Japan and a far-stretched Silk Road project

Increasing requests of the US on Japan to involve more money and people in the war in Afghanistan could meet obstacles as the situation where Japan is today is obviously clear: 'We have other problems at stake' as one source said recently. 'Today it is with Guam, then Afghanistan, tomorrow with the cost sharing of Japan Us Alliance, the day after we'll have to bear the cost of the F-35. When will it end'? In this regard the meeting between US Secretary Clinton and DPJ President Ozawa Ichiro was quite fascinating.

Think: a major player of the Obama administration is sent to Asia, stops first in Japan Tokyo, and takes time to meet, after much difficulties, the leader of the Japanese opposition of the 'Minshuto', Mr. Ozawa Ichiro, seen as the possible alternative to the LDP rule. Subjects mentioned had included economics, climate change, North Korea's nuclear program, Afghanistan. Next week, Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso is to become the first foreign leader to visit the new president Obama at the White House. One point is still unclear: Things are not easy about the Afghanistan "war". The perception of a Western Silk Road policy can collide with Japan and China own interests.


DPJ President Ozawa Ichiro briefed a few journalists after his meeting with Secretary Hillary Clinton

Quotes 1 : 'Afghanistan: Where the gun still rules'

"The culture of bearing arms in Afghanistan is related to the country's history and geographic location. Afghanistan was strategically situated along the so-called Silk Road, which linked Asia to Europe and had been constantly attacked over the centuries. “The history of conflict, combined with weak governments and strong local loyalties, has led to a culture where guns are perceived to be as necessary as a cooking pot or a mule.”

Quotes 2: Glocom "... the main objectives of the "Central Asia plus Japan dialogue" is the promise of "cooperation between Japan and Central Asia with respect to both regional issues and issues having international dimensions." Japanese Prime Minister Aso Taro echoed this sentiment in a speech he gave as foreign minister in June 2006 to colleagues from the five Central Asian nations: "Japan would like to improve access to transport for both goods and people, and in so doing enable the people of Central Asia to have a broader view of the world..." In the same speech, Aso spoke of the need to construct a road linking Central Asia to the sea via Afghanistan and Pakistan. Tokyo hopes to eventually see the construction of energy pipelines linking Central Asia to the Indian Ocean. Aso also pointed out that Japan accounts for 30 percent of the development assistance that goes into Central Asia by countries that are OECD members."

"Japan's desire to link Central Asia and Afghanistan was in evidence in November 2005 when Afghanistan was admitted into the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (C.A.R.E.C.), a grouping organized by the Japan-led Asian Development Bank (ADB). Tokyo was instrumental in getting the five Central Asian nations membership in the ADB prior to the year 2000. Unlike the United States, Japan's image in the region is not generally politically associated. In a poll conducted by Tokyo University across Central Asia in late 2005, Japan ranked consistently high in popularity among the populace of the five countries, and was identified as a "peace-loving" and "non-threatening" nation by a large number of respondents. Japan also maintains very good relations with Azerbaijan and Georgia, the two trans-Caucasus nations that mark the beginning point of the overland supply route."

"By helping realize a 21st century Eurasian transport corridor (a modern version of the Silk Road), Japan can honor commitments to its ally Washington in the war on terror, and it can revitalize its Central Asian initiative. Regardless of whether the LDP stays in power, or whether the DPJ forms the next cabinet, a re-energized role in Central Asia – helping to fight the war on terror in Afghanistan – fits in well with the vision of policy-makers in both parties for an invigorated Japanese diplomatic strategy in the 21st century...." (Feb 2009 in Glocom by Joseph Ferguson)

Quotes 3: "The quest for long-term energy supplies is becoming a matter of increasing regional competition with secure access to oil and gas a matter of national strategic consideration. On the issue of energy and cooperation in Northeast Asia and Central Asia, political entities in Northeast Asia, namely China, Japan, North and South Korea and Taiwan are acting to secure long-term energy supplies. Russia and the Central Asian states, on the other hand, have a significant proportion of the world's primary energy resources and want to increase such exports." (Central Asia-Caucasus Institute and Silk Road Studies Program)

So here we are... heading towards a Silk Road Long March or rather towards a Silk Crossroad with major toll-cashiers!



