US seeks mediating role again: Playing into Islamabad's hands
southasiamonitor.org
By Arul Louis
Having raised India's role to that of an anchor of Pax Democratiam - the comity of democratic nations - United States Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has hinted after his October visit to India and Pakistan that Washington is looking for a mediating role, one that could help New Delhi be rid of the weight the continuing conflict with Islamabad imposes on reaching its full potential. Despite their best intentions, this is an unrealistic optimism also expressed earlier by President Donald Trump himself and his United Nations Permanent Representative Nikki Haley - a road paved with failures by three of Trump's four immediate predecessors.
On his way back, Tillerson said in Geneva on October 26 that while meeting Pakistani leaders in Islamabad, "I made the observation to them, 'You have two very troubled borders. You have one in Afghanistan, you have one with India,' and that we're willing to help on both of those borders, and we're not just here to talk about the situation on the Afghan border. We're also here to talk about how can we lower the tensions on the border with India."
He was not asked - and he did not say - if he had made a similar offer to Indian leaders.
During his campaign for the presidency, Trump had said, "I would love to be the mediator or arbitrator." But he carefully prefaced it with the caveat, "If they wanted me to."
In April, Haley, who has cabinet rank, said about India-Pakistan tensions, "I would expect that the administration is going to be in talks and try and find its place to be a part of that because it's concerned about the situation." And heightening expectations, she added, "And also wouldn't be surprised if the president participates as well."
But there are three important blocks to the US, the United Nations or anyone else mediating between the two neighbours.
First and the most is India's intractable opposition to any mediation, which it views as unwelcome interference in the region.
New Delhi brandishes the 1972 Simla Agreement between Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi of India and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto of Pakistan to strenuously oppose any third party involvement in disputes with Islamabad. In that pact signed after the Bangladesh War, the two neighbours agreed to settle disputes only by themselves, although Pakistan has since sought to involve others.
Then there is the Pakistani military and the weight of history. Kashmir, which India considers an integral and immutable part of India, is the core issue for which there can be no solution without the agreement of Pakistani military establishment, which hold the ultimate power, to any compromises. The generals are bolstered by sentiments drenched by 70 years of history.
Keeping the Kashmir issue boiling - despite failing to get any active diplomatic support for its cause from anywhere in years - is the very source of the military-Islamic complex's power. Dragging the US or others is but the Islamabad establishment strategy to try to weaken India's resolve - a ploy New Delhi understands.
And there is China, which would like to keep the tensions at a slow burn precisely to limit India's role in an American partnership, especially in the Indo-Pacific region - from India to Japan and onwards - that Washington has proposed.
The last - and perhaps the only - third party mediation was in 1966 when Soviet Prime Minister Alexei Kosygin brought Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri of India and Pakistani Preisdent Ayub Khan to Tashkent after the 1965 war. They signed the Takshent Declaration that was to be the framework for peace, undertaking to improve relations between the neighbours, not to interfere in each other's internal affairs. But it unravelled in five years with the Bangladesh War.
There were two US involvements in India-Pakistan affairs with beneficial results that did not rise to the to the level of a mediation and they could have lessons for any US initiative.
In 1990, former President George H.W. Bush - the "senior" - defused a mounting tension between India and Pakistan, which the US feared could lead to Islamabad using nuclear weapons. He sent his Deputy National Security Adviser Robert Gates to talk to then Pakistani President Ghulam Ishaq Khan and military chief Gen. Mirza Aslam Beg. (Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto had been sidelined by them and was out of the picture even though she had promised a "thousand-year war.")
Gates is reported to have wrenched an assurance from the Pakistani leaders that they would shut down training camps for militants in their territory and conveyed it to the Indian leadership. That combined with an assurance to Pakistanis that US military attaches observed a winding down of Indian military buildup led to the de-escalation of the situation.
However, Gates, who later became President Barack Obama's defence secretary, did not try to mediate broader issues like Kashmir that the Pakistanis wanted him to.
Bill Clinton, who succeeded the senior Bush, started off on the wrong foot when his Assistant Secretary of State Robin Raphael in 1993 landed the US in the Kashmir policy swamp.
She declared, "We view Kashmir as a disputed territory. We do not recognise that instrument of accession (signed by Maharaja Hari Singh) as meaning that Kashmir is forevermore an integral part of India." (In 2014, Raphael was investigated by US authorities for alleged illegal dealings with Pakistan and had her security clearance revoked. Two years later, the investigations ended without any charges brought against her.)
But during the Kargil crisis of 1999, Clinton stepped in and arm-twisted Pakistan into withdrawing from the territories it had captured. Although, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was the one subjected to a diplomatic third-degree by Clinton, it was the military-Islamic complex that he was targeting.
The takeaway from both these instances is that the US can play a limited role in a crisis - or when it appears there's one brewing - and has to realise this.
It has to set its ambitions low. The very next year in 2000, Clinton pitched for a role in the neighbours' dispute, saying, "I think the United States should be more involved there, even though I think they'll have to work out this business of Kashmir between themselves." He was roundly rebuffed by India.
And, Washington has to work on the Pakistani military establishment to stop threatening military buildups, cross-border terrorism and any armed intervention.
Right now, Trump and Tillerson have delivered Pakistan a strong message about ending support for terrorism - an ultimatum of sorts. In Islamabad Tillerson met not only the civilian leaders, but the real center of power, Chief of Army Staff Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa and Director General of Inter-Services Intelligence Lt. Gen. Naveed Mukhtar.
Tillerson later said that the Pakistani's "have their concerns along their border with India" and added what may be a sop to Pakistan, "There are legitimate concerns on both sides of that border as well."
Regardless of what it considers "legitimate concerns," a US decreed end to terrorism and cross-border attacks - if they happen - won't lead to a mediating role for Washington, but they could of themselves lead to a resumption of the India-Pakistan dialogue, which ended after a promising start in 2014. And that would further US interests.
The US can have a role in crisis management, while also being a discreet conduit for information.
US interests in getting involved in India-Pakistan started with "Senior" Bush and coincided with the winding down of Cold War, during which New Delhi was seen as close to Moscow.
But his son, George W. Bush, was the one president who was more attuned to New Delhi's sensitivities and took a pragmatic approach refusing to get involved in India-Pakistan disputes.
Condoleeza Rice as his National Security Adviser in 2002 rejected Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf's pleas for mediation. "The USA is always prepared to help in any way but we don't believe this is something that mediation or facilitation is going to help," said Rice, who later became the secretary of state.
Barack Obama, who succeded him had the grandest plan of all. In an interview during 2008 election campaign he told an interviewer that he had talked to Bill Clinton about becoming his mediator on Kashmir. But reality hit when he assumed office, as any great plans for a foray into India's touchy terrain of Kashmir.
