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| June 02, 2007 | Saturday | Jamadi-ul-Awwal 16, 1428 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Lawyers warn they won't be cowed; CJP on way to Abbotabad HARIPUR, Pakistan, June 2 (Reuters) Thousands turned out to greet Pakistan's suspended chief justice Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry as he travelled to a northwestern town Saturday. Chants of “Go Musharraf Go” were raised as Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry passed through towns and villages on his way to address the legal fraternity in Abbottabad. Along the way, Aitzaz Ahsan, the leader of the legal team defending Justice Iftikhar against charges of misconduct, delivered a sharp riposte to a statement of support for President Musharraf issued by the army's top brass a day earlier. “Our movement cannot be stopped through barrels of guns, or through the threat of tanks and army. We will continue our struggle,” Ahsan said to applause from a crowd of over 3,000 in Haripur town. “The constitution gives the people of Pakistan the right to rule the country. We will no longer allow any army general to rule the country,” Ali Ahmed Kurd, another member of Justice Iftikhar’s legal team, told opposition activists in Taxila. After nine hours of driving for the journey, the convoy of cars carrying Justice Iftikhar and his supporters had still to reach Abbottabad some 60 km north east of Islamabad. Around 15,000 people had come out to cheer the suspended chief justice and shower his vehicle with rose petals. The caravan of cars travelling with Justice Iftikhar began to swell as he approached Abbottabad. (Posted @ 20:26 PST)
Pakistan's suspended chief justice leads rally despite ban on gatherings of more than 5 ISLAMABAD, June 2 (AP) - Dozens of protesters joined a procession in support of Pakistan's suspended chief justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry as the rally got under way Saturday, a lawyer said, in defiance of a ban on gatherings of more than five people in the capital. Unlike the earlier extensive live tv coverage of Chaudhry’s processions, the situation Saturday was visibly different, as most stations merely reported that Chaudhry had left Islamabad for Abbotabat where he was to address lawyers. Despite the two-month ban on gatherings of more than five people, police didn't stop Chaudhry's supporters, who first gathered outside his home in an upscale neighborhood of Islamabad, then marched down a main road with him to Abbotabat, said lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan. (Posted @ 11:47 PST)
Pakistan and India to hold meeting on Uri-2 hydel project NEW DELHI, June 2 (APP): Pakistan and India will hold a special meeting in August or September next to discuss objections raised by Pakistan on Uri-2 hydel project being constructed by India on river Jhelum in occupied Kashmir. Talking to newsmen after the second day meeting of Pak-India Indus Water CommissionFriday night, Syed Jamaat Ali Shah, Pakistan Indus Water Commissioner, said Pakistan's objections on the project with regards to construction of gates, free board and poundage were discussed and it was decided to take up this issue in the special meeting. Referring to construction of Kishan Ganga hydel project on river Neelum in occupied Kashmir, he said Pakistan had told the Indian side that diverting River water would have a negative impact on agriculture and environment in Neelum Valley in Azad Kashmir. Both sides agreed to further discuss this matter at the next special meeting. Referring to construction of bunds by India on the left bank of River Ravi, he said Pakistan had asked for details and stressed the need for arranging an inspection for Pakistani technical experts to the site. (Posted @ 13:33PST)
Four charged in plot to attack New York airport NEW YORK, June 2, (AFP) - Four people, including a former member of Guyana's parliament, have been charged with conspiring to blow up jet-fuel supply tanks at New York's main airport, US officials said Saturday. (Posted @ 23:48 PST)
More than 150 police hurt in clashes at G8 demo in Germany ROSTOCK, Germany, June 2 (AFP) More than 150 police were injured in violent clashes with protestors at a demonstration here Saturday against next week's G8 summit, a police spokesman said. Masked demonstrators hurled Molotov cocktails, stones and bottles at police as tens of thousands of people marched through the streets of Rostock, a northeastern German port city near Heiligendamm where the Group of Eight leaders will gather for three days of talks from Wednesday. Protestors overturned and set fire to several cars, an AFP reporter said. Police said 20,000 people were taking part in the march, while the protest organisers put the figure at 80,000. The Rostock demonstration kicks off a week of protests against the summit of the leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States. (First Posted @ 17:08 PST Updated @ 22:02 PST)
