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ELECTION 99
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October 17 Vatican's 'insensitive' Diwali greeting upsets church circles The stress on Christ being "god himself" and the assertion that Diwali is "based on an ancient mythology" has come at a time when tact would have been appropriate, Indian church sources said. VHP hopes Pope's visit will remove misgivings VHP leader Ashok Singhal said reports of attacks on Christians by Hindu fundamentalists were aimed at tarnishing the international image of Hindus. Signing CTBT now will compromise India Arundhati Ghose, who forcefully represented India's case at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva in 1996, warned that in some ways the situation [following rejection of the treaty by the US Senate] is now even more dangerous. Oraon case: French doctor accused of violating medical ethics The Indian Professionals Association has pointed out that Dr Debre gave detailed media interviews, describing in great detail the injuries allegedly inflicted on Oraon's private parts. High alert in Calcutta for Durga Puja All 35 police stations in the city have been put on "red alert" and special squads have been formed to tackle the threat from the ISI. Home ministry commissions study on ID cards Tata Consultancy Services has been entrusted with conducting the study, which will examine the feasibility of creating an integrated database of the population. Strike call cripples life in Kashmir valley The All-Parties Hurriyet Conference had called the strike to demonstrate solidarity with people languishing in different jails and interrogation centres and also to protest against alleged excesses by security forces. THE COUP IN PAKISTAN US cuts Pak aid, IMF funds uncertain The ruling is symbolic because US sanctions on Pakistan dating back to 1990, reinforced after last year's nuclear tests, have reduced US aid to less than $5 million per annum. EU also threatens to stop aid A draft likely to be approved by heads of European governments demands that Pakistan produce a timetable to restore civilian rule by next month or risk the suspension of new development aid. Musharraf keen on dialogue with India The army chief may appoint a "supreme advisory council" composed of senior army commanders and technocrats as a transitional cabinet to run state affairs following the overthrow of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharief, reports said. 'It is highly unlikely that the Pakistan Army would want another misadventure with India' 'The Pakistan Army has always looked upon itself as the ultimate repository of Pakistan's nationhood. It will not given up its hold on nuclear weapons nor will it share control over the nuclear programme with elected representatives,' says Lt General (retd) Ashok Joshi. US may accept civilian government without Sharief "The United States never attempts to select the leaders for any other country... The people are supposed to do that, not us," Clinton said. The position contrasted sharply with an intense and ultimately successful US effort to restore former Haitian president Jean-Bertrand Aristide after a 1991 coup. THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS 40 Paise Worth of Respect, Please 'A serving of respect can serve up wonders... In and around Rajnowagarh, Gopibabu and the PBKSKS were willing to give Sabars that respect. In one generation, the change it has wrought is remarkable. How many of us would be as willing,' asks Dilip D'Souza. Exactly what killed the poor infant? 'With words like dalit, Chettiars, fair-skinned, Christian and Bengali, various people assault our eyes and ears with the din of this stuff. The real issues in these stories, meanwhile, usually get about three lines of space in a one-page article,' says Ashwin Mahesh. Three questions and some politicians Question 1: Why wasn't any of the three bigwigs of the Delhi BJP taken into the ministry? Question 2: How come Jagmohan became a minister after Vajpayee dropped him following his role in the telecom controversy? Question 3: How did Ram Jethmalani return to the ministry? October 16 Pope to keep mum on attacks on Christians The Pope's two-day trip to New Delhi is to unveil his apostolic exhortation called Ecclesia in Asia (Church in Asia) that will officially close last year's synod for the Asian continent. HC places Marxists ahead of believers In a landmark judgment, the Kerala high court dismissed a petition filed by the VHP and the Kerala Shethra Samrakshana Samiti seeking a ban on 'irreligious' Hindu politicians and ministers in temple administration. Date fixed for hanging Rajiv's assassins The designated TADA court has fixed November 5 for hanging Nalini, Murugan, Perarivalan and Santhan. 13 killed in Kashmir In a well co-ordinated operation in the woods of Bandipora, troops killed three hard-core militants. And in Ganderbal, six foreign militants were slain in a night-long encounter. THE COUP IN PAKISTAN Army declares state of emergency Gen Pervez Musharraf declared himself the country's 'chief executive' and suspended the Constitution and the National Assembly. All Cabinet ministers, provincial governments and chief ministers cease to hold office, with the exception of President Rafiq Tarar. India rules out bilateral dialogue A spokesman of the external affairs ministry said India is concerned about the direction in which the situation is heading in Pakistan. US may rap Pakistan with fresh sanctions Indications are that the administration will decide only after hearing from its ambassador in Pakistan, Bill Milam. White House reacts