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Ranil briefs Vajpayee about peace talks with Tigers
New Delhi, June 11 (ANI): Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe met his Indian counterpart Atal Behari Vajpayee in the capital on Tuesday and briefed him about the ongoing peace talks with the rebels. Colombo is due to hold crucial talks with the rebel LTTE, fighting for a separate homeland for the minority Tamils next month. A foreign ministry spokeswoman said Wickremsinghe briefed Vajpayee on measures his government is undertaking to initiate the talks adding that India fully supports him in the endeavour. "He apprised the Indian leadership of the current status of the process to initiate talks to end the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka," Nirupama Rao, foreign ministry spokeswoman, told reporters. "There is a reiteration of our commitment to the unity , sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka and to the restoration of lasting peace through a peaceful negotiated settlement that needs just aspirations of all elements of Sri Lankan society and the government of India remains fully supportive of the measures taken by the Sri Lankan government to take the peace process forward," she added. However, Wickremesinghe, who swept to power last December promising talks, is widely believed to looking for more than just New Delhi's approval of a peace process. Wickremesinghe made clear his intentions to involve India long before the election, but given its messy history of meddling in the 18-year conflict, New Delhi would make an unlikely and reluctant interlocutor. The LTTE sponsored 19-year bloody conflict has claimed more than 64,000 lives and displaced 1.3 million people. LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran is also accused by India of masterminding the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, who was blown up by a woman suicide bomber at an election rally in 1991. India outlawed the LTTE in 1992 and extended that ban by two years last month saying the Tamil Tigers remained a "terrorist" outfit despite an appeal by the guerrillas to forge a new, friendly relationship. Sri Lanka has said it plans to lift its own 1998 ban on the LTTE ahead of the first face-to-face peace talks in seven years expected in Thailand in July. New Delhi's sustained support for the peace process is considered crucial by analysts as India has 62 million Tamil people of its own and the country armed and trained the LTTE in the 1980s. India says it is being "constantly consulted" by Sri Lanka and Norway, which brokered a truce between the Tamil Tigers and Colombo, and is monitoring the process in the build-up to the talks. India has shied away from any involvement in the island's ethnic conflict after it brokered a peace accord in 1987 and sent troops to disarm the Tamil Tigers. The rebels ditched the accord and turned against India, killing more than 1,000 soldiers between 1987 and 1990. Rao said both India and Sri Lanka also reiterated their commitment to end global terrorism. "The two sides have agreed that global terrorism is a threat to international peace and security. They agree that terrorist acts cannot be justified on political, ethnic, religious, social, economic or other grounds. That terrorism is an absolute evil. It's a global scourge that has to be collectively countered," Rao said.(ANI) India firm on extradition of LTTE chief: Jaswant
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to top New Delhi, June 11 (ANI): Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh on Tuesday said that New Delhi was satisfied with the peace process in Sri Lanka but still wanted the extradition of LTTE rebel chief. "India has been entirely and fully supportive of the peace process. We have no reason to be dissatisfied with the progress that has been made so far", Singh told reporters after a meeting with visiting Sri Lankan Prime Minster Ranil Wickremesinghe. When asked whether India would continue to demand the extradition of LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran, as Colombo plans to lift a ban on the rebel group, Singh said that there is no change in India's position. (ANI)
Warships recalled from Arabian Sea Go to top New Delhi, June 11 (ANI): In the latest sign of an easing war tensions between India and Pakistan, five Indian warships have started to sail away from near Pakistani waters, a navy spokesman said on Tuesday. "Ships of the western fleet which were on patrol in different areas of the Arabian Sea have been recalled to their bases and are likely to enter Mumbai shortly", said Commander Rahul Gupta. New Delhi is also planning to name a new High Commissioner to Pakistan to replace the one who was recalled after an attack on Parliament in December. The moves came hours ahead of a visit to the region by US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. (ANI)
Indo-Pak tensions easing: Powell
Go to top New York, June 11 (ANI): U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell has stressed the country's commitment to the Asian region and expressed confidence that tensions over Kashmir were easing. Powell was the guest of honour on Monday (June 10) at the Annual Dinner of New York's "Asia Society" - a non-profit institution dedicated to fostering relations between the Americas and Asia. After his introduction by former US Ambassador to the United Nations, Richard Holbrooke, Powell talked about the latest developments between India and Pakistan over Kashmir. "As we have said to both the Indian and Pakistani leaders, the United States will remain engaged working with the international coalition to find a way forward, to find a way to begin discussions between the two sides, to begin a dialogue. I'm pleased that all sides now see that infiltration across the line of control, attacks across the line of control have changed in terms of intensity. And I also noted today that the radio shelling across the line of control has also abated somewhat. And so, we're pleased that there's progress, but there's still a long way to go and I can just assure you tonight that the United