(The author is a New York-based non-resident senior fellow of the Society for Policy Studies. He can be reached at )
The article appeared in the South Asia Monitor on 4/11/2017


Australia's Place in the British Commonwealth
Forde, The Rt. Hon. Francis Michael, Speaker
Australia's growth and development as a partner in the British Commonwealth. Australia's present constitutional position and relations with the other parts of the Empire. The basic factor of the relationship one where 98% of Australia is of British stock. Some history of the discovery of Australia by the Dutch in 1642, and the origins of the name from the Spaniards. Australia's constitutional history. Self Government obtained during the 1850s. Government prior to and after this. Federation. Some history of New Guinea and the effects of annexation of that and neighbouring islands by the Germans. Federation achieved in 1901, with much help from the United Kingdom. Australia's Federal system. The Balfour declaration of 1926. The place of the Dominions in international affairs since that time. Foreign affairs and trade commissions. The development of Australia's Department of External Affairs in the 1930s. The vital role played by Australia in the Pacific. Relations with the United Kingdom during the war. Some particular references to the New Year broadcast and the end of 1941 immediately after Pearl Harbour by the late Prime Minister, Mr. John Curtin. Australia's loyalty to the British Commonwealth. Her dollar contributions to Great Britain towards her war costs in and about the Pacific. Australia's relations with the other British countries, including Canada. The Canberra agreement providing for consultation for security and defence and for frequent meetings of ministers. Ireland as very much a Mother country as far as Australia is concerned. Australia proud of her membership in the British Commonwealth and believing that the British family of nations and the United States of America are the most potent factors operating today towards a just and lasting peace, based on the four freedoms, the Atlantic Charter and Enlightened Christian Civilization.
Commonwealth countries
Canada - Commerce - Australia
AN ADDRESS BY THE RT. HON. FRANCIS MICHAEL FORDE, P.C.
Chairman: The President, Major F. L. Clouse
MAJOR CLOUSE: On January. 13th we heard over the radio from Vancouver that the newly appointed High Commissioner for the Commonwealth of Australia to Canada had just arrived and we, therefore, immediately wired an invitation to him to be the guest of honour of the Empire Club on his first visit to Toronto which, in due course, he graciously accepted.
Our speaker was born and educated in Australia and after teaching school for a short time, qualified as an electrical engineer in the Postmaster-General's Department. In 1917 he won his first seat as Labour Representative to the State Parliament of Queensland and had the distinction of being the youngest member of Parliament. In 1922 he was nominated as Labour candidate for the federal electorate of Capricornia, holding this seat until 1943.
Our speaker has served on many committees and Royal Commissions and is a fully qualified and able administrator. In 1941 he became Deputy Prime Minister and, as Minister for the Army, was given the vital job of expanding Australia's military forces, taking office only two months before the treacherous attack on Pearl Harbour by the Japanese. Australia then faced with the greatest crisis in her history had to build up and equip an army in the shortest possible time, and it became his task to plan and supervise this tremendous undertaking.
Our speaker visited Australian and American troops in the front line in New Guinea, Borneo and the Solomon Islands and later was chosen leader of the Australian delegation to the United Nations Security Conference at San Francisco in 1945.
The Empire Club of Canada welcomes today the Rt. Hon. Francis Michael Forde, P.C., High Commissioner for the Commonwealth of Australia to Canada, who will address us on the subject "AUSTRALIA'S PLACE IN THE BRITISH COMMONWEALTH"
RT. Horn FRANCIS M. FORDE: Mr. President and Gentlemen: I thank you {or your kindness in inviting me to lunch with you today, and for giving me the opportunity to talk to you on the subject of Australia's place in the British Commonwealth. I shall speak briefly of our growth and development as a partner in that Commonwealth and deal with our present constitutional position and our relations with the other parts of the Empire.
I suppose that the basic factor of our relationship with the British Commonwealth is that we are 98% of British stock.
Our name came from the Spaniards. It was the Spanish navigator De Quiros, who discovered the New Hebrides and, thinking that he had found the great southern continent, gave us the name Tierra Austrialia del Espiritu Santo, "The Southern Land of the Holy Ghost". Long afterwards the name "Australia" was given to our country. It was however, the Dutch who first discovered the Australian continent in 1642 when, Van Diemen, the Governor of the Netherlands East Indies, organized a great expedition to the southern land which was led by Jan Abel Tasman. On the afternoon of 24th November, 1642, Tasman, according to his diary, saw land some ten miles away. His diary reads
"This land being the first land we have met with in the south sea and not known to any European nation, we have conferred on it the name of Anthoony Van Diemens Land in honour of the Honourable Governor-General, our illustrious master, who sent us to make the discovery".
Tasman landed near Hobart, the capital of Tasmania, our island state on 2nd December, 1642. Three weeks later he discovered New Zealand and before long he sailed along the northern coast of Australia.
In the 18th century the French arrived. Most of the French expeditions were of a scientific nature and our traditional friendly relations with the French have been maintained ever since. Indeed, one French scientific expedition arrived while the Napoleonic War was at its height but the Governor of New South Wales, acting under Admiralty instructions, warmly welcomed the French, an act which the Leader of the expedition, Baudin, did not fail to appreciate.
However, despite the Spanish, the Dutch and the French, we are as I said earlier, almost entirely of British stock. We have some minorities, the largest consisting of Italians who, prior to the war, constituted a majority of the people in a sugar producing district in North Queensland, and the Germans, who are mainly descendants of German Liberals, who came to Australia after the 1848 revolution and have done much to build up the wine industry in south Australia. We have also a fair number of Chinese who originally came to Australia during the gold rush days. Many refugees from central Europe came to Australia from 1935 onwards, although alien immigration was stopped during the war years.
I come now to a brief account of our constitutional history. As you know, Australia consists of six States (or Provinces as you call them). These States, prior to Federation (which occurred in 1901) were already in existence as independent British colonies each of which had been settled and had grown up in its own way. The first settlement was made on 26th January, 1788, when Captain Arthur Philip established the colony of New South Wales at Sydney, our largest and oldest city. The colony of New South Wales was roughly defined and covered the whole of the eastern part of the continent. In 1828 the island of Van Diemens Land was separated from New South Wales and this Island, the name of which was changed in 1853 to that of Tasmania, has remained separated ever since. Melbourne, the capital of Victoria, had been founded about 1836 but the State of Victoria was not formally separated from that of New South Wales until some time later. A further diminution in the eastern province of New South Wales was made when Queensland was separated in 1859. In the meantime Western Australia and Southern Australia had been established in 1829 and 1836. Thus by 1900 there were six separate colonies in existence.
Self Government was obtained during the fifties. Prior to this, in 1823 and 1828, Imperial Statutes had set up a nominee Legislative Council to assist the Governor in the administration of New South Wales, while a Council of 7 comprising 4 nominees and 3 officials had been established in South Australia and the other colonies. The elective principle was introduced in 1842 for New South Wales. The Legislative Council was to consist of 36 members, 12 nominees and 24 elected members. The Council was empowered to increase its membership provided that it retained the proportion between nominee and elected members. An important and significant provision of this legislation was that it gave to the residents of what was to become the State of Victoria, a special position in relation to New South Wales. It was provided that at least five members were to be returned by that district to the council. This did not satisfy the local population and in 1848 the electors returned as the member for Melbourne the Colonial Secretary, Lord Grey, who could obviously never take his seat. This step brought to a head the question of Representative Government as a whole. It should be remembered that Lord Durham had in 1839 written his famous report on Canada, that the Reform Bill in England had been carried in 1832 and that the Chartist movement and the general tendencies of the times had opened the way for Self Government. So in 1850 the Australian Colonies Government was passed. It established the separate colony of Victoria and gave it a two thirds elected legislative council. Similar councils were established in Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania. What was more important was that this Act empowered these Colonies to alter their own constitutions. This was an entirely new departure for it represented a surrender by the Imperial Parliament of its complete powers in regard to the colonial constitution. This provision for amendment was still not possessed by New South Wales, but, following protests by the Legislative Council there, it was empowered to draft a new constitution. As far as possible, the Committee appointed in 1852 modelled the new draft of the British system establishing two Houses, a nominee Legislative Council holding office for life and an Assembly to be elected by persons with a certain property qualification. The new Constitution for New South Wales was finally enacted in 1855. This constitution introduced the principle of responsible Government that is, the system under which the Cabinet is required to possess the confidence of Parliament. A similar plan was established, subsequently, by the other Colonies. Another important provision of the Australian Colonies Government Act was that it enabled the colonies to impose customs duties on imported goods whatever their origin. Their powers were thus virtually unlimited.
