April 2006 124th Issue

Hua Hin Events

There were many happy faces amongst the 300 children at the Petchburi Panyanugool Special School, as well as the guests, such as Khun Sanoh (below right). Other visitors and donations are most welcome - please contact the Observer for details.

Talented singer Suchart Chavangkul has signed on at Dusit Resort Hua Hin as the Director of Human Resources

The ‘Hua Hin Sun and Sea' (beach clean up) project, initiated by the Student Government Association of Stamford International University and supported by the University, the Hua Hin Municipality, Hilton Hua Hin Resort and Spa and the Marriott Resort and Spa

These two pictures show a commercial being filmed at the Palm Hills house of Rod Gretton, pictured above with the star of the ad Khun Tang Mo (right) and Ming.

Congratulations to a very happy couple, Jason and Pana!

Fah celebrates her birthday with her colleagues at the Observer - Happy Birthday Fah!

Hua Hin Online by HHAD

Another busy month online at the HHAD forums with a wide range of topics discussing life in Hua Hin. More arguments for and against the new Hua Hin Market Village with some readers praising it as just what the town needs and others not so convinced about the associated traffic problems and general “chaos” of life in Thai department stores. Alcohol sales have affected a few visitors to the new mall, some of which wondering why Tesco controls the times of liquor sales in every outlet in the complex. Some antiquated laws coming into place stating petrol stations can no longer sell alcohol but the little shop on the street outside can also comes under scrutiny.

On the theme of developing Hua Hin is a comparison between the town and Pattaya and what will Hua Hin be like in five years. Development of the sea front and sewage treatment comes under the eye as the town rolls forward in a wave of expansion.

Night owls are discussing the merits of their local haunts and a few new visitors share their stories on first experiences for Hua Hin. Accommodation hunters are looking for comparisons between some of the bigger hotels and seeking recommendations for the best ones for kids.

Property debates wage on with in depth discussions on the formulation of Thai limited companies to buy your house and possible changes in the future that could affect your investment. HHAD also launched a legal issues page similar to the one covered in the Observer last month.

We welcome Subway as our newest site sponsor, the opening of this and several other western food outlets also sparks some debate as the long termers on one side enjoy their occasional farang food fixes while those on holiday are looking for a little more culture in their culinary options.

Golfing fever continues with a visit to the 9 hole army course in Ao Manao and some very dodgy fairways, well that was one excuse anyway! Our resident Pro, Tong, is also online offering his expertise to anyone wishing to take up the sport.

More discussions regarding travel include using Songthaews in Hua Hin, the local minivan service and possible new flight schedules here. Diving options are discussed and the local spots at Koh Talu and Chumphon are highlighted. We also welcome Bang Saphan Guide, a new website offering information on the beach town two hours south of Hua Hin: www.bangsaphanguide.com

Success at local banks provides one reader with internet banking and disproves the opinion that foreigners can't get credit cards from Thai banks, they can! Plenty of visa issues are discussed especially those involving Thai nationals wishing to visit the UK.

HHAD forums are the definitive online message boards and discussions for the area, there are sections for finding and booking accommodation, seeking out bargains, and exploring the local area and beyond. There is also a nightlife section for the night owls, a restaurant and feeding guide along with an online meeting point for visa runners and clubs. The ever popular “Ask the expats” section is great for quickly getting the answers you need from the people that live here.

Logon and find out what is happening in Hua Hin:

NOTICE TO OBSERVER INSURANCE CUSTOMERS

Observer insurance customers for both BUPA and AVIVA policies need not be concerned over the “alleged” stealing of monies paid into the office.

All of this money has been paid in full by the Observer management to the Bangkok head offices of both AVIVA and BUPA. The receipts issued by Ms. Chatinee Srichun

on behalf of the Observer are valid and any outstanding policy documents can be collected from the Observer office in Soi 23.

The missing money, paid by a number of customers, is suspected to have been misdirected by Ms. Chatinee Srichun, who has now disappeared. Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts should contact either the Observer offices or the police.

The local police have been fully informed of all the details of the case and are investigating the matter, and will prosecute if necessary. Further action regarding this matter is being considered as well, with regard to false statements made about the office manager at the Observer.

Songkran

The Thai New Year (Southeast Asian New Year) ( ???????? = Songkran in Thai language) is celebrated every year on April 13 to April 15. It is also celebrated in Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar (Burma). The date of the festival was originally set by astrological calculation, but it is now fixed. If these days fall on a weekend, the missed days off will be taken on the days immediately following. Songkran falls in the hottest time of the year in Thailand, at the end of the dry season. Until 1888 the Thai New Year was the beginning of the year in Thailand; thereafter April 1 was used until 1940. January 1 is now the beginning of the year. The traditional Thai New Year has been a national holiday since then.

For individuals who have experienced "Songkran", this traditional Thai custom of merrymaking is seen to be the Kingdom's most "sanuk" (fun-filled) festival, and celebrated with tremendous enthusiasm, nationwide, once a year on April 13th marking the Thai new year.

