tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301484752011-04-21T14:01:57.553-05:00bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comBlogger671100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-36896523291398526182008-10-12T11:51:00.001-05:002008-10-12T11:53:18.062-05:00

This blog is clearly closed. Not that I've recovered from being a Southeast Asia news watcher. No, it is only that I'm more interested in my own beat at home in Atlanta. Visit me at ConcourseE.blogspot.com, showing you Atlanta's place in the world.

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-56689400647286131062007-04-04T21:41:00.000-05:002008-12-12T00:38:04.727-05:00

Some British TV Show called "Top Gear" is getting frowns from Malaysia's government for bashing a relatively new import to the island: the Perodua Kelisa. Literally bashing, with a sledgehammer. This "Top Gear" guy called the Kelisa "unimaginative junk, with no soul, no flair and no passion". Passion? We're talking about a vehicle here, not a prince charming. . . .And if BoI remembers correctly,

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-14069540092733861102007-02-12T22:47:00.000-05:002008-12-12T00:38:04.975-05:00

In preparation for the 2008 Bejing summer Olympics, the country's coming-out party, city authorities have cranked up the "Civilized Beijing campaign".Beijing residents can expect fines for public spitting. The practice is incredibly (to a foreigner) widespread, but upon speaking with an actual Chinese person, BoI heard "spitting is totally a part of Chinese culture. Telling Chinese people not to

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-2898700921587586802007-02-07T22:40:00.000-05:002007-02-03T17:16:39.219-05:00

The ASEAN Cup 2007 goes to Singapore, who beat Thailand 3-2 on Sunday. The match was without incident. (See the last post.)

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-66189846600797674172007-02-03T16:37:00.000-05:002008-12-12T00:38:05.196-05:00

In part of an ongoing rumble, Thailand stalked off the field during an ASEAN championship match with Singapore. (shown at left)In the 82nd minute of play, score 1-1, Singaporean striker Noh Alam Shah collided with Thai defender Niweat Siriwong in the penalty box. Both fell to the ground.The Malaysian referee judged Siriwong to be at fault and awarded a penalty kick to Singapore.No doubt the call

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-83929907105446175292007-01-28T13:53:00.000-05:002008-12-12T00:38:06.114-05:00

The Armed Forces of the Philippines killed Abu Sayyaf leader Khaddafy Janjalani, DNA tests confirm.Testing on some remains found in December of a person killed in September proves AFP killed Janjalani in a firefight. A few days earlier, Abu Sulaiman had been mortally injured in a separate battle with armed forces. The US had offered a reward of up to $5 million for info leading to the capture or

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-65991900857752209812007-01-19T17:57:00.000-05:002008-12-12T00:38:06.386-05:00

Welcome Back ChinaChina Shakes the World: A Titan’s Rise and Troubled Future-and the Challenge for America. James Kynge, Houghton Mifflin; 288 pages; $25.James Kynge, veteran Financial Times correspondent in Beijing, has spent the last two decades watching China rejoin the world. And his new book China Shakes the World explains how 1.2 billion newly globalized persons, their government, problems

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-51647625066794321602007-01-16T22:23:00.000-05:002008-12-12T00:38:06.572-05:00

Thaksin Shinawatra, seen putzing around in various places such as China and London since his ouster in September, is now in Singapore. He was caught dining at Ng Ah Sio Pork Ribs Soup Eating House1, incidentally where Donald Tsang can't get a seat.He had a meeting with S Jayakumar, DPM of Singapore. . . for why? Not sure. On January 14, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the two are old

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-58685452709176999922007-01-14T21:37:00.000-05:002008-12-12T00:38:06.585-05:00

The 12th ASEAN Summit has finished in Cebu. I am impressed with the dedicated web page.The theme: One Caring and Sharing CommunityOf note, hmm:A re-endorsement of a SEA free trade area -- by 2015 if possible. Supposedly, Singapore and Brunei will form a free-trade area in 2010. (Note: Brunei & Singapore's currencies are already tied, integrated, and completely interchangeable. You can totally pay

