|
|
Hijackers
believed to ISLAMABAD, Jan 1: The hijackers of the Indian Airlines plane headed towards the Pakistani city of Quetta along with the ....more
Indo-Nepal ties receives KATHMANDU, Jan 1: Though the beginning of the year 1999- as also later...more
Russia enters new MOSCOW, Jan 1: Russia entered the third millennium today with a new leader but a host...more World nuclear plants WASHINGTON, Jan 1: US Energy Secretary Bill Richardson has said nuclear facilities.....more |
|
US wants hijackers of Indian aircraft brought to justice WASHINGTON, Jan 1: The United States has appreciated India’s handling of the hijack crisis and said that no effort should be spared in bringing those .......more
Queen elizabeth joins LONDON, Jan 1: They reworked "god save the queen" into a blues number and........more Bangladesh President DHAKA, Jan 1: Bangladesh President Shahhabuddin Ahmed today called upon people to rise above individual ......more Russia to miss deadline for
UNITED NATIONS, Jan 1: The Russian Federation, battling a severe cash crisis, is unable to finance the planned destruction of some 40,000 tonnes of .....more |
 |
Hijackers believed to have entered Pakistan ISLAMABAD, Jan 1: The hijackers of the Indian Airlines plane headed towards the Pakistani city of Quetta along with the three released militants immediately after they left Kandahar Airport, Urdu daily Jung said here today. It said quoting Taliban Information Minister Abdul Hayee Mutmaeen that the hijackers, who released all the hostages of the IA plane yesterday in exchange for the release of three militants, had started their journey for Quetta, nearly a six hour drive from Kandahar, immediately after sunset. However, Pakistan said there was no communication from Taliban authorities that the hijackers were heading towards their country. According to the Taliban authorities in Kandahar, the five hijackers had taken one Taliban official along with them to ensure their security before leaving Afghanistan. Taliban supreme spiritual leader Mullah Mohammad Omar said last evening that the hijackers had been ordered to leave Afghanistan and that it was not the concern of the Taliban Government where they went. Taliban Foreign Minister Wakil Muttawakil, at the end of the eight-day hijacking yesterday, said the hijackers and the released militants had been given a deadline of 10 hours to leave Afghanistan and ruled out any possibility of offering political asylum to them. Considering the fact that Pakistan has a porous border with Afghanistan it would be very easy for the hijackers to enter Pakistan. Meanwhile, Director General of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations Brig Rashid Qureshi told BBC yesterday that Pakistan would not give political asylum to the hijackers. Qureshi expressed ignorance about the possibility of the hijackers entering Pakistan. He told the Urdu daily that he hoped the Pakistani guards at the Afghan border would prevent the hijackers from entering Pakistan. He, however, said no extra alert had been sounded at the border to foil any such move. Qureshi said there was no communication from the Taliban authorities that the hijackers were heading towards Pakistan or where they went after leaving Kandahar airport yesterday. The Taliban had said the hijackers had been given time to get in touch with any foreign mission in Afghanistan to seek political asylum. Incidentally, only Pakistan, which is one of three countries recognising the ruling militia, has a mission there. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are the other two countries which have recognised the Taliban. Father of the released Pakistani cleric, Maulana Masud Azhar, had said yesterday that he was expecting his son to return home very soon. Azhar’s father Allah Baksh Sabir said from his Bhawalpur home town in Pakistan’s Punjab: We cannot go anywhere else. This is our soil, we have to return here no matter where we go. An official Pakistani spokesman had said yesterday, we have no sympathy for such desperate acts without regard to the nationality of the perpetrators (of the hijacking). The longest-ever hijacking involving an Indian airliner ended last evening with External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh along with three militants, Maulana Masood Azhar, Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar and Ahmed Omar Sayed Sheikh, flying to Kandahar after New Delhi announced that a deal had been reached for the release of 155 hostages. The hostages, including the crew of the IA flight 814 hijacked while on its way from Kathmandu to New Delhi on Dec 24, flew back to New Delhi in two planes along with Singh to join their families just before the dawn of the new millennium. (PTI) |
|
