UN Investigating Itself

| by Gajalakshmi Paramasivam

( May 26, 2014, Melbourne, Sri Lanka Guardian) Gandhi said in South Africa – ‘there is room for us all’. To me – the time and place where belief is expressed is sacred. We celebrate anniversaries in confirmation of the sanctity of the time of birth of a person or outcome. Buddhism even though born in India is also very much Sri Lankan due to those who realized higher values through Buddhism in the land-space called Sri Lanka. Likewise, when Gandhi said with belief in South Africa that there was room for all – that place became sacred for Independence through multiculturalism.

To my mind, the Energy of Independence to which Gandhi contributed in South Africa – is my common link with Ms Navaneetham Pillay – much more than her position in the UN structure. Position powers above the level of the position held by the most Truthful person in that organization – are largely towards maintenance of form – to the extent the occupants do their duty. The rest is welfare – even at the top.

Here in Australia Mr. Nick Greiner as Premier was part of the Energy that gave birth to the ICAC – Independent Commission Against Corruption. Mr. Greiner himself stepped down from the top job confirming that that top position was a welfare position. This was reconfirmed recently when Mr. Barry O’Farrell resigned from that position of Premier. Others in future may through their own strong contributions – give democratic life to that position – so it would support the People more than being supported by the People. Otherwise we would need to get rid of ICAC so that we do not keep exposing our weaknesses to wider world. I contributed my own Energies to the core purpose for which the ICAC exists. This helps me appreciate that that organization is larger than the parent who gave birth to its physical form. Likewise Independence / Sovereignty. They are by their very nature – beyond the reach of single individuals or groups. They are like the ancestors whose Energy we invoke but whose existence is beyond our comprehension.

To the extent we contribute to ‘independence’ – not for status but because something within us rejects dependence and makes us feel good when we are independent – we carry that independence value with us beyond time and place boundaries. Our contribution to Independence in family is taken to our workplace and/or social life and v.v. Relationships help us develop this sense of independence within ourselves. Once we feel this, we merge naturally with the other person and this is Love. Truth is another word for Love. Truth gives the picture of balance and therefore fulfilment. Love is the sharing of that fulfilment – with various parts and/or the whole itself.

The UN inquiry into war-crimes by Sri Lankans – including Tamils – needs to give birth to Truth in Sri Lanka, so we would Love more. According to the latest report by Sri Lanka Guardian ‘the moment the announcement of Investigation Committee by Navi Pillai starts, co-operation and support from America, Canada, Britain and other European countries are expected.’

These other countries have voted for the UN to conduct the inquiry. The Resolution submitted (not yet approved) in the House of Representatives, USA - on 19 May 2014 is confirmation that individual countries may step into the UN position as if they are conducting the inquiry. The issue here is the sovereign rights of a human being to be treated as a human being rather than an animal. The true outcome of real value from this inquiry will be the manifestation of the combined natural forces that the participants are able to draw on and contribute as a group. Just yesterday, a migrant who is recovering from depression due also to workplace weaknesses - said to me that her former boss had asked her to be in charge of a research project for which he was seeking some funds. The migrant academic said that the project did not take off but that the fact that her former boss asked her made her feel good. Where the value is subjective it usually contributes to program. Likewise when it is globally objective and stands on its own merit – it helps bring about closure and independence from the past without losing real value contributed by a person/country/any part that forms the whole picture.

The UN inquiry would be a combination of both. In terms of the Sri Lankan Government, it is more likely to be ‘program’ based value. UN would then repair its damaged part so the UN could function more effectively. In terms of the LTTE it needs to be complete with 360 degree input and the picture needs to stand independent of any contributor to the picture. It is merely for lessons learnt and not for any credits and debits. Each Tamil must be able to read the total picture for their own individual/group purposes. Hence other countries should not become spokespersons for Tamils. The UN needs to facilitate Tamils by surfacing the total contribution of Tamils to protect their investment in the Global value of Independence which has been damaged by the war.

Sri Lanka is larger than the President and the Government. Likewise Tamil Community is much larger than the LTTE and the TNA (Tamil National Alliance). A UN inquiry needs to ensure that it does not damage other parts of the whole when surfacing evidence and delivering its report. It’s not only the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE that are being investigated here. It’s also the earned level of the UN’s high status to judge others.

