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Leading News
PM urges
armed forces to work with sincerity and honesty
UNB, Dhaka
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Thursday urged the military
bosses to increase their interactions with the general
soldiers and listen to their problems and professional
difficulties and also resolve those instantly, as
unresolved grievances may have their ramifications.
She advised the military bosses not to ignore or suppress
even any small problem facing the lower orders. Instead of
suppressing small problems, those should be resolved
instantly, she said.
"If not resolved instantly, we've seen in the past what
could happen. So, problems of a given time must be
resolved at that time," said Prime Minister Hasina, who is
in charge of the Defence Ministry, at the graduation
ceremony in the 2009-10 course of the Defence Services
Command and Staff College at Mirpur Cantonment.
"I've firm conviction that you have the courage and
efficiency to face any problem," she said about the
leadership of the officers of the country's armed forces.
The Prime Minister distributed the certificates among the
graduating officers. A total of 161 student-officers
attended the course. Of them, 90 officers are from
Bangladesh Army, 16 from Bangladesh Navy and 21 from
Bangladesh Air Force while 34 overseas officers from 16
friendly countries. The foreign military graduates came
from countries like Brunei Darussalam, China, Egypt,
India, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, Nepal, Nigeria,
Pakistan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka,
Sudan and Turkey.
Prime Minister Hasina, whose centre-left Grand Alliance
government swept the election on the slogan for a change,
noted that the Bangladesh Armed Forces would see their
success the day when they will "move forward hand in hand
with the people of the country". "You'll have to reflect
the aspirations of the people through your activities and
nothing could be of greater service to the nation than
this," she said.
She said that the actual success of the armed forces would
be achieved when people's hopes and aspirations will be
reflected in their work.
Indicating a change of outlook, Hasina also asked the
senior officers to be lenient regarding small mistakes of
the junior officers and soldiers. "But, if necessary, you
have to follow the rule of stern punishment in terms of
crimes."
The Prime Minister called upon the members of the armed
forces to discharge their duties and responsibilities with
utmost sincerity, honesty and dedication to build a happy,
prosperous and modern Bangladesh.
Describing the armed forces as the pride of the country,
she said not only protecting the country's independence
and sove-reignty, they (armed forces) also are playing an
important role in nation-building tasks.
Power
to be diverted for irrigation to increase rice production
BSS, Dhaka
The government will divert electricity from urban areas to
rural ones for uninterrupted supply to irrigation pumps
from 11 pm to 6 am to produce 18.87 million tonnes of more
rice from the previous year.
"Our focal point is to ensure food supply to people. If
farmers will get an adequate amount of electricity, they
can help achieve the target. So, we have to divert the
electricity from towns to rural areas," Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi
Chowdhury, adviser to the Prime Minister, said on
Thursday.
The Ministry of Energy, Power and Mineral Resources on
Wednesday directed the officials to achieve the production
target of the Ministry of Agriculture. Load management,
strong monitoring and water management at irrigation pumps
would go side by side to ensure food security, Tawfiq
said.
Following an inter-ministerial meeting, the adviser on
Thursday meet the press and said the demand for food is
growing like electricity and everybody knows that we are
running after electricity shortage. So, we need to manage
the whole thing with our limited resources, he added.
As part of the strong monitoring, Tawfiq asked the power
sector officials to visit rural areas and give necessary
directives to the officials and the farmers.
"From now, shopping malls and all other shops in the
capital and district and upazila levels excepting medicine
shops and restaurants should remain closed after 8 pm, he
said.
During the meeting, the chairman of Rural Electri-fication
Board (REB) said they need 2,100 MW of electricity to run
the irrigation pumps. At present, Bangladesh Power
Deve-lopment Board (BPDB) is producing 3,800 to 4,100 MW
power on an average and the capital alone is consuming 52
per cent of it. Earlier, the demand for the electricity
was 1,664 MW.
Tawfiq asked the BPDB authorities to revive the district
level irrigation monitoring committee and submit a report
to the ministry.
The adviser said the situation would improve from the last
week of March as Fenchuganj-90 MW, Khulna-60 MW and
Shikalbaha-55 MW power plants would go into operation by
this time.
Another
Bangladeshi killed in Panchagarh
BSF killing spree on border continues
TBT Report
One more Bangladeshi citizen was killed along Panchgarh
border Wednesday night as the killing spree of Indian
Border Security Force (BSF) on Bangladesh border continues
unabated despite India's repeated pledges to stop such
killings.
With this BSF killed 96 Bangladeshis in the last 13
months. The number of Bangladeshis killed by BSF during
the nine years period from January 1, 2000 to February 18,
2010 stands at 821. BSF also injured 858 and abducted 897
Bangladeshis in the same period.
According to UNB News Agency, a Bangladeshi was killed by
BSF of India along Panchagarh border on Wednesday night.
BDR sources said the body of Anwar Hossain, 60, of
Nardevpara village in Sadar upazila in Panchagarh was
lying inside Indian territory near main pillar no. 444 of
Amarkhana border Thursday morning.
BDR sources said some Indian villagers picked up Anwar and
killed him with the help of BSF troops of Khalpara BOP.
BDR deputy commander Major Hasibul Hossain said that steps
are on to bring back the body through flag meeting.
Earlier on February 17, BSF fired across the Madhupara
border of sadar upazila in Panchagarh killing a farmer.
Islam Mia of Madhupara village was cutting grass when BSF
of Singimari outpost fired at him. He died on the spot.
This killing took place although on the same day BSF and
BDR held a high level meeting on Sylhet border to ensure
maintenance of peace the border.
The killings of unarmed Bangladeshis by the BSF on the
border are continuing in clear violation of the spirit of
good neighborliness as well as international law and
despite repeated pledges by the Indian authorities to stop
it. In every meeting between BSF and BDR and also between
the higher level officials of the two countries, the
Indian side assures that killing of Bangladeshis by its
forces on the border would come to an end immediately. But
this pledge is seldom implemented.
Fresh BNP prog against dropping Zia’s name from
airport
UNB, Dhaka
Opposition BNP Thursday announced a month-long countrywide
protest programme from February 24 against the government
decision deleting late President Ziaur Rahman's name from
Zia International Airport and alleged conspiracy to kill
Khaleda Zia besides a pack of other issues.
As planned, the month-long programme of mass contacts and
demonstrations will be capped with BNP chairperson and
Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia announcing the next
course of movement from a public meeting at Paltan Maidan
in the capital in March.
The package programme is also designed to protest price
hike of essentials, deterioration of law-and-order
situation, "reign of terror" all over the country and
treaties signed "against the country's interests".
Under the plan, the former ruling party will hold public
meetings in divisional headquarters alongside mass-contact
move across the country.
Apart from the new programme, they will stage
demonstrations and protest processions in all thanas of
Dhaka city, upazilas and municipalities across the country
on February 23. The programme was announced by BNP senior
joint secretary-general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir from a
protest rally, followed by procession, at Muktan-gon
Thursday afternoon. The rally was organized to protest the
government's decision to drop Zia's name from Zia
International Airport and "conspiratorial attempt to kill"
BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia.
Presided over by BNP vice-chairman and Dhaka city Mayor
Sadeq Hossain Khoka, the rally was addressed, among
others, by senior party leaders like Dr Khandaker
Mosharraf Hossain, Barrister Moudud Ahmed, Mirza Abbas,
Nazrul Islam Khan and leaders of front and associate
organizations of the BNP.The meeting over, a protest
procession marched through Purana Paltan and Bijoynagar
areas up to BNP's Nayapaltan central office. Witnesses
said police "swooped on the procession" at Purana Paltan
crossing when some vehicles were attacked amid the
throwing of bricks while
the procession marching ahead.
Pilkhana carnage trial set to start next week
CID completes investigation
BSS, Dhaka
The trial of the February 25-26 massacre culprits of the
Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) is set to be started next week
with police saying they were now ready to submit the
chargesheet ahead of the first anniversary of the carnage
that killed 57 army officers serving the paramilitary
force.
"We have completed the investigation and are expecting to
file the chargesheet by next seven days naming over 600
BDR soldiers for trial under Speedy Trial Tribunal for
their direct involvement in the massacre," a senior
official of the Criminal Investi-gation Department (CID)
told BSS. Of the total chargesheeted BDR personnel, about
30 jawans have been absconding, he said.
The official who preferred anonymity said the massacre
suspects were identified from among some 2,100 detained
paramilitary border guards who were present at the BDR's
Pilkhana Headquarters in Dhaka to be charged under the
Penal Code for killing, weapon looting, stealing and
torturing women and children during the two days of
carnage.
A total of 523 BDR soldiers including former BDR personnel
already gave statements before the magistrate confessing
their involvement in the massacre under the CrPC (Criminal
Procedure Code) he said.
The official said nearly 8,000 people including
politicians, surviving BDR officers and officials of the
elite anti-crime Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), police and
fire service and family members of the assassinated
officers were enlisted as prosecution witnesses.
During he protracted investigation process the CID
recorded statements of Home Minister Advocate Sahara
Khatun, State Minister for Local Govern-ment Jahangir
Kabir Nanok, parliamentary whip Mirza Azom, ruling
alliance lawmakers Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Barrister
Fazle Noor Taposh, Mahbub Ara Gini, Meher Afroz Chumki, MM
Reza and Waresat Hossain Belal who could also appear as
prosecution witnesses during the trial.
"But the statements of the surviving military officers who
were inside the Pilkhana during the carnage and family
members of the deceased army officers would likely to be
the vital witnesses in the case," he said.
The official said CID prepared an inventory of 3,170
evidences including blood stained clothes of the deceased
military officials, household goods, looted mobile sets,
grenades, ornaments and seized arms and ammunition to be
submitted along with the chargesheet.
40 hurt in BCL-Shibir clash
UNB, Sylhet
At least 40 people were injured in a violent clash between
the activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League and Islami
Chhatra Shibir at Sylhet Govt College Thursday, in a row
of face-off between the two rival student groups across
the country.
Witnesses said the clash erupted over seat arrangement in
the sports function of the college at noon.
"A chase and counter-chase took place during the melee,"
says a spot report, adding that at least 40 were injured
on both sides.
The BCL activists also damaged windowpanes, furniture,
beds, books and papers of 30 rooms of the college hostel
used by ICS men and set those ablaze.
On information, firefighters rushed in and doused the
fire. The injured were admitted to Sylhet Osmani Medical
College Hospital.
The pro-government BCL declared Shibir, the student front
of Jamaat-e-Islami, 'persona non grata' on the college
campus after the clash.
Back Page
President
for C’wealth coop for best parliamentary practices
UNB, Dhaka
President Zillur Rahman Thursday emphasized further
strengthening the cooperation among the Com-monwealth
nations for promoting best parliamentary practices in the
member-countries, many of them still learning the rules of
the game in a democracy.
The President made the remarks when an 11-member
delegation of the Com-monwealth Parliamen-tary Association
(CPA) from the United Kingdom, led by John Austin MP,
called on him at Bangabhaban.
Welcoming the CPA delegation, Zillur Rahman said the
present government under the leadership of Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasian has taken various initiatives to make
democracy more effective in the country. "The government
is also working relentlessly aiming to give the democracy
an institutional shape."
The president mentioned that all 48 parliamentary standing
committees were constituted in the first session of the
current parliament of Bangladesh and the chairmanships of
several committees given to the opposition parties.
He expressed his hope that the visit of the delegation to
Bangladesh would open up a new horizon to advancement of
parliamentary culture in the country through exchange of
knowledge and understanding among the parliament members.
The delegation members apprised the President that they,
the members of parliament, would hold an international
conference on climate change and curbing terrorism in
London next July. They also said Ban-gladeshi members of
parliament would form a parliamentary group to make
recommendations for the London conference.
The lawmakers also apprised the President that they would
like to further strengthen the existing education and
health-related development programmes of DFID in
Bangladesh.
Asafuddowlah’s book
‘Of Pains and Panics’ launched
TBT Report
The launching ceremony of the book 'of Pains and panics'
written by Asafuddowlah, former founder Editor of The
Bangladesh Today and former Secretary was held at Hotel
Sonargaon in the city on Thursday.
Finance Minister Abul Mal Abdul Muhith was the chief guest
at the function presided over by former Finance Minister
M. Syeduzzaman. The function was attended by a host of
intellectuals, former secretaries, academics, lawyers,
bankers and journalists.
Some of the comments offered by eminent persons who spoke
at the launching ceremony of the book published by Adorn
publication, Dhaka, are given below:
Abul Maal Abdul Muhith said the first part of the book
Timeless Timepieces' is a profound section. The second
part of the book 'Peaks and Valleys' is very much
Asafuddowlah. In part three and four, contemporary
developments have been commented upon by the writer where
he expresses his honest thoughts and offers his free
comments. I am sure readers will like the book even if
they do not accept all the views.
M. Syeduzzaman said, It is a browser's paradise-and will
open up different interest for different readers. The
chapters in this last named part will truly bring pains
and panics in the readers' minds. As one reads the
collections in every chapter, there is not a dull moment.
Professor Emeritus Dr. Anisuzzaman said, Of Pains and
Panics by Asafuddowlah will be first noted for its wide
range of subject matter. It reflects the erudition of the
author and more often than not, his unconventional views.
One doesn't have to agree with him to enjoy these pieces
which combine freshness and vitality, felicity and
poignancy, and lucidity and style.
Barriste Rafique-ul Huq said, Of Pains and Panics is a
Dictionary of Knowledge. It contains topics from Religion
to Environment including Bush & Blair. It is a wonderful
combination of knowledge and information.
Of pains and panic deals with all the aspects of a human
mind complete with ethos, pathos and bathos; it is a
complete journey of an enlightened mind. From religion to
philosophy, from music , education to health and
administration.
Mr Asafuddowlah's discourses on Philosophy /law /education
and economics are thought-provoking, the readers will be
able to see the summation of a rational mind, a
scrupulously logical deliberation and a disciplined
process by which sometimes raw emotions too, have been
reined in and unwarranted conclusions set aside.
Politics, is perhaps the best breeding ground of all
intellectual minds. In this sphere ,too , the author has
yielded his pen akin to a sword.
Plan to buy patrol
aircraft, frigates for navy: AK Khandakar
BSS, Sangsad Bhaban
Planning Minister Air-Vice Marshal (retd) AK Khandakar,
also in-charge of the Armed Forces Division in the House,
on Thursday said the government has taken a plan to
purchase patrol aircraft and frigates for Bangladesh Navy
in the current fiscal year as part of its initiative for
modernizing the country's defence system including the
maritime boundary.
Replying to a scripted question from treasury bench member
Nasrul Hamid, he said in addition to essential equipment
for Bangladesh Navy, purchasing two patrol aircraft
through international tender, construction of five patrol
craft at Khulna Shipyard, and building and buying of two
large patrol craft, one hydrographic survey ship and one
oil tanker are under process.
"There is also a plan to buy one or two old frigates from
the friendly countries through government-to-government
process," he said, adding that the activities for
purchasing a large patrol craft and offshore patrol vessel
from the United Kingdom are going on.
The minister also said that steps have been undertaken for
upgrading and assembling patrol craft and missile boats
through missiles for increasing efficiency of Bangladesh
Navy.
Responding to a query from ruling party lawmaker Mahmud Us
Samad Chowdhury, the planning minister informed the House
that there are five frigates approved by the
organizational structure of Bangladesh Navy to protect sea
boundary of the country.
"The operational efficiency of three old British frigates
out of the total five was reduced to a great extent as
their longevity has crossed 55 years, he said, adding the
process for decommissioning Navy Ship 'Ali Haider' has
started.
