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Israel Warns of the Consequences

Two million people will attempt to crash Israel’s borders this Friday as part of the ‘Global March to Jerusalem.’

On the 36th anniversary of the Palestinian Land Day, Palestinians all over the World will assert belonging to the homeland and the belief in their resistance, until liberation of mind and land.

The historic day of 30th March marks the Land Day in Palestinian memory; yet, Land Day this year will not be like the previous. It will turn to be an international

event demonstrating solidarity with Palestinians and defending Jerusalem.

“The march will confirm that the policies and practices of the racist Zionist state of Israel against Jerusalem and its people are a crime not only against Palestinians but also against all humanity,” .

Two million people will attempt to crash Israel’s borders

this Friday as part of the ‘Global March to Jerusalem.’

The organizing committee of the Global March to Jerusalem expects the participation of more than two million people in the march which will be started from the surrounding countries of Palestine, the Palestinian territories, and some other capitals on March 30, 2012.

Continued on page 8 >>

Tanker strike ‘will put lives at risk’ : Maude

Sensible for the public to top up petrol if they could: Cameron Fuel tanker drivers’ strike has no justification, says David Cameron Prime minister says he will chair meeting of Cobra emergency committee as ministers call on Ed Miliband to condemn strike David Cameron has said there is “absolutely no justification” for strike action by fuel tanker drivers as his Cabinet Office minister, Francis Maude,

claimed the strike was part of a grand plan by the Unite trade union to bring the country to a halt.

At a press conference in Downing Street on the Olympics, the prime minister said there was no need to queue to buy petrol, but added it was sensible for the public to top up petrol if they could over the next few days. Maude went further Continued on page 5 >>

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NEWS

South Asia Tribune I Thursday 29 March 2012

Tough immigration curbs in UK to affect South Asian families

Home Secretary Theresa May is planning tough new rules to curb the number of foreigners able to come to the UK on family visas, according to reports.

In a leaked letter obtained by The Sunday Telegraph, Mrs. May proposed almost doubling the minimum income requirement to GBP25,700 for anyone wanting to bring a spouse, partner or dependent into Britain from outside the European Union.

The new measures will not only affect thousands of South Asian who each year sponsor their spouses but it will also make it impossible for the majority of them to bring over their partners as they will not be able to meet the requirements of £25,700 a year earning threshold.

May is also suggesting a longer probationary period, from two to five years, before spouses and partners can apply to live permanently in Britain.

The moves, to take effect from June, Publisher Salah Bu Khamas (UAE) Sabha Khan (UK) UK Office 10 Courtenay Road, Wembley, Middlesex, HA9 7ND UK Phone: +44 20 8904 0619 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 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

were set out in a letter to Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg in his role as chairman of the Cabinet home affairs sub-committee.

They are likely to face resistance from the Liberal Democrats, who traditionally take a softer line on immigration than their Conservative coalition partners.

However, the coalition Government is off course for meeting Prime Minister David Cameron’s pledge to reduce net immigration to the tens of thousands by the end of the parliament.

It is thought the changes proposed by the Home Secretary could reduce the number of immigrants to Britain by 15,000 a year.

Mrs. May wrote that the package she is proposing would “reduce the burdens on the taxpayer, promote integration and tackle abuse”.

“In particular I propose a minimum income threshold of GBP25,700 for a British citizen or person settled in the UK to sponsor the settlement of a spouse or partner of nonEEA (European Economic Area) nationality,” she wrote.

That would rise to up to GBP62,600 if there were children involved as well. In an indication of the Government’s desire to crack down on sham relationships among would-be immigrants, the Home Secretary referred also to the need to “differentiate between genuine and non-genuine relationships”.

The current minimum income threshold is equivalent to GBP13,700 before tax. The independent Migration Advisory Committee last year suggested raising the figure to between GBP18,600 and GBP25,700.

income threshold would rise to £37,000 a year, for two to £49,300 and for three children it would hit £62,600 according to the letter.

Mr. Clegg, who received the letter as chairman of the Cabinet’s home affairs subcommittee, is likely to push for a much lower minimum income threshold.

ENGLAND needs 2,000 more primary schools by 2015 — after a baby boom, Labour warns.

At least 454,571 places will be needed to cope with rising birth rates and an influx of foreigners.

That means 2,030 extra schools, based on an intake of 224 pupils, Labour claims.

Shadow education secretary Stephen Twigg urged Chancellor George Osborne to use his Budget to deal with the “growing crisis” in schools.

Dining with the British PM to cost 50,000 pounds Citizens with 50,000 pounds to spare to the British Conservative Party can land a spot at the prime minister’s dinner table, according to a recent Guardian news report.

Conservatives.com, a website affiliated with the Tories, encourages “individual Conservative supporters and members” to pay up in support of their party.

The Leader’s Group Annual membership: £50,000 Chairman: Howard Leigh The Leader’s Group is the premier supporter Group of the Conservative Party. Members are invited to join David Cameron

dinners, post-PMQ lunches, drinks receptions, election result events and important campaign launches.

The donations can vary from 50

and other senior figures from the Conservative Party at

pounds a month as a party patron, to an annual fee of 50,000 pounds

Marketing & Sales Andrew Klugman (Manager) Art Department UK Ali Ansar (Art Director) Md. Reazul Islam

A Home Office spokesman said: “We do not comment on leaked documents.”

The leaked letter suggests that Mrs. May is determined to take a tough stance on immigration. In the 12 months until June 2011 the “net” figure for arrivals in Britain was 250,000 -making it virtually impossible for David Cameron to hit his target of bringing the figure down below 100,000 by 2015. The figure was just 5,000 short of the previous record.

She tells Mr. Clegg: “In particular I propose a minimum income threshold of £25,700 for a British citizen or person settled in the UK to sponsor the settlement of a spouse or partner of non-EEA [European Economic Area] nationality.”

For a partner with one child, the

for the leader’s group, members of which are invited to “join David Cameron and other senior figures from the Conservative Party at dinners, [lunches], drink receptions, election result events and important campaign lunches.”

The ruling party’s donor system is now a main point of debate in Britain following the revelation of footage recorded by the Sunday Times that showed the party’s cotreasurer, Peter Cruddas, telling

undercover reporters he could get them access to Cameron for a donation upward of 250,000.

“Two hundred grand to 250 is premier league,” Curddas is caught on camera saying. “If you’re unhappy about something, we will listen to you and put it into the policy committee at No. 10 – we feed all feedback to the policy committee.”

Cruddas resigned immediately after the story, while the party has begun an internal inquiry, although the reaction has yet to die down. Social media picked up on the event immediately, and Twitter campaigns, most popularly under the name #cashforcameron, have been raging online.

Cameron described the scandal as “completely unacceptable,” according to the Guardian.

“This is not the way we raise money in the Conservative Party,” Cameron said. “This shouldn’t have happened.”

South Asia Tribune I Thursday 29 March 2012

NEWS

EU reveals names of 17 sanctioned Iranians The EU’s “blacklist” contains names of those private persons in Iran whom Brussels would like to apply personal pressure on, in addition to numerous sanctions already burdened on the Islamic republic. ¬The new names extend the “big blacklist” of Iranians subject to travel ban and assets freeze in the EU to a total of 78 people.

The list was agreed at the EU meeting on Friday.

Among the newcomers are Ayatollah Sadeq Larijani, the head of the judicial system of Iran, Reza Taqipour, the minister of information and communication, and Ezzatollah Zarghami, the head of Iran’s state broadcasting network (IRIB).

Sadeq Larijani made it on the list for signing off death sentences, executed in accordance with Iranian law, namely stoning, hanging and pouring of acid into the eyes of the convicted.

Iran also practices floggings and amputations.

Sadeq Larijani is the brother of Iran’s Parliamentary Speaker Ali Larijani.

Reza Taqipour has been sanctioned for censorship and control of the internet.

Ezzatollah Zarghami has been

3

added to the list for IRIB broadcasting “show-trials” and eliciting confessions under duress.

The EU is also targeting Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by sanctioning two officials directly under his command. They are Ali Saeedi, Khamenei’s representative to the Revolutionary Guards, and Ali Mirhejazi, the deputy chief of the supreme leader’s office and head of security.

The list also includes a judge and several prosecutors accused of legal rights violations.

Other officials, like Saeed Mortazavi, the deputy interior minister for political affairs, were added for abridging press freedoms.

CCTV footage of Dewani, Dubai police chief slams Brotherhood Tonga cash exchange: report

Dubai’s chief of police is known for his blunt, undiplomatic views. For the most part, Dhahi Khalfan Tamim – who engages in a lot more than mere policing – keeps his outbursts to social issues, such as the protection of Emirati identity or the impact of satellite television on children.

Lately, however, he has thrust himself into a regional controversy, becoming the voice of Emirati opposition to the rising power of Islamists in the Arab world.

First he had a public row with Youssef al-Qaradawi, the most influential Sunni cleric and something of a spiritual guide to Islamists during the Arab revolutions, after the senior Doha-based cleric lashed out

at the UAE’s decision to expel a group of Syrians.

Then Mr Tamim claimed in an interview that the Muslim Brotherhood – the Egypt-based organisation that inspires other mainstream Islamist groups in the region – was plotting to take over Gulf states.

“My sources say the next step is to make Gulf governments figurehead bodies only without actual ruling – the start will be in Kuwait in 2012 and in other Gulf states in 2016,” he told Kuwait’s al-Qabas daily at the weekend.

At a social media forum in Dubai on Tuesday, Mr Tamim again blasted the Brotherhood for using social media to promote a political agenda in the UAE, a mark of disrespect towards the country’s rulers and institutions.

Rejecting any similarities between the conditions that prompted change in north Africa and the situation in the sevenmember federation of the United Arab Emirates, the police chief said any agitators “would have to take on our seven rulers, not one”.

Mr Tamim insists his campaign is a personal one rather than stemming from his official position. But analysts say he is magnifying a widely shared concern at the highest levels of Emirati decision-making.

Previously unseen CCTV footage of murder accused Shrien Dewani in a hotel with the man convicted of organising Anni Dewani’s murder has surfaced, according to a report .

The Daily Mail reports that the footage shows Dewani meeting with Zola Tongo at the Cape Grace Hotel just three days after Anni’s murder in November 2010.

Dewani is alleged to have organised

room [of the Cape Grace Hotel].

Dewani arrives carrying a white plastic bag and, after a brief meeting, Tongo departs carrying the same bag at his side.”

The bag, according to Tongo, contained the R1000 he was paid by Dewani to orchestrate his wife’s murder.

If Dewani is extradited to South Africa, he will stand trial for Anni’s murder.

The family of murdered Anni Dewani

his wife’s murder while the couple was on honeymoon in Cape Town.

The footage, claims the paper, was obtained by BBC Panorama team, who are working a programme that investigates the murder.

The Mail writes: “The footage... shows the two men entering the internet

is waiting in suspense for the airing of a BBC documentary next week, amid claims that the hour-long Panorama programme scheduled for Thursday will show CCTV footage never seen by the public.

This week the programme’s website stated the exclusive footage will show

the hours leading up to Anni’s death, which will reveal “a different side to the couple than has so far been portrayed”.

On Friday night family spokesman and Anni’s uncle, Ashok Hindocha, said from his home in Sweden: “We don’t know anything about this footage and hopefully we can get in touch with the BBC before the programme airs to find out what is going to be shown.”

The shocking hijacking and murder of Anni, the glowing honeymoon bride from the UK at a deserted crossroads in Khayelitsha township outside Cape Town in November 2010, attracted international media.

Anni and her new husband Shrien had been out for a romantic dinner, after which they took a detour home to see another township, Gugulethu, when they were allegedly hijacked and Shrien thrown out of the car.

But the story was soon blown into a major media storm when the couple’s taxi driver and suspect number one, Zola Tonga, pointed to Anni’s husband, as the mastermind behind the brutal killing. Shortly after being arrested, Tonga told police that Shrien had offered him R15 000 to organise the hijacking and murder his new wife.

The family have just honoured Anni’s birthday – she would have turned 30 on March 12 and speaking about the upcoming BBC show, Hindocha said: “We are hoping it could shed some light on the case.

“It’s been very tough for the family. We just want to know what happened, is that too much to ask?” said Hindocha.

- The Independent on Saturday.

NEWS

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EDITORIAL

Don’t panic, but top up your petrol cans ...

Government strike advice will cause exploding jerry cans

Drivers must ignore the Government’s “dangerous” advice to stockpile petrol in jerry cans before an oil tanker strike, the Fire Brigade Union has warned.

The Government need to start acting responsibly.

PANIC BUYING AT THE PUMPS HAS ALREADY STARTED Petrol sales soared by 45 per cent yesterday, after the Government suggested people should stock up on fuel as a “precaution” against a possible strike by tanker workers over the Easter weekend. Petrol stations and garages were already said to be struggling to meet demand from drivers keen to fill up before any strike goes ahead. The AA rejected Government advice and urged drivers not to panic-buy. Downing St denied it was fuelling panic over the issue.

David Cameron said the public should top up petrol over the next few days if they could. The prime minister said there was no need to queue to buy petrol, but added it was sensible for the public to top up their tanks if they could over the next few days. Maude went further and suggested that keeping “a bit of extra fuel in a jerry can was a sensible precaution” even though motoring organisations and energy firms have urged people not to panic buy. He added: “People need to be aware that there is a risk to fuel supplies,” although he insisted it should not be a “mad dash” or a “panic”.

“It’s not for us to give advice on what people should do. It is our obligation to tell them what is going on so that they can make their own decisions,” he insisted. The confusing message is just the latest instance of a government response which has been criticised as overly shrill by Labour, oil company Esso and the AA. Some believe the coordination meetings are necessary to prepare for a possible fuel shortage over the Easter break, but others have accused the government of embracing the potential strike as useful political dividing line with Labour.

Labour said the comments were “the height of irresponsibility” for “giving the impression that people should be panic buying.”

The No 10 warning is bound to intensify the dash for fuel while retailers accused the Government of a “deplorable” lack of readiness.

Petrol supplies at stations began to come under pressure yesterday as Britons rushed to fill up.

Fuel sales were up by 20 per cent, there were long queues and reports of some garages beginning to run dry.

Whitehall sources admitted that not enough Army drivers will be trained in time to take the wheel of civilian tankers and guarantee supplies. Ministers were considering “all options” including recruiting blackleg foreign tanker drivers to break the strike.

The AA and Esso both insist panicbuying is completely unnecessary and are urging drivers not to change their buying patterns.

AA president Edmund King said: “It’s totally inappropriate for people to panic-buy. No strikes have yet been announced and there is enough fuel out there as long as people do not fill up unnecessarily.”

The Fire Brigades Union urged Maude to withdraw his advice to stockpile fuel, warning it would “massively increase” the risk of fire and explosions.

Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: “This is not sensible advice…Those without garages may be tempted to store fuel in the home. In the event of a fire in the house or a neighbouring property, it would be disastrous.

“It is already against the law to store more than 10 litres of petrol in two fivelitre plastic containers in the home. As that amounts to little more than a third of a tank in most cars, the advice is of little practical help.

“There is a real danger the public will start storing fuel in inappropriate ways if the Government is encouraging panicbuying and storage. This advice is wrong and must be withdrawn.”

Motorists are being told not to turn a “rumour into a crisis” and avoid panic-buying at the petrol pump.

“There is plenty of fuel to go round and the situation will only deteriorate if motorists rush unnecessarily to filling stations,” AA president Edmund King said.

Here are five reasons why you shouldn’t panic.

ONE: THE PETROL STRIKE MAY NOT GO AHEAD TWO: PANIC BUYING PETROL COULD MAKE THINGS WORSE THREE: EVEN ESSO AREN’T WORRIED (AND NOR ARE THE DFT) FOUR: PETROL’S TOO EXPENSIVE ANYWAY FIVE: LIVES PROBABLY AREN’T AT RISK During the petrol strikes in 2000 fuel was delivered to emergency services and hospitals.

But there is more to the crises as Financial time reported that the Coryton fuel refinery, one of Britain’s largest, is at risk of closing if more than £600m needed to run it beyond May cannot be found, the administrator in charge of the plant has warned.

The warning comes as UK fuel tanker drivers on Monday voted to strike over working conditions. The Unite union said strikes could close up to 7,900 petrol stations, and soldiers are being lined up to stand in for the tanker drivers.

The fears about Coryton, which accounts for 20 per cent of petrol supplies to London and the south-east and whose owner has filed for insolvency, raise the prospect of disruption to fuel supplies just weeks before the start of the London Olympics. One UK refining industry executive said: “Coryton is a major piece of infrastructure for London and the south-east and its closure would definitely cause short-term difficulties.”

South Asia Tribune I Thursday 29 March 2012

Bar Refaeli to star in Israeli-French comedy about 2010 alleged Mossad hit

‘Kidon’: Israeli, French Filmmakers To Make Comedy About Hamas Operative Assassination

Israeli-French film to poke fun at assassination of senior Hamas official The killing in Dubai was widely attributed to the Mossad, Israel’s espionage service.

Israeli and French filmmakers are preparing to shoot a comedy based on the 2010 assassination of senior Hamas official Mahmoud al-Mabhouh.

The killing - in Dubai, the United

involved in 2000 assassination of Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, a senior Hamas official were on the cover and imposed over a Star of David.

Der Spiegel is widely considered

passports, four French passports, four Australian passports, and one German passport.

• Their code name for Mabhouh was “Plasma Screen”.

• “Red Page” is the Mossad’s

Arab Emirates - was widely attributed to the Mossad, Israel’s espionage service. The title of the film, “Kidon” (Javelin ), is the film’s purported code name for the assassination hit squad.

Israeli model Bar Refaeli is set to join the cast of an upcoming Israeli-French film that will poke fun at the 2010 assassination of senior Hamas official Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in Dubai.

Refaeli joined the cast along with Shai Avivi, who took over the role held by Shlomo Bar-Abba, who had to leave the project because of a scheduling conflict.

Avivi will play a veteran Mossad agent who once commanded assassination teams but who was later relieved of his operational duties and given a desk job.

Refaeli and Avivi will be joined

by Reymond Amsalem, Liron Levo, Salim Dau, Sasson Gabai, Israel Katorza, Amos Tamam, Menashe Noy, and a crew of French actors.

The film will be directed

by Emmanuel Nakash, and produced by Michael Sharfstein, as well as Moshe and Leon Edery, with filming set to begin next month.

Der Spiegel magazine cover story January 2011was titled “Israel’s secret killer commandos.

David’s avengers.” Photos of alleged Israeli intelligence agents

to be Germany’s most important weekly newsmagazine and carries the weight of an opinion-making publication for the chattering classes. And the magazine, like most German media, has a peculiar obsession with Jews and Israel.

Wikileaks Global Intelligence Files, Israel Day 24: Hamas Terrorist Killed in Dubai An email dated January 17, 2011, contained a detailed Der Spiegel article on the Dubai assassination. The key facts from this article are: • Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, chief weapons negotiator for Hamas, was killed by a Mossad team on January 19, 2010 in room 230 at the Al Bustan Rotana airport hotel in Dubai.

code name for an order to kill someone. Each of these orders is jointly authorized by the Israeli prime minister and defense minister. “Red Pages” do not have to be executed right away.

In fact, they have no expiration date, and the orders remain valid until they are expressly cancelled.

• The first assassination attempt on Mabhouh failed in November 2009 when “a Caesarea commando unit” smeared poison “onto light switches and fixtures in his hotel room.” Mabhouh fell ill, but survived.

• Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, police chief of Dubai, said two Mossad agents were walking around with tennis rackets out of their cases,

• According to the death certificate, the cause of death was “brain hemorrhage.”

• Most of the 27 Mossad agents that arrived in Dubai belonged to an elite unit called “Caesarea”.

• They had between them twelve British passports, six Irish

something no real tennis player would do.

• According to the investigative report, Mabhouh “was injected with succinylcholine, a drug that causes muscle paralysis in less than a minute” and “was then suffocated with a pillow”.

