advantage over the operations of Turkish aircraft, which would allow them to operate from beyond the range of such forces. The SPECTRA self-defense system is also a great asset as an ultra-modern unit that protects the aircraft while blinding enemy ground and air based radars.

Rafale at the military air base of Tatoi, in Greece.

They also carry the renowned Link16 system that allows for coordination with F-16s, ground-based radars and missile systems. With this system, all units connected are presented with a continuously updated visual display showing the exact locations of all aircraft, friendly and hostile, in the area of interest in real time.

Rafale Fighter Aircraft

The military balance in the Eastern Mediterranean is changing significantly in favor of Greece and Cyprus, aided by a strengthening alliance with France. Highly developed weapons systems and platforms, in combination with enthusiastic political will and determination are driving ambitious adversaries to have new concerns about the military and political capabilities of Greece.

________________________

Photography by Eurokinisi

Specialized information: Liberal.gr

Leonardo’s Faces – Fabio Gorel

Diplomat Magazine
-
0
Leonardo’s Faces – Fabio Gorel

The Leonardo Royal Hotel Den Haag Promenade is represented by both new and more experienced employees working together with passion as one team, to deliver great service and to depict the hotel’s values. In these monthly written pieces, there is a focus on their values and their approach to our international clients. Who are the employees as an individual? Allow us to introduce you to introduce Fabio Gorel, employee of the year 2021.

  • Nationality: Dutch
  • Function: All-round Food & Beverage
  • Department: Food & Beverage

I started working here in September 2017. I guess my first impression was quite different from most employees here. My mother has been working at the hotel’s front desk for the past 34 years, so when I was younger, she would occasionally take me with her. I remember celebrating Sinterklaas (Saint Nicolas) when I was about 6 years old. I also may or may not remember knocking a very expensive painting off the wall on by accident. Back then, the atmosphere of the hotel felt very formal and exclusive, or at least to little me. It was a place for rich businessmen in suits, smoking cigars.

What makes the Promenade Hotel suitable for welcoming people from all around the world?

The staff. We have people working here from all over the world, all with their own life experiences and stories. These stories really reflect upon how we work here. We all have our own identity, opinions, and values. And we, as a team, try to use these values to make international guests feel as welcome as possible.

What do you value most in the organization of diplomatic events at the Promenade Hotel?

The way in which we can transform the hotel into a completely different place. When we have a big diplomatic event, 95% of the work is part of the behind the scenes and preparation. I really enjoy these events because that is when we really work as a team the most. It’s when we are at our best. I also like how flexible we can be in accommodating basically anyone.

What did you learn so far by working with diplomats? Some tips, rules or values to share?

That all of us are not so different as we may appear. I have met a lot of diplomats from all over the world since I started working here. What I have learned, is that deep down we all have similar emotions and needs, though one should remain be mindful of (potential) cultural differences and traditions. It is just the way in which we express these needs that differ. My tip would be quite obvious: Search for the things we can all relate to and identify with. That is the best way to make connections.

“Doing nothing is not a choice”

Which Food Festival has been your favorite so far or would you like to experience?

My favorite Food Festival so far was probably the Peruvian edition, because it was the first Food Festival I got to experience. The atmosphere was great, and it was the start of something bigger. I would love to experience a German Food Festival, because I am partially German.

What local food(s), from abroad, have you tried already?

One of the benefits of working in the Promenade Hotel is that you get taste a lot of different foods. It would probably be easier for me to list the areas from which I have not tasted any foods yet.

What is your favorite drink or dish at LEO’s International Flavors?

The Sticky Chicken!

The Sticky Chicken! I really like the new menu in general, but this one really stands out for me.

What sustainable development goal do you value most? Why this one?

No SDG is completely independent of the other ones, but the one I believe solves the most fundamental issues of our time is “No Poverty”. We, as humanity, cannot sustain any sort of meaningful change if we cannot sustain ourselves. In my opinion, lifting people out of extreme poverty will also help us achieve many other SDGs in the process. It gives the poorest people on earth a platform from which they can develop their skills, get educated, and to make meaningful change within their communities.

