A Dangerous development

A dangerous situation is developing in the Capitals of Europe, as un elected “Technocrats” are appointed to form governments of other un elected individuals with the objective of managing the Eurozone financial crisis. This solution originated in Athens following pressure from Berlin and Paris and now, with the demise of Berlusconi, has reached Rome. As the speculators of “The Markets” move against other countries in the Eurozone, how long will it be before Paris, Madrid, Dublin and the other vulnerable members of the Euroclub are forced to appoint these un accountable mandarins to form un elected Governments? The problem with this solution, which strangely enough, is praised and accepted by the “Markets” is that the new Governments are accountable to no one. Elected politicians, whether one agrees with their political position or not, are accountable to the people of the country who do have an influence on who governs them. The “technocrats” on the other hand are accountable to no one and have as their first allegiance, the maintenance and growth of the financial institutions, business and status quo of the market/speculator system who caused this crisis in the first place. There is another, even more sinister aspect to these new “Governments” and those still to be established. How do the people of any given country change the make up of their Government? Is there any means of removing the “Technocrats”, in the event that they determine that the “National Interest” is best served by extending their term of tenure as the “circumstances are not yet right” to hold elections and return to normal political activity. It is not only the reins of economic power that they hold. By definition, as the Government, they are able to carry out all those acts normally in the domain of politicians, but without any checks and balances which, by and large, maintain the democratic structure of a nation.The un elected technocratic clique, can and may, quite easily turn into the appointed dictatorship perpetuating its life for its own and its vested interests at the expense of the people and country it was supposed to rescue. We have seen it all before. The 21st Century could become a fulfilment of the old quotation, “Those who do not learn the lessons of history, are condemned to relive it.”

A New Egypt

Within hours of the abdication of Hosni Mubarak, President Obama appears on the world television networks to welcome the resignation and call for “the military to ensure a credible political transition to a genuine democracy“.
That seems a bit rich from the President of a country which has propped up a tin pot dictator with arms, munitions and financial support for 30 years whilst at the same time turning a blind eye to the excesses of the despot who has abused human rights, destroyed all political opposition, employed thugs and criminals disguised as police, to retain a grip on power with the use of torture, imprisonment without trial and “renditions” on behalf of the US Government. However, the world observers may be excused for giving the US the benefit of doubt, and assuming that there has been a change of heart in Washington and they have now realised that the days of US interference in the politics of Middle Eastern Countries and the shameless hypocrisy of justifications, have come to an end. This hope was very short lived. Within hours of the Obama speech, we were informed that The White House says it is important that the next government of Egypt recognize existing accords with Israel. An instruction from the Americans to a Government of another Country, which has not yet been elected.
Whatever Government the people of Egypt, or Tunisia elect, or any other country in the region which replaces its existing Government within the coming months, then so be it. We in the West, particularly in the United States and to a lesser extent in Europe, have no right to interfere, whatever our own personal views or preference may be. The people of the Middle East were betrayed by the West in 1917, following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire during World War 1. The peoples of these Countries, although not necessarily their propped up Governments, have mistrusted the West ever since. We must stop trading in hypocrisy, stop propping up tin pot tyrannical regimes in the name of political expediency, stop demonising Islam and start building bridges with the people of these countries, or we shall all be the losers