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Wednesday,
June 20, 2001, Chandigarh, India   |
Bush plans visit to India next
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Air show a display of killer power & innovative
designing Despite an inclement weather, the millennium’s first air show began at LeBourget airport on the outskirts of Paris, on Saturday. This will continue till June 24. The show has attracted 43 countries with 800 exhibitors participating in the biennial event — 44th since 1909.
Panel for review of palace
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Iraq rejects Indian
wheat again Dubai, June 19 Iraq has rejected another major consignment of Indian wheat sent to the Arab nation under the UN monitored oil-for-food programme, Indian diplomatic sources confirmed today. This is the fourth major wheat consignment from India that has been rejected by the Iraqi authorities.
11 convicted for taunting Asians SAARC meeting postponed
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Bush plans visit to India next
year Washington, June 19 Speaking at a conference titled “New Era in U.S.-India Relations,” Mr Torkel Patterson, senior director on Asia in the National Security Council, and Mr Dov Zakheim, Under Secretary of Defence, said an early India trip was a foreign policy priority of Mr Bush. Mr Bush was planning to visit “India early next year” to maintain the momentum in the relationship, Mr Patterson declared at the conference, jointly sponsored by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Indian American Forum for Political Education (IAFPE). Indo-U.S. ties burgeoned following former President Bill Clinton’s visit to India in March 2000 and Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s reciprocal visit here in September the same year. Mr Patterson acknowledged that during the cold war years, the USA perceived India as a surrogate of the erstwhile Soviet Union. Today the commonalities between New Delhi and Washington had come to the fore and “I don’t see any obstacles in our relationship.” He said earlier South Asia was always thought of “as a problem” region.” But this President wants to be different. He wants to think about it dynamically and when we have to think about South Asia, we have to think about the opportunity and growth.” Mr Zakheim, who was a senior official in the mid-1980s in the Reagan administration at a time when Pakistan was considered a strategic U.S. ally and India perceived as aligned with Moscow, said: “We were seeing the world from different ends of the telescope.” All that has changed now, he said, and declared that relations between the two countries were now on a solid footing. Mr Zakheim reminisced about the Bush presidential campaign when he and the likes of now National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice and Deputy Secretary of Defence Paul Wolfowitz would advise the then Governor Bush on foreign policy issues, where India figured prominently. “We had a number of discussions with Governor Bush and all of us unanimously felt his vision had to include India...If we are going to discus great powers of the future, then we have to discuss India.” Mr Zakheim echoed Mr Patterson’s declaration that Mr Bush would visit India early in his term and said: “I was not in the least surprised that (Indian External Affairs) Minister Jaswant Singh had such a good meeting with the President.” When Mr Jaswant Singh visited here April 6 and met with Mr Rice at the White House, Mr Bush dropped in on the meeting and invited the former for a 40-minute tete-a-tete, and also accepted Mr Vajpayee’s invitation that Mr Bush should visit India. Mr Zakheim claimed President Bush’s proposed national missile defence (NMD) system was in sync with India and that since it “vibes with Indian thinking” it did not surprise Washington when India gave it qualified support. “In our relationship of today, many of the axioms of the past are no longer visible,” and what is evident today are the commonalities not only between the two countries but also on issues like counter-terrorism. Discounting the growing perception that the UAS was cultivating India as a counterweight against China, Mr Zakheim was quick to point out that “it is not directed either against Russia or China....” “I don’t think ours is a strategic alliance directed against China,” he asserted and said instead what you have now was “a new agenda where we see commonality after commonality.” Indian Ambassador Lalit Mansingh said India and the USA had turned “a new chapter and this time the partnership will be strong...We are now looking at what is uniting us and not what is dividing us.” Another panelist, Mr Dennis Kux, author of the highly acclaimed “The United States and India: Estranged Democracies,” acknowledged that Indo-U.S. relations has undergone a “sea change,” but warned against running away with the idea that both countries had now entered into “an alliance.”
