On Wednesday, the Russian Federation Council (the country’s Upper Chamber of Parliament) ratified an agreement between Russia and Ukraine on extending the Black Sea Fleet's presence in Crimea after 2017 for 25 years.
The chamber was unanimous in agreement: all 132 legislators voted for the document. Now it is due to be signed by the presidents of Russia and Ukraine.
The day before, on April 27, the agreement was approved by Russia's State Duma and Ukraine's Verkhovnaya Rada.
Russian parliamentarians have expressed their support for the deal with 410 votes.
Despite opposition’s attempts to block the decision a total of 236 Ukrainian parliamentarians also supported this decision on Tuesday.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev believes Ukraine's ratification of the Black Sea Fleet agreement shows the supremacy of the country's strategic interests over emotion. He made the statement at a joint press conference with Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg in Oslo.
“This agreement is beneficial for both Russia and Ukraine,” he proclaimed, “but we need to benefit intelligently from it: we must get rid of a mathematical approach and not discuss who lost or who won, not discuss how it will influence current issues, but look to the future.”
“We have paid a lot for our fleet position on the territory of Crimea, but it is not a fantastic price. That is because we have strategic relations with Ukraine, with the government very close to our country,” announced Medvedev.
HANNOVER:
Waziri wa kwanza wa Kiislamu nchini Ujerumani ameapishwa kuwa waziri wa masuala ya jamii katika serikali ya jimbo la Lower Saxony. Mwanasheria Aygül Özkan mwenye asili ya Kituruki, aliteuliwa kwa kauli moja na chama cha Christian Demokratik CDU na cha kiliberali FDP katika jimbo hilo.
Siku chache zilizopita Özkan mwenye umri wa miaka 38, alizusha hasira aliposema kuwa misalaba haipaswi kuwepo katika shule za serikali. Jumatatu alibadili kauli hiyo. Mbali na Özkan, wanachama wengine watatu wa CDU vile vile wameapishwa kushika nyadhifa za waziri katika jimbo hilo. Tangu ulipopatikana muungano wa Ujerumani miaka ishirini iliyopita, kwa mara ya kwanza ameteuliwa Mjerumani kutoka mashariki kuwa waziri katika serikali ya jimbo la magharibi. Bibi Johanna Wanka ataiongoza wizara ya sayansi katikaserikali ya jimbo la Lower Saxony.
Waziri wa kwanza wa Kiislamu nchini Ujerumani ameapishwa kuwa waziri wa masuala ya jamii katika serikali ya jimbo la Lower Saxony. Mwanasheria Aygül Özkan mwenye asili ya Kituruki, aliteuliwa kwa kauli moja na chama cha Christian Demokratik CDU na cha kiliberali FDP katika jimbo hilo.
Siku chache zilizopita Özkan mwenye umri wa miaka 38, alizusha hasira aliposema kuwa misalaba haipaswi kuwepo katika shule za serikali. Jumatatu alibadili kauli hiyo. Mbali na Özkan, wanachama wengine watatu wa CDU vile vile wameapishwa kushika nyadhifa za waziri katika jimbo hilo. Tangu ulipopatikana muungano wa Ujerumani miaka ishirini iliyopita, kwa mara ya kwanza ameteuliwa Mjerumani kutoka mashariki kuwa waziri katika serikali ya jimbo la magharibi. Bibi Johanna Wanka ataiongoza wizara ya sayansi katikaserikali ya jimbo la Lower Saxony.
WASHINGTON:
Syria na Iran zimetuhumiwa na Marekani na Israel kuwa zinatoa msaada wa silaha kwa wanamgambo wa Hezbollah nchini Lebanon. Waziri wa Ulinzi wa Marekani Robert Gates amesema, miongoni mwa silaha hizo ni makombora ya kisasa. Hiyo inaweza kuvuruga usalama katika kanda hiyo ya Mashariki ya Kati aliongezea waziri Gates baada ya kukutana na waziri mwenzake wa Israel Ehud Barak mjini Washington.
Kwa upande wake Barak amesema, Israel haitaki kuchochea mapambano yo yote, lakini serikali yake ipo macho. Katika mwaka 2006, majeshi ya Israel yalifanya mashambulio dhidi ya Hezbollah nchini Lebanon. Si chini ya watu 1,200 waliuawa upande wa Lebanon, wengi wao walikuwa raia wa kawaida. Israeli nayo ilipoteza watu 160 wengi wao walikuwa wanajeshi.
Syria na Iran zimetuhumiwa na Marekani na Israel kuwa zinatoa msaada wa silaha kwa wanamgambo wa Hezbollah nchini Lebanon. Waziri wa Ulinzi wa Marekani Robert Gates amesema, miongoni mwa silaha hizo ni makombora ya kisasa. Hiyo inaweza kuvuruga usalama katika kanda hiyo ya Mashariki ya Kati aliongezea waziri Gates baada ya kukutana na waziri mwenzake wa Israel Ehud Barak mjini Washington.
Kwa upande wake Barak amesema, Israel haitaki kuchochea mapambano yo yote, lakini serikali yake ipo macho. Katika mwaka 2006, majeshi ya Israel yalifanya mashambulio dhidi ya Hezbollah nchini Lebanon. Si chini ya watu 1,200 waliuawa upande wa Lebanon, wengi wao walikuwa raia wa kawaida. Israeli nayo ilipoteza watu 160 wengi wao walikuwa wanajeshi.
Wanamaji wa Urusi sio tatizo Ukraine- bunge hatimaye lapitisha mswada
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| Ukraine imewaruhusu wanamaji wa Urusi kuendelea na shughuli zao Crimea |
Bunge la Ukraine limepitisha hatua ya Urusi kuendelea na shughuli zake katika kituo cha jeshi la wanamaji cha Crimea, katika maji ya Black Sea.
Hata hivyo kulikuwa na fujo bungeni wakati wa majadiliano kuhusu hatua hiyo.
Wabunge walipigana, huku Spika akijificha chini ya mwavuli, wakati wabunge walikuwa wakimpiga kwa mayai.
