South Asia
Tribune
ISLAM & FREEMASONS See Page 5
Film: THE DIANA See Page 19
Year 1
Issue 13
Thursday, 13.10.11
www.satribune.co.uk
UK unemployment rises 80,000 in three months
• 114,000 more people unemployed between June and August 2011 • Jobless rate hits 8.1% • Jobseeker’s allowance claims rise to 1.6m in September • Youth unemployment rises to 991,000 The number of people out of work in
Britain has hit its highest level in 17 years and youth unemployment has reached a record high as the economic slowdown continues to take its toll. The Office for National Statistics said on Wednesday that 2.57 million people were out of work over the June to August
period, the highest since the autumn of 1994. There were almost 1 million unemployed young people. Economists predicted more bad news on the labour market to come for the government. Nida Ali, an adviser to the Ernst and Young ITEM Club, said: “This is a massive number [of public-sector job losses] for just one quarter and suggests that the OBR may have underestimated the number of job cuts required to achieve the desired level of spending cuts.” Unemployment among 16- to 24-yearolds, the age group worst affected by the slowdown in the labour market, rose to 991,000 in the three months to August. That was the highest total on record. The youth unemployment rate, at 21.3%, was more than double the rate for the UK as a whole and also the highest since comparable records began in 1992. Job market think tank The Work Foundation said the data showed the UK was moving back into recession.
Price: 90p
Report Illegal Immigrants To Authorities, David Cameron Urges
Home Office would consult on making forced marriage illegal across the UK. The prime minister has urged the public to report people suspected of being illegal immigrants as part of a wide ranging speech in London on migration to Britain and its impact on the struggling economy. David Cameron claimed that initiatives introduced to return illegal immigrants to their home countries were working, but Continued on page 29 >>
200 suicide bombers ‘planning attacks in UK’ Despite many whistle blowers including David Shyler and Nick Kollerstrom that London Bombings 7/7/2005 was allegedly after 9 /11 another false flag terror attack by our governments in order to keep us in an illegal war and heighten the state of terror fear on people worldwide. Though official verdict of the 7/7 London bombings inquiry, which has formally ruled that the 52 people who died in the suicide attacks were unlawfully killed, And MI5 and the emergency services were cleared of blame for the deaths of 52 people in the 7/7 London bombings.
Home Secretary Theresa May said: “I am pleased the coroner has made clear there is simply no evidence that the security service knew of, and therefore failed to prevent, the 7/7 bombings.”But we are always looking to learn lessons and improve the response to the terrorist threat we face.” After Gulf War memo revealed that senior intelligence official Sir John Scarlett responsible for Tony Blair’s notorious dossier on Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction proposed using the document to mislead the public about the significance of Iraq’s banned weapons. And now here come another allegedly Continued on page 06 >>
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NEWS
South Asia Tribune I Thursday 13 October 2011
Child cruelty couple jailed for five years
“I can only describe this as a bestial crime – that is what they are, beastly ”Detective. A couple who concealed the neglect of their baby daughter by showing social workers her healthy twin sister have been sentenced to five years each for child cruelty. A ‘BEASTLY and abhorrent’ couple inflicted a catalogue of injuries to their baby and tried to cover it up by swapping her identity with her twin. Preston Crown Court heard how Mohammed and Nafisa Karolia both systematically abused one of their twin girls until she died of bronchopneumonia aged seven months in June 2009. During the post-mortem, it was discovered the girl had a “battery of non-accidental injuries”, including broken legs, arms and ribs. The girl was brain damaged and authorities found evidence of some sort of harmful clasp being attached to her nose. The court heard how the other twin was perfectly well, and that the couple Publisher Salah Bu Khamas (UAE) Sabha Khan (UK)
concealed their abuse by only ever showing local authorities the healthy twin and switching their identities. Authorities are still unsure as to the exact identity of the surviving girl. Detective Inspector Peter Broome from Lancashire Police said : “I can’t begin to imagine that child wondering whether or not she was twin A or twin B. The couple tricked a number of visiting health professionals into thinking they were seeing Twin M. He added that neighbours had only ever seen the Karolias with one baby and there was nothing to indicate they had twins. When interviewed by police, Nafisa Karolia, 22, said she noticed nothing unusual about her daughter apart from a runny nose. Her 29-year-old
UK Office 10 Courtenay Road, Wembley, Middlesex, HA9 7ND UK Phone: +44 20 8904 0617 Fax: +44 20 8181 7575 info@satribune.co.uk India Office Satya Infomedia Pvt. Ltd. C/O Satya Group. 1st Floor, Avenue Appt., Near Sheth. R. J. J. High School, Tithal Road, Valsad - 396001 Gujarat, India Phone +91 2632 222209 / 222211 Fax: +91 2632 222212 Post Box No. 98 /108 United Arab Emirates Office S.K. Group of Companies P.O. Box 9021, Karama Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel: +971 4 2659970, 3359929; Fax: +971 4 2659971, 3341609 www.sk-groupofcompanies.com Managing Editor & CEO Mohammad Shahid Khan Group Editorial Managers Gulzar Khan (India) Abdul Khalique (Pakistan) Editorial Board UK Frances Brunner FYI Tribune team Adrian Fellar Misbah Khan Reema Shah Rohma Khan Keziah-Ann Abakah Art Department UK Ali Ansar (Art Director) Md. Reazul Islam
husband echoed this. Detective Inspector Pete Broome, of Lancashire police, described the investigation as “one of the most extreme cases I have come across”. He said: “I can only describe this as a bestial crime – that is what they are, beastly.” He added the “surviving twin may never know who she really was at birth”. “That must be the most corrosive aspect to come out of this case,” he said. “The prospect of not doing anything to an injury like that to a child’s nose is abhorrent and I cannot understand anybody worthy of the name parents could leave a child suffering in that manner.” “That really is the saddest part of this case.” “In a now very lengthy career I
don’t think I’ve dealt with one more serious. This had got to be up there with the very worst. “They had come up with an elaborate plan. Quite why they did what they did only those two will ever know. Sadly, the child can no longer speak for herself because she’s no longer here. “I wish I knew why they deliberately targeted one child. I’ve been asking myself that question for two years. “In my opinion, I think they did try to swap the identity of the babies. All the evidence which came out clearly unequivocally shows the baby who sadly died was not the one the parent had claimed. It was done to cover up the abuse of the child that died. “I don’t think anything more could have been done. The family weren’t
known to the police.” Gladys Rhodes, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s strategic director of families, health and wellbeing, said: “The death of any child is tragic and this case was particularly harrowing due to the severity of the concealed abuse that this helpless baby was subjected to. “We welcome these sentences and the closure to this case. We would like to make it clear that we had no previous involvement with any of the children in the family, but the child’s siblings are now in the concil’s care and care proceedings are ongoing.” He added that the police had no previous contact with the couple. The couple, who denied the charges, did not give evidence at the trial.
Population to amount to 7 billion In November, the Earth’s population will amount to seven billion people. This forecast was made by Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon. Naturally, the exact date of this momentous event cannot be predicted, but October 31 is considered the official date. The main growth of the global population occurs due to the developing countries. This day has been determined by the UN Population Fund that is preparing a series of events dedicated to this historic event. According to forecasts, in 2011 the Earth will have approximately 135 million new people, and 57 million will die. Some fifty years ago there were only 3.5 billion people on the planet. The total world population has doubled over the period shorter than the current average life expectancy. The reason for the exponential growth of the population is the so-called demographic transition the process whereby a society with high fertility and high mortality transforms into a society with low fertility and low mortality. According to the UN, the largest number of people lives in China (1.35 billion), followed by India (1.24 billion). This is the first time when the top ten includes only three developed countries: USA, Russia and Japan. As
suggested by Harvard demographer David Bloom, within the next 40 years the population growth will be over two billion people to reach nine billion. The demographer stated in the Science journal that the majority will be brought by the African countries.
Debt Day” occurred last week. The “Ecological Debt Day” is named by the organization Global Footprint Network (GFN) each year. This is the moment when humanity has consumed more resources than our planet can make up for the year. The trend shows that since
However, seven billion people consume resources at a rate that does not leave the nature enough time to recover them. This is one of the main problems of overpopulation. No ocean cities and the development of underground areas often portrayed as a technological alternative to the Malthusian views would solve this fundamental problem. This year, the so-called “Ecological
2001, each year the debt day occurs three days earlier than in the previous year. As predicted by the Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, by 2100, the number of inhabitants of Earth could exceed 10 billion. Some experts predicted that this number can be reached by mid-century. However, many experts
talk about the inevitable slowing of population growth and the beginning of a reverse process. We are now dealing with a resonance when the possibilities of modern medicine have become available to traditional societies. Fertility in these societies will remain at the same level for some time. Subsequently, however, due to the distribution of contraceptives particular economic conditions in the form of the pension system, it will begin to decline sharply. The census shows that the population of many countries is reduced due to low fertility. Russia is among them. “The experience of nearly all Western European countries shows that once an immigrant from a country with a high birth rate arrives in a country like Russia or France, where fertility trends are very similar, in the second generation the birth rate is reduced two- or threefold. There are corresponding calculations by the Department of Sociology, Family and Demography at Moscow State University. According to them, even when in 2050 Russia accepts up to 60 million migrants, in any case, the total Russian population will decrease to 80 million. It will be mainly composed of the descendants of migrants who will have even lower birth rate than the locals have today,” said the director of the Institute of Population Studies, Igor Beloborodov in an extensive interview with “Fontanka.”
South Asia Tribune I Thursday 13 October 2011
NEWS
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Emirates to sponsor London’s first cable car river crossing - the Emirates Air Line Emirates Airline has signed a multimillion pound sponsorship deal for the UK capital city’s first new urban cable car, to be named Emirates Air Line. The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, on last Friday announced that Emirates Airline will sponsor London’s exciting new cable car river crossing in a ten year deal worth £36m. Tim Clark, president of Emirates Airline, and Mike Brown, managing director of London Underground and Rail, joined the Mayor to announce the sponsorship deal. The Emirates Air Line will feature on the iconic London Tube map and be included in Transport for London (TfL)’s travel information. As title sponsor, Emirates will receive a range of naming and branding rights, including the right to name the scheme, its stations and the creation of a joint logo. Clark said: “As one of the world’s most innovative airlines, the link with this new form of air travel in London is a perfect fit for us. The Emirates Air Line will take off as an iconic landmark for London. We are always looking for new ways to support the communities we serve and what better way than to bring this ground-breaking transport scheme to residents and visitors alike.” The Emirates Air Line will connect north and south London, travelling between two new stations set to be named Emirates Greenwich Peninsula and Emirates Royal Docks. Scheduled for completion in summer 2012, the Emirates Air Line will offer commuters and visitors aerial views as they travel across the River Thames, providing a much needed additional river crossing. Johnson said: “This multi-million pound deal is tremendous news for London, helping us to deliver a new addition to the city’s skyline. The Emirates Air Line will be an exciting and innovative mode of transport easing travel for thousands and offering spectacular bird’s eye vistas of our majestic Thames. The UK’s first urban cable car will also act as a vibrant catalyst for the further
Tim Clark, president, Emirates Airline and the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, at the announcement of the airline’s multi-million pound sponsorship of London’s new cable car river crossing – the Emirates Air Line.
regeneration of east London helping to attract jobs and investment for the benefit of Londoners.” With a capacity to carry up to 2,500 people per hour in each direction in the peak, equivalent to the capacity of 30 buses per hour, the Emirates Air Line will be the first of a package of measures to improve river crossings in east London. It is anticipated the Emirates Air Line will carry two million passengers per year. The sponsorship deal secured by the Mayor and TfL will see Emirates provide significant private sector investment to this new transport scheme totaling £36m. The Emirates Air Line will be a key element of the Mayor’s vision to transform east London into a bustling metropolitan quarter teeming with new businesses, entertainment and leisure facilities supported by worldclass transportation. Creating a direct link between the O2, Europe’s biggest entertainment venue, and ExCeL, the UK’s largest exhibition centre, the Emirates Air Line will also provide an additional interchange between the London’s Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and
London Underground’s Jubilee line. Both areas surrounding the Emirates Air Line have been earmarked for a number of regeneration projects with the Royal Victoria Docks selected as one of the new Local Enterprise Zones. The Emirates Air Line will play a key role in supporting these regeneration projects by providing a faster and more direct link, taking just five minutes to cross the river. It will also provide local communities access to a range of entertainment, job and leisure opportunities that are set to become available as part of the regeneration. The announcement of the sponsorship agreement comes after an open and competitive process by led by TfL. The £36m sponsorship deal with Emirates forms part of the funding strategy to recoup the upfront construction costs provided for the link and provides 80%of the overall construction cost. Work to construct the Emirates Air Line continues apace with the foundations to build the two stations, Emirates Greenwich Peninsula and Emirates Royal Docks, now complete. The steel towers which will hold up the
cable line are currently being fabricated into giant helix components ready for installation on site. Over the next few weeks building of the stations substructures will start to form the shell of the new stations that will welcome passengers once the Emirates Air Line opens for business next year. This will coincide with the piling to install the towers that will support the cable line. The Emirates Air Line is already providing a real boost to the UK economy by creating work for the British manufacturing and construction industry. Factories across the UK are involved in the construction of this innovative transport project, from the steel towers to the moquette on passenger seats. Brown added: “This marks the start of an exciting new partnership. It’s great that Emirates shares the Mayor and TfL’s vision to create this innovative transport link across the Thames and boost regeneration in the area, the first urban cable car in the UK. Main construction works began in July and we are on track to open next summer. Much of the manufacture, including the steel towers, is being
built in the UK, boosting companies across the country.” Emirates Air Line Key Facts & Figures *The Emirates Air Line will stretch 1.1km between the Emirates Royal Docks and Emirates Greenwich Peninsula *It will take around six minutes to cross the river *There will be between 20 and 34 cabins operating at any one time, dependent on demand *Each cabin will have the capacity to accommodate 10 passengers seated *Cabins will also be able to accommodate wheelchairs and up to two bicycles *Cabins are expected to arrive every 30 seconds in the peak, meaning the system could carry up to 2,500 passengers per hour in each direction *It is anticipated that the Emirates Air Line will carry two million passengers per year *The two branded stations - Emirates Royal Docks and the Emirates Greenwich Peninsula – will feature on the internationally renowned London Tube map
‘Health tourists’ will pay the price for their NHS debts Overseas visitors who fail to pay off their debts for NHS treatment will soon be denied permission to enter or stay in the UK, Immigration Minister Damian Green has announced. Changes to the Immigration Rules were laid in Parliament today, meaning that those subject to immigration control who fail to settle an outstanding bill of £1,000 or more will not be allowed to enter or remain in the UK until the debt is paid off. Damian Green said: ‘The NHS is
designed to meet the healthcare needs of the UK and we won’t tolerate abuse of this service. ‘We welcome overseas visitors, but those who use NHS facilities need to pay for them, or they will be barred from coming here. ‘It’s very simple - pay up or you won’t be welcome in the UK.’ The NHS will provide information that will enable the UK Border Agency to identify the debtors and - when they apply to return
to or remain in the UK - to refuse their applications. The information sharing arrangements are being
phased in over the coming months. It is hoped that the £1,000 threshold will capture 94 per cent of outstanding
charges owed to the NHS. This change follows consultations carried out last year by the UK Border Agency and the Department of Health. A 2009 review set out to examine the rules on charging overseas visitors for access to NHS services in England. The change was announced in a written ministerial statement, which you can download from the right side of this page. Our Consultations section contains an impact assessment and policy equality statement relating to the change.
NEWS
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South Asia Tribune I Thursday 13 October 2011
in Damascus: Syria reclaims Jobs EDITORIAL iSad Damascus-based Argentinean president Carlos Menem, (CEO) of Apple. When he stepped down as Forum-recognized By Sami Moubayed and Steve Jobs. CEO this summer, for further treatment media and technology entrepreneur, The forgotten Jobs’ mother, Joanne Schieble, was a of his pancreatic cancer, Jandali, now typed in a Facebook status, “iSad” on is biological father is now-80 German-American woman who had an 80, mailed him his complete medical Thursday morning. Commenting on Hyear-old Abdulfattah Jandali, calamity history, hoping it might help his ailing Steve Jobs’ death, the president of the Syrian man from Homs: No ordinary affair with Abdulfattah Jandali in the
October 8 marked the sixth anniversary of the devastating earthquake that hit vast swathes of Azad Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and parts of northern Punjab, leaving tens of thousands dead and hundreds of thousands homeless. Six years on, most survivors still cannot pick up the pieces of their shattered lives and restore a semblance of normality to daily routines. Survivors complain of a painfully slow pace of reconstruction work - a claim unwittingly supported by Earthquake Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority (Erra) in a recently released portfolio which shows just three percent progress during the last year. As per a sector-wise portfolio details, Erra has rebuilt only 59 percent of the infrastructure projects damaged or destroyed by the earthquake. It shouldn’t have taken that long given that the work did not entail building time-consuming mega development projects. Erra was tasked to complete basic infrastructure projects such as roads, schools, medical facilities, water and sanitation, and electricity so as to make the quake devastated habitations habitable once again. It is moving at a frustratingly slow speed. The completion rate, for example, in health and education sectors is 48 and 40 percent, respectively; in the environment sector, the rate is 47 percent. Out of the seven power sector schemes, just two have been finished, and from among 150 destroyed bridges and roads, barely 77 projects have been reconstructed. Satisfactory progress seems to have been made only in the water and sanitation sector. The total number of planned schemes is 1,938; and 1,894 are ready for service. The problem is not with slow pace of work only. Gross irregularities have been reported in Rural Housing Reconstruction Programme. 2010-11 report of the Auditor General of Pakistan notes that Rs 3.34 billion were paid to 26,757 households, at the rate of Rs 125,000 each, in two tranches. The report points out that the money was to be released after verification of under construction structures to ensure that the reconstruction was carried out in accordance with the specified seismicresistant designs. Physical ground checking was mandatory at all stages of building work. Instead, the auditors discovered that all the households that were paid compensation either did not begin any construction work or failed to meet the required design specification. “To conceal its inefficiency, Erra got the payments written off,” said the AGP’s report. Thus the money has been misspent, and public safety seriously compromised. After the quake seismologists had clearly warned that the affected areas remain prone to high intensity quakes since they lie directly over a tectonic plates’ fault line. The risks are too serious to be ignored. As regards the reconstruction and rehabilitation work, an effective monitoring mechanism is in order. For the other issue, the AGP had recommended a high level investigation to fix responsibility against those who made payments and later got them written off. The recommendation needs to be implemented and its results made public. Such a naming and shaming exercise may act as a deterrent for future wrongdoers.
Syrian, he was born in the town of Homs to a “self-made millionaire” father with no university education who owned “several entire villages”. Steve had no relationship with this Dad. DAMASCUS - During the years of French Mandate Syria, Abdulfattah Jandali was born to a large landowning family in the midland town of Homs in 1931. Like most affluent and ambitious Syrians of his generation, he studied at the American University of Beirut before moving to the United States to complete his higher education in the 1950s. During his teens, Abdulfattah’s cousin, Farhan Jandali, was rising to fame in Syrian political circles, serving as a member of parliament and education minister during the era of Syria’s pre-Ba’ath president, Nazem al-Qudsi. The Jandalis probably believed that Farhan would be the most member of the family to reach nation-wide fame, if only briefly, in the 1950s and 1960s. That was until Abdulfattah had his first child - born out of wedlock - in 1955. This baby boy, little would he know, would become a legend of the 20th and 21st centuries combined. His name was Steve Jobs - or as many Syrians would love to call him, Steve Jandali. Few people know that Apple founder and icon Jobs, who died on Wednesday at the age of 56 after losing a battle with cancer, originally came from Syria. As the news of Jobs’ death vibrated throughout the globe, young technology-savvy Syrians mourned his death, laying claim to a computer genius who revolutionized the world. Steve’s groundbreaking creations, iPads, iPhones and Apple computers can be found all over Damascus and are especially popular with young Syrians, although because of US sanctions they cannot download any application from iTune stores. “Steve Jobs was Syrian,” they proudly typed into their Facebook and Twitter pages, sadly acknowledging, however, that had he worked in Syria, he would probably not have achieved any of his innovations. The story of Jobs’ Syrian origins was first published in Syria in early 2007, when the country’s English monthly Forward Magazine ran a story entitled “Forgotten Syrians”. The six-page report listed world celebrities who trace their origins, three to four generations back, to Syria. The list was a long and surprising one, and it included Bob Marley, Paula Abdul, Paul Anka, former
1950s, when they were living in Wisconsin. Her father refused to let her marry a Syrian Muslim, forcing them to give up the baby boy for adoption in San Francisco, where he was raised by Paul and Clara Jobs, an Armenian woman who after seven years of marriage was unable to conceive. Eventually, Jandali and his girlfriend married, giving birth to their daughter (Steve’s sister) Mona Jandali, who went on to become a celebrated novelist in her own right, known by her husband’s family name, Mona Simpson. Her parents divorced when she was four, and
son - but Jobs still refused to speak to the man who had abandoned him 56 years ago. Speaking to the London-based alHayat last February, Jobs’ father said he regretted having left his homeland Syria, and recounted stories of his university days in Beirut, where he was an ardent Arab nationalist. “If I had the chance to go back in time, I wouldn’t leave Syria or Lebanon at all. I would stay in my home country my whole life. I don’t say that out of emotion but out of common sense.” He added: “Of course I miss the social life and wonderful food [in Syria], but the most important thing is the outstanding cultural attributes which in general you don’t find in the West.” More recently, Jandali gave an interview to London-based The Sun, where he said: “This might sound strange, though, but I am not prepared, even if either of us was on our deathbed, to pick up the phone to call him. Steve
Syrians have the right to claim Steve Jobs as their own, regardless of how fate interfered after he was born. Needless to say, Steve is a legend that everyone wants a part of. in recent years, Simpson managed to reconnect with her father and brother, but no connection was made between Steve and his father. After giving up the baby, Jandali became a political science professor at the University of Nevada, Reno. Then he moved into the hotel industry where in 1999 he became food and beverage manager at Boomtown Hotel & Casino. He kept that post until 2010, when he became vice president of the casino. While Jandali was making a living running roulette and poker tables, Steve Jobs was leading a very different life; taking over the world was co-founder, chairman and chief executive officer
will have to do that as the Syrian pride in me does not want him ever to think I am after his fortune. I am not. I have my own money. What I don’t have is my son ... and that saddens me.” He continued: “I honestly do not know, to this day, if Steve is aware of the fact that had it been my choice, I would have loved to keep him. I live in hope that before it is too late, he will reach out to me. Even to have just one coffee with him just once would make a very happy man.” Steve Jobs never replied, and two months later, he was dead. Abdulsalam Haykal, a World Economic
Syrian Young Entrepreneurs Association said: Syrians have the right to claim Steve as their own, regardless of how fate interfered after he was born. Needless to say, Steve is a legend that everyone wants a part of. He was an inspiration to entrepreneurs around the globe, and his genius changed the world for ever. But nothing could change the fact that his father came from Syria and has a pure Syrian name. In a place where family and lineage means a lot to people, the connection needs no more emphasis. Haykal, who is soon to launch the Steve Jobs Entrepreneurship Award, added: Steve Jobs is a personal inspiration. I e-mailed him three years ago about the idea of two let-down young entrepreneurs in Syria. He e-mailed back briefly, expressing no interest, but probably with the intention of lifting up their morale, and prove my argument then to them that even Steve Jobs was reachable and they shouldn’t be giving up. Many Syrian entrepreneurs have inspired the world with their genius and creativity. I just wish they will some day be able to make their success in Syria. I wish Syria could someday give its budding entrepreneurs the eco-system and supporting environment, and not only the genes. Our expatriates make us a truly global nation too. A nation-wide campaign needs to start, many Syrians are saying, to reclaim Steve Jobs. Syrians have done it before, reclaiming, for example, the Cairoand Beirut-based musician Farid alAtrash, whom the world remembered as Egyptian rather than Syrian. They then did it again with his sister, the diva Asmahan. Reclaiming Steve Jobs might be more difficult, but it is a success story that Syrians want to be proud of. Sami Moubayed is a university professor, historian, and editor-inchief of Forward Magazine in Syria.
