Corruption investigation targets Afghan ministers

Two Afghan cabinet ministers are under investigation for alleged corruption, the attorney general's office has said.

Deputy attorney general Fazel Ahmad Faqiryar told the BBC he could not name names but said a further 15 former ministers were also being investigated.

The Afghan government has been under intense Western pressure in recent weeks to do more to tackle corruption.

President Hamid Karzai promised at last week's inauguration to do more to end what he called a culture of impunity.

In his inaugural speech, he also announced a conference to tackle corruption and said he would take care to ensure his ministers were "competent and just".

Mr Karzai, who was re-elected in a poll marred by fraud allegations, is expected to name his new cabinet in coming weeks.

Correspondents say they will wait to see the new line-up to get a real idea of how serious Mr Karzai is about tackling corruption.

They will also want to see if any corruption investigations lead to charges resulting in convictions.

Reliable partner?

Mr Faqiryar told the BBC that some of those people under investigation had already presented themselves for questioning.

Interpol had been asked for help to bring back to Afghanistan others who were abroad, he said.



US ambassador Karl Eikenberry says Afghans must act against corruption
As well as current and former ministers, Mr Faqiryar said two officials from the Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs were under investigation.

He said they were suspected of illegally receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars relating to payments for accommodation for Afghan pilgrims attending the Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

Mr Faqiryar said the various investigations should be completed within weeks.

The development comes a week after Afghan officials announced the launch of a new force to fight corruption.

US ambassador Karl Eikenberry, who has warned against a large US troop increase unless Mr Karzai takes action against corruption, said the announcement would need to be followed by concrete action.

"Words are cheap. Deeds are required," he said.

Previous Afghan efforts have done little to curtail corruption.

US President Barack Obama is expected to announce a decision soon on whether to send more American troops to Afghanistan, following weeks of deliberation.

US officials say he wants to be sure that Mr Karzai is a reliable partner.

Last week, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Clinton warned that the US would not give civilian aid to Afghanistan unless it could track how it was used.

Earlier this month, Afghanistan's chief prosecutor said he had a list of senior officials, including current and former ministers, who were suspected of receiving illegal payments related to government contracts.

bbc.co.uk

US will announce target for cutting carbon emissions

By Richard Black
Environment correspondent, BBC News website



US draft legislation is being re-visited to take account of coal interests


The US will announce a target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions before next month's UN climate summit, according to a White House official.

The target is expected to be in line with figures contained in legislation before the Senate - a reduction of about 17-20% from 2005 levels by 2020.

The absence of a US target has widely been seen as the single biggest obstacle to agreement at the summit.

President Barack Obama has not yet decided whether to attend the talks.

At the weekend, the hosts of the Copenhagen conference announced that more than 60 heads of state and government had pledged to take part in the two-week negotiating session.

Hopefully, the negotiations will see everyone coming up with more ambitious targets - otherwise there's no point in going to Copenhagen

Saleemul Huq, IIED
Mr Obama will join them if it appears that his presence would increase chances of the 192 parties reaching agreement, the official indicated.

"There's been recognition that if we want to keep momentum going, numbers have to be put on the table," said Peter Bahouth, executive director of the US Climate Action Network, a network of organisations lobbying for action on the issue.

"There's been pressure for the US to come (to Copenhagen) with its hands full rather than empty, and I think what we're seeing are the results of that."

In the last week, Mr Obama has discussed climate change with a number of other world leaders including Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, President Hu Jintao of China and Japan's Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama.

Domestic delays

Although Mr Obama campaigned on a promise to cut emissions, and pledged global leadership on climate change on assuming office, the US position has been constrained by delays in putting legislation to curb greenhouse gas emissions through Congress.

COPENHAGEN SUMMIT
Planning to attend:
Leaders of Britain, Germany, France, Spain, Australia, Japan, Indonesia and Brazil
Yet to commit:
Leaders of the United States, China and India


Where countries stand on summit
Climate: A defining issue
The House of Representatives passed a bill in June that would cap emissions and establish a national carbon trading scheme.

But progress of a similar bill through the Senate is not likely before March at the earliest.

Administration officials have indicated that the targets are being discussed with senior senators in an attempt to ensure that the Senate will back whatever target Mr Obama takes to Copenhagen.

