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Ethnic minority pupils increase by 57% in a decade London’s secondary school system is dominated by black and Asian pupils, according to a landmark report that warns of “very high” segregation.

The geographer’s study looked at the changing population of England’s secondary schools The number of ethnic minority pupils in England’s secondary schools rose by 57% in a decade, according to research from King’s College London.

The study by Chris Hamnett looked at the changing demographics of schools between 1999 and 2009.

In inner London, 67% of secondary pupils are from ethnic minorities, says Professor Hamnett.

Gathering such data is important for understanding the future make-up of the population, he says.

The study, from the geography department of King’s College London, reveals a “very substantial” shift in the population, which Professor Hamnett says represents an “irrevocable” change.

The 57% increase in ethnic minority pupils contrasted with an overall secondary school population rise of Continued on page 2 >>

Imran Farooq murder case: After London police commissioner confirmation of killers arrest in Karachi

Dr.Mirza in London to brief Scotland Yard “I have two briefcases filled with proof which will help the Scotland Yard police,” Zulfileaks.

Former Sindh home minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza arrived Wednesday London “to provide evidence against” the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) to London authorities. At “Meet the Press” arranged by Lord Nazir Ahmed on Wednesday at the Committee Room. Dr. Mirza affirm his promise that he is here with a mission and he will expose MQM(A) and will give all the relevant evidences to British Authorities.

Mirza said recently Police Commissioner Confirmed arrests made in Karachi and now he would provide further evidence against the MQM and its chief Altaf Hussain to the British authorities and asked the Continued on page 2 >>

World’s most beautiful woman’ Aishwarya Rai is Mother Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, regularly touted as the world’s most beautiful woman, has given birth to a baby girl, her husband Abhishek Bachchan has announced on Twitter.

Abhishek Bachchan is too excited to get some sleep. The pa thanked all his well wishers and kind heartedly informed all that both Ash and the baby are doing well.

Abhishek tweeted, “Thank you all for your prayers and good wishes. Both Aishwarya and the baby are doing great and taking some much needed rest.”

He added, “I’m trying my level best to get rid of this caffeine high and get some sleep too. Don’t think it’ll work. TOO EXCITED!!!!”

“I AM DADA (grandfather) to the cutest baby girl!!” the 69-year-old Bachchan tweeted.

The senior Bachchan had Tuesday tweeted, “A day of expectation....but another day! The lord has his ways and they are most special....we wait!!”

It was in June this year that Amitabh Bachchan had broken the news about his daughter-in-law’s pregnancy.

India’s most famous couple - actress and model Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and her actor husband Abhishek Bachchan - have had a baby girl. As the latest addition to one of a small number of acting and producing dynasties that dominate Bollywood, will she grow up to be an actress?

If the odds, or the genes, are to be believed, then the newly born daughter to the Bachchan-Rais is destined for the silver screen.

Continued on page 25 >>

NEWS Ethnic minority pupils increase by 57% in a decade

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Continued from page 01 >> 4.7% - and a slight decline in white pupils, a figure that also includes migrants from eastern Europe.

Across the country, the proportion of ethnic minority pupils has risen in a decade from 11.5% to 17% - and Professor Hamnett forecasts that it is set to rise again to 20%.

He found a pattern of an increasing proportion of ethnic minority pupils in big cities, particularly London.

“London as a whole now has an ethnic minority dominated secondary school system, akin to that of many large US cities, and the figure reaches 67% in inner London,” says Professor Hamnett.

“This is also true of a small number of other towns and cities with large ethnic minorities, notably Slough (64%), Leicester (58%), Birmingham (52%) and Luton (51%).

Manchester and Bradford are not far behind with 43%.” Professor Hamnett says that this is not about recently arrived children, these are children born in England.

And patterns of birth rates indicate that the proportion of ethnic minority pupils will increase in the next decades.

Such changes have become a lasting feature of the ethnic make-up of England’s Publisher Salah Bu Khamas (UAE) Sabha Khan (UK) UK Office 10 Courtenay Road, Wembley, Middlesex, HA9 7ND UK Phone: +44 20 8904 0617 Fax: +44 20 8181 7575 info@satribune.co.uk India Office Satya Infomedia Pvt. Ltd. C/O Satya Group.

1st Floor, Avenue Appt., Near Sheth. R. J. J. High School, Tithal Road, Valsad - 396001 Gujarat, India Phone +91 2632 222209 / 222211 Fax: +91 2632 222212 Post Box No. 98 /108 United Arab Emirates Office S.K. Group of Companies P.O. Box 9021, Karama Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel: +971 4 2659970, 3359929; Fax: +971 4 2659971, 3341609 www.sk-groupofcompanies.com Managing Editor & CEO Mohammad Shahid Khan Group Editorial Managers Gulzar Khan (India) Abdul Khalique (Pakistan) Editorial Board UK Frances Brunner FYI Tribune team Adrian Fellar Misbah Khan Reema Shah Rohma Khan Keziah-Ann Abakah Art Department UK Ali Ansar (Art Director) Md. Reazul Islam

population, he says. Prof Hamnett added that with ethnic minority babies now making up more than 50 per cent of births in London, the non-white secondary population was likely to increase further.

But he also says it shows a picture of ethnic

minority families moving out to towns and suburbs across England.

“We’re not looking at minorities being trapped or ghettoised in small areas.

There’s a process of suburbanisation,” says Professor Hamnett. This was particularly the case for Asian families, he says. Among the biggest increases were areas such as Merton, Croydon and Enfield.

New majority There are also wide differences in the ethnic breakdowns of schools in different parts of

the country.

In places such as Knowsley, Cumbria and Durham, fewer than 2% of pupils are from ethnic minorities. In Brent, Tower Hamlets and Newham in London, the figure is above 80%. Such changes will also eventually mean “revisiting” the language of minorities and majorities, he says.

This relationship between schools and ethnicity has many sides - with wide variations in achievement between different groups. White working class boys have been identified as particular underachievers.

The relatively high performance of schools in inner London has been attributed to the impact of ambitious immigrant families.

Professor Hamnett says it is important to gather such objective data showing the population in schools - which will become the future adult population. “Let’s have the evidence, even if it is politically difficult,” he says.

“If we’re interested in addressing inequalities in education and access to university, it’s only possible if we have gathered the data.

“Once a society stops talking about this, it’s the worst kind of self-censorship.”

Prof Hamnett added that with ethnic minority babies now making up more than 50 per cent of births in London, the nonwhite secondary population was likely to increase further.

South Asia Tribune I Thursday 17 November 2011

Dr.Mirza in London to brief Scotland Yard Continued from page 01 >> people of Pakistan to pray for his success.

Last Friday Prior to his departure, Mirza visited Afaq Ahmad, the detained leader of Muhajir Qaumi Movement (MQMHaqiqi), in the premises of Sindh High Court (SHC) and had an hour-long meeting. On the occasion, Ahmed levelled several serious allegations against his rival, the MQM. He vowed not to leave his homeland, announcing to continue politics after his release. He agreed with Mirza that the MQM had taken Karachi and its citizens hostage. He said the Pakistani people would know the reality of MQM when illegal arms would be seized from terrorists working under the party’s “militant wing”.

He alleged that Altaf Hussain had ordered the murders of party’s founding chairman Azeem Ahmed Tariq, vice chairman Badar Iqba, secretary general Imran Farooq, central joint secretary SM Tariq and former Sindh Assembly speaker Raziq Khan. Mirza told reporters that he was preparing himself to face possible graft charges. Other than that, Awami National Party President Shahi Syed, leaders of the Mohajir Qaumi Movement and defunct Peoples Aman Committee also held separate meetings with Mirza at his residence in Karachi. While answering a question on Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan, he said the cricket legend would be caught behind the stumps while trying to bat, although he was “good at bouncers”.

Also read London police Commissioner Bernard Morgan report on Page 18.

Syria: Turkey warns Bashar al-Assad he is on ‘knife edge’ Turkey kept up pressure on its one-time ally Syria on Tuesday, warning President Bashar al-Assad his government was on a “knife-edge” and saying it may review its supplies of electricity to Damascus if it does not change course.

Turkey has abandoned hope that Syria will respond to international demands to halt violence and initiate democratic reforms, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said today.

“We no longer expect the Assad government to show honest, persuasive, brave and determined leadership,” Erdoğan told his party’s lawmakers. “No one expects him to respond to the demands of the international community anymore.”

Erdogan, once a close political ally and a personal friend of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, has for months expressed frustration at Assad’s failure to listen to his people.

“The Syrian government is on a very

dangerous and narrow path, like the edge of a knife,” he told the weekly meeting. “It is our common desire

for him to turn back from this path, which has a cliff at the end.” Erdoğan slammed Assad over weekend attacks on Turkey’s diplomatic missions in three Syrian cities.

“It is the honour of every country to protect foreign citizens and diplomats.

Syria should understand that trying to send a message through those attacks shows weakness and ignorance,” he said.

Thousands of pro-regime protestors armed with knives and batons attacked Turkish diplomatic missions in the Syrian capital Damascus as well as Aleppo and Latakia on Saturday over Turkey’s support for an Arab League decision to suspend Syria.

Around 5,000 demonstrators smashed the windows of Turkey’s honorary consulate building in Latakia and burned a Turkish flag.

Turkey hailed the Arab League decision as “timely and one of common sense.” On Sunday, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu met with representatives of the Syrian opposition movement, the Syrian National Council, which was founded in Turkey in August.

The council, the country’s largest and most representative opposition grouping, sought permission to set up an office in Turkey. A Turkish diplomat who declined to be named said Ankara was considering the request.

U.K. has Iran, Syria Plans in case armed force would have to be used: Military chief The doctrine of silent elimination of terror sources is in place. Britain has contingency plans in the closet should Iran’s nuclear program or a deteriorating situation in Syria require military intervention of any sorts, the chief of the UK’s defense staff said.

General David Richards told Sky News television in London today. “We’ve got a lot of plans in the locker, and we talk to other nations who would inevitably be involved in

them so that if ever the situation deteriorated to the stage where armed force would have to be used we could do it quickly and efficiently.”

Defense analysts point out as Iran defies nuclear freeze, Syria proceeds with killing more civilians defying human rights to its citizens, NATO is gearing actions similar to Libya to neutralize potential terror threats of the future.

South Asia Tribune I Thursday 17 November 2011

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INDIA’S MOST INFLUENTIAL SPIRITUAL LEADER HONOURED AT HOUSE OF COMMONS The House of Commons Wednesday played host to one of India’s greatest spiritual leaders, as His Holiness Brahmrishi Shree Kumar Swamiji, was honoured by politicians, campaigners and his peers .

The private reception, which included over 100 invited dignitaries, was hosted by the Rt Hon Stephen Timms

– Bhagwan Shree Lakshmi Narayan Dham’, one of the world’s largest spiritual organisations. His efforts in improving human welfare for people of all faiths and religions have inspired millions.

During the reception, His Holiness was presented with citations and Awards from various organisations for the

Young Indian Vegetarians Society in recognition of His Holiness’ vegetarian lifestyle and compassion towards all living beings.

• The Humanitarian Award presented by the Asian Welfare Association, which is presented to one individual each year for their outstanding contribution to social welfare and being a role model

that, this is the honour for all the faithful believers of all the World religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism, Zorastrian. This historical honour is not for a single person but for all the Nations and their various cultures. This honour in fact is the honour of entire humanity.

This felicitation has once more brought

a meaningful difference to someone else’s quality of life, happiness and prosperity, by sacrificing their time without any gain or reward. They will be encouraged to engage in various volunteering projects to help out in charitable organisations, schools, old people’s homes, hospitals, hospices and in particular consider giving blood or

MP, Labour MP for East Ham. Special guests who all paid tribute to His Holiness with personal messages of welcome included: Barry Gardiner MP; Steven Pound MP; Gareth Thomas MP; Alok Sharma MP; Lord Bilimoria; Lord Tarsem King of West Bromwich; Virendra Sharma MP; Navin Shah and Baroness Flather.

His Holiness Brahmrishi Shree Kumar Swamiji has dedicated his whole life to freeing the world of suffering and misery and his vision for society is continually being delivered by his Trust

Humanitarian work that he is doing, including: • The highly acclaimed Ambassador of Peace Award by the Universal Peace Federation. The award is presented to individuals whose lives exemplify the ideal of living for the sake of others, and who dedicate themselves to practices which promote universal moral values, strong family life, inter-religious cooperation, international harmony, renewal of the United Nations and the establishment of a culture of peace.

• The Mahaveer Award by The

to others.

• His Holiness also received citations from a number of MPs including Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP, Rt Hon Virendra Sharma MP and Rt Hon Stephen Pound MP as well as a host of Community organisations and faith groups, reflecting His Holiness’s immense respect of all faiths and cultures.

On receiving his awards and citations His Holiness said: “This honour is not just for a single person, but for the whole world and the ancient tradition of the East. More than

the greatness and humility of Great Britain before the whole World.”

The event also marked the official launch of the Bhagwan Shree Lakshami Narayan Dham UK’s Annual Day to be known as -“Brahmrishi Shree Kumar Swami Day” dedicated in honour of the interfaith, charity and volunteering work that His Holiness Brahmrishi Shree Kumar Swamiji embodies. On this day each year, all followers in the UK will perform selfless voluntary acts of kindness and public service and do something positive that makes

joining the organ donor register.

Commenting on the event and his meeting with His Holiness, Stephen Timms MP commented: “Faith organisations across the country are making a positive contribution in communities across the UK, and I welcome the opportunity this event presents to bring them together.

I am glad to have been able to help to sponsor it. It has been a pleasure to meet with His Holiness and learn more about the valuable impact of his humanitarian work.”

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EDITORIAL The Dr Imran Farooq case has been solved?

After an intriguing development, Scotland Yard confirmed last Friday the arrest of two men in Pakistan in connection with Dr Imran Farooq’s murder in London.

And now Dr.Mirza in London to brief Scotland Yard “I have two briefcases filled with proof which will help the Scotland Yard police,” he said at the Heathrow Wednesday Morning where he was welcomed by his supporters. “Meet the Press” at the Committee Room arranged by Lord Nazir Ahmed on Wednesday Mirza affirm his promise that he is here with a mission and he will expose MQM(A) and will give all the relevant evidences to British Authorities.

Despite all reports and Confirmation by Scotland Yard Pakistani Minister again claimed that no arrests had been made in the Dr Imran Farooq’s murder case. After the London commissioner’s statement, while the main allies of the PPP government come up with a strategy to control the damage, the PPP leadership has decided to enforce silence on the subject. This week Rehman Malik informed the media that more than 100 hit-men were arrested and all of them had admitted to their crimes.

Despite earlier arrested target Killers Ajmal Pahari , Zakir Hussain alias Agha Hassan ‘s confessions and Dr Zulfiqar Mirza’s blunt allegations exposed MQM as not only a terrorist also anti Pakistan.Yet the Zardari government is a coalition partner. But after Scotland Yard’s confirmation for Zardari government the only consideration is lust for power and they have no consideration of justice for thousands innocents deaths.

It is crisis of leadership at an extreme level. The capitalist feudal politicians are showing their worst at best. The crisis of present PPP leadership is manifested at all level. Sources said it is possible intelligence agencies had not produced the suspects as a favour to the governing alliance.

Sources said it appears that the Imran Farooq murder case has been solved and the PPP government is now using it as a pressure tactic.

Sources said the only hope to know who was involved in Imran Farooq’s murder lies in London since the PPP is using the matter to save their government.

When detailed news reports had emerged with regard to these arrests in August this year, they were categorically denied both by the MQM and interior minister Rehman Malik. What makes the confirmation now

by Scotland Yard interesting is the history of these arrests. Media reports in August had named Khalid Shamim and Hammad Siddiqui of MQM as the immediate planners, who had arranged UK student visas for the two men alleged to have hacked, knifed and bludgeoned Dr Farooq to death. The men escaped to Colombo, Sri Lanka, after the murder, from where they were ordered to come back to Karachi by Shamim. British intelligence was said to have tipped off a top Pakistani intelligence agency about their travel plans.

South Asia Tribune I Thursday 17 November 2011

Former Border Force chief ‘was offered £100,000 to retire... and then had his reputation trashed’ • Brodie Clark goes before Home Affairs Select Committee • Tells MPs he did not extend or alter May’s instructions in any way • Claims that he ‘never went rogue - nothing is further from truth’ • Says he was offered suspension or retirement at same meeting • Former home secretary Alan Johnson: Theresa May should step down Giving evidence to MPs on the Home Affairs Select Committee, Brodie Clark said: “I introduced no additions to the Home Secretary’s trial neither did I extend it or alter it in any way whatsoever.”

Mr Clark resigned last week after a 40-year career at the Home Office, following claims he had acted without the permission of Home Secretary Theresa May. He said: “I was meticulous in ensuring that my top operational team and my senior port managers had complete clarity on the Home Secretary’s requirements.

“Over the first month of the trial I reported weekly to the Home Secretary as she had required.

“Aside from teething issues, the trial delivered into the border business exactly as she had wished.

“I did not enlarge, extend or redefine the scope in any way.

“I have not wilfully or knowingly sanctioned an alteration to border checks that has contravened existing Home Office policy.”

He added: “I am no rogue officer; nothing could be further from the truth.”

Keith Vaz, chair of the committee, replied that Mr Clark’s statement was “in flat contradiction” to the evidence Home Secretary Theresa May gave to the committee last week.

He explained that there had been times when fingerprint matching had been suspended - but

only during health and safety emergencies, not as part of the pilot.

That was something Theresa May agreed to,

he said.

He also told the committee that the reputation he had built up in the civil service had been destroyed by the Home Secretary in just two days.

“I am saddened that my career should end in such a way after 40 years of dedicated service,” he added.

Mr Clark’s appearance comes after a UK Border Agency (UKBA) official leaked emails claiming some passengers arriving on private jets did not face any passport or customs checks.

The official, working at Durham Tees Airport, voiced concerns to management at the UKBA that his staff did not even see some of the passengers.

He was told the “no-checks policy” was part of a “new national General Aviation Strategy being rolled out” and that the policy at his airport was “consistent with national policy”.

It was the latest whistleblower to claim border officials were authorised to water down checks at ports and airports on orders coming from Home Secretary Theresa May. Figures released by Labour show checks were relaxed hundreds of times under a pilot scheme authorised by Mrs May. In one week this summer, controls were eased a total of 260 times.

Mrs May said she only approved a limited pilot scheme to relax checks on some European passport holders.

PM backs uranium for India AUSTRALIA’S ban on uranium exports to India is set to be overturned, with Prime Minister Julia Gillard declaring the present policy outdated.

Ms Gillard will push for a change in party policy at next month’s Labor national conference to lift the ban, bringing Australia into line with America’s thinking.

In an article in today’s Age, Ms Gillard declares it is ‘’time for Labor to modernise our platform and enable us to strengthen our connection with dynamic, democratic India’’.

The U-turn, Ms Gillard’s most radical foreign policy initiative to date, would substantially improve relations with India, which has greatly resented that Australia discriminates against it because it is not a signatory to the Nuclear NonProliferation Treaty - while being willing to sell to China. The change will be opposed by the Left but will get through the conference, backed by the Prime Minister’s authority and the Right’s numbers.

Ms Gillard writes that India is one of our nearest neighbours, long a close partner and the world’s biggest democracy. ‘’Yet despite the links of language, heritage and democratic values in one important regard we treat India differently. ‘’We will not sell India uranium for peaceful purposes - though Canada is preparing to - while policy allows us to export it to countries such as China, Japan and the United States.’’

She stresses that ‘’we must, of course, expect of India the same standards we do of all countries for uranium export’’. These include strict adherence to international arrangements and strong bilateral undertakings and transparency measures, providing assurances the uranium would only be used for peaceful purposes.

Pressure to change the platform has been mounting, with Resources Minister Martin Ferguson leading the charge. Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd is also in favour of a switch. But the proposed change has not gone to cabinet, on

the grounds that it is the PM’s position for the party’s conference, rather than a government policy.

The Greens will be against exports to India, but Ms Gillard, who has been painted as the creature of Bob Brown, is quite happy to be differentiated from her minority partner when there is an opportunity.

Those urging change argue that refusing to sell uranium to India made sense when it was part of an international strategy to bring it into the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. But, they say, after the 2007 US-India civil nuclear agreement lifted the de facto international ban on nuclear co-operation with India, it is not sensible for Australia to stand alone.

Ministers have been annoyed, however, that India has been trying to pressure Australia publicly, complicating moves to lift the ban. Mr Rudd recently pointed out sharply that India had no problem with getting supplies elsewhere.

The present ALP platform, banning exports to non-signatories, dates from 2007.

The Age reported last month that the two countries had begun a dialogue that was likely to canvass uranium sales if the ALP changed its policy.

According to WikiLeaks cables Mr Ferguson told American officials in 2009 that there could be a deal to sell to India within years.

South Asia Tribune I Thursday 17 November 2011

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An Assassination, or a declaration of war?

