Ban Ki-moon's Press Conference

     Three weeks ago, on 10 January, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, the widely respected UN Secretary-General, had the first press conference for the new year.  Here are some excerpts from the opening remarks.

     He said first that this should be the year of 'intensified diplomacy, inroads against poverty and action on climate change'.  In connection with the last-mentioned, he is going to convene 'The Climate Summit' for 23 September.

     On the trouble spots in the world, he mentioned Syria, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic, and said, 'I am especially alarmed by the spread of sectarian animosity'.  On Syria a Conference is going on at Geneva as was announced on this day.

     Then he called attention to 'countries where transitions have gone astray, fragility is growing, institutions are falling and democratic governance has faltered'.

     Not surprisingly he mentioned Thailand where Bangkok was in danger of being 'shut down'. Quite rightly he pointed out that the relation of Israel and Palestine is one of 'a perilous status quo' and the Israeli policy of building 'well over 1,000 settlement units' was both illegal and an obstacle to peace.  The situation in Sierra Leone has got better.

     Towards the end, he said the UN should move forward to 'disaster resilience' and 'a nuclear-weapon free world'.  That means a move to 'a safer, more just and prosperous world'.  He concluded by saying 'I am determined to make this a year of progress for people and the planet'.

     Best wishes, Mr. Ban !

Any Way Out in Thai Politics ?

     This writer knows next to nothing about Thai politics.  His knowledge of the country is also limited.  Apart from Bangkok, he has seen Chiang Mai in the north together with the 'Golden Triangle', and Hajai in the south, and practically nothing more.

     What is taking place in that country at present, however, drives me to produce something on it.  Because it is bound to have some impact upon the other Asian countries.  We are particularly concerned if the people of Thailand are paying, and are going to pay, respect to the principles of democracy.  The country has a long history of military rule.  Between 1973 and 76 there was a short break when citizens and students bought democracy with their blood.  A sociologist from Bangkok who came to Japan in '73 to attend the Asian Sociological Conference requested us to stand up and to mourn the dead students.  He later became the General Secretary of the Socialist Party, but was assassinated in the broad day-light in a few years' time.

     It is beyond our comprehension why both the Government and the opposition seem to be leaning on the shoulders of the military, even now.  And why the opposition refuses to take part in the General Elections already announced?  If they have demanded democratization of some sort, and the Government has announced Elections in their discretion, they should co-operate with them.  All this is none of my business?  But yes.  Whether there is going to be a military take-over in Thailand in the near future, as there was in Egypt last July, or whether the basic rules of democracy are to be followed, is a matter of vital importance to us and all of Thailand's neighbours.  The present situation is as if the opposition is requesting the military to come to their help.  Of course the parliamentary democracy may not be omnipotent.  But what is the democratic and non-violent alternative they can possibly choose?  If the opposition does not want to take part in the Elections because they are not likely to win, what is there to demarcate them from the mere mobs?   I hope I am terribly wrong and ignorant.    

Susumu Wins Over the Pro-Military Base Candidate

     Belatedly let me wish you all a Happy New Year 2014 !  Did I say the same thing for 2013 !?

     It was the voting day yesterday 19 January for the Mayoralty of Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture. Though there were less than 50,000 voters, it was an important election.    The Government, in collaboration with the US under the Security Treaty, wants to build there a US airbase with 2,500 metre V-shape airstrips by reclaiming beautiful coral sea.  The decision was taken in November 1997.  In the next month a residents' vote was taken and the majority voted against the plan. Since then there has been a continuing opposition for 17 years.  Mr. Inamine Susumu, 68, is the sitting mayor, and has stood again for a four-year term from the anti-base camp, with the only opponent backed by the LDP and the Governor of Okinawa.  The result was 20 to 16 thousand, with a distance of a little more than four thousand, a convincing victory.  Japan is not a federal polity, but Governors and Mayors have got certain administrative power.  It is not certain what the new Mayor will do, but with his firmness of mind and the backing of the majority of the voters he can do at least something to stop the building of the base.

     The voters were against noise, crimes, accidents, and environmental destruction.  Several factors have worked in favour of Susumu.  At the end of the last year the Governor, who had been expected to say No to the Government on this matter, expressed Yes, after he was offered the transfer of money by the Government more than he had expected.  Susumu said that he had never suspected this would happen.  It was called the Governor's betrayal.  People expected him not to sell the pride of Okinawa. The Prefectural Assembly has passed resolutions expressing opposition to the base, and demanding the resignation of the Governor.  The anger is still to be seen among the voters.  To make it worse, the LDP hinted at pouring a huge sum of money in return for the victory of their candidate, which kept many away.

     One thing more.  How will the result influence the relations with our neighbours which are not at their best?  Absolutely no harm.  On the contrary, it will hopefully be seen as a sign of Japan going less military-minded.  We hope that the US will also see it that way and accommodate herself with it.  After all they have a Peace-Prize laureate at the top！