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Asian Tribune is published by World Institute For Asian Studies|Powered by WIAS Vol. 11 No. 295               

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In Chennai

Fri, 2009-05-22 04:46 — admin
In Chennai

Pakistan rules out any foreign assistance to safeguard its nuclear assets

Fri, 2009-05-22 03:28 — admin

By Farzana Shah-Asian Tribune Correspondent in Pakistan

Pakistan Thursday rejected concerns about safety of its nuclear program. Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit told a weekly briefing here on Thursday rejected conjectures about the safety of its nuclear assets and said the weapons were under a strong multi-layered security system which left no possibility of the weapons falling in the hands of Taliban. He added that all speculations regarding insecurity of Pakistan’s nuclear assets were baseless and uncalled for and part of a malicious campaign against the country.

Ceylon Chamber on Defeat of Terrorism

Fri, 2009-05-22 03:40 — admin

By Quintus Perera – Asian Tribune

In a statement released to the media, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) indicated that the country celebrates the defeat of a 26 year long crusade of terrorism by the LTTE and the liberation of fellow Sri Lankans forcibly held as a ‘Human Shield’ over the last few months. The Statement indicated that as all citizens should, they as a responsible Business Chamber express their profound gratitude to the Government

Finland congratulate Sri Lanka for its military success

Fri, 2009-05-22 03:52 — admin

The Finnish President, Mrs. Tarja Halonen, congratulated Sri Lanka and President Mahinda Rajapaksa for its military success in defeating the LTTE separatist terrorism in the country. This was conveyed to Ambassador Ranjith Jayasooriya when he met the Finnish President at a dinner in the Presidential Palace in Finland on 19th of May 2009 on the occasion of celebration marking the 200 years anniversary of Finland’s independence from Sweden in 1809.

The govt. probe committee submits its report on BDR munity

Fri, 2009-05-22 04:18 — admin

M.A. Qader-Asian Tribune Correspondent in Bangladesh

After extending the deadline for four times, the government committee to probe into the February 25-26 massacre at Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) headquarters at Pilkhana, Dhaka submitted its report to the home ministry on Thursday. "We've based the report on truth and reality. There is nothing based on speculation," committee chief Anisuzzaman Khan told reporters at the secretariat, after handing over the 309-page report to home minister Sahara Khatun. The home minister said the government would soon let people know the findings of the investigation through media.

Nation pays homage to Rajiv; ‘anti-terrorism’ pledge taken

Fri, 2009-05-22 04:34 — admin

The nation paid rich tributes to the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 18th death anniversary on Thursday. In New Delhi, President Pratibha Patil, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the departed leader’s widow and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi were among first to pay floral tributes to the late leader at “Veer Bhumi”, the memorial of Rajiv Gandhi, which was decorated with hundreds of flowers. The children of Rajiv Gandhi, Rahul, MP and AICC general secretary and Priyanka along with her husband Robert Vadhra were present at the remembrance ceremony at the memorial. Leaders of all political parties were also present.

Cong –DMK talks on ‘berth’ deal fail, MK decided to give outside support

Fri, 2009-05-22 04:42 — admin

By M Rama Rao, India Editor, Asian Tribune

Congress –DMK talks on ministerial berths broke down on Thursday night. Manmohan Singh, who is all set to swear in as the Prime Minister at 6.30pm on Friday, and Sonia Gandhi, the Congress chief, spoke to Muthavel Karunanidhi. They deputed ‘old friend’ Ghulam Nabi Azad to visit Karunanidhi at the Tamil Nadu Bhavan. It was agreed that as one last ditch effort Azad and T R Balu should meet and talk. For the present, the Congress decided that the portfolios earmarked for DMK would not be given to other allies and instead these ministries will be with the Prime Minister himself. A clear signal that Sonia Gandhi doesn’t want ends the ties with the southern ally.

Obama vows to shut down Guantanamo

Fri, 2009-05-22 11:26 — admin

By Wajid Ali Syed – Washington Correspondent for Asian Tribune

President Obama has vowed to prosecute Guantanamo Bay detainees in US federal courts when possible and transfer some to prisons within the US borders. Speaking at the National Archives on Thursday he said he intends to reform military commissions to try those detainees and create a new legal process to detain terrorists who cannot be prosecuted yet who pose a clear danger to national security. The Senate has already rejected President Obama's request for $80 million to close the detention center - because of lack of details about what would be done with the 240 detainees held in the prison.

Several Sinhala Tigers are to be arrested shortly

Fri, 2009-05-22 12:20 — admin

Hilary Rajakarunanayake, Editor – Sri Lanka, Asian Tribune

Several Sinhala Tigers are to be arrested shortly, on disclosures made by an Army Lieutenant Colonel held in custody for questioning by Police, a Senior Superintendent of Police told "Asian Tribune" today(22). This Army Lieutenant Colonel had been in close cahoots with the LTTE for a long time and in their payroll. Whenever the Army units raided LTTE hideouts in Colombo to arrest LTTE cadres who were in hiding, this Army Lt. Colonel had already tipped them off beforehand thus helping them to escape.