Known the world over for its characteristic tradition of water-throwing ranging from a courteous sprinkle or a polite splash, to harmless water pistols and showers from garden hoses to the well-aimed bucket or water-cannon... delivered in a festive spirit. Without a doubt, on the practical side, Songkran is a refreshing solution to "beating the heat" in the hottest season of the year.

There is a however a much deeper significance to "Songkran". Apart from marking a new beginning, Songkran is also a time for thanksgiving. It is an important time for individuals to reflect upon the many acts of kindness and thoughtfulness each has personally experienced and to remember how such acts of generosity and compassion bring peace, happiness and well being. Songkran is also the time for reunions and family ties are renewed.

At the heart of each Thai custom and tradition, there is always a logical reason for its existence. The festive elements of the celebration itself, the cultural values, the social code of conduct and individual belief and practices are intertwined. It can be said that in essence, Songkran embodies the traditional Thai Cultural Values.

"Songkran" is a word from the Sanskrit language, which means to "move into" and refers to the orbit of the sun moving into Aries. It marks the end of a 12-month cycle and the beginning of a new solar year. Songkran is therefore a New Year celebration. There is a similar named Indian Festival called Sankrant or Makar Sankranti, celebrated on 14 January every year. Songkran as such has a similarity to the Indian festival of Holi.

The underlying significance of Songkran is the process of cleansing and purification - the purging of all ills, misfortune and evil and starting the New Year afresh with all that is good and pure. Water is symbolic of the cleaning process and signifies purity. In general, Songkran is a time for cleaning and renewal. Many Thais take this opportunity to give their home a thorough cleaning.

The most obvious celebration of Songkran is the throwing of water. People roam the streets with bowls of water, water guns or even a garden hose, and drench each other and passers by. Some even mix coloured powder into the water. This tradition originated in the lustration ceremony, in which the Buddha images in the temples are cleaned. In many cities, such as Chiang Mai, the Buddha statues from all of the wats in the city are paraded through the streets, so that people can throw water on them as they pass. The use of plaster is also very common having originated in the plaster used by monks to mark blessings.

The traditional greeting is ???????????? (sawatdii pimaï), basically "Happy New Year." There are other greetings that wish for health or prosperity.

THE ANCIENT CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS OF SONGKRAN

There are three aspects to Songkran.

APRIL 13th - The First Day

On the first day, April 13th, various activities are undertaken to "send off" the outgoing year. In the morning, merit-making rituals are performed and offerings are made to the Buddhist monks. Spring-cleaning and personal cleansing are also part of this "renewal" process. Later in the day, Buddha images are bathed with lustral water in a gesture of respect. The religious ceremonies include a procession of Buddha images through the city streets offering an opportunity for residents of the community to take part in the bathing rites. An annual "Miss Songkran" parade and floral floats are part of the popular festivities held to greet the Thai New Year.

APRIL 14th - The Second Day

On April 14th, the day when the position of the sun is mid-way between Pisces and Aries, merit making continues in the morning with offerings being made to Buddhist monks. The world-famous Songkran water-splashing festive fun takes place all day helping revellers to beat the summer heat. In the evening, sand is brought to the temples for the building of sand castles, which are then decorated with colourful flags and flowers. The practice reflects an ancient belief that when an individuals walks away from a temple, particles of sand from the temple grounds are inadvertently carried away on one's shoes or sandals. The building of sand castles for the temple is seen to be a practical way of replacing the sand lost and a merit-making act through which blessings are earned.

APRIL 15th - The Third Day

The Thai New Year falls on April 15th. Typical merit-making rites performed on this day include the presentation of food and other offerings to Buddhist monks at the temples; donations are made; fishes and birds are released; and a bathing ritual is observed whereby lustral water is poured over respected elders in a gesture of respect and reverence. The seeking of their blessing or forgiveness for past wrongdoing is also implied. Additionally it is believed that through these acts of merit making, loved ones, long departed are endowed with blessings and good fortune.

The religious ceremonies and folk rituals associated with Songkran are principally performed to bring good luck and prosperity. The rituals are also acts of gratitude and indebtedness undertaken in the memory of those who have passed on to another world.

THE TRUE SPIRIT OF SONGKRAN - CULTURAL VALUES & CODE OF CONDUCT DEFINED

Apart from marking a new beginning, Songkran is a time for thanksgiving. It is an important time for individuals to reflect upon the many acts of kindness and thoughtfulness each has personally experienced and to remember how such acts of generosity and compassion bring peace, happiness and well being. Songkran is also the time for reunions and family ties are renewed.

The underlying significance of Songkran is the process of cleansing and purification - the purging of all ills, misfortune and evil and starting the New Year afresh with all that is good and pure. Water is symbolic of the cleaning process and signifies purity.

The Cultural Values inherent in the Songkran Festival are expressed through the various ceremonies and rituals. The meaningful aspects of Songkran are varied and culturally rich.