Western intelligence official tells ‘TIME’ that Mossad was behind missile base blast; Iran on Monday buried a senior military officer it called the “architect” of its missile defenses, killed in a massive explosion at a Revolutionary Guards’ arms depot that authorities said was an accident.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei attended

of the deterrent power of our country,” Hossein Salami, the deputy head of the Revolutionary Guards, said in a eulogy at the funeral, state broadcaster IRIB reported.

The Revolutionary Guards were set up in parallel to the regular army after the 1979

Vahidi to convey Ahmadinejad’s condolences.

While there was no indication of any kind of attack, the timing of the explosion -- amid rising tensions with Israel and the West over Iran’s nuclear program -was likely to spark speculation about the incident.

the ceremony for Brigadier General Hassan Moqaddam and the 16 other Revolutionary Guards who died in the explosion at their military base on Saturday.

The blast was so big it was felt in the capital Tehran, some 45 km (28 miles) away.

Officials said the accident happened as troops were moving munitions at the base west of Tehran and have denied suggestions that it may have been sabotage.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called for better observance of safety standards at military sites. On October 12 last year, a similar blast at a Revolutionary Guards munitions store killed and wounded several servicemen in Khoramabad, western Iran. Authorities said that explosion was an accident.

“Martyr Moqaddam was the main architect of the Revolutionary Guards’ canon and missile power and the founder

Islamic Revolution and became a hugely powerful military and economic body.

A veteran of the eight-year

Nevertheless, a Western intelligence source told TIME magazine Monday that the Mossad was behind the explosion

covert operations by Israel and its allies to undermine the atomic work it says is entirely peaceful.

Silverstein stated categorically that the Mossad and the MEK, a group of Iranian exiles,

Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s, Moqaddam’s importance was underlined by the appearance of Khamenei at his funeral and a personal visit to his family by Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad

at the Iranian missile base.

“Don’t believe the Iranians that it was an accident,” the official was quoted by the the US magazine as saying.

The unnamed official added

Mean while Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak addressed for the first time on Sunday evening the mysterious explosion that took place on Saturday at a military base in Iran.

collaborated to carry out the explosions.

“My source has never been wrong so far in the reports he’s offered,” Silverstein wrote.

that more sabotage is being planned to stop Iran’s ability to build nuclear weapons and delivery systems for them, saying, “There are more bullets in the magazine.”

Iran has said several assassinations of nuclear scientists, and cyber attacks are

In an interview with Army Radio, Barak would not speculate about the cause and nature of the explosion and when asked about the extent of the damage caused by the explosion he replied, “I do not know, but may there be more such explosions.”

On Sunday, blogger Richard

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei attended the ceremony.

David Cameron’s imitation of Julia Gillard ‘worst Australian accent ever’

David Cameron’s imitation of Julia Gillard’s broad nasal inflection has been panned in Australia as a diplomatic insult and “perhaps one of the worst Aussie accents in history”.

British Prime Minister David Cameron has reportedly impersonated the Australian Prime Minister Julia

Gillard during his annual foreign policy speech in London.

During the speech, he described a conversation he had with Gillard while in Australia for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

She was among the leaders to support what he calls a “historic” decision to allow first-born daughters the right

to the British throne.

Speaking in his annual foreign policy speech to the Lord Mayor of London’’s banquet, he thanked Gillard for hosting the talks.

“I turned to the Australian Prime Minister and said, Thank you very much, Julia, for allowing us to have this meeting in Australia,” Cameron

said, adding “And he said - I can’’t quite do the accent but I’’ll try - ‘’Not a bit, David, this is good news for Sheilas everywhere”.

Local media here dubbed the incident as the worst in Aussie accent history, with a news website saying “it’’s so bad it could cause a diplomatic row.”

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South Asia Tribune I Thursday 17 November 2011

BBC documentary entitled “Secret Pakistan” Lord Nazir Ahmed open letter to Mark Thompson, Director General of the BBC, The documentary is full of inaccuracies, based on three unconfirmed Afghan witnesses and features interviews with Pakistani Generals which have been taken out of context.

Mark Thompson Director General of the BBC Broadcasting House Portland Place, London, W1A 1AA England 14th November 2011 Dear Mr Thompson, I am writing to you in relation to a recent two-part BBC documentary entitled “Secret Pakistan” broadcast on 26th October and 2nd November

was given considerable credibility as an ISI agent, and who was described as being held in an Afghan prison.

We are not made aware of the interrogation system used to force confessions out of Syed Akbar or his rank or service within the Pakistan Army.

Another Taliban commander, ‘Najeeb’ was interviewed who claimed that he was trained by the ISI and that he recognized his training staff from their ‘ISI uniform’.

Mr Najeed spoke Persian , not Pushto an unusual situation given that Pashtoon men speak Pushto.

Furthermore, the BBC ought to know well enough that Intelligence Services Officers do not wear uniforms thereby casting doubt on the validity of claims made by ‘Najeeb’ in the program.

You will recall that during October 2009, Pakistan’s General Headquarters were attacked by terrorists who were disguised in Pakistan army uniforms. The terrorists who attacked the HQ killed many soldiers as well as officers of the Pakistan Army.

The program relies on another interview of a potential young suicide bomber who claimed that he was trained by the ISI and was told by his masters that “they were from the ISI”. I will not belabor my point but my

The program has stirred immense concern and disappointment in the British Pakistani community for what has been perceived by viewers of Pakistani descent as blatant discrimination towards Pakistan and her governing institutions. The documentary also manipulates facts in a very odd fashion as I shall detail below.

The documentary is full of inaccuracies, based on three unconfirmed Afghan witnesses and features interviews with Pakistani Generals which have been taken out of context.

I have spoken directly with General Atthar Abbas, Head of Inter Services Public Relations in the Pakistan Army, who has confirmed to me that his interview was recorded six months ago for another purpose entirely and the excerpts used in ‘Secret Pakistan,’ he argues, have been taken out of context. He claims not to have been asked question concerning the specific allegations made in the program and his responses could not sensibly therefore, be seen as answers to the allegations.

I further understand that the program mentions the former ISI Director General Lt. General Mahmud Ahmed as assuring the Taliban of his assistance during the invasion by the coalition forces. The fact that General Mahmud Ahmed did not occupy this post at that time makes this rather an absurd suggestion.

Lt. General Ahmed retired on 08 October 2001 whereas the American and British forces landed in Afghanistan some time after his retirement. Since he was retired before the coalition forces were on the ground he was not in position of authority, indeed in any position, to help the Taliban against the coalition forces.

The documentary was a concoction of excerpts drawn from various interviews in order to portray Pakistan’s Intelligence Services, the ISI, as an organization that generates nothing but terrorism and aims at the destruction of the Western world to be substantiated It is unfortunate that the BBC has wittingly or contention that allegations ought here too. unwittingly sought to legitimate the sort of anti-Pakistan rather than presented as facts applies Hameed Gul stated rhetoric that has emerged in the past few months as a The former Chief of ISI General very important for result of the many hundreds of Pakistanis killed by US that the “Haqqani network is failed to mention is drone attacks, and the worsening diplomatic relations Pakistan”. What the program that the Haqqani Network was on the side of Western between America and Pakistan. forces fighting against the Soviet Union. We trained of part rst fi the from The message that emanated them as men the two part documentary purported to suggest that them, we funded them and we promoted the Haqqani Network Pakistan was responsible for the deaths of British of principle. This background of is not presented in the program thereby providing no soldiers in Afghanistan and and purpose. the terrorist attacks of July 7th 2005. This pernicious wider historical context to its origins was either documentary this that me to seem would It public viewing the in fear evokes narrative deliberately research of past and hatred against Pakistan and the Pakistani people. crafted without sufficiently rigorous omitted deliberately.

The BBC appears to have given no thought whatsoever events or that these events were offered, locations to the injury caused to British Pakistanis as a result of There were no interview dates was clearly edited its poor quality programming, nor to the consequences clearly stated and every interview for cherry picking. to UK interests in South Asia. documentary should The first of the three witnesses was Syed Akbar who Gary Berntsen’s statement in the

Taliban. Schroen’s successor, Berntsen, was bitter about these leaders from the Northern Alliance and all those who were once given money by Schroen were now seen as enemies by Berntsen. This trend has many secret revelations which have not been unveiled till now however they demonstrate the murky political intrigue and double game that was being played by US itself.

Furthermore, the program did not even give passing mention to the 35,000 Pakistanis, and that’s a conservative estimate, have died since the UK and US launched their invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. If we add to this figure all the military and civilian casualties suffered by the 44 coalition nations, including the US & UK, the casualties experienced by Pakistanis is far greater in number than the sum total of coalition casualties. This is a most devastating fact and one that merited explicit mention in a program of this nature.

Unfortunately, these facts were conveniently ignored book, his in be assessed considering what he wrote by the program makers. The images and videos shown ‘Jawbreaker: The Attack on Bin Laden and Al-Qaeda: A in the documentary were mainly those of butcher Personal Account by the CIA’s Key Field Commander’ shops, knives, burqa clad women in hand drawn (Three Rivers Press, 2006) that Osama bin Laden carriages, below waist shots of paramilitary forces. I US the had Bora Tora at arrested been could have know from personal experience that Pakistan is much operation. the to military devoted more resources more than this gloomy ambience that was filmed and it merely serves to reinforce my understanding that this programme was not objective in the least.

The use made by the documentary makers of Jihadi videos, which are not shown by the mainstream media in any other country, and the time allocation given to commentators from the US, UK and Afghanistan, in comparison to the amount of airtime afforded Pakistani experts, is further testimony to the obvious lack of objectivity on the part of the documentary team. This was a loaded documentary. One that took no pains to present an impartial and dispassionate assessment of the subject matter preferring instead to make selective and decontextualised use of interviews; excessive use of interviewees of a particular orientation, providing no counter- representation to contest their arguments; and images of an entirely inappropriate and frightful nature to further consolidate the perception of Pakistan as a country that is our worst best friend. One that is acting against the interests of the Western world.

I have received countless letters from British Pakistanis expressing their concerns over this issue. The license fee payers rightly expect a more balanced, impartial and objective documentary from the world’s largest and most respected public service broadcaster.

I add my own concerns those of British Pakistanis who believe the BBC has not in this instance upheld its own commendable standards as UK’s premier media organization. The content of the documentary, and its style and presentation, are far from convincing Berntsen added that the escape of bin Laden and his and advertently shields the failures of US strategies bodyguards from Tora Bora to an unknown location in Pakistan. I believe that Pakistan has paid a very could have been prevented by the presence of US heavy price, within and outside of Pakistan, for implying thereby border military on the Pak-Afghan supporting United States on “the war on terror” and to a be to proved that the reliance on corrupt warlords undermine Pakistan’s efforts to combat terrorism, as mistake. the documentary ‘Secret Pakistan’ clearly does, is not However, this lack of awareness was the result of a only unjust but also highly discouraging. deliberate attempt by the US to drag Pakistan further It is the responsibility of the media to understand the the portray to plot the of part was It quagmire. into the fine line that exists between reporting facts and unjust double This terrorists. the for country as a safe haven propaganda. In ‘Secret Pakistan’ the BBC documentary bin that game by the US dates back to 1996, the year team appears to have lost sight of this distinction.

Laden was invited to Afghanistan by one of the members I would highly appreciate your co-operation in this of Northern Alliance. regard and look forward to your reply.

The former CIA chief in Islamabad during 1996-1999. of number a made Schroen, Gary It is alleged that Yours Sincerely secret trips to Afghanistan and bribed the Afghan leaders from the Northern Alliance, the Loose Lord Ahmed of Rotherham federations of warlords and other tribes that opposed

South Asia Tribune I Thursday 17 November 2011

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PROTESTS UPON PROTESTS Adrian Felaar Forget the H1N1-flu virus.

The latest pandemic comes in the form of global protests; across the world, it would seem that entire nations have been infected by a need to exert their political voices in this most unified and assertive of methods – who wouldn’t be fearful of a discontented rabble?

Throughout the Arab Spring, people have protested against the tyrannical regimes of presidentdictators such as Gaddafi and Mubarak. Even the Greeks had been diagnosed with a bout of “protest pandemonium” as they attempted to keep their Government’s purse stings loosened. Some have been successful in their protestations; others, not.

Unfortunately, we belong to the “others” group. In the months leading up to the culmination of 2010, many British students took to the streets of London and Manchester to illustrate the unequivocal dissent for the unprecedented rise in the tuition fees cap (the fees cap was formerly £3 000 but has now increased to £9000). Discontented student demonstrators took to the streets of the London and Mancunian capitals in order to avert the proposals to raise the cap on tuition fees and rightfully so. When all other channels of communication

Marisa Paulson [Previously: ...Why was I so quick to heal to almost anything...It commenced right when I became involved with Anderson’s antics. *** ...my slow immune system... because of my fairly slow recovery...many bruises were still present over my body...I liked that best...helping with my dad’s projects, he was an architect.]

“You don’t like going in on Wednesdays, that’s fine, just stay a couple of days more, it’s fine.”

“No that’s not...thanks, dad,” indirectly smiling I resumed my sanding. He did or didn’t get it, I didn’t know; but one of the

fail, a protest is the only one to hammer the point home.

However the protests were not at all effective in changing the minds of voting MPs in the Commons. The majority of MPs voted in favour of increasing the cap on tuition fees. The

a “climate that empowers local people and communities”. How making it more difficult for underprivileged students to go to university would further the cause of the “Big Society” is to me a paradox spanning the Grand Canyon.

repercussions of this “yes” vote will be felt in the again future when Britain’s economy will struggle with fewer graduates and a lack of their skills. The Government has, by allowing a vote on tuition fees, dissuaded many a potential graduate from attending institutions of higher learning. This is an infringement of a human right!

Our right honourable friend, David Cameron, had a flagship policy called the “Big Society”, devised with the aim to create

A great determinant of the protest’s failure was the conditions surrounding the protests. The peaceful manner of thousands was offset by the anarchical and opportunistically-criminal behaviour of a handful. What was intended to be a peaceful campaign opposed to tuition fees reform by a coalition Government, who seems unable emphatise with the common man, metastasised into displays

of unmitigated anarchy. This sort of behaviour – unreasonable and unprovoked – is what undermined the credibility of the student protests; it made students to appear in a bad light as hooligans and barbarians who were incapable

effectiveness of the protest may be a lack of endurance, unlike in the case of the Libyan revolutionaries. By no means am I calling for a revolution or a coup; what is to be admired about the situation in Libya was the people’s dedication to their cause. In our minds a reversible process must happen instantaneously akin to a chemical reaction. We all would like lower tuition fees yet our sources of motivation may not be deep enough. Perhaps it may be considered to large a conjecture but, if we had truly realized the centrality of higher education to being the only pathway to a more open and less classist society, we could have successfully have vetoed the decision of the Commons.

Then again I will venture not to dwell in what may have been – unlike Sheldon Cooper from TV’s “Big Bang Theory” show, I have no time for the delights of “alternative history”.

of communicating in a civilized manner. After that animalistic behaviour by a few, Darwin may have had more substantial evidence for his theory on evolution. As some hooliganprotesters were drawn into running street battles with members of the police force student protesters, who were serious about the damage these reforms would bring, lost out on having their voices heard.

In the future, have no doubt that there will again be protests on our shores about university tuition fees. But this time, will they achieve any tangible outcomes or be in vain?

Ahmeddinejad and Kim Jong-l may rely on nuclear weapons to flex their political muscles at the UN yet in reality the only weapons we as students have against poverty, manipulation and injustice is education…and that’s something worth fighting for.

Another roadblock to the

SORRY FOR YOURSELF best things about my stepdad, was that in the end, he understood it all.

Hank nudged me to the floor with the side of his arm. I barely missed the corner of the side table. Alert, my eyes bulged towards that pointy edge, before I turned to him: mad eyes and gritted teeth. Why did he do that? My eyes narrowed in, I wasn’t actually annoyed with it, was just his strange way and all of showing his affection, just like dad. What caused my rage this time was for the fact he could’ve hurt me in doing so.

What was worst, he didn’t even

apologise. He laughed before standing up and crouched next to me, ruffling my hair. He was twenty and still acted like, like me. “I’m sorry Anthony, accident, didn’t mean for you to fall, sorry,” he smiled waiting for any reaction. I just stared... and stared and stared. I didn’t know why, but I just stared. His beam was still painted across his face, at this point my lips slightly curved up in content that I had a cool older brother I guessed, but I didn’t do that.

I just stared...and stared...and stared...and, “Anthony!” For some reason someone shouted my name. I didn’t know why,

but I just stared. Just stared... and stared and stared and, “Anthony!” My name was called again. Comic strip pictures surrounded my view so I couldn’t see the voice’s owner. A guy: looked about twenty-one, a really puny guy: looked five, an older guy: about thirty something, and then a beautiful guy: younger than the older guy. Out of nowhere something happened. I didn’t know whether I saw it or felt it, but all I knew was that my blood boiled, and boiled...and boiled. The blood, I had visions of it looking red, sizzling hot like it was boiling in a fryer pan. Something hap-

pened again. I didn’t know, but I felt it, felt it hard. My body did something weird, was like the bones rumbled about in there, like my intestines were being pulled by something, something fierce, fearful. A ten times stronger strength of Worthall Anderson, punching me from in, sledge hammering from the out. Then it happened. I didn’t know, I didn’t know, but I denied my spine twisting – back and forth – before crunch, it snapped. “AARGH!” A random voice went: thought it was mine, because the voice sounded like it underwent the same event I did. “AARGH!” The comic strips vanished. The people vanished.

My sight vanished. But the voices didn’t. “ANTHONY!”

NEWS

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ENTERTAINMENT

Gklih{l

Remember Me Keziah-Ann Abakah I do not believe that any one person can fully encompass or summon to mind the world we would now be living in had Adolf Hitler been triumphant in World War II. I do not believe that those who laid down their lives to fight for their country and a better world did so in vain and I do not believe that the efforts of each and every individual who helped with the War should pass without being remembered.

However, I do believe that we should be remembering more than just those who died. So Remembrance Day, what should we be remembering?

The terrors of war are not easily forgotten. The loss of lives, the bloodshed, the sacrifices and the emptiness of knowing you were left behind. They do not fade, they do not go but they do subside and once they subside

South Asia Tribune I Thursday 17 November 2011

they give way to reflection and yet it seems that the world has not reflected long enough.

The devastation of war should have taught the world a very valuable lesson and the lesson that should have been learnt is this. War brings death and destruction and where it is not necessary are the same places in which it is present.

Look no further than Afghanistan, Libya and Hiroshima to see the effects of wars that are on-going and the aftermath of wars that have ceased. Everyday another life that need not be taken is stripped from the earth and another family, another mother, another friend must live with the knowledge that their loved one will not return. We live in a day and age where we have the resources to do almost everything and yet it is believed that we cannot lay down our

weapons and find alternative solutions to peace.

Remembrance Day commemorates the memory of those who suffered in order to bring about a peaceful world to live in but each year on this very same day another solider falls, another life is lost and another memory is commemorated.

The lives that were laid down to bring about the world in which we now live should be examples and reminders of why War should be avoided at all cost.

They should not be symbolisms of why war is necessary especially when it is not.

There are many things to be remembered on Remembrance Day the world we would now be living in, the lives of those who have fallen and the sacrifices that so many made to see a better world. So Remembrance Day, what should we be remembering?

FASHION

Navin Kundra’s all mixed up!

ADVICE Dear Miss R, I recently started to talk to a whole new group of people and making new friends which I am really enjoying. Talking to all these new people is great and makes me feel good also but my best friend does not really like socialising and always wants to just stay alone. I appreciate that she wants to spend time with me and doesn’t feel comfortable talking to different people however she expects me to do the same and just stick to her solely. I don’t feel comfortable just hanging out with one person and I love meeting new people but she just makes it extremely difficult and I feel bad for leaving her out but it’s not intentional. What do I do?

Anna Dear Anna, It’s great that you are enjoying meeting new people and socialising as this will help you very much in the future as colleges and universities look for out-going people.

Also networking and building contacts is very helpful and advantageous. I understand where your best friend is coming from; she feels lonely and rejected however she needs to realise that she cannot be dependent on one person only and you should try to explain to her that as much as you love her, you also need to talk to other people.

Also encourage her to overcome her shyness and interact with others as if she doesn’t it may be difficult for her to have a social life in the future. However if she still refuses to do this and prevents you from having other friends than you should move on and know that a true friend wouldn’t hold you back. Hope it all works out.

Miss R

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Saarc international I Thursday 17 November 2011

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Thursday, 17.11.11

international

China seeks greater role in SAARC

China is seeking an active role in the eight-member South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), an official said on Friday, in a move likely to be resisted by India.

Maldivian officials said China, an observer along with the United States, Japan and the European Union, was expecting a higher profile as a “dialogue partner” in the light of Beijing’s increased strategic interest in many South Asian states.

Beijing was said to be unhappy being a mere observer and wanted a more active role as a “dialogue partner” because of its investment in the economies of many member states. India would likely be suspicious of any greater Chinese role.

