DUBLIN, October 6 (Compass Direct News) – Militant Islamists in the southern island of Mindanao have stepped up their attacks on majority-Christian villages following the failure of a peace agreement that would have enlarged an existing Muslim autonomous region there.

With Muslim commanders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in the southern Philippines yesterday saying ongoing support from the international community was necessary to prevent a full-scale war breaking out in Mindanao, both Muslim and Christian residents in the disputed territories were fearful of what the future might hold.

“The problem is that many people living in these areas don’t want to be part of a Muslim autonomous region,” a source in Mindanao who preferred to remain anonymous told Compass.

“The closer you get to these zones, the more nervous people are,” he said. “The town of Kolambugan, where most of the fighting took place in mid-August, became a virtual ghost town for a while. It had a population of 25,000. But people are slowly returning to their homes.”

A Christian family from the area said many people were afraid to sleep at night because they kept hearing reports that they would be attacked at midnight.

“When MILF forces attack Christian villages, Muslim neighbors are afraid that Christians will retaliate against them, even though they have nothing to do with the violence,” the source added. “This has happened in the past.”

He also explained that some moderate Muslims are drawn to support the MILF because the rebels claim the Christians have stolen their ancestral homelands. Communities in Mindanao often struggle with extreme poverty.

“If MILF is successful in gaining control over these lands, the people assume that their economic situation will improve,” he said. “So although they want the fighting to stop, they sympathize with the MILF.”

While the conflict is primarily political, religion plays a significant role. As a member of the Moro Youth League stated in an Aug. 5 national television interview in the Philippines, “As a Muslim, in order to live in a righteous way, you need to be living under sharia [Islamic] law and with an Islamic government. We believe we have the right to fight for this.”

Other Youth League members on the program agreed that sharia was a primary objective of autonomy, and that Islam was the only “real path of doing anything in this world.”

Violence Erupts

Some 2,000 MILF supporters yesterday held a protest march in Marawi city, Lanao del Sur, appealing to the United Nations and the Organization of the Islamic Conference to compel the Philippine government to revive the aborted peace agreement that would have enlarged the existing Muslim autonomous region in the south.

Breakaway MILF commanders on Aug. 18 attacked several majority-Christian villages after the Supreme Court prevented the Aug. 5 signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD). The agreement potentially would have given the MILF power to establish an Islamic state governed by sharia law.

Christian leaders in Mindanao appealed to the Supreme Court when they realized that if they voted against inclusion in the proposed Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE), their majority-Christian villages would become small islands in the midst of MILF-administered territory. As a result, they feared, they would be forced to move elsewhere.

Incensed by the 11th-hour stalling of the agreement, three MILF commanders on their own initiative led attacks against towns in North Cotabato and Lanao del Norte provinces on Aug. 18, burning homes, seizing livestock and killing at least 37 people. Another 44,000 residents immediately fled the area.

When some Christian residents armed themselves in defense, Secretary of Interior Ronaldo Puno warned that anyone carrying weapons would be disarmed.

The MILF has only 11,000 active fighting men, according to local estimates. But by Aug. 20, the National Disaster Coordinating Council had reported a total of 159,000 people displaced by the rebel attacks.

The Philippine army quickly retaliated, sweeping villages in an attempt to seize the rebel commanders.

After two weeks of violent clashes, the Philippine government officially abandoned the MOA-AD. Spokeswoman Lorelei Fajardo said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo would seek a new agreement based on consultation with legislators and local politicians rather than negotiations with the MILF.

Furthermore, the government would concentrate on the “disarmament, demobilization and rehabilitation” of MILF cadres, Fajardo said.

In response, MILF leaders rejected any renegotiation of the peace deal with Arroyo’s administration.

Overcoming Prejudice

An opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on Aug. 7 stated that the MOA-AD would only reinforce prejudices between Christian and Muslim communities.

Under the agreement, WSJ claimed, the government would further divide Mindanao into Muslim and Christian enclaves, increasing the likelihood of territorial disputes. Separating Muslims from the rest of Philippine society, it stated, would encourage a vision already held by MILF to help create a pan-Islamic state covering several countries in the region, including Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore.

Finally, the WSJ said, less Philippine control of Mindanao would “invite even more terrorist activity in an area that already has strong ties to al Qaeda.”

While there are proven terrorist leanings in groups such as the MILF and the Abu Sayyaf, not all area Muslims approve of or engage in such activities.

Camilo Montesa, a key figure in peace negotiations, in his blog on Aug. 30 described an encounter with a young man who believed that Muslim residents would readily seize property from Christians once the BJE were formed.

Others told Montesa that, “Muslims were scouting and marking the big houses of Christians in Cotabato and staking a claim over them in anticipation of the signing of the peace agreement.”

“The hearts and minds of the people are the battlefields, and not some hill or base camp,” Montesa concluded. “There is a limit to what arms and war can produce ... It is unfortunate that we are so divided as a people at this point in our national life.”

Reclaiming ‘Ancestral Domains’

As Islamic identity strengthened in the Middle East after World War II – and as many Philippine Muslims traveled to study in Middle Eastern countries – certain sectors of the Bangsamoro population became committed to reclaiming “ancestral domains.”

Their claims dated back to the rule of the Sultanate of Sulu, which existed prior to Spanish colonial rule in the 1500s, and the establishment of the Commonwealth of the Philippines in 1935. When the last sultan died in 1936, the fledgling Philippine government refused to recognize his heir, effectively eradicating the traditional Bangsamoro power base.

When the Philippines became a republic in 1946, its constitution allowed for the establishment of an autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao. Initially the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) fought alone for this autonomous territory; in 1977, however, MNLF member Hashim Salamat – who had studied in Saudi Arabia – and his followers seceded from the movement and founded the rival MILF.

The Philippine government signed an agreement with the MNLF in January 1987, and territories were added to the resulting Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) through a series of plebiscites or referendums in 1989, 2001, 2002 and 2006.

MILF commanders later laid claim to a further 712 villages outside the ARMM.

Negotiations between the government and the MILF began in earnest in June 2001. Both parties were to formally sign the resulting MOA-AD on Aug. 5, a deal which could have led to the creation of the separate Bangsamoro Juridical Entity, or fully-functioning state, replacing the ARMM by 2010.

When details of the agreement were leaked to the press, however, Christian politicians in regions of Mindanao affected by the agreement appealed to the Supreme Court, which in turn issued a temporary restraining order on the signing of the agreement on Aug. 4.

Report from Compass Direct News

Dans
un passé très récent, le poulet de chair était légèrement nettoyé à
l’intérieur, mais les détaillants ont trouvé cette astuce plus payante
de le proposer complètement vide, consistant à lui soustraire les
abats, et à les écouler, à part, à des prix avoisinants les 180 à 220
DA /kg.

Les
viandes blanches : poulet ou dinde, sur lesquelles se rabattent les
ménages aux faibles revenus ne pouvant accéder aux viandes rouges,
s’écoulent mieux cette année et pourtant à des prix élevés. Les
poulets sont récupérées des abattoirs par les revendeurs et sont
ensuite proposées aux clients, lesquels trouvent sur les présentoirs  réfrigérés  cuisses,
ailes, et autres parties découpées en morceaux et affichées au prix
onéreux de 150 DA/kg, ce qui fait dire à un client rencontré au marché
de Lakhdaria “ne vous étonnez surtout pas si on vous propose des têtes
de coqs à la place du bouzelouf.”

