BBC Monitoring International Reports articles from January 2009, page 180

BBC Monitoring International Reports archives from January 2009

Two soldiers killed in gunfight with terrorists in Indian Kashmir - agency.
January 2, 2009... Text of report published by Indian news agency PTI Poonch, 1 January: Two army personnel were killed in an encounter with six suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists which continued for the second day Thursday [1 January] in the...

Sri Lanka: Declaration on media freedom, social responsibility approved.
January 2, 2009... Text of unattributed report headlined "Media organizations agree on Colombo Declaration" published by Sri Lankan newspaper Daily Mirror on 1 January The Newspaper Society of Sri Lanka, The Editors' Guild of Sri Lanka, the Free Media...

Troops advance to capture north Sri Lankan town, air raids continue - paper.
January 2, 2009... Text of report by M Menaka headlined "Troops attempt advance from three fronts to overrun Kilinochchi" published by Sri Lankan newspaper Virakesari on 31 December Security forces were advancing from three fronts, with aerial support...

Taleban gain control over 16 tribes in Pakistan's Orakzai Agency.
January 2, 2009... Excerpt from report by Pakistan's AVT Khyber News on 27 December [Ashfaq Bangash, Khyber News correspondent in Orakzai Agency] Taleban have announced the closing down of girls' schools in several mosques of lower Orakzai Agency. They...

Pakistan relocates 12,000 troops to eastern border with India - TV.
January 2, 2009... Text of report by Pakistan's AVT Khyber News on 27 December [Presenter] The government has so far transferred 12,000 troops from its northern border [as received] to eastern border with India amid consecutive warnings of attacks by India...

Iranian university students protest at Gaza attacks.
January 2, 2009... Text of report in English by Iranian official government news agency IRNA website Tehran, 1 January: Thousands of Basij (volunteer force) university students proceeded towards Tehran University to protest against savage Zionists attacks...

Uganda's meningitis death toll rises to eight.
January 2, 2009... Text of report by Ausi Balyesiima entitled "Meningitis kills eight in Hoima District" published by leading privately-owned Ugandan newspaper The Daily Monitor website on 2 January The death toll as a result of meningitis outbreak in Hoima...

NKorean paper warns US against "nuclear war hysteria".
January 2, 2009... Text of report in English by state-run North Korean news agency KCNA Pyongyang, 2 January: The US Air Force is contemplating replacing all the window curtains of cockpits and fuselages of B-52s with heat-resistant ones from this year,...

Students hold protests in Tehran over Gaza attacks.
January 2, 2009... Text of report in English by Iranian official government news agency IRNA website Tehran, 1 January: A large group of students along with staff of the Education Ministry held a gathering at Palestine square, downtown Tehran, on Thursday...

Iranian MP urges world's parliaments to support Gaza.
January 2, 2009... Text of report in English by Iranian official government news agency IRNA website Tehran, 1 January: Majlis Vice-Speaker Mohammad-Hasan Abutorabi-Fard on Thursday said that world parliaments, particularly those of the Arab and Muslim...

Sudan sends aid convoy to Gaza.
January 2, 2009... Text of report by pro-government Sudanese Media Centre website on 2 January A medical relief-convoy containing emergency and life-saving medicines at the cost of 270m Sudanese pounds and including number of Sudanese surgeons, anaesthesia...

Sudan says willing to establish fruitful relations with Chad.
January 2, 2009... Text of report by pro-government Sudanese Media Centre website on 2 January The government has affirmed its willingness to establish constructive and fruitful relations with Chad to serve the aspiration of the two nations. Ministry of...

Burundi frees some 247 rebel prisoners.
January 2, 2009... Text of report by French state-funded public broadcaster Radio France Internationale on 2 January [Presenter] In Burundi, the year 2008 ended on a first sign of hope in the implementation of cease-fire accord signed between the government...

Pakistan rejects report of militant confession on Mumbai attacks.
January 2, 2009... Text of report by Karachi-based private Pakistani channel Geo TV website on 2 January Islamabad: Pakistan denied reports on Thursday [1 January] that a militant arrested last month had confessed to involvement in the Mumbai attacks,...