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-27238667698650815992007-01-10T21:07:00.000-05:002008-12-12T00:38:06.934-05:00

The WHO continues to monitor Bird Flu, but only AG is breaking the bizarre silence about Hanoi Lung.Imagine the symptoms of bronchitis, black lung, diphtheria and parasites and you've about hit on Hanoi Lung, the condition that results from breathing the city's filthy air for too long.The World Health Organization estimates that 537,000 people in Southeast Asia and the Pacific die prematurely

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-21112153084320615982007-01-08T16:19:00.000-05:002008-12-12T00:38:07.194-05:00

A happy 55th birthday to Junichiro Koizumi!So he retired at 54?Statistically, he should still be at work. Koizumi at Graceland, 2006Next time: ASEAN meets East Asia at Summit

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-89991267862388776632007-01-01T02:32:00.000-05:002008-12-12T00:38:07.686-05:00

BoI was waked from its lazy holiday stupor with the news from Bangkok:Like every other farang that has ever spun through this most friendly and fine of cities, I have nothing but fondness for the capital of the land of smiles, the most serene megacity on earth.In other news, selamat Hari Raya Haji; if you're not in Mecca yet, you're too late. The Saudi Ministry of Hajj reports about 2.3 million

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-15117169516265715592006-12-07T21:34:00.000-05:002008-12-12T00:38:07.984-05:00

Indonesian Muslim men are allowed to take up to four wives, as long as they are not civil servants -- the men that is, not the wives. But reports say president SBY is lending his support to a move to limit all government employees to one wife.But has SBY not considered the practicality of multiple wives? Wives make the best confidantes and business partners, after all. Take for example the the

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-67267813424434795452006-12-05T22:18:00.000-05:002008-12-12T00:38:08.120-05:00

Today marks the 79th anniversary of the birth of King Bhumibol of Thailand. This King of Siam came to the throne in 1946. Though he is a constitutional monarch, he also has a sort of divine status that gives him much soft power in Thai politics. Especially in his later years, he has used this bully pulpit against corruption, despotism, etc.From the Thai News Agency: ". . . the grounds in front of

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-4286742521938110182006-12-03T19:41:00.000-05:002008-12-12T00:38:08.848-05:00

The 15th annual Asian Games are in their fourth day in Doha, Qatar. Forty-five teams are competing including North Korea & South Korea, Iraq & Kuwait, Lebanon & Syria, and China & someplace called "Chinese Taipei".So far, eighteen countries have medaled. China took top honors in Mens' and Womens' table tennis, followed by the South Korean men and the Singaporean women. Of the five

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1164996258869184782006-12-01T12:58:00.000-05:002006-12-01T13:04:18.880-05:00

We have long known The China Effect causes consumer prices to fall in the US.Seems China makes all kinds of prices fall, even Olympic tickets.

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1164858707299347042006-11-29T22:21:00.000-05:002006-11-29T22:51:51.546-05:00

Sir Elton John, British pop icon, international megastar, and married homosexual, today used rude language in reference to Australian PM John Howard, whose government recently overruled a local law allowing gay marriage.At least in Australia, being gay is not a crime.In Singapore, simply being gay is not a crime, but acting on your homosexual thoughts, by, like, having intercourse with someone of

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1164642565880186122006-11-27T10:30:00.000-05:002006-11-27T11:29:49.893-05:00

The BBC reports today that the Red Cross is being kicked out of Burma.Who can work in Burma?Yes:World Vision InternationalOxfamUNThe World BankUnocal (Yes, this is technically legal. The US put a ban on new investment in Burma in 1997 and banned imports of goods in 2003.)No:Some of Doctors Without BordersHenri Dunant Centre for Humanitarian DialogueThe Global FundThe Burma Campaign UK has a great

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1164128494463495982006-11-21T11:48:00.000-05:002006-11-21T12:04:16.343-05:00

The BBC mentioned today that there's a South Korea - Cambodia exposition going on at Angkor Wat right now. And that South Koreans are by far the biggest visitors to the temples.Well, sure enough, according to the 2005 Cambodian Ministry of Tourism stats. Total list of stats from MoT.