Bomb kills five people in Pakistani tribal region ISLAMABAD, June 2 (Reuters) A roadside bomb killed five people Saturday near Pakistan's border with Afghanistan in a tribal region, police and hospital officials said. The blast occurred in Salarzai village some 15 km east of Khar, the main town in the Bajaur tribal region, a senior tribal police official said. (Posted @ 21:24 PST)
Iraqi gunmen kill Qaeda's Fallujah leader BAGHDAD, June 2 (AFP) Unidentified gunmen shot dead a local Al-Qaeda leader in the western Iraqi city of Fallujah Saturday, police said. Colonel Tareq al-Dulaimi, a senior police intelligence officer, confirmed reports that Muwaffaq al-Jugheifi had been killed but did not identify the attackers. (Posted @ 20:48 PST)
6,000 Thais protest against junta BANGKOK, June 2 (AFP) A crowd of 6,000 protesters rallied in the Thai capital Saturday, police said, to demand an end to the military-installed government in the biggest protest against the junta since last year's coup. (Posted @ 19:38 PST)
Iraq urges Turkey not to use military action ARBIL, Iraq, June 2 (Reuters) Iraq's prime minister urged Turkey Saturday not to send its troops into northern Iraq to crush Kurdish rebels based there. “If there are problems, then we shouldn't resort to threats, force and weapons because this worsens the problems,” Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said at a news conference with Iraqi Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani in Arbil, capital of Kurdistan. “We don't want to harm neighbouring countries, but we also don't want neighbouring countries to interfere with military raids,” he said. (Posted @ 19:24 PST)
Palestinians hurt as Israelis demolish Nablus roadblocks NABLUS, West Bank, June 2 (AFP) Three Palestinians were injured and dozens of houses and other buildings damaged Saturday when Israeli forces blew up concrete blocks barring their entry into part of the West Bank town of Nablus, medics and security sources said. Palestinian information minister Mustapha Barghuti visited the scene, calling the operation a “big crime.” (First Posted @ 13:15 PST Updated @ 19:10 PST)
Durrani underlines sanctity of national institutions ISLAMABAD, Jun 2 (APP) Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Muhammad Ali Durrani said that sanctity of the Supreme Court building was violated and derogatory remarks were passed against the armed forces, judges and the judiciary in the seminar held on May 26 by the lawyer community. In an interview to BBC Radio the Minister said that such remarks should not have been aired by the television channels. He said the government has informed the media about violation of rules and asked them not to repeat this violation in the future. (Posted @ 19:04 PST)
Over 50,000 greet suspended Pakistani chief justice for rally, speech ABBOTABAD, Pakistan, June 2 (AP) Tens of thousands of people gathered for a rally against the president's suspension of Pakistan's chief justice Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, giving the jurist a joyous reception ahead of a speech to lawyers in Abbotabad. Witnesses estimated at least 50,000-60,000 people gathered along the road to Abbotabad, 50 kilometres north of Islamabad. Dozens accompanied Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry's convoy when it left Islamabad. The procession kept growing as it neared Abbotabad. Justice Iftikhar’s supporters claimed the crowd surpassed 100,000. Ahead of Justice Iftikhar's vehicle, a crowd chanted ''Go, Musharraf, go.'' All roads leading to Abbotabad were decorated with banners, balloons and portraits of the judge. (Posted @ 18:06 PST)
General Ehsanul Haq meets Singapore’s Foreign Minister Singapore, June 2 (PPI) Pakistan’s Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Chairman, General Ehsanul Haq met with Singapore Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo and exchanged views on strengthening diplomatic, economic and trade relations between the two countries. General Haq is in Singapore attending sixth International Institute of Strategic Studies' Asia Security Conference and Singapore's Shangri-La Dialogue involving Asian defence sectors. (Posted @ 18:00 PST)
Sixty dead after boat sinks in Helmand river KABUL, Afghanistan, June 2 (APP/AP) An estimated 60 people, including Taliban militants, died when their boat sank while crossing the Helmand river in Afghanistan's Helmand province Saturday, the Defence Ministry said. (Posted @ 16:41 PST)
Ten killed, 15 hurt as oil-tanker rams into market Multan, June 02 (PPI) At least ten persons including five children died and another 15 injured when a Multan bound oil-tanker coming from Karachi rammed into the roadside market in Afzalabad (Fazilpur), some 170 km west-south of Multan, Saturday noon. Police said the mishap occurred due to overspeeding and reckless driving of the oil-tanker driver. (Posted @ 16:32 PST)