Jamaat-ud-Daawa "reincarnated" itself after UN ban - Indian officials.
January 2, 2009... Excerpt from report published by Indian news agency PTI New Delhi, 1 January: Banned by the UN Security Council after Mumbai attacks, Pakistan-based Jamaat-ud-Daawa (JuD) has reincarnated itself under a new name to escape any restrictions...

Sudan: Parliament session adjourned till February.
January 2, 2009... Text of report in English by Paris-based Sudanese newspaper Sudan Tribune website on 2 January The federal parliament today adjourned its current session and decided to hold an emergency session at the beginning of next February,...

Sudan: Detained SPLA general released in Juba.
January 2, 2009... Text of report in English by Paris-based Sudanese newspaper Sudan Tribune website on 2 January A high-ranking commander in the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) was released in Juba on Wednesday [31 December] after more than a year...

Iranian president outlines government's efforts to develop provinces.
January 2, 2009... Text of report in English by Iranian official government news agency IRNA website Tehran, 1 January: President Mahmud Ahmadinezhad said on Thursday that the government is making great stride towards development of the southeastern...

Iran warns Gaza protesters not to storm embassies.
January 2, 2009... Text of report in English by Iranian news channel Press TV website on 1 January Tehran, 1 January: Iran has warned protesters not to break into foreign missions following violent demonstrations at the British Embassy compound in Tehran....

Pakistan religious leaders call for upholding supremacy of Koran.
January 2, 2009... Text of unattributed report headlined "Allama Zubair Ahmad Zahir, along with companions, joins central Jamiat-e Ahle-Hadith" published by Pakistani newspaper Khabrain on 31 December Lahore: Allama Zubair Ahmad Zahir, chief of the central...

Rallies across Iran to condemn Israel's Gaza attacks.
January 2, 2009... Iranians will stage rallies across the country after the Friday prayer sermons today to condemn "Israel's crimes" against the Gaza Strip and to support Palestinians, the Iranian state radio reported on 2 January. The coordinating council...

Israel steps up operations in Gaza, imposes closure on West Bank.
January 2, 2009... Excerpt from report by Israeli public radio station Voice of Israel Network B on 2 January The Israel Air Force [IAF] again attacked Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip last night. Among the targets attacked were ready-to-fire rocket...

Uzbekistan raises petrol prices as of 1 January 2009.
January 2, 2009... Text of report by state-owned Kyrgyz news agency Kabar New prices for petrol, which are higher than previous ones by 20 soms [about 0.015 cent], have come into effect in Uzbekistan from 1 January, and now one litre of AI-80 petrol costs...

Pakistan to set up national authority to coordinate counterterrorism efforts.
January 2, 2009... Text of report by Tariq Butt headlined "Anti-terror authority being set up" published by Pakistani newspaper The News website on 2 January Islamabad: A National Counterterrorism Authority (NCA) is being set up to bring about increased...

Iranian president says Moses would punish Israel.
January 2, 2009... Text of report in English by Iranian news channel Press TV website on 1 January Tehran, 1 January: Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinezhad says the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip are proof that Zionists are not true followers of Moses....

Ugandan paper urges African Union to help end war in Somalia.
January 2, 2009... Text of editorial entitled "AU must not let Somalia sink deeper" published by leading privately-owned Ugandan newspaper The Daily Monitor website on 2 January When Somalia started falling apart in the early '90s, it was unimaginable...

Five killed, 28 wounded in air raids in north Sri Lanka - pro-Tamil website.
January 2, 2009... Excerpt from report headlined "5 killed, 28 wounded in SLAF attacks on Murasumoaddai for second day" by Sri Lankan TamilNet website on 1 January Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombers hit civilian settlements three times in Murasumoaddai in...

SAfrica leader pays tribute to Helen Suzman; flag to fly at half-mast.
January 2, 2009... Text of report by website of non-profit South African Press Association (SAPA) news agency JOHANNESBURG Jan 1 Sapa Helen Suzman earned her place in South Africa's political history through her persistent and courageous opposition to...

