Reply-To: "Udo von Massenbach" From: "Udo von Massenbach" Subject: Massenbach-Letter: NEWS 14/01/11 Date: Wed, 12 Jan 2011 19:51:49 +0100 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="----=_NextPart_000_0176_01CBB292.3037BE40" X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal Importance: Normal X-Unsent: 1 X-MIMEOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V15.4.3502.922 Dies ist eine mehrteilige Nachricht im MIME-Format. ------=_NextPart_000_0176_01CBB292.3037BE40 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable =EF=BB=BFGuten Morgen. see our letter again on: http://www.massenbach-world.de/41259.html FM Japan: "Opening a New Horizon in the Asia Pacific" Pakistan Faces a Divide of Age on Muslim Law NZZ: Fata Morgana Fachkr=C3=A4ftemangel Massenbach Turkey launches 18 dam = projects with six neighbors=20 Publicist When the projects are completed, Turkey will have = joint dams with all its neighbors except Armenia. In an attempt to disprove the thesis of =E2=80=9Cwater wars,=E2=80=9D = Turkey has engaged in projects to cooperate with its neighbors on = building dams over rivers that traverse its borders, government = officials say.=20 Speaking on the condition of anonymity, those officials told Cihan news = agency, that Turkey plans to build 18 dams on its borders with Iraq, = Syria, Iran, Georgia, Bulgaria and Greece. The foundation for the first = dam is to be laid on Jan. 31. When the projects are completed, Turkey = will have joint dams with all its neighbors except Armenia. All the preparatory work on a project to construct a dam on the Orontes = River, known as the Asi River in Turkish, which flows from Syria to = Turkey, has recently been completed. The foundation laying for the dam = will be on Jan. 31 in a ceremony to be attended by Turkish Prime = Minister Recep Tayyip Erdo=C4=9Fan and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. = The dam is evidence of growing ties between the two neighbors. The two countries decided to construct the dam in 2005. Work on the = foundation was scheduled to start by the end of 2010; however, due to = disagreements on technical matters, the launch of the project was = postponed until the beginning of this year. Turkish and Syrian = authorities believe the project will also end speculation that the = depletion of water resources might bring the two countries to the brink = of war and that it will result in far-reaching positive effects in the = long run. In the past, floods crippled agricultural production in the = Amuq Valley in southern Turkey. Flood prevention is a major challenge = for farmers on both sides of the border, and building this dam will = benefit both countries. Turkey also plans to complete the Il=C4=B1su Dam on the Tigris River in = the near future. The construction of the Il=C4=B1su Dam began in 2006. = The project, one of the largest undertakings of the Southeastern = Anatolia Project (GAP), aims to generate hydroelectricity using the = waters of the Tigris. Syria has objected to the construction of the dam = in the past but is now pleased with the project, believing that it will = end its problem with water shortages in the summer months. Turkey also plans to construct 14 dams on its frontier with Iraq. Most = of the dams will be built on the Euphrates and Tigris rivers. The dams = will not only provide water and electricity for Turkey and Iraq but will = also help prevent the infiltration of Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) = terrorists into Turkey. In 2007, Turkey decided to construct 33 dams along its border with Iraq. = However, it scaled back the number to 14 in order to reduce spending. = The construction of 11 of the dams started in 2011, and Turkey plans to = complete all 14 dams by 2012. Tripartite meeting for dams in western Thrace The prime ministers of Turkey, Greece and Bulgaria are expected to hold = a meeting in March to discuss the construction of dams along their = borders. The meeting will be held in Edirne. Thanks to the dams, floods from the Maritsa River will no longer prove a = disaster for farmers in the three countries. Turkey and Bulgaria decided to build a dam on the Tunca River in an = agreement they signed in 2006. With the dam, the two countries would = prevent floods stemming from the river. However, the construction of the = dam has not yet started due to reasons stemming from the Bulgarian side. = Turkey hopes to step up efforts for the dam in the coming months. With the Suakaca=C4=9F=C4=B1 Dam along the Turkish-Greek border, around = 15,000 acres of agricultural land will be protected from flash floods, = and the need for water both in the western part of Turkey and Greece = will be met. The remaining dams will be constructed along the Turkish border with = Iran and Georgia. The dam along the Turkish-Iranian border will be built = on the Aras River. Most of the dam will be constructed on the = territories of Iran due to the geographical challenges on the Turkish = side. The environment and energy ministers of both countries have agreed = on the construction of thermal and hydroelectricity power plants on the = planned dam. The plants are expected to generate 16,000 megawatts of = electricity each month. The dam between Turkey and Georgia is planned to be constructed on the = Kura River. Turkey and Georgia agreed on cooperation in the energy field = in 2007 and decided to build the dam in November 2010. Electricity to be = generated by a hydroelectric power plant to be constructed on the dam = will be shared by the two countries. http://www.worldbulletin.net/news_detail.php?id=3D68407 *************************************************************************= *************************************************************************= *************************************************************************= ************************* *************************************************************************= *************************************************************************= *************************************************************************= ************************** = Social Policy=20 = People are not unintelligent, merely uninformed = =20 Freudenberg-Pilster DB Research: Auf dem Weg zu = Gender-balanced leadership Rechtsanw=C3=A4ltin- Staatssekret=C3=A4rin a.D. =20 Auf dem Weg zu Gender-balanced leadership: = Was nicht funktioniert hat - und was funktionieren k=C3=B6nnte Obwohl eine h=C3=B6here Zahl von Frauen in F=C3=BChrungspositionen den = Unternehmen nutzt, zeigt die Realit=C3=A4t, dass das Verh=C3=A4ltnis = zwischen Frauen und M=C3=A4nnern in F=C3=BChrungspositionen bei weitem = nicht ausgeglichen ist. Angesichts der Knappheit an gut ausgebildetem = Personal und angesichts der Tatsache, dass mehr als die H=C3=A4lfte der = talentierten Nachwuchskr=C3=A4fte Frauen sind, ist ein solches = Ungleichgewicht auf Dauer nicht haltbar. Interessierte Unternehmen = sollten daher =C3=BCberholte Einstellungen und Prozesse im eigenen Hause = =C3=A4ndern. Sie m=C3=BCssen Gender-Fragen als zentrales Thema = begreifen, das auf Vorstandsebene angegangen werden muss. Hierbei ist = wichtig, zu akzeptieren, dass Frauen anders sind, und diese Unterschiede = sinnvoll in die Unternehmenskultur zu integrieren. Es geht darum, ein = Arbeitsumfeld zu schaffen, das f=C3=BCr beide Geschlechter attraktiv ist = und so das Potenzial des Unternehmens st=C3=A4rkt. http://www.dbresearch.de/MAIL/DBR_INTERNET_DE-PROD/PROD0000000000267540.p= df =20 = *************************************************************************= *************************************************************************= *************************************************************************= ************************* *************************************************************************= *************************************************************************= *************************************************************************= ************************* = Politics: from Vision to Action =E2=80=A6 good governance: focus on sharing = benefits, not ownership - setting rules, monitoring, binding methods of = settling disputes =E2=80=A6 = *** =20 Barandat Afghanistan = =20 Bundeswehr =20 Deutscher ISAF-General sagt "harte = Gefechte" voraus =E2=80=A6ISAF steht im umk=C3=A4mpften Norden des Landes nach Ansicht = von Regionalkommandeur Hans-Werner Fritz vor entscheidenden Wochen. = =E2=80=9EIch=20 glaube schon, dass wir uns einer Art Kulminationspunkt = n=C3=A4hern=E2=80=9C, =E2=80=9Ewir sind noch nicht an der Spitze = angekommen. In den bevorstehenden Wochen=20 und Monaten k=C3=B6nne es =E2=80=9Enoch harte Gefechte geben=E2=80=9C, = sagte Fritz. =E2=80=9EWir m=C3=BCssen darauf eingestellt sein, dass es = durchaus noch schlimmer kommen=20 kann. Aber wenn dieser Punkt =C3=BCberschritten ist, sind wir auf der = anderen, der besseren Seite des Berges.=E2=80=9C 2011 werde in = Afghanistan =E2=80=9Eein=20 ganz entscheidendes Jahr=E2=80=9C, sagte Fritz. Die Aufst=C3=A4ndischen = sp=C3=BCrten den zunehmenden Druck der ISAF-Truppen. Ihre Reaktionen = w=C3=BCrden immer=20 verzweifelter und gewaltt=C3=A4tiger. Zur Debatte um einen = m=C3=B6glichen Abzug der Bundeswehr sagte Fritz, dies m=C3=BCsse in = Abh=C3=A4ngigkeit von der=20 Beurteilung der Lage beantwortet werden. =E2=80=9EDiesbez=C3=BCglich bin = ich vorsichtig optimistisch.=E2=80=9C Zugleich sagte der General, ein = Truppenabzug=20 sei =E2=80=9Eganz gewiss keine Entscheidung nur nach milit=C3=A4rischen = Kriterien=E2=80=9C, sondern =E2=80=9Eeine hochpolitische = Entscheidung=E2=80=9C. ... [AFP, 06.01.11] http://www.morgenpost.de/politik/article1501983/Deutscher-Isaf-General-sa= gt-harte-Gefechte-voraus.html =20 Deutliche Fortschritte in = Afghanistan Nach Aussage General David Petraeus macht die NATO beim Aufbau der = Sicherheitskr=C3=A4fte in Afghanistan deutliche Fortschritte. Bei den=20 Operationen in Kandahar =C3=BCbertreffe die Zahl der eingesetzten = afghanischen Truppen stellenweise bereits die der ISAF. =E2=80=9EDas = geht genau=20 in die richtige Richtung=E2=80=9C, sagte Petraeus. Einsatzf=C3=A4hige = afghanische Sicherheitskr=C3=A4fte sind die Voraussetzung f=C3=BCr eine = =C3=9Cbergabe der=20 Verantwortung an die Regierung in Kabul bis 2014 und den schrittweise = Abzug der NATO-Truppen. =E2=80=9EIn mehreren besonders wichtigen = Landesteilen,=20 zu denen Kandahar und Helmand, aber auch die Provinz Urusgan und = besonders die Region Kabul geh=C3=B6ren, ist es nachweislich gelungen, = die=20 Initiative der Aufst=C3=A4ndischen nicht nur zu stoppen, sondern auch = umzukehren=E2=80=9C, sagte der US-General. Ermutigend angelaufen sei = auch die=20 Wiedereingliederung ehemaliger Taliban-K=C3=A4mpfer in die Gesellschaft. = Zu den Diskussionen um Abzugstermine auch in Deutschland erkl=C3=A4rte = Petraeus,=20 die =C3=9Cbergabe h=C3=A4nge =E2=80=9Enicht von einmal gesetzten = Zeitpl=C3=A4nen ab, sondern von den erreichten Bedingungen hier vor = Ort=E2=80=9C. Die Afghanen d=C3=BCrften nicht=20 =C3=BCberfordert werden. Zur dauerhaften Partnerschaft =C3=BCber 2014 = hinaus geh=C3=B6re eine milit=C3=A4rische Ausbildungs- und = Beratungskomponente. [Focus,=20 05.01.11] http://www.focus.de/politik/ausland/konflikte-petraeus-deutliche-fortschr= itte-in-afghanistan_aid_587198.html $20-billion spent by NATO for 2010-11 = year on Afghan training By the end of the year, NATO will have spent $20 billion on developing = Afghan security forces since the start of 2010 and will maintain a=20 training presence through at least 2016, the commander of the training = mission said. Soaring illiteracy rates among service members and a=20 shortage of specialized trainers, however, remain major hurdles as = Afghans prepare to take control of securing their nation by the 2014=20 deadline for NATO to withdraw combat forces, said U.S. Lt. Gen. William = Caldwell. =E2=80=9CWe have made great strides in providing the Afghan = national=20 security force with both capable and sustainable weapons, vehicles and = equipment over this last year, while building a very strong and=20 self-reliant security force=E2=80=9D ... The $20 billion for 2010 and = 2011 is paying for training, equipment and infrastructure. The figure is = a large=20 increase over the $20 billion spent between 2003 and 2009. = =E2=80=9CWe're already seeing the results, ... Those include the growth = of the Afghan=20 army, police and air force by about 70,000 people over the past 12 = months. New vehicles and aircraft have been ordered, as have an array of = weapons ranging from machine-guns to mortars, uniforms, night vision = goggles and other equipment. The mission still needs 397 specialized=20 trainers such as doctors, nurses, logisticians and maintenance = specialists, Caldwell said ... the NATO training mission would remain as = long as necessary, but at least until 2016, when it expects to finish = developing the air force. =E2=80=9CWe're not leaving ... If anything, = our=20 organization will probably grow a little bit more in size=E2=80=9D = =E2=80=A6 [AP, 5 Jan=20 11]=20 http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/20-billion-spent-by-nato-for-20= 10-11-year-on-afghan-training/article1858573/ Karzai, US ambassador at odds over = private security=20 US ambassador to Afghanistan proposed doubling private security = companies' manpower in the war-torn country, only months after President = Hamid Karzai tried to disband them, an official said. In a meeting at = the presidential palace, Ambassador Karl W. Eikenberry told Karzai an=20 extra 25,000 private security guards needed to be recruited before = development projects go ahead, a participant at the gathering said. The=20 US Embassy in Kabul confirmed the meeting but refused to comment on = details of the talks. The meeting ended without reaching a conclusion,=20 an official said, adding that the Afghan government would find a = suitable solution to provide security for development projects within a=20 week. [AFP, 5 Jan 10] http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gFmcw0L-5sOROEiBHSgBFg= mreuSA?docId=3DCNG.73f2f224bb3634c80ddd331e82f260e4.391 NLD: Agreement reached on new Afghan = police training mission Ministers will discuss plans to send a police training mission to = Afghanistan on January 07, 2011. Ministers will discuss a training=20 mission involving 350 people, which will be largely based in the = northern province of Kondoz. It bases its claims on sources in The=20 Hague. The minority cabinet, made up of the VVD and CDA, supports = sending a small mission to help train police and military officers. The=20 anti-Islam PVV, which supports the coalition on economic policy, is = against the new mission, meaning ministers will have to look for support = from other political parties. Ministers are relying on D66, GroenLinks = and ChristenUnie to win majority backing. Labour is opposed to the new=20 mission because it involves a military element, the Telegraaf says.=20 However, according to the Volkskrant, Labour leader Job Cohen has not = yet taken a decision. [DutchNews, 5 Jan 11] http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2011/01/agreement_reached_on_new_af= gha.php New role for Defense = Logistics Agency The U.S. Defense Logistics Agency is procuring building materials for = the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Afghanistan. U.S. Army Lt. Col. Carl = Knotts, chief of plans, exercise and readiness branch in DLA's Joint = Logistics Operations Center, said the agency began the effort in October = because of concerns about the quality of locally procured construction = materials. The materials are for K-Span structures, which are large=20 corrugated metal buildings used in Afghanistan in the training of Afghan = National Police and by Army officials. "One of the overarching=20 components of counterinsurgency operations is to take the indigenous = population and make it self-sufficient," Knotts said. "In order to do=20 that, since they don't have facilities out there to help the government = maintain control, we have to build facilities for them." As the=20 Department of Defense's combat logistics support agency, DLA provides = the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, other federal agencies -- and=20 joint and allied forces -- with a variety of logistics, acquisition and = technical services. The agency sources and provides nearly 100 percent=20 of the consumable items America 's military forces need to operate.=20 [UPI, 5 Jan 11]=20 http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2011/01/05/New-role-fo= r-Defense-Logistics-Agency/UPI-34551294228362/=20 =20 *************************************************************************= *************************************************************************= *************************************************************************= ********************************************** *************************************************************************= *************************************************************************= *************************************************************************= ********************************************** Benzin aus Wasser, CO2 = und Sonnenlicht 10.01.2011: Einem Forschungsteam um Aldo Steinfeld, Professor an der ETH = Z=C3=BCrich und Laborleiter am Paul Scherrer Institut, ist es gelungen, = mit Solarenergie aus Wasser und Kohlendioxid Treibstoff zu erzeugen. = Dazu haben die Wissenschaftler einen Solar-Reaktor entwickelt, in dem = konzentrierte Sonnenstrahlung das daf=C3=BCr n=C3=B6tige stabile und = schnelle thermochemische Verfahren antreibt. Sonnenenergie ist sauber und steht unbegrenzt zur Verf=C3=BCgung; sie = ist aber nicht dauernd verf=C3=BCgbar sowie ungleichm=C3=A4=C3=9Fig = =C3=BCber die Erdoberflache verteilt.=20 Weltweit stellen sich Wissenschaftler deshalb die Frage: Wie kann man = Sonnenenergie speichern, um diese von den sonnigsten Flecken der Erde in = die industrialisierten Zentren zu transportieren, wo die meiste Energie = ben=C3=B6tigt wird? Diese Frage motiviert Forscher nach Rezepten zu = suchen, wie Sonnenlicht in chemische Energietr=C3=A4ger umgewandelt = werden kann, und zwar in Form von fl=C3=BCssigen Treibstoffen, die = =C3=BCber lange Zeit gespeichert und =C3=BCber weite Distanzen = transportiert werden k=C3=B6nnen - Treibstoffe notabene, die nicht nur = Autos, Schiffe und Flugzeuge antreiben, sondern die gesamte nach =C3=96l = lechzende Weltwirtschaft nachhaltig versorgen k=C3=B6nnen. Neuartiger Solar-Reaktor gebaut Einem Forschungsteam um Aldo Steinfeld, Professor f=C3=BCr Erneuerbare = Energie-tr=C3=A4ger an der ETH Z=C3=BCrich und Leiter des Labors = f=C3=BCr Solartechnik am Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI), ist es nun = gelungen, ein solches Rezept inklusive "Koch-topf" - sprich = Solar-Reaktor - zu entwickeln. Mit einem radikal neuen Prozess wird = Wasser (H2O) und Kohlendioxid (CO2) umgewandelt in ein Gemisch von = Wasserstoff (H2) und Kohlenmonoxid (CO). Diese Kombination wird als = Syngas bezeichnet und stellt eine Vorstufe von Benzin, Kerosin und = anderen fl=C3=BCssigen Treibstoffen dar. Gemeinsam mit Kollegen des = California Institute of Technology (Caltech) stellen die ETH- und = PSI-Forscher den neuen Solar-Reaktor sowie die experimentellen Resultate = in der Fachzeitschrift Science vor. Die zugrundeliegende Idee besteht darin, Wasser und CO2 in einem = zweistufigen Verfahren mit Hilfe von Sonnenenergie aufzuspalten. In = einem ersten Schritt lenken die Wissenschaftler konzentriertes = Sonnenlicht durch eine mit einem Quarzglas abgedichtete = Blenden=C3=B6ffnung in den Solar-Reaktor. In dessen Hohlraum befindet = sich ein Zylinder aus Ceriumoxid, der bei einer Temperatur von = 1500=C2=B0C reduziert wird. Dabei gibt das Material Sauerstoffatome aus = der Struktur ab. Im zweiten, Schritt l=C3=A4sst man das reduzierte = Ceriumoxid bei etwa 900=C2=B0C mit Wasserdampf und CO2 reagieren; dabei = werden die Wasser- und CO2-Molek=C3=BCle aufgebrochen. Die dabei = freiwerdenden Sauerstoffatome werden in die Materialstruktur integriert, = sodass das Ceriumoxid wieder in der Ausgangsform vorliegt und der = Kreisprozess erneut gestartet werden kann. =C3=9Cbrig bleibt reines = Syngas aus H2 und CO. Mit der Kraft von 1500 Sonnen Die Wissenschaftler testeten ihren Reaktor-Prototyp am = Hochfluss-Solarsimulator des PSI. Dabei verwendeten sie eine = Strahlungsintensit=C3=A4t, die der Kraft von 1500 Sonnen entspricht. Der = Umwandlungwirkungsgrad von Sonnenenergie in Treibstoff betrug dabei 0,8 = Prozent. Dieser Wert ergibt sich aus dem Brennwert des produzierten = Syngas, geteilt durch den Input an Strahlungsenergie. =C2=ABDiese = Wirkungsgrade sind um zwei Gr=C3=B6=C3=9Fenordnungen h=C3=B6her als = diejenigen, die man mit herk=C3=B6mmlichen photokatalytischen Methoden = zur CO2-Spaltung erzielt hat=C2=BB, erkl=C3=A4rt Aldo Steinfeld und = betont: =C2=ABDie Resultate, die wir in Science ver=C3=B6ffentlichen, = belegen die Machbarkeit von solarbetriebenen thermochemischen Verfahren = zur Herstellung von Treibstoff aus Kohlendioxid und Wasser.=C2=BB Zurzeit sind Steinfeld und seine Gruppe daran, den Solar-Reaktor so zu = optimieren, dass er auch in gro=C3=9Fem Ma=C3=9Fstab - im = Megawatt-Bereich - in Solarturm-Anlagen eingesetzt werden kann. Solche = Anlagen sind bereits kommerziell zur Stromerzeugung im Einsatz. = Steinfeld glaubt, dass noch gro=C3=9Fe Anstrengungen n=C3=B6tig sind, = bevor seine Solarreaktortechnologie in der Praxis eingesetzt wird. = =C2=AB2020 sollten wir aber soweit sein, dass die erste industrielle = Solartreibstoff-Anlage in Betrieb gehen und einen zentralen Beitrag zur = nach-haltigen Energieerzeugung der Zukunft leisten kann=C2=BB.=20 http://www.chemie.de/news/130102/benzin-aus-wasser-co2-und-sonnenlicht.ht= ml?WT.mc_id=3Dca0065 *************************************************************************= *************************************************************************= *************************************************************************= ************************************************=20 *************************************************************************= *************************************************************************= *************************************************************************= *************************************************************************= *************************************************************************= *************************************************************************= *************************************************************************= *************************************************************************= *************************************************************************= ************************************************************************ = Middle East: Alert = sharing news on global affairs / oil / gas / politics Transport Ministers of Syria, Jordan, = Lebanon and Turkey to Boost Cooperation Ties Syrian Minister of Transport Yarub Bader on Wednesday (Jan 5,2011) = signed with his Jordanian, Lebanese and Turkish counterparts in Amman = minutes of the first quartet meeting to boost cooperation and = integration among their countries in the field of transport. A press = release issued by the quartet said the meeting aims at developing the = regional transport policy and enhancing various types of transportation = in addition to developing regional infrastructure plans for transport = and adjusting legislations and regulations to comply with the European = Union and international standards.