Plague Of Locusts Could Descend On Africa

IOL ^ | 2-23-2004

[blam]

Plague of locusts could descend on Africa

February 23 2004 at 03:00PM

Rome - A locust plague is threatening several west African nations and could affect the Middle East this spring, the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) warned on Monday.

In a statement, the Rome-based agency said exceptional rains in early 2003 had initiated locust breeding over wide areas, with another exceptional rainfall in October 2003 allowing further generations of locusts to breed sufficiently to produce swarms.

"The locust situation continues to deteriorate in the western and northern areas of Mauritania, and in the Western Sahara," FAO said. "Those that escape control are likely to move into Algeria and Morocco within a matter of weeks or even days, where a further cycle of breeding may take place in spring."

FAO said a locust outbreak was also in progress on the Red Sea coast in Saudi Arabia and warned that despite intensive control operations, some of these were expected to move into the central interior of the country where a further generation of breeding could occur.

'The locust situation continues to deteriorate'

"It is possible that a few swarms could reach adjacent areas in Jordan, southern Iraq and western Iran later in the year," FAO said.

Locust swarms can travel for thousands of kilometres between summer, winter and spring breeding areas and are capable of causing devastating damage to crops.

The United Nations agency was appealing to donor countries for $6-million (about R40-million) needed to support desert locust control operations in Mauritania and another $3-million (about R20-million) for Mali, Niger and Chad, in order to prevent the early stages of the current upsurge from developing into a plague. - Sapa-dpa

[theDentist]

Oh. I thought the Clinton Klan was going for a visit.

[Cicero]

bill clinton only traveled in groups of 1,500 and more when he could do it at taxpayer expense.

Although, come to think of it, with all the sweetheart deals he got when he left office, maybe he still can.

[Mears]

Looks like we aren't the only country with border crossing problems.

[skinkinthegrass]

..only traveled in groups of 1,500 and more

That's Enough! Look what he (& Jimmie Carter) did to USA in 26 years.

[ClearCase_guy]

The problem with Africa is that it's too dry to grow enough food. This is why international organizations need to send them money whenever it's dry.

The other problem with Africa is that when it rains, they get locusts. This is why international organizations need to send them money whenever it's wet.

It's like Atlas Shrugged. They extort money from the productive, on the basis of their Need and nothing else. And their Need is constant, though specific situations may change. Things will only get better when we stop playing that game.

[aberaussie]

It's like Atlas Shrugged. They extort money from the productive, on the basis of their Need and nothing else. And their Need is constant, though specific situations may change. Things will only get better when we stop playing that game.

OK, I'll bite...what do you suggest as an alternative? Starve them back to a more managable population?

[ClearCase_guy]

How about convincing them that socialism does not work?

I'm not in favor of "starving anyone" -- however, you must realize that if the land cannot support a certain population level, then artificially inflating the food supply merely prolongs the agony from one generation to the next.

The big question: How many people can Africa support? No one will know until we ask Africa to support it's people.

Current policies increase the population and increase the suffering and death.

And getting back to Socialism: The USSR claimed to have about 70 years of "bad weather". Sure, Africa is dry, and subject to locusts, but I believe a political and economic system could be introduced that would minimize the difficulties caused by the less-than-ideal environment. Free Market Capitalism, individual liberty, and strong property rights would cut the suffering. Until Africa tries that approach, nothing will change.

[Little Ray]

Three letters: DDT.

[sheik yerbouty]

Maybe it's the Trial Lawyers Association...

[P.O.E.]

I'd add that they have to lose their cult-of-personality thug/sex king/leader mentality. IMHO, part of Clinton's appeal, as well.

[Gargantua]

"How about convincing them that socialism does not work?"

Those among us who believe in the Bible (which predicts, among other things, unusually severe weather {record rainfalls?} plagues of insects {locusts?} all occurring in the "End Times") know that it is God's will to make known to man those things that we do which displease Him, and which rebel against His Word.

"The locust situation ...in Mauritania, and in the Western Sahara ...likely to move into Algeria and Morocco ...also in progress on the Red Sea coast in Saudi Arabia and ...could reach adjacent areas in Jordan, southern Iraq and western Iran.."

Interesting how this plague seems to be focusing on the lands inhabited by predominantly Islamic poplations...

IMHO ;-/

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

Three letters: DDT.

My first reaction, too. But is it effective against locust? I agree free markets are Africa's only real hope, but they have fallen so heavily for the politics of victimology that they may never get up in our life times.

[kinghorse]

That's because they sit on their collective ass memorizing religious dogma instead of seeking our knowledge to better themselves.

[ffusco]

Actually years of western aid have only worsened the problem, encouraged over-population and increased misery. Their populations depend on daily UN assistance.

As the man said. "We have deserts in America, we just don't live in them."

[ffusco]

Interesting how this plague seems to be focusing on the lands inhabited by predominantly Islamic poplations...


Not really. Western civilization has LONG dominated the best lattitudes, the most fertile areas and the most temperate climates. A big reason Imperial Rome's government collapsed was due to huge mass migrations of people from the cold north to a warmer climate.

[TSgt]

"That's because they sit on their collective ass memorizing religious dogma instead of seeking our knowledge to better themselves."

But who will support Terrorism if they don't?

Someone has to sway back and forth memorizing the koran (purposefully spelled with a lowercase "k") while other people work.

[Gargantua]

Plagues of locusts historically occur in North America, South America, Africa, and Europe. Not so this outbreak... it is focused on the Islamic lands.

But, you do accurately (if in a backhanded way) cite that which we have known for some time... which is that we here in America are truly blessed in a number of ways.

;-/