TUESday, FEBRUARY 16, 2010 FALGUN 4, 1416, RABIUL AWAL 1, 1431 Hijri

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Leading News

Zia Int’l Airport renamed after Shah Jalal (RA)
UNB, Dhaka

Zia International Airport is renamed after fourteenth-century Muslim saint Hazrat Shah Jalal (RA) as the scrapping of the Fifteenth Constitution Amendment apparently ushered in a restoration era in Bangladesh polity based on the spirit of the liberation war.
The renaming of the ZIA as Hazrat Shah Jalal International Airport is going to unravel an aura of changes as the cabinet of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Monday decided that all structures under "injudiciously changed nomenclature" will get back their original names.
The council of ministers decided to restore the original names of all structures and institutions, which were changed later on by the political opponents of the ruling Awam League.
"The cabinet took the decision to rename 'Dhaka Airport' in line with the High Court verdict canceling the 5th amendment," after the hours-long meeting held at the Prime Minister's Office with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair dealt with the major matters of changes consequent on the constitutional change by court edict.
In the historic verdict, the High Court declared all military dictators' regimes "illegal" as they grabbed power in extra-constitutional way. The Supreme Court upheld the verdict with observations not yet published.
The cabinet members unanimously resolved that no national institutions and structures can be named after "illegal and autocratic rulers" of the country.
It bears an oblique reference to those who have ruled the country following the August 15, 1975 changeover through the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and overthrow of his post-independence government, including the slain President general Ziaur Rahman.
In another knock, the cabinet also took decision to change the name of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman University in Barisal as Barisal University.
The cabinet meeting noted that the airport was known as Dhaka International Airport when it was shifted to Kurmitola from Tejgaon in 1979. But, later in 1981, the then government changed the airport' s name as Zia International Airport.
"Bangladesh is a sacred place with memories of many Sufis and religious preachers.
Their liberal human attitudes, religious values and universal spirit for welfare have inspired, stimulated and influenced the people of the country from time immemorial.
As a reflection of people's honor and respects towards them and to keep their memories alive, many important establishments have been named after them," says a document on the cabinet decision.
In this regard, the cabinet gave examples of Rajshahi airport which was named Shah Makhdum (RA), Chittagong's airport as Shah Amanat Airport. Besides, the under-construction airport of Khulna was also named Hazrat Khanjahan Ali (RA) airport.
"The cabinet thinks and opines that renaming Zia International Airport as Hazrat Shah Jalal Int’l Airport, Dhaka, will be right," the meeting viewed. According to the cabinet decision, Begum Khaleda Zia Medical College and Shaheed Suhrawardy Hospital will be renamed Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital, Jamuna Multipur-pose Bridge as Bangabandhu Bridge, Dhanmondi Women's Sports Complex as Sultana Kamal Sports Complex.

 Elevated Expressway
Move to implement project without feasibility study

UNB, Dhaka

The Communication Ministry, without conducting any feasibility study, has been moving to implement the much-talked Dhaka Elevated Expressway (DEE) project.
And what is more, even before doing any preliminary works, the Ministry has sought approval of the Cabinet Economic Affairs Committee to appoint a consultant for the project without any tender process.
According to official sources, the Communication Ministry initially moved a proposal in this regard to the Cabinet Economic Affairs Committee last month. The committee is likely to sit on February 18 to consider the proposal.
As per the plan of the Communication Ministry, the four-lane Dhaka Elevated Expressway will be of 32.10 kilometer length from Gazipur to Narayanganj and it will be implemented at a cost of Tk 861.70 crore (equivalent to US$ 1.24 billion) in three phases - 10.80 km in the first phase, 10.10 km in 2nd phase and 11.30 km in the final phase.
The monorail and underground subway network was suggested to be integrated into the project. Despite huge involvement of different modes of systems, so far no feasibility study was conducted on such a mega project.
Experts in the infrastructure sector wondered how the Communication Ministry could move with a mega infrastructure project like the elevated expressway without any feasibility study on which the entire Dhaka city's communication system, including rail and roads, will depend.
They said such eager haste with any project may lead to big trouble in future and invite more complications instead of yielding a solution to the problem.
After assuming office in January 2009, the Awami League government announced that it would implement the proposed elevated expressway project with a view to ease the traffic congestion in the capital city.
Subsequently, the Communication Ministry moved a proposal in June last year and the Economic Affairs Committee gave its nod to the proposal asking to implement the elevated expressway project through the private sector, either on build-own-operate (BOO) or build-own-transfer (BOT) basis.

 Bangladesh rejects £60m in climate aid from UK
UNB, Dhaka

Bangladeshi government is reportedly refusing to accept a £60m donation from Britain to help it cope with the impact of global warming, because of a dispute over how the money will be provided.
Officials in the UK's Department for International Development (DFID) are insisting that the money, part of a pledge to provide developing countries with climate finance, is channelled through the World Bank.
Bangladesh has objected to the role of the bank, which it says will attach unfavourable "strings and conditions", according to a report of the London-based Guardian newspaper, published Monday.
The report said Britain is expected to press Bangladesh to change its mind at a two-day meeting in the country starting tomorrow (Tuesday). If it refuses, the money may be withdrawn. The row comes days after Gordon Brown accepted a UN offer to co-chair an advisory group responsible for climate change financing.
"If this money is channelled through the World Bank and the IMF it will attract strings and conditions which are not favourable to Bangladesh", said a spokesman for the Bangladeshi government. "If the money goes [via the bank] then it does not go to its real purpose. [We] want it to go through the UN."
The Guardian revealed last summer that under the UK plan, known as
the Multi Donor Trust Fund for Climate Change, £4.9m of the pledge
will not reach Bangladesh but will be siphoned off by the bank as administration costs.
Campaigners from the World Development Movement (WDM), Jubilee Debt Campaign and Friends of the Earth plan to protest tomorrow at Dfid over the UK proposals. They are also concerned that further payments planned for Bangladesh are loans, the repayment of which they say will force the country further into debt.
Tim Jones of the WDM said: "The UK must be careful not to fall into the pattern of its former colonial ways by imposing conditions on an independent country. The World Bank is a deeply mistrusted institution that through its lending to developing countries has increased inequality, carbon emissions and debt in those countries."
A group of 30 British and Bangladeshi campaign groups has suggested an alternative mechanism under which Bangladesh would distribute all the money through a national board.

  Tough movement if govt does not stop erasing Zia’s name: BNP

TBT Report

BNP leaders and activists under the leadership of Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia will go for a tough movement throughout the country to force the government to resign from state power if it does not stop erasing the name of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman from different establishments.
BNP standing committee member Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain sounded the caution while addressing a rally held in front of the party's Nayapaltan central office on Monday. The rally was organised by Jatiyatabadi Swechchha-sebak Dal protesting the killing of DCC 70 No ward councilor Ahamad Hossain, planting of bomb near Chairperson's Gulshan office and changing the name of Zia Int’l Airport (ZIA).
Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said the name of ZIA has already been changed on Monday. Apart from this, the government is mulling changing the name of Barisal Shaheed president Ziaur Rahman University. If the government does not stop such politics, a tough movement throughout the country will be launched under the leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia which will compel the government to resign.
He said the government is planning to kill opposition leader Begum Khaleda Zia and hence bomb around her Gulshan office have been planted in planned way when the countrymen are taking preparations to go for movement against the ruling party.
"We are strongly condemning the matter and demanding and urging the government to go for investigation to find out real culprits behind the plot," he said.
Number of leaders of the party's different associate organizations including DCC ward councilor Ahamad Hossain, Jasas leader Mintu, a businessman of old Dhaka and an innocent Dhaka University student were killed within a week recently. But the law enforcing agencies neither could investigate into these killing incidents nor arrest anyone in these connections till the date, he alleged.
Swechchhasebak Dal president Habibunnabi Khan Sohel presided over the rally while standing committee members ASM Hannan Shah, Mirza Abbas and good numbers of leaders from different front organizations spoke.

   BNP stages brief third walkout from JS in three days
UNB, Sangsad Bhaban

Opposition BNP lawmakers again staged a walkout from parliament Monday, their third for three consecutive working days after their return to the House, in protest against the Speaker's denial of floor to former Law Minister Barrister Moudud Ahmed over touchy issues involving national leaders.
As the sitting resumed at 3:15pm with questions and answers tabled in the House, Speaker Advocate Abdul Hamid gave floor to BNP member Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anny and Chief Whip Abdus Shaheed on point of order on condition that he wouldn't give the floor to anyone else.
As Moudud pressed for allowing him the floor as flashy things came up again, the Speaker stuck to his guns, saying, "It's my ruling. I will not give floor to anyone. There should not be the same scene everyday. I will give you (Moudud) floor tomorrow." Taking the Speaker's assurance with a grain of salt, the BNP lawmakers staged a brief walkout, staying away from the assembly chamber for about five minutes.
Earlier, BNP MP Anny opposed the insinuation by politicians against politicians and against national leaders. Referring to what he claimed 'bomb explosion" at Khaleda Zia's Gulshan office earlier in the day on Monday, he questioned why the bomb was hurled at the opposition leader's office. "Can't we say it was an attempt to kill Begum Khaleda Zia?"
Seeking neutrality from the Speaker, Anny said the Speaker expressed his willingness to allow discussion for 2-3days on the ruling-party contentions like 'Killer Zia' and 'Zia is not the procliamer of independence'. But he asked why the chair is not ready to allow discussion on national issues on which notices were already served. The treasury-bench members started clamoring when Anny said, "If Zia is called killer, then Sheikh Mujib will also be called killer for the killing of thousands of political activists during the Mujib rule."
Anny went on to demand discussion on the reported corruption by PM Adviser Toufqu-e-Elahi Chowdhury and PM's son Joy. Now the Speaker pressed the brake, interrupting Anny's microphone. The Speaker at this stage advised Anny not to use attacking or inciting words and allowed him to resume his statement.
The BNP lawmaker reiterated that reported bribe of US $ 5 million taken by Toufique Elahi Chowdhury and Joy from US company Chevron for giving work order without tender should be discussed in parliament.

   Safe blood transfusion in a mess
One lakh get infected with jaundice, syphilis every year

BSS, Dhaka

An estimated 100,000 people are being infected with hepatitis-B and syphilis every year due to unsafe blood transfusion both at public and private levels, according to findings of Bangladesh Health Watch 2009.
The health watch report, third of its kind first launched in 2006, reveals that among the numerous hospitals and clinics in the country, only four percent implement government's 'safe blood transfusion programmes'.
It said the estimated annual demand for 'whole blood' varies from 250,000 to 350,000 bags of 350 to 450 milliliters per year and hardly half of those are screened as per mandatory government guidelines to test hepatitis B and C, syphilis and malarial parasites before any transfusion.
A recent study shows, the country still highly relies on professional blood donors, who meet 70 percent of blood demands commercially, putting ailing people in a grave danger of infection from transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs) that also include HIV/AIDS.
It says the over dependence on professional blood donors was, however, reduced to 60 percent from 90 percent in last decade, but it jumped again to 70 percent in recent time due to lack of strict policy implementations and monitoring from law enforcing agencies.
It says at least one in three professional blood donors suffer from different communicable diseases, which can be easily transmitted to ailing people through such unsafe transfusions.
The government safe blood transfusion programme, which started in 98 public hospitals in 2000 to promote voluntary blood donations instead of professional donors, seemed apparently in jeopardy due to non-compliance to regulations.
The health watch cited many factors for unsafe blood transfusion and these include ignorance, lack of public awareness, manpower shortages, lack of funding, inadequate lab facilities and screening products as well as the greed of dishonest private proprietors.
"Common citizens and even the key staff members of the blood transfusion centres are not aware of the consequences of safe blood transfusion," read the health watch report, conduced over 42 facilities during first half of 2009.

   10 hurt in BCL factional clashes in Kushtia
UNB, Kushtia

At least 10 people were injured in sporadic clashes between two factions of Chhatra League on Kushtia Government College campus Monday.
Police and witnesses said supporters of Saiful-Mamun group equipped with lethal weapons entered the college at about 10am to establish their supremacy.
Hearing the news, supporters of Hannan-Zahid group brought out a protest procession on the campus. But, Saiful-Mamun group intercepted the procession, chased and drove them out from the campus.
Later, a chase and counter chase took place between the two groups on the campus and continued till 12 noon. They fired three gunshots and pelted brickbats to each other, leaving a number of activists from both sides injured.
On information police rushed in and lobbed seven rounds tear gas shell to control the situation. Police recovered six lethal weapons from Kataikhana crossing and College crossing.
Earlier on Sunday, Saiful-Mamun-Badsha group forced the college authorities to stop the first year honours admission process demanding illegal enrolment of some students under quota system.
They also beat up two correspondents of the Daily Prothom Alo and desh.tv as they went to the college for taking photographs on the issue.

Back Page

PM opens BDF-2010, calls for quick disbursement of climate change fund

BSS, Dhaka

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Monday said that her government has taken various programmes of its own to face the adverse impacts of climate change as it has posed a serious threat to the countries food security and development.
"We have approved 134 climate change action plan...to meet the cost we have established a 100 million US Dollars Climate Change fund and a multi donor trust fund with 150 million US Dollars from friends," she said.
The Prime Minister said this while inaugurating a two-day Bangladesh Development Forum-2010 at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) here Monday morning. In this context, the Prime Minister laid stress on quick disbursement of funds promised in COP-15 in Copenhagen last December to support her government's mitigation endeavors in facing the grim challenges of climate change. She said it is very important for Most Vulnerable Countries (MVCs), Least Developed Countries (LDCs), low-lying coastal and Small Island Countries for implementing their adaptation and mitigation programmes.
Sheikh Hasina said the development partners should now ensure fulfilling their ODA targets of 0.7 percent of Gross National Income (GNI) for developing countries, and 0.2 percent for LDCs as reaffirmed in the Brussels Programme of Action considering adverse impact of climate change.
Apart from this, the Prime Minister said her government has also intensified micro financing for poverty reduction under its Poverty Reduction Strategy Plan. The Prime Minister called for taking fresh strategies to achieve expected progress to turn Bangladesh into a middle-income country by 2021. She said real development can only be achieved through democratic system.
Mentioning the steadfast support of the development partners in Bangladesh's growth efforts, Sheikh Hasina expressed the hope that a fresh, encouraging impetus from this Forum would be helpful in realizing the goal of a middle income Bangladesh by 2021. Listing different programmes of her government, she said her government is working to make Bangladesh a middle-income country by 2021 - the golden Jubilee Year of the country's independence and also to achieve 'Digital Bangladesh.'
Sheikh Hasina said since the brutal assassination of Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman along with 18 members of his family on August 15, 1975, Ban-gladesh, except for a brief spell of democracy from 1996 to 2001, experienced unconstitutional rule. This resulted in unbridled corruption, growth of extremism, escalation of inflation, food insecurity, deplorable law and order situation, and a climate of impunity, she added. Sheikh Hasina however said, it is the credible elections of Dece-mber 2008 that restored democracy, and allowed a year of positive changes.

