These news clips are sponsored by the Indian American Center for Political Awareness.

--- South Asian News, October 22, 2002 --- (International)

Pakistani police along with FBI arrested a doctor with al-Qaeda links suspected of supplying anthrax to terrorist groups. In India, Vajpayee's ill health forces him to be out of action until this weekend while in Kashmir, the political parties inch towards setting up a coalition government. Bloodshed continues in Indian Kashmir and neighboring Nepal in the governments' war against rebels. In the business news, read about the Indian start-up, now part of an American company, which has launched the first 'mobile' printing solution in the world.

Africa

* Pakistan still in limbo as parties fail to agree (Business Day)

Americas

* Politicians claim progress in forming Indian Kashmir government (The News Mexico) (Globe and Mail)
* MD held in anthrax probe by Pakistan, brother says (Globe and Mail)

Asia-Pacific

* General watches joint US-Pakistan army exercises (Malaya Star)
* Pakistan arrests surgeon for links to al Qaeda (Japan Today)
* 1 killed, 8 injured in blasts in Kashmir (Xinhuanet)
* India's PM out of action for a third day (Australian Broadcasting)
* 10 anti-govt guerrillas killed in Nepal (Xinhuanet)
* 3 killed, 25 injured in road mishap in Pakistan (Xinhuanet)

Europe

* Ill health halts Indian PM's schedule (BBC)
* US backs Dhaka over al-Qaeda claim (BBC)
* Doctor 'detained for al-Qaeda links' (BBC) (Reuters)
* India to start Pakistan troop pullback (Swiss Info)
* Arrest after Pakistan journalist killed (BBC)
* Pakistan Touts New Terror Decree (Guardian)
* India orders inquiry into murder of men accused of killing cow (Independent)
* Strike call over Dhaka arrests (BBC)
* Sri Lankans disagree on peace moves (BBC)

Middle East

* India to begin pullback in 10 days (Arab News) (Gulf News)
* Pakistan sees no change in foreign policy after polls (IRNA)
* Coalition talks hit stalemate (Gulf Daily News)
* Pakistan confirms closure of ISAF office (IRNA)
* MMA preparing 'white paper' (Gulf News)
* Vajpayee falls ill (Gulf Daily News)
* Indian court seeks govt stand on export of chemicals to Iraq (IRNA)
* Iranian minister of S&T and research arrives in New Delhi (IRNA)
* Rock to visit South Asian countries (Arab News)
* Chandrika to join JVP protest rally (Gulf News)
* Israeli-built Sri Lankan air force fighter plane crashes (Haaretz Daily)

Editorial

N/A

Business/Technology

* Indian software fuels 'world's first' mobile printing solution (IRNA)

Africa

* Pakistan still in limbo as parties fail to agree

Almost two weeks after Pakistan's general elections, political parties are still undecided over who will form the first civilian government after three years of military rule and there is no clear date for the transfer of power. Already the outgoing government has said the promised transfer of power could be delayed until the middle of next month, leaving the country in limbo as to who will be the next government or when they will take office. Law Minister Khalid Ranjha said at the weekend the power transfer would probably be delayed until after senate elections, set for November 12. The parties that won the biggest number of seats but failed to score a simple majority have been in marathon rounds of talks on possible coalitions, but no alliances have been finalised.

http://www.bday.co.za/bday/content/direct/1,3523,,00.html

Americas

* Politicians claim progress in forming Indian Kashmir government

Srinagar, India -- Political leaders jockeying to form a government in Indian Kashmir on Monday reported progress on a common platform but no breakthrough on who should lead the violence-torn province. India's main opposition Congress and the regional People's Democratic Party (PDP) were the big winners in Kashmir's four-round election that closed October 8, but have since been fighting over who should head a coalition. Senior PDP leader Muzaffar Hussain Beigh told reporters that the party and Congress have made "tremendous headway" on their common program to govern the state. But he acknowledged some differences between the parties.

