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| March 3, 2006 | Friday | Safar 2, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
US President Bush arrives in Pakistan ISLAMABAD, March 3, 2006 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush arrived in Islamabad Friday for his first visit to Pakistan, which will include talks on the "war on terror".Bush and his wife Laura flew in to the Chaklala military airbase from New Delhi on board Air Force One and were received by Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri, television footage showed.The giant blue and white plane landed at night with its window blinds pulled down and the lights off to conceal its presence at the start of the two-day visit, an AFP photographer on board said.The couple waved as they descended the steps from the aircraft, before Bush was handed a bouquet of flowers. They were then flown via US helicopter to the American embassy in Islamabad where Bush was due to spend the night, a Pakistani official told AFP on condition of anonymity. On Saturday morning Bush was scheduled to hold a one-on-one meeting with key ally Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, the foreign office said. Pakistani and US delegations would then hold talks and Bush would receive a briefing on aid efforts after last October's massive South Asian earthquake, to which the United States contributed heavily. The US leader was also due to hold a joint press conference with Musharraf. Bush, an avid baseball fan, was later expected to meet Pakistani cricket captain Inzamam-ul Haq, vice captain Younis Khan and opener Salman Butt as well as young cricket-playing children.Later Saturday Musharraf was due to host a banquet in Bush's honour -- Bush was due to leave Pakistan late Saturday.(First Posted @ 19:50 PST Updated @ 22:50 PST)
Bush to discuss 'war on terror' with Musharraf NEW DELHI, March 3(AFP) - US President George W. Bush said Friday he would discuss the "war on terror" and ways to lessen the appeal of radical Islam when he meets Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf at the weekend. Hailing Pakistan as "an important friend" of the United States, Bush made the comments at the end of a three-day visit to India. "I will meet with President Musharraf to discuss Pakistan's vital cooperation in the war on terror and our effort to foster economic and political develeopment so we could reduce the appeal of radical Islam," Bush said before heading to Islamabad. "I believe a prosperous democratic Pakistan would be a steadfast partner for America and a peaceful neighbour for India and a force for freedom and moderation in the Arab world," he said. Bush noted that there was a time when "America's good relations with Pakistan would have been a source of concern here in India" but added, "that day has past." India was "better off because America has a close relation with Pakistan and Pakistan is better off because America has a close relation with India."(Posted @ 19:50 PST)
New US-India partnership can transform world: Bush NEW DELHI, March 3(AFP) - US President George W. Bush said Friday that a strategic partnership launched with India could transform the world. The world's most powerful democracy and its most populous democracy would rally global efforts to push for democracy, fight terrorism and break down trade barriers, Bush said in a keynote address at the end of a three-day visit. Speaking from a 16th century fort in Delhi, Bush said: "The United States and India, separated by half the globe, are closer than ever before and the partnership between our free nations has the power to transform the world."(Posted @ 19:30 PST)
35 hurt in Srinagar protests over blasphemous cartoons; Geelani under house arrest SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, March 3(AFP) - At least 35 people were injured Friday when Muslims clashed with police outside the Jamia Masjid in Srinagar during protests over blasphemous cartoons, officials said. Several thousand persons chanting "Death to enemies of Islam" and "Down with US" poured out of the main mosque after Friday prayers and tried to march to the United Nations office, witnesses said. Police fired teargas and used batons to disperse the protesters, who retreated into narrow alleys and threw stones at riot police. "In the ding-dong brick battles, some 35 people, including six policemen and two press photographers were injured," a police officer said. In a similar demonstration in Jammu, some 6,000 Muslims took to the streets after Friday prayers chanting "Hang Danish cartoonist" and "Down with Bush," reporters said. Demonstrations were also reported from other parts of the state. Hardline separatist Syed Ali Geelani, who had called for the protests, was placed under house arrest early Friday, his party said in a statement. The protests came amid a one-day strike which paralysed major centres in occupied Kashmir.