Mabomu yanayotoa moshi pia yalitegwa nje ya bunge.
Nje ya bunge, polisi walipambana na maelfu ya waandamanaji, wengine wakiunga au kupinga makubaliano ya wiki iliyopita kati ya marais wa Ukraine na Urusi ya kuongoza muda zaidi katika Urusi kukimiliki kituo hicho cha kijeshi.
Dikteta wa zamani wa Panama, Manuel Antonio Noriega, amewasili mjini Paris leo baada ya Marekani kumhamishia huko ili afikishwe mahakamani nchini Ufaransa kwa madai ya kusafirisha fedha za biashara ya madawa ya kulevywa kinyume na sheria.
Ndege ya shirika la ndege la Ufaransa iliyomchukua kiongozi huyo wa zamani wa Panama, mwenye umri wa miaka 74, imewasili katika uwanja wa ndege wa Charles de Gaulle asubuhi ya leo na alipelekwa moja kwa moja mahakamani ili kusikiliza mashtaka dhidi yake.
Kiongozi huyo wa zamani wa Panama aliondolewa kutoka katika jela mjini Miami jana Jumatatu ambako ametumikia kifungo cha miaka 17 baada ya kuondolewa madarakani mwaka 1989 wakati rais wa zamani wa Marekani, George Bush, alipotuma vikosi vya jeshi la nchi hiyo nchini Panama kwenda kumkamata.
Noriega amekuwa kwa muda wa miaka kadha akipinga kupelekwa nchini Ufaransa , ambako katika mwaka 1999 alihukumiwa akiwa hayuko mahakamani kwa kusafirisha fedha za mapato ya biashara ya madawa ya kulevywa na kuhukumiwa kwenda jela kwa muda wa miaka kumi. Ufaransa ilikubali kufanya kesi hiyo upya.
Noriega alitakiwa kufikishwa mbele ya jaji mahakamani mjini Paris , ambaye alitakiwa kuamuru kuwa arejeshwe rumande akisubiri kufanyika kesi yake ambayo inaweza kuanza kusikilizwa katika muda wa miezi miwili, wamesema maafisa wa Ufaransa.
Waziri wa mambo ya kigeni wa Marekani, Hillary Clinton, alitia saini mjini Washington hati ya kupelekwa Noriega nchini Ufaransa jana Jumatatu, na kufikisha mwisho miaka kadha ya mvutano wa kisheria kuhusu hali ya baadaye ya Noriega. Mawakili wa Noriega wanataka aachiliwe mara moja, wakisema kuwa kukamatwa kwake na kupelekwa nchini Ufaransa ni kinyume na sheria.
Akiwa kama mtu muhimu sana kwa shirika la ujasusi la Marekani, CIA, hapo zamani , Noriega aliingia madarakani nchini Panama akiwa mkuu wa idara ya upelelezi katika jeshi la nchi hiyo na baadaye kama mkuu wa jeshi katika miaka ya 80. Lakini uhusiano wake na Marekani uliharibika kutokana na ripoti kuwa amejiingiza sana katika biashara ya madawa ya kulevywa na kutiliwa shaka kuwa alikuwa pia akishirikiana na Cuba.
Desemba mwaka 1989, Bush aliamuru kukamatwa kwa Noriega ili aweze kufikishwa mahakamani nchini Marekani , na kutuma majeshi nchini Panama katika operesheni iliyopewa jina la 'kitendo cha haki'.
Baada ya Noriega kukimbilia katika ubalozi wa Vatican mjini Panama City, akiomba hifadhi humo, majeshi ya Marekani yalilizingira jengo hilo, na kupiga muziki kwa sauti ya juu ili kumfanya ashindwe kuvumilia. Siku kumi za mkwamo zilimalizika Januari 2 ,1990 wakati Noriega alipojitokeza nje ya jengo hilo la ubalozi na kujisalimisha kwa majeshi ya Marekani ambayo yalimsafirisha hadi Miami , jimboni Florida nchini Marekani. Alihukumiwa kwa makosa ya kufanya biashara ya madawa ya kulevywa na kusafirisha fedha za madawa hayo na kuhukumiwa kifungo cha miaka 40 jela. Hukumu hiyo ilipunguzwa na kuwa miaka 17 kutokana na kuwa na tabia nzuri.
Tangu wakati huo alibakia katika mamlaka ya serikali ya Marekani wakati akipambana dhidi ya ombi la kupelekwa nchini Ufaransa.
SERIKALI ya Mapinduzi ya Zanzibar (SMZ) ilinusurika majaribio 14 ya kupinduliwa, likiwamo lililosababisha kifo cha muasisi wa Mapinduzi, Sheikh Abeid Amaan Karume, Aprili 7, 1972.
Kwa mujibu wa wazee waliokuwapo wakati wa kuasisiwa kwa Muungano, majaribio hayo yalishindikana na mmoja wa wazee hao, aliyewahi kuwa Katibu wa Kwanza wa Jumuiya ya Vijana ya Chama cha Afro Shiraz, Baraka Mohamed Shamte alisema kama si Muungano, baadhi ya majaribio hayo yangefanikiwa na kungeendelea kutokea mapinduzi zaidi ya mara sita.
“ Kama isingekuwa Muungano, tungepinduana zaidi ya mara sita,” alisema Shamte ambaye pia ni mtoto wa marehemu Muhammad Shamte, aliyekuwa Waziri Mkuu wa Serikali ya Zanzibar iliyopinduliwa.
Alifafanua kuwa wafuasi wa utawala uliopinduliwa uliokuwa chini ya Sultan ambao walikuwa ndani na nje ya Zanzibar, ndio waliofanya majaribio hayo 14 katika kipindi kifupi cha kati ya mwaka 1964 na 1972.
“Yalikuwa majaribio ya mapinduzi ya kweli,” alisema Shamte na kuongeza kuwa sababu mojawapo kubwa ya kuundwa kwa Muungano ilikuwa kuipatia SMZ ulinzi na usalama, kwa kuwa baada ya Mapinduzi, Serikali iliyoundwa haikuwa na nguvu za kijeshi kujilinda dhidi ya maadui.
