South Asia

World remembers Mahatma Gandhi See page 17 ribune T FREE Year 2  Issue 12  Thursday, 04.10.12  www.satribune.co.uk Miliband vows to rebuild UK as ‘one nation’ in bid to boost profi le Labour has confi rmed that it will in future describe itself as the one nation party. Miliband: No promises on hospital closures

The phrase has already been incorporated into the conference backdrop and John Denham, Ed Miliband’s parliamentary aide, told the World at One that frontbenchers would be using the phrase to describe the party “repeatedly over the months and years to come”. According to the BBC, it is being viewed as a rebranding exercise as signifi cant as Tony Blair’s decision to christen the party “new Labour”. The leader of Britain’s main opposition Labour party Ed Miliband stated his intention on Tuesday to “rebuild Britain as one nation” as he sought to raise his own personal profi le. Continued on page 02 >> Babar Ahmad seeks injunction to prevent extradition to US Jailed without trial Babar Ahmad and Syed Ahsan challenge DPP move Babar Ahmad and Syed Ahsan are to challenge a decision of the top prosecutor in England and Wales not to consent to them facing private prosecutions in the UK Both are fi ghting extradition to the US where they are wanted on terrorism charges. Computer expert Ahmad has been held in a UK prison without trial for eight years after being accused of raising funds for terrorism. Continued on page 4 >> 2 NEWS South Asia Tribune I Thursday 04 October 2012 ‘’The NHS desperately needs a Labour win in 2015’’ Call to halt NHS ‘privatisation’ Andy Burnham has vowed to reverse Burnham pointed out that “non- – including musculoskeletal services the “rapid” privatisation of NHS emergency” ambulance services for back pain, adult hearing services hospitals in England if Labour wins in the north-west would soon be in the community, wheelchair power. run by the bus group Arriva and services for children and primary The shadow health secretary warned that Lancashire county council had care psychological therapies for that some NHS hospitals were awarded the contract to run “patient adults. planning to double the number of advocacy” groups to a private firm, Labour says £262m of services have private patients they treat under new Parkwood Healthcare. drawn bids from 37 private healthcare freedoms. However the “biggest privatisation” companies. In about a quarter of the Now more than ever, the health so far was in “community services” cases – 110 times – the health trusts service needs folk with the faith to – those areas of healthcare offered stated “they had no plans to tender fight for it and Labour is its best hope, outside of hospitals. Labour used before the government instruction”. indeed its only hope, the shadow freedom of information requests to Burnham said he was “against the health secretary Andy Burnham told signed this week In a briefing before his speech survey England’s NHS primary care market in the NHS, not private the Labour party conference. Here is Contracts for almost 400 NHS to the Labour party conference, trusts on the “range and value” of companies”. He said the use of his speech services, worth a quarter of billion Burnham said he had new “evidence community services being offered markets had seen “care being “A year ago, I asked for your help. pounds, were signed this week of accelerating privatisation” – to the private and voluntary sector fragmented and services becoming To join the fight to defend the NHS resulting in the “biggest act of citing a rash of examples across under the government’s “any disjointed”. For example, in – the ultimate symbol of Ed’s One privatisation ever seen in the NHS”, England which he said showed the qualified provider” policy. Lincolnshire six private providers Nation Britain. Labour’s health spokesman Andy government was committed to a In the first wave, 398 contracts were compete to offer patients diagnostic Hundreds of private contracts Burnham has said. “market in healthcare”. signed this week in eight NHS areas tests as well as the NHS. signed in ‘biggest ever act of NHS privatisation’ Labour says contracts worth a quarter of a billion pounds have been Miliband vows to rebuild UK as ‘one nation’ in bid to boost profile The “one nation” slogan is traditionally used by Labour would extend the justice board similar to the existing youth justice Publisher Prime Minister David Cameron’s Conservative board. He also unveiled a new proposal to make Salah Bu Khamas (UAE) party but was employed in the speech to the Freedom of Information it obligatory for the courts consider the option of Sabha Khan (UK) centre-left party’s conference to show Labour Act : Sadiq Khan restorative justice as part of any sentence that is UK Office would help Britain through hard times. handed down. 10 Courtenay Road, Wembley, The hour-long speech was light on policy but Labour, the one nation party of strong and safe Middlesex, HA9 7ND UK full of detail about the background of Miliband, communities. Phone: +44 20 8904 0619 who surprised many by winning the leadership The party of neighbourhood and responsive Fax: +44 20 8181 7575 contest against his brother, former foreign policing. [email protected] minister David Miliband, two years ago. The party of open and fair justice and civil Observers said it was a brazen attempt to take liberties. India Office back the centre ground that Cameron has tried The party of constitutional reform in the interests Satya Infomedia Pvt. Ltd. to occupy. of the nation, not ourselves. C/O Satya Group. Miliband, who walked around the stage and The one nation party that stands up for and protects 1st Floor, Avenue Appt., delivered the speech without notes, sought the many, not the few. Near Sheth. R. J. J. High School, to court Conservative voters, saying he could Tithal Road, understand why they had turned away from the Sadiq Khan, the shadow justice secretary, has Valsad - 396001 then Labour government and voted for Cameron announced that Labour would extend the Freedom Miliband: No Gujarat, India in 2010. of Information Act to cover private companies promises on hospital But Miliband said the coalition government of United Arab Emirates Office contracted to do public sector work. As the Press closures S.K. Group of Companies the Conservatives and their junior partners, the Association reports, he said in his speech FoI Liberal Democrats, had let the country down legislation would apply to private firms running P.O. Box 9021, Karama Dubai, The day after the Labour Party leader wowed United Arab Emirates and failed to stimulate economic growth and prisons and delivering education and health create jobs. services. They would all be subjected to the delegates with his confident “one nation” speech, Tel: +971 4 2659970, 3359929; Ed Miliband told Channel 4 News he could not Fax: +971 4 2659971, 3341609 “When David Cameron says to you ‘Let’s just “disinfecting transparency” of the FoI regime, Khan guarantee that the NHS would be saved from www.sk-groupofcompanies.com carry on as we are and wait for something to turn said in his speech. The pledge to extend Freedom up’, don’t believe him, don’t believe him. If the of Information legislation to private companies by public sector cuts under a Labour government. Managing Editor & CEO medicine isn’t working, change the medicine. Sadiq Khan, the shadow justice secretary, will cover “Of course I can’t promise there won’t be hospital Mohammad Shahid Khan “And I tell you what else to change, change the contracts to deliver public services, such as prisons, closures and then some services get changed,” he said. doctor too, and that is what this country needs hospitals and schools. They will be required to share On the day that the future of the NHS is being Group Editorial Managers to do,” Miliband said to loud applause. with the public information on contracts which are debated by delegates at the conference, the Gulzar Khan (India) Miliband also teased Cameron for his closeness funded with public money. Labour leader admitted that the public sector as Abdul Khalique (Pakistan) to a key former Rupert Murdoch aide Rebekah Khan said it was time to “address this blind spot in a whole was not immune to cuts under a Labour Brooks, who has been charged with phone- our freedom of information laws” and in contrast to government: “I couldn’t have been clearer that Editorial Board UK hacking offences. Tony Blair’s view in his memoirs that he had been an there will tough settlements in our public services, Frances Brunner He said Britain could not move forward if it “idiot” to introduce FoI in 2000, the shadow justice and it will make life harder for those who use them, and harder for those who work in them.” FYI Tribune team remained “two nations, not one, the bankers secretary said he was proud of the achievement, But Mr Miliband repeated the pledge that he Adrian Fellar and the rest of the country”. however awkward it could prove to be. would repeal the NHS bill if he became the next Misbah Khan “We must have a one-nation banking system “Not only will the next Labour government protect prime minister in two years’ time, even if changes Reema Shah as part of a one-nation economy,” he said. FOI, we will seek to extend it,” Khan promised the were already under way under the coalition Rohma Khan In a lengthy personal passage of the speech, conference. “For the first time, FoI will cover the Keziah-Ann Abakah Miliband contrasted his own education at a delivery of public services by private companies. government. state school in London with that of Cameron, This includes our prisons, our schools, and our During his keynote speech at the Labour Party Marketing & Sales who was educated at the elite fee-paying Eton health service. Public, private or voluntary, conference in Manchester, Mr Miliband paid Andrew Klugman (Manager) College. Polls show that while Labour are ahead subjected to the same disinfecting transparency of tribute to former Conservative leader Benjamin of the Conservatives with more than two years FoI.” Disraeli and his idea of’ “one nation”. The Labour Art Department UK to go until the next general election in 2015, On his justice brief, Khan also plans to create a leader did not commit to whether he would Ali Ansar (Art Director) Miliband himself does not enjoy high personal dedicated minister for mental health within the approve a referendum on Europe at any point in Mohammad Reazul Islam popularity. Ministry of Justice and the creation of a women’s the future, but said it was not a priority “at the South Asia Tribune I Thursday 04 October 2012 NEWS 3 BBC 7/7 documentary 7/7 the London Bombings, Islam and the Iraq War government agents of setting off pre-planted explosives under the three Tube trains and on the bus, it added. However the BBC documentary did not look into aspects as why four Muslims were involved? And who benefitted from Bombing? The BBC documentary suggesting for a ‘disgusting’ documentary that BBC3, and hosted by Irish comedian supposed motive has never been UK Government plotted 7/7 investigates conspiracy theories Andrew Maxwell, claims that the co- formally established. No one who London bombings to boost knew any of the alleged bombers Iraq war sparks fury suspected they would become mass A CONTROVERSIAL new BBC The 7/7 attacks in 2005 had killed murderers. None were known documentary which claims the 52 people, when four suicide as being particularly political or 7/7 bombings were carried out by bombers, who were British Muslims, religious. None had a serious the Labour government to extend detonated their home made devices criminal record. None of the the war on terror was branded on the London Tubes and a bus alleged bombers were pronounced “ridiculous” on Saturday. Furious during the morning rush-hour dead at the bomb sites. The process MPs and security experts criticised commute. by which bodies were recovered Conspiracy Road Trip, which is However, in the documentary show, and identified was ruled beyond the presented by a comedian , “The producers blow up a double-decker scope of the inquests by the coroner premise that these terrible attacks London bus in a bid to recreate the Lady Justice Heather Hallett. As were carried out by the government explosion in Tavistock Square that such, we know very little about the is ridiculous,” said Patrick Mercer killed 13 people. way in which the alleged bombers’ MP last night. “The BBC can’t get any lower than remains were found, identified, and One contributor, Jon, tells presenter this. They should have spoken to the concluded to be those of suicide Andrew Maxwell: “The British families,” the Daily Mail quoted June bombers. The documentary also Establishment did it. We needed Taylor, as saying, whose daughter failed to address issue of dead this excuse to continue this war – Carrie, 24, died in the underground bodies of bombers. Another major 7/7 was an excuse.” At the end of the blast near Aldgate Station issue was also overlooked by the programme, three of the conspiracy Branding the programme maker of BBC documentary that theorists change their views. ‘disgusting’, she added: “They are an already imprisoned known MI6 Series producer Riete Oord said: trivialising the tragedy. People asset Haroon Aswat link with the “The claims are out there on the don’t want to be back in that dark bombers. Why the US media and internet. There are people with place. It puts us through the pain all Intelligence was looking for him these conspiracies, 9/11 is also over again.” and who was protecting Haroon obviously a huge one, 7/7 follows on However, a BBC spokeswoman said Aswat. from that. the “the series takes conspiracy There are a number of apparent Families of victims of the 7/7 surrounding the atrocity. ordinated blasts were in fact part of theorists on a journey to fully inconsistencies in the official London bombings have slammed The programme, ‘7/7 Bombings: a government plot to boost support explore the facts and challenge their version of events surrounding the British television network, BBC, Conspiracy Road Trip’, aired on for the Iraq War. beliefs.” July bombings which have led to Though an original report, endorsed questions, rumours and conspiracy by a high-level Parliamentary theories. George Galloway sues NUS inquiry and the government, insisted Many of these can be found on the that the bombers carried out the web. Some call themselves truth attacks on their own, constructing campaigners, other are the same over ‘rape denier’ comments explosives from chapatti flour and people who believe 9/11 and the the NUS description of Mr Galloway comment until it had. hair bleach mixed in the bath at a assassination of JFK were all ordered and its ban on him from speaking at Mr Galloway himself was unavailable flat in Leeds, Yorkshire, there have by the American government. events affiliated to the union. for comment because he is in since been a wave of conspiracy To find out why this terrorist attack A spokesman for the Bradford West Venezuela ahead of the country’s theories around the attacks, the happened, and who was behind it, MP said today the union’s comments presidential elections. paper said. we should ask: “who benefits from were “defamatory” and “offensive” Theorists have also accused this?” and that Mr Galloway was “absolutely clear that No means No. Mr Assange, 40, is wanted in Sweden Maverick Respect MP George for questioning on sexual assault Galloway is to sue the National allegations made by two women. Union of Students (NUS)after the In August, Mr Galloway, who had union branded him a “rape denier”. also said the women’s claims were Campaigners had earlier criticised “totally unproven” and the Wikileaks his remarks on Julian Assange, who founder had been “set up”, was denies sexual assault claims. criticised by anti-rape campaigners. He was quoted as saying the Any damages recovered from his Wikileaks founder was accused legal action “will be donated to the of nothing more than “bad sexual defence fund for Julian Assange and etiquette”. Bradley Manning”. A spokesman said the NUS comments US army soldier Private Manning were “defamatory” and “offensive” is the alleged source of Wikileaks’ and the MP was “absolutely clear that revelations. no means no” and “non consensual A spokesman for the NUS said it sex is rape”. was yet receive a letter from Mr The action has been prompted by Galloway’s lawyers, and would not 4 NEWS South Asia Tribune I Thursday 04 October 2012 EDITORIAL Ahmadinejad: Iran won’t The blasphemy will relinquish nuclear program Iranian president says demand for ‘red line’ only increase insulting; blasts Netanyahu’s UN bomb sketch Currently, the Islamophobia Industry technology and education for the world? With as ‘primitive.’ Islamic Republic will never yield to is engaged in a full-scale, coordinated, such a low literacy rate, can we demand special international pressure, he says demonization campaign against Muslims. privileges? Do we have Hazrat Ali’s pledge of Iran will not back down on its nuclear program In just the past few months we have seen a poverty, or Hazrat Usman’s path of the pursuit despite economic pressures and Western sanctions, series of inflammatory provocations: There of wealth? And can we call ourselves true Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said was the Innocence of Muslims film, Charlie Muslims? Tuesday at a press conference in Tehran. Hebdo, a French satire magazine published The west is fighting their self-generated “If some think they can make pressure on Iran, an issue with inflammatory cartoons of the Islamophobia by making fun of us. This will they are wrong and must correct their attitude. Prophet Muhammad. Newsweek published not end; it is on for decades. It will become We are not a people who will fall on the nuclear their ‘Muslim Rage’ cover. Terry Jones held a routine because our violent reaction is the issue,” he said. a “trial of Prophet Muhammad”. SION held a real aim. For Charlie Hebdo the rating or sales Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad “global” gathering in NYC to plan propaganda inflation seems more important than offending mocked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin strategy. A group in Toronto publicized a “walk more than one billion people. Provocations Netanyahu’s bomb diagram, saying that it was an your dog at the mosque” day. AFDI/SIOA will increase because of the immense volatility insult to participants at the UN session. When Netanyahu held up a cartoon-like drawing has run a series of anti-Muslim ads on public of Muslim emotions. They are earning cheap “He had drawn an infantile diagram which was of a bomb during his speech at the UN he set off transportation across the country. AFDI/ popularity and we are giving them the bucks more an insult to the audience and that showed an explosion of jokes and mockery. SIOA are planning to run 8 more anti-Muslim and making them an inspiration to wealth how they look at others; they see themselves in The Bibi Bomb, as it’s being called using ads. There are three more films on Prophet seeking people. So what should our course of a high position and (see) other nations as to be Netanyahu’s nickname, is the latest in a series of Muhammad in the works by Ali Sina, Mosab action be? Should we keep burning our chattels nothing,” Ahmadinejad told reporters in a press props used by the Israeli leader as he tries to keep Hassan Yousef and Imran Farasat. And now to demonstrate our anger or be used by some conference here in Tehran today. the global spotlight on Iran’s nuclear program. Titanic, a German satire magazine plans an opportunist to destroy our own properties? “That is a very hideous behavior,” Ahmadinejad The image of Netanyahu and the diagram of a “Islam” cover article to be published later this Should we take our children out on the street added, and advised Netanyahu to “do more bomb with a lighted fuse was top news around the Friday. to raise slogans that they do not understand, or drawing homework to improve his drawing” world. Headlines in Europe referred to his “bomb None of this is surprising as one of the should we leave everything associated with us skills. cartoon” and “comic strip.” Islamophobes laid out their strategy as “The and become so-called atheists or liberals? Muslims themselves have shown us their most Our solution lies neither in leaving our roots vulnerable spot, which is the Love of Prophet nor sticking to the doctrine of Islam as Mohammad. preached by many ‘semi-mullahs’. We need to To annihilate Israel, we need The Islamophobia Industry exists and is understand Islam’s foundation, the way of life engaged in an anti-Muslim Crusade. They have that enlightened this world. Islam stands for a manifesto for spreading their propaganda, peace, humanity, love and compassion. It is a just 24 hours and an excuse’ and which states their goal of “destroying progressive religion that conforms to human Israel is desperate, “close to annihilation.” Islam — as a culture, a political ideology, and requirements. After witnessing this façade of Hojjat al-Eslam Ali Shirazi , the representative of a religion.” They produce anti-Muslim films. the so-called European champions of freedom Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to They are forming new organizations and and democracy, we should pledge that we will the Islamic Republic’s Qods Force, said this week coalitions of organizations at a dizzying speed, grow tall economically, politically and militarily that Iran needed just ‘24 hours and an excuse’ to not only nationally, but also internationally. so that no nation dares to humiliate what we destroy Israel. They have formed an International Leadership hold dear. We need to stick to the message of In his first public interview for a year, reported in Team “which will function as a mobile, the Holy Quran in which the Lord tells us to the Persian-language Jahan News, which is close proactive, reactive on-the-ground team strive hard for this world and the hereafter. to the regime, Shirazi said if Israel attacked Iran developing and executing confidential action The western nations are systematically trying the Islamic Republic would be able to turn the war plans that strike at the heart of the global anti- to degenerate our values and culture by passing in to a war of attrition which would lead to Israel’s freedom agenda.” laws against our way of living. France banned destruction. “If such a war does happen, it would We As Muslims need to understand Islam’s the wearing of Islâmic veils by claiming it not be a long war, and it would benefit the entire foundation, the way of life that enlightened this ‘degrading and a security risk’. Belgium has Islamic Ummah [global community of Muslims]. world. Islam stands for peace, humanity, love passed a similar legislation, and Switzerland We have expertise in fighting wars of attrition and compassion banned the building of minarets, the tall spires Ali Shirazi, representative of Ayatollah Khamenei and Israel cannot fight a war of attrition,” he The clash of civilizations is now even clearer. that often stand next to mosques. Is there to Iran’s Qods Force, claims Israel could not win said, referring to Iran’s eight year war of attrition Our values and emotions are not respected. anything left to prove open hostility? The sugar- “war of attrition” against Islamic Republic, says against Iraq. Are they trying to test our patience? tongued anchor, Joe Scarborough of MSNBC In the moment of emotional and psychological came with the most absurd reason. He said on Jailed without trial Babar Ahmad and Syed Ahsan challenge DPP move grief, I came across Iqbal’s verses: Monday that Muslims hate us because of the Continued from page 01 >> the UK to avoid “outsourcing the country’s criminal justice system” to the US. He was expected to be sent to the United States within Refusing consent for the proceedings, Mr Starmer weeks after the European Court of Human Rights ruled said: “The underlying evidence in support of these on September 24 that extradition would not breach his alleged offences is in the possession of the USA. human rights, or those of four other suspects, including “In the circumstances, I have refused to give my radical Muslim preacher Abu Hamza. consent to Mr Watkin to bring a private prosecution Keir Starmer, the Director of Public Prosecutions, against Mr Ahmad and Mr Ahsan for offences under said yesterday the documents provided by the would- the Terrorism Act 2000.” be UK prosecutor - British businessman Karl Watkin Mr Ahmad has been in jail without trial since 2004 - were “very short, lack any meaningful detail and do while fighting extradition and has pleaded to be not provide any real support for a prosecution”. charged and tried in Britain. Today Phillippa Kaufmann QC, appearing for both The pair are accused of being involved in a website I consider Iqbal’s poetry to be based on the religion itself. He further commented, “If you men, announced at the High Court in London that interpretation of some Quranic verses. I wonder gave every street vendor, from street vendor to which encouraged terrorism and which, while they intended to seek a judicial review on the grounds operated from London, was hosted in the US. why the superpower of the 12th and 13th prime minister in that region, a chance to throw that the DPP had reached “an unlawful decision”. century, the leaders of science and technology a rock at the US Embassy, they would.” Neither has been charged with an offence in the UK Ms Kaufmann made the announcement as Ahmad and relating to the website Azzam.com, even though the at the time when Europe was immersed in the These are hard times. But there will be worse. Ahsan joined other terror suspects, including radical dark ages, is now being humiliated in such a Set your orientation right. If you want to investigation by US authorities includes evidence cleric Abu Hamza, in a separate legal challenge to the seized by the Metropolitan Police. The CPS has demeaning manner. Or are we at fault? We are win the war, you will need weapons, and the Home Secretary’s decision to sanction their extradition. to ask ourselves as a Muslim community how greatest weapon is a well-educated Muslim that refused to prosecute the men. Mr Watkin, a campaigner against the UK’s extradition Labour’s justice spokesman, Sadiq Khan, has many Nobel Laureates we produce every year. contributes to society, not a tramp in the street arrangements with the United States, made the How many of our universities are the centre of hurling stones on the American embassy. supported calls for Ahmad to be prosecuted in the UK attempt to bring legal proceedings against the pair in for his alleged involvement in an extremist website. South Asia Tribune I Thursday 04 October 2012 NEWS 5 Israeli Mossad Involved in 2010 Ethiopian Plane Crash Today, WikiLeaks releases email the pilot had committed an error has dormant cells that may be threads from the global intelligence that caused the crash. planning to attack American and firm Stratfor dating back to the They also highlighted Lebanese Israeli targets should a military time of the Ethiopian Airlines intelligence suspicions that the strike be carried out against Iran, crash. While investigations were Mossad was involved in the said the report. taking place in Beirut and Paris, incident due to the Israeli conflict A preliminary report on the Stratfor was prying for answers with Hizbullah. Ethiopian plane which crashed from different high level sources. Furthermore, they said that the off the Lebanese coast killing 90 The sources included a hospital Israeli intelligence had received people on board, including more director in Beirut, a Lebanese “mistaken or misleading” signs than 50 Lebanese nationals, military source, and a Hezbollah that Safieddine was in fact on the blamed “a series of errors on the media source. plane. part of the pilots who failed to take They said that the plane have been The emails added that analysts into account the signals emitted by the victim of sabotage by Israeli determined that the plane “could the plane’s instruments.” intelligence because it mistakenly not have exploded in the air due to The Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737- suspected that senior Hizbullah a pilot’s error.” 800 went down minutes after taking official Hashem Safieddine may Moreover, the WikiLeaks report off from Beirut in bad weather on have been on the flight. said that Lebanese authorities January 25, killing 83 passengers It also suspected that Hizbullah do not want to “acknowledge the and seven crew. Lebanese officials On 25 January, 2010, 5 minutes after of the crash was pilot error and chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah’s real reason why the plane crashed have previously said that data taking off from Beirut, Ethiopian suggesting that Ethiopian airlines nephew may have also been because it would expose poor recovered from the plane’s black Airlines flight 409 crashed into the change its pairing policy to not on board, along with 20 other security and the fact that explosives box showed all instruments were