South Asia Tribune I Thursday 29 March 2012

NEWS

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Toulouse gunman not without admirers

Mohammad Merah a “victim” his links to Al-Qaeda were invented by the media and “Sarko”, referring to President Nicolas Sarkozy: French teacher • Mohammed Merah’s brother Abdelkader and his girlfriend arrested by police • Mother Zoulika Aziri has been released and is said to be devastated • Outrage as teacher tells pupils to hold minute’s silence for Toulouse terrorist • Hundreds of people participated in a minute of silence to Merah’s victims yesterday at Capitol square in Toulouse The French Education Ministry is insisting that a high school in Rouen immediately dismiss one of its teachers, named Gustave Flaubert, for asking his students to observe a minute of silence in memory of the Toulouse gunman Mohammed Merah.

The 56-year-old English teacher described Merah as being the “victim of an unhappy childhood” and claimed his links to al-Qaeda were fabricated by the media, prompting about 15 students to storm out of the class and report her to the school administration.

A spokesman for the school described what happened as a “sad incident” and said a disciplinary review was under way, notes the Daily Mail.

Skeptics have dismissed the claim, saying al Qaeda barely functions anymore. But Merah was no “lone wolf” and did indeed bear the imprint of al Qaeda.

“An immediate suspension has been decided along with a ban on entering the school,” the local education authority’s Florence Robine told journalists, adding that the suspension did not imply any guilt. She “clearly said that Mohamed Merah was a victim, that the link with Al-Qaeda had been invented by the media and ‘Sarko’,” said the letter, a copy of which was published by the Paris Normandie newspaper.

Respect: Hundreds of people participate in a minute of silence to pay tribute to the victims of the Toulouse school and three French soldiers, at the Capitol square in Toulouse, France WHY DIDN’T FRENCH POLICE STOP AL QAEDA FANATIC SOONER? Questions are now being asked as to why Toulouse terrorist Mohammad Merah was allowed to roam free for so long. The French-Algerian had been on a French security service ‘watch list’ since 2008. And, since the first in the series of attacks, he was placed on a list of possible suspects alongside his older brother Abdel kader. But little was done to trace them until the Jewish school massacre. He was called in for questioning several times, but each time Merah appears to have dispelled officials’ concerns.

“In November 2011, he was ordered to appear at the regional office of the DCRI (France’s domestic intelligence agency) to explain what he had done in Afghanistan and Pakistan,” French

Interior Minister Guéant said on Wednesday. “He informed them that he had gone as a tourist and produced

already been evidence of conversations between Merah and his victim after the mobile phone of the first soldier

reported.

Merah’s uncle told Le Point magazine that his nephew had always been

photos as evidence.”

It appears the banal explanation was sufficient enough to convince the

he killed was secured. In the end, it was a tip given by a motorcycle dealer that helped to decisively locate the

unstable but that “unstable” but that he could “never have imagined” him to be the so-called scooter killer.

interrogation experts that Merah was harmless. A complaint by a mother, who claimed that Merah had locked her son into his apartment and forced him to watch violent videos showing the bloody decapitation scenes of apparent “infidels,” also apparently failed to raise red flags. And tips from Spanish intelligence service colleagues that Merah allegedly attended a meeting of Salafists in Catalonia in 2011 somehow weren’t enough to trigger further independent investigation by French officials.

More perplexing yet is the fact that a man who has been described by prosecutors as an “atypical, self-radicalized Salafist,” had comprehensive contacts to the fundamentalist scene in Toulouse. By 2008 at the latest, according to police documents cited in reporting by the French daily Le Monde, Merah and his brother Abedelkabir had already been linked to a group of future jihadists in their home town and in the Ariège region. After the arrest of the “Toulouse Group” in 2008, Merah even visited one of his former buddies in jail. But why did it take so long? There had

perpetrator.

After a customer had come into his shop asking how to deactivate the electronic chip installed in scooters to prevent theft, a Toyota dealer contacted police. The customer had been Merah’s brother Abdelkader.

That information, taken together with the IP address of their mother, enabled police to identify the killer.

Could the security officials have prevented the attack on the Jewish school by acting sooner? “I don’t think so,” French Defense Minister Gérard Longuet told the radio station RTL, “unless we want to turn France into a police state.”

His girlfriend and brother is currently under arrest, suspected of helping, or even masterminding, the attacks.

Meanwhile, Merah’s mother, Zoulikha Aziri, who was also detained on Wednesday, was released Friday evening. Her lawyer said she was devastated by a “sense of guilt and remorse” over her son’s actions and did not dare return home for fear of reprisals.

It was not immediately clear whether Aziri would face any charges, Le Figaro

“Religion has nothing to do with this.

He got worked up all by himself,” the brother of Merah’s mother, whose

identity was withheld, said.

France to introduce tougher laws on hate speech after murders French Prime Minister Francois Fillon on Friday said the country would pass tougher laws on hate speech after a series of killings in the south of the country. Fillon told television station RTL that if all political parties agreed, it could be possible to pass a law against hate preachers before the presidential election on April 22.

A draft law was to be presented to the cabinet in the coming two weeks, he said.

President Nicolas Sarkozy had previously said he wanted to punish those who spread hate on the internet and those who visited such websites.

People indoctrinated abroad should also be punished, he said, though critics voiced concerns about the practicability of such laws.

Fillon also defended the role of the security services in tracking 23-yearold Mohamed Merah According to Interior Minister Claude Gueant, Merah had last been questioned by security services last year. “With regard to his travels he was on a list in France,” said Fillon. If he had tried to buy airline tickets, the domestic intelligence service would have been warned, he said.

Merah had also been on a US no-fly list.

Sensible for the public to top up petrol if they could: Cameron

Continued from page 1 >>

and suggested that keeping “a bit of extra fuel in a jerry can is a sensible precaution”. Even though motoring organisations and energy firms have urged people not to panic buy. Francis Maude warned that lives would be at stake if fuel tanker drivers go ahead with a threatened strike as contingency plans were being drawn up to deal with any walkout. Workers in five of seven companies involved in the row over terms and conditions and safety standards have voted in favour of strikes, raising the threat of walkouts over the Easter weekend, when millions of families will take to the road for the first major holiday of the year.

Unite will have to give seven days’ notice of any walkouts, but the talks are likely be held soon at the conciliation service Acas in a bid to avert stoppages. London garages began rationing fuel as the first signs of panic buying swept through the capital. Some have reported low supplies of petrol and diesel after a rush triggered by the Government’s advice yesterday to prepare for an Easter strike by tanker drivers. Others imposed a £30 limit on purchases to stop people draining stocks, although the strike cannot start until next Tuesday at the earliest. In London, garages were busier than usual with some reporting panic-buying and queues. Petrol station staff said many drivers were buying £80 or £90 worth of fuel, both to beat any shortage and also to avoid any price rises. Amid fears that the situation could soon spread to other parts of the UK and cause a petrol shortage, the government was forced to make a dramatic appeal for calm.

NEWS

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South Asia Tribune I Thursday 29 March 2012

Obama’s Latest Executive Order:

Martial Law, Confiscation of Private Property and Forced Labor On Friday, March 16, Obama issued another unconstitutional executive order. The National Defense Resources Preparedness EO allows the government to confiscate your property without due process under the direction of Janet Napolitano and the Department of Homeland Security.

Obama’s latest EO demonstrates once again that the executive will continue to violate the Constitution, in particular Article I, Section 1, which states: “All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.”

Any enactment of law by the executive is made in Excess of Jurisdiction and is by definition treason.

The National Defense Resources Preparedness Executive Order will give Obama power over “resources and services needed to support such plans and programs.”

Many Americans were shocked to find out that this order gives the president practically unlimited power over US citizens and their property. All in the name of national security of course.

In the order it states, “in the event of a potential threat to the security of the United States actions are necessary to ensure the availability of adequate resources and production capability, including services and critical technology, for national defense requirements.”

According to a White House press release, the US “must have an industrial and technological base capable of meeting national defense requirements and capable of contributing to the technological superiority of its national defense equipment.”

In the order the Secretary of Agriculture can allocate material such as “food

at Cornell Law School said to WND.com, “If someone wants to make the argument that this is an expansion of presidential powers, then do so based on actual language.”

“There is enough that Obama actually does wrong without creating claims which do not hold up to scrutiny,” Jacobson added.

But that’s exactly the

resources, livestock resources, and the distribution of farm equipment

and commercial fertilizer.”

The same goes for all forms of energy, health resources, transportation, and even water resources.

According to the White House press release the purpose is to “delegate authorities and addresses national defense resource policies and programs under the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended (the “Act”).”

The sneaky tactics couldn’t have come at a worst time, especially after the newly signed HR 347 or the “Trespass bill” and even more terrifying the National Defense Authorization Act that allows the president to detain and torture American citizens without due process.

Although many see this as another power grab by the Obama administration this isn’t the first time that a US president has signed an executive order such as this.

His new motion is just an update to executive orders signed in 1994 by President Clinton, which invoke similar powers in a time of crisis.

Even Clinton’s EO 12919 was an amendment to EO 10789 which was issued by the Eisenhower administration back in 1958.

Therefore lawyers claim that this Executive Order wouldn’t grant the president authority he didn’t have before signing it.

William A. Jacobson, an associate clinical professor

language of this order that terrified too many of those who bothered to read it in full.

Even if the president never uses this power, the fact that he has such unlimited authority over Americans and their property doesn’t sound comforting to people assuming they live in the land of free.

The 1933 Executive Order (pictured to the right) issued

by U.S. President Franklin D Roosevelt (FDR), which effectively outlawed the ownership of gold bullion for US citizens. They were required to turn any gold bullion and coins (collectible coins were excluded) into the Federal Reserve under penalty of, what was for the times, a massive $10,000 fine or 10 years imprisonment.

The effect of this law change was it allowed the US government to devalue the US dollar over the next few months against gold, having increased the US Treasuries gold hoard. The idea was basically to force people into spending their paper money and thus end the depression.

It just happened to be at the expense of the citizenry and as a result of theft but hey, government will be government.

Muslim Aid establishes tuberculosis clinics to treat patients in Somalia Every year millions of people suffer and die from tuberculosis (TB).

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 95% of these deaths occur in the low and middleincome nations. It is an infectious disease, and children who are exposed to family members with the illness are at high risk of contracting the disease.

TB is prevalent in African countries and other developing nations. In Somalia, it is one of the leading causes of mortality. Each year thousands of sputum positive cases occur in Somalia, out of which only few are detected and treated. With majority of TB sufferers being those who are the working force of the community, it will be extremely difficult to rebuild the country as it struggles to recover from the devastating drought of 2011.

Muslim Aid has established ten TB clinics in South Central Somalia, Somaliland and Puntland to provide medical treatment to TB patients.

The clinics serve men, women and children in the regions of Afmadow, Kismayo, Jamame, Bardhere, Hudur, Wanleweyn, Mogadishu, El-Ali [Hiran], Badhan and Eyl. To mark the World TB Day on 24th March 2012, Muslim Aid will be opening another clinic in Eyl, Puntland, Somalia.

A spokesperson for Muslim Aid said, “The recurring disease of TB is undoubtedly linked to poor hygiene and sanitation and is an outcome of scarcity of resources and poverty. On World TB Day, Muslim Aid expresses solidarity with WHO and NGOs that are tackling TB in developing countries.

With timely interventions from governments and the humanitarian sector, TB can be detected and treated saving millions of lives.”

South Asia Tribune I Thursday 29 March 2012

NEWS

Don’t panic buy

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Fuel tanker drivers vote to strike as AA warns filling up risks crisis Army on standby as petrol tanker drivers vote on strike action

Government says preparations are being made to call in soldiers to deliver petrol ahead of possible tanker driver strike MOTORISTS were last night warned not to panic buy petrol after fuel tanker drivers voted to strike — with action possible over EASTER. The public has been urged not to panic-buy petrol ahead of the upcoming tanker drivers strike although an industry group fear it is inevitable.

Petrol stations have not reported any signs of panic buying even though tanker drivers are poised for a possible Easter strike which could wreak havoc over one of the busiest getaway weekends of the year.

Hundreds of soldiers are being lined up to stand in for petrol tanker drivers threatening strike action next month.

The Army and police are on standby to ensure fuel deliveries do not grind to a halt resulting in the same chaos that hit Tony Blair’s government in 2000.

Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude said the Government had “learnt the lessons” of the past and stood “ready to act” if members of the Unite union walk out.

The results of a strike ballot of 2,000

tanker drivers are expected today and a strike could begin from April 3.

Mr Maude appealed to the union and employers, including DHL and BP, to come to an agreement that averts industrial action.

The Unite union is balloting its members at seven fuel distribution firms whether to stage a strike on the pre-planned date.

Ballot results from around 2,000 tanker drivers, about 90 percent of all those who deliver fuel to UK petrol stations, will be announced by Unite on Monday. The vote was called last month amid union concerns about safety and training, among other issues.

While the government is refusing to publicly confirm specific contingency plans, officials say ministers are prepared to use emergency powers to allow 300 army tanker drivers to distribute fuel if needed. The military drivers will begin extra training next

week in preparation for a possible strike, British media reported.

Hundreds of soldiers are being lined up to stand in for petrol tanker drivers threatening strike action next month, according to the reports.

The Army and police are on standby to ensure fuel deliveries do not grind to a halt resulting in the same chaos that hit Tony Blair’s government in

2000.

Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude said the government had “learnt the lessons” of the past and

Assad’s wife may be stripped of UK citizenship Syria’s British-born first lady could lose her British citizenship, following the EU’s new raft of sanctions on the Assad family: freezing all of their assets in Europe and banning the members of the family from traveling to EU countries as well. ¬Asma Assad, 36, Born Asma Akhras to a prominent Syrian family living in Britain, has dual BritishSyrian citizenship, so the British Foreign Secretary and First Secretary of State William Hague had to state earlier that Asma Assad still has the right to enter Great Britain – despite the EU sanctions.

British immigration legislation has the means to strip a person of their British citizenship in case the individual “constitutes a danger” to British society – which is definitely not the case with Asma Assad. That is why Britain’s Ministry of Interior is preparing a plan how to act if Mrs. Assad decides to visit her motherland, The Daily Telegraph reports.

EU foreign ministers on Friday imposed sanctions on the wife and three other

close relatives of Syrian President Bashar Assad, freezing their assets and banning them from traveling to the EU, in a continuing attempt to stop the crackdown on opposition.

Also Friday, the United Nations’ human rights body sharply condemned the crackdown, and the UN announced that the joint UN-Arab League envoy, Kofi Annan, would travel to Russia and China for more talks aimed at resolving the crisis.

Four members of the Assad family and eight government ministers were targeted Friday by the EU, the officials said. The EU has imposed 12 previous rounds of sanctions against the regime.

Asma Assad, 36, the president’s wife, has British citizenship. Britain’s Home Office said Friday that a British citizen subject

to a EU travel ban could not be refused entry. However, Nigel Kusher, a British lawyer who is an expert on sanctions, said he believed Asma Assad is now effectively banned from traveling to the UK. “No EU national and no EU company can make any funds or any economic resources available to Asma al-Assad, nor can anyone receive funds or economic resources from her,’’ he said.

“To the extent she has any bank accounts in the EU, her assets will be frozen,’’ Kushner said — a sanction that would prevent her from selling property, receiving rent, or anything similar.

In Geneva, on Friday, the 47-member UN Human Rights Council voted 41 to three in favor of an EU-sponsored resolution that was backed by Arab nations and the United States. China, Russia and Cuba voted against. The decisions aren’t legally binding, but are seen as an indicator of the international community’s stance.

Bashar Assad and Asma Akhras married in 2000, the same year Bashar inherited governmental power from his father, Hafez Assad. The couple has three children: Hafez, 10, Zein, eight, and Kareem, seven.

stood “ready to act” if members of the Unite union walk out.

Maude appealed to the union and employers, including DHL and BP, to come to an agreement that averts industrial action.

“We are calling on the trade union Unite and the employers involved to work together to reach an agreement that will avert industrial action”, said Maude.

“Widespread strike action affecting fuel supply at our supermarkets, garages and airports could cause disruption across the country”, he added.

“The general public should not and must not suffer from this dispute and strike action is manifestly not

the answer”, he noted.

“Although we are pushing for an agreement, we have learnt the lessons of the past and stand ready to act to

minimize disruption to motorists, to industry and, in particular, to our emergency services, in the event of a strike.”

But, Unite said there had been “unrelenting attacks” on drivers’ terms and conditions, adding that it had been trying to establish a forum to agree industry-wide best practice on issues such as safety and training.

Preparations are being made to call in the army to deliver petrol if tanker drivers stage a national strike, in an attempt to prevent a repeat of the chaotic scenes that followed blockades by fuel protesters in 2000.

Petrol prices in the UK have hit record highs following Iran’s decision to cut its oil sales to some European countries.

The price of petrol has broken through the 140p-a-litre barrier for the first time in Britain.

The average price at the pumps has now reached 140.20p a litre, with diesel at a new record of 146.72p.

Petrol prices have now risen more than 2.75p a liter in just three weeks, while the cost was only 132.25p a liter at the beginning of the year.

The price of diesel at the start of 2012 stood at an average of 140.56p.

Israel Committed to Attacking Iran in June As Washington and Tel-Aviv continue to debate the possibility of a preventive attack against Iran’s nuclear facilities, there are some indications that Israel may strike in as soon as three months. ¬Defense minister, Ehud Barak, says that if Israel plans to attack Iran it should act quickly, DEBKA-NET-Weekly’s sources say. Barak spoke of a threemonth deadline for Iran to give up its nuclear ambitions.

Meanwhile former Mossad chief Meir Dagan has said that Israel will know when Iran moves to the stage of nuclear weapon production, such as enriching uranium to a degree of 90 per cent, the Haaretz newspaper reports.

However, speaking at an event in Haifa on Wednesday, Dagan said that Israel must not attack Iran for the time being, and that a preventive strike should be the last resort. He said the Israeli Air Force has the capability to significantly damage Iran’s

nuclear facilities but admitted that such an attack would have serious repercussions.

He warned that hundreds of missiles would be launched at Israel as well as strikes from Gaza and Lebanon-based Hezbollah.

Tensions are rising high in the region with strong rhetoric heard from both sides. A senior Iranian lawmaker has warned that any move – even the “slightest of errors” – which could be considered a hostile act against the Iran will jeopardize the very existence of the Israel. “In the case of any venture against our country, the aggressors will face a swift, resolute and serious counter-measure,” Alaeddin Boroujerdi said, according to Press TV.

NEWS

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South Asia Tribune I Thursday 29 March 2012

Israel Warns of the Consequences of Jerusalem Global March << Continued from page 1

Israel issued a warning to the nearby Arab states if they allowed the global march to take place next Friday 30th March.

Israel also stated that if anyone neared their borders, they would be accused of trespassing.

It claimed that the march is organized by “anti-Israeli parties” and said that this march won’t be allowed to reach Israel’s borders. Political sources said that the Israeli government sent warning letters to governments including; Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan and Hamas’ in the West Bank and to the Palestinian authority, asking them to put a stop to the possible escalation of tension as a result of these marches.

Israeli military authorities put a “security plan” in place, to face the risk of the flow of protesters to the borders. The plan will be presented in a meeting of the Israeli government on Sunday, 25th March to implement it.

According to the Israeli correspondent of the Israeli official TV, this plan contains strategies to suppress the masses, which the Israeli military units in the Army and border guards have trained for.

Two months ago, the international committee of the Global March to Jerusalem began organizing the global march under the logo “Freedom for Jerusalem, No Occupation, No Ethnic Cleansing and Segregation, No for Judaising of Palestine, its land and holy sites.”

The committee chose 30th March to coincide with the anniversary of Palestinian “land day”; Palestine Land Day is a day celebrated by Palestinians on 30th March each year. The event marks the events of March, 1976, following the Israeli authority’s confiscation of thousands of dunums of private and public land in the majority of Palestinian areas, especially the Galilee. Following these events the Arab

masses inside Palestine declared a general strike, confronting the Israeli authorities for the first time since the occupation of Palestine in 1948. The Israeli response was militant and violent, as the Israeli troops, backed up by tanks, entered Palestinian

villages and re-occupied them, causing a number of martyrs and many wounded and detainees among the civilians.

