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# The Global Intelligence Files

On Monday February 27th, 2012, WikiLeaks began publishing The Global Intelligence Files, over five million e-mails from the Texas headquartered "global intelligence" company Stratfor. The e-mails date between July 2004 and late December 2011. They reveal the inner workings of a company that fronts as an intelligence publisher, but provides confidential intelligence services to large corporations, such as Bhopal's Dow Chemical Co., Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon and government agencies, including the US Department of Homeland Security, the US Marines and the US Defence Intelligence Agency. The emails show Stratfor's web of informers, pay-off structure, payment laundering techniques and psychological methods.

## Re: Fwd: IND/INDIA/SOUTH ASIA

Released on 2012-09-03 09:00 GMT

Email-ID | 670406
Date | 1970-01-01 01:00:00
From | animesh.roul@stratfor.com
To | reva.bhalla@stratfor.com

Hi Reva, i used to get all these...i got trouble in mailbox when it overflo=
wed (alog wth BBC feeds)...so requested to remove these from my mail box re=
cently...Perhaps in future i will add again ...but not now...i faced lot of=
trouble accessing inbox...
I got some iputs on Nepal and i did soem research on that...will get back .=
..
A
----- Original Message -----
From: Reva Bhalla <reva.bhalla@stratfor.com>
To: Animesh Roul <animesh.roul@stratfor.com>
Sent: Tue, 14 Sep 2010 08:42:44 -0500 (CDT)
Subject: Fwd: IND/INDIA/SOUTH ASIA
Hi Animesh,
Have you been receiving these emails from our translation services?=20=20
they contain a lot of useful items for your sweeps. Wanted to make=20=20
sure they're being utilized as well. Thanks
Begin forwarded message:
> From: dialogbot@smtp.stratfor.com
> Date: September 14, 2010 5:30:26 AM CDT
> To: translations@stratfor.com
> Subject: IND/INDIA/SOUTH ASIA
> Reply-To: matt.tyler@stratfor.com
>
> Table of Contents for India
> 1) US Presence in Kabul Reason for Attacks of National Militant Groups
> Report by M. Riaz, Peshawar Bureau Chief: "Recent Terrorist=20=20
> Incidents in Pakistan -- the Fallout of Events and Situation in=20=20
> Afghanistan" Words within double slant lines are in English.
> 2) Argentina Political and Economic Issues 11-13 Sep 10
> 3) Indian Daily Interviews Former Minister on State of Women=7Fs=20=20
> Rights in Afghanistan
> Excerpts of interview with Dr. Massouda Jalal, former Afghan=20=20
> Minister for women's affairs by Bula Devi, Delhi based independent=20=20
> journalist: =7F=7FThe State of Women's Rights Is Still a Concern=7F=7F ;=
=20=20
> date and place not given; text in italics, boldface as formatted by=20=20
> source
> 4) Lithuanian Minister Stresses Turkey's Role in Ensuring Stability=20=20
> in Afghanistan
> "Lithuania's Foreign Minister Criticizes Bids To Urgently Grant=20=20
> Prefe rential Trade Status to Pakistan" -- BNS headline
> 5) Government To Import 500,000 Tons of Foodgrain From India
> Report by Iftekhar Mahmud: "India To Sell 500,000 Tons of Rice,=20=20
> Wheat to Bangladesh: Dhaka Can Procure More 500,000 Tons if it Wishes"
> 6) Myanmar Business Group To Hold Furniture Fair in Yangon
> Xinhua: "Myanmar Business Group To Hold Furniture Fair in Yangon"
> 7) Police, BAL Members Allegedly Helping in Smuggling of Indian Goods
> Report by Shahabul Shaheen: =7FPolice Helping Smuggling Drives in=20=20
> Gaibandha=7F
> 8) Article Urges Updating Bangladesh Defense Policy in View of India-=20
> China Rivalry
> Article by M. Shahidul Islam: =7FIndo-China Rivalry Intensifies: Time=20=
=20
> To Redraw Nation's Defence Strategy=7F
> 9) News Roundup 12, 13 Sep
> For assistance with multimedia, contact OSC at 1-800-205-8615 or oscinfo@=
rccb.osis.gov=20
> .
> 10) China Owns 'Indisputable Sovereignty Over Diaoyu Islands
> Editorial: "China Will Absolutely Not Give In; Japan Must Not=20=20
> Misjudge the Situation"
> 11) Xinhua 'Interview': 'Partnership And Commitment' Needed To=20=20
> Achieve MDG Targets in Africa: UNDP Official
> Xinhua "Interview" by Laila Kabbaj: "'Partnership And Commitment'=20=20
> Needed To Achieve MDG Targets in Africa: UNDP Official"
> 12) Cabinet group discusses partial withdrawal of armed forces act=20=20
> in Indian Kashmir
> 13) US 'dismayed' by reports of school, church attacked in India -=20=20
> agency
> 14) Indian Commentary Discusses Credibility Crisis, Chaos, in Pakistan
> Commentary by Balbir Punj " Nobody Trusts Pakistan"
> 15) Indian Editorial Discusses Diminishing Influence of PM Singh on=20=20
> Federal Ministers
> Editorial: "What Was That Again? The Prime Minister's Lofty Self-=20
> Image"
> 16) West Indian Press 13 Sep 10
> The following is a selection of highlights from the West Indian=20=20
> press on 13 September 2010
> 17) Moe Says It Respects Professionalism In Revising Textbooks
> By Lee Hsien-feng &amp; Bear Lee
> 18) Nepal, Indian forces agree closer cooperation against border crime
> 19) Indian Commentary Says Dialogue With Pakistan 'Meaningless'
> Commentary by P R Chari: =7FDialogue With Pakistan is Useless =7F And an=
=20=20
> End in Itself=7F
> 20) Latvian Economist Says Country Not Prepared for Second Wave of=20=20
> Crisis
> "World Braces For 2nd Wave of Crisis But Latvia Has No Specific=20=20
> Solution -- Economist" -- BNS headline
> 21) Indian Commentary Urges Govt To Address Long-Brewing Crisis of=20=20
> Increasing Hunger
> Commentary by Utsa Patnaik, professor (retd) of Economics in=20=20
> Jawaharlal Nehru University, specialization- problems of historical=20=20
> tr ansition to industrialisation in agriculture-predominant=20=20
> societies, recent publications- The Republic of Hunger and Other=20=20
> Essays, and (edited) The Agrarian Question in Marx and his=20=20
> Successors: =7FThe Early Kalidasa Syndrome=7F
> 22) Trinamool Tells Congress to 'Delay', 'Change' Amended Land=20=20
> Acquisition Act
> Unattributed report: =7FMamata Land Law Message to Cong=7F
> 23) Trinamool Launches Programs To 'Counter' Congress Campaign in=20=20
> Bengal
> Unattributed report: =7FTrinamul Eyes Rahul Show=7F
> 24) Editorial Urges India To Settle for Muted Response to Obama's=20=20
> Outsourcing Policy
> Editorial: =7FObama=7Fs Obsession =7F &amp; What to Do About It=7F
> 25) Indian Editorial Urges PM Singh To Create Fund for 'Victims of=20=20
> Development'
> Editorial: =7FAnother Way=7F
> 26) Indian Editorial Criticizes Govt for Reviving 'Colonial=20=20
> Practice' of Caste Census
> Editorial: =7FWhat's the Sense of It?=7F
> 27) Karnataka Weavers Create 'Almost Weightless' Silk Scarf, Sari=20=20
> for Obamas
> Unattributed report: =7FGifts in Silk Await Obamas - Karnataka=20=20
> Couple=7Fs Scarf Can Fit Into Matchbox=7F
> 28) Suspected Maoists Shoot at CPI-M Member in Bengal in Apparent=20=20
> Turf Battle
> Unattributed report: =7FMaoists Strike Back in Lalgarh=7F
> 29) Russia to put unique missiles on Indian Air Force aircraft -=20=20
> commander
> 30) Xinhua 'China Exclusive': Chinese Vice FM Calls on G20 To Draw=20=20
> on Experience of Developing Nations
> Xinhua "China Exclusive": "Chinese Vice FM Calls on G20 To Draw on=20=20
> Experience of Developing Nations"
> 31) Hizbul Mujahidin Leader Sayed Salahuddin Criticizes India
> Unattributed report: "We Will Continue Struggle Until Complete=20=20
> Withdrawal Of Indian Army: Salahuddin"
> 32) 3rd Ld-Writethru: Chinese Vice FM Calls on G20 To Draw on=20=20
> Experience o f Developing Nations
> Xinhua: "3rd Ld-Writethru: Chinese Vice FM Calls on G20 To Draw on=20=20
> Experience of Developing Nations"
> 33) Smolensk Kristall To Increase Diamond Sale By 50% In 2010
> 34) India To Call Back Military Attache From China
> Report by Javed Rashid: "China-India Tension: India Decides To Call=20=20
> Back Its Military Attache"
> 35) China's Stock Market Value to Top That of U.S. in 2030: Goldman=20=20
> Sachs
> 36) Thwarting of Northern Lanka-India Secret Sea Line Communication=20=20
> Links Stressed
> Report by Shamindra Ferdinando: =7FPivotal Importance of Continuous=20=20
> Sri Lanka Navy Watch on Indo-Lanka Maritime Boundary Stressed=7F
> 37) Indian Commentary Says Poverty, Violence, Money Power Hinders=20=20
> Governance
> Commentary by Gopalkrishna Gandhi: =7FA Tale of Three Lions=7F --=20=20
> Poverty, Violence, Corruption and the Power of Money Hinder=20=20
> Governance=7F; first part of an ed ited version of a talk on=20=20
> governance in India at the IIC, Delhi; text in bold face as=20=20
> formatted by the source.
> 38) Indian PM says 'grievances' of Kashmiri youth need to be addressed
> 39) EU To Make Decision On M-55 Geofizika Repairs In 2011
> 40) Southeast Asia Chinese-Language Media Reporting on PRC 13 Sep 10
> The following lists selected reports on China from Southeast Asian=20=20
> Chinese-language media on 11-13 September. To request additional=20=20
> processing, please contact OSC at (800) 205-8615, (202) 338-6735; or=20=
=20
> fax (703) 613-5735.
> 41) India president arrives in Cambodia on six-day visit
> 42) Vietnam's Rice Export Volume up in First Eight Months
> Xinhua: "Vietnam's Rice Export Volume up in First Eight Months"
> 43) Indian Media Highlights 12-13 Sep 10
> 44) One killed, two injured in police firing in Indian Kashmir 13=20=20
> Sep tember
> 45) South Indian Press 13 Sep 10
> The following is a selection of highlights from the South Indian=20=20
> press on 13 September 2010
> 46) PM's Office Feels Media Adviser Playing 'Favorites' To Section=20=20
> of Press
> Report in unattributed weekly column under the rubric =7FReporters=7F=20=
=20
> Diary=7F: =7FBreach of Trust=7F
> 47) Unlimited Term of Presidency Blow to Sri Lankas Democracy
> Editorial: =7FTerm Unlimited=7F
> 48) Eight killed in Maoists' shutdown in six Indian states
> 49) Indian Daily Report Says Assam Government Faces Debt Worth $4.9=20=20
> Billion
> Report by Manoj Anand: =7FAssam Govt Reels Under Debt Worth Rs.22,881cr=
=7F
> 50) Islamists Attack Victim Says Church Inventing Stories To Justify=20=
=20
> Dismissal
> Report by VR Jayaraj: "'Church Inventing Stories to Justify Self'"
> 51) Russia To Provide Indian Air Force With Latest Types Of=20=20
> Weapons< /a>
> 52) Indian Army Warns Govt of 'Renewed' Infiltration Attempts in=20=20
> Kashmir by Militants
> Report by Rahul Datta and Mohit Kandhari: "Mercenaries Back in Valley"
> 53) Delhi Article Views Kashmiri Reaction to Farooq Abdullah's Anti-=20
> Secession Speech
> Article by Inayat Jehangir: "New Slogans" -- text in boldface as=20=20
> formatted by source
> 54) Visiting Minister Urges Indian Govt To Rein in Illegal=20=20
> Immigrations to Canada
> Report by Ramesh Ramachandran: =7FCanada Battles Indian Visa Frauds=7F
>
> 1) Back to Top
> US Presence in Kabul Reason for Attacks of National Militant Groups
> Report by M. Riaz, Peshawar Bureau Chief: "Recent Terrorist=20=20
> Incidents in Pakistan -- the Fallout of Events and Situation in=20=20
> Afghanistan" Words within double slant lines are in English. - Nawa-=20
> e Waqt
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 10:35:14 GMT
> holy month of Ramadan, people's attention is focused on the outcome=20=20
> of the devastating floods unleashing after 29 July, the match-fixing=20=
=20
> charges against Pakistani cricket players presently on a visit to=20=20
> England, and the invitation of Altaf Hussain, MQM (Muttahida Qaumi=20=20
> Movement) chief, to "patriotic generals" to come forward and his=20=20
> proposal for a revolution on the pattern of the French Revolution, a=20=
=20
> renewed spate of suicide explosions and the terrorist attacks has=20=20
> once again started in the country.The firing on Ali Day procession=20=20
> in Karachi, the bomb explosions outside Karbala Gamay Shah in Lahore=20=
=20
> on the same day, the suicide attack in Mizan Square, Quetta in the=20=20
> Al-Quds day procession, the bomb attack on police party in Peshawar,=20=
=20
> the suicide attack on the Qadianis' worship place in Mardan, and the=20=
=20
> suicide bomb attack on a police station in Lakki Marwat Distri ct of=20=
=20
> Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa, are all parts of a fresh waive of terrorism,=20=20
> which has targeted all provinces of the country one after the other=20=20
> with full intensity.In addition, explosions are also taking place in=20=
=20
> North and South Waziristan Agencies and other tribal areas, where=20=20
> drone strikes are also taking place almost on daily basis.
>
> According to political and military analysts, terrorist incidents in=20=
=20
> Pakistan are the //fallout// of the situation in Afghanistan, where=20=20
> the troops of over 40 countries, led by the US military -- all of=20=20
> whom equipped to their teeth -- are busy in conflict for the past=20=20
> nine years in the name of operation, //Enduring Freedom//, which=20=20
> they have started since October-November 2001.With each passing day,=20=
=20
> the efforts of these forces for an enduring freedom are more and=20=20
> more changing into a mere pipedream.
>
> At the moment, when the Pakistani people are thinking about the=20=20
> aforementioned incidents, rapid changes are also taking place with=20=20
> regar d to the situation in Afghanistan and its adjacent Pakistani=20=20
> tribal areas.The command of NATO forces in Afghanistan has been=20=20
> shifted from General McChrystal, who has been removed from his=20=20
> office, to Gen David Petraeus, the commander of the coalition forces=20=
=20
> in Iraq, at a time when President Barack Obama has already announced=20=
=20
> to begin the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan in July,=20=20
> 2011.Now, while a strategy is being evolved for the troop=20=20
> withdrawal, different viewpoints are being reported from different=20=20
> level.Some Western analysts say that the commencement of the US=20=20
> troops' withdrawal from Iraq and the announcement of Obama to start=20=20
> the withdrawal of forces from Afghanistan have further strengthened=20=20
> the Taliban and other resistance forces in Afghanistan.They say that=20=
=20
> these steps have provided a psychological upper hand to the Taliban,=20=
=20
> who now believe that the United States cannot stay in Afghanistan=20=20
> for a longer period.These analysts present the intensification in=20=20
> the T aliban attacks during last year and the current year as proof=20=20
> of their assertion.
>
> The war, which former US President Bush had started in Afghanistan=20=20
> after the 9/11 incidents is changing into an unpopular war at the=20=20
> public-level in the United States and its allied countries.In=20=20
> addition the billions of dollars expenditures of the war, the human=20=20
> loss caused by this can also not be overlooked.Two thousand and=20=20
> seventy-six soldiers of the United States and 25 coalition partners=20=20
> have so far been killed in the Afghan war.These include 1,283 US and=20=
=20
> 332 British soldiers.With 151 soldiers, Canada is on the third=20=20
> position in the list.The other countries, whose soldiers have been=20=20
> killed in Afghanistan, include France, Germany, Denmark, Spain,=20=20
> Italy, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Portugal, ROK, Belgium,=20=20
> Finland, Lithuania, and New Zealand.The war is rather becoming more=20=20
> and more difficult for these foreign forces with each passing day,=20=20
> which can be assessed from the fact tha t as compared to the last=20=20
> year's figure of 304, the number of the killed soldiers during the=20=20
> first eight months of the current year is 316, which is likely to=20=20
> soar up to a great extent by the end of the year.
>
> If we take a look at the loss incurred by Pakistan in this war,=20=20
> which has been started in the name of Enduring Freedom, the war has=20=20
> literally pushed the country to the brink of destruction.If only the=20=
=20
> human losses are reviewed, official estimates say that more than=20=20
> 31000 precious lives have so far been lost in this war.The people=20=20
> killed include 90 military officers and 237 soldiers while the=20=20
> number of injured officers and soldiers has been stated as=20=20
> 5930.Sources rather say the toll of the killed and injured persons=20=20
> may even be higher than that the aforementioned figures.
>
> However, the US seriousness and its 40 coalition partners in the=20=20
> Afghan war can be assessed from the fact that the number of the=20=20
> forces of all these countries in Afghanistan -- a country w ith a=20=20
> land of 547,500 sq. km. and having militant inclination ever since=20=20
> the pre-historic times - is 150,000, which also include officials of=20=
=20
> subordinate military departments.In most areas, these troops are=20=20
> either at the mercy of the warlords or the insurgents.That is the=20=20
> reason that a scandal of bribing of insurgents by the French Forces=20=20
> had surfaced earlier this year.In addition, in Musa Qala area of=20=20
> Kandahar Province, the British forces had to sign a deal with the=20=20
> insurgents by offering them "incentives."
>
> Contrary to the figure of the coalition forces in Afghanistan, the=20=20
> number of the Pakistani forces in its narrow tribal belt is 180,000,=20=
=20
> where they have set up 821 checkpoints as against the 12 checkpoints=20=
=20
> of the US and coalition forces in as much area on the other side of=20=20
> the border where only 10,000 US and coalition forces have been=20=20
> deployed.
>
> Despite that, the United States and some of its leading coalition=20=20
> partners are airing statements against Pakistan every now and then,=20=20
> which, also include the recent remarks of US Secretary of Defense=20=20
> Robert Gates and that of British Prime Minister David Cameron in=20=20
> India.
>
> Some Pakistani intellectuals, while defending the apologetic=20=20
> behavior of the Pakistani Government toward these statements, argue=20=20
> that as the United States and its coalition partners are extending=20=20
> financial support to Pakistan, the latter is not in a position to=20=20
> give a categorical response to them.However, some prominent Western=20=20
> writers are heard speaking in their private conversations that the=20=20
> United States and its coalition partners depend on Pakistan in the=20=20
> region and their financial assistance with Pakistan is far less than=20=
=20
> the services, which Islamabad is providing to the United States in=20=20
> particular and to its other allies in general.They say that if the=20=20
> responsible Pakistani officials, who are depending on the United=20=20
> States for their vested interests and power, ever play their cards=20=20
> in their nationa l interest and begin to gaze in the eyes of the US=20=20
> officials they can get more for their country.
>
> The significance of this apparently backward region can be assessed=20=20
> from the fact that all declared and undeclared nuclear states of the=20=
=20
> world have their military or geographic presence here: Three nuclear=20=
=20
> powers, i.e., Pakistan, India, and China, are located in the region=20=20
> while three others, i.e., France, the United Kingdom, and the United=20=
=20
> States, have their armies present in Afghanistan.In addition to the=20=20
> seventh nuclear power, Russia, Iran -- which is closer to becoming a=20=
=20
> nuclear state -- is also present in the vicinity of=20=20
> Afghanistan.Thus, the United States and its coalition partners have=20=20
> very limited options without Pakistan.
>
> The mutual cooperation and collaboration between Pakistan and the US-=20
> led collation was also witnessed in Afghanistan during the past=20=20
> century when their coalition dismembered the former Soviet Union in=20=20
> to so many parts that many of today's intellectuals even do not know=20=
=20
> the names of all these parts.A debate is also continuing whether the=20=
=20
> disintegration of the Soviet Union had left a positive or negative=20=20
> impact of the global power balance.
>
> As for the implications of stating our position in front of the=20=20
> United States in categorical terms, one of its demonstrations was=20=20
> witnessed last week when US Defense Secretary Robert Gates wasted no=20=
=20
> time in apologizing to Pakistan and softening his country's=20=20
> traditional inflexible stand when a Pakistani military delegation,=20=20
> visiting the United States at the invitation of the US Central=20=20
> Command, cancelled its visit right at the airport in protest against=20=
=20
> an inappropriate attitude meted out to it by US officials.
>
> In addition to pushing billions of dollars in the war, the United=20=20
> States and its allies are also investing a huge amount through the=20=20
> Afghan Government while reports about rampant corruption in the=20=20
> Karzai government and its administrative machinery are al so=20=20
> surfacing every now and then.However, Hamid Karzai, who himself has=20=20
> no control even in Kabul Province, is putting the responsibility for=20=
=20
> all his ills on Pakistan and instigating the United States and its=20=20
> coalition partners to take action against the country.Karzai fully=20=20
> knows that now when the Afghan war is becoming unpopular in the eyes=20=
=20
> of people in the United States and the other coalition partners and=20=20
> pressure is mounting on US President Barack Obama to start the=20=20
> troops' pullout from Afghanistan in July 2011.Despite that, he is=20=20
> making efforts to further complicate the situation by expanding the=20=20
> radius of the war to Pakistan and is insisting for strikes inside=20=20
> Pakistan.In fact, he is forgetting that at present, the United=20=20
> States and its allies are also facing stiff resistance in northern=20=20
> provinces of Afghanistan, while neither are those areas bordering=20=20
> Afghanistan and nor is the population of these areas Pashtun=20=20
> dominated.It is interesting to note that despite rejection by the=20=20
> Taliban and other groups, the Karzai government is offering talks to=20=
=20
> them and on 11 September, the Afghan president even announced=20=20
> formation of a negotiating body in the name of peace council.In=20=20
> addition to prominent political and social personalities, the=20=20
> council will also include clerics, whose names have already been=20=20
> finalized and will be announced after Id-ul-Fitr (festival to mark=20=20
> the end of Ramadan).Not even 24 hours of the announcement had passed=20=
=20
> since that offer when the Taliban leadership issued a statement=20=20
> saying that they would sabotage the September 18 parliamentary=20=20
> election in Afghanistan.Calling on the Afghan people to boycott the=20=20
> election, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said that the=20=20
> election was a step from outside the country and it was aimed at=20=20
> strengthening the foreign occupation of the country.He said that the=20=
=20
> Taliban would make every attempt to sabotage these so-called=20=20
> elections, adding that the Taliban would target the Afghan and the=20=20
> fo reign forces.It was expected that the announcement of the=20=20
> negotiation council by President Hamid Karzai will bring some=20=20
> improvement in the situation, but these expectations have been=20=20
> shattered after the Taliban announcement.That is why Afghan Chief=20=20
> Election Commissioner Nadir Naderi has described the Taliban threat=20=20
> serious saying that the Afghan people fully know that when the=20=20
> Taliban give a threat they also implement the same.In the elections,=20=
=20
> 249 members of Wolusi Jirga or the lower house of the Afghan=20=20
> parliament will be elected for which 2,500 candidates are in the run.
>
> It is interesting to some extent and surprising to a great extent=20=20
> that when the incumbent president, Karzai, is in the process of=20=20
> establishing the negotiation council and he is insisting on=20=20
> political solution to problems, the United States is still=20=20
> pressuring Pakistan to start military operation against militants in=20=
=20
> North Waziristan.That is why Robert Gates issued a statement during=20=20
> his visit to Kab ul on 9 September saying: "Unfortunately the=20=20
> operation of the Pakistani forces in North Waziristan has been=20=20
> postponed for some time due to the worst-ever floods in the=20=20
> country.However, I believe that the objective can be achieved=20=20
> through cooperation between the international forces in Afghanistan=20=20
> and the Pakistani forces."His statement clearly shows that the=20=20
> United St ates still insists on launching a grand military operation=20=
=20
> in North Waziristan Agency, particularly when the weather is cold=20=20
> and the situation unfavorable there.
>
> Let alone Hamid Karzai's demand to escalate the war to the Pakistani=20=
=20
> tribal areas and the demand of the United States to launch an=20=20
> operation in North Waziristan, our rulers have never ever taken the=20=20
> pain to raise the issue of those people with Karzai and his US=20=20
> patrons, who are present in Afghanistan with full protocol and are=20=20
> active in efforts to dismember Balochistan from Pakistan.These=20=20
> separatists have their training camps in Afghan istan and they are=20=20
> being provided with every kind of facilities there.The same is the=20=20
> situation of the United Kingdom, the biggest ally of the United=20=20
> States in the war on terror, whose prime minister is hurling=20=20
> accusations against Pakistan just to please India.However, no=20=20
> Pakistani ruler is taking the courage to ask them as to what=20=20
> relationship they have with those who are trying the disintegrate=20=20
> Pakistan and are raising the slogans of separation of Balochistan.
>
> An interesting development taking is that when (non-Baluchi)=20=20
> teachers, lawyers, traders, and other profession people are being=20=20
> expelled from Balochistan, the United States has announced to open=20=20
> its consulate in Quetta.Some analysts, while writing that the facts=20=20
> about Balochistan situation are not coming in full details, express=20=20
> the fear that what is happening on the western borders is only the=20=20
> trailer while the real film is in process in Balochistan, which is=20=20
> adjacent to important countries, like Iran and Afgh anistan and=20=20
> where Gwadar Port is located besides the presence of huge reserves=20=20
> of oil, gas, and natural resources.The province is also of immense=20=20
> geopolitical and strategic importance on account of its proximity=20=20
> with the Gulf states.
>
> In addition to the interest of the United States and its coalition=20=20
> partners in the region, the open presence of India in Afghanistan=20=20
> can also not be overlooked.The patrons of Hamid Karzai also wish an=20=20
> effective role for their new partner, India, in this sensitive and=20=20
> unfavorable region.That is why when Pakistani Commerce Minister=20=20
> Makhdoom Amin Fahim was signing the Afghan Transit Trade Agreement=20=20
> with Afghan Finance Minister Anwarul Haq Ahadi in Islamabad on 18=20=20
> July for providing facility for transit trade between Afghanistan=20=20
> and India, the US secretary of state, in addition to Prime Minister=20=20
> Yousuf Raza Gilani, was also shown in the back of the two ministers,=20=
=20
> rejoicing and clapping her hands more enthusiastically than the real=20=
=20
> parties, i. e., Afghanistan and Pakistan.It is some thing else that=20=20
> after emergence of a strong public reaction with regard to some=20=20
> clauses of the agreement, Fahim and other Pakistani officials had to=20=
=20
> change their stand about some "some" details of the agreement.
>
> If the situation is reviewed in the backdrop of this changing=20=20
> regional scenario, it will become clear that while reports about the=20=
=20
> exclusion of the names of some leaders of the Afghan Taliban -- in=20=20
> whose rule their guest Usama Bin Ladin had planned and implemented=20=20
> the 9/11 incidents -- are making rounds and Hamid Karzai, the crony=20=20
> of the United States, is busy forming a council for negotiations=20=20
> with the Taliban, the United States announced on Thursday to include=20=
=20
> the Pakistani Taliban in the list of the external terrorist outfits.
>
> It is a mere coincidence that Qari Hussain, deputy of Hakimullah=20=20
> Mehsud, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief, announced on the=20=20
> same day to target Europe and the United States .
>
> As far as the issue of militancy and extremism in the Pakistani=20=20
> tribal areas adjacent to the Afghan border is concerned, if the=20=20
> issue is reviewed in its historic perspective, it will become clear=20=20
> that the Talibanization and the presence of the United States in=20=20
> Afghanistan are not the only factors, which have contributed to this=20=
=20
> surge.Rather the rampant backwardness in the area, the outdated=20=20
> British system in vogue in this tribal belt, and the sense of=20=20
> deprivation among the youths of the area are also responsible for=20=20
> this situation.Under the law imposed by the British Empire, the=20=20
> local administration in the tribal agencies enjoyed powers, like=20=20
> kings.The progress and development of these areas had totally been=20=20
> overlooked and the meager funds specified for the areas had never=20=20
> been properly used.The decisions of the political administrations,=20=20
> in which unfettered powers had been vested, had been rendered beyond=20=
=20
> the scope of the country's courts.In this situation, the iss ue of=20=20
> Talibanization or militancy only acted as a catalyst to exacerbate=20=20
> the situation for which favorable situation already existed in the=20=20
> shape of the simple-mindedness of the local people, their attachment=20=
=20
> with religion, the lengthy Afghan war, and the links between the=20=20
> Afghan Taliban and the local tribal fighters.Besides, when, during=20=20
> their invasion of Afghanistan in October 2001, the United States and=20=
=20
> the coalition forces recognized the Northern Alliance as the only=20=20
> force in Afghanistan and subjected the eastern and southern parts of=20=
=20
> Afghanistan to the shelling of B-52 aircraft, it aroused resistance=20=20
> against the United States and its allies in the Pashtun-dominated=20=20
> areas and thus the people of these tribal areas also shared the pain=20=
=20
> of the Afghan Pashtuns.It is because people on both sides of the=20=20
> border, in addition to their mutual links of language, faith,=20=20
> geography, culture, and traditions, also share common tribes.All=20=20
> these factors should not be overlooked in any rea listic analysis of=20=
=20
> the situation.
>
> In Pakistan, where the suicide explosions and terrorist attacks have=20=
=20
> caused heavy huge human and material loses, the US drone strikes=20=20
> have also, in addition targeting the "desired" objectives, caused=20=20
> human losses to civilians.These attacks are, in no way, creating=20=20
> good sentiments among people of these sensitive along the Afghan=20=20
> border.
>
> Similarly, many groups active in Pakistan, are presenting the=20=20
> presence of the US and coalition forces in Afghanistan and the=20=20
> continuation of drone strikes as justification for their=20=20
> activities.Therefore, steps, like the offer of President Karzai to=20=20
> the Taliban -- who are fighting against the United States in=20=20
> Afghanistan -- for a political solution and the announcement of=20=20
> President Obama to begin the withdrawal of the US forces from=20=20
> Afghanistan in July 2011, will have to be adopted so to seek an=20=20
> inclusive solution to this serious issue of this sensitive region.It=20=
=20
> is because the continuat ion of events clearly indicates that the=20=20
> collective peace and security of the region depends on the regional=20=20
> situation.If any one believes that by presenting a way of=20=20
> negotiation and political solution, he will be able to find=20=20
> facilities for himself, or by ignoring the real //players// and=20=20
> natural //actors// in the region, the gulf created by the US pullout=20=
=20
> from Afghanistan could be filled with India or some other country,=20=20
> it is just his misconception.
>
> (Description of Source: Rawalpindi Nawa-e Waqt in Urdu -- Privately=20=20
> owned, widely read, conservative Islamic daily, with circulation=20=20
> around 125,000.Harshly critical of the US and India.)
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited.Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder.Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US=20=
=20
> Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 2) Back to Top
> Argentina Political and Economic Issues 11-13 Sep 10 - Argentina -=20=20
> OSC Summary
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 13:46:49 GMT
> - Buenos Aires Clarin reports on 11 September that in statements on=20=20
> Radio 10 yesterday, Cabinet Chief Anibal Fernandez explained that a=20=20
> Chilean request to extradite an alleged terrorist, who requested=20=20
> political asylum here, "cannot be concluded" until the Supreme Court=20=
=20
> ruled.He also confirmed that the Chilean citizen's wife had been=20=20
> working in Casa Rosada "since 2005", as a translator, and that the=20=20
> couple had three children of Argentine nationality. "This gentleman,=20=
=20
> Galvarino Apablaza Guerra, is in Argentina since 1993.He was=20=20
> arrested in 2004 and he request political refuge that same year.The=20=20
> extradition is denied in first circuit and that case is in the=20=20
> Court," said Fernandez. (Buenos Aires Clarin.com in Spanish --=20=20
> Online version of h ighest-circulation, tabloid-format daily owned=20=20
> by the Clarin media group; generally critical of government; URL:
>
> http://www.clarin.com/ http://www.clarin.com ) Former Foreign=20=20
> Minster Returns to IACHR in Honorary Post - Buenos Aires La Nacion=20=20
> reports from Washington on 11 September that Jorge Taiana has joined=20=
=20
> the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) to cooperate=20=20
> in an intra-government "political commitment" to reinforce the=20=20
> entity institutionally. (Buenos Aires lanacion.com in Spanish --=20=20
> Website of conservative, second highest-circulation daily; generally=20=
=20
> critical of government; URL:
>
> http://www.lanacion.com.ar/ http://www.lanacion.com.ar ) 'Division,=20=20
> Intolerance Cloud 11-S Ceremonies'
>
> - Buenos Aires Clarin's US correspondent Ana Baron reports from New=20=20
> York on 12 September, in an article headlined "Division and=20=20
> intolerance cloud the 11-S ceremonies," that "despite his repeated=20=20
> calls to unity and tolerance, President B arack Obama did not manage=20=
=20
> yesterday to stop the politization of the ninth anniversary of the=20=20
> attacks on the Twin Towers." There were two marches here, in favor=20=20
> and against the construction a mosque where the Towers fell.It was=20=20
> in a climate of criticisms of immigrants and Moslems and it was=20=20
> "very evident that the Tea Party and the conservative right financed=20=
=20
> the Islamophobics' manifestation." 'Divided,' United States=20=20
> Commemorates 11-S
>
> - Buenos Aires La Nacion's Rafael Mathus Ruiz reports from New York=20=20
> on 12 September, in an article headlined "Divided, United States=20=20
> remembered 11 S," that "never before in the last nine years had the=20=20
> United States commemorated an anniversary of the terrorist attacks=20=20
> on 11 September 2001 so divided." "Yesterday New York was the=20=20
> epicenter of that division, marked by the tensions awoken by a=20=20
> debate that started with a mosque and later transferred to Islam,=20=20
> religious tolerance, and racism." &quo t;Every corner of Ground=20=20
> Zero, was scenario of debates of those issues, which exposed the=20=20
> enormous polarization unleashed in recent weeks by the place that=20=20
> was the heart of the attacks perpetrated by the al Qa'ida terrorist=20=20
> network."Of "little" effect was Obama's call to unity last Friday or=20=
=20
> his new effort yesterday to stress that the United States is at war=20=20
> with terrorism, not Islam. Commentary Western Conflicts Nurture=20=20
> Fundamentalism, Racism
>
> - Buenos Aires Clarin's international columnist Marcelo Cantelmi=20=20
> writes on 11 September that today is the ninth anniversary of the=20=20
> attacks on New York and Washington that set in motion the glazed=20=20
> antiterrorist war, a conflict that, like no other in history, heaps=20=20
> losers up on all fronts, including the United States.But this=20=20
> anniversary is not only of the biggest attack ever suffered by the=20=20
> "power regent" in its territory, but also of the defeat of the=20=20
> charisma of Barack Obama, who, almost on the anniver sary of his=20=20
> "legendary" victory on 4 November 2008, "has lost all the force of=20=20
> the illusion of change and hope that he had spread in the world, the=20=
=20
> Arab too."Actually, the Democrat had "revived" the ideas of a=20=20
> "common house" for humanity to inhabit and of a "collective=20=20
> conscience" to process the "tremendous horrors" of today.That was=20=20
> the concept of "e pluribus unum" that he unfurled in Cairo in June=20=20
> 2009; a stirring dialectic of the "new beginning," from the idea=20=20
> that "two become one enriched with the differences." "Nothing of=20=20
> that happened" and not because it was "pure idealism," but because=20=20
> there were "ideological misunderstandings."The burial of that, and=20=20
> its failure to blossom, is what "denudes this rickety anniversary of=20=
=20
> today."The threat by a US pastor to burn Korans, which caused=20=20
> "global scandal and embarrassment," is the "mo st bigoted and=20=20
> obvious" reflection of the failure to resolve "profound=20=20
> contradictions" in the United States and the entire West.It is not=20=20
> about the reaction to the still unclosed wounds from 11 September.In=20=
=20
> the United States and Europe, where "Islamophobia" is growing=20=20
> vigorously, there is feeling of impatience with governments because=20=20
> things are not working as expected and the phenomenon is occurring=20=20
> simultaneously with the "rejection of immigrants" from any origin.In=20=
=20
> the United States, these "deformations" do not begin with Pastor=20=20
> Jones's "madness."In the Abu Ghraib, Bagram, or Guantanamo prisons,=20=20
> it was common for US soldiers to destroy Korans.They used to throw=20=20
> them into toilets or urinate on them in front of the arrested=20=20
> believers.What Jones threatened to do, which remits to the burning=20=20
> of books by the Nazis or the Argentine dictatorship, is the "harvest=20=
=20
> of the sowing of fanaticism by the conservative leadership to=20=20
> justify the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan (the major sources of oil=20=20
> are usually in Moslem countries) and, certainly, to suppress=20=20
> individual freedoms within the United States itself, to destroy=20=20
> resistance to very restrictive economic plans, which would not pass=20=20
> otherwise. The situation can worsen in the United States and in=20=20
> Europe and it is possible to suppose that the "inquisitors, racists,=20=
=20
> and arsonists of ideas" will multiply. 'Fanaticism' To Worsen Before=20=
=20
> US Midterm Elections
>
> - Buenos Aires Clarin's Claudio Mario Aliscioni writes on 12=20=20
> September that one should not confuse oneself by believing that this=20=
=20
> phenomenon of Islamophobia and hard conservatism is coincidental or=20=20
> self contained.The figure of the Florida pastor threatening to burn=20=20
> the Koran "transcends" his circle.Under the "false assumption" that=20=20
> there is a link between Islam and the 11-S attacks, his case=20=20
> illustrates with "alarming clarity" what is appearing on the US=20=20
> horizon.Actually, Jones is linked to an "extended fundamentalist=20=20
> movement," whose ideology has been taking over the Republican Party=20=20
> since the 1980s, and to associated groups, which embody the extreme=20=20
> US right.The so-called Tea Party is an example of that trend, which,=20=
=20
> according to surveys, is increasing.This "fanaticism," nourished by=20=20
> ideological sources somehow linked to the "puritan fundamentalism"=20=20
> that arrived in the country with the first immigrants and that was=20=20
> later encouraged by the conservatives, will worsen before midterm=20=20
> elections next November.Since "social unrest" accelerates=20=20
> "radicalization," the danger of this phenomenon lies in that "latent=20=
=20
> threat." National Moslem, Jewish Communities Conclude Celebrations
>
> - Buenos Aires Clarin's religious columnist Sergio Rubin reports on=20=20
> 11 September that Cristina Kirchner participated yesterday in the=20=20
> end of the Islamic community's Ramadan celebration i n the Islamic=20=20
> Center of Argentina (CIRA) and stressed in her address the message=20=20
> of peace and concord from Islam and all religions.Afterward, Samir=20=20
> Salech, CIRA president, said that Cristina Kirchner's visit was "a=20=20
> very important milestone" because "it is the first time that a=20=20
> president comes to bring us greetings."He added that it coincided=20=20
> with "the celebration of the Bicentenary of the motherland, thank=20=20
> God, in democracy."Meanwhile, the Jewish community concluded the=20=20
> celebration for Rosh Hashanah. Kirchner Undergoes Emergency=20=20
> Angioplasty; Operation 'Successful'
>
> - Buenos Aires La Nacion reports on 12 September that former=20=20
> President Nestor Kirchner underwent emergency surgery on an=20=20
> obstructed coronary artery in City clinic De los Arcos last night,=20=20
> seven months after an emergency operation on his right carotid.The=20=20
> first medical report, at 0100 (0500 GMT) today, indicated that the=20=20
> operation "was successful."President Cristina Kir chner accompanied=20=20
> her husband and they were accompanied from the beginning by Luis=20=20
> Buonomo, head presidential physician. Radical Presidential Hopefuls=20=20
> Agree To Cooperate
>
> - Buenos Aires Clarin's Nicolas Winazki reports on 12 September that=20=
=20
> for the first time since Buenos Aires party primaries last June,=20=20
> Radical Civic Union (UCR) Deputy Ricardo Alfonsin (Buenos Aires) and=20=
=20
> Vice President Julio Cobos met in Tucuman yesterday to set campaign=20=20
> rules and agreed to work together for 2011.Nevertheless, they also=20=20
> suggested that only a primary would determine which of them would=20=20
> head the UCR presidential ticket. Clarin adds from Tucuman that the=20=20
> primary model from which "some" UCR leaders want to learn lessons is=20=
=20
> the Democratic primary between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.UCR=20=20
> authorities want Cobos and Alfonsin to realize that a "fierce=20=20
> dispute" between them would harm the rest and they are therefore=20=20
> already seeking "formulas" to resolve the part y's "great dilemma."=20=20
> Mayor Returns, Criticizes Student Protest
>
> - Buenos Aires Clarin reports on 13 September that Mauricio Macri,=20=20
> who returned from Europe yesterday, stated on TV Channel 9 last=20=20
> night that the students who were occupying schools were a "very=20=20
> small minority," that the protest was an "authoritarian, intolerant,=20=
=20
> and arrogant practise," that "there is a silent majority that, on=20=20
> all levels of society, that lets itself be toppled bu a minority,=20=20
> which exercises arrogance;" and that his administration had "broken=20=20
> records in investment" to improve school buildings.He added that=20=20
> "the right to protest exists and is good, but not violating the=20=20
> right of others."He also criticized party sectors, which he did not=20=20
> identity, for backing the protest.He was referring to the Kirchners'=20=
=20
> public backing for the students. El Cronista adds that Macri brought=20=
=20
> his return forward by "one day" due to opposition criticism of his=20=20
> remaining abroad despite the collapse of a disco mezzanine, in which=20=
=20
> two persons died. La Nacion adds that Chubut Governor Mario Das=20=20
> Neves, a Federal Peronist (PF) presidential hopeful, said yesterday=20=20
> that Macri's administration was "shocking." Commentary 'Kirchner=20=20
> Advances Without Measuring Risks'
>
> - Buenos Aires Clarin's political columnist Eduardo van der Kooy=20=20
> writes on 12 September, in an op ed headlined "Kirchner advances=20=20
> without measuring the risks," that the presidential matrimony's=20=20
> entire political strategy continues centering on the communication=20=20
> media.They have also made the decision that the political struggles=20=20
> that they consider crucial for 2011 will have to be "backed on the=20=20
> street."That methodology, which instils fear and removes the common=20=20
> citizen from the scenario, "consolidated" the matrimony for decades=20=20
> in "faraway" Santa Cruz.However, "fatigue" is beginning to appear in=20=
=20
> mini sters and lawmakers and there is also "underground discontent"=20=20
> in Buenos Aires.On the opposition front, Macri's present is=20=20
> "threatened" and future "complicated;" the PF is navigating between=20=20
> "intrigues and personal vanities;" Civic Coalition leader Elisa=20=20
> Carrio has launched a "new personal crusade," and the UCR and the=20=20
> Socialists "progress:" Santa Fe Governor Hermes Binner would prefer=20=20
> Alfonsin, but he will be on the ticket if it is headed by Cobos.They=20=
=20
> all have a "long" road to travel, but time is "short" and society=20=20
> wonders what Argentina will be like after Kirchnerism. Economic=20=20
> India Wants More Soybean Oil From Argentina
>
> - Buenos Aires La Nacion reports on 12 September that Indian=20=20
> Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar estimated yesterday that his=20=20
> country's "investment in Argentina will reach $2 billion in soybean=20=20
> oil," according to an Argentine Agriculture Ministry statement, alth=20=
=20
> ough it did not specify the timeframe in which that large sum would=20=20
> arrive.Pawar said that India had purchased soybean oil from=20=20
> Argentina for $1.4 billion thus far.Pawar came to the country and=20=20
> met his local counterpart, Julian Dominguez, with whom he analyzed=20=20
> commercial, technological, and sanitary issues and signed a=20=20
> "memorandum of understanding in agriculture and related sectors,"=20=20
> which will make it possible to reinforce bilateral cooperation."It=20=20
> was the first visit by an Indian agriculture minister and the=20=20
> information about increased trade with India comes amid the decrease=20=
=20
> in China's purchase of soybean oil. Intra-Government Lending:=20=20
> Economy Sells $900 Million to Anses
>
> - Buenos Aires Clarin's Gustavo Bazzan reports on 11 September that=20=20
> the Economy Ministry continues squeezing the National Social=20=20
> Security Administration (Anses) coffer to cover the central=20=20
> government's financing needs.Yesterday, the Official Gazette (BO)=20=20
> published that the emission o f dollar-denominated Discount Bonds=20=20
> was increased by $900 million.All those bonds, an Economy source=20=20
> confirmed yesterday, went to the Anses.The source clarified that the=20=
=20
> placement was made at "market prices."This means that the government=20=
=20
> took debt at an annual interest rate of around 11%, the average=20=20
> yield of the dollar-denominated discount in August. Anses Reportedly=20=
=20
> Loans 62% of Pensioners Savings to State
>
> - Buenos Aires La Nacion's Mariano Obarrio reports on 12 September=20=20
> that since the nationalization of the pension funds in 2008,=20=20
> according to the Association of Control Entities Personnel (APOC),=20=20
> the Guarantee of Sustainability Fund, (FGS), which is made up of=20=20
> pensioners' savings, totaled 150.072 billion pesos ($38.04 billion)=20=20
> last June, but 62% of those resources, 93.266 billion pesos ($23.64=20=20
> billion), was loaned to the Treasury for current expenditure.It=20=20
> should go to increasing pensions, but it is placed in "intra-public-=20
> sector" debt.While th at occurs, Casa Rosada states that it cannot=20=20
> give the 82% mobile (pension) because the state would run the risk=20=20
> of default. Commentary 'Little Machine' To Emit Pesos Returns
>
> - Buenos Aires La Nacion's economic columnist Nestor O. Scibona=20=20
> writes on 12 September that the "little machine" to emit pesos=20=20
> without backing has returned in the recent extension of the monetary=20=
=20
> program by the Central Bank (BCRA).The president's specific backing=20=20
> of that decision makes the monetary authority an addendum of the=20=20
> Executive Branch's again and the principal source of financing for=20=20
> the public sector.Its basic ingredient authorizes the transfer to=20=20
> the Treasury of 20 billion pesos ($5.07 billion) of BCRA "utilities"=20=
=20
> obtained last year from reserves (now $50.6 billion) and public=20=20
> bonds.This point is worth considering: if the BCRA has $1,000 at 3=20=20
> pesos per dollar, it registers 3,000 pesos on its books; but if the=20=20
> exchange rate was raised to 4 pesos, it would register 4 ,000=20=20
> pesos.That difference of 1,000 pesos is what is being emitted,=20=20
> although the amount of dollars remains unchanged.That is how the=20=20
> famous "little machine" is working now.In Argentina, this has always=20=
=20
> been synonymous with greater inflation, although many erroneously=20=20
> confuse it with a "chain of happiness."Meanwhile, the "little=20=20
> machine" is printing increasingly more 100-pesos bills (it is on the=20=
=20
> "L" series now), which last increasingly less time in pockets and=20=20
> wallets.If anyone believes that the 200- or 500-peso bill could=20=20
> appear soon, that will not happen during the Kirchner=20=20
> administration, "bent on denying the undeniable." (OSC translating)=20=20
> Border dispute over pulp mill Environmentalists Blockade Again
>
> - Buenos Aires Clarin's Veronica Toller reports from Gualeguaychu=20=20
> that the environmentalists blockaded the highway to Uruguay for two=20=20
> hours again yesterday afternoon.There were fewer people than last=20=20
> Sunday, about 100, and less pressure by the Border Guard (GNA),=20=20
> which "did" control the protest, but "did not" film it from a=20=20
> helicopter this time.
