BBC Monitoring International Reports articles from January 2009, page 6

BBC Monitoring International Reports archives from January 2009

Iran blames EU for turning blind eye to opposition group.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by Iranian news channel Press TV website on 30 January London, 30 January: Iran's embassy in Norway said on Thursday [28 January] that the European Union turned a blind eye to terrorist activities of the...

Burundi president reshuffles cabinet.
January 30, 2009... President Pierre Nkurunziza yesterday 29 January reshuffled his cabinet for the seventh time since 2005. The new cabinet has 26 ministers just like the last one, but the president has now scrapped positions of assistant ministers who were...

Indian border troops fire at "Pakistani smugglers" - paper.
January 30, 2009... Text of unattributed report headlined "BSF recovers weapons, heroin from border village" published by Indian newspaper The Asian Age website on 30 January Chandigarh, 29 January: In what is perhaps the first instance of gunfire on the...

Sudanese writer comments on Obama's interview on Arab channel.
January 30, 2009... Text of commentary by Mahjub Muhammad Salih "This is Where the Danger Lies" published by Sudanese newspaper Al-Ayyam on 29 January It is still too early to judge the policies the US Administration will pursue toward various international...

Indian Army chief to visit Kashmir to review "operational preparedness" -paper.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by Sridhar Kumaraswami headlined "Army Chief Will Visit Srinagar" by Indian newspaper The Asian Age website on 30 January New Delhi, 29 January: In the wake of a series of encounters between the Army and militants in Jammu...

Kyrgyz premier urges reforms in energy sector.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by privately-owned Kyrgyz news agency 24.kg website It is necessary to immediately reform the energy sector of Kyrgyzstan, otherwise we will have a structural crisis in one of the most important sectors of the country,...

Iranian interior minister accuses EU of backing opposition group.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by Iranian official government news agency IRNA website Tehran, 29 January: [Iran's] Interior Minister Sadeq Mahsuli said on Thursday [29 January] that the European Union overture to remove the Mojahedin Khalq...

Sudan: Presidential aide condemns rebel attack on southern Darfur town.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by state-owned Sudanese news agency Suna website Khartoum, 29 January: Assistant of the President of the Republic, Dr Nafi Ali Nafi, has regretted the treacherous aggression of the Justice and Equality Movement...

Zimbabwean army chiefs put "severe restrictions" on issuance of arms.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by South Africa-based ZimOnline website on 30 January [Report by Prince Nyathi: "Zimbabwe Army Restricts Arms Issuance"] HARARE Zimbabwe army commanders have put severe restrictions on issuance of weapons,...

Sudanese minister to leave for Japan 30 January.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by state-owned Sudanese news agency Suna website Khartoum, 29 January: State Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ali Ahmad Karti starts Friday [30 January] an official visit to Japan that would last for...

NKorea committee to "nullify" inter-Korean political, military agreements.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by state-run North Korean radio on 29 January The statement [issued] by the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea [CPRF]: Today, the situation on the Korean peninsula is becoming tenser due to the reckless...

Kyrgyz ex-foreign minister becomes advisor to president.
January 30, 2009... Excerpt from report by privately-owned Kyrgyz news agency 24.kg website Muratbek Imanaliyev, the former Kyrgyz foreign minister, has been appointed advisor of the Kyrgyz president. Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev signed the relevant...

India: Official says Mumbai attacks not planned in "Pakistan territory".
January 30, 2009... Text of report by Indian news agency PTI London, 30 January: In the first official word on the findings of Islamabad's probe into the information dossier provided by India on the Mumbai attacks, a senior Pakistani diplomat has said that...

India: Court declares absconding intelligence officer fugitive.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by Indian news agency PTI New Delhi, 29 January [Thursday]: Nearly five years after he fled from the country leaving Research and Analysis Wing [RAW] red-faced, the external intelligence agency's Joint Secretary [name...

Russia still keeps 12 Georgian POWs - minister.
January 30, 2009... The following is the text of Tamta Karchava's report by privately owned Georgian daily newspaper Rezonansi on 29 January entitled "One more Georgian POW found in Tskhinvali. According to Iakobashvili, Ossetians and Russians are keeping 12...

Israeli president phones Turkish PM, says Davos incident not to affect ties.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by Israeli public radio station Voice of Israel Network B on 30 January President Shimon Peres has phoned Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan. The two leaders concluded that the incident in the Davos Forum will not...

Sudanese leader to leave for Ethiopia 30 January, to attend AU summit.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by state-owned Sudanese radio on 30 January President Al-Bashir today will be leaving for Addis Ababa to attend the AU summit, which will start tomorrow. The summit will discuss issues of development, infrastructure, as...

