Harness space technology for global peace: Vajpayee

NEW DELHI, Nov 18 : Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today asked the world nations to develop space applications for global peace and security and not for launching an arms race and called for widest possible global cooperation to reap the vast benefits of space.

Space must become the newest frontier, not for an arms race, but for humankind’s collaborative and common race for development, Vajpayee said inaugurating the Second Ministerial Conference on Space Applications for Sustainable Development in the Asia-Pacific region here.

India was prepared to offer its robust and versatile space facilities to the countries in the region and work jointly towards achieving a sustainable living for the people in this region, both through bilateral and multilateral arrangements, he said.

Pointing out that space belongs to all of us, he said only through the widest possible global cooperation can we realise its vast potential gains. Technology denials and other such negative practices are an anathema to space research and application for sustainable development.

We are prepared to contribute more to the Regional Space Applications Programme for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific (RESAP), launched in 1994 at the First Ministerial Conference of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP) in Beijing, he said.

Space technology should be used to address issues of food, public health, family welfare, education, agriculture and environment, and promote business, industry and other services in the region, Vajpayee said.

It should be used to jointly manage natural disasters that frequent the region and to further employment avenues. As water scarcity was fast emerging as a major problem in most countries, space technology should be harnessed for better water management, he said.

We must use our satellite networks in the best possible way so that every country in the region has the most comprehensive early warning (for disasters) available to it, irrespective of whether it has its own satellites or not, he said.

High cost of space research made it necessary for nations to pool their scientific, technological and other resources for common benefit, the Prime Minister said.

New satellite and internet technologies would make high-speed multimedia communication cheaper, easier and universally accesssible, which should be used to promote business and services in the region which has access to about 1700 satellite transponders, he said.

Benefits of space technology should increasingly reach farmers and disadvantaged groups like rural women, unskilled workers and people in remote and hilly areas, he said.

Apart from its use in enriching art, language and tradition, space technology could also help build mutual respect and understanding among different cultures and countries, Vajpayee said.

Space technology should be used to find practical solutions to the problems of the underprivileged, Union Science Minister Murli Manohar Joshi said in his welcome address.

Strategy should, however, be chalked out to recover costs of services from the beneficiaries to make space technology commercially viable, he said.

Twenty Ministers from 21 nations in the region are participating in the Ministerial Conference that was preceded by a three-day senior officials meeting here. About 180 participants from 35 countries in the region and six inter-governmental organisations attended a concurrent science symposia.

The conference, organised by ESCAP will help policy planners and decision makers to develop space development programmes at regional levels.

The Ministerial Conference follows the third UN conference on peaceful uses and exploration of outer space in Vienna in July. (PTI)

Benazir, Sharif’s pol career at stake

ISLAMABAD, Nov 18 : As the Pakistani Military ruler sets into motion its accountability process through a special law the political careers of two premiers, who ruled the country for an interregnum period of eleven years between two Army regimes, are at stake.

Both Nawaz Sharif, whose 32 month old Government was toppled in an Army coup by Gen Pervez Musharraf last month, and Benazir Bhutto, who is now in abroad in self-exile, face disqualification for 21 years under the new law while Sharif even faces a death sentence for his role during the dramatic events of October 12.

Gen Musharraf, who had vowed to cleanse the country of corruption and bring true democracy, gave clear hints of his intention through a new accountability law which was brought into force through an Ordinance promulgated yesterday.

The new law, which has a retrospective effect from 1985, not only provides for jail sentence for offences like corruption, corrupt practice and defaulting on bank loans but also disqualification from public offices for a period of 21 years.

The authorities also announced that both Sharif and Benazir comes within the purview of the new law as for the first time Bhutto, who is out of country since April this year, was declared a proclaimed offender in an official statement issued by the Secretariat of the Chief Executive Gen Musharraf.

The statement also termed Sharif as, defaulter and wanted in accountability cases by saying, some of the persons who are defaulters or wanted in accountability cases were already under detention and goes on to name the ousted premier among others.

Sharif had been taken into coustody by the military authorities after the army coup on October 12 and has now been handed over to Karachi police in connection with a criminal case involving Sharif’s alleged role in the attempted hijacking of a PIA plane in which Gen Musharraf was travelling along with 200 others.

The two times former premier may even face death sentence if the charges were proved against him but even if he gets away with it he may face the accountability law and possible jail and disqualification for 21 years.