Govt to construct 2nd
Padma Bridge: Muhith
UNB, Dhaka
Finance Minister AMA Muhith on Thursday said the
government would construct the 2nd Padma Bridge on
Paturia-Goalando point through private financing.
"The honorable President and the Prime Minister expressed
their optimism to implement the project. This will be a
private project and the government has taken decision in
principle to take steps in this regard," he said after a
meeting of the Cabinet Economic Affairs Committee at the
Cabinet Division. Replying to a question, Muhith said they
would construct the 2nd Padma Bridge but could not say
anything about the tender process or when the work will
begin.
The implementation of the project could be a bit costlier
due to the involvement of private initiative, he told
another questioner.
According to the feasibility study conducted by the Japan
International Coo-peration Agency (JICA), the
implementation cost of the project has been estimated at
Tk 13121.38 crore or US$ 1.90 billion. If the project is
implemented, the distance of the capital with the southern
regions including Meherpur, Chua-danga, Kushtia, Jhe-nidah,
Magura, Rajbari, Faridpur, Narail, Gopalganj, Jessore and
Madaripur will be much less than through Mawa point.
The Finance Minister said that of the seven agenda in the
meeting, five were discussed while one was withdrawn. The
Economic Affairs Committee also formed a three-member
committee, headed by Board of Investment (BoI) executive
chairman Dr. MA Samad, to further review the draft
industrial policy.
Power
import from India
PDB to float tender to install 40 km grid transmission
line
BSS, Dhaka
Bangladesh Power Develop-ment Board (BPDB) will float
international tender in next month to install 40 km high
voltage power transmission line in bordering areas to
import power from India.
M Abul Kalam Azad, Secretary of the power division said
this on Thursday at a press conference at his office
saying that "if everything goes in right track than we
could import 250 MW power from India within next two
years," he added.
He said the deal would require synchronisation of the
transmission systems of the two countries as Bangladesh
system is based on 232 KV AC line while the Indian system
is based on 400 KV line.
"We will need to transform the connecting points of the
two systems into high voltage DC line or (HVDC) as
back-to- back link of 250 MW capacity," Azad said.
A joint technical team of Power Grid Corporation of India
Limited (PGCIL) and Bangladesh Power Developed Board (BPDB)
and Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) has been
working on the issue to work out a cost estimate for grid
inter-connection, power ministry sources said.
According to the MoU signed by the prime ministers of
Bangladesh and India, the power exchange could take place
during off peak hours of the day through certain points.
Iswardi- Behrampur or Asuganj-Tripura are considered to be
the most viable sites for the exchange project. The two
countries are set to exchange electricity for nearly 17
hours a day.
Power ministry sources said it was estimated that
approximately 869.21 crore rupee (Indian currency) is
needed to carry out the plan, however, Bangladesh would
invest 708.88 crore rupee and India to invest 160.33 crore
rupee for the Indian portion.
Power secretary told the press conference that a MoU has
been signed on power connectivity between the two
countries during the visit of the Prime minister to India
last month. "We are now working to materialize the
package," he added.
AL chalks out
programmes to observe Amar Ekushey
BSS, Dhaka
Bangladesh Awami League has chalked out elaborate
programmes to observe 'Amar Ekushey' and the International
Mother Language Day on February 19 and 21.
According to a press rel-ease, a discussion will be held
at 3 pm on February 19 at Bangabandhu International
Conference Center (BICC), where leading intellectuals and
national leaders of the party are expected to speak.
Awami League Presidium member and Deputy Leader of the
Jatiya Sangsad Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury will preside over
the function, said a press release on Thursday.
Floral wreaths will be offered at one minute past zero
hours of February 21, while national and party flags would
remain half- mast from 6.30 am at the party central
office, front organization offices and Bangabandhu Bhaban.
Black flags would be hoisted at the places as well.
A morning procession (Provat Ferry) will start at 7.30 am
from the south gate of New Market, from where people would
wear black badges and march toward Azimpur Graveyard to
pay respects to the intellectuals killed during the
Language Movement in 1952. The procession will also lay
floral wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar in the
morning. Awami League General Secretary and LGRD and
Cooperatives Minister Syed Ashraful Islam on Thursday
requested party leaders and workers of all levels as well
as friendly organizations to make the Ekushey programmes a
success.
Jamuna Future Park: Plea for stay
on demolition rejected
BSS, Dhaka
The High Court Thursday rejected a petition of Jam-una
Future Park authorities seeking a stay order on the
demolition of its unapproved floors by the Rajdhani
Unnayan Kartri-pakkha (RAJUK) till disposal of an appeal
prayer submitted to them.
The RAJUK authorities on January 13 served a notice on the
Jamuna Future Park authorities to break down the upper
part of the establishment within seven days, saying this
part (7 to 10 floors) was constructed violating the
building plan and design, approved by them.
Being aggrieved by the RAJUK notice, the Jamuna Future
Park authorities filed a writ petition with the High Court
Division seeking stay of the operation of the notice, but
it was rejected after hearing.
Later, they filed an appeal petition to the RAJUK
authorities to consider the prayer that sought stay of
their demolition process.
Meantime, the Jamuna Future Park authorities filed a
provisional leave petition with the Appellate Division
seeking stay of the High Court verdict, but it was also
dismissed after hearing.
As the last resort, the Jamuna Future Park authorities
today filed the petition before the High Court seeking
stay of the demolition process conducted by the RAJUK till
disposal of the appeal petition submitted to them.
After hearing, a two-member bench comprising Justice
Mohammad Mom-tazuddin Ahmed and Justice Naima Haider
rejected the petition summarily.
Editorial
Role of student
organizations
What
should be the role of the student organizations and how should
they work? The answer to this question has been provided by
President Zillur Rahman. On Wednesday he called upon the
country's student organizations working at the universities to
give up their destructive activities for greater interest of
the nation. "Whole nation becomes sad and heartbroken seeing
what happens in some universities in the name of student
politics," he said, addressing the 4th convocation of
University of Asia Pacific (UAP). The President advised the
student organizations to nourish the country's tradition of
harmony existing over thousands of years.
The president’s remarks have come in the wake of violent
incidents on the campuses of Dhaka, Rajshahi and Chittagong
Universities which have claimed the lives of three students
and injured many others. These incidents have shaken the
country, angered the people and locked some rival political
parties into bitter war of words sparking a political turmoil.
The student organizations allegedly involved in the violence
and clashes are linked with some political parties and that
appears to be a major cause of this unfortunate development.
It goes without saying that the linkage between the political
parties and student organizations plays a vital role in most
of the incidents of unrest and violence on the campuses.Most
politicians want the student organisations to play in their
hands and according to their needs although the people are
against the students being used by political parties to serve
their purposes.
There are many who think that the students should keep
themselves aloof from politics and concentrate on studies
alone. But in our country participation of students in
politics is a long-standing tradition. In fact, many glorious
chapters of our national history have been written by the
students with their bloods.
In this country, there were days when students used to lead
the nation and the political parties would play the second
fiddle. The students played a pioneer role in all historic
movements beginning from Language Movement to Liberation War.
That was the glorious period of student politics in the
country. People then had unshakable confidence in the
leadership of the students. They believed that the students
would never betray with the cause of the people. And in the
past student leadership did their best to honour this faith.
But, the golden age of student politics is gone. Because,
nowadays most of the student organisations are controlled by
political parties and working under their guidance.Today, a
student organisation hardly plays any independent role beyond
the line and strategy set by the political party it is
affiliated to.
Most of the political leaders want the student parties to work
as their front organizations to serve their purposes. And the
student organisations are doing it for reasons known to all.
This is perhaps one of the main reasons for the decay and
decline of student politics and violence on the campus.It
pains the people to observe that student organisations are
toeing with the political parties blindly. In the past
students used to struggle for the realisation of their own
demands or the national cause. But today these organisations
sometimes jump in the streets even on such issues which have
no direct bearing on the student community. Worse still, most
of the student organisations work either for the government or
for the opposition instead of concentrating on the causes of
the students.
This trend should end. The political parties should stop using
student organisations as their tools to attain political goal
while the student organisations should refrain from playing in
the hands of the politicians and shun the path of destructive
politics as advised by the president . They should prepare
themselves to lead the nation like in the past in the people's
struggle for greater causes.
Water crisis
Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina told the Parliament on Wednesday that
water supply in the city will be increased by 67.5 crore
liters within 2014 after completion of two more water
treatment plants. She said, Saidabad Water Treatment Plant
(phase-2) with the capacity of supplying 22.50 crore liters of
water will be completed by June 2012 and construction of Pagla/
Keraniganj water treatment plant having the capacity of
supplying 45 crore liters of water will be finished by June,
2014. Saidabad water treatment plant will treat water from the
Shitlakkya river and Pagla/Keraniganj plant will treat water
from the Padma River.
It is a good news that water supply will increase in the city
within 2014. But the problem is that the year of 2014 is four
years away and the city dwellers are plunged in a grave water
crisis. Residents in different parts of the capital are facing
problems as water supplied by WASA has become largely stinking
again. According to press reports, this is happening at a time
when water crisis is acute in the city. It is generally
believed that water has become stinking possibly due to
merging of WASA line with the sewerage lines. However the WASA
authorities dismissed this allegation.
Water crisis has taken a serious turn in certain areas of the
capital which is running chronically short of water supply.
The city gets supply of at best 2000 million liters of water
per day as against the need for around 2500 million liters,
thus the shortfall of water stands at 500 million liters. The
shortfall is attributed to deficiency in production, system
loss, theft, wastage and misuse of water. In fact, in the
capital, only 45 percent of the dwellers have access to safe
drinking water. Against this backdrop, the need of the hour is
to ensure the supply of safe water and also to increase the
supply as much as possible right now.
Analysis
For real strategic depth
Gen Kayani uses what is on the screen to
highlight, punctuate and explain his commentary, which is why
all who attended his lengthy briefing on Friday on the army's
recent operations found it so riveting.
Zafar Hilaly
There
is no institution better than the army for PowerPoint
presentations. The slides and captions say it all. There is
hardly any need for the accompanying commentary. Very often
all that the presenter does is to read the captions on the
screen and because he reads far slower aloud than the audience
does silently, sitting through a session can become tiresome.
After a while, as the presenter drones on, doggedly reading
aloud one caption after another, one wonders whether he
believes that his audience comprises functional illiterates.
In contrast, Gen Kayani uses what is on the screen to
highlight, punctuate and explain his commentary, which is why
all who attended his lengthy briefing on Friday on the army's
recent operations found it so riveting. What were fairly
complex operations become comprehensible to the uninitiated;
and what was heartening was that the fighting tactics employed
seemed so novel and path-breaking, in stark contrast to my
experience when I was attached to the army as a civilian
probationer in East Pakistan.
We were told to "attack" the "enemy" platoon across a recently
ploughed rice field. On asking why we should be so stupid as
to charge an enemy across a flat field without the slightest
bit of cover, and that too with the sun in our eyes, I was
told to "belt up" and not try to be "too smart."
Presentations often reveal as much about the thought processes
and intellect and the professional competence of the presenter
as the choice of words do his communication skills. By the
reckoning of most, the COAS scored straight "A's" on all four
counts. From the briefing we deduced that in contrast to how
some other armies are faring across the border, in less
difficult terrain and against resistance that was desultory,
the army's performance has been excellent.
For example, in South Waziristan the enemy had a long time to
prepare and forge a battle plan. They had a surfeit of weapons
and were well stocked with ammunition. Their fortifications
were strong, well dug in and with interconnecting tunnels. And
yet, such was the tactical surprise the army achieved that
they were routed. Apparently, the enemy had prepared to fight
along roads and valleys, in other words, the traditional
battlegrounds in mountainous areas, whereas the army moved at
night and along sharp ridges. Such tactics completely unhinged
the enemy. Like in Swat, where the army had conducted the
largest heliborne operation in South Asia, jumping from
airborne helicopters onto knife-edge ridges, the South
Waziristan operation demonstrated that the enemy, wily and
determined as he is, could be worsted on his home terrain,
notwithstanding what history recounts.
The impact of the success of these operations on the morale of
our troops can be gauged by the fact that the South Waziristan
operation that was scheduled to take ten weeks was concluded
in five. The soldiers are single-minded, convinced of their
cause and supremely confident. The enemy now knows that the
army has the measure of them. More importantly, so do other
"neutral" tribesmen, who may have wanted to join them had they
proved successful in their resistance in Swat and South
Waziristan. In addition to these two major operations, the
army has conducted as many as 200 of brigade strength and
more, and over 500 minor operations, and all without an iota
of help from outsiders. This was important, nay crucial, if we
are to have the confidence to undertake such actions
exclusively on our own.
One significant impact of the army's success is the greater
support the army is now receiving from local tribesmen as it
pursues insurgents who have fled from South Waziristan and are
hiding in North Waziristan. Arms caches are being unearthed on
the basis of fresh intelligence supplied by locals, and
further searches are being conducted. Naturally, a "blowback"
was to be expected as the enemy tries to recoup morale; hence,
the recourse by the militants to suicide bombing of soft
targets in cities.
The challenges that the army faces are many, such as the need
to retain public support and for the people to own the
solutions being proffered. Success could not be measured in
the number of enemies killed, actually those numbers are
immaterial. More important is how quickly, and how well, the
government is able to rebuild in the areas seized from the
enemy and how speedily life could return to normal. And in
this regard more must be done and quickly, despite resource
constraints. If we failed, the insurgents would return once
the army had left.
Another challenge is to establish the writ of the government
and bring critical spaces under control and to reduce the gap
between public expectations and what was doable. Otherwise
frustrations would grow. Hence, all segments of society -- the
army, public opinion, the media -- have to be on board with an
agreed strategy to demonstrate that they view the war as our
war and not that of America. This happily now exists.
As for the American effort in Afghanistan, the Americans will
have to show that they are winning before they could hope to
have the support of the populace. This is not happening at the
moment. And until it does, something that will take time,
local support or the formation of, say, anti-insurgent
lashkars, is out of the question.
Asked about his remark that Pakistan's policy was
"India-centric" the COAS said that what determined Pakistan's
strategy was Indian capability, not intentions. India's
defence budget was vastly more than ours ($29 billion vs. $4
billion) and, while there is no question of matching Indian
expenditure, Pakistan must acquire a capability to ward India
off.
The COAS also clarified that the concept of "strategic depth"
that Pakistan sought in connection with Afghanistan was never
meant to suggest that Pakistan should "control" Afghanistan,
but rather to have a peaceful and friendly Afghanistan as a
neighbour.
While just about everything one heard was reassuring and,
frankly, music to our ears, left unaddressed, if only because
of time constraints, were a number of questions that the
briefing raised. For example, why the urge to "mediate"
between the Americans and the Taliban, considering what our
experience has shown? And since when has anyone had a right to
mediate or demand that they be allowed to do so? Besides, for
mediation to succeed a high degree of trust must exist between
the parties involved and the mediator, which is palpably not
the case in Afghanistan. At best, one felt, Pakistan should
offer its services as a facilitator, and, then, only if asked.
This seems a prudent course, considering that Afghanistan's
other neighbours may also want a similar "mediating" role.
Secondly, when have we ever had a "friendly" government in
Afghanistan? Afghanistan actually opposed the admission of
Pakistan to the UN in 1948. The only Afghan leader who
demonstrated a willingness to recognise the Durand Line as the
international border was Sardar Daud, who was killed on the
eve of his visit to Pakistan in 1978, lest he "sell out" to
Pakistan.