The march will unite the efforts of Palestinians, Arabs, Muslims, Christians, Jews, and all citizens of conscience in the

world to put an end to Israel’s disregard for international law through the continuing occupation of Jerusalem and Palestinian land.

“Several international personalities and organizations will join the Global March to Jerusalem that will take place in Jordon and the other surrounding countries except Syria», said the GMJ’s chief executive and coordinator Dr Ribhi Haloum in a press conference held on Tuesday evening .

Halloum added that the Prime Minister Awn Al-Khasawneh expressed satisfaction about the march’s preparation as a peaceful and civilized march offering the government’s help to the organizers.

The PM also said that the Israelis are worried about the march and that they phoned him several times to ask about the route the march will take. Another indication of the Israelis taking this march seriously is the formation of a mini-cabinet to deal with it, according to the PM. For his part, the president of the national preparatory committee for the Global March to Jerusalem Abdullah Obeidat confirmed the Prime Minister Awn AlKhasawneh’s aid to the preparations efforts adding that this will be an annual activity to stress the necessity to end the occupation and free Jerusalem.

Representatives of the participating delegations will present their speeches in a festival which will be held on the same day with the attendance of about 500 guests from outside the Kingdom.

Israel Radio reported on Friday (2:00 news) that the London-based pan-Arabic daily A-Sharq Al-Awswat is reporting that Israel has warned neighboring countries that anyone breaching the border will be treated as an infiltrator. I’m not sure what that means, but presumably it means they’ll be shot. Not that their being shot would bother the rulers of any of our neighbors.

LORD GULAM NOON LAUNCHES ‘ROYAL HALAL’

- A new premium range of frozen ready-cooked Halal meals – Lord Gulam Noon, who produces 1.5 million curries a week for various food brands, launched ‘Royal Halal’ meals under his own family-owned brand today at the company headquarters, Bombay Halwa in Southall, Middlesex.

Royal Halal is a range of premium frozen ready-cooked meals that promise quality and the authentic taste of home-cooked food.

Consistent with Bombay Halwa’s philosophy of product innovation and evolution, the Royal Halal meals come in four distinct flavours - Saag Chicken, Chicken Tikka Masala, Kadhai Chicken and Butter Chicken, with Baghara Rice as an accompaniment, in all meals.

Talking about the new range, Lord Noon, Chairman and Managing Director, Bombay Halwa, said that the time was right for a premium quality Halal food product to be launched in the UK market. “We have been closely surveying and monitoring the market for a few years now

and know that the word ‘Halal’ has become very buoyant in the Muslim community. The Royal Halal dishes are mainly targeted at this community, but are not necessarily only for them. These are indeed for anyone who likes quality meat dishes,” he said.

“In the Royal Halal range, there are no artificial colours or added preservatives. This is very important, as sometimes, preservatives may become non-Halal,” Lord Noon added. His vision

for this product is to see it being distributed not just in the UK, but also in Europe and the Middle East.

As an accompaniment to these meals, Bombay Halwa has also launched Royal Paranthas.

“These are as easy to toast as slices of bread and act as an ideal accompaniment to the Halal meals or can be enjoyed by themselves as a snack,” said Executive Chef, Jayan Nambiar. The Chef also shared his experience of having developed and

produced the Royal Halal range. “These meals are cooked in a very traditional manner, just as you would at home. There are no shortcuts or ready-mixes used in the preparation and even though we cook these in large quantities, the aim has always been to try and retain the taste of home-cooked food,” he added.

The Royal Halal range is already available through various independent retailers and cash-andcarry stores and Bombay Halwa is in advanced talks with multiples and supermarkets.

The range, produced by Bombay Halwa, joins other fine products under the Royal brand, including Indian sweets, savoury snacks, pickles, chutneys and sauces, among others. Shabbir Kanchwala, Assistant Managing Director, Bombay Halwa, was also present at the occasion and gave an interesting snapshot of the journey of Bombay Halwa - from its humble beginnings in 1973 to the vast food empire that it is today.

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Saarc international I Thursday 29 March 2012

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Thursday, 29.03.12

international

Obama, Gilani India stakes claim vow to rescue to membership of exclusive nuclear clubs anti-terror alliance

Nuclear terror remains potent threat: PM

India on Tuesday warned that nuclear terrorism will remain a potent threat as long as there are terrorists seeking to gain access to atomic material and technologies, asserting that the best guarantee for nuclear security is a world free of such weapons. “India is acutely conscious of this threat,” Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said, addressing the second Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul.

With India set to expand nuclear energy generation to 62,000 MW by 2032, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Tuesday the highest standards of safety and security would be followed to restore public faith in nuclear energy, particularly after last year’s Fukushima disaster.

“We are in the process of expanding our nuclear energy generation to 62,000 MW by 2032. We are taking forward our three-stage nuclear programme based on a closed fuel cycle, with new safety features and proliferation-resistant technologies,” Manmohan Singh said while addressing the plenary of the two-day Nuclear Security Summit that concluded here on Tuesday.

“We are also determined that our expanded nuclear power programme will follow the highest standards of nuclear safety and security, whose synergy is essential to restore public faith in nuclear energy, especially after the tragic events at Fukushima,” he added.

“We have undertaken comprehensive reviews of nuclear safety measures at our nuclear

facilities. India has invited the Operational Safety Review Teams of the IAEA to assist in its own safety reviews and audit. Nuclear safety evaluations are being put in the public domain to enhance transparency and boost public confidence. We are also in the process of setting up a statutory, independent and autonomous Nuclear Safety Regulatory Authority. We are strengthening emergency preparedness and response to nuclear accidents,” Manmohan Singh said.

Noting that India fully shares global concerns on nuclear terrorism and clandestine proliferation, which continue to pose serious threats to international security, Manmohan Singh said: “At the same time, given India’s growing energy demands, we see nuclear energy as an essential component of our energy mix.”

“Strengthening nuclear security, therefore, assists India’s objective of promoting a safe and secure expansion of civil nuclear energy.

We must continue to harness the numerous developmental benefits that nuclear science and technology offer, especially for developing countries,” the Prime Minister added.

His comments assume importance in the light of the agitation in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu against the 2,000 MW nuclear plant at Kudankulam, being built with Russian help, that has delayed the commissioning of Continued on page 10 >>

Obama says Pakistan review must respect security needs

Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani shaking hands with US President Barrack Obama at Seoul.

Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani leading Pakistan delegation in talks with US President Barrack Obama at Seoul.

US President Barack Obama and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani vowed Tuesday to rescue a troubled anti-terror alliance which almost ruptured over 10 months of mistrust and recriminations.

US President Barack Obama told Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday he hoped a Pakistan parliamentary review of ties with Washington would be balanced and respect US security needs.

The two men met on the sidelines of a nuclear security summit in South Korea, with the crucial anti-terror alliance still rocked by a row sparked when US air strikes mistakenly killed 24 Pakistani soldiers in November.

Their meeting comes amid heightened tensions between the US and Pakistan following a series Continued on page 31 >>

SAARC

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Saarc international I Thursday 29 March 2012

South Asia paying higher cost on imports from outside region

Despite being home to most of the world’s poor and conflict-ridden, South Asia is the least economically integrated region in the world, which results into higher costs to consumers on account of costlier imports from outside the region.

Speakers lamented this while sharing the findings of research study ‘Cost of Economic Non-cooperation to Consumers in South Asia (COENCOSA)’.

The study reveals that though Pakistan receives only 10.5 percent of total gains, the lowest in region, it stands to save 59.04 percent on its current import expenditure on selected products. Among other factors, Pakistan’s least connectedness with other SA countries and also worsening energy situation hinder its progress on this front.

Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) Executive Director Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri, The Asia Foundation Director of Programmes Shahid Fiaz and SDPI Economic Growth Research Fellow/Head Unit Dr Vaqar Ahmed shared the findings of the study and urged Pakistan and all South Asian countries to enhance the regional economic cooperation to facilitate the poor consumers of the region. The study is jointly conducted by CUTS international in partnership with a group of like-minded organisations including SDPI with the support of The Asia Foundation. The study assesses potential benefits of opening up trade between South Asian countries mainly

Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka to consumers.

Dr Suleri was of view that there exists a common ambiguity among masses on a number of issues including trade relations among South Asian countries. He underscored the South Asian governments including Pakistan to enhance regional cooperation while citing the State Bank of Pakistan’s report, which had also recommended country’s trade among South Asian countries would be useful for Pakistan.

Terming the government’s decision of trade in local currency as a ‘positive development’, he said government’s efforts for regional

trade and economic cooperation has to be supported in the larger interest of consumers. “We need to improve our production and exports but not at the cost of our local consumers,” he underlined.

He hoped Pakistan’s industry can compete if domestically strengthened particularly provision of unhindered supply of energy to industry is ensured.

Competition: Dr Vaqar said South Asia continues to be one of the poorest regions in the world. A big role in this poverty is played by non-connectedness of this region in terms of trade, transport and logistics. He said this study is an effort to look at consumer welfare gains from trade liberalisation. “Our estimates obtained from 12 cities across South Asia reveal that annually South Asian consumers will gain by $2 billion.

Within this Pakistani consumers of South Asian products will have a gain of 59 percent in their welfare,” he added. He said we believe trade agreements signed by Pakistani government should also have a consumer perspective. “We will continue our advocacy and outreach efforts to safeguard the interests of Pakistan consumer,” he

COMMENT

APL condemns the Race hate attack at Salford

APL (Association of Pakistani Lawyers), a team of Pakistani origin lawyers, Solicitors, Barristers, and Judges in UK has taken serious note of a possible racially motivated acid attack on a Cameroon origin female in Salford City centre.

APL leant with caution from British Press that the incident took place at about 2pm on Thursday (22 March) in a subway leading to Salford Shopping City in Pendleton in a busy area in the centre of the city where a 29-year-old Cameroon origin female who was pushing a pram through central Salford when a corrosive liquid was thrown at her, burning through her clothes and on to her back and chest. She was carrying a six-month-old daughter with her which remained unharmed.

Police believes that a random daylight acid attack on a woman in Salford may have been racially motivated, and the Association has condemned it out rightly, and has termed it unacceptable in this day and

age.

APL observed that community protection irrespective of their race, colour or origin must be the primary task of the law enforcement segments and it must be taken seriously and a ‘zero tolerance’ must be shown against anyone who is involved in such heinous crime and or practice.

APL demanded that Police including other agencies must consider it “an absolute priority”, as we expect all agencies to treat race hate crime extremely seriously and take all steps necessary to deter and defeat such mindset working together to address problems

in individual communities, and society at large.

APL warned that extreme far right groups marches in the Northwest will provoke further community tensions if these incidents are tolerated lightly and are not handled with the severe arm of law at the earliest.

“Sometimes our plight seems meaningless without inclusion of physical experiences of individuals and groups though it does not need to be, and from Terrible personal experience of 2001, I would seek all of your intervention to oppose and defeat race hate and racially motivated crime & attitude towards such thinking and let’s make this kind of mindset a history in our society, said Mr. Malik, Signed By Chair & Secretary Amjad Malik – Chair APL Of Association of Pakistani Lawyers (UK) Tuesday, March 27, 2012

further said. He hoped the study will act as a reminder to national governments in South Asia to meet their unfulfilled commitments under SAFTA adding that political considerations, no matter how strong, should not adversely impact consumers’ welfare in the region. Fiaz said South Asia is the world’s poorest region while the regional countries are spending largest portions of their incomes on arms and defence. He said we need to move towards regional cooperation, which will create a win-win situation for all. “Cooperation not only means trade alone but a situation where we are spending less on defence and security,” he added. He was of the view that cost of no trade is much higher than $1.5 billion to $2 billion. He said such researches help to enhance further research, regional dialogue and prospects for peace and stability in the situations like this region has today.

The study also discloses that trade policies and agreements have not highlighted consumers’ gains from trade liberalisation and lack of awareness about consumer welfare gains lowers stakeholders’ expectations from intra-regional trade. The study stresses to separate political issues plaguing the region for better economic cooperation and suggests increased media and policy spaces on consumer welfare gains will change stakeholders’ perceptions on the virtues of enhanced and improved intra-regional trade.

India stakes claim to membership of exclusive nuclear clubs Continued from page 09 >> the first 1,000 MW unit.

Work at the project had come to a standstill after villagers in the area, fearing for lives in case of nuclear accident, mounted an intensive protest. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa finally gave the go-ahead to the project last week.

The Indian government said March 22 it was probing if foreign money was fuelling the anti-nuclear protests in Tamil Nadu.

Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) V. Narayanasamy told the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of parliament, that some NGOs had been identified but said they will not be named while the investigation is on.

Meanwhile, Russian Ambassador Alexander M. Kadakain said on Monday the agreements for the units III and IV of the Kudankulam nuclear plant were ‘almost ready’.

Civil nuclear cooperation between India and Russia will feature at the talks between Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Manmohan Singh in New Delhi. Medvedev will arrive on Wednesday morning on a two-day visit during which he will participate in the BRICS summit of the five emerging economies, including Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

Manmohan Singh, Yousuf Raza Gilani

greet each other at Nuclear Security Summit Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani today exchanged pleasantries, their second informal chat in two days at the Nuclear Security Summit here.

Singh and Gilani shook hands as they greeted each other during the photoop for the top world leaders attending the summit in the South Korean capital.

Singh was later seen having a longish chat with Chinese President Hu Jintao, who is set to visit India for the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) summit in New Delhi this week.

Last night, the Prime Minister and his Pakistani counterpart Gilani had a “meet and greet” encounter prior to a dinner hosted for dignitaries attending the summit here.

“Prime Minister said hello to Mr Gilani,” Indian sources had said.

Singh and US President Barack Obama also exchanged pleasantries and hugged each other when they came face-to-face at the summit yesterday.

Obama told Singh, “Nice to see you here Mr Prime Minister.”

The last Singh-Obama meeting had taken place on November 17, 2011 on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ( ASEAN) summit in Bali, Indonesia.

Saarc international I Thursday 29 March 2012

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WEEKLY REVIEW OF AFGHANISTAN NEWS

Row over Prisoner Transfer

Taliban Suspend Talks with the US Clinton: US still open to Taliban talks

The Taliban have suspended planned secret talks with the US in Qatar to prepare the ground for peace negotiations. They say the atmosphere has been poisoned by the Quran burnings and the massacre committed by a US soldier, and ave accused the US of failing to keep a promise to transfer five Guantanamo to Qatari custody.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says the Obama administration is still open to talks that would support Afghan

reconciliation with the Taliban and is hoping to finalize a blueprint for security relations with Afghanistan

by May. Clinton said Wednesday the U.S. would continue to try to get peace

civilians.

Clinton also said progress is being made on a U.S.-Afghan strategic partnership that could be completed by the NATO summit in Chicago in May. The planned negotiations between the United States and the Taliban announced in January appear to be on hold for the time being. The atmosphere was poisoned by the burning of copies of the Quran by US soldiers at a base in Afghanistan and by the shooting rampage by

negotiations going between the Afghan government and Taliban members willing to renounce terrorism and violence and accept the country’s constitution. She said it was up to the Taliban to take up the offer. The Taliban pulled

Poll: 69% of Americans want US out of Afghanistan

The latest New York Times/CBS News poll released Monday shows that support for the Afghanistan war has plummeted, with more than 69 percent of Americans saying that the United States should not be at war with Afghanistan.

Four months ago, 53 percent were against the war. Correspondingly, 68 percent believe the war is going “somewhat badly” or “very badly,” as compared to 42 percent in November.

In addition, a majority — 53 percent — said that Americans should no longer be fighting in the conflict. Only 23 percent believe that America is “doing the right thing” by fighting in Afghanistan, down from 36 percent in Nov. 2011.

According to CBS, Republicans seemed to have more positive feelings about the war as compared to Democrats, with 37 percent of Republicans saying the war was mostly successful and 32 percent saying the United States fighting in Afghanistan was the right thing.

Recent incidents in Afghanistan involving American troops that included an alleged killing of innocent people, burning of religious documents, and urinating on dead Afghans have infuriated the local population.

In the meantime defense secretary Leon Panetta said on Tuesday the war in Afghanistan can’t be determined by polls asserting that the US must continue with its strategy in the decade-old conflict despite plummeting American confidence in the war.

Panetta said that there is no question that the American people are tired of war. But, he said, the public understands the US is engaged in Afghanistan because of the attacks on Sept. 11, and to prevent al-Qaida from again finding safe havens there to launch attacks.

out of preliminary discussions with American officials after a U.S. soldier was accused of murdering 16 Afghan

a US soldier who killed 16 Afghan civilians.

Then the Taliban announced they would suspend talks because of the “erratic” behavior of the US government, which they accused of constantly making new demands.

Now the government of Qatar has withdrawn a key condition for negotiations taking place -- a security guarantee for five highranking Taliban members who were to be released from the Guantanamo prison camp and put in custody in Qatar.

Washington is demanding that a strict travel ban be imposed on the five Taliban officials, which Qatar isn’t willing to guarantee.

Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai had torpedoed the talks because the Taliban wanted to negotiate directly with the US rather than with him.

A close relative of Tayyeb Agha, the chief negotiator of the Taliban, said the abandonment of talks was temporary. “We know there will never be a solution without talks with the US,” said Syed Akbar Agha.

He said a condition for talks was a guarantee that the five Taliban from Guantanamo would be freed.

US soldier charged with civilians murder in Afghanistan Afghanistan’s Taliban vowed on Friday to take revenge on Nato forces for the killing of 17 civilians, for which a US soldier is due to face charges, saying they had no faith in any courtís proceeding.

This was a planned activity and we will certainly take revenge on all American forces in Afghanistan and don’t trust such trials,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told Reuters by telephone from an undisclosed location.

According to a statement released

by International Security Assistance Force, criminal charges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice were formally preferred today against U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Robert Bales.

The statement further added, the charges allege that, on or about March 11, 2012, Bales did, with premeditation, murder seventeen Afghan civilians and assaulted and attempted to murder six other civilians at or near Belambey,

Panjwa’i district of Afghanistan’s Kandahar province.

Bales is assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3d Infantry Regiment (Rear) (Provisional), headquartered at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. He is currently in pre-trial confinement at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. Under the UCMJ, the maximum possible punishment for a premeditated murder conviction is a dishonorable discharge from the Armed Forces, reduction to the lowest enlisted grade, total forfeiture of pay and allowances, and death (with a mandatory minimum sentence of imprisonment for life with eligibility for parole), the statement added.

The next procedural step in the military justice process is for the Special Court-Martial Convening Authority at Joint Base LewisMcChord to decide whether to direct an investigation of the charges under UCMJ Article 32. An Article 32 investigating officer submits to the command a written report with non-binding recommendations concerning the sufficiency of the charges and evidence. The report aids the command in determining an appropriate disposition of the charges. The charges may not be referred to a general courtmartial absent a prior Article 32 investigation.

No disposition decision has been made concerning the preferred charges. Preferral of charges represents an accusation of criminal misconduct only. In accordance with U.S. law, a military member accused of criminal misconduct is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at a trial by court-martial.

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Saarc international I Thursday 29 March 2012

WEEKLY REVIEW OF BANGLADESH NEWS

Bangladesh honours foreign friends

A grateful Bangladesh on Tuesday honoured foreign friends who contributed in the nation’s war of independence against Pakistani forces in 1971.

Around 83 foreign friends who came themselves or sent their representatives received ‘Liberation War Honour’ and ‘Friends of Liberation War Honour’ at a programme at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city.

President Mohammad Zillur Rahman and prime minister Sheikh Hasina gave them goldplated silver metallic plaques bearing replica of the National

Memorial and a citation on silk cloth.

At first, the Nepali ambassador in Dhaka, on behalf of his country’s president Dr Ram Baran Yadav, received the Liberation War Honour from the president.