“No Poverty” – Lifting people out of extreme poverty will also help us achieve many other SDGs in the process. 

Of course, this will increase the stress on our planet in the short term, but it also decreases child mortality, thereby indirectly combating overpopulation, whilst simultaneously creating the ability for brilliant new minds from these nations step forward, become innovators, and effective leaders. This, to me, is the only way we can achieve strong, worldwide partnerships, to tackle the problems of humanity.

What piece of good advice did you receive, and from whom, that you would like to forward?

“Doing nothing is not a choice.” From my parents. We have control over so much more than we often make ourselves believe.

U.S. is pushing wrong button in Bangladesh

Diplomat Magazine
-
0
U.S. is pushing wrong button in Bangladesh

Both China and America are courting Bangladesh because being next to the Bay of Bengal it can provide easy access to the Indian Ocean, which funnels much of the world trade. By controlling this sea lane, America can choke off China’s economy. Bangladesh can give China an alternative land route via Burma.

By B. Z. Khasru

The United States has stepped up pressure on Bangladesh to join its Indo-Pacific military pact to contain China, but it is using a false pretext that may rile up the Bengali nation that carries the bitter memory of America’s opposition to its birth.

Washington recently sanctioned Bangladesh’s elite police unit, the Rapid Action Battalion, citing “serious human rights abuses.” Six of its current and former officers have been accused of abductions, murders and torture. Benazir Ahmed, former RAB head who is now chief of Bangladesh Police, has also been barred from entering America.

Then came a new revelation that America wanted to know how Bangladesh has spent U.S. military aid. The hidden motive behind this is to potentially slap further sanctions if the funds have been improperly used.

This revelation deepens the suspicion that Washington is using the pretext of human rights abuses to push Bangladesh to become a member of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, an informal anti-China military pact comprising of the United States, Japan, Australia and India.

Bangladesh has faced U.S. pressure at least since October 2020 when Deputy Secretary of State Stephen E. Biegun visited Dhaka and formally invited the South Asian nation to join the group. Dhaka has refused so far because of threats from China, a significant source of investment capital for Bangladesh.

Both China and America are courting Bangladesh because being next to the Bay of Bengal it can provide easy access to the Indian Ocean, which funnels much of the world trade. By controlling this sea lane, America can choke off China’s economy. Bangladesh can give China an alternative land route via Burma.

Largely devoid of natural resources and born extremely poor in 1971 with a meager income of $90 per person, Bangladesh in recent years has earned kudos worldwide as an economic success story. Each Bengali is now making more than $2,000 a year on average, scoring better than its larger and more resourceful neighbors. Hoping to further improve its fortunes, Bangladesh is working on big plans that will require huge foreign capital.

China signed a $21 billion aid deal with Dhaka five years ago, and has granted Bangladesh virtually tariff-free access to its markets. China is Bangladesh’s second largest arms supplier, and helping build a big military base near the Bay of Bengal.

Announcing the sanctions in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 10, Secretary of State Antony Blinken blamed the RAB for more than 600 abductions in the past 12 years and a similar number of murders. The force, founded in 2004 in response to public outcry to control rapidly rising crime, handles internal security as well as criminal and government-directed investigations. In recent years, the government allegedly used it to wipe out political opponents.

Nonetheless, Washington is guilty of double standards. When President Ziaur Rahman railroaded the trials of hundreds of rebel soldiers in 1977 and secretly hanged an undisclosed number of them, America did not publicly chastise him, let alone impose sanctions. Only Jane Coon, then deputy assistant secretary of state, blocked his visit to the White House, ignoring Ambassador Ed Masters’ push.

Washington’s sanctions strategies often carry hidden agendas. When America imposed sanctions on the Soviet Union after it invaded Kabul, they were billed as part of a mission to rescue Afghanistan, but they were actually intended to warn Moscow not to march into Iran.

Applying the same tactic, Americans are giving Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina two messages: (1 ) punish the named officers, and (2) join the Quad. Hasina’s failure to comply, especially with the second demand, is likely to subject Bangladesh to more sanctions.