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited.Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder.Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US=20=
=20
> Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 3) Back to Top
> Indian Daily Interviews Former Minister on State of Women=7Fs Rights=20=
=20
> in Afghanistan
> Excerpts of interview with Dr. Massouda Jalal, former Afghan=20=20
> Minister for women's affairs by Bula Devi, Delhi based independent=20=20
> journalist: =7F=7FThe State of Women's Rights Is Still a Concern=7F=7F ;=
=20=20
> date and place not given; text in italics, boldface as formatted by=20=20
> source - The Hindu Online
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 11:01:39 GMT
> The status of women in Afghanistan was the worst right after the=20=20
> Taliban regime.But after the power of investment and the energy of=20=20
> the international community and the United Nations, it has become=20=20
> second worse in the world.So it is better than in the Taliban's time=20=
=20
> but it is still a matter of concern.About 70 per cent of the=20=20
> population in Afghanistan is facing extreme poverty.This extreme=20=20
> poverty in Afghanistan has a female face because of inadequate=20=20
> access to economic opportunities and economic resources for women.=20=20
> What about education of women? Afghanistan's population is=20=20
> approximately 30 million as in the nationwide census and half of=20=20
> them are women and girls.About 89 per cent of the vast majority of=20=20
> women in the country is illiterate; of this figure, 80 per cent=20=20
> lives in the rural areas.Illiteracy is mostly in the rural=20=20
> areas.What little literacy and education that we have for women is=20=20
> concentrated particularly in the cities and the capital. Should=20=20
> women be brough t into the peace process? Sure.They are the real=20=20
> peacemakers; they are the actual messengers of peace. Why have women=20=
=20
> been kept away from the peace process? It's because in Afghanistan,=20=20
> power, locally, most often belongs to the extremist groups.They=20=20
> don't want women to be in the mainstream peace process and be=20=20
> participative, empowered and benefit from the process.They want=20=20
> women to be at home and obey the male members of their families. In=20=20
> that case should the 'good Taliban' be brought into the mainstream=20=20
> governance? Well, names and titles are given to help these groups to=20=
=20
> be engaged in power otherwise we all know the Taliban when they were=20=
=20
> ruling Afghanistan; we all know their ideology, their vision and=20=20
> their mission, and we all know what they will do once they are again=20=
=20
> in power; we know they don't want women to participate outside their=20=
=20
> own life. Do you think Afghanistan has hit rock-bottom since=20=20
> international humanitarian organisations are also feeling the=20=20
> threat? Target ing international groups means that the Taliban wants=20=
=20
> to create fear in international circles in Afghanistan; to frighten=20=20
> them so that they leave Afghanistan because the presence of=20=20
> international organisations helps to make Afghanistan empowered as a=20=
=20
> whole and come out of the current crises.But the enemies of=20=20
> Afghanistan do not want that and so the international groups are=20=20
> being targeted. So has it hit the worst situation? Afghanistan has=20=20
> reached a blind point; it cannot move and that is why the=20=20
> international community is speaking with the Taliban to bribe the=20=20
> Taliban with political power and engage it in the political=20=20
> processes and stop the killings.In a way they are placing=20=20
> Afghanistan in the hands of criminals.I do not know why the=20=20
> international community or even the U.N. trusts the Taliban.The=20=20
> Taliban had (ruled) Afghanistan and threatened the security of the=20=20
> world.The international community wants to make the same mistake=20=20
> again. Do you think donor agencies should change their strategy?=20=20
> Donor agencies should stop all negotiations with the Taliban.They=20=20
> should be disarmed through other mechanisms and removed from=20=20
> Afghanistan, and that's what was decided in Bonn.The Bonn Agreement=20=20
> should be implemented. How? Militarily? There are many different=20=20
> ways (to tackle) things in the Afghanist an context.Why did they=20=20
> remove the Taliban from the capital but leave them to stay on the=20=20
> border and provinces?Why didn't they get rid of this headache from=20=20
> Afghanistan at the beginning?That by itself is a question.Why did=20=20
> they remove the Taliban from the north and central parts of the=20=20
> country but not from the southern part?This is the question. What=20=20
> about the social movement in Afghanistan? After the international=20=20
> community came in, a lot of funds poured in and many organisations=20=20
> were formed to work for human rights, women rights, etc.But these=20=20
> are mostly donor driven to implement the donors' interests, plans=20=20
> and strategies.Besides, corruption was never to this extent in the=20=20
> country, security is getting worse day by day, human rights and=20=20
> women's rights are slipping back, and extremism has been an issue in=20=
=20
> Afghanistan.All this is affecting the social movement in=20=20
> Afghanistan.Had the Bonn Agreement been implemented successfully and=20=
=20
> completely on time, it wouldn't have reached this situation. Who do=20=20
> you hold responsible for this? I think when the power structure was=20=20
> to be formed in Afghanistan, the U.S.' attention was drawn to the=20=20
> Iraq war and by the time they were settled with the Iraq issue, a=20=20
> power structure had already been established in Afghanistan.So they=20=20
> (the U.S.) left it by itself.So those who were stronger got a better=20=
=20
> position in Afghanistan.And who was stronger?The extremist groups.=20=20
> How do you see India's role in Afghanistan? I think India knows the=20=20
> region very well and in the context of Afghanistan, India can have a=20=
=20
> greater role than what it had so far.If India can play a role in=20=20
> international politics with its share of a ssistance for peace and=20=20
> the reconstruction of Afghanistan, it is good for all -- India,=20=20
> Afghanistan, the region and the whole world.
>
> (Description of Source: Chennai The Hindu Online in English --=20=20
> Website of the most influential English daily of southern=20=20
> India.Strong focus on South Indian issues.It has abandoned its=20=20
> neutral editorial and reportage policy in the recent few years after=20=
=20
> its editor, N Ram, a Left party member, fell out with the Bharatiya=20=20
> Janata Party-led government and has become anti-BJP, pro-Left, and=20=20
> anti-US with perceptible bias in favor of China in its write-=20
> ups.Gives good coverage to Left parties and has reputation of=20=20
> publishing well-researched editorials and commentaries; URL: www.hindu.co=
m=20
> )
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited.Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder.Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US=20=
=20
> Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 4 ) Back to Top
> Lithuanian Minister Stresses Turkey's Role in Ensuring Stability in=20=20
> Afghanistan
> "Lithuania's Foreign Minister Criticizes Bids To Urgently Grant=20=20
> Preferential Trade Status to Pakistan" -- BNS headline - BNS
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 07:10:58 GMT
> Azubalis stated the critical remarks at an informal meeting of EU=20=20
> foreign ministers that took place in Brussels on Friday (10=20=20
> September) and Saturday and discussed the situation in Pakistan=20=20
> after the recent flooding, assistance to the country and plans for=20=20
> long-term cooperation between the EU and Pakistan, the Foreign=20=20
> Ministry said.
>
> At the meeting, the Lithuanian diplomacy chief underlined the=20=20
> importance of providing further humanitarian assistance to Pakistan=20=20
> and the need to prepare a plan for EU's withdrawal from the country=20=20
> in five years.
> Lithuania has sent 50,000 litas (EUR 14,500) worth of humanitarian=20=20
> aid, namely, 10 tents and 10 heaters, to flood-ridden Pakistan.
>
> In the discussion on trade cooperation with Pakistan, Azubalis gave=20=20
> a critical view of the bids made by some EU nations to immediately=20=20
> grant the country the preferential trade status, reads the press=20=20
> release.
>
> "It is not an instrument of humanitarian aid. Pakistan so far falls=20=20
> short of the objective criteria for the status, and hasty revision=20=20
> of the criteria may cause damage to industry of EU countries,=20=20
> including Lithuania, as well as have negative effects upon EU trade=20=20
> relations with some underdeveloped nations," said the Lithuanian=20=20
> minister.
>
> On the eve of the European Council, foreign ministers also discussed=20=
=20
> one of the main issues on the council's agenda -- EU's relations=20=20
> with strategic partners, for instance, China, India and Brazil. The=20=20
> ministers also spoke about the enhancement of the influence and=20=20
> visibility of the European Union as a global player, and the=20=20
> necessary resources of EU foreign policy.
>
> Azubalis called for clearer definition of EU priorities in the ties=20=20
> with strategic partners. In his opinion, it is vital to apply the=20=20
> new instruments in EU's foreign relations after the enactment of the=20=
=20
> Lisbon Treaty, observe a unified EU position, seek closer=20=20
> cooperation with the abovementioned states on global and mutual=20=20
> matters while staying loyal to the core value principles of the EU.
>
> "Energy and regional security should be among the key EU priorities=20=20
> in relations with strategic partners," said the Lithuanian diplomacy=20=
=20
> chief.
>
> At the meeting, EU foreign ministers exchanged opinions on=20=20
> improvement of organization of work of the European Affairs Council.=20=
=20
> Azubalis emphasized the need to plan the council's agendas in=20=20
> advance for a longer term, for instance, for six months in the light=20=
=20
> of the strategic direction and events around the globe.
>
> Anothe r issue addressed at the meeting was improvement of EU=20=20
> cooperation with Turkey. Lithuania's Azubalis said that Turkey's=20=20
> active participation was vital in ensuring stability in South=20=20
> Caucasus, Western Balkans, Afghanistan and other regions, as well as=20=
=20
> gave a green light to development of new mechanisms for cooperation=20=20
> with Turkey.
>
> "At the same time, Turkey should be encouraged to continue=20=20
> implementing reforms related with EU membership negotiations, and=20=20
> all negotiating chapters that are ready in technical terms should be=20=
=20
> opened," said the Lithuanian minister.
>
> On Monday, EU foreign ministers will attend a meeting of the EU=20=20
> General Affairs Council in Brussels.
>
> (EUR 1 =3D LTL 3.45)
>
> (Description of Source: Vilnius BNS in English -- Baltic News=20=20
> Service, the largest private news agency in the Baltic States,=20=20
> providing news on political developments in all three Baltic=20=20
> countries; URL: http://www.bns.lt)
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS,=20=20
> US Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 5) Back to Top
> Government To Import 500,000 Tons of Foodgrain From India
> Report by Iftekhar Mahmud: "India To Sell 500,000 Tons of Rice,=20=20
> Wheat to Bangladesh: Dhaka Can Procure More 500,000 Tons if it=20=20
> Wishes" - Prothom Alo
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 10:35:16 GMT
> India to increase the country's food stock.Meanwhile, India is ready=20=
=20
> to sell another 500,000 tons of foodgrain to Bangladesh if the=20=20
> government decides to procure.
>
> An Indian state-run agency will supply and transport the foodgrain=20=20
> to Bangladesh.The prices of rice and wheat will be fixed by adding=20=20
> the transport cost to the local pro curement costs.
>
> A high-powered Bangladesh delegation, led by Food Secretary Barun=20=20
> Dev Mitra, disclosed this information on its return from=20=20
> India.Sources at the Food and Disaster Management Ministry said that=20=
=20
> the delegation met Indian Finance Minister Pranab Mukhejee and=20=20
> Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar during its visit and finalized the=20=
=20
> issue of food import.
>
> Concerned sources said that a high-powered Indian delegation would=20=20
> soon visit Bangladesh to sign a deal for exporting 300,000 tons of=20=20
> rice and 200,000 tons of wheat from New Delhi.Barun Dev Mitra will=20=20
> return to Bangladesh immediately after 'Id al-Fitr on 11=20=20
> September.He told the Prothom Alo that the consignments would start=20=20
> arriving in Bangladesh within October if the agreement was signed in=20=
=20
> September.
>
> Delegation sources said that the rice and wheat would be supplied=20=20
> from the warehouses of the state-run Food Corporation of India under=20=
=20
> the Agriculture Ministry of that country.The food grain will be t=20=20
> ransported to Bangladesh by the State Trading Corporation and=20=20
> Project Equipment Corporation under the Commerce Ministry of India.
>
> According to negotiations with India, of the 200,000 tons=20=20
> consignment of wheat, 50,000 tons will reach Bangladesh from Punjab=20=20
> through rail route.And the entire consignment of the remaining=20=20
> 150,000 tons of wheat will reach Chittagong Seaport through ships.
>
> The sources further said that during the visit, the Indian=20=20
> agriculture secretary told the Bangladesh delegation that at=20=20
> present, the Indian warehouses had a stock of 20 million tons of=20=20
> foodgrain.This stock is sufficient for India, and Bangladesh can=20=20
> also purchase another 500,000 tons of foodgrain from India if it=20=20
> wishes.The Indian food secretary asked the Bangladesh delegation to=20=20
> communicate the issue of food import to the Indian authorities as=20=20
> soon as possible.
>
> The Bangladesh delegation reached India on 30 August.It held=20=20
> meetings with Indian Finance Minister Pranab Mukerjee on 2=20=20
> September.During the meeting, Pranab referred to his meeting with=20=20
> Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and said that India was=20=20
> ready to export foodgrain to Bangladesh as per its requirement at=20=20
> the request of the prime minister.At the initial stage, the Indian=20=20
> Agriculture Ministry had set the price of rice at $437 per ton and=20=20
> wheat at $330 per ton.But Bangladesh has requested India to reduce=20=20
> the prices to some extent.
>
> Food department sources said that the government silos in Bangladesh=20=
=20
> had stocks of 657,000 tons of rice, 8,650 tons of paddy, and 55,604=20=20
> tons of wheat.
>
> (Description of Source: Dhaka Prothom Alo in Bengali =7F The largest=20=
=20
> circulated daily in Bangladesh known for objective=20=20
> reporting.Generally read by young people and the intelligentsia.This=20=
=20
> newspaper has no particular political affiliation but is anti-=20
> Islamist.Owned by industrial and marketing conglomerate TRANSCOM,=20=20
> which also publishes The Daily Star in English.Estimated circulation=20=
=20
> 250,000.)< br>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited.Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder.Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US=20=
=20
> Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 6) Back to Top
> Myanmar Business Group To Hold Furniture Fair in Yangon
> Xinhua: "Myanmar Business Group To Hold Furniture Fair in Yangon" -=20=20
> Xinhua
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 13:22:48 GMT
> YANGON, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- A Myanmar private business group, the=20=20
> Thousands Islands Business Group, will launch a furniture fair in=20=20
> Yangon in late this week to showcase quality wood products made by=20=20
> their companies, the local Weekly Eleven News reported Monday.
>
> Organized by the Myanmar Timber Entrepreneurs Association, the=20=20
> Yangon Lifestyle Furniture Fair 2010 wi ll take place at the=20=20
> Tatmadaw Hall from Thursday to Sunday.Displayed at the fair will be=20=20
> luxury furniture manufactured with teak and hardwood, garden=20=20
> furniture, those made of cane and bamboo, Chinese traditional=20=20
> furniture and modern one as well as furniture paint and others, the=20=20
> report said.The display items also include export furniture, the=20=20
> report added.Timber stands as the country's third largest export=20=20
> goods after mineral and agricultural products.Myanmar has targeted=20=20
> to export over 20,000 tons of teak in the present fiscal year=20=20
> 2010-11 despite sharp drop in the export in 2009-10.Myanmar was able=20=
=20
> to export over 10,000 tons of teak annually before 2009-10.However,=20=20
> due to the sharp declination of demand in the international market=20=20
> in 2009-10, the country could export only 4,000 tons in the year,=20=20
> failing to meet the year's projected export target of 10,000 tons,=20=20
> timber exporting companies said.The companies are striving to=20=20
> fulfill the set export target by buying teak produc ed from 20=20=20
> regions in the country.Of the four classes of teak, that of the=20=20
> special class come from Gangaw, Pakokku and Chin, while that of the=20=20
> first class or A Class are produced from Taungdwingyi, Nay Pyi Taw=20=20
> or Pyinmana, Tayat, Pyay, Minbu, Taungoo, Shwebo, Aunglan and=20=20
> Monywa.The domestic purchase prices of teak range from 300 to 500=20=20
> U.S. dollars per ton, while the export prices of them stand at 1,300=20=
=20
> to 2,000 dollars per ton, according to the companies.Myanmar exports=20=
=20
> teak most to India, followed by China, Bangladesh, Thailand and=20=20
> Malaysia.(Description of Source: Beijing Xinhua in English --=20=20
> China's official news service for English-language audiences (New=20=20
> China News Agency))
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited.Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder.Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US=20=
=20
> Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 7) Back to Top
> Police, BAL Members Allegedly Helping in Smuggling of Indian Goods
> Report by Shahabul Shaheen: =7FPolice Helping Smuggling Drives in=20=20
> Gaibandha=7F - Prothom Alo
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 11:46:20 GMT
> Palashbari-Ghoraghat hilly routes of Gaibandha=20=20
> District.Particularity, the Indian goods have flooded the market in=20=20
> the run up to the Id al-Fitr festival.Most of the smuggled items=20=20
> comprise saris, lungis (clothes wrapped around the lower half of the=20=
=20
> body), fabrics, cosmetics, narcotics, spices, fire crackers, spare=20=20
> parts of bikes, and chemicals.
>
> Allegations are rife that the police have leased out these two=20=20
> routes at a rate of 700,000 takas (Tk) per month.The money coming=20=20
> from the lease is being distributed among the policemen, leaders of=20=20
> different political parties, and so-called journalists.
>
> Lieutenant Colonel Akramuzzaman, commander o f the 40 Rifles=20=20
> Battalion of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) based at Phulbari of Dinajpur=20=20
> District, told the Prothom Alo on 7 September that the main=20=20
> smuggling drives were continuing along a 5-km stretch of the border=20=20
> to the south of the hilly checkpoint.He said that a huge syndicate=20=20
> was controlling the smuggling drives there.According to him, this=20=20
> syndicate was behind the smuggling of Indian goods to the country.He=20=
=20
> said that concerted efforts of all types were necessary to curb=20=20
> smuggling and that it was not possible for the BDR to do the job=20=20
> alone.
>
> Gaibandha Police Superintendent Mohammad Shahadat Hossain has also=20=20
> admitted that Indian goods were smuggled into the district through=20=20
> the aforementioned two routes.He said that the police were launching=20=
=20
> regular drives to seize the smuggled goods.He claimed that the=20=20
> allegation of using special police token for conducting smuggling=20=20
> was not correct.He termed the allegation of leasing out the routes=20=20
> by the police for smuggling to be baseless and said that the=20=20
> distribution of lease money among the police was also false.He said=20=20
> that there were no proofs regarding these allegations.
>
> It has been known after inquest that three individuals, having the=20=20
> letters M, A, and R in their nicknames, are controlling the hilly=20=20
> Gobindaganj route.All of them reportedly are active leaders and=20=20
> workers of the ruling party.The monthly lease money of this route is=20=
=20
> Tk 500,000.In addition, the Palashbari-Ghoraghat hilly route is run=20=20
> by an influential ruling party member carrying the letter M.M. with=20=20
> his name.The monthly lease money of this route is Tk 200,000.
>
> The people carrying Indian items reportedly use special tokens.The=20=20
> tokens bear symbols of different animals, birds, and plants.They=20=20
> bear symbols of parrots, tigers, deer, and water lily.Smuggled goods=20=
=20
> are brought deep into the country from the frontier by tempos,=20=20
> bicycles, and vans using these tokens.Goods are seized from those=20=20
> people who cannot show the toke ns.More than 1,000 people of two=20=20
> subdistricts are involved with the smuggling directly or indirectly.
>
> It has been known after inquest that theses smuggled goods are=20=20
> entering the country through these routes are offloaded at Kaiaganj,=20=
=20
> Chashakpara, Guhatipara and Gumaniganj Villages under the=20=20
> Gobindaganj municipal area.From there, the goods are sent to various=20=
=20
> parts of the country, including Gobindaganj, Gaibandha, and=20=20
> Bogra.Indian goods worth about Tk 5 million are being smuggled into=20=20
> the country by using the two routes everyday.
>
> Moreover, Indian items smuggled in through the Palashbar-Ghoraghat=20=20
> hilly route are offloaded in the areas of Kalibarihat and Uday Sagar=20=
=20
> of Palashbari Subdistrict town, Gaibandha, and Rangpur bus stop.From=20=
=20
> here, the drugs -- mostly Phensidyl syrups -- are sent to Gaibandha=20=20
> Town and its adjacent areas.Even the drug items brought into the=20=20
> country through this route are being sent to Mymensigh through=20=20
> Roumari in Kurigram District and Dewang anj in Jamalpur District=20=20
> through river routes by using the Balasi ferry terminal in=20=20
> Phulchhari Subdistrict.
>
> Tozammel Hossain, president of the Gobindaganj Subdistrict unit of=20=20
> the ruling Bangladesh Awami League (BAL), said that unhindered=20=20
> smuggling spree was going on through the routes under the=20=20
> supervision of the police.But, the re was no one to protest it, he=20=20
> said.He said: "The leaders and workers of different political=20=20
> parties might have their involvement with the smuggling=20=20
> syndicates.But, I do not know anything about this."
>
> Abdul Matin, convener of the Gobindaganj Citizen's Committee, said=20=20
> that people from all walks of live in the area knew about the=20=20
> smuggling and offloading of goods.But, the smugglers were conducting=20=
=20
> their drives by using political identities and with helps from the=20=20
> police, he alleged.As a result, he said that none dares to speak=20=20
> against the crime.
>
> Denial: Abu Akkas Ahmed, officer-in-charge (OC) of Gobaindaganj=20=20
> police stati on, has refuted the allegation of the distribution of=20=20
> money against smuggling drives and conducting the smuggling routes=20=20
> by different individuals.He said that the police have remained=20=20
> active in recovering Indian goods entering the country though the=20=20
> smuggling routes.
>
> Ahsan Habib, officer in charge of the Palashbari police station,=20=20
> said that the allegations of smuggling by different individuals and=20=20
> sharing money by the police against snuggling drives were=20=20
> baseless.He said that the police were regularly patrolling the=20=20
> routes.He said that moreover, the police contingents from the=20=20
> district headquarters were conducting antismuggling drives on the=20=20
> routes.
>
> (Description of Source: Dhaka Prothom Alo in Bengali =7F The largest=20=
=20
> circulated daily in Bangladesh known for objective=20=20
> reporting.Generally read by young people and the intelligentsia.This=20=
=20
> newspaper has no particular political affiliation but is anti-=20
> Islamist.Owned by industrial and marketing conglomerate TRANSCOM, wh=20=
=20
> ich also publishes The Daily Star in English.Estimated circulation=20=20
> 250,000.)
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited.Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder.Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US=20=
=20
> Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 8) Back to Top
> Article Urges Updating Bangladesh Defense Policy in View of India-=20
> China Rivalry
> Article by M. Shahidul Islam: =7FIndo-China Rivalry Intensifies: Time=20=
=20
> To Redraw Nation's Defence Strategy=7F - Holiday Online
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 07:09:30 GMT
> A number of glaring testimonies of looming military danger make it=20=20
> incumbent upon our defence policy makers to update the nation's war=20=20
> book, or re-write a new one altogether in light of the intensified=20=20
> Indo-Chinese rivalry and the Ind ian distinctive strategic alliance=20=20
> with the USA. The security ambiance of the region plunged deeper=20=20
> into a danger zone lately with reports in the US and the Indian=20=20
> media of Islamabad's handing over of the Gilgit-Baltistan region of=20=20
> the Pakistan-administered Kashmir to China and China's deployment of=20=
=20
> 11,000 troops in that region. Coupled with other recent geopolitical=20=
=20
> developments, these reports indicate the re-shaping of the regional=20=20
> strategic landscape and of Delhi's dogged determination to challenge=20=
=20
> Beijing's pre-eminence in regional and global politics, with help=20=20
> from Bangladesh. Besides, the intensified Indo-Chinese tension=20=20
> seriously undercuts efforts by people of India, China and Russia for=20=
=20
> greater regional collaborations; despite the foreign ministers of=20=20
> the three nations slated to meet in Bangalore on October 26-27.
>
> Denial unheeded Reacting to the reports that started to make=20=20
> headlines in late August, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Jiang=20=20
> Yu said o n September 2, "We believe these attempts of some people=20=20
> to fabricate stories to provoke China-Pakistan or China-India=20=20
> relations are doomed to fail." Pakistan too issued similar=20=20
> rebuttal. A Pakistani Foreign Office spokesman, Abdul Basit,=20=20
> strongly denied the news being circulated in the American and Indian=20=
=20
> media and said on August 31, "The Chinese were working on landslide,=20=
=20
> flood hit areas and on the destroyed Korakoram Highway with the=20=20
> permission of Pakistani Government." All such denials did little,=20=20
> however, to assuage
>
> Indian concerns. India's ambassador to China, S. Jaishankar, met=20=20
> with the Chinese vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Zhang Zhijun, on=20=
=20
> September 3 in Beijing and conveyed New Delhi's concern over the=20=20
> presence of Chinese troops in Gilgit-Baltistan. India also further=20=20
> reinforced its military capability along the 2,521 mile China-India=20=20
> borders.
>
> Historical animosity Although a recent New York Time report had=20=20
> linked the Chinese military presence in Kashmir to China's plans to=20=20
> gain a "grip on the strategic area to ensure unfettered road and=20=20
> rail access to the Gulf through Pakistan," the animosity is rooted=20=20
> in historic claims and counter claims made by the two nuclear armed=20=20
> neighbours on each other's territories. The New York Times report=20=20
> said there were two important new developments in Gilgit-Baltistan;=20=20
> a simmering rebellion against the Pakistani rule and the influx of=20=20
> an estimated 7,000 to 11,000 soldiers of the Chinese People's=20=20
> Liberation Army (PLA) in the area. In reality, these reports are=20=20
> tied with recent Indian war preparation and entrenchment of military=20=
=20
> capability along mutual borders on which the two nations had fought=20=20
> a brief but bloody war in 1962. The border dispute dates back to=20=20
> 1914 when the colonial Britain hosted a conference with the Chinese=20=20
> and the Tibetan governments to demarcate the Tibetan border along=20=20
> the so called McMahon line. China never recognised th e McMahon Line=20=
=20
> and claims 90,000 sq km, nearly all of what India now calls=20=20
> Arunachal Pradesh (about 2000 sq kms), its own territory. Besides,=20=20
> India accuses China of occupying 8,000 sq km of its territory in=20=20
> Kashmir. The latest spark also emanated from Delhi's upping the ante=20=
=20
> on August 26 following Beijing's refusal to grant a visa to Indian=20=20
> army's Northern Command Chief, Lt. Gen. BS Jaswal, to visit Beijing=20=20
> as an Indian military delegation member, saying the office r=20=20
> oversees Jammu and Kashmir which 'is a disputed area.' The incident=20=20
> left Delhi snubbed, insulted and injured; more so when Beijing asked=20=
=20
> to replace Lt. Gen. Jaswal, something India refused to comply and=20=20
> ordered instead a demarche by cancelling a scheduled visit by a=20=20
> Chinese military delegation to India's National Defence College.=20=20
> Delhi also ordered cancellation of another scheduled visit by Indian=20=
=20
> military officials to China.
>
> Offensive postures The ongoing rivalry may end up with another war,=20=20
> acco rding to many analysts. Since 2007, India has been aggressively=20=
=20
> racing to match China for regional and global power, building and=20=20
> bolstering airstrips and army outposts along the common borders and=20=20
> rebuilding run-down roads and infrastructures. In June 2009, it=20=20
> started building a tunnel to bypass the virtually impassable Rohtang=20=
=20
> Pass to ensure all-weather access to Ladakh, which abuts the Tibetan=20=
=20
> Plateau. Coupled with recent procurement of huge state-of-the-art=20=20
> military hardware and Delhi's strategic alliance with the USA, these=20=
=20
> moves kept Beijing busy in shoring up its own deficiencies,=20=20
> tactically and strategically, while Delhi replaced its 'cold start'=20=20
> strategy with an aggressive doctrine to confront both China and=20=20
> Pakistan simultaneously. These bellicose postures are heading toward=20=
=20
> the outbreak of another major war among the two regional giants.=20=20
> Besides defending the sovereignty of the Arunachal Pradesh, Delhi=20=20
> wants to recover the Chinese-administered Aksai Chin, whic h India=20=20
> claims as part of its territory. Along the Kashmir frontier, north=20=20
> of Ladakh stands the disputed Siachen Glacier, an ice-capped river=20=20
> basin that had provoked both India and Pakistan to claiming and=20=20
> fighting over, almost frequently since the 1980s. Both India and=20=20
> Pakistan maintain military outposts on the 20,000 feet high altitude=20=
=20
> of the Siachen's glacier- capped ranges.
>
> Bangladesh's concern Having lost Tibet to China in 1959, India took=20=20
> over Sikkim's sovereignty in 1975, but the predicament posed by the=20=20
> Siliguri Corridor in West Bengal, with an average width of 21 km to=20=20
> 40 km only, in connecting the north eastern region with the Indian=20=20
> mainland could not be reconciled as yet. That is what makes=20=20
> Bangladesh an integral part of the Indian and the Chinese defence=20=20
> priorities and makes it extremely difficult for Dhaka to maintain=20=20
> either a neutral stance, or align militarily with either of the=20=20
> protagonists. It also gives birth to a cliche, if not a strategic do=20=
=20
> ctrine, that "He who controls Bangladesh will control north east=20=20
> India," making Bangladesh susceptible to pre-emptive military=20=20
> invasion by either of the protagonists. Geopolitically, China has=20=20
> two major claims over territories that India claims to be its own.=20=20
> The claim in the western sector involves Aksai Chin in the=20=20
> northeastern Ladakh District in Jammu and Kashmir. The eastern=20=20
> sector claim involves the territory belonging to the British era=20=20
> North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA) abutting Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan=20=
=20
> and Myanmar; including the Tibetan-Naga-inhabited Arunachal Pradesh=20=20
> which Delhi has turned into its 24th state on 20th February, 1987.=20=20
> These lands were fought over before. During the 1962 Indo-China war,=20=
=20
> the well-trained and well-armed PLA troops overpowered the ill-=20
> equipped Indian troops, who found themselves not properly=20=20
> acclimatized to fight at high altitudes. Following initial setbacks,=20=
=20
> Indian troops desperately sought to regroup and the Indian army s=20=20
> trengthened its defensive positions in the NEFA and Ladakh to=20=20
> repulse possible Chinese attacks through Sikkim and Bhutan. The=20=20
> Indian attempt failed and the war reached close to Bangladesh=20=20
> frontiers (then East Pakistan), despite many Indian army units=20=20
> having moved from Calcutta, Bihar, Nagaland, and Punjab to guard the=20=
=20
> northern front iers of West Bengal and Assam. The western NEFA=20=20
> witnessed deployment of three Indian brigades while two other=20=20
> brigades were deployed in Sikkim and the West Bengal border with=20=20
> Bhutan. Light Stuart tanks were drawn from the Eastern Command=20=20
> headquarters at Calcutta to bolster such deployments. Yet, an=20=20
> unrelenting Chinese onslaught wiped out virtually all Indian=20=20
> resistance in Kameng and, by November 18, the PLA had penetrated=20=20
> close to the outskirts of Tezpur, Assam, a major frontier town=20=20
> within the artillery range from Bangladesh and barely 50 kilometres=20=20
> from the Assam-NEFA border. Sensing Indian helplessness, China=20=20
> declared a unilateral ceasefir e on November 21. Beijing also=20=20
> respected the McMahan line and withdrew troops beyond what it=20=20
> regards as 'unaccepted' Line of Actual Control (LoAC).