Lengo la pili kwa mujibu wa Shamte, lilikuwa kudumisha uhusiano kati ya Watanganyika na Wazanzibari ambao ulikuwa mkubwa kabla hata ya kuja kwa Wakoloni.
Hata hivyo, mmoja wa mawaziri wa Baraza la Kwanza la Mapinduzi, Hassan Nassoro Moyo, alipinga hoja kuwa Muungano ulianzishwa kwa malengo ya kuipa Zanzibar ulinzi na usalama na badala yake, akasema ulianzishwa na watu siku nyingi kabla hata baba yake hajazaliwa na kilichofanyika Aprili 26, 1964, ni kuuweka rasmi.
“Watu wa nchi hizi mbili walianza Muungano miaka mingi pengine hata kabla baba yangu hajazaliwa, si Muungano wa serikali kama watu wanavyosema kwa kuwa serikali huja ikaondoka.
“Maelewano haya msingi wake ulikuwa udugu na urafiki wa asili, Wakoloni ndio wakaja wakagawa nchi, sisi tukaja tukaendeleza walichoanzisha wazee wetu,” alisema Moyo.
Kuhusu ulinzi na usalama, Moyo alisema ulikuwa wa kawaida wa nchi mbili rafiki, “Zanzibar ilikuwa na Serikali haikuwa vibaya kumwambia mwenzako (Serikali ya Tanganyika), nisaidie,” alisema Moyo.
Alifafanua kwamba Karume hakuogopa kupinduliwa kwa kuwa Serikali ya Mwarabu ilishaondoka na waliopinduliwa walikuwa kizuizini.
Kuhusu majaribio 14 ya kumpindua Karume, Moyo alisema, “kama yalitokea tuliyakabili, naweza kusema ndio yalitokea, lakini hayakuleta athari yoyote, labda yaliyofanyika Aprili 7 (1972 wakati Karume alipouawa kwa risasi) ndio unaweza kusema lilifanikiwa, lilimuua kiongozi wetu.”
Naye Enzi Talib, aliyekuwa Mwandishi wa Habari wa Kwanza wa Karume, alipinga hoja ya Shamte kwamba majaribio hayo ya Mapinduzi yangefanikiwa kama si Muungano.
Kwa mujibu wa Talib, baada ya Mapinduzi, mataifa mengi yenye nguvu duniani kuanzia Ulaya Magharibi mpaka Urusi, China na hata mataifa mengi ya Arabuni, waliitambua Zanzibar na mengine yalianzisha uhusiano wa kibalozi.
Talib, ambaye pia alithibitisha kuwa kulitokea majaribio hayo 14 ya kumpindua Karume, alisema nchi hizo zilizokuwa zimeitambua Zanzibar, zisingevumilia kuona ikipinduliwa.
Shamte alitaja mafanikio ya Muungano ambayo hayakukusudiwa wakati wa kuasisiwa kwake, kuwa ni Wazanzibari wengi kunufaika na ukubwa wa Tanzania Bara ambapo alisema wengi hasa kutoka Pemba, walihamia Bara, wameoa, wamejenga na kumiliki ardhi kubwa na maduka makubwa.
“Zamani ukimwambia mtu ahamie Bara ilikuwa vigumu lakini sasa kuna familia zimehama kabisa Pemba na wakirudi kwao ni kama kutembea tena wakikaa mwezi mmoja tu, wanaona taabu ndio maana kura za CUF zimekuwa zikipungua kila mara.
“Ukienda mpakani Kigoma, Tunduma, Mtwara, utawakuta na hata viongozi wakiwapo wabunge wa zamani wamejenga na kuhamia kabisa Dodoma, Hamad Rashid Mohamed (Kiongozi wa Upinzani bungeni) na Fatuma Maghimbi, wamejenga wapi? Si wapo Dar es Salaam hawa,” alisema.
Alifafanua kuwa hali hiyo ni tofauti na Watanzania kutoka Bara ambao tangu enzi ya Ukoloni wako sehemu mbili tu za Zanzibar ambazo ni Dole kisiwani Unguja na Makangale, kisiwani Pemba na kazi yao huko ni kilimo na ufugaji.
Kwa upande wa Moyo alisema, uhamiaji wa Wazanzibari Bara na Watanganyika Zanzibar ni moja ya malengo ya Muungano na kuongeza kuwa yamafanikiwa sana.
“Baada ya Nyerere (Mwalimu Julius) na Karume kusaini makubaliano ya Muungano Aprili 22, 1964, Karume aliitisha Baraza la Mapinduzi siku ile ile, alisema Zanzibar ni nchi ndogo na uchumi wake ni mdogo unaotegemea karafuu na mbata (nazi) ambao asingeweza kuwahakikishia wote ajira.
“Pia (Karume) alisema watu tunazaliana na ardhi haiongezeki na bahari inakula kisiwa, kuungana na Tanganyika ni kuungana na nchi kubwa, tutapata kazi, biashara, elimu na kulima na hata kuzaliana zaidi na sifa yetu huko ni utanzania wetu,” alisema Moyo na kuongeza kuwa hayo yote leo hii yanaonekana na kusisitiza kuwa yeye kamwe hataona haya kusema Wazanzibari wanafaidi Bara.
“Mimi nilioa Bara mwaka 1955, watu wengi hawajui na mpaka leo mke wangu ninaye,” alijitolea mfano na kukumbushia kuwa yeye ni mfano kwamba Muungano wa watu ulianza siku nyingi.
Hata hivyo, Talib alipinga mtazamo huo kuwa Wazanzibari wengi ndio waliohamia Bara na badala yake akaongeza, kuwa Watanzania wanaotoka Bara ndio walioongeza idadi ya watu Zanzibar kutoka 300,000 baada ya Mapinduzi hadi zaidi ya milioni na kazi yao kubwa ni ujasiriamali.