members of the party. were placed on a plane at Beirut Mediterranean Sea. On board were allow two inexperienced pilots to The leaks reveal a series of emails international airport.” 82 passengers and 8 crew members fly together. The Ethiopian Civil en route to the capitol city of Ethiopia Addis Ababa; no survivors were found. Shortly afterwards, Lebanese Civil Aviations opened an investigation in to the crash. While the investigation was taking place, Lebanese President Michel Suleiman said, “sabotage is ruled out as of now.” Other Lebanese officials blamed bad weather and the pilot. In Beirut, witnesses between members of the Stratfor The Mossad was led to believe claimed seeing the plane on fire Aviation Authority rejected the global intelligence organization that some 20 Hizbullah members while still in the air. It wasn’t until report’s conclusion, saying the that indicate that initial recordings were on board the Ethiopian working well until it plunged into two years later that the final report probable cause of the crash was obtained from the plane’s black plane where they were heading to the Mediterranean in a fierce from the Lebanese investigation either a shoot down, sabotage, or a box do not include evidence that Uganda and Kenya where the party storm. came out concluding that the cause lightening strike. Driver didn’t call 999 to help man he killed because he ‘didn’t want to use phone credit’ REHMAN AFZAL contacted his own community service after being found guilty Afzal later claimed he didn’t see the six-footer family to report the accident after of causing death by inconsiderate driving. because he was wearing dark clothing. knocking down Dan Roberts on Jurors deleted a charge of careless driving. Dan hit his head on the road, fracturing his Paisley Road West in 2011. Dan, 40, was killed as he crossed Paisley skull. He died from bleeding on the brain. A DRIVER refused to call an ambulance for Road West in Glasgow at about 10pm on Sheriff John Beckett QC described Dan’s the pedestrian he killed because he didn’t January 15, 2011. wife as having “lost her life partner”. want to use up his mobile phone credit. Afzal, who had passed his test three months He said: “As a result of the way you drove Rehman Afzal, 28, called his family while earlier, was driving home to the city’s your vehicle in the conditions prevailing the man he had knocked down – chef Dan southside from his shop in Paisley. that night, Daniel Roberts lost his life. Roberts – lay dying in the street. He was turning right across the dual “Without warning, he was lost to his family Afzal was yesterday given 300 hours’ carriageway in the rain when he hit Dan. and friends. 6 NEWS South Asia Tribune I Thursday 04 October 2012 Operation Bluestar hero, Lt Gen (Retd) K S Brar stabbed by four men in London

Twenty eight years after he led old man was attacked. He is stated to be in also confirmed the incident. Sources said his retirement. His only son is living in USA. Operation Bluestar to flush out serious condition, but not life threatening. that Gen Brar was under threat since 1984 Khalistani militants have been tracking Brar militants from the Golden Temple at since long. The last time he was in United Amritsar, 78-year old Lt Gen KS Brar Kingdom, he was reportedly tracked but the (Retd) was yesterday attacked with a attempt on his life was foiled. knife in London but is stated to be out At the time of Operation Bluestar Gen Brar of danger. was commanding 9 Division based in Meerut According to some Sources in the central as a Major General and he led the army in the intelligence agencies said that Gen Brar who Golden temple. After his retirement, Brar had had gone to the UK to visit his daughter who to reside in the heavily guarded cantonment lives in London and relatives along with his area of South Mumbai. There have been some second wife was staying in a hotel in Mayfair attempts on his life, according to intelligence in Central London. He was returning on agencies. foot to the hotel with his wife when four Gen Brar in the recent past has criticised the unidentified turbaned persons suspected to move and proposal to set up a memorial in be militants attacked him with a knife near the Golden temple which was reportedly the hotel. He sustained injuries in his neck dedicated to militants. and as his wife raised an alarm, they ran away On the night of June 5, 1984, Gen Brar’s troops from the spot. His wife too was pushed to the stormed the golden temple premises. Gen Brar ground but is reportedly not injured. had six infantry battalions and a detachment When contacted over phone a spokesman of of commandos under his command. Brar the London Metropolitan Police confirmed repeatedly asked his soldiers not to fire in the that Gen Brar was attacked. The police still investigating the matter.’’ and had Z-plus security with him at his direction of the Golden temple, even if the “At 10.11 PM at Qubeck Street this 70 year The Union Ministry of External Affairs has residence in an army area in Mumbai after militants fired from that side. ‘Blasphemy’ backlash spreads ‘Innocence of Muslims’ to Dublin as Muslims march Declared Extremist on Google headquarters republic of Chechnya had in recent weeks blocked The global backlash against an protest on their smartphones. access to YouTube and other websites on which the anti-Islam video spread to the The crowd, almost all young men, “Innocence of Muslims” film was available. streets of Dublin as hundreds of began their protest on O’Connell The video clip, a crude film trailer made in the U.S. that protesters marched to Google’s Street, accompanied by about portrays the Muslim prophet Mohammed as lecherous European headquarters and 15 uniformed gardai and several and selfish, has triggered violent demonstrations at U.S. demanded the offensive material of their own stewards in hi-vis embassies in countries including Egypt and Libya. be taken offline. jackets. Tagiyev, the Chechen press minister, said the Leninsky The Dublin protests, which passed Hundreds of placards were District Court ruling echoed concerns expressed by off quietly to chants of “Islam is distributed, along with homemade many senior Russian officials about the potential for peace” and “We love Mohammed”, T-shirts which most wore. violence over the film in Russia, which has millions of came days after a lawsuit was filed “I’ve come to take action against Muslim citizens. in Los Angeles calling on Google to this (video), to ban this, it “A failure to take necessary measures to prevent the take the video down from Google- insults Muslims,” said Assam A Grozny court ruled that the film “Innocence uncontrolled spread of a socially dangerous, provocative owned YouTube. Mohammed, a translator who has of Muslims” could destabilize Chechnya, video that insults religious beliefs could cause serious Speaking outside Google’s Barrow been in Ireland for seven years. which is majority Muslim. Above, a mosque in negative consequences,” Tagiyev said, summarizing Street HQ, Muslim cleric Alam Zarif Khan, a 28-year-old Grozny. the court’s ruling. Ghulam Rabbini of the Irish international politics student, A court in the Chechen capital Grozny has declared The court noted that the film could destabilize Chechnya, Sufi Foundation insisted that said he had come to push for a extremist an anti-Muslim video that has sparked the vast majority of whose citizens are Muslim, Tagiyev the protesters were not against law that protects “every religion” violent protests in North Africa and the Middle East. said. A number of Internet providers in Chechnya on freedom of speech but said the from being insulted in the name of The court ruling means that the film is now banned Thursday blocked access to YouTube and several other video should still be taken down. freedom of speech. nationwide. websites on which the video was available. “You should not allow these After the Google protest, the Leninsky District Court in Grozny has declared the film It was unclear what specific measures would be (filmmakers) to use freedom of group moved to the American extremist, Chechen press minister Murat Tagiyev told required of Internet providers to block access to the expression to hurt the feelings of Embassy in Ballsbridge to protest RIA-Novosti on Friday. film. Earlier this month Communications and Press 1.5 billion Muslims around the at US President Barack Obama’s Under Russian law, a work is banned across the country Minister Nikolai Nikiforov said that there would be no world,” he said. statement that while the film was after being declared extremist by a single court. countrywide blackout of YouTube because of the film His words were met with cheers “crude and disgusting” it cannot At the request of prosecutors, Internet providers in and that only the video itself would be blocked on the from the crowd of about 200, be banned because of freedom of multiple regions including Omsk, Volgograd and the video-sharing site if declared extremist. while Google staff recorded the speech rules. South Asia Tribune I Thursday 04 October 2012 NEWS 7 Blair could have prevented Iraq war: Annan Former British prime minister Annan rejected suggestions that Tony Blair was the only person his resignation, or that of then US capable of turning George Bush secretary of state Colin Powell, against the 2003 Iraq invasion, would have altered the course of ex-United Nations chief Kofi An- history. nan claimed in an interview pub- And he dismissed Archbishop lished Saturday. Desmond Tutu’s call for Bush Annan argued in an interview and Blair to be put on trial at the published in the Times newspa- the International Criminal Court. per that Blair could have changed Both had been democratically Bush’s mind because of the special elected, he said, and were only act- relationship between the two na- ing in their national interests. tions and the two leaders. Annan was the UN Arab League Annan said he often had contem- envoy to Syria from February un- plated what might have happened til August, but resigned after his if “Blair had said ‘George, this is peace plan failed to prevent fur- where we part company. You’re on ther fighting between rebels and your own’,” following the failure to forces loyal to President Bashar secure a second UN resolution. Al-Assad. “I really think it could have The diplomat told the Times that stopped the war,” added the Nobel tunity to comply with its disarma- taken against Saddam Hussain’s and the invasion commenced on Assad had to go, arguing that the peace laureate. ment obligations passed unani- regime was withdrawn when it be- March 20. leader had lost all legitimacy. Annan was UN secretary general mously in November 2002. came clear it would be vetoed. The invasion triggered eight years Annan gave the interview to mark at the time of the crisis. But a second resolution proposed The US decided that the resolution of sectarian conflict in Iraq, result- the launch of his memoirs: “In- A first Security Council resolution, by the US, Britain, and Spain in was not needed before military ing in more than 100,000 civilian terventions - a Life in War and which offered Iraq a final oppor- 2003 that called for action to be action could lawfully take place, deaths. Peace.” UK economy growing stronger, says Cameron Britain’s economy is finally rebalancing in in Britain at a record rate.” bership, if returned to power. the wake of the global financial crash, David Asked if he thought the economy had now Mr Cameron said he believes that remaining Cameron has said. turned the corner, Mr Cameron said, “. . . in the EU is in Britain’s interests. On the final day of his two-day visit to Brazil, the rebalancing we need -- a stronger private “I don’t think it is in Britain’s interests the British prime minister said there were sector, stronger growth -- there are good to leave the EU but I do think what it is “good signs” that growth was strengthening. signs that that’s happening.” increasingly becoming the time for is a new Following the success of the London Olym- Mr Cameron said the London Olympics settlement between Britain and Europe, and pics, Mr Cameron said the “British brand” provided a showcase of what the country was I think that new settlement will require fresh had never been stronger overseas. capable of achieving. consent. During a round of television interviews yes- “The British brand has never been stronger. “There is a reason why. The euro is a cur- terday, Mr Cameron struck a determinedly We put on an incredible show in London, rency with 17 different countries. I think, upbeat note about the UK’s economic pros- that was a fantastic advertisement for mod- increasingly, one currency will mean one pects, with exports to countries like Brazil ern Britain.” economic policy. picking up again. Referendum “They are going to change and that will give “In the last two years we’ve seen a million Meanwhile, Mr Cameron hinted that there us opportunities for changing our relation- net new jobs in the private sector. That would be an opportunity after the general ship with Europe. shows our economy is rebalancing,” he said. election for the British people to give “fresh “I argue for Britain’s membership because I “For too many years, the state was too big weren’t making enough, we weren’t export- consent” to UK membership of the EU. want to be able to say to countries like Brazil and the private sector was too small. We ing enough, we weren’t selling enough. It is the strongest indication yet that he may ‘Come to Britain and you can sell to the 320 were too reliant on financial services; we “That is changing. Businesses are starting up be ready to call a referendum on EU mem- million consumers across Europe’.” 8 NEWS South Asia Tribune I Thursday 04 October 2012 Attackers of Lt Gen KS Brar had ‘long beards’: Scotland Yard They came to assassinate me, slash my neck, says Lt General KS Brar Scotland Yard has appealed for in procession with banners and make recovered from the site of assault, information from members of the pledges to kill me. So it was a pure which may lead them to the assailants. public on the Sunday night assault on assassination attempt,” he said. He praised the police and hospital Lt Gen KS Brar, and described the four Lt. Gen. Brar said it was “obvious” authorities who treated him after the assailants as wearing dark clothing, that the assailants were Khalistan assault. long black jackets and having “long sympathisers, who, he added, wanted Although this is not the first bid on beards”. to kill him since “Operation Blue Star”. Brar’s life – he admitted to several Stating that detectives were keeping an Describing the incident, the 78-year- assassination attempts in a 2004 open mind on the motivation behind old Lt. Gen. Brar said he fought with the interview – it was clearly a brazen the attack, the police said in a statement assailants, with “abnormal strength”, attack. Old Quebec Street is a stone’s on Monday that they were particularly and added: “Now when I think back I throw from the plush shopping districts keen to speak to people who assisted can’t imagine how I fought with those of Bond Street and Oxford Street in the Mr Brar and his wife after the attack on three big guys. But I suppose being a heart of London, where weekend nights Old Quebec Street in central London. soldier and having been in the Army tend to be busy. No arrests had been made until Monday for so many years, one learns to defend Former Indian army official Lieutenant night, the police said. oneself.” General (Retd.) P.N. Hoon on Tuesday “The four men are described as wearing One of the four assailants, he said, downplayed reports of a Khalistani dark clothing and long black jackets. from the area that has several cameras. many threats being sent to me to say separated his wife from him, while the attack on Lieutenant General (Retd.) They all had long beards. One of the men Lt. Gen. K.S. Brar, who was assaulted that there have been many attempts on other three “went for me”. His wife K.S. Brar in London, saying the is described as younger and slimmer by four people in central London on your life but they haven’t succeeded, but fell down when one of the assailants attackers would have achieved their than the other three. They all fled in Sunday night, is convinced that it was the next one will succeed. They’ve been pushed her against the wall, he said. target if it had been a well-planned the direction of Oxford Street,” the an attempt to assassinate him by “pro- after me.” Lt. Gen. Brar told a television Everything happened within a couple attempt. statement said. “Detectives are keen to Khalistan elements” for his role in the channel on Monday night. of minutes, “maybe one minute”, he Lieutenant General (Retd.) Hoon speak to anyone who was in the area at 1984 “Operation Blue Star”. “On 6th of June, which is the anniversary said. pointed out that even the Scotland Yard the time or who may have information Lt. Gen. Brar, who kicked and fought of Blue Star every year, particularly in The police, Lt. Gen. Brar said, had told and the London Police have not given a about the incident. In particular they three of the four assailants, suffered London, the radical Sikhs come out him that a mobile phone had been report on the unpleasing incident yet. want to speak to those people who a knife wound in the neck and is assisted the wife and the victim at the recovering after receiving medical scene following the attack,” it added. treatment at a London hospital soon According to Mr Brar, a mobile phone after the attack near the busy Marble had been recovered from the scene, Arch area. He is due to return to India which may help lead the police to on Tuesday. the assailants. The police were also “This was a pure assassination attempt expected to go through CCTV footage on me. Even on Internet there are so The city of Dubai is built on foundations that are steeped in history and tradition. 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The man accused of producing the 14- three years in jail if he is found to have minute anti-Islam video responsible violated those guidelines. for sparking violence around the Mid- According to CBS News, the video went dle East told a judge he had actually online in July but did not gain much been using another name since 2002. attention until anti-Islam activist Mor- The Los Angeles Times reported Friday ris Sedak, like Youssef a Copt Chris- that the man known to federal authori- tian, had it translated into Arabic and ties as Nakoula Basseley Nakoula had sent it to Egyptian journalists in early legally changed his name to Mark Bas- September. After it aired on Egyptian seley Youssef 10 years ago, but did not television days later, demonstrations reveal this, even while being convicted against the film began to spread around of bank fraud in 2010. the Muslim world. Youssef was arrested Thursday for al- Youssef, who actors associated with the legedly violating the terms of his parole film said duped them under the alias by uploading the short film, which de- “Sam Bacile,” went into hiding short- picts the Islamic holy figure Muham- ly thereafter before being taken into mad as a pedophile and a womanizer, custody Thursday. Judge Suzanne H. onto the Internet. Segal denied Youssef’s lawyer’s request Youssef’s parole barred him from even that he be released, saying he “cannot using the Internet without his parole be trusted” and poses some risk to the officer’s permission. He faces up to community. South Asia Tribune I Thursday 04 October 2012 NEWS 09 Germany playing dangerous game with Muslims Now German publication Titanic will hurt again Muslims on Friday Merkel: stop worrying about Muslims Seldom has satire been so much in the public spotlight. It’s just a pity that today, of all times, it’s never been so bad. Whether it’s Charlie Hebdo in France or Titanic in Germany, the religious taunting in place of political satire is adding fuel to the fi re.

