BBC Monitoring International Reports articles from March 2010

BBC Monitoring International Reports archives from March 2010

Russian minister optimistic about link between new START and missile defence.
March 31, 2010... Text of report by corporate-owned Russian news agency Interfax Ottawa, 31 March: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is convinced that the link between missile defence and the START [Treaty on the Reduction of Strategic Offensive Arms]...

Pakistan frontier governor congratulates Iran over safe recovery of diplomat.
March 31, 2010... Text of report by official news agency Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) Peshawar, 30 March: NWFP [North-West Frontier Province] Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani congratulated the family members and well wishers of Hashmat Atharzadeh, Commercial...

US Senators urged to help bail out Pakistan from economic crunch.
March 31, 2010... Text of report by official news agency Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) Islamabad, 30 March: The visiting US Senators on Tuesday [30 March] were urged to help bail out Pakistan from economic depression caused due to the situation arisen in...

Japan government seeks to extend sanctions on North Korea.
March 31, 2010... Text of report in English by Japan's largest news agency Kyodo Tokyo, 31 March: Japan is eyeing a one-year extension of its sanctions on North Korea beyond the April 13 expiration, including a ban on calls by North Korean vessels at Japanese...

Pakistan: Envoy credits Iranian intelligence services for diplomat's recovery.
March 31, 2010... Text of report by privately-owned Pakistan television Dawn News on 30 March Now Iran's Ambassador to Pakistan Mashallah Shakiri has credited his country's intelligence services for the recovery of a diplomat, Heshmatullah Attarzadeh....

Speaker says Pakistan committed to long-term, strategic ties with US.
March 31, 2010... Text of report by official news agency Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) Islamabad, 30 March: Dr Fehmida Mirza, Speaker National Assembly, has said that Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with USA and it was fully committed...

PM says Pakistan-US ties should not be confined to war against terror.
March 31, 2010... Text of report by official news agency Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) Islamabad, 30 March: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gillani Tuesday [30 March] expressed satisfaction over the successful 4th round of Pakistan-US strategic dialogue...

Taleban claim killing US soldiers in Marja in Afghan south.
March 31, 2010... Text of report entitled: "Four American soldiers killed by mojahedin in Marja" by Afghan Taleban Voice of Jihad website on 31 March [Note: This item has been processed from the Taleban's Voice of Jihad website; their Shahamat site is...

Taleban report fighting with British forces in Afghan south.
March 31, 2010... Text of report entitled: "British soldiers suffer heavy casualties near Lashkargah" by Afghan Taleban Voice of Jihad website on 31 March [Note: This item has been processed from the Taleban's Voice of Jihad website; their Shahamat site is...

At least six security men killed in Pakistan tribal area suicide attack - TV.
March 31, 2010... Pakistan state-run television PTV News in Urdu at 0305 gmt reported that at least six paramilitary personnel were killed and 20 injured in a suicide attack on Jansi camp in Bara Tehsil of Khyber Agency. The channel said several militants were...

Pakistan top court gives accountability bureau 24 hours to implement verdict.
March 31, 2010... Text of report by official news agency Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) Islamabad, 30 March: The Supreme Court here Tuesday [30 March] termed written replies of top officials of ministries of interior and establishment, and Federal...

Afghan security forces seize 114 kg of crystal methamphetamine.
March 31, 2010... Text of report by Afghan independent Tolo TV on 31 March The security directorate of Herat Province reports that a drug has been discovered. A press release by the directorate says that it is a 114 kg haul of crystal methamphetamine seized in...

Iran's foreign minister condoles UAE over demise of president's brother.
March 31, 2010... Text of report in English by Iranian official government news agency IRNA website Tehran, March 31: [Iran's] Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki in a telephone conversation with his UAE counterpart condoled him on the demise of UAE president's...

Iran foreign minister leaves Iran for Algeria.
March 31, 2010... Text of report in English by Iranian official government news agency IRNA website Tehran, 31 March: Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki, heading a delegation, departed Tehran for Algiers on Wednesday morning [31 March]. The visit aims to...

