Matti Vanhanen responds to a question

Matti Vanhanen: A man of word

Great leaders don’t promise, they deliver. That holds true for ex-Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen. I was entrusted to interview the prime minister for my newspaper in the Persian Gulf. Vanhanen was heading a business delegation to the Gulf. Finland and the Gulf states enjoy cordial relations.

The interview was scheduled to be held on the sidelines of a confab. However, due to some unavoidable circumstances, the interview was called off. That left me red-faced. However, I did not give up hope. As soon as the meeting was over, I tried to approach the prime minster but in vain.

When I saw the prime minister leaving the building, I darted towards him as security men intercepted me. But I managed to draw the attention of the prime minister.

I quickly introduced myself. “I just have two questions for you, sir,” I said in a shaking voice. “It will take only two minutes.”

The prime minister remembered the interview but his assistant told him that the interview didn’t fit into his schedule due to last minute changes. The prime minister, however, told him that he would go ahead with the interview to keep his commitment.

I could see the disappointment in his assistant’s face but he couldn’t do much about it. As he was walking to the convoy, the prime minister said he was ready for the interview and looked around. He then sat on a nearby bench and told me to begin the interview.

I was emotionally charged when I saw a prime minister seating on a public bench and treating me with respect. However, local leaders intervened and moved the interview to a hall and it lasted for almost 35 minutes.

The prime minister was forthcoming in his replies and fielded a range of questions from Iraq, Gulf States to economic climate in Finland. The interview was a huge shot in the arm for my career and did a world of good to my brand.

The interview is etched in my mind like a serial number. This was one of the most memorable events of my life. I interviewed many world leaders, but I never met anyone so humble and down-to-earth. Vanhanen has an aura of simplicity surrounding him, and makes you feel important.

                            An Egyptian protestor holds a placard

Social media stokes flame of revolution

Social media has helped to spawn many positive changes in various spheres. Add to that the recent political earthquakes in the Middle East. We are now seeing a new trend in that the medium is being increasingly used by commoners to take on mighty dictators. People in the Middle East used Twitter and Facebook to organize rallies and this set the tone for the revolutions.

Bloggers and tweeter users had a field day as the U.S. pressure began mounting on Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. Blogs, in particular, are seen as an electronic slap in the face of dictators as social media gave people a voice to speak their minds out and highlight the seriousness of their problems.

Some leading Television channels used videos from Facebook and YouTube as they were unable to send their reporters to violence-torn areas. Libya is another example where journalists relied on social media to obtain videos and other source of information. Though the Libyan authorities tried to crackdown on bloggers, it did not succeed. CNN used numerous video clips from

Facebook to highlight the plight of rebels in Gaddafi’s strongholds. In Egypt, many bloggers found the going tough as the authorities forced the internet service providers to shut down to limit the flow of information to the international community.

In Bahrain, tweeter users were able to organize the first rally against the authorities and since then the use of social media increased dramatically. One individual who emerged as the hero was Wael Ghonim. Ghonim is Google’s head of marketing for the Middle East and Africa.

He was arrested soon after the protests broke out. However, there was a concerted social media campaign. Bloggers castigated the authorities for detaining Ghonim. Ghonim was subsequently freed. Similarly, protests have engulfed other countries such as Yemen and Syria.

In Syria, people took to Facebook to create awareness about their regime’s anti-people activities, thereby calling for the overthrow of the regime. Social media was the key driver in the revolutions in the Middle East. Without social media, the people in the Middle East would have found it difficult to make their voices heard and muster support for their cause

                       Obama emphasizes a point

Obama takes concrete measures against terror

I firmly believe US President Barrak Obama has to be given the credit for handling the Osama bin Laden file persistently. Obama was determined to weed out Laden right from the outset. None of his predecessors showed the same kind of determination and urgency as Obama.

The killing of Laden brought much relief to the international community. It is unfathomable that how the world's most wanted terrorist was hiding in a compound for nearly six months. It is equally hard to believe that there was no internal support for Laden in Pakistan.

If the news reports are anything to go by, then Pakistan’s Intelligence service knew that he was living in the compound but a turned a blind eye. This theory is reinforced as ISI is reportedly not cooperating with the U.S.

Obama's detractors are now licking their wounds. The U.S. also needs to review its one billion dollar aid to Pakistan as the country has not been providing whole-hearted support in fight against terror.

The Americans have lost faith in the Pakistani authorities and that was the main reason they were kept in the dark about the entire operation against bin Laden.

Though the Pakistani authorities are furious for not informing about the operation, it was understandable. Americans lost thousands of its citizens to 9/11 that dealt a significant blow to its economy.

The U.S. authorities should now channel their efforts in finding Ayaman Zawahiri, the newly crowned leader of al-Qaeda. Though al-Qaeda is down following the death of its leader, it is not out.

It is essential to destroy the terror camps in Pakistan and this can be achieved in tandem with the local authorities. Pakistan’s problem is that they don't want to go hammer and tongs against terrorists for fear of provoking a backlash from the Muslim hardliners.