The colonies soon began to exercise their powers in regard to alteration of the constitution. It should be remembered that the gold rush had brought in many liberal-minded men from Britain, as well as a mixed European population who immigrated to Australia after the revolutions of 1848. The opportunities for securing action along liberal lines soon led to such things as voting by ballot, payment of members of Parliament, universal suffrage and abolition of property qualifications. Indeed, voting by ballot was adopted by the Australian colonies before it was applied anywhere else within the British Empire. It did not gain acceptance in England until 1872. The franchise was conferred on women by South Australia in 1894. The two Colonies which had had nominee upper houses, namely New South Wales and Queensland retained that system until 1922 in Queensland, when the second chamber was completely abolished and 1934 in New South Wales when a new system was introduced, the members of the Council being elected by the council and the Assembly jointly and holding office for 12 years.
I come now to Federation. Australia's position in the Pacific was primarily responsible for this step. You have all heard of New Guinea which is less than 100 miles from our northern shores and the largest island in the world after Australia itself. New Guinea would be roughly about the size of the Canadian Province of British Columbia. The western end of the island had been occupied by the Dutch for a considerable time prior to 1870 when the colonies of New South Wales and Queensland had urged the annexation of the eastern portion. The home authorities refused to take any action and the Premier of Queensland, who foresaw German annexation sent a magistrate to annex the eastern portion in the name of the Queen. The United Kingdom Government was indignant and repudiated the annexation declaring that they were convinced that Germany had no designs on New Guinea. No less than a year later however, a German ship proceeded to New Guinea and its captain annexed the island together with the adjoining islands of New Britain and New Ireland. The Australians were extremely angry but the episode had two good affects. In the first place, it did much to crystallize their decision to become a united nation speaking with a united voice. In the second place, they were awakened to their interest in foreign affairs. Moreover, the New Guinea episode had its effect in Whitehall. The home authorities saw that, in the words of Lord Rosebery who visited Australia shortly after the incident,--"the connection of loyalty between Australia and the mother country--would survive--as long as the home country and the daughter country are allowed to preserve their position of mutual independence and mutual self-respect".
The United Kingdom did much to help the cause of federation which was achieved in 1901.
A few words about our Federal system. While basically similar in its retention of British institutions, the Australian system differs in some respects from that which was adopted in Canada. The framers of the Australian constitution had before them both the Canadian model and the American model. In the allocation of powers between the central Government and Provincial (or State Governments as we call them) they followed the American system, under which there is only one list of powers namely those which may be exercised by the Federal Parliament and Government. Everything else remains with the States. This is the chief difference between our systems. There are others, such as the rather more complete independence of the State Governments who still appoint their own respective governors and judges, and the differences in the composition of our Federal Parliament. This consists of two Houses, the House of Representatives, which corresponds to your House of Commons, and the Senate. In regard to our Senate, we again followed the American precedent in setting it up as a "States" House. Its members are elected by the people on a basis of universal suffrage for a term of six years, half of them retiring every three. It is provided in our Federal constitution that each State, regardless of its size, shall return the same number of Senators which, at the moment, is six, making a total of 36. The people in each State vote for the purpose of electing Senators as one electorate. Our Senate thus differs from yours in a very fundamental respect. Our House of Representatives consists of as nearly as possible twice the number of Senators and at the moment numbers 75 members. We have thus not nearly as many members in our Federal Parliament as you have, but recently there leas been some suggestion of an increase.
The Commonwealth of Australia, having been established as late as 1900 had, of course, always been self governing and has incorporated the principle of responsible Government but as I have already said, the battle for these principles had long since been fought and won. One thing however, was lacking as early as 1900. At this stage in the history of the British Commonwealth the principle of Dominion Status had not been established and it is in the field of foreign relations that this principle finds its highest expression. It was originally Canada which led the way but I shall not weary you with the details of the evolution of our present status. It is enough to say that the British Dominions, by the part which they played in the Great War earned for themselves a place in the Councils of the world. In 1926 came the Balfour declaration setting out that the United Kingdom and the Dominions were coequal partners in the British Commonwealth and later in 1931 the Statute of Westminster which gave effect to the complete autonomy of the Dominions in respect of their external as well as their internal affairs. Since that time the place of the Dominions in international affairs has become accepted and the exchange of diplomatic representatives with other countries is a recognized practice.
Australia had no very definite line in foreign affairs during the twenties when the accent was on trade notably in the countries bordering the Pacific. From 1929 onwards we appointed a series of Trade Commissioners starting with Canada and including the United States, China, Japan and the Netherlands East Indies. Canada had already appointed a Trade Commissioner to Australia in 1907, the first appointment in your Trade Commissioner service, a service which I understand Canada pioneered.
With the thirties came the development of Australia's Department of External Affairs. Canada had already had a good start.
An Australian Department of External Affairs had been established in 1901, but its scope was very limited, covering such subjects as the Government of Papua, Pacific Islands mail services and research in tropical diseases. During the Great War the Department became merged in the Prime Minister's Department but after the war a special Branch of that Department, called the Pacific Branch, was constituted and after the 1923 Imperial Conference, Mr. Allan Leeper, an Australian-born member of the United Kingdom foreign service was loaned to the Australian Government for six months. He recommended .the establishment of an Australian External Affairs office in London. That office continues today although we have had a High Commissioner in London since 1912.
In 1934 a Department of External Affairs was reconstituted at Canberra and the portfolio was separated from that of the Prime Minister. The first Australian foreign mission was sent abroad very shortly afterwards the Minister, Sir John Latham, visiting Japan, China and other countries of eastern Asia.
At the Imperial Conference in London in 1937 the Lyons Government proposed the constitution of a Pacific Pact, but this received no encouragement.
At the beginning of 1939, Australia's only permanent political representation abroad consisted of the High Commissioner in London, the External Affairs Officer in London and an Australian Counsellor attached to the British Embassy in Washington. Shortly before the outbreak of war, Mr. Menzies, on assuming the Premiership of the country, broadcast that,
"Australia must regard herself as a principal in providing herself with her own, information and maintaining her own diplomatic contacts with foreign powers". The following day, plans for Australian Legations in Washington and Tokyo were announced but before these posts were opened up the High Commission in Canada had been established. Not long afterwards exchanges of diplomatic representatives were made with China, the Soviet Union and the Netherlands. Later still came New Zealand, India, Ireland and South Africa, so that now we have High Commissioners in the United Kingdom and all of the Dominions. We have also exchanged diplomatic representatives with France, Brazil and Chile. We have a Commissioner in Malaya and political representatives in the Netherlands East Indies and Germany. We have also our Trade Commissioner Service which has expanded and we have recently established a Consular Service.
