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| February 12, 2008 | Tuesday | Safar 04, 1429 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
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Benazir Bhutto’s book says she had cell numbers of assassins NEW YORK, Feb 12 (Reuters) Former premier Benazir Bhutto returned home knowing the names and cell phone numbers of her possible assassins, she wrote in a book finished just days before her murder at a December election rally. Bhutto wrote in “Reconciliation: Islam, Democracy and the West,” to be released worldwide Tuesday, that Pakistani officials told her four suicide bomber squads had been sent by Taliban warlord Baitullah Mehsud, Osama bin Laden's son Hamza, and two militant groups to kill her. “I had actually received from a sympathetic Muslim foreign government the names and cell numbers of designated assassins,” said Bhutto. After the first attempt on her life, Bhutto wrote that “a cover-up seemed to be under way from the very first moments of the attack” that she said was “clearly meant to appear to be an Al-Qaeda-style suicide attack.” “This was meant to look like the work of Al-Qaeda and the Taliban, and I do not doubt they were involved,” Bhutto wrote in the 318-page book published by News Corp.'s HarperCollins. “But the sophistication of the plan ... suggested a larger conspiracy,” she said. (Posted @ 11:00 PST)
Pakistan unsure if missing Ambassador Azizuddin kidnapped ISLAMABAD, Feb 12 (Reuters): Pakistani authorities said Tuesday they didn't know whether their ambassador to Afghanistan Tariq Azizuddin had been kidnapped, a day after he went missing in the Khyber tribal region. Ambassador Azizuddin was on his way to Kabul from Peshawar when he disappeared along with his driver and bodyguard. “The search is on. We have nothing to share at the stage,” Foreign Office spokesman, Muhammad Sadiq, told Reuters. He refused to speculate whether the envoy had been kidnapped. “We don't know what happened, we have no idea,” Sadiq said. “There is no confirmation he has been kidnapped.” A security official said the envoy was to change cars at the border but he did not show up and was believed to have not reached the border. (First Posted @ 09:35 PST, Updated @ 10:55 PST)
Nine hurt in blast outside Pakistan election office QUETTA, Pakistan, Feb 12 (AFP) - A bomb attached to a bicycle exploded outside the office of an election candidate in the town of Khuzdar in southwestern Balochistan province Tuesday, wounding nine people including four journalists, police said. The blast occurred as an independent candidate in February 18's general elections, Sardar Aslam Bizenjo, addressed a press conference at his office, local police chief Hamid Shakil said. “Someone parked a bicycle outside Bizenjo's office which exploded during his press conference,” Shakil said. The candidate was unhurt, he said. (Posted @ 16:15 PST)
Pakistan mobilises troops for Feb 18 election ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Feb 12 (AFP) - Tens of thousands of troops were deployed across Pakistan Tuesday to provide security for Feb 18 elections, the interior ministry said. Army soldiers and paramilitary forces stood guard at government buildings and potentially sensitive areas of several major cities, witnesses said. “Army has started mobilising and moving to their respective areas of deployment today and would complete its deployment by February 15,” interior ministry spokesman Javed Cheema told reporters. Authorities had drawn up plans to provide security for more than 64,000 polling stations, Cheema said. More than 1,000 international observers and journalists were coming to monitor the polls, he added. He rejected opposition concerns that the army could be used to interfere with the polls to benefit allies of President Pervez Musharraf. “All these arrangements have been made to ensure that people cast their vote without any fear in an environment of peace and order. Nobody would be allowed to disrupt the polling process or create any law and order situation,” he said. Officials in southern Sindh province -- Benazir's political powerbase -- said they had asked the army for four helicopters for surveillance duties and recruited 15,000 “volunteers” to assist police. “We have also provided security to some political personalities including (Bhutto's husband) Asif Ali Zardari who have threats to their lives, ”provincial home minister Akhtar Zamin said. After a lacklustre start to the election campaign, Zardari and other top political leaders are scheduled to address big rallies later this week. (First Posted @ 16:35 PST, Updated @ 18:45 PST)