Madagascar mayor calls for transitional government, wants premiership.
January 30, 2009... Excerpt from report by French state-funded public broadcaster Radio France Internationale on 30 January Changes are taking place in Madagascar where President Marc Ravalomanana on Wednesday having said that he was not prepared to meet...

Kazakh leader meets Israeli, Turkish leaders in Davos.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by privately-owned Interfax-Kazakhstan news agency Astana, 30 January: Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev held several bilateral meetings within the framework of the World Economic Forum being held in Davos, the...

PM says US drone attacks on Pakistan territory "counterproductive".
January 30, 2009... Text of report by staff correspondent headlined "Gillani urges Obama to show restraint in Pakistan" published by Pakistani newspaper The News website on 30 January Davos: President Barack Obama should deepen US engagement in Afghanistan...

Pakistan ex-PM Sharif urges US administration to help resolve Kashmir issue.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by privately-owned Pakistan television Dawn News on 30 January The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz [PML-N] chief, Nawaz Sharif, calls upon the new US administration to help resolve the Kashmir dispute that remains at the...

Azerbaijan may face "complicated situation" due to US-Iran conflict - paper.
January 30, 2009... Azerbaijan's major Russian-language newspaper Zerkalo has said that Azerbaijan can find itself in "a quite complicated situation" due to the confrontation between the United States and Iran. The newspaper notes that although Azerbaijan and...

Uganda ruling party makes changes.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by Cyprian Musoke and Mary Karugaba entitled "NRM changes committee leaders" by state-owned, mass-circulation Ugandan daily The New Vision website on 30 January The NRM [National Resistnce Movement] caucus yesterday elected...

Tanzania upbeat over anticipated Zimbabwe concensus.
January 30, 2009... Text of report entitled "JK optimistic over Zim power-sharing process" by Tanzanian newspaper The Guardian website on 30 January President Jakaya Kikwete has expressed optimism that political rivals in Zimbabwe will soon strike a power...

Sudan: Russia keen to host international conference on Darfur "later this year".
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by Paris-based Sudanese newspaper Sudan Tribune website on 30 January (Khartoum) 29 January, 2009: A visiting Russian official announced today that his government is proposing an international conference on...

Tajik leader issues decree on appointing new interior minister.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by privately-owned Tajik Avesta website Dushanbe, 30 January: Under a decree by Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Mahmadnazar Solehov has been relieved of the post of Tajik interior minister. Under another presidential...

Kenyan MPs fail to pass crucial bill on poll chaos, ICC beckons.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by Bernard Namunane, Dave Opiyo, Alphonce Shiundu and Caroline Wafula entitled "Attempt to speed up tribunal bills flops" by Kenyan privately-owned newspaper Daily Nation website on 30 January Only chief mediator Kofi...

Sudan: Rebel group denies Chadian involvement in Darfur attack.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by Paris-based Sudanese newspaper Sudan Tribune website on 30 January (London) 29, January, 2009: The rebel Justice and Equality Movement [JEM] rejected accusations by the government over Chadian involvement in...

Meningitis spreads in northwestern Uganda.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by Anthony Bugembe and Susan Nimusiima entitled "Meningitis reported in West Nile" by state-owned, mass-circulation Ugandan daily The New Vision website on 30 January The health ministry has confirmed the spread of the...

Uganda sets up military aviation academy.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by Frederick Kiwanuka in Nakasongola entitled "Uganda gets military aviation academy" by state-owned, mass-circulation Ugandan daily The New Vision website on 30 January Uganda will no longer spend huge amounts of money on...

Indian military experts wounded in Sri Lanka - TamilNet.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by Sri Lankan TamilNet website on 30 January Four Indian military experts, assisting the Sri Lankan military, were wounded this week in Vanni and are undergoing treatment in Colombo, reliable sources told TamilNet Friday...

Moldova reports efforts to support breakaway region's economy.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by Moldovan news agency Infotag Chisinau, 29 January: The budget and tax system of [Moldova's breakaway] Dniester region should be brought into compliance with international norms and standards observed by the majority of...

Israel radio reports Turkish prime minister's Davos anger.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by Israeli public radio station Voice of Israel Network B on 29 January Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan angrily left a debate at the Davos convention dealing with the situation in the Gaza Strip. The incident...

US drones create panic among locals in Pakistan's Mohmand region.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by staff correspondent headlined "US drones create panic in Mohmand" published by Pakistani newspaper Dawn website on 30 January Ghalanai, 29 January [Thursday]: The US drones were seen flying high over several areas of...