Then representatives of heads of state or government of eight countries received the Liberation War Honour from him.

Bangladesh, then the eastern wing of Pakistan, gained independence through a ninemonth bloody war that ended on Dec 16 after thousands of Pakistani soldiers surrendered in Dhaka.

While India was the main backer of the struggle, many foreign politicians, diplomats, artistes, authors, journalists and students from across the world had come forward to support Bangladesh’s freedom struggle.

The function began through exhibition of a documentary on the foreign friends after the prime minister had reached the venue immediately after 10am.

The president reached around 11:30am.

Cabinet Division secretary Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain Bhuyian introduced the foreign friends and spoke about the role

they played during the war.

Foreign minister Dipu Moni helped the president and the prime minister to give the awards.

On behalf of the people of India, the country’s high commissioner in Dhaka Pnkaj Saran received the friends’ award while Indian junior defence minister Mallipudi Mangapathi Pallam Raju received the honour as representative of the Muktibahini (liberation force).

Lt Gen Jack Frederick Ralph Jacob of India gave a salute to the audience after receiving the award. He then shouted ‘Joy

Bangla’, in reply to the same slogan chanted by the audience.

Last year, the government of Sheikh Hasina decided to honour those foreigners.

A list of 132 was made but the government finally invited 110 friends, out of which 83 have came or sent their representatives to receive the honour.

The venue of the programme has been decorated with green and red colours of the national flag.

The chief justice, ministers, advisors to the prime minister, MPs, chiefs of the three forces and top government officials are present at the programme.

BNP may shift Bangladesh to felicitate Mar 29 hartal Indian defence officers

The BNP-led opposition may defer its March 29 countrywide dawn-todusk hartal due to a Hindu festival on the day, said party sources.

When contacted on Sunday morning, BNP standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy said that the hartal might be reconsidered.

The people of Hindu community from across the country as well as from abroad come to celebrate ‘Punyasnan’ at Langolbond in Naryanganj district.

However, BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told UNB that there is no official decision yet over shifting

the hartal.

The Hindu community leaders will meet with BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia Sunday night to discuss the matter, he informed.

According to the party insiders, some leaders want to defer the hartal while some want to withdraw the hartal.

Khaleda Zia called for the March 29 hartal from the grand rally at Nayapaltan in the city on March 12 to protest the government’s “obstructions” to the grand rally and its “repression” against the opposition leaders and workers centring the ‘Dhaka Cholo’ programme.

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Four decades after Bangladesh came into being, Dhaka will formally recognise the role played

by Indian armed forces during the 1971 war, popularly called the Bangladesh Liberation War.

Indian armed forces personnel during Bangladesh’s nine-monthlong liberation war in 1971.

The award was recommended by a national committee constituted by the Bangladesh government,

days after the formal declaration of war.

Pallam Raju, who is on two-day visit to Dhaka, also represented India at the Bangladesh Independence and National

At a function in Dhaka Tuesday, Bangladesh President Mohammed Zillur Rahman will confer an award on the Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony on behalf of the Indian armed forces in the presence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The award will be received by Minister of State for Defence M.M. Pallam Raju at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in Dhaka, an Indian defence ministry release said Monday.

The award consists of a goldplated silver metallic plaque bearing a replica of the national mausoleum and a citation on a silk cloth. It is a formal recognition by the Bangladesh government of the sacrifice made by about 1,400

under Foreign Minister Dipu Moni and consisting of State Minister for Liberation War Affairs M. Tajul Islam, to honour the foreign friends who had assisted Bangladesh in its liberation war.

Indian Army and Bangladeshi Forces were put under a joint command structure led by Lt. Gen. Jagjit Singh Aurora, and this force came to be known as the ‘Mitra Bahini’, says the committee’s note.

It adds that this alliance of the Indian Army and Bangladesh Forces engaged the Pakistani forces in December 1971 and was instrumental in the defeat of the Pakistan Army, which surrendered Dec 16, 1971, a few

Day celebrations in the capital Monday.

It was on this day in 1971 that Bangladeshi leader Mujibur Rahman, also known as the father of the Bangladeshi nation, declared independence.

The Bangladesh government is conferring awards on 110 foreign nationals and organisations for their contribution to the country’s liberation war, including Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar.

In the first phase, United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi had received the Bangladesh Freedom Honour awarded to her mother-in-law and late Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi at a function in Dhaka July 25 last year.

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WEEKLY REVIEW OF BHUTAN NEWS

Kingdom serves as south-north conduit Bhutan has become a route for timber fetched from South India on its illicit way to China

The country might be widely regarded a celebrity in terms of its success in conserving its natural resources, particularly the forest.

But it is, of late, beginning to be seen as a transit point for illegal sandalwood being transported, saddled on horsebacks, to China from India.

Forest and park services director general Karma Dukpa said the country was being used as a conduit for the international market, especially China.

Recently, according to reliable sources within the court, the Paro dzongkhag court sentenced a 30year-old man to three months in prison for carrying 18 logs, all covered in gunnysacks of the restricted timber, some time in September last year.

Since he had served a month in prison anyway of the three months, he had to pay about Nu 5,000 in lieu of the remaining prison term.

Paro court officials refused to divulge additional information.

Three other men are being interrogated by forest officials, after they were ambushed in Haa with two pick up trucks laden with more than 2,000kg of sandalwood.

A little distance away, between 20 and 30 ponies were waiting to be saddled with the sandalwood to be transported to China.

Forest protection and surveillance unit officials said that, following

a tip off, four seasoned foresters, along with two officers, managed to nab the men around 3am two months ago.

The main person of the three who were caught, unit officials said, had confessed to taking the timber to China.

Porters waiting with the ponies told forest officials that sandalwood of the same quantity had earlier been transported across the borders in the north.

“Sandalwood isn’t endemic to

Bhutan,” Karma Dukpa said, adding they were brought all the way from southern parts of India.

He said they were further investigating and interrogating the people caught bringing in the sandalwood, and had already learnt of the procedures involved in transporting sandalwood.

He said the wood came from Jaigaon and Siliguri and crossed the borders from Amochu at night, to be driven to Haa in trucks laden with bricks covering it, and then buried in earth once it reached there.

Thereon, people used mules to carry the sandalwood across the border up north, travelling mostly at night.

“The Bhutanese are merely being used as middlemen, living off commission from transporting the timber to China,” Karma Dukpa said.

In absence of a correct market price of the wood, since it is not native to the country, save for a

few pockets in Samtse of inferior quality, determining how people involved in such illegal trade should be dealt with is not spelt out.

Sandalwood, Karma Dukpa said, was not listed among the protected species under the nature conservation law until he pushed for it recently.

Based on the price variation of the wood of just as varied a kind, forest protection and surveillance unit officials said they drew up a mean on the seized products at Nu 5,000 a kg.

Officials felt the need to consider whether people, caught in the act of transporting sandalwood illegally, should undergo criminal charges, or be fined based on the value of the timber.

Sandalwood, forest official were told, was being taken to China to build altars and shrines, besides further reducing it to making perfume, cosmetic items and incense.

Bird flu in Lalitpur Arunachal Pradesh wants road connection through Bhutan

Authorities on Wednesday confirmed bird flu in chickens at a poultry farm at Bhainsepati in Lalitpur district.

Over 300 chickens were slaughtered at the farm owned by Dhiren Gurung after the District Administration said the area was infected with the H5N1 strain of the bird flu.

According to Gurung, the fowls started dying all of a sudden around a week ago.

“We slaughtered 380 of the

6,000 chickens, while the rest have died,” Dr Narayan Ghimire, a Senior Veterinarian at the Department of Livestock Services, said. “Also, 1,620 eggs and 350 kg of poultry feed have been destroyed.”

“We have upped surveillance in the area and will not allow poultry business there for three months,” Chief of the District Veterinary Office Mogal Prasad Sah said. He added that no human has been infected with the virus.

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Arunachal Pradesh government will urge the Centre to initiate talks with the Bhutan government for construction of a road from West Bengal to the state through the Himalyan country, PWD Minister Chowna Mein told the Assembly today.

The proposed road from Alipurduar in West Bengal running along the foothills of Bhutan to Nechipu in West Kameng district of the state would lessen the burden in carrying construction materials for various power projects in the

state, Mein said.

The minister made the statement after Congress MLA Takar Marde pointed that construction work of many power projects of the state, especially the 2000 mw Lower Subansiri hydroelectric project at Gerukamukh, had come to a halt for the the past few months due to road blockade by various anti-dam groups in Assam.

He requested the state government to take up the issue with the Prime Minister and the External Affairs Ministry and

ask the Centre to initiate talks with the Bhutan government for getting clearance to construct the road.

Mein, while appreciating Marde for raising the issue, said the road would also facilitate border trade with Bhutan.

The minister also urged Chief Minister Nabam Tuki to lead a team of legislators, irrespective of party affiliation, to impress upon the Centre for considering re-opening of Stilwel Road which, he said, would facilitate border trade with Myanmar.

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Saarc international I Thursday 29 March 2012

WEEKLY REVIEW OF INDIA NEWS

PM asks Norway for ‘amicable’ solution to kids custody row Visiting Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has asked his Norwegian counterpart Jens Stoltenberg to find an “amicable and good” solution to the NRI kids custody row, especially with a focus on keeping the welfare of the children and the interest of the parents in mind.

Singh conveyed this message to Stoltenberg on Monday on the sidelines of the nuclear security summit being held here.

Singh reportedly explained to Stoltenberg the importance of family ties in Indian culture, and expressed the hope that the outcome would be positive and within the ambit of the law, besides being in the interest of the parents and their children.

Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai told media after the bilateral meeting: “The Norwegian Prime Minister also made a reference to the ongoing case relating to the two Indian children, and explained that this was the matter before the Municipality of

Stavanger, as well as the local court, and that the interest of the children,

In fact, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna had last month sent

as well as concerns of the parents, would sought to be addressed in whatever solution is found.”

Abhigyan, three, and Aishwarya, one, were placed in foster care by the Norwegian child welfare authorities in May last year, and ever since, the battle for the release of the two kids has been going on.

Secretary (West) M Ganapathy to settle the matter. However, the

I asked Army chief to act, but he didn’t, says Antony

Says he had ordered a CBI inquiry based on newspaper reports

With the Army chief’s allegation of bribe offer kicking up a storm, Defence Minister A K Antony on Tuesday said he had asked General V K Singh to take action but he did not want to pursue the matter for unknown reasons.

Making a suo motu statement in the Rajya Sabha, Antony responded to questions as to why he did not act on the allegation by saying that he had not received any complaint from the army chief in writing.

He told the House that after Gen Singh’s allegation appeared in the media, he had ordered a CBI inquiry based on newspaper reports.

“This happened more than one year ago. That is my memory.

Exact date they (army officials) know because no one can meet the Army chief without any appointment,” Antony said.

Recalling the incident, the minister

said the Army chief had told him that one retired General Tejender Singh met him and offered Rs 14 crore bribe.

“I was shocked... It took me one to two minutes to regain my composure.

Then I told him to take action but he told me I do not want to pursue it. I don’t know why he did not want to pursue it at that time,” Antony said.

He assured the House that action will be taken against the guilty, however powerful they may be.

“I will take action, nobody will be spared. If anybody is found guilty, whoever he is, however powerful he may be, I will take action,” Antony said.

“I acted on my judgement. If I am wrong, you may punish me. I think I have done my best,” he said.

The minister said in the past he has taken action even on anonymous complaints from any quarters.

custody row has taken a turn for the worse with the Norwegian authorities saying last week that they were not going to hand over the kids to their uncle in view of the “conflicts” in the family.

The statement followed reports of differences between the parents -Anurup and Sagarika Bhhatacharya.

The two prime ministers also reportedly discussed the impact of the Indian court verdicts on the 2G scam cases.

The future presence of Norwegian telecom giant Telenor, which has multi-billion dollar investments in India, hangs in the balance following the Supreme Court cancelling 122 telecom licences allegedly involved in the scam.

CBI likely to ask Army Chief for formal complaint

Singh didn’t complain, was powerless to act: Antony Report: Was it Tatra truck deal that VK Singh was referring to? Quote: Tejinder Singh files case, says he didn’t offer bribe The CBI is likely to ask for a formal complaint from Army chief VK Singh in connection with his allegation that he was offered a bribe of Rs 14 crore to clear a ‘sub-standard’ defence deal.

Agency sources today said action would be intiated after getting a formal complaint from Singh. They said besides the complaint, he would also have to provide other details like date of meeting with the lobbyist, a possible witness list and supporting documents among other details in the case.

Saarc international I Thursday 29 March 2012

COMMENT

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Team Anna comes under sharp attack in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj says the team was accusing MPs of being corrupt

Team Anna on Monday came under sharp attack in Lok Sabha with members from all sides slamming civil society members for using derogatory language against parliamentarians during a day long fast here.

Even as members spoke against Team Anna, MPs from Congress belonging to Telangana as also those from TRS and TDP rushed to Well shouting slogans in support of statehood.

Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj said that by speaking against democratic institutions, the civil society members were indirectly inviting dictatorship.

She said while on the one hand, it wants the Lokpal Bill to be cleared by Parliament and on the other, it was accusing the MPs

India agrees to supply petrol to Pakistan

of being corrupt.

She said if MPs were “looters”, “corrupt” and “rapists”, then why did Team Anna send three of its demands to be incorporated in a resolution passed by Parliament.

Swaraj recalled that BJP, along with other opposition parties, had supported Anna Hazare’s

demand for a strong Lokpal Bill and had even slammed the government for brining a “weak” legislation.

She said the issue was not limited to an individual or a group of MPs but the entire institution which is the anchor of democracy in the country.

JD-U leader and NDA convenor

Sharad Yadav accused Team Anna of targeting him and found support from Swaraj.

He also sought to know how many Team Anna members have gone to jail for raising issues of public interest. “I have been to jail...I have fought all my life,” said a visibly agitated Yadav.

Gas pipeline: Pakistan hiring experts to study Iran sanctions Pakistan on Friday sought immediate supply of petrol from India through the land route to meet the widening deficit and flaring demand. New Delhi readily agreed in principle.

“I met Petroleum Secretary G.C. Chaturvedi and discussed the issue of import of petrol from India,” Pakistan Secretary for Petroleum and Natural Resources Muhammad Ejaz Chaudhry told journalists on the sidelines of the Seventh Asia Gas Partnership Summit here.

Both sides also discussed the supply of Indian petrochemical products to Pakistan. It was decided that officials of both countries will meet next month to finalise the modalities for making the supplies.

India has indicated that it will supply petrol from Bhatinda, where Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited is about to commission a refinery. Indian

Oil Corporation has hinted at supplying petrol, diesel and petrochemical products from its depot at Bhatinda and from the Mathura and Panipat refineries.

Mr. Chaudhry said Pakistan at present wanted only petrol.

However, a major hurdle was fuel specification — while Pakistan sold Euro-II grade fuel, Indian refineries produced petrol and diesel that met Euro-III & IV standards.

Referring to diesel and jet fuel, he said: “When we need jet fuel or diesel, our first port of call will be India.”

Talks were on to put in place a dedicated pipeline for fuel supplies in future, he noted.

Mr. Chaudhry also discussed the transit fee to be paid for the proposed TurkmenistanAfghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline.

Pakistan was keen on importing gas too from India, he added.

Mid fears of possible sanctions being imposed by Washington, Pakistan has decided to hire the services of international legal experts to seek opinion on effects of prospective US sanctions, in case it went ahead with the Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline pro The decision to hire legal experts was taken at a high level meeting presided over by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani at the Prime Minister’s House on Wednesday.

The meeting was convened to review the energy situation in the country, expand the power generating capacity of the existing electricity infrastructure and explore alternate energy sources.

The meeting was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar, Minister of Finance Dr Hafeez Sheikh, Minister of Water and Power Syed Naveed Qamar, Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani, Finance Secretary Abdul Wajid Rana, and Deputy Chairman

Planning Commission Dr Nadeem ul Haq. The possibility of US sanctions against Pakistan was discussed, one of the participants of the meeting told.

He said that the government wanted to explore the possible effects of sanctions if it refused to bow to the pressure exerted

by Washington.

“We have discussed the option of materialising the IP gas project with assistance from Russia and

China,” the participant said.

The prime minister was informed that a delegation of Pakistanis would soon depart for Russia to negotiate with Russian energy giant Gazprom to materialise the pipeline project.

He also directed the ministries of water and power and petroleum to ensure that load shedding was minimised, and further efforts be made to provide relief to the public and the industry from the ongoing power crisis.

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Saarc international I Thursday 29 March 2012

Israel’s decision to cut ties with UN rights council regrettable: UNHRC

The President of the United Nations Human Rights Council has said that Israel’s decision to break ties with the council over a UN announcement to conduct a probe into Israeli settlements is “most regrettable”.

The Israeli foreign ministry decided on Monday to cut contact with the United Nations Human Rights Council after it said last week it would investigate Israeli settlements, a spokesperson said.

“There was a decision by the foreign ministry to sever work contacts with the organisation,” Yigal Palmor told reporters, adding that Israel had yet to formally inform the council of its decision.

Laura Dupuy Lasserre, the head of the 47-state body, said on Monday that “I have no doubt that it is in the interest of Israel to cooperate with the Human Rights Council on this investigative mission, not least so that it can explain its own policies and actions to the independent commissioners once they are appointed,”.

On Thursday, the 47-member council adopted a resolution which condemns Israel’s announcements of new settlement homes, demands a reversal of the settlement policy and orders a probe into how Israeli settlements are infringing upon the rights of Palestinians.

The resolution was adopted by 36 votes in favor and 10 abstentions.

The United States was the only member that voted against it.

Earlier on Monday, Israeli Foreign Ministry Spokesman Yigal Palmor said that it has decided to cut contact with the

council in condemnation of the resolution, adding that Israel had yet to formally inform the council of its decision.

On Sunday, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman called for a boycott of the council, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that the council “should be ashamed of itself.”

On Thursday, the US also slammed the resolution, saying

it was “deeply troubled by this council’s bias against Israel.”

Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesman for the acting Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas, described the vote as a shift in position of the world in favor for the rights of Palestinians.

Nearly 500,000 Israelis live in more than 100 settlement units built since the 1967 Israeli occupation of the West Bank and East al-Quds (Jerusalem).

Next round with Gaza will be more violent’

Israeli aggressive forces killed 124 Gaza residents and wounded 600 others during 2011, Public Security Minister Aharonovitch claims “Hamas, other groups are firing rockets into Israel every day or two days, the solution is to be more aggressive,”.

Twenty-six Palestinians, including school children, farmers and other civilians, were killed in the recent Israeli attacks. Scores of others were injured, some seriously, and many homes and civilian buildings were

destroyed. The next confrontation between Israel and Palestinian organizations in the Gaza Strip will be “more violent” than previous rounds, Public Security Minister Yitzhak

Aharonovitch warned Tuesday.

Aharonovitch made the comments during a visit to Israel Police’s southern district. the minister said Hamas and other

groups are firing rockets into Israel “every day or two days, and the solution to that is to be more aggressive,” according to Israel Radio.

Israel troops shoot 15-year-old boy in face with rubber bullet Israeli Border Police officers shot a rubber-coated bullet at 15-year-old Ezz Tamimi’s face from a distance of about 20 meters, during the weekly demonstration in the West Bank village of Nabi Saleh on Friday, activists said in a press statement.

The bullet, which hit the boy’s cheek, “went through it, gouging a large hole in it.”

The Israeli army’s open-fire regulations forbid the use of rubbercoated bullets against minors.

The incident took place at the center of the village, hundreds of meters away from where a demonstration was taking place, when Border Police officers invaded the village.

For the first time in months, protesters

managed to reach the vicinity of the contested water spring, which sparked village demonstrations over two years ago when taken over by settlers.

The protesters, mainly women from the village, managed to confound the soldiers by advancing towards the spring from an unexpected direction.

The protesters who were held back by the soldiers meters away from the fountain proceeded to block the road

leading to the adjacent Jewish-only settlement of Halamish for some 20 minutes.

