Separatist Sentiments in Scotland and the Stability of Europe

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Separatist sentiments have never been so pronounced in Europe since the 1930's. After the dissolution of the former Yugoslavia, the latest country to suffer from this wave became Great Britain, following in the path of Belgium, Spain and Italy. 

The fact that 55% of the Scots refused to separate from Britain seems to have put an end to the debate for now. However,  45% of Scots wanted to be an independent country - and this is not a small group that can be overlooked. Although the result was a relief for Britain, it also shows that independence requests will be raised once again in the not-very-far future. 

Independence wishes are usually related to economic reasons. Part of the Scottish population believe that they are entitled to a bigger share of the oil that Britain produces in the North. Furthermore, London collects high taxes from Scotland. According to those in favor of a 'yes' vote, the taxes should be lower and should be controlled by Edinburgh. 

Even though independence sentiment is based on economic reasons, it could cause more economic problems. For instance, Scotland taking over some of the national debt or switching to a new currency likely would have caused a fresh wave of economic problems. 
Many companies active in Scotland would go back to London, which would mean that many people in Scotland could lose their jobs. 

If Great Britain and Scotland become two different countries, it could take a long time to figure out a way to share the oil revenues, which would deprive Scotland of its current oil revenues for some time, let alone gaining Scotland the new revenue streams that it is expecting. The currency that Scotland is going to use and the process of international recognition were other problems that called for a solution. 

All this makes it clear that in case of independence, Scotland would have faced lots of problems, which would impact not only Scotland but also London and created instability. 
Great Britain should not pretend that there are no problems between the parties, nor should it overly comfortable over the referendum results. Scotland and Great Britain can easily solve their problems finding a middle ground. Needless to say, it is very significant that Scots decided to stay with Britain in this referendum. However, this doesn't change the fact that Britain should be more embracing towards the Scots, and more respectful towards their rights.  
At least a representation system where the parties can consult each other to work out their problems can be created, which will help alleviate the tax burden on Scotland and give it greater shares out of oil revenues to it. 

If these problems remain unsolved and the specter of separatism raises its head in Scotland in the not-too-distant future this could start a chain reaction in Europe, causing more secessions and more separation. Surely, such a movement will badly disrupt the stability of the continent and deepen   the recession already haunting it. 

The reasons why Scots should stay a part of the UK  are much more than those that would justify separation and they are far more important than choosing to live together for pure economic reasons. The way to work out problems between opposing sides goes through love, compassion, mercy, unconditional help, sensitivity, selflessness, friendship, understanding and common sense. 

The dark side of unemployment in the Arab world

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First, If you are unemployed, or experienced unemployment at one point in your life, tell us how has unemployment affected you? Share with us how does it feel to be unemployed?  Let us attempt humanize this problem of unemployment in the Arab world which has turned in to a number in reports and in the media. Second, propose what do you believe needs to be done immediately to tackle unemployment now.   

Whether the solution lies in changing policy, adopting technology or innovation, training, spreading awareness, influencing the private sector, fostering entrepreneurship in a better way, or any other solution that might come to mind; please do tweet it in 140 words on Twitter, share it on Facebook or simply comment on this article

So much has been written on the topic of unemployment in the Arab world that I am convinced that the average Arab in the street has become an expert on the topic.  

The problem of unemployment has sadly become a fact of life in Arab societies.  Ironically, it is also common for those who are suffering from unemployment in the Arab world go to great lengths to hide it from family and community.  

I believe this to be a key reason why the available statistics on unemployment are not very accurate.  This might be one of the reasons why policymakers have not yet fully comprehended the extent of the unemployment problem.

We have all seen how some of the affected hide their current status and choose to live a kind of ‘double-life’ claiming to be -for example- ‘Businessmen or businesswomen’, ‘self-employed’ Brokers, Freelancers or consultants. What is worrying in this case is when an unemployed person is forced to actually assume these roles not by choice or qualification, but out of desperation or lack of alternatives. Another way I have personally observed how unemployment affects individuals is when the unemployed chooses to disappear or minimise their engagement with relatives and community.  