I will not recapitulate the vital role played by Australia in the Pacific. The establishment of the Pacific War Council in Washington was largely the result of a request by Australia and New Zealand. We had a seat on the Far Eastern Commission which met in Washington and the British Commonwealth is represented on the Allied Control Council in Tokyo. This last mentioned development is significant, marking as it does the highest point in British Commonwealth relations for it is a manifestation of a position where one of the Dominions is representing not only other Dominions but also the United Kingdom.
I come now to our relations with the United Kingdom during the war and in particular would refer to the New Year broadcast at the end of 1941 immediately after Pearl Harbour, by the late Prime Minister, Mr. John Curtin, whose words have often been quoted out of their context. Mr. Curtin, after pointing out that the Australian Government regarded the Pacific struggle as primarily one in which the United States and Australia must have the fullest say went on--
"Without any inhibitions of any kind, I make it quite clear that Australia looks to America, free of any pangs as to our traditional links or kinship with the United Kingdom." "We know the problems that the United Kingdom faces. We know the constant threat of invasion. We know the dangers 'of dispersal of strength, but we know, too, that Australia can go and Britain can still hold on. We are, therefore, determined that Australia shall not go, and we shall exert all our energies towards the shaping of a plan, with the United States as its keystone, which will give to our country some confidence of being able to hold out until the tide of battle swings against the enemy." "Summed up, Australian external policy will be shaped towards obtaining Russian aid, and working out, with the United States as the major factor, a plan of Pacific strategy along with British, Chinese and Dutch forces". On the following day Mr. Curtin spoke again saying: "Our loyalty to His Majesty the King goes to the very core of our national life. It is part of our being. I do not consider Australia a segment of the British Empire. It is an organic part of the whole structure. Australia, as an integral part of the British Commonwealth faces the problem of its own defence with sheer realism. We want to preserve Australia as a part of the British Commonwealth. We intend to do so."
No one who knew Mr. Curtin, no one who for example heard his most moving speech on the abdication in 1936, could ever doubt for a moment his fervent belief in the British Commonwealth or, as he still often called it, the British Empire.
Mr. Curtins' successor, Mr. Chifley shares his views to the full. Indeed the Australian Government with the full support of the Australian people has decided to make a gift of $81,000,000.00 to Great Britain as a contribution towards her war costs in and about the Pacific.
I would like now to speak of Australia's relations with the other British countries.
As regards Canada, we sent our first trade commissioner to you as you sent your first to us. We share the same ocean, which you can cross now in thirty-six hours. Australia has always taken a deep interest in Canada as an older brother who has been out longer in the world. Australia and Canada are each a representative of the British Commonwealth in important quarters of the globe. Each is in close relation with the United States and acts to some extent. as an interpreter between America and the other British countries. Above all each is a security power.
New Zealand is, of course, our closest neighbour. At one time it seemed possible that New Zealand would join with the Australian colonies in federation and there is in fact a rather wistful clause in the Commonwealth Constitution providing that New Zealand may still come in if she wishes.
Increased shipping, air and telephone services have brought the two countries very close together and the war in the Pacific brought home to them the vital nature of the link between them.
At the beginning of 1944 after a conference at Canberra, the two governments signed a treaty, the first of its kind between two British countries. The Canberra agreement provides for consultation for security and defence and for frequent meetings of ministers. On the welfare side it envisaged a Regional South Seas Commission consisting of Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, the United States and France, an advisory commission directed to the social, economic and welfare development of the islands and their native peoples. At a recent conference in Canberra effect was given to this provision of the Agreement.
Furthermore, the treaty set up a permanent secretariat linking Canberra and Wellington, the first machinery of its kind between two British countries. This joint secretariat established in the two capitals ensures day to day collaboration, facilitates the exchange of information, hammers out views between the two governments and assists them to make their joint contribution not only to the solution of the problems of the Pacific but to all questions of foreign affairs. Over and over again the Australian and New Zealand Governments have presented joint views to Washington or London. As Dr. Evatt recently described it "This agreement is, in effect, a permanent understanding between two States which are completely autonomous and at the same time united by a common allegiance to the King and also trustees for British Commonwealth interests and British civilization in the Pacific." The agreement is a reality: it works. South Africa, like Australia and Canada, is a two-ocean country and she shares with Australia the Indian Ocean. There is much else that the two countries have in common. Our first trade agreement shortly after federation was with South Africa and before the first world war we had interchanges of test cricket. We have recently established a High Commissioner's office in South Africa.
I come now to Ireland. Along with Great Britain Ireland is very much a Mother country as far as Australia is concerned. Perhaps as many as twenty-five percent of our population comes from one part or another of Ireland. In Victoria in particular the links with Ireland are very close; to take one instance, the first four Chief Justices of the State covering a span of about eighty years were all from Ireland--whether Ulster, Dublin or Cork. One of the early, Attorneys-General in Victoria, Sir Bryan O'Loghlen, had the unique distinction of sittting for West Melbourne in the Victorian Assembly and West Clare in the House of Commons at one and the same time.
The Irish in Australia were deeply interested in the Home Rule movement and in the eighties John and William Redmond, then young men of twenty-four and twenty-one respectively, made long tours in Australia raising large sums of money for the cause. Incidentally they both married Australian girls.
While the younger generation of Australians of Irish descent have ceased to take a direct interest in Irish politics, nevertheless the old ties are strong and Australia must always view Ireland's general position with regard the British Commonwealth as a matter of interest. We exchanged High Commissioners with Ireland in 1946.
In conclusion, I wish to stress that Australia is proud of her membership of the British Commonwealth and jointly believes that the British family of nations and the United States of America are the most potent factors operating today towards a just and lasting peace, based on the four freedoms, the Atlantic Charter and Enlightened Christian Civilization.


Kazakhstan General Information President Constitution Historical Outline Kazakhstan's Economy  Science and Education Culture, Literature and Arts Population of Kazakhstan Kazakhstan in figures
Historical Outline
Kazakhstan's Economy
Culture, Literature and Arts
Population of Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan in figures
SPKTARAZ.KZ >Kazakhstan >Science and Education >
The origin of science in ancient Kazakhstan dates to antiquity. Archeological research and written sources contain information on the culture of cities and colonies existing in the 6th-11th centuries on the territory of Zhetisu, Central and East Kazakhstan. The founders of this culture were native (local) Turkic tribes: oguzy, karluki, kimaki, and kypchaki.
As a result of the strengthening of the influence of the Arabian Halifat in Central Asia and Kazakhstan, in the 8th-11th centuries Islam extended its influence, along with Arabian culture. Arabian language on the Halifat's territory became prevalent; however local culture and language were preserved. Many scientists, natives of the countries conquered by the Arabs, took an active part in the development of Arabian culture. Medieval cities were famous all over the world not because of their markets and handicrafts, but for poets, scientists, artists, great libraries, and educational institutions.