New Delhi has watched with anxiety as Beijing has forged ties with many countries in the South Asia region, often by dispensing aid and soft loans for infrastructure.

While trade and terrorism dominated the agenda of the twoday SAARC Summit that concluded at Addu City in Maldives on Friday with the adoption of the Addu Declaration, intense lobbying by Observers, especially China, to upgrade relations with the eight-member grouping appeared to have paid dividends.

The 20-point agenda of the Declaration adopted at the Summit included the decision to “undertake a comprehensive review of all matters relating to SAARC’s engagement with Observers, including the question of dialogue partnership, before the next Session of the Council of Ministers in 2012”.

While India has had reservations about it, with officials citing

“limited capacity” of the SAARC, China has been lobbying hard seeking the status of at least a dialogue partner given its strategic interests in South Asian countries.

While SAARC has eight members, there were nine Observers at the summit here — US, China, Japan, Myanmar, Australia, Iran, Korea, Mauritius and the European Union.

The member states decided to direct the SAFTA Ministerial Council to intensify efforts to fully implement SAFTA Lists as well as early resolution of non-tariff barriers and expediting the process of harmonizing standards and customs procedures.

Through the Addu Declaration, it was decided to direct the SAARC Finance Ministers to chart a proposal that would allow for greater flow of financial capital and intra-regional long-term investment. The Secretary General was directed to ensure completion of the preparatory work on the Indian Ocean Cargo and Passenger Ferry Service, including the feasibility study, by the end of 2011. The member states expressed deep concern about the continuing threat of terrorism in all its forms and increased incidents of maritime piracy in the region, and reiterated their resolve to fight all such menaces.

Their Declaration called for an early conclusion of the proposed UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism and completion of the ratification of the SAARC Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters. They also decided to “initiate work” towards combating maritime piracy in the region.

The Summit welcomed the signing of the SAARC

Agreement on Rapid Response to Natural Disasters, the SAARC Seed Bank Agreement, the SAARC Agreement on Multilateral Arrangement on Recognition of Conformity Assessment and the SAARC Agreement on Implementation of Regional Standards.

The member states undertook to conclude the Regional Railways Agreement and to convene the Expert Group Meeting on the Motor Vehicles Agreement before the next Session of the Council of Ministers and also to direct the early conducting of a demonstration run of a container train (Bangladesh-India-Nepal).

It was also decided to develop modalities, by involving the private sector, in promoting the region globally as “Destination South Asia”.

The member states decided to convene an Intergovernmental Expert Group Meeting to discuss the establishment of a regional mechanism to ensure empowerment of women and gender equality in the region, with focus on national legislations. The next SAARC Summit will take place in Nepal.

Main opposition BNP has called for granting China full membership in the South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC).

The party’s chairperson Khaleda Zia made the call in while talking to a delegation of the Chinese Communist Party on Thursday morning at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka.

Obama denies asking Australia to sell uranium to India Visiting US President Barak Obama has denied speculations that America influenced Australia to overturn its policy of not selling uranium to India.

“We have not had any influence, I suspect, on Australia’s decision to explore what its relationship in terms of the peaceful use of nuclear energy in India might be,” the US President said at a press conference on his arrival in the Australian capital of Canberra Wednesday.

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard had announced her

plan to lift the ban on uranium exports to India in a newspaper article Tuesday. “I don’t think Julia or anybody else needs my advice in figuring that out,” said Obama.

Obama said Gillard’s decision to overturn the uranium export ban seemed to be compatible with international law. “I will watch with interest what’s determined.

Obama, who was given a rousing welcome in Canberra Wednesday afternoon, also endorsed the growing ties between the two Indian Ocean Rim countries Australia and India.

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Saarc international I Thursday 17 November 2011

India, Pakistan aim to set up timeline for trade pact I

ndia and Pakistan are all set to take their bilateral trade relationship to the next level by setting a clear cut timeline for signing a preferential trade agreement at the earliest, Indian commerce secretary Rahul Khullar says.

The comment came as Pakistan’s commerce secretary Zafar Mahmood, who arrived in India on Saturday, started three days of talks on commercial and economic cooperation with Khullar on Monday. “We are open to preparing a road map with Pakistan for preferential trading arrangements under the Safta (South Asian Free Trade Agreement) process. I hope that through our discussions starting today, we shall achieve a greater clarity on such preferential trading arrangements,” Khullar said in his opening statement. Unlike a is a pact free-trade agreement, a preferential trade agreement (PTA) between countries where they agree to reduce tariffs only for certain traded products. Khullar added that the goal should be to reach peak tariff levels of “no more than 5%” for all major traded and tradable

commodities. “We hope to positively engage and jointly work to put such preferential trade arrangements in place at the very earliest,” he said. =The offer to upgrade trade ties to a PTA was made when Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Asian regional summit in the Gilani on the sidelines of a South Maldives last week where both sides had declared their intention to open a “new chapter”at future talks between the rival nations. It

followed Pakistan moving to grant India MFN status. Khullar welcomed the decision by the Pakistan government “to accord MFN status to India and to the mandate given for full normalization of bilateral trade relations as also meeting of all legal obligations.” Though there was confusion with contradictory statements coming from Pakistan on whether it has decided to accord MFN status to India, later Pakistan officials clarified that this was the case.

While India granted equal treatment to Pakistan when it comes to trade in 1996 as any other country, as per World Trade Organisation requirements, Pakistan restricts trade with India by allowing import of just 1,900 items.

Improving trade ties, hostage in the past to disputes between the neighbours, will be “a significant confidence-building measure between the two countries,” said Biswajit Dhar, director general of the Research and Information

Systems for Developing Countries think-tank.

Both sides have been trying to narrow their mutual trust deficit, the result of the November 2008 Mumbai attack in which 166 people were killed when Pakistan-based gunmen targeted multiple locations in India’s financial capital.

“Improved trade means improved economy and that means more jobs and less unemployed young people getting involved in terrorism,” Dhar said. “This is how we need to sell this to Pakistan.

India being the biggest economy in the region, India has to do most of the running in this case.”

Moving to normalize trade ties with said Lalit India was “a tactical move than a radical change of heart,” Mansingh, former foreign secretary.

“They are under pressure from wanting the country the Americans,” Mansingh said, referring to the US to cut links with terrorist groups cultivated by some sections of the Pakistani establishment for leverage against Afghanistan and India.

Continued from page 9 >>

The Dr Imran Farooq case has been solved?

According to reports Khalid Shamim’s taped conversations exposed his plan to have these two assassins murdered upon emerging from the airport in Karachi. These two were arrested at Karachi airport, whilst the arrest of Shamim was reported to have come about as a result of intense pressure on the MQM leadership from the Pakistani intelligence agency. At the time, Scotland Yard was also reported to have asked for Pakistan’s cooperation in extraditing the men to the UK (given that no charges or legal proceedings were brought against them in Pakistan) and to institute a joint interrogation team. But cooperation was not forthcoming from the Pakistan side after the arrests.

Why Scotland Yard chose to confirm the arrests now is anyone’s guess. Last month Lord Nazir Ahmed received a reply from Commander Richard Walton, Counter Terrorism Command, New Scotland Yard regarding the murder of Dr Imran Farooq that the reports regarding arrest made in Pakistan are incorrect. South Asia Tribune was in contact by Lord Nazir Ahmed and also with the team who are investigating the murder, we provided the pictures and also the reports Published in UK and Pakistan. It emerged from reliable sources that Met involved Saleem Shahzad, Mohammad Anwar and another top leader of MQM with regards to murder enquiry, even they were cautioned by the Met. However, that the Yard has now begun to pressure Pakistan publicly for progress on the case cannot be ruled out. While allegations swirling around this murder have never strayed far from the MQM itself, it is to be hoped the Yard’s confirmation of the arrests and proofs provided

by Dr Mirza will spur the investigation beyond the pawns and bishops in this game of chess.

From Nepal via India, the ‘Spinal Beetle’ in Pakistan The South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) and supporters of Kanak Mani Dixit and Shanta Dixit’s “Great Nepal-IndiaPakistan Spinal Beetle Drive” fundraising initiative arranged a talk to spread awareness about the cause.

The event was held at Safma centre on Monday.

The married duo is raising funds for the Spinal Injury Rehabilitation Centre-Nepal to cover the cost of expanding its capacity from 38 beds to 51.

Kanak Dixit attributes this increased need to the high frequency of accidents in Nepal, largely due to the hilly terrain of the country.

Kanak himself fell from a cliff and suffered a spinal cord injury while trekking around the Annapurna Region in August 2000, leading to the emergence of the centre.

The journey commenced in a blue, 1973 model Volkswagen Beetle on November 4, 2011 from Kathmandu, Nepal. Since then, it has passed through Lucknow, Agra, New Delhi and Amritsar in India before crossing over to Pakistan via the Wagah-Atari border. After visiting Mayo Hospital in Lahore, the couple headed to the AF Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine in Rawalpindi. From Islamabad, they plan to go to the Paraplegic Centre in Hayatabad, Peshawar, on November 16.

The couple stress that fundraising is in no way the only motive behind this effort. Much like their previous drives in 2002 and 2005, this one also attempts to build bridges and understanding between the components of South Asia.

Kanak said, “We are trying to use spinal

injury as a tool to build connectivity and networking in South Asia to cross the barbwire of animosity.”

“Unlike Pakistanis and Indians, who do not have the privilege to travel freely into each other’s countries, Nepalese do, and we are trying to utilise that,” he added.

He also expressed the pressing need to travel by land as opposed to airplanes, as it is cheaper and more accessible to the masses.

His wife, Shanta, added to this sentiment, “this trip has had a double purpose: to raise funds but also to increase connectivity and explore new places”. Such exploration of South Asia is indeed not possible boarded on an airplane.

She added, “While travelling on GT Road, the history of the area can be felt and one wonders if this place was one before, why can’t we have the same oneness again?”

Through this drive, efforts to connect and

help each other are also taking place. Mayo Hospital in Lahore has offered two medical seats for postgraduate specialisation for five years to Nepalese students.

In contrast to Nepal’s high spinal injury due to accidents, Pakistan has seen many suffer similar injuries during earthquakes. “One of the aspects of the visit is to understand the impacts of disasters on medical centres and how rehabilitation for the effected populace is taking place,” she said.

The spirit of collaboration, friendship and understanding was echoed by Kishwar Naheed and Tahira Abdullah also as they commended the initiative. Tahira Abdullah commented that in addition to the various positive outcomes of the drive, the Blue Volkswagen journey could be an inspiration to the youth given that the Volkswagen is such a prominent symbol of popular culture that has sustained its fame through the decades.

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Saarc international I Thursday 17 November 2011

WEEKLY REVIEW OF AFGHANISTAN NEWS

Afghan jirga to debate US ties despite doubts President Hamid Karzai convenes a “loya jirga” of elders from across Afghanistan on Wednesday to discuss long-term relations with the US and efforts to broker peace amid the threat of violence.

After 10 gruelling years of war, the talks will be held under lockdown security that is a reminder of the constant danger even in the capital, while observers say it is unclear how the jirga, or traditional

assembly, can help.

Some 2,000 Afghan elders are set to

gather in a giant tent for several days of talks on two of the most sensitive

issues in Afghan politics, as US-led combat troops start leaving before a full withdrawal in 2014.

Diplomats in Kabul say Karzai is likely to use the talks to secure a sweeping mandate as he pursues a controversial agreement with the United States on the strategic partnership which will govern their relationship after 2014.

But parallel talks with Washington and a lack of transparency over the agenda

have prompted accusations Karzai is trying to manipulate the jirga to his own ends, substituting the talks for real progress on ending a 10-year war.

“It would have been wise to postpone but I think these jirgas have become a kind of ritual for President Karzai because he lacks a genuine political agenda,” said Kabul-based political analyst Haroon Mir. “He’s not tackling the major issues.”

Afghan president’s rival to boycott assembly The main challenger to the Afghan president said Sunday he would boycott a traditional leaders’ assembly to discuss peace moves and ties with the United States, calling it illegal and unconstitutional.

President Hamid Karzai has convened the assembly, or loya jirga, this week to discuss strategies for trying to broker peace with Taliban insurgents and long-term relations with the United States after combat troops leave.

Abdullah Abdullah, rival to Karzai in the runoff round of the 2009 presidential election, told a news conference in Kabul: “I

won’t participate in the upcoming traditional loya jirga. Holding this... doesn’t have any legal base, and it is contrary to Afghanistan’s constitution.”

He did not rule out attendance of the assembly, to be held from November 16, by members of the opposition Change and Hope Coalition, which he heads.

The loya jirga follows the September assassination of Karzai’s chief peace negotiator Burhanuddin Rabbani by a bomber who purported to be a peace envoy for the Taliban, amid government attempts to negotiate with the insurgents.

Abdullah also denounced vagueness surrounding the future of Afghanistan’s partnership with the US -- which led the 2001 invasion that ousted the Taliban from

‘Hundreds of UK troops in Afghanistan after 2015’ Hundreds of British soldiers will stay in Afghanistan after the UK pulls out combat troops, the chief of the defence staff has said.

The government wants troops to leave by 2015, but says some will remain to support and train Afghan forces. General Sir David Richards said the final figure was undecided, but it would be hundreds rather than thousands. Their role is to prevent Afghanistan being used as a terrorist base.

Gen Richards, speaking on the BBC’s

Andrew Marr programme, said: “We haven’t yet decided what the residual figure will be, but I think we are looking in the hundreds rather than the thousands.”

He said Britain’s role was not to “extinguish the insurgency” but to reduce it to a level that Afghan security forces can take on, and to prevent the country being used as a base to train terrorists.

“We’re on track to deliver that strategy,” he said.

There was no truth in the suggestion

that injured soldiers could lose their jobs, he added.

The suggestion was made in a leaked memo by a junior officer - but it was dismissed by the Ministry of Defence.

The document, seen by the Daily Telegraph, suggested 2,500 wounded personnel could go as part of 16,500 Army job losses. It is thought to have been distributed to commanders in Afghanistan.

Referring to the story, Gen Richards said: “I’d like to kill that, there’s no such policy.”

government -- after the planned withdrawal of its combat troops by the end of 2014.

“I have not seen any documents” on the future partnership, said Abdullah, who also served as foreign minister under Karzai from 2001 to 2006.

A deal still under negotiation with the Americans will govern the longer-term presence of US troops in Afghanistan, a highly sensitive issue in Afghanistan and the wider region.

The loya jirga, which brings together representatives from Afghan provinces, tribes, ethnic groups

and civil society, is held on rare occasions to discuss major policy decisions.

Another coalition recently created around two former warlords, Abdul Rashid Dostum and Haji Mohammad Mohaqeq, has also denounced the planned assembly.

Lawmakers had voiced concern it would be used to bypass their powers, but a spokeswoman for the assembly said Saturday its decisions would not be binding and parliament would have the final say.

More than 2,000 people are expected to attend the meeting in a giant tent in Kabul.

UK denies report of deeper cuts to Afghan troops Britain denied a newspaper report on Saturday that it was considering making deeper cuts to its army than previously announced and that soldiers wounded in Afghanistan could be among those losing their jobs.

The Daily Telegraph said it had

junior officer, was incorrect. “Beyond those already announced, there are no further army reductions planned,” it said. Wounded soldiers would not be at risk of losing their jobs while they were receiving treatment, it said in a statement.

However, Brigadier Richard Nugee,

seen a leaked memo sent to senior commanders in Afghanistan that said cuts in army numbers would be more than double the figure originally announced, and wounded soldiers would not be exempt.

Britain’s Defence Ministry said the information in the internal memo, which it said had been written by a

in charge of army staffing, said the memo was part of work on options to meet a government target to reduce army numbers to 82,000 by 2020, from 102,500 in 2010.

“As the person responsible for that programme, you would not expect me to do anything other than actually look at all the possibilities,” he told

Afghanistan moves quickly to sell mineral rights While an end to the fighting in Afghanistan seems some time off, competition is already under way for control of the country’s mineral riches, valued at more than US $1 trillion (48 trillion AFA), Agence France Presse (AFP) reported November 10.

According to Ministry of Mines documents seen by AFP, Afghanistan is planning to sell extraction rights for up to five mines every year until the last international coalition troops depart in 2014.

With the war’s Western backers pushing economic solutions to end the decade-long conflict, the tussle

for future influence in Afghanistan is becoming a regional contest, experts say.

China, flush with foreign exchange reserves and undeterred by the hazards of frontier capitalism, bought the first tendered oil and copper concessions, leading the list of Afghanistan’s neighbours bidding for the mines so far.

The huge Aynak mine south of Kabul, to which China won extraction rights in 2007, could yield over11m tonnes of copper, according to Soviet-era data.

A decision on awarding the biggest consignment yet – the two-billion-

tonne Hajigak iron ore mine in central Bamiyan Province – is due in the coming days.

“Everyone’s rushing,” said Deputy Minister of Mines Nasir Durrani, estimating the Hajigak deal could be worth up to $6 billion (287 trillion AFA) to the government.

Future deals on offer include several oil blocks, more copper and iron mines, and deposits of gold and lapis luzuli.

The combined payout from the Aynak and Hajigak mines could earn the hard-up Afghan treasury US $500m (24 trillion AFA) per year, one mining analyst predicted.

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Saarc international I Thursday 17 November 2011

WEEKLY REVIEW OF BANGLADESH NEWS

BNP’s Khulna road march on Nov 26 BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia will lead a road march towards Khulna on November 26 and 27 demanding reinstatement of the caretaker government system in the constitution.

During the two-day programme, she will address three roadside rallies in Pabna, Jhenaidah and Jessore, and two public meetings in Kushita and Khulna.

The main opposition announced the programme yesterday after a preparatory meeting at the chairperson’s Gulshan office with party standing committee member Tariqul Islam in the chair. Senior leaders including acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was present in the meeting.

BNP leaders of Kushtia, Meherpur, Chuadanga, Jhenidah, Jessore, Narail, Bagerhat, Satkhira, Magura and Khulna districts also attended the meeting.

“The road march will be arranged to compel the government to reinstate the caretaker system, and to protest soaring prices of essentials,

recent price-hike of fuel oil, and corruption in rented power plants,” said Tariqul at a press briefing after the meeting.

According to the party decision, Khaleda Zia will start for Kushtia on November 26 from her Gulshan residence. She will address a street rally at Dashuria in Pabna and, in the afternoon, will address a rally in Kushtia stadium. On her way to Jessore she is scheduled to speak at a street rally in Jhenidah.

She will start the road march for Khulna on November 27 and address a public meeting at Khulna Circuit House in the afternoon.

Earlier, Khaleda led a road march towards Sylhet on October 10 and 11, and another road march towards Chapainawabganj on October 18 and 19.

As per the party’s plan, Khaleda will lead road marches towards Barisal, Rangpur and Chittaong soon.

On septmber 27, she declared these programmes from a mammoth public meeting in the capital.

UK Parliamentarians visit Bangladesh to mark World Pneumonia Day To mark World Pneumonia Day, a senior UK parliamentary delegation travelled to Dhaka this week to see firsthand the full impact of pneumonia on Bangladeshi children.

To mark World Pneumonia Day, a senior UK parliamentary delegation travelled to Dhaka this week to see firsthand the full impact of pneumonia on Bangladeshi children. “but more still needs to be done to tackle one of the worst child killers in the developing world: pneumonia.”

Jim Dobbin, Chair of the APPG Against Pneumonia and Malcolm Bruce MP, Chair of the Select Committee for International Development visited Dhaka Shishu hospital where children suffering from pneumonia fill an entire ward.

to enable them to roll out lifesaving new and underused vaccines. Earlier this year, the UK Government pledged an additional GBP 814 million to support GAVI, which has helped immunise an additional 288 million children and saved an estimated five million lives since 2000.

Both Dobbin and Bruce together with Ivan Lewis MP, Shadow Secretary of State for International Pneumonia is Bangladesh’s biggest childhood killer, claiming 55,000 young lives each year.

“Bangladesh has made huge strides in its immunisation programme,” said Malcolm Bruce MP, “but more still needs to be done to tackle one of the worst child killers in the developing world: pneumonia.”

Bangladesh is expected to apply

to the GAVI Alliance in 2012 for financial support to introduce the pneumococcal vaccine, which offers protection from one of the leading causes of pneumonia. Since 2010, 16 GAVI-eligible countries have introduced pneumococcal vaccine with the Alliance’s support.

GAVI provides funding support to developing country governments

Development, timed their visit to the Bangladeshi capital to mark the 12 November World Pneumonia Day -- an awareness-raising event organised by the Global Coalition Against Pneumonia.

“The World Pneumonia Day Coalition is a fantastic group of organisations coming together to raise the profile of this disease which has a staggering impact in the developing world,” said Dobbin.

50 shops gutted in N’ganj market fire

60km tailback on Dhaka-Ctg highway Thousands of passengers streaming into the capital after the Eid holidays were stranded for hours in a 15kilometre tailback at Daulatdia ferry terminal of Rajbari yesterday.

