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international
Thursday, 11.08.11
‘Arafat was poisoned’ claims Fatah
Chinese Muslims banned from fasting in Ramadan
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oyalists of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas have accused a rival of poisoning the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, in an apparent effort to discredit him politically. Top officials of Abbas’ Fatah Party issued a report Sunday contending that former Gaza strongman Mohammed Dahlan sent poison disguised as medicine to Arafat while he was in a Paris hospital. They offered no evidence to back up their claim, other than to say Dahlan ordered Arafat guards to burn the vials in which the alleged poison was stored. The report also says, without providing evidence, that Dahlan stole $300 million the United States ¬sent the Palestinians to build a security force. “There are false and baseless accusations of Abbas and his people, they are clearing Israel of Arafat’s blood,” Dahlan said Monday in a telephone call from Dubai. “If Abbas spent his time preparing for independence instead of fighting me, he would have won.” Arafat died in November 2004 under mysterious circumstances in France. Many Palestinians believe Israel poisoned him. Dahlan was widely blamed by colleagues for the 2007 loss of Gaza to Fatah’s rivals, the militant Hamas group, when he was the security chief in the seaside strip. He and Abbas have been feuding for months. 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
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mid fresh arrests, restrictions on fasting and prayers at mosques, Uighur Muslims are suffering under the latest episode of Chinese government crackdown on their ethnic minority in the northwestern region of Xinjiang. “If any religious figure discusses Ramadan during the course of religious activities, or encourages people to take part, then they will lose their license to practice,” Dilxat Raxit, spokesman for the Munich-based World Uighur Congress, told Eurasia Review on Friday, August 5. “The more serious cases will result in arrests for incitement to engage in illegal religious activity,” he said. A day before the start of the holy fasting month for China’s Muslims, at least 11 people were killed in a series of attacks in the north-western region
of Xinjiang. Chinese authorities blamed the attacks to the ethnic minority, after which the Chinese police shot dead two Muslims last Sunday. The attacks came less than two weeks after 18 people were killed in an attack in the restive Xinjiang region. Following the unrest, more than 100 uighurs were detained by Chinese authorities. Most of those detained as suspects were committed Muslims who attended mosque and whose wives wore veils, residents say. Xinjiang’s capital, Urumqi, was the scene of deadly violence in July 2009 when the mainly Muslim Uighur minority vented resentment over Chinese restrictions in the region. In the following days, mobs of angry Han took to the streets looking for
revenge in the worst ethnic violence that China had seen in decades. The unrest left nearly 200 dead and 1,700 injured, according to government figures. But Uighurs, a Turkic-speaking Muslim minority, say the toll was much higher and mainly from their community. China’s authorities have convicted about 200 people, mostly Uighurs, over the riots and sentenced 26 of them to death. No Fasting Beijing slapped severe restrictions on Chinese Muslims as the holy fasting month of Ramadan started. As for Muslim members of the government throughout Xinjiang, the government forced them to sign “letters of responsibility” promising to avoid fasting, evening prayers, or other religious activities.
“Fasting during Ramadan is a traditional ethnic custom, and they are allowed to do that,” an employee who answered the phone at a local government neighborhood committee office in the regional capital Urumqi said confirming the restrictions. “But they aren’t allowed to hold any religious activities during Ramadan,” she added. “Party members are not allowed to fast for Ramadan, and neither are civil servants.” As for private companies, Uighur Muslim employees were offered lunches during fasting hours. Anyone who refuses to eat could lose their annual bonus, or even their job, Raxit added. Officials have also targeted Muslim schoolchildren, providing them with Continued on page 8 >>
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Saarc international I Thursday 11 August 2011
NEWS
EDITORIAL But what about killings? Karachi violence continued despite claims of the government to the contrary, as nine more people were killed on Tuesday. PPP leader and MNA Mr. Gabol, speaking during a debate on the situation of Karachi in the National Assembly of Pakistan, said that he knew of almost 5,000 houses where weapons were stored and that there was no need for a political reconciliation. He also cited the PPP as being among those responsible for the situation in Karachi. Why do all those who know have their own reasons not to save innocents who are getting killed? According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, about 800 people have been the victims of violent shootings in the last seven months. Who should be held responsible? The MQM and PPP are willing to ignore it for the sake of retaining power. The most critical issue, for which all this process of reconciliation had begun, was to bring peace to the troubled city of Karachi. There seems to be no talk of it at all now, unfortunately, while the cycle of killing continues. The handing over of Karachi to the army in order to control the law and order situation and de-weaponise the city-the only solution to which all the parties had agreed after other means had failed-seems to have fallen by the wayside. We demand the British Prime Minster also take serious notice, as most believe the terrorism call is from the Edgware UK via South Africa to Karachi.
Publisher Salah Bu Khamas (UAE) Sabha Khan (UK) Managing Editor & CEO Mohammad Shahid Khan Group Editorial Managers Gulzar Khan (India) Abdul Khalique (Pakistan) Editorial Board UK Frances Brunner (Editor) Art Department UK Ali Ansar (Art Director) Md. Reazul Islam
“Justice will be done ” David Cameron
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avid Cameron has demanded that police are more “robust” in their response to rioters, in apparent criticism of the Met’s handling of the recent violence. said that police numbers on the streets will rise from 6,000 to 16,000 this evening. All leave for Metropolitan Police officers has been cancelled. Mr Cameron said there should be a “more robust” approach from the police. The Prime Minister also announced that Parliament will be recalled this Thursday so MPs can “stand together in condemnation of these crimes.” Making his first comments on the disturbances, Mr Cameron described the scenes of the last three nights as “sickening.” The looting and arson were “criminality, pure and simple”, he said. He added: “Justice will be done and the people will see the consequences for their crim es.” And he said he wanted to send a message to those responsible for the “looting, thieving, robbing” and violence against police that “you will face the full
force of the law.” Mr Cameron has faced criticism for not returning from his Italian holiday sooner. He added: “We will do everything necessary to restore order to Britain’s streets and make them safe for the law abiding.” After consulting with the Commons Speaker, the Prime Minister said MPs would meet this Thursday. Nick de Bois, the Conservative MP for Enfield, the North London town which has witnessed looting and destruction, welcomed the move. He said it was unclear whether Mr Cameron would be seeking emergency powers from the Commons debate. He added: “At least my constituents views will be heard after scenes in Enfield.” But Tom Harris, a former Labour minister, said: “The only role politicians have to play is to tell the police ‘yes’ in response to whatever request they make for resources.” For David Cameron this could yet prove a pivotal moment that shapes how his premiership is seen. Aside from national security, ensuring that people can
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free lunches during the fasting period. A Uighur resident of Beijing said students under 18 are forbidden from fasting during Ramadan. Moreover, government campaigns forced restaurants in the Muslim majority region to stay open all day. More restrictions were also imposed on people trying to attend prayers at mosques. Everyone attending prayers has to register with their national identity card, he added. “They have to register,” he said. “[After prayers] they aren’t allowed to [congregate and] talk to each other.” In Ramadan, adult Muslims abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex between dawn and sunset. The sick and those traveling are exempt from fasting especially if it poses health risks. Muslims dedicate their time during the holy month to be closer to Allah through prayers, self-restraint and good deeds.
