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Updated on October 25, 2002 |
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clips are sponsored by the Indian American Center for Political Awareness (www.)
--- South Asian News, August 19, 2002 ---(Weekend International)
In a new twist in the Daniel Pearl killing investigations, police say he was slain by an Arab after he tried to escape from kidnappers. Talks have begun in Indian-administered Kashmir between separatist leaders and a non-governmental group to find a solution to the long-running Kashmir dispute. India emerges as Asia's top exporter of grain ahead of heavyweights Thailand and China.
Africa
* New twist in Pearl case (News24)
America
N/A
Asia-Pacific
* India rules out demobilization of troops along border with Pakistan (Xinhuanet)
* 7 militants killed in Jammu, Kashmir (Xinhuanet)
* Indian cabinet seeks president rule in dispute with Election Commission (Xinhuanet)
* Filing of election nominations papers starts in Pakistan on Monday (Xinhuanet)
* 15 killed in India-controlled Kashmir (Xinhuanet)
* Pakistani missionary school seeks site abroad (Australian Broadcasting)
* Pakistani Christian school closes after shooting deaths (Australian Broadcasting)
* US General warns of growing extremism in Pakistan (Australian Broadcasting)
* Benazir: I'll run for premier in October (Malay Star) (Channelnews Asia)
* Indian cabinet to seek President's advice on Gujarat elections (Channelnews Asia)
* Fresh dialogue on future of Indian Kashmir gets underway (Channelnews Asia) (Australian Braodcasting)
Europe
* Fresh talks with Kashmiri separatists (BBC)
* Separatists to meet with Indian PM (Guardian)
* India gauges Kashmir vote (BBC)
* Tamil Tigers exercise sea rights (BBC)
* Row over Gujarat poll ruling (BBC)
* New claims about killing of US reporter Pearl (Ananova)
Middle East
* Mahajan rejects demand for DNA test (Arab News)
* Fresh talks on Kashmir starts (Arab News) (Gulf Daily News)
* Election Commission rejects snap poll in Gujarat (Arab News)
* Indian forces claim of vacating Pak soldiers from mountain top (IRNA)
* India's FM rules out troops demobilization from LoC in J&K (IRNA)
* Suspects on Christian attacks sent on judicial remand (IRNA)
* Pressure for talks to mount on India at UN session: Pak analyst (IRNA)
* India blamed for attacks on Christian sites (Gulf News)
* Nasrullah not to contest polls again (Gulf News)
* Bhutto says she will run for Premier in October (Theran Times)
* Lanka premier calls for patience (Gulf Daily News)
Editorial/Opinion
N/A
Business/Technology
* India's investment inflows up record 106 percent (IRNA)
* India emerges top Asian exporter of grain (IRNA)
* Indian stock markets recover (Arab News)
* India's foreign reserves decline (Xinhuanet)
* Indian government approves production of advanced GSLV (Xinhuanet)
Africa
* New twist in Pearl case
Karachi, Pakistan - Wall Street Journal correspondent Daniel Pearl was slain by an Arab after he tried to escape from kidnappers who seized him eight days earlier, police said on Sunday. Two investigators, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the information was gleaned from three men who led police in May to a body that was identified by DNA tests as that of Pearl. The three - Naeem Bukhari, Fazal Karim and Zubair Chishti - have not been charged in the Pearl case, and Pakistani authorities have not even acknowledged publicly that they are in custody.
http://www.news24.com/News24/World/Asia/0,1113,2-10-20_1243774,00.html
America
N/A
Asia-Pacific
* India rules out demobilization of troops along border with Pakistan
New Delhi, August 17 -- External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha Saturday ruled out demobilization of Indian troops from the border with Pakistan in the "near future." India would protect its sovereignty firmly and with full strength, Sinha said at a seminar organized by the Vinoba Bhave University in Hazaribath in east India's Bihar state. He also accused Islamabad of trying to disrupt the poll processin Jammu and Kashmir by targeting political leaders and innocent civilians and said that "we will leave nothing to chance to ensurea free and fair election in the state."