Indo-Nepal ties receives rude setback at the end of 1999 KATHMANDU, Jan 1: Though the beginning of the year 1999- as also later— saw Indo-Nepal relations receive a fresh fillip with New Delhi affording to the landlocked mountainous Hindu Kingdom liberal concessions and facilities, the ongoing mutual confidence-building exercise received a rude setback with the Christmas-eve hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight. On January 5, both countries renewed for another seven years-with the added provision for automatic renewal the Indo-Nepal transit treaty according liberal concessions to Kathmandu’s demands. And later the same month, Nepal’s constitutional Monarch King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev became the first Nepali head of state to attend as chief guest the celebrations in New Delhi of India’s 50th Republic Day in a gesture expected to generate a favourable environment for resolving amicably minor irritants that had developed in the traditionally warm and friendly bilateral relations. In July, in its continuing endeavour to promote Nepal’s industrial growth as also the overall bilateral economic relationship, New Delhi increased to Rs 120 crore the limit for "fast-track clearance" by the RBI for Indian private-sector investment in Nepal- an almost five-fold increase in barely two years. And when Indian External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh made a four-day good will visit to Nepal in September, both neighbours, in their joint-endeavour against international terrorism, reiterated their commitment not to allow their respective territories to be used by elements inimical to the national interest of the other. But events following the December 24 hijacking of the IA Airbus A-300 between Kathmandu and New Delhi have clearly shown how fragile Indo-Nepal relations are despite of-repeated assertions by leaders in both about their age-old close and friendly bilateral ties. The Indian media reported about - and some Indian leaders spoke of - security lapses at Nepal’s only international air-terminal, the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu as being facilitatory in the armed hijackers being able to board the flight. And immediately, the Nepali media, political leaders and the officials here rose as one to condemn this assertion as "unfunded malicious propaoanea" and part of an Indian "grand design" aimed at New Delhi in the future, being able to control security operations in Nepal. However far-fetched the "Indian grand design" idea, is no dearth of willing takers for it here and over the past one week the Nepali media, especially the vernacular variety, has been full of anti-India write-ups leading one to wonder whether both countries are truly as close friends as some of their leaders make them out to be. The ongoing anti-Indian vituperation here is likely to continue well into the year 2000 and only post-hijacking investigations will prove the correctness or otherwise of the Indian charges. (UNI) |
|
Russia enters new
millennium with new MOSCOW, Jan 1: Russia entered the third millennium today with a new leader but a host of old problems left after the shock resignation of Mr Boris Yeltsin, which acting President Putin must tackle fast. Just hours before he far East of Russia entered 2000 without any of the feared Y2K computer glitches yesterday, Mr Yeltsin upstaged new year celebrations by announcing he was stepping down early as leader of the world’s largest country. It was a typically dramatic move from a politician whose career was marked by grand gestures and surprises that opponents and left the outside world gaping. By quitting now, he virtually guaranteed that Mr Putin would be chosen President in an election expected on March 26. He simultaneously relieved many western politicians — and potential investors — by bringing forward the transfer of power. "He took this step at the right time and at the same time absolutely unexpectedly," said Boris Nemtsov, a young reformer once touted as a possible successor to Mr Yeltsin. "He arrived on the scene beautifully and left beautifully, too." World reaction to Putin positive but guarded. At 47, his youth and vigour impress but little is known about his views beyond sweeping remarks about adhering to market reforms and his uncompromising stance on the military campaign against rebel Chechnya. The war there carried on without pause. US officials and others were encouraged by Mr Putin’s vow to uphold democratic freedoms and keep foreign policy on track. "These things are all to the good and what we see to see now is what actually happens in practice," a senior US official said in Washington. "I would not expect there to be major change in policy." Some western officials expressed reservations about Mr Putin’s tough line on security — he has pledged to preserve and enhance Russia’s intelligence community — and urged him to end the war against Chechen rebels and so ease civilians’ suffering. The campaign has ground on for three months and the regional capital Grozny is still not fully under the control of Russian forces. But the war remains popular with the Russian public, giving Mr Putin what seems to be an unassailable rating. But that could still change if Russia’s losses mount and its forces get bogged down. Add to that relatively favourable but fickle economic indicators, including high world oil prices, and it is clear why an election in March is better than one in June. Yeltsin may visit holy land with Putin On the world stage, Mr Putin’s first foreign trip as acting President is expected to be to the holy land to mark the first Orthodox Christmas of the new millennium on January 6-7. In what could be an unprecedented gesture, Mr Yeltsin may travel with Mr Putin, effectively according the ex-President the kind of status enjoyed by retired US heads of state. Crucially, one of Mr Putin’s first acts as interim president was to issue a decree guaranteeing Mr Yeltsin and his family protection from prosecution — a hot political issue given opposition charges of corruption in the Kremlin and among Mr Yeltsin’s entourage, known as "the family". Mr Yeltsin handed control of Russia’s huge nuclear arsenal to Mr Putin by giving him the briefcase with the codes to launch missiles — the ultimate symbol of Kremlin power. He then donned his long winter coat, waved goodbye to an empty Kremlin courtyard and drove off to his country residence. "Russia must go into the next millennium with new politicians, with new faces, with new clever, strong, energetic people," he said. "But we who have already been in power for many years, we must leave." (REUTERS) |
