Mia voĉo (My voice)

Fjodor Andreeviĉ ĴULIN

The Japanese Esperanto Institute is issuing a special invitation to 23 Asian Esperanto activists to take part in this year's World Esperanto Congress in Yokohama. In the April issue of the Japanese magazine La Revuo Orienta JEI has published statements by each of these people. I am reproducing them here, in English translation, one by one.

The next listed activist is Fjodor Andreeviĉ ĴULIN of Russia. Ĵulin is an 18-year-old student.

Esperanto and I

I began to learn Esperanto in middle school, but at home I have been learning the language from childhood. I belong to the Vladivostok Esperanto Club "Pacifiko".

World Esperanto Congress and After

I am ready to disseminate Esperanto in our region.

Shabbir AHMAD SIAL

The Japanese Esperanto Institute is issuing a special invitation to 23 Asian Esperanto activists to take part in this year's World Esperanto Congress in Yokohama. In the April issue of the Japanese magazine La Revuo Orienta JEI has published statements by each of these people. I am reproducing them here, in English translation, one by one.

The next listed activist is Shabbir AHMAD SIAL of Pakistan. Ahmad Sial is a 30-year-old worker.

Esperanto and I

I became an Esperanto speaker in 1983. I organized several Esperanto organizations such as the Lahore Esperanto Club (LEK), Esperanto-International Academy (EIA). Furthermore, I carried out the tasks of board member or president of LEK, the Pakistani Esperanto Association and EIA, and I held congresses or meetings and organized the Murre Esperanto Club and represented the Universala Esperanto-Asocio in the Global Social Forum 2006 in Karachi and arranged their various meetings and activities there.

World Esperanto Congress and After

1) I want to strengthen the Pakistani Esperanto Association and disseminate Esperanto in Pakistan. 2) I want to do and arrange various activities for the dissemination of Esperanto activity in Pakistan and in the entire world. 3) I want to send and communicate the message of Esperanto to every door of every home, college and university in all of Pakistan. 4) I want to arrange a future conference of the Commission for the Asian Esperanto Movement in Pakistan, if the Commission approves.

Shree Prasad POKHAREL

The Japanese Esperanto Institute is issuing a special invitation to 23 Asian Esperanto activists to take part in this year's World Esperanto Congress in Yokohama. In the April issue of the Japanese magazine La Revuo Orienta JEI has published statements by each of these people. I am reproducing them here, in English translation, one by one.

The next listed activist is Shree Prasad POKHAREL of Nepal. Pokharel is a 46-year-old farmer and former teacher.

Esperanto and I

I started learning Esperanto four years ago, when I met Mr. Cholnat POKHAREL. At almost the same time Mr. Bharat GHIMIRE came from Kathmandu to teach Esperanto. I and my daughter Alinka learned Esperanto together. After the course Bharat founded an organization named "East Nepal Esperanto Society" (ONES). Four months later the Nepalese Esperanto Association (NEspA) organized the 5th International Himalayan Meeting. I took part in it. I found there a very helpful Japanese, Mr. HORI Yasuo. He helped me a lot and encouraged me to speak in Esperanto. I found that Esperanto speakers are very helpful and that Esperanto is an easy and very good language.

I like Esperanto because Esperanto is easy and useful for all people in the world. It does not belong to any nation and is equal for all. That's why I am an Esperanto speaker, and my family members love it, too.

World Esperanto Congress and After

I hope that I will meet many Esperanto speakers from various countries in the World Esperanto Congress. I want to learn how I can teach Esperanto in my town.

After the congress I have the following plans: 1) I will go on informing people about Esperanto. 2) I will practice more to improve my language. 3) I want to make a film in and about Esperanto. 4) I want to have our ONES office in my town so that Esperanto speakers can have a permanent address. 5) I want to invite the next 8th International Himalayan Meeting to eastern Nepal.

Learning from History ... but What Lesson?

It was Santayana who said that "those who refuse to learn from history are condemned to repeat it." Unfortunately, Santayana gave no guidelines as to what lesson or lessons one should be learning from any particular piece of history, and a lot of us spend a lot of time learning the wrong thing.

Case in point. In the last week or so, President Bush has apparently discovered some significant parallel or other between the situation in Iraq and the war in Korea more than fifty years ago. Most notably: South Korea borders on North Korea, which invaded in 1950 and had to be driven out by us. We've kept a major standing force in South Korea to prevent a recurrence ever since. The parallel is that Iraq borders on Iran, which might conceive a desire to invade.