=20 The statement also said the meeting dealt with transport sector on = roads, transporting hazardous goods, period of driving allowed and = increasing the qualifications of transferring passengers and goods.=20 Earlier, meetings of transport ministers of Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and = Turkey kicked off in Amman to crystallize the formula of the proposed = partnership for holding economic and trade partnership council in the = four countries.=20 Jordanian Minister of Transport Alaa al-Bataina said holding this = quartet partnership aims at deepening the complementary economic = relations and establishing a free trade zone.=20 This meeting comes in implementation of the joint statement issued by = the foreign ministers of the four countries during their meeting in New = York last September. http://www.syriaonline.sy/details.php?t=3Dlocal&id=3D354 *************************************************************************= *************************************************************************= *************************************************************************= *********************************************** *************************************************************************= *************************************************************************= *************************************************************************= *********************************************** = =20 Massenbach'sRecommendation =20 "Opening a New Horizon in the Asia Pacific"=20 Foreign Policy Speech By H.E. Mr. Seiji Maehara, Minister for Foreign = Affairs of Japan At the Center for Strategic and International Studies =20 I am truly grateful for this opportunity to speak today at CSIS, one of = the leading think tanks of the United States. It was exactly five years = ago that I last had the pleasure of speaking here. During these years, = political landscape in Japan underwent a significant transformation with = the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) achieving the change of government, = and CSIS has consistently attached importance to the Japan-US relations = and conducted steady research on the subject. I think the latent power = of the United States is rooted on the presence of think tanks like the = CSIS that analyze information and make policy recommendations, and take = on extremely useful and constructive roles in shaping public opinions, = both domestic and international. I would like to express my respect to = Dr. John Hamre, President of CSIS, Dr. Michael Green, who has led the = highly respected Japan Chair and other experts of CSIS for their = continued efforts and contributions to society. I majored in international politics at Kyoto University. My academic = advisor and mentor, Professor Masataka Kosaka, before he passed away, = gave me several instructions as his last will. One of them was that = Japan-US relations must be managed well in spite of many difficulties. = Since I was first elected to the Diet in 1993, I have visited the United = States every year to exchange views with US government officials and = experts, precisely because I have believed that the Japan-US alliance is = the cornerstone of Japan's diplomacy, and that it is essential for = statesmen, who engage in governing a country, to build a relationship of = trust with the partner country. Japan and the United States have faced = various bilateral and global issues. The trust between our two countries = has worked as a driving force to overcome each of these challenges. Fifty years have passed since the Japan-US Security Treaty was concluded = in 1960. This year, 2011, is interpreted as the inaugural year of the = new Japan-US alliance which ushers in the next half a century. The NATO = Summit adopted a new Strategic Concept last year, in which new = cooperative security in the 21st century was introduced. Likewise, the = Japan-US relations, which are the most important in the transpacific = relations, must be deepened in transformation to a new alliance = responding to the changing strategic environment. Last December the US = Department of State released "The Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development = Review (QDDR)," which showed the US determination to lead the world = through civilian power. The QDDR also involved a rigorous review of an = effective setup for the implementation of US foreign policy, which = reminds us of the distinct character of the United States, that is to = constantly aim to improve itself. In particular, it is noteworthy that = the QDDR indicates that the US takes measures which include = strengthening the inter-agency approach to the security areas including = conflict prevention, development, peace building, and assistance to = vulnerable states by making use of civilian power. I hope that Japan and = the United States in close cooperation would promote the rise of = civilian power in the Asia Pacific, while making the Japan-US Security = Treaty cornerstone of peace and stability. If the Asia Pacific region = were to become a driving force for the peace and prosperity in the = twenty-first century, we need to bolster the network of civilian power, = and see to it that democracy and market economies take root in the = region. After all, they have brought the most peace and prosperity to = human kind throughout history. Today I wish to share with you my basic thoughts on how Japan and the US = should cooperate with each other in this region, which is going through = a period of change, in order to promote the shaping of a new order and = to open a bright future under the theme of "Opening a New Horizon in the = Asia Pacific." (Current Situation in the Asia Pacific and its Future Vision) There is no doubt that the twenty-first century is the era of the Asia = Pacific. The three countries of Japan, the United States, and China = occupy the top three spots in global GDP ranking. In addition, some = estimate that the share of Asia excluding the US and other Pacific-rim = countries as a percentage of global GDP likely will reach 40% in 2030 = compared to 25% in 2009. At the same time, we must remember that the rapidly developing Asia = Pacific is fraught with factors of instability and uncertainty. The = nuclear and missile development issue of DPRK is a cause for major = concern. It should be noted that, as seen in the sinking incident of the = Republic of Korea's patrol ship "Cheonan" last May, the shelling of the = Yeongpyeong island last November and the development of enriched = uranium, DPRK these days is escalating the level of its provocation = against the region and the international community. In addition, in the = case of Japan, we have with DPRK the unresolved issue of the abduction = of Japanese citizens. The rise of Asian emerging economies, while providing opportunities for = the economies of Asia and the world, also is causing tension against the = backdrop of the scramble for resources. In addition, increase in = military spending by some countries without transparency has become a = factor that could potentially raise tension in the region. Thus, with = ongoing multi-polarization among the community of nations we are = witnessing a tendency for countries to increasingly pursue their own = interests in the absence of a common platform. The Asia Pacific is a region full of diversity with a multiplicity of = ethnicities, cultures, and religions. It is this diversity that is = driving the remarkable growth of the region. Diversity, with a misstep, = may turn into a conflict. Instead, it is quite possible to bring = prosperity in the region by building on diversity a stronger sense of = unity and making the region even more dynamic and open. We should build = this new order with the fundamental philosophy that developing the Asia = Pacific region through cooperation, instead of under hegemony, is = indivisible from the long-term interests of the countries in the region. With this in mind, it will be important to develop institutional = foundations embodying the rule of law, democracy, respect for human = rights, global commons, and free and fair trade and investment rules, = including the protection of intellectual property rights. This needs to = be done in addition to developing infrastructure that has underpinned = the development and economic growth of the region's developing countries = to date. For example, Indonesia, a country with the world's largest Muslim = population, elects its president through direct ballot, and is enjoying = political stability as a democratic state by respecting the freedom of = speech among others. These developments have made Indonesia's leadership = role in ASEAN more dependable. The Bali Democracy Forum organized at = President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's initiative is worthy of attention = as an Asia-originating commitment to democracy. Japan highly appreciates = it as an attempt in the region to build an institutional foundation = called democracy. I myself attended the 3rd Bali Democracy Forum last = December on behalf of the Japanese Government and gave a presentation = titled "Democracy in Diversity -- Building on Asia's Unique Strength -- = ." Needless to say, whether fast rising emerging economies such as China = and India will engage actively in shaping the region's new order with = full grasp of the common interests of the international community will = be crucial. In particular, as China already has grown deep economic = interdependence with both Japan and the United States, its peaceful = development in harmony with the international community will be in the = interest of both of our countries. Japan, therefore, takes interest in = the role that China will play in shaping a new regional order in the = Asia Pacific. (Roles Expected of Japan and the US) In consideration of such strategic environment, the Japan-US alliance is = vitally important not only to the defense of Japan but also to the peace = and stability of the Asia Pacific region as the region's public goods. I = highly appreciate that the United States not only has continued to make = immeasurable contributions to the region's peace and stability by = maintaining an overwhelming presence in the Asia Pacific, but also has = been intensifying its engagement in the region under the Obama = administration. The top-priority task today for Japan and the United States, I believe, = is to invest our all-out and all-round effort to shape a new order in = the Asia Pacific region, which finds itself in the middle of a period of = change. The roles of our two countries will not diminish in anyway in = the days ahead. In fact, in view of the urgent need to develop = "institutional foundations" in the region today, expectations are only = rising that we play even greater roles, and I feel the responsibilities = on our shoulders are very great. To date Japan has endeavored to promote various regional cooperation, in = addition to making contributions to the sustainable growth of the Asia = Pacific through trade and investment, official development assistance = (ODA) and others. Japan will carry on these efforts. In particular, = Japan, jointly with the United States, has considered important ASEAN's = centrality in regional cooperation. Japan, therefore, will continue to = attach importance to supporting efforts toward ASEAN integration through = assistance for the building of an ASEAN Economic Community by 2015 and = the strengthening of ASEAN connectivity. At the same time, we are paying = particular attention to East Asia Summit (EAS) among the various = frameworks that are evolving with ASEAN at the core. Japan has = consistently advanced the idea of US participation to EAS and welcomes = the official decision of US and Russian participation last year.=20 There are some concrete agendas for Japan and the United States to = pursue in order to develop institutional foundations in this region. = Expanding and strengthening the role of EAS is one of them. EAS so far = has seen progress in regional cooperation in the five priority areas of = energy, education, finance, disaster management and measures against = avian flu. In the days ahead, we wish to bring up for consideration the = possible inclusion of security within the scope of EAS. From this = perspective we are looking forward to the role that Indonesia will play = as the ASEAN Chair this year. These, I believe, are in line with the = thoughts Secretary Clinton enunciated in her presentations in Hawaii in = January and October of last year. The second task is the APEC, which has achieved remarkable progress in = creating common platform for the liberalization of trade and investment = over the past 20 years or so. We shall build on the "Yokohama Vision," a = product of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting that was held in Yokohama = last November, and continue close coordination with the United States, = which will chair the APEC process this year, from the vantage of "From = Yokohama to Honolulu." In Yokohama, it also was confirmed with regard to = "The Pathways to FTAAP (Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific)" that = concrete actions should be taken by way of building on the regional = endeavors currently under way. The Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic = Partnership agreement (TPP) can be regarded in particular as a = next-generation type FTA. As such, it can be an important first step = towards the realization of an FTAAP. If a framework becomes a reality = with major global economies such as Japan and the United States = participating, it will have great economic as well as political = significance. I regard this also as part of the process of strengthening = Japan-US relations. Quite frankly, in considering Japan's participation = in TPP, Japan has to carry out reforms including agriculture, which = doubtless will entail difficulties. However, the Government of Japan has = decided to launch consultations with the countries concerned, as it = believes that the revitalization of agriculture and further opening up = of Japan are two objectives that can go hand in hand rather than run = counter to each other. Thirdly, we should establish closer partnerships among countries that = are mature democracies with market economies, with a view to building a = system of cooperation encompassing both security and the economy. One = approach in this regard is the consolidation of networking in the Asia = Pacific region. If we can expand the networking among countries which = share the rules, we will be able to reinforce the region's institutional = foundations. In parallel, we should engage in rules-making efforts for = new public space such as the outer space and cyber space, in addition to = rules governing the freedom of maritime navigation, intellectual = property rights, and open skies. (Deepening Japan-US Alliance) For our two countries to play a central role in order to move in the = direction I have suggested, an unshakeable Japan-US alliance will be = essential. Japan and the United States fell out of step last year over = the issue of the relocation of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in = Okinawa. At the same time, dissatisfaction grew among Okinawans over the = inability of the Japanese government to turn their wishes into reality. = The crucial point is that efforts to gain the understanding of local = Okinawa community will be essential for the resolution of the issue. It = will be essential to not invite a situation that might undermine the = functioning of the Japan-US alliance, which has a strategic importance = for the region's stability, as the Government of Japan moves forward the = relocation of Futenma Air Station while making clear that it will = deliver on the Japan-US agreement of May 28th last year. It therefore = will be important for both Japan and the United States to contribute = their respective wisdom from medium- and long-term perspectives, and = work with unwavering determination to resolve the Futenma relocation = issue.=20 From the viewpoint of setting the right environment to manage the = bilateral alliance, the understanding reached in principle between the = two governments as a result of the comprehensive review of the Host = Nation Support for the US Forces in Japan is an achievement of the Kan = and Obama administrations. This major political decision to maintain the = current level of support over a five-year period in spite of the harsh = fiscal conditions is a reflection of the recognition on the part of the = Government of Japan regarding the importance of the Japan-US security = arrangements.=20 Last December the Government of Japan revised the National Defense = Program Guidelines, in which a new concept of "Dynamic Defense Force" = focusing 'operations' was introduced in place of "the Basic Defense = Force Concept" that aims to secure deterrence by the 'existence' per-se = of defense capability. Japan recognizes that it is our responsibility to = build, through its own effort, a defense structure more appropriate for = the changing strategic environment in Asia. With regard to the economy, which is the second pillar of the Japan-US = alliance, believing that the evolution of the alliance will be founded = on robust economies, we shall promote cooperation in new areas of growth = and involving leading-edge technologies that provide for mutual = interests -- renewed growth, jobs, and exports -- in addition to = promoting TPP, which I referred to earlier. More specifically, we shall = promote cooperation projects such as high-speed railway systems = including superconducting Maglev and environmental technologies = including clean energy. Japan takes pride in its high-speed railway = system, which operates on time with high level of safety, having had no = fatal accidents to date. These are features that are not seen in = high-speed railway systems of any other country. We are convinced that = if this high-speed railway system, which epitomizes Japan's = state-of-the-art technology and incorporates at the same time maximum = considerations for the environment, is introduced into the United = States, it will long remain a symbol of our bilateral alliance that is = visible to the people of Japan and the United States. The third pillar of our alliance is cultural and people-to-people = exchanges. It is often pointed out these days that the number of = Japanese students studying in the United States is on the decline. I = hear that Professor Eiichi Negishi, the Japanese chemist at Purdue = University who was awarded the 2010 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, said with = a sense of urgency, "Young folks, go abroad!" We indeed have to devise = incentives to encourage young Japanese, who have become inward looking = these days, to go abroad including to the US. I myself have gained = immeasurably from my contacts with Dr. Hamre and many others gathered = here over the years. The government, sharing the same awareness of the = problem, agreed with the United States in the bilateral summit meeting = that was held in the margins of the Yokohama APEC meeting last year to = step up our bilateral exchanges. Apart from continuing the JET program, = which has built up impressive track record to date, the agreement = includes the dispatch of young Japanese teachers to the US, and two-way = exchanges of students.=20 (Conclusion) Last but not the least, what is most crucial for an alliance is mutual = trust. In the four months since assuming office as foreign minister last = September, I have built a relationship of trust with Secretary Clinton = as ones in charge of diplomacy by, for example, having four foreign = ministers' meetings including the one scheduled today. I am convinced = that, by further deepening the Japan-US alliance bolstered by mutual = trust, we surely will be able to overcome any challenges that will = confront the Asia Pacific region. Japan and the United States built the most important alliance in the = world after the devastating World War II. As most people including I = were born after the war, there is a tendency today to take the alliance = for granted. However, when I put my hands together in prayer to console = the spirits of both Japanese and American soldiers who lost their lives = in Iwo Jima, the site of a hard-fought battle of the unfortunate war, = and when I reflect on the tragic experiences of the prisoners of war = (POW) who endured severe ordeal, I am strongly reminded that the = alliance which binds us was not built in a day. Therefore, it is our = duty to make this tie further stronger. The next year, 2012, is the = centennial anniversary of Tokyo's gift of cherry trees to Washington DC. = I wish to express my hope that this year Japan and the United States = would demonstrate their determination to continue to deepen our = friendship and to strengthen mutual trust, just as these resplendent = cherry blossoms that adorn the Potomac every spring will continue to = bloom. Thank you very much. http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/n-america/us/juk_1101/speech1101.html=20 *************************************************************************= *************************************************************************= *************************************************************************= ************************* *************************************************************************= *************************************************************************= *************************************************************************= ************************* Pakistan Faces a Divide of Age on = Muslim Law ISLAMABAD, Pakistan =E2=80=94 Cheering crowds have gathered in recent = days to support the assassin who riddled the governor of Punjab with 26 = bullets and to praise his attack =E2=80=94 carried out in the name of = the Prophet Muhammad =E2=80=94 as an act of heroism. To the surprise of = many, chief among them have been Pakistan=E2=80=99s young lawyers, once = seen as a force for democracy.=20 Their energetic campaign on behalf of the killer has caught the = government flat-footed and dismayed friends and supporters of the slain = politician, Salman Taseer, an outspoken proponent of liberalism who had = challenged the nation=E2=80=99s strict blasphemy laws. It has also = confused many in the broader public and observers abroad, who expected = to see a firm state prosecution of the assassin.