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Friday, March 6, 2009

Maulana Fazl claims major breakthrough in negotiations

Pakistan, LAHORE Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) leader Fazlur Rehman on Friday claimed that a major breakthrough in the efforts to bring about a compromise between President Asif Ali Zardari and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leadership had been achieved. The Sharifs are protesting their disqualification and imposition of governor’s rule in Punjab and are pressing for the restoration of judiciary. 'The two sides have reached an agreement on fundamental issues – though modalities of settling them are yet to be decided – that triggered the current political crisis in the country in the wake of disqualification by the Supreme Court of Mian Nawaz Sharif and Mian Shahbaz Sharif,” he told reporters after a three-hour meeting with the PML-N leadership at the Sharif’s Raiwind estate. He refused to divulge the details of the issues on which the two sides are said to have reached an agreement, saying he was not in a position to make public the fine points of mediation. He said he would meet the president on Saturday for further discussion in the light of Friday’s talks.

The political show goes on

A question on the lips of most Pakistanis these days is whether the Sharif brothers and their political party – the PML-N – will manage to push back their rival – the PPP – and its leader Asif Ali Zardari. After the Supreme Court decision disqualifying the Sharif brothers from electoral politics and holding public office, the PML-N seems to have had no other option but to muster street support in the form of the lawyers’ movement and seek out parties and groups of the religious right. People across the country were getting ready for political show-time on the streets until March 3 happened. On this day, matters appeared to take another turn as terrorists struck in Lahore. Now the problem is that as much as the Sharif brothers might want to up the political ante, the reality is (to put it in the words of an Indian film song) that ‘Pappu nach naheen sakta’. Surely, Nawaz Sharif will be cautious in overexposing himself and his followers to the threat of a terrorist attack. The last leader to ignore security calls was Benazir Bhutto who succumbed to a terrorist attack. The identity of her killers remains unknown.  Security is bound to be enhanced now and there will be greater vigilance to allow for major processions on the streets. In any case, people will be terrified at least for a few days and would be averse to risking their lives by congregating and taking out processions, be they lawyers or others. The security situation does not bode well for them, especially at a time when the PPP is trying hard to buy the loyalties of the people through restoring the nazims and resorting to other measures to undermine the strength of the PML-N. The political battle was meant to be fought on the streets. It would be the Sharifs’ ability to mobilise the people in this regard that would impress external powers and opposing political forces in the country. As far as mass protests go, the PPP has an edge in terms of its jiyalas who are rabid party supporters willing to give up their lives for the PPP and its leadership. There is a general understanding that the PML-N never had this edge. But this is not to underestimate the fact that the Sharif brothers have the support of the trader-merchant class in Punjab and other places. Historically, they fund the protest even though they are not actively a part of it. So, one could have had a situation as in 1977 when the conservative trader-merchant class funded the PNA movement. Although it would be extremely conspiratorial to hint that the government may have been involved in the terrorist attacks, the fact is that the peculiar turn of events must have made the PPP leadership very happy as it provided an opportunity to contain the upcoming long march and the street protests by the Sharifs. The party’s calculations possibly included buying off parliamentarians in Punjab which would enable it to make a government in the largest province and then use the power to wipe out the PML-N in the next elections. The emphasis is on patronage politics which helps in purchasing loyalties. Voting patterns are affected by a number of factors including popular ideas on who will make it to power. Equally, they have much to do with people’s perceptions of who has been wronged. There is great worth attached to physical and political martyrdom in South Asia and the Third World in general. Not to mention the fact that patronage politics is generally an inefficient system. At the end of the ruling party’s term, there are always a large number of disgruntled people who then decide to switch over to the other side in the hope of getting better benefits. Considering the short life of civilian regimes, patronage politics rarely support the ruling party. But convenient times do not necessarily mean that the battle is or will be over soon. The PPP indeed made a difficult choice by derailing the Punjab government. It might be able to form the provincial government, but it will have to face the uncomfortable situation of dealing with a strong opposition. This means that it will be difficult to undertake policymaking and the party will eventually have to fall back on patronage politics. It should also not be forgotten that the bulk of the Sharifs’ party constituents were happy (or not so unhappy) with the PML-N. In any case, extreme conflict between the two parties in Punjab will make both policymaking and service delivery harder if not impossible in the largest province which means that the people will ultimately be unhappy with the situation. The prospect of such a degree of unhappiness in the largest province is worrying particularly when we consider the fact that the military still predominantly belongs to Punjab. What we are looking at is protracted political warfare in which the battle lines may ultimately be drawn on the basis of ideology (it is still a blessing that confrontation has not taken on an ethnic colour). Even if nothing happens as the long march approaches, the Sharifs will not give up the street fight or the one that has started inside parliament. It is a fact that a number of forces that have an impact on Pakistan’s politics such as the US do not support the PML-N. Given Washington’s understanding that the Sharifs are ideologically conservative as compared to the PPP and its leadership, the US does not seem inclined towards the PML-N. However, this would add to the ideological angle of the battle. Many would interpret this confrontation as a conflict between pro-Pakistan elements and those that are at the beck and call of the US. Ultimately, this will further make politics in this country extremely wonky. More importantly, political confrontation is a reminder not only of the past but also of the myopia of the politicians and political parties. The fact is that Pakistan’s political system in general is driven by predatory instincts in which players do not value loyalty, partnership, ideology or the betterment of the people. Instead, they are driven by concern for short-term gains and their desire for personal power. Under the circumstances, one can easily predict that the boots will eventually march back from the barracks into the corridors of power — if not today or tomorrow then certainly the day after. And then, they will be the ones dancing rather than Pappu and his mates or rivals.

