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| Tuesday,
April 10, 2001, Chandigarh, India   
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China seeks rights concessions for US crew release
Russian drive for
sanctions on Pak NAB warns Benazir of arrest on return |
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Strike turns violent in B’desh: 1
dead "Plot to topple
Chandrika govt"
Garcia may win run-off vote Hollywood embraces Indian
designers Court summons Suu Kyi
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China seeks rights concessions for US crew release Beijing, April 9 Clocking its demand in the garb of reviving bilateral dialogue on human rights, one of the most sensitive issues in Sino-US relations, Vice-Foreign Minister Wang Gaungya said Beijing was ready for talks with the USA on human rights. “The door for dialogue is open,” Wang told a Chinese daily. “We hope the US side will give up the practice of confrontation using the excuse of human rights and go back to dialogue,” he said even as both Beijing and Washington were working for a face-saving formula to end the eight-day-old diplomatic stand-off over the mid-air collision between a US spy plane and a Chinese fighter jet. Wang’s remarks come ahead of US plans to table a draft resolution at the ongoing session of the United Nations Human Rights Commission, claiming that Beijing human rights conditions deteriorated last year. This will be the 10th year that an anti-China draft resolution has been submitted to the Geneva-based Human Rights Commission. None of the previous draft resolutions succeeded in winning enough votes. Diplomatic sources said China would prefer to avoid confrontation over the rights issue in Geneva, especially as Beijing was bidding to host the 2008 Olympcs. China and the USA held several rounds of talks on human rights in the 1990s, but the momentum was lost following the bombing of the Chinese Embassy by the USA in Belgrade in May, 1999. Beijing suspended bilateral talks on the issue as a retaliatory measure. “The Chinese side has made efforts to put into effect the agreement by the leaders and we hope the US side will create a constructive environment for the resumption of human rights talks,” Wang was quoted by China daily as saying. “But what the USA has done in Geneva is unpopular and is doomed to failure,” he said referring to the anti-China resolution, adding, “It is not conducive to the resumption of Sino-US human rights talks”. WASHINGTON: President George W. Bush warned today that Chinese-U.S. relations could be damaged if China continued to hold the 24 crew members of a crippled American spy plane. “Every day that goes by increases the potential that our relations with China could be damaged,” Bush told reporters, reiterating an apparently hardening line taken on Sunday by senior U.S. officials. Noting that “diplomacy takes time” Bush also said the USA was continuing to negotiate with the Chinese to free the crew members. “We’re working behind the scenes, we’ve got every diplomatic channel open,” he said. “We’re in discussions with the Chinese. It is now time for our troops to come home so that our relationship does not become damaged.” White House spokesman Ari Fleischer repeated that the USA had no intention of apologising — as demanded by China — for the April 1 mid-air collision that triggered the incident, even if an investigation into the crash revealed US errors. Meanwhile, the USA said sorry for the loss of a Chinese pilot, a step further than the regrets expressed by both President Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell. In an interview to a TV channel, Mr Powell said, “We have expressed regrets, we have expressed sorrow and we are sorry that a life was lost.” In another interface, he said, “We are sorry that her (Chinese pilot’s wife) husband was lost, no matter what the fault.” “Some progress has been made but not as much as he had hoped,” Mr Powell said. TAIPEI:
In his first public comment about the US-China spy plane dispute, Taiwan President said on Monday that he hoped the standoff would not prompt America to cut back on weapons sales to this island. The USA is expected to make a decision this month about whether it will sell advanced weapons the Taiwanese have requested in annual arms talks in Washington. China has been aggressively lobbying American leaders not to approve the weapons sales, warning that such deals would severely harm US-China relations.