Par H. Dahmani

el watan

NEW DELHI, October 3 (Compass Direct News) – At least two more Christians were killed today in Orissa state’s Kandhamal district after Hindu extremists this week set fire to nearly 400 homes there and in Boudh district. A third man succumbed to axe injuries on Wednesday (Oct. 1).

Weeks after Hindu extremist violence erupted against Christians, this morning tribal peoples in Sindhipankha village killed Dushashan Majhi, a local influential Christian, first shooting him and them cutting him to pieces. Local Christian leaders reported that Majhi was a government servant working in the treasury.

The mob then turned on Sanyasi Majhi, also said to be Christian, who was with Dushashan Majhi. There were unconfirmed reports that a third victim was killed along with the other two.

A local Christian who wished to remain unnamed told Compass that after killing the two men, the assailants massacred cattle belonging to village Christians and burned Christian-owned houses. Sindhipankha is about seven kilometers (four miles) from Tumudiband.

Local news reporter Lalit Jena told Compass from Kandhamal that the attacks – which have continued unabated since Hindu extremists blamed Christians for the death of Hindu leader Laxmanananda Saraswati on Aug. 23 even though Maoist militants admitted murdering him – involve women first ransacking the Christian homes.

“The modus operandi of the tribal mob is such that women go first and attack the Christian houses,” he said. “They ransack and rob the household’s gold and other jewelry, TVs and all that is precious. The men then follow and burn the houses. Lately it has been reported that now they are fighting among themselves for the booty.”

Jena added that tribal peoples who lived in poverty before the violence now have obtained many heads of cattle, including goats and cows, within a short span, as well as household goods.

“They may have no electricity in their villages, but one can see lots of television sets, nearly all of it looted from the Christians,” he said.

Axe Murder

On Wednesday (Oct. 1), Lalji Nayak, believed to be about 80 years old, died from axe wounds after a Hindu extremist mob attacked his village of Hrudangia the previous day. Nayak and 14 others were wounded, with Nayak struck between his neck and chest.

While three of the wounded received first-aid at a health center in Kandhamal, eight others, including Nayak and his wife Mandaki, were admitted to MKCG Medical College in Berhampur. At press time Nayak’s widow, who received an axe blow just below the ear, remained in the medical center with a serious head injury.

Local Christians in Berhampur wanted to give Lalji Nayak a Christian burial, but police did not allow it. Utkal Christian Council members B.D. Das and J.R. Patro expressed strong objections to the police action.

Nayak’s brother, Junas Nayak, was taken to Cuttack Medical College for gunshot wounds. He remained in critical condition at press time with multiple gunshot wounds, and according to Jena has a total of 13 bullets in him.

“Seven are on his left thigh, and six in his right hand, but the doctors have so far done nothing to remove them from his body, even though he has been admitted in the hospital since September 30,” Jena told Compass. “We are concerned that he may develop septic [shock or infection] because of the delay.”

In the attacks, an 8-year-old boy miraculously survived after being hit by an axe in the middle of his skull.

Two pregnant Christian women, Archana and Geeta Sahu, this week were brought from Kandhamal to Berhampur hospital, where they gave birth and were said to be out of danger.

Houses Burned

Nearly 400 houses were burned or destroyed in Orissa state’s Boudh and Kandhamal districts this week.

On Wednesday (Oct. 1), mobs set fire to dozens of houses in the Raikia area of the Kandhamal district. Yesterday the violence crossed over to neighboring Boudh district as about 100 houses were torched by mobs in at least nine villages. Worst affected was the village of Kantamal.

The burning of houses continued this morning, with more than 400 houses reported to have been either burnt or destroyed in Boudh and Kandhamal districts.

Police have reportedly arrested five people so far in connection with the burning of the houses in Boudh district.

Additional District Magistrate Mihir Chandra Mallik told reporters, that unidentified people set fire to over a hundred houses of Dalit Hindus in at least nine villages in Boudh district.

“We have set up a relief camp at Kantamal town to provide food and shelter to the people who have lost their homes,” he added.

The administration said that the motive for burning these houses was ethnic, as Kandh tribal peoples attacked Dalit Pana homes.

Area church leaders confirmed this, but one said on condition of anonymity, “First they were targeting Christian Panas only, but now even Hindu Panas are not being spared. All Hindus who have not joined the mobs in attacking Christians are also being treated in the same way as Christians.”

Both Dalit Pana houses as well as homes belonging to the Christian Pana community have been targeted in Boudh district, he said.

In Barakhama village near Kandhamal, Christians may move to the safer Daringbadi. A local pastor told Compass that Barakhama was also targeted last December, when around 400 homes belonging to Christians were burned and demolished.

“The same continues now,” he said on condition of anonymity. “The Christians love their homes, but it is just not safe to live here anymore, for the government has failed to protect us. The Christians in Barakhama have almost decided to move collectively to Daringbadi, which is at least a bit safer.”

It is estimated that around 500 Christian families will leave the village.

Nun Raped

Police have finally confirmed the rape of a nun in Kandhamal two days after the death of Hindu leader Saraswati.

A mob of around 40 men attacked the nun at K. Nuagaon village, where she and a priest, Father Thomas Chellantharayil, had taken shelter after their center was attacked. The mob allegedly dragged her and the priest to a deserted office of a Non-Governmental Organization, where she was stripped and raped. The priest was reportedly doused with gas and beaten as he tried to stop the attack on her.

Police have arrested four suspects in the rape. Juria Pradhan, 52, his 22-year-old son Kartik Pradhan, Biren Sahu, 35, and 26-year-old Tapas Patnaik were arrested in connection with the assault and rape of the 29-year-old Catholic nun on Aug. 25.

The inspector-in-charge of Baliguda police station has since been suspended in connection with the incident. The Orissa government has also ordered a probe, 39 days after the initial complaint.

District Superintendent of Police S. Praveen Kumar this week told reporters that a medical examination report confirmed that the nun was raped.

The Hindustan Times reported today that although the report was filed weeks ago, police obtained the medical examination report only two days ago following media reports and the efforts of Sister Nirmala, Superior-General of the Missionaries of Charity, who wrote to the state seeking justice.

“A police official said they were busy in maintaining law and order and could not find time to look into the case,” the national daily reported.

Attempts at Law and Order

Since Wednesday (Oct. 1), 46 people have been arrested on charges of rioting in Kandhamal district. A police official said that they had arrested more than 300 people in the past month.

Christian leaders attributed the sudden arrest of 46 people in the last two days to new state Director General of Police (DGP) Manmohan Praharaj, who took over from Gopal Chandra Nanda, who retired on Tuesday (Sept. 30).

Hindu extremist Vishwa Hindu Parishad International President Ashok Singhal did not take kindly to the latest arrests.

“The new DGP is indiscriminately arresting leaders of Hindu organizations that are not related to any case,” he told reporters this week.

Nearly 53 companies of paramilitary forces have been appointed in Kandhamal district, and curfew was still imposed. The central government sent 1,000 paramilitary personnel in the form of 10 Central Reserve Police Force companies on Wednesday (Oct. 1) to Kandhamal district. Local sources said 10 more companies were expected by Sunday (Oct. 5).

The central government has come down heavily on the Orissa state government. Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil wrote a strongly worded letter to Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday (Oct. 3) asking him to take effective measures and provide security for the Christian community in the state.

“Merely continuing to ask for additional forces after every few days cannot be the solution,” Patil wrote. “The state government has to implement overall strategy for creating an environment of security.”

The letter came hours after the Union Cabinet expressed grave concern over the situation in the state, with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh directing Patil to present a report on the situation at the next cabinet meeting.