Cricket-Australia advised not to tour Pakistan KARACHI, Pakistan, Feb 12 (Reuters) - Independent security experts have advised Cricket Australia against touring Pakistan next month, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Nasim Ashraf said on Tuesday. Ashraf told Reuters he had received a letter from Cricket Australia chairman Creagh O'Connor on Monday expressing concern about Australia's first tour to Pakistan in 10 years. “In the letter they have reiterated their commitment to supporting us but at the same time they have said they have got security briefings advising them against playing in Pakistan at this time,” Ashraf said. Ashraf said he had told Cricket Australia it should send a security delegation one week after the general elections on Feb. 18 to assess the situation for itself. He said he had told O'Connor that cricketers were safe in Pakistan and no touring team had been affected by the security environment in any series. (Posted @ 19:05 PST)
Mansoor Dadullah under interrogation in Pakistan QUETTA, Pakistan, Feb 12 (AFP): Authorities were interrogating top Taliban commander Mullah Mansoor Dadullah Tuesday, a day after he was wounded and arrested in a shootout with security forces in southwestern Pakistan Monday, police said. “We have handed Dadullah over to the security agencies. He is under interrogation and details will be known later,” Balochistan’s provincial police chief, Saud Gohar, told AFP. (Posted @ 13:10 PST)
Pakistan election body not independent: HRW ISLAMABAD, Feb 12 (AFP): Human Rights Watch Tuesday warned Pakistan's Election Commission had failed to investigate reports of campaign violations, threatening the validity of next week's national polls. The New York-based group said in a statement that the commission had ignored reports of arrests and harassment of opposition party members, and failed to act independently from the administration of President Musharraf. “There have been numerous complaints of improper government assistance to the ruling party and illegal interference with opposition activities,” said Brad Adams, the group's Asia director. “But the Election Commission has done nothing significant to address these problems, raising serious questions about its impartiality.” Human Rights Watch said that election candidates had so far filed more than 1,500 complaints of irregularities, but few had been investigated. These included reports of police obstructing opposition rallies, threatening opposition candidates, removing posters for opposition parties and putting up banners of the Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) party. The group also questioned the Election Commission’s impartiality, whose chief commissioner and other key members were directly appointed by the president. “The Election Commission's lack of independence and impartiality is among the crucial structural issues impeding free and fair elections,” HRW said. There was no immediate comment from the Election Commission. (Posted @ 12:45 PST)
PPP launches Benazir book ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Feb 12 (AFP) - Supporters of Pakistan's slain opposition leader Benazir Bhutto on Tuesday launched the book she completed days before her death, hailing it a manifesto on religious tolerance “from her grave”. “Reconciliation: Islam, Democracy, and the West”, in which Benazir speculates about her own assassination, hits bookshelves nearly seven weeks after her death in a suicide attack and days before elections which she had hoped to win. “Before her own life was extinguished, Benazir Bhutto lit a candle and that candle is this memorable book,” Tanvir Ahmad Khan, a former foreign secretary of Pakistan under Bhutto, said at the book launch in Islamabad. Sherry Rehman, spokeswoman for PPP, said the former premier left behind a “profound message” of tolerance in the book, which tackles Islamic extremism and Pakistan's relationship with the West. In Karachi, people flocked to bookstores Tuesday to get their hands on a copy. (Posted @ 22:04 PST)
