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| Monday, February 28, 2000, Chandigarh, India  
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French
PM must apologise: Hezbollah
UK
to deport 79 Afghan asylum-seekers Rights
report: China blasts USA Gore,
Bradley fight for votes |
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| Austria’s growing
ostracisation WITH the installation of a new coalition government in Austria comprising the conservative People’s Party and the extreme-right Freedom Party, this beautiful central European alpine country faces international isolation. Already the 14-member European Union, the USA and Israel have reduced political contacts and the Jewish state has even cut off diplomatic ties (a case of Haider-phobia!). West
collaborated in coup: Sharif Egypt rebukes Israel for optimism Russia unable to breach rebel base
defences Delay
in Lankan peace talks likely Cyber
attack on India by militants : CIA USA
deports Cuban diplomat
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French PM must apologise:
Hezbollah BEIRUT, Feb 27 (DPA) — The Deputy Secretary General of Hezbollah, Sheikh Naeem Kassem, called today on French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin to apologise for remarks describing the armed Muslim movement as “terrorists.” Sheikh Kassem said in a statement that Mr Jospin would have to apologise before he could visit Lebanon. “Mr Jospin is not wanted in Lebanon and I hope that he will not think of visiting this country until he has apologised for his remarks...,” the statement said. Hezbollah has already condemned Mr Jospin’s remarks, which were made in Jerusalem last Thursday and drew protests from the Arab world and a rebuke from France’s President, Jacques Chirac. Lebanon has protested officially against Mr Jospin’s remarks in which he described Hezbollah’s guerrilla operations against Israel’s occupation forces in south Lebanon as “acts of terrorism.” PARIS (Reuters): French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine denied today that an uproar over pro-Israeli comments by Prime Minister Lionel Jospin signalled a change in French policy in the West Asia. Mr Jospin’s condemnation of Hezbollah guerrilla attacks on Israeli occupation soldiers in south Lebanon as terrorist acts was “particularly vigorous” but only one part of an overall policy mosaic to help the peace process, he told Europe 1 Radio. The Prime Minister’s comment outraged Arab states, which France has long favoured or treated in careful balance with Israel, and prompted Palestinian protesters to stone Mr Jospin’s car during a visit to Bir Zeit University yesterday. Mr Vedrine said the stone-throwing incident at Bir Zeit, on the Palestinian-administered West Bank, appeared to have been an organised protest. “I did not take that as an example of Palestinian opinion,’’ he said, adding that Mr Jospin’s talks with Palestinian leaders had been very friendly. “French policy on
the peace process and its commitment to it seem clear to
me,’’ he added. “I think both the
President (Jacques Chirac) and the Prime Minister and
naturally French diplomacy are working in a context that
is not only unambiguous but also particularly
dynamic,’’ he said. |
UK to deport 79 Afghan asylum-seekers LONDON, Feb 27 (PTI) — Almost all 79 remaining passengers of the hijacked Afghan airlines plane, who had sought asylum here, are to be deported back to their country after their applications were found bogus, a media report said here today. A formal announcement in this connection was expected in a couple of days, The Sunday Telegraph reported. The decision was expected to evoke protests from refugee organisations and certain to meet legal challenges, which would prolong the passengers’ stay in Britain for at least another month, the report said. A Home Office official said Home Secretary Jack Straw might be viewed as encouraging hijacking if he allowed the 79 passengers to stay. Ministers here were
convinced that some of the passengers themselves were
involved in the hijack as they were carrying unusually
large amount of luggage for what was ostensibly an
internal flight to a wedding. |
