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09/21/2007: "‘Nagas are Indigenous people of the world’ The Morung Express"

‘Nagas are Indigenous people of the world’ The Morung Express

DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 20 (MExN): Citing on the conceptualization of the word “indigenous people” and their rights under the framework of United Nations working groups, the Naga Hoho has stated that the definition clearly indicates that Nagas are the most appropriate to be termed as indigenous people basing on the fact that Nagas are the original inhabitants in their own territories and the real descendants of their ancestors.
In a press note issued by P. Chuba Ozukum, Publicity Secretary, the Naga Hoho termed as unfortunate the British imperialist forces and the Indian occupational forces taking away the Naga territories with vicious attitudes and domination of the Naga people. “Notwithstanding, stiff resistance of Naga movement for self-determination since the formation of Naga Club in 1929, it was the British and India who came to Naga territory and subjugated the original settlers through military aggression and thereby became not only the rulers, but further divided the Naga indigenous families and displaced them under different imaginary boundaries for their administrative convenience”, the Naga Hoho stated while adding that any resistant group in Nagaland asking the Indian rulers to “leave them alone” was akin to revolting against the conqueror or colonizers. “Therefore, the above definition of U.N on indigenous people sufficiently illustrates that the Nagas are Indigenous people of the world”.
The Hoho stated that it would be another heartbreaking episode in the annals of the freedom movement if any Naga intellectual under the banner of NSCN (IM) (K) or FGN attempts to derail the definition of indigenous people who are supposed to be the champion of Indigenous people’s struggle. The Naga Hoho pointed out that it fully recognized and appreciated the initiative taken by the NPMHR, NSF, and the Collective Leadership of NSCN (IM) who have been actively participating and articulating the rights of the Naga Indigenous people. This was made in the deliberations of the United Nations both in the Working Group as well as Permanent Forum on Indigenous peoples issues. They are held every year at Geneva and New York respectively, it added.
The Naga Hoho also stated that it was overwhelmed to learn on the historic declaration of UN General Assembly on September 13, 2007 adopting on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which upholds human rights of more than 300 million indigenous peoples around the globe. “The Naga Hoho thanks all the actors involved towards crafting the declaration into reality of which the credit goes to Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, Chairperson and her three Co-members of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous issues, NGO’s like IWGIA, NCIV, DOCIP, Quakers, Amnesty International, IFG and all other Indigenous leaders, activists and experts around the world”.
It likewise stated that the “challenges that are ahead” for the Nagas towards effective implementation of the declaration may not be easy task due to lack of political will on the part of the Governments and the vested interest of rich and powerful nations. “However, Naga people will be counting the United Nations system and the Indian sub-continent towards bringing out permanent settlement to the age-old Indo-Naga political imbroglio based on the momentous UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples”.
Naga Hoho hails affiliation move

