Nepal has nearly one million mobile phone users

KATHMANDU, Dec 15: The number of mobile phone users in Nepal is about to cross the one million mark, according to the country’s largest telecom operator.

There are presently 936,482 mobile phone subscribers in Nepal, out of which 117,208 are post paid cell phone users, according to a latest data published by state-owned Nepal Telecom.

The company has so far distributed 528,756 fixed line phones including public switched telephone networks (PSTN), it said.

The United Telecom Limited (UTL), an Indo-Nepal joint venture, has issued 52,855 lines operating on wireless local loop (WLL) technology.

Cell phone users spends on an average USD 5.20 per month, while a fixed phone subscriber spends around USD 13.25, according to the data by Nepal Telecom.

Of the total 3,914 village development committees across the country 1,886 VDCs still do not have access to basic telephone service. Besides Nepal Telcom, Spice Nepal, a private company is also providing mobile phone services. (PTI)

Tiger supremo says Balasingham was best friend

COLOMBO, Dec 15: Sri Lanka’s top Tamil Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran today described his chief peace negotiator Anton Balasingham, who died in London yesterday, as his best friend and source of energy while conferring upon him a posthumous title.

Balasingham, 68, died of bile duct cancer and his funeral is due to be conducted in London.

"A source of unwavering strength in the political and diplomatic efforts of our freedom movement, and the light of our nation is extinguished," Prabhakaran, 52, said.

"His death comes at a time when we needed him most, as our freedom struggle intensifies. I cannot find words to express my grief and loss," Prabhakaran said suggesting that there could be an intensification of conflict.

Balasingham first met Prabhakaran in Tamil Nadu in the late 1970s and since then they had been close associates.

"From the beginning of our struggle, when we first met, there was a deep mutual understanding. The fondness that rose from that understanding developed into a rare friendship. We thought and acted in unison. Our friendship grew in strength through our shared day-to-day experiences.

"This friendship stands apart from ordinary human relationships. It matured with time and was shaped by our shared history," Prabhakaran said.

Prabhakaran conferred the title of "Voice of the Nation" on Balasingham who had been the chief peace negotiator of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) since 1985.

"I was deeply fond of Bala Annai. In the great family that is our movement he was its eldest son and its guiding star for three decades. That is how I looked up to him," Prabhakaran said in his eulogy.

Analysis and diplomats said Balasingham was a moderate within the LTTE and was flexible and could have helped a political deal to end the island’s drawn out Tamil separatist conflict.

There was no immediate replacement for Balasingham named by the Tigers. (PTI)

Diana report should quiet conspiracy theorists: British press

LONDON, Dec 15: Following the publication of a long-awaited report into the death of Princess Diana in a 1997 car crash, the British press today hoped it had provided enough information to quieten relentless conspiracy theorists.

The report, which concluded Diana’s death was a "tragic accident", dismissed theories that it was a murder plot by British intelligence.

It was immediately condemned by Mohammed Al-Fayed, the father of Diana’s boyfriend Dodi, who also died in the crash, who described it as a "cover up" and renewed his accusations that the British establishment organised it to prevent Diana marrying a Muslim.

Harrods owner Mohammed Al-Fayed, however, bore the wrath of the editorial pages of British newspapers for his relentless campaigning.

The Sun tabloid, Britain’s best-read daily, wrote in its "The Sun Says" editorial page: "Princess Diana’s death in Paris was a catastrophic waste of a young life."

"But she was NOT pregnant. She was NOT engaged. She was NOT assassinated by MI6 (Britain’s foreign secret service) -- or anyone else."

"These claims should be dismissed as the deluded ravings of a man driven mad by grief for his son. But Prince William and Prince Harry lost their mother too."

The Daily Mirror tabloid voiced similar, if less forgiving, sentiments in its editorial page, when it wrote that the "conspiracy theorists who claim she was assassinated by secret service agents, or that aliens in a space ship were responsible should in future keep their mad ramblings to themselves."

The editorial pages of The Guardian echoed those views, declaring that "reading between the lines-and even on the face of parts of the report-it is clear that the findings are totally devastating to any remaining credibility claimed by Mr Al-Fayed".

"There is only one conspiracy in this long-dragged out tale. Mr Al-Fayed has been indulged in it long enough. His behaviour has been monstrous. He must move on and shut up."

The Daily Telegraph, meanwhile, said that Al-Fayed’s "understandable grief over the loss of his son should not be permitted to generate endless malign suspicion."

"For the sake of the two bereaved princes, this inquiry and the public inquest to come must be allowed to put the matter to rest."

The Times was less harsh on Al-Fayed, but carried on along the same theme: "This is not, sadly, likely to be the last word on this subject. Conspiracy theorists will always find a new angle or avenue."

"But with the publication of this vast tome and the official inquests early next year, all rational people should pay their final respects to those who died, and move on."

The Independent, however, stood out, for supporting a sceptical attitude toward the report, and the death in general, noting that it "can be a healthy instinct." (AGENCIES)

Luxury car maker rolls out big plans for India, China

HONG KONG, Dec 15: China and India are expected to form the thrust of super-luxury car marque Rolls-Royce's expansion plans in the next few years, chairman and chief executive Ian Robertson has revealed.

