text:
- Latin America
- United Kingdom - Solicitors
- United Kingdom - The Bar
- United States
- Canada
- Caribbean
- Deutschland
- Paris
- Tax Directors Handbook
- What is The Legal 500?
- Meet the team
- How can my law firm get involved?
- Research calendar
- The Legal 500 on Twitter
- Contact us
- Other Legalease products
- The Legal Business Awards 2018
- Enterprise GC 2018
- The Legal 500 UK Awards 2018
- GC Summit Switzerland 2018
- Tokyo Anti-Corruption Forum 2018
- Dubai Roundtable: Doing business in North Afrida
- Beijing Life Sciences and Healthcare Roundtable 2018
- Discussing the future of disputes in the UK
- The Commercial Litigation Summit
- The changing role of the Mexican GC
- Shanghai Employment Forum
- Hong Kong M&A Roundtable
- Chile Rountable: contemporary issues in compliance
- Dinner with GC: Germany
- The LB100 Debate
- Dinner with GC: Thailand
- The evolving role of in-house lawyers in Peru
- The renegotiation of NAFTA
- Leadership insight
- Human rights insight
- MINT: the legal challenges of working and investing in emerging economies
- Response to Brexit
- An investigation of the GCC and Middle East legal market
- Litigation and regulatory challenges in financial services
- AI and the law tools of tomorrow:
A special report
- Scottish GCs
- North West clients
- Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
- Baker McKenzie
- DLA Piper
- Carlyle Kingswood Global
- Clifford Chance
- Hewlett Packard Enterprise
- PayPal
- Shaping diversity
- A Numbers Game: Diversity in Europe
- Barbara Levi Mager describes Sandoz's approach to diversity
- Tony West is using his experience to improve diversity and inclusion within PepsiCo
- Prash Naik (Channel 4) talks about the 360� Diversity Charter
- Ian Johnson explains the strategic importance of inclusive work environments
- Governo del Cambiamento
- Wings of change
- Clean commerce: finance goes green
- Banking and finance
- Bribery and corruption
- Construction
- Employment and labour law
- Insurance and reinsurance
- Intellectual property
- International arbitration
- Merger control
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Private client
- Real estate
The Legal 500 Hall of Fame highlights individuals who have received constant praise by their clients for continued excellence. The Hall of Fame highlights, to clients, the law firm partners who are at the pinnacle of the profession. In the United Kingdon, the criteria for entry is to have been recognised by The Legal 500 as one of the elite leading lawyers for eight years. These partners are highlighted below and throughout the editorial.
Click here for more details
United Kingdom > London > Projects, energy and natural resources > Water > Law firm and leading lawyer rankings
Corporate and commercial
- Overview
- Commercial contracts
- Corporate tax
- Customs and Excise
- EU and competition
- Equity capital markets
- Financial services
- Flotations: small and mid-cap
- M&A: upper mid-market and premium deals, £250m+
- M&A: mid-market, £50m-£250m
- M&A: smaller deals, up to £50m
- Partnership
- Private equity: transactions
- Trade, WTO, anti-dumping, and customs
- VAT and indirect tax
- Venture capital
- Crime, fraud and licensing
- Dispute resolution
- Overview
- Acquisition finance
- Asset-based lending
- Asset finance and leasing
- Bank lending: investment grade debt and syndicated loans
- Commodities: derivatives
- Commodities: physicals
- Corporate restructuring and insolvency
- Debt capital markets
- Derivatives and structured products
- Emerging markets
- High yield
- Islamic finance
- Securitisation
- Trade finance
- Human resources
- Overview
- Clinical negligence: claimant
- Clinical negligence: defendant
- Insurance: corporate and regulatory
- Insurance: insolvency and restructuring
- Insurance litigation: for policyholders
- Insurance and reinsurance litigation
- Personal injury: claimant
- Personal injury: defendant
- Product liability: claimant
- Product liability: defendant
- Professional negligence
- Investment fund formation and management
- Private client
- Projects, energy and natural resources
- Public sector
- Real estate
- Risk advisory
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms)
- Transport
Elsewhere in the UK
- East Anglia
- Crime, fraud and licensing
- Dispute resolution
- Agriculture and estates
- Bloodstock
- Charities and not-for-profit
- Contentious trusts and probate
- Family
- Personal tax, trusts and probate: Cambridge
- Personal tax, trusts and probate: Ipswich
- Personal tax, trusts and probate: Norwich
- Personal tax, trusts and probate: Peterborough
- Personal tax, trusts and probate: Elsewhere in East Anglia
- Agriculture and estates
- Charities and not-for-profit
- Contentious trusts and probate
- Family: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40
- Family: Kent, Surrey, Sussex
- Family: Beds, Bucks, Herts, Middx
- Family: Hampshire
- Family: Essex
- Personal tax, trusts and probate: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40
- Personal tax, trust and probate: Kent, Surrey, Sussex
- Personal tax, trusts and probate: Beds, Bucks, Herts, Middx
- Personal tax, trusts and probate: Hampshire
- Personal tax, trusts and probate: Essex
Law Firms
- Guernsey
- Isle of Man
- Jersey
The Bar
London Bar
- Set overviews: England and Wales
- Administrative and public law (including local government)
- Aviation
- Banking and finance (including consumer credit)
- Business and regulatory crime (including global investigations)
- Charities
- Children law (including public and private law)
- Civil liberties and human rights (including actions against the police)
- Clinical negligence
- Commercial litigation
- Commodities
- Company and partnership
- Competition
- Construction
- Consumer
- Costs
- Court of Protection and community care
- Crime (general crime)
- Defamation and privacy
- EU law
- Education
- Employment
- Energy
- Environment
- Family law (including divorce and financial remedy)
- Financial services
- Fraud: civil
- Fraud: crime
- Health and safety
- IT and telecoms (including data protection)
- Immigration (including business immigration)
- Inquests and inquiries
- Insolvency
- Insurance and reinsurance
- Intellectual property
- International arbitration: arbitrators
- International arbitration: counsel
- International crime and extradition
- Licensing
- Media and entertainment (including art and cultural property)
- Offshore
- Pensions
- Personal injury, industrial disease and insurance fraud
- Planning
- Police law (defendant)
- Private client: personal tax
- Private client: trusts and probate
- Proceeds of Crime Act and asset forfeiture
- Product liability
- Professional discipline and regulatory law
- Professional negligence
- Property litigation and agriculture
- Public international law
- Public procurement
- Shipping
- Social housing
- Sport
- Tax: corporate and VAT
- Travel law (including jurisdictional issues)
Regional Bar
- Set overviews: England and Wales
- Midland Circuit
- Northern Circuit
- Market overview
- Stables overview
- Civil liberties, human rights, public inquiries, and public and administrative law (including local government)
- Commercial litigation
- Company and insolvency
- Crime
- Employment
- Family and childcare
- Health and safety, and regulatory
- Intellectual property, information technology and media
- Personal injury and medical negligence
- Planning, environmental and licensing
- Professional negligence
- Property, construction and agriculture
- Tax, trusts and pensions
Corporate and commercial
- Overview
- Commercial contracts
- Corporate tax
- Customs and Excise
- EU and competition
- Equity capital markets
- Financial services
- Flotations: small and mid-cap
- M&A: upper mid-market and premium deals, £250m+
- M&A: mid-market, £50m-£250m
- M&A: smaller deals, up to £50m
- Partnership
- Private equity: transactions
- Trade, WTO, anti-dumping, and customs
- VAT and indirect tax
- Venture capital
- Corporate and commercial
- Crime, fraud and licensing
- Overview
- Acquisition finance
- Asset-based lending
- Asset finance and leasing
- Bank lending: investment grade debt and syndicated loans
- Commodities: derivatives
- Commodities: physicals
- Corporate restructuring and insolvency
- Debt capital markets
- Derivatives and structured products
- Emerging markets
- High yield
- Islamic finance
- Securitisation
- Trade finance
- Overview
- Clinical negligence: claimant
- Clinical negligence: defendant
- Insurance: corporate and regulatory
- Insurance: insolvency and restructuring
- Insurance litigation: for policyholders
- Insurance and reinsurance litigation
- Personal injury: claimant
- Personal injury: defendant
- Product liability: claimant
- Product liability: defendant
- Professional negligence
All countries
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Algeria
- Angola
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Australia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bermuda
- Bolivia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Brazil
- British Virgin Islands
- Bulgaria
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Canada
- Cayman Islands
- Chad
- Chile
- China
- Colombia
- Congo
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- El Salvador
- Equatorial Guinea
- Estonia
- Ethiopia
- Finland
- France
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Georgia
- Germany
- Ghana
- Gibraltar
- Greece
- Guatemala
- Guernsey
- Guinea
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Ireland
- Isle of Man
- Israel
- Italy
- Ivory Coast
- Japan
- Jersey
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Kosovo
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Latin America: International firms
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macau
- Macedonia
- Madagascar
- Malaysia
- Mali
- Malta
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Myanmar
- Namibia
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Norway
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Panama
- Papua New Guinea
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Puerto Rico
- Qatar
- Romania
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Saudi Arabia
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- St Barts
- St Vincent
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Syria
- Taiwan
- Tajikistan
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- United Kingdom
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- United States
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
- Yemen
- Zambia
Index of tables
Hall of Fame
Leading individuals
- Conrad Andersen - Allen & Overy LLP
Next generation lawyers
- Elisabeth Johnson - Linklaters LLP
Find out which law firms are representing which Water clients in London using The Legal 500's new comprehensive database of law firm/client relationships. Instantly search over 925,000 relationships, including over 83,000 Fortune 500, 46,000 FTSE350 and 13,000 DAX 30 relationships globally. Access is free for in-house lawyers, and by subscription for law firms. For more information, contact email@example.com.
