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--- South Asian News, October 31, 2002 --- (International)

The second round of peace talks between the Sri Lankan Government and the Tiger rebels began today in Thailand even as Colombo witnessed communal clashes between the majority Sinhalese and the minority Muslims. The US special envoy to Afghanistan 'expects' Pakistan's support in hunting the al-Qaeda operatives underground in Pakistan. The editorial in Gulf News talks about Pakistan's status as a US ally in the face of accusations about nuclear technology transfer to North Korea.

Africa

N/A

Americas

N/A

Asia-Pacific

* 2nd round of Sri Lankan peace talks starts in Thailand (Xinhuanet) (Channel News Asia) (Australian Broadcasting)
* Taliban and Al-Qaeda leaders being hunted in Pakistan: US envoy (Channel News Asia)
* Bangladesh military in torture allegations (Australian Broadcasting)
* 2 ex-Nepal ministers arrested for bribery (Japan Today)
* One dead in communal clashes in Sri Lankan capital (Xinhuanet) (Channel News Asia)
* Sri Lankan peace negotiators arrive in Thailand for talks (Xinhuanet) (Malaya Star)

Europe

* US envoy 'expects' Pakistani support (BBC)
* Upbeat start to Sri Lanka talks (BBC) (Swiss Info)
* Kashmir leader gets go-ahead (BBC)
* Curfew after Sri Lanka clash (BBC)
* Bomb hoax at Delhi airport (BBC)

Middle East

* India, US hold discussions on reconstruction of Afghanistan (IRNA)
* Pakistan reacts to US official remarks on Kashmir (IRNA)
* PPP not to meet military regime over govt: Benazir (Arab News)
* Sayeed invited to form govt (Arab News) (IRNA) (Bahrain Tribune)
* JKLF heads for split over Yasin Malik (Gulf News)
* New gov't to fall soon if Islamists sidelined: Pak politician (IRNA)
* Indian govt, Saudia to sign MoU (Arab News)
* Indian Gov't urged to crackdown separatist camps inside Bhutan (IRNA)
* Separatists killed in India's northeastern state of Assam (IRNA)
* Muslim dies, 21 injured in Colombo riot (Gulf Daily News) (Gulf News)
* Outlawed group chief released (Gulf News)
* Panic grips Delhi Airport following fax message (IRNA)

Editorial

* Pakistan has certain stark choices ahead (Gulf News)

Business/Technology

* Bangladesh wins praise for reforms (BBC)

Africa

N/A

Americas

N/A

Asia-Pacific

* 2nd round of Sri Lankan peace talks starts in Thailand

Negotiators of the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels kicked off the second round of peace talks Thursday morning at a resort hotel in central Thailand. The four-day talks at the Rose Garden Resort in Nakhon Pathom Province, 32 km west of Bangkok, will focus on rehabilitation plans of the Southern Asian island's war-torn areas and seek ways to find international assistance for reconstruction works. Sri Lankan Constitutional Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris and LTTE chief negotiator Anton Balsingham are each leading a four-member team in the talks.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2002-10/31/content_614089.htm
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/southeastasia/view/23285/1/.html
http://abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s716009.htm

* Taliban and Al-Qaeda leaders being hunted in Pakistan: US envoy

The US special envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad has said key Al-Qaeda and Taliban figures are hiding in Pakistan and that Afghanistan is no longer the principal base of the terror group. Washington expects Islamabad to co-operate in hunting them down. Speaking on a visit to neighbouring India, the US envoy says he hopes Pakistan will arrest the Taliban and Al-Qaeda leaders, and turn them over to the authorities in Afghanistan. The US special envoy added that a number of "notorious" Taliban leaders, including a brother of the regime's elusive supremo Mullah Mohammad Omar, appeared to have gone underground in Pakistan.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/southasia/view/23280/1/.html

* Bangladesh military in torture allegations

The United States says it's concerned about recent reports of human rights abuses and allegations of torture by the Bangladeshi military. The abuses are said to be taking place as part of a government-sanctioned anti-crime drive. A State Department spokesman in Washington says the United States wants to see the operation wrapped up as quickly as possible, and is urging the government in Dhaka to investigate. More than three thousand people have been taken into custody since Prime Minister Khaleda Zia ordered the crackdown two weeks ago. Thirteen people have died in the campaign, with many relatives alleging the victims were tortured.