South Asia Tribune I Thursday 13 October 2011
SPECIAL FEATURE
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ISLAM & FREEMASONS
I
slam is the religion of peace and harmony for all mankind. It was Islam that brought light in darkness. But the disbelievers have always tried to destroy Muslims and Islam. In Quran Allah says: “O Ye who believe! take not for friends unbelievers rather than believers do ye wish to offer Allah an open proof against yourselves?” (4.144)
Freemasonry is Jewish
In 1855, the renowned Rabbi Isaac Wise wrote: “Freemasonry is a Jewish establishment, whose history, grades, official appointments, passwords, and explanations are Jewish from beginning to end.”10 The Jewish Tribune newspaper, in 1927, in an editorial, stated: “Freemasonry is based on Judaism. Eliminate the teachings of Judaism from the Masonic ritual and what is left?”11 Today there are more than six million Masons worldwide. The public generally thinks of this organization in terms of a social fraternity like the Rotary Club, which is only partly correct. Freemasonry is a self-improvement organization, one of enrichment and of ideas where the member is ruled by intellectual capacity. A Mason dedicates and devotes his life to the Divine and eternal truth rather than to his own desires or any other worldly allegiance.
The origins of Freemasonry are shrouded in mystery, largely because the organization is very secretive and members have kept its secrets well. Some legends suggest that the society dates back to the time of Moses, but it is more probable that the beginning of Freemasonry dates to the construction of King Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem. In Quran Surah SAD (the Letter) with refrence to Prophet
Sulaiman (AI) (38:37) and We also subjected the devils to him all kinds of builders and divers; The black and white checkered floor representing the floor of King Solomon’s Temple
leads to one, two, or three steps representing various degree levels. Set upon the mosaic pavement are the two architectural pillars of Jachin and Boaz surmounted by a blazing star with an open Bible. What did the Prophet(PBUH) said about Dajjal,(the greatest fitnah,evil,test) that will ever befall on mankind. When Shall Dajjal appear? Most of the signs prevalent before the
coming of Dajjal can now be observed. One thing though is for certain, if you’re fortunate enough not to witness the Anti-Christ, then your children certainly shall. Prophet Mohammed PBUH informed us of the release of dajjal into the world during his lifetime. During his lifetime. One day like a year. One day like a month. One day like a week. And the rest of his days like your days. But when dajjal was in a day like a year Britain was his headquarters.And when dajjal moved to a day which is like a month the united states of America became his headquarters and finally when dajjal is going to be in a day which is like a week he comes back home, to the holy land. He comes back home to the holy land.According to Islam, one heavenly year is like a 1000 human years, and as such we can understand that the Dajjal ruled from Britain for 1000 years. By no coincidence the British monarchy dates back to the year 900. In 1917 America officially enters the World War, and this is the step that establishes it as the new global Super Power. The dajjal rules from there in a “day like a month”.So if a year equals a 1000 years. A month would be 1000/12 which equals 83 years. 1917 + 83 =the year 2000. Then the dajjal will rule from Israel for a “day like a week”. Following the same formula, “a day like a week”, should be 83 years divided by 4. Which equals almost 21 years? Which brings us to the years 20202023 (depending if they were lunar or solar years) By then, the illuminati is expected to move and secure the rule of the world of Israel. Before the Anti-Christ shall appear, we have been told there shall be a SYSTEM, a dajjal-system, that is up and running, that awaits his arrival. this dajjal-system, will be the most evil and most corrupt satanic, kaffir force in history. This system shall promote mass immorality(Homosexuality, adultery, fornication), Atheism(a belief that there is no god), Devil-worship, use of USURY ( lending money at high interest rates), Intoxication( Alcohol, Drug abuse), Crime, Injustice, Oppression (cruel and unfair treatment of a group of people), Fitnah of the pen (Pornography , magazines ), Wars, Famine, massacres, Rape and suffering on an immeasurable scale. The Dajjal-system is of course as we know is FREEMASONRY . Every single position in the United Nations, the EEC and every position in the British parliament is held by people who are freemasons. Freemasonry has something in the region of 700,000 members in England and Wales, yet the British public hardly know anything about them. Freemasons secretly worship a Devil God, known as
JAHBULON, if you do not believe me (see pages 230-240 of the International best selling book on freemasonry “The Brotherhood”, by Stephen Knight & “Satanic Voices”, by David. M. Pidcock.) The Jews, the Christians,
The first World member of the Free Masons was Fredrick, Prince of Wales. The latest members include Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh and consort to the current Queen of England Elizabeth II who herself is a grand patron to the Masons. However behind closed doors the Free Masons were free to indulge in the secret rights and rituals handed down to them by their ancestors and these became the basis of their levels of membership called Degree. The Free Masons were not content with power in Britain alone their ambitions were far greater.
If you want to know if a church is being used as a Masonic-Temple, then look on the stained glass windows for a Masonic symbol such as a snake and a dagger or a ‘star of David’. If the church is in the shape of a Greek Temple, then it is definitely used for Masonic purposes. In Liverpool, the Roman catholic cathedral has many Pyramids which is a the Atheists and Secularists, (people who believe Islam should not be brought in education & politics), the Munafiqin, the whole Kuffaar shall fall under the banner of the Anti-Christ against Islam. It may also surprise you to know that all Christian organisations are Masonic institutions. About 60% of the
Archbishops are freemasons and secretly practice Devilworship(see above mentioned books) .
Masonic symbol. There may be much fear about Dajjal, but the final victory has been promised to the Muslims. Imran Bin Hussain(RA) relates that I heard Prophet(PBUH) saying “That since the birth of Adam(AS) till the advent of Qiyamath (judgement day), there is no fitnah (evil,test) much greater than that of Dajjal. Dajjal will emerge from a place between Syria and Iraq, and his emergence will become known when he is in Isfahaan Continued on page 26 >>
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South Asia Tribune I Thursday 13 October 2011
Protest in London marks 10 years of war in Afghanistan
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ikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and socialite Jemima Khan led a protest in London Saturday against the war in Afghanistan, 10 years after the United States and Britain went to war against the Taliban. Organisers the Stop The War Coalition claimed 5,000 people attended the protest in central London’s historic Trafalgar Square. London’s Metropolitan Police did not give a figure. “There comes a moment when you have to ask what is more dangerous, terrorism or counterterrorism,” K han, the former wife of Pakistani cricketer turned politician Imran Khan, told the crowd. “Afghanistan is still the worst place in the world for women to live.... So
by any standards, our mission in Afghanistan has failed.” A protest has taken place in central London to mark 10 years of the conflict in Afghanistan. The Stop The War Coalition said up to 5,000 people attended the Anti-war Mass Assembly in Trafalgar Square. Following the demo, during which anti-war musicians, actors and MPs addressed the crowd, protesters made their way along Whitehall to Downing Street. There, a delegation called on the prime minister for the immediate withdrawal of British troops from Afghanistan. “(They handed over) a letter from military families calling on
the prime minister to bring the troops home to avoid any other families suffering tragedies in the way they have,” organiser Kate Hudson said. BBC correspondent Ben Ando, in Trafalgar Square, estimated about 1,000 people had been at the protest and said
200 suicide bombers ‘planning attacks in UK’ >> Continued from page 1 Islamophobic information and its again all over the main stream British press, including The Sun, The Telegraph, The Guardian, and Independent etc. that Secret army of 200 homegrown suicide bombers ‘plotting to attack Britain’ Experts warn little can be done to prevent a well planned terrorist attack. According to reports a senior intelligence source has revealed that the figure is a “conservative” estimate of the threat facing the country from UK-based Islamist suicide bombers. The would-be killers are among 2,000 extremists who the security services have said are based in Britain and actively planning terrorist activity of some kind. The figures are contained within a secret government report on the “enduring terrorist threat” facing the UK from al-Qaeda and affiliated organisations, The Sunday Telegraph has been told. While the deaths of Osama bin Laden and Anwar al-Awlaki may have left al-Qaeda without a charismatic leader, both the Secret Intelligence Service, MI6, and the Security Service, MI5, believe the organisation remains as dangerous as ever. The warning comes as Britain begins preparations for next year’s 2012 Olympic Games, which has been described by MI5 as the biggest security operation in the
country’s history. Earlier in February 2011 another report of The Telegraph MI6 has warned that Britain faces a “unique” threat from a generation of home-grown terrorists who are not on the intelligence services’ “radar”, secret documents have disclosed. The leaked documents also highlight American government concerns that the British intelligence services are struggling to combat Muslim extremists because of budget cuts and a wave of lawsuits from terror suspects. According to the current report senior sources believe that rather than targeting Olympic venues, where security will be extremely high, terrorists will be tempted to attack areas where crowds are likely to congregate such as train stations and public events. If terrorists were to mount an attack in Britain of the kind seen in other countries, by packing a single explosive vest with hundreds of ball bearings then detonating it in a crowded enclosed area such as a station terminus at rush hour, they could kill up to 120 people according to one explosives expert. The 200 British residents thought to be planning suicide attacks, either within the UK or overseas, represent one in 10 of the wider group of 2,000 terrorist plotters. The intelligence source added that suicide bombers would only be stopped by either a
“chance encounter” or by an intelligence-led investigation. But he added that if a terrorist cell was properly organised and secure there was very little the authorities could do to prevent an attack. The latest disclosure follows the arrest of six men from Birmingham who were remanded in custody two weeks ago over an alleged UK suicide bombing plot. Two of the six, Irfan Nasser and Irfan Khalid, are accused of preparing for an act of terrorism, including travelling to Pakistan for training in terrorism, making a martyrdom video and planning a bombing campaign. They are also accused of “being concerned in constructing” a home-made explosive device for terrorist acts and stating an intention to be a suicide bomber. Earlier this year, classified intelligence documents disclosed by the whistle-blowing website WikiLeaks, showed that MI6 officers believed that Britain was facing a wave of suicide attacks from British-based Muslim extremists who had been trained in terrorist camps in Pakistan. One report quoted an MI6 officer’s briefing to US officials in which he said: “The internal threat is growing more dangerous because some extremists are conducting non-lethal training without ever leaving the country. Should these extremists then decide to become suicide operatives, HMG
organisers would be “disappointed” at the turnout. But Chris Nineham, of the coalition, said: “We have had a good turnout. “Once again it is an expression of the overwhelming opinion in this country which is against the war.” Speakers addressing the crowds in [Her Majesty’s Government] intelligence resources, eavesdropping and surveillance would be hard pressed to find them on any ‘radar screen’.” One intelligence official told this newspaper: “We may have only had one ‘successful’ suicide attack in Britain but the tactic remains an enduring threat. This is a generational problem we are facing. The terrorists are learning all the time and adapting their tactics. They now operate a cell structure and there security is very tight. “Suicide bombers know the signs we will be looking for. So they don’t pray in the moments before an attack, there will be no heavy coats in summer and they are becoming much more security aware. For every countermeasure we develop they create a new ‘measure’. They will always be looking for our exposed flank.” Intelligence experts believe that suicide bombers are motivated by a number of factors including politics, religion, poverty, finance and social factors. Suicide is against Islam. The dangerous escalation of violence in the world is disturbing to all people of conscience, from September 11 to the Middle East battles, and other random acts of violence perpetrated at innocent civilians. In Islam, several things are clear: • Suicide is forbidden. • The taking of life is allowed only by way of justice. • The Qur’an admonishes those who oppress
Trafalgar Square included Stop The War Coalition president Tony Benn, Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, activist Jemima Khan, journalist John Pilger, musician Brian Eno, comedian Mark Steel, a number of Labour MPs, and 106-year-old anti-war campaigner Hetty Bower. ‘Bring troops home’ Earlier, campaigners held a Naming the Dead Ceremony, in which 120 names of British soldiers and Afghan civilians who have died in the 10 years since the war began were read out. The same number of balloons was released. A “Tweet-out” led by Khan took place, in which those in attendance used social media to get their message to a wider audience. A Stop The War spokesman said: “After 10 years of war in Afghanistan, more than 100,000 Nato troops remain and tens of thousands have died. “The government claims that the war is contributing to Britain’s stability look increasingly hollow. “Opinion polls suggest the majority of Britons want a speedy withdrawal of British troops, a view recently endorsed by the trade unions. “Politicians have to get in step with public opinion and announce a date to bring troops home.” The number of British military deaths in operations in Afghanistan since 2001 stands at 382. others and transgress beyond the bounds of what is right and just. • Harming innocent bystanders, even in times of war, was forbidden by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This includes women, children, noncombatant bystanders, and even trees and crops. Nothing is to be harmed unless the person or thing is actively engaged in an assault against Muslims. Muslims Did Not Use Suicide as a Method in Previous Wars Islam has been around for more then1432 years. Is suicide a religiocultural tradition? Looking only at history in the last 150 years can you point to suicide as a method of fighting the enemy? The French experience with Muslim terrorists in Algeria had its bombers, but no suicide bombers. The English experience in fighting the Arabs in 1918 in Iraq was fierce, but no suicide bombers. Israel has been fighting the Palestinians since 1948, where are the Muslim suicide bombers in those years between 1948 and 1985? If it were a religious predilection it would not have made a sudden appearance in Israel within the last twenty years. Islam is a worldwide religion, fighting battles in places far from the Palestinian conflict ¬ before 1985 where were the Muslim suicide bombers outside of Israel? The Quran states that the punishment for murder is execution unless the survivors waive it. The punishment for suicide is eternal Hell and there is no way out.
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South Asia Tribune I Thursday 13 October 2011
TO BE OR NOT TO BE? THE ULTIMATE QUESTION Adrian Felaar Celebrities! If ever there was a Marmite-dichotomy it was produced by this strata of our population. Occupying the higher echelons of society, they languish above others much like quasideities. Yet wherein does their peculiarity lie that many of us desire to apparel, not only ourselves, but also our home interiors after their fashion? What makes us scrutinize every movement of humans like Victoria and David Beckham? To say I even cared what piece of fabric anyone else had on their backs would be an understatement larger than the cosmos itself. It appears that the latest craze among this elitist group is the adoption syndrome; it seems that many of them are turning towards adopting impoverished children from the four corners of the world. Forget the sporty Maserattis, Ferraris and international fashion weeks – “adoption” is tres a la mode. More common than a Carbon-12 isotope is the occurrence of the better half of Brangelina, jetting down to the continental supermarket of Africa (no doubt in the luxurious trappings of First Class to avoid all contact with catechumen) to pick up an orphan. Now do not think me unsympathetic towards the case of any orphan: a single soul saved from the committee of vultures of poverty, ignorance and pestilence is a life gained. Notwithstanding this humanitarian act, the social benefits accredited to the adopter can in hindsight outweigh those to the orphan. The media, rushing in like wildebeest migrating across the Serengeti to secure exclusive coverage, creates a furore around
Marisa Paulson My eyes were swirling, I felt hazy, was hazy and immobile, numb, near dead. My remaining eyesight almost witnessed Worthall’s foot hammer into my face bones. It froze. For some reason something prevented it from my kill. As soon as I heard the thrash and miniature yells from onlookers, I knew then that a brave heart stepped in. Stepped in and saved me. Dropping to a close my sight revealed nothing but a black canvas swathing me.
the celebrity. Consequentially there is a clamouring on the Roman pontiff’s door for a “fasttrack” beatification. The cynic within me would rather perceive this as a superficial humanitarian act but it also serves as an excellent PR stunt...one that Max Clifford would be proud of. Another chink in the archetypal celebrity’s armour is there general behaviour: or lack thereof. When Prime Ministers and Home Secretaries alike look for answers to Britain’s increasing teenage problem they often bypass celebrities and find other palpable reasons. Celebrities, whether or
not they want to be, are naturally role models. Boys long to be like Wayne Rooney; whilst a majority of girls spend time dreaming of being somehow transformed into people like Cheryl Cole. When you consider this aspect, it is easy to see how much influence these celebs have over our personalities. Without ever having spoken to us they can still dictate to us on various subjects – this is the power of the media. It is not uncommon to open up the pages of any newspaper, tabloid or (on a rare occasion) a broadsheet, with pictures of well-known personalities stumbling out of expensive watering holes such as Whiskey Mist, with
their senses benumbed by a gross consumption of alcohol. Or more recently, the scandalous affairs of many footballers extraordinaire, have been exposed by various MPs exercising their parliamentary privileges. If it were not for our MPs, we would have still lived under the auspices of stainless footballers who contemptuously tried to cover up their mistakes, with the use of super-injunctions, to maintain their public image. This is manipulation for personal gain. Finally it feels sometimes that celebrities think themselves above the law of the land. In the recent super-injunction sprees, large sums
SORRY FOR YOURSELF That was when Worthall rewarded Anthony and me a week or so off until we recovered. As for him, he got however long in school: one to one, and personally, that was a great punishment. To talk about his feelings, how he was at home, his activities and what not; why he got angry all the time and so forth; that was definitely a great punishment for him, definitely. And as for Anthony and I, our injuries weren’t that bad – okay – so we
were bruised with busted nose, eyes, lips, ears, stomach, arms and blah, blah, but at least, we had two weeks off to recover and do whatever we pleased. I liked to call it my early summers break, yet I was but wasn’t looking forward to going home as I knew that once I did, my father would have it in for me, too much, and because of both him and my mother, I wouldn’t be able to relax. How I imagined to at least. My stepdad, my father, he continuously hit me out of
sheer concern and attachment, always, but this time had chosen to comfort me with an arm around my shoulder given that I was wounded from head to toe. I knew this would happen, just one bruise on me and I’d dread coming home. Yeah at first glance you’d almost imagine that he’d be the spitting image of Worthall. No. My stepdad had a huge heart, one that he shared within our whole family: mom, Chloe and me. We hadn’t seen Candall since last year – I was al-
of money were paid so that the media was not allowed to publish details of many celebrities’ indiscretions. Why? The answer is simple. They are always looking to escape retribution – “Crime and Punishment” is not only a novel many have probably not even laid eyes on but is also perhaps a concept which is very foreign to them. What is noticeable is their attempts to flounce the law or try to escape with minimal damage to their reputations. Yet my bone of contention is not with their attitude to accepting consequences but by rather the impression this leaves on the younger generation. It gives the younger members of society a distorted view of what life is about and leads them down the garden path, eventually allowing the reality of life to hit them in a dramatic fashion. If these celebs are our role models, we will only be changed by what we see. We would only have a future of alcoholism and licentiousness to look forward too. Yes many celebrities do charitable works – Angelina Jolie is now a UN Goodwill Ambassador – but so much of this is done in the glare of the world’s camera lenses. Too often we forget about those in our communities who contribute in such a silent yet indispensable manner. People such as doctors, nurses, teachers and waste refusal collectors etc. are the unsung heroes; the driving forces behind our economy and the future generations. However without them, life comes to a halt. Remember that while celebrities have their honourable qualities and the limelight, there are others who toil for a greater reward…personal satisfaction. A world without celebrities is a world void of social prejudices. ways hoping he’d come and drop by – so it was just us at the moment. It was more than apparent why my mom married him, he was awesome and definitely a replacement to my real father. I was always the boy that got beat up, I could most however hold my own against any of the idiots, but I just didn’t want to: as much of a pacifist my stepdad was, I adopted the same behaviour: violence was wrong and hurting others got you nowhere so long as we all ended up affected, and this was inevitable.