http://www.thenewsmexico.com/noticia.asp?id=38060
http://www.globeandmail.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/PEstory/TGAM/20021022/UREPOOQ-1/Asia/internationalAsia/internationalAsia_temp/7/7/9/

* MD held in anthrax probe by Pakistan, brother says

Islamabad -- Pakistani police, working with agents of the U.S. FBI, detained a doctor near the eastern city of Lahore yesterday and accused him of supplying anthrax to Islamic militant groups, the doctor's brother said. Imran Aziz said his brother, Amir Aziz, was first questioned on Saturday.

http://www.globeandmail.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/PEstory/TGAM/20021022/UREPOOQ-3/Asia/internationalAsia/internationalAsia_temp/9/9/9/

Asia-Pacific

* General watches joint US-Pakistan army exercises

The top American general commanding operations against Afghanistan's fugitive Taliban and al-Qaida fighters watched the first joint Pakistani-US Army exercises since the lifting of US sanctions earlier this year, officials said on Sunday. Gen. Tommy R. Franks observed "a demonstration of an assault across a water obstacle" on Sunday morning, a Pakistan military statement said. Gen Franks praised the professionalism of the 115 US soldiers and a similar number of Pakistani counterparts during his morning visit to the exercises, the statement said. The two-week exercises, dubbed "Inspired Gambit," aim to refine use of small arms and small unit tactics.

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2002/10/22/asia/topgen&sec=asia

* Pakistan arrests surgeon for links to al Qaeda

A top Pakistani orthopedics surgeon, Amir Aziz, was arrested in Lahore on Monday by Pakistani security agencies for suspected links to the al Qaeda terrorist organization, his family members and police officials said. An Aziz relative told reporters that police officers took Aziz away from his home and plans to send him to Islamabad for interrogation by U.S. federal agents.

http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=news&cat=7&id=235401

* 1 killed, 8 injured in blasts in Kashmir

October 21 -- A woman was killed and eight other persons were injured when militants detonated two Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) in South Kashmir Monday afternoon, police said. The first IED went off at Khalil road in Tral area of Pulwama district around 1:10 p.m., killing an unidentified woman on the spot, they said. Around the same time, militants detonated another IED at Kulgam Chowk in Anantnag district, injuring eight civilians, according tothe Press Trust of India.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2002-10/21/content_603618.htm

* India's PM out of action for a third day

India's prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has cancelled engagements for a third day due to ill health, and is not expected to resume official duties until later in the week. A statement from his office says he has a viral infection and has been advised to rest for two to three days. The leader's cancelled engagements include a meeting with former Japanese premier Yoshiro Mori, who was delivering a message from Japan's prime minister Junichiro Koizumi.

http://abc.net.au/asiapacific/news/GoAsiaPacificBNA_708061.htm

* 10 anti-govt guerrillas killed in Nepal

October 21 -- At least 10 anti-government guerrillas were killed Monday by the government security forces inwestern Nepal, according to a press release issued by the Defense Ministry. At least nine anti-government guerrillas were gunned down on the spot in Bardia district and another one was killed in Myagdi district, all the districts located in western Nepal, the press release said. The guerrillas were killed when they exchanged fires with the government security forces and the government security forces alsoseized some arms, ammunitions and explosive materials from the guerrillas during their cordon and search operations in these districts, it added.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2002-10/21/content_603642.htm

* 3 killed, 25 injured in road mishap in Pakistan

October 21 -- Three persons were killed and 25 others were injured in a grave road mishap near Gandrah village inGujrat of Pakistan's Punjab province Monday morning, according to a news dispatch received here. The tragedy took place when a bus going to Lahore from Azad Kashmir overturned after its driver lost control of the steering due to overspeeding. As a result, the bus conductor and two passengers on board died on the spot while 25 other passengers received injuries.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2002-10/21/content_603576.htm

Europe

* Ill health halts Indian PM's schedule

Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has cancelled all engagements for the next few days due to ill health, his officials say. A statement from his office said Mr Vajpayee, 77, is being treated for an upper respiratory tract infection. Doctors have advised him to rest for two or three days. The official statement said: "He has an upper respiratory tract infection. This has been diagnosed as a viral infection." "There has been some improvement in his condition. "However, symptoms persist and he has been advised complete rest for the next two to three days."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/2349137.stm