http://abc.net.au/asiapacific/news/GoAsiaPacificBNA_715548.htm

* 2 ex-Nepal ministers arrested for bribery

Nepal's government antigraft authorities on Wednesday arrested two former ministers on charges of accepting bribes and embezzlement while in office. The two suspects - former Home Minister Khum Bahadur Khadka and former Information and Communications Minister Jayaprakash Prasad Gupta - were influential members of the cabinet of Prime Minister Sher Bahdur Deuba that King Gyanendra missed in early October.

http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=news&cat=7

* One dead in communal clashes in Sri Lankan capital

October 30 -- Communal clashes in the northern part of Sri Lankan capital Colombo has killed one people and wounded 13 others, police said on Wednesday. An indefinite curfew has been imposed after clashes between the majority Sinhalese and minority Muslim communities in the central Colombo's Maligawatta area. The two communities had attacked each other over a dispute involving the construction of a building by the Muslim community. The clashes then spread to the adjoining Grandpass and Dematagoda areas, police said. At least five homes and a vehicle had been set on fire after the rioters exchanged stone throwing initially. The government then ordered the army and the navy to try and bring the situation under control.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2002-10/30/content_613615.htm
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/southasia/view/23295/1/.html

* Sri Lankan peace negotiators arrive in Thailand for talks

October 30, Bangkok -- Negotiators of the Sri Lankan government and the country's rebellious Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) arrived here Wednesday to hold the second session of their first round of peace talks in the next four days. For the first time, the two teams flew in for talks on the same flight, as a sign of increasing mutual trust between them, according to local TV news reports.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2002-10/30/content_613482.htm
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2002/10/31/asia/tigs&sec=asia

Europe

* US envoy 'expects' Pakistani support

October 30 -- The US special envoy to Afghanistan has said key al-Qaeda and Taleban figures are hiding in Pakistan and Washington expects the government in Islamabad to co-operate in hunting them down. Speaking at a news conference in Delhi, Zalmay Khalilzad said: "Afghanistan is no longer the principal base of al-Qaeda. I think there are key al-Qaeda and Taleban figures near the border and across the border into Pakistan. "We know there are several top Taleban leaders in Pakistan and we would like them arrest and turned over to the Afghani authorities."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/2378487.stm

* Upbeat start to Sri Lanka talks

A second round of peace talks between the Sri Lankan Government and Tamil Tiger rebels has begun in Thailand. Heavy security is in place at the riverside resort of Nakhon Pathom, outside the Thai capital, where the talks are taking place. Ahead of the meeting, rebel chief negotiator Anton Balasingham gave an upbeat assessment of prospects for progress. The second round of talks is expected to focus on rehabilitation and security in Sri Lanka's war-devastated north and east. Both sides will prepare the ground for a joint appeal to donors next month for millions of dollars in reconstruction funds.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/2379161.stm
http://www.swissinfo.org/sen/Swissinfo.html?siteSect=143&sid=1428391

* Kashmir leader gets go-ahead

October 30 -- The leader of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Indian-administered Kashmir, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, has been formally invited to form the state's new government. Mr Sayeed called on the governor. GC Saxena, in the capital, Srinagar, accompanied by state leaders of the Congress Party, Communist Party of India (M), and Panthers Party. The PDP and the Congress together won 36 seats in last month's election, defeating the ruling National Conference party. After weeks of disagreement over who would become chief minister, they finally agreed a coalition deal last week. Mr Sayeed will be sworn in on Saturday.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/2376623.stm

* Curfew after Sri Lanka clash

October 30 -- Clashes between Muslim and Sinhalese mobs in the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo, on Wednesday have led to a curfew being imposed until early Thursday morning. The inter-communal violence erupted on the same day delegations from the Sri Lankan Government and the Tamil Tigers flew together to Thailand for the second round of four-day peace talks scheduled to begin on Thursday. Wednesday's clashes in central Colombo between Muslim and Sinhalese mobs erupted over plans to build an Islamic teaching centre in a central residential district of the Sri Lankan capital. Sinhalese attempts to prevent the construction by a high court injunction were rejected on Tuesday and Muslims given permission to go ahead.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/2376709.stm

* Bomb hoax at Delhi airport

A bomb threat at Delhi airport has led to the grounding of an Air India flight which was on its way to Hong Kong. The threat turned out to be a hoax but all 178 passengers on board the aircraft were evacuated. Officials say a call received in Hong Kong said two passengers on board the flight were carrying explosives. The Air India jet was on a routine flight from Bombay, also known as Mumbai, to Hong Kong via Delhi.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/2379645.stm