=20 Instead, before his court appearances, the lawyers showered rose petals = over the confessed killer, Malik Mumtaz Hussain Qadri, a member of an = elite police group who had been assigned to guard the governor, but who = instead turned his gun on him. They have now enthusiastically taken up = his defense.=20 It may seem a stark turnabout for a group that just a few years ago = looked like the vanguard of a democracy movement. They waged months of = protests in 2007 and 2008 to challenge Pakistan=E2=80=99s military = dictator after he unlawfully removed the chief justice.=20 But the lawyers=E2=80=99 stance is perhaps just the most glaring = expression of what has become a deep generational divide tearing at the = fabric of Pakistani society, and of the broad influence of religious = conservatism =E2=80=94 and even militancy =E2=80=94 that now exists = among the educated middle class.=20 They are often described as the Zia generation: Pakistanis who have come = of age since the 1980s, when the military dictator, Gen. Mohammad Zia = ul-Haq, began to promote Islam in public education and to use it as a = political tool to unify this young and insecure nation.=20 Today, the forces he set loose have gained such strength that they = threaten to overwhelm voices for tolerance in Pakistan=E2=80=99s feeble = civilian government. They certainly present a nagging challenge for the = United States.=20 Washington has poured billions of dollars into the Pakistani military to = combat terrorism, but has long neglected a civilian effort to counter = the inexorable pull of conservative Islam. By now the conservatives have = entered nearly every part of Pakistani society, even the rank-and-file = security forces, as the assassination showed. The military, in fact, has = been conspicuously silent about the killing.=20 =E2=80=9COver time, Pakistani society has drifted toward religious = extremism,=E2=80=9D said Hasan Askari Rizvi, a political and defense = analyst from Lahore. =E2=80=9CThis religious sentiment has seeped deep = into government circles and into the army and police at lower = levels.=E2=80=9D=20 =E2=80=9CThe lower level are listening to the religious people,=E2=80=9D = he said.=20 Indeed, the Pakistan of today, and the brand of Islam much of the nation = has embraced, is barely recognizable even to many educated Pakistanis = older than the Zia generation. Among them is Athar Minallah, 49, a = former cabinet minister and one of the leaders of the lawyers=E2=80=99 = protest campaign against Gen. Pervez Musharraf in 2007 and 2008.=20 Mr. Minallah studied law at Islamic University in Islamabad from 1983 to = 1986, and the first lesson any student learned in his day was that the = preservation of life was a pillar of Islamic law, he said.=20 But under General Zia in the 1980s, the government began supporting = Islamic warriors to fight the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan and the = Indian control of Kashmir, and the syllabus was changed to encourage = jihad. The mind-set of students and graduates changed along with it, Mr. = Minallah said.=20 That change is now no more apparent than among the 1,000 lawyers from = the capital, Islamabad, and the neighboring city of Rawalpindi, who have = given their signed support for the defense of Mr. Qadri, who has been = charged with murder and terrorism.=20 Their leader is Rao Abdur Raheem, 30, who formed a = =E2=80=9Clawyers=E2=80=99 forum,=E2=80=9D called the Movement to Protect = the Dignity of the Prophet, in December. The aim of the group, he said, = was to counter Mr. Taseer=E2=80=99s campaign to amend the = nation=E2=80=99s strict blasphemy laws, which promise death for = insulting the Prophet Muhammad.=20 In interviews, Mr. Raheem and six of his colleagues insisted they were = not members of any political or religious party, and were acting = independently and interested only in ensuring the rule of law.=20 All graduates of different Pakistani universities, they insisted they = were liberal, not religious conservatives. Only one had religious = training. They said they had all taken part in the lawyers=E2=80=99 = protest campaign in 2007 and 2008, and that they were proud that the = movement helped reinstate the chief justice.=20 Yet they forcefully defended Mr. Qadri, saying he had acted on his own, = out of strong religious feeling, and they denied that he had told his = fellow guards of his plans in advance. He was innocent until proved = guilty, they said. They have already succeeded in preventing the = government from changing the court venue.=20 In their deep religious conviction, and in their energy and commitment = to the cause of the blasphemy laws, they are miles apart from the older = generation of lawyers and law enforcement officials above them.=20 =E2=80=9CI felt this is a different society,=E2=80=9D said one former = law enforcement official when he saw the lawyers celebrating Mr. Qadri. = =E2=80=9CThere is a disconnect in society.=E2=80=9D=20 The former security official, who has worked in fighting militancy and = who requested anonymity because of his work, said that within just four = hours of the killing, 2,500 people had posted messages supporting Mr. = Qadri on Facebook pages.=20 Mass rallies championing him and the blasphemy laws have continued since = then.=20 This conservatism is fueled by an element of class divide, between the = more secular and wealthy upper classes and the more religious middle and = lower classes, said Najam Sethi, a former editor of The Daily Times, a = liberal daily newspaper published by Mr. Taseer. As Pakistan=E2=80=99s = middle class has grown, so has the conservative population.=20 Besides his campaign against the blasphemy laws, it was Mr. = Taseer=E2=80=99s wealth and secular lifestyle that made him a target for = the religious parties, Mr. Sethi said.=20 =E2=80=9CSalman had an easygoing, witty, irreverent, high-life = style,=E2=80=9D he said, =E2=80=9Cso the anger of class inequality mixed = with religious passion gives a heady, dangerous brew.=E2=80=9D=20 Government officials, analysts and members of the Pakistan Peoples = Party, the secular-leaning party to which Mr. Taseer belonged, blame the = religious parties and clerics who delivered speeches and fatwas against = Mr. Taseer for inciting the attack. On Monday, Mr. Qadri, who confessed = to the killing, provided a court with testimony saying he was inspired = by two clerics, Qari Hanif and Ishtiaq Shah.=20 The police say they are now seeking the clerics for questioning, but = with the growing strength of the conservative movement on the streets, = religious leaders =E2=80=94 even those who incite violence and terrorism = =E2=80=94 are nearly untouchable to the authorities and are almost never = prosecuted.=20 The blasphemy law has been condemned by human rights groups here, who = say it has been used to persecute religious minorities, like Christians, = and on Monday, Pope Benedict XVI called on Pakistan to undo the law. But = the law has become an opportunity for religious parties looking to whip = up public sentiment, Mr. Sethi said.=20 A dark presence in the background is the military establishment, which = has sponsored the religious parties for decades, using them as tools to = influence politics and as militant proxies abroad. The military also has = a heavy influence on much of Pakistan=E2=80=99s brash media, which = fanned the flames of the blasphemy issue with sensationalist coverage.=20 =E2=80=9CDemocracy has brought us a media that is extremely right-wing, = conservative,=E2=80=9D Mr. Sethi, 62, said. =E2=80=9CMost are in their = 30s and are a product of the Zia years, of the textbooks and schools set = by the Zia years, which are not the sort of things that we were = taught.=E2=80=9D=20 =E2=80=9CThe silence of the armed forces is ominous,=E2=80=9D Mr. Sethi = added.=20 Indeed, whether on the military or civilian side, the government has = failed to act forcefully on the case at every stage, the former security = official said. Whether through fear or lack of policy, it has done = little to challenge the ideology behind the attack or the spreading = radicalism in Pakistani society.=20 =E2=80=9CThe entire state effort has been on the capture and kill = approach: how many terrorists can you arrest and how many can you = kill,=E2=80=9D the former security official said. =E2=80=9CNothing has = been done about the breeding ground of extremism.=20 =E2=80=9CUnless the government does something serious and = sustained,=E2=80=9D the official warned, =E2=80=9Cwe are on a very = dangerous trajectory.=E2=80=9D=20 Salman Masood contributed reporting from Islamabad, and Waqar Gillani = from Lahore, Pakistan. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/11/world/asia/11pakistan.html?emc=3Deta1 *************************************************************************= ******************************************** NZZ: Fata Morgana = Fachkr=C3=A4ftemangel Seit es am Arbeitsmarkt wieder l=C3=A4uft, ist in Deutschland = =C3=BCberall vom Fachkr=C3=A4ftemangel die Rede. Pr=C3=A4zise festmachen = l=C3=A4sst sich dieser aber nicht. Und niemand stellt die entscheidende = Frage: Ist das Land f=C3=BCr ausl=C3=A4ndische Fachkr=C3=A4fte = =C3=BCberhaupt attraktiv? Matthias Benz, Berlin Es ist noch gar nicht so lange her, da f=C3=BCrchtete man sich in = Deutschland vor einer Explosion der Arbeitslosigkeit. Doch seit das = deutsche =C2=ABJobwunder=C2=BB f=C3=BCr sinkende Arbeitslosenzahlen = sorgt, beherrscht pl=C3=B6tzlich wieder eine ganz andere = Bef=C3=BCrchtung die Debatte: der =C2=ABFachkr=C3=A4ftemangel=C2=BB. = Firmen und Verb=C3=A4nde aus Industrie, Informationstechnologie (IT) und = Handwerk =C3=BCberschlagen sich mit Klagen, sie f=C3=A4nden zu wenig = qualifizierte Arbeitskr=C3=A4fte und k=C3=B6nnten viele offene Stellen = nicht besetzen. Auch Politik und Wissenschaft geben sich besorgt. Die = Rede ist von einem =C2=ABSchl=C3=BCsselproblem Deutschlands=C2=BB = (Wirtschaftsminister Rainer Br=C3=BCderle), vom =C2=ABZukunftsthema = Nummer eins=C2=BB (Handelskammer-Pr=C3=A4sident Hans Heinrich Driftmann) = und von einer =C2=ABSchicksalsfrage=C2=BB (Wirtschaftsforscher Klaus = Zimmermann).espaltene Regierung Dabei ist die Debatte um den Fachkr=C3=A4ftemangel alles andere als neu. = Es scheint eine Konstante der deutschen Wirtschaftspolitik zu sein, dass = das Thema bei jedem Konjunkturaufschwung am Horizont auftaucht. Schon = vor zehn Jahren hatte sich beispielsweise eine Regierungskommission mit = dem Fachkr=C3=A4ftemangel befasst, und auch die grosse Koalition widmete = sich der Frage. Doch die Erinnerung scheint kurz zu sein; die jetzige = Debatte wird so gef=C3=BChrt, als ob das Thema zum ersten Mal entdeckt = w=C3=BCrde. Die Politik reagiert mit reflexartigen Forderungen. Ein gewichtiges = Lager =E2=80=93 vertreten vor allem von der FDP, von = Wirtschaftsverb=C3=A4nden und von Teilen der Union =E2=80=93 verlangt, = dass der Zuzug von qualifizierten Arbeitskr=C3=A4ften aus dem = Nicht-EU-Raum erleichtert wird (innerhalb der EU herrscht bereits = Personenfreiz=C3=BCgigkeit). Dazu m=C3=BCssten die geltenden, relativ = hohen b=C3=BCrokratischen H=C3=BCrden f=C3=BCr Einwanderer abgebaut = werden. Ein anderes Lager =E2=80=93 darunter auch Bundeskanzlerin Angela = Merkel =E2=80=93 pocht darauf, dass an erster Stelle das Potenzial im = Inland zu erschliessen sei. So k=C3=B6nnten etwa die gut 3 Mio. = Arbeitslosen (und die vielen zus=C3=A4tzlichen Hartz-IV-Bezieher) = =C2=ABaktiviert=C2=BB sowie bereits in Deutschland lebende Migranten = besser qualifiziert werden. Eine L=C3=B6sung der Debatte zeichnet sich nicht ab. Die = Regierungsparteien sind =C3=BCber der Frage so zerstritten, dass sie = Entscheidungen auf den Mai vertagt haben. F=C3=BCr Konflikte sorgt vor = allem die Frage erleichterter Zuwanderung. Die Konservativen in der = Union wehren sich dagegen, weil sie generell gegen mehr Immigration = sind. Allerdings wirkt ihr Wunsch, zuerst die Einheimischen zu = =C2=ABaktivieren=C2=BB, ziemlich weltfremd. Zu Recht wird argumentiert, = Arbeitslose liessen sich nicht einfach so zu Fachkr=C3=A4ften und = Ingenieuren umschulen =E2=80=93 besonders in Deutschland, wo die = Arbeitslosigkeit vor allem ein Ph=C3=A4nomen der Geringqualifizierten = ist. Umgekehrt stimmt es wohl auch, dass man vom Abbau = b=C3=BCrokratischer Zuwanderungsh=C3=BCrden keine Wunder erwarten darf. = Diese Argumente sind im Prinzip seit langem bekannt. Doch die Debatte = dreht sich seit Jahren im Kreis. =20 (Bild: NZZ-Infografik / cke.) Auf der Suche nach Indizien Alle Seiten gehen davon aus, dass der Fachkr=C3=A4ftemangel ein = dringliches Problem sei. Stimmt diese Grundannahme =C3=BCberhaupt? Bei = n=C3=A4herer Betrachtung erweist sich der Fachkr=C3=A4ftemangel als Fata = Morgana: Das Ph=C3=A4nomen scheint irgendwo hinter dem Horizont = tats=C3=A4chlich zu existieren, aber je mehr man sich ihm n=C3=A4hert, = desto mehr entzieht es sich. So stellte etwa j=C3=BCngst die = Bundesagentur f=C3=BCr Arbeit fest, ein Fachkr=C3=A4ftemangel lasse sich = derzeit h=C3=B6chstens bei =C3=84rzten und Krankenschwestern sowie bei = Ingenieuren bestimmter Fachrichtungen beobachten. Noch weiter geht das = Deutsche Institut f=C3=BCr Wirtschaftsforschung (DIW) in einer Studie: = F=C3=BCr einen generellen Fachkr=C3=A4ftemangel gebe es bis auf weiteres = keine Anzeichen, urteilt das Institut. In einigen Bereichen sei im = Gegenteil eine =C2=ABFachkr=C3=A4fteschwemme=C2=BB zu erwarten. Dabei = hat das DIW seine Aussagen relativiert. Kurzfristig erscheine der Bedarf = an Fachkr=C3=A4ften noch beherrschbar =E2=80=93 langfristig werde die = Fachkr=C3=A4fteknappheit aber zu einem entscheidenden Thema, heisst es = nun beim Institut. Die DIW-Forscher stellen einige bemerkenswerte =C3=9Cberlegungen an. Aus = =C3=B6konomischer Sicht sollte sich ein Fachkr=C3=A4ftemangel vor allem = in steigenden L=C3=B6hnen f=C3=BCr Ingenieure und andere gesuchte = Berufsgruppen niederschlagen =E2=80=93 denn wenn ein Gut knapp wird, = steigt f=C3=BCr gew=C3=B6hnlich sein Preis. Zu erwarten w=C3=A4re auch, = dass in stark umworbenen Berufszweigen die Arbeitslosigkeit besonders = tief ist und die Zahl offener Stellen hoch. Doch die DIW-Studie findet = keine Belege daf=C3=BCr. Die L=C3=B6hne f=C3=BCr Fachkr=C3=A4fte und = Ingenieure sind in den letzten Jahren im Quervergleich eher = zur=C3=BCckgegangen, und die Arbeitsmarktlage pr=C3=A4sentiert sich = schlechter als noch vor der Krise. Auch die Sicht, dass es in = Deutschland generell zu wenig Nachwuchs gebe, ist laut der DIW-Studie = falsch. So habe etwa die Zahl der Studenten in Ingenieurs- und = Naturwissenschaften in den vergangenen Jahren markant zugenommen. Problem Demografie An Leuten, die an den Fachkr=C3=A4ftemangel =C2=ABglauben=C2=BB, perlt = diese Kritik ab. Sie r=C3=A4umen ein, vielleicht sei das Problem = kurzfristig noch nicht so gross, aber l=C3=A4ngerfristig m=C3=BCsse sich = Deutschland auf einen Mangel an qualifiziertem Personal einstellen. Der = Grund daf=C3=BCr liege im demografischen Wandel. Weil in Deutschland zu = wenig Menschen geboren w=C3=BCrden und gleichzeitig viele Arbeitnehmer = in Rente gingen, st=C3=BCnden den Unternehmen und der Wirtschaft = k=C3=BCnftig nicht mehr gen=C3=BCgend Arbeitskr=C3=A4fte zur = Verf=C3=BCgung. Das dr=C3=BCcke die Wirtschaftsleistung, und die = Sozialsysteme liessen sich nicht mehr finanzieren. Arbeitsministerin = Ursula von der Leyen spricht etwa davon, dass bis 2025 rund 5 Mio. = Arbeitskr=C3=A4fte in Deutschland =C2=ABfehlen=C2=BB werden. Ist der demografische Wandel tats=C3=A4chlich ein derartiges Problem? = Aus =C3=B6konomischer Sicht ist er es zun=C3=A4chst einmal nicht. Wenn = die absolute Wirtschaftsleistung wegen schrumpfender Bev=C3=B6lkerung = abnimmt, stellt das per se keinen Grund zur Sorge dar. Mit Blick auf den = Wohlstand ist nicht die absolute Wirtschaftsleistung relevant, sondern = allein, was in einem Land pro Kopf erarbeitet wird. Die = Pro-Kopf-Einkommen k=C3=B6nnen ohne weiteres steigen, auch wenn weniger = Menschen arbeiten. Entscheidend ist nur, wie produktiv die Menschen im = Einzelnen sind. Auch mit Blick auf die Unternehmen muss der = demografische Wandel keine Schwierigkeiten bereiten. Sie k=C3=B6nnen = ihre T=C3=A4tigkeiten dorthin verlagern, wo die n=C3=B6tigen = Arbeitskr=C3=A4fte vorhanden sind. Anders sieht die Lage erst aus, wenn man den Blick weg von den einzelnen = Menschen lenkt und ein Land wie Deutschland als ein Kollektiv = betrachtet.=20 Gemeinschaftlich gel=C3=B6st ist beispielsweise der Sozialstaat, und = auch die Staatsverschuldung ruht auf vielen Schultern. In diesen = Bereichen kann es zum Problem werden, wenn zu wenig Menschen = =C2=ABnachkommen=C2=BB. Es wird beispielsweise schwierig, alle gemachten = Versprechungen in den Sozialsystemen einzuhalten, wenn immer weniger = Arbeitst=C3=A4tige f=C3=BCr immer mehr Rentner aufkommen m=C3=BCssen. So = betragen die ungedeckten Verpflichtungen in den deutschen Sozialsystemen = laut einer neuen Analyse rund 250% des Bruttoinlandprodukts (BIP). Bei = schrumpfender Erwerbsbev=C3=B6lkerung gibt es zudem immer weniger = Steuerzahler, die zur Bedienung der Staatsschuld von derzeit 75% des BIP = herangezogen werden k=C3=B6nnen. Hier steckt des Pudels Kern bei der Debatte um den = Fachkr=C3=A4ftemangel. Wer beispielsweise den Zuzug von = hochqualifizierten Menschen aus dem Ausland fordert, der verlangt = bewusst oder unbewusst, dass diese Leute den Lebensabend der vielen = deutschen Rentner mitfinanzieren oder mit ihren Steuern die deutschen = Staatsschulden bedienen helfen. Doch warum sollte sich das jemand antun? = Warum sollte sich jemand als eine Art =C2=ABMilchkuh=C2=BB verdingen, um = die Last einer =C3=BCberbordenden Staatst=C3=A4tigkeit mitzutragen, die = man sich in Deutschland in der Vergangenheit geleistet hat? Ein m=C3=A4ssig attraktives Land Wenn deutsche Politiker =C3=BCber den erleichterten Zuzug von = ausl=C3=A4ndischen Fachkr=C3=A4ften sprechen, gehen sie wie = selbstverst=C3=A4ndlich davon aus, dass die Menschen auch kommen, wenn = man sie nur l=C3=A4sst. Niemand stellt die entscheidende Frage: Ist = Deutschland tats=C3=A4chlich so attraktiv? Ist das Problem nicht eher, = dass die Menschen sogar auswandern? Eine gewisse Selbstkritik der = Politiker w=C3=A4re angebracht. Mit Blick auf Sozialstaat und = Staatst=C3=A4tigkeit zeigt sich, dass Deutschland im internationalen = Vergleich nach wie vor eine hohe Steuer- und Sozialabgabenlast aufweist = (vgl. Grafik). Andere Industriel=C3=A4nder, unter ihnen die Schweiz, = schneiden besser ab, ohne deswegen schlechte =C3=B6ffentliche Leistungen = zu bieten. Qualifizierte Zuwanderer haben deshalb einigen Grund, sich in = Deutschland als =C2=ABMilchk=C3=BChe=C2=BB zu f=C3=BChlen. Aufschluss bietet auch das tats=C3=A4chliche Verhalten der Menschen. = Allseits bekannt ist, dass in den vergangenen Jahren viele = hochqualifizierte Deutsche in die Schweiz ausgewandert sind (was ein = wesentlicher Grund daf=C3=BCr sein d=C3=BCrfte, dass jetzt gerade im = deutschen Gesundheitswesen ein Fachkr=C3=A4ftemangel konstatiert wird). = Kein erfreuliches Bild ergibt sich auch bei einer breiteren Analyse. Die = Bertelsmann-Stiftung hat j=C3=BCngst untersucht, welche EU-L=C3=A4nder = attraktiv f=C3=BCr Hochqualifizierte aus anderen europ=C3=A4ischen = Staaten sind. Das ist ein interessanter Ansatz, weil im EU-Raum keine = b=C3=BCrokratischen H=C3=BCrden f=C3=BCr Mobilit=C3=A4t mehr bestehen. = Deutschland schneidet nur mittelm=C3=A4ssig ab: In den letzten Jahren = sind gerade etwa so viele hochqualifizierte Menschen nach Deutschland = eingewandert, wie aus dem Land ausgewandert sind. Wenn k=C3=BCnftig in grossem Stil Fachkr=C3=A4fte angeworben werden = sollen, m=C3=BCsste demnach noch einiges geschehen. Was sollte die = Politik also tun? Die b=C3=BCrokratischen H=C3=BCrden f=C3=BCr = zuwanderungswillige Fachkr=C3=A4fte aus dem Nicht-EU-Raum zu senken, = kann nicht falsch sein =E2=80=93 nur sollte man sich davon keinen = Ansturm aus dem Ausland erwarten. Auch ist es richtig, Arbeitslose und = andere Menschen in Inland zu =C2=ABaktivieren=C2=BB =E2=80=93 selbst = wenn man sich davon keine L=C3=B6sung des Fachkr=C3=A4ftemangels = versprechen darf. Da die Angst vor dem Fachkr=C3=A4ftemangel im Kern auf = ein demografisches Problem zur=C3=BCckgeht, sollte dieses direkt = angegangen werden. Das bedeutete vor allem, den Sozialstaat so zu = reformieren, dass er nicht auf =C2=ABMilchk=C3=BChe=C2=BB angewiesen = ist. Eine Art doppelte Dividende br=C3=A4chte etwa eine deutliche = Erh=C3=B6hung des Rentenalters: Die Menschen bez=C3=B6gen im Alter = weniger Sozialleistungen, und sie blieben den Unternehmen l=C3=A4nger = als Fachkr=C3=A4fte erhalten. Diese Zusammenh=C3=A4nge gelten keineswegs allein f=C3=BCr Deutschland. = Viele entwickelte L=C3=A4nder mit schrumpfender Bev=C3=B6lkerung sehen = sich =C3=A4hnlichen Herausforderungen gegen=C3=BCber, wie sie jetzt in = Deutschland unter dem irref=C3=BChrenden Begriff = =C2=ABFachkr=C3=A4ftemangel=C2=BB diskutiert werden. Im Kern geht es = darum, den Sozialstaat dem demografischen Wandel anzupassen. Dazu muss = die Einsicht kommen, dass sich Deutschland wie auch andere Staaten im = internationalen Standortwettbewerb behaupten m=C3=BCssen. Das ist eine = nicht zu untersch=C3=A4tzende Aufgabe. Aber man kann sich dabei an einer = einfachen Leitlinie orientieren: Wenn ein Land f=C3=BCr junge wie alte = Menschen ein attraktiver Ort zum Leben und Arbeiten ist, l=C3=B6sen sich = Probleme wie der =C2=ABFachkr=C3=A4ftemangel=C2=BB von selbst. Deutsches Institut f=C3=BCr Wirtschaftsforschung: Fachkr=C3=A4ftemangel = kurzfristig nicht in Sicht. Wochenbericht Nr. 46, Berlin 2010. = Bertelsmann-Stiftung: Abschied vom Einwanderungsland Deutschland? Die = Migration Hochqualifizierter im internationalen Vergleich. = G=C3=BCtersloh 2010. http://www.nzz.ch/nachrichten/wirtschaft/aktuell/fata_morgana_fachkraefte= mangel_1.9067012.html *************************************************************************= *************************************************************************= *************************************************************************= ************************** *************************************************************************= *************************************************************************= *************************************************************************= ************************** see our letter on: http://www.massenbach-world.de/41259.html Wir w=C3=BCnschen Ihnen ein angenehmes Wochenende. Ihr Team. *************************************************************************= **************************************** Udo von Massenbach - B=C3=A4rbel Freudenberg-Pilster - J=C3=B6rg = Barandat =20 UdovonMassenbach@t-online.de Mail@Freudenberg-Pilster.de =20 JoergBarandat@yahoo.de ------=_NextPart_000_0176_01CBB292.3037BE40 Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Guten = Morgen.
 
