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| May 15, 2008 | Thursday | Jamadi-ul-Awwal 9, 1429 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
At least 100 killed in Nigeria oil pipeline fire LAGOS, May 15, (Reuters) - At least 100 people were killed and scores injured when fuel from a pipeline ruptured by an earthmover building a road on the outskirts of Nigeria's capital caught fire, the Red Cross said on Thursday. “About 100 people have so far been confirmed dead from the fire. We have so far rescued more than 20 people with injuries and taken them to hospital for treatment,” one Red Cross official at the scene of the fire told Reuters. (First Posted @ 21:10 Updated @ 23:14 PST)
Cricket: New Zealand 208 for six against England LONDON, May 15, (AFP) - New Zealand, after losing the toss, were 208 for six when bad light forced an early close to the first day of the first Test against England at Lord's here Thursday. Jacob Oram was 23 not out and New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori unbeaten on five after rain meant there was no play before lunch. This match was the first of a three-Test series. (Posted @ 22:35 PST)
10 killed in Lagos pipeline blast LAGOS, May 15 (AFP) - A pipeline explosion killed at least 10 people on Thursday in a northern suburb of Nigeria's biggest city Lagos, a spokesman who was at the scene said. (Posted @ 21:10 PST)
Fata parliamentarians term US attack on Bajaur sabotaging peace talks PESHAWAR, May 15 (APP): Parliamentarians belonging to tribal regions Thursday strongly condemned the airstrike at Damadola in Bajaur agency and termed it an attempt to sabotage the ongoing peace talks between the Pakistan Government and the local Taliban. Addressing a press conference MNA from Bajaur Agency Engr. Shaukat Ullah, MNA from FR Engr. Zafar Baig Bhittani and Senator from Kurram Agency Engr. Rashid Khan said that attack amounted to challenging the sovereignty of the country and said those died were local tribesmen and included women and children. They said they discussed the matter with Governor NWFP who promised to take it up with the higher authorities in Islamabad. (Posted @ 20:46 PST)
Arab mediators broker Lebanon deal- sources BEIRUT, May 15 (Reuters) - Arab League mediators brokered a deal on Thursday to end Lebanon's worst internal fighting since the civil war, political sources said. The sources said the head of an Arab League delegation, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr al-Thani, would announce the deal at a news conference in Beirut shortly. Sheikh Hamad will invite the government and Hezbollah-led opposition to Qatar for talks to resolve a broader political conflict which has paralysed Lebanon for 18 months, the sources said. The deal, brokered after two days of talks, includes the lifting of a Hezbollah-led blockade on Beirut's sea and air ports, the end of an armed presence in the streets and a pledge not to use weapons to settle political differences, they said. Lebanon's Middle East Airlines said it expected the first commercial flight for a week to arrive at Beirut airport on Thursday night. (Posted @ 20:30 PST)
Bush says nuclear Iran would be 'unforgivable' JERUSALEM, May 15 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush warned on Thursday that allowing Iran to obtain a atomic bomb would be “an unforgivable betrayal” as he made his second visit to Israel in five months. “Permitting the world's leading sponsor of terror to possess the world's deadliest weapon would be an unforgivable betrayal of future generations,” Bush told the Israeli parliament. “America stands with you in breaking up terrorist networks and denying the extremists sanctuary. And America stands with you in firmly opposing Iran's nuclear weapons ambitions,” he said. (Posted @ 20:28 PST)
PML-N not taken into confidence over change of Governor in Punjab: Ahsan Iqbal ISLAMABAD, May 15 (APP): Pakistan Muslim League-N central leader Ahsan Iqbal said Thursday said that PML-N was not consulted over the appointment of a new governor in Punjab, which is ruled by the party. “No body contacted the party leadership before announcement of the new administrator of the province,” the PML-N Secretary Information and MNA told newsmen after addressing a convocation at Margalla Girls College. It seemed that key positions were still held by the loyalists of the previous regime, he said and accused President Pervez Musharraf of indulging in intrigues to undermine the mandate given by the people in the elections. (Posted @ 20:26 PST)
