BBC Monitoring International Reports articles from February 2006

BBC Monitoring International Reports archives from February 2006

Iran president terms Kuwait visit as very positive.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by Iranian news agency IRNA website Tehran, 28 February: President Mahmud Ahmadinezhad here Monday [27 February] called his one day visit to Kuwait as "very...

Ugandan paper calls for serious local council elections.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of editorial entitled "Take district, council polls more seriously" published by Ugandan newspaper Daily Monitor website on 28 February Although the presidential and parliamentary...

Kenya: Mystery as bird deaths hit northern torn of Moyale.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Excerpt from report by Hussein Salesa entitled "Mystery as bird deaths hit Moyale" published by Kenyan opposition newspaper Kenya Times website on 28 February Wild birds have continued to...

Liberian president withdraws lawsuit against former senator.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by independent Liberian Star Radio on 27 February President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf says she is withdrawing her case with former Grand Bassa County Senator Thomas Woewiyu. ...

BBC Monitoring quotes from China, Taiwan press 28 Feb 06.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) The following is a selection of quotes from editorials and commentaries carried in 28 February 2006 website editions of mainland Chinese, Hong Kong and Taiwan newspapers available to BBC...

Rwanda denies "political differences" with Belgium.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Rwandan radio on 28 February [Presenter] The Rwandan government said there are no political differences between Rwanda and Belgium. The government expressed displeasure at...

Fiji, neighbours brace for 26-year-high and low tides.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Fijilive website on 28 February Fiji will experience its highest and lowest tides in 26 years today. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology's National Tidal Facility has...

Iran's interior minister blames "remnants of past saboteurs" for 27 Feb blasts.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by Iranian news agency IRNA website Tehran, 27 February: Interior Minister Mostafa Purmohammadi said here on Monday night [27 February] that the people who plotted...

Ghanaian opposition regrets president's assent to controversial bill.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Ghanaian GBC radio on 28 February The NDC [opposition National Democratic Congress] caucus in parliament has expressed regret at the president's action in granting what it...

Chechen prime minister hands in resignation.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Russian news agency Interfax Moscow, 28 February: Chechen Prime Minister Sergey Abramov, who was injured in a car crash in November [2005], has written a letter of...

China to upgrade eastern Turkmen oil refinery.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Excerpt from report by Turkmen newspaper Turkmenistan on 24 February Recently, a large group of Chinese specialists and businessmen visited Seydi oil refinery [in eastern Turkmenistan]....

BBC Monitoring Pan-Arab TV headlines 28 Feb 06.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) The following is a selection of Pan-Arab TV headlines from bulletins broadcast at 0400, 0600 gmt on 28 February: Al-Arabiya TV 0400: Al-Qa'idah leader in Saudi Arabia killed in clashes with...

Hungary welcomes Russia's moves in energy field ahead of Putin visit.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Excerpt from report by Russian news agency Interfax Moscow, 28 February: Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany has announced support for the plans of Gazprom [Russian gas monopoly] to...

Yemeni president interviewed on regional, domestic issues.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of interview with Yemeni President Ali Abdallah Salih by Ghassan Sharbil, in Sanaa; date not given, published under the headline "Praising Saudi-Yemeni reloations, expressing willingness to...

Hungary ready to cooperate with Russia in combating bird flu - premier.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Excerpt from report by Russian news agency Interfax Moscow, 28 February: Budapest has proposed to Moscow to develop cooperation in combating avian flu, Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc...

Nigeria: Former chairman of ruling PDP denies report of arrest.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Excerpt from report by Nigerian newspaper The Guardian website on 27 February The former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Audu Ogbeh, last night denied the...

Minister warns Fiji military not to "meddle" in government.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Fiji Village website on 28 February The Fiji Military Forces [RFMF] has no constitutional powers to meddle in the affairs of the government as being claimed by the army...

Eastern Turkmen oil refinery upgraded.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Turkmen TV on 27 February A high-capacity steam facility has been commissioned in Seydi oil refinery [in eastern Turkmenistan]. The facility has been constructed by...

Ammunition found in central Kazakhstan.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Interfax-Kazakhstan news agency Astana, 28 February: Pieces of live ammunition have been found on the territory of a school and at a private company in Balkhash (a town...

BBC Monitoring quotes from the Romanian press 28 Feb 06.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) The following is a selection of quotes from editorials and commentaries published in 28 February 2006 internet editions of the main Romanian newspapers: Bosnia/Serbia/International Court of...

Togo: National Gendarmerie subjected to Molotov cocktail attacks.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Excerpt from report by Radio Togo on 28 February [Presenter] The Togolese National Gendarmerie was last Sunday [26 February] the target of Molotov cocktail attacks. To explain the facts...