Mafanikio mengine yameelezwa kuwa ni upatikanaji wa bidhaa nyingi za matumizi ya chakula katika masoko ya Zanzibar ambazo zinatoka Bara.
“Wajasiriamali kutoka soko la Mwanakwerekwe, asilimia 90 bidhaa wanazitoa Bara,” alisema Shamte na kuongeza kuwa Muungano ukivunjika, Wazanzibari wataathirika kwa umasikini na njaa.
Hata hivyo Shamte na Talib, walielezea wasiwasi kwamba hali ya sasa ya Muungano inaonesha hatari ya kuvunjika kuliko kuimarika huku Moyo akipinga na kuhoji kwa nini watu wanazungumzia mambo hasi ya kesho wakati kesho yenyewe hawaijui.
“Muungano ni kitu kizuri na viongozi waliuanzisha kwa nia njema lakini wakauacha na upungufu mkubwa,” alisema Shamte.
Moja ya upungufu mkubwa aliouzungumzia Shamte ni katika tafsiri ya Muungano ambapo alisema baadhi ya watu wanasema wanataka Serikali moja kutoka mbili.
Alidai Karume hakuwa na mtazamo wa Serikali moja na ndiyo maana wakati wa Azimio la Arusha, alimwambia Mwalimu Nyerere, Azimio hilo liishie Chumbe (mpakani mwa Dar es Salaam na Zanzibar).
Shamte na Talib walibainisha kwa nyakati tofauti kuwa upungufu mkubwa wa Muungano unatokana na kutofanyika kwa mapitio ya Katiba ya Muungano kama ilivyokubaliwa wakati wa kuasisiwa kwake, kwamba mapitio hayo yangefanyika baada ya miaka miwili.
Shamte alisema Muungano uliundwa kwa haraka na Katiba yake ilitakiwa kufanyiwa mapitio baada ya miaka miwili, jambo ambalo halikufanyika tangu wakati wa Nyerere na Karume mpaka leo.
Muasisi huyo wa Afro Shiraz alionya kwamba kwa jinsi mapitio hayo ya Katiba yanavyoachwa yafanyike na badala yake kukaundwa vikao, kikiwamo cha Waziri Mkuu na Waziri Kiongozi, ndivyo hali ya kuvunjika Muungano inavyokuwa mbaya.
Kwa upande wa Moyo, ambaye wakati wa Muungano alikuwa Waziri wa Sheria wa Zanzibar, alisema baada ya kusaini makubaliano ya Muungano, walikubaliana kuipitia upya Katiba ya Muungano baada ya mwaka mmoja na si miwili kama walivyosema Shamte na Talib.
Moyo alifafanua kwamba 1964, walirekebisha Katiba ya Tanganyika, ili iwe ya Muungano na wakati wa marekebisho Bunge la Tanganyika na Baraza la Mapinduzi, walikutana na kukubaliana marekebisho hayo ndiyo yawe Katiba ya Muungano.
Hata hivyo mwaka uliofuatia, 1965 walishindwa kufanya mapitio ya Katiba ya Muungano kama walivyokubaliana katika kikao chao na kulitolewa tangazo katika Gazeti la Serikali kuahirisha mapitio hayo ya Katiba.
Kwa mujibu wa Moyo, kuahirishwa huko kulichukua muda na ilipofika mwaka 1977, wakati wa kuunganisha vyama vya TANU na ASP, kuliundwa kamati ya watu 20, kumi kutoka Bara na kumi Zanzibar ambao walipewa kazi ya kushughulikia uunganishwaji wa vyama hivyo na kuzaa CCM.
Alifafanua kuwa baada ya kuundwa CCM, watu hao hao ambao hakuwakumbuka, walipewa jukumu la kuipitia Katiba ya Muungano na mapendekezo yao ndiyo yaliyounda Katiba ya sasa ya Muungano ambayo ni ya mwaka 1977.
Moyo alishauri kuwa si vibaya Katiba ya Muungano ikapitiwa upya kwa kuwa wanasheria wanahoji uhalali wa watu hao 20 kupitia Katiba, wakati makubaliano ya kuipitia yalifanywa na wajumbe wa Baraza la Mapinduzi na wabunge.
Kwa mujibu wa wazee waliokuwapo wakati wa kuasisiwa kwa Muungano, majaribio hayo yalishindikana na mmoja wa wazee hao, aliyewahi kuwa Katibu wa Kwanza wa Jumuiya ya Vijana ya Chama cha Afro Shiraz, Baraka Mohamed Shamte alisema kama si Muungano, baadhi ya majaribio hayo yangefanikiwa na kungeendelea kutokea mapinduzi zaidi ya mara sita.
“ Kama isingekuwa Muungano, tungepinduana zaidi ya mara sita,” alisema Shamte ambaye pia ni mtoto wa marehemu Muhammad Shamte, aliyekuwa Waziri Mkuu wa Serikali ya Zanzibar iliyopinduliwa.
Alifafanua kuwa wafuasi wa utawala uliopinduliwa uliokuwa chini ya Sultan ambao walikuwa ndani na nje ya Zanzibar, ndio waliofanya majaribio hayo 14 katika kipindi kifupi cha kati ya mwaka 1964 na 1972.
“Yalikuwa majaribio ya mapinduzi ya kweli,” alisema Shamte na kuongeza kuwa sababu mojawapo kubwa ya kuundwa kwa Muungano ilikuwa kuipatia SMZ ulinzi na usalama, kwa kuwa baada ya Mapinduzi, Serikali iliyoundwa haikuwa na nguvu za kijeshi kujilinda dhidi ya maadui.
Lengo la pili kwa mujibu wa Shamte, lilikuwa kudumisha uhusiano kati ya Watanganyika na Wazanzibari ambao ulikuwa mkubwa kabla hata ya kuja kwa Wakoloni.