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West Asia truce shattered Jerusalem, June 19 Palestinian gunmen shot and killed an Israeli in an ambush while another settler was killed and his companion wounded in a Palestinian ambush in the West Bank, Israeli officials said. Palestinian sources said a Palestinian youth, who was shot on Sunday by Israeli troops, died of his wounds yesterday, raising the death toll to eight since the ceasefire came into force on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Palestinian and Israeli security officials met in Tel Aviv last night to hold talks on the implementation of a ceasefire plan presented to both sides by US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director George Tenet, sources said. The two sides met in the presence of a CIA representative to evaluate the last 48 hours of the ceasefire and to work out a timetable for the implementation of all items in the Tenet proposals, including lifting Israel’s closure of the territories and redeploying IDF forces to their pre-intifada positions. Sticking to his restraint policy despite incidents of killings, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon made it clear that he had no intentions to abandon the truce and launch an all-out war on the Palestinians, a strong demand of hardline Jewish settlers. Mr Sharon said he would resist calls to escalate the conflict and added, “I hear this and I say unequivocally: I will not lead this nation to war. War is the last resort, and we currently have other options to try and resolve the security situation. “To go to war today, in my opinion, is totally incorrect and inappropriate. This is not something we should do,” he said. Later last night, Mr Sharon reportedly told the Conference Presidents of Major American Jewish Organisations that continued violation of the ceasefire by the Palestinians “create an unbearable situation that will not enable Israel to continue with its present approach over time.” He charged the Palestinians with more than 40 violations since they agreed to the Tenet plan and rejected charges that Israel had lost its ability to respond to Palestinian terror by agreeing to the ceasefire. “We will not surrender to the demands of Arafat,” Mr Sharon said and reiterated his stiff opposition to political negotiation with Palestinian leadership under fire. Following the death of two Israelis yesterday despite the shaky ceasefire, Isarel’s Yesha Council, which represents the 200,000 Jewish settlers in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, urged Mr Sharon to crack down heavily on Palestinians. “Sharon’s government has fallen into the trap of the so-called ceasefire and lifted the siege on Palestinian town,” the council said in a statement.
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Air show a display of killer power & innovative
designing Despite an inclement weather, the millennium’s first air show began at LeBourget airport on the outskirts of Paris, on Saturday. This will continue till June 24. The show has attracted 43 countries with 800 exhibitors participating in the biennial event — 44th since 1909. On display at the show are 242 aircraft, static and in-flight. The organisers expect a record 2,70,000 visitors from all over the globe during the show that also showcases the French interests and the emergence of European Community in the world of aerospace. The chief attraction of the show is the daily air display by a variety of aircraft, civil and military, varying in shape, size and colour, ranging from helicopters to fighter jets, transport and passenger aircraft. The air show is a reminder of New Delhi’s Trade Fair held at Pragati Maidan. The major difference is that in this show one sees the advances made in aviation, avionics, innovative designing and “killer” power of the military aircraft. In the passenger and transport section also one finds man’s quest for a passenger plane that is “longer, larger, farther, faster, smoother, quieter and higher” as is written on the side of the Airbus 340. It was on public display for the first time on Sunday. This beautiful bird is described as a model of European innovation and enterprise dominating, alongside the Boeing, the large commercial aircraft scene. Its rollout and exhibition flight showed Airbus aggressively pushing for new business. The aim is to have a passenger airline with a seating capacity of 800. As one mingled with the inquisitive and awe-struck crowds admiring the human spirit of entrepreneurship, one saw the new “birds” that flew in here on parade. These include Mirage 2000-5, SU (Sukhoi) 30 MK, An-74TK-30, Dassault Rafale, Zeppelin LZN07 and mighty Antonov 225. There is also Sukhoi’s famed “bomb truck”, SU 25, at Israel’s static display and, of course, the Euro-copters: Transport helicopter NH-90 and Tiger Combat helicopter with Mistral air-to-air missile, light airplanes, Spartan, advance Aermacchi MB0339 trainer etc. Another attraction was the F016, the fourth generation fighter with full glass cockpit that took the first flight on May 18, 2001. Also on display and in flight at the air display was Euro-fighter-331 aircraft that had “canard” — the elevators forward of the main plane. The tall Satellite Launch Vehicles, manufactured by Airane Aerospace, the European Consortium, form an impressive backdrop