The previous night, the Israeli army staged another nighttime raid on the village, an what has become an almost nightly practice in the past three weeks.

In related news, a delegation of foreign diplomats visited Kufer Qaddoum south of Nablus, after soldiers sicced a

dog at one of the protesters last week, causing him serious harm. During the visit, several of the diplomats suffered from the effects of tear-gas shot at protesters to disperse the demonstration.

Jorge Lobo de Masquita, Representative of Portugal to the Palestinian Authority , as well as a South African diplomat were rushed to an ambulance, where they were given first aid for tear-gas inhalation.

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Saarc international I Thursday 29 March 2012

Homs bombing and CNN

Was the Homs bombing carried out by the Syrian Government?

Why would the Syrian Government destroy its own oil supply? In which case it was carried out by terrorists.

What, then, is CNN doing on the scene and what was CNN’s role in this act of terrorism? Was a camera set up to film the bombing scene hours before the event? Why? What is strange about the video shown links below* (if it is not removed meanwhile from the Net, as is the norm) are in fact two things. First, as claimed, was a CNN camera set up to film the bombing of the Homs oil pipeline hours before the event, and in which case, did the CNN crew know what was going to take place? This being the case, to what extent was this crew actively involved in the event? Has anyone noticed that one of the crew was an ex-British Special Forces operational?

The second strange thing is the appearance in the video, apparently together with the CNN crew, of one Danny Abdul Dayem, who is a British citizen of Syrian descent a well-known Opposition “activist”.

connivance of CNN? And what are the CNN “crews”? Members of this team have covered other war zones in the region. The question arises as to exactly what they have been doing both in Syria and elsewhere.

No wonder these countries do not want western journalists running around. Or should one say “journalists”? In the event it appears they were being filmed by Syrians who suspected what they were up to.

Here is a picture of Danny AbdulDayem laughing and joking mere minutes before appearing on CNN with Anderson Cooper amid gunfire.

and explosions while Danny tells his tale that just 30 minutes ago, he was pulling people out of buildings.

CNN labels the allegations that their crew was involved in any way with the explosion or with terrorists who

Was this a media coup? Or was this an act of terrorism with the full

And here is the interview minutes later where you can hear gunfire

When in fact, he was waiting on the phone for CNN to call.

created the explosion as “ridiculous”.

Interesting. How then does one

explain the apparent positioning of the camera hours before the explosion and the alleged presence of a wellknown opposition “activist” with the crew? And let us remember what an “activist” is. An “activist” is a terrorist who works with NATO; a “terrorist” is an “activist” that does not.

And come to think of it, after Iraq, after Libya, would anyone be surprised by what CNN has or has not done anyway? After all, Google up “September 11 attacks sixteen hours earlier”. As the west “celebrated” a terrorist strike in Homs, of course the livelihoods of countless thousands of people deprived of bread because the bakeries could no longer get fuel are irrelevant and are met with a derisory sniff. Who cares, eh? * Two versions of the video http://friendsofsyria.wordpress. com/2012/03/23/cnn-crew-linkedwith-homs-bombings/ http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=DfSwJi_LUWk http://www.youtube.com/ watch?feature=player_embedded&v=pDCZxsrt9I

Syria accepts UN-backed peace plan, says special envoy Kofi Annan Implementation of the plan to end violence and bloodshed will be key and Annan would be working with all parties at all levels to ensure it was implemented.

Syria’s government has told international envoy Kofi Annan that it accepts his six-point plan to end conflict in the country, Annan’s spokesman said during talks in Beijing on Tuesday.

Annan received a letter containing agreement from Assad’s administration and wrote back “urging the Syrian government to put its commitments into immediate effect,” according to an e- mailed statement from Ahmad Fawzi, his spokesman, today. The Syrian response “could bring an end to the violence and the bloodshed, provide aid to the suffering, and create an environment conducive to a political dialogue,” he said.

Efforts to resolve the yearlong conflict have so far failed, with Russia and China twice blocking UN Security Council resolutions aimed at removing Assad. The council last week supported Annan’s six goals,

which include a UN-supervised ceasefire, secure access for humanitarian missions and a Syrian-led transition to a democratic system. Assad’s battle to preserve his family’s fourdecade hold on power has claimed more than 8,000 lives so far, the UN estimates.

“The Assad regime has agreed on many proposals over the last year, but fully implemented none.,” Andrew J. Tabler, a fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said in an interview. “The Annan plan is more acceptable to Assad because it does not require Assad to step aside at the end of a transition process, only dialogue to end the fighting and discuss a political settlement.”

Annan’s plan has been endorsed by the UN Security Council in a nonbinding presidential statement.

The plan includes a cease-fire by Syrian forces, a daily two-hour halt to fighting to provide humanitarian

aid, and talks to search for a political solution to the crisis.

The opposition has also welcomed the government’s acceptance of the UN peace plan, a member of the Syrian National Council has said.

Bassma Kodmani, a Paris-based member of the group, told the Associated Press by phone Tuesday “we welcome all acceptance by the regime of a plan that could allow the repression and bloodbath to stop.”

“We hope that we can move toward a

peace process,” she continued.

Annan has already met with Assad twice. He uniformly demanded the Syrian government and the opposition immediately cease violence in populated areas.

Assad responded by saying that “Syria is ready to make a success of any honest effort to find a solution for the events it is witnessing.”

The Syrian president, however, said he cannot stop protecting his citizens.

“No political dialogue or political activity can succeed while there are armed terrorist groups operating and spreading chaos and instability,” Assad asserted.

China on Tuesday offered its “full support” to Kofi Annan’s mediation efforts in Syria, Annan said. The same commitment came from Russia over the weekend. Russia and China’s support may prove crucial in implementing Annan’s plan, which has been endorsed by the UN Security Council in a non-binding presidential statement.

Moscow and Beijing twice vetoed sanctions proposed by the UNSC, with Russia demanding the council issue a call to end bloodshed in the Arab country not only to the ruling regime, but also to opposition activists.

According to the UN, over 8,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict erupted over a year ago.

NEWS

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Saarc international I Thursday 29 March 2012

India has plans to continue importing Iranian crude

Our companies need oil from Iran and we will continue to import without violation of international law in letter and spirit.”

Indian oil minister says his country is planning to continue importing crude oil from Iran despite unilateral sanctions imposed on the Iranian oil sector by the US and the European Union.

Jaipal Reddy told the reporters on the sidelines of the Asia Gas Partnership Summit that New Delhi has a systematic plan for receiving oil from Iran, report .

“We are envisaging no cut [in purchase of crude oil from Iran],” he said while asking the United States and other western nations to take into account India’s energy needs.

“We continue to receive

representations from the US and other countries. We respect their sentiments [but] we have requested them to appreciate our need,” he added.

The Indian oil minister also assured Indian oil consumers that there will be no problem of supplies at all.

The US and the EU have imposed tough sanctions against Iran’s oil sector since the beginning of 2012, aimed at penalizing other countries for importing Iranian crude.

On Tuesday, March 20, Washington announced that 11 nations including 10 EU members -- Belgium, Britain, the Czech

Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and Spain -- as well as Japan have been exempted from Iran sanctions as they have reduced Iranian oil imports.

The most important countries which were not included on the exemption list were China, India and South Korea.

On March 23, US State Department spokeswoman, Victoria Nuland, said Washington is urging several countries, including India, to “significantly reduce” their dependence on Iranian oil to avoid the American sanctions.

“We are working hard with India to see if we can help with regard to reducing the country’s dependence...on Iranian crude, and looking at alternative sources

of supply as well,” she added.

Despite frequent requests from Washington, the Indian government has so far refused to reduce oil imports from Iran and has even come up with a new mechanism for paying the oil price without being affected by US sanctions on Iranian banks.

The US and the EU claim that Iran’s nuclear energy program contains a military component and have used such claims as pretext to impose international and unilateral sanctions against the country.

Tehran refutes their claims, saying frequent inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency have failed to prove any diversion in Iran’s nuclear energy program toward military purposes.

COMMENT

Anna returns with token fast against ‘deaf and mute govt’

Families of the killed whistleblowers join Anna in his fast against corruption

Tanvi Nalin Anna Hazare on Sunday returned to Jantar Mantar in Delhi again to sit on a token huger starike, this time protesting against the “deaf and dumb” government which is “not doing anything” to protect whistleblowers fighting corruption.

Hazare, after his usual visit to Rajghat before any such protest in Delhi, came to Jantar Mantar around 11 am to loud cheers from tricolour-wielding anti-corruption supporters and chants of ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’.

It being a Sunday, people cutting across class barriers came out to show solidarity with him. The daylong protest had all its usual

ingredients with almost 2,000 people assembled at the venue much before Anna Hazare arrived, after his visit to Rajghat. The fast venue saw people pouring in to the fast venue and blocking all the ways to the Jantar Mantar road well half an hour before the commencement of the fast, which was scheduled at 11 am.

The venue had patriotic songs and slogans filling the air to increase people’s enthusiasm. The mood was same old yet very fresh with people waving the tricolour and participating in shouting slogans.

By lunchtime, several people who were unable to find a good spot inside the venue, had scaled up the walls and soon enough, even the walls were full.

Family members of some of the whistleblowers who were killed while fighting corruption, including that of IPS officer Narendra Kumar murdered allegedly by mining mafia in Madhya Pradesh, were also present.

According to team Anna, 15 people have been killed since 2010 for raising their voice against corruption. Father and uncle of IPS officer Narendra Kumar, killed by the mining mafia in Morena district

of Madhya Pradesh recently, came to participate in the fast with Anna.

Family of Satyendra Dubey, who was killed after raising his voice

this government has gone dumb and deaf. It is not listening to the cries of people. There will be a big struggle. Then the government will

against corruption in the National highway Authority of India, was also present.

Referring to them, Anna Hazare said many people have sacrificed their lives while fighting corruption and the government has not conducted any probe despite some incidents which happened three years ago.

“Their (whistleblowers’) mothers, their children, their fathers, their wives are crying for justice. But

listen. The government came up with MNREGA but these people were killed for trying to improve it,” Hazare told reporters.

According to Team Anna, these people would not have lost their lives had there been a Lokpal and Whistleblowers’ bill in place. The team openly named P Chidambaram and Kapil Sibal.

They have warned the government of coming back with a bigger movement.

Participants sounded upbeat and said that they came out to show the government that the agitation is not over and that nobody fears death. “We are concerned about the families of the victims. Even when the cases are out, why the government isn’t extending any help to the families?’ asked Dhirendra Kumar, a student of IIT Delhi.

“Justice must be delivered to the families of the whistleblowers.

Protection to the lives of people will ensure more rising voices against the corruption and misgovernance. We are here standing with these families in their suffering to warn the government that it should better watch out, either pass the Jan Lokapal and whistleblowers bills or go in the coming general election,” said Priyanshi Mahato of Delhi University.

Former Karnataka Lokayukta and Team Anna member Santosh Hegde, who had expressed some reservations with regard to the Team recently, was present along with other members like Shanti Bhushan, Arvind Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi and Manish Sisodia.

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Pakistani court to charge bin Laden’s family with illegal entry A Pakistani court is set to charge five members of Osama bin Laden’s family with illegally entering and living in the country, their defense lawyer said

insisted they did not know the al-Qaida chief was living there, and the U.S. has not found any evidence that they did.

A Pakistani court will charge

in jail. Bin Laden and his wives were living with eight of their children and three employees in Abbottabad.

Pakistani Interior Minister

Osama bin Laden’s brother-in-law to meet his sister, who has been in the custody of authorities since May last year, court officials said.

The brother of Osama bin Laden’s

humiliated and angered the Pakistani army, which has also faced uncomfortable questions over why it wasn’t aware of bin Laden’s presence.

Monday.

The al-Qaida chief’s family has been in Pakistani detention since last May, when U.S. commandos raided the house where they were living in the northwest army town of Abbottabad and shot and killed bin Laden.

Pakistan was outraged by the raid because it was not informed beforehand.

Officials have

three of bin Laden’s widows and two of his daughters on April 2 when the hearing against them resumes, said their lawyer, Mohammad Amir. The court gave the five women copies of the case and evidence against them on Monday, he said.

Pakistani legal experts have said the maximum punishment the women could receive is five years

Rehman Malik has said previously that the children not involved in the case were free to leave Pakistan or could stay with their mothers for the duration of the trial.

One of the widows is known to be from Yemen, another from Saudi Arabia. The nationality of the third woman is unclear.

A Pakistani court on Thursday allowed slain al-Qaeda chief

youngest widow says the woman is in declining health and has lost the use of the leg that was shot by U.S. Navy SEALs in the mission to take out the Al Qaeda leader.

Bin Laden, the subject of a massive international manhunt, had been living in Abbottabad for at least five years before the CIA traced his whereabouts.

The unilateral American raid

A government commission is investigating the affair, but few expect it to come up with many answers. Its members have interviewed the wives. Last month, the government destroyed the three-story compound the bin Laden clan was living in, removing a concrete reminder of the country’s association with the world’s most wanted man.

Supreme Court to hear Haqqani’s petition on March 29

The petition pertaining to the statement of Pakistan’s former ambassador to the US Hussain Haqqani will be heard on March 29, report .

A ten-member committee headed by the Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has been formed to look into the matter.

The bench will also take decision regarding the delay of the deadline which was March 31.

Haqqani had submitted the respective petition in court on March 21.

The application stated that the court should pass an order allowing the commission to record his statement through similar facilities extended to Mansoor Ijaz, the main character in the memo controversy, who was accommodated by the commission on the plea of physical security.

Earlier, on March 27, the commission announced that the next hearing would be fixed after the Supreme Court extended the deadline as it has already missed its second deadline.

The commission, headed by Balochistan High Court Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, regretted that despite notices issued to Haqqani on March 1 and 18, he did not appear to record his statement and be cross-examination in Islamabad.

The commission gave Haqqani a last opportunity and warned that they could

attach his property and issue an arrest warrant to ensure his attendance or initiate contempt of court proceedings against him if he failed to comply with the court orders next time.

Haqqani’s counsel, Advocate Bokhari said his client had certain threats from intelligence agencies. He did not disclose the names of the agencies, but said that Haqqani faced a threat to his life in Pakistan.

Yasin Malik’s statement is a lie, says Mansoor Ijaz

Mansoor Ijaz, one of the central characters in the Memogate scandal, has said that Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Muhammad Yasin Malik’s meeting with then deputy director of India’s Research and Analysis

Wing (RAW) Chander D Sahary was a key turning point in bringing a permanent ceasefire in Kashmir, and that the Kashmiri leader’s flat denial during Monday’s hearing was

a “prosecutable lie.” Malik had earlier appeared before the commission investigating the Memogate scandal to record his statement in response to the allegations leveled by Ijaz claiming that Malik had a meeting with the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief.

Recalling the events which led to his meeting with Ijaz during a seminar in November 2000, Malik said that Ijaz had invited him for a lunch during which an Indian man showed up. He said that Ijaz had introduced him as a businessman but he left the meeting

with the suspicion that the man was the RAW chief. Ijaz in a statement issued via email said that Malik had made many sacrifices for the Kashmir cause and it was because of this he had helped him achieve a “structural ceasefire with Indian security forces that brought peace to the Kashmir valley for an extended period.”

Ijaz has also called on Malik to retract his statement and adds that he has email records, telephone and hotel bills and other evidence of their meeting and the people present during them.

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WEEKLY REVIEW OF PAKISTAN NEWS

Pakistan lawmakers to debate end to U.S. drone strikes. When US run out of Targets?

Pakistan’s parliament is expected this week to debate a committee’s recommendation that the United States stop drone strikes inside its territory

The Parliamentary Committee on National Security, a group of 18 members of parliament responsible for reviewing relations with the United States,

and apologize unconditionally for airstrikes last year that killed two dozen Pakistani soldiers.

“No entity in Pakistan -in this current government, because I can only speak for this government -- has ever given any tacit agreement to the authorization of drone strikes,” said Hina Rabbani Khar, the Pakistani foreign minister.

made the recommendation in a report to lawmakers last week.

CIA drone war in Pakistan in sharp decline The past year has seen the number of CIA drone strikes in Pakistan plummet. In the first three months of 2012, there were 11, compared with 21 in the first three months of 2011 and a record 28 in the first quarter of

2010.

On Monday, Pakistan’s parliament started to debate whether the United States should be made to stop CIA drone strikes altogether in the Pakistani border regions with Afghanistan and also whether the U.S. should apologize for NATO airstrikes that killed some two dozen Pakistani soldiers late last year.

Given the high level of hostility to the United States in Pakistan, the results of the

parliamentary debate are pretty much a foregone conclusion. The parliament will almost certainly vote against the allowing the continuation of the drone strikes and will also demand an American apology for the deaths of its soldiers.

The debate in parliament comes as relations between the U.S. and Pakistan have reached a nadir, caused by a wave of incidents over the past year that have poisoned the two countries’ already often troubled

relationship: -- The killing of two Pakistanis by a CIA contractor in January 2011.

-- The unilateral U.S. attack on Osama bin Laden’s compound in Abbottabad four months later.

-- The airstrikes by NATO in November that killed the Pakistani soldiers.

That incident caused Pakistan to close its borders to trucks resupplying NATO soldiers in Afghanistan.

According to senior U.S. counterterrorism officials, al Qaeda’s leadership bench has been so thinned by the drone campaign that there are only two real leaders of the organization left: bin Laden’s successor as overall leader of the group, Ayman al-Zawahiri, and Abu Yahya al-Libi.

This raises an interesting question: Maybe one of the reasons that the drone campaign has eased off in the past several months is that the CIA has begun to run out of real targets?

Pakistan says will push ahead with Iran, TAPI gas projects Pakistan’s president Asif Ali Zardari has reassured Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan that his country was committed to completing the Iran-Pakistan (IP) and TurkmenistanAfghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline projects.

In a clear snub to the United States over its sanction threats, Pakistan has reassured Iran and other regional countries that the proposed gas pipeline projects will go ahead as planned.

Ahead of a key regional security summit in the Tajik capital, President Asif Ali Zardari told his counterparts from Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan that his country was committed to completing the Iran-Pakistan (IP) and Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline projects. “I look forward to working with you on all issues of mutual interest,” he added.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned earlier this month that Pakistan could face US sanctions if it pressed ahead with the gas pipeline project with Iran. “[This] would be particularly damaging to Pakistan because their economy is already quite shaky,” Clinton had told a Congressional hearing.

At Sunday’s quadrilateral meeting in Dushanbe, Presidents Asif Zardari, Hamid Karzai, Mahmoud Ahmedinejad and Emomali Rahmon renewed their resolve to put up a joint

fight against terrorism, militancy and drug trafficking for a ‘win-win situation’. They also agreed to tap the full economic potential of the region by strengthening trade and economic cooperation among them.

The four leaders – who were together for Nowruz celebrations hosted by the Tajik leader –discussed matters of mutual interest, including ways and means to strengthen trade and economic cooperation, among their countries.

Presidential spokesperson Farhatullah Babar later said that President Zardari underscored the need for enhanced regional cooperation to overcome the drug trafficking-militancy nexus – a major impediment in the trade and economic development of the region. The president said he had taken up the issue at international level

and would continue to pursue it adding. “We must work together.”

About the Afghan imbroglio, President Zardari said that ‘non-state actors’ wanted to destabilise Afghanistan. But Pakistan is committed to peace in the region, particularly in Afghanistan, because a stable Afghanistan is also in the interest of the country.

The president said that in the post 2014 geostrategic scenario after the drawdown of foreign forces from Afghanistan, closer cooperation among the four countries in all fields, particularly defence, security and intelligencesharing, assumes greater significance. All the four leaders were unanimous in the view that terrorism and militancy pose a serious threat to peace, security and socio-economic development of the region and need to be

tackled jointly and through regional approach and solutions.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad used his visit to the Tajik capital to ratchet up rhetoric in the face of renewed international pressure over his country’s contested nuclear drive.