* US backs Dhaka over al-Qaeda claim

The US ambassador in Dhaka has contradicted a magazine report which said Bangladesh had become a safe haven for Islamic militants. The report published in a recent issue of the New York-based Time magazine had provoked strong criticism from the Bangladesh Government. Ambassador Mary Ann Peters said the US embassy in Dhaka follows terrorism issues closely and had no evidence to support the allegations in the Time report. Mrs Peters said the US embassy was not aware of any basis to the story. She said the Bangladesh Government has been a staunch member of the international coalition against terrorism.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/2346999.stm

* Doctor 'detained for al-Qaeda links'

The security forces in Pakistan, working with United States FBI agents, have arrested a leading surgeon on suspicion of having links to al-Qaeda and supplying anthrax to militant Islamic groups. Dr Aamir Aziz was detained near the eastern city of Lahore on Monday. His family say he visited Afghanistan during the Taleban era, but his main aim at the time was to help in the re-ng of the medical college in Kabul.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/2349035.stm
http://www.reuters.com/news_article.jhtml?type=search&StoryID=1609195

* India to start Pakistan troop pullback

October 21 -- India says it will take at least eight days to begin pulling back troops massed on its border with Pakistan because landmines have to be cleared and bunkers closed down before the withdrawal can start. India and Pakistan said last week they would move tens of thousands of troops to peacetime locations, but this would not include those on a tense ceasefire line in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir, the cause of two of the three wars between the nuclear-armed rivals. "It will take eight to 10 days before the formal redeployment starts," an Indian army spokesman said. "These things take time. De-mining has to be done, we have to deactivate the forward bunkers. Troops cannot suddenly start coming back leaving everything there," he said.

http://www.swissinfo.org/sen/Swissinfo.html?siteSect=143&sid=1408726

* Arrest after Pakistan journalist killed

Police in Pakistan are investigating the death of a journalist, Shahid Soomro, who was shot at his home in Kandhkot, in Sindh province, on Monday. Mr Soomro was a correspondent for the Daily Kawish; the newspaper's editor, Niaz Pahnwar, said the police had registered a case against five people and arrested one man. Mr Pahnwar said the journalist had been involved in a dispute with local people about some of his reports. Police investigations are continuing.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/2349045.stm

* Pakistan Touts New Terror Decree

Pakistan's military government defended a controversial new anti-terrorism measure that allows police to detain suspects for up to a year without charge, saying Tuesday that it was vital to keep dangerous suspects off the streets. The law, signed into effect by President Gen. Pervez Musharraf over the weekend, has been criticized by human rights groups, who say it grants authorities too much power. But Interior Minister Moinuddin Haider said the new measure is similar to laws passed in other countries since Sept. 11.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-2109321,00.html

* India orders inquiry into murder of men accused of killing cow

India's Deputy Prime Minister, Lal Krishna Advani, yesterday ordered an inquiry into a bloodbath, in which five unarmed "untouchables" were lynched by a mob watched by scores of police and several senior local administrators. The stoning last week of the five Dalits, or "untouchables", as they used to be called, is an issue that will not go away. It embraces some of India's darkest and most painful themes, including the abusive caste system and rising Hindu extremism.