Salman Taseer named new governor of Punjab; PML-N reacts strongly LAHORE, May 15 (APP): Punjab Governor Lt Gen (retd) Khalid Maqbool resigned on Thursday. A spokesman said President Pervez Musharraf has appointed Salman Taseer, a former Pakistan Peoples Party minister, as the new governor. Salman Taseer will take oath of office on Friday at 6 pm at Governor House. Lt0Gen (retd) Khalid Maqsool was appointed Governor of the province way back on October 28,2001 and he remained in the office for six and a half years, the longest ever stay by any Governor in the history of the Province. Nawaz Sharif’s PML-N reacted strongly to the appointment of Salman Taseer as governor of Punjab. Ch. Nisar Ali Khan, a senior PML-N leader, addressing a Press conference termed it a conspiracy. He said it was strange and shocking that the majority party in Punjab was not consulted in the matter. On the other hand, Federal Information Minister Sherry Rehman however insisted in a TV interview that PML-N president Shahbaz Sharif was taken into confidence in this respect. (First Posted @ 10:10 PST Updated @ 19:40 PST)
Indo-Pakistan talks next week ISLAMABAD, May 15 (PPI)- The ministerial level review of the fourth round of Pakistan-India composite dialogue will be held in Islamabad on Wednesday next, foreign office spokesman Mohammad Sadiq said Thursday at his regular news briefing. It will be preceded by the Foreign Secretary level review meeting on Tuesday. Talks between the two sides will be held on the eight agenda items of the dialogue including Jammu and Kashmir, Siachen, and Peace and Security. The review meetings will help the two countries to assess the progress made in the fourth round of eight segments of the composite dialogue process and deliberate on how to address the outstanding issues in a more meaningful way. To a question the spokesman said Pakistan wants forward movement on the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir. Asked to comment on the demand of the APHC for inclusion of Kashmiris in the talks, the spokesman said Pakistan firmly believes that there are three parties to the conflict and the issue should be resolved according to the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. Responding to a question, the spokesman said there were no negotiations between Pakistan and India on division of Kashmir. About Jaipur blasts, he said being a victim of terrorism, Pakistan denounces terrorist acts all over the world. Answering another question the spokesman said the nature of Bajaur incident is being investigated. He however said that in case of violation of Pakistan's territory from the Afghan side, there is a mechanism to deal with such incidents and this mechanism is working. He said any military action on the Pakistani side is responsibility of Pakistani forces and on Afghan side it is the responsibility of ISAF, NATO and Afghan National Army. Expressing grief and sorrow at the devastating earthquake in China the spokesman said Pakistan is dispatching two plane loads of relief supplies to the earthquake affected areas and will arrange further supplies if required. The relief items being sent tomorrow include food, medicines, bottled water, tents and blankets. About the fate of nine Pakistanis detained in Spain he said our Embassy and Consulate General in Barcelona are in regular contact with the Spanish authorities on the issue. He said all of them are said to be active members of Tablighi Jamaat of Barcelona. To a question about replacement of Dr. Shirin Mazari he said former Foreign Secretary Dr. Tanvir Ahmad Khan will take over as the new Director General of the Institute. (Posted @ 19:08 PST)
Football: Pakistan U-14 team leaves for Tehran KARACHI, May 15 (PPI): Pakistan U-14 team left for Tehran on Thursday from Lahore to feature in Asian Football Confederation Under-14 Festival of Football (South Asia Region from May 18-23. Pakistan will be among nine participants alongwith Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka and host Iran. (Posted @ 18:50 PST)
Hockey: India stun Pakistan 2-1 in Azlan Shah Cup Ipoh, Malaysia, May 15 (PPI):- India thwarted a series of late charges from Pakistan to notch up a stunning 2-1 win over archrivals and stay in contention for the title in Azlan Shah hockey tournament on Thursday. Indian drag flickers Sandeep Singh (6th minute) and Diwakar Ram (20th) and Pakistani mid-fielder Mohammad Saqlain (58th) were the scorers. (Posted @ 18:45 PST)