Hundreds of vehicles were seen lined up on the Rajbari-Khulna highway stretching from the Goalondo zero point to Khankhanapur around 2:00pm. About the cause of the tailback, BIWTC officials at Daulatdia office told The Daily Star two Ro-Ro ferries--Bir Shrestha Hamidur Rahman and Bir Shrestha Motiur Rahman--had remained anchored at the floating workshop of the terminal for their repair since early hours of yesterday. Jillur Rahman, deputy general manager of BIWTC Daulatdia office, said eight of ten Ro-Ro ferries and a K-type ferry

is now operational on the PaturiaDaulatdia route. Some passengers were crossing the 15-km tailback on foot to reach the Daulatdia launch terminal. Over a thousand vehicles could be ferried in the last 24 hours,

BIWTC officials said. The people of 21 south and south western districts have started to return to their workplaces in Dhaka and other parts of the country through the terminal after the Eid holidays.

At least 50 shops inside five tin-shed markets were reduced to ashes in a devastating fire which broke out at Fatullah Bazar in sadar upazila here yesterday afternoon.

At least 50 shops inside five tin-shed markets were reduced to ashes in a devastating fire which broke out at Fatullah Bazar in sadar upazila here yesterday afternoon. There was no report of casualty.

Ahsanul Kabir, deputy director of Narayanganj Fire Service and Civil Defence, said the fire might have

originated from an electrical short circuit in one of the shops around 2:30pm.

On information, five units of fire brigades from Mondalpara and Hajiganj rushed to the spot and doused the flames in half an hour.

Two shop owners, Royel Choudhury and Jamal Choudhury, said the goods inside could not be saved as the shops were locked due to the Eid holidays.

Traffic on Dhaka-Narayanganj road was disrupted for an hour following the fire.

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Saarc international I Thursday 17 November 2011

WEEKLY REVIEW OF BHUTAN NEWS

371 demkhongs on run to grab positions The local government election for the 371 vacant posts in the 20 dzongkhags will be held on December 26, the Election Commission of Bhutan announced yesterday.

The government structure under the constitution is still not complete with the vacancies in the local government. Out of 205 gewogs in 20 dzongkhags, two gewogs of Bjagchog in Chukha and Gongdue in Mongar are still without gups, after the Bjagchog gup-elect candidate was disqualified, since he crossed the age limit of 65 years; while the latter was ousted through a ‘yes’ and ‘no’ vote election on June 27. A mangmi post in Lunana, Gasa, also remains vacant.

A total of 368 gewog tshogpas, including eight dzongkhag thromde thuemis and a thromde tshogpa will be elected on the poll day, which, according to ECB, will be declared as a public holiday in demkhongs where there is a poll only.

According to the ECB announcement, the selection procedure for two gups and a mangmi of vacant demkhongs, and the signature process by eligible persons for post of thromde thuemi, gewog or thromde tshogpa commences on November 16; and the last date for filling of nominations of candidates is November 28.

Aspiring candidates, who wish to contest the upcoming election, must be born on or before October 1, 1986.

A candidate, as per the electoral laws, must be minimum 25 years and maximum 65 years of age to stand for election. And the voter should not be younger than 18 years old.

After the filling of nominations of candidates on November 28, candidates will be allowed to campaign for 26 days, which will stop 48 hours before the start of poll.

The notification states that no minister, member of parliament, official or member of a political party, and the elected local government

Better treatment for the elderly

The health ministry is training staff from hospitals and basic health units from Tashigang, Trongsa, Wangduephodrang and Samtse on how to treat elderly patients. The elderly do not receive any special treatment.

Officials said they hope to provide better service to elderly patients.

“Even if our children do not give us anything, we do not mind.

Talk to us nicely. That’s all we ask for,” said 82-year-old Dorji from Brekha Goenpa in Khaling.

“We feel neglected. We feel we are useless. It hurts us a lot.”

Elderly patients face numerous problems in the hospital without anybody to help them. They feel lost and helpless and cannot

find their way around from the reception where the patients register, to the doctor’s chamber, and from there to the area where they collect their medicines.

They also have difficulty communicating mainly due to hearing problems.

“I wish the hospital would also give us different food since we cannot take what we used to when we were young,” said Dorji Dema, 80, from Nganglam Dechenling in Pemegatsel.

18 health assistants and representatives from hospitals and Basic Health units in Tashigang, Trongsa, Wangduephodrang and Samtse are attending the training.

officials like gups, mangmis, gewog tshogpas, dzongkhag thromde thuemi, thrompons, thromde tshogpas can campaign directly or indirectly for any candidate, and can only participate as a voter on the poll day. “No trips or official tours shall be undertaken by a minister or member of parliament to a constituency during the election period, except to cast their votes on the poll day, should they wish not to use the postal ballot facility extended to them and their spouses,” stated the announcement.

The election period, which started from November 8, will complete on December 26.

Both the thromde and gewog tshogde elections saw a comparatively poor voter turnout, with only 56 percent or 194,357 voters coming to vote.

There were also many controversies related to the elections, as many gup elect candidates were dragged to courts of law.

The grey areas in a growing business The software export business, which has resurfaced again with last year’s exports touching Nu 2.1B, needs to be investigated again to see whether there are any real benefits to the economy.

While the government and those in the business maintain that it is a legitimate, since everything is recorded on paper, taxes are paid and transactions take place through banking channels, there are several grey areas that arouse suspicion.

One is that nobody knows what is on the discs. Software companies say that they hire a few specialists from India, who develop the software in Bhutan, which is then exported to places like Hong Kong and Singapore as a product of Bhutanese origin.

Nor is the government doing anything to verify what might be on the discs exported out from Paro airport. Lack of capacity to do so is quoted as the main reason. This

was the case when the government first did a study of software exports in 2007, when it reached Nu 4.5B. It has not changed today. Software exporters get their certificate of origin without any checking of the disc that sometimes comes packed in a white envelope with the destination address printed on one side.

Given that no monitoring exists many believe there might be nothing on the disc, apart from serving as physical evidence of something being exported.

One software developer said the software comes via email, which is downloaded only by the Indian specialist unto the discs that are packed and labeled in Bhutan as a Bhutanese product.

The government’s study into the software business in 2007 showed that it was being done to earn hard currency for industries that import raw material like palm oil and copper from third countries.

NEWS

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Saarc international I Thursday 17 November 2011

PML-N warns army, ISI to stop supporting PTI Analysts and observers concluded that the rise of Imran Khan’s PTI would hurt the PML-N the most.

LAHORE: The frantic political stir created by the up-and-coming Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) has provoked opposing reactions on Saturday from the two heavyweight parties of the country, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

While Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani calmly shrugged off talk of there being any threat to his party from the PTI’s monumental rise, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan was more frantic – alleging that there was a concerted effort to undermine the PML-N, using parties such as the PTI, and saying he had evidence to support this claim.

Though it had been fluid for a while, the political landscape was shaken by the PTI’s mammoth October 30 rally at Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore, the seat of power in Punjab, long considered the bastion of the PML-N’s power.

Even before the Lahore rally, with PTI’s major political activity taking place in urban Punjab constituencies, analysts and observers concluded that the rise of Imran Khan’s PTI would hurt the PML-N the most.

The Lahore rally seemed to drive this point home emphatically for the PML-N, which has, since then, been in a huddle, planning what to do.

PML-N offensive against ISI, establishment PML-N’s President Nawaz Sharif on Saturday held a meeting of the party’s senior leaders in Model Town Lahore where he also presided over a meeting of party workers from Faisalabad division.

According to senior party member

privy to the discussions at the meeting, Sharif has given a goahead to party leaders to ‘expose the games of military establishment’ and particularly to criticise the InterServices Intelligence (ISI). The PMLN’s think tank last month had decided that this offensive would be launched if the establishment did not cease and desist from interfering in the country’s political dynamics – and that those ISI officials allegedly involved in this practice would be ‘exposed’.

And so it began on Saturday.

Chaudhry Nisar in a typically fiery press conference said he would present evidence of the military establishment’s sponsoring and promotion of PTI’s Lahore rally. He warned that if the ISI did not mend its ways the PML-N would take ‘direct action’ either on the floor of the house, in the courts or through the media.

“I have detailed documents of funding and ample evidence of the management

the ISI extended in making the PTI’s rally successful,” Nisar said.

He vowed that he would present this evidence in the coming session of the National Assembly, which is slated to start from Monday. He said that he would force the government to review what he termed a policy of promoting the role of intelligence agencies just to damage PML-N. Nisar calls out Kayani Asked why he did not approach Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani with the allegations, Nisar replied that he had approached the general a number of times to control the role of ISI in politics. Kayani, he said, never responded to the pleas.

He did add that he told the army chief that the ISI’s role under Kayani had remained ‘excellent’ for the first two years – but that this role had become dubious once again.

To a query, Nisar said that since Kayani would not listen to him, he

would demand that the prime minister call the army chief to the floor of the National Assembly to clarify the establishment’s position in the making and breaking of political parties.

He said that the ISI was being used for petty politics despite the Pakistan military being under immense foreign pressure.

Some evidence He said that Imran Khan had been in politics for 15 years, yet those that have joined him in recent days have strong linkages with the establishment. He added that 90% of those joining the PTI are from a party created by former president Gen. Pervez Musharraf, that is, the PML-Q. While the PML-Q was created under a military dictatorship, the PTI was being created during civilian rule, asserted Nisar.

Asked whether President Asif Ali Zardari is on board in this ‘game’, Nisar replied in the affirmative –

saying that the PPP co-chairman had been on board the establishment’s plan for the last three months. Nisar did hasten to add that the president might change his plans given that PPP workers, too, have begun to join PTI now.

Nothing to hide He said that Imran’s demand that politicians reveal their assets was baseless propaganda and that if he has any documentary evidence in this regard he should move the court.

He also questioned PTI’s funding and its ideology – saying both were murky. Chaudhry Nisar said that the PML-N is going to bring a bill in the forthcoming session of the National Assembly regarding an effective system to declare assets. He said that bill would encompass the details of not only personal assets but also of details of party expenditures and sponsored trips of party leaderships. He said the bill recommends the establishment of a website where each every person’s details – assets and expenditures – would be displayed.

Gilani remains cool Responding to the impending tussle for power between the PTI and PML-N and other opposition parties, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said that the government does not need to ‘show their strength or muscle’, and added that intelligence agencies were with them.

The PM was talking to reporters on the sidelines of the 125th Founder’s Day of the Aitchison College in Lahore on Saturday.

When asked whether the PPP would demonstrate its street power in response to the public show of strength displayed by the PTI and PML-N, Gilani said that ‘it was not worth the government’s time to indulge in such activities’.

Pakistan army on board, says Singh Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Saturday that a second round of talks with Islamabad would begin soon and believes the Pakistan army was on board with the peace process he discussed with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani this week.

Speaking to Indian reporters on his way home from the Maldives, Dr Singh defended his description of Mr Gilani as a man of peace, but said it did not imply trusting anyone blindly. The India-Pakistan peace process was subject to accidents, the Press Trust of India (PTI) quoted him as warning.

He said India wanted to strengthen the hands of the civilian government in Pakistan and that Mr Gilani, whom he met in Male on Thursday, had “clearly understood” that one more Mumbai-like attack would be a big setback in the peace process.

According to the PTI, he said his visit to Pakistan would take place only after Pakistan took solid steps against the Mumbai terror attack accused in that country.

“I would not like to go into the details of this matter. But when I did discuss with

Pakistan Prime Minister whether Pakistan’s armed forces were on board, the feeling I got after a long time was that Pakistan’s armed forces were on board.”

Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar had claimed earlier that the Pakistan army was on board the peace initiatives with India.

About Mr Gilani, his “man of peace”, Dr Singh said he had met him four or five times and every time they discussed bilateral issues, his counterpart had agreed that there was no way forward except for peaceful resolution of all problems and that terrorism was not helping the process.

“In fact, he (Mr Gilani) has gone ahead and expressed his reservations that terrorism is a common enemy, it (terrorism) has not helped advance Pakistan’s cause. I tend to believe that Pakistan has a democratic government. We would like to strengthen the hands of the democratic government.

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Saarc international I Thursday 17 November 2011

WEEKLY REVIEW OF INDIA NEWS

Omar places AFSPA before Delhi Durbar Mr. Abdullah met Congress president Sonia Gandhi in a one-on-one, and also Home Minister P. Chidambaram and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee. Mr. Chidambaram, who met Mr. Abdullah for an hour, supports the chief minister’s proposal.

With differences persisting at the highest levels of government on the revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from certain parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah met the Prime Minister and other top leaders here Monday to press his case for the law’s withdrawal from three districts in his state.

Later, Mr. Abdullah met Congress president Sonia Gandhi in a one-onone, and also the two senior most ministers in the Union Cabinet – Home Minister P. Chidambaram and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

Mr. Chidambaram, who met Mr. Abdullah for an hour, supports the chief minister’s proposal. Speaking to reporters later, Mr. Abdullah expressed confidence that AFSPA

could be partially withdrawn while addressing the concerns of the armed forces.

However, Defence Minister A.K. Antony, whom he met on Sunday, sounded a note of caution, terming it as a “very, very sensitive” issue on which any decision would require a “mature and cool” handling. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function here, Mr. Antony said he had “very frank and fruitful” discussions with the Chief Minister but that these

remained inconclusive.

Maintaining that there was no politics involved in his demand, Mr. Abdullah said, “I have been talking about the partial rollback of AFSPA right from the day I became chief minister.”

The Army has opposed lifting the law from any region of the state, saying the time was not ripe for it as Pakistan’s proxy presence was still very much there. An Army slide presentation to Mr. Abdullah in Srinagar last week

At 2G trial, witness identifies Reliance cheques for Swan The trial in the 2G spectrum allocation case that involves highprofile politicians, business tycoons and corporate honchos began on Friday with the deposition of two witnesses in a cramped courtroom.

Vice-president of Reliance Capital Anand Subramaniam was the first to depose and his examinationin-chief, in which the prosecution puts questions to him based on the statement under Section 161 of the Criminal Procedure Code that he gave before a CBI investigating officer, proceeded with a fair bit of acrimony, with defence lawyers repeatedly objecting to Senior Public Prosecutor A.K. Singh’s alleged attempts to “lead” the witness to giving certain answers favouring the prosecution. Mr. Subramaniam identified four HDFC Bank cheques — two dated May 22, one dated May 25 and another dated June 25, 2007 — for a total sum of Rs.900 crore issued

by Reliance Communications in favour of Swan Telecom. They were signed by his colleagues at the Reliance ADA Group. “I identify their signatures as I am familiar with their handwriting and signatures as we were working together. These cheques were issued from the account of Reliance Communications in favour of Swan

said only “Pakistan, ISI, terrorists and separatists” want AFSPA repealed.

Though the controversial slides – and the fact that the Army leaked other details of its presentation on AFSPA – to build public opinion in favour of the law have raised eyebrows in the highest political circles here, the chief minister on Monday played down the sharp differences which exist between himself and the Army brass.

“I believe there is ample opportunity to address both the concerns of the armed forces while still allowing us to go ahead with the position that we have taken, which is keeping with what the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) recommended

almost a year ago,” Mr. Abdullah told reporters after meeting the Home Minister.

Asked what assurance he received from the Prime Minister and the Union Ministers, Mr. Abdullah said it was not proper for him to say anything on their behalf. “I have made our point of view very clear.

They, I think, were very receptive, to what we had to say.

As I say, this is an ongoing process, this will continue.”

The Chief Minister said the State government was talking about withdrawal of the AFSPA from the areas where armed forces were not operating now.

Decision on Telangana after consensus: Singh Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday said a decision on the festering Telangana issue will be taken after evolving a consensus so that it does not create trouble in other regions. “Telangana is a complicated matter. We want consensus where all shades of opinion will feel what is best,” Manmohan Singh told reporters while returning from a four-day visit to the Maldives. “We cannot solve Telangana by agreeing to Telangana and there is disturbances and unrest in other parts,” he said. “As for an appropriate solution, we will work to find a practical ways and means so that all the stakeholders can agree to accept a solution,” he said. The issue of carving a separate Telangana state continues to remain a fractious issue. The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a plea to restrain centre from carving out a separate Telangana state saying it was “too premature,” but at the same time sought response from the Andhra Pradesh government and Telangana Rashtra Samiti over concerns about normal life being paralysed due to the protracted agitation.

I’ll apologise to Anna: Swami Agnivesh

Telecom,” he said.

Asked to which company account the number 0600310001874 belonged to, he said he was “unable to tell as to which company this account number belonged to, but the last four digits ‘1874’ were similar to an account of the Reliance Communications Limited.” He did not know the purpose for which the cheques were issued.

To a question from Vijay Aggarwal, counsel for R. K. Chandolia, why he signed a letter dated March 1, 2007, addressed to the HDFC Bank, Fort Branch in Mumbai, on behalf of the Reliance Communications, despite

being on the payroll of Reliance Capital, Mr. Subramaniam said, “I have not committed any irregularity or crime. It is a normal practice in the private sector to be on the payroll of one company and to be authorised signatory for many other companies. This is done for normal business convenience.” He added that he did not know “who were the shareholders or what was the nature of these companies or who were the directors thereof.”

During the examination-in-chief, he said he did not remember under whose instructions he signed this letter.

After spending a couple of days in the Bigg Boss’s house, social activist Swami Agnivesh is all set to get evicted on Friday night. After appearing on the popular TV reality show, he now seems eager to patch up with anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare. After his eviction, the activist Agnivesh said he wanted to apologise to the Gandhian, with whose team he had a bitter split during the second massive anti-corruption campaign of the year in the national capital in August 2011.

Addressing a press conference Agnivesh said he would try to meet Hazare as soon as possible.

He said he would “meet Anna in all humility and even apologise if required”. He said that he would like to be a part of the movement.

Team Anna had earlier said that Agnivesh was caught redhanded working against the

anti-corruption movement.

Agnivesh then went all out making allegations against key team member Arvind Kejriwal blaming him for the mess.

Agnivesh used his time inside the Bigg Boss’s house with other inmates to promote and create awareness on social issues, including corruption. In fact, he gave them a lesson or two on what the Team Anna’s movement was about.

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South Asia Tribune I Thursday 17 November 2011

London to host 2017 world athletic championships London will host the 16th world athletic championships in 2017, the controlling body IAAF said Friday.

London was given the go-ahead by the IAAF Council, who chose the 2012 Olympic host ahead of Qatar’s Doha by 16 votes to 10. The London bid leader Sebastian Coe told reporters that the bid was: “developed by athletes and athletics, for athletes and athletics.

“We believe 2017 will cement the clear, unambiguous vision we offered the

world in 2005 - a vision that promised a real legacy through unprecedented levels of investment in our new national stadium.”

London were awarded the right to host the 2005 world championships, but withdrew when it became apparent that it was too expensive to build a new stadium.

A request to hold the championships in Sheffield instead, was however rejected by the IAAF and the competition was held in Helsinki.

German IAAF Council member Helmut

Digel said the organization had some obligation to London. “We pushed that the Olympic Stadium is used as an athletics stadium after the Olympics.”

London got the go-ahead although the Qatar bid, where the 2022 football World Cup will be held, put forward a better financial deal for the IAAF, offering to - amongst other things - pay the athletes’ prize fund out of the overall 200 million dollar budget. “It will be difficult for European bidders in the future,” Digel said.

The London bid, which was boosted by a taped message of support from British Prime Minister David Cameron, told the IAAF ahead of the vote that they too would cover the seven million dollar prize fund from their budget.

Israel air force carries out Gaza strike Strike in response to rocket hits Hamas compound, kills one policeman and wounds four others.

The Israel Air Force (AIF) attacked a Hamas compound in the Gaza Strip overnight Sunday, according to the IDF Spokesperson. The strike killed one policeman and wounded four others.

The Air Force confirmed hitting the target, and said all the aircraft returned safely to their bases.

The attack was in response to a Kassam rocket fired from the Strip Sunday, which exploded in open fields in the Sha’ar HaNegev Regional Council.

Air raid sirens were heard in the area and also in Sderot. No injuries were reported and no damage was caused.

The AIF carried out a similar strike on Tuesday night, after a Kassam rocket fired into southern Israel from Gaza exploded in the Sha’ar Hanegev Regional Council area. No injuries or damage were reported in the attack.

Cameron, worst politician in UK history

A senior Conservative lawmaker has described British Prime Minister David Cameron as ‘a despicable creature’ and ‘the worst politician in British history since William Gladstone’.

• Patrick Mercer brands David Cameron ‘a despicable creature’ at party • He claims PM will be ousted in a coup next year • Tory says Theresa May will be forced to resign over Border Agency scandal • Mr Mercer denies the outburst - even though the tape was apparently played back to him

The remarks, allegedly recorded at a party in Central London last week, was made by former Army colonel Patrick Mercer,

who was also a former homeland security spokesman for the Tories, the Daily Mail reported.

In the recording, he claimed the Prime Minister would be ousted by next year, the report said.

Asked if backbenchers would launch a leadership coup, Mercer replied: “He’ll go in the spring. He’ll resign in the spring.”

