Tuesday 22 February 2011

2025 Darkness descends in Libya

It is Tuesday 22 of February 2011 at just before 3 pm having enjoyed a Lloyd Grossmann Balti curry with a large slice of turkey and a large carton of Palau rice. I am almost up-to-date in my writing and have completed some work projects as well a shaving a potentially important computer text communication. After staying up until 1.30 am I slept in until 8 am with the intention of watching unfolding events in Libya as well as keeping an eye on England’s first game in the World 50 over cricket competition with is taking place in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. However it was not either event which caught my attention when I switched on the radio in my bedroom

There had been a second large earthquake in New Zealand which although was said to have less power than that six months ago, took place at lunch time in the city centre when people were all at work. The first report is that there are at least sixty people dead and as many as two hundred trapped. Other deaths are feared.

3.20 In the cricket the Netherlands has become one of the stronger “second division” teams and who already play as a team in British one day competitions. The Netherlands won the toss and decided to bad on what commentators thought was a good wicket. This was proven by the getting of 292 runs for 6 wickets in their 50 overs. England were reported to have been poor in field and the bowling was not effective. England also tried again an opening partnership between captain Straus and Kevin Petersen, They put on 105 runs for the first wicket when Petersen was out for 39. Strauss was then out for 88 at 166 and at the time of writing the total has risen to 183 leaving 109 for the victory with 15 overs left, more than adequate, especially as the Dutch team does not have wicket taking bowlers for this level of the game.

3.30 The level of destruction in Christchurch New Zealand the city centre is such that a state of emergency has been declared with an evacuation. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth has issued a statement expressing her shock and sorrow and the British Prime Minister has stated that the UK will give whatever support is needed and an emergency rescue team has already set off. The Government of New Zealand immediately accepted the offer of help from Australia and the USA is also sending a rescue team.

This appears to be the worst disaster in a country prone to earthquakes. It is an after shock of the earthquake six months before but the was more severe in its impact because it was relatively high in the surface so buildings shook more and the epicentre was located in a built up area. The nature of the earthquake was such that earth liquefied and bubbled to the surface. The river changed colour and roads buckled. People had to be rescued from within buildings as staircases disappeared. Two buses were crushed by the fall of building walls.

3.40 The Four kidnapped round the world USA yachting couples have been killed as the USA Navy moved in. Kidnappers have been killed and taken prisoner.

3.50 The inquiry into the terrorist attack on London 7/7 has being hearing from a representative of the Security Service on the circumstances which meant that although the leader of the attack came to the attention of the police and service in relation to other investigations he was not picked up as meriting ongoing surveillance. In one instance although a colour photograph of him was available for identification purpose only a partial face grainy black and white was distributed.

3.55 The 2012 British Olympic Velodrome in London, seating 6000 people was officially opened today and the British cycling team all gave it a spin and appeared excited and impressed by the venue.

4.15 I consider washing my hair but delay until tomorrow, shave and attend to other ablutions. Meanwhile England have lost two more wickets with Trott 66 and Bell 33. This leaves the unconfident and until recently out of form Paul Collingwood with the inexperienced Bopara at the wicket To get 43 runs off 24 balls. Still within range as the best Dutch bowler Doeschate has competed his ten overs for an excellent 47 runs and two wickets. He also made the potentially match winning 119 runs for his country.

4.25 A battle of wills has commenced between the ruthless dictator Gaddafi, who remains in the capital and has been in full flow on Libyan TV ordering his forces and the police to crush the rebellion and the rest of the humanitarian world has commenced. The Security Council has been meeting at the request of the Libyan representatives, including their ambassadors to the UN and to the USA. Before their request was made the attitude of China and Russia, understandable, given their respective records on civil rights was that this was not a matter for the Council as other countries are not directly affected and there was yet no substantive evidence of crimes against humanity. Council is now hearing representative for and against their ability to comment and make resolution on the matter. There are two requests on the table. The first is for a no fly military zone and the second for a land/sea corridor for medical supplies and to secure the welfare of those from other nationalities. The Arab League Council is also scheduled to meet today.

4.45 England now need 16 from 14 balls. 14 from 13. Now 13 from two overs. A six and two fours ends it in the penultimate over. Collingwood and Bopara each made 30 not out. The professional view expressed on Sky TV is that England did not bowl or field well with the Dutch score the fourth highest in the world Cup to be chased down.

9.30 The Security Council has arranged to meet in closed session next Tuesday. I guess that there are two considerations. The first is the security of the national citizens remaining in the country. The numbers are substantial in some instances. Secondly the extent to which the Egyptian army rebels and steps in to stop their leader. Otherwise I fear there is going to be genocide. Because of Iraq and continuing involvement in Afghanistan, the UK and the USA cannot advocate military action or intervention. If threat become necessary it must come from others.

The appearance of Gaddafi on TV was extraordinary. A Maniac sounding reminiscent of Hitler and with the same willingness to spill blood. It is understood that he is executing anyone to disobeys commands, including his officers. He has brought in mercenaries from other parts of Africa. Individuals who have been trained and he has financed in various civil wars and insurrections in at least ten other countries in the past. The situation is appalling.

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