   President asks for quick disposal of pending cases
Help establish judicial secretariat, judges’ facilities: CJ

UNB, Dhaka

President Zillur Rahman Monday asked for taking proper steps to dispose of all the cases pending with both the lower and higher courts "as soon as possible".
"Provide justice to the common people through resolving the cases in a speedy manner," he told new Chief Justice M Fazlul Karim during discussion when the CJ called on the President at Bangabhaban and apprised him of various matters of the judiciary.
The President suggested digitalizing the judicial system to expedite the trial process of the pending cases, as reports say a total of around six lakh suits remained unresolved in the two tiers of the judiciary.
Justice M Fazlul Karim sought the President's support and cooperation in establishing the judicial secretariat proposed during the separation of the judiciary from the executive control.
"Separate secretariat would increase speed of the work of courts as well as judicial process," he told the president.
Also, the new chief justice urged the President to take steps for increasing the facilities of the judges.
The President gave him a patient hearing and assured him his all-out cooperation for the overall development of the judicial system.

   HC asks EC not to declare DCC election schedule until Feb 23

UNB, Dhaka

The High Court Monday directed the Election Commission (EC) not to declare Dhaka City Cor-poration election schedule until February 23.
Passing the interim stay order upon a writ petition, an HC division bench issued a rule asking the EC and the government to explain in eight days why they should not be directed to complete the final delimitation of 90 DCC wards based on equal distribution of population, including its extended areas, before declaring the election schedule.
After hearing both sides, the division bench comprising Justice AHM Shamsu-ddin Chowdhury and Justice Borhan Uddin set February 23 for hearing on the rule.
Among others, Secretaries to the Ministry of Law and LGRD, Chief Election Com-missioner, Dhaka Deputy Commissioner, and DCC Chief Executive Officer have been made respondents in the case.
The HC orders came a day after Election Commiss-ioner M Sahul Hossain announced that the EC would declare DCC election schedule by the current week. DCC commissioner candidate M Sajjad Hossain, a resident of Pallabi in Mirpur area, filed the writ petition seeking directions upon the respondents to declare final delimitation of 90 wards of DCC and its extended areas on the basis of equal division with regard to voters before declaring the election schedule.

   HC scraps conviction of MK Alamgir’s two sons
UNB, Dhaka

The High Court on Monday declared illegal special court's verdicts convicting and sentencing two sons of former state minister MK Alamgir, now an MP of Awami League, in graft cases.
During the military-backed caretaker government, special court in November 2008 sentenced Jalal Alamgir and Joy Alamgir to three years imprisonment for non-submission of their wealth statements to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
The HC division bench comprising Justice AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury and Justice Borhan Uddin delivered the judgment upon two identical writ petitions that had challenged the validity of initiating the cases by the ACC and the sentences awarded by the special court.

    Ekushey Book Fair reverberates with book-lovers
BSS, Dhaka

Amar Ekushey book fair, on the 16th day Monday, reverberated with the presence of a large number of book- lovers on the premises of Bangla Academy.
Many visitors were found carrying new books they bought from different stalls of the fair. The people heaved a sigh of relief finding the fair venue free from dust.
Publishers are happy with the sales at the Amar Ekushey book fair in the city as large crowds continue to throng the month- long annual event.
People, who have so far browsed books in the Amar Ekushey Book Fair at the Bangla Academy, started buying books as the fair is about to run into the third week.
"From now, every day you will see this scale of sales in the fair", said a salesperson of Samay Prakashani at the book fair at noon.
Almost all the salespersons at renowned publishing houses like Anya Prakash, Anneshwa, Agami Prakashan, Oitijjhya, Pat-hsutro were seen very busy with selling books.
Salespersons of comparatively small stalls such as Rodela, Anupam, Suc-hipatra, Academic Press and Publishers were also satisfied with their sales. "We are happy with the sales this year," Osman Gani of Agamee Prakashani said.
"I came straight to the fair from the office and bought my favorite books," Nurul Alam, an employee of a private farm who was searching books in the stall of Osman Gani said.
Sales in the bookshops beside book fair venue also get momentum. Visitors were purchasing new and old books, toys and bangles from these footpath shops at cheap rate.
The cover of a book titled 'Democratic State and Army' was unveiled at the Nazrul Moncho of the fair. Former general secretary of Dhaka University Teacher's Association Dr Anwar Hossan authored the book that contained 25 articles. Agamee Prakashani published the book.
A total of 104 titles hit the fair today, the 15th day of the fair, with collections of poems dominating the list. The new arrivals of the day include ten novels, 25 collections of poems, 16 collections of stories, 11 collections of essays, three collections of rhymes and nine collections of juvenile literature.
Bangla Academy organised a discussion on the Language Movement as a part of its series of lectures. The discussion was followed by a cultural function.

    Five killed in road accidents
TBT News Desk

At least five people were killed in road accidents in two districts on Monday, according to news agencies.
In Rangpur, a mother and her minor daughter were killed and her husband was seriously injured in a road accident at Boira-giganj point on the Ran-gpur-Dhaka highway under Mithapukur upazila here Monday, police said.
The accident took place when a Rangpur-bound truck (Rangpur Ta 11-0208) rammed a van-cart carrying the victims on board at the point killing the mother and her daughter on the spot and inuring the husband and the van-cart puller seriously.
In Sylhet, three people of a family were killed and another was injured critically as a truck rammed into their auto-rickshaw at Osmaninagar in Balaganj upazila Monday afternoon.
The deceased were identified as Nuresa Begum, 50, widow of Arifullah, her sons Rafique Mia, 28, and Quiyum, 24. Police and witnesses said the Sylhet-bound truck smashed the auto-rickshaw on Dhaka-Sylhet highway at Burunga road crossing, killing its three passengers on the spot and injuring another critically.

Editorial

Evicting land grabbers

Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan Sunday unveiled a list of 7,000 land-grabbers dubbed 'bhumi dasyu' who have grabbed lands on the banks of Buriganga, Sitalakhkhya, Turag and Balu rivers around the capital. The minister, however, said names of the suspected grabbers "will be published soon". He stated this to reporters after a meeting of the taskforce on maintaining navigability of the rivers at his ministry. The Shipping Minister said boundary pillars on the illegally occupied lands will be set up by April and the occupied lands will be reclaimed. The meeting decided to ask the illegal occupants who set up infrastructures on the grabbed lands to dismantle the structures in next 15 days. If any grabber flouts the government notice, the illegal infrastructures would be cleared by the Deputy Commissioners concerned.
Illegal occupation of land by powerful grabbers across the country has been a hot issue in discussion for quite some time. Banks of rivers and government khas lands are being grabbed by influential people and there is hardly any strong drive to reclaim those lands. The court, the Parliament and the government have taken stand against land grabbing but yet the results are not very substantial. Interestingly, in a rare display of unanimity both Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia have taken a public stand in favour of saving the rivers specially around the capital city. Sheikh Hasina ordered recently for cleaning up Buriganga, Turag, Balu and Sitalakhkhya rivers to facilitate circular waterway communications around the city. Khaleda Zia has said recently that the rivers Buriganga, Shitalakhkhya, Turag and Balu have to be saved to protect historic Dhaka city. On several earlier occasions also the Prime Minister spoke of the government plan to free the rivers from encroachment.
It is an open secret that land grabbers have been occupying lands on the bank of the rivers and constructing buildings leading the rivers to rapid shrinkage and ultimate death. Besides, the water of the rivers is being contaminated continuously as garbage and industrial wastes are poured into them. In fact, the water of Buriganga and three other rivers around Dhaka has already become unusable due to contamination. Meanwhile, the long-awaited drive to clean the Buriganga river-bed has begun in January.
It is against this backdrop that the Shipping Minister has unveiled the list of the 7000 land grabbers encroaching upon the four rivers around the capital. Many more such 'bhumi dasyus' or land grabbers have occupied the river banks and government khas lands in different parts of the country.
There are about two crore bighas of government khas lands in the country. Had these been distributed properly among the landless people, each of them would have got about two bighas of land on an average. But in reality, only a small number of landless people got allotment of government khas lands, most of which are under the illegal occupation of influential land grabbers and political opportunists. These people are so powerful that in many cases in the past attempts to recover these lands from the illegal grabbers have failed. However, it is reassuring that the present government has decided to recover the grabbled khas lands and distribute those among the landless people. Besides, urgent steps should be taken to evict the illegal occupants from government lands and the authorities should remain alert so that influential people cannot manage to get allotment of khas lands in future. Moreover, the illegal structures on the banks of rivers should be demolished and the land grabbers should be evicted immediately.

  Child labour

Child labour is a social curse and unlawful, but unfortunately we are unable to get rid of it. Our government leaders, politicians, bureaucrats, members of the civil society and the human rights activists are always vocal against child labour, but in reality the number of children at works is increasing day by day. This is simply because they need to earn the bread for themselves and their families also. Child labour is prohibited worldwide including our country, but in fact children are engaged as labourers in almost all developing countries including Bangladesh. Poor parents also send their children to work to support the family.
There are about 74 lakh child labourers in the country at present and a large section of them are engaged in risky jobs in mills, factories and elsewhere. They are compelled to work for hours as labourers to earn the bread at an age when they are supposed to go to schools and remain busy in studying and playing. But many parents despite their earnest desire cannot send their boys or girls to schools due to abject poverty. As a result the child labourers are being deprived of the opportunity to grow up as educated citizens.
It goes without saying that these children need and deserve care and all should give proper attention to them in the greater interest of the country. As the children are the future of the nation, they should be nurtured properly. The government should attach the highest importance to the children providing basic needs like education, treatment, food and shelter. Poverty is the main cause behind child labour and so all out efforts should be made for poverty alleviation.

Analysis

A win-win situation

The imminent resumption of dialogue between Pakistan and India represents a silver lining in the cloud.

Iqbal Ahmad Khan

Amdist the recent death and destruction that has ricocheted throughout Pakistan, the imminent resumption of dialogue between Pakistan and India represents a silver lining in the cloud.
It has rekindled hope among the many sane persons who fervently desire peace and prosperity in the region. They belong neither to the lunatic fringe hell-bent on liquidating their adversary nor to sceptics who believe, contrary to historical evidence, in the inevitable futility of dialogue between the two mutually suspicious neighbours.
In certain Pakistani circles the Indian proposal for resumption of the dialogue has been hailed as vindication of Pakistan's position that India ought not to have suspended the composite dialogue no matter what the provocation.
Pakistan's diplomacy, the argument goes, was able to skilfully channel international concerns in persuading India to resume talks in order to mollify Pakistan's anxieties in relation to its eastern frontier.
The approach suited the US and its western allies desirous of a greater Pakistani focus on the war on terror.
Additionally, the decision at the London conference to talk to the Taliban, reintegrate them into Afghan society and rejection of the idea of making India part of a regional framework entrusted with bringing peace and security to Afghanistan were considered as Pakistan's diplomatic successes.
These developments are believed to have produced concerns in India regarding gains painstakingly acquired in post 9/11 Afghanistan.
This, to a certain extent, may be true. It would, however, be unwise and not statesmanlike to trumpet Pakistan's gain as India's loss.
This is not a zero-sum game. Both Pakistan and India, and the vast South Asian region, are likely to profit from the revival of wide-ranging and meaningful talks between the two major regional players. Pakistan should learn lessons from history, not history as we wish it to be, but history as it is.
Pakistan's confrontation with India - 1965, 1971 and Kargil - brought about in chronological order economic decline, territorial disintegration and international rebuke. Internally, it gave rise to militarism and militarisation and the demise of democracy. It is obvious we have paid a very heavy price in confronting India and have nothing to show for it.
On the other side, India would find it difficult to realise its full potential in the global arena, if it is unable to mend fences with its principal neighbour.
As for coveting the prestigious permanent seat in the UN Security Council, its continued intransigence in implementing the resolutions of the Security Council on Kashmir will continue to pose a major impediment.
If there still are people in leadership positions in India who believe that they can extinguish the azadi flame burning in the hearts of Kashmiris or can brush the dispute under the carpet, they too like Pakistan need to learn from history.
Pakistan on its part must take a fresh look at what exactly Kashmiris have in mind when they clamour for azadi.
Potentially, Pakistan can profit immensely from the talks and should, therefore, pursue it resolutely, skilfully and imaginatively. The agenda for the talks, its shape and direction should be determined by the elected representatives of the people of Pakistan.
The Foreign Office should be the focal point in Pakistan and the principal coordinator and implementer. Any attempt to sidetrack the Foreign Office could at the very least lead to embarrassment and at its worst to serious diplomatic setbacks, just as any attempt to deviate from the policy and strategy of the democratic government by any institution or agency could undermine the country's vital national interests.
Former Foreign Minister Sartaj Aziz in his impressive book Between Dreams and Realities has drawn attention to the negative impact of the Kargil operation on the India-Pakistan peace process following Prime Minister Vajpayee's landmark visit to Lahore.
Mr Aziz contends that the Kargil operation caused irreparable damage to Pakistan's principled and legitimate stand on Kashmir in the international arena. It is also imperative that the government take extraordinary care to ensure that non-state actors do not succeed in scuttling the talks.
The role of the intelligence agencies would be critical. Regrettably, so far they have not been able to crown themselves with glory.
Pakistan, contrary to popular belief, has more in common with India than any other country in the world. This is true of our geography, history, language, culture, laws and customs.
Equally true, the numerous affinities that exist between Pakistan and India are matched by the many problems that confront the two countries.
Inherited territorial and maritime disputes combine with conflicting foreign policy and national security goals and an underlying mistrust and suspicion to pose major challenges for the leadership and peoples of the two countries.
Thus far both have failed to overcome the challenges. No longer, however, is failure an option. Fortunately, the revival of the dialogue has created a win-win situation.
The present government is committed to the resolution of all outstanding issues and disputes with India through dialogue and negotiations.
The party has to its credit one of the finest accomplishments of Pakistan's diplomacy, the Shimla Accord. It has brought about a distinct improvement in Pakistan's relations with its western neighbour, Afghanistan.
The international community has acknowledged the crucial role that Pakistan can play in restoring peace and security within Afghanistan. A great opportunity presents itself for the establishment of peace and stability on the country's eastern and western borders. Pakistan simply cannot afford to fritter it away.
At this delicate juncture hare-brained ideas of strategic depth and coercive diplomacy should be farthest from our minds. The government is in an unenviable position given the monumental problems it has both inherited and created for itself internally.
It should focus at the strategic picture, cut down its liabilities and establish realistic priorities. Peace with India and within Afghanistan should be at the top.


ghazalakhan27@hotmail.com

  Pakistan deserves US help

The US counterinsurgency effort in Afghanistan hinges on whether or not the "Afghan Taliban," a Pashtun movement, maintains sanctuary and support from outside the country.