at the show. These vehicles have been used by India to launch its communication and remote sensing satellites. Minutes before the air display began, Le Bourget was lashed by a sharp, heavy downpour that, however, failed to dampen the spirit of the participants and the multitude of visitors. As the aircraft lined up and later went to the runway C 03 with pilots engaging in rollover, dives, summersault and breath-taking manoeuvres, the crowds craned their necks and held their breath. Trails of smoke, thunder of the engines and low acrobats were superb. The cool breezy afternoon was warmed by the dare-devil feats of the piolts. Journalists, nearly 3,000, from all over the world, took up vantage points to “shoot” the event that will be a daily routine. Being Sunday, there were long queues at various stalls and traffic crawled on all roads as Parisians headed for the venue. Indian Air Force has sent a three-member delegation, led by Air Marshal T N Asthana, looking after equipment procurement in commensuration with the perspective planning. Maj-Gen Charanjit Singh, Deputy Chief of the Military Aviation wing of the Indian Army, leads another two-member military delegation. A three-member delegation from Defence Production and Supplies, led by the Secretary, Subir Dutta, is expected shortly. In the exhibition hall, India’s participation is through Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, HAL. At hand to explain the salient features of HAL is N. M. Yadav, currently Deputy General Manager (Technical) and designate Resident Manager in the Liaison Office in London. During the past six years, HAL has spread its wings to cover design, development, manufacture and maintenance of advanced fighters, piston and jet engine trainers, commercial aircraft, helicopters and the associated aero-engines, aircraft systems, equipment and avionics. There was a large crowd at the Indian pavilion making enquiries about India’s quest for developing an indigenous programme for achieving self-sufficiency in meeting the short and the long-term requirements of the defence forces. In fact the air show is a blend of electronics and avionics making aviation far more sophisticated with all functions fully computerised. In fact if “dot.com” has played its part so has stealth air surveillance, radar, communication and telecommunication. The air show is organised by the GIFAS-Groupement des Industries Francaises Aeronautiques et Spatiales. It reflects Europe’s newfound confidence in its reorganised aerospace businesses. A plethora of future projects is on the anvil. Is Europe preparing for a flight to compete with the USA at many levels in air industry business, civil, military and commercial, both passenger and transport? In spite of the economic slow-down in 1999, when the previous show was held here in 1999, the 44th show now on still holds out promise. But some express reservations. Will it attract the same business? The number of participating countries is already less this year; down from 143 to 44. Yet in this World of Aerospace, the show has found its own niche. Internationally reputed aviation companies have out up stalls and one could see official delegations and business executives exchanging notes. The new age science and technology is at its best with people having a feel of flying experience through video presentation and sitting in the simulators and getting into “action”. What one sees here is the march of man through time and space. Remember the 12 seconds that changed the world? This is what one of the pamphlets at the US exhibition stall says wherein it recounts the event of December 17, 1903, when Orville Wright was at the controls and his brother, Wilbur, ran alongside a fragile craft that lifted off the sands of North Carolina’s Kill Devil Hills. It flew 120 feet. On display is the actual size of that “flying machine” of the Wright brothers. The world has changed since then, 1909. What is on display and showcased here shows the world is still changing. |
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Panel for review of palace
security Kathmandu (Nepal), June 19 The committee is said to have suggested a review of the Royal Palace security and improvement of medical facilities at Birendra Military Hospital where King Birendra, Queen Aishwarya and other members of the royal family were taken after the palace bloodbath. Cabinet Secretary, Tirtha Man Sakaya, submitted the report to the Prime Minister yesterday. Sources in the committee told TNS here today that it met thrice to keep its deadline and submit a “not too lengthy report.” Defence Secretary Padam Kumar Acharya told TNS that the committee report is under “consideration of the Cabinet”. Speaking on conditions of anonymity, a member of the committee said the committee had taken note of security lapses at the Royal Palace and lack of medical infrastructure in Birendra Military Hospital, Chhauni .” I believe the Cabinet has taken a decision on the report,” he said. It is noteworthy that the main Opposition party, the Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist-Leninist) had also suggested on Saturday that security lapses in the Narayanhity palace be looked into. According to military sources, a task force has been set up to review the security arrangements in the Royal Palace. The security review commissioned by