Peace Rally in New Delhi

In New Delhi, nearly 15,000 Christians joined in a peace march in solidarity with the victims of the Orissa and Karnataka violence yesterday.

The peace march was the culmination of the week-long sit-in organized by the Christians of Delhi and NCR (National Capital Region) beginning Sept. 26 to protest atrocities on Christians in Orissa and Karnataka. The peace march took place on the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, father of the nation.

Many national leaders, including central ministers Lalu Prasad Yadav and Oscar Fernandes, addressed the gathering at the Dharna (sit-in). Yadav, the union minister for Indian Railways, promised to personally meet with the prime minister and urgently discuss the matter. He said that he would “take up the anti-Christian violence in Parliament and debate the hatred of Hindutva [Hindu nationalist] forces.”

Hindu leaders such as Swami Agnivesh addressed the peace march at Rajghat (Gandhi’s final resting place), saying that the “very killers of Mahatma Gandhi, are the same killers of Christians in Orissa, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and other parts of the country . . . The Hindutva fascists do not represent the peace-loving Hindu societies, rather they are damaging the Sanatam Dharma [eternal law] of Hinduism,” he said.

Report from Compass Direct News

Lire article sur le sujet

]]> http://analienearthling.wordpress.com/?p=661 Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:37:20 +0000 An alien Earthling http://analienearthling.hi.wordpress.com/2008/10/02/the-right-livelihood-award-part-1/ The Right Livelihood Award was established in 1980 to honour and support those "offering practical and exemplary answers to the most urgent challenges facing us today".

It has become widely known as the 'Alternative Nobel Prize' and there are now 133 Laureates from 57 countries.

Presented annually in Stockholm at a ceremony in the Swedish Parliament, the Right Livelihood Award is usually shared by four Recipients. One of them may receive an Honorary Award, given to a person or group whose work the Jury wishes to recognise but who is not primarily in need of monetary support. The others share the prize money of 2,000,000 Swedish kronor (approx 223,000 EUR / 310,000 USD / 1,43,60,000 INR). The prize money is for ongoing successful work, never for personal use.

The Right Livelihood Award is widely recognized as the world's premier award for personal courage and social transformation. Besides the financial support, it enables its Recipients to reach out to an international audience that otherwise might not have heard of them. Often, the Award also gives crucial protection against repression. For the Laureates, the Award has opened many doors, including prison doors.

Unlike the Nobel Prizes (for Physics, Physiology/Medicine, Chemistry, Literature, and Peace), the Right Livelihood Award has no categories. It recognises that, in striving to meet the human challenges of today's world, the most inspiring and remarkable work often defies any standard classification. For example, people who start out with an environmental goal frequently find themselves drawn into issues of health, human rights and/or social justice. Their work becomes a holistic response to community needs, so that sectoral categories lose their meaning.

This year's award is shared between four recipients:

1) Krishnammal & Sankaralingam Jagannathan and their organisation LAFTI - LAnd For TIllers' Freedom (India)

2) Amy Goodman (USA)

3) Asha Hagi (Somalia)

4) Monika Hauser (Germany)

Land for Tillers' Freedom (India)

LAFTI is based on the Gandhian idea of equitable land distribution as a basis for rural economic development. Located in the village of Kuthur, LAFTI serves hundreds of village communities throughout the Nagapattinam and Thiruvarur districts in the state of Tamil Nadu.

Krishnammal Jagannathan . . .

LAFTI was founded by Krishnammal and her husband Jagannathan in 1981. It has its roots in Bhoodan (the Land Gift) Movement, created by Acharya Vinoba Bave, the spiritual heir of Gandhi and "the first Sathyagrahi", who for almost 20 years, advocated the concept of Gramdan (the Village Community ownership); it involves landowners voluntarily surrendering their land for community ownership by Grama Sabha (Village Community). The significance of this non-violent land revolution is still to be recognised but Bhoodan and LAFTI movements have been instrumental in distributing 11,000 acres (4,450 hectares) of land to 11,000 landless poor families, through non-violent campaigns for the purchase of land for a reasonable price, or the lease of temple or trust land for cultivation by the village community.

LAFTI is committed to raising the social status and acceptability of the Dalit Caste, the so-called "untouchables". It has negotiated with the government for land subsidies, and with the banks for reduced interest loans for the purchase of land. LAFTI's housing scheme was created during the drought period of 1986-87, initially as a means of providing alternative employment. Brick and tile making industry was set up in 10 centers, and later with government subsidies, single room tenements were built with the bricks to replace the crumbling straw huts. It has created Women's Rights groups and Youth Forums in many villages.

Before . . .

After . . .

An alien Earthling salutes the courageous Jagannathan couple and their noble organisation LAFTI for their untiring efforts in fighting for the rights of the oppressed and enabling Dalits and others belonging to the poorest sections of society to lead dignified lives which was denied to them under the nauseatingly obnoxious caste system. India (and the world) needs many more people like them!

Watch a short video about LAFTI's noble work . . .

(If the video does not load, you can watch it here.)

கிருஷ்ணம்மாள் மற்றும் சங்கரலிங்கம் ஜகந்நாதனுக்கு என் வாழ்த்துக்கள்!!!

(Sources: www.rightlivelihood.org and www.lafti.net)

NEW DELHI, September 30 (Compass Direct News) – A Christian couple was found murdered, a woman killed, numerous houses and churches burned and low-intensity bombs exploded at relief camps in the past week in Orissa state’s Kandhamal district, where Hindu extremist violence began more than a month ago.

On Sunday (Sept. 28), police found the body of Priyatamma Digal, an auxiliary nurse and midwife, in a river. On Monday, the body of her husband, Meghanath, was recovered. According to The Times of India newspaper, the Christian couple was killed last Thursday (Sept. 25).

This morning attacks by unidentified armed groups in the villages of Rudangia, Telingia and Gadaguda in Kandhamal resulted in more than 100 houses burned and the death of Ramani Nayak of Rudangia village, reported The Hindu. Her religious affiliation was not known at press time.

Eight people were seriously injured in the attacks, according to reports, and about 20 people received minor injuries.

Bomb blasts yesterday rocked three Kandhamal relief camps in the Nuagaon area, Mahasinghi village and Baliguda town, reported the Press Trust of India (PTI).

No casualties were reported, but the explosions left residents of the relief camps fearing for their lives.

“Since they have been successful in exploding bombs near the heavily guarded relief camp, there is no guarantee that the explosions will not take place in other camps,” one refugee told PTI.

Axe Attack

The Times of India also reported that five houses were torched in Phirigia block in Kandhamal (Gochhapada police jurisdiction) on Sunday night.

Last Thursday (Sept. 25), some 700 people armed with axes, swords, and iron bars attacked a Missionaries of Charity house in Sukananda village in Kandhamal, reported Asia News agency.

“There was no one at home, because when the violence erupted against the Christians, we took our few belongings and moved to our house in Bhubaneswar,” Sister M. Suma told the agency. “We brought with us the tabernacle, the altar, and especially the Dalit and tribal girls whom we were sheltering.”

Late on Wednesday (Sept. 24), mobs burned about 30 houses and two prayer houses in Simanjodi village and 50 houses in Batingia village, reported The Indian Express newspaper.

In Rakingia village, an Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) team that had gone to clear roadblocks was attacked, forcing the accompanying police to open fire, added the newspaper.

“Two tribal people have reportedly been killed,” the daily reported. “Sources said tribals with bows and arrows launched an attack on the ODRAF.”