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2002-08/17/content_528556.htm
* 7 militants killed in Jammu, Kashmir
New Delhi , August 17 -- Seven militants were killed in separate encounters with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir, where one militant was nabbed since Friday evening, an official spokesman said Saturday. Three militants, two of them identified as self-styled deputy district commander of Lashkar-e-Toiba, Mohammad Yousuf and Rafiq, both Pakistan nationals, were killed during an encounter with security forces at Wanidhorus-Lolab in frontier district of Kupwara Saturday, he said. The third militant could not be identified but is believed to be a local, the spokesman added.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2002-08/17/content_528531.htm
* Indian cabinet seeks president rule in dispute with Election Commission
New Delhi, August 18 -- The Indian cabinet decided on Sunday to seek president rule in its controversy with the Election Commission on a proposed early election in the west state of Gujarat. Emerging from an hour-long meeting of the cabinet, Consumer Affairs Minister Sharad Yadav told the press that the meeting discussed Election Commission's order last Friday, which ruled out elections in the riot-hit state by October as proposed by the government and suggested to hold the polls in November or December. Last month, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the state government demanded early elections so that a new assembly could be constituted in Gujarat before October 6, six months after the last sitting of the current assembly.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2002-08/18/content_529062.htm
* Filing of election nominations papers starts in Pakistan on Monday
Islamabad, August 18 -- Filing of nomination papers of the general elections to National and Provincial Assemblies in Pakistan is to start on Monday, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported on Sunday. After the revision in the number of seats, the 332 member houseof the National Assembly has 60 seats reserved for women and 10 for minorities. The seats for the provincial assemblies have also been revised and now Punjab Assembly will consist of 371 members including 66 women and eight minorities, Baluchistan Assembly will have 65 members including 11 women and three minorities, NWFP (Northwest Frontier province) Assembly will have 124 members which will include 22 women and three minority members, while Sindh Assembly will have 168 members which will include 29 women and nine minority members.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2002-08/18/content_529049.htm
* 15 killed in India-controlled Kashmir
New Delhi, August 18 -- With just a month before scheduled elections in India-controlled Kashmir, Indian army troops claimed to foiled a major infiltration bid from across the line of control, killing eight militants Saturday night. A spokesman of the Indian Army told the press here on Sunday that the infiltration attempt was made under cover of heavy artillery and mortar firing by Pakistani forces near the frontier district of Kupwara.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2002-08/19/content_529190.htm
* Pakistani missionary school seeks site abroad
August 18 -- A Christian missionary school where six Pakistanis were killed in a suspected Islamic militant attack this month will close for at least a year, an official at the school said. Barry Lock, boarding manager at Murree Christian School, said some families with children at the Protestant institution had already decided to leave Pakistan for security reasons. "The school board has decided to go into mothball for a year and a decision will be made on May 3 regarding reng, possibly next August," Mr Lock said. "The school is looking at relocating for a year for high school students in a country in the region in which they feel comfortable," he said.
http://abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s651483.htm
* Pakistani Christian school closes after shooting deaths
August 17 -- The shooting deaths of six people has forced the closure of a Pakistani Christian school run by Australians. The Tasmanian director of the Muree Christian School, Russel Morton, says the school will be closed for 12 months. Mr Morton says he will look to set up another temporary school on the subcontinent while his wife, Sue, will fly to Sydney. Mr Morton was a former head of the Hutchins Middle School in Hobart. Sixteen Australians were in Muree when two gunmen armed with semi-automatic rifles forced their way into the school and began firing.
http://abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s651394.htm
* US General warns of growing extremism in Pakistan
August 17 -- The American General leading the campaign against Al Qaeda fighters in Afghanistan has said there may now be more of the extremists operating in Pakistan than in the original theatre of war. Lieutenant-General Dan McNeill, the commander of coalition forces in Afghanistan, conceded that his task was now more complicated as the coalition does not have the right to conduct combat missions in Pakistan.
http://abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s651642.htm
* Benazir: I'll run for premier in October
Karachi, August 18 -- Pakistan's self-exiled ex-premier Benazir Bhutto said yesterday she remains determined to contest elections in October, despite being disqualified from running in the polls by President Pervez Musharraf. The two-time former prime minister said if she remained barred from contesting the Oct 10 poll, the elections would lack credibility. I am sure people will question the credibility of an electoral process where their chosen representative is excluded, she said.