To sum it up, Obama is on the right track and should be commended by all for his steely resolve in taking terrorism head on.

                                   People watch a burning car

Social media helps track down rioters, looters

The power of social media has come to the fore once again. This time in a different form. Social media helped police in identifying rioters and looters in the violence that rocked Vancouver. The Canucks fans who went on rampage after their team’s loss must be kicking themselves.

As soon as the riots broke out, Vancouver Police Department took to Tweeter and warned the rioters. Most of the rioters have now been identified thanks to social media. Police urged people to provide pictures or video footage of the violence and there has been an overwhelming response to the appeal.

Social media is seen as sheriff of this ugly incident, as many people were rounded up based on the information provided by the public on social media, including Facebook and YouTube.  Worried about the new trend, some perpetrators of the violence are surrendering themselves while some have taken part in the cleanup of the city in a sign of repentance. According to reports, several rioters were fired by their employers.

On the VPD Facebook page, the police have posted instructions on how to submit YouTube videos to VPD. VPD is also actively using Flickr and YouTube to interact with the public and urging them to come forward with the evidence. On Facebook, several groups are established under the title: “Vancouver 2011 Rioters Public Humiliation Page” and “Help Vancouver: post pics and video of rioters and looters.”

According to a recent poll, more than three-quarters of people living in B.C. and Metro Vancouver believe the riots were orchestrated by a small group of people, and about two-thirds are of the view that police adequately tackled the situation. Social media played a pivotal role in facilitating the job of law enforcement agencies as this could have taken police months to make headway. Social media added a new feather to its cap.

 

Soccer clubs patronize Facebook and Twitter

Soccer clubs are increasingly harnessing the power of social media as jumping-off platforms to stir up conversations with fans. All major soccer clubs in Europe have fan pages on Facebook and following on Twitter.

Barcelona Football Club has over 850,000 followers on Twitter while Arsenal Football club has over 600,000 followers. Clubs create an instant dialogue with their die-hard fans. When there is a speculation of any transfers, they clear the air with their fans.

For instance, recently there were news reports doing rounds that Barcelona Football Club spearhead Samuel Et’oo was moving to Manchester City Football Club. Curious fans took to tweeting to confirm the reports.

City shot down the reports saying that it was only a speculation. Some players say things on Twitter they would never have said to the media. It makes the task of a journalist easier when it comes to getting snippets from quotes.

City has come up with a creative push in that the club allows its fans through social media to decide the playlist. This move has won City accolades and thrust them into the limelight.

Many players invite comments of their fans and use it as a barometer to gauge their performance. In short, fans feel they are playing an active role in their favorite soccer star’s life and career. However, players sometimes were caught in eye of storm after they went overboard with their tweets.

Wayne Rooney stirred the hornets nest after he Tweeted a fan "I will put u asleep within 10 seconds," responding to aggressive comments. Coming under fire, Rooney tried to make light of the incident saying that it was “bit of banter.”

Danny Gabbidon was charged by the FA over a Tweet aimed at his own side’s fans after defeat by Bolton Wanderers. Though many soccer coaches are against players Tweeting, I firmly believe that Twitter allows players to take a stock of the situation as to what people are saying and then respond to that instantly.

It also gives them freedom to respond to stories in the newspapers. Going by the present trend, it appears that the soccer and social media are inseparable. Players only have to be a little careful as to what they Tweet because anything controversial could cause irreparable damage to both the player and the club.

                                   City players celebrate a goal

Manchester City makes rapid strides

Manchester City Football Club has set an example for the rest of the English Premier League clubs by rising from the bottom to the third position in the standings. How did the transformation come about?

City fortunes changed after the team was bought by an Abu Dhabi business group. What also made a significant difference was the arrival of Manager Roberto Mancini who instilled self-belief in the team.

Mancini was given a free hand by chairman of the club Khaldoon Al Mubarak to rope in the players he felt could make a difference to the club. Carlos Tevez has been a key playmaker for the side and marshals the field well.

Recently, City won the FA Cup after 30 years and this has reignited the passion among its die-hard fans who now wish to see the club finish at the top of Premier league. The team will now boost its summer spending to sign up some quality strikers.

Soccer pundits are surprised at the progress made by City. In soccer, it is not about splurging but rather putting the money where the mouth is. Sadly, some big clubs go after the big names without even considering whether the stars will fit into their team composition.

Though City has been performing consistently, the team has been found wanting when it comes to striking prowess. A couple of matches could have been won but poor finishing let them down.

Another important thing that has helped City to make rapid progress is that the owners of City don't interfere in the selection process of the team. This enables the manager to field his best players. Some clubs have been hit by the interference in the team selection.

This leaves room for animosity between the manager and the owners. City is quite resourceful under the new management.

I believe that City should rope in Cristiano Ronaldo or Dimitar Berbatov. These two players are within the reach of City and will boost the side significantly. This will also give the side the right balance. City now should carry their winning momentum forward and go for title.