On the other hand Benazir, who has also been twice premier of the country during the eleven years of democracy, is also being wanted by the military authorities under the accountability law.

The official statement yesterday said, Benazir Bhutto, wanted in a number of cases, is a proclaimed offender and outside the country, thus clearly indicating the kind of treatment she is expected to receive if she decides to return to the country.

Bhutto has never returned to Pakistan after she was convicted alongwith her husband Asif Ali Zardari by the Lahore High Court in a corruption case and was sentecned to five year in jail. Zardari is already in jail facing another case involving his alleged role in the murder of Bhutto’s brother Murtaza Bhutto.(TI)

Three brothers among 6 injured in Latti blast

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Nov 18: Six persons including three brothers and two minor children were injured, four of them seriously, when a powerful bomb exploded in a provision store at Latti town in this district today morning.

The blast occurred at 0830 hours just few minutes after the shop was opened by the brothers. The shop was rattled with the impact of explosion and damaged badly.

Official sources said the bomb, whose nature was yet to be ascertained, had been planted under a table kept in the shop. It was suspected that explosive device was planted by the saboteur who came to the shop in the guise of a customer and escaped.

Three brothers—Kasturi Lal Gupta, a lecturer in Latti higher secondary school, Krishan Chand and Kaka Ram, who owned the shop were among the injured as all of them were sitting in the shop in the morning. Besides Nikhil Gupta and Sahil Gupta, both brothers and minor sons of Kasturi Lal Gupta and Chuni Lal, a servant were also wounded in the powerful blast.

The shop was blown up with the impact of explosion and damaged extensively.

A police party from Latti police post rushed to the spot after getting a report and shifted the injured to a local health centre. Later, the seriously injured Nikhil Gupta, Sahil Gupta, Kasturi Lal Gupta and Chuni Lal were airlifted to Medical College hospital in Jammu while Krishan Chand was brought to district hospital here by road. Kaka Ram had sustained minor wounds.

Police parties carried out searches in Latti and adjoining areas but couldn’t get the militants. Investigations were being carried out in the blast and efforts were on to identify the culprits, the sources said, adding no breakthrough has been made so far.

The hand of some local militants was suspected behind the explosion, they said and pointed out that Hizbul Mujahideen’s Farooq Ansari group was mainly responsible for the subversive activities in upper reaches of Udhampur district.

The blast triggered a wave of panic among the villagers. Sources said more police and para-military force were being dispatched to Latti from the district headquarters to carry out searches for the militant groups.

Our Jammu correspondent adds: Minister of Industries and Commerce Mr Bodh Raj Bali visited the Government Medical College hospital this afternoon and inquired the condition of persons injured in Latti explosion.

Mr Bali directed the doctors attending the injured persons to ensure all necessary medical treatment to the blast victims for their early recovery. He said in case of any emergency, the injured may be referred to outside the State for proper treatment. He expressed sympathies with the families of injured persons. The Minister was accompanied by NC leader Mr Rattan Lal Gupta, Advocate.

In Udhampur, Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Mr Ravi Malgooria and Congress (I) leaders Mr Krishan Chand Bhagat and Mr Rajesh Kumar condemned the blast and demanded immediate arrest of the militants.

In another incident in Udhampur, a middle-aged man Parkash was arrested by the police from Majalta when he attempted to rape a widow Sita Devi.

About 400 court arrest
Cong organises massive protest against power, water crisis

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 18: About four hundred Congress workers, included PCC chief and two MLAs, were arrested while they were marching towards Civil Secretariat of lodge protest against failure of State Government to provide basic amenities to the people.

The demonstration was organised by the J&K Pradesh Congress Committee against anti-people policies of both State and Central Governments and to focus attention of the authorities towards the burning problems of the people.

Earlier, a large number of Congress workers from different areas gathered at party headquarters at Shadidi Chowk and staged a dharna there which was later turned into a rally.

Addressing the workers, J&K Pradesh Congress Committee chief, Chowdhary Mohammed Aslam criticised the State Government for its total failure to solve problems of the people. He regretted that, braving militants’ bullets, people of the State had voted NC to power with a hope that elected Government would solve their woes but miseries of the masses increased manifold during the last three years. "Instead of mitigating miseries of the militancy affected people, Ministers and leaders of the National Conference have been indulging in making money by all wrong means", he alleged, adding, " corruption has been legitimised during the regime of Farooq Abdullah as every one is involved in this manace.