The U.S. steps may embarrass Hasina on world stage, but sanctions in general rarely achieve their stated goals. Often they do just the opposite — make the recipients more rigid. Hasina will certainly not put her police chief on trial, because such a step will open up a Pandora’s box, putting her administration and her political future in jeopardy. Even a dumb person knows that the RAB did not act arbitrarily without approval from the top.

To concede the U.S. demands will make Hasina look weak to her followers as well as adversaries. A weak leader is despised in Asia—and perhaps in other parts of the world, too— especially if one fails to stand up to big bullies.

This leaves the United States with the only hope that its secret strategy to coerce Hasina into the Quad will succeed. The prime minister is less than likely to bend over backwards to please Washington, simply because of her fear to look weak, if nothing else. Can she afford to be on the wrong side of both India — which is playing second fiddle to America— and the United States at the same time? Her records indicate she can.

Furthermore, the region has a history of resisting America’s diktat. Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first prime minister, refused to join the U.S.-led military pacts in the 1950s. Pakistan’s President Ayub Khan snubbed U.S. request to send soldiers to fight in Vietnam. Even Ziaur Rahman, who was America’s poodle, barked when Washington pressed him to support sanctions on Iran in 1979.

With its latest steps, America runs the risk of being branded as a nation genetically predisposed to harming the homeland of 165 million Bengalis. Many of them still vividly remember how President Richard Nixon aided their enemy, Pakistan, to pursue his secret ping pong diplomacy via Islamabad. There is still a lingering suspicion that America really does not wish Bangladesh well. Hasina believes deep down that Washington’s hidden agenda is to banish her into political oblivion.

Bangladesh’s foreign office is bitter. But Hasina, not known for making rash decisions, has been rather mum on the sanctions, and is unlikely to open her mouth any time soon, especially because her long-time chief patron, India, is now reported to be a co-conspirator in America’s mischief. To bring Bangladesh in line, the United States needs India on its side.

India is no more on the same page with Hasina. Dhaka-Delhi relations soured after India botched several trade deals, threatened to push back an alleged 40 million illegal Bengali migrants, and, above all, Indians chided Bangladesh for cozying up to China. India won’t take any direct action against Bangladesh, but will secretly endorse Washington’s dirty tricks.

With its “friendship to all, malice toward none” foreign policy, Bangladesh is between a rock and a hard place. While the Biden administration is pulling Dhaka to its side, China has vowed fire and fury if Bangladesh embraces Uncle Sam.

Since the 1950s, Beijing has refrained from squeezing Delhi too hard lest India jump into the U.S. orbit. Both America and India may find the Chinese tactic instructive to deal with Bangladesh. Instead of bullying, honor Dhaka’s neutrality and insist that China not be given advantage over America and India. Push her to the edge, Hasina will draw from her experience in successfully fending off U.S. pressures and rally the Bengalis around her, citing America’s chronic hostility and malafide toward the Bengali nation.

About the author:

B. Z. Khasru

B. Z. Khasru, a U.S.-based journalist, is author of “Bangladesh Liberation War, How India, U.S., China and the USSR Shaped the Outcome” and “The Bangladesh Military Coup and the CIA Link.”

His new book, “One Eleven Minus Two, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s War on Yunus and America,” will be published shortly by Rupa & Co., New Delhi.

Employer’s obligation to provide information

Diplomat Magazine
-
0
Employer’s obligation to provide information

Employees are entitled to receive information about their employment conditions. Which information does this concern? When and how does the employee have to receive this information?

By Jan Dop and Priscilla de Leede

Law prescribes which basic information the employer has to give the employee about the employment contract and in which way this must be done. Please note: The obligation to provide information also applies to employment contracts with bogus self-employed persons. Thus, you may find that even in the case of a contract for services, this information must be provided to the contractor.