>
> The big picture There are those who blame the USA for the latest=20=20
> escalation in tension and military preparedness in Asia. They say=20=20
> the US department of defence annual report's claim that 'the pace=20=20
> and scope of China's military modernisation have increased over the=20=20
> past decade' has scared Delhi. The report cautioned that 'extreme=20=20
> secrecy is increasingly difficult to reconcile with China's role in=20=20
> the integrated global economy, which depends on transparency.' That=20=20
> is perhaps part of the story. Beijing's quest for access to the=20=20
> Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf regions for much needed energy=20=20
> resources lay at the centre of its alliance making in the region,=20=20
> although the Indian story is rooted more in geopolitical quest for=20=20
> land. Although other intelligence reports indicate Beijing is=20=20
> constructing over 22 tunnel and a r ail link between Pakistan=20=20
> administered Kashmir and China, and further extending the Karakoram=20=20
> Highway that connects China's Muslim predominant Xinjiang province=20=20
> with Pakistan, the tunnel construction is related to a projected gas=20=
=20
> pipeline from Iran to China that would cross the Karakorams through=20=20
> Gilgit. India, however, fears they could be also used for missiles=20=20
> storage sites. They plausibly could, but such Indian fear is grossly=20=
=20
> misplaced. Given that Beijing has financed the construction of=20=20
> Pakistani naval bases at Gawadar, Pasni and Ormara in Balochistan,=20=20
> such connectivity aims mainly at transporting cargo and oil from the=20=
=20
> Persian Gulf to eastern China within 48 hours. While those could be=20=20
> least of our concerns, Bangladesh must prepare not to get overrun by=20=
=20
> any of the contending armies of the region in the instance push come=20=
=20
> to shove. That is why it must devise a full spectrum defence=20=20
> capability of its own as a sovereign nation state of 150 million=20=20
> strong.
>
> (Desc ription of Source: Dhaka Holiday online in English -- Website=20=20
> of Bangladesh's premier English-language weekly. Maintains an=20=20
> independent line and known for its bold editorials. Estimated=20=20
> circulation 8,000. Mostly read by policymakers, the intelligentsia,=20=20
> and the diplomatic community; URL: www.weeklyholiday.net)
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS,=20=20
> US Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 9) Back to Top
> News Roundup 12, 13 Sep
> For assistance with multimedia, contact OSC at 1-800-205-8615 or oscinfo@=
rccb.osis.gov=20
> . - Iran -- OSC Report
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 07:14:50 GMT
> The following is a roundup of reports appearing in the Iranian med=20=20
> ia sources in English, and news and commentaries published in non-US=20=
=20
> media on 12 and 13 September 2010. This roundup is in the following=20=20
> sections: (Click on the links to go to the desired section) POLITICS/=20
> DIPLOMACY "Koran Burning" NUCLEAR ISSUE/SANCTIONS "'Iran has no=20=20
> undeclared nuclear site'" ECONOMY/ENERGY MILITARY/SECURITY TERRORISM/=20
> CRIME/NARCOTICS DISSENT/OPPOSITION SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY SOCIETY/=20
> RELIGION CULTURE/MEDIA/SPORTS COMMENTARIES/ANALYSES/INTERVIEWS=20=20
> HEADLINES IN MAJOR IRANIAN NEWSPAPERS POLITICS/DIPLOMACY Press TV:=20=20
> "'Iran ready to free US detainee on bail'"
>
> (Sun, 12 Sep) Tehran Prosecutor General Abbas Jafari-Dolatabadi has=20=20
> announced Iran's readiness for the conditional release of one of the=20=
=20
> three US citizens arrested for illegally entering the country.=20=20
> Jafari-Dolatabadi said the judge in charge of probing the case has=20=20
> issued an indictment for the trio charged with espionage after the=20=20
> approximate completion of investigations i nto the three Americans'=20=20
> illegal act, IRNA reported him as saying on Sunday. Sarah Emily=20=20
> Shourd, 31, Shane Michael Bauer and Joshua Felix Fattal, both 27,=20=20
> were arrested on Iranian territory in July 2009 after illegally=20=20
> crossing the border from the mountains of northern Iraq's Kurdistan=20=20
> region. "For two of the defendants, both male, an arrest warrant has=20=
=20
> been issued, (while) the female co-defendant has been granted a five=20=
=20
> billion rials (almost $500,000) bail," said the Islamic Republic=20=20
> judiciary official. He hinted at the practice of leniency in=20=20
> Shourd's case and said, "Her arrest warrant has been turned into a=20=20
> bail" after considering reports on her well-being. The Islamic=20=20
> Republic had earlier called off the release of Shourd over=20=20
> unresolved legal issues. The trio had been charged with espionage=20=20
> after the Tehran prosecutor found "compelling evidence" that the=20=20
> three US citizens had been cooperating with US intelligence=20=20
> agencies. (Back to top) Rela ted Stories:
>
> http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=3D8906211236 Iran rejects=20=
=20
> link between Amiri, Shroud's freedom
>
> http://presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=3D142036 Iran calls off release of=20=
=20
> US detainee
>
> http://presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=3D141888 Iran to release one of=20=20
> three US nationals Press TV: "'Military dictatorship part of US=20=20
> tradition'"
>
> (Sun, 12 Sep) Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki has denounced anti-=20
> Iran remarks made by the US secretary of state, saying "military=20=20
> dictatorship" is a part of the American tradition. Last week Hillary=20=
=20
> Clinton said "Iran is morphing into a military dictatorship with=20=20
> a ... sort of religious-ideological veneer," and the US tries to=20=20
> support opposition forces in the country "in a way that does not=20=20
> undermine or endanger them." "Military dictatorship is the essential=20=
=20
> trait of traditional thought in the US... they no t only violate the=20=
=20
> international laws by military attacks on other countries... but=20=20
> also disregard international organizations and institutions in their=20=
=20
> attempt to achieve their ominous objectives," Mottaki said on=20=20
> Sunday. Pointing to Clinton's remarks about organizing and equipping=20=
=20
> Iran's opposition forces, Mottaki said these statements reveal the=20=20
> "real intentions of the US which are obviously in contrast with=20=20
> President Barack Obama's declared stances to interact based on=20=20
> mutual respect." Mottaki added that the US has unsuccessfully been=20=20
> trying to meddle in Iran's domestic affairs for three decades and=20=20
> American officials want to see the failure of the democratic=20=20
> establishment of the Islamic Republic. They are not aware, however,=20=20
> that the objective of Iran's Revolution and establishing the Islamic=20=
=20
> Republic was to "end foreign interferences especially that of the US=20=
=20
> in the country's internal affairs," Mottaki concluded. (Back to top)=20=
=20
> Related Stories:
>
> http://presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=3D142226&amp;secti onid=3D351020101=20=
=20
> Iran raps Clinton over rude remarks
>
> http://presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=3D141002 'Nuclear weapons legitimize=20=
=20
> US policies'
>
> http://presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=3D138085 'Iran won't give in to US=20=
=20
> threats'
>
> http://presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=3D99189 Ahmadinejad warns Obama over=20=
=20
> interference Press TV: "Iran to host representatives from 40 African=20=
=20
> states"
>
> (Sun, 12 Sep) Tehran is slated to host a summit that will focus on=20=20
> the expansion of political and economic ties between Iran and the=20=20
> African continent. "Representatives from the government and private=20=20
> sectors of over 40 African nations will be coming to Tehran to=20=20
> attend the summit," senior Foreign Ministry official Ali Amirshahidi=20=
=20
> said on Sunday. The summit will explore ways to expand Iran's=20=20
> relations with African nations such as exporting technical services=20=20
> and expertise, increasing trade volume, and aiding the development=20=20
> of the continent, IRNA reported. According to the Irani an official,=20=
=20
> the industries, health, and transport ministers of several African=20=20
> countries will be attending the summit which will be held on=20=20
> September 14 and 15. Amirshahidi added that president Bingu wa=20=20
> Mutharika of Malawi would be among the attendees at the summit.=20=20
> Malawi currently holds the presidency of the African Union where=20=20
> Iran has observer status. Tehran has recently boosted efforts to=20=20
> promote its economic and political ties with African states. (Back=20=20
> to top) Related Stories:
>
> http://presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=3D142221&amp;sectionid=3D351020101=20=
=20
> Iran, Malawi to enter 'new era' of ties Press TV: "Lawmakers send=20=20
> letter to Iran President"
>
> (Sun, 12 Sep) A senior lawmaker says the Parliament (Majlis) has=20=20
> urged the president to preserve Iranian unity by avoiding parallel=20=20
> tasks in the country's foreign policy. The call came after President=20=
=20
> Mahmoud Ahmadinejad appointed Esfandiyar Rahim-Mashaei, Hamid=20=20
> Baqaei, Mohammad Mehdi Akhoundzadeh and Abolfazl Zohrehvand as his=20=20
> special envoys for the Middle East, Asia, Afghanistan and Caspian=20=20
> Sea affairs on August 22. The move drew criticism from 122 lawmakers=20=
=20
> who argued that the appointment of special presidential envoys in=20=20
> the foreign policy arena is "against the law," urging President=20=20
> Ahmadinejad to stick to guidelines recently offered by of the Leader=20=
=20
> of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. Deputy Head=20=
=20
> of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Mohammad=20=20
> Esmail Kowsari said on Sunday that Majlis had sent a letter to=20=20
> Ahmadinejad in which it "stressed the necessity of preserving unity=20=20
> and integrity in the foreign policy arena." "Since the country is in=20=
=20
> the state of emergency, there is no need to select special envoys,"=20=20
> said Kowsari, adding that the "country's foreign policies are=20=20
> determined by the overal l polices of the Islamic Republic." The=20=20
> Iranian lawmaker went on to add the president had replied the Majlis=20=
=20
> letter, Mehr News Agency reported. (Back to top) Mehr News Agency:=20=20
> "Majlis committee urges Ahmadinejad to remove special envoys"
>
> (Sun, 12 Sep) Tehran/Tabriz - In a letter to President Ahmadinejad,=20=20
> the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee has called=20=
=20
> for the annulment of the posts of special presidential envoys, MP=20=20
> Esmaeil Kosari announced on Sunday. President Ahmadinejad has=20=20
> appointed Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, Hamid Baghaei, Mehdi=20=20
> Akhoundzadeh, and Abolfazl Zohrevand as his special envoys in the=20=20
> Middle East, Asia, Caspian Sea, and Afghanistan respectively, a move=20=
=20
> which drew widespread criticism. Given the country's critical=20=20
> condition, there is no need to appoint such envoys in foreign policy=20=
=20
> areas, the letter reads. Besides, the foreign policy is being=20=20
> pursued based on the Islamic Republic's macro policies in a=20=20
> harmonious way, it added. The letter has nothing to do with the=20=20
> appointment of Rahim Mashaei - the presidential chief of staff in wh=20=
=20
> ich principlists are very sensitive toward him because of his=20=20
> controversial remarks -, said Kosari, a member of the Majlis=20=20
> National Security and Foreign Policy Committee. The MP added the=20=20
> president has not replied to the letter yet. 'Special envoys would=20=20
> undermine foreign minister's authority' Also, MP Ghaffar Ismaeli=20=20
> told the Mehr News Agency in Tabriz that the appointment of special=20=20
> envoys would undermine the authority of the foreign minister and=20=20
> ambassadors. Ismaeli, a member of the Majlis Planning and Budget=20=20
> Committee, also noted disregard for "diplomatic formalities has=20=20
> dealt a heavy blow to the country's diplomatic system." For=20=20
> instance, he said the recent remarks made by one of the special=20=20
> envoys have created tension in the relations between Iran and=20=20
> Turkey, an indirect reference to Baghaei's remarks about historical=20=20
> disputes between Turkey and Armenia. (Back to top) Mehr News Agency:=20=
=20
> "'MPs running out of patience with administration'"
>
> (Sun , 12 Sep) MP Ahmad Tavakkoli has written a letter to President=20=20
> Mahmoud Ahmadinejad saying the Majlis will not be lenient in dealing=20=
=20
> with the administration's law-breaking forever. "The president=20=20
> should not think that the Majlis will deal cautiously with the=20=20
> administration's unlawful actions forever," Tavakkoli, who is known=20=20
> for his criticism of the administration's economic policies, said.=20=20
> "Our caution is due to political considerations, but MPs will=20=20
> (eventually) run out of patience," he stated. The principlist MP=20=20
> believes that the administration's decisions to reduce working hours=20=
=20
> in Ramadan and declare the day after Eid ul-Fitr a holiday=20=20
> contravene the law. "Based on what permission did you declare=20=20
> Saturday a holiday? According to the law, the parliament has the=20=20
> right to designate a day as a holiday," he asserted. The president=20=20
> declared the day a holiday, ignoring the repercussions of his=20=20
> decision on the country's economy, he added. He went o n to say that=20=
=20
> the Majlis decided not to declare the day a holiday, but the=20=20
> president illegally overturned the decision. "What message is=20=20
> conveyed to the society? Is undermining the Majlis and mocking its=20=20
> decision consistent with the oath you have taken to safeguard the=20=20
> Constitution?" Elsewhere in the letter, Tavakkoli said even though=20=20
> the Supreme Leader advised the administration against parallel=20=20
> activities in the area of foreign policy, the president did not obey=20=
=20
> the Leader's directive and did not dismiss his special envoys for=20=20
> strategic regions around the world. Ahmadinejad recently appointed a=20=
=20
> number of special envoys in a move which met widespread criticism.=20=20
> Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and Foreign Minister=20=20
> Manouchehr Mottaki also opposed the move as interference in the work=20=
=20
> of the Foreign Ministry. (Back to top) Mehr News Agency:=20=20
> "'Government should formally announce decision on 5th development=20=20
> plan'" (Sun, 12 Sep) Majlis has suspend ed a study of the Fifth=20=20
> Development Plan till the administration officially announces=20=20
> whether it still wants to withdraw the plan or not, MP Mohammad-=20
> Hossein Farhangi announced on Sunday. In protest over amendments to=20=20
> the Fifth Development Plan (2010-2015) by a special Majlis=20=20
> committee, last week the administration requested that the plan be=20=20
> withdrawn. Following the administration's request last Sunday Deputy=20=
=20
> Majlis Speaker Mohammad Hassan Aboutorabifard and some members of=20=20
> the parliament presiding board held a session with Ahmadinejad. In=20=20
> the meeting the president called for a halt in withdrawing the plan=20=20
> and now the Majlis is waiting for an official response, Farhangi=20=20
> told the Mehr News Agency. It was also agreed that the government=20=20
> provide a list of changes to the plan that it sees problematic so=20=20
> that they could be rectified, added Farhangi, a member of the=20=20
> parliament's presiding board. The five-year plans are part of=20=20
> "Vision 2025", a plan for the long-term sust ainable growth. (Back=20=20
> to top) Related Stories
>
> http://mehrnews.com/en/NewsDetail.aspx?NewsID=3D1149260 MP warns about=20=
=20
> delayed or hasty execution of subsidy reform plan Mehr News Agency:=20=20
> "Ahmadinejad says has 'plans for every second' of his presidency"
>
> (Sun, 12 Sep) President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says the administration=20=20
> has "plans for every second" of the three remaining years of his=20=20
> presidency. The Iranian nation's determination for progress and the=20=20
> administration's motive for serving the nation increase as days pass=20=
=20
> along, the president said on a TV program on Sunday. Asked about the=20=
=20
> changes he has undergone over the past five years, the president=20=20
> said, "The passage of time and acquiring experience make changes in=20=20
> human beings. To sum it up, I would say my beliefs have changed the=20=20
> most." Ahmadinejad also referred to the slogan of "we can" which=20=20
> formed a cornerstone of his presidential campaign in 2005, and said=20=20
> he is now m ore confident than ever that Iran can "crest the high=20=20
> summits of progress." He added that his belief in the greatness of=20=20
> the Iranian nation has dramatically grown. (Back to top) Fars News=20=20
> Agency: "VP stresses Iranian nation's non-stop move towards progress"
>
> (Sun, 12 Sep) The Iranian nation is heading towards progress despite=20=
=20
> all the pressures exerted by certain foreign states to deprive the=20=20
> country of its rights, Iranian Vice-President for Parliamentary=20=20
> Affairs Mohammad Reza Mirtajeddini underlined on Sunday. "The=20=20
> Iranian nation will not wait for the permission of other countries=20=20
> to achieve its right of progress and development," Mirtajeddini told=20=
=20
> FNA, adding that Iran will act in accordance with its interests and=20=20
> national will. He made the remarks in reference to Iran's success in=20=
=20
> developing peaceful nuclear technology and its decision to launch=20=20
> the country's first nuclear power plant in the southern city of=20=20
> Bushehr. Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali=20=20
> Akbar Salehi announced late August that Iran hopes that loading fuel=20=
=20
> into the Bushehr nuclear power plant reactor will be completed in=20=20
> late September, adding that the plant will join the national power=20=20
> grid in late fall. Mirtajeddini said injection of fuel into the=20=20
> nuclear power plant signifies the country's firm resolve and the=20=20
> Iranian nation's effective resistance against the expansionist=20=20
> policies of world arrogant powers. (Back to top) IRNA: "1st VP to=20=20
> depart for Turkey on Wednesday"
>
> (Sun, 12 Sep) First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Rahimi is to pay an=20=
=20
> official visit to Turkey as of Wednesday to confer with the=20=20
> country's high ranking officials on mutual ties as well as regional=20=20
> and global developments. The visit will take place upon o fficial=20=20
> invitation of the Turkish premier. During the two-day visit, the two=20=
=20
> sides will review expansion of mutual relations and cooperation.=20=20
> (Back to top) Fars News Agency: "Env oy: Iran-Bahrain ties making=20=20
> good progress despite enemies' efforts"
>
> (Sun, 12 Sep) Iran's envoy to Bahrain lauded the close ties between=20=20
> Tehran and Manama, and said that the two counties' ties are=20=20
> expanding well despite all the efforts made by the enemies to sow=20=20
> discord between the two Muslim states. "Enemies of the region are=20=20
> seeking their interests in discord (among the regional states),"=20=20
> Iran's Ambassador to Bahrain Hossein Amir Abdollahian said in a=20=20
> meeting with Bahrain's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Khalid bin=20=
=20
> Ahmad bin Muhammad Al Khalifa. Pointing to the recent bilateral,=20=20
> regional and international developments, Abdollahian stated, "What=20=20
> will serve the collective interests of the regional states and will=20=20
> help regional stability and development is further closeness among=20=20
> the regional states as well as all-out cooperation." He also said=20=20
> that Tehran and Manama can discuss various bilateral issues on=20=20
> different occasions, including the upcoming meeting of Iraq's=20=20
> neighboring states due to be held in Manama on September 29-30,=20=20
> reminding that Iranian Interior Minister Mohammad Mostafa Najjar=20=20
> will head the Iranian delegation in the meeting. The Bahraini=20=20
> minister, for his part, lauded the close bilateral ties, and said,=20=20
> "Today, the ties between Tehran and Manama are at their highest=20=20
> level." to the security pact signed by senior Iranian and Bahraini=20=20
> officials during the last few months, and said it demonstrates the=20=20
> depth of the strategic ties between Tehran and Manama. (Back to top)=20=
=20
> "Koran Burning" IRNA: "Students to stage protest gathering against=20=20
> insult to Holy Quran"
>
> (Sun, 12 Sep) Iranian university students are to hold a gathering in=20=
=20
> front of the Swiss Embassy in Iran on Monday to protest against=20=20
> insult by a US pastor to Islamic sanctities, the holy Quran in=20=20
> particular. Secretary of the Union of Islamic Associations of=20=20
> Independent Students nationwide, Mohammad Afkaneh told IRNA the=20=20
> protest is due to be held at 16:00 hours local time outside Swiss=20=20
> Embassy that sees to the US interests in Iran. The US pastor Terry=20=20
> Jones of Florida had had threatened to burn copies of Quran. The=20=20
> pastor's bid to burn Quran, the religious book of Islam, sparked=20=20
> worldwide protests from Muslims and Christians against the issue,=20=20
> Afkaneh said. (Back to top) Press TV: "'US responsible for anti-=20
> Islam crusade'"
>
> (Sun, 12 Sep) A senior Iranian cleric says the desecration of the=20=20
> holy Quran is the symbol of a "crusade" by enemies of Islam, holding=20=
=20
> the US government responsible for the sacrilegious move. "Although=20=20
> Church leaders say the criminal who in the name of priesthood=20=20
> ordered the Quran burning is a lunatic and worthless person, the=20=20
> question is why the White House allows lunatics to throw their=20=20
> weight around," Tehran's Interim Friday Prayer Leader Ahmad Khatami=20=20
> said Sunday. "This crime symbolizes a crusade that the enemie s of=20=20
> Islam have launched for some time now," ISNA quoted him as saying.=20=20
> Khatami added that the enemies will lose this war as they cannot=20=20
> stand up to the growing power of Islam. He went on to say US=20=20
> President Barack Obama and other US statesmen should be held=20=20
> accountable for the blasphemous decision and the desecration of the=20=20
> Quran by anti-Islam protesters in the US as the crime has been=20=20
> committed 'within their geographical borders' and there no excuse is=20=
=20
> acceptable in this regard. (Back to top) Fars News Agency: "Iranian=20=20
> FM warns Washington to show reaction to insults to Holy Quran"
>
> (Sun, 12 Sep) Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki on Sunday=20=20
> lambasted Washington's inaction in the face of the burni ng and=20=20
> tearing of the holy Quran on the 9/11 anniversary in the US, and=20=20
> asked the US statesmen to take a clear stance on the insult to the=20=20
> Muslims' divine book. "American statesmen and authorities should=20=20
> give a clear answer to the Muslim nations o ver this bold and=20=20
> insulting act," Mottaki told reporters in a joint press conference=20=20
> with his Malawian counterpart here in Tehran today. The minster=20=20
> blamed Zionists for such provocative moves, which he said are aimed=20=20
> at sowing discord among believers of different faiths and religions.=20=
=20
> He further warned about the negative consequences of insult to the=20=20
> values of 1.5 billion Muslims, and said, "This seed of hatred sown=20=20
> by the West and its resulting fire will cause trouble for them=20=20
> themselves." The remark by the Iranian foreign minister came after a=20=
=20
> group of conservative Christians have sent shock waves across the=20=20
> world after they tore the pages of Quran outside the White House.=20=20
> They tore the pages from an English paperback edition of the Holy=20=20
> Book. Also some blasphemers in the US on Saturday took the satanic=20=20
> step of burning some copies of God's final and most comprehensive=20=20
> revelation to mankind, the Qur'an, and posted video clips of their=20=20
> devilish deed on the net . The blasphemer appeared near the location=20=
=20
> of the twin-tower centre in New York and set ablaze a copy of Quran=20=20
> in front of the camera. Several photographers, cameramen and others=20=20
> took pictures and clips of the blasphemous act carried out under the=20=
=20
> protection of FBI on the pretext of freedom of action. The move has=20=20
> shocked the civilized world and hurt the sentiments of over 1.5=20=20
> billion Muslims worldwide and billions of other believers. (Back to=20=20
> top) Press TV: "'US responsible for Quran desecration'"
>
> (Sun, 12 Sep) A senior Iranian lawmaker condemns the outrageous act=20=20
> of desecrating the Quran in the US, calling on the Muslim world to=20=20
> take measures against such insults to Islam. Despite the=20=20
> cancellation of a Quran torching plan by Florida pastor Terry Jones,=20=
=20
> anti-Islam protesters in the US desecrated the Quran on the=20=20
> anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on Saturday. "Muslim states=20=20
> especially the Organization of the Islamic Conference (member=20=20
> states) should ta ke swift measures against the desecration of the=20=20
> Quran," Head of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy=20=20
> Commission Alaeddin Boroujerdi said on Sunday. "Such measures show=20=20
> the weakness of arrogant powers in the face of Islam's increasing=20=20
> power and their fear of its influence in the modern world," Mehr=20=20
> News Agency quoted Boroujerdi as saying. "Since this sacrilegious=20=20
> act against the Quran took place on American soil, the US government=20=
=20
> should be held accountable." Boroujerdi added that the US government=20=
=20
> should take necessary measures against those who committed this=20=20
> heinous offense. The Iranian lawmaker went on to say that Muslims in=20=
=20
> every part of the world would react to the news of the desecration=20=20
> of the Quran, and that the "US will suffer the consequences." (Back=20=20
> to top) Fars News Agency: "Senior MP blames White House for insult=20=20
> to Islamic values in US"
>
> (Sun, 12 Sep) A senior Iranian legislator took the US admini=20=20
> stration responsible for insults to Islamic values, specially the=20=20
> burning and tearing of the Muslims' divine book on the 9/11=20=20
> anniversary, and cautioned about the dire consequences of such=20=20
> offensive acts. "The US administration is directly responsible for=20=20
> insults to the holy Quran," Member of the parliament's Judicial and=20=20
> Legal Commission Mousa Qorbani told FNA on Sunday. Qorbani warned=20=20
> that the US authorities had been informed of the plans for burning=20=20
> the holy Quran and they should have, thus, adopted certain measures=20=20
> to prevent such an offensive act. He also blamed the US=20=20
> administration for spreading Islamophobia in the United States and=20=20
> other parts of the world through biased positions against Islam and=20=20
> Muslims. The Iranian lawmaker warned about the grave consequences of=20=
=20
> burn ing Muslims' holy book, and said the US statesmen will no doubt=20=
=20
> pay the price for their heedless attitude towards insult to the holy=20=
=20
> Quran. In an incident that has shocked the civilized wo rld and hurt=20=
=20
> the sentiments of over 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide and billions of=20=
=20
> other believers, some blasphemers in the US on Saturday took the=20=20
> satanic step of burning some copies of God's final and most=20=20
> comprehensive revelation to mankind, the Qur'an, and posted video=20=20
> clips of their devilish deed on the net. According to Mashreq=20=20
> Internet website, a blasphemer appeared near the location of the=20=20
> twin-tower center in New York and set ablaze a copy of Qur'an in=20=20
> front of the camera. Several photographers, cameramen and others=20=20
> took pictures and clips of the blasphemous act carried out under the=20=
=20
> protection of FBI on the pretext of freedom of action. As per=20=20
> reports, similar sacrilegious incidents were witnessed in front of=20=20
> the White House in Washington. (Back to top) Fars News Agency:=20=20
> "Christian MP blasts insult to Holy Quran in US"
>
> (Sun, 12 Sep) Christians' representative at the Iranian parliament=20=20
> strongly condemned the burning and tearing of the Muslims' hol y=20=20
> book on the 9/11 anniversary outside the White House, stressing that=20=
=20
> the move should be deemed as an insult to Jesus and Saint Mary as=20=20
> well. "Burning Quran was (indeed) a clear insult to Jesus and said=20=20
> Mary," Robert Biglarian told FNA on Sunday in reaction to reports=20=20
> about insult to Quran on the anniversary of the September 11=20=20
> attacks. "Today, all the world's Christians should feel sorry about=20=20
> this insult to Jesus and Saint Mary as the Holy Quran talks about=20=20
> Jesus and the saint Mary," Biglarian added. He described the move as=20=
=20
> an insult to all the divine religions, and called on Christians not=20=20
> to keep silent and to show practical reaction to any insult to the=20=20
> holy Quran. (Back to top) Mehr News Agency: "Iran's archbishop=20=20
> deplores US pastor who planned to burn Quran"
>
> (Sun, 12 Sep) Iran's archbishop Sabo Sarkisian has condemned an=20=20
> American pastor who planned to burn copies of the Quran on the 9/11=20=20
> anniversary. Terry Jones, pastor of the Gainesville, Florida-based=20=20
> Dove World Outreach Center church had previously intended to set the=20=
=20
> Quran on fire on Saturday to mark the ninth anniversary of the=20=20
> September 11, 2001 attacks against the United States; however, Jones=20=
=20
> cancelled his plan due to international pressure and criticism.=20=20
> "Iranian Armenians strongly denounce this obnoxious act," Sarkisian,=20=
=20
> the religious leader of the Armenian community in Iran, told IRNA=20=20
> news agency. "I, in churches and international conferences in=20=20
> different parts of the world, have always underscored the importance=20=
=20
> of (forming) concord ...between believers of diverse religions. "And=20=
=20
> now (I) strongly condemn this plan by a heretical church in the=20=20
> U.S., whose cardinal has blasphemed Islam and Muslims and (I)=20=20
> consider this useless effort against the humane interests."=20=20
> Unfortunately, the Zionists have promoted heresy in certain churches=20=
=20
> in the West, which are under their sway and have preached against=20=20
> the divine reli gions, Sarkisian stated. Such churches, especially=20=20
> those in the U.S., seek to sow discord between divine religions and=20=20
> create frictions between Muslims and Christians, he added. "Our=20=20
> churches attach great importance to the sanctity of different=20=20
> religions and will not allow blasphemies against divine religions in=20=
=20
> the world," he observed. (Back to top) NUCLEAR ISSUE/SANCTIONS Press=20=
=20
> TV: "US exports to iran rise after sanctions"
>
> (Sun, 12 Sep) Despite pressing allies to impose unilateral sanctions=20=
=20
> against Iran, US exports to Iran climbed significantly in the first=20=20
> month of their implementation. According to figures published by the=20=
=20
> US Census Bureau's foreign trade statistics, US exports to Iran rose=20=
=20
> 36 percent in July compared to the previous month, when the=20=20
> sanctions were not yet imposed. The figures indicate that in June=20=20
> 2010, US exports to Iran reached $9.5 million, whereas in July the=20=20
> amount climbed to $13 million, as released by the Bureau, Fars news=20=20
> agency reported on Sunday. Although the amount of exports appears=20=20
> insignificant, experts say the figures ironically indicate that in=20=20
> the very first month of implementing its own engineered sanctions=20=20
> against Iran, while simultaneously engaged in a rigorous global=20=20
> campaign to push allies to follow suit, Washington actually failed=20=20
> to follow through itself, proving once again that it regards itself=20=20
> as an exception. Contrary to the export figures, the trade=20=20
> statistics show that US imports from Iran declined 17 percentage=20=20
> points from $5.4 million in June to $4.5 million in July. Meanwhile,=20=
=20
> the trade volume between the two countries stood at $17.5 million,=20=20
> reflecting a 17 point increase compared to June's $14.9 million=20=20
> figure. (Back to top) Press TV: "'Iran has no undeclared nuclear=20=20
> site'"
>
> (Sun, 12 Sep) Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) has=20=20
> reiterated that the Islamic Republic has declared all of its nuclear=20=
=20
> sites to the he International Atomic Energ y Agency. The AEOI=20=20
> spokesman, Ali Shirzadian, told IRNA on Sunday that Iran has no=20=20
> undeclared nuclear site, denying allegations by the terrorist=20=20
> Mujahedin-e-Khalq Organization (MKO). "Such rumors are intended to=20=20
> distort the true image of Iran's peaceful nuclear program and are=20=20
> circulated by Western countries," he said. Earlier this week, the=20=20
> AEOI chief, Ali-Akbar Salehi, denied the MKO allegations about a=20=20
> clandestine atomic site in Iran. Salehi said the country has plenty=20=20
> of facilities that, for example, sterilize agricultural products=20=20
> using nuclear technology which do not fall into the nuclear plant=20=20
> category. The terrorist organization on Thursday had claimed that it=20=
=20
> had evidence of a new secret underground atomic site in the country.=20=
=20
> The group had said that a facility intended to enrich uranium was=20=20
> deep under a mountain near Qazvin -- about 120 kilometers west of=20=20
> Tehran -- and was about 85 percent complete. Founded in the 1960s,=20=20
> the MKO has masterminded terrorist operations in Iran and Iraq,=20=20
> killing thousands of people and wounding many more. The group is=20=20
> especially notorious in Iran for having sided with former Iraqi=20=20
> dictator Saddam Hussein during the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war. The=20=20
> Public Prosecutor of the Iraqi High Tribunal Jaafar al-Mousawi=20=20
> stated in mid-August that investigations have also incriminated MKO=20=20
> members in playing a leading role in the killings of Iraqi=20=20
> civilians. Mousawi further commented that the terrorist group had=20=20
> supported Saddam Hussein's Baath regime, aiding in the suppression=20=20
> of the Iraqi people's uprising in 1991 and the torture and massacre=20=20
> of innocent people in the northern and southern regions of the=20=20
> country. (Back to top) Fars News Agency: "Senior MP slams 'two-=20
> sided' nature of Amano's report on Iran"
>
> (Sun, 12 Sep) The recent report by International Atomic Energy=20=20
> Agency (IAEA) Director-General Yukiya Amano on Iran's nuclear=20=20
> program was "two-sided and politically-motivated", a se nior Iranian=20=
=20
> lawmaker stated. "The (IAEA) report verifies that nuclear activities=20=
=20
> of our country are completely peaceful but at the same time other=20=20
> parts of the report have sought to satisfy the world powers and this=20=
=20
> has made the report two-sided and vague," Rapporteur of the=20=20
> parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Kazzem=20=20
> Jalali said on Sunday. "It can be understood from the report that=20=20
> our country's nuclear activities are peaceful, in line with our=20=20
> country's basic rights and based on the NPT (Non-Proliferation=20=20
> Treaty) rules," Jalali stated. The legislator further stated that=20=20
> Iran has already answered all the UN agency's legal questions, and=20=20
> added, "A number of issues raised by Amano can be answered legally."=20=
=20
> Referring to the IAEA's request from Iran to inform the agency of=20=20
> the c onstruction of its 10 new enrichment sites, the lawmaker=20=20
> reminded that based on regulations, the Islamic Republic should=20=20
> inform the agency 180 days before transferring nuclear materials to=20=20
> the site and not before its construction. He further stressed Iran's=20=
=20
> resolve to continue nuclear progress, and said the country considers=20=
=20
> Amano's report as "unfair". (Back to top) Fars News Agency: "Brazil=20=20
> urges dialogue to resolve Iran's nuclear issue"
>
> (Sun, 12 Sep) Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim expressed his=20=20
> country's preparedness to mediate in Iran's nuclear issue, stressing=20=
=20
> that the issue can be resolved through negotiation. The resolution=20=20
> of the Iranian nuclear issue can be achieved through discussions,=20=20
> Amorim stated on Saturday. He pointed to the 'Tehran Declaration'=20=20
> signed by Iran, Brazil and Turkey on swap of nuclear fuel for the=20=20
> Tehran research reactor, and described the agreement as important=20=20
> and fundamental. He also expressed his amazement that some countries=20=
=20
> have ignored the importance of the Tehran Declaration. (Back to top)=20=
=20
> ECONOMY/ENERGY Press TV: "Iran to speed up border oi l exploration"
>
> (Mon, 13 Sep) Iran plans to accelerate oil exploration activities by=20=
=20
> setting up four new drilling platforms in its border areas, a senior=20=
=20
> Iranian oil official says. The National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC)=20=20
> Director of Exploration, Mahmoud Mohaddes, said the platforms would=20=20
> be installed near the borders of Turkmenistan and Iraq within two=20=20
> months. "The regions of Kalat, Bojnourd, Dargaz and Kermanshah are=20=20
> given priority in exploration activities," SHANA news agency quoted=20=20
> Mohaddes as saying on Monday. Last week, Iranian Oil Minister Masoud=20=
=20
> Mir-Kazemi said more than $1.5 billion are allocated for discovering=20=
=20
> new oil and gas fields. Iran has spotted 13 new oil and gas fields=20=20
> with in-place reserves of 14 billion barrels of oil and 45 trillion=20=20
> cubic feet of natural gas within the past 12 months. According to=20=20
> the Iranian Oil Ministry, the country's revenue from oil exports has=20=
=20
> reached $69.1 billion over the past year. Earlier this year,=20=20
> Mohaddes announced plans to extract 500 million barrels of oil and 5=20=
=20
> trillion cubic feet of gas per year from new reserves during a five=20=20
> year plan. During the course of Iran's fourth five-year development=20=20
> plan (2005-2010), the country has discovered 19 new oil fields and=20=20
> eight new gas reserves, the NIOC director added. Iran is OPEC's=20=20
> second-largest oil producer after Saudi Arabia. In 2009, Iran's=20=20
> crude production stood approximately at 3.8 million barrels per day.=20=
=20
> The Persian Gulf country sits on the world's second-largest gas=20=20
> deposits after Russia. (Back to top) Related Stories:
>
> http://presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=3D141605 Iran 'self-sufficient in=20=20
> fuel production'
>
> http://presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=3D140604 Iran discovers 13 oil=20=20
> fields in 1 year
>
> http://presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=3D140768 Iran ranks 8th among gas=20=20
> plant builders Press TV: "Armenia begins importing Iranian wheat"
>
> (Sun, 12 Sep) Armenia begins importing wheat and other grains from=20=20
> Iran aft er Russia halted its wheat exports to Armenia because of=20=20
> the drought that devastated crops in parts of the country. "Some=20=20
> Armenian companies started importing wheat from Iran since the past=20=20
> month," IRIB quoted Armenian Agriculture Minister Gerasim Alaverdyan=20=
=20
> as saying on Friday. The report added that the Armenian companies=20=20
> have imported around 10,000 tons of wheat from Iran during the=20=20
> period. Armenia consumes 700,000 tons of wheat annually, while it=20=20
> produces only 200,000 tons of that in the country. Armenia is=20=20
> considering Iran as a potential market to meet its wheat imports=20=20
> after Russia imposed a ban on its wheat products following a drought=20=
=20