They do so because they dread having to explain themselves when that embarrassing and awkward question is asked “So how is work? Or what are you doing nowadays”?  Unemployment is not only a problem in the Arab world, it is also a stigma.  

The price of it is too high and it’s the society that will eventually have to pick up the tab at the end of the road.  How high has the price of unemployment been in the Arab world you might ask? Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Syria and other Arab countries that have felt the winds of the so called ‘Arab Spring’ is a good place to start the answer with.  If you go deep into the eye of the storm that has become known as the ‘Arab Spring’ you will find that it was mainly fuelled by the prevailing status quo of unemployment among the youth and social inequality.

Throughout the years there have been countless solutions that have been proposed to address the problem of unemployment in the Arab world.  You might have noticed that these proposed solutions share two key common traits: First, most of the solutions are either from foreign entities or from policymakers. They claim to feel the weight of the problem, but is it really the same to being unemployed and having to carry the burden of unemployment every day? Are they too far from the problem? The second trait you might have observed is the impracticality of some of the solutions. Looking at some of these solutions, sometimes I am led to think that some experts are so out of touch with reality that they are borderline delusional.  

Let’s take for example the common proposition we keep hearing whenever unemployment is discussed in the Arab world which advocates the review, overhaul and change of the education system.  Such a feat could take decades in some of the Arab countries. Or how about the recently trending yet potentially perilous solution proposed by the advocates of “promote entrepreneurship instead of employment” movement.  

I am all for entrepreneurship, however the brutal truth of the matter is this; jobseekers are only concerned with solutions that address questions such as; will any of these solutions help them find a job that will provide them with a stable income, security, or a decent life for themselves and their families?  Will any of these solutions provide them with a formal identity (also known as status) in their community or country say, tomorrow, or next month? Or even sometime this year? The truth is, I have yet to meet a jobseeker who is interested in long term solutions derived from economic or social theory.  

Our dilemma today lies in a simple fact, and that is we have been addressing an old pressing problem that requires immediate intervention with long term “potential” solutions.  

This post is not about discussing the challenges that face unemployment AGAIN.  Neither am I interested in proposing ‘potential solutions’ that require years of research to implement.  What I am interested in is prompting all the stakeholders of this problem –the jobseekers, employers, policymakers and society- to take an immediate remedial action now.  How can we achieve this? First, by getting our voices heard about how it really feels to be unemployed to the concerned.  Hopefully, this might change the way the unemployed are viewed by policymakers, decision makers and society; as ‘real’ people with ‘real’ problems as opposed to being viewed simply as statistics or bureaucratic processes that need to be processed.
 
Second, I want this article to be a platform where readers voice out what they think should be the immediate and rational steps that need to be taken NOW in order that we begin stimulating the job market and creating jobs.  So here is my ‘call to action’;

First, If you are unemployed, experienced unemployment at one point in your life or know someone who is going through unemployment, tell us how has unemployment affected the unemployed? Tell us how does it feel to be unemployed?  Let us humanize this problem of unemployment in the Arab world.

Second, propose what do you believe needs to be done immediately to tackle unemployment now.   

Whether the solution lies in changing policy, adopting technology or innovation, training, spreading awareness, influencing the private sector, fostering entrepreneurship in a better way, or any other solution that might come to mind; please do tweet it in 140 words on Twitter on the following Hashtag #ArabUnemployed.   Share your thoughts on MBC Time’s Facebook page or simply comment on this article.  Whatever you do, remember, jobseekers are real people with immediate needs.  Long term solutions and theories might look attractive, but what everyone in the community is interested in pragmatic and immediate solutions to an urgent problem

It’s their issue, we’re not responsible for Palestinian problems “Arab saying “

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Because no country ready to destroy its relationship with Israel , no country dares to say No to Israel , there’s no any Arab president can stand up and shout “ Stop killing Gaza , we will respond to every criminal action against Gaza “ nobody dare , nobody care . Who can break up their own relationships with Israel? Political economy, Business, oil, agreements, trade and commerce! Who can destroy it all because one kid or two suffering now in Gaza? It doesn’t matter, it’s easier to keep watching without any action, No one on this planet wants to suffer a headache or make himself busy with some people are killing in a country you can’t even find it on the map, everyone needs and want peace with Israel.