was guaranteed a single cell with a flushing lavatory and hot and cold running water. District Judge Howard Riddle, sitting at Belmarsh Magistrates Court, announced yesterday that he will sanction Mr Dewani’s extradition. The South African police believe that Mr Dewani paid a taxi driver £90 (1,000 rand) to have Anni, 28, an engineer from Sweden, killed and make it look like a carjacking. The two alleged “hit men”, Mzwamadoda Qwabe and Xolile Mngeni, confessed to taking money to kill Mrs Dewani but later retracted their statements, saying they were coerced by police. If Mr Dewani is extradited, he is expected to stand trial together with them for Anni Dewani’s murder.
go about their normal lives in a peaceful and secure way is perhaps the core task of any government. A failure to maintain safety on the streets is therefore a failure of government and Mr Cameron cannot afford for there to be a fourth night of rioting. Secondly, although Number 10 says Mr Cameron had been monitoring the situation on “an hourly basis” while on holiday, he has appeared well behind the curve of public anger at the rioting. This matters all the more because it follows what appeared his slow response only a few weeks ago to the hacking saga. Unlike hacking, however, this cannot be passed off as a Westminster obsession. Finally, he must be aware that some in his own party and in right-leaning papers will be ready to cite the riots as evidence that the prime minister is not sufficiently focused on law and order. The stakes for Mr Cameron are high and warm words and a clip on the television news will not be sufficient. Mr Cameron needs to restore order to the streets.
Britain’s crackdown unacceptable, says Ahmadinejad
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ranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Wednesday strongly condemned what he called the “savage” crackdown by British police on rampaging youths, the state television’s website reported. “This savage treatment of people is absolutely unacceptable, and British statesmen must hear the voice of the people and grant them freedoms,” Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying. “British politicians should look to help their own people instead of invading Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya to plunder their oil.” Ahmadinejad said part of the British public has “lost its patience and become frustrated,” and urged London to “get on the people’s side and change their management, instead of using such approaches.” He criticized the U.N. Security Council for remaining “silent” over the developments in Britain, which is experiencing its worst unrest in decades.
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Saarc international I Thursday 11 August 2011
WEEKLY REVIEW OF AFGHANISTAN NEWS
4 Afghans gunned down in World fails Afghanistan anti-NATO demonstration despite spending billions : ICG T
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our people were shot dead Friday in an anti-NATO demonstration in southern Afghanistan during an exchange of gunfire that took place amid a protest over civilian casualties, police said. The violence erupted in Qalat -- the provincial capital of the country’s southern border province of Zabul -- and left three civilians and one police officer dead, according to the provincial police chief, Abdul Elham. Five others were injured in the firefight, he said. Elham did not offer details regarding the previous civilian casualties, which allegedly occurred the night before, and it’s
not clear how Friday’s protest turned deadly. As of Friday, at least 1,577 U.S. soldiers have died in Afghanistan
Taliban helicopter attack kills 31 US Special Forces troops
US soldier gets 3 years for Afghan killing spree
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NATO Chinook helicopter has been shot down by Taliban insurgents, killing 31 American special forces soldiers in one of the worst single incidents in Afghanistan. The aircraft was hit by a rocketpropelled grenade and crashed in the Tangi valley of Wardak province, west of the Afghan capital, Kabul. A condolence statement from Hamid Karzai said 31 Americans had been killed and seven Afghans, making it the bloodiest incident for the United States and the coalition in the decade-long campaign. Coalition head quarters in Kabul confirmed a helicopter had crashed in eastern Afghanistan, but a spokesman would not comment on casualty figures. Sources said the release of more information was being delayed by the difficulties in informing the next of kin. The spokesman said: “A [coalition] helicopter crashed in eastern Afghanistan today, and recovery operations are under way.
since the 2001 invasion, according to Defence Department figures. The total number of NATO troops killed since the war began is 1,680.
he global community has failed to create a politically stable and economically viable Afghanistan despite pouring billions of dollars into the South Asian nation during a decade-long war against the Taliban, says the International Crisis Group. The Brussels-based think tank said the United States and its allies still lacked a coherent policy to strengthen Afghanistan ahead of a planned withdrawal of foreign combat troops from the unpopular war by the end of 2014. “Despite billions of dollars in aid, state institutions remain fragile and unable to provide good governance, deliver basic services to the majority of the population or guarantee human security,” it said in a report released this week.
Violence is at its worst in Afghanistan since US-backed Afghan forces toppled the Taliban government in late 2001, with high levels of foreign troop deaths, and record civilian casualties during the first six months of 2011. After 30 years of conflict, Afghanistan is one of the poorest countries in the world, where children make up half the 30 million people, a quarter of children die before the age of five and the average Afghan life expectancy is 44 years. “Time is running out before the international community transfers control to Kabul by the end of 2014,” the ICG said. “Afghanistan will undoubtedly need continued political, economic and technical assistance to ensure that it does not unravel.”
Obama mourns dead in likely Afghan shoot-down
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resident Barack Obama said Saturday that the deaths of Americans in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan are a reminder of the ”extraordinary” price the US military is paying in the decadelong Afghan war. Obama’s statement did not confirm the number killed or other details of the crash. Afghan President Hamid
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member of a rogue US Army unit was sentenced to three years’ prison Friday after pleading guilty to killing an unarmed Afghan civilian in US custody in May 2010. Specialist Adam Winfield, 23, of
Karzai said that the crash killed 31 US special operation troops and seven Afghan commandos. But more than 20 Navy SEALs were among those lost in the crash. At the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta says he is deeply saddened by the loss, and vowed that the US will stay the course to complete the mission to make the
exchange for his testimony against other soldiers accused in the killings. His rank was reduced to private and Winfield was stripped of pay and allowances, as well as discharged for bad conduct. The Coral Gables,
world a safer place. Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, says the best way to honor their sacrifice is to keep fighting. He asks for patience as the military works to notify families of their losses. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the incident, saying it had shot the helicopter down.