> season and wildfires affecting many parts of the country. Russia's=20=20
> decision caused international grain prices to spike as markets=20=20
> forecasted that without shipments from one of the world's leading=20=20
> exporters, global supplies would be restricted. (Back to top)=20=20
> Related Stories:
>
> http://presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=3D140966 Wheat pushes world food=20=20
> prices up
>
> http://presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=3D140085 Drought pushes up food=20=20
> prices in Russia
>
> http://presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=3D25993 Iran to export 400,000 tons=20=
=20
> of wheat Fars News Agency: "More suppliers competing to sell=20=20
> gasoline to Iran"
>
> (Sun, 12 Sep) Statistical data show that an increasing number of=20=20
> foreign suppliers are offering to satiate the country's domestic=20=20
> needs to gasoline irrespective of the United States' growing=20=20
> pressures on Iran's energy sector. Figures show that Iran has=20=20
> imported 1.64 mln tons of gasoline from 10 countries during the last=20=
=20
> month. Official data also said that Tehran has imported 3 mln tons=20=20
> of gasoline during the last five months and after the approval of=20=20
> the UN Security Council sanctions Resolution 1929 against the=20=20
> country. India, Russia and France have joined the United Arab=20=20
> Emirates (UAE), Turkey, Turkmenistan, the Netherlands, Singapore,=20=20
> Oman and Saudi Arabia as Iran's main gasoline suppliers. The=20=20
> development came despite the US warning about its punitive measures=20=20
> against those countries and companies which supply gasoline to Iran.=20=
=20
> (Back to top) Fars News Agency: "Pakistani official views Iran as=20=20
> secure source of energy supplies"
>
> (Sun, 12 Sep) Head of Karachi's Chamber of Commerce and Industries=20=20
> Abdolmajid Haji Mohammad described Iran as a secure source for=20=20
> supplying his country's energy needs, and reiterated the importance=20=20
> of the multi-billion-dollar pipeline project which is due to take=20=20
> Iran's rich gas reserves to Pakistan. "Iran can be the secure=20=20
> supplier of low-cost energy for Pakistan," Haji Mohammad told FNA on=20=
=20
> Sunday, stressing his country's urgent need to energy supplies. In=20=20
> March, Tehran and Islamabad signed a final agreement to launch=20=20
> implementation of a 2700-kilometer long pipeline project for=20=20
> exporting Iran's rich gas reserves to the energy-hungry south-Asian=20=20
> nation. The gas will be supplied from the South Pars field. The i=20=20
> nitial capacity of the pipeline will be 22 billion cubic meters of=20=20
> natural gas per annum, which is expected to be later raised to 55=20=20
> billion cubic meters. It is expected to cost $7.4 billion. Haji=20=20
> Mohammad reiterated that the 7.4-billion-dollar project between the=20=20
> two countries can reinvigorate the bilateral relations between=20=20
> Tehran and Islamabad. He also underlined the necessity for paying=20=20
> attention to the great trade opportunities existing in both=20=20
> countries which share long borders. Iran and Pakistan have in recent=20=
=20
> years expanded their economic and trade cooperation, specially in=20=20
> the field of energy. Pakistan has announced plans for implementing=20=20
> two projects for importing electricity from Iran. Work on a project=20=20
> to import 100MW of elect ricity for Gwa dar in southwestern=20=20
> Balouchestan has already been initiated. The $3.1 million project is=20=
=20
> scheduled to be completed by the end of 2012. Pakistan is already=20=20
> importing 39MW of electricity from Iran for border areas and Gwadar.=20=
=20
> ( Back to top) Fars News Agency: "Iran, Turkey to expand=20=20
> transportation cooperation"
>
> (Sun, 12 Sep) An Iranian official on Sunday underlined Iran and=20=20
> Turkey's preparedness to boost mutual cooperation between their=20=20
> transportation sectors, specially between their main airlines. "The=20=20
> relations between Iran and Turkey as two friendly and brotherly=20=20
> countries are good and desirable and they enjoy favorable ties in=20=20
> the air transportation sector," Managing Director of Iran's national=20=
=20
> air carrier, Iran Air, Farhad Parvaresh told FNA. Parvaresh also=20=20
> announced that Iran Air and the Turkish Airline are mulling over an=20=20
> agreement to form a consortium in a bid to boost their cooperation.=20=20
> According to Parvaresh, the two sides have decided to utilize each=20=20
> other's facilities and equipment in case certain flights prove=20=20
> profitable. The Iranian and Turkish national air carriers in June=20=20
> 2010 agreed to boost mutual cooperation in various areas of civil=20=20
> aviation. Parvaresh told FNA then that the two airlines had signed=20=20
> an agreement during a daylong visit to Iran by the Managing Director=20=
=20
> of the Turkish Airline to utilize each other's capacities and=20=20
> possibilities. Parvaresh added that based on the agreement, the two=20=20
> airliners could use each other's capacities to sell ticket for their=20=
=20
> flights. He stated that early negotiations were held between the two=20=
=20
> sides to use empty seats on their flight, considering Iran Air's=20=20
> multiple flights to Turkey and the Turkish Airline's flights to=20=20
> several cities across Iran. (Back to top) Mehr News Agency: "Petchem=20=
=20
> sales exceeds $6b"
>
> (Sun, 12 Sep) The value of petrochemical products sold since the=20=20
> start of the current Iranian calendar year (began March 21) till the=20=
=20
> 6th of September surpassed $6 billion. Shana news agency reported=20=20
> that $4.3 billion of the products were exported to other countries.=20=20
> The total weight of the goods sold was over 9.3 million tons. Shana=20=20
> reported that 45.5 percent of the exported goods were sent to the=20=20
> Far East, 22 percent to the Middle East, 12 percent to India, 12=20=20
> percent to Europe, 7.5 percent to Southeast Asia and 1 percent to=20=20
> other countries in Africa and Central Asia. (Back to top) Mehr News=20=20
> Agency: "Iran trims down agricultural imports"
>
> (Sun, 12 Sep) Iran has restricted the import of 20 agricultural=20=20
> products in a bid to boost national productivity and make the=20=20
> domestic industry more competitive. "Imports of cow meat, rice,=20=20
> wheat, and a couple of fruits such as apples, peaches, apricots,=20=20
> cherries, and pearls have been banned," Khabaronline quoted Babak=20=20
> Afqahi head of the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran as saying.=20=20
> If the domestic products are not improved in terms of quality and=20=20
> the consumer prices are not lowered, the national economy would face=20=
=20
> serious problems, Arsalan Fathipour, the head of the Majlis Economic=20=
=20
> Committee stated in August, Jamejamonline reported. Central Bank=20=20
> Governor Mahmoud Bahmani had previously said the nation should limit=20=
=20
> imports only to "necessary goods" to help lift domestic production=20=20
> and make savings in the country's FOREX reserves. "Imports should be=20=
=20
> reduced," Bahmani was quoted as saying. "In other words, we should=20=20
> not allow the import of every sort of product." (Back to top) Mehr=20=20
> News Agency: "Commece minister travels to Sri Lanka"
>
> (Sun, 12 Sep) The Iranian commerce minister is leading a delegation=20=20
> traveling to Colombo to take part in a joint economy and trade=20=20
> cooperation committee meeting between Iran and Sri Lanka. The 9th=20=20
> Joint Economy and Trade Cooperation Committee meeting between Iran=20=20
> and Sri Lanka will be held from the 13th to the 15th of Se ptember,=20=20
> IRNA reported. In this meeting the two countries commerce ministers=20=20
> will sign six MOUs and cooperation agreements in the fields of=20=20
> customs, sisterhood between Shahid Rajaei and Colombo ports and=20=20
> acceptance of each other's maritime certifica tes. Also in this=20=20
> meeting agreements will be made between the two countries in the=20=20
> fields of science, culture, art and standardization. An increase in=20=20
> trade, holding international exhibitions, enhancing maritime=20=20
> relations and implementing engineering and technical projects are=20=20
> among other agendas during the meeting. In April 2008, Iran began=20=20
> work in several infrastructure development projects in Sri Lanka,=20=20
> all part of a $1.5 billion loan to the South Asian island. These=20=20
> projects included doubling the oil refinery capacity of Sri Lanka's=20=20
> Sapugaskanda refinery as well as creating a 100-megawatt hydropower=20=20
> project and irrigation plan in Uma Oya. In June 2009, the country=20=20
> signed a $106 million agreement with an Iranian firm to provide=20=20
> electricity to roughly 1,000 villages in Sri Lanka. (Back to top)=20=20
> MILITARY/SECURITY Fars News Agency: "Iran unvels 3rd generation of=20=20
> home-made Cobra simulators"
>
> (Sun, 12 Sep) The Iranian Army started using the third generation of=20=
=20
> home-made Cobra Chopper simulators in an airborne base in central=20=20
> Iran on Sunday. The simulators were officially unveiled in the=20=20
> Army's 4th Airborne Base in Iran's central city of Isfahan in a=20=20
> ceremony attended by Iranian Army commanders and officials.=20=20
> Elaborating on the manufacturing trend of the simulator, Iranian=20=20
> Army Airborne Commander General Kiomarth Ahadi said that the chopper=20=
=20
> simulator was built in a two-year period. According to the=20=20
> commander, decrease in expenses and improvement in pilot training=20=20
> courses are among the main features and most important advantages of=20=
=20
> the Iran-made chopper simulators, adding that the training device=20=20
> can also simulate tactical and invasive flights. Ahadi also=20=20
> reiterated that the price of the new simulators is one-tenth of=20=20
> their foreign rivals. Iran's airborne units had earlier built=20=20
> simulators for chopper 206 in 2007, the first home-made mobile=20=20
> helicopter simulator which is still in use for training operations.=20=20
> Ahadi had said in Februa ry that all the airborne bases of the=20=20
> Iranian army were equipped with flight simulators. "All airborne=20=20
> bases have been equipped with flight training simulator systems," he=20=
=20
> told FNA at the time. "Our experts are producing well-equipped and=20=20
> non-static simulators for other types of choppers at present," Ahadi=20=
=20
> said. (Back to top) Related Stories:
>
> http://presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=3D141211 Iran to stage major anti-=20
> aircraft drills
>
> http://presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=3D139998 Iran test fires Fateh-110=20=
=20
> missile
>
> http://presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=3D139915 'Iran self-sufficient in=20=20
> radar systems' TERRORISM/CRIME/NARCOTICS Fars News Agency: 'Iran=20=20
> arrests Zahedan bombers"
>
> (Sun, 12 Sep) Iran announced on Sunday that it has arrested a number=20=
=20
> of terrorists behind the recent deadly bombings in the Grand Mosque=20=20
> of the southeastern city of Zahedan. "A number of suspects and=20=20
> individuals who have assisted in the bombing have been arrested,"=20=20
> General Director of Sistan and Balouchestan's provincial Justice=20=20
> Department Hojjatoleslam Ebrahim Hamidi told FNA today. "Further=20=20
> investigations are underway in this regard," the official added. On=20=20
> July 15, two bomb blasts in front of the Zahedan Grand Mosque in=20=20
> Iran's southeastern province of Sistan and Balouchestan killed at=20=20
> least 27 people and injured over 270 more. The Pakistan-based=20=20
> Jundollah terrorist group, directly sponsored and supported by=20=20
> Washington, claimed responsibility for the attacks. Jundollah is=20=20
> responsible for several terrorist operations which have killed tens=20=20
> of citizens, officials and security fo rces in southeastern Iran.=20=20
> Hamidi further said that Iran has already initiated proper measures=20=20
> to bar terrorists from entering Iran under the guise of Pakistani=20=20
> refugees who take refuge in Iran after devastating floods in the=20=20
> South Asian nations. Yet, the official underlined that Iran has not=20=20
> "faced any crisis in the province's border regions&quo t; in this=20=20
> regard. (Back to top) DISSENT/OPPOSITION Radio Zamaneh: "Islamic=20=20
> Republic restricts visits with opposition leaders"
>
> (Sun, 12 Sep) Norooz website, news outlet for Islamic Iran=20=20
> Participation Front reports that Iranian security forces impeded the=20=
=20
> reformist group's former secretary general, Mohammadreza Khatami,=20=20
> from visiting MirHosein Mousavi. Mohammadreza Khatami was briefly=20=20
> arrested when he tried to pay a visit to the opposition leader on=20=20
> the occasion of Fetre Eid today. O nce released after his brief=20=20
> arrest, he was forced to return without visiting the opposition=20=20
> leader, MirHosein Mousavi. Security forces have been stationed at=20=20
> the ends of the road where Mousavi's office is located and are=20=20
> preventing people from visiting him at his office. According to=20=20
> Norooz, a number of the visitors, including Iranian artist, Habib=20=20
> Sadeghi, were arrested in their attempt to meet with Mousavi. The=20=20
> restrictions on Mousavi visitors have reportedly been in effect=20=20
> since last week. The home of Mehdi Karroubi, the other disputing=20=20
> candidate of the 2009 presidential elections, has also been under=20=20
> surveillance of security forces and he is also impeded from=20=20
> receiving visitors. The Islamic Republic government has been=20=20
> intensifying pressure on the two opposition leaders in the past=20=20
> weeks. Mehdi Karroubi's home was attacked by a group of plain=20=20
> clothes forces for five nights in a row and he was impeded from=20=20
> participating in the Qods Day demonstrations last Friday. (Back to=20=20
> top) Radio Zamaneh: "Reformist group accuses head of IRGC of prison=20=20
> cruelties"
>
> (Sun, 12 Sep) Iranian reformist organization, Islamic Iran=20=20
> Participation Front issued an open letter to the head of Iran's=20=20
> Revolutionary Guards Corps, Commander Mohammad Ali Jafari to=20=20
> announce that he is responsible for "cruelties and disasters" that=20=20
> the political prisoners have been subjected to in Iran's prisons.=20=20
> Norooz website reports that the opposition group has exp ressed=20=20
> grave concern over the well-being of one of its detained members,=20=20
> Mohsen Safai Farahani. According to the letter Safai Farahani who=20=20
> suffers from heart complications has passed out a number of times in=20=
=20
> recent days and is not receiving adequate medical care at Evin=20=20
> Prison. Last Friday, Effat Khatibi, wife of Safai Farahani described=20=
=20
> her husband's heart problems in an interview with Kaleme website and=20=
=20
> warned the judiciary and security forces about the critical nature=20=20
> of Safai Farahani's health and urged the authorities to grant her=20=20
> husband leave so that he can receive adequate medical attention.=20=20
> Mohsen Safai Farahani was arrested on June 20, 2009 in the wave of=20=20
> arrests following the protests against the disputed re-election of=20=20
> Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as president. He is sentenced to six years in=20=20
> prison for the charge of activities against national security. He=20=20
> was released on bail last February but was recalled back to prison=20=20
> after he, along with six other prominent reformis ts, issued a=20=20
> letter of complaint against a top Revolutionary Guards figure which=20=20
> has been referred to as Commander Moshfeq. The seven reformists=20=20
> accused this individual of illegal interference in the election=20=20
> process. (Back to top) Radio Zamaneh: "Iranian human rights activist=20=
=20
> temporariy released
>
> " (Sun, 12 Sep) Iranian human rights activist, Shiva Nazar Ahari was=20=
=20
> temporarily released from Evin Prison tonight on a $500,000 bail.=20=20
> Nazar Ahari, a founder of the Committee of Human Rights Reporters in=20=
=20
> Iran, was arrested last December on her way to attend the funeral of=20=
=20
> dissident cleric, Ayatollah Montazeri. She was earlier arrested in=20=20
> June 2009 right after Iran's controversial presidential election=20=20
> which led to mass street protests and a wave of arrests to quell the=20=
=20
> opposition. She was released after three months in prison on a=20=20
> $200,000 bail and later arrested again in December. She stood trial=20=20
> last week for the charge of "rebellion against God through co=20=20
> nnection with the dissident group People's Mojahedin, assembly and=20=20
> collusion to commit a crime, propaganda against the regime and=20=20
> disturbing the public." Nazar Ahari denied any links with People's=20=20
> Mojahedin Organization and maintained that she has always been=20=20
> "against the actions of this terrorist organization." The detained=20=20
> human rights activist was held in solitary confinement for over 100=20=20
> days during her imprisonment. Last week, Iranians abroad staged=20=20
> demonstrations in cities such as Paris, Cologne and Washington=20=20
> demanding her release from the Islamic Republic authoritie s. The=20=20
> European Parliament's Subcommittee on Human Rights as well as=20=20
> Amnesty International also issued separate statements in support of=20=20
> Shiva Nazar Ahari calling for her immediate release in Iran. (Back=20=20
> to top) AFP: "French rally to show support for Iran stoning mother"
>
> (Sun, 12 Sep) Paris - Around 1,000 people rallied in Paris on Sunday=20=
=20
> to show support for Iranian mother -of-two Sakineh Mohammadi-=20
> Ashtiani who is facing execution by stoning, an AFP correspondent=20=20
> reported. Celebrities such as singer Jane Birkin and philosopher=20=20
> Bernard-Henri Levy as well as political leaders attended the rally=20=20
> on the central Place de la Republique. "Other women are at risk of=20=20
> stoning, but Sakineh has become a symbol despite herself," Levy told=20=
=20
> the crowd. "If we save this innocent person, we will help to save=20=20
> all the other women who are waiting in the corridors of death, and=20=20
> we will avenge those who have been stoned to death or burned alive."=20=
=20
> Iranian authorities last week said that the sentence against 43-year-=20
> old Mohammadi-Ashtiani to death by stoning for adultery had been=20=20
> suspended since July. She has also received a 10-year jail term for=20=20
> participating in her husband's murder. Rights groups and=20=20
> increasingly Western leaders have criticised the sentencing. (Back=20=20
> to top) SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY Fars News Agency: "Iranian physicists=20=20
> succeed in converting metal graphene into insulator"
>
> (Sun, 12 Sep) Iranian researchers at Isfahan University of=20=20
> Technology (IUT) managed to find a way to successfully convert metal=20=
=20
> graphene into insulator graphene. "By applying numerical methods we=20=20
> managed to study extra large networks and achieve primary designs=20=20
> for control of electronic properties of graphene (like band-gap=20=20
> formation with controlled geometry and desizing it to nanometric=20=20
> stripes)," Mohammad Hossein Zare', a member of the research group,=20=20
> told INIC. Noting that lithography methods which are used to produce=20=
=20
> nanostructures do not provide angstrom-level precision for the case=20=20
> with grapheme, Zare' stated, "As a consequence, the synthesized=20=20
> nanostructures inevitably possess uneven borders that cause strong=20=20
> effects in transient characteristics of the nano stripes/bands.=20=20
> However, it is possible to form gaps in bilayer graphene by applying=20=
=20
> an electric field perpendicular to graphene planes." & quot;At=20=20
> first, we simulated the desired network and then added disorder=20=20
> samples to it. The numerical Chebyshev polynominal method (KPM),=20=20
> which is based on polynominal expansion/approximation of functions,=20=20
> was used to investigate the effect of disorders on nano shells of=20=20
> bilayer graphene. Accordingly, local densities of states were=20=20
> calculated with the help of DP determination parameter. DP is a=20=20
> criterion by which replaced states and discrete states are=20=20
> distinguished. We find that this model undergoes an Anderson metal-=20
> insulator transition at a critical value of disorder strength",=20=20
> Zare' explained. (Back to top) SOCIETY/RELIGION Press TV: "Iran=20=20
> offers Pakistan $100m more in aid"
>
> (Mon, 14 Sep) Iranian First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Rahimi says=20=
=20
> Iran has allocated $100 million worth of humanitarian aid for the=20=20
> flood-hit people of Pakistan. Rahimi made the remarks late Sunday=20=20
> night after Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali=20=20
> Khamenei on F riday said the measures taken to aid the people of=20=20
> Pakistan were insufficient, urging all Muslims to help their=20=20
> brothers in Pakistan. Ayatollah Khamenei described the flood=20=20
> disaster in Pakistan as the "most urgent" issue of the Muslim world.=20=
=20
> The leader expressed deep sorrow over the catastrophic floods in=20=20
> Pakistan and the lingering humanitarian crisis it has brought to the=20=
=20
> country. (Back to top) Fars News Agency: "Iran to show solidarity=20=20
> with Pakistani nation on September 16"
>
> (Sun, 12 Sep) Tehran announced on Sunday that the Iranian nation=20=20
> will display its solidarity with the flood-hit Pakistani people on=20=20
> Thursday (September 16) by dispatching humanitarian aids to their=20=20
> neighboring country. Supervisor of the Imam Khomeini Relief=20=20
> Foundation Hossein Anvari declared the next Thursday as the day of=20=20
> solidarity with the flood-stricken people of Pakistan. Talking to=20=20
> reporters in Tehran, Anvari said during the said day the Iranian=20=20
> people would extend the ir humanitarian aids, in cash or non-cash,=20=20
> to their Pakistani counterparts. The provided relief received by=20=20
> Iran's Red Crescent Society will then be sent to the Pakistani=20=20
> regions, Anvari added. In July, 2010, a devastating flood struck a=20=20
> number of Pakistan's cities that caused widespread destruction and=20=20
> heavy death toll. (Back to top) CULTURE/MEDIA/SPORTS Press TV:=20=20
> "Ahmadinejad hails Cyrus Cylinder"
>
> (Sun, 12 Sep) Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad lauds the Cyrus=20=20
> Cylinder as the embodiment of human values and a cultural heritage=20=20
> for all humanity. Speaking at a ceremony held on Sunday to unveil=20=20
> the Cyrus Cylinder in Tehran, Ahmadinejad said the artifact has been=20=
=20
> an invaluable yardstick to evaluate the performance of politicians=20=20
> and rulers throughout history. The Achaemenid relic, on loan from=20=20
> the British Museum, will be displayed at Iran's National Museum for=20=20
> the first time in the past 40 years. The cylinder was escorted by a=20=20
> delegation headed by the Bri tish Museum keeper of the Middle East=20=20
> collections, John Curtis, to the exhibition site where it will be=20=20
> showcased for the next four months. One of the principles stipulated=20=
=20
> in the historical piece is that it repudiates war as a means to=20=20
> sustain one's rule, the president said. The Cylinder reads that=20=20
> everyone is entitled to freedom of thought and choice and all=20=20
> individuals should pay respect to one another, he added. The=20=20
> historical charter also underscores the necessity of fighting=20=20
> oppression, defending the oppressed, respecting human dignity, and=20=20
> recognizing human rights, the president continued. Ahmadinejad=20=20
> emphasized that the Cyrus Cylinder bears testimony to the fact that=20=20
> the Iranian nation has always been the flag-bearer of justice,=20=20
> devotion and human values throughout history. "Talking about Iran is=20=
=20
> not talking about a geographical entity or race," Ahmadinejad said,=20=20
> adding, "Talking about Iran is tantamount to talking about culture,=20=20
> human values, justice, love and sacrifice." The Cyrus Cylinder,=20=20
> which is considered the world's first charter of human rights, is=20=20
> inscribed in Babylonian cuneiform with an account by Cyrus II, king=20=20
> of Persia (559-530 BCE). (Back to top) Related Stories:
>
> http://presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=3D60383 Iran to display Cyrus Cylinder
>
> http://presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=3D137794 Cyrus Cylinder texts found=20=
=20
> in China Press TV: "Iranian wrestler grabs silver medal"
>
> (Mon, 13 Sep) Iranian freestyle wrestler Sadeq Goudarzi wins a=20=20
> silver medal in the 2010 World Wrestling Championships held in=20=20
> Moscow, Russia. Thanks to Goudarzi's silver medal and a bronze medal=20=
=20
> by Morad Mohammadi, Iran national team stood fourth in the total=20=20
> ranking of the competitions. Goudarzi thrashed Ivan Fundora Zaldivar=20=
=20
> of Cuba in the 74-kg category to reach the final match, but was=20=20
> downed by his Russian rival Denis Tsargush and seized the silver.=20=20
> The Iranian athlete also defeated wrestlers from Armenia, Kazakhst=20=20
> an, and Ukraine to get to the final match of the competitions. On=20=20
> Saturday, Iranian 60-kg category wrestler Morad Mohammadi clinched=20=20
> the bronze medal of his class. Mohammadi is also the bronze medal=20=20
> holder of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. He also snatched the gold=20=20
> medal in the 2006 world championship. Iran's 66-kg category athlete=20=20
> Mehdi Taqavi defeated his Uzbek and Ukrainian rivals, but he did not=20=
=20
> get any medals. Also 120-kg class wres tler Fardin Masoumi beat=20=20
> wrestlers from Armenia and Bulgaria in his first matches, but the=20=20
> heavyweight was defeated by his Georgian rival and couldn't reach=20=20
> the semifinal round of the competitions. More than 1,200 wrestlers=20=20
> from 100 countries participated in the prestigious event at the=20=20
> Olympic Stadium in Moscow, from September 6 to 12. Iran is gearing=20=20
> up to show a good performance in the 2010 Asian Games which will be=20=20
> held in Guangzhou, China. The 16th edition of continental showpiece=20=20
> will start on November 12 and will run for 15 days. In the Greco-=20
> Roman section of the event, Hamid Sourian and Amir Ali Akbari won=20=20
> the gold medals in the 55-kg and 96-kg categories, respectively.=20=20
> (Back to top) COMMENTARIES/ANALYSES/INTERVIEWS Jerusalem Post: "US=20=20
> Treasury bans European-Iranian bank from opoerating in US" by=20=20
> Benjamin Weinthal
>
> (Mon, 13 Sep) BERLIN - The US Treasury Department last week banned=20=20
> the Hamburg-based European-Iranian Bank (Europaeisch- Iranische=20=20
> Handelsbank) from operating in the US because it finances companies=20=20
> that help Iran build weapons of mass destruction.NGOs in Germany and=20=
=20
> the US slammed German Chancellor Angela Merkel's administration for=20=20
> refusing to shut down a leading finance center for nuclear=20=20
> proliferation and Teheran's missile program."EIH has acted as a key=20=20
> financial lifeline for Iran. As one of Iran's few remaining access=20=20
> points to the European financial system, EIH has facilitated a=20=20
> tremendous volume of transactions for Iranian banks previously=20=20
> designated for prolife ration," Stuart Levey, US under secretary for=20=
=20
> terrorism and financial intelligence, said in a Treasury Department=20=20
> statement."As international sanctions tighten, Iran will find it=20=20
> increasingly difficult to find banks like EIH that will cooperate=20=20
> with it. Treasury will continue to target any bank, wherever=20=20
> located, that supports Iran's nuclear or missile programs," said=20=20
> Levey, who oversees American efforts to stop the financing of=20=20
> terrorism across the globe.The US Treasury proffered a list of EIH's=20=
=20
> proliferation activities. "In 2009, EIH and Bank Mellat facilitated=20=20
> nearly $350,000 of business between a weapons exporter and a=20=20
> subsidiary of WMD proliferator Iran Electronics Industries (IEI),"=20=20
> it said."In a six-month period beginning in late 2007, EIH and the=20=20
> Export Development Bank of Iran enabled Iran's missile programs to=20=20
> purchase more than $3 million of material; also in 2007, almost $1m.=20=
=20
> in business involving an Iranian WMD proliferator was faci litated=20=20
> by EIH and Bank Mellat."Mark Dubowitz, executive director of the=20=20
> Washington-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies and an expert=20=
=20
> on sanctions targeting Iran's energy infrastructure, told The=20=20
> Jerusalem Post on Sunday, "Germany, one of Iran's most important=20=20
> trade partners, has recently developed a fragile political consensus=20=
=20
> in favor of tougher sanctions. German businessmen, however, remain=20=20
> wary of losing lucrative deals and are testing the resolve of=20=20
> European and American leaders."Michael Spaney, a spokesman for the=20=20
> German chapter of the Stop the Bomb NGO, said in a statement last=20=20
> week, "We call on the German chancellor to immediately ban EIH.=20=20
> Germany must at long last become active in the area of Iran=20=20
> sanctions. It is up until now about empty phrases. The German=20=20
> government contends it want to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran while=20=20
> continued intensive trade is carried out with Iran."A Foreign=20=20
> Ministry spokesman in Berlin said the US informed Germany in advance=20=
=20
> of its decision to ban the EIH from American markets. The spokesman=20=20
> said a German bank regulatory agency is strictly monitoring the=20=20
> EIH.The veteran New York Times journalist John Vinocur wrote in his=20=20
> August column that US President Barack Obama appealed to Merkel to=20=20
> shut down the EIH, but he was snubbed by the chancellor.The EIH said=20=
=20
> in a statement that the EIH "at all times strictly fulfills and=20=20
> observes applicable legal regulations and all sanctions and export=20=20
> guidelines."Germany is Europe's largest Iranian trade partner, with=20=20
> annual trade volume around =7F4 billion, and the third largest global=20=
=20
> business partner of Iran after China and the United Arab=20=20
> Emirates.Despite the international community's efforts to isolate=20=20
> Iran, many German companies, particularly engineering firms have=20=20
> defied sanctions. German exports to Iran increased by 14 percent=20=20
> during the first half of 2010 compared to the same period a year=20=20
> earlier.
>
> http://www.jpost.com/Ir anianThreat/News/Article.aspx?id=3D187885 For=20=
=20
> more, click here (Back to top) Oil and Gas News: "Iran stores=20=20
> abundant fuel oil on supertankers"
>
> (Mon, 13 Sep) Singapore - Iran has been storing straight-run fuel=20=20
> oil on supertankers for at least three months, in an unprecedented=20=20
> move prompted by China's poor feedstock demand and financing=20=20
> difficulties faced by buyers due to Western sanctions, industry=20=20
> sources said.At least 550,000-600,000 tonnes, two full VLCC loads,=20=20
> are being held at sea at any one time, traders said.So far, two=20=20
> cargoes have been sold and delivered into Singapore on board Very=20=20
> Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs), a shift from its normal practice of=20=20
> using 80,000-tonne aframaxes.Traders said demand from "teapot"=20=20
> refiners in southern China, which used to buy two to three cargoes a=20=
=20
> month some two years ago, have dried up. Since January, only one=20=20
> cargo was lifted by a Chinese player, Tianbao, in April.The unusual=20=20
> move by Iran was also prompted by increasing difficulty faced by=20=20
> some term buyers in getting credit from Western banks for trade with=20=
=20
> Iran due to sanctions, traders added. Iran has been storing crude=20=20
> oil on tankers in recent years. At least one of the VLCCs carrying=20=20
> straight-run fuel oil from Iran's Bandar Mahshahr port has landed in=20=
=20
> Singapore for the first time, while a second is on the way,=20=20
> increasing supplies in a weak Asian market damped by poor sentiment.=20=
=20
> "NIOC (National Iranian Oil Co) have been unusually flexible with=20=20
> their fuel oil recently - as long as buyers are keen, prompt loading=20=
=20
> dates and the size of the cargoes are not a problem," a Singapore-=20
> based Asian trader said."That's because they are floating the oil on=20=
=20
> their VLCCs and it's ever-ready for loading." For example, Iran can=20=20
> still move to load for prompt mid-September shipments, he added.The=20=20
> second parcel is on board the 270,000-tonne "Nesa", which is=20=20
> expected to land Singapore on Sept. 10 and chartered by Chin a's=20=20
> Zhenrong, which had been a term buyer of the 280-centistoke (cst)=20=20
> Bandar Mahshahr cargoes before this year. The first cargo, which was=20=
=20
> loaded on board the "Dadgar" in June, was sold to term buyer Shell,=20=20
> who normally lifts two to three aframaxes in a month, mainly as=20=20
> feedstock. (Back to top) The Scotsman: "US hostage delay reveals=20=20
> Iran's power struggle" by Parisa Hafezi in Tehran
>
> (Mon, 13 Sep) Iran said yesterday it will free on bail one of three=20=20
> Americans accused of espionage and held for more than a year, a day=20=20
> after her planned release was unexpectedly halted by the judiciary.=20=20
> The Tehran prosecutor told state television yesterday that Sarah=20=20
> Shourd would be freed on $500,000 bail and permitted to leave the=20=20
> country.Shourd was detained near Iran's border with Iraq at the end=20=20
> of July 2009 along with two male companions, Shane Bauer and Josh=20=20
> Fattal. Their families say the three were on a mountain hike in=20=20
> northern Iraq at the time.Officials said l ast week Shourd would be=20=20
> freed on Saturday, but Iran's judiciary suspended her release at the=20=
=20
> last minute, saying the legal process had not been completed. The=20=20
> delay indicates a rift among Iran's hardline rulers."The American=20=20
> spy can be released as soon as her $500,000 bail is deposited... She=20=
=20
> is not barred from leaving Iran, but has to appear in the court at=20=20
> trial time," Tehran prosecutor Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi said.The=20=20
> detention decree of the other two had been extended, he added: "The=20=20
> other two American hikers will remain in jail."A lawyer representing=20=
=20
> the three, Masoud Shafie, said the Americans had attended court=20=20
> earlier yesterday and presented their final defences. The prosecutor=20=
=20
> could now present his indictment, which would precede a trial...An=20=20
> Iranian analyst who asked not to be named said the delay in Shourd's=20=
=20
> release "brought to surface the ongoing power struggle" between=20=20
> President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and other hardliners."Ahmadi nejad=20=20
> wants to gain international respect after the disputed presidential=20=20
> vote in 2009," he said, referring to an election which the=20=20
> opposition says was rigged and which harmed Ahmadinejad's standing=20=20
> abroad.State media reported on Friday that Shourd would be released=20=20
> as a result of intervention by Ahmadinejad, to show the "special=20=20
> view of Iran on the dignity of women".Some hardline MPs criticised=20=20
> Shourd's planned release, accusing the government of "meddling in=20=20
> the judiciary's affairs", the Tehran-e Emrouz daily reported=20=20
> yesterday."More and more, Iranian MPs and officials believe he is=20=20
> ignoring them and acting solely in his own interest," said Meir=20=20
> Javedanfar, an Iran expert with the Middle East Economic and=20=20
> Political Analyst based in Israel.ISNA, the student news agency,=20=20
> quoted the prosecutor Dolatabadi as defending the right of the=20=20
> judiciary to make the decision without outs
>
>
> 10) Back to Top
> China Owns 'Indisputable Sovereignty Over Diaoyu Islands
> Editorial: "China Will Absolutely Not Give In; Japan Must Not=20=20
> Misjudge the Situation" - Wen Wei Po Online
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 19:39:12 GMT
> On the issue of the Diaoyu Islands, China has time and again=20=20
> reiterated that the Diaoyu Islands and nearby islets have always=20=20
> been Chinese territory since times immemorial, and that China owns=20=20
> indisputable sovereignty over these islands. The 740,000 square km=20=20
> "maritime exclusive economic zones" of the Diaoyu Islands and nearby=20=
=20
> islets are almost the total of Chinese waters in the Nansha=20=20
> (Spratly) Islands. Located near the Chinese side between Taiwan,=20=20
> Chinese mainland, and Japan's Okinawa, the Diaoyu Islands are very=20=20
> important strategically on the frontline of the primary chain of=20=20
> islands in the western Pacific. Japan has completely misjudged the=20=20
> situation in the recent illegal seizure of the Chinese fishing boat=20=20
> and fishermen and the escalation of the incident in an attempt to=20=20
> brazenly occupy the Diaoyu Islands. On the issue of the Diaoyu=20=20
> Islands, which has special strategic importance and strategic=20=20
> resources, China will absolutely not tolerate national humiliation=20=20
> and occupation of the traditional territory. Japan must not=20=20
> miscalculate.
>
> China does not make trouble but is not afraid of trouble. Many years=20=
=20
> ago, in response to India's encroachment activities in the border=20=20
> area, China, after futile negotiations, resolutely waged a=20=20
> counteroffensive in the border area; faced with the former Soviet=20=20
> Union's strong military pressures, China did the same by fighting=20=20
> back bravely at the Zhenbao (Damansky) Island; and Vietnam, self-=20
> confident of the former Soviet Union's backing, frequently stirred=20=20
> up trouble in the Sino-Vietnamese border, which Chinese=20=20
> counterattacked decisively. If Japan m isjudges the situation, it=20=20
> will be lifting a rock only to drop it on its own toes.
>
> Japan's arrogant and unreasonable attitude toward the latest Diaoyu=20=20
> Islands incident compelled China to make tough response. Of course,=20=20
> China would take diplomatic, political, and other actions to defend=20=20
> China's territorial sovereignty and national dignity. Immediately,=20=20
> China dispatched law enforcement vessels of the fishery=20=20
> administration to the waters near the Diaoyu Islands not only to=20=20
> protect the lives and safety of property of Chinese fishermen but=20=20
> also to declare, tit for tat, China's sovereignty over the Diaoyu=20=20
> Islands. As Japan has so far not backed away, China, in addition to=20=20
> increasing diplomatic pressures, is expected to take more follow-up=20=20
> actions. The purpose of the recent steadfast action undertaken by=20=20
> China is not only to defend the sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands=20=20
> but also to display the all-out determination to safeguard national=20=20
> sovereignty and territorial integrity .
>
> (Description of Source: Hong Kong Wen Wei Po Online in Chinese --=20=20
> Website of PRC-owned daily newspaper with a very small circulation;=20=20
> ranked low in "credibility" in Hong Kong opinion surveys due to=20=20
> strong pro-Beijing bias; has good access to PRC sources; URL: http://www.=
wenweipo.com=20
> )Attachments:wwp0913b.pdf
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS,=20=20
> US Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 11) Back to Top
> Xinhua 'Interview': 'Partnership And Commitment' Needed To Achieve=20=20
> MDG Targets in Africa: UNDP Official
> Xinhua "Interview" by Laila Kabbaj: "'Partnership And Commitment'=20=20
> Needed To Achieve MDG Targets in Africa: UNDP Official" - Xinhua
>
> Monday Septemb er 13, 2010 19:38:57 GMT
> UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- As the high-level summit on the=20=
=20
> Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) approaches, " partnership and=20=20
> commitment" will be essential for Africa to sustain progress in=20=20
> achieving the targets, a UN official told Xinhua in a recent=20=20
> interview.