The first cultural value is "THANKSGIVING" - The demonstration of gratitude and an expression of thanks to individuals who have "done good" or shown goodwill and are worthy of respect and recognition. Thanksgiving is demonstrated in Ceremonial aspects of Songkran such as the bathing of Buddha statues with lustral water, and the pouring of lustral water over elders and respected individuals conveys this and other outward demonstration of respect.

The second cultural value is loyalty to ancestors. This is achieved through merit making.

The third cultural value focuses on an individual's sense of awareness of his/her responsibilities towards the family and home. It is demonstrated via the traditional custom of "spring cleaning".

The fourth value addresses the value of religion and highlights the well- defined roles and responsibilities of the "temples and monasteries" on the one hand and the community served by the religious institution. Observance of this principle involves:

- Community involvement in the spring-cleaning of temples

- Merit making and offering food and alms to monks

- The bathing of Buddha statues and monks

- The construction of "chedis" or stupas and the decoration or beautification of temple surroundings

The fifth value is "ACTS OF KINDNESS AND GENEROSITY" towards others or doing good for others. Demonstrated by the preparation, exchange and sharing of food and desserts by members of the community and the sprinkling of water on each other. This is a gesture of hospitality shown as individuals attempt to "cool" each other off in the intense summer heat.

The sixth value is the spirit of co-operation and community spirit demonstrated through the enthusiastic participation of individuals of the community in Songkran festivities, sharing in the fun, spreading happiness and goodwill to all.

The morning of Songkran Day begins with merit making according to local customs and traditions. Younger folks make their way to show their respect and seek the blessings of elders and individuals of seniority by making offerings. The ritual that accompanies this show of respect is highly elaborate. Deep respect and reverence is shown to the highest institution of the Kingdom - the monarchy and members of the royal family, learned individuals in particular those who are "teachers" the providers of knowledge to students and elders recognised for their worldly experience and wisdom.

This gesture of respect manifests itself in the form of a colourful and vibrant procession. This is Songkran and not a moment's "sanuk" is to be missed. Bright colours, song and dance and festive fun are the order of the day.

Once the ceremonial gesture of respect has been shown and the good-spirited water throwing is over, everyone returns home to "freshen up" and prepare for the evening's celebrations, which consists of various performances and forms of entertainment. Not to be missed is the "Ram Wong" Thai folk dance. The "Ram Wong" enables everyone to join in the fun.

The Songkran activities that take place in various locations around the kingdom are culturally unique and reflect local beliefs and practices. Each offers varying elements of interest. In Hua Hin you will see Songkran being celebrated everywhere, but the centre of the town, and particularly the areas where the bars are will be where you are guaranteed a soaking! The beach is also where many people go to enjoy the fun.

DO's & DON'Ts:

- DO UNDERSTAND that throwing water at anybody is a happy event during Songkran. It's accepted, in fact expected.

- DON'T TURN VIOLENT if someone tries to smear your girlfriend's face. Smearing the face with powder is another aspect of this festival and you have the right to do the same.

- DO WEAR appropriate clothing; women should avoid wearing something that will become see-through or too revealing when wet. Some men will try to make the most of this if you do.

- DO NOTE that passengers in public buses are the most sought after targets. Policemen and foreigners (Farang in Thai) are also specially targeted.

- DO JOIN IN this water throwing, and have fun!

Strings and Stone

Australian artist Adele Turner brings her first Thai solo exhibition to the Rotunda Gallery this May. Entitled “Strings and Stone” , the exhibition showcases a series of multimedia artworks expressing the gentle beauty and quiet strength of the Asian peoples and their various cultures.

Adele has taken inspiration from Asian puppets and stone sculptures. She subtly blends oils, ink and conte on collaged paper backgrounds to create works of art that are evocative of the traditions they were inspired by. The beautiful colour combinations she uses vary between vibrant and harmonious, but always promote a sense of tranquility in the viewer. This effect is achieved by Adele's careful layering of paint,which is slowly built up using oil paint mixed with linseed oil.

Meet the artist, Adele Turner, at the Rotunda Gallery from 10:00 am 2:00pm on Saturday 6th of May. She will be available to answer questions about her work and demonstrate her multimedia technique.

The exhibition will run from 3-31 May 2006 at the Rotunda Gallery, Neilson Hays Library, 195 Surawong Road, Bangkok. For further information phone 02 2331731 or E-mail: susannevl@yahoo.com

Earth Report

The environment is important to every creature on this planet, and the first in our occasional series of ‘Earth Report' focuses on worldwide and local issues; the threat of global warming, Thai energy policy and a look at some endangered species are our first offerings.

Global Warming Basics

What causes global warming?

Carbon dioxide and other air pollution that is collecting in the atmosphere like a thickening blanket, trapping the sun's heat and causing the planet to warm up. Coal-burning power plants are the largest with automobiles, the second largest source. Technologies exist today to make cars that run cleaner and burn less gas, modernize power plants and generate electricity from non-polluting sources, and cut our electricity use through energy efficiency.

Is the earth really getting hotter?