Required information

Most obligations have been included in Book 7, Article 655 (1) of the Dutch Civil Code. According to this list, the employer needs to provide at least the following information:

  1. Name and address of employer and employee.
  2. The place or places where the employee performs his/her work.
  3. The position of the employee or a job description.
  4. The date on which the employment contract commences.
  5. In a fixed-term agreement: the duration of the agreement.
  6. The number of holidays or the way in which they are calculated.
  7. The notice period or the way in which it is calculated.
  8. The remuneration and the period of payment. In case of a piece wage:
    • The quantity the employee has to offer per day or week,
    • The price per unit, and
    • The time that is reasonably necessary for the performance of a unit.
  9. The usual working period per day or week.
  10. Whether the employee will take part in a pension scheme.
  11. If the employee is to work abroad for more than one month:
    • The duration of the work,
    • The accommodation,
    • If the employee falls under the Dutch social security legislation or a specification of the bodies responsible to administer this legislation,
    • The currency in which the wages will be paid,
    • The allowances to which the employee is entitled, and
    • The arrangement of the employee’s return.
  12. Whether the employment contract falls under a collective labour agreement or another scheme. In case the Waadi Act is applicable, this must also be stated.
  13. Whether there is an agency work employment contract or a payroll contract.
  14. Whether the employment contract is for an indefinite time.
  15. Whether there is an on-call contract.

In addition to this list, other information must be provided. For example, under the Pension Act, the employee is entitled to information about the content of the pension scheme. Starting from 1 August 2022, a new European regulation will further expand the obligations of the employer.

In writing or electronically

The employer can provide the information in writing or electronically. The electronical provision of information is only allowed if the employee agrees to it. If points a-j, n and o have been included in the employment contract or the pay slip, the employer does not have to provide them separately again. This also applies to points f-i if they have been included in the collective agreement referred to in the employment contract.

Deadline for providing information

The employer has to provide this information within one month of the commencement of the work. If the employment contract has been concluded for less than a month, the information must be provided before the termination of the employment. If the employee will be working in a foreign country, the information from part k must be provided before the departure. Changes have to be communicated to the employee within one month of becoming effective.

If housekeeping staff is involved who work for an individual for less than four days per week, the employer only has to provide this information upon request.

Penalty on breach of obligation to provide information

There is no penalty for violation of the obligation to provide information. However, the employer is liable for damage the employee suffers because the employer did not comply with the obligation to provide information, for example, by providing incomplete or incorrect information. Here, you can consider, for example, the loss of holidays or a contractual penalty the employee must pay because paid childcare turns out to be unnecessary after all. Arrangements that the employer does not need to comply with parts of the obligation to provide information are void.

For additional information:

Jan Dop, partner

jan.dop@russell.nl+31 20 301 55 55

Priscilla de Leede

Priscilla de Leede, lawyer

priscilla.deleede@russell.nl+31 20 301 55 55

Seizing the moment: New paradigm for the development of Kazakhstan

Diplomat Magazine
-
0
Seizing the moment: New paradigm for the development of Kazakhstan

By H.E. Mr. Askar Zhumagaliyev, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

For 30 years of Independence, Kazakhstan has established itself as the leading and stable economic power in Central Asia with a market economy and centuries-old traditions. But, unfortunately, the one-stage and clearly planned attack of terrorist groups against government agencies and civilians to undermine the basic functions of the state was a real shock for the whole country, which was not prepared for such a large-scale aggression. These days for the first time in history of independence, we have faced a very difficult and turbulent period that now is called “Almaty tragedy”.

When protesters took to the streets in western Kazakhstan to voice their demands regarding gas prices, the government immediately engaged in a dialogue with the demonstrators. Following discussions, gas prices were reduced and measures to regulate the gas price were introduced. The demands of the protesters were met.

The problem started with the fact that peaceful protests, unfortunately were hijacked by perpetrators and terrorist groups both domestic and foreign that created a big problem for the country. When the rioters attacked military and administrative facilities and seized the Almaty airport, it became evident that the country was dealing with a well-organized terrorist assault. In fact, a well-organized criminals resorted to militant tactics in 11 regions, they conducted attacks on administrative buildings, TV stations, military bases, police precincts & civil facilities. They killed numerous law enforcement and civilians. The authorities reached the conclusion that Kazakhstan was facing a coup attempt. In this respect, a state of emergency was declared in the country.