The Naga Hoho has put on record on what it termed as the “sagacious wisdom” of the DAN government under the leadership of Neiphiu Rio, the Council of Ministers and all other political parties in Nagaland of their matured political decision arrived at in its Assembly session on September 18 permitting the NBSE to extend facilities to educational institutions located outside the present state of Nagaland and also recognizing the legitimate rights of the respective Academic institutions for conducting internal promotion examinations. The Naga Hoho in a press note issued by I. Bendangmangyang Jamir, President and Keviletuo Kiewhuo, Vice President expressed confidence that such a landmark political decision in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly shall be a springboard and will really be a contributing factor towards achieving our goal for a unified Naga homeland.
“It has been observing that the minds of the Naga people were divided over the amalgamation of schools from the four hill districts of Manipur under the administrative roof of Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) following the imposition of Manipur Government’s education policy upon the Naga community who have occupied the Hill Districts since time immemorial”, the Naga Hoho stated adding that in the process, many Naga students in Manipur had to sacrifice their career during the massive agitation by all Naga civil societies demanding for affiliation to the NBSE.
Discussion on indigenous people- Nagaland Post
I welcome and do appreciate Dr. Hesheto Y. Chishi and Naga People's Movement for Human Right (NPMHR) who had discussed on my article "Nagas are not indigenous people", which appeared in Nagaland dailies on September 18. They shared their point of view that Nagas are first settlers, native people and therefore Nagas are indigenous people.
But my point of view is, Nagas are not indigenous people, but it does not mean Nagas are not first settlers of the lands or native people. However, the question is; Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, Thais, or Burmese etc. are the first settlers of their lands. Yet, the word 'Indigenous' does not apply to these people, because they are nations. Why then should we apply the word Indigenous to us? Generally the word 'Indigenous' has been applied to people such as the Aborigines of Australia, the Maories of New Zealand, the Red Indian of North and South American continents, the Samis of the Scandinavian countries, the Chakmas of the Chitagong region of Bangladesh, the Rangkhols and Tripuris of Tripura. Because these people have been reduced to minority in their own land by the waves of migrants from outside to their homeland; and the migrants who became majority controlled the government, economic and all social systems. Hence the native people (first settlers) completely submerged and assimilated into the political and social system of migrant people. Therefore, the native people had driven to seek the status of Indigenous people in the international forum. But the Nagas never reduced to seek the status of Indigenous people in the past or in our life time. Therefore the Nagas have nothing to do with the word 'Indigenous people'.
Thus we can say the Nagas are not indigenous people. Thousand years ago our ancestral Fathers occupied this no man's land and till today we are occupying it and we are the people of the land and we are a nation which had never fallen into foreign domination in the human history. We are not living under the mercy of other majority race of the migrant people. And we are not fighting for recognition as an indigenous people, but not to be reduced into indigenous people (minority) in our own homeland. Especially while we are fighting against the aggressor India we should not label ourselves as an indigenous people lest the international leaders be misunderstood on the Indo-Naga conflict as an internal affair of India. It is the fact that the Indigenous right and Human Rights become international issues; even then the phases of Indigenous right and Human Rights are internal affairs of one's own country, and self-determination is purely internal affairs. The fact we have to understand that the Indo-Naga conflict is not an internal affair of India or Burma. Let us remember once again the word of our leader Tubu Kevichusa, former NNC General Secretary who stated as follow on 25th August 1995;
"It is not only important to know who we are. It is equally important to say clearly as to who we are. For people will take us according to what we say we are. If we say we are an 'indigenous people', then the world will think so accordingly and the matter would end there. If we say we are a Nation, then ultimately men of good reason will recognize us as a Nation. It is not only important to speak with one voice. It is equally important to speak on one issue only."
V. Phutoi Zhimomi, Midan Peyu Cum Finance Secretary, FGN
DAN ally threatens to break away OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Kohima, Sept. 20: Trouble seems to be brewing for Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio with the Janata Dal (United) announcing its decision to reconsider support to the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government. Deo Nukhu, the deputy chairman of the state planning board, said today that the JD(U) might withdraw support to the Rio government if the members of the party arrive at a consensus. He added that the two JD(U) members, Nukhu and Huska Sumi, would discuss the possibility of withdrawing support to the DAN coalition.
Nukhu and Sumi were at loggerheads because of an internal crisis in the party. Sumi had virtually withdrawn support to the DAN government in 2004 but could not announce it because of the anti-defection law.
Nukhu, who is still with the DAN government, was upset as the Nagaland People’s Front (NPF), the largest constituent of the ruling DAN, did not offer any cabinet berth to the JD(U) after downsizing the ministry. The JD(U) had alleged that Rio and the NPF were breaking their promise. Nukhu said he is closely monitoring the latest political development in the DAN camp.
“I’ll meet Sumi soon and chalk out a strategy,” Nukhu said. “Sumi has not been keeping well for some time and so I could not meet him,” he said. Both Nukhu and Sumi were cabinet ministers before the downsizing of the ministry. JD(U) central leader George Fernandez was the star campaigner for the DAN during the state elections in 2003. But later the party was sidelined.
The four NPF legislators who had resigned on Tuesday said they had conveyed their decision to the JD(U) members and hoped others would follow suit. “We have already conveyed our decision to the JD(U) members,” said K. Therie, leader of the four dissident legislators. The other three dissident legislators are Z. Obed, Yeangphong Konyak and Vatsu Meru.
Therie added that some members of the BJP are also willing to join them. The BJP leaders could not be contacted. With the resignation of four NPF legislators and one Independent withdrawing support to the government, the DAN has been reduced to 38.
The cage that sets offenders right Rituraj Borthakur, Press Trust Of India


A seven-foot coffin-like wooden cage erected near the entrance of this village near the boundary with Assam has made many an "offender" repent his misdeeds.