Middle East

* India, US hold discussions on reconstruction of Afghanistan

India and the US held in-depth discussions on the reconstruction of Afghanistan and shared a strong common interest on emergence of a moderate and stable Afghan regime, vowing to prevent any resurgence of Taliban or any other form of fundamentalism. India's Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Navtej Sarna told reporters Wednesday evening that US appreciated India's efforts in providing aid to and helping in reconstruction of Afghanistan during the talks US Presidential envoy on Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad had with Indian National Security Advisor Brajesh Mishra and Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal here.

http://www.irna.com/en/world/.ewo.shtml

* Pakistan reacts to US official remarks on Kashmir

October 30 -- Pakistan Wednesday angrily reacted to remarks by US ambassador in New Delhi to the effect that 'terrorists' in the Indian-controlled Kashmir is almost entirely externally driven. A Foreign Office spokesman said Ambassador Blackwill had previously also made similarly inaccurate assertions with a view to pleasing his Indian audience. The spokesman said that such ill-considered remarks only create complications. "As such, it would be better if the US ambassador in New Delhi to desist from pronouncing himself on Pakistan-India issues and instead US-India relations.

http://www.irna.com/en/world/.ewo.shtml

* PPP not to meet military regime over govt: Benazir

Exiled Pakistan People's Party (PPP) chief Benazir Bhutto has asked party leaders not to make any contact with the military regime over formation of a government. The diktat came three days after PPP leader Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Benazir's second in command and a prime ministerial hopeful, met President Pervez Musharraf here, triggering countrywide speculation. Though both the military regime and Fahim described the meeting as accidental, many in the PPP believe otherwise. Analysts believe the military rulers are trying to lure the PPP into the treasury benches to keep the six-party religious alliance, Muttaheda Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), from coming to power.

http://www.arabnews.com/Article.asp?ID=19981

* Sayeed invited to form govt

The governor of Indian-administered Kashmir invited a coalition headed by Mufti Muhammad Sayeed to form a government in the troubled Himalayan state. Governor G.C. Saxena said Sayeed, a former Union home minister, will be sworn in as Kashmir's chief minister Saturday. "I am satisfied. They are in a comfortable majority and I have received the letter of support from many parties," Saxena said in Srinagar. "I am inviting Sayeed to form a government," he said. Sayeed staked the claim to office after two weeks of wrangling between his regional People's Democratic Party (PDP) and its coalition partner, the main opposition Congress party.

http://www.arabnews.com/Article.asp?ID=19982
http://www.irna.com/en/head/.ehe.shtml
http://www.bahraintribune.com/world.asp?Art_No=9422

* JKLF heads for split over Yasin Malik

The Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), which spearheaded Kashmir's insurgency against India in 1989, faces a split. Some of its leading lights have held several meetings over the past few days to plan their strategy. Many of these leaders have apparently been disillusioned with their president, Mohammed Yasin Malik, since he was arrested following the interception by Indian agencies of a courier carrying $75,000 for him this summer.

http://www.gulf-news.com/Articles/news.asp?ArticleID=67185

* New gov't to fall soon if Islamists sidelined: Pak politician

A senior leader of Pakistan's Mutahida Majlis-e Amal Abdul Ghafoor Haideri on Thursday cautioned new political government to fall soon if the Islamists are sidelined in its formation. "MMA has emerged as a big parliamentary force and any bid to sideline the Islamists towards formation of the government will prove counterproductive," he emphasized during an interview with IRNA here. Haideri, who is also Secretary General of Jamiat Ulema-e Islam, a component of MMA, a conglomerate of six mainstream religious parties, said Majlis would strive to implement Islamic laws if given an opportunity.

http://www.irna.com/en/world/.ewo.shtml

* Indian govt, Saudia to sign MoU

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) will be signed on Nov. 2, between Saudi Arabian Airlines and India's Civil Aviation Ministry to carry Indian pilgrims during the forthcoming Haj season. A delegation led by V. Subramanian, joint secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, New Delhi would be visiting Jeddah to sign the agreement. The delegation will also include the chairman of the Haj Committee Tanveer Ahmed and other officials. Saudi Arabian Airlines is likely to carry 34,500 Indian pilgrims from the Haj Committee this year. It would operate from four destinations in India - Delhi, Bombay, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad.