Jointly led by Conrad Andersen and Tim Conduit, Allen & Overy LLP's water team is part of the global infrastructure group and is involved in high-value and high-profile projects in the UK market. Andersen recently advised, alongside Richard Evans, two infrastructure management clients on their acquisition of interest in a major water and wastewater entity. Other highlights included advising on the European aspects of a UK contractor's takeover by an independent investment firm, and Nigel Pritchard acting for Biwater in the complex and politically-sensitive construction arrangements with the Kurdistan regional government for the Erbil and Sulaimani water project in Northern Iraq. On the regulatory side, Mark Friend assisted Severn Trent with its joint venture agreement with United Utilities, which will combine both companies' non-household retail operations. Jonathan Melton is also a key contact and represented a leading bank as the arranger on the maintenance of a Euro medium-term note programme for a household name UK water company.
Herbert Smith Freehills LLP provides 'a first class service' and conducts 'very high quality work', according to one client. The group was appointed by Tideway, Anglian Water and Severn Trent to contribute to a report looking at how best to implement Ofwat's proposals on the most efficient use of direct procurement in projects exceeding £100m. Head of infrastructure Patrick Mitchell continues to assists Tideway with the high-profile Thames Tideway Tunnel project, which involves complex financing arrangements and regulatory issues, while Julia Pyke leads the advice on the negotiations of the key economic contracts for the sponsor of the Tidal Lagoon project in Swansea Bay. In the transactional space, David Wyles and Steven Dalton acted for funds managed by Hastings on their acquisition of 50% of South East Water from CDPQ, while Andrew Roberts, Kristen Roberts, Stephen Wilkinson and Robert Moore are advising Severn Trent on its takeover bid for Dee Valley. Clients also recommend associate Stacey Pang and competition partner Tim Briggs.
Linklaters LLP has 'deep and broad relationships across the sector', handling M&A, finance, regulation and competition matters. Practice head Julian Davies recently worked with Mark Nuttall to advise six water companies on the opening of the non-household retail market as part of Ofwat's move towards a competitive market at retail level. Managing associate Elisabeth Johnson is part of the team assisting Thames Water with all aspects of the Thames Tideway Tunnel, and also recently acted for Anglian Water, Southern Water and Yorkshire Water on issuances of debt to US investors. Michael Cutting heads the water regulatory unit and counsel Reza Taylor also plays a key role in the department.
Baker McKenzie's key contacts in this area include major projects and construction law specialist Mike Webster and Tim Sheddick, who focuses his practice on private and public M&A and corporate financing transactions. Recently made partner Kate Corby represented a water treatment and processing company in ICC arbitration proceedings against a joint venture partner with regards to which party should bear the excess costs incurred by the delays in the venture, while associate Tom Pound is part of the team assisting an international investor with the auction sale of shares in a UK water entity. A leading global infrastructure fund instructed the team to oversee the sale of its interest in a major UK infrastructure project. Energy, mining and infrastructure unit head Hugh Stewart is also a key contact.
Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP services water companies, such as Thames Water, as well as investors in corporate, financing, regulatory, construction and environmental matters. It has recently been active in competition and regulatory work, including handling the sale of a non-household retail businesses to a new market entrant and advising on the liberalisation of the market. Projects, energy and infrastructure practice head Mark Richards advised, with James Marshall and corporate partner Nick Myatt, Ancala on the merger and regulatory issues arising from its public takeover offer for Dee Valley. Other highlights include assisting Bazalgette, the new vehicle created by Tideway to finance and deliver the Tideway Thames Tunnel project, with the development of this mega-project. Oliver Glynn-Jones is a key contact for contentious matters.
Greenberg Traurig, LLP's practice is jointly led by Gillian Sproul, who has deep experience in defending regulated water companies in investigations into alleged regulatory breaches, and by regulatory expert Lisa Navarro, who regularly handles competition and merger control matters. Having successfully settled Ofwat's competition investigation into Bristol Water, the team continues to advise the utility company with regards to compliance through quarterly monitoring reports. Senior associate Simon Harms supported the partners in their work for two leading water companies in connection with the potential regulatory and competition issues surrounding their proposed joint venture agreement. The practice also assisted clients with the opening of the non-household retail market by providing training sessions to ensure compliance with Ofwat's competition regulations. Associate Addiped Cheng recently joined the practice from Mayer Brown International LLP and specialises in competition law.
The water team at Hogan Lovells International LLP sits within the broader projects department and handles work across the globe in established as well as more challenging jurisdictions. Andrew Gallagher and practice head Andrew Briggs advised a leading international investment bank on its proposed financing of a major UK infrastructure project. In the Middle East, the team worked alongside the Dubai office to guide a consortium of banks as lead arrangers on the Sohar independent potable water project in Oman, and Steven Bryan is acting for an infrastructure asset manager in its proposed acquisition of 50% interest in a South American water and sanitation company from a Japanese public-private partnership. Counsel Charles Ford also assisted Briggs in advising a leading bank on its acquisition of a minority stake in a UK water company.
The cross-disciplinary water department at Pinsent Masons LLP acts for clients such as Severn Trent, Veolia and Water Plus, covering desalination, waste water, resource management, dispute resolution and water infrastructure projects. While the team is spread across the UK, the London branch consists of, among others, construction and regulatory expert Sarah Thomas, who specialises in infrastructure projects including waste water treatment, water management and industrial outsourcing schemes; department head Adrian Eakin, who is currently advising an infrastructure fund on the development of a desalination facility in Southern Europe; and consultant Mark Lane, who formerly headed the department and has extensive experience. The team is currently handling several complex disputes, including a Coroner's Inquest defence for new client Yorkshire Water in connection with a fatal road accident that occurred after a flooding incident in Sheffield. Anne-Marie Friel is also a key contact and recently led the advice to a joint venture in relation to its successful bid to build a portion of a major water infrastructure project.
Addleshaw Goddard's recent merger with HBJ Gateley has significantly bolstered the water practice through the additions of Andrew Walker in Edinburgh and David Anderson in Aberdeen. Leeds-based David Shaw is advising United Utilities on the procurement of the Cumbria Super Pipe scheme and the Blackburn waste-water treatment work scheme, and Richard Goodfellow, who also sits in the Leeds office, acted for a water company in its application to Ofwat for a water supply and sewerage license to participate in the new retail market. On the contentious side, regulatory expert Rona Bar-Isaac, who leads the department with Shaw, is assisting a utilities regulator with new potential strategic cases related to environmental breaches by a number of companies, and handled, on behalf of a leading utilities supplier, a contract renegotiation following allegations of abuse of dominant position. Other key names in the department include M&A and private equity expert Guy Winter and Paul Dight in the Leeds office.
Gowling WLG's new practice head Andrew Newbery, who joined after having run his own consultancy, acts for clients such as Ofwat, Severn Trent and the municipality of Dubai. Stephen Kenny, who leads the UK projects practice, assisted MUJV with the sub-contracts for utilities works and services with Aspire Defence for the extension of the Connaught PFI with the ministry of defence, and head of the EU, trade and competition department Bernardine Adkins is representing a manufacturer and distributor of water storage tanks in a civil investigation into cartel behaviour. For environmental law, the team can rely on regulatory expert Lee McBride and Andrew Litchfield, who specialises in defending claims brought by the Environment Agency and civil bodies; they are both based in the Birmingham office.
Shepherd and Wedderburn's water team, primarily based in Scotland, provides 'a bespoke service, industry-specific knowledge and expertise, and consistently strong and accurate advice' under the leadership of Gordon Downie, who 'has a wealth of experience and is greatly respected in the field'. Liz McRobb and competition law expert John Grady also attract praise from clients. The team was recently appointed to the advisory panel of Water Plus, a joint venture between Severn Trent and United Utilities, and has also been advising Wessex Water and Water2Business on the opening of the non-household retail market. The Glasgow-based George Boyle acted for Albion Water on the sale of 51% of its shares to Wessex Water and in related joint venture agreements. Other highlights included assisting 2020 Renewables with obtaining consent and planning permission from the Scottish Ministers for the development of the Glenmucklock pumped hydro storage project. Edinburgh-based senior associate Fiona Parker is noted as strong 'in the interpretation of knotty new regulations' and works in the Edinburgh office.
Global co-chair of project finance and infrastructure James Simpson and of counsel Katharine Sonneborn are the senior individuals in Winston & Strawn London LLP's London water team, acting for public companies such as the Abu Dhabi Water and Electric Authority. Working closely with the Dubai office, the team has represented a water and waste water management company in several high-profile infrastructure projects with a range of government-owned and private developers, including a port development. Simpson led the advice on the refinancing of two sewage treatment plants in the Middle East, and acted for a public body in connection with regulatory issues, contractual disputes, funding agreements and broadcasting rights for a documentary film about a major government capital investment programme.
Interview with...
Law firm partners and practice heads explain how their firms are adapting to clients' changing needs
International comparative guides
Select Practice Area
'Ultimately there are as many barriers as you put up yourself, you can put up being female and black as an excuse or use it as a weapon of defiance.'