Ukrainian justice minister says chief banker's appointment still valid.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by commercial, news-based 5 Kanal TV on 30 January [Presenter] Constitution Court judges will not support the decision of the Supreme Council [parliament] on Volodymyr Stelmakh [cancelling its own resolution on his...

We hope Obama will review his predecessor's policies - Hamas's Haniyah.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by Qatari government-funded, pan-Arab news channel Al-Jazeera satellite TV on 29 January [Announcer-read report over video] Isma'il Haniyah, prime minister of the deposed Palestinian government, has called on US...

Thailand: Information ministry closes 2,300 websites for lese majeste.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by Thai newspaper The Nation website on 30 January During the past two weeks, the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Ministry has closed down 2,300 websites for posting messages deemed as lese...

Indonesian woman dies of bird flu in East Java.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by influential Indonesian newspaper The Jakarta Post English-language website on 29 January A domestic helper who died from a lung infection at Dr Soetomo Public Hospital in Surabaya, East Java over the weekend...

Medical convoy to head for Sudan's Abyei.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by state-owned Sudanese news agency Suna website The presidential advisor and deputy chairman of the national congress for southern affairs, Dr Riek Gai, received a delegation from the Abyei area, co-headed by...

Ethiopia: Malawian president arrives for AU summit in Addis Ababa.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by state-owned Ethiopian news agency ENA website Addis Ababa, 29 January: President of Malawi, Dr Bingu wa Mutharika arrived here on Thursday [29 January] to take part in the 12th Ordinary Session of the African...

Kyrgyz opposition against "disarming" its members - agency.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by privately-owned Kyrgyz news agency 24.kg website Bishkek, 29 January: The Kyrgyz opposition is outraged by the authorities' attempts to disarm it. The Ata-Meken party said that the Kyrgyz law enforcement agencies tried...

Al-Jazeera speculates on possible Israeli "revenge" on Turkey for Davos walkout.
January 30, 2009... Qatari government-funded, pan-Arab news channel Al-Jazeera satellite TV in Arabic leads its 1900 gmt newscast on 29 January with the following announce-read report over video: "Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyib Erdogan has left one of the...

Gabon: Central African Republic regime, rebels reach compromise.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by French state-funded public broadcaster Radio France Internationale on 30 January The Central African Republic negotiations were arduous but ended on a good note. An agreement was reached yesterday at a peace accord...

Thai ministry closes down 2,300 websites for insulting monarchy.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by Thai newspaper The Nation website on 30 January During the past two weeks, the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Ministry has closed down 2,300 websites for posting messages deemed as lese...

Seoul pledges "firm counteraction" against North Korea maritime intrusions.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by South Korean news agency Yonhap [By Sam Kim: "S. Korea Vows Strong Counteraction Against N. Korean Maritime Intrusions"] Seoul, Jan. 30 (Yonhap) - South Korea pledged firm counteraction Friday against any...

Belarusian opposition figure faces property confiscation.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by Belarusian privately-owned news agency Belapan Minsk, 29 January. Anatol Lyabedzka, chairman of the United Civic Party, is facing the confiscation of his belongings as ordered by Minsk's Tsentralny district...

EU, USA accused of backing unnamed candidate in Somali presidential poll.
January 30, 2009... Excerpt from report by Somali pro-Puntland government website on 30 January Today, there is a complicated political situation in Djibouti, where the Somali presidential election will take place. There is a bitter political struggle, with...

South Korea regrets North Korea's decision to scrap accords.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) [Xinhua: "S.Korea Expresses Deep Regret Over DPRK's Decision of Scrapping Inter-Korean Agreements"] Seoul, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) - The South Korean...

Pakistan Taleban threaten to kill Polish geologist if demands not met - paper.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by Abdul Sami Paracha headlined "Militants threaten to kill Polish geologist" published by Pakistani newspaper Dawn website on 30 January Kohat: The Tehrik-i-Taleban, Darra Adamkhel chapter, on Thursday [29 January] gave...

Tajikistan should appeal to UN over "economic blockade" by Uzbekistan - expert.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by privately-owned Tajik news agency Asia-Plus website Dushanbe, 29 January: Tajikistan should appeal to the United Nations Security Council to help break though an economic blockade by Uzbekistan, a doctor of economic...

Somaliland cabinet adopts new anti-terror law.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by Somali pro-Puntland government Garoweonline website on 29 January The council of ministers in Somalia's self proclaimed republic of Somaliland unanimously approved an anti-terror law on Thursday [29 January],...

Russian Deputy Premier Defends Cabinet's Monetary Policy at Duma Hearing
January 30, 2009... The Russian authorities are keeping the situation with the rapidly falling rouble under control, First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov has said. He was reporting to the State Duma on the government's efforts to combat the financial and...

