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TribIssue 23 Thursday, 22.12.11 www.satribune.co.uk
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Queens Christmas message to be produced by Sky for rst time
AROUND 10,000 women have marched through central Cairo demanding Egypts ruling military step down in an unprecedented show of outrage over soldiers who dragged women by the hair and stomped on them, and stripped one half-naked in the street during a erce crackdown on activists the past week. The dramatic protest, which grew as the women marched from Tahrir Square through downtown, was fueled by the widely circulated images of abuses of women. Many of the marchers touted the photo of the young woman whose clothes were partially pulled off by troops, baring her down to her blue bra, as she struggled on the ground. The clashes sparked condemnation against the military among many people in Egypt, particularly after one incident in which two Egyptian soldiers were lmed dragging a woman protester on the ground by her shirt, exposing her underwear, then clubbing and stomping on her body. One of the women at Tuesdays protest said the countrys military council only cared about holding on to power. The reason for the protest is the picture and the video that was published by news services around the world, and it showed us to what extent the military council has no qualms about trampling on the women of Egypt and the girls of Egypt,
and has no qualms about beating them up and stripping them naked, Islama Thabet told the Reuters news agency. General Adel Emara, a member of Egypts army council that took over after Mubarak was overthrown in February, said on Monday the attack on the woman protester was an isolated incident that was under investigation. The march was a rare protest by women and its numbers -about 10,000 by some estimates -- underlined the depth of anger over the images from the erce crackdown over the past ve days on protesters demanding the ruling military step down immediately. UK silent on Egyptian juntas crackdown The British government has kept silent on the Egyptian militarys brutal crackdown on anti-junta protesters calling for transition to civilian rule. As photos and video footage circulated online showing how brutally the Egyptian military treats protesters, no ofcial statement can be seen on the British Foreign Ofces ofcial website condemning the junta. This comes as the British Prime Minister David Cameron seized the opportunity in February, almost one week after Hosni Mubarak was forced out of ofce, to ally himself with the Egyptian revolutionaries.
Festive broadcast could go 3D as it is handed to satellite service, breaking traditional BBC and ITV duopoly This years Queens Christmas message could have an added dimension after production duties were handed to Sky News for the rst time. A third dimension, to be specic, with a 3D Commonwealth address by her majesty the ultimate marketing coup for the satellite broadcaster. But dont reach for your 3D specs just yet. Sky is sure to put the suggestion to Buckingham Palace but a 3D broadcast was not part of the deal that saw the annual festive message, previously produced by either the BBC or ITN, handed to Sky News for the next two years. The address to the Commonwealth, a tradition dating back to 1932, was once the sole preserve of the BBC until its monopoly was broken by ITV News and Channel 4 News producer ITN in 1997. The BBC and ITN have taken turns to produce the Christmas message since then. Now responsibility for the broadcast will be a three-way split between the BBC, ITN and Sky, which will produce and distribute the Christmas broadcast for both TV and radio this year and again in 2012.
Britain`s Prime Minister David Cameron poses for pictures along with visiting civilians outside his ofcial residence at 10 Downing Street in central London, after switching on the Downing Street Christmas tree lights.
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South Asia Tribune I Thursday 22 December 2011
Israel, US to hold largest ever missile defense exercise this spring; thousands of US soldiers will be deployed in Israel. Israel is moving forward with plans to hold the largest-ever missile defense exercise in its history this coming spring amid Iranian efforts to obtain nuclear weapons. Last week, Lt. Gen. Frank Gorenc, commander of the USs Third Air Force based in Germany, visited Israel to nalize plans for the upcoming drill, expected to see the
US commander visits Israel to nalize missile drill

deployment of several thousand American soldiers in Israel. The drill, which is unprecedented in its size, will include the establishment of US command posts in Israel and IDF command posts at EUCOM headquarters in Germany with the ultimate goal of establishing joint task forces for the event of a future large-scale conict in the Middle East. The US will also bring its THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) and ship-based Aegis
ballistic missile defense systems to Israel to simulate the interception of missile salvos against Israel. The American systems will work in conjunction with Israels missile defense systems the Arrow, Patriot and Iron Dome. AN ISRAELI government watchdog has said the country is short on bomb shelters and is ill-prepared to protect its citizens in case of war. The state comptrollers annual report says Israel has not learned the lessons from the 2006 Lebanon war.
Iran invites UN nuclear inspectors: diplomats

Publisher Salah Bu Khamas (UAE) Sabha Khan (UK) UK Ofce 10 Courtenay Road, Wembley, Middlesex, HA9 7ND UK Phone: +44 20 8904 0617 Fax: +44 20 8181 7575 info@satribune.co.uk India Ofce Satya Infomedia Pvt. Ltd. C/O Satya Group. 1st Floor, Avenue Appt., Near Sheth. R. J. J. High School, Tithal Road, Valsad - 396001 Gujarat, India Phone +91 2632 222209 / 222211 Fax: +91 2632 222212 Post Box No. 98 /108 United Arab Emirates Ofce S.K. Group of Companies P.O. Box 9021, Karama Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel: +971 4 2659970, 3359929; Fax: +971 4 2659971, 3341609 www.sk-groupofcompanies.com Managing Editor & CEO Mohammad Shahid Khan Group Editorial Managers Gulzar Khan (India) Abdul Khalique (Pakistan) Editorial Board UK Frances Brunner FYI Tribune team Adrian Fellar Misbah Khan Reema Shah Rohma Khan Keziah-Ann Abakah Art Department UK Ali Ansar (Art Director) Md. Reazul Islam
Day of Reckoning: Israeli leaders say year 2012 may be most important in the nations history
Iran has invited the UN atomic watchdog for a visit, but it is unclear whether inspectors would have access to sites where covert nuclear weapons activity is suspected, Western diplomats said Tuesday. Our understanding from our conversations with the IAEA is that... Iran has made a sort of general invitation, but there is nothing specic in there, one diplomat to the Vienna-based agency said on condition of anonymity. We dont know how the agency is going to reply yet. To us it seems in keeping with Iran trying to mollify the IAEA without really offering anything substantive. A second diplomat said it was
unclear whether the Iranian letter dated December 14 addressed any of the issues raised in Novembers hard-hitting report from the International Atomic Energy Agency. The four diplomats said Monday that International Atomic Energy Agency - the UN nuclear watchdog - is seeking such a pledge from Iran as a condition for such a visit. A senior diplomat said a top-level IAEA mission could y to Tehran in late January - but only if Iran agrees to cooperate on the issue. The diplomats asked for anonymity because their information was condential. Iran says all of its nuclear activities are peaceful.
ISRAEL Hezbollah and Hamas are just some of the challenges Israel could face in the coming year of 2012. With Iran continuing what appears to be an unstoppable race towards obtaining nuclear weapons, 2012 appears to be turning into the year which might be the last chance to stop the Ayatollahs from obtaining the bomb. Hezbollah, Israel believes, has obtained 50,000 rockets and missiles of various sizes and ranges that encompass the entire State of Israel and could be red in a future war. This is in comparison to the 15,000 rockets it had just ve years ago during the Second Lebanon War in 2006. With predictions that Syrian President Bashar Assads days are numbered, concern is growing in Israel over the possibility that in the
twilight days of his regime, Assad will attack Israel, possibly with his long-range Scud missiles. And then there is the uncertainty surrounding the future of the Middle East the American pullout from Iraq, the future withdrawal from Afghanistan, the revolution in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya all of which can impact Israels security. It is under this climate that The Jerusalem Post will be holding its rst conference in New York on April 29, 2012. As the papers military correspondent and defense analyst, I strongly recommend that you attend the conference and come hear from Israeli leaders and some of our leading analysts and reporters. 2012 is shaping up into one of the most important years in Israels existence.
Arab League advance team to visit Syria Thursday

An Arab League ofcial says an advance team will travel to Syria Thursday to prepare for an observer mission that the Syrian government agreed to this week. The mission is tasked with ensuring the regimes compliance with an Arab plan for ending the nations political violence. The 12-member advance team will be led by the Arab Leagues assistant secretary-general, Sameer Seif elYazal. Arab League chief Nabil Elaraby told reporters Monday that the advance delegation will include legal, administrative, nancial and human rights experts to discuss the makeup of the observer teams. On Monday, Syria agreed to the Arab League plan to send foreign monitors, bending to growing international pressure to end its bloody crackdown on a nine-month uprising.
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The Kim is dead, long live the Kim!

obody can be sure what change will be like ... We dont really know who has power, who doesnt have power, British ex-diplomat says. The long-standing leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-il, has died, the central television channel of North Korea said. According to ofcial information, he died on December 17 at 08:30 a.m. local time (03:30 MSK) at the time when he was traveling in his train across the country. Kim Jong-il was 69. The legendary leader of the rogue state has died from the psychological and physical exhaustion, which had been caused with his work for the benet of the nation, the state-run KCNA news agency said. The death of bouffant-coifed, platform-heel wearing North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il on Saturday ushers in a new era of rampant speculation, pontication and no doubt obfuscation about whats really going on inside the Hermit Kingdom. The fact is that Kim Jong-il late last week appeared just ne as he toured a military strong point, posing beside
his son and heir presumptive, Kim Jong-eun. It was not until late on Monday morning that word came through to stand by for an important announcement at noon, Korea time. The initial assumption was North Korea was going to beat Washington to the punch with a deal on a moratorium on missile and nuclear tests in exchange for resumption of United States food aid to North Korea. Now all bets are off as North Korea goes into mourning for a man who was known as the Dear Leader while ruling
his starving people with an iron hand through 17 years in power. Whats sure is that third son Kim Jong-eun is the titular leader. You only had to see his name at the head of the funeral committee to know that the clique around the power center was going t o honor his fathers wishes to that extent. However, we will have to wait to see what happens to moves toward reconciliation between the US and North Korea that appeared well underway even after Kim Jong-il, 69, had died but before we heard the announcement.
North Koreas successor Kim Jong-un mourned the death of his father Kim Jong-il on Tuesday as the isolated country showed the leaders body in the rst public ceremony of the grieving period. Kim entered the hall of Kumsusan Memorial Palace in Pyongyang, where the body of his late father lies in state, to the solemn playing of funeral music, the Norths ofcial Korean Central News Agency reported in a dispatch. Kim Jong-un observed a moments silence in the bitterest grief together with other top ofcials, the dispatch said, adding that Kims bier was seen lying among owers, covered by a red
ag. Kim Jong-Un Labeled the Great Successor North Korean state television announced the death of Supreme Leader Kim Jong-Il on Monday and labeled his son, Kim Jong-Un, the great successor. The third and youngest son of North Koreas former dictator is untested and relatively unknown. He came into the public spotlight in September of last year when his father appointed him vice chairman of the countrys Central Military Commission, one among a myriad of commissions and committees that helm the Stalinist hermit state.
ARSONISTS who set res during riots could be shot by police if they put the lives of others at immediate risk, says a review of force tactics. The use of rearms could be justied, taking into account the immediacy of the risk and the gravity of the consequences, according to legal advice published by Her Majestys Inspectorate of Constabulary. The options for ofcers dealing with disorder, outlined by leading barrister Timothy Otty QC, include ring baton rounds technically called Attenuating Energy Projectiles (AEPs). Designed to strike an incapacitating, non-deadly blow, they are made of bean bag, rubber or plastic, and are also known as plastic or rubber bullets. Mr Otty suggested AEPS and water cannon could be used by ofcers facing extreme situations similar to those seen in Stokes Croft twice in April and across the country, including Bristol, during August. This could include when barricades and missiles were used by protesters, when petrol bombs are thrown, during violent attacks on the public and when other emergency service workers are threatened. Police would iname violence by shooting rioters The prospect of armed ofcers opening re on arsonists during riots only risks inaming violence, campaigners have warned. An ofcial review of police tactics during the August riots found ofcers could shoot arsonists as a last resort if they endanger life by attacking businesses attached to peoples homes.
Ofcers could shoot rioters, says review
Sir Denis OConnor, the chief inspector of constabulary, called for a public debate on how much force ofcers should use to quell disorder similar to that which swept through Bristol and other English cities in the summer. Sir Denis said: Police have to be able to defend civil order but they need support from the public and others when they do that. Half of people surveyed for the review thought police did not use enough force during the riots, while a third thought rearms should have been used against the rioters. A quarter of the 2,000 members of the public surveyed between September 16 and 18 thought police were already using water cannon. Plastic bullets and water cannon may also be considered in the future, the report said, if barricades and missiles were used by protesters, or when petrol bombs are thrown. During the violence which hit St Pauls in August, rioters threw bricks and bottles at police in a three-hour period
during the early hours of Tuesday, August 9. But Shami Chakrabarti, director of human rights campaign group Liberty, said: How on earth would bullets have quelled and not inamed this summers riots? Didnt the widespread disorder all begin in Tottenham with a fatal police shooting? Meanwhile, earlier this week, MPs came down rmly against the police employing water cannon or plastic bullets to quell any future repeat of the August riots. The Commons home affairs committee said their use in the summer would have been an indiscriminate and dangerous way of further inaming the situation. We cannot recommend any increase in police powers as a result of the August disturbances without seeing specic evidence of a need for such powers and none came our way during this inquiry, said the MPs report into the riots. It is our view that in the situation
then prevailing, it would have been inappropriate as well as dangerous, to have employed water cannon and baton rounds. We agree with our witnesses, including senior police ofcers that such use could have escalated and
inamed the situation further. Meanwhile Metropolitan Police raid 100 homes a total of 62 people were arrested during the raids Police seeking suspected rioters have
raided about 100 addresses across London. The Metropolitan Police said 62 arrests were made by ofcers from several different departments of the force. Four months on from the disorder, more than 3,400 people have been arrested and about two-thirds of them charged or summoned to court. Ofcers began moving on homes in boroughs across the capital from dawn on Wednesday. Police said it was the largest operation so far against people suspected of taking part in the August riots. Det Supt Robin Bhairam said: Todays activity is an indication that four months on from the incidents seen across London we remain absolutely committed to identifying and arresting those responsible for the disorder. The Met also thanked the public response to a recent release of 200 images of suspected rioters. The spree of rioting and looting seen in August was the UKs worst disorder for a generation.
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EDITORIAL
Shooting rioters is not the answer
9/11 verdict is US propaganda for waging war on Iran

Director of the Center for Research on Globalization Michel Chossudovsky has told RT that calling Irans ofcials - including the supreme leader - guilty of helping the 9/11 attackers is nothing but a ploy. On Thursday, families of victims of the September 11th 2001 attacks won a default judgment against Iran, the Taliban, Al-Qaeda and Lebanonbased Hezbollah. According to the lawsuit, people in Iran including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei- provided support to the terrorists who went on to attack civilians on US soil. But Mr. Chossudovsky told RT he believes its nothing but a cover-up, with Iran as a convenient fall guy. There is absolutely no evidence that Iran aided the 9/11 attacks. There is ample evidence after collection that there was conspiracy and the complicity of the US governmentThere is absolutely no evidence that Al Qaeda or the Taliban were involved in the 9/11 attacks. In fact, if there is anyone behind Al Qaeda, it was the Central Intelligence Agency, going However, Chossudovsky told RT, the consequences of such a move could be disastrous. It could unleash a war which extends from the eastern Mediterranean right through to Central Asia to the Chinese border and then we are in a World War III scenario. Jamal Abdi from the National Iranian American Council believes there is a campaign going on to ratchet up pressure for yet another US attack on a Middle Eastern country. What we are seeing now is this strange self-fullling prophecy process. This is exactly what we saw with Iraq. This is a campaign to go to war, he told RT. Abdi says he does not see any evidence that is particularly compelling that Iran had a direct role in 9/11. Immediately afterwards Iran condemned the attacks. There were candlelit vigils on the streets of Tehran in solidarity with the Americans who lost their lives, he explained.
A Manchester academic Professor Gus John has said the idea that police could lawfully shoot rioting arsonists was very dangerous. A review of the August riots by the Inspectorate of Constabulary has suggested rearms could potentially be deployed where arson posed a threat to life. Moss Side Defence Committees (MSDC) Professor Gus John said the recommendations were very worrying. The state is not in a military confrontation with its citizens, so what one should be looking at is how the community and the police engage in such a manner that you do not have these things happening. Even if one says it was sheer criminality, the question is why did people not simply get up and riot long before the Mark Duggan killing and the events that followed. He said that the riots were not inevitable and that work needed to be done in communities to ensure they did not happen again. Lets do something about the number of them that are unemployed, who have no hope, who have a future of futility, but want to engage meaningfully with the community, he said. THE police should be allowed to control riots with guns, the forces watchdog insists. And ofcers could have used rubber bullets or water cannons on arsonists during the orgies of violence that blighted Britain in the summer. But the HM Inspectorate of Constabularys call to arm riot cops was last night branded crazy by critics Labour MP Keith Vaz, the chairman of the Commons Home Affairs select committee, also raised doubts about the proposal. We didnt think this was a solution to the riots and disorder. You dont deal with the failure of tactics by saying you have to use new equipment, he said. Shami Chakrabarti, director of human rights campaign group Liberty, said: The police have always been able to use violent force to save lives in extreme situations. No new power or strategy is required for that to remain the case. What caused these riots and why did the police lose control? Some commentators think the disorder was understandable and justied; some say the police had it coming; others that the violence was only to be expected given the unemployment and poverty in the area. Anyone in touch with police leaders will know that most are fully signed-up supporters of the doctrine that the police should use force only as a last resort. As one of the famous nine principles of policing, published in 1829 at the very founding of the Metropolitan Police, puts it, the police should use physical force only when the exercise of persuasion, advice and warning is found to be insufcient and to use only the minimum degree of physical force which is necessary on any particular occasion. Indeed, it is worth remembering that while greed was the principal motive, the summer riots began with a fatal police shooting (whether justied or not). Certainly, the use of water cannon is worth exploring. But it wasnt for lack of police powers that the disturbances spread this August.
back to the Soviet Afghan war, Chossudovsky said. And this latest court ruling is part of the plan, according to Chossudovsky. We are dealing with fabrications whereby a war agenda, which has been on the Pentagons drawing board for many years, is now seeking justication to go live and weve seen the drone attacks, weve seen the sanctions.
But why would the United States get involved in such a long-running, costly, dangerous ploy? The answer, according to the Canadian analyst, is simple. Because Iran has 10 per cent of the worlds oil reserves four or ve times the amount of the United States; its in a crucial region, it doesnt accept US hegemony and its an ally of Russia and China.
William Hague questioned over Rail fares to rise faster British role in drone strikes than ination
The Government is coming under increasing pressure to reveal if the UK is providing intelligence to help the US carry out drone strikes in Pakistan. Lawyers for Noor Khan, whose father died in Pakistan strike, want clarication of British intelligences role in CIA campaign London Guardian reported. Lawyers for the son of a victim of US drone strikes in Pakistan have asked foreign secretary William Hague to clarify whether British intelligence has helped the CIAs targeted killing programme. A law rm acting on behalf of Noor Khan, whose father was killed earlier this year in a drone strike in northwest Pakistan, said several reports have stated that British intelligence has provided locations for alleged
militants targeted by the CIAs campaign. Richard Stein, head of human rights at Leigh Day & Co, said: This legal action simply looks to ask a number of questions of our government regarding UK involvement in the drone strikes in Pakistan which, it is estimated, have killed thousands of people within a country we are not militarily engaged with and therefore, we believe, are against international law. We ask the foreign secretary whether any information is being passed by agents of the UK government to US government forces to assist in these attacks. Unless it is categorically denied that the UK continues to pass such information to the US government forces, we require a clear policy
statement of the arrangements which are in place and circumstances in which the UK considers it to be lawful to do so. Pakistani authorities have criticised the attacks as violations of their countrys sovereignty and international human rights campaigners have condemned reports of innocent civilian casualties. US ofcials have privately said that the strikes have killed many Taliban and al-Qaida commanders. Clive Stafford Smith, director of legal action charity Reprieve, said: CIA drone strikes are killing hundreds if not thousands of civilians and destabilising Pakistan. The British people have a right to know what their countrys policy is regarding our involvement in this illegal and disastrous campaign.
Train fares will increase by an average of 5.9% in January higher than the rate of ination. The price to passengers of UK train travel will rise by an average of 5.9 per cent next year, just under the 6 per cent governmentdictated average for regulated fares. The new fare schedules were published on Tuesday after a last-minute scramble by train operators to readjust rises following a change in government policy last month. The average increase for all fares including season tickets is higher than the current retail prices index (RPI) measure of ination, which was 5.2% in November and is a common benchmark for wage deals. The move takes the average price of a single ticket on long-distance routes to 21.18. But despite George Osbornes gesture, consumer groups attacked the 5.9% announcement claiming passengers deserve better. Anthony Smith, chief executive of Passenger Focus, said: Average 6% rises will not be reected in most peoples pay. Passengers will now have to trawl the detail to nd out what is happening on their individual routes.
Israel, U.S. determined to halt Iran nuclear drive: Barak