Otrar city, located on the Great Silk Road which had important geographic and economic value and led from China to Europe, had a special significance. The Farab library was the largest storehouse of wealthy manuscript literature, even compared with the Alexandrine library in Egypt. The great scientist Abu Nasr Al Farabi was born in Farab city. His scientific heritage is contained in more than 100 literary works.
In the Karahanid state, existing in the 10th-11th centuries on the territory of Kazakhstan, the outstanding poet and thinker Jusuf Balasaguni created his literary works. His work "Kutadgu Bilig" ("Beneficial Knowledge") became known in many countries. Already in those days, an exceptional contribution by Eastern progressive thinkers in science and culture had been recognized by Europe. This has been testified to by translations of Eastern scientists' and thinkers' literary works, which gained wide spread dissemination in the 10th-12th centuries in France, Europe, Spain and other states.
At the end of the 17th and beginning of the 18th centuries, scientists of Russia and several countries of Western Europe began to research Kazakhstan's territory, and study its history, culture, life and the customs of its population.
The first fundamental work on the history of the Kazakh "Description of Kyrgyz-Kazakh or Kyrgyz-Kaisak hordes and steppes" (1832) had been created by A. I. Levshin. Sh. Valikhanov had named him "the Kazakh nation's" Herodotus and his monograph is considered an invaluable scientific property. Well-known Russian researchers P. P. Semenov-Tyan-Shansky, N. M. Przhevalsky, and G. N. Potanin made an important contribution not only to the study of the land but also to the creation of democratic scientific thought in the latter half of the 19th - beginning of the 20th centuries. This research and also that of V. V. Grigoriev, N. F. Kostylezky, E. P. Mikhaelis, P. E. Makovetsky, and A. A. Blek exerted great influence on the spiritual formation of Kazakh democrats like Sh. Valikhanov, Y. Altynsarin, and A. Kunanbayev.
At the beginning of the 20th century most Kazakh children had the opportunity to study only in countryside medresehs where training had been limited to memorizing Koran ayats. On the eve of 1916 there were only several Russian and Russian Kazakh schools on Kazakhstan's territory, in which 19,370 Kazakh children were studying.
By 1932 there were more than 10 research institutes, about a hundred base stations, laboratories and weather stations, and several geological survey organizations. The Kazakh Base of the Science Academy of the USSR, was created on 8 March 1932 with zoology and botany branches operating there. In 1935, the Kazakh Research Institute of National culture, including Kazakh language and literature and folk arts branches had been placed under the authority of the Kazakh Base of the Science Academy of the USSR. At that time, the Almaty Botanical Garden laid its foundation, and medical science was developing.
During the War, plenty of scientific institutions and institutes of higher education were evacuated to the Republic. World-famous scientists were working there, such as I. P. Bardin, L. S. Berg, V. I. Vernadsky, N. F. Gamaleya, I. I. Meshaninov, N. D. Zelinsky, L. I. Mandelshtam, N. V. Tsitsin, S. G. Strumilin, A. M. Pankratova, A. E. Favorskiy, S. E. Malov, V. G. Fesenkov, G. A. Tikhov, B. A. Vorontsov-Veliaminov and others. These scientists made a number of suggestions of great value for defense and pertaining to the national economy, discovering deposits of ferrous metals, molybdenum, tungsten, manganese ore and others. In 1942 were organized the Institute of astronomy and physics and the Institute of metallurgy and chemicals, and in 1943, the Institutes of soil science, botany, zoology and tropical diseases. From 1942-1945 the specialized Institute of chemistry, metallurgy and mining, fireproof and building materials, and zoology was established.
The year 1991 was the beginning of new period in the development of native science. The law "On scientific and technical politics in the Republic of Kazakhstan" was passed 15th January 1992, and in the same year the Ministry of science and new technologies was founded. Since 1993 state expertise of scientific and technical programs, which are financed with public funds has been supported. A unified procedure of the registration of reporting documentation by development of structural and technological works in the republic has confirmed the legislative basis of financing scientific-technical and experience-structural works.
The results of this work, which have been conducted in the scientific-technical area, were exhibited in Astana in February 1998. Projects of government programs on the development of mechanical engineering, atomic industry and energy in the country, as well the conclusion of development of a mining and smelting complex in republic were completed. For the first time native computers and a series of electronic equipment of industrial and ordinary application had been produced.
The scientists of the republic made their contribution in ensuring the processes of public administration. The history of Kazakhstan and Kazakh philosophy has been explored since ancient times. New philosophy and methodology of science has been created in the context of the mixing of eastern and western cultures. The development of constitutional processes in the Republic of Kazakhstan, Eurasian fusion and geopolitics has been explored, population forecasts made. The hundred years anniversary of academician K. I. Satpayev was included in the register of jubilees conducted under the support of UNESCO. An international scientific symposium dedicated to this event was held in Paris 15-23 April 1999. The exhibition "The scientists of Kazakhstan: from the past to the future: was also organized.
Investigations of science, which have been conducted in the last few years, have been directed at the competitive capacity of native science and technology. In order to create projects associated with the restructuring science of the scientific base, the increase in efficiency of the use of natural and mineral resources, production of new materials and products, improvement in processing of human and industrial waste, stabilization of the operations of the mining and smelting complex, and use of molecular and cellular biology in biotechnology, medicine, agriculture, communications, and atomic energy. The years of independence have been characterized by new methods of science and science administration, creating favorable conditions for scientists' work, the training of a new generation of scientific personnel, and searching for an effective systemic fusion of education and science.
If we examine the Middle East, we can see that education was introduced from other states, sometimes because of a higher grade of social development or because of conquering armies, which subjugated most of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. In the Pre-Islamic period educational and scientific centers were established by emigrants from the West.
As a result of the Arab conquests (beginning in 651), Islam became the dominant religion in the region and, accordingly, the Arabic language and alphabet became standard. For many centuries reading, writing and education were the prerogative of the elite, a necessary prerequisite for working in government administration. So, in the 8th-9th centuries in official documents and literature, the hegemony of Arabic language was established, which was companion of and guide to Islam. It is possible to draw an analogy with Latin, which was a ubiquitous feature of culture and education, introduced to Western Europe through the Catholic Church. During this era, Islamic schools appeared and grew in the region. The Medieval schools of the Muslim world can be divided into two types: Maktabs (Dabristan) and Madrasahs. A Maktab is a primary school attached to a mosque; a madrasah is a type of secondary and high school.
Only boys were allowed to become literate. Medieval Islamic schools had much in common with each other, though they greatly varied in their standards of education. They showed social distinction, as well as the evolution of the development of this type of school. One of the first rate Madrasah was established by the famous astronomer Nizamal-Mulk in the latter half of the11th century in Baghdad, with government support, with salaries for teachers and grants for pupils.
In Iran and the Central Asian lands of the Arabian caliphate existed prohibitions on the translation of the Koran from Arabic into other languages. This prohibition was observed for centuries. Tabari translated the Koran into Persian in the 10th century, but his book was banned.