In an exclusive interview with AFP, Robertson said China had become the company's third-largest market in the past year and India was likely to close the gap soon.

He said China's four successful dealerships would be complemented with three more in the new year, while India -- which recently witnessed a return of the brand after a 50-year absence -- would see another outlet open in 2007.

"Growth in Greater China is unique, it's very special," said Robertson, in Hong Kong for the unveiling of a 14-strong fleet of Rolls-Royce Phantoms that will ferry guests of the famous Peninsula Hotel around the city.

"We've seen 60 per cent growth there this year -- it has overtaken Japan as our biggest Asian market," he added.

"Usually 5 per cent either way means the difference between a great year and a not so great year in other markets; that gives you some indication of how big China has become."

For Rolls-Royce, Greater China encompasses Hong Kong, which in the 1990s laid claim to owning the highest per-capita number of the luxury cars.

Robertson said that title was likely to be held now by Los Angeles, which accounted for a third of all cars sold in the US, still Rolls-Royce's biggest market, ahead of Britain.

While, Hong Kong remains an important sales point, the company's three other Chinese dealerships in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Beijing are propelling the country's sales.

Guangzhou, the regional capital of China's wealthy southern industrial heartland, has seen terrific growth.

"At one point last year, sales in Guangzhou were neck and neck with those from our Beverley Hills dealership," said Robertson. "Beverley Hills has since taken the lead again."

Such is the pace of growth among Chinese buyers that the company is to extend its dealerships to Hangzhou, Shenzhen and Chengdu.

Leading the charge is Rolls-Royce's 2003-launched Phantom, the first car to roll off its new Goodwood, southern England production line following the company's acquisition by German auto manufacturer BMW in 1998.

Robertson expected Rolls-Royce to have sold 600 of the cars worldwide by the end of the year, a 16-year record for the former British company.

Among the milestones in the new car's history is the brand's return to India, which had snubbed the car for the majority of the past 50 years.

"After Indian independence Rolls-Royce was not made welcome, along with many other foreign brands," Roberston said.

With the country's recent economic growth has come a liberalisation of trade and Rolls-Royce opened its first Indian dealership in Mumbai last year. Another is planned for the capital New Delhi in 2007.

"We are particularly pleased with the return to India because it is the country we've had our longest relationship with," Robertson said.

"Our return was marked by very strong sales and we are expecting at least double-figure growth in the coming years." (AGENCIES)

Chinese indicted in plot to sell military trade secrets

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, Dec 15: A Chinese engineer was charged with stealing trade secrets from a Silicon Valley company that made military training software and attempting to sell them to Asian Governments.

Xiaodong Sheldon Meng, 42, a Chinese national with Canadian citizenship, was indicted yesterday on 36 felony counts, including the rare charge of economic espionage to benefit a foreign government and various violations of military technology export laws.

Prosecutors say Meng stole the code for software made by his former employer, Quantum3D Inc, that is used to train military fighter pilots, and tried to sell it to the Thai and Malaysian air forces and a company with ties to China's military.

Under US law, anyone attempting to sell such information overseas must first obtain a license from the State Department and is subject to strict regulations. Meng never applied for such a license.

No foreign government or agent was named as a conspirator in the case, and prosecutors declined to discuss whether any of the secrets were sold or whether any foreign officials or agents knew about the alleged scheme.

In economic espionage cases, the law does not require proof of complicity by a foreign government, and investigators often do not know the extent of foreign involvement.

Meng's case marks only the third time in a decade prosecutors have charged someone with economic espionage to benefit a foreign Government, the most serious crime under the Economic Espionage Act of 1996. A conviction carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. (AGENCIES)

Oil prices steady in Asia after gains on OPEC production cuts

SINGAPORE, Dec 15: Oil prices were steady in Asian trade today after sharp overnight gains on news the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries would cut output further to shore up the market, dealers said.

At 10:15 am (0745 IST), New York's main contract, light sweet crude for January delivery, was up four cents to 62.55 US dollars a barrel from New York trade where it had risen 1.14 dollars to 62.51 dollars on the OPEC lead.

Brent North Sea crude for January delivery was steady at 62.12 dollars.

OPEC's decision to cut output by 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) from February showed the oil cartel's resolve to maintain crude prices at 60 dollars and above, dealers said.

"The indication from OPEC is they are determined to defend the 60-dollar price level," said Victor Shum, an analyst with energy consultancy Purvin and Gertz.

OPEC ministers meeting in Nigeria yesterday announced the latest round of production cuts which follows a reduction of 1.2 million bpd from November onwards.

"The market reacted bullishly to OPEC's decision," said Phil Flynn at Alaron Trading. "Some people doubted that it would take the decision and OPEC proved that it is very serious in keeping prices in control."

Flynn said that the decision to start the cuts in February "eased some concerns about cutting into the bulk of winter." (AGENCIES)

PM invites Japanese companies to invest in India

TOKYO, Dec 15: Portraying India as a profitable investment destination which will require fund inflows to the tune of USD 500 billion over the next five years, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today invited Japanese companies to seize the opportunity with an assurance that "all legitimate concerns" of investors are being addressed.