see our letter = again on:=20 http://www.massenbach-world.de/41259.html
 
FM Japan:  "Opening=20 a New Horizon in the Asia Pacific"
Pakistan=20 Faces a Divide of Age on Muslim Law
 
NZZ: Fata=20 Morgana Fachkr=C3=A4ftemangel
 
Massenbach    = ;            =             &= nbsp;    =20 Turkey launches 18 dam = projects with=20 six neighbors
Publicist
 
        &n= bsp;           =20 When the projects are completed, Turkey will have joint dams with all = its=20 neighbors except Armenia.
 
In an attempt to = disprove the thesis=20 of =E2=80=9Cwater wars,=E2=80=9D Turkey has engaged in projects to = cooperate with its neighbors=20 on building dams over rivers that traverse its borders, government = officials=20 say.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, those officials = told Cihan=20 news agency, that Turkey plans to build 18 dams on its borders with = Iraq, Syria,=20 Iran, Georgia, Bulgaria and Greece. The foundation for the first dam is = to be=20 laid on Jan. 31. When the projects are completed, Turkey will have joint = dams=20 with all its neighbors except Armenia.

All the preparatory work = on a=20 project to construct a dam on the Orontes River, known as the Asi River = in=20 Turkish, which flows from Syria to Turkey, has recently been completed. = The=20 foundation laying for the dam will be on Jan. 31 in a ceremony to be = attended by=20 Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdo=C4=9Fan and Syrian President = Bashar=20 al-Assad. The dam is evidence of growing ties between the two=20 neighbors.

The two countries decided to construct the dam in = 2005. Work=20 on the foundation was scheduled to start by the end of 2010; however, = due to=20 disagreements on technical matters, the launch of the project was = postponed=20 until the beginning of this year. Turkish and Syrian authorities believe = the=20 project will also end speculation that the depletion of water resources = might=20 bring the two countries to the brink of war and that it will result in=20 far-reaching positive effects in the long run. In the past, floods = crippled=20 agricultural production in the Amuq Valley in southern Turkey. Flood = prevention=20 is a major challenge for farmers on both sides of the border, and = building this=20 dam will benefit both countries.

Turkey also plans to complete = the Il=C4=B1su=20 Dam on the Tigris River in the near future. The construction of the = Il=C4=B1su Dam=20 began in 2006. The project, one of the largest undertakings of the = Southeastern=20 Anatolia Project (GAP), aims to generate hydroelectricity using the = waters of=20 the Tigris. Syria has objected to the construction of the dam in the = past but is=20 now pleased with the project, believing that it will end its problem = with water=20 shortages in the summer months.