Actually, what we desire is not a government in Kabul that is
"friendly," as much as one that will not align with India to
threaten Pakistan's security. And that we can only ensure by
keeping our guard up, giving no cause to Afghanistan to gang
up against us. And if they persist in taking such other
action, including the suspension of the transit trade facility
which the Afghans anyway observe mostly in the breach, to make
such moves grossly counterproductive.
Finally, it is difficult to comprehend the logic behind our
offer to train the Afghan National Army. While it makes sense
to oppose leaving the training of such a force to India, if we
were to be assigned such a task today then the only
conceivable enemy that the Afghan army would need to be
trained to combat would be the Taliban. Training a hitherto
unfriendly, Pakistan-averse Tajik-dominated force to fight a
Taliban/Pakhtun opponent that is traditionally well disposed
to Pakistan would require a level of dexterity that only
erstwhile Byzantine courtiers possessed. It simply won't wash.
Nevertheless, an unmistakeable feeling that one took away from
the briefing was that the army was in excellent hands and
militarily the war was going well for Pakistan.
The writer is a former ambassador
of Pakistan. Email: charles123it@hotmail.com
An Injured
Polity in Sri Lanka
But what should occupy the SAARC countries, especially
India, is the double tragedy unfolding in Sri Lanka.
Meghnad Desai
It
is welcome news that there is some movement on the
India-Pakistan talks issue. There is also the prospect of
SAARC meeting up quite soon. But what should occupy the
SAARC countries, especially India, is the double tragedy
unfolding in Sri Lanka.
As the region's oldest democracy, Sri Lanka is not a
failed state. It is, however, at the present, an injured
state. It has just ended a 28 year-long ethnic civil war
with the LTTE. An election has been held which gave a
decisive verdict in favour of the incumbent. But what has
happened since regarding the arrest and likely
court-martial of Sarath Fonseka cannot but raise concerns.
These concerns are not about an individual and I cannot
judge whether he is or is not guilty of the charges being
bandied about. But there is an urgent problem of
rehabilitation and reconstruction pending. It is not only
the areas occupied by LTTE which have suffered economic
dislocation. The rest of the country has also paid a huge
price in terms of slow growth and inflation.
The need for post-conflict development has to be given
priority if the poison of ethnic conflict is to be brought
under control and people's lives are going to be improved.
This is as true of the Sinhala majority as of the many
minorities - Tamils, Moors etc. Yet at the very moment
when these tasks should occupy the government, there is a
hiatus. While one lethal dispute has ended, another ?has
broken out.
This is between the President and his rival and former
Chief of Staff. It looks like a bizarre footnote in Sri
Lankan history. There has always been an intra-Sinhala
dispute, which is a fight among the elite as to how one
should construct the Sri Lankan identity. There is a
liberal Leftish strand and a rightist authoritarian
stance. There have been Sri Lankan Prime Ministers and
Presidents on both sides of the line. President
Jayawardene was liberal in his economic policies but quite
authoritarian otherwise. Chandrika Kumaratunga was Left
liberal but proved quite a tough person when it came to
the LTTE. Her sincere attempts to find a peaceful solution
were thwarted and she suffered a personal injury in the
process from LTTE terrorism.
Yet the two sides of the Sinhala divide agreed on one
thing. The Sri Lankan identity was built very much on the
majoritarian lines of Sinhala language, Buddhism and
Sinhala ethnic dominance. Sri Lanka is a Democratic
Socialist Republic but with Buddhism as an official
religion. The large minority of Tamils, traditionally more
developed , has been 'put in its place' since 1956.
After fifty years and more of conflict, it would seem that
the violent path for the assertion of another national
identity within the island of Sri Lanka has now been
defeated. But this is where India has a role to play as a
friend and helper. India has been assertive about its
national identity and used force several times to defeat
separatist movements.
Yet at the end these many minorities have been included in
the democratic process and given their rightful place in
the diverse nation. The key has been a judicious
combination of force, democratic reconciliation and
inclusive growth. This is the recipe Sri Lanka needs. It
will have to accommodate the legitimate demands of the
minorities as part of the overall Sri Lankan identity but
there will also have to be inclusive growth so that the
poor of all communities get some recompense for being
where they are in the income ladder. Sri Lanka has enjoyed
a higher status than India in the Human Development Index,
yet it has been a more ?troubled place.
A healthy happy Sri Lanka will benefit the SAARC region
economically and from the point of view of security.
India's sufferings from the LTTE are well-known. But India
should once again offer any help it can give which will be
welcome. It can encourage a South Asian regional
development initiative. It can offer to further the
reconciliation process among the communities; may be
ex-President Kalam can help in this respect. What it
cannot do is leave Sri Lanka injured as it is.
Eminent economist Lord Meghnad Desai is a professor
emeritus of theLondon School of Economics
Operation Moshtarak
Michael
Williams
For
nine years the international community has blundered its
way through Afghanistan. In a reaction to 9/11, the Bush
administration invaded using a lot of bombs and few US
troops, relying instead on Afghan militia forces to oust
the Taliban. This left a huge gap where peacekeeping
forces should have been.
Rather than pursuing policies to secure the population,
the US, under Operation Enduring Freedom, went after
'terrorists' - the remnants of the Taliban and Al Qaeda.
Nato was supposedly there to provide security to the
population, but the never-ending rotation of International
Security Assistance Force (Isaf) commanders meant that
when a US commander was in situ, Nato usually focused more
on killing the 'terrorists' than on providing security for
Afghans. Finally, Nato is getting it right and Operation
Moshtarak in Marjah shows it.
From the start Nato announced that it was going to pursue
a massive military operation and that civilians should
decide where they stood. Nato hoped that by publicising
the attack it would prompt civilians to remove themselves
from the battle as well as provide information to Nato
about insurgent activities. The foundation for this
approach was Gen Stanley McChrystal's belief that Nato
needed to stop going after the Taliban and start securing
Afghans.
Since August 2009 the general has issued directives aimed
at reducing civilian casualties, and while some mistakes
still occur, overall the results have been beneficial. In
just over a year Afghans have become far more positive
about the future, even if the situation in Afghanistan
remains at times tragic.
For the first time ever Nato entered combat operations
with development and governance help ready to move in
immediately after the operation. Nato countries have
engaged in joint civil-military planning before. The UK
led the way with the stabilisation unit's planning for the
UK operation in Helmand in 2006 and the revised plan a few
years later. However, both of these plans were ultimately
less effective than the government would have liked.
Nonetheless, the UK and other Nato allies continue to
learn and Operation Moshtarak reflects that. Afghan and
international assets will be moving immediately into
Helmand to provide policing, governance and development.
In theory, this all sounds good. But 1,000 corrupt Afghan
police will make the situation worse. Given the historical
corruption issues within the police force there are
reasons to be sceptical. We also will have to wait and see
if the efforts at rooting in governance are more effective
than the distorted relationship between the international
organisations and the military have traditionally allowed.
So far Operation Moshtarak has gone according to plan. It
deploys both Afghan and international forces, a major step
towards the 'Afghanisation' of security operations. Very
few Isaf soldiers have been killed and despite two
incidents in which at least 17 Afghan civilians were
regrettably killed, civilian casualties remain minimal.
The Taliban has offered little challenge. The task now is
to clear the city of the hundreds of mines and IEDs that
litter the surrounding area, as well as instituting
effective government administration and security.
Viewpoints
The coming Delhi talks
India and
Pakistan must develop a clearer framework of principles on the
basis of which to address their outstanding issues and
organise their future relations.
Shamshad Ahmad
India
and Pakistan are set to resume foreign secretaries-level talks
next week. It took eight months for India to act upon the
understanding reached between the prime ministers of the two
countries at Sharm el-Sheikh last June. In their joint
statement, the two leaders had recognised that "dialogue was
the only way forward and action on terrorism should not be
linked to the composite dialogue process and these should not
be bracketed."
The two prime ministers also agreed in Sharm el-Sheikh that
"terrorism is the main threat to both countries" and that
their governments were resolved "to fight terrorism and to
cooperate with each other to this end." If this was the
intent, the two countries, instead of linking the "composite
dialogue" to "action on terrorism," should have reinforced
their mutual cooperation in counter-terrorism, for which they
already have bilateral as well as regional mechanisms.
A blame-game in public is the last thing the two countries
should be engaging in as an instrument of their diplomacy. It
is also immaterial how and why India changed its mind. It is
also not important if the US played the decisive role in
bringing India back to the conference table. It also makes no
difference what nomenclature we use for the resumed dialogue.
In fact, the term "composite dialogue" was introduced by India
in June 1997, which Pakistan grudgingly accepted not to let
the substance of dialogue get eroded.
One hopes the forthcoming talks in Delhi will bring some
sanity back to the peace process which in recent years has
been under assault from the enemies of peace between the two
nuclear-capable neighbours. If Mumbai was an attempt to
disrupt the India-Pakistan peace process, the ideal response
would have been to frustrate this attempt by accelerating the
process and strengthening mutual anti-terror cooperation.
Indeed, the India-Pakistan peace process has never been immune
to domestic and external factors and has always been
vulnerable to occasional hiccups. We have seen that whenever
the dialogue process appeared to be making headway, some
bizarre incident always took place, derailing and then
stalling the process. These glitches have often become
speed-breakers, if not roadblocks, in the process. While every
effort now needs to be made to remove these glitches, one must
not have unrealistic expectations from the Delhi talks.
It might be an opportunity for both sides to review their
behavioural balance sheet since they broke off the dialogue
process in July 2008, and to retune their negotiating
templates. They must adhere to the existing India-Pakistan
agenda and the structured framework of principles in dealing
with this agenda which has been the basis of their peace
process for more than a decade, and in which they have already
covered considerable ground in terms of confidence-building
measures, especially those relating to facilitation of the
Kashmiri people's travel across the Line of Control.
While both sides should be amenable to make appropriate
additions or modifications in their existing agenda, any
effort by India now to redefine the agenda or constrict the
list of outstanding issues must be resisted by Pakistan.
"Talks for the sake of talks" must not be the option for
Pakistan. We must insist on building on the ground already
covered in the India-Pakistan "composite dialogue" since it
began in June 1997. If India is adamant in its "unifocal"
approach, Pakistan would be better off without dialogue at
this stage and should wait for better times. Given past
experience, there is no room for over-optimism in the
India-Pakistan context simply on the basis of one or two
bilateral meetings. This process requires perseverance.
Both countries will need to be sincere in giving peace a real
chance. If possible, they should continue their dialogue
process in an integrated manner as an uninterruptible process
to build up trust and confidence, and develop mutually
beneficial cooperation, including that in countering terrorism
through existing bilateral and regional mechanisms.
Steady improvement of their relations requires not only
confidence-building measures but also progress in conflict
resolution, which should be visible to the people on both
sides, particularly on the doables. The areas in which some
forward movement can be expected include issue of peace and
security, CBMs, Siachen, Sir Creek, the water issue, economic
and commercial cooperation, the Iranian gas pipeline,
promotion of friendly exchanges in various fields, visa
liberalisation and counter-terrorism.
Significant progress in these areas could set in motion an
irreversible process of genuine India-Pakistan detente which
would not only reinforce the constituencies of peace in both
countries but also promote an atmosphere conducive to future
progress on major issues including Kashmir. In recent years,
both sides have been claiming "flexibility of approach and
sincerity of commitment" but the momentum of normalisation
will be difficult to sustain in the absence of sincerity on
both sides.
In the ultimate analysis, however, the success of this process
would depend entirely on the freshness of political approach
that both sides would themselves be ready to bring in with
sincerity and seriousness of purpose. The people in both
countries have suffered for too long as a result of continuing
tensions and conflicts and would welcome any new innovative
approach that facilitates a "practical and achievable"
solution of the Kashmir issue in keeping with the legitimate
interests of India, Pakistan and the Kashmiri people.
India and Pakistan must develop a clearer framework of
principles on the basis of which to address their outstanding
issues and organise their future relations. For this purpose,
regular agenda-specific and result-focused contacts between
the political leadership of the two countries would be needed.
There has to be visible progress at least in some areas.
The silver lining today is that after nearly a decade we in
Pakistan now have an elected civilian set-up, and the two
major parties are publicly known to be committed to a just and
honourable peace with India on the basis of a negotiated
settlement of the outstanding disputes. Their commitment to
peace with India is reinforced by a political consensus
reflected in their electoral manifestos.
History bears witness to the fact that India-Pakistan
relations always saw better times whenever Pakistan had an
"authentic" civilian government. Major India-Pakistan
agreements were invariably reached only when civilians were in
charge in Pakistan.
These included the Nehru-Liaquat pact in the 50s, the Shimla
Agreement between Indira Gandhi and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in
1972, the Islamabad Agreement of June 23, 1997, laying down
the basis and framework of the structured India-Pakistan
composite dialogue, and the Lahore Declaration of Feb 21,
1999, both during Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's last tenure.
The challenge for the leaderships in both countries now is to
return to the genuine peace process envisaged in the historic
Lahore Declaration in which India and Pakistan solemnly
recognised that "an environment of peace and security" was in
their supreme national interest and the resolution of all
outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, was essential
for this purpose.
In any case, the task ahead is not going to be easy, given the
complexity of the issues involved. There will be no quick
fixes, and we should be ready for a long-drawn-out process
which must not be interrupted by change of governments or
personalities, nor should it be subjected to the vagaries of
domestic politics.
It is also time a serious appraisal was made of the policy
options available to the regional as well as global
stakeholders in making South Asia a factor of stability for
global peace and security. This no doubt presents a challenge
to the world community, especially the powers that matter, to
explore the pathways to bringing the prevailing India-Pakistan
logjam to an end through conflict prevention and peaceful
settlement of disputes in accordance with the modalities
prescribed in the Charter of the United Nations.
The writer is a former foreign secretary
of Pakistan. Email: shamshad1941@yahoo.com
Hard Middle
East Truths Israel Must Face
If there are
not two states there will be one state between the river
and the sea and very soon there will be more Palestinian
Arabs in it than.
Roger Cohen
For
over a century now, Zionism and Arab nationalism have
failed to find an accommodation in the Holy Land. Both
movements attempted to fill the space left by collapsed
empire, and it has been left to the quasi-empire, the
United States, to try to coax them to peaceful
coexistence.
The attempt has failed.President Barack Obama came to
office more than a year ago promising new thinking,
outreach to the Muslim world, and relentless focus on
Israel-Palestine. But nice speeches have given way to
sullen stalemate. I am told Obama and the Israeli prime
minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, have a zero-chemistry
relationship.
Domestic US politics constrain innovative thought - even
open debate - on the process without end that is the peace
search. As Aaron David Miller, who long laboured in the
trenches of that process, once observed, the United States
ends up as "Israel's lawyer" rather than an honest broker.
The upside for an American congressman in speaking out for
Palestine is nonexistent.
I don't see these constraints shifting much, but the need
for Obama to honor his election promise grows. The
conflict gnaws at US security, eats away at whatever
remote possibility of a two-state solution is left, clouds
Israel's future, scatters Palestinians and devours every
attempt to bridge the West and Islam. Here's what I
believe. Centuries of persecution culminating in the
Holocaust created a moral imperative for a Jewish
homeland, Israel, and demand of America that it safeguard
that nation in the breach. But past persecution of the
Jews cannot be a license to subjugate another people, the
Palestinians. Nor can the solemn US promise to stand by
Israel be a blank check to the Jewish state when its
policies undermine stated American aims. One such Israeli
policy is the relentless settlement of the West Bank. Two
decades ago, James Baker, then secretary of state,
declared, "Forswear annexation; stop settlement activity."