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1164052186110014562006-11-20T14:34:00.000-05:002006-11-20T14:49:46.353-05:00

excerpts from the 2006 APEC Leaders' DeclarationHa Noi, Viet Nam, November 18-19, 20061. We reaffirmed that support for the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) remains a top priority of APEC. . . We shared the APEC Business Advisory Council's (ABAC) views that while there are practical difficulties in negotiating a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific at this time, it would nonetheless be timely for

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1163976053003683712006-11-19T17:27:00.000-05:002006-11-19T18:39:04.673-05:00

Hong Kong tycoon Joseph Lau is shelling out US$17.4 million for Andy Warhol's 1972 painting of Chairman Mao.Mao by Warhol (1972) -- auctioned for $17.4 million in 2006Mao by Zhang Zhenshi (1950) -- the model for the portrait hanging at the Forbidden City. Pulled from sale in 2006 after too many Chinese citizens complained that it belongs in a museum, and that to sell it would just be selling out

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1163687660738421922006-11-16T09:31:00.000-05:002006-11-16T09:35:26.516-05:00

From Yahoo News:U.S. President George W. Bush, seated center, plays a traditional instrument as he sits in with a Javanese Gamelan orchestra during a tour the Asian Civilizations Museum in Singapore Thursday, Nov. 16, 2006 for a two day visit. Bush will also attend the annual Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Vietnam and visit Indonesia before returning to the United States. (AP Photo/

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1163649821099677282006-11-15T22:54:00.000-05:002006-11-15T23:05:19.643-05:00

"Bush is a terrorist; his visage is cruel", so says this Indonesian protester's sign. The islanders are already protesting though W won't arrive until next week.So did you say "right on" to this sign?Alas, terrorist! The little writing at the top says "Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia" -- you're not a hizbut tahrir, are you?? Then write W a letter and tell him his visage is pleasant, or something.

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1163442646582179292006-11-13T13:30:00.000-05:002006-11-13T13:39:38.683-05:00

In a move sure to shake the world balance of power and transform billions of lives, Japanese retailer Uniqlo has opened up a shop in SoHo.Much love and best wishes to this affordable/casual/fashionable clothing store. But hope they made sure to make clothes in American size. I mean, all the western expats basically have to stock up on brassieres and long pants on trips home.

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1163103353964319612006-11-09T15:00:00.000-05:002006-11-09T15:16:38.586-05:00

Ai yo! Dr. Mahathir had a heart attack. Dr. M, have you looked into the advances they're making at Hadassah University Medical Center? Oh . . . right . . . I guess not.

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1163018858496767602006-11-08T15:46:00.000-05:002006-11-08T16:16:08.496-05:00

"Margaret Chan, a bird flu expert and former Hong Kong health director, on Wednesday [Nov 8] became the first Chinese national to run a leading United Nations agency, winning the race to head the World Health Organisation." -Financial Times, Nov 8.No doubt Dr. Chan is an ultimate professional, a peerless public health expert, but BoI must poke fun because she is from Hong Kong/China.You know,

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1162939814005073292006-11-07T17:46:00.000-05:002006-11-07T22:48:10.500-05:00

Today the World Trade Organization extended an official invitation to Vietnam.And a week ago, the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry said the socialist republic's rulers are considering abolishing or weakening the practice of detention without trial. CountryDetention without trial?WTOBruneiyesYCambodianot usuallyYChinayesYIndonesiaa few isolated casesYJapannoYMalaysiayesYPhilippinesnoYS. Koreaonly for

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1162227823101151592006-10-30T12:00:00.000-05:002006-10-30T12:03:43.110-05:00

Eid Mubarak, Tommy Suharto!Geez, Louise!