US President Barack Obamas halfhour tte-a- tte with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak in Washington Friday, Dec. 16, was vitally concerned with the coming steps in the Syrian showdown and the latest developments in the controversy over Irans nuclear weapons program, intelligence sources report. Their conference was urgent because key events in the Middle East this week made early decisions necessary on both these issues. Termination of the US military mission in Iraq has powerful ramications for Israel, Iran and Syria as well as Iraq itself. From Tehrans standpoint, the US military departure has removed a formidable obstacle from Israels path to an attack on its nuclear installations: the US Air Forces control of Iraqi skies. Cleared of this shield, Iraqi air space offers Israel an open corridor for its air force to reach Iran without hindrance. Overights through any other country, such as Saudi Arabia, would have been contingent on their governments cooperation in the anti-Iran offensive. Tehran delayed releasing word of the capture of the US stealth RQ-
NEWS
170 drone until Dec. 4, timing it for the nal month of the US troop drawdown from Iraq, in order to demonstrate to Israel and not just America that the sophisticated electronic resources which downed the RQ-170 over the AfghanistanIranian border were still available to Tehran for downing Israeli ights entering Iraqi air space. Therefore, Israels air force could no longer be sure of safely breaching Iraqi air space for its attack. To put another spoke in Israels plans for striking Iran, Tehran used Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Malikis visit to Washington (Dec. 12-13 ) for sending the US President a conciliatory message: The Islamic rulers were willing
to clear the air with the Obama administration and broach areas of discord - notwithstanding the ill will generated by the allegations of an al-Qods Brigades plot to murder the Saudi ambassador to Washington and the captured American stealth drones intrusion into their airspace. Since Iran and North Korea habitually walk in step on their nuclear strategy, Pyongyangs compliance with Washingtons key demand may be taken as a pointer to the Islamic Republics willingness to slow uranium enrichment in stages that match the lifting of sanctions. The Syrian question loomed large in the Obama-Maliki talks this week because the US militarys exit from Iraq opens another corridor, this one
for Iran to exploit for the convenience of a direct military route to Syria for its warplanes and military vehicles. The US president insisted emphatically that the Iraqi prime minister must not let this happen. Maliki refused to give any promises, excepting only that Baghdad would line up behind Arab League policy on the Assad regime and not violate the sanctions the League has imposed on Damascus. In his brieng to Tehran, Maliki was able to report that while Obama was willing to look at Irans proposals for slowing uranium enrichment, he would not hear of easing the pressure on President Bashar Assad. What this means is that the door has been opened for Tehran to try and
mend its fences with Washington provided the ayatollahs are willing to throw Assad to the wolves. Before moving ahead on this, the Iranians will no doubt demand guarantees against an American or an Israeli attack on their nuclear program. Israels strategic state of health has taken a serious beating from these developments, its options against Iran shrinking substantially and the opening for military action narrowing. The removal of most of Irans nuclear facilities below ground, President Obamas willingness to heed conciliatory feelers from Tehran, and Baghdads assumption of the role of go-between for Washington and Tehran are all bad news for Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and his defense minister. Iran has again contrived to buy time and leeway for bringing its nuclear weapons program to completion. Even the option of a clear run through Iraq for Israeli warplanes to strike Iran is likely to be short-lived: Tehran, which controls the Iraqi prime minister, will lose no time in placing its electronic warfare and intelligence systems in position for shutting that corridor to Israel.
English test for immigrants If they continue to not illegal, judge rules push us around,
But Justice Beatson ruled the new language test was not a disproportionate interference with the couples right to family life. In his judgment, Justice Beatson ruled that the changes did not interfere with the rights of the claimants, since it does not prevent marriage within the UK where both parties are present, or prevent anyone within the UK from travelling abroad to get married. He ruled the aims - to promote integration and to protect public services - were legitimate aims. Justice Beatson said: The new rule does not indirectly discriminate on the grounds of nationality, ethnic origins or disability. The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants said the ruling would affect many UK citizens. But Britains Immigration Minister Damian Green said: We believe it is entirely reasonable that someone intending to live in the UK should understand English, so that they can integrate and participate fully in our society.
Medvedev on US:
well push back
A WOMAN whose husband is not allowed to live in the UK because he cannot speak English has lost a legal bid to get the rules overturned. In a setback to non-English speaking immigrants from countries like India, the British High Court has dismissed a legal challenge to a new immigration rule requiring people to be able to speak English before coming to the UK to live with their spouse. British citizen Rashida Chapti, 54, and her 57-year-old Indian husband Vali Chapti were one
of three named claimants in the case. The couple, who have been married for 37 years, have six children and have divided their time for 15 years between Leicester and India. But Vali Chapti, who does not speak, read or write English, cannot move to the UK under the new immigration rule. The challenge to the rule, introduced in November 2010, also claimed the language requirement was unlawful and constituted discrimination on grounds of race and nationality.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has spoken out after a telephone conversation with his US counterpart, saying Obamas comments on Russias recent parliamentary elections were unacceptable. Speaking to a number of United Russia MPs, Dmitry Medvedev stated that, correctly delivered, thoughts and comments on a countrys electoral process are acceptable and welcome. But when they are reminiscent of Cold War-era statements, it is outrageous. That is not a reset [in relations], and Ive had to remind my colleague of that, said the president. Domestic criticism is of course welcome and constitutionallyjustied, Medvedev told MPs. The streets are not the US State Department. The streets reect the mood of our people. The Russian leader was referring to a recent comment made by the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who called
these past elections neither free nor fair. Medvedev summed up his statement by saying that he will not stand for intimidation. Russia will continue to pursue its interest within the international arena. If they want to push us around, well push back. But if they hear our concerns, then we can work together.
Russias Syria Resolution Unacceptable, France Says

development that Russia has decided to recognise that the serious deterioration of the situation in Syria merits a Security Council resolution, French Foreign Ministry spokesman Bernard Valero told a news brieng. India may support a surprise Russian UN resolution on Syria, hoping to prevent a US or EU draft that could make a case for outside intervention in the violence-ridden country. India has come under pressure to take a stronger stand on Syria, both by international organizations and the West. But after Libya, India is opposed to another NATO military intervention. The Russian resolution takes a sort of 360 degrees view of the situation, condemning both Assads military action as well as actions by armed opposition groups. Along with other BRIC nations, India has come to the conclusion that the unrest in Syria is being exploited by different interests. For instance, ofcials tracking Syria note that the violence is now most concentrated in Homs, which is the headquarters for the Muslim Brotherhood. Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director of Human Rights Watch, said, India has expressed concern about the ongoing human rights violations in Syria. With this evidence of government complicity, India will need to send a strong message seeking an end to abuses and proper accountability for those responsible.
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On Thursday, Russias ambassador to the United Nations proposed a surprise Security Council resolution that called on all antagonists in the Syrian conict to stop the violence and begin negotiations. While the Russian draft resolution does not call for sanctions and its prospects for passage are unclear, political analysts said it reected new concern in Moscow that Mr. Assads grip on power is at risk, which also could jeopardize Russias inuence. Russias draft U.N. Security Council resolution on Syria is unacceptable to France in its current form, but Moscows recognition that the body must react to the bloodshed is a positive step, Frances Foreign Ministry said on Friday.
Russia unexpectedly presented a new, beefed-up draft resolution on the violence in Syria to the security council on Thursday. Western envoys said the text was too weak even though it expanded
and toughened previous Russian drafts. Both Russia and China vetoed a European draft resolution in October that contained a threat of sanctions. For France, it is a positive
UK Refusing To Help With EU Bailout Fund

Britain is refusing to contribute to the IMFs bailout fund for the EU, Sky News understands.
hancellor George Osborne has apparently told his EU colleagues he will not provide any cash to boost the fund, which is specically aimed at the troubled eurozone. During a conference call with 26 other
EU nance ministers, Mr Osborne made clear that whilst the UK is prepared to take part in global efforts to increase the IMFs resources, it would not participate in any fund specically intended for a Euro bailout.
We were clear that we would not be making a contribution, a Treasury source said. Another said there was no agreement on the proposed 200bn euro fund. Britain is resisting pressure to contribute
up to 50bn euros to the fund which is being set up to increase the IMFs ability to help crisis-hit economies. However, some other non-euro countries could yet contribute, along with eurozone countries.
India MPs angry as Russia Boxing Day tube strike court ponders Hindu book ban challenged in high court
Hare Krishna adherents protest in Calcutta
ndian parliamentarians urged the government on Monday to diplomatically intervene in a Russian trial that might order a ban on one of the holiest Hindu scriptures, the Bhagavad Gita, local media reported. A court in the Siberian city of Tomsk is expected to announce a verdict on Monday whether to impose a ban on the Russian translation of Bhagavad Gita As It Is, written by founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Prosecutors claim that the scripture promotes extremism. During an Indian parliamentary session on Monday, the leader of the Biju Janata Dal political party, Bhartruhari Mahtab, called on the government to ensure the rights of Hindus in Russia in view of the possible ban. I want to know from the government what it is doing. The religious rights of Hindus in Russia should be protected.
The government should impress upon the Russian authorities through diplomatic channels, India Today daily quoted Mahtab as saying. Mahtabs mention of the issue plunged the parliament into chaos, the newspaper said, with other parliamentarians wanting to speak on the subject. Parliaments Speaker Meira Kumar was forced to adjourn the session for several hours. The Russian Embassy in India said
it is closely following the situation in India and the trial in Tomsk. The Embassy can not comment on the course of the trial, but it closely follows the development of events, which raised a great public concern in India, Nana Mgeladze, a spokeswoman for the embassy, said. Bhagavat Gita was rst published in Russia in 1788 and since then has been republished many times in various translations, she added.
Tube drivers will hold 24-hour strikes on four days, including Boxing Day, in a row over pay, a union has said. Aslef balloted its 2,200 members over demands for triple pay and a day off in lieu for working on the bank holiday. Staff will walk out on Boxing Day, 16 January, 3 and 13 February. Aslef said 92% voted for industrial action, but Tube bosses said 42% voted to strike. London Underground (LU) said it had asked the union to abandon its strike threat over an outrageous pay claim. Services were severely disrupted last year when drivers walked out on Boxing Day after talks collapsed. Boris Johnson takes Aslef union to court over claims it broke law when it balloted employees over strike Boris Johnson is taking on one of Britains most powerful transport unions in the high court in an attempt to head off a tube drivers strike on Boxing Day. The London mayors transport authority, Transport for London, is claiming that the drivers trade union, Aslef, broke the law
when it balloted thousands of London Underground (LU) employees in a dispute over bank holiday shifts and pay. Howard Collins, LUs managing director, said the organisation would take every step possible to stop disgraceful walkouts from going ahead. Further strikes are planned for 16 January, 3 February and 13 February in a row over the decision to roster staff for the Boxing Day shift rather than asking for volunteers. Collins added: The Underground is a public service that should be playing its part in helping Londoners and the capital have a happy and prosperous Christmas, and we will take every possible step to ensure that happens.
NEWS
The Spirit of Christmas

Adrian Felaar
With only two days into, festive cheer is at simmering point in anticipation of the 25 of the aforesaid month. Christmas fairs, ranging from small scale events to those of greater proportions, have sprung up all over the country selling decorative items for the r tree, woolly items with which to forage in the winter snow, mince pies galore and the distinctive smell of mulled wine punctuating the crisp air. Shops, in an effort to give their revenue a much needed injection of cash, are not only stocking up on tins of Quality Street but are also having unprecedented preBoxing Day sales (I know one or too members of the fairer sex who will be jubilant at the sound of this news). Yes, this is the traditional Christmas many of us have come to know and, subsequently, even love. Yet, in the modern setting of todays world, Christmas is under threat - from commercialisation. The introduction of the scrumptious, chocolaty advent calendars is inadvertently accompanied by numerous television adverts bombarding us with ideas of what Christmas should be like. In these adverts, great emphasis is placed on the potential gifts that should be bought. How true this is for childrens gift toys, with a list specially compiled by the Toy Retailers Association of the Christmas seasons top toys being circulated since October of this year. By the month of November, in any store, every aisle and shopping byway is trimmed with Christmas decorations no doubt to prepare the shoppers psyche to purchase items for the season to be jolly. The danger now is that Christmas is b e c o m i n g increasingly meet with our demand. This is not a situation where freedom of choice is present. This is giving under duress. Notwithstanding the morality of giving something when forced, businesses stand much to gain from this. It is not for nothing that turn a prot and generate economic activity, we as consumers are prone to lose out on true Christmas values which makes this time special. Commercialisation has altered the way in which we celebrate holidays and birthdays; it has unselsh outpouring of whatever resources you may have, in essence: it is a time of giving. Too many it heralds a point in the year, where not only scal resources are shared with those in need but also some of our valuable time. In an age and living in a metropolis like London, one hardly gets time to capture a breath of air. Many people, especially the elderly generation, fall through the cracks of the hustle and bustle. Christmas affords us an opportunity to reconnect with family and friends around the dinner table. But, moreover, it gives us a chance to reveal the humanity in us and to just care about others. Indeed, there are few other times in the year where our focus should experience a shift away from ourselves and be projected onto our fellow human beings. If ever there was a holiday that cheered and warmed the heart, it is Christmas with its warm mince pies and peppermint-striped candy canes (call me a traditionalist). However, looking at the news, it appears that some Britons are in for a Dickensian Christmas there has been an increase in the demand for food hampers. Many families nationwide are bracing themselves for the brewing economic storm. Although this Christmas will be relatively moderate in spending for many compared to previous years, nothing should impede us from making it a time of merriment. If nothing else, we should try to enjoy the dying moments of 2011 and keep up the true Christmas spirit.
commercialised. The Christmas festive period is generally being used as a vehicle for enterprise. While Christmas undoubtedly is partially centred on the act of giving, sometimes we project our wants onto those closest to us, practically forcing them to
businesses at this time of year go all out with their store layouts and offers. By making Christmas into a more commercial affair, the period leading up to Christmas is characterised by spending vast sums on goods such as gifts to either ll a stocking or to be put under a r tree. Whilst I am not begrudging rms the opportunity to
served to shroud the unique meaning of these things in layers of platonic wrapping paper and plastic. For many the ideals of Christmas have changed. Yet, there are still many values which hold true. Christmas, whether you are of the Christian body or not, is a time of
Marisa Paulson
[Previously: ...his teeth bared fangs, his reection was pushing out...I saw the arm, and the bone...blood...blood...the blood. I knew...that this...was REAL... *** I saw a dead crow...I continued to stare...and stare...and stare...I proceeded over towards the death; my mouth salivated...I was hungry...I already ate...I was hungry...Shang...he invited me in...I could see so brilliantly the crow perched dead on the ground...the feathers and blood and,...took a mouthful of the chicken burger... It was...okay...eleven days had passed...Id remember that day like no other...the day my tip of my tongue tasted death.]
SORRY FOR YOURSELF

It happened three days ago. I couldnt depict it well, but after I passed out I only saw red stuff, things, sizzling hot, then blue and green and red, quite liked red... looked nice on my mom when she wore stuff, the frilly summers neck scarf, and that sort of thing. Yeah, I saw weird stuff and things, then Hank and Stewie, mom... dad, whereby I instantly awoke from my days in death. Wondered what else happened? Again, I had a visit to my doctor, who said something among the lines of This is rather odd Anthony... Jeremy, Simona, but, it appears as though there is nothing wrong with you, well, from what youve described, he was looking over to my parents then. He clicked and analysed different scan projections of my bones and what not, he even printed ones out and hawked on them in his hand, he even took my blood and checked my heartbeat, pulse, poking his ngers into my mouth, blinding me with a torchlight, about to poke the tiniest microchip into my nostrils to see a vivid and visual picture of my insides, before my dad said, Thats enough John, thank you, but if youre really saying theres nothing wrong with him, then I guess there neednt be anymore of this? That was when my dad held a printed scan of my back, But if youre saying that this happened, and theres no evidence of what caused it or how its even xed! He rmly clenched it almost scrunching it. ...well then, I dont know, he placed the print at the edge of the bed and stify turned back to Dr Troyce. John, is he well enough to leave? I remembered noticing my moms reddened eyes, like those scarves she wore, but she had no scarf this time, she looked horrendous, horrendous because of me. I remembered noticing her eager eyes slightly drooling with tears as she anticipated his answer, he nodded. Yes, hes free and well... to go home. Take care of yourself
Anthony, and stay away from whatever... caused that...thing... My mom and dad, and Hank helped with packing up my stuff, some of their stuff and with me: my journey out of that room and into our car. Strangely, I actually felt ne...quite kind of, but still, to have felt how I felt before and to feel like that after? Hell, I wasnt glad, I found it strange. As soon as they walked me out I slightly grinned widely to myself; what could I say? I was happy. Happy that I thought it was all over, that pain, this strangeness and the other stuff. It felt as though I was nally back on track, that I could do this and do that, hang with her and hang with him, them. I was wrong.
NEWS
DEBATE Getting away with murder

Keziah-Ann Abakah
With all the murders, rapists and drug dealers running around you would think that the law enforcement would have their hands tied but leave it to the British law enforcement to spend more money, resources and time on catching working illegal Immigrants than those who endanger the life of others. Whats the harm in working? There are countless numbers of illegal Immigrants who come into Britain as well as an assortment of other countries around the world. The reasoning as to why these Immigrants illegally enter countries varies from wanting to be with loved ones to seeking a better life than the one from which they came. The manner in which they enter their current place of residence is illegal this is a fact that cannot be disputed but what most fail to consider is what these people do when they enter illegally. Think about it. There are a vast number of people that say illegal Immigrants rely and absorb the benets of the government which in some cases is true but when you take a moment to think beyond the mindset of these narrow minded people you will have to acknowledge the fact that a large number of British citizens live off the governments benets, single mothers, asylum seekers and plenty others. Dwelling on matters surpassing this you will also come to the realisation that a large majority of these illegal Immigrants work relentlessly and in some case much more than those who are actual British citizens. With that said and done why then are these people cracked down upon in the same manner used on drug dealers, rapists and serial killers. They are hand cuffed, descended upon by a vast number of law enforcers and interrogated to almost an inch of life. Whilst this goes on those who rape, kill, sell and transport drugs are not scrutinised as much as they could be because time, effort, money and resources that should be used on them, could be used on, would have been used on them are being used on people who are simply... working. As I said earlier the fact that these people are illegal residents cannot be disputed. What can be disputed are the methods used to track, hunt and take them in. At the days end they are people, human beings just like you and I who want a better living for themselves, who want to provide sufcient funds for their families and people who discipline themselves to obtain what everyone deserves... a better life. Legally or illegally whats the harm in working?
ENTERTAINMENT
Tara Priya Wounded!
Tara Priya is a gifted newcomer and multi-instrumentalist from San Franciso. Her self-titled debut EP Tara Priya charted in the Top 20 of many American radio stations and even got distributed in Japan. Her rst single from the EP Rollin has been a massive hit across India, UK and the Middle East. Her second single is called Wounded and is available from iTunes Hardly surprising that she has won a few awards recently, among others the 18th Annual Billboard Song Contest. She was also one of three nalists in the John Lennon Song-writing Contest. Tara is back in the UK for a Christmas special on BBC Radio LDN and will be available for interviews from the 22nd to 26th December.
Swarovski, Sense of Two Fashion Show

Swarovski Middle East recently hosted a spectacular fashion show and exhibition highlighting the regions most talented designers in haute couture, traditional, jewelery & accessories, menswear and interiors. The Sense of Two theme evoked designers dual creative sides to present dazzling avant-garde pieces, made with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS, for the catwalk fashion show.
FASHION
ADVICE
Dear Miss R, I was never really popular throughout primary school and it has never been easy for me to make friends. I am in year 10 and even now I have very few friends and nd it difcult to socialise with kids in my school and around my age. My mum is constantly nagging me, telling me to get out more and hang out with people my own age. So, recently a new girl joined our school and started talking to me which made me feel great and not like such an outcast as shes very nice and looks like a model. However, the rst time she spoke to me she offered me a cigarette and I didnt know what to do so I accepted and I absolutely hated it. But now she thinks I like to smoke and probably drink too. I am not sure whether to tell her or not I dont actually smoke but Im worried she might not want to be friends with me and think Im not mature enough to be her friend. But it does feel great to have a friend I can talk to and hang out with. Amelia Dear Amelia Its great that you have made a new friend and feel as though you are tting in however it is on the wrong terms and you are giving into peer pressure. First of all, smoking is an awful habit and you should denitely not do it, especially if you do not like it. I am sure youve learnt all about the effects of smoking and how it can cause lung cancer etc so do not give in at all to the pressure. You should simply tell your friend you dont like it and she should accept that and also appreciate that you are a strong person who can stand up for what they want. Also, friendship is based on the truth so your friend will accept that you do not smoke and respect that around you. Who knows you may be able to help her quit too? Your mum is right by saying you need to make friends; but the friends you make should be responsible and a good inuence, not a bad one. I hope it all works out for you! Miss R.
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Saarc international I Thursday 22 December 2011
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believers in the book written by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). The case is built on expert testimony from local professors of philosophy and philology who said the book expresses religious hatred and discriminates on the basis of gender, race, nationality and language. Ambassador Malhotra registered strong objection to the charges. The Tomsk court case is linked to long-running attempts by the Russian Christian Orthodox Church to limit the activities of the Hare Krishna movement in Russia, branding it a totalitarian sect. Earlier this year authorities banned the construction of an ISKCON community village in the Tomsk region. Seven years ago the Moscow city government did not allow the Krishnaites to build a sprawling prayer-cum-cultural complex in central Moscow. Later ISKCON was granted permission to set up its centre in a Moscow suburb.
international
SC: Pashas dismissal petition
Thursday, 22.12.11
India asks Russia to drop the case against Gita translation