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South Asia Tribune I Thursday 13 October 2011
DEBATE The True measure of Intelligence
Intelligence: Capacity for learning, reasoning, understanding and similar forms of mental activity Keziah-Ann Abakah Remember way back when you realised that clouds moved and deemed yourself to be the smartest person on earth? Or when you realised the sea is blue because it reflects the sky or that in the nursery rhyme Old Mc Donald they are not making foreign sounds but in fact saying the letters E, I, E,I,O. On each of these occasions you knew that you were smart, dare I say you even believed (for a moment or two) that you were the smartest person in the world. Believe it or not intelligence is a gift each and every one of us have been blessed with. You make think that it was bestowed on certain people more than it was on others because they speak of things you do not understand, they know more things than you or simply because they use words you have never before heard. A wide vocabulary, more knowledge
and subjects which are unclear to you are just that. Or are they the true meaning of intelligence? In the world which we live intelligence is defined a number of ways. The most worldly known technique is that of an IQ test. An Intelligence Quotient (IQ) test is a test that measures that mental capability of an individual relative to someone of approximately the same age. The higher the score the more intelligent you are said to be. Now my question is this. How can a manmade test be used to define whether or not a person is intelligent? Where some people excel others do not so what gives a person or in fact a piece of paper the right to measure a person’s intellect in equivalence to questions they can and cannot answer? Can a number be put on intelligence? Can a score define a mind? Another favoured method is to measure intelligence based on academic success. The more the
stars resting beside your name the smarter you are claimed to be. Academic success is dependent upon your paper appearance. What a paper says about you is valued above and beyond everything else. What many neglect to understand is this. Not everyone is book smart but their knowledge is put to use in ways that academic achieves could only dream. Does intelligence lie on paper? Does a letter determine a person’s knowledge? Sense is common but the sense one has is completely different to that of another. In the case of some knowledge is viewed as something you chew, pour, pass and forget. In the case of others knowledge is a sacred possession. At the day’s end knowledge is given to all but some put it to better use than the others. What one can, another cannot. So bearing this in mind what is and what is not the true measure of intelligence?
ENTERTAINMENT
13-Year old Reaches for the Stars While most young teenagers are busy watching Hannah Montana, Selena Gomez and Demi Lovata singing their way to the top of the charts, 13-year old Nishma Asher AKA Nish is living the dream herself. The stunning teenager, who has just turned thirteen, is set to release her very first single, ‘Ji Lay’ on Sunday 16th October, just as she steps out on the Main Stage in front of 50,000 people at London’s Diwali festivities in Trafalgar Square. The debut single, which is guaranteed dance-floor filler, shows off Nish’s linguistic skills as she sings in both Hindi and Punjabi and sees her teaming up with Punjabi rapper Kan D Man and grime artist Rude Kid. Nish says of her entry into the music world: “This is my dream come true! I’ve known from a young age that I wanted to have a career in music, but never thought it would come so soon. My friends at school can’t believe that I’ve got this opportunity and all want to be in the next video!” This multi-talented youngster started singing at the age of 3 and gave her first public performance at the age of 6! With only her family behind her and no formal training, she learned to play the guitar and keyboards by watching videos on YouTube!
It’s Retro, It’s cool, It’s Back… Pop culture has taken over the high street with block colours to goofy graphic T’s. Here are a few things to look urban yet chic…
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Oa fB w. £18. urger laz 00 H at yo af. co .uk
Dear Miss R My best friend and I did everything together. We would even finish each others sentences. But lately we haven’t been talking. Every time I start a conversation she gives me short answers and walks away. We barely spend anymore time together whereas usually we are always round each other’s houses. There’s a new girl at my school and she is just like me - she even looks like me. My friend is hanging out with her – sleepovers. Shopping, and even changed her facebook profile from a picture of us to her and the new girl. The new girl is really nice but I’m starting to get jealous. Please tell me what to do? I don’t want to lose her! Emily
Retro Kitsch ‘I Love You’ in Russian, Blue Bird & Gold Heart Statement Necklace £22.00 www.myvintage.co.uk Top £7.99 www.hm.com
Re dp ww e w. £ ep t riv 70 oe er .00 wed isl ge an s d. co m Retro Kitsch Neon 80s Style Vespa Scooter Necklace with Moving Wheels!
£22.00
www.myvintage.co.uk
By Misbah Khan
Twitter link http://twitter.com/#!/Nishonline Facebook fan page link http://www.facebook.com/Nishonline
ADVICE
FASHION
MIDI SHIRTDRESS Price: £46.00 www.topshop.com
This super confident little girl has performed in front of thousands at melas, festivals and indoor venues and is now embarking on a journey to take her unique act to a wider global audience. ‘Ji Lay’ is released on iTunes on 16th October.
Black Chelsea girl knitted a line skirt £25.00 www.riverisland.com
Dear Emily You shouldn’t get to upset about this but instead try and talk to your best friend. Communication is the only way you’ll be able to solve this so go talk to her and tell her exactly how you feel. Maybe the situation is that you spend so much time together and the next thing you do or say is so obvious, that your best friend is getting bored. The ‘new girl’ is just a replacement for someone like you, but a bit different from you. I think this is just what you needed to see if she is a true friend. If she ignores you and walks away then it is best for you to move on and make new friends who are more nice and loyal. It is important to be surrounded by people who appreciate you rather then people who will only be your friend when they feel like it. Hope it works out for you! Miss R
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Saarc international I Thursday 13 October 2011
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NATO criticizes Pakistan on terror fight, as US softens tone
“Whether it is Haqqani, or whether it is the Taliban that are looking for safe haven and training facilities in Pakistan, they have to be fought by all of us - Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the international community,” Isaf spokesman said. NATO is sharply criticizing Pakistan for failing to rein in terrorist and militant groups on its side of the border with Afghanistan. At the same time, ahead of a senior envoy’s visit to the Pakistani capital, Washington is softening its tone of recent weeks and focusing on shared interests. Top officers of the NATO-led force in Afghanistan say Pakistan needs to do more to rein in militants who are based on its territory but operate in Afghanistan. Brigadier General Carsten Jacobsen is spokesman for the International Security Assistance Force. “Pakistan has done a lot against terrorists and insurgents, and paid a considerable price in blood over the last years,” said Jacobsen. “There is no question that it is not enough.” Jacobsen says Pakistan needs to align itself with NATO’s mission by denying militants the ability to regroup on its territory. “Whether it is Haqqani, or whether it is the Taliban that are looking for safe haven and training facilities in Pakistan, they have to be fought by all of us - Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the international community,” he said. Last month, just before retiring, U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Mike
Mullen - the highest commander of the U.S. military - called the Haqqani network a “veritable arm” of Pakistan’s military intelligence agency, the ISI. Mullen’s remarks galvanized antiAmerican sentiment here in Pakistan and drew sharp reactions from an all-parties conference convened by the Pakistani president. The admiral’s allegations also fueled U.S. lawmakers’ skepticism about the future of American aid to Pakistan. However, senior U.S. diplomats now appear to be adopting a more conciliatory tone about U.S.-Pakistan cooperation in the fight against terrorists. U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Marc Grossman is due later this week in Islamabad. In a interview in Kabul on Saturday, he emphasized that 19,000 Pakistani civilians have been killed since 2003. Grossman says the conversation between the United States and Pakistan is now focused on “how to get our interests shared and then act on them together,” and stressed the need for engagement between the United States and Pakistan. Pakistan Foreign Office spokeswoman Tehmina Janjua says Islamabad welcomes recent statements by Obama administration See page 21
US open to Afghan peace deal including Haqqani: Clinton
“We are going to support the Afghans and they want to continue to see whether there is any way forward or whether you can see some of the
groups or their leaders willing to break with others.”, says Clinton. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Tuesday signalled that the United See page 15
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Saarc international I Thursday 13 October 2011
1,400 Haqqani fighters seized in Afghanistan: NATO
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fghan army and NATOled International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) kept up pressure on insurgents as over 1,400 Haqqani network militants have been captured in Afghanistan so far this year, ISAF spokesman said on Monday. “Haqqani is a mixture of insurgents and criminals in its network and finances itself out of all types of criminal
activities including drugs,” ISAF spokesman Brigadier General Carsten Jacobson told a joint press conference with Dominic Medley, NATO’s civilian representative’s spokesman. “We chase Haqqani in the field, killing and capturing more than 100 last week alone, and more than 1,400 were captured this year. We also have to break their financial trends,” Carsten said.
“Haqqani network has link with al-Qaida and receives support of any kind from (some foreign) governments and that support must be stopped.” A Taliban-affiliated militant group, the Haqqani network mostly operates in eastern Afghan provinces and capital Kabul, and were blamed for many highprofile attacks, including a truck bombing on a U.S. military base
in Wardak province on Sept 10 and a coordinated attack on ISAF headquarters and U.S. embassy in Kabul on Sept. 13. Regarding the security transition process from ISAF to Afghan security forces, Medley said the second phase of transition will be announced by Afghan government in coming weeks. The first phase of transition of
security responsibility began in July this year, and the process will be completed by the end of 2014. NATO civilian representative’s spokesman also stated that the alliance would support Afghanistan beyond 2014. “The NATO commitment is clear. Afghanistan will not be abandoned and the Alliance will stay committed,” Medley said.
Dengue takes its toll — still
Dengue in Lahore: Death toll reaches more then 204. After lessons from Lahore, Karachi’s hospitals gear up to battle dengue
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ana Shamim Ahmad Khan Advocate, former Punjab Assembly deputy speaker died of dengue fever at Sheikh Zayed Hosptial Lahore on Sunday night. Rana belonged to Faisalabad and was elected as Punjab Assembly deputy speaker in 1970. His funeral procession will be taken out from his residence in Douglaspur Faisalabad on Monday. As many as 15,035 dengue fever patients have so far been reported in the province, out of whom 12,961 belong to Lahore, said a report issued by the health department of Punjab on Sunday. At present, 1,422 patients are under treatment at various hospitals of Punjab, out of whom 1,199 patients are under treatment in different hospitals of Lahore. President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed sorrow over the demise of Rana Shamim Ahmad Khan. The number of dengue deaths in Sindh so far may be low compared to Lahore’s but the hospitals in Karachi are taking no risks and for better or worse are preparing with whatever resources they have.
They insist, though, that there is no need to panic. So far, 550 cases have been reported, of which 442 are from Karachi. Though dengue first became a threat to public health in 2006, each passing year sees an increase in the number of patients and the death toll it leaves in its wake. This year, Punjab is arguably the worst affected province, with over 14,760 cases and 186 people dead
because of the disease. In Lahore, where 168 people have died so far, there are only three functional platelet separators, which is inadequate for the number of patients the province is facing. This year, as usual, saw the Punjab health department scrambling to its feet long after the time for preventive measures had passed. In the vacuum
created by the government’s lack of action, charlatans are flourishing, since they at least offer people a hope of cure. The provincial health department has indicated that the epidemic is under control, but this does not mean success of the government because cooler weathers generally reduce the diseases’s incidence. In the same vein, Punjab Chief Minister
Shahbaz Sharif’s statement that a plan to counter dengue in the winter has been created must be taken with a pinch of salt. Dengue is a disease which strikes mostly between June and November, with cooler temperatures causing the strain to become dormant. The chief minister is now addressing dengue seminars and inaugurating Facebook pages and hotlines for the disease — all very well, but not a substitute for basic administrative competence. The sincerity of the government’s efforts to fight against dengue is also suspect, with reports of fake dengue fumigations surfacing. Meanwhile, the PPP has taken the opportunity to malign the incompetent governance of the PML-N in Punjab, but instead of political bickering, both the federal and provincial governments should be working to bring the epidemic under control. In the absence of a clearly chalked-out plan, the best citizens can do is protect themselves by wearing long, loose clothing, making sure there aren’t any standing pools of water around their houses and workplaces and using mosquito repellants.
Indian SC suspends death sentence to Kasab Indian Supreme Court Monday suspended the death sentence awarded to Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone gunman captured alive during the Nov 26-29, 2008 Mumbai terror attack, saying it would wait to hear the petition challenging his conviction and death sentence.“In our country many people are of the view that the appeal should be rejected (outright) and should not be heard at all,” the apex
court bench of Justice Aftab Alam and Justice C.K. Prasad said. The judges, however, said “we have to afford him full opportunity” to defend himself as provided in the judicial system.“That is the price we have to pay to uphold the supremacy of law,” the judges said.The final hearing in the case will be held on Jan. 31, 2012. If the Supreme Court upholds the death sentence, Kasab who is in jail in Mumbai can appeal for
clemency to Indian President Pratibha Patil as a last resort. The Mumbai High Court had in its February 21 verdict upheld Kasab’s conviction and death penalty handed down by the special court on charges of waging war against the nation among others. Ajmal Amir Kasab, one of 10 gunmen who went on a killing spree for nearly three days killing 166 people, was convicted in May 2010.
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WEEKLY REVIEW OF AFGHANISTAN NEWS
Afghan opium production ‘rises by 61%’ compared with 2010 Opium production in Afghanistan is set to rise by nearly two-thirds this year, with farmers’ revenues set to soar compared to last year’s harvest blighted by disease, the United Nations said Tuesday. Ten years after the 2001 US-led invasion to drive the Taliban from power, Afghanistan produces 90 percent of the world’s illegal opium, funding much of the militia’s insurgency despite an expensive Western eradication programme. The UN said that cultivation of the poppy crop reached 131,000 hectares in 2011, seven percent higher than in 2010 “due to insecurity and high
prices”, said the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in its annual opium survey. And with the crop yield per hectare up markedly from last year, overall production would potentially rise by 61 percent on last year, the report said. The consistency of the area under opium production indicates a major failure on the part of NATO’s civilian partners — notably provincial reconstruction teams — to convince farmers to switch to alternative crops. The price of dry opium rose 43 percent this year compared to 2010 and total farm-gate income is set to increase by 133 percent to reach $1.4 billion in
2011, or nine percent of Afghanistan’s GDP, the report said. “If the profits of manufacturing and trafficking heroin are added to this
figure, opium is a significant part of the Afghan economy and provides considerable funding to the insurgency and fuels corruption,” it said.
“We cannot afford to ignore the record profits for non-farmers, such as traders and insurgents, which in turn fuel corruption, criminality and instability,” said UNODC country head Jean-Luc Lemahieu. “This is a distressing situation,” he added. Nearly 80% of the opium grown in Afghanistan is being produced in provinces in the south, including Helmand and Kandahar, which are among the most volatile in the country. The UN says this demonstrates that there is a clear link between insecurity and opium cultivation.
Karzai seeks Pakistan’s help Afghanistan Marks Ten in stalled peace process Years Of US Occupation I
n a series of recent speeches and interviews, President Hamid Karzai has sought to balance inflammatory remarks that Pakistan is fighting a proxy war in Afghanistan with conciliatory appeals for greater cooperation among neighbors. With prospects for peace talks at a new low, the Afghan government is attempting to resuscitate
negotiations with a seemingly contradictory approach: publicly bashing the Pakistanis for supporting the Taliban while at the same time asking for their help. In a series of recent speeches and interviews, President Hamid Karzai has sought to balance inflammatory remarks that Pakistan is fighting a proxy war in Afghanistan with
Kabul demands more US pressure on Pakistan Afghan President Hamid Karzai held talks with US regional envoy, Marc Grossman, in Kabul just days after President Barack Obama warned Pakistan there were “some connections” between its intelligence services and extremists. The Kabul government on Saturday demanded that Washington increase pressure on Pakistan to act against insurgents using its soil to attack Afghanistan, saying Afghans were running out of patience. Afghan President Hamid Karzai held talks with US regional envoy, Marc Grossman, in Kabul just days after President Barack Obama warned Pakistan there were “some connections” between its intelligence services and extremists. “The Afghan president asked Grossman to put more pressure on Pakistan so that future meetings with them should bring a positive result,” one official at the presidential palace told AFP on condition of anonymity. Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan, long mired in distrust, have recently deteriorated with
Kabul alleging that the murder of its peace envoy Burhanuddin Rabbani was hatched in Pakistan and carried out by a Pakistani. Kabul accused Islamabad of hindering the investigation and also claimed to have foiled an alleged plot in Pakistan to assassinate Karzai. The palace quoted Grossman as promising that the United States will “continue putting pressure on Pakistan to take practical steps forward”. Karzai said further meetings with Pakistan “should bring positive results, because after all these suicide attacks and terrorism the people of Afghanistan are losing thier patience,” added the statement.
conciliatory appeals for greater cooperation among neighbors. Last week, for example, Karzai signed a strategic partnership agreement with India, Pakistan’s arch-rival, but on the same trip he called Pakistan a “twin brother” and the key to long-term peace. After years of failed efforts to talk directly with the Taliban, Karzai has decided he must talk through Pakistan to make progress. “When President Karzai says we want to talk to Pakistan, it doesn’t mean we are at war with Pakistan,” Mohammed Umer Daudzai, Afghanistan’s ambassador to Pakistan, said in an interview. “It means all the other contacts didn’t work. We want to go through Pakistan for any dialogue with the Taliban.” Afghanistan’s new position in some ways mirrors the Obama administration’s own dilemma with Pakistan. Many U.S. officials are convinced that Pakistan’s intelligence agency is helping insurgents fight in Afghanistan, but the Americans want to avoid ruining what cooperation remains.
This last week saw Afghanistan mark its ten year anniversary since the US led invasion to overthrow the ruling Taliban commenced. For many Afghans Friday marked an opportunity to look back on the past decade and what has changed, for both the better and the worse. The US military launched the war in a bid to oust the Taliban for harbouring Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, who plotted the September 11, 2001, attacks on the US, and destroy Al-Qaeda training camps in Afghanistan. On October 7, 2001, just under a month after the 9/11 attacks, US military planes dropped dozens of cruise missiles and laser-guided bombs on strategic targets in Kabul and other Afghan cities. That was followed by a
ground campaign, which toppled the Taliban government within weeks. Taliban fighters lay dormant in Afghan and Pakistani hideouts for the next few years, severely depleted by the invasion. With US attention turning to Iraq and their war against Saddam Hussein and his alleged, ‘weapons of mass destruction’, violence reignited in Afghanistan. This led to an increase in the number of US troops in the country, and since then greater pressure back home to withdraw. With US President Barack Obama announcing the gradual withdrawal of US troops, with the final date set for 2014, the Taliban have stepped up their targeted assaults against foreign and local troops and security positions.
Afghan lawmaker’s hunger strike extends dispute It was the eighth day of ousted Afghan parliamentarian Simeen Barakzai’s hunger strike. Through chapped lips and in a rough voice, she said Sunday she would not drink or eat anything until President Hamid Karzai opened an investigation into vote fraud by the woman who has taken over her seat. Her protest is the latest turn in a seemingly interminable dispute over who belongs in the Afghan
parliament — still going on, more than a year after elections that were marred by fraud. Fraud monitors discarded 1.3 million ballots from the poll —
nearly a quarter of the total — and disqualified 19 winning candidates before results were finalized last fall. But many of the losers had argued that voters had been disenfranchised and pressured Karzai to revisit the results. Karzai eventually took the case to the courts, which ruled that 62 sitting parliamentarians should be removed, even though the court had no legal standing to change the results.
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Saarc international I Thursday 13 October 2011
WEEKLY REVIEW OF BANGLADESH NEWS
Bangladesh unveils $130 ‘Doel’ laptops B
operating system. Initially, the laptop will be distributed to various government departments. But later on they will be made available to the public and to tens of millions of students. Mr Ismail said that at the moment Bangladesh is producing 10% of the components for the laptop and the rest are imported. “But within six months we will be able to produce 60% of the components,” he said. However, the country’s internet connectivity remains
angladesh has unveiled a domestically made laptop which officials claim is one of the cheapest in the world. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina launched the computer, named Doel, at a ceremony in the capital Dhaka on Tuesday. It is the first laptop made in the country.The state-owned telecoms company Telephone Shilpa Sangstha (TSS) is producing four models of the laptop. The most basic one is priced at 10,000 taka ($130/£83). The primary model runs the android
poor and critics have raised doubts whether the distribution of laptops alone will help the country to connect digitally. The government has launched an ambitious plan, known as Digital Bangladesh, with the aim of digitally connecting the country by 2021. “Every part of the country will be brought under e-governance, while the telecommunication system is being modernised to cut the digital divide,” Sheikh Hasina said during the inauguration.
‘End discrimination against women’ Saudi Arabia executes Proper use of technology in the field of education is a must for the full development of the potentials of the girl child, said speakers at a debate yesterday. The parliamentary style debate on “Education, science, information and technology will ensure development of girl child” was jointly organised by National Girl Child Advocacy Forum and Debate for Democracy in the city’s Jatiya Press Club.
8 Bangladeshis
Speaking at the programme, Education Minister Nurul Islam
Pneumonia claims 50,000 children a year
Nahid said social awareness about development of the girl child can be created through practicing debate, which might be included in textbooks as a co-curricular activity. Advocate Sultana Kamal, former adviser of a caretaker government, said both women and men need to be made aware on the development of the girl child.
Despite Bangladesh’s repeated pleas for clemency, Saudi Arabia on Friday executed eight Bangladeshi workers for their involvement in a robbery and subsequent murder of an Egyptian security guard in Riyadh in 2007. The migrant workers, who were
beheaded in public in the Saudi capital, were Suman Mia from Kishoreganj, Mohammad Suman, Mamun Abdul Mannan, Masud Shamsul Haque and Shafiqul Islam from Tangail, Faruk Jamal from Comilla, Abul Hossain and Matiar Rahman from Faridpur. Three other Bangladeshis -- Abdus Salam, Masud Rana, Alam -were sentenced by the kingdom’s highest court to imprisonment for different terms and flogging for their involvement in the incident, Bangladesh embassy officials in Riyadh told The Daily Star yesterday.
AL to face off against BNP
Nearly 50,000 children aged under five years died of pneumonia annually in the country. Nearly 50,000 children aged under five years died of pneumonia annually in the country. Besides, as many as 6,00,000 children are affected by pneumonia every year, health experts told a workshop at the Dhaka Reporters Unity in the city yesterday on the occasion of World Pneumonia Day-2011. Adviser to the Prime Minister for Health Dr Syed Modasser Ali attended the workshop as the chief guest. Prof Ruhul Amin and Dr Sumir Kumar Saha of Dhaka Child Hospital, child specialists and journalists addressed the workshop. Modasser said Bangladesh earned
international recognition in the field of health in terms of checking maternal mortality rate and improving the nutritional status of children. The present government will take effective steps for prevention of pneumonia, he added. The experts stressed the need for ensuring adequate healthcare facilities for pneumonia to reduce child mortality. The health experts said pneumonia is the single largest cause of death in children worldwide. Every year, it kills an estimated 1.6 million children under the age of five years, accounting for 18 percent of all deaths of children under five years old worldwide, they added.