Chris Seiple

Victory or defeat in Afghanistan will be determined by how the United States engages Pakistan this year.
In particular, the US counterinsurgency effort in Afghanistan hinges on whether or not the "Afghan Taliban," a Pashtun movement, maintains sanctuary and support from outside the country.
Currently, the Pakistani government is not denying that sanctuary to the Afghan Taliban, or the "Pakistan Taliban" (also Pashtun). I spent 10 days last month in Islamabad and Peshawar speaking with leaders from across society, including those with direct access to the Taliban.
Conversations revealed that there are three things that the US must understand in order to end the Taliban insurgencies on both sides of the Afghan-Pakistani border: respect, reconciliation, and religious freedom.
1. Reverse the respect deficit between Pakistan and America.
Pakistan views its relationship with the US in the context of its primary threat: India. The Indian Army's commander recently said it could invade Pakistan from the east and defeat it in 96 hours as part of it's "Cold Start" military doctrine, which calls for a rapid and integrated offensive using all of India's military forces. A pro-Indian Afghanistan along the western border of Pakistan would encircle the country with potential enemies.
Because Pakistan is not sure of US intentions in Afghanistan the Pakistani Army has no incentive to defeat the Pakistan Taliban in the border areas. Better to keep the Taliban, conventional Pakistani wisdom suggests, as a buffer against the possibility of a pro-Indian Afghanistan.
The US, on the other hand, views the relationship with Pakistan through its biggest concern: Al Qaida. The US is focused on defeating an Arab-dominated Al Qaida, whose forces are nested among Taliban groups along both sides of the Pakistani-Afghan border.
Thus, the US has put so much pressure on the Pakistani government to move against Al Qaida and the terrorist elements of the Taliban that many Pakistanis consider President Asif Ali Zardari to be an American stooge. The Pakistani reluctance to go after all of the Taliban groups within its borders, after a new multibillion dollar aid package from the US, meanwhile, gives some Americans the impression of ingratitude.
Adding injury to insult for the Pakistanis are the American drone attacks that the Pakistani government has unofficially sanctioned.
2. Reconciliation is central to a solution.
If the Pakistan Taliban can be integrated into the Pakistani political process, they are much more likely to stop providing sanctuary and support to their Pashtun brothers who make up the Afghan Taliban.
Perceived disrespect
And if support of the Afghan Taliban ceases from within the Pakistan border, Afghan stability is not far behind. The US-Pakistan relationship would then be freed to mature beyond the perceived disrespect of the moment into a healthy recognition of long-term and common interests.
3. Reconciliation, however, will not take place without religious freedom.
The Taliban assassinates Pashtun clerics who speak out against them or their partnership with the Arab Al Qaida. This is because an interpretation of Islam other than theirs threatens their very reason for being. If religious freedom is the greatest threat to the Taliban, then that is where counterinsurgency must begin.
Islamist parties like the political Pashtun-dominated JUI(F) party - which surprised political observers by winning a seat in the North West Frontier Provincial Assembly during a special election this month - have a role to play.
Such parties have the potential to be an ethnotheological, and therefore political, bridge to the Afghan and Pakistan Talibans, setting the stage for political participation.
Yet, incredibly, the US State Department's recently released Afghanistan-Pakistan Regional Stabilisation Strategy - which argues for a better strategic communications campaign that counters the "narrative" of the Taliban terrorists - does not mention "faith," "religion," or "Islam." Ignoring religion, ensures the total irrelevance of America's policy towards this crucial region.
As it stands, the Pakistani government is currently unable or unwilling to deny the Afghan Taliban the sanctuary and support it receives from the Pakistan Taliban. If America seeks sustainable stability in Afghanistan, it must allow for the vital role that Islam can play in creating a process where respect, reconciliation, and religious freedom can help build a healthy and civil society - in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
All parties will have different understandings of what goes into those words, but it is only through an intentional conversation that Pakistan and its people can begin to address the extremists in their midst; thereby enabling the end of the Taliban insurgencies on both sides of the border.


Chris Seiple is the president of the Institute for Global Engagement, a think-tank that builds religious freedom worldwide through local partners. He is a former infantry officer in the
Marine Corps.

  Tempest in a Nuclear Teapot

Iran will only enrich 40 kilos of low-grade uranium to 20 per cent to fuel a small research reactor in Teheran to produce medical isotopes for cancer treatment.

Eric S. Margolis

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's announcement that Iran had enriched a very small amount of uranium to 20 per cent to fete the 31st anniversary of the 1979 Iranian Revolution has provoked fury in Washington and here in the US Central Command, the military overseer of much of the Muslim world.
Western media and politicians are loudly denouncing Iran's latest nuclear effort, claiming it now puts Teheran within striking distance of achieving the 85-90 per cent enrichment needed for nuclear weapons.
In fact, Iran will only enrich 40 kilos of low-grade uranium to 20 per cent to fuel a small research reactor in Teheran to produce medical isotopes for cancer treatment. Iran insists it has no plans to produce nuclear weapons. Teheran has offered to swap its low enriched uranium for fuel rods from Europe and Russia. But Iran says the swap must be simultaneous, while the US-led Western powers demand Iran hand over its uranium first, then get the fuel rods at some later date - if it behaves.
This latest tempest in a nuclear teacup comes as Iran slowly develops a nuclear power industry to produce electricity. Iran's oil is being depleted. Forty other nations are at similar or more advanced stages of nuclear power generation. This is all quite legal under UN nuclear agency rules.
UN nuclear inspectors and combined US intelligence say there is no evidence Iran is developing nuclear weapons. Documents claiming that Iran is working on nuclear warheads have been debunked as fakes. They vividly recall forgeries about Iraq's purchase of uranium ore from Niger used to justify the US invasion of Iraq.
But nuclear-armed Israel and its American partisans warn Iran is developing nuclear weapons and demand tougher sanctions or war.
President Barack Obama is under mounting pressure to take military action against Iran. America's pro-Israel media, like Fox TV News and the Wall Street Journal, are beating the war drums. Republican frontrunner Sarah Palin and former Vice President Dick Cheney are accusing the President of being weak, ineffectual, and failing to defend the US from terrorism and the alleged danger of Iranian nuclear weapons - that don't even exist. Voters have notoriously short memories. Many Americans have already forgotten the disastrous eight years under George W. Bush and the Republican-controlled Congress that include the 9/11 attacks, two lost wars costing $1 trillion, a trillion dollar deficit, the 2008 Wall Street implosion, and worldwide anti-Americanism. A large billboard has gone up in Minnesota showing a grinning George Bush with the caption, 'Miss me yet?'
The Republican party's hard right is buzzing with the idea that a jolly war against Iran is just what the battered economy needs to pull it out of deep recession. Pundits are claiming that war on Iran would restore the sagging presidency of Barack Obama. Americans do love war presidents. In fact, every American president since Theodore Roosevelt has had a war on his watch. Americans do not understand that nuclear power has become Iran's key national issue. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's spiritual guide, claims Britain and the US are determined to deny the Muslim world modern technology in order to keep it backwards, weak, and forced to buy Western arms and exports.
For most Iranians, developing nuclear power means breaking out of their Western-imposed technological ghetto and modernisation. It's a matter of profound national pride and defiance. Nuclear technology offers independence, and weapons for self-defence, if Teheran so chooses.
To Western dismay, most of the current Iranian protest movement's leaders back its nuclear programme. If Ahmadinejad were replaced, Iran's nuclear efforts would continue unless the US and Britain managed to achieve their strategy of restoring the exiled Iranian royalist regime to power in Teheran. If France and Britain, and Iran's neighbours Russia, Israel, Pakistan, and India (now with US help) can have nuclear arms, why can't Iranians at least boil water for tea using nuclear energy?

Eric Margolis is a veteran US journalist who reported from the Middle East and Asia for nearly two decades. For comments, write to opinion@khaleejtimes.com

Viewpoints

Damage the drones do

The assurances by the US administration that America will remain a strong supporter of Pakistanís security and prosperity ìlong after the guns have fallen silentî is received with skepticism, if not outright disbelief.

Tayyab Siddiqui 

The current state of Pak-US relations defies any categorisation. While the two states regard it as one between two allies and partners pursuing a common objective, at the public level, the gulf of mistrust and suspicion is increasing day by day as reflected by the anti-US demonstrations and rallies that take place in Pakistan from time to time and the demand to ìdo moreî in Washington. The assurances by the US administration that America will remain a strong supporter of Pakistanís security and prosperity ìlong after the guns have fallen silentî is received with skepticism, if not outright disbelief.
And now what have made the matter worse are the drone attacks by the CIA in the tribal belt of Pakistan in blatant violation of Pakistanís sovereignty. According to Pakistanís assessment, these attacks have proved counterproductive and raised anti-American sentiments to an unprecedented high level and lowered the stock of government in the public. Not only that, these attacks have also failed to achieve the objective; last year, there were 44 drone attacks, killing only five key Al Qaeda targets but the civilian casualties exceeded 700 Pakistanis. Passionate appeals have been made to all the visitors from the US - Congressmen, officials, military brass and others ñ that these attacks must stop. Pakistan is absolutely critical for USí strategy in the region and its war against terror is solely dependent on Pakistanís cooperation. Pakistan must spell out to the Obama Administration that any more cooperation with the US would be subject to US meeting Pakistanís concerns.
Indeed the ìstakes are too high for failureî as Admiral Mullen put it. Military and economic assistance to Pakistan is appreciated, but seen in the context of amounts committed for Iraq and Afghanistan, the allocations for Pakistan are peanuts. American plans for developing a joint campaign would also be subject to Pakistanís concerns and US support to them. If the US expects Pakistan to ìdo more,î it should also ìpay moreî - both in psychological (end of drone attacks) and political terms. President Obamaís assurances of an ìeffective partnershipî and long-term relationship based on a ìfoundation of mutual interest, mutual respect and mutual trustî are not in evidence. To move forward, the drone issue can be the first test. It is not brinkmanship but an affirmation of Pakistanís role, not as a surrogate but as a willing and committed partner to make use of its geo-strategic location for peace, stability and development in the region.
More than 700 innocent Pakistanis, including women and children, have perished in the US drone attacks and without a word of regret, they have been classified as part of the collateral damage. Using such cruel terms for innocent human beings is most unfortunate. Our leadership should demand compensation for the deceased. Recently, German troops, component of ISAF accidentally killed some 30 Afghan civilians in an air attack. Not only did the German government accept responsibility, but the Chief of Defense Forces and the Federal Defense Minister resigned. The government also decided on monetary compensation for those who died in this attack.
In the wake of Nuremberg trials, there have been a plethora of international laws, conventions and protocols safeguarding and compensating the civilians who become victims of war. A number of UN Security Council resolutions are also relevant providing compensation and reparations to the affected civilians as a result of Iraqís aggression and occupation of Kuwait. Why canít Pakistan invoke this precedence to convince the US that the demand for blood money is in accord with international practices and the US cannot absolve itself of its responsibility by ignoring the innocent civilians killed with impuniThe writer is a former ambassador.

Email: m.tayyab.siddiqui@gmail.com

  Muslim world-West ties: Need for new approach   

Yet, Western media rarely highlight actions by the Muslim world in fighting terrorism and extremist ideologies.

Maha Akeel     

An explosive device here or a suicide bomber there and the victims are innocent bystanders, most of them Muslim, with mayhem and destruction all over the place. This is the situation you find in some parts of the Muslim world today.
In addition, there are self-proclaimed "jihadists" who have an extremely distorted understanding of jihad. There are also fanatics who take the law into their own hands and act as judges and executioners in the name of defending Islam.
Whenever terrorist acts occur, whether by organized groups or individuals, the West calls on moderate Muslims to speak up and act. They sometimes even accuse the Muslim political and religious leaders of giving "legitimacy" to these extremists by their silence.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Muslim governments, political and religious leaders as well as organizations such as the Organization of the Islamic Conference have all repeatedly and unequivocally condemned terrorist acts, especially those perpetrated in the name of Islam. After all, these terrorists have done more harm and damage to the image of Islam and provide ammunition and justification for those seeking to malign our faith.
Yet, Western media rarely highlight actions by the Muslim world in fighting terrorism and extremist ideologies. The perpetrators of terrorist activities and the minority who support them have narrow interests and political agendas that have nothing to do with either Islam or the welfare of Muslims. Western media should stop attaching the description "Muslim" to them because by linking the terrorist acts to Islam, the media bestow upon them a legitimacy they do not deserve.
At the same time, the world leaders need to be honest about the circumstances that lead to and nourish such extremist ideologies. Whether it is failed states or failed policies, governments need to reassess the situation and devise appropriate measures to deal with the situation. The root causes of the problem might be underdevelopment, corruption, and injustice, which means dealing with the issue from a socioeconomic point of view instead of relying on military force. Educating and raising the awareness of the local communities about the true Islam is also important to win their support in the fight against extremism and terrorism.
We must also remember that as long as there is occupation, there will always be resistance, but this is not to deny the existence of groups and individuals who will use the occupation as an excuse to justify violence to further their own interests and agendas.
Meanwhile, moderate Muslims do need to take a more active and engaging approach in explaining Islam to the West. Bombs are louder than words and make a more interesting media story than a lecture or a conference, but a coherent and consistent message will be resonant in the long run. Relying on Western media is not enough because most often they will follow prescribed scenarios and stereotypes. Many Western satellite channels have launched Arabic versions. How many Arab or Muslim-funded channels are there aimed at the English-speaking Western audiences?
We tend to speak to each other and raise our voices in defending and explaining Islam when we need to be speaking to the other in a language and style they understand and accept. How effective have we been in using the Internet to reach out to the other through attractive and informative English websites, blogs and online publications? How many books, magazines, television and radio programs, and documentaries were produced in Western languages that presented a positive image of Islam and its rich history, culture and civilization? It is not surprising that the latest Gallup survey showed that nearly two-thirds of Americans say they have little or no knowledge of Islam and a majority of them dislike the faith.
Moreover, many analysts who study extremism in the West say that Muslims there feel alienated from broader society and find it difficulty or resist integrating, potentially becoming more vulnerable to radical ideas.
Muslims living in the West are at the frontline in presenting Islam to their local community and many were successful in initiating projects and programs that not only helped Muslims integrate and defend their rights but also reach out and create channels for dialogue and cooperation. Their role is very important in reaching grassroots communities through town hall meetings, seminars, cultural events and joint community service programs.
Last but not least, official initiatives such as King Abdullah's for interfaith and intercultural dialogue and the Alliance of Civilizations as well as private sector initiatives such as the Coexist Foundation and the Exhibition of 1001 Inventions of Islamic Heritage are the kind of soft weapons that have the greatest effect on clearing misunderstandings and establishing harmony among peoples. These are the efforts that need to be promoted and highlighted instead of those beating the drums of war and clashes.