Pakistan observes strike over blasphemous cartoons KARACHI, March 3 (AFP) - Anti-Bush protesters held rallies at some places as a paralyzing nationwide shutter-down strike called by a coalition of opposition parties was observed against blasphemous cartoons. The strike was generally observed peacefully throughout the country. In Karachi, however, police fired teargas to disperse around 1,000 stone-throwing Shiite Muslim protesters as they tried to reach the US consulate. Riot police chased the protesters into the narrow lanes of the nearby commercial district, where shops were already shut because of the strike. In Rawalpindi also, police baton-charged around 200 Shiite protesters shouting "Killer Bush, go home" outside a mosque. In Peshawar, police said, around 3,000 people held a rally to protest blasphemous cartoons, while some 4,000 people rallied in Quetta. In Chaman, a small town on the Afghan border, another 3,000 people staged a rally after Friday prayers and raised slogans against Denmark where the blasphemous cartoons were first published. People in Muzaffarabad, capital of quake-ravaged Azad Kashmir, held several rallies including one attended by protesters wearing shrouds. Pakistan's main coalition of Islamic parties, the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal, held a rally involving thousands of people in the central city of Multan. Alliance's secretary general Maulana Fazlur Rehman addressed the crowd, witnesses said.(Posted @ 19:00 PST)
Two children killed as assailants throw hand grenade at home in Pakistan QUETTA, March 3, 2006 (AP) Assailants threw a hand grenade at a home Friday in Quetta, killing two children and wounding three others, a police official said. It was not immediately clear who was behind the attack in the T&T Colony residential area of Quetta, said area police chief Tariq Manzoor, adding that police were investigating. The victims were relatives of a pro-government politician Muhabat Khan Marri, he said.(Posted @ 22:30 PST)
No peace until Israel leaves Palestinian territory: Hamas leader MOSCOW, March 3, 2006 (AFP) - The radical Palestinian group Hamas will not take serious steps toward making peace with Israel until it withdraws from all Palestinian territory occupied in 1967, Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal said here Friday.(Posted @ 23:00 PST)
Russia and Iran seal nuclear accord: Iranian official VIENNA, March 3, 2006 (AFP) - Iran and Russian have reached "complete agreement" on the question of Tehran's nuclear programme, a senior Iranian official said in Vienna Friday.(Posted @ 19:34 PST)
Pakistan arrests Belgian for terror links ISLAMABAD, March 3(AFP) - Pakistani security forces Friday arrested in Lahore a Belgian national on suspicion of terrorist links, officials said. Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao confirmed the man's arrest but would not specify the charges. "We have arrested a Belgian who was wanted by the government of Belgium. He was wanted for certain crimes in Belgium," Sherpao said. Senior security officials named the man as Mischa Bellen and said he was wanted for suspected links to terror groups, gun-running and money laundering. They did not give any further details.(Posted @ 19:28 PST)
Bomb hits Canadian convoy in Afghanistan, eight Taliban killed KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, March 3(AFP) - A suicide car bomb wounded five coalition soldiers in Daman district of Kandahar province Friday while eight Taliban fighters were killed and four police wounded in a separate incident, officials said. The suicide attacker rammed his explosives-laden vehicle into a Canadian convoy on a highway in insurgency-hit Kandahar province, said Akhtar Mohammad, head of Daman district where the explosion occurred. Canadian forces had no immediate comment but Southern military corps commander general Rahmatullah Raofi said: "A Canadian vehicle was destroyed, the explosives-laden car was totally destroyed, and the suicide attacker was in pieces as well." Meanwhile, eight more Taliban fighters were killed Friday and four police were wounded in a two-hour exchange of fire in Helmand province, a provincial spokesman said. Afghan police were searching for Taliban in Sangin district when they came under fire, spokesman Ghulam Mohayudin Khan said. "Eight Taliban were killed and 10 armed Taliban were arrested," he said adding that “four police were also wounded in the exchange of fire. Five of the Taliban bodies were lying on the spot, but they took three of their bodies."(Posted @ 19:25 PST)