Like with the position of Premier - New South Wales, the UNHRC may get exposed of its own weaknesses through this inquiry. The Sri Lankan Government is part of the UN body. Hence, the UN is actually investigating a part of itself through this Resolution. True Sri Lankans need to add their Truth so that our contribution to Independence is shown through Sri Lanka as well. Likewise True Tamils. In all these groupings – the extensions – such as Sri Lankan, Tamil, UN are to confirm the place where Independence was born. But Independence itself is not restricted to any place and/or time.

Losing The Peace: Why The LLRC Report Is Not 

Implemented 

By Dr Dayan Jayatilleka-Monday, May 26, 2014

D.S. Senanayake and SWRD Bandaranaike

Five years after the thirty years war we are in a time of transition to a termination. It can go either way: tenuous equilibrium and a modus vivendi or a bloody tragedy as finale. The foreseeable future of Sri Lanka will depend on the Mahinda-Modi equation. There are at least two broad scenarios.

Scenario I: Soft Landing

Losing the Peace Why the LLRC Report is Not  Implemented by nelvely

SRI LANKA: A tribute to Ranjith Abeysuriya – an exemplary civil servant and a conscientious citizen

May 26, 2014

The Asian Human Rights Commission is saddened to learn of the death of Deshamanya Ranjith Abeysuriya PC, a man of impeccable integrity who contributed for many years in various capacities to the protection of the rights of Sri Lankan citizens in a period which saw some of the most devastating attacks on democracy and the rule of law system in the country.

He is best remembered as the first chairperson of the National Police Commission (NPC), which was created under the 17^th Amendment to the Constitution. He held this post at a time when, due to the adverse impact of the executive presidential system the Sri Lankan police service acquired the reputation of being a highly politicized institution which was suppressed and subordinated to the whims of the ruling party politicians. The 17^th Amendment arose when the bitter realisation of the destructive nature of the executive presidential system dawned on the members of parliament representing different political parties. The worst part of the criticism was on the policing system.

As the chairperson of the NPC it fell on Ranjith Abeysuriya to rescue this all-important national institution so that it could serve the purposes of protecting the citizens within a framework of the rule of law. It was to his credit that he was able to get the cooperation of the police officers themselves of various ranks and many others for this purpose. The great success he achieved within the short period of three years so shocked the corrupt politicians that a conspiracy to undo the independent police commission and other similar commissions was launched and the 17^th Amendment was unceremoniously buried.

During the period of the NPC's operations under this chairmanship the AHRC worked in close association with him and therefore on the basis of close observation we were able to see his enormous dedication to the task and even more impressively, his dedication to the principles which he so cherished. His way of critiquing the destructive political interference was by way of practical action in steering this new institution in such a way to demonstrate that it was possible for a committed bureaucrat to defeat devastating political schemes. The 18^th Amendment to the Constitution, adopted by the Rajapaksa regime, drove the final nail into the possibility of the repetition of such attempts as those undertaken by Ranjith Abeysuriya.

As the chairperson of the NPC he paid serious attention to the public criticism of the police. Being a senior prosecutor for many decades he was sometimes unaware of the experience of the public and their perceptions of the Sri Lankan policing system. For example, initially he was skeptical about many reports concerning torture taking place in the police stations. However, as an honest and conscientious person he made inquiries into these allegations and soon came to realise that torture exists as an endemic problem within the policing system. He was keen to take firm action to stop this practice and for that purpose he took many genuine initiatives. He even requested the draft of legislation under the powers of the Police Commission in terms of the 17^th Amendment in order to implement a system of credible inquiries by the NPC.

He was quite open to receive complaints and recommendations from civil society organisations and dealt with such contributions in a professional and serious manner.

For a man so imbibed with the basic philosophies and the principles of the rule of law the last years of his life would have been a bitter disappointment. A man who never curried the favour of those in power or sought their patronage he lived a quiet life and left an example of integrity and dedication to principles.

The AHRC offers its condolences to his family.

A 20 years old deceitful business of ‘Link natural products Co.’ selling 'Samahan' uncovered
(Lanka-e-News-26.May.2014, 8.30PM) A 20 years old deceitful business of ‘Link natural products Co.’ selling samahan by pulling the wool over the eyes of the people had been uncovered. 

An individual who knows the ins and outs of this fraud revealed to Lanka e news as follows :
The product in the name of ‘Samahan’ which is advertised as an ayurveda cure providing instant relief for coughs contains the essence that is obtained from a toxic drug Iso propyl , and each 4 gram packet of ‘Samahan’ is made up of 0.5 grams essence of isopropyl and 3.5 grams of sugar. This means in each packet there is 87.5 % sugar.