Central Asia and Kazakhstan were invaded from the East by the immense nomadic armies of Genghis Khan in 1219, and carts with warriors' families followed them. Thus, a new period in the history of the Kazakh steppes had begun. During the 15th-16th centuries the most well known Madrasahs were in Bukhara, Samarkand and Tashkent. These Madrasahs, which have been treasured since their creation, today are considered monuments of architecture. The Kazakh and Kyrgyz nationalities formed on their respective present territories during the 16th century. Subsequently, diplomatic and trade relations with the Russian Empire became stronger, leading to the next stage of development of the education system and the spreading of literacy.
Secular Kazakh Schools
The history of secular Kazakh schools began in 1789. The first such establishment. "Asian College", was opened in Omsk. This town was the center of administration of the northern regions of present Kazakhstan. In 1825 the Nepluev School was created, and in 1844 it was re-organized as a Military School. A seven-year school attached to the frontier committee of Orenburg opened in 1850. The teaching of Islam had prevailed there, but subsequently the curriculum was extended. Russian history, mathematics, geometry and geography were introduced in 1859. Altynsarin studied in this school. Teaching was carried out in Russian, but Tatar was studied too. The first woman's school for Kazakh girls opened in 1883. In this period the Vernen men's preparatory school began operation. Obligatory subjects were mathematics, physics, logic, history, Russian language and literature, and religion. There were four languages taught: new - German and French; and classical - Greek and Latin. In addition, singing, drawing, sketching, calligraphy, gymnastics and dance were taught. Occasionally, educational hikes around Lake Issyk Kul, Almaty and Lake Issyk were arranged.
However, the general education system had been kept unproductive. Before the revolution, the literacy rate averaged a few percent in Kazakhstan. In 1916, the number of pupils in Kazakhstan averaged 164,859.
Education during the period of socialism
At the beginning of the 20th century, intensive development of education and pedagogical science began in the region. A new generation of enlighteners appeared on the public scene. They evolved the materialistic opinions of their predecessors, and introduced new ideas in the area of teaching.
The realization of a broad program of economic and social reorganization in the former outlying districts of the Soviet Union began after the establishment of Soviet power. By the 1940's illiteracy in Kazakhstan had been eliminated, and a new school of general education for the entire population was created in place of the old country schools. Elementary, vocational and high schools began to operate.
Publishing had an important significance in the development of pedagogical science. In 1919, the Bukeev branch of the People's committee published "Mugalim" ("The teacher") pedagogical magazine. Published articles emphasized the high prestige of educators and parents, and the educational opinions of Aristotle, Socrates, Z. Z. Rousseau, L. N. Tolstoy and many others. This first published work promoted the creation of the first Kazakh schools.
In 1928 the Pedagogical Institute, where training of specialists for schools of general education and secondary schools was carried out, was founded. The idea of general literacy was promoted as the first and foremost challenge or graduating students.
Cattle-breeding districts of Republic had waited for the opening of The Veterinary Institute in 1929 impatiently.
The Capital of Kazakhstan experienced a rise not only in terms of the national economy. It was a time of the development of social art. Musical, Choreographic and dramatic arts schools opened in Alma-Ata city in 1930. The Institute of Agriculture opened its doors in 1930.
In 1931 the State Medical Institute began training high quality specialists in occupations with good job opportunities. Pediatricians, therapists, surgeons and doctors of particular specializations mastered all the subtle skills of their respective fields, drawing on Russian and foreign clinicians' experience.
The Kazakh Republic Technical School of physical training, which became a favorite in student circles, has operated since 1932.
1934 was the year of the grand opening of Kazakh State University. The famous history of this institute of higher education's activity became the model for a whole era of education. Kazakh State University was the first to provide brainpower and scientific elites to the Kazakh Republic.
The Artistic School received its first students. Young people were enlightened with the knowledge of the history of world arts and the practical skills of applied artistic creations beginning in 1938.
A group of writers and scientists created original textbooks for Kazakh schools from the 1920's to the 1940's.
Teachers training college of foreign languages in Almaty was created in 1941. Kazakh womens' teacher training college was created in 1944. Liberal arts education was offered to future teachers, musicians, choreographers, psychologists and speech therapists.
At the same time, the Kazakh State Conservatory began enrollment of musicology and performing arts faculties. For the first time in the conservatory were heard the sounds of piano, fiddle, flute, kobiz and dombra, bayan and balalaika. The choral part of the Conservatory found talented, promising students. The Kazakh State Institute of Physical training was opened in the last year of world war two.
Since 1957, the State has organized boarding schools for children from broken families and those with poor health.
In 1963 the Institute of national economics, which promoted the ideas of the progressive period in the history of socialism, was created. Students of the Institute received knowledge of economic and social sciences.
The Energy Institute of Almaty has provided education for electrical engineering specialists for the needs of the national industry and municipal services since 1975.
In 1976 the Institute of railway transportation engineers of Almaty began education of engineers on vitally important areas of transportation engineering.
The Institute of Artistic Theatre for creative youth was created in 1978. There were trained specialists for national theatres, Kazakh cinema and television, and artistic and choreographic arts, which are famous all over the world.
The Architectural and Construction institute of Almaty started its education of students in 1980. This institute turns out architects, creators, designers, builders and engineers.
Eminent statesmen have made definite contributions to the development and formation of education and science in the republic, such as S. Asfendiyarov, S. Zhandosov, T. Zhurgynov, S. Mendeshev, T. Ryskulov, N. Toreculov, I. Omarov and others, greats of Kazakh literature, such as M. Auyezov, S. Seyfullin, I. Zhansugurov, B. Maylin, S. Mukanov, G. Musrepov, G. Mustafin; art and science workers: A. Zhubanov, S. Amanzholov, E. Bekmakhanov, M. Gabdullin, S. Zhienbayev, A. Margulan, K. Satpayev, D, Tursunov, M. Khamraev, and others.


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About The Band! | Live Events | Tour Photos / Media | Family Jewels
About The George Brothers!
From the standpoint of an aspiring musician, growing up in the 1960's definitely had it's advantages. For one thing, it allowed you a front row seat for the single most influential event in pop music history.
Although it had been born a decade earlier, it wasn't until a certain band from England made their American debut on nationwide television that Rock and Roll came of of age.
For millions of kids across the country (including three brothers from Detroit), this was the moment that changed them forever and set them on their path
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Armed with a musical pedigree which they inherited from their father, who as a big band/swing musician had shared the stage with Benny Goodman and toured with Kate Smith, it was only a matter of time before they discovered their chops and began putting their heritage to the test.
Barry George
It was Bobby who first began to spread his wings and chance a leap from the nest. A Christmas gift of a Harmony Rocket guitar was all it took for him to hang up his baseball glove and embark on what he soon realized was his true calling. Immediate success on the teen club circuit (including some television appearances) validated his choice and gave him all the incentive he needed to further pursue his dreams.
Like many people of Italian ancestry, David tends to talk with his hands. The only difference is that his hands are holding drumsticks. Emulating his heroes soon led to the development of his own style, which is an infusion of their influence coupled with his own methodology. David is a meat and potatoes man. He is also a meat and potatoes drummer. Rock solid and to the point.
Waiting in the wings for his chance to shine was Barry. Even though he was always drawn to the piano, the logical choice would be for him to play bass. Lucky for them he took to it like a moth to a flame. Driving the groove has become his trademark, and the groove has become the signature of the George Brother's sound.