Samarkand and Silk Road

Hillary to North Korea: 'We are watching you very closely'

The visiting US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton warned North Korea not to conduct a missile launch, saying that it "would be very unhelpful" to any opportunity to improve relations with the United States. At a news conference at IIkura House in Tokyo, Hillary Clinton said North Korea's actions will determine whether the Obama administration reaches out in turn.

"If North Korea abides by the obligations it has already entered into and verifiably and completely eliminates its nuclear program, then there will be a reciprocal response, certainly from the United States," Clinton said. "But the decision as to whether North Korea will cooperate , end provocative language and actions, is up to them and we are watching very closely."

In front of the reporters and foreign correspondents, Secretary Clinton and Japan Chief of diplomacy Nakasone signed an agreement, negotiated by the Bush administration, which will move 8,000 of the 50,000 U.S. troops stationed in Japan to Guam, a transfer Japan is largely paying thanks to tax payers money. The price of tranquility.

Clinton participated tuesday early morning in another welcoming ceremony and a purification rite at a Shinto shrine to former Emperor Meiji. She was given tea and exchanged gifts with the main priests, telling them that she appreciated the message of "harmony and peace that this shrine represents." "It's a good concept for America's role in the world. We need to be looking to create more balance, more harmony."

North Korea diaspora celebrates the "Dear Leader" anniversary

A rare opportunity to approach the DPRK leaders was offered to a small group of western correspondents in Japan for a "diplomatic cocktail" related to the celebration of the Pyongyang leader Kim Jong-Il anniversary. February 16th the North celebrates the 67th birthday of the “dear Leader”.

Kim Jong-Il, the "Dear Leader" was born 16 February 1941 in Vyatskoye, Soviet Union, although the Pyongyang liturgy claims he was born a year later in Baekdu Mountain, on China Korea border. The party was placed under the authority of the Chief Vice Chairman of the (long tittle...) Central Standing Committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, Mr. Ho Jong-Man, and the Director of the International Affairs Bureau Mr So Chung-On.



Mr Ho Jong-Man:
"Bush has gone, we hope that the new administration of President Obama will no longer refer to us as part of an "axis of evil"!

Area surrounded by police:

We arrived at the Tokyo headquarters of "Chosen Soren", a lot of police around the gigantic bunker-building had closed the roads. Many policemen, uniform and plain clothes, and secret service, monitored the area, most politely. Some having the face hidden by cotton mask (flu?).

The Japan headquarters of the residents' association in Tokyo serves as the "embassy" in Japan that has no diplomatic relations with the Northern country. Approaching the building I immediately recognized the same rigid and ceremonial protocol I am used to see when I am in Beijing. And when passing through the gates of the building tainted with an oriental elegance I noticed obviously that the Korean people there were interested to see their headquarter visited by some foreign journalists. To my surprise, I was treated with great care in spite of coming from France, being a foreign correspondent of a country that does not recognize DPRK diplomatically.

After greetings and exchange of name cards, we climbed the stairs to enter into a room with a dozen officials on a line, welcoming guests. After greeeting each of them with a : "Pulanso saram or Furansu Hoso" I entered into the party place filled with three hundred guests. Korean, Japanese, a few foreigners specialized as "Korea Watchers", a bunch of diplomats, some Japanese VIPs' and a few "talento" (some were Japanese TV personalities of Korean origins) raising their glass in front of an empty stage where 2 massive portraits of Kim Il-Sung and of Kim Jong-Il his son, were raised facing the flock. Special, very special.