Though such a high percentage of sugar is contained in this so called medicinal preparation , that is not printed on the packet in order to circumvent the laws governing the preparation.

According to the latest World Health Organization (WHO) norms , any extraneous constituents cannot be contained in the drug, and if sugar is contained in the drug its percentage / ratio should be indicated . 

Hence this large proportion of sugar cannot be contained in a drug , and such a percentage is allowable only in a sweetmeat.

When that falls into the classification of sweetmeat it becomes liable for Vat Tax. In order to evade this tax , this product has been registered as a drug under the name ‘Samahan’ with the Ayurveda Corporation.

Based on this , if the sales turnover on this drug over the last 20 years is considered , the amount of VAT tax the government has been deprived of is in excess of that involved in the colossal VAT fraud that was earlier detected in the country.

A media personnel by the name of Kusal another media coolie ‘selling’ professional ethics in order to do all the sordid biddings of the Rajapakse regime has been actively engaged in giving advice encouraging the advertisement of this killer ‘Samahan’ product, all the time claiming that it is the best cure for all ages from infants to adults , and for consistent sound health , while knowing very well the toxic nature of the product, and that he is deliberately encouraging the victims to consume ‘poison.’ The damage being done to the health and life of the innocent people is beyond measure.

This fraudulent product that is not costing even Rs. 2.00 per packet is being sold at Rs. 15.00 . In addition the huge VAT payments due to the State is also being averted.

It must be pointed out that all those behind this racket as well as those who are aiding and abetting are not only doing a great disservice to the nation but must be condemned as the biggest fraudsters liable to deterrent punishment.

Buddhist Temple And Residents Fight Over Land 

By Waruni Karunarathne-Monday, May 26, 2014

 

Muslims in Arisamale, Pulmuddai is still in a state of flux as the Arisamale temple has claimed 500 acres of land surrounding the temple as temple property. As the survey department went to demarcate the land for the temple at the end of last year people campaigned against the move and put the work on hold – yet people expressed fear that they will have to vacate their houses when required by the temple or the Navy who allegedly work in collaboration with the temple to acquire their property.

Buddhist Temple and Residents Fight Over Land by nelvely

Hindu Hardliner Modi’s Victory

Plunges South Asia into an era of darkness

By Latheef Farook-May 20 near Colombo, Sri Lanka

The sweeping victory of Narendra Modi, Hindu nationalist Bharata Janata Party, BJP, prime ministerial candidate, responsible for the killings of thousands  Muslims in Gujarat in 2002, is a victory for  Hindu ultra nationalist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-RSS-and corporate conglomerates and not for the Muslims.

The RSS worked tirelessly, since its establishment almost 90 years ago, to come to power. This dream was fulfilled this week with the victory of its front man Narendra Modi as Prime Minister.   

Hindu Hardliner Modi’s Victory by nelvely

Modi – From Prime Of Youth To Prime Minister

The concept of ‘Raja – Rishi’ connotes the same one as Plato’s ‘Philosopher King’. When expectations run high among Indians on grounds that are substantive, is it proper to say “His record shows, that he could be a dangerous person”?

By S. Sivathasan -May 26, 2014 

S. Sivathasan

 share some rare photos of Modi a friend of mine sent me. As of now they have scarcity value. Soon they will be commonplace. The images of his saffron clad early years illustrate his search then after truth and reality. His mature image has now 

captured the minds of all India. From the present transit point he will perhaps go where destiny takes him.

Modi is one among a few noteworthy personages who have left a mark in history. When I look at his early journey I am reminded of the life of Subhas Chandra Bose as recounted in his autobiography. He was from a wealthy family and he was endowed well intellectually. At age 18 came the inevitable curiosity to know reality. He left his home and went ‘guru hunting’ in the Himalayas in caves and jungles. None of the sannyasins satisfied him. Then he returned, read many books avidly and he says gobbled up The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda.

Therein he came across a line “Service to humanity and salvation unto you”. He made it his credo in life and set out to live by it. The course to it lay through involvement in politics and the target was India’s independence. Parents sensing danger sent him to Cambridge to do well academically and to secure a place in the ICS. He was successful but refused to sign the pledge to serve the British. He says that he couldn’t give that pledge and yet fight for India’s independence.

The similarity one sees is in the search for a noble ideal. Faith lured them both to Mother India. As with Bose, in Modi too there was no turning back. This may explain his austere discipline in food and drink and yoga for relentless work. To see a higher purpose and to realize it, one needs a mentor with a halo. Both Bose and Modi had an exemplar in Swami Vivekananda. “Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached” and “Him I call a Mahatma whose heart bleeds for the poor” were words to stir the youth and to keep them in the grip of idealism.