According to the All India Christian Council (AICC), at least 57 people have been killed, more than 18,000 injured and over 4,300 houses, 150 churches and 13 educational institutions destroyed since the Aug. 24 outbreak of violence in Orissa. Two Christian women were also gang-raped.

The violence, which later spread to at least 14 districts of Orissa, has left more than 50,000 people homeless.

The attacks began following the killing of a leader of the Hindu extremist Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council or VHP), Laxmanananda Saraswati, and four of his disciples on Aug. 23 in Kandhamal district. Maoists have claimed responsibility for the assassination, but the VHP has persisted in blaming local Christians.

According to media reports, Christians in Orissa retaliated in at least one incident. A man was killed in Raikia Block after “Dalit Christians of Gundhari village hurled bombs at the tribal-dominated village of Sirsapanga in the afternoon [of Sept. 24),” The Indian Express reported. “Sources said the deceased, Raghav Digal, a Dalit Hindu, was a government employee.”

‘Withdraw Federal Forces’

The leader of an influential tribal group believed to be instigating violence in Kandhamal demanded withdrawal of federal security personnel from the district as a “precondition” to stopping the attacks.

Yesterday Lambodar Kanhar, secretary of the Kandhamal Zilla Kui Samaj (Kui people group) Coordination Committee, was quoted by The Indian Express as saying that he was ready to give assurance that tribal people would not resort to violence if the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were taken out of the rural pockets of the district.

Kanhar accused the CRPF of having let loose “a reign of terror” on “innocent” tribal villagers.

The Global Council of Indian Christians’ Dr. Sajan K. George said Kanhar’s demand was an attempt to “complete ‘ethnic-cleansing’ of Christians.” A representative of the Christian Legal Association said Hindu extremist assailants were upset that federal forces were trying to prevent them from attacking Christians and their property.

At the same time, European Union (EU) representatives yesterday spoke to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the India-EU summit in France about the government’s failure to prevent a “massacre” of Christians in Orissa and Karnataka states.

According to the AICC, in the southern state of Karnataka at least 19 churches and 20 Christians have been attacked. At least four churches and four Christian schools had been vandalized in the north-central state of Madhya Pradesh, and four churches attacked in the southern state of Kerala. Two churches had also been damaged in the national capital, Delhi.

Singh yesterday made assurances that attacks on Christians would be stopped.

Christians from various denominations, along with people from other faiths, are holding a weeklong sit-in day and night at Jantar Mantar observatory in New Delhi that began on Friday (Sept. 26) to protest the lack of security. The demonstration demanding protection for minority targets in Orissa and other states will conclude with a motorbike rally on Thursday (Oct 2).

Christian leaders such as Dr. John Dayal, the Rev. Dr. Richard Howell, A.C. Michael and Jenis Francis are participating in the protest.

This report from Compass Direct News

via l'exellent site sur Palestro d'autrefois

Voici une liste  historique de personnalités de l'administration de la ville de Palestro

(l'un de nos doyens) que nous avons pu établir cette liste et nous l'en remercions.

LA COMMUNE DE PLEIN EXERCICE
MAIRIE

Maires
· 1871 - Mr BASSETI Dominique, négociant (tué au cour de l’insurrection de 1871).
· 1872 - Mr DERRIEL (ou DENIEL)
· 1873 - Mr CIBOT Achille
· 1874-1878 - Mr BECKER Emile
· 1880-1885 - Mr MICOUD Ferdinand
· 1893 - Mr BECKER Jean
· 1895 - Mr BECKER Jean
· 1897 - Mr MICOUD Ferdinand
· 1898 - Mr FINCK Charles
· 1901 - Mr BARROTI (ou BARRATIE)
· 1905 - Mr OURY Emile
· 1907 - Mr VALCADA Philippe
· 1920 - Mr MARTEL Joseph
· 1925 - Mr LHUILLET Louis
· 1927 - Mr SEIGNEURIE René (Adjoint délégué)
-d° - - Mr GANDER Louis (Adjoint délégué faisant fonction de maire)
· 1939 - Mr BECKER René
· Mr GUIDICI de 1945 à 1956 (disparu après les tragiques massacres de 1956)
·Mr de PEMBROKE Gilbert (par intérim, jusqu'en 1962)

Secrétariat de mairie

· Mr LIVERGNES
· Melle JAMMET Antoinette
· Mr GRIMALDI
· Mr GUECIOUER

· Mr TASS
Conducteurs de travaux

· Mr GARINAU
· Mr CAILLAU
·Mr LEVEQUE Léon
·Mr LESCA
JUSTICE

Juge de paix

· Mr TUPIN
Suppléants
· Mr ISSELIN
· Mr LEDUC
· Mr DUC
· Mr FERRANDIS
Greffiers
· Mr GUIDICI
· Mr WAGNER
Commis greffiers

· Mr
AZEAU Antoine
· Mr LLORENS (Père)
· Melle VEY Marcelle
· Mr KEDDAR Smaïl
· Mr CEPET Henri
Huissiers
·

Mr CHOURAQUI
· Mr COLLE
Avocats
· Mr BROUSSAIS François
· Mr HUILLIET
SANTE

Docteurs de colonisation
· Mr MEDAN
· Mr SAINTOURENS
· Mr TOUATI
· Mr SULTANA
Infirmières
· Mme COUTU Julie née BERTANI
· Mr BELAÏD (Détaché à l’hôpital)
· Melle BONO
· Melle HEMERY

Hôpital
Paul MICALEFF ( né en 1922) était ambulancier et sa femme aide soignante à l'hôpital de Palestro jusqu'en 62/63. Il ont repris le même type d'activité après dans la région de Besançon .
ENSEIGNEMENT

·Mr VACASSY
·Mme VACASSY
·Mr ENGEL Albert
·Mme ENGEL Louise née GAUTHIER
·Mr SOULAY
·Mme SOULAY
·Melle GALTIER
·Mr AZI
·Mr NOUAR
·Mrs BOUZID
·Mr BODARD
·Mr ARBOUZ
· Mme HODDE René (née WALLS)
·Mme LAVENAC
·Mr SCHOLTES

IMPOTS

Impôts directs
· Mr CARDONA
· Mr WEBER
· Mr CAMACHO
· Mr FUSTER
· Mr BEYER Jules
· Mr BOUZID
· Mr WINUM Albert
· Mr RUIZ Claude
· Mr

DOMEC Raymond (victime des terroristes)

Impôts indirects

· Mr BRESSON
· Mr ROVIRA (Tabacs)
· Mr MOUGEOLLE Albert
· Mr SOLVES André (Tabacs)

POSTES et TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Receveur des postes

· Mr et Mme CARAYON
· Mr et Mme ANCEAU
· Mr WINUM
· Mr et Mme BAGUR (née MENETRIER)

Facteurs

· Mr BRIAND
· Mr SPINETTA
· Mr YVANNEC
· Mr BOUZID

Entretien des lignes

· Mr ALARCON
· Mr BORJA
· Mr BELLEGARDE
· Mr BOURRIOU
· Mr RIERA
· Mr COUTU Noël
· Mr JOVER lucien
· Mr TORDJMAN
· Mr WINUM Marcel
· Mr POVEDA
· Mr FABRER Marius
REGIE des POUDRES (avant 1857 la fabrication de la poudre était une activité importante en Kabylie et s'exerçait dans presque tous les villages)
· Mme BOJON
PAROISSE