Erected by the local village council, the cage is used to "punish" those found guilty of offences like theft, quarrelling or abusing narcotics and alcohol, the sale of which is banned in Nagaland.

An "offender" is locked up for a 12-hour stretch in the cage as punishment. "Besides being locked up in the cage, generally at night, an offender is fined Rs 500," village headman Mar Longchar said. "Few months ago, a 28-year-old youth was locked up in the cage after he was caught using drugs," Longchar said.

Adding to the agony of the offenders is the fact that the small cage, which was built nearly two decades ago, is made of 'khajuli gos', a tree whose wood causes an itching sensation.

Punishment is usually swift with offenders lined up before the headman, who is apprised of their guilt. The headman then decides on the punishment. Even women have been locked up in the cage for their misdeeds, locals said.

However, the detainees are given food, Mar said. Even residents of Assam who commit any offences in the village face the same punishment, he said.

Assiring is located between Assam's Jorhat district and Nagaland's Mukokchung district, an area that has been disputed by the two states. Though the practice of locking offenders up in the cage is peculiar to the village with 1600 residents, the headman said there are other remote villages in Nagaland where "sinners" are punished in a similar fashion.

Asked whether police had ever interfered in the matter, Mar boldly said in the local dialect: "Aamikhan dao di katile bhi policor permission loikine nokore." (Even if we hack a person, we don't seek permission from police).
1 killed, 11 injured in Tuli clash Correspondent Nagaland Post
Mokokchung, Sept 20 (NPN): One person died while eleven others were injured in a politically-related clash between the supporters of two political parties at Forest Colony in Tuli on Thursday.
According to reports reaching here, the trouble started after the supporters of T. Tali, NPF legislator and Imtiwabang of the Congress resorted to stone pelting at each other. Both intending candidates hail from the same village, Kangtsung. The pelting of stones led to use of guns and crude bombs by both sides.
A youth, identified as Imlisunep, aged 23, of Kangtsung village died on the spot while eleven others were injured, some of them critically. Three of the injured were rushed to Mokokchung for treatment with one reported to be in a critical state. The victim sustained bullet injuries on the abdomen.
The clash, which erupted in the morning of Thursday, continued till the afternoon. The situation was brought under control by senior officials of the district administration who had gone to the spot all the way from Mokokchung.
Police had to quell the mob by resorting to blank firing. The group, camped at Forest Colony, was escorted by police till Amguri in Assam.
It was reported the violence erupted after supporters of T. Tali were allegedly mobilized from Dimapur, Kohima besides Tuli and held camp in Forest Colony.
Following the incident, adequate police personnel were deployed in the area to thwart any untoward incident. At the time of filing this report, the situation was reported to be tense but under control. As reported earlier, supporters of the rival candidates from Kangtsung village, had been at loggerheads over the decision purportedly made by the village to support Imtiwabang as the consensus candidate for the next election. T. Tali has been representing the constituency since 1977 when he was elected on the UDF ticket. He later joined the NNDP and was re-elected in 1987. Later Tali joined the Congress and retained the seat in the 1993, 1998 and 2003 elections on the Congress ticket. He joined the NPF along with seven others in 2004.
No one is above customary law- Nagaland Post
To react to any given situation it makes more sense to be realistic than to be bombastic. It might be more prudent to study the actual sequence of the issue than plunge headlong in defence of somebody in trouble. Nobody can gainsay the fact that every tribe carries trait of imperfection. Every individual tribe has its own omissions and commissions. Surprisingly, there is an unwarranted restlessness to bailout Mr. Tuisem who has been excommunicated by Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL). It was a one sided defence without actually touching on the core of the issue that set off the spark to burn Dr. Tuisem. To douse the fire water is necessary and not petrol. It is ridiculous to defend a person by virtue of his social standing and feigned ignorance about the other side of the story that comes in the most arrogant manner quite unbecoming of his professed high sounding title as Reverend, a servant of God but who refused to translate humbleness into practice. This should have been the trait of a true Reverend.
This is the situation with Dr. Tuisem and the uncalled for criticism on TNL by some vested individuals and organizations. But in the ultimate analysis of the situation, it is to be admitted that it is the Tangkhuls who know Dr. Tuisem from close angle and therefore action taken against him for his temerity to challenge the whole Tangkhuls. For the same reason the Tangkhul National Workers have no inhibition to fully endorse the decision of the TNL in excommunicating Dr. Tuisem for six years.
Dr. Tuisem cannot justify his utterance against the Tangkhul exploiting the Holy name of God. It will be a travesty of justice to God. He cannot claim to do justice to God by playing hell with the conscience of the Tangkhul community. Being arrogant is not a Christian trait in the sight of God. And he can never be saved if he goes on justifying himself or on his behalf by others.
In the backdrop of such unpalatable situation with Dr. Tuisem having to face the social ostracism nothing has come to us as a bolt from the blue. His motive in the past has not been too pleasant to recollect either. The NSCN have encountered his bitter diatribe against the revolutionaries just for the heck of sending a wrong signal across the world. And he chose the occasion and timing to make the desired impact. It will, therefore, be foolhardy for the Tangkhuls not to interpret his inside game-plan in correct perspective and stamp the rot lest it cause havoc of much greater dimension.