Clinton pushes for Afghan meeting

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has called for a high-level conference on Afghanistan at the end of March. Solutions to the situation in Afghanistan can only be found if the countries involved, including Iran, meet, she said. Mrs Clinton was speaking at a meeting of Nato foreign ministers in Brussels, where the alliance agreed to resume high-level contacts with Russia. She will meet Sergei Lavrov, her Russian counterpart, later on Friday. Russia welcomed the Nato decision, which comes six months after it froze contacts over the conflict between Russia and Georgia.Mrs Clinton stressed Afghanistan, which she called "Nato's biggest military challenge", was a concern for both Russia and the West."If we move forward with such a meeting, it is expected that Iran would be invited as a neighbour of Afghanistan," she said. French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said that he hoped Iran would attend such a meeting, but noted that Tehran had failed to attend recent French talks on Afghanistan. "I hope Iran will be here this time," said Mr Kouchner. BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says Nato remains central to the trans-Atlantic relationship but it is facing a critical challenge in Afghanistan, where failure could call into question its whole credibility. On Friday, Mrs Clinton will hold talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. The US is hoping that Russia will help secure new and safer supply lines for Nato troops in Afghanistan. Russia's help is also crucial in engaging Iran and curbing its nuclear plans.

Indian CEO buys Gandhi's items for $1.8M

NEW YORK The chairman of India's UB Group, which includes Bangalore-based Kingfisher Airlines and United Breweries, made the winning $1.8 million bid on a number of Mahatma Gandhi's personal items on auction.Vijay Mallya was expected to return the items to the Indian government, according to CNN-IBN, CNN's sister station in India. Controversy surrounded the sale Thursday of Gandhi's items -- among them his metal-rimmed glasses, pocket watch, sandals, bowl and plate -- prompting the seller, James Otis, to ask that the items be withdrawn from the auction. India voiced strong objections to the auction. Its Ministry of External Affairs said the bidding would "commercialize and thereby demean the memory of the Father of the Nation and everything that he stood for in his life, beliefs and actions." On Tuesday, a New Delhi court issued an injunction to stop the sale. 