Hata hivyo, mmoja wa mawaziri wa Baraza la Kwanza la Mapinduzi, Hassan Nassoro Moyo, alipinga hoja kuwa Muungano ulianzishwa kwa malengo ya kuipa Zanzibar ulinzi na usalama na badala yake, akasema ulianzishwa na watu siku nyingi kabla hata baba yake hajazaliwa na kilichofanyika Aprili 26, 1964, ni kuuweka rasmi.
“Watu wa nchi hizi mbili walianza Muungano miaka mingi pengine hata kabla baba yangu hajazaliwa, si Muungano wa serikali kama watu wanavyosema kwa kuwa serikali huja ikaondoka.
“Maelewano haya msingi wake ulikuwa udugu na urafiki wa asili, Wakoloni ndio wakaja wakagawa nchi, sisi tukaja tukaendeleza walichoanzisha wazee wetu,” alisema Moyo.
Kuhusu ulinzi na usalama, Moyo alisema ulikuwa wa kawaida wa nchi mbili rafiki, “Zanzibar ilikuwa na Serikali haikuwa vibaya kumwambia mwenzako (Serikali ya Tanganyika), nisaidie,” alisema Moyo.
Alifafanua kwamba Karume hakuogopa kupinduliwa kwa kuwa Serikali ya Mwarabu ilishaondoka na waliopinduliwa walikuwa kizuizini.
Kuhusu majaribio 14 ya kumpindua Karume, Moyo alisema, “kama yalitokea tuliyakabili, naweza kusema ndio yalitokea, lakini hayakuleta athari yoyote, labda yaliyofanyika Aprili 7 (1972 wakati Karume alipouawa kwa risasi) ndio unaweza kusema lilifanikiwa, lilimuua kiongozi wetu.”
Naye Enzi Talib, aliyekuwa Mwandishi wa Habari wa Kwanza wa Karume, alipinga hoja ya Shamte kwamba majaribio hayo ya Mapinduzi yangefanikiwa kama si Muungano.
Kwa mujibu wa Talib, baada ya Mapinduzi, mataifa mengi yenye nguvu duniani kuanzia Ulaya Magharibi mpaka Urusi, China na hata mataifa mengi ya Arabuni, waliitambua Zanzibar na mengine yalianzisha uhusiano wa kibalozi.
Talib, ambaye pia alithibitisha kuwa kulitokea majaribio hayo 14 ya kumpindua Karume, alisema nchi hizo zilizokuwa zimeitambua Zanzibar, zisingevumilia kuona ikipinduliwa.
Shamte alitaja mafanikio ya Muungano ambayo hayakukusudiwa wakati wa kuasisiwa kwake, kuwa ni Wazanzibari wengi kunufaika na ukubwa wa Tanzania Bara ambapo alisema wengi hasa kutoka Pemba, walihamia Bara, wameoa, wamejenga na kumiliki ardhi kubwa na maduka makubwa.
“Zamani ukimwambia mtu ahamie Bara ilikuwa vigumu lakini sasa kuna familia zimehama kabisa Pemba na wakirudi kwao ni kama kutembea tena wakikaa mwezi mmoja tu, wanaona taabu ndio maana kura za CUF zimekuwa zikipungua kila mara.
“Ukienda mpakani Kigoma, Tunduma, Mtwara, utawakuta na hata viongozi wakiwapo wabunge wa zamani wamejenga na kuhamia kabisa Dodoma, Hamad Rashid Mohamed (Kiongozi wa Upinzani bungeni) na Fatuma Maghimbi, wamejenga wapi? Si wapo Dar es Salaam hawa,” alisema.
Alifafanua kuwa hali hiyo ni tofauti na Watanzania kutoka Bara ambao tangu enzi ya Ukoloni wako sehemu mbili tu za Zanzibar ambazo ni Dole kisiwani Unguja na Makangale, kisiwani Pemba na kazi yao huko ni kilimo na ufugaji.
Kwa upande wa Moyo alisema, uhamiaji wa Wazanzibari Bara na Watanganyika Zanzibar ni moja ya malengo ya Muungano na kuongeza kuwa yamafanikiwa sana.
“Baada ya Nyerere (Mwalimu Julius) na Karume kusaini makubaliano ya Muungano Aprili 22, 1964, Karume aliitisha Baraza la Mapinduzi siku ile ile, alisema Zanzibar ni nchi ndogo na uchumi wake ni mdogo unaotegemea karafuu na mbata (nazi) ambao asingeweza kuwahakikishia wote ajira.
“Pia (Karume) alisema watu tunazaliana na ardhi haiongezeki na bahari inakula kisiwa, kuungana na Tanganyika ni kuungana na nchi kubwa, tutapata kazi, biashara, elimu na kulima na hata kuzaliana zaidi na sifa yetu huko ni utanzania wetu,” alisema Moyo na kuongeza kuwa hayo yote leo hii yanaonekana na kusisitiza kuwa yeye kamwe hataona haya kusema Wazanzibari wanafaidi Bara.
“Mimi nilioa Bara mwaka 1955, watu wengi hawajui na mpaka leo mke wangu ninaye,” alijitolea mfano na kukumbushia kuwa yeye ni mfano kwamba Muungano wa watu ulianza siku nyingi.
Hata hivyo, Talib alipinga mtazamo huo kuwa Wazanzibari wengi ndio waliohamia Bara na badala yake akaongeza, kuwa Watanzania wanaotoka Bara ndio walioongeza idadi ya watu Zanzibar kutoka 300,000 baada ya Mapinduzi hadi zaidi ya milioni na kazi yao kubwa ni ujasiriamali.
Mafanikio mengine yameelezwa kuwa ni upatikanaji wa bidhaa nyingi za matumizi ya chakula katika masoko ya Zanzibar ambazo zinatoka Bara.
“Wajasiriamali kutoka soko la Mwanakwerekwe, asilimia 90 bidhaa wanazitoa Bara,” alisema Shamte na kuongeza kuwa Muungano ukivunjika, Wazanzibari wataathirika kwa umasikini na njaa.
Hata hivyo Shamte na Talib, walielezea wasiwasi kwamba hali ya sasa ya Muungano inaonesha hatari ya kuvunjika kuliko kuimarika huku Moyo akipinga na kuhoji kwa nini watu wanazungumzia mambo hasi ya kesho wakati kesho yenyewe hawaijui.
