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| Monday,
October 23, 2000, Chandigarh, India   
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Summit flays Israel but stops short of break in ties cairo, Oct 22 — An Arab summit called to confront a frightening and deadly upsurge in Israeli-Palestinian violence ended today with a declaration that Arabs may consider cutting ties with Israel, but did not call on them to do so. Lanka
Govt,
Opposition reach accord Career women seek
matchmakers’ help Estrada for snap
poll in Philippines |
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Nepal’s
Opposition talks with Maoist rebels 23 Abu Sayyaf rebels
surrender Bush vows NATO
peacekeepers’ pullout Naidu arrives
in Beijing
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Summit flays Israel but stops short of break in ties cairo,
Oct 22 (AP) — An Arab summit called to confront a frightening and deadly upsurge in Israeli-Palestinian violence ended today with a declaration that Arabs may consider cutting ties with Israel, but did not call on them to do
so. Arabs “hold Israel responsible for any steps taken in regard to relations with it including their cancelation,” said the final declaration, read by Arab League Secretary-General Esmat Abdel-Meguid to a live television audience across the
region. Referring to establishing new ties, the declaration also said: “Arab leaders assert in the light of the collapse of the peace process their commitment to standing up to Israeli attempts to infiltrate the Arab world under any name and to the halting of establishing any relations with
Israel,” The carefully worded statement addressed what had emerged as the most contentious issue before the leaders meeting in Cairo — whether ties several of them have with the Jewish state should be
reconsidered. Libya had walked out yesterday — the first day of the two-day summit — saying it was frustrated that the gathering would not clearly call for an end to ties with
Israel. Egypt and Jordan have diplomatic relations with Israel. Mauritania, a West African nation that is a member of the Arab League, opened diplomatic relations with Israel in January. Oman, which along with Qatar had lower level ties, suspending relations on October 12 by closing
Israel's trade mission in Muscat, the capital, and withdrawing its trade envoy from Tel
Aviv. Libya had said cutting such ties was the least Arabs could do in response to more than three weeks of Israeli-Palestinian
violence. While the summit was unified in holding Israel solely to blame for the violence and for bringing the peace process to an impasse, moderates warned against doing anything that might make future negotiations difficult. Egypt and Jordan insist negotiations are the only way to bring lasting peace to the
region. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak had opened the summit with an acknowledgment of Arabs’ anger, but warned against “surrendering to our emotions.” Mr Mubarak also called on Israel to prove that it, too, wanted
peace. But among ordinary Arabs, the outcome was likely to fuel criticism already being heard: that Arab leaders are divided and unwilling to confront Israel.
The Arab summit called for the United Nations Security Council to set up an international tribunal to try Israeli “war criminals”, according to a final
resolution. Arab leaders asked the Security Council “to form an international criminal court to try Israeli war criminals who have carried out massacres against the Palestinians and Arabs in the occupied territories based on the example of the two courts set up by the Council to try war criminals in Rwanda and Yugoslavia,” according to the
document. Mr Arafat delivered a fiery speech before the Arab leaders, warning that “the collective massacre” of his people by Israel could spark “wars of
religion.” Mr Arafat’s comments appeared to win a us-brokered truce with Israel, announced on Tuesday at an international summit in Egypt, which aimed at ending three weeks of Israeli-Palestinian bloodletting in which 128 persons have now died, the majority of them
Palestinians. Israel swiftly denounced Mr Arafat, calling his speech “very extreme with baseless, provocative allegations towards
Israel.” Tripoli was represented at the summit by its permanent delegate to the Arab League after leader Moamer Kadhafi decided to boycott the
talks. GAZA: A Palestinian was shot dead by Israeli soldiers during clashes early today in the Gaza Strip, hospital sources said. The teenager was shot in the head during a confrontation between Palestinian youths and Israeli soldiers at the Erez crossing, the main link between the Gaza Strip and Israel, witnesses said. He was pronounced dead shortly after arrival in Gaza’s Al-Shifa
hospital. The latest killing brings to 129 the number of people killed in some three weeks of
clashes. Jerusalem: Israel called an Arab summit decision today an apparent “victory of wisdom” because Arab countries at peace with it had not severed diplomatic ties over a surge in
violence. “It’s really premature to react right now. But I would say generally speaking for the time being it looks as if this is a victory of wisdom in the Arab world, that those countries, especially Egypt and Jordan, who maintain diplomatic relations with Israel, did decide strategically to proceed with that peace,” government spokesman Nachman Shai told
CNN television. The Cairo summit had harsh words such as “barbaric” Israel and pledged support for the Palestinians. But it did not back up its tirade with strong measures to punish Israel for more than three weeks of
violence. Meanwhile, a Palestinian peace negotiator voiced disappointment at an Arab summit decision today to condemn Israel without punishing it for the wave of
violence. “The decisions of the Arab leaders at the summit were definitely insufficient and they have not recorded the required appreciation for the aspirations of the Palestinian people,” negotiator Hassan Asfour told
Reuters. Dubai: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Abdullah took his tough stance on the violence a big step forward by partly blaming his country’s main ally, the USA, for the collapse of the peace process, analysts and diplomats said
today. The rare and blunt charges reflect deep frustration with what Arabs see as unfaltering U.S. support for Israel at the expense of the Palestinians, they
said. The comments looked remarkable to watchers of Saudi policy. “Even if his unprecedented comments are for public consumption — which some
Saudis believe — they should still ring alarm bells with the Americans,” a Saudi analyst told Reuters. |
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Lanka Govt, Opposition reach accord COLOMBO, Oct 22 (PTI) — The ruling People Alliance (PA) and the main opposition United National Party (UNP) have reached an agreement to preserve the stability of the new PA government, which was formed this week, media reports said here
today. Both official and private media here carried reports quoting the PA and the UNP sources that Prime Minister, Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, who formed a coalition government after obtaining a three-seat majority reached a working arrangement with UNP leaders to run his government without any problems for the next two
years. According to the accord, the UNP which has 89 MPs in the 225-member Parliament would not confront the government and adopt a positive approach to enable it to function smoothly.