Liberian labour congress urges government not to downsize civil service.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by independent Liberian Star Radio on 27 February The secretary-general of CONATUL [Jerry Duplaye] says it is not timely for President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf to downsize civil...

Palestinian president asks Iraqi leader to stop attacks on Palestinians.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Palestinian radio Voice of Palestine on 28 February President Mahmud Abbas has called on Iraqi President Jalal Talabani to exert utmost efforts to stop the continued...

Iran's foreign minister in Japan seeking nuclear "compromise".
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by Iranian news agency IRNA website Tokyo, 28 February: Visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki said here Tuesday [28 February] that Iran seeks good and...

Iran capable of defending itself - Ahmadinezhad.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by Iranian Fars News Agency website Tehran (Fars News Agency): Iranian President said Monday afternoon [27 February] that his country is seeking to restore peace...

Thirty people hurt by Israeli shells, gas bombs - Palestinian radio.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Excerpt from report by Palestinian radio Voice of Palestine on 28 February Thirty citizens, including four journalists, sustained [wounds from] metal shells and gas bombs during clashes...

DRCongo, Portuguese defence ministers discuss military cooperation.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Excerpt from report by Congolese TV from Kinshasa on 23 February Portugal intends to contribute towards the training of an integrated army in the DRCongo. That is the reason why the...

British man taken to hospital in Moscow after assault.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Russian news agency RIA Novosti Moscow, 28 February: The Moscow police are investigating the circumstances of an attack on a British citizen [name omitted], the city's...

Belarusian police detain opposition leader's election agent.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Belarusian news agency Belapan Minsk, 28 February: The election headquarters of the presidential candidate from pro-democracy forces, Alyaksandr Milinkevich, is trying to...

BBC Monitoring quotes from the Turkish press 28 Feb 06.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Iraq Milliyet (centrist) "It is a very complicated thing, so resolving the Iraq issue is not at all easy\ If the fire in our neighbour is not extinguished, it is certainly going to spread!...

EU ministers repeat "allegations" on Iran's nuclear case - radio commentary.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Iranian radio on 28 February [Announcer] The European Union foreign ministers, at the conclusion of their meeting in Brussels, repeated their previous allegations...

Papua New Guinea chief of staff insists armouries secure.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Papua New Guinea Post-Courier website on 28 February The Papua New Guinea Defence Force armouries are where the weapons (weapon systems) are kept while an ammunition depot...

Chief of staff says Papua New Guinea ammunition theft "inside job".
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Excerpt from report by Papua New Guinea Post-Courier website on 28 February The PNG Defence Force now has a "clear picture" of who were involved in the robbery of ammunitions at the Goldie...

Israeli acting PM says Palestinian situation "complex and difficult".
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Excerpt from report by political correspondent Shmuel Tal with introduction by Ya'aqov Ahimeir; broadcast live by Israel radio on 28 February [Passage omitted] [Ahimeir] Good morning Shmuel...

Southern Sudan cholera death toll reaches 77.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by independent USAID-funded Sudan Radio Service on 28 February The cholera outbreak in Juba has so far claimed 77 lives and put many more people in Juba hospitals....

Archbishop of Canterbury urges religious tolerance in Sudan.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by independent USAID-funded Sudan Radio Service on 28 February The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has appealed for religious tolerance in Sudan. ...

Papua New Guinea military redundancy exercise nears completion.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Papua New Guinea newspaper The National website on 28 February, by Philbert Aisaisa The retrenchment exercise in the PNG Defence Force which started in 2000 as part of a...

BBC Monitoring quotes from Indonesian press 28 Feb 06.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) The following is a selection of quotes from editorials and commentaries published in 27-28 February editions of Indonesian newspapers available to BBC Monitoring: Association of Southeast...

IMF disburses 7.1m dollars, hails country's economic performance.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Gedion Munthali entitled "IMF gives Malawi over K951m" published by Malawian newspaper The Nation website on 27 February The International Monetary Fund (IMF) executive...

Israeli troops bar the way to Hamas-affiliated deputies - Palestinian report.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report headlined "Occupation detains two deputies from Reform, Change Bloc, bans them from entering Hebron" carried by pro-Hamas Palestinian Information Centre website on 27 February ...

Egyptian, Saudi leaders discuss Mideast, Iraq, Arab issues - spokesman.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by Egyptian news agency MENA Riyadh, 27 February: Egyptian President Husni Mubarak's talks earlier on Monday [27 February] in Riyadh with Saudi King Abdallah...

