BBC Monitoring International Reports articles from August 2008

BBC Monitoring International Reports archives from August 2008

Nepal press selection list for 31 August 08.
August 31, 2008... KANTIPUR 1. Nepali Congress unable to choose its parliamentary party leader four months after poll results. (p 1, 180 words) 2. PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal says some foreign powers fear Nepalese Maoists could turn authoritarian after...

Afghan upper house backs government's new stance on foreign military presence.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by state-owned National Afghanistan TV on 30 August [Presenter] During a meeting with Hamed Karzai, the president of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the administrative board and a number of members of the Mashrano...

Sudan's Islamist leader reportedly meets ex-US security adviser in Switzerland.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by pro-government Sudanese Media Centre website on 31 August Khartoum, Saturday 30 August: The leader of the [opposition and Islamist] Popular Congress Party [PCP], Dr Hasan al-Turabi held a lengthy meeting with PCP...

Syrian military court passes life sentence on former Vice-President Khaddam.
August 31, 2008... Text of report in English by Lebanese Hezbollah Al-Manar TV website on 30 August [Unattributed report: "Former Syrian VP Sentenced to Hard labour: Lawyer."] A military court in Damascus has sentenced former Syrian vice president...

Kenyan court awards torture victims compensation.
August 31, 2008... Excerpt from report by Samwel Kumba entitled: "Kenyans to pay for the sin of detention" Kenyan privately-owned newspaper Daily Nation website on 31 August It's the break of dawn for the Nyayo House [Nairobi] torture chamber victims now...

Iraqi minister says "technical" draft reached in US-Iraq talks; update 30 Aug.
August 31, 2008... Baghdad Al-Iraqiyah Television in Arabic highlighted in its 1700 gmt newscast on 30 August reports on statements by Interior Minister Jawad al-Bulani in which he expected that "good results" will be achieved in the US-Iraqi negotiations in...

Self-immolation by Afghan women increases in western province - TV.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by Afghan independent Tolo TV, on 29 August [Presenter] The number of self-immolation cases in Herat has increased by 30 per cent in the first six months of the current year, compared to the first half of last year....

Turkish premier says Russia "more than special" for Turkey.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by Turkish commercial NTV television on 31 August Prime Minister Erdogan has said that Turkey is trying to make sure that the tension in the Caucasus does not become worse. He said: Russia is special for us. The prime...

Iraqi Basra clerics reject "sectarianism"; Turkish trucks targeted; update.
August 31, 2008... Dubai Al-Sharqiyah Television in Arabic reported in its newscasts between 1300 and 2000 gmt on 30 August on a "large-scale" campaign that will start in Basra on 2 September to boycott Iranian products in the governorate "in protest against...

Mauritanian source questions opposition's dependence on French, US support.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by London-based independent Quds Press web news agency ["Mauritanian Source to Quds Press: The Dependence of Opposition on French, US Support Losing Wager". Quds Press headline] Nouakchott, 29 August: A high-ranking...

Australian combat team repairs bridges opening Kabul-Kandahar road.
August 31, 2008... Text of media release carried by Australian Department of Defence website on 29 August The minister for defence, the Hon Joel Fitzgibbon MP, announced today that soldiers from Reconstruction Task Force 4 (RTF4) recently deployed to Zabol...

Two Chinese engineers reported missing in Northwest Pakistan.
August 31, 2008... Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) [Xinhua: "Two Chinese Engineers Missing in Northwestern Pakistan"] Islamabad, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) - Two Chinese engineers had been missing since...

Chinese FM Yang Jiechi on Hu's trips to South Korea, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) [By reporters Qian Tong and Chen Hegao: "Upholding Good-Neighbourliness, Friendliness; Deepening Unity and Mutual Trust; Achieving Mutual Benefit and Win-Win...