Rights report: China blasts USA BEIJING, Feb 27 (Reuters) — China stepped up its attack today against a US report alleging worsening human rights in the country, with state-run media turning the tables and criticising American racial problems, poverty and violence. In a yearly tit-for-tat that follows the release of the annual world human rights report issued by the US State Department, the Information Office of the State Council, China’s Cabinet, accused Washington of double standards. ‘‘The US report also criticises almost every other country for its human rights situation, but is silent about the human rights problems in the US,’’ said the statement, published by the state-controlled Xinhua news agency. The State Department report issued on Friday said China’s human rights record ‘‘deteriorated markedly’’ in 1999. It cited suppression of religion, jailings of dissidents and political purges in Tibet. In response, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Zhu Bangzao accused Washington of distorting facts and ignoring its own record. ‘‘China is strongly displeased with and firmly opposed to the USA’s action of distorting other countries’ human rights situations,’’ Xinhua quoted him as saying. The Chinese report,
drawn almost entirely from western media reports and the
US Government or UN documents, catalogued US problems
ranging from school gun violence to widening income gaps
to racial and sexual discrimination and police brutality. |
Gore, Bradley fight for votes SEATTLE, Feb 27 (Reuters) — Vice-President Al Gore and former New Jersey Senator Bill Bradley brought their competing and squabbling Democratic Presidential campaign within nearly shouting distance of each other last night. In doing so Mr Gore and Mr Bradley, who have accused each other of negative attacks, underscored their respective roles as the pro-establishment and anti-establishment candidates. Mr Gore addressed a Washington state Democratic party chili dinner at a Union Hall shortly after Mr Bradley hosted a protest chili supper of his own at a nearby restaurant. Mr Bradley, trailing Mr Gore in the poll, also pushed his call for campaign finance reform and health care for all. He had been scheduled to attend the state Democratic Party dinner but pulled out early this week complaining it has dropped any pretense of neutrality and was now backing Mr Gore. Earlier yesterday Mr Gore, seeking to soon wrap up the 2,000 Democratic presidential nomination, campaigned in California where he urged voters to support him in the state’s primary next month. In addition to California, New York, Ohio, Washington and 11 other states will also hold Presidential contests on March 7, super Tuesday, that together will award nearly a third of the party’s nominating delegates. Poll now show Mr Gore with big leads in virtually all these states against Mr Bradley, his only rival for their party’s nomination. Having already defeated Mr Bradley in New Hampshire and Iowa, Mr Gore hopes to finish him off on super Tuesday. Mr Bradley admits he needs a win soon to keep his White House hopes alive. He is now focusing his
time and money in Washington state, which holds a
non-binding primary next Tuesday in advance of its March
7 Presidential caucus. |
Austria’s growing
ostracisation WITH the installation of a new coalition government in Austria comprising the conservative People’s Party and the extreme-right Freedom Party, this beautiful central European alpine country faces international isolation. Already the 14-member European Union, the USA and Israel have reduced political contacts and the Jewish state has even cut off diplomatic ties (a case of Haider-phobia!). Why such an outcry over the inclusion of a party in a government, which is strictly an internal affair of Austria? Though the leader of the Freedom Party, Joerg Haider, is not in the government, the fact that six of his party colleagues (including the Vice-Chancellor) are in the ministry shows that Haider does have a big say in matters of state and can rule by proxy. Haider is being kept at an arm’s distance by European states because of his policies like job priority for indigenous Austrians and keeping foreigners out. Not surprising in a country where one in every eight is a foreigner or non-Germanic outsider ! But he has drawn worldwide ire by his opposition to the entry of immigrants, particularly of non-Germanic stock and closing the borders to them. This is similar to Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler’s policy of “Germany only for Germans, all others out”. His latest attack is on the European Union whom he plans to sue in the European Court of Justice over sanctions. He has dubbed the currency Euro as a miscarriage. Though Haider comes from a Nazi background — his parents were Hitler loyalists — his roots go much further. The end of the 19th century saw an Austrian politician, Karl Lueger, who was a crusader against the corrupt state bureaucracy and wanted to keep foreigners ( then the Greeks) out of Vienna so that jobs remained