Adding to outrage against the anti- Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle Islam fi lm, On Friday the German is warning against adding fuel to the satirical magazine Titanic will hit fi re. the stands with a new anti Islamic Christine Boutin, the French cover. The cover in question will politician, plans to sue Charlie Hebdo depict Germany’s former “First Lady” magazine because she believes that Bettina Wulff, either being threatened the Muhammad cartoons it published by an armed Muslim fi ghter or being amount to hate speech. And Green defended by him, depending on your MEP Daniel Cohn-Bendit, losing his perspective. temper on TV, called the publishers at German Chancellor Angela Merkel found that Germans view Muslims concerted attempts to associate the ridiculed throughout Germany, to get Charlie Hebdo idiots and masochists has said Islam is part of Germany, more negatively than their European Salafi threat with German Turks. some media attention? This has been who wallowed in their own fear. calling for more tolerance toward the neighbors. Germany’s daily Der CBS reported “Titanic” announced a non-subject for a long time, and Well, well. A satirist today can only Muslim community in the European Spiegel had warned last August that on Thursday that it plans “to publish this is also the problem Titanic has: really make the big time by attacking country, Der Spiegel reported the country is becoming intolerant a cover depicting an angry Muslim it’s always serving up old chestnuts. religious sensitivities. It will be a Thursday, September 27. towards its Muslim minority. about to stab former German First Unless it isn’t some new attempt on guaranteed success – the Pope will sue, “We should be very open about Germany, the most populous country Lady Bettina Wulff.” Whether or not the part of a handful of journalists to the Association of Muslims whine that this and say: Yes, this is part of us,” in the EU, is rapidly becoming a hotbed the angry Muslim is meant to depict see how short the Muslim fuse is, to the religious feelings of its members Merkel said during a teleconference for Islamophobic and xenophobic the Prophet Mohammed has not yet see whether they’ll actually do what have been hurt, and the reply of the with 7,000 members of her Christian tendencies, some apparently been revealed. you’d imagine: storm editorial offi ces satirist will be the usual fall-back – a Democratic Union (CDU). sanctioned by the pervasive German When Der Spiegel asked Titanic’s of satirical magazines in France and free country cannot forbid satire. The country is Europe’s second- security apparatus. As some 3 million editor-in-chief Leo Fischer if the Germany with suicide belts and so Titanic’s chief editor Leo Fischer says: biggest Muslim population after Turks live in Germany, the Turkish cartoon depicts Mohammed, Fischer prove to the jolly japesters that their “Muslims have to put up with jokes France, and Islam comes third government is understandably replied “I don’t know for sure. It is a Student Union humour is more about them.” Yes, sure. That’s as true in Germany after Protestant and upset with what many described scene from a fi lm.” He did however devastating than anything else going. as it is dull, and the way things look, Catholic Christianity. as coordinated racist attacks on say “everybody is talking about Because a few thousand people in they do put up with them, in the same Germans have grown hostile to the minorities in the country. Turkish Muhammad and we are reacting.” Egypt, Syria and Iran are venting way that we’ll have to put up with the Muslim presence recently, with intelligence has collected convincing It’s a silly photo-montage, which their rage against the Innocence of fact that German political satire will a heated debate on the Muslim evidence revealing that behind the demonstrates the magazine’s wavering Muslims video, German politicians give us no food for thought in the immigration into the country. German police’s recent crackdown on and chicken-hearted stance. Is it have expressed concern about coming years. That’s something we’ve A recent poll by the Munster University Salafi Muslims in Germany there were all about Mrs Wulff and her desire, Titanic’s upcoming “Islam issue”, and grown used to. Poll: 70% of Americans view Israel favorably Americans Say Iran Poses “Most Danger” and Support Preventing a Nuclear-Armed Iran, If Necessary, By Force Respondents to Foreign Policy Initiative Initiative. It’s margin of error is 3.1 percent. FPI took a different approach, asking participants that tracks with previous surveys. When it comes survey list Israel as United State’s second Roughly 40 percent of respondents identifi ed an open-ended question: “If you had to single to America’s geopolitical enemies, Iran and its best ally in the world, second only to UK. as Republicans, 40 percent as Democrats and out one country, which country do you think nuclear program are clearly top of mind. Seventy percent of Americans view Israel 20 percent as either Independents or with presents the most danger to American national The survey contains lots of other interesting favorably, according to a survey conducted by no party affi liation. The national survey on security interests today?” The results are fi ndings. In another open-ended question about the Foreign Policy Initiative. Foreign Policy Matters in 2012 was conducted unequivocal. Forty-fi ve percent of respondents “America’s best ally,” 54 percent of respondents Moreover, when asked their view of Israel, by Basswood Research from September 15-17, selected Iran. China, the distant runner-up, mentioned Great Britain and 16 percent cited nearly 81 percent of political conservatives 2012, on behalf of the Foreign Policy Initiative. clocked in at 8 percent, with Afghanistan right Israel. Those who feel the country is headed in the share that view while the number is at 68.5 The survey’s margin of error is 3.1 percent on a behind at 6 percent (Russia, which Mitt Romney wrong direction tended to have an unfavorable percent for moderates and roughly 63 percent sample of 1000 likely voters. once called “America’s number one geopolitical view of China, suggesting, in part, that concern of liberals. When asked the open-ended question who was foe,” mustered a mere 1 percent). More than 60 about American decline goes hand-in-hand with The survey, called Foreign Policy Matters “America’s best ally in the world?” Israel came percent of respondents supported preventing wariness about China (it may also simply mean in 2012, was conducted from Sept. 15-17 by in at 15.9 percent, second only to the United Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons even if that those who are worried about China also Basswood Research for the Foreign Policy Kingdom, which had 54 percent. that meant using U.S. military force -- a fi nding oppose Obama). 10 NEWS South Asia Tribune I Thursday 04 October 2012 OIC FMs call for resolving Kashmir, Palestine issues Foreign Ministers of Islamic countries the OIC Fact Finding Mission to visit Indian- India to resolve all outstanding issues trafficking and extremism. Saturday called for joining hands to resolve occupied Jammu & Kashmir or responded including Jammu and Kashmir dispute and It expressed strong condemnation of important issues such as Jammu and favourably to the offer made by the OIC. urged the international community to play its the production and projection of the Kashmir, and also to improve the image of Noting the discovery of massgraves with due role to settle this long-standing dispute reprehensible film insulting the noble Islam. Prophet (PBUH) by an irresponsible group At their annual coordination meeting, the in the US, resulting in unfortunate violent foreign ministers of 57 member states of the incidents. Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) The meeting denounced the aggressions also strongly deplored the blasphemous perpetrated against many diplomatic video that denigrates Prophet Muhammad missions around the world and the (peace be upon him), and called for steps to irresponsible violations, which claimed the prevent such despicable acts. lives of some workers of these missions, and The meeting adopted an 85-point joint insisted on the need to guard against those communique reaffirming its principled who promote or are planning to produce support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir such films in order to provoke Muslims. for the realisation of their legitimate right to The meeting called on all member states self-determination, in accordance with the and the international community to counter relevant UN resolutions and aspiration of the production and promotion of media the Kashmiri people. materials which insult the revealed religions The communique emphasised the need for and their symbols, through international full respect of human rights as well as the institutions and mechanisms, and stressed importance of taking all requisite steps to 2,156 unidentified bodies in Indian- on UN agenda for the overall improvement the need to respect religious and cultural provide relief and comfort to the Kashmiris. occupied Kashmir has been confirmed by of the relations between Pakistan and India diversity in the world. It further called upon India to allow international human rights organisations, as well as to promote regional peace and The meeting called upon the international international human rights groups and the meeting urged India to undertake stability. community to exert efforts to prevent humanitarian organisations to visit Jammu independent investigations into the The meeting reaffirmed the collective incitement to hatred and discrimination and Kashmir. The meeting expressed discovery of massgraves and ensure free commitment of all OIC member states to against Muslims and to take effective concern at the indiscriminate use of force and fair trial of those responsible for these a long-term engagement in Afghanistan measures to combat the defamation of and gross violations of human rights heinous crimes. in order to bring peace, stability and religions and negative stereotyping against committed against the innocent Kashmiris The meeting commended the efforts of socioeconomic development to the country persons based on their religions, faith or and regretting that India had not allowed Pakistan and its readiness to engage with and to tackle challenges of illicit drug race. Ikea drops women from Arab brochure company’s home furnishings. One of the pictures showed a women in Saudi Arabia.” The report raised questions in mother in front of a bathroom “Women cannot be retouched Sweden about Ikea’s commitment mirror alongside her family, but away in reality. If Saudi Arabia to gender equality. The country’s the Saudi edition removed the does not allow women to appear trade minister Ewa Bjorling did mother. In another picture, a [in public] or work, they lose not criticise Ikea directly but told barefoot woman with earrings about half their intellectual Person is holding the Monday, version of its catalogue, a move Metro that it was not possible to was replaced by a man in black capital,” she told Swedish Oct 1, 2012 issue of daily Metro the company says it regrets. delete women from society. socks. newspaper Metro. fronted with two images from Comparing the Swedish and Ikea said: “We should have Sweden’s Minister of Trade IKEA spokesperson Ylva Swedish and Saudi Arabian Saudi versions of the Ikea reacted and realised that Ewa Björling argued that the Magnusson told German press

IKEA catalogue for next year. catalogue, Swedish newspaper excluding women from the Saudi retouched images are a “sad agency dpa that the catalogue Furniture store giant Ikea has Metro showed that women had Arabian version of the catalogue example that shows that there was designed by an external been criticised for deleting been airbrushed out of otherwise is in conflict with the Ikea group is a long way to go in terms franchise owner that operates images of women from the Saudi identical pictures showcasing the values.” of equality between men and IKEA stores in Saudi Arabia. South Asia Tribune I Thursday 04 October 2012 NEWS 11 Investigate Keith Vaz:Tory MP Keith Vaz denied there was anything suspicious • Scotland Yard documents suggest to the parliamentary commissioner. to Labour MP Keith Vaz in addition to his “These matters relate to two parliamentary Keith Vaz received ‘significant amounts Finally, Mr Bridgen asked for an explanation salary between 1997 and 2001, inquires which began in 1999 and concluded of cash’ of a ‘suspicious nature’ between as to what the commissioner knew about the The money was paid into a series of accounts in 2003. My finances were discussed by every 1997 and 2001 newspaper in the country for a period of • Tory MP Andrew Bridgen writes three years and were the subject of extensive to Parliamentary Standards examination. I have had no outside interests,” Commissioner to demand an inquiry Mr Vaz said. and says Mr Vaz should to stand down “When you sell a house and you buy a new as chairman of the Home Affairs Select house it is normal practice for the money to Committee be paid into your account and the money then • Mr Vaz denies any wrongdoing and paid out,” Mr Vaz added. says the money is from property deals Parliamentary standards Mr Vaz denies any wrongdoing and today A spokesman for Mr Vaz, contacted by Channel insisted the sums related property deals. 4 News , declined to comment on Mr Bridgen’s intention to contact the commissioner for Senior Labour MP Keith Vaz was today information. referred to the parliamentary watchdog over The Telegraph report alleged that police reports that a secret police investigation evidence may contradict assurances Mr Vaz uncovered mystery payments of hundreds of gave during an investigation into his finances thousands of pounds into his bank accounts. between 2000 and 2001, which was carried out Tory MP Andrew Bridgen calls for a probe by parliament. into the source of £500,000 in bank deposits Scotland Yard were facing calls to hand linked to MP Keith Vaz in a letter to the evidence to the parliamentary commissioner parliamentary standards commissioner for standards, which can reopen an inquiry obtained by Channel 4 News. into allegations first made a decade ago, the In a letter to the Parliamentary Commissioner Telegraph said. for Standards obtained by Channel 4 News the Furthermore, the Telegraph claimed it has seen Tory MP requests an investigation into whether police findings at the time of the earlier probe over a period of time. The newspaper also a police document in which detectives claim to Mr Vaz lied or broke any parliamentary rules and whether it was now appropriate for Mr reported that in an internal briefing document have established that £28,959 in cash was paid by failing to declare outside interests “given Vaz to resign given the sensitive nature of his circulated within Scotland yard, detectives into an HSBC account held by Mr Vaz during that the reported police investigation found current role in government. Mr Vaz chairs the expressed their belief that “the level of funds a single year. The MP and his wife also held a that outside payments were indeed made”. home affairs select committee which holds received ... are of a suspicious nature.” series of other accounts at different banks that Mr Bridgen, citing a report in today’s the police to account. were also examined by police. Telegraph newspaper, also asked for the ‘Nothing suspicious’ In an internal briefing document circulated commissioner to re-open a decade-old Position untenable Mr Vaz denied there was anything suspicious within Scotland Yard, detectives expressed their investigation to determine whether Mr Should the commissioner agree to investigate, about his banking transactions, noting the belief that “the level of funds received ... are of a Vaz received improper payments from the Mr Bridgen said Mr Vaz’s position as head of money in question related to buying and suspicious nature”, the Telegraph reported. billionaire Hinduja brothers, who pushed the committee is untenable. selling a family home in London and a According to Daily Telegraph Mr Bridgen, who the then-Blair government to give Mr Vaz a “I feel that he cannot continue to hold his drawdown of equity from his bank. represents North West Leicestershire, was held ministerial role and lobbied for UK passports role with the Home Affairs Select Committee In a statement posted on his web site today, in connection with an alleged assault on a 29– in the late 1990s. The scandal eventually led during an investigation and call on him to the Labour MP said: year-old woman near the House of Commons to the sacking of Peter Mandelson. stand down,” Mr Bridgen told reporters. “The Telegraph contacted me on Sunday Last year June . Mr Bridgen was arrested at Mr Vaz was cleared of the earlier allegations Scotland Yard declined to comment. According about an investigation which may or may not about 2am and taken to a London police station. of receiving illicit funds, but was forced to to the Telegraph, police detectives allegedly have occurred 10 years ago. I asked them to He strenuously denied any wrongdoing, but was resign and was suspended from parliament found almost £500,000 in “suspicious” funds supply me with a copy of the report but they finger–printed, asked to provide a DNA sample for refusing to provide financial information were deposited into multiple accounts linked did not have one. and pose for a police mugshot. Mum ‘killed five babies’ over several years to keep standard of living A woman has admitted killing five of after it was born, while a report from her own babies – in order to preserve NDR public broadcaster suggested the her family’s standard of living, a Ger- placenta was also found, from which man prosecutor said on Thursday. a DNA sample of the mother was re- The 28-year-old woman is said to have trieved. given birth to the babies in secret – The second baby was found by a driver and then killed them, all without the a year later, wrapped in a plastic bag knowledge of her husband. and dumped in a parking space near a The police in Flensburg, near the bor- major rural road. The police have been der with Denmark, said the woman carrying out DNA testing of women in was married with two children aged the region since then, and got a match eight and ten. with this woman, who then confessed The family lived at a “certain level of said. – and three more after that. ed further cases. to killing not only the first two babies prosperity” and she was scared of be- He is said to be deeply shocked and re- She gave birth to two of the babies at The body of one child was found in the but three more. ing unable to maintain their standard ceiving counselling. home – and three in the woods, alone. recycled paper facility in 2006 in Ah- The three other bodies were stashed of living if she had more children, the “The accused has made a complete The police said no-one had known of renshöft near the family’s home in the in cardboard boxes in the family cel- prosecutor said. Her husband did not confession to the police,” said pros- her pregnancies, not even her hus- Husum area of northern Germany. lar. They were so badly decomposed want more children, yet contraception ecutor Ulrike Stahlmann-Liebelt. Two band. They said the discovery and her A post mortem examination showed that no time of death or cause of death was “never a topic” for the couple, she children were killed in 2006 and 2007 confession were likely to have prevent- the baby had lived for a short time could be determined. 12 NEWS South Asia Tribune I Thursday 04 October 2012 Digital Age overload: ‘Internet addiction’ to be classified as mental illness

used 24/7 for reading, gaming, and social interactions.