Interior Ministry denies report on Afghan police by UK's Independent.
March 31, 2010... Text of report by privately-owned Noor TV on 29 March [Presenter] The Afghan Ministry of Internal Affairs has rejected a report by a UK newspaper, the Independent. The Independent quoted British Foreign Office documents as saying that up to...

Iranian, Senegalese presidents discuss ties in phone conversation.
March 31, 2010... Text of report by state-run Iranian radio on 31 March The presidents of Iran and Senegal have discussed important issues of the region and the Islamic world in a telephone conversation. During the conversation, Ahmadinezhad and Abdoulaye...

German delegation cancels Zimbabwe business trip over fears of "punishing" laws.
March 31, 2010... Text of unattributed report entitled "Zim no go area: German business group" published by South Africa-based ZimOnline website on 30 March Harare -A German business delegation has cancelled a visit to Zimbabwe, put off by Harare's...

"Angry" SAfricans implicate Mandela after eviction from disputed land.
March 31, 2010... Text of report by Lebogang Seale entitled "Madiba caught in 'exploitation' spat" -"Angry evicted residents have nowhere to go" by South African privately-owned, established daily newspaper The Star website on 30 March Nelson Mandela has been...

Former Nigeria justice minister defends "doctrine of necessity".
March 31, 2010... Text of report by Sufuyan Ojeifo entitled "Kayode defends 'doctrine of necessity'" by Nigerian newspaper This Day website on 30 March Former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN [Senior...

Officials granted consular access to 17 Indians sentenced to death in UAE.
March 31, 2010... Text of report by Indian news agency PTI Dubai/New Delhi, 30 March: Indian consulate officials in Dubai were Tuesday [30 March] given access to 17 Indians sentenced to death for killing a Pakistani national in UAE, even as New Delhi described...

Iran paper urges law amendment to meet Leader's economic strategy.
March 31, 2010... Text of editorial headlined "New industrial strategy" published by Iran newspaper on 30 March The Supreme Leader's [Ayatollah Ali Khamene'i] visit to the Iranian vehicle industry to get to know of the capabilities of this industry had several...

Afghan state daily calls for balanced reconstruction in provinces.
March 31, 2010... Text of editorial entitled: "Nation wants balanced reconstruction" by private Afghan newspaper Arman-e Melli on 28 March The budget for the current fiscal year has been submitted to the lower house for discussion. We hope that the development...

Indian president to launch census exercise 1 April.
March 31, 2010... Text of report by Indian news agency PTI New Delhi, 30 March: Come 1 April, India will kick-start the largest census exercise ever to be attempted in the history of mankind and capture its 1.2 billion population in one single database. ...

Kyrgyz citizen injured in blast in Moscow metro.
March 31, 2010... Excerpt from report by privately-owned Kyrgyz AKIpress news agency website A Kyrgyz citizen, 23-year old Kanaybek Ozubekov, was injured in an explosion in a Moscow metro station, according to information from the Russian Ministry of Emergency...

Foreign soldier killed in mine blast in Afghan south - ISAF.
March 31, 2010... Text of report by private Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press news agency Kabul, 31 March: An ISAF soldier has been killed. One ISAF soldier was killed in a mine explosion in southern Afghanistan. A statement issued by the ISAF press...

SAfrica rights group to serve attachment orders on Zimbabwe-owned properties.
March 31, 2010... Text of report by influential, privately-owned South African daily Business Day website on 30 March Civil rights group AfriForum plans to serve attachment orders today against four properties in Cape Town owned by the Zimbabwe government. ...

Somali navy chief say deployment of NATO forces likely to worsen piracy.
March 31, 2010... Text of report by Somali pro-Puntland government Puntlandpost website on 30 March The commander of the Somali Navy, Admiral Farah Ahmad Umar alias Farah Qare, has for the first time said that the navy are now capable of fighting pirate groups...

India undertakes plan to improve road connectivity along China border.
March 31, 2010... Text of report by Indian news agency PTI New Delhi, 30 March: The Indian government has decided to undertake a multi-crore [one crore is 10 million] plan for better road connectivity along the India-China border to smoothen the movement of...