Highlighting woes of the masses, Mr Aslam said that National Conference Government completely failed to provide clean drinking water and uninterrupted power to the people. He regretted that during the last three years number of unemployeds have increased.

Contesting Government claims of providing jobs to 26,000 unemployed youth, PCC chief alleged that genuine unemployeds were ignored while kith and kin of National Conference leaders were adjusted in Government jobs. He further alleged that Ministers and other senior NC leaders have auctioned Government jobs through their touts and agents.

Criticising State Government for raising hue and cry over, what he called, artificial financial crunch, Mr Aslam said that adequate funds were released but all the funds meant for development and other welfare activities have been pocketed by the National Conference leaders.

Coming down heavily on Bharatiya Janata Party for entering into an ‘unholy’ alliance with NC just for the lust of power, PCC chief accused the former of maintaining a criminal silence on the anti-people and anti-poor policies of the State Government. "Power lust has forced the BJP to put a deaf ear and blind eye towards all mis-deeds of the National Conference Government", he said and expressed surprise over criminal silence of BJP leaders on the problems of the Jammuities.

PCC chief made it clear that Congress would not tolerate anti-people policies of both State and Central Governments and opposed all anti-poor policies tooth and nail.

Shouting slogans against both State and Central Governments Congress workers started march towards Civil Secretariat. Before the procession reached Shalamar Chowk it passed through Residency Road, Raghunath Bazar and City Chowk. After staging a dharna at Shalamar Chowk for quite some time, slogan shouting workers marched towards Civil Secretariat. They were allowed to cross Ranbereshwar Chowk by the heavy contingent of policy which was deployed to stop the procession. Under the leadership of Chowdhary Mohammed Aslam large number of Congress workers violated the prohibition order and court arrested.

Prominent who were arrested included Chowdhary Aslam, Dharam Pal Sharma, Pardhuman Singh, Ashok Sharma, MLA, Tara Chand, MLA, Lal Singh, MLA, Balbir Singh, MLA, Balwan Singh, Madan Lal, Raman Bhalla, Ashwani Sharma, Shiv Dev Singh, Rafiq Sadiq, Yogesh Sawhney, Lal Muni Sharma, Mula Ram, Krishana Subedarni, Kanta Bhan, Raj Bakshi, Lalita Sharma, Chander Prabha Sharma, Sanjay Sawhney, Ashwani Puri and many other workers of the party.

Arrested persons were later released.

Two tourists killed, 4 injured in Sanasar mishap

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 18: Two tourists were killed and four others were injured when a truck, they were travelling in, skidded off the road and went 100 feet down into a gorge at tourist resort of Sanasar near Patnitop late last evening.

Police said a truck No. 5819 JKQ was on way back from Sanasar to Jammu when the truck driver failed to negotiate a blind curve. The truck jumped down 100 feet deep into a gorge killing two tourists on the spot and wounding four others including two tourists, a truck driver and conductor.

The deceased have been identified as Shalin Malhotra and Maruti Singh son of R A Singh, both residents of Indira Colony, Lucknow. The injured include Akshay Thakur son of Col A K Thakur and Anit Malhotra, both residents of Indira Colony Lucknow, Des Raj of Udhampur, driver of the truck and Kaka Ram of Chanderkoot, Ramban, conductor of the truck.

Police said a rescue party shifted the victims to Doda hospital where two of them were declared dead. Four injured were admitted in the Batote hospital where their condition was stated to be stable.

Meanwhile, six persons were injured in separate road accidents on Jammu-Pathankot National Highway while as a youth made an abortive attempt to end his life.

According to police reports, a scooterist and two pillion riders sustained critical injuries when their scooter was hit by negligently driven Maruti car at Bari Barahamana this afternoon. Some passers-by immediately rushed to the spot and shifted the injured to Government Medical College Hospital where their condition was stated to be critical.

They have been identified as Dev Dutt son of Puran Chand of Krishan Nagar, Ram Singh son of Raghubir Singh of Paloura and Nanak Chand son of Krishan Kumar of Canal Road.

Police have registered a case in this connection and apprehended the Maruti driver on charge of rash and negligent driving.

In another road accident, two persons were injured when they were hit by speeding matador at Vijaypur. Both the injured were reportedly crossing the road when they were knocked down by the matador. They were shifted to hospital. Their condition was stated to be serious.