The row comes four years after the Newark MP was forced to resign as the Tories’ homeland security spokesman when he made comments on race in the Army which Cameron condemned as ‘unacceptable’.

The outspoken politician, who went on to be a security adviser to Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown, was among backbenchers who rebelled last month over a referendum on European Union membership.

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NEWS

Saarc international I Thursday 17 November 2011

Kalam frisked at NY airport; US apologises Amid growing outrage in India over the frisking of former President APJ Abdul Kalam at New York’s JFK Airport, the United States sought to put a lid on the controversy by “deeply” regretting the inconvenience caused to the Indian dignitary as a result of the September 29 incident.

Kalam was also frisked two years ago at the Delhi airport by a US-based airline.

“After the incident, Chargé d’affaires Ambassador Peter Burleigh personally hand-delivered a letter from the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) administrator to former President Kalam. A similar letter was delivered to the Government of India.

In these letters, the US government apologised that appropriate procedures for expedited screening of dignitaries were not followed. “We are actively working to prevent similar incidents from occurring,” the US Embassy in New Delhi said as the issue threatened to snowball into a diplomatic row.

Underlining that the US administration had the utmost respect for the former

Indian President, the embassy said, “The US government deeply values and appreciates our strong relationship and partnership with India. We are confident that despite this regrettable incident, we will continue working closely with India in the many areas of our strategic partnership.”

Kalam was in the US in September to attend a series of events and the incident took place while he was returning home from New York on September 29.

Sources said after Kalam had taken his seat in the aircraft, officials of the JFK Airport came inside and said they wanted to check the former President once again. This was strongly protested

by Air India authorities.

An Indian protocol officer requested the US officials not to do so and pointed out that Kalam was a former head of state of India, but the plea fell on deaf ears. Kalam’s coat and shoes were later returned to him after a swab analysis.

Sources explained that Kalam did not protest as he doesn’t give much thought to such incidents and never complains about them. However, this time, his

office informed the External Affairs Ministry about the incident after he returned home.

A detailed report on the incident was prepared by a senior Air India official and sent to the Civil Aviation Ministry which, in turn, forwarded it to the External Affairs Ministry in October.

New Delhi, meanwhile, threatened to take retaliatory action against US dignitaries unless such “unacceptable” practices were stopped. External Affairs Minister SM Krishna spoke to Indian Ambassador to the US Nirupama Rao and directed her to take up the matter in writing at the “highest level” with Washington.

A senior Indian official, speaking

condition of anonymity, recalled how such ‘unacceptable’ incidents could cast a shadow on Indo-US relations. He pointed out that this was not the first time a top Indian dignitary had been subjected to frisking. Kalam himself was frisked two years ago at Delhi airport by a US-based airline.

The official wondered why India did not take a retaliatory action against visiting US dignitaries. He wondered why the protocol officer’s plea was also ignored by the US officials who frisked Kalam.

Questions are also being raised on whether the Indian envoy was briefed on the incident when it occurred in September-end or did she come to

know of it much later.

‘UNACCEPTABLE’ PRACTICE • Ex-President Kalam was frisked at New York’s JFK airport while returning home on September 29 • After Kalam was seated, airport officials entered the Air India aircraft saying they wanted to check him again • An Indian protocol officer requested the US officials not to do so and pointed out that Kalam was a former head of state of India • However, Kalam’s coat and shoes were taken away for a swab analysis and later returned • On his return, Kalam’s office informed the External Affairs Ministry about the incident • New Delhi threatened to take retaliatory action against US dignitaries unless such ‘unacceptable’ practices were stopped The US government has extended its apology as appropriate procedures for expedited screening of dignitaries had not been followed. We are actively working to prevent similar incidents from occurring — US Embassy in India

Police Commissioner confirms arrests in Imran Farooq case The new Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Bernard HoganHowe, disclosed on Friday that two suspects were in the custody of Pakistani authorities on suspicion of killing Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Dr Imran Farooq, who was killed here in September last year outside his home. In an Interview with Pakistani Television Geo’s reporter Murtaza Ali Shah, Metropolitan Police Commissioner disclosed the fact that Pakistan holding two suspects of Dr Imran Farooq Murder.

He said: “I condemn the murder of Dr Imran Farooq. That’s a terrible thing for anyone but certainly for that to happen on London streets, we want to assure people that we are investigating that offence. One person is on bail till January and a decision will be made in January 2012 when he answers his bail whether a charge is laid in that case. People may be aware that Pakistan authorities arrested two men, I believe, in Karachi during the year that was on the ground of this murder. We can’t go into the whole details of the investigation. It remains an alive investigation.”

He said the Met police were actively liaising with the Pakistani authorities and getting “good cooperation” from them but also hoped that Pakistani authorities feel the same. The Met police have also maintained that MQM leadership has fully cooperated with them in the investigation of this murder and the party leadership had been cooperative throughout.

The police chief said he was fully aware of the political and personal implications of Dr Farooq’s murder.

“We take any murder in London seriously, particular in these circumstances for his family but we understand the political implications, particularly in Pakistan, of this murder. So we are taking it seriously and we understand the implications for foreign relations,” he said adding that the Met police were good at investigating homicide crimes. “Our general murder detection rate is around 94 percent, we will not stop investigating, and we are good at investigating murder.” Mean while earlier in Pakistan In case linked to Dr Imran Farooq, SHC asks about cell phone data invasion In a petition linked to Dr Imran Farooq’s murder, a court has asked the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority to say how cell phone data could be shared with the authorities so that fundamental rights are not denied.

On Wednesday, Chief Justice Mushir Alam and Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi were hearing a constitutional petition filed by Beena Khalid. She is the wife of a man named Khalid

Shamim who worked as an accounts officer in the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board. She alleges that

linking her husband’s arrest to the September 2010 assasination of Dr Imran Farooq, a central leader of the

the law enforcement agencies have illegally detained him since January 6.

Khalid said that the family has no idea where he is. She annexed with her petition transcripts of news telecast by different channels and clippings from newspapers

Muttahida Qaumi Movement. He was mugged and killed in London and the police there have yet to arrest his killers. The petitioner maintained that she was going with her husband on January 6 when they stopped at an ATM in Malir Colony. Men from the law-enforcing agencies in two

cars, one with an official registration number, whisked him away in the presence of a number of people.

As the police and law-enforcement agencies named in her petition denied that they had custody of Khalid Shamim, the bench disapproved of their reply. It said that it did not intend to venture into sensitive areas but wanted for the court to be informed of Shamim’s arrest and custody if he is suspected of involvement in any crime. This would enable the court to pass appropriate orders.

The bench asked the deputy attorney general to collect information from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on the frequent travel abroad by the missing water board employee.

It also asked him to check with the Federal Investigation Agency, as it could provide a record of movement in and out of the country, the InterServices Intelligence and other federal agencies.

The bench also ordered the court’s Nazir to verify details and then pay Shamim’s salary to his family. It then adjourned the proceedings till November 22.

Saarc international I Thursday 17 November 2011

NEWS

SAARC members vow to promote connectivity ADDU - The 17th SAARC Summit concluded on Friday adopting a promising 20-point agenda reaffirming its commitment to peace, confidence building, liberty, dignity, democracy, mutual respect, good governance and protection of human rights.

The summit, which was attended by eight member countries and nine representatives from observer states, also renewed its firm commitment to alleviate poverty and reduce income inequalities within the societies and reaffirmed its resolve to improve the quality of life and well-being of their people through peoplecentred sustainable development.

The summit through the “Addu Declaration” also expressed its deep concern about the continuing threat of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, transnational organised crimes, especially illegal trafficking in narcotics drugs, and trafficking in persons and small arms, and increased incidents of maritime piracy in the region and reiterated its resolve to fight all such menaces. The summit also expressed concern on the environmental degradation and vulnerabilities of the region to the

threat of climate change.

The summit also emphasised the need to further strengthen the institutional mechanism of SAARC in order to bolster and enhance regional cooperation. The summit welcomed the signing of SAARC Agreement on Rapid Response to Natural Disasters, SAARC Seed Bank, SAARC Agreement on Multilateral Arrangement on Recognition of Conformity Assessment and the SAARC Agreement on Implementation of Regional Standards.

Through the declaration, the summit recognised the importance of the full implementation of SAFTA as a measure towards the creation of an enabling economic environment in the region. The summit appreciated the representatives from the observers, including Australia, China, Iran, Japan, Korea, Mauritius, Myanmar, the United States of America and European Union. Through the declaration, the summit asked the SAARC finance ministers to prepare a proposal that would allow greater flow of financial capital and intraregional long term investment. The member states also emphasised the need to conclude Regional Railways

Agreement and to convene the Export Group Meeting on the Motor Vehicles Agreement before the next session of Council of Ministers and conduct a demonstration run of a container train among Bangladesh, India and Nepal.

The declaration also directed the member states to conclude the intergovernmental framework agreement for energy cooperation and the study on regional power exchange concept.

The summit also decided to make efforts to resolve the operational issues related to the SAARC Food Bank by the next session of Council of Ministers with a view to ensuring its effective functioning. The summit also recommended to make efforts for the finalisation of work on elaboration of the SAARC Regional Convention on Preventing and Combating Trafficking in women and children for prostitution with a view to its adoption by the next summit. The 17th Summit also agreed to expedite the work on mutual recognition of academic and professional degrees and harmonization of academic standards, and establishment of long term linkages among universities, research institutions and think tanks in the region.

Next SAARC summit in Nepal The 17th SAARC Summit on Friday decided to hold next summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation in Nepal.The current

chairman of SAARC Summit President of the Maldives Mohammed Nasheed announced this in the concluding session of the 17th Summit.

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No one should expect a ‘miracle’ in Indo-Pak ties: Antony NEW DELHI : Terming the recent thaw in India-Pakistan relations as a “positive sign” and a “good breakthrough”, Defence Minister A K Antony Tuesday said one should not expect a “miracle” out of it.

“At the moment we find positive signs in relations with Pakistan in areas of economic cooperation. There is a real breakthrough, its a beginning,” he told reporters here on the sidelines of Fifth South Asia Conference.

“There are positive signs for a breakthrough but one should not expect a miracle out of it,” he said.

On the scope of expanding ties with Pakistan, he said, “The recent discussion of our Prime Minister had with his Pakistani counterpart during the SAARC summit had some positive signals.”

Pakistan had recently announced that it would grant India the status of Most Favored Nation (MFN) to better trade ties between the two neighbours.

India had granted MFN status to Pakistan in 1996, but Islamabad had been reluctant on various grounds to reciprocate.

During the recently held SAARC summit in Maldives, the two sides agreed to push a host of initiatives, including the revival of the joint commission, a preferential trade agreement and liberal visa regime.

Antony told the Conference that there was need for collective and innovative measures to counter the menace of terrorism.

“Terrorism continues to be a menace

for civilised nations and societies the world over. Increasingly, non-state actors with cross-national linkages pose critical challenges. Nations need to draw up collective and innovative measures to effectively counter such evil designs,” he said.

Holding that “only alternative to cooperation is to perish”, Antony said, “We pay special attention to defence cooperation by increasing the frequency of defence exchanges with defence forces from a large number of friendly countries.”

India, he said, has recently signed strategic partnership agreements with Afghanistan and other neighbouring countries.

“India signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement with Afghanistan.

Similarly, a Framework Cooperation Agreement has been drawn up with Bangladesh. Our relations with Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal and Sri Lanka have been strengthened through exchange of high level visits and expansion of cooperation,” he added.

India, Pakistan to firm up meetings calendar India and Pakistan have agreed to finalise a calendar of meetings to discuss all outstanding issues in a result-oriented manner, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar says.

The talks between the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan have imparted a “seriousness of purpose” to bilateral engagement with both sides agreeing to finalise a calendar of meetings to discuss all outstanding issues in a result-oriented manner, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said on Friday.

“Pakistan had positively evaluated the talks and welcomed India’s readiness for a broad ranging engagement,” Ms. Khar said in a statement issued here by the Foreign Office, a day after Manmohan Singh met his Pakistani counterpart Yosuf Raza Gilani on the margins of the SAARC summit in Maldives.

She said the bilateral summit in Maldives had “contributed to impel a seriousness of purpose to the process of engagement, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to the pursuit

of peace and discussing all outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, in a resultoriented manner.”

India and Pakistan had agreed

during the talks to finalise a calendar of meetings, Ms. Khar said.

They further agreed to convene meetings of technical working

groups prior to the holding of a meeting of the Pakistan-India Joint Commission, she added.

Ms. Khar remarked that Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani

and his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh “had noted that terrorism was a common problem.”

She said: “Instead of remaining mired in accusations and counter-accusations, the real way forward was cooperation.”

The Interior and Home Secretaries of the two countries had been mandated to discuss counter-terrorism and counternarcotics, she said.

Pakistan’s Interior Minister Rehman Malik “was prepared to visit New Delhi and was awaiting dates for the visit from India”, Ms. Khar said.

Pakistan was also awaiting dates for the visit of a Judicial Commission from India.

Though Ms. Khar did not give details, this commission is expected to question Pakistani suspects charged with involvement in the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

Ms. Khar further said that the Mumbai attacks, the bombing of the Samjhauta Express train and other terror-related matters “needed to be addressed by

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Saarc international I Thursday 17 November 2011

WEEKLY REVIEW OF PAKISTAN NEWS

US Republicans sharply President, PM take up critical matters criticise Pakistan in debate

Pakistan took a lot of criticism in Saturday’s Republican US presidential debate, with a leading candidate saying it was nearly a failed state and another suggesting the United States cut its foreign aid to zero.

But it is unclear whether any of their ideas is likely to be imposed on a country that has nuclear weapons and whose cooperation is seen as vital to stabilising Afghanistan as the United States prepares to pull out from there by the end of 2014.

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney said Pakistan has multiple centers of power including the relatively weak civilian leadership, the military and the powerful intelligence agency know as the Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate.

“The right way to deal with Pakistan is to recognise that Pakistan is not a country, like other countries, with a strong political center that you can go to and say, ‘Gee, can we come here, will you take care of this problem?’”

Romney said.

“This is instead a nation which is close to being a failed state. I hope it doesn’t reach that point, but it’s really a fragile nation,” he said.

Polls point to Romney as the Republican who would be the most likely among the party’s crop of candidates to defeat President Barack Obama, a Democrat, in the November 2012 US presidential election. The Republicans begin choosing their nominee in state contests beginning in January.

Texas Governor Rick Perry suggested that every country, including Pakistan, should see its US aid eliminated each year and then should convince the United States why it deserves any money at all.

“Then we’ll have a conversation in this country about whether or not a penny of our taxpayer dollars needs to go into those countries,” Perry said in response to a question about whether Islamabad was playing a double game with Washington.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Monday discussed a host of issues, including domestic political developments and regional situation in the context of the prime minister’s meeting with his Indian counterpart on the sidelines of the SAARC summit.

Later, the meeting was joined by some selected ministers at the Presidency under the chairmanship of President Zardari.

Briefing reporters, President’s spokesman Farhatullah Babar said the prime minister briefed the meeting about his recent visits to Australia, Russia and Maldives and his meetings with the leadership of the host countries, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other dignitaries on the sideline of the events. The meeting expressed satisfaction and felicitated the prime minister on his successful visits which helped highlighting Pakistan’s role and position on important issues of regional as well as international outlook and also pleading Pakistan’s case for SCO’s full membership. Discussing the prime minister’s visit to Maldives to attend 17th SAARC summit and his meeting with his Indian counterpart and other leadership of the SAARC countries, the meeting welcomed the desire of the countries in the region to move forward terming it hopeful for peace and stability of the region.

The meeting expressed satisfaction over the forward movement in the process of promoting regional peace and liberalisation of regional trade.

The meeting also welcomed forward movement in the region for peace.

The president also briefed the meeting about his visits to Jordan to attend World Economic Forum and to Istanbul to participate in 6th Trilateral Summit of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Turkey hosted by the Turkish government where, among others, one of the important decisions taken between Pakistan and Afghanistan was to evolve a joint mechanism to investigate the assassination of Burhanuddin Rabbani.

The current political situation and coalition matters were also discussed during the meeting. Relief and rehabilitation measures taken so far for the flood-hit people in various parts of the country, especially in Sindh, were also discussed.

Babar said the meeting reposed full

Gilani offers Karzai ‘all help’ in Rabbani probe Efforts to defuse tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan appear to suffer a setback as a meeting between Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and President Hamid Karzai concludes on a less than positive note.

Efforts to defuse tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan appeared to suffer a setback here on Friday when a meeting between Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and President Hamid Karzai concluded on a less than positive note.

According to sources, the Afghan president refused to move forward until “Islamabad fully cooperates in the Burhanuddin Rabbani murder probe and takes practical steps to stop violence in his country”.

President Karzai and PM Gilani met in the Shangri-La resort hotel on the sidelines of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) summit in an attempt to repair ties damaged in the aftermath of the killing of Rabbani.

Afghan officials claim that the

Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) was behind the killing of the former Afghan president and allege that the suicide bomber was a Pakistani citizen linked with the so-called ‘Quetta Shura’.

The talks, which lasted over an hour, remained tense as both sides tried to hold each other responsible for the current ‘impasse’ in the relationship, a senior Pakistani official, who attended the meeting told The Express Tribune.

“The prime minister began his discussion by expressing regret over the blame game initiated

by Afghanistan following the assassination of Rabbani,” said the official, who chose to remain anonymous. “It is unfair that you accuse us publicly,” the official quoted Gilani as telling Karzai.

Another Pakistani said that Afghanistan had linked the normalisation of the relationship to Pakistan fully assisting in Rabbani’s murder probe and steps to stop violence in the country.

He said that Gilani informed Karzai that Islamabad was ready to cooperate in the investigation under the mechanism agreed between Pakistan, Afghanistan

and Turkey at the recently held trilateral meeting in Istanbul.

But that was not the only stumbling block – Afghanistan’s belief that Pakistan’s military establishment still enjoys considerable clout over the Taliban is also compounding the situation.

“They (Afghanistan) think the Taliban are in our pockets. They think we are directing them,” the official disclosed.

Gilani plays down strain The body language of Karzai and Gilani also seemed worrying when they briefly appeared before the media.

“The assassination of Professor Rabbani is indeed a serious setback to the reconciliation process,” the Afghan President said.

Gilani attempted to play down the strain in ties by insisting that the relationship between the two countries was heading in the right direction. He said Rabbani was a friend of Pakistan and his government would extend all possible help in the probe.

confidence in the leadership of PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and expressed satisfaction over the party’s policy of reconciliation.

During the meeting, President Zardari directed for party mobilisation and completing the party’s organisational structure. He directed the MNAs to be present in their constituencies particularly in the flood-affected areas and to address the issues of their people. He directed for the party’s manifesto be implemented and all measures be taken to provide relief to the common citizens. The meeting also advised the Law Ministry and Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs to expedite finalisation of NAB law.

Babur said the meeting also decided to call Ambassador Hussain Haqqani, Pakistan’s Ambassador in Washington, to Islamabad to brief the country’s leadership on a host of issues impacting on Pak-US relations and the recent developments.

Any action of army without govt permission illegal: CJ Speaking to participants of the National Defence University course in Islamabad, Justice Iftikhar said Article 6 would be used over violations of constitution and the law.

Any action of the military without the express permission of the federal government would be illegal and unconstitutional, Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry on Saturday,media has reported.

He stressed that coordination and harmony among the state’s different institutions would help Pakistan to progress politically as well as economically.

All state institutions should work within their perimeters of influence, Justice Iftikhar said, adding that the constitution guarantees the judiciary’s independence.

He moreover said that the Supreme Court has tried its best to protect basic rights of the people and curtail the misuse of power.

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Saarc international I Thursday 17 November 2011

WEEKLY REVIEW OF MALDIVE NEWS

Govt would develop more airports: Adhil Saleem

Minister of Transport and Communication, Adhil Saleem has said that the current government would develop more airports in five years than the airports developed by the former administration in thirty years.

Speaking to Miadhu Daily, Adhil Saleem said that the people do not accept the false claims of the opposition that the government is doing nothing for the benefit of the people.

“The people are witnessing this. When the people are aware and acknowledge that the government is implementing their words, how can one believe

that the government would not implement the Presidential vows,” he said.

Adhil said that while the Fuahmulah airport was developed recently, the Dharavandhoo airport is near completion. He added that the Ministry is now preparing the development of three other islands including Thimarafushi.

“It is being done as per the instruction of the President.

The people would see this. We are witnessing this from our eyes. However with regards to some of these issues in the Speed that the President wants them to sun. These are mere obstacles that are faced by those who live here, he said.

Meanwhile, an integrated transport network is a priority of the Government in order to foster regional development. The Government recognizes transport and connectivity as pivotal in fostering economic growth and social cohesion. People residing in the islands do not have affordable means of transport even to the neighbouring islands. This transport network will enable facilitating equitable distribution of wealth, encouraging economic development, enabling social and commercial networking as well as the transportation of goods and services, and provision of easy access to essential services closer to home for all people.