When addiction borders on insanity Addiction to online games is not a new phenomenon, with some cases grabbing international headlines over the past few years. In a 2009 incident, 17-year-old Daniel Petric of Ohio shot his mother and injured his father after they confiscated his Halo 3 videogame because they feared he was playing Think twice the next time you play a like other addiction disorders as it it too much. videogame or surf the Net: ‘Internet- has similar symptoms, including Chris Staniforth, 20, suffered a use disorder’ is set to be added to emotional shutdown, lack of blockage to his lungs and died while the list of mental illnesses in the concentration and withdrawal. new inclusion demonstrates that could be a potential problem,’’ playing his Xbox for up to 12 hours worldwide psychiatric manual. Kids Parents have noted their children there are risks posed by overusing Director of the Brain and in 2011. are identified as being especially at becoming angry and violent when technology and that more research Psychological Sciences Research A year later, another gaming risk. their electronic gadgets are taken is required, which could lead to Centre Mike Kyrios told the Sydney addict died after playing an online The international mental health away from them, the Sydney Morning formal diagnoses of the disorder in Morning Herald. videogame for 40 hours straight at encyclopedia known as the Herald reported. In other instances, the future. Australia was one of the first an Internet café in Taiwan. ‘Diagnostic and Statistical Manual kids preferred to play a videogame Psychologists are pushing to countries to recognize the problem Similar behavior has also been of Mental Disorders’ (DSM-IV) will over eating or social interaction. broaden the diagnoses of Internet- and offer public treatment, and exhibited by adults: A Korean include Internet-use disorder as a use disorder to include more than established clinics to treat video couple was arrested in 2010 after condition “recommended for further One step closer to mental just gaming addictions, which game addiction. their infant daughter starved to study” in its forthcoming May 2013 illness could expand the age group of those That such widely used technologies death while the pair played an online edition. The listing is another step towards affected by the illness. can cause deep harm to children game for hours. The videogame the Psychologists believe that Internet classifying Internet addiction as ‘’With kids, gaming is an obvious has lead to further examinations of two were playing involved raising a addiction should be categorized a mental illness: The DSM-IV’s issue. But overall, technology use adults habits surrounding devices virtual baby. More action needed on Pak sanctuaries “Name them Al-Qaeda, name them Haqqani, name them Taliban. They’re still there, The top US commander in lot for this campaign, but we’re not to go after this. It reverberates the army.” responsibility to correct them. Afghanistan has said that the willing to be murdered for it.” everywhere across the United “There are many groups that have But he was disappointed with situation in Afghanistan is better Gen Allen said that just as States.” Al-Qaeda members. We can’t do the fact that Pakistan is still a than it was, but more needed to homemade bombs had become the The murder will continue, this without them,” the Taliban sanctuary for foreign fighters 11 be done about the sanctuaries in signature weapon of the Iraq war, predicted Allen. “The enemy commander said. Besides teaching years after 9/11. He further said Pakistan. he believed that in Afghanistan, Arabs and Chechens are present In an interview with CBS Television “the signature attack that we’re on the Afghan battlefield, still able on Sunday, General John Allen beginning to see is going to be the to kill US and Afghan soldiers. maintained that the sanctuaries insider attack”. “Name them Al-Qaeda, name them are a policy issue between the At least 51 coalition troops have Haqqani, name them Taliban. US and Pakistani governments been killed in such assaults this They’re still there,” he added. “I to work out. “I’m not going to be year - about 15 per cent of all know that a lot of innocent people able to wage war in Pakistan,” the NATO deaths - and the top ISAF die every day. The question is what general added. general has described them as ‘the have we done wrong that they Responding to a question, Gen signature attack’ of the Afghan war. are still able to hurt and damage Allen said he is ‘mad as hell’ about The scale of the insider assaults is people?... That is the question that insider attacks in Afghanistan unprecedented in modern warfare, I have engaged with the United following a firefight between and has seriously undermined trust States almost daily.” NATO troops and their Afghan between NATO coalition forces Gen Allen said the situation in allies that killed five people in the and their Afghan allies in the joint recognises this as a vulnerability,” them to make IEDs, he said they Afghanistan is better than it was, latest incident. effort against Taliban insurgents. he said. The Taliban claim to be are weapons experts. “When our but more needs to be done about ISAF commander General John Asked if he could explain the behind the attacks. One of its weapons break, they are the ones the sanctuaries in Pakistan. Allen told CBS that insider attacks increase in such treacherous commanders told CBS “These are who repair them.” Talking to the “The relationship that we have were unacceptable. “I’m mad as hell attacks, the general replied “Well, Taliban attacks. This is part of our CBS, Afghan President Hamid between ISAF forces and the about them, to be honest with you,” I’m mad as hell about them, to new military strategy; we have Karzai said that he is saddened Pakistani military has improved he said. “We’re willing to sacrifice a be honest with you. We’re going people in the Afghan police and by these attacks and takes dramatically.” Saarc international I Thursday 04 October 2012 NEWS 13 PPP stands by dual national voters’ Judiciary has a double standard, Bilawal Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) the people of Pakistan have sacrifi ced is strong, growing, and laying the loses hope in Pakistan.” right of vote and to contest the general Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for a shining democratic future, adding groundwork for a very different nation He said, “Where (ex-president Pervez) elections. has said that Pakistani judiciary has that legislation was in progress for the than the country has ever known, he Musharraf treated the people of Appreciating the contribution of the adopted double standard for provision rights of minorities. The PPP chairman added. Balochistan as enemies of the state, Pakistanis living abroad, he said, he of justice. also talked about the welfare projects “We have restored the supremacy of we see them as an integral part of knew their feelings as he had been According to a BBC on Sunday, Bilawal in the country including the Benazir parliament, stripped our constitution our state of Pakistan.” The share of forced to live in exile himself along while addressing a party convention Income Support Programme. of the illegal powers usurped by the Balochistan in the new NFC, he with his mother Benazir Bhutto. Most in New York accused Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry of dealing the case of his son with a different method. He warned that if judiciary will not reform itself then people of Pakistan will bring reforms in the judiciary. “We believe in free and independent judiciary,” he said. Talking about war against terrorism he said that government of Pakistan People’s Party was fi ghting this war own its terms. Commenting on Balochistan, Billawal said that situation is grim there as Our Special Correspondent from New military dictators and nourished a added, has been more than 95 billion Pakistanis, he said, were fi rst forced people are missing and mothers are York: Two groups of PPP activists thriving civil society, (with) one of the rupees as opposed to less than 40 into exile during country’s darkest receiving dead bodies of their sons. fought bitterly and some were injured freest presses in the world,” he told billion rupees before our government dictatorship in the 1980s. But he expressed the hope that this in the brawl as Bilawal, clad in the International Convention of PPP, took power. Under the PPP government, overseas bloodshed will not last long. traditional Pakistani dress – shalwar organised by PPP-USA in Queens, a Bilawal said the PPP has always, remittances had increased from Bilawal said that an army dictator Kameez, was waiting in an adjoining borough of New York City. and will always, stand by oversees $6 billion, from when it replaced is responsible for the insurgency room for the event to start. The young Pledging to address the genuine Pakistanis and committed to insuring Musharraf’s dictatorship, to almost in Balochistan and extradition of PPP chairman called in the heads grievances of smaller provinces, the right to vote to them in elections. $13 billion under the democratic people during dictator’s regime of those groups who then helped in PPP chairman said that the present “We are committed to the idea that government. He said the PPP was was unlawful. “Pakistan People’s restoring order. government was doing its best to dual-nationals should be able to transforming Pakistan and building Party freed Pakistan from the Accompanied by his sister Bakhtawar resolve the problems of Baloch people participate in all our country’s civic its future. unconstitutional acts of Musharraf Bhutto Zardari, he spoke in English to democratically “as we see them as an matters, and that includes the right President Azad Jammu and Kashmir regime and restored the constitution the gathering of PPP supporters in the integral part of our state of Pakistan”. to contest elections,” he told his party Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob, to its actual form of 1973,” he said. He spacious hall of Soundview Broadcating, “We have stopped living in denial, and supporters. President PPP USA Shafqat Tanveer said establishment of an independent a modern Pakistani-owned facility we cannot let the province bleed the In a thinly veiled reference to the and a PPP activist Sarwar Chaudhry Chief Election Commissioner was a for launching international ethnic way it has and taken historic measures Supreme Court judges, he said no were among those who spoke on great achievement of the PPP and television channels in US and Canada. to address the underlying causes of unelected people have the right to the occasion. Bilawal was also given their government has succeeded in Bilawal said Pakistan has been the challenges in Balochistan... With question the loyalty of anyone elected “Voice of Democracy” award by the establishing the democratic norms in transformed from a dictatorship into every missing person and with every by the people of Pakistan; therefore PPP-USA for his efforts in promoting a period of less than fi ve years. He said a democracy. Democracy in Pakistan dead body, we realise, a Baloch family the expatriates should be given the democracy. Arab Regimes Plotting to Dadabhai Naoroji Awards - Disintegrate Syria into 6 Emirates Leicester Political Trailblazers Secretary-General of Syria’s ruling Leicester City Liberal Democrats have received the Baath party Fayez Ezzeddin blasted prestigious Dadabhai Naoroji Award at the National Party Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Conference in Brighton last week. It is the fi rst time the award Khalifa Al-Thani for implementing has been presented in commemoration of Naoroji’s historic US plots in the region, and disclosed achievements of which there were many. that certain Arab regimes plot In India he laid the foundations of the Indian National to disintegrate Syria into 6 tiny Congress and was elected its President in 1886. If that was emirates. not enough, he then made political history by becoming the Addressing the recent UN General fi rst British Asian Member of Parliament at the grand old age Assembly meeting in New York, the of 67, serving until 1895. Naoroji was helped by Mahatma Qatari Emir called on Arab nations to Gandhi and Muhammad Ali Jinnah who both played an active form a political and military coalition role in his election campaign. Later he advised and guided EMLD Vice Chair and the initiator of the award Councillor to intervene in Syria, posing a direct them, as they went on to become the founders of modern Rabi Martins of Watford said: India and Pakistan. challenge to UN efforts to resolve the Syria to disintegrate it into 6 tiny Liberal Democrats should be the fi rst choice Party for people The momentous achievements of Naoroji were used as the confl ict through negotiations. countries or emirates.” from Britain’s Black and Asian Communities, but too often inspiration behind setting up this award. Originated by the “Such proposals and plots cannot “This is the Greater Middle-East we do not do enough to reach them. This award is designed to Ethnic Minority Liberal Democrats, it was open to several be assumed as insistence but they that the US and the Zionist regime encourage local Liberal Democrat Parties across the country hundred local party groups across England, Scotland should be seen as orders given by wanted to create in the region, and to do more to engage with these groups in their constituencies. and Wales. It was presented to the local party that best the US to Qatar,” Ezzeddin told FNA certain Arab regimes have been I hope to see even more competition for this unique award. demonstrated a record of achievement in promoting diversity on Tuesday. tasked with exercising this plot and Naoroji’s election victory was a signifi cant political statement through ethnic minority representation across its ranks. Noting that the US and other have turned into a tool in the hands that only in Britain, with its profound sense of fairness, could Chair of Leicester City Liberal Democrats, Parmjit Singh Gill, enemies of Syria have told the Arab of the US,” Ezzeddin said. there be an opportunity in the nineteenth century for an a former city councillor and MP, said in receiving the award: regimes to do whatever they can to Qatari and Saudi rulers want an Indian to be elected to the British Parliament. Naoroji was elected as a Liberal in Finsbury Central in 1892 prevent Damascus victory against overthrow of Syrian President However, as BME political under-representation remains a and it’s a great honour to be receiving this prestigious award foreign intervention and unrests Bashar al-Assad, a staunch ally of perennial problem within the Party, let’s hope that this award in his memory. It’s a fantastic achievement not just for in the country, he said, “They are Iran, and they have taken every will help not only the Liberal Democrats, but all political parties Leicester Liberal Democrats but also for the city, refl ecting making every effort to annihilate measure to this end. to address the woeful under-representation of BME MPs. the strength of diversity that exists in its many quarters. Francine Fernandes 14 NEWS South Asia Tribune I Thursday 04 October 2012 International Republican Institute Not “Promoting Democracy” Mark Weisbrot November of 2009 to legitimize the eyes of the international often do not, or are even against the right to hold national elections, The Guardian Unlimited, the coup government. The rest community. The recognition it. This is not because they are and then to kick U.S. troops out of January 31, 2012 of the world, including even the of a free, fair and transparent inherently evil, but because of the country. Organization of American States electoral process provided a strong the position of the United States This creates a vicious cycle in I have to laugh when I see (OAS) – with pressure from South argument to support the new in the world. The United States which hated and often repressive the International Republican American democracies – refused government. . . . The international government, more than any other governments are supportive of Institute (IRI) described by to send observers. This was “assessment” conducted by NDI in the world, is running an empire. U.S. foreign policy, and these the international media as an because of the political repression and the “observation” conducted By their nature, empires are about governments receive U.S. support, organization that “promote[s] during the campaign period: police by IRI, even if they did not fulfill power and control over other increasing regional animosity democracy” (NPR). The IRI is in violence, raiding of independent accepted standards, partially people in distant lands. These goals toward the United States. In some the news lately because Egypt’s media, and the forced exile of achieved the sought-after impact.” will generally conflict with many cases it also leads to terrorist military government has put some political opponents – including the Who knows what the IRI is doing people’s aspirations for democracy attacks against U.S. institutions or of its members on a “no-fly” list country’s democratically elected in Egypt? But we know what the and national self-determination. citizens, which is then used by our and thereby trapped them in the president. U.S. government has done there: Nowhere is this more obvious leaders to justify long or endless country, facing investigation and But the IRI and the National supported a brutal dictatorship than in the Middle East, where wars (e.g. Iraq, Afghanistan). possible trial. I am wondering just Democratic Institute (NDI) – for decades right up to the point the U.S. government’s policy of A poll of Arab public opinion by the how credulous these journalists its Democratic Party-linked where mass protests made it collaboration with Israel’s denial University of Maryland and Zogby and editors are. If I were to counterpart – went there to clear that Washington could not of Palestinian national rights has International, which included describe the Center for Economic legitimize the “election.” But stop Mubarak’s ouster by a real, put it at odds with populations Egypt, asked respondents to and Policy Research as “a magical don’t take my word for why they popular, democratic movement throughout the region. As a result, “name two countries that are the organization that transforms chose to participate. Here is what last year. Washington fears democracy biggest threat to you.” Eighty-eight scrap metal into gold,” would the USAID, part of the U.S. State The IRI and NDI are core grantees in many countries because it percent named the United States, that become CEPR’s standard Department and the major funder of the National Endowment for will inevitably lead to more and 77 percent named Israel. Only description in the news? of IRI and NDI activities, had Democracy, an organization that governments taking the side of nine percent chose Iran. The IRI is an international arm to say about their role [PDF] in conducts activities “much of the Palestinians, and opposing Another ugly side effect of of the U.S. Republican Party, Honduras: [which]” the “CIA used to fund other U.S. ambitions in the region, U.S.-government-sponsored so anyone with the stomach to “The absence of the OAS and covertly,” as the Washington Post such as its desire for military bases “democracy-promotion” is that watch the Republican presidential other recognized international reported when the Endowment and alliances. Even in Iraq, where it helps governments that want debates might doubt whether observation groups made NDI was being created in the early Washington brags about toppling to repress authentic, national, this is a “democracy-promotion” and IRI’s assessment/observation ‘80s. These organizations will a dictatorship, the people had to pro-democracy movements. Most organization. But a look at some of processes more meaningful in sometimes support democracy but fight the occupying authorities for of the repressive governments their recent adventures is enough in the Middle East and North to set the record straight: in 2004, Africa have tried to de-legitimize the IRI played a major role in A New Offense to Prophet (pbuh): Spanish their opponents with the taint of overthrowing the democratically association with Washington, in elected government of Haiti. Magazine Publishes Provocative Cartoon most cases falsely. In Egypt before Local Editor In 2002, the head of the IRI the raids on foreign organizations, In a new insult to our holy prophet Mohammad publicly celebrated the short-lived the government arrested youth (pbuh), a Spanish magazine published a cartoon of military coup that overthrew the activists associated with the the messenger on its cover. democratically elected government April 6th movement, and other Political satire magazine, El Jueves’s edition, which of Venezuela. The IRI was also activists. hit Spanish newsstands on Wednesday, shows several working with organizations and Here in Washington, there seems Muslims in a police lineup under the title “But...does individuals that were involved in to be little awareness that “pro- anyone know what Mohammad looks like?” the coup. In 2005, the IRI was democracy” groups funded by In comments to the Huffington Post, editor Mayte involved in an effort to promote the U.S. government might have Quilez said it was a decision to take a “humorous changes in Brazil’s electoral laws a credibility problem in most of position on a contentious issue.” that would weaken the governing the world. But this is true even “If you can’t depict Mohammad, how do you know it is Workers’ Party of then President when these groups aren’t actively him in the cartoons?” the editor asked provocatively. Lula da Silva. opposing democracy. Their Last week, French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo Most recently, in 2009 there funding would be a good target for published cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad soon was a military coup against the budget cuts. after protests against an offensive film made in the democratically elected government Mark Weisbrot is co-director United. of Honduras. The Obama not said whether it will step up security in other Arab of the Center for Economic and The Spanish Embassy on Wednesday sent a message administration did everything it countries. Policy Research, in Washington, to its citizens in Egypt asking for caution in the event could to help the coup succeed, “We’re still analysing what steps to take,” a foreign D.C. He is also president of Just of any backlash from the El Jueves cartoon but has and supported “elections” in ministry source said. Foreign Policy. WB mission postpones Dhaka visit The World Bank that agreed anew to fund two other missions of co-financers---the Asian of an external panel of internationally Padma bridge construction is not joining the Development Bank and Japan International recognised experts who will advise the World meeting of the co-financiers on Monday. The Cooperation Agency. Bank and the co-financiers on the credibility local office of the World Bank said about the The World Bank on Wednesday said the of the government’s investigations.’ postponement but did not cite any reason. government must meet the agreed conditions Meanwhile, officials of the ADB and the JICA They said they would inform about the visit to get $1.2 billion loan for the project that has met with finance minister AMA Muhith on later on. been mired in alleged corruption. Sunday at his residence. The prim e minister’s The mission was scheduled to hold a series It wanted the government to ‘appoint a international affairs adviser Gowher Rizvi of discussions with the government officials special inquiry and prosecution team within and economic relations division officials were including officials of the ministry of finance The Bank, earlier, decided to revive its $1.2 the Anti-Corruption Commission’ to handle present in the meeting. and Anti-Corruption Commission. billion loan which had been cancelled in late the investigation. Officials said the meeting mainly discussed The fate of the Padma Bridge depends on the June on allegation of corruption. The World Bank insisted on the government’s the matters relating to the scheduled visit of WB mission’s visit to Dhaka. The WB mission was scheduled to be joined by allowing ‘access to all investigative information the WB mission. South Asia Tribune I Thursday 04 October 2012 NEWS 15 Three tribes ready to welcome PTI rally in Waziristan: Imran Fata Secretariat for ban on PTI rally American rights group arrives in Pakistan to participate in PTI peace rally The political administration to participate in the rally organised informed the authorities concerned by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of its concerns regarding the rally on October 7 to protest against and law and order situation. It drone strikes. said that the rally would bring bad PTI chief Imran Khan said the name to Pakistan if any untoward delegation, which includes civil incident occurred in the restive society members and parents of tribal region. U.S. Army soldiers, would march The administration said that law and with the PTI to South Waziristan, order situation was not favorable report . for the PTI rally. Earlier, the PTI Anne Wright, a former U.S. Army complained that the government colonel and former U.S. ambassador, was trying to create hurdles and the will lead the delegation. Wright had government would be responsible resigned from the Army when U.S. in case of any unpleasant situation. started its war against Iraq in 2003. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman She is now an anti-war activist and Imran Khan on Sunday said that a member of the U.S. civil society three tribes of Waziristan had organisation working for peace in shown their willingness to welcome the world. his party’s peace rally in the region “We came from U.S. for this historic and a 30-member delegation from march against drone attacks. We the US had reached Islamabad to also went the places in U.S. from participate in the rally. Ignoring where the drones are operated a travel warning issued by the U.S. and we registered our protest. The Hakim-ullah Mahsud-led Mahsuds in particular, therefore, it Waziristan rally to the FATA State Department for Pakistan, We are also protesting U.S. war Tehrike Taliban Pakistan (TTP) was their responsibility to welcome secretariat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa a 30-member U.S. civil society policies and we are telling you that has reportedly conveyed to the and protect them. Governor Masud Kausar and delegation has reached Islamabad American people are also against central leadership of the Pakistan “What Imran Khan and his party Interior Minister Rehman Malik. these attacks,” she said. Tehreeke Insaf (PTI) it would not are doing today should have been Wright said U.S. is violating the make any attempt to disrupt their done by the Pakhtun politicians sovereignty of Pakistan by carrying scheduled peace march to Kotkai and religious leaders hailing from out drone strikes. town in South Waziristan and was Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and tribal “We believe that travel warning is even ready to provide it security if areas,” a senior TTP leader argued. issued because the U.S. government need be. The Fata Secretariat has does not want us to see what they However, senior officials in recommended imposing a ban on are doing. We believe the President Peshawar said that the government the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of the US is killing innocent people was still reluctant to allow the peace march in Waziristan. in Pakistan, that is wrong,” Wright PTI rally in the volatile South The recommendations, made said. Waziristan tribal region. The TTP over security situation, have She said the U.S. Federal court has commanders felt that since Imran been forwarded to the federal recently asked CIA to inform about Khan and his supporters were government. The political drone programme in Pakistan coming to their area to highlight administration has conveyed its but they simply refused to tell the hardships and miseries of the reservations over the Pakistan anything. tribe’s people in general and the Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) proposed Protest against Karachi Target Killings Friends of Liyari UK

Organised by Friends of Lyari Baloch, Ali Khan, demonstration Minister office . Asked the British Prime Protestors also demanded and alleged International, Karachi City Alliance and held at 10 Downing Street London on minister to order investigation into MQM that the involvement MQM leader Altaf Pakistan Democratic Alliance Habib 30th,September. activities from UK and alleged that MQM Hussain and others British citizens in Jan and Tariq Mehmood, Mohammad v Later Habib Jan and representatives leader Altaf Hussain is behind these partisan politics is a gross interference in Khan,Mirza Aftab, Nasir Ali, Mustafa submitted a petition to the Prime Killings and should be prosecuted in UK, the internal affairs of Pakistan. 16 NEWS Saarc international I Thursday 04 October 2012 Celeb Spotting: GQ Men Of The Year Awards 2012

The event was ‘GQ Men Of The Year Awards’. A galaxy of stars from different walks of life graced the GQ Men of The Amitabh Bachchan is the ultimate style Year Awards 2012 held over the weekend icon of Bollywood. He looks smashing at the do. in Mumbai. We bring you the best Interesting colour selection...Neil Nitin and worst dressed celebrities from the Mukesh gets a thumb up for taking the fashionable event. risk. Though Vidya Balan is looking nice At the red carpet were present many as usual in this Sabyasachi saree, but we Bollywood celebs like Kalki Koechlin with are bored of seeing her in a saree at every husband Anurag Kashyap, Ajay Devgn event. with wife Kajol, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Dia Mirza, cricketer Rahul Dravid, Shazahn Padamsee, Mandira Bedi, Rahul Khanna, Jiah Khan, Anil Kapoor, Nargis Fakhri, Amitabh Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Deepika Padukone, Siddharth Mallya, John Abraham with Priya Runchal. Several other hot names from the film industry were spotted at the GQ Men of the Year Awards 2012, held at Hotel Kajol completely failed to impress with Grand Hyatt, in Mumbai! her flared silk dress and chunky heels. Though all the celebs looked starry, it was Deepika

Padukone who

stole the show Rahul Dravid in a simple black suit looks in her red lace awesome. gown! When she was asked what her style s t a t e m e n t is, the hot Shahid Kapoor looks smashing in this actress replied: “It’s about feeling special formal suit. He also bagged the The and wearing what you are comfortable in, Ultimate GQ Man award. and knowing what is in fashion!”

Dressed in a lacy, bold red gown by John Abraham with his lady love Priya Simple yet elegant, Konkona Sen Sharma Gaurav Gupta, Deepika Padukone gets a Anil Kapoor arrives at the GQ Men of The Runchal at the do. looks stunning in a saree. thumbs up from us. Year Aawards 2012. Saarc international I Thursday 04 October 2012 NEWS 17 World remembers Mahatma Gandhi

selling of his books is, of course, his The Mind of Mahatma Gandhi by autobiography which has sold 38.54 RK Prabhu and UR Rao gives an lakh copies in various languages interesting insight into Gandhi’s including English, Malayalam, Tamil, thinking. But Navajivan Trust sold Gujarati, Hindi, Kannad, Marathi, only 475 copies of the book in 2011- Telugu,” said Raval. 12 while the English translation In the small book, Hind Swaraj, of the autobiography sold 93,000 Gandhi talks about the condition copies in the same period. of Indian society and expresses his Raval said that Gandhi’s books views on subjects as varied as the were sold largely through the sales railways, doctors, Hindu-Muslim counters at Sabarmati Ashram relations, education and machinery. in Ahmedabad, Rajghat, Nehru More than a century after its first Memorial and Gandhi Museum publication, it is still read, studied at New Delhi and other Gandhian and discussed. institutions. Strains of his favourite ‘bhajans’ prayer conducted in memory of the the sales figures of even books on Yet the Gujarati version of Hind “Most visitors buy the autobiography played and an all-religion prayer father of the nation. Mahatma Gandhi haven’t been able Swaraj, which is currently priced at first. It has also been observed that service was conducted as the nation’s The birth anniversary of Mahatma to match those of the autobiography Rs10, sold only 2700 copies in the books by Gandhiji such as Nature