The ruling Awami League has decided to launch a counter campaign to gain public opinion in favour of scrapping of the caretaker government system following the opposition’s anti-government agitation over this issue. It decided to remain “active on the streets” by holding rallies in divisional and some district headquarters. Awami League insiders said party President Sheikh Hasina Thursday night decided to take part in the important rallies starting with one in Nilphamari on October 12, two days after the main opposition starts anti-government road march from Dhaka to Sylhet. The prime minister will hold another rally in Lalmonirhat on October 19. During the rallies, the Awami League chief and senior leaders are expected to give guidelines to party activists on how to deal with the opposition’s movement and ask them to focus more on
the government’s success. They are also to urge them to be aware of Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir’s activities. The ruling party will also hold councils in ward and union units by December to gear up party activities at the grassroots level. Awami League has over 45,000 committees at ward and 5,000 at union levels. Insiders say that Awami League central leaders will inform those councils about the “opposition’s
move to foil the war crimes trial and create anarchy in the name of movement”. “Central leaders will attend the grassroots councils and point out government’s success,” Awami League acting Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif told The Daily Star yesterday. Hasina sits today with her party rank and file at her political office in Dhanmondi around 4:00pm to discuss the party programmes including the grassroots councils.
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Saarc international I Thursday 13 October 2011
WEEKLY REVIEW OF BHUTAN NEWS
Bomb blasts injure four Hindu temple in Thimphu
Two improvised explosive devices (IED) exploded in the border town of Phuentsholing Tuesday evening, injuring four Indians and damaging three vehicles. The first blast occurred around 6.30pm next to the traffic roundabout. The first blast followed by the second blast a few minutes later, just opposite to hotel Peljorling near the Phuentsholing gate. The first IED was planted above the footpath, while the second was under a tree.
The four Indian nationals suffered minor injuries, after they were hit with splinters, but are now said to be in stable condition. Of the four men, two were working in Phuentsholing, one with WAPCOS and the other with Saint Gobain. The two others were residents of the Indian border town of Jaigaon. While the Jaigaon residents were discharged from the hospital after the splinters were removed, the two employees are being kept under
observation. The nearby buildings also shook due to the blasts. The blast sites have been cordoned off for further investigation. Phuentsholing police officials said they recovered few pieces of metal rods and blades at the blast sites last evening. Further investigations will continue today, said officials. Meanwhile, Phuentsholing dungpa Tenzin Thinley has urged everyone to be extra cautious and vigilant in the wake of the blasts.
Work to construct the first Hindu temple in Thimphu will begin soon with the ground breaking or Sa-Lang ceremony conducted yesterday by His Holiness the Je Khenpo. The temple will be constructed on a 2.53-acre government land at Kuenselphodrang on the way to the Buddha statue. “Establishment of this temple will enrich the spiritual heritage of our country,” the Je Khenpo said. Highlighting the similarity between Buddhism and Hinduism, His Holiness said that both religions originated from the same place and have similar principles. “These two religions are interdependent and inseparable like milk and water,” His Holiness said. This temple is expected to contribute directly in pursuing the mission of the Hindu Dharma Samudaya of Bhutan, which is to deepen the
devotees’ understanding of the essence of religious values and devotional practices, chairman of the Samudaya, Dasho Meghraj Gurung said. Dasho Meghraj Gurung said a conceptual drawing of the temple is under process, and final structural and architectural drawing with cost estimation would be completed in a few months time. The construction would be completed in two years, he said. With Nu 10M already released by the government, works on basic infrastructure, such as road, water, electricity, fencing and ground levelling will begin soon. Cabinet ministers, the national assembly speaker, the opposition leader, the national council chairperson, and members of the parliament, business community and pundits attended the ceremony.
Primary school Sarpang district court Apple export increases publishes news bulletin hears appeals
The trial for the five defendants involved in last December’s Nu 11.95M shortfall at BNB’s Gelephu branch began last week in Sarpang district court, with the hearing of the grounds of appeal. The trial for the five defendants involved in last December’s Nu 11.95M shortfall at BNB’s Gelephu branch began last week in Sarpang district court, with the hearing of the grounds of appeal. All the defendants expressed dissatisfaction over the Gelephu dungkhag court verdict, which was passed on September 2. The bank’s risk officer, Sangay Dorji, who was sentenced to a nonbailable prison term of 11 years for embezzlement, official misconduct and breach of trust, appealed to the court
to uphold his plea bargain as valid, and reduce his sentence to three years. In his twenty-page appeal letter, he stated that the BNB CEO and Gelephu SP assured him that no legal action would be taken if he confessed and restituted the embezzled money. He, therefore, refunded the money and the case was withdrawn in accordance to section 197 of the Civil and Criminal Procedure Code (CCPC). The risk officer also appealed to dismiss the embezzlement charges against him for having issued money to contractor Phuntsho Tobay and Namgay Dorji, as it was their own legitimate loan money processed in their friend’s names, but by mortgaging their own property. He also appealed the district court to rule that he is not obliged to pay even a penny to BNB.
Apple exports to Bangladesh and India this season were comparatively better, with exporters fetching higher prices, say exporters. During the peak export season in August, the best grade apples fetched between Nu 800 to Nu 1100 per box in India this year. While exports to Bangladesh fetched exporters between USD 900 to USD 1200, according to Bhutan exporters association (BEA). Last year, during the same period, exports to India fetched Nu 650 to Nu 800 per box, while exports to Bangladesh fetched about USD 800 at the maximum. A box contains about 20kg of apples. Apple exports to India that began in August have almost come to an end, while exports to Bangladesh ended much earlier, by September end. Towards the end of the season, exports to Bangladesh dropped to about USD 700, while exports to India dropped to about Nu 450 to Nu 600 per box. Records with Bhutan agriculture and food regulatory authority show that 1962.24MT of apples were exported to Bangladesh as of September 25, while export to India was 1369.02MT as of October 5.
Other than the regular classes, senior students of Kanglung primary school are busy writing, researching and reporting to “inform and educate” their peers and community around through a news bulletin, which the school produced some month ago. Named KPS Observer, students write about happenings in their school and in the locality. The paper got its name because children wanted to be observer of what is going on in the school, said school principal, Gomchen Tenzin. Published on a 12-page, A4 size paper, the first issue was published sometime in June this year with the help of a volunteer teacher, Lisa Phu, who is presently in KPS through the Bhutan-
Canada foundation. The next issue will be out before the royal wedding. The principal said this was a good way to improve children in reading and writing. “They know what journalism is all about now,” he said. “Many of them come forward with articles that sometime we have to stop them from writing because of lack of space on the paper.” Gomchen Tenzin said children have also learnt about photography and know how to use a camera. “They bring in news idea, take pictures and interview people themselves.” The paper also has pages on community functions, fashions, recipes and updates about what their teachers are up to.
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Saarc international I Thursday 13 October 2011
WEEKLY REVIEW OF INDIA NEWS
Audio clips of Lokpal Bill panel proceedings to be made public The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) had earlier refused to put the committee’s deliberations in the public domain, though the civil society members had demanded so.The government has agreed to make public the audio recordings of the proceedings of the Joint Drafting Committee constituted to frame the Lokpal Bill. The committee, comprising five members of Team Anna and an equal number of Cabinet Ministers, was formed on April 10 to finalise the draft of the Lokpal Bill. It included Union Ministers Pranab
Mukherjee, P. Chidambaram, Veerappa Moily, Kapil Sibal and Salman Khursheed. The civil society members are Anna Hazare, Justice (retired) N. Santosh
Hegde, Shanti Bhushan, Prashant Bhushan and Arvind Kejriwal. Responding to a query filed by activist S.C. Agrawal under the Right to Information Act, the DoPT
has said the audio proceedings of the meetings of the committee have now become available. “There are nine CDs and you may deposit the copying fee of Rs. 450 so that copies of the CDs can be supplied to you,” Amarjit Singh, Under Secretary of the DoPT, has said. Welcoming the decision, Mr. Agrawal said he would deposit the money under protest on Monday because the information under an RTI query had to be provided free of cost if the response did not come within 30 days. Mr. Agrawal filed the RTI application in June.
Team Anna asks Hisar Delhi blast probe voters to defeat Congress spreads to Bangladesh T
The ruling Congress party in Haryana will now have to contend with not only two opposition candidates but also team Anna campaigning aggressively against it in the run-up to the Hisar Lok Sabha byelection on October 13. The ruling Congress party in Haryana will now have to contend with not only two opposition candidates but also team Anna campaigning aggressively against it in the run-up to the Hisar Lok Sabha byelection on October 13. Team Anna’s entry could spell fresh trouble for the already beleaguered
Congress nominee Jai Prakash, who is taking on Indian National Lok Dal candidate Ajay Chautala and Haryana Janhit Congress chief Kuldip Bishnoi, son of Haryana former chief minister Bhajan Lal. Calling on the people to reject the Congress candidate for the party’s extreme reluctance in passing the Jan Lokpal Bill, team Anna headed by Arvind Kejriwal here launched a blistering attack on the ruling party and got an overwhelming response from the people.
he arrest also once again brought under focus the terror networks of the extremist organization Harkatul-Jihad-al-Islami and Hizbul Mujahideen across the sub-continent. The investigations into the Sept 7 blast at the entrance to a court in Indian capital New Delhi has spread to Bangladesh, with tacit cooperation between the counterterrorism agencies of the two countries leading to the arrest of a key suspect in the case. The arrest also once again brought under focus the terror networks of the extremist organization Harkatul-Jihad-al-Islami and Hizbul Mujahideen across the sub-continent. Indian government officials, however, did not disclose if the purported disappearance and interrogation of four Kashmiri students from a medical college in Sylhet were also linked to the probe into the Delhi High Court blast. After a Kashmiri student of a medical college in Bangladesh was arrested by
India’s National Investigation Agency in connection with the blast, his father claimed that he himself had asked his son to return to India and handed the latter over to the investigators at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi soon after his arrival from Dhaka. The NIA produced Wasim Akram Malik to a court in Delhi on Friday and he was remanded to agency’s custody until Oct 21. Wasim is the son of a government official based in Kishtwar in Jammu and Kashmir and he was studying in a medical college in Bangladesh. Wasim’s parents, however, said that an incarcerated Hizbul Mujahideen militant, whom they got arrested for kidnapping their other son Junaid in 2010, set police after their family after the blast in front of Delhi High Court. Jammu and Kashmir police, however, described Junaid, who is yet to be traced, as a militant of the Hizbul Mujahideen.
Congress sharpens knives for Anna over RSS link RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s admission that his outfit was actively involved in Anna Hazare’s movement snowballed into a controversy on Friday, with the Congress attacking the Gandhian for his saffron links. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s admission that his outfit was actively involved in Anna Hazare’s movement snowballed into a controversy on Friday, with the Congress attacking the Gandhian for his saffron links. Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, who was the first AICC general secretary to allege that Hazare’s antigraft agitation was propped up by the RSS, led the charge saying that his stand has been vindicated. “The Dussehra speech of Bhagwat vindicates what I had been saying
all along that the campaigns of Baba Ramdev and Hazare were planned, engineered and organised by the RSS. I still hold that view,” Digvijaya said. With Hazare targeting only the
Congress and making the corrupt leaders of spokesperson Manish Digvijaya’s views. “What is evident
no mention of the BJP, party Tewari echoed need not be
evidenced,” Tewari said when asked about Bhagwat’s statement. Tewari, however, downplayed the issue saying that Congress accepts people’s verdict with grace. We will try our best to win the trust of the people, he added when pointed out that Hazare has given a call to the voters through a COD to defeat the Congress in the ensuing Hisar Lok Sabha bypoll. Hazare has also threatened to campaign against the party in the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls if the Jan Lokpal Bill is not passed in the winter session of Parliament. Addressing swayamsevaks during the customary Dussehra function on Thursday, Bhagwat had said, “We actively participate in such agitations that are in the interest of the nation and the people in particular.”
News broadcasters slam curbs on TV channels
Describing it as a “direct assault’’ on the self-regulatory mechanism, NBA said the modifications to the uplinking and downlinking guidelines were a “retrograde’’ step and should be reversed. A day after broadcasters and civil society activists expressed concern over the government’s attempt to gag media, the apex body of news broadcasters -- News Broadcasters Association (NBA) - strongly criticized the ‘5-violation clause’ calling it “arbitrary, unfair, illegal and unconstitutional’’. The Union Cabinet on Friday had cleared a proposal by the I&B ministry by which if a television channel was found “guilty” of violating the terms and conditions of permission including violations of the programme and advertisement code on five occasions or more, the ministry may decline to renew the permission of such television channels.
No President’s rule in Andhra Pradesh: Congress
The Chief Minister, on his part, even put a positive spin on his discussions: the Centre would “soon” resolve the Telangana issue “amicably” and “satisfy the aspirations of the people” of Andhra Pradesh, Ghulam Nabi Azad said. Scotching speculation, the Centre clarified on Saturday that President’s rule would not be imposed in the State even as it grappled with the Telangana statehood issue.Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad — who is also the Congress general secretary in charge of Andhra Pradesh — and Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy ruled out such an eventuality. “This is a process of wider consultations, and consultations will continue. Where does the question of President’s rule arise,” Mr. Azad asked. The Chief Minister, on his part, even put a positive spin on his discussions: the Centre would “soon” resolve the Telangana issue “amicably” and “satisfy the aspirations of the people” of Andhra Pradesh, he said, shortly after he met the high-power core group dealing with the problem.
Saarc international I Thursday 13 October 2011
KARACHI
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The HRCP on Karachi
By now, everyone from the Supreme Court to the PML-N has had their say on the causes and solutions to the violence in Karachi but the report issued on October 8 by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), titled “Karachi: unholy alliance for mayhem”, carries even more weight because of the credibility and dedication of the organisation. The HRCP is not
afraid of taking names and without letting any of the other parties of the hook, explicitly names MQM for its role in stirring up violence. The HRCP takes a long view of the current situation, attributing it to demographic shifts in the city and claiming that the party is using force to maintain its political monopoly in the city. The report also points out the rise in extortion, usually carried out by gangs with political affiliation and how this leads to turf wars. Pointing out the root causes of the violence, while requiring the courage to take on armed and dangerous political parties, isn’t enough on its own. Solutions,
too, need to be proffered. Among other solutions, the HRCP calls on the police to be depoliticised, for the city to be rid of all weapons whether licensed or unlicensed and an end to encroachments and no-go areas. Most of these
solutions, in one form or the other, have been proposed before. The key here is implementation. Unfortunately, a Catch-22 effect is in play. Those who have the power to bring about these changes and allow peace to flourish in Karachi
are in fact the very political parties who are responsible for the violence. With the political parties in the city showing no appetite for compromise, there have been increased calls for the army to step in and sort the situation out. The HRCP report wisely cautions against further operations by the Rangers. Previous experience has taught us that police action tends only to lead to a tense, shortterm peace after which violence is renewed with even more ferocity. As valuable as the HRCP report is, ultimately peace in Karachi will only be achieved by political parties that decide to put the city ahead of their narrow interests.
Zulfiqar Mirza vows to revive PPP of Bhuttos’ era Former Sindh Home Minister Dr. Zulfiqar Mirza said that he is dissatisfied with the Supreme Court suo motu decision on the situation in Karachi. Mirza also lashed out at the MQM and Rehman Malik. He again declared the Federal Home Minister a liar and referred to him as ‘Shaitan Malik’. KARACHI: Former Sindh home minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza, while praising Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan for being the first one to plead a case against Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and its chief Altaf Hussain in the United Kingdom, said on Sunday evening that he would be leaving for Europe in a week for the same purpose along with three suitcases full of documentary proof. He said Shaheed Benazir Bhutto was also impressed by Imran Khan when he took up the case against MQM in the UK. “I had earlier visited Europe along with a suitcase containing the documentary evidences but at that time I was the minister and the Pakistan ambassador there talked me out of filing a case, but this time I have lots of evidences. Former home minister said PAC came into being just few years’ back but the MQM was founded 26 years ago. “If the crimes that took place in last three and half a years, are allegedly committed by PAC, I am prepared to own it, but would Hussain ready to accept the responsibility of all crimes
Haqqani: Clinton Continued from page 9 >> States remains open to exploring a peace deal including the Haqqani network, the militant group that US officials blame for a campaign of high-profile violence that could jeopardise Washington’s plans for withdrawing smoothly from Afghanistan. “Where we are right now is that we view the Haqqanis and other of their ilk as, you know, being adversaries and being very dangerous to Americans, Afghans and coalition members inside Afghanistan, but we are not shutting the door on trying to determine whether there is
and target killings committed earlier from 1984 to 2008. Mirza challenged Altaf Hussain to come out from his hiding and start living at Nine Zero in Karachi where he (Mirza) would talk directly to him. He said Karachi has become a hub of automatic and sophisticated weapons and questioned ‘who is buying the weapons being smuggled into Karachi?’ Stating that he was disheartened with Supreme Court (SC)’s verdict in the suo moto case on Karachi violence, Mirza said he would welcome the contempt of court notices, as it would give him a chance to appear in the court. To a question, he said the government would not move a reference against any party, as suggested by the SC. Former Pakistan People’s Party minister gave a clean chit to Jamaat-e-Islami . Mirza, who claimed that “I was, I am and would remain the member of PPP”, turned his guns towards his own party by levelling allegations of corruption, and said, “I apologise to the nation that I spent three and half a years with these ‘thieves’, but now I would provide evidences of corruption of the government to the judiciary and the Army.I would continue collecting the evidences of corruption and appear before the media every fortnight to expose the corrupt people, he said, declaring that existing PPP was not that one founded by Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto or that led by Shaheed Benazir Bhutto. “I pledge that I would some path forward,” Clinton said when asked whether she believed members of the Haqqani network might reconcile with the Afghan government. “It’s too soon to tell whether any of these groups or any individuals within them are serious,” she said in an interview with Reuters. Inclusion of the Haqqani network in a hopedfor peace deal — now a chief objective in the Obama administration’s Afghanistan policy after a decade of war — is a controversial idea in Washington. Officials blame the group for last month’s attack on the US embassy in Kabul and a truck bombing that injured scores of American soldiers. The State Department is facing heat from
revive the People’s Party of Shaheed Bhuttos,” he announced. Mirza musters support from more dissidents After the announcement by the firebrand PPP leader Zulfiqar Mirza to quit electoral politics, speculation is already rife that his dashing young son — Barrister Hasnain Mirza — will replace his father in the upcoming bypolls to the Badin provincial assembly seat which fell vacant after Mirza’s resignation as an MPA was accepted on Monday. Only a day earlier, Speaker Sindh Assembly Nisar Khuhro accepted the former home minister’s resignation as a member of the provincial assembly. It seems that the winds of change are going in favour of former Sindh
home minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza as a number of dissident lawmakers are contacting the fiery leader, who held meeting of his supporters at his residence on Tuesday. Over a dozen members of Sindh Assembly from the ruling PPP extended their support to him, sources said. Two MPAs of PPP including Javed Shah and Nasrullah Baloch, who are close relatives of Federal Religious Affairs Minister Khurshid Ahmed Shah, are among the lawmakers who are openly supporting Mr Mirza and also met with him on Tuesday. However, some other MPAs including Imran Zafar Leghari, Dr Sikandar Shoro, Fayaz Butt, Imdad Pitafi, Humera Alwani and others are also his strong supporters, who
Capitol Hill for refraining, at least so far, from officially designating the Haqqani group, which US officials say is based in western Pakistan, as a terrorist organisation. Despite the conciliatory signals, Clinton said the United States would stick to its military campaign that the White House hopes will make militants more likely to enter serious negotiations. “Now, it is also true that we are still trying to kill and capture or neutralise them (the Haqqani network),” Clinton said. “And they are still trying to, you know, kill as many Americans, Afghans and coalition members as they can.” “In many instances where there is an ongoing conflict, you are fighting and looking to talk,”
Clinton said. “And then eventually maybe you are fighting and talking. And then maybe you’ve got a cease-fire. And then maybe you are just talking.” It is unclear how quickly a peace deal could be had, as it remains unclear how military commanders can achieve and defend security improvements as the foreign force in Afghanistan gradually grows smaller. While parts of the Taliban’s southern heartland are safer than they were, Obama will be withdrawing the extra troops he sent to Afghanistan in 2010 just as commanders’ focus turns to the rugged eastern regions where the Haqqani group are believed to operate. Clinton did not directly address the question of
unofficially announced to block the proposed legislation for revival of Nazim-led Local Government System, which is likely to be presented by the PPP and MQM jointly in next session of Sindh Assembly, sources said. Meanwhile, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon and Provincial Katchi Abadies Minister Nadeem Ahmed Bhutto were also in the party’s elected members, who met Dr Zulfiqar Mirza at his residence. Sources said that the objective of the meetings by Mirza with the MPAs was to make such an environment within the parliamentary party against the proposed revival of LG system. Earlier, Zulfiqar Mirza visited the residence of Federal Minister Syed Khurshid Ahmed Shah, where MPA Nasrullah Baloch hosted a dinner in his honour. Other lawmakers of the party, who have been with the dissident leader, were also present in the meeting. However, Dr Mirza announced on Tuesday that he would start public campaign by holding public gatherings all over the province at inform the masses about the unjust alliance of PPP and MQM. He added that he will tell the people to question their elected representatives and press them for not supporting the proposed law to revive the LG system of Musharraf regime. Mirza also claimed that a large number of elected representatives and leaders of the party are staunch supporters of his cause. designating the Haqqani network as a ‘foreign terrorist organisation,’ but suggested the United States would want to keep its options open as it seeks peace in a region known for historic merry-go-round of political and military alliances. “It’s always difficult in this stage of a conflict, as you think through what is the resolution you are seeking and how do you best obtain it, to really know where you’ll be in two months, four months, six months,” Clinton said. “We are going to support the Afghans and they want to continue to see whether there is any way forward or whether you can see some of the groups or their leaders willing to break with others.”