He asked Japanese companies to regain their country's "historic status" of being the most important business partner of India by participating in public-private partnership and outlined various measures undertaken by the government to ease investments, like creating provision for grant assistance through a specially-created 'viability gap funding'.

Addressing Japanese business leaders here, he said India was witnessing high economic growth in which Japan should participate as the economic relations between the two countries presently fall short of potential.

"An economically-resurgent India offers a variety of investment opportunities, both in traditional and new sectors, in labour-intensive and knowledge-based industries," said Singh, who is here on a four-day visit since Wednesday.

He said a government estimate has projected that India needs investment of at least USD 320 billion in the next five years in infrastructure alone and the total investment required would be closer to USD 500 billion.

"This requires public and private, domestic and foreign participation in the sector," he said, adding "we happily welcome foreign investment and seek to promote public-private partnership". (PTI)

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Afghan President launches scathing attack on Pakistan

KABUL, Dec 15: Using sharp language against Pakistan for fomenting terrorism in his country, President Hamid Karzai has made a no-holds barred attack on Islamabad from blood-soaked Kandahar, charging the southern neighbour with seeking to "enslave" Afghanistan.

He also said Pakistan had destroyed Afghanistan’s "national institutions" in the period following the Soviet withdrawal when those who had cooperated in the fight against the former USSR had turned away.

In a 90-minute speech at Kandahar’s Ahmad Shah Baba high school Wednesday, punctuated by frequent applause from hundreds of listeners including a large student body, the President warned Pakistan that Afghanistan was no longer weak.

It had an elected government, he said and also noted that Afghanistan now enjoyed firm international support.

Kandahar in southern Afghanistan, bordering Pakistan, is the President’s hometown which he had not visited for more than a year, setting tongues wagging as it and neighbouring province of Helmand are also the epicentres of Taliban extremist violence rocking the country.

In his speech, Karzai recalled that a series of suicide attacks had rocked the country just before Pakistan foreign minister Khurshid Kasuri visited Kabul last Thursday. This, he said, was a coded message that Afghans should "surrender" to Pakistan, else they will be killed and defeated.

Resorting to nationalist rhetoric, he called on the students to turn the pages of Afghan history. He said Genghis Khan, Alexander, British colonialists and former Soviet Union had not succeeded in gaining control of Afghan soil. "Who do the Pakistanis fancy they are?" he said.

Karzai alleged Pakistan was afraid of a peaceful Afghanistan set on the road to development. To no avail, he said, he had repeatedly pleaded with the leadership in Islamabad that destruction of Afghanistan was in no way in Pakistan’s interest.

Karzai said that it is for the sake of peace that he had given a call for a "peace jirga" with Pakistan’s participation and hoped that the Government there would take positive steps to make the proposed convention a success.

Analysts here see the the Karzai speech as a national mobilisation effort.

As an ‘Afghanistan Times’ editorial said, "Clearly, the President no longer hides his anger behind friendly words about Pakistan and calls upon it to stop interfering in Afghanistan’s affairs."

Significantly, the (tribal or community) "elders", who are deemed important in social life here, of the battle-torn provinces of Kandahar, Helmand, Uruzgan and Zabul, called on Karzai in Kandhar and lent him their support for the "peace jirga" plan.

Also in Kandahar, a day before his angry anti-Pakistan barrage at the school grounds, the President met with NATO commanders and asked them to devise ways in coordination with the government to eliminate civilian casualties. At a press conference later, he took potshots at Pakistan for fanning terrorism in Afghanistan.

Two days before that, in Kabul, Karzai made references to the lives of children being cut short by terrorist violence launched by the "country’s enemies". (PTI)

IL-14 aircraft used by 'Chairman' Mao to be exhibited

BEIJING, Dec 14: Beijing will soon exhibit an IL-14 aircraft, used by late Chinese leader Mao Zedong, which was gifted to him by former Soviet Union leader Joseph Stalin in the 1950s.

The aircraft used by Mao would be transported from Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province, to the new China Civil Aviation Museum in Beijing before the end of the month, Xinhua news agency reported.

Technicians were currently disassembling the aircraft. The aircraft parts would be transported to Beijing in different batches. "The work is likely to take several days," an official said.

The IL-14, which was presented by Stalin to Mao in 1956, is 21.31 meters long, 31.7 meters wide and 7.8 meters high. The 17-seat aircraft can make a non-stop flight of eight hours and 10 minutes.

A bed, a sofa and a desk can be placed inside the cabin.

The IL-14 aircraft family, developed by Soviet Union, was put into use in 1954. China bought 49 IL-14 aircraft starting from 1955 and all these aircraft mainly flew on domestic air routes.

Mao's IL-14 began serving at the Zhongyuan Airline Company, which later merged into the Henan branch of China Southern Airlines, in 1985. The aircraft stopped service in 1992.

Construction of the Beijing-based China Civil Aviation Museum began in 2004 and is expected to go into full use in 2007. The museum has begun collecting items on display.

The museum is built to showcase the development of China's aviation industry and achievements China has made in this sector. (PTI)

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