View more interviews from GC Magazine's Diversity and Inclusion Report UK
Client Intelligence Report
The Legal 500 United Kingdom - Events
The GC Powerlist: UK Summer Reception
To celebrate the publication of the GC Powerlist: United Kingdom, The Legal 500, Legal Business, GC Magazine and The In-House Lawyer invited leading General Counsel from across the UK to a summer reception at Home House, Portman Square. The GC Powerlist series highlights the most influential and innovative general counsel in a market
The Legal 500 TV
The Legal 500 UK Awards 2017
Search News and Articles
Press releases
Legal Developments in the UK
A closer look at Settled Status for EU citizensFollowing the release of more details of the UK Government's scheme for a streamlined application process to grant EU citizens in the UK settled status to safeguard their position following the UK's departure from the EU, our EEA immigration solicitors here at OTS Solicitors take a look at the post-Brexit position for EU nationals and what the settled status scheme entails in more detail.
Which EEA Form?For EEA nationals and their family members, making an application to the Home Office isn;t always straight forward. The first step will be to identify the relevant EEA form for the type of application you want to make.
FAILING TO PREVENT BRIBERYFollowing the first conviction of a company for failure toprevent bribery, Aziz Rahman considers the implications of the case for thosein business.
MONEY LAUNDERING AND THE GAMBLING INDUSTRYWith a bookmaker being ordered to pay millions for failingto prevent money laundering, Nicola Sharp and Syedur Rahman examine how thegambling industry can tackle the problem.
HOW TO PREVENT WORKPLACE FRAUDAziz Rahman examines the scale of fraud in business andexplains how it can be prevented, identified and reported.
POLITICALLY EXPOSED PERSONS AND THE LEGAL RESTRICTIONS THEY FACEAziz Rahman and Ben Ticehurst consider the Novartis scandaland the business restrictions on those holding high office.
CORPORATE LIABILITY AND THE INDIVIDUALWith much still to be decided regarding the prosecution ofindividuals over the financial scandals at Rolls-Royce and Tesco, Aziz Rahmanexamines how the fate of investigated companies can differ to that of those whoworked for them.
DEFENDING YOURSELF WHEN INTERNATIONAL BRIBERY ALLEGATIONS ARE MADESyedur Rahman and Nicola Sharp explain how corporates shouldrespond if investigated over bribery allegations abroad.
EU Nationals & UK Permanent Residence: What's the Current Position?Permanent residence status is automatically available to European Economic Area (EEA) nationals who have lived in the UK for five continuous years and who have been exercising Treaty Rights over the whole of this period. The same criteria also apply to family members of EEA nationals.
UNEXPLAINED WEALTH ORDERSWith unexplained wealth orders now part of UK law, Aziz Rahman assesses their likely effect and how people should respond to them.
Press Releases in the UK
OTS Solicitors Unveils Opening of Dubai Office And Invites You To A Seminar On UK Business Visa RequOTS Solicitors has experienced rapid success and growth over the last 12 months. As part of our expansion, the partners are now proud to announce the opening of our Dubai office on 1 st May 2018.
OTS Solicitors Is Expanding To Chancery LaneOTS Solicitors is delighted to announce that due to rapid growth and expansion, the firm has now expanded into additional offices. The firm is adding 160 sq meters of office space at a new Chancery Lane branch in addition to its current 80 sq meters in the existing Fleet Street office, providing a total of 240sq meters with room for further expansion. From 12th March 2018, the team at OTS Solicitors will see all clients at their new offices located at 25 Southampton Buildings WC2A 1AL.
OTS Wins AI Excellence Award For The Most Trusted [Immigration] Lawyers 2017OTS Solicitors is proud to announce we have been awarded the Acquisition International (AI) Excellence Award for the Most Trusted [ immigration ] Lawyers 2017.
Rare Granting Of Adult Dependent Relative Visa Thanks To OTS SolicitorsOTS Solicitors has been ranked highly by the Legal 500, and we have won numerous other awards for our immigration services (including a Global Excellence Award for the Most Trusted in Immigration Law ). OTS recently had an extraordinary success with an Adult Dependent Relative Visa being granted for the elderly relatives of a client.
ECJ Gives Landmark Decision In EU Spouse CaseThe European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled an EU national who becomes a British citizen does not lose the right to have a non-EU spouse live with them in the UK.
Pitmans crowned as top firm for trainee work/life balancePitmans has been awarded winner of the best work/life balance in the 2016 Lex 100 - a survey that is recognised as the most comprehensive valuation of training opportunities at law firms across the UK.
Gender Pay Gaps: The Latest Reporting RequirementsOn average, male employees are paid more than female employees. In 2015, men working full-time were paid approximately 9.4% more than women working full-time. As a result, the government is working to introduce measures with the aim of reducing this gap.
Pitmans acts on Westcoast's acquisition of Art Systems Holdings LtdPitmans LLP has acted on behalf of its longstanding client, Westcoast (Holdings) Limited on its acquisition of Art Systems Holdings Limited.
Insolvency Update: Changes that take effect from April 2016The Department of Justice has issued a practice direction in connection with the new insolvency express trials pilot.
The Apprenticeship LevyFollowing last year's autumn statement, HMRC has now published draft legislation which introduces the proposed new apprenticeship levy. The levy will have effect from 6 April 2017.


text:
Our Mission
ZETAWEB International aims to equip our clients with the practical tools and resources necessary to continually enhance and build capacity across their organisation.
We strive to provide achievable solutions that measurably support goal-focused business priorities and objectives.
ZETAWEB International seeks to encourage each and every individual involved in our work to share new ideas and experiences, promoting personal, professional and organisational excellence.
We make the effort - You make the difference
SA and International Study Tours
We have forged relationships with many government and non-governmental organisations and commercial entities including financial and academic institutions, as well as Think Tanks and senior leaders of major ongoing public sector programmes and projects. These organisations and individuals provide relevant contributions as well as site visits pertaining to learning components for every programme of study we conduct in CAPE TOWN. These enable delegates to be able to see key organisations at work first-hand, at both strategic and operational levels.
ZETAWEB International is pleased to announce that our 2014 Programmes and Workshop Directory is now available to download; all our training faculties have been updated and we have added a number of new training programmes as part of our commitment to driving transformation for our clients and ourselves.
In the Latest Downloads section you can find, as well as our latest Directory, details about our training options, downloadable copies of our Schedule, Booking Form and Terms and Conditions, and detailed information about our PRINCE2® and IPSAS training programmes.
Customised Training
Zetaweb International's solid experience designing and delivering capacity building programmes across the globe translates into significant value in supporting ongoing local, state and national transformation within the SADC candidate and potential candidate countries preparing for their accession.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
January February March April May June July August September October November December
Shaking Off the Rust
May 22, 2014
In addition to coming into this trip apprehensive about timing, I was also scared. The last day of my chase trip last year was horrible and ended up with me having a brea...Read the Full Post »
A Slow Start and a Little Bit of a Vent
May 20, 2014
Coming into this year's chase trip I was in part excited, and in part disappointed and apprehensive. For the first time in several years, I am only chasing for one week....Read the Full Post »
A Year of Firsts
June 08, 2013
This year was a year of firsts. Firsts for me, as a relatively new chaser (only 5 years under my belt), and firsts for the three men that I spent two incredible and horri...Read the Full Post »
A Miscalculated Risk
June 05, 2013
You know how I said that sometimes what you ask for isn't what you want after all? I'm saying that again to the jillionth degree. Friday, May 31st was my last real sto...Read the Full Post »
Making the Most Delicious Lemonade
June 03, 2013
The morning of May 28th was awful. I got into an argument with my husband, ripped 2 contact lenses, had to watch freaking out dogs in a hotel room while Dave and Ross wen...Read the Full Post »
« Older Posts
© Samara Fogel Photography


text:
Friday June 12th:
Eagle Fun Days. A great family festival to kick off the summer! Bike Races, Pancake Breakfast, Wet & Wild Parade, Strong Man Competition, Nut Feed, Tractor Pull, and much more. For a complete schedule visit www.eaglechamber.com, or call 939-4222. Continues through June 13.
Idaho Rhythm Clog Classic.Featuring nationally award winning performers of all ages. 7pm, Nampa Civic Center, www.nampaciviccenter.com, 468-5555.
My School Musical. Presented by Prairie Dog Productions, a fun play for the entire family. 7:15pm, The Alano, www.pdplayhouse.com, 336-7383. Also showing June 13 at 7:15pm, and June 14 at 2pm.
Opera Under the Stars. Opera Idaho's Resident Company with guest artists performing a program with both opera and Disney musicals. 7pm, Idaho Botanical Garden, www.operaidaho.org, 345-3531.
Terrific Tales. Stories and songs for children ages 3-8. 10:30am, Rediscovered Bookshop, www.rdbooks.org, 376-4229.
Movie Night in Meridian. An inflatable movie screen will be set up in Settlers Park. This free movie starts at dusk, www.meridiancity.org/parks_rec, 888-3579.
Summer Fun Fest. Family friendly festival to kick off summer. A Super Kids' Zone with inflatables, and children's look-alike characters, singing contest, entertainment, retailers, food, and much more. 4-10pm, Expo Idaho, www.jceventsllp.com.
Young Discoverers. For preschool age children to explore and discover the wonders of science.. 10:30am, Discovery Center of Idaho, www.scidaho.org, 343-9895. Also offered June 19, 26.
Shade Clothing $5 dollar sale:
Sat June 13th, 2009
Lowell Scott Middle School (parking lot)
Sat June 13th
Parents Night Out. Fun for ages 3 years through 6th grade, pizza, open gym, movies, crafts and more.. 5:30-11pm, Gem State Gymnastics Academy, www.gemstategymnastics.com, 853-3220.
Tennis 101. Fun, family, fitness, a tennis program designed to teach the basics to all ages. 9-10:30am at Fort Boise Park, Meridian High School, Columbia High School in Nampa, Hidden Springs Charter School. Register at www.idtennis.com, 322-5150 ext. 205.