India has asked the Russian government to drop a court case in Siberia against a translation of the Bhagavat Gita. The matter has been taken up by the Indian Embassy in Moscow with the Russian Government at senior ofcial level, seeking its favourable and positive intervention in the matter, Indian Ambassador to Russia Ajai Malhotra said. State prosecutors in the Siberian city of Tomsk are seeking a ban on Bhagavad Gita as It Is accusing the book of extremism and sowing social discord. The court on Monday adjourned till 28 December on the lawyers demand to hear opinion of the Russian Ombudsman, and Moscow indologists. Ombudsman Vladimir Lukin earlier stated that the attempt to ban the book amounted to infringement on the constitutional right to the freedom of consciousness. Prosecutors said it was not the original Bhagavat Gita that they found offensive, but some commentaries that insult non-
A constitutional petition was led in the Supreme Court of Pakistan seeking removal of DG ISI Ahmad Shuja Pasha from his ofce. According to a private television channel, the petition was led by Engineer Muhammad Jameel. In the petition, he said that the DG ISI held meetings with Arab countries to oust President Zardari which caused unrest among people and the democratic circles. He contended that the DG ISI has taken oath under Article 244 of the constitution that he would not participate in politics but he held meetings with Arab states on political basis in stark violation of the oath.
Lokpal: Anna to fast for 3 days, calls govt a cheat

Expressing disappointment with the new draft Lokpal Bill to be tabled in Parliament, Anna Hazare on Tuesday said he would fast for three days from December 27, followed by a three-day jail bharo agitation. I will fast on December 27, 28 and 29. This will be followed by a threeday jail bharo from December 30. After this, I will go to ve states (where Assembly polls are due) and campaign against the (Congressled) government, Mr. Hazare told reporters here this evening. Maintaining that the governments intentions on bringing an effective Lokpal Bill were suspect, Mr. Hazare said the government was ignoring the voice of the people.
The common mans life has become miserable due to all-pervasive corruption. But the government has become blind. It cannot see or hear the suffering of the people, he said. Continued on page 28 >>
Responding to points of order of Leader of the Opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, he said, We should not provide such chances which can derail democracy. It was apparent during the National Assembly session on Monday that President Asif Ali Zardaris return to Pakistan had done little to assuage fears in parliament. Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, for his part, said: I assure this house that there will be no martial law, no caretaker setup and no technocrats, while urging the MPs not to provide
PM insists no martial law, no caretaker set-up
any opportunity that could derail democracy. The premiers statement came in response to leader of the opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khans commitment that his
party would never support any undemocratic force. I can give you in writing that we will be with you if there were any threat to democracy and Continued on page 28 >>
10
NEWS
Agni-V shows Indias ambitions,

says CPC paper
February 2012, as showing Indias intention of seeking regional balance of power. While Indian military ofcials had said Indias weapons would not pose a threat to any country, the newspaper said claims from other ofcials and scientists suggested that the development of the missile was aimed at China, whose cities would fall within its range. The paper pointed to Indias rising military spending which is, however, only a little more than one-third that of Chinas, according to estimates as evidence of Indian strategic ambitions. Indian goal It is the Indian goal to continue to strengthen the military and possess a military clout that matches its status as a major power, the article said. However, how many missiles is enough is a question for all governments in the missile era. India was beginning to get close to America following Washingtons growing strategic focus on the Asia-Pacic, but thinking this move will contain its imaginary enemy would be naive. India should cooperate with the neighbouring countries instead of being hostile to them and should reduce its own persecution mania to play a role on the world stage in the future, the article said. There is no real winner in wars and peace opportunities must not be wasted. This is the wise judgment.
Commentary in Chinese Communist Party ofcial newspaper this weekend called on India to cooperate more with its neighbours instead of being hostile to them, suggesting that India rising army expenditure reected
its growing regional strategic ambitions. The article published on the Peoples Dailys website, whose author was identied as Zi Mo, pointed to the development of the 5,000 km-range Agni-V, expected to be unveiled in
PML-N urges SC to summon Wajid US must respect Pakistans

Petition prays court to summon two senior journalists to assist it in memo case
red lines: Islamabad
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz legislators Ishaq Dar and Khwaja Asif jointly led a miscellaneous application in the Supreme Court on Friday, with a plea to summon Pakistans High Commissioner to United Kingdom Wajid Shamsul Hasan as well as two Pakistani journalists in the memogate case. The petitioners claimed that during his interaction with foreign media,
Wajid Shamsul Hassan had refused to rule out the possibility that Pakistani leadership, both civilian and military, might have been aware beforehand about the May 2 midnight operation in Abbottabad, in which the US killed al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden. They prayed the SC to direct Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure the presence of Hassan in Pakistan as well as bar him from proceeding
abroad unless exonerated by the SC or a commission of the apex court in the case. They further said that impression ofcially given out by the relevant civil authorities was that Pakistan knew nothing about the Abbottabad operation until after it had been actually accomplished. The petitioners have also cited Muhammad Malik, editor of a national English daily, who had said that he had authored numerous informative reports on the memogate scandal, two of which he coauthored with Shaheen Sehbai. The petitioners prayed the SC to summon Malik and Sehbai to assist the court in the matter. They said that at least two reports by Sehbai quoted Hassans interview with CNN, BBC and CDTV, in which he said that Pakistan had at least 8 to 10 days advance knowledge of the May 2 operation in Abbottabad. The application contends that the high commissioner had also claimed that Pakistan had helped the Americans identify Bin Ladens location.
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has asked the United States to respect Pakistans red lines and ensure respect for its national sovereignty and territorial integrity. He made the statement while speaking with US Ambassador Cameron Munter at the Prime Minister House on Friday. Gilani said that the US must guarantee that it will respect Pakistans frontiers in the future. He said that Pakistan wanted to work with the US to defeat the common enemy. The prime minister said that it was his primary responsibility to safeguard Pakistans dignity and honour, adding that respect for sovereignty and non-
repetition of unilateral action was the minimum Pakistan expected. We will support the process of reconciliation in Afghanistan, which is Afghan-led and Afghan-owned and does not destabilise Pakistan, Gilani said. Munter said that both countries needed to focus and cooperate with each other with commitment to defeat the common enemy. The convergence of interests between the two countries against the enemy provides the realistic basis and a common ground to continue to collaborate and save the world from the curse of extremism and terrorism, he stated.
India, Sri Lanka and Maldives have formed a trilateral dialogue on maritime security at the national security adviser (NSA) level in the backdrop of China expanding its footprint in the Indian Ocean region. The dialogue an idea rst mooted by Maldives will deal with issues of maritime security, piracy, ensuring safety and security of sea-lanes, sharing of best practices and disaster management, senior government ofcials told HT. Far from the glare, the rst meeting was held in Maldives last month and the next edition will be held in January next year.
India, Sri Lanka, Maldives in talks on maritime security

India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka have such dialogue bilaterally. Now, we are bringing together the synergies to make it a trilateral format, said an ofcial, adding that the Indian Ocean was vital for the safety, security and economic well-being of the three countries. China has been developing port facilities in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. Strategic reasons apart, for China these countries provide both new markets and alternative routes to the Indian Ocean. China now has a base in Seychelles to seek supplies
and recuperate facilities for its Navy. Chinese naval eets have re-supply facilities at harbours in Djibouti, Oman and Yemen since China joined the anti-piracy operation in Gulf of Aden in 2008.
China also has a contract with the UN backed International Seabed Authority to gain rights to explore polymetallic sulphide ore deposit in Indian Ocean over the next 15 years. A lot of these interests intersect and overlap with that of India. Huge strategic implications apart, 97% of Indias international trade by volume and 75% by value passes through the Indian Ocean. India has been working very closely with the 19 Indian Ocean rim countries grouping, which it chairs for the next two years, on maritime security and other all-round cooperation among the member countries.
11
WEEKLY REVIEW OF AFGHANISTAN NEWS
Secret US, Taliban talks reach turning point

US weighs Guantanamo prisoner transfer after 10 months of dialogue; Taliban is asked to enter peace talks.
After 10 months of secret dialogue with Afghanistans Taliban insurgents, senior US ofcials say the talks have reached a critical juncture and they will soon know whether a breakthrough is possible, leading to peace talks whose ultimate goal is to end the Afghan war. As part of the accelerating, highstakes diplomacy, Reuters has learned, the United States is considering the transfer of an unspecied number of Taliban prisoners from the Guantanamo Bay military prison into Afghan government custody. It has asked representatives of the Taliban to match that condence-building measure with some of their own. Those could include a denunciation of international terrorism and a public willingness to enter formal political talks with the government headed by Afghan President Hamid Karzai. The ofcials acknowledged that the Afghanistan diplomacy, which has reached a delicate stage in recent weeks, remains a long shot. Among the complications: US troops are drawing down and will be mostly gone by the end of 2014, potentially reducing the incentive for the
Taliban to negotiate. Still, the senior ofcials, all of whom insisted on anonymity to share new details of the mostly secret effort, suggested it has been a much larger piece of President Barack Obamas Afghanistan policy than is publicly known. US ofcials have held about half a dozen meetings with their insurgent contacts, mostly in Germany and Doha with representatives of Mullah Omar, leader of the Talibans Quetta Shura, the ofcials said. The stakes in the diplomatic effort could not be higher. Failure would likely condemn Afghanistan to
continued conict, perhaps even civil war, after NATO troops nish turning security over to Karzais weak government by the end of 2014. Success would mean a political end to the war and the possibility that parts of the Taliban - some hardliners seem likely to reject the talks - could be reconciled. The effort is now at a pivot point. We imagine that were on the edge of passing into the next phase. Which is actually deciding that weve got a viable channel and being in a position to deliver on mutual condence-building measures, said
a senior US ofcial. While some Us Taliban contacts have been previously reported, the extent of the underlying diplomacy and the possible prisoner transfer have not been made public until now. The reconciliation effort, which has already faced setbacks including a supposed Taliban envoy who turned out to be an impostor, faces hurdles on multiple fronts, the US ofcials acknowledged. They include splits within the Taliban; suspicion from Karzai and his advisers; and Pakistans insistence on playing a major, even
dominating, role in Afghanistans future. Obama will likely face criticism, including from Republican presidential candidates, for dealing with an insurgent group that has killed US soldiers and advocates a strict Islamic form of government. But US ofcials say that the Afghan war, like others before it, will ultimately end in a negotiated settlement. The challenges are enormous, a second senior US ofcial acknowledged. But if youre where we are ... you cant not try. You have to nd out whats out there.
Ex-Taliban denies reports of Qatar ofce US military wants troops in

Afghanistan beyond 2014
An ex-Taliban envoy said on Thursday that he had no knowledge of plans by the Afghan insurgents to set up a political ofce in Qatar, even though media reports billed him as a potential chief of a possible Taliban mission in the tiny Gulf state. By opening an ofce, the Taliban would indicate a willingness to talk peace after 10 years of war in Afghanistan and signal their intention to try and nd a political solution to an insurgency that has cost the lives of thousands. Abdul Salam Zaeef, the Talibans former ambassador to Pakistan, said he was unaware of such an ofce being planned. A top member of the Afghanistan peace council, exTaliban ofcial Arsala Rahmani, said he was also unaware that such an ofce was about to open. Their remarks follow reports in an Indian newspaper, The Hindu,
quoting unnamed Indian diplomatic sources that said work was being nalized on a Taliban ofce in Qatar that Zaeef may run. Zaeef told The Associated Press that he had not heard that plans were being nalized for the ofce in Qatar or that he was being considered to staff it. Im not aware of that, Zaeef said. Afghanistan recalled its ambassador to Qatar on Wednesday, the same day the newspaper published the story, but it is unclear if it is related to the report. The ministry did not give a reason for recalling Khalid Ahmad Zakaria from the Qatari capital of Doha, but said Kabul values ties with Qatar and that diplomatic communications would continue. The ministry could not be
immediately reached for comment Thursday about whether recalling the ambassador was linked to The Hindu report. Meanwhile, Rahmani said the peace council, a group of about 70 inuential Afghans and former Taliban appointed by President Hamid Karzai to try and reconcile with the insurgents, was busy trying to nd a new leader. These days we are involved in appointing a new head of the peace council, said Rahmani, who once served as deputy minister of higher education in the Taliban regime. The former head of the peace council, Burhanuddin Rabbani, was assassinated on Sept. 20. Rabbani, a former president of Afghanistan, was killed by a suicide bomber posing as a peace emissary from the Taliban.
US generals and diplomatic ofcials are preparing a new strategy for Afghanistan they hope will commit US troops and money to the country far beyond 2014. The strategic review underway is expected to be ready in time for the NATO heads of state summit in Chicago next May, a key focus for U.S. national security leaders hoping to secure nancial and political commitments to Afghanistans future. There will be a U.S. military presence [after 2014], General John Allen, commander of U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan, told reporters in Kabul on Saturday. This is a work in progress, he
added, were not going to be done at the end of 14. Allen and U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker, at a breakfast in Crockers Kabul embassy residence, said the momentum is building for a long-term presence. Novembers loya jirga, a national gathering of Afghan elders, conrmed that Afghan leaders want a long-term relationship with the West beyond 2014, while this months Bonn conference of Western contributors to the war effort -- a precursor to Chicago -- secured a longterm, sustained commitment to Afghanistan in what international ofcials are calling a decade of transformation.
12
WEEKLY REVIEW OF BANGLADESH NEWS
Govt tolerates for democracy: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said the government had tolerated Sundays destructive activities of the opposition party for the sake of continuation of democracy. The pre-planned incidents on that day were designed to foil the trial of war criminals who had perpetrated in killing, rape, looting and arson, she said. Hasina made the remarks while addressing the inaugural session of the SME Fair 2011 at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the capital. The premier said that judiciary in the country is free and independent. If the accused persons can prove they are innocent, they will come out from the custody. What is the problem here? she observed. The present government believes in healthy competition in democracy where people will freely exercise their right of franchise. For that reason, the government did not act harshly although two people were killed during Sundays incidents, she said. Indicating opposition BNP, Hasina said that in the 2008 general She said what is wrong if the government takes action against people who were engaged in money laundering, looting, embezzling funds of an orphanage and other evil deeds. Even an FBI agent gave her testimony against money laundering during the BNP regime. It was a shame for the whole nation, she said. The premier said if the government does not take action against such misdeeds, how the country will advance? Referring to Sundays incidents, Hasina said, What was the reason behind such activities? Election is the best way to change any government through democratic process. In this connection, she mentioned that the last couple of elections under the present government were held in a free and fair manner, and in many places, the ruling party backed candidates were defeated. We show that election can be held freely and neutrally under a political government, Hasina said. She blamed the opposition party for putting people under unnecessary pressure by creating anarchy in the country.
elections, the people of the country had rejected this party. Now they are taking revenge on the people.
Objective journalism to bring Morning chaos rattles Dhaka positive changes stressed
Eminent citizens and editors of different national dailies yesterday stressed the need for maintaining maximum impartiality and objectivity to take the level of journalism to new heights for bringing a positive change in the society. Eminent citizens and editors of different national dailies yesterday stressed the need for maintaining maximum impartiality and objectivity to take the level of journalism to new heights for bringing a positive change in the society. They said modesty, honesty They made the remark at the closing session of a 10-day training for the journalists of upcoming private TV channel, Ekattor, at the citys Chhayanaut Sangskriti Bhaban auditorium. Noted litterateur Selina Hossain urged the young journalists to play a signicant role in bringing political, economical and social stability through their work. Your (journalists) reports should be prepared on the basis of correct information and truth, she said. She also criticised a few TV and FM radio channels for using unnecessary English words and programme titles. A series of crude homemade bombs have gone off in central Dhaka as hundreds of activists of BNP and its key ally Jamaat-e-Islami clashed with police, smashed more than a dozen vehicles and set some of those on re. At least one person was killed and several others were injured. Police said they were investigating whether the rampages so early in the morning were acts of sabotage. The violence in a city still covered with fog stunned many residents, especially the Muslim devotees going to mosques to say Fajr prayers and the morning walkers. The on-again
61 administrators for 45 hurt in clashes in V-Day events dist councils named

A clash between two factions of Awami League (AL) over establishing supremacy in a Victory Day programme in Pakundia upazila yesterday left 20 people injured and foiled the event. Locals said the two rival groups-one led by upazila Chairman Suhrab Uddin and another by AL leader Raqul Islam Renu--locked in the clash at about 10:30am to get control of stage of the event at Pakundia Pilot High School ground in presence of local lawmaker Dr Abdul Mannan and UNO Lutfunnesa. Chase and counter chase took place during the clash, leaving around 20 people injured. Later, local freedom ghters staged demonstration and demanded punishment to the trouble makers for foiling the programme. They also threatened to boycott the upcoming Independence Day programmes if their demand is not met. Additional police were deployed in the area to avert further clash. Our Correspondent from Pabna
and cautiousness are the prime prerequisite for objective journalism. On the other, arrogance, dishonesty or callousness are harmful not only for ones journalism career but also for the society, they added.
off-again clashes were centered mainly in Naya Paltan, Shantinagar, Shahbagh, Karwan Bazar, Jatiya Press Club and Motijheel areas, and continued almost throughout the day causing heavy trafc disruption and panic among commuters. Police said a 24-year-old man identied as Arifuzzaman Arif was killed when a crude bomb exploded outside a hotel in Motijheel around 10:00am. The blast also injured Jahangir, a restaurant owner of Sayedabad. Several other people were injured in the violence in the neighbouring areas.
adds: At least 15 people, including four policemen, were injured in a clash between police and activists of Awami League (AL) over a stalking incident during the Victory Day programme in Faridpur upazila yesterday. Police and witnesses said around 11:30am, some youths were stalking female audiences at the parade programme, organised by the upazila administration, at Bonwarinagar
football ground. When police asked them to leave the place, the youths locked in an altercation with police. At one stage, police charged batons on them, leaving Rani Islam, 24, joint secretary of Faridpur upazila unit of AL, injured. Later, Ranis father Kuddus along with his supporters assaulted subinspector Mojaharul Islam that led to the clash.
The government has appointed administrators, almost all of them local leaders of Awami League, to 61 district councils the top tier of the local government system instead of constituting the local bodies with elected representatives. The government has appointed administrators to 61 district councils. The local government division has issued a gazette notication to the effect, local government secretary Abu Alam Md Shahid Khan told New Age. He said that the government wanted to hold elections to the district councils which remained dysfunctional for around two
decades. The administrators would function until elected representatives take over the district councils, he said. But copies of the gazette were not made available till 10:00pm Thursday. The list of the newly-appointed administrators included politicians and other professionals like lawyers and doctors, according to the secretary. The move came two weeks after the government had appointed two additional secretaries as administrators to the two newly formed city corporations of Dhaka.
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WEEKLY REVIEW OF BHUTAN NEWS
HM commends King honours armed forces on National Day armed forces

His Majesty the King has honoured armed forces, a senior government ofcial, a prominent businessman, a freelance driver and the media during the national day celebrations in Thimphu. The armed forces received the Order of the Druk Wangyel for always protecting the nations security and sovereignty. His Majesty said the armed forces brave the harshest of conditions in securing nations borders from Jomotshangkha in the east to Tendu in the west along the southern border, and from Lharigang in the west to Tobrang in the east along the northern border. They also served the people in the aftermath of the major earthquakes of 2009 and 2011, as well as numerous other natural and manmade disasters. His Majesty conferred the red scarf (bura marp) to the auditor general Ugen Chewang for his constant effort since his appointment to the civil service in 1979, for his effort
Addressing the armed forces at their Raising Day celebrations in Tenchholing, Wangduephodrang, yesterday, His Majesty the King commended them for their constant and unwavering service in protecting the security and sovereignty of Bhutan. His Majesty said that, at all times, there were soldiers and ofcers in the most difcult places, doing their best to safeguard the security of the country. As Bhutan has grown, your duties have increased, with new responsibilities in guarding bridges, roads and important installations, such as hydropower plants and airports, His Majesty said. I am happy to note that our armed forces are carrying out their duties with utmost dedication. His Majesty however cautioned that it was in times of peace that people tend to become complacent. Our ofcers must plan ahead and train the armed forces well, so
that they can carry out their duties successfully, no matter when the need arises, His Majesty said. His Majesty also highlighted the pivotal role played by the armed forces in the aftermath of recent natural disasters, and the spirit and dedication with which the soldiers served their fellow citizens in such times of need. Security and peace are the foundations on which the success of the socio-economic and political aspirations of our nation rest, His Majesty said. I pledge, as the Commander in Chief, that, if you carry out your duties in the service of the nation, I will personally ensure the welfare and happiness of every member of our proud armed forces. Her Majesty the Queen, who launched the inaugural issue of the armed forces annual magazine, The Army, accompanied His Majesty.
to build a strong audit authority, and for the condence and strength that this award will bestow upon him, so that he might shoulder his responsibilities without fear or favour. Im humbled with this honour, Dasho Ugen Chewang said. When His Majesty conferred Nyikelm to me, I was thinking of my colleagues along with me, who had given so much effort in the RAA, he said. Its the recognition of the institution and colleagues who are dedicated
and committed to serve the nation. My biggest challenge, as an auditor general, is to take decisions without prejudice, fear and favour, said Dasho Ugen Chewang. He became the auditor general in 2006 and was re-appointed as a constitutional head in July 2010. He conceptualised and formulated national pension and provident fund schemes for both civil servants and armed forces when he was the director of National Pension and Provident Fund from 2000 to 2006.
Dr. Avtar Lit