“Muungano ni kitu kizuri na viongozi waliuanzisha kwa nia njema lakini wakauacha na upungufu mkubwa,” alisema Shamte.
Moja ya upungufu mkubwa aliouzungumzia Shamte ni katika tafsiri ya Muungano ambapo alisema baadhi ya watu wanasema wanataka Serikali moja kutoka mbili.
Alidai Karume hakuwa na mtazamo wa Serikali moja na ndiyo maana wakati wa Azimio la Arusha, alimwambia Mwalimu Nyerere, Azimio hilo liishie Chumbe (mpakani mwa Dar es Salaam na Zanzibar).
Shamte na Talib walibainisha kwa nyakati tofauti kuwa upungufu mkubwa wa Muungano unatokana na kutofanyika kwa mapitio ya Katiba ya Muungano kama ilivyokubaliwa wakati wa kuasisiwa kwake, kwamba mapitio hayo yangefanyika baada ya miaka miwili.
Shamte alisema Muungano uliundwa kwa haraka na Katiba yake ilitakiwa kufanyiwa mapitio baada ya miaka miwili, jambo ambalo halikufanyika tangu wakati wa Nyerere na Karume mpaka leo.
Muasisi huyo wa Afro Shiraz alionya kwamba kwa jinsi mapitio hayo ya Katiba yanavyoachwa yafanyike na badala yake kukaundwa vikao, kikiwamo cha Waziri Mkuu na Waziri Kiongozi, ndivyo hali ya kuvunjika Muungano inavyokuwa mbaya.
Kwa upande wa Moyo, ambaye wakati wa Muungano alikuwa Waziri wa Sheria wa Zanzibar, alisema baada ya kusaini makubaliano ya Muungano, walikubaliana kuipitia upya Katiba ya Muungano baada ya mwaka mmoja na si miwili kama walivyosema Shamte na Talib.
Moyo alifafanua kwamba 1964, walirekebisha Katiba ya Tanganyika, ili iwe ya Muungano na wakati wa marekebisho Bunge la Tanganyika na Baraza la Mapinduzi, walikutana na kukubaliana marekebisho hayo ndiyo yawe Katiba ya Muungano.
Hata hivyo mwaka uliofuatia, 1965 walishindwa kufanya mapitio ya Katiba ya Muungano kama walivyokubaliana katika kikao chao na kulitolewa tangazo katika Gazeti la Serikali kuahirisha mapitio hayo ya Katiba.
Kwa mujibu wa Moyo, kuahirishwa huko kulichukua muda na ilipofika mwaka 1977, wakati wa kuunganisha vyama vya TANU na ASP, kuliundwa kamati ya watu 20, kumi kutoka Bara na kumi Zanzibar ambao walipewa kazi ya kushughulikia uunganishwaji wa vyama hivyo na kuzaa CCM.
Alifafanua kuwa baada ya kuundwa CCM, watu hao hao ambao hakuwakumbuka, walipewa jukumu la kuipitia Katiba ya Muungano na mapendekezo yao ndiyo yaliyounda Katiba ya sasa ya Muungano ambayo ni ya mwaka 1977.
Moyo alishauri kuwa si vibaya Katiba ya Muungano ikapitiwa upya kwa kuwa wanasheria wanahoji uhalali wa watu hao 20 kupitia Katiba, wakati makubaliano ya kuipitia yalifanywa na wajumbe wa Baraza la Mapinduzi na wabunge.
The US Middle East envoy is trying to revive Israeli-Palestinian peace talks - despite more spanners being thrown in the works. Mahmoud Abbas has poured scorn on creating a Palestinian state within temporary borders.
Meanwhile Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has rejected Washington demands to stop building Jewish settlements in disputed East Jerusalem.
RT asks former Palestinian Prime Minister, Ahmed Qurei, member of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization and head of the Jerusalem department, where all this now leaves hopes for a deal.
RT: Mr Qurei, do you think that American pressure on the Netanyahu government to halt the settlement building will succeed?
Ahmed Qurei: There's lots of tension on the Israeli and Palestinian sides. Israel is not agreeing to the basic rights of the Palestinians to statehood and is continuing to implement its policies against Palestinians in the West Bank, especially in areas from before 1967. There’s no doubt that the American government, if it wants to, can exert a lot of pressure on Israel but we're not asking the US to take action against Israel or to cancel Israel's rights, if there are any Israeli rights. What we're asking them to do is to push Israel in the direction of getting Palestinian rights in the West Bank and Gaza and on the land of ’67.
Ahmed Qurei: There's lots of tension on the Israeli and Palestinian sides. Israel is not agreeing to the basic rights of the Palestinians to statehood and is continuing to implement its policies against Palestinians in the West Bank, especially in areas from before 1967. There’s no doubt that the American government, if it wants to, can exert a lot of pressure on Israel but we're not asking the US to take action against Israel or to cancel Israel's rights, if there are any Israeli rights. What we're asking them to do is to push Israel in the direction of getting Palestinian rights in the West Bank and Gaza and on the land of ’67.
I think the US has been taking action recently to put pressure on Israel and Netanyahu's government, but for there to be peace, on the one side there has to be Palestinian unity, there has to be one Palestinian decision so that the Palestinian people can support this decision. And on the other side, the Israeli government has to be a government that is ready to push its people towards peace and I don’t think the current Israeli government has the power or the will to go for peace.
RT: So on the question of construction freezes, Netanyahu has said that building in Jerusalem is the same as building in Tel Aviv and therefore they have a right to do it. What is your response to that?
AQ: I think that this is the real problem. As long as Netanyahu looks at Jerusalem as part of Israel, there won't be a resolution. This illusion that Jerusalem is part of Israel and that the Palestinians or Arabs will ever accept any resolution is unacceptable and needs to be taken away. Jerusalem, East Jerusalem is an integral part of the Palestinian state and it is the future capital of any Palestinian state.
