The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Yameen upsets Nasheed, elected
Maldives Prez in run-off

Male, November 16
Abdullah Yameen, half-brother of former autocratic ruler Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, today clinched an unexpected victory in the presidential run-off elections by defeating former President Mohamed Nasheed, who had led in two recent aborted polls.

The winning candidate, a 54-year economist also known as Yameen Abdul Gayoom, contested as a Progressive Party of Maldives candidate. He bagged 51.39 per cent of the votes, compared to 48.61 per cent ballots secured by Nasheed, senior government official Masood Imad told PTI.

Over 90 per cent of eligible voters exercised their franchise in the second round of the much delayed election to choose a new president amidst a constitutional crisis.

Imad said the new President would be sworn in after the announcement of official results by the Elections Commission on Sunday.

The Majlis or Maldivian Parliament has scheduled a special session on Sunday for the swearing-in ceremony. The results are likely to end more than a year of political turmoil since 46-year-old Nasheed resigned under duress in February 2012 in a controversial transfer of power.

The current polls mark the Maldives' third attempt to elect a new President since September.

The Maldives has been in a state of political flux since Nasheed, the country's first democratically elected leader, was forced to resign in February 2012.

The first election on September 7 was annulled by the Supreme Court, citing the rigging of voters' lists, while the Elections Commission's attempt to hold polls on October 19 was thwarted by police after a Supreme Court ruling.

In a crucial re-vote on November 9, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) chief Nasheed bagged 46.4 per cent of the votes, a marginal increase from his previous tally of 45.45 per cent votes in the September 7 polls.

Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) leader Yameen made a significant gain of nearly five per cent over the 25.35 per cent of votes he secured in the annulled polls and managed 30.3 per cent of the votes.

A run-off scheduled for November 10 by the Elections Commission was postponed till today by the Supreme Court.

After casting his vote today, Yameen, the half-brother of former autocratic ruler Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, had said he would accept the result of the run-off and expects a victory with 55 per cent to 60 per cent of the vote.

“I came to vote absolutely confident. Because we have a very grand coalition. Except the MDP, all the other political parties and leaders are together with us," he said. At a rally last night, Nasheed had claimed his party was set to establish a "people's government". He said, "The Maldivian citizen's hopes will become reality. We will establish a citizens' government, a government by you.” — PTI

Cameron sets March deadline for rights
probe in Sri Lanka
CHOGM: Colombo rejects demand for international inquiry panel

Colombo, November 16
After an unprecedented visit to Jaffna, UK Prime Minister David Cameron today set a deadline of March for Sri Lanka to set up an independent inquiry commission failing which he will move the UN Human Rights Commission seeking an “international probe” into alleged rights abuses in the last phase of the war against the LTTE.

Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron hits a ball during his visit to the Colombo Cricket Club on Saturday. — Reuters

The demand was, however, instantly rejected by the Sri Lankan government which ruled out any inquiry under “pressure” or allows an independent international probe.

Three Sri Lankan Ministers - Himal Sripala de Silva, Keheliya Rambukwelle and Douglas Devananda - addressed the international media to say that the Commonwealth cannot become an "international" policeman. Rejecting the demand for an international probe into the alleged war crimes, they said, "We will resist any international inquiry. There is no reason for an international inquiry. In a short time, we had done our best. We have already done internal inquiry and some indictments have been done."

Cameron, who met Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa last night after returning from a historic visit to war-ravaged Jaffna, is the first foreign head of government to be there since the island’s independence from Britain in 1948. He said the two had a "free and frank" discussion on all issues, including an independent and credible probe, reconciliation and rehabilitation of Tamils.

“I told President Rajapaksa that there is a need for a credible, transparent and independent internal inquiry into the events at the end of the war (against LTTE) by the end of March. If that does not happen I will use our position to move the UN Human Rights Commission and work with the Rights Commissioner for an independent inquiry,” Cameron said on the sidelines of the CHOGM summit here. — PTI

US teen gets 15-year jail for Indian-origin
scientist’s murder

New York, November 16
An American teenager has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for beating to death an Indian-American scientist in 2010.

Fatal attack
Divyendu Sinha, 49, his wife Alka and two sons were out for a late-night walk on June 25, 2010, near their home when they were attacked by convict Julian Daley and other four New Jersey teenagers

Julian Daley was among five New Jersey teenagers charged in connection with the death of Divyendu Sinha. Sinha, 49, his wife, Alka, and two sons were out for a late-night walk on June 25, 2010, near their home when they were attacked, Hunterdon County Democrat reported.

