USA: Angola and Rawanda

Whenever I see that people have checked out the blog I get really anxious, because I'm aware that among my posts there's most likely a fair bit of crap conclusions I've drawn, particularly when I first began the blog ... with the zeal of a thousand manic bloggers. Seriously, I knew next to nothing about politics and I was forever confusing Libya and Syria.  The knowledge I have remains limited.  I know trivia from all over, but I don't have a good, solid understanding of any one country.  Feel a bit guilty about my not so pleasant posts about political figures (kind of like I do whenever I'm not nice on twitter), but I'm going to let things stand as they are rather than edit, even though I'll sound like a dick. Seem to be going nowhere with the posting.  Get some draft form thing happening, but I like to 'work' in one hit (it's never the same going back).  But as I leave the drafting until I'm just about ready to drop, there's not much drive left in me and it all sort of gets set aside for editing that somehow doesn't eventuate. Also, some things that I feel really strongly about at the time aren't that big a deal down the track.  Which is just as well. Spent the night fiddling with something , even though I was mean to get some zzz's.  Why is there never enough time in the day?  It is such a horrible feeling to feel time racing and slipping away like it seems to, while you remain at a sort of standstill feeling like you're striving for something -- but never getting anywhere. What's even worse than that?  Knowing it's a crazy-lady pursuit. Addiction to news information is a weird addition to have. What news did I find interesting? ANGOLA | RAWANDA #Angola Foreign Minister saw John Kerry to discuss Syria, Israel, Palestine, #Ukraine& 'challenges'  Angola to face as new member #UNSC. #Angola appears to have some role in peacemaking re 'Great Lakes crisis'/ Kerry brings up #Congo violence against women. Shared obligations. #Angola #Congo Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) - No. 1 threat to stability in region [Kerry] - http://www.newsroomamerica.com/story/464957.html #Rawanda US supports ending threat of the FDLR, incl "demobilization & robust military efforts" [John Kerry] - http://www.newsroomamerica.com/story/464957.html Demobilisation =  process of standing down nation's armed forces from combat-ready status by (1) peaceful resolution OR  (2) victory in war. Democratic Forces for the Liberation of #Rwanda = has 6 months to surrender gracefully - expires January 2nd, 2015 #Rawanda If FDLR do not surrender 2/1/15: DRC military (ie Congo) & #UN 'peacekeeping' mission must act to end FDLR threat once & for all. #Angola - #USA "On issue after issue, our interests are aligning like never before" [John Kerry] - http://www.newsroomamerica.com/story/464957.html #Angola & #USA collaboration: >maritime security >combating piracy >combating illegal fishing >discussion: human trafficking [newsroomamerica] #Angola To join Chemical Weapons Convention, a 'treaty of conscience'; duration 100 years. [John Kerry] Kerry brings up #Syria & removal of 'chemical weapons' from Syria. Mentions Daesh. Removal ' providential choice'. MIRACLE! #Angola US investments improving business climate & integration AND "leveraging Angola’s leadership" [John Kerry] http://www.newsroomamerica.com/story/464957.html Port of Luanda energy companies are presumably responsible for this 'leveraging' LOL ... Kerry mentions visit to execs. #USA African Growth & Opportunity Act /AGOA = trade preferences 4 quota & duty-free entry to US Criticism: dominated by oil & raw materials #Angola US sphere via AGOA (raw materials to US, primarily OIL) & TIFA (pre Free Trade Agreement) - http://www.newsroomamerica.com/story/464957.html 2013 #Angola produced 1.8 million barrels per day Total, Chevron, ExxonMobil & BP - deepwater fields http://www.eia.gov/countries/cab.cfm?fips=ao #Angola - economy dependent on oil production. Oil revenue accounted for almost 80% of total govt revenue 2011. [IMF] #Angola High dependence oil revenue (2011 @ 80%, IMF) = vulnerable to oil price volatility. Oil export revenues = $68 billion (2012) #Angola #Lucapa Interest = Chevron Chevron (& oil industry generally ) 'leveraging' Angola regional leadership. -- http://www.eia.gov/countries/cab.cfm?fips=ao What I see here is a state that is very much dependent on oil companies and appears close to USA, who seems to be (along with oil companies, most likely), promoting Angola as a regional leader. What has Angola got to do with Ukraine?  Nothing, aside from Angola being a member of the UNSC.  Hey, that's in favour of the US.  Angola can vote how the US votes and everybody's happy.  Well, US energy is. Chemical weapons and Syria got a mention, just to reinforce the US narrative.  Otherwise, it would have been enough to merely state that Angola's coming the Chemical Weapons Convention party. Sounds like there's a declaration of war against Rawanda.  Democratic Forces for the Liberation has until 2 January to disarm, or else.  Kerry says: 'peacekeeping' mission must act to end FDLR threat once & for all. So that sounds like an or 'else threat' to me and the 'once and for all' sounds ominous. This is the laziest blogging ever.  Really, should check to see who the group is that's being targeted.  It may not necessarily be a war on the country; it could just be a group of insurgents. No sleep and ready to drop, so I'm over look-ups.  It was just something I thought I'd quickly share.  Big day ahead of me, with no sleep.  Uh-oh.  This could turn out badly. ----------------------------------------------- ADDENDUM Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda Rwandan Hutu rebel group in east of Congo. aka FDLR after its original French name: Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda. [Source:  Wikipedia]