W O R L D

Iran delays test-firing long-range missiles
Tehran, December 31
Iran said it had delayed promised long-range missile tests in the Gulf today and signalled it was ready for fresh talks with the West on its disputed nuclear programme.

WAR GAMES: An Iranian navy vessel fires a missile in a drill in the sea of Oman on Friday. — AP/PTI

Three rockets land in Quetta residential area
Islamabad, December 31
Three rockets fired by suspected militants landed in a residential area and an open field in Pakistan's southwestern Quetta city, though there were no reports of casualties or damage to property, the police said. Two rockets landed near homes in a residential area while the third hit an open field near Spini Road, police officials said. No one was injured in the attack.

Iran delays test-firing long-range missiles
Offers fresh talks with the West on its disputed N-programme

Tehran, December 31
Iran said it had delayed promised long-range missile tests in the Gulf today and signalled it was ready for fresh talks with the West on its disputed nuclear programme.

Iran’s state media initially reported early on Saturday that long-range missiles had been launched during naval exercises, a move likely to irk the West, which is concerned over threats by Tehran to close off a vital oil shipping route in the Gulf.

But Deputy Navy Commander Mahmoud Mousavi later went on the English language Press TV channel to deny the missiles had in fact been fired: “The exercise of launching missiles will be carried out in the coming days.”

Ten days of Iranian naval drills have coincided with increased tension over Tehran’s nuclear programme with Washington and its allies. The European Union said it was considering a ban, already in place in the United States, on imports from the major oil producer.

A spokeswoman for Germany’s Foreign Ministry said Berlin was following events carefully, adding: “Foreign Minister (Guido) Westerwelle is concerned that the verbal escalation of the last few days does not lead to a logic of actual escalation.”

Analysts say the conflicting reports on the missile test were intended to make the West think twice about ratcheting up pressure on Iran over its nuclear work - which the West says, and Tehran denies, is aimed at building nuclear bombs.

“The location and the timing of the drill were very shrewd ... then came reports on launching missiles that can target America’s bases in the region and Israel,” said analyst Hamid Farahvashian.

“One of the messages was that you mess with Iran, then you stand to suffer from economic havoc,” he said. “Iranians have always used this method of carrot and stick ... first they used the stick of closing Hormuz and now the carrot is its willingness for talks.” — Reuters 

Three rockets land in Quetta residential area

Islamabad, December 31
Three rockets fired by suspected militants landed in a residential area and an open field in Pakistan's southwestern Quetta city, though there were no reports of casualties or damage to property, the police said. Two rockets landed near homes in a residential area while the third hit an open field near Spini Road, police officials said. No one was injured in the attack.

The blasts were heard from several kilometres away. No group claimed responsibility for the attack. Police officials said the rockets were fired from the outskirts of Quetta.

The rocket attack came a day after 13 people were killed and 30 others injured when a car bomb went off outside the home of the son of former Balochistan CM Mir Naseer Mengal last night.

The Baluch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for yesterday’s attack according to a message sent to a local news agency. "BLA Fidaeen was in an explosive laden car that he struck the residence of Shafeeq Mengal," the news agency quoted BLA spokesperson. — PTI

Panel to summon Pasha, Haqqani

Islamabad, December 31
A Pakistani Parliamentary panel probing the memo scandal has decided to summon former envoy to the US Husain Haqqani, businessman Mansoor Ijaz and ISI chief Lt Gen Shuja Ahmed Pasha to appear before it individually next month.

The Parliamentary Committee on National Security has been asked by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to conduct an inquiry into the secret memo that sought the US help to prevent a possible military takeover in Pakistan in the wake of the killing of Osama bin Laden in May.

The panel’s chief, senior Pakistan People’s Party leader Raza Rabbani, said Haqqani, Ijaz and Pasha would be summoned to appear before the committee to present their views on the memo.

“Everybody would be called individually,” he told reporters last evening. The three persons are expected to be summoned after the next meeting of the committee is held before January 10.

“We have circulated all the documents regarding the memo issue among the members of the committee,” said Rabbani.

He said the committee would use “recognised diplomatic channels” to summon Ijaz, who is an American national of Pakistani origin.

Referring to a case taken up by the Supreme Court regarding the memo, he said there was a lot of difference between the hearing of such an issue in the apex court and the proceedings of the Parliamentary panel.

The apex court yesterday formed a three-judge commission to conduct an inquiry into the memo within four weeks.

The memo was made public by Ijaz, who claimed he had drafted and delivered it to the US military on Haqqani’s instructions. Haqqani, who resigned as envoy to the US after the scandal became public, has dismissed Ijaz’s charges. — PTI 

Race row: Indian-origin MP wants apology from BBC’s Clarkson

London, December 31
Furious over controversial BBC presenter Jeremy Clarkson mocking Indian culture during a Christmas special programme while driving in India, senior Labour MP Keith Vaz today demanded an apology. The controversy seems to have even sucked in the 10 Downing Street.

Indian-origin Vaz said the BBC should be ashamed for broadcasting gags about India that have evoked several complaints and allegations of racism.

The controversial comments about India’s trains, toilets, clothing, food and historywere made by Clarkson during the Christmas special of Top Gear programme.

Vaz, chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, said: “Mr Clarkson needs to stick to talking about cars, not cultures. And he should apologise for his lack of taste. He and the BBC have done India a great disservice with this programme”.

He added: “Some of the contents of the programme are clearly offensive and not the least bit funny. They were completely pointless. Mr Clarkson is not a ­comedian. He talks about his cars and that is why he gets on the show. Why do him and the BBC bother putting this out?” Vaz also criticised Prime Minister David Cameron for making a jokey cameo appearance in the programme.

The programme started with Clarkson standing outside 10 Downing Street with his co-hosts James May and Richard Hammond. They announced they were going to India on a “trade mission” as “ambassadors of Britain” to save the UK from bankruptcy.

Cameron then stepped out of No 10 and waved off Clarkson and his co-hosts. Cameron smiled while warning the trio of Top Gear hosts: “Stay away from India”.

An angry Vaz said: “David Cameron used his first Christmas speech this year to stress how Britain needs to secure ties with India. “I think that’s all I need to say about his involvement in the show”.

A Downing Street ­spokesman said the Prime Minister would not comment on the controversy.

The BBC has confirmed receiving 23 complaints about content “offensive to India” in the programme, which was broadcast on Wednesday evening.

A BBC spokeswoman had said: “If viewers or religious groups want to complain, they can complain to the BBC. We won’t be responding through the media”. — PTI 

Kim Jong-un declared military chief

Seoul, December 31
North Korea said today its new leader Kim Jong-un has formally been appointed supreme commander of the 1.2 million-strong military, in another sign he is rapidly tightening his grip on power.

Jong-un had already been declared “supreme leader” of the country during memorial ceremonies for his late father Kim Jong-il on Thursday, as the nation ended 13 days of mourning.

“The dear respected Kim Jong-un... assumed the supreme commandership of the Korean People’s Army at the behest of leader Kim Jong-il,” according to the official news agency.

It said the decision was proclaimed yesterday at a meeting of the political bureau of the ruling party’s central committee.

Jong-un, aged in his late 20s, was made a four-star general in September 2010 and given important party posts as his father groomed him for the country’s second dynastic succession. He was swiftly proclaimed “great successor” after Kim senior died of a heart attack on December 17.

Reports following his father’s death suggested Jong-un was already in control of the armed forces. But today’s statement was the first official confirmation of his accession to the role. — AFP