RT: You spoke about the Palestinian Authority. Do you see any kind of resolution within the Palestinian Authority between Hamas and Fatah?
AQ: I think that this is the real problem. As long as Netanyahu looks at Jerusalem as part of Israel, there won't be a resolution. This illusion that Jerusalem is part of Israel and that the Palestinians or Arabs will ever accept any resolution is unacceptable and needs to be taken away. Jerusalem, East Jerusalem is an integral part of the Palestinian state and it is the future capital of any Palestinian state.
RT: You spoke about the Palestinian Authority. Do you see any kind of resolution within the Palestinian Authority between Hamas and Fatah?
AQ: I think yes, it's possible and it should happen. Even if there's a difficulty in discussions and in the talks, it's an issue that has to be resolved. There won't be any resolution to the Palestinian issue if there isn't unity between the Palestinian parties and this situation that we are currently in. The division between the West Bank and Gaza is very difficult, and I've led negotiations in Cairo and we sat with leaders from Cairo and we spoke about all the problems. Egypt drafted a concept paper, which we in Fatah have accepted, and I think that it's very legitimate and it's a very good starting point. I hope that Hamas will sign this agreement and afterwards we can sit and discuss the details.
I hope the Mid-East quartet will insist on unity between the Palestinian parties and that they will help and push for this unity, rather than putting conditions which would make it almost very difficult to get to an agreement.
RT: What about future Palestinian elections because the longer that they are delayed, the more opportunity perhaps there is for the division between Hamas and Fatah to get deeper. Do you foresee elections any time soon?
I hope the Mid-East quartet will insist on unity between the Palestinian parties and that they will help and push for this unity, rather than putting conditions which would make it almost very difficult to get to an agreement.
RT: What about future Palestinian elections because the longer that they are delayed, the more opportunity perhaps there is for the division between Hamas and Fatah to get deeper. Do you foresee elections any time soon?
 Ahmed Qurei |
AQ: I don't think we can hold any elections unless there is an agreement between Fatah and Hamas, and when I mean agreement, I mean a unity between all the parties supported by the Palestinian people. Until this happens, there will always be one party who refuses to accept the results of the elections and they will fight any decision reached by the elections.
RT: Economically, is it viable and realistic that the West Bank and Gaza become part of one economy in a future Palestinian state?
RT: Economically, is it viable and realistic that the West Bank and Gaza become part of one economy in a future Palestinian state?
AQ: I don't think that there can be a viable economic Palestinian state until there is economic and political unity between Gaza and the West Bank and with East Jerusalem as the capital of the Palestinian state. From our experience with the Israelis so far, not one tourist that comes through Tel Aviv from Ben Gurion airport spends a cent in East Jerusalem. Jerusalem is important, from a religious and political point of view, but also economically.
RT: But Israel says it will have nothing to do with Hamas, so what does this mean for future negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis?
AQ: One of the requirements of a real peace process is unity between the West Bank and Gaza, and when I say unity, it also means a political agreement – political unity between all parties in the West Bank and Gaza and one political decision. Israel needs to understand this. With its recent decision to deport Palestinians, it only takes us further away from any peaceful resolution. For Palestinians, they need to understand that they need to have one political decision, one political direction and unity between the different parties.
RT: Do you think Hamas is sabotaging efforts at reconciliation?
RT: But Israel says it will have nothing to do with Hamas, so what does this mean for future negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis?
AQ: One of the requirements of a real peace process is unity between the West Bank and Gaza, and when I say unity, it also means a political agreement – political unity between all parties in the West Bank and Gaza and one political decision. Israel needs to understand this. With its recent decision to deport Palestinians, it only takes us further away from any peaceful resolution. For Palestinians, they need to understand that they need to have one political decision, one political direction and unity between the different parties.
RT: Do you think Hamas is sabotaging efforts at reconciliation?
AQ: I think the fact that we have different points of view is proof of real democracy and taking decisions. The fact that we have Hamas and we have Fatah and the rest of the Palestinian political parties is living proof of democracy, and it's good to have disagreements and also different points of view.
Why is it considered democracy when other countries have different parties, but when Palestinians have a disagreement or different points of view, then this is not democracy? The Palestinian struggle has left different marks and different points of view, and it has affected people differently. That's why we have a lot of different opinions, but at the end of the day, if we unite under one government, then we will have agreement on the major issues and we will have agreement on the goal and the agenda and how to achieve the agenda.
Why is it considered democracy when other countries have different parties, but when Palestinians have a disagreement or different points of view, then this is not democracy? The Palestinian struggle has left different marks and different points of view, and it has affected people differently. That's why we have a lot of different opinions, but at the end of the day, if we unite under one government, then we will have agreement on the major issues and we will have agreement on the goal and the agenda and how to achieve the agenda.
RT: Do you think Hamas will ever let go of Gaza?
AQ: I think this is a different issue. I don't think the question should be whether Hamas is in control of Gaza and the West Bank is under Fatah. I think when we get to an agreement and we sit together, the only question will be where will we go forward and the main issue here for us is how to sit down together and how to reach unity, not who is responsible for which area and who will leave where. I think what Hamas is doing in Gaza is not helping the situation. It's furthering the division between the two sides, and when you ask Hamas, they say that they're doing this because Fatah and Hamas haven't reached an agreement, but what we say in Fatah is that there is the concept paper by Egypt that we have signed and that Hamas should follow that, and it will be our starting point to negotiate and talk about unity.
RT: What is your view on a state with temporary borders?
AQ: I think this is a different issue. I don't think the question should be whether Hamas is in control of Gaza and the West Bank is under Fatah. I think when we get to an agreement and we sit together, the only question will be where will we go forward and the main issue here for us is how to sit down together and how to reach unity, not who is responsible for which area and who will leave where. I think what Hamas is doing in Gaza is not helping the situation. It's furthering the division between the two sides, and when you ask Hamas, they say that they're doing this because Fatah and Hamas haven't reached an agreement, but what we say in Fatah is that there is the concept paper by Egypt that we have signed and that Hamas should follow that, and it will be our starting point to negotiate and talk about unity.