Saudi Arabia: Radio, TV infrastructure upgrades to digital.
January 30, 2009... Text of press release by Florida-based Harris Corporation on 29 January [Headline: Saudi Arabia Ministry of Culture and Information Modernizes Broadcasting Network with Harris Corporation Radio and TV Transmitters] Harris...

Iraqi Kurdish list receives one fifth of votes in early voting in Diyala town.
January 30, 2009... The Kurdistan Alliance list has received 435 votes out of 2,085 cast in the early voting round for the Governorate Council elections in Khanaqin town, Diyala Governorate, the website of privately-owned Awene weekly reported on 30 January. ...

Iran's top cleric urges officials to respect people's voting right.
January 30, 2009... The chairman of Iran's Expediency Council has said that people should not let anyone to violate their voting right in the upcoming presidential election, the Iranian news agency ILNA reported on 30 January. ILNA quoted chairman of Iran's...

Ukrainian interior minister says evidence points to senior judge's suicide.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by Interfax-Ukraine news agency Izmayil (Odessa Region), 29 January: Forensic experts have established that the charred body that was found in a car near Kiev was the body of a judge of the Supreme Economic Court of...

Afghan Defence Ministry says fresh troops should be deployed in border areas.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by Afghan independent Tolo TV, on 29 January [Presenter] The National Defence Ministry sees as vulnerable border regions of Afghanistan, asking NATO and the coalition to station more troops in those regions. On the other...

UK to continue assistance to Nepal in de-mining operations.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by privately-owned Nepalese newspaper Kathmandu Post via eKantipur website on 29 January Rautahat, 29 January: The Nepal Army (NA) on Thursday [29 January] completed de-mining at the Kopche Community Forest in Siraha...

More on South Korea regrets North Korea's decision to scrap accords.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by South Korean news agency Yonhap [Yonhap headline: "South Korea Expresses Regret Over N. Korean Border Threat, Offers Dialogue"] Seoul, Jan. 30 (Yonhap) - South Korea expressed regret over North Korea's...

Nigeria scraps oil exploration deal with South Korea.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by South Korean newspaper Choson Ilbo website on 29 January The Nigerian government has abruptly cancelled Korea's concession to explore oil fields off the shore of the African country, the Korea National Oil...

Football TV channels to be launched in Sudan.
January 30, 2009... Excerpt from report by liberal Sudanese newspaper Al-Sahafah on 30 January The general manager of the Sudan Radio and TV Corporation, Muhammad Hatim Sulayman, has announced that he has met the managers of Al-Hilal and Al-Merriekh...

Thai court dismisses suit against public relations department over Titv closure.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by Thai newspaper The Nation website on 30 January The Central Administrative Court Friday [30 January] dismissed a lawsuit against the Public Relations Department for having turned TiTV, a former iTV station,...

South Korea's central bank chief warns of negative growth for 2009.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by South Korean news agency Yonhap [Yonhap headline: "BOK Chief Pledges To Pump Ample Liquidity Into Financial System"] Seoul, Jan. 30 (Yonhap) - The South Korean economy will likely shrink in 2009 unless...

Niger: Twelve MPs file censure motion against government.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by French state-funded public broadcaster Radio France Internationale on 30 January Twelve deputies have filed a censure motion in parliament against the government led by Prime Minister Oumarou Seyni. The MPs have accused...

Tajikistan: Internet users in 2008 numbered 500,000 - minister.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by state-owned Tajik news agency Khovar website Dushanbe, 29 January: The state unitary enterprise Pochta-i Tojik [Tajik post service] is planning to introduce a new system of services this year, Tajik Minister of Transport...

Pakistan spending billions on buying helicopters for officials - paper.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by Ansar Abbasi headlined "Billions of rupees being spent on purchase of VIP 'copters" published by Pakistani newspaper The News on 30 January Islamabad: While the poor and needy are dying for basic necessities like flour,...

Japanese defense minister wants weapons rules relaxed for antipiracy mission.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by Japan's largest news agency Kyodo Tokyo, Jan. 30 Kyodo - Defence Minister Yasukazu Hamada on Friday expressed hope that the ruling coalition parties will consider relaxing the rules on the use of weapons by...

United Russia's position tricky as authorities face criticism amid crisis.
January 30, 2009... Text of article by Aleksey Makarkin: "United Russia and the Crisis" by Russian political commentary website Politkom.ru on 26 January United Russia [One Russia] became the party of power during a prosperous socioeconomic situation...

