BBC Monitoring International Reports articles from March 2012

BBC Monitoring International Reports archives from March 2012

Programme summary of Afghan Helmand Radio news in Pashto 1015 gmt 28 Mar 12.
March 31, 2012... A. Home news. 1. Provincial administration and the High Peace Council launch a two-day workshop on peace process in southern Helmand Province and several provincial government officials and members of the High Peace Council's provincial...

Programme summary of Afghan Kandahar TV news in Pashto 1615 gmt 29 Mar 12.
March 31, 2012... A. News headlines. B. Home news. 1. Deputy Kandahar Governor Abdol Qadim Patyal chairs regular meeting of Kandahar Administrative Council and inspects activities of a number departments. Video shows the meeting. 2. Aino Foundation...

Programme summary of Afghan Balkh TV news in Dari 1430 gmt 30 Mar 12.
March 31, 2012... A. Home news: 1. 0004 Reports on Friday prayers that took place in mosques in Mazar-e Sharif, capital of northern Balkh province today. Video show people in the mosques. 2. 0140 Local residents laid the foundation stone for three mosques...

Syrian opposition terms Arab summit in Baghdad "failure".
March 31, 2012... Text of report by Saudi-owned leading pan-Arab daily Al-Sharq al-Awsat website on 30 March [Report by Paula Astih, from Beirut: "Syrian opposition powers describe the Arab Summit as 'failure'"] The Syrian opposition powers have received...

Human Rights Watch concerned over Afghan future after NATO withdrawal.
March 31, 2012... Excerpt from report by Afghan independent Tolo TV on 30 March [Presenter] Human Right Watch is deeply concerned over the future of Afghanistan and warns about an increase in civilian casualties and the worsening security situation. In an...

Fatah members said arrested for planning protests against Gaza government.
March 31, 2012... Excerpt from report by London-based newspaper Al-Hayat website on 30 March [Report by Jihan al-Husayni in Cairo and Fathi Sabbah in Gaza: "Hamas: Fatah elements in Gaza participate in a conspiracy to overthrow US"] A leading figure in...

Chinese vice-premier meets US nominee for World Bank presidency.
March 31, 2012... Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) Shaoxing, Zhejiang, 31 March: Chinese Vice-Premier Wang Qishan Saturday [31 March] met with the U.S. nominee for the World Bank presidency Jim Yong Kim....

Hezbollah leader says issue of bringing down Asad through military option over.
March 31, 2012... Text of report in English by privately-owned Lebanese newspaper The Daily Star website on 31 March ["Nasrallah: Asad will survive attempts to bring regime down"] Beirut: Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah said Friday [30 March] the...

Iranian official pledges support for Lebanese, Palestinian "resistance".
March 31, 2012... Text of report in English by privately-owned Lebanese newspaper The Daily Star website on 31 March ["Top Iranian official tours border areas in south"] Beirut: A senior Iranian official reiterated Friday [30 March] Iran's support for the...

Abducted pilgrims in Syria return to Iran.
March 31, 2012... The five Iranian pilgrims, who had been abducted by armed forces in Syria and were handed over to Iranian authorities at the Syria-Turkey border have reached Iran, Fars reported. The agency published pictures of the pilgrims being received...

Hezbollah TV carries live coverage of Palestinian Land Day.
March 31, 2012... Al-Manar Channel Television in Arabic on 30 March was observed to carry special coverage of the activities marking the 36th anniversary of the Palestinian Land Day. At 1030 gmt, the channel carries live footage from Qalandiya in the West...

Syrian foreign minister says battle to topple government over.
March 31, 2012... Text of report by H. Sabbagh published in English by state-run Syrian news agency SANA website ["Maqdisi: The battle to topple the Syrian state is over"] Damascus - Foreign and Expatriates Ministry Spokesman Dr Jihad Maqdisi said that the...

Afghan government dismisses claims of 50-per-cent rise in poppy cultivation.
March 31, 2012... Text of report by privately-owned Noor TV on 29 March [Presenter] The Afghan deputy interior minister for counter-narcotics has dismissed a claim by the head of Pakistan's counter-narcotics department who had said that poppy cultivation had...