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1162183000954142132006-10-29T22:55:00.000-05:002006-11-07T22:14:16.146-05:00

Macau will earn US$6.8 billion in gambling revenues next year, the BBC reports, in awed tones.But BoI is not so impressed after what we read in Friday's WSJ review of Roll the Bones: The History of Gambling. This new book says Japanese Pachinko parlors gross about US$300 billion annually. Yes, "b"illion.What does $300 billion equal?Laos' GDP (PPP) - 24.7 timesThe total market capitalization of

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1161652152445456822006-10-23T19:52:00.000-05:002006-10-23T20:09:12.456-05:00

The Wall Street Journal of Oct 21-22 decided to test UBS' claim that Kuala Lumpur is the cheapest city on earth. By "the cheapest city on earth" they mean "the least expensive major city that includes a 'typical' overnight package of an upscale hotel room, meals, transportation and theatre outings." Indeed the author stayed at the Shangri-La, ate delicious multi-course meals, took taxi rides at ~

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1161201538914988442006-10-18T14:13:00.000-05:002006-10-18T15:11:21.793-05:00

Its almost Eid-al-Fitr, and in the Muslim world that means time for amnesties and reprieves.In Malaysia, where they call it Hari Raya, Hari Raya Aidilfitri or Hari Raya Puasa, one Mr. Nik Adli Nik Aziz has been released from his five years of detention without trial. Mr. Nik Aziz is a Malaysian and was definitely a mujahideen fighter in Afghanistan during the Soviet era. But he was arrested (

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1160574761569200972006-10-11T07:46:00.000-05:002006-10-14T20:50:50.840-05:00

According to Merrill Lynch, about 18,000 of Singapore's 55,000 "high net-worth individuals" [millionaires] are of Indonesian origin, says a Financial Times story yesterday.It is not hard to find articles alleging S'pore is basically an Indonesian & Burmese money-laundering operation. But we have argued before, Singapore is in business to make money. So that's what it does.But, for BoI's readers

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1159896800281444272006-10-03T12:22:00.000-05:002006-10-03T12:33:20.290-05:00

Well, that toxic mud hasn't stopped flowing . . . but NGO activity may yet prove helpful. Greenpeace diverted 700 kg of the stuff to the office of People's Welfare Minister/Owner of Lapindo. So that's part of it out of the way. "Minister Bakrie, Stop that mud!"and "Bakrie and Lapindo, Partners in Environmental Crime"

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1159538453640622442006-09-29T08:50:00.000-05:002006-09-29T09:00:53.653-05:00

That's right, Singapore has banned the Far Eastern Economic Review September issue and any Singaporean importing it or reproducing it for publication will be committing a criminal offense. Never mind that September's issue had long since arrived on the island.This kind of thing does happen from time to time.

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1159537596576761012006-09-29T08:27:00.000-05:002006-09-29T08:46:36.796-05:00

Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla will not be the next president of Indonesia because it is impossible for someone from outside Java to win a national election, he said, talking exclusively to the Straits Times yesterday.However, here is Kalla talking coyly in 2006 about what he will not do in 2009. A lot can change in 3 years. But, then, I don't know if Java-centricism is one of them.Jusuf

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1159209695882568432006-09-25T13:17:00.000-05:002006-09-25T13:48:38.440-05:00

Poly Sci 101 lays it out, depending on your prof:1. A country reaches liberal democracy by becoming rich. As the middle class expands, they will demand and receive more political power.OR2. Liberal Democracy is the kind of government that brings prosperity, period. There is more nuance, outlined ad nauseum in books like _Dictatorship and Democracy_. See that section in the library for

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1158754306509115222006-09-20T06:58:00.000-05:002006-09-20T07:14:03.706-05:00

Previous major coups:1932 - bloodless coup to overthrow absolute monarchy1947 - Military coup by the wartime, pro-Japanese leader Phibun Songkhram 1951 - Phibun overthrown by another military faction1971 - Military makes another coup against nascent democracy1973 - Student riots bring down military government1976 - Civilian government hadn't worked well. Military takes over again1991 - After a

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1158595958245381002006-09-18T10:47:00.000-05:002006-09-18T11:22:52.103-05:00