Train blaze that sparked anti-Muslim riot was accident: judge NEW DELHI, March 3, 2006 (AFP) - A judicial panel probing a 2002 train fire blamed for sparking an anti-Muslim massacre in Gujarat state said the blaze was an accident, rejecting claims by right wing Hindus that it was deliberately set. The blaze sparked an orgy of revenge violence in Gujarat in which at least 2,000 people, mainly Muslims,were killed. Retired Supreme Court judge U.C. Banerjee said in his final report to state-owned Indian Railways that his four-member panel had concluded that "the cause of the fire in the S-6 carriage on February 22, 2002, carrying kar sevaks (Hindu pilgrims), was accidental and not deliberate," Banerjee said.(Posted @ 19:00 PST)
Anti-Bush protest riot turns into communal clash; three dead LUCKNOW, India, March 3 (AP) _ A protest against the visit to India by U.S. President George W. Bush turned into a communal clash in Lucknow Friday that left three person dead and 12 injured, police said. The clash occured when dozens of armed men tried to force shop owners to shut their stores to protest Bush's visit, said Senior Superintendent of Police Ashutosh Pandey.(First Posted @ 17:54 PST Updtaed @ 20:22 PST)
US offers India advanced fighter aircraft WASHINGTON, March 3 (APP/AFP) - The United States said Thursday it had offered to sell India advanced fighter aircraft as the next step in a rapidly expanding military relationship between the two countries. "The United States is committed to providing state-of-the art fighter aircraft in response to India's requirements for a multi-role combat aircraft," the Pentagon said. "We have indicated our intention to offer both the F-16 and the F-18, both combat proven aircraft," it said. The Pentagon also pledged to work to make additional capabilities available to India as they enter the US force, and said its proposal also addresses India's interest in technology transfers and indigenous co-production. "It is our goal to help meet India's needs in the defense realm, and to provide important capabilities and technologies that India seeks. We are on a path to accomplish this," the Pentagon said.(Posted @ 17:52 PST)
Afghanistan's opium crop likely to jump this year, UN says KABUL, March 3 (APP/AFP) - Afghanistan's illicit opium crop is likely to increase sharply this year with villagers planting more opium poppies in defiance of a ban. Production was expected to increase in 13 provinces, according to a UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report. The steepest increase in area planted was in southern Helmand province, which last year produced the most opium (25 percent) and this year had 50 percent more land under cultivation, it said. Afghanistan produces about 87 percent of the world's illicit opium.(Posted @ 17:40 PST)
Four killed, 10 injured in bus-coach collision GHIZER, Mar 3 (APP): Four persons were killed and 10 injured when a bus carrying students collided with a passenger coach at Hayam, near Gilgit, in the Northern Areas on Friday.(Posted @ 17:38 PST)
692 Pakistan deported from Muscat arrive KARACHI, MAR 3 (APP)- A total of 692 Pakistanis deported from Muscat arrived in Karachi Friday by boat and were allowed to leave for their homes after preliminary inquiries by the immigration authorities. Most of them belonged to remote areas of Punjab and NWFP and were defrauded by un-scruples elements by presenting a rosy picture of better job opportunities in Muscat.(Posted @ 17:38 PST)
Strike over blasphemous caricatures hits occupied Kashmir SRINAGAR, March 3(AFP) Shutter-down strike Friday called by All Parties Hurriyat Conference to protest the publication of blasphemous cartoons brought revolt-hit occupied Kashmir to a standstill. Public and private transport remained off the streets, and all shops, business centres , banks and post offices etc remained closed. "Very thin attendance has been reported in government offices too," an official said. "We want to make it clear to the world that we are not going to accept anything against our beloved Prophet," a Hurriyat statement said. "The strike is also to stress that Muslims will face with courage all conspiracies being hatched against them," it added. The strike, also affecting other towns in occupied Kashmir, was in response to a call by the Imam of Mecca's Grand Mosque for anti-cartoon protests worldwide. (Posted @ 16:10 PST)
Kashmir separatists urge Bush to push for region's demilitarisation SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, March 3(AFP) All Parties Hurriyet Conference has urged visiting US President George W. Bush Friday to push nuclear-armed India and Pakistan to demilitarise Kashmir. In a statement Hurriyat, which has held several rounds of talks with New Delhi on the disputed region's future, also asked Bush to urge India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir row according to "the aspirations of the people of Kashmir." There have been similar appeals to Bush by other separatist leaders working outside Hurriyat asking him to push for a resolution of the dispute that has triggered two of three wars between India and Pakistan. The US president, after talks Thursday in New Delhi said: "India and Pakistan have an opportunity to work towards lasting peace," adding that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Pervez Musharraf "have shown themselves to be leaders of courage and vision and I encourage them to continue making progress on all issues including Kashmir." (Posted @ 15:40 PST)