China, Malaysia to jointly build industrial park.
March 31, 2012... Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) Nanning, 30 March: China and Malaysia will jointly build an industrial park in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, local Chinese authorities...

Afghan jihadi figures in north stress need for reforms in government.
March 31, 2012... Text of report by privately-owned Afghan Aina TV on 28 March [Presenter] Gen Abdorrashid Dostum, chief of staff of the High Command of Armed Forces, and the leader and founder of the National Islamic Movement of Afghanistan, has met Ahmad...

Vietnamese president calls for enhanced ties with Laos.
March 31, 2012... Text of report in English by state-run Vietnamese news agency VNA website Hanoi, 30 March: President Truong Tan Sang received Minister to the Presidential Office of Laos Phongsavath Boupha, who is on a visit to Vietnam, in Hanoi on 30 March....

Indonesian Parliament Votes to Revise Contentious Fuel Price Hike Plan
March 31, 2012... Text of report by Sita W Dewi from the "News" section headlined "House Passes Revised State Budget in Dramatic Plenary Session" published in English by influential Indonesian newspaper The Jakarta Post English-language website on 31 March The...

Iran editorial assesses upcoming nuclear negotiations.(Editorial)
March 31, 2012... Text of report by hardline Iranian daily Keyhan website Text of editorial by Mehdi Mohammadi entitled: "Outlook for April talks" by Iranian newspaper Keyhan 11 March While Iran and the G5+1 countries are getting closer to their new round...

Afghan government rejects US allegations of graft against ex-governor.
March 31, 2012... Text of report by Afghan independent Tolo TV on 30 March [Presenter] US officials accuse the ex-governor of Kapisa, Abu Bakr, of corruption and killing US forces. American officials are pressing the Afghan government to prosecute the former...

Afghan minister voices concern over kidnappings in western province.
March 31, 2012... Text of report by privately-owned Noor TV on 28 March [Presenter] The Afghan interior minister has said that by launching separate mopping-up operations and implementing a new security project, the security situation in Herat will be...

Programme summary of Azeri ANS TV "Xabarci" news 1600 gmt 30 Mar 12.
March 31, 2012... Presenter Nigar Mahmudova 1. 0010 Headlines. 2. 0110 Armenian armed forces have fired on Azerbaijani positions in Agdam, Tovuz, Cabrayil and Qazax districts. No casualties are reported. 3. 0124 A resident of Lerik District, Amrah...

Philippines expresses hope for fair, peaceful elections in Burma.
March 31, 2012... Text of report by Aurea Calica with a report from Paolo Romero headlined "Phl Hopes for Fair Myanmar Polls" published in English by the news and entertainment portal of the STAR Group of Publications on 31 March Manila, Philippines: The...

Programme summary of Afghan Bayan-e Shamal Radio news 1230 gmt 30 Mar 12.
March 31, 2012... A. Domestic news: 1. 0030 Construction of statistics department building in Helmand Province has been completed after six months of work by government fund. 2. 0130 Vice-President of Afghanistan Mohammad Qasim Fahim asks the United Nations...

Iran "tilts scale of sanctions" in its favour - official.
March 31, 2012... Managing-Director of South Pars Special Economic Zone of Iran Mas'ud Nasuri has said that by using "Economic Jihad" as a model, Iran managed to tilt the "scale of sanctions" in its favour, Fars reported. According to the report, he added that...

Paper reports on cases of vote-buying, intimidation ahead of Burma by-polls.
March 31, 2012... Text of report by Colin Hinshelwood from the "News" section: "Advance Voters Cry Foul" published in English by Thailand-based Burmese publication Irrawaddy website on 30 March Polling stations opened on Friday [30 March] morning for two days...

Iran oil official lauds achievements of domestic experts in building refineries.
March 31, 2012... Managing Director of Pars Oil and Gas Company Musa Suri has praised the domestic experts for their performance and for their ability to register international records in building some refineries, Fars reported. According to the report, Suri...