CEO Litt Corporation Ltd
Asif Ghazali
Kismat Radio
PM to launch 23 community centres

secretary of Ministry of Information and Communications, said this initiative is a dramatic change as the government is now taking the services to the people rather than people coming to avail themselves of services. Jigme Thinley, the project director of G2C, said the G2C services will help speed up public service delivery by 82 percent. He said, What took eight days to process before will now be done within a day. The centres will provide services such as processing security clearance, passports, forestry clearance and trade licences. The centres will also extend postal, pension and nancial services. Out of the 23 community centres, nine will have learning stations for children provided free of cost. The community centres will be monitored by the local governments. To ensure better internet connectivity for the centre, the government has already spent around Nu 1 billion.
Tune in on 1035 AM in Greater London DAB Digital Radio in West Yorkshire Nationally on Sky 0173 Listen live at www.kismatradio.com
Launched in February 2005, Kismat Radio is the UKs only 24 hour Asian talk radio station. We provide the UKs Asian community with a platform for discussion and debate on all sorts of issues. We bring educational and informative programming specically tailored to the needs of the Asian community, as well as playing the best range of music for the discerning listener. Our listeners know and trust the Kismat name and brand, which gives us a loyal, involved, and growing audience.
The prime minister will launch 62 Government to Citizen (G2C) services in the rst 23 community centres across 12 dzongkhags on December 25. Some of the centres will be newly constructed while others will be colocated with public centres such as renewable natural resources centres in the gewogs. Under the programme, the government aims to provide 150 services between June and July next year. Dasho Kinley Dorji, the
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NEWS
Bhagavad Gita faces extremist branding, ban in Russia

Moscow: Bhagavad Gita, one of the holiest Hindu scriptures, is facing a legal ban and the prospect of being branded as an extremist literature across Russia. A court in Siberias Tomsk city is set to deliver its nal verdict on Monday in a case led by state prosecutors. The nal pronouncement in the case will come two days after Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his December 15 to 17 ofcial visit for a bilateral summit with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev consolidated bilateral trade and strategic ties and personal friendship. The case, which has been going on in Tomsk court since June, seeks ban on a Russian translation of Bhagavad Gita As It Is written by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). It also wants the Hindu religious text banned in Russia and declared as a literature spreading social discord, its distribution on Russian soil rendered illegal. In view of the case, Indians settled in Moscow, numbering about 15,000, and followers of the ISKCON religious movement here have appealed to Manmohan Singh and his government to intervene diplomatically to resolve the issue in favour of the scripture, an important part of Indian epic Mahabharata written by sage Ved Vyas. The ISKCON followers in Russia have also written a letter to the Prime Ministers Ofce in New Delhi, calling for immediate intervention, lest the religious freedom of Hindus living here be compromised. The case is coming up for a nal verdict on Monday in Tomsk court. We want all efforts from the Indian government to protect the religious rights of Hindus in Russia, Sadhu Priya Das of ISKCON and a devotee of a 40year-old Krishna temple in central Moscow, told IANS. The court, which took up the case led by the state prosecutors, had referred the book to the Tomsk State University for an expert examination Oct 25. But Hindu groups in Russia, particularly followers of ISKCON, say the university was not qualied as it lacked Indologists who study the history and cultures, languages, and literature of the Indian subcontinent. The Hindus pleaded with the court that the case was inspired by religious bias and intolerance Krishna consciousness teachings. In the Nov 1 letter addressed to Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Pulok Chatterji, ISKCONs New Delhi branch Governing Body Commissioner Gopal Krishna Goswami, said the prosecutors afdavit claims Lord Krishna is evil and not conforming to Christian religious view. Goswami also urged Manmohan Singh to accord priority to the matter during his Moscow stay and take it up with the Russian authorities. Indian diplomatic corps ofcials at the embassy here, who were unwilling to be named, told IANS that they have been following up the case since the time it was brought to their notice earlier this year. They had also taken up the matter at the appropriate levels in the Russian government to get the case either withdrawn or get the defence to ght the case to obtain a favourable verdict. Ofcials at the Indian Prime Ministers Ofce, who were part of the Indian delegation accompanying Manmohan Singh, conrmed to IANS the case and the letter they received from ISKCON in this regard.
from a majority religious group in Russia, and have sought that their rights to practice their religious beliefs be upheld. The prosecutors case also seeks to ban the preachings of Prabhupada and ISKCONs religious beliefs, claiming these were extremist in nature and preached hatred of other religious beliefs. They have not just tried to get
the Bhagavad Gita banned, but also brand our religious beliefs and preachings as extremist, Das said. The ISKCON devotees have taken up the matter with the Indian embassy in Moscow too for an early diplomatic intervention before things get worse and the court passes an adverse verdict banning the Bhagavad Gita and
Air Marshal Nur Khan (1923-2011)
Jyoti stands tall as worlds shortest woman

Tiny Jyoti Amge is set to full a huge ambition as she turns 18 today by becoming the worlds smallest woman. The 23in tall teen, who weighs Jyoti, from Nagpur, India, has a form of dwarsm called achondroplasia and stopped growing shortly after her rst birthday. Growth problems have left her with brittle bones and
Air Marshal Nur Khan, who passed away on December 15, at the age of 88, was a man born to lead and a name associated with heroic tales. Many people rise to the top in their chosen eld after decades of hard work; Nur Khan succeeded no matter how foreign the eld. An air force man, he rose to become commander-in-chief, a position he held for four years from 1965-1969. But that was hardly the start of his myriad accomplishments. In fact, even before he was commander-in-chief of the air force, Nur Khan served as managing director of PIA. The position is now associated with nepotism, corruption and inefciency, all in the service of one the largestloss making state corporations. It can be hard, then, to remember that back
in the 1960s, thanks to the efforts of Nur Khan and other dedicated professionals, PIA was one of the most respected and protable names in aviation. Civilians and the military alike respected and utilised the talents of Nur Khan. Ayub Khan appointed him governor of West Punjab after his term as commander-in-chief ended. And so successful was Nur Khan in running PIA from 1959 to 1965, that in 1973 Zulkar Ali Bhutto personally requested that he take over the airline, then facing nancial difculties. Once again he was able to turn around the fortunes of the national carrier. Later in life, Nur Khan took a completely different tack in his career, bringing all his skills as an administrator to Pakistani sports. He left a distinct
impact on two of the major sports in the country: hockey and cricket. He was instrumental in establishing the Champions Trophy competition during his tenure as president of the Hockey Federation of Pakistan. As head of the cricket board from 1980-1984, he was responsible for improving cricket ties with India. He was also part of the organising committee for the 1987 World Cup with India, a tournament that went off without a hitch and was a great commercial success too. It is unlikely that Pakistan will ever see a person with the diverse resume of Nur Khan ever again. In this age of specialisation, such all-rounders can be hard to nd. Few will approach his brilliance but this country would be in much better shape if more, at least, shared his honesty and patriotism.
just 11lbs, is anxiously waiting for conrmation shes snatched the title from 2ft 3in American Bridgette Jordan. Thrilled Jyoti said: Its been my dream to be recognised as the worlds smallest woman for many years. Im now a woman so I hope I dont have to wait much longer! She is celebrating her birthday with a cake that is almost the same size as her.
she is likely to need care for the rest of her life. But budding actress Jyoti hasnt let her condition hold her back and is set to star two Bollywood lms next year. She said: I want to make people happy. She insists on being treated like any other young woman and likes nothing better than doing her make-up and going clothes shopping with pals.
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WEEKLY REVIEW OF INDIA NEWS
Cabinet clears Food Bill, hopes to approve Lokpal Bill draft

After months of debate within the government and in the public domain and a nudge from Congress president Sonia Gandhi the Union Cabinet cleared the draft of the Food Security Bill on Sunday evening. The Bill, which seeks to provide subsidised food grains to 75 per cent of the rural population and about 50 per cent of urban households, is likely to be introduced in Parliament on Monday and will thereafter be sent to a Standing Committee. Showing a new sense of urgency, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who returned on Saturday from Russia, convened a high-level meeting shortly after his Cabinet cleared the Food Security Bill draft to nalise a fresh government sources said, was to introduce the Lokpal Bill on Tuesday and try and pass it before this Parliament session ends if the Opposition is in a cooperative frame of mind. For the last few days, ofcials of the Ministries concerned have been working overtime to frame the Lokpal Bill. In the evenings, an informal ministerial group has been putting the nal touches. This group includes Pranab Mukherjee, P. Chidambaram, Kapil Sibal, Salman Khurshid and V. Narayanasamy. The government, the sources told The Hindu, was determined that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) should retain its independence, even get greater autonomy; it was even willing to accept a new method to select the agencys director. In the government note on the Lokpal legislation, the Lokpal is to refer corruption cases to the CBI, and then monitor the progress of these investigations, but the agency does not come under it. With Team Anna insistent that the CBI be placed under the Lokpal, another clash can be anticipated. The Lokpals workings would be also be come under the Right to Information Act, the sources said, adding that the appointment of the chairperson/members of the Lokpal committee would have to be cleared by the Central Vigilance Commission.
draft of the controversial Lokpal Bill. This is expected to be taken up by the Cabinet, which is to meet again on Monday. The plan, top
India, Russia agree Afghanistan a serious issue

is a serious issue, oberving that whatever happens there is of deep interest to them and to all neighbours of the strife-torn country. Singh said the two countries should nd a joint cooperative path to tackle this difcult problem. The Prime Minister was asked about the Afghan problem during his interaction with journalists. On the issue of US-led International Security Assistance Forces(ISAF) quitting Afghanistan, he said whether they will pull out their entire team or leave behind some people is not clear so far. As far as Russia and India are concerned, even after the American and other ISAF forces pull out of Afghanistan we have to recognise that Afghanistan happens to belong to a region where we all reside. Therefore whatever happens in Afghanistan is of deep interest to Russia, is of deep interest to India and deep interest to all the neighbours of Afghanistan, he added. In his opening remarks, Singh said he was very satised with the results of the just concluded annual summit with Russia. Singh also said that 2011 has been a year of active diplomacy for India, with its immediate neighbours in the subcontinent, with major powers, and with our extended neighbourhood in South-East Asia and West Asia. Although we end the year with increased uncertainty in the international system, it is clear that India also has opportunities (in the UNSC, BRICS, SAARC, G-20 and elsewhere) to be a factor of peace and stability in the international system, he added.
Obama nominates Nancy Powell as Ambassador to India
India Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said both India and Russia agree that the Afghanistan problem
India, Russia agree on credit for Kudankulam Units 3, 4

India and Russia have resolved their differences over the Kudankulam nuclear plant in Tamil Nadu, according to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and highly placed Russian government sources. In fact, Dr. Singh was condent of going ahead with Unit I of the Russia-supplied Kudankulam plant in a couple of weeks. The second one should follow after six months, he said at a joint press conference with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev here on Friday. Separately, highly placed sources in the Russian nuclear energy sector said the two sides had sorted out their differences over the setting up of the next two units, and maybe, more. The sources claimed that the nuclear liability legislation, the bone of contention between the two sides, would not apply to these units as well. There can be no question about it: the original agreement on Units 1 and 2 at Kudankulam apply to Units 3 and 4, as well as to any additional reactors that may be put up on the site, the sources said. Dr. Singh seemed to endorse this observation. The two sides have the Russian soil would not lead to transfer of enrichment and reprocessing (ENR) technologies to India. Russia will not under any circumstances violate its international commitments in this sphere, the sources said referring to the Nuclear Suppliers Groups ban on sale of sensitive nuclear technologies to countries that have not signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty. A joint statement released later noted that negotiations for Units 3 and 4 were at an advanced stage and the two sides reiterated their commitment to the agreements reached previously on the construction of Russian design nuclear plants at new sites in India. On Russian insistence, India agreed to place an order for 42 Sukhois that will include replacements for the two crashed ghters. India and Russia also concluded negotiations on obtaining military and strategic communications from the Glonass constellation of satellites being put into orbit by Moscow as an alternative to the West-controlled GPS system.
concluded negotiations and agreed on the terms and conditions for the Russian credit for Units 3 and 4 of the Kudankulam nuclear power project. We look forward to moving ahead with the road map for cooperation in the nuclear energy sector, which we signed in 2010, he said. The road map he was referring to was about the setting up at least a dozen reactors based on Russian technology. India has so far demurred, claiming that funds are released on the basis of projections made in the Five-Year Plans and, therefore, it was difcult to make commitments far into the future. Kudankulam I and II are at
an advanced stage and are very close to being operational. There were some temporary problems and some agitation arising from concerns about nuclear safety and the impact on livelihood. We will overcome those problems and ensure that the concerns are adequately taken care ofthats a commitment India and Russia will honourI am condent that within a couple of weeks we will go ahead with operationalising Kudankulam I, the Prime Minister said at the news conference. The Russian sources made it clear that Moscows proposal to New Delhi to set up a joint facility for production of nuclear fuel on
Nancy J Powell, a career diplomat with wide experience in South Asia, has been named by U.S. President Barack Obama as the next Ambassador to India, the rst woman to be nominated for the coveted post. 64-year-old Ms. Powell would replace Timothy J Roemer, who resigned from his post in April 2011 following a twoyear stint as U.S. envoy to India, after going through a conrmation process by the Senate. Peter Burleigh is currently serving as the Charge daffaires of the U.S. embassy in India. Ms. Powell, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, earlier served as U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan and Nepal and also held various diplomatic posts in Kolkata, New Delhi, Dhaka, Kathmandu, Islamabad and Ottawa. These ne public servants both bring a depth of experience and tremendous dedication to their new roles, Mr. Obama said in a statement, announcing Ms. Powells appointment and that of Dick Berner, who has been named Director, Ofce of Financial Research, Department of Treasury. Our nation will be well-served by these individuals, and I look forward to working with them in the months and years to come, he said. Presently serving as Director General of the Foreign Service and Director of Human Resources at the Department of State, Ms. Powell was conferred the personal rank of Career Ambassador in January 2011.
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The bodyguard of Benazir Bhutto, who was to be a key witness in an investigation into her assassination, has been shot dead. Khalid Shahenshah, who was the former Pakistan prime ministers security chief at the time of her assassination, was killed in a drive-by shooting in July 2008, as he left his house in Karachi. Khalid Shahenshah, 45, was riding in Mrs Bhuttos bullet-proof car when she was killed in a suicide attack in the northern city of Rawalpindi on December 27. He was expected to be called to give evidence at a United Nations probe into her death. There is a strong possibility that his killing could be linked to his status as a witness, although investigations are still underway. The murder of Khalid Shahenshah, a key witness in Benazir Bhuttos murder case, has been
Khalid Shahenshahs murder deepens the mystery around BBs assassination
PPP during the 1980s. As I know him since his young age he was a brave person and he was not someone who could compromise especially for his political afliation. He became very close to Asif Zardari during his prison time. Due to his afliation with PPP he became huge support for Zardari in Prison. It is another mystery who killed him ? as Khalid Shahenshahs murder deepens the mystery around BBs assassination
blamed rather quickly on the terrorists by then Sind Home Minister. I personally knew Khalid from Pakistan and USA. Despite Khalid had a controversial background which included a record of criminal cases, also close to Dawood Ibrahims gang later, and most recently as one of the body guards of Benazir Bhutto, he was considered a diehard member of the Karachi
WikiLeaks: U.S. Allowed Benazir Bhutto to Be Assassinated
Who Killed Benazir Bhutto? No One Really Knows.

Killers of Benazir Bhutto have been arrested?
their investigation. According to the UN Commission report, they essentially ceased investigating the possibility of other perpetrators, particularly those who may have been involved in planning or directing the assassination by funding or otherwise enabling the assassination and even ended its efforts to identify the suicide bomber. So the question of who killed Bhutto remains unresolved? Later : Rawalpindi anti-terror court, hearing a case into the 2007 assassination of Bhutto at a public rally, had already declared Musharraf a proclaimed offender. Analysts say that President Musharraf himself is unlikely to have ordered her assassination, but that elements of the army and intelligence service would have stood to lose money and power if she had become Prime Minister. The Lahore High Court on Monday sought reply from Interior Minister Rehman Malik on a writ petition seeking to make public the real names of assailants and conspirators behind the murder of former two times prime minister Benazir Bhutto (late). The court set the next hearing for January 12, 2012. Earlier Rehman Malik said that the killers of Benazir Bhutto have been arrested, adding that their challan have been presented in the concerned court and trial of accused is underway. An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan has charged seven people -- two senior police ofcers and ve alleged members of the Taliban -- in connection with the December 2007 assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. The Taliban militants were charged with several counts of criminal conspiracy over Bhuttos death, named Hasnain Gul, Rafaqat Hussain, Sher WikiLeaks revealed the U.S. embassy in Islamabad had refused to provide security to the late Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto months before her assassination in December 2007, despite her personal requests to U.S. Congressmen. Wiki Leaks also revealed that several US Embassy cables between Oct. 2007 and Dec. 2007 show Bhuttos concerns and her attempts to impress upon America authorities like then-ambassador Anne W. Patterson in Islamabad, the need to provide her with physical security in the run up to the elections. On 27 December 2007, Benazir Bhutto was killed by a suicide bomber in the Pakistani city of Rawalpindi. 24 other people were also killed in the explosion. Bhutto had just returned from a nine year exile as part of a deal arranged by the United States through which she would run in a nationwide elected to replace the faltering military dictatorship of General Pervez Musharraf. An American intelligence ofcer was quoted soon after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto that she knew people were trying to assassinate her. One ofcial said now Ms Condoleezza Rice would be asked point blank to respond that how she knew that Benazir Bhutto life was under threat and she would be killed. President Asif Zardari is said to have quietly given names of four international personalities - US ex-secretary of state Condoleezza Rice, Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, Saudi Arabia intelligence chief Prince Muqrin and the UAE intelligence chief - to the UN inquiry commission to ask them How did they know the secret in advance that Benazir Bhutto would be killed? Bhutto, with a gaping head wound, died in the hospital less than an hour later. Her doctors, nding no bullet wounds, postulated that she died from a head injury in the explosion, Since authorities did not permit an autopsy to be conducted, even though it is required by law, the cause of her death was never conclusively determined. According to the UN Commission, that investigated the assassination, Hosing down the crime scene so soon after the blast goes beyond mere incompetence, and raises the issue of whether this amounts to criminal responsibility. Despite the lack of forensic evidence, General Musharraf ordered a press conference the very next day to announce that Bhuttos assassination had been organized by Baitullah Mehsud, the leader of the Taliban insurgency in Pakistan, and by Al-Qaida. The government spokesman said that Pakistan ISI intelligence service had intercepted a message in which Mehsud congratulated a subordinate on the Bhutto assassination. Soon after the December 28th press conference, the authorities in Pakistan closed down Zaman, Aitzaz Shah and Abdul Rasheed. There were also three other Taliban suspects, including Baitullah Mehsud, the former chief of the Pakistan Taliban, who was killed two years ago by a U.S. military drone strike in 2009. The other two suspects remain at large. They have been in custody for the past four years. All of the accused have denied the charges. Another very high-prole Pakistani gure has also been implicated in Bhuttos murder. Former President Pervez Musharraf was issued an arrest warrant earlier this year to answer questions over his failure to provide sufcient security for Bhutto and her campaign entourage. Musharraf has denied the allegation and was declared a fugitive by the court after failing to return to Pakistan to face charges. This past summer, Musharrafs Pakistan bank accounts were frozen and his property conscated.
Her destiny was intertwined with that of Pakistan - a political murder.