Japanese shipping firm chief arrested over export to South Korea.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Excerpt from report in English by Japanese news agency Kyodo Kitakyushu, Japan, 28 February: The Japan Coast Guard arrested the president of a Japanese shipping firm Tuesday [28 February]...

Russian official plans to lure migrants to Far East.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Excerpt from report by Russian news agency Interfax Khabarovsk, 28 February: In order to draw ethnic Russians from CIS countries to the Far East it is necessary to make the Far East an...

(Corr) Ukraine's ex-premier criticizes former allies in TV interview.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) (Changing the language of the broadcast to Russian. A corrected version of the item follows:) Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuliya Tymoshenko has criticized President Viktor Yushchenko's...

Bird flu infection in Egypt declining, official says.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by Egyptian news agency MENA Cairo, 27 February: Egyptian Health Ministry asserted that there were no human cases infected with the H5N1 deadly strain, or any fresh...

BBC Monitoring quotes from Slovak press 28 Feb 06.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) The following is a selection of quotes from editorials and commentaries published in the 28 February editions of the main Slovak newspapers: Sectarian violence in Iraq Sme...

Saudi Al-Qa'idah leader reportedly among five killed by security forces.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Dubai-based news channel Al-Arabiya TV on 28 February The Al-Arabiya correspondent has said that Fahd al-Juwayr, leader of the Al-Qa'idah Organization in Saudi Arabia, is...

BBC Monitoring quotes from Afghan press 28 Feb 06.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) The following is a selection of quotes from editorials published in 28 February editions of Dari- and Pashto-language Afghan newspapers: War criminals The Kabul Times (state-run daily):...

Australia's foreign debt at record level.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Radio Australia on 28 February [Newsreader] Australia's debt to the rest of the world has increased to a record level. As Sue Lannin reports. [Lannin] Net foreign debt...

China urges US to take action against Taiwan independence.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) Beijing, 28 February: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said here Tuesday [28...

Indian defence minister urges patience, talks on Iran nuclear issue.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Indian Doordarshan TV on 28 February [Newsreader] Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee has categorically stated in the Lok Sabha that India would not come under pressure of...

Rally demanding mayor's resignation held in Russia's Urals.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Russian news agency Interfax Chelyabinsk, 28 February: A rally demanding the resignation of Chelyabinsk mayor Mikhail Yurevich is being held in the square in front of the...

Thai premier says snap election could be postponed.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by Thai newspaper The Nation website on 28 February Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said snap polls scheduled for 2 April could be postponed. Thaksin told...

BBC Monitoring quotes from Iranian press 28 Jan 06.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) The following is a selection of quotes from editorials published in 28 February editions of Persian-language Iranian newspapers available to the BBC via the Internet at 0800 gmt: ...

Over 50 Mujahidin said evading arrest in Bangladesh.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report headlined: "Over 50 Delduar JMB men yet to be hunted down" by Bangladesh newspaper The Daily Star website on 28 February Tangail: Over 50 JMB [Jamaatul Mujahidin Bangladesh]...

Saudi spokesman comments on Riyadh security operation.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Saudi TV at 1900 gmt on 27 February carries a 15-minute episode of its programme "Spotlight". Presenter Usamah al-Ashmawi says this episode is devoted to the Saudi security forces' "success" in...

BBC Monitoring quotes from Middle East Arabic press for 28 Feb 06.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) The following is a selection of quotes from editorials and comment published in the 28 February 2006 editions of Arabic language newspapers in the Middle East and North Africa, as available to...

China says radical "Taiwan independence" to bring disaster to Taiwan.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) Beijing, 28 February: The Chinese mainland said here Tuesday [28 February] that Taiwan leader Chen...

Iraq: Saddam's defence team to boycott next court session.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Dubai-based news channel Al-Arabiya TV on 28 February Salih al-Armuti, doyen of the Jordanian Bar Association and a member of the defence team of former Iraqi President...

Japan, Iran reaffirm commitment to oil field project.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by Japanese news agency Kyodo Tokyo, 28 February: Foreign Minister Taro Aso suggested Tuesday [28 February] that Japan will be in sync with the five permanent...

Turkish premier addresses nation on economic "success story".
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by Turkish news agency Anatolia; subheadings as published Ankara, 27 February: "Turkish economy, which got rid of fragility, has become immune to internal and...

No Iranian delegation to visit Moscow on 28 February - Russian source.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Russian news agency Interfax Moscow, 28 February: The Iranian delegation to talks on creating a joint uranium enrichment plant with Russia on Russian territory will not...

Taiwan media on cross-strait issues 27 Feb 06.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) The following are highlights of reports on cross-strait issues from various Taiwan media for 27 February "Government to cease to apply National Unification Council [NUC], avoid using term...