Good progress in Benazir assassination investigations ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Feb 12 (PPI) - Interior Ministry spokesman Brig (R) Javed Iqbal Cheema Tuesday claimed that investigators have made very good progress into Benazir Bhutto assassination case. Briefing newsmen he said the investigation team has got some very good leads from those arrested recently. There is a whole chain of elements involved in planning, execution, facilitation and financing, he said and expressed resolve of the Government to reach to the bottom of the tragedy. Replying to a question he said the Scotland Yard did not get any money from the Government of Pakistan and we are thankful to the British Government for sending the team as a goodwill gesture in response to a request made by the President. Responding to another question he said Mansoor Dadullah and four others arrested yesterday near Zhob are being investigated. He said the law enforcing and other agencies are carrying out search operation in Khyber Agency to trace ambassador Tariq Azizuddin who went missing yesterday. He denied reports that a serving Brigadier also went missing yesterday. (Posted @ 21:45 PST)
15 miscreants surrender to Pakistan security forces in Swat ISLAMABAD, Feb 12 (APP): At least 15 miscreants have surrendered along with their arms to the security forces at Tehsil Kabal and Shakar Darra in Swat. So far, over 200 miscreants have surrendered to the security forces under the peace Jirga. Meanwhile, ISPR Swat Region said that curfew for indefinite period would remain in force from Kabal Chowk to Shah Dahri, while in other areas, there would be relaxation in curfew from 6.00 A.M. to 10.00 P.M. (Posted @ 21:16 PST)
Afghans, Arabs kidnapped in Afghanistan KABUL, Feb 12 (AP) - Taliban militants kidnapped around 20 Arabs and Afghans in Farah province and were still holding six captive, while a suicide car bomber detonated his explosives next to a NATO convoy, wounding one soldier, officials said Tuesday. Around 20 Arabs and Arab-Afghans on a hunting trip for rare birds were taken hostage around two days ago, said Younis Rassouli, Farah's deputy provincial governor. Four Afghans and two people from Qatar were still being held, he said. The rest had been released. The group of 20 were robbed of their money, weapons and personal belongings, he said. The bomb attack in Farah province wounded one soldier and damaged a NATO vehicle, ISAF said. (Posted @ 20:16 PST)
Four killed, 22 more feared dead in Uganda boat wreck KAMPALA, Feb 12 (Reuters) - Four people were killed and another 22 missing feared drowned after two boats, one carrying fish traders and the other 2.5 tonnes of fish aboard, collided and sank in Lake Victoria in eastern Uganda, police said on Tuesday. Police said the boats had a total of 42 people on board. Sixteen people survived and four bodies had been recovered, police said. The missing 22 people were “presumed dead”, a spokesman said adding that overloading and bad visibility were the likely causes of the wreck. (Posted @ 20:10 PST)
PM Soomro stresses need of equitable distribution of resources among provinces ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Feb 12 (APP): Caretaker Prime Minister Mohammadmian Soomro Tuesday stressed the need for inter-provincial harmony to ensure equitable distribution of water and power resources, and same standard of living among the provinces. Addressing a day-long conference on 'Confidence building measures to strengthen inter-provincial harmony', attended by representatives of the chambers of commerce and industries from all over the country, he said consensus on dams could be developed through debates by Senate's standing committees. (Posted @ 19:24 PST)
Roads in Bagh closed due to bad weather BAGH, Pakistan, Feb 12 (APP): All main roads in tehsil Haveli of District Bagh have been closed for the last few days due to heavy snowfall. Consequently, there is shortage of edibles including grains and citizens have appealed that essential food items should be air dropped. (Posted @ 19:22 PST)
Afghan president hopes for Pakistan envoy's rescue KABUL, Feb 12 (AFP): Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Tuesday he hoped for the quick rescue from “terrorists” of Islamabad's ambassador to Kabul Tariq Azizuddin who is feared kidnapped. Azizuddin went missing Monday in the Khyber tribal district. He had been driving to Afghanistan but did not cross the border. “May God make it happen that our brother and neighbouring country, Pakistan, is able to rescue him from the abductors, the terrorists,” Karzai said. “We hope he comes to Afghanistan safely, sound and healthy, to continue his work in Kabul. May he be safe and freed,” Karzai said. (Posted @ 13:00 PST)