with the local youth. Lueger fought the civic poll and won the Mayor’s post despite opposition by the then liberal Emperor, Franz Joseph. He was joined at the turn of the century by George von Schonerer, Gurdo von List and Lanz von Libenfils (the latter devised the “swastika” on the Third Reich flag). All these were the forerunners of Adolf Hitler, the smart art student from Linz (Austria) who imbibed their ideas of Aryan supremacy, hatred for outsiders and Germany for only Germans. Immigration is a live issue in Austria because over the past 45 years, this nation has absorbed more foreigners than any other state. Starting from the invasion of Hungary (1956) when 180,000 fled the Russian jackboot, then the Prague Spring uprising (1968) leading to the exodus of 162,000 Czechs and Slovaks, another flood was after the Communist crackdown in Poland (1980) when 33,000 Poles moved over. The nineties saw the Balkan wars resulting in 90,000 Bosnians and a smaller number of Croats seeking sanctuary here. The flood of refugees excludes those who fled persecution in their countries such as Iraqis, Turks and the Vietnamese boat people. The Freedom Party’s ability to win 52 of the parliament’s 183 seats and 26.91 pc of the vote in October’s election (up from 42 in ‘95 poll) was a reflection of the party’s skill in exploiting the common man’s feelings of his country being swamped by foreign workers who took away their jobs. As party leader Finance Minister Karl-Heinz Grasser, put it:” We have had enough of immigration; now we must have integration (of outsiders already there) before we open the border and allow more immigration.” No wonder Austria’s electorate became disenchanted with Leftist and centrist politicians which spawned the rise of the far right. Haider thus tapped the latent vein of xenophobia among the youth. Mass rallies against Haider’s party joining the government are unlikely to have any effect as the two-party coalition of Schuessel has come to stay. The entry of Haider’s party into a coalition government may give a boost to rightists elsewhere. The ultra-right is already quite strong in some European states. In France, the radicals under Le Penn are within striking distance of grabbing power, while in Italy the rightists have rallied around Umberto Bossi in the northern region and can be a part of the coalition there. Capital Vienna, the dream city of musical legends like Bach, Beethoven and Mozart, has now become a nightmare and artistes are fleeing it. Perhaps Haider’s most striking speech was in praising the labour policies of Hitler’s Nationalist Socialist (Nazi) government and how the unemployment problem had been tackled by the Fuhrer. Thus he staunchly opposed the wholesale disparagement of the older war generation. The EU states’ biggest fear now is that Austria being the third richest country (after Germany and France) in Europe would use its economic muscle to revive the policies of the Weimar republic. A tell-tale sign of Haider’s loyalty to Nazi practices is when, on his party’s win as the second largest one, he acknowledged the victory with a three-fingered salute, reminiscent of the Nazis, at Klagenfurt, the chief town of Corinthia, of which he remains Governor. One cannot wish
Haider’s party away — even President Klestil
was powerless to do so — but one hopes the
“enfant terrible” of Austria will moderate his
party’s policies with the burden of responsibility
and the passage of time. |
West collaborated in coup: Sharif LONDON, Feb 27 (PTI) — Pakistan’s deposed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has accused the West of collaborating in the overthrow of democracy in his country and insisted that he is not receiving a fair trial, a media report said here today. Mr Sharif comments were made available to "Sunday Telegraph" in the smuggled written answers to questions given to him by an intermediary in his prison cell at Karachi fort. "I am extremely disappointed that the preachers of democracy in the western world are acquiescing in the one-man dictatorial rule. They are indirectly supporting destruction of democracy in Pakistan," Mr Sharif told the newspaper in the interview. He was particularly angered by a personal letter that British Prime Minister Tony Blair sent recently to General Pervez Musharraf, who overthrew his government in the October 12, 1999 coup. "They (the military) have been trying to break my spirit. I was kept in solitary confinement for over 38 days and my son, who is not a politician, has been kept in solitary (confinement) for a longer period." Mr Sharif spoke out as the prosecution