Well, they are not just one or two kids, or only a small area on a map, Gaza strip has an annual population growth rate of 2.91% (2014 est.), the 13th highest in the world, and is overcrowded, 1.8 million suffering in Gaza right now, life is completely paralyzed, with each bomb by IOF many people injured and killed because it’s high population density, statistics refer clearly to that:

“ As of 1:30 pm, Sunday 10 August 2014, Al Mezan was able to verify that at least 1,927 Palestinians have been killed by the IOF since 7 July 2014. Of  them 440 are children and 243[1] women. According to Al Mezan's initial investigations 1,651 (i.e. 85.6%) of the victims are civilians.
At least 918; including 296 children and 198 women, were killed inside their houses; and two other disabled women were killed in an attack on a rehabilitation NGO's office. Another 214 people were killed in the vicinity of their houses; including in situations where they were trying to flee from their homes as a result of IOF attacks. The number of these victims is expected to increase once the casualties in Rafah are further investigated and verified.
Moreover, at least 7و521 other people were injured during the same period; of whom at least 2,078 were children and 1,418 women. At least, 8,820 houses were destroyed or damaged during this period; of which 2,545 were destroyed completely as the IOF directly and deliberately attacked 897 of the total number of damaged houses. As of today, IOF attacks have destroyed or damaged 92 schools, 137 mosques, 8 hospitals; 6 of which are out of service, 38 NGO offices, 50 fishing boats, and 161 vehicles. “

Source: Al Mezan Center for Human Rights

We know in Gaza that most people – in Arab countries and the world - are supporting us, but their government doesn’t, and people be like “How we can help Gaza? “ Well, you can, you can force your government that support Israel to kick Israeli ambassador out, is it hard? It’s not harder than what is going on in Gaza, even if this attack on Gaza ended, they will continue their crimes in Palestine, because the attack on Gaza is not the only problem here, Palestine occupied and suffer Israeli occupation for more than 66 years, And Gaza situation now is intensive crimes. 

On other hand , everyone individually can help , don’t buy Israeli Goods , tell your friends , share this Boycott on your Facebook , Twitter and social media , let’s harm them by their economy , an extended campaign in the world now to Boycott Israeli goods , be part of it , you can do something , you’re really helpful , just don’t adapt negative stance.

Alaa Hayek is from Gaza, work in Al Mezan Centre of Human Rights and write to MBC TIMES from this Palestine City.

What does Turkey’s 2014 local elections tell us?

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Adnan Oktar - In 2014 a series of important elections are taking place in Turkey. First in late March there were local elections and in August the people of Turkey will elect their President with their own votes for the first time in the Republic’s history.

The local elections in Turkey in March proved the ruling AK Party’s strong position, especially after the party managed to score the highest vote of the past 46 years in any local election while the opposition parties failed to bolster their support. Meanwhile, the AK Party failed to win in the liberal coastal cities, which means both sides need to reconsider their stance.

Yet, none of those are as important as what happened in Southeastern Anatolia, which has been crippled by the actions of the PKK over the last 30 years. Designated as a terrorist group by many international organizations, including the UN and NATO and many other countries, the PKK has claimed the lives of more than 30,000 people over the course of its separatist campaign. The Turkish state decisively fought against the PKK, a group that used Stalinist guerrilla tactics. When ultimately the negotiations between the government and the PKK started under the rubric ‘The Solution Process’, terrorist attacks ceased.