Hong Kong paper on SCO's new strategic challenges.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by Hong Kong newspaper Wen Wei Po website on 30 August [Article by Phoenix TV Commentator Chiu Chen-hai, Ph.D.: "Shanghai Cooperation Organization Faces New Challenges as It Ponders Strategic Direction"] There are a...

Chinese economist rejects accusations of spying for US.
August 31, 2008... Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) [Xinhua: "Chinese Economist Wu Clears Espionage Rumour"] Beijing, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) - Wu Jing Lian, a Chinese economist and senior researcher...

Turkish president to attend football match in Armenia - paper.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by Turkish newspaper Vatan website on 30 August The visit of [Turkish President Abdullah] Gul, who has decided to attend the Armenia-Turkey national [soccer] match that will be played on 6 September, will just be for the...

Zimbabwe's Tsvangirai refuses to compromise on premier's powers.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by privately-owned Zimbabwean weekly newspaper The Standard website on 30 August [Report by Walter Marwizi: "Tsvangirai Opens Up on Failed Deal"] MDC [Movement for Democratic Change] leader Morgan Tsvangirai on Friday...

Zimbabwean NGOs "cautiously" welcome lifting of sanctions on their work.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by privately-owned Zimbabwean weekly newspaper The Standard website on 30 August [Report by Vusumuzi Sifile: "NGOs Give Lifting of Ban Cautious Reception"] The National Association of Non-Governmental Organizations...

Sudanese opposition leader, Libyan official discuss Darfur conflict.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by pro-government Sudanese Media Centre website on 30 August Khartoum, Saturday 30 August: The leader of the [opposition] Democratic Unionist Party [DUP], Muhammad Uthman al-Mirghani and his deputy Ahmad al-Mirghani held...

USA accuses Zimbabwean officials of stealing food aid.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by privately-owned Zimbabwean weekly newspaper The Standard website on 30 August [Report by Vusumuzi Sifile: "Govt Officials Accused of Stealing Donated Food Aid"] The United States government is demanding...

Iran websites should only be filtered by court order - chief judge.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by state-run Iranian radio on 31 August In a letter to the prosecutor general, Iran's judiciary chief said that to the extent possible website should be filtered and closed down by court order - unless the violations are...

Islamic seminary re-opens in Pakistan capital after year.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by staff reporter headlined "Students enter Jamia Faridia a year after closure" published by Pakistan Daily Times website on 31 August Islamabad: A police cordon was removed from the Jamia Faridia [Islamic seminary] late...

Iran president to address graduates at military college.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by Iranian official government news agency IRNA Tehran, 31 Aug: The president of the Islamic Republic of Iran is attending commencement ceremonies at the military sciences college on Sunday. During the ceremony, he will...

Nepali Congress team visiting China.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by privately-owned Nepalnews.com website on 31 August Following the visit by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda", a high-level delegation of the main opposition party Nepali Congress (NC), too, has left for...

Japanese police autopsy finds aid worker in Afghanistan died of blood loss.
August 31, 2008... Text of report in English by Japan's largest news agency Kyodo Shizuoka, Japan, Aug. 31 Kyodo - A police autopsy found Japanese aid worker Kazuya Ito's death in Afghanistan was caused by a loss of blood as a piercing bullet wound severed...

US, South Korean Taiwanese teams join Japanese earthquake drill.
August 31, 2008... Text of report in English by Japan's largest news agency Kyodo Tokyo, Aug. 31 Kyodo - Japan's Self-Defence Forces and the US forces in Japan, as well as rescue teams from South Korea and Taiwan took part in a quake drill Sunday of the...

Kenya's military recruitment decided by power, influence peddlers - report.
August 31, 2008... Text of unattributed report entitled: "Kenya rich man's army" published by Kenyan privately-owned daily newspaper The Standard website on 31 August They turn up in large numbers for the slice set aside for their districts by military and...