· Mr l’abbé JEGGO
· Mr l’abbé GENOU
· Mr l’abbé TONNINI
· Mr l’abbé LEMAITRE
· Mr l’abbé LUCAS
ANCIENS COMBATTANTS

· Président : Mr GARBIES (père)
SECURITE

Gendarmes
· Mr LECA
· Mr CABANEL
· Mr VIDAL
· Mr MENARD
· Mr GALHAUT
· Mr KERLOC’H
· Mr MEYER
· Mr BARBIE
· Mr ZOUAGLI Madjad
· Mr ANGELY
· Mr BECHOUCHE
· Mr COPPERT
· Mr DONIUS
· Mr GAUCY Ange
· Mr MALAISE
· Mr CASCALES François
Adjudants chefs :
· Mr ZIEGLE
· Mr HUMBERT
· Mr HACOUET
· Mr MICHEL
· Mr RIZZO

Gardiens de prison
· Mr PAUMIER
· Mr SARTHE
· Mr GRESSE
· Mr MARTY
· Mr CAUSSE

Gardes forestiers
· Mr ARTAUD
· Mr PERROU
· Mr VINCENT
· Mr DELMAS
· Mr PINELLI
· Mr SALLOT (victime des terroristes)
· Mr VILAR
· Mr DARDET

Gardes champêtres
· Mr COVES François
· Mr AKSASS
· Mr GALIANA Cosmé
· Mr MARI Robert
· Mr BAKIRI
· Mr CHATAIN
· Mr NAOUI
TRANSPORTS

Chemins de Fer Algériens (C.F.A. devenu en 1958 S.N.C.F.A.)

Chefs de district
· Mr BERSTEH
· Mr PIGNATEL
· Mr FARJON

Chefs de gare
· Mr AGOSTINI
· Mr BARTOLI
· Mr COVES François
· Mr OUDRY
· Mr SAUNIER

Gardes barrières
· Mme CAUSSIDIERE
· Mme RORH
· Mme LAPASSET
· Mme PALARINO
· Mme PEREZ
· Mme FLEUTY
· Mme MANIVEAU
· Mr

ESQUERRE
· Mr

GELABERT
· Mr

EYCHENNE
· Mr CHARLIER

Travaux
· Mr WINUM (père)
· Mr RORH
· Mr PALARINO
· Mr PEREZ
· Mr FLEURY
· Mr MANIVEAU

Carrière de ballast des gorges
· Mr KELLER Jean

Autocars
· Mr AMATO
· Mr MOUSSAOUI
· Mr SOUFFI
· Mr HAFIZ
· Mr CHALLEL
Taxis
· Mr IZARD
· Mr VENET
· Mr MOREL

Transport de marchandises
· Mr MARSOT
· Mr COUTU et LLORENS
· Mr VIDAL
· Mr BOJON
· Mr BOUDJEMA

Garages
· Mr ARNAUBIS Denis
· Mr OTTO
· Mr BOJON Robert
· Mr VENET René
· Mr DESWARTES
· Mr WALDET

COMMERCRES et SERVICES

Pharmacies
· Mr AJELLO
· Mme BROUSSAIS
· Mme LAURENTY
· Mr CAUPPERT

Banques
· Banque Bureaux Forains, ouvert le mercredi (jour de marché), siège à Ménerville
· Crédit Foncier d’Algérie et de Tunisie (CFAT) : Mr COLLENO
· Compagnie Algérienne de Crédit et de Banque (CACB)

Epiceries
Epicerie DUCROS
· Mme BOJON
· Mme SEGURANA
· Mr ORTS
· Mr BROKINI Louis
· Mme LEVEQUE
· Mme CHARRIER
devenue épicerie VINCENT Roger, puis BELLORINI Lucien

Epicerie DAHMANI
Epicerie ZAMOUM

Maraîcher
· Mr TIXIER

Entreprises de maçonnerie
· Mr SERRA
· Mr MARSOT Albert
· Mr MARI père et fils
· Mr AUGIER, ses trois fils et son neveu
· Mr VIDAL Jean
Carrières
· Carrière RECCO : Mines de fer de Guerrouna (route de Fondoukà l’origine des gorges)
· Mr BELLORINI Eugène et son fils Lucien
Cire et cirage

(comme la fabrication de la poudre, celle de la cire était aussi une activité importante )
· Mr et Mme GAUVIN

Menuiseries
· Mr STRUB Antoine (père et fils)
· Mr BARATIN

Papeterie
· Mrs GANDER Louis, et ses enfants Henri et Édouard

Electricité
· Mr RUEFF (Installation électrique)
· Mr POITEVIN (réparation radio)
· Mr DUART (électrification de la région)

Matériaux de construction
Société GALIANA et ZEMMOUR
· Mr MARIN (victime des terroristes)
Mrs BAÏRI (père et fils)

Boulangeries
· Mr MEUNIER et ses enfants
· Mr CAMUS et son fils
· Mr DAHMANI et ses enfants

Cinéma
· Mr CHASSAGNIER
· Mr KEDDAR Smaïl
Artisans

Horloger
· Mr ROSELO
Bourrelier matelassier
· Mr PARRA
Tonnelier
· Mr RUFFRA
Minotiers
· Mr NAVOLY
· Mr PONS
· Mr LADJOUZI
Plombier zingueur
· Mr VEY Marcel et son fils
Carburants
· Epicerie DUCROS
· Epicerie BROKINI
· Café de la Victoire
· Mr MOREL Vincent ( Station Shell )
Charbonniers
· Mr FUSTER
· Mr SERRA
· Mr ANGLADA
· Mr BROUSSAIS François
Produits laitiers
· Mr LEONARD
· Mme PELISSIER
· Mr DELBAYS
· Ferme GANDER
Négociants
· Mr HUMBRECKT Bertin
Forge, maréchalerie et charronnage
Mr BELLORINI
Mr STRUB Antoine (père et fils) ayant succédé à Mr MOUSSY et à Mr DAUVERGNE avec la collaboration de :
· Mr CORDEIL
· Mr MAYORAL
· Mr PONCE
· Mr SERRA
· Mr PALICIER
· Mr COUTU Albert
· Mr GRESSE Emile
· Mr LAMBERTIN Pierre
· Mr COUTU Noël
· Mr PATRAC
Travaux publics

· Mr JULIA
Cafés, hotels, restaurants

· Café de la Mairie : Mme RODIERE épouse SIFFER et de la MARE
· Café des Colons : Mr et Mme JEAUFFRET
· Café des Amis : Mme RAPHAËL puis Mr ROCCASERRA et repris par Mr COSTE Gaby
· Hôtel de France : Mr et Mme IZARD repris par Mr et Mme SANSANNO
· Café de la Victoire : Mr et Mme LAGUERRE repris par Mr et Mme NORMAND Firmin et SEGUELA Marie (née BLANC), puis par Mr et Mme DONATO et enfin par Me et Mme WINUM / JACQUET