the Royal Palace is led by Lt-Gen Santa Kumar Malla who retired from the palace services last year. The task force mandate is to review the security lapses on June 1, review the present security system in the palace and modify it. The inter-ministerial committee comprised Home Secretary Srikant Regmi, Defence Secretary Padam Kumar Acharya, Foreign Secretary Narayan Shamsher Thapa, Information Secretary Sri Ram Paudyal, Law and Justice Secretary Uday Nepali Shrestha and Member Secretary Yudha Shaha. Meanwhile, the much delayed Budget session of Parliament summoned by King Gyanendra for June 25 has shifted the focus to some extent and Opposition parties are determined to press for the resignation of the Prime Minister. It is believed that the Nepali Congress will have to face a tough time in the session as the Prime Minister also holds the portfolio of Royal Palace Affairs. Fearing a repeat of last winter session when the Opposition did not allow any business to be conducted for 57 days and raised anti-Koirala slogans, the Nepali Congress has been persuading Opposition parties to cooperate with it in the smooth functioning of Parliament. Although Kathmandu continues to be calm and peaceful, sporadic incidents of violence have been reported from Dharan, Biratnagar in Morang district and Jhapa. In an attempt to run a parallel government in Jhapa, Maoist rebels have locked 14 offices of village development committees in Jhapa district in Eastern Nepal. Sources in the Nepal Sadhbahvan Party, known for its pro-India leanings told TNS here today evening that petrol bomb attacks in Biratnagar had forced members of the Marwari community to flee either to Kathmandu where they had business or to towns near the Indian border. The Nepal National Federation of Students Union, the student wing of the underground Maoist party also took out rallies in Biratnagar and Pokhara last week and burnt effigies of King Gyanendra and his son,
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Iraq rejects Indian wheat again Dubai, June 19 This is the fourth major wheat consignment from India that has been rejected by the Iraqi authorities. The sources said the consignment to the tune of 23,000 tonnes of wheat was sent by a New Delhi-based company, Priyanka Overseas. The Iraqi authorities, which conduct a strict check on every foreign consignment of food supplies, found that the wheat was not up to the mark. In fact, the Iraqi authorities claimed that they had found a live insect and also some sand in the fourth consignment, the sources added. The Indian company is making desperate attempts to work out a compromise formula with the Iraqi authorities. It has offered to get the entire consignment refumigated at its own cost so that the issue could be resolved. However, a final decision in the matter is yet to be taken by the Iraqi Grain Board. The rejection of earlier three consignments had resulted in heavy losses to the Indian companies concerned as they eventually sold the wheat at heavy discounts to private parties in Dubai and other parts of the Gulf. The Iraqi authorities are very particular about the quality of any food consignment being sent to the country, which has been grappling with the crippling UN sanctions for more than a decade. Since medical facilities are very poor in Iraq because of the UN Embargo, the Iraqi authorities say they cannot take any chances with food consignments.
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Bangladesh strike evokes
partial response Dhaka, June 19 Shops, business establishments and educational institutions remained closed but rickshaws, the main mode of transportation in capital Dhaka, were plying on the streets in presence of a large number of police and paramilitary personnel. The strike was called by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-led four-party opposition alliance to protest an alleged attack on a convoy carrying her on Sunday. The strike, first since the 72-hour bandh which ended on April 25, saw the ruling Awami League party supporters occupying the streets, who were parading the central Dhaka. Inclement weather has dampened the whole exercise to some extent and the opposition is conspicuously absent in the city centre. The police said the processionists were looking for shelter and a heavy downpour scattered the gathering.
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11 convicted for taunting Asians London, June 19 The extreme rightwing group’s national organiser and another long-standing member were given bail, pending a crown court trial after denying that they goaded Asian workers walking past. The eleven members yesterday admitted behaviour likely to cause a breach of peace and were bound over in the sum of £ 100 to keep the peace for a year. The hearing led to renewed calls for the right wing party to abandon a “deliberately provocative” march planned for next month in Bradford, where eight cars were set on fire in April following racial clashes.
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SAARC meeting postponed Kathmandu, June 19 The committee was all set to meet on June 27, but Pakistani side last week wanted to postpone the meeting for an indefinite period, English daily Space Time today said quoting sources at the SAARC headquarters based here.
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