Although local temperatures fluctuate naturally, over the past 50 years the average global temperature has increased at the fastest rate in recorded history. And experts think the trend is accelerating: the 10 hottest years on record have all occurred since 1990.

Are warmer temperatures causing bad things to happen?

Global warming is already causing damage in many parts of the world. In 2003, extreme heat waves caused many deaths in Europe and more than 1,500 deaths in India. And in what scientists regard as an alarming sign of events to come, the area of the Arctic's perennial polar ice cap is declining at the rate of 9 percent per decade.

Is global warming making hurricanes worse?

Global warming doesn't create hurricanes, but it does make them stronger and more dangerous. Because the ocean is getting warmer, tropical storms can pick up more energy and become more powerful. So global warming could turn, say, a category 3 storm into a much more dangerous category 4 storm. In fact, scientists have found that the destructive potential of hurricanes has greatly increased along with ocean temperature over the past 35 years.

Is there really cause for serious concern?

Global warming is a complex phenomenon, and its full-scale impacts are hard to predict far in advance. But each year scientists learn more about how global warming is affecting the planet, and many agree that certain consequences are likely to occur if current trends continue. Among these are:

* Melting glaciers, early snowmelt and severe droughts will cause more dramatic water shortages.

* Rising sea levels will lead to coastal flooding.

* Warmer sea surface temperatures will fuel more intense hurricanes.

* Forests, farms and cities will face troublesome new pests and more mosquito-borne diseases.

* Disruption of habitats such as coral reefs and alpine meadows could drive many plant and animal species to extinction.

Could global warming trigger a sudden catastrophe?

In a worst-case scenario, global warming could make large areas of the world uninhabitable and cause massive food and water shortages, sparking widespread migrations and war. While this prospect remains highly speculative, many of global warming's effects are already being observed - and felt. And the idea that such extreme change is possible underscores the urgent need to start cutting global warming pollution.

What country is the largest source of global warming pollution?

Though Americans make up just 4 percent of the world's population, the United States produce 25 percent of the carbon dioxide pollution from fossil-fuel burning - by far the largest share of any country. In fact, the United States emits more carbon dioxide than China, India and Japan, combined.

How can we cut global warming pollution?

By reducing pollution from vehicles and power plants. Right away, we should put existing technologies for building cleaner cars and more modern electricity generators into widespread use. We can increase our reliance on renewable energy sources such as wind, sun and geothermal. And we can manufacture more efficient appliances and conserve energy.

Why aren't these technologies more commonplace now?

Because, while the technologies exist, the corporate and political will to put them into widespread use does not. From requiring catalytic converters to improving fuel mileage, car companies have fought even the smallest measure to protect public health and the environment.

Is it possible to cut power plant pollution and still have enough electricity?

First, we must use more efficient appliances and equipment in our homes and offices to reduce our electricity needs. We can also phase out the decades old, coal-burning power plants and replace them with cleaner plants. And we can increase our use of renewable energy sources such as wind and sun.

How can we cut car pollution?

There is no reason to wait and hope that hydrogen fuel cell vehicles will solve the problem in the future. Hybrid gas-electric engines can cut global warming pollution by one-third or more today; hybrid sedans, SUVs and trucks from several automakers are already on the market. But automakers should be doing a lot more: They've used a legal loophole to make SUVs far less fuel efficient than they could be; the popularity of these vehicles has generated a 20 percent increase in transportation-related carbon dioxide pollution since the early 1990s. If automakers used the technology they have right now to raise fuel economy standards for new cars and light trucks to a combined 40 m.p.g. carbon dioxide pollution would eventually drop by more than 650 million tons per year as these vehicles replaced older models.

What can I do to help fight global warming?

There are many simple steps you can take right now to cut global warming pollution. Make conserving energy a part of your daily routine. Each time you choose a compact fluorescent light bulb over an incandescent bulb, for example, you'll lower your energy bill and keep nearly 700 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the air over the bulb's lifetime. By opting for a refrigerator with the Energy label -- indicating it uses less energy - you can reduce carbon dioxide pollution by nearly a ton in total.

Endangered Species- Tigers

Despite the best efforts of conservation groups and governments, tigers still struggle to survive. After four years of careful study and analysis to determine where tigers have the best chance of survival, the World Wildlife Fund is embarking on a new conservation strategy. This ambitious plan, which they hope will serve as a rallying cry to all people interested in saving the tiger, recognizes the need to take tiger conservation beyond the borders of national parks and reserves into entire landscapes, devoting most of their efforts to specific focal landscapes.