PTI, Reuters, UNI |
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Russian drive for sanctions on Pak New York, April 9 The Russian campaign, which comes after two rounds of U.N. sanctions against the Taliban, could put the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush in a quandary, the paper said, citing diplomats and U.N. officials. Pakistan, which Washington considers an ally, has serious economic and political problems and faces a rising tide of more than a million Afghan refugees. But Washington has also led the drive to isolate the Taliban for harbouring Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden, who is wanted for allegedly masterminding the bombings of two American embassies in Africa in 1998. The first review of sanctions imposed on the Taliban in January at American and Russian insistence will come before the council on Thursday, the Times said. The Russians and French have compiled dossiers accusing Pakistan of direct support for the Taliban in its fight against an opposition army based in northeastern Afghanistan, diplomats were reported as saying. But some Western diplomats and U.N. officials say they have yet to see concrete proof of the allegations, the paper said. There are also questions about whether aid to the Taliban was coming from the administration of Pakistani leader, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, or from freewheeling elements inside Pakistani intelligence agencies in league with Islamic parties, the paper said. Pakistan denies it is giving material support to the Taliban, the paper said. At a news conference, Shamshad Ahmad, Pakistan’s envoy to the United Nations, dismissed the allegations of support, the paper said. The Times quoted him as saying his country was “a law-abiding member of the United Nations, in full compliance with Security Council resolutions.” The resolutions bar military aid to the Taliban but not to its armed opposition.
Reuters |
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NAB warns Benazir of arrest on return Islamabad, April 9 National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Prosecutor General Raja Muhammad Bashir, in an interview to Radio Teheran yesterday, also ruled out the release of Bhutto’s husband Asif Ali Zardari. Benazir, who is on a self-imposed exile and lives in London and Saudi Arabia, last week got a psychological boost when the Supreme Court set aside a Lahore High Court conviction against the former premier and her husband Zardari. The apex court ordered a re-trial of the corruption case against the couple. Benazir’s Pakistan People’s Party has since been looking forward to her return to the country. “Benazir will be arrested on her return as arrest warrants are pending against her,” Bashir said clarifying confusion prevailing over her arrest in the light of the Supreme Court verdict. “We expect the detailed judgement of the Supreme Court to be issued in the next few days. In the light of the short order, the case will be referred to the High Court first and later to the accountability court. This may take a week or 10 days,” he said. Bashir said Benazir could be arrested as an anti-corruption court had already cancelled bail in one of the cases following a failure on her part to appear in response to summons from the court. The arrest warrants had already been issued against her in that case, he said. In all, about eight more corruption related cases were pending against Benazir and Zardari. Meanwhile, The Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD), a conglomerate of Pakistan’s mainstream political parties, has decided to hold a mass rally on May 1 in Karachi to press for the removal of the military regime. The decision to hold the rally was reached at a meeting held in Peshawar yesterday by the leaders of the ARD, an umbrella organisation comprising mainly of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and deposed Premier Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League (PML). “Besides the decision to hold the rally, the alliance has also decided to launch a mass contact programme for the restoration of fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution,” ARD chief Nawabzada Nasurullah told mediapersons. The Karachi rally would highlight the failure of the military regime on political and economic fronts, he said, adding: “Our struggle will continue till the attainment of three main objectives, which are to restore democracy, restore the 1973 Constitution and lifting the ban on political parties.” ARD’s decision to hold the rally is seen as a direct challenge to General Musharraf’s regime in the light of a massive crackdown launched on the country’s Republic Day on March 23 to prevent a similar rally in Lahore. Commenting on the crackdown, General Musharraf told a local magazine, Herald, last week that the rally was prevented from being held because his government had banned outdoor political rallies. Referring to leaders of the ARD, General Musharraf said: “Who are they. I have not even heard the names of most of them. They are discarded politicians. They are trying to create a nuisance because I don’t give importance to them. They mean nothing to Pakistan.” PTI The Supreme Court, which is currently hearing ARD’s petition challenging the military regime’s ordinance setting up National Accountability Bureau, is expected to deliver its judgement before the rally.