Not to mention that between Bobby and Barry the vocals are world class. Although their vocal styles are diverse, their delivery contains one common element-STRENGTH!
Long have The George Brothers called upon the services of keyboardist Patrick Harwood to lend his considerable talents to their cause. Since the early days of the band and many times thereafter, he has been there to provide textures and orchestrations that prove to be vital components of the classical rock sound they covet. His contributions on stage and in the studio are an integral part of their style and have helped tremendously in defining the scope of their presentation.
Throughout the 70's, 80's, and 90's the George Brothers enjoyed success both together and with separate musical ventures, and the list of bands with which they have performed is quite impressive, albeit too numerous to mention. But take note that many times when a famous artist comes to town and needs a band to back them up, they know who to call. Although they have been playing together for many years, those who are in the know feel that the George Brothers are just beginning to hit their stride. The blistering guitar work, the thunderous bass, the pounding beat, the vocal power, and the symphonic layering transfixes their audience by transforming their performances into displays of sheer talent, versatility, and authenticity. It's almost as if it's become second nature to them. Sit back and watch the sparks fly and you will be amazed at what you see and hear.
The George Brothers A.D.
Now and forever let it be known that all future George Brothers performances are hereby dedicated to the memory of brother David, whose tragic and untimely demise during a show on May 9th 2009 leaves a void in our hearts that can never truly be filled. Few get to choose the manner in which they exit this world, and fewer still get to depart while doing something which they lived for. This can be said of David Alan George: He Died Well. We hereby resolve to take up the mantle in the spirit of our fallen brother, and use whatever strength remains in our hearts to continue doing what we were BORN to do. What we MUST do. And by doing so, make David proud.
Copyright 2012 George Brothers. All rights reserved.
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Baseball, People | June 30, 2018, 7:44 AM
Tim Tebow Is Doing Something Nobody Expected
Tim Tebow continues to be a lighting rod for criticism.
The most famous Christian athlete in the United States was recently dragged into the NFL's National Anthem controversy for no reason whatsoever.
But now Tebow is back in the news, and the reason why has the liberal sports media furious.
After Tim Tebow's NFL career petered out, the former Heisman trophy winning quarterback set his sights on an old love: baseball.
Tebow was a promising baseball prospect in high school, but chose to follow his football dreams.
The football door closed, but the baseball door cracked open.
Tebow was widely mocked for pursuing a baseball career at 29 years old. Others even more cynical called the move a publicity stunt.
But Tebow simply put his head down and went to work.
He had a bumpy road in year one, but flashed some power, and was promoted to the New York Mets' double-A affiliate.
After Tebow's relatively promising inaugural season, Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said he expected Tebow to make it to the majors.
Some wondered if Alderson's words were simply hot air, but Tebow is inching closer toward making Alderson a prophet.
Tebow suffered a bit of a setback during spring training when he tweaked his ankle after stepping on a sprinkler. But since then, Tebow has proven he belongs. Thus far in June, Tebow is batting .320 and has significantly cut down on the number of strikeouts.
#Mets outfielder Tim Tebow boosts his June slash line to .320/.370/.480 for @RumblePoniesBB.
 -  Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) June 24, 2018
If Tebow continues to grow, he could leave the Binghamton Rumble Ponies behind and get one step closer to "the show" by joining the triple-A Las Vegas 51s.
At 30 years old, Tebow is an elder statesman among baseball prospects, but it's not unprecedented for old rookies to make their major-league debut.
Tebow's grit is unquestioned, and his plate discipline has improved. He still needs to do a better job of drawing walks, but the wild hacks and strikeouts are dwindling.
Last season, Tebow was put on the Eastern League all-star ballot even though his performance wasn't quite up to par. Tebow's presence was a huge marketing boon for the league.
However, this year Tebow is making a better case for himself. He won't play in the all-star game next month, but he's proven himself to be a credible baseball player.
That feat is an accomplish in and of itself when considering his 10-year hiatus from the game. Few players have the talent to be two-sport stars, but even fewer can pick up one sport after a decade of absence and still look like they belong.
Tebow's baseball future is uncertain, but rest assured he will give it his full commitment.
During Tebow's first year at the single-A level, Columbia Fireflies manager Jose Leger lauded Tebow's determination and leadership despite being a newcomer.
Tebow's personality and heart have always rubbed off on his teammates. It's the reason he won two national championships in college, and led the Denver Broncos to a playoff berth after taking over for an underwhelming Kyle Orion.
Tim Tebow's journey to the baseball mountaintop is a treacherous longshot, but if anybody has faith, he does.


"...there is much else that may be told."  -  Glóin
This article or section is a stub. Please help Tolkien Gateway by expanding it.
Edgbaston, Birmingham, a Birds' Eye View in 1904
Birmingham is a city located in the West Midlands county in England. It was where J.R.R. Tolkien called home through most of his childhood from 1895-1911. Tolkien's parents Arthur and Mabel came from this city.[1] Tolkien's experience of growing up and living in Birmingham had a huge impression on him and his life's work.[2]
[edit] Tolkien's childhood in Birmingham
Tolkien was born in the Orange Free State in 1892. However in 1895 John, his brother Hilary and his mother Mabel Tolkien moved into a cottage in Sarehole, a village four miles from the centre of Birmingham. The green woods and fields of his new home had a huge affect on a Tolkien who had only ever known the hot and dry conditions of South Africa. Indeed Tolkien modelled his descriptions of The Shire on his memories of Sarehole. Sarehole Mill is quite possibly mentioned in The Hobbit as the 'the great mill'.[2]
Tolkien joined King Edward's School in September 1900. Over the next few years the family moved several times: first to Moseley in 1900; then to Westfield Road, King's Heath in March 1901; and finally to Oliver Road, Edgbaston in 1902. Following Mabel's conversion to Catholicism her family withdrew financial support prompting her to pull Tolkien out of King Edward's School. He and his brother were enrolled in the Oratory School, St Philips. Tolkien returned to King Edward's School in 1903 after winning a scholarship from the school. Before Mabel died in 1904 from diabetes, she appointed Father Francis Xavier Morgan to be John and Hilary's guardian.[2]
↑ Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (2006), The J.R.R. Tolkien Companion and Guide: II. Reader's Guide, pp. 115-8
↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Birmingham City Council, J. R. R. Tolkien (accessed 19 March 2011)
Birmingham at Wikipedia
Library of Birmingham
J.R.R.Tolkien's childhood in Birmingham at Birmingham City Council
Tolkien's Birmingham 1 - Early Years - Youtube video
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Snarky Puppy @ The Riviera Theater
Date / Showtime
The Riviera Theater
Jazz fusion supergroup Snarky Puppy return to Chicago for a single night at the Riviera. A powerhouse of talent and originality, you won't want to miss this one!