HAND FEATURE NOTES: 1) Her handprint shows an intuitive, intellectual and artistic communicator, as most Geminis are. 2) Experts in Dast Shanus, say when the fate line starts from the rst bracelet, a fated or predestined life is inferred, and this is conrmed at the start of the lifeline, these small marks, often called the lines of demarcation give clues to the life to be lived, and the nature of its lessons. Muslims call this quada wa quada. 3) Surprisingly a nervous and shy child, several childhood illnesss show here as upper respiratory infections, such as bronchitis, chest inammation and sore throats up until the age of 12. 4) At age 18 we have signs that romance is considered a lot at this time, rst love and a feeling that someone on an 5) This need for education leads to her spending much time in Britain, where she was a well known speaker and author, and she also studied at Harvard in America, where she is remembered for being engrossed in political theories. 6) Exiled to Britain in 1986, she married Asif Ali Zadari in an arranged ceremony in 1987, and was elected as P.M at the age of 35 in 1988. 7) Saturn aficts her sun in 1999 so from this period she is on borrowed time, this coincides with her Saturn year age 44 and is an omen of what may come. 8) The line colliding with the life line at age 54 tells of an assault on the life energies at that time, and the line after that point is weak.
Benazir Bhutto PalmPrint of Destiny
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Conspiracy: General Asif Nawaz to Asif Zardari

One lost other survived?
NEWS
Pakistans army chief has raised the pressure on Asif Ali Zardari, the embattled president, by calling for a swift investigation into a claim that he sought US help to rein in the countrys powerful generals. The claims have infuriated the army, which jealously guards the enormous hidden inuence it has amassed during decades of military rule, and whose leadership has viewed Zardari with suspicion since he assumed power in 2008. Pakistans memo scandal pits military against Zardari government, as one analyst said The very fact military leaders want an inquiry into the depths of the allegations shows they want to confront the civilian leadership,. Any hopes that the two sides could have patched things up during Zardaris absence were dashed after Gen. Ashfaq Kayani, the army chief, provided an uncompromising and emotionally charged deposition to the Supreme Court inquiry. Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Kayani has stated that there was sufcient and satisfactory evidence to corroborate the authenticity of the memo and the exchange of text messages and phone calls between Mansoor Ijaz and ex-Ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani. He was also of the view that the memo was a conspiracy against the army and the national security of Pakistan. The federation on the other hand considers the memo a conspiracy against the president and parliament, denies any link to the memo and has challenged the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in taking up such a political matter, which falls within the purview of the executive and parliament. Last but not the least, Mansoor Ijaz has said that he has shared all evidence and proofs with the ISI chief Lieutenant-General Ahmed Shuja Pasha during their meeting in London. He has also conrmed his claims that the ISI chief had been travelling to some Arab countries holding discussions regarding the likelihood of a coup and seeking their support to oust President Zardari. The reports of this claim have led the Awami National Party (ANP) MNA Bushra Gohar and the PML-N to call for the ISI chief to resign and face an inquiry based on the allegations levelled against him and to prove that they are untrue. Now some are linking Asif Zardari health issue to former Pakistani Army Chief Gen Asif Nawaz. Last Wednesday the prime minister Yousaf raza Gilanai said in his address in the Senate that He (President Zardari) was ill, he feared life threats in Pakistan hospitals, that was the reason he did not want to go to any hospital of Pakistan, Even in Dubai he was reportedly under the radar of military establishment even at the local hospital. When the president decided to go to Dubai, the sources claimed, the establishment was not ready to
allow him to leave for Dubai. However, they added, the president was allowed to go to Dubai only after the establishment made arrangements to monitor the president even there. American cardiologist Dr Arjumand Hashmi, who enjoy greater inuence both in Pakistans military circle and US administration, he was selected for the purpose and was summoned immediately to Dubai though he has never been a physician of President Zardari. Some US-based commentators described Dr Hashmi as a proxy of military establishment. Asif Zardari to Asif Nawaz: The mystery of the sudden 1993 death of the then Pakistan Army chief, General Asif Nawaz, remains unresolved, given the discrepancies between different post-mortem test results, with one suggesting arsenic poisoning as the cause of death, according to a new book. Crossed Swords: Pakistan, its Army and the Wars Within by Shuja Nawaz, published 2008 refrains from identifying what the real cause of the sudden death of the general was. He writes, Nothing emerged to explain the apparent discrepancy between the results obtained from the samples that I received from the family and the nal test results that came out of the government-supervised tests later in the year. There was no direct evidence linking Nawaz Sharif to the death. Neither the Pakistan Army at that time or any government since then made any attempt to clarify the situation. Yet another major suspicious death involving the Pakistan Army and its politics remained unsolved. Amidst a brewing memogate storm and fresh grist to the rumour mills President Asif Ali Zardari has laughed off the possibility of his removal from ofce on health grounds, saying that hes ne and recuperating fast. The 1973 Constitution stipulates that the president can be removed from his ofce, if he is physically or mentally unwell and hence unable to perform his ofcial duties.Notwithstanding anything contained in the constitution, the president may be removed from ofce on the ground of physical or mental incapacity or impeached on a charge of violating the constitution or gross misconduct, reads Article 47 of the constitution. But President Zardari says he is ne and invoking Article 47 against him is out of the question. How can somebody invoke Article 47 against me Im alright, he told senior journalist Nusrat Javed.But if still Article 47 is invoked against me, I will contest the next election with the slogan I dont accept such a constitution, Zardari said quoting from the famous poem of revolutionary poet Habib Jalib. Nusrat Javed wrote in his article of 16th December, titled Which article would keep the president at bay? that for the past three days, almost half the conspiratorial drawing rooms of Islamabad have
been hysterically referring to a story that Maulana Fazlur Rehman told to various persons that met him of late. The JUI leader, insists the said story, was stunned and exasperated with a very long meeting that he had with President Zardari. Nusrat wrote that ,I know the Maulana for more than two decades. We are almost frank in off the record meetings, but even there I seldom found him speaking without contemplative pauses. Digesting the tale attributed to him is thus very difcult for me. I didnt want to sound like a fool to Maulana by approaching him directly. But after some search, I can now tell with condence that yes a meeting took place between him and Zardari on December 2. The President had virtually forced this meeting on him. It started at around 9 am and went on even after lunch. From this meeting, President Zardari left for around 30 minutes only. That was to meet a very important visitor from an important Directorate. For sure, Maulana concluded from this meeting that Asif Ali Zardari denitely needs to rest and seriously address his health-connected issues. Thats about it. He never found him hit by the malaise that Shakespeare discovered and described in the poetic ts of Hamlet. Word is out, however, and the tale supposedly told by Maulana had forced many to recall article 47. According to another report published President Asif Ali Zardari could not sleep for ve nights fearing army action, revealed sources close to JUI chief Maulana Fazlur Rahman. During a meeting with the JUI chief before going to Dubai, Zardari reportedly refused to allow Fazl to leave the presidency for ve hours and Continued blasting the Constitution Avenue and Aabpara personalities. The president beseeched Maulana Fazl not to leave and touched his beard and knees. Fazl left the presidency at 2am with much difculty. The president also snubbed one of his close aides during the course of their meeting. Question is if Asif Zardari was suffering and behaving this way what were the reasons? Is he another victim like Asif Nawaz but survived? Whereas the medical report says, Asif Ali Zardari was admitted to the American Hospital Dubai on Tuesday, December 6, 2011, with a chief complaint of left arm numbness and twitching with a transient episode of loss of consciousness that lasted a few seconds. Asif Ali Zardari, who has undergone treatment in Dubai following heart complications, is in stable condition but would remain in hospital for few more days, A routine evaluation of the Presidents health was carried out at the hospital and he was checked for an existing heart condition. Gulf News quoted ofcials as Actually the President underwent an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) to check if he has a blood clot in the brain. Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari
likely suffered from a transient ischemic attack, Such an attack involves the suspension of blood ow to a part of the brain for a brief period of time and leads to stroke-like symptoms. It can be caused by a blood clot. A blood clot can result in unusual and frightening symptoms. They have been known to include a sudden loss of hearing, depression or psychosis and loss of memory. In rare instances, uncontrollable jerking of the body can occur. According to a report t published by Boston based Global Post ,that senior Pakistani intelligence ofcial told GlobalPost, Zardari would bow under the pressure of the army and step down after his return from sick leave. A presidential aide, meanwhile, conrmed that the army is trying to ouster the president, but added that, he will not surrender so easily. Both sources asked to remain anonymous. There would be no love lost between Pakistans 56-year old president and the military, the intelligence ofcial told GP. The army never liked or trusted Zardari, he said. He lamented how the Zardari administration dealt with the countrys plethora of economic and governmental ills. These problems are being blamed on the army. Meanwhile several opposition political parties are demanding Zardaris resignation and hope for parliamentary elections before the senate vote. Asked if the intelligence agency was still behind empowering opposition parties as claimed by Pakistans chattering classes, the intelligence ofcial wouldnt conrm it, but said: Where is smoke, is re. But whether the army wants Zardari out, or just so weakened that he cannot threaten its hegemony over foreign policy and national security, is far from clear. Most analysts in Pakistan say they believe that a coup is unlikely. The army is thought to be reluctant to shoulder the blame for ousting another civilian government and unwilling to take responsibility for running the country at a time when the economy is in shambles, extremism is rampant and foreign relations are in turmoil. From Zulqar Ali Bhutto (Judicial Murder), Shahnawaz Bhutto (Mysterious death many blame ISI), and Mir Murtaza Bhutto (Target Killing by special force as described by the UK investigation team), and Benazir Bhutto (Assassinated and named the killers) and now Asif Zardari who already punished for 11 years for unknown crimes and now is he going to be nailed as establishment already conspiring to blame Zardari for BB and Murtaza death. And that will be the end game of Bhuttos and no one will be punished. As PML(N) Rana Sana already said that the PML-N on coming to power, will lay hand on Babar Awan who will, as approver, reveal the name of those who actually killed Benazir Bhutto on December 27, 2007.
Colourful parade marks Qatar National Day
NEWS
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Qatar National Day was celebrated on a grand scale Sunday with a colourful military parade on the Doha Corniche. Dec. 18, is Qatars National Day, marking the anniversary of when Jassim bin Mohammed alThani came to power in 1878 and founded what ended up being the modern state of Qatar. Furthermore, Qatars National Day emphasizes the history and identity of the tiny Arab Gulf nation and also pays tributes to the women and men who participated in the foundation and building of the country. Braving cold weather and trafc blocks on many city roads in the morning hours, hundreds of residents lined up to witness the parade, which featured a large number of marching platoons and new armoured vehicles.
As in the previous years, vehicles carrying dignitaries led by HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani followed the armoured vehicles as countless ag-waving spectators cheered the countrys leader who responded by waving back at the crowds.
colours of maroon and white was among the highpoints of the celebrations. Sorties by parachute jumpers from the armed forces were equally remarkable and left many awestruck. The jumpers made their landings
In another impressive display, a brand new Qatar Airways aircraft ew past the parade zone at a low altitude towards the end of the show of military vehicles. There was also a march past featuring contingents from the Army,
A captivating air show featuring a series of ghter planes which zoomed past emitting smoke trails in the national
on the spacious lawns in the precincts of the Emiri Diwan. An exciting and wonderful show by armed forces helicopters was also presented.
Navy, Air Force, Coast Guards, Internal Security Force, Civil Defence, heritage police, cadets of training institutes and other academies, as well as scouts and schoolchildren.
The show of the countrys military might featured battle tanks, armoured personnel carriers, rocket launchers, mine detectors, antiaircraft guns, propellers, infantry vehicles, surveillance equipment, re extinguishers, coastguard vessels, anti-pirate frigates, interceptors, re engines of the civil defence, other monitoring and communication vehicles in the use of the Internal Security Force and Al Fazaa, and other departments of the Ministry of Interior. Even though the parades focus seemed to be on the armed forces recent possessions, the organisers also succeeded in bringing to the fore the countrys cultural heritage, elding groups of soldiers on horses and camels. The cavalcade of horses, led by immaculately dressed soldiers, drew attention of the spectators.
The car bomb that rocked the streets of Karachi on May 8, 2002 and claimed the lives of eleven French engineers and three Pakistanis has led to former French minister Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres being charged with embezzling public funds. He is also expected to face trial for his role in the Karachi affair. The French engineers were in Karachi to help build one of the submarines. French former defence minister Charles Millon subsequently conrmed the existence of kickbacks in the arms deals with Pakistan, whose cancellation allegedly resulted in the deadly Karachi bombing. It was alleged that kickbacks from the deal were used to fund the campaign of a French presidential candidate in 1995. Gen Musharraf who ruled Pakistan at the time of the Karachi killings would have treated the incident as a godsent opportunity to malign the PPP leadership if he had found even a shred of evidence against it. In fact, certain
Another skeleton in an already-rattled closet

government in 1997 and nally stripped of his rank and privileges by the Musharraf regime after he negotiated a plea bargain on corruption charges. However, the admiral was not punished for crimes associated with the Agosta deal. As before, the killings continued to be ascribed to the some unknown militant organization. The ndings of the probe in France provide an opportunity to the government to hold an impartial enquiry into the affair to nd who really received $40 million in kickbacks
The Karachi affair
in Pakistan. This is also needed to clear any names that might have been unjustly mentioned. The probe would set a healthy tradition of making those in high quarters accountable. What is more, it would improve the image of the country abroad.
interested circles were implicating Benazir and Zardari also in the scandal. Musharraf hesitated because he presumably knew the true story being an insider. A number of navy ofcers were already being accused of involvement in the scam. Last year, former DG Naval Intelligence Commodore (retd) Shahid Ashraf named a few ofcers he wanted to proceed against but was disallowed by his superiors in the navy. Former naval chief Mansurul Haq who was at the time preparing to take over as CNS was sacked by the Sharif
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WEEKLY REVIEW OF PAKISTAN NEWS
Legharis, Tarin, Kasuri to jump aboard PTI ship

Inuential political leaders in Punjab, including the sons of former president Farooq Leghari, Jehangir Khan Tarin and Khursheed Mehmood Kasuri have decided to join the Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) to secure their political future in the next elections. According to sources, member of the National Assembly (MNA) Owais Leghari and Jamal Leghari both presently associated with the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) would announce their decision to join the PTI today (Monday), as they were not comfortable with their partys alliance with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). Amongst others expected to join the PTI from PML-Q and Pakistan Muslim LeagueFunctional (PML-F) include Ghulam Sarwar Khan, Sikandar Bosan, Ishaq Khakwani, Col (retd) Ghulam Sarwar Cheema, G.G Jamal, Senator Mohabat Khan Marri and others. government of PML-Q from 2002 to 2007 and their defection from the Q-League will prove a major blow to the Chaudhrys who have been striving hard to keep Musharrafs launched version of Muslim League intact. Separately, chairman steering committee PML-Likeminded and former foreign minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri will announce his decision to join the PTI. The Tareenled group met a number of times in the last few weeks in Lahore and Islamabad to decide the groups future course of action. When asked to comment on legal challenges to sitting parliamentarians including Jahangir Tareen, Jamal Leghari, Awais Leghari and Mohabat Khan Marri on joining the PTI, Ishaq Khakwani said PML-Q dissident leaders were not afraid of disqualication references. On the other hand, a meeting of the Steering Committee of the PMLLikeminded is scheduled to be held in Lahore on Tuesday to decide about an alliance with the PML-N or PTI. Strong differences exist between party leaders, sources claim. PTI sources said that a number of politicians from Multan, considered supporters of Shah Mahmood Qureshi, would join the partys fold in the coming few days. They include former Federal Minister Sikandar Bosan, former Provincial Minister Haz Iqbal Khakwani and other PPP MPAs. Staff Report Meanwhile, renowned Punjabi singer Abrar-u-Haq is set to join PTI and will make an ofcial announcement today ( Monday) at his residence U Block DHA Lahore. PTI Chairman Imran Khan will participate in the press conference. On Tuesday, Imran Khan will visit Kasur and talk with former Foreign Minster Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri who will announce his decision to join PTI.
The group of former and sitting parliamentarians will join the Imran Khans party in a press conference to be held at National Press Club at 3 pm, Ishaq Khakwani and Ghulam Sarwar Khan told Pakistan Today. Operating under the leadership of Jahangir Khan Tareen, the selflabeled Clean Party made the decision after PTI Chairman Imran Khan expressed reluctance in
forging an alliance with any political party. Previously, the group had been mulling a political alliance with the PTI after getting a new political party registered with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). Ghulam Sarwar Khan, Jahangir Tareen, Sikandar Bosan, Ishaq Khakwani, Col (retd) Ghulam Sarwar Cheema, G.G Jamal, Awais Legari held ministerial berths in previous
Zardari calls Kayani Chief Justice converts letter into petition to discuss memogate
Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Saturday converted a letter written by a Canada-based Pakistani Shafqat Ullah into a constitutional petition to be clubbed with the petitions in the Memogate case. In his letter to the Chief Justice, Shafqat Ullah expressed concern over threats to Pakistan security, holding the incumbent government responsible for the prevailing situation in the country. Copies of the letter have been sent to all the 10 respondents, including President Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Gilani, CoAS and DG ISI in the case. is a matter of national security and national interest. Our national security is at stake now and politicians are just making fun of each other by asking so called committees to probe the Memogate affair, the letter said and added: The committees will delay the outcome rather than (doing) justice. My family members are in Army and all family members are in Pakistan so I feel insecure from this government as they can invite our enemies to kill us, the letter stated. The Chief Justice converted the letter into a petition and listed it for hearing along with the Memogate case.
According to reliable sources the overall security situation of the country including memogate issue came into discussion in their rst contact after Zardaris illness. Amidst a rapidly-shifting and charged political scenario, President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday called the Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani to discuss security situation and the
memogate issue,media has reported. Presidents spokesman Farhatullah Babar said the army chief inquired presidents health, conveyed his well wishes and prayed for early recovery from illness. Both military and political leadership agreed not to let memogate issued used for spar between the states institutions.
Shafqat Ullah stated that If contents of the letter are true then each and every Pakistani is at security threat because of the present government. As this (Memogate affair) is directly related to the security of Pakistan and armed forces of Pakistan...so it
US Congress moves to restrict aid to Egypt, Pakistan

Congress would impose restrictions on aid to Egypt, Pakistan and the Palestinian Authority in a $53.3 billion bill that avoids the deep cuts in foreign assistance and State Department funding that Republicans had pursued this year. The legislation is part of a sweeping, $1 trillionplus year-end spending package that provides money for 10 Cabinet agencies through September. The House passed the measure on Friday and the Senate is expected to vote sometime this weekend. Foreign aid amounts to just 1 percent of the federal budget, but lawmakers intent on cutting the decit, especially conservative tea party Republicans, have clamored for signicant reductions in spending overseas. Democrats and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton pressed to spare the accounts. The legislation would provide $53.3 billion for foreign assistance and the State Department $42.1 billion for the base budget and $11.2 billion for the Overseas Contingency Operations account. That account pays for the State Departments role in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and other expenses. Lawmakers shifted costs for security and economic assistance, funds for the State Department and for the U.S. Agency for International Development into the account, increasing the amount from $7.6 billion to $11.2 billion. Still, the base budget is some $6 billion less than the current level and $8.7 billion below what President Barack Obama sought for the scal year that began Oct. 1. The bill does provide $3.1 billion in security assistance for ally Israel. In a difcult economic and political climate, this bill meets our national security needs and global responsibilities while implementing tough restrictions and requirements on recipients of U.S. assistance, said Rep. Nita Lowey of New York, the top Democrat on the Appropriations subcommittee that oversees foreign aid. Reecting concerns about uncertainty within the Egyptian government, the bill would block release of $1.3 billion in security assistance to Cairo and $250 million in economic assistance until the secretary of state makes several assurances to Congress. She must certify that Egypt is abiding by a 1979 peace treaty with Israel and that military rulers are supporting the transition to civilian government with free and fair elections and implementing policies to protect freedom of expression, association and religion and due process of law. The military took over in Egypt after longtime President Hosni Mubarak was ousted in a popular revolt in February. On Friday, Egypt held its second round of parliamentary elections. The legislation freezes aid to Pakistan until the secretary can certify that Islamabad is cooperating on counterterrorism, including taking steps to prevent terrorist groups such as the Haqqani network from operating in the country. The aid amount was unspecied in the legislation as Congress gave the Obama administration exibility to gure out the funds. A separate defense bill would hold back $700 million for Pakistan until the defense secretary provides Congress a report on how Islamabad is countering the threat of improvised explosive devices.
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WEEKLY REVIEW OF MALDIVE NEWS
Maldivian Democratic Party Thimarafushi MP Mohamed Musthafa said that its bad idea for President Mohamed Nasheed to lead counter protest against protest to be held by civil societies and political parties calling on to protect state religion next Friday. Musthafa says that the President does not have to come out against a protest held to call on the protection and sustenance of Islam and its principles in the country and that doing so will ruin the picture. He says that 50,000 MDP members are to counter protest. I know that those who come out to protest on December 23 will not be armed with guns, swords and knives. Their aim is to show what the people think, what the masses think. They are going to protest to call on the protection of Islam. So why should we twist the situation to otherwise? he said. Musthafa had also sent an SMS to all MDP MPs
President joining counter protest is matter of shame
Consultation is an important aspect of Islam: Shaheem
expressing sentiment against the Presidents decision. MDPs Vice President Alhan Fahmy had also opposed the counter protest raising question as to why one should be held against those advocating for our religion. Musthafa says that if the President does lead
the counter protest it paves the way for future accusations. Tomorrow theyll say the President led a confrontation. For example if the two protest meet on the same road, with the Police in the middle, think of what would happen next? Things will get dirty. The President is to stand amongst the rst line of the protest. The picture is very clear to me, Musthafa said. He says that the President will be accused of assaulting the people. Musthafa further claims that the President had been inuenced by an ofcial of MDP into taking the decision, but he did not mention who it is. The President has been told that if he does not come out the counter protest will get no support. This type of actions is unacceptable. He is not the President of the party, he is the President of the country, he said.
MNDF to begin conducting military weddings

Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) is to organise for the rst time military weddings for servicemen. The rst ever military wedding will take place this evening at Kalhuthuhkalaa Koshi. Armed forces spokesperson, Lieutenant Abdulla Ali said military weddings are carried out very ofcially with the groom dressed in his uniform and receiving an honour guard. The whole ceremony will be carried out in a very ofcial manner. The groom dressed in his uniform will receive an honour guard, he said. Tonights wedding is being conducted for a serviceman of ofcer rank. Ali stressed that military wedding ceremonies are not restricted to certain ranks. Were starting with the wedding of an ofcer but the ceremony will be conducted for anyone who request
for it, he said. The costs of the ceremony, however,
have to be borne by the serviceman who requests for the ceremony.
Former State Minister for Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Sheikh Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has said that consultation is an important aspect of Islam and that he is ready to hold any meeting to uphold the teachings of Islam. Speaking to Miadhu Daily, Sheikh Shaheem said that differences in opinions can only be solved through consultation. He said that it is the only responsible measures that can be taken to bring a permanent solution to all disputes. If President Mohamed Nasheed seeks my counsel regarding the heated issues in the country today, I am more than ready to meet him, he said. Sheikh Shaheem said that it was the religious scholars who strived for the right of free speech despite the allegations of the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) that they are the ones who rst advocated the freedom of speech in Maldives.
No-condence motion forwarded to Majlis