|
World nuclear plants Y2K safe: US WASHINGTON, Jan 1: US Energy Secretary Bill Richardson has said nuclear facilities in Russia and the rest of the world had apparently passed the year 2000 threshold safely with no computer glitches. "So far, 311 out of 434 nuclear power plants in the world have successfully rolled over. Twenty-nine Russian nuclear power plants have successfully rolled over, along with its nuclear defence complex," Mr Richardson said yesterday. The Ukraine, which is home to the Chernobyl nuclear facility, also recorded no problems with its nuclear systems, Mr Richardson said. The Chernobyl nuclear plant was the site of a deadly explosion in 1986 that killed scores, and sent radiation across many areas of Europe. Earlier in the day, Russian Minister of Atomic Energy Yevgeniy Adamov, via a video link-up with Mr Richardson in Washington, said Russian, Ukrainian, Armenian and Lithuanian nuclear power plants and related defence facilities, were safely operating. "All major nuclear power plants, all defence enterprises, have passed the rollover successfully," Mr Adamov said. In Japan, Mr Richardson said, the Shika nuclear facility had been shut down because of a backup system failure that may be related to Y2K malfunctions. In the United States, three commercial reactors have gone "off-line" in the previous 2 hours, but none were readily blamed on Y2K and power service was not impacted. The plants were the Catawba facility in South Carolina, the vogtle plant in Georgia and the limerink plant near Philadelphia, the DOE said. Overall, Mr Richardson said energy-related Y2K problems have not caused power outages anywhere in time zones that have already entered the new year. "There were no Y2K-related power outages in any of the countries which have rolled over," Mr Richardson said. The United States is home to 103 operating commercial nuclear power plants. (REUTERS) |
|
US wants hijackers of Indian aircraft brought to justice WASHINGTON, Jan 1: The United States has appreciated India’s handling of the hijack crisis and said that no effort should be spared in bringing those behind the act to justice while pledging its support to India in fighting terrorism. We are gratified that the hijacking was resolved with no additional loss of life, State Department Spokesman James Foley told reporters last night. He said we were in close touch with the Indian Government during the hijacking of the Indian Airlines plane and were impressed by the tireless efforts of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh and other Indian officials to resolve the incident. However, he said the release of the hostages was not the end of the matter. We will work with other Governments to see that those responsible are brought to justice. He said Washington condemned this horrific and inhuman act, adding, all parties to the relevant international convention on aircraft hijacking are obliged to prosecute or extradite those who committed this hijacking and the murder of one person during the course of it. This should be our highest priority in the days ahead. Foley said Washington would continue to work with New Delhi to strengthen cooperation to combat international terrorism. (PTI) |
|
Queen elizabeth joins new year party LONDON, Jan 1: They reworked "god save the queen" into a blues number and let their hair down today at Britain’s showpiece party of the century. With a television audience of one billion watching, Queen Elizabeth joined hands with Prime Minister Tony Blair to sing Auld Lang Syne as the British forgot their stiff upper lips to see in the new millennium in spectacular style. All reserve was abandoned as 10,000 revellers ended a breatt taking show at London’s millennium Dome by launching into a giant Impromptu Conga. Champagne flowed in the gigantic dome — a glorified circus tent 10 times the size of St Paul’s Cathedral. With trapeze artists flying through the air and hundreds of dancers swirling across the stage, the Dome turned into an instant Brazil-style carnival. Snow even cascaded down from the roof after midnight from a panoply of snow and wind machines. Singer Ruby Turner turned Britain’s much revered national anthem into a bluesy revival number. Choirs then took "god save the queen" into double time. It had never sounded like that before. The youngest guest was just 42 days old — Londoner Eleanor Douglas. There were 32 people celebrating their birthdays, including three sets of twins. Contrasts abounded. Voices soared from the London gay men’s chorus to the Royal School of Church Music Millennium Youth Choir. The beatles were honoured as the pop stars of the 20th century with thousands joining in to "all you need is love". Just 24 hours after the near-fatal knife attack on former beatle George Garrison, it was a poignant and bitterswee moment. But amid all the euphoria of a showbusiness spectacular to equal hollywood’s finest, there were genuinely reflective periods in mid extravaganza. The archbishop of Canterbury, spiritual leader of 70 million Anglicans around the world, was joined in prayer by 11-year-old Joanne Metcalfe who said: "Lord thank you for this beautiful world you have given us. Help us to care for it and to keep it safe for those who will come after us." It was left to the children to put into simple words the hopes of so many at the dawning of a new millennium. After joining the queen for the official opening of the dome, nine-year-old Jade Moulla said: "The millennium means a new future for me and everyone else. Everyone should live with dignity. The future is ours." (REUTERS) |