  Medvedev versus Putin

The Russian president has repudiated key tenets of Putinism, but the prime minister is ignoring him.

Leon Aron    

The security of the United States continues to be tied to decisions in Moscow, as evidenced by US President Barack Obama's touting of the pending strategic arms-control agreement with Russia in his State of the Union address. And those decisions, in turn, will hinge on Russian domestic politics. The central question is whether Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's increasingly radical rhetoric will begin to translate into policies that would spell a decisive break with those of his predecessor, current Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
Could 2010 become Medvedev's equivalent of Mikhail Gorbachev's 1987 - the year when, also after only two years in the Kremlin and against very strong opposition by hard-liners, Gorbachev began lifting totalitarian controls over politics by declaring glasnost and democratisation?
Like Gorbachev in 1987, Medvedev faces tough odds. His speeches are still contaminated by the bluster and outright propaganda lies of Putinism. Moreover, unlike Gorbachev - who had the awesome power of the office of the Communist Party's general secretary - Medvedev's authority still appears to be on loan from Putin.
Critique
And yet, just as unmistakably, in the last few months, Russia's president has not only dissociated himself from key tenets of Putinism but challenged and repudiated them, in effect chipping away at the legitimacy of the political and economic order he inherited. Medvedev's critique was especially pointed and concentrated in his September article, Rossiya, vperyod! ('Russia, forward!'), posted on the opposition web daily Gazeta.ru.
Medvedev described the Russian economy as "chronically backward," "primitive" and dependent on raw-materials exports. The system "largely ignores" the needs of people, while businesses are averse to inventing or manufacturing things and, instead, trade in commodities and imported goods. The competitiveness of Russian-made goods in world markets is "shamefully" low. Labour productivity is meagre as well, as is the quality of "half-Soviet" social services.
Corruption is ubiquitous, Medvedev goes on to say, and people are all but defenceless against "arbitrariness, non-freedom and the disdain" for the law and the courts that corruption breeds. The wide-spread "paternalistic sentiments" result in a lack of initiative and a dearth of new ideas in an "archaic society" where the "bigwigs" think and decide for everyone.
Medvedev also has called for an end of the era of "petulance, haughtiness, the inferiority complex, mistrust and hostility" in relations with leading democracies, and advocates reversing Russia's confrontation and self-isolation.
Yet the Russian president's most portentous, if little noticed, rhetorical break with Putinism goes to the issue of modernisation. His statements amount to a rejection of Putin's choices. First, he wrote that oil and gas, in effect, cannot be the cornerstones and engines of lasting prosperity and progress. A truly great modern state cannot be built on petrodollars. Instead, Medvedev reiterated in the November speech, Russia must develop an "intelligent," knowledge-based economy.
The most damaging legacy of Putinism has been the pervasive cynicism born of daily powerlessness amid lies, corruption and cruelty. Thus, Medvedev's deeds must match his words.
What might some Medvedev deeds include? Gorbachev began by releasing Andrei Sakharov from exile in Gorky in December 1986. Medvedev's equivalents might include an unconditional pardon for the former leading Russian entrepreneur Mikhail Khodorkovsky, who is facing a kangaroo court's sentence of up to 22 years in jail. The murderers of the opposition journalist Anna Politkovskaya in 2006 also need to be brought to justice.
Investigations
There should be an investigation of the shamelessly fraudulent local "elections" in October; a follow-up on the promise made in the state-of-Russia speech to audit (and eventually privatise) state corporations - created by Putin with Gazprom and Rosneft as his models, and widely believed to be hubs of corruption and mismanagement. Medvedev should, at long last, conduct a credible and full investigation into the 1999 apartment bombings that critics allege were engineered by the secret services to justify the invasion of Chechnya and boost Putin's popularity.
And perhaps most important, he should relax and eventually abolish the Kremlin censorship of television, enabling Russians to learn the truth about the real state of affairs.
If Medvedev is indeed determined to follow in Gorbachev's footsteps, his rhetoric must be a prologue to actions. In 2010, his glasnost must be followed by perestroika policies - or he will fade into irrelevance.

Leon Aron, resident scholar and director of Russian studies at the American Enterprise Institute, is the author, most recently, of Russia's Revolution: Essays 1989-2006.

United States and China Need Each Other

Today, China commands respect across the globe. It is confident, even cocky, in bilateral and multilateral fora.

Fareed Zakaria

Despite the recent squall in US-Chinese relations, the fact remains that both countries have powerful reasons to cooperate with one another.
These have grown over the last two decades, something that both countries seem to recognise. China's reaction to the Obama administration's decision to sell arms to Taiwan has been furious, but has mostly involved symbolic gestures. Compare this with 1992, when the Bush Sr. administration sent Taipei weapons, and soon afterward Beijing reportedly sold missiles to Pakistan and signed a nuclear-cooperation agreement with Iran. This time China's strongest threat - to "retaliate" against US companies involved in arms sales - is likely to be targeted at those firms, like Raytheon, that have been long-time suppliers to Taipei and as a consequence have written off the China market. Beijing will likely not punish the three American giants involved in the deal: Boeing, General Electric, and United Technologies.
Similarly, Beijing's indignant reaction to President Obama's decision to meet with the Dalai Lama is posturing.
The Chinese government could not have been surprised. Every US president in recent memory has met with the Dalai Lama, and Obama told China's President Hu Jintao directly that he was going to meet with the Tibetan leader. On Washington's part, despite Hillary Clinton's criticisms of China over Internet freedom and President Obama's declaration that he will get tough with Beijing over its currency, it is unlikely that this strong rhetoric will be matched with equivalent actions.
The United States has few arrows in its quiver, and the administration knows well that public admonition of Beijing rarely works. In fact, both countries might well be playing the same game: feigning public outrage to satisfy domestic audiences.
But there are two trends that could take a manageable situation and make it something more worrisome. The first is a growing perception in China that it is no longer as reliant on the West, and in particular the United States, as it was. In the 1980s, Deng Xiaoping brought China out of the cold by embracing America and opening up to foreign investment. This was different from the somewhat predatory, export-driven strategy of Japan and South Korea. But, the China scholar Minxin Pei argues, this was not an ideological conversion to free-market capitalism. Ravaged by the Cultural Revolution, Beijing desperately needed Western managerial know-how, technology, and capital to develop its economy.
Today, China is awash in capital, has many topnotch local companies, and this year for the first time, the primary engine of Chinese growth has been its domestic market, not exports. As China expands, that internal market will probably become its dominant concern.
A similar reality applies in foreign policy. Mao restored relations with the United States in some measure to buy himself an ally against the Soviet Union. China has needed the United States as a political ally ever since; Jiang Zemin's fuzzy embrace of the United States was part of a strategy whose goal was concrete: membership in the World Trade Organisation. Today, China commands respect across the globe. It is confident, even cocky, in bilateral and multilateral fora. None of this is nefarious. But Beijing's newfound arrogance is not joined with a broader vision. The country does not appear ready to play a global role. In international summits Beijing has been largely focused on pursuing its interests in a fairly narrow sense. At the April G20 summit, for example, China participated actively on only one issue, to make sure that Hong Kong was kept off the list of offshore tax havens ?being investigated.
Perhaps it's too soon to expect China to play a broader role, taking on responsibilities for global order and making concessions for broader interests. But given its impact on the global system, this is likely to produce paralysis on several fronts. American isolationism during the 1920s was understandable, too, but it had unhappy effects on the world.The second factor that could exacerbate Sino-US tensions is America's economic fate. Right now there's great fear that the US economy is in deep structural decline. If American politicians cannot muster up the courage to make the US economy competitive again, and Beijing perceives that it is dealing with a superpower in inexorable decline, relations between China and America will change fundamentally. Of course, if that happens, America will have plenty else to worry about as well.


Fareed Zakaria is Editor of Newsweek International and author of The Post-American World and The Future of Freedom: Illiberal Democracy at Home and Abroad

International

Pak Attorney General holds good meeting with CJ
Dawn Online, Islamabad

Pakistan Attorney General Anwar Mansoor dashed to the federal capital on Sunday to meet Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and then Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry apparently to prepare for a constitutional battle that begins in the Supreme Court on Feb 18 on the burning issue of appointment of judges.
"It was a good meeting. I will not go beyond the law and the Constitution," was all that the attorney general would say after meeting the chief justice.
The crisis exploded after President Asif Ali Zardari elevated Lahore High Court Chief Justice Khawaja Mohammad Sharif to the Supreme Court and appointed senior judge Justice Saqib Nisar as chief justice of the LHC.
Mr Mansoor's remarks did not make it clear if his mission was to build bridges.
It is believed that during the 45-minute meeting he delivered to the chief justice a message from the prime minister that the government respected the order of the Supreme Court and did not want any confrontation between institutions, that he was in consultation with the president on the issue of elevation of judges and the government's point of view would be submitted before the court in detail.
The meeting held in the SC building on Sunday is being seen as an attempt to defuse what many perceive as the most serious confrontation between the apex court and the presidency since Gen Musharraf clamped emergency and unconstitutionally sacked superior court judges, including the chief justice, on Nov 3, 2007.
However, according to one constitutional expert the government is preparing to defend the notifications before a five-judge bench which will take up the matter on Feb 18.
He claimed that the government had asked eminent lawyer Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan to plead its case but he turned down the offer saying that what the government had done was contrary to what he thought should be done.
The bench comprising Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan, Justice Raja Fayyaz Ahmed, Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja, Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali and Justice Rahmat Hussain Jafferi will also take up the suspension of the notifications on a suo motu notice taken by the chief justice within a couple of hours of the presidential order by constituting a three-judge special bench well past the working hours in the evening. Referring to the extraordinary step of constituting the three-judge bench in such an unusual manner, the expert suggested that the step was needed because if the notifications had not been suspended and the two judges had refused to take oath in accordance with them they would have been deemed to have retired as enunciated in the 1996 Al Jihad Trust case.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for the movement for the restoration of judiciary, Advocate Athar Minallah, deplored that either the legal teams of both the president and the prime minister were incompetent or the notifications had been issued with mala fide intent because laws were very clear.
He said that the chief justice enjoyed the sole authority of determining the fitness and eligibility of any judge to be elevated to the apex court because with such elevations the appointees gained three more years in service.
No constitutional conventions or past practice existed to appoint the most senior judge of a high court as judge of the apex court, he said, adding that the rule of fitness and suitability had an edge over the principles of seniority and legitimate expectancy.
High Court judges
He said the issue of elevation of a judge from the LHC to fill a permanent position from Punjab in the SC should not be a pretext for delaying the appointment of judges.
"We are again faced with a judicial crisis. Not a bona fide crisis but a crisis created for ulterior reasons." Mr Ebrahim said without consultation, these appointments, in contradiction to the binding recommendations of the chief justice remained invalid, being in violation of Article 177 of the Constitution, he said.
"We have fortunately evolved a procedure which is not only fair and just, but in public interest." In the four high courts a large number of judges remained un-appointed for the past several months only because of an undue obduracy and the expectation that parliament would provide another procedure for appointment of judges to suit the executive, the former judge said.

  Resolution against President’s appointment of judges
Dawn Online, Karachi

Bar associations across Pakistan passed a unanimous resolution on Monday declaring the February 13 presidential order regarding judges' appointment illegal. At least 66 bar associations across the country passed the resolution. Black-suited lawyers were back on the streets on Monday in major cities across the country, protesting against Zardari.
"It's a bid to threaten the judiciary and send a message that the president is more powerful than anybody else," Qazi Mohammad Anwar, president of the Supreme Court bar association and a protest leader, told Reuters, referring to Zardari's bid to appoint judges.
"We warn the government to stop this adventurism, stop constitutional adventurism. It will be harmful to them," he said.
Some protesting lawyers burnt an effigy of Zardari. Pro-government lawyers also took to the streets in some cities.
Lawyers boycott courts
Reuters adds: Many Pakistani lawyers boycotted courts on Monday in a protest against President Asif Ali Zardari, who is embroiled in a potentially destabilizing dispute with the judiciary over the appointment of judges. The row looks set to become a distraction for the government of the nuclear-armed U.S. ally, already struggling to fight Islamist militants and to get a sluggish economy on track.
Pakistani stocks fell as investors worried about political instability, which dealers said was likely to keep foreign investors away and could spark selling if it got worse.
Also on Monday, a suspected U.S. drone fired a missile into the North Waziristan region on the Afghan border, killing three militants, Pakistani intelligence officials said.
The attack came as U.S. forces are spearheading one of NATO's biggest offensives in Afghanistan against the Taliban, who get support from networks and sanctuaries in lawless areas on the Pakistani side of the border.
Pakistan has a history of disputes between the executive and the judiciary sparking instability and, in at least one case, bringing down a government in the 1990s.
The latest row erupted on Saturday when a Supreme Court panel blocked an order from Zardari issued earlier that day appointing two judges, one to the Supreme Court and the other as chief justice of the high court in the city of Lahore. Some lawyers burned an effigy of Zardari.