States will remain engaged. President Bush has given this a top priority and instructed us to do everything we can to find a way forward that will lead to stability and peace and not to war." The Secretary of State spoke about the administration's policy towards Asia. He stressed his country's commitment to helping further democratic and economic growth in the region. "Therefore our first goal and highest priority for Asia must be to help create the secure conditions under which freedom can flourish: economic freedom and political freedom. And security first and foremost is essential to economic growth and political freedom. For fifty years, over fifty years, the United States has been the balance wheel of security in Asia. To this day Asia stability depends on our presence and our key alliances with Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Thailand and Australia." Powell addressed several issues ranging from the war on terrorism to China's economic opening. He took the occasion to thank Asian leaders for their support in cracking down on terrorist groups. "Beyond their efforts in Afghanistan, Asian nations are contributing to the global anti-terrorism campaign by tightening their law enforcement, border controls and intelligence cooperation to make it harder for terrorists to move about, to communicate and to plot their evil deeds against us. We also deeply appreciate the efforts of a number of Asian countries to deny funds to terrorist groups that operate under the guise of legitimate businesses or charities," said Powell. One of Powell's main topics was the situation between North and South Korea. The Bush administration expects North Korea to come closer to their southern neighbours by establishing industrial zones, reuniting families, extending the rail link to the south and eliminating long-range missiles. Powell sent a clear message on the United States' position with regards to the two Koreas. "We hope for a peaceful transformation on the Korean Peninsula. But no matter what the future holds, American forces remain prepared to defend with their lives, the people and the democracy of South Korea." Powell emphasized the US commitment to providing humanitarian help to Afghanistan and North Korea as well as its support to those nations who've joined in the war against terrorism. He also praised China for its efforts in opening its markets for future foreign investment. At the end of his address, Powell received the "Asia Society's Leadership Award" in recognition for his contribution in the further understanding between the peoples of Asia and America.(ANI)
Valley shut on Hurriyat call
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top Srinagar, June 11 (ANI): Shops remained closed in the Kashmir valley on Tuesday as the All Party Hurriyat (Freedom) Conference (APHC) called for general strike in the troubled state. The strike was in protest against the arrest on Sunday of former Hurriyat Conference Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani on charges of funding militant organisations in Kashmir. Securitymen kept a tight vigil in Srinagar which is at the root of a standoff between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan. The APHC, which bands more than twenty social and religious organisations, has denounced Geelani's detention and said it was a "setback to the process which is being initiated to lessen tension between India and Pakistan and to help resolve the dispute in Jammu and Kashmir." Tensions have remained high between India and Pakistan, although hopes for peace rose after a pledge last week by Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf to halt "cross-border infiltration of terrorists into Jammu and Kashmir". Police have said Geelani was detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and he was sent to a jail in Ranchi in Jharkhand. Three other activists were also held under the act, passed last March, which gives police broad arrest powers and allows suspects to be detained for 30 days without appearing in court. Police said the arrests followed the discovery by authorities of more than 30,000 dollars in a house. India says money from abroad is funnelled to the rebels, a lot of it through Kashmiri separatist sympathisers in Britain.(ANI)
Mock drills on in Varanasi
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top Varanasi, June 11 (ANI): A normal day in Varanasi town is shattered by siren and all the people in a college campus fall on ground. Smoke billows out of a building and minutes later a man slides down a rope as a group of about 500 people look on in silence. This is the civil defence exercise authorities have been carrying out all over India as tensions with arch-rival Pakistan remained high. The nuclear-armed South Asian neighbours have massed a million troops on their border since a December attack on parliament that India blamed on Pakistan-based militants. Officials of Civil Defence department said the mock drill was a confidence building measure and it would train people to deal with a crisis situation in case of an air attack. "A commitee set up by the government of India has identified some towns which are vulnerable to air attack. Varanasi is in the B- List. And we are doing a civil defence exercise here in that context," said Uday Pratap Singh, an official of Civil Defence Department. Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh is a Hindu holy town and also home to a diesel locomotive factory. The drills conducted by groups of volunteers at a a local college included lessons in evacuation, first aid, rescuing people from fires and crisis communication with police. A volunteer, however, said the training did not include preparations for a possible nuclear attack. "The preparations are no doubt good, but they are a bit outdated. We are not equipped at present to handle the new modes of attack on civillians used these days," sais A.K. Mishra, a volunteer. But that did not take away the utility of the exercise, others said. "This is an useful exercise. It taught us how in case of an air attack we can protect ourselves to help our neighbour. It was good," said Brihaspati Sharma, a local man. Farhan Ahmed, another man, said: "The exercise will help us get organised in case of an air attack and help the people around us. It was good." Tensions between India and Pakistan have eased after Islamabad has announced it will stop infiltration of militants and New Delhi responded by lifting space restrictions for Pakistani flights. But the authorites do not want to take any chances. They plan to distribute pamphlets informing people about sirens, blackouts, underground water tanks used by fire fighters and warehouses that can serve as crisis shelters. Volunteers from the civil defence force have prepared a list of hospitals, doctors, pharmacies and possible shelters.(ANI)
