{"id":329,"date":"2010-06-03T16:18:17","date_gmt":"2010-06-03T16:18:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mauritiustimes.com\/mt\/2010\/06\/03\/letters-15\/"},"modified":"2010-06-03T16:18:17","modified_gmt":"2010-06-03T16:18:17","slug":"letters-15","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mauritiustimes.com\/mt\/letters-15\/","title":{"rendered":"Letters"},"content":{"rendered":"

Readers’ Response\/ Opinion\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

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To Our Readers\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Your views are of interest to us. They help us balance the argument in the correct perspective. We welcome you to draw our attention to anything or opinion expressed in the Mauritius Times (or any national or international event of interest) with which you agree from your own angle or disagree due to a different appreciation of facts. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

We will gratefully receive your communications at the email address: <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

mtimes@intnet.mu<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

We may decide to publish your comments or the relevant parts thereof if we consider that they will help our readers better understand specific contexts and maintain MT as the foremost and most balanced analytical newspaper of the country.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/p>\n

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* * *<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/p>\n

Opinion<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

IDENTITAG<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

— Dev\u00a0Virahsawmy<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Constitution recognises 4 ethnic groups, namely Hindus, Muslims, Chinese and General Population. The first two ‘identitags’ are determined by religion (Hinduism and Islam); the third is ‘race’ determined (race is a highly controversial concept and in the Mauritian context skin colour and facial features are privileged); the last group is made up of anyone who does not fall within the first three groups — an ethnic ‘ragbag’.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

All these identitags cannot stand the test of rigorous and scrupulous investigation and scrutiny as so convincingly and brilliantly illustrated by Michael Sik Yuen. Yet a majority of citizens of the Republic feel that they reflect reality and any attempt to remove these pigeonholes could lead to a major social, cultural and political crisis.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Creoles of the Republic (creole is another polysemous word meaning a great variety of things from an island with a specific history to a white\/black person via a group of languages with a specific history) are now requesting that the identitag General Population be replaced by Creole. I sympathise with the legitimacy of this request but I am not sure that it will solve the problems of the AfroCreoles of the Republic. Moreover I am certain that it will create new difficulties and generate new frustrations. Indo-Mauritian Christians (be they Catholics, Protestants or members of various Christian sects) refuse the identitag \u201cCreole\u201d. For this reason, in order to have a consensus, it would be preferable to propose a fifth identitag \u201cCreole\u201d for those who choose to join that group. And those who feel that they don’t belong to any of the four groups could still choose to be considered General Population.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I recently wrote in an article (\u2018In search of an identity\u2019) that \u201c I am a Mauritian of Telugu background who has undergone a rich voyage of discovery through cultural miscegenation. I live at peace with myself and every morning and night I thank Jesus, my God, for the opportunity I’m enjoying here in Mauritius, as a linguist and a poet. Incidentally, that could make me a member of what is known as General Population. An interesting thought!\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The more I think about it, the more I realise that I would be more comfortable to be in that slot. In fact this is where I belong with all Mauritians who do not believe in God or who believe in an Almighty God but cannot be at ease within any religious institution; with Mauritians who because of their different sexual orientation are ostracised, marginalised, persecuted; with Mauritians who are freethinkers; with Mauritians who choose to live with a loved one who belongs to another group; with love children; with Mauritians who are rejected because they are sex workers; with all those who courageously fight against prejudice and are forging new identities, etc. An ethnic ragbag? Yes! <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Maybe one day this group will become the most progressive and dynamic one and will help the Republic chart the new course so much needed to survive. The Last Will Be First. Insha’Allah!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>A Post-electoral Review<\/span><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The electoral campaign fever is over. The suspense came to an end by 2 pm on the 6th<\/sup> of May, much earlier than expected. Observers who were predicting a close tie worthy of a Hitchcock film were disappointed. A few political analysts including D.E.V were aware of the results of the polls well before they were declared. The country has now gone back to business as usual. Newspaper vendors in Port-Louis have resumed their routine of shouting out newspaper titles to draw the attention of prospective buyers. Hardly a month ago they were selling their products like hot cakes. Some popular dailies have even lost their spiciness.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The last popular political gathering was held on Sunday the 23rd<\/sup> of May. This was an opportunity for the victorious party to thank its supporters and the electorate who favoured them and shared their ideology. The crowd and the orators were in a relaxed mood. It is reported that even those who voted against the winning team participated in the merry-making as a gesture of solidarity. This gathering was also an opportunity for the leader to express some aspects of his political outlook, among them a request to MPs to work in close proximity to members of their constituency.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

