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Possibility of Maoists
taking over in Nepal: USA
India, Nepal agree to check terrorism
Baglihar issue must be resolved, says Aziz
USA to encourage Indo-Pak peace process
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Terror Bill provokes storm of protest in UK
Japanese billionaire held for fraud
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Possibility of Maoists taking over in Nepal: USA
Washington, March 3 The Maoist presence has spread dramatically throughout Nepal in recent years and they have made clear their intention to impose a one-party people's republic, collectivise agriculture, re-educate class enemies and export their revolution to neighbouring states, Mr David Camp, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for South Asian Affairs, said. Testifying before a House Committee on Asia and the Pacific yesterday, Mr Camp said, "Nepal confronts the real possibility that a brutal Maoist insurgency might seize power. Unity among Nepal's legitimate political forces is key to preventing that possibility." Terming the clamping of national emergency disturbing, he said, "King Gyanendra needs to move quickly to reinstate and protect civil and human rights, release those detained under the state of emergency and begin a dialogue with the political parties..." He said the humanitarian ramifications of a Maoist takeover would be immense, "reminiscent of the nightmare brought upon Cambodia by Pol Pot. Such a regime would almost certainly threaten stability in the region." He said the King would have to act quickly to demonstrate that he was serious about strengthening multi-party democracy and checking Maoist insurgency, the two reasons which he gave for seizing power as the people of the country expected progress and they expected it soon. Mr Camp said Washington was in a dilemma and was considering suspending its $2 billion security assistance to the Himalayan Kingdom. He said Washington was concerned about abuses and atrocities by Maoists and human rights abuses by government security forces, including extra-judicial killings and disappearances.
PTI |
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India, Nepal agree to check terrorism
Kathmandu, March 3 An agreement was reached between security officials of the two sides on exchanging information and assistance to end and control terrorist activities in the Indo-Nepal border area, police sources said. Mr H.S. Kharkawal, Deputy Inspector-General of Central Headquarters of the Special Security Bureau (SSB), Barauni, from India and Deputy Inspector-General of Nepal Police Krishna Basnet took part in the meeting, The Rising Nepal daily said quoting the police sources. Indias SSB at the request of the East Regional Police Office of Nepal agreed to establish some additional posts at some parts of the border area from today, it said.
PTI |
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Pak court acquits 5 gang-rape convicts,
Multan, March 3 The death penalty of the sixth convict in the attack on Mukhtiar Mai, who went on to become a rights campaigner, was commuted to life imprisonment by a two-member Bench of the Multan High Court. "Justice has been done," defence lawyer Mohammad Salim said. Mai, in her early 30s, was raped for more than an hour in the village of Meerwala in Punjab province in June 2002, as punishment for her brother's alleged affair with a woman of a powerful
rival clan. The case shocked the country and sparked international outrage. Later an anti-terrorist court in Punjab province sentenced six men to death by hanging and acquitted another eight defendants. Defence lawyers said Multan High Court had today acquitted convicts Ghulam Farid, Fayyaz Hussain, Faiz Baksh, Ramzan Bhojar and Allah Ditta Mastoi, while Abdul Khaliq was given life imprisonment. "The verdict of the anti-terrorism court in August 2002 was largely influenced by media hype and government pressure," lawyer Salim said. Four of those originally sentenced to death were found guilty of participating in the rape itself. The other two were members of the tribal jury.
