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Saturday,
July 27, 2002, Chandigarh, India  
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Pervez may withdraw
some amendments Embarrassment awaits Pervez
Ultras ready for ‘long-drawn fight’ Back ‘Arrow’ sale to India: Pallone |
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Powell denies
plans to quit LETTER FROM
WASHINGTON Israeli forces enter Gaza
city Moussaoui pleads guilty, withdraws
Nepal Govt, Maoists ‘hold’ talks Suharto’s son gets 15 yrs’
jail Students protest police brutality Slain VP’s brother made Governor
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Pervez may withdraw
some amendments Islamabad, July 26 “We feel there is some opposition to the proposed amendment which gives powers to the President to appoint the leader of the house. Therefore, we are considering withdrawing it,” Musharraf said at an interactive meeting with former diplomats, academicians, intellectuals, legal experts and economists at the studios of Radio Pakistan yesterday. He also pointed out that only “essential and immediate” amendments to the constitution would be finalised. Musharraf said the rest of the amendments would be kept pending for the civilian parliament to debate after its restoration following the October general elections. The government would also withdraw the amendment that sought to reduce the term of the national assembly from five to four years and that of the senator from six to four years, he said. He also assured that members of the majority party in the national assembly would have the right to choose the leader of the house. Referring to the 11 years of democracy that preceded his military takeover in 1999, Musharraf said certain essential amendments were necessary “to undo the bad experience of the past.” Claiming that the response of the public to the proposed amendments “lends support to the government to go for minimal essential amendments to the constitution,” Musharraf said these would be made “logically and pragmatically with an open mind.” He also sought to justify a host of amendments proposed by his military regime on the grounds that the country needed a system of checks of balances of power between the Prime Minister, the President and the armed forces. While the politicians indulged in heavy corruption and misuse power after getting elected, a formal role for the armed forces in the future power structure would prevent military takeovers as well as imposition of martial law, he said. Musharraf also said if the elected parliament rejected these amendments, “we will take this seriously”, adding that he would not allow malafide intentions to amend the constitution, but if the intentions were good “we will see.” He insisted that the supreme court had given the regime the right to amend the constitution in its May 2000 ruling. On his views about the election of the President, Musharraf said he would “cross the bridge when it comes,” adding that he believed in the constitutional and democratic process and would take a democratic course. He also assured the nation that the October elections would be held in a “fair and impartial” manner. The proposed amendments by Musharraf were expected to be formally proclaimed after the conclusion of the current debate on state television and radio in the first week of next month. Meanwhile, the election commission said holders of madaris’ certificate would be eligible to contest the coming general elections. The certificates given by individual deeni madaris, recognised as equivalent to MA Arabic/ Islamic studies for teaching purposes by the university grants commission, would also be eligible to contest subject to fulfilment of other qualifications prescribed under the law, an election commission release said here yesterday. The clarification was in response to the demand made by the Muttahida Majlis Amal that it should be clarified whether holding the degree of deeni madaris made one eligible to contest the elections or not.
PTI, UNI |
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Embarrassment awaits Pervez Dhaka, July 26 One of the two main causes for his embarrassment will be refusal by the main opposition party, the Awami League, to make a courtesy call, as has been planned, in retaliation to the General’s cancellation of a formal meeting with Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Minister, in New York during the Millennium Summit of the United Nations in September, 1999. The other reason will be the demand for a share in assets worth $ 4.5 billion held by Pakistan before the emergence of Bangladesh in 1971 and immediate repatriation of migrants from Bihar, India, now living in Bangladesh, numbering 2.5 crore. Reversing its earlier decision to send a delegation to meet Musharraf during his stay in Dhaka, the executive committee of the Awami League decided last evening that party leaders would not meet the Pakistan President as the Awami League is opposed to military rule. A spokesman of the party said the party would not demonstrate against his visit. Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her speech in the UN Millennium Summit, had called for action against military takeovers in its member countries. This had angered the Pakistani military ruler and without informing her, he did not turn up at the hotel to meet her. Bangladesh had endorsed the Commonwealth decision to suspend Pakistan. This was followed by expulsion of Pakistan Deputy High Commissioner in Dhaka Irfan Raza for violating diplomatic norms by his adverse remark about liberation of Bangladesh and the Justice Hamudur Rahman Commission Report. At that time, the Bangladesh Prime Minister had raised the demand for an unconditional apology by the Pakistan Government for the genocide committed by its army in Bangladeshi territory in 1971. The Bangladesh foreign secretary Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury told mediapersons last evening that the Bangladesh Government would raise the demand for the assets left in Pakistan in 1971 and repatriation of migrants from Bihar, known as stranded Pakistanis. These two demands former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif seriously denied. Denied any official communication demanding an apology from Pakistan for the 1971 genocide. Meanwhile, a post-editorial in a daily today cautioned the people about the visit of the Pakistan President to Dhaka. Terming him a Delhi-born mohajir General, the author called him rapist of democracy like his predecessors Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan and Zia-ul-Haq. |
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Ultras ready for ‘long-drawn fight’ Islamabad, July 26 Syed Salahuddin, chief of the Muttahida Jehad Council or United Jehad Council, a grouping of 15 militant bodies fighting Indian forces in Jammu and Kashmir, said India would have to pay “a heavy price” if any jailed Kashmiri separatist leader was harmed. In an interview with Online news agency, Salahuddin claimed he saw “no apparent change in Pakistan’s Kashmir policy”. He, however, acknowledged that Islamabad “had changed its strategy” on Kashmir after the September 11 attacks. Salahuddin, who is also chief of the Hizbul Mujahideen, the dominant Kashmiri separatist group in Jammu and Kashmir, said he believed that “Pakistan could not think of compromising on the Kashmir issue”. He claimed separatists in Indian Kashmir have enough technology and weaponry to fight a “war against India for a long time”. Referring to upcoming elections in Jammu and Kashmir, he said they “cannot be a substitute to plebiscite. “The solution of this long-standing and lingering (dispute) lies in the implementation of UN resolutions or through tripartite talks among Pakistan, India and Kashmiri representatives,” he said. Salahuddin said Kashmiris would take part in elections if they were held under UN supervision.