This electoral bout has given the electorate an opportunity to assess its future representatives in Parliament. In meetings, the party in power needed very solid arguments to defend its cause. The opposition capitalised on the weaknesses of the government without coming up with convincing counter proposals. Mudslinging and character assassination tactics were regularly used to denigrate opponents, and this was not to the liking of the public at large.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

However, the SADC observers were quite impressed by the way the electoral campaign and the elections were held. Indeed, the electoral supervisory commission deserves to be complimented for its professionalism in dealing with such an event. \u2018Le pep admirab\u2019 should be congratulated for behaving in an admirable way. There were a few isolated scuffles with no serious outcome and the credit goes to the police force that did a wonderful job.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

While the victors celebrated, the vanquished grieved. The latter did not expect defeat; their crystal-ball reading had gone wrong. They expected a comfortable win as predicted by their leader. They must be asking themselves by which wizardry the party in power won the elections.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

It is now up to the members of the new government to roll up their sleeves and work for another win in 2015. Challenges are multiple and complex.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Good luck to you honourable members!\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

S.K.R.<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Curepipe<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/em>\u00a0<\/span><\/em>\u201cLibert\u00e9 d\u2019\u00e9xpr\u00e9ssion\u201d\u2026 <\/span><\/span><\/strong>whose?<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The past week has seen an absolute panic among some people of the press and its sympathisers. Some have even gone as far as crying wolf! Dictatorship! R\u00e9pr\u00e9ssion! Totalitarisme! <\/em>By whom? <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

By those who happened to make history by being the first newspaper to boycott the activities of democratically elected parliamentarians?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

By those who sabotaged the \u201cprestation de serment\u201d of newly elected MLA Pravind Jugnauth after winning the by-election last year?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

By those who deliberately omit to report duly elected MLAs\u2019 interventions during debates in Parliament?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

By those who have been playing politics by a system of back seat driving? Those who have systematically been complimenting the ever so crippling parliamentary opposition in the form of an ailing MMM with its bunch of OAP\u2019s still living in rumination and reminiscence?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

By those who have consistently been giving the impression to have been \u201c\u00e0 la solde du secteur priv\u00e9\u201d and defending the interests of the \u201cbailleurs de fonds\u201d in any conflict opposing the government to the so-called \u2018market\u2019?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Those who have clearly attempted and miserably failed to spread reports not founded on facts during the recent electoral campaign; and later used the same fake reports to develop self prophesising analysis, opinions and prognosis?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

A reading of our pre-independence history clearly flags up the pathological rhetoric employed by the NMU\u2019s, and others in their ideological claim for intellectual and cultural superiority; according to them, all the rest could only be\u2026 just swear words! In this context, the term \u201cle gnome de Belle Terre\u201d tickles my memory from a not too remote past. Maybe some \u201cMahatma\u201d may have a word or two to say about this! <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

There is also a conundrum from \u201cces messieurs de la presse\u201d that needs to be clarified for some other uncultured individual like me: Why is it considered to be part of cultural and family values for some people to spend Christmas with their relations and friends in Australia, South Africa or even France whereas the Prime Minister becomes a \u201cjouisseur\u201d or a colonised-London-boy when he spends his Chrismas, still more offending, a White Christmas, with his in-laws in London? <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The conflict between a government and the \u2018market\u2019 is nothing new. The \u2018market\u2019 will always tend to exaggerate its demands so as to maximise profits. The government\u2019s duty is to draw parameters and make necessary regulations to restrict excessive \u2018market\u2019 aspirations. So, it is not that surprising that the some newspapermen react the way they do whenever there is a government\/\u2018market\u2019 conflict. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Very clearly, Navin Ramgoolam has not pleased them by not making an alliance with B\u00e9renger to form the present government; they are not too happy either that Rama Sithanen could not stay on as Finance Minister; worse, it is Pravind Jugnauth who is the new man at the Ministry of Finance and he seems to share the same views on the economic situation and the appropriate monetary policy as the Governor of the Central Bank. They resent this coming-together of views in the Bheenick-Jugnauth case but it was anathema to them when Bheenick did not hold concurrent views on those subjects with the former Minister of Finance. The stances \u2018\u00e0 g\u00e9om\u00e9trie variable\u2019 taken depending on who is in the chair should be well understood. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Vijay Ram<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