Objectively assessing the situation and following the right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter, the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev approached the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). A small peacekeeping contingent with participation of all CSTO member-states from Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan has deployed in Almaty to protect strategic infrastructure. That permitted Kazakhstan law enforcement to concentrate on counterterrorism operation and fight against those perpetrators who were attacking. The CSTO peacekeeping contingent completed its mission and withdraw from Kazakhstan on January 19.

Unfortunately, there are human casualties, both among law enforcement officers and military personnel, as well as civilians. This is a huge tragedy for us, the relatives of the victims, and the entire Kazakh people.

At the same time, it should be underlined that Kazakhstan has not, did not and will not use armed force against peaceful protestors. Police and National Guard were protecting civilians and restoring the order confronting armed criminals and terrorists.

It should be noted that protesters in a democratic society do not engage in this level of violence, with this level of massive destruction and killings of law enforcement. As the tragedy of Almaty and other cities in Kazakhstan showed, it is the lack of observance of laws, permissiveness, anarchy that leads to the violation of human rights. For this purpose, it is the right of every government to secure the country and its people, taking all legal and administrative measures in accordance with international standards of democracy and respect for human rights.

Kazakhstan remains committed to its international obligations and universal principles of human rights and the rule of law. We will never deviate from the trajectory of further political modernization and will continue to support the right of citizens to peacefully protest.

It is important to emphasize the unity of the people of Kazakhstan at this difficult time. Citizens support the measures taken by President Tokayev to restore peace and have established communal groups to protect social facilities. Together we were able to overcome such a challenge as a united country.

On 20 January 2022 the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the situation in Kazakhstan. As it was stated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan this resolution is not only biased but also based on prejudiced opinions and assumptions.

There is an ongoing investigation into the tragic events by the Special Governmental Commission and we find it unacceptable that a document of this nature has been adopted before the publication of its findings. Therefore, we urge our esteemed partners to examine the situation objectively and await the results of the official investigation that will be openly shared with the international community in due time.

Moreover, an independent public commission consisting of lawyers specialized in criminal cases was established in Kazakhstan to investigate the January events. At the same time, the Government of Kazakhstan took all measures to ensure the rights of detainees and arrested persons. Close cooperation with human rights organizations has been established to prevent violations of detainees’ constitutional rights.

Without a doubt, this tragedy requires radical steps to change the system of state administration and the social sphere and to narrow the gap between different segments of our society. On January 11, President Tokayev announced plans for the implementation of a set of post-crisis measures for the renewal of society and the economy aimed at forming a fundamentally new paradigm for the development of Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan’s economy is recovering after the pandemic. We are expecting economic growth of 3.7 per cent this year. President Tokayev stressed that all our citizens should reap the benefits of this growth. Kazakhstan will ensure openness of the national economy, sanctity of contracts, respect for intellectual property rights and relentlessly combat corruption.

New reforms aim to become the basis of a new Kazakhstan. Fair competition, transparency and predictability of state policy, taxing honesty and social responsibility are set to become the principal elements of the new economic policy.

At the same time the Government is taking all necessary measures to restore the confidence of domestic and foreign investors and trading partners in the economy of Kazakhstan.

A new Concept of Investment Policy will be developed to increase the attractiveness of the country considering the increased environmental, social, and corporate governance requirements, as well as the global energy and technological transition.

We will continue to develop a close co-operation with all friends and partners, including the Netherlands and the EU. Kazakhstan will maintain favorable conditions for foreign investment.

Kazakhstan will recover and emerge out of this crisis even stronger and more united.

Bangladesh and the Netherlands @ 50 Deepening ‛tulip’ connection

Diplomat Magazine
-
0
Bangladesh and the Netherlands @ 50 Deepening ‛tulip’ connection

By H.E. Mr. M Riaz Hamidullah, Ambassador of Bangladesh to the Netherlands with concurrent accreditation to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia.