Turkey ready to contribute to peace and stability in Caucasus - premier.
August 31, 2008... Text of report in English by Turkish semi-official news agency Anatolia Ankara, 30 August: Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday [30 August] that Turkey was ready to contribute to peace and stability in the...

Abuse prompts bar on Nepal maid permits to work in Saudi Arabia, Malaysia.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by privately-owned Nepalnews.com website on 31 August The government has stopped granting work permits to Nepali women to work as housemaids in Saudi Arabia and Malaysia. The decision comes at a time when there are...

Ugandan MPs to question finance minister over 6m-dollar land deal.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by Sheila Naturinda and Mercy Nalugo entitled: ''House summons six'' published by leading privately-owned Ugandan newspaper The Daily Monitor website on 31 August, subheading inserted editorially Parliament has summoned...

Sudan-Chad to discuss normalization during meeting in Eritrea 12 September.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by pro-government Sudanese Media Centre website on 31 August The minister of foreign affairs, Deng Alor, will lead Sudanese delegation to take part in the ministerial meeting of the contact group, which is in charge of...

Turkish police detain 34 illegal migrants.
August 31, 2008... Text of report in English by Turkish semi-official news agency Anatolia Edirne, 30 August: Gendarmerie forces and border patrol units caught Saturday [30 August] 34 illegal migrants in the northwestern province of Edirne. The...

Nepal police break up TV journalists' protest.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by privately-owned Nepalese eKantipur.com website on 31 August Kathmandu, 31 August: Police on Sunday broke demonstrations staged by the agitating staffers of the Nepal-1 Television in the capital and arrested 16 of them....

(Corr)Sudan-Chad to discuss normalization during meeting in Eritrea 12 September.
August 31, 2008... (Correction, correcting broadcast date from 31 August to 30 August, a corrected version of the item follows)Text of report by pro-government Sudanese Media Centre website on 30 August The minister of foreign affairs, Deng Alor, will lead...

Russia: Two traffic policemen killed, another two wounded in Kabarda-Balkaria.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by corporate-owned Russian news agency Interfax Moscow, 31 August: Two policemen were killed and another two wounded as a result of shooting in Kabarda-Balkaria, a source in the republic's law enforcement bodies has told...

Pakistan intelligence agencies warn of terror strikes in key cities - TV.
August 31, 2008... Text of report headlined "Government warned of terror threat" published by Pakistan newspaper Daily Times website on 31 August Lahore: Intelligence agencies have informed the government that terrorists could strike major cities of the...

Kenya's bomb blast memorial park turned into commercial tourist site.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by Lucas Barasa entitled: "Memorial park 'commercialised'"" published by Kenyan privately-owned newspaper Daily Nation website on 30 August The 7 August memorial park was turned into a commercial tourist site on Saturday...

US, Kyrgyz officials discuss anti-drug cooperation.
August 31, 2008... Excerpt from report by privately-owned Kyrgyz AKIpress news agency website Bishkek, 30 August: A ceremony was held in the city of Bishkek on 27 August to award certificates of completion of advanced training courses to officers of the...

Rwanda: Police probe fraud allegations against Kenyan pastor.
August 31, 2008... Text of report in English by Frank Kagabo entitled "Pastor dragged to police over funds" published by Rwandan newspaper The New Times website on 31 August Kigali - A Kenyan pastor running an NGO in the country faces allegations of...

Rwanda Revenue Authority impounds 18 vehicles with illegal number plates.
August 31, 2008... Text of report in English by Paulus Kayiggwa entitled "18 vehicles impounded for using illegal number plates" published by Rwandan newspaper The New Times website on 31 August Kigali - Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) has impounded eighteen...

US president hails Tanzanian counterpart's usage of donor funds.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by state-owned TBC (Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation) radio on 31 August President George Walker Bush of the United States of America has said that President Jakaya Kikwete is considerate of his citizens and uses funding...