cautiously An official said the Clinton administration was not immediately condemning the army's latest moves because it was possible that civilian rule may be restored soon. PIA pilot who changed Pakistan's course Deposed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharief is expected to stand trial along with former ISI chief Ziauddin Butt and PIA chief Shahid Abbassi for conspiring to liquidate Gen Pervez Musharraf. Many worrying questions haunt Pak "They have not said much about the future," said one Western diplomat based in Islamabad. General Musharaff says no to Benazir In an attempt to join the new set-up under the military command, the former prime minister had assured her support and requested the army chief, through a mutual friend, to provide her safe passage. Now it's Sharief's turn to face court cases The charges will relate to loan defaults, misuse of authority and favouritism. The families of Sharief and some of his close associates collectively owe billions to banks in Pakistan, but had managed to get their loans rescheduled. THE CTBT REJECTION US Congressmen seek to preclude Pressler waiver Democratic Congressman Frank Pallone announced his decision to introduce a legislation in the House of Representatives next week to this effect. India looks forward to improving ties with US In a statement, an external affairs ministry spokesman said the Senate's rejection of the CTBT proved that the treaty was not a simple, uncomplicated matter. OTHER REPORTS Jethmalani's comment on judiciary outrages Congress The party objected strongly to the law minister's statement that the incompetence of judges was one of the reasons for the large number of cases pending settlement. SC spares Medha, Arundhati of contempt trial "We are of the opinion, in the larger interest of the issues pending before us, that we need not pursue the matter any further," observed the three-judge bench. Kesri charged with defaming RSS Chief Metropolitan Magistrate R K Gauba ruled that the former Congress president had "deliberately defamed the RSS knowing fully well that it would harm its reputation". Lt Gen Oberoi is western command's GoC-in-C The general said his priority would be to concentrate on professionalism, operational readiness and improving the quality of life of the personnel. THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS Pricking the democratic balloon 'It [the coup] has confirmed, if such proof was ever required, that the sole authority that counts in Pakistan is the Pakistani Army,' says T V R Shenoy. Room at the top 'Do you care about Sharief's neck? I don't. Sure, an Islamist military rule in Pakistan spells grave implications for India. But how much better off were we with democratic governments across the border?' argues Varsha Bhosle. The General in his Labyrinth 'While Indians might be tempted to gleefully contrast their own robust democracy with the Latin-American-style coup du jour in Pakistan, that misses the point altogether. For an overtly military-run Pakistan is a dangerous entity in possession of the famed Red Button,' says Rajeev Srinivasan. October 15 THE CTBT REJECTION US Senate votes against CTBT The rejection is a stinging defeat for a pact that President Bill Clinton had made the centrepiece of his foreign policy in his second and final term. US to continue with moratorium on nuke tests Clinton said "the fight is far from over" and vowed the country would eventually ratify a treaty banning nuclear testing. Rejection is a severe blow to arms control "How can Clinton go to India and Pakistan now and argue for arms control?" said William Hopkinson, director of the International Security Programme at Britain's Royal Institute of International Affairs. Senate vote undermines US prestige "Our authority to set the norms in the international system has been seriously compromised," said Laurence Korb of the Council on Foreign Relations. India will help evolve consensus: Jaswant The external affairs minister said the government would continue its efforts to build the widest possible consensus on the controversial issue. THE COUP IN PAKISTAN Army seals parliament building One of the houses of parliament is scheduled to meet on Friday. Observers said the seal-off might be aimed at preventing the MPs from meeting. Musharraf keeps everyone guessing "We have got certain evidence that proves that Nawaz Sharief was busy in conspiracies against the army," a spokesman said. Coup-makers may retain parliament The options reportedly discussed were: allowing the existing parliament to elect a new leader in place of Sharief or forming a broad-based national government. Pakistan's internal matter, says George The defence minister said the Line of Control in Kargil sector is secure. Restore democracy, Clinton tells Pak The US ambassador to Pakistan is returning to Islamabad "to underscore my view directly to the military authorities and to hear their intentions", the president said. Zia's son favours PML rule minus Sharief Taking to the BBC from Dubai, Ejaz-ul-Haq said Sharief should accept a change in the party's leadership in the interests of parliamentary democracy. 