Here was a chance of our access to an unknown world "not-contaminated" by our western culture and "sanitized" by Japanese authorities. Some guests, who obviously were not used to see foreign media in such "quarantined area", had a wet back and sweating face while we did our work, asking questions and comments to the inviting party. Lots of beer and food, sushis, catered by Chinzan-so, lots of cheers in front of glasses emptied as soon as they were filled.



Not a word or question was refused even if the comments were rather ""dogmatic"". The party went on. Atmosphere was more relaxed after a few drinks, statements and jokes. Naturally, I heard the full course of Pyongyang statements that contradict all what can be heard from times to times in Tokyo or Seoul: "There were 17 or 18 abductees" in North Korea an Kim Jong-Il apologized to Prime Minister Junchiro Koizumi. "Our Korean schools in Japan are discriminated by Tokyo Governor Ishihara's policy. We are waiting for the Obama administration to set an envoy to talk with DPRK."


"DPRK will launch a satellite"

I focused on the news that Pyongyang prepares to launch a missile able to carry nuclear warheads. The test could take place on February 25th the first anniversary of the mandate of South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak. The Taepodong-2 missile is 36 meters tall and can contain up to 500 kg of nuclear warheads.

According to my North Korean source at the party, the Pyongyang's rocket is to launch "a satellite", not a missile! An other NK source told our little group of Japan based foreign correspondents that the "South and the US continue their containment" and that "Pyongyang intentions are to open for economic exchanges."

An hour passed, time to leave after this "special" permission to attend this "dear leader"'s anniversary event, which looked like any other celebration event in any capital city. While I left the place, I noticed a refine etiquette and kindness to the foreign media. The last image I kept from this amazing event is the team of two North Korean cameramen using a very old and very noisy movie camera that certainly filmed the Korean war... When I asked if it could be possible to go to report to Pyongyang, Mr So did not refrain to state that "it is a bit difficult but not impossible".

An interesting captive market I told to myself!

The North will celebrate its “Dear Leader” Kim Jong-il's 67th birthday on Monday, who seems to have made a full recovery from the stroke he suffered in August. Next week, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will make her first overseas trip: the head of US diplomacy will visit Asia and the North’s nuclear agenda will likely take top priority in talks.

Magical "Onsen" under hazardous volcano

When he said that there were prospects for an eruption that could throw volcanic rocks to a distance of around 4 kilometers, Sadayuki Kitagawa, the senior coordinator for volcanic affairs at Japan's Meteorological Agency, knew exactly that the situation was serious. Ten days later, even if the activity of the volcano is worrying, signs appear of a better preparation and a more secure warning system for the local Karuizawa area.

Last August, Japan Meteorological Agency raised the level to 2 from 1 for Mount Asama, which sits on the line dividing the prefectures of Nagano and Gunma near Kita-Karuizawa where I had stayed. Reason is that the agency took this "crisis-management decision" because of an increase in volcanic tremors and smoke discharge. Before Mount Asama last erupted in August, it also was preceded by large outbursts between September and December 2004 as we can see on this picture from a resident:



The agency heightened the warning level after observing signs of an eruption, including ground movements and an increase in the number of earthquakes with a high frequency of seismic waves. Warning and monitoring paid: the authorities managed to issue a warning to local municipalities about 13 hours before the eruption early February 2nd for Mount Asama, achieving its first successful alert since it started up the system in December 2007.

The agency alerted the municipalities of Miyota, Karuizawa and Komoro, all in Nagano Prefecture, and Tsumagoi, Gunma Prefecture, at 1 p.m. Sunday that the volcano warning level had been upgraded to 3 from 2. All four municipalities responded promptly. The warning was described as "the first success of this system".

A level three alert covers non-residential areas near the crater of the volcano and warns people not to approach the volcano. It was the first such alert for Mount Asama since the Meteorological Agency adopted the current volcanic warning levels.