They responded with their passionate and selfless work. The first we saw in Bose and the next we see in Modi at its full flush. Coincidentally names too are similar. Vivekananda was Narendranath. Modi’s first name is Narendra and a bronze statue is prominently by his side ever to energise and to enthuse.

“The following are some rare pictures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi living as a sadhu in himalayas in his younger age. According to Lord Krishna, the spiritual knowledge of Bhagavad Gita was originally meant for the raja-rishis, the saintly kings, who would help guide society with that divine knowledge.

14 year old Narendra Modi is seen participating in a school play at B. N. High School, Vadnagar, Gujarat, playing the role of 19th century chieftain Jogidas Khuman who waged a principled armed struggle against the then rules of Bhavnagar, Gujarat.

evam parampara praptam

imam rajarshayo viduh

- Bhagavad Gita 4.2

“Through the spiritual chain of parampara the saintly kings understood this spiritual knowledge of yoga, union with the divine.”

Let us pray that for the first time modern India will be guided by a raja-rishi, and society will again be governed by dharma.” – So says the sender of the photos.

The concept of ‘Raja – Rishi’ connotes the same one as Plato’s ‘Philosopher King’. When expectations run high among Indians on grounds that are substantive, is it proper to say “His record shows, that he could be a dangerous person”?

Vaiko protests Rajapaksa's visit, detained

Photographs @MDMKIW

26 May 2014
The leader of the MDMK, Vaiko, was detained after holding a black flag protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, against the visit of Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa at the swearing-in ceremony of Narendra Modi, reports PTI.

Addressing fellow protesters today, Vaiko said Rajapaksa's presence would "pollute the sanctity" of the swearing-in ceremony. Vaiko was subsequently detained for 'defying prohibitory orders'.



The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and AIADMK leader, Jayalalithaa, is boycotting the event, due to take place tonight at 6pm local time.
The MDMK, part of the NDA coalition, had earlier written to Mr Modi criticising the invitation extended to President Rajapaksa, and pointing out that even Manmohan Singh "did not dare to invite Mahinda Rajapaksa to the swearing-in ceremony in 2004 and 2009". 
Related articles:

Moviestar Rajinikanth will not attend Modi's swearing-in ceremony - NDTV  (26 May 2014)

Rajapaksa orders release of Indian fishermen ahead of controversial visit (25 May 2014)

Tamil Nadu students protest against Rajapaksa invite (24 May 2014)

Congress sides with Tamil Nadu over Modi's Rajapaksa invite (24 May 2014)

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister 'dismayed' at Rajapaksa invite for Modi swearing-in ceremony (22 May 2014)

Tamil Nadu parties criticise Rajapaksa's invitation to Modi's swearing-in ceremony (22 May 2014) 

Modi’s Rajapakse problem – A humble proposal

BY RAJARAM MUTHUKRISHNAN / IN COMMENTARY / MAY 25, 2014

While one may analyze if the invitation to SAARC heads of government was necessary for the swearing in of an Indian PM, citing pros and cons for the same, let this not be in the cost of misreading ground realities.

The present SL government led by Rajapakse is actually guilty of serious war crimes. It cannot be denied. It is realpolitik considerations of India, that the GOI allowed it to happen. Should it have allowed the same is another question. For a different thread. I had predicted when the UPA 1 came to power in an article called “Can India afford a Policy of Drift?” and indicated the implications of impending dangers. At that time, all one could do was to lament in some digital blog!

Coming to ground realities. My only submission to gentle readers here are:

1. Please do not have any illusions of SL joining India in some sort of economic union even. I have visited the place and interacted extensively with Sinhalese and Tamils. If at all there is a consensus amongst the Sinhalese it is that they need to keep away from India as much as they can. They will deal with anyone else but India. The common fear is that India seeks to dominate and put down SL and encroaches on their independence. In addition, they believe now that the war is over, they can emerge and grow faster than India, especially if they show their willingness to be useful to other powers who want a presence there as a check to India.

Can this be reversed? Yes GOI can do it. It calls for a nuanced policy of engagement on our terms. I have to wait and see if the new government has grasped the basis for that. TN Govt, has to be taken along for it to succeed. In Jayalalithaa, there is a person who can appreciate national interests. But it is also important to realize that previous GOI dispensations have not displayed a good track record of defending Indian interests and territory when it comes to SL. They have got away with it because it did not elicit the intense emotional connect of say a Pakistani claim on Indian territory.

