PETROL TERRORISM WILL TRIGGER OFF THIRD WORLD WAR

Human greed is certainly a deadly sin. No force on earth can stop it. Its devastating power is greater than the biggest nuclear weapon. Like a gigantic river it continues to flow relentlessly. It is well known that World War I was caused by the extreme greediness of Nazi Germany. Again World War II find its origin in German and Japanese expansionist voracity. And we have seen the incalculable harm, the holocausts, caused by those two world conflicts.

What is happening in our world right now? Never before have we witnessed so much greediness by a few hjghly privileged nations: the petroleum producing countries. Is there any other commodity in the world whose price increases EVERYDAY? In just a few years the price has insolently gone up from 20 to 142 USD! What an insult to humanity, to the august UN. Some people and the so-called economists will tell you that prices are governed by the law of supply and demand. But this is definitely not the case here. It is the law of greed which imposes its deadly blow over humanity, paralyzing everything. The daily increases are imposed to satisfy the greed of the dozen nations who hold the oil monopoly. The world cannot exist without oil energy. What better opportunity for those bloodsuckers to strangle the dependent nations! Until alternative sources of energy are found in abundance they will pursue their voracious policy of expanding their empires. It is obvious that by the end of the year the appalling figure of USD 200 a barrel will have been reached. How many economies in the world will be able to bear such enormity? The final result will be mass starvation in most countries ? the worst tragedy in human history!!! After their terrorism of hatred and violence they are resorting to the more deadly petrol terrorism.

But what is most surprising in all this dirtiness is that apparently no government has so far made a real attempt to persuade the petroleum monsters to stop such nasty exploitation. What has the UN got to say about such terrorism? Is it morally or legally right to exploit so inhumanly the defenseless nations? The answer is clearly a big NO, unless you are on the side of the wrongdoers, in which case you have no right to exist. What?s the use of having a world peace promoting organisation if it can do nothing to stop such mass exploitation which is indeed a real danger to world peace? Are not the vulnerable countries contributing for the existence of the UN and have they not a right to live? Don?t they deserve protection against eventual annihilation?

May I request to world leaders, including our local rulers, to press the world oil producers to grant to small nations a regular monthly sudsidy equivalent to at least 75% of the prices they are paying for petroleum products. Instead of hoarding enormous fortunes to satisfy their ignoble selfish needs, they should, in front of Allah and Christ, find happiness in warding off a world holocaust which no one can prevent if this cancer of greed and domination is prolonged. Do we have to remind that ill-gotten gains always serve as weapons of self -destruction whereas philanthropy and good deeds bring divine rewards?

Deegumdur SEEWOORUTTUN

Former Director- Chief Executive Ex-Central Housing Authority

IN RESPONSE TO AN OPEN LETTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER

Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown... It applies to anyone who is in a position of authority and who has to shoulder the responsibility of good governance and discipline with discernment and sagacity while monitoring effective management.

The cowardly and scandalous attacks contained in the open letter to the Prime minister cannot be condoned as they can only contribute to undermine duly established authority and constitute a hurdle on the path of development and progress.

The very fabric of authority is being flawed and we cannot help pondering how difficult it is for the targeted person after such a fallacious assessment of his ministerial, managerial and personal skill and power. Fortunately, a man of his calibre does not weaken and crumble by such unjustified criticism. He possesses strength of character and he will curb the ill-wind that is blowing.

Top management establishes its standards. All that is required is cooperation and positive attitude ? a positive attitude of mind becomes a way of life. Excellence is a discipline and why not together build a sturdy and attractive institution without structural defects, thereby making one?s working place a haven! It all depends on individual efforts. The minister?s input is enormous for the good functioning of his ministry and for the benefit of the country. Should not we show our appreciation?

Khodabocus M N A

Bernandin de st Pierre Street, Curepipe

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRIME MINISTER !

On Monday 14th July 2008, Republic day was celebrated in France. This day is also the birthday of the son of the ?Père de la Nation? of Mauritius. Happy Birthday to you our dear Prime minister. On this day, I was scandalised by the article in l?express of Monday 14th July 2008 on page 8, where someone is seizing this historic day to spoil your mood and attempt to tarnish the reputation of one of your ministers who is working day and night , most of the time , 7/7 to accelerate the transition of Mauritius into a regional ICT hub and ensure the swift realisation of government?s objective to make of the ICT sector the fifth pillar of the economy.

My intention is not to debate with the author of the press article. I would only request that the person who is perhaps cultured in unprofessional and inhumane environment to visit Level 9 of Air Mauritius Building before he barks.

This ministry is now delivering its services with officers who have a high sense of responsibility and who like their work. Talking of PS who left, are old days! We have a well-motivated team starting from PS to junior staff and we associate all the time with our Minister who has a commitment vis-à-vis the PM and the public. The following achievements have not fallen from the sky. It is a team work and hard work of a ministry and of the minister.

Projects over projects have already been initiated and the cybercity is no more a white elephant as treated in newspapers during the ancient regime. The hard work of the minister, under the leadership of the PM, has been about strengthening legal, institutional and regulatory frameworks, developing ICT infrastructure, enhancing productivity and efficiency across economic sectors and SMEs, ICT in education, developing a culture of cyber security, accelerating egovernment, harnessing ICT for social development, ICT leadership in the region and boosting of ICT exports.

The honourable minister is ?result-hungry? and always in quest of righteousness and that does not mean unethical or unprofessional or illegal. This year he has brought a revolution in the interconnection usage charges. There has been a massive reduction in the Interconnection Usage Charges applicable in this country.

On this special day, I pay tribute to the unprecedented achievements of this government under the leadership of the Prime minister as echoed by the Budget Speech presented by the Deputy-Prime minister and minister of Finance and Economic development.

A public servant