AGRICULTURE

· Ferme CAILLE reprise par son gendre Mr HODDE et ses deux enfants
· Ferme Vve DAUVERGNE et ses trois enfants
· Ferme Mr et Mme MOREL et leurs trois enfants, reprise par Mr PONS et son fils (assassiné par les terroristes)
· Ferme LAREULE Louis (souvent sollicité pour castrer les cochons)
· Ferme GARBIES et ses trois enfants
· Ferme FINCK (qui a construit le pont suspendu), reprise par son gendre Mr STACKLER et le nouveau gendre Mr CHATENAY
· Ferme Vve BECKER et ses trois enfants : René BECKER (a été maire de Palestro) et son frère Georges à Tessalat, et Jean BECKER à Guerrouma
· Ferme Georges BECKER reprise par les époux SERVAT (victimes des terroristes en 1956)
· Ferme BENEJEAN et ses deux fils (victimes des terroristes en 1956)
· Ferme MARY Pierre et Boby
· Ferme FERRER et BONZOM
· Ferme RODIERE reprise par Mr FOULON
· Ferme DUBOUCHET Jacques et son frère Charles
· Ferme CHASSIGNY
· Ferme SOLIVARES reprise par Mr SIEGLER
· Ferme SYGVALD
· Ferme LHERIDEAU (fille de Mr BASSETI le premier maire de Palestro victime de l’insurrection de 1871), reprise par le gendre Mr TUDURY
· Ferme MAYNADIER, reprise par le neveu Mr de PEMBROKE Gilbert
· Ferme BONNET Louis (victime des terroristes)
· Ferme PRUVOST
· Ferme GAMONET
· Ferme MONTLIBERT (deux frères)

LA COMMUNE MIXTE

Administrateurs

· Mr ETTORI
· Mr DUMONT
· Mr REBOUL
· Mr MUSELI (administrateur-adjoint)
· Mr GIRARD (administrateur-adjoint)
· Mr VARNAY (administrateur-adjoint)

Secrétariat

· Mr SEIGNEURIE René
· Mr BACHOUCHI
· Mme VINAY épouse LLORENS
· Mlle LEVEQUE Huguette
· Mlle COSTE Colette
· Mme PITAVIN née SEIGNEURIE

Voirie

· Mr BORDIER

Ponts et chaussées
· Mr BEYER
Cantonniers
· Mr BISCONTE
· Mr RAZINBAUD
· Mr MEAU
Entretien du matériel
· Mr MARTY
S.I.P. (Société Indigène de prévoyance) Menuiseries
· Mr MUSSY
· Mr MOREL Maurice

AUTRES VILLAGES RATTACHES A LA COMMUNE MIXTE :

v VILLAGE de THIERS (Devenu Kadiria)

Délégué spécial
· Mr LEGENDRE

Receveur des postes
· Mr FONS Ernest
· Mme FONS Clémence

Chef de gare
· Mr REY

Ponts et chaussées
· Mr BELLEGARDE

Cafés restaurants
· Mr WATTELEY
· Mr DINIGLIO

Cafés restaurants
· Mr BROCKINI

Fermes
· LEGENDRE (dont le fils était le président de l’O.N.A.C. à Alger, puis à Paris après le rapatriement)
· SAGNIER
· CHASSIGNIER
· DELBAYS
Usine à crin
· Dans la forêt BROUSSAIS étaient fabriqués des cordages tressés avec les fibres de feuilles d'aloès.
On lui avait donné le nom de Mr BROUSSAIS Émile qui en détenait une concession de 100 ans. Né le 20/05/1855 à Paris et décédé le 7/02/1943 à Palestro, il a été député représentant l'Algérie à l'Assemblée Nationale de 1910 à 1919. Il était aussi le président de l’O.N.A.C.(Office national des Anciens Combattants) à Alger .
C'est dans cette forêt de chênes-lièges que Mr, Mme Charles de GAULLE et leur fille séjournaient.

v

VILLAGE de BENI-AMRANE (appelé Maréchal PETAIN durant la guerre 39-45)

Délégué spécial
· Mr VAGLIO

Garde champêtre ou gendarme
· Mr PICOT

Chef cantonnier
· Mr MEAU

Instituteurs
· Mme BROSSARD Hélène
· Mme STRUB Marthe
· Mr BOUZID

Travaux publics
· Entreprise BEC

Fermes
· Mr VAGLIO
· Mr VERDU
· Mr BROSSARD à partir des années 1950 ... mon père avait aussi une petite activité de transports (2 camions) en complément... d'ailleurs insuffisant. Il a été aussi en association avec Mr Moussaoui ( de Palestro ) qui avait entre e autre une société de cars...

Huilerie A du Vigneau

devenue l'usine de fabrication de savon "Vaglio", elle a été détruite par un incendie pour enfin terminer en camp militaire Avant l'incendie des installations industrielles ( à priori accidentel ) , l' Huilerie devenue " Savonnerie" traitait les résidus secs de pressage d'olive ( appelés "grignons") dont il était extrait les derniers corps gras pour fabriquer du savon sous l'action de la soude ( saponification) ... produisant une sorte de "savon de Marseille. Pendant le guerre d' Algérie c'est devenu un camp militaire s'occupant de l'entretien mécanique du matériel roulant..

VILLAGE de AOMAR - LAPERRINE (Devenu Djebahia)

Délégué spécial
· Mr LACOMBE

Fermes
· Mrs LACOMBE Frères

Garde champêtre
· Mr TESSIER

Eaux gazeuses de BEN HAROUN :

exploitation d’eau longtemps délaissée parce qu’elle était concurrente à celle de VICHY. Elle était gazeuse et purgative.

Nous remercions par avance toute personne qui nous permettra de corriger ou compléter cet état

Prehistoric caves, fortified castles and villages, important wine region.Diverse landscape of Atlantic coastline, beaches, flat forest land, Pyrénées mountains, and the rolling hills and river valleys of the Dordogne. The region’s history began thousands of year’s ago when Cro-magnon man lived in the caves of the Périgord and left cave paintings in sites such as Lascaux and Les Eyzies. More recent remnants of Aquitaine’s history date from the time of Eléonore of Aquitaine, consort of Louis VII, King of France. When she married Henry Plantagenet, who became King of England in 1154, she began several centuries of conflict between the French and English for control of Aquitaine. Today, the fortified villages and castles built during this time offer charm to the winding countryside and provide interesting stops along the road.Aquitaine’s capital, Bordeaux is a thriving port city on the Garonne River with beautiful 18th-century mansions and architecture, including its Grand Theatre by architect Victor Louis, excellent shopping and numerous cultural events, such as the traditional May Music Festival.Bordeaux is particularly well known for its surrounding wine-growing region. The vineyards of Bordeaux with their Margaux, Médoc, Sauternes and St. Emilion wines are leaders in their fields in an area where many other excellent wines are produced. Most chateaux open their doors to allow visits to their cellars and wine tastings.The varied Aquitaine region includes not only the prehistoric caves, villages and rolling river valleys of the Dordogne and the Bordeaux vineyards, but also the rocky Pyrénées mountain chain, the Basque country with its beautiful beaches, excellent surfing and picturesque fishing villages, the flat forest land of the Landes and the medieval castles and villages in Lot-et-Garonne.

For more info visit : http://www.dordogne-dordogne.com/

Overnight train to Lao Cai, 1.5 hour bus ride to Sapa.  We're on a tour, but there's only five people.  We decided because of the transportation connections and our desire to hike that the tour would be better.

As the bus climbed the mountain (only 25 miles, but it takes 1.5 hours!), we rose above the morning clouds.  In the valley, clouds hovered like mist.  The sun rose orange over the mountain tops.

It's beautiful here--mountains all green, terraces with rice covering the hill sides, fresh air, little noise, no humidity.  This morning, we hiked to Cat Cat village.  It was steeply down on the way there, and then up on the way back.  Along the way, our guide, Tu, showed us the local plants and fruits.  The villages are composed of minority people whose life seems to revolve around rice and tourism.  They wear hand woven and dyed clothes and carry large straw baskets on their back like back packs.  On our hike we saw some women carrying full loads of wood that I probably couldn't lift if I tried.