Uganda: Man said confesses to burning Buganda royal tombs.
March 31, 2010... Text of report by Herbert Ssempogo, Annet Naluggwa and Edward Anyoli entitled "Man confesses to burning Kasubi" published by state-owned, mass-circulation Ugandan daily The New Vision website on 31 March A man yesterday walked to a Kampala...

Somali deputy Speaker urges government to table accord with moderates.
March 31, 2010... Text of report by Somali pro-Puntland government Puntlandpost website on 30 March Prime Minister Umar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke has today held a meeting with parliamentary groups in Mogadishu in which he spoke on the recent agreement between...

Iranian TV reports explosion in Caucasus.
March 31, 2010... Iranian Al-Alam TV has reported that an explosion took place in Kizlyar town in Dagestan, Caucasus, leading to a number of victims. Source: Al-Alam TV, Tehran, in Arabic 0511gmt 31 Mar 10 BBC Monitoring

Ukraine urges stepping up counter-terrorism measures.
March 31, 2010... Text of report by Interfax-Ukraine news agency Kiev, 30 March: Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Volodymyr Sivkovych has urged the Ukrainian law-enforcement agencies to take measures to prevent any possible acts of terrorism, including to...

India to set up two nuclear reprocessing facilities under US pact.
March 31, 2010... Text of report by Indian news agency PTI New Delhi, 30 March: In a significant achievement for India, the agreement with US on reprocessing provides for setting up of two dedicated facilities where the American spent nuclear fuel would be...

Kazakh leader approves country's five-year industrial development programme.
March 31, 2010... Excerpt from report by privately-owned Interfax-Kazakhstan news agency Astana, 31 March: Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev has approved Kazakhstan's state programme on accelerated industrial-innovative development in 2010-14. "With the...

Uganda: Security minister rejects House committee summons over use of Chogm cash.
March 31, 2010... Text of report by Yasiim Mugerwa entitled "CHOGM inquiry: Mbabazi tells off probe, warns MPs" published by leading privately-owned Ugandan newspaper The Daily Monitor website on 31 March; subheading as published Parliament: Security Minister...

Three militants, soldier killed in Indian Kashmir clashes - officials.
March 31, 2010... Text of report by Indian news agency PTI Jammu, 30 March: Three militants and an Indian army jawan [soldier] were killed and two policemen were injured in two separate gunbattles in Rajouri district of the northernmost Indian state of Jammu...

China to support Sudan April elections.
March 31, 2010... Text of report in English by state-owned Sudanese news agency Suna website Beijing, 30 March (SUNA) - China has affirmed its concern with Sudan affairs and the developments in the country, especially with regard to solving Darfur issue and...

Kenyans back review of draft constitution - survey.
March 31, 2010... Text of report by Alex Ndegwa entitled "Survey: Public supports House amendments to law" published by Kenyan privately-owned daily newspaper The Standard website on 31 March With parliament due to vote on proposed amendments to the proposed...

IT minister announces high-speed internet for every Iranian.
March 31, 2010... Text of report headlined "National internet network to be launched" published by Iranian newspaper Iran on 29 March Communications and Information Technology Minister [Reza Taqipur] announced the launch of a "national internet network" in the...

Kenyan justice minister urges ICC to speed ruling on poll chaos' suspects.
March 31, 2010... Text of report by Martin Mutua entitled "The Hague to rule on Kenya 20" published by Kenyan privately-owned daily newspaper The Standard website on 31 March On Tuesday [30 March], the International Criminal Court [ICC] rules on whether to...

Zanzibar government tables bill on unity government.
March 31, 2010... Text of report by The Guardian Reporter "isles tables bill on national unity govt" published by Tanzanian newspaper The Guardian website on 30 March The Zanzibar government yesterday tabled the bill that will allow the formation of a...

Fighting Maoists focus of India's internal security - official report.
March 31, 2010... Text of report by special correspondent headlined "Defence Echoes Concern on Maoists" published by Indian newspaper The Telegraph website on 30 March New Delhi, March 29 - The operations against Maoists are the main focus of internal...