Quite a relief and a satisfaction for the traveller willing to “take the waters” around the famous Asama-san, renown for the curative abilities of its mineral-laden water as reveled in the delights of “onsen”, the hot-spring baths that are the basis of this quintessentially Japanese form of relaxation such as Hoshinoya Onsen:

"Hoshinoya in Karuizawa has been one of the most memorable experiences. The landscaping and grounds provide sensual joy. Lush terraces and man-made waterfalls delight the senses. The Ryokan ("Auberge or Inn") is set amongst Karuizawa’s thick forest of Japanese maple. Architect/designer Rie Azuma highlights leafy canopies and sculptured trunks with subtle illumination; in the autumn, the forest is robed in gold and crimson glory. Stone paths to the baths and dinning room are romantically lit. The room design is based on textured plaster walls the color of green tea and the bedrooms have cathedral ceilings, a sign of ultimate luxury in a country where doorways and ceilings normally challenge tall Westerners."

Fears of increasing protectionism in the face of the global crisis

Europe is watching closely to see whether a "Buy American" provision relating to steel will make it into the final version of the US stimulus plan bill to be signed by Barack Obama, fearing it will affect European exports.

At the end of Bush presidency, French government officials turned mad following the announcement by U.S. trade authorities that Washington was tripling the tariff on Roquefort cheese imports from France, among scores of European products targeted by a 100% levy the U.S. imposed in 1999 in retaliation for the European Union's longstanding ban on hormone-treated American beef on the grounds that it may be unsafe to eat.

The Roquefort focus may also backfire because French Roquefort producers say they'll seek financial compensation from France and the E.U., rather than harangue Brussels to lift its beef ban. "The United States is hoping producers will put pressure on Europe," said France's famous anti-globalization crusader and Roquefort producer, José Bové. "But it's clear: at no time will producers put pressure on Europe to open its borders to hormone-treated beef."

Free trade? Hum. Something to re-consider within 2 years...

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, WTO chief Pascal Lamy said he was concerned that countries would increasingly turn to protectionist measures during the economic downturn. "It is natural in such a crisis that there is a big call for protection. But that does not mean there should be protectionism," and he urged world leaders to use April's G20 meeting in London to help conclude the Doha round of trade talks.

Japanese Finance Minister Shoichi Nakagawa warned Tuesday against a return to the protectionism of the 1930s seen as a catalyst for the Great Depression. "We've learnt from the Great Depression that it would lead to disaster if a law similar to the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act comes up," Nakagawa said, referring to a law passed in 1930 that imposed sweeping rises in US import duties. "Previous G7 and G20 meetings have confirmed that we shouldn't get mired in protectionism," Nakagawa told reporters. All members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) must abide by its rules, he added.

The United States were recently criticised by trade partners for a "Buy American" clause in a massive stimulus package, which has since been watered down. Supporters of free trade fear that the global economic crisis and the subsequent wave of job cuts could prompt governments to pursue policies that favour national companies and reduce global trade flows.

"There’s no question that the “Buy American” stipulations attached to some of the stimulus mandates involving steel and iron sourcing represent another beggar-thy-neighbor edict that is illegal and immoral under NAFTA and other trade agreements."

Obama is believed to be a free trader, as are many of his advisors, but the world will shortly see how post-political he will be in dealing with the most destructive and commonplace populism around: protectionism.

Quotes from courtesy of newsletters

Kanazawa luxurious elegance

Kanazawa, the biggest city in the Hokuriku region has a
population of 450,000, and is a castle town that was ruled
over by the Maeda family for three centuries after the
first lord Toshiie Maeda entered Kanazawa Castle in 1583.

The development of its special products like rice, sake,
sweets, etc. was due to its temperate and rainy climate
with heavy snow in winter.

The city is surrounded by the Japan Alps, Hakusan National
Park and Noto Peninsula National Park. Two rivers run
through the city; the Sai is said to be a lively masculine
river and the Asano to be a sweet, feminine river. Such a
natural background of great beauty gives the city a relaxed
feeling.



Since the Kaga Clan invited many artists and craftsmen to
this area, it achieved a high level of craftsmanship that
continues to flourish to this day.