Gilani to meet Bush, world leaders in Cairo ISLAMABAD, May 15 (APP) Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani will visit Egypt from May 17 to 20 at the invitation of Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif to attend the World Economic Forum on Middle East. “Besides addressing special session entitled 'Global leader in the spotlight' Prime Minister Gilani is expected to meet U.S. President George W. Bush on the sidelines of the meeting,” said Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Sadiq in his weekly briefing. The spokesman said Pakistan has been a regular participant in the Forum's activities at the highest level and the Prime Minister will also address the Arab Business Council on May 19. The Forum will provide an opportunity for interaction with the region's key political and economic leaders, and presentation of Pakistan's perspective on the political and economic issues. He said Gilani is also expected to meet other leaders on the sidelines of the WEF meeting, including Egyptian President Mubarak, Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif and Prime Minister of Palestinian Authority Salam Fayyad. (First Posted @ 18:16 PST Updated @ 18:26 PST)
Killings disrupts work on India northeast highway GUWAHATI, India, May 15 (Reuters) Contractors have stopped work on two major federally funded road and railways projects in India's northeast after increased rebel killings recently. More than 4,000 workers hired by 16 private construction firms in insurgency-hit northeastern Assam state have decided to withdraw from construction sites fearing fresh rebel attacks from tribal militants demanding autonomy in the region. “It is true tension is there. Workers don't want to work and we can't force them to work,” Dilip Bora, a spokesman of the Northeast Frontier Railways, told Reuters. Insurgents killed 11 railway workers in Assam on Sunday. On Thursday, militants attacked and killed 11 people, including a train driver and 10 cement factory workers, police said. The projects were due for completion by the end of this year, but have been delayed by at least four years because of frequent attacks by rebels and disruption of construction activities. (First Posted @ 15:20 PST Updated @ 18:18 PST)
Gilani to meet Bush in Cairo ISLAMABAD, May 15 (AP) Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani plans to meet with U.S. President George W. Bush at a gathering of political and business leaders in Egypt. It will be the highest-level contact between the two governments since the new government came into power. The Foreign Ministry said Thursday Gilani will hold talks with Bush during the World Economic Forum that begins Sunday in Egypt. It is not clear exactly when they will meet. Ministry spokesman Mohammad Sadiq said Gilani would also meet with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and other world leaders. (Posted @ 18:16 PST)
China says quake toll likely above 50,000 YINGXIU, China, May 15 (AFP) China said Thursday that over 50,000 people had likely died in the devastating 7.9-magnitude earthquake that hit its southwest. Experts said the search-and-rescue operation was entering its most crucial phase yet four days after the quake struck, with the chances of finding survivors diminishing by the hour. As the military ramped up its rescue efforts with more troops and aircraft, a new threat emerged from creaking dams and reservoirs shaken by the quake. State television said authorities had found “dangerous situations” at more than 400 reservoirs - two of them major - across five provinces. Xinhua said spillways had been opened at the Zipingpu Dam near the quake's epicentre to release water following reports of “dangerous cracks” threatening Dujiangyan downstream. Premier Wen Jiabao ordered another 30,000 troops and 90 helicopters to the area to bolster operations, while the military began its first major air drops of tens of thousands of food packets, clothes and blankets. Sniffer dogs were also sent in to help look for survivors. The military is also deploying 30 more transport aircraft for supplies and troops, and dozens of army trucks were seen heading to the disaster zone from the provincial capital Chengdu. (First Posted @ 09:00 PST Updated @ 18:14 PST)
Govt committed to ensure freedom of expression: Sherry ISLAMABAD, May 15 (PPI)- Information Minister Sherry Rehman Thursday said the government is committed to ensuring freedom of expression and protect this freedom at all cost. Speaking at the stakeholders conference on freedom of information she said new legislation would be made to replace all regulations because the government intends to ensure openness, transparency and accountability and the media has to play a pivotal role in this regard. She said the government wants to restructure the role of ministry of information and Broadcasting and promote close relations between all stakeholders to ensure freedom of expression, and said it would welcome proposals in this regard. She said all post- November three laws against the media would be repealed, steps would be taken for the security of the Journalists and their life insurance, and added that a fund is on the anvil to compensate families of journalists who died during the line of duty. Representatives of Federal Union of Journalists, electronic and print media and civil society members also attended the conference. (Posted @ 18:10 PST)