All liquids and much hand luggage have been banned on flights to, from, and within the US and UK since British agents foiled a terrorist scheme to blow up a plane using some kind of explosive liquid. Forget bringing your bottle of water, sports drink . . . or duty-free liquor.Retailers in New Zealand, Jamaica, India, and Canada report sales of duty-free liquor falling by as much as 25%. Many

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1158159487212889202006-09-13T09:38:00.000-05:002006-09-13T10:25:09.710-05:00

We always read "Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim country."In publications that go a little deeper, we read, "but there are plenty of others too, viz, Hindus, Buddhists, Taoists, Christians & a bunch of others. Furthermore the Islam there is syncretic & has a place for mysticim."Yosef Ardi, who kindly keeps the world up to date on Indonesian news distilled in his inimitable style,

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1157597854340906592006-09-06T20:51:00.000-05:002006-09-06T22:14:48.060-05:00

If a mail-order marriage is contracted, no one can be surprised if:1) she kills him2) he kills her3) he abuses her4) restraining orders are necessary5) she has an anchor baby then divorces himSome people will go to great, unbelievable lengths to get to the US. Even marry the kind of man that would order a mail-order bride.

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1157034568716191312006-08-31T09:26:00.000-05:002006-08-31T09:29:28.726-05:00

Indonesian Theocrats Fight For Sharia, Achieve Nothing

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1156646509776610282006-08-26T21:21:00.000-05:002006-08-26T21:41:49.813-05:00

Thursday the 24th Thai police intercepted a car full of bomb making materials near Premier Thaksin Shinawatra's house. Thaksin immediately fired two top military officers for this assassination attempt.Yet many Thais are skeptical that anyone is trying this seriously to kill Thaksin. Newspapers, political opponents, and General (fired) Panlop Pinmanee who said that he had nothing to do with the

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1156543373202943752006-08-25T16:04:00.000-05:002006-08-25T17:02:53.466-05:00

Wha, got pink IC or bru one, izzit?That is Singaporean for, "are you a Singapore permanent resident or citizen, as indicated by the color of your national identity card: blue or pink?"PRs have blue, but the government has announced it will start encouraging suitable permanent residents to upgrade to pink and become Singapore citizens.The thing is, Singaporean families are not having enough

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1156206864371542392006-08-21T19:06:00.000-05:002006-08-21T19:34:24.630-05:00

It is a known fact that Japan's government or farmers or people are particular about the kind of rice they eat, and don't care for much for imports.Japan's government says that for strategic reasons, Japan should be self-sufficient in food, hence farm subsidies. Farmers say Japanese people don't like the taste of foreign rice. Japanese consumers haven't tried much of it anyway because of the 800-

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1155612446566965922006-08-14T21:46:00.000-05:002006-08-14T22:27:26.610-05:00

The phrase "inundated by toxic mud" must catch your attention.Several villages in Sidoarjo Regency, East Java, Indonesia, have been inundated by toxic mud spewing from a site where Lapindo was exploring for oil. The latest news releases from Antara say about 8,700 people have been made refugees by the flood.The plan now is to detoxify the mud, then divert it to the sea, about 14 km away.What I

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1155088340031858512006-08-08T20:51:00.000-05:002006-08-08T20:52:20.036-05:00

Incisive, enlightening, fine reading.

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1154917363599689842006-08-06T20:38:00.000-05:002006-08-06T21:24:35.406-05:00

There is a saying: "Everything in Hong Kong is legal unless it is specifically made illegal, but everything in Singapore is illegal unless it is specifically made legal."Which would explain, "they" say, the different vibe of the two cities: one dynamic, dirty, wild, rich; the other ordered, organized, staid and well-off.In a related example, the Economist reports an upsurge in falling-trash

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1154714910653317632006-08-04T12:48:00.000-05:002006-08-04T13:08:30.696-05:00

The OIC held an emergency meeting to state their business on the Israel/Hezbollah war.PM SBY of Indonesia:"I do think that a substantial part of the peacekeeping force must come from OIC countries. . . We hope that at least within the next one week, there will be a global effort spearheaded by the UN to save our brothers and sisters from the war."The Indonesian government has committed US$1