Gorbachev Slams Putin in Interview, Calls Him Worst Version of Communists

MOSCOW  In some of his strongest criticism of his successors, Mikhail Gorbachev on Thursday likened Vladimir Putin's United Russia party to the worst of the communists he once led and helped bring down, and said Russia is today a country where the parliament and the judiciary are not fully free. In an interview with The Associated Press some 20 years after the Soviet empire started its rapid collapse on his tumultuous watch, Gorbachev also said the global economic crisis showed capitalism should be tempered with elements of the socialist system he played such a critical role in sweeping away. The last Soviet leader was interviewed in the offices of his Gorbachev Foundation, a think tank founded in 1992 to promote "democratic values and moral, humanistic principles" — as well as, some say, Gorbachev himself. A little aged and more heavyset perhaps, Gorbachev, 78, seemed feisty, friendly and often reminiscent of the man who once ruled one of two superpowers on Earth. Gorbachev is a paradoxical figure even after all these years — widely credited around the world with a historic convulsion he admits he did not intend. He sought to fix communism, not destroy it, and in the interview said that while he was willing to let Eastern Europe go its own way he very much hoped the republics that formed the Soviet Union would stay united.

UN chief urges Pak to ensure release of UNHCR staff

NEW DELHI UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has asked Pakistan all it can to ensure the release of abducted UNHCR official John Solecki at the earliest. Ban Ki-Moon discussed the matter with Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari over the phone on, while President Zardari assured the UN chief that Pakistan would do all it can for Solecki's safe recovery and the government has taken the kidnapping 'very seriously', as it has mobilized all its resources for his release. Ban Ki-moon also expressed his grief on the terrorists’ assault of Sri Lankan team in Lahore, while regional situation and other matters of importance were also discussed.

UK lawmakers meet with militant groups

BEIRUT, Lebanon At least three British lawmakers have been holding unofficial meetings with militant groups in the Middle East for the past two years.The lawmakers met high-ranking officials from Hezbollah and Hamas, said Michael Ancram, one of the legislators involved. The British government officially considers both Hezbollah and Hamas to be terrorist organizations, as does the United States. Hamas is also on the European Union's terror list. Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair refused to meet with Hamas officials when he was in Gaza on Sunday. But Blair was aware that the meetings were taking place when he was prime minister, a source familiar with the discussions said. "The previous prime minister of Great Britain was informed and briefed on these meetings. While without explicitly approving the meetings, he did not direct that they not take place," said the source, whose role in the process must remain secret for diplomatic reasons. The most recent meetings took place in Beirut, Lebanon, at the end of January, when Ancram and another member of parliament sat down with Nawaf Al-Moussawi, Hezbollah's head of international relations. Hezbollah is a Shiite group which wields significant power in Lebanon and has skirmished with Israel for years. Ancram said they met separately with Usama Hamdan, the Beirut spokesman for Hamas. Ancram, a lawmaker for the UK's opposition Conservative party, also quietly traveled to Damascus, Syria, in June 2008 as part of a delegation that met with Khaled Meshaal, a top leader of Hamas, the Palestinian movement which controls Gaza. Ancram described his meetings with Hamas and Hezbollah as "constructive and informative," and said he feels the talks "indicated... that there was the basis for further dialogue." The lawmaker said he was not representing anyone in his meetings. "I've been acting on no one's behalf but my own," he said. Ancram is a former chairman of the Conservative party and has been the party's top spokesman on both foreign policy and defense while the Conservatives have been in opposition. He was also the minister for Northern Ireland in the mid-1990s when the Conservatives were in power and was the first minister to meet with the Irish Republican party Sinn Fein. The meetings were facilitated by a non-governmental think tank, which also had representatives at the discussions. When asked how the meetings came about, Ancram said, "I hoped by opening the process of dialogue informally and on an exploratory basis, might in due course persuade others -- particularly in government -- to do the same. "I believe however that dialogue with Hezbollah and Hamas will inevitably become necessary at an official level if a Middle East settlement is to be reached." UK Foreign Office minister Bill Rammell said Wednesday that Britain was prepared to engage with Hezbollah's political wing, which is technically distinct from its military one. The British government cut off contact with Hezbollah in 2005, but relaxed its stance slightly after the group joined a Lebanese unity government. "We have reconsidered our position on no contact with Hezbollah, in place since 2005. This is in light of more positive recent political developments in Lebanon, including the formation of the national unity government in which Hezbollah are participating. We are exploring certain contacts at an official level with Hezbollah's political wing, including MPs," the Foreign Office said in a statement. "We have no contacts with Hezbollah's military wing." Ancram said: "I am pleased that contacts with Hezbollah have begun." 