>
> Selim Jahan, director of the Poverty Practice Division of the UN=20=20
> Development Program (UNDP), said a "concrete plan of action" is=20=20
> needed to help the region overcome challenges in the wake of the=20=20
> global economic crisis.Over 150 heads of state or government will=20=20
> gather at the United Nations Headquarters in New York next week in=20=20
> order to assess the status of the efforts to reach the MDGs targets=20=20
> and revitalize efforts to meet the eight anti-poverty goals by the=20=20
> 2015 deadline.As world governments continue to grapple with the=20=20
> effects of the recent economic downturn, food insecurity, oil price=20=20
> volatility and climate change, the prospects of achieving the MDGs=20=20
> by the target date have been thrown into uncertainty -- particularly=20=
=20
> in sub-Saharan Africa.Jahan warned that sub-Saharan Africa will face=20=
=20
> "severe human development impacts" as a consequence of the=20=20
> crises.GREATEST CHALLENGEAccording to the 2010 World Bank global=20=20
> monitoring report, "sub- Saharan Africa poses the greatest=20=20
> challenge, it has the highest poverty rates and will have the most=20=20
> difficulty achieving its regional poverty reduction targets."Between=20=
=20
> 2000 and 2009 the GDP growth rate in sub-Saharan Africa has gone=20=20
> from 5.5 percent to 2.1 percent, according to Jahan.Reduced global=20=20
> demand for exports, decline in capital flows including foreign=20=20
> direct investment (FDI), and remittances are part of the global=20=20
> financial and economic crisis' immediate impact on the=20=20
> region.Despite the immediate downturn, he noted that the most=20=20
> devastating consequences will be felt in the long term, as they=20=20
> threaten to erode sustained progress in development.The impact on=20=20
> infant mortality are particularly tragic, " because of the crisis in=20=
=20
> 2009, estimates have been that an additional 30,000 to 50,000=20=20
> children are dying in sub-Saharan Africa," said Jahan.Budget=20=20
> constraints on donor countries have also exacerbated the situation,=20=20
> as commitments to delivering aid continue to be unfulfilled.Jahan=20=20
> indicated the peculiar trend in the flow of external financing or=20=20
> official development assistance (ODA) to sub-Saharan Africa."Between=20=
=20
> 2007 onwards, total amount of aid to sub-Saharan Africa has actually=20=
=20
> gone up from 39 billion U.S. dollars, to 41 billion, to 44 billion.=20=20
> Now does it mean that the commitments of the donors have been kept?=20=20
> No," he said, citing that an additional 17 billion U.S. dollars=20=20
> could have been delivered in ODA if commitments had been=20=20
> met.Indicating that aid distribution poses another issue in=20=20
> development funding, Jahan said that tracking the flow of ODA in sub-=20
> Saharan Africa "needs to be revisited." In essence, there is a need=20=20
> to track where the money is going.Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Tanzania=20=20
> are the three major recipients of aid in the region. "These are all=20=20
> big countries in sub-Saharan Africa, therefore a number of smaller=20=20
> countries may not get the kind of assistance -- particularly the ODA=20=
=20
> -- that they are so much dependent upon. I think this is one issue=20=20
> that needs to be looked at," said Jahan.As the global economic=20=20
> crisis continues to unfold, producing growth in Africa will not come=20=
=20
> solely from money and resource handouts.Resources and aid are=20=20
> important, Jahan noted, but they cannot stand alone. "We cannot have=20=
=20
> a resource-centric approach to the MDGs, it does not work that way,"=20=
=20
> he said."You cannot say give me 50 billion dollars today, I'll take=20=20
> care of poverty tomorrow. There are more structural issues, more=20=20
> complex realities that need to be dealt with," he added.Progress in=20=20
> meeting the development ta rgets will be largely dependent on=20=20
> strategies that allow sub-Saharan African countries to help=20=20
> themselves.HELPING AFRICA HELP ITSELFJahan highlighted that=20=20
> "national commitment" and "national ownership" are essential for sub-=20
> Saharan African states to make more effective use of both their=20=20
> macro and micro-economic policies for development.Commitment and=20=20
> ownership "have to be formulated, organized, implemented locally.=20=20
> They cannot be implanted or be pushed down from outside. National=20=20
> ownership is absolutely important," said Jahan. Yet, commitment=20=20
> cannot come if one does not have the capacity to do so, he=20=20
> added.With demand for food in sub-Saharan Africa expected to reach=20=20
> 100 billion U.S. dollars by 2015 according to World Bank estimates,=20=20
> food insecurity presents a major bottleneck in efforts to build=20=20
> national capacity.The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)=20=20
> reports that 30 percent of people in sub-Saharan Africa suffer from=20=20
> hunger.With agricul ture providing 30 percent of GDP and employing=20=20
> 70 percent of the population, Jahan said national food security=20=20
> policies should hinge on three dimensions: enhancing agricultural=20=20
> productivity, linking food security with nutritional needs, and=20=20
> social protection for vulnerable groups.Developing a cost-effective=20=20
> marketing system that will provide an integrated package of inputs=20=20
> to farmers and climate change adaptation are key. "I think sub-=20
> Saharan Africa is ready for an African green revolution, and I think=20=
=20
> we should support them on that," he said.Despite the bleak outlook=20=20
> for progress in achieving the MDGs provided by the statistical data,=20=
=20
> there are examples of success.The introduction of improved seed and=20=20
> advances in technology have increased agricultural productivity in=20=20
> Ghana. As a result, " it has been able to reduce the incidents of=20=20
> hunger from 34 percent to 9 percent between 1990 and 2004. Ghana is=20=20
> very much on its way to eliminate hunger," said Jahan.Pr ogress has=20=20
> been uneven throughout sub-Saharan Africa, partly due to the=20=20
> geographic enormity of the region. Although one country may cite=20=20
> progress in combating hunger, another may see an increase in child=20=20
> mortality rates.Jahan noted that this diversity, can be used to=20=20
> establish partnerships throughout the developing world --=20=20
> particularly through what he calls "south-south collaboration.""In=20=20
> the South you have so many development experiments going on, you=20=20
> have so many innovative approaches. For example, India has done a=20=20
> great job with their mid-day meal program at schools, where 110=20=20
> million children are benefiting -- can (this program) be replicated=20=20
> in Nigeria?"FROM RHETORIC TO ACTIONTen years have passed since 189=20=20
> UN member states signed the Millennium Declaration that established=20=20
> the Millennium Development Goals. With only five years left until=20=20
> the 2015 deadline, sub- Saharan Africa faces a steep uphill climb to=20=
=20
> overcome challenges.As the September MDGs s ummit approaches, Jahan=20=20
> says he'd like to see a message of hope and a concrete plan of=20=20
> action from world leaders."I want to see a message of hope based on=20=20
> the success stories, the proven interventions, the country level=20=20
> evidence. There can be a message of despair, but that is not going=20=20
> to help anybody," he said."We are not just talking in terms of=20=20
> rhetoric," Jahan emphasized. "If we have a positive message with=20=20
> very concrete evidence, if we have a concrete action plan and we=20=20
> have committed partnerships, then I think we have achieved a=20=20
> lot."There are no excuses for stalling progress in achieving the=20=20
> MDGs, said Jahan. "I strongly believe that the world has the=20=20
> resources, and the knowledge, and the technology to make a=20=20
> breakthrough.""I think basically what we need to do is put our=20=20
> heads, hands and hearts together. That 3-H approach can really make=20=20
> a difference," he added.(Description of Source: Beijing Xinhua in=20=20
> English -- China 's official news service for English-language=20=20
> audiences (New China News Agency))
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS,=20=20
> US Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 12) Back to Top
> Cabinet group discusses partial withdrawal of armed forces act in=20=20
> Indian Kashmir - PTI News Agency
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 14:08:36 GMT
> Text of report by Indian news agency PTINew Delhi, 13 September: The=20=
=20
> Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) chaired by Prime Minister of=20=20
> India Manmohan Singh met here Monday (13 September) to discuss a=20=20
> package for the northernmost Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir=20=20
> (Indian-administered Kashmir) hit by a fresh bout of violence since=20=20
> Id last Saturday.The pros and cons of a phased withdrawal of Armed=20=20
> Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from some areas in the border=20=20
> state as part of the package were deliberated at the crucial=20=20
> meeting.The meeting reviewed the present situation in the valley,=20=20
> where four more people were killed Monday in the surge in=20=20
> violence.The toll in the three-month unrest in the valley has risen=20=20
> to 75.Hours before the crucial CCS meeting, Jammu and Kashmir Chief=20=20
> Minister Omar Abdullah had separate meetings with Congress President=20=
=20
> Sonia Gandhi and Indian Home Minister P. Chidambaram, during which a=20=
=20
> political package for the state figured in the deliberations.The=20=20
> chief minister had also met other union ministers Sunday, including=20=20
> health minister and senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad whose=20=20
> support was sought for a political package to the state.The proposal=20=
=20
> being deliberated upon to restore peace in the Kashmir valley was=20=20
> withdrawal of AFSPA from six districts - three each in Kashmir and=20=20
> Jammu regions - besides a special compensation package for those=20=20
> killed and injured in the violence in the recent weeks.The Defence=20=20
> Ministry, which has been opposing any moves to withdraw AFSPA,=20=20
> indicated at one of the meetings recently that Indian Army should=20=20
> never be called for any assistance in those areas where the Act was=20=20
> repealed.Besides AFSPA, Omar has also urged the Indian government to=20=
=20
> kick-start a political dialogue with the separatists at the=20=20
> earliest.CCS also discussed measures to incorporate certain=20=20
> provisions in AFSPA to make it more "humane".The Law Commission and=20=20
> Administrative Reforms Commission are also in favour of repealing=20=20
> the Act.The Administrative Reforms Commission, headed by Veerappa=20=20
> Moily, now law minister, has endorsed withdrawal of AFSPA or at=20=20
> least incorporation of some measures which prevents giving sweeping=20=20
> powers to the security forces.The prime minister had also=20=20
> constituted a committee headed by Hamid Ansari, before he became the=20=
=20
> vi ce-president, to find ways for improving internal confidence-=20
> building measures.The Ansari panel had recommended revocation of=20=20
> AFSPA in the state.Besides resumption of dialogue with all shades of=20=
=20
> opinion and a review of laws, Omar's strategy envisages measures to=20=20
> deal with unemployment with six lakh (one lakh equals 100,000)=20=20
> jobless youth, a comprehensive package for people who have suffered=20=20
> during the present unrest and former militants who served their=20=20
> sentence and were without jobs, sources said.Among other issues=20=20
> discussed at the CCS meeting were the relocation of security forces=20=20
> and a fresh surrender policy.(Description of Source: New Delhi PTI=20=20
> News Agency in English )
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited.Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder.Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US=20=
=20
> Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 13) Back to Top
> US 'dismayed' by reports of school, church attacked in India -=20=20
> agency - PTI News Agency
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 14:18:46 GMT
> Text of report by Indian news agency PTINew Delhi, 13 September: The=20=
=20
> US is dismayed to see reports of a school and a church in Kashmir=20=20
> and Punjab having been attacked by rioters following news of a=20=20
> misguided individual desecrating the Koran, an act strongly=20=20
> condemned by America, US Ambassador to India Timothy J Roemer said=20=20
> Monday (13 September).Terming the act of tearing pages of Koran on=20=20
> 11 September in the US as "disrespectful, intolerant, divisive, and=20=20
> unrepresentative of American values", Roemer said "the deliberate=20=20
> destruction of any holy book is an abhorrent act.""News reports have=20=
=20
> stated that on Saturday, 11 September, one misguided individual in=20=20
> the United States desecrated the Holy Koran by tearing pages from=20=20
> it... The acts of this one individual are not representative of=20=20
> America and American values.These acts are well outside of the=20=20
> American mainstream and offend millions, including myself," the=20=20
> envoy said."We are also dismayed to see reports that a school and a=20=20
> church in Kashmir and Punjab have been attacked and destroyed by=20=20
> rioters.We strongly support local authorities' appeal for calm and=20=20
> an end to the violence", Roemer said.Noting that extremists in all=20=20
> countries seek to sow hatred rather than propagate peaceful co-=20
> existence, Roemer, while quoting US President Barack Obama, said:=20=20
> "America and Islam are not exclusive and need not be in=20=20
> competition."Instead, they overlap, and share common principles -=20=20
> principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all=20=
=20
> human beings", he said and added that "one misguided American=20=20
> tearing pages from the Holy Koran will not change this -today,=20=20
> tomorrow, or ever."He said Islam has its rightful and equal place at=20=
=20
> the table in America along with all other religions and always will=20=20
> have.(Description of Source: New Delhi PTI News Agency in English )
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited.Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder.Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US=20=
=20
> Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 14) Back to Top
> Indian Commentary Discusses Credibility Crisis, Chaos, in Pakistan
> Commentary by Balbir Punj " Nobody Trusts Pakistan" - The Pioneer=20=20
> Online
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 12:52:24 GMT
> (Description of Source: New Delhi The Pioneer Online in English --=20=20
> Website of the pro-Bharatiya Janata Party daily, favors=20=20
> nationalistic foreign and economic policies.Circulation for its five=20=
=20
> editions is approximately 160,000, with its core audience in Lucknow=20=
=20
> and Delhi; URL: http://www.dailypioneer.com)
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited.Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder.Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US=20=
=20
> Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 15) Back to Top
> Indian Editorial Discusses Diminishing Influence of PM Singh on=20=20
> Federal Ministers
> Editorial: "What Was That Again? The Prime Minister's Lofty Self-=20
> Image" - The Pioneer Online
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 12:41:14 GMT
> (Description of Source: New Delhi The Pioneer Online in English --=20=20
> Website of the pro-Bharatiya Janata Party daily, favors=20=20
> nationalistic foreign and economic policies.Circulation for its five=20=
=20
> editions i s approximately 160,000, with its core audience in=20=20
> Lucknow and Delhi; URL: http://www.dailypioneer.com)
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited.Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder.Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US=20=
=20
> Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 16) Back to Top
> West Indian Press 13 Sep 10
> The following is a selection of highlights from the West Indian=20=20
> press on 13 September 2010 - India -- OSC Summary
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 12:13:47 GMT
> The editorial says the BJP is forced to watch helplessly as its=20=20
> younger generation of leaders is making compromises for power=20=20
> without bothering about the seniors. The BJP's 42-year-old leader=20=20
> Arjun Munda, who occupied the post of Jharkhand chief minister for a=20=
=20
> thi rd time, has also sidelined the party's basic culture. Arjun did=20=
=20
> achieve a hat-trick with Shibu Soren of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha=20=20
> (JMM), who voted against the BJP and in favor of the Congress party=20=20
> in Parliament, but not everybody seems to be happy about it in the=20=20
> party.
>
> The editorial adds that while the BJP is suffering setback in the=20=20
> states in which it is in power, Munda has surprisingly come to power=20=
=20
> with the help of Shibu Soren in Jharkhand. The uprights within the=20=20
> BJP do not seem to have liked it and this displeasure was clearly=20=20
> expressed. Senior leaders turned their back on Arjun Munda's=20=20
> swearing-in ceremony. Along with L.K. Advani, party president Nitin=20=20
> Gadkari also turned his back on the ceremony. These people were=20=20
> trying to indicate that it was not good for the party's image.=20=20
> However, the real question now is for how long this marriage is=20=20
> going to last. On this pretext, it was seen that the new BJP=20=20
> generation is a little better at the game of power than the Congress=20=
=20
> party.
>
> The editorial goes on to say it is clear that the alliance is not=20=20
> going to last for long. Their government had come crashing down just=20=
=20
> last May because of differences between them. Within three months of=20=
=20
> that divorce, both parties are coming together again, claiming that=20=20
> they are doing so to deal with the drought in the state and=20=20
> development.
>
> The editorial further says that despite getting seven chief=20=20
> ministers in the last 10 years, Jharkhand's woes are not coming to=20=20
> an end. The state is continuously in the grip of instability. The=20=20
> question of Naxalism (Maoist insurgency) is haunting the state.=20=20
> People are also tired of this instability. Bureaucracy and the Mafia=20=
=20
> are taking advantage of this instability. The way for development is=20=
=20
> not yet paved. At such a time, Munda is coming to power again=20=20
> prostrating before Shibu Soren. Only the coming time would decide=20=20
> whether he uses the power for people's welfare, or for his own good.
>
> (M umbai Sakal in Marathi -- Widely read Marathi daily published in=20=20
> Mumbai) Divya Bhaskar Rues Hindi Movie Star Salman Khan Making=20=20
> Statement in Pakistan's Favor Divya Bhaskar
>
> online of 13 September in Gujarati carries an approximately 600-word=20=
=20
> editorial entitled: "Salman Khan Trying To be Over Smart." The=20=20
> editorial says Hindi film actor Salman Khan is trying to be over=20=20
> smart. He seems to have lost his mental balance. He is trying to=20=20
> appease the enemy country by saying that the Pakistani Government=20=20
> was not involved in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.
>
> The editorial asks why Salman needed to do such anti-India advocacy=20=20
> for the Mumbai attack after 21 months. He may have done this monkey-=20
> like act to get cheap publicity and make his film popular in the=20=20
> enemy country, but he has shown his real mentality by showing his=20=20
> love for Pakistan. Salman is saying that the laxity of Indian=20=20
> security agencies was responsible for this attack, while not holding=20=
=20
> the Pakist ani Government responsible for it. The entire world knows=20=
=20
> what role the Pakistani Government played in the Mumbai terror=20=20
> attack. Otherwise also, Salman Khan is a controversial character. He=20=
=20
> has also spent a few months in jail on charges of killing Chinkara,=20=20
> an endangered species of deer, while sho oting for a film in=20=20
> Jodhpur. He is also facing charges of killing a few persons,=20=20
> crushing them under his car while driving in an inebriated=20=20
> condition. He had also threatened actress Aishwarya Rai once.
>
> The editorial adds that Salman has tried to betray the country that=20=20
> gave him all the name and fame. Now, when his new film is being=20=20
> released, he has tried to get cheap publicity by making such a=20=20
> statement to a Pakistani channel. It would not come as a surprise if=20=
=20
> his tendency boomerangs. His film could suffer a jolt in India for=20=20
> such advocacy of Pakistan. The Shiv Sena and BJP have taken Salman=20=20
> Khan to task. Salman's anti-India statement could cost him dearly.=20=20
> Peopl e, and especially filmgoers, must teach a lesson to such a=20=20
> traitor.
>
> (Ahmedabad Divya Bhaskar in Gujarati has the largest circulation in=20=20
> Ahmedabad. Gives a very balanced coverage)
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited.Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder.Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US=20=
=20
> Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 17) Back to Top
> Moe Says It Respects Professionalism In Revising Textbooks
> By Lee Hsien-feng &amp; Bear Lee - Central News Agency
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 12:51:20 GMT
> Taipei, Sept. 13 (CNA) -- Education Minister Wu Chin-ji said Monday=20=20
> that his ministry would fully respect professional viewpoints after=20=20
> members of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) accused=20=
=20
> t he government of trying to inject revisionist history into senior=20=20
> high school textbooks.
>
> Wu was responding to criticism by DPP lawmakers who said the=20=20
> Ministry of Education's (MOE's) draft guidelines for rewriting=20=20
> history textbooks were an attempt to "brainwash" students.The draft=20=20
> guidelines were released by the ministry earlier in the day.DPP=20=20
> Legislator Kuan Bi-ling said that under the guidelines made by the=20=20
> previous government in 1995, the origin of Taiwan could be traced to=20=
=20
> aboriginal Taiwanese, an Austronesian people whose ties to the=20=20
> island are said to go back 5,000-6,000 years.Many scholars believe=20=20
> Austronesian peoples originated from Taiwan and spread as far as=20=20
> Madagascar in the Indian Ocean, Easter Island, Southeast Asia, New=20=20
> Zealand and other Pacific Islands.Kuan said the latest guidelines=20=20
> were aimed at "binding Taiwan together with China" by saying that=20=20
> Taiwan has belonged to China since the "Three Kingdoms" era of=20=20
> 208-280 A.D.Th e guidelines go further to say that during the era,=20=20
> the Kingdom of Wu invaded the Ryukyu Islands and "Yichou" in the=20=20
> East China Sea, with "Yichou, " or land of the barbarians, referring=20=
=20
> to Taiwan, Kuan said.Yeh Yi-jin, another DPP lawmaker, said that the=20=
=20
> Kuomintang-led government has been trying to force Taiwan people=20=20
> into accepting the idea that "Taiwan has long been part of China" in=20=
=20
> an attempt to pave the way for eventual unification of the two sides=20=
=20
> the Taiwan Straits.The DPP advocates Taiwan's independence from=20=20
> China.Kuan said that the DPP caucus will do its best to prevent the=20=20
> "misleading ideas" from being included in the new history=20=20
> textbooks.Minister Wu said that the draft guidelines were decided=20=20
> upon by a group of experts after 38 meetings, and that his ministry=20=20
> would hold four public hearings around the country to solicit more=20=20
> professional opinions about revising the textbooks.(Description of=20=20
> Source: Taipei Central News Agenc y in English -- "Central News=20=20
> Agency (CNA)," Taiwan's major state-run press agency; generally=20=20
> favors ruling administration in its coverage of domestic and=20=20
> international affairs; URL: http://www.cna.com.tw)
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited.Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder.Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US=20=
=20
> Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 18) Back to Top
> Nepal, Indian forces agree closer cooperation against border crime -=20=
=20
> eKantipur.com
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 12:26:02 GMT
> crime
>
> Text of report by privately-owned Nepalese eKantipur.com website on=20=20
> 13 SeptemberNepalgunj, (Monday) 13 September: The security chiefs of=20=
=20
> the bordering districts of Nepal and India have forged an agreeme nt=20=
=20
> to detain and extradite the leaders of the groups involved in=20=20
> criminal activities in the border region.The meeting of the security=20=
=20
> chiefs held in Nepalgunj on Monday reached an agreement to step up=20=20
> coordination in order to arrest the leaders of the armed factions=20=20
> active in the border areas.On the occasion, the security chiefs=20=20
> agreed to initiate efforts for detaining the 35 persons enlisted as=20=20
> the most wanted on the Nepal Army (NA)'s search list and the 20=20=20
> enlisted on the Indian Army (IA)'s wanted list.The officials from=20=20
> both the nations have expressed commitment to do their best to=20=20
> control smuggling and criminal activities of armed factions, among=20=20
> other things, along the border areas.(Description of Source:=20=20
> Kathmandu eKantipur.com in English -- Most prominent news website in=20=
=20
> Nepal; URL: http://www.ekantipur.com)
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited.Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder.Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US=20=
=20
> Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 19) Back to Top
> Indian Commentary Says Dialogue With Pakistan 'Meaningless'
> Commentary by P R Chari: =7FDialogue With Pakistan is Useless =7F And an=
=20=20
> End in Itself=7F - Daily News and Analysis Online
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 10:46:30 GMT
> Does a dialogue with Pakistan serve any purpose?Let's us start by=20=20
> assuming that it does: talks with that country do have some=20=20
> relevance.History can be rewritten, but geography cannot be=20=20
> changed.Pakistan is a permanent fixture in India's neighbourhood; it=20=
=20
> cannot be wished away.Then, again, jaw-jaw is better than war-war.An=20=
=20
> unproductive dialogue with Pakistan is better than no dialogue;=20=20
> acrimonious engagement is better than estrangement, and so on.All=20=20
> this encapsulates the conventional wisdom, which illuminates the=20=20
> perceptions of men and women of goodwill who light candles in Wagah=20=20
> and Attari to give each other some heart.The counter-intuitive case=20=20
> -- the case against dialogue -- rests on three pillars.First, what=20=20
> does the history of the India-Pakistan dialogue instruct?What has=20=20
> the resumption of the frozen composite dialogue in 2004 following=20=20
> the Kargil conflict (May-July, 1999) and the border confrontation=20=20
> crisis (December, 2001-October, 2002) yielded?Much lies in the eyes=20=20
> of the beholder.The optimists argue that the resumption of=20=20
> diplomatic ties, people-to-people contacts and some modest trade,=20=20
> especially between the divided parts of Kashmir, but particularly=20=20
> the cessation of firing across the Line of Control, are huge gains=20=20
> from the dialogue.Further, hotlines have been established between=20=20
> various authorities to defuse tensions, and agreements reached on=20=20
> the pre-notification of missile tests and early intimation of=20=20
> nuclear accidents.These are significant confi dence-building steps,=20=20
> but substantive problems like the Siachen and Sir Creek disputes and=20=
=20
> the overarching issues of Kashmir and terrorism remain in=20=20
> limbo.What, then, is the practical utility?Second, what is the=20=20
> intrinsic capacity of Pakistan to enter this dialogue?The current=20=20
> floods in Pakistan have pitilessly revealed its administrative=20=20
> inadequacies.True, the floods were of unprecedented ferocity, but=20=20
> the reluctance of the international community to help Pakistan is=20=20
> instructive.Why? What has occasioned this sudden dip in=20=20
> international humanitarianism?Quite bluntly, there is little=20=20
> assurance available that the aid provided would not end up being=20=20
> embezzled by Pakistan's besmirched civilian and military=20=20
> kleptocracy.This became apparent in 2005 during Pakistan's handling=20=20
> of the earthquake in Kashmir.The leakage of funds during that=20=20
> natural disaster is fresh in the minds of international donors, and=20=20
> explains their present parsimoniousness.There are persistent reports=20=
=20
> now, as oc curred after the 2005 earthquake, that the administrative=20=
=20
> vacuum was filled by jehadi organisations like the Jamaat-ul-Dawa=20=20
> and the Lashkar-e-Toiba.The hope that this represents a truce of=20=20
> sorts is belied, however, by the almost daily violence occurring, in=20=
=20
> Pakistan's north-western territories, triggered by Pakistani Taliban=20=
=20
> groups.The sectarian Shia-Sunni dimension to this violence must also=20=
=20
> be noted, which now afflicts the entire country.In these=20=20
> circumstances, how involved can Pakistan be in this dialogue?Third,=20=20
> is the civilian leadership in Pakistan of any consequence in holding=20=
=20
> a dialogue with India?This is not a trick question.Despite the=20=20
> success of its most recent elections following an agitation by civil=20=
=20
> society, leading to paeans being sung to democracy in Pakistan, the=20=20
> real power vests in the Pakistani army working in close tandem with=20=20
> the ISI.Time and again, the civilian leadership has proven to be=20=20
> incompetent, corrupt, faction-ridden, and has been unceremoniously=20=20
> removed by the Pakistani army.In brief, the Pakistan army is the=20=20
> real power in Pakistan, whether directly, or behind the=20=20
> scenes.President Zardari and prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani=20=20
> continue in office at the pleasure of General Ashfaque Kayani.It=20=20
> would be instructive to observe that Gen Kayani was promoted as army=20=
=20
> chief after a distinguished tenure in the ISI.And the ISI has=20=20
> organised terrorist strikes against India, including the Mumbai=20=20
> attacks in November, 2008.The question is, therefore, germa ne: what=20=
=20
> is the point in holding a dialogue with Pakistan's civilian=20=20
> leadership?Would it not be more purposive to hold a dialogue with=20=20
> Pakistan's military leadership?The irresistible conclusion cannot,=20=20
> therefore, be ignored that a dialogue with Pakistan is=20=20
> meaningless.Obviously, the dialogue cannot be given up in the=20=20
> interests of maintaining good public relations in the region and=20=20
> keeping the international community in good humour.Moreover, there=20=20
> are several communities in both c ountries, like the bureaucrats in=20=20
> their foreign ministries and the earnest Track-II regulars and the=20=20
> candle-lighters on the border, who would vociferously argue that the=20=
=20
> India-Pakistan dialogue should not be aborted for all the usual=20=20
> reasons.So, the art seems to lie in a great flurry of dialogue=20=20
> activity, in the full knowledge and realisation that nothing will be=20=
=20
> achieved.
>
> (Description of Source: Mumbai Daily News and Analysis (DNA) online=20=20
> in English -- India=7Fs first "all-color page" English-language daily,=20=
=20
> owned by the Diligent Media Corporation, a joint venture between=20=20
> industry majors -- the Dainik Bhaskar (India=7Fs number one Hindi=20=20
> daily) Group and Zee Group.Launched on 30 July 2005, DNA started=20=20
> with a subscribed circulation of 300,000.The daily targets a young=20=20
> readership; URL: www.dnaindia.com)
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited.Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder.Inquiries r egarding use may be directed to NTIS,=20=20
> US Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 20) Back to Top
> Latvian Economist Says Country Not Prepared for Second Wave of Crisis
> "World Braces For 2nd Wave of Crisis But Latvia Has No Specific=20=20
> Solution -- Economist" -- BNS headline - BNS
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 10:52:31 GMT
> She said Latvia was a small country and turbulences threw small=20=20
> countries about like waves would a woodchip but it was more=20=20
> difficult to sink a woodchip than a large ship therefore usually it=20=20
> is easier for small countries to recover from a crisis, provided=20=20
> that they have smart and creative economic guidance.
>
> But in Latvia's case there is a very strong external influence that=20=20
> has lead to heavy dependence on the outside world and not quite good=20=
=20
> handling of the circumstances, the economist said, suggesting that=20=20
> Latvia should be using the post-crisis opportunities to strengthen=20=20
> its position but nothing much was being done to this end.
>
> The world is definitely bracing for the second wave of crisis, as=20=20
> China and India have cut their consumption and things have not=20=20
> worked out for the American housing market, Karnite said. "There is=20=20
> this good phrase: When America sneezes, Europe catches a cold.Now we=20=
=20
> can expect Europe to have this cold," the expert said.
>
> Karnite pointed out that the Latvian export growth which she=20=20
> described as negligible was ensured by local subsidiaries of=20=20
> European companies and when European parents developed problems,=20=20
> local subsidiaries would also fund themselves in trouble as there=20=20
> would be no more orders.
>
> The economist said that Latvia did not have a specific solution for=20=20
> dealing with the situation. "At present everyone is euphoric about=20=20
> the growth which they think would last forever.But for it to last=20=20
> forever, we have to use this time to strengthen the manufacturing=20=20
> industry where small companies, the subsidiaries, prevail at the=20=20
> moment.We need to have our own companies and some of them should be=20=20
> as large as possible," she said.
>
> One of the options would be the inflow of investments from the East=20=20
> that would also be in the interests of the West, Karnite said.
>
> "The East could again build industrial structure here because they=20=20
> want it, it would suit them to have a bridge here," she said, adding=20=
=20
> that both sides would benefit from the arrangement, but things=20=20
> should be done right to avoid creating ethnic tension.
>
> When asked about possible Western investments, the expert said=20=20
> Latvia was unlikely to get any soon.She explained that the West did=20=20
> not quite have the money for investment and risks in Latvia were=20=20
> high at the moment.
>
> (Description of Source: Riga BNS in English -- Baltic News Service,=20=20
> the largest private news agency in th e Baltic States, providing=20=20
> news on political developments in all three Baltic countries; URL: http:/=
/www.bns.lv=20
> )
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited.Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder.Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US=20=
=20
> Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 21) Back to Top
> Indian Commentary Urges Govt To Address Long-Brewing Crisis of=20=20
> Increasing Hunger
> Commentary by Utsa Patnaik, professor (retd) of Economics in=20=20
> Jawaharlal Nehru University, specialization- problems of historical=20=20
> transition to industrialisation in agriculture-predominant=20=20
> societies, recent publications- The Republic of Hunger and Other=20=20
> Essays, and (edited) The Agrarian Question in Marx and his=20=20
> Successors: =7FThe Early Kalidasa Syndrome=7F - The Hindu Online
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 10:46: 26 GMT
> The most valuable resource that a country has is its people.The poor=20=
=20
> are not a liability, but an asset; they are the producers of=20=20
> essential goods and services we use, they hold up the sky for us for=20=
=20
> a pittance of a reward.The least that a country can do is to ensure=20=20
> that its people get enough to eat, that already low nutritional=20=20
> standards are not compromised.The present government has achieved a=20=20
> dubious record: the level of per head cereal supply and consumption=20=20
> in India by 2007 at 174 kg fell below the 182 kg recorded by the=20=20
> least developed countries and was considerably below the 196 kg=20=20
> level of Africa.By 2008 Indian average cereal consumption fell=20=20
> further steeply to 156 kg owing to large exports and addition to=20=20
> stocks, and is likely to be lower still in the just-ended drought=20=20
> year.Cereals account for nine-tenths of food grains, which provide=20=20
> three-quarters of both energy intake and protein intake for the=20=20
> average cons umer.Average calorie intake and protein intake have=20=20
> both fallen since 1993.The fall in per head food grain supply and=20=20
> consumption is not new, it has been going on for over a decade, yet=20=20
> our leading economists and policymakers have contributed to=20=20
> increasing food insecurity by their refusal to remove the artificial=20=
=20
> barriers to distribution created by arbitrarily dividing the=20=20
> population into 'below' and 'above' poverty line.They remain as=20=20
> unmoved as Kalidasa proverbially hacking away at the very branch on=20=20
> which he sat -- they would rather let food grains rot than feed the=20=20
> poor.What explains this torpor, this near-comatose lack of response=20=20
> to a long-brewing crisis of increasing hunger?The answer is that=20=20
> they simply fail conceptually to recognise that hunger is growing=20=20
> because of the serious misconception they have regarding the=20=20
> behaviour of cereal demand in a developing economy.John Maynard=20=20
> Keynes had remarked that the world is moved by little else but=20=20
> ideas.Once a wrong idea ge ts into the head of a policymaker it is=20=20
> very difficult to get it out.Keynes's argument on the paradox of=20=20
> thrift -- if every person saves more, the nation ends up saving less=20=
=20
> -- is still not understood 75 years after the General Theory and=20=20
> Finance Ministers continue to behave like housewives, cutting back=20=20
> spending to balance budgets even though they have to deal with=20=20
> rampant unemployment.Many ill-advised policies we see creating havoc=20=
=20
> around us arise from incorrect but obstinately held ideas.The=20=20
> crucial incorrect idea here is that there is nothing surprising=20=20
> about cereal consumption falling -- as a country develops and its=20=20
> per head income rises, people diversify their consumption away from=20=20
> 'inferior' cereals and towards 'superior' food, including milk,=20=20
> eggs, meat, and so on.Most economists thus believe in what they call=20=
=20
> a 'negative income elasticity of cereal demand' and this influences=20=20
> many others, so they actually interpret declining grain consumption=20=20
> in a positive light.Th eir idea however arises from ignorance and is=20=
=20
> factually incorrect.It represents a fallacy of composition, in which=20=
=20
> only a part of total cereal demand -- that directly consumed (as=20=20
> boiled rice, chapatti and so on) -- is taken into account and cereal=20=
=20
> demanded as livestock feed converted to milk, eggs, meat, and so on=20=20
> is ignored.Fifty years of data from the United Nations Food and=20=20
> Agriculture Organization show that as average income rises in a=20=20
> country and diets become more diversified to superior foods, the per=20=
=20
> head cereal/food grain demand far from falling rises steeply, and=20=20
> average calorie and protein intake rise in tandem.This happens=20=20
> because much more cereals get consumed indirectly as feed converted=20=20
> to animal products.The higher the average income of a country, the=20=20
> higher is its cereal consumption and the higher the share of the=20=20
> latter, which is indirectly consumed, as the Table shows.The richest=20=
=20
> country in th e world, the United States, consumed nearly 900 kg per=20=
=20
> head of cereals in 2007 of which only one-eighth was directly eaten=20=20
> and three-fifths used as feed converted to animal products, with the=20=
=20
> balance being processed.Its cereal consumption was more than five=20=20
> times higher than the 174 kg recorded by India and its normalised=20=20
> calorie intake (namely, deducting 1000 calories as survival level)=20=20
> was two and a half times higher than in India.China has been raising=20=
=20
> its income fast -- we are talking of purchasing power parity=20=20
> adjusted U.S. dollars -- and by now it converts a massive 115=20=20
> million tonnes of cereal output as feed to animal products, compared=20=
=20
> with less than 10 million tonnes in India.Its people consume=20=20
> directly as much as Indians do, but owing to more diversified diets=20=20
> they consume nearly 300 kg cereals per head, 115 kg more than we do=20=20
> and their average calorie and protein intake is higher.Why has=20=20
> India's average consumption declined to such a low level despite=20=20
> rising average income?Since India and China have seen high growth=20=20
> rates, ob servers as disparate as Paul Krugman and George Bush=20=20
> (wrongly) explained the 2008 global food price rise in terms of fast-=20
> rising cereal demand in these countries.They were quite right to=20=20
> expect rising demand in India but quite wrong to think it had=20=20
> actually happened.The fall, which has taken place over the last=20=20
> decade, pushing India below Africa and the least developed=20=20
> countries, is not normal for a country with rising average income,=20=20
> and has resulted from the lopsided, inequitable nature of=20=20
> growth.Krugman et al did not take account of the adverse changes in=20=20
> income distribution, owing to severely income deflating fiscal=20=20
> policies advised by the Bretton Woods Institutions and faithfully=20=20
> implemented by successive Indian governments after 1991, which sent=20=20
> agriculture in particular into a depression from which it has still=20=20
> not recovered.With unemployment rising, with the fruits of growth=20=20
> going to a tiny minority while the masses suffered income deflation,=20=
=20
> the effects of dietary d iversification by the rich have been=20=20
> swamped by an absolute decline in cereal intake for the=20=20
> majority.National Sample Survey (NSS) data show for all except two=20=20
> States an absolute fall in average animal products intake as well,=20=20
> along with falling direct cereal intake over the reforms period.No=20=20
> wonder average energy and protein intake have both fallen.People=20=20
> other than the rich are not diversifying diets; even the hungry are=20=20
> forced to cut back and are suffering nutritional decline.By 2008,=20=20
> the situation was even worse despite good output.A record 31.5=20=20
> million tonnes of food grains were exported plus added to stocks,=20=20
> reducing domestic cereal supply steeply to 156 kg per head.This=20=20
> happened because the global recession impacted to raise unemployment=20=
=20
> and food prices spiralled to lower real incomes, so that there was a=20=
=20
> fresh round of loss of purchasing power.What is to be done?Bold=20=20
> measures are required, not the timid and reluctant half-measures we=20=20
> see.The Mahatma Gandhi National R ural Employment Guarantee Scheme=20=20
> (MGNREGS) needs to be seriously implemented to raise purchasing=20=20
> power and extended to urban areas that have seen a steep rise in=20=20
> poverty.For example, in Delhi State the percentage of persons not=20=20
> able to afford 2100 calories per day rose from 35 to 57 between=20=20
> 1993-4 and 2004-5 and the situation by now is definitely=20=20
> worse.MGNREGS can be used as well for a crash programme of building=20=20
> storage facilities for food grains now rotting in the open.Food=20=20
> distribution through the PDS should be universal, freed from=20=20
> targeting, from the shackles of arbitrary and incorrect official=20=20
> poverty estimates.The recent decision to do away with targeting only=20=
=20
> in some districts will help very little.The government wishes to=20=20
> restrict the food subsidy but fails to realise that a version of the=20=
=20
> paradox of thrift operates here as well -- the more it tries to=20=20
> reduce subsidy by restricting access, the more the subsidy will rise=20=
=20
> uselessly to finance holding unsold food stock s as now.This country=20=
=20
> can afford to feed all its people at a decent level -- what is=20=20
> holding it back is not lack of resources but ignorant and incorrect=20=20
> ideas.Will the economists at the highest levels of policymaking=20=20
> abjure dogmas and think the problem through rationally?Or will they=20=20
> inflict more punishment on the people, subjecting this country to=20=20
> the shame of falling even further behind the least developed=20=20
> countries and Africa?
>
> (Description of Source: Chennai The Hindu Online in English --=20=20
> Website of the most influential English daily of southern=20=20
> India.Strong focus on South Indian issues.It has abandoned its=20=20
> neutral editorial and reportage policy in the recent few years after=20=
=20
> its editor, N Ram, a Left party member, fell out with the Bharatiya=20=20
> Janata Party-led government and has become anti-BJP, pro-Left, and=20=20
> anti-US with perceptible bias in favor of China in its write-=20
> ups.Gives good coverage to Left parties and has reputation of=20=20
> publishing well-researched editorials and commentaries; URL: www.hindu.co=
m=20
> )
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited.Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder.Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US=20=
=20
> Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 22) Back to Top
> Trinamool Tells Congress to 'Delay', 'Change' Amended Land=20=20
> Acquisition Act
> Unattributed report: =7FMamata Land Law Message to Cong=7F - The=20=20
> Telegraph Online
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 10:20:02 GMT
> Calcutta, Sept 12 -- Mamata Banerjee today told Congress leader=20=20
> Pranab Mukherjee over the phone that she wanted the amended land=20=20
> acquisition act to be sent to a standing committee, a move that will=20=
=20
> effectively delay its tabling till the Bengal elections are over=20=20
> next year.The Congress wants to table the bill in the wi nter=20=20
> session."Given the sensitivity attached to land acquisition in=20=20
> Bengal, we don't want to take any risk during the Assembly polls.So=20=20
> it is better if the bill is sent to a standing committee.By the time=20=
=20
> the committee gives its opinion on the bill, our Assembly polls will=20=
=20
> be over," a Trinamul junior minister said.A party source said that=20=20
> Mamata conveyed "everything concerning the land bill" to Mukherjee=20=20
> who was in Calcutta till this morning.Sudip Bandopadhyay, the=20=20
> Trinamul chief whip in the Lok Sabha, however, added a twist to the=20=20
> matter by saying that Mamata had conveyed to UPA chairperson Sonia=20=20
> Gandhi that a "new land law" should be put in place of the Land=20=20
> Acquisition Act of 1894."The 1894 Land Acquisition Act is a British=20=20
> law.We want a thoroughly changed new land law in place of this old=20=20
> act," he said.
>
> (Description of Source: Kolkata The Telegraph online in English --=20=20
> Website of Kolkata's highest circulation English daily, owned by ABP=20=
=20
> Group, with a flagship publication Anandabazar Patrika in=20=20
> Bengali.Known for in-depth coverage of east and northeast India=20=20
> issues, and India-Bangladesh relations.Maintains an impartial=20=20
> editorial policy.Circulation 457,100; URL: www.telegraphindia.com)
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited.Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder.Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US=20=
=20
> Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 23) Back to Top
> Trinamool Launches Programs To 'Counter' Congress Campaign in Bengal
> Unattributed report: =7FTrinamul Eyes Rahul Show=7F - The Telegraph Online
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 10:20:03 GMT
> Calcutta, Sept 12 -- The Trinamul Congress's youth wing today=20=20
> announced a string of programmes in an appare nt bid to counter the=20=20
> Congress's membership drive in the districts that will begin with=20=20
> Rahul Gandhi's three-day trip to the state starting Tuesday.
>
> State Trinamul Youth Congress president Subhendu Adhikari, who=20=20
> chaired the party's youth convention in West Midnapore's Sabang=20=20
> today, said: "Didi (Mamata Banerjee) has asked the youth wing to=20=20
> steer our party's anti-CPM programmes till December."Trinamul=20=20
> sources said Adhikari had deliberately used Sabang for launching the=20=
=20
> party's programmes as it is state Congress chief Manas Bhuniya's=20=20
> constituency.Bhuniya had won the Sabang Assembly constituency in=20=20
> 2006 by a margin of 6,000 votes."Subhendu's aim was to throw a=20=20
> challenge to Bhuniya who claims to have better organisational clout=20=20
> in Sabang," a Trinamul secretary said.Several Youth Congress members=20=
=20
> were present at the Trinamul event today, Adhikari claimed. "We hope=20=
=20
> to involve more youths from like-minded parties in our anti-CPM=20=20
> movement," he sai d.Madan Mitra, the all-India Trinamul Youth=20=20
> Congress president, said some of the party's programmes would "run=20=20
> parallel" to those of the Congress's.He said the youth wing of his=20=20
> party had convened "an emergency meeting" of its office bearers at=20=20
> Trinamul Bhavan in Topsia on September 14, the day Rahul begins his=20=20
> three-day trip by touring Birbhum, North 24-Parganas and Calcutta's=20=20
> Garden Reach.On September 16, when the AICC general secretary is=20=20
> scheduled to address a convention of the Congress's Scheduled Caste=20=20
> workers at West Midnapore's Garbeta, Trinamul will organise a=20=20
> demonstration in Jhargram in the same district.Trinamul sources said=20=
=20
> the party, desperate not to yield any political space to the=20=20
> Congress in the state, had apparently planned the programmes in such=20=
=20
> a way that it coincided with the events Rahul is going to=20=20
> address.Bhuniya evaded questions on the issue. "It is Trinamul's=20=20
> internal matter," he said.However, state Congress sources sai d the=20=20
> Trinamul programmes during Rahul's visit "would embarrass us".Sonia=20=20
> visitSonia Gandhi is likely to defer her visit to Calcutta on=20=20
> September 25 by a month, Pranab Mukherjee has reportedly told state=20=20
> Congress leaders.The Congress president will be "preoccupied" as the=20=
=20
> verdict of the Babri Masjid demolition case will be announced on=20=20
> September 24.