Fast-forward 20 years to Barack Obama in Cairo: "The
United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued
Israeli settlements." In the interim the number of
settlers almost quadrupled from about 78,000 in 1990 to
around 300,000 last year.
Since Obama spoke, Netanyahu, while promising an
almost-freeze, has been planting saplings in settlements
and declaring them part of Israel for "eternity." In a
normal relationship between allies - of the kind I think
America and Israel should have - there would be
consequences for such defiance. In the special
relationship between the United States and Israel there
are none. The US objective is a two-state peace. But day
by day, square meter by square meter, the physical space
for the second state, Palestine, is disappearing. Can the
Gaza sardine can and fractured labyrinth of the West Bank
now be seen as anything but a grotesque caricature of a
putative state? America has allowed this self-defeating
process to advance to near irreversibility.
In fact, it has helped fund it. The settlements are
expensive, as is the security fence (hated "separation
wall" to the Palestinians) that is itself an annexation
mechanism. According to a recent report by the
Congressional Research Service, U.S. aid to Israel totaled
$28.9 billion over the past decade, a sum that dwarfs aid
to any other nation and amounts to four times the total
gross domestic product of Haiti. It makes sense for
America to assure Israel's security. It does not make
sense for America to bankroll Israeli policies that
undermine US strategic objectives.
This, too, I believe: Through violence, anti-Semitic
incitation, and annihilationist threats, Palestinian
factions have contributed mightily to the absence of peace
and made it harder for America to adopt the balance
required. But the impressive recent work of Prime Minister
Salam Fayyad in the West Bank shows that Palestinian
responsibility is no oxymoron and demands of Israel a
response less abject than creeping annexation.
And this: the "existential threat" to Israel is
overplayed. It is no feeble David facing an Arab (or
Arab-Persian) Goliath. Armed with a formidable nuclear
deterrent, Israel is by far the strongest state in the
region. Room exists for America to step back and apply
pressure without compromising Israeli security. And this:
Obama needs to work harder on overcoming Palestinian
division, a prerequisite for peace, rather than playing
the no-credible-interlocutor Israeli game. The Hamas
charter is vile. But the breakthrough Oslo accords were
negotiated in 1993, three years before the Palestine
Liberation Organisation revoked the annihilationist
clauses in its charter. When Arafat and Rabin shook hands
on the White House lawn, that destroy-Israel charter was
intact. Things change through negotiation, not otherwise.
If there are Taleban elements worth engaging, are there
really no such elements in the broad movements that are
Hamas and Hezbollah?
If there are not two states there will be one state
between the river and the sea and very soon there will be
more Palestinian Arabs in it than Jews. What then will
become of the Zionist dream? It's time for Obama to ask
such tough questions in public and demand of Israel that
it work in practice to share the land rather than divide
and rule it.
Roger Cohen is Editor at Large of the International
Herald Tribune.
‘Nothing comes of nothing’
People in this part of the world are no longer ready to
give the US what it wants in return for empty promises.
Michael Jansen
During
the US-Islamic World Forum last weekend, US Secretary of
State Hillary Clinton pleaded for patience with the Obama
administration and its efforts to address the concerns of
the people of this region.
While Arab and Muslim leaders, always polite to guests,
listened patiently to her words, they are impatient for
action on regional problems for which the US is
responsible. But the Obama administration, like its
predecessors, turns a deaf ear to Arab and Muslim pleas
for action on a number of existential issues.
People in this part of the world are no longer ready to
give the US what it wants in return for empty promises.
They have been waiting in vain for Washington to adopt not
"even handed" or "just" but decent policies for more than
60 years.
Israel, founded in 1948 on the ruins of Palestine, is the
chief reason for Washington's biased, unjust and indecent
policies in this region. Since its creation, Israel has
been the source of much of the trouble in the Arab region
because Israel calls the shots on the US political scene.
This has happened in many ways. Here are a few.
First, whenever Arab and Muslim countries developed good
relations with the US, Israel stepped in and done its
utmost to sour the connection. For example, Israel
successfully demonised and dismissed Arab leaders -
notably Egypt's President Jamal Abdul Nasser and
Palestine's Yasser Arafat - who offered to make peace with
Israel. They were rebuffed because Israel wants Arab land
not peace.
Furthermore, Israel has maintained its spoiler policy.
Last year, it attempted to demonise US President Barack
Obama because he made overtures to the Arab and Muslim
worlds during his first three months in office. Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proceeded to humiliate Obama
by refusing to meet his demand to freeze Israeli
colonisation activity in the West Bank and East Jerusalem,
in line with Israel's unmet obligations under the 2003
"roadmap" plan for the creation of a Palestinian state.
Obama's failure on this issue has in fact spoiled his
relations with Palestinians, Arabs and Muslims who had
expected better of him.
Second, with the exception of the Israeli, British and
French attack on Egypt in 1956, the US has supported
Israel's aggressions against Arab countries. Following the
1973 joint Egyptian-Syrian offensive against Israel, the
sole war initiated by the Arab side, the US provided
Israel with the weapons and ammunition to defeat Egypt and
Syria and reoccupy the territory they had regained from
Israel.
Third, at the instigation of Israeli and pro-Israeli US
neoconservatives, the Bush administration invaded and
occupied Iraq, transforming an oil-rich going concern into
a physically devastated, politically fractured country
ruled by pro-Iranian Shiite parties. The Obama
administration has not been able to convince these parties
to share power with Sunni and secular political forces,
risking fresh civil war in Iraq and regional instability.
Furthermore, the administration is now under pressure from
the very same quarters to impose stiff sanctions on Iran
until it halts its nuclear programme. And if Iran fails to
do so, Israel wants to attack its research and production
facilities.
While Obama entered office promising dialogue with Iran,
he has not pursued talks seriously, and Clinton has
recently adopted her personal preference for a more
hawkish approach (perhaps because she hopes to run for
presidency in 2012). Meanwhile, Tehran - which remains
wary of the US because it has had a long history of
unhappy relations with it, and the West - is mistrustful
and dangerously defiant.
Fourth, US-led NATO troops are prosecuting a war against
the Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan. This war is
expanding across the border into Pakistan. And, for good
measure, US "advisers" and "trainers" - following the
Vietnam path to conflict - are becoming increasingly
involved in the Yemeni government's efforts to subdue Al
Qaeda elements in that country.
These conflicts alienate Arabs and Muslims, whether
justified or not. Israel is delighted. If the US had
exerted pressure on Israel to make peace with Nasser or
Arafat, it is highly unlikely that Al Qaeda would have
emerged and the 2001 attack on New York and Washington,
almost certainly, would not have happened. In the absence
of peace, the US might be more balanced in its approach to
Arabs and Muslims.
Finally, in spite of Muslim sensitivities on this issue,
Obama failed to close the Guantanamo Bay prison facility
holding Muslims indefinitely without trial. Why? Because
Congress, heavily influenced by Israel's local friends,
does not want to transfer the prisoners to the mainland US
and bring them before the courts.
This background explains why Clinton failed to convince
Arab leaders she met at the forum to go along with the
current Israeli-driven agenda on Iran.
To convince, the US must take action rather than talk the
talk, particularly on the Arab-Israeli dispute. The US
does nothing to curb Israel's military adventures and
appetite for Palestinian land. The US has long regarded
Israel's colonies in occupied Palestine as illegal, but
says some will stay under any final deal. The US does not
even halt funding of the colonies by US organisations and
individuals nor discourages US citizens from moving into
these colonies. The administration should ban the transfer
of US funds to Israeli colonies and prosecute for trespass
on Palestinian land US citizens who live in illegal
colonies.
The administration should also block the sale and delivery
of US-manufactured weapons, ammunition and other military
hardware to Israel. While the US has made a long-term
commitment to Israel's security, Washington should not, in
any way, support Israel's occupation of Arab territories
taken in 1967. The US should also rein in Israel's threats
against Lebanon, Syria, Iran and Gaza.
The administration offers nothing on the
Palestinian/Arab-Israeli front, but Clinton urges Qatar
and other Arab countries to restore Israeli commercial
offices closed down due to Israel's brutal war on Gaza
last year. Clinton also wants the Arabs to open trade ties
with Israel at a time Tel Aviv refuses to freeze
colonisation activity for even a few months or to agree to
negotiations with the Palestinians on the basis of the
June 1967 borders.
Iran is, of course, the real reason Clinton travelled to
Qatar for the forum. The aim of her game is upping
sanctions on Iran whatever the cost to its Arab neighbours
- commercial or political. Qatar and the UAE have
extensive commercial relations with Iran and good
relations with its government. Is she asking them to cut
these ties at a time of global recession?
She suggested that Saudi Arabia reassure China about oil
supplies if Beijing joins the US in voting new sanctions
in the Security Council. But she offers the Arabs nothing
in return on Palestine and the other issues mentioned
above. There has to be quid pro quo. Nothing comes of
nothing.
International
Balanced US
approach needed in Pakistan: Gilani
Dawn Online, Islamabad
Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said that a
balanced and indiscriminate US approach in this region
could help improve the United States image amongst
Pakistanis.
Talking to the US special envoy for the region Richard
Holbrooke, Gilani said that US assistance to Pakistan
should be need-based and in projects which have a direct
impact on the lives of people in Pakistan.
Gilani welcomed the high level contacts between the two
countries at political, parliamentary, military and
economic level and
stressed the need for their continuity in order to
increase strategic ties.
Holbrooke is currently meeting with PML-N leader Nawaz
Sharif and is also due to meet other political and
military leaders during his stay in Pakistan.
APP adds: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on
Thursday underlined the expeditious initiation of the
Pakistan-United States strategic dialogue for building
trust to remove the misperceptions and misgivings between
Pakistan and the United States. Talking to Ambassador
Holbrooke, Special US Representative for Pakistan and
Afghanistan who along with a delegation called on him at
the Prime Minister House, Gilani hoped the strategic
dialogue between Pakistan and the US would be scheduled
expeditiously to discuss agreed components during the
first half of 2010.
He said the holding of the dialogue was agreed during US
Secretary of State's visit to Pakistan in October last
year.
Ambassador Holbrooke briefed the Prime Minister on
Operation Mushtarak (Together). The Prime Minister
expressed the hope that Pakistan's concerns regarding
spill over of refugees and militants from Helmand into
Balochistan and NWFP will be kept in view by the US and
ISAF forces and there would be enhanced coordination and
cooperation with Pakistan armed forces in this regard, a
statement from the premier's office said.
India unveils 5-year
military buildup plan against China
APP, Islamabad
Taking the concept of a two front war with Pakistan and
China a step further, India has launched an ambitious
military buildup plan along the disputed Line of Actual
Control (LAC) with China in the state of Arunachal
Pradesh, reports Indian media. Indian response, spread
over next five years, shall see raising of mountain
infantry formations, building up IAF assets, deployment of
anti-aircraft Akash missile batteries, besides deploying
ballistic missiles capable of striking deep inside the
Chinese hinterland.
Arunachal Pradesh, claimed by China as its territory, is
witnessing enhanced Indian force levels where two
specialized mountain infantry divisions and an artillery
brigade are being raised and stationed by 2012. In
addition two Sukhoi 30MKI squadrons have been placed each
at Tezpur and Chabua in Assam.
Guarding these assets are eight Akash air defence
squadrons which shall be deployed in Arunachal Pradesh by
2015; the first one becoming operational by 2011. India is
also planning to extend its missile coverage of China by
deploying 3500 KM Agni-III and the under development 5000
KM Agni-V as soon as possible; Agni III reaching
operational status by 2011-2012.
According to analysts Indian force goals now envision a
hostile posture against China in the backdrop of a
disputed 4057 KM long LAC; without thinning out deployment
against Pakistan. To this end, its military budget has
undergone a massive rise. According to Military Balance
2012, compiled by Institute of Strategic studies, India
has boosted defence spending by 21% in 2009, making it one
of the leading military spenders in the world.
Interference from India
affecting cell phone service
Dawn Online, Lahore
Interference from India is adversely affecting the service
of some cellular companies in Pakistan, Dawn has learnt.
Service in parts of Lahore, Sialkot, Kasur, Sahiwal,
Bahawalnagar and Bahawalpur near the Indian border is
being affected by the bandwidth interference from Indian
territories.
According to a source in the Pakistan Telecommunication
Authority, the main cause of the interference is the
service of TATA Mobile and Reliance Communications of
India that has the same frequency bandwidths as the ones
allocated to some Pakistani cellular companies by the
Frequency Allocation Board (FAB).
The PTA and FAB have carried out a joint survey on the
complaints of cell phone companies in this regard.
According to the survey, interference has caused a
'calculable depreciation' in quality of mobile
telecommunication services in the areas of Punjab near the
Pakistan-India border.
Internal surveys in the telecommunication industry have
also revealed that there is also a 'significant increase'
in the interference on the bandwidth used by various
security forces in the country.
"There is resentment among some cellular operators as they
have been unable to improve the quality of service despite
large investments to gain consumer goodwill," the source
said, adding that as the allocated bandwidths continued to
be cluttered with interference, certain companies
operating in Pakistan had lost customer confidence.
It is pertinent to mention that India has not been
confronted in this regard on any international forum by
Pakistani authorities.
A PTA spokesman told Dawn that the issue of interference
in frequency bandwidth from India and even from north
region had been taken up with the authorities concerned
and would soon be sorted out.
First Squadron of JF-17
Thunder inducted in PAF
APP, Islamabad
Another major milestone was achieved when the first
Squadron of JF-17 Thunder formally joined fighter aircraft
fleet of Pakistan Air Force on Thursday.A ceremony for the
formal induction of JF-17 Thunder aircraft was held at one
of the PAF's operational bases. Air Chief Marshal Rao
Qamar Suleman, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force
was chief guest on the occasion. The Chief of the Air
Staff addressing the Airmen congratulated the nation and
the PAF personnel on the momentous occasion.
"The formal induction of JF-17 aircraft in the PAF is in
line with our resolve to face all challenges with poise
and self-confidence. The PAF has invested in the force
multipliers like the Air-to-Air refuellers, UAVs and AEW&C
aircraft to enhance our capacity and capability to
undertake complex operations," he said.
" These new state-of-the-art inductions make it imperative
that we train hard and prepare well to induct and
integrate the new systems professionally and safely. The
achievements of PAF leave no doubt in my mind that we are
immensely capable and, as a team, can set and achieve
still higher standards". "We are a peaceful nation with no
aggressive designs and want to maintain peace with honour
in our region. We are inducting new systems to keep pace
with technology and maintain credible conventional balance
of force, without which peace cannot be ensured in South
Asia," he said.
He said that the JF-17 would be put through its paces in
the forthcoming Exercise Hi-Mark 2010. The 'JF-17 Thunder'
has the capability to undertake entire spectrum of
offensive as well as defensive missions. By joining the
elite ranks of PAF, the JF-17 would not only enhance the
combat readiness of PAF but also form its back-bone in
future.
Judge in Malaysia’s Anwar
case will not stand down
AFP, Kuala Lumpur
The judge hearing Malaysian opposition leader Anwar
Ibrahim's sodomy trial refused on Thursday to stand down
from the case, rejecting the defence argument that he was
biased.
The trial, which Anwar says is a political conspiracy
engineered by the prime minister and his wife, was
suspended until March 25 while his lawyers appeal the
judge's decision.
"I don't see any reason to recuse myself from this case.
If I do this I will be running away from my duty as a
judge," Judge Mohamad Zabidin Diah told the court.