Turkey also plans to construct 14 = dams on=20 its frontier with Iraq. Most of the dams will be built on the Euphrates = and=20 Tigris rivers. The dams will not only provide water and electricity for = Turkey=20 and Iraq but will also help prevent the infiltration of Kurdistan = Workers' Party=20 (PKK) terrorists into Turkey.

In 2007, Turkey decided to = construct 33=20 dams along its border with Iraq. However, it scaled back the number to = 14 in=20 order to reduce spending. The construction of 11 of the dams started in = 2011,=20 and Turkey plans to complete all 14 dams by 2012.

Tripartite meeting for dams in = western=20 Thrace

The prime ministers of Turkey, Greece and = Bulgaria are=20 expected to hold a meeting in March to discuss the construction of dams = along=20 their borders. The meeting will be held in Edirne.

Thanks to the = dams,=20 floods from the Maritsa River will no longer prove a disaster for = farmers in the=20 three countries.

Turkey and Bulgaria decided to build a dam on = the Tunca=20 River in an agreement they signed in 2006. With the dam, the two = countries would=20 prevent floods stemming from the river. However, the construction of the = dam has=20 not yet started due to reasons stemming from the Bulgarian side. Turkey = hopes to=20 step up efforts for the dam in the coming months.

With the = Suakaca=C4=9F=C4=B1 Dam=20 along the Turkish-Greek border, around 15,000 acres of agricultural land = will be=20 protected from flash floods, and the need for water both in the western = part of=20 Turkey and Greece will be met.

The remaining dams will be = constructed=20 along the Turkish border with Iran and Georgia. The dam along the=20 Turkish-Iranian border will be built on the Aras River. Most of the dam = will be=20 constructed on the territories of Iran due to the geographical = challenges on the=20 Turkish side. The environment and energy ministers of both countries = have agreed=20 on the construction of thermal and hydroelectricity power plants on the = planned=20 dam. The plants are expected to generate 16,000 megawatts of electricity = each=20 month.

The dam between Turkey and Georgia is planned to be = constructed on=20 the Kura River. Turkey and Georgia agreed on cooperation in the energy = field in=20 2007 and decided to build the dam in November 2010. Electricity to be = generated=20 by a hydroelectric power plant to be constructed on the dam will be = shared by=20 the two countries.

http://w= ww.worldbulletin.net/news_detail.php?id=3D68407

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         &nbs= p;            = ;            =             &= nbsp;          =20   =20           &nbs= p; =20 People are not unintelligent, = merely=20 uninformed
 
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3D"B=C3=A4rbel<= /STRONG>Freudenberg-Pilster     &nb= sp;        =20 DB Research: Auf dem Weg zu Gender-balanced=20 leadership
Rechtsanw=C3=A4ltin-
Staatssekret=C3=A4rin = a.D.     =20    =20
 
        &n= bsp;           &nb= sp;     =20 Auf dem Weg zu Gender-balanced leadership: Was nicht funktioniert hat - = und was=20 funktionieren = k=C3=B6nnte

Obwohl eine h=C3=B6here Zahl von Frauen in = F=C3=BChrungspositionen den=20 Unternehmen nutzt, zeigt die Realit=C3=A4t, dass das Verh=C3=A4ltnis = zwischen Frauen und=20 M=C3=A4nnern in F=C3=BChrungspositionen bei weitem nicht ausgeglichen = ist. Angesichts der=20 Knappheit an gut ausgebildetem Personal und angesichts der Tatsache, = dass mehr=20 als die H=C3=A4lfte der talentierten Nachwuchskr=C3=A4fte Frauen sind, = ist ein solches=20 Ungleichgewicht auf Dauer nicht haltbar. Interessierte Unternehmen = sollten daher=20 =C3=BCberholte Einstellungen und Prozesse im eigenen Hause =C3=A4ndern. = Sie m=C3=BCssen=20 Gender-Fragen als zentrales Thema begreifen, das auf Vorstandsebene = angegangen=20 werden muss. Hierbei ist wichtig, zu akzeptieren, dass Frauen anders = sind, und=20 diese Unterschiede sinnvoll in die Unternehmenskultur zu integrieren. Es = geht=20 darum, ein Arbeitsumfeld zu schaffen, das f=C3=BCr beide Geschlechter = attraktiv ist=20 und so das Potenzial des Unternehmens st=C3=A4rkt.
 
http://www.dbresearch.de/MAIL/DBR_INTERNET_DE-PROD/PROD000000000026= 7540.pdf
         &nb= sp;    =20
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           =             &= nbsp;           &n= bsp;           &nb= sp;           &nbs= p;          =20 Politics: from = Vision to=20 Action
 
           =             &= nbsp; =20   =E2=80=A6 good governance: focus on sharing benefits, not = ownership -=20 setting rules, monitoring, binding methods of settling disputes=20 =E2=80=A6
         &nbs= p;            = ;            =             &= nbsp;           &n= bsp;           &nb= sp;         =20 ***         =  =20            =         =20
 
Barandat=20            =             &= nbsp;         =20           &nbs= p;  =20 Afghanistan        =             &= nbsp;           &n= bsp;           =20        =20
Bundeswehr      =20                          &nbs= p;            = ;     =20
 
         &nbs= p;            = ;           =20 Deutscher ISAF-General sagt "harte Gefechte"=20 voraus
 
=E2=80=A6ISAF steht im = umk=C3=A4mpften Norden des Landes=20 nach Ansicht von Regionalkommandeur Hans-Werner Fritz vor entscheidenden = Wochen.=20 =E2=80=9EIch
glaube schon, dass wir uns einer Art Kulminationspunkt = n=C3=A4hern=E2=80=9C, =E2=80=9Ewir=20 sind noch nicht an der Spitze angekommen. In den bevorstehenden Wochen =
und=20 Monaten k=C3=B6nne es =E2=80=9Enoch harte Gefechte geben=E2=80=9C, sagte = Fritz. =E2=80=9EWir m=C3=BCssen darauf=20 eingestellt sein, dass es durchaus noch schlimmer kommen
kann. Aber = wenn=20 dieser Punkt =C3=BCberschritten ist, sind wir auf der anderen, der = besseren Seite des=20 Berges.=E2=80=9C 2011 werde in Afghanistan =E2=80=9Eein
ganz = entscheidendes Jahr=E2=80=9C, sagte=20 Fritz. Die Aufst=C3=A4ndischen sp=C3=BCrten den zunehmenden Druck der = ISAF-Truppen. Ihre=20 Reaktionen w=C3=BCrden immer
verzweifelter und gewaltt=C3=A4tiger. = Zur Debatte um=20 einen m=C3=B6glichen Abzug der Bundeswehr sagte Fritz, dies m=C3=BCsse = in Abh=C3=A4ngigkeit von=20 der
Beurteilung der Lage beantwortet werden. = =E2=80=9EDiesbez=C3=BCglich bin ich=20 vorsichtig optimistisch.=E2=80=9C Zugleich sagte der General, ein = Truppenabzug
sei=20 =E2=80=9Eganz gewiss keine Entscheidung nur nach milit=C3=A4rischen = Kriterien=E2=80=9C, sondern =E2=80=9Eeine=20 hochpolitische Entscheidung=E2=80=9C. ... [AFP, = 06.01.11]
http://www.morgenpost.de/politik/article1501983/Deutscher-= Isaf-General-sagt-harte-Gefechte-voraus.html
        &n= bsp;           &nb= sp;           &nbs= p;=20
        &n= bsp;           &nb= sp;           &nbs= p;        =20 Deutliche Fortschritte in Afghanistan
Nach Aussage General David = Petraeus macht die=20 NATO beim Aufbau der Sicherheitskr=C3=A4fte in Afghanistan deutliche = Fortschritte.=20 Bei den
Operationen in Kandahar =C3=BCbertreffe die Zahl der = eingesetzten=20 afghanischen Truppen stellenweise bereits die der ISAF. =E2=80=9EDas = geht genau
in=20 die richtige Richtung=E2=80=9C, sagte Petraeus. Einsatzf=C3=A4hige = afghanische=20 Sicherheitskr=C3=A4fte sind die Voraussetzung f=C3=BCr eine = =C3=9Cbergabe der
Verantwortung=20 an die Regierung in Kabul bis 2014 und den schrittweise Abzug der = NATO-Truppen.=20 =E2=80=9EIn mehreren besonders wichtigen Landesteilen,
zu denen = Kandahar und=20 Helmand, aber auch die Provinz Urusgan und  besonders die Region = Kabul=20 geh=C3=B6ren, ist es nachweislich gelungen, die
Initiative der = Aufst=C3=A4ndischen=20 nicht nur zu stoppen, sondern auch umzukehren=E2=80=9C, sagte der = US-General. Ermutigend=20 angelaufen sei auch die
Wiedereingliederung ehemaliger = Taliban-K=C3=A4mpfer in=20 die Gesellschaft. Zu den Diskussionen um Abzugstermine auch in = Deutschland=20 erkl=C3=A4rte Petraeus,
die =C3=9Cbergabe h=C3=A4nge =E2=80=9Enicht = von einmal gesetzten Zeitpl=C3=A4nen=20 ab, sondern  von den erreichten Bedingungen hier vor Ort=E2=80=9C. = Die Afghanen=20 d=C3=BCrften nicht
=C3=BCberfordert werden. Zur dauerhaften = Partnerschaft =C3=BCber 2014=20 hinaus geh=C3=B6re eine milit=C3=A4rische Ausbildungs- und = Beratungskomponente. [Focus,=20
05.01.11]
http://www.focus.de/politik/ausland/konflikte-petraeus-deu= tliche-fortschritte-in-afghanistan_aid_587198.html

        &n= bsp;           &nb= sp;           &nbs= p;=20 $20-billion spent by NATO for 2010-11 year on Afghan=20 training
 
 
By the end of the year, NATO = will have spent=20 $20 billion on developing Afghan security forces since the start of 2010 = and=20 will maintain a
training presence through at least 2016, the = commander of=20 the training mission said. Soaring illiteracy rates among service = members and a=20
shortage of specialized trainers, however, remain major hurdles as = Afghans=20 prepare to take control of securing their nation by the 2014 =
deadline for=20 NATO to withdraw combat forces, said U.S. Lt. Gen. William Caldwell. = =E2=80=9CWe have=20 made great strides in providing the Afghan national
security force = with both=20 capable and sustainable weapons, vehicles and equipment over this last = year,=20 while building a very strong and
self-reliant security = force=E2=80=9D ... The $20=20 billion for 2010 and 2011 is paying for training, equipment and = infrastructure.=20 The figure is a large
increase over the $20 billion spent between = 2003 and=20 2009. =E2=80=9CWe're already seeing the results, ... Those include the = growth of the=20 Afghan
army, police and air force by about 70,000 people over the = past 12=20 months. New vehicles and aircraft have been ordered, as have an array of =
weapons ranging from machine-guns to mortars, uniforms, night = vision =20 goggles and other equipment. The mission still needs 397 specialized=20
trainers such as doctors, nurses, logisticians and maintenance = specialists,=20 Caldwell said ... the NATO training mission would remain as
long as=20 necessary, but at least until 2016, when it expects to finish developing = the air=20 force. =E2=80=9CWe're not leaving ... If anything, our
organization = will probably=20 grow a little bit more in size=E2=80=9D =E2=80=A6 [AP, 5 Jan
11] =
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/20-billion-spent= -by-nato-for-2010-11-year-on-afghan-training/article1858573/
        &n= bsp;           &nb= sp;           &nbs= p;   =20 Karzai, US ambassador at odds over private security
 
US ambassador to Afghanistan = proposed doubling=20 private security companies' manpower in the war-torn country, only = months after=20 President
Hamid Karzai tried to disband them, an official said. In a = meeting=20 at the presidential palace, Ambassador Karl W. Eikenberry told Karzai an =
extra 25,000 private security guards needed to be recruited before=20 development projects go ahead, a participant at the gathering said. The =
US=20 Embassy in Kabul confirmed the meeting but refused to comment on details = of the=20 talks. The meeting ended without reaching a conclusion,
an official = said,=20 adding that the Afghan government would find a suitable solution to = provide=20 security for development projects within a
week. [AFP, 5 Jan=20 10]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gFmcw0L= -5sOROEiBHSgBFgmreuSA?docId=3DCNG.73f2f224bb3634c80ddd331e82f260e4.391

        &n= bsp;           &nb= sp;           &nbs= p;=20 NLD: Agreement reached on new Afghan police training=20 mission
 
Ministers will discuss plans to = send a police=20 training mission to Afghanistan on January 07, 2011. Ministers will = discuss a=20 training
mission involving 350 people, which will be largely based = in the=20 northern province of Kondoz. It bases its claims on sources in The =
Hague.=20 The minority cabinet, made up of the VVD and CDA, supports sending a = small=20 mission to help train police and military officers. The
anti-Islam = PVV,=20 which supports the coalition on economic policy, is against the new = mission,=20 meaning ministers will have to look for support
from other political = parties. Ministers are relying on D66, GroenLinks and ChristenUnie to = win=20 majority backing. Labour is opposed to the new
mission because it = involves a=20 military element, the Telegraaf says.
However, according to the = Volkskrant, Labour=20 leader Job Cohen has not yet taken a decision. [DutchNews, 5 Jan=20 11]
 
http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2011/01/agreement_re= ached_on_new_afgha.php

        &n= bsp;           &nb= sp;           &nbs= p;            = ;=20 New role for Defense Logistics Agency
The U.S. Defense Logistics = Agency is procuring=20 building materials for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Afghanistan. = U.S.=20 Army Lt. Col. Carl
Knotts, chief of plans, exercise and readiness = branch in=20 DLA's Joint Logistics Operations Center, said the agency began the = effort in=20 October
because of concerns about the quality of locally procured=20 construction materials. The materials are for K-Span structures, which = are large=20
corrugated metal buildings used in Afghanistan in the training of = Afghan=20 National Police and by Army officials. "One of the overarching =
components of=20 counterinsurgency operations is to take the indigenous population and = make it=20 self-sufficient," Knotts said. "In order to do
that, since they = don't have=20 facilities out there to help the government  maintain control, we = have to=20 build facilities for them." As the
Department of Defense's combat = logistics=20 support agency, DLA provides the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, = other=20 federal agencies -- and
joint and allied forces -- with a variety of = logistics, acquisition and technical services. The agency sources and = provides=20 nearly 100 percent
of the consumable items America 's military = forces need=20 to operate.
[UPI, 5 Jan 11]

http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2011/01= /05/New-role-for-Defense-Logistics-Agency/UPI-34551294228362/ 
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            = ;            =             &= nbsp;          =20 Benzin aus Wasser, CO2 und Sonnenlicht

10.01.2011: Einem=20 Forschungsteam um Aldo Steinfeld, Professor an der ETH Z=C3=BCrich und = Laborleiter am=20 Paul Scherrer Institut, ist es gelungen, mit Solarenergie aus Wasser und = Kohlendioxid Treibstoff zu erzeugen. Dazu haben die Wissenschaftler = einen=20 Solar-Reaktor entwickelt, in dem konzentrierte Sonnenstrahlung das = daf=C3=BCr n=C3=B6tige=20 stabile und schnelle thermochemische Verfahren=20 antreibt.

Sonnenenergie ist sauber=20 und steht unbegrenzt zur Verf=C3=BCgung; sie ist aber nicht dauernd = verf=C3=BCgbar sowie=20 ungleichm=C3=A4=C3=9Fig =C3=BCber die Erdoberflache verteilt. =

Weltweit = stellen sich=20 Wissenschaftler deshalb die Frage: Wie kann man Sonnenenergie speichern, = um=20 diese von den sonnigsten Flecken der Erde in die industrialisierten = Zentren zu=20 transportieren, wo die meiste Energie ben=C3=B6tigt wird? Diese Frage = motiviert=20 Forscher nach Rezepten zu suchen, wie Sonnenlicht in chemische = Energietr=C3=A4ger=20 umgewandelt werden kann, und zwar in Form von fl=C3=BCssigen = Treibstoffen, die =C3=BCber=20 lange Zeit gespeichert und =C3=BCber weite Distanzen transportiert = werden k=C3=B6nnen -=20 Treibstoffe notabene, die nicht nur Autos, Schiffe und Flugzeuge = antreiben,=20 sondern die gesamte nach =C3=96l lechzende Weltwirtschaft nachhaltig = versorgen=20 k=C3=B6nnen.