>
> (Description of Source: Kolkata The Telegraph online in English --=20=20
> Website of Kolkata's highest circulation English daily, owned by ABP=20=
=20
> Group, with a flagship publication Anandabazar Patrika in=20=20
> Bengali.Known for in-depth coverage of east and northeast India=20=20
> issues, and India-Bangladesh relations.Maintains an impartial=20=20
> editorial policy.Circulation 457,100; URL: www.telegraphindia.com)
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited.Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder.Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US=20=
=20
> Dept. of Commerce.< br>
>
>
> 24) Back to Top
> Editorial Urges India To Settle for Muted Response to Obama's=20=20
> Outsourcing Policy
> Editorial: =7FObama=7Fs Obsession =7F &amp; What to Do About It=7F - Dail=
y=20=20
> News and Analysis Online
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 10:40:19 GMT
> If you keep repeating half-lies, you will soon start believing=20=20
> them.This is the case with Barack Obama, beleaguered president of=20=20
> the US.With his Democratic party facing a rout at the November=20=20
> elections, Obama is switching to populist mode in domestic politics,=20=
=20
> where the big concern is jobs.Obama has chosen the outsourcing=20=20
> industry for a bashing.He said, "For years, our tax code has=20=20
> actually given billions of dollars in tax breaks that encourage=20=20
> companies to create jobs and profits in other countries."Here's our=20=20
> advice: please do withdraw the m, Mr Obama.There are no tax breaks=20=20
> for shipping jobs overseas.What Obama was probably referring to was=20=20
> the tax law which allows US companies to keep the profits made=20=20
> overseas outside.Since these profits are taxed only if they are=20=20
> repatriated to the US, Obama thinks this is a tax break.The truth=20=20
> is, capital is kept where it fetches the highest return.If US=20=20
> companies are offshoring jobs, it is because it is cheaper and more=20=20
> efficient to get these jobs done outside.The profits from these=20=20
> operations are probably better deployed there.If Obama decrees that=20=20
> every dollar earned must be repatriated here and now, so be it.He=20=20
> may earn more taxes in the short run, but offshoring is not going to=20=
=20
> become less lucrative for that reason.A week earlier, Obama also=20=20
> said that if tax breaks had to be given, he would rather give them=20=20
> to companies that created jobs in America.Once again, he is on the=20=20
> wrong trail.Sure, he can do so.But he should know that it will=20=20
> reward companies that are anyway planning to create jobs --=20=20
> including the same Infosyses and TCSes that are his whipping=20=20
> boys.This is not to say his worries are not real.US unemployment has=20=
=20
> gone into double-digits and Obama's approval ratings have been=20=20
> steadily falling.To improve his party's standing before the November=20=
=20
> election, he has to do something.He has already announced billion-=20
> dollar plans to improve infrastructure and give the US economy a=20=20
> fillip.The outsourcing rhetoric is part of the overkill required for=20=
=20
> reviving his political fortunes.The question for India really is=20=20
> whether to react with outrage or settle for something more muted.The=20=
=20
> answer is the latter.Outsourcing may be a political football, but it=20=
=20
> is also an economic dynamo.Kicking the ball back and forth is not=20=20
> going to undo the economic logic driving it all.So let's sit tight=20=20
> and watch the fun.
>
> (Description of Source: Mumbai Daily News and Analysis (DNA) online=20=20
> in English -- India=7Fs first "all-color page" English-languag e=20=20
> daily, owned by the Diligent Media Corporation, a joint venture=20=20
> between industry majors -- the Dainik Bhaskar (India=7Fs number one=20=20
> Hindi daily) Group and Zee Group.Launched on 30 July 2005, DNA=20=20
> started with a subscribed circulation of 300,000.The daily targets a=20=
=20
> young readership; URL: www.dnaindia.com)
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited.Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder.Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US=20=
=20
> Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 25) Back to Top
> Indian Editorial Urges PM Singh To Create Fund for 'Victims of=20=20
> Development'
> Editorial: =7FAnother Way=7F - The Telegraph Online
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 10:23:05 GMT
> The prime minister's cabinet is divided on land acquisition for=20=20
> industry, mines, a irports and other "developmental"=20=20
> purposes.Ministers charged with making India an advanced country=20=20
> want to acquire large tracts; the ministry of environment, about the=20=
=20
> last ministry in the government with powers of licensing, often=20=20
> prevents them from advancing.This has led to a civil war between=20=20
> Jairam Ramesh and other ministers.What the media see is just the=20=20
> skirmishes; the real battles are fought in the cabinet and in file=20=20
> notes.Being at the centre of these battles, the prime minister can=20=20
> hardly have missed the fact that land use is the cause of the=20=20
> deepest rift in his government.He addressed the issue in his press=20=20
> conference with his usual deftness.Since he is an economist, it is=20=20
> not surprising that he leaned towards development and=20=20
> industrialization.He decried the licence-and-permit raj of the=20=20
> environment ministry; but intriguingly, he also advised trade and=20=20
> industry to accept it.This tendency to see merit in opposing=20=20
> positions makes him a good chairman of the cabinet of ministers.But=20=20
> it is also the main factor behind his public image as a mild,=20=20
> unassertive and indecisive prime minister.Neither image does him=20=20
> justice, for he is not a particularly communicative person; what he=20=20
> says gives a rather flat, two-dimensional view of a multifaceted=20=20
> personality.What he said, however, suggests that he has not given=20=20
> adequate attention to the raging controversies around=20=20
> environment.The least that is necessary is to separate the vague and=20=
=20
> universal issue of environment protection from that of livelihoods=20=20
> and cultures.On the first issue, it is obvious that a country with=20=20
> India's large and rapidly rising population cannot protect pristine=20=20
> environment everywhere.But it can and should protect it somewhere;=20=20
> and there it should give environment effective immunity from human=20=20
> intervention.An example is the protection of tigers.The government=20=20
> has created a number of habitats where they should survive and=20=20
> multiply.But in fact their numbers are inexorably=20=20
> declining.Ineffectual protection is worse than no protection.On the=20=20
> second issue, it may make sense to say that a few primitive tribal=20=20
> people cannot hold up the march of miners into the mountains of=20=20
> central India.But the tribal people see no redress in India's=20=20
> political processes, and have taken to fighting for their=20=20
> habitat.Surely a better solution is required than an assertion of=20=20
> the primacy of development.The prime minister may, on his next trip=20=20
> abroad, profitably make a detour to Alaska, made notorious by Sarah=20=20
> Palin.This state of the United States of America created a fund by=20=20
> putting aside a quarter of royalties on natural resources, to be=20=20
> used to generate income (not to "develop" the state).This Alaska=20=20
> Permanent Fund has grown from $734,000 in 1977 to $35,135,800,000 on=20=
=20
> September 3. India needs a similar fund, whose use should be decided=20=
=20
> by the victims of development.
>
> (Description of Source: Kolkata The Telegraph online in English --=20=20
> Website of Kolkat a's highest circulation English daily, owned by=20=20
> ABP Group, with a flagship publication Anandabazar Patrika in=20=20
> Bengali.Known for in-depth coverage of east and northeast India=20=20
> issues, and India-Bangladesh relations.Maintains an impartial=20=20
> editorial policy.Circulation 457,100; URL: www.telegraphindia.com)
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited.Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder.Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US=20=
=20
> Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 26) Back to Top
> Indian Editorial Criticizes Govt for Reviving 'Colonial Practice' of=20=
=20
> Caste Census
> Editorial: =7FWhat's the Sense of It?=7F - The Hindu Online
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 10:23:04 GMT
> The central argument in favour of caste enumeration has a plausible=20=20
> ri ng to it.Given the strong, if complex, correlation between caste=20=20
> and socio-economic status, the exercise seems to offer the promise=20=20
> of yielding relevant data so that social and economic disparities=20=20
> can be more accurately targeted by policy.On closer analysis, the=20=20
> advantage turns out to be largely illusory.In fact, the political=20=20
> demand for reviving the colonial practice of caste enumeration --=20=20
> given up by independent India except for the Scheduled Castes and=20=20
> the Scheduled Tribes -- has been driven less by ameliorative ideals=20=20
> than by expediency and self-serving, divisive political agendas.At=20=20
> best, fresh caste enumeration can provide only marginal benefits=20=20
> because, as sociologist Nandini Sundar points out, it holds out only=20=
=20
> an "illusory promise of formal employment."The long-term societal=20=20
> benefits of reservation -- in terms of making a constitutionally=20=20
> sanctioned statement against social inequality and actually=20=20
> providing educational and economic opportunity to histori cally and=20=20
> socially disadvantaged or oppressed communities -- are there for=20=20
> everyone to see.But with the majority of India's workforce=20=20
> languishing in the informal sector and the state's role in providing=20=
=20
> jobs declining over the past two decades, it is clear that=20=20
> reservation is becoming less and less potent as a countervailing=20=20
> force.But the objections to the Cabinet's nod for a "focussed,"=20=20
> standalone house-to-house caste headcount between June and September=20=
=20
> 2011 are not only political-ideological.They are also practical.As=20=20
> any modern sociologist knows, answers to the question, 'What is your=20=
=20
> caste?' can be notoriously variable, subjective, and influenced by=20=20
> contingent factors.Caste has an elusive arithmetic in a country that=20=
=20
> is home to a staggering number of sub-castes, where caste names vary=20=
=20
> depending on context (for marriage or for religious rituals), and=20=20
> where the social implications of a caste tag vary from region to=20=20
> region.Any 21st century caste enumeration that relies on self-=20
> certification will face the same problem encountered by the colonial=20=
=20
> censuses -- what legal scholar Marc Galanter describes as the=20=20
> "unseemly scramble to use census listings to...inflate numbers for=20=20
> political advantage."But there is yet another objection, pressed in=20=20
> fact by progressive advocates of caste enumeration in the main=20=20
> census exercise: a standalone headcount of caste will be a "futile"=20=20
> exercise because it will be impossible to integrate it with "the=20=20
> socio-economic, educational and demographic data" gathered during=20=20
> the census headcount.If such integration is ruled out by the=20=20
> subsequent standalone headcount, then why do it?
>
> (Description of Source: Chennai The Hindu Online in English --=20=20
> Website of the most influential English daily of southern=20=20
> India.Strong focus on South Indian issues.It has abandoned its=20=20
> neutral editorial and reportage policy in the recent few years after=20=
=20
> its editor, N Ram, a Left party member, fell o ut with the Bharatiya=20=
=20
> Janata Party-led government and has become anti-BJP, pro-Left, and=20=20
> anti-US with perceptible bias in favor of China in its write-=20
> ups.Gives good coverage to Left parties and has reputation of=20=20
> publishing well-researched editorials and commentaries; URL: www.hindu.co=
m=20
> )
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited.Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder.Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US=20=
=20
> Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 27) Back to Top
> Karnataka Weavers Create 'Almost Weightless' Silk Scarf, Sari for=20=20
> Obamas
> Unattributed report: =7FGifts in Silk Await Obamas - Karnataka=20=20
> Couple=7Fs Scarf Can Fit Into Matchbox=7F - The Telegraph Online
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 10:07:51 GMT
> Sept 12 -- Don't be surprise d if Barack Obama's Indian hosts slip=20=20
> him a matchbox when he comes visiting in November.No, New Delhi=20=20
> doesn't want the US President to defy his doctors who want him to=20=20
> quit smoking.If such a box is presented to Obama, it will contain no=20=
=20
> matchsticks but a beautiful, 36in-by-36in silk scarf that an=20=20
> acclaimed weaver from Karnataka has made for the American.It's so=20=20
> fine that it weighs just 30gm and "can be folded and put inside a=20=20
> matchbox", said its creator, master craftsman Gurum R.Narayanappa,=20=20
> 69.Michelle Obama will not be left out, either.Narayanappa and his=20=20
> wife Kamalamma, 67, have a gift for Michelle that will no doubt give=20=
=20
> her bragging rights over her supposed rival in the geopolitical=20=20
> style stakes, French First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy.The weaver=20=20
> couple are making a silk sari for her at their home just outside=20=20
> Bangalore.At the standard size of 6.5 metres in length and 44 inches=20=
=20
> in width, the sari will weigh just 70 grams.A normal silk sari of=20=20
> that size weighs 60 0gm to 1,000gm.Narayanappa and Kamalamma have a=20=20
> dream: to see Michelle draped in their creation.But will they get to=20=
=20
> meet the Obamas?"I may not get a chance to meet him.For me, meeting=20=20
> him is not important.I will be happy if my gifts reach them," said=20=20
> Narayanappa, winner of many state and national awards for his=20=20
> excellence at weaving silk saris.He said the Central Silk Board and=20=20
> the Karnataka silk minister had assured him that his gifts would be=20=20
> passed on to the Obamas.Narayanappa has already finished weaving the=20=
=20
> scarf, made from high-quality bivoltine silk. "It has golden zari=20=20
> with a temple design.It has been woven in 20 days using silk fibre=20=20
> from just two cocoons," he said.Michelle's sari too will sport a=20=20
> temple motif and gold zari, and will be prepared from just three or=20=20
> four cocoons.According to Narayanappa, creating an almost weightless=20=
=20
> sari with hairline threads requires an eye for detail and a=20=20
> commitment to perfection. "I am thankful to God th at even at this=20=20
> age, we are blessed with good eyesight," he said.Narayanappa thought=20=
=20
> of the gifts when he read about Obama's scheduled visit in the=20=20
> newspapers.The craftsman had 10 years ago woven a 6.5m-by-44in silk=20=20
> sari -- the same size as the one meant for Michelle -- that weighed=20=20
> only 35 grams.It fit into a matchbox.
>
> (Description of Source: Kolkata The Telegraph online in English --=20=20
> Website of Kolkata's highest circulation English daily, owned by ABP=20=
=20
> Group, with a flagship publication Anandabazar Patrika in=20=20
> Bengali.Known for in-depth coverage of east and northeast India=20=20
> issues, and India-Bangladesh relations.Maintains an impartial=20=20
> editorial policy.Circulation 457,100; URL: www.telegraphindia.com)
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited.Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder.Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US=20=
=20
> Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 28) Back to Top
> Suspected Maoists Shoot at CPI-M Member in Bengal in Apparent Turf=20=20
> Battle
> Unattributed report: =7FMaoists Strike Back in Lalgarh=7F - The=20=20
> Telegraph Online
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 10:29:07 GMT
> Midnapore, Sept 12 -- Suspected Maoists today shot at a CPM=20=20
> functionary in the heart of Lalgarh at a time the CPM is planning to=20=
=20
> "recapture" the town by launching attacks from pockets recently=20=20
> reclaimed from the rebels.Tarun Banerjee, 38, a CPM branch committee=20=
=20
> member, was shot at twice by a youth on a bicycle when he was=20=20
> returning home from a market.Banerjee, who works for the public=20=20
> health engineering department, suffered bullet injuries in his chest=20=
=20
> and left wrist.
>
> Police said the attack, the first on a CPM member in Lalgarh town=20=20
> since the beginning of the Maoist movement there in 2008, was a "ch=20=20
> allenge" to the party by the rebels after the Left recaptured=20=20
> neighbouring Dharampur, Ramgarh and Pirakata in recent weeks.CPM=20=20
> sources said Banerjee was the only party leader in Lalgarh who had=20=20
> not fled in the face of Maoist threats.Today's attack happened in=20=20
> front of Banerjee's home, barely 300 metres from the school ground=20=20
> where Mamata Banerjee held her rally on August 9.Eyewitness Amit=20=20
> Ghosh (name changed), a schoolteacher, said: "I was passing by=20=20
> Tarun's house this morning when I saw him coming from the opposite=20=20
> direction.Suddenly, a youth in black shorts and a T-shirt of the=20=20
> same colour approached him from from behind on a bicycle.The youth=20=20
> fired at him but missed."As the youth got down from the cycle and=20=20
> aimed his revolver again at Tarun, he rushed forward and clutched=20=20
> the assailant's hand and began shouting for help.But the youth=20=20
> wrenched free and shot at Tarun twice."He then fished out another=20=20
> revolver from his pocket and aimed them at me and the other=20=20
> bystanders.As we retreated, he left his cycle behind and ran towards=20=
=20
> the neighbouring Bhulagera forest."Banerjee was taken to Midnapore=20=20
> Medical College and Hospital from where he was shifted to a private=20=20
> hospital in Calcutta.Joint forces from a camp on the outskirts of=20=20
> Lalgarh combed the area but drew a blank.West Midnapore=20=20
> superintendent of police Manoj Verma said: "Even though only one=20=20
> Maoist attacked him, we think a group of rebels were hiding=20=20
> nearby.They probably helped him escape."Rebel explosionA group of 30=20=
=20
> Maoists set off an explosion at the CPM local committee office at=20=20
> Lodhashuli, 15km from Jhargram town, in the early hours today.The=20=20
> rebels broke open the office door, flung the furniture outside and=20=20
> damaged them.Then they blew up part of the office.
>
> (Description of Source: Kolkata The Telegraph online in English --=20=20
> Website of Kolkata's highest circulation English daily, owned by ABP=20=
=20
> Group, with a flagship publication Anandabazar Patrika in=20=20
> Bengali.Known for in-depth coverage of east and northeast India=20=20
> issues, and India-Bangladesh relations.Maintains an impartial=20=20
> editorial policy.Circulation 457,100; URL: www.telegraphindia.com)
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited.Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder.Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US=20=
=20
> Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 29) Back to Top
> Russia to put unique missiles on Indian Air Force aircraft -=20=20
> commander - Interfax-AVN Online
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 16:52:27 GMT
> commander
>
> Excerpt from report by corporate-owned Russian military news agency=20=20
> Interfax-AVNDelhi, 13 September: India has always been and will=20=20
> remain a strategic partner for Russia, Russian Air Force C-in-C Col-=20
> Gen Alek sandr Zelin has told Interfax at the end of a five-day=20=20
> visit to Delhi."The future of the Indian Air Force belongs to our=20=20
> MiG-35 and Su-30 aircraft, above all because Russia is willing to=20=20
> equip them with the latest models of combat weapons, which, I=20=20
> stress, have no parallel anywhere in the world," Zelin said."These=20=20
> are first a foremost the missiles that we are shortly going to put=20=20
> on the Indian Air Force's combat aircraft," he said, without=20=20
> specifying what missiles he was talking about.Overall, the C-in-C of=20=
=20
> the Russian Air Force was "very pleased with the visit, which=20=20
> enabled (him) to familiarize (himself) with the system for training=20=20
> professional pilots in the friendly country, and to expand the=20=20
> prospects of cooperation ".Zelin also had talks with Chairman of the=20=
=20
> Chiefs of Staff Committee - Chief of Staff (commander) of the Indian=20=
=20
> Air Force Chief Air Marshall Pradeep Vasant Naik, and met Indian=20=20
> First Deputy Defence Minister (Defence Secretary) P. (Pradeep)=20=20
> Kumar, and representatives of the country's Army and Navy=20=20
> commands.Zelin visited the Indian Air Force Academy on the outskirts=20=
=20
> of Hyderabad, and several airbases, including Jodhpur (border state=20=20
> of Rajasthan), the base of the 10th squadron of the Indian Air=20=20
> Force. He inspected the simulators on which pilots are trained to=20=20
> fly the MiG aircraft, and the air navigation equipment laboratory,=20=20
> and took part in a briefing with the commander and senior officers=20=20
> of the base.The Air Force C-in-C visited India between 7 and 11=20=20
> September.The visit coincided with the meeting of the working group=20=20
> for bilateral military-technical cooperation, at which founding=20=20
> documents were signed in the Indian capital for the establishment of=20=
=20
> a Russian-Indian joint venture to develop and produce a multirole=20=20
> transport aircraft. (Passage omitted)The two countries' governments=20=20
> have already allocated 300m dollars each for the creation of the JV.=20=
=20
> (Passage omitted) The HQ of the joint venture, whi ch will be known=20=20
> as MTA Limited, will be in India, and a branch will open in=20=20
> Moscow.Head of HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd) Ashok Naik says India=20=
=20
> intends to buy 45 aircraft, and Russia, 105. Overall, the founders=20=20
> of the JV estimate the world market capacity for this class of=20=20
> aircraft is about 400 items. The partners expect a third of the=20=20
> multirole transport aircraft they produce to be successfully sold to=20=
=20
> interested countries.In addition to that, "before the end of this=20=20
> year, India and Russia plan to sign a contract for the development=20=20
> of a concept design of the T-50 advanced frontline aircraft system=20=20
> (PAK FA)", (First Deputy Director of the Federal Service for=20=20
> Military-Technical Cooperation) A. (Aleksandr) Fomin has said. The=20=20
> HAL corporation will develop PAK FA from the Indian side, and the=20=20
> United Aircraft Construction Corporation, from the Russian side.Naik=20=
=20
> told Interfax that "the actual joint work on the project will begin"=20=
=20
> once the contract has been s igned. The two sides will spend a total=20=
=20
> of 8-10bn dollars on the creation of PAK FA.(Description of Source:=20=20
> Moscow Interfax-AVN Online in Russian -- Website of news service=20=20
> devoted to military news, owned by the independent Interfax news=20=20
> agency; URL: http://www.militarynews.ru)
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS,=20=20
> US Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 30) Back to Top
> Xinhua 'China Exclusive': Chinese Vice FM Calls on G20 To Draw on=20=20
> Experience of Developing Nations
> Xinhua "China Exclusive": "Chinese Vice FM Calls on G20 To Draw on=20=20
> Experience of Developing Nations" - Xinhua
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 08:00:57 GMT
> T IANJIN, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Cui=20=20
> Tiankai said here Monday it's important for G20 nations to draw on=20=20
> the experience of developing countries on economic issues and get=20=20
> rid of outdated theories.
>
> Cui made the remarks at a panel discussion of the World Economic=20=20
> Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the=20=20
> Summer Davos, in north China's port city of Tianjin.He said half of=20=20
> G20 nations are emerging economies, including six Asian countries,=20=20
> which is a historic step forward for developing economies.The trend=20=20
> of shifting of the global economic development to Asia is going on,=20=20
> and developing economies will continue to make contribution to the=20=20
> global economic recovery, Cui said.Cui said the world saw the rise=20=20
> of developing countries as a group in recent years, not only China=20=20
> but also others like Indonesia, India and Brazil.Although with the=20=20
> world's biggest population, China has attracted the most attention,=20=20
> "but I think we shouldn't put too much focus on an individual=20=20
> country," he said.Cui noted developing countries are playing an=20=20
> increasingly greater role in regional cooperation.This is a historic=20=
=20
> development, a more equitable and balanced development, and "we=20=20
> should certainly welcome that," Cui said.International financial=20=20
> institutions also need some reforms to better represent the=20=20
> interests of developing countries, Cui added.He also called for=20=20
> greater representation of African nations and other developing=20=20
> economies in the G20.He said African nations should have more voices=20=
=20
> heard and other developing countries, including some small island=20=20
> countries, should also have more representation in the G20, even if=20=20
> they may not be a member of the club currently or will not join it=20=20
> in the future."We have no prejudice against the European countries,=20=20
> but when we have a group of limited membership, we have to consider=20=20
> an appropriate representation in the group," Cui said.He said &=20=20
> quot;full consideration" should be given to the concerns and needs=20=20
> of developing countries.Mari Elka Pangestu, Indonesian trade=20=20
> minister, also said the European countries are over represented in=20=20
> the G20 while African countries should have their opinions and=20=20
> voices heard at the international platform.Some 1,500 government=20=20
> officials and business executives from nearly 90 countries are=20=20
> participating in the forum in Tianjin from Sept. 13 to 15.The Geneva-=20
> based WEF, established in 1971, is best known for its annual meeting=20=
=20
> at the Swiss winter resort of Davos, while the Annual Meeting of the=20=
=20
> New Champions in China mainly focuses on newly emerging businesses=20=20
> and nations.China had held three Summer Davos meetings as the world=20=20
> is showing an increasing interest in the developing country's=20=20
> economic development.(Description of Source: Beijing Xinhua in=20=20
> English -- China's official news service for English-language=20=20
> audiences (New China News Agency))
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS,=20=20
> US Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 31) Back to Top
> Hizbul Mujahidin Leader Sayed Salahuddin Criticizes India
> Unattributed report: "We Will Continue Struggle Until Complete=20=20
> Withdrawal Of Indian Army: Salahuddin" - Nawa-e Waqt
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 16:08:55 GMT
> Muttahida Jihad Council (MJC), has said that India will be made to=20=20
> pay for every single drop of Kashmiri blood. The Armed struggle=20=20
> would continue as long as there was even one Indian soldier present=20=20
> on Kashmiri soil, he said. Putting Syed Ali Gilani and other=20=20
> Hurriyat freedom leaders under house arrest was condemnable, he=20=20
> said. Use of unlimited force on pea ceful protestors could not end=20=20
> the unremitting struggle, he said. Indian state terrorism had turned=20=
=20
> occupied Kashmir (Indian- administered Kashmir) into a military=20=20
> state, he said.
>
> According to a statement received by Hizbul Mujahidin Spokesperson=20=20
> Ehsan Elahi, an emergency session of the central command council of=20=20
> the organization was headed by Syed Salahuddin, in which the current=20=
=20
> political and military situation in Jammu and Kashmir was discussed=20=20
> expressing concern over the arrest of all the Hurriyat leaders, and=20=20
> the incidents of firing by Indian Army on innocent Kashmiri people.=20=20
> Addressing the session, Syed Salahuddin said that Hurriyat Chief=20=20
> Syed Ali Gilani was a symbol of Kashmiri freedom movement; he is old=20=
=20
> and extremely unwell because of physical illnesses, and arresting=20=20
> him in this condition and putting him behind bars was a serious=20=20
> violation of human rights as well as against humanitarian values and=20=
=20
> morality. His arrest was also a clear proof of the fact that the=20=20
> imperial occupant forces and state administration was scared of this=20=
=20
> pious and righteous man, Salahuddin said. India is scared that=20=20
> hundreds and thousands of people would be gathered at places=20=20
> arranged to offer 'Id prayers, on the occasion of 'Id al-Fitr, and=20=20
> the freedom movement would get a new zeal and fervor after people=20=20
> listen to his bold speech and instructions, he said. He said that=20=20
> history bear witness that the last Prophet used to release all the=20=20
> prisoners on the occasion of 'Id; even today civilized and cultured=20=20
> nations release political prisoners on their national festivals.=20=20
> However, the Ganges stream of so-called democracy of India flows=20=20
> backwards and unarmed and innocent people were put behind bars over=20=20
> here, he said. Their families were deprived of the joy of 'Id, which=20=
=20
> was condemnable to the highest extent, he said. Syed Salahuddin said=20=
=20
> that the barbaric, brutal, and terrorizing attitude which the=20=20
> occupant forces had adopted in the last three months, agains t the=20=20
> defenseless people was extremely alarming and condemnable, and this=20=20
> administrative terrorism had turned the entire state into a military=20=
=20
> state and had made it difficult for the Kashmiri people to survive.=20=20
> He said: "The bravery, patience, perseverance, determination, and=20=20
> strength displayed by the Kashmiri people is commendable and=20=20
> impressive; we salute them and pay tribute to all those who lost=20=20
> their lives during all this turmoil. Their blood and their sacrifice=20=
=20
> is a priceless asset of our nation and it is a must for every=20=20
> Kashmiri to honor and appreciate it." Expressing heartiest sympathy=20=20
> with the relatives of the martyrs and the injured, he said that the=20=20
> sympathies of the whole nation were with the families of the injured=20=
=20
> and the martyrs, and Hizbul Mujahidin appealed to its honorable=20=20
> nation to celebrate 'Id al-Fitr with simplicity. He said that a new=20=20
> strategy to respond to the brutal and barbaric activities of the=20=20
> Indian Government was also analyzed in this session and the decision=20=
=20
> was made that India would be made to pay for every single drop of=20=20
> blood. The armed struggle would continue as long as there is even=20=20
> one Indian soldier present on the Kashmiri soil, he said.
>
> (Description of Source: Rawalpindi Nawa-e Waqt in Urdu -- Privately=20=20
> owned, widely read, conservative Islamic daily, with circulation=20=20
> around 125,000. Harshly critical of the US and India.)
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS,=20=20
> US Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 32) Back to Top
> 3rd Ld-Writethru: Chinese Vice FM Calls on G20 To Draw on Experience=20=
=20
> of Developing Nations
> Xinhua: "3rd Ld-Writethru: Chinese Vice FM Calls on G20 To Draw on=20=20
> Experience of Developing Nations" - Xinhua
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 07:06:59 GMT
> TIANJIN, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Cui=20=20
> Tiankai said here Monday it's important for G20 nations to draw on=20=20
> the experience of developing countries on economic issues and get=20=20
> rid of outdated theories.
>
> Cui made the remarks at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual=20=20
> Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos, in=20=20
> north China's port city of Tianjin.He said half of G20 nations are=20=20
> emerging economies, including six Asian countries, which is a=20=20
> historic step forward for developing economies.The trend of shifting=20=
=20
> of the global economic development to Asia is going on, and=20=20
> developing economies will continue to make contribution to the=20=20
> global economic recovery, Cui said.He said the world saw the rise of=20=
=20
> developing countries as a group in recent years, not only China but=20=20
> also others like Indonesia, India and Brazil.Although with th e=20=20
> world's biggest population, China has attracted the most attention,=20=20
> "but I think we shouldn't put too much focus on an individual=20=20
> country," he said.Cui noted developing countries are playing an=20=20
> increasingly greater role in regional cooperation.This is a historic=20=
=20
> development, a more equitable and balanced development, and "we=20=20
> should certainly welcome that," Cui said.International financial=20=20
> institutions also need some reforms to better represent the=20=20
> interests of developing countries, Cui added.Some 1,500 government=20=20
> officials and business executives from nearly 90 countries are=20=20
> participating in the forum in Tianjin from Sept. 13 to 15.The Geneva-=20
> based WEF, established in 1971, is best known for its annual meeting=20=
=20
> at the Swiss winter resort of Davos, while the Annual Meeting of the=20=
=20
> New Champions in China mainly focuses on newly emerging businesses=20=20
> and nations.China had held three Summer Davos meetings as the world=20=20
> is showing an increasing interest in the de veloping country's=20=20
> economic development.(Description of Source: Beijing Xinhua in=20=20
> English -- China's official news service for English-language=20=20
> audiences (New China News Agency))
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS,=20=20
> US Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 33) Back to Top
> Smolensk Kristall To Increase Diamond Sale By 50% In 2010 - ITAR-TASS
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 13:41:14 GMT
> intervention)
>
> MOSCOW, September 13 (Itar-Tass) - the Smolensk-based open joint-=20
> stock company PO Kristall (Kristall Production Corporation) intends=20=20
> in 2010 to increase the sales of diamonds by 50 percent and is=20=20
> expected to get over 30 million US dollars in proceeds, the=20=20
> enterprise's Director General Maxim Shkadov told Prime-Tass at the=20=20
> Junwex 2010 jewellery exhibition.Shkadov believes that the "most=20=20
> developing markets at present are China, as well as India, the=20=20
> retail market, the consumption in India is growing, and people there=20=
=20
> prefer to buy high-quality products.""This year we have restored the=20=
=20
> pre-crisis level of diamond production practically in full, and I=20=20
> think that in 2011 we will also be increasing their production, the=20=20
> demand growth trend on the market exists at present," Shkadov noted.=20=
=20
> "If we have the possibility to buy raw materials, and also if the=20=20
> government makes a decision next year to increase the sales of raw=20=20
> diamonds from Gokhran (a State Institution under the Ministry of=20=20
> Finance for the formation of the State Fund of Precious Metals and=20=20
> Precious Stones of the Russian Federation), then it will be possible=20=
=20
> to speak about the further production increase."According to=20=20
> Shkadov, " ;The market situation is rather favourable for us=20=20
> today.The demand for our products is rather stable and is developing=20=
=20
> so that we cannot always satisfy it in full volume.This trend will=20=20
> persist in the short term."The Smolensk-based Kristall is a major=20=20
> diamond producer in Russia, 100 percent of the company's stocks=20=20
> belong to the RF in the name of the Federal Property Management=20=20
> Agency.Kristall is among the country's strategic enterprises and is=20=20
> under direct control of the President of Russia.The design capacity=20=20
> of the enterprise is cutting one million carats of diamonds per=20=20
> year.In 2009, Kristall produced diamonds to a total sum of over 200=20=20
> million US dollars and about half of the products the enterprise=20=20
> sold to the RF Gokhran.Kristall Production Corporation is a=20=20
> manufacturer from 1963 and during its existence it gained a huge=20=20
> experience in polished diamonds manufacturing, so it produces not=20=20
> only classical diamond cuts and develops more and more new=20=20
> shapes.Currently ther e are some hundred diamond shapes and the=20=20
> company is aimed at its designs at jewellery markets of the world.A=20=20
> total of 2,400 employees work at the company today.These are highly=20=20
> qualified specialists, possessing an experience of traditional=20=20
> school of cutting which are passing from generation to generation,=20=20
> with recent trends of diamond industry.Every year Kristall polishes=20=20
> over 600,000 carats of rough diamonds.(Description of Source: Moscow=20=
=20
> ITAR-TASS in English -- Main government information agency)
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited.Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder.Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US=20=
=20
> Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 34) Back to Top
> India To Call Back Military Attache From China
> Report by Javed Rashid: "China-India Tension: India Decides To Call=20=20
> Back Its Milita ry Attache" - Jang
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 15:47:33 GMT
> Ministry of External Affairs officials are summoning the Chinese=20=20
> ambassador to India repeatedly. The New Delhi Government has now=20=20
> decided to call back its military attache from China, and has also=20=20
> hinted the Chinese military attache to go back from New Delhi.
>
> It all happened in a high-level meeting, held in the Prime Minister=20=20
> House on 10 September. The defense minister, senior officials of the=20=
=20
> Defense Ministry, home minister and senior officials of the Home=20=20
> Ministry, senior commanding officers of the three forces, and forces=20=
=20
> chiefs, national security advisors, and senior officials of NIC=20=20
> (National Information Centre) as well as members of the=20=20
> Parliamentary defense committee also attended this meeting.
>
> It has also been learned that the Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan=20=20
> Singh and senior Minister Pranab Mukherji h eld brief meetings with=20=20
> the US and Russian ambassadors, prior to this meeting. However, the=20=20
> prime minister refused to meet with the Chinese ambassador.
>
> (Description of Source: Rawalpindi Jang in Urdu =7F =7FThe War,=7F an=20=
=20
> influential, largest circulation newspaper in Pakistan, circulation=20=20
> of 300,000. One of the moderate Urdu newspapers, pro-free=20=20
> enterprise, politically neutral, supports improvement in Pakistan-=20
> India relations)
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS,=20=20
> US Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 35) Back to Top
> China's Stock Market Value to Top That of U.S. in 2030: Goldman=20=20
> Sachs - Yonhap
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 07:09:26 GMT
> C hina bourse-market value
>
> China's stock market value to top that of U.S. in 2030: Goldman=20=20
> SachsBy Kim Young-gyoHONG KONG, Sept. 13 (Yonhap) -- China's stock=20=20
> market value is expected to surpass that of the United States in=20=20
> 2030 on its rapid economic growth, becoming the world's biggest=20=20
> equity market, Goldman Sachs said Monday.The stock market=20=20
> capitalization of all the listed companies in China will make up 28=20=20
> percent of the world's total stock market value within 20 years,=20=20
> rising from the current 11 percent, the investment bank said.China=20=20
> will be followed by the U.S., India, Japan, Brazil and Russia,=20=20
> according to Goldman Sachs. The market capitalization of the Chinese=20=
=20
> bourse accounted for 1 percent in 2000.In June, the China Securities=20=
=20
> Regulatory Commission said China has become the world's third-=20
> largest stock market, 30 years after the country established a=20=20
> bourse.China's first stock market was set up in the southern city of=20=
=20
> Shenzhen in 1989. In 1993, a second stock ma rket was set up in=20=20
> Shanghai.The total market value of the Shanghai and Shenzhen markets=20=
=20
> hit US$3.07 trillion as of the end of May, up 393.76 percent from=20=20
> 2003, the commission said. Some 2,300 companies are listed on the=20=20
> Chinese markets.Goldman Sachs also said that the combined value of=20=20
> stock markets in the emerging economies, including China, India,=20=20
> Russia and Brazil, will likely expand five-fold to $80 trillion in=20=20
> 2030 from the current US$14 trillion.The amount will be equivalent=20=20
> to 55 percent of the world's stock market value, up from 31 percent=20=20
> in 2010, the investment bank added.(Description of Source: Seoul=20=20
> Yonhap in English -- Semiofficial news agency of the ROK; URL: http://eng=
lish.yonhapnews.co.kr=20
> )
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS,=20=20
> US Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 36) Back to Top
> Thwarting of Northern Lanka-India Secret Sea Line Communication=20=20
> Links Stressed
> Report by Shamindra Ferdinando: =7FPivotal Importance of Continuous=20=20
> Sri Lanka Navy Watch on Indo-Lanka Maritime Boundary Stressed=7F - The=20=
=20
> Island Online
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 11:50:24 GMT
> Sri Lanka needs to closely watch the Indo-Lanka maritime boundary to=20=
=20
> thwart any future attempt to re-establish a clandestine sea line of=20=20
> communications between northern Sri Lanka and India.Maintaining=20=20
> surveillance on the Indian fishing fleet, as well as the local=20=20
> fishing population is essentially one of the most important factors=20=20
> in the overall naval strategy in a post-war era.Although the LTTE no=20=
=20
> longer posed a conventional military threat, Sri Lanka shouldn't be=20=20
> complacent, Navy Commander Vice Admiral T.S.G. Samarasinghe said.
>
> The navy vete ran went on to say that patrolling the seas is a=20=20
> formidable task, particularly in view of the ever increasing=20=20
> poaching by the Indian fishing fleet.In his presentation to the=20=20
> Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), he discussed=20=20
> both post and pre-war security scenarios in relation to naval=20=20
> operations, with the emphasis on humanitarian operations undertaken=20=20
> by the navy.
>
> Producing technical and photographic evidence, Vice Admiral=20=20
> Samarasinghe explained that the LTTE had cleverly exploited the=20=20
> Indian fishing fleet to its advantage.The navy chief said that the=20=20
> LTTE never suspended its clandestine sea line of communications,=20=20
> even during the Norwegian-arranged CFA.He recalled the detection of=20=20
> an Indian trawler in Sri Lankan waters on February 6, 2003, carrying=20=
=20
> arms and ammunition.
>
> Vice Admiral Samarasinghe said that at the time of the detection,=20=20
> there had been a Nordic member of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission=20=20
> (SLMM) onboard one of the SLN Fast Attack Cra ft (FAC) involved.The=20=20
> navy chief said: "...as we suspected this Indian trawler, we got the=20=
=20
> SLMM member to get on the trawler where he recovered ammunition and=20=20
> a 20 or 30 mm weapon.Those onboard the trawler threatened the SLMM=20=20
> member, forcing him to jump overboard.Although we rescued the=20=20
> foreigner, the LTTE blew up the trawler to avoid being apprehended."
>
> Commenting on the formidable threat posed by the Sea Tigers on naval=20=
=20
> movements, particularly between Trincomalee and Kankesanthurai=20=20
> during the Eelam war IV, Vice Admiral Samarasinghe said that a=20=20
> substantial force had to be deployed to protect the troop carrier,=20=20
> Jetliner, which also accommodated civilians.
>
> The navy had to deploy two Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), one Fast=20=20
> Gun Boat (FGB), 20 Fast Attack Craft (FACs), 22 Arrow Boats, two=20=20
> Inshore Patrol Craft (IPCs), one Mi 24 helicopter gunship and one=20=20
> Beech craft.The army placed artillery pieces along the coast on=20=20
> alert to provide gun fire support in c ase of an attack.