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/asia_china/story.jsp?story=344812

* Strike call over Dhaka arrests

The opposition Awami League in Bangladesh has threatened a series of strikes and protests after two of its leaders were arrested in a crackdown on crime. Rallies are to be held in the capital, Dhaka, on Tuesday and Wednesday, and a half-day national shutdown is being called on Thursday. Former ministers Sheikh Fazlul Karim and Saber Hossain Chowdhury were arrested on Sunday night by troops who are assisting police in the anti-crime sweep. No details have been revealed about the charges they face. The army also raided the houses of several other high-ranking Awami League leaders.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/2348949.stm

* Sri Lankans disagree on peace moves

October 21 -- A new opinion poll of Sri Lankans shows there is still a huge gap in how rival ethnic communities view the current peace process. The survey by the Centre for Policy Alternatives in Colombo, shows Muslims and Sinhalese strongly disapprove of an interim administration in the north east, dominated by the Tamil Tiger rebel group. There also seems to be growing uncertainty about the effectiveness of the international team monitoring the cease fire, especially among Sinhalese. According to this latest survey conducted in September, 78% of Sinhalese disapprove of the rebels controlling an interim administration in the north east while 82% of Tamils approve.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/2346535.stm

Middle East

* India to begin pullback in 10 days

India said yesterday troops massed on the border with Pakistan since December, will start pulling out in about 10 days after arrangements for a phased withdrawal are in place. "It will take eight to 10 days before the formal redeployment starts," an Indian Army spokesman told reporters. "These things take time. Demining has to be done, we have to deactivate the forward bunkers. Troops cannot suddenly start coming back leaving everything there," he said. Pakistan said yesterday that all of its troops would be pulled back from its internationally-recognized border with India, but refused to specify numbers. "Pakistan will withdraw all its troops to peacetime locations," military spokesman Maj. Gen. Rashid Qureshi told reporters in Islamabad. He was unable to give a timetable for the withdrawals.

http://www.arabnews.com/Article.asp?ID=19655
http://www.gulf-news.com/Articles/news.asp?ArticleID=66369

* Pakistan sees no change in foreign policy after polls

October 21 -- The Pakistani Foreign Office spokesman Monday ruled out any possibility of change in the country's foreign policy despite the securing of more seats by the anti-American Islamic groups in the recently held general elections. "There would be continuity in the country's foreign policy even after a change in the government," spokesman Aziz Ahmed Khan told reporters in Islamabad Political analysts expect changes in Pakistan's policy as the Mutahida Majlis-e-Amal, alliance of six religious parties, has emerged as the third large group in the National Assembly.

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

* Coalition talks hit stalemate

Pakistan's political parties appeared deadlocked yesterday over who will form the first civilian government after three years of military rule, and there was no clear date for the transfer of power. The outgoing government has said the promised transfer could be delayed from November 1 until at least the middle of next month, leaving the country in limbo. Law Minister Khalid Ranjha said at the weekend the power transfer would probably be delayed until after senate elections, which are set for November 12. The parties who won the biggest number of seats but failed to score a simple majority have been engaged in marathon rounds of talks on possible coalitions, but no alliances have been finalised.

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Articles.asp?Article=35307&Sn=WORL

* Pakistan confirms closure of ISAF office

October 21 -- Pakistan Monday said the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) would close its office in the port city of Karachi next month. Britain and several other members of the ISAF are using the base at Karachi airport as a transit point for heavy equipment bound for Afghanistan. Speaking to reporters in Islamabad, Pakistani Foreign Office spokesman Aziz Ahmed Khan said that the ISAF agreement with Pakistan for the supply base expires in November and that it has not been extended.

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

* MMA preparing 'white paper'

The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) has decided to publish a 'white paper' on rigging in the general elections and has said this will be a "detailed document that will prove rigging beyond any doubt." The decision was made at a meeting of the provincial organisation of the alliance. A meeting to discuss the contents of the document was also held on Sunday evening, with the preliminary 'white paper' already in the drafting stages.

http://www.gulf-news.com/Articles/news.asp?ArticleID=66360

* Vajpayee falls ill

New Delhi -- Prime Minister Atal BEhari Vajpayee cancelled all his engagements yesterday, saying he had a sore throat, and returned to New Delhi early from a visit to his central India constituency of Lucknow, capital of Uttar Pradesh state. A Cabinet meeting and an address to a meeting of the World Academy of Sciences were cancelled yesterday.