Never mind that Iran has never shown any intention of invading Iraq (quite the opposite; the Iran-Iraq war of the eighties came about because Saddam Hussein conceived a desire to grab off some of Iran's oil-richer territory, an ambition he would recapitulate a couple of years later with Kuwait). Never mind that the current government of Iraq would, to all intents and purposes, be at least an ally and more likely a client of Tehran, willingly, if the U.S. were not there to prevent. Bush sees a parallel, and this is a lesson he has learned from history.

Or is it simply an excuse? For several years now the Bush administration has insisted that it has no intention of maintaining an American presence in Iraq sine die — this despite the fact that the new American embassy being built in Baghdad would put Nero's Golden House to shame. But it now appears that the administration, despite its insistence, has been building towards at least four major permanent military bases in Iraq. Why have a permanent military presence if not to prevent Iraq from invasion? And therefore the parallel with Korea looks, from an ideological point of view, like a good one — permanent military bases in Korea have kept the north from launching another invasion, why can't permanent military bases in Iraq have the same effect on Iran?

(There's another point, as well. The South Koreans, for the most part — not all! — were perfectly happy to have our troops in their country, for precisely the stated reason. The people of Iraq have demonstrated less enthusiasm for the continued presence of U.S. troops; no more than 1% want a continuing U.S. presence in their country, and approximately three quarters have indicated that they would be happy to see the United States leave yesterday.)

Another possible parallel, of course, is with the Vietnam War. One can argue that "failure" (whatever that would be, different from our current policy) in Iraq would lead to the deterioration of democracy throughout the entire Middle East. This is a parallel to the theory of the "domino effect," which dominated much of strategic thought during the Vietnam War; namely, in its most extreme form, that should South Vietnam fall, all of southeast Asia would quickly follow suit. Of course, this didn't happen. Laos was already under North Vietnamese domination before the fall of Saigon; the only immediate result outside of South Vietnam was the fall of Cambodia to the Khmer Rouge, and even that was temporary — it was a Vietnamese army that, three years later, marched into Phnom Penh and replaced the Pol Pot government with the far less draconian one of Heng Samrin (and later Cambodia was restored to what we amusingly refer to as "the international community"). No other countries suffered any change of political direction.

So it appears that those who do not refuse to learn from history will nevertheless not learn real lessons, but will learn pretty much what their beliefs tell them to learn. And so they, too, are likely to repeat history — just not the history they think they're repeating.

Rajendra MANANDHAR

The Japanese Esperanto Institute is issuing a special invitation to 23 Asian Esperanto activists to take part in this year's World Esperanto Congress in Yokohama. In the April issue of the Japanese magazine La Revuo Orienta JEI has published statements by each of these people. I am reproducing them here, in English translation, one by one.

The next listed activist is Rajendra MANANDHAR of Nepal. Manandhar is a 38-year-old journalist.

Esperanto and I

I started learning Esperanto by chance in Kathmandu in 1990 through Mr. Joakim WERDIN. After learning it I founded the Nepalese Esperanto Association so that the Esperanto movement might continue in Nepal. From the beginning I drew, translated and wrote in and for Esperanto. By corresponding with more than 100 Esperanto speakers internationally, I learned about both the language and Esperanto life.

New via the internet I correspond and write reports for various international magazines about Nepal. And through my blog and home page I show the word that I am today living in Esperanto.

I am an Esperanto speaker because I love the spirit of Esperanto and use it whenever that is possible. I love Esperanto because it gives me the honor that I am not using someone else's language nor am I forcing others to use my language. At the same time, I see open harmony between Esperanto speakers in the entire world.

World Esperanto Congress and After

First I want to learn from Japan how to keep Esperanto living for 100 years. During the World Esperanto Congress, I will show the world what Nepal and its Esperanto movement are and what they are like. It will renew my energy to make the movement in Nepal more active. After returning, I will make our association more democratic, will write an Esperanto book and will help those students who have already forgotten the language because they were not able to continually practice it.

Indu Devi THAPALIYA

The Japanese Esperanto Institute is issuing a special invitation to 23 Asian Esperanto activists to take part in this year's World Esperanto Congress in Yokohama. In the April issue of the Japanese magazine La Revuo Orienta JEI has published statements by each of these people. I am reproducing them here, in English translation, one by one.

The next listed activist is Indu Devi THAPALIYA of Nepal. Thapaliya is a 43-year-old banker.