SAfrica: Pretoria Anglican bishop urges Motlanthe to "act" against Mugabe.
January 2, 2009... Text of report by website of non-profit South African Press Association (SAPA) news agency JOHANNESBURG Jan 1 Sapa The Anglican bishop of Pretoria - Right Reverend Dr Jo Seoka - on Thursday called upon President Kgalema Motlanthe to...

Kyrgyz man detained for illegal possession of weapon.
January 2, 2009... Text of report by state-owned Kyrgyz news agency Kabar During rapid search operations, officers from the criminal investigation department of the [Kyrgyz southern] Osh Region interior directorate detained B. Khaydarov near the Nooruz...

Georgia dubs Russia's remarks on OSCE mission "propaganda".
January 2, 2009... Text of report by Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website on 1 January Question: On 31 December 2008 the Russian Foreign Ministry published its views "regarding the OSCE Mission in Georgia". How would you comment on the report? ...

Operation begins to evacuate foreigners out of Gaza.
January 2, 2009... At 0736 gmt, Al-Arabiya broadcast an urgent caption reporting the "beginning of the evacuation of 420 foreigners in Gaza". Source: Al-Arabiya TV, Dubai, in Arabic 0736 gmt 2 Jan 09 BBC Monitoring

Russia Fails to Provide Resource to Ensure Transit Via Ukraine, Official
January 2, 2009... Excerpt from report by Russian state news agency ITAR-TASS Kiev, 1 January: Ukraine is receiving no resource to ensure Russian gas transit to Europe, the Ukrainian president's plenipotentiary representative for energy security, Bohdan...

Israeli air force bombs targets in Rafah, Gaza City - pro-Hamas TV.
January 2, 2009... Al-Aqsa satellite TV channel carries the following "breaking news" as screen captions: At 0650 gmt: "Explosions heard in outskirts of Gaza City a short while ago." At 0652 gmt: "Occupation planes bomb house in Al-Junaynah...

UN rapporteur briefed on disabled in Sudan.
January 2, 2009... Text of report in English by state-owned Sudanese news agency Suna website The UN Special Rapporteur on Disability, Sheikha Hessa Khalifa al-Thani, was briefed on the missions and achievements of the National Advisory Council on Human...

Sudan: Minister of energy concludes visit to Iran.
January 2, 2009... Text of report in English by state-owned Sudanese news agency Suna website Minister of Energy and Mining, Al-Zubayr Ahmad Al-Hassan, concluded an official visit to Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran, in which he met with his Iranian...

South Korea president vows economic revival, reform, improved ties with North.
January 2, 2009... Text of report in English by South Korean news agency Yonhap [Yonhap original headline: "President Lee Vows Economic Revival, Stronger Reform Drive" by Byun Duk-gun] SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) - South Korean President Lee Myung-bak [Ri...

China to provide 500,000 US dollars for Thai fire victims.
January 2, 2009... Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) [Xinhua: "China Provides 500,000 US Dollars for Thai Fire Victims"] BANGKOK, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) - Chinese government will provide 500,000 US...

Chinese agency on Obama's path to president, challenges to his "change" effort.
January 2, 2009... Text of report by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency); subheadings as received ["Yearend Roundup" by staff reporter Yang Qingchuan: "Obama's Road to 'Change'"] Washington, 29 Dec (Xinhua) - The US general...

Afghan astronomer says winter to reduce drought.
January 2, 2009... Text of report entitled: "This winter will reduce drought by 80 per cent" by state-owned Afghan newspaper Anis on 31 December Afghan astronomer Shaikh Ali Ahmad Fakor says this winter will be reducing drought in Afghanistan by 80 per...

Ground forces in Israeli Army carrying out drills.
January 2, 2009... At 0805 gmt, Al-Arabiya correspondent reported that the "Israeli Army's ground forces were carrying out military drills". Source: Al-Arabiya TV, Dubai, in Arabic 0805 gmt 2 Jan 09 BBC Monitoring

Sudan: Opposition party calls for initiative to "foil" ICC resolution.
January 2, 2009... Excerpt from report by Sudanese pro-government newspaper Akhir Lahzah on 2 January The [Islamic opposition] Popular Congress Party [PCP] has called for a genuine national initiative to foil the ICC's resolution that targets President...