Carnival of Animals. Musical fun for all ages 2pm, Boise Public Library, www.boisepubliclibrary.org, 384-4200.
Starlight Mountain Theatre. Presenting The Boy Friend at an outdoor theatre in Garden Valley. For details and schedule visit www.starlightmountaintheatre.com, 342-2187.
Meridian Dairy Days June 16-20:
BumbleBKids Consignment Sale:
Thursday June 18th, Public Sale – 10:00-6:00
Friday, June 19th, Public Sale – 10:00-6:00
Saturday, June 2oth, 9:00-1:00 (most items will be 50% off)
Oakbrook Shopping Center
Former Norco Building
2150 E Fairview Ave Meridian, ID
Thanks Stacey!


text:
Temporary Walkway in Hastings Until Swing Bridge Replaced
Parks Canada has arranged for a temporary pedestrian walkway to cross the Trent-Severn Waterway's Lock 18 in the Village of Hastings (near Peterborough, Ontario) throughout the closure of the swing bridge on County Road 45. During that time, the existing swing bridge will be replaced with a new 75-year lifespan bridge.
The pedestrian walkway will circumvent the construction site and will be in place before the end of December, though it is not scheduled to open until the swing bridge closes. The bridge closure is scheduled for the morning of January 4, 2016.
The entrance to the walkway on the north side of the swing bridge is at the corner of Bridge Street South and Pond Street. The walkway runs south along the east side of Bridge Street, east behind the Lock Operator's Building, south across the water and west along a gradual ramp to connect with the east side of Bridge Street.
The walking detour is wheelchair accessible, and consists of a paved pathway, concrete deck, as well as steel and wood structures.
The walkway will be regularly maintained and cleared of snow and ice.
The new swing bridge is being constructed off-site and will be transported to the site in sections during installation. During the closure, the old bridge will be removed from the site and demolished, at which time concrete repairs and modifications will be completed prior to the installation of the new bridge.
Alternate vehicle routes across the Trent-Severn Waterway include County Road 30 to the East or County Road 28 to the West.
Up-to-date news on infrastructure work in Hastings can be found at www.pc.gc.ca/TSWHastings.


text:
tag manager container
Flores MBA Program
Join our two year program.
Reconnect with classmates.
Build your network through class and career events.
Flexible options to impact any stage of your career.
Travel to new places and gain a world view.
Give back to the LSU Flores MBA Program.
Faculty Directory
Information Sessions
Programs at a Glance
Flores MBA Association
Employer Resources
LSU Online
Flores MBA Facebook


text:
Contrast Clouds
January 31, 2014 - A winter sunset sky. Full of wisps of clouds, fanned out on the blue background sky. Painted in pastel colors by the sun...Read the Full Post »
Cypress Swamp
January 30, 2014 - The Natchez Trace runs from Natchez, Mississippi northwards some four hundred-forty-four miles to Nashville, Tennessee....Read the Full Post »
Family Smiles
January 29, 2014 - I love taking family portraits. What's even more fun is when the family in the viewfinder is my family. Being the famil...Read the Full Post »
Stand For Those Fallen
January 28, 2014 - The title came to me after I sat with the image for a while. Sometimes a title for a photograph comes to me as soon a...Read the Full Post »
Twisted Up
January 27, 2014 - Sometimes, all you need to do is look up. A walk in the woods on a chilly winter's day. The trees for companions, the w...Read the Full Post »
Wind Sculpted
January 26, 2014 - This shows some of the ways the wind sculpts the gypsum sands in White Sands National Monument, a desert in southwest Ne...Read the Full Post »
Ancient Art
January 25, 2014 - These stones have figures carved on them by a people that lived in this southwest New Mexican land between 900 and 1400A...Read the Full Post »
Frozen Sunset
January 24, 2014 - The wind was gusting high, buffeting us as we braved the below freezing winter evening to capture the sunset on Lake Spr...Read the Full Post »
Yucca in the Desert Morning
January 23, 2014 - The sun was climbing above the horizon, still shading everything in sunrise colors. We turned our attention from the sun...Read the Full Post »
Rabbit Ears
January 22, 2014 - One small part of the Organ Mountain Range in southern New Mexico just outside of Las Cruces, these twin peaks are named...Read the Full Post »
Snow & Ice
January 21, 2014 - There were times when the blowing snow created a "whiteout" situation. A whiteout is when there's a wall of white snow t...Read the Full Post »
City & Mountains
January 20, 2014 - The majestic Organ Mountain range stands guard over the city in the valley, Las Cruces, New Mexico. I went for a long s...Read the Full Post »
Shadows and Light
January 19, 2014 - Trudging under the late afternoon sunlight in the desert, schlepping a sled full of equipment, is not a time to stop and...Read the Full Post »
Galactic Sky
January 18, 2014 - The camera's sensor sees more than my eyes can see. This is a 30 second exposure of the night sky. The glowing "cloud" i...Read the Full Post »
Cold Gate
January 17, 2014 - Dang it was cold and windy today. The combination gave a chill that went deep into the bones of anyone spending any time...Read the Full Post »
Movin' Light
January 16, 2014 - Sometimes the sun paints the clouds at sunset, and not so much much of the time. I saw the clouds in the sky near sunset...Read the Full Post »
January 15, 2014 - A beautiful flower, with purple and white stripes stands out from the surrounding green leaves. I have no idea what thi...Read the Full Post »
Conservatory Color
January 14, 2014 - A bit of color to provide rest from the gray winter's days. This Star Gazer Lily was in Como Park & Conservatory in St.Read the Full Post »
Tradition Continues
January 13, 2014 - We finally got together and took our annual family portrait by the Christmas tree. It was overdue, to say the least. The...Read the Full Post »
Serene Pond
January 12, 2014 - Karen and I love the serenity of formal Japanese Gardens. These can be small or large, but always are they places of pea...Read the Full Post »
Dune and Sky at Daybreak
January 11, 2014 - The white gypsum sand dunes make a great reflector for the brilliant colors of the approaching sunrise. We survived our...Read the Full Post »
Gray With a Touch of Pink
January 10, 2014 - Karen says that she doesn't see the pink. I do, and that's what matters to this artist. I was aching to get out and gra...Read the Full Post »
City Lights and Stars
January 09, 2014 - Even in the middle of the desert, there's light pollution that mars any viewing of the night time stars. Here, the ligh...Read the Full Post »
Desert Sunset
January 08, 2014 - The white gypsum grains of sand glitter in reflection of the last light of the sun. I was standing on top of a sand dun...Read the Full Post »
Winter Shadows
January 07, 2014 - The snow was new, the air was dry and crispy-cold. The sunshine was bright and low in the winter sky, casting long shado...Read the Full Post »
Winter Sun Dogs
January 06, 2014 - Twice I went outside without a coat to grab pictures of these atmospheric phenomena known as "Sun Dogs." Did I mention t...Read the Full Post »
Bitter Wind
January 05, 2014 - Powdery dry snow, temperature heading towards minus 15F, wind gusting around 30 miles per hour giving a wind-chill "Feel...Read the Full Post »
Dust to Dust
January 04, 2014 - The snow's been around for a few days. Some of it melted today as the temperatures climbed above freezing, teasing us in...Read the Full Post »
January 03, 2014 - It was a scene so intriguing that I had to stop and gather it in. I was driving along a lonely rural road, heading out...Read the Full Post »
Last Ray of Day
January 02, 2014 - The last ray of sunset, beaming upwards towards the cloud-filled sky, paints a spectacle of color in the winter's evenin...Read the Full Post »
Gray Winter Woods
January 01, 2014 - "In the Bleak Midwinter" is a Christmas carol based on a poem by the English poet Christina Rossetti and set to music by...Read the Full Post »
Penning Photography - Portraits, Events, Commercial and more.
http://mattpenning.com/wordpress/ - Archive of daily photos
Sign up to get an email when new pics are posted
January February March April May June July August September October November December


text:
On this page we will recommend the places that should be in your list while visiting Rio de Janeiro.
1) Rio Samba Dancer
Would you like to learn how to samba and have a fantastic night out? Helio Borges is the owner of a dance school in Rio de Janeiro and also a certified guide by Embratur. He has been running his successful business since 2009.
First you will experience some popular brazilian rhytms and then head to a night out in the famous suburb of Lapa. Once in Lapa you will visit one of the most famous attractions in the area: Rio Scenarium, where you will listen (and dance!) the most authentic brazilian songs. Please visit Helio's website for more information and to book your class at rio samba dancer.
2) Copacabana Fort
Once in Copacabana you should go for a walk towards the south end of the beach. There you will find the Fort, which is a military base. A place to be visited so you can take lovely pictures and relax at the famous Colombo Café.
The Army Historical Museum is also one of the places to visit in Rio de Janeiro. It is located inside the Fort. The Museum is open from Tuesdays to Sundays. From 10am to 6pm. To find out more about the Fort please visit this link.
3) Botanical Garden
If you are not in a hurry while visiting Rio de Janeiro, visit the Botanical Garden. Founded in 1808 by king John VI of Portugal shows the diversity of Brazilian and foreign flora. Find out more about the garden and see a couple of pictures below:
4) Parque da Cidade, Niterói
Most of the people visiting Rio de Janeiro don't have much time. And that's the main reason why they don't visit Niterói. This lovely city is located only 14 kilometers from Rio and it is worth visiting. One of its main attractions is the Parque da Cidade. You will have spectacular views of Rio de Janeiro!