Cat Cat village was a tiny collection of huts and small houses and a cafe.  We stopped next at a waterfall and swam for a while--so nice after a sweaty hike.  Then we headed back.  Along the way, we saw water buffalo, kids, and lots and lots of rice.  As we passed minority women, they tried to sell us their handicrafts.  They're very coy about it: first, they ask where you're from, then your name, then your age.  They sometimes asked if Matthew was my boyfriend.  When I said husband, their next question was always, "Babies?"  Upon my negative reply, they'd look a bit sad.  I think it's customary here to have babies as soon as you're married.  Even the young kids knew the drill.  After the questions and seemingly casual conversation, they'd hold out a bracelet or fabric and say, "You buy from me?"

As we hiked back to Sapa, Tu pointed out a grove of marijuana plants--legal here, he says.  He took us on a "shortcut" straight up a trail in the side of a hill.  The five on our tour (Matt and me and three from Ireland) struggled to ascend the steep hill, but our guide and three local children sprinted to the top.  We arrived panting and the kids just laughed at us.

The hike was beautiful, informative, and a nice change from Hanoi.  Surprisingly, our hotel is very nice, with a huge shared balcony that looks right out onto Fanxipan, Vietnam's highest point.  I thought for sure that the tour would try to save money by putting us in tiny rooms with no view.

9/24/08

Before our hike this morning, I bought some bracelets from three H'Mong girls who'd been following us around since we arrived.  Every time we saw them, they'd call to me, "Hey, America."  (I think they thought that was my name as well as my country.)  Anyway, I asked how much for the bracelets.  Their reply, "You say first.  We say, then you say too much."  Smart kids!  They've learned that whatever price they give, the tourist will bargain down from that.  At a loss, I set a price way too high (which I only found out later).  Oh well, they were cute girls.  They made me pinky swear that if I saw them in their village later I'd buy more from them.  Not thinking that would actually happen, I pinky swore.

Today's hike was nice--long, but nice.  More beautiful terraces.  We started with a steep ascent.  Up, up, up.  Over rocks and dirt, but a trail nonetheless.  Then, descent.  Down to the river and across the "golden gate" bridge.  Along the way, we passed kids with book bags.  Tu showed us more plants and how they harvest the rice. 

Sporadically, we'd come across a tiny shack with cold drinks--stopping points for tourists.  At one of these, Tu made us noodle soup with veggies for lunch.  We'd see other tourists at these rest stops, but never on the trail.  Tu pointed out other trails below with lines of hiking tourists, but he said his way was better, the "special way." 

So, there we were, enjoying our lunch on a balcony overlooking the river when I hear, "Hey, America."  I couldn't believe it.  What were the chances I'd see the girls again after pinky swearing to buy more from them?  They must have known the circuit and where we'd be for lunch.  I tried to avoid them, but they waited around for us to finish.  When we walked out, they surrounded me, "You buy from me?" 
"I didn't bring my money this time."
"You pinky swear... You buy from meeee."  They were beginning to whine.
"I didn't bring my money."
Out came the bottom lip in a pout.
"Next year, you buy from me."
"Okay, next year."
Another girl, "I go to sleep and have a dream next year you buy from me."
"Okay, I will."  Thankfully, they haven't learned to cry upon being refused.

On one river crossing, I looked behind me to see five water buffalo soaking in a mud pool less than two feet from me!

They have the tourist circuit well organized in Sapa.  Since we had to check out before the hike, our hotel, the Royal View, stored our bags in lockers during our hike, then gave us shower rooms to use when we got back.

After the shower, we went to play pool at a bar up the road where Matthew had made a friend, Tuan.  He was 18 years old and worked there.  When Matthew went in the night before, Tuan had asked if he wanted to play a game.  Tuan was very boisterous and expressive.  He jumped up to say hello when we came in.  Everyone at the bar was welcoming and it felt comfortable to be there.  We played a few games and then returned to the hotel to catch the bus to Lao Cai.

I'm glad we did a tour to Sapa.  Doing it on our own would have meant less hiking and more hassle.  Moreover, Tuan told us a lot about the people and land that we wouldn't have known if we'd gone on our own.  The trip was a nice break from Hanoi.

Dans un passé très récent, qui ne peut s’effacer comme cela brutalement des esprits, les ménages, toutes catégories sociales de Lakhdaria et d’ailleurs, se permettaient, sans peine aucune, l’achat de gâteaux orientaux notamment la zlabia, le kalbellouz, et autre ktaïf, très prisés en période de jeûne.

Les prix pratiqués sur ces pâtisseries orientales étaient à la portée de toutes les bourses, évoque aâmi Rabah un pâtissier du centre-ville de Lakhdaria “ bon nombre de commerçants ne rataient pas l’occasion de se convertir à cette activité durant les mois de carême.” Cet intérêt pour ce commerce ne nécessitant qu’une autorisation délivré par l’APC moyennant le règlement d’une taxe symbolique, était dû selon Aâmi Rabah “ au fait qu’il n’y avait que la zlabia qui pouvait drainer des chaînes interminables d’acheteurs à l’approche de l’adhan du maghreb” et d’ajouter “ les matières premières étaient tellement disponibles et à bon marché que bon nombre de ménages à Lakhdaria la préparait chez eux chaque soir.”

Mais les choses ne sont pas restées ainsi, les ingrédients pour la préparation de la zlabia à savoir la farine, l’huile, et le sucre, fait remarquer en expert en la matière aâmi Rabah “ ont connu de légères hausses par le passé, donnant ainsi des augmentations insignifiantes de 10 DA / kg à ce produit par année.”

Cette année, ce gâteau oriental à fait un bond remarquable vers le haut, suite aux prix pratiqués sur les produits sus-cités à l’importation; lesquelles denrées alimentaires de première nécessité d’ailleurs pour des pays consommateurs tel que le nôtre, ont été relevées en même temps que la chute du dollar par rapport à l’euro, ceci regrette a âmi Rabah “ a donné lieu à une augmentation exceptionnelle de cette “sucrerie” de près de 60 DA / kg par rapport aux années passées”.

En tout cas, certains artisans pâtissiers de Lakhdaria ont manqué à l’appel dès le début du carême, eux qui n’ont pas raté une seule des années précédentes, préfèrent ne pas assister aux coups de gueules des clients en voyant le prix de 180 DA / kg placé sur les plateaux débordant de zelabia. D’autres ont affiché quand même ce prix-là la 1ère semaine, puis voyant qu’on ne se marchait pas trop sur les pieds, ils les ont baissé à 160 DA; mais même à ce tarif cette pâtisserie demeure trop chère pour le consommateur.

A. Chérif

Some estimates are at 25,000, others say 60,000 people attended the Palin Victory Rally at the Villages in Central Florida Sunday.  It was a large and enthusiastic crowd.

We left home about 6:30 Sunday morning, arriving there at the event site about 8:45.  After parking in an open field, we walked quite a distance and took our place in an already forming line to stake out our place.  And then we waited.  It was an outdoor event with no place to sit unless on the curb or maybe a few benches were available.  But nobody wanted to lose their place so mostly we just stood.

Finally about 1:30, they began letting people inside the barricades, through the metal detectors and security, and into the stage area.  Taking our place at the front of the entrance lane where they would be making their way to the microphones, we held out until Sarah, Todd, Willow, Piper, and Trig appeared.