Iran analyst outlines reasons of Israeli attacks against Gaza.
January 2, 2009... Text of editorial by Hoseyn Amir Abdollahian headlined "Genocide in Gaza" published by Iranian newspaper Iran on 30 December 1. Without any doubt, the atrocities which are being committed at present in Gaza by the Zionist regime...

Iranian president outlines projects under way in southeastern Iran.
January 2, 2009... Text of report by state-run Iranian radio on 2 January Iranian president returned to Tehran last night [1 January], after his visit to Sistan-Baluchestan province. At the end of his visit, Ahmadinezhad in an interview with reporters...

Explosion in Somali capital kills two Ethiopian troops, five civilians.
January 2, 2009... Excerpt from report by Somalia's private commercial Radio Shabeelle on 2 January [Presenter] An explosion that caused casualties among Ethiopian troops and civilians occurred this morning at Maka Al-Mukaramah Road in Mogadishu. Bashir...

(CORR) Afghan paper accuses government of violating media freedom.
January 2, 2009... (Reissue: correcting date to 29 Dec 2008 from 29 Jan 2009)Excerpt from article by Payez entitled "Violence against journalists shows fear of public opinion" by Afghan independent secular daily newspaper Hasht-e Sobh on 29 December Based...

Bangladesh poll winner Hasina requests UN help to try war criminals.
January 2, 2009... Text of report headlined "Hasina urges UN help in war criminal trial" by Bangladeshi newspaper New Age website on 2 January The Awami League president, Sheikh Hasina, on Thursday [1 January] urged the United Nations' cooperation to try...

Afghan paper claims government media supporting Taleban.
January 2, 2009... Text of report entitled: "Government media launching propaganda against international forces to the benefit of Taleban" by private Afghan newspaper Arman-e Melli on 31 December The government media outlets, particularly the so-called...

Bangladesh poll "farce" - ex-PM Zia party.
January 2, 2009... Text of report headlined "Government out of farcical polls better than unelected government - Delwar" by Bangladeshi newspaper New Age website on 2 January The secretary-general of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party [BNP], Khandaker Delwar...

Pakistan to soon begin joint production of fighter aircraft with China.
January 2, 2009... Text of report by staff correspondent headlined "Serial production of JF-17 aircraft to start soon: NA body told" published by Pakistani newspaper The News website on 2 January Islamabad: The Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) would soon...

Opposition cautious over Gabonese president's call for unity government.
January 2, 2009... Text of report by French state-funded public broadcaster Radio France Internationale on 2 January [Presenter] In Gabon, the head of state, in his 2009 New Year message, spoke of his dissatisfaction with the current government. Omar Bongo...

Ugandan presidential aide, lawmaker reportedly arrested over poll campaign role.
January 2, 2009... Text of report by Issa Aliga and Risdel Kasasira entitled "Kakooza Mutale, Ssekikubo arrested" published by leading privately-owned Ugandan newspaper The Daily Monitor website on 2 January The campaigns for the Sembabule Woman MP seat...

Nepal top court stays government decision to withdraw criminal cases.
January 2, 2009... Text of report by privately-owned Nepalnews.com website on 2 January The Supreme Court (SC) has issued a stay order asking the government not to implement its decision to withdraw 349 cases. The apex court gave the order saying that...

Kenyan Muslims protest at Israel's offensive in Gaza.
January 2, 2009... Text of report by Ngumbao Kithi entitled "Muslims protest Gaza bombings" published by Kenyan privately-owned daily newspaper The Standard website on 2 January Muslims in Mombasa poured into the streets to protest at attacks on...

Army enters Tamil Tiger HQ in north Sri Lanka - website.
January 2, 2009... Text of report by Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence, Public Security, Law and Order website on 2 January Sri Lanka Army 57 Division troops now in the process of liberating Kilinochchi town have taken control over the Kilinochchi railway...

"Mixed reactions" as Turkish state TV launches Kurdish channel.
January 2, 2009... Text of report in English by Turkish newspaper Today's Zaman website on 2 January The state-owned Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT), under a motto of "we live under the same sky," began its Kurdish broadcasting yesterday at...