SAARC Summit should be accepted by all segments of society- Shaheed

Former Foreign Minister of Maldives, Ahmed Shaheed has said that only the people who live outside the sidelines of the society do not accept the success of the seventeenth SAARC Summit held in Addu City.

Speaking to Miadhu Daily prior to his departure to New Delhi to participate in the meeting held amongst the South Asian

countries to reach to an agreement to protect the sea area of the countries, Shaheed said that all of the people who witnessed the summit held in Addu City acknowledges the fact that it was the most successful summit ever held since the formation of SAARC. Shaheed said that this Summit did not turn out to be just summit held to share experiences rather its fruition is seen in the many agreements signed among the member states of SAARC. He added that productive discussions were held in the summit.

Furthermore, Shaheed noted the successful bilateral meetings held between India and Pakistan.

He said that the meetings were very beneficial and would aid in increasing connectivity and cooperation among the member states of SAARC regardless of the differences between them.

India is at your side, Singh tells Maldives Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday underlined India’s resolve to build stronger relations with the strategically located island nation of Maldives and offered support for its democratic transformation.

He also stressed on jointly combating terror and piracy in the region.

“India will be at your side in your transition to a fully functioning democracy,” Singh told legislators in the Pakistan-built People’s Majlis, the first address by a foreign leader to the Maldivian parliament.

“We will assist the Majlis by way of training, formulation of rules and regulations and any other assistance that you may desire,” the prime minister said on the last day of his fourday visit to the country.

He also underlined time-tested ties between the neighbours that hark back to the Indus Valley civilization.

This is the first bilateral visit by an Indian prime minister since Atal Behari Vajpayee came here in 2002.

Lauding the Maldives for its democratic transformation, Singh, who is visiting the Indian Ocean atoll nation of coral-blue 1,190 islands for the first time, said he was “overwhelmed by the breathtaking beauty and serenity of this nation of islands.”

“You are a truly blessed people to be living in such harmony with mother nature,” Singh said, and praised the Maldives for its culture of tolerance and devotion “to the noble religion of Islam.”

Singh also underlined that India will work with the Maldives for a co-operative security framework in the Indian Ocean region

your capacities through sharing of energy efficiency technologies,” Singh said.

“India will be a constructive participant in the global climate change negotiations based on the principles of common but differentiated responsibility,” he said.

Earlier, the two countries signed six accords, including two on combating terrorism and

to combat the evils of fundamentalism, extremism, terrorism and piracy.

Alluding to the historic Framework Agreement on Co-operation for Development he signed with the Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed in the morning, Singh said it has opened “new frontiers for co-operation” that will have “a tangible effect on the lives of common citizens.”

Referring to a fresh line of credit of $100mn he announced earlier in the day, Singh underlined India’s support for a host of capacity building institutions.

The prime minister underlined India’s solidarity with the Maldives in combating global warming, an issue of existential concern to the world’s lowest-lying country that faces extinction in case global temperatures rise by one or two degrees.

“We will help the Maldives to achieve its aim of becoming carbon neutral. We will help build

transfer of sentenced persons.

Singh held wide-ranging talks with Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed for half-an-hour in the seafront presidential office.

The prime minister also announced India’s decision to renovate the 200-bed Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital that has emerged as the main referral hospital in the island nation.

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Saarc international I Thursday 17 November 2011

WEEKLY REVIEW OF NEPAL NEWS

Dahal for consensus to end row

Chairman of UCPN-Maoist Pushpa Kamal Dahal today said his party was for resolving lawmaker Bal Krishna Dhungel’s amnesty row through talks with other parties.

“I am for resolving this issue through dialogue with political leaders,” Dahal said at Tribhuvan International Airport upon arrival after the eight-day visit to the US and UK. Claiming that his visit focused on seeking UN support for broader development of Lumbini, Dahal said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed desire to do something soon for the project.

“We informed Ban about the national committee and the need to restructure the international committee for the development of Lumbini,” he said, adding that a meeting would be held in Lumbini in February or March next year.

Representatives of all Buddhist countries will be invited for the meeting, which will be held under the joint leadership of SecretaryGeneral Ban and Dahal. According to Dahal, a follow-up meeting will be held in New York later.

Ban expressed confidence that there would be no hurdle in the development of Lumbini as the

top leader of the largest party of Nepal was leading the development committee. “What I felt is that the latest developments in Lumbini had inspired Nepalis in US and UK and other international leaders,” Dahal said.

Separately, Ban appreciated the flexibility shown by all parties on the seven-point agreement.

PM, DPM meet leaders in Maldives

Speaker Nembang draws govt attention

Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai, who is currently in Addu city of the Maldives, met Bangladeshi PM Shekh Hashina and Australian Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, Richard Marles, on Friday.

During the meeting with Hashina, matters relating to the Saarc and bilateral relations were discussed.

The leaders highlighted the existing potential for sub-regional cooperation among Nepal, Bangladesh, North East India and Bhutan as provided by the Saarc charter, a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs read.

They also exchanged views on areas of collaboration among member states of the Saarc in agreed areas of cooperation.

The two leaders underscored the need for maximum utilisation of complementarities existing between Nepal and Bangladesh to enhance trade, tourism and investment.

PM Bhattarai

appreciated the Bangladesh government for granting transit to Nepal’s trade to and through Bangladesh. PM Hashina assured that Bangladesh would extend its cooperation for facilitating Nepal’s trade through Bangladesh. The two leaders underlined the importance of frequent exchanges of bilateral visits to strengthen the excellent relations existing between the two countries, the statement read.

Likewise, Australian Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs Marles paid a courtesy call on Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Narayan Kaji Shrestha on the sidelines of the summit. He expressed Australia’s desire to maintain close relations with the Saarc as an observer.

During the meeting, DPM Shrestha expressed appreciation to the Australian government for its support in Nepal’s development process.

Speaker Subas Chandra Nembang drew serious attention of the government in Friday’s meeting of the Legislature-Parliament.

After the opposition lawmakers protested the government decision of forwarding a letter to the Office of the President, seeking to pardon lawmaker Bal Krishna Dhungel.

On the occasion, Nembang made a ruling, saying the government should pay attention to maintain rule of law in response to the issue raised by the lawmakers.

In the meeting, Nembang read out a letter received from the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers regarding the expansion of the Cabinet. Similarly, Nembang informed the lawmakers about the reshuffle in different parliamentary committees.

Bhattarai Cabinet the biggest Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai today inducted three more state ministers into his Cabinet, making it the biggest in Nepal’s history.

With 49 members, it surpassed the 48-member Cabinet led by former PM Sher Bahadur Deuba in 1996.

PM Bhattarai administered the oath of office and secrecy to Om Prakash Yadav (State Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives), Khobhari Raya Yadav (State Minister for Industry) and Surita Kumari Sah (State Minister for Information and

Communications), at his office in Singha Durbar.

He also administered the oath to Arbinda Sah as State Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare. Although Sah was appointed on November 8, he had missed the swearing in ceremony as he was abroad.

The three ministers of state belong to the fringe Madhesi parties. Om Prakash and Surita are from MJF (Republican) while Khobhari is from Sanghiya Sadbhawana Party. Earlier this week, Bhattarai had inducted seven full ministers and 19 state ministers.

235 Nepalis died in Malaysia this year

More than 200 Nepali migrant workers lost their lives in Malaysia in the last 10 months, a report released by the Nepali Embassy in Malaysia said.

According to the embassy, 235 Nepali workers died in Malaysia between the months of January and October this year. The causes of deaths include road accidents, industrial accidents, suicide and illness. The embassy’s record shows that cases of Nepali migrant workers’ deaths started picking up from 2003, when 101 deaths were reported.

In 2007, the mission recorded 252 deaths, the highest figure recorded so far. The number decreased in the subsequent years as 210 deaths were reported in 2010.

Thirty Nepali immigrant workers lost their lives in January alone.

Among them, 19 died of various illnesses, five were killed in

road accidents and four persons committed suicide.

The embassy’s data shows that at least five Nepali migrant workers die in Malaysia every week; 1,735 Nepalis have lost their lives since 2003. Most of the deaths take place when the migrant workers are asleep, or due to unidentified illnesses. Another chief cause of their death is road accident, said Surya Prasad Bhandari, labour attaché of the embassy.

Malaysia has the highest number of Nepali migrant workers.

Year Deaths 2003 101 2004 152 2005 189 2006 196 2007 252 2008 Not available 2009 Not available 2010 210 2011 235 until October

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Saarc international I Thursday 17 November 2011

WEEKLY REVIEW OF SRILANKA NEWS

Int’l understanding for Lanka- GL ‘The world community has shown an increasing understanding with regard to Lanka. This could be witnessed during recent sessions of world recognized bodies, such as, the UN General Assembly, Commonwealth Heads of the Govt and SAARC meeting, said Peiris.

External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris was addressing the opening sessions of the World Muslim Congress (WMC) General Council Meeting in Colombo yesterday on the theme ‘Problems faced by the world Muslim community and solutions’.

He said that the representatives from many countries have shown solidarity with Sri Lanka in their strongest possible manner by coming forward to support and stand by Sri Lanka.

Prof Peiris said that Sri Lanka as a nation emerging from a painful past overwhelmed with the brutality of terrorism, is addressing the

task of reconciliation and national integration and the world now seems to recognize and understand this effort.

The minister observed that global terrorism, global warming and the current financial crisis in the world were among the broadly discussed topics in almost all the recently concluded sessions of the international conferences.

Prof Peiris noted that practical solutions should be confronted for these contemporary issues which call for world attention.

He observed that engaging in open and candid discussions, will help the world to arrive at a consensus with regard to these issues. The minister referring to the Islamic holy scriptures and Buddhist teachings said that those have provided the guidance to their followers to engage in mutual dialogue without resorting to violence to solve problems.

Prof Peiris said that he held productive discussions with foreign ministers of Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Kuwait during the recent past.

Addressing the occasion, Prime Minister D M Jayaratne said that the Muslim community being the third largest religious group, enjoys a significant position among the

Lanka to take action against HR violations: President Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said that his government will take actions without shielding anyone if the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) appointed by him finds any human rights violations during the war.

In an interview with India’s NDTV, the President has said that he will make the report of the LLRC public on November 19th after he tables the report in the parliament to make it a public document.

“If they endorse it, we will have to take action. I am not going to shield anyone. I don’t want to shield anyone,” the President has told the interviewer when questioned whether he is afraid the Commission will endorse charges of human rights violations.

Addressing the issue of alleged attacks

on Indian fishermen, the President had said that Sri Lanka over the last year had to fight off over 40,000 Indian boats intruding into the Sri Lankan waters.

Although it’s a problem for Sri Lanka, the fishermen were never arrested because of a request made by the Indian Prime Minister. The President has pointed out that while India is concerned over the resettlement and living conditions of

Jaffna Tamils, the Indian fishermen are stealing their livelihood and depriving them of their rights.

He has suggested the Indian fishermen to meet the Tamil fishermen from Sri Lanka for discussions and settle the issue without governments getting involved. Speaking of the reconciliation process, the President had said that the government has started a dialogue with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA).

President Rajapaksa has criticized that the TNA is travelling to other countries seeking solutions and canvassing themselves for internal matters without discussing with the government. He has noted that there are 23 political parties in Sri Lankan parliament and the government had appointed a Parliament Select Committee to achieve a solution to the ethnic issue but the TNA is yet to name their representation to the committee .

Sri Lankan Lessons Learnt report ready The much-awaited report on events during Eelam War in Sri Lanka will be submitted to its President Mahinda Rajapaksa on November 20. Prepared by a committee, The Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), the report analysed submissions and published reports, both local and international, to draw lessons and make recommendations.

The LLRC officially concludes its work on November 15. “The Presidential Secretariat has advised the Chairman and the Commission that the final Report be handed over to His Excellency the President on 20th November at the President’s Office,” said the LLRC in a release. The LLRC

was appointed by Mr. Rajapaksa on May 15, 2010. The Commission held 57 public sessions and undertook 12 field visits at over 40 locations to talk to the people in the North and East and in other affected areas. In response to its public notices, over

a 1,000 people appeared before the Commission to make representations and the Commission additionally received and analysed over 5100 written submissions. This interaction in Colombo and throughout the country lasted nearly 11 months. The Commission also held unscheduled meetings with the general public especially in areas affected by conflict and in IDP settlements. The Commission revisited certain areas in the North and East to clarify issues.

The Commission submitted its Interim Recommendations to the President covering issues relating to detenus, law and order, land, illegal armed groups and language in September 2010.

multi-ethnic Sri Lankan society.

He recalled how Sinhala kings provided shelter and facilities to the Muslim community who were driven away by the Portuguese and Dutch from maritime provinces.

He noted that Sri Lankan religious communities have exhibited great religious tolerance and amity among themselves.

Tamils ask for solution to ethnic problem Lanka govt MP Prabha Ganeshan says, he has written to the United States Embassy urging to also consult Upcountry Tamil leaders in deliberations for a solution to ethnic problem. Tamils need a bigger share of representation.

He points out that the Indian origin Tamils need a bigger share of representation in a proposed solution.

Ganeshan who is the crossed-over brother of Democratic People’s Front leader Mano Ganeshan says that now the Indian origin Upcountry Tamils have exceeded the number of Sri Lankan Tamils.

According to him, the Indian origin Tamil population is around 1.6 million whilst the Sri Lankan Tamil population is around 1.5 million.

He says he has requested from the leader of the Ceylon Workers’ Congress to lead the Indian origin Tamils.

Sri Lanka disappointed as 2018 bid fails Sri Lankans are dealing with the disappointment of losing the vote to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games, amid concerns it is a lost chance to develop sport in the island nation.

The southern city of Hambantota was defeated by Australia’s Gold Coast in Friday’s polling, with members of the Commonwealth Games Federation on Friday voting 43-27 in Australia’s favour.

Australia has hosted the games four times previously while Sri Lanka was bidding to host the games for the first time.

Advertisement: Story continues below Sunil Gunawardena, a veteran athlete and coach, said hosting would have given Sri Lanka a chance to “turn a new leaf in the country’s sports history” after the end of a three decades civil war.

“This is not fair,” Gunawardena said.

“All the countries should be given an opportunity whether they are small or poor. This time, they should have set an example by giving this to a small country like us. No one does challenge this injustice, but Sri Lanka challenged it.”

“In the future, we should given serious consideration to change this scenario.”

Gold Coast’s bid was based largely on the use of existing facilities while Hambantota, a city largely devastated by the 2004 Boxing

Day tsunami, promised to deliver brand new stadiums, an international airport and other infrastructure by 2016.

The Commonwealth Games Federation Evaluation Commission said it was satisfied that Hambantota could guarantee a “safe and peaceful” games, but warned that significant investment was needed in telecommunications infrastructure, transport and hospitals and said staging the games there presented a “mediumto-high risk” compared with the “low risk” of the Gold Coast.

Sugath Thilakaratne, an athlete who earned a bronze medal in 1998 games, agreed it is a lost chance to boost Sri Lankan sports.

“It could have been a huge challenge for Sri Lanka to hold this event, but it would help to generate enthusiasm among the public and would make a tremendous boost to the local sports,” Thilakaratne said.

It was not just sports figures who complained. Pradeep Silva, 43, a pavement hawker was also critical of the outcome.

“Why can’t they give us a chance,” Silva said.

“This is the so-called mentality those rich countries still maintain.

They think they are still the colonial masters, we have to obey them. I am happy that at least Sri Lanka made an effort.”

There was no initial response from the government.

BUSINESS

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Saarc international I Thursday 17 November 2011

Party over for India’s ‘King of Good Times’ Vijay Mallya?

The party may be over for India’s ‘King of Good Times’, Vijay Mallya, the flamboyant Indian liquor and Formula One racing tycoon, whose debt-ridden Kingfisher Airlines is threatened with collapse.

Kingfisher looks for way out, banks lay down terms This marks a fall of about Rs 21,800 crore (USD 4.4 billion) from the total market value of these six at their peaks in the past one year.

The Kingfisher Airlines board meeting on Monday ended inconclusively though it discussed a slew of options to mop up Rs 1,000 crore for the carrier reeling under a severe cash crunch and a Rs 7,057.8-crore debt.

The State Bank of India - that leads the 13-bank consortium holding a 23% stake in the airline - had set a precondition that the Kingfisher management infuse this amount before the banks considered further lending.

Pratip Chaudhuri, chairman of SBI, said, “Bankers also want information on the Kingfisher fleet, equity and continuation of

fuel supply. Banks can come in as lenders, and not promoters.”

The bankers’ consortium will meet the management of the Vijay Mallya-led Kingfisher Airlines board on Tuesday, demanding that the liquor baron commit up to Rs 1,000 crore from UB Group to

show the promoters’ seriousness in turning around the airline.

Preferential allotment of preference shares, conversion of loans from the parent, UB Group, into equity and selling stake to a strategic investor were the options that the board is believed to have

focused on There was some good news for the Kingfisher counter in the stock markets. The stock rose 8.65 per cent amid reports the airline was considering a proposal to sell property to raise funds. The carrier’s stock, which had plunged to an all-time low of Rs 17.55 during Friday’s trade, gained Rs 1.70 to close at Rs 21.35 on the Bombay Stock Exchange on Monday.

Mallya was busy tweeting throughout the day. Taking a dig at the media for “sensational” reporting, he said there was no question of a bailout involving taxpayers’ money. “We want working capital management assistance,” he said in another tweet. The airline ran into fresh trouble despite lenders restructuring its debt in April, which involved conversion of debt into equity.

Since Kingfisher’s price is already trading at a discount from the price at which the conversion took place, banks have booked mark to market losses in the first two quarters of the current financial year.

SBI, for example, incurred a mark to market loss of Rs 26 crore during the quarter ended September for its 5.68 per cent stake in Kingfisher. The total exposure of banks in Kingfisher is close to Rs 7,500 crore, of which around Rs 4,000 crore is in the form of term loans. If banks undertake another round of loan restructuring, they will have to classify the account as nonperforming. The private airline has been cancelling flights in recent times — a move aimed at cutting mounting losses. The airline has reported a Rs 1,071 crore loss for the year ended March 2011.

India eager to play key Euro gains as new govt in Italy, Greece boost confidence role in IMF, World Bank

The euro rose for a third day on prospects market confidence in Italy’s ability to contain its debt will be revived after Mario Monti, a former European Union competition commissioner, takes over as prime minister.

The 17-nation currency advanced against the yen after Greece’s finance minister said his priority is to ensure the country receives a sixth loan under an EU-led bailout after Prime Minister Lucas Papademos took charge as head of an interim government. Australia’s dollar gained as futures signaled Asian stocks will rise, boosting demand for higher-yielding assets. The New Zealand dollar gained against most major peers after a report showed retail sales increased by the most since 2006.

“We’ve seen a more positive start to the week with the new technocrat

governments in Italy and Greece, but there’s still a lot of uncertainty,” said Emma Lawson, a currency strategist at National Australia Bank Ltd. in Sydney.

“We’ll try and test to the upside for the euro and the Aussie.”

The euro rose 0.2 percent to $1.3781 as of 8:15 a.m. in Tokyo from $1.3750 on Nov. 11 in New York. Europe’s shared currency climbed 0.3 percent to 106.39 yen. The dollar was unchanged from last week at 77.20 yen. The Australian dollar rose 0.5 percent to $1.0330 and 79.75 yen.

Italy’s President Giorgio Napolitano offered Monti the post of prime minister after sounding out the country’s political parties for their support in consultations yesterday.

Monti Government Monti must present the names of his Cabinet ministers to Napolitano

before he can be sworn in. He will then face confidence votes in both houses of parliament. Leaders of outgoing Premier Silvio Berlusconi’s People of Liberty party earlier told Napolitano that they’ll support a Monti government, virtually ensuring his confirmation in parliament, which may come this week.

New Zealand’s dollar, known as the kiwi, rose for a second day against its U.S. peer after the statistics bureau said sales adjusted for inflation surged 2.2 percent in the third quarter, the largest increase since the fourth quarter of 2006. That compared with the median estimate in a Bloomberg News survey of economists of a 0.6 percent advance.

The New Zealand dollar climbed 0.7 percent to 79.06 U.S. cents and 61.02 yen.

Greek Exit Gains in the euro were limited after Spiegel magazine reported the German government assumes that the consequences of an exit of Greece from the euro area can strengthen the single- currency region in the long term, without saying where it got the information.

Lawmakers are preparing for Greece’s departure from the common currency in case the debt-strapped country’s new government doesn’t commit to carrying forward reforms, the magazine said.

India has sought a more prominent role in multilateral agencies like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB) to provide muscle to the forces that are currently providing stability to the global economy, and urged for urgent reforms in these Bretton Woods twins.

“Reforms in multilateral agencies like IMF and WB are necessary to give fair representation to the countries that are providing stability to the global economy,” said Anand Sharma, Minister of Commerce and Industry, at the India Economic Summit organised by World Economic Forum (WEF), in association with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), on Sunday.