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South Asia Tribune I Thursday 13 October 2011
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South Asia Tribune I Thursday 13 October 2011
How American Made Another Failed State
Afghanistan: 10 Years Gone JOHNNY BARBER
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s we step off the Turkish Air flight and walk across the dusty tarmac to the terminal, we are greeted by a large billboard. In big bold English it proclaims, “Welcome to the Home of the Brave.” It stops me in my tracks. I shake my head, thinking, “damn weird” and continue in to passport control. After waiting in a short line, I present my American passport to the guard in the booth. He doesn’t acknowledge me. He flips through the shiny new pages until he gets to the visa. He stamps it.
He turns to the picture. He gives me a precursory glance and hands the passport back to me. I turn and enter Afghanistan. I have come here with two friends from Voices for Creative Non-Violence, forming a small delegation interested in developing relationships with ordinary Afghans and gathering stories of everyday life since the American invasion in 2001. After collecting our luggage and taking a short bus ride to the parking area,
Hakim, Mohammed Jan, and his brother Noor greet us warmly. Hakim and Mohammed Jan are our hosts and the organizing force of the Afghan Youth Peace Volunteers. On our trip from the airport to Kabul, Hakim offers an update since the last delegation has left. Things have deteriorated considerably. People are feeling more hopeless, even amongst the youth group. Continued on page 29 >>
NEWS
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Saarc international I Thursday 13 October 2011
NATO repeats all Soviet mistakes during Afghanistan’s occupation Sergei Balmasov October 7 marked ten years since the beginning of the US-led operation in Afghanistan. What results have the United States and its allies achieved in the operation? Most of Afghanistan’s territory was controlled by the Taliban movement in the autumn of 2001. The movement seized the country’s capital, Kabul, and made enemies retreat to the north. After the 9/11 attacks, the USA demanded the Taliban should deliver prime suspect Osama bin Laden. The Talibs said no having claimed that the Americans could not present convincing evidence to prove their point. In return, the USA attacked the country on October 7. As a result, the Talibs left Kabul on November 13. By the end of November, the Taliban was controlling only the southern part of the country with the stronghold in Kandahar. By the end of the year, the American and British forces seized the Tora Bora complex of caves in the south of Afghanistan, where, according to the CIA, Bin Laden was A top German general who was instrumental in planning the Bundeswehr's mission in Afghanistan has said that the intervention has failed and the Taliban will regain power within months of withdrawal. Ten years after the invasion, he is far from alone with his critique. It was 10 years ago that the United States, together with its NATO allies, marched into Afghanistan to put an end to Taliban rule and begin the hunt for al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden. A decade later, the terrorist leader is dead. But, says Harald Kujat, former general inspector of the German military, the mission has been a failure. "The mission fulfilled the political aim of showing solidarity with the United States," Kujat told the German daily Mitteldeutsche Zeitung. "But if you measure progress against the goal of stabilizing a country and a region, then the mission has failed." Kujat said that it was ignored for too long that "the opponent was fighting a military battle and we needed to do the same." In reference to claims from German political leaders, among others, he said "the argument that it was a stabilization mission was maintained for too long." The result, he said, is that soldiers were not given what they needed in order to effectively fight the enemy. Kujat is hardly the first to criticize the Afghanistan war. But his words carry weight in Germany. He was a leading planner of the German mission to Afghanistan and served as general
hiding. Afterwards, the Western media reported that the operation ended successfully. On December 20, 2001, the UN Security Council de facto approved the deployment of NATO’s military mission in Afghanistan. Ten years later, the Pentagon officials acknowledged that NATO had failed to achieve any improvement of the state of affairs in Afghanistan by the autumn of 2010. Independent experts said that the occupation forces had been losing the control over the situation in the wartorn country. In October 2010, Mujahedeens stated that they were controlling 70 percent of the Afghan territory. NATO has not been able to change the situation for the better in 2011 either. Quite on the contrary, the situation in the north of the country has been getting worse
inspector of the German military -the Bundeswehr's highest-ranking soldier -- from 2000 to 2002. Part of his job included advising both the German government and the Defense Ministry on military matters. Timeline for Withdrawal The former Bundeswehr leader also took aim at Germany's plan to complete withdrawal of all of its 5,000 combat troops from Afghanistan by 2014, a timeline that was reiterated on Friday by
recently. In addition, the Talibs have been liquidating prominent Afghan leaders. They killed President Hamid Karzai’s brother in July and Rabbani - in September. The considerable increase of the heroine
production has become one of the main consequences of the Afghan war. The war in the country continues, and it seems that it is not going to end ever. The allied troops have lost
Germany's special representative for Afghanistan, Michael Steiner. "If we withdraw from Afghanistan in 2014," said Kujat, "then the Taliban will take over power again within just a few months." Steiner declined to name a date for the beginning of Germany's withdrawal from Afghanistan, but the government of Chancellor Angela Merkel has said it aims at beginning the pullout by the end of 2011, conditions permitting. Steiner
approximately 4,600 people during the war. Over 21,000 people were injured. The USA lost 1,800 men, Britain - 382, Canada - 157. Nevertheless, US officials still say that they are not leaving from the country in 2014, as was originally planned. This seems to be very strange indeed, taking into consideration the destruction of Osama bin Laden, which supposedly took place in the beginning of May. A lot will depend on the development of the situation in the United States. Many common Americans are highly concerned about the growing spending on the Afghan war under the conditions of the ongoing financial crisis. One of the main failures, which the USA and its allies experienced in
Afghanistan, was the inability to win the hearts and minds of the Afghan people. Moreover, anti-American sentiments in the country have been growing steadily. On may say that the allied troops repeated nearly all Soviet mistakes, and aggravated the situation even more. The local population supports the Taliban because of the occupants’ actions. The aviation of the alliance attacked wedding and funeral services and tried to “build peaceful life” in the country. The Americans and their allies say that they promote democracy. However, it appears that they can fully understand the meaning of the saying “when in Rome do as the Romans do.” The majority of the Afghans were infuriated with the attempts to have Afghan women involved in the public life of the country. The local people take such moves as an intention to destroy Afghan family values. The majority of Afghan women do not want to change their lifestyle. As a result, Afghan people now believe that the United States and its allies came to the Afghan land to destroy Islam.
said that a plan would be presented by the end of the year. The withdrawal of NATO forces from Afghanistan was a major topic at a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels on Thursday. NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen of Denmark said that, even after 2014, the alliance would focus heavily on training the Afghan military. Kujat isn't the only heavyweight critic of the Afghanistan mission to have spoken out in recent days. Speaking
in Washington at an event organized by the think tank Council on Foreign Relations, Stanley McChrystal, who led the Afghanistan troop increase ordered by President Barack Obama in 2009, said that the US had a "frighteningly simplistic" view of Afghanistan when the war began. He also said that the US and NATO were only "50 percent of the way" toward achieving the goals they had set for themselves. Pressuring Pakistan "We didn't know enough and we still don't know enough," McChrystal said. "Most of us, me included, had a very superficial understanding of the situation and history, and we had a frighteningly simplistic view of recent history, the last 50 years." Obama on Thursday, increased pressure on neighboring Pakistan, saying that the Islamabad regime's connections with "unsavory characters" had put the country's relationship with the US at risk. Washington has long been urging Pakistan to cease supporting Islamist militant attacks inside Afghanistan, an effort which has been redoubled in the wake of the US killing of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan this spring. Pakistan fired back on Friday. Salim Saifullah, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in Pakistan's Senate, said that "this is not helping either the US, Afghanistan or Pakistan. There will be pressure on the (Pakistani) government to get out of this war (on Islamist militancy)."
Saarc international I Thursday 13 October 2011
SPECIAL FEATURE
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DIANA THE MOVIE, BY HER BODYGUARD Carey Mulligan could be considered for lead role
Henry Fitzherbert
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£30MILLION biopic about Princess Diana is being tipped as the next British blockbuster. Produced by the BAFTA-winning Stephen Evans, who made The Madness Of King George, the film is being made with the cooperation of Ken Wharfe, who spent eight years as Diana’s personal protection officer, and her former private secretary Commander Patrick Jephson. Daily Express reported. According to report of daily Express Evans said: “Everyone has a view about Princess Diana, they say she was lovely, nasty or crackers, but we want the audience to form their own opinion based on meticulous
research. We aim to achieve a level of authenticity that other royal films like The Queen and The King’s Speech couldn’t match because much of the dialogue will be substantiated by people who were actually there.” The film will chronicle the eight years that Ken Wharfe was by her side, first as protection officer to Princes William and Harry, then as her head of private security. Evans promises the film will reveal some things nobody knows. “She was much wider in her interests than people thought. For
example, she was a great pianist and loved opera.” The film will not be a whitewash or a hatchet job but will portray
her as the complex, contradictory person she was, said the producer whose acclaimed productions also include The Wings Of The Dove. “It will show how she used to be – wonderful, kind and amazing, but at the same time she could be quite manipulative with massive native cunning. She was a very tough egg and used to use and discard men and women, but equally she was very, very vulnerable.” The story will lead up to her divorce from Prince Charles in 1996 and will not venture into her relationship with Dodi Fayed or broach conspiracy theories about her death. “You can bet your bottom dollar
that in 50 years time there’ll be some movie peddling a crackpot theory about her death, but this will stand as the
authentic version. The people we are dealing with were the closest people to Diana.” Top of Form As for how the film will be received by the Royal Family,
Evans said: “I can understand and sympathise that the Royal Family might be nervous but the accuracy and fairness will shine though. There’s no need to exaggerate the facts because drama and comedy seems to be very much a part of royal life.” The screenplay has been written by crime author Philip Kerr and casting is yet to be confirmed. Although a desirable part for an A-list actress such as Carey Mulligan, the producers may cast an unknown as Diana. “Whoever we cast will have to be brilliant and quite ballsy as it’s an iconic part to take on,” said Evans whose latest production is First Night, a romantic romp about the staging of a
country house opera starring Richard E Grant and Sarah Brightman. He added: “We’ve had a lot of interest from financiers because the subject matter is so strong and Diana remains a huge, crowdpulling star.”
Big Ben leaning over!
Big Ben becoming leaning tower of London, say engineers Big Ben look like it’s leaning over more in the right hand image than in the left hand one? It can take a double-take to spot that the two pictures are identical. I find it a fantastically strong illusion. Surveyors have found that the clock tower at the Palace of Westminster has developed a tilt, which is getting worse every year. The top of the tower is now almost one-and-a-half feet off the perpendicular – so far off that experts say the tilt is visible to the naked eye. Beneath it, governments have veered from Left to Right, but the tower of Big Ben has always seemed resolutely straight - until now. Surveyors have found that it has developed a tilt, which is getting worse every year. The top of the clock tower at the Palace of Westminster is now almost 11/2ft off the perpendicular - so far off that experts say it is visible to the naked eye.
If the tower’s movement were to continue uncorrected, it would one day topple over. But Westminster’s politicians can breathe easy; at the current rate it would take some 4,000 years for the tower to reach the angle of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and even longer to hit tipping point. In the unlikely event that the tower did fall, it would land on MPs’ offices over the road in Portcullis House, which may please architectural traditionalists unimpressed by the modern building. Civil engineers believe that the clock tower known as Big Ben after the main bell within it - is gradually “sinking” into the land. But the pattern is uneven, with sinking occurring more quickly on the north side than the south. The problem has been blamed on decades of building work around the foot of the edifice - 315ft
tall, 11 storeys, 393 stairs - since it was completed in 1858. These have ranged from a sewer built in the 1860s, to the District Line the following decade, and an underground car park for MPs in the 1970s. When the Jubilee Line was extended through Westminster in the late 1990s, special techniques were used to create a concrete barrier under the tower, in an attempt to secure it. Yet a new survey for London Underground and the Parliamentary Estates Department has found that the rate of movement - which had been steady for many years - has now accelerated. Completed in 2009, but only just published, the research finds that between November 2002 and August 2003 - a period when MPs debated heatedly on Iraq - a mystery “event” caused the tower to lurch, with the clock face moving up to an eighth of an inch away from the vertical.
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Saarc international I Thursday 13 October 2011
WEEKLY REVIEW OF PAKISTAN NEWS
Donors fear fudging of flood data, says UN Gilani offers intelligence
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he UN has informed Islamabad about the less than lukewarm response to the $357 million flood appeal and the reservations that donor countries supposedly have about pledging money and materials. The United Nations has attributed the sluggish response of donor countries to its emergency appeal for flood assistance in Sindh and Balochistan to real or imagined concerns that the government figures
are exaggerated and do not reflect the ground reality. Official figures indicate that some eight million people have been affected and 600,000 homes totally destroyed by the flooding. UN agencies say the rains have destroyed 73 per cent of the two provinces’ crops and 67 per cent of food stocks. The lethargic response to the
$357 million appeal is also put down to issues such as visa restrictions, lack of direct access to beneficiaries and concerns over the lack of accountability, according to a secret diplomatic cable sent last month by Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN in New York. A copy of the cable dated September 27, 2011 obtained exclusively by The Express Tribune contains minutes of the meeting between Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and UN emergency relief coordinator Valerie Amos. The purpose of the meeting held in New York on September 16 was to determine the status of the UN response to the flood in Pakistan. Amos, who is undersecretary general for UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), apparently told Khar that the global response to the appeal had been slow, as the agency had received $27 million until then.
sharing to Afghanistan in Rabbani killing
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday offered to Afghanistan intelligence sharing for investigation into the assassination of former president of Afghanistan Burhanuddin Rabbani. Talking to media persons here at Quetta Cantonment, after the passing out parade of Baloch recruits, Gilani said Pakistan was too shocked about the murder of Rabbani and offered
to collaborate with the Afghan government regarding and probe into the killing. He offered intelligence sharing to the Afghan government to unveil the elements involved in the killing of Rabbani. Prime Minister Gilani said Pakistan was working on the lines to devise a combined strategy with Afghanistan to counter-terrorism in the region.
Arrest warrant Measures taken to execute for ex-home SC order, Qaim tells Zardari minister issued
Nawab Akbar Bugti was killed along with several tribesman after their hideout in a cave was bombed by the army.The arrest warrant for former Home Minister Balochistan Shoaib Nausherwani has been issued in the Nawab Akbar Bugti Murder Case. The court has issued orders on the request of a special crime branch team investigating the case. media reported that Advocate General Balochistan Amanullah Kanrani had that the Government of Balochistan had directed the crime branch to obtain warrants for all the accused in the case. Others accused in the case include former president Pervez Musharraf, former prime minister Shaukat Aziz, former governor Balochistan Owais Ahmed Ghani and former chief minister Jam Yousaf. Nawabzada Jamil Bugti, elder son of the former Balochistan governor and chief minister, who was killed in a military operation in 2006, had petitioned the court after Musharraf was forced to step down three years later, to take up the murder case of his deceased father.
The president had convened the meeting “to know about the steps that had so far been taken by the Sindh government for implementation of the order. President Asif Ali Zardari seemed keen on the implementation of a Supreme Court judgment concerning the state of law and order in Sindh, especially Karachi, when he met top provincial functionaries and the government’s legal wizards on Saturday. His spokesman Farhatullah Babar said about
the discussion at the presidency in what was the first reaction to Thursday’s ruling after suo motu hearings by a five-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry. The Supreme Court in its verdict had criticised both the federal and Sindh governments for their failure to ensure peaceful economic activity in Karachi and characterised the “unimaginable brutalities” a result of a turf war aimed at keeping socio-political control over the city.
Vice Chancellor Karachi University Pir Zada Qasim awarding PhD degree to Federal Interior Minister Senator Rehman Malik in recognition of his national services against the war on terror at Governor House on Tuesday. Sindh Governor Dr. Ishratul Ebad Khan who is also Chancellor of Karachi University is also seen in the picture.
Supreme Court of Pakistan has announced its verdict on the Suo Moto notice taken against killings and violence in Karachi. • Supreme Court observed that more than 5,000 people were killed in Karachi since 2008. • Confession of Ajmal Pahari, the target killer of MQM, is recorded as part of the Suo Moto verdict. • Supreme Court raised a question about Ajmal
Pahari confession: “what did the Federal Government or the Provincial Government do on the basis of this information”. • Supreme Court declared that Federal and Provincial governments are failed to protect/ enforce Articles 9,14,15,18 and 24 of the Constitution. Services against war on terror and SC said Government failed so PhD to Rehman Malik for what ! Joining hands with the Killers?
Zardari seeks world help to cope with disasters The president asked a UN delegation, headed by Ms Wahlstrom, that the devastation caused by climatic change was a wake-up call to look for permanent solutions to natural disasters.The government urged the international community on Friday, particularly the countries with advanced technology and expertise to handle disaster management, to help Pakistan in capacity building to meet eventualities caused by natural calamities. “Pakistan is vulnerable to a range of natural hazards and looks forward to the international community to assist us in capacity building and also in relief and rehabilitation
efforts in the devastated areas,” said President Asif Ali Zardari during a meeting with Margareta Wahlstrom, UN Secretary General’s Special Representative for disaster risk reduction.
President Zardari thanked the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) for their allocation to help flood-affected people and said Pakistan looked forward to active participation by the international
community in the UN-launched ‘Pakistan Floods 2011 Rapid Response Plan’. Ms Wahlstrom assured the government that the UN would continue to assist flood victims in providing relief and rehabilitation. Later, the president monitored flood relief activities in Badin, Tando Allahyar and Benazirabad districts through satellite video conferencing. The president directed Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah to monitor relief activities and to send cabinet members to Mirpurkhas district to address problems of the affected people.
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Saarc international I Thursday 13 October 2011
WEEKLY REVIEW OF MALDIVE NEWS
SAARC works need focus, not fancy accords: President P
resident Mohamed Nasheed has said that for SAARC to succeed in its works, what we need is greater focus and not a number of agreements or frameworks. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the “Consultative Meeting on Strengthening SAARC’s Institutional Mechanism” held Monday, President said that all SAARC leaders must be able to work until an agreement is reached,
though every decision does not need to be a unanimous agreement. Highlighting the noble purpose of the founding of SAARC, President Nasheed noted the high aspirations held by the people for a better quality life. He also said that the people want their leaders to consult and deliberate on matters in delivering the good life they hope for. The President underlined the
government efforts to attain other means of national income without relying on import duties as a mainstream of government revenue, noting that the change was “not politically easy”. Further, the President conveyed his hopes to develop better and stronger relations among SAARC countries, regarding this year’s SAARC Summit slogan “Building Bridges”.
Virgin boss in Maldives Maldives saw 30 years idled away, Nasheed says Mohamed Nasheed islands still do not have efficient for Six Senses symposium President has that thirty years of Maldives sewage systems and fresh water
British billionaire Richard Branson and other reputed thinkers and industry experts are to participate in panel discussions today to kick off the Six Senses Slow Life Symposium to be held until Sunday in Soneva Fushi in the Maldives. Richard will be joined by President Mohamed Nasheed’s Climate Change Advisor Mark Lynas and Founder of zero2infinity Jose Mariano to explore the breakthroughs being made to a low carbon future in the transport sector. The Virgin Group Chairman will also participate in another panel discussion with Founder of Forum for the Future
Jonathon Porritt, Chairman and CEO of Six Senses Resorts and Spas Sonu Shivdasani and Chief Executive of The Eden Project Tim Smit to discuss the importance of their roles in driving change and creating a culture of sustainability. In a separate panel discussion today Chairman of Akuo Energy Eric Scotto, Regional Affairs General Secretary of La Réunion and President Nasheed’s Energy Advisor Mike Mason will present the breakthroughs and the benefits to reducing dependence on oil imports and the infrastructural and financial challenges of reaching true energy autonomy.
President reappoints Dr Majeed as Islamic Minister
President Mohamed Nasheed today reappointed Dr Abdul Majeed Abdul Bari as the Minister of Islamic Affairs. Presentation of letter of appointment to Dr Abdul Majeed Abdul Bari was held this morning at the President’s Office where Supreme Court Judge Abdulla Areef administered the oath.
President’s Press Secretary Mohamed Zuhair views Dr Majeed’s reappointment as testament to the fact that he will “not abandon his religious duties and obligations”. The President’s Office revealed that President Mohamed Nasheed had acknowledged the work previously done by Dr Majeed expressing his hope that he would in the future work with the same amount of dedication and vigour. Dr Majeed, who resigned as Adhaalath Party’s Scholars Council President on September 29, resigned from the Islamic Minister’s position on Monday following the party’s decision to sever coalition ties with the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).
have been wasted with regards to the developments and progress of the nation. President Mohamed Nasheed has that thirty years of Maldives have been wasted with regards to the developments and progress of the nation. Speaking at the “Hinnavaru to the maximum” rally held at Hinnavaru on Friday night, President Nasheed said that that most of the work of the current administration are works that should have been finished ten years ago by the former regime. President Nasheed noted that many
system because of the backward thinking utilized by the former regime without looking into how the developed countries are developing and building their nations. The President said that this does not intimidate the ruling party Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and the party would move forward to progression and development. He said that the government is aware of the needs of the people and will never step back from serving what is best for the people. President Nasheed said that the people of Hinnavaru and the
people as a whole are finding it difficult to accept the truth because the government is drawing totally new images that they did not even perceive earlier.
NATO criticizes Pakistan on terror fight, as US softens tone << Continued from page 9 officials on Pakistan. “These underscore the importance of having cooperative relations with Pakistan,” said Janjua. “Secretary of State [Hillary] Clinton has spoken of it as well - she has underscored the importance of the relationship with Pakistan.” Still, Grossman says Washington will continue “to call on Pakistan to end the safe havens and enablers” that allow
National convention Saturday
15October
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militants to carry out guerrilla raids in Afghanistan, then retreat to Pakistan. The United States and its allies plan to withdraw most of their more than 130,000 Afghanistan-based combat forces by 2014, creating pressure for regional partners to find a framework for stability before then. Washington has repeatedly acknowledged Pakistan’s support is crucial in establishing a long-term peace in Afghanistan.
