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2012 Asia and Africa today

CHINA:  RETURN  UNDER  THE  SLOGAN «HARMONIOUS PEACE»
BEIJING AND «THIRD WORLD»: A MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE by E.I.Safronova, PhD (Economy)
Keywords: China, developing countries, cooperation
The article examines the foreign policy and foreign economic strategy of China regarding developing countries. Thanks to the purposeful policy aimed at forming stable relations with the countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America over the past 20 years Beijing has become an informal leader of the developing world. The remarkable economic success of China has greatly strengthened its position in the international political arena, making this country one of the major players in world politics. At the same time, Beijing does not seek to formalize its status as the world’s or even a regional leading power, preferring sweeping statesments with claims to leadership to efficient work for achieving ambitious goals.

PEOPLE’S LIBERATION ARMY OF CHINA ON THE RISE: THE FIFTH-GENERATION FIGHTER by A.N.Basov
Keywords: aerospace industry, reform, R&D, weapons, fighter aircraft Jian-20, T-50, F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II, Perspective Multirole Fighter
The author underlines that an important component of the growing power of China is activization of its foreign policy and strengthening its military capabilities. This is associated primarily with the process of China’s emergence as a leading power in East Asia and increased rivalry with the United States in this region.
Modernization of the Chinese air force is regarded as one of the priorities of the country’s military development. Though the Chinese aviation industry is lagging behind the leading world aircraft corporations China has managed to create its own scientific, technical and design facilities. As a result, China now is creating the fourth-generation fighter aircraft, and even a prototype fifth-generation combat aircraft. This brings China closer to the producers of the leading manufacturers of this equipment, such as the United States and Russia.

ANTITERROR - THE INDIAN WAY by A.Y.Yakovlev, PhD (Policy)
Keywords: India, terrorism
The article focuses on the experiences of India in fighting against terrorism, which has become one of the fundamental problems. The authorities should solve to ensure the integrity of the state and to guarantee stable environment necessary for coexistence of numerous ethnic and religious communities.

ARAB COUNTRIES: THE CRISIS OF THE MODEL by V.A.Melyantsev, Dr.Sc. (Economy)
Keywords: Arab countries, crisis, unstable growth, inequality, social protest
In contrast to China, India, newly industrialized countries and a number of non-Arab states of the Muslim world, the overwhelming majority of the Arab states untill now has not properly stepped up on the path of modern economic growth. Low level of diversification of their economies, rapid demographic growth, insufficient level of physical and human capital accumulation, inefficiency of governance, public and political institutions brought about on the whole slow and unsteady growth of their per capita GDP and productivity, increase of unemployment, especially among young, educated part of population, comparatively high level of poverty and inequality, which eventually led to intensive social protests and uprisings.

ZIMBABWE: IS THE CRISIS OVER? by V.G.Shubin, Dr.Sc. (History)
Keywords: Zimbabwe, Mugabe, Tsvangirai, land reform
The article is devoted to the country which for many years is exposed to an unprecedented (except Libya and, more recently, Syria) to pressure on the part of Western powers. An integral part of this campaign is spreading of false information about the situation in Zimbabwe, or at least «exaggeration.» The author tries to dispel the myths and the most entrenched negative perceptions about this country of Southern Africa.

BRITISH MULTICULTURALISM: DELAYED- ACTION MINE by G.A. Karpov
Keywords: Great Britain, immigration, multiculturalism, integration, Islam
This article focuses on the causes, milestones and results of policies of multiculturalism in the UK during the second half of the XX - early XXI centuries. In February 2011, British Prime Minister David Cameron has sharply criticized the policy of multiculturalism, held in Britain in recent decades. What is happening now, more like a cut and fill of British outsiders cultures, cultures of migrants, rather than becoming a multicultural society. In connection with this there is a need to review the entire socio-economic, demographic and migration policies of the last 50 years.

SOMALIS IN THE FEDERAL SYSTEM OF ETHIOPIA by Ch.M.Turinskaya, PhD (History)
Keywords: Ethiopia, State of Somalia, Ogaden
Somali factor plays a significant role in domestic and foreign policy of Ethiopia, providing a significant impact on the situation in the Horn of Africa and East Africa as a whole. The author examines key problems faced by the central government in Addis Ababa in the Ethiopian state Ogaden, populated predominantly by Somalis. For a long time this state is a hotbed of tension in Ethiopia itself and factor feeding the conflict relations between Addis Ababa and neighboring Somalia.

CRISIS IN TURKISH-ISRAELI RELATIONS: VIEW FROM TURKEY by A.A.Koritsky, our staff correspondent in Turkey
Keywords: Turkey,  Israel,  Erdogan,  Justice and
Development Party, Davos crisis, ferry «Mavi Marmara»
The article discusses various aspects of the present state and prospects of further development of Turkish-Israeli relations. On the basis of the statements of leaders of two states, personal interviews and expert analysis our correspondent in Turkey examines the reasons of a significant cooling in relations between Ankara and Tel Aviv, which have been recently strategic partners in trade, economic and military-technological spheres.