It is not clear when the target will emerge, but there are now less than two weeks before the summit opens on 7 December.

There will also be pressure internationally for the US to say how much money it is prepared to transfer to poorer countries to help them fight climate change, as it is bound to do under the UN climate convention.

Cutting edge

In the UN climate process, targets are conventionally given in comparison with 1990 levels of emissions.

On that basis, the likely US figure amounts to a cut of just a few percent, as emissions have risen by about 15% since 1990.

This is much less than the EU's pledge of a 20% cut over the same period, or a 30% cut if there is a global deal; and much less than the 25-40% figure that developing countries are demanding.

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Mitigation - Action that will reduce man-made climate change. This includes action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or absorb greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Suggest additions
Glossary in full EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said at the weekend that the EU should pledge 30% now as a way of showing commitment.

But Saleemul Huq, a climate change specialist with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) who works closely with a number of developing country governments, suggested the target would be well received as a worthy first step.

"I think it's an extremely good signal that the Obama administration is willing to put a target forward and not wait for Congress," he told BBC News.

"The targets that everyone is taking to Copenhagen are the bases for negotiation; and hopefully, the negotiations will see everyone coming up with more ambitious targets - otherwise there's no point in going to Copenhagen, we could leave it all up to the US Congress.

"The other important factor is whether President Obama is willing to go to the summit - if he does, that would be a very good sign."

The list of confirmed attendees includes UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Australia's Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

But neither Mr Obama nor Chinese President Hu Jintao - leaders of the world's two biggest greenhouse gas emitters - are yet among them.

Richard.Black-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk

Ukiran Kayu Asmat Jadi Koleksi Museum Dunia

JAYAPURA, KOMPAS.com--Banyak ukiran kayu Suku Asmat yang mendiami daerah sepanjang pantai selatan Pulau Papua menjadi koleksi berharga di sejumlah museum berkelas dunia, salah satunya adalah Museum of Natural Art di New York, Amerika Serikat.

Demikian diakui, Pimpinan "Papua -Explorer", Dr. Werner F.Weiglein di Jayapura, Minggu menanggapi kekayaan budaya masyarakat Papua yang cukup memukau masyarakat dunia.

Dikatakannya, ukiran-ukiran kayu hasil karya Suku Asmat sangat menarik karena motifnya yang beragam dengan tingkat kerumitan tinggi dilihat dari alat-alat yang digunakan untuk mengukir serta sarat makna budaya.

Misalnya, ukiran yang menggambarkan wajah nenek moyang, binatang-binatang yang dekat dengan kehidupan masyarakat seperti kasuari dan buaya serta motif-motif antropomorfik.

Selain itu, ukiran kayu Suku Asmat juga menjadi bagian yang dekat dengan kehidupan masyarakat karena hampir dijumpai di setiap benda-benda yang mereka miliki seperti tiang-tiang di dalam yeu (rumah adat), perisai untuk berperang dan kentungan.

Dr.Weiglen menambahkan keahlian Suku Asmat tidak hanya mengukir kayu menjadi benda-benda seni yang unik dan menarik, tapi juga membuat kano yang digunakan sebagai alat transportasi utama masyarakat yang tinggal di daerah rawa dengan sungai-sungai yang banyak ditumbuhi hutan bakau.

"Panjang kano yang terbuat dari kayu bisa mencapai 15 meter dan beberapa kano dihiasi dengan ukiran dan dekorasi yang luar biasa," katanya.

Adapun peralatan yang biasanya digunakan para pemahat Suku Asat terdiri dari kapak batu, gigi binatang dan kulit kerang. Sedangkan untik menghaluskan patahan, mereka menggunakan taring babi, gigi-gigi ikan tertentu dan tiram.

Beberapa Suku Asmat yang mendiami daerah yang jauh dari pesisir, membangun rumah di atas puncak-puncak pohon, sekitar 30 meter di atas permukaan tanah. Bahkan, ada pula yang masih hidup secara nomaden.

Salah seorang petualang yang sangat tertarik dengan kehidupan Suku Asmat adalah Michael Clark Rockefeller, anak dari jutawan Amerika dan juga Presiden Direktur Chase Manhattan Bank, David Rockefeller yang dinyatakan hilang pada sekitar September 1961.