London<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

Mind Your Language
Jean and the English Tourists<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jean, the taxicab driver, drops an Italian couple at the St G\u00e9ran hotel. Chatting with the security guard for a while, he hears a male voice calling him in an English accent. He turns round and spots Mr Smarty and his wife Betty. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Mr Smarty: Djan, don\u2019t you remember us? We met at the Pamplemousses g<\/span>arden last year. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Jean: Yes, of course. I remember as if it was yesterday. Good morning, Madam, and Mr Smarty. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

After a handshake and a good laugh, it was decided that Jean would come back the following morning to pick up the English tourists. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The next day, Jean, a very amiable and punctual fellow, is at the St G\u00e9ran car park, at nine sharp. After breakfast, the Smarty couple gets into his cab. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Mr Smarty: Djan, today we would like to visit Curepipe and the extinct volcano of Trou aux Cerfs, another place called Le Val and the marine park at Blue Bay. Moreover, Djan, we would very much like to taste a typical Mauritian veg snack. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Jean: Sure thing, trust me. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Driving through different villages of Flacq and Moka districts, they reach Trou aux Cerfs in less than an hour. The Smarty\u2019s cannot help marvelling at the valley surrounding the crater. After taking a few pictures, they make for the b<\/span>otanical g<\/span>arden and, thence, to the town centre. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Passing by the Monoprix supermarket, Jean notices some people queuing up at his favourite veg food stall, where three Indo-Mauritian ladies usually sell chapattis and different veg curries. Jean has a bite here each time he comes to Curepipe. And it is so cheap; only Rs15 for a chapatti <\/em>and curry roll! <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

But Jean is having some difficulty explaining to Mr Smarty the type of fast food he wants them to taste. At last, he says, \u201cMr Smarty, would you and Mrs Betty like to taste something I myself love very much? It\u2019s chapatti and Indian <\/em>br\u00e8de1<\/sup><\/span> <\/em>plus chutney.\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Mr Smarty: But Djan, how can one eat chapatti with bread? Both are bread, aren\u2019t they? <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Jean: No, Mr Smarty. Here, in Mauritius, we eat chapatti stuffed with steamed Indian, Chinese and many other br\u00e8des<\/span><\/em><\/em>. Let\u2019s eat first, and then we\u2019ll walk over to the market, where I\u2019ll show you the different types of br\u00e8des<\/span><\/em><\/em>. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

No sooner said than done; they are at the Curepipe market. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Jean: Here please, this uncle is selling all sorts of br\u00e8des<\/span><\/em><\/em>. This one is Indian br\u00e8de,<\/span><\/em><\/em> also known as br\u00e8de<\/span><\/em><\/em> malbar<\/em>, that one is Chinese br\u00e8de<\/span><\/em><\/em> and, on the right, at the end of the shelf is Martin\u2019s br\u00e8de<\/span><\/em><\/em>. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Mr Smarty: I see. So, every community has its own br\u00e8de<\/span><\/em><\/em>. Even the English have their Martin\u2019s br\u00e8de<\/span><\/em><\/em>! Djan, if I were to go to Le Val on my own, how should I proceed? <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Jean: Let\u2019s get into the car and I\u2019ll show you the way. Driving from Curepipe and going towards the airport, the first place we reach is Forest Side, precisely where we are now. Then, a couple of kilometres further, we\u2019ll leave the main road and turn left to drive through a village called Midlands. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Mr Smarty: How strange! All these places bear English names. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Jean: Leaving Midlands, we\u2019ll reach Banana. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Mr Smarty: We just saw plenty of them at the market. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Jean (laughing loudly): Yes, but this Banana is not an edible fruit. It\u2019s the name of the village after which we\u2019ll reach Le Val. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Mr Smarty: It\u2019s a funny name for a village, though. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Very satisfied with their visit to Le Val and Blue Bay, the Smarty\u2019s wish to go back to the hotel for shower and rest. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Mrs Smarty: Djan, couldn\u2019t we go back to the hotel by a different route, so as to see other places. And would please name them, since I\u2019m noting down all the place names in my diary. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Jean: Yes, madam, of course. We are now leaving Mahebourg and we\u2019ll travel past several villages of the Southeast coastal area. But first, we\u2019ll stop at Vieux Grand Port for a while, where we\u2019ll visit the Dutch museum. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Having seen the relics of the Dutch settlement in the island, Jean resolves to drive to the hotel non-stop. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Jean: Mrs Betty, now we are driving through Big Sand followed by the next one — Small Sand. After that, we\u2019ll reach Two Brothers and finally Four Sisters, with which ends the district of Grand Port. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Mr Smarty: What a coincidence! In England, we have a place called Seven Sisters. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