They have been identified as Sunita Devi daughter of Manohar Lal and Kanta Devi wife of Sansar Chand, both the residents of Vijaypur.

In a bid to end his life, a youth consumed some poisonous drug at his residence and fell unconscious. Identified as Pawan Kumar son of Krishan Lal of Reasi was shifted to local hospital by family members where doctors referred him to GMC Hospital in view of his deteriorating condition. Doctors attending him stated his condition as critical.

The cause behind this extreme step is yet to be ascertained.

===========

Farooq’s ultimatum to Delhi has worked
Centre may to wave off a portion of loan to J&K

From B L Kak

NEW DELHI, Nov 18: The Government of India has indicated to Dr Farooq Abdullah its intention to wave off Rs 1250 crore loan to Jammu and Kashmir. Although a final decision in this regard is unlikely in the immediate future, the J&K Chief Minister has, at last, been officially told that Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, is keen on early settlement of the differences over the financial assistance to Jammu and Kashmir and Rs 200 crore will be waived off immediately.

The Union Finance Minister, Mr Yashwant Sinha, and the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Mr KC Pant, have, following their separate sessions with Mr Vajpayee, conveyed to Dr Farooq Abdullah the Centre’s intention to reduce his "burden" by way of waving off Rs 1250 crore loan to his State. In fact, Mr Yashwant Sinha informed Dr Farooq that the Centre would make "immediate" arrangements for the flow of additional financial assistance to the State for various security-related expenses.

Even as the J&K Chief Minister was assured by Mr LK Advani that the Centre would not let down the State Government and that New Delhi would take care of Kashmir’s security and financial needs, the exact details with regard to additional funds for J&K were not divulged, obviously because of the "need" for further consultations between the Union Finance Ministry and the Planning Commission.

The Government’s re-structured Kashmir line has, obviously, been the product of the J&K Chief Minister, Dr Farooq’s threat to resign in the event of the Centre’s unwilllingness to immediately meet his State’s security and financial needs.

The Home Minister, Mr LK Advani, who directly handles Jammu and Kashmir, the Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes, and the Finance Minister, Mr Yashwant Sinha, appeared of the opinion that Dr Abdullah was quite unlikely to translate his threat into action. But, at the same time, these three Ministers were set thinking anew when the J&K Chief Minister, whose National Conference party is part of the BJP-led Government at the Centre, warned that repercussions in Jammu and Kashmir would be unpleasant if the Centre "does not immediately come to the rescue of the cash-starved State".

Significantly, Dr Farooq Abdullah’s warning found a forceful expression at the high-level meeting on Kashmir, which was convened in Delhi by Mr Advani on Wednesday. Insiders told EXCELSIOR that Dr Farooq created a breeze, on more than one occasion, during the meeting in the North Block, with his adverse comments on the Centre’s indifferent attitude towards the prevailing financial crisis in Jammu and Kashmir.

Dr Farooq took Mr Advani and Mr Fernandes by surprise when he made a passing reference to the lack of better liaison between various security agencies in J&K and warned that things would further deteriorate if the Centre did not immediately review the security network in the State.

Heads of paramilitary organisations, present at the meeting, unexpectedly appeared willing to appreciate Dr Farooq’s call-a-spade-a-spade style while airing his views on the "wounds" caused by the decade-old militancy, on Delhi’s far-from-encouraging attitude towards Kashmir’s financial and security needs and on the far-from-effective liaison between all the security-related agencies in J&K.

Chief of a particular paramilitary organisation said in an informal chat, at the end of the meeting, that he could have also adopted call-a-spade-a-spade choice of operations to tell Dr Farooq that "all is not well within his Government and political organisation", but because of the "directive from the top" calling for the display of tremendous patience "we simply heard the J&K Chief Minister".

According to another top Government source, in his separate meetings with Mr Advani and Mr George Fernandes, Dr Farooq was counselled to avoid raking up emotive issues such as ‘greater autonomy’ to Kashmir at a time when the anti-India lobby, aided and abetted by sources from across the border, appeared keen on increasing the level of terrorist violence and spreading disaffection against India in various parts of Jammu and Kashmir.

Dr Farooq has also been told that he should not expect "immediate" response from the Centre to the recommendations or proposals in the report prepared by the J&K Government on autonomy for the State. Reason: Government of India has not so far received a copy of the report, although Dr Farooq told Mr Advani that the report had already been submitted to the Union Government.