IANS |
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Back ‘Arrow’ sale to India: Pallone Washington, July 26 In a letter to Secretary of State Colin Powell, Pallone said the sale of the Arrow system — a defensive shield that provides protection against short and long-range ballistic missiles — would be a positive step for US-India relations. Pallone said he believed the USA should not delay the sale due to the conflict between India and Pakistan as the Arrow system was basically of a defensive nature. The Congressman said there was support for the sale of the Arrow system to India at the Pentagon and in Israel.
IANS |
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Powell denies
plans to quit Washington, July 26 ‘‘No, you all insist on writing this story every two weeks,’’ Mr Powell told reporters when asked whether he planned to resign in view of differences with the White House and hawks in the Pentagon.
UNI |
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LETTER
FROM WASHINGTON Americans have anxiety on two fronts—economy and security. The series of corporate scandals, that have surfaced in recent weeks, are being seen by an American as a threat to the livelihood. From Enron Corp. to Worldcom Inc., it is the story of fall in business ethics Investor confidence has taken a severe beating. According to the Gallup Organisation, investor optimism has plunged in July to an all time low. President Bush declared in a radio address last week that unethical business practices by corporate leaders amount to “theft and fraud” and that these practices are “unacceptable.” He is reassuring investors by pointing to new restrictions on corporate accounting which, he thinks, will boost stock prices. He has called for quick and decisive action by Congress in this regard. But in the view of House minority leader Richard Gephardt (Democrat), the stock market dipped the last three times President Bush has addressed economic matters. Recent opinion polls have shown that while President Bush retains his wartime popularity, approval is shrinking for his handling of the economy. Though congressional elections are not due before November, the Democrats are hoping that the corporate scandals could help them win a majority in the House of Representatives. Mr Gephardt has predicted that Democrats would pick up 30 to 40 seats. Republicans at present hold a 222-211 advantage in the House, with two Independents. The Republicans are getting ready to say all these corporate accounting scandals took place in the ninetees when Bill Clinton was the president. They are likely to add that “it is all about greed and corruption and has nothing to do with the Republican party.” To a man who feels scared, anything in the dark looks like a ghost. Ever since the September 11 terrorist attacks, the security phobia has reached gargantuan proportions. President Bush’s war on terrorism, some americans believe, has turned into a war against them. According to Washington Times columnist Paul Craig Roberts, the Bush administration’s assumption is:Every citizen, a potential terrorist.” The Washington Post notes that pronouncements from government notwithstanding, Arab Americans and middle eastern passengers say they believe they are being singled out for extra security because of their ethnicity or appearance or name. “In practice there is ethnic profiling, I am sure of that,” Hassen Ibish, spokesman for the American-Arab anti-discrimination committee, told the Post. Our MP’s may turn green with envy when they hear that their counterparts in the U.S. have recently secured a new pay raise of 5000 dollars—fourth in four years—that will take their annual salaries to about 155,000 dollars (more than Rs 75 lakhs). Defending against criticism of the pay hike, House majority leader Dick Armey said in a television interview:” I don’t know why anybody in America would say,’ Mr Big Shot, get yourself elected to Congress, and then be stupid enough to deny yourself the pay and benefits that your job warrants.” |
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Israeli forces enter Gaza city Jerusalem, July 26 Witnesses said the seven Israeli tanks, two armoured personnel carriers and a jeep moved about 1.5 km inside Gaza City, firing machine guns. Then a bulldozer destroyed a small Palestinian military intelligence post and a metal factory. Gunmen fired at the Israelis and two Palestinians were wounded in the exchange, they said. The Israeli military refused to comment. In the past, the Israeli military has destroyed metal workshops in Gaza, explaining that Palestinians were making mortars, rockets and shells. Late yesterday, a rocket hit an Israeli village just outside Gaza, causing some damage but no casualties, the military said. In the West Bank yesterday, Palestinian gunmen killed a rabbi and wounded another Israeli in a roadside ambush near a Jewish settlement. Despite the violence, tentative efforts were underway to restart talks among Palestinian factions toward stopping attacks against Israel. Palestinians said the Israeli bombing sabotaged plans for a unilateral truce declaration by one or more Palestinian groups. UNITED NATIONS: Arab delegates put off introducing a UN Security Council resolution on Israel’s deadly strike in Gaza City, with diplomats saying that there were divisions among Ambassadors over the text. Nasser al-Kidwa, the Palestinian UN observer, said on Thursday that Arab Ambassadors would meet again on Friday and then seek reactions among council members. “We don’t want to push anyone before we know that something is possible,’’ he told Reuters, in an apparent reference to the USA, which opposes a resolution at this time. AP, Reuters |