  US senator open to options on Japan base dispute
AP, Tokyo

A member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee said Monday he's open to hearing options on how to resolve a dispute over the relocation of a contentious U.S. Marine base on the Japanese island of Okinawa.
Starting a weeklong tour in Japan and Guam, Sen. Jim Webb also called Toyota's recent recall problems - the subject of two congressional hearings next week - a "business issue" that wouldn't affect political ties between Japan and the United States.
U.S.-Japan relations have soured after the new Tokyo government put on hold a plan to move Futenma Marine airfield on the southern island of Okinawa - part of a broader 2006 agreement with Washington to reorganize the 47,000 U.S. troops in Japan - because of local opposition. Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, who swept into power after last August's elections, has said he will make a decision on Futenma by May.
Webb, who has made numerous visits to Okinawa over the last 40 years, first as a Marine during the Vietnam War and later as a U.S. defense planner and government official, said the main purpose of his visit was to listen to the views of the Japanese government and people of Okinawa, where many resent the heavy U.S. military presence.
"There could be a number of practical options," Webb said about ways to resolve the Futenma issue. "I don't want to outline those options today because I don't want to cut short the discussions that we're going to have."
Webb, a Democrat who represents Virginia, said a solution needed to be found quickly "on the Futenma issue for the well-being of the citizens in that area."
"I am open to listening to all suggestions from the Japanese government and also the people of Okinawa," he told journalists at a news conference.
Last year, Webb made a high-profile trip to Myanmar to negotiate the release of American John Yettaw, who was arrested and sentenced to seven years in prison after he had sneaked into the home of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

  Musharraf hints at return to Pakistan politics
AFP, London

Former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf hinted at a return to politics in his homeland on Monday, saying he would "do anything for Pakistan" but the voters there must decide.
"I love my country and I would do anything for Pakistan," the retired general, who was replaced last year in elections after nine years as president, told a meeting at the Chatham House think-tank in London. He added: "For Pakistan one would be prepared to do anything. However, it is for the people of Pakistan who need to decide."
Musharraf joked that, "I'm a civilian now, I'm not a military man, I cannot take over anything," a reference to his seizure of power, while army chief, from elected prime minister Nawaz Sharif in 1999.
"I have to come through the political process, through the process of elections. But I think it's very good-it's very good because I think I will have that legitimacy which I never had," he said.
Musharraf did not say if he has decided to return to Pakistan to face trial over his 2007 detention of judges as he attempted to cling to power. He had imposed a state of emergency and sacked about 60 judges on November 3, 2007 when the Supreme Court appeared poised to declare him ineligible to contest a presidential election while in military uniform.

  Sri Lanka’s opposition coalition cracking
AP, Colombo

The main partner in Sri Lanka's opposition coalition will contest the next elections independently, officials said Monday, the first split since its defeated presidential candidate was arrested for alleged sedition.
United National Party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe told reporters Sunday that his party had decided to go it alone, but might still field joint candidates with others in the April 8 polls. The main party representing the country's Tamil minority announced earlier it would also go it alone.
The leader of a smaller opposition party, Mano Ganeshan, told The Associated Press on Monday that the possibility that the UNP would reverse its decision was the "only silver lining," because otherwise the opposition would have no chance of countering the president's control of parliament.
"I believe that the grand alliance that took shape during the presidential election is falling apart due to the very rigid position taken by the UNP," said Ganeshan, who runs the Democratic People's Front. "I am afraid it may not continue."
In the presidential vote last month, a motley crew of liberals, ultra-nationalist Marxists and former Tamil separatists fielded former army chief Sarath Fonseka, who had been a close ally of the president until a falling-out after the war against Tamil Tiger rebels ended last year.
After President Mahinda Rajapaksa won a wide victory, the military arrested Fonseka for alleged sedition. No formal charges have been filed, and the opposition has described Fonseka's arrest as revenge for daring to challenge Rajapaksa.

  Philippine Maoist rebels say no talks with this govt
Reuters, Manila

A Philippine left-wing leader said on Monday that communist rebels had lost interest in peace talks with the current government, but did not say if negotiations could resume when a new administration is formed later this year.
The 4,000-member communist New People's Army, active in nearly all of the country's 80 provinces, has been waging a 40-year guerrilla war that has killed more than 40,000 people and stunted growth in resource-rich areas outside the capital Manila.
The rebels' political arm, the National Democratic Front (NDF), was to resume resume long-stalled talks with the government in Norway in August 2009 but later called them off because its leaders had not been freed from detention. "The NDF negotiating panel has no interest in negotiating with a lameduck regime with a lifespan of less than three months," Fidel Agcaoili, a member of the NDF's negotiating team, said in a statement. There was no immediate reaction from the government.
Agcaoili did not say whether the rebels would resume talks with the next administration after President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo steps down from power on June 30. A national election is due in May.
Agcaoili's comments came after the arrest earlier this month of 43 health workers accused of being members of a communist group.
The rebels say the government is bent on destroying the "revolutionary mass movement", citing the arrest, detention and alleged torture of the community health workers, mostly women, in Rizal province.
The military claimed the arrests were covered by arrest and search warrants and involved suspected NPA rebels attending training on how to assemble crude bombs. Several guns, a grenade, dynamite sticks and improvised bombs were seized during the raid.

  Police injured as protestors demand new state in southern India
Internet

Police were injured in clashes with students Monday in Hyderabad over demands for a separate Telangana state, officials said. More than 10 security and media personnel were injured in the violence at the Osmania University in the capital of India's Andhra Pradesh state, senior police officer Mahesh Ladda told reporters.
The university is the centre of the movement campaigning for the new state and supporters want Hyderabad for its capital.
"Students took out a rally and threw stones at policemen deployed on the campus. Twelve security personnel and some media personnel were injured in the protests," Ladda said.

 Iran says new nuclear offer on table, drawing French denial

AFP, Tehran

Iran said on Monday that it was considering a new proposal from the major powers for the supply of nuclear fuel but France swiftly denied any such offer had been made.
The head of Iran's atomic energy organisation, Ali Akbar Salehi, told domestic news agencies the new proposal had come in response to Iran's move last week to begin enriching uranium itself to the 20 percent level required for a Tehran medical research rector after rejecting a previous offer.
"After the decision by Iran to produce its own uranium enriched to 20 percent, France, Russia and the United States presented a new proposal which we are in the process of considering," ILNA news agency quoted Salehi as saying.
"I am not going to unveil the contents of this proposal," he told Fars news agency.
France, which was to have provided the fuel for the Tehran reactor under the original deal using enriched uranium provided by Russia, denied any new proposal was on the table.
"Mr Salehi ought to know the only offer is the one which was proposed by the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) in October, and which has so far not received a satisfactory response," French foreign ministry spokesman Bernard Valero said.
Under the proposal drafted by the UN watchdog and backed by the major powers, Iran would ship out most of its stocks of low enriched uranium in return for receiving fuel for the Tehran reactor from France and Russia. Western governments have been pushing for Iran to ship out all of the low enriched uranium before receiving any fuel.
Iran has insisted it should only send out the uranium as it receives the fuel and has demanded the exchange happen on its own soil. "If it comes without conditions, we are ready for an exchange but they have to give sufficient guarantees... that is, the exchange must be simultaneous and take place on Iranian territory," Salehi reiterated on Monday.

  Anti-Saddam purge both woos and worries Iraq voters
Reuters, Baghdad

Government rhetoric against Saddam Hussein's Baath party will woo some Iraqi Shi'ite voters ahead of an election, but many people feel uneasy about a return to the sectarian politics that has spilled so much blood.
In the sprawling Shi'ite slum of Sadr City in northern Baghdad, a panel's move to ban scores of candidates for alleged Baathist links is the talk of the town in teahouses where men smoke Arabic water pipes and argue over sugary glasses of tea.
Many feel the candidate ban and vows by Shi'ite parties including Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's Dawa to purge the civil service of Baathists is sweet revenge for Saddam's brutal rule and oppression of the Shi'ite majority and minority Kurds.
"I would rather elect the devil than a Baathist," said factory owner Ahmed Han-oon, 40, whose older brother was killed by Saddam's government during a Shi'ite uprising. "They showed no mercy to the people and made us afraid of each other." Abdul Karim Hussain, 50, a Sadr City shop owner, said the decision to exclude alleged Baath party sympathisers from the March 7 parliamentary vote was the right one because the party destroyed Iraq through wars and killed thousands of Iraqis.
"The return of Baathists to power would be disappointing because they will take revenge and their revenge will be very severe," Hussain said. In the holy Shi'ite city of Najaf, labourer Hussain Kadhim, 38, said he was stunned at how "bra-zen" Baath loyalists were.

  Missile threat signals US-Russia reset strains
Reuters, Moscow

Moldova's rebel region of Transdniestria said on Monday it was ready to host Russian tactical missiles if the Kremlin were to ask, escalating growing tensions about defence between Moscow and Washington.
Transdniestria linked the offer to the possible deployment of U.S. interceptor missiles to neighbouring Romania. Both Romania and Bulgaria have offered to host elements of a reconfigured U.S. missile shield.
Russia's most powerful politician, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, and other officials have called U.S. missile defense plans an obstacle to a successor to the 1991 START nuclear arms reduction pact, under negotiation for months. Transdniestria's leader Igor Smirnov was quoted by Interfax as saying he was prepared to host Russian missiles and made clear it was linked to the latest U.S. missile plans.
"As far as the Iskander (missile) is concerned, we have long said we are ready," he said.
The breakaway region's offer came a day after Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow's ambassador to Washington had raised the missile issue, RIA news agency reported.
MISSILE OFFER 'SURPRISES'
"We have already asked our partners in Washington ... what does this all mean and why after the Romanian 'surprise' there is a Bulgarian 'surprise' now," Lavrov was quoted by RIA as saying in Nicaragua.

  Somali minister survives suicide attack
BBC Online

Somalia's defence minister has survived an assassination attempt by a suicide bomber in the capital Mogadishu.
Yusuf Mohamed Siyad told the BBC how a car was driven towards his vehicle and explosives on board were detonated, injuring two of his security guards.
He said more explosions went off as he tried to collect the wounded guards.
The BBC's Mohamed Olad Hassan in Moga-dishu says the attack is the latest challenge to the government's plan for a major attack on Islamist insurgents.
Militant groups control much of the south of Somalia and are in constant conflict with the government.
Violent times
But Mr Siyad said the latest attack would not distract him from his job.
"I used to patrol in the city at midnight and I will keep patrolling until we restore law and order," he said.
In December, a suicide bomber attacked a graduation ceremony for medical students which was attended by senior officials. Three ministers died at the scene, and another minister died from his injuries last week.
Rumours have been circulating for days that the transitional government is about to launch a major attack on hard-line insurgents.
While hundreds of rebel fighters have poured into the capital in preparation for battle, thousands of civilians have fled the area.
Somalia has been wracked by violence for much of the past 20 years. It has not had a functioning central government since 1991.

  Biden and Cheney spar over anti-terrorism policies
AP, Washington

Former Vice President Dick Cheney says his successor, Joe Biden, is "dead wrong" about terrorist threats facing the United States. Biden says Cheney is "misinformed."
And the feud goes on.
Highly partisan public skirmishes between President Barack Obama's White House and Cheney have become standard fare. And the back-and-forth on the Sunday morning talk shows did not disappoint.
Biden struck first, declaring that Cheney's attacks on Obama's commitment to fighting al-Qaida ignored the facts. "We've eliminated 12 of their top 20 people. We have taken out 100 of their associates," said Biden.
"They are in fact not able to do anything remotely like they were in the past. They are on the run. I don't know where Dick Cheney has been. Look, it's one thing, again, to criticize. It's another thing to sort of rewrite history. What is he talking about?"
Cheney insisted Biden was "dead wrong" to assert that a fresh Sept. 11-style strike was unlikely, calling a nuclear or biological attack by al-Qaida "the biggest strategic threat the United States faces today." Cheney then again took on Obama's decision to close the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
In doing so, the former vice president acknowledged he had been at odds with the majority of Bush administration officials on the decision to release prisoners from the military lockup to their home countries when cases against them were determined to be legally untenable.
"I didn't think that releasing anybody was the right thing to do, unless you had evidence that, you know, there was a mistake of some kind," Cheney said.
Cheney also acknowledged that the Bush admi-nistration was divided on whether terror suspects should be charged and tried in federal civilian courts or taken before military tribunals.

  Police arrests 10 in demo at nuclear arms site
AFP, Aldermaston

Police arrested 10 demonstrators on Monday at a nuclear arms site in southern England, where two Nobel Peace Prize winners joined hundreds of protesters, a spokesman said.
Five were detained after gaining access to the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) in Aldermaston, where warheads for Trident submarines are made, and five outside, said the Thames Valley police spokesman.
Organisers said around 800 people joined the protests, including Jody Williams, Nobel Peace Prize winner in 1997 for campaigning against landmines, and Mairead Mag-uire, who won in 1976 for her work in Northern Ireland.
Police put the number of protesters at 400.
"People have come from all over the UK and we also have a big international contingent-it's the biggest blockade for many years," said Kate Hudson, chairman of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND).
"It's a reflection of the fact that the majority of the population is against the British possession of nuclear weapons," she added.
The Aldermaston site was the focus of protest marches in the 1950s and 60s, and a number of revival demonstrations have occurred over the years.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced last year that he was willing to cut the fleet of Trident missile-carrying submarines from four to three, while insisting that it must keep some nuclear-capable submarines.
CND says Trident is illegal, immoral and a waste of resources, does nothing to increase world security and undermines international efforts to stop the spread of weapons of mass destruction, according to the CND website.

  Administration ‘flexible’ on 9/11 trial venue
AP, Washington

The Obama administration prefers a civilian trial for the alleged 9/11 mastermind, but says that in the face of public and political opposition it must be open to a military tribunal.
In an interview published Monday in The New York Times, Attorney General Eric Holder said, "I have to be more forceful in advocating for why I believe these are trials that should be held on the civilian side."
However, Holder did not rule out a military trial for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, saying, "You have to be flexible." Vice President Joe Biden defended the White House from critics of its approach to prosecuting accused terrorists, saying in interviews aired Sunday that it is not yet clear where Mohammed and four other Sept. 11 suspects held at the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, will be tried.
However, Biden said he believes Mohammed will be found guilty regardless of the venue. President Barack Obama will make the final decision about the trial, Biden said. Republicans and some Democrats argue that terrorists should be treated not as criminals but as enemy combatants and tried by military commission.
"These policies are ill-conceived and they need to stop and start over," said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. Graham said he favors closing the jail at Guantanamo Bay because its existence helps recruit terrorists to al-Qaida.
But he said that treating terrorists as criminals to be tried in civilian courts "is a huge mistake that will come back to haunt us."