RT: What is your view on a state with temporary borders?
AQ: Officially we refuse this. Fatah, the PA, the PLO – we have all refused this. We will not accept a state with provisional borders. Now is the time for real action and for a real agreement and for a final agreement. We don't want temporary solutions for this problem anymore. The Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman once said they should solve this problem just like they solved it in Cyprus; one side on the North, another on the South and that's that. I don't think we will accept that. We don't want something temporary which will create even more problems in the future.
RT: Salam Fayad [current Palestinian Prime Minister] called for unilateral statehood within two years. Is this a concept that you would support?
AQ: I think if there is a foolproof plan in this sense, a mechanism that will be backed by the international community as well as locally, and that the state will be created on borders from '67 with East Jerusalem as its capital, then this will be acceptable, but if it is a plan that is not well-thought through and there will be difficulties in achieving it, then I don't think this is something any of us would like to see.
AQ: I think if there is a foolproof plan in this sense, a mechanism that will be backed by the international community as well as locally, and that the state will be created on borders from '67 with East Jerusalem as its capital, then this will be acceptable, but if it is a plan that is not well-thought through and there will be difficulties in achieving it, then I don't think this is something any of us would like to see.
At this point we don't want or need to delay any of the issues. We have put this on the table, we will negotiate Jerusalem first. In the face of all the Israeli actions that have been taking place in settlements in Jerusalem, we have said that we will not sit at the table unless Jerusalem is discussed.
RT: You spoke about the Middle East Quartet. What role specifically can Russia play in the Middle East Quartet?
RT: You spoke about the Middle East Quartet. What role specifically can Russia play in the Middle East Quartet?
AQ: Russia is a very powerful player in international policy and is a very good friend of the Palestinian people. Moscow can be a major player in pushing the peace process forward and helping the Palestinian people to reach an agreement with the Israelis. I don't want to be pessimistic here, but the situation as we see it is not just grave, it's very dangerous.
RT: Do you think a Middle East conference in Moscow could achieve anything?
AQ: No doubt. I truly believe that any conference that takes place in Russia that is well-focused and well-prepared will help the peace process along. You need real partners who are really interested in finding a resolution to this conflict.
RT: Do you think a Middle East conference in Moscow could achieve anything?
AQ: No doubt. I truly believe that any conference that takes place in Russia that is well-focused and well-prepared will help the peace process along. You need real partners who are really interested in finding a resolution to this conflict.
ustria is the latest country to sign up to the South Stream gas pipeline project. The agreement was sealed on Saturday as Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin visited Vienna.
“After South Stream is put into operation, the amount of gas supply to Austria will grow by 2 billion cubic meters per year,” Putin said.
Russia has already reached similar agreements with Bulgaria, Hungary, Greece, Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia and Italy.
The 20 billion-euro project is intended to diversify natural gas supplies from Russia to Europe, and should be completed by 2015.
After business was completed, Russia's black-belt Premier went to the European Judo Championships, which are being held in the Austrian capital.
Putin wished the athletes good luck, telling them his favorite martial art is a battle of both style and philosophy.
Mambo yalikuwa hivi katika picha
Wachezaji walioiwakilisha Tanzania wakiwa stedini
Mkali wa Pop Moscow Russia Bw. Andrew Mashamba Ft. Michael Mbasha wakiwa wanajiandaa na show hiyo. Mkali huyo akiwa na group yake inayojulikana kama SEVEN C's walifunika mbovu
Wachezaji walioiwakilisha Tanzania wakiwa stedini
Mkali wa Pop Moscow Russia Bw. Andrew Mashamba Ft. Michael Mbasha wakiwa wanajiandaa na show hiyo. Mkali huyo akiwa na group yake inayojulikana kama SEVEN C's walifunika mbovu
Waau mnaombwa samahani kwa kutopata habari mpya tarehe 23.04.10. hii ni kutokana na matatizo ya kiufundi. endelea kututembembelea
Kauli hiyo ya serikali imetolewa bungeni jana wakati wa kujibu swali la nyongeza la Mbunge wa Mji Mkongwe, Ibrahim Muhammad Sanya (CUF) aliyetaka kujua serikali inachukua hatua gani kwa vifo vya wanafunzi wanaosoma nchi za nje.
Akitoa kauli hiyo baada ya kujibu swali la Msingi, Naibu Waziri wa Mambo ya Nchi za Nje na Ushirikiano wa Kimataifa, Balozi Seif Ali Iddi alisema kwamba kuwa pamoja katika safari hizo za usiku kama ikibidi zitaweza kusaidia katika kutoa ushahidi wa nini kilitokea na kusababisha maafa.
Katika swali lake la msingi, Sanya alitaka kujua taarifa ya kifo cha mwanafunzi aliyeuawa huko Bangalore, India hivi karibuni, Imran Mtui na kama serikali ya India imetoa kauli yoyote.
Akijibu swali hilo, alisema India kupitia kwa mkuu wake wa jeshi la polisi wamesema wanaendelea na uchunguzi na pindi utakapokamilika wataieleza serikali ya Tanzania nini kilichojiri.
Hata hivyo, taarifa za awali zilisema kwamba marehemu Mtui alikutwa kandokando ya reli, majira ya saa tatu asubuhi ya Januari 31 mwaka huu akiwa na majeraha makubwa kichwani.
Aidha, taarifa za madaktari wa India zilibaini kwamba, alikufa kutokana na mshituko na kuvuja damu kulikosababishwa na kusagwa kichwa na treni.
Alisema pia ni vigumu kuelewa mambo na kwamba kijana huyo aliyekuwa na kawaida ya kutoka na pikipiki siku hiyo alitoka bila pikipiki.
Aidha, Balozi Iddi alizungumzia mauaji ya Watanzania wanafunzi huko Marekani na kusema, uchunguzi bado unaendelea na ukimalizika pia serikali ya Marekani imesema itatoa taarifa kwa serikali ya Tanzania.