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Articles.asp?Article=35299&Sn=WORL

* Indian court seeks govt stand on export of chemicals to Iraq

The New Delhi High Court Tuesday asked the government to clarify its stand on granting special license to an Indian company for export of certain chemicals to Iraq, which allegedly was using it to develop chemical weapons. Judge Manmohan Sarin directed Additional Solicitor General (ASG) K K Sud and standing counsel Jayant Bhushan to make the government stand clear on the affidavit of Director General Foreign Trade (DGFT) which stated that the company -- NEC Engineering Ltd. -- can apply for special export license. Both ASG and Bhushan contended that the government has certain reservation in granting the special license to NEC.

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

* Iranian minister of S&T and research arrives in New Delhi

Islamic Republic of Iran's Minister of Science, Technology and Research Mostafa Moin, heading a delegation, arrived here this morning for talks with his Indian counterpart Murli Mahohar Joshi and participating in the Third World Academy of Sciences conference (/spacer.gif). According to IRNA reporters, Moin is scheduled to deliver a speech in this 8th General Conference and 13th General Meeting of the TWAS and 7th General Assembly of the Third World Network of Scientific Organizations (/spacer.gif) in New Delhi Tuesday.. Eminent personalities and foreign dignitaries from 78 countries, including a 12-member Iranian delegation, are participating in the conference.

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

* Rock to visit South Asian countries

Canada's Industries Minister Allan Rock is intending to undertake an extensive tour of South Asian countries, including India and Pakistan early next year. "I will going to Hong Kong and China later this year. And hopefully I will be touring South Asian countries next year," he said while addressing a gathering of South Asian industrialists, businessmen and bankers at Toronto's Bayview Club. The gathering was organized by Anwar Merchant, president of Canada-Pakistan Business Council (CPBC) in coordination with Toronto-based business organizations of India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal. Prior to Rock's speech, these organizations announced the formation of their joint body called SABCA (South Asian Business Council Alliance) to promote trade between Ottawa and South Asian states.

http://www.arabnews.com/Article.asp?ID=19636

* Chandrika to join JVP protest rally

Sri Lanka's main opposition parties are strengthening themselves against the ruling party amidst a growing rift within one of the key coalition partners of the government. President Chandrika Kumara-tunga, who heads the main opposition People's Alliance (PA), will join a protest campaign rally with the Marxist JVP (People's Liberation Front) tomorrow in Colombo, presidential spokesman, Janadasa Peiris, said. Sections of the PA and JVP have been working together to build a strong opposition against the ruling United National Front (UNF) government during the past few months, but this is the first time that Chandrika will be joining the campaign with the JVP.

http://www.gulf-news.com/Articles/news.asp?ArticleID=66359

* Israeli-built Sri Lankan air force fighter plane crashes

A Sri Lankan air force fighter jet crashed Tuesday, minutes after taking off from Colombo on a test run, a defense official said. The pilot suffered minor injuries. "The pilot had reported engine failure and had tried to restart the jet," said Austin Fernando, defense secretary. "Unable to so he had ejected from the descending craft." There were no immediate reports of casualties on the ground where the Israeli-built, Kfir jet crashed near Kurunegala, 95 kilometers (60 miles) northeast of the capital, Colombo.

http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=222353&contrassID=1&subContrassID=8&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y

Editorial

N/A

Business/Technology

* Indian software fuels 'world's first' mobile printing solution

October 21 -- A printing tool, claimed to be a global first that allows users to remotely access their documents from anywhere in the world, from any device -- desktop or hand-held computer, pager or mobile phone -- and to have them printed nearby, works on wireless messaging software that was developed by a Bangalore-based team of Indian engineers. According to the Hindu, a New Delhi-based English daily, the PrintMe service, launched earlier this year by a US company, Electronics For Imaging (EFI), (www.efi.com) eliminated the frustrations of globetrotting executives who needed to access and selectively print documents while abroad, from large databases in their parent offices. However, the service needed the user to contact it via the Internet, a requirement that was eliminated a few weeks ago, when PrintMe was enhanced by Unimobile (www.unimobile.com), a mobile messaging solution created by the Bangalore-based start-up of the same name.

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

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