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/archives/story.asp?ppath=\2002\8\18&file=/2002/8/18/asia/benazir&sec=asia
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/southasia/view/16341/1/.html
* Indian cabinet to seek President's advice on Gujarat elections
The Indian cabinet on Sunday decided to refer a decision by the election commission to delay elections in the riot-torn western state of Gujarat to the President, who in turn was expected to seek legal advice from the Supreme Court, reports said. The Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency reported that the cabinet decision came after a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in New Delhi. On Friday, the independent election commission had rejected a proposal by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party to hold elections ahead of schedule in Gujarat, saying the situation was still far from normal. Gujarat has witnessed India's worst communal clashes in a decade with over 1,000 people killed, most of them Muslims.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/southasia/view/16394/1/.html
* Fresh dialogue on future of Indian Kashmir gets underway
A private committee backed by the Indian government has begun a fresh initiative aimed at resolving the decades-old conflict over Kashmir. The committe, headed by former Indian Law Minister and eminent lawyer Ram Jethmalani, held talks with separatist leaders in Srinagar. And for a start, both sides have agreed that violence has to stop and that dialogue is the way to go. On his part, Mr Jethmalani says he would continue talks with Kashmiri separatists until a solution is found. The former minister heads what is called the Kashmir Committee. It was set up last month and comprises journalists, former diplomats and lawyers who want to work for peace in Kashmir.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/southasia/view/16333/1/.html
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/southasia/view/16361/1/.html
http://www.abc.net.au/asiapacific/news/GoAsiaPacificBNA_651570.htm
Europe
* Fresh talks with Kashmiri separatists
Talks have begun in Indian-administered Kashmir between separatist leaders and a non-governmental group to find a solution to the long-running Kashmir dispute. The Kashmir Committee, led by India's former law minister, Ram Jethmalani, is meeting the leading separatist alliance - the Hurriyat Conference - in Srinagar. On Friday, the committee held a dialogue with a prominent separatist leader and chief of the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party, Shabir Ahmad Shah.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/2197752.stm
* Separatists to meet with Indian PM
August 18 -- A group of private mediators ended a three-day visit to the disputed province of Kashmir on Sunday after persuading separatist groups to meet with India's prime minister but failing to get them to participate in regional elections. After meeting with the mediators, led by former law minister Ram Jethmalani, Kashmir's main separatist group reiterated its determination to boycott legislative elections scheduled for September and October in India's only Muslim majority province. The All Parties Hurriyat Conference has refused to field candidates in the past, claiming votes were rigged in favor of parties loyal to New Delhi.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-1955314,00.html
* India gauges Kashmir vote
August 18 -- Electoral officials are visiting Indian-administered Kashmir to assess the disputed region's preparedness for state assembly polls due in September. India's independent Election Commission head JM Lyngdoh and two colleagues will spend three days meeting senior electoral and security officials and politicians to try to gauge whether free and fair elections can be held.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/2201761.stm
* Tamil Tigers exercise sea rights
Tamil Tiger rebels in Sri Lanka have used a controversial sea route for the first time since being granted access to it a week ago. Four boats carried 150 rebels from Mullaithivu down the east coast to their homes in Vakarai, accompanied by ceasefire monitors. All the rebels were unarmed and wore civilian clothes, as agreed in a deal reached last Monday.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/2201643.stm
* Row over Gujarat poll ruling
India's cabinet has said it will ask the president to seek legal advice over an election commission decision to delay voting in troubled Gujarat state. Religious rioting wracked the state earlier this year, leaving about 1,000 people - mostly Muslims - dead, according to officials. On Friday the independent Election Commission said free and fair elections were not possible there at the moment.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/2200968.stm
* New claims about killing of US reporter Pearl
August 18 -- Three Pakistani militants who led police to the body of Daniel Pearl claim he was murdered by an Arab two days after he tried to escape from kidnappers. The alleged new details of the Wall Street Journal reporter's kidnap and killing do not exonerate British-born militant Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, who was convicted with three others on July 15. Saeed was sentenced to death by hanging and the others received life sentences.
http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_652665.html?menu=news.latestheadlines.worldnews
Middle East
* Mahajan rejects demand for DNA test
Guwahati/New Delhi, August 18 -- Communications Minister Pramod Mahajan, accused of involvement in the killing of a journalist, yesterday rejected demands for his DNA testing. "I don't want to comment anything on this issue. The only thing I would like to ask is: would anybody allow his or her daughter or son to go for a DNA testing," Mahajan replied when queried by reporters here. Supporters of the main opposition Congress party shouted slogans and waved placards demanding Mahajan's resignation.
http://www.arabnews.com/Article.asp?ID=17861&ArY=2002&ArM=8&ArD=18
* Fresh talks on Kashmir starts
Srinagar, August 17 -- A fresh initiative aimed at resolving the decades-old conflict over Kashmir kicked off here yesterday when a private committee backed by the government began talks with separatist leaders. The newly-formed Kashmir Committee, headed by former Law Minister Ram Jethmalani, arrived in Srinagar yesterday morning and went straight into talks with Shabir Shah, leader of the Democratic Freedom Party. At the end of the meeting, Shah said Jethmalani had brought an invitation for talks with the government from Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and his deputy L. K. Advani, which he had accepted. "I have accepted the offer of a dialogue made to me by the prime minister and the deputy prime minister," but added he would not contest next month's legislative elections. "If the aim of my life was to fight elections and get into power politics, then I wouldn't have spent so many years suffering in prison, Shah said.