Official stresses Iran’s support of Afghan independence, prosperity
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Coral Gables, Fla., had been charged with premeditated murder, aggravated assault and conspiracy to commit murder in several incidents, including the deaths of three Afghan civilians in Kandahar Province. He pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of involuntary manslaughter in military court, along with one count of illegal use of marijuana, in
Florida man will get credit for the approximately 507 days he has already served in prison. Winfield, who tried to blow the whistle on the murder plot, is among five soldiers accused of killing the civilians for sport and then planting evidence on the bodies to make it seem as though the victims had attacked the soldiers first.
n Iranian trade official praised the growing economic exchanges between Iran and Afghanistan, and reiterated Tehran’s support for Afghan prosperity and independence. ”Iran has always been after Afghanistan’s independence and prosperity,” Secretary-General of Iran-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines Mozzafar Alikhani told FNA on Saturday. Alikhani stressed that Iran is not in mere pursuit of financial and economic interests in its ties with Afghanistan, and “thus, Iran’s investments in the country are directed towards necessary projects in industrial, mining and
agricultural sectors.” He added that the two countries’ trade ties reached $1.5bln last year while the figure stood at only $40mln nine years ago. Iran is one of the most important donors to Afghanistan which has kept its promises and helped to the reconstruction of the war-hit country. Iran has built several roads, power transmission lines, and border stations, among other infrastructural projects. Iran and Afghanistan enjoy expanding ties and cooperation and observers believe that the good achievements gained in area of their mutual cooperation should be deemed as a result of the efforts made by the two countries’ officials.
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Saarc international I Thursday 11 August 2011
WEEKLY REVIEW OF BANGLADESH NEWS
No load-shedding during iftar, sehri
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, at a meeting on Monday with the high officials of the power, energy and mineral resources ministry, expressed dissatisfaction over the performance of the concerned officials, said ministry sources.
She asked the power distribution agencies’ officials not to do any loadshedding during Iftar and Sehri, and also asked them to announce the load-shedding schedule throughout the country. The prime minister, who is also responsible for the power ministry, was reported to have said that the concerned departments in the energy and power sector could not bring about any significant improvement in alleviating the public’s suffering despite all-out support from the government. The government, for immediate
solution of the power and energy crisis, has taken up a number of projects which will be implemented without any tender, and enacted the Power and Energy Quick Supply (Special Provision) Act 2010 to ensure quick formulation and
implementation of development projects in the sector. Hasina held the meeting at the power ministry, which lasted for three hours, after a whole year. The prime minister’s meeting at the power ministry came after aggrieved people launched a series of protests against frequent power outages and scarcity of gas and water supply. A high-level meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office on August 4 expressed concern about the persisting power shortage and the people’s agitation across the country.
Anti-Corruption Commission sues Khaleda Zia T
he Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s chairperson, Khaleda Zia, was sued on Monday on graft charge for using undisclosed money to buy land for a charity named after her late husband. The Anti-Corruption Commission’s assistant director, Harunur Rashid, filed the case with the Tajgaon thana, accusing Khaleda of criminal misconduct and abusing her power as the then prime minister in creating the Shahid Ziaur Rahman Charitable Trust, accumulating
Govt diverting attention: BNP A senior BNP leader on Friday alleged that the government is harassing pro-opposition lawyers in order to divert people’s attention away from real issues. At a press briefing at its central office, Nazrul Islam Khan, a standing committee member of the opposition party, also demanded immediate release of three lawyers, including lawmaker Syeda Asifa Ashrafi Papia, and withdrawal of cases against 22 lawyers.
Bangladesh rules out lifting of ban on Indian movies
A section of Indian media reported on Saturday that Bangladesh lifted a 39-year-old ban on Indian movies. Theatre-owners hailed it as the best decision while film-makers termed it a death-warrant. Entertainment movies produced in the sub-continent will remain out of Bangladesh silver screens to protect the Taka 5.0 billion worth of domestic film industry, Bangladesh Commerce Minister Faruk Khan said
on Saturday. He said it was agreed in principle some one and a half years ago that foreign entertainment movies would be allowed to be screened in Bangladesh theatre-halls, he said. “But the decision was stayed later and it was agreed that no movies from the sub-continent would be screened in Bangladesh until further order,” Faruk told the FE when asked whether Indian movies were allowed
to be screened in Bangladesh. A section of Indian media reported on Saturday that Bangladesh lifted a 39-year-old ban on Indian movies. The reports attributing to a foreign news agency, has sparked immediate mixed reactions among the film makers and theatre-owners in Bangladesh, pending confirmation. Theatre-owners hailed it as the best decision while film-makers termed it a death-warrant. Film producers said if Indian movies were allowed, it would put their investment of some Taka 5.0 billion at stake. It will also render some 30,000 people jobless, he said. But cinema hall owners association said if Indian films were allowed local cinema halls would thrive. Indian movies were banned in Bangladesh since 1972, when the authorities took the decision to patronise local film industry. But with the introduction of Video Cassette Players (VCP) in early eighties and later cable television and DVD in nineties urbanised Bangladeshis never missed Indian
money from undisclosed sources and buying 42 kathas of land at Kakrail for the Trust. This is the first case filed so far against Khaleda since the ruling Awami League-led alliance assumed power on 6 January, 2009. The three other accused may also face similar punishment for helping her in committing the offence. When asked whether Khaleda would be arrested, Harunur Rashid said that would depend on the decision of the ACC. Informed sources said that the report of the inquiry into the alleged corruption was submitted to the ACC about a month ago, and it was recommended that a case be filed. Khaleda is also facing at least three
more cases on graft charges — GATCO graft case, Niko graft case and Barapukuria graft case. The trials of all the cases, except the charity trust case, have been stayed by the High Court.
CJ refuses to form special HC bench
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he chief justice on Friday turned down an application to constitute a special High Court bench for hearing a bail petition of a group of opposition-aligned lawyers. Some seventeen lawyers loyal to the main opposition party are accused in two separate cases filed with Shahbagh Police Station in connection with Tuesday’s chaos in an HC room and Thursday’s incident of beating policemen by some lawyers.
Three of the seventeen accused lawyers have already been arrested while the 14 others are on the run. Mohammad Ali of the 14, who is a joint secretary of Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum of SC unit, has been staying in the office of SC Bar Association president since Thursday to avoid arrest. Ali is the main accused of a case filed for assaulting Sub-Inspector MA Jalil of Shahbagh Police Station on the SC bar premises.