PTI |
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Strike turns violent in B’desh: 1 dead Dhaka, April 9 Hundreds of riot police were deployed in the capital Dhaka amid fears of renewed violence after two men were killed and at least 10 wounded in a gun battle near the port of Chittagong on Sunday. Delwar Hossain, a shop-owner in Munshiganj, 40 km from Dhaka, died in hospital after he was wounded by a home-made bomb during the early hours of the strike, police said. More bombs hurled by suspected strike supporters hit at least a dozen people, including six policemen, in the capital and two in the southern city of Chittagong. Three vehicles were torched by strike activists in Dhaka and a bomb destroyed a bus in Chittagong. Police said nearly 100 activists were arrested in Dhaka and elsewhere. In the afternoon, police chased off hundreds of strikers who hurled several home-made bombs at the security men in Dhaka, witnesses said. Many buses and trains had left the city before the strike began at 6 a.m. (0000 GMT). The government says at least 48 people have been killed in strike-related violence. At least 50 persons were wounded in a spate of bomb attacks and clashes as Bangladesh was hit by the second Opposition-led general strike in a week today. Home-made bombs hurled by suspected strike supporters hit seven persons, including two policemen, in the capital Dhaka and injured three elsewhere, the police and witnesses said. At least 40 persons were injured in clashes in the northern district of Sirajganj, local officials said by telephone. Opposition and pro-government activists marched through Dhaka streets, which were largely deserted of traffic except for some taxis, state-run buses and rickshaws. The strike disrupted cargo handling and deliveries at Chittagong, where nearly 50 ships were stranded, and halted trade on the Dhaka and Chittagong stock exchanges. Most offices and schools kept their shutters down, witnesses said. Ferries moved with fewer passengers and airport officials said some flights were delayed. Opposition leader Begum Khaleda Zia said the 72-hour strike would be followed by further stoppages if Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina did not step down before her term ends on July 13. “If she doesn’t (step down) we will go for further action, including hartals (strikes), to force her out,’’ former Prime Minister Khaleda warned yesterday.
Reuters |
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"‘Plot to topple Chandrika govt" Colombo, April 9 The business firms have been accused of bribing ministers and ruling alliance’s legislators to topple the government during a parliamentary vote. Three days ago, President Chandrika Kumaratunga had warned of an opposition move to defeat her government during a crucial Budget vote on April 11, state-run ‘Daily News’ said. The ruling coalition, which depends on the support of two minority parties, needs a simple majority to pass the Finance Bill 2001 but failure would automatically lead to the collapse of the government. Ms Chandrika is scheduled to hold crucial talks with the key allies tomorrow to secure their support for the government. The People’s Alliance has a slender four-seat majority in the
225-member Assembly. PTI |
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Ershad released on bail Dhaka, April 9 This move, for his release on bail, is blamed by the opposition leader Ms Khaleda Zia as a secret deal with the ruling party to break the four party alliance. The Ershad faction of the JP already joined the parliament session on Sunday (working day here) ending more than two years of boycott along with other opposition. They have withdrawn support to the 72 hour hartal call by the alliance that began across the country today (Monday). Ershad was sent to Dhaka Central Jail on November 20 last after he surrendered before the Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court after the confirmation of conviction by the Supreme Court in the Janata Tower case. Later on February 28 his lawyers tried to get him out of prison paying over Taka two crore fine amount. But the government held him in two other corruption cases. Few days ago he was shifted to the prison cell of the hospital for treatment. Here he met party colleague on a number of occasions and the move to dissociate the JP (E) from the alliance began. Political analysts speculated that he had initiated a move to organise a front with the IOJ, another partner of the four-party alliance and the Islami Shashantantra Andolan and put up common candidates in the coming general elections. The splitting of the alliance will be a major achievement of the ruling party because that way the anti-Awami League votes will be divided. From the beginning the BNP leaders were apprehending somersault by Ershad and that proved correct. |
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Garcia may win run-off vote Toledo, who finished first but well short of the 50 per cent mark needed for the outright victory he predicted, put a brave face on his setback and paid courtesy calls on his rivals. The National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) said Toledo, a free-marketeer of Andean Indian origins, had 36.26 per cent of the vote with 50 percent of the ballot counted, against 26.21 per cent for Garcia. Garcia nudged ahead of right of center ex-congresswoman Lourdes Flores at the last minute, confounding pre-vote polls. Flores who has been vying to become Peru’s first female president, trailed with 23.65 percent, according to ONPE. It appeared to be a staggering comeback for Garcia, whose calamitous 1985-1990 government presided over a couple of free-spending feel-good years but plunged Peru into a debt crisis, inflation of 7,650 percent, alleged human rights violations, food lines and rampant rebel violence. Polls have shown most Peruvians expect Toledo to become their next president, but analysts say Garcia, who has done far better than anyone expected with promises of interest rate cuts and aid for the agriculture sector, may gain momentum. “Garcia has more than a month to convince voters and he could very likely beat Toledo,” said the electoral official. Toledo claims Fujimori robbed him of victory in fraudulent elections a year ago, and many Peruvians thank him for leading mass protests that helped bring down the former President. “You know nothing was ever easy for me in my life,” said the former shoeshine boy who in his third bid for the presidency pledged “more work” for Peru’s 26 million people, more than half of whom live in poverty Toledo, 55, finished second to Fujimori in elections last year, but ended up boycotting a fraudulent runoff against the autocratic leader, who fled Peru in November amid mounting corruption scandals. Garcia, 51, a tall, silver-tongued populist, led Peru’s government from 1985 to 1990, while Flores, 41, is a member of Lima’s white elite with a reputation for honesty. She had been in the second place in opinion polls going into yesterday’s election.