http://www.arabnews.com/Article.asp?ID=17825&ArY=2002&ArM=8&ArD=17
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/arc_Articles.asp?Article=30329&Sn=WORL&IssueID=25151
* Election Commission rejects snap poll in Gujarat
New Delhi, August 17 -- India's Election Commission rejected yesterday a proposal by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to hold early elections in the state of Gujarat, where more than 1,000 people died in riots earlier this year. The law and order situation in the state is still far from normal, the wounds of the communal divide following the riots have not yet healed," the independent commission said in a statement rejecting the proposal. Over 1,000 people, most of them Muslims, were killed in February and March in a wave of religious violence. The BJP, which leads both the Indian federal coalition and the state government in Gujarat, dissolved the state assembly last month and sought elections, well ahead of the scheduled vote in March 2003.
http://www.arabnews.com/Article.asp?ID=17816&ArY=2002&ArM=8&ArD=17
* Indian forces claim of vacating Pak soldiers from mountain top
New Delhi, Aug 17, -- Nearly 28 Pakistani soldiers were killed when the Indian Army counter attacked to push them back from a feature they had occupied in early August on the Line of Control (LoC) in Machil sector of Gurez area in Jammu and Kashmir, according to the highly placed Indian Army sources here. The Pakistani forces in almost a repeat of the sneak occupation of Kargil heights in 1999, occupied the feature dominating the Neelam Valley on their side of Pakistan Controlled Kashmir taking advantage of blinding rains and near whiteout condition, reported Press Trust of India (PTI).
http://www.irna.com/en/world/.ewo.shtml
* India's FM rules out troops demobilization from LoC in J&K
New Delhi, August 17, -- Lambasting Pakistan's continued support to 'foreign mercenaries' to perpetrate violence and create disturbances during the ensuing Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), India's External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha ruled out demobilization of troops from the border in immediate future. "There will be no demobilization of Indian troops from the border in immediate future...we are prepared to deal with them (Pakistan) firmly and protect our sovereignty," Sinha told reporters on Friday
http://www.irna.com/en/world/.ewo.shtml
* Suspects on Christian attacks sent on judicial remand
Islamabad, August 17, -- A court in Pakistan on Saturday sent seven suspects of attacks on Christian institutions on 14-day judicial remand. They have been accused of hurling grenades at a Western-financed hospital in the ancient Buddhist town of Taxila, about 30 kilometers north-west of Islamabad on August 9, killing four nurses. One of the suspected assailants was also killed and about 20 people were injured.
http://www.irna.com/en/world/.ewo.shtml
* Pressure for talks to mount on India at UN session: Pak analyst
Islamabad, August 17, -- Pakistan's noted analyst Niaz A Niak on Saturday expressed hope that during the upcoming UN General Assembly session, world pressure will mount on India for talks with Pakistan. "I think New Delhi is likely to face more pressure for resumption of a dialogue with Islamabad on all issues including Kashmir," the former diplomat said during an interview with 'IRNA' here. In his opinion, the upcoming UN General Assembly session, starting from September 7, was very important with reference to long persisting stand-off between Pakistan and India over Kashmir.
http://www.irna.com/en/world/.ewo.shtml
* India blamed for attacks on Christian sites
August 18 -- Pakistan yesterday pointed an accusing finger at India over the recent attacks on two Christian sites in which 11 people were killed. Law Minister Khalid Ranjha said the possibility of the Indian hand behind the attacks could not be ruled out. He told reporters that India for sure was taking advantage of the situation in Pakistan and its secret agencies were active to tarnish Pakistan's image. India wants to divert the attention of the world from its "persecution of minorities" and that was why its agencies were targeting Christian places in Pakistan, he said. The minister said India wanted to paint Pakistan as a terrorist state because it was perturbed over Islamabad's important role in global coalition against terrorism.
http://www.gulf-news.com/Articles/News.asp?ArticleID=60880
* Nasrullah not to contest polls again
Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan, the veteran leader of the Pakistan Democratic Party (PDP), has announced that he will not be contesting any election again. Nasrullah, barred from contesting in the forthcoming polls because of his lack of educational qualification, has said that he had been planning for some time to "make way for my sons and grandsons". Nasrullah's eldest son, Manzoor, is expected to contest from his father's traditional seat in Muzzafaragarh. This will be the first time in over 50 years that Nasrullah will not be vying for the seat.