Rockets fired at police checkpost in Peshawar ISLAMABAD, May 15 (APP): Five rockets were fired at Safeen police checkpoint in Badhaber area of Peshawar on Thursday. One of the rockets hit the checkpost also but no damage has been reported. (Posted @ 17:14 PST)
No extraordinary concessions to be granted to local Taliban: CM Hoti ISLAMABAD, May 15 (APP): Peace agreement with the local Taliban would be inked strictly within the ambit of law of the land and no extraordinary concession would be granted to them, Chief Minister of NWFP Amir Haider Khan Hoti said Thursday in a TV interview. Militants would have to give assurance that they will not indulge in negative activities and not involve themselves in damaging public property, or promoting or supporting violence in their respective areas. Also they will not take any action against the masses. The chief minister said. He said no decision has yet been taken to release the Taliban prisoners. If need arises, decision would be taken on case to case basis. (Posted @ 17:12 PST)
Nomination papers of Nawaz, Shahbaz accepted; objections rejected LAHORE, May 16 (APP)- The Returning Officer of NA-123 Lahore-VI after rejecting the objections against the candidature of Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif, on Thursday accepted the nomination papers of the PML-N chief for contesting the by-election from this constituency. The Returning Officer also accepted the nomination papers of Hamza Shahbaz for the same seat. Separately, the Returning Officer of PP-154 Lahore also rejected the objections and accepted the nomination papers of Mian Shahbaz Sharif for this constituency He also accepted the nomination papers of Hamza Shahbaz Sharif for the same provincial assembly seat. (Posted @ 17:10 PST)
Nomination papers of Shahbaz Sharif accepted ISLAMABAD, May 15 (APP): Nomination papers of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) President Shahbaz Sharif from PP-154 constituency have been accepted for by-elections to be held on June 26, a private TV channel reported. (Posted @ 16:05 PST)
All cases withdrawn against Nusrat Bhutto under NRO ISLAMABAD, May 15 (APP):All cases against former PPP Chairperson Begum Nusrat Bhutto have been withdrawn under the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO). According to a private TV channel, the Attorney General of Pakistan has informed the federal government that all cases filed against Begum Nusrat Bhutto have been settled under the NRO. The federal Interior Ministry has notified all the provinces and Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB) of the decision. (Posted @ 16:00 PST)
US FOR KASHMIR SOLUTION THROUGH DIALOGUE Washington, May 15 (PPI) The United States has said that its stand on Kashmir remains unchanged and left it to India and Pakistan to resolve the dispute through dialogue. According to Kashmir Media Service, State Department Deputy spokesman Tom Casey talking to mediapersons in Washington said: “There is no change in US policy on Kashmir dispute. Certainly we believe that any difference -- any differences between India and Pakistan are things that should be resolved through dialogue. We have supported dialogue and discussion among the parties in the past, and we'll continue to do so.” His remarks came in response to a query regarding a statement by Pakistan Prime Minister, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani that Kashmir was a core issue between India and Pakistan. (Posted @ 15:55 PST)
Police kill six Maoist rebels in eastern India PATNA, India, May 15 (Reuters) Indian police shot dead at least six Maoist rebels as they held a banquet ahead of a day of disruptive protests in eastern India against the jailing of senior Maoist leader Pramod Mishra, police said Thursday. Police found the bullet-riddled bodies of the six men near their forest hideout in Bihar state as the sun rose after a night-long gunbattle. On Thursday, Maoists bombed a busy train line in Bihar, severing an important transport link. (Posted @ 15:55 PST)
Man, daughter die after being pushed off moving bus in India for not paying fare BHUBANESHWAR, India, May 15 (AP) A poor Indian worker and his 4-year-old daughter were crushed to death by a bus Wednesday after the conductor pushed them off for not having the fare for the journey, police said Thursday. The bus conductor was arrested and charged with unintentional murder, said police officer Suresh Mishra. After the incident, angry passengers set the bus on fire near Jharsuguda, a village about 380 kilometers west of Bhubaneshwar, the capital of eastern Orissa state. (Posted @ 15:45 PST)
