007, Thanks for the great report! The Kurds in the North of Iraq and the Syrian Christian Minority in central Iraq have been "feeling the heat too" of Government policy...
Are you aware that Khaddafi in Libya is facing growing unrest over the last year too? His problems may be stated simply in a population growth rate of 3.1% and an economic growth rate of -0.9% annually. With only 32% of the women over 12 years of age literate, Mr. Khaddafi has problems kick starting any significant economic activity with a only modestly functional workforce.
Ethnically, Mr. Khaddafi comes from the eastern Berber Tribe of the same name. His opponents are Mahgreb Berbers from western Libya, as western Libyans are essentially left out of the Government structure. You all I'm sure remember the numerous bombings in Europe sponsored over the last 20 years by Khaddafi.
Well in an ironic twist of fate the Libyan opposition is based out of Europe- London, and are untouchable by Khaddafi's Security personnel. The same problem raised by Hosni Mubarak of Egypt after the recent Temple massacres- European-based terrorist groups)...
One hit squad tried to attack Khaddafi with hand grenades in western Libya about six months ago....
Also in Nigeria there was an alleged unreported attempted coup about two months ago (So said the Government). The Government which is run by Minority Muslim tribal members of the Fulani and Hausa Tribes used the opportunity to round up and jail suspected oppostion leaders amongst the southern Tribes who make up the Ethnic Majority of the Country, about 55% of the Population; amongst those Tribes being the largest tribe, the Yoruba (the Tribe from which most African Americans originate), the Ibos, the Ogoni, and the Ijwe (pronounced "Ee-Jou"). The Yoruba are predominantly Christian, while the Ibos, Ijwe, and Ogoni (Tribe of Martyr Ken Saro-Wiwa who was hung by the Government) are 99% Christians- so you have a potent mixed of ethnic and religious rivalry.
Moshood Abbiola the elected but never allowed to serve President was an ethnic Yoruba, and the Hausa and Fulani Military Rulers refused tolet a freely-elected Yoruba take over the Presidency (There were some other issues too which made Moshood "politically incorrect" for the Army).
The Minority Muslims have literally looted the Country of its oil wealth and run it into the ground. For example in Lagos a City of 8,000,000 people the traffic lights generally don't work. Yet the Country produces 2,000,000+ bbls/oil day- where is the money going????? Into the overseas personal bank accounts of corrupt Government Officials/Military Leaders of course. And the incidents of unrest are on the rise in the southern portion of the Country...
So it's not just Iraq or Algeria which are unstable amongst the OPEC Producers...
Sincerely,
Doug F. |