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Saarc international I Thursday 13 October 2011
WEEKLY REVIEW OF NEPAL NEWS
Nepal’s Yadav in Qatar to ease PM inaugurates 5th Global NRNs jamboree tensions with Muslim community
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naugurating the program, PM Bhattarai urged NRNs to utilize their knowledge, skills, and capabilities for the development of their native land. Non-Resident Nepalis (NRNs) are taking part in the Fifth Global NRN Conference being held at Tribhuvan Army Officers’ Club in Sundhara, Kathmandu from Wednesday to Friday. Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai inaugurated the conference. I request all NRNs to cooperate with Nepal government in attaining economic advancement after Nepal breaks through the political transitional period,” Bhattarai said while addressing about 700 NRNs attending the conference. “The conference, which is organised every two years, is going to discuss on dual citizenship, investment
opportunities, establishment of Open University and social contribution to their motherland,” said NRNA president Dev Man Hirachan. The debate over dual citizenship demand of the NRNs had emerged earlier without
making any headway however. “The association which has its network in 57 countries will also review its past performances apart from electing a new team for the next two year term,” added Hirachan.
The visit follows the murder of Nepal Muslim leader Faizan Ahmed. Economic agreements and the treatment of Nepal migrant workers in the emirate are among the trip’s goals. Kathmandu (AsiaNews) – Nepali President Ram Barab Yadav is visiting Qatar six years after the fall of the country’s Hindu monarchy. He is the first Nepali president to be on an official visit to the emirate since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1977. The purpose of the trip, which ends on Thursday, is to reach new agreements on tourism, improve conditions for thousands of Nepali migrants working in Qatar, and ease tensions
with Nepal’s Muslim community. According to some observers, the president will meet some Muslim leaders in order to send positive signals to Nepali Muslims who are still reeling over the death of Faizan Ahmed, the general secretary of the Islami Sangh Nepal (Nepali Islamic Federation), shot to death by unknown gunmen as he left a mosque.
24-hr control room at Dahal announces cadre orientation PM’s office in 2 weeks U
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he government has been making final preparations to set up a control room at Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM) within next two weeks to deal in a timely and effective manner with complaints, obstacles and concerns felt by public. According to OPMCM officials, the control room will be set up before the Tihar festival. The control room will be different from the anti-corruption unit to be set up at OPMCM and the various ministries. The control room will take up and try to settle problems of a public nature ranging from malpractices, delay in service delivery, any kind of crime, and social incidents. “Though the exact name of the control room is yet to be decided, its jurisdiction and scope have been finalized for the most part. It will remain open round the clock, take up matters of public concern and initiate steps to address and resolve as soon as possible any hurdles facing the people,” said Chief Secretary Madhav Ghimire. Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai had instructed officials to
set up a control room at his office after he found the OPMCM gates closed for a few mornings when he had reached there early immediately after assuming the top executive post. Besides taking up public problems and addressing them, the most important task of the control room will be receiving daily progress reports from all the ministries, compiling them and furnishing a compiled report to Prime Minister Bhattarai. “The room will work under the direct supervision of the prime minister and will thus enjoy powers to instruct all the ministries to furnish daily reports to it,” said the source. According to the source, the prime minister will decide the nature of rewards and punishments to be offered to government employees on the basis of such reports. “The control room will promptly instruct the Ministry of Home Affairs, the police or any other government agency concerned based on the nature of the problems and the concern expressed by the public,” said an officer.
CPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has announced an orientation program for party cadres for October 16 even as a rival faction within the party has threatened to boycott it. Party Secretary CP Gajurel, a key leader of the rival faction led by Senior Vice-chairman Mohan Baidya, even threatened to hold a parallel gathering if the party establishment convened the event unilaterally. While Spokesman Dinanath Sharma said the chairman scheduled the program as per a party central committee decision taken previously, Gajurel said the central committee never took such a decision. “There is no barrier to the party chairman convening the orientation program because the party statute mandates him to do so. On top of that, the central committee´s decision
to convene the program has been outstanding for months,” Sharma told Republica. Gajurel refuted claims that the party statute had mandated the chairman to convene such a program on his own. He said the party had already ended the practice of the party chairman taking official decisions by himself. “We have already adopted a system
of collective leadership in the party and any official decision should be taken by party general headquarters comprising seven top party leaders,” said Gajurel. He said party cadres close to their faction would not join the orientation program. “There is no point participating in the event because it is not an official decision,” he said.
Maoists might seek alternative to Bhattarai: Gurung
U
CPN (Maoist) leader Dev Gurung has said if the fourpoint agreement is not amended there might be the need to find an alternative to Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai. Gurung’s such remark comes at a
time when the opposition parties including Nepali Congress and CPNUML and the hard-line faction of the Maoist led by party Vice Chairman Mohan Baidya have been strongly objecting to the four-point pact signed between the Maoists and
the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha. He said it might be essential to think of an alternative if the establishment faction of the Maoists remained firm on the stand regarding the four-point agreement. “We cannot continue to ignore the erroneous activities of the leaders as the future outcome can’t be predicted,” Gurung said. At the programme, UML leader Raguji Panta said a national government might be the only alternative to peace and constitution. However, he added the government led by Baburam Bhattarai could not be given the shape of a national government.
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Saarc international I Thursday 13 October 2011
WEEKLY REVIEW OF SRILANKA NEWS
UPFA bags 21 out of 23 LG bodies UNP wins coveted CMC The SLFP-led UPFA secured 21 out of 23 LG bodies at Saturday’s polls while the UNPwon the Colombo Municipal Council and the government ally, the SLMC, secured the Kalmunai MC, where the TNA came second. The UPFA won the Anuradhapura MC, the Badulla MC, the Dehiwela-Mt. Lavinia MC, the Sri Jayewardenapura Kotte MC, the Moratuwa MC, the Kolonnawa UC, Kotikawatte-the Mulleriyawa Pradeshiya Sabha, the Galle MC, Negombo MC, Gampaha MC, the Hambantota MC, Sooriyawewa PS, the Hambantota PS, the Kandy MC, Kundasale PS, the Kandy Gravets and Gangawatta Korale PS, the Kurunegala MC, the Matale MC, the Matara MC, the Nuwara Eliya MC and the Ratnapura MC. Saturday’s third phase of LG polls covered 23 LG bodies in 13 electoral districts but elections to
two LG bodies in the Vanni East were postponed due to landmine clearing operation. The UPFA secured 250 LG bodies in the first and second phases, TNA 30, UNP 09, SLMC 04,National Congress 02, TULF 02 and Up Country People’s Front (UPFA ally) 01. The JVP failed to secure a single LG body in all three phases. Led by former WPC member A. J. M. Muzammil, the UNP obtained 101,920 (43.01%) votes to win the CMC. The UPFA polled 77,089 votes (32.53%), while the Democratic People’s Alliance, which received the support of the TNA secured 26,229 votes (11.07%). The SLMC, which contested on its own in spite of being invited by the UPFA to field candidates on the UPFA ticket, managed to obtain 9, 979 votes (4.21%). Political sources said that an
Lanka invites expatriate Sri Lanka soon to scrap doctors to return ‘visa on arrival’ system
Sri Lanka Minister of Health Maithripala Sirisena says that 47 state medical centers are closed in the country due to shortage of doctors while 20,000 Sri Lankan doctors are in service in foreign countries. The Minister invites the expatriate doctors to return to the country and provide their services to the countrymen. Of these Sri Lankan doctors, 2,500 are in the UK, 1,500 are in Australia and 3,750 are in US, the Minister said addressing a function held in Colombo. The vast majority of these doctors benefitted from the free education provided with the people’s money, said the Minister.
For every country including India. Singapore and the Maldives the only exceptions From January 1, 2012 all tourists and business travelers traveling to Sri Lanka will need to apply for a visa in advance, via a new online Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system. The aim is to allow the government to more efficiently track people overstaying their welcome, so to speak. On the new website, www. eta.gov.lk, visitors will pay a nonrefundable processing fee of US$50 for tourists, $60 for business travelers or $25 for transit passengers. Tourists may then receive a double-entry 30day permit, and business travelers a multipleentry visa; transit passengers will be allowed to remain in Sri Lanka for up to seven days. Only travlers from Singapore or The Maldives will be exempt because they are the only two
nations who provide Sri Lankans with onarrival visas. Currently Indian citizens are granted a visa-on-arrival in 33 countries and territories, including Malaysia, Hong Kong and Thailand. Similarly, being able to plan an impromptu beach holiday to nearby Sri Lanka used to be one of those privileges Indian passport holders valued.
attempt by the UPFA to persuade some of Muzammil’s team to switch allegiance ahead of the Oct. 8 poll failed to materialise. Addressing the UPFA’s final media briefing at the Mahaweli Centre last Wednesday, MP Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene claimed that several UNP candidates would join the UPFA.
Army to assist Police in handling underworld
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olice have been instructed to obtain the support of the Army to arrest underworld figures, said Director General of the Media Centre for National Security Lakshman Hulugalla today. He said authorities had discussed at several meetings the matter of controlling the menace of unauthorized weapons, thuggery and the underworld. The Army has also been instructed to extend its fullest support to the Police when requested to control anti-social elements and activities. Hulugalla further said the Army has not been instructed to take action against underworld figures or thugs. He added that the government has already lifted the Emergency regulations. “No piece of legislation has been enforced to make the Army take action against underworld figures or thugs by themselves and this a duty which comes under the ambit of the Police,” he added. When contacted, Military Spokesperson Brigadier Nishantha Hapuarachchi said they have been instructed to support the Police whenever they need the support of the Army. But no communique has been delivered to them by the authorities to take actions on their own,he said.
Local govt legislators to be sworn in Sunday
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he newly elected ruling United People’s Freedom Alliance members to the local government bodies are to take their oaths on Sunday (16) while all new legislators are to receive a training on political ethics and law. The heads of the 21 local councils the UPFA won in the third phase of the local government elections on last Saturday (08) will be
sworn in on Sunday before President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees, the national news agency, Lankapuwath reported. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Local Government and Provincial Councils plans to give provide a training program for the newly elected councilors for the 23 local government bodies that polled last Saturday.
Secretary to the Ministry Dr. Nihal Jayathilaka has said that the training will commence from the first week of next month at district level, the state-run radio said. The first workshop of the programme will be held in Gampaha. The training includes local government law, political ethics and many other things related to local government procedures.
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Saarc international I Thursday 13 October 2011
Jagjit Singh passed away
hazal king Jagjit Singh, the soulstirring voice behind ‘Hazaron khwaishe aisi’, ‘Ye kaghaz ki kashti and ‘Jhuki jhuki si nazar’, died Monday morning over a fortnight after he suffered brain haemorrhage. One of the most beloved voices in the Ghazal genre of Indian music Jagjit Singh had developed complications as he ailed from Hypertension, diabetes and heart ailment. He was honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2003. In his condolence message, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said Jagjit Singh made ghazals accessible to everyone and gave joy and pleasure to millions of music lovers in India and abroad. The Prime minister said Jagjit Singh was blessed with a golden voice and will continue to enchant and entertain the people. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said that the untimely death of the gazal singer has left a void which will be difficult to fill. Mrs. Soni said, Jagjit Singh’s compositions were lyrical masterpieces and will remain embedded in everybody’s minds forever. Jagjit singh’s death is being mourned by music lovers across the world and the entire film and music industry. Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said, his passing away is an irreparable loss to the music world. More popularly known as the ‘Ghazal King’, Jagjit Singh, ruled the hearts of millions of music lovers in India and overseas. Jagjeet Singh rose to popularity in
the 1970s and 1980s when he also sang many duet Ghazals with his wife Chitra Singh. The couple became the first and remain till date the most popular married couple singers in modern times. When the genre of Ghazal music was at a time nearing extinction, it was singers like Jagjit Singh who gave this form of music a new life. The President Mrs. Pratibha Devisingh Patil has condoled the death of noted ghazal singer Jagjit Singh. In her condolence message Mrs. Patil said that Jagjit Singh was known for his unique style of Ghazal singing which brought out the deepest and inner most feelings. She said that Mr. Singh connected instantaneously with his audience wherever and whenever he performed in India or abroad. The Hindi film industry mourned the loss of veteran ghazal singer Jagjit Singh, on twitter. Amitabh Bachchan tweeted: ‘The sonorous silk voice of Jagjit Singh silent now !! A great loss to the world of music and Ghazal .. Prayers and condolences.’ Ameesha Patel, who considered the singer as her godfather, reminisced about the evening they had spent together last year. ‘Just last year. What a beautiful evening this was,’ she wrote with the picture (left). Priyanka Chopra, who was in Chennai for a promotional event, wrote: ‘Just landed
into Mumbai 2 the shocking news of Jagjit Singh’s demise.What a loss for us all.He was an institution & will b sorely missed.RIP’
without the contribution of Jagjit Singh. Thank you friend. Thank you!’ he wrote. Karan Johar tweeted: ‘I grew up listening to the brilliance of Jagjit Singh..my mother
the news. ‘Terribly shocked to hear the sad demise of Jagjit Singhji, in u i have lost a dear friend, yr soulful songs will remain till eternity,’ he updated.
Shabana Azmi tweeted: ‘Kisi ki nazar lag gayi hai kala ki duniya ko..jagjit singh no more. His contribution to the ghazal in India is unparallelled. big loss.’ Director Mahesh Bhatt thanked him for his movie Arth. ‘My film ARTH would not have touched the hearts of millions of people
was a big fan and then made me one...RIP sir!!! Loss of a true legend.’ Singer Shreya Ghoshal tweeted: ‘Jagjit Ji passes away. One of the saddest day for all us music lovers. The golden voice will not sing anymore. Rest in peace.’ Madhur Bhandarkar was shocked to hear
Preity Zinta wrote: ‘May god give peace to Mr. Jagjit Singh’s soul ! He was the king of poetry & soulful music; He will live in our hearts forever.... R.I.P’ Lara Dutta tweeted: ‘Very saddened to hear of the demise of Jagjit singh! May his soul rest in peace.’
Harbhajan named ‘Sikh Sportsperson of the Year’ Continued from page 32 >> in the history of Test cricket to claim 400 wickets. Harbhajan Singh was a major contributor to the
Indian cricket team’s victory during the World Cup.” Ironically, the honour comes at a time when Harbhajan has been dropped from the ODI team due to his poor form.
Big B turns 69 Mega star Amitabh Bachchan, who turned 69 on 11th Oct, says one of the best ways to celebrate birthdays is to keep working.
Dr Rami Ranger honoured at World Sikh Awards D
He started his first business in 1987 with just two quid in his pocket but today Dr Rami Ranger MBE overlooks an empire with an annual turnover of £120 million. Dr Ranger is the founder and Managing Director of logistics company Sea Air & Land Forwarding Ltd and Sun Mark Ltd, which focuses on marketing and distribution and was awarded a third consecutive Queens award for Enterprise in 2009, 2010 and 2011. This achievement, along many others made him a worthy winner of the Sikh People’s Choice award at the annual World Sikh Awards which took place in London’s Park Lane last night. Dr Ranger, who has done a lot to serve both the business world and the British Asian community, thanked the Sikh Gurus “who liberated us” adding, “My mum who brought me up single
handedly as my father was assassinated for opposing the partition of United India two months before I was born, to India for instilling right values, my wife for supporting me when I had nothing, to my staff for their loyalty and commitment and the UK for the British sense of fairness.” Dr Ranger was born in India two months after the assassination of his father Shaheed Nanak Singh, an activist who was against the breakup of India on the basis of religion. He has done much to help communities in Britain, having served as chairman of the Pakistan, India and UK Friendship Forum as well as contributing to the political landscape, having founded the British Asian Conservative Link (BACL), encouraging more Asians to become politically involved with the party. He was awarded an MBE by the Queen in 2005. A big believer in philosophy, Dr Ranger believes everyone has their part to play in changing the landscape of the country. Quoting Edmund Burke, he said, “The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing”. Other recipients of the awards were Sikh Air International (UK) (Sikhs in Charities), Simon Singh (UK) (Sikhs in Education), Mrs Gurmeet Kaur Sodhi (USA) (Sikhs in entertainment), Ravi Singh (USA) (Sikhs
in Media), Kulvinder Singh Sihra (Kenya) (Sikhs in Seva) and Stephen Grosz (Special Recognition Award). Grosz won the special recognition award for, over the years, often defended the rights of Sikhs and helped them to assert their identity. Prof Kartar Singh ji was chosen for Sikh Lifetime Achievement award for his dedication to the kirtan music in its original form. The World Sikh Awards were presented by the Sikh Directory. Navdeep Singh, founder of the Sikh Directory Ltd said the Sikh Awards promoted “the values and ethics of the Sikh community including excellence, elegance, loyalty and spirituality. Prof Kartar Singh ji was chosen for Sikh Lifetime Achievement award for his dedication to the kirtan music in its original form.
espite completing 40 years in Bollywood, the ageing actor is not the one to rest on his laurels. He is busy shooting for Ram Gopal Varma’s ‘Department’, despite getting injured on the sets of the film. He is also hosting the season 5 of ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC)’ on Sony TV. “One of the best ways to bring in birthdays is to be working at what you need to be working on…I work because of I need to ….love!!,” Bachchan said. The actor returned home at midnight after shooting for the diwali episodes of KBC and said he could just make it home in time for the clock to strike 12 and for the family to wish him. “The greatest joys of life are in the simple wishes,” he said.
Immediately afterwards, he settled to interact with fans from all over the world on his blog and micro-blogging site twitter. “It is past midnight! It is my birthday today! It is another year gone by! It is stepping in to the 70th year for me! Thank you! Have just been released from the clutches of work form KBC… and here to thank you all for the love and affection you shower!! “They ask me what I wish for my birthday .. why only on the birthday, it should be everyday… I wish another day to pass in peace ! Thank you all once again for all the Birthday wishes … I am so humbled and filled with pride .. you make it all happen .. my love,” he said.
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WHY WEST AT WAR IN AFGHANISTAN After 10 years of war in Afghanistan, more than 100,000 Nato troops remain and tens of thousands have died. Afghanistan civilian deaths up 31% this year, says United Nations. Report says child victims have risen by 55% Why, after a decade, are we still fighting a war in which defeat is inevitable? Why is Britain spending £25 billion a year on defence? Who’s coming to get us? A staggering $20 billion dollars a year is what the US military is spending on air conditioning in Iraq and Afghanistan: enough to give every man, woman and child in those countries $333 each. One must read the first 10 verses of Surah Al Kahaf in order for clear understanding of the Quranic verses & Ahadith written below. In fact we must all read them often. Especially it’s extremely important for those who are mercilessly being killed by slaves of Dajjal in Afghanistan& Pakistan since 1979. The sacred Army of Prophet Eisa (Jesus) (AI) and Imam Mahdi will bring an end to the Christian-Jewish Domination & revert the whole world to Islam and bring absolute peace and tranquility in the world. There are more than 1 Billion Muslims. Now who are the chosen people among Muslim who will get the honor to be in the Army of Mahdi? According to Quran the Jewish & Christian leadership believe in the truth of Quran & Hadith but oppose it like the Satan. So if they know who are t he Army of Mahdi ,they will certainly have planned to kill all those who are told to be among those Sacred ARMIES. In fact they have already started the massive killing in the name of different Illusions in the region of Afghanistan & Pakistan and it’s a pity that their slave Muslims are helping them to do this genocide but this oppression will lead their way to become the Rulers of the world just like at the time of Prophet Musa(Moses), Bani Israel was mercilessly killed but they had patience and then they became the rulers of the World. So don’t be misguided that these innocent oppressed Muslims are weak. Like Quran says about Children of Israel in the Past, same will happen insha Allaha gain. The killers will be destroyed and these weak, innocent Muslims will rise and destroy Dajjal and his Cruel Slaves who are killing them only to please their Kafir Jewish & Chrisitans Lords just like the following verses tells us in Quran And we made people, considered weak (and of no account), Inheritors of lands in both East and West lands― whereon we sent down our blessings. The fair promise of thy Lord was fulfilled for the Children of Israel, because they had patience and constancy, and We leveled to the ground the great works and fine buildings which Pharaoh and his people erected (with such pride). (7:137) Now Let us study Quran & Hadith to find out all about it.
do right, and some that plainly wrong themselves. (37:113) This clearly shows that family of Prophet Isaaq (AI) is divided in two groups both in his life and afterwards (since Quran is for all times till the end of time and not only for the time of Prophet Isaaq(AI) 1-Mulim Bani Ishaq or Bani Israel (Bani Israel also means Bani Ishaq since Isaaq is father of Israel) 2-Non Muslim Bani Ishaq (i.e. the Jews
70 refers to alarge majority) from Bani Isaaq that will stand against Dajjal . Authentic ahadith further tells that this Army will come from the East & that Imam Mahdi will be wearing clothes like Bani Israel (Bani Isaaq) “He would be wearing two Qutwani Cloaks. He will appear exactly as the person from Bani Israeel. He will rule for 20 years and will conquer the cities of the Mushrikeen (Idolaters) (Ref:Kanz-ul-Aamal, Page 268, Hadith No 3868).
few to fight Dajjal (the Jewish King) then which Nation among Muslims will make the Majority of the Army of Mahdi
which make only 2 out of 12 tribes of Bani Isreal / Isaaq) Now Hadith tells about the same mentioned Muslim Bani Ishaq in
When you hear the news of Black Flags coming from the East ,then, you must join them even if you have to crawl over ice(to reach them)( Hadith Ref :
8. They are from a place with cold climate.
Now let us take Help of Quran and Hadith to search for that lucky army. Quran tells us about the two divisions among the Progeny of Prophet Isaaq (AI) We blessed him and Ishâq (Isaac), and of their progeny are (some)that
Saheeh Muslim about their fight against Dajall’s army. Dear Prophet Muhammad (SAW) clearlydescribed an Army of Muslims having large number of Muslims i.e 70 thousand men (in Ahadith the word
Saheeh Trimdi) We see that even the clothes of Imam Mahdi are like that of Muslim Bani Isaaq showing clearly that Imam Mahdi will be living among them. Now we explain the above signs and describe more signsabout that Muslim race that
Now which race among the Muslims has all these 8 Signs? The Pathans living in Afghanistan and Pakistan have all these 5 signs because: 1. They live in the East. 2. They are the only people among Muslims Continued on page 29 >>
Umm Sharik reported: I heard Allah’s Messenger (SAW) as saying: The people would run away from the Dajjal seeking shelter in the mountains. She said: Where would be the Arabs then in that day? He said: They would be very few. SahIh Muslim Book 041,Number 7035 When Umm e Sharik asked “ Where would be the Arabs on that day?” that means that Why the Arabs won’t fight Dajjal” Now if the Arabs are Very
will make up the majority of Army of Mahdi . MUSLIM ARMY OF JESUS & MAHDI & THEIR 8 SIGNS According to Ahadith the main signs of the majority of the Muslims (and the first followers) of the forces of Imam Mahdi and ProphetEisa (AI) are the following. 1. They will come from the East 2. They will be from the race of Bani Ishaq/Al-e-Haroon/Bani-Israel or Nation of Liberated slaves (They all have the same Mmeaning) 3. Their Leader Imam Mahdi will be wearing QUTWANICLOAKS. 4. They will be from the tribe of QAIS . 5. They will come from the historical geographical region of Ancient Khorasan. 6. They will be famous as a fierce warrior nation. 7. They will be from a poor Nation.