The Netherlands was one of the first OECD countries to recognize Bangladesh i.e. within two months’ of independence. This February, the two deltaic countries celebrate the golden jubilee of diplomatic ties that has evolved seamlessly.

While Bangladesh is a natural delta and the Netherlands is a regulated one, living and livelihood in both the densely populated lands significantly revolve around water. The two peoples celebrate a maritime heritage. In spite of diversity in the level of endowments and capacities, the two peoples champion resilience, adaptation and innovation in battling the limits of nature. Many Dutch having been to Bangladesh confide: it is the ceaseless endeavors of the Bangladeshis in converting the ‛challenges’ to ‛opportunities’ that attract them to Bangladesh. A Dutch soon associates him/herself with the ‛can do’ attitude, the uncanny aspiration-resilience-innovation of ordinary young women and men on the streets or villages in Bangladesh.

At the global stage, the two countries see eye-to-eye on many contemporary global issues e.g. SDGs, sustainability, responsible business, water, climate adaptation, women. Dhaka and Den Haag collaborate being driven by a shared understanding of ‛values’ in international domains e.g. peace and justice, crimes against humanity, humanitarianism. Bangladesh pro-actively engages with the Netherlands even on emerging discourses e.g. circular economy, net zero growth. These translate in an exceptional camaraderie between the Prime Ministers, Sheikh Hasina and Mark Rutte, on several platforms.

The Dutch engagements in Bangladesh actually commenced with robust development cooperation soon after independence in the 1970s. Beyond the Dutch governmental entities, over thirty Dutch NGOs and Foundations are active across a wider many of social and economic development. In the five decades since, the accent of the bilateral ties is largely on forging and deepening trade and economic partnerships. That is shepherded by growing number of Dutch and Bangladeshi entrepreneurs and enterprises shaping gainful partnerships, bilaterally or within global supply chains. Shifting from initial focus on building productive capacity in Bangladesh, today the collaboration spread over apparel manufacturing to FMCG, fintech, renewable energy, light engineering et al. With rapid urbanization and organized industrialization in Bangladesh, the Dutch business looks at newer many of collaboration to tap, for instance how to enhance water efficiency all across.

Ranked as the 43rd largest economy, Bangladesh economy is projected to emerge within leading 30, by year 2030. Consequently, demand for commodities, energy, services, technology and infrastructure in Bangladesh keeps rising. The Dutch entrepreneurs, innovators and SMEs consequently find opportunities to engage in mutually beneficial ways by employing ideas, innovation, knowledge and technology. Beyond conventional manufacturing landscape, newer areas and modes of collaboration are evident. Even ‘innovative finance’ is in attention where Dutch angel investors and impact investors are exploring opportunities in Bangladesh. 70+ Bangladeshi digital technology firms are now at work with their Dutch peers, for example.

The ‛Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100’ provides a key entry point for future collaboration. As much as it is to make Bangladesh delta resilient and climate-proof with Dutch expertise and experience in water works, a key focus is also to embark or transformation of Bangladesh agriculture. That is vindicated by several ‛Market Scans’ conducted recently by RVO on Bangladesh agriculture e.g. horticulture, aquaculture, dairy.

The ‛frontiers of possibilities’ is best illustrated by the 70,000 tulips that blossomed on Bangladesh soil this winter, thanks to a small farmer in vicinity of Dhaka. His tulips in ten colors flutter in open field, for the third year in a row. Delwar, the young farmer, left his Dutch tulip-bulb suppliers to disbelief. On a wider note: Delwar stands out to celebrate an uncanny friendship between the peoples of Bangladesh and the Netherlands. He also quietly underlines a unique story of cooperation and collaboration that continue to shape between the two delta.

Delwar should tell many that so many ‛improbable’ can be turned around. As millions of young Bangladeshi women and men aspire and strive to uplift their lives, the next decades promise so much of economic potential to be translated between Bangladesh and the Netherlands.

—————————–

Twitter: @hamidullah_riaz

1...185186187...867Page 186 of 867