Mohamad Zabidin said no "reasonable person" would infer he
was biased
based on the defence's argument that he had failed to rein
in unfair media coverage of the trial which began last
month.
Defence counsel Karpal Singh said he would contest the
judge's decision and repeated Anwar's allegations that
Prime Minister Najib Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor
masterminded the sodomy allegations to undermine the
opposition.
"There is a black hand behind this prosecution and it is
none other than the present prime minister," Karpal told
the court. "Actually there are two hands, including his
wife."
Afghan offensive tests
Obama’s war plan
AP, Washington
The real test of President Barack Obama's Afghan war plan
may come after the fighting stops.
With combat under way in strategic Helmand province - the
first major offensive since Obama ordered 30,000 more U.S.
troops to Afghanistan - U.S. Marines are meeting stubborn
resistance and slower going than some expected in the
early days of the offensive around the rich farming
district of Marjah.
Beyond the immediate battle, it's not clear whether
meaningful numbers of Taliban fighters can be scared off
by U.S. firepower or bought off in a future amnesty
outreach.
Ambitious plans to install a responsible local government
once the fighting stops raise questions about how long the
Americans intend to stay. On its face, the campaign to
make Marjah independent and strong enough to resist the
Taliban commits the United States and other countries to a
lengthy stay in a bad neighborhood.
Obama has promised to begin bringing U.S. forces home in
July of next year. He has set no deadline for ending the
war outright, but military analysts assume U.S. forces
will have to remain in volatile southern Afghanistan far
beyond that initial drawdown.
A longtime hotbed of Taliban activity, Marjah is likely to
be dominated by thousands of U.S. and Afghan forces in the
short term. The U.S. military plans to remain for as long
as it takes to make sure the Taliban cannot return, and
commanders have set no deadlines either for the duration
of the fighting or the duration of the holding operation
that will follow.
US open to options in Japan
base row
AFP, Tokyo
The United States is ready to face "a variety of different
possibilities" in talks with Japan on where to relocate a
contentious US military base, its top diplomat for Asia
was quoted as saying Thursday.
The base issue has soured ties between Washington and
Tokyo since Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's centre-left
government took power in September, promising a less
subservient stance toward the United States.
The row centres on the US Marine Corps Futenma Air Station
on southern Okinawa island which many locals want closed,
citing aircraft noise, pollution, the risk of accidents
and past crimes committed by American troops. Japan's new
government has launched a review of a 2006 agreement to
move the base from a crowded urban area to a quieter
coastal part of the island, saying it may have to be moved
off Okinawa instead or even outside Japan.
The top US diplomat, in an interview with a Japanese
newspaper, said Washington still wants Tokyo to honour the
original plan to move the base to Okinawa's coastal Henoko,
but signalled it is open to negotiations.
"Again, our preference is for the current plan to go
forward, but we are prepared to face a variety of
different possibilities going forward," said Kurt
Campbell, US assistant secretary of state for East Asian
and Pacific Affairs.
"I am not going to get into the specifics, but we also
have studied many different potential solutions very
closely, not over a period of months, but years," he was
quoted as saying by the Sankei Shimbun daily.
Iran
says will not give up nuclear work at any price
Reuters, London
Iran will not give up uranium enrichment and the West must
get used to an Iran that is a "master of enrichment",
Tehran's envoy to the U.N. nuclear watchdog was quoted on
Wednesday as saying.
Iran was "always ready to talk in a civilised manner", Ali
Asghar Soltanieh said in an interview with New Statesman,
a British current affairs magazine. "But the West just has
to cope with a strong Iran, a country with thousands of
years of civilisation, that is now the master of
enrichment. I know it is hard for them to digest, but it
is the reality," he said.
"Iran will never give up enrichment-at any price. Even the
threat of military attack will not stop us," the Iranian
ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency said.
New Statesman said the interview was conducted in Vienna
"one recent Sunday" but did not give the date. Iran says
its nuclear programme is for electricity generation.
Tehran announced this month it had begun work to enrich
uranium to a higher grade for a reactor making isotopes
for cancer patients, further raising Western concerns that
it might build a nuclear bomb.
Western powers had offered Iran a fuel swap under which it
would have sent much of its low-enriched uranium abroad in
return for fuel rods for the medical reactor.
The United States is leading a push for the U.N. Security
Council to impose a fourth round of sanctions on Iran over
its nuclear work. Soltanieh said the language of threats
reflected a "colonialist mentality".
"By threatening Iran with the Security Council, with
sanctions, with military action, you are just making life
more difficult for yourself-it doesn't work," he said.
Soltanieh said U.S. President Barack Obama had come to
power with a slogan for change. "Whether he can translate
those words into action, we will have to see. So far,
Obama has been unable to deliver, and on occasion has
resorted to using the same language of threats as (former
President) George W. Bush. This is very disappointing," he
said.
Suicide bomber kills 13 in
Iraq’s Anbar province
Reuters, Ramadi, Iraq
A suicide bomber killed at least 13 people and wounded 21
others on Thursday in Iraq's increasingly turbulent
western Anbar province, a senior Iraqi army official and
police said.
The blast comes weeks before a March 7 parliamentary vote
that al Qaeda's affiliate in Iraq has threatened to derail
by military means, stoking fears of more violence to come
as politicians and candidates gear up for the election.
A restaurant worker in Ramadi, capital of Anbar province,
said that bodies littered the scene, close to a complex
housing provincial government buildings. Blood stained the
ground, and gutted police and army vehicles smouldered
nearby.
Three shot in Iraqi Kurd pre-election clash
AFP reports adds: Security forces loyal to Iraqi President
Jalal Talabani's Kurdish party were accused on Thursday of
having shot and wounded three people from a rival bloc in
a clash at a political meeting in northern Iraq.
The incident occurred late on Tuesday at a meeting of the
Goran (Change in Kurdish) movement, which emerged in
regional elections last year as a rival to the two main
Kurdish parties, Talabani's PUK (Patriotic Union of
Kurdistan), and the KDP (Kurdistan Democratic Party), of
regional president Massud Barzani.
"We received three wounded, including one seriously" at
12:30 am on Wednesday (2130 GMT Tuesday), a doctor in
Sulai-maniyah, 270 kilometres (170 miles) north of
Baghdad, said on condition of anonymity.
The Goran party, which is seen as a significant threat to
the PUK and KDP in Iraq's March 7 general election, blamed
forces connected to Talabani for the incident at the
meeting in Sulai-maniyah, a stronghold of Talabani
supporters.
Dubai: Hamas slaying nearly
‘100 percent’ Mossad
AP, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai investigators are nearly "100 percent" certain that
Israel's Mossad spy agency was behind the hit squad
slaying of a Hamas commander, the police chief said as the
number of suspects rose Thursday to 18.
The comments by Lt. Gen. Dahi Khalfan Tamim, which
appeared on a government-owned newspaper Web Site, came as
international pressure mounted for Israel to answer
allegations about possible links to last month's slaying
of Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, one of the founders of Hamas'
military wing. The investigation also widened to the
United States with Emirates authorities saying the alleged
killers used fraudulent passports to open credit cards
accounts through U.S. banks, an official said.
"Our investigations reveal that Mossad is involved in the
murder of al-Mabhouh. It is 99 percent, if not 100
percent, that Mossad is standing behind the murder," Tamim
was quoted as saying by The National newspaper, which is
owned by the government of Abu Dhabi.
Tamim and other Dubai police officials could not be
immediately reached for further comment. The international
fallout from the murder in a Dubai hotel room showed no
signs of easing, with Britain and Ireland summoning their
Israeli ambassadors Thursday for talks about the case
following allegations that European passports were used in
the scheme.
Britain has said it will investigate how some suspects in
the assassination of Mahmoud al-Mabhouh came to have
British passports - and how they might have been forged. A
UAE official, who has close knowledge of the
investigation, said at least 18 people - including two
women - are now suspects in what Dubai police des-cribe as
a highly coordinated operation to follow and then kill al-Mabhouh.
Defying China, Obama to
hear Dalai Lama
Internet
Defying anger from China, US President Barack Obama on
Thursday meets Tibet's exiled spiritual leader the Dalai
Lama who plans to seek his assistance in finding a
solution in his homeland.
The Nobel Peace Prize laureates will speak away from the
cameras in the White House Map Room for a meeting the US
administration calls private but which China has warned
could worsen relations between the Pacific powers. The
Dalai Lama, who fled to India in 1959, landed in snowy
Washington on Wednesday and immediately joined a group of
fellow Tibetan exiles as they celebrated their new year,
Losar, at a downtown hotel.
The 74-year-old Buddhist monk bowed to the Tibetan
well-wishers, tasting milk and tea which children
presented to him and throwing a ceremonial offering of
rice over his shoulder.
Lodi Gyari, his lead negotiator in on-off dialogue with
China, said that the Dalai Lama hoped to speak to Obama
both about global concerns and the situation in Tibet
where China sent troops in 1950.
"His Holiness will be asking the president to help find a
solution in resolving the Tibet issue that would be
mutually beneficial to the Tibetan and Chinese people,"
Gyari said.
Beijing has opposed any meeting with the Dalai Lama,
demanding that the United States reverse its "wrong
decision" to "avoid any more damage to Sino-US relations."
Missile defense not a
threat to US-Russia ‘reset’
Reuters, Washington
The United States has a long way to go before Russia
overcomes deeply entrenched scepticism of its missile
defence plans, but that does not threaten efforts to
"reset" relations, a Pentagon official said on Wednesday.
Moscow has repeatedly demanded clarification from
Washington as U.S. missile defence plans in Europe take
shape, voicing surprise at Romania's February offer to
host interceptor missiles.
News that Bulgaria expressed a willingness to also play a
role further raised alarms. Alexander Vershbow, assistant
defence secretary for international security affairs, said
that Washington had not asked Bulgaria to host any missile
shield elements so far. He added that Moscow knew last
year Romania was a possible site.
"So we don't believe that this was as big a surprise as it
has sometimes been portrayed," he told Reuters.
Vershbow said Washington would continue to "lay down the
facts" to convince Moscow that its missile defence plans
were not aimed at Russia, and instead focused on countries
like Iran.
"We still have a long way to go. Scepticism in Russia is
still deeply entrenched. And we've seen it in public
statements in recent weeks. But we'll continue to engage,"
Vershbow said.
Asked what the U.S. might be able to do differently to
assuage Russia, Vershbow said: "I don't think we have any
new techniques. We will continue to engage, lay down the
facts, try to address the Russian arguments on a
substantive basis."
U.S. President Barack Obama rolled out a revised European
missile defence strategy in September that focuses more on
Iranian short- and medium-range missiles. U.S. officials
have expressed hope that Russia might eventually play a
role in the strategy.
French politicians rap fast
food chain for halal menu
Reuters, Paris
A French fast food chain's decision to serve only halal
meat in eight restaurants with a strong Muslim clientele
has sparked a wave of criticism from politicians decrying
the step as unacceptable.
A far-right leader said the 350-branch Quick chain was
imposing "an Islamic tax" on its customers. A Socialist
mayor has threatened a law suit for discrimination against
customers who do not want to eat according to Muslim
dietary laws.
The uproar, like France's drive to ban Muslim face veils
and its state-led debate on national identity, has come
just ahead of regional elections next month even though
Quick began what it calls a six-month marketing test in
late November.
The 5.5 billion euro ($7.46 billion) halal market in
France is growing strongly, according to a survey in
December 2009, citing increasing demand among young
Muslims for halal produce.
Marine Le Pen, vice president of the far-right National
Front, launched the accusations on Sunday, saying clients
"are forced because of halal meat to pay a tax to Islamic
organisations" that certify the food was produced
according to Muslim dietary laws. Socialist Mayor Rene
Vandierendonck in Roubaix, a town near Lille with many
Muslim residents, threatened a law suit. Lionnel Luca, a
conservative parliamentary deputy, called for a boycott to
restore "freedom of choice" in the Roubaix Quick.
Agriculture Minister Bruno Le Maire told the daily Le
Figaro: "When they remove all the pork from a restaurant
open to the public, I think they fall into communalism,
which is against the principles and the spirit of the
French republic."
Kyoto risks dying as
no new climate deal in sight
Reuters, Oslo/Singapore
Efforts to extend the Kyoto climate pact framework risk
collapse in a setback to years of diplomatic bargains, as
chances fade that the United States will join other rich
nations in capping emissions.
December's U.N. climate conference in Denmark failed to
cite the U.N.-brokered Kyoto pact as a touchstone-sapping
hopes for a global carbon price to guide billions of
dollars in investments from nuclear plants to solar
panels.
"We are probably seeing the beginning of the end for the
Kyoto Protocol in its current form," said Johan Rockstrom,
head of the Stockholm Resilience Centre at Stockholm
University.
"But it's also very clear that we are still in a situation
where there is no alternative. So we are in a fix."
Plans to extend the Kyoto Protocol, the world's main pact
for fighting climate change, beyond 2012 hinge on bridging
a divide between rich and poor countries over the cost of
switching from carbon-intensive technologies.
U.S. ROLE IS KEY
The Denmark summit came up with a Copenhagen Accord aimed
at limiting global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6
F) above pre-industrial times, and also pledged $100
billion a year from rich nations in climate aid for the
poor from 2020.
But the accord barely mentions Kyoto, which binds 37 rich
nations excluding the largest emitter, the United States,
to cut greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 5 percent
below 1990 levels between 2008-12.
Business/Economy
US Trade Show
kicks off
Dipu Moni seeks enhanced access to US market for BD goods,
GSP continuation
BSS, Dhaka
Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni on Thursday strongly urged
the US government to consider increasing Bangladesh's
market access to the US as an LDC and extending duty and
quota free entry, side by side continuing GSP facilities
for Bangladesh.
Trade holds the key to successful development in the
modern world, she said elaborating government's focus on
expansion of trade as the engine of growth and development
rather than dependency on aid. The minister was addressing
as the chief guest at the opening of the 19th US Trade
Show 2010 organized by the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCham)
in Bangladesh. US Ambassador James F Moriarty addressed as
special guest at the opening ceremony of the US Trade Show
2010 here. AmCham President Aftab ul Islam presided over
the function. Executive Director of AmCham Abdul Gafur was
also present. Mentioning that the Bangladesh government
has been consistently working for consolidating the
relations between the two countries in all areas of
economic cooperation she said, "My government stands ready
to intensify Bangladesh-US cooperation in all areas,
including trade and commerce, energy and all sectors of
socio-economic development.
The US is one of the major trading partners of Bangladesh,
Dr Dipu Moni said adding about 26 percent of our export is
destined to USA.
Bangladesh maintains a positive trade balance with the US,
she said adding during 2008-2009, Bangladesh exported US
dollar 4,052 million worth products, 12.85 percent higher
than the previous year and imported US dollar 457.82
million worth products from USA, thus resulting in a trade
surplus of US dollar 3,594.18 million.
"One of our trade priorities with the US is to have
continuous GSP facilities for a duty free and quota-free
market access of our products as an LDC to the US. We are
appreciative of the efforts of the US government for
extending GSP facilities to Bangladesh Readymade Garments
and shrimp for greater access to US markets till June
2010," she said.
She requested the US government to consider adoption of
the New Partnership for Development Act (NPDA) submitted
by Senator Joe McDermott, to serve the cause of
Bangladesh's business interest in the US.
The foreign minister termed Bangladesh as a viable
destination for Foreign Direct Investment by many
countries including the US and said "The US is one of the
largest foreign investors in Bangladesh."