|
Bangladesh President calls people to unite DHAKA, Jan 1: Bangladesh President Shahhabuddin Ahmed today called upon people to rise above individual interests even as opposition alliance boycotted the first Parliament session of the new millennium and called a fresh shutdown on January 3. Apparently hinting at the standoff between the Government and the opposition, in his speech at Parliament house, Ahmed said, I appeal to all to come forward giving up personal or political interst for the sake of greater national interest. He said this was necessary to fulfill the dream of country’s founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to turn the country into a land of gold and to present before the new generation a prosperous and peaceful nation. Millennium’s first session of the 330-member Parliament was adjourned after the President’s new year speech and it would resume after Eid festival on January 12. The session was boycotted by the opposition headed by former Premier Begum Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Speaker Humayaun Rashid Chowdhary’s call to oppostion to join the Parliament was rejected. Meanwhile, top opposition leaders decided to call another shutdown on January 3. They said the strike would be enforced for seven hours only in view of holy month of Ramadan. (PTI) |
|
Russia to miss deadline for destroying chemical arms UNITED NATIONS, Jan 1: The Russian Federation, battling a severe cash crisis, is unable to finance the planned destruction of some 40,000 tonnes of stock-piled chemical weapons, says the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). OPCW director-general Jose Bustani warns that, unless the international community comes up with the necessary funds the Russian stockpile will remain beyond the deadline of April 2007 when all of chemical weapons are due to be destroyed. The United States, on the other hand, is spending between 15-17 billion dollars to destroy about 31,000 tonnes of its chemical weapons stockpile, says Mr Bustani. The Russian programme is expected to cost less because the chemical agents are to be diluted or neutralised, and mostly dumped into landfills. Mr Bustani says the destruction of the Russian weapons is "a major challenge not only for the Russian Federation but also for the OPCW and the international community." According to Mr Bustani, more than eight million chemical munitions have been declared worldwide. The chemical weapons convention requires that all of them be destroyed by April 2007. The key to achieving this target will be the effective implementation of a chemical weapons destruction programme within Russia, Mr Bustani says. "It is now clear that, as a result of the continuing economic difficulties experienced by Russia, the destruction of Russian chemical weapons stockpiles will definitely require a considerable financial effort on a global scale," he notes. Last year both the US and the 15-member European Union agreed to provide some of the financing for the destruct on of Russian chemical weapons. But this money has not been forthcoming. Mr Bustani says that, since the chemical weapons convention came into force in April 1997 the Hague-based OPCW has conducted 561 inspections in 31 countries. He also points out that 60 chemical weapons production facilities have been declared inactive while 14 production facilities have been certified as destroyed while five have been approved for conversion to use for other purposes. OPCW inspectors also have monitored the destruction of about 3,500 tonnes of chemical agents are almost one million chemical munitions. Mr Bustani says this is a major achievement for an organisation which began its inspection programmes in June 1997. "There is no room for complacency, however, as we are still dealing with the tip of the iceberg, as far as the destruction of chemicals weapons is concerned," he adds. Although under the rules of the convention he cannot identify any countries by name, Mr Bustani says that nearly 1,000 facilities have been declared as dealing with "dual use" chemicals while 3,500 plants sites have been declared "discrete" organic chemical production facilities. These plant sites are considered important because, although they were built to meet legitimate commercial needs, the very nature of their design makes it possible for them to be rapidly reconfigured to produce either chemical weapons or their precursors. Moreover, they can be found in almost every country in the world and all of them represents an enormous verification task for the OPCW, Mr Bustani says. Currently, Russia and the US are the world’s two largest possessors of chemical weapons. (IPS) |
|