text:
Qatar shooting itself in the foot
This is my column which appeared in Arab News on March 09, 2014:
By Rasheed Abou-Alsamh
Tiny Qatar has always liked to be different. And its immense wealth, which comes from its deposits of natural gas, has given it the courage to continue being different and not depend on anyone economically. But now its strong and continued support of the Muslim Brotherhood caused a break with its neighbors in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced on March 5 that they were withdrawing their ambassadors from Doha in protest against the fact that Qatar has not implemented a security agreement signed on Nov. 23 last year.
In this agreement, that Qatar signed along with five other members of the GCC, all adhered to a commitment to the principles that guarantee non-interference in the internal affairs of any of the member countries, both directly or indirectly. The agreement also pledged all members not to support any activity that may threaten the safety and stability of any of the GCC countries, organizations or individuals, including support for hostile media.
Although such a commitment to non-interference in the internal affairs of other members of the GCC was made, Qatar has allowed Sheikh Yusuf Qaradawi — the spiritual leader of the Muslim Brotherhood who has lived in the country for years and is close to the royal family — to attack the UAE and Saudi Arabia for their support of the Egyptian military regime. The government of Qatar gave several billion dollars in economic aid to Egypt when Mursi, a leader of the Brotherhood, won elections and governed for a year.
The Emirati commentator Sultan Al-Qassemi told me in a phone interview that he does not think the Qataris will abandon the Brotherhood, but that several economic projects involving Qatar and Saudi Arabia and the Emirates would be delayed because of this diplomatic rupture.
"This reprimand was very public, unlike traditional Gulf reprimands, which are usually done in private, behind the scenes," said Al-Qassemi.
A victim of the latest tensions will likely be the new airline company, owned by Qatar Airways, which was supposed to launch domestic flights in Saudi Arabia by the end of this year after the Saudi government decided to open the domestic travel market to foreign companies. And as these tensions have been felt for several years, the UAE were already decreasing its imports of natural gas from Qatar, Al-Qassemi said.
Despite these strategic differences, I do not think the GCC will have a dramatic break because of Qatar. The only land border that Qatar has is with Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and its location and huge deposits of natural gas are too important to be excluded from the union. But Al-Qassemi told me that a new union within the GCC would probably now exclude Qatar.
The government of Qatar in a statement said it was surprised and regretted that the three ambassadors of fraternal countries had been called back to their capitals, stressing that such measures had nothing to do with the interests, security or stability of the peoples of the GCC but was actually a difference in positions on issues outside the GCC.
It is unfortunate that Qatar allows Qaradawi to attack its neighbors. That does not help calm tensions in the Gulf and the Arab world in general, which is experiencing the aftershocks of the revolutions of the Arab Spring, which saw dictators being toppled from Libya to Tunisia to Egypt. Maybe Qatar believes it can survive solely with its billions in revenue from its sales of gas, but it would do well to remember that it is in an explosive region, and should try to calm tensions with its neighbors, instead of adding fuel to fire. One hopes fervently that Qatar is not ready to sacrifice its Gulf allies for its support to the Brotherhood.
Sunnis Versus Shiites: Why The Arab Spring Isn't Happening (Yet) In The Gulf Countries
By Rasheed Abou-Alsamh
In the two years since the Arab Spring began, the ruling families of the Gulf monarchies have looked on in horror as several of their long-term allies have been toppled by popular uprisings that have grown increasingly unpredictable. After the overthrow of former president Hosni Mubarak, a military coup earlier this year ousted Egypt's democratically elected president Mohammed Morsi. Meanwhile, two leftist politicians were assassinated in Tunisia, where the Arab Spring began.
The uprisings in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya have captivated and inspired restive populations in the Arab Gulf states, especially in Bahrain and the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, pushing them into the streets to protest for more rights. Scared for their lives, the monarchies have responded to the protests with violence and tried to exploit perceived sectarian divides between Sunnis and Shiites to diffuse the opposition and divert attention from their demands for political, economic and social reforms.
It's a calculated risk that builds upon a long-standing divide, writes Toby Matthiesen in "Sectarian Gulf: Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, And The Arab Spring That Wasn't," which was published by Stanford University Press in July.
"In response to the Arab Spring protests, the Gulf ruling families, above all the Bahraini and Saudi ruling families, have played on and strengthened sectarian divisions between Sunni and Shia to prevent a cross-sectarian opposition front," argues Matthiesen, a research fellow in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies at Pembroke College of Cambridge University in England. "But while sectarianism in the Gulf owes much to regime-sponsored or approved sectarian rhetoric, and a political campaign indiscriminately targeting the Gulf Shia, other factors are at play too.
"Ultimately, Matthiesen writes, "sectarianism was not just a government invention but the result of an amalgam of political, religious, social, and economic elites who all used sectarianism to further their personal aims.
"Gulf monarchs, he contends, want the world to view the sectarian divide in their countries as a wider battle between the majority Sunnis of the Arab world and the Shiites of Iran. Case in point: The civil war in Syria has killed more than 100,000 civilians during the past two years and is further complicated because President Bashar al-Assad is a member of the minority Alawite sect, an offshoot religion of Shiite Islam, in a majority-Sunni country. The rebels trying to topple him are receiving military and political support from majority-Sunni Saudi Arabia and Qatar. In Bahrain, another Gulf state backing the rebels, the split is between the majority Shiite versus the Sunni ruling family, the Al-Khalifas.
Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf Cooperation Council states have long wanted to break the alliance between Iran and its two friends in the region, Syria and the Hezbollah in Lebanon. To complicate things further, Hezbollah troops are now intervening in Syria in support of the Assad regime.
It's tempting to view the conflicts as the monarchs do and frame the Arab Spring and the changes it has spawned as a reflection of this divide. But many observers feel the sectarian chasm is too often used to deflect attention from the real struggle, pitting entrenched monarchies in the Gulf against large segments of their populations that want more accountability, democratically elected parliaments and limits on the power of the monarchs, civil and political rights enshrined in law, and defendable in judicial systems that are independent from executive and religious powers.
The Gulf states are immensely rich nations, and in exchange for cushy government-created jobs and the lack of personal income taxes, their citizens have tacitly agreed not to challenge the ruling families — until now.
With rapidly growing populations that are increasingly college-educated and well-traveled, the unwritten agreement has begun to unravel, pressured by a growing demand for more rights and a say in how national and local decisions are made. With the exception of Kuwait, which has had the most vibrant parliament in the region since 1962 as well as regular elections and the right to publicly question government ministers, the Gulf states have made minimal concessions to the political aspirations of their citizens. After 40 years, Saudi Arabia reinstated municipal elections in 2005, and Bahrain resurrected its National Assembly in 2002 after the previous one stopped functioning in 1975. Yet, only half of the members of Saudi municipal councils are elected; the other half are appointed by the government.
Similarly, only half the members of the Bahraini parliament are elected, with the other half government-appointed. In the United Arab Emirates, only half of the 40-member Federal National Council is elected, by a college of 6,689 members appointed by the seven emirates that make up the UAE.
Given such uneven representation, the struggle of Shiites in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain can be viewed as symbolic of the wider struggle between the bloated and often corrupt Gulf monarchies, which have arguably lost their original legitimacy, and populations that want more political, economic and social rights.
Protesters in the Gulf states face a fundamental dilemma. Should they call for the (perhaps violent) overthrow of their ruling families or try to bring change by working within the system? The threat of violence and government concessions both have served a purpose. Both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in the 1980s forced Shiite activists into exile who pushed for more rights, yet both subsequently made concessions. In the 1990s, the exiled activists were pardoned by their respective rulers and allowed to return, and the Saudi and Bahraini governments promised greater rights and space to practice their form of Islam peacefully and safely. To some extent, the governments followed through. Shiites in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, who make up about 10 percent of the kingdom's population, are now allowed to openly hold Ashura processions through the streets of Qatif, and have hussainiyas, or Shiite houses of religious studies and mourning. In Bahrain, Shiites have suffered a setback in religious terms since the start of the 2011 protests, with some old Shiite mosques being razed by the government, ostensibly because they lacked the necessary original building permits.
Bahraini human rights activist Zainab al-Khawaja, who's in jail until 2014 for protesting against the government, told me in a 2011 interview that she wanted to see the top members of the royal family on trial. "Some Bahrainis are saying: 'We do not want the Al-Khalifa regime,' and others are saying — mostly the political societies — that we need a constitutional monarchy first. So there is a difference in opinion. If you ask me personally, I want to see all the top members of the royal family on trial. I don't want a constitutional monarchy where the same people who are responsible for killing our children, for torturing our fathers, for beating our sisters, remain on their thrones and live peacefully and happily ever after. It's not the way that this is supposed to happen."
Tawfiq Alsaif, a leader of the Shiite community in Qatif, who went into exile in 1979 but returned after King Fahd pardoned him and others in 1993, says the younger Saudis in general, both Sunni and Shiite, are more critical and less worried about not upsetting the status quo. "My observations during recent years show that the new Saudi generation, both Shia and Sunni, are less considerate of the old norms and traditions, including those used to defuse social unrest," Alsaif said in an interview. "I see various factors behind this, local and regional, thus I can say that our nation is heading towards worrisome times."
Alsaif said there have been no talks between the Shiite community and Saudi government for some time now, which he blames on a high level of mistrust on both sides. Indeed, since 2011, 20 Shiite protesters have been shot dead in clashes with Saudi security forces, and last year the popular Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr was arrested after delivering sermons calling for Shiites to resist the Al-Saud royal family. He remains in jail and is on trial. The prosecution has called for the death penalty.