Albanian, Croatian premiers discuss bilateral cooperation, regional issues.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by Albanian news agency ATA Tirana, 27 February: Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha held a meeting with his Croatian counterpart, Ivo Sanader, on Monday (27...

Latvia's Loskutovs defends stricter rules for public procurement.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Latvian newspaper Telegraf on 27 February Latvian politicians are ignoring the recommendations of the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau [KNAB] with increasing...

Polish president arrives in Ukraine.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Interfax-Ukraine news agency Kiev, 28 February: Polish President Lech Kaczynski on 28 February arrived on a two-day official visit to Ukraine. In an interview with...

Arab parliamentarians discuss Egyptian strategy on collective action.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by Egyptian news agency MENA Amman, 28 February: Egypt underlined the importance of drawing up a joint Arab strategy that would cement Arab collective action in the...

Thailand postpones economic pact with Japan, trade talks with US.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Achara Ashayagachat entitled: "EPA signing, FTA parleys postponed", published in English by Thai newspaper Bangkok Post website on 28 February Thailand has postponed the...

Jordanian spokesman comments on Hamas delegation's visit.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by Jordanian news agency Petra-JNA website Amman, 27 February: Government spokesperson Nasir Judah on Monday [27 February] said Hamas members are visiting Jordan...

Shi'i leader in Turkey blames violence in Iraq on "Al-Zarqawi gang".
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of article by Ahmet Hakan entitled "Muslims must oppose the Al-Zarqawi gang" published by Turkish daily Hurriyet website on 27 February Selahattin Ozgunduz, the leader of the Shi'i...

Palestinian militants blow up Israeli military jeep in West Bank.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of statement headlined "Al-Quds Brigades and Abu-al-Rish Brigades detonate Zionist military jeep in Asirah al-Shamaliyah" carried by Islamic Jihad Movement website on 27 February With...

Saudi Arabia trying to "dry the sources of terrorism", official says.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by Saudi news agency SPA website Amman, 28 February: Eng Mahmud Taybah, the deputy chairman of the Shura (consultative) Council, has underlined the importance of...

Former Albanian premier says "intolerance" returning to politics.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of unattributed article entitled "Fatos Nano: 'Intolerance' returning to poliltics" published by Albanian newspaper Albania on 24 February For the first time since he resigned as prime...

Pakistan article predicts US to invade Iran before end of this March.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Nusrat Mirza headlined: "Possibility of US attack on Iran in March; POTUS visit" by Pakistani newspaper Ausaf on 23 February The chances of a US attack on Iran are...

Protesters call on Thai prime minister to resign within five days.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by Thai newspaper The Nation website on 28 February Tens of thousands of anti-Thaksin protesters began moving from Sanam Luang to the nearby Democracy Monument...

Pakistani article proposes OPEC, Arab states stop oil supply to Denmark.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of article by Hamid Mir headlined: "Method to deal with Western extremists; POTUS Visit" by Pakistani newspaper Jang on 20 February US President George W Bush is paying a visit to...

Vietnam to start producing human-use H5N1 vaccine - Chinese agency.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) Hanoi, 28 February: Vietnam will start manufacturing human-use vaccines against bird flu virus...

Papua New Guinea: Bougainville president pays tribute to late resistance leader.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Radio New Zealand International on 28 February [Newsreader] The Bougainville president in Papua New Guinea, Joseph Kabui, says the death of Hilary Masiria is an unexpected...

Latvian judge: Supreme Court right to lift ban against Russian activist.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Latvian newspaper Diena on 28 February On February 24, the Administrative Case Department of the Supreme Court's Senate ruled that the interior minister's decision to...

Indian budget increases defence spending.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Indian news agency PTI New Delhi, 28 February: Following are the highlights of Federal Budget 2006-07 presented by Indian Finance Minister P Chidambaram in parliament...

Indian finance minister presents 2006-07 budget.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Indian news agency PTI New Delhi, 28 February: Following are the proposals made by the Indian Finance Minister P Chidambaram in the Union Budget for 2006-07 presented...

Georgian military officials visit France.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Georgian news agency Prime-News Tbilisi, 28 February: Georgian Chief of General Staff Levan Nikoleishvili is on an official visit to France to discuss opportunities for...

Indian PM praises budget proposal as "pro-common man".
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Indian news agency PTI New Delhi, 28 February: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Tuesday [28 February] described the federal Budget as "pro-common man," saying it laid...

Conflicting reports from Moscow about arrival of Iranian delegation.
February 28, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Russian news agency ITAR-TASS Moscow, 28 February: The arrival of an Iranian delegation "is expected this evening", ITAR-TASS has discovered from informed sources in the...