Deputy President of Dhivehi Qaumee Party (DQP), Riyaz Rasheed said that this action of the Minister is illegal and in opposition to the verdict of the Civil Court regarding the issue. He said that the agreement signed by the government violates the rights of the people of Maldives. He added that Razi is responsible for this agreement and he does not deserve to be in the Cabinet. Gemanafushi MP Ilham Ahmed said that the opposition parliamentary group decided to forward the no condence motion against Minister Razi after holding a discussion regarding the matter. He said that they found that Razi disregarded the ruling of the civil court and signed the agreement for his own personal advantage. Ilham alleged that Razi is among the shareholders of the Lecute Duty Free ship in Ibrahim Nasir International Airport. The Civil Court of Maldives recently ruled against the Government of Maldives allowing GMR to levy Airport Development Charge (ADC) of USD 25 per departing international passenger and USD 2 of Insurance Charge per passenger.
Opposition joint parliamentary group has yesterday forwarded a no-condence motion against Minister of Economic Development, Mahmood Razi. In a press conference held at the ofce of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), the opposition joint parliamentary group informed the media that the group forwarded the no-condence motion against Minister Razi because he signed an agreement allowing GMR Infrastructure to collect US$ 25 as Airport Development Charge (ADC) despite it being ruled unlawful by the Civil Court last week.
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WEEKLY REVIEW OF NEPAL NEWS
The numbers of contentious issues of the new constitution, except the issues of state restructuring, have come down to 14. The meeting of the Dispute Resolution sub-committee, under the Constitutional Committee (CC), convened at Singhadurbar in Capital. The issues of constitution amendment and the appointment
14 issues of new constitution left to be solved

of ambassadors and special envoys were solved during the meeting. There was a dispute among the parties whether the appointment of ambassadors and special envoys should be included in the constitution or should it be kept as an analytical comment only. The parties chose to keep it as a comment. Similarly, the issue about the constitution amendment has been scrapped stating that it is merely a part of the state restructuring issue and would be solved by the State Restructuring Commission (SRC). The agreements were not published after the meeting, as the agreements would be discussed in the CC meeting slated for Monday. Meanwhile, committee Coordinator
Pushpa Kamal Dahal urged the leaders to shun their party stance and be exible enough to solve the other issues as much as possible. Stating that the contentious issues have wasted a lot of time, Dahal said that it is now time for give and take and warned that the calendar of events would be changed is the leaders stick to their stance.
3000 Madhesis to join NA

Leaders of Unied CPN-M and UDMF today agreed to begin induction of 3,000 people from Madhesi community into the Nepali Army. A meeting of UCPN-M and UDMF leaders held at Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarais residence in Baluwatar took the decision to this effect, according to Tarai Madhes Democratic Party (Nepal) Chairman Mahendra Prasad Yadav. The meeting also decided to bring a bill on inclusion in the Parliament at the earliest. We have agreed to endorse the issues at the next Cabinet meeting, said Yadav, who is also the Minister for Irrigation. UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Vice-chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha and leaders of ve Madhes-based parties were present at the meeting. They also decided to provide citizenship certicates to the children of those who have got citizenship on the basis of their birth. The UCPN-M and UDMF, in a four-point deal reached on August 28, had agreed for group entry of Madhesi people in the NA.
New education NSU shuts down educational policy soon institutions in Chitwan
Minister for Education Dina Nath Sharma has said that the government was doing necessary homework to unveil new education policy after amendment to the existing education policy as an attempt to make the country self-dependent and produce qualitative human resources. Speaking at a news conference here on Tuesday, Minister Sharma urged leaders of political parties to quit the greed for power as it was the time to solely focus on drafting the new constitution by concluding the ongoing peace process within six months. Minister Sharma further said that the new generation would be incorporated for the scientic and competitive development of the education sector. Nepali Congress-afliated Nepal Students Union (NSU) has shut down all educational institutions in Chitwan district to protest the death of Tarun Dal district president Shiva Poudel from injuries he sustained in a clash inside Bharatpur jail recent. All schools and colleges in the district have been closed in response to NSUs bandh (shutdown) call. Meanwhile, NSU cadres took to the streets in Kathmandu, Chitwan and other parts of the country today as well, demanding action against those behind the assault on Poudel. Poudel died while undergoing
treatment at a hospital in Kathmandu on Saturday. Poudel was severely injured when a group of inmates assaulted him
inside the district jail on December 6. The NC has said the cadres of the UML-afliated Youth Association Nepal were involved in the attack.
Govt mulls reactivating 3,000 vacancies in Nepal Army

to not ll extra vacancies. The plan to activate the six-year defunct posts was led by Sharat Singh Bhandari after his appointment as defence minister in the Baburam Bhattarai-led Cabinet. Bhattarai had committed to making the Nepal Army more inclusive and increasing the number of Madhesis in the NA to 10,000 while forging alliance with the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha in August. Madhesi leaders want the Army to start a special process for recruitment of Madhesi youths alone. However, the NA has rejected it, stating it would contravene the Interim Constitution, the Military Act and Regulations. Even if there is an agreement to ll 3,000 positions, we have to recruit 55 percent soldiers through free competition and allocate 45 percent for the inclusive quota, said an Army source. We have to allocate 32 percent of the reserved seats to indigenous group, 28 percent to Madhesis, 20 percent to women, 15 percent to Dalits and the remaining ve percent to other backward groups.
The government is mulling over the idea of reviving 3,000 vacancies that were scrapped after the success of Janaandalon II to recruit the Madhesi youths in the Nepal Army. The modality is yet to be worked out but negotiations are ongoing between the political leadership and the Nepal Army to induct youths from the Madhesi communities. The Ministry of Finance has sent positive gestures to release budget required for the new recruitment process, Defence State Minister Ram Bachan Ahir Yadav told the Post on Thursday. The Army chief himself has
suggested that the process of recruiting additional Madhesis can be initiated to ll the already approved 3,000 vacancies, said Minister Yadav. The Army is worried about the money that will be required to implement the recruitment process. We are holding talks with the Finance Ministry to sort it out. The royal government had decided to increase the strength of the Nepal Army during the Maoist insurgency and approved the ceiling of 95,753 personnel in the national Army. The ceiling was reduced to 92,573 after the rst post-Janaandolan government led by Girija Prasad Koirala decided
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WEEKLY REVIEW OF SRILANKA NEWS
Lanka reaches 30pc productivity growth

Productivity consciousness has acquired worldwide momentum. Sri Lankas productivity growth is around 30 percent. Higher productivity is necessary for the survival of any nation. Sri Lanka as a developing country, also needs more productivity, Productivity Promotion Minister Lakshman Seneviratne said. The minister was addressing the inauguration ceremony of the three day workshop which was held for members of Municipal Councils and Pradeshiya Sabhas in the Hambantota district, recently. The three day workshop had been organized by the Productivity Secretariat under the guidance of Minister Seneviratne, according on a request made by Namal Rajapaksa, MP. An attitudinal change is important for higher productivity in Sri Lanka. This will also help bring the best results and make a real difference. All segments of society should have an attitudinal change. Development of human resources is also very important to in our quest to become a developed country,he added. Minicipal Council and Pradeshiya Sabha members have a responsible role to play in the countrys future development. They should give correct leadership and help the countrys march to progress. We have a responsibility to encourage them he said. Politicians should be honest and should listen to others. They should respect the opinions and ideas of others. Then, they will be respected by the public, the minister said.
Sri Lanka war report UN chief welcomes public lays blame on both sides release of LLRC report
Mr. Ban, according to his spokesperson, has expressed hope that the Sri Lankan Government will move forward on its commitments to deal with accountability issues arose following the end of its war against Tamil Tiger terrorists. The United Nations SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the public release of Sri Lankas Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) report. Sri Lanka on Friday tabled the entire 400-page report of the LLRC in the parliament. The spokesperson has said that the UN Chief hopes the Sri Lankan government will move forward with its accountability commitments in good faith as an essential step towards reconciliation and lasting peace in the country. Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa appointed the LLRC to probe the events during the last seven years of the armed conict that ended the three decades long terrorism in the country in May 2009. Western governments and human were some transgressions on an individual basis and recommended conducting investigations. The UN Secretary-General appointed his own three-member Panel of Experts to investigate the issue of accountability during the last stage of Sri Lankas war and the panel concluded that there was credible evidence of war crimes committed by the Sri Lankan troops. It recommended that the Sri Lankan government respond to the allegations by initiating an effective accountability process starting with genuine investigations. Sri Lanka has rejected the UN report saying that it is fundamentally awed and based on patently biased material which is presented without any verication. The Panel of Experts criticizing LLRC, as deeply awed and does not meet international standards, recommended the UN chief to immediately establish an independent international mechanism to investigate the alleged war crimes by the Sri Lankan security forces.
rights organizations sympathetic to the LTTE, the terrorist organization that continued the armed struggle for a separate homeland for 30 years, accused the Sri Lankan government security forces of committing war crimes and killing thousands of Tamil civilians during the last phase of the war. The LLRC however, concluded that the security forces have not willfully killed civilians although casualties have occurred during crossre. However, the Commission has noted that there
SL doctors complete dengue training

Sri Lankan doctors completed the training of a team of medical professionals from Pakistan today on the treatment of Dengue patients, Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena said in Parliament today. The Minister said that Sri Lankas health authorities had gained some kind of expertise in the treatment of Dengue patients and in the prevention of the spread of the disease. He said that the Ministry had
been able to reduce the number of Dengue patients and fatalities this year. In 2010, 22,926 patients and 241
deaths were reported. However, only 22,926 patients and 163 deaths have been reported this year.
SRI LANKAS civil war reconciliation commission has blamed both Sinhalese and Tamil leaders for the violence that gripped the country for more than a quarter of a century, but it has refused to criticise the army for the violence at the end of the conict, in which it is alleged civilians were targeted and up to 40,000 non-combatants killed. The Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission, the government-backed tribunal that took evidence in thousands of interviews and dozens of public hearings across Sri Lanka, says both sides were to blame for the war. The conict could have been avoided had the southern [Sinhalese] political leaders acted in the national interest and offer[ed] an acceptable solution to the Tamil people. Tamil political leaders were equally responsible for this conict, which could have been avoided had the Tamil leaders refrained from promoting an armed campaign towards secession, acquiescing in the violence and the terrorist methods used by the [Tamil Tigers]. The commissions report, tabled in Parliament, has called for a national event to commemorate the war and an apology from both sides. Seeds of reconciliation can take
root only if there is forgiveness and compassion. Human rights groups have labelled the report a whitewash, designed to shield the army and government gures from prosecution. They have called for an international war crimes probe. The Sri Lankan government is expected to argue this report makes any international investigation unnecessary. Sri Lankas civil war - between Sinhalese-dominated government forces and the separatist Tamil Tiger army, ghting for an autonomous northern homeland for the ethnic minority Tamil population - claimed up to 100,000 lives over 26 years. It was ended by a erce government offensive in 2009. The LLRC report conceded civilians were killed by government troops - in contrast to the government line that the army pursued a zero civilian casualty policy and was engaged in a humanitarian rescue operation - but said the deaths of noncombatants was accidental. On consideration of all facts and circumstances before it, the commission concludes that the security forces had not deliberately targeted the civilians in the no-re zones, although civilian casualties had in fact occurred in the course of crossre.
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SPECIAL FEATURE
Compared to other religious festivals, Christmas is quite a small festival in India due to the number that are Christians (2.3%) compared to people who belong to other religions. Having said this the population of India is over 1 Billion, so there are over 25 million Christians in India! One of the largest Christian Communities, in India, is in Bombay. A lot of the Christians in Mumbai (previously known as Bombay) are Roman Catholics. Midnight mass is a very important service for Christians in India, especially Catholics. The whole family will walk to the mass and this will be followed by a massive feast of different delicacies, (mostly curries) and the giving and receiving of presents. Churches in India are decorated with Poinsettia owers and candles for the Christmas Eve Midnight Mass service. Many different languages are spoken in India. In Hindi and Urdu Happy/Merry Christmas is Bade Din ki Mubarak; in Sanskrit its Krismasasya shubhkaamnaa; in Bengali Barodiner shubhechha janai; in Tamil its Christhu Jayanthi Nalvaalthukal and in Konkani its Khushal Borit Natala. Happy/Merry Christmas in lots more languages. Instead of having traditional Christmas Trees, a banana or mango tree is decorated.
Christmas in South Asia
Sometimes people use mango leaves to decorate their homes. In Southern India, Christians often put small oil burning clay lamps on the at roofs of their homes to show their neighbours that Jesus
great competition in making the nativity scene). Also families go to great lengths to hang giant paper lanterns, in the shape of stars, between the houses so that the stars oat above you as you walk
to visitors. In north-west India, the tribal Christians of the Bhil folk, go out night after night for a week at Christmas to sing their own carols the whole night through. They go
In India, Father Christmas or Santa Claus delivers presents to children from a horse and cart. Hes known as Christmas Baba in Hindi, Baba Christmas in Urdu (both of those mean Father Christmas);
is the light of the world. Christians in Mumbai often display a manger in a front window, (theres
down the road. Every household also makes sure that they have a stock of home made sweets ready
to surrounding villages singing to people and telling the Christmas story.
Christmas Thaathaa in Tamil and Christmas Thatha in Telugu (both of those mean Christmas old man);
RELIGION
25
What you seek is seeking you. -Rumi

Jalaluddin Rumi is famed as much in the west as in the east for the tradition of whirling and an assortment of devotional poetry. His death anniversary on December 17 is known as Wedding Night, or Seb-i Arus in Turkish. Like every year, dervishes and devoted fans across the world, whirl like a spinning wheel to pay tribute to their beloved Mevlana (Our Master). Others read his poetry in gatherings or in solitude to reect on the intended message. It must be obvious, by now, that Rumis death is no somber event for his devotees. Its a night of celebration. Timothy Winter, a lecturer of Islamic Studies at Cambridge University, explains why: Rumis death is the moment of his union with his Lord. In Susm, God is often symbolised as a feminine beloved, known as Layla. After his father died, the young jurist and imam left for Damascus to deepen his knowledge of the religious laws and codes. But what he learned elsewhere would change his life and those of millions who came after him. At a bazaar, he met a mysterious man who was the rst to question the value Rumi had placed on a legalistic approach to God. As the story goes, one day while Rumi was reading next to a large stack of books, a passerby, who he later learned was Shams of Tabriz, asked, what are you doing? Rumi, assuming he was a vagabond, replied, something you cannot understand. Shams threw all his books into a puddle of water. Seeing his prized possessions ruining, Rumi acted quickly to save the books and much to his amazement they all came out dry. What is this? asked Rumi, Shams replied Mowlana [Our Master in Persian], this is what you cannot understand. In another version of the tale, the books suddenly caught re but they were not consumed. Shams was a man of knowledge, who had committed the Quran to memory, and who renounced all his worldly possessions in search for a man who could endure his company. Rumi was the one. As a result of their friendship, Rumis outlook towards the faith changed, dramatically. Between the two, its hard to tell who was the master and who the devotee. Their deep relationship be achieved by annihilating the egocentric self, or by dying to self before meeting the Beloved. As far as I know every sacred tradition uses the metaphor of death to self, wrote Winter in response to my query. The Holy Prophet tells us: Die before you die. It is a common image in the New Testament: for instance Galatians 5:24: All those who belong to Christ have put to death their own nature. It refers to the slaying of the lower self so that the higher self can be liberated. But if the poems are about seeking God, where is Shams in this equation? When Rumi met Shams, Chittick said, he was raw, adding, Shams cooked and burned him, preparing him for a rapturous journey. The cooking metaphor is in keeping with the Su way: it is the burning desire for seeking Oneness that culminates in the annihilation of everything other than the Beloved. Only after Shams disappeared and was later found dead, did Rumi realise that his purpose was to introduce him to the way of love, but the journey to seek Union with the Beloved is done alone. The whirling dervishes, known for their dizzying dance, epitomise the lone journey. The premise is to rid oneself of everything material and mortal aided by powerful symbols: the black cloak the dervish wears represents a grave, the towering headdress their tombstones, the white dress their shrouds, and by removing the black cloak (before the ceremony) a Dervish renounces the worldly temptations. The idea behind the whirling ceremony is symbolic of a spiritual ascent that consists of four parts that starts with a Dervishs spiritual rebirth and evolves to absolute submission to the Creator. Rumi died in 1273. To this day, his devotees celebrate his departure from the world as one would in a marriage, apt for a man who sought the highest love in life, and found it most completely in death. Fahad Faruqui is a journalist, writer and educator. Alumni Columbia University.
Celebrating the divine union of the soul by Fahad Faruqui
raised many eyebrows, but they were inseparable. Indeed as Columbia professsor, Hamid Dabashi, noted, much of what we know of Shams is through Rumis poetry. One may fetishise their relationship,
Dabashi said, but Shams had a catalytic effect on Rumi, especially on his mystical ideas and his understanding of the universe. Winter adds that it
is only in the company of an illuminated sage do we awaken, adding an example from Hinduism to showcase that its a common idea across world religions:
Arjuna is transformed by the presence of Krishna so that his actions have no karmic consequence and are pure spiritual act. Without Krishna he is trapped in ego. Rumis lyrical poetry The Works of Shams of Tabriz, written after Shams disappearance, consists of 40,000 verses all dedicated to his master/devotee. But its more than an individual tribute. William Chittick, author of Me and Rumi: The Autobiography of Shams-I Tabrizi, said in an interview that the work is skillfully crafted to elevate the spirits of readers. And the requisite to understanding his poetry is to read it within the context of the religion which is the only way to decipher the higher meaning of Rumis works. Some poems incorporate allegories to lure the reader to reect on its deeper meaning. For many on the Su path, Rumis poetry is a vehicle to transcend the mundane, transient world. It captures the intensity of his spiritual journey and internal turmoil which acts as a guide for a seeker. As in the opening lines of this Ghazal, from the Mathnavi, which sets a contemplative mood:
Everyday I meditate upon this, and every night I groan Why is my own existence to myself the least known? Whence have I come, why
this coming here? Where to must I go, when will my home to me be shown? I am in desperate awe,
why was I ever created? For this, my creation, whatsoever was the reason? Knowing self is key to seeking proximity with Allah. And it can
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RELIGION
Islam Rejects the False Doctrine of The Fatherhood of God