Troops attack Tamil Tiger base in north Sri Lanka, rebel killed - website.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by Sri Lanka Ministry of Defence website on 31 August Security forces have launched a fresh attack targeting LTTE [Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam] bunker defences in general area Muhamalai killing one terrorist and...

Sri Lanka ex-rebel urges UN to tell Tamil Tigers to free civilians.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by Sri Lanka Ministry of Defence website on 31 August The former military commander of the LTTE [Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam] and leader of the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) Vinayagamoorthi Muralitharan has...

Nepal demands compensation from India for flood losses.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by Indian news agency PTI New Delhi, 30 August: Seeking to blame India for the breach in Kosi river embankment that caused floods, Nepal Saturday [30 August] demanded compensation for it while noting that China had already...

India: Dalai Lama responding "very well" to treatment.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by Indian news agency PTI Mumbai [west Indian city], 30 August: Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, who is hospitalised here, is responding to the treatment "very well." The 73-year-old Nobel laureate is...

Kazakh lawyer fears police pressure on witnesses in corruption case.
August 31, 2008... Excerpt from report by privately-owned Interfax-Kazakhstan news agency Astana, 29 August: Zhaksybek Kulekeyev, the lawyer of defendant Salimzhan Musin, fears that officials of the state agency for fighting financial crimes and corruption...

Tibetans in India observe fast to protest "Chinese oppression".
August 31, 2008... Text of report by Indian news agency PTI Dharamsala (Himachal Pradesh ) [in north India], 30 August: Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama and prime minister of the Tibetan government in exile Samdhong Rinpoche Saturday [30 August]...

At least 76 die in floods in east Indian state.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by Indian news agency PTI Patna, 30 August: As the swollen Kosi river continued to wreak havoc, the flood situation remained grim in Bihar [east Indian state] Saturday [30 August] with its Supaul, Madhepura, Araria and...

Bangladesh press selection list 31 Aug 08.
August 31, 2008... SHAMOKAL 1. Staff report says top criminals, who have been hiding abroad, have been frequently visiting Bangladesh in the backdrop of upcoming polls. (pp. 1, 15; 300 words) 2. Court in Chittagong to give verdict today on serial...

Federal government sends troops, medical teams to flood-hit east Indian state.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by Indian news agency PTI New Delhi, 30 August: The Centre [federal government] Saturday [30 August] rushed one army column and three army medical teams to Bihar [east Indian state] to assist the state government in...

Russian ban on some US poultry imports comes into force.
August 31, 2008... Excerpt from report by corporate-owned Russian news agency Interfax Moscow, 1 September: The ban on the imports of poultry from 19 US producers has come into force as of Monday [1 September]. Another 29 US suppliers may be struck off the...

Pakistan to halt military operation in tribal areas during Ramzan.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by Pakistan's private television channel Geo News website on 31 August Islamabad: The government has decided to halt the military operation in tribal areas during the month of Ramzan. Adviser to Prime Minister on...

Iranian opposition group given ultimatum to leave Iraq.
August 31, 2008... Text of report in English by Iranian conservative news agency Mehr Tehran, 29 August: Iraqi Interior Ministry Spokesman Brig-Gen Abd-al-Karim Khalaf said on Sunday [31 August] Iraq's government has given the terrorist Mojahedin Khalq...

Sudan: Government signs accord with former rebels to implement Darfur peace pact.
August 31, 2008... Excerpt from report by pro-government Sudanese Media Centre website on 31 August The government and Sudan Liberation Movement [SLM] led by Mani Arkoi Minnaw have reached an agreement to draw up a road map to complete the implementation...

Malawi electoral body extends voter registration.
August 31, 2008... Excerpt from report by state-owned Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) radio on 31 August [Presenter] The Malawi Electoral Commission [MEC] has announced the extension of the first phase of the voter registration exercise. In a...

Mauritanian Higher State Council appoints new secretary-general minister.
August 31, 2008... "The presidency of the Higher State Council has announced that, in accordance to a decree issued today, Mr Mohamed Lemine Ould Guig is appointed as minister secretary-general of the Higher State Council presidency," said Mauritanian TV in its...