Lahore Liberty ambush: Defunct outfit involvement revealed

Pakistan, ISLAMABAD A defunct religious outfit ambushed the Sri Lankan cricket team and the assailants had come from the tribal areas. Sources said that the law enforcing agencies have dug out evidences against the attackers, which revealed that the terrorists having links with Afghanistan give rise to this conclusion that Al Qaeda was also indirectly involved in the Libery tragedy. Sources said that the two vehicles near the Big City Plaza, which were used for Sri lankan team’s ambush had come there early in the morning and no one checked them. Sources said that the terrorists, who has stayed in the Youth Hostel, took part in the action, while the other accomplices had stayed at Kot Lakhpat and Township Area. Secret agencies have found out from the record obtained from cellular phone that the terrorist’ four associates were present around Qaddafi Stadium, who in touch among themselves through mobile phones---one of them stationed near Punjab University new campus, other at Lahore Canal near Qaddafi Stadium, the third one at nearby Boulevard, while the fourth in the Firdaus market area. Sources claimed that the terrorists kept using the station code for Sri Lankan team van and as soon as the van reached Liberty Chowk, the terrorists told each other that the ‘station’ was about to arrive. According to information, among the 14 terrorists a few belonged to Lahore, while others came from the tribal areas armed with explosives RDX highly inflammable. Sources said that a breakthrough has been achieved as plausible evidences have been obtained and some crucial arrests could be made in the next one/two days.

'American Idol' Recap: And Then There Were Eight

There was very little drama Wednesday night, as three more finalists were announced on "American Idol." In what came as no surprise to avid followers of the vaunted singing competition show, Lil Rounds, Scott MacIntyre and Jorge Nuñez earned spots in the final 12. All three benefited from significantly positive feedback from the judges Tuesday night.he real excitement Wednesday night came when the judges revealed their selections for the wild card round, calling back contestants to compete for the three remaining spots in the final 12. In all, eight semifinalists were given a second chance to sing in what looks to be the season's most hotly contested Thursday night performance round yet. The real surprise of the night, however, was the announcement that Tatiana Del Toro had earned a wild card spot. The Puerto Rican native had polarized viewers during the preliminary rounds with her over-the-top personality and penchant for melodrama. But the judges, acknowledging her obvious vocal talent, decided to give a new lease on life to a contestant Simon Cowell has called "the biggest drama queen" he's ever met. More on this later.

Assault on Sufism, Pashtun poet Rehman Baba’s mausoleum bombed

PESHAWAR The mausoleum of renowned Pashto mystic poet Abdur Rehman Baba was bombed by unidentified miscreants, badly damaging its structure and his grave in the Hazarkhwani area early on Thursday. No one was hurt in the bombing, but the blast has left residents deeply shaken.The shrine’s watchman had received a threat from suspected militants on his cell phone three days ago. He told police that the attack took place to crack down on the tradition of women making pilgrimages to the site of the grave of Rehman baba; a 17 century poet, revered for his message of love and peace. The high intensity device almost destroyed the grave of the Rehman Baba and the gates of a mosque, canteen and conference hall situated in the spacious Rehman Baba Complex.Police said the bombers had tied explosives around the pillars of the tombs, to pull down the mausoleum. Following the occurrence visibly shaken followers and volunteers were seen wielding sticks and forcing the visitors to leave the area, fearing that the badly damaged structure of the mausoleum might crumble down. The police said they suspected the involvement of outlawed Lashkar-i-Islam chief, Mangal Bagh in the incident but were investigating the matter to ascertain the facts. ‘We have been able to give them a black eye and this is their way of getting back at us. Its pure desperation,’ a senior police official said. The news of the occurrence soon spread like wildfire and a large number of his followers and other people visited the shrine.