EC winds up dialogues with political parties The Election Commission’s reform proposals are now hanging in the balance as none of the two major political parties — the ruling Awami League and opposition BNP — have either given the go-ahead or made any alternative proposals. The EC on June 7 began a series of dialogues with registered political parties to solicit their opinions on its electoral reform proposals, which include the introduction of
electronic voting machines and enactment of laws outlining the criteria for appointment of election commissioners and for updating the outmoded electoral laws. Seven out of the 38 registered political parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its allies Jamaat-e-Islami, Jatiya Party, Islami Oikya Jote and Khelafat Majlish, shunned the dialogue in spite of repeated requests by the EC.
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WEEKLY REVIEW OF BHUTAN NEWS
Search narrows down to single suspect
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he investigation into the third fire incident in Chamkhar town on May 27, which burnt down 30 houses and police believe to be deliberate, is not yet over. A team
of eight police officials investigating the case detained a suspect on June 14, but released him on surety on July 20, after they could not find enough evidence against him.
A former monk, who runs a business in Chamkhar town, was arrested after circumstantial evidence indicated that he might have set the fire on purpose. Sources alleged that, although the suspect claimed to have lost all his belongings in the fire, investigation revealed that he recovered most of his things. Police officials said that, although the suspect has been released, he is still the prime suspect and required to report to the police station whenever required. The third fire that started around 3am on May 27 left 56 families homeless.
Five new Olakha expressway accident risks bridges with Japanese aid
Olakha residents are expressing concern about the condition of the road near the election commission office. The Thimphu Babesa express road runs right below the election commission office. The stretch of road is covered in mud whenever it rains. A huge puddle develops almost covering
one half of the expressway. The expressway is wide and relatively straight. Motorists are known to drive at breakneck speed along this road. As they draw near the stretch of road which is covered in mud and slushy water, they either swerve to avoid the puddle or stop abruptly.
Quick entry of foreign rescue teams
Bhutan formally signed yesterday with the United Nations the Model Customs Facilitation Agreement, a bilateral agreement, which will allow the quick entry of foreign rescue teams into the country in times of emergencies. By signing the agreement Bhutan essentially agreed to lowering customs barriers for international rescue teams so that they can come in quickly at times of disasters and emergency situations. The international humanitarian community sees this as a major step forward in strengthening preparedness in Bhutan. “We must have prompt international assistance during disaster,” the director of department of disaster
management, Namgay Wangchuk, said. “If we don’t have a pre-signed agreement the lengthy procedure of customs will take up a lot of time and might lead to great loss of lives during emergencies.” Bhutan being vulnerable to natural disasters like earthquakes, windstorms and fires has led the government to prioritise the rapid deployment of international aid during emergency situations UNDP officials in Thimphu said. The DDM director also said that the signing of the agreement will allow aid consignments, like search and rescue teams, search dog teams and mobile medical units, and high technology emergency communication equipments.
With a grant assistance of over Nu 546M from the government of Japan, Bhutan will have five new bridges by 2013. Under the “Project for Restoration and Improvement of Vital Infrastructure for Cyclone Disaster,” the bridges will be built in Trongsa and Sarpang. While the three bridges in Trongsa are bailey bridges, Sarpang will see its Dol Khola and Jimiling bridges on the GelephuThimphu highway replaced by concrete bridges.
PM urges to establish new service economy Lyonchhoen tells airport staff they are the first impression that will last. “I think we’ll have to change the way we think, the way we provide services, and the way we work, if
the Bhutan Oil corporation and Bank of Bhutan, the prime minister said that a great responsibility had fallen on the Bhutanese to establish a culture of friendliness, of hospitality and efficient services,
we want to see Bhutan as a service economy.” Speaking to the gathering of about 250 officials from the civil aviation, Drukair, revenue and customs, BAFRA, post offices, RBA and RBP, health, tourism council and
to achieve its goal of becoming a service economy. With the plan to bring in more than 100,000 tourists by 2013, he said visitor numbers will increase and so will the pressure on all of them.
A Bill that won’t be killed
If it makes to the discussion table, it is going to stir quite a debate. The national assembly’s land committee is “pondering” over some provisions of the Land Act of 2007, which could be debated in parliament this winter. A motion to introduce the Land Act (amendment) Bill was introduced in the sixth session last year, but it was not discussed. In the seventh session this June, the bill was withdrawn. A member of the committee said that
they have highlighted the 25-acre land ownership ceiling, board members of the national land commission, and tsamdro issues, among others, as “points to ponder” over before they move the motion to reintroduce the Act for amendment. Although details were not shared, one member hinted that, unlike the draft national land policy, which proposed the removal of the 25-acre ceiling, the proposal would be to reduce the ceiling from 25 acres.
TCB expects to meet its tourist arrival target
The Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) expects to achieve its tourist arrival target of 65,000 for this year provided that the growth rate of 67.8 percent ending June continues in the remaining months, said the council’s head of marketing Chhimmy Pem. A total of 30,019 tourists visited Bhutan as of June 2011 compared to 17,890 in the same period last year. The tourist arrival growth was targeted at 58 percent in the year. The huge growth was credited to vigorous promotional and marketing activities TCB conducted both within the country and abroad over the past several months. During the Meet the Press session last week, Lyonchhen Jigmi Y Thinley said the government
wondered if it would be able to double the number of tourist visits or even to maintain the status quo in the light of global economic downturn.
He said the number of tourists has been ahead of the target for the last two years. “We have been daring and bold. 65,000 is a huge number and we know it’s possible.”
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WEEKLY REVIEW OF INDIA NEWS As stocks slump, Centre and RBI allay investor fears “Our institutions are strong and [we] are prepared to address any concern that may arise on account of the present situation,” Mr.
Mukherjee said in a statement. The RBI also assured the industry that it would maintain adequate liquidity. As the stock market spooked in tune with acutely negative global sentiments and Standard & Poor’s caution to the Asia-Pacific countries on possible downgrades in the near term, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee sought to allay fears of investors and industry, saying the country’s economic fundamentals were strong and the government was ready to address
any concern that might arise from the evolving situation. The RBI also assured the industry that it would maintain adequate
liquidity and quickly respond to their problems. “Our institutions are strong and [we] are prepared to address any concern that may arise on account of the present situation,” Mr. Mukherjee said in a statement. He also said that the government “will fast track the implementation of the pending reforms and keep a close eye on international developments... We would focus on encouraging greater domestic consumption and give an impetus to the drivers of domestic growth.”
Pakistan ‘to work with India for terror-free region’
Interior minister Rehman Malik says Pakistan is committed to working with India to root out terrorism, which can be done only when “all countries work together with a collective responsibility”. “We show our firm resolve to cooperate with India and the international community to work together to end this menace (terrorism),” Malik said in a message posted on micro-blogging website Twitter. “Terrorism can only be eliminated when all countries work together with a collective responsibility to fight terrorism,” he said.