Afghan civil society condemns civilian killings in foreign army operations.
August 31, 2008... Excerpt from report by state-owned National Afghanistan TV on 29 August [Presenter] Some civil and public organizations today held a memorial service in Eidgah Mosque [in Kabul] for those [civilians] killed in operations of the coalition...

Eighteen Taleban surrender in Pakistan's Peshawar.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by official news agency Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) Peshawar, 30 August: The Capital City Police Saturday [30 August] here achieved a major breakthrough when eighteen local Taleban surrendered before them after a...

Pakistan election body finalizes arrangements for presidential poll.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by official news agency Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) Islamabad, 30 August: Secretary Election Commission of Pakistan [ECP], Kanwar Dilshad said on Saturday [30 August] that ECP has finalized all arrangements to hold...

Pakistan Sherpao party supports Zardari for president's post.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by official news agency Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) Islamabad, 30 August: Pakistan People's Party (Sherpao) [PPP-S] chief Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao Saturday [30 August] announced support to coalition candidate Asif...

Detained Pakistani scientist's son in Afghanistan - TV.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by official news agency Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) Islamabad, 30 August: Dr. Afiya's [Pakistani scientist in US custody] son would be handed over to his family very soon, quoting Afghan Foreign Minister Geo News...

China says opposed to "irresponsible" ICC move against Sudanese president.
August 31, 2008... Text of report in English by Paris-based Sudanese newspaper Sudan Tribune website on 31 August (Khartoum) August 30, 2008: China is opposed to any "irresponsible" move that can hinder the realization of peace in Darfur, the visiting...

Rwandan police trained on investigation techniques.
August 31, 2008... Text of report in English by entitled "Police learn new investigation techniques" published by Rwandan newspaper The New Times website on 31 August Seventy Judicial Police Officers (OPJ) charged with investigating civil crimes are...

Taleban claim shooting down US helicopter in Afghan east.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by Afghan Taleban Voice of Jihad website on 31 August [Taleban spokesman] Zabihollah Mojahed: A helicopter of the American forces came down in Dab Kor area of Asmar District in Konar Province, when it came under light and...

Taleban claim killing Romanian soldiers in Afghan east.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by Afghan Taleban Voice of Jihad website on 31 August [Taleban spokesman] Qari Yusof Ahmadi: A military tank of the invading foreign forces was destroyed at 1315 [local time] today, when the mojahedin of the Islamic...

Taleban report attack on US convoy in Afghan east.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by Afghan Taleban Voice of Jihad website on 31 August [Taleban spokesman] Zabihollah Mojahed: Three armoured tanks of the invading American soldiers were blown up by mines planted by the mojahedin of the Islamic Emirate...

Leader's support multiplies government's responsibilities - Iran president.
August 31, 2008... Excerpt from report by Iranian conservative, privately-owned Fars News Agency website Tehran, 31 August: Appreciating the Supreme Leader's ongoing and firm support for the ninth government, President Ahmadinezhad stressed: This support...

Russia files charges over Ingush opposition website owner's death.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by Russian state news agency RIA Novosti Moscow, 31 August: The investigations committee under the Russian Prosecutor's Office has launched a criminal case in connection with the death on Sunday [31 August] of the owner of...

Putin calls for no delays in construction of pipeline in Russian Far East.
August 31, 2008... Excerpt from report by corporate-owned Russian news agency Interfax Nakhodka, 31 August: Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is demanding that there be no delays with the construction of the East Siberia-Pacific Ocean oil pipeline...

Gunmen shoot dead three people in southern Somali district.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by Somali opposition Radio Voice of Mudug on 31 August Gunmen have killed three people after opening fire at a tea-shop in Wanle Weyne District in southern Somalia. Two of the victims were a man and his wife who...