In a Christmas and New Years message published in the Trinidad Guardian (December 25th, 2005) the misguided head of the ASJA (an acronym for a Muslim Organization in Trinidad and Tobago) declared: Once more, as we approach the end of another year and the great event of Christmas, we join with the rest of society and particularly our brothers and sisters of the Christian faith in celebrating this joyous season. Certainly, the Muslim community recognizes the common beliefs and practices that we share and which are the embodiment of the respective faiths that are represented in this blessed country and emanate from the central doctrine of the fatherhood of God and the universal brotherhood of mankind. Although some time has passed since the publication of this strange statement, the leadership of ASJA appears to have made no effort to retract or modify it in any way. Nor has there been any response to it so far from the many scholars of Islam in this country, or from the leaders of the Muslim community. This could perhaps be so because many people, very sensibly, no longer read the daily newspapers. But it could also be the result of either unwillingness or incapacity on their part to recognize anything so profoundly wrong and dangerously misguided in that message as to warrant a response. We choose to respond however, by directing attention to the signs of the Last Day as prophesied by Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah Most High be upon him), in which he declared that knowledge would be taken away and that the worst member of a tribe would become its leader. We live today in an age of such profound ignorance and such alarming misguidance that money is now being lent on interest (while disguising the transaction as a sale) from the very compound of the Masjid itself right here in the island of Trinidad. This continues to take place without any public response (that we are aware of) from those who ought to respond. It is therefore Continued from page 32 >> hardly surprising that in an age of such profound ignorance, a so-called Muslim leadership of an Islamic organization should publicly declare its intention to join with the rest of
Shiekh Imran Hossein
Tribune Comment
society and particularly our brothers and sisters of the Christian faith in celebrating this joyous season i.e., the great event of Christmas. It is also hardly surprising that the declaration should go even further than that to make the absolutely false and dangerously misguided declaration that Islam possesses such a thing as a central doctrine of the fatherhood of God. Certainly Islam requires of Muslims that they show respect for the Christian religion; and Islam also permits Muslims to establish fraternal relations of peace, friendship and mutual respect with Christians as well as with other nonMuslims (on the condition that they do not wage war on Islam, and do not support those who do so). But it is most certainly not the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to join with Christians in the celebration of Christmas, or with Jews in the celebration of Hanukkah, or with Hindus in the celebration of Divali, or with the godless world in the celebration of Halloween, etc. If the leadership of the ASJA wishes to join with Christians in celebrating Christmas, and if we cannot persuade them to desist from such, then we should at least attempt to direct the members of the ASJA to the Sunnah of the blessed Prophet (peace be upon him), and that is the primary purpose of this response of ours. The ASJA statement went on to
describe Allah Most High as father. Such a description of the One true God constitutes in Islam a manifest falsehood and an act of blasphemy (Shirk) and it is the one sin that Allah Most High has declared that He would not forgive (if someone were to die without repenting for such a sin). This writer has repeatedly pointed out to Muslims that the fundamental statement of the InterReligious Organization of Trinidad and Tobago, i.e., the belief in the fatherhood of God and the universal brotherhood of man, constitutes blasphemy since Allah Most High is not father! He now considers it to be his duty to the members of the ASJA, who are his dear brothers in Islam, to write to urge them to do the following: Firstly they should immediately and publicly dissociate themselves for their own good from that statement concerning a so-called central doctrine of Islam of the fatherhood of God; and they should also very politely refrain from joining with people of other faiths in the celebration of Christmas, Hanukkah, Divali, Halloween, etc.; Secondly they should take appropriate steps to ensure that their misguided leaders are made to recognize the great sin they commit when they declare the fatherhood of God to be a central doctrine of Islam. If the members of ASJA do not respond appropriately to the statement made by their own leaders, then they also, and not just their leaders, would be held responsible for that Shirk on Judgment Day. Now it is quite true that Muslims and Christians share certain common beliefs such as: - Jesus was born of a virgin mother; - he was the true Messiah; - he performed many miracles; - the Israelites were denounced for their wickedness; - they conspired to crucify him; - Allah Most High raised him unto
Himself; - Jesus will one day return to rule the world with justice (from Jerusalem); - his return would result in the triumph of truth over falsehood and justice over injustice in the world; - his return would bring an end to history; - most Muslims as well as Christians believe that his triumphant Messianic return is now imminent, etc. But we hasten to point out that Islam most certainly does not share with Christianity the belief in a so-called central doctrine of the fatherhood of God. The Quran has described Abraham (peace be upon him), for example, as your father, but it has never so described Allah Most High. On the contrary, it has specically declared in Surah al-Ikhlas that Allah is not father: Say He is Allah, the One and Only; Allah the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; and there is none like unto Him. (Quran, al-Ikhlas, 112-1-4) The words beget and begotten are now hardly ever used and so it is necessary that we explain these terms. When a woman is in labor she would give birth to a child. But the man whose seed was in her womb would beget that child. Only a man begets a child, and when he does so he becomes a father. A woman, on the other hand, does not beget a child; rather she gives birth to a child, and when she does so she becomes a mother. And so, when the Quran declares of Allah Most High that He begets not, what it means is that: Allah does not father a child, Allah has not fathered a child, Allah would never father a child, and, hence, that Allah is not father, Allah was never father, and that Allah would never be father. And when the Quran goes on to declare that He, Allah, was not begotten, the implication is that: Allah is not born as the child of any father, Allah was never born as the child
of any father, and that Allah would never be born as the child of any father. The Quran has specically declared that He (Allah Most High) does not father any child, nor was He born as the child of any father, and it has done so to expose the falsehood of the (Christian) belief in the fatherhood of God. Most Christians believe that God, the father, begat a son and that Jesus is the only begotten son of that father. The Quran responds to such false beliefs with very harsh language indeed: No (proper) knowledge have they of Him (when they assert such a thing about Allah Most High), and neither had their forefathers: dreadful is this saying that comes out of their mouths; (and) nothing but falsehood do they utter! (Quran, al-Kahf, 18:5) No one has the freedom, no matter how well-intentioned, to ascribe to Allah Most High such false names and attributes as father that they themselves create. That is a very grave sin indeed. Rather Allah Most High has Himself provided all His beautiful names (al Asma al-Husnah) in the Quran, and father is most certainly not one of them, and can never be one of them. Neither is Allah Most High father, nor can He be even compared with father, since He is incomparable. Indeed elementary common sense reveals that He cannot be father since, although He created both the male and the female, He is neither male nor female. While the English word He connotes masculinity, the Arabic word Huwa does not! The moon, al-Qamar, for example, is in the masculine gender in Arabic and yet is never considered to be male. We have used only one reference from the Quran in order to expose the falsehood of the description of Allah Most High as father. There are many more verses of the Quran on this subject which can be quoted if that necessity should arise. But we do not anticipate that such would be the case. This response should sufce for all those whose hearts long for true guidance and the straight path (al-Sirat al-Mustaqim).
Pakistan wrap up Bangladesh series Pakistan marks return

Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal, Mohammed Nazimuddin, Shahriar Nafees, Nasir Hossain, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushqur Rahim (Captain), wk), Nazmul Hossain, Mahmudullah, Elias Sunny, Shahadat Hossain and Robiul Islam. Pakistan: Mohammad Hafeez, Taufeeq Umar, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (Captain), Asad Shaq, Adnan Akmal, Abdur Rehman, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal and Aizaz Cheema. Salim Sherwani, Ahmed Alam and Secretary of Karachi Hockey Association (KHA) Farooq Khan and other ofcials were also present on the occasion. Spearhead Shakeel Abbasi made two lively crosses in the rst ve minutes but fellow forwards failed to divert the ball into the goal. Pakistan was rewarded in the 15th minute when they secured a penalty corner after the ball struck the
Shakib Al Hasan captured six wickets while Nazmul Hossain took two and Elias Sunny and Robiul Islam took one wicket each. Bangladesh was dismissed for 338 runs in their rst innings after Shakib smashed his career-best 144 runs while Shahreer Nafees hit a solid 97 runs. Pakistan beat Bangladesh by an innings and 184 runs in the rst test in Chittagong. Teams:
defender inside the circle. Muhammad Irfan smartly converted it giving no chance to Chinese goalie Su Rifeng. Pakistani forwards maintained a constant pressure on the Chinese goal. After missing the second penalty corner in the 20th minute, three minutes later Muhammad Imran doubled the lead with a well executed drag-ick in the 23rd minute.
NEWS
slides past the 54 to a dollar mark, the stock market slides further, or with a combination of the two. On May 28, 2007, when the rupee was showing unusual strength against the dollar and hovered around the 40-mark, India had rst entered the $1-trillion m-cap league. As the rupee hit a new nineyear high against the dollar that day, at 40.50, and a strong rally took BSEs market cap to over the Rs 40.50 lakh crore, India had
27
he Indian market is on the verge of losing its membership to the elite group of countries with $1 trillion market capitalization thanks to the unrelenting weakness of the rupee and the slide on the bourses. With BSEs market-cap currently at $1.03 trillion, or Rs 54 lakh crore in Indian currency, India could soon exit the group of 12 countries that boast of 13-gure market value in dollar terms. This could happen if the rupee again
India may lose trillion-$ m-cap tag

entered the group of countries with trillion-dollar market value. It has since been a member of the select group. So far in 2011, the benchmark sensex has lost a little over 24% while the rupee has lost 18%. The combined effect of market slide and rupees depreciation has been a 36.8% dip in Indias market cap. Of this, Indias market cap has dipped 11.2% in the last one month alone.
Etihad eyes prot growth, new tie-ups in 2012
Abu Dhabis Etihad Airways is banking on expansion into Africa and Asia and new codesharing tieups to grow its prots in 2012 and offset the pinch of global economic woes, its CEO said. The state-backed airline sees the threat of a deep European recession as posing a stern test to the aviation market, and warned fast-growing Gulf carriers would not be immune to the impact. Although the brunt of austerity is expected to be felt in the eurozone and North America airlines in the Middle East are certainly not immune to the effects of slowed growth in the West, CEO James Hogan said in an emailed statement.
[But] the nancial strategies that we put in place as long ago as 2006 are maturing and delivering results, and we expect to deliver sustainable protability [in 2012]. Etihad this month ordered 10 Boeing 787-9s valued at $2.3bn at list prices in a deal that made it the largest operator of the Dreamliner. The UAE ag carrier also ordered two freighter versions of the 777 model for its cargo operations, taking the value of the deal at list prices to $2.8bn. Etihads total stock of Dreamliners is currently 41, due for delivery in 2014 through to 2019. It also has options and purchase rights for a further 25 787s.
India is devising new norms for screening investments from Pakistan, a move that is likely to give a llip to ow of funds from across the border without compromising on internal security. Pakistan is hoping that India will warm up to its investments. The commerce and industry ministry is coordinating talks with the ministries of nance and home on the proposed mechanism, a senior ofcial in the ministry told ET. The norms will be a return gift to Pakistan, which recently agreed to give India the most-favoured nation status. When Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma visits Islamabad in February, we want that he should be in a position to announce that Pakistani investments are welcome in the country, the ofcial said. We need to have all the internal clearances before that. While talks with the nance ministry are more or less sealed, some issues are being sorted out with the home ministry, the ofcial said. The home ministry is concerned that funds
India to smoothen ow of funds from Pakistan
from the neighbouring country could be used to nance terror activities in India. This fear may hold the government back from putting investments from Pakistan on the automatic approval route. It may instead ask the Foreign Investment Promotion Board to clear investments on a case-bycase basis. This will ensure that wherever the government has any doubt about the source or end-use of funds, it could hold its approval and ask for more information. It can allow investments
to come in only when it is very sure about its authenticity, the ofcial said, adding that investments from Bangladesh are approved case by case. Pakistan is hoping that India will warm up to its investments after Islamabad gave its approval for import of larger number of Indian goods beginning next year and decided to grant MFN status to India from December 2012. Pakistan remains the only entry in the negative list under the Foreign Exchange Management Act.
Grant of MFN status and Indo-Pak trade

The fragility that characterises the India-Pakistan relationship has been evident in the ip-op on Pakistan according most-favoured nation (MFN) status to India as a trade partner. MFN, a term under global multilateral trade regime, only implies all trading partners being eligible for the same trade advantages without discrimination. As early as January 1957, an India-Pakistan trade agreement provided for a virtual MFN status to each other, treatment no less favourable than that accorded to the commerce of any third country . Valid for three years, President Ayub Khan extended it for another three years. With Pakistan seeking to link it to progress on a Kashmir settlement, the agreement lapsed with the collapse of talks on Kashmir in 1963. India unilaterally gave MFN status to Pakistan in 1996. While essential and important , MFN is in no way sufcient . Breaking the impasse as it would, and help in mutual condence-building , it would still need a lot more in the logistics domain to deliver the goods. India-Pakistan ofcial or formal bilateral trade is currently a paltry $2.66 billion; the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) estimates the potential in 2009 was $14.3 billion, including Indian exports of $11.3 billion. A State Bank of Pakistan study also revealed the bilateral trade potential to grow 10-fold. This extent of informal trade exists not only because of the banned items; it is a whole panoply of anachronistic trade practices and procedures as much as the infrastructure of transport and banking that remains creaky and decient, besides the trust-decit manifest in the arduous visa regime. India-Pakistan trade takes place only through Attari by rail and Wagah by road. The Wagah-Attari border adumbrates an antediluvian mindset overwhelming the leading south Asian countries: porters from Pakistan seen with headloads of cargo in bright green kurtas on one side, and those from India in red shirts on the other side. Trucks, not allowed to cross over from one side to the other, have their goods ofoaded at the border - with inevitable multiple handlings, avoidable costs, damages, delays and pilferages. Train engines and crews are restricted from entering into each others territory. Handling capacity at Lahore is much less than required; most other facilities like sheds, Xraying , customs and processing remain decient and obsolete . Supply of wagons falls far below the demand. Only a limited number of items can be traded via the road route. Neither country can lift third-country cargo originating from ports of either country. Restrictions exist in respect of rail route as well; cotton export from India can be transported only by sea through Karachi port; so also steel shipments from Kolkata to Karachi moving through Singapore and further on to Lahore. Textile mills around Lahore can source Indian cotton , rst going to Mumbai and then transported by sea to Karachi , thence further on to Lahore . ICRIER found that, while a 20-ft container, if moved by rail or road from Delhi to Attari , would cost about $325, the cost for moving it as in current practice from Delhi by rail to Mumbai port and then by sea up to Karachi would be about $1,010. Legal trade will evidently be benecial to Pakistan with no third country margin on trading and saving in transport costs. Transit across the two countries is not allowed: goods from Afghanistan may come into India through the land route but Indian goods for Afghanistan are denied transit facility, much like India disallows transit facility to Pakistan for goods destined for Bangladesh or Nepal.
28
We dont have much time left

know and respect the people of the area where a civil or military ofcer serves. Former president and army chief General Pervez Musharraf ignored this basic principle of governance while Dr Akbar S Ahmed such a senior government ofcial would garner criticism for Bizenjo from his comrades. He had a wonderful sense of humour, Ahmed recalls. They had a one-to-one dinner at the commissioners house, which they later joked, would get both men in trouble. It was Bizenjo who helped me behind the scene to calm down the people of Mekran and enabled me to take swift measures to protect the Zikris. Bizenjo did not forget Ahmeds good service and praised him openly during an anti-Zia political rally in Sibi where he told the local people how lucky they were to have a committed commissioner like Ahmed. As expected, intelligence ofcials approached Ahmed and asked why an anti-Zia nationalist leader had publicly praised him. Ahmed hurriedly sent a message to the Baloch demagogue urging him not to be so generous in public praise. Holding a Masters degree from Cambridge University and a PhD from London University, Ahmed was impressed by what he recalls as the charisma and wisdom of Baloch tribal leaders as he newly arrived in Balochistan. These leaders had many critics but they were men of honour, he said. There was a rhythm of life in Balochistan at that time and the Baloch leaders were the jewels of that remarkable society, he remembers. He met Nawab Akbar Bugti as the Commissioner of Sibi Division of which Bugtis stronghold Sui was still an administrative unit. The Nawab invited him for dinner at his traditional home. The Nawab had so much charisma and authority that even his son, Saleem, who was a minister himself did not eat with us and instead served dinner to me as their honoured guest, he recalls. However, what inspired Ahmed about Bugti was his knowledge of history and different cultures. They spoke about politics, history, tribes and traditions late into the night. We talked about Ibn Khaldun and I asked myself which Pakistani politician would know about Ibn Khaldun and here was a Baloch tribal chief discussing Ibn Khaldun and his sophisticated theories on society with me in Balochistans tribal region. In Ahmeds view, it is critical that the federal government should understand how to deal with the Baloch. As an ofcer in the area, he used to tell his junior ofcers that it did not matter if they had been educated at Oxford or Cambridge universities. What mattered was the respect they showed to the locals. Id tell my ofcers that you have come to their (Baloch), we are privileged to serve them. Dont take their material poverty as spiritual poverty. However, he regrets that several ofcials mistreated the locals. The veteran scholar, who is also the rst Distinguished Chair of Middle East and Islamic Studies at the US Naval Academy, says that news of kidnappings, torture and murders by security forces in Balochistan shock him. Contemplating the repercussion of mistreating different ethnic groups, Ahmed warns that a country like Pakistan, which experienced dismemberment in 1971 must pay attention to the demands of people living in the periphery. Right now we are in a state of civil war in Pakistan, he says, People in the periphery think they have been neglected, humiliated and culturally looked down upon by the Centre. This is absolutely the same thing we did with the Bengalis. Pakistan is in a very fragile condition. Both civil and military leadership must urgently show wisdom and vision to come out of this situation. Increasing tensions in Balochistan between civilians and the security forces is another area which Ambassador Ahmed thinks urgently needs policy review. He describes assaults by security forces and cases of torture as sadism and foolishness. Ahmed blames Musharrafs rash actions for subverting the very foundations of an already shaky structure in Pakistan. The ordinary Pakistani soldier is frustrated and struggling to survive in that chaotic system. He says Pakistan cannot survive without Balochistan. We cant afford to make the Baloch feel like second class citizens. Their demands are valid and some of these demands have been overlooked for several. Islamabad should make urgent accommodation with the Baloch. You cant fool around with them. One day you offer them talks and the next day you kill their leaders. They should be treated as equal partners in the federation. While talking about the distance between the Center and the largest province, he appeals to the powers that be to stop the torture and the killing because we dont have much time left. The writer is a freelance journalist based in Washington DC.
COMMENT
Mark Twain once said travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness. Pakistans former high commissioner to United Kingdom and the current Ibn Khaldun Chair at the Washington DC-based American University, Professor Akbar S. Ahmed, truly ts in the category of people who believe in seeing and experiencing things to challenge the prejudices of the ignorant. Described by the BBC as worlds leading authority on contemporary Islam, Dr Ahmed today travels across the globe to promote inter-faith dialogue and mutual understanding. As a civil servant, career diplomat and one of the worlds foremost anthropologists, he regularly discovers and interacts with many known and often unknown communities of the world. Ahmed has not forgotten home, Pakistan, all these years. He worries for Pakistan but the separatist groundswell in Balochistan, where he served in 1980s consecutively as the commissioner of Quetta, Sibi and Mekran divisions, makes him anxious. As a civil ofcer, he had an opportunity to closely interact with and learn from some of the most prominent Baloch nationalist and tribal leaders such as Mir Jaffar Khan Jamali (father of Dr Ahmeds batch-mate Sikandar Jamali and the uncle of the former prime minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali), Nawab Akbar Bugti, former governor Mir Ghaus Baksh Bizenjo and ex-chief minister Jam Ghulam Qadir. He attributes the current turmoil in Balochistan to policymakers lack of understanding of the local society and culture. The rst rule of good governance, he says, is to Continued from page 09 >>
Tribune Comment
dealing with Balochistan which caused confrontation with Baloch tribes and eventually led to the killing of the powerful tribal chief Nawab Bugti. Bugtis killing was a tragedy for Pakistan, he tells Dawn.com, it was humiliating how President Musharraf threatened to hit him like a common criminal. Bugti was a man who is a part of our history and you dont treat a man of history like this. In mid 1980s, Dr Ahmed was posted in Balochistan. Soon after his appointment as the commissioner of Mekran Division, he was caught in the midst of an attempt by some non-local religious fanatics who wanted to harm the followers of minority Zikri community. In order to prevent a possible bloodbath, the young administrator boldly reached out to Baloch opposition leader Bizenjo for assistance. For Ahmed, contacts with Bizenjo, a left-wing opposition leader, amounted to alienating President General Zia-ul-Haq while meeting
Lokpal: Anna to fast for 3 days, calls govt a cheat