However, the terrorist organization proved that it would continue its policy of fear and intimidation. Indeed, before the metropolitan municipality election held in Ağrı for a second time on June 1st and after the cancellation of the main election, PKK again resorted to violence. PKK members stoned the AK Party Provincial Directorate Building and an AKP election bus. As a result two people were wounded. PKK martyred the village rangers, raided the worksites in Ağrı and the entire region, abducted the workers and carried out attacks against the security forces. The message conveyed by these terror acts to the local people was: “If you don’t vote for us, violence will go on. Do not think this is over!” BDP repeated its win in Ağrı during elections under these types of circumstances.  

Under these anti-democratic conditions many locals were compelled to vote for the BDP, albeit reluctantly. The BDP uses racist rhetoric that clearly plays into the hand of the PKK, which seeks to build a Marxist autonomous regime by using Kurdish nationalism as leverage.

The region, mostly populated by our Kurdish citizens today, has been a peaceful abode of respectful co-existence to many different ethnicities for thousands of years that included Arabs, Turks, Armenians and Assyrians. However with the appearance of separatist movements following the Ottoman Empire’s weakening, the locals were subjected to some undesirable oppressive policies of the ruthless face of the state, rather than its fatherly and affectionate side. However, this policy of oppression targeted not only the Kurds, but all the minorities. Illegal organizations incited hatred and discrimination against different ethnical and religious groups. In terms of development and urbanization, Southeastern Anatolia had been neglected for far too long. The locals were simply prevented from  enjoying their basic rights such as speaking their own language, naming their own villages, singing their own songs, or publishing their own books. The region was ruled according to a state of emergency law for a very long time.

With the new outlook introduced in 2002,  the locals are free to learn Kurdish and enjoy a new state TV Channel broadcasting in Kurdish. Recent policies prove that everyone is treated and seen equal. The new airports, dams, highways and booming industries have already changed the landscape and a significant portion of $350 billion have been additionally allocated for more public works.

All these developments produced a surge of trust and love in the locals for the state. Meanwhile, reliable polls show that they didn’t approve the PKK or its separatist policy that could lead to a federal government or autonomous region. The changes in the region crushed the terrorist organization’s plans. At the moment, they pursue a new policy of hiding their anti-democratic and violent methods behind a false veil of demand for peace and democracy, and pushing the people toward separation.

The PKK wishes to build a social system where they can easily operate, one that is reminiscent of Pol Pot’s Cambodia and which is also a threat to entire Middle East and Europe. The Solution Process is building an atmosphere where people are being granted their rights, illegalities are being prevented and equality is being ensured through the utmost freedom.

It is high time for the Southeastern part of Turkey to get the peace it deserves. The best way to ensure that is by supporting moves aiming toward  peace and fighting all illegal organizations that resort to terror and violence in line with internationally recognized laws.

- The writer has authored more than 300 books translated in 73 languages on politics, religion and science. He tweets @harun_yahya

Secretary General of the UN : Ukraine does not exist as a country!

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Secretary General of the UN : Ukraine only listed as an administrative district of the USSR The UN secretary general Ban Ki Moon has stated that the official borders of Russia with Ukraine does not exist, but instead listed as an administrative district of the USSR.

In 23 years of the Ukrainian state leaders have not found time to record the official demarcation of borders, as per the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon.

The Security Council of the UN examining the problem with Ukrainian experts and have come to that conclusion under international law : it turns out that since the time of the dissolution of the USSR , Ukraine was never formalized and properly registered at the UN. Neither were its borders as a state. Include administrative district borders of the USSR and the agreement creating the CIS, on which the UN has no legal force.

Basically, Ukraine does not exist as a country! The Constitution of Ukraine State territory is not specified, and nothing is said about the borders.

This means that Ukraine has no official border specified in international law , so it may be difficult to talk about his offence by someone. Similarly, there is also no legal aspects to talk about separatism, or violent change of borders settings.

May sound sick and wrong…but according to the secretary general of the UN. You can not change what does not exist!