Foodopia Kanazawa is a place for people to enjoy Ishikawa's
food and the regional characteristics that have nurtured
this distinctive cuisine. It is held in winter when many
traditional delicacies are abundant and at their best.
Launched in 1985, this food festival has become a major
attraction of the Ishikawa winter. Foodopia Kanazawa
consists of a number of events spread out over a whole
month. They include the “Shoku-dan”, literally eat and
talk, in which people converse on cultural topics with
famous personalities while enjoying Ishikawa's striking
winter delicacies; and "Foodopia Land", a venue for
traditional hearths, food stalls and stage events at a park
in the heart of the city.

People enjoy their market centuries old and taste the much
controversial sushi of "Kujira".



Asadaya, an old Japanese restaurant and member of the
Association of Kanazawa city and its branch, old and new.




Asada san, my first encounter on the city, owner of
the renown Ryotei where David Rockfeller himself
stayed for a modest 2,5 million yens vintage bill.

Fukumitsuya Sake Brewery, a long-established Kanazawa sake
maker, is now brewing a novel sake aimed at helping to
revitalize the local sake industry.



A 100-year old "o-chaya" tea houses in Kazuemachi, near the
Asano river, Kanazawa, has been renovated and made into a
machiya traditional Japanese house.



At Kenrokuen Garden, the ropes tied to trees “yukitsuri”
to protect them from the snow are themselves are remarkable
sight of the Hokuriku winter. The garden is also
illuminated four times a year. Kenrokuen is especially
stunning in winter.



Located in the center of Kanazawa City, this is a museum of
contemporary arts with a circular design that generates a
uniquely free and open ambience. With its main concept of
“a museum that resembles a park in the city”.



Ishikawa rivals cities like Tokyo and Kyoto when it comes
to thriving arts and crafts. One of the Ishikawa
Prefectural Museum of Art's founding principles was to
focus on Ishikawa's own artistic creativity and it
emphasizes these regional aspects by exhibiting such
cultural properties as the treasures of Maeda Family, which
used to rule the Kaga region, presently Ishikawa
prefecture.

The city is a treasure to discover and to enjoy with
old architecture as the restaurant and museum of
an art collector where I had and excellent diner
and discovered a Chinese poem written by a
painter with lilliputian ideograms in a centuries
old ceramic cup.



A report introduced thanks to Foreign Press Center and the
Prefecture of Ishikawa. Warmest appreciation.

"A qui profite le Kim…?

"A qui profite le Kim…?" c'est un documentaire sur la Corée du nord rediffusé sur une grande chaîne de TV française, et cela donne de l'urticaire sur le web (Bakchich notamment). Je ne comprends pas en quoi consiste le dezinguage d'une rediff sauf quand on commence a lire les commentaires sur ce cas-la... Bref, en effet, bien souvent, merci Internet et les blogs car des journalistes avec de grands effets de manches se lancent, parfois malgré eux, dans des projets tirés a la ligne ou repompés sur d'autres collègues et ca fait peau de chagrin. La rediffusion cache aussi un manque de rigueur, de mise a jour, de connaissances, et de moyens.*

Or, le plus bête dans cette histoire exposée brièvement par Bakchich, c'est que l'on ne s'est pas interrogé sur l'essentiel du sujet: La Corée du Nord depuis l'automne 2008.

Sur la Corée du Nord (DPRK en anglais), on a bien été au coeur d une sérieuse manipulation ces derniers mois. Des medias d'agences ou des quotidiens (ex: Daily Telegraph, London Times) ont parlé tour a tour de la grave maladie puis de la mort du dirigeant Kim Jong Il (le fils de Kim Il Sung mort en 1994), ou prétextant que le Kim était remplacé par une ou plusieurs doublures (pratiques courantes dit-on) ou qu'il avait été assassiné ou qu'un règlement de compte était en cours a Pyongyang, qu'un triumvirat était aux affaires, que l'une des maîtresses, des soeurs, et ensuite l'un des fils de Kim Jong Il étaient adoubés etc... Les bookmakers pariaient sur sa mort a tous les coups.