Death toll from quake in China's Sichuan exceeds 19,500 BEIJING, May 15 (AFP) The death toll in China's Sichuan province from the devastating earthquake has exceeded 19,500, the Xinhua news agency reported Thursday, citing local authorities. Tens of thousands more people are believed to be missing or buried under the rubble from Monday's 7.9-magnitude earthquake. Meanwhile, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao ordered 90 more helicopters and 30,000 troops to be deployed to the earthquake zone, saying the battle to save lives was the top priority, Xinhua said. The new helicopters will join the 20 choppers currently involved in dropping food and supplies to remote areas affected by the quake. (First Posted @ 09:00 PST, Updated @ 15:25 PST)
Suspected rebels kill 11 in northeastern India GAUHATI, India, May 15 (AP) Suspected rebels gunned down 11 people in two attacks in northeastern India, officials said. Assam state police official D.K. Pathak said the rebels allegedly stopped four cement company trucks and shot 10 employees in the vehicles before setting the trucks on fire. In a separate attack, Pathak said militants shot at a moving train, killing the conductor and injuring three others. The attacks took place 350 kilometers south of the state capital of Gauhati. (Posted @ 15:20 PST)
Turkish factory blast kills two, injures five ISTANBUL, May 15 (AP) An explosion at a factory near the Turkish capital of Ankara Thursday killed at least two people and injured five others, media reports said. One of the injured was badly hurt in the blast in the boiler room of a dairy products factory in the town of Cubuk in Ankara province, NTV television said, citing officials from the governor's office. The cause of the explosion early Thursday was unclear. (Posted @ 15:15 PST)
Nawaz Sharif’s nomination papers accepted LAHORE, May 15: An election tribunal Thursday accepted the nomination papers of Pakistan Muslim League-N leader Nawaz Sharif to contest election from NA-123, a private television channel said. PML-N covering candidate Hamza Shahbaz’s nomination papers were also accepted. Meanwhile, hearing of objections against Shahbaz Sharif’s nomination papers was adjourned. Nomination papers of Muslim League (Q) candidate Akhlaq Guddu, independent candidates Noor Illahi, Riaz Gujjar and Ashraf Jahangir were also accepted. (Posted @ 14:00 PST)
Chinese truck crash kills 28 on way to banquet BEIJING, May 15 (Reuters) A truck loaded with passengers ran off a bridge into a river in southwest China Thursday, killing 28 people and injuring 15, Xinhua news agency said. Some 43 passengers on the truck were on their way to a banquet when the accident happened in Guiding county, Guizhou province, Xinhua said. (Posted @ 15:15 PST)
PML-N official says alleged US airstrike in tribal region plays on political upset KHAR, Pakistan, May 15 (AP) A senior Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz official, Zafar Ali Shah, said Thursday an alleged U.S. missile strike that killed a number of people in Pakistan’s Bajaur tribal region’s Damadola village Wednesday involved “external forces” who were taking advantage of disputes within the coalition government. Neither the U.S. nor Pakistan's military have confirmed the incident. But residents said at least two explosions rocked the village. They reported seeing a U.S. drone aircraft flying in the area before the blasts and said Taliban militants cordoned off the area afterward. Around 1,000 mourners Thursday buried seven people said to have died in the strike, but the total death toll remained unclear. On Wednesday, a resident said at least 15 people were killed. He said local Taliban leaders had gathered for a feast at the targeted house. He reported secondary explosions, suggesting weapons had been stored inside. Taliban spokesman Maulvi Umar said more than 10 died, including women and children. An AP reporter saw a drone hovering in the area Thursday morning. (First Posted @ 10:00 PST, Updated @ 15:05 PST)
Nawaz Sharif’s nomination papers accepted LAHORE, May 15: An election tribunal Thursday accepted the nomination papers of Pakistan Muslim League-N leader Nawaz Sharif to contest election from NA-123, a private television channel said. PML-N covering candidate Hamza Shahbaz’s nomination papers were also accepted. Meanwhile, hearing of objections against Shahbaz Sharif’s nomination papers was adjourned. Nomination papers of Muslim League (Q) candidate Akhlaq Guddu, independent candidates Noor Illahi, Riaz Gujjar and Ashraf Jahangir were also accepted. (Posted @ 14:00 PST)