Pada waktu itu, Michael Rockefeller kembali ke Asmat setelah sebelumnya melakukan ekspedisi bersama Harvard Peabody Expedition pada Maret 1961, dengan tujuan khusus membuat dokumentasi dan koleksi untuk Museum Primitif Art New York.

Sekitar pertengahan September, dia melintasi muara Sungai Betsy yang terletak dekat dengan perkampungan Otsyanep yang terkenal dengan keganasan penghuninya. Dalam perjalanan inilah, Michael Rockefeller lenyap secara misterius.


JY

Editor: jodhi

Sumber : ANT

KOMPAK: Umur Pemerintahan SBY Tak Lebih dari Setahun

Senin, 23 November 2009 | 22:09 WIB
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com — Koordinator Koalisi Masyarakat Sipil Anti Korupsi (KOMPAK) Fadjroel Rahman memperkirakan umur pemerintahan Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono tidak lebih dari satu tahun dan semua program 100 hari pemerintahan SBY tidak akan terlaksana. "Setelah mendengarkan pernyataan Presiden mengenai kasus Bibit-Chandra dan Century, kami kecewa terhadap apa yang disampaikan SBY," ujarnya di kantor Imparsial, Senin (23/11) malam.

Kecewa karena SBY yang seharusnya diharapkan sebagai penerang masyarakat dengan mengembalikan legitimasi moral dan politik, melalui pengambilan keputusan dan mengembalikan Chandra M Hamzah dan Bibit Samad Rianto, tetapi nyatanya tidak. "Jadi buat kami, situasi pergantian Presiden sangat serius, karena kami tidak mau dipimpin Presiden yang tidak ada komitmen hukum," katanya.

Fadjroel mengatakan, pihaknya berjanji akan menggelar demo secara terus-menerus untuk menggulingkan pemerintahan SBY. Hal itu, kata dia, merupakan bentuk kekecewaan terhadap Presiden. Sebab, awalnya KOMPAK berpikir bahwa Pemerintahan SBY akan serius dalam memberantas mafia hukum, tetapi pidato Presiden tidak mencerminkan hal tersebut.

Hal ini terbukti dengan upaya pengungkapan kasus Bank Century dan dibentuknya satuan tugas. "Tapi ternyata melihat pidato malam ini, saya mengucapkan selamat tinggal SBY. Karena buat kami, SBY menjadi mafia hukum itu sendiri," ujarnya.

Fadjroel mengatakan, saat ini menjadi agenda yang tepat menyelesaikan agenda Reformasi 98. Fazrul percaya tokoh-tokoh Orde Baru seperti SBY yang dulu adalah seorang jenderal, Boediono, dan pejabat lainnya memang terbukti tidak bisa melawan korupsi. "Buat kami selamat jalan SBY, selamat jalan Orbais dan Suhartois. Kami dari aktivis 80-90-an, anti Soehartois dan Orde Baruis akan melawan sebaik-baiknya dengan jalan baik dan tanpa kekerasan," katanya.

RDI

Editor: made

Barca-Inter Tertekan

Achmad Firdaus - Okezone
Foto: Daylife BARCELONA - Duel krusial akan dilakoni Inter Milan saat menantang Barcelona di babak penyisihan Grup F Liga Champions, Rabu (25/11/2009) dini hari nanti. Menurut allenatore Nerazzurri, Jose Mourinho, kedua tim sama-sama dalam tekanan.

Tekanan yang dimaksud The Special One adalah, pada lanjutan matchday kelima nanti, baik Inter maupun Barca terancami tersingkir. Tim yang kalah pada duel sengit di Camp Nou ini berpotensi besar harus melupakan asa berlaga di babak knock out.

Ya, perolehan poin sementara di Grup F memang sengit. Tiga tim; Inter, Barca dan FC Rubin Kazan bakal saling sikut memperebutkan dua tiket ke babak 16 besar. Saat ini, Inter masih berada di puncak klasemen dengan koleksi enam poin, sementara Rubin menguntit di posisi kedua dengan lima poin dan Barca yang mengoleksi poin empat, tercecer di tempat ketiga.