President Pranab Mukherjee paying homage to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion of his 143rd birth anniversary at his memorial at Rajghat in New Delhi. leadership gathered Tuesday to Gandhi is celebrated as Gandhi which continues to be something of year 2011-12 while the autobiography Cure, Key to Health and India of My remember the apostle of peace Jayanti across the country. It is also a bestseller. sold 29,000 copies in the same year Dreams, which deal with specific Mahatma Gandhi on his 143rd birth marked as the International Day of The sales figures of some key works in the Gujarati language alone. subjects, also sell well,” Raval said. anniversary. Non-Violence. of the Mahatma such as Hind While ceremonies were held across Gandhi, born this day in 1869 Swaraj and India of My Dream the country, President Pranab at Porbandar in Gujarat, was as also for books on him like The Flash floods and landslides Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid assassinated Jan 30, 1948. Mind of Mahatma Gandhi, pale Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Gandhi’s birthday is also marked as the in comparison with those of the At least 21 bodies,kill including 21 those in of blockingSikkim the main road between Singh, Congress president Sonia International Day of Non-Violence. autobiography. Even Satyagraha in the ITBP and the BRO personnel, have Chungthang and Mangan in the Gandhi and senior Bharatiya Janata South Africa, considered by many to so far been found while eight persons district, he said. Party leader L.K. Advani were Gandhi the man still be the first part of his autobiography, are still missing due to flash flood and Army and IAF personnel have started amongst those who gathered at attracts, few takers for his has not done well in the market. landslides in remote areas of North rescue operations in full swing. Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial Raj ideas Kapil Raval, trustee of Navajivan Sikkim, official sources said on Sunday. Several landslides blocked the main Ghat to pay tribute. Trust which has the copyright on all The dead include four from the ITBP, roads between Chungthang and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, The world’s fascination with the life the writings of Mahatma Gandhi, two of their family members, and 12 Pegong. Houses along Lachen river Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde of Mahatma Gandhi has continued said that the autobiography had junior officers from the BRO. Other between Rangma and Chungthang and Defence Minister A.K. Antony to grow even as interest in his ideas registered the highest sales among victims were casual labourers, officials were washed away in flash floods along also paid floral tribute to the man has declined. his books. said. Lachen river. who was instrumental in India’s This is the only explanation for the “Gandhiji wrote prolifically and on Most of the casualties are reported The state government has declared a peaceful freedom struggle. fact that while his autobiography, a large number of subjects, from from Rangma range. Landslides were state of alert along the establishments Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite The Story of My Experiments with spirituality to naturopathy. But his caused by heavy rains since September on the river banks right from Lachen, ‘bhajans’ like “Raghupati Raghav Truth,’ has sold over 38 lakh copies books on these subjects attract only 19, deputy commissioner north district Lachung, Chungthang, Mangan, Raja Ram” and “Vaishnav Jana in various languages, his other books those who want to go deeper into his T W Khangsherpa said. Dikchu, Singtam and Rangpo, a To” were played and an all-religion have not sold very well. In fact, thought and philosophy. The highest There were about nine landslides government press release said. 18 ENTERTAINMENT Saarc international I Thursday 04 October 2012 ‘Monsters don’t get near “Thou shall not be found out.” Alleged victim tells ITV News of children. Nice men do’. alleged attack by Sir Jimmy Savile ‘Predator’... Dee Coles with Jimmy Savile, right, when Jimmy Savile rape claim prompts Met to consider investigation Coles was 14. Photograph: ITV News BBC ‘horrified’ by Jimmy police officers. Savile abuse allegations The police are understood to have Women give details of alleged advised that the best way forward abuse by Jim’ll Fix It star as ITV was for the BBC to co-operate with prepares to broadcast allegations their investigations, rather than Newsnight dropped. launch its own inquiry. Two women have come forward I saw Jimmy Savile with further allegations of sexual and Gary Glitter abuse by the late Sir Jimmy Savile, abuse under-age as the BBC said it was horrified by girls at BBC, says the claims and would assist any woman police investigation. Dee Coles who Corporation under pressure after ‘Predator’ ... Jimmy Savile Scotland Yard said a formal investigation Glitter was jailed for four months in Surrey police refer allegation to Scotland had not yet been opened, but “as with all 1999 for downloading 4,000 images of Yard after woman tells officers she was allegations as serious as this, it will be children and then deported from Vietnam attacked by presenter in London in the reviewed and assessed”. for assaulting two girls aged 10 and 11 in 1970s The Daily Mail reported on Monday that 2008. Deborah Cogger, 52, broke a 38-year three women had come forward to claim Pauline D , who was 12 in 1974 was silence to declare: “Savile was a pervert, a they were raped by Savile when they were ecstatic to be on the Jim’ll Fix It show dangerous sexual predator.” Reports the teenagers. where Savile would grant a wish to the Sun. Surrey police confirmed publicly for participants of the children’s show. Another woman said Savile was present the first time on Monday that Savile “First Jim Fixed me, then Gary Fixed me, when a girl was raped in his dressing was interviewed under caution about all the while the BBC turned a blind eye room. allegations of sexual abuse in 2007, but to what they were doing,” a distraught Ms alleges that the Jim’ll Fix It host victim says she first told her story Sickened Deborah revealed how TV icon no charges were ever brought. Dimmock, told the Daily Mail. sexually abused her and another to Newsnight team Savile groped and kissed her — after The BBC said in a statement: “These are “The next day I saw the Queen giving him girl 40 years ago in his camper van A woman has claimed she saw Sir meeting her at a children’s home. serious and disturbing new allegations an O.B.E and all the other medals,” Ms. when she was on holiday in Jersey. Jimmy Savile and the glam rocker Deborah was just 14 when the cigar- about which we understand the police Dimmock added. One alleged victim waived her Gary Glitter both sexually abusing smoking BBC star visited the residential have been informed. We will, of course, Sir Jimmy Savile, who died in 2011 was anonymity to describe how she and under-age girls at the same time in school for vulnerable teenage girls. assist the police in every way we can.” buried as a hero of the British people a friend were allegedly molested by Savile’s dressing room at the BBC Other pupils had already warned her not Jim fooled us all into thinking for his work in charity, and yet many the Jim’ll Fix It star in the 1970s Television Centre. who were touched by the monster know when they were 14. Karin Ward, who also says she was very well of the horror he doled out to Dee Coles told ITV News that abused by another television star thousands of children. she and her friend were made to in the same room when she was 14, “He was laughing all the way to his grave, protected by the BBC and funded by the TV License, his evil lascivious exploits swept under the carpet of time, as the victims have to live the rest of their lives broken and tortured by the memories of his abuse. Rest in peace Jimmy Savile, or as the BBC calls him, Saint Jimmy. The cowards only dared bring to light the full horror of Savile’s crimes until after his perform sex acts on Savile in a waived her anonymity yesterday to get too close to the Top of the Pops and he was a saint. When I saw the death,” an ex TV license payer told BBC’s campervan when they were on to make the allegations. She first Jim’ll Fix It presenter. truth, I wept : Esther raNtzen Newsnight last night. holiday in Jersey. “He didn’t seem told her story to a BBC Newsnight The Metropolitan police are looking into Seventies Girl: ChildLine founder Esther Rantzen, who like a stranger. He was on our team but the report was never an allegation of rape against Sir Jimmy worked for the BBC during the 1970s, told telly every Saturday night. It was broadcast. Savile, after a woman told detectives “Saint Jimmy Savile the programme that she now believes Sir exciting – with someone on TV,” Ms Ward has now been interviewed she was attacked by the TV presenter in Fixed it For Me to Jimmy sexually abused under-age girls, said Coles. “How it made me feel at for an ITV documentary that will London in the 1970s. after seeing the fresh evidence from their the time? Immense panic as soon be screened tonight. In it, she The woman reported the allegation to Meet Gary Glitter” interviews. as the door locked. Afterwards, it says: “I told Newsnight that I saw police on Monday as fresh sexual assault Sir Jimmy Savile once defended ”We all blocked our ears to the gossip…We was shame.” Gary Glitter have sex with a girl claims against Savile were reported in Gary Glitter saying he did “nothing made him into the Jimmy Savile who was Coles told ITV News she was in Jimmy Savile’s dressing room ? the media ahead of an ITV1 documentary wrong” when he downloaded untouchable, who nobody could criticise. ordered by Savile not to tell anyone in that little alcove bit. I didn’t see about the subject. thousands of child pornography Jim’ll Fix It was for children. He was a what happened and that she stayed it completely but that’s what was The BBC is also facing mounting pressure silent for 40 years fearing no one going on and nobody batted an to launch an internal inquiry into why would believe her. At least six eyelid. I also told them that I was executives decided to halt a Newsnight woman have now alleged that the horribly, horribly humiliated.” investigation into Savile after the death of late TV presenter Sir Jimmy Savile JIMMY Savile left behind a coded the former Top of the Pops and Jim’ll Fix attacked them when they were warning about his alleged child It presenter last year. young girls. abuse, He was among celebs asked Surrey police confirmed it had referred a Some of the allegations will be to contribute to a 1991 charity book historic allegation of rape against Savile aired in a new ITV1 Documentary, called Over 500 Trouble-Saving to the Met because it was said to have Exposure: The Other Side of Jimmy Ideas From The Famous, The taken place in London. Savile, which will be broadcast on Efficient and The Wise. A spokeswoman for Surrey police said: Wednesday evening. His weird entry suggested that if “A woman yesterday reported a historic George Entwistle, the new BBC you sinned, the important thing allegation of rape. The alleged offence images, it has been claimed. sort of God-like figure. Everybody knew director-general, is understood to was not to get caught. occurred in London, therefore the matter Sir Jimmy said the convicted paedophile of the good that Jimmy did and what he have taken the decision to involve Entitled ‘The Eleventh has been referred to the Metropolitan just watched a few “dodgy films” and was did for children. And these children were the internal investigations unit Commandment’ his idea said only: police.” only vilified because he was a celebrity. powerless“, she said. following discussions with senior “Thou shall not be found out.” Saarc international I Thursday 04 October 2012 19

Work displayed in saarc int. are a review of southasianmedia.net. The information on this page is for information purposes only. The South Asia Tribune and SAARC International Ltd. assume no liability for any inaccurate, delayed, or incomplete information, nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon. The full story can be viewed at www.southasianmedia.net aarc Sinternational Thursday, 04.10.12 Zardari, Altaf Attack on Lt Gen in talks to seal Brar was planned electoral alliance in Germany:Report

President Asif Ali Zardari and MQM assembly of the local government bill — chief Altaf Hussain met in London and Hussain said that the two parties might discussed the possibility of an alliance forge an electoral alliance. between the Pakistan Peoples Party Hussian said Zardari would soon give (PPP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement some positive news to the nation about (MQM) for the next general election. resolving the energy crisis. He said Zardari met Hussain during a stopover the president had assured him that Lt General Brar, who returned to India on Wednesday, was attacked by four men with a knife in London. to London on way home after attending he would soon hold a meeting with the UN General Assembly session in security officials on the law and order In the latest development in the Home Ministry came after net, there were online threats New York. situation in Karachi to work out a plan connection with the attack on allegations that the security of against me. There were pledges Accompanied by Interior Minister to restore peace in the city. Operation Blue Star hero Lt the Operation Blue Star hero to kill me,” Brar had said. Rehman Malik, Hussain said the two He said he had told the president that the General KS Brar in London, was downgraded. parties would constitute committees to issue could not be resolved by artificial Lieutenant General Kuldeep sources have said that it was explore ways of forging the alliance. He measures; effective steps would have to Lt General Brar gets Z-category Singh Brar, 78, was set upon planned on June 6 in Germany. said if the central leadership of the two be taken for the purpose. security at home, as he led by four men and slashed in the According to sources, the attack parties accepted each other’s points He said the issue of missing persons Operation Blue Star in 1984. neck as he walked with his wife was planned at a meeting of they could contest the next elections could be resolved only with improvement The Home Ministry and near Oxford Street on Sunday. radical Sikh outfits in Germany together. in the situation in Balochistan. External Affairs Ministry are He was treated in a London on the anniversary of Operation He said he had discussed with the The two leaders greeted each other on monitoring investigations and hospital and released. Blue Star. president the local government system, the passing of the local government are awaiting a report from London’s Metropolitan Police development projects for rural and ordinance and said it was an important Sources further said that the RAW. The MHA has been in force said it was treating the urban areas of Sindh, mass transit step towards transferring power to the plan was to attack the former constant touch with the Indian attack as attempted murder and projects, devastation caused by floods grassroots level. army man in India itself. The High Commission and other appealed for witnesses. Police and the electricity crisis. Zardari and Hussain agreed that their prime suspect of the attack is officials in London. said they had not established The MQM recently threatened to quit parties would continue to cooperate Babbar Khalsa International Lt General Brar, who returned a motive for the stabbing. S.M. the ruling coalition if its ‘legitimate and work together for strengthening member Wadhwa Singh. to India on Wednesday, was Krishna – India’s external demands’ mainly relating to the local democracy in the country. This came after the Union attacked by four men with a minister, who is in New York government were not met. But it They agreed that confrontation among Home Ministry said that it was knife in London. He recieved – told reporters that the Indian withdrew its ultimatum after receiving state institutions was not in the interest not informed about the travel minor injuries and claimed it government would work with an assurance from Zardari that its of the country and democratic system. plans of Lt General Brar to was an assassination bid. “There British authorities to investigate concerns would be addressed. The institutions must work within their London. The explanation from were lot of hate messages on the attack. After the main demand of the MQM framework and show consideration for was met — adoption by the provincial each other. 20 SAARC Saarc international I Thursday 04 October 2012 25,000 radical Muslim rioters torch Buddhist temples, homes

Photo deemed offensive to Islam sparks riots, temple burning in Bangladesh in Bangladesh Tens of thousands of rioters left a the violence,” district administrator a human chain in the country’s “The attack was conducted in a The government will provide trail of destruction in southeastern Joinul Bari said. capital of Dhaka. coordinated manner. Temples and financial assistance for Bangladesh as they torched No casualties were reported, and Bangladeshi Home Minister houses were set on fire using patrol reconstruction of the damaged Buddhist temples and homes near authorities did not confirm whether Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir said and gun powder. It would have houses and temple, Alamgir said. the town of Ramu. The violence Before launching their attacks, was sparked by a photo posted on Muslims publicly rallied against Facebook that allegedly insulted the picture and called for Barua’s Islam. The rioters claimed the arrest. However, several Facebook photo allegedly defaming the users said that Barua did not post Quran was uploaded on Facebook the photo, and that he was linked by a young Buddhist man from the to the photo after group called area, district administrator Joinul ‘Insult Allah’ tagged his name on Bari said. the image. ¬A 25,000-strong mob set fire to Religious tensions on the rise at least five temples and dozens of Buddhists make up less than one homes throughout the town and percent of Bangladesh’s population, surrounding villages after seeing and sectarian clashes between they the picture, which they claimed and the country’s Muslim majority was posted by Uttam Barua, a local police arrested any of the rioters. the attacks were preplanned, and been impossible if the attacks were are rare. Tensions between the Buddhist man, report . Buddhist monks protested against vowed to bring the perpetrators to not planned,” he told Bangladesh’s communities have risen since The group chanted “God is Great” the attacks on Sunday, forming justice. Bdnews24. June, when deadly clashes erupted while setting fire to the centuries- between Buddhists and Muslim old temples. Rohingya in nearby Myanmar. “I have seen 11 wooden temples, Thousands of Muslims also took two of them 300 years old, torched to the streets across Bangladesh by the mob. They looted precious over the past few weeks in protest items and Buddha statues from the against a US-made video and temples. Shops owned by Buddhists French cartoons that mock the were also looted,” local journalist Prophet Muhammad. Sunil Barua said. On Saturday, tens of thousands of Security forces were deployed to activists from the Islamist group contain the uprising: “At least 100 Jamiyat-e-Hizbullah protested houses were damaged. We called the video and cartoons near the in army and border guards to quell national mosque in Dhaka. Flood woes unabated Pakistan floods kill more than 400 affect 4.47 million Floods resulting from monsoon rains have is suffering from donor fatigue, unable to killed more than 400 people and affected pledge much money and aid for relief. So another 4.5 million across Pakistan. far, the EU has offered 15 million Euros For the third year in a row, Pakistan extra funding to help rehabilitate the flood has been wracked by floods, leaving victims. Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf thousands displaced. This year, the has promised Rs 2 billion for Sindh and death toll has reached some 400 people Rs 2.6 billion to overcome the challenges and more than 15,000 villages have been faced by flood victims in Balochistan. The affected. The brunt of the devastation government is expected to do more than has hit Sindh and Balochistan, with just pledge its support to flood victims by some 2.8 million people displaced in actually using all its available resources to Sindh alone and more than 700,000 at the helm of affairs actually doing take precautionary measures and failed affected, the government still has to live up prevent such large-scale human disasters. left without shelter, food and relief in their job where disaster management is to do its job. The NDMA could have to its promise of providing adequate relief Crops have been badly affected, with rice Balochistan. Considering that monsoon concerned. While this year’s floods are in made the necessary arrangements for to the many victims of the floods of two fields inundated in Sindh. There will likely flooding is nothing new for Pakistan, a no way as catastrophic as those that hit timely evacuations, water diversion and years ago. The NDMA has proved to be a be a huge increase in food prices in the country that has experienced some of the country in 2010, killing more than relief assistance for the many hapless disaster when it comes to planning ahead coming months, thus further increasing the worst floods in its history from 2010 1,800 people, what makes the recent people who have now been left without and dealing with this anticipated natural the plight of those hit hard by the floods. onwards and that the monsoon season deluge decidedly worse is the fact that a roof over their heads, food, medicine or disaster. The international community It is time the NDMA does its job instead hit the nation relatively late this year, the National Disaster Management any other form of help. is not rushing to our aid as, in these of remaining an empty vessel with even one is left wondering if there is anyone Authority (NDMA) had plenty of time to To add to the many woes of the flood recessionary dark days, the whole world emptier promises. Saarc international I Thursday 04 October 2012 SAARC 21 WEEKLY REVIEW OF AFGHANISTAN NEWS US abandoning hopes for Taliban peace deal With surge of US troops over deadline for its own involvement The United States has not given up said. “We never know whether they the presidential election, most likely & Taliban still a potent threat, in combat operations, voluntarily on talks before that time. It agreed will see it through.” leaving too little time to reach a American generals and civilian ceding the prize the Taliban has last month to set up a committee The American shift toward a more deal before 2014, some current and offi cials acknowledge that they have been seeking for over a decade. The with Pakistan that would vet peripheral role in peace efforts former American offi cials said. all but written off what was once one of cornerstones of their strategy to In Washington, “the tone of the end war here: battering Taliban into whole discussion has shifted to a a peace deal. less U.S.-led approach and toward a The once ambitious American plans more Afghan-led approach, but one for ending the war are now being that will be over a longer term,” said replaced by the far more modest goal Shamila N. Chaudhary, a South Asia of setting the stage for the Afghans to analyst at the Eurasia Group who work out a deal among themselves in served as the director for Pakistan the years after most Western forces and Afghanistan at the National depart, and to ensure Pakistan is on Security Council. board with any eventual settlement. The Americans still hope to play a Military and diplomatic offi cials here behind-the-scenes role, she said, but and in Washington said that despite Obama administration defends the potential new Taliban interlocutors, represents another retreat from what shape that would take is “not attempts to engage directly with deadline as crucial to persuading and the Obama administration is Washington’s once broad designs for clear.” Taliban leaders this year, they now the Afghan government and military considering whether to revive a Afghanistan, where the surge, along “It’s too far in the future,” Ms. expect that any signifi cant progress to assume full responsibility for the proposed prisoner swap with the with a sharp escalation of nighttime Chaudhary added. will come only after 2014, once the country, and politically necessary for insurgents that would, offi cials hope, raids by Special Operations Forces Divisions between the Taliban’s bulk of NATO troops have left. Americans weary of what has already reopen preliminary discussions against Taliban fi eld commanders, political wing and its military “I don’t see it happening in the next become the country’s longest war. that collapsed in March, current were partly aimed at forcing the commanders represent another couple years,” said a senior coalition Among America’s commanding and former American offi cials said. Taliban into negotiations, making a obstacle to serious talks. When the offi cer. He and a number of other generals here, from Stanley A. Those are both seen as long-term Western withdrawal more feasible. discussions fi rst became public, “the offi cials spoke on the condition of McChrystal and David H. Petraeus efforts, however. For a brief moment, the strategy military wing of the Taliban was anonymity because of the delicacy of to today’s John R. Allen, it has been With the end of this year’s fi ghting appeared to be working: preliminary very critical,” said Syed Muhammad the effort to open talks. an oft-repeated mantra that the season, the Taliban have weathered talks, painstakingly set up throughout Akbar Agha, a former Taliban “It’s a very resilient enemy, and I’m United States is not going to kill its the biggest push the American-led 2011, opened early this year in Qatar, military commander who lives in not going to tell you it’s not,” the way out of Afghanistan. They said coalition is going to make against in the Persian Gulf. Kabul. offi cer said. “It will be a constant that the Afghanistan war, like most them. A third of all American forces The effort fell apart when the Obama They were angry to have learned of battle, and it will be for years.” insurgencies, could only end with a left by this month, and more of administration, faced with bipartisan the talks through President Hamid The failure to broker meaningful negotiation. the 68,000 remaining may leave opposition in Washington, could not Karzai of Afghanistan, who was the talks with the Taliban underscores Now American offi cials say they next year, with the goal that only a make good on a proposed prisoner fi rst offi cial to speak of them publicly. the fragility of the gains claimed have reduced their goals further — to residual force of trainers and special swap, in which fi ve Taliban leaders The Taliban have long derided Mr. during the surge of American troops patiently laying the groundwork for operations troops will remain by the held at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, Karzai as an American puppet, and ordered by President Obama in eventual peace talks after they leave. end of 2014. would have been exchanged for the they have steadfastly refused to talk 2009. The 30,000 extra troops won American offi cials say they hope Bringing Pakistan into the search for sole American soldier held by the with his government. back territory held by the Taliban, that the Taliban will fi nd the Afghan Taliban contacts is also an uncertain insurgents, Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl. Then the Americans failed to make but by nearly all estimates failed to Army a more formidable adversary strategy, American offi cials said. The The trade was to be an initial good on the prisoner swap, leaving deal a crippling blow. than they expect and be compelled, details of the new vetting committee confi dence-building measure the negotiators feeling betrayed, Critics of the Obama administration in the years after NATO withdraws, have yet to be worked out, and “if we that would lead to more serious said Mr. Agha, who has played a say the United States also weakened to come to terms with what they now are depending on Pakistan, it comes talks. If it is revived by the Obama tangential role in separate Afghan its own hand by agreeing to the 2014 dismiss as a “puppet” government. with an asterisk,” one of the offi cials administration, it would come after government efforts to open talks. Suicide blast kill 3 NATO troops in eastern Afghanistan Heavy clashes among Afghan, NATO troops in Wardak At least three NATO service members were with a spate of attacks by Afghan army and police killed following a suicide bomb blast in eastern against American and NATO troops, and questions Afghanistan on Monday. about whether allied countries will achieve their NATO-led International Security Assistance aim of helping the Afghan government and its Force following a statement announced, “Three forces stand on their own after most foreign troops International Security Assistance Force service depart in little more than two years. members and an ISAF-contracted interpreter died A US offi cial confi rmed the latest death on Sunday, following a suicide improvised explosive device saying that an international service member attack in eastern Afghanistan today.” killed in an apparent insider attack by Afghan The source did not disclose further information According to local authorities in Maidan Wardak of the clashes. forces in the east of the country late on Saturday regarding the exact location of the incident and province of Afghanistan, Afghan and coalition In the meantime a local offi cial speaking on the was American. The offi cial spoke on condition of nationalities of the deceased soldiers. security forces clashes with each other at Syedabad condition of anonymity said at least 3 Afghan anonymity because the nationality of those killed Over 70 killed or injured following suicide blast district on Saturday evening. national army soldiers were killed. had not been formally released. in Khost Provincial governor spokesman Shahidullah Coalition offi cials yet to comment regarding A civilian contractor with NATO and at least two More than 70 people were killed or injured Shahid confi rming the report said the incident the report. Afghan soldiers also died in the attack, according following a deadly suicide bomb blast in eastern took place took place later Saturday evening at US military deaths in the Afghan war have reached to a coalition statement and Afghan provincial Khost province of Afghanistan early Monday Sesi arae in Syedabad district. 2,000, a cold reminder of the human cost of an 11- offi cials. The nationality of the civilian was not morning. Mr. Shahid did not disclose further information year-old confl ict that garners little public interest disclosed. The incident took place around 9:00 am local time regarding the casualties as a result of the clashes at home as the United States prepares to withdraw At least 1,190 more coalition troops have also died after a suicide bomber detonated explosives in a however Gen. Dawlat Waziri deputy Afghan most of its combat forces by the end of 2014. in the Afghanistan war, according to iCasualties. busy area at eastern Khost city defense ministry spokesman said they are unaware The toll has climbed steadily in recent months org, an independent organization. 22 SAARC Saarc international I Thursday 04 October 2012 WEEKLY REVIEW OF BANGLADESH NEWS Next polls to be inclusive: PM The next general election in 2007. other parliamentary democracies of Present among others were foreign enormously outweighed a few Bangladesh would be inclusive with ‘Our experience with the caretaker the world, said Hasina. minister Dipu Moni, ambassador at- failures. participation of all the political government system is not pleasant. The common people don’t want large M Ziauddin and Bangladesh’s Hsina said her government parties including opposition BNP, ….Have you forgotten the activities the caretaker system as they still permanent representative to UN achieved progress in basic areas of prime minister Sheikh Hasina said of the caretaker government? Do you remember its intimidation and Abul Momen. food production, macro economic in New York on Sunday. ‘We have proved that free, fair stability, law and order maintenance Before leaving for home wrapping up and neutral elections are possible and combating terrorism and a nine-day visit to New York to attend in Bangladesh under an elected militancy. UN General Assembly session, she political government,’ said the prime Reiterating her government’s dismissed the possibility of holding minister. stance against corruption, Hasina another ‘February 15’ style election So far, she said, each of 5,185 claimed that corruption declined in Bangladesh. elections held at different tiers under remarkably since her government ‘People are the owners of their votes her government was conducted took office which made it possible to and the next government will be peacefully and fairly with huge achieve progress in various sectors of constituted according to their wishes, participation of candidates and national economy. ‘she told the representatives of Bangla voters. About journalist couple Sagar-Runi newspapers in the USA at a ‘Meet the Sheikh Hasina said, ‘We believe in murder case, the prime minister said Press’ hosted by Bangladesh mission people’s empowerment. That’s why the delay in investigation was caused in the UN at its office. we have amended the constitution due to changing the investigating The prime minister said Begum prohibiting any undemocratic or agency. Zia’s demand for the restoration of want to return to that situation?’ she torture, she said. military interference with democratic She said that Rapid Action Battalion the caretaker system for holding asked. She described the caretaker issue process.’ was now probing into the murders elections was totally contradictory The next election in Bangladesh as a conspiracy to foil the country’s The prime minister said that following a High Court directive. with the position she had taken in would be just like the elections in hard-earned democracy. the successes of her government Beijing seeks Dhaka’s Bangladesh studies support over island issue shipping service with India