Strong, stable and peaceful Afghanistan in interest of region: President Musharraf ISLAMABAD, June 2 (APP) President Pervez Musharraf Saturday said that a strong, peaceful and stable Afghanistan is in the interest of both countries and the entire region. He was speaking to the members of Pak-Afghanistan Jirga Commission who met him at Aiwan-e-Sadr. The President underlined the need for greater people to people contact between the two countries which share common history, culture and heritage. He underlined the need for increasing cooperation in various fields especially in fighting terrorism and extremism. President Musharraf said Pakistan has been hosting over four million Afghan refugees over the last three decades and that there about 2.4 million refugees still living here and Pakistan desires to facilitate their repatriation with honour and dignity to their homeland. He said Pakistan has been playing leading role in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Afghanistan and has been urging the global community to further expand its assistance and cooperation in the reconstruction efforts. The President said Pakistan has already donated US $ 300 million for rebuilding Afghanistan and assured that it would remain committed to this objective. (Posted @ 16:22 PST)
Imam-e-Kaaba led Zohar prayer at President’s House ISLAMABAD, June 2 (APP) Imam-e-Kaaba Abdur Rehman Al-Sadais Saturday led Zohar prayer at Aiwan-e-Sadr (President’s House) mosque. President Pervez Musharraf, President Pakistan Muslim League Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, federal ministers and Aiwan-e-Sadr staff offered the prayer. Imam-e-Kaaba prayed for the solidarity, prosperity and progress of the Muslim Ummah especially Pakistan. The Imam also prayed for peace and sectarian harmony in Pakistan and success of the President's efforts for the fast track economic development of the country and unity of the Ummah. Earlier, President General Pervez Musharraf warmly welcomed Imam-e-Kaaba on his arrival at Aiwan-e-Sadr. The Imam had a brief meeting with the President and discussed the challenges being faced by the Ummah and need for collective efforts for peace and development. (Posted @ 16:05 PST)
Mortar barrages killed at least eight in Baghdad BAGHDAD, June 2 (AP) A series of mortar barrages killed eight civilians and wounded 25 others early Saturday in the Fadhil neighbourhood in central Baghdad, police said. The mortars also damaged five houses, a policeman said. At least one woman and one child were among the eight dead, he said. Elsewhere in Baghdad, residents in the Amariyah neighbourhood remained under curfew as U.S. and Iraqi troops sought to maintain calm in the area after fierce clashes between rival insurgent groups and al-Qaida in Iraq. (Posted @ 15:58 PST)
Three Lebanese soldiers killed in clashes with militants BEIRUT, June 2 (AFP) Three Lebanese soldiers were killed Saturday during intense fighting between the army and militants in northern Lebanon, a military spokesman said. Two soldiers were killed during the night and a third in the morning around the Nahr al-Bared refugee camp where fighters of the Al-Qaeda-inspired Fatah al-Islam group are holed up, he said. (First Posted @ 11:28 PST, Updated @ 15:51 PST)
Filipino runs amok; kills 10, wounds 19 MANILA, June 2 (Reuters) A Filipino in a drunken rage hacked dozens of people with a machete Saturday, killing 10 and wounding 19 in central Philippine’s Samar island’s Gadgaran village, a local police chief said. (Posted @ 15:47 PST)
Imran Khan leaves for London seeking British justice for Karachi killings ISLAMABAD, June 2 (Reuters) Tehrik-e-Insaf (Movement of Justice) party chief Imran Khan left for London Saturday to launch legal proceedings there against a rival he blames for clashes in Karachi last month in which 40 people were killed. Khan aims to have a British court try Altaf Hussain, as the founder of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has British citizenship and has been living there for more than a decade. “The idea is to bring him to justice,” Khan told reporters at the Islamabad International airport. “Clearly we cannot do so in Pakistan.” Khan says members of his party were targeted on May 12 when gun battles broke out between government supporters and opposition party workers who had come out on the streets to greet Chief Justice Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. (Posted @ 15:44 PST)
Indian families search Pakistani jail for relatives missing from 1971 war LAHORE, Pakistan, June 2 (AP) - Fourteen Indian men and women scanned records and visited cells at Lahore’ central jail Saturday in an effort to trace family members missing since the 1971 war between the South Asian rivals, officials said. An Indian High Commission official, Sarosh Redy, said the families would visit 10 Pakistani prisons. (Posted @ 13:32 PST)
