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Istanbul Conference
India seeks end to external interference in Afghanistan
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Indian-origin man jailed for feeding wife with steroids
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Istanbul Conference
Istanbul, November 2 The one-day conference in Istanbul followed the September assassination of an Afghan peace envoy and other high-profile assaults in Afghanistan that have diminished prospects for a negotiated settlement and intensified suspicion of Pakistani support for the insurgency, an allegation that the Pakistan’s government denies. In an opulent hall on the shores of the Bosporus Strait, delegates delivered speeches promising support for Afghan sovereignty, and endorsed a transition to Afghan security leadership, efforts for a political solution to the war and economic development. As a show of solidarity, the meeting was a success, but it was also a reminder of how much remains unsolved. “The terrorism, extremism, as well as drugs and human trafficking that Afghanistan is struggling against are not problems that one country can deal with on its own,” Turkish President Abdullah Gul said. “It is our duty as neighbours to contribute to Afghanistan’s unity, stability and prosperity,” Gul said. “It is also a necessity for the sake of our common interests.” Afghan President Hamid Karzai and his Pakistani counterpart, Asif Ali Zardari, discussed a joint inquiry into the September 20 killing by a suicide bomber of Burhanuddin Rabbani, a former Afghan president and peace council leader. But the relationship is strained. Afghan and US officials want Pakistan to crack down on militants who operate on its territory and cross into Afghanistan to conduct attacks. In all 14 countries agreed at the conference to cooperate in building the future of war-torn Afghanistan, a Turkish diplomat said. "An agreement was reached at a technical level," said the diplomat, naming the initiative as the Istanbul process, in order to build a secure and stable Afghanistan. Among the 14 countries involved are Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, China, Russia and India, and several Arab states, said the diplomat.
— Agencies
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India seeks end to external interference in Afghanistan
Istanbul, November 2 External Affairs Minister SM Krishna, addressing those present at the ‘Istanbul Conference on Afghanistan: Security and Cooperation in the Heart of Asia’, including Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, said recent history has shown that an end to Afghanistan’s suffering requires an end to external interference in its internal affairs. “Issues regarding safe havens and sanctuaries beyond Afghanistan’s borders have to be addressed...need a road map that follows up our conclusions to address the challenges,” he said. On its part, Afghanistan termed the cooperation with New Delhi as a “turning point” and pitched for a bigger role for India in the region for desirable reasons. Official sources said the outcome document of the conference “clearly reflects” the concerns of India and other members of the international community regarding terrorism with references to the need for elimination of safe havens and sanctuaries. It also talks about non-interference in the internal affairs of Afghanistan and to respect its sovereignty and territorial integrity. They added “India played a key role...the conference document emphasizes the importance of adhering to the red lines, that is abjuring violence, cutting links with terrorist groups and respecting the constitution of Afghanistan.”
— PTI Turkey apologises for raising Kashmir issue in UN
Turkey on Wednesday expressed apologies for raking up the Kashmir issue in the UN General Assembly after India conveyed its “unhappiness” over the matter. External Affairs Minister SM Krishna met his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu on the sidelines of Istanbul conference during which Krishna conveyed the country’s “surprise and unhappiness.” Clarifying his country’s position, Davutoglu said the purpose was not to internationalise the issue of Kashmir, according to officials. “...apologize if it has hurt the sentiments of Indians,” the Turkish Minister said.
