W O R L D

N-tests not to hinder deal: US
Washington, February 23
The US has said fuel assurances and the issue of nuclear testing will not come in the way of the civilian nuclear deal with India, which it hoped, would be implemented by this year-end.

Increase security in Samjhauta: Pak
Islamabad, February 23
The Pakistan Railways has proposed increasing the number of coaches of the Samjhauta Express and handing over its security to the Rangers in the wake of blasts in the Delhi-Lahore train.

Pak testfires nuclear-capable Shaheen missile

Islamabad, February 23 Pakistan today successfully testfired its 2000-km range nuclear capable surface-to-surface ballistic missile that could target major cities in India. Pakistan’s nuclear-capable surface-to-surface ballistic missile Shaheen II, Hatf VI takes off during a test flight from an undisclosed location on Friday. — Reuters photo

US soldier gets 100-yr jail for rape, murder
Fort Campbell, February 23
A US soldier was sentenced to 100 years in prison for the gangrape and murder of an Iraqi girl and the killing of her family last year. Sgt. Paul E. Cortez (24) also was given a dishonourable discharge yesterday. He will be eligible for parole in 10 years under the terms of his plea agreement.

Indian held for murder plot
Washington, February 23
An Indian immigrant has been charged with trying to hire a hitman to murder three Indian families in an attempt to take over their convenience store business. Shyamsundar G Contractor (49), charged with nine counts of criminal attempt to commit murder, was denied bail by a court in US’ Georgia state.

N-tests not to hinder deal: US

Washington, February 23
The US has said fuel assurances and the issue of nuclear testing will not come in the way of the civilian nuclear deal with India, which it hoped, would be implemented by this year-end.

"There is no problem with fuel assurances. President (George W) Bush provided assurances personally to the Prime Minister of India on the provision of fuel. We had actually codified this-there is no disagreement between India and the United States on fuel assurances that I am aware of," Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns said at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

On the issue of India's position on nuclear testing, he said "we have a right to our respective positions. I don't think this is going to conflict with our ability to complete the 123 agreement." On finalisation of the bilateral 123 agreement that is under negotiation to operationalise the deal, Burns said "the big issues have been resolved and we have crossed the highest marks in these negotiations... we have crossed the biggest issues and they have been decided." "We will complete the 123 Agreement. India will go on and for sure complete the IAEA safeguards agreement and we will take that to the Nuclear Suppliers' Group. We will be successful at the NSG. I am certain, after having consulted with all the countries in the NSG.

"And the Congress.. will have one more chance to vote on a majority basis. And we can do all that by the end of 2007...

I think we can and I don't think we are going to have a major problem doing that but it does take time to get through the legal technicalities, technical technicalities," Burns said.- PTI

Increase security in Samjhauta: Pak

Islamabad, February 23
The Pakistan Railways has proposed increasing the number of coaches of the Samjhauta Express and handing over its security to the Rangers in the wake of blasts in the Delhi-Lahore train.

The Railways also proposed to hand over to the Rangers the security of another India-Pakistan train service-the Thar Express.

The News quoted Pakistan Railway Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad here as saying that his department was willing to increase the number of cars from the present nine to 13.

“I will request the President and (the) Prime Minister to consider our proposal,” he said.

“The Samjhauta plied between Lahore and Wagah on the Pakistan side, and covers a distance of a few kilometres, whereas the

Thar Express, travelling from Khokhrapar in Sindh to Munabao in Rajasthan, covers a longer distance,” Ahmad said. — UNI 

Pak testfires nuclear-capable Shaheen missile

Islamabad, February 23
Pakistan today successfully testfired its 2000-km range nuclear capable surface-to-surface ballistic missile that could target major cities in India.

The Hatf VI (Shaheen II) was launched from an undisclosed location and Pakistan military said the test was part of a "continuous process of validation and technical improvement which Pakistan follows to consolidate and verify its various land based strategic missile systems".

It can carry nuclear and conventional warheads with high accuracy, the military said in a statement.

The test was carried two days after India and Pakistan signed an agreement in New Delhi to reduce the risk of an accidental nuclear war between them.

Hatf VI is Pakistan's longest range ballistic missile system with a range of 2000 kilometres. It is a two stage solid fuel missile which can carry nuclear and conventional warheads with high accuracy, the Defence statement said.— PTI

US soldier gets 100-yr jail for rape, murder

Fort Campbell, February 23
A US soldier was sentenced to 100 years in prison for the gangrape and murder of an Iraqi girl and the killing of her family last year. Sgt. Paul E. Cortez (24) also was given a dishonourable discharge yesterday. He will be eligible for parole in 10 years under the terms of his plea agreement.

Cortez, of Barstow, California, pleaded guilty this week to four counts of felony, murder, rape and conspiracy to rape in a case considered among the worst atrocities by US military personnel in Iraq.

In his plea agreement, he said he conspired with three other soldiers from the Fort Campbell-based 101st Airborne Division to rape 14-year-old Abeer Qassim al-Janabi. The girl, her parents and a younger sister were all killed.

Earlier yesterday, tears rolled down Cortez's face as he apologised for the rape and murders. He said he could not explain why he took part.

"I still don't have an answer," Cortez told the judge. "I don't know why. I wish I hadn't. The lives of four innocent people were taken. I want to apologise for all the pain and suffering I have caused the al-Janabi family."

The military judge hearing the case, Col Stephen R. Henley, issued a sentence of life in prison without parole, the maximum for the charges. Under military law, the defendant is given the lesser sentence unless he violates terms of the plea agreement. — AP

Indian held for murder plot

Washington, February 23
An Indian immigrant has been charged with trying to hire a hitman to murder three Indian families in an attempt to take over their convenience store business. Shyamsundar G Contractor (49), charged with nine counts of criminal attempt to commit murder, was denied bail by a court in US’ Georgia state.

Lead Investigator Hal Suber of Colquitt County Sheriff’s Office claimed that a confidential informant had contacted the Sheriff’s office on February 2, 2007 saying that Contractor contacted him to get nine members of three Indian families in Moultrie killed, a local newspaper reported .— PTI