Toby Jones, an associate professor of history at Rutgers University in New Jersey, believes that the outcome of Al-Nimr's trial will set the tone for Saudi-Shiite relations for some time. "Saudi Arabia's Shia community is politicized and mobilized, but hardly radical," Jones said. "Al-Nimr is a lightning-rod figure, of course, and is certainly less accommodating than the mainstream Shirazi clerics/activists in the Eastern Province. The outcome of his trial will set the tone of Saudi-Shia relations for the medium term, but can hardly get much worse. Saudi security forces have handled the situation roughly. What is often lost in making sense of the state's relations with its largest minority is that the country's Shia community (most of it, anyway), has long sought inclusion and basic human rights. They are hardly a radical element or fifth column. Over the last two years, Shiites in Qatif and surrounding areas have supported more revolutionary politics, but the vocal ones are still in the minority."
The intervention of Saudi troops in Bahrain in March 2011 to prop up the Sunni regime of the Al-Khalifas allowed the main demands of Shiite protesters to remain unanswered. The Bahrain Center for Human Rights estimates that there were 84 confirmed deaths in the uprising and that there are more than 700 Bahraini prisoners of conscience. There has been widespread use of torture against detainees in Bahrain, and the center says that about 100 arbitrarily sacked workers still haven't received their jobs back.
Why has this been allowed to happen? Why has the U.S. remained largely silent about the crackdowns in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia? Many say it's due to America's use of the Gulf states as a bulwark against the perceived threat of Iran across the Gulf. The ongoing standoff between the U.S., the European Union and Iran over its nuclear program has only aggravated regional tensions. Some Gulf states don't believe that being within the U.S. nuclear umbrella is enough to protect them from an Iran equipped with nuclear bombs a few years from now. Gulf governments have long accused Iran of providing covert aid to their Shiite populations in the form of money and weapons to stir dissent. No proof has publicly surfaced to bolster these claims, and in the meantime, it's the local Bahraini and Saudi Shiite populations that suffer from the fallout of the ideological fight between their governments and Iran's.
Ultimately, at least in Bahrain, it's a desperate fight for survival of the Al-Khalifa family that has pushed the comparative hard-liners within them to push for the imprisonment of protesting Bahrainis, the majority of whom are Shiites. In Saudi Arabia, the situation is different in that its Shiite population is a minority. The majority of Saudis remain loyal to the ruling family, which is still able for now to provide jobs and services thanks to oil revenue; however, critics argue that Gulf rulers must recognize that overplaying the Shiite-scare card is detrimental to the stability and unity of their countries. According to their line of thinking, Shiite populations who're given their full rights and are fully integrated into these societies, will ultimately be an invaluable asset to these nations. Matthiesen makes this point in his chapter on Kuwait, where he notes that wealthy Shiite business families have become crucial political allies of the ruling Al-Sabah family in the Kuwaiti Parliament.
Matthiesen writes that the Arab Spring demonstrations in the Gulf have succeeded in lifting one significant taboo: Criticizing or even attacking the royal families and rulers. Young demonstrators in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have carried signs calling for the downfall of the Al-Khalifa and Al-Saud families. Matthiesen notes that violent repression combined with economic handouts to the rest of their populations has allowed Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries to weather the first two years of the Arab Spring. But with booming populations and diminishing oil and gas production, Matthiesen predicts that all the Gulf states will face enormous economic challenges in the coming decades. "Sectarianism was a short-term 'answer' to the Arab Spring in the Gulf," he writes. "But the Gulf states will have to find new answers to the looming challenges of lack of economic diversification, increasing energy consumption, youth unemployment, and demands for political reform in an era and neighborhood in which autocratic regimes have lost the power to regulate what people say and demand in public."
Bahrainis stripped of citizenship
This story appeared in Al-Ahram Weekly:
The decision to make prominent dissidents stateless ratchets the political crisis to a new level, reports Rasheed Abou-Alsamh
Shock and dismay were the reactions of the 31 Bahrainis who were stripped of their citizenship by the Bahraini government on 7 November for allegedly breaching national security and damaging the supreme interests of the country, according to Information Minister Samira Ibrahim bin Rajab.
All are Shia and figures active in the opposition to the ruling Al-Khalifa family. Included in the 31 are two brothers, Jalal and Jawad Fairouz, both of whom are former members of parliament with the Al-Wefaq movement, Said Al-Shihabi, head of the Bahrain Freedom Movement, and three Shia clerics, Hussein Mirza, Khaled Mansour Sanad and Alawi Sharaf.
The Interior Ministry said the revocation of their citizenship was done based on Article 10 of the citizenship law that allows the "re-evaluation of nationality". All public demonstrations were banned a few days later, further limiting a key method that the opposition had to press its demands.
Bahrain has been in the grip of a long-running battle between the majority Shia population, who are demanding more rights and a constitutional monarchy, and the Sunni ruling Al-Khalifa family. Around 4,000 Shia were fired for participating in demonstrations last year, and many opposition figures have been jailed after being sentenced to long prison terms in trials that have been deemed unfair.
"The move is part of a broader crackdown on the opposition, led by hardliners who seem to think they can solve the country's political problems through security means alone," said Jane Kinninmont, senior research fellow on the Middle East at Chatham House in London. "It has particularly targeted Shia Bahrainis of Persian ancestry, who face both sectarian and ethnic prejudice."
Indeed, the information minister told BBC Arabic that all of the 31 belonged to banned political groups, and claimed that all of them were members of the Islamic Front for the Liberation of Bahrain (IFLB), a group that was active in Bahrain in the 1980s.
"The Islamic Front for the Liberation of Bahrain is a thing of the past. It had links to Iran but the group and those links ceased to exist. The IFLB became the Amal political society in Bahrain. Its supporters were known as Shirazis, but many of those stripped of their citizenship are not 'Shirazis', but rather supporters of other Shia political groups in Bahrain," explained Toby Matthiesen, research fellow in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies at Cambridge University in England.
The Bahrain Youth Society and the Bahrain Center for Human Rights expressed their grave concern in a joint statement over the move to strip the 31 of their citizenship. "This move is reminiscent of government crackdowns in the 1980s when the past emir, Salman bin Eissa Al-Khalifa, revoked the citizenship of a number of citizens. It is apparent that the action taken by the authorities is intended to punish them for expressing peaceful dissent and thereby intimidate others from exercising their right to freedom of expression," they said.
Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International also deplored the decision to strip the 31 of their nationality, and both groups asked that the Bahraini government reverse its decision.
Human Rights Watch pointed out that at least 10 of the affected have lived outside Bahrain for years, and that only about six of the 31 have other citizenship, meaning that the government decision will leave most of the people involved stateless.
"Bahraini authorities have been increasingly targeting opposition activists and this decision takes it to a new level," said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at HRW, in a statement. "The government should immediately rescind this decision, which denies people a fundamental connection to their own society."
The government says all 31 have the right to appeal the decision, though few observers believe that any appeal will be successful.
"In the short term, I doubt it," said Kinninmont. "This has been done unilaterally on supposed security grounds and it's unlikely the courts would be strong enough to overturn it without a deal being struck with government insiders."
But Toby Jones, a professor of Middle East history at Rutgers University in New Jersey, says that some may be successful in reversing the decision. "I would not be surprised to see a reversal of some of these on appeal. It is customary that the regime steps in at a certain moment to lighten the collective punishment. But, the message will stand," he explained.
"We are studying the case with our lawyer as there has never been another case like this before," said Jawad Al-Fairouz in a phone interview from London, which both he and his brother Jalal were visiting when the announcement was made that they were among the 31 who had been stripped of their citizenship.
Jawad was previously imprisoned for three months and seven days for his work with the opposition. He is a board member of the Al-Wefaq movement and said that when he was in parliament he regularly questioned government ministers linked to the Al-Khalifa family about corruption allegations. This, he says, made him a target for the government hardliners.
"Our judiciary is not that independent, so we are not that hopeful about it," said Jawad. "The ones who took this decision should be the ones who have to go to court to support their action judicially, or at least get a ruling to back it," he added. "We don't think it is the job of the victim to have to do so."
Asked if he and his brother were going to apply for political asylum in the UK, Jawad said, "It is one of our options."
In an earlier interview with the International Business Times the Fairouz brothers said that they had been targeted by the government because of their work within the opposition, and that the ruling had surprised them. "I was so surprised," said Jalal Al-Fairouz, who is a university lecturer and consultant. "I was never interrogated. No one said I was breaking any laws. All of a sudden I am stateless — and now the country where I was born is kicking me out. So now, where should I go?"
The danger now with the government increasingly unwilling to talk, is the further radicalisation of the opposition, especially of the youth who have been demonstrating in the streets. "There will continue to be protests. We are seeing, however, a turn to more dangerous methods, including greater confrontation," said Jones.
The US administration of Barack Obama is seen to have taken sides with the Al-Khalifa regime, especially after Saudi Arabia sent in troops last year to bolster the regime, leaving little hope that outside pressure will convince the rulers to share more power with the people. "I don't see the US or the UK changing their positions in the near future. If the region as a whole changes, or if any of the other Gulf states sees more mass protests and genuine political reform, that could change the equation, but we are far away from this," said Matthiesen.
No Arab Spring for Bahrain
Torture and death lurk behind the return of Bahrain's glitzy Formula 1 race, writes Rasheed Abul-Samh
THE government of Bahrain was sure that hosting the Formula 1 race again last Sunday, after it was cancelled last year because of the violent clashes between mostly Shia protesters and police, would surely be a sign that things were improving and that the nation was finally healing.
But the island-state went into a virtual lockdown to produce an event that was devoid of many spectators, while violent clashes occurred in the villages surrounding the capital Manama, with many injured and at least one death.