Sinha was punched in the head and died three days later at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick. His two sons had minor injuries, and his wife was not hurt.

Daley, who was 16 at the time of the crime, was sentenced to the maximum of 15 years in prison by New Brunswickon Superior Court Judge Bradley Ferencz on charges of aggravated manslaughter and conspiracy to commit aggravated assault.

During sentencing, Ferencz said given Daley's history, he was not convinced that he would not re-offend. "It is important also to note that there must be a clear, concise message sent to the community that one should be free to walk in one's community, to walk with one's family, free from physical attack," Ferencz said.

He also was sentenced to five years on an unrelated burglary charge, which will run concurrent to the 15-year sentence.

US-Afghan pact draft ready: Karzai

Kabul, November 16
Afghan and US negotiators have finished a draft of a contentious security pact to be presented to a traditional council next week, President Hamid Karzai said today, but added that there remain disagreements between the two countries over the final content of the accord.

Without approval of the Loya Jirga, a gathering of several thousand prominent figures from across the country, Afghanistan will likely refuse to sign the so-called Bilateral Security Agreement, Karzai said. And if the Loya Jirga does approve it, the agreement still will require a final nod from Parliament.

US officials refused to comment on what they described as an ongoing diplomatic process. Karzai provided few details regarding how and when the draft was finalised.

Negotiations have been protracted and often acrimonious.

In the end it took a surprise visit to Afghanistan in October by US Secretary of State John Kerry to produce the outlines of a deal. After a lengthy meeting with Karzai, the two announced that an agreement had been reached in principle on the major elements of the pact.

The sweeping document incorporates the usual Status of Forces Protection Agreement, which the United States signs with every country where its troops are stationed, along with a wide range of other clauses. It covers everything from customs duties on goods the US imports for its troops and development projects to the question of whether a US service member can be prosecuted for criminal offences in Afghanistan.

“Because this is an ongoing diplomatic discussion, we're declining to comment on the state of the text or the process that got us to this point," said Robert Hilton, US Embassy spokesman in Kabul. — AP

Blast near talks venue; 6 killed

Kabul: A suicide bomber tore through the Afghan capital today, killing at least six people near the site where thousands of elders are to gather next week to discuss a controversial security agreement with the United States, officials said. Authorities said 22 people were wounded in the powerful blast, which mangled a dozen cars and destroyed shops nearby. — AP

Army deployed in Rawalpindi after clashes

Islamabad, November 16
The army was deployed today in Rawalpindi and Multan after at least nine persons were killed in sectarian clashes, prompting authorities to impose a curfew in the Pakistani garrison city.

Curfew was imposed within the limits of 19 police stations of Rawalpindi after Shias participating in a Muharram procession clashed with students from a Sunni seminary yesterday. Eight persons were killed and over 40 injured in the violence.

The Police and a large number of soldiers patrolled various areas in Rawalpindi today. In Multan city of Punjab province, the administration summoned the army today after a clash between two groups left one person dead and two others seriously injured, media reports said. Following the clash in Nala Wali Muhammad area of Multan, the situation in the city became tense.

Mobile phone services were suspended and is expected to remain in force till tomorrow afternoon, officials said. — PTI

White House defends secret service over sex claims

Washington, November 16
The White House has said President Barack Obama had “absolute confidence” in the Secret Service leaders, despite new reports of misconduct by agents, including extramarital affairs and visits to prostitutes.

“The President believes deeply that the vast majority of the men and women who work for the US Secret Service exemplify the highest standards of service," White House spokesman Jay Carney said yesterday.

"He believes that the leadership at the Secret Service, including the new director, will address matters as they arise, appropriately," said Carney.

"But it is important to note that the president believes very strongly that these men and women are professionals and that they put their lives on the line to protect the commander in chief, protect the president, protect his or her family." The Washington Post reported that agents had misbehaved in 17 countries in recent years, according to accounts given by whistleblowers to a Senate committee that oversees the Secret Service.

The Post said two people briefed on the accounts said they include agents and managers hiring prostitutes and visiting brothels during official trips. They also allegedly had extramarital affairs on the road, and had one-night stands or long-term relationships with foreign nationals that were not properly reported, the Post said. — AFP