US says it’s reviewing IMF loan to Sri Lanka

Fri, 2009-05-22 12:24 — admin

By Wajid Ali Syed – Washington Correspondent for Asian Tribune

The United States has said that its reviewing the 1.9 billion dollar loan by the IMF to Sri Lanka, though nothing has been decided about it yet. Department of State spokesperson, Ian Kelly, said at a daily briefing that the quarter century old conflict ended just a couple of days ago, so the US is still in a process of making an assessment - later explaining himself added that the international community needs to make assessment of exactly what happened and consult with the Sri Lankan government.

Post-Prabakaran : Dismantling the divides between the Tamils first

Fri, 2009-05-22 13:21 — admin

By Shenali Waduge

As Sri Lanka celebrated the news of the LTTE defeat and jubilation spread through the streets it was distinctly visible that something was amiss amongst some Tamils. The jubilation was however distinctly different among the Jaffna Tamils, Eastern Tamils, Estate Tamils, the Colombo Tamils and the Tamil Diaspora. It makes any to wonder why those in the warzone are elated at the news and the others who are far away & not in the least affected by the conflict are in shock at the news. Before proceeding towards any solution we need to know why Tamils are taking the news of the LTTE defeat differently.

Body of Prabhakaran remains unclaimed after inquest

Fri, 2009-05-22 16:59 — admin

By Asian Tribune Team

Prabhakaran alive?If in flesh and blood he remained aloof, in death he remains lonely. That is Velupillai Prabhakaran for you. The body of the psychopath is lying in morgue, unclaimed, unmoored. After the body was identified, a judicial inquest was conducted as demanded by the law of the land. To ascertain the cause of the death. For the record, though how and when he was killed is no longer a matter of any conjecture. "Inquest, DNA testing and profiling of Prabhakaran and his family members is over. We have turned over the bodies to the Army", Suhada K.Gamlath, Secretary the Ministry of Justice, said.

Bangladesh decides to be linked with Asian Highway network

Fri, 2009-05-22 03:20 — admin

M.A. Qader-Asian Tribune Correspondent in Bangladesh

Communications Minister Syed Abul Hossain on Thursday said the government provisionally has decided to link Bangladesh to 27 countries through the proposed Asian Highway network. Japan, South Korea, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Nepal, the Philippines, China, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Bhutan, Georgia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Laos and Malaysia are among the countries Bangladesh is going to be connected with. The decision will be finalized at a next meeting of the ministry, the minister said at a press briefing after a meeting at his office.

Pakistan felicitates Sri Lanka on great victory over terrorism

Fri, 2009-05-22 03:13 — admin

Pakistan has felicitated the Government of Sri Lanka on the achievement of the "great victory over terrorism". This congratulatory message was conveyed to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hussein A. Bhaila by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, Nawabzada Malik Amad Khan who telephoned the latter yesterday(20 May 2009). Speaking further, the Pakistan State Minister stated that Pakistan has always been a steadfast friend of Sri Lanka and strongly supported the country’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity and re-affirmed his Government’s continued cooperation with Sri Lanka in countering terrorism. He requested the Deputy Minister to convey his good wishes and felicitations to

Lankan Tamil MP Padmanaban passes away

Fri, 2009-05-22 03:09 — admin

Gopal Ethiraj from Chennai

Sri Lankan MP Kanagasabai Padmanaban belonging to the Tamil National Alliance died of heart attack at Madurai on May 21. Tamil National Alliance MP from the Batticaloa district, Padmanaban was here in Madurai to attend a marriage function of his relative in Vamsapuram. He complained of chest pain and rushed to a private hospital in Thirumangalam. For further treatment he was brought to Madurai Apollo hospital where he breathed his last. His family in Sri Lanka was informed and his body is getting ready to be flown to his country.

Doctored picture showing Prabhakaran alive

Fri, 2009-05-22 17:06 — admin
Doctored picture showing Prabhakaran alive

Properties of the doctored picture

Fri, 2009-05-22 17:10 — admin
Properties of the doctored picture

THis was the original picture

Fri, 2009-05-22 17:13 — admin
THis was the original picture

Dr. Swamy at the Rajiv Memorial.

Fri, 2009-05-22 23:32 — admin
Dr. Swamy at the Rajiv Memorial.

Japan urges Sri Lanka to follow legal procedures in dealing surrendered LTTE cadres

Fri, 2009-05-22 00:27 — admin

Hilary Rajakarunanayake, Editor – Sri Lanka, Asian Tribune

"Japan expects the Government of Sri Lanka to follow the proper legal procedures in its dealings with LTTE cadres who laid down their arms and surrendered". This was stated in a press release issued by the Japanese Embassy in Sri Lanka. The Geneva Conventions are probably the most broadly familiar of all international agreements. Novels and movies about war have long used them as short-hand for international law as a whole, and anyone familiar with such popular treatments will have concluded, correctly, that in some general way the Conventions forbid casual brutality or deliberate abuse of civilians, prisoners, and others who, being caught up in war, are unable to defend themselves.



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