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South Asia Tribune I Thursday 13 October 2011
ISLAM & FREEMASONS Continued from page 5 >> at a place called Judea (Yahudea). He will have caused his Jewish parents much distress and pain. The Jews will accept him as “ THE MESSIAH” and become his main followers. He will also have a great number of women followers as well. The entire secular world ( Jews / freemasons, Atheists, Christians,Hindus etc), shall unite under the banner of the Anti-christ against Islam . Islam will be the only force standing between him and the total world domination. Huzaifah(RA) says “” Dajjal will be blind with one eye, this blind eye will be swollen like a grape. There will be a thick finger like object in his eye. The letters ......... “K, F, R” will be written on his forehead (meaning-unbeliever). Every Muslim will be able to read these letters whether he is literate or illiterate. He will travel at great speeds by means of a gigantic animal like a
mule.”” (Muslim & Ahmad) Note on a US Dollar$ bill ,there is a Masonic sign implicating Dajjal, a pyramid with one eye-check it out if you don’t believe it . Underneath which is written ......... “Novus Ordo Seclorum”translated as NEW SECRET ORDER. Historically the control & manipulation of the political opinion was the Freemasons main weapon in gaining control of countries & states. Once in control of the rulers & politicians of the country, laws & political structures could be changed in accordance with their agenda. However restricting the body not necessarily mean restricting the mind, the freemason recognizes that their plan for Global government hinges completely on subduing the masses to their agenda & thus eliminating opposition to their cause & the greatest threat to their plan posing more danger than any army or law is a threat of a free thinking mind. In order to eliminate this threat & to achieve their objectives, the Masons have got a plan, to control every aspect of the human life, your Life & the weapons they are using against you are in your very homes, entertaining you and your children & gradually indoctrinating you without you even realizing. In today’s society people are spending more & more time engaged with the modern media, television, cinema, computer games, the internet. Popular fiction & popular music are integral part of our lives. yet these provide a vast expanse on information which you are taking either consciously or subconsciously into your mind
information on society ranging from ideals & morals & difference between right & wrong to the way economies & the societies should be structured, pass
before you every single day. Islamic world and Freemasons: After Clement XII excommunicated Freemasonry in 1738, under the pressure of his Christian subjects and with the approval of the “ulema” (Islamic theologians) who were
thinking that “If the Pope declares that Freemasons arte atheists, there must be some truth in his words” ,
Sultan Mahmut I outlawed Freemasonry. Since that date “Freemason” became synonym to “atheist” in the Ottoman Empire. After the declaration of the second constitutional monarchy in the Empire (1908), the Islamic reaction organized a revolt in Istanbul. This revolt has been crashed by the “Action Army” and Sultan Abdulhamid II has been dethroned. The Action Army had been organized and commanded by Freemasons. The committee of five deputies that came to announce to Abdulhamit that he had been dethroned, were Freemasons, all five of them. These facts have reinforced the existing reaction to Freemasonry by the radical Islamic community. The Sultan was also the Caliph of Islam and the guardian of the sacred grounds in Mecca and Medina. Anything that happened in the Ottoman Empire influenced the Arab and Islamic world at large.
In the years preceding the Second World War and also during the War, the Nazi propaganda of a Judeo – Masonic plot to govern the world, the actions of Sheriff Hussein in Jerusalem and finally the creation of the State of Israel have all strengthened this antiMasonic feeling, this time with a touch of anti-Semitism going with it. The Arabs regard Freemasonry as a force against Islam, which even makes fun of Islam, and which was the cause of the success of European imperialism in Arabia. The atheist and anti – clerical stance of the Grand Orient of France is reinforcing this current. Freemasonry is outlawed, in general, in Arab countries. There was a flourishing Freemasonry in Algeria, before it gained independence. Freemasonry is prohibited in all Arab countries except Lebanon and Morocco. The lodges laboring in the American bases in these countries are an exception. MOROCCO The Grand Lodge of Morocco has been consecrated by the GLNF in1999. M.W. Bro. Claude Charboniaud, Grand Master of the GLNF, wishing to accomplish this ceremony with the participation of the Grand Master of a Grand Lodge existing in an Islamic country, has gracefully invited the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Turkey, Bro. Sahir Talat Akev, for a joint consecration ceremony. Grand Master could not come because of his ill health and he passed away to the Eternal East, on the 14th June 2000, the day of the consecration of the Grand Lodge of Morocco. The Grand Lodge of Turkey had been represented by another Grand Officer. Earlier, on the 23rd March 1973, the High Court of Casablanca, after a long court procedure, had given the verdict that Freemasonry was compatible with Islam. This verdict has been published in Tesviye No. 51[1], both in Turkish and in its official French translation. EGYPT The Egyptian Freemasonry had been hand in hand with Ottoman Freemasonry. When the Grand Lodge of Turkey, after being recognized and later reconsecrated by the Grand Lodge of Scotland, to obtain its recognition by the UGLE and the G.L. of Ireland, proved that its origin was regular showing that the Lodge Resne, one of its founding lodges, had its charter from the Grand Lodge of Egypt, a regular obedience at the time. The Grand Lodge of Egypt had regular and irregular periods in its history. Halim Pasha, the son od Mehmet Ali Pasha from Kavala who was the first Khedive (viceroy) of Egypt, founded the Scottish Rite in Turkey in 1861 and in Egypt in 1866, and has been supreme Grand Commander in both countries. As the Grand Lodge of Egypt started to accept some irregular rites, as the Rite of Memphis – Misraïm, the UGLE declared it irregular and founded its
own District Grand Lodge in 1867, with Halim Pasha as its first Master. The nephew of Halim Pasha, the Khedive Ismail who had the Suez Channel opened, was probably a Freemason, but there is no written record to prove it. On the other hand, his son has been initiated without any doubt. In 1952, after the King Farouk had been dethroned, Freemasonry was disgraced and was closed after the 1956 Suez crisis, by Gamal Abdelnasser. Today, in spite that the Rotarian wife of Husni Mubarek, President of Egypt, organizes the foreign relations of the Egyptian Rotary, this organization is regarded as a camouflaged Freemasonry by the radical Islamic community. Mustafa El-Amin, in his book, “Freemasonry, Ancient Egypt and the Islamic Destiny” compares the symbolism of the Ancient Egyptian mysteries and Islamic scriptures with those of the craft. According to ElAmin, although the Masonic rites and symbols are derived from Egypt, they have reached us through the Jews.
Thus, the Jews had been operational in the ridiculization of the wisdom of Egypt in Masonic lodges. The writer says that the Shriners, with their fez and crescents are mocking the Islamic religion. The “problem” of “Masonry mocking the Moslem Faith” is also treated by Dr. Paul Rich[2]; he states that: “The prohibition of Masonry in the Muslim Countries of the Middle East is paltry because there are aspects of Masonry which religious people feel verge on mocking their faith. An example of Masonic ritual which offends some, and that shows the gulf between believers and Masons, is the resemblance between the assassination and exhumation of the candidate in the third or Master Mason degree and religious accounts of resurrection. Almost nothing can be said to correct their common interpretation of the third degree that the Mason is saved by Freemasonry and not by religion”. El – Azhar University in Cairo and the Islamic Jurisdictional College. One of the most influential body in promulgating and interpreting Islamic Law is the Islamic Jurisdictional College (IJC). At its meeting on 15 July 1978, it issued an opinion concerning “The Freemasons’ Organization”. The IJC declared: “After complete research concerning this organization, based on written accounts from many sources, we have determined that”[5]:
1. Freemasonry is a clandestine organization, which conceals or reveals its system, depending on the circumstances. Its actual principles are hidden from members, except for chosen members of its higher degrees. 2. The members of the organization, worldwide, are drawn from men without preference for their religion, faith or sect. 3. The organization attracts members on the basis of providing personal benefits. It traps men into being politically active, and its aims are unjust. 4. New members participate in ceremonies of different names and symbols, and are frightened from disobeying its regulations and orders. 5. Members are free to practice their religion, but only members who are atheists are promoted to its higher degrees, based on how much they are willing to serve its dangerous principles and plans. 6. It is a political organization. It has served all revolutions, military and political transformations. In all dangerous changes a relation to this organization
appears either exposed or veiled. 7. It is a Jewish Organization in its roots. Its secret higher international administrative board are Jews and it promotes Zionist activities. 8. Its primary objectives are the distraction of all religions and it distracts Muslims from Islam. 9. It tries to recruit influential financial, political, social, or scientific people to utilize them. It does not consider applicants it cannot utilize. It recruits kings, prime ministers, high government officials and similar individuals. 10. It has branches under different names as a camouflage, so people cannot trace its activities, especially if the name of “Freemasonry” has opposition. These hidden branches are known as Lions, Rotary and others. They have wicked principles that completely contradict the rules of Islam. There is a clear relationship between Freemasonry, Judaism and International Zionism. It has controlled the activities of high Arab officials in the Palestinian problem. It has limited their duties, obligations and activities for the benefit of Judaism and International Zionism. Given that Freemasonry involves itself in dangerous activities, it is a great hazard, with wicked objectives, the Jurisdictional Synod determines that Freemasonry is a dangerous, destructive organization. Any Muslim, who affiliates with it, knowing the truth of its objectives, is an infidel to Islam”.
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Europe’s climate change fear rises climate commissioner, said: ‘’This is encouraging news. The survey shows that the citizens of Europe can see that economic challenges are not the only ones we face. A clear majority of Europeans expect their politicians and business leaders to address the serious climate challenge now.’’ She said it was striking that the public were even more concerned about climate change than in the run-up to the landmark Copenhagen summit on climate change in late 2009. The number of people rating climate
EUROPEANS believe the dangers of climate change represent a more serious problem than the current financial turmoil, according to a major new poll. The Eurobarometer poll found most people in the European Union consider global warming to be one of the world’s most serious problems, with one-fifth saying it is the single most serious problem. Overall, respondents said climate change was the second most serious issue facing the world, after poverty. Connie Hedegaard, European
Remittances drop by 32% Data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Monday showed remittances figures of September had also declined 19% from the monthly average of $1,099 million over the last three months (Jul-Sep FY 2012).Worker remittances have declined by a massive 32% to $890 million in September 2011 compared to $1,310 million in August 2011. Muzammil Aslam, economist at JS Global Capital Limited said that the decline of 32 % in remittances is significant and it should be a cause of concern for government. There are various reasons for this massive decline and some of these could be the Pak-US tense relations that heightened in
September and Eid holidays that reduced the working days last month. “But most importantly it was the three rupee difference between the interbank and open market rates, especially in the last weeks of September, that encouraged people to send remittances through
hawala (illegal gateways of sending money other than banks),” he said. Amid Pak-US tensions in bilateral relations last month, dollar in open market hit Rs91, up Rs3 compared to the interbank rates that were hovering in range of Rs87.50.
World’s cheapest tablet PC ‘Aakash
The world’s cheapest tablet computer, on sale for as little as $35, has been unveiled in India in the latest attempt by the emerging economy to shift from being a global outsourcing centre to one of frugal innovation for lower-income consumers. Last Wednesday’s launch of the Aakash – which means “sky” in Hindi – is designed to boost e-learning to help India solve its education problems and bridge the digital divide that sees Asia’s third-largest economy lag behind its emerging market peers in internet access. “The rich have access to the digital world; the poor and ordinary have been excluded. Aakash will end that digital divide,” said Kapil Sibal, the education minister, who came up with the idea for an ultra low-
cost tablet. The Indian government put out a tender for the tablet to be developed, and plans to sell 100,000 units of the finished product to students in secondary schools for $35. Aakash has the same sized screen as the 7-inch Amazon Kindle Fire, which launched last week to great fanfare for $199, but which has less sophisticated features. Meanwhile, consumers will be able to buy a retail version for about $60. The world’s cheapest tablet PC ‘Aakash’ was launched in India on October 6, 2011. After launching the new tablet PC, the Indian Telecom and Education minister Kapil Sibal
said, “the new tablet is priced at $35 to the students and $60 in the shops”. Around 1,00,000 units of the tablet will be given to the students for free and the first 500 have already handed over to the students. During the launch, the telecom minister said that till now, the poor people were deprived of using the digital devices like the tablets and now with the launch of ‘Aakash’, even poor people can have that access.In India, the poor cannot afford Apple products like the iPad, so the affordable Aakash tablet is like a blessing for the 1.2 billion people.The first units of the Aakash tablet will be bought by the Indian government for $50 each from British company which is assembling the devices in India. However, there were some mixed responses by the students who have received it. The table Aakash has two USB ports, three hour battery life and video conferencing facility, but some of the users said that the device is slow.
change as a very serious problem has risen slightly, from 64 per cent when the poll was last conducted in 2009, to 68 per cent this year. When asked to rank the seriousness of the problem, people put it at 7.4 out of 10, compared with a score of 7.1 out of 10 two years ago. People also said there were economic benefits to tackling climate change, with eight out of 10 people saying that dealing with the problem would provide an economic boost and create jobs. Two years ago, the number was just under two-thirds.
MRF turnover crosses Rs.10,000-cr mark
A combination of factors ranging from ‘inverted import duty structure’ on natural rubber to low import duty on finished tyres had all resulted in a none-too-encouraging bottom line for MRF.MRF has announced that it has crossed the Rs.10,000-crore turnover mark, becoming the first in the Indian tyre industry to do so in any financial year. According to a release from the company, MRF has registered a growth of over 30 per cent over the previous year. Addressing a press conference here on Monday, K.M Mammen, Chairman and Managing Director, said though MRF had breached the Rs.10,000-crore sales number, it had been through a challenging time. Mr. Mammen, however, hastened to add that MRF was better placed vis-à-vis others in the industry in terms of bottom line. Efficient sourcing
To a question, he said that MRF would have to always look at efficient sourcing of inputs and bettering internal cost management systems to improve its bottom line. In this context, he said that MRF would look at overseas acquisition of plantation business. Acquisition route was better than greenfield ventures for MRF as it looked around the world for opportunities, he said. He, however, cautioned that a host of issues such as the size and product mix had to be looked into before arriving at any decision on overseas acquisition. Company officials said that MRF had been taking proactive initiatives and expanded capacities. Its Tiruchi plant would go commercial in the first quarter of next year, they added. Revenue mix.To a question, they said the company had a good mix of revenue from original equipment manufacturers (20 per cent), exports (10 per cent) and replacement market (70 per cent).
China to Invest $1Bln in Kremlin Fund
China Investment Corp., the nation’s sovereign-wealth fund, agreed to invest $1 billion in a Russian private-equity fund, the first foreign commitment to an investment pool championed by President Dmitry Medvedev. “Only four months after we were set up, we have shown that investors want to put money in Russia and believe in Russia’s investment potential,” Kirill Dmitriyev, head of the Russia Direct Investment Fund, said by phone from Beijing, where the agreement was signed during a visit by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. “CIC is one of the biggest and most respected investors
in the world.” China passed Germany as Russia’s biggest trade partner last year, and annual turnover may exceed $70 billion in 2011 and reach $200 billion in 2020, from $59 billion in 2010, Putin said Tuesday. The Kremlin established the fund in June to co-finance international investment amid efforts to deepen capital markets and wean the economy off its dependence on energy exports. Russia will contribute $1 billion and will seek $1 billion to $2 billion from other Chinese investors, Dmitriyev said.
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South Asia Tribune I Thursday 13 October 2011
Ten Major Signs of the Last Day - Has One Just Occurred
DUKHAN (SMOKE) This appears to be totality of environmental pollution (not just smog and haze) that is already wreaking havoc on the earth itself and is bringing about global warming with the consequent impact of earthquakes, hurricanes, flooding etc. The modern industrial economy that Dajjal has authored, appears to be the greatest culprit of environmental pollution in the world today. In other words, we have been tricked into causing Dukhan (smoke) which in turn spawns global warming and eventual climatic disaster. And Allah Knows best! However, it is important that we note that there are several Ahadith in Sahih Bukhari that declare the sign of Dukhan (smoke) already appeared in the lifetime of the blessed Prophet. D’ABBATUL ARD (THE BEAST OF THE LAND OR EARTH) I have argued in ‘Jerusalem in the Qur’an’ that the beast of the earth’ is, in fact, the imposter State of Israel that now occupies the Holy Land. The learned Shaikh, Safar alHawali, holds the view that the ‘beast’ is the Zionist Movement. And Allah Knows best! THE SUN WOULD RISE FROM THE WEST Those who interpret this sign literally assume that the order of nature would be reversed despite the Qur’anic declaration that there can be no change in Allah’s creation (of that natural order): “So set thou thy face steadily and truly to the faith: (establish) Allah’s handiwork according to the pattern on which He has made mankind: no change (can there be) in Allah’s creation: that is the standard religion: but most among mankind understand not.” (Qur’an, al-Rum, 30:30) They also do so despite the specific declaration of Prophet Abraham (peace and
blessings of Allah Most High be upon him) that his Lord-God causes the sun to rise from the East. Abraham then proceeded to challenge the King to cause the sun to rise from the West if he possessed power greater
Shiekh Imran Hossein
Tribune Comment than Allah’s: Hast thou not turned thy vision to one who disputed with Abraham about his Lord, because Allah had granted him power? Abraham said: “My Lord is He Who giveth life and death.” He said: “I give life and death.” Said Abraham: “But it is Allah that causeth the sun to rise from the East do thou then cause it to rise from the West!” Thus was he confounded who (in arrogance) rejected Faith. Nor doth Allah give guidance to a people unjust. (Qur’an, al-Baqarah, 2:258) And so they wait for that western sunrise as an event that would literally occur, while ignoring the basic rule that no Hadith can contradict the Qur’an. But this sign has provoked numerous other non-literal interpretations, all of which agree that it has already occurred. Our view is that the rising of the sun from the West symbolizes an upside– down world in which
mankind is led by their noses to a way of life which would be the very opposite of that natural way ordained by Allah. Natural money, for example, so identified in the Qur’an, is derived from precious metals. When such money is in short supply in a market such as Madina’s, then a substitute in the form of commodities such as wheat, barley, dates, salt, etc., can temporarily take its place. Around the world today that natural money with intrinsic value has been displaced by artificial money with no intrinsic value and it is used as an instrument of oppression. That upside-down unnatural way of life has already been accepted by most of mankind. In this sense, therefore, the sun is already rising from the West. And Allah Knows best! THREE SINKINGS OF THE EARTH Many terrible earthquakes have already occurred in history. They have no relevance to our subject. We are concerned with three major ‘sinkings of the earth’ that would occur at a specific moment in history, i.e., they would occur at a time that would herald the return of Jesus, the Messiah, the son of Mary, and Messenger of Allah Most High. One would occur in the East, the second in the West, and the third in Arabia. When the third one takes place, the world of Islam would suddenly and dazzlingly reenter the affairs of the Arabian peninsular, as well as of the world, in the same revolutionary way that it did in the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah Most High be upon him). This appears to be the meaning of the last of the major signs (prior to the return of Jesus) mentioned by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah Most High be upon him), i.e., that a fire would come out of Yemen and drive people to their place of assembly (i.e.,
for judgment) which is Arafat in Arabia. THE EARTHQUAKE IN THE EAST I believe that the recent massive earthquake and resultant Tsunami in South East Asia which has claimed many more than 100,000 lives, is the earthquake of the East mentioned by Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah Most High be upon him) in the ten major Signs of the Last Day. It could thus be the first of three such earthquakes heralding the return of Jesus (peace and blessings of Allah Most High be upon him). I came to this conclusion because of the following reasons: Firstly, the prophecy of the blessed Prophet is that a ‘khasf’ would occur in the East, i.e., the earth sinks down or caves in. A ‘Tsunami’ is defined as a sea wave of local or distant origin that results from large-scale seafloor displacements associated with large earthquakes, major submarine slides, or exploding volcanic islands. When this recent displacement of the earth occurred under the sea, and consequently resulted in the massive Tsunami, it ensured that those who have maliciously concealed the Truth time and again in history could not conceal this major Sign of the Last Day. The magnitude of the event, i.e., the severity of the earthquake (9 on the Richter scale) and, more importantly, the massive damage already done and still unfolding, makes it absolutely unique for mankind today. Secondly, I am impressed by the location of the event - it occurred in that East which is clearly east of Madinah. Thirdly, and most important of all, I would like to direct attention to the time that it occurred. This was after the liberation of the Holy Land (1917), and return of the Jews to reclaim the Holy Land as their own (1918-
1948). It was also after the restoration of a State of Israel in the Holy Land (1948) and the growth of Israel to become a superpower in the world (i.e., the present). Finally it occurred at precisely that time when Israel is about to wage her big war of massive territorial expansion after which Israel would replace USA as the ruling state in the world. Jesus cannot return until all these things have occurred. It has also occurred at that time when the prophecy of the Prophet concerning the abandonment of the Hajj seems about to be fulfilled. The Hajj would pose a gigantic security threat to the present Saudi ruling elite whenever Israel wages its big war and assumes rule over the world. And it has occurred at just that time when the US dollar has begun its perhaps irreversible decline that might culminate in its collapse. Such a collapse would also bring down all the paper-money in the world and electronic money, controlled by the Jewish-controlled banking system, would then control all the money in the money-system of the world. This momentous Sign in the East that occurred at the end of December 2004 appears, therefore, to be a sign to mankind warning that dangerous change in the world will soon take place. It appears to be the first of the three major earthquakes, or ‘sinkings of the earth’, as prophesied by Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah Most High be upon him), which would herald the return of the true Messiah, Jesus the son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah Most High. If we are correct, and Allah Knows best, then the world has to await only two more such major events before the son of Mary returns to liberate us from the oppressors who now rule the world.