Jai Ho 'cost Congress $200,000'

India's Congress party paid nearly $200,000 to buy the rights to Jai Ho, the Oscar-winning song from Slumdog Millionaire, the BBC has learnt. The governing party plans to use the song as part of its campaign for general elections which are to take place in April and May. Slumdog, set in the slums of Mumbai (Bombay), won eight Oscars last month. Bollywood composer AR Rahman and lyricist Gulzar won the Best Song Oscar for Jai Ho, literally meaning victory. With its catchy tune and uplifting lyrics, Jai Ho has become immensely popular with the public in India.

British cruise ship in 'pirate attack' scare

LONDON, England More than 1,000 British tourists on a round-the-world cruise were ushered to safety amid fears their ship was being followed by pirates, a travel company said Thursday.A spokeswoman for Fred Olsen Cruise Lines told CNN that the Balmoral made emergency calls Wednesday after two small craft were picked up on radar in the notorious waters off Somalia closing at high speed.However, she emphasized that at no time was the vessel "under attack", and there were no visual sightings of "armed pirates." "Searchlights were directed at the approaching craft and flares used to indicate that it had been observed," the company said in a statement. "It is possible that this was interpreted as gunfire, but Fred Olsen Cruise Lines can state categorically that there was no gunfire and that although the approaching vessel got to within 400 meters of Balmoral it left the area without incident, and because of the darkness it was not possible to identify the vessel or its occupants." As a precautionary measure, the ship's Master "implemented aggressive maneuvering at 1945 local time," before contact was made with the EU Coalition Task Force -- which monitors a protected shipping corridor in the Gulf of Aden -- and passengers were requested to assemble in safe havens.

Umpires question security measures, voice anger

SYDNEY Australian cricket umpire Steve Davis slammed Pakistan on Thursday for failing to protect him and other officials who came under fire during the attack earlier this week on Sri Lanka’s cricket team. The comments by Davis came one day after match referee Chris Broad said Pakistan had not provided adequate protection for the team and the officials in Lahore. ‘There’s a bit of anger there that we were let down – we had all sorts of assurances before and I’m sure the (Sri Lankan) team feels that way too,’ Davis told reporters at Melbourne airport. ‘Despite all that, this was still able to happen and we were put in a very vulnerable position and felt very helpless.’ Davis and other match officials were travelling in a convoy towards the Gaddafi Stadium. Davis said he realised quickly just how serious the attack was when the bus driver was shot dead. ‘The driver’s foot was lodged on the accelerator and it was revving at a million miles an hour,’ he said. ‘Eventually a police officer came from somewhere, dragged the driver’s body out, and drove us at top speed to the stadium.’ Australian umpire Simon Taufel, who was also caught up in the shoot-out, said he did not know how the security detail had failed, but that he felt let down by Pakistan’s efforts. ‘We were promised a nine (out of ten security) and got delivered a two,’ Taufel said upon his arrival home Thursday. ‘The gunfire ... it just kept going. We thought, when’s it going to stop? Who’s going to come and save us, how are we going to get out of here?’ Taufel said, adding he found it ‘amazing’ that none of the gunmen had been caught. ‘You tell me why supposedly 20 armed commandos were in our convoy and when the team bus got going again, we were left on our own? I don’t have any answers to these questions.’ Davis said he needed time to think through his shattering experience. ‘I try to think what my feelings were and I don’t know,’ he said. ‘I think I’m still numb. I’m fully expecting to crash at some stage but not in front of you people, I hope.’ ‘I don’t know – anger, amazement, how could this happen? I don’t know.’ Taufel, 38, said he was having a hard time coming to terms with the fact that he survived the attack. ‘On Tuesday morning we were caught in a war ... It’s just a bloody game of cricket, not a war. It’s not the way the way life should be or sport should be,’ he said. ‘Sometimes if we have a bad day out on the field and perhaps we (umpires) don’t get everything right, at least we say nobody’s died.’ ‘Well, on Tuesday, people died and I can’t explain why I’m here. There is no reason for us to still be here.’