It was really exciting to be a part of this.  From 8:45 until her arrival time of 4:30, we met lots of nice people.  But it was hot and getting hotter.  Some succumbed to the heat and had to be revived by medics who were right there when needed.   Almost unbelievable that many people would be waiting it out there in that heat, but I didn't see anybody leaving.  In fact, at about 4:00 with thousands of people already there, it was announced that the cars were backed up to the highway with others still trying to get in.  And the highway was a long ways out!  All told, it was really something to see votes for McCain/Palin for as far as the eye could see!

Maybe I'll have some more pictures a little later when we figure out how to get them downloaded/uploaded.  :-)

Okay.  Here they are:

Posted:  09.22.08  Pictures added 09.22.08 @5:52 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. - Thank you, Linda!

On Sunday 9/21/08v Governor Sarah Palin, Republican Vice Presidential Nominee, held rally in Florida that drew more than 60,000 people. The Villages, a prominent senior community of 70,000 hosted the event. This was a city that came out in droves to support the McCain Palin ticket.

Where is the media coverage?

There was none. The ABC radio hourly news cast on Sunday and Monday have said nothing. There was nothing on the evening networks. The press is following Gov. Palin and not Sen. Joe Biden. They have reported on this over the last couple of weeks saying only a few reporters are traveling with Biden. They can't say they were not there.

This is blatant MSM bias for Sen. Barack Obama. Proof, remember Seattle, Berlin, Denver? Gov. Palin drew nearly the same amount at her rally as any of these events. Palin drew at a rally nearly what Obama did at his Denver nomination and there was wall to wall coverage of him with gushing comments that got some announcers like Chris Matthews and Keith Oberman from NBC demoted.

Why is the media doing this. Besides the obvious Democrat agenda driven message Obama's support must have internal polls that show him still sliding in the polls. The reason for the slide is that the Conservatives are coming out of the wood work just like did for then California Governor Ronald Reagan. California is in play, yes I just wrote that and I have actually talked about it before the media admitted as seen in the San Francisco Chronicle. The Chronicle wrote 0n 9/21/08 (at 7 minutes to 5pm PST, called a news drop), "Sen. Barack Obama's California supporters are freaking out about a race Democrats were uncommonly confident about only a month ago."

So the best tactic the MSM could deploy to help their Democrat candidate, Barack Obama, was to bury the story of the American people standing up and coming out for a war hero and a conservative woman.

• Lakhdaria / Guerrouma
  L’eau, le logement et les routes font défaut

Guerrouma, située à 35 km de Lakhdaria, aurait eu le statut de commune dès 1958 selon ses villageois, des agglomérations de zônes rurales qu’elle dépassait, question prospérité en ces temps là, seraient nommées daïra grâce aux efforts consentis par les élus qui se sont succédés à la tête de ces assemblées communales. Guerrouma qui regrouperait 1 500 à 2 000 habitations avec environ 18000 âmes, a selon Esseïd peu évoluée, et bien sûr qui n’avance pas recule”. A son avis “l’abondance des maisons est cette préoccupation comme priorité première dans la localité”. Toutefois, dans le cadre du programme portant suppression de l’habitat précaire, Esseïd note : “Il y a environ 200 foyers qui ont bénéficié de cette aide, mais les autres dossiers n’ont pas connu de suite”. Evidemment, l’explication au blocage de l’opération RHP au niveau de Guerrouma est connue de tous, y compris pour Esseïd. “La parcelle de terre dégagée sur le lieudit Zouadna devant accueillir le projet, a été durement ébranlée par le séisme de Boumerdès”. Après donc les réserves émises par le CTC et les services de l’Urbanisme, ajoute Esseïd “le projet des 150 logements en RHP retenu initialement sur Zandna à été affecté sur Guerrouma-centre, où 60 logements sont en cours de réalisation”. Par ailleurs, l’état impraticable du stade devant recevoir les joutes des sportifs locaux, le tronçon non bitumé reliant Sebt à Guerrouma, et le peu de moyens dont dispose la salle de soins pour mener à bien notamment les séance de consultations médicales, cite Esseïd, “Restent pour l’heure des doléances non encore résolues”. Aussi, des localités de zônes rurales telles que Guerrouma, puisant leurs principales ressources des élevages ovin, bovin et avicole ont accueilli avec satisfaction les récentes décisions portant protection et multiplication des cheptels locaux. Ceci, dira Esseïd, “permettra à Guerrouma de tirer son épingle du jeu s’agissant de l’objectif des 10 000 unités d’élevage que compte atteindre la tutelle”. Seulement, fait-il remarquer, “le délai de 12 mois prévu au remboursement est relativement court pour l’éleveur appelé attendre la mise bas, à engraisser les petits, et en dernier lieu vendre pour honorer ses crédits”. Mais sur toutes les préoccupations répertoriées à Guerrouma, celle relative à l’alimentation en eau potable des hameaux avoisinants, à l’exemple de Ouled Hamdène, Ouled Allel, Taâracht et Djouaadja, est plus ressentie que d’autres. A ce sujet, termine Esseïd, “il n’y a que Guerrouma-centre et Abdenour qui en ont, les autres font appel aux colporteurs moyennant 700 DA les 2000 l”.

A. Chérif

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Lakhdaria, Infrastructures scolaires à Guerrouma
Le régime de l’internat fait défaut au secondaire

Guerouma est l’exemple même de la commune ou l’on retrouve une population où prédominent les tranches d’âge des 16 ans et plus, lesquelles ne se font pas remarquer seulement au niveau des bureaux ANEM de Lakhdaria, mais se présentent en force dans le secteur de l’enseignement notamment dans les paliers moyen et secondaire.

Guerrouma, distante de 35 kms de Lakhdaria, et qu’on peut joindre par la localité de Sebt en empruntant Makhchéne et Babor, est suffisamment dotée en infrastructures scolaires pour la plupart mobilisées au palier primaire et d’autres au cycle moyen ; ceci, fait remarquer un villageois “assure une prise en charge de la demande locale” ; néanmoins, continue-t-il, “tant que les élèves sont inscrits au niveau de Guerrouma, il ne se pose aucun problème, mais lorsqu’ils accèdent à un niveau supérieur… Bonjour les problèmes !”

Bien sûr, concernant le palier moyen, les deux CEM dont dispose le chef-lieu de la commune, n’accueillent pas les mêmes capacités, puisque celui appelé El Baydha prend uniquement 190 places, et le CEM Guerrouma-centre reçoit quant à lui pas moins de 1200 élèves, dont des internes et des externes. “Le problème est justement à ce niveau, note un citoyen de Guerouma. Lorsqu’ils étudient à Guerrouma ils bénéficient du régime l’internat et de l’externat, mais une fois inscrits à Lakhdaria ils font la navette”.

D’ailleurs, la petite trotte de 35 kms à laquelle se livrent les lycéens inscrits à Lakhdaria n’est pas fait pour arranger les choses que ce soit financièrement, ou encore en dépense physique, lesquels désagréments n’ont pas laissé insensibles les responsables locaux, dira encore notre interlocuteur de Guerrouma. “On parle ici et là un niveau des représentations de l’Etat d’un projet de construction d’un lycée, mais pour l’heure cela n’a rien d’officiel”.

Sinon, question infrastructures primaires, Guerrouma est sans nul doute l’une des meilleures localités dotées de ces établissements, elle compte pas moins de 18 écoles primaires éparpillées à travers la circonscription, lesquelles commencent petit à petit à se doter de cantines scolaires comme dans les temps passés.

A. Chérif