‘US debt crisis to benefit Indian market’
“The downward movement in the Indian market is a very short-term knee-jerk reaction,” the official said, adding once the situation stabilised, Indian markets would be very lucrative for FIIs. “With the US credit rating getting downgraded by the Standard & Poor’s and most of the markets falling more than India, FIIs are set to move here as, at worst, the growth rate in the current financial year would be 7.5 per cent.”
Malik expressed his appreciation for his Indian counterpart P Chidambaram’s remarks linking the bomb attacks in Mumbai on July 13 to a “home-grown” terrorist module. “I condemn the recent acts of terrorism by the local home-grown terrorists in Bombay, on peaceful and innocent people,” Malik tweeted. The interior minister contended that Pakistan and India “can play a great and decisive role together for peace and stability of this region”. “The people of Pakistan and India are suffering from home-grown
terrorism. Extremism, in all its forms, needs to end,” he added. Malik called for an “open discussion” on the issue and sought “honest suggestions” to ensure a “terrorism-free region”. He wished Chidambaram the “best of luck in dealing with terrorists who are enemies of humanity.” “I (have) great trust in his abilities (and) wisdom,” he said. Malik was, however, silent on Chidambaram’s recent call for Pakistan to ensure the speedy prosecution of the perpetrators of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
Death of a campaigner: corrupt Indian officials blamed Arup Kalita’s body was found this week, his skeletal remains finally recovered from the shallow depths
he had been beaten, tortured and then his corpse dumped into the pond where it was apparently
of a pond in the small village of Kukurmara in India’s north-eastern fringes. His mobile phone, motor bike keys, driving licence and trousers were all discovered along with his bones. 29-year-old anti-corruption campaigner was presumed dead when he when he disappeared in August last year. They had heard
trampled deep into the mud below by an elephant. But what may be surprising to some is the location of his resting place – in the official grounds of Assam’s forestry department. Mr Kalita’s apparent murder makes him the 18th anti-corruption crusader to be killed in India since 2008
Centre seeks parties’ stand on Telangana
Gujarat govt. suspends IPS officer Sanjeev Bhatt
Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Friday urged political parties of Andhra Pradesh, including the Congress, to convey their stand on the separate Telangana demand at the earliest so that the Centre could speed up the process of consultation and arrive at a solution, may be within some weeks or three months. As many as four of the eight recognised political parties in A.P. “have not made up their mind” and conveyed their party’s stand to the Centre. The TRS, the BJP, and the CPI had said that they wanted Telangana, the CPI-M had said it was opposed to dividing the State.
The Congress, the TDP, and the YSR Congress Party were yet to take a final decision. The All India Majlise-Ittehadul Muslimeen had said it would take the final decision only after the Congress and the TDP expressed their views. Mr. Chidambaram, who was replying to the debate on a calling attention motion on the Telangana issue in the Lok Sabha, said: “We are urging the parties, kindly complete your process of consultation... then we can call a meeting [of all parties]. Please allow the process of consultation to take some more time.”
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he Narendra Modi government ordered the suspension of the Inspector General-rank officer with immediate effect on the grounds that his conduct was unbecoming of an IPS officer. Senior IPS officer Sanjeev Bhatt was suspended on Monday night with immediate effect on the grounds that “his conduct was
unbecoming of an IPS officer.” He has been locked in a public confrontation with the Gujarat government over the 2002 postGodhra riots. The Narendra Modi government ordered the suspension of the Inspector General-rank officer with immediate effect on the grounds that his conduct was unbecoming of an IPS officer.
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WEEKLY REVIEW OF PAKISTAN NEWS
New CIA station chief Unusual statement : Army weighs in on Karachi violence arrives in Islamabad
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hief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani presiding over the 141st Corps Commanders’ Conference held at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi. PHOTO: APP ISLAMABAD: Days after exhortations by political parties for an intervention, top military commanders on Monday voiced concern over the worsening security situation in Karachi – the army’s first statement on the ethnic and political violence in the country’s financial capital. The military brass had remained silent – at least in the public realm – despite requests by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Awami National Party (ANP) for the army to be deployed in the city to quell the uncontrolled violence, which has claimed over 800 lives this year. The government has been widely criticised for not being able to handle the situation. But army’s silence was broken, in a terse, but significant
statement on Monday, following a corps commanders meeting chaired by Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The meeting discussed the security situation in the country, particularly in Karachi, at the army headquarters in Rawalpindi. According to the InterService Public Relations (ISPR), the army brass expressed concern “over the law and order situation in Karachi and its ramifications or implications on the national economy.” The army hoped that the measures recently taken by the government would help end the violence in the city which accounts for around a fifth of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The unusual statement issued after a corps commanders’ meeting appears to suggest the army is running out of patience with the civilian authorities to control the deteriorating law and order situation. Though the military has a history of acting beyond its mandate in the past, under Gen Kayani public statements
India, Pakistan decide to set up rail hotline To facilitate movement of passengers and trade on board Samjhauta Express and goods train respectively, Indian and Pakistan customs authorities have
decided to establish telephonic contact between Attari ( India) and Wagah (Pakistan) rail offices. The decision was taken at a meeting between officials of customs departments of both nations at Lahore. The proposal to set up a
hotline was floated in the earlier meeting held in June last. Talking to TOI on his return from Pakistan on Sunday, customs
commissioner Ranjit Singh said that he and his Lahore counterpart, collector Khawaja Omar Mehdi, had stressed on setting up a hotline at Attari and Wagah rail offices so that delay in movement of passenger and goods trains could be checked.
on matters considered to be the domain of the civilian government have been rare. However, they have been far from completely absent. The army’s public disquiet on the Karachi situation came just a week after the MQM and ANP called for the deployment of army troops to end the bloodshed. However, the ISPR statement did not say if the military was going to be deployed in Karachi. A tentative calm has held since the government last week deployed hundreds of extra security forces in the troubled neighbourhoods of the city. The military said the government measures should “help redress the situation”. Karachi has been in the grip of political and ethnic violence for months with the law-enforcement agencies struggling to restore normalcy in the city. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan says 800 people, most of them poor, have died since January, including 300 last month alone.
he new undercover Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Islamabad station chief has arrived in Pakistan in a move that indicates the latest push by the two sides to repair troubled intelligence cooperation efforts. The new CIA Islamabad chief assumed charge a few days back after his predecessor’s sudden departure from Pakistan last month – ostensibly on medical grounds – confirmed a Pakistani official, requesting anonymity. However, the main reason behind the previous CIA chief’s exit from the country was attributed to his ‘extremely tense’ relations with Lt-Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha, head of Pakistan’s top spy agency the InterServices Intelligence agency (ISI). He was also believed to have developed serious differences with US Ambassador Cameron Munter on the CIA-led drone campaign in the country’s tribal belt. The new CIA station chief is the third in the last seven months that the US top spy agency has appointed in Pakistan. Sources claim that the new CIA chief has already met senior Pakistani intelligence officials, including Pasha, in an effort to mend deteriorating ties. However, neither the Pakistani authorities nor the US Embassy have confirmed the meeting. A US Embassy spokesperson even refused to confirm or deny the arrival of the new CIA station chief, saying he was not authorised to speak regarding intelligence matters.