AFP
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Baglihar issue must be resolved, says Aziz
Islamabad, March 3 He was talking to Communist leaders Harkishan Sing Surjeet and A.B. Bardhan. Ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML) president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain was present on the occasion. Briefing journalists later, Mr Aziz said: "I and Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain told our distinguished guests that Pakistan is keen to resolve all issues with India through composite dialogue. "We want to settle all issues peacefully, specially the core issue of Kashmir which needs to be resolved in a spirit of understanding and in an atmosphere of mutual flexibility." He expressed hope that talks with the Indian leaders and a visit by Chaudhry Shujaat to India later this month would help create an atmosphere of mutual understanding leading to honourable solutions of all issues. Mr Harkishan Singh stressed the need for mutual understanding. He said they would return home with good memories and would share what they had discussed here with other parties and leaders. He said the Governments of India and Pakistan had come closer to a position from where they could resolve disputes by addressing the most complicated issues first. Meanwhile, during a visit to the Neelam Valley of Azad Kashmir, the Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan's resolve to settle all issues with India, including the core issue of Kashmir, through peaceful means. Addressing a gathering, he said Pakistan was committed to a solution based on the will of the Kashmiri people. "You have offered supreme sacrifices in your just struggle for the right to self-determination... these sacrifices will not go waste nor Pakistan will leave you alone," he assured a large number of people who had come from the remote district of Sharda. The rights of the people of Kashmir, he said, would be protected and no solution would be accepted till the people of Kashmir endorsed it. Mr Aziz, accompanied by Azad Kashmir Prime Minister Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan and President Sardar Muhammad Anwar Khan, also visited the areas heavily covered with snow. The valley has received up to 20 feet of snowfall this season playing havoc with normal life. |
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USA to encourage Indo-Pak peace process
Washington, March 3 "Reducing the threat of conflict between India and Pakistan is of critical importance to both countries as well as to the USA and the international community," Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Donald Camp stated while deposing before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. Mr Camp said the USA had for long encouraged Indo-Pak engagement while working to reduce the tensions between the two neighbours. "The rapprochement and composite dialogue that began nearly two years ago between India and Pakistan has seen a number of successes," he said.
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Bashir found guilty of Bali bombings
Jakarta, March 3 However, the five-judge panel cleared Bashir of most of the charges against him and sentenced him to 2 ½ years, a relatively light sentence in recognition that the prosecution's case was not very strong. As the police formed a cordon across the auditorium where the trial was held, Bashir urged hundreds of disappointed supporters to remain calm and told the court that he would appeal. "I reject the verdict," he said. "This is a tyranny." Prosecutors had charged that the white-bearded Bashir (66) conspired to carry out terrorist bombings in Indonesia. They also alleged that he knew about plans for the Bali bombings and a 2003 attack on J. W. Marriott Hotel in Jakarta that killed 12 persons and did not try to stop them. Bashir has consistently denied any role in terrorist activities or Jemaah Islamiah, which is responsible for a string of deadly blasts in Indonesia and the Philippines. The cleric contends that he is the victim of a plan by the Bush Administration to silence him because he advocates adoption of strict Islamic law. "My arrest, detention and trial was ordered by Mr Bush and his henchmen because of my struggle to uphold Islamic law in Indonesia," he told the court in an earlier hearing. "The charges against me are not true. I never ordered other people to carry out the Bali bombing nor the J. W. Marriott bombings." Bashir's claim of US interference received support during the trial from a surprising source. Ms Megawati declined to hand over Bashir, Mr Burks testified. Some of the most damaging evidence against Bashir came from Nasir Abbas, a former high-ranking member of Jemaah Islamiah. By arrangement with the Los Angeles Times-Washington Post |
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Terror Bill provokes storm of protest in UK
Tony Blair's determination to press ahead with a new terror Bill has provoked a storm of protest from all sections of society, including the church, the legal profession and the worlds of art and show business.
A petition of a thousand names, organised by the civil rights group, Liberty, and published in The Independent on Thursday, calls on the government to rethink its anti-terror policy. It states, "We choose to live in a democracy that protects life, liberty and the rule of law. The Home Secretary is now proposing new laws to replace internment in prison with measures, including house arrest at his discretion. This loss of liberty is to be based on his suspicion rather than proof before a court." Many of those who have joined the campaign are concerned that the long-term effect of the rush to legislation will have implications for civil rights for many years to come. Among the signatories are 350 lawyers and five bishops as well as several well-known actors, directors and playwrights. By arrangement with
The Independent, London |
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Japanese billionaire held for fraud
Tokyo, March 3 Japanese prosecutors accused Tsutsumi of violating the security and exchange law by understating equity stakes held in Seibu Railway Co.
by the Kokudo Corp., which Tsutsumi formerly headed. The 70-year-old tycoon was at the top of the Forbes' richest people list for four consecutive years from 1987 to 1990. Tokyo-based Kokudo operates the Prince Hotels chain and sports facilities. It is a large business conglomerate that includes Seibu Railway and other companies. In a statement submitted to authorities in June, the Kokudo said it owned about 43 per cent of shares in Seibu Railway, about 20 points lower than the real status, Japanese
media quoted sources as saying. IANS |
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