>
> Vice Admiral Samarasinghe explained the difficulties faced by the=20=20
> men in policing waters, not only in north-eastern waters, but north-=20
> western waters as well.
>
> Vice Admiral Samarasinghe said that had the war lasted, LTTE=20=20
> underwater fighting craft (submersibles) would have posed a grave=20=20
> threat.According to him, the LTTE had carried out its first suicide=20=20
> attack on an SLN vessel on May 4, 1991, in the Jaffna peninsula.He=20=20
> briefly explained the gradual LTTE build-up leading to the three-=20
> year-Eelam war.
>
> The war ended on May 19 last year.
>
> Vice Admiral Samarasinghe said that throughout the war the=20=20
> government maintained a sea line of communication to the Jaffna=20=20
> peninsula, though the government lost the overland supply route in=20=20
> 1990.
>
> According to the navy chief, there had been 300 ship loads of=20=20
> supplies sent for the civilians living in the Jaffna peninsula=20=20
> during the three-year long military offensive.The Commissioner=20=20
> General of Essen tial Services had handled this daunting task to=20=20
> move about 100 ship loads annually, Vice Admiral Samarasinghe said.
>
> During this period the government also provided safe sea passage to=20=20
> over 200,000 civilians to move to and from the Jaffna peninsula.
>
> Vice Admiral Samarasinghe said: "We never isolated the North from=20=20
> the South during the war," proudly declaring the navy maintained a=20=20
> sea line of communications throughout the war despite repeated S ea=20=20
> Tiger attacks.
>
> During Eelam war IV ships carrying food and fuel for civilians=20=20
> didn't have ICRC protection
>
> Vice Admiral Samarasinghe said that Sri Lanka ensured the safety of=20=20
> ships passing Sri Lanka.According to him about 150 ships take this=20=20
> route every day.
>
> He recalled the LTTE attempts to cripple Galle and Colombo harbors=20=20
> at the height of the war.
>
> On the directions of the government, the navy despite a threat posed=20=
=20
> by the LTTE, had brought large generators to Kankesanthurai and mov=20=20
> ed them to Chunnakam to ensure uninterrupted power supply to the=20=20
> people of Jaffna.KKS had to be used, though it was not equipped to=20=20
> accommodate heavy cargo as the government was in a hurry to provide=20=20
> electricity, the navy chief said.
>
> He emphasized the importance of keeping sea lines of communications=20=20
> despite LTTE either destroying or damaging ships carrying cargo to=20=20
> the north.
>
> Vice Admiral Samarasinghe said that the international community=20=20
> never took tangible action against the LTTE, though it targeted=20=20
> ships.The seizure of Farah III is a case in point, he said, adding=20=20
> that the navy had to hunt down the 'LTTE floating arsenals' on the=20=20
> high seas after the LTTE shifted its major operations from India to=20=20
> several other countries in the region.
>
> Ten LTTE vessels destroyed by the navy, had International Maritime=20=20
> Organization's numbers, the navy Commander said adding that had the=20=20
> international community investigated, it could have identified those=20=
=20
> who registered the vessels.
>
> During the period LTTE floating arms warehouses were destroyed he=20=20
> was the Director General Operations and Commander Eastern Naval=20=20
> Area, from 2006 to 2008.
>
> The navy chief revealed that the navy had lost seven FACs each worth=20=
=20
> $ 7 million and 13 merchant vessels during the fourth phase.He went=20=20
> on to explain the circumstances in which the LTTE had attacked a=20=20
> cargo vessel as late as November 22, 2008, using a semi-submersible=20=20
> craft packed with explosives.
>
> Of the seven FACs lost in action, the last was on January 19, 2009,=20=20
> off Mullattivu.
>
> Commenting on the last stage of the ground offensive, Vice Admiral=20=20
> Samarasinghe said that over 700 boats carrying people, had escaped=20=20
> from areas under LTTE control as the army advanced towards the=20=20
> Mullattivu coast.He explained the deployment of high tech equipment=20=20
> to identify LTTE craft trying to exploit the civilian exodus to its=20=20
> advantage.Touching on the measures taken by the navy to help=20=20
> civilians, Vice Admiral Samarasinghe said that the enemy=20=20
> successfully targeted two SLN vessels (small boats) taking cover of=20=20
> civilians, though the navy reacted cautiously without resorting to=20=20
> indiscriminate fire.
>
> We lost two vessels in attacks carried out by the LTTE taking=20=20
> advantage of civilians, though they expected the navy to fire=20=20
> indiscriminately we never did that.
>
> Getting back to the Indian issue, Vice Admiral Samarasinghe said=20=20
> that over 500 Indian fishing craft poach in Sri Lankan waters on=20=20
> Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.Their presence could be exploited=20=20
> by terrorists, Vice Admiral Samarasinghe said, while recalling how=20=20
> the Sea Tigers had used Indian fishing fleet as a cover to operate=20=20
> across the Indo-Lanka maritime boundary and then take refuge among=20=20
> fishing villages along the north-western coast north of Mannar.The=20=20
> navy chief said that they had not been able to attack Sea Tiger=20=20
> craft after they reached the land due to the presence of civilians.
>
> The officer told the LLRC identifying terrorists operating among=20=20
> fishermen was a tremendous task.
>
> The navy chief recalled the LTTE suicide attack on a Dvora FAC (P=20=20
> 413) on Dec 26th 2007, just two nautical miles from the Indo-Lanka=20=20
> maritime boundary.Of the 14-man crew, only one survived.A grave=20=20
> looking navy chief said that fighting suicide cadres was mentally=20=20
> difficult task. "Those operating suicide boats may miss their=20=20
> targets.Then they will have to come back again."He said.He called=20=20
> the navy, who operated in what he called suicide craft infested=20=20
> waters, as gallant and co urageous men.
>
> He emphasized the importance of a permanent blockade of the=20=20
> clandestine Indian route to thwart any eventuality.The navy chief=20=20
> explained measures adopted by the navy to ensure local fishermen=20=20
> could not engage in nefarious activities.Setting up of fishing=20=20
> marshalling points had helped the close monitoring of local boats in=20=
=20
> and out of Sri Lanka, he said, adding, however, that illegal=20=20
> movements still take place.
>
> Vice Admiral Samarasinghe said that in the post-war era there could=20=20
> be serious disputes between Sri Lankan and Indian fishermen due to=20=20
> Indians poaching in Sri Lankan waters.He alleged that the situation=20=20
> had been worsened by the use of illegal fishing methods by the=20=20
> Indians.
>
> He explained efforts taken by the navy on the Defense Ministry=20=20
> instructions, to gather data on all fishermen in a bid to meet their=20=
=20
> needs.Banks had been brought in to provide help to local fishermen=20=20
> and since the end of the war the fish production has increased.
>
> Commenting on the last stages of the battle, the navy chief said=20=20
> that overland supply convoys had to be suspended on January 21,=20=20
> 2009, due to heavy fighting.
>
> "The ICRC facilitated the effort obviously because the terrorists=20=20
> too agreed for their role.Beginning February 1, we moved food and=20=20
> medicine to the gradually shrinking area under LTTE control and=20=20
> brought back the sick and the wounde d, including LTTE sympathizers=20=20
> and LTTE cadres."Vice Admiral Samarasinghe appreciated the support=20=20
> given by India to take care of those arriving in Pullmoddai.The=20=20
> Indian government deployed medical teams in support during the final=20=
=20
> phase of the fighting and then moved them to Vavuniya to help look=20=20
> after the war displaced.
>
> The navy chief praised Tamil public servants, who helped the navy's=20=20
> efforts to bring in supplies and distribute them in Jaffna.He=20=20
> especially thanked Jaffna GA Ganesh and Tamil civilians from=20=20
> Karainagar and other coastal villages who had helped unload ships=20=20
> under tremendous difficulties during the war.
>
> The navy went to the extent of deploying the Jetliner and FACs to=20=20
> transport civilians, sick and the wounded, regardless of regulations.
>
> The navy chief recalled LTTE attacks on ships and how the LTTE had=20=20
> trapped two FACs which had moved to assist Irish Mona in LTTE waters.
>
> The navy chief reminded the LLRC steps taken by security forces=20=20
> during the war to prevent attempts to smuggle bombs and explosives=20=20
> in to ships carrying food to the north.Ships taking goods to the=20=20
> North had to be checked thoroughly to thwart attempts to load bombs=20=20
> with supplies to destroy vessels.
>
> Vice Admiral Samarasinghe emphasized the importance of deploying=20=20
> what he called onboard security teams to protect ships vulnerable to=20=
=20
> attack.The vessels carrying supplies for civilian in the Jaffna=20=20
> peninsula had such teams onboard to help thwart LTTE attacks, he=20=20
> said, adding that Sri Lanka had suggested to the UN that onboard=20=20
> security units could be the answer to the threat posed by pirates.
>
> Vice Admiral Samarasinghe said that protection of harbors had been=20=20
> of critical importance to sustain the war against terrorism.Had they=20=
=20
> succeeded in disturbing harbor activity it would have caused an=20=20
> irreparable damage to the war effort, he said.
>
> Although the navy had to prohibit fishing in some areas in the=20=20
> northern and eastern provinces as part of overall security measures,=20=
=20
> particularly to enhance security of harbors and other coastal=20=20
> installations, action was taken to allow fishing under the=20=20
> supervision of the navy.The restrictions particularly affected the=20=20
> fishing community in the North, he said, since the conclusion of the=20=
=20
> war there had been a marked improvement in fishing activity.
>
> (Description of Source: Colombo The Island Online in English --=20=20
> Website of the independent daily published by Upali Newspapers Ltd.=20=20
> The paper, which has a circulation of 30,000 for the daily edition=20=20
> and daily and 140,125 on Sundays, provides a balanced view of=20=20
> political affairs and wide coverage of defense, financial, and=20=20
> business matters; URL: www.island.lk)
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited.Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder.Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US=20=
=20
> Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 37) Back to Top
> Indian Commentary Says Poverty, Violence, Money Power Hinders=20=20
> Governance
> Commentary by Gopalkrishna Gandhi: =7FA Tale of Three Lions=7F --=20=20
> Poverty, Violence, Corruption and the Power of Money Hinder=20=20
> Governance=7F; first part of an edited version of a talk on governance=20=
=20
> in India at the IIC, Delhi; text in bold face as formatted by the=20=20
> source. - The Telegraph Online
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 11:18:55 GMT
> The three lions on our emblem stand as metaphors for the three=20=20
> haqiqat that prevail in India -- awaam, siyaasat and hukumat.These=20=20
> three -- the people of India, India's political life, and the Indian=20=
=20
> State -- are, like the lions, majestic alike.But with each facing a=20=20
> different direction. Awaam-e-Hind Touring the Kannada countryside in=20=
=20
> 1927, Mahatma Gandhi asked a poor villager: "Who rules Mysore?&=20=20
> quot;The answer was, "Some god."If an average Indian were asked=20=20
> today, "Who rules India?" -- the answer is likely to be, "God=20=20
> knows."That two-word answer says more than any lecture can.The aam=20=20
> admi is perplexed -- by the condition of his surroundings.And by his=20=
=20
> own condition.Everything grows in Awaam-e-Hind.Its population, of=20=20
> course, grows the fastest, thanks to the startling rise in average=20=20
> life expectancy at birth and a falling death rate.Its prosperity=20=20
> grows in huge strides.Assets grow, litigation grows.Does our poverty=20=
=20
> grow too?Statistics vary.The Union Planning Commission might not=20=20
> accept Arjun Sengupta's figures unquestioningly.But being number 134=20=
=20
> in the human development index behind a ravaged Sri Lanka is a=20=20
> statistic that speaks for itself.Ranking 66th among the world's 88=20=20
> hungriest countries is one that more than speaks for itself.Awaam-e-=20
> Hind's global presence grows, its image glows and draws admiration=20=20
> for all the 'I's of India -- in telligence, intellect, initiative,=20=20
> innovation, information, infotainment, industry, investment, and of=20=20
> course IT, no longer confused with income tax.We should, and we do,=20=20
> bask in that glory.Not unoften, that other 'I', integrity, shows up=20=20
> feeling neglected by all the other roaring 'I's.And what about crime?=20
> Violence is crime's signature.And that signature, in its many twists=20=
=20
> and loops, grows.And it often becomes oblique.Psychological violence=20=
=20
> continues to be encountered by vulnerable women.Commercial=20=20
> endorsements by our superstars of so-called skin-lighteners increase=20=
=20
> the vulnerability of girls in our colour-prejudiced society.An=20=20
> excellent new law has shown a return fist to domestic violence.But=20=20
> that villain is yet to see the strong arm of the law.Does the sense=20=20
> of security in our minority communities, especially among their=20=20
> poorer sections, grow?If there is a real sense of insecurity among=20=20
> vulnerable sections of minority communities, it can be found inter=20=20
> se within those com munities as well as by liberals, dissenters and=20=20
> nonconformists.Javed Akhtar is his own person.All of us know what=20=20
> that frank man has experienced.Intolerance, of course, is no=20=20
> monopoly of theologies.It is to be found in political communities=20=20
> too, where a difference of opinion can lead to excommunication,=20=20
> papal style.The active Indian liberal questions, objects and raises=20=20
> a finger to protest because in a liberal society that is the natural=20=
=20
> thing to do.And when he does that he can court danger.If an Indian=20=20
> who RTIs a department or a project and gets his answer, he is a=20=20
> persevering querist.But when he pays for his perseverance with his=20=20
> life, our liberal and open democracy stands brazenly=20=20
> assaulted.Except when traumas such as regularly witnessed in Kashmir=20=
=20
> and the one that has agonized Manipur for so long, and except when=20=20
> the chronic enervations of tribal and Dalit India rapidly move from=20=20
> individual to collective rage, the prominent mood of Awaam-e-Hind is=20=
=20
> that of pained dejectio n and cynical resignation, a 'who cares?'-=20
> ness. Siyaasat-e-Hind
>
> Like so much else, money grows in our beloved land: it rules like=20=20
> "some god".It rules through the moneyed man, but even more through=20=20
> the moneying or monetizing of our lives.In 1950, deposits -- simple=20=20
> bank accounts -- in India amounted to Rs 888 crore.Today, they=20=20
> amount to over Rs 750, 000 crore.In 1950, the currency in=20=20
> circulation in India was Rs 1,247 crore.Today it is Rs 5,17,434=20=20
> crore.And we are talking of accounted money.But there is something=20=20
> even more important about money in India than its growth -- its=20=20
> enhanced availability, its heightened visibility.And that is the=20=20
> change in its role and action.Money is no longer just an instrument=20=20
> of exchange; it is now a device for delivery.Money can secure=20=20
> employment, admissions, promotions, preferments, transfers,=20=20
> exonerations.It can create delays, spur speed.Money can permeate=20=20
> that which was until only the other day the preserve of pure=20=20
> enjoyment -- sport.Cricket is today as much about money as it is=20=20
> about the gentleman's game -- we can call it Mocket or Croney.It can=20=
=20
> threaten to tarnish the izzat and imaan of our nation's collective=20=20
> integrity by appearing like pustules on a global sports event.Money=20=20
> can and does do worse.It can abduct, assault.It can finance hurt, it=20=
=20
> can fund harm, it can injure and manage to look injured.It can=20=20
> purchase death.There is another thing that is growing in its spread=20=20
> and strength and may be said to be trying to 'rule' India.And which=20=20
> contributes not to cynical resignation, but to fear and anxiety.And=20=20
> that 'thing' is, with narcotics, a close cousin of money: namely,=20=20
> the illegal small firearm.India has not one million, not four=20=20
> million, not 10 million but, at a conservative estimate, 40 million=20=20
> illegal small arms floating around all over the land.Mischief, of=20=20
> course, does not come from illegal arms alone.The incidents of=20=20
> police or paramilitary firings and encounters, which have later been=20=
=20
> judged unjustified and unlawful, have been around the use of legal=20=20
> arms.So, going beyond the phenomenon of illegal arms in India, the=20=20
> question to ponder is the larger one of weapons and the 'culture' of=20=
=20
> weapons entering the bloodstream of our lives.It has done so in some=20=
=20
> parts of India devastatingly.Elections are our pride.The Election=20=20
> Commission deserves our approbation for monumental patience, above=20=20
> all else, in the manner in which it keeps its cool, stays the course=20=
=20
> with the election laws, and after the catharsis of polling and=20=20
> counting, delivers the mandate which we have defined in the=20=20
> assurance of confidentiality, fairness and freedom.But the=20=20
> commission knows better than others how money, authorized and=20=20
> unauthorized, and human biceps and triceps, authorized in the armed=20=20
> personnel billeted to election duty and unauthorized in others, can=20=20
> play a role in the proceedings.Currency notes come into the election=20=
=20
> bazaar first in container and cargo quantities, then in truckloads ,=20=
=20
> going into wholesale, small retail and finally in attache, thaila,=20=20
> jhola and jeb-sized portions every five years at the least and often=20=
=20
> oftener than that.They originate either legally, through licit=20=20
> company donations, or come from a myriad sources which, as Amit=20=20
> Bhaduri explained recently to a Chennai audience, necessarily and=20=20
> unavoidably go back to our natural resources such as mines, forests=20=20
> and land.Illegal transactions in all these yield harvests of black=20=20
> cash.I wish the Reserve Bank of India depicted on the large=20=20
> denominations of our currency any person from the scroll of our=20=20
> great kings and emperors who commanded mints and treasuries or,=20=20
> better still, chose non-human images.But if it had to carry the=20=20
> likeness of Mahatma Gandhi, I wish it did so only on the coin of the=20=
=20
> smallest denomination, the one rupee coin which cannot cover large,=20=20
> inappropriate and concealed transactions of money for, among other=20=20
> dubious uses, the buying and selling of weapons of murder.I believe=20=20
> the time has come for the laws in respect of the funding of our=20=20
> elections to be brought bravely a nd transparently under the public=20=20
> scanner once again, focused on the working of Section 293A of the=20=20
> Companies Act.But going beyond study, hard and exemplary action=20=20
> needs to be taken by those who are empowered to do so, whenever and=20=20
> wherever funds in excess of permissible quantums are patently=20=20
> employed.Simultaneously, the government and political parties should=20=
=20
> hearken to the public mood and disengage senior politicians, and=20=20
> certainly those who are in public office, from responsibilities in=20=20
> cash-rich sports federations.Their dual charge can only be to the=20=20
> detriment of either the sport or of the public office concerned.The=20=20
> public is no fool; it knows who is where for what.Our new chief=20=20
> election commissioner's determined statement to the effect that he=20=20
> will address the question of money in elections is therefore deeply=20=20
> satisfying and hope-giving.We need to redeem our elections fro m the=20=
=20
> vice-like grip over it of money, for elections are precious to us,=20=20
> as is money in its rightful place and role.And, indeed, every licit=20=20
> firearm in the defence of the country and the protection of its=20=20
> people.Our political spectrum diffuses the unpolluted beam of hope=20=20
> as it passes through the waters of political choice into a million=20=20
> competing colours.Our society is splintered into majority-minority,=20=20
> minority-sub-minority, community-sub-community, caste-sub-caste, and=20=
=20
> avarna-savarna.But the opportunistic exploitation of that=20=20
> splintering disgraces Siyaasat-e-Hind.The latest form of this=20=20
> exploitation is the retrieval, suddenly from a forgotten past, of=20=20
> the splintering splinter of splintered splinters -- namely, gotra-=20
> sagotra being imposed on couples by village venerables.Even in his=20=20
> most pessimistic contemplations of the Hindu code bill, B.R.=20=20
> Ambedkar could not have imagined that 60 years after India's=20=20
> becoming a republic it would see honour killings in the name of this=20=
=20
> ata vistic recoil.Which brings me to the last of the three 'sher'.=20=20
> Hukumat-e-Hind The legislators of India, our lawmakers, have given=20=20
> to us constitutional amendments, notably the 73rd and 74th, and=20=20
> several new law enactments, which have changed India's life=20=20
> rhythms.Some of the finest, most humanitarian, compassionate and=20=20
> even revolutionary laws that protect the weak, the jeopardized, and=20=20
> the vulnerable, especially women, have come from the community of=20=20
> India's politicians.When we despair of the politics of individual=20=20
> politicians we must remember this larger picture.It is also notable=20=20
> that it is our Parliament that has enabled the enemy property bill,=20=20
> meant to replace an ordinance with the same incredible title, and=20=20
> has put it on hold for further examination.My faith in the destiny=20=20
> of Indian self-correction has been strengthened by the news that=20=20
> there is serious rethinking going on about it.Another piece of=20=20
> legislation before our Parliament has been powered by world=20=20
> opinion.It is a bill to restrain the monster called torture.We=20=20
> should be making torture impossible.Instead, the bill raises the bar=20=
=20
> of the definition of torture, thereby indemnifying such acts as=20=20
> leave no mark on the individual's body.Obviously, those who have=20=20
> vetted this bill are unaware of certain pieces of furniture and=20=20
> appliances in lock-ups, and of the infinite possibilities of the=20=20
> spoken word.I trust the bill will reverse all attempts to let=20=20
> torture slip through definitional openings.The Indian policeman,=20=20
> too, does not make an easy hero and the dictionary of swear words is=20=
=20
> far too accessible to him.But let us also acknowledge the fact that=20=20
> he, too, is the easy butt of jokes in our free country.In how many=20=20
> countries are policemen shown in a negative light as in our cinema,=20=20
> stories, even in our media?So, I would like to believe that the day=20=20
> will come when a policeman passing by a thhelawala will not send=20=20
> shivers down the poor vendor's spine, nor an income tax inspector's=20=20
> unexpected v isit cause the shop assistant in a commercial=20=20
> establishment to go running to arrange chai.I would like to believe=20=20
> that the day will come when a decent chair with a backrest and=20=20
> armrests replaces the interrogation seat beneath a naked bulb.The=20=20
> day will come -- not very far from now, I am sure -- when the civil=20=20
> and police administrations will be able to draw a distinction=20=20
> between civil rights activists, writers and sociologists on the one=20=20
> hand and those who are waging a war against the Indian State on the=20=20
> other, when no tribal person is presumed to be a Naxal, or his home=20=20
> to be a Naxal hideout, and his land a 'territory lost to Maoist=20=20
> influence', leading to the innocent man or woman's interrogation and=20=
=20
> displacement.This can and will happen, thanks to the growing=20=20
> sensitivity of the State, to public opinion and to questions of image.
>
> (Description of Source: Kolkata The Telegraph online in English --=20=20
> Website of Kolkata's highest circulation English daily, owned by ABP=20=
=20
> Grou p, with a flagship publication Anandabazar Patrika in=20=20
> Bengali.Known for in-depth coverage of east and northeast India=20=20
> issues, and India-Bangladesh relations.Maintains an impartial=20=20
> editorial policy.Circulation 457,100; URL: www.telegraphindia.com)
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited.Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder.Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US=20=
=20
> Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 38) Back to Top
> Indian PM says 'grievances' of Kashmiri youth need to be addressed -=20=
=20
> PTI News Agency
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 11:18:56 GMT
> Text of report by Indian news agency PTINew Delhi, 13 September:=20=20
> Voicing concern over the unrest in Jammu and Kashmir (Indian-=20
> administered Kashmir), Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Si ngh on=20=20
> Monday (13 September) sought to reach out to the people there,=20=20
> saying their grievances have to be addressed and promised talks=20=20
> within the Indian constitution with those who abjure violence.As his=20=
=20
> government weighs options to deal with the situation in Kashmir,=20=20
> Singh emphasized the need for better delivery of services and=20=20
> generating avenues for economic advancement of the people of the=20=20
> state."Unrest in the state of Jammu and Kashmir over the last few=20=20
> weeks is a matter of concern.The youth of Kashmir are our citizens=20=20
> and their grievances have to be addressed," he told top commanders=20=20
> of the armed forces at a conference here."We are willing to talk to=20=20
> every person or group which abjures violence, within the framework=20=20
> of our constitution," he said.Singh, however, made no mention of the=20=
=20
> controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (Act), whose=20=20
> withdrawal from the state is being sought by Chief Minister Omar=20=20
> Abdullah.The prime minister is expected to dis cuss this issue at=20=20
> the Cabinet Committee on Security.Army, supported by Defence=20=20
> Minister A.K. Antony, is strongly opposed to the revocation or=20=20
> dilution of the law, arguing that the situation in the state was not=20=
=20
> conducive for such a step.Antony had articulated these views at the=20=20
> Congress Core Committee meeting chaired by party chief Sonia Gandhi=20=20
> last Friday.The group was divided on the issue, with Home Minister=20=20
> P. Chidambaram backing the proposal for partial withdrawal of the=20=20
> special law that gives sweeping powers and immunity to the security=20=20
> personnel.Hailing the security forces for securing the nation's=20=20
> interest, apart from disaster mitigation, the prime minister said=20=20
> the armed forces "deserve the best" and assured them of government's=20=
=20
> support to ensure this."Our armed forces deserve the best and I wish=20=
=20
> to assure you that the government will make every effort to ensure=20=20
> this.No country can make progress without ensuring its security and=20=20
> territorial integrity, " he said.Asking the defence forces to set=20=20
> higher standards for their modernization in view of economy growing=20=20
> and technological capabilities expanding, Singh said: "It is not=20=20
> enough for us to keep pace with change.When it comes to defence=20=20
> capability, we must be ahead of the technology curve."Terming=20=20
> defence modernization as "a complex task," Singh said: "If it is to=20=20
> be effective, it must involve the full chain, starting with updating=20=
=20
> our war-fighting doctrines to meet new threats to our security,=20=20
> preparation of appropriate staff quality requirements and creating a=20=
=20
> broad-based production and delivery infrastructure on the=20=20
> ground."Noting that border infrastructure was an integral part of=20=20
> defence preparedness, he said this involved not just the land=20=20
> borders, but also ensuring appropriate coastal security for which=20=20
> several measures had been initiated."But it is important that all=20=20
> ministries and departments work in close coordination to en sure=20=20
> timely implementation of existing plans.It is necessary to approach=20=20
> this task with a sense of urgency," he added.Describing naxalism=20=20
> (Maoism) as "a serious challenge" to internal security, the prime=20=20
> minister said the government would do all that was necessary to=20=20
> protect each and every citizen of the country and deal firmly with=20=20
> those who resorted to violence."This is a collective task involving=20=20
> the Centre (federal government) and the states.At the same time, we=20=20
> have to accelerate our development efforts in the naxal-affected=20=20
> areas and make our administrative machinery more sensitive and=20=20
> responsive to local concerns," he added.Pointing out that the=20=20
> nation's strength flowed from the strength of its institutions,=20=20
> values and economic competitiveness, Singh said if India was looked=20=20
> upon today with respect and seen as a force for the future, it was=20=20
> because of the stable and orderly fashion in which the country was=20=20
> transforming the lives of its people. "Transformation on such a=20=20
> scale, within the framework of a democratic and pluralistic society,=20=
=20
> has not been seen in the world before.If we succeed, our example=20=20
> will have repercussions for the new global order," he=20=20
> added.Emphasizing the country's "strategic autonomy", Singh said it=20=20
> was "an article of faith" and India was "too large a country to be=20=20
> boxed into any alliance or regional or sub-regional arrangements,=20=20
> whether trade, economic or political."He said if India had to=20=20
> sustain its nine to 10 per cent growth, it needed foreign capital=20=20
> inflow, both portfolio and direct investment, the best of modern=20=20
> technology and access to markets of the advanced economies, and the=20=20
> country had to modernize its infrastructure.For all this, India=20=20
> needed to maintain healthy relations with all major powers, he=20=20
> added.On the global terms, the prime minister said there was a shift=20=
=20
> of economic and political power to Asia, with the Asia Pacific=20=20
> region, includ ing the Southeast Asia, needing more attention from=20=20
> India."This must seep into our defence and foreign policy planning=20=20
> as never before.This is a palpable desire on the part of the=20=20
> countries of this region to enhance cooperation with us, which we=20=20
> must reciprocate," he added.Noting that some of the "toughest=20=20
> challenges" lay in India's neighbourhood, Singh said the country=20=20
> would not realize its growth ambitions unless peace and stability=20=20
> was ensured in South Asia.Describing the nations of the Gulf region,=20=
=20
> West and Central Asia as "natural partners", he said India had=20=20
> tangible interests in these regions, among which energy security was=20=
=20
> most important."We have to ensure adequate availability of=20=20
> commercial energy to support our growth targets.This requires not=20=20
> only diversification of the sources of our energy imports but also=20=20
> widening of our overall energy mix.It is in this context that we=20=20
> need to operationalize our nuclear energy option, which h olds great=20=
=20
> promise and is a necessity," he added.Referring to the global=20=20
> economic crisis of 2008, Singh said India had weathered it better=20=20
> than most large economies, as there was a continental-sized economy=20=20
> and large internal market.But the challenge, he said, would be to=20=20
> ensure that growth was balanced across all regions and reached all=20=20
> sections of society."Given our youth demographic profile, we will=20=20
> also have to ensure access to good quality education and health=20=20
> services to all.We have to put in place a National Skill Development=20=
=20
> Mission to empower our youth which will yield positive results," he=20=20
> added.Singh also assured the armed forces that the country would=20=20
> accord priority to equipment, training and welfare of soldiers and=20=20
> retired defence personnel."We will do all that is necessary to=20=20
> ensure the armed forces attract the best talent in the country," he=20=20
> added.(Description of Source: New Delhi PTI News Agency in English )
>
> Material in the Wo rld News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited.Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder.Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US=20=
=20
> Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 39) Back to Top
> EU To Make Decision On M-55 Geofizika Repairs In 2011 - Interfax-AVN=20=
=20
> Online
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 08:59:43 GMT
> intervention)
>
> MOSCOW. Sept 13 (Interfax-AVN) - The European Union will make a=20=20
> decision on possible repairs and modernization of Russia's M-55=20=20
> Geofizika high altitude plane, which takes part in international=20=20
> studies of upper atmospheric layers practically every year, in=20=20
> January 2011, a defense industry source told Interfax-AVN."European=20=20
> experts think that it is impossible to assign funds for repairing=20=20
> the M-55 Geofizika right now," he said, ad ding that the same=20=20
> experts believed there was no alternative to the plane as a carrier=20=20
> of scientific instruments.The repairs will extend the plane's=20=20
> service life for another ten years. The engine will be repaired, and=20=
=20
> some of the avionics will be replaced. The approximate cost of=20=20
> repairs nears ten million euros. The sum may be halved "if the=20=20
> service life is extended for five instead of ten years," the source=20=20
> said."A final decision may be made in January, when the program of=20=20
> future expeditions is drafted," he said."There is no expedition plan=20=
=20
> for 2011 so far, but expeditions in India and the United Arab=20=20
> Emirates have been proposed," the source said."The current condition=20=
=20
> of the M-55 Geofizika makes it possible to fly for no more than 30=20=20
> hours in 2011," he said.The M-55 Geofizika is a product of the=20=20
> Myasishchev Experimental Machine Building Plant. It was meant to be=20=20
> a high altitude military reconnaissance plane in 1988, but only four=20=
=20
> pla nes were built and two were lost in accidents.The plane can=20=20
> carry up to 2,200 kilograms of special equipment to an altitude of=20=20
> 21,500 meters. It has two PS-30V-12 unboosted engines with a normal=20=20
> thrust of 4,500 kilograms (670 kilograms at an altitude of 21,000=20=20
> meters). The cruising speed is 740 kilometers per hour and the=20=20
> maximum flight range at an altitude of 17,000 meters if 5,000=20=20
> kilometers.(Description of Source: Moscow Interfax-AVN Online in=20=20
> English -- Website of news service devoted to military news and=20=20
> owned by the independent Interfax news agency; URL: http://www.militaryne=
ws.ru=20
> )
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS,=20=20
> US Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 40) Back to Top
> Southeast Asia Chinese-Language Media Reportin g on PRC 13 Sep 10
> The following lists selected reports on China from Southeast Asian=20=20
> Chinese-language media on 11-13 September. To request additional=20=20
> processing, please contact OSC at (800) 205-8615, (202) 338-6735; or=20=
=20
> fax (703) 613-5735. - Southeast Asia -China -- OSC Summary
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 09:51:29 GMT
> (Phnom Penh Hua Shang Ri Bao Online in Chinese - Website of the self-=20
> claimed largest Chinese paper in Cambodia. Established in 1993 by=20=20
> Cambodian banker Fang Qiao "to promote Chinese culture and improve=20=20
> integration of commerce." Extensively carries reports on local=20=20
> Chinese community news and activities, and pro-China news and=20=20
> commentaries, Circulation: 6,000; URL: http://tcnewscambodia.com )
>
> 2. Report by Na Li and Huang Dingguang entitled "Hun Sen Meets CCCC=20=20
> Vice President Chen Fenjian" The report says that Cambodian Prime=20=20
> Minister Hun Sen recei ved a courtesy visit by Chen Fenjian, vice=20=20
> president of China Communications Construction Co Ltd (CCCC) at his=20=20
> residence in Phnom Penh on 11 September. Chen has told Hun Sen that=20=20
> his company is one among the world's top 500 corporate and it had=20=20
> set up two subsidiaries in Cambodia to introduce the most advanced=20=20
> technology in the country and assist Cambodia in the development of=20=20
> the construction industry (270 words). (Phnom Penh Hua Shang Ri Bao=20=20
> Online in Chinese) Philippines
>
> 3. Unattributed report entitled "Seven Representatives from=20=20
> Philippines participated in Xinjiang trip organized by China=20=20
> Association for Overseas Exchange"The report says that seven=20=20
> representatives of the Philippines' China Association for Overseas=20=20
> Exchange participated in a Xinjiang trip coorganized by the Overseas=20=
=20
> Chinese Affairs Office of China State Council and the China=20=20
> Association for Overseas Exchange in collaboration with the=20=20
> counterparts of the two institutions in Xinjiang. The p rogram was=20=20
> conducted from 30 August to 7 September in Xinjiang. The launching=20=20
> ceremony was held in Yindu Hotel in Urumqi and the leaders who=20=20
> attended the ceremony included Li Haifeng and Xu Yousheng, head and=20=20
> vice head of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of China State=20=20
> Council respectively; and Nuer Baikeli and Hu Wei chairman and vice=20=20
> chairman of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region respectively. (570=20=20
> words). (Manila Shi Jie Ri Bao Online in Chinese - Website of the=20=20
> largest Chinese newspaper in the Philippines. Carries domestic and=20=20
> international news as well as reports on activities of the local=20=20
> Chinese community, including exchange of visits with China. It has a=20=
=20
> pro-China stance and criticizes the United States whenever there is=20=20
> dispute between the two countries. Reported circulation of 20,000;=20=20
> URL: http://www.worldnewsph.net)
>
> 4. Unattributed editorial titled "Should Teach Japan a Lesson!" The=20=20
> editorial discusses the incident in which Japan arrested a Ch inese=20=20
> fisherman and seized a Chinese fishing boat in the waters near the=20=20
> Diaoyudao Islands. The editorial sides with China on this issue and=20=20
> the issue of China's sovereign right over the Diaoyudao Islands. It=20=20
> argues that although military action may not be proper in dealing=20=20
> with the detention issue, China must at least teach Japan a lesson.=20=20
> Otherwise, it will become a bad precedence if the fisherman is only=20=20
> released after detention, trial, and fine like in the previous case=20=20
> of Taiwanese fishermen being detained by Japan. (1060 words) (Manila=20=
=20
> Shi Jie Ri Bao Online in Chinese) Singapore
>
> 5. Commentary by Ou Jihong entitled "Issue of collision of Chinese,=20=20
> Japanese Vessels Should be resolved with peaceful approach"The=20=20
> author has proposed to abide by the principle of "putting aside=20=20
> conflicts" advocated by Deng Xiaoping and adopt a peaceful approach=20=20
> in the issue of the collision between a Chinese fishing boat and a=20=20
> Japanese patrol vessels, and the subsequ ent detention of the=20=20
> fishing boat and its captain. He has premised his suggestion on=20=20
> three arguments. First, political stability in East Asia is=20=20
> favorable to China's development, and economy remains the most=20=20
> important agenda for China at the present. Secondly, there is no=20=20
> urgency for China to take control over the energy resources in the=20=20
> waters around the Daiyudao Islands as China has sufficient resources=20=
=20
> from the South China Sea and Japan has not exploited the resources=20=20
> there arbitrarily. Thirdly, as opposed to the presumption of Chinese=20=
=20
> netizens, China's Naval power is not at par with Japan as yet (2,630=20=
=20
> words). (Singapore Lianhe Zaobao Online in Chinese -- Website of the=20=
=20
> leading Chinese newspaper in Singapore; URL: http://www.zaobao.com.sg)
>
> 6. Commentary by Hu Zhiyong titled "China's Indian Ocean Strategy=20=20
> and Its Essences" The commentary discusses the importance of the=20=20
> Indian Ocean to China and argues that China's "Indian Ocean=20=20
> Strategy" should take into account the following aspects: (i)=20=20
> Strengthen its ties and cooperation with the countries around the=20=20
> Indian Ocean and make use of the relations to build its military=20=20
> bases in this region; (ii) Establish a land passage to the Indian=20=20
> Ocean with the help of Pakistan; (iii) Encourage and support the=20=20
> peace process between India and Pakistan; (iv) Establish a passage=20=20
> via the Kra Isthmus; (v) Establish and maintain its military=20=20
> presence in the Persian Gulf to break the monopoly of the West over=20=20
> the oil resources in the Middle East. The author also suggests China=20=
=20
> to strengthen its ties with Africa and Burma. He says that China has=20=
=20
> to expand and protect its interests in the Indian Ocean and at the=20=20
> same time, work together with other countries to maintain the order=20=20
> at the seas, which has a vital role in globalization (2,330 words).=20=20
> (Singapore Lianhe Zaobao Online in Chinese) Vietnam
>
> 7. Unattributed report entitled "Ma Biao Calls For Boosting=20=20
> Cooperation and Excha nge With Vietnam" The report says that Nguyen=20=20
> Phu Trong, chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly, met Ma=20=20
> Biao, chairman of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on 10=20=20
> September. Ma will be in Hanoi from 9 to 14 September to attend the=20=20
> meeting of the working committee between the four Vietnamese=20=20
> provinces -- Cao Bang, Lang Son, Quang Ninh, and Ha Giang and=20=20
> Guangxi Province of China. Trong congratulated Guangxi for its rapid=20=
=20
> development, a record GDP of $113 billion, and per capita income of=20=20
> $2,200 in 2009. The report also mentions the bilateral trade between=20=
=20
> Vietnam and Guangxi that has reached $4 billion and which=20=20
> constituted one-fifths of the total Chinese-Vietnamese bilateral=20=20
> trade. (430 words). (Hanoi Yue Nan Gong Chan Dang Dian Zi Bao Online=20=
=20
> in Chinese -- Chinese version of the Communist Party of Vietnam=20=20
> online newspaper. It has a special section called "China-Vietnam=20=20
> Friendship," which carries bilateral activities of Chinese and=20=20
> Vietnamese Governmen ts as well as articles on economic and cultural=20=
=20
> exchange events. Editor-in-chief is Dao Duy Quat; URL: http://www.cpv.org=
.vn/cpv/index--c.html#IlihPEaDCV9g=20
> )
>
> 8. Unattributed report titled "Ho Chi Minh City Leader met CPC=20=20
> International Liaison Department Head." A brief report on the=20=20
> meeting between Le Hoang Quan, chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City=20=20
> People's Committee, and Wang Jiarui, chief of the International=20=20
> Liaison Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC), that was=20=20
> held on 11 September. Wang was in Danang, Vietnam to take part in=20=20
> the sixth CPC- Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Theory Conference=20=20
> (200 words). (Hanoi Yue Nan Gong Chan Dang Dian Zi Bao Online in=20=20
> Chinese)
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS,=20=20
> US Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 41) Back to Top
> India president arrives in Cambodia on six-day visit - PTI News Agency
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 09:40:17 GMT
> Text of report by Indian news agency PTIPhnom Penh, 13 September:=20=20
> Indian President Pratibha Patil arrived here on Monday (13=20=20
> September) on a six-day state visit to Cambodia, during which she=20=20
> will meet King Norodom Sihamoni and Prime Minister Hun Sen.Patil=20=20
> arrived here from Laos as part of the second leg of her visit to the=20=
=20
> two ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries. During=20=
=20
> the visit, the two sides will also sign cultural and business=20=20
> agreements.She was received at Phnom Penh airport by Deputy Prime=20=20
> Minister of Cambodia Samdech Chaufea Veang Kong Som Ol and several=20=20
> senior defence and civil officials.The president will be accorded a=20=20
> ceremonial welcome tomorrow prior to her meeting with King=20=20
> Sihamoni.She will visit the Independence Monument and lay a wreath=20=20
> there in memory of those who fought for Cambodia's independence from=20=
=20
> France. The monument was built in 1953.President of the Cambodian=20=20
> Senate Chena Sim, President of the National Assembly Heng Samrin and=20=
=20
> Prime Minister Hun Sen will call on President Patil separately=20=20
> tomorrow at the Royal Palace.Patil is travelling with a high-level=20=20
> business delegation from India.During this state visit, the Indian=20=20
> President will also meet members of the India-Cambodia Friendship=20=20
> School and attend an India-Cambodia Business meeting on=20=20
> Wednesday.The six-day visit also includes a trip to Seam Reap to=20=20
> visit the world-famous Ankor Wat and several museums located there.=20=20
> She will lay the foundation stone for the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation=20=20
> Museum for traditional Asian Textiles at Seam Reap.The two countries=20=
=20
> had already signed the Mekong-Ganga Agreement which encourages trade=20=
=20
> and cultural ties between them.(Description of Source: New Delhi PTI=20=
=20
> News Agency in English )
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS,=20=20
> US Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 42) Back to Top
> Vietnam's Rice Export Volume up in First Eight Months
> Xinhua: "Vietnam's Rice Export Volume up in First Eight Months" -=20=20
> Xinhua
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 09:05:50 GMT
> HANOI, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam exported 5.01 million tons of=20=20
> rice to the world market in the first eight months, up 10.8 percent=20=20
> year-on-year, said a report of the Vietnam Food Association on Monday.