wrapped up its case in his trial for hijacking, abduction, attempted murder and terrorism. Commenting on the trial court’s announcement on Friday that his evidence be submitted in writing rather than heard in court, Mr Sharif said "I am totally and absolutely innocent. The charge that I attempted to crash the plane is one of the basest lies that I can ever imagine." Mr Sharif said he was dismayed by increasing international acceptance of the General Musharraf regime and asked "How can any civilised country or democratically elected government accept an illegal and unconstitutional military takeover?" "The USA is keeping General Musharraf’s regime engaged due to our nuclear capabilities. They mistrust military control over nuclear weapons and are scared that his temperament may lead South Asia to nuclear war," he said. He argued that democracy has "Weak roots in Pakistan and it needed to be nurtured with the help of its friends." Scoffing at General Musharraf’s statement that he would never hand over power to a government headed by him, Mr Sharif said "This is expected of a military dictator who has no regard for the Constitution or democracy. I was elected the Prime Minister of Pakistan by the people and they shall ensure that I am reinstituted." Mr Sharif claimed that he does not regret trying to sack General Musharraf while the Army Chief was in mid-air. "My decision was
taken in the best interests of the country. It was also
to avoid a possible rift within the Army, an institution
dear to all Pakistanis," he said. |
Egypt rebukes Israel for optimism CAIRO, Feb 27 (Reuters) — Egypt rebuked Israel today for shallow optimism about West Asia peace talks. The comment, by Foreign Minister Amr Moussa, came after President Hosni Mubarak held separate talks with Israeli Justice Minister Yossi Beilin and Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. Mr Beilin told reporters that Mr Mubarak was positive that "peace could be achieved in the coming months," adding that all West Asian leaders realised a peaceful resolution required a price. ‘‘We should not waste time to achieve it (peace) and we have to understand that the current atmosphere needs to change,’’ Mr Beilin told reporters. But Mr Moussa, speaking after Mubarak’s meeting with Mr Arafat, said: ‘‘I have not heard Beilin’s statements on President Mubarak’s optimism. But I think difficulties have placed a lot of dark clouds on all of us for us to be optimistic in this easy way that was conveyed to you,’’ Mr Moussa said Mr Mubarak and Mr Arafat discussed obstacles facing West Asia peace, especially the Palestinian track and how to get over current obstacles, ‘‘the most important of which is deadlines come and go without achieving any progress or change’’. Palestinian-Israeli talks froze after Israel rejected Palestinian demands on the shape of the handover of more West Bank land to self-rule under interim peace deals. The two sides also failed to make a February 13 deadline on a framework agreement for final status talks. Mr Arafat said yesterday
that Israeli-Palestinian talks were now in a
‘‘real crisis and have reached a
dead-end’’. |
Russia unable to breach rebel base defences CHIRI-YURT (Russia), Feb 27 (AP) — Russian troops today encircled the last rebel stronghold of Shatoi in the southern mountains of Chechnya, but were unable to breach their defences to rout them completely, a Russian military official said. Capt Andrei Frolov said: "For us it is difficult, especially in Shatoi where their defence fortifications are even better than in Grozny." Colonel Frolov said the Russian’s most important task was to prevent guerrillas from escaping Shatoi. The military claims that about 2,700 rebels believed to have been in Shatoi have broken up into small groups trying to escape to Russian-held areas in northern Chechnya or to the southern border with Georgia. "The rebels are trying to break the siege, and some are succeeding," Mr Frolov said. "In the daytime, they hide and at night appear in groups of 15-20 people and use sniper rifles and grenade launchers" in their attempt to break out of Shatoi. Russian warplanes and helicopter gunships flew more than 120 missions over Chechnya over the past 24 hours, bombarding the Shatoi region and suspected rebel bases in the Argun and Vedeno gorges, the military command told Interfax news agency. Meanwhile, a top Russian General was quoted today as saying a major army campaign to crush separatist strongholds in the mountains of southern Chechnya would not end rebel resistance even if it succeeded. Military sources said troops were advancing towards the Argun gorge. However, Itar-Tass news agency quoted Col-Gen Gennady Troshev, Deputy Chief Commander in Chechnya, as saying that the rebels could continue their resistance even after their main strongholds were taken. "When talking about the end of the military operation, we only mean defeating major rebel groups,’’ Gen Troshev was quoted as saying. He said many rebels were hiding in Russian-held areas preparing for hit-and-run attacks similar to those which forced Russia to withdraw its troops after the previous war of 1994-96. Gen Troshev was quoted
