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Integration
Here in Glasgow our community went to a Euro-Hustings of candidates for the European Parliament: Chas Booth (Green), Sebastian Leslie (Conservative), Felicity Garvie (Socialist), Douglas Henderson (Nationalist), Bill Miller (Labour) and Alex Bruce (Liberal Democrat).
They spoke of several issues: agricultural policies and subventions, the European Constitution and the mention of God and Christianity, environmental issues and alternative fonts of energy, free market or fair market, human rights and future annexation of Turkey. A broader view of the policies damaging Africa affairs is required for our politicians. The access to affordable medicines, the privatization of public water services, the debt service, the trade in small arms. All but one said they don’t believe God should be mentioned in the European Constitution yet the editor of the Scottish Observer chairing the meeting, closed it by saying an appropriate "God bless you!" He might have been a man of integrity to vote for!
Another person of integrity, the Dalai Lama has recently visited Scotland. Welcomed by the Scottish Parliament he addressed them with the worlds "I have many things to learn from you." That piece of news, The Dalai Lama said that he has to learn from Scotland, was reported on the TV evening news. Great humility and serenity transpiring from a religious leader full of integrity, standing for the independence of Tibet in front of mighty China. By the way the next head of state due to come to Scotland, to seek reconciliation after the Lockerby disasters will be Colonel Gheddafi from Libya. President Bush has been touring Italy and France recalling the 60th anniversary of D-Day.
The underlined reference to what one may say was America's last just war, and to the waste of young lives on both sides, allied and Germany… Alas, the end of all wars has yet to be celebrated!On May 29th there was the 13th anniversary of the independence of Eritrea. For the first time it was commemorated also in Glasgow. On the day, a committee of 7 Eritreans was appointed and now will start linking up the members of their ever-growing community. A special band had arrived from London to play Eritrean contemporary music. I had to try to dance as well as doing some babysitting! I encourage you to take part in the events being organized for the Refugee Week, 14-20 June, across the Country. Please do so also for the future!
Elections in Malawi have gone by, with an evaluation of neither free nor fair process given by the electoral commission. The three major contenders all claiming victory and the ruling party UDF coming on top, after the counting. In any case the new president Bingu wa Mutharika sworn in on May 24th. Sudan lives between hopes of a settlement to the war between North and South and the incredible ethnic cleansing happening in Darfur region. In fact a Day for Sudan was scheduled in Glasgow for Saturday the 12th June to highlight the situation. The Government of Khartoum and the SPLA signed the peace agreement and the three protocol of wealth-sharing at Naivasha on May 26th. Let us hope it will mark the end to 22 years of conflict.