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1154347848768986202006-07-31T06:54:00.000-05:002006-07-31T07:10:48.793-05:00

BBC is so cheeky. . .Malaysia Outlaws Unsuitable Names July 30, 06Botox Bans for Malaysia's Muslims July 28, 06

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1154227729109188352006-07-29T20:59:00.000-05:002006-07-29T21:48:49.830-05:00

Last week, the Economist ran a story about mining in Southeast Asia. They note that locals often oppose mines on environmental grounds and never see the wealth from them anyway, as it accrues in distant national capitals or foreign countries.A gold and copper mine at Grasberg, West Papua, Indonesia is especially fruitful. It earns "virtually all" of the worldwide profits of the American mining

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1154003357404320762006-07-27T07:11:00.000-05:002006-07-27T07:29:17.416-05:00

Condi Rice arrives in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia today for the annual meeting of ASEAN. Will Malaysia's protocol people assign her a dinner seat beside Paek Nam Sun, FM of North Korea? Or what if she finds herself in an elevator of the Perdana Putra with Manouchehr Mottaki, Iranian FM, in Malaysia on unrelated business?

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1153690136666462062006-07-23T15:46:00.000-05:002006-07-23T16:28:56.996-05:00

Since 1976, one of ASEAN's principles has been "Non-interference in the internal affairs of one another". There had been enough recent difficulties among the member states to just leave off what they couldn't agree on. In 1965, Malaysia had ejected Singapore from it's federation, for one. And Malaysia and Indonesia had spent the first part of the 1960s engaged in a bizarre confrontation called "

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1153450708932054252006-07-20T21:58:00.000-05:002006-07-20T21:58:28.943-05:00

We get a clue to the meaning of Hezbollah when we see a different translation: Hezb'Allah. Party of God.It is clear that Israel's retaliation is asymmetric. But it is also clear that one of Israel's military doctrines is asymmetric warfare, to blow away anyone that might think of messin' with their country. Fair enough.Let me add two things to further muddy the picture.First, Hezbollah is a

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1153189917724377582006-07-17T21:18:00.000-05:002006-07-17T21:31:57.736-05:00

This quote from a BBC article describes what country: [The federal spokesman] said that if the authorities did not act from time to time, illegal migrants would feel able to do as they wished.No date has been set for the pending crackdown.The government wants to see foreign labour, which accounts for up to [X% of country X's] workforce, properly regulated.However it has done little to reduce the

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1153084316594746162006-07-16T15:40:00.000-05:002006-07-16T16:11:57.063-05:00

Ta Mok, regarded as the most brutal of Khmer Rouge enforcers, is said to be in a coma in Pnomh Penh.This month, judges were first sworn in for UN-backed Khmer Rouges trials in Cambodia, but most of the biggest perpatrators will be dead before this thing gets moving.Some countries choose Truth & Reconciliation Committees; others hold trials. In a Buddhist context. . . it will be different still, I

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1152841355125226992006-07-13T20:22:00.000-05:002006-07-13T20:42:35.183-05:00

Sotheby's this morning sold in London a 1623 copy of Shakespeare's collected works for $5.2 million. In an interview with NPR, the auctioneer, Peter Selley descirbed annotations in the margins jotted by previous owners. Such as, good marks by the "to be or not to be" speech, but at the very end of Hamlet, "But I desire the readers mass / to kiss the writer's ass". I'm not sure if this is

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1152758962469625942006-07-12T20:56:00.000-05:002006-07-12T21:51:16.506-05:00

So, "Myanmar's" ruling junta (the junta formerly known as SLORC) last year decided to move its capital to a they moved to a vacant piece of countryside near the village of Pyinmana. Rather than calling their new capital Pyinmana, or New Rangoon, or even Authoritarianton, they go with Naypyidaw. Naypyadaw, meaning "seat of kings".Isn't it always this way with military usupers from Cromwell on?