Sharma sought to make the new economic order more equitable and

more accessible, while addressing 800-odd representatives from 40 countries attending the conference.

BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) countries are anchoring the global economy at a time when the developed economies are faltering.

This is shuffling the economic league tables of countries across the world.

On the other hand, Sharma cited G20 as a more inclusive platform that has played a key role in ensuring that large-scale job losses do not take place across the world.

“G20 today, is an inclusive and representative platform, as the new emerging economies like China, India, Brazil and Russia have been part of the discussion process,” Sharma added. The world economy has been in recession for four years now and a full recovery is not yet in sight.

Saarc international I Thursday 17 November 2011

ENTERTAINMENT

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Naseer is the boldest’

Bollywood’s ‘serial kisser’ Emraan Hashmi feels that veteran actor and co-star Naseeruddin Shah has got bolder and dirtier in their upcoming film ‘The Dirty Picture’, inspired by late Southern sex siren Silk Smitha’s life.

‘As far as the bold quotient goes... I am doing my own bold stuff but Naseer is the boldest in the film. I think he has taken all my mantle in the film and he is doing what I use to normally do in films,’ Emraan, who earned the ‘serial kisser’ tag after Anurag Basu’s Murder said.

On scenes with the senior actor, Hashmi said, ‘We had two-three short scenes..there is a premiere and party shots but not many. They cross paths as they are in the same industry. Naseer is an actor, Tusshar is a struggling writer, Vidya is an actress. As you are being part of same industry so you end up meeting people.’

The Milan Luthria-directed movie sees Emraan essaying the role of a director. The actor claims that the film would have been incomplete without casting him.

‘Everyone... everything is dirty in this film. It is the dirtiest film I have done. You cannot make a dirty picture without Emraan Hashmi,’ he said.

‘The Dirty Picture’ is inspired by sex icon Vijaylakshmi better known as Silk Smitha. The film shows the highs and lows of an actress-dancing star.

‘The tone of the film is bold and provocative. But it does not cross the line into vulgarity.. Vulgarity is always subjective. The film is bold in terms of language also and few people might feel it as dirty and take it as an offence.

The concept is bold but at the same time entertaining,’ Emraan said.

Due for release on December 2, the film stars Naseeruddin Tusshar Kapoor and Vidya Balan.

The Dirty Picture’ Bollywood Movie Synopsis: Imagine a make-up girl who became an extra and then the most wanted heroine of the early 80s.

Chronicling the meteoric rise and steep fall of the erstwhile screen sensation - Silk Smitha, The Dirty Picture is set

Sonam Kapoor

confesses she hacked email acoounts for fun

Sonam Kapoor will be acting the hacker in Players. According to her she in real life did use email accounts of other people to send email to many for fun.

Sonam will be playing the role of a computer nerd in her forthcoming film Players. According to Bollywood sources she was just joking when she said that she hacked email account with Password breaker software.

Some of her friends claims she is just showing off to gather momentum for her film.

against the colorful and entertaining backdrop of the South film industry of the 80’s.

The quintessential siren, Silk, knew her audiences, and it didn’t seem like anything would stop the fiercely ambitious starlet, till it did, in the shape of unrequited love.

To the world, she was the queen of sensuality. But at heart, Silk was just another woman craving true love.

An unfortunate encounter with deceit and infidelity led to dire consequences!

World’s most beautiful woman’ Aishwarya Rai is Mother Continued from page 01 >> She might only be in the first week of her life, but being born into Bollywood royalty gives her a head start like no other.

Her mother is Aishwarya Rai, the face of L’Oreal, a former Miss World, who has starred in a number of Bollywood films.

Her father is Abishek Bachchan, a Bollywood actor who is rarely far from the front pages of magazines.

Her grandmother is actress Jaya Bhaduri. And her grandfather is India’s most famous man, Amitabh Bachchan, a Bollywood megastar whose career has spanned decades.

Actress Sonali Bendre with husband Goldie Behl, producer Bunty Walia, director Apoorva Lakhia and ex-SP leader Amar Singh visited the hospital today.

Other celebrities also joined in the celebrations to welcome the new addition to the Bachchan family.

Singing legend Lata Mangeshkar said, “Bachchan parivaar ko bohot bohot badhaai. Unke ghar mein Lakshmi aayi ( Many congratulations to Bachchan family on the arrival of Lakshmi).”

Shah Rukh congratulated both the new father and the grandfather. “@

SrBachchan yippeeee!!! All love & health & happiness...this is Masha Allah absolutely beautiful. Bless u Sir. This calls for a dance!!!” “@juniorbachchan how beautiful is this feeling. Allah bless u and Aish. Dying to come & see the three of u...YAY!!!! Now u really r PA lov u.”

Director Karan Johar followed, “Congratulations!! Baby B had a baby girl!! @juniorbachchan!!! All the love and happiness...am sure she will be the prettiest girl ever!!!” Director Ram Gopal Varma, who is a close friend of Bachchan family, said, “I just hope that she has more Aishwarya than Abhishek.”

Javed Akhtar said, “Congratulations Amitabh ji, this has evoked my memory of the day when Shweta was born. Time flies and how swiftly !!”

COMMENT

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South Asia Tribune I Thursday 17 November 2011

Sri Lanka claims “zero tolerance of torture” to Committee against Torture

“Sri Lanka is with you 110% in its position...no tolerance [of torture], no abridging of standards, no exception to the rule...”

This is what the Sri Lankan government representative told the UN Committee Against Torture this week in Geneva – the body which monitors compliance with the Convention Against Torture when it met to scrutinise Sri Lanka’s periodic reports. The government representative gave a largely polished performance proffering assurances and rebuttals, but the Committee pursued the delegation with tough questions throughout the two-day session.

Just three days beforehand, Freedom from Torture’s researcher had presented shocking evidence of ongoing torture by both military and police in the country directly to the Committee - we’ve since published a report setting out this evidence documented by our expert clinicians using forensic methods in medico-legal reports.

So why the contrast between assurance and evidence?

The Committee’s Rapporteur on Sri Lanka, Felice Gaer, stated in no uncertain terms that they had not received sufficient answers from the Sri Lankan delegation to the “extensive allegations of torture and ill-treatment.... [from] enforced and involuntary disappearance to routine torture and ill-treatment by the police; [which] range from sexual violence in the conflict zone to harassment and intimidation of human rights lawyers and journalists; ...from secret detention centres to a failure to investigate all deaths that have occurred routinely in the prison system”. Co-Rapporteur on Sri Lanka, Alessio Bruni added: ‘We have heard a lot of information (from the Government) about rules

and regulations, not so much about what happens in the country... the reality seems to be different, the amount of allegations coming from the most reliable sources..

UN sources...NGO sources...one cannot say that there is a real zero tolerance policy in Sri Lanka....You said you are 110% with us. Are you 110% with your own civil society?”

Perhaps in the face of this questioning, the Sri Lankan representative later revised down the scale of the government’s efforts “to make the Convention effective....to bring [torture] to a minimum, ideally to eradicate it entirely.” This is hardly consistent with the absolute nature of the prohibition on torture; never means never – not ‘minimise’.

Questions, questions While commenting on the impressive nature of Sri Lanka’s (still yet to be published) “Human

[or] prosecutions of those held to be responsible for torture; this is the most central obligation on states (as well as criminalising torture) in the Convention”.

This lack of investigation into torture is a huge concern for Freedom from Torture and the other human rights organisations presenting evidence to the Committee about ongoing abuses in Sri Lanka; until we know that thorough and independent investigations have been conducted into what has been going on, all we have for now is the government’s word. Given the shocking cases of torture we have documented – survivors arriving at our door in the UK with the resulting mental and physical scars still fresh – the government’s word on torture is not something we can hold in any regard.

This also augurs badly for the

This lack of investigation into torture is a huge concern for Freedom from Torture and the other human rights organisations presenting evidence to the Committee about ongoing abuses in Sri Lanka; until we know that thorough and independent investigations have been conducted into what has been going on, all we have for now is the government’s word.

Rights Action Plan” which Felice Gaer noted civil society would be very pleased with “should it be implemented”, she found crucially that there was not a single reference made “to conducting investigations

government’s response to the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) created to fend off complaints from within Sri Lanka and from the international community about a massive failure

of accountability for the atrocities committed on both sides during the final stages of the civil war. The LLRC is itself deeply flawed and expected to deliver a whitewash when it finally reports any day now.

At this point, the UK and other states which have withheld further pressure on the Sri Lankan regime pending the report will have no choice but to act.

We are still left with as many questions, if not more than beforeThe Committee had given the Sri Lankan government detailed written questions and requests well in advance of this session, including to provide a list of detainees in government custody and those held under the Prevention of Terrorism Act; to detail protections for lawyers facing harassment in their work; to provide more information on Sri Lanka’s National Human Rights Commission including its visits and complaints received.

This list goes on for pages. Felice Gaer told the delegation “we are still left with as many questions, if not more than before”. Not least on sexual violence – apparently not a single complaint has been received in Sri Lanka, according to the government.

It seems that the Sri Lankan government is more than a little reluctant to talk numbers. In dismissing the UN Panel of Experts Report which was delivered to the UN Secretary General in March 2011 as “unchecked, uncorroborated, unverified”, the delegation failed to acknowledge that the numbers of individuals held in detention as detailed in the report were based on Sri Lankan government sources. The irony was

not lost on the Committee.

Ex-combatants “exploiting” the Convention The government representative’s smooth delivery was somewhat interrupted at the end of the session when he spoke out vehemently about Western governments being manipulated into granting asylum to ‘terrorists’ who are “for economic convenience traversing a story of torture”. These comments seemed to be an attempt to undermine and reduce the impact of the strong evidence of ongoing torture presented to the Committee, as well as the Committee’s dismissal of the government’s assurance of ‘zero tolerance on torture’.

The representative addressed the Committee: ‘I would honestly implore you that when it comes to matters dealing with complaints of torture by those who are excombatants....do bear in mind that for an ex-combatant who seeks asylum in greener pastures, it is always a very convenient vehicle... to say every single man has been tortured in terms of the Convention Against Torture, now one must lead with a wide berth for that kind of thing...the Convention should never be permitted to be exploited in the hands of terrorists.”

It is clear as day under international law that torture is wrong in all circumstances, whoever the victim – be they combatant or civilian, man or woman. Allegations must be investigated; torturers must be held to account. Let us hope that governments around the world do not let Sri Lanka off the hook if the government fails to achieve the justice it has promised through its own means.

South Asia Tribune I Thursday 17 November 2011

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Will Israel Attack Iran?

Germany has now sent an Air Force contingent to Sardinia in preparation for the strike.

The last couple weeks have seen a great deal of speculation about Israel preparing for an attack on Iran’s nuclear installations. This sort of speculation occurs regularly, but what makes this round of chatter different from previous ones is the involvement of European governments, especially Italy and the United Kingdom. Within the past few days, Israel’s Debka file, suggested that Germany has now sent an Air Force contingent to Sardinia in preparation for the strike. Moreover, the rumors began surfacing shortly before the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) issued a report confirming that Iran’s nuclear program is designed to produce weapons and not just “peaceful nuclear power,” which it consistently claims to be its only goal. This, too, is a change. Previously, especially under Mohamed ElBaradei, the IAEA was very timid about angering the Iranian mullahs and tended to champion their disingenuous denials. But its changed position has removed the major public justification for inaction, even though few people with any understanding of the process accepted the mullahs’ cynical denials anyway. Simply this will make that ruse more difficult to maintain. How serious might things be? Even China is now asking Tehran to lay its nuclear ambitious aside.

My own Israeli sources have explained why the Europeans might have shifted their public stance and why that is important. According to at least three individuals, who have spoken to me on a guaranty of anonymity,

experts there consider Iran’s nuclear program more of a threat to Europe than to Israel. Over the last several years, Israel has continued to upgrade its missile shield, especially against the sort of weapons that Iran might use to carry a nuclear payload (this as opposed to the less sophisticated rockets from Gaza that have made headlines again). These sources tell me that the shield is perhaps 90 percent or more effective and that the Jewish State has a pretty good chance of intercepting most or all of what Iran could try to deliver. Moreover,

morally mandated job. The device would cause mass casualties, likely shut down if not take out nearby Ben Gurion airport, and cause other national disruptions; but it would not be an existential knock-out to Israel. Israel’s massive and justified response on Iran would, however, be an existential blow to the Islamic Republic. And the Iranians know it.

While Israel has been strengthening its missile defenses, the Europeans, under Barack Obama’s direction and it own unilateral actions, have been dismantling or just not building theirs.

the Iranians would have to throw everything they have at the Jewish State, and the slightest miscalculation easily could drop a payload on Jerusalem and al Aqsa Mosque or the Palestinian Authority’s capital of Ramallah.

The European involvement in high level meetings (London) and training exercises (over Sardinia) could indicate that they finally realize what the Israelis have long known; and that their willingness to sacrifice Israel is no different than their hopes of placating Hitler and Stalin

Obama’s own history of inaction during Iran’s “Green Revolution,” and the fact that he has yet to declare his policy of “engagement” on Iran a failure also suggests otherwise. One senior US military leader, in fact, told CNN that the administration is not even confident anymore that the Israelis would give the US advance notice of an attack on Iran.

Given the Obama administration’s continued talk of diplomacy and sanctions and its general hostility toward Israel, can we blame them? they say, the best Iran could come up with in the near future is a dirty or low yield bomb; probably uranium-based from its Natanz facility. (A uraniumbased device would be far less potent that a plutonium-based bomb.) None of my Israeli sources dismiss the threat. Even if one Iranian low-yield bomb made it to, say, the center of Tel Aviv, the loss of life would be horrific (perhaps 100,000 fatalities); and they note that protecting the Israeli people is their most important and

Several European capitals are within range of the new Iranian missiles, and the Iranians have good reason to believe that Europe would not launch the same sort of devastating counter attack (1) for fear of domestic unrest by their Muslim populations; and (2) because they would be easily constrained if any Iranian attack were attributed to “rogue” generals or “radical terrorists.” Geography also makes Europe a more likely target.

Given Israel’s missile defense system,

by giving them the Czechs. It is also possible that the activity is meant to send a message to Iran—and to those countries that heretofore have been willing to allow the Iranians nuclear weapons capability via de facto inaction: that real and serious consequences will come sooner rather than later. Whether the military preparations are real or hard-nosed diplomacy, the United States should be the key player in this drama because of its military capability,

traditional defense of freedom, decades-long tolerance of Iranian attacks on its people and interests, and its international leadership role.

Unfortunately, that does not seem to be the case.

While there have been rumors of US involvement from sources as diverse as Iran, the Israeli right (Debkafile) and the European left (Britain’s Guardian); the recent exchange between Obama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy might indicate otherwise. Obama’s own history of inaction during Iran’s “Green Revolution,” and the fact that he has yet to declare his policy of “engagement” on Iran a failure also suggests otherwise. One senior US military leader, in fact, told CNN that the administration is not even confident anymore that the Israelis would give the US advance notice of an attack on Iran. Given the Obama administration’s continued talk of diplomacy and sanctions and its general hostility toward Israel, can we blame them?

Thus, in what could be the most important military action of the decade, the Obama administration is at best—at best—‘leading from behind’ and at worst acting as an obstacle to action, still counseling negotiation and sanctions. At the end of the day, however Obama might be forced to place the US in the same sort of support role it took in Libya— or risk alienating the Jewish and pro-Israel vote in an election year by abandoning Israel in its time of need.

UK expects Israeli attack on Iran next month with US logistical support F-15 at Decimomannu air base, Sardinia A senior Foreign Office official says British government ministers have been told to expect Israeli military action in the wake of the UN watchdog report “as early as Christmas or very early in the new year,” the London Daily Mail reported Thursday, Nov. 10. The ministers were told that Israel would strike Iran’s nuclear sites “sooner rather than later” – with “logistical support” from the US. According to the British paper, which has good military and intelligence ties in London, President Barack Obama would “have to support the Israelis or risk losing Jewish-American support in the next presidential election.” The bigger concern is that once Iran is nuclear-armed, it will be impossible to stop Saudi Arabia and Turkey from developing their own weapons to even out the balance of nuclear terror in the Middle East. debkafile’s military sources add that Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan has told Obama more than once this year, “If Iran

gets nuclear arms, Turkey will get nuclear arms.”

The Daily Mail goes on to report that in recent weeks, British Ministry of Defense sources confirmed that contingency plans had been drawn up in the event that the UK decided to support military action. debkafile refers to an earlier report that the British chief of staff, Gen. Sir David Richards, paid a secret visit to Israel on Nov. 2, followed the next day by the arrival in London of the Israeli Defense Minister

Ehud Barak for talks with British defense and military heads.

The reference to US logistical support is explained by our military sources as pointing to the Libyan model of military intervention whereby France, Britain and Italy spearheaded the action against the Qaddafi regime while the United States from “a back seat” laid on satellite and aerial intelligence and placed at their disposal its logistical supply network, including the in-flight refueling of bombers and ordnance.

Transposing this model to an offensive against Iran, Israel’s air and naval forces would front the attack on Iran with logistical and intelligence backup from the United States, while leading NATO powers France, Britain, Germany, Holland and Italy would participate directly or indirectly in the Israeli operation.

Since this attack would almost certainly bring forth reprisals from Tehran and its allies, Syria, Hizballah and the Palestinian Hamas and Jihad Islami, it would almost

certainly expand into a wider Middle East conflict, thus also broadening US and West European military intervention.

Prospects are fading for the alternative to military action - tough new sanctions able to choke Iran’s financial operations and oil exports after the nuclear agency confirmed its surreptitious attainment of a nuclear weapon capability.

Wednesday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov promised visiting Iranian official Ali Baqeri that “Any additional sanctions against Iran will be seen… as an instrument for regime change in Tehran. That approach is unacceptable to us and the Russian side does not intend to consider such proposals.”

China will certainly go along with Russia on this.

Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s first response to the IAEA report was to attack its credibility and declare that Iran would continue its nuclear program regardless of its findings.

DEBKAfile Special Report

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South Asia Tribune I Thursday 17 November 2011

“Welcome to the United Jewish kingdom”

By Shabana Syed Gilad Atzmon the famous ex Israeli musician, philosopher writer whose new book “The Wandering Who?” has caused fury amongst pro Israel groups is no stranger to controversy; a few months ago he caused a stir when Sheikh Raed Salah a respected figure amongst Arab Israelis visited the UK and was arrested for no other reason except that the Israel lobby in Britain demanded it, Atzmon wrote: “Welcome to the United Jewish Kingdom”.

His words may have astonished a few but were prophetic, considering the current political and economic climate against a background of the power of pro Israel lobbies in Britain and America.

AIPAC’s control of American Congress is well known; America is suffering one the worst economic crisis, yet Congress has voted to continue the 3 billion aids package to Israel.

When Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stood in Congress in May to say that Israel will never go back to the 1967 borders, he received 29 standing ovations and according to ABC’s Jonathan Karl, “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech before a joint meeting of congress had all trappings of a State of the Union address by a president with skyhigh approval ratings.”

Instead of dealing with constituents who are facing economic disaster 81 Congress members took a free all expenses paid holiday to Israel this year. Alison Weir founder of “If Americans Knew” wrote: “This is an extraordinary situation. No other lobby on behalf of a foreign country comes anywhere near to controlling such wealth or taking so many of America’s elected representatives on a propaganda trip to their favorite country.”

The power of the pro Israel groups is Britain is not so visible as political commentator Peter Oborne attempted to reveal in a Dispatches documentary “Inside Britain’s Pro Israel Lobby”.

A report by Rajeev Syal in The Observer stated that Britain’s most active pro-Israeli propaganda organisation Bicom “which flies journalists to Israel on fact-finding trips and organises access to senior government figures - has received nearly £1.4m in two years from a billionaire donor whose father made a fortune manufacturing arms in Israel.” It was also revealed that the billionaire was the pro Israeli Poju

Zabludowicz.

In Britain any criticism of Israel is muzzled and suppressed through howls of “anti Semitism”. The BBC has already been caught many times propagating the hasbara propaganda; when Israeli commandos attacked the Mavi Mara in international waters killing 9 Turkish peace activists the BBC’s Panorama programme on the subject was slated by many for its pro Israel biased approach.

Atzmon’s book aptly named “The Wandering Who?” looks at these powerful lobbies and examines

cultural racism”.

Another critic Ben Cohen in New York Jewish Week argues that Atzmon is an anti Semite who “traffics in anti Semitic tropes – for example describing the “credit crunch as a ‘Ziopunch’, or declaring that The Protocols of the Elders of Zion is an accurate reflection of the global power of American Jews..”

Atzmon who lives in Britain is not only famous for his music but also one of the most prominent advocates of Palestinian rights, his life philosophy stems not from any

The ‘Phone hacking Scandal’ earlier this year revealed to what extent Murdoch, who is aligned to the powerful Jewish lobbies in UK and US, controlled the British political establishment. Gordon Duff Senior editor at Veterans Today wrote: “Who is Rupert Murdoch, though born in Australia is an Israeli citizen and Jewish. Why is this important?