http://www.gulf-news.com/Articles/News.asp?ArticleID=60975
* Bhutto says she will run for Premier in October
Karachi -- Pakistan's self-exiled ex-premier Benazir Bhutto said Saturday she remains determined to contest elections in October, despite being disqualified from running in the polls by President Pervez Musharraf. The two-time former prime minister said if she remained barred from contesting the October 10 poll, the elections would lack credibility. "I am sure people will question the credibility of an electoral process where their chosen representative is excluded," she told AFP in an interview from London.
http:///Description.asp?Da=8/18/2002&Cat=4&Num=002
* Lanka premier calls for patience
August 18 -- Sri Lanka's prime minister appealed for patience yesterday in his first public statement since the government and Tamil Tiger rebels agreed a timeframe for the start of peace talks. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said it would take time to end the 19-year conflict, which has cost more than 64,000 lives and stifled economic development in the Indian Ocean island. "Going with a fixed plan is like trying to remove a landmine in one go," Wickremesinghe told his ruling United National Party's convention in the northeastern port city of Trincomalee, speaking in Sinhala.
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/arc_Articles.asp?Article=30341&Sn=WORL&IssueID=25151
Editorial/Opinion
N/A
Business/Technology
* India's investment inflows up record 106 percent
New Delhi, August 17, -- India registered a record 106 percent rise in foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows with $1.30 billion during April-June, against $630 million in the corresponding quarter of 2001-02. The FDI was net of American and Global Depository Receipts, eported Indo-Asian News Service (IANS) on Saturday.
http://www.irna.com/en/world/.ewo.shtml
* India emerges top Asian exporter of grain
New Delhi, August 17, -- India is now Asia's top exporter of grain for the first time beaten heavyweights Thailand and China to become the continent's biggest grain exporter, local media reported on Saturday. India with ample rice and wheat stocks continues to hold almost 60 million tons grain in 2002, already more than Africa, South America and Central America put together. Even the European Union (EU) holds grain stocks of 37 million tons, and bullish demand, the Indian juggernaut is unlikely to stop rolling anytime soon. India has exported eight million tons of wheat and rice in 2001-02 which pushes back Thailand' 7.9 million tons and China's 7.4 million tons to second and third places respectively.
http://www.irna.com/en/world/.ewo.shtml
* Indian stock markets recover
Bombay, August 18 -- The monsoon has at last lifted the dark clouds of pessimism hanging over the country. On Monday the BSE closed at 3,008.91. Ranbaxy Labs set the mood further after it announced an interim dividend of 50 percent for the year 2002. Hero Honda Motor and Bajaj Auto were also steady on selective buying. On the other hand, public sector unit (PSU) HPCL was down on fears that the ongoing controversy on the allotment of petrol pumps may jeopardize the divestment of the company. Trading was seen in Apollo Tires on news that it was planning to take over Modi Rubber's Modipuram plant.
http://www.arabnews.com/Article.asp?ID=17860&ArY=2002&ArM=8&ArD=18
* India's foreign reserves decline
New Delhi, August 17 -- India's foreign exchange reserves fell by 118 million US dollars to 60.030 billion dollarsfor the week ended Aug. 9 due to erosion in US dollar value against Euro and other international currencies. According to Reserve Bank of India's weekly supplement issued Saturday, the foreign currency assets were down by 118 million dollars to 56,769 billion dollars. Meanwhile, the special drawing rights stood at 13 million dollars while gold reserves remained static at 3.248 billion dollars, the apex bank added.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2002-08/17/content_528511.htm
* Indian government approves production of advanced GSLV
NEW DELHI, August 18 -- The Indian government has approved a plan to produce an advanced version of geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle (GSLV), or GSLV-MK III, in a bid to become self-sufficient in launching heavier satellite into the geo-transfer orbit (GTO). The GSLV-MK III, planned to be made in about six years, would have a capability to launch four-ton satellite into GTO, accordingto Space India, published here on Sunday by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). GSLV-MK III would be a three-stage vehicle with a 110 ton core liquid propellent stage and strap-on stage, that would be equippedwith two solid propellant motors, each with 200 ton propellant, said the journal.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2002-08/18/content_529158.htm
========================================================================================================
--- South Asian News, August 19, 2002 ---(Weekend International)
The Indian American Center for Political Awareness (IACPA) is a national non-profit organization committed to the political empowerment of the Indian American community. For additional information on IACPA, please visit www..
These links are provided for informational purposes only and no representation is made for the accuracy of information posted on other people's websites. String Information Services (www.stringinfo.com , contact: Prashant Kothari at ppkothari), a provider of secondary research, data harvesting and data conversion services prepares these links and the KS group manages, edits and distributes the list. E-mail Kapil Sharma at information if you have any questions.
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Political Awareness. All rights reserved.
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