Students protest outside noble laureate office in Tehran.
January 2, 2009... Text of report by Iranian conservative, privately-owned Fars News Agency website Tehran, 2 January: A number of students have gathered outside Shirin Ebadi's office in order to protest the silence of those who claim to be human rights...

Serbs in Kosovo capital await New Year "in fear" due to "barrage of gunfire".
January 2, 2009... Excerpt from report in English by Serbian pro-western Belgrade-based Radio B92 website, on 1 January Pristina, 1 January: [Passage omitted on no incidents reported on New Year's Eve in northern Kosovo as most residents stayed at home -...

Kosovo Speaker urges pressure on Serbia to resolve fate of missing persons.
January 2, 2009... Text of report in English by Pristina-based independent internet news agency KosovaLive ["Pressure on Serbia for Resolving Missing Persons Issue Requested" - KosovaLive headline] Prishtina [Pristina], 31 Dec (KosovaLive) - The...

South Sudan state denies claims of assassination attempt.
January 2, 2009... Text of report in English by independent, Nairobi-based, USAID-funded Sudan Radio Service on 2 January Authorities in Leer County in Unity State [Southern Sudan] have dismissed allegations that there was an assassination attempt on...

Ghana ruling party says "determined" to boycott runoff vote in Tain constituency.
January 2, 2009... Excerpt from report by Ghanaian privately-owned radio station Joy FM on 1 January [Presenter] Dr Arthur Kennedy, communications director of [ruling New Patriotic Party presidential candidate] Nana Danquah Akufo-Addo's campaign confirms...

Kosovo public telecom company announces 2008 profits.
January 2, 2009... Text of report in English by Pristina-based independent internet news agency KosovaLive ["During 2008 PTK Realized 172 Million Euros Turnover" - KosovaLive headline] Prishtina [Pristina], 31 Dec (KosovaLive) - The leaders of the most...

Cultural group to promote peace in southern Sudan.
January 2, 2009... Text of report in English by independent, Nairobi-based, USAID-funded Sudan Radio Service on 2 January The director of Kwoto Cultural Group in southern Sudan says that artists have an important role in promoting peace and unity among...

Ugandan army urges "negative" rebel groups operating in DRCongo to surrender.
January 2, 2009... Text of report by state-run Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) Radio on 2 January Uganda negative forces operating in DRCongo have been urged to take advantage of the amnesty law and come out of the bush because they are fighting a...

Sudanese refugees return from Ethiopia.
January 2, 2009... Text of report in English by independent, Nairobi-based, USAID-funded Sudan Radio Service on 2 January About 30 Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia are voluntarily going back to their homes in Akobo and Nassir. They are the last of almost 500...

Nepal plains party withdraws support to government.
January 2, 2009... Text of report by privately-owned Nepalese eKantipur.com website on 2 January Kathmandu, [Friday] 2 January: The Terai-Madhes Democratic Party (TMDP) is due to hold its Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting at the party's central...

Two Israelis wounded in Denmark.
January 2, 2009... Text of report in English by Danish leading privately-owned independent newspaper Politiken website, on 31 December [Unattributed report: "Israelis Shot and Wounded in Odense"] Israelis shot and wounded in Denmark Two Israeli...

Serbia's Tadic 10th on "most influential" European leaders list - poll.
January 2, 2009... Text of report in English by Serbian pro-western Belgrade-based Radio B92 website, on 1 January Warsaw, 1 January: A Polish television poll has placed Boris Tadic at number ten on a list of the most influential European politicians last...

Cypriot foreign minister stresses need for cease-fire in Gaza.
January 2, 2009... Text of report in English by Greek Cypriot news agency CNA Nicosia, 31 December: Foreign Minister Markos Kiprianou has stressed the urgent need for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, adding that it is very important to send humanitarian aid...

Nepal Maoists agree to return seized properties in three months.
January 2, 2009... Excerpt from report by privately-owned Nepalese eKantipur.com website on 2 January By Phanindra Dahal Kathmandu, [Friday] 2 January: The Communist Party of Nepal - Maoist and Nepali Congress (NC) on Thursday agreed to set a...