These areas, selected from across the tiger's range, are the habitats where the chances of long-term tiger survival are greatest and where efforts are underway, or where future efforts will likely be most valuable:

Russian Far East

Terai Arc (along the border of Nepal and India)

Satpuda-Maikal Range (central India)

Sundarbans (Bangladesh and India)

Lower Mekong Forests (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Vietnam)

Taman Negara-Belum-Halabala (Malaysia and Thailand)

Central and South Sumatra (Indonesia)

Tenasserim Western Forest Complex (Thailand)

The “North Bank” of Arunchal Pradesh-Assam-Namdapha (India and Bhutan)

The Nilgiris (southwest India)

Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong (east India)

Their tiger conservation strategy is based on a landscape-level rather than site-specific approach, encompassing integrated land-use planning, including local stakeholders and fully addressing the ecological needs. A field team and coordinator are already or will be assigned to each focal landscape and have the vital role of translating WWF's vision and strategy into action on the ground. That strategy is two-fold: 1. Working to establish well-managed networks of buffered core protected areas and tiger-friendly corridors in the focal landscapes. An important indicator of success will be the presence, by the year 2010, of at least 100 breeding female tigers in each area. 2. Working to reduce - and ultimately, eliminate - the trade in tiger parts and products to a level that no longer threatens the tiger's survival. This will require close cooperation between WWF, the TRAFFIC network, appropriate governments, non-governmental organizations and other partners.

SOURCE: Adapted from 1999 WWF Species Status Report Wanted Alive! Tigers in the Wild

NOTE*: Figures for Bhutan, Nepal, and Russia are for adult tigers. Tiger specialists consider such figures more realistic because many cubs are unlikely to survive to maturity. View maps of present tiger distributions and WWF focal tiger landscapes.

WORLD TIGER DISTRIBUTION

(2000 Estimates)

Minimum Maximum

SIBERIA 360 406

China, Northern 30 35

North Korea *10 *10 Russia 330 371 INDIAN SUBCONTINENT 3176 4556

Bangladesh 362 362

Bhutan 67 81

China, Western 30 35

India 2500 3750

Myanmar, Western 124 231

Nepal 93 97

Minimum Maximum

SOUTHEAST ASIA 1627 2285

Cambodia 150 300

China, Southwest 30 40

Indonesia 400 500

Laos * *

Malaysia 491 510

Myanmar, Eastern 106 234

Thailand 250 501

Vietnam 200 200

SOUTH CHINA 20 30

China 20 30

APPROXIMATE TOTALS

Minimum 5,183

Maximum 7,277

Thai government agrees to

Greenpeace demand for

national energy policy review

December 09, 2005. Greenpeace activists blocked the road entrance to the BLCP coal plant at Map Ta Phut, Thailand. The activists were demanding it's immediate closure, calling on the Thai government to phase out coal power and to commit to renewable energy.

Rayong, THAILAND — In a major breakthrough at the end of a Greenpeace blockade of the BCLP coal facility at Map Ta Phut, the Thai National Economic and Social Advisory Council of the Prime Minister's office, committed to a review of the Government's energy policy. “Greenpeace considers this a major victory for the Thai people,” said Greenpeace Southeast Asia spokesperson Tara Buakamsri from the sit-in that had disrupted the plant's operations today. “Thailand has a vast potential for clean, renewable energies such as modern biomass, wind and solar. It's time to shift government policy towards them.” “Coal plants like BLCP are the main cause of climate change,” said Greenpeace International's Jean Francois Fauconnier aboard the Rainbow Warrior. “We came here asking the Thai government to review its coal-driven energy policy so that it could realistically commit to an 8% target for renewable energies by 2011 and now we have one. At a time when nations party to the Kyoto Protocol have been at the table discussing commitments to reducing greenhouse emissions in Montreal, it is incumbent on the government that they begin taking the issue of climate change seriously.” “Coal has produced devastating environmental and health problems for both workers and neighbouring communities. It is a step forward that the government has committed to consult with affected communities who joined us here in peaceful protest today,” concluded Buakamsri.

Endangered Species-

THE Bumble Bee Bat

The ‘Bumble Bee Bat' (Craseonycteris thonglongyai) is the smallest mammal in the world, it is in the new family of insect-eating bat, which was first found in 1973 by Mr.Kitti Thonglongya and his team. Its special character is its very small size; its nose looks like that of a pig and it has no tail. The length of the body, measuring from its nose tip to bottom is only 29-33 mm. and its wingspan is 160 cm. and it weighs approximately 2 grams. (500 Bumble Bee Bats weigh 1 kilogram.)

They live in 21 limestone caves in Kanchanaburi Province, and there has been no report of its finding anywhere else in Thailand or the world. Since 1996 the Bumble Bee Bat has been identified as a critically endangered mammal.

The factors that have reduced the numbers of Bumble Bee Bats was mining and numerous tourist visits into their caves which disturbed the bats when they need 20 minutes prior to dusk and dawn to go out of the caves to feed. The rest of the time they need to sleep. Therefore, being disturbed, they wake up and lose their energy until they ultimately die. Besides, changing environment around their caves such as cutting down of big trees made an impact on the bats since they need these trees to remember their route from and to their caves. Disappearing trees thus affected them by preventing them from going out or returning to their caves.

CONSERVATION GUIDELINES

1. There should be an environmental impact assessment should there be an implementation of a big project passing through the caves of the Bumble Bee Bat.