'A chance for complete change' Pakistanis in Britain see little threat of the military rulers misusing the country's nuclear arsenal to enforce their domestic or international will. Fernandes was right, Sharief was innocent Defence analysts and government sources now agree that Sharief did not betray the Lahore bus diplomacy. Intelligence information confirms that the army carried out the operations in Kargil on its own. More nations, newspapers condemn Pak army 'Even if the army holds new elections soon, there may be little choice for the electorate except to change one corrupt government for another... one hopeful sign is martial law has not been declared, so democracy in theory could return relatively soon,' Hong Kong's South China Morning Post said. Russia expresses concern The foreign ministry hoped the events would not lead to instability in the country and that democracy would be restored soon. OTHER REPORTS 'Violence against Christians on the rise' Archbishop Alan de Lastic also opposed demands by certain right-wing groups for an apology from Pope John Paul II during his visit to India for atrocities allegedly committed in mediaeval times. PM promises special department for NRIs Praising the efforts of India's ambassadors and NRIs during the period after the Pokhran blasts, Vajpayee said that while NRIs were doing good work for their country, there was a need for a regular mechanism in the MEA for better contacts. Waiver on Pressler won't affect US stand Prominent Democratic Congressman Ackerman said senior officials had "assured" him that despite the waiver authority the US president would get on the Pressler and Glenn Amendments, there is no plan to exercise those for arms sales to Pakistan -- not now and not in the foreseeable future. THE REDIFF SPECIAL Pakistan plans to invade India in April 2000 This was revealed in a top-secret file found in the possession of a Pakistan Army officer who was killed in the recent Kargil war. 'The conclusion was a belt-bomb carried by a woman' 'As soon as I saw this woman in a green dress in the pictures, I was able to say conclusively that this was the lady who had been the human bomb.' Forensic expert Dr P Chandra Sekharan on how he pieced together the evidence in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS After Vajpayee, who? 'It boggles the mind to imagine what would happen to the NDA if a hard-line leader incapable of saying no to Nagpur were to bring back the contentious issues on the table, and scare away the allies. Can an L K Advani inspire the same level of confidence in the allies and voters? Or a Murli Manohar Joshi? Or a Jaswant Singh?' wonders Krishna Prasad. The dilution of identity 'The actual danger to the longevity and stability of the new regime and the National Democratic Alliance's eventual evolution into an enduring centrist construct will not be due to any fallout from a hidden agenda but from anti-centrifugal tendencies', says Anil Nair. THE REDIFF DIARY Lush and green, this is Lucknow! 'Amethi and Rae Bareili are all within an hour or two from Lucknow by road. When you reach Amethi you wonder if it was really Rajiv Gandhi's constituency. It is horrible, like some village in the wilderness,' says A G Nadar. October 14 THE COUP IN PAKISTAN Cabinet Committee on Security discusses Pak developments External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh later denied reports that the Indian armed forces had been put on alert following the coup. India watching the situation closely Sources said the army had put on hold its earlier decision to withdraw units from the international border. The army is also maintaining a state of alert along the Line of Control. Musharraf makes no promises on restoring democracy The general's predecessors in the previous military takeovers of 1958 and 1977 -- Ayub Khan and Zia-ul-Haq -- had promised to restore democracy though they did not install democratic governments immediately. Musharraf keeps a nation guessing The nation's generals have ruled Pakistan for about half of its 52-year history, but this time they have not yet said how long they plan to stay at the helm, and significantly they have not yet dissolved Parliament. US Congressman warns against resuming arms sales to Pakistan Republican Benjamin Gilman drew attention to the fact that the House of Representatives might discuss a report that provides broad authority to the President to waive sanctions imposed on India and Pakistan for their May 1998 nuclear tests. Musharraf reaches Islamabad Troops seized key provincial government offices in Karachi and were still in control of the city's airport, witnesses and airport officials said. Pak PM ousted by army, in custody "I wish to inform you that the armed forces have moved in as a last resort, to prevent further destabilisation," army chief General Pervez Musharraf said in a speech over state television. Coup triggers global consternation There was across-the-board condemnation of the military action, even as various countries voiced the hope that civilian rule would be restored at the earliest. India-born general ends Sharief's reign In 1965, Musharraf fought Indian troops in the Khemkaran sector in Punjab, taking part in major battles for which he received a medal for gallantry. Musharraf played golf before coup Sri Lankan military officials said the Pakistani general had seemed very relaxed. 