Two militants killed in Indian Kashmir - agency.
January 2, 2009... Text of report published by Indian news agency PTI Srinagar, 2 January: Two militants of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) group, including a Pakistani national, were killed in a fierce gunbattle in Baramulla district of the frontier Indian state of...

Iran paper outlines the details the targeted subsidies bill.
January 2, 2009... Text of report by economics desk headlined "Full text of targeted subsides bill released" published by Iranian newspaper Javan on 29 December The price of water, electricity, gas, petrol and other oil products will be handed over to the...

Serbian central bank chief says 2009 "will be harder".
January 2, 2009... Text of report in English by Serbian pro-western Belgrade-based Radio B92 website, on 1 January Belgrade, 1 January: NBS [National Bank of Serbia - Serbian central bank] Governor Radovan Jelasic told B92 in an interview that this year...

Nepal unionists accused of attacking media office released.
January 2, 2009... Text of report by privately-owned Nepalnews.com website on 2 January Ramesh Babu Panta and Ramesh K.C., the two Maoist-affiliated labour union leaders accused in the attack on the Himalmedia office and its staff 10 days ago, were...

Ghana poll body confirms runoff vote to take place in final constituency.
January 2, 2009... Text of report by Ghanaian privately-owned radio station Joy FM on 2 January [Presenter] [Ruling New Patriotic Party presidential flagbearer communications director] Dr Arthur Kennedy's remarks followed a failed bid by the NPP to secure...

Egypt asks Israel not to strike mosques; Israel defends killing of Hamas chief.
January 2, 2009... State-funded but independent Jerusalem Voice of Israel Network B in Hebrew at 0600 gmt on 2 January reports that "the Palestinians have resumed their rocket fire at Israel and seven Grad rockets exploded in the Ashqelon area a short while...

Iran minister blasts Islamic body over Israeli attack on Gaza.
January 2, 2009... Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki has strongly criticized the Organization of Islamic Conference, OIC, for remaining "silent" over Israeli raids on Gaza. The minister who was delivering a Friday prayer pre-sermon speech at...

Pakistan has "no right" to advise on troop movements - Indian defence minister.
January 2, 2009... Text of report published by Indian news agency PTI New Delhi, 2 January: Rubbishing Pakistan's "advice" for de-activating ground and air troops in forward areas, India Friday said it has no right to give any such suggestion and pointed...

Ghana pro-democracy lobby urges governing party to concede defeat in runoff poll.
January 2, 2009... Text of report by state-owned Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) Radio 1 on 2 January The Centre for Democratic Development (CDD) has expressed worry over what it calls the New Patriotic Party's attempts to stall the nation's political...

Livni in France says Israel aims to strengthen Fatah, weaken Hamas.
January 2, 2009... Excerpt from report in English by privately-owned Israeli daily The Jerusalem Post website on 1 January [Report by Herb Keinon, Ya'aqov Katz, and jpost.com staff: "Renewed Truce May Legitimize Hamas"] Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni...

Ukrainian delegation leaves for Europe for consultations on gas row.
January 2, 2009... Text of report by Interfax-Ukraine news agency Kiev, 2 January: The Ukrainian delegation consisting of Fuel and Energy Minister Yuriy Prodan, Deputy Foreign Minister Kostyantyn Yeliseyev and deputy head of the Naftohaz Ukrayiny national...

Hamas calls on West Bank residents to resist "occupation".
January 2, 2009... Text of report by pro-Hamas Palestinian Information Centre website on 1 January [Unattributed report: "Gaza is calling, so answer the call: The days of the West Bank are days for solidarity with the steadfast and proud Gaza, and the...

West Bank's Palestinian TV says Gaza death toll rises to over 414.
January 2, 2009... Within its evening newscasts, Ramallah Palestine Satellite Channel Television in Arabic was observed on 1 January 2009 to carry the following reports on the political and security developments on the sixth day of the Israeli military...

SAfrican Jewish Board of Deputies issues statement on death of Helen Suzman.
January 2, 2009... Text of report by non-profit South African Press Association (SAPA) news agency [Statement Issued by the South African Jewish Board of Deputies on the SAPA PR Wire Service] 02 January 2009 JEWISH COMMUNITY MOURNS THE PASSING OF...