On its part, the government has agreed to appoint three independent commissions to conduct elections, administer the police and other public services, which was a longstanding demand of the UNP. The government also agreed to bring in media reforms by removing the criminal defamation, the official Sunday Times reported
today. The agreement, to be ratified by the UNP working committee tomorrow has been reached between Wickramanayake and UNP chief whip Tyrne Fernando, the Sunday Observer
said. The reason for reaching such agreement between two parties was stated to be to relieve the government from the undue pressure being exerted by the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, (SLMC), whose leaders were allegedly demanding plum portfolios for extending support.
Another junior partner in the PA government, the Eelam Peoples Democratic Party (EPDP) which has won five seats has been given one Cabinet
portfolio. Terming the agreement as a working arrangement, Fernando has been quoted in the Sunday Times as saying that the “aim of the exercise is to introduce a new political
culture”. The agreement between the two parties, which were arch rivals in Sri Lankan politics, followed after the two parties agreement to unanimously elect UNP MP and President Chandrika Kumaratunga’s politically estranged brother, anura Bandaranaike as the new Speaker of Parliament.
However, all important constitutional reforms to grant autonomy to the Tamil provinces has not figured in the agreement. Its conspicuous absence has set off speculation that the government would not
immediately bring in new draft Constitution to avoid
confrontation. Chandrika’s constitutional reforms were vehemently opposed by the UNP and the Buddhist
monks. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka is bracing for more assassination attempts by Tamil Tiger guerrillas following reports that about 50 suicide bombers had infiltrated the capital Colombo, the police said
today. The latest suicide bombing on Thursday underscored the presence of a large number of ‘‘Black Tigers’’ or suicide cadres of the separatist LTTE, officials here
said. Colombo’s Deputy Police Inspector-General Bodhi Liyanage said he believed at least 23 suicide bombers together with about 15 of their handlers were in the
capital. However, the state-run Sunday Observer quoted its police sources as saying that 47 ‘‘Black Tigers’’ were in the capital and the authorities were planning several unspecified counter-measures to minimise
attacks. The newspaper said the guerrillas had increased the amount of explosives packed in the jackets worn by suicide bombers from about 700 gm to 6 kg. |
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Career women seek matchmakers’ help HONG KONG, Oct 22 (DPA) — The number of Hong Kong career women who seek help from matchmakers is on the rise, despite the fact that the ratio of men to women in the city has increased, a report
said. The Census and Statistics Department estimates that by 2029, there will be 982 men to every 1,000 women, compared to the present 964. But marriage consultants and academics said women still find it difficult to get a suitable partner, the South China Morning Post
reported. The Post quoted manager of the Fortunate Marriage Service, Siu Siu-Man as saying that the number of women signing up had increased
significantly. “In the past, 70 per cent of our customers were men, now 70 per cent are women. Half of these are professional women aged between 27 and 35,’’ said Siu, who has been in the business for 27
years. Dormei Marriage Agency manager Paul Cheng said: “Five years ago, there were many male customers looking for a wife. Now we have far more female
customers’’. Department of Applied Social Studies assistant professor of the city university of Hong Kong, Elaine Au Liu Suk-Ching said a more mobile population, improved social status for women and changes in culture were factors changing the
trend. “After the hand-over, the cross-border population movement has increased,’’ she said. “Many Hong Kong men realise they can find a spouse on the mainland, where they are very popular. Women, being more passive traditionally, do not have the same advantage.’’ |
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Estrada for snap poll in Philippines MANILA, Oct 22 (Reuters) — Philippine President Joseph Estrada, facing impeachment charges for allegedly taking bribes from gamblers, today suggested that he might agree to have a snap presidential election if there was public
support. He also called on the armed forces to repel any group that might try to grab power as the country struggles through its worst political crisis in his 28 months in
power. “That (snap poll) is constitutionally impossible but if they want, it would be better if there is a snap election,” Estrada told reporters when asked about a proposal in the Senate for an emergency election. “It will be up to the people to judge,” he
said. The Philippines last held a snap election in 1986 when dictator Ferdinand Marcos sought a fresh mandate. Allegations of massive poll fraud sparked the “people power” revolution of street protests that toppled his 20-year-old