CHINESE MODEL OF DEVELOPMENT: NEW FEATURES by A.I.Salitsky, Dr.Sc. (Economy), V.V.Tatsiy, PhD (Economy), I.R.Tomberg, PhD (Economy)
Keywords: China, economic models of development
The authors consider the advantages and disadvantages of the Chinese economic model. In recent years, China has made enormous economic progress due to the high rate of capital accumulation, rapid industrial development, scientific and technical progress and active foreign policy. China managed to increase the efficiency of the economy, to maintain financial stability and a relatively low level of inflation. The actions of Chinese regulatory authorities made it possible not only to balance its own economy, but also to create zones of stability in those countries and territories which are closely cooperating with China.

WHEN WILL GAS GO FROM RUSSIA TO SOUTH KOREA? by A.V.Vorontsov, PhD (History)
Keywords: South Korea, North Korea, Russia, gas, cooperation
Despite the objective need for the Russian-South Korean gas cooperation the implementation of plans of building a Transkorean gas pipeline confronts with a lot of difficulties. The most serious of them are in the political sphere, especially inter- Korean relations. Nevertheless, since all three countries - Russia, South and North Korea - are interested in development of energy cooperation one can have optimistic hopes for implementation of the tripartite gas pipeline construction.

DAYS OF RUSSIA IN UGANDA by O.I.Teterin, PhD (History)
Keywords: Uganda, «Days of Russia» overseas, “Jazz Bass
Theater”
In December 2011 the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa hosted the first «Russia - Africa» Forum with participation of representatives of Russian big business. Two months later, in February 2012, for the first time in Africa «Days of Russia» took place in Kampala, the capital of Uganda.
The author, who visited Uganda as a member of the Russian delegation, shares his impressions of the most interesting events of those «Days.» O.Teterin particular highlights the concert given by the Russian «Jazz Bass Theater» in the Rwenzori concert hall at Sheraton Hotel in Kampala. Jazz musicians from Russia played together with Ugandan jazzmen. The concert hall was full and the performance given by Russian and Ugandan musicians became the culmination of the «Days of Russia» in Uganda.

RUSSIA - AFRICA: RETURN TO THE CONTINENT by A.N.Bragin, our staff correspondent in Ethiopia
Keywords: Ethiopia, business forum «Russia-Africa», Russian-African cooperation
The article contains information about the first business forum «Russia - Africa» which took place in December 2011 in Addis Ababa. The event was attended by ministers of Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Niger, Chad, Mali and Sudan, representatives of the African Union, heads of African companies. From the Russian side the representatives of the key Russian companies and state corporations such as Gazprom, Lukoil, Railways, Vnesheconombank, Rosatom, «Zarubezhgeologiya», «Power Machines» and others have participated in the work of the forum.

INTERNATIONAL COLLOQUIUM IN LUANDA by V.G.Shubin, Dr.Sc. (History)
Keywords: Angola, MPLA, Socialist International
In December 2011 Luanda, the capital of Angola hosted the First International Colloquium on the History of the People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola. The colloquium was held under the motto «55 years in the service of Angola and the Angolans.» It wore both scientific and socio-political nature. The author, who participated in the Colloquium, shares the most interesting experiences on the event.

CALL OF THE «CUT OFF THE ROOTS» by S.V.Prozhogina, Dr.Sc. (Philology)
Keywords: Morocco, Tahar Benjelloun, novel «Au pays» («Home»), Arab immigrants in France
The article tells the story of the novel «Au pays», written by the Moroccan writer Tahar Benjelloun who is a laureate of the Goncourt prize. In his novels Benjelloun addresses the most pressing issues of life in his homeland Morocco, and that of France, where he often lives and works.

WHEN THE MAN- EATER TIGER IS ON THE TRAIL by P.A.Ziza
New tendencies aimed at describing and evaluating social and cultural processes taking place in society are characteristic for contemporary Indonesian literature.
Great changes have particularly come about in characterizing the literary hero. Gradually Indonesian writers begin to vest him with modern morality, ethics and philosophy. The process of character individualization is gaining momentum.
However researchers emphasize the tendency of modern writers to adhere to operating with elements of the traditional canon while portraying the hero in their contemporary works.
A highly conscientious interest is displayed to national traditions by the writers of the 70s of the XXth century. The novel by Mochtar Lubis “Tiger! Tiger!” where traditional and modern artistic expression techniques of heroes and the reality are interwoven in an intricate way can serve as an example. The novel is also outstanding due to its metaphorical expressiveness. The depiction of relationship between heroes gives a transparent allusion to the contemporary Indonesian social alignment, describes the ethical climate in the country, its political and social situation, which is characterized by authoritarianism, violence, corruption, social apathy.

RUSSIA AND THE COMMONWEALTH OF INDEPENDENT STATES (CIS) IN THE MIRROR OF «YELLOW BOOK» by V.A.Nikiforov
Last years China is increasing its attention to the study of foreign policy, the country’s role in the international community, as well as its relations with individual states. Quite a few works devoted to Russia and Russian-Chinese relations have been published.
Since 2006, under the aegis of the largest Chinese publishing house China Social Sciences Academic Press is publishing an annual «Yellow Book of Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia.» The «Yellow Books» contain research on the most pressing political, economic and military problems of the region.

IN  SEARCH  OF  HISTORICAL  TRUTH  by E.L.Katasonova, Dr.Sc. (History)
The issue of Japanese prisoners of war in the Soviet Union after World War II is one of the most painful problem in the Soviet-Japanese and Russian-Japanese relations. For many years this problem provided a negative impact on social and political climate in our countries.
The author covers the difficulties in the search for historical truth and the attempts of some scholars and historians to assess most objectively that problem.

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