Seven killed in Baghdad's Sadr City BAGHDAD, May 15 (AFP) Overnight clashes between US forces and Shiite militia in Baghdad's Sadr City killed at least seven people, medical sources said Thursday, but the American military put the toll at three dead. Medics at two hospitals in Sadr City said seven bodies had been brought in, together with 19 wounded people in violence in the area since Wednesday night. However, the US military said three people who were planting bombs were killed and one wounded in overnight violence. (Posted @ 13:40 PST)
21 rebels, 4 soldiers killed in Sri Lanka fighting COLOMBO, May 15 (AP): Government forces and Tamil separatists fought battles across Sri Lanka's northern region that killed 21 rebels and four soldiers, the military said Thursday. The fighting took place throughout Wednesday, mainly along the front lines surrounding the rebels' de facto state in the north, said the military spokesman. In the worst battles, soldiers killed 13 rebels in Vavuniya district and lost two soldiers, he said. The clash wounded 17 rebels and two soldiers while another soldier went missing. Four rebels were killed in Mannar district, while in the Welioya region separate clashes killed four rebels and one soldier. (Posted @ 12:20 PST)
Red Cross estimates up to 128,000 dead in Myanmar cyclone YANGON, May 15 (AP): International aid agencies were preparing everything from anti-snake venom kits to plastic roofing as they warned a second wave of deaths will follow the Myanmar cyclone disaster unless the military regime lets in more aid quickly. The Red Cross estimated the cyclone death toll in Myanmar could be as high as 128,000, much higher than the government’s tally, which continued to issue few visas to foreign aid experts, and all but shut them out of the hardest-hit area. (Posted @ 12:05 PST)
Suicide blast kills 18 Afghan police, civilians HERAT, May 15 (Reuters): A suicide blast killed 18 police and civilians on Thursday in Afghanistan's western province of Farah, officials said. The incident occurred in a bazaar near a police station in Del Aram district of Farah, they said. “So far, 18 people, including police and civilians, have been killed,” Farah's governor Rohul Amin told Reuters by phone. Citing officials near the site, Amin said the bomber was wearing a burqa. A police officer from Del Aram said two police vehicles were destroyed in the attack. (Posted @ 11:35 PST)
Myanmar constitution approved by 92.4 percent: state media YANGON, May 15 (AFP): Myanmar's military-backed constitution was approved by 92.4 percent in a May 10 referendum, which was held everywhere except regions hardest-hit by Cyclone Nargis, state television said Thursday. ‘99 percent turnout in referendum’: The state media on Thursday announced 99 percent turnout in the May 10 referendum that approved a new constitution. (Posted @ 11:10 PST)
Fire destroys shed at US base in Antarctica WELLINGTON, New Zealand, May 15 (AP): A fire near a U.S. science base in Antarctica has destroyed a mobile shed and shelter, an official said Thursday. The small blue shed on skis, known as “Smurf,” was at Pegasus Airfield, about 30 minutes from the main McMurdo Station base, when it caught fire Monday. The fire broke out just hours after staff at the U.S. base had met to review fire safety, New Zealand's Christchurch Press newspaper reported Thursday. (Posted @ 10:35 PST)
Vietnam police seize 8 tons of marijuana HANOI, May 15 (AP): Vietnamese authorities seized marijuana worth $90 million in the country's biggest drugs haul, police said Thursday. A consignment of eight tons of marijuana was believed to be in transit to Canada via China, said the director of the Ministry of Public Security's Anti-Drug Department. He said the marijuana was seized earlier this week on two trucks heading for the border with China. It had arrived in Hai Phong port in late April on a ship from Pakistan and was ultimately destined for Canada. The drugs had been mixed in with a shipment of blue jeans, he said. “This is the biggest drug shipment we have ever seized,” he said. Four Chinese and an Indonesian were arrested in connection with the smuggling and others were being sought. (Posted @ 10:15 PST)
Salman Taseer named Punjab governor LAHORE, May 15: Salman Taseer, a prominent businessmen and former Pakistan People’s Party was appointed governor of Punjab, reported a private television channel. He will take oath of office on Saturday, 17th May. (Posted @ 10:10 PST)