Esperanto and I

When I went to work in a bank in 1990, Joakim WERDIN came from Poland to teach Esperanto in Nepal, and I was present in his course.

When the 4th Himalayan Meeting occurred in 2002, I took part, but could only speak simple words of greeting. At that time foreign Esperanto speakers gave me lots of encouragement, and I seriously learned anew with my cousins and friends. And the more I learn Esperanto, the more I love it. Thanks to Esperanto today I have many friends throughout the world and even had a chance to take part in two World Esperanto Congresses. I always want to learn new things. The idea of Esperanto, too, is new and interesting to me. I have even arranged an Esperanto room at home, and host Esperanto speakers from various countries.

World Esperanto Congress and After

In the World Esperanto Congress I will present the cultures of my country and at the same time I want to learn the Japanese Esperanto movement. I want to have more friends. In my workplace there are many who are interested in Esperanto, because they see my activities with Esperanto. First I want to work for the Nepalese. And second, now I have been elected as a member of the Commission of the Asian Esperanto Movement, and so I want to work more actively for the Esperanto movement in central Asia.

Apsana GIRI

The Japanese Esperanto Institute is issuing a special invitation to 23 Asian Esperanto activists to take part in this year's World Esperanto Congress in Yokohama. In the April issue of the Japanese magazine La Revuo Orienta JEI has published statements by each of these people. I am reproducing them here, in English translation, one by one.

The next listed activist is Apsana GIRI of Nepal. Giri is a 25-year-old student and teacher paid by the hour.

Esperanto and I

I've been an Esperanto speaker for four years. I teach beginners not only in Kathmandu but also in Itahari, and act as treasurer and member of the Nepalese Esperanto Youth Organization (NEJO). I have actively participated in all programs organized by the Nepalese Esperanto Association and NEJO. I also work to interest young people in the international language.

World Esperanto Congress and After

I want to go on working to disseminate Esperanto among Nepalese. NEJO is going to publish its magazine immediately and I want to work to continue that magazine and also want to introduce Esperanto into other parts of Nepal.

Gereltogtokh Dagva

The Japanese Esperanto Institute is issuing a special invitation to 23 Asian Esperanto activists to take part in this year's World Esperanto Congress in Yokohama. In the April issue of the Japanese magazine La Revuo Orienta JEI has published statements by each of these people. I am reproducing them here, in English translation, one by one.

The next listed activist is Gereltogtokh Dagva of Mongolia. Gereltogtokh is a 40-year-old economist at the "Sun" center in Ulaan Bataar.

Esperanto and I

One day in November, 1987, the postman brought me new numbers of various magazines. At that time I was a subscriber to the magazine Ulaan Bataar News. On one page of the magazine there was an announcement about a two-year Esperanto course. I decided to go to the course. At that time I was a construction worker. I worked by day on the construction site and went to the Esperanto course in the evening for two years. Before the course, I already knew about Esperanto, but during my study I fully understood Esperanto's purpose. When I understood that Esperanto was a language of peace and an easiest perfectly created language, I respected and loved it. Even now I love Esperanto, and will love it for my whole life.

World Esperanto Congress and After

I want to see the miraculous spread of Esperanto in Japan and the activities of the Esperanto clubs. I think that Mongolian Esperanto speakers need to learn the experiences of Esperanto speakers from other countries. It is necessary not just to learn, but also to practice experience. When we Mongols inform about Esperanto and disseminate it in our country, undoubtedly that will be the fruit of what we find in Japan.

In Mongolia experienced and influential Esperanto speakers are few. I will work hard to cause that lack to vanish not only after the congress but during my lifetime.

Those Pernicious Foreign Fighters

One of our major gripes with Syria and Iran is that they allow their borders to be porous to "foreign fighters" entering Iraq to participate in the ongoing unpleasantness there.

An article in today's paper talks about a Somalian detainee named Abdullahi Sudi Arale, alleging that he "held a leadership role in the Council of Islamic Courts" and — worse? — "[had traficked] in counterfeit documents to help foreign fighters get into Somalia."

The Council of Islamic Courts basically ran Somalia for some period of time, until they were driven out of office by the warlords (against whom we fought in the early 1990s) aided by the Ethiopian army. But ... wait a moment ... the Ethiopian army? Once they crossed the border into Somalia, weren't they, too, "foreign fighters"? For that matter, well over 100,000 U.S. soldiers in Iraq hardly qualify as "Iraqi patriots".