Pakistani Test greats drawn into cricket spot-fixing trial Continued from page 32 >> England at Lord’s. It is alleged British-born Majeed conspired with Pakistan’s former Test captain, Salman Butt, 27, and fast bowlers Mohammad Asif, 29, and Mohammad Amir, 19, to bowl three predicted no balls to order. The court heard the odds of this happening by chance were 1.5 million to one. Majeed is alleged to have been in contact with a betting syndicate in India where up to $1billion can be wagered in a one-day match. He also boasted of connections with former England cricket stars. They were not accused of match-fixing but Majeed said he could use his contacts to help promote a proposed cricket tournament in the United Arab Emirates. Butt and Asif deny conspiracy to cheat and to accept corrupt payments. A cricket agent asked for $1.2 million to arrange for Pakistan to throw a Test match against England, a court has heard. Daily Mail reports on Tuesady. Mazhar Majeed, 36, was secretly recorded discussing deliberately losing last summer’s game at the Oval with a mysterious contact in India, London’s Southwark Crown Court was told. He allegedly claimed it was ‘not a problem’ to fix the match result and referred to the number of players working with him, saying: ‘Boss, you know how many I’ve got, you know that they do it.’Majeed called his Indian contact on the morning of August 21 last year, the final day of the Oval Test, in the presence of former News of the World undercover reporter Mazher Mahmood, the court heard. The
agent told the unnamed man: ‘You know what we spoke about last night, what offer can you give me for today’s game? Tell me, just give me a figure now, we haven’t got long. ‘There’s a possibility, I’m telling you that now, but they’re talking at least 1.2 (million dollars - £768,000) - at least.’Majeed went on: ‘Boss, you know how many I’ve got, you know that they do it. So of course that’s not a problem. But you just give me the figure and I’m going to get back to you.’ Australian cricket ‘fix’ claims rejected Court testimony suggesting Australian cricketers are the world’s biggest match-fixers has been rejected by Australian cricket’s governing body. London’s Southwark Crown Court heard on Monday that sports agent Mazhar Majeed had said Australians were “the biggest” when it came to rigging games. Cricket Australia slams ‘outlandish’ allegations Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland says claims made in a London court over Australian matchfixing are “outlandish and made by a person of dubious repute.” “These would appear to be baseless allegations,” Sutherland added, saying that he would have been made aware by the International Cricket Council if Australians were involved in any match-fixing. The recordings were made by the prosecution’s chief witness Mazhar Mahmood, the undercover journalist who was working for the now-defunct British tabloid The News of the World. The recording were played at London’s Southwark crown court on the fourth day of the trial. Cricketers Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif are accused of fixing parts of a Lord’s Test match, which they deny. The court had heard that Mr Majeed, 36, made his claims
while talking to an undercover journalist. Recorded conversation The agent alleged that Australian players would fix “brackets”, a set period of a match on which people bet on activity - for example, how many runs will be scored. “The Australians, they are the biggest. They have 10 brackets a game,” Mr Majeed said in a covert recording played to the court. Prosecutors allege that Mr Majeed, from Croydon, south London, conspired with Mr Butt, 27, and Mr Asif, 28, to fix parts of the Lord’s Test between England and Pakistan last August. At the trial, which began in Southwark Crown Court last week, Mr Majeed also boasted to News of the World undercover reporter Mazher Mahmood that he knew US and British actors and sportsmen who could lend some glamour to a proposed tournament. Mr Mahmood was posing as a rich Indian businessman seeking major international players for a tournament. He appeared in court behind a screen on Monday. He discussed match-fixing with Mr Majeed on 18 August last year. Mr Majeed said in the recording of that meeting: “It’s been happening for centuries. It’s been happening for years. [Pakistani cricketers] Wasim, Waqar, Ijaz Ahmed, Moin Khan - they all did it.” ‘No place for corruption’ Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said he would speak to ICC officials about the claims made by Mr Majeed and said Cricket Australia would issue life bans to any players found guilty of match-fixing. “There is nothing that I have at hand to suggest that these are anything but baseless and outlandish allegations,” he
said. “I’m very confident that through my dealings with the ICC that if there was issues of concern, or players who were being monitored or looked at closely, that I would understand more about that. “Cricket Australia has a very strong view about corruption, and that is there is no place for corruption in our sport.” He added that if there was any credible evidence against Australian players, “then we will work with the ICC to ensure that that is investigated with vigour”. The case continues.
Rahim leads Bangladesh to win over Windies Continued from page 32 >> Bangladesh to 135-7 after they had restricted West Indies to 132-8. The hosts had been set for a cliffhanger finish with 20 runs needed in the final two overs on a sluggish Mirpur wicket, but Rahim and Nasir Hossain took 14 runs in the penultimate over to bring the equation down to six runs in six balls. Rampaul conceded only two runs in his first four balls before Rahim’s huge six over mid-wicket made the home crowd scream with joy. The defeat was hard for Marlon Samuels, who scored 58 off 42 balls with two fours and four sixes to give West Indies some respectability before celebrating his return to international cricket as a bowler with 2-14.
South Asia Tribune I Thursday 13 October 2011
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WHY WEST AT WAR IN AFGHANISTAN Continued from page 25 >> considered to beamong the lost tribes of Israel i.e from Bani Israel/BaniIshaq/Al e Haroon /Nation of liberated slaves. 3. They wear clothes like Imam Mahdi i.e the QUTWANICLOAKS.
4. They will be from the tribe of QAIS . 5. They live in the region of ancient Khorasan. 6. They belong to very poor nation. 7. They are considered to be a fierce Warrior Race. 8. They are from a place with cold climate. In fact according to ahadith (see sign 2 below), only the Muslims from Bani Israel or Bani Ishaak from the East will be left inthe end to fight the jewish King Dajjal and that it’s so important for the leadership of the people of the book to eliminate and kill Muslims Bani Israel of the East. This is evident from the events in Afghanistan since 1979 and in Pakistan where nonstop massive killing of this nation continues for more than 30 years using different reasons such as fake Afghan Jihad illusion, or the Taliban / Al Qaeda Illusion, Baluch Liberation Army , MQM Illusions etc. Important Note: By above signs do not be fooled by Jewish sponsored TALIBAN or fraud AL QAEDA. And the fraud so-called anti-terrorism campaign by USA & Pakistan in the Pashtun areas of Pakistan. WHY ANTI TERROR CAMPAIGN NEVER TOUCH THE NON PASHTUN AREAS??? These fitna (afflictions) are a work of Jews to make a reason for them as scare of the Pashtun race. Taliban is the dirtiest fitna of this time that is a product of CIA with the help of some Muslim countries
& using its name innocent common Pashtuns are mercilessly killed both in Afghanistan and Pakistan The proof of all these signs is discussed one by one below: THE JEWS & CHRISTIANS
Afghanistan) that at that place are treasures of Allah, but these are not of gold and silver but consist of people who have recognized Allah as they should have. Reference: Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir al-zaman, p.59 Note: After reading the following ahadith some people (who are victims of illusions of DAJJAL) consider the Jewish sponsored TALIBAN or the Al Qaeda as the Army of Mahdi which is totally wrong since both these are American CIA sponsored afflictions made to do the massive killing of the people of these areas.
MILES 1ST SIGN MADHI’S FORCES WILL ALSO COME FROM EAST (Like some of the Dajjal also and that’s one of the illusions) 1. Adbullah bin Haris (R.A) reported that Dear Prophet (SAW) said, In Some people will come out from the EAST who will make Caliphate (Islamic rule) easy for Imam Mahdi. *1*1*Reference Ibn-e-Majah 4088
EIGHT SIGNS OF ARMY OF IMAM MAHDI and PROPHET JESUS (AI) PROOF OF AFGHANISTAN, KABUL LATITUDE: 34°30´N
The following authentic hadith proves that 1) The Arabs will Attack the Army of Mahdi coming from the East, 2) The Arabs will be the first to attack Imam Mahdi in the Holy Mosque (Baitul Haram), 3) The Arabs will not help the Army of Mahdi from the East and therefore Army of Mahdi will fight with the Arabs. 2. Thawban (R.A) reported that Dear
LONGITUDE: 69°10´E QIBLA(34.5°, 69.16°) = 250° 52.86´ DIRECTION PROVIDED IS FROM TRUE NORTH. DISTANCE TO MECCA = 1996.91
Prophet (SAW) said, In your old age three men will be killed. Each of them will be the son of a Khalifah. Then the black banners will come out of the east, *1 and they will slaughter you in a way
KNOW ABOUT THESE SIGNS Those to whom We gave the Scripture (Jews and Christians) recognise him (Muhammad SAW or the Ka’bah at Makkah) as they recognise their sons. But verily, a party of them conceal the truth
while they know it – So if the Jews know about it, then they are definitely trying to kill as many as they can from the Muslim Nation that will bring an end to the Jewish and Christian powers. They already started this genocide of Army of Mahdi by using the illusion of so called Afghan Jihad that started in 1979....and till now they are doing the massacre using their own sponsored TALIBAN and the AL QAEDA who serves their purpose of killing of innocent Muslims prophesized to be the Army of Mahdi insha Allah The massive killing and opression upon this nation is even prophesized in hadith. The following hadith clearly tells the reason for the massive killing of the people in this area. Pity poor Taliqan (a region in
that no Nation has ever done before. Then Dear Prophet (SAW) said something that I didn’t remember. Then again dear Prophet(SAW) said if you see him give him your allegiance, even if you have to crawl over ice, because he is the Khalifah of Allah, the Mahdi. *2 2 Reference Ibne Majah Page 300, Also in Ahmad’s Musnad, al-Haakim’s Mustadrak and others.). The following hadith number 2further explains why the army with BLACK FLAGS FROM THE EAST will Kill the Arabs. It tells us that the custodians of the Holy Mosques will attack them first and stop them from entering the holy Mosques. Also mentioned in Quran at 2:114 3.Narrated by Hazrat Abu Huraira(radi Allah Anho) from Hazrat Abu Qatada: Dear Prophet (SAW) said: People will be given allegiance (Beyat) to person (i.e Mahdi) between the Ruken (Hajr-e-Aswad) and Mukam (Mukam-e-Ebraheem) and no one else but the same people who are related to that place(citizens of Makkah) will destroy the respect of Kabah (as they will attack Mahdi in Kabah where fighting is forbidden) and when they will declare it Halal then do not ask about the killing of the ARABS (there will be a mass killing of arabs). Then Ethopians(Africans) will come and they will desolate it in such a way that it would never be a habitat and these will be the people who will take out itstreasure.*3 *3 Reference :Masnad Imam Ahmad 35/15. Also Mustadrik J5 Page 456. 4. Narrated by Hazrat Abdullah Bin Masood (raddi Allahanho) that Dear Prophet (SAW) said: A Nation will come from the East with Black Flags and they will ask for some “Khair” (because of them being needy) but the people will not give them, then, they will fight and win over those people(who didn’t give them what they asked).Now the people will give them what they askedfor but they will not accept it until they will hand it over to a person from my progeny who will fill this earth with Justice just as it was previoulsy filled with oppression and tyranny .So if anyone of you find this Nation( i. e from the East with black flags) then you must join them even if you have to crawl over ice, because he is the Khalifah of Allah,
Report Illegal Immigrants To Authorities, David Cameron Urges Continued from page 1 >> said the government needed help from the public. “I want everyone in the country to help, including by reporting suspected illegal immigrants to our Border Agency through the Crimestoppers phone line or through the Border Agency website,” he said. “Together we will reclaim our borders and send illegal immigrants home.” Blaming the last government’s points-based system for failing to stem recent rises in net migration, Cameron said the coalition’s changes to the system
had led to fewer unskilled people entering the UK. However the PM acknowledged that some migrants worked harder than people born in Britain, and suggested this was why many new jobs created over the past decade had gone to foreigners. Cameron said the government would introduce a new approach to immigration which would reduce “boxticking” in the system. He said the government had listened to big business, and would make it easier for international companies to deploy their staff in the UK from overseas. In a speech designed to reassure voters that the
Conservative party is still committed to combatting immigration, he also said the Home Office would consult on making forced marriage illegal across the UK. The prime minister admitted that the government were “powerless” to address EU immigration. However he added that “the large net migration has predominately been caused by immigration from outside the EU, not from within it,” saying he believed inward migration from the EU was being balanced by people leaving Britain to live in other European countries. The plans have already been condemned as
“misconceived” by pressure group Justice with senior legal officer Jodie Blackstock, saying: “The Prime Minister’s announced changes are misconceived; on the complex and sensitive issue of forced marriages much more work needs to be done to ensure professionals are seeking protection orders and that these are working in practice before suggesting criminalising breach will have any positive impact. “No further change to the law on immigration removal is necessary and any change that dilutes or purports to limit Article 8 ECHR rights would simply be unlawful. “
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South Asia Tribune I Thursday 13 October 2011
How American Made Another Failed State Continued from page 17 There have been no opportunities for optimism. As we drive the clogged streets through clouds of brown dust, I watch as small children with huge sacks slung across their backs pick at scraps along the streets. Men pull huge carts filled with scrap metal. Beggars on crutches stand in the streets or lie by the street side, hoping for any generosity from the passing cars. Not a single sector of public or private life is running properly. Tension is high. The people may appear unwelcoming and angry, because they are. Hakim tells us you may see people in a heated argument end it by laughing. In order to diffuse the tension of the moment, they shift to a joke. Attacks in Kabul are on the rise. In just the last month there has been the brazen attack at the US embassy as well as the suicide bombing that killed Rabbani, an advisor for the Karzai government as well as a warlord, (responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands, engaged in ‘peace talks’ with the Taliban), in his own home.
We are told that it might be best to avoid following a routine. Do not to travel alone. Do not go out at night. Do not linger outside of our car, or our apartment. It’s best not draw attention to ourselves. We are reminded that not only do Afghans distrust foreigners, but also, many have come to hate us over these ten long years. Ten years. Untold numbers of deaths, 200 billion dollars (or is it 300 billion?) spent on eradicating the Taliban, eliminating a safe haven for Al Qaeda, and stabilizing Afghanistan, to date, all lost causes. The Karzai government is either despised or mocked. The people recognize it for what it is, a puppet regime that is not responsible to the Afghan people but to outside forces. Corruption is rampant, crushing poverty everywhere. Allegiances shift easily as desperation and greed drive people to make decisions based on possible cash rewards. Nothing works. The education system, the health care system, and the public works systems are in tatters. The various police forces, even in the safest sections of Kabul, can’t (or won’t) stop the violence. The Red Cross states that Afghanistan is more dangerous now than at anytime in the last 30 years. You can’t drink the
water from the tap, electricity goes off and on in rolling blackouts, the sewer system is archaic, with open trenches of raw sewerage running through the streets. There is no garbage collection. 200 billion dollars spent and there is little to nothing to show for it. Family systems are in tatters as well. Everywhere you turn, family members have been lost to war. Hundreds of thousands dead, hundreds of thousands maimed. War has divided families and dispersed the fragments throughout the country. Civil society is falling apart because people have lost a sense of community, things have deteriorated to ‘everyone for themselves’. Distrust is a cancer spread throughout society. Ethnic groups distrust each other even more than usual. Business associates distrust each other, neighbors distrust each other, and even family members distrust each other. To most of the population, peace is an impossibility. Most feel a turn toward more violence is inevitable. Possibilities of
peace are not part of the dialogue, few are even willing to voice the words ‘peace’ or ‘non-violence’. Most people only talk about selecting the best of several very poor possibilities and all of these options are militaristic ones. People are being squeezed between the insurgency and occupying powers. For some, especially in Kabul, the best of the poor choices is continuing on the path of US occupation. The sense of hopelessness is palpable, people feel there is no way out. Harun, a young Pastun tells us, “Perhaps Afghans just need to suffer more.” I ask myself, “What am i doing here?” This entails the broader question, “Why are we, America, here?” Former President Bush famously said, “We will fight them over there so we do not to fight them over here.” I don’t think it ever dawned on him that if we don’t fight them over there, we might not need to fight them at all. America’s continuing involvement is a
difficult issue. If you believe a common thread of American exceptionalism, that America is good and only wants what is best, bringing “democracy”, “freedom” and “human rights” to the people of the world, when do we relent? If nothing is going right in Afghanistan and our presence only brings
more militarization and more misery, when is it time to leave? Under the exceptionalism model, America can’t lose, or surrender, it is simply too shameful to admit mistakes, too embarrassing to admit that the world’s most advanced military can not achieve it’s objectives in a country already devastated by years of war. Few choices remain except to stay the course.
If you believe another common thread of American discourse, Afghanistan is only getting what it deserves. Harboring the terrorist group responsible for 9/11 bears a heavy price tag. But ten long years have past. The Taliban are not defeated, and it is getting harder to define who, exactly, the Taliban are. If a farmer picks up a weapon to defend his land and his family, he is defined as Taliban. If a local worker in the CIA office in Kabul begins shooting employees, he is Taliban. This is not necessarily true. Some tribes have resorted to violence against all outsiders. They do not differentiate between NATO forces, American forces and Taliban forces, they defend themselves against them all. As the situation deteriorates and the international community continues to defend it’s presence here with lies, distortions, and intransigence, hatred grows. Hopelessness grows. People with no ties to religious fundamentalism resort to violence and are then added to the list of Taliban. Hakim says with a smile, “Soon, everyone in Afghanistan will be labeled Taliban.” People in the U.S. are misled, fed a rote formula of religious fundamentalism fueling insurgency because they hate what we represent. The Afghan people do not hate what we represent, they hate what we do to their families, their community, their tribes, and their country. I do not blame them. Retaliation and retribution only assure us that future acts of violence are inevitable. When President Obama received the Nobel Peace Prize, he schooled us on why Martin Luther King was naive, why violence was a necessary
component of fighting terrorism. He did not school us on how state violence creates terrorists and ensures continuing cycles of mayhem. Now seems a good time for a joke. Ryan Crocker, the new ambassador to Afghanistan recommends more of the same. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, he states, “The Taliban needs to feel more pain before you get to a real readiness to reconcile.” The interviewer did not question this subtle ridiculousness; perhaps he was too busy laughing out loud. So the current dynamic is a lose/ lose situation for America as well as Afghanistan. American children continue to be deprived of basic health care, education, and food safety as money flows endlessly into the open pit of American militarism. American defense contractors continue to benefit. Our elected officials, proving they are “tough on terrorism” get re-elected. The Afghan people continue to suffer. Afghan children will be deprived of the same things as America’s children, but to a degree 100 times worse. Hatred will continue to fester. Out of necessity, Afghans will become masters of comic timing. America is not, and will not be safer for the misery imposed on Afghanistan. In closing, here is a final joke to diffuse the tension. It is still funny, though it has been repeated ad-infinitum by America’s politicians and pundits: America is winning in Afghanistan. Johnny Barber is currently in Afghanistan as a member of a delegation from Voices for Creative Non-Violence. He has traveled to Iraq, Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and Gaza to bear witness and document the suffering of people who are affected by war. His work can be viewed at: www. oneBrightpearl-jb.blogspot.com and www.oneBrightpearl.com
South Asia Tribune I Thursday 13 October 2011
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South Asia Tribune I Thursday 13 October 2011
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Sports
Harbhajan named ‘Sikh Sportsperson of the Year’ Feisty Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh was chosen ‘Sikh Sportsperson of the Year’ at the World Sikh Awards 2011 for his “contribution to the Indian cricket team’s World Cup triumph”. Harbhajan, however, could not receive the award personally, in London as he was busy leading Mumbai Indians to the
Champions League Twenty20 title. The citation for him read, “Harbhajan Singh Plaha, born July 3, 1980 is a Professional Indian cricketer. A specialist bowler, he has the second highest number of Test wickets by an off-spinner. He is the 11th bowler Continued on page 24 >>
Pakistani Test greats drawn into cricket spot-fixing trial ‘Waqar and Wasim … they all did it,’ agent Mazhar Majeed alleged in recording made by journalist and played to court
Agent Majeed allegedly recorded demanding $1.2m for Pakistan to lose Test at The Oval : Mail TWO of cricket’s greatest ever players took part in match-fixing, it was sensationally claimed ¬yesterday in the sport’s trial of the century. Pakistan legends Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram were named by sports agent Mazhar Majeed who told an undercover reporter: “It’s been going on for centuries. Every sport has it. Football, horse-racing, even tennis.” Majeed went on to claim that Australian cricketers were “the biggest” when it came to rigging
games. The claims were made in a secretly recorded conversation between Majeed and News Of The World investigator Mazher Mahmood who was posing as an Indian businessman. Fast bowler Younis, 39, Pakistan’s youngest-ever Test captain, went on to coach the national team while Akram, 45, was one of the greatest all-rounders. Majeed also named Pakistan coach Ijaz Ahmed and ex-wicket keeper
Moin Khan. He claimed: “Wasim and Waqar, Ijaz Ahmed, Moin Khan all did it.” The claims were made after Mr Mahmood took to the witness box at London’s Southwark Crown Court, giving evidence behind three screens to conceal his
identity. Mr Mahmood told how he allegedly smashed a match-fixing ring using a hidden ¬camera to record footage of him handing over £150,000 in return for Pakistani players bowling no balls in last summer’s Test match against Continued on page 28 >>
Rahim leads Bangladesh to win over Windies Mushfiqur Rahim led Bangladesh from the front with 41 not out as the home side ended their 12-match losing streak in Twenty20 internationals with a three-wicket win over West Indies on Tuesday.
Rahim, playing his first game as captain since replacing Shakib Al Hasan, hit a six off paceman Ravi Rampaul in the penultimate delivery of the last over, taking Continued on page 28 >>
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