Universal, YouTube near deal on music video site

Universal Music Group, the nation's largest recording company, and YouTube are closing in on a final agreement to create a new premium music video Web site, according to sources close to the negotiations.The sources said that the proposed service, which is tentatively named Vevo, would be a destination site closely linked to YouTube. Should an agreement be reached, Vevo would likely be the largest music-oriented site on the Web. Talks are ongoing, but a deal could be reached as early as the next few weeks, sources said. A YouTube spokesman said: "We are always working with our partners to find creative ways to connect music, musicians, and fans." Universal's YouTube channel is by far the largest on the video site. The label's music videos have been viewed more than 3.5 billion times. Vevo and the joint venture with YouTube were born out of a year-long campaign by Doug Morris, Universal's chairman and CEO, to build music videos into a standalone business. CNET News first reported in September that Universal Music was planning a "Hulu-like" site. Morris and Universal have been intent on creating a premium digital music-video business. According to the sources, label executives believe Vevo is the answer. A standalone music site--which would feature traditional music videos and interviews, along with other artist-driven content--is designed to attract high-end advertisers, some of whom may have been skittish in the past about advertising alongside YouTube's user-generated videos.

Gaza Militants Killed in Israeli Airstrike

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip  An Israeli air strike in the Gaza Strip Thursday killed two Islamic Jihad militants and wounded another, bringing to four the number of group members killed by Israel in less than 24 hours and drawing a vow of revenge. Islamic Jihad says the three men were returning together to their homes in the Mughazi refugee camp in central Gaza after a night spent on patrol along the Gaza-Israel border when they were targeted.The Israeli military said an aircraft attacked the three armed men after they fired an anti-tank missile at troops on the Israeli side of the border fence. No soldiers were reported injured. An Israeli airstrike Wednesday evening killed two members of the same organization. The Israeli military said the target in that raid was a senior Islamic Jihad militant who was involved in firing rockets at the Israeli city of Ashkelon, north of Gaza. Islamic Jihad official Abu Ahmed vowed Thursday morning that his group would avenge the killings. "Our rockets and our resistance will not stop," he said. "We know where and when we will take revenge for these crimes."

Bomb Hits Cattle Market Near Baghdad, 12 Dead

BAGHDAD   A car bomb exploded Thursday in a crowded livestock market selling sheep, cattle and goats south of Baghdad, killing at least 12 people and wounding dozens, Iraqi police and medical officials said. The parked car exploded at the height of the morning buying and selling at the market on the outskirts of Hillah, 60 miles south of Baghdad, said Iraqi police Maj. Muthana Khalid. The blast scattered bodies and animal carcasses throughout the market, a witness said. While violence has declined dramatically in Iraq during the past 18 months, there are concerns about a possible upward trend in bloodshed after a series of high-profile attacks on civilians and U.S. and Iraqi security forces in recent weeks. All the dead and injured in Thursday's bombing were civilians, Khalid said. Dr. Ahmed al-Hasnawi, from the Hillah General Hospital, said 60 people were wounded but two of them died after being taken to the hospital. The U.S. military put the casualty toll at 10 dead and 56 wounded. Markets, mosques and religious shrines have been a favorite target of insurgents in Iraq because of the possibility of high casualty counts.