Anger, blood, at scene of missile hit in Pakistan DAMADOLA, May 15 (Reuters): Angry residents of a village on the Afghan border stopped government officials on Thursday from approaching the ruins of a house struck by two missiles suspected to have been fired by a U.S. drone. The missiles, which hit a house in the village of Damadola in Bajaur tribal region, killed eight people including three children and a woman on Wednesday evening, residents said. “It's barbaric,” said villager Rehmatullah Khan. “They were innocent people,” he said, referring to the dead. Maulvi Omar, spokesman for Taliban militants based in Pakistan, said four of those killed were Taliban fighters and all the dead were Pakistani. A security official in the area said between six and eight people were killed and he did not rule out the possibility some of them were foreign militants. The strike was the first since a new Pakistani government was formed about six weeks ago. (Posted @ 10:00 PST)
Unknown group claims India's Jaipur bomb blasts: report NEW DELHI, May 15 (AFP): A previously-unknown militant group has claimed responsibility for a string of blasts that killed 63 people in the Indian tourist city of Jaipur, The Times of India reported Thursday. It said the group which identified itself as “Indian Mujahideen” e-mailed video clips of a bicycle which it said was packed with explosives and set off at one of the eight blast locations in Jaipur. It was not immediately known if the e-mail had been sent to other media outlets or just to The Times. Police in Jaipur offered no comment on the report. (Posted @ 09:40 PST)
US army detains 500 minors in Iraq: report WASHINGTON, May 15 (AFP): Around 500 minors are currently detained by the US army in Iraq, as well as nearly a dozen juveniles in Afghanistan, a US civil liberties group revealed on Wednesday. “Since 2002, the United States has held approximately 2,500 individuals under the age of 18 at the time of their capture ... in Guantanamo Bay, in Iraq, and in Afghanistan,” said a US government report for the UN children's agency, made public by the American Civil Liberties Union. “As of April 2008, US forces held approximately 500 juveniles” in Iraq, where “all detainees, regardless of age, are held by US forces as imperative threats to security at the request of the sovereign Iraqi government and pursuant to a UN Security Council Resolution,” the report said. (Posted @ 09:20 PST)
Australian army officer jailed for stealing, selling rocket launchers SYDNEY, May 15 (AP): A former Australian army captain was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Thursday for stealing rocket launchers from the military and selling them to a man with alleged terrorist links. Shane Della-Vedova, 46, pleaded guilty to stealing 10 M-72 shoulder-fired weapons during his time as an army ammunition technician officer between 2001 and 2003. He also admitted selling the launchers for A$50,000 (US$46,500) to a man who allegedly negotiated to sell them on to a terrorist group. (Posted @ 09:10 PST)
Israeli air raid kills two Gaza militants GAZA CITY, May 15 (AFP): An Israeli air strike on the Gaza Strip killed two Palestinians and wounded four late on Wednesday, Palestinian medical sources said. The raid to the east of Gaza City came hours after a rocket attack from Gaza by Palestinian militants wounded 14 people in a shopping mall in the southern Israeli port city of Ashkelon as US President George W. Bush began a three-day visit to the Jewish state. (Posted @ 09:10 PST)
China orders 90 more choppers, 30,000 troops to quake zone BEIJING, May 15 (AFP): Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao ordered 90 more helicopters and 30,000 troops to be deployed to the earthquake zone, saying the battle to save lives was the top priority, state media reported Thursday. The new helicopters will join the 20 choppers currently involved in dropping food and supplies to remote areas after Monday's 7.9 magnitude quake which left over 40,000 dead or missing in Sichuan province, Xinhua news agency said. (Posted @ 09:00 PST)
3,000 stranded tourists evacuated from China quake area BEIJING, May 14 (AFP): More than 3,000 domestic and foreign tourists stranded in a scenic spot in China's quake-hit Sichuan province have been evacuated, state media reported Thursday. About 6,000 tourists had been stranded in Jiuzhaigou after Monday's massive 7.9-magnitude quake, the worst to hit China for a generation, the official Xinhua news agency said. The remaining 2,517 tourists, including 682 from overseas, will be evacuated on Thursday, Xinhua quoted the National Tourism Administration as saying. (Posted @ 09:00 PST)
Changing the system By Zubair Faisal Abbasi
IN many developing countries, the regime change that comes after military rule has been lifted does not initiate a democratic regime. Such countries enter into a unique system called the post-martial law regime. There are many factors that account for this phenomenon. Many of the variables are linked to international and local situations. One is the transnationalisation of the military-industrial complex (and conflict) and the second is the neo-liberal economic strategy.