The CIA Islamabad station chief is considered to be one of the US agency’s most important positions in the world. In December last year, the CIA pulled its then station chief Jonathan Banks out of Pakistan after his cover was blown up in a lawsuit filed by relatives of drone attack victims. His successor, who recently left the post, oversaw the intelligence operation that led to the May 2 raid by US Special Forces in Abbottabad that killed al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden. However, over the past few months, his relations with the ISI deteriorated. The country’s security establishment has repeatedly expressed reservations over what it called ‘the private CIA network.’ Following the Abbottabad raid, security agencies rounded up several Pakistanis, who were believed to be working for the CIA. “The CIA’s decision to pull out its Islamabad station chief is a confidence-building measure to rebuild ties with the ISI”.
Nazim-led system for entire Sindh
Apparently stunned by a severe reaction from nationalist parties in Sindh and its coalition partner, Awami National Party, to its decision to roll back the commissioner system in Karachi and Hyderabad. The PPP gave another twist to the situation late on Sunday night when one of its leaders announced that the old system of local government headed by nazims at various levels would now be introduced in the whole of Sindh province. With a high-level meeting taking place at the Governor’s House to review the Saturday night’s decision, the provincial Information Minister Sharjeel Memon said the government had decided to introduce the 2001 system in the entire province after approving a proposal to that respect made by the PPP Sindh chapter. In the federal capital, sources in the presidency told Dawn that the
decision had been taken on a directive of President Asif Ali Zardari at a meeting held in the Chief Minister’s House that continued till late Sunday night. Syed Khurshid Shah was to accompany Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on his visit to Saudi Arabia, but stayed back to finalise the plan to revive the LG system in the whole of province. The Sindh government is expected to issue an ordinance on Monday.
It is learnt that President Zardari has convened a meeting of political parties of Sindh at the presidency on Monday to discuss the opposition to restoration of the LG system. The Sindh government had on Saturday night issued two ordinances – Repeal of Sindh Local Government Ordinance and Repeal of Sindh Local Government Act, 1967 – to restore the LG system in Karachi and Hyderabad.
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Saarc international I Thursday 11 August 2011
WEEKLY REVIEW OF MALDIVE NEWS
Umar confesses for his legal dismissal from DRP
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that the party has given Umar a period of 14 days to appeal the decision of the Disciplinary Committee at the Appeal Committee of the party. He noted that Umar has not appealed the decision in the time period. Umar replied, to Husnu Suood, saying that he did not appeal because he did not want to appeal the case to an organ of the party who can be influenced by the leadership. He also said that the other reason was that he accepts that he was dismissed legally.
he dismissed Deputy Leader of the main opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP), Umar Naseer has confessed for the first time that he is legally dismissed from the party. Speaking at yesterday’s hearing of the appeal of Umar against DRP at the High Court, Umar said that he accepts that he has been legally dismissed from the party. Earlier Umar has been denying that he has been legally dismissed from his position as the Deputy Leader of DRP and also the membership of the party. He argued that that his dismissal from the party was done in contradiction to the charter of the party. Lawyer Husnu Suood represented DRP in yesterday’s hearing. He said
Govt admits failing security at detention centers
Minister of Home Affairs Hassan Afeef has admitted government failing to secure isolation of offenders as authorities discovered some of the detainees were found positive for illicit drug inside the cells. Minister Afeef denied second chance to jailed offenders president pardoned marking independence day this year. Afeef said those who were found positive will not have the opportunity to go free.
British couple died in accident in Kuredu Island Resort
A young British couple died early Saturday morning in Kuredu Island Resort after a suspected road accident involving a buggy car. At 4:15am the resort’s management informed the police that two of their
Seychelles, Maldives sign MoUs on fisheries, maritime security
Maldives and Seychelles last Friday signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on fisheries cooperation and cooperation to combat piracy and other maritime security threats.
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guests were found injured at the roadside of the resort, police said. Sources in Kuredu told Haveeru the couple, believed to be 23 years old, began their honeymoon at the resort on Thursday. Haveeru was unable to obtain their identities and police said the information was “not being revealed until police have spoken to their families.” A third individual, also a foreigner, believed to be injured in the incident, has been hospitalised. Police did not say if the man was a tourist or a resort employee. Haveeru understands that the British man died at the scene of the incident while his wife died later in the morning as she was about to be ferried to the nearby island of Naifaru for treatment.
Afeef said the continuing process to release those offenders so far has accumulated twenty detainees positive for illegal drugs suggesting any restriction to such movement in the country cannot prevent smuggling even in isolation. The process of releasing president announced nearly 400 detainees rehabilitation is in progress and Afeef said that most of the amnesty bound detainees were using drugs in detention.
Protests to resume against high commodity prices
An activist of the opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP)’s Z-DRP faction has announced the resumption of a series of protests against high commodity prices, with the first gathering scheduled for 8:45 tonight at the Artificial Beach area. “Around 30 people are involved in organising this protest, and since this is Ramadan talk is underway to hold
protests on Friday nights only,” Ibrahim Nazim said. According to him no political parties have officially expressed interest in joining the protest. “We invite all political parties and MPs to participate in the protest. We have decided to resume protests because neither the parliament nor political parties have done anything about the soaring commodity prices,” Nazim said.
Maldives to provide safe passage for Sri Lankan fishermen
Maldives and Sri Lanka has signed a new agreement in order to facilitate Sri Lankan vessels to cross the Maldivian Territorial waters when traveling to the Arabian Sea, Sri Lanka’s Ministry of External Affairs said. The maritime agreement was signed in the light of Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of External Affairs, Neomal Perera’s recent visit to Maldives in which several agreements pertaining to Prisoner Exchange and MaldivesSri Lanka cooperation were signed.