2. Tourists should be informed that they should not enter the caves where Bumble Bee Bats live. If it is in a critical situation, habitats of Bumble Bee Bat should be kept secret.

3. Coordinate with and ask for collaboration from local communities and government officials to help preserve the environment around the Bumble Bee Bat's caves and to maintain its original condition as much as possible.

Asian news and current affairs

Hamas's lesson for Indonesia and the US

By Gary LaMoshi

DENPASAR, Bali - Observers have focused on one obvious lesson from Hamas' victory in the Palestinian election: democracy in the Middle East may not produce the results the United States wants. But there's a larger global lesson particularly applicable in Indonesia, the latest US poster country for democracy in the Muslim world.

The Bush administration's embrace of democracy as the answer for the Middle East is another symptom of its allergy to unwelcome facts. The theory proposes that democracy will produce regimes friendly to US policies. That just ain't so.

If the US theory worked in Israel, the closest thing to a democracy in the region, then Shimon Peres would have been prime minister for the past decade, rather than the Likudniks. If it worked in Iran, the most democratic Muslim country there, the world wouldn't be fretting over potential nuclear-weapons development.

In Latin America, democracy first produced a wave of free marketers the US could love; later results show a swing to the left, including virulently anti-US Hugo Chavez in Venezuela. Democracy produces results that are far more likely to reflect the aspirations and hopes of people on the street, based on local issues, than the dreams of the White House.

'Our SOB'

This lesson isn't new. US policymakers have known it for decades and, current rhetoric aside, it's doubtful they've forgotten it. From the Shah of Iran to the House of Saud, Sese Seko Mobutu to Ferdinand Marcos, Augusto Pinochet to Park Chung-hee, the US has traditionally favored "our SOB" (an apocryphal quote attributed to presidents as far back as Franklin Roosevelt) over free and fair elections. Often, the US predicted chaos if its man fell, and in some cases, such as the former Zaire, it's been proved right.

Today in the Middle East, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and the Saudi royals suffer occasional public prodding over a lack of democracy. But it's just lip service, similar to US 1960s and 1970s criticism of apartheid South Africa. It's the same with that great US ally in its global "war on terror", Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf.

While the US habitually encourages democratic window-dressing and sometimes wins marginal concessions, if push comes to shove, those regimes know the US will be in their corner for strategic reasons, whatever they do or don't do at the ballot boxes.

In Egypt, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, the US fears that full-blown democracy could lead to the same results as in the Palestinian election: a victory for radical Islamic parties. US analysis is probably correct, and the Hamas victory illustrates why.

Hamas' venomous views on Israel get virtually all the attention in the US, but those weren't the deciding factor in the Palestinian election. Palestinians didn't vote to push Israel into the sea, but to toss corrupt Fatah officials off the boat. Former Palestinian president Yasser Arafat reportedly stashed away billions during his decades as head of Fatah and the Palestinian Liberation Organization. Despite a steady stream of aid dollars from the United Nations, the West and the Gulf states, average Palestinians have seen little progress or development. The key to Hamas' victory was that voters perceived it as honest, a reputation aided by a social-services network benefiting ordinary Palestinians.

Scout's honor

That doesn't mean Hamas is a bunch of boy scouts. Voters may have cast their ballots against corruption, but they also get "death to Israel" as part of the Hamas package. Palestinians saw corruption as their overriding concern, and either ignored the rest or decided it was an acceptable price for cleaner government. As much as the struggle with Israel, corruption had become an obvious, if not unbearable, burden in the daily lives of average Palestinians, and they seized the opportunity to do something about it at the ballot box. Saudis and Egyptians would, too, most likely, as Pakistanis have when given the chance.

In Indonesia, a similar scenario may be unfolding, with the US working the wrong side of the street. Indonesia places in the top five in global corruption rankings, largely thanks to the legacy of the (US-backed) Suharto regime. Democratically elected President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has made fighting corruption a top priority, but progress has been spotty.

The Indonesian military, the centerpiece of Suharto's New Order, remains the nexus of much of Indonesia's corruption, but it also remains largely beyond the reach of civilian authorities. US moves to restore full ties with the military will only serve to strengthen its clout and broaden its impunity (see US 'national security' favors Indonesian thugs, December 2, 2005).

One political party has made corruption its top issue and gained growing appeal, the Prosperous Justice Party (known by its Indonesian abbreviation PKS, which, ironically, also abbreviates the politically correct term for prostitute). PKS was one of just two parties to gain votes in the 2004 legislative elections compared with the 1999 national vote. At its national convention last August, PKS targeted 20% of the vote, which would place it in the top three among Indonesia's political parties, if not the largest, and allow it to run a presidential candidate.

Who's serving whom?

Chosen Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly, then-PKS leader Hidayat Nur Wahid (no relation to former Indonesian president and reformist cleric Abdurrahman Wahid) won plaudits with a declaration that he would forgo many of the job's perks, including the fancy limousine and hotel suite.