http://www.arabnews.com/Article.asp?ID=19977

* Indian Gov't urged to crackdown separatist camps inside Bhutan

October 30 -- The government in India's northeastern state of Assam Wednesday urged New Delhi to launch a joint military crackdown with Bhutanese troops on Indian separatist camps inside the Himalayan kingdom. "Unless there is a joint offensive by troops of both the countries against Assamese militants inside Bhutan, violent separatist strikes would continue unabated," Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi told IRNA. "Militants enter Assam, strike at soft targets and then sneak back to their camps inside Bhutan without any resistance. We are absolutely helpless in such a situation," he said.

http://www.irna.com/en/world/.ewo.shtml

* Separatists killed in India's northeastern state of Assam

October 30 -- Two separatists were killed and a police commando wounded in an encounter Wednesday in Guwahati, capital of India's northeastern state of Assam, officials said. A police spokesman said two militants of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) were killed in downtown Guwahati around 1400 hours (local time) when commandos challenged them while trying to extort money from a businessman.

http://www.irna.com/en/world/.ewo.shtml

* Muslim dies, 21 injured in Colombo riot

Muslims and Sinhalese fought each other in the Sri Lankan capital yesterday, leaving one dead and 21 people injured, a senior Interior Ministry official said. Several houses and vehicles were burned and mobs threw stones at each other and at the police, who used tear gas and fired rubber bullets. Police arrested 55 people and imposed a daylong curfew in the Maligawatte neighbourhood in Colombo, where the violence started with a dispute over construction of a mosque adjoining a Buddhist temple, the official said.

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Articles.asp?Article=35967&Sn=WORL
http://www.gulf-news.com/Articles/news.asp?ArticleID=67188

* Outlawed group chief released

Authorities yesterday freed the top leader of a banned religious extremist party who was allowed to contest recent elections from jail and won a seat in the parliament. Azam Tariq, head of outlawed Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP), walked to freedom from a sub-jail at Sihala near Islamabad, two days after a High Court review board rejected a government plea for extending his detention. The authorities detained him nearly a year ago after he organised protests against the U.S.-led military campaign against terrorism in Afghanistan. President Pervez Musharraf banned the SSP along with several other outfits in January.

http://www.gulf-news.com/Articles/news.asp?ArticleID=67186

* Panic grips Delhi Airport following fax message

Panic gripped the Indira Gandhi International Airport here Thursday morning following a fax message that a woman passenger on board an Air India (AI) flight had explosives with her and was planning to blast the aircraft, reported local media on Thursday. Joint Commissioner of Police (Operations) A.S. Khan said that the message was received by the Air India office as the Mumbai-Delhi-Hong Kong flight 316 landed at Delhi Airport at around 7:15 a.m. (local time) and the sender claimed that one Paramjit Kaur and her minor child Pawan were carrying explosives on board. Police and security agencies immediately took control of the aircraft, he said. Later after through search it was detected that it was a hoax call with no body found carrying the explosives.

http://www.irna.com/en/world/.ewo.shtml

Editorial

* Pakistan has certain stark choices ahead

Pakistan's status as a key U.S. ally in the war against terrorism has not protected it from allegations of secretly supplying North Korea with uranium enrichment equipment and technical expertise in exchange for ballistic missile technology. Pakistan's military ruler, General Pervez Musharraf, described the charge as "absolutely baseless". U.S. Secretary of State, Colin Powell, and National Security Adviser, Condoleezza Rice, said they believed Musharraf though they refused to say in absolute terms that there had never been Pakistani-North Korean cooperation. The real charge against Pakistan is not acquiring nuclear or missile technology, or for that matter transferring it to third parties because Pakistan, as a non-signatory to the Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) is not bound by treaty restrictions. Pakistan comes under fire mainly for breaking promises and commitments to the U.S. government made in return for aid and military cooperation.

http://www.gulf-news.com/Articles/opinion.asp?ArticleID=67176

Business/Technology

* Bangladesh wins praise for reforms

October 30 -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has praised Bangladesh's programme of economic reforms, and promised to continue its $330m-a-year (Ј212m) development programme. The country's central bank, meanwhile, has launched a programme to persuade Bangladeshis living abroad to invest their hard currency earnings at home. It hopes that new government bonds - issued in US dollars and taka - will attract enough money to bolster its much-depleted currency reserves. Bangladesh is one of world's most densely populated and least developed countries, with more than 127m citizens. Its economy is dominated by agriculture, and economic reforms have been hampered by corruption and political squabbling.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/2375619.stm

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