Neuartiger Solar-Reaktor gebaut

Einem = Forschungsteam um=20 Aldo Steinfeld, Professor f=C3=BCr Erneuerbare Energie-tr=C3=A4ger an = der ETH Z=C3=BCrich und=20 Leiter des Labors f=C3=BCr Solartechnik am Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI), = ist es nun=20 gelungen, ein solches Rezept inklusive "Koch-topf" - sprich = Solar-Reaktor - zu=20 entwickeln. Mit einem radikal neuen Prozess wird Wasser (H2O) und = Kohlendioxid=20 (CO2) umgewandelt in ein Gemisch von Wasserstoff (H2) und Kohlenmonoxid = (CO).=20 Diese Kombination wird als Syngas bezeichnet und stellt eine Vorstufe = von=20 Benzin, Kerosin und anderen fl=C3=BCssigen Treibstoffen dar. Gemeinsam = mit Kollegen=20 des California Institute of Technology (Caltech) stellen die ETH- und=20 PSI-Forscher den neuen Solar-Reaktor sowie die experimentellen Resultate = in der=20 Fachzeitschrift Science vor.

Die = zugrundeliegende=20 Idee besteht darin, Wasser und CO2 in einem zweistufigen Verfahren mit = Hilfe von=20 Sonnenenergie aufzuspalten. In einem ersten Schritt lenken die = Wissenschaftler=20 konzentriertes Sonnenlicht durch eine mit einem Quarzglas abgedichtete=20 Blenden=C3=B6ffnung in den Solar-Reaktor. In dessen Hohlraum befindet = sich ein=20 Zylinder aus Ceriumoxid, der bei einer Temperatur von 1500=C2=B0C = reduziert wird.=20 Dabei gibt das Material Sauerstoffatome aus der Struktur ab. Im zweiten, = Schritt=20 l=C3=A4sst man das reduzierte Ceriumoxid bei etwa 900=C2=B0C mit = Wasserdampf und CO2=20 reagieren; dabei werden die Wasser- und CO2-Molek=C3=BCle aufgebrochen. = Die dabei=20 freiwerdenden Sauerstoffatome werden in die Materialstruktur integriert, = sodass=20 das Ceriumoxid wieder in der Ausgangsform vorliegt und der Kreisprozess = erneut=20 gestartet werden kann. =C3=9Cbrig bleibt reines Syngas aus H2 und = CO.

Mit der Kraft von 1500 Sonnen

Die = Wissenschaftler=20 testeten ihren Reaktor-Prototyp am Hochfluss-Solarsimulator des PSI. = Dabei=20 verwendeten sie eine Strahlungsintensit=C3=A4t, die der Kraft von 1500 = Sonnen=20 entspricht. Der Umwandlungwirkungsgrad von Sonnenenergie in Treibstoff = betrug=20 dabei 0,8 Prozent. Dieser Wert ergibt sich aus dem Brennwert des = produzierten=20 Syngas, geteilt durch den Input an Strahlungsenergie. =C2=ABDiese = Wirkungsgrade sind=20 um zwei Gr=C3=B6=C3=9Fenordnungen h=C3=B6her als diejenigen, die man mit = herk=C3=B6mmlichen=20 photokatalytischen Methoden zur CO2-Spaltung erzielt hat=C2=BB, = erkl=C3=A4rt Aldo=20 Steinfeld und betont: =C2=ABDie Resultate, die wir in Science = ver=C3=B6ffentlichen,=20 belegen die Machbarkeit von solarbetriebenen thermochemischen Verfahren = zur=20 Herstellung von Treibstoff aus Kohlendioxid und Wasser.=C2=BB

Zurzeit sind=20 Steinfeld und seine Gruppe daran, den Solar-Reaktor so zu optimieren, = dass er=20 auch in gro=C3=9Fem Ma=C3=9Fstab - im Megawatt-Bereich - in = Solarturm-Anlagen eingesetzt=20 werden kann. Solche Anlagen sind bereits kommerziell zur Stromerzeugung = im=20 Einsatz. Steinfeld glaubt, dass noch gro=C3=9Fe Anstrengungen n=C3=B6tig = sind, bevor seine=20 Solarreaktortechnologie in der Praxis eingesetzt wird. =C2=AB2020 = sollten wir aber=20 soweit sein, dass die erste industrielle Solartreibstoff-Anlage in = Betrieb gehen=20 und einen zentralen Beitrag zur nach-haltigen Energieerzeugung der = Zukunft=20 leisten kann=C2=BB.

 
http://www.chemie.de/news/130102/benzin-aus= -wasser-co2-und-sonnenlicht.html?WT.mc_id=3Dca0065
 
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         &nbs= p;            = ;            =             &= nbsp;           &n= bsp;           &nb= sp;           &nbs= p;            = ; =20 Middle East: Alert

         &nbs= p;            = ;            =             &= nbsp;           &n= bsp;      =20 sharing news on global affairs / oil / gas / = politics
 
             &nbs= p;            = ;   =20      Transport = Ministers=20 of Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey to Boost Cooperation=20 Ties
 
 
Syrian Minister of Transport Yarub Bader = on=20 Wednesday (Jan 5,2011) signed with his Jordanian, Lebanese and Turkish=20 counterparts in Amman minutes of the first quartet meeting to boost = cooperation=20 and integration among their countries in the field of transport. A press = release=20 issued by the quartet said the meeting aims at developing the regional = transport=20 policy and enhancing various types of transportation in addition to = developing=20 regional infrastructure plans for transport and adjusting legislations = and=20 regulations to comply with the European Union and international = standards.=20

The statement also said the meeting dealt with transport sector = on=20 roads, transporting hazardous goods, period of driving allowed and = increasing=20 the qualifications of transferring passengers and goods. =

Earlier,=20 meetings of transport ministers of Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey = kicked off=20 in Amman to crystallize the formula of the proposed partnership for = holding=20 economic and trade partnership council in the four countries. =

Jordanian Minister of Transport Alaa = al-Bataina=20 said holding this quartet partnership aims at deepening the = complementary=20 economic relations and establishing a free trade zone.

This = meeting=20 comes in implementation of the joint statement issued by the foreign = ministers=20 of the four countries during their meeting in New York last=20 September.
 
htt= p://www.syriaonline.sy/details.php?t=3Dlocal&id=3D354

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          =             &= nbsp;           &n= bsp;           &nb= sp;           &nbs= p;            = ;       =20
Massenbach's= = Recommendation  =20
 
"Opening a=20 New Horizon in the Asia Pacific"
 
Foreign Policy Speech By H.E. Mr. Seiji Maehara, = Minister=20 for Foreign Affairs of Japan At the = Center for=20 Strategic and International Studies =  

I am=20 truly grateful for this opportunity to speak today at CSIS, one of the = leading=20 think tanks of the United States. It was exactly five years ago that I = last had=20 the pleasure of speaking here. During these years, political landscape = in Japan=20 underwent a significant transformation with the Democratic Party of = Japan (DPJ)=20 achieving the change of government, and CSIS has consistently attached=20 importance to the Japan-US relations and conducted steady research on = the=20 subject. I think the latent power of the United States is rooted on the = presence=20 of think tanks like the CSIS that analyze information and make policy=20 recommendations, and take on extremely useful and constructive roles in = shaping=20 public opinions, both domestic and international. I would like to = express my=20 respect to Dr. John Hamre, President of CSIS, Dr. Michael Green, who has = led the=20 highly respected Japan Chair and other experts of CSIS for their = continued=20 efforts and contributions to society.

I=20 majored in international politics at Kyoto University. My academic = advisor and=20 mentor, Professor Masataka Kosaka, before he passed away, gave me = several=20 instructions as his last will. One of them was that Japan-US relations = must be=20 managed well in spite of many difficulties. Since I was first elected to = the=20 Diet in 1993, I have visited the United States every year to exchange = views with=20 US government officials and experts, precisely because I have believed = that the=20 Japan-US alliance is the cornerstone of Japan's diplomacy, and that it = is=20 essential for statesmen, who engage in governing a country, to build a=20 relationship of trust with the partner country. Japan and the United = States have=20 faced various bilateral and global issues. The trust between our two = countries=20 has worked as a driving force to overcome each of these challenges.

Fifty=20 years have passed since the Japan-US Security Treaty was concluded in = 1960. This=20 year, 2011, is interpreted as the inaugural year of the new Japan-US = alliance=20 which ushers in the next half a century. The NATO Summit adopted a new = Strategic=20 Concept last year, in which new cooperative security in the 21st century = was=20 introduced. Likewise, the Japan-US relations, which are the most = important in=20 the transpacific relations, must be deepened in transformation to a new = alliance=20 responding to the changing strategic environment. Last December the US=20 Department of State released "The Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development = Review=20 (QDDR)," which showed the US determination to lead the world through = civilian=20 power. The QDDR also involved a rigorous review of an effective setup = for the=20 implementation of US foreign policy, which reminds us of the distinct = character=20 of the United States, that is to constantly aim to improve itself. In=20 particular, it is noteworthy that the QDDR indicates that the US takes = measures=20 which include strengthening the inter-agency approach to the security = areas=20 including conflict prevention, development, peace building, and = assistance to=20 vulnerable states by making use of civilian power. I hope that Japan and = the=20 United States in close cooperation would promote the rise of civilian = power in=20 the Asia Pacific, while making the Japan-US Security Treaty cornerstone = of peace=20 and stability. If the Asia Pacific region were to become a driving force = for the=20 peace and prosperity in the twenty-first century, we need to bolster the = network=20 of civilian power, and see to it that democracy and market economies = take root=20 in the region. After all, they have brought the most peace and = prosperity to=20 human kind throughout history.

Today=20 I wish to share with you my basic thoughts on how Japan and the US = should=20 cooperate with each other in this region, which is going through a = period of=20 change, in order to promote the shaping of a new order and to open a = bright=20 future under the theme of "Opening a New Horizon in the Asia = Pacific."

(Current Situation in the Asia Pacific and its Future = Vision)

There=20 is no doubt that the twenty-first century is the era of the Asia = Pacific. The=20 three countries of Japan, the United States, and China occupy the top = three=20 spots in global GDP ranking. In addition, some estimate that the share = of Asia=20 excluding the US and other Pacific-rim countries as a percentage of = global GDP=20 likely will reach 40% in 2030 compared to 25% in 2009.

At=20 the same time, we must remember that the rapidly developing Asia Pacific = is=20 fraught with factors of instability and uncertainty. The nuclear and = missile=20 development issue of DPRK is a cause for major concern. It should be = noted that,=20 as seen in the sinking incident of the Republic of Korea's patrol ship = "Cheonan"=20 last May, the shelling of the Yeongpyeong island last November and the=20 development of enriched uranium, DPRK these days is escalating the level = of its=20 provocation against the region and the international community. In = addition, in=20 the case of Japan, we have with DPRK the unresolved issue of the = abduction of=20 Japanese citizens.

The=20 rise of Asian emerging economies, while providing opportunities for the=20 economies of Asia and the world, also is causing tension against the = backdrop of=20 the scramble for resources. In addition, increase in military spending = by some=20 countries without transparency has become a factor that could = potentially raise=20 tension in the region. Thus, with ongoing multi-polarization among the = community=20 of nations we are witnessing a tendency for countries to increasingly = pursue=20 their own interests in the absence of a common platform.

The=20 Asia Pacific is a region full of diversity with a multiplicity of = ethnicities,=20 cultures, and religions. It is this diversity that is driving the = remarkable=20 growth of the region. Diversity, with a misstep, may turn into a = conflict.=20 Instead, it is quite possible to bring prosperity in the region by = building on=20 diversity a stronger sense of unity and making the region even more = dynamic and=20 open. We should build this new order with the fundamental philosophy = that=20 developing the Asia Pacific region through cooperation, instead of under = hegemony, is indivisible from the long-term interests of the countries = in the=20 region.

With=20 this in mind, it will be important to develop institutional foundations=20 embodying the rule of law, democracy, respect for human rights, global = commons,=20 and free and fair trade and investment rules, including the protection = of=20 intellectual property rights. This needs to be done in addition to = developing=20 infrastructure that has underpinned the development and economic growth = of the=20 region's developing countries to date.

For=20 example, Indonesia, a country with the world's largest Muslim = population, elects=20 its president through direct ballot, and is enjoying political stability = as a=20 democratic state by respecting the freedom of speech among others. These = developments have made Indonesia's leadership role in ASEAN more = dependable. The=20 Bali Democracy Forum organized at President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's=20 initiative is worthy of attention as an Asia-originating commitment to=20 democracy. Japan highly appreciates it as an attempt in the region to = build an=20 institutional foundation called democracy. I myself attended the 3rd = Bali=20 Democracy Forum last December on behalf of the Japanese Government and = gave a=20 presentation titled "Democracy in Diversity -- Building on Asia's Unique = Strength -- ."

Needless to say, whether fast rising emerging economies such = as China=20 and India will engage actively in shaping the region's new order with = full grasp=20 of the common interests of the international community will be crucial. = In=20 particular, as China already has grown deep economic interdependence = with both=20 Japan and the United States, its peaceful development in harmony with = the=20 international community will be in the interest of both of our = countries. Japan,=20 therefore, takes interest in the role that China will play in shaping a = new=20 regional order in the Asia Pacific.

(Roles Expected of Japan and the US)

In=20 consideration of such strategic environment, the Japan-US alliance is = vitally=20 important not only to the defense of Japan but also to the peace and = stability=20 of the Asia Pacific region as the region's public goods. I highly = appreciate=20 that the United States not only has continued to make immeasurable = contributions=20 to the region's peace and stability by maintaining an overwhelming = presence in=20 the Asia Pacific, but also has been intensifying its engagement in the = region=20 under the Obama administration.

The=20 top-priority task today for Japan and the United States, I believe, is = to invest=20 our all-out and all-round effort to shape a new order in the Asia = Pacific=20 region, which finds itself in the middle of a period of change. The = roles of our=20 two countries will not diminish in anyway in the days ahead. In fact, in = view of=20 the urgent need to develop "institutional foundations" in the region = today,=20 expectations are only rising that we play even greater roles, and I feel = the=20 responsibilities on our shoulders are very great.

To=20 date Japan has endeavored to promote various regional cooperation, in = addition=20 to making contributions to the sustainable growth of the Asia Pacific = through=20 trade and investment, official development assistance (ODA) and others. = Japan=20 will carry on these efforts. In particular, Japan, jointly with the = United=20 States, has considered important ASEAN's centrality in regional = cooperation.=20 Japan, therefore, will continue to attach importance to supporting = efforts=20 toward ASEAN integration through assistance for the building of an ASEAN = Economic Community by 2015 and the strengthening of ASEAN connectivity. = At the=20 same time, we are paying particular attention to East Asia Summit (EAS) = among=20 the various frameworks that are evolving with ASEAN at the core. Japan = has=20 consistently advanced the idea of US participation to EAS and welcomes = the=20 official decision of US and Russian participation last year.

There=20 are some concrete agendas for Japan and the United States to pursue in = order to=20 develop institutional foundations in this region. Expanding and = strengthening=20 the role of EAS is one of them. EAS so far has seen progress in regional = cooperation in the five priority areas of energy, education, finance, = disaster=20 management and measures against avian flu. In the days ahead, we wish to = bring=20 up for consideration the possible inclusion of security within the scope = of EAS.=20 From this perspective we are looking forward to the role that Indonesia = will=20 play as the ASEAN Chair this year. These, I believe, are in line with = the=20 thoughts Secretary Clinton enunciated in her presentations in Hawaii in = January=20 and October of last year.

The=20 second task is the APEC, which has achieved remarkable progress in = creating=20 common platform for the liberalization of trade and investment over the = past 20=20 years or so. We shall build on the "Yokohama Vision," a product of the = APEC=20 Economic Leaders' Meeting that was held in Yokohama last November, and = continue=20 close coordination with the United States, which will chair the APEC = process=20 this year, from the vantage of "From Yokohama to Honolulu." In Yokohama, = it also=20 was confirmed with regard to "The Pathways to FTAAP (Free Trade Area of = the Asia=20 Pacific)" that concrete actions should be taken by way of building on = the=20 regional endeavors currently under way. The Trans-Pacific Strategic = Economic=20 Partnership agreement (TPP) can be regarded in particular as a = next-generation=20 type FTA. As such, it can be an important first step towards the = realization of=20 an FTAAP. If a framework becomes a reality with major global economies = such as=20 Japan and the United States participating, it will have great economic = as well=20 as political significance. I regard this also as part of the process of=20 strengthening Japan-US relations. Quite frankly, in considering Japan's=20 participation in TPP, Japan has to carry out reforms including = agriculture,=20 which doubtless will entail difficulties. However, the Government of = Japan has=20 decided to launch consultations with the countries concerned, as it = believes=20 that the revitalization of agriculture and further opening up of Japan = are two=20 objectives that can go hand in hand rather than run counter to each = other.