Abbas says still suspects Arafat was poisoned CAIRO, March 3 (Reuters) Palestinian leaders still suspect Yasser Arafat died of poisoning, President Mahmoud Abbas said in an interview published on Friday. "Question marks have been raised about Israel. But I cannot accuse it before I am certain and have proof," he added. He said French doctors told the Palestinians they could not trace in Arafat's blood any poison known to them. "So there are poisons which they do not know," he said. (Posted @ 15:35 PST)
EU3-Iran talks end without deal VIENNA, March 3 (Reuters) Talks between the European Union's top powers and Iran ahead of a U.N. atomic watchdog meeting ended on Friday only with an agreement to meet on Monday, ministers said. "Unfortunately we were not able to reach agreement today," German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier told reporters after talks between France, Britain, Germany and Iran in Vienna.( First Posted@ 12:50 PST Updated @ 15:30 PST)
Five hurt as police, protestors clash during Bush Hyderabad visit HYDERABAD, India, March 3, 2006 (AFP) Five people were injured in clashes Friday between police and demonstrators protesting the visit of President George W. Bush to Hyderabad, police said. The clashes began just after Friday prayers ended at the Mecca Mosque in Hyderabad as some among the congregation of about 5,000 began throwing stones at riot police. Police wielding batons pushed the crowd back into the mosque, from where many continued throwing stones, shoes and plastic bottles. Five people, including two policemen, were injured in the clashes, security personnel said. None were seriously hurt. After Hyderabad, Bush is scheduled to return to the Indian capital for a speech to political and business leaders Friday evening before departing for Pakistan. (First Posted @ 10:45 PST Updated @ 15:18 PST)
At least 25 killed in attack on town near Baghdad BAGHDAD, March 3 (Reuters) Dozens of insurgents attacked a small town near Baghdad at dusk on Thursday and killed at least 25 people and possibly many more, police and a local politician said on Friday. Police recovered 21 bodies from a brick factory at Nahrawan, a municipal council leader said. A further four were brought from the local power station, he added. Police and Interior Ministry sources in Baghdad said they could not confirm a total death toll but said nine guards at the power station were killed along with "many" factory workers. A U.S. military spokesman in Baghdad said he was unaware of the incident. (Posted @ 14:30 PST)
Hamas leader slams Israel on arrival in Moscow MOSCOW, March 3, 2006 (AFP) Hamas leader, Khaled Meshaal, slammed Israel as he arrived here Friday for talks with Russian officials, saying it was not abiding by the international "road map" for Middle East peace. "There is a problem, not with the position of Hamas but with that of Israel. They have practically refused the 'road map'," he said. "The main problem is the occupation of Palestine," he said. "We want peace in the region, but peace can come about only with an end to the occupation," he added. Meshaal was due to hold talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and other officials before briefing a news conference. "Cooperation with the international community is important for us and we regard our visit to Moscow, the capital of a great power, as the beginning of this type of contact," he said. "We have come to the Russian capital at the invitation of President Vladimir Putin to discuss the situation in the Middle East, to hold consultations with Moscow without any preconditions," Meshaal said.( First Posted @ 10:20 PST Updated @ 11:20 PST)
Israeli sniper kills Palestinian youth NABLUS, West Bank, March 3 (Reuters) An Israeli sniper killed a Palestinian youth, 15-year-old Amer Bassyouni, on Friday during a West Bank raid in the Alamin refugee camp by troops, medics said. The army said it was checking the report. (Posted @ 09:40 PST)
Karachi Stocks up 33.68 points: KARACHI, March 3: At close of trading, the KSE-100 index was at 11415.29, up 33.68 points. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 16:05 PST)
Forex update: KARACHI, March 3: The Pakistani Rupee was traded at Rs 60.07 to the US Dollar in the open market. (Bureau Report) (Updated @ 16:05 PST)
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