If I Were AFRICAN Leaders...on Mo Ibrahim Prize

PS: Enjoy this....

Execu-Thieves
There is no power
than pen-in-awe
and penury-in-urge
Some must pen the world
some must part with pain
quashing da morrow's gain

As the great designs unfold
they write their name
in gold...
Either as leaders or looters
whether believers or atheists
They have their goons
smashing our moons
even as they soon disgorge

New-comers come for shine
Old-hands lose the fame:
Returning large swathes
and retiring to...
da Hall of Shame

copyright Victor Onoviran 2006

Our own Kofi Annan, Nobel Peace Laureate and retired UN Sec-Gen, this week announced the much-heralded and eagerly-awaited first winner of the Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership. Prize money: $5m over ten years; $200,000 per annum for life; plus an additional $200,000 for good causes they espouse. This makes it the world's biggest individual prize. Thoughtful. As the Sage said ages ago, something new is always coming out of Africa! This is a grand offering by a good patriot to a grand continent. It was, thus, all ears and eyes come da grand day of its award.

And the winner....
Former President Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique! Bravo.

In celebrating Chissano, we remember Mandela. Da common threat is humility, heritage and selfless service. Simply putting people first!

We are proud of this Son of Africa, and can only commend his outstanding personal qualities and official performance to his other brethren right here, and around the developing world.

Da poem, pray leader, may be ya pocket clip!

If I Were Iranian Leaders (2)

The time has come for the people of the great nation of Iran to show the quality of their long and cultured ancestry - as skilled diplomats and tribes. Nothing is more helpful in the long-running nuclear power matter than the goodwill of its friends led by Russia and China.

The visit of President Putin this week, for the Caspian Sea Summit, cements the fact.

The resignation of the chief nuclear resignation should be no excuse or set-back at all. Iran is entitled to choose its officials.


If I were the country's leaders, I will honestly take up Russia's proposals and show absolute good faith in resolving this matter soonest. There is nothing to be gained in either intransigence or ego tripping. Iranian interests must be paramount, and an early resolution, not international isolation, be da KEY.

More than anything else, Iran must not deceive or disappoint its friends and supporters. The world expects its word to be its bond!

Iran wants nuclear power for peaceful purposes? Yes. Then get it by peaceful politics. Period.


The time is NOW.

If I Were Chinese Leaders...on Myanmar

This is the moment of international footwork on Myanmar. China should not only act it's special role, but must be seen to do so responsibly and respectfully. It has the track record, now, of the "moderating force" - thanks to its role in the North Korean nuclear talks.

If I were the Leaders of China, I will immediately and publicly announce a "Special Envoy to the Myanmar Process", who will work with the both the UN and ASEAN to restore peace and democracy to the reclusive and boiling nation. Things are getting pretty dangerous and tedious.

There is everything to play for in this venture. Including time.

President Hu Jintao should ACT now.

If I Were BOTH Koreas

Even the most of skeptics could not have anticipated the inspiring outcomes of the 2nd Summit of the Koreas. The Summit Declaration, among other specific elements, committed to eventual full unification of the Korean Peninsula - ROK & DPRK.

We shall see the signs early. Prime Ministers will soon meet, defence chiefs will follow. Even the cheerleaders team to the Beijing Olympics will go by train through the North. Most important, however, is President Kim Jong II's personal confirmation to denuclearise the peninsula. It is in this realm that their ambition to work through a four-party talks to formally end the Cold War - with a permanent peace treaty - lifts the soul. Four-party? Yes: ROK, DPRK, US, PRC.

I saw these prospects in my incurable optimism for world peace when President Roh Moo-hyun pointedly asked President George Bush, at the last ASEAN Summit in Australia, to name a date for withdrawing American troops from South Korea. Mr Bush was jolted, but recovered fast to insist on considering such possibility ONLY after the North ends its nuclear programme. Peace, final peace, was in sight!

If I were the TWO Koreas, I will make things move quick, very quick. The North must end its nuclear programme, under the six-party talks, quick. The South will flood the North with new investments, under a special industrialisation programme. China and Japan will invest in both infrastructure and agriculture to upgrade both physical and human capital. The West (EU and US) will support export development. Russia and Canada will guarantee future energy needs of the peninsula. The AU will back strategic raw materials in a Special Africa-Korea Partnership. The UN will move in to secure a rapid & sustainable MDGs programme.

Voila!

Once the land is fully demilitarised, the huge annual costs of keeping 28,000 US troops and its DPRK opposites will be funneled into regeneration and renewal of the Unified Korea.

And by the way, America needs her troops back for homeland security!

If I were BOTH Koreas - leaders and citizens, alike - I will push and push, work and work, like hell; then pray and pray, like heaven; for....full peace & complete unification.

Timeline? Yes:
Peace Treaty - 12 Months.
Complete Unification (learning from the German experience) - 60 Months.

From this day, Pyongyang and Seoul must stay on da same page.