regime. Ruling coalition Senator Juan Ponce Enrile filed a resolution in the Senate last week proposing a snap election to end the political
turmoil. Estrada has denied the allegations and vowed to fight the impeachment case filed against him by opposition-led minority in the House of Representatives. |
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Nepal’s opposition talks with Maoist rebels KATHMANDU, Oct 22 (AFP) — Nepal’s main opposition has held talks with Maoist rebels in a bid to end an insurgency which has killed more than 1,400 people, party sources said
today. Nepal Communist Party-United Marxist and Leninist (NCP-UML) general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal said some party leaders had met Maoist chiefs in an insurgency-hit district in midwest
Nepal. Nepal reiterated his belief that the Maoists were ready to hold dialogue with the
government. “Although the rebels wanted to terrorise our leaders with guns, they stopped doing so when our leaders protested their action,” he said, without naming the leaders or
district. He said the Maoists themselves were doubtful of the success of their violent
campaign. “They too are in a dilemma as to kill how many more people above the 1,500 who have already died. Even Maoists have killed innocent people but police too have killed people,” Nepal
said. The Kantupur-online private news website quoted party sources as saying Nepal himself had held talks with Prachanda, general secretary of the underground Nepal Communist Party
(Maoist). Nepal had said last week his party was ready to mediate between the government and the Maoist rebels who have been waging a people’s war since 1996 which has claimed more than 1,400 lives so
far. The insurgents want to overthrow Nepal’s constitutional monarchy and multi-party democracy. |
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23 Abu Sayyaf rebels surrender zamboanga
(Philippines), Oct 22 (Reuters) — Twenty-three more Muslim rebels have surrendered to government forces pursuing guerrilla groups holding four foreign hostages on southern Jolo island, the military said
today. This brought the number of rebels who have laid down their arms since the military launched attacks on their hideouts in September to 86, military spokesman Captain Charlemagne Batayola
said. The four hostages held by the fundamentalist Abu Sayyaf rebels include American national Jeffrey Schilling, who was taken captive in the last week of August, and three Malaysian nationals, who were abducted on September 10. |
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Bush vows NATO
peacekeepers’ pullout NEW YORK Oct 22 (AFP) — The USA will withdraw from NATO peacekeeping missions and will encourage European countries to “step up to their responsibilities’’ if George W. Bush is elected president, a top Bush adviser has
said. “When it comes to nation-building or civilian administration or indefinite peacekeeping, we do need for the Europeans to step up to their responsibilities” Condoleeza Rice, the Republican presidential candidate’s senior national security aide told the New York Times yesterday. “We don’t need to have the 82nd Airbone escorting kids to
kindergarten.” The Bush plan would instead focus US military efforts on traditional combat missions to deter trouble in hot spots including the Gulf, Asia and
elsewhere. “The United States of America is the only power that can handle a showdown in the Gulf, mount the kind of force that is needed to protect Saudi Arabia and deter a crisis in the Taiwan Straits,” Rice said. “Extended peacekeeping detracts from our readiness for these kinds of global
missions.” Under a possible Bush administration, US forces would be excluded from continuing peacekeeping efforts in the
Balkans. Democratic presidential nominee Ai Gore said he strongly disagreed with the Bush campaign
proposal. WASHINGTON (Reuters): Republican George W. Bush’s plan to end U.S. participation in peacekeeping in the volatile Balkans drew harsh fire from Democratic presidential rival Al Gore and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright while the two candidates sought to fire up their
supporters. With 17 days to go before the November 7 election and polls showing Bush with a modest lead over the Vice-President, Gore met black ministers in New Orleans, addressed union activists in Washington, D.C. at a rally linked by satellite to 17 other similar events around the country, and headed to an evening rally in Philadelphia. |
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Naidu arrives
in Beijing BEIJING, Oct 22 (PTI) — Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu arrived here today to acquaint himself with China’s decade-old economic growth, especially its impressive strides in the infrastructure, information technology and social
sectors. Apart from Beijing, Mr Naidu will visit Shanghai, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and special economic zones (SEZ) and hold interactive sessions with representatives of the industry. |
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