 |
|
|
G-20 protests turn violent
G8 roots for disarmament
|
|
|
Inside Pakistan
Strike pauses normal life in B’desh
CIA: Osama hiding in Pak tribal areas
Kyrgyz woman leader made President
|
|
G-20 protests turn violent
Toronto, June 27 Protesters clashed with the police, set fire to at least four police vehicles in the city’s commercial hub near the Ontario provincial legislature along the Queen Street West shopping district. Meanwhile, a small group of GTA (Greater Toronto Area) Sikhs, representing various organisations, came together at the Queens Park to raise concerns for human rights violations and to seek justice for 1984 Sikh genocide by organising peaceful protests. Earlier, the Prime Minister’s Office had contacted President of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee to use his good offices to persuade the members of the Sikh community to desist from organising any protest during the visit of Dr Manmohan Singh. The government of Canada did not expect the rioters would rampage through the city’s downtown, the most crowded area of Toronto. The police failed to control the violent protests despite unprecedented multi-million dollar security arrangements. At least 75 persons were taken into custody following the violent protests. For the first time here the police had to use tear gas and ear-piercing sound cannons to disperse the crowd. The protest organisers planned fresh rallies to mark the culmination of G-20 meetings. At least five rallies were scheduled in Canada’s most populous city, including a prayer vigil and a ‘bike block’, according to the ‘G8/G20 Toronto Community Mobilisation’. In wake of the G-20 Summit, security forces had created a red zone and vehicular traffic was diverted at various places, adversely affecting normal business, thereby evoking mixed reaction from Canadian citizens. However, the stand of the Canadian government to make elaborate security bandobast has been vindicated by the violent protests in the backdrop of a raging public debate here on whether such investment on security is worth it? “The thugs that prompted violence earlier today represent in no way the Canadian way of life,” Dimitri Soudas, a spokesman for Prime Minister Stephen Harper said in a statement, issued after the unprecedented and violent protests.
|
|
G8 roots for disarmament
Toronto, June 27 In a joint declaration after hectic deliberations, the G8 countries said the group was committed to a safer world for all and to create conditions for a world without nuclear weapons, in accordance with the goals of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. “We call upon all other states, in particular those possessing nuclear weapons, to join these disarmament efforts, in order to promote international stability and undiminished security for all,” the joint declaration said, apparently referring to countries like India, Pakistan and Israel. “We cannot be complacent about the grave threat posed to the security of present and future generations by the proliferation of nuclear weapons. We therefore welcome the outcome of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference,” it said, adding “and will pursue the follow on actions it recommended by consensus.” The US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Canada and Russia are members of the G8. The joint declaration also expressed concern over the possibility of nuclear weapons falling into the hands of non-state actors like Taliban and al-Qaeda. “We face a new era of threats from non-state actors, particularly terrorists, who seek to acquire weapons of mass destruction and related technology and materials. The consequences of failing to prevent this could be severe,” it warned. “We reaffirm our commitment to work together for our shared security, including fulfilment of the commitments we made at the Washington Nuclear Security Summit, especially to work cooperatively to secure all vulnerable nuclear material in four years,” it added. The declaration also urged all states to take and support resolute action to address non-compliance with the Treaty’s non-proliferation obligations, including safeguards obligations. — PTI
|
|
|
Inside Pakistan
A constituency for peace exists in Pakistan. An average Pakistani is getting vocal and open about it but warns about vested interests. These are not the usual suspects like terrorists, but a clash of business interests that can hamper normalcy. The young and educated professionals here are looking not just at trade and opportunities, but at wider exchange of ideas and friendly relations with India.
The other hindrance towards peace is even more crucial and that is the role of the well-equipped and rather authoritative Army here. The young Pakistanis are candid in conceding that while the Indian Ministry of Defence controls the Indian Army, in Pakistan it’s the Army that is the “boss”. The top leadership of Pakistan took pains to stress the point to the visiting Indian foreign and home ministry delegations that people yearning for peace exist on both sides of the divide. The Indian side responded by acknowledging that a section of the Pakistani establishment is keen to show that it wants an improved relationship. “We will be ready to move along without forcing the pace of normalcy,” said a visiting Indian official. As a young Pakistani journalist puts it, the industry here is apprehensive that Indian industry could capture the local market and create needless competition for local industry. Things like automobiles and auto parts are a strict no-no. Conversely the Indian Industry may not like handicrafts or any specific goods from here as these things can affect livelihoods in the two nations, added the journalist. Taking the opinion of the industry will give a wrong impetus and focus only on opening up trade as a marker for normalcy. It will create fears and lobbies. The focus has to be on what people want, trade comes next. A leading example of this clash of interests within Pakistan was given by Arifa Noor, resident editor of the Dawn, at Islamabad as we briefly interacted with her. She says the film actors in Pakistan want to work in Bollywood movies and the cinema hall owners are happy as they earn good money by screening the Indian movies. However, the producers and directors of the movies often term the Indian flicks as “cultural invasion”. Hanif, who is a trainer at a hi-end gym in Islamabad, met us at the upscale Jinnah Super market. “I am looking at a business opportunity to open a gym in New Delhi or at least a franchisee”, he said. The Dawn in its editorial on June 25 prodded on the Pakistani leadership on the importance of Indian Prime MInister Manmohan Singh saying: “In Manmohan Singh Pakistan has a potential peace partner, who appears willing to at least go beyond the bare minimum in the quest for peace. Creative thinking here could give the latest ‘process’ the necessary impetus”. Anjum Nida Rehman, Special correspondent of “Express news”, a leading English news channel of Pakistan, believes that Pakistan interior minister Rehman Malik was the best man to tackle terrorism. Pakistan’s Information and Broadcasting Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira says dialogue is the only option. Please look for peace and urged upon the media to play a “positive role”. Just after the very public display of warmth by the foreign secretaries of the two countries, the key question in Pakistan is will things rollback if there is another terror-attack on India? The answer may not be simple but the average Pakistani is concerned and blames the “hukumat” (governments) on both sides for driving wedges.