They finally reach the St G\u00e9ran, slightly exhausted due to the heat and the humidity of the costal area. Mr Smarty hands over two twenty pound notes to Jean, who says he would only charge Rs1,500 and nothing more. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Mr Smarty: Djan, I know this is slightly more than Rs1500. But, please take it. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Jean: Thank you, Mr Smarty. Thank you for the fare and also for the small tea<\/em>2<\/span><\/sup>.<\/em> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Bidding good-bye to his tourists, Jean leaves for home. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

After their shower, the Smarty\u2019s are relaxing in bed. Suddenly, Mrs Betty sits up with a jerk and says to her husband, \u201cDarling, I\u2019ve been thinking. Do you think Djan wanted us to invite him for a cup of tea? Poor man, he must have been as parched as we were after the long drive.\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Dr B Foogooa <\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

1.<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/sup> A local edible green
2.<\/span><\/sup> A tip<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/p>\n

* * *<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Une affaire d’\u00e9l\u00e9gance<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Il esp\u00e9rait une reconnaissance internationale appuy\u00e9e, pour l\u2019exploit diplomatique qu\u2019il estime avoir r\u00e9alis\u00e9. Mais le voil\u00e0 accus\u00e9 de maladresses, et m\u00eame somm\u00e9 de se justifier. C\u2019est une bien triste histoire que cette affaire du r\u00f4le jou\u00e9 par le pr\u00e9sident Abdoulaye Wade dans la lib\u00e9ration de la Fran\u00e7aise Clotilde Reiss.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

En faisant annoncer un peu trop pr\u00e9cipitamment que c\u2019est gr\u00e2ce \u00e0 sa m\u00e9diation que les autorit\u00e9s iraniennes ont accept\u00e9 de rendre sa libert\u00e9 \u00e0 la jeune dame, le chef de l\u2019Etat s\u00e9n\u00e9galais a pris le risque de r\u00e9duire \u00e0 n\u00e9ant la bonne action qu\u2019il a pos\u00e9e. <\/span><\/p>\n

L\u2019ancien Premier ministre, Moustapha Niasse, diplomate chevronn\u00e9, a m\u00eame parl\u00e9 d’\u00ab\u00a0in\u00e9l\u00e9gance\u00a0\u00bb<\/em>. Jugement s\u00e9v\u00e8re, que les griots du pr\u00e9sident mettent sur le compte des mesquineries d\u2019un opposant \u00ab rancunier, aigri, aveugl\u00e9 par la haine et la jalousie \u00bb<\/em>. Et de conclure, sans rire, que \u00ab le succ\u00e8s retentissant de Me Wade dans cette m\u00e9diation consacre le leadership mondial du chef de l\u2019Etat s\u00e9n\u00e9galais \u00bb<\/em>.<\/span> <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

S\u2019il avait eu seulement douze heures de patience <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Nicolas Sarkozy attendra d\u2019avoir re\u00e7u Clotilde Reiss, avant de publier un communiqu\u00e9 dans lequel il remercie, en effet, Abdoulaye Wade, mais aussi le Br\u00e9silien Lula da Silva et le Syrien Bachir al-Assad. L\u2019exploit revendiqu\u00e9 par le S\u00e9n\u00e9galais s\u2019en trouve amoindri, le troph\u00e9e devant \u00eatre divis\u00e9 par trois.<\/span><\/p>\n

Il n\u2019emp\u00eache. S\u2019il avait eu seulement douze heures de patience, le pr\u00e9sident Wade aurait vu son image rehauss\u00e9e par cette reconnaissance partielle de l\u2019Elys\u00e9e. Sa troublante pr\u00e9cipitation \u00e0 revendiquer les premiers r\u00f4les laisse la d\u00e9sagr\u00e9able impression que sa m\u00e9diation \u00e9tait motiv\u00e9e par des calculs trop personnels. Il se murmure, \u00e0 Dakar, que le pr\u00e9sident Wade attendait de ses efforts davantage que la seule gratitude de la France.<\/span><\/p>\n