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Moussaoui pleads guilty, withdraws Alexandria, July 26 Moussaoui, a French citizen of Moroccan descent, began the hearing by telling District Judge Leonie Brinkema that he planned to plead guilty to four of the six charges against him — the four that carry the death penalty. But about an hour later yesterday, after he was pressed to agree to certain details of the charges, Moussaoui changed his mind. “Because of my obligation to my creator, Allah, and to save and defend my life I withdraw my guilty plea,” he told a packed courtroom in the latest stunning change of events. Moussaoui said he would admit to being involved in a conspiracy, saying that he had provided a guest house and training to Al-Qaida members, but insisted he was not involved in the September 11 attacks. MONTPELLIER (FRANCE): Moussaoui may have “rescued his defence” by deciding to plead not guilty to involvement in the strikes, one of his French lawyers said. “It is reassuring that Moussaoui has finally refused to enter a plea of guilty. He has perhaps rescued his defence, even if these statements last week and at the start of trial will certainly play against him,” said Francois Roux.
Reuters |
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Nepal Govt, Maoists ‘hold’ talks Kathmandu, July 26 The Nepali-language daily Space Time Dai said: “Senior ministers” from the government and high-ranking Maoists had begun talks on “preliminary arrangements” for a more structured dialogue. Meanwhile in ongoing clashes, Nepalese security forces shot dead seven Maoists, including a woman rebel, and seized arms and ammunition from terrorist hideouts, the Defence Ministry said. Three rebels were gunned down by security forces in the Musrania area of Saptari district, while two others were killed in the Jhula area of Rukum district, it said. Security forces shot dead two rebels, including a woman, in the Yang area of Humla district during search operations, the ministry said. Govenment troops also recovered socket bombs, equipment to make electric bombs, pistols, combat dresses and bullets from the terrorist hideouts. A Maoist rebel was shot at and injured while trying to break a security cordon near Balefi area of Sindhupalchowk district but he escaped by jumping into the nearby Sunkoshi river.
PTI |
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Suharto’s son gets 15 yrs’
jail
Jakarta, July 26 Hutomo “Tommy” Mandala Putra was absent from the court after falling ill earlier in the day. Prosecutors had called for a combined 15-year jail sentence for Tommy for masterminding the killing of a judge who had convicted him of graft, along with possessing illegal weapons and evading the corruption conviction. “The defendant gave money to (a hitman) to follow his orders. The panel of judges did not find reasons... to erase the accountability of the defendant, therefore the defendant has to be declared guilty,” said Andi Samsan Nganro, a member of the panel of five judges.
Reuters |
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Students protest police brutality Dhaka, July 26 The students observed a complete strike on the campus, staged a demonstration, the largest in the past 10 years, and demanded exemplary punishment to those responsible and removal of the Vice-Chancellor. A large number of teachers joined the rallies and demonstration. The general students gave an ultimatum till tomorrow to accept their demands, failing which a programme of greater agitation would be announced. All examinations were cancelled. The government constituted a judicial inquiry commission with Justice Tafazzal Islam of the appellate division of the Supreme Court. |
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Slain VP’s brother made Governor Kabul, July 26 Haji Deen Mohammad, brother of Haji Abdul Qadir, assassinated this month, had declared himself Governor five days before his official appointment. Asked if the appointment had anything to do with a protest on Monday by thousands of residents of Jalalabad clamouring for the brother to be named, Karzai’s spokesman Sayed Fazal Akbar said, “I was not in the picture. Mr Karzai had spoken to him about his appointment on the phone.” Meanwhile, Amnesty International today condemned the United Nations for encouraging Afghan refugees to return home to a country still rife with violence and lacking in basic amenities. The London-based human rights watchdog said the time was not right for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to push the “voluntary repatriation” of Afghans.
Reuters, AFP |
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An Indonesian court today sentenced former President Suharto’s son, Tommy, to 15 years in jail for masterminding the murder of a Supreme Court judge and other offences.