In 2007, some 13 projects under joint venture and foreign
investment with US were registered with Board of
Investment (BOI) with a total investment of US dollar
23.114 million, she quoted urging the business community
to play a vital role in greater flow of US investment to
Bangladesh.
Inter-bank
call money market enters into digital system
BSS, Dhaka
Bangladesh inter-bank money market has entered into
Digital arena as 42 banks and non-banking financial
institutions (FIs) have made successful dealing of call
money worth about Taka 500 crore through DhakaMoney-2009
digital system of Dhakabiz.com under a 3-day Trial Dealing
Program that concluded today.
Dkakabiz.com, the first real-time financial Information
Service of Bangladesh, organized this programme in
cooperation with Bangladesh Foreign Exchange Dealers'
Association(BAFEDA), Primary Dealers Association
Bangladesh Limited (PDBL) and Bangladesh Money Dealers
Association (BAMDA) from February 16 to February 18. The
program was kicked off by a dummy deal of Taka 10.00 crore
between money dealer Shahiduzzaman of Sonali Bank Ltd and
money dealer Khondaker Ashifuzzaman of Jamuna Bank Ltd at
2.31 pm on Tuesday and concluded by a successful deal of
Taka 5.00 crore between money dealer Sadekuzzaman of IFIC
and money dealer Shams Afzal of Standard Chartered Bank at
5.00 pm on Thursday.
Under the program, money dealers of 42 leading commercial
banks and non-bank financial institutions made call money
deals through DhakaMoney-2009 dealing system on Tuesday,
Wednesday and Thursday from 2.30 pm to 5.00 pm. Central
bank officials, top executives of banks and high officials
of Dhakabiz.com observed the dealing through online
connection. Call money dealing through digital system is a
long demand from fund managers and money dealers of banks
and financial institutions. Because it helps banks and FIs
to reduce risks and cost of operation and increase
efficiency in the inter-bank money market. BAFEDA, PDBL
and BAMDA in separate meetings decided to start call money
dealing through DhakaMoney-2009 system. Currently banks
and FIs are dealing call money through telephone and more
than 40 commercial banks pay about Taka 20 crore worth
foreign currency annually to a foreign service provider
for a trading platform for foreign currencies. But due to
various reasons, most banks are not dealing foreign
currencies through the costly foreign digital system.
Trade fair kicks off today in Ctg
BSS, Chittagong
The 18th month-long Chittagong International Trade
Fair-2010 (CITF- 2010) kicks off today ( Friday) at
Railway Playground in the port city.
Jute & Textiles Minister Abdul Latif Siddique will
inaugurate the fair.
Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Civil
Aviation and Tourism Ministry and former Minister Engineer
Mosharraf Hossain, MP, Chairman of the Parliamentary
Standing Committee on Jute and Textiles Aktururzzaman
Chowdhury, MP, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing
Committee on the Commerce Ministry Lutful Hai Saccu, MP,
Nurul Islam Bsc, MP, Mainuddin Khan Badal, MP, Mohazabin
Morshed, MP, ICCB President Mahabubur Rahman, private
satellite television RTV Chairman Morshed Alam, among
others, will address the function as special guests.
The mega trade event, the second largest after Dhaka
International Trade Fair, and the country's largest such
event under the private sector is being held under the
auspices of the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and
Industry (CCCI).
S M Abu Tayab, Chairman of Mela Committee, at a press
conference held at CCCI auditorium, said a total of 263
stalls including 36 pavilions, 171 mega booths and 78
premier booths will be set up at the fair stretching
nearly four lakh square feet of land areas of the Railway
Playground.
Informing this at a press conference today, CCCI leaders
said Thailand has agreed to participate in the fair as a
partner country of this year's event in six times.
They said some of the leading industrial enterprises at
home and abroad including Pakistan, Iran, India, China and
Turkey are participating in showcasing their products in
the fair.
CCCI President M A Latif, MP, senior vice president M A
Salam and vice president S M Shafiul Hoq, among others,
spoke at the function.
The CCCI authorities have been organizing the fair since
1993. All preparations including structural development of
the fair venue under an attractive layout plan have almost
completed to make the fair a success, sources said.
CCCI officials said besides stringent security measures,
one- stop banking service, fire service centre and
emergency medical centre will also be set up inside the
fair venue for the convenient of the participants and
visitors.
On the other hand, a number of high profile trade and
investment delegations from India, Pakistan and Thailand
are scheduled to visit the fair for exploring trade and
investment prospects, the source added.
The fair will remain open for the visitors from 10 am to
10 pm everyday.
SEC puts GP on reverse gear
BSS, Dhaka
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) was finally
successful in putting not only the hard break on soaring
Grameenphone's shares, but also reversing its spiralling
price trend.
The SEC today directed the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) to
place the GP's share trading on the spot market, where
buyers require ready cash for purchasing the shares of the
company. The authorities also said that the directive
would remain effective until a further order.
Usually, buyers are allowed to transact shares as against
the cheques issued to their respective brokers. They are
also allowed to reinvest the fund immediately after
selling shares of a company, using the netting system.
The SEC last week stopped the netting facility to GP
shares. The merchant banks today also stopped providing
their clients with margin loans for buying the shares of
this company as its PE (price earning) ratio crossed 50
yesterday.
Earlier, the SEC asked all merchant banks, stock exchanges
and stockbrokers not to give their clients margin loans
for buying shares of the companies with a PE ratio of over
50.
GP shares continued the surge over the weeks despite the
SEC's step to stabilize it. But, the latest move
effectively brought its price down. The company lost over
5 percent or Taka 19.40 per share at the close on
Thursday.
The slide in the big issue eventfully dived the index 1.15
percent or 67.43 points down to 5760.94 at the week's
close.
The SEC on Thursday also placed Marico on the spot market,
which caused over 5 percent fall in its share prices.
The SEC's move made investors more cautions in trading
when some of them went on quick selling, creating pressure
on the supply side. This resulted in loss to most traded
issues.
Transaction in both volume and value also declined on the
day when many investors remained watchful on the impact of
regulatory move.
US budget gap narrows to $42.6b in
January
AFP, Washington
The US government chalked up a smaller-than-expected
budget deficit in January, the Treasury said Wednesday,
though the gap is projected to hit a record 1.56 trillion
dollars in 2010.
The deficit of 42.634 billion dollars was less than the
46.0 billion dollars expected by most economists and
compared with a deficit of 91.41 billion dollars in
December, according to the Treasury's monthly report.
The January shortfall stemmed from government spending of
247.87 billion dollars and revenue of 205.24 billion
dollars, the report said.
For the first four months of the 2010 fiscal year that
began October 1, 2009, the deficit widened to 430.7
billion dollars, an 8.8 percent jump from the same period
the previous year, the Treasury said.
The deficit for the 2009 fiscal year that ended September
30 was 1.415 trillion dollars and the White House
projected earlier this month that the gap would widen to a
record 1.556 trillion dollars in 2010.
Measured against the size of the economy, the budget
shortfall in 2010 would equal a hefty and unsustainable
10.6 percent of gross domestic product, the broad measure
of a country's economic output.
Officials say a sustainable deficit-GDP ratio is about
three percent.
Concerned about the ballooning deficit, President Barack
Obama will sign Thursday an executive order establishing a
bipartisan commission to find ways to reduce the gap, the
White House said.
Obama has chosen Democrat Erskine Bowles, the White House
chief of staff for ex-president Bill Clinton, and former
Republican senator Alan Simpson of Wyoming to head the
panel, the official said.
The president repeatedly has complained that plans for a
congressionally mandated fiscal commission were killed in
the Senate-by Republicans who had previously backed the
idea as a way of trimming huge US deficits.
The congressionally appointed commission would have had
more teeth and the power to force lawmakers to vote on its
recommendations.
Japanese mobile firm Willcom goes
bankrupt
AFP, Tokyo
Japanese low-cost mobile telephone operator Willcom Inc.
went bust Thursday with debts of about 2.3 billion
dollars-the country's second high-profile bankruptcy in
less than a month.
Willcom, which offers no-frills, low-cost mobile
telephones but has never really posed a serious challenge
to its bigger rivals, filed for protection with the Tokyo
District Court under the corporate rehabilitation law.
The company said it aimed to revive its business under the
supervision of a state-backed agency that is also
overseeing the bankruptcy proceedings of Japan Airlines,
which went bankrupt on January 19 with 26 billion dollars
of debt.
The body is reportedly set to provide emergency financing
to Willcom along with Softbank, Japan's number three
mobile telephone operator.
Willcom is a leading provider of a type of basic cellphone
known as a personal handy system (PHS).
But it has seen customers steadily defect to its three
bigger rivals, NTT DoCoMo, KDDI and Softbank, which offer
more high-tech handsets and faster Internet services.
Willcom had a 3.7-percent share of Japan's mobile market
as of the end of January, according to industry figures.
Shareholders in Willcom, shouldering debt of 206 billion
yen (2.28 billion dollars), are expected to lose their
investment.
US investment fund Carlyle Group owns a 60-percent stake
in Willcom, while Kyocera Corp. holds 30 percent and KDDI
Corp. has the remaining 10 percent.
Bankruptcy is not the only thing that Willcom and JAL have
in common: the mobile firm is advised by Japanese tycoon
Kazuo Inamori, the Kyocera founder who was picked by the
government to lead the airline's turnaround efforts.
Many Japanese firms, particularly those with a domestic
focus, are struggling in the face of a weak economy and a
population that is both ageing and shrinking.
National
2939 Freedom Fighters embraced
martyrdom in 1971: Capt Taj
BSS, Sangsad Bhaban
State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Captain (retd)
AB Tajul Islam told the House on Thursday that as many as
2939 Freedom Fighters, according to a government gazette,
embraced martyrdom during the War of Liberation in 1971.
Responding to a written question raised by treasury bench
member Nurul Mazid Humayun, he said the number of Freedom
Fighters mentioned in the gazette of his ministry is
1,98,889. According to the Mukti Barta, the number is
1,86,790, he said.
He also said that the number of Freedom Fighters, who got
certificates from the Liberation War Affairs Ministry, is
1,46,726.
Captain Taj also informed the House that scrutiny
committee and appeal committee have been constituted in
all upazilas and districts respectively for completion of
scrutiny process for inclusion of real Freedom Fighters in
the list and exclusion of fake ones.
Responding to another question from ruling party lawmaker
Nasimul Alam Chowdhury, the state minister said that no
initiative has been undertaken yet by his ministry to
award citizenship to six eminent personalities of the
United States who made outstanding contribution to the War
of Liberation in 1971.
He, however, said an inter-ministerial meeting was held to
give honour to the foreign nationals including those of
the USA for their outstanding contribution to the War of
Liberation. This matter is now under process, he also told
the House.
No alternative to flourishing tourism for creating
employment: Quader
BSS, Sangsad Bhaban
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Ghulam Mohammad Qauder
on Thursday said there is no alternative to flourishing
tourism industry to build skilled manpower, create
employment and attract the country from outside of the
world.
Replying to a private member resolution moved by treasury
bench member Apu Ukil, the minister said the present
government has taken various measurers including setting
up of exclusive tourist zones and appointment of tourist
police to attract more tourists in the country.
"The cabinet in principle approved the draft of Bangladesh
Tourism Protected Area and Special Tourist Zone Act, 2009.
Through the act, a legal framework for raising a planned
and coordinated tourist facilities is being prepared under
public and private initiatives," he said.
He said steps have also been taken to take up integrated
programmes involving all stakeholders for expansion and
development of the country's tourism sector.
"A mega plan has been taken up for the development of
different tourist spots across the country including Cox's
Bazar and Kuakata sea beaches to attract increased number
of tourists," he said.
The minister said the government has formulated the
Tourist Vision-2021 and taken initiatives to raise public
awareness to include the Sundarbans, the world heritage
site, in the new 7 wonders list by casting votes.
Apart from this, he said, the government has taken various
programmes in attracting foreign investment to the
country's tourism sector. Besides, formation of the
Tourism Board Act-2009 is now under process, he added.
The minister also informed the House that the government
has a plan to celebrate a month in 2010 as a "Tourism
Month" while "Tourism Year" would be observed in 2011 on
the occasion of the World Cup Cricket to uphold the
positive image of the country's tourism industry.
WFP welcomes
magic scheme in school feeding in Bangladesh
BSS, Dhaka
World Food Programme (WFP) of the United Nations has
welcomed the launching of a new innovative Magic Scheme in
WFP supported schools with a view to promoting its school
feeding programme and helping students to develop positive
health behaviour. The launching of the magic scheme has
been made possible with the support extended by the Kazi
Shakil Foundation (KSF). Through this scheme, WFP hopes to
achieve better health and nutritional awareness among
school children, said a press release.
Under the scheme magic shows will showcase celebrity
magician Ulfat Kabir, who through his performance, will
highlight and deliver messages on various issues on
nutrition, hygiene, health, food security, common
diseases, and promote positive healthy behaviour.
The scheme will also showcase WFP's Micronutrient-
enriched biscuits fortified with essential minerals and
vitamins and used as an integral part of the agency's
school feeding programme.
While inaugurating the scheme on Thursday at a WFP
supported school at Khilkhet Kawuler Government Primary
School, WFP Bangladesh Representative John Aylief said,
"We are truly grateful to the KSF for their support for
our school feeding initiatives. This scheme will have on
immense impact on building greater awareness among the
people of Bangladesh regarding school feeding programmes
and our efforts to wipe out child hunger and malnutrition
from the country."
After the great success of the scheme in the pilot phase
in 2009, WFP entered into a partnership with KSF to
implement the Magic Scheme. Ulfat Kabir, the celebrity
magician and director of the KSF, said "We are delighted
to be working in partnership with the WFP on the new
innovative scheme, which we have customized to
specifically meet WFP's mission and values."
Celebrity singer Mahreen, who was also present at the
ceremony said, "Learning through entertainment is very
important for children. I am sure school children will
have fun, while at the same time learning valuable lessons
on nutrition and health."
In 2010, under the Magic Scheme, over 30,000 students in
100 schools will be covered across the country where
malnutrition is widespread among school age children. A
high percentage of school children and adolescents,
especially girls suffer from iron deficiency anemia and,
which often results in poor cognitive performance.
Eight
decimal land must to setup a non-govt pry school
BSS, Dhaka
The allocation of minimum eight decimals of land is a must
for setting up a registered non- government primary school
in city corporation area, 12 decimals in district town, 20
decimals in upazila sadar and 30 decimals in other areas
Parliamentary Standing Committee on Primary and Mass
Education Ministry took the decision at its ninth meeting
at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban here on Thursday, a press release
of Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat said.
Chairman of the committee Dewan Farid Gazi presided over
the meeting. Committee members Primary and Mass Education
Minister Md Afsarul Amin, State Minister for Primary and
Mass Education Md Motahar Hossain, Md Atiur Rahman Atik,
Afaz Uddin Ahmed, Abdul Mannan, Talukder Md Yunus,
Principal Khadiza Khatun Shefali and Jobeda Khatun
attended the meeting.
The meeting discussed management policy of the government
and registered primary schools, monthly pay order (MPO)
and recruitment process. The meeting was informed that
1500 primary schools would be set up across the country
with a view to implementing the election pledge of the
present government to bring all children to schools by
2011.
Contempt
rule on Dhaka Zoo curator, Botanical Garden director
UNB, Dhaka
The High Court Thursday issued a contempt-of-court rule
upon Dhaka Zoo curator and Botanical Garden director
asking them to explain within two weeks why proceedings
should not be drawn against the duo for refusing to
receive the court's notice.
