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Retrial in Kanishka bombing case begins
Saddam on fast to protest lawyer’s murder
India’s stance on Iran
“can harm” N-deal
Love letter lands Pak
legislator in trouble
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Retrial in Kanishka bombing case begins
Toronto, June 22 The public inquiry was announced following demands for fresh probe by devastated relatives of the dead after a two-year trial resulted in the acquittal of two Sikh separatists. Opening the probe, Justice Major laid out the groundwork rules for how the inquiry would proceed and candidly pointed out certain "weaknesses" in the Canadian criminal justice system. "This was and is a Canadian tragedy. Recognition of that reality may be one factor in bringing the surviving families nearer to achieving peace of mind with knowing what happened and why it should not happen again," he said. "Looking forward, this inquiry will hopefully contribute to building a system with sufficient safeguards to prevent such tragedies from occurring," he said. His statement came after he met about 80 members of the families, most of them Indian-origin, who lost their loves ones. They are hoping the inquiry will finally bring a sense of relief and help to ease their personal pain. Justice Major opined that their pain, suffering and frustration remains palpable more than two decades later. The probe does not have the ability to retry the matter or find fault, but he said the inquiry (which is expected to begin hearing its first witnesses in September) could call witnesses to establish facts and support conclusions and recommendations as to how the system should have or could have functioned. "That will help us determine how we can assure the families who have spent more than 20 years seeking answers that the Canadian system has been or can be fixed," Justice Major said. "The Air-India tragedy or its like must never be repeated. Thus it is our duty to conduct a thorough investigation of the areas specified by the terms of reference," he said. Justice Major said families of the victims would be able to address the inquiry in the first phase of its work without having to be sworn in or face cross examination. They could give their statements by appearing personally, writing or sending e-mail or using any other method of communication they wish to use. A second phase of the inquiry would cover documentary evidence, witnesses and dossiers and other more formal submissions. Those seeking standing in the inquiry must apply in writing by July 7. Hearings will be held in Ottawa later next for oral submissions on why standing should be granted. Justice Major did not say how long he expected the inquiry to run but noted that the probe would be "judged by our effectiveness and not by our length." — PTI
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Saddam on fast to protest lawyer’s murder
Baghdad, June 22 "Saddam and 55 other detainees (former regime officials) are on a fast since yesterday after the killing of Khamis al-Obeidi," Mr Dulaimi told AFP. Mr Dulaimi said Saddam and the others wanted the USA and international committees to give guarantees "for the security of the other defence lawyers." He said he came to know of the strike "through our special contacts." A US military spokesman, on being contacted about the protest, said he was "unaware of the strike and will check it out." Mr Dulaimi said the defence team had even contacted the "United Nations and the Arab League and other parties concerning the trial to do everything to protect the lawyers." Obeidi was the third defence lawyer for Saddam and his seven former henchmen to have been killed since their trial on charges of crimes against humanity started in October. Obeidi was snatched yesterday by about 20 men from his home and later shot dead in the middle of a Baghdad street. — AFP
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India’s stance on Iran
“can harm” N-deal
Washington, June 22 Democratic Rep Tom Lantos of California said the controversial India deal was on track to be voted on by the U S Congress next month, but approval would be at risk if leaders in New Delhi did not ''act responsibly.'' The agreement, granting nuclear-armed India access to U S nuclear fuel and reactors for the first time in 30 years, has raised objections from critics in Washington and New Delhi, who argue their side got too little and the other side, too much. After a period in which critics had the momentum, Lantos said he and the Republican chairman of the House of Representatives International Relations Committee, Henry Hyde of Illinois concluded work on a bipartisan bill approving the deal. Lantos is the panel's senior Democrat. Senate Foreign Relations Committee leaders are still working on their version, but that panel is also expected to vote next week. Lantos said the House committee would vote on his and Hyde's bill next Tuesday with action by the full House in July. But he said India had risked the chances of a positive vote with a recent decision to endorse a statement by the 114-member Non-aligned Movement of mainly developing states that is ''diametrically opposed'' to the position on Iran taken by the USA and other permanent members of the UN Security Council — Russia, China, Britain and France — plus Germany. The major powers have offered to negotiate with Iran on a package of incentives only if it agrees to halt weapons-related nuclear enrichment activities. Iran, which insists it is pursuing nuclear energy to meet civilian needs, not weapons, has made some positive noises but given no final reply.
— Reuters
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Love letter lands Pak
legislator in trouble
Islamabad, June 22 Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) Ishwar Lal got the letter delivered to Ms Mari through an Assembly peon during the budget session. She showed the letter to all the Opposition members who beat up Ishwar Lal and dragged him out of the Assembly hall. The matter was brought to the notice of the Assembly Speaker who suspended Lal and the MPAs who had beaten him. Talking to the Geo TV later Ms Mari said Lal had been sending text messages on her mobile phone for the past one year asking her to be his friend.
— UNI
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