"Maybe you didn't notice, but this is Snarky Puppy's world, and the rest of us only live in it." - The New York Times The last four years have brought dramatic changes for Snarky Puppy. After a decade of relentless touring and recording in all but complete obscurity, the Texas-bred/New York-based quasi-collective suddenly found itself held up by the press and public as one of the major figures in the jazz world. But as the category names for all three of the band's Grammy® awards would indicate (Best R&B Performance in 2014, Best Contemporary Instrumental Album in 2016 and 2017), Snarky Puppy isn't exactly a jazz band. It's not a fusion band, and it's definitely not a jam band. It's probably best to take Nate Chinen of the New York Times' advice, as stated in an online discussion about the group, to "take them for what they are, rather than judge them for what they're not." Snarky Puppy is a collective of sorts with as many as 25 members in regular rotation. They each maintain busy schedules as sidemen (with such artists as Erykah Badu, Snoop Dogg, and D'Angelo), producers (for Kirk Franklin, David Crosby, and Salif Keïta), and solo artists (many of whom are on the band's indy label, GroundUP Music). At its core, the band represents the convergence of both black and white American music culture with various accents from around the world. Japan, Argentina, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Puerto Rico all have representation in the group's membership. But more than the cultural diversity of the individual players, the defining characteristic of Snarky Puppy's music is the joy of performing together in the perpetual push to grow creatively. The band was formed by bassist and primary composer Michael League in 2003, starting inconspicuously enough as a group of college friends at the University of North Texas' Jazz Studies program. Three years later, a serendipitous intersection with the Dallas gospel and R&B community in Dallas transformed the music into something funkier, more direct, and more visceral. It was at this time that the group absorbed musicians like Robert "Sput" Searight (drums), Shaun Martin (keyboards), and Bobby Sparks (keyboards), and were heavily influenced by legendary keyboardist Bernard Wright (Miles Davis, Chaka Khan, Marcus Miller).
Watch Snarky Puppy perform "Lingus (We Like It Here)."
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Why Cooper Tire & Rubber Stock Just Popped 21%
Shares of automotive tire-maker Cooper Tire & Rubber () have rocketed in response to estimate-thumping earnings Monday morning, and were up 21% as of 2:22 p.m. EDT.
Expected to earn just $0.45 per share in Q3, Cooper reported profits more than twice as good, at $1.07 per share. It did this, meanwhile, despite producing revenue that was less than Wall Street had predicted for it  -  just $737.7 million.
Is that a light we see at the end of Cooper Tire's tunnel? Image source: Getty Images.
That's not to say the news was all good. One year ago, Cooper had earned $1.18 per share in its fiscal third quarter, so the company's $1.07 in profits may have "beat earnings," but they still represented a near-10% decline in earnings. (Conversely, the revenue miss represented a small 0.5% increase year over year).
Also, operating profit margins on sales declined more than 4 full percentage points to 11%, with all of the declines in profitability coming in Cooper's flagship Americas tire operations. Margins (and net profits) were actually up internationally.
Cooper management noted that "unit volume in the U.S. improved in the third quarter and outpaced the [U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association]," a trend that it said continued into the month of September. Accordingly, management is forecasting further unit volume growth in the U.S. in the fourth quarter.
That being said, management also warns that profits will be hurt by higher raw materials costs arising from the trade war with China. Despite implementing some price hikes to offset the higher raw materials costs, operating profit margins in Q4 are expected to be roughly the same as we saw in Q3. If that's the case, investors who bought Cooper today hoping to see another earnings beat in Q4 may end up disappointed three months from now.
Rich Smith has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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Bank of America is found liable for Countrywide mortgage fraud
- October 24, 2013Posted in: News
A Countrywide office in Beverly Hills in 2008. Bank of America bought the mortgage lender that year during the height of the housing crisis.
Bank of America has been found liable for fraud in the sale of faulty loans by its Countrywide mortgage unit, a major victory for the federal government as it continues to pursue cases stemming from the financial crisis.
A federal jury in Manhattan sided with prosecutors who alleged Countrywide Financial Corp. churned out risky home loans in a process called "the Hustle" and then sold them to mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
The Calabasas company, once considered the crown jewel of American mortgage lending, made big profits unloading loans that were later rendered worthless during the housing crisis in 2008.
The decision is the first civil fraud verdict against Countrywide, and experts said the decision would probably invite more aggrieved investors to sue and could embolden other investigations aimed at Countrywide or other banks.
"That's a very significant win for the government," said Thomas Gorman, a partner at law firm Dorsey Whitney in Washington. "This kind of verdict will only strengthen government's negotiating position and probably make other major banks reevaluate what their position is."
In addition to ruling unanimously against BofA, jurors found former Countrywide executive Rebecca Mairone liable for her role in the case.
Federal prosecutors in Los Angeles had been unable to construct a criminal fraud case against Countrywide executives, including co-founder and Chairman Angelo Mozilo.
But three years ago, the Securities and Exchange Commission obtained what it said was the biggest-ever civil penalty from a corporate boss when Mozilo agreed to pay $67.5 million to avoid going to trial on allegations of fraud and insider trading. The SEC also settled with two of Mozilo's top executives at Countrywide, which had been the nation's largest home lender.
Countrywide was acquired by BofA during the height of the housing crisis. Preet Bharara, the U.S. attorney in Manhattan, whose office sued the bank, said the lender's practices treated "quality control and underwriting as a joke."
"In a rush to feed at the trough of easy mortgage money on the eve of the financial crisis, Bank of America purchased Countrywide, thinking it had gobbled up a cash cow," Bharara said in a statement. "That profit, however, was built on fraud, as the jury unanimously found."
Bharara's office, which filed the suit a year ago this week, is seeking $848 million in damages from the bank. Any penalties will be determined by a federal judge.
During the four-week trial, the bank contested the number of faulty loans and total losses at the heart of the case.
"The jury's decision concerned a single Countrywide program that lasted several months and ended before Bank of America's acquisition of the company," the bank said in a statement. "We will evaluate our options for appeal."
The suit highlighted Countrywide programs aimed at getting employees to churn out mortgages as fast as possible.
Countrywide's practices were some of the most egregious among subprime lenders, said Arthur Wilmarth Jr., a George Washington University law professor who consulted for the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission.
"They along with Washington Mutual were [among] the worst of the banks," Wilmarth said.
The courtroom victory could strengthen the federal government's hand as it confronts other major Wall Street banks for conduct that contributed to the financial crisis.
The Justice Department and JPMorgan Chase & Co. have been working on a $13-billion settlement that would resolve a raft of federal and state probes stemming from faulty mortgage investments that fueled the financial crisis. A source familiar with the negotiations has said the deal could be announced as soon as this week.
In addition, the verdict may inspire the federal government to continue using a new weapon to fight Wall Street misdeeds.
After the financial crisis, prosecutors dusted off a 1980s law  -  the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act  -  to pursue wrongdoing, said Jeffrey Manns, a law professor at George Washington University. Prosecutors used the law in the Countrywide case. The law was passed after the savings and loan crisis and allows the government to more easily prosecute for fraud that affects federally insured financial institutions.
"This is potentially a landmark case because it shows the government can successfully sue under this act," Manns said.
Manns said the Countrywide case could have fallout for other cases, such as the Justice Department lawsuit against ratings firm Standard & Poor's filed in Los Angeles. In that case, the government alleges that S&P helped inflate the housing bubble by assigning dubious ratings to mortgage investments chock-full of faulty loans.
"That case will now take place in the shadow of the Bank of America decision," Manns said.