The Tangkhuls or for that matter all the Nagas have strong attachment to customary values. And it is imprudent to undermine the customary authority, the guardian of all customary practices. Dr. Tuisem will be taking the greatest risk of his life if he considers himself above the Tangkhul customary law. Given the magnitude of the image Dr, Tuisem imposed on himself and having played with the nerve of the Tangkhuls in his characteristic style that only demeaned the Tangkhul customary practices, there is hardly any option left. Therefore, in the fullness of our conscience the Tangkhul National Workers consider the TNL's action on Dr. Tuisem justified.
Tangkhul National Workers Through MIP, GPRN NSCN-IM
Ulfa fills Prabal ‘vacancy’OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Dibrugarh, Sept. 20: The leadership of the banned Ulfa has appointed Bijoy Das (alias Bijoy Chinese) as the new commanding officer of the outfit’s 28 Battalion after the arrest of self-styled lieutenant Prabal Neog. A senior Ulfa leader called up a section of the media in Upper Assam from a satellite phone and announced the decision taken by the Ulfa leadership late last evening.
Bijoy Das, who hails from Nalbari district, had been holding the post of joint deputy commander of the battalion along with another senior Ulfa leader, Bhaskar Hazarika.
He was also working as an adjutant to Prabal Neog. Security forces in Upper Assam have been put on alert following Neog’s arrest. “We have received inputs that the outfit might engage in more abductions and hit at soft targets to exert pressure on the government. Ulfa hopes to secure the release of Neog and some other senior militants in this manner. We are taking all measures,” a senior army officer said. Neog, arrested on Monday at Tezpur, revealed during interrogation that “internal differences” were plaguing the group, police sources told PTI. Such differences within Ulfa led to Neog’s arrest. Police claimed that Neog was a moderate who favoured a political solution to insurgency in Assam.
Polling agent gunned down in post election violence By : A Staff Reporter Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Sept 20: Election related violence has claimed at least one life, with gunmen shooting dead the inner polling agent of one of the candidates for the Imphal east zilla parishad at Kiyamgei Muslim Leikai under Irilbung police station last night.
The deceased, identified as Md Kitab Ali, 18, of Kiyamgei Muslim Leikai was reportedly gunned down during a confrontation near his home at around 10:30 pm.
It is believed the incident was the aftermath of a clash that had occurred during a booth capturing incident yesterday.
The victim was hit once in the back, with the bullet exiting through his left chest. He died on the spot.
According to family sources, the deceased was the inner agent of jilla parishad candidate Md Sarafat Ali, 38, for polling station 15/18 Kiyamgei Mayai Leikai LP School in yesterday’s election.
As per reports, Kitab Ali had a confrontation with workers of a pradhan candidate around noon yesterday near the polling station after the latter captured the booth and tried to take away the ballot boxes.
According to Kitab’s family, the workers were armed and in the course of the confrontation with him, fired at least three shots in the air.
The workers however fled after people gathered on hearing the gunshots. They were also heard shouting that Kitab Ali will face the consequences for daring to defy them.
Later, at around 10:30 pm last night, Kitab with some friends were at the gate of his home when some 20 persons came up and verbally abused him for his role in the confrontation earlier in the day. The youths also reportedly threatened to burn his house down if he did not apologize.
When Kitab’s friends tried to physically intervene, one of the assailants shot Kitab Ali, and fled after firing several rounds in the air.
Local people soon afterwards started a manhunt for the assailants but could not trace them.
A police case has been registered, while the body has been handed over to the family after post mortem at RIMS hospital.
Repolling today in 49 Manipur booths OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Imphal, Sept. 20: State election commissioner Ningombam Angou Singh today ordered a repoll in 49 stations, where violence disrupted yesterday’s polling. Repolling will be held tomorrow with adequate security measures.
Voters boycotted 13 stations during yesterday’s polls, the chief election commissioner said today.
Ten polling stations in parts of Sadar Hills did not register any vote, as not a single voter turned up yesterday. Voters of two polling station in Jiribam under Imphal East also shied away from the polling booths.
Polling was held in 1,545 booths in the four valley districts of Thoubal, Bishnupur, Imphal West, Imphal East and parts of Sadar Hills in Senapati district to elect 61 zilla parishad members, 165 pradhans and 1,535 panchayat members.
While polling was disrupted following snatching of ballot papers and other poll papers in the four valley districts, arson marred polling at Charhazar in Sadar Hills.
Official sources said pro-boycott supporters set fire to five kiosks at Charhazari and damaged several houses belonging to people who turned up to cast their votes yesterday. Sadar Hills District Demand Committee and Kuki Students’ Organisation separately called bandhs to boycott the election.
The two organisations are demanding upgradation of Sadar Hills to a revenue district and also objecting to holding of panchayat election in Sadar Hills since it has an Autonomous District Council.
The election office has also ordered repolling in four polling stations at Charhazari.
Angou Singh blamed lack of enough security personnel for the outbreak of violence.
“Only one section of armed personnel of the state force was provided to the hill stations (Sadar Hills) while only about five unarmed personnel were provided for each polling station in the valley,” he said.
Dissidents demand Central rule in Nagaland Assam Tribune
KOHIMA, Sept 20 – Dissident legislators of the ruling Nagaland Peoples Front today demanded Central rule and a CBI probe into alleged financial irregularities by the Neiphiu Rio Government in Nagaland. Four NPF MLAs, K Therie, Z Obed, Vatsu Meru and Yeangphong Konyak, who resigned from the Assembly yesterday, submitted a memorandum to Governor K Shankaranarayanan, demanding his intervention.