Another factor, which will prevent the powers-that-be from acting upon the autonomy report, relates to the Centre’s plan not to act without consulting Parliament. Dr Farooq has been apprised of such a requirement. It was, apparently, in this context that Dr Farooq had to instruct his Chief Secretary, Mr Ashok Jaitly, to ensure that a copy of the report on autonomy was submitted to the Union Government "immediately".

Sharif not produced before court

ISLAMABAD, Nov 18 : Pakistan’s deposed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who was flown to Karachi to stand trial for charges of treason and hijacking, was not produced before the anti-terrorism court today and the court adjourned the hearing of the case till Saturday.

The Special Court hearing the case against Sharif and others started its hearing today by examining witnesses in the case as the four co-accused of Sharif were produced before Justice Rehmat Hussain Jaffrey, the Government controlled Pakistan Television (PTV) said.

However, the court did not pass any order due to lack of time and adjourned the hearing till Saturday, PTV said.

The television also said that Sharif was formally arrested last night after over a month-long detention following the October 12 bloodless coup and handed over to Karachi police this morning by the military authorities. The four co-accused of Sharif who had earlier been produced before the court include Sharif’s former Adviser on Sindh affairs Syed Ghaus Ali Ahah, former Chairman of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, former Director-General of Civil Aviation Authority Aminullah Choudhury and former IG of Sindh Rana Maqbool.

The Court during today’s hearing examined three witnesses which included the captain of the PIA plane Sarwar Hussain, an officer of the Civil Aviation Authority Manzoor Ahmed and former IG of Karachi Md Akbar.

Sharif and others have been charged of treason, attempt to murder and hijacking by refusing permission to a PIA plane from Colombo to land at the Karachi Airport on October 12.

The Army Chief General Pervez Musharraf along with nearly 200 passengers was travelling on the plane which landed only after the Army took control of the airport with barely 10 minutes of fuel left.

The shifting of Sharif to Karachi had raised speculations that he may be produced before the court today, but it is now expected that he may be brought before the court on Saturday. (PTI)

Basu to continue as CM, will have Dy CM

NEW DELHI, Nov 18: CPI(M) today put an end to all speculation about Jyoti Basu’s retirement from active politics by asking him to continue as West Bengal Chief Minister and the veteran Marxist accepted the party’s decision to lessen his burden by creating the post of a Deputy Chief Minister.

What can be done? I have to listen to my party. I will continue till my health permits, said the octogenerian leader when reporters sought his reaction on the issue.

Asked who will be the new Deputy Chief Minister, Basu said the party will decide.

CPI(M) polit bureau, which began its two-day meeting this morning, decided to create the post of Deputy Chief Minister to lessen the burden on the 86-year old leader in discharging responsibilities as Chief Minister, a post he has held for over 22 years.

However, keeping in mind the complex political situation and his vast political and administrative experience, the polit bureau felt his services are still required and therefore requested him to continue with his responsibility, a party release said.

Party general secretary H S Surjeet said CPI(M) was concerned about his health and had decided to reduce his burden.

The polit bureau also said it was approaching the West Bengal secretariat of the party to take necessary steps for creation of the Deputy Chief Minister’s post.

Anil Biswas, the state unit general secretary and a polit bureau member, said the party’s secretariat would meet in Calcutta next Friday to take a decision on the new post. (PTI)

Haq appointed Director PGF

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 18: Even as Jaikishen Zutshi was still mourning the death of his father at home, Directorate General of Doordarshan modified its earlier order and appointed Mr Mazoor-ul-Haq as the incharge head of Programme Generating Facility (PGF) Jammu.

Three months ago, Manzoor-ul-Haq had been transferred from PGF Jammu to Doordarshan Kendra Jalandhar as a Deputy Director of Programmes (DDP). Consequently, Mr Jaikishen Zutshi was appointed as the incharge Director of PGF. However, Haq proceeded on leave in protest and refused to join at Jalandhar.

Meanwhile, sources said that the new Information and Broadcasting Minister Mr Arun Jaitly and the Prasar Bharati Chief Executive Officer Mr RR Shah had begun an exercise to refurbish the entire system of Doordarshan and Akashvani in north India, particularly in the sensitive border state of Jammu and Kashmir.

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