“Only the friends and neighbours of Afghanistan can in practice and realistically help this nation,” Ahmadinejad said in a statement released by his office on Saturday. “The occupiers who came to this nation from kilometres away are not here to aid the government and the people of Afghanistan but are here to loot the resources and mines of Afghanistan,” he said.

However, unlike Ahmadi-nejad’s, the speeches of Zardari and Karzai were more restrained that made no reference to the presence of foreign troops in Afghanistan or the United States.

The quadrilateral meeting came as President Barack Obama’s regional pointman Marc Grossman sat down with Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Jawed Ludin and Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani to discuss Karzai’s visit to Islamabad last month.

Grossman has been handed the delicate mission of ensuring Iran does not use its historic ties to Pakistan to spread its influence over Afghanistan after the Western troop withdrawal is complete.

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WEEKLY REVIEW OF MALDIVE NEWS

PPM to produce manifesto before elections: Gayoom Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has said that discussions will be held soon to produce the election manifesto of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) before the coming of the elections.

will be attuned to the needs and thoughts of the people. He also said that the party will not contest the Presidential election in hunger for power but will contest and win the election for the betterment of the people.

Addressing the public rally of held at Artificial Beach, the interim President of PPM Gayoom said the manifesto

“PPM will not dwell on the past. PPM is about that plans ahead for the future,” he said.

Gayoom said that the manifesto will be revealed to the public soon and that necessary changes will be made after discussion with the people.

In view of the President Dr. Waheed’s address to the Peoples’ Majlis despite the hooliganism of the MPs of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Gayoom said that it was

a historic day and praised the President for his determination and courage.

Gayoom also highlighted on the efforts of the Police and the military to uphold the constitution on 7th February.

He thanked the law enforcement agencies for their sacrifices and hard work to uphold the constitution and rule of law.

Govt would never negotiate with MDP “Act in the best interests of the nation” to release perpetrators of terrorism

Sir Donald McKinnon who arrived in the Maldives on Friday to help resolve the current political impasse in the nation, emphasized the importance of a calm and peaceful environment that is conducive to dialogue between the political parties.

Sir Donald McKinnon is Commonwealth Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to Maldives.

The once peaceful nation has been marred by unprecedented political upheaval and violence after the country’s first democratically elected President Mohamed Nasheed claimed that he had been ousted in a “coup d’état” backed by his successor President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik, his then vice President.

In his departure statement yesterday, the Special Envoy urged all interlocutors to function in accordance with the best interests of the nation.

“I call on all parties to act in the best interests of the nation.”

During his visit, Sir Donald met with key stakeholders to discuss the current political situation and to determine how the Commonwealth can best assist Maldives.

Fresh violence broke out on Monday as supporters of Nasheed, clashed with police as they attempted to stymie the opening of parliament.

Riot police used teargas to disperse hundreds of protesters in the capital Male, while lawmakers belonging to Nasheed’s Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) shouted slogans inside the parliament chamber.

The Special Envoy who had attended

the reconvening of Parliament, and noted positively the role of the Speaker in presiding over the session in “difficult circumstances” the statement said.

The Special Envoy commented “It is essential that the Majlis now functions effectively so that parliamentarians can return to debating issues of national interest.”

Sir Donald also noted the commitment, in the Presidential address to the Parliament, to bring together political leaders to hold discussions on the matter of early elections. Sir Donald said he would remain engaged in supporting efforts to find a mutually agreeable path going forward, the statement said further.

The Special Envoy stressed the importance of the work of the Commission of National Inquiry for national healing formed by President Waheed to investigate the transfer of power although the opposition has called the impartiality of the commission into question.

In this regard, Sir Donald offered Commonwealth expertise to support the Commission in its work.

Sir Donald also discussed additional technical assistance that the Commonwealth, the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union and other international organizations could provide, to help strengthen the judiciary and other key democratic institutions.

“The Commonwealth Secretariat will seek to develop these programmes with Maldivian stakeholders, and international partners, as soon as possible.”

Spokesperson at the President’s Office, Abbas Adil Riza, has said that the government would never negotiate with Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) to release people who had torched buildings and destroyed public property.

He assured the government would not interfere with the work of the Prosecutor General on anyone’s behalf, including members of the government.

Speaking at a press conference at the President’s Office on Sunday, Riza also said the government would not negotiate, during any talks, on cases of terrorism linked to public protests.

Riza said this welcoming the public statement made by MDP announcing the party’s readiness for talks.

Riza said the government was ready for whatever talks necessary to calm the political tensions.

Riza, however, stressed that the MDP must stop causing damage to the Police and MNDF centres and people’s private property and stop all acts of terrorism. He added the government would not participate in any negotiation that would portray acts of terrorism as political activities exempt from legal actions.

“The government does not want to agree to any unlawful deals. A safe environment for Maldivians could only be established when all acts of terrorism are stopped and when due punishment is given for the perpetrators,” said Riza.

Raajje TV audio was fabricated: MNDF

Maldives National Defence Force yesterday refuted the audio of an alleged officer of the military telecast by RaajjeTV with regard to the dismantling of the Maldivian Democratic Party protest camps in the surfers point area by security forces on Monday.

In a statement, MNDF claimed that the audio was believed to have been dubbed and altered.

“We condemn such actions to undermine and tarnish the image of the military by various persons.

We assure the people that the military is dedicated to serve and protect the nation, its people and the constitution of the Maldives,” statement read. The person claiming to be a military officer, had stated in the audio that the beer and alcohol discovered from the MDP protest camp had been planted by the security forces.

He also claimed that the alcohol

had been placed in boxes to make it look like it belonged to MDP supporters and had also been cold when it had been brought in during the raid of the camp.

A high ranking official of RaajjeTV had dismissed the statement by the MNDF and stressed that the audio had been of a military officer and it was authentic.

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WEEKLY REVIEW OF NEPAL NEWS

Global Fuel Price Hike Poses Dilemma For Nepal

The soaring petrol prices in the global market, that has sparked massive protests in Jakarta and added further suffering to Nepalese people as the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) came up with another petrol price hike on Tuesday, China’s Xinhua news agency reported.

Nepal has faced, over the past years, acute shortage of petroleum products and witnessed several crises that lasted for months each time.

The people tend to blame the crises due to poor management of NOC, the only petrol supplier in the country, and outside political interference too.

“There have been too many irregularities within the NOC in the past,” said political analyst Prajwal Shrestha, noting that while the NOC

beginning of 2011, the petrol price was around US$1.1 (at the exchange rate of that time) which has now reached US$1.4. On several occasions protests forced the authorities to reduce the hiked amount.

“It becomes very easy for the people to predict the price hike because a

issued bonus to its staffs, it failed to clear the debts to the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), NOC’s only source of petrol supply.

“Similarly, the prices of petrol goes up in the Nepali market when it goes high in the international market but the NOC never announces decrease in prices of the petrol in the Nepali

market when globally the prices are going down,” Shrestha said.

“This has really degraded the reputation of NOC.” The global price of the petrol in the past five years has reached US$90 per barrel from US$30 per barrel.

Since early 2011 Nepal has seen about 10 petrol price hikes. At the

price hike is always followed by acute shortage of petrol in the market,” Shrestha said, adding that a false shortage is often created to hike the price. Sometimes a shortage would last unbearably long that people would rather endure a price hike than a shortage.

15pc women say husband sexually violent

PM sacks Agriculture Minister Nandan Kumar Datta Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai has sacked Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives Nandan Kumar Datta today.

He is the second minister to be removed since last week. A few days ago, Labor Minister, Sarita Giri was removed for trying to transfer civil servants illegally and cooperating with manpower companies to violate government regulations.

PM Bhattarai decided to remove Datta from office after majority of CA members of the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (Ganatantrik) recommended that Datta be sacked. Datta belongs to the MJF-G and his own party

members have accused him of being involved in corruption and working against the party’s policies. MJF-G was also angry at Datta for not consulting with party leadership when making appointments under his

ministry.

MJF-G has been in the news recently for all the wrong reasons.

Its members were involved in a scuffle during a party meeting yesterday and its parliamentary party leader, JP Gupta was sentenced to 18 months in jail on corruption Charges. Gupta was the Information Minister when he was sent to jail. Now, MJF-G leaders are fighting with each other to be appointed the Information Minister. State Minister for Agriculture, Om Prakash Yadav has been given the task of looking after the ministry until a new minister is appointed.

Maoist CC meeting deffered yet again

The central committee meeting of the Unified CPN (Maoist)

scheduled for today has been postponed. The meeting had

to be put off due to the busy schedule of the party chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and vicepresident and Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai, according to Prashant Lamichhane, the prime minister’s assistant.

The central committee meeting of the party was called to resolve the dispute in the party after some party leaders including vice-chairman Mohan Baidya demanded the prime minister’s resignation, accusing the prime minister of entering into what they called ‘anti-national’ agreements and trying to make the Maoist PLA combatants to ‘give in’ in the name of army integration.

According to the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2011, 15 percent of married women are victims of sexual violence at the hands of their husbands. According to social workers, marital rape and sexual violence is rising in the country and only a few victims report the incidents to either the police or social workers. NDHS had interviewed 4,197 women, including 3,225 married women for the survey.

The survey also reveals that rural women are more likely to be victims of domestic violence and the Terai districts reported the most number of cases in the country. 14.3 percent of married women were forced to have sexual intercourse when they were not ready and 3.5 percent

reported that they were forced to perform other kinds of sexual acts by their husbands.

Women in the age group 40-49 were found to be more vulnerable than other groups with 15.5 percent reporting sexual violence.

27.5 percent of women married more than once were reported to have tolerated sexual violence by their partners and wives having the same group as their husbands were more likely to be forced to perform sexual acts to please their husbands.Women who were victims of sexual violence were less likely to report the incident and seek help than those who were victims of physical violence.

Married women without children were also more likely to seek help than mothers with children.

Nepal police say Slovak woman rescued from followers of man said to be reincarnated Buddha Police in Nepal say they have rescued a Slovak woman being held by followers of a man some say is the reincarnation of Buddha.

Police official K.P. Sharma said the 35-year-old woman was held in a forest of southern Nepal where Ram Bahadur Bamjan has been meditating for seven years.

The woman, identified only as Marichi, had been visiting Bamjan for the past year but was

reported to be held captive for the past two months.

Police reached the site where the woman was held and brought her back Sunday.

Sharma said the woman has a broken arm and appears to be scared. The official said she was being kept in the police station for her protection.

Several Buddhist scholars are skeptical of claims that Bamjan is the reincarnated Buddha.

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WEEKLY REVIEW OF SRILANKA NEWS

US to enhance the bilateral economic relationship with Sri Lanka A United States trade delegation consisting of business leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors are in Sri Lanka this week to develop plans to enhance the bilateral economic relationship between the two countries.

The trade delegation from Washington, led by Assistant US Trade Representative (USTR) Michael Delaney is in Sri Lanka for the tenth annual round of official bilateral Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) talks.

Valerie Fowler, Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Colombo, making the opening remarks at the TIFA talks today expressed confidence that the talks will make additional progress and enable the U.S. to increase its trade and investment in Sri Lanka, and help expanding country’s economy and

increase Sri Lankan employment.

Ms. Fowler said the talks are a forum where the two governments can solve problems, to give all businesses a level playing field and enable the private sector to compete fairly and transparently.

“The United States is the largest single export market for Sri Lankan goods, and our bilateral trade is

After UN vote, Sri Lanka to shut few embassies in Europe Less than a week after the West voted against Sri Lanka at a UN human rights meet, Colombo has decided to close some of its embassies in Europe.

The external affairs ministry said Tuesday that the embassies in Europe that were not serving any purpose in winning support for Sri Lanka’s national issues will be shut and new embassies will be opened in Asia.

“President Mahinda Rajapaksa had discussed the issue with the government. It will now be decided exactly which embassy in which country in Europe will be closed,” a ministry spokesperson told Xinhua.

He said the move was not a result of several European countries deciding to vote against Sri Lanka on a resolution over human rights violations at a 22 March UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva.

But the spokesperson quoted External Affairs Minister GL Peiris as saying that with almost all Asian countries, excluding India, voting for Sri Lanka in Geneva, it was felt that strengthening ties in Asia will be helpful for Colombo.

“The government has limited resources, so it is difficult to maintain embassies in every single country. So the government feels it will be more productive to have embassies in countries where we can gain something,” the official said.

The European Union voted for the US sponsored resolution asking Sri Lanka to fully implement the recommendations of an accountability commission following the end of the war in 2009.

growing,” she said.

The TIFA talks are designed to give the business people of the two countries an opportunity to do their best and compete with anyone in the world, the U.S. Embassy official said.

The bilateral relationship between the U.S. and Sri Lanka is deep, enduring and multi-faceted, she

said, recalling that U.S. tabled a resolution on Sri Lanka at the UN last week to encourage the Sri Lankan government to continue on the path toward reconciliation following end of the three-decade long war.

She noted that the U.S. is assisting the Sri Lankan government in many ways, with food aid, humanitarian assistance, demining assistance, disaster relief including tsunami reconstruction projects, support for public-private alliances, and much more.

Ms. Fowler recalled that just a few days ago the United States eased restrictions on defense sales to Sri Lanka to allow exports of equipment for aerial and maritime surveillance, to include the selling of advanced technology to your Navy and Coast Guard.

The Chargé d’Affaires reiterated her government’s assistance to Sri

Lanka and expectation to continue the good working relationship with the Sri Lankan Government, Sri Lankan businesses, and the Sri Lankan people.

“And now, as Sri Lanka recovers from decades of strife that affected each Sri Lankan citizen, we continue to assist the government and the Sri Lankan people to bind up the wounds of a terrible war and to seek a better life for the people of this great country,” Ms. Fowler said.

“Part of the answer with reconciliation is found through economic development. More investment, greater access to markets, more innovation and new technologies will benefit all areas of Sri Lanka, and American companies stand ready to compete for these opportunities to transform the economic landscape,” the U.S. Embassy official said.

No tolerance of interference in SL’s affairs- President

Sri Lanka, as an independent country would not give in to any arbitrary interference in its affairs. The govt’s policy in respect of all matters will continue to be guided by vital interests & well being of the people, President Rajapaksa asserted.

Referring to the resolution on Sri Lanka adopted by the United Nations Human Rights Council, he said that Sri Lanka’s narrow defeat in Geneva would please the LTTE proxies and the diaspora but not the people of Sri Lanka.

The President also appreciated the stand taken by the 15 countries that voted with Sri Lanka and the eight countries which by abstaining declined to support it (23 out of 47), despite the intensity of pressure, in a variety of forms, exerted on them all.

President Rajapaksa addressing the large gathering at a main ceremony held at Wevita Maithri Vidyalaya premises, Bandaragama also noted that what Sri Lankans sought from his government when it came to power in 2005 was the establishment of freedom and honourable peace.

He pointed out that the government had done that and more in a very short span without succumbing to pressure or influences.

“As a result,” he said “the country today was on the path to rapid economic development while ensuring freedom and dignity of all

people without discrimination.”

He stressed that whatever obstacles faced, the government was determined to carry forward and consolidate on the hard earned gains of establishing peace, stability and propagating development which were achieved after 30 years of instability and violence. The main ceremony at the launch of the Eka Gamakata Eka Wedak - development projects for all villages programme- was held at Bandaragama. The programme was simultaneously launched in all Grama Seva divisions (over 14,000) in the country yesterday.

Accordingly, development projects will be carried out in all villages for the benefit of people with Rs. one million allocated for each project.

The President also pointed out that development was wholesome and was not confined to any single sector or area and also spiritual and morale habits of the people too were

improving since the end of violence.

However, he pointed out that some elements were blind to this impressive progress in all sectors as their eyes were clouded by jealousy, hatred and petty interest.

The President said that certain elements that never went to the north were going there after a resolution came up against the country in Geneva and were preaching that the government has not done anything in the area.

“To whom are they trying to send this message and for whose benefit are they working at such a crucial time for the country? the President questioned.

The President also pointed out that the present government had always dedicated itself to ensuring democracy, promotion and protection of human rights, guaranteeing equality, dignity, justice and respect for all.

“In ensuring promotion and protection of human rights the country always has looked to the values it has nurtured in its proud 2,500 year history and religious teachings of all faiths, he added.

“However, when some country’s are trying to stand on their own feet, there are some elements with vested interests who try to bring them down, using various issues”, he added.

President Rajapaksa pointed out that despite the malicious agendas of these elements, the ordinary masses were speaking with one voice on behalf of the country.

He said that Sri Lanka would continue to seek domestic remedies for its issues. “Whatever the challenges we would not allow the ugly head of terrorism to re-surface.

We would consolidate and achieve further progress in our quest towards achieving development, peace and prosperity, he added.

He urged the people to rally round the government to build the country without falling victim to malicious propaganda. On the development initiative launched yesterday he said that this was a historic one which would further consolidate the ongoing development at village level.

He also said that many such projects which will benefit the people are in the pipeline.

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SPECIAL FEATURE

Saarc international I Thursday 29 March 2012

Will Bilal Khar be brought to justice?

Decade after being scarred by acid, Fakhra Yunus jumps to her death

The body of Fakhra Younus who had committed suicide in Italy on Saturday, arrived in Karachi on Sunday. lawmakers and Abdul Sattar Edhi were among those present at the Karachi airport to receive the body.

Fakhra was a victim of an acid attack carried out by her husband, Bilal Khar, the son of PPP leader Ghulam Mustafa Khar. He had burned her face with acid 12 years ago.

Fakhra committed suicide by jumping from the sixth floor of her flat in Rome.

Funeral prayers were offered in the hospital ground in Rome and the body was sent for Pakistan.

In her last message before committing suicide, Fakhra had written that she was committing suicide over the silence of law on the atrocities and the insensitivity of Pakistani rulers.

Fakhra’s burial took place in a graveyard in DHA. Speaking to the media on Sunday, Bilal Khar said that he had been proved innocent in this case years ago and if Fakhra had to commit suicide because of him, she would have done it 12 years ago. He further stated that this case is being politicised.

Yunus leapt off from the sixth floor of a building on March 17, 2012 in Italy which resulted in her death. She was provided shelter in Italy after being attacked by her husband 12 years back in Karachi.

at the airport along with Yunus’ family. Yunus’ son had handed over the funeral responsibilities to Durrani.

Speaking to the media, Durrani said that Yunus had lived her life with courage. In earlier interviews, Yunus had expressed her desire to

her severely burned, particularly her face. She, however, survived the attack but not before spending three months in intensive care.

Khar used his political influence to evade arrest and absconded, while Yunus’s family faced difficulty in registering an FIR against him.

On October 31, 2002, Khar was eventually arrested, but released in 2003 on Rs 200,000 bail.

Thirty-one-year-old single mother

return to Pakistan to seek justice.

Musarrat Misbah, a veteran beautician and owner of Depilex Smile Again Foundation For Acid Burn Victims was also present at the airport.

Meanwhile, Sindh Home Minister Manzoor Wasan has announced reopening of Yunus case.

The case In 1998, Yunus was an 18-yearold resident of Napier Road’s Bulbul Bazar, Karachi’s red light

of Pakistani origin, Fakhra Younas knew Italian like a native.

She lived with her teenage son – a sprightly 15-year-old who attends a higher education public school and loves football – in an apartment supported by the City of Rome. Fakhra’s autobiography was published in 2005, in Italian, German and Spanish. That might have given her instant celebrity status, but this is far from the case. Outside of their little nuclear family, Fakhra and her son have few friends and fewer family associations. So, even though Fakhra holds a visa as a political refugee, it is not surprising that she yearns for the human contact Pakistan afforded her… even when it almost cost her life.

Abdul Sattar Edhi was also present at the Karachi airport to receive Yunus’ body.

Edhi also held the prevalent feudal system in the country to be responsible for such incidents.

“They still oppress women the way it happened 8,000 years ago… they consider women to be their properties.”

Tehmina Durrani, who had helped Yunus find refuge in Italy, arrived

district, when she met the then Muzaffargarh MPA Bilal Khar.