The now 14-month long civil war between the majority-Shia, who want more rights and a constitutional monarchy, and the Al-Khalifa ruling family, who are Sunni, had dropped off the radars of most international media, who had been much more attracted by the other revolts of the Arab Spring such as the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in Libya and the ongoing fighting in Syria. Now, the media attention returned, if only for one weekend and for all the wrong reasons.
The hunger strike of Abdel-Hadi Al-Khawaja, a prominent 50-year-old human rights activist, who has not had any solid food for more than two months, came to symbolise the desperation that so many of Bahrain's Shia feel towards a government that despite cosmetic attempts at reform, has obstinately refused to share power, release hundreds of political prisoners, or reinstate those sacked from their jobs after taking part in anti- government protests that started on 14 February 2011.
A Bahrain court heard appeals on Monday from defence lawyers for Al-Khawaja and seven other Shia activists, who were all sentenced to life in prison last year following their involvement in the protests, and want to have their sentences overturned. Unfortunately, the court adjourned to 30 April, leaving Al-Khawaja's family deeply worried that he may not survive until then. One of his daughters, Mariam, told the Danish TV2 channel that doctors predict he has only two or three more days to live.
"Al-Khawaja's fate will have considerable impact on what happens in Bahrain, at least in the short run," said Toby Jones, associate professor of history at Rutgers University, and who has been closely following developments in Bahrain. "A move to have him retried in a civilian court would be a positive development, but I suspect most Bahrainis would see such a move as too little, too late. And given his grave condition, there are serious concerns that he may not live long enough to see a new trial through. His death will unleash a new round of protests and based on past regime responses, will lead to more anti-protester violence."
King Hamad bin Eissa Al-Khalifa formed an international investigation panel last year, led by Sherif Bassiouni, which was tasked into looking at the abuses committed when thousands of Bahraini protesters were arrested, jailed and tortured. The result was an impressive report that documented many abuses and recommended several reforms. The king has taken none, and as Mariam Al-Khawaja told a meeting of activists in Cairo this month, not a single high-ranking official was fired or punished for the abuses.
A main reason for the reluctance of the Al-Khalifas to implement any significant reforms is the fact that its rich benefactor neighbor, Saudi Arabia, has taken a hardline against the protesters, insisting that they are being instigated by Iran in order to create a Shia-ruled nation on its doorstep. The United States, which has its 5th Navy Fleet based in Bahrain, looked the other way in March of last year when Saudi troops rolled across the causeway into Bahrain, under the guise of being part of a Gulf Cooperation Council force that King Hamad had asked to come in. But Bahraini Shia have gone to great lengths to remain independent of Iran, and no credible evidence of any Iranian involvement in the unrest has been presented.
"There is no evidence of Iranian involvement. Their insistence is meant to justify their crackdown," explained Jones. "The Saudis would view the loss of Bahrain as a vassal state as a strategic calamity. Even without Iranian involvement, it would result in a significant dent in Saudi hegemony in the Gulf."
Jones also believes that the Saudis want to maintain the US military presence in Bahrain as a deterrent to what it sees as the Iranian threat.
"While the Saudis don't want the Americans on their territory, they do want a US military presence nearby. Bahrain's opposition have not said they would kick the 5th Fleet out of Manama, but Saudi Arabia certainly worries that that could be one result of a successful revolution there," said Jones. "The Saudis also know that the American geopolitical priority in the Gulf is to contain Iran. By repeatedly insisting that Iran is behind the Bahraini uprising, Riyadh seeks to appeal to American anxieties. Even though the claims of Iranian meddling are wholly manufactured, they seem to be working. We have neither heard criticism nor seen constructive engagement by the US in Bahrain."
Bahrainis remain deeply split between those who want to keep the royal family as is, those who want it reformed and made more democratic, and those who want them gone completely.
"Some Bahrainis are saying: 'We do not want the Al-Khalifa regime,' and others are saying, mostly the political societies, that we need a constitutional monarchy first. So there is a difference in opinion," Zainab Al-Khawaja, another daughter of Abdel-Hadi, said in an interview with Al-Ahram Weekly late last year.
"If you ask me personally, I want to see all the top members of the royal family on trial. I don't want a constitutional monarchy where the same people who are responsible for killing our children, for torturing our fathers, for beating our sisters, remain on their thrones and live peacefully and happily ever after. It's not the way that this is supposed to happen," she said.
Yet with the government not releasing political prisoners and unwilling to even talk about sharing power, the situation in Bahrain seems to be grim and is already slipping into more violence, with protesters using more Molotov cocktails and pipe bombs against security forces, much like their counterparts in Saudi Arabia's Eastern province.
"Bahrain is on edge. The regime clearly thinks it has a winning strategy. But it has in fact sown the seeds of permanent conflict and resistance. The regime has sealed Manama off from the worst of the violence, but in order to sustain that it is forced to carry out a permanent wave of oppression and brutality in the country's villages," concluded Jones.
Al-Ahram Weekly Online : Located at: http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2012/1095/re1.htm
Who will investigate the use of Brazilian tear gas in Bahrain?
This is a translation from Portuguese of my column that appeared in the March 9, 2012 edition of O Globo:
Rasheed Abou-Alsamh
The Brazilian foreign ministry Itamaraty and Condor Non-Lethal Technologies must find us naive. After my report on the misuse of Brazilian-made tear gas against pro-democracy protesters in Bahrain (O Globo, 9/1), the Folha de S. Paulo reported (11/1) that the foreign ministry would investigate whether there was breach of contract in the use of gas in Bahrain.
I was waiting for a report from the so-called investigation. Then came an article entitled "Brazil, Producer and Exporter of Arms", published by the Brazilian investigative site A Publica, on Jan. 27, which said the following: "Itamaraty itself acknowledges that it has no power of investigation: after the scandal of Bahrain, the office of the Itamaraty spokesman said that the ministry was only 'watching with interest' as the story unfolds…. 'It is a contract between private parties. It may even involve a foreign government, but responsibility for its product lies with its manufacturer,' said the foreign ministry."
I sent six questions to Itamaraty on the use of Brazilian tear gas in Bahrain, my main question being: "It seems that the Brazilian government is washing its hands of any responsibility for the misuse of Brazilian-made tear gas in Bahrain. Why? Does Brazil not think it is important to safeguard the human rights of civilians in a civil war situation, or are Brazilian economic interests more important than human rights? "
I also asked if Brazil had sent a diplomat to Bahrain to investigate. This was the non-response I received: "This office states that the jurisdiction of the ministry and other public administration bodies on the matter in question is clearly defined by the National Policy on the Export of Military Equipment."
This policy, known by the acronym PNEMEM in Portuguese, is not very demanding. A Brazilian exporter needs to submit just three things: 1. An import permit from the importing country; 2. An End User Certificate 3. In the case of countries in which the import of these materials is unregulated, a statement from the Brazilian diplomatic mission in importing country or from the importing country's diplomatic mission in Brazil, is needed.
I called Condor in Rio de Janeiro and talked to their marketing manager, Massilon Miranda, who repeated the statement made in December that his company had never sold tear gas to Bahrain, but may have sold the gas to neighboring countries. Perhaps one of the armed forces of one of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, which were deployed in Bahrain last year to help the Bahraini royal family quell the demonstrations, had used the gas made in Brazil? Perhaps, but the way things are going, I do not think we will ever know for sure. Certainly not if we depend on Itamaraty or Condor for confirmation.
It is striking that Condor has the inability to admit that its tear gas could have been used in Bahrain. "There was never any confirmation that any person has died a victim of tear gas — even more so Brazilian gas — in Bahrain," said Miranda. "Maybe activists are doing this campaign [against gas] to limit the means that police have to use against them. Is all that smoke actually from tear gas?"
The photo of a used canister of tear gas manufactured by it, emblazoned with the Brazilian flag, released by activists in Bahrain; the two deaths caused by Brazilian gas as reported by Zainab al-Khawaja, and miles of video showing security forces in Bahrain throwing thousands of canisters of tear gas against protesters, are not enough to convince the spokesperson of the Condor that it became involved in a civil war, whether it likes it or not?
The Brazilian government has a policy to help the export of arms manufactured in the country, and President Dilma Rousseff signed a provisional order in September exempting Brazilian manufacturers of armaments from taxes. Brazil has a long history of exporting heavy and light weapons to areas of conflict areas since the 1970s. The country sold many weapons to the regime of Saddam Hussein in the 1980s when Iraq was at war with Iran for eight years.
Not surprisingly, Itamaraty is in the difficult position of wanting to help Brazilian exports of weapons, but at the same time must feel a certain discomfort in seeing Brazilian-made tear gas, supposedly non-lethal, being used against children, women and old people. There is a responsibility on the part of Itamaraty and Condor to investigate, ascertain and possibly even suspend arms sales to Arab countries, since the end use of the exported tear gas was not in the country of the government that bought the gas from Brazil. It's the least we can do to rescue the reputation of Brazil as a country that cares about human rights — not only of Brazilians, but also of other people with a thirst for more freedom and dignity.
Bahrain: Tear gas killing children
From the January 12-18, 2012, issue of Al-Ahram Weekly
A leading human rights activist in Bahrain claims that Brazilian tear gas has already killed several children, reports Rasheed Abul-Samh
In the ongoing protests against the Al-Khalifa ruling family of Bahrain, Zainab Al-Khawaja, a leading human rights activist in Bahrain, is angry that government security forces are misusing and overusing toxic tear gas against mainly Shia protesters, and claims that the misuse of Brazilian-made tear gas has already claimed the lives of at least two children, including a five-day-old baby girl.