SC hires Secy-Gen despite ACC directive to wait
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he Supreme Court has hired a Secretary General despite a directive of the Anti Corruptions Commission (ACC) to hold the appointment until further notice. Haveeru has learned that Aniya Abdul Ghafoor, wife of Superior Court member of the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) and Criminal Court Judge Abdulla Didi, has commenced her duties as the Secretary General of the court. ACC Vice President Muawiz Rasheed confirmed today that the commission had issued a directive to the Supreme Court to wait for its recommendation on the appointment. “We made the request because
we are investigating a complaint submitted by an individual regarding the matter. But it is not our policy to disclose the details of such complaints,” he said. The Supreme Court requested Haveeru to submit a written inquiry when contacted for comment. An announcement issued by the
Supreme Court on May 15 details the key responsibility of the Secretary General as ensuring the court’s financial, administrative and legal procedures are run in compliance with the Supreme Court Regulations endorsed by the Judges Council of the court. Overseeing the running of the
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Saarc international I Thursday 11 August 2011
WEEKLY REVIEW OF NEPAL NEWS General strike Budget for Far affects 9 eastern West up by Rs 4 billion districts Normal life in nine districts of eastern region has been affected due to general strike enforced by Limbuwan Federal Council on Sunday, demanding the districts of the region be declared Limbuwan state. Vehicular movement has been completely halted in the Kakadbhitta-Koshi barrage of Sunsari along the Mechi highway, Koshi highway and East-West highway due to bandh, said East Regional Police Office, Biratnagar. Long and short route vehicles from and to major cities including Biratnagar, Dharan, Itahari, Damak, Birtamodh, Kakadbhitta, Bhadrapur and Ilam have been brought to standstill, causing difficulty to public.
The government’s budget has substantially increased funds for districts in the Far Western Region in the current fiscal year. The government has earmarked Rs 87.33 billion for all the districts, and the share of the Far West this year has jumped to 12.06 percent from 8.23 percent in the last fiscal year. According to the District Level Annual Development Programme published by the National Planning Commission (NPC), the Far Western Region has been allocated Rs 10.53 billion, up from Rs 6 billion last year. The region has traditionally received the lowest budget, and the trend has continued this year. It contains the fewest number of districts among the country’s five development regions.
HR activists’ criticism
NC-UML deal snaps at last minute, House obstructed
The main opposition Nepali Congress (NC) continued obstructing parliament on Monday as well, accusing the government of violating at the last minute an agreement reached between the two sides on ending the House impasse. The NC had earlier in the afternoon agreed to resume House proceedings after leaders from the ruling CPN-UML and the NC prepared the draft of a speech to be read out in parliament on behalf of Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal.
But later the deal was broken as UML leaders made amendments to the draft in consultation with leaders from major ruling coalition partner UCPN (Maoist). “After finalizing the draft of the speech to come on behalf of the government, we had agreed to end the House impasse. But the government violated the agreement with the main opposition by amending the draft,” NC leader Dr Ram Sharan Mahat said while addressing parliament. “The government has backtracked from its stance and thus
betrayed the main opposition.” “I commit myself, before this respected House, to resign from the post of prime minister on August 13 if I fail to forge agreements on accomplishing the major tasks of the peace process including integration numbers, modality, standard norms, rank harmonization and rehabilitation package and other remaining tasks mentioned in the fivepoint agreement,” read the first draft agreed between NC and UML leaders.
114 families displaced Household income
Human rights advocates claim the government has abused its authority by withdrawing cases related to heinous crimes and failed to ensure transitional justice. This has dented the notion of rule of law and pushed the state towards anarchy, speakers at a programme titled ‘Withdrawal of Serious Criminal Cases and Anarchism’,
organised by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (OHCHR), blamed. The government is interfering in our investigation into rights abuse cases involving security officials during the conflict, said NHRC Commissioner Gauri Pradhan.
Locals of Tepari village of Holiya VDC in Banke district were been rendered displaced when Hajarat community forest of Betahani VDC prevented the victims from residing in the forest area. Around 114 families were temporarily in the community forest on August 1 in the coordination with different local bodies including the District Disaster Management Committee, District Administration Office, Banke and Nepal Red Cross Society after the erosion triggered by the Rapti river in the village.
Maoists claim consensus plan on armed wing’s integration
Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal says his party will come up with a ‘rational proposal’ to forge consensus on integrating and
rehabilitating People’s Liberation Army combatants and tells the prime minister to resign. Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal
has already announced that he will step down if no concrete progress is had in the process process by Aug 13. In three-party talks on Friday, Dahal said his party is prepared to move ahead and committed to demonstrate flexibility on the integration modality, norms, number of combatants to be integrated, rank determination policy and rehabilitation package. Opposition leaders present in the meeting said they could see ‘a sense of urgency’ this time around in the Maoist leadership to set the stalled peace process rolling again.
The victim families have been removed from the area by the officebearers of the District Forest Office and the community forest saying they are not allowed to reside in the area until the government dispatched letter of permission. Local Ram Pheran Yadav said some of the victims have been compelled to take shelter in neighboring villages and some of them headed to India for safer livelihood. Another local Prem Lal Mourya demanded the government provide land to seek lasting solution of the problem.
rises over 4 fold
Despite political upheavals and unrest, average household income of Nepalis has increased by more than four-fold to Rs 202,374 over the span of 15 years due to rise in the number of employed population. That is not all. With better income, Nepalis have started to lead better lives in 2010/11, shows the findings of the Nepal Living Standards Survey (NLSS) released on Monday.
Anti-premier pressure
Pressure from a majority of United Marxist Leninist’s central committee members finally fixes two major points of agenda, disciplinary action against party Chairman and Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal and the formation of a national consensus government. The issues will be taken up at the
UML’s Central Committee (CC) meeting starting Saturday. Party General Secretary Ishwor Pokharel confirmed on Friday that they had decided to take a call on the two crucial points through the CC meeting. The crux of both issues is to recall the prime minister.
