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69 killed, 270
injured in Iraq attacks
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War crimes
immunity: USA embarrassed at UN Musharraf chalks
out plan for Indo-Pak talks Iran releases 8
British servicemen
Zardari refuses
to face probe
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69 killed, 270 injured in Iraq attacks
BAQOUBA (Iraq), June 24 The large number of attacks, mostly directed at Iraqi security services, could signal the beginning of a push by insurgents to torpedo the June 30 power transfer. In Baghdad, the Health Ministry said at least 66 persons were killed and 268 injured nationwide. The heaviest clashes were reported in Baqouba, 55 km north-east of Baghdad, where two US soldiers died. Attackers also targeted police stations in Ramadi, Mahaweel, and the northern city of Mosul, where car bombs explosions rocked the Iraqi Police Academy, a police station and a hospital. Fourth attack on another police station occurred about an hour later, followed by a gunbattle in which the Iraqi police lost control of the Sheikh Fatih station. At least one US soldier was killed and eight persons, including three US soldiers and five Iraqi policemen were injured, the US military said in Mosul. At least 50 persons died in the bombings there, hospital officials said.
— AP |
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Bush condoles beheading of S.Korean in Iraq
Seoul, June 24 “President Bush expressed condolence over the death of Kim Sun-iL,” said Roh’s spokesman Yoon Tae-Young. Mr Bush was quoted as expressing sorrow on behalf of all Americans to Kim’s family, friends and the Korean people. All Americans mourn the death and “deeply appreciate” the courage shown by the Korean people in “our historic joint struggle against terrorism,” he was quoted as saying. He also said he hoped the South Korean leader understood “that the free world could not be intimidated by the brutal actions of these barbaric people.”
— AFP |
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War crimes immunity: USA embarrassed at UN
United Nations, June 24 “The USA has decided not to proceed further consideration and action on the draft at this time in order to avoid a prolonged and divisive debate,” American Deputy UN Ambassador James Cunningham said, adding “We are dropping action on this resolution.” The USA had secured special status for US troops for the past two years arguing they could face malicious prosecutions. It needed nine votes to get the measure through but it could not muster the requisite number despite intense lobbying as most members said they planned to abstain. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan was among those who had strongly opposed the grant of exemption and advised the Council against adopting it. That along with abuse of Iraqi prisoners did damage the American cause. “For the past two years, I have spoken quite strongly against the exemption and I think It would be unfortunate for one to press for such an exemption, given the prisoner abuse in Iraq....Blanket exemption is wrong. It is of dubious judicial value and I don’t think it should be encouraged by the council,” he had said earlier this month. One of the reason for withdrawal, diplomats said, is that the USA does not have a divisive debate at a time when it is about to hand over sovereignty to Iraq on June 30 and needs involvement of the world body in elections and reconstruction of the country. But the American withdrawal of the resolution did not bode well for future peacekeeping operations as diplomats said Washington might stop supporting operations unless it has assurance that its soldiers would enjoy immunity. The US contributes 25 per cent to the peacekeeping operations and should the Congress retaliate by stopping financial support, it could create problems for even ongoing |
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Musharraf chalks out plan for Indo-Pak talks Islamabad, June 24 The President told the meeting yesterday that the dialogue process between the two countries must be pursued sincerely and earnestly to resolve all issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, to achieve results. The meeting focused on the dialogue, scheduled on June 27 and 28 in New Delhi, would review recommendations by experts like improving hotline communication to avert any accidental nuclear conflict. The Nation reported today, quoting an official source. The meeting reviewed the agenda for the dialogue that will cover wide ranging bilateral issues ranging from peace, security and Kashmir to Siachen, Wular barrage/Tulbul navigation project, Sir Creek, economic and commercial cooperation, the source said.
— UNI |
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Iran releases
8 British servicemen Teheran, June 24 British diplomats took custody of the eight naval personnel and flew with them to Teheran from the Gulf area, where they were detained on Monday after straying into Iranian waters. The servicemen were shown blindfolded on Iranian television shortly after their capture, but had also been treated by their captors later, as diplomacy progressed, to chopped meat stew. “We are here in Teheran,” a British Embassy spokeswoman said.
— Reuters |
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Nikki Randhawa set to get US House berth Ms Nikki Randhawa Haley is poised to make history as the first Indian-American Republican legislator in the USA. Earlier this week, Ms. Haley, a Sikh-American, trounced a veteran legislator in a run-off election in South Carolina’s House District 87. Her opponent, Congressman Larry Koon (60) is the current Longest serving member of the South Carolina House of Representatives. Ms. Haley won 55 per cent of the vote, while Mr. Koon got 45 per cent. The Democratic Party has not fielded any candidate for the November election in the predominantly Republican district, virtually assuring a victory for Ms. Haley. Ms. Haley(32)is married to Mr Michael Haley. The couple has two children, Rena (5) and Nalin (2). Her parents are prominent Indian American businesspersons in Columbia, South Carolina. The Indian American Republican Council Chairman, Dr Raghavendra Vijayanagar, called Ms. Haley’s victory “a truly historic election for the people of South Carolina.” “Nikki Haley ... is a solid Republican, pro-life, pro-business and with no Democrat facing her in November, she will be the only Indian American Republican state legislator in America and the first Indian American ever elected to the South Carolina Legislature,” said Dr Vijayanagar, who is a key donor to President George Bush’s campaign. He said it was “most fitting” that South Carolina elect the country’s first Indian American Republican legislator. Now, the people of South Carolina have elected our nation’s only Indian American Republican, the first Sikh to a state legislature and the first Indian American to the South Carolina House of Representatives,” Dr Vijayanagar said. “This is an exciting moment for the Indian Americans involved in politics,” agreed Dr Zach Zachariah, another prominent donor to Mr Bush’s campaign coffers. There are only four Indian American legislators in the USA. All four are Democrats. “Ms. Haley has the chance to make election history and add to the ranks of successful Indian Americans getting elected to public office,” Dr Vijayanagar said. In her campaign, Ms Haley promised to work hard to bring “smart business to the state house.” |
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Zardari refuses to face probe Islamabad, June 24 Ms Bhutto's husband, Asif Ali Zardari, is already serving a seven-year sentence in Pakistan on a 1999 corruption conviction. Several more charges are pending against him. The Pakistani Government yesterday asked Zardari to appear before an investigating Magistrate in the Swiss city of Geneva on June 30, to face questioning over the alleged illegal money transfers, said Mr Farhatullah Babar, spokesman for Ms Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party.
— AP |
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