Murdoch is now admitted to have controlled the political systems in Britain and America for two decades. He has had the power to choose national leaders, make

whole of the British Cabinet and are the ‘Israel first brigade.’

Atzmon affirms “ with 80% of our leading party’s MP’s being Conservative Friends Of Israel’s (CFI) members, we have good reason to believe that treachery is now institutional amongst UK elected politicians.”

Craig Murray, former Ambassador and Human rights activist in the Daily mail warns: “By working closely with an unofficial aide with extraordinary access but no security vetting and

Jewish identity politics and the Jewish Diaspora’s relationship with Israel”.

The book has caused a similar stir as Salman Rushdie’s ‘Satanic Verses’, only this time around it is not a “bunch of bearded Muslim extremists against free speech”, but rather the most powerful and richest controlling group, therefore the media has ignored ‘calls for a book burning’.

Atzmon is the subject of a vicious smear campaign which hasn’t hindered or subdued him, he is one of a few writers who breaks the norms and political taboos and ‘says it like it is’. He neither tip toes or sugar coats the facts even though as he puts it “you will have to face an orchestrated smear campaign, you will be then called ‘anti Semite,’ a ‘new historian’ and even a ‘holocaust denier” It has been easy for pro Israel supporters to stifle and suppress critical discourse against Israel, however in the case of Gilad Atzmon their attempts to silence him is causing them a massive problem, as the terms used to silence most critics won’t stick on Atzmon. How can one call Atzmon who was born a Jew and brought up in Israel, served in the Israeli army, had a relative who died in the holocaust, “anti Semitic or racist?”

According to ‘The Community Security Trust’ which monitors anti Semitism and was also one of the pressure groups that was behind Teresa May arresting Sheikh Salah, the book is “utterly contemporary

form of ‘tribalism’ but from a deep belief in humanity. His book has received critical acclaim and been endorsed by prominent academics like Professor John Falk, Professor John J Mearsheimer and Professor William A Cook.

Mearsheimer has also been the subject of a smear campaign after he endorsed Atzmon’s book as ‘Essential to an understanding of Jewish identity politics and the role they play on the world stage.’

Defending his book Atzmon writes “it’s also obvious to every person who reads me that there is not a drop of racism, bigotry or anti Semitism in any of my writing. In my entire writing career I have never criticized Jews as people, ethnicity or race. Nor do I criticise Judaism.

What I do is to scrutinize Jewish ideology and culture and I argue that if Israel defines itself as the ‘Jewish State’ and drops bombs on civilians from airplanes decorated with Jewish symbols, then it is our moral duty to question what this ‘Jewishness’ is all about.”.

He also examines the baffling question of “what it is that leads Diaspora Jews to identify themselves with Israel and affiliate with its politics.”

The book also explains the workings of Zionist groups and the Machiavellian methods used to acquire power and control, and if we examine the recent political scandals that have been unfolding, the picture becomes clearer.

policy, and pass laws at will.”

It was said that he was the 24th member of the British Cabinet encouraging the then Prime Minister Tony Blair to invade Iraq. He was heavily involved in dictating the policies he expected from David Cameron for his electoral support, and when the scandal was exposed, Cameron had to answer many questions one of them being, why he had employed as director of communications Andy Coulson who had been part of Murdoch’s News International Corporation. The scandal also led to the resignation of two top terrorism police officers The recent scandal involved Liam Fox the British Defense Secretary and his companion Adam Werrity, who with no official capacity had accompanied Fox on Official government business as his adviser. It was also revealed that Fox and Werrity had been funded by the Israeli lobby and of course Poju Zabludowicz the billionaire behind Bicom.

It is also interesting to note that Netanyahu and Ehud Barak believe the biggest threat to world peace is Iran, and Fox and Werrity’s agenda had been to push for conflict with Iran.

Fox is just one of the many British MP’s who along with nearly the

murky funding sources, Fox had potentially compromised national security…..Let us hope that Fox’s fall will remind future Defense Secretaries that there is only one country whose interests they should seek to defend – and that is this one.”

The current political scenario may explain why this government imprisoned Palestinian activist Sheikh Salah for no particular reason and took an unprecedented step to quickly amend Britain’s Universal Jurisdiction law so that Israeli war criminals who committed crimes against humanity in the 2006 Gaza war will not face arrest when they visit Britain.

Also it may explain why when it came to security at London Olympics 2012 Cameron has pushed aside Britain’s capable M15 and bought in Israel’s Mossad to train British operatives a fact that was revealed in Israel’s Daily YNet in May this year If we look at Atzmon’s statement “Welcome to United Jewish Kingdom” against the background of all the facts surfacing and the contents of his book, maybe it is not an illusion when you enter Britain and see the Olympics 2012 logo proudly displayed and yes you will be forgiven if for a moment you think it spells “Zion”.

Courtesy: gilad.co.uk/discography

South Asia Tribune I Thursday 17 November 2011

COMMENT

29

Gog, Magog and Jerusalem One people today totally dominate and control the entire world, its politics, economy, culture, news, sports, entertainment, fashions, travel, etc.

They possess absolute power that no possible combination of rivals can now challenge. Moreover, there is no secular evidence to suggest that their powerful grip over the whole world can ever be successfully challenged. They do much more than control the world. They change, unfold and reinvent themselves, and then change the world as well, until it becomes their carbon copy.

They have broken down all the barriers that have for ages separated people from each other, and a single global society has emerged for the first time in human history with a single language, English.

They are the Judeo-Christian Euroworld-order (i.e., modern secular western civilization), and they are an absolutely unique phenomenon in history.

They are an ominous ‘world-order’, ominous for Arabs and Muslims in particular, and for non-Europeans in general. But even those European people who would live lives of piety, faith and righteousness are not spared. The ‘world-order’ wages relentless war on the religious way of life in general, and on Islam in particular. They use their absolute power to corrupt, to oppress, and to engage in acts of injustice and wickedness with no parallel in history.

Jewish Christian ‘white’ war crimes now inflicted on Arab Muslim Iraq are but a continuation of ‘white’ apartheid inflicted on black Christian Africa. Their greed is indescribable.

They suck the wealth of all of mankind through legalized theft, and they even take from the poor the little that they possess. Eventually they imprison all of mankind in a new economic slavery. They are essentially godless and amazingly decadent, and possess such powers of deception that ‘appearance’ and Continued from page 32 >>

Pakistan to appoint specialist coaches of the team. I would like to have three separate specialist coaches for batting, bowling and fielding. Like the Australia and England teams, which have specialist coaches, I too would like such a system for Pakistan.”

Ashraf revealed that the PCB has advertised for the three specialist roles.

“We have given advertisement for all the three posts. There is a committee that had already been constituted by my predecessor Ijaz Butt and they are looking into selecting these coaches.

I have requested them to pick three coaches who are specialists in these departments.”

‘reality’ are always opposite to each other in everything they do.

Finally, they are a world-order that is strangely and mysteriously obsessed with liberating the Holy Land.

Europe became Christian and then waged ‘white’ Holy Wars called ‘the crusades’ for a thousand years until success was finally achieved when a

Shiekh Imran Hossein

Tribune Comment British army, led by General Allenby, defeated the Ottoman Islamic Empire’s army and triumphantly entered Jerusalem in 1917. Allenby then declared “today the crusades have ended”. In fact the crusades will not end so long as Muslims resist oppression in the Holy Land.

Europe also became Jewish and created the ‘white’ Zionist Movement which then fanatically pursued the goals of the Jewish return to the Holy Land and the restoration of a State of Israel. The European Jew was a native of the Khazar tribes of Eastern Europe and was a convert to Judaism. He was not Israelite. Yet the European Jews successfully led the way, employing means more crooked than straight, for the restoration of a State of Israel in the Holy Land. They used the same means to literally force the Israelite Jews, long resident in the Muslim world, to migrate to that secular State of Israel.

The Judeo-Christian Euro-worldorder has protected and strengthened that Israel to such an extent that it has now become a super-power. Indeed it will soon become the ‘ruling state in the world.

Can all of this be an accident of history? Can it be something without meaning and explanation?

There are scholars and writers who might shrug their shoulders and dismiss all of the above as mere chance. And then there are others who would be convinced by the evidence presented from the Holy Qur’an that today’s strange worldorder is that of Gog and Magog.

Dajjal (the Anti-Christ) deceived the Jews into defying every moral and religious law while pursuing an unrelenting effort to make Israel the ‘ruling state’ in the world. But they make that effort while riding the back of the ‘Gog and Magog world-order’. In the end they will face the Messiah they had rejected, and whose crucifixion they had demanded. Allah Most High, Who created Gog and Magog, and Who gave to them their indestructible power, would Himself now destroy Gog and Magog. A Muslim army would then attack and destroy the Euro-Jewish State of Israel, and the Jews in the Holy Land would then face, at the hands of that Muslim army, the greatest of punishments.

The ‘oppressor’ would be punished, and history would thus end with the triumph of Truth over falsehood.

We now present in summary, the evidence from the Qur’an that supports our identification of Gog and Magog with the present worldorder.

In Surah al-Kahf of the Qur’an (Chapter 18 entitled ‘the Cave’), as well as in Prophetic commentary (Ahadith), Gog and Magog are described as two people who descended from father Adam (peace and blessings of Allah Most High be upon him) and who were created by Allah Most High, and endowed with great power. “None but I can destroy them”, said Allah (Sahih Muslim).

Surah al-Kahf has described how they were contained behind an iron barrier because they used their power to commit acts of Fasad

(acts of wickedness, oppression, corruption). The Surah also implied that they would use power to wage war on those who lived lives of faith and righteousness, and that they would act malevolently against those who lived the primitive way of life, or who eked out a bare subsistence living (as in Haiti). Thus the picture emerged of an absolutely godless and ruthless people who had the hearts of beasts.

The Surah went on to inform that when the Last Age commenced, “Allah would bring down the barrier” and Gog and Magog (who are a major sign of the Last Age) would be released into the world. Surah al-Anbiyah then revealed that they would eventually “spread out in every direction” - indicating that with their invincible power they would take control of the whole world and that, for the first time in history, one people would rule all of mankind: He said: “This (wall) is a mercy from my Lord: but when the warning of my Lord comes to pass, He will reduce it to dust (and Gog and Magog would thus be released into the world); and the promise of my Lord is true.”

(Qur’an, al-Kahf, 18:98) “But there is a ban on a town which We have destroyed: that they (the people of the town) shall not return (to reclaim that town as their own); until Gog and Magog are let through (their barrier), and they swiftly spread out in every direction (replicating themselves amongst all the peoples of the world).”

(Qur’an, al-Anbiyah, 21:95-96) But since that world-order would witness oppression and war on religion, it would be in total conflict with the heavenly order above. No believer could possibly be comfortable with ‘mainstream society’ in such a world.

In Surah al-Anbiyah above, the Qur’an referred one more time to Gog and Magog while making mention of a ‘town’ that Allah destroyed, and its people were expelled and then

banned from returning to reclaim that ‘town’ as their own until Gog and Magog were released and had spread out in every direction. Those whose spiritual vision is illumined by ‘light’ that comes from Allah Most High can recognize both the ‘town’ and the Gog & Magog world order. That light gives them the capacity to penetrate the ‘internal reality’ of things.

The ‘town’ is Jerusalem. Allah Most High destroyed that ‘town’ and expelled the Jews from it. They were then banned from returning to it to reclaim it as their own. Today they have returned and have reclaimed it as their own. But they have done so while riding on the backs of an essentially godless people whose power is such that they have taken total control of the whole world, and they relentlessly use that power to oppress mankind, and to wage war on Islam in general and on Arabs in particular. From the time of medieval Euro-Christendom to the age of secular western civilization, Europe has progressively displayed the characteristics of the world order of Gog and Magog, and has also fulfilled their basic mission. European people in Europe, North America, Australia, and in the Holy Land today dominate the whole world. They use power to oppress and to corrupt.

They liberated the Holy Land, and brought the Jews back to reclaim it as their own. They created the secular godless Euro-State of Israel and presented it to the nonEuropean Jews as David’s Holy Israel. It is an indication of the utter spiritual blindness of the nonEuropean Jewish people that they allowed themselves to be deceived and led down the road to their final destruction by Gog and Magog.

Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, has provided additional information on Gog and Magog. For example, he said, “None of them dies without leaving a thousand more behind.” And so the reality of contemporary globalization that is

Cricket: India on top as West Indies look to delay inevitable Mahendra Singh Dhoni enforced the followon after bowling the visitors out for a paltry 153 runs in their first innings.

India had amassed a mammoth 631 for seven declared in their first essay, and then rode on Pragyan Ojha’s four-wicket haul to take a massive lead.

But the West Indies then launched a spirited fightback riding on half centuries from opener Adrian Barath (62) and Kirk Edwards (60).

Darren Bravo (38, 84b, 1x4, 3x6) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (21, 40b, 3x4) were the two unbeaten batsmen at the crease at the close of play on an eventful third day.

Chances are that the touring West Indies side, who were trailing by 597 runs with 8 wickets remaining in the 1st innings when bad light forced an early end, may be forced to follow-on putting Sachin Tendulkar’s plans for his 100th ton on hold.

First it was Rahul Dravid, then it was VVS Laxman’s turn to follow suit with a ton. Just when you were beginning to think that a deceleration was on the cards skipper MS Dhoni jumped in the fray with a century against his name.

With the ‘Big 3’ belting their names in the record books with massive centuries against their names and the scoreboard swelling to 631/7 dec, chances that the ton an average Indian cricket fan has been waiting for seven months might not come to past at Eden - the Mecca of Indian cricket.

Chances are that the touring West Indies side, who were trailing by 597 runs with 8 wickets remaining in the 1st innings when bad light forced an early end, may be forced to follow-on putting Sachin Tendulkar’s plans for his 100th ton on hold.

India started the day on 346/5 with VVS Laxman and Yuvraj Singh at the crease. While Laxman continued to bat at ease, busy chasing his 17th

Test hundred, Yuvraj Singh paid the price for inappropriate strokes.

Trying to play across the line to opposition skipper Darren Sammy will always invite trouble and that’s what happened on Tuesday, Yuvraj got trapped leg before on a paltry 25.

That was the first of the two wickets to fall from the Indian camp on the day as Laxman and Dhoni, playing like they were possessed, chased down every ball that was thrown to them.

Singles came aplenty and so did the doubles and boundaries. Besides skipper Dhoni made sure that were those ‘spectator-friendly’ shots that took the aerial route past the fence.

Soon Laxman played his trade mark shot off Sammy, the ball sailed past the boundary, the scanty crowd rose up in applause and the man was out there raising his bat to a 100 against his name - his 17th Tests.

SPORTS

30

South Asia Tribune I Thursday 17 November 2011

Surface-to-air missiles: London Olympics Surface-to-air missiles could be used to protect athletes and visitors during the London Olympics next year, according to the Defence Secretary Philip Hammond.

The admission came in reply to a question from his predecessor Liam Fox. “All necessary measures to ensure the security and safety of the London Olympic Games will be taken,” Mr Hammond told MPs. “(This will include), if the advice of the military is that it is required, appropriate ground-to-air defences.”

Mr Hammond was speaking after it emerged the US may be preparing to use its own agents to protect athletes and diplomats at the Games,. although the Government insists security plans are “on track”.

America could send up to 1,000 agents - including 500 from the FBI - to London next summer, according to The Guardian.

A

merican officials have serious concerns over security arrangements for the London 2012 Olympics, and are planning to send as many as 1,000 U.S. security personnel to help keep American teams and diplomats safe, according to a report in The Guardian.

The article says U.S. officials have expressed mounting concern over what they view as inadequate private security staffing plans for the 32 Olympic sites in Britain, and are planning to send the additional 1,000 personnel, which could include as many as 500 FBI agents.

The American concern and the intention to send so many “boots on the ground” has, in turn, sparked indignation by British officials who resent the perceived meddling, and worry about how prominent a “footprint” U.S. security agents will have during the London games.

According to the Guardian, U.S. officials are particularly concerned with plans to ease normal “stop and search” measures implemented around the U.K. capital to try and deter terrorists and derail plots before they’re executed.

At the heart of the matter is a contract the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Locog) which is in charge of staging the actual events and keeping those taking part safe and happy - signed with private security firm G4S. While the largest police force in the world, Scotland Yard, will be in charge of keeping the entire city of London safe during the games, security at the actual Olympic venues falls to G4S; duties like ticket checks, bag checks and

event monitoring.

G4S and Locog agreed a contract which would station 10,000 security guards at and

warnings, Locog now accepts that almost twice as many guards will be needed to secure the Olympics.

to 20,000, rather than the budgeted 10,000.

But there’s no money left in the pot to pay for another

around the Olympic venues, and that is what they have budgeted for. The problem is,

A British security source familiar with the Olympic security plans confirms the

10,000 security staff - which would likely push the bill up by hundreds of millions of dollars.

upon conducting a security review over the summer, and in agreement with many previous

Guardian’s report to CBS News, saying the final figure of private security guards will be closer

Locog is now scrambling to address the shortfall, and the security source confirms

the committee has gone to Britain’s military seeking any deployments available during the games, in addition to seeking private sector help and volunteers.

The source tells CBS News the military has agreed to provide about 3,000 personnel, but if they have to give more, “it will be a choice between the Olympics, or Afghanistan.”

The source also confirms that American officials are not happy with the security arrangements.

“The Americans don’t do risk management, they do risk elimination,” the source tells CBS News in London. “They will want to track down every single lead, no matter how crazy it is, until it’s bottomed out.”

An official who spoke to The Guardian made it clear there were differing opinions on either side of the Atlantic, and relationships were being strained.

“The Americans are riskaverse, with a capital A and underlined. They want to see everything. We are not equal partners in this. They want to be on top of everything - building protection, counter-terrorism strategy and VIP security everything,” the official, who was not named, told the newspaper.

British government officials responded to the report Monday morning by standing by their Games planners. An official told Sky News the government still has “full confidence” in security plans for the London 2012 Olympics.

“Ministers and officials from across government are working closely with the police and Locog to ensure we have a robust safety and security strategy,” a government official told The Guardian.

South Asia Tribune I Thursday 17 November 2011

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South Asia Tribune I Thursday 17 November 2011

SAT

Sports

Pakistan to appoint specialist coaches Zaka Ashraf, the new chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, says the most important aspect will be the discipline factor.

Pakistan will soon get highly-

qualified specialist coaches to strengthen all departments of their game.

Speaking to reporters about his immediate plans, Zaka

Ashraf, the new chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, said: “The most important area that I will focus on is the coaching Continued on page 29 >>

Cricket: Sadia Yousuf spins Pakistan Women to victory The left-arm spinner returned superb figures of four for 19 as she helped dismiss Ireland for a paltry 140 in 44.3 overs. The early breakthrough, however, was provided by Qanita Jalil, who dismissed opener Clare Shillington in the first over.

Pakistan Women continued their fine form at the ICC World Cup Qualifiers, beating Ireland Women by a comfortable margin of eight wickets at Fatullah, courtesy an outstanding bowling performance by Sadia Yousuf.

Ireland seemed to have recovered from the early blow with a 47-run second wicket partnership between Cecilia Joyce (19) and Jill Whelan, who top-scored with 35, but a batting collapse followed which was triggered by Yousuf.

Six Ireland players failed to reach double-figures as Pakistan bowlers dominated the show. Bismah Maroof provided able support to Yousuf picking up three for 22, while Nida Dar finished with two for 28.

Pakistan began their chase well as openers Jalil (28) and Sana Mir (34) put on a 50-run stand inside the first 10 overs before the former was dismissed by Whelan. Later, Javeria Khan combined with Maroof to see the side home in 32.2 overs. Khan top-scored with an unbeaten 41.

Former Pakistan coach Mansoor Rana believed the team’s chances of topping the group were bright after they won their second successive match. “They can easily top Group B now,” Rana told The Express Tribune. “They need to play the same way against West Indies tomorrow. They’re doing what they need to do and I’m sure they will make it to the semi-finals of the event.”

In other matches, Sri Lanka Women beat Netherlands Women by seven wickets, while South Africa Women decimated the US Women by 198 runs. Bangladesh Women romped to a 10-wicket win against Japan Women.

Cricket: India on top as West Indies look to delay inevitable Ind vs WI 2nd Test, Day 2: India seize control as Laxman, Dhoni shine KOLKATA :A dominant India put themselves on course for a series-clinching victory even as West Indies fought resolutely in their second innings to delay the inevitable after conceding a huge 478-run lead in the second cricket Test wednesday.

West Indies were 195 for three at stumps on day three, still 283 runs behind, after India skipper Continued on page 29 >> Published by Saarc International Ltd, Suite 101, 10 Courtenay Road, London HA9 7ND. UK Telephone:020 8904 0619 Fax: 020 8181 7575 E-mail: info@satribune.co.uk www.satribune.co.uk, www.saarc.co.uk. Printed at Webprint UK Ltd, Unit B1 Eastern Approach, Alfred Way, Barking, IG11 0AG