Passing the contempt rule, a division bench comprising
Justice AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury and Justice Borhan Uddin
asked Zoo curator Dr Mosaddik Hossain and National
Botanical garden director Zayed Hossain Bhuiyan to appear
before the court "in person" on March 2 with their
explanations. The HC contempt rule came as advocate
Manzill Murshid drew attention of the bench about the
matter.
On February 2, the High Court, upon a Public Interest
Litigation (PIL) writ petition, directed the government to
maintain status quo on the installation of a dredge pipe
through the National Botanical Garden and Dhaka Zoo.
The HC had also issued a rule upon the government to
explain why its action giving permission to a private
developer-company to set up dredge pipe through the
National Botanical Garden and Dhaka Zoo in a bid to fill
land for housing projects "should not be declared
illegal".
Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB), a rights
body, filed the PIL writ petition challenging the
legitimacy of the government's action and seeking a court
direction to cancel its permission.
Advocate Manzill Murshid, also the HRPB president, moved
the PIL writ petition.
Muktijoddah BCS officers seeks
President’s helps for restoration of 1998 promotion rules
BSS, Dhaka
Muktijoddah BCS Officers Kalyan Samity on Thursday
appealed to President Zillur Rahman to extend his
cooperation and support for restoring the 1998
government's promotion rules.
The appeal came when a delegation of the Samity led by its
president SK Habibullah paid a call on the President at
Bangabhaban here.
During the meeting, the delegation thanked the present
government for taking various steps for ensuring welfare
of the freedom fighters including extending two years of
retirement age limit for the freedom fighter employees.
They also apprised the President of different activities
of the Samity. Referring to the present government's
utmost sympathy for the freedom fighter, the President
assured of his all-out support for solving the problems of
the Muktijoddah BCS officers.
Concerned secretaries of the President's office were also
present during the meeting.
News in Brief
Spain honours Bibi Russell
UNB, Dhaka
The
Government of Spain will award renowned fashion designer
and cultural icon Bibi Russell "The Cross of Officer of
the Order of Queen Isabella" in recognition of her
outstanding contribution to promoting cultural ties
between Spain and Bangladesh.
Arturo Perez Martinez, Ambassador of Spain to Bangladesh,
will confer the award on Bibi on February 25 at his
residence, said a release of Spain Embassy in Dhaka.
Eminent personalities of the society will be invited to
attend the ceremony.
Citizens of Bangladesh, India to
observe Amar Ekushey at Benapole
BSS, Benapole
The Bangla-speaking
people of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal
are taking preparations to jointly observe Amar Ekushey
and International Mother Language Day on February 21 on
the no-man's land here.
All preparations have almost been completed to observe the
day in a befitting manner. The checkposts on both the
sides of the border have been decorated colourfully on the
occasion.
Erection of a makeshift a Shaheed Minar (monument for
language martyrs) is going on. Citizens from both the
countries would place wreaths there to begin the day's
programme on Sunday.
Indian HC to award scholarships to
offspring of Freedom Fighters
BSS, Dhaka
The High
Commission of India is going to organize a ceremony to
award scholarships to the heirs of Muktijodhas at its
Culture Centre here.
The ceremony will be held at House No. 35, Road No. 24
Gulshan-1 at 3:30 on February 22, a press release said
here Thursday.
State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Capt. (Retd.)
Tajul Islam will attend the function as the chief guest.
Every year the Government of India has been offering 500
scholarships to pursue higher education and 100
scholarships for university education to the offspring of
Muktijodhas of Bangladesh.
MEPs to address press conference
on Feb 20
BSS, Dhaka
A team of
members of parliament of the European Union (MEPs), led by
Jean Lumbert, is visiting Bangladesh, will meet the press
to express their experience.
The press conference will be held at 10:30 am on February
20 at Radius Centre, Gulshan, a press release said.
During the visit, the members of European Parliament held
meetings with the Prime Minister, speaker of Jatiya
Sangsad, foreign minister, high level government officials
and members of the civil society.
They also visited Rohingya refugee camps in Cox's Bazar
and EU funded projects in Chittagong Hill Tracts.
The other members of the delegation are Thomas Mann, John
Attard-Mortalto, Nirj Deva, Nicuolo Rinald, Lucia Ronzulli,
Philippe Kamaris, Amhoa Markuleta, Sabine Meyer and Ruth
De Cesare.
Sports
Bangladesh in disarray against New
Zealand
Cricinfo Online
Bangladesh top order collapsed timidly, for the second time in
the match, leaving New Zealand on the verge of victory at the
end of the fourth day in Hamilton.
A brilliant spell from Daniel Vettori was supported well by
his spinning parter Jeetan Patel, and reduced the tourists to
88 for 5, still 316 runs away from an unlikely victory. The
spin pair bowled consecutive wicket-maidens shortly before the
close of play, taking the game well and truly away from
Bangladesh.
Tamim Iqbal gave the visitors the opening, slogging to long
off where a back-pedalling Daryl Tuffey took an important to
catch.
The remainder of the top order folded feebly under pressure,
with New Zealand hot on attack in the final session.
Earlier, a sedate second innings from New Zealand saw the
hosts ambling to 228 for 5 at tea before a four over
post-break burst from Brendon McCullum brought about the
declaration, with his side 403 runs in the clear.
It capped a strong finish to the innings that was initially
tied down by Shafiul Islam and Shahadat Hossain, who choked
the overnight pair of Peter Ingram and Tim McIntosh at the
start of the day.
Both batsmen seemed nervy under the pressure exerted, which
eventually brought about the debutant's dismissal, run out,
backing up too far for an attritional 13.
Shakib Al Hasan employed sweepers and a fine leg for most of
the day, intent on keeping boundaries to a bare minimum. He
was largely successful, with only nine fours coming in the
morning session, a rare sedate passage of play that stood out
in a match that had until then featured an assortment of
stunning strokeplay.
Runs were easier to come by after lunch for the hosts, but
only marginally so. Tim McIntosh and Martin Guptill exploited
the gaps in the infield to keep the scoreboard ticking,
occasionally springing to life to loft bad deliveries for six.
Bangladesh had a mixed day in the field, effecting two run
outs and defending the boundaries energetically, but were
woeful with their catching, spilling two chances off McIntosh
and one off Guptill who remained unbeaten.
Guptill's knock summed up the afternoon quite nicely for New
Zealand, with thirty-two singles, three twos and three sixes
making up his 56. McCullum hustled a quick 19 after tea,
taking New Zealand to 258 for 5 before Vettori called the
innings to a close.
Tamim Iqbal played as he has for much of the tour, attacking
without reservation. The opener was scintillating through the
off side, stroking four consecutive boundaries in a Tim
Southee over. Once again however, he was unable to kick on for
the long haul, and holed out to mid on after hitting five
fours and a six in a 30-run cameo.
Junaid Siddique followed soon after, bizarrely bowled by Chris
Martin when the ball struck the glove to loop over the
clueless batsman, onto the stumps.
That had the visitors wobbling at 58 for 2, and the dismissals
of Aftab Ahmed, Mohammed Ashraful and Imrul Kayes in quick
succession left the hosts with little to do on the final day.
Khulna
earns 229-run win over Dhaka
UNB, Dhaka
Khulna Division notched a huge 229-run victory over Dhaka
Division in a super league match of the four-day EBL National
Cricket League concluded on Thursday at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury
Stadium in Chittagong.
Chasing 459 runs, Dhaka Division, dismissed for 111 in the
first innings, resumed the second innings today (Thursday)
with overnight 141 for 4 and were all out for 229 runs in 65.1
over to concede the humiliating defeat.
Shubhagoto Chowdhury, who was batting with 52 runs,
contributed the team highest 67 runs off 103 balls with eight
fours and a six while night watch batsman Nadif Chowdhury (3)
failed to add any run on the final day.
Skipper Mohammad Sharif scored 56-ball 30 runs with three
fours and a six while tail-ender Nazmul Islam scored 12 runs
off 27 runs, apart from Marshall Ayub's 57.
Pacer Rabiul Islam, who caused the major damage to the Dhaka
innings claiming five wickets for 62 runs, was adjudged man of
the match. National color pacer Dollar Mahmud took three
wickets for 52 runs.
Earlier, Khulna Division scored 244 runs in the first innings
and 325 runs in the 2nd innings to give a stiff challenge to
Dhaka Division after dismissing them for 111 runs in the first
innings.
Kho Kho training camp begins
TBT report
The kho kho training camp for the forthcoming 3rd
Indo-Bangladesh Bangla Games began on Thursday at the
Dhaka Kho Kho Ground.
Twenty-five players from across the country took part in
the camp.
The President of Bangladesh Kho Kho Federation Shafiq Alam
Mehedi inaugurated the camp as chief guest, while the
Secretary of National Sports Council Shafiq Anwar was
present as special guest. The Secretary General of Asian
Kho Kho Federation Kazi Rajibuddin Chapal and the General
Secretary of Bangladesh Kho Kho Federation Mohiuddin Bahar
were also present on the occasion.
The 3rd Indo-Bangladesh Bangla Games will be held in West
Bengal, India next month.
BOA honours badminton players
TBT report
Bangladesh Olympic
Association (BOA) accorded a reception to the bronze
winning badminton players of Bangladesh in the recently
concluded 11th South Asian Games at BOA Bhaban in the city
on Thursday.
The Secretary General of BOA Kutubuddin Ahmed attended the
function as chief guest, while the General Secretary of
Bangladesh Badminton Federation Zobayedur Rahman Rana was
present as special guest. "This (the success) is the
outcome of the long-term training program. Hopefully our
badminton players will continue this trend of success in
the future also," Kutubuddin said.
Bangladesh won three bronze medal in the 11th South Asian
Games in men's team event, women's team event and mixed
doubles.
Arsenal undone by Fabianski show
AFP, Porto
Two errors from Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski
allowed Porto to establish a 2-1 lead in the first leg of
their Champions League last 16 tie here on Wednesday.
The 24-year-old Pole started in place of the injured
Manuel Almunia but gifted the hosts an early lead with a
soft own goal and presented them the opportunity to score
their second five minutes into the second period by
inexplicably picking up a back-pass.
The industrious Falcao was the beneficiary on the latter
occasion, rolling the ball past a stranded Fabianski after
Ruben Micael took a quick free-kick to secure a slim
advantage for his side prior to the second leg on March 9.
"Schoolboy goals. What can you do? Nothing. After the
second goal, we went down," said Arsenal captain Cesc
Fabregas.
"We are still a little bit soft in that aspect. When we
concede a goal we are not strong enough to lift ourselves
up. Until the second goal we were having a very good
game."
Fabianski's nightmare performance distracted attention
from an impressive return to European action by Sol
Campbell.
The 35-year-old veteran marked his first appearance in
continental competition since his return to the club in
January by scoring the equaliser - three years and nine
months since his goalscoring turn in Arsenal's defeat by
Barcelona in the 2006 Champions League final. Porto's
winner sparked a furious reaction from Arsenal coach
Arsene Wenger, who was also without William Gallas, Alex
Song, Andrey Arshavin, Eduardo and long-term absentee
Robin van Persie due to injury.
Wenger stormed to the touchline to remonstrate with
Swedish referee Martin Hansson, who was in charge of his
most high-profile match since the infamous Thierry Henry
handball incident during the 2010 World Cup play-off
between France and the Republic of Ireland.
Hansson had turned down a strong penalty appeal from
Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky shortly before Porto's
second goal.
Wenger said he could not understand the manner in which
Hansson had dealt with the back-pass.
"I believe it was an accidental back pass," said the
Frenchman."And then he (the referee) pushed the goalkeeper
away and handed the ball to the Porto player."He should
have allowed us time to build a wall. It was a massive
mistake by the referee and just before that he had turned
down a definite penalty for us."
Fabianski kept the score down with a save from Hulk but
Arsenal continued to look unsettled at the back and will
pray that Fabianski recovers morale in time for the
Premier League visit of Sunderland on Saturday.
"We played a good game against a difficult team," said
Porto coach Jesualdo Ferreira. "We showed initiative and
left Arsenal with no options.
Rivals ready to welcome Woods
AFP, Tucson
British Open champion Stewart Cink is delighted that Tiger
Woods has decided to emerge from seclusion.
"It's encouraging that he's coming back to at least be
seen by the public, and the rest of us, too," Cink said at
the Accenture Match Play Championship on Wednesday. "I
consider myself the public when we're talking about this
matter, so it's good that we're going to see Tiger Woods."
Woods' agent announced on Wednesday that the world number
one would make a statement to a select group of media on
Friday morning at the PGA Tour headquarters in Florida.
Woods has been silent and has not played competitive golf
since a mysterious car crash on November 27 spiraled into
scandal, with Woods eventually admitting to "infidelity"
on his website. In December he said he was taking an
"indefinite break" from golf.
While it seemed likely Woods would discuss his plans to
return to competition, his fellow golfers didn't want to
speculate on what he might say.
"I don't know what he's going to talk about," Cink said.
"I think this is maybe the beginning of the comeback
process for him.
"It will be good to see Tiger's face again and see that
he's actually out there somewhere."
But Woods' timing, scheduling his statement during the
middle of a tournament sponsored by Accenture, which
severed its sponsorship deal with the golfer in the wake
of the scandal, has raised some eyebrows.
"I suppose he might want to get something back against the
sponsor that dropped him," said world number eight Rory
McIlroy of Northern Ireland.
McIlroy said he was eager to see Woods back in action, if
only to be spared questions about him.
"He's got to come out at some point," McIlroy said. "I'm
sick of hearing about it and I'm just looking forward to
when he gets back on the golf course."
Cink and McIlroy were speaking after winning their
respective first round matches in the World Golf
Championships event at Dove Mountain.
Warne unease over terror threats
AFP, Sydney
Shane Warne says threats of a terrorist attack have him
"thinking twice" about playing in this year's Indian
Premier League, reports said on Thursday.
Fresh security worries have surfaced ahead of the field
hockey World Cup later this month in New Delhi, the glitzy
Twenty20 cricket tournament in March-April and October's
Commonwealth Games. This week the Hong Kong-based Asia
Times Online news website said it had received a warning
from Al-Qaeda-linked militant Ilyas Kashmiri about
attacking sports events in India. The developments have
prompted the Australian legspin great to urge the
organisers of the IPL to consider moving the tournament if
threats of a terrorist attack are proven to be credible.
Warne is set to leave later this month to captain-coach
the Rajasthan Royals.
"The threats of the past 24 hours have certainly got me
thinking twice and is of deep concern to athletes across a
number of sports," Warne told the Daily Telegraph.
"If the threats are proven to be real, then organisers of
the IPL may look at moving the tournament.
"We moved it last year at short notice and it can be done
and there is no way organisers will risk the safety of
players and officials."
South Africa remains the most viable option as they hosted
the IPL last year due to safety concerns in India relating
to the country's general election.
"I love the country and I'm committed to the Royals but
obviously if I'm given the advice (that) it's unsafe that
will prompt a serious rethink," Warne said.
One source of security concern was eased this week when
the leader of a right-wing Hindu group withdrew a threat
to prevent Australians from playing in the IPL because of
attacks on Indians living Down Under. The group said it
had dropped its opposition as "Indian brothers living in
Australia asked us to lift the ban as it would aggravate
their problems". The ultra-nationalist party last month
vowed to stop "kangaroo cricketers" from participating in
the IPL in Mumbai and Maharashtra state until the attacks
stopped. India also vowed Wednesday to "protect every
player" in upcoming major sports events in the country
after a weekend bombing and alleged new threats.