Business/Economy

President urges Pakistan to waive high import duty on jute goods

BSS, Dhaka

President Zillur Rahman Monday said Pakistan could take steps to waive high tariff on import of jute goods, particularly jute bags from Bangladesh, for reducing the trade gap between the two countries.
"There are ample opportunities of enhancing bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Pakistan through utilizing the existing business potentials between the two countries," he said while newly appointed High Commissioner of Pakistan to Bangladesh Ashraf Qureshi presented his credentials to him at Bangabhaban. During the meeting, Zillur Rahman said Bangladesh attaches high importance to congenial relations between the South Asian countries to promote regional peace, stability and development. The President and new high commissioner also discussed various issues related to bilateral cooperation and mutual interests.
The new envoy said Pakistan has proposed that Bangladesh hold the foreign secretaries level meeting and joint economic commission meeting of the two countries to identify new sectors of cooperation for further increasing trade and commerce relations between the two countries. Qureshi also said that during his tenure in Dhaka he would try to convince his country to waive the high tariff on importing Bangladeshi jute and jute goods. The new High Commissioner also sought the President's allout cooperation to discharge his new responsibilities.
Secretary of the President's Office Safiul Alam, Military Secretary to the President Maj Gen Abul Kalam M Humayun Kabir, Press Secretary to the President A K M Nesar Uddin Bhuiyan were present on the occasion.
Earlier on his arrival at Bangabhaban, the High Commissioner was given a guard of honour by a smart contingent of the President's Guard Regiment.

 $230m Chinese loan to set up Shahjalal Fertilizer Factory
BSS, Dhaka

The Chinese government has assured Bangladesh of a 230 million US dollar soft loan for setting up the proposed Shahjalal Fertilizer Factory, one of the two mega fertilizer projects.
Officials of Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) said the Taka 5,318 crore project would be implemented in the Natural Fertilizer Factory area of Fenchuganj upazila of Sylhet district.
Talking to BSS, BCIC Chairman KH Masud Siddique expressed his optimism that China will also provide the remaining amount.
Of the total project cost, Taka 1,068 crore would be provided by the government and Taka 4,250 crore would come as project aid.
The four-year project would be completed by 2013 and the factory would produce nearly 1,750 metric tons of fertilizer every day and five lakh metric tons of urea fertilizer every year.
Environment-friendly and energy-efficient technologies would be adopted in setting up the two planned fertilizer factories.
When contacted, Industries Minister Dilip Barua said process is underway to have more foreign assistance for the proposed Taka 5,250 crore North West Fertilizer Project in Sirajganj district.
The BCIC took the initiatives 10 years ago to build the two fertilizer factories following the growing demand for the soil nutrient.
Officials said no initiative to carry forward the projects was taken during the period after the BCIC placed two separate projects before the Ministry of Industries.
The present government soon after assuming office took necessary steps to revive the projects.

  KB disburses Tk 192cr loan among 29,000 people last year
BSS, Chittagong

Karmasngsthan Bank (KB) has disbursed loan amounting to Taka 192 crore and 53 thousands among 29,237 eligible people across the country in the last year.
The KB authorities distributed the loan from January last year to January instant through its 112 branches benefiting indirectly around another 1.70 lakh people, official sources said.
General Manager (Planning) of KB Delwar Hossain Bhuiyan told BSS that the loans were disbursed against various types of jobs creating small and medium enterprises particularly in agro sub-sectors like fishery, poultry and livestock farming. Those who were imparted trainings from departments of Youth Development, Fisheries and Livestock usually get priority in providing loans from KB, he said.
KB's Assistant General Manager of Sylhet region Dibakor Chowdhury said the amount of loan and number of beneficiaries through the KB would be increased in future as process was on to set up branch of KB in all upazilas throughout the country.
"Work is going on to open a total of 50 branches at selected upazila headquarters during current fiscal (2009-2010). At the same time, the amount of KB's approved capital has been increased to Taka 500 crore from previous Taka 300 crore" he said.
Dibakor Chowdhury said such a time-befitting decision has been taken in line with the government's commitment to reach the loan facilities up to the doorstep of people.
When contacted, Manager of Chittagong district branch Mohammad Shafiul Azam told BSS that KB Chittagong branch has invested Taka 4 crore 67 lakhs and 97 thousands among 1527 loan recipients here.
The bank at present used to give three categories of loan that included individual entrepreneur, loan assistance to retrenched factory workers and against agro-based industry at an interest rate of only 8 percent except for commercial purposes. The rate of interest of private bank for such loan is more the double, Shafiul said.
He said BK is only bank in the country which is providing loan up to Taka 50 thousand without any mortgage, moreover; our loan recovery rate is quite satisfactory which is about 90 percent.
Previous Awami League government of Sheikh Hasina set up KB in 1998 aimed at generating self-employment for youths through making effective and simplifying the loan access procedures. The overall activities of the KB had been reached almost dying state halting the advancement of the bank during previous BNP led 4-party alliance government just out of jealousy and hatred. After present government assumed the power , it decided to infuse dynamism into the activities of the KB in a bid to turning the bank into a effective loan providing organization and that is why initiative has been taken to set up branches at upazila level, bank officials said.

  WB to provide $1.2b for Padma Bridge
UNB, Dhaka

World Bank will provide exceptional support of US$ 1.2 billion or more to meet the resource gap for the proposed Padma Multipurpose Bridge.
This was assured by World Bank vice-president for the South Asian region Isabel M Guerrero when she met with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during her visit to Dhaka, said a World Bank press release.
"We have seen from our earlier support for Jamuna Bridge that this kind of transformative infrastructure leads to greater and fester poverty reduction in surrounding counties," she said. "Our expectation is that Padma Bridge will do the same, unlocking the potential of the Southwest Region."
She thanked the Prime Minister for the trust placed in the World Bank as coordinating donor for the mega project, and noted the success of the recent mission in agreeing on basic design, procurement packaging and harmonized procurement methods.
"South Asia is one of the least integrated regions in the world, yet the potential gains from grater cooperation are substantial. Cooperation in areas such as trade facilitation and power pooling world help boost Bangladesh's annual growth rate from six percent in recent years to the eight percent needed to achieve your poverty reduction goal and to reach middle-income status by 2021."
In her opening statement to the BDF, the Vice President pointed to the progress since the last forum in 2005, which included maintaining macro-stability and economic growth, improving human development, restoring peace and democratic government and navigating global food, fuel and financial crisis.

  Moody’s urges debt-laden Dubai World to sell assets
AFP, Dubai

Dubai World will have to sell more assets in order to restructure about 22 billion dollars of debt owed by the state-owned conglomerate's subsidiaries, global ratings agency Moody's said Monday.
"We believe that further major asset sales will constitute one of the conditions of any amicable restructuring agreement with Dubai World's creditor banks," said Philipp Lotter, senior vice president of Moody's in Dubai.
Moody's pointed out that Dubai World's investment subsidiary, Istithmar, had sold by the end of 2009 some of its real estate assets, including properties in London and the "W" Hotel in New York. It said in a statement that Istithmar was preparing to sell its shipping business, Inchcape Shipping Services.
Moody's said Dubai Inc., the term used to refer to state-owned corporations, had "started to place some of its performing non-core assets up for sale" to address the mountain of debt accumulated by the emirate's firms.
"The more distressed companies like Dubai World or some of the leveraged investment companies may not have a choice but to sell assets fast, particularly as banks press for tangible restructuring aimed at partially settling payments on extended terms," Lotter said.
Dubai had rocked global financial markets late November when it said it may need to freeze debt payments by its largest conglomerate Dubai World, stoking fears of a state default over sovereign debt.
Dubai World began in December negotiations with its creditors aimed at reaching an agreement to restructure its debt, shortly after the government covered due debts worth 4.1 billion dollars, owed by Nakheel, the giant property arm of Dubai World.
The Gulf emirate of Dubai was able to fork out the money thanks to a last-minute lifeline from neighbouring Abu Dhabi.

  Japan just ahead of China as number two economy in 2009
AFP, Tokyo

Japan narrowly retained its title as the world's number two economy in 2009 ahead of China, extending a recovery from a brutal recession with a robust fourth-quarter performance, data showed Monday. But surging China came close to unseating its neighbour from the position it has held for more than 40 years after the Japanese economy contracted at the fastest pace on record last year, battered by a plunge in exports. Japan's economy grew 1.1 percent in October-December from the previous quarter, for an annualised pace of 4.6 percent, as corporate capital spending increased for the first time in almost two years, the government reported.
Investors reacted cautiously to the figures, after the government downgraded its estimate for the third quarter to show zero growth. The Nikkei-225 stock index ended the day 0.78 percent lower.
"Concerns about a double-dip recession eased a little. We are seeing light shining between the clouds, but can't be off guard," Finance Minister Naoto Kan told reporters.
Japan's gross domestic product (GDP) dived last year as exports and factory output collapsed during the global economic downturn.
The severe contraction left Japan only just ahead of China as the world's second-largest economy. Japan posted nominal GDP of 5.085 trillion dollars last year, based on the average dollar-yen exchange rate for 2009. China reported last month nominal GDP of about 4.9 trillion dollars for 2009, after its economy grew a blistering 8.7 percent in 2009. With China expected to enjoy another year of strong growth in 2010, Japan risks ending this year in third place worldwide as it struggles to cope with renewed deflation and a shrinking population, analysts said.

  ‘Hungary will not need further IMF aid’
AFP, Budapest

Hungary, which narrowly escaped bankruptcy 16 months ago, will forego the next instalments of aid from the International Monetary Fund and European Union, Finance Minister Peter Oszko said on Monday.
"Hungary will not need the next tranches of the loan from the IMF and EU, because it will be able to drum up the financing from the markets on its own," Oszko told reporters on the sidelines of a visit by IMF and EU officials.
Hard hit by the financial crisis, with investors shunning its markets, Hungary received a credit worth 20 billion euros (25.1 billion dollars) from the IMF, the World Bank and the EU in October 2008.
So far, Hungary has received 8.34 billion euros of the IMF's 11.5-billion-euro facility and 5.5 billion euros of the EU's 6.5-billion-euro loan. But the government already said in November that the country's improved economic situation would enable it to forego the next instalments.

  Europe, Greece facing tug-of-war over debt rescue
AFP, Brussels

Pressure mounted on Greece on Monday to take tougher action to slash its debts, but Athens responded by demanding that Europe spell out what it will offer by way of an eventual bailout.
As eurozone finance ministers gathered to consider how to help the stricken nation and protect their under-threat currency, the new man in charge of economic and monetary affairs at the European Commission, which polices EU member states' budgets, warned that "risks... are materialising."
"There is a clear case for additional measures," underlined Finland's Olli Rehn.
Greece is already commited to reducing its public deficit by four percentage points this year, from a predicted 12.7 percent of national output, under emergency plans submitted to the commission for EU ministers' approval.
"We expect that in due course ... the (Greek) government will take additional measures to reach this objective," Finland's Rehn added, suggesting disappointment for markets seeking the emergence of concrete Brussels bailout planning details.
However, Greek Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou called instead for "more explicit" EU backing. Papaconstantinou asked reporters: "If we announce today new measures, will that stop markets attacking Greece?
"My guess is that what will stop markets attacking Greece at the moment is a further more explicit message that makes operational what has been decided last Thursday at the European council."
He said that heads of government, in a political declaration, had decided then to throw a protective arm around Greece should central EU backing be required.
He said now was the time to "work out the mechanism so that, if necessary, the mechanism will be there."
Spanish Finance Minister Elena Salgado, chairing Tuesday's talks under Madrid's rotating EU presidency, said the call for extra measures "is something that has to be discussed (on Tuesday)."
And in a sign of a hardening mood among peers, a spokesman for the German finance ministry in Berlin said there was "no alternative to painful adaptation measures taken by Greece."
Moody's credit rating agency calculates that Greece must allocate 15.1 percent of its revenues to service its debts this year, twice the ratio for two other eurozone countries with heavy debt, Spain and Portugal.
European Central Bank (ECB) president Jean-Claude Trichet castigated Athens this weekend for its accounting and said European partners would strictly monitor the recovery plan put in place by the socialist government in Athens.
Greece's ballooning public deficit has seen the country's debts shoot up to about 300 billion euros, or 113 percent of gross domestic ouput.
International share and currency markets were watching closely to see what the euro countries come up with later Monday, ahead of a full meeting of the 27 EU nations on Tuesday.
The conservative Greek government which was ousted in October after losing an election has been widely criticised for the data in submitted to the European Commission.

National

Call upon journalists to help promote anti-tobacco campaign

BSS, Dhaka

State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr Capt(retd) Majibur Rahman Fakir Monday called upon journalists to help promote ant-tobacco campaign across the country through investigative reports, post-editorials and photo-features. {Both print and electronic media could play a vital role in highlighting harmful sides of tobacco to the people, he told the inaugural function of a training course for journalists on tobacco control in Bangladesh in the conference room of Press Institute of Bangladesh(PIB) here.
The PIB and the PROGGA, an NGO, jointly organizing the training course.
Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University(DU) AAMS Arefin Siddique and National Professor Dr Nurul Islam addressed the function as the special guests with PIB Director General AKM Shameem Chowdhuri in the chair.
Chairman of the PROGGA Taifur Rahman presented the keynote paper at the function.
Tobacco has no positive side for human body, Majibur said adding, "We should refrain use of tobacco for healthy life."
He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina declared 'change for charter' for building a prosperous Bangladesh.
The state minister said the present government is ready to bring necessary changes for desired development of the country. Describing media as a very powerful tool of development, Prof Arefin said journalists should utilize the power for building public opinion for stopping widespread use of tobacco.
Quoting survey report of the Ministry of Health and WHO, Taifur Rahman said more than 40 million people in Bangladesh use tobacco. On the other hand, 42 million people are victims by passive smoking, he added. According to a study of WHO, Taifur said at least 57,000 people die every year in Bangladesh due to tobacco related disease, and few hundreds thousand suffer illness and disabilities.
Banning of tobacco advertisement in the mass media of Bangladesh has undoubtedly been a major success, other speakers said adding but the media is not yet completely free from sponsorship of different types from the tobacco companies.
Pointing out that smoking scene of drama and films motivate people to use of tobacco, they urged the media to refrain to broadcast any scene of smoking in drama and cinema.