A Bangladesh’s ministry of Dhaka to renew an existing river shipping (MoS) team has visited protocol under the Inland Water three ports in eastern coast of India Transit and Trade (PIWTT) until to see whether implementation March 2014. Amid tension over maritime territorial at the embassy. the region, apparently threatening to of a proposed coastal shipping India agreed to accept the proposal disputes and sovereignty issues among Yang said Diaoyu Islands and its reignite instabilities. service between the ports of the in principle and invited Bangladesh East Asian countries, Beijing has sought affiliated islands are legally and The Chinese embassy official said two countries is feasible. to conduct a feasibility study. Dhaka’s support in favour of its claim on historically an inseparable part of the Japan in recent years had repeatedly A similar team of the Indian Accordingly, a team of ministry of Diaoyu Islands located to the northeast Chinese territories in the early years of taken unilateral measures concerning shipping ministry is also scheduled shipping has undertaken a study of China’s Taiwan Islands. Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD). Diaoyu Islands. to visit Chittagong and Mongla in the three Indian ports along the Both Beijing and Tokyo have been But Japan occupied the territories “The moves taken by Japan are totally ports in Bangladesh with an country’s eastern coast. claiming the ownership of the Diaoyu following the China-Japan War in 1895, illegal and invalid, which can in no way identical purpose of weighing the The ports are Paradip in Orissa, Islands and its affiliated islands having he added. change the historical fact that Japan impact of the proposal to hasten Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh a landmass of about 5.69 square Yang alleged that the US was ‘stole’ the Diaoyu Islands from China bilateral trade between the two and Haldia in Paschimbanga kilometres. encouraging Japan to openly take and the fact that China has territorial neighbouring countries. state. Of them, Diaoyu Islands alone covers illegal actions of ‘nationalising’ Diaoyu sovereignty over them,” he said. “If the proposed coastal shipping The team led by Commodore a landmass of about 3.91 sq kms. Islands. China strongly urges Japan to service is implemented, the cost Jubair Ahmed concluded a five-day Japanese call it Senkaku Islands. If there is a war between China and immediately stop all activities that of freight and time of shipment of tour to the three ports Thursday Beijing’s call was made at a press Japan over the islands, USA would violate China’s territorial sovereignty, cargo between the two countries when it visited the Paradip port, briefing in Dhaka yesterday. support Japan, he said. take concrete actions to correct its will come down significantly, giving the third leg of the visit. Yang Zhaohui, political counsellor in However, Shiro Sadoshima, Japanese mistakes, and return to the track a positive impact to bilateral trade,” The team examined all the the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka, said ambassador to Bangladesh, in a press of resolving the dispute through Director General, Department technical aspects including the the Japanese government, disregarding statement yesterday claimed that negotiation, Yang told the press of Shipping, Commodore Jobair number of ships to be operated the repeated and stern representations the Senkaku islands are an inherent briefing. Ahmad told the FE. on the routes, movement of small made by the Chinese side, openly took part of the territory of Japan in light In reply to a question, Yang said In absence of the direct coastal and medium-sized costal ships to an illegal action of nationalising Diaoyu of historical facts and based upon the Chinese ambassador met Prime service the cargo shipment between be operated between Chittagong, Islands on September 10, 2012. international laws. The Senkaku Minister Sheikh Hasina recently and the two countries is carried via Mongla ports in Bangladesh and “This is an outright denial of the Islands are under the valid control of the sent a letter to the Bangladesh foreign a third port like Singapore or the aforesaid ports in India. outcomes of the victory of the World government of Japan, he added. ministry seeking Dhaka’s support to Colombo, he said. The relevant authorities in Anti-Fascist War and poses a grave Diplomatic sources said the recent spate China. Bangladesh mooted the proposal Bangladesh said that they had challenge to the post-war international of disputes in the South China Sea, the Zhang Lei, chief of political section of of introducing coastal shipping mooted the proposal as requested order and the purposes and principles of East China Sea, and the Sea of Japan the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka, and service between the countries in by Bangladeshi vessel owners and the UN Charter,” he told the newsmen is sending reverberations throughout another official We Wei were present. July this year during talks held in operators. Saarc international I Thursday 04 October 2012 SAARC 23 WEEKLY REVIEW OF BHUTAN NEWS At UN, Bhutan’s premier highlights world’s challenges and aims for Security Council seat In his address to the United Nations he added. “All that we have achieved governmental organizations, the General Assembly, the Prime Minister individually, as nations, as regions and private sector and civil society, all of Bhutan, Jigmi Y. Thinley, highlighted as a species, face the threat of loss and seeking to help shape new policies a range of challenges and areas of reversal. As we argue and falter, the to promote global prosperity, reduce progress before the international world we have built is falling apart.” poverty and advance social equity and community. The Bhutanese leader cited climate environmental protection. He also affi rmed his country’s intent change and its impact on ecosystems, At the end of the gathering, participants to seek a seat on the United Nations the depletion of natural resources due agreed on an outcome document which Security Council. to the growth in extractive industries, called for a wide range of actions, such “As with most sessions of the General growing costs in food and energy, a rise as beginning the process to establish Assembly, we are sharing, yet again in the number of confl icts as well as sustainable development goals our common fears and frustrations in looming confl icts, economic insecurity, (SDGs). a world that is going wrong. We have and a lack of respect for human rights pursuit – that it should bring about the happiness and well-being of people Referring to the outcome document, no stories except fl eeting moments, as among the ills affecting the world. a holistic, sustainable and inclusive in a country.” Prime Minister Thinley noted that it to fi ll our sinking hearts with hope in However, he noted, despite the slew of approach to development.” That Assembly resolution led to “fell far short of what we ought to have our near or distant future. Ours is a challenges on the international agenda, The small Himalayan kingdom has Bhutan hosting a high-level meeting achieved” with many people seeing it narrative of mounting challenges and the realization that the world’s problems introduced a new measurement on the new economic paradigm at UN as a missed opportunity. doubts,” the Prime Minister told the – be they economic, social, ecological of national prosperity, focussing Headquarters in April, with hundreds “Not so my country and people who, 67th Assembly’s General Debate at UN or political – are interconnected has on people’s well-being rather than of participants from governments, with minimum expectations, came away Headquarters in New York. helped. economic productivity – in recent academia, civil society and religious with reason for hope. The agreement “Deep in our hearts, we know that “Although the United Nations has years, there has been growing interest bodies. The outcome of the conference to develop universal sustainable our very survival on this fragile planet been a house of gloom in recent years, in this concept, known as ‘gross also informed negotiations related to development goals that would is under threat. Yet, we share no it does have its shining moments, national happiness.’ In 2011, the the UN Conference on Sustainable integrate the economic, environmental common vision and fail to think and projecting rays of hope,” he said, General Assembly adopted a resolution, Development (Rio+20), held in Brazil and social dimensions of development act in concert and with faith. And so, noting the Assembly’s past acceptance sometimes referred to as the ‘happiness in June. was a substantive outcome, consistent we fi nd ourselves being overwhelmed of well-being and happiness as a resolution,’ which noted, inter alia, that Rio+20 was attended by some 100 with the (General Assembly) resolution by the forces that our irresponsible and developmental goal “binding all of the traditional gross domestic product world leaders, along with more than and the efforts that my own country is discordant actions have unleashed,” humanity with a common vision and indicator “does not adequately refl ect 40,000 representatives from non- taking,” Prime Minister Thinley said. Hepatitis B threat stalks Bhutan Assam insurgents trying to Rising cases of Hepatitis B infection treatment, the health ministry’s in Bhutan has become a major chief programme offi cer Tandin health concern. said last week. ‘recreate’ base in south Bhutan Last year alone, 744 Hepatitis B There is however less emphasis on Nearly a decade after they were southern Bhutan with provisions to cases were reported, Jigme Dorji testing Hepatitis C, which is more fl ushed out from their well- house about 3,500 insurgents. Wangchuk, a doctor at the National serious. About 95 entrenched camps in southern At present, there are two faction of Referral Hospital here, said. percent of patients lead a normal Bhutan, the Paresh Barua-led the ULFA with Arabinda Rajkhowa The higher rate of detection was life with treatment but the virus faction of the United Liberation leading one of the factions that is due to the increasing number of contaminated by the virus. remains in the body. Front of Asom (Ulfa) is making participating in negotiations with testing centres. But Bhutan also has Tucked in the eastern Himalayas, Bhutan, with a population of just attempts to re-build its base in the the government. Hepatitis A and C, The Bhutanese Bhutan is bordered to the west, over 650,000, launched Hepatitis B densely-forested region, says an Barua leads the faction that remains daily quoted Wangchuk as saying. south and east by India and in the vaccine in 1997 after high prevalence Hepatitis B infection could lead to north by China. of the disease came to light. liver cirrhosis and cancer. The virus There is currently no government Diseases like malaria, dengue and is spread through blood transfusion, awareness campaign, but patients cholera are also widespread in the unsafe sex or sharing of needles are provided free medical country. PM discusses potential areas of cooperation assessment made by the intelligence steadfastly opposed to any talks with with foreign leaders in New York agencies. the government unless sovereignty The Prime Minister, Jigmi Y.Thinley The operation code-named ‘All Clear’ for Assam is also on the agenda. began his offi cial engagements in in 2003 had boosted India’s efforts After Bhutan, the outfi t’s next New York by meeting several heads to rein in insurgency in Assam. stronghold was in Bangladesh under of States and Governments and Royal Bhutanese Army (RBA) had the patronage of the Khaleda Zia Foreign Ministers. conducted the operation with the government that ended in 2006. Lyonchheon met with the President ‘active’ help from the Indian Army. The pro-India Sheikh Hasina of the Former Yugoslav Republic The RBA is relatively weak in this government arrested most top of Macedonia, Gjorge Ivanov, the part of the Himalayan kingdom ULFA leaders and handed them Prime Minister of Somalia, Abdiweli resulting in the Ulfa trying to re- over to Indian authorities in 2008 Mohamed Ali and President of the enter an area it is familiar with, with Rajhowa being one of them. Republic of Albania, Bujar Nishani. areas of cooperation with them. The high-level segment of the besides the obvious advantages Barua controls hundreds of heavily He also met the Foreign Minister of Cooperation at the UN was among General Debate opened today under of geographical contiguity of the armed fi ghters and shuttles between Algeria, Mourad Medelci, Minister the topics that were discussed. the Presidency of Vuk Jeremic of jungles and proximity to Assam. his camps in the China Myanmar of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the The Prime Minister is currently in Serbia. Till 2003, Ulfa, along with a few border and in Myanmar’s Sagaing Republic of Korea, Kim Sung-Hwan. New York, leading the Bhutanese Lyonchhoen is scheduled to address other insurgent groups from the Division. Intelligence reports speak Lyonchhoen discussed strengthening delegation, for the 67th Session of the UN General Assembly on northeast, had as many as 30 camps of his close connection with the bilateral relations and potential United Nations General Assembly. September 28. in the Samdrup Jhonkar area of Chinese spy agencies. 24 SAARC Saarc international I Thursday 04 October 2012 WEEKLY REVIEW OF INDIA NEWS PM, Sonia to bat for FDI at Oct 28 rally With ally-turned-rival Mamata endorsed the government’s bid to may discomfi t the ruling party since after the exit of its largest partner hands with opposition to embarrass Banerjee raising her anti-FDI roll out a slew of reforms to offset even DMK in Chennai suggested it recently. Even Samajwadi Party the government. They expressed pitch, PM Singh and Sonia Gandhi its image of policy paralysis. could vote against a resolution on chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, who confi dence that SP and DMK would will address a rally at the Ramlila Tewari’s comment came in FDI. rescued the government, refused not be swayed by the TMC. Ground on October 28 as part of to rule out backing a resolution In fact, Tewari said Mamata’s anti- campaign to explain the benefi ts against FDI. fuel hike stance was doublespeak. of FDI in retail and other reform “Government is not in minority. If “She is opposing FDI and diesel hike measures of UPA govt. some of our partners have concerns, in New Delhi but in West Bengal, The strident Congress pitch was we will continue to provide them her government has increased the evident when AICC spokesman the empirical evidence to allay power tariff,” he said. Manish Tewari made light of their apprehensions. Same cycle The biting comments at Banerjee, Banerjee’s threat to bring a no- was witnessed during the Indo- especially the suggestion that she confi dence motion against the US nuclear deal,” the Congress make transition from an opposition government. spokesperson said. activist to CM, tallied with the mood “There comes a time in the life of In fact, he attributed the anger in Congress that Bengal ally should every political party and politician against FDI to inability of political be challenged. when you have to evolve from an leaders to adjust to the changing The Congress state unit held a rally agitator to an administrator...from retaliation to Trinamool Congress’s The collective protest against FDI times. “At times when you break in Kolkata to protest Trinamool’s a street fi ghter to a statesman,” dharna here where it attacked the continued to show the ruling party from the past, it is wrenching for governance and even accused her of Tewari said. Centre for allowing multinational as isolated on the critical reform some people,” Tewari said. being in collusion with BJP. The bid The new-found Congress aggression companies in retail which, it said, measure though government has Congress leaders said winter to paint her saffron was evident in has been roundly backed by the would risk livelihood of small ruled out a rollback. session of Parliament was still the way Congress paraded minority Congress Working Committee retailers. Congress dismissed any threat three months away and there was leaders to make the point in state (CWC), which unanimously Trinamool’s no-confi dence threat to the government from allies little evidence that allies would join capital. Political untouchability should not be practised: Advani Politics full of dirt, Senior BJP leader L K Advani has said help the country especially to take care that political untouchability should not of the unemployment as that was the says Anna be practised. main reason for terrorism. “At least one “Social untouchability is unacceptable such bill which can help to the people Maintaining strong opposition to I was told that an alternative has to and is a crime but in politics those who ofthe country should be passed after entering politics as it is “full of dirt”, be given, I said it is a good idea but practise political untouchability are not building consensus,” she said. Anna Hazare on Sunday claimed I asked them to answer my fi ve-six considered culprits. This latter form of BJP MP Navjot Sidhu while taking dig that he did not get answers from questions (on how to provide an untouchability should also not be part at the recent scams said that economic the Arvind Kejriwal-led group on alternative). But I did not get those of our political system and should go statement that India was not taking terrorism was the biggest terrorism questions raised by him on how to answers,” he told reporters. from our practice,” Advani said while any decisions due to pressure from US, as it was keeping people poor and Mr. Hazare was referring to the addressing a function of Shaheed following Advani’s allegation that UPA unemployed. questions he raised on how will Parivar Fund organized by Hind government was pushing FDI in retail CLP leader Sunil Jakhar said that in members of a new party be selected, Samachar Group in which leaders from under pressure from US, the top BJP Punjab defi nition of martyrs was being where the money will come from and all the political parties were present. leader said “no comments”. changed and the terrorists were being how will candidates for elections be While Advani did not make any other Advani made the remarks against bracketed as martyrs. Without naming selected among others. political comment in his speech he political untouchability after information SAD and BJP he said that silence of The activist’s fresh salvo against Mr. refused to entertain questions from and broadcasting minister Ambika Soni the national party on the issue was Kejriwal came two days after he wrote mediapersons even as he said that said from the same stage that political problematic. He expressed hope that in a blog that the anti-corruption he started his career as a journalist. parties should come together at least on Advani would take care of the issue and group split due to “politics” within Asked about PM Manmohan Singh’s a few issues to enact bills which could would not let it happen. and not because of any attempts by government. “If I had to enter elections I would have done it when I would have done it much earlier. I have not even fought Panchayat elections. When I talk organise a political alternative. about alternative, I am not talking Mr. Hazare, who arrived in New Delhi about political alternative,” he said. on Sunday morning and met activists He said he will be talking to activists, to chalk out the next course of action retired bureaucrats and others in on an apolitical anti-corruption the next couple of days about the movement, said the path of “politics next course of action. “Politics is not is not sacred and it is full of dirt” but the right direction. If politics would the route of agitation is “sacred”. given us a bright future, then why Contending that a big movement and India once called a golden bird had to not politics will give the country its mortgage gold. This country will not future, the activist said he had told get the right future from politics,” he the pro-party group that the route of said. politics was “not the right direction”. Mr. Hazare will return to Ralegan “I did not give an alternative. When Siddhi on Monday. To advertise call 020 8904 0619 Saarc international I Thursday 04 October 2012 SAARC 25 WEEKLY REVIEW OF PAKISTAN NEWS Pakistan favours uninterrupted US drone strike kills three