Jusqu'au jour ou un dirigeant chinois de haut vol est allé se faire photographier récemment a Pyongyang avec le "Cher Leader". Coucou le revoila le Kim Jong Il, sorti de son bunker.


Kim Jong Il dans sa vareuse et Wang Jiarui, dirigeant du Département International du PCC, le 22 janvier 2009 a Pyongyang (Xinhua courtesy)

Tout est possible dans ce pays en marge. Et plutôt que de jouer les héros, ce qui aurait été intéressant aurait été de savoir ce a quoi la Corée du Nord a échappé ces derniers temps et ce qui a été fait pour la "diminuer", la "Gazater" ou la maquiller?

A-t-elle risqué un scénario Irakien dans les derniers mois de Bush? Y a-t-il eu une tentative asiatique de régler son cas en douceur au régime "Stalinien"? Et aujourd hui, Obama va t il poursuivre le travail de Bill Clinton et Madeleine Allbright, inscrivant une action diplomatique a 180 degrés de celle dévastatrice des Bush père et fils? Evidemment les réponses sont a Pekin a Seoul et Tokyo. Pyongyang sort deja ses fusées Taepodong lit-on ce soir dans les journaux de Tokyo. Vrai ou faux? Effet levier?

Quant aux élucubrations en rafales entendues vues et lues sur l'impossibilité ou les "risques gigantesques" d'entrer en Corée du Nord? Foutaises! Je citerai le cas d'un ami journaliste photographe et écrivain Italien qui est entré en Corée du Nord le plus simplement du monde... sans visa ni parrainage, simplement en franchissant la frontière Chinoise. Il lui est ensuite arrivé une aventure extra-ordinaire. Ce collègue n'est autre qu'Antonio Pagnotta, célébrité en Asie pour ses "scoops". Ces temps-ci de passage en France pour ceux et celles que cela intéresse. Lui n'a jamais eu besoin de "bidonner" ou repiquer dans le travail des confrères et consoeurs pour sortir ses exclusivités, et je lui tire mon chapeau (fait rare).

* Travaillant avec la TV japonaise et des boites de prod, j'ai souvent eu l occasion ici et la de rappeler les moyens impressionnants dont dispose la TV japonaise par tous temps et toutes crises, surtout en crise, pour faire son boulot et surtout pour donner des faits bruts au lieu de déjanter dans le genre des commentaires de cafe du commerce.

http://www.bakchich.info/article3653.html

Imagine how to kick the crisis out...

A Tokyo University professor who heads a government panel that dates the economic cycle, Professor Hiroshi Yoshikawa of the University of Tokyo, is working nowadays on how to fight the global economic crisis by elaborating new incentives for consumption and tries to find new ways to maintain a more sustainable economy. I met him recently at a briefing and study meeting thanks to the FOREIGN PRESS CENTER in Tokyo.

He said that "Japan's present recession may become the longest in the postwar era, we had better get ready for a 3 year recession as the decline will be very severe, not only in terms of duration but also depth."

How to fight back? Japan's true resources are in its domestic markets. The country has enormous capital reserves, which are well hidden under mattresses or in bank accounts. "To get those out, the country would have to tackle large-scale structural reforms", dpa agency wrote.

Easier to say than to do? Structural reform led by what philosophy? How? Japan GDP equals the Gargantuesque amount of 500 TRILLION YEN! But Japan's debt equals 700 TRILLION YEN, 150% of GDP, Yoshikawa said. Japan appears as a Mediterranean nation in term of healthy economy and would not fit in the Maastricht criteria, set at 60% of debt versus GDP.

When the crisis looks like the "villain" Sephiroth, he is regularly featured in top positions on many "best villain" lists and character polls assembled by game publications and fans, Sephiroth is well known for his attempts to become a god by absorbing the planet's energy. It is a character designed by Tetsuya Nomura.