2. As long as Rajapakse government is there, and there is no “nudging” from India, the Tamils of SL will not be served well. This much is very clear. Rajapakse will listen if there is someone in Delhi bold enough to make him listen. Earlier we had a PM who was not able to make his own cabinet listen to him. Now it is different. Also, readers should remember, it is the Tamil population of SL who have a greater appreciation of their Indian connection and share a heritage of following a Hindu faith. The SL Sinhala majority has a very xenophobic strain of intolerance to Hindu way of life despite professing to Buddhism. It is the Buddhist clergy that spearheads and gives sustenance to such view points. That has to change from within and just like in Pakistan, even the curriculum that is there in schools reflect these view points. It is something that needs to be corrected with the right kind of “inducements”.

What all this calls for is a calibrated and carefully crafted Indian approach that involves:

1. Comprehensive economic linkages between Indian and SL, especially infrastructural and other projects on the scale of Afghan involvement in the northern and eastern SL. It should be balanced with opportunities for SL companies getting preferential access to Indian economy, financial markets to make an impact on the SL economic scene. SL companies, especially those linked to the Family (SL is totally controlled by Rajapakse family).

2. A more wide ranging engagement with political spectrum of SL including Wickramsinghe and the Tamil parties. The non-governmental party to party links between leadership can allow for a greater amount of understanding and also letting them know what is there in it for them if they are able to work with India.

3. A clear understanding of Indian red lines that the SL leadership should be made aware of. If those red lines are crossed, India will react and make SL feel the hurt. Despite bravado, SL leadership and elite are under no illusion that they can take on India. They were emboldened because of weak leadership in us. If the leadership is strong and is very clear about the red lines and what will happen if they are crossed, SL will behave.

4. If we are able to have a strategy and execute it along the broad contours stated above, then we will be in a position to have a SL in about 10 years that will be firmly under the Indian sphere of influence. Independent, but friendly with a stake in seeing a strong and stable India.

Vaiko Detained for Protesting against Mahinda Rajapaksa's Visit

Press Trust of India | Updated: May 26, 2014 17:40 IST

File photo of MDMK chief Vaiko

New Delhi: MDMK chief Vaiko was today detained along with 100 of his party cadres for defying prohibitory orders after he led a demonstration in Delhi against the visit of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa for Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony.

A section of protestors also set the Sri Lankan national flag on fire, besides burning the portraits of Mr Rajapaksa on Parliament Street in Delhi.

Addressing his supporters, Vaiko, whose MDMK is part of the National Democratic Alliance or NDA, said the presence of Mr Rajapaksa would "pollute the sanctity" of Mr Modi's swearing-in ceremony.

He also alleged that the Lankan President had committed genocide against the Tamils in the island nation.

"We have lost our brothers and sisters. They (Sri Lankan Tamils) have been brutally murdered. What for he (Rajapaksa) should be brought in?," Vaiko said.

He also appealed to the NDA urging them to not follow the path of the United Progressive Alliance or UPA Government on the Sri Lankan issue.

"I hope Narendra Modiji and his Government will understand the pain in our minds and the crime committed by the Sri Lankan Government with the help of the UPA Government," he said.

However, Vaiko clarified that he was not against the NDA Government and greeted Mr Modi, who is set to swear in as the Prime Minister today.

"We have not come here to oppose the swearing-in ceremony..... We extend our congratulations to Modiji to take this country to great heights," he said.

Vaiko, along with his supporters, was later taken into custody for defying prohibitory orders.

The MDMK chief had earlier written a letter to Mr Modi expressing his sadness over the invitation being extended to Mr Rajapaksa for the event.

Recalling that no Sri Lankan Head of State was invited when AB Vajpayee was sworn in as the Prime Minister, Vaiko had pointed out that even Manmohan Singh had not invited the Sri Lankan President for his swearing-in ceremony.

"They did not dare to invite Mahinda Rajapaksa to the swearing-in ceremony in 2004 and 2009," he said.

The Sri Lankan President arrived this morning for the ceremony.

Wife of a Sri Lankan elected 2nd time to European parliament

 Monday, 26 May 2014 

Wife of a Sri Lankan has reelected for the next five years  to the European Parliament yesterday (25). She is Babara Lochbielar and wife of the well-known writer Ranjith Henayakaarchchi. Babara contested form the Green party and elected for the second time to the European parliament.
 She has a wide experience as a senior officer with more than 10 years experience in Human Rights field works for Amnestey internation in Germany.