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South Asia Tribune I Thursday 11 August 2011
RAMADAN RECIPE
Chicken Kabuli Pulao:
This is one of the popular Ramadan food recipes you can cook for your loved ones. To prepare this recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients (for 4 servings). •
2 lbs chicken, cut into pieces • Sea salt for tasting • 1 1/2 pints hot water • 1 large sliced onion • 1/4 lb white rice • 3 tablespoons butter • 1 thinly sliced medium-sized onion • 1/2 tablespoon ground cumin • 1/2 tablespoon ground cardamom • 1/4 cup dark raisin • Fresh ground black pepper • Healthy pinch saffron soaked in 1 tablespoon broth • 1/4 cup blanched slivered almonds (optional) • 1 large carrot cut into thin pieces Instructions: Follow the procedure to find out how to cook Chicken Kabuli Pulao. • Put the chicken pieces and onions into a large pot. • Add hot water into the pot. • Simmer the mixture for an hour. • Sprinkle salt into the mixture. • Stir the mixture and keep it away from heat. • Preheat the oven up to 325F. • Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in medium heat. • Fry the chicken pieces (having bones) after applying the butter on them. • Sprinkle salt over the chicken pieces mixed with butter. • Boil water with sea salt and use it to cook the rice for just 8 minutes. • Keep the boiled rice in a separate pot. • Make stock sauce. • Fry onions mixed with butter and remove the heat. • Add ground black pepper, cumin, and cardamom with the onions. • Mix mash and saffron liquid with the onions to prepare a paste. • Add 1/2 part of chicken stock into the onion paste. • Simmer the above mixture for 5 minutes. • Apply butter on the casserole.
• Mix cooked rice, chicken and stock sauce in the casserole, and cover the mixture. • Fry the carrot pieces after applying butter on them. • Add dark raisins to the carrot pieces. • Sprinkle the fried carrot pieces and raisins over the rice and chicken. • Cover the mixture with aluminum foil. • Place the covered mixture in the oven and let it heat for more than half an hour. • Add silvered almonds over the mixture before the recipe is served. Your Chicken Kabuli Pulao is ready for being served to your dear ones!
Kebab Massalam:
This is one of the most popular Recipes for Ramadan. The ingredients needed for 5 servings of Kebab Massalam are mentioned below. • 1 pound ground lamb • 2 chopped green Thai chili peppers • 1 chopped onion
turmeric to the above mixture. • Create around 15 meatballs with the mixture. • Keep away the pieces of red bell pepper. • Wrap the meatballs around each skewer. • Add the meatballs onto the baking pan. • Broil for 5 minutes prior to turning the skewers over. • Continue boiling till the pink color of the meat fades. This is how you can prepare a tasty Kebab Massalam recipe.
mixture turns smooth. Once the Badam Sherbet is prepared, serve it over ice. Your dear ones will enjoy taking a sip of this drink! These are some of the recipes for Ramadan you can try out on this festive occasion. Let your dear ones enjoy the tasty dishes once they complete their prayers after sunset, every day during Ramadan.
Badam (Almond) Sherbet:
For 4 servings of this recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients. • 2 cups milk • 1 cup finely ground almonds • 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar • 2 tablespoons heavy cream • 2 tablespoons rose water Instructions: Check out the steps to prepare Badam Sherbet. • Combine the milk, cream and rosewater in a food processor. • Add ground almonds and confectioners’ sugar to the above mixture. • Mix the ingredients well for a minute until the
• 2 cloves minced garlic • 2 tablespoons plain yogurt • 1 tablespoon lemon juice • Salt as per requirements • 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric • 2 tablespoons crushed coriander seeds • 6 inches bamboo skewers (5 in number) soaked in water for 15-20 minutes • 2 red bell peppers cut into 2-inch pieces Instructions: Here’s the procedure to help you prepare Kebab Massalam. • Position the oven rack 6 inches away from the source of heat. • Preheat the oven’s broiler. • Apply grease on a broiling pan. • Mix the lamb, chilli peppers, coriander, and yogurt. • Add garlic, onion, lemon juice, and
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South Asia Tribune I Thursday 11 August 2011
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Saarc international I Thursday 11 August 2011
WEEKLY REVIEW OF SRILANKA NEWS
Sri Lanka begins oil exploration in Mannar basin
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arin Lanka, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cairn India commenced drilling for oil in
the Mannar basin off Sri Lanka’s northwestern coast Saturday, Economic Development Minister
Opposition calls for unity to defeat government
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he leader of Sri Lanka’s main opposition United National Party (UNP) Ranil Wickremasinghe today called for unity and discipline within the party to get rid of the ‘current corrupt administration’. Wickremasinghe has said that the main objective of the opposition should
be to defeat the Mahinda Rajapaksa administration and restore democracy. Speaking during the swearing in ceremony of newly elected UNP members to local government bodies, the party leader has observed that internal clashes within the party would only strengthen the Rajapaksa administration.
Govt rejects Tamil party ultimatum
Basil Rajapaksa has told reporters in Puttalam. The Minister told reporters that if Sri Lanka is successful finding oil in Mannar Basin, which is believed to hold around one billion barrels of oil, the country would no longer have to depend on importing oil from other countries, a prospect that would save billions of dollars to the country. Cairn has said earlier this year If Sri Lanka’s drilling program is
successful then commercial oil production can be expected by 2014 with a billion barrels. The Company has contracted a deep-water drillship from a Japanese company to launch the project. Cairn signed the Petroleum Resource Agreement (PRA) with the Sri Lankan government in July 2008 to explore oil and natural gas in the Mannar Basin with an investment of US$110 million, spread over three years. According to the Agreement, Cairn will start exploration activities in one of the 8 blocks in the Mannar Basin which covers 3,400 sq. km. at depths between 200 to 1,800 meters. The company conducted a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as required by the Sri Lanka Central Environmental Authority and Marine Pollution Prevention Authority. Earlier in 2010, the company acquired 3D seismic data on 1,750 km2 area of the Mannar basin. Mannar basin has eight oil and gas exploration blocks and two of them have been granted to China and India. Russia’s largest oil company, Gazprom also has indicated plans to take part in the exploration of offshore oil in the Mannar basin.
No vacancy for UNP leader says Ranil camp
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NP spokesman Mangala Samaraweera, though a relative newcomer to the green party, was invited to a recent meeting of party seniors including Messrs. Gamini Jayawickrema Perera, John Amaratunga, Joseph Michael Perera, well informed UNP sources said. “He appears to be having a role in strategies of the Ranil camp,’’ they said. Asked whether the attempt by party reformists to make Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya party leader would come up at the Working Committee and Parliamentary Group within the next few days, these sources said ``there is no vacancy.’’
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he Sri Lankan government, rejecting the ultimatum set by the major Tamil party Tamil National Alliance, said a solution for power devolution should be acceptable for all Sri Lankans and cannot make decisions on crucial issues hastily. The TNA demanded the government to respond in writing within 10 days to their three immediate proposals on the structure of governance for north and east regions, allocation of subjects and functions to the provincial councils and the issues
relating to fiscal and financial devolution. In response the government has said that “it certainly is not possible, nor is it consistent with the national interest at this stage, to make a final pronouncement on crucial issues, hastily and without wider consultation.” The Tamil party has threatened to withdraw from the talks with the government on power devolution if the government fails to step up the pace for a meaningful resolution.