Pakistan wants a talks ‘result-oriented, with resolutions. India militants in North Waziristan uninterrupted dialogue’ with India “Pakistan believes that result- A US drone strike targeting Another security offi cial confi rmed arm” of Pakistani intelligence. that will help fi nd a permanent oriented, uninterrupted dialogue a vehicle killed at least three the attack and casualties and said Pakistan has in turn demanded solution to the Kashmir dispute, process with India will greatly help suspected militants Monday in the identities of the suspected that Afghan and US forces do more President Asif Ali Zardari has create a conducive environment North Waziristan near the Afghan militants killed in the strike were to stop Pakistani Taliban crossing told Kashmiri leader Mirwaiz to fi nd permanent solution of the the border from Afghanistan to Mohammad Umar Farooq. Kashmir dispute in accordance launch attacks on its forces. Mr Zardari reiterated Pakistan’s with the aspirations of the people of There has been a dramatic increase stance of continuing to support the Kashmir,” he said. in US drone strikes in Pakistan Kashmiri cause at a meeting with the The president reiterated his call since May, when a NATO summit Mirwaiz, who heads the moderate to the global community to focus in Chicago failed to strike a deal faction of the All Parties Hurriyat attention on the plight of the to end a six-month blockade on Conference, on the sidelines of the Kashmiri people, who have been convoys transporting supplies to coalition forces in Afghanistan. Islamabad and Washington have been seeking to patch up their fractious relationship in recent months, with the supply route has reopening, after a series of crises in 2011 saw ties between the “war on terror” allies plunge. But attacks by unmanned US border, security offi cials said. not immediately clear. aircraft remain contentious — UN General Assembly session in waging a legitimate struggle for The strike took place in the Khaider The al Qaeda-linked Haqqani they are deeply unpopular in New York, the Associated Press of their right of self-determination for Khel area of Mir Ali district, 30 network in North Waziristan, Pakistan, which says they violate Pakistan reported on Sunday. over six decades, despite suffering kilometres (18 miles) east of blamed for some of the deadliest its sovereignty and fan anti-US He said Pakistan would continue huge losses and human rights Miranshah, the capital of North attacks in Afghanistan, is one sentiment, but American offi cials extending political, moral and violations. Waziristan, known as a stronghold of the thorniest issues between are said to believe they are too diplomatic support to the Kashmiri Mirwaiz Umar Farooq thanked Mr of Taliban and al Qaeda militants. Islamabad and Washington. important to give up. people, who had rendered countless Zardari for the support extended to “US drones fi red four missiles on Washington has long demanded Washington considers Pakistan’s sacrifi ces for upholding their dignity the people of Kashmir. a militant vehicle, killing three that Pakistan take action against semi-autonomous northwestern and freedom, and the fulfi llment of Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani suspected rebels,” a security offi cial the Haqqanis, whom the United tribal belt as the main hub of the promise for effective exercise Khar, Ambassador Sherry Rehman told AFP, adding that several States accused of attacking the US Taliban and al Qaeda militants of their right to self-determination, and Ambassador Masood Khan drones were fl ying in the area at embassy in Kabul in September last plotting attacks on the West and in as envisaged in the relevant UN were present at the meeting. the time of the attack. year and acting like the “veritable Afghanistan. Pakistan proposes India trade Rimsha case: in all items via Wagah border Witnesses who Secretaries in Islamabad, both sides testifi ed against had decided that the customs liaison committee would meet every month Khalid Jadoon instead of once every two months. They said it was also agreed that backtrack customs authorities of both countries In the statement, the witnesses would clear goods seven days a week. maintained that the police had tortured It was further agreed that the list of them and made them give statement trade items would be the same for against Jadoon. land and sea routes. Three witnesses who had testifi ed Police offi cials investigating the Pakistan has proposed that trade of be allowed for all items except 1,209 India will reduce the list by 30 per against prayer leader Khalid Jadoon blasphemy case against Rimsha had all items with India — except those goods that are in the negative list, cent but only after Pakistan notifi es for leveling blasphemy allegations earlier submitted an interim charge- included in the negative list — should offi cial sources were quoted as saying the removal of all restrictions on against Christian girl Rimsha Masih sheet declaring cleric Khalid Jadoon be allowed through the Wagah land by daily The News. trade by the Wagah land route, the backtracked from their statements, Chishti guilty before the trial court. border, Commerce Secretary Munir The Pakistan government in March report said. Qureshi has said. had switched over to a negative list During recent bilateral talks, Qureshi said his Ministry has regime for trade with India, under Pakistan and India made progress forwarded a proposal in this regard which the import of only 1,209 Indian on key issues like trade through land to the Economic Coordination products are barred. routes, connecting the capitals of Committee of the Cabinet (ECC), According to Qureshi, the negative both countries by air, removing non- the main decision—making body on list is expected to be phased out by tariff barriers and cooperation in the economic matters. December. telecommunications sector. At present, only 137 items can be He said trade between the two The two sides agreed that the next saying that the police “forced” them to traded through the Wagah land countries would increase manifold The cleric was accused of adding pages round of talks will be held in New do it, report. border, though the total number of after the removal of barriers but it from the Quran to ashes seized from Delhi by April next year. The witnesses, including the mosque’s items for bilateral trade runs into would take some time to understand 14-year-old Rimsha to implicate her India has maintained a sensitive list muezzin Hafi z Zubair and Hafi z Awais thousands. the dynamics of markets on each and was sent to jail on a 14-day judicial of 614 items under the South Asia and Khurram Shahzad, who endorsed After the proposal is approved by ECC side. remand by the judicial magistrate Free Trade Agreement and it will Zubair’s statement, submitted a and a formal notifi cation is issued, Offi cial sources said that during hearing the case on September 2, bring down the fi gure to 100 items by sworn statement before a District and trade through the Wagah border will recent talks between the Commerce 2012. April. Sessions court in Islamabad. 26 SAARC Saarc international I Thursday 04 October 2012 WEEKLY REVIEW OF MALDIVE NEWS Can’t build democracy without knowledge: VP Vice President Mohamed Waheed in the development of a nation. every change in the world. He said Deen has said that every change in Waheed Deen said that a change in that the reaction to such changes a democratic environment can be Presidency or in constitution cannot needs to be taught. attained through education in the make a country democratic and that “This can only be attained by the fi eld and that a sound democracy it can only be changed through the teachers. Such preparations can can be built by knowledge of the way people think. be made by delivering high-quality constitution and political science. “One’s thought, refusal to dialogue, education… Good quality teachers Speaking at the inaugurating especially not refl ecting to the can produce fi ne students for the ceremony of the fi rst ever thoughts of the community, these community,” he said. International Teachers Conference in are being taught in previous Teachers from this region and the Maldives at The Maldives National years… Hence, a nation can achieve Europe are among the participants University, Waheed Deen said that democracy by the teachers imparting of the three day conference that education in the fi eld is important to the relevant information,” Waheed was inaugurated today. Each create a democratic environment and Deen who had taught in many of the participating country would submit a that this can only be achieved by the schools in Male added. democracy starts from the bottom this is understood. paper proposing ways to strengthen teachers. He said that well mannered VP further detailed that political and not the top. He added that a He said that even if the Maldives is the capacity of educators and and skillful teachers are the fi rst step leaders would now be aware that nation cannot be reformed unless a small nation, it will be subject to teaching methods. “Nasheed will obey China should be taken as an example decision to shun Courts” Former President M. Nasheed’s legal Riyaz had fi led the case against in developing democracy- VP team today insisted that Nasheed Nasheed under the Compensation for Vice President Mohamed will respect the decision made Defamation Regulation, claiming that Waheeddeen has said that China by opposition MDP to shun any Nasheed had called him a “traitor” should be taken as an example in verdicts made by the court pending while speaking at the Usfasgandu developing democracy. the reforms recommended by int’l after the release of the fi nal report by The Vice President made this partners are made to the country’s the Commission of National Inquiry statement speaking at the at the judicial system. (CNI) which had ruled that the reception held at Traders Hotel One of Nasheed’s lawyers and former change in government on February 7 to Celebrate the 63rd Anniversary Youth Minister Hassan Latheef, had been constitutional. of the Founding of the People’s however revealed that the decision Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim Republic of China. to be present in court would be made had also fi led a case against the Vice President Waheeddeen said after the former President is served. former President for the same that China is going in the right He had also failed to confi rm whether charges, the trial of which has been direction and leading the world. Nasheed would have attended the scheduled for Tuesday and Nasheed “Even if you look at the political changes in china they have proved that they are taking patient, calculative, constructive and very objective directions and I believe that is how the democracy must China for their generosity towards China,” he said. be developed, not very hastily,” he the Maldives and I would also like The Vice President said that he said. to take this opportunity to thank the is pleased to note that China is The Vice President noted that the government and the people of china currently the number one tourist Maldives and China share a long recent development assistance market for the Maldives and he history of close relations and this extended through economic and expressed hope that the number of October we will mark the 40th technical cooperation between the Chinese tourists travelling to the fi rst hearing of the trial scheduled has been asked to present himself at anniversary of the establishment two countries and concessional Maldives will continue to increase. for today to face defamation the Civil Court for the trial. of diplomatic relations between the fi nancing,” he said. In addition, he noted that the trade charges fi led by the present Police Nasheed’s trial over the two countries. He said that China Vice President Waheeddeen said between the Maldives and China Commissioner Abdulla Riyaz which unconstitutional arrest of the Chief continues to be a close partner of that the opening of the Embassy has increased signifi cantly in the had been postponed on request by Judge of the Criminal Court Abdulla the Maldives in diverse spheres. of China in the Maldives last year past few years and China remains the plaintiff. Mohamed is also set to begin this “The contributions from China to demonstrates the importance the one of the largest trading partners “All we know is that we will Monday. the social, cultural and economic Chinese Government attaches to of the Maldives. accompany President Nasheed if Despite claims that Nasheed development of our country are its relations between the Maldives Furthermore, Vice President he decides to attend court,” Latheef would respect the decision to shun immense. I would especially like although Maldives is one of the Waheeddeen expressed confi dence said in response to a question by a any verdicts made by the courts, to note the contributions China smallest nations. that the traditional bonds of reporter whether Nasheed would Nasheed’s lawyers had failed to has made to housing development “As a gesture to further strengthen friendship and cooperation that have attended the hearing if it had confi rm if the former President in the Maldives, along with other the relationship between our we have enjoyed over the past not been postponed. would attend the hearings of the infrastructure projects and I am two countries, the Government four decades will continue to grow Speaking during the press conference cases against him. glad that the housing, and the has decided to provide land for and expand in the years to come. held at the Male City Hall, another “MDP had decided not to accept any people who build the houses and the establishment of the Chinese He said that he is positive that member of the legal team Hisaan orders made through the judicial fl ats are here today, thank you Embassy in the Maldives. The these existing ties of friendship Hussain detailed that word of the system. So as Nasheed is MDP’s very much for coming today. The constructive engagement and and cooperation between the two cancellation of today’s hearing had presidential candidate, he would Foreign Ministry building stands support that His Excellency and the countries will continue to expand been received through the media also wish to comply with such as a testament to the close relations Embassy Staff offer to us, greatly and develop in the years ahead while the Civil Court had failed to decisions made by an arm such as between our two countries. I would contributes to consolidating the and he said that he looks forward forward the case papers or inform of the National Steering Committee of like to take this opportunity to thank close and friendly relations that to working with the Government of the postponement of the trial. MDP,” Latheef added. the Government and the people of exist between the Maldives and China in this regard. Saarc international I Thursday 04 October 2012 SAARC 27 WEEKLY REVIEW OF NEPAL NEWS Pilot error may have caused Nepal crash A Dangerous Gateway to Mount Everest Pilot error is likely to have caused a plane crash that killed all 19 on board, including seven British trekkers bound for Mount Everest, Nepal’s aviation ministry says. An aircraft full of trekkers headed to Mount Everest crashed in Nepal’s capital, Katmandu, on Friday morn- ing, killing all the 19 people on board. This accident is just the latest in a string of recent fatal airline accidents in Nepal, and has once-again raised questions about the safety of air travel to one of the most iconic tourist desti- nations in Asia. Recent aircraft accidents in Ne- pal include: • Date: May 14, 2012 “An Agni Air plane carrying Indian and Danish tourists crashed into a hill near a mountain airport in Nepal on Mon- day, killing 15 people, including the two pilots, ” a New York Times report said. of the Buddha Air fl ight, as did 10 In- Americans, died Tuesday in Nepal airport near Mount Everest, killing day into a helicopter crash that killed People gathered around the wreckage dian citizens, 2 Nepalis and a Japanese when their plane crashed in inclem- 18 people, including 16 tourists from 24 people, including a cabinet min- of a plane that crashed while trying to citizen, according to the Civil Aviation ent weather, after a failed attempt to Germany, Australia and Nepal, of- ister and several top international land near Jomsom airport in Nepal in Authority of Nepal at the Tribhuvan reach a popular destination for tour- fi cials said,” The Associated Press re- conservationists,” a New York Times this May 14, 2012 fi le photo. International Airport, which is not far ing hikers near Mount Everest, ac- ported. “Only the pilot survived.” report said. o Sept. 25, 2011 from the crash site.” cording to Nepali offi cials,” The New o March 3, 2008 o Aug. 22, 2002 “Nineteen people, including three o 15, Dec. 2010 York Times reported. “A United Nations helicopter has “A small plane carrying foreign tour- Americans, died in a plane crash in A Twin Otter fl ying with 19 pilgrims A police offi cer at the crash site ofa crashed in stormy weather in Nepal, ists slammed into a mountain about Nepal on Sunday as they headed back “crashed in a forest in eastern Nepal, Yeti Airlines plane in Lukla, Nepal in killing all 10 people on board, ” The 90 miles northwest of the capital, to the capital, Katmandu, after a sight- killing all on board, including the three this Oct,. 8, 2008 fi le photo. Associated Press reported. Kathmandu, killing all 18 people on seeing tour of the mountains, includ- crew members as well,” The Times of o Oct. 8, 2008 o Sept. 23, 2006 board including 15 foreign tourists,” ing Mount Everest, offi cials said, ” The India reported. “A small airplane crashed and caught “Nepal ordered an investigation Tues- The New York Times reported. New York Times reported. o Aug. 24, 2010 fi re Wednesday as it tried to land “The 3-member crew died in the crash “Fourteen people, including four in foggy weather at a tiny mountain PM resolute, not to allow acts Nepal, India agree to hold Joint which damage ties with India Prime Minister Baburam has served Commission meeting soon orders to his men to take to task the Nepal and India have agreed to Commission meeting at an early Nations Jeffrey Feltman. cadres of Nepal Communist Party- hold crucial Joint Commission (JC) date. They instructed the respective “During the meeting with Under Maoists trying to disrupt Indian meeting, the highest level bilateral foreign secretaries to carry out Secretary Feltman, talks were held vehicles from plying in the streets of mechanism between the two necessary groundwork to that end,” on the current political situation Nepal. countries, at the earliest. said a press statement issued by of Nepal, the technical aspects of A press note issued by Prime Minister’s During a meeting held on the Nepal´s Permanent Mission in New completion of the peace process secretariat reads, ‘any activities sideline of the 67th session of United York. comprising integration of the intended at maligning state of bilateral ties with India. Nations General Assembly (UNGA) On the occasion, Indian Foreign ex-Maoist combatants into the relations with any of the neighbors The Unifi ed Maoists and the Madhesi on Saturday, Deputy Prime Minister Minister Krishna had inquired about national army, and the issues cannot be tolerated’. He adds, breaking alliance had held a meeting, September and Foreign Minister Narayankaji the status of peace and constitutional related to establishment of Truth laws under the political cover will be 28, 2012, where apart from Madhesi Shrestha and Indian Foreign drafting process in Nepal. Shrestha and Reconciliation Commission. harshly dealt with. leaders, Prime Minister Baburam and Minister SM Krishna concluded briefed him on the overall situation of The under secretary-general showed He has ordered security personnel to Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal were that the meeting was important to Nepal, according to the statement. interest to visit Nepal at an early quickly take the law and order situation also present. take forward the bilateral relations Minister Krishna also wished success convenient date,” the statement under control. Reports quote Chairman Dahal as between the two countries. of entire process and hoped that it added. Jayant must be happy man now! saying in the meeting, “Mitra Rastra The JC meeting is expected to review would be in the best interests of the Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Baburam was by all means a good Bharat Sangako Sambandha Bigarne various facets of bilateral relations, people of Nepal. “Both the leaders Shrestha also participated in an choice and it is time that Bhattarai Kam thik Bhayena ra hunu bhayena.” including issues of economic discussed matters of mutual interests interaction on “Nepal towards exhibited his JNU talent.He has (Activities that are intended at cooperation, trade and transit and and exchanged views on issues Transformation: The Future already initiated the process. maligning friendly relations with India water resources. Among other, it related to strengthening of bilateral of Federalism and National In the mean time, ruling Unifi ed are not good. It should not take place.) is also likely to fi nalize the terms of relations between the two countries,” Sovereignty,” organized jointly by Maoists and Madhesi alliance have Hilarious! reference of the proposed Eminent the statement further said. the Permanent Mission of Nepal to separately demanded strong actions He also said, “In the name of so-called Person´s Group and pave the way Minister Shrestha also held meeting the United Nations and a number of against the NCP-Maoist for carrying nationalism, those people and forces for the visit of Indian prime minister with Foreign Minister of Cuba Nepalese community organizations out anti-India activities in the country. trying to push the country into diffi cult to Nepal. Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla and Under in New York. Views were expressed Both the parties have said that the situation should be taken to task.” This “Both sides felt the importance Secretary General of the Department on the issues of Non-resident Nepalis fresh NCP-Maoist overture is intended was Prachanda- the so-called ferocious of organizing Nepal-India Joint of Political Affairs of the United and the political situation of Nepal. at maligning Nepal’s cordial bilateral of the NOIDA era speaking. 28 SAARC Saarc international I Thursday 20 September 2012 WEEKLY REVIEW OF SRILANKA NEWS Free education will be taken forward - President The government is committed and Government has testified to this The President said when he highest position in society. “Those who could not protest dedicated to take forward the free by taking measures to uplift the mooted the concept of awarding President Rajapaksa said the against me protested against its education system in the country to education of children of migrant scholarships to migrant workers’ education of migrant workers’ chairman. make its beneficiaries the leaders in workers who bring a massive children in 1996 as the Labour children was in a state of neglect “I still can remember people who various fields in the international amount of foreign exchange to Minister, there were hardly any when he initiated this scheme and came in Pajero jeeps holding sphere, President Mahinda the success of these children is also placards,” President Rajapaksa Rajapaksa said yesterday. a success of the country. said. “But we could guarantee He made this observation at He said when he was appointed the Rights of the migrant Temple Trees to hand over Labour Minister in 1994 only workers” .President Rajapaksa scholarships to 2,500 children of 3,000 migrant workers had said measures have been taken migrant workers in recognition of been registered in the Foreign to further strengthen the laws to the contribution of the latter to the Employment Bureau out of the guarantee the Rights, well - being country’s economic well – being. hundreds of thousands who left and the protection of migrant President Rajapaksa said students for foreign employment. He said workers. and youths should not remain like there was no mechanism to find Foreign Employment Promotion frogs in a well. out where those people were and Welfare Minister Dilan Perera, The government is ready to employed. UPFA Parliamentarian Namal create an environment to impart The President said the situation Rajapaksa, Central Bank Governor knowledge to youths to play leading has changed today. Ajith Nivard Cabraal, a scholarship roles in various professional fields the country by increasing the eligible recipients above 100. He said when he took initiatives recipient and Moratuwa University around the world, the President number of the eligible scholarship He said all are aware that migrant at the time to make changes, most second year student SGA Biyanga said. recipients to 2,500 this year. workers’ children today are in the people in the field protested. Subasinghe also spoke. India to help create a platform TDA to hold World Spice Food for talks between Sri Lankan Festival 2012 in Colombo government and Tamil party The Indian government has said A delegation of TNA representatives meet to discuss the party’s stance that it would help create a platform led by its leader R. Sampanthan is and approach on the issues. During the meeting with Indian Premier, Sri Lankan President has insisted on TNA participating in the parliamentary select committee to formulate a national solution since all parties should be involved to discuss critical issues that require changes in the constitution. President Rajapaksa has earlier said that he will accept any decision of the parliament on the ‘World Spice Food Festival’, an annual the unique culinary expertise of ethnic issue and a solution should culinary event organized by Sri Lanka participating master chefs side by side not be confined to discussions with Tourism Development Authority with with their Sri Lankan counterparts in to restart stalled talks between the to travel to India on the 10th of one party. the participation of local and foreign the reputed hotels and restaurants in Sri Lankan government and the this month following the invitation Indian media meanwhile reported signature chefs in Colombo five star Colombo. major Tamil party extended by New Delhi. that New Delhi will ask the TNA to hotels and designated restaurants Among the hotels and restaurants The Indian officials have expressed Meanwhile, TNA parliamentarian somewhat relax their stance, while will be held in Colombo this week. participating in the event are, Water’s concern over the delay in the The event will be launched with a Edge, Mount Lavinia Hotel, Galadari two sides arriving at a mutually press briefing on October 04 at the Colombo, Taj Samudra, Ramada, agreeable position towards a Mount Lavinia Hotel and the main Hilton Colombo Residence, Galle political solution to the ethnic public event to follow from October Face Hotel, Cinnamon Lakeside, and issue. 05 - 07 at “The Boardwalk” in Cinnamon Grand. India hopes to get both sides to Battaramulla. Organizers say the festival will be an initiate meaningful talks through Signature chefs from 15 countries ideal opportunity for tourists who are a Parliamentary Select Committee such as India, Australia, Malaysia, in transit or holidaying in Sri Lanka process. However, according Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, to enjoy variety of delectable cuisine to highly placed Indian sources Vietnam, Pakistan, Latin American, from Australia, Malaysia, Vietnam, India would not play the role of China, Middle East, Mongolia and Pakistan, China, Japan, Singapore, mediator. Mexico etc., are expected to take part Middle eastern and Latin American Following a request made by in the mega culinary event this year. not forgetting the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa The event will showcase some of specialties. from Indian Premier Manmohan M.A. Sumanthiran said the agenda agreeing that there should be some Singh during his visit to New Delhi for discussions with the Indian input from the discussions the two last month to put pressure on the government is likely to be received sides held so far on the issue. TNA to make the party participate this week and the talks are likely to India had reportedly also pledged its in the reconciliation process, the center around the political solution support to Sri Lanka at the upcoming To advertise call Indian government extended an to the ethnic issue. Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on invitation to the TNA to visit New Once the agenda is received, the human rights to take place in Geneva Delhi for a discussion. TNA’s parliamentary group is to on November 1. 020 8904 0619 Saarc international I Thursday 04 October 2012 SAARC 29 Women Empowered Entrepreneurship Event