Thirdly, we should establish closer partnerships among = countries that=20 are mature democracies with market economies, with a view to building a = system=20 of cooperation encompassing both security and the economy. One approach = in this=20 regard is the consolidation of networking in the Asia Pacific region. If = we can=20 expand the networking among countries which share the rules, we will be = able to=20 reinforce the region's institutional foundations. In parallel, we should = engage=20 in rules-making efforts for new public space such as the outer space and = cyber=20 space, in addition to rules governing the freedom of maritime = navigation,=20 intellectual property rights, and open skies.

(Deepening Japan-US Alliance)

For=20 our two countries to play a central role in order to move in the = direction I=20 have suggested, an unshakeable Japan-US alliance will be essential. = Japan and=20 the United States fell out of step last year over the issue of the = relocation of=20 Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa. At the same time, = dissatisfaction=20 grew among Okinawans over the inability of the Japanese government to = turn their=20 wishes into reality. The crucial point is that efforts to gain the = understanding=20 of local Okinawa community will be essential for the resolution of the = issue. It=20 will be essential to not invite a situation that might undermine the = functioning=20 of the Japan-US alliance, which has a strategic importance for the = region's=20 stability, as the Government of Japan moves forward the relocation of = Futenma=20 Air Station while making clear that it will deliver on the Japan-US = agreement of=20 May 28th last year. It therefore will be important for both Japan and = the United=20 States to contribute their respective wisdom from medium- and long-term=20 perspectives, and work with unwavering determination to resolve the = Futenma=20 relocation issue.

From=20 the viewpoint of setting the right environment to manage the bilateral = alliance,=20 the understanding reached in principle between the two governments as a = result=20 of the comprehensive review of the Host Nation Support for the US Forces = in=20 Japan is an achievement of the Kan and Obama administrations. This major = political decision to maintain the current level of support over a = five-year=20 period in spite of the harsh fiscal conditions is a reflection of the=20 recognition on the part of the Government of Japan regarding the = importance of=20 the Japan-US security arrangements.

Last=20 December the Government of Japan revised the National Defense Program=20 Guidelines, in which a new concept of "Dynamic Defense Force" focusing=20 'operations' was introduced in place of "the Basic Defense Force = Concept" that=20 aims to secure deterrence by the 'existence' per-se of defense = capability. Japan=20 recognizes that it is our responsibility to build, through its own = effort, a=20 defense structure more appropriate for the changing strategic = environment in=20 Asia.

With=20 regard to the economy, which is the second pillar of the Japan-US = alliance,=20 believing that the evolution of the alliance will be founded on robust=20 economies, we shall promote cooperation in new areas of growth and = involving=20 leading-edge technologies that provide for mutual interests -- renewed = growth,=20 jobs, and exports -- in addition to promoting TPP, which I referred to = earlier.=20 More specifically, we shall promote cooperation projects such as = high-speed=20 railway systems including superconducting Maglev and environmental = technologies=20 including clean energy. Japan takes pride in its high-speed railway = system,=20 which operates on time with high level of safety, having had no fatal = accidents=20 to date. These are features that are not seen in high-speed railway = systems of=20 any other country. We are convinced that if this high-speed railway = system,=20 which epitomizes Japan's state-of-the-art technology and incorporates at = the=20 same time maximum considerations for the environment, is introduced into = the=20 United States, it will long remain a symbol of our bilateral alliance = that is=20 visible to the people of Japan and the United States.

The=20 third pillar of our alliance is cultural and people-to-people exchanges. = It is=20 often pointed out these days that the number of Japanese students = studying in=20 the United States is on the decline. I hear that Professor Eiichi = Negishi, the=20 Japanese chemist at Purdue University who was awarded the 2010 Nobel = Prize in=20 Chemistry, said with a sense of urgency, "Young folks, go abroad!" We = indeed=20 have to devise incentives to encourage young Japanese, who have become = inward=20 looking these days, to go abroad including to the US. I myself have = gained=20 immeasurably from my contacts with Dr. Hamre and many others gathered = here over=20 the years. The government, sharing the same awareness of the problem, = agreed=20 with the United States in the bilateral summit meeting that was held in = the=20 margins of the Yokohama APEC meeting last year to step up our bilateral=20 exchanges. Apart from continuing the JET program, which has built up = impressive=20 track record to date, the agreement includes the dispatch of young = Japanese=20 teachers to the US, and two-way exchanges of students.

(Conclusion)

Last=20 but not the least, what is most crucial for an alliance is mutual trust. = In the=20 four months since assuming office as foreign minister last September, I = have=20 built a relationship of trust with Secretary Clinton as ones in charge = of=20 diplomacy by, for example, having four foreign ministers' meetings = including the=20 one scheduled today. I am convinced that, by further deepening the = Japan-US=20 alliance bolstered by mutual trust, we surely will be able to overcome = any=20 challenges that will confront the Asia Pacific region.

Japan=20 and the United States built the most important alliance in the world = after the=20 devastating World War II. As most people including I were born after the = war,=20 there is a tendency today to take the alliance for granted. However, = when I put=20 my hands together in prayer to console the spirits of both Japanese and = American=20 soldiers who lost their lives in Iwo Jima, the site of a hard-fought = battle of=20 the unfortunate war, and when I reflect on the tragic experiences of the = prisoners of war (POW) who endured severe ordeal, I am strongly reminded = that=20 the alliance which binds us was not built in a day. Therefore, it is our = duty to=20 make this tie further stronger. The next year, 2012, is the centennial=20 anniversary of Tokyo's gift of cherry trees to Washington DC. I wish to = express=20 my hope that this year Japan and the United States would demonstrate = their=20 determination to continue to deepen our friendship and to strengthen = mutual=20 trust, just as these resplendent cherry blossoms that adorn the Potomac = every=20 spring will continue to bloom.

Thank=20 you very much.

http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/n-america/us/juk_1101/speech1101.html=  
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          &nbs= p;            = ;            =    =20 Pakistan Faces a Divide of Age on Muslim = Law

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan =E2=80=94 Cheering crowds have = gathered in recent days=20 to support the assassin who riddled the governor of Punjab with 26 = bullets and=20 to praise his attack =E2=80=94 carried out in the name of the Prophet = Muhammad =E2=80=94 as an=20 act of heroism. To the surprise of many, chief among them have been = Pakistan=E2=80=99s=20 young lawyers, once seen as a force for democracy.

Their energetic campaign on behalf of the killer has = caught the=20 government flat-footed and dismayed friends and supporters of the slain=20 politician, Salman Taseer, an outspoken proponent of liberalism who had=20 challenged the nation=E2=80=99s strict blasphemy laws. It has also = confused many in the=20 broader public and observers abroad, who expected to see a firm state=20 prosecution of the assassin.

Instead, before his court appearances, the lawyers = showered rose=20 petals over the confessed killer, Malik Mumtaz Hussain Qadri, a member = of an=20 elite police group who had been assigned to guard the governor, but who = instead=20 turned his gun on him. They have now enthusiastically taken up his = defense.=20

It may seem a stark turnabout for a group that just a = few years=20 ago looked like the vanguard of a democracy movement. They waged months = of=20 protests in 2007 and 2008 to challenge Pakistan=E2=80=99s military = dictator after he=20 unlawfully removed the chief justice.

But the lawyers=E2=80=99 stance is perhaps just the most = glaring=20 expression of what has become a deep generational divide tearing at the = fabric=20 of Pakistani society, and of the broad influence of religious = conservatism =E2=80=94 and=20 even militancy =E2=80=94 that now exists among the educated middle = class.

They are often described as the Zia generation: = Pakistanis who=20 have come of age since the 1980s, when the military dictator, Gen. = Mohammad Zia=20 ul-Haq, began to promote Islam in public education and to use it as a = political=20 tool to unify this young and insecure nation.

Today, the forces he set loose have gained such strength = that they=20 threaten to overwhelm voices for tolerance in Pakistan=E2=80=99s feeble = civilian=20 government. They certainly present a nagging challenge for the United = States.=20

Washington has poured billions of dollars into the = Pakistani=20 military to combat terrorism, but has long neglected a civilian effort = to=20 counter the inexorable pull of conservative Islam. By now the = conservatives have=20 entered nearly every part of Pakistani society, even the rank-and-file = security=20 forces, as the assassination showed. The military, in fact, has been=20 conspicuously silent about the killing.

=E2=80=9COver time, Pakistani society has drifted toward = religious=20 extremism,=E2=80=9D said Hasan Askari Rizvi, a political and defense = analyst from=20 Lahore. =E2=80=9CThis religious sentiment has seeped deep into = government circles and=20 into the army and police at lower levels.=E2=80=9D

=E2=80=9CThe lower level are listening to the religious = people,=E2=80=9D he said.=20

Indeed, the Pakistan of today, and the brand of = Islam much=20 of the nation has embraced, is barely recognizable even to many educated = Pakistanis older than the Zia generation. Among them is Athar Minallah, = 49, a=20 former cabinet minister and one of the leaders of the lawyers=E2=80=99 = protest campaign=20 against Gen. Pervez=20 Musharraf in=20 2007 and 2008.

Mr. Minallah studied law at Islamic University in = Islamabad from=20 1983 to 1986, and the first lesson any student learned in his day was = that the=20 preservation of life was a pillar of Islamic law, he said.

But under General Zia in the 1980s, the government began = supporting Islamic warriors to fight the Soviet occupation of = Afghanistan and=20 the Indian control of Kashmir, and the syllabus was changed to encourage = jihad.=20 The mind-set of students and graduates changed along with it, Mr. = Minallah said.=20

That change is now no more apparent than among the 1,000 = lawyers=20 from the capital, Islamabad, and the neighboring city of Rawalpindi, who = have=20 given their signed support for the defense of Mr. Qadri, who has been = charged=20 with murder and terrorism.

Their leader is Rao Abdur Raheem, 30, who formed a = =E2=80=9Clawyers=E2=80=99=20 forum,=E2=80=9D called the Movement to Protect the Dignity of the = Prophet, in December.=20 The aim of the group, he said, was to counter Mr. Taseer=E2=80=99s = campaign to amend the=20 nation=E2=80=99s strict blasphemy laws, which promise death for = insulting the Prophet=20 Muhammad.

In interviews, Mr. Raheem and six of his colleagues = insisted they=20 were not members of any political or religious party, and were acting=20 independently and interested only in ensuring the rule of law. =

All graduates of different Pakistani universities, they = insisted=20 they were liberal, not religious conservatives. Only one had religious = training.=20 They said they had all taken part in the lawyers=E2=80=99 protest = campaign in 2007 and=20 2008, and that they were proud that the movement helped reinstate the = chief=20 justice.

Yet they forcefully defended Mr. Qadri, saying he had = acted on his=20 own, out of strong religious feeling, and they denied that he had told = his=20 fellow guards of his plans in advance. He was innocent until proved = guilty, they=20 said. They have already succeeded in preventing the government from = changing the=20 court venue.

In their deep religious conviction, and in their energy = and=20 commitment to the cause of the blasphemy laws, they are miles apart from = the=20 older generation of lawyers and law enforcement officials above them.=20

=E2=80=9CI felt this is a different society,=E2=80=9D = said one former law=20 enforcement official when he saw the lawyers celebrating Mr. Qadri. = =E2=80=9CThere is a=20 disconnect in society.=E2=80=9D

The former security official, who has worked in = fighting=20 militancy and who requested anonymity because of his work, said that = within just=20 four hours of the killing, 2,500 people had posted messages supporting = Mr. Qadri=20 on Facebook pages.

Mass rallies championing him and the blasphemy laws have = continued=20 since then.

This conservatism is fueled by an element of class = divide, between=20 the more secular and wealthy upper classes and the more religious middle = and=20 lower classes, said Najam Sethi, a former editor of The Daily Times, a = liberal=20 daily newspaper published by Mr. Taseer. As Pakistan=E2=80=99s middle = class has grown,=20 so has the conservative population.

Besides his campaign against the blasphemy laws, it was = Mr.=20 Taseer=E2=80=99s wealth and secular lifestyle that made him a target for = the religious=20 parties, Mr. Sethi said.

=E2=80=9CSalman had an easygoing, witty, irreverent, = high-life style,=E2=80=9D he=20 said, =E2=80=9Cso the anger of class inequality mixed with religious = passion gives a=20 heady, dangerous brew.=E2=80=9D

Government officials, analysts and members of the = Pakistan Peoples=20 Party, the secular-leaning party to which Mr. Taseer belonged, blame the = religious parties and clerics who delivered speeches and fatwas against = Mr.=20 Taseer for inciting the attack. On Monday, Mr. Qadri, who confessed to = the=20 killing, provided a court with testimony saying he was inspired by two = clerics,=20 Qari Hanif and Ishtiaq Shah.

The police say they are now seeking the clerics for = questioning,=20 but with the growing strength of the conservative movement on the = streets,=20 religious leaders =E2=80=94 even those who incite violence and terrorism = =E2=80=94 are nearly=20 untouchable to the authorities and are almost never prosecuted. =

The blasphemy law has been condemned by human = rights groups=20 here, who say it has been used to persecute religious minorities, like=20 Christians, and on Monday, Pope Benedict=20 XVI = called on=20 Pakistan to undo the law. But the law has become an opportunity for = religious=20 parties looking to whip up public sentiment, Mr. Sethi said.

A dark presence in the background is the military = establishment,=20 which has sponsored the religious parties for decades, using them as = tools to=20 influence politics and as militant proxies abroad. The military also has = a heavy=20 influence on much of Pakistan=E2=80=99s brash media, which fanned the = flames of the=20 blasphemy issue with sensationalist coverage.

=E2=80=9CDemocracy has brought us a media that is = extremely right-wing,=20 conservative,=E2=80=9D Mr. Sethi, 62, said. =E2=80=9CMost are in their = 30s and are a product of=20 the Zia years, of the textbooks and schools set by the Zia years, which = are not=20 the sort of things that we were taught.=E2=80=9D

=E2=80=9CThe silence of the armed forces is = ominous,=E2=80=9D Mr. Sethi added.=20

Indeed, whether on the military or civilian side, the = government=20 has failed to act forcefully on the case at every stage, the former = security=20 official said. Whether through fear or lack of policy, it has done = little to=20 challenge the ideology behind the attack or the spreading radicalism in=20 Pakistani society.

=E2=80=9CThe entire state effort has been on the capture = and kill=20 approach: how many terrorists can you arrest and how many can you = kill,=E2=80=9D the=20 former security official said. =E2=80=9CNothing has been done about the = breeding ground=20 of extremism.

=E2=80=9CUnless the government does something serious = and sustained,=E2=80=9D the=20 official warned, =E2=80=9Cwe are on a very dangerous = trajectory.=E2=80=9D=20

Salman=20 Masood contributed reporting from Islamabad, and Waqar Gillani from = Lahore,=20 Pakistan.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/11/world/asia/11pakistan.html?emc=3D= eta1
 
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          &nbs= p;            = ;            =            =20 NZZ: Fata Morgana = Fachkr=C3=A4ftemangel

Seit es am Arbeitsmarkt wieder = l=C3=A4uft, ist in=20 Deutschland =C3=BCberall vom Fachkr=C3=A4ftemangel die Rede. = Pr=C3=A4zise festmachen l=C3=A4sst sich=20 dieser aber nicht. Und niemand stellt die entscheidende Frage: Ist das = Land f=C3=BCr=20 ausl=C3=A4ndische Fachkr=C3=A4fte =C3=BCberhaupt attraktiv?

Matthias Benz, Berlin

Es ist noch gar nicht so = lange her,=20 da f=C3=BCrchtete man sich in Deutschland vor einer Explosion der = Arbeitslosigkeit.=20 Doch seit das deutsche =C2=ABJobwunder=C2=BB f=C3=BCr sinkende = Arbeitslosenzahlen sorgt,=20 beherrscht pl=C3=B6tzlich wieder eine ganz andere Bef=C3=BCrchtung die = Debatte: der=20 =C2=ABFachkr=C3=A4ftemangel=C2=BB. Firmen und Verb=C3=A4nde aus = Industrie, Informationstechnologie=20 (IT) und Handwerk =C3=BCberschlagen sich mit Klagen, sie f=C3=A4nden zu = wenig=20 qualifizierte Arbeitskr=C3=A4fte und k=C3=B6nnten viele offene Stellen = nicht besetzen.=20 Auch Politik und Wissenschaft geben sich besorgt. Die Rede ist von einem = =C2=ABSchl=C3=BCsselproblem Deutschlands=C2=BB (Wirtschaftsminister = Rainer Br=C3=BCderle), vom=20 =C2=ABZukunftsthema Nummer eins=C2=BB (Handelskammer-Pr=C3=A4sident Hans = Heinrich Driftmann)=20 und von einer =C2=ABSchicksalsfrage=C2=BB (Wirtschaftsforscher Klaus=20 Zimmermann).espaltene=20 Regierung

Dabei ist die = Debatte um=20 den Fachkr=C3=A4ftemangel alles andere als neu. Es scheint eine = Konstante der=20 deutschen Wirtschaftspolitik zu sein, dass das Thema bei jedem=20 Konjunkturaufschwung am Horizont auftaucht. Schon vor zehn Jahren hatte = sich=20 beispielsweise eine Regierungskommission mit dem Fachkr=C3=A4ftemangel = befasst, und=20 auch die grosse Koalition widmete sich der Frage. Doch die Erinnerung = scheint=20 kurz zu sein; die jetzige Debatte wird so gef=C3=BChrt, als ob das Thema = zum ersten=20 Mal entdeckt w=C3=BCrde.