His act underscored how far PKS stands out from other parties: PKS portrays itself as privileged to serve the public, while Indonesian politicians typically view service as an entitlement to privilege (see Indonesia's transition: The good, the bad and the ugly, October 20, 2004).

PKS is an Islamic party, known for working at the grassroots level through mosques, and some adherents fear that the pursuit of political power has distracted it from its original mission, preaching. In its campaigns, PKS plays down extremist Islamist positions and shrouds its support for sharia (Islamic) law. In the Far Eastern Economic Review last May, Sadanand Dhume sounded alarm bells about PKS's fanaticism, an article that may have been more extreme than any PKS views.

There is no comparison between Hamas and PKS, except that they are both Islam-based parties that have gained by following the Koran's invocation of dakwah, good works on Earth. The point is not how far apart they are or how radical PKS may be now or become later. The point is that Islamism isn't what wins votes.

In the 2004 vote, PKS also became the biggest party in Jakarta's city council. There's no plurality for sharia in Jakarta, by far Indonesia's most cosmopolitan and pluralistic urban center. But Jakarta is also arguably Indonesia's corruption center, and its municipal government is famously unresponsive and dysfunctional, except for funneling wealth to officials.

Like their Palestinian counterparts, Jakarta voters were ready to accept or ignore PKS's Islamist baggage in favor of a more pressing issue. Indonesia's Islamic parties have polled roughly a third of the vote in every legitimate national election, but the door is wide open for PKS or more radical parties, if they can establish and retain their anti-corruption credentials, to succeed across Indonesia.

Corruption, not Islamism, is the issue that's going to win hearts and minds in Indonesia, and the sooner Washington realizes that, the better the chances that secular, moderate parties will continue to carry the day. It's not about supporting the military as a bulwark against radicalism, it's about encouraging clean government. If Bill Clinton's political adviser James Carville had the White House's ear, he'd frame the issue in a way even George W Bush could understand it: It's the corruption, stupid.

Gary LaMoshi has worked as a broadcast producer and print writer and editor in the US and Asia. Longtime editor of investor rights advocate eRaider.com, he is also a contributor to Slate and Salon.com, and a counselor for Writing Camp (www.writingcamp.net).

(Copyright 2005 Asia Times Online Ltd. All rights reserved. Please contact us for information on sales, syndication and republishing .)

Another casualty of the 'war on terror'

For God and Country: Faith and Patriotism under Fire by James Yee and Aimee Molloy

Public Affairs (October 2005). ISBN: 1586483692. Price US$24, 240 pages.

Reviewed by Imran Andrew Price

Former army captain James Yee, a West Point graduate and Muslim chaplain to 660 prisoners at the Guantanamo Bay prison in Cuba , has written an absorbing autobiography detailing his September 2003 arrest for espionage and subsequent dismissal of all charges against him.

His book, written with journalist Aimee Melloym, is a searing indictment of the Bush administration's "war on terror" by one of its many innocent victims. Nearly five years have passed since the September 11 attacks in the US , and the American public is now becoming more aware of the high costs they are paying for the response. But it's not only the official price tag of US$440 billion (independent estimates put it in excess of $1 trillion) and the more than 2,000 American dead and 16,000 injured.

There's also the damage done to America's reputation due to: the reasons given to justify the war; the Abu Ghraib prison torture scandal; the "extraordinary renditions" saga in which suspected terrorists are taken into US custody but delivered to a third-party state; the Valerie Plame/Joe Wilson affair (she was outed as a CIA operative after her husband dismissed the Bush administration's claim that Saddam's regime was trying to buy yellowcake, used to make a nuclear weapon, from Niger); the domestic spying scandal in which Bush signed a secret order authorizing the NSA to eavesdrop on anyone in the United States; and the ongoing issue of Guantanamo Bay and prisoner rights.

Yee's experience at Guantanamo was frightening. Despite exemplary service over many years and nearly 12 months in Cuba under difficult circumstances, he was charged with espionage and being part of a terrorist ring of fellow Muslim soldiers. Authorities suggested he took classified and confidential information, such as a map of the base and information about prisoners. But he denied those charges and the prosecution never presented any evidence to support them.

After being in solitary confinement for 76 days, possibly facing the death penalty, the charges were dropped; he was then charged with adultery and having pornographic materials on his computer. Those charges were also subsequently dropped, and he was given an honourable discharge from the army. The process not only ruined his career and almost caused his wife to commit suicide, but also put a huge strain on their marriage.

Yee accuses the authorities of targeting him purely for his religion and is particularly critical of Major-General Geoffrey Miller, who was put in charge of Guantanamo shortly after Yee arrived and subsequently became known worldwide after his transfer to Baghdad for his role in the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal. No action has been taken against Miller for the procedures he allowed the intelligence services to adopt in either Guantanamo or Abu Ghraib.

One of Yee's responsibilities at Guantanamo was to report on the various practices he deemed in contravention of the US Army's standard operating procedures and American values. He believes he was targeted because of those reports, which listed cases of physical abuse of prisoners and disrespect of the Koran and religious rights, particularly by the intelligence officers responsible for interrogations. Recent reports from the UN, Red Cross, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have supported Yee's allegations, with many prisoners innocent of terrorism charges.