  Normalcy backs to RU and CU
TBT National Desk

Normalcy started to return to the violence-ravaged Rajshahi University and Chittagong University campuses, according to a news agency.
In Rajshahi University, most of the classes of 47 departments have started and students are returning to their respective dormitories from Sunday.
The students left their halls on February 8 following the killing of a Chhatra League activist Faruque Hossain, also a masters' student of Mathematics department, in a sudden attack of Islami Chhatra Shibir. At least 30 students were also injured in the attack.
RU Vice-Chancellor Prof. M Abdus Sobhan told BSS that initiative have been taken to hold examinations from February 18. "If needed we will take more security measures on the campus," he added.
Assistant Commissioner of Motihar zone Mrinal Kanti Roy said that about 400 police personnel were deployed on the campus to avoid any untoward situation. As the classes have started, the teachers have requested the students to inform their absent friends to return soon to attend the classes.
Amena Khatun, a teacher of Mass Communication and Journalism department said that we are taking classes from February 13 as per the decision of the university authorities and a good number of students are also attending the classes.
Ayesha Khatun, a residential student of Khaleda Zia Hall said, most of the female students did not leave their halls as the university authorities did not ask to vacate the hall following the sad incident on February 8.
Prof. Muzibul Haque Azad Khan, provost of Nowab Abdul Latif Hall said following the incident of February 8, many students left halls as they were panic- stricken. But they have started returning to their halls, he added. After the incident, State Minister of Home Shamsul Haque Tuku and Inspector General of Police Nur Mohammed visited Rajshahi University and directed the law enforcing agencies for taking necessary security measures.
In Chittagong University, the academic activities will resume on Saturday next and the environment of the university is normal.
The CU authorities have already taken necessary preparations including adequate security measures for the teachers and students.
Campus sources said residential students have started coming to their respective dormitories, as scheduled classes will be reopened from Saturday.
Sufficient number of police would also be deployed on the campus and dormitories to check any untoward incidents, CU vice chancellor professor Dr Abu Yousuf told BSS over telephone.
The CU authorities at a fresh announcement Monday extended again the order to prohibit all sorts of political activities on the campus for an indefinite period.
The authorities imposed ban on political activities including processions, rallies and formation of human chain on the campus fearing violation of law and order on March last year.
CU Vice Chancellor Prof Abu Yousuf said the decision to extend the ban order on political activities has been taken for the sake of maintaining peace and congenial academic atmosphere on the campus.

 Bumper production of sweet potato likely in N-region
BSS, Rangpur

A bumper production of sweet potato is expected as the farmers exceeded its farming target by 14 percent and its harvesting now continues in full swing with excellent yield rates everywhere in the country's northern region.
The newly harvested sweet potato has flooded the local markets and the commodity is being sold at rates between Taka 400 and 450 per every 40 kg (maund) depending on varieties and qualities, market sources and officials said Monday. The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) had fixed a target of producing 1,15,065 tonnes sweet potato from a total of 7,671 hectares land in all 16 northern districts during the current 2009-2010 Rabi season.
However, the farmers have cultivated the crop in 9,745 hectares land, which is higher by 1,074 hectares than the fixed target, including vast tracts of land in the sandy-barren char areas on the Brahmaputra, Teesta and Ganges basins, DAE officials said.
They told that the agri-departments including DAE, non- government organizations, Banks and other financial institutions took adequate steps including disbursements of agri-loans to make the sweet potato cultivation programme, a success this season. Officials and experts said that production of sweet potato has been increasing every year as the char people are farming the crop more and more in the sandy, barren and dried up riverbeds in the river basins where the low-cost crop grows well.

   Govt. allocates highest fund for female education: Dipankar

BSS, Rangamati

State Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, Dipankar Talukdar has said the government attached highest priority to enhance the standard of female education by allocating maximum fund.
He said women should be involved in developing activities of the country making them worthy by imparting proper education. The socio-economic development would be carried out and the unemployment problem would be resolved in the CHT undertaking a long- term plan, Dipankar told rallies held at different places under Kaukhali upazila of the district on Sunday.
Underling the need for development of the hilly region, the state minister said that a vested quarter is hatching conspiracy against the implementation of the CHT peace accord. He urged all to dedicate their efforts in developing activities maintaining discipline and forgetting all propaganda keeping themselves aloof of the evil forces.
Chairman of the Rangamati Hill District Council, Nikhil Kumar Chakma, former chairman of RHDC, Ching Kew ROaza, Kaukhali upazila chairman, Aung Chai Prue Marma and the upazila nirbahi officer Abu Daud Mohammad Golam Mostafa and the superintendent engineer of Power Development Board, Mizanur Rahman were among others accompanied the state minister.
Dipankar inaugurated the newly built academic building and hostel of Girls High School at Ghargra, 11,000 KV gridline at Chhoto Dulu- Nailachhari and attended a reception accorded to meritorious students at Ghagra.

 Harvest of mustard continues
BSS, Rangpur

An excellent production of mustard is likely to reach its farming target this season in the northern region as harvest of the oily crop continues with higher yield rates, officials said Monday.
Harvest of the crop has mostly been completed in the char lands on the river basins where the farmers have already transplanted Boro seedlings and the same continues in full swing in the main land areas, they said.
With the arrival of the newly harvested mustard in the local markets, its prices fell down to Taka 1,250 to 1,350 per maund (40 kg) against the price of Taka 1,900 to 2,000 per maund last month in the region, market sources said.
The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) had fixed a target of producing 97,731 tonnes of mustard during this Rabi season from 97,731 hectares land with a fixed yield rate of one tonne mustard seed per hectare in the region.
Due to various reasons including expanded tobacco farming, the farmers have brought a total of 52,197 hectares under mustard farming the DAE sources said.

 Ansar-workers clash at Benapole Port leaves 10 injured
UNB, Beanpole

Ansar members and handling workers of Benapole land port clashed over a theft incident Monday, leaving 10 people injured.
Police and Port sources said the ansar members and port workers locked into a clash at noon as the security personnel caught red handed a worker with stolen cotton. Both groups chased and pelted brick bats to each other, left 10 people from both sides injured. Condition of two, including labour leader Bachchu Mia, was stated to be critical.
The handling workers alleged that the ansar members demanded bribe from a worker when he was passing through gate-5 with a small quantum of cotton, triggering an altercation.
The ansar members also hit Bacchu on his head with a rifle butt at one stage of their altercation.
Meanwhile, ansars said the workers attacked the security personnel as they prevented the workers from pilfering cotton.

Sports

Bangladesh faces Tajikistan today
TBT report

Bangladesh faces off Tajikistan in the opening match of the AFC Challenge Cup football tournament at Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka today.
Bangladesh national football team, which reached Colombo on Sunday, has been placed in Group A for the prestigious AFC Challenge Cup.
Bangladesh will play the other two group matches against Myanmar on February 18 and the host Sri Lanka on February 20 at the same venue.
Saiful Bari took over as the Head Coach of the Bangladesh football team after Djordjevic had denied accompanying the team to Sri Lanka.
Zoran Djordjevic, who guided the Bangladesh team to win gold medal in the recently concluded South Asian Games, sought a four-year deal with the BFF but the BFF officials did not agree with him.
Eight teams, split into two groups, are taking part in the eight-nation competition.
North Korea, India, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan are drawn in Group B. After the first round group competitions, the top two teams from each group will feature in the cross-over semifinals on February 24, while the final match will take place on February 27.
Bangladesh team included 21 players and eight officials.
Players: Aminul Haque, Biplob Bhattacharjee, Nasirul Islam, Wali Faisal, Mintu Sheikh, Rezaul Karim, Atiqur Rahman Mishu, Baten Majumder Komol, Mamunul Islam, Touhidul Alam Sabuj, Zahid Hasan Ameli, Shakil Ahmed, Nasiruddin Chowdhury, Rokonuzzaman Kanchan, Imtiaz Sultan Jitu, Mobarak Hossain, Zahid Hossain, Mamun Mia, Alamgir Kabir Rana, Mithun Chowdhury and Enamul Haque.
Officials: Shawkat Ali Khan Jahangir ((Team Leader), Hasanuzzaman Khan Bablu (Manager), Saiful Bari (Head Coach), Poniruzzaman (Assistant Coach), Ahmed Syed Al Fatah (Media Officer), Dr. Khurshid Mahmud (Doctor), Dalilur Rahman (Physiotherapist) and Mohammad Mohsin (Baggage Man).

  Guptill, McCullum resist spirited Bangladesh
Cricinfo Online

An unbroken 100-run partnership between Martin Guptill and Brendon McCullum helped New Zealand stage a comeback on the first day in the one off Test at Seddon Park.
The pair combined with the home side struggling at 158 for 5, but batted with assurance till stumps to rescue them from a dodgy position.
New Zealand were pushed to a corner by the Bangladesh seamers who made good use of a green, seaming wicket after a rain-delayed start. Shafiul Islam bowled an immaculate line and length throughout his first spell, beating the bats of both New Zealand openers repeatedly before getting one to seam slightly away from Tim McIntosh who edged to Imrul Kayes at second slip.
Rubel Hossain then took over, bowling at a lively pace and finding consistency in the afternoon session to trouble the New Zealand top order with a barrage of short-pitched deliveries.
He was the pick of the visiting bowlers, ending with 3 for 86. After accounting for opener BJ Watling, Rubel added the scalps of debutant Peter Ingram and Ross Taylor, who both promised a lot in their aggressive knocks. Ingram's announced his arrival, following McIntosh's departure, with a flurry of powerfully hit boundaries through the off side while Watling struggled to an unconvincing 13 at the other end. Ingram eventually holed out to mid on, attempting to pull Rubel from wide outside off stump, ending a 47-ball innings that included an enormous straight six off Shakib Al Hasan. In the afternoon session, Taylor continued to bat as aggressively as he has done throughout the tour, dealing in boundaries through point and mid wicket, but was again unable deliver a big innings that would have given his side the advantage. A fuller Rubel delivery was to be his demise, as he edged behind leaving the team total on 126 for 4.
Daniel Vettori, batting at six in the absence of Jesse Ryder and Grant Elliott, was unable to make an impression, getting to 10 before dancing past a Shakib Al Hasan delivery that clipped the top of the off stump. His dismissal left the hosts teetering at 158 for 5, and in desperate need of rescue mission. Martin Guptill led the recovery, continuing his sparkling form from the ODIs to end unbeaten on 80 at stumps.
After being dropped on 4 by Shafiul, attempting to complete a sharp return chance, Guptill batted impeccably, keeping out a menacing Bangladesh attack, and driving handsomely down the ground and through the covers on a regular basis to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
The pull shot was also used to good effect towards the end of the day, as the Bangladesh seamers' short deliveries became less effective as the bounce got steadily lower.
New Zealand's highest partnership of the day between Guptill and Brendon McCullum, who ended on an unbeaten 58 from just 71 deliveries, revived their hopes of a sizeable first innings total.
The unbroken century stand, a New Zealand record against Bangladesh for the sixth wicket, looked set to resuscitate the innings before bad light stopped play. Bangladesh will be pleased with the way they have competed, but will need to make early breakthroughs tomorrow to stand any chance of pulling off an unexpected victory.

  National Cricket League
Khulna all out for 244 against Dhaka

TBT report

Khulna scored 244 against Dhaka on the first day of the four-day match of the 11th National Cricket League, while Dhaka scored nine for none in the last two overs of the day.
Opener Sahagir Hossain scored the highest 77 for Khulna after being invited to bat first at Zahoor Ahmed Stadium in Chittagong.
Khulna made a disastrous start losing two wickets before opening account.
Sahagir Hossain and Taposh Ghosh produced a fighting 127 in the fifth wicket and lifted Khulna from the depth of 48 for four to 175 for five before Sahagir was trapped leg before off Mahbubul Alam, who was the poick of Dhaka bowlers with four scalps for 55. Opener Taposh Ghosh scored the second best 58 for Khulna.
Roni Talukder picked up three wickets conceding 11 runs to contain the Khulna batsmen.
Roni with seven and Nadim Uddin with two were at the crease when curtain was drawn on the first day's play.
Chittagong scored a mediocre 198 against Rajshahi at Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra in the other match of the day. Rajshahi scored 125 for three at the end of the day's play.
Suhrawardy Shubho ripped through the Chittagong batting with his immaculate line and length and finished with a figure of five for 36 for Rajshahi.
Middle order batsman Anisur Rahman scored an unbeaten 58, coming off 77 balls, while Farhad Hoissain was batting with 30 for Rajshahi at stumps.

  Sehwag, Tendulkar drive India ahead
Cricinfo Online

The Sehwag storm struck South Africa with full force and pretty much blew everything in its way to a 13th 150-plus score. Amid the mayhem, it was easy to forget the cool, pleasant breeze that was Sachin Tendulkar's 92nd international century - his fourth in four Tests. They added 249 runs for the third wicket and kept South Africa wicketless for 57.4 overs but, once the two quietened, South Africa struck back with three quick wickets to retrieve some of the momentum in the match.
Sehwag rattled them with a vicious assault on the new ball, put behind him the Gautam Gambhir run-out and, after a brief quiet, punished them some more.
His 87-ball hundred would have been even faster but for a relative lull of 10 off 21 balls. Tendulkar enjoyed playing in the shadow of Sehwag's strike-rate, kept scoring at an even pace and, unlike Sehwag, didn't give South Africa a single chance.
The storm started with that gentle little flick and then came three boundaries in three balls in the third over: placed over point, whipped to square leg, and slashed past point.
Morkel got the treatment in his third over too: three boundaries through the off side, one off a delivery that clocked 152.6kmph. Wayne Parnell replaced Morkel immediately, and immediately he was carved for a four and a six into the rubble of a stand under reconstruction. The next ball Sehwag faced he hit an off-drive for four, and then came the run-out.
It was time for drinks and Sehwag threw away his protective gear in disgust. That was when Morkel came back but his charged-up, accurate burst seemed to have ended with that dropped chance.
When Sehwag came back from lunch, the cautious approach had been thrown out and he was blazing away again. For company he had Tendulkar. If you were a bowler, there was nowhere to hide. Sehwag showed that to Steyn early in his second spell. Punch, whip, steer, 10 runs off three deliveries. Steyn to Sehwag then: 11 balls, 25 runs, five boundaries.
Tendulkar joined the fun, defending everything full but steering Steyn for two boundaries. Paul Harris, meanwhile, didn't have the luxury of a big score, bowled round the stumps, and was slog-swept and hit inside out by Sehwag for a six and a four. Back came Morkel, the best bowler on the day, to be given the worst sort of treatment a best bowler can be given. This time Tendulkar took the lead. Two fullish deliveries, two clips to the on side, one to the left of square leg, one to the right.
In his next over, he gave Sehwag width with three deep fielders on the off side. One to the left of deep point, and one to the right. Sehwag 89 off 72, Tendulkar 38 off 61. India were 165 for 2 in 30.2 overs, with the bonus of South Africa's two best bowlers negated.
In between the hard-hitting there was some toying, with paddles from outside off, reverse-sweeps, clips past midwicket as Sehwag reached his hundred and Tendulkar his fifty without further incident.