Gulf Arabs see Israel stopping Iran bomb - Kuwaiti adviser LONDON, Feb 12 (Reuters) - Gulf states believe Israel will destroy Iran's nuclear programme rather than allow it to acquire an atomic bomb, an adviser to the Kuwaiti government and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) said on Tuesday. If Iran did build the bomb, said adviser Sami Alfaraj, then the Jewish state might be one of the countries -- along with the United States and Pakistan -- Gulf Arab nations would ask to provide a “nuclear umbrella” to guarantee their security. Alfaraj, president of the Kuwait Centre for Strategic Studies, said Israel might bomb Iranian nuclear facilities in the same way it destroyed Iraq's main atomic reactor at Osirak with a military strike in 1981. “I believe in something on the same Iraqi model...We are assuming in the Gulf that Israel will take it out. We are not saying that, but Israel would,” Alfaraj told Reuters at the start of an analyst 'roadshow' organised by Realite-EU, an independent body which tracks Middle East security developments. (Posted @ 19:00 PST)
14 dead in China bus accident BEIJING, Feb 12 (AFP) - Fourteen people were killed and 14 others hurt when their bus plunged into a river on Tuesday in mountainous Guizhou province, on a road linking the cities of Chishui and Zunyi in southwest China as millions headed home at the end of the Lunar New Year holiday, Xinhua news agency said. Rescue teams were at the scene to search for passengers possibly trapped in the bus, which was completely submerged. There were 33 passengers aboard the bus when it left Chishui, but it was not clear if some had disembarked before the accident, Xinhua said. (Posted @ 18:35 PST)
Strong 6.4 quake hits Oaxaca, Mexico WASHINGTON, Feb 12 (AFP) - A strong earthquake measuring 6.4 magnitude struck the Oaxaca region Mexico early Tuesday, the US Geological Survey said. (Posted @ 18:30 PST)
Tamil rebel fire hits church in Sri Lanka, killing 6 soldiers COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, Feb 12 (AP) - Artillery fired by Tamil separatists hit a Roman Catholic church near a military base in the village of Thalladi in Mannar district in Sri Lanka's embattled north Tuesday, killing six soldiers who were cleaning the building, the military said. About 15 shells hit the church and the nearby area, a military spokesman said adding that the military undertook cleaning at the request of priests who visited the church Monday. (First Posted @ 10:15 PST, Updated @ 16:40 PST)
Olmert certain Iran secretly building nuclear arms BERLIN, Feb 12 (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Tuesday he was certain that Iran is engaged in a secret operation to build nuclear weapons. “We are of the view that the Iranians are continuing to pursue their plans to create a capacity for non-conventional weapons,” he said at a joint news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel after a meeting. Olmert also said he was sharing information with other countries about Iran's nuclear programme and that no options should be forgotten in trying to prevent Iran from developing atomic weapons. (Posted @ 16:30 PST)
Russia, India edge closer to major nuclear deal NEW DELHI, Feb 12 (Reutrs) - Russia and India on Tuesday edged closer to a multi-billion dollar nuclear deal to build four more reactors in southern India that has been delayed because of international restrictions against New Delhi. “An agreement on building additional reactors at the Kudankulam atomic station has been initialised,” Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov told reporters in New Delhi. Zhukov said the initialisation had taken place just before a visit to India by Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov. The deal cannot be finalised because of restrictions on India imposed by the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) . (Posted @ 16:25 PST)
U.S. forces find 13 bodies in Iraq mass grave BAGHDAD, Feb 12 (Reuters) - U.S. forces have found the bodies of 13 men dumped in a hole in the town of Muqdadiya in restive Diyala province, police said on Tuesday. The unidentified bodies were discovered in an orchard during a U.S.-led operation in the area on Monday and were handcuffed, had gunshot wounds in the head and showed evidence of being tortured, police said. Last week a grave containing 50 bodies was found in an area near Samarra, 100 km north of Baghdad while the bodies of around 20 men, women and children were found in December in a grave near the former insurgent stronghold of Falluja. (Posted @ 16:20 PST)