During her last 5 years as the chief of human Rights unit in the European parliament safeguard human rights in the large number of countries including Myanmar and Arab. We congratulate Babara to strengthen and uplift Human Rights in suppressed countries.

Malaysia arrests three Tamil Tiger suspects

Sri Lanka's army defeated Tamil Tiger rebels in the north of the country in 2009

Malaysian police say they have arrested three Sri Lankans accused of trying to revive the Tamil Tiger rebel group.

They are accused of raising funds and spreading propaganda for the group.

A police spokesman was quoted as saying the suspects were senior operatives and had registered with the UN as refugees to "avoid suspicion".

The now defunct Tamil Tigers were crushed when their leader Velupillai Prabhakaran was killed by Sri Lankan forces in 2009 after years of war.

Authorities told the BBC's Sinhala Service that the three suspects had lived in Malaysia without valid visas for years.

"We found out that they have been trying to revive [the group] using their contacts in Europe and other countries," said one official, who did not wish to be identified.

Malaysia was now planning to deport them and was searching for more suspects, reported local media. There are currently 4,300 Sri Lankan citizens in Malaysia.

The arrest follows the killing in April of three men by the military in northern Sri Lanka.

The military said the men were trying to revive their organisation, which is officially known as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

Although campaigners doubt there is an LTTE revival under way, the government maintains it is a real threat, correspondents say.

The group launched a violent uprising against the Sri Lankan government in 1983, seeking autonomy for Sri Lanka's Tamil-dominated north and east.

At their height of their power, the Tigers controlled nearly a third of of Sri Lanka's territory.

But they were defeated in May 2009 after Sri Lankan forces gained control of the last rebel-held area in the north-east, during which Prabhakaran was killed.

At least 100,000 people are estimated to have been killed in the 26-year civil war, and tens of thousands more were displaced.

There are still no confirmed figures for tens of thousands of civilian deaths in the last months of battle: estimates range from 9,000 - 75,000.

One UN investigation said it was possible up to 40,000 people had been killed in that time. The government puts the figure at 9,000.

The United Nations says it believes most of the civilian deaths in the final months of the war were caused by army shelling. The government denies the allegation.

Fire breaks out in Kudawella fisheries harbour

May 26, 2014 

A fire which broke out at the Kudawella fisheries harbour in Hambantota a short while ago has destroyed 4 trawlers, Ada Derana reporter said. 

The cause for the fire is yet to be determined while the value of the destroyed boats has been estimated at around Rs 32 million. 

He also said that fishermen and residents in the Kudawella area are currently attempting to douse the flames. 

Iran Review's Exclusive Interview with Shahir Shahidsaless

Shahir Shahidsaless's latest book, that he co-authored with former Iranian diplomat, Seyed Hossein Mousavian, Iran and the United States, An Insider’s View on the Failed Past and the Road to Peace published by Bloomsbury Academic.

Firouzeh Mirrazavi Special to Salem-News.com-May-23-2014

Here the former diplomat gives an insider’s history of the troubled relationship between Iran and the US

Iran says there has been no tangible progress on drafting the text of a comprehensive nuclear deal. However, President Hassan Rouhani has expressed optimism that the nuclear negotiations with the Sextet of world powers will result in a final agreement.(TEHRAN) - Iran and the six world powers have been discussing ways to iron out differences and start drafting a final deal that would end the West’s dispute with Iran over the country’s nuclear energy program. The two sides wrapped up their fourth round of nuclear talks in Vienna on Friday May 16, 2014.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif also said a comprehensive nuclear deal between Iran and the six world powers is “possible” if the parties to the talks with the Islamic Republic set “illusions” aside.

Iran Review's Exclusive Interview With Shahir Shahidsaless by nelvely

Narendra Modi sworn in as Indian PM in spectacular ceremony

Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Indian elite and Bollywood film stars among 4,000 guests at ceremony in Delhi

Narendra Modi, standing centre, takes the oath of office in Delhi. Photograph: AP

Jason Burke in Delhi-Monday 26 May 2014

Narendra Modi, the Hindu nationalist politician who won a landslide victory in India's general election this month, has been sworn in as the 15th prime minister of the world's largest democracy, in a spectacular ceremony in Delhi.

Narendra Modi Sworn in as Indian PM in Spectacular Ceremony by nelvely

Far-right wins big in European elections

MONDAY 26 MAY 2014

Far-right and anti-Europe parties claim major victories across the continent - is this the turning of the tide?

Far-right Wins Big in European Elections by nelvely