The Panellists, Sally Overhead of Mojomums, Kiran Sharma, Managing Director of KIKIT Ltd and Manager to singer Prince, Anjali Pathak, Brand Ambassador Culinary Development Patak’s Foods, Chef & Food Writer and Rupinder Virdee Director of Revolution thought that the traditional definition of Creative Agency shared their journeys entrepreneur had evolved and now with on how they started and grew successful the boom entrepreneurial landscape had businesses. changed. Alpesh Patel Co-author, ‘Our Turn: Women are turning their hobbies into The ultimate start-up guide for female income streams or are taking their formal entrepreneurs’ and founder of Praefinium job training one step further and starting Partners spoke passionately about the up their own businesses. Mona Remtulla, need for more women entrepreneurs . co-founder of WE, introduced the panel Reena Ranger, chairwoman and co- as diverse and was sure that those present founder of WE, said that the organization

who had wanted to find their special provided career and business support to something would, with the words and working mums. wisdom of the panelists, be encouraged The evening ended with those who and empowered to take that next step. attended browsing through the stalls Women empowered had collaborated that were being championed by WE with TiE UK, a forum for entrepreneurs, all of which were started up by women as their mentoring partners and Deepali entrepreneurs. Nangia the mumpreneur of Empower who PFUJ condemns Khuzdar journalist’s killing The murdered journalist, Abdul Haq, poignantly by those working in the conflict had been working for a private TV zones. The toll is still unacceptably high channel for the last seven years and was and reflective of the pervasive violence also the general secretary of Khuzdar journalists confront across the country, Press Club. said Asim Qadeer Rana, former Secretary Haq had just come out of the press club General of the National Islamabad Press

Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), a supreme body working for betterment of journalist in Pakistan, has condemned killing of a journalist in Khuzdar the other day and demanded an inquiry of the incident. In a statement, PFUJ, strongly when some unknown gunmen opened Club Islamabad. Pakistan’s journalists denouncing the killing, demanded an fire on him. He died on the spot. and media have been working under inquiry of the incident. It merits mentioning here that at least five increasing pressure for the past few The statement said that the situation in journalists have been killed in Khuzdar years. Balochistan, especially in Khuzdar, was during the last few years. These murders The threats and dangers related to deplorable and unarmed journalists create a sense of fear that affects all media journalistic work in conflict zones were were being targeted with impunity. professionals in Pakistan and is felt most especially blatant in insurgency hit areas. 30 NEWS Saarc international I Thursday 04 October 2012 Anti-Corruption Views - Padma bridge: No more brinkmanship By Iftekhar Zaman, transparency and accountability the ostrich-like denial syndrome of trust of the people of the country transparency and accountability and Executive Director in its implementation process. rejecting allegations of corruption about the government’s respect safeguards against corruption that Transparency International Bangladesh Vindicated as our stance was then and take these seriously to ensure to its own electoral pledge against Bank is preaching today. on both counts as it is today in the due investigation free from any bias corruption in general, and for that The negotiating team headed In the wake of World Bank’s matter in the implementation of the by the external affairs adviser to cancellation of its contract with the Padma Bridge project. To achieve the prime minister supported by a government of Bangladesh on June that trust, the government must desperate finance minister must be 29, 2012, for $1.2 billion for the ensure strong and faultless measures commended for the breakthrough. Padma Bridge, I commented that to prevent all forms of illicit act and But there is no doubt that the “getting the government faced an acid-test, conflict of interest, particularly high to yes” was far from a position of which like any other challenge in profile cases of collusive corruption strength as far as the government is life, could be converted into a new involving people in positions of concerned. The bargaining position opportunity. This in our view then power. Stern actions must be taken of the government may weaken and now could happen only if the not only with respect to allegations further and affect the degree of government shunned its typical of corruption in Padma Bridge and flexibility and independence in the denial syndrome and generated its new phase, but also in case of decision-making process unless the courage and commitment to In this 2007 file photo, Bangladeshi Muslims sit onboard a boat on the river other big corruption scandals like the government demonstrates ensure a fully independent, credible Padma on their way to ‘Zaker Manzil’ for an annual Islamic congregation . the stock market, Destiny Group, and sustains unqualified political investigation into allegations of Hall Mark and Sonali Bank and the commitment against corruption. corruption and deliver exemplary context of the World Bank’s decision or influence so that exemplary action vast range of other allegations of Agreeably enough, it needs a rather punishment, if found guilty. to revive its loan agreement, our is taken against those found guilty abuse of power. unlikely optimist to believe that such I also commented then that the basic premise remains that neither without any fear or favour. The government cannot ignore delivery is going to come about in World Bank’s decision to cancel the the World Bank, nor the government Failing this, the sense of satisfaction the fact that frustration due to a any significant way at a time when contract was not only debatable but has any right to deprive the people in the corridors of the government deepening culture of impunity is the policy structures appear to be also an example of chopping off the of Bangladesh of the development and beyond can be short-lived. not limited to people outside the increasingly entering the grips of head because of a headache. It was opportunity for alleged corruption of The government’s failure to act government but also to those within. those who are part or protectors of our view that the World Bank, a a handful of people. promptly as soon as allegations of It was clearly demonstrated by the collusive forces involved in the newcomer to the world of openness After almost a year of brinkmanship corruption were brought has not the desperate appeal to the prime alleged instances of grand corruption and accountability, could be more since allegations of corruption in only undermined its own credibility minister placed a week before the rather than those who would be strategic and could continue to the project was first raised, the but also led to the possibility of breakthrough by the high command supportive of effectively challenging engage with the government. We government today has to take the depriving the people of the country of Bangladesh Awami League, the impunity. had called upon the World Bank to correct lesson out of the experience of the multi-purpose dream-bridge -- largest partner in the grand alliance The silver lining can be found, review its decision. so that it doesn’t face any recurrence a high profile electoral commitment government. The brinkmanship that ironically though, in the fact that time As a stakeholder in the business of of such self-embarrassment in the of the government, the return from the government indulged in in the is running out for delivery against low-interest credit for development days to come before the eyes of the which has been estimated to be 1.5- whole process was epitomised by the its commitment consistent with projects in countries like Bangladesh people of this country as well as 2.0 percent higher GDP. way that the last remaining roadblock, the government’s electoral pledge which is indeed the lifeline of the international community. The return There is no reason to believe for example the fourth condition at the core of which was corruption World Bank itself, we were convinced of the World Bank may be viewed at that resumption of World Bank of World Bank, was handled. This control. that the Bank should not only come the moment as a diplomatic gain for funding to be evidently joined by may have unfortunately widened (This column first was published back to Padma but also take the the government. However, taking other donors like JICA and Asia the space in which conditionalities in the Bangladesh newspaper The responsibility as a key fiduciary agent the proper lesson out of the whole Development Bank for the bridge typical of the likes of the World Daily Star) of the project to ensure integrity, episode, it must now firmly abandon will by itself help regain the eroded Bank could go beyond ensuring India, Pakistan tiff over Kashmir at UN Anti-Maoist stir on Indo-Nepal Representatives of Pakistan and India had a verbal duel in the UN General Assembly on Monday night over the border, security beefed up District authorities stepped up decades-old Jammu and Kashmir dispute between the security along the Indo-Nepal border two South Asian countries. following tension in Sonauli area of Reacting to Indian External Affairs Minister SM Maharajganj district on Saturday after Krishna’s assertion earlier in the day that last week’s traders staged a bandh against Nepal’s remarks by President Asif Ali Zardari remarks on Maoist Party obstructing entry of Kashmir were “unwarranted”, Pakistan’s Deputy traders and tourists from India. Permanent Representative Raza Bashir Tarar defended Traders said Maoists on the other the Pakistani leader’s statement as the dispute, he said, the United Nations system rather than its strengths. The side of the border were constantly remained unresolved. president went on to say that a solution could only be attacking and looting Indian traders Traders say the dissident faction “Let me begin by emphasizing that the reference to the reached in an environment of cooperation. and not allowing trucks and tourists of Nepal’s Maoist Party is creating Jammu and Kashmir dispute in the President of Pakistan’s Indian delegate Vinay Kumar, responding to references buses to enter Nepal for the last few trouble after parting ways with the statement was not ‘unwarranted’,” Ambassador Tarar by Ambassador Tarar of Pakistan, insisted that Jammu days. “There is business worth Rs 5 party led by Prachand in June. Leader said, while exercising his right of reply to the Indian and Kashmir states were an integral part of India, crore per day between India and Nepal of the faction Mohan Vaidya Kiran has minister’s statement, in which Krishna had also claimed adding that Pakistan’s “illegal occupation” of parts of the through Sonauli. Maoist activities in accused Prachand of deviating from the that the Himalayan state was an “integral part” of India. region was in violation of India’s territorial integrity and the last 10 days have caused a huge revolutionary ideals. Kiran has floated “Let me also make it absolutely clear that Jammu and international law. loss,” Ranjeet Chopra, president of a the Nepal Communist Party Maoist Kashmir is neither an integral part of India nor has it India, he added, rejected Pakistan’s claim in its local trader association, told TOI. and has demanded scrapping of all ever been,” the Pakistani envoy told the 193-member entirety. Exercising his right of reply for a second time, “Hundreds of trucks carrying goods treaties signed with India, including Assembly. Ambassador Tarar said the disputed status of Jammu and and essential commodities get the Nepal-India Peace and Friendship Zardari had reaffirmed in his speech that Pakistan “will Kashmir had been set out in Security Council resolutions stranded on the border. We have Treaty of 1950. The new party has continue to support the right of the people of Jammu & and agreed upon by both Pakistan and India. requested Uttar Pradesh government launched a movement against plying Kashmir to peacefully choose their destiny in accordance As such, characterizing the region as an integral part of to take up our cause with the Centre of vehicles bearing Indian registration with the UN Security Council’s long-standing resolutions India was untenable, he said, adding that the people of and resolve the issue by talking to number, screening of Hindi movies on this matter”. Jammu and Kashmir had not exercised their right to the government of Nepal as early as and broadcast of Hindi songs by FM Kashmir, he said, remained a symbol of the failures of self-determination. possible,” he said. radios in Nepal. Saarc international I Thursday 04 October 2012 SAARC 31 Sindh Assembly passes SPLGO amid protest

The Sindh Assembly on Monday National People’s Party (NPP), resignations. sent to governor Sindh for approval. call given by nationalist parties’ alliance, approved Sindh People’s Local Pakistan Muslim League-Q and Jam Madad Ali, PML-F’s leader of the The speaker kept shouting “order, Sindh Bachao Committee, against new Government Ordinance (SPLGO) Awami National Party (ANP) opposed opposition, said resignations of the order” during the chaos as opposition local body system which they describe 2012 amid protest by a handful it and tore apart copies of the bill. opposition members were sent to the members continued interrupting him as division of the province. member of opposition parties in the They staged sit-in against non- chief minister ten days back, but they during the assembly proceeding. Owing to the wheel-jam and shutter house. allotment of seats on the opposition had not so far been sent to governor They chanted slogans against the down strike, vehicular traffic remained The bill was tabled by provincial benches and Sindh People’s Local Sindh for approval. new local government ordinance and sparse on the roads in Sindh interior, law minister Ayaz Sumro and the Government ordinance (SPLGO). To which Sindh Information Minister criticized the speaker for not allotting with markets, shops and most lawmakers approved it clause by Members from PML-F, ANP and Sharjeel Memon said the opposition them seats on opposition benches. educational institutes closed. The clause by raising their hands. The PML-Q sat down in front of Speaker members should have directly send Sindhi nationalists observed strike strike call did not affect Karachi. majority of 149 Sindh Assembly Nisar Khohro’s rostrum. They chanted the resignations to governor Sindh. against the SPLGO. They termed the The nationalists parties have also MPAs supported the bill while 18 slogans against the ordinance and PPP leader and Sindh Education SPLGO a conspiracy to divide Sindh. hold rallies, sit-ins and observing members belonging to Pakistan demanded that opposition benches be Minister, Pir Mazhar Ul-Haq, said Meanwhile a strike was observed in token hunger strike during the strike Muslim League-Functional-(PML-F), issued to them as they have tendered copies of the resignations had been most part of Sindh on Monday over a today. Hasina orders stern action as 50 homes torched in Ramu ‘Jamaat fanned communal riot’ Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Abhoy Buddhist Viahar at around Those who launched the attack who ordered bringing attackers houses in the area and vandalised now in New York, has warned noon and set it on fire. chanted, “Naraye Takbir,” the into book. boundary walls made of corrugated against acts that damage “social They also attacked the Kolagaon slogan Jamaat-e-Islami use in its Buddhists and other ethnic and iron sheets. harmony” in Bangladesh in the Nobarun Sangha Durga Mandir political programmes. religious minorities were living “Around four to five hundred

wake of overnight mayhem in the (temple) and the Moitri Mandir at According to locals, leaders of in fear in Ramu and areas close people chanting ‘Naraye Takbir’ southeastern hilly town of Ramu. Jele Para, they said. an Islamist party held a rally at by even though huge contingents entered our Parha (locality) as In a statement communicated The attackers reportedly smashed 10pm on Saturday night alleging of Police, Rapid Action Battalion, the night got darker. They set to reporter by Bangladesh’s an ancient Buddhist statue at the defamation of the Quran by posting Border Guard Bangladesh and the temples on fire first,” said Permanent Representative to the Rotnangkur Buddhist Vihara and a photograph on social networking Army were deployed to contain the Progyananda. UN, she said she was shocked at set fire to a statue of Goddess Durga website Facebook. unrest. According to him, two donation the developments, being updated at the Nobarun Sangha Mandir. Those who addressed the rally Locals alleged the unrest turned boxes and a gold idol of Buddha and would do anything at her The OC said the situation was claimed a Buddhist youth named catastrophic just because of were looted during the attack and disposal to stop acts of violence calm. “Additional police forces Uttam Barua of Bouddha Parha ‘negligence’ by police and RAB at least 10 houses were set ablaze. against religious minorities. and members of the RAB have posted the photograph on his officials in ensuring security to The Buddhist religious leader said Ambassador Dr Abdul Momen said been deployed at the scene to avert Facebook account. distressed people. it was the first time he encountered she had been talking to relevant further tension,” he added. The rally touched off a mayhem Home Minister Mohiuddin Khan such violence and did not know senior officials an Local MP Shamsul Hoque that lasted for five hours starting Alamgir, while visiting the area how to respond. Agitating Muslims torched 30 Chowdhury visited the place of around 11:30pm. Seven Buddhist on Sunday, said the attacks were “The violence spread due to a homes of the Buddhist community occurrence. Viharas or monasteries, around 30 “planned.” reluctant administration. Had and vandalised six pagodas as a The communal violence that houses and shops were torched, “The attack was conducted in a police and RAB members taken the sectarian violence broke out at ravaged a pre-dominantly and more than a hundred other coordinated manner. Temples and early initiative, the whole incident Merunloa village in Ramu sub- Buddhist village in Cox’s Bazar’s houses and shops were also houses were set on fire using petrol would have been averted,” he said. district in south-eastern tourist Ramu Upazila was instigated by attacked, vandalised and looted. and gun powder. It would have General Secretary of a temple in district of Cox’s Bazar Saturday a religion-based political party, District administration had to been impossible if the attacks were the Vihara, Tarun Barua reported night. residents of the locality alleged. impose section 144, which bans not planned,” he said. seeing people whom he had never The strife later spread to nearby They said the party played with local public gathering, for an indefinite Resident Director of Sheema before seen in his locality. Patiya where Buddhist and Hindu Rohingya refugees’ rage against period on Sunday morning to Rajban Vihara at Merongloa “We have been living long temples were attacked. people of the Buddhist community rein in the unrest, followed by the Parha in the Ramu, Progyananda alongside the Muslims. We did According to the accounts of after the recent sectarian violence commissioning of an inquiry into Bhikkhu, shared his firsthand not even imagine that they could local journalists, several hundred between Muslims and Buddhists the incident. The incident shocked experience with bdnews24.com. attack us. Such a big attack in fanatics took out a procession and in northern Rakhine province in Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, He said at first a procession reprisal of such a trivial incident launched attacks on the Lakhara Myanmar. who is currently visiting New York, came and hurled brickbats at the was unbelievable,” said Barua. 32 South Asia Tribune I Thursday 04 October 2012 Pakistan beat Australia in World T20

Pakistan stepped closer to a semi-final berth in the points each, which knocked winless South Africa out of World Twenty20 with a 32-run victory Tuesday over the tournament. SAT Australia, who reached the last four anyway on their net Australia advanced to the semi-finals, despite the defeat, run-rate. Pakistan made 149-6 after being sent in to bat due to their having the best net run-rate in the group. and then restricted Australia to 117-7 at the Premadasa India need a big win over South Africa later on Tuesday Sports stadium. Both teams ended the Super Eights on four to stop Pakistan’s progress into the semi-finals. Spin kings set for battle royal Pakistan meet Sri Lanka in the first semi-final in Colombo on Thursday, and Australia face West Indies the following day. will not matter to Pakistan. “We have been playing our cricket away from home, so we are quite used to of it and I think the Sri Lankan crowd is sensible enough to support good cricket from both the teams,” said Hafeez. “It will surely be a good contest.” International cricket has been suspended in Pakistan since terrorists’ attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore three years ago.

Former champions Pakistan and quality spinners but we just need to hosts Sri Lanka clash in the first make sure that we execute our things semi-final of the World Twenty20 well against them. in Colombo on Thursday, banking “Both Ajmal and Mendis have on the quality spinners in the two shown how good they are in this camps. competition. It’s going to be a big The pre-match focus revolved game for everybody, not just for around Pakistan’s prolific Saeed those two guys. It’s a huge game for Ajmal, and Sri Lanka’s unorthodox both sides.” spinner Ajantha Mendis both of The semi-final is a repeat of the 2009 whom have been the highest wicket- final in England when Pakistan beat takers for their respective teams in Sri Lanka at Lord’s to win the title. the competition. Ajantha Mendis is yet to fully recover While Mendis has taken nine from his side strain. The other wickets, Ajmal has eight. spinner they used in the previous Mendis achieved the best figures in game, Akila Dananjaya, is also in Twenty20 internationals with six doubt after suffering a fracture on wickets for eight against Zimbabwe in his left cheek bone. A decision on whether he will play is to be taken on Saturday. They might also need to look at whether they need an extra specialist batsman ahead of one of three allrounders, or even one of the specialist bowlers. Sri Lanka and Pakistan are very familiar with each other, and neither expect to be surprised. Pakistan captain Hafeez played down the hype around spinners. “We are blessed with world-class the preliminary league and remains spinners but I think we have to play the trumpcard for the hosts despite good all-round cricket to win the conceding 40 runs in four overs semi-final and we will look for that against England in Super Eights. Sri once we enter the field,” said Hafeez, Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene who regarded Sri Lanka as tough Dubai Airport Free Zone Airport Road Tong Ping said he was confident about his team opponent. P.O. Box 293674 - Dubai, UAE P.O. Box 572 - Juba, South Sudan reacting well to Pakistan’s challenge. “Sri Lanka is playing good cricket T: +971 4 2533028 | F: +971 4 2533029 T: +211 99 9000 099 | F: +211 99 9000 098 “We have played each other quite and I am happy the way we have frequently and it’s been a good played so far and hope that we keep contest,” Jayawardene told reporters the intentions positive,” said Hafeez, [email protected] | www.questqualitas.com Quest Qualitas is Atlas Copco and Dynapac Authorized Distributor in South Sudan on Wednesday. “They’ve got some who said crowd support for Sri Lanka Published by Saarc International Ltd, Suite 101, 10 Courtenay Road, London HA9 7ND. UK Telephone:020 8904 0619 Fax: 020 8181 7575 E-mail: [email protected] www.satribune.co.uk, www.saarc.co.uk. Printed at Webprint UK Ltd, Unit B1 Eastern Approach, Alfred Way, Barking, IG11 0AG