They were joined by NPF MLA Khutovi, who also resigned from the ruling party.

K Therie, a former Finance Minister in the Rio Ministry, told reporters that they urged the Governor to intervene as he was empowered to play a special role under Article 371(A) or recommend imposition of the Article 356. Therie, speaking about alleged financial irregularities of the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland Government, said the Governor should recommmend to the Centre to probe them as also cases of ‘nepotism’. – PTI
‘NE people facing identity crisis’ By Our Correspondent Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Sept 20 – Magsaysay award winner social activist Dr Sandeep Pandey today said that North East, like Jammu and Kashmir is facing the brunt of ‘identity crisis’ and the local people would have to rise to the occasion to overcome it.

“Even after 60 years of Independence, the Central Government has failed to ensure democracy both in NE and J&K, which is very unfortunate,” Dr Pandey said.

While citing the instance of the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) he said, “Though Sharmila has been fighting for years to repeal this Act, yet no Government officials have been able to ensure her any kind of assurance in this regard.”

“States like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are witnessing more anti-social activities but there is no such act imposed on these States,” he pointed out while interacting with media during the ‘Meet the Press’ programme organised in the Guwahati Press Club.

Sandeep Pandey, who quit his job at the Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur, and plunged into working for Asha – an education programme for underprivileged children a decade ago was conferred with Magsaysay award, the Asian equivalent of the Nobel Prize in the year 2002.