   Japan's WC preparations under fire
AFP, Tokyo

Japan's World Cup preparations drew heavy fire on Monday for the team's lack of striking force as the national side finished third in the four-nation East Asian football championship.
Infuriated fans have called for the scalp of coach Takeshi Okada, and the national football authority is planning a meeting with him to explore ways to shore up the Blue Samurai four months before the global tournament.
"I am sincerely sorry for not winning at home," a stern-faced Okada told reporters after ending the championship with a 3-1 defeat to South Korea on Sunday. "Whatever I say will only be excuses. I humbly accept the criticism." The three-time Asian champions were held to a goalless draw by lower-ranked China in the championship opener, which caused frustrated home spectators to boo after Okada's ground-side interview.
Japan beat Hong Kong 3-0 on Thursday, but missed many opportunities after firing 22 shots on goal. The game, on a national holiday, attracted 16,368 spectators, the lowest ever for the top Japanese squad.
Japan's arch-rivals South Korea defeated Hong Kong 5-0.
On Sunday, the Japanese side crashed to a shock defeat to South Korea, leaving a frustrated home crowd to boo for a third game in a row, and leaving China to regain the championship.
After the South Korea game, furious home fans displayed a banner at the National Stadium that read: "Fire Okada!"
Local media provided a forum for heated fans to vent their anger at Okada.
The sports daily Sports Nippon said that its Internet survey found almost 90 percent of participants were calling for a new coach.
Nearly all of the participants now expect Japan to fail to reach the knock-out round in the World Cup, the newspaper said.
Japan and South Korea qualified for the World Cup in South Africa in June, while China failed to reach the final Asian qualifying round.

  Johnson claims Pebble Beach title
AFP, Pebble Beach

Dustin Johnson birdied the final hole Sunday to earn a one-stroke victory in the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, becoming the first player in 20 years to win title two years in a row.
Unlike last year, when his 54-hole lead gave him the victory when rain washed out the final round, Johnson had to work to the bitter end.
He closed with a two-over 74 for a 16-under par total of 270. Mark O'Meara in 1989-1990 was the last player to win back-to-back titles in this event. "All you can ask for is a chance to win on the last hole," said Johnson, who birdied 18 from a bunker.
Former world number one David Duval shot a 69 and JB Holmes a 71 to share second on 271.
Paul Goydos, who started the day sharing the lead with Johnson, had a one-stroke lead until he plummeted down the leaderboard with a quadruple-bogey nine at the 14th. He carded a 78 and finished tied for fifth four shots adrift.
"It's such a gorgeous hole," Johnson said of Pebble's 18th, which hugs the Pacific coast. "If you miss it a little left, it's not so pretty."
He hit his approach shot into the front bunker, and blasted out to a bit over three feet. He made the putt, to become the first player since Tiger Woods to come out of university and win in each of his first three years on the PGA Tour. While Johnson's birdie ended Duval's hopes of a first victory since the Dunlop Phoenix on the Japan Golf Tour in 2001, Duval at least had the satisfaction of shooting four rounds in the 60s, something he also hadn't done since 2001. "I certainly didn't think 69 would have given me a chance to the win the tournament," Duval said.
Holmes couldn't reach the 18th from the right rough and missed a 12-foot birdie attempt. Goydos' round fell apart at the par-five 14th, where he was short of the green. He tried to flop the ball over a bunker and it squirted out and rolled down the slope. His chip up rolled back down and his sixth shot flew past the flag and stopped at the edge of the green, from where he three-putted. Bryce Molder also took a nine at the hole. Their struggles, and the overall rise in scores in Sunday's ocean breezes, were perhaps a preview of what awaits at the US Open, which will be held at Pebble Beach in June.

  Schalke beats Cologne 2-0
AFP, Berlin

Third-placed Schalke maintained its title push with a 2-0 win over Cologne on Sunday to put it three points behind leader Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich.
Joel Matip set Schalke on the right road in first-half injury-time, with Jefferson Farfan ensuring the victory in the 81st minute.
In Sunday's late kick-off, Eintracht Frankfurt defeated SC Freiburg 2-1 with Halil Altintop scoring the decisive goal in the first minute of time added on. Pappis Cisse had put Freiburg into a 25th-minute lead with Benjamin Kolher levelling before the break.
On Saturday, Bayern Munich stretched their winning run in the league to nine games and 12 overall with a 3-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund to draw level on points with Bayer Leverkusen, who remain top by the slenderest of margins on goal difference -- 30 to 29. Leverkusen, who have topped the table since October, held onto the lead with a 2-1 home win over reigning champions Wolfsburg.
It was the perfect result for Bayern ahead of their Champions League round-of-16 first leg date with Fiorentina on Wednesday.
Coach Louis van Gaal reflected: "I'm delighted and satisfied about winning, because Dortmund did very well tactically and were extremely aggressive.
"We made a number of individual errors in defence, and that mustn't happen against Fiorentina in mid-week. We also need much better organisation throughout the team."
Elsewhere on Saturday, former Real Madrid and Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy was in double form on only his second run-out since joining Hamburg.
The Dutch forward scored in the 75th and 77th minutes to add to Marcus Berg's first-half opener to lift Hamburg to a 3-1 win over Stuttgart that maintained their hold on fourth place. Down at the foot of the table, Hertha Berlin grabbed a point with a 1-1 draw against mid-table Mainz but remain four points off second-from-bottom side Nuremberg, who lost 2-1 to Borussia Moenchengladbach on Friday.

  West Indies, India to help Zimbabwe
AFP, Harare

Zimbabwe's 15-man cricket squad leaves for the West Indies next week determined to face up to its most stringent examination so far as it bids for a return to Test status. Zimbabwe will play a Twenty20 match and three ODI's against a full strength West Indies.
Its convenor of selectors Alistair Campbell, a Test veteran here of a decade ago, told AFP: "We don't expect to win the series, but we might snatch one result.
"Our realistic objective is to be competitive. It is of paramount importance that we are, so as to improve our credibility. Failure in this regard would be a serious setback to our efforts and plans."In June Zimbabwe are planning to host India in a probable five-match ODI series, during which they will again hope to provide at least serious competition and evidence of improvement.
Then they believe they can make sufficient further improvement in the next year or so towards the day a formal submission can be made to the International Cricket Council for a place on the new "forward Test programme" scheduled for 2012.
After the India tour, Zimbabwe will seek to play a lengthy series of four-day matches - the nearest they can presently get to five-day Test cricket - against full ICC member country "A" sides.
Ten of the 15 players destined for the West Indies tour have played Test cricket for Zimbabwe in the past, indicating a strong reliance on experience at present. But a second emphasis is to develop youth for the future.
A new national coach is to be selected in the next few days from a short list containing two former prominent Zimbabwe Test stalwarts - Grant Flower and Heath Streak. The other applicants include England's Chris Silverwood and Alan Butcher, the son of former England opening batsman Mark Butcher.
Flower and Streak appear to be the front runners. Flower, 39, the young brother of England head coach Andy Flower, would form part of a unique family national coaching duo if appointed. Grant played in 87 Tests for Zimbabwe, scoring over 3,400 runs at 34.57. He was also a useful left-arm spin bowler. In recent years he has been contracted to Essex and played several big innings for the English county.
Streak, 35 is the present bowling coach for the new regional league. He played 65 Tests for Zimbabwe as an all-rounder, later signing for Hampshire before moving on to Warwickshire as captain.
Heath's application throws up a curiosity.
In 2001 he objected to what he referred to as selection of black players on racial grounds rather than capability and quit as Zimbabwe captain.

 Fans cheer China win
AFP, Beijing

The new head of China's scandal-plagued football association praised the national team's East Asian championship win, but said the squad still had a long way to go to regain world-class status.
China on Sunday reclaimed the East Asia title it last won in 2005, finishing the round-robin event with two wins over Hong Kong and South Korea, and a scoreless draw with Japan.
Wei Di, who was named to head the Chinese Football Association (CFA) after his predecessor was detained on corruption allegations, said while the performance was a good one, the players and their coach have more work to do.
"The East Asia Cup is not as important a competition as the World Cup or the World Cup qualifier ... so that means Gao Hongbo and his team have not been truly tested," Wei was quoted as saying by the Beijing Youth Daily on Monday.
"Although China's championship win should be celebrated, it is not a sign that the Chinese team has reached a turning point. There's still a long way before China's football team reaches a turning point," he said.
Gambling, match-fixing, crooked referees and poor performances by the national team have made the sport the laughing stock of increasingly indifferent fans in China and a matter of mounting state concern.
The government in 2006 launched a probe into corruption blighting football which has reached the top echelons of the game, leading to the downfall of Wei's predecessor Nan Yong and vice CFA chief Yang Yimin.
"Japan and South Korea team didn't recall their players from overseas, which surely affected the ability of those teams," Wei said, stressing China should not become overconfident.

   Statistics wins in Shahjalal University cricket
UNB, Sylhet

Statistics Department managed a 30-run victory over English Department in the Inter-Department Cricket Competition of the Shahjalal Science and Technology University that began here on Monday.
Vice Chancellor of the University Prof. Salehuddin inaugurated the 14-day cricket meet this (Monday) morning at a simple ceremony.
In the day's other match, Public Administration outplayed Petroleum Department by 41 runs.
A total of 22 teams, split into two group, are taking part in the meet.
Participating teams:
Group A - Social Works, Mathematics, Sociology, Architecture, Bangla, Economics, Public Administration, Petroleum, FTT, CEPS and IEPE.
Group B - Chemistry, CSC, English, Statistics, Anthropology, PSS, Genetic Engineering and Bio-Technology, Forestry and Environment Science, Business Administration, Physics and CEE.

  Molik on move again
AFP, Dubai

Alicia Molik, who returned to the WTA Tour only this year after a second career-threatening ailment, beat a top 20 player for the first time in three years to reach the second round of the Dubai Open here Sunday.
It could even be a landmark moment for the former world number eight from Australia, whose win over Zheng Jie, a semi-finalist in last month's Australian Open, suggested she may yet be able to get back to what she was.
The 29-year-old has always had a big serve, a threatening forehand, and a rare ability to play well in the forecourt, but Molik has added deeper qualities of tenacity and desire since recovering first from an inner ear infection and more recently from a damaged elbow.
"It's great just to be fit and healthy," the 29-year-old agreed after her 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 success over the 16th-seeded Chinese player.
"The match was more than two hours long, and I feel pretty good. It's the first time in a long time that I have had no pains. It's just nice to play and have no issues.
"Six months ago I had no ranking. I was maybe 2,000 in the world, so I have already achieved a lot," continued Molik, who broke back into the top 200 by playing (lower level) ITF tournaments last year, but still has to play through qualifying events in WTA Tour tournaments.

 Atletico stuns Barcelona 2-1
AFP, Madrid

Atletico Madrid blew the Spanish championship race wide open by defeating previously unbeaten leader Barcelona 2-1 in an enthralling game here on Sunday.
Barca's lead over title rivals Real Madrid was reduced to two points after Pep Guardiola's defensively depleted side crashed to defeat in the Spanish capital.
Missing the injured Eric Abidal, Dani Alves, Dmytro Chygrynskiy and Yaya Toure, along with Rafa Marquez and Gerard Pique suspended, Barca struggled from the start while Seydou Keita soon limped off to add to their problems.
Diego Forlan coolly put Atletico ahead from an excellent Jose Antonio Reyes pass that sliced the defence wide open before Sergio Aguero missed an excellent chance to add to the lead.
A well-placed Simao free-kick did extend the home side's advantage before Barca began to find their feet.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic pulled a goal back with a close-range volley but while Barca pressed throughout the second half they could not find the equaliser and succumbed to their first defeat of the season.
Earlier, a Luis Fabiano goal gave Sevilla a 1-0 win over Osasuna and lifted them into a Champions League place.
Sevilla leapfrogged Mallorca, who play tomorrow night, into fourth place after a workmanlike performance.
The visitors took the game to Sevilla and had the chance to go ahead but a Javier Calleja shot was blocked by Andres Palop.
Brazil international Luis Fabiano also had a good opportunity before he scored the only goal of the game with a bullet header from an excellent cross by Diego Capel.
Deportivo La Coruna's European hopes were dealt a blow as they were comfortably beaten 2-0 by Espanyol.
Espanyol went ahead through Joan Verdu after 38 minutes but it was the expulsion of Antonio Tomas that really turned the game in the favour of the home side.
He was shown a red card for elbowing Francisco Chica after the break and Jose Callejon soon added a crucial second goal.
Getafe lost the chance to move to within a point of Deportivo in sixth when they drew 2-2 after conceding an injury-time equaliser against Almeria.
Pablo Piatti put Almeria ahead but Getafe turned the game on its head through Francisco Casquero and Roberto Soldado before Fernando Soriano's goal ensured a grandstand finish.
Honours were even as Valladolid drew 1-1 against Zaragoza in a crucial relegation battle.
Zaragoza were looking for their third successive win but were pegged back by a Diego Costa goal.
Against the run of play Humberto Suazo equalised for Zaragoza and they hung on in the second half despite the sending off of Ander Herrera.