Islamists hold talks with clan elders in southwestern Somali town.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by privately-owned Somali Shabeelle Media Network website on 31 August Groups opposed to the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia [TFG] and clan elders in Jilib town, south western Somalia have held a meeting to...

Islamists lift curfew in southern Somali town ahead of beginning of holy month.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by privately-owned Somali Shabeelle Media Network website on 31 August A Curfew which previously imposed by the Union of Islamic Courts [UIC] in Jowhar, Middle Shabeelle [southern Somalia] has now been lifted. The UIC...

Protest held against governor in Afghan west for "lethargy", "ethnic bias".
August 31, 2008... Text of report by privately-owned Afghan Aina TV on 31 August [Presenter] A number of inhabitants of Badghis Province have accused the Badghis governor of ethnic bias, lethargy and incompetence. They claimed that since Mohammad Ashraf...

Somalia: Two killed as government forces, insurgents clash in Mogadishu.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by privately-owned Somali Radio Simba website on 31 August Two people are known to have been killed after fierce fighting erupted between government forces and armed groups in Mogadishu's Medina District. Both sides...

Sudan: Official blames south Darfur government for hijacking incident.
August 31, 2008... Excerpt from report by populist Sudanese newspaper Al-Watan on 31 August The advisor of the chairman of the [former Darfur rebel] Sudan Liberation Movement [SLM] - Minawi faction - for local administration affairs, Al-Malik Yaqub, has...

Russian, French leaders discuss security in Georgia.
August 31, 2008... Excerpt from report by Russian state news agency RIA Novosti Moscow, 31 August: The presidents of Russian and France, Dmitriy Medvedev and Nicolas Sarkozy, discussed by telephone on Sunday [31 August] the provision of an effective...

Ethiopian rebel group denies helping Islamists in Somalia.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by Somali independent Radio Gaalkacyo on 31 August [Presenter] The Ogaden National Liberation Front [ONLF] has denied reports that it took part in the recent fighting that broke out in the port town of Kismaayo, during...

Georgian president calls for show of unity as EU convenes on crisis.
August 31, 2008... Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has urged Georgians to take part in a series of "human chain" rallies on 1 September both inside the country and throughout the world. In a televised address to the nation, he said it was crucial for...

Ethiopian troops arrest five youth in central Somali town.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by Somali opposition Radio Voice of Mudug on 31 August Ethiopian troops have arrested five people suspected of being behind the insecurity in Beled Weyne town in central Somalia, following security operations. ...

Elders protest closure of mosques in central Somali town.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by privately-owned Somali Shabeelle Media Network website on 31 August Elders in Hiiraan Region [central Somalia] have accused the Ethiopian troops of closing most mosques in Beled Weyne despite the approach of the holy...

Delegation back from Shindand civilian casualties probe meets Afghan president.
August 31, 2008... Excerpt from report by state-owned National Afghanistan TV on 31 August [Presenter] Nematollah Shahrani, the minister of hajj and endowment affairs, who, leading a delegation, was assigned to investigate the bombarding by coalition...

Afghan political parties demand transparency in elections.
August 31, 2008... Text of report by privately-owned Afghan Aina TV on 31 August Afghanistan's National United Council has announced that if transparency is not observed during the forthcoming presidential and parliamentary elections, they will boycott the...

Council of Ministers condemns latest "terrorist" acts in Algeria.
August 31, 2008... Excerpt from report by state-owned Algerian TV on 31 August The president of the republic, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, chaired today Sunday the Council of Ministers' session. The council had many issues on the agenda. Before dealing with those...

Iran never closed case of Shi'i leader - MP.
August 31, 2008... Text of report in English by Iranian conservative news agency Mehr Tehran, 31 August: MP Ala'eddin Borujerdi on Sunday [31 August] said Iran plans to hold serious negotiations with Libya over the case of Imam Musa al-Sadr, thirty years...