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1152646118381615502006-07-11T13:28:00.000-05:002006-07-11T14:28:38.410-05:00

First, know that so many country names end with -stan because "stan" basically means "land" in Persian and Persian-family languages like Parsi, Urdu and other languages in Central Asia.Second, Afghanistan's western-backed official government thinks Pakistan isn't doing enough to arrest Taleban & Taleban types that are harboring among Pakistani sympathizers in the border area. Afghan PM Karzai has

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1152498054400667662006-07-09T21:15:00.000-05:002006-07-11T12:30:44.520-05:00

Ah mon dieu! Quelle pagaille!Quand je trouve un meilleure photo, je le posterai. Eh bien, essayez ici.

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1152383463002159302006-07-08T12:38:00.000-05:002006-07-08T13:31:03.043-05:00

East Timor, associated by many with the words "unrest", "massacre" and "fighting", has in the last few months had more of the same. However, the divisive PM, Mari Bin Amude Alkatiri, resigned, and the parliament has picked Xanana Gusmao the new PM.The problem is, Alkatiri had fired about 600 soldiers from the national army who were striking for better pay, justice, and and end to nepotism.

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1152200992441244992006-07-06T10:36:00.000-05:002006-07-06T10:53:43.810-05:00

Foreign Policy magazine and the Fund for Peace have published their new failed states index. The top five most failing states, according to such criteria as "Uneven Development", "Human Flight", "Public Services" and "Delegitimization of State" are:1. Sudan2. Democratic Repubic of the Congo (Congo Kinshasa)3. Ivory Coast4. Iraq5. ZimbabweIraq gets big dings on "Security Apparatus" and "External

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1152108793429584952006-07-05T08:36:00.000-05:002006-07-05T09:13:13.443-05:00

Pirates of the Malacca Strait hit some UN-chartered vessels on July 2, stealing cash and building materials destined for Aceh.There were no reports of piracy in the Malacca Strait in Q1 2006 and the UN's 2005 annual report on piracy showed the problem declining in the Strait.The June 10, 2006 Economist says joint sea and air patrols of the Strait by Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore are the

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1151716688968668502006-06-30T20:08:00.000-05:002006-06-30T20:18:08.976-05:00

The Prime Minister of the people that invented karaoke today reinforced Japanese stereotypes by busting into song at Memphis, Tennessee, USA.This 2003 photo is said to be real, really from Mainichi News.

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1151632215850392492006-06-29T19:50:00.000-05:002006-06-29T20:51:37.306-05:00

I did a double-take reading the news this morning. Israel arrested 64 Palestinian Members of Parliament. Did that headline just say, "Israel arrested 64 Palestinian Members of Parliament"?That's a recreation of me reading the news this morning.What we refer to as the "Israeli Army" are actually the Israel Defense Forces, for which I will give two semi-known facts.1. In the early days of

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1151432241332030012006-06-27T13:11:00.000-05:002006-06-27T14:05:40.890-05:00

Well, Bill & Melinda Gates are famous for their foundation, to which they have already given more than $30 billion of their money, with no signs of stopping. The day before yesterday, Warren Buffett announced the bulk of his $44 billion fortune will be given in stages to the Gates Foundation. At the press conference, somebody asked Buffett why he doesn't leave more money to his kids. He said his

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1151338867015532552006-06-26T10:45:00.000-05:002006-06-26T11:22:40.813-05:00

Charles Taylor has been transferred to The Hague where the Special Court for Sierra Leone will try him for war crimes. They've moved to the facilities of the International Criminal Court for fear that a trial in actual Sierra Leone would cause unrest and trouble.The court, composed of Sierra Leoneans and Internationals, and co-sponsored by the UN, cannot hand down death penalties. At least one

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30148475.post-1151069577601507142006-06-23T08:19:00.000-05:002006-06-27T13:57:39.976-05:00

In Jakarta, Indonesia, the Second International Conference of Muslim Scholars ended today. The attendees called for Muslims everywhere to promote Islam as a culture of moderation and tolerance. One of the aims of the conference was to confront veins of narrowmindedness and other challenges they perceive in parts of the worldwide Muslim community. In an unrelated nod to Iran, they made a point of

bottle of inknoreply@blogger.com