Annan seeks parliament backing for Kenya deal NAIROBI, Feb 12 (AFP) - Kofi Annan sought support from Kenya's divided parliament on Tuesday for a political deal to pull the country out of turmoil that has left more than 1,000 people dead. The former UN secretary general said the government and the opposition had agreed to set up an independent committee to probe “all aspects” of the December 27 election that the opposition claims was rigged. He also indicated that a political deal could entail the creation of a “grand coalition” government that would bring together Kibaki's governing party and the opposition led by Raila Odinga. “Grand coalitions have served other nations well and these are often formed when a country is in crisis,” Annan said. “They come together to try to work out the fundamental issues, make constitutional and other changes required and then eventually organise an election,” he said. (Posted @ 16:10 PST)
Abbas bemoans lack of progress in Mideast talks ABU DHABI, Feb 12 (AFP) - Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas Tuesday bemoaned lack of progress in peace talks with Israel and reiterated that ties with the Islamist movement Hamas ruling Gaza were at a standstill. “We can not talk of progress in the peace process,” he told reporters before leaving the United Arab Emirates for Bahrain on a Gulf tour to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian talks and next month's Arab summit in Damascus. (Posted @ 16:00 PST)
10 hurt in Israeli raids on Gaza GAZA CITY, Feb 12 (AFP): Nine Palestinians and an Israeli soldier were wounded in Israeli raids on the Gaza Strip Tuesday. Seven Palestinians were hit during a pre-dawn firefight in Gaza City with an infantry unit accompanied by around 20 armoured vehicles and with helicopter gunship support, Palestinian witnesses said. Among those wounded were both militants, and civilians caught in the crossfire. The soldier was lightly wounded in the same operation, an army spokesman said. Two more Palestinians were wounded when soldiers opened fire while searching houses during an incursion in the central Gaza town of Deir al-Balah, witnesses said. (First Posted @ 12:00 PST, Updated @ 14:45 PST)
Russia police say four killed in clash with rebels MOSCOW, Feb 12 (Reuters): Three insurgents and a security officer died in a shootout in Russia's Dagestan province Tuesday, Russian media quoted police as saying. The incident took place at dawn in the Babayurt district in central Dagestan after police and Federal Security Service (FSB) agents blockaded a group of rebels inside a house. Police suggested to the rebels they give themselves up, RIA news agency quoted a Dagestani police statement as saying. “But in return, the bandits threw grenades at the law enforcement officers, after which they opened fire,” the statement said. (Posted @ 14:30 PST)
Cricket- New Zealand beat England by 10 wickets HAMILTON, New Zealand, Feb 12 (AFP): New Zealand beat England by 10 wickets with 18 overs to spare in a rain-shortened second one-day cricket international at Seddon Park here Tuesday. In a match reduced to 36 overs because of rain, England were all out for 158 in their final over, and under the Duckworth-Lewis system New Zealand reached their adjusted target of 165 without loss in the 19th over. (First Posted @ 09:25 PST, Updated @ 13:00 PST)
Cricket- Sri Lanka beat India in rain-hit one-day match CANBERRA, Feb 12 (AFP): Sri Lanka beat India by eight wickets in the rain-shortened tri-series one-day match here Tuesday. India made 195 for five from 29 overs, with Sri Lanka making 154 for two in reply after being set 154 to win from 21 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis system. (First Posted @ 10:30 PST, Updated @ 12:45 PST)
Two CBS journalists kidnapped in Iraq BASRA, Iraq, Feb 12 (AFP): Two journalists working for CBS News were kidnapped by gunmen from the Palace Sultan Hotel in the southern Iraq city of Basra, hotel staff said Monday. They were led away at gunpoint by a gang of about 10 gunmen Sunday, a staff member, who requested anonymity, told AFP. The two had booked into the hotel on Saturday. The US network confirmed in a statement that two of its journalists have gone missing in Basra. (Posted @ 10:05 PST)
Karachi Stocks up 214.69 points: KARACHI, Feb 12: At close of trading, the KSE-100 index was at 14099.65, up 214.69, points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:13 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, Feb 12: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 63 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 14:15 PST)
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