H\u00e9las ! Pour \u00eatre une bonne action, la lib\u00e9ration de Clotilde Reiss ne rel\u00e8ve pas pour autant de l\u2019exploit diplomatique de haute vol\u00e9e, susceptible d\u2019impressionner, par exemple, le jury du prix Nobel de la Paix. Et s\u2019il voulait \u00e0 tout prix jouir, seul, de la gloire d\u2019avoir r\u00e9ussi \u00e0 rendre la Fran\u00e7aise \u00e0 sa patrie, le pr\u00e9sident Wade aurait peut-\u00eatre d\u00fb demander \u00e0 son ami Mahmoud Ahmadinejad de faire publier par la R\u00e9publique islamique d\u2019Iran un communiqu\u00e9 lui rendant hommage pour son r\u00f4le de premier plan dans cette m\u00e9diation. Cela aurait \u00e9t\u00e9 moins in\u00e9l\u00e9gant, en effet.<\/span><\/p>\n

En attendant, la cause du prix Nobel de la Paix serait perdue d\u2019avance, parce que, nous dit-on, les petites prouesses diplomatiques n\u2019ont aucun sens, lorsque, comme le pr\u00e9sident Wade, l\u2019on a tant de mal \u00e0 dialoguer avec ses propres opposants, dans son pays. L\u2019\u00e9l\u00e9gance, on y revient toujours !<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Jean-Baptiste Placca<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

MFI<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/h2>\n

Coupe du monde\/Afrique du Sud<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

Coup de balai ou Op\u00e9ration coup de poing\u00a0?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

C\u2019est un classique en amont des comp\u00e9titions sportives d\u2019envergure. En Afrique du Sud, une op\u00e9ration de nettoyage est en cours, en vue de la Coupe du monde de football le 11 juin. Des op\u00e9rations coups de poings au cours desquelles on interpelle les mendiants. Des op\u00e9rations d\u00e9nonc\u00e9es par plusieurs ONG sud-africaines.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Le coup d\u2019envoi de la Coupe du monde en Afrique du Sud, c\u2019est dans moins trois semaines, et dans la plupart des villes organisatrices, les \u00e9quipes de police municipale m\u00e8nent des op\u00e9rations coups de poings au cours desquelles elles interpellent les mendiants, le plus souvent aux intersections situ\u00e9es sur les routes protocolaires, mais aussi dans les quartiers r\u00e9sidentiels et dans les quartiers des h\u00f4tels. Des op\u00e9rations d\u00e9nonc\u00e9es par plusieurs ONG sud-africaines.<\/span><\/p>\n

A Johannesburg, les m\u00e8res seules qui font la manche leurs nourrissons sur les genoux, sont moins nombreuses aux feux rouge, les aveugles accompagn\u00e9s aussi, comme s\u2019ils avaient tous retrouv\u00e9 la vue et gagn\u00e9 au loto. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Les lois locales bannissent la mendicit\u00e9<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00ab\u00a0Le but n\u2019est pas de cacher nos pauvres pendant le mondial\u00a0\u00bb<\/em>, a indiqu\u00e9 le porte-parole de la police m\u00e9tropolitaine de Johannesburg, Wayne Minaar. \u00ab\u00a0Il s\u2019agit<\/em> d\u2019une campagne tol\u00e9rance z\u00e9ro mise en place certes en vue de la Coupe du monde, mais qui vise aussi les exc\u00e8s de vitesse et l\u2019alcool au volant<\/em> \u00bb. <\/span><\/p>\n

Les lois locales bannissent la mendicit\u00e9. Les contrevenants s\u2019exposent \u00e0 une peine maximale de 50 euros, soit la moiti\u00e9 du salaire minimum d\u2019une femme de m\u00e9nage. Les mendiants handicap\u00e9s et les m\u00e8res seules sont orient\u00e9s vers des centres municipaux o\u00f9 ils peuvent manger et dormir. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00ab\u00a0Leurs mouvements sont libres\u00a0\u00bb<\/em>, r\u00e9pond Minaar aux responsables d\u2019associations qui parlent, eux, de camps de concentration. Ces op\u00e9rations coups de poing ont \u00e9t\u00e9 recens\u00e9es dans la plupart des villes qui accueilleront des matchs. Pr\u00e8s du Cap, des centaines de personnes ont \u00e9t\u00e9 d\u00e9plac\u00e9es. Il y a trois mois, elles r\u00e9sidaient dans un bidonville \u00e0 proximit\u00e9 d\u2019un stade o\u00f9 s\u2019entra\u00eeneront les \u00e9quipes de football durant le mondial. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Nicolas Champeaux<\/span><\/em><\/strong>
MFI<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Etats-Unis\/Finance<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n