Let the government go its way, we will go our way. I have decided that I will continue to ght till there is life in me, Mr. Hazare said. Asked if he agreed with the provisions of the draft sought to be tabled in Parliament, he said, We say, bring in whatever draft, but end corruption. Mr. Hazare was also opposed to centralisation of the grievance redress mechanism in the draft bill. For a ration card, you will need to go to Delhi, he said, adding Uttarakhand had brought a good Lokayukta bill.
PM insists no martial law, no caretaker set-up

parliament, Nisar vowed during his speech when both the archrivals PML-N and PPP clashed, inevitably, over the Memogate. Nisar questions Memogate contradictions Try as it might, the government has been unable to downplay the memo scandal as much as it has wanted to. The session started with a discussion over gas load shedding for domestic users in Rawalpindi, but the proceedings of the house drifted towards the memo controversy as Nisar pointed out the absence of Petroleum Minister Dr Asim Hussain from the session, saying he could accompany the president but seemed unconcerned about the issues of the people. The government has become so fragile that the prime minister held a meeting with the chief of army staff (COAS), which was covered by the media to prove things were under control, he said. Pakistan is not a banana republic or a security state that the PM needs a meeting with the COAS to regain condence. The government should gain condence from Parliament, he added. The matter is in the Supreme Court, the army is saying the memo is a reality but the prime minister says whatever James Jones has said is true, Nisar said while demanding an explanation from the PM. Getting personal The opposition leader also responded to PPP Information Secretary Secretary Qamar Zaman Kairas speech at the previous session. Nisar said that being in the opposition, it was his right to hold the government accountable. He said Nawaz Sharif was not the only leader who left the country while asking who had ed in 1981, 1999 and 2003? He added: Whenever we question the performance of the government, elegies of sacrices are told we are not interested in these stories since we know who was behind the long march of 1993 and who struck a deal through National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO). Kaira stood up to respond but Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfandyar Wali intervened and asked Kaira to let it go. Religious Affairs Minister Syed Khursheed Shah, on the other hand, responded to the opposition leader and said Judges were used in the past through such issues and everyone is well aware of what Sajjad Ali Shah (former chief justice of Pakistan) had done and your party had shown the real reaction, Shah added referring to the government-judiciary clash during Nawazs tenure as prime minister. Javed Hasmi lashes out Meanwhile, PML-N leader Javed Hashmi had other things on his mind, and furiously demanded an apology from the PM himself for assertions made during the previous session that Hashmi had received 30,000 pounds as assistance from the government for medical treatment. You have to apologise. If not here, then I will make you apologise in Multan, Hashmi said angrily, adding that he had refused such assistance. Gilani responded calmly, saying I will hold an inquiry and will apologise if your claim is true.
Word of Caution On Assads Fall Assads fall only good for Israel
Syria agreed on Monday to let Arab League observers into the country to monitor implementation of a deal it agreed last month to pull troops from protest-hit towns, free political prisoners and start talking to dissidents. However, the executive head of the League said after the signing of a protocol on foreign observers that there was no immediate plan to lift sanctions that were imposed when Damascus at rst refused outside monitors. The Lebanese As Sar newspaper has said that President Bashar al-Assad will address the nation within the coming few days to shed light on past months developments and prospects of future as the year ends. The Arabs do not want to see another Western military intervention into the heart of the Arab world. The Leagues plan is intended to prevent this, by pretending to represent an alternative Arab road to reform in Syria. Israeli politicians continue to bury the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad. They discuss possible consequences of Assads fall. US media point out a serious evolution in the outlook of the Israeli administration regarding the Syrian issue. Before December, many Israeli ofcials, except Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, tried to withhold comments about Israels attitude to the events in Syria. It seemed that Israel was not concerned about Bashar Assads regime. Nowadays, Israels top ofcials point out that Assads regime is doomed.
NEWS
29
Israels Defense Minister Ehud Barak pointed out on December 6 that Assad would fall in two weeks. Israels another inuential politician in the face of the Minister for Strategic Affairs, Moshe Yaalon, as well as representatives of the ruling party, Likud, say the same. According to Yaalon, the collapse of Assads regime was only a question of time. Israeli ofcials believe that the inuence of Iran and radical anti-Israeli groups in the region in general will decline afterwards. As for the possibility for radicals to come to power in Syria, Barak and Yaalon hope that Islamists, including the Muslim Brotherhood, will not be able to get hold of power in a secular Syrian society. According to them, moderate Sunnis will win the elections in Syria after Bashar Assads regime ends. It is worthy of note that the majority of Syrians are Sunnis. This way or other, but the Israeli political establishment seems to
publicly ignore the warning from thenPrime Minister Ariel Sharon. In 2005, Sharon warned the US administration against interfering into Syrian affairs. Sharon said that Assad was the devil we know and added that his place could be taken by much more radical Muslim brothers. Nevertheless, Minister Moshe Yaalon does not rule out a possibility for bloodshed in Syria. One may dwell upon the political strength of the Syrian leader for a very long time. However, it is clear that Assad is not going to yield. He is going to ght, because he still enjoys the massive support of the population. Moreover, Assad does not feel alone. Syria receives support from Iran, not to mention Russias and Chinas actions at the UN Security Council. To put it in a nutshell, a war in Syria becomes more and more obvious. It is important to analyze, who and
what may take Assads place. Lets assume that the Syrian leader has been toppled. Who is going to take the top then? Will it be those moderate Sunnis of whom Mr. Barak spoke? One would have to see rst, what goes for the term moderate. Who of the acting Sunni leaders can be referred to as moderate? Which Sunni group has real power in this country? It is an open secret that the power of certain movements can be determined with the number of guns under the conditions of chaos. Islamists will ride a high horse inevitably. Some experts categorize the Salas as Sunnis as well, since they support the return to Quran and Sunna. The slogan of one of the main Syrian Salas, Sheikh Araur is the following: Christians to Beirut, Alawites - to graves. Compared to them, the ideas of the Muslim Brotherhood look a bit more moderate. In the beginning of
December, the press secretary of the Muslim Brotherhood in Syria, Zuhayr Salim, reportedly said that Syria, as an articially create state, had no future. How did Syria appear? It appeared as a result of the Sykes-Picot Agreement (in 1916). We do not recognize that agreement! Syria is a temporal phenomenon. Our goal is to create the joint state for the entire Muslim community! he said. There are no other moderate Sunni groups who would be able to challenge the Muslim Brotherhood. Their ideas do not leave any space after a possible collapse of Assads regime for a quarter of the Syrian population at least. Will there be a place in the Muslim community for more than two million Syrian Christians? Moshe Yaalon is probably right about the bloody scenario of Assads fall thats for certain.
State of calamity declared in the Philippines as death-toll nears a thousand- 50,000 left homeless
Bhutan Airlines make rst commercial ight

A khenpo became the rst Bhutanese paying passenger to use the countrys domestic air services when he ew from Paro to Yonphula, Trashigang, yesterday. Khenpo Karma Rangdol of Kanglung shedra, paid Nu 10,700 or USD 210 (at exchange rate USD 1 equals Nu 51) for a one-way trip to Yonphula, on Tashi Air pvt ltds Bhutan Airlines. The khenpo, along with four Japanese tourists, became the private airlines rst commercial passengers. The khenpo said that he felt proud to be the rst Bhutanese to have paid to use domestic air services. He added that it was dreamlike to reach Kanglung in 30 minutes, instead of two days by road from Thimphu. When I called my friends and relatives after landing, they were laughing, he said. The khenpo said that he had not been scared at any point of the ight. I wasnt sacred, rather I enjoyed looking at snowcapped mountains and hills, because the weather was pleasant. Bhutan Airlines ight BA 701 had departed Paro for Yonphula at 9:16am, and was back at Paro airport by 11:08am,
Philippine President Benigno Aquino declared a state of national calamity on Tuesday, as authorities work to recover the bodies of those killed by ash oods on the southern island of Mindanao. Disaster agency ofcials said Tuesday that 957 people have died so far as a result of the oods which began in the early hours of Saturday, while 49 others remain missing. Ofcials said most of the damage was done in the southern port cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, where mass graves are being prepared for hundreds of unidentied victims. Iligan City Mayor Lawrence Cruz told the Reuters news agency the
mass graves are necessary to prevent the spread of disease as a result of the decomposing bodies. Ofcials have also reported a shortage of water and food at the islands overcrowded, makeshift evacuation centers. Almost 50,000 people who lost their homes remain in public shelters. The ooding was caused by tropical storm Washi, which swept through the southern Philippines Friday evening, dropping a months worth of rain in 24 hours. Romeo Lozano, a farmer who reportedly saved 200 lives, told the Associated Press how people escaped the fury of the oods by rushing to his house rooftop.
according to the department of civil aviation. On the Bhutan Airlines return ight to Paro, tshogpon Jigme Tshultim, national council deputy chairperson Sonam Kinga, and three members of parliament became the second batch of paying passengers. The national assembly speaker, national council and parliament members had also own to Yonphula on National Day, but on an inaugural government ight. Bhutan Airlines CEO, David Young said that its rst commercial ight had almost broken even adding, it was certainly not protable. He pointed out that the one-and-a-half hour worth of operations required for Paro-YonphulaParo costs the private airline about USD
3,000. This would translate to about Nu 153,000 (USD1/Nu 51). One hour of operations costs the airline USD 2,600, he said. With all 10 passengers having purchased one-way airfares, the total income for Bhutan Airlines on its rst commercial ight would have been around Nu 119,340 or USD 2,340, with nationals paying Nu 10,700 or USD 210 for a ticket, and tourists paying Nu 13,770 or USD 270. Khenpo Karma Rangdol said that, given the increased comfort and decreased travel time, the airfare charged was fairly reasonable, despite being more expensive than travelling to either Nepal or Kolkata, India by air.
30
ENTERTAINMENT
DAM999, a movie that was in the limelight in recent days is gearing up to make it big with the Oscars. The movie has been shortlisted among the 265 lms that made to the ballot list for the 2012 Academy Awards. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced, Two hundred sixty-ve feature lms are eligible for the 2012 Academy Awards and joining this list is the debut venture of
DAM999 has three Oscar chances
Don 2 to release in 41 countries

Shahrukh Khans much-awaited lm, Don 2: The King is Back will release in 41 countries. Don 2 is directed by Farhan Akhtar, who also helmed the rst installment Don: The Chase Begins Again (2006), a box-ofce hit and a remake the 1978 Hindi cult classic Don, starring Amitabh Bachchan. Learnt yesterday that Don 2 will release in 41 countries worldwide. Wow!! I guess thats the number of countries now out to catch him!!, Farhan wrote on twitter. Don 2 will release in UK two days before its December 23 opening in India and the rest of the world. Feel so proud to see the extent to which interest in Hindi movies has grown.. Thanks to you.. the Fans (pat yourself on back moment), Farhan said. The lm is set to release on 23 December, in both 2D and 3D formats and will also be available in Tamil and Telugu.
Sohan Roy - DAM999. The list was announced by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on its ofcial website Three songs from the Indian lm DAM 999 are among 39 shortlisted numbers in contention for nominations in the Original Song category for the 84th Academy Awards. Dakkanaga Dugu Dugu, DAM999 Theme Song and
Mujhe Chhod Ke are the three songs from DAM 999 that are vying for a place in the nal
nomination list for the category. The international lms Rio and The Muppets are the only other lms with three songs each in the list. The Academy will screen clips featuring each song, in random order, for voting members of the music branch in Los Angeles on January 5. Following the screenings, members will determine the nominees by an averaged point system of voting. Under Academy rules, a maximum of two songs may be nominated from any one lm. The nal Oscar nominations will be announced on January 24.
Controversy queen Veena Malik: Abducted, absconding, executed or back home in Pakistan?
Pakistani actor and model goes mysteriously missing in Mumbai
Controversial Pakistani Model and actress Veena Malik has not reached Pakistan, as reported earlier by the Indian media, but is still staying in a Mumbai hotel, reported by private TV networks on Sunday. The item girl has gone back home to Pakistan for a short while, say some, while others claim she is still in Mumbai Veena Malik sure knows how to make headlines. First, she signed on for a reality wedding show Veena Ka Vivaah and claimed she is ready to get married. Then she posed nude for the cover of a magazine and created chaos. Now we hear she went missing from a Bollywood lm set. It doesnt end there. Malik had gone missing two days ago on December 16 after returning from a lm shoot in Mumbai. Her manager Pratik
Mehta conrmed the news and said that all her cell phones were turned off. Earlier on Sunday, reports emerged in the Indian media saying that Malik has secretly arrived in Pakistan after went missing from her house in
Mumbai. The report said that Malik arrived in Lahore through Wagah border wearing a burqa. Indian actor Ashmit Patel, who is also Maliks friend, had come to drop her. Indian journalist Sameena Razzaq Shaikh told Pakistani private
TV channel that the rumors of Maliks visa expiring were untrue. She is in India on a triple-visa and her visa is valid till December 24, she added. Shaikh also said that it was clearly a publicity stunt by the actress. The authorities at Wagah border
also denied the reports of Malik arriving in Pakistan. They said that the immigration process is usually not done on Sundays, unless it is a special case. Maliks family in Islamabad said that they have no information about Maliks whereabouts.
Everyone is talking about the End of the World.

Dont make any long-range plans. Its Apocalypse Now. And this time, they mean it. The Mayan calendar, a 1,300-year-old stone that is cracked, worn and virtually unreadable, but is nevertheless said to suspiciously end on Dec. 21, 2012. Various of history indicated by their computer analysis of the ancient Chinese oraclecalendar, the I Ching. The Mayan calendar is divided into Seven Ages of Man. The fourth epoch ended in August 1987. The Mayan calendar comes to an end on Sunday, December 23, 2012. Only 2012 prophecy & St. Malachys Prophecy of the Popes and Farrell might as well have been writing that the end is nigh. As I wrote previously, some religious circles believe that during the Great Tribulation much of the Earth would suffer, many would die, the Antichrist would reign supreme instituting severe economic policies culminating in the mark of the beast necessary for buying and selling, and the Antichrist would later set himself as a god over the entire planet demanding worship from all Earths humans. The planets major religions each have their own beliefs about the end of the world, the triumph of good over evil and Judgment Day. In Christianity, the Book of Revelation, the last chapter of the Bibles New Testament, mentions Armageddon, the nal battle on Earth between the forces of God and Satan. The word Armageddon is thought to come from the Hebrew for mount of Megiddo. Located in present-day Israel, Megiddo, an ancient, strategically positioned city, was the site of a number of battles. Some Christians interpret the Book of Revelation as a roadmap that lays out exactly how the world will end. They contend that Judgment Day will take place on Armageddon and Jesus will save the true believers, while non-believers left behind will face enormous suffering. In Hinduism, there is the story of the god Vishnu coming back in the last cycle of time as a gure called Kulki, who rides a white horse, carries a sword that looks like a comet and destroys the forces of evil. In some Buddhist prophecies, the equivalent of Armageddon is Shambhala, in which good triumphs over evil; however, the planet is restored rather than destroyed so people can pursue enlightenment.
FEATURE
31
Despite the many theories and religious interpretations, the only thing thats certain about the end of the world is that no one can know for sure what will happen. And until that day arrives--if it arrives-people will no doubt continue to speculate endlessly about when it will all be over. In Islam, the end of the world is referred to as the Hour and involves Jesus returning to Damascus to slay an anti-Christ who has put the planet in peril. With the antiChrist out of the picture, a period of perfect harmony will ensue. Jesus will later die a natural death, which will usher in a time of destruction that leads directly to the Hour. In Judaism, there is no term for Armageddon, but there are references in the Hebrew bible to events that could be compared with Armageddon, including the Day of the Lord (in which God causes death and destruction to people who deserve to be punished) and the War of Gog and Magog (in which Israel and its god ght their enemies, rather than an anti-Christ).
cults, insomniac radio talk show hosts, the disaster movie 2012 and The Complete Idiots Guide to 2012 (a real book!) suggest that this abrupt conclusion constitutes a prediction of the end of the world. The sacred Aztec calendar is properly called the Eagle Bowl. It represents the solar deity Tonatiuh. The amazingly accurate calendar has been in use in various forms for more than 2,000 years. A Zapotec prophecy, based on the Eagle Bowl, states: After Thirteen Heavens of Decreasing Choice, and Nine Hells of Increasing Doom, the Tree of Life shall blossom with a fruit never before known in the creation, and that fruit shall be the New Spirit of Men. The 13 Heavens and 9 Hells were each 52 years long (1,144 years total). Each of the 9 Hells were to be worse than the last. On the nal day of the last Hell (August 17, 1987), Tezcatlipoca, god of death, would remove his mask of jade to reveal himself as Quetzelcoatl, god of peace. In the mythology of the Aztecs, the rst age of mankind ended with the animals devouring humans. The second age was nished by wind, the third by re, and the fourth by water. The present fth epoch is called Nahui-Olin (Sun of Earthquake), which began in 3113 BC and will end on December 24, 2011. It will be the last destruction of human existence on Earth. The date coincides closely with that determined by the brothers McKenna in The Invisible Landscape as the end
a few people will survive the catastrophe that ensues. In the fth age, humanity will realize its spiritual destiny. In the sixth age, we will realize God within ourselves, and in the seventh age we will become so spiritual that we will be telepathic. The end of the world may not be coming, but whatever is coming might as well be the end of the world. And as we walk in this twilight, perhaps at the very least, we would do well to enjoy the sunset while it lasts. MarketWatchs Paul B. Farrell had an interesting article Tuesday on how America is on the path for a decade from hell. In Farrells opinion, this decade from hell will get worse in 2012. Farrell portends a coming stock market crash, political dysfunctionality, revolution, and various wars that stem from class differences and commodity clashes between countries in the near future. Farrells dire forecasts for the next nine years are quite ominous. Among them include ideas that the super rich will continue to spend billions to control Washington culminating in a system where the wealthy have absolute power over everyone else, rising global population will give way to commodity wars throughout the world, class war will spread, and the American form of capitalism will collapse in on itself. Whether or not Farrell realized it at the time, in some ways Farrells dark forecast sounds akin to the Great Tribulation. Farrell may have called it a decade from hell, but it sounded a bit like a great tribulation. Throw in a little Mayan
The city of Dubai is built on foundations that are steeped in history and tradition. From the evocative Dubai Museum to the spectacular Jumeirah Mosque, and from the breathtaking Bastakiya to the imperious Heritage Village. There are many mysteries waiting to be unravelled. Explore Dubai at your pace and relive great traditions from day gone by.
DEFINITELYDUBAI.COM
32
Let down by injuries on his previous two trips Down Under, Indian pace spearhead Zaheer Khan said this time he wants to be the factor that decides the Test series against Australia, starting on Monday in Melbourne. Zaheer, who picked up 10 wickets in three Tests at an average of 40 during previous trips, said he is desperate to make up for the past. This tour is very important for me, Zaheer, who bowled ve overs on the nal day of a practice match, said.
I want to be the factor which makes the difference: Zaheer Khan

I want to be the factor which makes the difference as there are so many expectations on me. The way I see it, it all worked out perfectly ne, because I had a four-month break so I could prepare well for this series, he added.
Sports
SAT
Pakistan wrap up Bangladesh series after Abdur Rehman sparks collapse
Bangladesh 338 & 234; Pakistan 470 & 107-3 Pakistan won by seven wickets
Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by seven wickets in the second and nal cricket Test in Dhaka on Wednesday to sweep the series 2-0. Pakistan were set 103 to win after bowling Bangladesh out for 234 in their second innings and achieved the target in the nal session on the fth day at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium. Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq secured victory by lofting spinner Elias Sunny for a six after Mohammad Hafeez made 47 and Azhar Ali chipped in with 34. Shakib was named man of the match for scoring 144 and taking six wickets in the rst innings. Earlier, Bangladesh were bundled out for 234 runs in the second innings after Nasir Hossain smashed a solid 79 runs while skipper Mushqur Rahim scored 53. Pakistani bowlers Abdur Rehman picked up four wickets while Saeed Ajmal, Umar Gul and Aizaz Cheema took two wickets each. Resuming on an overnight score of 114-5, Nasir and skipper Mushqur Rahim made a 117-run partnership and revives a hope of draw the match. But the last four wickets added only 22 runs guided Bangladesh to 234. The match was delayed by an hour due to dense fog at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. Pakistan were all out for 410 runs in their rst innings taking a 132-run after opener Taufeeq Umar struck a century of 130 runs. Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq scored 70 and Azhar Ali and Younis Khan scored 57 and 49 runs respectively. Bangladeshi bowlers Continued on page 26 >>
Pakistan marks return of international hockey with 3-0 win

KARACHI: Asian Games Champions Pakistan got off to a condent start in the four-match hockey series with an easy 3-0 win over China at the Hockey Club of Pakistan on Wednesday. It was a historic occasion as international hockey returned to Pakistan after seven years. Pakistan enjoyed the upper hand during the match and utilized half of their half a dozen penalty corners to secure a comfortable Muhammad Tauseeq banged one goal in the second session. Interior Minister Rehman Malik, who was the chief guest at the ceremony was introduced to both the teams and ofcials before the start of the match. President Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Qasim Zia, Secretary Asif Bajwa, Chief Selector Hanif Khan, Olympians Hasan Sardar, Danish Kaleem, Continued on page 26 >>
win. Muhammad Irfan and captain
Muhammad Imran scored the goals in the rst session and
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TribIssue 23 Thursday, 22.12.11 www.satribune.co.uk

Queens Christmas message to be produced by Sky for rst time

South Asia Tribune I Thursday 22 December 2011

US commander visits Israel to nalize missile drill

Iran invites UN nuclear inspectors: diplomats

Arab League advance team to visit Syria Thursday

South Asia Tribune I Thursday 22 December 2011

The Kim is dead, long live the Kim!

Ofcers could shoot rioters, says review

South Asia Tribune I Thursday 22 December 2011

9/11 verdict is US propaganda for waging war on Iran

South Asia Tribune I Thursday 22 December 2011

Israel, U.S. determined to halt Iran nuclear drive: Barak

well push back

Russias Syria Resolution Unacceptable, France Says

South Asia Tribune I Thursday 22 December 2011

UK Refusing To Help With EU Bailout Fund

South Asia Tribune I Thursday 22 December 2011

The Spirit of Christmas

SORRY FOR YOURSELF

South Asia Tribune I Thursday 22 December 2011

DEBATE Getting away with murder

Tara Priya Wounded!

Swarovski, Sense of Two Fashion Show

Saarc international I Thursday 22 December 2011

India asks Russia to drop the case against Gita translation

Lokpal: Anna to fast for 3 days, calls govt a cheat

PM insists no martial law, no caretaker set-up

Saarc international I Thursday 22 December 2011

Agni-V shows Indias ambitions,

PML-N urges SC to summon Wajid US must respect Pakistans

red lines: Islamabad

India, Sri Lanka, Maldives in talks on maritime security

Saarc international I Thursday 22 December 2011

WEEKLY REVIEW OF AFGHANISTAN NEWS

Secret US, Taliban talks reach turning point

Ex-Taliban denies reports of Qatar ofce US military wants troops in

Saarc international I Thursday 22 December 2011

WEEKLY REVIEW OF BANGLADESH NEWS

Govt tolerates for democracy: PM

61 administrators for 45 hurt in clashes in V-Day events dist councils named

Saarc international I Thursday 22 December 2011

WEEKLY REVIEW OF BHUTAN NEWS

HM commends King honours armed forces on National Day armed forces

Dr. Avtar Lit

PM to launch 23 community centres

Saarc international I Thursday 22 December 2011

Bhagavad Gita faces extremist branding, ban in Russia

Air Marshal Nur Khan (1923-2011)

Jyoti stands tall as worlds shortest woman

Saarc international I Thursday 22 December 2011

WEEKLY REVIEW OF INDIA NEWS

Cabinet clears Food Bill, hopes to approve Lokpal Bill draft

India, Russia agree Afghanistan a serious issue

Obama nominates Nancy Powell as Ambassador to India

India, Russia agree on credit for Kudankulam Units 3, 4

South Asia Tribune I Thursday 22 December 2011

South Asia Tribune I Thursday 22 December 2011

Khalid Shahenshahs murder deepens the mystery around BBs assassination

WikiLeaks: U.S. Allowed Benazir Bhutto to Be Assassinated

Who Killed Benazir Bhutto? No One Really Knows.

Her destiny was intertwined with that of Pakistan - a political murder.