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Historic peace deal struck in Nepal
Kathmandu, November 2 The leaders of the ruling United CPN-Maoist and its key supporter in the coalition, Joint Democratic Madhesi Front along with the main opposition parties, Nepali Congress and CPN-UML yesterday inked a deal to integrate 6,500 of the 19,000 former Maoist combatants into the security forces and return properties seized during the decade-long civil war that ended in 2006. The four major political forces, representing an overwhelming majority in the 601-member Constituent Assembly, reached a seven-point agreement yesterday to conclude the stalled peace process within a month and to prepare a draft constitution by November-end. The Kantipur online quoted Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai as saying that his government would soon take the form of a national consensus government. Madhav Kumar Nepal, the former Prime Minister and senior leader of the CPN-UML, expressed confidence that the “historic agreement” will complete the peace process and the drafting of the new constitution. The deal provides that Maoist combatants opting for rehabilitation instead of joining the security forces will get a package of Rs 600,000 to Rs 900,000 for education, training and vocational opportunity. Those opting for cash incentive under rehabilitation will get a financial support between Rs 500,000 to Rs 800,000. The weapons stored in the cantonments will come under the government’s control once the process of integration starts. The regrouping of the Maoist combatants will be completed in seven days and the integration process will complete by November 23. As part of the deal, relief package will also be given to the kin of those killed, injured, disappeared or displaced during the decade-long armed conflict. The Maoist party will take an official decision to return the private and public properties seized by them during the armed conflict to their owners and also on dismantling the paramilitary youth wing, the Young Communist League by November 23. The process will be initiated to prepare a draft constitution within a month, keeping in view the November-end deadline of the expiry of the Constituent Assembly, which acts as the country’s interim parliament.
— PTI
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Assange loses extradition case
London, November 2 However, the lawyers of the 40-year-old founder of the whistleblower website said they will make a final appeal in the Supreme Court within 14 days. At the High Court, Justice John Thomas and Justice Duncan Ouseley decided that a previous ruling in favour of his extradition must be upheld after rejecting the arguments by lawyers on behalf of Assange, who is an Australian national. Swedish authorities want him to answer accusations of raping a woman and sexually molesting and coercing another in Stockholm last year. Assange denies the allegations and says they are politically motivated. “In any event, this is self evidently not a case relating to a trivial offence,
but to serious sexual offences,” the High Court judges said. Assange, who was wearing a navy blue suit and pale blue tie, made a short statement on the steps of the court after the ruling, saying: “We will be considering our next step.” He urged people to turn to a website set up in his support. “No doubt there will be many attempts made to try to spin these proceedings as they occurred today but they were merely technical. So please go to ‘swedenversusassange.com’ if you wish to know what is really going on in this case,” he said. After making the statement, Assange refused to answer mediapersons’ query as he left. A European arrest warrant was issued against Assange by Swedish authorities. The High Court judges ruled that the issuance of the European warrant that led to Assange's arrest and all subsequent proceedings to achieve his extradition were “proportionate”. They dismissed Assange’s
argument that the arrest warrant was invalid because it had been issued by a prosecutor, and not a “judicial authority”. Assange’s whistleblowing website rocked several governments across the world with the publication of thousands of diplomatic and other official communication, including many related to India. Assange’s lawyers said they will appeal before
the Supreme Court on the grounds that the case raises issues of general public importance. But if he is denied
the right to appeal, British officers will be responsible for arranging his removal to Sweden within 10 days. sexual assault charges
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Israel test-fires missile to counter Iran N-threat
Jerusalem, November 2 “Israel today carried out the test-firing of a rocket propulsion system from the Palmachim base,” a Defence Ministry statement said. “This had been long planned by the defence establishment and was carried out as scheduled.” Israeli media have carried a flurry of reports on purported efforts by PM Netanyahu to secure cabinet approval for military action against Iran. Some analysts say the speculation is designed to jolt world powers into toughening sanctions on Tehran. Asked about the media speculation, a spokesman for Netanyahu declined to comment, saying the prime minister had spoken about Tehran’s nuclear programme in a policy speech on Monday that opened parliament’s winter session. — Reuters Tehran: Iran is on alert and will “punish” any Israeli strike against it, its armed forces chief of staff, General Hassan Firouzabadi, warned amid Israeli media speculation of plans for an attack. “We consider any threat-even those with low probability and distant-as a definite threat. We are on full alert,” he said.
— Agencies
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Indian-origin man jailed for feeding wife with steroids
London, November 2 Leicester-based Dalwara Singh, secretly laced his wife’s food and drink with the drug between November last year and January, which caused her to sprout hair on her face and back and made her skin itchy and spotty. When the wife said she needed to see a doctor, he told her she was worrying over nothing. He admitted administering a poison or noxious substance with intent to injure, aggrieve or annoy. Dalwara Singh was given a 12-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered to attend a domestic abuse programme.
— PTI
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