The U.S. press — following the lead of the U.S. government, as far as I can tell — has the practice of referring only to volunteers for the other side as "foreign fighters", even though we ourselves qualify as such.

It may be good strategy for the attainment of "victory" (not very well defined, so far) to exclude the other side's foreign fighters; but let's get our terminology straight. The "foreign fighters" on our side far outnumber those filtering in through the Syrian and Iranian borders with Iraq or across the sea from Pakistan into Somalia.

Mohammad Reza TORABI

The Japanese Esperanto Institute is issuing a special invitation to 23 Asian Esperanto activists to take part in this year's World Esperanto Congress in Yokohama. In the April issue of the Japanese magazine La Revuo Orienta JEI has published statements by each of these people. I am reproducing them here, in English translation, one by one.

The next listed activist is Mohammad Reza TORABI of Iran. Torabi is a 39-year-old editor, copy editor, teacher of Esperanto, student of interlinguistics.

Esperanto and I

I started learning Esperanto through self-study in 1984 from a classified ad that appeared in a daily newspaper. I was curious and wanted to know the outside world. That decade in my country was very full of unhappiness because of various problems such as the post-revolutionary years and war between Iran and Iraq. These were problems that led to great barriers against contact with the outside.

I am an Esperanto speaker because in Esperanto I feel equality, neutrality and democracy. Esperanto makes an environment possible for me in which I can express myself as I wish. Through Esperanto I have gotten acquainted with various cultures and environments which I would never be able to attain without Esperanto.

World Esperanto Congress and After

I don't have any prejudgment. It can't be imagined what one will experience in a country that one has never visited; but intercultural affairs always attract me and I don't doubt that many interesting matters will happen in Japan in that respect during my trip.

Since 1993 I have unceasingly played a role in the Esperanto movement, on the national level, on the international level, during journeys. For me there is always a new horizon not previously touched and full of experience.

I hope that in visiting Japan I will further increase my knowledge of its culture and will gain enough information about the movement to help me in my activities on various terrains.

"Everybody speaks English, right?"

US President George W Bush on Wednesday expressed surprise at the need for a German translation of his comments to the press at a G8 summit being held at the Baltic coastal resort of Heiligendamm.

"Everybody speaks English, right?" Bush asked, after a German- language interpreter began to translate his brief statement to the press following talks with G8 summit host German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

A laughing Merkel asked the US leader to "be patient" and gestured for him to wait by her side while the interpreter did his job.

'Nuff said, nicht wahr?

Hamzeh SHAFIEE

The Japanese Esperanto Institute is issuing a special invitation to 23 Asian Esperanto activists to take part in this year's World Esperanto Congress in Yokohama. In the April issue of the Japanese magazine La Revuo Orienta JEI has published statements by each of these people. I am reproducing them here, in English translation, one by one.

The next listed activist is Hamzeh SHAFIEE of Iran. Shafiee is a 40-year-old telecommunications engineer.

Esperanto and I

In 1986, when I was a student in a technical college, one day I noticed a classified ad about Esperanto in which an Esperanto textbook was presented. I sent a letter to the address with a lot of questions about the language. Happily the answer was very logical and attractive. So, after some correspondence, I bought a textbook and began to read it. The language was so interesting that I read it to the end without stopping. Afterwards I reread it and very quickly began to seek and find pen pals, and so entered into the [Esperanto] movement.

Starting when I was learning Esperanto, it was, is and will remain not just a simple language like others, but a part of my life occupation. It makes up a large part of my friends, relationships, studies and way of passing time. In Esperanto, I find a value which is meaningful to my life and ideals. My utopia is being built on the columns of Esperanto.

World Esperanto Congress and After

During the months before the World Congress, I will consider what I can present and offer to the host country. I will be a representative of the Iranian Esperanto movement; so I will take steps to give information about Iranian life, culture, and its evolving Esperanto movement. It is my occupation before the Congress to collect information and consider how to present it.

During the World Congress, I will have to carry out two different acts: first giving information, and second collecting information and experiences. The Iranian Esperanto Association is very young. It needs to make use of the experiences of foreign associations to speed up its progress. Organization and planning are very important but weak sides to our activity. I will take steps to collect information and seek experiences to use later in my country.

After the World Congress, I will return to Iran with more strength and self-confidence. The prupose will be to make use of the experiences to advance the movement. Holding courses and meetings more regularly, informing more intensely and recruiting members are the most important steps.