Shortly after the marriage, Yunus faced both physical and mental abuse by Khar, which lasted for three years before she eventually escaped and moved in with her mother.

An infuriated Khar allegedly took ‘revenge’ by pouring acid over her on May 14, 2000, as her five year old son watched. The attack left

“It was a Sunday afternoon (2:30pm, May 14, 2000) and I was asleep in my drawing room when I heard Bilal’s voice, ‘Fakhra … Fakhra wake up!’ I jerked as he held me by my hair and opened my mouth. Because I resisted he couldn’t get me to swallow. But then he threw something on me.

At first I thought it was a joke.

I did not understand what had happened to me. Then he left, so I

ran after him. My house was on the second floor and by the time I got to the first floor, I realised I could not see,” recalls Fakhra Younas, the victim of an acid attack, allegedly perpetrated by her husband, an exMPA of the Punjab Assembly and son of former Punjab governor Malik Ghulam Mustafa Khar, the

“Lion of Punjab.”

Fakhra at 18 was already the mother of three-year-old Nauman when she met Bilal Khar, in 1998.

“He told me he was a customs official,” says Fakhra. After a six-month-long courtship, the couple married – the union being vehemently opposed by the feudal lord, Khar senior, but a dream come true for Fakhra, a resident of Karachi’s red-light area, the infamous Napier Road.

The newly betrothed couple subsequently moved to Lahore, where Bilal Khar’s mother, Fakhra said, revealed the harsh truth to his new bride – Bilal’s previous three marriages. The young woman was stunned and her world, she says, came crumbling down.

But that was just the beginning.

Fakhra remembers it all as if it were yesterday – the abuse at Bilal’s hands, the fights, and the apologies that would follow, with him coaxing her to stay. After a tumultuous three years, Fakhra finally gathered the courage to leave Bilal, this time for good, and returned to her mother’s house.

Barely a week later, said Fakhra, Bilal Khar inflicted the worst conceivable punishment on her for having had the audacity to leave him. It changed her life forever.

Though she survived the attack, it inflicted ghastly wounds; virtually melting Fakhra’s face, blinding her in one eye, sealing her lips, shriveling the skin on her face and torso and burning her hair.

In a coma for six long months, and then having come to, but in a Continued on page 25 >>

SPECIAL FEATURE Will Bilal Khar be brought to justice?

Saarc international I Thursday 29 March 2012

Continued from page 24 >> pathetic suicidal state for another six – all the while at Karachi’s Civil Hospital, where she discovered she had been pregnant and miscarried – Fakhra somehow found the will to go on. Meanwhile, her sister’s mother-inlaw, Shahida Malik, had already registered an FIR against Bilal but, maintains Fakhra, Bilal later confessed to her that he had friends at the police station. Hence, he was subsequently declared an “absconder,” because the police “could not find him.”

“I had nothing left,” recalls Fakhra, explaining why she actually returned to her tormentor when he repeatedly begged her to forgive him and come home. But the homecoming was not to last. Fakhra recalls how Tehmina Durrani rescued her.

Durrani, Bilal Khar’s former stepmother, author and activist, learnt about Fakhra’s plight, got her out of Bilal’s farmhouse, and kept her concealed at her house for eight months – risking her own and her children’s lives in the process. In the interim, Durrani networked with Sant’Anglica, an Italian cosmetic firm, and Smileagain, an Italian charity, and persuaded the latter to come to Pakistan and set up a chapter of their organisation with Depilex Salons, run by Massarat Misbah. Durrani then decided it was time to take Fakhra abroad for further treatment.

Meanwhile, though Fakhra had left, the story broke in the press and media pressure mounted – mostly due to Durrani’s courage in speaking up against this heinous crime.

Two years later, the accused was arrested in Muzaffargarh on October 31, 2002, and was charged with attempted murder under Sections 324, 326 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code.

The police had received information that Bilal Khar would be hunting near Ghazi Ghat and tracked him there. He was found, late at night, hiding in a truck and apprehended.

Following this, Fakhra relates how her exfather-in-law, Mustafa Khar called her, asking her to forgive his son. When she related her ordeal to him, he hung up. But her nightmare was far from over.

The three witnesses who had unanimously corroborated Fakhra’s statements to the

investigating officer, sub-inspector Altaf Sial at the inception of her case, suddenly turned hostile. Irfan Malik, Fakhra’s brother-in-law who had also been injured in the attack, her sister Kiran and her sister’s mother-in-law now declared that Bilal Khar was not the attacker. “The attacker was short and had pox scars on his face,” they said. According to the district attorney, representing the

prosecution, they all said they had not seen Fakhra’s husband before. This was patently untrue, since Bilal Khar had courted her in Karachi, often in their presence and their marriage took place there. Meanwhile, Shahadat Awan, Bilal Khar’s defence lawyer at the time said, the fact that the witnesses reneged on their testimony and the star

witness, Fakhra, had left the country and could not serve as a primary witness, and because her deposition as verified by district attorney Abdur Rehman Baloch was yet to be recorded, made her case very weak.

According to a Newsline article in 2004, his lawyer maintained, in Bilal Khar’s defence, “…it is a case of political victimisation, as the accused belonged to a political family opposed to the government, therefore, he

has been falsely roped into this case…”

On December 16, 2003, the District and Sessions Court South presided over by Judge Bi Yamin acquitted Bilal Khar.

When I first dialled Fakhra’s number in Rome, where she currently resides, a woman on the other line answered: “Pronto!”

“Umm…Is Fakhra there?” I inquired in English.

After a moments pause she answered in Urdu, “Yes, I am Fakhra.” Continuing in Urdu, she then exclaimed how nice it felt to talk in her language and how she missed being home.

“Thank God you called… at least someone still remembers,” she remarked, when I introduced myself. She then proceeded to tell the story of her life. And a gruelling tale

25

it is, but 39 reconstructive surgeries later (paid for by the regional sanitary service), Fakhra has lived to tell the tale.

She tells it in her autobiography Il Volto Cancellato, roughly translated as ‘The Erased Face.’ While her present life is certainly better than when she came to Rome, it is far from perfect. With the proceeds from the book and the 760 Euros she receives from the Italian government every month – and will continue to do so for the next 13 months under her status as a “civil invalid person” – along with some monetary help from Durrani every now and then, Fakhra still finds it difficult to make ends meet.

Furthermore, she maintains, she is lonely and depressed. The fact that she is still undergoing cosmetic procedures doesn’t help. Fakhra has reached out to Pakistan embassy officials for monetary help, but according to the Pakistani ambassador in Rome, due to her application for political asylum, there is a long procedure that needs to be followed before it can be determined whether she is eligible for financial support.

Massarat Misbah told Newsline that Depilex Smileagain Foundation (DSF) helped pay for Fakhra’s reconstructive surgeries, but now that Fakhra has completed all surgeries, DSF’s mandate does not extend to providing for Fakhra’s daily expenditures.

Critics of DSF would likely take potshots at the founder for this statement.

Fakhra’s sister and brother-in-law still reside in Karachi, while her mother has passed away and now Fakhra joined her in grave. But the beast Bilal Khar reportedly lives in Multan with his fifth wife, the niece of the prime minister of Azad Kashmir. He remains a free man. Will he be brought to justice?

NEWS

26

South Asia Tribune I Thursday 29 March 2012

Al-Jazeera opts not to air Merah shootings video The al-Jazeera TV channel has decided not to air video material of the attacks carried out by Toulouse gunman Mohamed Merah.

Officials at the Qatar-based channel announced the decision after a plea by French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Merah filmed himself killing seven people, including Jewish children and unarmed soldiers, before he was shot dead after a 32hour siege on Thursday.

The video footage had been received by alJazeera’s Paris bureau. A computer memory stick containing a montage of clips along with readings from the Quran was sent to the TV channel before being passed to police. The package sent to al-Jazeera was reportedly dated 21 March, the day police surrounded Merah’s apartment, according to Le Parisien daily newspaper.

“Investigators are trying to find out whether the letter was posted Tuesday night by Mohamed Merah himself or by an accomplice Wednesday morning, According to French reports Merah was a “petit arabe,” or little Arab, a term still used in post-colonial France today to describe the children and grandchildren of immigrants from the Arab world. The passport of Toulouse killer Mohammed Merah showed that he visited Israel, Syria, Iraq and Jordan, a French newspaper reported.

Merah slipped into delinquency at an early age. His crimes began with throwing rocks at a bus, but were soon followed by thefts and muggings, and he had friends who were dealing drugs. Although he started a training program in an auto repair shop, he was sentenced to a year and a half in prison for stealing a woman’s purse in a bank.

After trying to commit suicide in prison, Merah was sent to a psychiatric hospital. Doctors recommended prolonged psychotherapy, but he was sent back to prison after two weeks.

Toulouse Attacks Boost Sarkozy’s Election

reached a low point when it was dominated by an absurd debate. Le Pen had complained about all of the meat in the Paris metropolitan area being “halal,” meaning that it is slaughtered in accordance with Islamic rituals.

Instead of ignoring the issue, President Sarkozy continued the discussion. First he corrected Le Pen’ figures, but then he called for regulations

like Mohamed Merah, it might impress a few voters.

Polls taken at the end of last week showed for the first time that the gap between the candidates was narrowing. Some even predicted the president being ahead after the first round of elections. Nevertheless, the polls also showed Hollande retaining his edge in the likely runoff election.

The way authorities handled the Toulouse killings now also raises a number of questions.

How is it possible that the domestic intelligence service did not take steps to stop Merah earlier? Did the special forces mission, which was intended to capture him alive, really have to end with his death?

Nevertheless, Sarkozy seems to believe he is on top of things once again after last week’s events. Following a campaign appearance on Friday, he turned to a journalist with the leftist

Chances The deadly attacks in Toulouse have not only shaken France, but have also changed the course of the presidential election campaign.

Before the brutal murders, President Nicolas Sarkozy was struggling in the polls. But calling for unity in reaction to the crisis, he’s now gained new momentum and confidence.

A few weeks before the killings of the soldiers and the Jewish children, the campaign

requiring halal meat to be labeled. In a television appearance in early March, he said: “There are too many foreigners on our territory.”

In the wake of the Toulouse killings, the political world is hardly expected to pay more attention to the causes for problems in banlieues. Sarkozy would like to see a law enacted, preferably before the elections, that makes it illegal to “regularly” visit Islamist websites. Although this wouldn’t stop killers

daily newspaper Libération, smiled broadly and asked: “Still confident?”

On Monday, President Nicolas Sarkozy - who faces elections next month - said he would ban militant Islamist preachers from entering the country.

“Are there other Merahs? All the security, intelligence and police services in democratic countries are on the lookout,” Mr Sarkozy told France Info radio.

It was during this time that he apparently began reading the Koran and embarked on a process that the public prosecutor would later characterize as “atypical Salafist selfradicalization.”

The President and the Terrorist

Manchester organisation challenges negative stereotype of Muslim women Organisations aiming to tackle the negative stereotypes surrounding Muslim women have launched an awards ceremony which will celebrate achievements and highlight success stories.

Manchester-based Human Appeal International (HAI) has teamed up with the Muslim Women’s Network UK (MWNUK) to highlight the success stories of women from Muslim backgrounds by organising the region’s first ever Muslim Women’s Contribution Awards.

Yasmin Gill, fundraiser at HAI and founder of its Women2Women programme, said the ceremony, which takes place on June 1st at the Sheridan Suite, Manchester,

would highlight the active role of Muslim women in today’s struggle for social change, cohesion and development.

Awards will be given in nine categories, including community activism, contribution to business

and entrepreneurship and also a lifetime achievement award.

Muslim Women’s Contribution Awards Judges Deadline for nominations is April 20 and can be made at www. mwca.org.uk. The shortlist will be announced on May 11.

For more information and to book ticket(s) contact Yasmin on 0161 225 0225 or email yasmin. gill@humanappeal.org.uk

Ken launches major new ad campaign Today Ken Livingstone launched a major advertising campaign across Outer London to show that Londoners would be £1000 better off with him as Mayor.

The Shadow Cabinet led by Ed Miliband was with Ken as they launched the poster campaign in Bromley.

The ad will feature on a number of websites including every local paper in Outer London.

South Asia Tribune I Thursday 29 March 2012

COMMENT

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India’s UN ‘yes’ vote was a wrong move on Sri Lanka

By Kanwal Sibal Many arguments can be made against our decision to vote against Sri Lanka in the Human Rights Council in Geneva, a decision highly questionable from the foreign policy point of view.

Domestic compulsions seem to have outweighed foreign policy considerations in this case. India and the West have been at odds on how best to address the issue of human rights internationally. India shares the view that the West uses the issue to embarrass, destabilise or topple politically uncongenial governments.

During the Cold War the Soviet Union was succesfully destabilised through the human rights basket of the Helsinki Accords. Cuba has been a favourite target year after year.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa After the Cold War ended many countries have come under the West’s scanner on human rights issues, ranging from Libya, Iraq and erstwhile Yugoslavia to Iran, China and Russia. Belarus is under pressure on this count and so is Syria.

India, until recently, has been under stress too. With improved India-US ties the US government now disregards periodic reports from international human rights organisations on our alleged human rights infringements in Jammu & Kashmir in particular, but the issue has not disappeared.

Because the West uses the issue of human rights selectively, targetting adversaries and protecting allies, India has taken a principled position all these years at Geneva to oppose or abstain on human rights resolutions against individual countries in the Human Rights Commission and its re-incarnation under US pressure as the Human Rights Council.

India has not believed in this name and shame game played for cynical ends by powerful countries who claim the high moral ground on humanitarian issues, but whose own international actions, often hugely costly in human terms, are shielded from any formal censure because of their dominant position. India also believes that the principle of sovereignty of states and non-interference in their internal affairs should be respected.

While India shares the values of democracy, pluralism and human freedoms with the West, it differs with it on the degree of activism to spread these values world-wide.

In India’s thinking, promotion of values should not be a cover for an aggressive promotion of self-interest. India does not want to be in the business of shaping the global order according to the values it espouses as a country, as that entails passing judgments on how countries run their internal affairs and assuming burdens on behalf of the citizens of a foreign country that rightly fall within the purview of

national governments.

In the case of the vote on Sri Lanka, irrespective of the reality of the human rights situation there, we have departed from our principled position on these matters.

The irony is that in the past we have stood on the side, explicitly or implicitly, of China, Sudan, Belarus, Zimbabwe, Turkmenistan, North Korea, Iran, Syria and so on by voting against or abstaining on resolutions.

Are these countries closer to us than Sri

involving specific countries. Tomorrow how will we justify not voting against Iran, or for that matter China?

And, if for delicate political reasons we do not want to rock our relations with these countries by joining others in indicting them, how will we justify in retrospect our vote against Sri Lanka?

In voting against Sri Lanka on a western sponsored resolution, have we now concluded that the West’s treatment of

While India shares the values of democracy, pluralism and human freedoms with the West, it differs with it on the degree of activism to spread these values world-wide.

Lanka? If we had to move from principle to pragmatism on human rights issues, should we have begun with Sri Lanka, where bilateral sensitivities are far more acute than in any other case?

Once we drift from our moorings of principle at Geneva, we will not be able to escape taking up positions on human rights issues

human rights issues has become universally acceptable and even-handed in its treatment of friends and adversaries?

Our vote against Sri Lanka in a multilateral forum should have followed a public hardening of posture bilaterally with our neighbour. We should have appeared to have exhausted bilateral diplomacy before joining

the West at Geneva to summon Sri Lanka to assume its human rights responsibilities towards its own population.

We have, however, maintained an intensive dialogue with Sri Lanka on the Tamilian question and are undertaking rehabilitation and reconstruction operations in the North.

We have not given any impression of a diplomatic impasse with Sri Lanka even as we have continued to press it to discard triumphalist thinking and move forward on reconciliation and devolution.

That we amended the US/EU sponsored resolution to make it less intrusive, more balanced and more respectful of Sri Lankan sovereignty is not sufficient justification for joining with distant powers to pick on Sri Lanka at Geneva. We should be in control of our relationship with Sri Lanka instead of following the lead of others or seeking to achieve our own political ends through them.

Those in India advocating that we should have taken the lead at Geneva to move against Sri Lanka are implicitly endorsing the manipulative dimension of western human rights policies, while forgetting that this instrument has been used against us in the past and can be in the future.

Those who argue that in censuring Sri Lanka India has shown its readiness to act as a responsible power subscribe to demeaning criticism of India in western circles as well as the fiction that western policies are inherently responsible.

While democracies have to be sensitive to public opinion, should our foreign policy be held hostage to coalition politics? Should individual states be allowed to dictate to the Centre foreign policy decisions whose implications go beyond immediate domestic political equations?

Our foreign policy risks becoming erratic and capricious if domestic pulls become overly influential in shaping its direction.

The writer is a former Foreign Secretary Published in the Daly Mail UK

COMMENT

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South Asia Tribune I Thursday 29 March 2012

Army chief or AK Hangal?

Couldn’t he act against tout?

Questions for Gen VK Singh for his latest dramebaaz act and an effete government suffering him for another day

Rohit Bansal There was ruckus in Parliament on Monday over Army Chief General VK Singh’s claim that he was offered bribe to clear the purchase of vehicles for the forces. BJP, AIADMK and JD(U) members displayed newspapers and walked to the well of the House in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha saying General Singh’s claims were ‘serious’.

Following the ruckus, both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha had to be adjourned twice.

The army chief has alleged in an interview with The Hindu that a tout walked into his office and offered him Rs 14 crore in order to support the cause of “substandard” jeeps. This has set the social media ablaze. It has also given welcome ammunition to the opposition. Here’s my tuppence: 1. Why is the army chief speaking about the incident now, when this seems to have happened several months, if not years, back? Is he really that much of a bechara, a fauji incarnate of character actor AK Hangal, perpetually beset with

tuberculosis, coughing his way through the tear jerker?

2. Why did the army chief not exercise his knowledge of due processes and conduct rules to take proactive action, rather than doing what he stated in the interview, ie, walk down to the defence minister’s office, bare his heart out, and then leave it to that?

3. Was it not his duty, as head of a professional army of this size and reputation, to string the tout, record the communication in writing, initiate a proper enquiry, and then, of course, inform the defence minister/defence secretary what was going on?

4. Read between the lines, The Hindu piece alludes that the concerned tout has retired from the army recently. It is reasonable to assume therefore that the suspect was a serving officer at the time he made the Rs 14 crore financial offer to his chief. There are elaborate conduct rules to have gotten such a tout, that too a serving officer, by the goat. Court martial would have been the logical fallout. By letting the matter slip out of his hands, did the army chief therefore let a serving officer get away with gross professional misconduct?

Why? Was it because the tout was in cohorts with other decision makers? Was it that the army chief expected brownie points for compassion? Or was it that by an oral debrief the army chief wished to wash off his moral conscience and was hopeful of a benign view from his ministry on his ultimate

war, the case of getting his date of birth shifted from 1950 to 1951?

5. It may be prudent to mention that if the tout had retired already, let it not be assumed that the army chief had no powers to hang him

he scored a self goal speaking to Barkha Dutt? The “terms” may only be known to the army chief’s PR department and the concerned friends at the newspaper. But if The Hindu has not violated

professionally. Conduct rules for pensioners, at least for the first five years, are pretty stringent. If the army chief had indeed ordered an enquiry, which he apparently didn’t, the tout could have been taught a fitting lesson, named and shamed, his pension stopped.

6. The purpose of the army chief’s baring his heart out to Vidya Subramanium of The Hindu is, thus, far from clear.

It is a little intriguing why the conversation is not part of the line-by-line text of the interview released by the newspaper. Was it supposed to be an off-the-record gripe that senior public officials indulge in quite readily, a case in point being K Natwar Singh when

any moral arrangement, and the army chief doesn’t deny this part of the interview, is he entitled to indulging in slander reflective of his angst against the government?

As a citizen or as a minor official, he certainly is. But not as army chief. By saying what he has, he has served the government a censure notice. And now that he has, why should he continue to expect the confidence of the supreme commander? Shouldn’t he quit rather than make these delayed claims while still in uniform?