15 killed in attack on policeman's home in Afghanistan KABUL, Afghanistan, June 2 (AP) - Suspected Taliban militants attacked a local police commander's home early Saturday, killing five of his family members and sparking a gunbattle with police that left 10 insurgents dead, an official said. The attack in the southeastern province of Ghazni killed the commander's wife, two sons and two nephews, said Interior Ministry spokesman Zemeri Bashary. (Posted @ 13:18 PST)
Insurgents destroy major bridge in northern Iraq KIRKUK, June 2 (Reuters) - Insurgents destroyed the major Sarha Bridge, near the town of Tuz Khurmato on the Chinchal river, that connects Baghdad with the northern cities of Kirkuk and Arbil early on Saturday, police said. (Posted @ 13:13 PST)
US tank kills 3 Iraqi children BAGHDAD, June 2 (Reuters) - Three Iraqi children were killed when a U.S. tank fired at insurgents planting roadside bombs on Friday near Falluja, the U.S. military said. The statement said one insurgent was wounded and three men fled the scene. (Posted @ 13:12 PST)
US warships bomb coastal Somali town MOGADISHU, June 2 (AFP) -US warships overnight bombed a fishing town in northeastern Somalia after Islamist fighters clashed with troops from the country's semi-autonomous region of Puntland, witnesses said Saturday. (Posted @ 11:26 PST)
Iraq: 2 more US soldiers killed; 15 bodies found Baghdad, June 2 (Reuters) - Two more US soldiers were killed as 15 more bodies were found in Baghdad in various incidents of violence ending Friday midnight. One U.S. soldier was killed by small arms fire in Baghdad on Friday while the other was killed and one wounded when their patrol was attacked with small arms fire in Baghdad on Wednesday, the U.S. military said. Meanwhile, 15 bodies were found in various parts of Baghdad, police said adding that six decomposing bodies were found dumped together in the Tahreer district of Baquba . Separately, two insurgents were killed by a roadside bomb they were trying to plant in southeastern Baghdad, police said. (Posted @ 10:16 PST)
War in Iraq cannot be won: former British army chief LONDON, June 2 (AFP) -There is “no way” the war in Iraq can be won by the United States and its allies, a former British Army commander said Friday as he called for the troops to be withdrawn. General Sir Michael Rose, who commanded the United Nations Protection Force in Bosnia-Hercegovina from 1994 to 1995, said coalition forces in Iraq were facing an impossible situation. “There is no way we are going to win the war and (we should) withdraw and accept defeat because we are going to lose on a more important level if we don't,” he said speaking at the annual Hay Festival of Literature and the Arts in Hay-on-Wye, on the Welsh border with England. Though the coalition could not simply “cut and run,” Rose said announcing a withdrawal date would help to dampen down the violence between Sunni, Shia and Kurdish factions.“Give them a date and it is amazing how people and political parties will stop fighting each other and start working towards a peaceful transfer of power,” he said. (Posted @ 10:15 PST)
Chinese Vice Premier Huang Ju dies BEIJING, June 2 (AFP) -Chinese Vice Premier Huang Ju, ranked number six in China's ruling Communist Party hierarchy, died early Saturday, state media reported. Huang, who had been ill, died in Beijing at the age of 69, Xinhua news agency said. An obituary issued by the central authorities called Huang “an excellent member of the CPC (Communist Party), a long-tested and faithful Communist fighter and an outstanding leader of the party and the state.” (Posted @ 09:56 PST)
Cricket: Jamaican police to say Woolmer was not murdered – Daily Mail LONDON, June 2 (AFP) -Jamaican police are set to announce that Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer was not murdered, but died of natural causes, a British newspaper said Saturday, citing a source close to the inquiry. The Daily Mail said Jamaican detectives would announce at a press conference next week that they are no longer treating the death as murder and instead believe he died of heart failure brought on by chronic ill health and possibly diabetes. Following a review by London's Metropolitan Police, Jamaican officers privately agree that no third party was involved in Woolmer's death, the Daily Mail said in a front-page story. (Posted @ 09:52 PST)
US urges stronger sanctions against Iran SINGAPORE, June 2 (AFP) - US Defence Secretary Robert Gates called on the international community Saturday to unite behind stronger sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program, warning that a military solution “is in no one's interest.””I think everybody in this room wants there to be a diplomatic solution to this problem. Having to take care of this problem militarily is in no one's interest,” Gates told a conference here on security in Asia. (Posted @ 09:40 PST)
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