Iranian official in Seoul says international sanctions are "ineffective".
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by South Korean news agency Yonhap [Yonhap headline: "Sanctions On Iran Illegal, Pointless Amid Global Slump: Spokesman"] Seoul, Jan. 30 (Yonhap) - Iran's foreign ministry spokesman said the international...

US says Obama to deal with North Korean human rights 'in due course".
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by South Korean news agency Yonhap [By Hwang Doo-hyong: "Obama To Deal With N. Korean Human Rights In Due Course: State Dept."] Washington, Jan. 29 (Yonhap) - The Barack Obama administration will deal with...

Sudan: Commentary condemns proposal to delay Al-Bashir's arrest warrant.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by Paris-based Sudanese newspaper Sudan Tribune website on 28 January [Commentary by El-Tahir Adam El-Faki: "Alex De Waal's Unconditional Support for Article 16"] While the international community is bracing...

Three candidates in Iraqi provincial elections killed; 29 Jan update.
January 30, 2009... Within its 1900 gmt newscast on 29 January, Dubai Al-Sharqiyah television reported the assassination of three candidates representing the Al-Tawafuq Front, the Iraqi National Unity List, and the National Movement for Reform and Development....

Tajik wages increased by about 11 per cent in Jan-Nov 2008.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by state-owned Tajik news agency Khovar website Dushanbe, 29 January: The number of officially registered jobless people in Tajikistan was 45,700 people [in 2008]. According to the Tajik Ministry of Labour and Social...

Turkish PM blames moderator for tension at Davos Gaza panel.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by Turkish semi-official news agency Anatolia ["TURKISH PREMIER BLAMES TENSION IN GAZA PANEL ON MODERATOR" - AA headline] DAVOS (A.A) -29.01.2009 -Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Thursday...

Turkish premier addresses Davos panel on Gaza.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by Turkish semi-official news agency Anatolia ["ERDOGAN SPEAKS AT PANEL DISCUSSION ON GAZA" - AA headline] DAVOS (A.A) -29.01.2009 -Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke at a panel discussion...

Hamas calls for "mass rallies" in Gaza Strip 30 Jan.
January 30, 2009... In its 0530 gmt newscast, pro-Hamas, Gaza-based Al-Aqsa Satellite TV reports that "the Hamas Movement has called on the people of the Gaza Strip to take part in mass rallies that are to take place today, which will originate from all mosques...

Ethiopia: AU boss urges countries to mobilize efforts to address challenges.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by state-owned Ethiopian news agency ENA website Addis Ababa, 29 January: Africans have no alternatives other than mobilizing concerted efforts to address deep-rooted problems and challenges, the Chairperson of...

Ex-MP outlines negative effects of cash subsidies' plan on Iran's economy.
January 30, 2009... Text of article headlined Former Majlis MP: Underestimating Economic Reforms Plan is more dangerous than inflation published by Iranian newspaper Jomhuri-ye Eslami on 4 January Ignoring the people's difficulties and lack of attention to...

Around 16,000 Iraqi disenfranchised voters stage protest in Diyala town.
January 30, 2009... Around 16,000 people have staged a demonstration in Khanaqin town, Diyala Governorate, in protest against missing out on the 31 January Governorate Council elections, Sbay media website of Wisha company reported on 29 January. The report...

Afghan official says both presidential, provincial elections set for 20 August.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by state-owned National Afghanistan TV on 29 January [Presenter] The Independent Electoral Commission eventually announced that the upcoming presidential and provincial council elections will be held on 29 of Asad of next...

Iran paper says social security bylaw needs reviewing.
January 30, 2009... Text of unattributed editorial by the Iranian newspaper headlined "A bylaw worth reviewing" published by Iranian newspaper E'temad-e Melli on 3 January Based on official news, Social Security Organization's bylaw has undergone changes....

Slovene Assembly postpones vote on Croatia's, Albania's NATO entry protocols.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by Slovene news agency STA, Ljubljana, 29 January (STA) - The parliament's vote on the ratification of Albania's and Croatia's NATO accession protocols was postponed on Thursday as a result of an announced...

Tajik customs officers sieze over 30 kg of drugs.
January 30, 2009... Text of report by privately-owned Tajik Avesta website Dushanbe, 30 January: Officers from the Tajik customs service found over 30 kg of drugs in the Lower Panj locality on the Tajik-Afghan border in the evening of 29 January, Nuriddin...

South Sudan keen to support private sector development.
January 30, 2009... Text of report in English by UN sponsored Radio Miraya FM website, on 30 January Friday, 30 January 2009: Addressing hundreds of people and investors at Nyakuron Cultural Center yesterday in Juba, [South Sudan] President Salva Kiir...