Reuters |
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Hollywood embraces Indian designers London, April 9 Dame Judi Dench was one of the first among Hollywood actresses to promote the style. She has worn gowns by the Bombay-based designers Abu Jani and Sandeep Kholsa to the Oscars ceremony for two consecutive years. Now fashion houses in Mumbai and Delhi, which once dealt exclusively with India’s home-grown “Bollywood” film stars, have reported a huge upsurge in requests for gowns from famous Western clients. Top Hollywood star Nicole Kidman this week rejected offers of free haute couture designs and commissioned Ritu Beri, a Delhi-based designer, to create an outfit for her to wear to the premiere of her new film next month at the Cannes film festival. Said Ritu: “I think high-profile women in the West like our clothes because they can make a very dramatic and definite statement. They know that whatever event they are attending they will stand out in an Indian creation.” Fashion commentators say the use of traditional fabrics, the detailed embroidery work, the range of natural dyes and the length of the Indian gowns combine to give the garments their special appeal. Western stars, however, are not yet ready for the full Indian look. The Indian designers have been asked to tone down some of their more extravagant costumes in order to make them acceptable for events such as the Oscars and the Cannes Film Festival. According to Ritu, “The trick is not to be too over the top. A lot of women are put off by Indian clothes that look too much like costumes. We have to ensure that what we do is not too ornate. We try to create something that is also Western in flavour. We have to combine the best of both cultures. Nicole for instance wants something that is long, flowing and in flesh tones.” Rohit Bal, a Mumbai designer who has just been commissioned to make a sari for Pamela Anderson, the former Baywatch star, said: “It can be difficult designing for someone like Pamela. My Indian clients tend to be quite conservative and want an outfit which will ensure that they are covered up. Pamela however has a very distinctive look and style and wants something a little more revealing. “I have come up with something which I think is Indian but which isn’t going to compromise what she wants to say — its something she has to feel comfortable wearing in London or New York. Indian designers are refining their looks for a Western clientele. At the same time Western women are confident because they know the clothes are not easily copied and what they are commissioning is a genuine one-off,” Bal said. The trend for authentic Indian designs has spilt over into mainstream fashion too. One specialist London travel agent reported that her firm was increasingly asked to advise clients which tailors and designers in India to use. Henri Tatham of Western and Oriental Travel Agents said: “We recommend the best designer in a particular area they are visiting. I think the reason Indian designers are so popular is primarily because what you buy will always be completely unique. They also take half the time to make the clothes and cost half the price.” The demand is good news for the handful of London-based designers who specialise in Indian clothes. Teenage sensation Samantha Mumba has recently appeared in OK! magazine wearing designs by Raisham Islam, and the top group Damage last week posed for an Indian fashion spread in Eastern Eye magazine. Babs Mahil, who designs saris for Prime Minister Tony Blair’s wife Cherie Blair, said: “ We are experiencing an explosion in demand at the moment. About 40 per cent of our customers are now Western, which would have been unheard of until recently. In the past, people were wearing Indian clothes specifically for travel to India or to attend an Indian event, now they are wearing them for all occasions.”
ANI |
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Court summons Suu Kyi Yangon, April 9 “Yangon Division Court this morning served the summons on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to appear at the court on April 23 in connection with the suit of administration of the residence filed by her brother,” one official told newsmen. The court had dismissed a previous suit by Suu Kyi’s brother, Aung San Oo, in January on the grounds that he had filed the case on the wrong form. Suu Kyi’s brother, who is a U.S. citizen and lives there, wants the immediate division of the property, which local real estate agents say is worth about $2 million. The dismissal of the suit in January was widely interpreted as a sign Myanmar’s military government was easing its crackdown on Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy (NLD). An order to divide the property would have intensified pressure on Suu Kyi. Legal sources in Yangon said Suu Kyi was unlikely to appear in court but would authorise an agent and lawyers to act on her behalf.
Reuters |
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Lima, April 9