Halifa,
      Points well taken. I am cognizant of the fact that human society,
especially one that is govern by diverse interest, is continually in a state
of struggle as groups emerge competing against each other, to promote and
sustain the interest of the groups they represent. This situation is even
excerbated when the resource base to support these group interests becomes
constricted, thus giving rise to conflicts. There is also a natural tendency
for people, who by accidents of history are geographically placed within a
heterogeneous entity, defined by a set of beliefs, values and a shared
linkage to some common attributes, to solicit and appeal to these broad
catogeries, in order to strenghten and solidify their position in these
conflict situations. This is a cardinal factor that has shaped human
relations.

     But within these groups there are always individuals, who have a natural
disposition to mobilze, to appeal, to arouse, to incite, and to exhort other
members of these groups into organized activities, so as to perpetuate not
necessarily the group interest but their own selfish interest. It is
therefore not uncommon to see individuals who have enhanced this group
interest factor for political control and power, only to represent their own
interest and other class interests at the detriment of the group interest.

    However, these group interest tendencies have proved fallacious, as
societies organized themselves around democratic and constitutional
arrangements, making it more difficult for those who assume political control
and power on these shared sentiments, to be wholly responsive to these group
interest. They therefore develop new interest circles based on their own
parochial considerations, thus negating all these other interest factors that
are sentimentally oriented. In this process only those who are within these
new interest circles benefit, while all other are consigned to wallow in a
life of poverty and deprivation.

     This is where people of conscience, motivated by a desire to end human
suffering and exploitation, transcend the barriers of ethnicity, race and
religious bigotry, to develop a systematic approach that would address and
satisfy the needs and aspirations of all humanity, irrespective of what we
belief or where we come from. Such kinds of people are endowed with
characteristic traits which are difficult to compromise; their lives are
organized around very strong principles, commitments, selflessness,
dedication, and all the other attributes that brings out the best of our
humanity. Such people are rare, but they are around and are continually being
driven into some kind of action. May their fold increase. Sincere regards.

     Rene

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