Menyikapi peluang ketiga klub ini dalam dua pertandingan tersisa di fase penyisihan grup, Mourinho mengaku ketiganya memiliki peluang sama. Namun, menurutnya baik Inter, Barca maupun Rubin memiliki tekanan besar dalam setiap pertandingan yang dilakoni.

"Kami bermain baik dan menang di Italia maupun Eropa. Namun, saat ini peluang di grup kami masih sulit ditebak," papar Mourinho sebagaimana dikutip Corriere dello Sport," Selasa (23/11/2009).

"Jika Rubin (Kazan) menang lawan Dinamo Kyev dan kami meraih tiga angka. Maka, Barca bakal tersingkir dari Liga Champions. Namun, jika kami kalah (lawan Barca), maka kami berpotensi mengakhiri babak penyisihan grup di posisi tiga. Jadi, kami semua sama-sama tertekan," tambahnya.

Untuk itu, menanggapi duel di Camp Nou, The Big Mouth tak ingin sesumbar Inter bakal pulang dengan tiga poin. Pelatih berkebangsaan Portugal ini menilai duel bakal sulit, kendati akhir-akhir ini Barca tengah mengalami penurunan performa.

"Meskipun pada dua pertandingan terakhir di Liga Champions, mereka kalah lalu imbang menghadapi Rubin Kazan, namun Barca tetaplah tim tangguh. Dan hasil itu tak akan mengubah opini saya tentang mereka," tutup mantan pelatih FC Porto dan Chelsea ini.

Pada pertandingan nanti, Inter nampaknya bisa sedikit tenang. Pasalnya, skuad besutan Pep Guardiola ini kemungkinan tampil tanpa "bocah ajaibnya" Lionel Messi yang kabarnya mengalami cedera saat Blaugrana ditahan 1-1 Athletic Bilbao, akhir pekan lalu. Hal serupa juga menimpa bomber Barca lainnya yang juga mantan ikon Nerazzurri, Zlatan Ibrahimovic. So, mampukah Inter memanfaatkan keuntungan ini?

(acf)

Pengacara: Kasus Bibit-Chandra Sudah Selesai, Tinggal Masalah Administrasi

Moksa Hutasoit - detikNews

Jakarta - Presiden SBY meminta agar persoalan Bibit Samad Rianto dan Chandra M Hamzah tidak sampai dibawa ke pengadilan. Kasus ini dianggap oleh kuasa hukum Bibit-Chandra sudah selesai sehingga tinggal menyelesaikan administrasi saja.

"Saat ini istilahnya yang kurang hanya masalah administrasi dan formalitas saja," kata pengacara Bibit-Chandra, Taufik Basari saat dihubungi, Senin (23/11/2009) malam.

Menurut Taufik, apa yang sudah disampaikan Presiden sudah sangat tegas. Polri dan Kejagung diminta untuk tidak meneruskan persoalan ini sampai ke pengadilan.

Sedangkan untuk masalah wajib lapor yang harus dijalani oleh kedua pimpinan KPK nonaktif tersebut, Taufik mengaku belum bisa menentukan sikap. "Kita belum diskusikan, tapi sudah selayaknya proses pemeriksaan berhenti," pungkasnya.

Presiden SBY telah menyampaikan pengumuman sikap atas kasus Bank Century dan Bibit-Chandra sekitar 20 menit. Ada satu kejelasan yang disampaikan SBY yakni polisi dan jaksa tidak melanjutkan kasus Bibit-Chandra. (mok/Rez)

Astronaut on space shuttle Atlantis becomes a father

A US astronaut on board the space shuttle Atlantis is literally walking on air, with the news of the birth of a daughter back on Earth.

Randolph Bresnik, who is on his first space flight, became a father for a second time when baby Abigail was born back home in Houston, Texas.

The event makes Bresnik the second astronaut to become a father in space - the first was Mike Fincke in 2004.

Mr Bresnik is due to return to Earth on Friday after an 11-day mission.

The 42-year-old Marine and his crewmates were awoken on Sunday by the song Butterfly Kisses, especially chosen by his wife, Rebecca.

Among the lyrics are the lines: "There's two things I know for sure, she was sent here from heaven and she's daddy's little girl."

The couple have a three-year-old son, who they adopted from Ukraine.

bbc.co.uk