>
> The country earned 2.35 billion U.S dollars in the first eight=20=20
> months of this year, up 11.4 percent year-on-year, said the=20=20
> report.Vietnames e exporters shipped abroad 813,100 tons of rice in=20=20
> August alone, raking in 302.2 million U.S. dollars, said the=20=20
> report.The Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development=20=20
> said here on Monday that rice demand in the world is increasing as=20=20
> major rice exporting countries including India, Pakistan, and China=20=20
> are paying more attention on food security.Another reason is that=20=20
> Russia has recently ceased exporting wheat, which made wheat-=20
> importing countries have to import rice for food instead, said the=20=20
> ministry.Increasing world rice demand creates good chances for=20=20
> Vietnam to boost rice exports, said the ministry.Last year, Vietnam=20=20
> earned nearly 2.67 billion U.S. dollars from exporting six million=20=20
> tons of rice, up 25.4 percent in volume but down eight percent in=20=20
> value year-on-year, according to the General Statistics Office of=20=20
> Vietnam.(Description of Source: Beijing Xinhua in English -- China's=20=
=20
> official news service for English-language audiences (New China News=20=
=20
> Agency))
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS,=20=20
> US Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 43) Back to Top
> Indian Media Highlights 12-13 Sep 10 - India -- OSC Summary
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 09:24:05 GMT
> : The issue of "protectionist measures" introduced in the US against=20=
=20
> the Indian IT industry will feature in a trade policy forum meeting=20=20
> and a global services summit in Washington later in September, but=20=20
> the priority of the bilateral dialogue will be to finalize an Indo-=20
> US totalisation agreement that would help Indian IT employees=20=20
> working in the US avoid the tax burden accruing from social security=20=
=20
> payments, Union Commerce Minister Anand Sha rma said on 11 September=20=
=20
> (The Indian Express, SAP20100912534019). India and the US will have=20=20
> a series of high-level meetings starting from this week with the=20=20
> visit of Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao to that country to set the=20=20
> agenda for President Barack Obama's tour in November (PTI,=20=20
> SAP20100913950004). Defense Issues
>
> : With Barack Obama, Nicolas Sarkozy, and Dmitry Medvedev slated to=20=20
> visit India in quick succession in November-December, India is fast-=20
> tracking major defense contracts with the United States, France and=20=20
> Russia (The Times of India (ToI ), SAP20100913463001). Defence=20=20
> Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) plans to form a=20=20
> commercial arm by 2010-end as it seeks to put in place "an=20=20
> aggressive approach" toward marketing and commercialization of its=20=20
> products and technologies and exports (PTI, SAP20100913571001).=20=20
> India-Pakistan Ties
>
> : External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna is likely to visit the=20=20
> United States on 20 September to attend a session of the UN General=20=20
> Assembly. An array of meetings is scheduled on the sidelines of the=20=20
> meet where Krishna and his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood=20=20
> Qureshi will come face-to-face. Sources say though no India-Pakistan=20=
=20
> meet has been scheduled, a pull-aside bilateral meeting cannot be=20=20
> ruled out (Mail Today, SAP20100913463003). Terrorist Groups in Uttar=20=
=20
> Pradesh
>
> : Intelligence agencies face a deadly challenge from the combined=20=20
> strength of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, Students' Islamic Movement of India,=20=20
> and Harkat-ul Jihad-al-Islami, especially in Uttar Pradesh, and have=20=
=20
> been giving inputs to the state police top brass on a regular basis=20=20
> (The New Indian Express, SAP20100913532003). Civil Nuclear Liability=20=
=20
> Bill
>
> : Moscow is now looking for an "official clarification" from New=20=20
> Delhi on the civil nuclear liability bill, recently passed by the=20=20
> Indian Parliament's lower house, which leaves a window open for=20=20
> making suppliers of raw material and equipment liable for damages in=20=
=20
> case of an accident (The Times of India, SAP20100913428003). UN Panel
>
> : Members of a UN panel have charged that some Third World companies=20=
=20
> are producing far more of a deadly greenhouse gas than they need to,=20=
=20
> since burning the gas -- and thus preventing it from entering the=20=20
> atmosphere -- earns them carbon credits and hefty profits. These=20=20
> include five Indian companies: SRF Ltd, Chemplast Sanmar Ltd,=20=20
> Gujarat Fluorochemicals Ltd, Navin Fluorine International Ltd and=20=20
> Hindustan Fluorocarbons Ltd (Hindustan Times, SAP20100913463005).=20=20
> Change in DAE Procurement Rules
>
> : The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has changed its procurement=20=20
> rules after the government auditor found that as much as 94% of all=20=20
> procurements made by nuclear plants were given out to a single or=20=20
> limited vendors, wiping out all competition. When questioned by the=20=20
> auditors, DAE had reasoned that it was done due to "urgency of=20=20
> requirement." In several cases, the single bidders were private=20=20
> foreign players from the US, Switzerland, France and Singapore (ToI,=20=
=20
> SAP20100912534006). Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act
>
> : Besides the Army's opposition to any change in the Armed Forces=20=20
> (Special Powers) Act, intelligence agency reports, too, may have=20=20
> influenced the government's decision to withhold partial withdrawal=20=20
> of the controversial Act from the Kashmir Valley. The agencies have=20=20
> warned that any such move, at a juncture when infiltration is on the=20=
=20
> rise, might backfire (Mail Today, SAP20100912534013).
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS,=20=20
> US Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 44) Back to Top
> One killed, two injured in police firing in Indian Kashmir 13=20=20
> September - PTI News Agency
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 09:12:56 GMT
> Text of report by Indian news agency PTISrinagar, 13 September: One=20=20
> person was killed and two others were injured when security forces=20=20
> allegedly opened fire to quell a stone-pelting mob in Bandipora=20=20
> district of north Kashmir on Monday (13 September), a police=20=20
> spokesman said.A large number of protesters had gathered at Ajas, 45=20=
=20
> km from here, and started raising provocative slogans, the spokesman=20=
=20
> said.A section of crowd started pelting stones at security forces,=20=20
> who fired warning shots to disperse them. Three persons were injured=20=
=20
> in the incident, the spokesman said, adding one of the injured=20=20
> identified as Nissar Ahmad Bhat was declared brought dead at a=20=20
> Srinagar hospital.With Bhat's death, the toll in the 95-day unrest=20=20
> in the valley has risen to 72.The spokesman said stone-pelting=20=20
> incidents were also reported from several other places, including=20=20
> Sabzi Mandi in Soura area of the city and Machow and Goga-Humhama in=20=
=20
> Budgam district.Police used batons, lobbed teargas shells and fired=20=20
> warning shots to disperse the protesters but there was no report of=20=20
> any casualty, official sources said.(Description of Source: New=20=20
> Delhi PTI News Agency in English )
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS,=20=20
> US Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 45) Back to Top
> South Indian Press 13 Sep 10
> The following is a selection of highlights from the South Indian=20=20
> press on 13 September 2010 - India -- OSC Summary
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 09:01:45 GMT
> Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said that since Monsoons=20=20
> adversely affected var ious parts of India this year, rice and sugar=20=
=20
> production was much low. Therefore, the union government is spending=20=
=20
> enormous sums on import of rice and sugar from Thailand, China, and=20=20
> other countries. The government is ready to pay high price to=20=20
> foreign countries for rice, wheat, and sugar, whereas it is not=20=20
> ready to give even minimum profitable price to our farmers.
>
> The government concludes by saying that government should give=20=20
> freedom to farmers to fix prices of agricultural products.
>
> (Chennai Dinamani online: Tamil Daily owned by the Indian Express=20=20
> Group; friendly to the US; critical of military aid to Pakistan;=20=20
> supportive of Indian Government policies regarding external affairs;=20=
=20
> maintains a neutral stand on regional politics; influential with=20=20
> policy makers, academia, the business community, and the=20=20
> intelligentsia; editorials tend to be on international issues. Four=20=20
> editions with a combined circulation of 2,50,000. URL:
>
> http://www.dinamani.com www. dinamani.com) Dinamani Report Says=20=20
> Lankan Tamil Refugee Camp in Chennai Nerve Center of Crimes in City=20=20
> Dinamani
>
> online of 13 September in Tamil carries an approximately 900-word=20=20
> report entitled: "Chennai Gummidipoondi Lankan Tamil refugees camp -=20=
=20
> Nerve-center of all crimes, vice den, brothel house, fake Passports=20=20
> and smuggling center - Policemen live under constant fear of terror=20=20
> from LTTE groups in camp - our life is in peril and jeopardy, senior=20=
=20
> police officer of the camp laments, breaks down in a sea of tears=20=20
> and narrates to Dinamani reporter." The report says the Tamil Nadu=20=20
> government opened in March 1990 in Chennai Gummidipoondi near=20=20
> Tahsilder's office a refugee camp for Sri Lankan Tamil refugees.=20=20
> There were just 15 inmates there for around 6 months then, and now=20=20
> it is the biggest camp out of all 117 camps in Tamil Nadu. This camp=20=
=20
> has 3,823 heads belonging to 1,073 families now. Most of these=20=20
> inmates are hard-core Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (L TTE)=20=20
> terrorists who are blackmailing innocent Lankan Tamils in camps and=20=20
> are extracting money from them for their vice activities and=20=20
> smuggling misadventures.
>
> The report says this camp has now become the nerve-center of all=20=20
> crimes, vice den, brothel house, smuggling coordination center, and=20=20
> fake Passports generation quarter by innumerable LTTE terrorists=20=20
> staying in this camp under the garb of Tamil refugees. Many LTTE=20=20
> terrorists under the garb of Tamil refugees live outside the camp in=20=
=20
> private rented houses with due permission from government=20=20
> authorities. They control all crimes inside the camp. They visit the=20=
=20
> camp daily in groups, plant terror here, coordinate smuggling=20=20
> activities, and force womenfolk here into brothels and immoral=20=20
> activities inside the camp and also outside.
>
> The report adds that there is a full-fledged police station in front=20=
=20
> of this camp, but this police station remains locked for years=20=20
> together. All policemen of this station are working in different=20=20
> places of Chennai, but their names are on the payrolls of this=20=20
> station, and they get their salary on the name of this station. As=20=20
> such, law and order is the worst in and around the camp.
>
> The report further says that in 2009, 10 LTTE terrorists have=20=20
> escaped from this camp and sneaked out of the country on fake=20=20
> Passports. Three more LTTE cadres escaped this year to foreign soil=20=20
> by the same modus operandi. Heroin, ganja, and all narcotics flow=20=20
> freely outside and inside this camp. Women refugees are under the=20=20
> fear of terror all the time. Inmates of this camp are involved in=20=20
> every dangerous crime taking place everyday in Chennai. Dinamalar=20=20
> Report Says Rameswaram Fishermen Buy Refurbished Boats Decertified=20=20
> by Kerala Government Dinamalar
>
> online of 12 September in Tamil carries an approximately 600-word=20=20
> report entitled: "Rameswaram fishermen purchase at very low price=20=20
> refurbished and reconstructed Kerala-manufactured fishing boats=20=20
> decertified by Kerala government - This is the cause of all woes of=20=20
> Rameswaram fishermen in mid seas - Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department=20=20
> officer laments in Rameswaram." The report says that as applicable=20=20
> to vehicles, motorized fishing boats have a prescribed period of=20=20
> life, after which the Fisheries Department withdraws license for the=20=
=20
> boats that should be scrapped by fishermen. Since every boat costs=20=20
> nearly Rs.100,000, poor fishermen continue to use life-expired=20=20
> boats. There are innumerable boat-manufacturing yards in Kerala.=20=20
> These boatyards repair, refurbish, and refit old boats and make them=20=
=20
> sea-worthy, and sell them to Tamil Nadu fishermen at a very low=20=20
> price so that the Kerala manufacturer and Tamil Nadu fishermen are=20=20
> equally benefited. But the danger is always that very old boats are=20=20
> not strong enough to face the wrath of sea waves in times of=20=20
> inclement weather in turbulent seas. Therefore, most of these boats=20=20
> meet with tragedies.
>
> The report says there is no demarca tion point in seas to show=20=20
> Indian and Lankan maritime areas in seawaters. While big ships can=20=20
> identify it through sophisticated machines, poor, ill-equipped=20=20
> fishing boats can't do it. So the Lankan Navy attacks Rameswaram=20=20
> fishermen in mid seas in Sri Lankan waters.
>
> The report adds that the Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department has=20=20
> officially permitted fishing only in some areas of Indian Ocean that=20=
=20
> are certified good and safe for fishing. Fishermen are not permitted=20=
=20
> to go into deep seas that are dangerous in terms of human safety.=20=20
> But fishermen do not obey these safety instructions! High-power=20=20
> motor fishing boats from Kerala make these fish-greedy fishermen=20=20
> have false courage and lead them to watery graves in deep seas where=20=
=20
> fishermen get much less fish amidst all hazards, which take toll of=20=20
> their precious lives also, apart from getting brutally attacked by=20=20
> Lankan Navy.
>
> (Chennai Dinamalar online: Tamil Daily - No editorials, independent,=20=
=20
> left-off-center Tamil Na du-based daily with statewide influence;=20=20
> providing comprehensive coverage of South Indian political issues,=20=20
> particularly Tamil Nadu; impartial reporting on national issues;=20=20
> good coverage of Sri Lankan civil war; circulation of 3,50,000 with=20=20
> no editorials. URL: www. dinamalar.com) Dinamalar Report Says Large-=20
> Scale Smuggling Takes Place From Tamil Nadu Coasts To Sri Lanka=20=20
> Dinamalar
>
> online of 13 September in Tamil carries an approximately 500-word=20=20
> report entitled: "Smuggling through Ramanathapuram seashores sprout=20=20
> and continue unabatedly - Spreading all over Tamil Nadu coasts!" The=20=
=20
> report says after the Lankan Army totally eliminated the LTTE=20=20
> terrorist group in 2009, all explosives smuggling crimes by LTTE=20=20
> terrorists fell down to a grinding halt. This was a great and well-=20
> deserved relief, solace, and reward for Tamil Nadu police who were=20=20
> unsuccessfully grappling with these smuggling episodes for 35 years.
>
> The report says that of late, Ramanathapuram po lice find that=20=20
> Ramanathapuram seacoasts have now becoming "smuggling coasts" for=20=20
> remnant LTTE cadres, who are living underground all over Tamil Nadu.=20=
=20
> Earlier, LTTE terrorists were smuggling out to Sri Lankan LTTE=20=20
> hideouts all dangerous explosive materials such as country bombs,=20=20
> acid, gelatin sticks, batteries, aluminum ingots, fuse wires, time=20=20
> bombs, wireless communication sets, deadly narcotics, and=20=20
> innumerable ot her types and forms of explosives. Tamil Nadu police=20=20
> could never satisfactorily control this smuggling. Many LTTE=20=20
> smugglers and terrorists were caught and hundreds of them escaped too.
>
> The report says that now smuggling of electronic items such as=20=20
> powerful radios, VCRs, DVDs, and TVs, is on the rise from all=20=20
> Ramanathapuram coasts to Sri Lanka by LTTE terrorists because they=20=20
> don't want explosives now. In a recent episode, the Ramanathapuram=20=20
> police caught a huge consignment of such electronic items including=20=20
> electronic and computer spares and co lor TV sets given free by the=20=20
> Tamil Nadu government to poor sections of society. Apart from these,=20=
=20
> heroin, ganja, and all narcotics, and ration rice sold for Rs.1 per=20=20
> kg by Tamil Nadu government through ration shops are now on the way=20=20
> to Sri Lanka. The beneficiaries of all these smuggling were LTTE=20=20
> terrorists in Sri Lanka earlier, and now the common man in Lanka is=20=20
> the beneficiary of all these smuggled items, which are being sold in=20=
=20
> Lanka at exorbitant costs. LTTE terrorists, who are ace smugglers,=20=20
> run this job now successfully through all Tamil Nadu coasts. Daily=20=20
> Thanthi Report - New Rs.1.28 Billion Terminal Inaugurated at Madurai=20=
=20
> Airport Daily Thanthi
>
> online of 13 September in Tamil carries an approximately 500-word=20=20
> report entitled: "New Rs.1.28 billion terminal inaugurated at=20=20
> Madurai airport - Chidambaram, Praful Patel, and M.K. Alagiri grace=20=20
> the colorful public function yesterday." The report says the new Rs.=20
> 1.28 billion, 17,500 square feet, fully ai r-conditioned terminal in=20=
=20
> Madurai airport was inaugurated on 12 September. Union Home Minister=20=
=20
> P. Chidambaram, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel, and=20=20
> Fertilizers Minister M.K. Alagiri attended the function. Airports=20=20
> Authority of India (AAI) Chairman and Managing Director Agarwal=20=20
> welcomed the participants.
>
> Praful Patel said international flights would shortly land in and=20=20
> depart from Madurai Airport. He said that during the past five=20=20
> years, air traffic in India got 21% boost and there was a 300%=20=20
> increase in air passengers. Cargo planes will be given equal=20=20
> importance in the days to come. The AAI has started developmental=20=20
> and upgradation works in 35 airports, including Madurai airport.
>
> (Chennai Daily Thanthi online: Tamil Daily - Private, largest=20=20
> circulation Tamil Daily with circulation of 500,000; topical news=20=20
> with extensive coverage of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka). URL:
>
> http://www.dailythanthi.com www.dailythanthi.com) Vaartha Editorial=20=20
> Comments Rues Mudslinging by Congress Party Leaders of Andhra,=20=20
> Telengana Vaartha
>
> online of 13 September in Telugu carries an approximately 500-word=20=20
> editorial entitled: "Will they remain united?" Referring to the=20=20
> latest mudslinging political comments of Congress party leaders of=20=20
> both Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema and Telangana, the editorial=20=20
> says usually leaders of one political party exchange mudslinging=20=20
> comments with another party leaders, but in Andhra Pradesh, Congress=20=
=20
> party leaders alone are exchanging mud between Andhra and Telangana,=20=
=20
> and leaders of other parties are silent.
>
> The editorial comments on the recent visit of Andhra and Rayalaseema=20=
=20
> Congress party leaders with Sri Krishna Commission leaders, and=20=20
> their reported comment that Telangana leaders are politically=20=20
> unemployed and they are creating commotion just to prove their=20=20
> entity, the response from Telangana Congress party leaders and=20=20
> Telengana Rashtra Samiti leaders is very strong and they did not=20=20
> hesi tate to use slandering language. Forgetting totally that all of=20=
=20
> them belong to same party, they began to use the most slandering=20=20
> language, and none of them cares a jot about genuine public problems.
>
> The editorial terms the demand for a separate state a the fallout of=20=
=20
> age-old suppression and oppression of Telangana culture, traditions=20=20
> and sentiments, and feels in conclusion that they can no longer live=20=
=20
> together and any attempt to live together hereinaft er will be=20=20
> shameless.
>
> (Vaartha online version in Telugu -- Internet version of the leading=20=
=20
> Telugu daily owned by Girish Sanghi, Congress MP and textile=20=20
> businessperson. Known for its anti-Telugu Desam Party approach, the=20=20
> daily branded as pursuing yellow journalism. The daily has nineteen=20=20
> editions with a combined circulation of 500,000. URL:
>
> http://www.vaarttha.com www.vaarttha.com) Mathrubhumi Report -- NIA=20=20
> Questions Kerala Police Officer For Alleged Terror Links Mathrubhumi
>
> online of 13 September c arries an approximately 500-word report=20=20
> entitled: "NIA questions Thachankary over controversial visit." The=20=20
> report says the central probe agency National Investigation Agency=20=20
> (NIA) has questioned a senior Kerala Indian Police Services (IPS)=20=20
> officer for his alleged association with certain people having=20=20
> terror links, who he had met during his Qatar visit earlier this year.
>
> The report says the NIA, which has been assigned to look into the=20=20
> matter by the central government, has questioned Inspector General=20=20
> of Police Tomin J Thachankary on three occasions, adding that an NIA=20=
=20
> team is likely to visit Qatar for recording statements of officials=20=20
> at the Indian Embassy there.
>
> The report says the central government ordered a thorough=20=20
> investigation after it received a report from its Qatar Embassy as=20=20
> well as from other security agencies about Thachankary's alleged=20=20
> misconduct.
>
> According to reports, Thachankary, a 1987 batch IPS officer, had=20=20
> allegedly met so me persons in Qatar who are said to have terror=20=20
> links. However, the officer refuted the charges. Reports had claimed=20=
=20
> that Thachankary met some Keralites allegedly having terror links in=20=
=20
> the Gulf, and offered to help them return to their home state.
>
> The External Affairs Ministry had passed on this information to the=20=20
> Home Ministry, which had asked the state government to carry out=20=20
> investigations in the matter. Thachankary was suspended when he was=20=20
> Inspector General some months back for making a foreign trip=20=20
> allegedly without government permission in violation of service=20=20
> rules. Earlier also, he was suspended following a case relating to=20=20
> amassing wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income.=20=20
> However, he was reinstated following a high court order as the=20=20
> vigilance probe in the case kept dragging on.
>
> (Thiruvananthapuram Mathrubhumi online in Malayalam -online=20=20
> independent Malayalam daily. Carries special reports on activities=20=20
> of Malayalees living in Gulf cou ntries. Circulation of 900,000. URL:
>
> http://www.mathrubhumi.com www.mathrubhumi.com) Kannada Prabha=20=20
> Editorial Alarmed at Continuing Violence, Unrest in Kashmir Kannada=20=20
> Prabha
>
> online of 13 September in Kannada carries an approximately 250-word=20=20
> editorial entitled: "Kashmir Still Burning." The editorial discusses=20=
=20
> the violence that is still continuing in Jammu and Kashmir for the=20=20
> past three months, and adds that despite all efforts by Chief=20=20
> Minister Omar Abdullah, continued violence and killings have led to=20=20
> curfew being imposed in many places in and around Srinagar.
>
> The editorial talks about the violence that took place even on the=20=20
> day of Eid, and also discusses the serious debate that is going on=20=20
> regarding the army's role in the state. It says that political=20=20
> problems of the state have long back turned into sentimental=20=20
> problems, and this has made it even more difficult to find a=20=20
> solution to the situation.
>
> The editorial adds that with Pakist an and China interfering into=20=20
> matters, suffering of people of Jammu and Kashmir are continuing.
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS,=20=20
> US Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 46) Back to Top
> PM's Office Feels Media Adviser Playing 'Favorites' To Section of=20=20
> Press
> Report in unattributed weekly column under the rubric =7FReporters=7F=20=
=20
> Diary=7F: =7FBreach of Trust=7F - The Asian Age Online
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 08:30:20 GMT
> (Description of Source: New Delhi The Asian Age online in English --=20=
=20
> Website of the daily The Asian Age, with its flagship edition in New=20=
=20
> Delhi; also published from Kolkata, Mumbai, and London. Run by T.=20=20
> Venkattram Reddy, the owner of Hyderabad-based Deccan Chronicle=20=20
> group. Maintains pro-government, centrist editorial policy.=20=20
> Chronicle and Age share editorial content and their combined=20=20
> circulation is claimed to be 1 million; URL: www.asianage.com)
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS,=20=20
> US Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 47) Back to Top
> Unlimited Term of Presidency Blow to Sri Lankas Democracy
> Editorial: =7FTerm Unlimited=7F - Deccan Herald Online
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 08:51:36 GMT
> Sri Lanka's once vibrant democracy has been dealt a stunning blow=20=20
> with a constitutional amendment that removes the two-term=20=20
> restrictions on the Presidency. This means that pr esident Mahinda=20=20
> Rajapaksa, the first beneficiary of the 18th amendment, can be=20=20
> president for life, subject to re-election.The amendment also gives=20=20
> the president the authority to appoint top judges and other public=20=20
> officials, including heads of independent bodies such as the human=20=20
> rights commission, the election commission and the public service=20=20
> commission, unrestricted by a legal veto. Even before this=20=20
> amendment, the powers of the Sri Lankan president were immense as=20=20
> they could dissolve parliament, hold as many portfolios as they=20=20
> wished and claimed complete immunity from the rule of law.The 18th=20=20
> amendment gives a substantial boost to these powers. As worrying as=20=20
> the implications of the amendment for Sri Lanka's democracy is the=20=20
> manner in which it was passed by parliament. Listed as an 'urgent=20=20
> bill', the amendment was tabled and passed in 10 days only. Clearly=20=20
> the government, which has a clear majority in parliament anyway,=20=20
> wanted no legal challenges to stop or slow its attem pt to push Sri=20=20
> Lanka down the road to authoritarian rule.That Rajapaksa is popular=20=20
> among the Sinhalese majority, especially since the defeat of the=20=20
> Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in May 2009, is undoubted.=20=20
> However, the manner in which he has been systematically building a=20=20
> cult around himself, one that gives him god-like status, is=20=20
> distasteful. He and his family control the levers of power in Sri=20=20
> Lanka today, holding powerful positions as ministers and as heads of=20=
=20
> corporations.Any threat to Rajapaksa's rule has been snuffed out;=20=20
> the fate of former army chief, Lt Gen Sarat Fonseka is a telling=20=20
> example of what happens to those who challenge the president.=20=20
> Critics in the media have been severely dealt with. It is in the=20=20
> context of this dramatic expansion of Rajapaksa's grip over power=20=20
> that the 18th amendment must be seen. It paves the way for=20=20
> perpetuation of the rule of an all-powerful president.The=20=20
> possibility of Rajapaksa doing away with the fig leaf of periodic=20=20
> elect ions now looms over Sri Lanka which is on its way to becoming=20=20
> a full-fledged authoritarian dictatorship. The developments in the=20=20
> island are of concern not only to the people of Sri Lanka but for=20=20
> India and for democrats across the world.
>
> (Description of Source: Bangalore Deccan Herald online in English --=20=
=20
> Website of independent daily with good coverage of South India,=20=20
> particularly Karnataka; URL: www.deccanherald.com)
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS,=20=20
> US Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 48) Back to Top
> Eight killed in Maoists' shutdown in six Indian states - PTI News=20=20
> Agency
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 07:34:38 GMT
> Text of rep ort by Indian news agency PTIJhargram/Raipur, 13=20=20
> September: A two-day bandh (strike) called by the Maoists in six=20=20
> states on Monday (13 September) began on a bloody note with Naxals=20=20
> (Maoists) killing two policemen in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district=20=
=20
> and five CPI-M (Communist Party of India -M) supporters in West=20=20
> Bengal's West Midnapore district.The ultras also blew up a stretch=20=20
> of railway track near Karmavad railway station in Giridih district=20=20
> in the wee hours.The blast, which occurred around 2am, destroyed a=20=20
> metre-long track besides wheels of a goods train, Divisional Railway=20=
=20
> Manager, (Dhanbad Railway Division), A Upadhaya, said here.In West=20=20
> Midnapore district, a group of Maoists attacked Dompara area in=20=20
> Nachupatina village close to the Orissa border and dragged out five=20=20
> Marxist supporters, including four of a family, from their houses=20=20
> and assaulted them before shooting them dead last night, police=20=20
> sources said.One of the victims was identified as Amrit Aagyuan,=20=20
> whose mothe r was also injured in the attack while resisting the=20=20
> Maoists. The others belonging to the same family were Rohin Aagyun,=20=20
> Samaresh Aagyuan, Swapan Aagyuan and Prasanta Aagyuan.In Dantewada=20=20
> district in Chhattisgarh, the Maoists attacked Bhejji police station=20=
=20
> and shot dead two policemen, who were preparing to go out on a=20=20
> patrol, after an exchange of fire this morning, police officials=20=20
> said.On Sunday night, Maoists shot dead a man at Panchadumar village=20=
=20
> in Jharkhand's Garhwa district, police sources said.The bandh has=20=20
> been called in West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, Jharkhand, Chattishgarh,=20=20
> Andhra Pradesh, besides Gadchiroli, Bhandara and Chadrapur districts=20=
=20
> of Maharashtra and Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh by top Maoist=20=
=20
> leader Kishenji.The shutdown has been called to press for a probe=20=20
> into the death of top Naxal leader Cherakuri Rajkumar alias Azad who=20=
=20
> was killed in an encounter with the police on 2 July in Adilabad=20=20
> district of Andhra Pradesh.(Description of Source: New Delhi PT I=20=20
> News Agency in English )
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS,=20=20
> US Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 49) Back to Top
> Indian Daily Report Says Assam Government Faces Debt Worth $4.9=20=20
> Billion
> Report by Manoj Anand: =7FAssam Govt Reels Under Debt Worth Rs.=20
> 22,881cr=7F - The Asian Age Online
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 07:34:37 GMT
> (Description of Source: New Delhi The Asian Age online in English --=20=
=20
> Website of the daily The Asian Age, with its flagship edition in New=20=
=20
> Delhi; also published from Kolkata, Mumbai, and London. Run by T.=20=20
> Venkattram Reddy, the owner of Hyderabad-based Deccan Chronicle=20=20
> group. Maintains pro-government, centrist editor ial policy.=20=20
> Chronicle and Age share editorial content and their combined=20=20
> circulation is claimed to be 1 million; URL: www.asianage.com)
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS,=20=20
> US Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 50) Back to Top
> Islamists Attack Victim Says Church Inventing Stories To Justify=20=20
> Dismissal
> Report by VR Jayaraj: "'Church Inventing Stories to Justify Self'" -=20=
=20
> The Pioneer Online
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 07:11:17 GMT
> (Description of Source: New Delhi The Pioneer Online in English --=20=20
> Website of the pro-Bharatiya Janata Party daily, favors=20=20
> nationalistic foreign and economic policies. Circulation for its=20=20
> five edition s is approximately 160,000, with its core audience in=20=20
> Lucknow and Delhi; URL: http://www.dailypioneer.com)
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS,=20=20
> US Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 51) Back to Top
> Russia To Provide Indian Air Force With Latest Types Of Weapons -=20=20
> Interfax-AVN Online
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 07:10:58 GMT
> intervention)
>
> NEW DELHI. Sept 13 (Interfax-AVN) - India has always been and will=20=20
> be Russia's strategic partner, and Russia is willing to provide it=20=20
> with latest types of weapons, Russian Air Force Commander Col. Gen.=20=20
> Alexander Zelin said in summing up outcomes of his five-day visit to=20=
=20
> India."The Indian Air Force has a great future ahead with our MiG-35=20=
=20
> and Su-30 planes primarily because Russia is willing to provide it=20=20
> with the latest types of weapons, which - I would like to stress it=20=20
> - have no analogues anywhere in the world," Zelin said."This chiefly=20=
=20
> concerns missiles that we will start installing on Indian combat=20=20
> planes in the near future," Zelin said. He did not specify, however,=20=
=20
> what particular missiles he implied.(Description of Source: Moscow=20=20
> Interfax-AVN Online in English -- Website of news service devoted to=20=
=20
> military news and owned by the independent Interfax news agency;=20=20
> URL: http://www.militarynews.ru)
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS,=20=20
> US Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 52) Back to Top
> Indian Army Warns Govt of 'Renewed' Infiltration Attempts in Kashmir=20=
=20
> by Militants
> Report by Rahul Datta and Mohit Kandhari: "Mercenaries Back in=20=20
> Valley" - The Pioneer Online
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 07:09:31 GMT
> (Description of Source: New Delhi The Pioneer Online in English --=20=20
> Website of the pro-Bharatiya Janata Party daily, favors=20=20
> nationalistic foreign and economic policies. Circulation for its=20=20
> five editions is approximately 160,000, with its core audience in=20=20
> Lucknow and Delhi; URL: http://www.dailypioneer.com)
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS,=20=20
> US Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 53) Back to Top
> Delhi Article Views Kashm iri Reaction to Farooq Abdullah's Anti-=20
> Secession Speech
> Article by Inayat Jehangir: "New Slogans" -- text in boldface as=20=20
> formatted by source - Force Online
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 07:19:26 GMT
> National Conference president and Union minister Farooq Abdullah may=20=
=20
> have earned a few brownie points with the rest of the country by=20=20
> claiming that no Kashmiri wants to secede from India but he has=20=20
> drawn ire of Kashmiris -- from Separatists to mainstream opposition=20=20
> parties to the common masses.
>
> Hard line Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, while=20=20
> expressing views on Abdullah's statement in the Lok Sabha, dared the=20=
=20
> former chief minister to take a walk around Lal Chowk for just five=20=20
> minutes. "Abdullah's statement is an extreme case of buffoonery and=20=20
> a bundle of lies. He should think more of his family's safety than=20=20
> talking of Kashmir as he has lost his ground in Kashmir," Geelani=20=20
> said.
>
> The octogenarian separatist leader said if the claims made by=20=20
> Abdullah were true, India should have no objection in holding=20=20
> referendum in Kashmir. "Our fundamental demand is that plebiscite=20=20
> should be held to ascertain view of Kashmiris so that it becomes=20=20
> clear whether or not they want to live with India," he said.
>
> He referred to the visit of Abdullah's son and chief minister Omar=20=20
> Abdullah to SKIMS hospital to meet the persons injured in security=20=20
> forces firing. "Omar Abdullah had to fly in a helicopter to cover a=20=20
> distance of eight kilometers as the roads were not safe for him and=20=20
> even when he reached the hospital he was booed away."
>
> The Chairman of the moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz=20=20
> Umar Farooq said the National Conference president was trying to be=20=20
> 'more loyal than the king' in his efforts to appease New Delhi.
>
> "It is ironical that the party which has been in power for over six=20=20
> decades has deliberately failed to acknowledge the aspirations of=20=20
> Kashmiris mainly to show loyalty to India and satiate its vested=20=20
> interests," Mirwaiz said.
>
> The Hurriyat dove said it was 'shame' on part of leaders like=20=20
> Abdullah, who claim to represent Kashmiris and yet ignore the=20=20
> genuine aspirations for self determination among the people of the=20=20
> state. "On the contrary, an MP from Hyderabad vociferously and from=20=20
> the core of his heart acknowledged that innocents are being killed=20=20
> in Kashmir and expressed serious concern over it. We want to tell=20=20
> leaders like Farooq that for God's sake stop exploiting Kashmir=20=20
> issue for their personal interests," he said.
>
> The Chairperson of Dukhtaran-e-Millat Aasiya Andrabi castigated=20=20
> National Conference president for claiming that autonomy was the=20=20
> solution to the Kashmir dispute. "At a time when the Kashmiris=20=20
> including children have only one objective and slogan of 'Quit Jammu=20=
=20
> Kashmir', Abdullah's claim tha t they want autonomy is nothing more=20=20
> than a bundle of lies. This has exposed the evil designs of National=20=
=20
> Conference," Andrabi said.
>
> The radical woman leader said Abdullah's statement was a blessing in=20=
=20
> disguise as more and more people have started pledging support to=20=20
> the ongoing 'Quit Jammu and Kashmir Movement'. "We have received=20=20
> numerous phone calls from all sections of the society since Abdullah=20=
=20
> made the speech in Indian Parliament, pledging support for 'Quit=20=20
> Jammu Kashmir Movement'. The overwhelming support to ongoing=20=20
> movement from over past three months has made it clear that this=20=20
> movement does not belong to any individual but whole Kashmir. People=20=
=20
> have taken vow that unless India accept the disputed nature of=20=20
> Kashmir, the agitation will continue," she added.
>
> Although opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP) chose not to=20=20
> react initially to the statement made by the president of arch rival=20=
=20
> National Conference, a party spokesman told FORCE t hat the=20=20
> statement of the union minister was, at the least, provocative and=20=20
> would not help in improving the situation. "After having brought the=20=
=20
> state on the brink of one of the worst crisis, the National=20=20
> Conference leadership has now resorted to provocation, which is not=20=20
> going to help in improving the situation in the state," Nayeem=20=20
> Akhtar, PDP C hief spokesman, said.
>
> The man on the street, however, is neither amused nor surprised at=20=20
> the 'theatrics' of the former chief minister in the Lok Sabha.=20=20
> "There is nothing new in what he has said.... He does it all the=20=20
> time when he is Delhi and sings altogether a different tune when=20=20
> back in Srinagar," Muzaffar Ahmad Bhat, a businessman, said.
>
> While Abdullah was more brazen at misrepresenting the ground=20=20
> situation of Kashmir in New Delhi, Bhat said every mainstream=20=20
> politician from the state was doing the same. "Otherwise, how is it=20=20
> possible that the decision makers in New Delhi do not know that peo=20=20
> ple of Kashmir want azadi -- independence -- to decide their=20=20
> destiny, once for all," he added.
>
> (Description of Source: New Delhi Force Online in English --=20=20
> Internet-based version of an independent monthly national security=20=20
> and defense magazine focusing on issues impacting the Indian defense=20=
=20
> forces; weapon and equipment procurement; missiles and delivery=20=20
> systems; and counterterrorism; URL: http://www.forceindia.net)
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS,=20=20
> US Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
> 54) Back to Top
> Visiting Minister Urges Indian Govt To Rein in Illegal Immigrations=20=20
> to Canada
> Report by Ramesh Ramachandran: =7FCanada Battles Indian Visa Frauds=7F -=
=20=20
> The Asian Age Online
>
> Monday September 13, 2010 07:11:20 GMT
> (Description of Source: New Delhi The Asian Age online in English --=20=
=20
> Website of the daily The Asian Age, with its flagship edition in New=20=
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> Delhi; also published from Kolkata, Mumbai, and London. Run by T.=20=20
> Venkattram Reddy, the owner of Hyderabad-based Deccan Chronicle=20=20
> group. Maintains pro-government, centrist editorial policy.=20=20
> Chronicle and Age share editorial content and their combined=20=20
> circulation is claimed to be 1 million; URL: www.asianage.com)
>
> Material in the World News Connection is generally copyrighted by=20=20
> the source cited. Permission for use must be obtained from the=20=20
> copyright holder. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS,=20=20
> US Dept. of Commerce.
>
>
>
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