NDA, Congress divided on Rashtrapati
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to top New Delhi, June 11 (ANI): Opposition parties on Tuesday remained undecided over their support for A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, a top Muslim defence scientist, chosen as the ruling National Democratic Alliance's candidate for country's next president. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition fielded Kalam for the largely ceremonial role of president due next month. Kalam, 72, is regarded as the father of India's ambitious missile programme and also led a team of scientists who conducted nuclear tests in 1998. He was principal scientific adviser to the prime minister until last November when he quit to pursue an academic career. NDA's proposal has taken the opposition parties by surprise as many of them had sought a second term for President K R Narayanan. Congress party members on Tuesday discussed the issue and authorised party President Sonia Gandhi to hold talks with leaders of other parties, and take a decision. Talking to reporters, Congress party spokesperson Jaipal Reddy said the party had not abandoned President K R Narayanan as its nominee for the coveted post. "I do not think it is correct for anybody to draw any inference. We made an offer to the incumbant President Mr. K.R. Narayanan. That request is pending with him. Apart from that in view of the development Mr.Alexander has been dumped and we are considering situation but then we have had consultations among ourselves. We have not completed our consultations with our like minded opposition parties," said Reddy. Top leaders of People's Front comprising Communist and Samajwadi party also met in the national capital to discuss the issue. However, they failed to reach a consensus for the post of President. H D Devegowda, former Prime Minister, said the front would come clear on the issue soon. "We have not changed the names of the candidates every three hours as BJP has done it. We are very very cautious and we are going to discuss further and finally our convenor Mulayam Singh Yadav will give a statement," said Devegowda. BJP had first mooted the name of P C Alexander, Governor of Maharashtra, for the prestigious post, but had to drop the proposal in the wake of opposition from within alliance. BJP spokesperson Maya Singh wondered why consensus could not be built on a person like Kalam. "Opposition has not made its intension clear as yet now and I am surprised as well as sad. I remember that for the first time Mulayam Singh Yadav met Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpaye in Parliament and suggested Abul Kalam's name for the post of President. But now why they are taking time in accepting his name for the post," said Singh. While the post of president is mainly ceremonial in India's parliamentary system, it has become more prominent in the last decade as the president decides which party to invite to form a government when elections throw up a hung parliament. The president is elected by an electoral college of federal and provincial lawmakers but political parties have usually preferred to choose a consensus candidate. A consensus has eluded political parties this time with the ruling coalition and opposition parties floating different candidates. Analysts have said it would be a close contest if elections were held as the two sides are evenly divided.(ANI)
Jammu four-weelers asked to remove tinted glass and red lights Go to top Jammu, June 11 (ANI): Acting on intelligence reports, the authorities in Jammu have issued a red alert in the city to remove tinted glasses and red lights from all four-wheelers. This action was taken, as the intelligence reports revealed a threat of militants using cars with tinted glasses and red lights to carry out attacks. The police authorities in Jammu are taking all necessary steps to ensure that the tinted glasses and red lights of all the four- wheelers in the city are removed. R.K. Chalotra, Deputy S.P., Jammu said "We are removing tinted glasses and also educating people to remove tinted glasses, keeping in view the threats of a fidayeen attack and militants carrying destructive arms." Jasvinder Singh Kukku, a car owner said " It is all right as militants can use vehicles with tinted glasses to carry destructive materials like R.D.X. This will put an end to it." Till now tinted glasses and red lights from about 400 cars have been removed.(ANI)
China welcomes peace steps taken by India, Pak Go to top Hong Kong, June 11 (ANI): China has welcomed steps by India and Pakistan to defuse tensions in the subcontinent. "We welcome this trend. We appreciate the series of measures India and Pakistan have taken. From the point of view of resuming peace and stability in South Asia, we sincerely hope the two sides resume dialogue as soon as possible and resolve all issues, including the Kashmir issue, through talks," Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told reporters in Beijing on Tuesday. India announced on Monday evening that it has decided to reopen its airspace to Pakistani flights. Meanwhile, an Indian navy spokesman said on Tuesday that five warships have started to sail away from near Pakistani waters. India will also appoint its new High Commissioner to Pakistan shortly and increase the number of diplomats in its High Commission in Islamabad. (ANI)
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