as saying the density of firepower directed against the
rebels had reached 60 artillery pieces per square
kilometre. |
Delay in Lankan peace talks likely COLOMBO, Feb 27 (UNI) — With LTTE’s political adviser Anton Balasingham reportedly unwell, there appears little possibility of an early start to the Norwegian-brokered peace talks of the Tamil Tigers with the government. “The Sunday Times’ today reported that no direct talks, in Oslo or anywhere else, were expeceted before May. Key reason attributed for the change in schedule is that, Balasingham, the man the LTTE had earmarked for the negotiations, was unwell. LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran had hand-picked Dr Balasingham to handle the negotiations with the government, with Norway playing the third party facilitator. Norwegian Foreign
Minister Knut Vollebaek had met Dr Balasingham after
having talks in Colombo on February 16 with President
Chandrika Kumaratunga, Foreign Minister Lakshman
Kadirgamar and Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. |
Cyber attack on India by militants : CIA WASHINGTON, Feb 27 (PTI) — Kashmiri militant groups have launched a “cyber war” against India, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has warned. The separatists have hacked official government web pages and posted anti-government propaganda and pictures, Mr John A. Serabian, Information Operations Issue Manager, CIA told the Joint Economic Committee of Congress this week. He said Kurdish separatists in Greece and Turkey and Zapatista rebels in Mexico had also hacked government web pages and posted anti-government propaganda and pictures. Mr Serabian was
appearing before the joint committee on the “major
challenge” posed to the USA in the next decade to
find ways to defend the American infrastructure and
protect its electronic commerce while maintaining an open
society.” |
USA deports Cuban diplomat WASHINGTON, Feb 27 (Reuters) — A Cuban diplomat, who was accused of spying by the USA but refused to leave the country despite a formal expulsion order, was taken from his maryland home by fbi agents last night and put on a flight to Montreal. “The diplomat in question no longer enjoys the privileges and immunities conferred by the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations. He has been expelled from the USA for not voluntarily departing by the appointed time,” US State Department spokesman James Rubin said in a statement. Jose Imperatori, who said he was innocent and has resigned his post as Vice-Consul of the Cuban interests section in Washington, was expected to fly later on to Havana from Canada, an fbi spokeswoman said. The USA charged Imperatori was a contact for Mariano Faget, a Cuban-born US Immigration Officer arrested 10 days ago for allegedly spying for Havana. The State Department ordered the expulsion after fbi agents arrested Faget, an Immigration and Naturalisation Service (ins) Supervisor, for passing information on defectors to Cuba. The fbi said it had watched faget meet a Washington-based Cuban diplomat at a Miami airport bar. Imperatori had been given until 1.30 pm local time, (6.30 p.m. gmt) yesterday to leave the USA but refused, saying he wanted to give up his diplomatic immunity and remain in the USA until he had proven his innocence. But hours later, the fbi agents arrived at his Maryland apartment, put him in a car, and along with his lawyer Kurt Schmoke and two Federal agents, drove him to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Virginia. Cuba’s Communist Government had refused to recall Imperatori and challenged the US government to prove its case in court. US officials have said it would be unprecedented for a foreign state to ignore a persona non grata order. Havana, which does not
have formal diplomatic ties with Washington, has said the
spying charges were trumped up by the fbi and Cuban
exiles in Miami to hinder the return of Elian Gonzalez, a
Cuban boy caught in an international custody dispute. |
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