Paper urges Afghan Taleban to stop serving Pakistan interests.
March 31, 2010... Text of report by Satar Afghan entitled: "Taleban tools for survival of Pakistan" published in pro-government Afghan newspaper Weesa on 28 March There is no doubt that the Taleban have been supported by Pakistan since the group emerged,...

Sri Lanka Navy denies reports of attacking Indian fishermen.
March 31, 2010... Text of report by Lakna Paranamanna headlined "SLN Dismisses Allegations of Attacking TN Fishermen" published by Sri Lankan newspaper Daily Mirror on 30 March The Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) yesterday dismissed allegations of attacking Tamil Nadu...

Kenyan paper warns MPs over constitution review debate.
March 31, 2010... Text of editorial entitled "Our constitution is not a job for politicians alone" published by Kenyan privately-owned newspaper Daily Nation website on 31 March Today (Wednesday [31 March]), members of parliament will go to the House with more...

Pakistan requests Swiss government to re-open cases against ex-official.
March 31, 2010... Text of report by leading private Pakistani satellite TV channel Geo News website on 31 March Islamabad: The government of Pakistan has started implementing the verdict of Supreme Court (SC) regarding National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO),...

Two blasts in Russia's Dagestan leave five people dead, seven injured.
March 31, 2010... Text of report by Russian state news agency ITAR-TASS Moscow, 31 March: Five people have been killed and seven others wounded as a result of two explosions in the town of Kizlyar, Dagestan, a source in the republic's emergencies ministry told...

Nine people killed in two blasts in Caucasus - Iranian TV.
March 31, 2010... Iranian Al-Alam TV has reported that according to the Russian Ministry of Emergencies nine people were killed and seven others were injured in two blasts in Kizlyar town in the Republic of Dagestan, Caucasus. Source: Al-Alam TV, Tehran, in...

Minister says Pakistan keen to diversify, strengthen ties with Uzbekistan.
March 31, 2010... Text of report by official news agency Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) Islamabad, 30 March: Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi Tuesday [30 March] reiterated Pakistan's keen desire to diversify and strengthen its bilateral ties...

Taleban claim killing two police officers in Afghan south.
March 31, 2010... Text of report entitled: "Mojahedin kill two police officers in Shah Joy" by Afghan Taleban Voice of Jihad website on 30 March [Note: This item has been processed from the Taleban's Voice of Jihad website; their Shahamat site is currently...

Iran's envoy says Jondollah group was not behind diplomat's abduction.
March 31, 2010... Text of report in English by Iranian news channel Press TV website on 31 March 31 March: Iran's ambassador to Pakistan says the terrorist group Jondollah has not been behind the kidnapping of a senior Iranian diplomat in Peshawar last year...

India: Mumbai attacks trial likely to end 31 March.
March 31, 2010... Text of report by Indian news agency PTI Mumbai, 30 March: Almost a year after the 26/11 attacks case began in a special court here, the trial of Pakistani gunman Ajmal Kasab, accused of slaughtering 166 people, and two Indians charged with...

"Aspects" of SAfrica's proposed land reforms cause for "grave" concern - article.
March 31, 2010... Text of report by influential, privately-owned South African daily Business Day website on 30 March The right to land tenure and ownership is inextricably linked to the right to human dignity. Yet little progress has been made in the past 15...

Sudan condemns "criminal" bombings in Russia.
March 31, 2010... Text of report in English by state-owned Sudanese news agency Suna website Khartoum, 30 March (SUNA) - The Sudanese government has condemned the criminal bombings that took place in Russia which claimed lives of many innocent people and...

Japanese nuclear plant suspended over faulty inspections.
March 31, 2010... Text of report in English by Japan's largest news agency Kyodo Matsue, Japan, March 30 Kyodo - Faulty past inspections at the Shimane nuclear power plant, including failures to check some equipment and replace some parts, led Chugoku Electric...

Japan, Poland sign nuclear cooperation accord.
March 31, 2010... Text of report in English by Japan's largest news agency Kyodo Cancun, Mexico, March 30 Kyodo - Japan and Poland signed a memorandum Tuesday to promote cooperation in the civil use of atomic power, with Tokyo aiming to have Japanese firms...