|
|
Islamabad Diary
A Bollywood-crazy Pakistan Indian movies Rajneeti and Raavan are being shown in several Pakistani cities. The curiosity of the local people here could be well gauged by the manner they discuss these movies. The moment they know that you are an Indian with Punjabi origins, the average Pakistani wants a full-scale debate on Bollywood songs, actresses and actors, even the scantily clad women who perform “item numbers”. Indian movies were allowed in Pakistan during the tenure of General Pervez Musharraf and are censored for content, which is later edited. The scissors are used on what are considered “steamy scenes” for Pakistani sensibilities. City Beautiful vs Islamabad Is Islamabad better than Chandigarh? Yes, it is true. The Pakistani capital is decidedly better planned that the Union Territory over which Punjab and Haryana are squabbling. Islamabad has four-laned roads, the green cover is excellent and the irritating traffic lights are very few in number. All major intersections have flyovers and underpasses. The travel is smooth unlike Chandigarh where travelling past each roundabout is task in itself. Though the upscale Jinnah Super Market might not have the expanse of the piazza of Sector 17, the shops are niche and well stocked with house designer labels. Islamabad, like Chandigarh, is located on the foothills. Rather a drive through the Blue Avenue here looks the same as one drive up towards the northern sectors of Chandigarh. Lastly, no women in burqa in Islamabad. Bapu’s statue in Islamabad A bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the Indian High Commission in Islamabad has an interesting history. Karachi citizens originally installed it during the pre-partition days in 1931. Riots in the port city lead agitated residents in Pakistan to pull it down in 1950. The broken pieces were handed over to the Indian consulate in Karachi in 1981. It underwent repairs and was re-erected on the swank premises of the Indian High Commission here in 1988. It stands at the entrance to the high commission.
|
|
Strike pauses normal life in B’desh
Dhaka, June 27 Hundreds of paramilitary troops and policemen today patrolled the streets in the capital following reports of violence as former premier Khaleda Zia-led opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party today enforced a countrywide dawn-to-dusk general strike. The strike is part of the BNP’s campaign against alleged misrule of the ruling Awami League party. It also accused the ruling coalition of “compromising national interests” by inking deals with India earlier this year. It accused the government of suppressing the opposition. According to reports, activists of BNP torched at least five vehicles last night, causing burns to two people, in an apparent attempt to create panic among the public to successfully enforce the strike against the Hasina-led government. “Although no clear evidence has emerged that the opposition is involved in the typical pre-hartal violence, it would be widely perceived as BNP’s bid to instill fear and panic towards a successful hartal,” a private news agency BDNews24 reported. The state-run BSS news agency reported that over 100 activists, including five senior BNP leaders were arrested from different areas of the city as the city witnessed clashes between the BNP cadres and the baton wielding police. Witnesses said the activists tried to vandalize vehicles in Maghbazar area though most vehicles were off the road, schools and shopping malls remained closed across the country. The five detained leaders were former mayor of Dhaka Mirza Abbas, former foreign secretary Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury, Zia’s advisers MA Mannan and Ahmed Azom Khan and Shaheed Uddin Chowdhury Anny MP. BNP General Secretary Khondker Delwar Hossain said when people are spontaneously observing the shutdwon, the police cannot be used to frustrated it. He said a BNP lawmaker was injured during a clash between pro- and anti-strike supporters at Dhaka University in the capital. He demanded the release of the detained party leaders and activists. Authorities have deployed about 10,000 extra police personnel alongside the elite Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) troops to maintain order during the strike, Dhaka Police chief AKM Shahidul Haque said.
— PTI
|
|
|
CIA: Osama hiding in Pak tribal areas Washington, June 27 “I think the estimate on the number of al-Qaida (in Afghanistan) is actually relatively small. I think at most, we’re looking at maybe 60 to 100, maybe less.It’s in that vicinity. There’s no question that the main location of al-Qaida is in tribal areas of Pakistan,” CIA director Leon Panetta, told a news channel in an interview. Panetta said the al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden is in deep hiding in the tribal areas of Pakistan, but did not give any further details. “He is, as is obvious, in very deep hiding. He’s in the tribal areas in Pakistan that is very difficult. The terrain is probably the most difficult in the world,” he said. “That’s all we know, that he’s located in that vicinity. The terrain is very difficult. He obviously has tremendous security around him,” Panetta said. “I think what’s happened is that the more we put pressure on the al-Qaida leadership in the tribal areas in Pakistan and I would say that as a result of our operations, that the Taliban (al-Qaida) leadership is probably at its weakest point since 9/11 and their escape from Afghanistan into Pakistan,” he said. — PTI
|
|
|
Kyrgyz woman leader made President Moscow, June 27 The referendum had legitimised her as the transitional head of state of the former Soviet Central Asian republic. “Today is a very important, historic day for the country. The people have put a full stop on the epoch of authoritarian, nepotistic management,” Otunbayeva said. “Today we reached victory on the path to a true government of the people. Today we adopted the new constitution. The referendum was held, despite the difficulties and fierce resistance from opponents of the new constitution,” Otunbayeva was quoted as saying by RIA Novosti. Otunbayeva said this after the turnout crossed over 53.12 per cent after 1.47 million voters out of total 2.7 million cast their ballots approving the new constitution transforming the poor Central Asian nation into a parliamentary democracy. Otunbayeva said the referendum had confirmed the legitimacy of her leadership and vowed to form a new cabinet in the near future. — PTI
|
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