Die Politik reagiert mit=20 reflexartigen Forderungen. Ein gewichtiges Lager =E2=80=93 vertreten vor = allem von der=20 FDP, von Wirtschaftsverb=C3=A4nden und von Teilen der Union =E2=80=93 = verlangt, dass der=20 Zuzug von qualifizierten Arbeitskr=C3=A4ften aus dem Nicht-EU-Raum = erleichtert wird=20 (innerhalb der EU herrscht bereits Personenfreiz=C3=BCgigkeit). Dazu = m=C3=BCssten die=20 geltenden, relativ hohen b=C3=BCrokratischen H=C3=BCrden f=C3=BCr = Einwanderer abgebaut werden.=20 Ein anderes Lager =E2=80=93 darunter auch Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel = =E2=80=93 pocht darauf,=20 dass an erster Stelle das Potenzial im Inland zu erschliessen sei. So = k=C3=B6nnten=20 etwa die gut 3 Mio. Arbeitslosen (und die vielen zus=C3=A4tzlichen = Hartz-IV-Bezieher)=20 =C2=ABaktiviert=C2=BB sowie bereits in Deutschland lebende Migranten = besser qualifiziert=20 werden.

Eine L=C3=B6sung der = Debatte zeichnet sich=20 nicht ab. Die Regierungsparteien sind =C3=BCber der Frage so = zerstritten, dass sie=20 Entscheidungen auf den Mai vertagt haben. F=C3=BCr Konflikte sorgt vor = allem die=20 Frage erleichterter Zuwanderung. Die Konservativen in der Union wehren = sich=20 dagegen, weil sie generell gegen mehr Immigration sind. Allerdings wirkt = ihr=20 Wunsch, zuerst die Einheimischen zu =C2=ABaktivieren=C2=BB, ziemlich = weltfremd. Zu Recht=20 wird argumentiert, Arbeitslose liessen sich nicht einfach so zu = Fachkr=C3=A4ften und=20 Ingenieuren umschulen =E2=80=93 besonders in Deutschland, wo die = Arbeitslosigkeit vor=20 allem ein Ph=C3=A4nomen der Geringqualifizierten ist. Umgekehrt stimmt = es wohl auch,=20 dass man vom Abbau b=C3=BCrokratischer Zuwanderungsh=C3=BCrden keine = Wunder erwarten darf.=20 Diese Argumente sind im Prinzip seit langem bekannt. Doch die Debatte = dreht sich=20 seit Jahren im Kreis.

3D"(Bild:3DZoom=20=20

(Bild: NZZ-Infografik /=20 cke.)

Auf der Suche nach=20 Indizien

Alle Seiten gehen davon = aus, dass der=20 Fachkr=C3=A4ftemangel ein dringliches Problem sei. Stimmt diese = Grundannahme=20 =C3=BCberhaupt? Bei n=C3=A4herer Betrachtung erweist sich der = Fachkr=C3=A4ftemangel als Fata=20 Morgana: Das Ph=C3=A4nomen scheint irgendwo hinter dem Horizont = tats=C3=A4chlich zu=20 existieren, aber je mehr man sich ihm n=C3=A4hert, desto mehr entzieht = es sich. So=20 stellte etwa j=C3=BCngst die Bundesagentur f=C3=BCr Arbeit fest, ein = Fachkr=C3=A4ftemangel=20 lasse sich derzeit h=C3=B6chstens bei =C3=84rzten und Krankenschwestern = sowie bei=20 Ingenieuren bestimmter Fachrichtungen beobachten. Noch weiter geht das = Deutsche=20 Institut f=C3=BCr Wirtschaftsforschung (DIW) in einer Studie: F=C3=BCr = einen generellen=20 Fachkr=C3=A4ftemangel gebe es bis auf weiteres keine Anzeichen, urteilt = das Institut.=20 In einigen Bereichen sei im Gegenteil eine = =C2=ABFachkr=C3=A4fteschwemme=C2=BB zu erwarten.=20 Dabei hat das DIW seine Aussagen relativiert. Kurzfristig erscheine der = Bedarf=20 an Fachkr=C3=A4ften noch beherrschbar =E2=80=93 langfristig werde die = Fachkr=C3=A4fteknappheit=20 aber zu einem entscheidenden Thema, heisst es nun beim = Institut.

Die DIW-Forscher stellen einige bemerkenswerte = =C3=9Cberlegungen=20 an. Aus =C3=B6konomischer Sicht sollte sich ein Fachkr=C3=A4ftemangel = vor allem in=20 steigenden L=C3=B6hnen f=C3=BCr Ingenieure und andere gesuchte = Berufsgruppen=20 niederschlagen =E2=80=93 denn wenn ein Gut knapp wird, steigt f=C3=BCr = gew=C3=B6hnlich sein Preis.=20 Zu erwarten w=C3=A4re auch, dass in stark umworbenen Berufszweigen die=20 Arbeitslosigkeit besonders tief ist und die Zahl offener Stellen hoch. = Doch die=20 DIW-Studie findet keine Belege daf=C3=BCr. Die L=C3=B6hne f=C3=BCr = Fachkr=C3=A4fte und Ingenieure=20 sind in den letzten Jahren im Quervergleich eher zur=C3=BCckgegangen, = und die=20 Arbeitsmarktlage pr=C3=A4sentiert sich schlechter als noch vor der = Krise. Auch die=20 Sicht, dass es in Deutschland generell zu wenig Nachwuchs gebe, ist laut = der=20 DIW-Studie falsch. So habe etwa die Zahl der Studenten in Ingenieurs- = und=20 Naturwissenschaften in den vergangenen Jahren markant=20 zugenommen.

Problem Demografie

An Leuten, die an den=20 Fachkr=C3=A4ftemangel =C2=ABglauben=C2=BB, perlt diese Kritik ab. Sie = r=C3=A4umen ein, vielleicht=20 sei das Problem kurzfristig noch nicht so gross, aber l=C3=A4ngerfristig = m=C3=BCsse sich=20 Deutschland auf einen Mangel an qualifiziertem Personal einstellen. Der = Grund=20 daf=C3=BCr liege im demografischen Wandel. Weil in Deutschland zu wenig = Menschen=20 geboren w=C3=BCrden und gleichzeitig viele Arbeitnehmer in Rente gingen, = st=C3=BCnden den=20 Unternehmen und der Wirtschaft k=C3=BCnftig nicht mehr gen=C3=BCgend = Arbeitskr=C3=A4fte zur=20 Verf=C3=BCgung. Das dr=C3=BCcke die Wirtschaftsleistung, und die = Sozialsysteme liessen=20 sich nicht mehr finanzieren. Arbeitsministerin Ursula von der Leyen = spricht etwa=20 davon, dass bis 2025 rund 5 Mio. Arbeitskr=C3=A4fte in Deutschland = =C2=ABfehlen=C2=BB=20 werden.

Ist der = demografische=20 Wandel tats=C3=A4chlich ein derartiges Problem? Aus =C3=B6konomischer = Sicht ist er es=20 zun=C3=A4chst einmal nicht. Wenn die absolute Wirtschaftsleistung wegen = schrumpfender=20 Bev=C3=B6lkerung abnimmt, stellt das per se keinen Grund zur Sorge dar. = Mit Blick auf=20 den Wohlstand ist nicht die absolute Wirtschaftsleistung relevant, = sondern=20 allein, was in einem Land pro Kopf erarbeitet wird. Die = Pro-Kopf-Einkommen=20 k=C3=B6nnen ohne weiteres steigen, auch wenn weniger Menschen arbeiten. = Entscheidend=20 ist nur, wie produktiv die Menschen im Einzelnen sind. Auch mit Blick = auf die=20 Unternehmen muss der demografische Wandel keine Schwierigkeiten = bereiten. Sie=20 k=C3=B6nnen ihre T=C3=A4tigkeiten dorthin verlagern, wo die n=C3=B6tigen = Arbeitskr=C3=A4fte=20 vorhanden sind.

Anders sieht die Lage erst aus, wenn man den Blick weg = von den=20 einzelnen Menschen lenkt und ein Land wie Deutschland als ein Kollektiv=20 betrachtet.

Gemeinschaftlich gel=C3=B6st ist beispielsweise = der=20 Sozialstaat, und auch die Staatsverschuldung ruht auf vielen=20 Schultern. In diesen Bereichen kann es zum = Problem=20 werden, wenn zu wenig Menschen =C2=ABnachkommen=C2=BB. Es wird = beispielsweise schwierig,=20 alle gemachten Versprechungen in den Sozialsystemen einzuhalten, wenn = immer=20 weniger Arbeitst=C3=A4tige f=C3=BCr immer mehr Rentner aufkommen = m=C3=BCssen. So betragen die=20 ungedeckten Verpflichtungen in den deutschen Sozialsystemen laut einer = neuen=20 Analyse rund 250% des Bruttoinlandprodukts (BIP). Bei schrumpfender=20 Erwerbsbev=C3=B6lkerung gibt es zudem immer weniger Steuerzahler, die = zur Bedienung=20 der Staatsschuld von derzeit 75% des BIP herangezogen werden=20 k=C3=B6nnen.

Hier steckt des Pudels Kern bei der Debatte um = den=20 Fachkr=C3=A4ftemangel. Wer beispielsweise den Zuzug von = hochqualifizierten Menschen=20 aus dem Ausland fordert, der verlangt bewusst oder unbewusst, dass diese = Leute=20 den Lebensabend der vielen deutschen Rentner mitfinanzieren oder mit = ihren=20 Steuern die deutschen Staatsschulden bedienen helfen. Doch warum sollte = sich das=20 jemand antun? Warum sollte sich jemand als eine Art =C2=ABMilchkuh=C2=BB = verdingen, um die=20 Last einer =C3=BCberbordenden Staatst=C3=A4tigkeit mitzutragen, die man = sich in=20 Deutschland in der Vergangenheit geleistet = hat?

Ein m=C3=A4ssig attraktives Land

Wenn=20 deutsche Politiker =C3=BCber den erleichterten Zuzug von = ausl=C3=A4ndischen Fachkr=C3=A4ften=20 sprechen, gehen sie wie selbstverst=C3=A4ndlich davon aus, dass die = Menschen auch=20 kommen, wenn man sie nur l=C3=A4sst. Niemand stellt die entscheidende = Frage: Ist=20 Deutschland tats=C3=A4chlich so attraktiv? Ist das Problem nicht eher, = dass die=20 Menschen sogar auswandern? Eine gewisse Selbstkritik der Politiker = w=C3=A4re=20 angebracht. Mit Blick auf Sozialstaat und Staatst=C3=A4tigkeit zeigt = sich, dass=20 Deutschland im internationalen Vergleich nach wie vor eine hohe Steuer- = und=20 Sozialabgabenlast aufweist (vgl. Grafik). Andere Industriel=C3=A4nder, = unter ihnen=20 die Schweiz, schneiden besser ab, ohne deswegen schlechte = =C3=B6ffentliche Leistungen=20 zu bieten. Qualifizierte Zuwanderer haben deshalb einigen Grund, sich in = Deutschland als =C2=ABMilchk=C3=BChe=C2=BB zu = f=C3=BChlen.

Aufschluss bietet auch das tats=C3=A4chliche Verhalten = der Menschen.=20 Allseits bekannt ist, dass in den vergangenen Jahren viele = hochqualifizierte=20 Deutsche in die Schweiz ausgewandert sind (was ein wesentlicher Grund = daf=C3=BCr sein=20 d=C3=BCrfte, dass jetzt gerade im deutschen Gesundheitswesen ein = Fachkr=C3=A4ftemangel=20 konstatiert wird). Kein erfreuliches Bild ergibt sich auch bei einer = breiteren=20 Analyse. Die Bertelsmann-Stiftung hat j=C3=BCngst untersucht, welche = EU-L=C3=A4nder=20 attraktiv f=C3=BCr Hochqualifizierte aus anderen europ=C3=A4ischen = Staaten sind. Das ist=20 ein interessanter Ansatz, weil im EU-Raum keine b=C3=BCrokratischen = H=C3=BCrden f=C3=BCr=20 Mobilit=C3=A4t mehr bestehen. Deutschland schneidet nur = mittelm=C3=A4ssig ab: In den=20 letzten Jahren sind gerade etwa so viele hochqualifizierte Menschen nach = Deutschland eingewandert, wie aus dem Land ausgewandert = sind.

Wenn=20 k=C3=BCnftig in grossem Stil Fachkr=C3=A4fte angeworben werden sollen, = m=C3=BCsste demnach noch=20 einiges geschehen. Was sollte die Politik also tun? Die = b=C3=BCrokratischen H=C3=BCrden=20 f=C3=BCr zuwanderungswillige Fachkr=C3=A4fte aus dem Nicht-EU-Raum zu = senken, kann nicht=20 falsch sein =E2=80=93 nur sollte man sich davon keinen Ansturm aus dem = Ausland erwarten.=20 Auch ist es richtig, Arbeitslose und andere Menschen in Inland zu = =C2=ABaktivieren=C2=BB =E2=80=93=20 selbst wenn man sich davon keine L=C3=B6sung des Fachkr=C3=A4ftemangels = versprechen darf.=20 Da die Angst vor dem Fachkr=C3=A4ftemangel im Kern auf ein = demografisches Problem=20 zur=C3=BCckgeht, sollte dieses direkt angegangen werden. Das bedeutete = vor allem, den=20 Sozialstaat so zu reformieren, dass er nicht auf = =C2=ABMilchk=C3=BChe=C2=BB angewiesen ist.=20 Eine Art doppelte Dividende br=C3=A4chte etwa eine deutliche = Erh=C3=B6hung des=20 Rentenalters: Die Menschen bez=C3=B6gen im Alter weniger = Sozialleistungen, und sie=20 blieben den Unternehmen l=C3=A4nger als Fachkr=C3=A4fte = erhalten.

Diese Zusammenh=C3=A4nge gelten keineswegs allein = f=C3=BCr Deutschland.=20 Viele entwickelte L=C3=A4nder mit schrumpfender Bev=C3=B6lkerung sehen = sich =C3=A4hnlichen=20 Herausforderungen gegen=C3=BCber, wie sie jetzt in Deutschland unter dem = irref=C3=BChrenden Begriff =C2=ABFachkr=C3=A4ftemangel=C2=BB diskutiert = werden. Im Kern geht es=20 darum, den Sozialstaat dem demografischen Wandel anzupassen. Dazu muss = die=20 Einsicht kommen, dass sich Deutschland wie auch andere Staaten im=20 internationalen Standortwettbewerb behaupten m=C3=BCssen. Das ist eine = nicht zu=20 untersch=C3=A4tzende Aufgabe. Aber man kann sich dabei an einer = einfachen Leitlinie=20 orientieren: Wenn ein Land f=C3=BCr junge wie alte Menschen ein = attraktiver Ort zum=20 Leben und Arbeiten ist, l=C3=B6sen sich Probleme wie der = =C2=ABFachkr=C3=A4ftemangel=C2=BB von=20 selbst.

Deutsches Institut f=C3=BCr Wirtschaftsforschung: = Fachkr=C3=A4ftemangel=20 kurzfristig nicht in Sicht. Wochenbericht Nr. 46, Berlin 2010.=20 Bertelsmann-Stiftung: Abschied vom Einwanderungsland Deutschland? Die = Migration=20 Hochqualifizierter im internationalen Vergleich. G=C3=BCtersloh=20 2010.
 
http://www.nzz.ch/nachrichten/wirtschaft/a= ktuell/fata_morgana_fachkraeftemangel_1.9067012.html
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see our letter on:  = http://www.massenbach-world.de/41259.html
 
Wir w=C3=BCnschen Ihnen = ein angenehmes=20 Wochenende. Ihr Team.
 
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Udo=20 von Massenbach   -   B=C3=A4rbel = Freudenberg-Pilster  =20 -   J=C3=B6rg=20 Barandat
        &nbs= p;            = ;            =           =20
UdovonMassenbach@t-online.de  =20 Mail@Freudenberg-Pilster.de  
          &nbs= p;           =20 JoergBarandat@yahoo.de
 
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