'Army has moved in as a last resort' The text of General Musharraf's speech on state radio and television. Lahore bus passengers welcome Sharief's sacking The passengers were unanimous that Sharief had legalised corruption and led the country to bankruptcy. They, however, all agreed that the immediate task of the military chief should be to install a democratically elected government. CPI-M leader attacks Nair community Close on the heels of the missile fired by noted Malayalam writer Sukumar Azhikode against the leaders of the Ezhava community, a Left intellectual has raked up communal passions among the Nairs by questioning their secular credentials. Pak coup won't harm India's security, says MEA "One fact that stands out is that whether the government is military or civilian, their view of India remains the same. If anything, military regimes are more cautious than civilian governments," sources said. THE REDIFF SPECIAL 'I have to defend the innocent' 'The case has to be reopened. Statements and confessions recorded under TADA cannot be, should not be, considered. When you take away those, there is no case at all. There is no evidence,' says S Duraisamy, the defence lawyer of the Rajiv Gandhi assassination accused. THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS To survive, the NCP has to go with BJP-Sena 'With Sangma and former Maharashtra chief minister Sudhakar Naik indicating what they feel about the stalemate in the talks with the Congress, Pawar faces a very likely chance of his party splitting and a rump aligning with the Sena-BJP,' says Saisuresh Sivaswamy. Take responsibility 'The next time you call a politician a crook or a criminal, remember that you and I are responsible for him being out there. We cannot blame others,' avers Pritish Nandy. October 13 Nawaz Sharief ousted in coup, army chief takes over in Pakistan The drastic move came after the prime minister "retired" General Pervez Musharraf when he was on an official visit to Sri Lanka. Sharief has been placed under house arrest. Indian troops put on high alert The Cabinet Committee on Security is scheduled to meet in the capital on Wednesday, soon after the new Council of Ministers is sworn in, to take stock of the situation. Cautious US calls for early return to democracy "It is our view that the Pakistani Constitution must be respected in word and spirit. If there has been a coup, we'd seek a return to democracy. Meanwhile, we couldn't continue relations as usual if there had been a coup," said state department spokesman James Rubin. Commonwealth threatens to suspend Pakistan "An unconstitutional overthrow of a democratically elected government would be in contravention of the Commonwealth's fundamental political values, and would therefore be totally unacceptable to the Commonwealth," Secretary General Emeka Anyaoku said. VHP wants an apology from the Pope VHP president Ashok Singhal said that in keeping with the modern tradition of apologising for past sins committed by nations and institutions, the Pope could use this opportunity to apologise for the inquisitions in Goa, Kerala and Vasai. New government will sign major defence deals Defence ministry officials predict a taxing time for the new minister as deals worth several thousand billion rupees await approval. Fernandes inaugurates Defexpo '99 The defence minister said India is keen to increase its share in the defence export market and offered to set up joint ventures and collaborations with various developed and developing countries. Two NC leaders killed in the valley The politicians were among three persons killed in Kashmir. Ten others were injured. Clinton asks Senate to delay vote on CTBT The US president rebuffed demands from conservative Republicans that he not bring the matter up again for ratification for the rest of the term of this congress. CTBT unlikely to be ratified under Clinton White House officials have argued that this would weaken the United States's ability to persuade Pakistan and India not to conduct more nuclear testing. Saudis, Iran backing J&K Islamic schools CM Farooq Abdullah said most schools in militancy-affected Doda and Gool have been closed as no teacher is ready to go there. THE REDIFF SPECIAL 'They are innocent. We'll do everything to free them' Vellore Central Jail is readying for the last execution of the millennium. Of the four convicted in Rajiv Gandhi's assassination. Starting with P Nedumaran, the Tamil Nadu politician who collected funds to defend the accused, rediff.com brings you a three-part series on the assassination and its aftermath. THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS Forget the silly season -- get down to the core 'There are 11 aspects that demand attention and exposition -- not only from scriptwriters but also from all who have a genuine concern for the country's future polity,' says Arvind Lavakare. The South also rises 'The Great White Hope has been trounced, as this election was a personal referendum on her vote-gathering capability. I think the Nehru dynasty should now leave it to others to "sacrifice" for the country,' says Rajeev Srinivasan. October 12 Top Congress leader escapes bid on life Six militants, four of them foreigners, were among eight persons killed in the Kashmir Valley. Liquor barons taking over Sivagiri: Azhikode The noted Malayalam writer and orator, who resigned as chairman of the Sree Narayana Dharma Sanghom Advisory Committee, termed the mutt a haven of liquor barons and called for a struggle to liberate it from their "clutches". THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS Of gobbledygook and balderdash 'Surely every succeeding election in India tells one growing story: that the people want their elected representatives to pay attention to their local problems. In this election, it was certainly the story of Swamy, of Maharashtra, of Sushma Swaraj,' says Dilip D'Souza. The face that launched a thousand hardships 'The Shroud's own position within the party will remain intact. Congressmen will trip over themselves pledging eternal support to The Family. There will be no move to dislodge her from party presidentship. She will be "elected" to all possible posts. In fact, I'm praying that she takes over as leader of the Opposition, too -- I can't wait to hear her parliamentary debates,' says Varsha Bhosle. Archives |
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