It is claimed in different researches that developing countries which have been deeply integrated into the transnationalisation processes of the geostrategic military-industrial complex are more prone to having military coups and military-based regimes. Their financial outlays, since the Cold War days, speak volumes about their choice of priorities. The military spending of developing countries increased from $24bn in 1960 to $145bn in 1987 — an expansion that was three times faster than that of industrialised countries.
In such a situation, to use the words of Dr Ayesha Jalal, ‘institutional imbalances’ in the structure of governance in ex-colonies like Pakistan become further entrenched. This sets the stage for authoritarian and illegitimate regimes to continue even after falling from grace both locally and globally. This is a post-martial law situation which continues for a long time.
Military regimes skew the national economy by their investment patterns. They distribute economic and political resources inefficiently and inequitably. Such a regime requires the ‘right’ set of people to support it — and not the ‘wrong’ set that believes in the people’s right to govern.
The key for national integration is building a class of people around economic growth populism. This strategy effectively brings riches for the likeminded who generate stories of increase in aggregate economic growth. In Pakistan’s case, such diversions of capital show an economic growth miracle for a decade or less and then the bubble of national accounts starts to burst. The result is that despite having elections, developing countries get what observers describe as ‘small-minded leaders’ and an economic growth which Easterly calls growth without equitable human development.
In addition, there can also be a fatal combination of two international variables. One brings deep integration between the military-industrial complex (and conflicts) and the other is the enhancement of the neo-liberal economic growth strategy. A country under structural adjustment programmes of international financial institutions has to pursue privatisation, deregulation and liberalisation. A media which reports this, leading to suo motu notices issued by the judiciary, is not welcome. So, an active media and judiciary are presented as a parallel government by vested interests, though in reality this is not the case.
As a result, any person working for the free media, an independent judiciary and a powerful parliament is ‘persona non grata’ in the eyes of such post-martial law regimes.
Notwithstanding, the claim made by many that they will change the system, it must be realised that any system is a complexity of different elements. One cannot change the whole without being able or willing to restore each element to its original position.
Metanarratives, like changing the system, are good politics but the shelf-life of such commodities has recently been reduced by a legal and political awakening in the country. Consumers have graduated and now demand ‘fair and ethical trade’ for things that they can see and relate to.
In essence, the challenge of the system which requires a thoughtful response is to take this country out of the poverty trap and push it towards the path of high growth while respecting the legal and constitutional rights of the people.
This challenge entails bringing back economic and political nationalism and reversing the erosion of key civic values. One good civic value happens to be a sense of introspection to assess whether one is really needed to hold the highest office and need not show recklessness in clinging to it. Unfortunately, the top level of Pakistan’s governance structure has seen this value demolished.
We should not forget one important lesson of the Feb 18 election. It is that the majority of politicians who try to defend the bad politics of the regime lose votes, if not seats. This regime is standing on shaky legs owing to the lawyers’ movement and media activism.Though the regime is in trouble, the icons of the regime are still there. They want to stay and continue. However, it is better to be what Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was to Ayub (in the late 1960s) than what Shaukat Aziz and Shujaat Husain were to the establishment more recently.
Going beyond Bhutto, we see that the real challenge for people claiming to change the system is to try to get out of the situation that is characterised by a post-martial law regime. One good way is to reverse the bad and offensive decisions taken by the martial law regime. However, one needs the people of Pakistan to bring about this change and not the people associated with the regime.
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