Sajida Awad, the baby girl in question, died in September after Bahraini security forces changed tactics and began tear gassing mainly Shia villages on the outskirts of the capital Manama, after protesters were pushed out of Pearl Square in March and the monument torn down. The tear gas had seeped into the bedroom where Sajida was sleeping, and she inhaled too much of it and died.
"I went to see the family of this baby. She was from Bilad-Kadim village, and they shot so much tear gas in that area that it was impossible to breathe. These are houses of poor people, with cracks (in the wall), and the tear gas easily gets into them," recounted Zainab in an extensive interview with Al-Ahram Weekly.
"What happened is that Sajida has an older sister who is three years old, and the older sister started suffocating. So the mother and father were actually concentrating on the older sister and tried to do what they heard protesters do which is to put milk and Coca-Cola on her face to try and get her to breathe. And what they didn't notice was that baby Sajida's hands were already turning blue and that she was suffocating as well, and by the time they got her to the hospital it was too late. They tried to resuscitate her but she passed away."
Zainab, who is 28 years old and the mother of a two-year old girl, and who has been jailed many times for her participation in protests, says she is not sure what is in the formula of the Brazilian tear gas, but that it appears to be extra-potent and has caused many protesters who have inhaled it to foam at the mouth.
"Some people think that it is more toxic than just regular tear gas. Because it is not the same as the tear gas that's being used in Europe and in the States, it has some kind of chemical that in some instances has led some people to froth at the mouth and other things. And we're not really sure what's in it, but the reactions people have to it are very scary," she explained, adding that American and French tear gas have also been used in Bahrain.
Activists in Bahrain took photos of used canisters of Brazilian-made tear gas and posted them online. In the photos a Brazilian flag and the words "Made in Brazil" can clearly be seen printed on each of them.
The Brazilian press in December carried several stories about this use of Brazilian tear gas against the Arab Spring protesters in Bahrain, and the Brazilian manufacturer, Condor Tecnologias Não-Letais, denied that it had exported tear gas to Bahrain, but admitted that it had sold tear gas to several other Arab countries, which it refused to identify. It did say, though, that perhaps the Brazilian-made tear gas had been used by the military troops of Saudi Arabia or the UAE, that were called in last March to help put down the revolt. The manufacturer also stressed that its tear gas was non-lethal if used in the correct manner, and that it was not supposed to be shot directly into crowds.
But statements like Condor's do not convince Zainab, who says innocent protesters have been on the blunt end of the misuse and overuse of tear gas in Bahrain.
"Tear gas is killing people in Bahrain. Companies are saying its non-lethal, but if these weapons are killing people you don't sell them to dictators who are trying to kill pro-democracy movements in the Arab world," she said. "A lot of people here haven't been to Brazil, don't know much about Brazil, but what they do know about Brazil is that one of its canisters of tear gas is what killed one of our children, Ali Sheikh, an innocent child who did nothing but be an activist demanding democracy. The Brazilian government should care about their image in the Arab world and their image towards the Arab Spring."
The Brazilian Foreign ministry, Itamaraty, said on Tuesday that it will investigate if there was a violation of the contract in the use of tear gas manufactured by Condor against pro-democracy protesters in Bahrain. Condor told Folha Sao Paulo newspaper that it was incredulous upon hearing the news that baby had allegedly died from inhaling its gas in Bahrain, and that its tear gas is used in Brazil and in 40 other countries, following international standards of safety. Earlier, the federal deputy Fernando Gabeira from the Green Party, in Rio de Janeiro, wrote on his blog this week that he did not support the export of tear gas by Brazilian companies, and noted that Brazil still exports cluster bombs despite a ban on them by many countries.
Zainab noted that the Bahrain security forces were now using tear gas that comes in black canisters with absolutely no writing on them or manufacturing dates. "We cannot tell what country it comes from, or who made it," she said. This is perhaps in reaction to the campaign launched against the Brazilian made tear gas.
The misuse of tear gas by security forces, shooting the canisters directly into crowds or at blank-point range at individuals, has also claimed many victims in Bahrain.
"Ali Sheikh was a 14-year-old kid who was active and involved in the revolution of February 14. His hobby was to take pictures, and he used to go to the Pearl Roundabout and after they hit it he used to go to the demonstrations and take pictures and record videos of the protesters," recounted Zainab. "On the first day of Eid last year, after Ramadan, he went out in the morning to a peaceful protest. Some of the kids in his village of Sitra were saying 'we are not going to have Eid when all of our leaders are in prison and being tortured, and being put to unfair trials.' So he went out with a few kids, and the riot police attacked the protest. One riot police car drove behind him as he was running, and shot directly at him with tear gas, and the canister hit him at the back of his neck and he died instantly. The tear gas that killed Ali Sheikh was made in Brazil."
Zainab does not believe that the daily protests against the Al-Khalifa, scattered among the villages, will end soon. She admits that the protesters are split between those who want a constitutional monarchy and those who say the Al-Khalifa have to go.
"I think that the Bahrain government thought that if they brought the Saudis in, and that if they used armies to attack families in villages, unarmed people, peaceful people who are holding flags and flowers, they thought they would scare the Bahraini people enough to get them to go into their homes and just let go of their demands, let go of the revolution, forget about the Arab Spring. But I think they are realising that this is just not happening, that every single day people in villages across the whole country are going out of their houses and shouting 'Down with Hamad'. Maybe on 14 February people were calling for reform, but now they are not, now they are calling for complete change," said the activist.
Zainab is from a family of activists, and they have all paid a heavy price for their beliefs. On 9 April, masked commandos burst into her family's home and beat her father, Abdel-Hadi Al-Khawaja, a leading activist and former head of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, so badly that he blacked out and needed a four-hour surgery later to treat his wounds. Her husband and brother-in-law were also arrested that day. Her father was sentenced to life imprisonment on 22 June, by a military tribunal. Her husband was sentenced to four years in jail.
"In the Arab world, our problem is not with only one king; the problem is that the whole system is oppressive. So for example, we have hundreds of political prisoners in jail and we don't want them to just be released. Because we know that with the system we have in this country, if the king decides to re-arrest them tomorrow, he can do that. If the king decides to torture them in prison tomorrow, he can do that also. So we want a system that protects Bahraini citizens, that gives them rights and treats them as equals," she concluded.
Brazil to investigate use of tear gas in Bahrain
THE Brazilian Foreign Ministry, Itamaraty, announced on Tuesday (10/01/2012) that it was going to investigate the lethal use of Brazilian-made tear gas against pro-democracy protesters in Bahrain, following the publication of my story in O Globo newspaper on Monday in which I quote Bahraini activist Zainab al-Khawaja saying that Brazilian-made tear gas was responsible for the deaths of at least two children.
The Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper carried the news this morning in its print edition and online. Click here to read the story in Portuguese.
Here is my quick translation of their story into English:
Brazilian foreign ministry investigates the use of tear gas in Bahrain
Claudia Antunes
The Brazilian Foreign Ministry said Tuesday it is examining whether there was a breach of contract in the use of tear gas made by a Brazilian company, Condor Non-Lethal Technologies, against pro-democracy protesters in Bahrain.
Re-exports of arms without the authorization of the seller country is prohibited, and Condor has not sold tear gas to the monarchy of the Persian Gulf, according to the company and the foreign ministry.
The most likely hypothesis, however, is that the gas was used by one of the other five monarchies of the Gulf Cooperation Council, led by Saudi Arabia, which sent troops to Bahrain in March 2011 to support the King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa.
Condor, a maker of "non-lethal" weapons and ammunition based in Rio and that earns 30% of its earnings in exports, has confirmed that countries in the region are clients, but does not reveal which ones.
The use of the tear gas was denounced by activists from Bahrain and reported in the newspaper "O Globo" by journalist and blogger Rasheed Abou-Alsamh.
Activists attribute the death of a baby to a substance of the gas, whose main chemical agent is chlorobenzylidene malononitrilo.
Condor said it received the news of the baby's death with "disbelief", stating that its tear gas is also used in Brazil and in 40 other countries and that it follows "international safety standards."
This case calls attention to the lack of transparency in arms exports, when it is Brazil's official policy to encourage the domestic arms industry.
In September, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff signed an interim measure to exempt such manufacturers from taxes, which the defense ministry says is aimed to put them on equal footing with foreign competitors.
At the time, Dilma said that one of its goals was to increase exports.
These sales must be authorized by the foreign ministry and the Directorate of Controlled Products Inspection, linked to the command of the Brazilian Army.
Asked if there is no political obstacle to the sale of weapons of crowd control to dictatorships, the Foreign Ministry said an analysis is made on a case-by-case basis.
Government and companies claim confidentiality agreements in not disclosing details of sales, and say this is international practice.
Legislation to be submitted to Congress by the defense ministry would provide for the setting-up of a public database on acquisitions and sales of weapons.
Numbers available today in the Ministry of Development show that exports of arms and ammunition, excluding dual-use items like jeeps and helicopters, grew 320% between 2000 and 2011, from $69.7 million to $293 million.
Brazil sold $19.5 million worth of weapons between 2006 and 2011 to five countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman and Kuwaitis), according to this data.
In the ranking of leading global weapons exporters, according to the International Institute for Peace Studies in Stockholm, Brazil was in 14th position in 2010. The list is headed by far by the US and Russia.


text:
Well I can't conclusively say that one is better, because they serve different purposes. Are you familiar with OOP? In OOP, static objects or members of a class that can be accessed directly from the class, while non-static members can only be accessed from the instance it belongs to. C# … Read More
Edited by __avd: n/a