Japan, Germany agree to cooperate toward successful nuclear conference.
March 31, 2010... Text of report in English by Japan's largest news agency Kyodo Gatineau, Canada, March 30 Kyodo - Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada and his German counterpart Guido Westerwelle agreed Tuesday to cooperate for a successful outcome at an...

Kenya imposes conditions on acceptance of captured Somali pirates.
March 31, 2010... Text of report by Fred Makinda and Alphonce Shiundu entitled "Kenya laments pirates' burden" published by Kenyan privately-owned newspaper Daily Nation website on 31 March Kenya has given conditions that must be met before accepting to detain...

Japan considers one-year extension of sanctions on North Korea.
March 31, 2010... Text of report in English by Japan's largest news agency Kyodo Tokyo, March 31 Kyodo - Japan is eyeing a one-year extension of its sanctions on North Korea, including a ban on North Korean vessels' calls at Japanese ports, government sources...

Talks between Chad, UN on future of peacekeeping mission ends 31 March.
March 31, 2010... Text of report by French state-funded public broadcaster Radio France Internationale on 31 March Today is the final day of talks between the United Nations and Chad on the future of MINURCAT, the UN mission in the Central African Republic and...

Chinese vice-president home after four-nation visit.
March 31, 2010... Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) BEIJING, March 31 (Xinhua) - Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping returned to Beijing on Wednesday after concluding his official visit to Russia, Belarus,...

Tanzania, Vietnam seek improved ties.
March 31, 2010... Text of report by Sosthenes Mwita entitled "Pinda keen on greater Dar, Vietnam ties" published by Tanzanian newspaper Daily News website on 31 March Hanoi: The prime minister, Mr Mizengo Pinda, and his Vietnamese counterpart, Mr Nguyen Tan...

Sri Lanka president condemns Russia attacks.
March 31, 2010... Excerpt from report by Sri Lanka Ministry of Defence website on 31 March President Mahinda Rajapakse expressing his concern and deep sorrow at the suicide bomb attack at two Moscow subway stations Monday [29 March] stated that this attack is...

Ukrainian TV highlights 30 Mar 10.
March 31, 2010... The double suicide attack in the Moscow metro system dominated the news bulletins of the major Ukrainian TV channels on 30 March. The security measures have been stepped up in the Kiev metro following the attacks. Among other top stories was the...

Caucasus rebels disclaim responsibility for Moscow metro blasts.
March 31, 2010... Rebels in the Russian North Caucasus have disclaimed responsibility for the deadly bomb attacks in the Moscow underground on 29 March, the Prague-based Caucasus Times website reported on 30 March. In a statement made on the Georgian...

Kyrgyz, Luxembourg foreign ministers discuss bilateral relations.
March 31, 2010... Text of report by privately-owned Kyrgyz AKIpress news agency website Bishkek, 31 March: Political consultations between the Kyrgyz and Luxembourg foreign ministries took place in Bishkek on 30 March with the participation of Kyrgyz Foreign...

Tanzania: Ruling CCM MP's move to breakaway party draws mixed reactions.
March 31, 2010... Text of report by Dail News reporters entitled "Mpendazoe's move to CCJ draws mixed reaction" published by Tanzanian newspaper Daily News website on 31 March The announcement of the outspoken MP for Kishapu, Mr Fred Mpendazoe, to quit CCM,...

Coal mine collapse traps ten in China's Xinjiang.
March 31, 2010... Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) URUMQI, March 31 (Xinhua) - Ten people are trapped underground after a coal mine that was under construction collapsed Tuesday in northwest China's...

Pakistan TV show discusses Obama's Afghan visit, strategic talks with US.
March 31, 2010... PTV News in Urdu at 0515 GMT on 30 March broadcasts the regularly scheduled current affairs program titled "Good Morning Pakistan" hosted by anchor Syed Asim Raza. This program, aired 6 days a week from Monday to Saturday, takes up for review...

China pledges to step up support for Xinjiang.
March 31, 2010... Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) BEIJING, March 31 (Xinhua) - The Chinese central government on Tuesday pledged more support for Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region in achieving prosperity...