Then imagine how to kick the crisis out...

"My Job at the Government is to think and find how one could boost consumerism in Japan" Professor Hiroshi Yoshikawa answered. He added to my question regarding the effect of a consumption tax plan that "it would benefit to the social security service."

Imposing increased VAT, while the world's finances were in turmoil, had tough consequences in the past. Here, various methods and ways are considered, one of them in delivering messages to the people, corporations, small and medium industries, local communities:

How to tax some economical entity and citizens' actions while alleging burden on others, local communities, weak entities and socially held vulnerable by the crisis? Failing to analyze the crisis impact, the ruling LDP is threatened, alarming media say, to loose its powerful hand on the archipelago's affairs and let an unprepared opposition, the petulant Democratic party of Japan, take power of Nagatacho, the political hotbed of politics.

Some critics say Japan could very well imagine how to tax excess consumption and we hear serious voices nowadays who favor a more sustainable consumption advantaging green economy and inland solutions, giving a pause to massive globalization.

Conveniences stores killing cities "chome" (local) small shops would be an easy target for being imposed heavier taxes. Takkyubin companies spending lots of fuels energies should be advised to shift to nature friendly delivery cars, otherwise taxed! -I just checked prodigious hybrid and electric cars Prius, iMiEV, Pivo-. Industries cheating customers and nature, taxed. Cities buildings illuminated all night, taxed etc...

Reporting all around Japan the whole year and visiting extraordinary scientists and sociologists, I have a clearer idea of what can be done by Mr Yoshikawa's panel to develop communities by advocating a better, healthier, advanced life style. Critics (still) say Japan's best commitment to the international society is not to play the "va-t-en-guerre" (war addicted) but could become a model laboratory, thanks to its high-technologies synergies that are still sleeping in Labs' desks.

Yes indeed, if not, what an awful waste of energy!

Presse et crise

(Courtesy picture)

BBC World, Davos, dans une séance de lamentation et d'auto flagellation télévisée:

- Jakob Frenkel vice-chairman de AIG: "Je ne crois pas que les membres du conseil d'administration étaient capables de comprendre ce qui se passait".

- Laura Tyson, membre du conseil d'administration de Lehman Brothers: "Les membres des conseils d'administration (les Board members) ne pouvaient pas avoir les informations nécessaires pour déterminer que le système en était arrivé a ce point-la".

N'importe quoi.

Je zappe sur Youtube...

Taro in Davos

Taro in Davos Update 1

Taro Aso will announce a multi-billion-dollar aid package for Asian countries in a speech Saturday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, reports said. The three-year package from April 2009, worth 1.5 trillion yen (16.5 billion dollars), would be aimed at boosting the Asian economy through development programmes, including infrastructure projects, Jiji Press and other local media reported, without citing sources.

As one commentator alluded:

"Aso Taro promising to do his all to help save the global economy? After only four months in office, the dude cannot save his Cabinet."

Prime Minister Taro Aso will make a three-day visit to Switzerland from Friday to attend the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in the resort town of Davos, Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura said Thursday. Aso is scheduled to deliver an address Saturday on Japan's responses to the global economic crisis and climate change...

Prime Minister Taro Aso indicated Thursday that he intends to call an election "at an appropriate time" as his efforts to safeguard the nation's economy from the global economic crisis have started to take shape. "I have put all my efforts into compiling economic measures and budgets to finance steps to protect employment and the livelihood of the people from an unprecedented global financial crisis," Aso told a House of Representatives plenary session. "Therefore, I will seek a public mandate at an appropriate time after clarifying what the issues will be," the 68-year-old Japanese leader said.

Aso was responding to questions from Yukio Hatoyama, secretary general of the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan, who urged the prime minister to dissolve the lower house for an election as quickly as possible. In his first press conference this year on Jan. 4, Aso said his priority was to revive the recession hit economy and that he would not consider calling an election until the Diet passes the fiscal 2009 budget and related bills.