Just two days prior to his arrest, Yee got a very strong recommendation and review by his commanding officer, and many who served with him were very supportive throughout his ordeal. An investigation into his arrest was promised but no findings have been published. Despite Yee's extremely harsh treatment, he is not taking any action against the army for compensation. But nearly two years later, he is still hoping for an apology.

The book also contains interesting details of his upbringing in New Jersey as part of a third generation of immigrants. For example, he and his brothers were much more interested in baseball than learning anything about their origins. His father and two of his brothers served in the US military. He converted to Islam after graduating from West Point and went to live in Syria for four years to learn Arabic and study Islam. His aim was to be one of the first Muslim chaplains to serve in the US Army, which he achieved in January 2001.

Yee's autobiography amply demonstrates the huge gap between the lofty rhetoric of the Bush administration and the practical realities that many Muslims are feeling around the world. After September 11, Yee was dedicated to doing everything he could to reduce the gulf of misunderstanding about Islam and Muslims. He was thrown in prison and had his career ruined for his efforts.

The most astounding part of this story is that instead of putting such an exemplary American Muslim on a pedestal to help alleviate misunderstandings about Islam in the West, the authorities tried to destroy him. It seems they are more interested in war than peace.

Imran Andrew Price is an Australian and a permanent resident of Singapore who is deputy director general of the Center for Contemporary Islamic Studies.

(Copyright 2006 Asia Times Online Ltd. All rights reserved. Please contact us for information on sales, syndication and republishing.)

Brit Awards 2006: winners

Pop Act Presented by: Harry Hill

James Blunt

British Urban Act Presented by: Jamelia

Lemar

International Breakthrough Act Presented by: Beth Orton

Jack Johnson

International Male Solo Artist Presented by: Boy George

Kanye West

British Rock Act Presented by: Tamsin Greig

Kaiser Chiefs

British Breakthrough Act Presented by: Chris O'Dowd

Arctic Monkeys

British Live Act Presented by: Thandie Newton

Kaiser Chiefs

British Male Solo Artist Presented by: Wayne Coyne

James Blunt

British Single Presented by: Morten Harket

Coldplay Speed Of Sound

International Group Presented by: Kelly Osbourne

Green Day

British Group Presented by: Deborah Harry

Kaiser Chiefs

British Female Solo Artist Presented by: Jo Whiley

KT Tunstall

International Female Solo Artist Presented by: Neil Tennant

Madonna

International Album Presented by: Paris Hilton

Green Day American Idiot

MasterCard British Album Presented by: Madonna

Coldplay X&Y

Outstanding Contribution Presented by: Ray Winstone

Paul Weller

Oscars: WINNERS

Best Motion Picture of the Year

CRASH Paul Haggis and Cathy Schulman

Achievement in Directing

BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN

Ang Lee

Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role

Philip Seymour Hoffman in CAPOTE

Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role

Reese Witherspoon in WALK THE LINE

Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role

George Clooney in SYRIANA

Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role

Rachel Weisz in THE CONSTANT GARDENER

Best Animated Feature Film of the Year

WALLACE & GROMIT IN THE CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT Nick Park and Steve Box

Best Live Action Short Film

SIX SHOOTER Martin McDonagh

Best Animated Short Film

THE MOON AND THE SON: AN IMAGINED CONVERSATION John Canemaker and Peggy Stern

Best Documentary Short Subject

A NOTE OF TRIUMPH: THE GOLDEN AGE OF NORMAN CORWIN Corinne Marrinan and Eric Simonson

Best Documentary Feature

MARCH OF THE PENGUINS Luc Jacquet and Yves Darondeau

Best Foreign Language Film of the Year

TSOTSI South Africa

Original Screenplay

CRASH Screenplay by Paul Haggis & Bobby Moresco; Story by Paul Haggis

Adapted Screenplay

BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN Screenplay by Larry McMurtry & Diana Ossana

Achievement in Visual Effects

KING KONG Joe Letteri, Brian Van't Hul, Christian Rivers and Richard Taylor

Achievement in Costume Design

MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA Colleen Atwood

Achievement in Makeup

THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE Howard Berger and Tami Lane

Achievement in Art Direction

MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA John Myhre (Art Direction); Gretchen Rau (Set Decoration)

Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score)

BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN Gustavo Santaolalla

Achievement in Sound Mixing

KING KONG Christopher Boyes, Michael Semanick, Michael Hedges and Hammond Peek

Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song)

"IT'S HARD OUT HERE FOR A PIMP" FROM HUSTLE & FLOW Music and Lyric by Jordan Houston, Cedric Coleman and Paul Beauregard

Achievement in Sound Editing

KING KONG Mike Hopkins and Ethan Van der Ryn

Achievement in Film Editing

CRASH Hughes Winborne

Achievement in Cinematography

MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA Dion Beebe

Honorary Academy Award

Robert Altman

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