7. What, by the way, did he do about the “sub-standard” jeeps that his men are saddled with? Was it not his duty to have

Continued from Page 31

Shakib top ODI all-rounder again Sri Lanka. The combination of two means he has pipped Australian Shane Watson to the top spot in all-rounders’ category. Australia’s stand-in captain Watson had leapfrogged Shakib after the tri-series tournament in Australia.

Three West Indians – Darren Sammy, Andre Russell and Kieron Pollard – are the other players to improve their rankings in the latest Reliance ICC Player Rankings for all-rounders’ list which was updated

on Monday. Sammy, the West Indies captain, has jumped 18 places to 16th position, Russell has gained 16 places to occupy 18th spot while Pollard has broken into the top 20 for the first time in 19th position.

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has moved up one place to fourth in the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for ODI batsmen along with Shakib while Pakistan’s Umar Akmal has returned to the top 10 in 10th position.

The chase is on for England

Earlier, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 214 in their second innings in the post-lunch session with England off-spinner Graeme Swann finishing with 6-82.

The hosts had been reduced to 8-127 just before lunch, a lead of 252 runs, when wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene stepped in to hit an unbeaten 61 in the company of tailenders.

grounded them and blacklisted the manufacturer? Is this in any way reflected on the file?

8. From his record in recent months, the army chief is unlikely to quit by himself. But the fact remains that he’s given sufficient evidence in the interview that he is a loose cannon. He has already hinted at more skeletons in the cupboard. Will the government suffer the ignominy? Or will it fire him?

My fear is that this government, led as it is purely by a survival instinct, is too confused to take a decisive step. But in the miraculous situation that it has nothing to hide, it should start by placing the army chief in the exalted company of one Admiral Vishnu Bhagwat.

Tail Piece: If the army chief’s job falls vacant before May 31, the chain of command among the present army commanders will be affected and a lieutenant general other than the one selected for the job can make a case for consideration. Let’s hope that happens. For what Pakistan and China have been unable to do, the present army chief, in his frustration and delusions, can achieve in the 10 weeks of tenure he still has. It must be frustrating for young Indians to see the twitter hashtag: #dramebaaz about India’s army chief. Is this the office Sam Manekshaw held?

Bansal is CEO of India Strategy Group, Hammurabi & Solomon Consulting, an HBS alum, and a student of Indian governance

Pakistan plan one-day series against Australia in Sri Lanka visit after the 2009 attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore.

Six players were wounded and six policemen and two civilians killed.

Ahmed said the UAE had been ruled out because the weather in August would be too hot.

“In case we don’t reach a cost effective deal with the Sri Lankan

board, South Africa is the other alternate neutral venue for us,” he said.

Pakistan could have a new captain for the series. Misbahul-Haq’s tenure as Pakistan’s ODI and T20 captain could end after the Asia Cup, with Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Hafeez in the frame to replace him.

To advertise call 020 8904 0619

South Asia Tribune I Thursday 29 March 2012

NEWS

‘India revenue to touch $1billion in 2 years’

Indian Market A Lab To Understand Customer’s Needs, Says GE Healthcare Systems Chief Thomas Gentile, boss and CEO of GE Healthcare Systems, flagship business of GE Healthcare, was in India recently to examination operations, “super-charge” a product expansion programmes and accommodate customers. The conduct of $13billion section of GE Healthcare, that manufactures evidence imaging inclination (X-rays, ultrasound machines, CT scanners) and life caring systems (ECG machines and ventilators), tells TOI’s Rupali Mukherjee that a Indian section will shortly hold billion-dollar revenue.

Excerpts from an interview: What’s a purpose of your visit?

The concentration of this outing is unequivocally India yet we was in Bangladesh a day before. India for us is a really vast marketplace with outrageous expansion potential. It’s already a vast marketplace – we do tighten to $500 million in sales today, and in a integrate of years will shortly be billion-dollar market. And with 1.2 billion people, a intensity is even bigger than that. So there’s no doubt that India is on a tellurian radar scene.

What are a products grown in India, and for a domestic market?

We have already grown 14 products

in India, for India. Some of these are also being exported to tellurian markets. Products like MAC 400 – a unstable ECG device, is being exported to scarcely 100 countries; lullaby baby warmers and phototherapy solutions go to about 70 countries; Vivid P3 (cardiac imaging ultrasound system) and a array of ultrasound systems goes all around a world. We have 3 new solutions prepared to hurl out in a subsequent few weeks addressing maternal/ infant health. We have scarcely 40 solutions in a tube targeted to recover over a subsequent twothree years addressing ventilation, radiology, cancer, life sciences, and

Kingfisher Airlines owes over Rs 5,600 crore to public sector banks: Government

Cash-strapped Kingfisher Airlines owed over Rs 5,600 crore to public sector banks as on February this year, the government has said.

The consortium of 13 PSU banks, including State Bank of India, have an exposure of Rs 5,608.07 crore to Kingfisher Airlines (KFA) as on February 2012, minister of state for finance Namo Narain Meena said in a written reply in Lok Sabha last Friday.

Replying to a query on whether SBI has any proposal to extend a financial lifeline to Kingfisher, Meena said,” State Bank of India, leader of the consortium of lenders, has informed that no such lifeline has been extended to Kingfisher Airlines Ltd by them during the current financial year.”

SBI alone has an exposure of Rs 1,408.45 crore to KFA. The airline, which has a debt of Rs 7,000 crore and an accumulated loss of over Rs 6,000 crore, has been operating only 16 of its 64 aircrafts since last month. It has quit Kolkata and Hyderabad routes completely.

It also wound up international operations last week. Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the aviation ministry have threatened to cancel the 7-year-old airline’s licence if it is unable to come up with an operational schedule next week.

a many distinguished is a array of PET/CT molecular imaging complement targeted to recover by initial half of 2013. These CT (computed tomography) inclination are approaching to revoke costs by 40%, and raise a entrance to early showing trickery of cancer.

What are a specific needs of a Indian market, and GE’s plan here?

The thought is to use a engineers here to see what are a specific needs of a Indian marketplace and how do we accommodate them. The inclination have to accommodate a cost point, embody all a features, have a tiny footprint and in certain cases, be suitable for imperishable conditions.

India is an engaging marketplace for us globally, as a all private compensate – business compensate themselves. Prices, therefore, have to be intensely rival – it’s one of a many intensely rival markets in a world. Indian marketplace is indeed a laboratory to see what consumers want, and what they are peaceful to compensate for. People here direct peculiarity medical during lowest probable costs and it helps move a right poise and a medical model. And it also calls for specific innovations in terms of technologies and business models.

Also, it’s usually not cost that is a criteria, though space too, since space is during a reward here.

How does India transport in a Asian region?

GE Healthcare operates in 7 regions – US, Europe, Latin America, India, China, Asia-Pacific, and Middle-east and Africa. India is identified as a pivotal segment for growth. India contributes 20% of altogether Asia revenues. Though India’s income grant to altogether GE Healthcare is small, it is improving and we are targeting to strech $1 billion over a subsequent integrate of years. In further to that, a capability that we have here is intensely important. We have 4,000 engineers in Bangalore operative on product expansion –

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their product expansion is not usually for a Indian market, though critical for a tellurian supply chain. We also do utterly a bit of production in India for several of a product lines.

GE recently changed a X-ray business to China. How does a association perspective India and a capabilities?

Both China and India have extensive engineering capabilities, and are flourishing during high rates. The comparison ends there. China is a bit some-more mature in a clarity of as it is a bigger marketplace than India.

Healthcare purchases are finished heavily by a government. Like western countries, there is payment and word invasion is better. However, India is really different. Insurance invasion is really low and there is no supervision reimbursement. Healthcare is driven mostly out of slot and offers a really engaging energetic – consumerism.

We have copiousness of investments in both a countries. GE Healthcare spends an normal of $50 million each year on RD for medical solutions in India. We have vast RD centres in both countries, a one in India being a largest in a universe with about 4,000 people and 1,200 people focusing usually on medical solutions. China, India and Europe are now doing roughly one-third of all expansion work outward a US now.

India to resume cotton export to BD, Pakistan

India on Friday allowed cotton exports to neighbouring countries, including Pakistan and Bangladesh, via land route after scrutinising the orders issued before the government imposed a ban on March 5 which has since been partially revoked.

On March 5, the government had imposed a ban on cotton exports but the decision was rolled back on political pressure from the Congress Party and its key ally NCP, led by Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar.

However, the Commerce Ministry had decided that no fresh registration certificates (RCs) would be issued for exports and it would scrutinise all the RCs issued before the ban.

“The process of revalidation/ scrutiny of all the registered contracts for export of cotton through the land custom stations with India s neighbour has been completed in the first lot of scrutiny,” an official statement said.

Commerce and Textiles Minister

Anand Sharma had ordered that keeping in mind the logistical issues Land Custom Station related RCs should be cleared in the first lot, it added.

India, which is the second largest producer of cotton in the world, had issued registrations certificates for 130 lakh bales (170 kg each) of cotton before the prohibition and out of that 95 lakh bales were shipped.

The country is expected to produce record 340 lakh bales of the natural fibre in the 201112 crop year (July-June).

Meanwhile, the Commerce Ministry has exempted 5,000 bales of Assam Comilla Cotton exports from the restrictions on the natural fibre shipments during the current marketing year ending September.

However, shipments against registration certificates would need to be completed within a period of 30 days.

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South Asia Tribune I Thursday 29 March 2012

John Abraham: ‘Shootout ‘Agent Vinod’ awaits At Wadala’ is my ‘Vaastav’ its 50 crores milestone

John Abraham says his upcoming movie, ‘Shootout at Wadala’, in which he will be seen as gangster Manya Surve, will be a career defining film. “People ask me what is this film for you? I say that this film is my ‘Vaastav’ (which had Sanjay Dutt in the lead role). On a serious note, it’s a career defining film and it’s something that I have taken very seriously,” the 39-year-old,

who has lately been seen in comedies and dramas, said at an event here. Directed

by Sanjay Gupta, ‘Shootout At Wadala’ also stars Anil Kapoor, Sonu Sood, Mahesh Manjrekar, Manoj Bajpayee, Tusshar Kapoor, Ronit Roy and Kangna Ranaut.

John, who has turned producer with ‘Vicky Donor’, adds that he is having a great time with the team of his first production venture.

“I am enjoying a lot because my cast of Ayushmann Khurana, Yami Gautam and Anuji (Anu Kapoor) are super talented. Our director Shoojit Sircar, with whom I am doing my next film, we are all a great team. We are really having a great time and enjoying this,” he said.

John’s last release was ‘Desi Boyz’ and he is currently gearing up for Sajid Khan’s ‘Housefull 2’ that hits theatres April 5.

‘Agent Vinod’ was never meant to take an earth shattering opening.

There were expectations of a decent to good start with word of mouth coming into account post the opening weekend. It was predicted in this column last week that opening would be in the range of 25 crore and in that context the collections were a little better than expected with 30 crores coming in.

While this would have spelled good news for all involved had the word of mouth been largely positive, the fact that it is mixed means that the film is currently in a wait and watch mode. While there are some who have loved the film, there are others who have found it just about decent while a section of audience hasn’t quite given it thumbs up. Prime reason behind mixed word of mouth is the complicated narrative that the film has adopted, especially in its first half. For a section of audience, especially in single screens, which wants to be spoon fed about the incidents and characters, there is too much of brain jigging involved.

For a costly film like this where mixed reactions are resulting in divided business, there are always risks involved. The first major milestone for this Saif Ali Khan film would be to cover costs. For that ‘Agent Vinod’ would have to do business in the vicinity of 50 crores.

While that looks possible as of now, Saif’s expectations would be for ‘Agent Vinod’ to top the collections of at least ‘Love Aaj Kal’ and ‘Race’, both of which had crossed the 60 crores milestone. While this number seems like a stretch currently, the only solace comes from the fact that the coming weekend has minimal competition in the form of ‘Blood Money’.

While Kareena is now moving on to films like ‘Heroine’ and ‘Talaash’ which are sure shot successes in the making, Saif too hasn’t restricted himself to only ‘Agent Vinod’ during last two years. His ‘Cocktail’ is ready which means he is all set to move on as well. Meanwhile with ‘Race 2’ all set to close to year, he has an interesting line up ahead to keep him engaged.

Jackie Chan in an Indian film?

Jackie Chan, Salman and Kamal in Rs 300-cr desi film?

Buzz is that the Hollywood star will apparently play lead in a South project, Salman Khan and Kamal Haasan will do cameos The grapevine is buzzing with news about the three superstars, Jackie Chan, Salman Khan and Kamal Haasan sharing screen space in an Indian film.

Apparently, South director Venu Ravichandran, also known as Aaskar (Oscar) Ravichandran, has already roped in Jackie to play the lead in his next and is in talks with Sallu and Kamal Haasan to do cameos in the action film.

The filmmaker had recently revealed his plans to make a sequel to the Jackie’s Armour of God. Ravichandran has been negotiating with the Hollywood actor for long and now a deal is closed to being sealed.

A source says, “It will be the mother of all action films and is going to be made on a mammoth budget of R 300 crore. It will be the most expensive Indian film ever made.”

The source reveals, “Ravichandran has approached

Salman to play an important cameo. He feels the actor has one of the best bodies in Bollywood and the charisma to match Jackie. Only he can carry that role.

Having Salman on board will also help in getting the nationwide reach.” With Khan’s work calendar crammed with endless days of shooting, we wonder if the director will be able to pull it off. Salman remained unavailable for comments.

Khans too busy for Kamal?

Both Salman and Shah Rukh seem to have no time to accommodate Kamal Haasan’s dream projects in their crammed work calendar Stars don’t seem to be favouring Kamal Haasan right now. After a harrowing time, when

every A - l i s t Bollywood star was backing

out of his magnum opus Vishwaroopam, the same seems to be happening once more.

Kamal who has been trying to make big as a producer/director in Bollywood for a while now, disappointment seems to have knocked on his door once more.

After SRK backed out of Kamal’s remake of the South superhit Vettayadu Villayadu, we now hear that Salman may not have the time to star in the remake of Armour of God that is being planned with the star and Jackie Chan.

Says a source, “Salman is shooting the Dabangg sequel at the moment and then he has the promotions for another project coming up. After that, he is committed to Shirish Kunder’s Kick.

There is a lot of postproduction work too, in between, that is going to keep him busy. Seems like this year, he will have no time

to devote to any other project.”

What we also hear is that Salman will be co-directing The Dabangg sequel with Arbaaz Khan, which will practically take up all of his time. Adds the source, “He hasn’t even met Kamal to talk about this project. He has been shooting continuously for the film.”

The South superstar, however, seems unhappy about the development, as he does not want to make any compromises. Adds the source, “SRK was always on his mind for the remake of the film, and similarly he wants Salman for this film.

Even if it’s for a cameo, he does not want to make any compromise as far as quality goes since it’s going to be the most expensive film of his life.” However we also hear that Sallu is on very good terms with Kamal and as and when the film goes on floors, he will decide how his dates can be worked out.

South Asia Tribune I Thursday 29 March 2012

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Bangladesh played very well in Asia Cup: Tendulkar

ACC dismisses Bangladesh Asia Cup appeal Asia Cup final over incident: Pakistan unhappy over Bangladesh appeal Cricket’s governing body in Asia on Monday rejected a complaint from Bangladesh that one of their batsman was obstructed by a Pakistani bowler in their recent Asia Cup final defeat.

The complaint was rejected on the grounds that it was not reported by on-field umpires, an official said.

Ashraful Huq, chief executive of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), said Bangladesh officially complained about the last over of the final, which Bangladesh narrowly lost.

“We had received Bangladesh’s complaint but since the incident was not reported by the on-field umpires nothing can be done,” Ashraful told reporters from Kuala Lumpur.

Pakistan’s cricket board on Sunday expressed disappointment with

The batting side will get a five-run penalty,” Siraj said.

“In that case, we would have required only four runs off six balls. We have footage which clearly shows that the bowler in question created an obstacle to (Mahmudullah) Riyad.”

Bangladesh needed nine runs at the start of the 50th over. Had Pakistan been penalised, Bangladesh’s chase would have been made quite easy in the cliffhanger.

Batting great Sachin Tendulkar on Sunday said Bangladesh played very well in the Asia Cup that concluded earlier this month, and posed a tough challenge to India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Interacting with media here, Tendulkar said: “All three teams

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Bangladesh for considering appealing an incident in the last over of the Asia Cup final which they believe cost them the match.

“It is clearly written in the playing conditions that it will be a dead ball if the batsman faces an obstacle while running by a bowler or fielder.

(India, Pakistan and Bangladesh) won two matches, it eventually boiled down to who beat whom. I want to clarify that Bangladesh are a good team and played well in all the four matches. The rival teams also come to win. Sometimes you play well but the other team plays better.”

Obama, Gilani vow to rescue anti-terror alliance Continued from page 9 >> of incidents that have marred trust.

The relationship breaking point in November when US forces returned fire they believed came from a Pakistani border post, killing 24 Pakistani troops. Both leaders spoke of their mutual interest in a stable Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Pakistan’s parliament has been drawing up recommendations on how to proceed on ties with Washington.

“I welcome the fact that the parliament in Pakistan is reviewing, after some extensive study, the nature of this relationship,” Obama said at the start of the meeting on

the sidelines of a nuclear security summit. “I think that it’s important for us to get it right.”

“There have been times — I think we should be frank — in the last several months where those relations have experienced strains,” Obama said.

Pakistan shut off ground supply lines to the US-led Nato mission in landlocked Afghanistan in the wake of the Salala attack.

Obama said he hoped the parliamentary review would take a “balanced approach that respects Pakistan’s sovereignty, but also respects our concerns with respect to our national security and our needs to battle terrorists who have targeted us in the past”.

DEFINITELYDUBAI.COM

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South Asia Tribune I Thursday 29 March 2012

SAT

Shakib top ODI all-rounder again

Former Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan has returned as the number one ranked all-rounder in the latest Reliance ICC ODI Championship table after a series of strong performances in the Asia Cup. The left-hander’s 237 runs with the bat have put him in a career-best 12th position, up by 14 places.

He slipped one place to eighth in bowlers’ list after his six wickets but earned 27 ratings points for his player of the tournament performance.

There was good news for Bangladesh, too. They got five ratings points for the memorable wins against the reigning world champions India and ICC World Cup finalists Continued on page 28 >>

Sports

The chase is on for England Swann takes six wickets but tourists toil against Sri Lanka tail Sri Lanka : 318 & 214, England : 193 & 2/111

England recovered from two crucial blows to stay afloat in their tough run chase on day three of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle on Wednesday.

The tourists, set a history-defying target of 340, reached 2-111 by stumps on a dry pitch that has made batting progressively difficult.

The world’s top-ranked Test side lost openers Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook cheaply before Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen repaired the damage by adding 63 for the unbroken third wicket.

Trott was unbeaten on 40 and Pietersen was on 29, with England still needing 229 runs with eight wickets in hand to win the Test and take the lead in the two-match series.

England, who will slip to No.2 behind South Africa if they lose the series, have never chased down such a big fourth-innings target before in their Test history.

Their highest successful chase is 7-332 against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground way back in 1928.

England’s task has been made tougher since 253 is the highest fourth-innings total made at the Galle International Stadium.

Continued on page 28 >>

Pakistan plan one-day series against Australia in Sri Lanka • New venue for Pakistan after UAE deemed too hot in August • Australia said to have no reservations over Sri Lanka Pakistan, who up to now have staged their home games in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, are planning to play a one-day series against Australia in Sri Lanka.

“We have decided to hold the series against Australia in August in Sri Lanka but we are negotiating with the Sri Lankan board for a favourable deal,”

Subhan Ahmed, the Pakistan Cricket Board’s chief operating officer, said.

“The Australians have not expressed any reservations over playing in Sri Lanka.”

Four one-day internationals and three Twenty20 games are planned.

Pakistan have been unable to play in their own country since teams refused to Continued on page 28 >>

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