India wins despite Amla's ton
AFP, Kolkata
India defied an unbeaten century from Hashim Amla to crush
South Africa by an innings and 57 runs in the final Test
on Thursday to draw the series 1-1.
Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh claimed 5-59 as the tourists,
trailing by 347 runs on the first innings, were bowled out
for 290 in their second knock with just nine deliveries
remaining in the match.
Amla returned unbeaten on 123 to finish the series with an
astonishing average of 490 after making 253 not out in the
first Test and 114 in the opening innings of this match.
The 26-year-old from Durban battled for 394 deliveries and
struck 16 boundaries in his ninth Test century, but failed
to prevent his team from snatching a thrilling draw.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni's Indians, who lost the first Test in
Nagpur by an innings and six runs, retained their number
one Test ranking with 124 rating points.
Second-ranked South Africa, who would have taken over from
India if the match had ended in a draw, were left on 120
points.
Last man Morne Morkel (12) kept Amla company for 21.4
overs before being leg-before to Harbhajan in the
penultimate over of the match in front of 40,000 relieved
fans at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Wayne Parnell, who put on 70 for the eighth wicket with
Amla, was dismissed in the fourth over after tea for 22.
He was caught at mid-on off seamer Ishant Sharma.
Sharma also had Paul Harris caught in the slips for four,
before Morkel and Amla almost pulled off a thrilling draw.
As the South Africans fought hard, India sorely missed
pace spearhead Zaheer Khan, who was confined to the
dressing room the entire day with a knee injury.
The overnight pair of Amla and Ashwell Price put on 47 for
the fourth wicket, before Harbhajan broke through two
hours after the start under bright sunshine.
The off-spinner beat Prince in the air and the miscued
drive lobbed to Sharma at mid-off.
Left-handed Prince made 23 after scores of zero and one in
the previous two innings of the series.
Leg-spinner Amit Mishra, who left the field briefly for
treatment on a sore right shoulder, returned to trap AB de
Villiers leg-before for three with a googly just before
lunch.
South Africa, who went to lunch at 164-5, slipped to 180-7
as Harbhajan claimed both Jean-Paul Duminy and Dale Steyn
leg-before soon after play resumed.
Meanwhile, the Indian cricket board said in a statement
that Zaheer would not feature in the one-day series
against the Proteas starting on Sunday.
Bangladesh loses to Myanmar 2-1
TBT report
Bangladesh
suffered a 2-1 defeat against Myanmar in its second Group
A match of the AFC Challenge Cup football championship on
Thursday.
Bangladesh, which defeated Tajikistan 2-1 in its first
match of the tournament on Tuesday, was 2-0 down in the
first half at Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Tun Tun scored the first goal for Myanmar after 17 minutes
to put his side 1-0 up, while Pai Soe doubled the
advantage with his 33rd-minute strike.
Bangladesh mounted pressure on the Myanmar side and
managed to score a goal after the change of ends. Zahid
Hossain netted the only goal for Bangladesh just three
minutes after the restart to reduce the margin 2-1.
Bangladesh plays its last group match against the hosts
Sri Lanka at the same venue tomorrow.
Wang kicks off gold hunt
AFP, Vancouver
China's Wang Meng retained her Olympic 500m women's
short-track skating title Wednesday and warned there was
more to come as she kicked off her all-conquering bid at
the Vancouver Games.
The 24-year-old never looked back after leading around the
first bend to finish the four-woman final in 43.048sec
with Canada's birthday girl Marianne St-Gelais second in
43.707.
"I felt I could beat her (St-Gelais) at the start. I felt
I could go very smooth and I wouldn't have any problems,"
said Wang.
"I have a lot of confidence. I feel my 500m is stronger
than it was in Turin. I slowed down on the last lap,"
admitted Wang who had also led her heat, quarter-final and
semi-final races from start to finish. "This is the first
gold. The next event is the 1,500m (on Friday)," she
warned. "I feel that it's my duty to win that. For sure
there's a lot of pressure but I'll find the motivation for
the other events.
"The Olympics is a very exciting time for China. No matter
how many Olympics you go to the dream never dies."
She knelt down twice on the ice in a traditional kowtow
after her victory.
"It's still the Chinese New Year holiday," she said. "It
was the only way to express my appreciation for the
coaches, team leaders and teammates."
Wang, who stopped South Korea's sweep of four women's
Olympic gold medals in 2006, is also set to race in the
1,000m, 1,500m and the 3,000m relay in Vancouver with
great prospects.
She took the overall, 500m and 1000m titles at the 2009
world championships a year after sweeping all world titles
in the Olympic distances.
Wang also won the 1000m silver and the 1500m bronze at the
2006 Turin Olympics.
Italy's Arianna Fontana finished third in 43.804 and
another Canadian Jessica Gregg fourth in 44.204.
At last year's worlds, Wang beat South Korean Kim Min-Jung
into second spot with teammate Zhou Yang third to claim
the back-to-back women's overall titles.
"It's a nicest birthday present I could have," said St-Gelais
who turned 20.
"I got off to a fast start and was able to keep the speed
up throughout the race. I knew it was possible, but with
short track, you never know what's going to happen," said
the French-Canadian.
Fontana, 19, who was 11th at the Turin Games, said: "My
goal was to make the final today. At the end the
semi-final, I actually I wanted a medal."
The absence of injury-hit South Korean Jin Sun-Yu, who
collected the 1,000m, 1,500m and 3,000m-relay golds in
Turin, makes Wang's chances look bright.
But Wang, who holds the 500m and 1,000m world records, was
cautious.
"At this level, no competition is easier. I think the
Korean skaters will be strong competitors," she said, also
citing as another rival her teammate Zhou Yang, who ranked
top in the season's World Cup series.
Newcastle regains top spot
AFP, London
Newcastle returned to the top of the Championship after
crushing 10-man Coventry 4-1 at St James' Park on
Wednesday.
Chris Hughton's side had lost pole position when West
Bromwich Albion drew at Cardiff 24 hours earlier, but the
Magpies were able to move three points clear of their
nearest promotion rivals after coming from behind to win.
The fallen giants suffered a first half shock when Clinton
Morrison put Coventry in front in the 35th minute with a
close-range finish from Michael McIndoe's cross.
But Newcastle were behind for just two minutes as Wayne
Routledge smashed home a superb volley from the edge of
the penalty area.
The hosts dominated after half-time and took the lead when
Andy Carroll headed in his eighth goal of the season from
Kevin Nolan's 53rd minute cross.
Coventry were down and out in the 70th minute when
Routledge was brought down in the area by Leon Barnett and
in-form Danish international Peter Lovenkrands converted
the penalty.
Barnett was sent off for that offence and substitute Ryan
Taylor capped Newcastle's impressive display with a fourth
goal in injury time.
While Newcastle winger Routledge could celebrate a crucial
win, one of his former clubs, Crystal Palace, are in
danger of slipping into the relegation zone after a 3-1
defeat against fellow strugglers Reading.
Neil Warnock's team have been plunged into a relegation
battle after being hit with a 10-point penalty for going
into administration and Reading's win at Selhurst Park
leaves the Eagles above the bottom three only on goal
difference.
Just three days after coming within minutes of knocking
Aston Villa out of the FA Cup before being held to a 2-2
draw, Palace suffered a heavy hangover as Reading stormed
into a two-goal lead.
Reading went ahead in the 23rd minute when former Palace
winger Jobi McAnuff crossed to Simon Church, whose
acrobatic volley crashed into the ground before bouncing
over Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni.
The visitors scored again in the 47th minute as Brynjar
Gunnarsson's cross was headed into the path of Mali winger
Jimmy Kebe, who side-footed past Speroni.
Palace substitute Sean Scannell headed home a Darren
Ambrose corner in the 55th minute, but Church sealed the
points for Reading with nine minutes left when he turned
in Matthew Mills' cross.
Sweden opens title defence with
victory
AFP, Vancouver
Reigning gold and silver medallists Sweden and Finland got
their defences off to rousing starts by winning their
opening matches at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics on
Wednesday.
Sweden threw a blanket over the Germany's offence winning
2-0 while Finland got its firepower untracked with an
impressive 5-1 rout of Belarus.
In the first marquee matchup of the men's hockey
tournament, the Czech Republic triumphed over Slovakia 3-1
in an emotionally-charged matchup.
Wednesday's games also marked the return to North America
of two European superstars, Peter Forsberg of Sweden and
Czech Jaromir Jagr, after two years away.
Forsberg made a forced exile from the National Hockey
League while Jagr's was by choice as he now plays in the
Kontinental Hockey League in Russia.
Former Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers star Jagr
won the battle of the NHL exiles with a goal and an assist
for the Czechs who have medalled in two of the last three
Winter Games since 1998, winning gold in Nagano and bronze
in Torino.
"It always a big rivalry against Slovakia," Jagr said.
"They have so many good players who can score goals.
"I remember the last Olympics in Turin they beat everybody
and they won four straight games and then we beat them in
the playoff. They are a pretty good team."
Mattias Ohlund scored on the powerplay and Henrik
Lundqvist stopped 21 shots for Sweden who are trying to
become the first country to win back-to-back gold since
the Soviet Union in 1984 (Sarajevo) and 1988 (Calgary).
"It felt important to get a good start," Lundqvist said.
"Heading into the game, I was nervous. It always feels
good to have a shutout."
The 36-year-old Forsberg, who has battled foot, back and
groin problems, played on the powerplay and made some
impressive passes but isn't as fast as he used to be.
"I was nervous in the beginning," said Forsberg, who had
no shots in 12:57 minutes of playing time. "It is great to
be back. I don't think I will ever be healthy again. I am
just going to do my best and see how it goes."
Forsberg, who last played in the NHL in 2007, is seeking
to become just the seventh player to win three gold
medals. He captured gold in 2006 in Turin and 1994 in
Lillehammer.
Iraqi football stars aim for new
partnership
AFP, Baghdad
Once they linked up on the football pitch in one of Iraq's
most fabled forward partnerships, taking their native
country to its first and only World Cup finals.
Now Karim Saddam and Ahmed Radhi want to team up all over
again-except this time religious differences and party
politics stand in their way as they both run for
parliament in March 7 elections.
Saddam is a Shiite and supported by the Iraqi National
Alliance of leading Shiite religious party the Supreme
Iraqi Islamic Council and radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's
anti-US movement.
Radhi is a Sunni Arab backed by the Iraqi Bloc of
pro-Western former prime minister Iyad Allawi-a secular
alliance accused by many Shiites of being a haven for
former members of executed dictator Saddam Hussein's Baath
party.
But both men are united in their goal of giving sport a
stronger voice in government, and Saddam said he hoped his
former teammate would win election to parliament
regardless of their opposing tickets.
When Iraq qualified for the 1986 World Cup finals in
Mexico, it was Saddam, now 50, who scored the winner
against the United Arab Emirates that got them there.
Radhi scored Iraq's only goal of the finals in a 2-1
defeat by Belgium.
"Recent history has shown that football and sport in
general unite the Iraqi people, and that's brilliant,"
Saddam told AFP.
Football has done it before.
In summer 2007, at the height of the sectarian bloodshed
between Shiites and Sunnis that tore Iraq apart, the guns
fell silent for two hours as Iraq played and beat Saudi
Arabia 1-0 to become Asian champions. The whole country
then erupted in gunfire-not in anger but celebration.
Saddam said he was realistic about the challenges of the
campaign ahead but was determined to win more influence
for a sport that played such a positive role in Iraqi
society. "Of course there'll be some bad tackles during
the campaign but I'll try to ride them. Don't forget that
we're forwards and we know how to dribble to reach the
goal," he said. "I'm not a politician but sport needs
strong voices in parliament so that we can secure the
creation of the infrastructure which is currently
lacking." Radhi, widely regarded as Iraq's best ever
player, still hopes to be sports minister, although the
list he is standing on has been badly depleted by the
disqualification of suspected former Baathists.
Radhi took a prominent role in US efforts to promote
football as a unifying force after the invasion of 2003.
He put his skills to good use at one US-sponsored
exhibition event, running rings around occupation head
Paul Bremer and showing how little the Americans had to
teach Iraqis about their own national game.
Radhi is already a member of parliament but has yet to win
election-the main Sunni Arab bloc, the Iraqi Concord
Front, co-opted him after one of its elected MPs stood
down, reportedly to join the anti-US insurgency. But while
Saddam and Radhi are running for parliament, there isn't
room for a third member of the forward line in Iraq's
golden team of 1986.
Bayern wins over 10-man Fiorentina
AFP, Munich
Bayern Munich left it late to beat a dogged 10-man
Florentina with a controversial last-minute goal to hand
the German giants a 2-1 win, making it 13 in a row in all
competitions.
German international striker Miroslav Klose headed home in
the 89th minute after the ball went loose from a long
distance shot from Dutch international Arjen Robben, but
he was in a clear offside position.
The strike gave the Bundesliga outfit a slender advantage
when the two sides head to Florence for the second leg on
March 9, with the Italians clinging to a precious away
goal.
After the game, Klose admitted that he was offside,
saying: "I haven't seen the replay but it felt like I was
offside." Shown the replay, he acknowledged that the goal
should not have been given.
Bayern Munich president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge also
acknowledged his team's good fortune, but said they would
head to Florence full of confidence.
"We have won. We can be happy and we can fly with optimism
to Florence," he said. "Yes, it was offside ... we were
lucky to get such a goal, but it was deserved," he added.
Klose's controversial header was the culmination of a
frantic last 20 minutes which produced a myriad of chances
for the home side as they pressed hard against an Italian
team down to 10 men. After 72 minutes, defender Massimo
Gobbi was handed a straight red card for a blatant elbow
in Robben's throat. But Bayern's defensive frailties had
gifted the Italians a goal only five minutes into the
second half. The German giants failed to clear a corner
and Fiorentina's Danish international defender Per
Kroldrup pounced in the ensuing goal-mouth scramble,
toe-poking the ball home from close range.
Bayern, brimming with confidence after an impressive run
of 12 straight wins, had taken the lead on the stroke of
half-time through a Robben penalty.
Three minutes into injury time at the end of the
first-half, Bayern's French star Franck Ribery was
unceremoniously upended in the area by Cesare Natali.
Striker Mario Gomez slotted the ball home, but to Bayern's
disgust, the referee had already blown for a penalty.
But Robben made no mistake from the spot, sending
Fiorentina goalkeeper Sebastien Frey the wrong way for his
sixth goal in as many games but his first in this season's
Champions League campaign. The penalty brought an end to a
largely frustrating first half for both sides as Bayern
struggled to break down a well-organised Italian defence.
With the score at 1-1, Bayern coach Louis van Gaal rang
the changes with a double substitution after 65 minutes,
pulling off Gomez and Thomas Mueller and bringing on Klose
and Croatia's Ivica Olic.
However, despite numerous chances created by Bayern's
potent attacking force in a hectic second half, no one was
able to deliver a telling blow until the very last minute,
leaving the four-times European champions with plenty to
do in Florence.
Bayern came into the game as clear favourites on the back
of their exceptional run of form that has seen them
catapulted to joint top of the league and into the
semi-finals of the German Cup. In contrast, Fiorentina's
form before their visit to Munich had been patchy, with
five straight games without a win in Serie A, slumping to
a disappointing 11th place in the league.
Injuries and suspensions also hampered Fiorentina's
preparations, with star Romanian striker Adrian Mutu out
of action after failing drugs tests and defender
Alessandro Gamberini dislocating his shoulder.
Bayern, on the other hand, welcomed back Ribery and Klose
from injury as they remained in the hunt for their 22nd
German league title and their fifth triumph in Europe's
top club competition.
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