North Korea congratulates Namibian minister on appointment.
March 31, 2010... Text of report in English by state-run North Korean news agency KCNA website Pyongyang, March 31 (KCNA) - DPRK Foreign Minister Pak Ui Joon [Pak u'I-Joon] sent a congratulatory message to Utoni Nujoma Tuesday on his appointment as foreign...

North Korean leader likely to visit China soon - South official.
March 31, 2010... Text of report in English by South Korean news agency Yonhap SEOUL, March 31 (Yonhap) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Il [Kim Cho'ng-il] is highly likely to visit China soon, a government official here said Wednesday [ 31 March], a trip that...

Kenyan media owners challenge MPs over new constitution.
March 31, 2010... Text of unattributed report entitled "Agree on law, media owners urge MPs" published by Kenyan privately-owned newspaper Daily Nation website on 31 March; subheading as published MPs have been urged to agree on the contentious issues so that...

Zanzibar minister allays fears on island's split.
March 31, 2010... Text of report by Issa Yussuf entitled "Minister allays fears on Zanzibar island bisection" published by Tanzanian newspaper Daily News website on 31 March The Zanzibar minister responsible for environment, Mr Burhan Sadat Hajji, has...

South Korean minister urges North to take "rational" approach to ties.
March 31, 2010... Text of report in English by South Korean news agency Yonhap SEOUL, March 31 (Yonhap) - South Korea's new vice unification minister Wednesday called on North Korea to take a "rational" approach to handling inter-Korean relations and luring...

North Korea conducts final inspection of South assets at mountain resort.
March 31, 2010... Text of report in English by South Korean news agency Yonhap SEOUL, March 31 (Yonhap) - North Korea began the last day of its survey of South Korean assets at its eastern mountain resort Wednesday, a day before it could announce...

"Highest-ranking" North Korean defector arrives in USA - Yonhap.
March 31, 2010... Text of report in English by South Korean news agency Yonhap WASHINGTON, March 30 (Yonhap) - The highest ranking North Korean official ever to defect to South Korea arrived here Tuesday [ 30 March] to discuss nuclear weapons, human rights and...

New Chinese envoy to South Korea due to assume post 31 March.
March 31, 2010... Text of report in English by South Korean news agency Yonhap SEOUL, March 31 (Yonhap) - China's new ambassador to South Korea, Zhang Xinsen, will arrive in Seoul on Wednesday to take the post, which has been vacant for over a month since his...

South Korean, Algerian banks look to cooperate on finance development.
March 31, 2010... Text of report in English by South Korean news agency Yonhap SEOUL, March 31 (Yonhap) - Korea Development Bank (KDB) has agreed with an Algerian state lender to cooperate on developing financial services in North Africa and the Middle East,...

North Korean, Chinese, army officials discuss defence ties.
March 31, 2010... Text of report in English by state-run North Korean news agency KCNA website Pyongyang, March 31 (KCNA) - Xu Caihou, member of the Political Bureau of the C.C., the Communist Party and vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of...

Central African Republic leader sets general polls for 16 May.
March 31, 2010... Text of report by French state-funded public broadcaster Radio France Internationale on 31 March [Presenter] The first round of the presidential and legislative elections will be held on 16 May in the Central African Republic. They were...

Tanzania: Danish envoy denies press reports on Ngorongoro investment bid.
March 31, 2010... Text of report by Dail News reporter entitled "Danish embassy refutes press reports on Ngorongoro investment bid" published by Tanzanian newspaper Daily News website on 31 March The Danish ambassador to Tanzania, Mr Bjarne Sorensen, has...

South Korean officials still on alert to cope with naval disaster.
March 31, 2010... Text of report in English by South Korean news agency Yonhap SEOUL, March 31 (Yonhap) - All government officials have been ordered to remain on emergency footing and refrain from furloughs and nonessential activities until the crisis arising...

Kenyan MPs face "tough choices" over new constitution.
March 31, 2010... Text of report by Alex Ndegwa and Martin Mutua entitled "MPs faced with tough choices" published by Kenyan privately-owned daily newspaper The Standard website on 31 March; subheadings as published Wednesday [31 March] marks a turning point...