Le S\u00e9nat am\u00e9ricain adopte la r\u00e9forme de Wall Street <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00ab\u00a0On ne pourra plus parier avec votre argent. Le rod\u00e9o \u00e0 Wall Street sera bient\u00f4t termin\u00e9.\u00a0\u00bb<\/span><\/em><\/strong> C’est le chef de la majorit\u00e9 d\u00e9mocrate, Harry Reid, qui l\u2019a dit apr\u00e8s une \u00e9tape importante franchie le 20 mai \u00e0 Washington. Le S\u00e9nat a approuv\u00e9 par 59 voix contre 39 une r\u00e9forme du syst\u00e8me de r\u00e9gulation financi\u00e8re pr\u00e9sent\u00e9e comme la priorit\u00e9 l\u00e9gislative num\u00e9ro un de Barack Obama. Des mesures qui auraient \u00e9t\u00e9 d\u2019un grand secours en septembre 2008.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00ab\u00a0J\u2019ai fait de l\u2019adoption de la r\u00e9forme de Wall Street une de mes priorit\u00e9s en tant que pr\u00e9sident, de sorte qu\u2019une telle crise ne se reproduise plus\u00a0\u00bb<\/span><\/em>, a d\u00e9clar\u00e9 le pr\u00e9sident des Etats-Unis, Barack Obama. Le texte de la r\u00e9forme approuv\u00e9 par le S\u00e9nat le 20 mai dernier reprend l\u2019essentiel des r\u00e9formes bancaires propos\u00e9es il y a pr\u00e8s d\u2019un an par la Maison Blanche et le Tr\u00e9sor. Il s\u2019agit en particulier de doter le pouvoir ex\u00e9cutif des moyens de saisir et de liquider un grand \u00e9tablissement financier, et ce de mani\u00e8re ordonn\u00e9e. Ce qui aurait \u00e9t\u00e9 d\u2019un grand secours en septembre 2008. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Des produits d\u00e9riv\u00e9s moins lucratif pour les banques<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pour le pr\u00e9sident am\u00e9ricain, les tentatives des lobbyistes pour emp\u00eacher la r\u00e9forme ont \u00e9chou\u00e9. Wall Street, o\u00f9 se tenait la pire s\u00e9ance en plus d’un an, a fini \u00e0 -3,6% pour le Dow Jones et -4,1% pour le Nasdaq. Le projet de loi obligerait l\u2019essentiel des produits d\u00e9riv\u00e9s \u00e0 op\u00e9rer dans le cadre de bourses organis\u00e9es avec des chambres de compensation. Ce qui le rendrait plus transparent, moins risqu\u00e9 pour l\u2019ensemble des participants mais moins lucratif pour les banques.<\/span><\/p>\n

Un amendement particuli\u00e8rement critiqu\u00e9 par Wall Street obligera les banques de d\u00e9p\u00f4t \u00e0 pratiquer leurs op\u00e9rations de trading<\/em> de produits d\u00e9riv\u00e9s dans des filiales distinctes dot\u00e9es de leur propre capital. Par ailleurs, un nouveau bureau au sein de la R\u00e9serve f\u00e9d\u00e9rale des Etats-Unis, la FED, serait charg\u00e9 de r\u00e9glementer les services aux particuliers notamment en mati\u00e8re de pr\u00eats immobiliers et de cartes de cr\u00e9dit. <\/span><\/p>\n

En revanche, les mesures de surveillance impos\u00e9es aux fonds sp\u00e9culatifs, les fameux hedge funds<\/em>, semblent relativement peu contraignantes. La plupart des R\u00e9publicains ont vot\u00e9 contre ce texte qui ne touche pas au statut de l\u2019agence de refinancement hypoth\u00e9caire Fanny Mae et Freddy Mac – qui a pourtant jou\u00e9 un r\u00f4le majeur dans la crise.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Pierre-Yves Dugua<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

MFI<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Readers’ Response\/ Opinion\u00a0 \u00a0 To Our Readers\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 Your views are of interest to us. They help us balance the argument in the correct perspective. We welcome you to draw our attention to anything or opinion expressed in the Mauritius Times (or any national or international event of interest) with which you agree from your […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-329","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-latest-news"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8QzSF-5j","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mauritiustimes.com\/mt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/329","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mauritiustimes.com\/mt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mauritiustimes.com\/mt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mauritiustimes.com\/mt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mauritiustimes.com\/mt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=329"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.mauritiustimes.com\/mt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/329\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mauritiustimes.com\/mt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=329"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mauritiustimes.com\/mt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=329"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mauritiustimes.com\/mt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=329"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}