Dr Pandey further said that the Central Government has also failed to ensure democracy in the region, where human rights violation is taking place every day.
PCPIA tells Govt, ULFA to resume peace process By A Staff Reporter Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Sept 20 – The People’s Committee for Peace Initiatives in Assam (PCPIA), an umbrella body of 28 different organisations of the State, has renewed its appeal to both the Government and the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) to suspend hostilities to create a congenial atmosphere to resume the peace process. The PCPIA members met here last evening and decided to renew the appeal in the interest of revival of the peace process to bring the ULFA to the negotiation table. The PCPIA chief coordinator, Dilip Patgiri told this correspondent today that the Government has been making public its stand clear only through media and it should inform the ULFA

formally about its requirements like a formal letter from the outfit. He said that the ULFA already made its stand clear that all communications from the Government should be sent formally through the People’s Consultative Group (PCG), formed by the outfit to hold initial parleys with the Government to pave the way for direct talks.

Patgiri said that after the peace process ended in a deadlock last year, the PCG has not received any formal communication from the Government of India and the assurance of releasing five jailed central committee members of the ULFA was also not fulfilled.

The PCPIA expressed concern at the delay in carrying forward the peace talks with the militant groups, which have already signed ceasefire pacts with the Government and expressed apprehension that the delay would only complicate matters. Patgiri said that the PCPIA has decided to hold discussions with the militant groups, which have already signed ceasefire pacts with the Government to know their views and the causes for the delay and to mount pressure on the Government to expedite the process of talks. It may be mentioned here that formal talks with the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) are yet to start even after two years of signing of the ceasefire pact, while, the talks with the Dima Halam Daogah (DHD) and the United People’s Democratic Solidarity (UPDS) are also not making much headway.

Expressing concern over the Assam-Nagaland boundary disputes, the PCPIA decided to hold a series of discussions with different social organisations of the neighbouring State to remove misunderstandings between the common people of both the States. The PCPIA chief coordinator said that a citizens’ meet would be held in the city later this month to discuss the issue and different Naga social organisations including Naga Hoho, Naga Students’ Federation, Naga Mothers’ Association etc have been invited to participate in the same. He said that such meetings would not solve the boundary disputes, but would help in removing misunderstanding between the people of both the States.

The PCPIA strongly condemned the recent killings of innocent persons by security forces and anti-social elements in different parts of the State and demanded a judicial probe into the killings of Sabitri Rajbongshi, Tapan Das, Lonki Teron and S Ingty.
Government of the Peoples Republic of Nagalim GPRN
President Bush's speech vowed three times in his Inaugural speech that he would help the oppressed nations find freedom. He said that he would seek to put hidden acts of genocide to an end and expose governments that continued to practice those human rights violations. We need to petition him to keep this promise and include Nagaland as he deals with India.
Inaugural Speech ... "We will persistently clarify the choice before every ruler and every nation: The moral choice between oppression, which is always wrong, and freedom, which is eternally right. America will not pretend that jailed dissidents prefer their chains, or that women welcome humiliation and servitude, or that any human being aspires to live at the mercy of bullies.
We will encourage reform in other governments by making clear that success in our relations will require the decent treatment of their own people. America's belief in human dignity will guide our policies, yet rights must be more than the grudging concessions of dictators; they are secured by free dissent and the participation of the governed. In the long run, there is no justice without freedom, and there can be no human rights without human liberty.
Some, I know, have questioned the global appeal of liberty - though this time in history, four decades defined by the swiftest advance of freedom ever seen, is an odd time for doubt. Americans, of all people, should never be surprised by the power of our ideals. Eventually, the call of freedom comes to every mind and every soul. We do not accept the existence of permanent tyranny because we do not accept the possibility of permanent slavery. Liberty will come to those who love it."
"All who live in tyranny and hopelessness can know: the United States will not ignore your oppression, or excuse your oppressors... America's influence is considerable and we will use it confidently in freedom's cause."
"In the long run, there is no justice without freedom, and there can be no human rights
Without human liberty."

"The survival of liberty in our land increasingly depends on the success of liberty in other lands. The best hope for peace in our world is the expansion of freedom in all the world."


“We must not hesitate to declare our ultimate objectives and to take concrete actions to move toward them. We must be staunch in our conviction that freedom is not the sole prerogative of a lucky few but the inalienable and universal right of all human beings.”
President Ronald Reagan
June 8, 1982
Our ultimate objective is a Reagan-esque vision of freedom. Freedom from high taxes. Freedom from burdensome government regulations. Freedom from terrorism and tyranny. Freedom for all…for all the world to enjoy.