Programme summary of Afghan Fariab State TV in Dari 1430 gmt 29 Mar 12.
March 31, 2012... A. News headlines. B. Home news. 1. 0019 Governor of northern Fariab Province tells the media that as a result of a mopping-up operation, the security situation has improved in some areas of this province over the past two weeks. He also...

PM says looking into options for financing Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project.
March 31, 2012... Text of report by official news agency Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) Islamabad, 30 March: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gillani Friday [30 March] said owing to the wrong policies of the previous governments, the present government...

Police arrest terrorist with arms in Pakistan's Punjab.
March 31, 2012... Text of report by official news agency Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) Wah Cantt, 30 March: Saddar Police on Friday [30 March] arrested an alleged terrorist stated to be a member of a banned outfit and recovered arms and ammunition from...

Minister says Pakistan attaches great importance to ties with Italy.
March 31, 2012... Text of report by official news agency Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) Islamabad, 30 March: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said Friday [30 March] that Pakistan attaches great importance to its...

Programme summary of Afghan Fariab State TV in Dari 1430 gmt 28 Mar 12.
March 31, 2012... A. News headlines. B. Home news. 1. 0018 Provincial officials hold a meeting to discuss various legal, judicial and executive issues in northern Fariab Province under the chairmanship of the Fariab governor. It mainly focuses on processing...

Hamas official denies Palestinian TV report on stopping protesters in Bayt Hanun.
March 31, 2012... Text of report by pro-Hamas Palestinian Information Centre website on 30 March [Unattributed report: "Hammad denounces Ramallah Authority Television's incitement against Gaza police"] Gaza - Fathi Hammad, minister of Interior and National...

Programme summary of Afghan Radio Tamana in Dari 1300 gmt 28 Mar 12.
March 31, 2012... A. News headlines. B. Home news. 1. A group of militants renounces violence and joins the peace process in northern Fariab Province and hands over its weapons to the government. The head of the High Peace Council's provincial office...

Pakistan's Sindh chief calls on president.
March 31, 2012... Text of report by official news agency Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) Karachi, 30 March: Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah called on President Asif Ali Zardari here at the Bilawal House on Friday [30 March]. Law and order...

Programme summary of Afghan Nangarhar Enekas Radio news 1230 gmt 29 Mar 12.
March 31, 2012... A. News headlines. B. Home news. 1. Afghan security forces collect weapons from a private security company in eastern Nangarhar Province, and the head of the programme for disarming private security companies in this province says the...

Programme summary of Afghan Nangarhar Killid Radio news 1230 gmt 30 Mar 12.
March 31, 2012... A. News headlines. B. Home news. 1. Head of the security transition commission Dr Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai visits eastern Paktika Province and says at a gathering the Afghan forces are ready to take over responsibility for security in this...

Kyrgyz president praises ties with Azerbaijan, calls for greater unity.
March 31, 2012... Text of report by private Azerbaijani news agency Turan Baku, 30 March: Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan support each other and closely cooperate within international organizations. The positions of the two countries coincide almost in everything....

Programme summary of Afghan Ghazni state TV news in Dari 1500 gmt 29 Mar 12.
March 31, 2012... A. Home news. 1. Afghan and foreign forces seize weapons and explosives during a joint operation in Deyak District of eastern Ghazni Province, and the operation will be continued to eliminate militants from the area. 2. A young girl...

Israeli Kadima party leader says USA must continue to lead moves against Iran.
March 31, 2012... Excerpt from report by Israeli Channel 2 TV on 29 March [Interview with MK Sha'ul Mofaz, new Kadima chairman, by Dani Kushmaro on 29 March; place not given - recorded] [Kushmaro] Opposition leader MK Sha'ul Mofaz, congratulations! ...

Programme summary of Afghan Ghazni Killid Radio news in Dari 1530 gmt 29 Mar 12.
March 31, 2012... A. Home news. 1. US government calls on the international community to remain committed to financing the Afghan security forces. 2. United Nations emphasizes Afghanistan's Election Commission should be allowed to work independently, and...

Programme summary of Afghan Ghazni state TV news in Dari 1500 gmt 28 Mar 12.
March 31, 2012... A. Home news. 1. Provincial officials kick off a campaign to plant saplings in eastern Ghazni Province and encourage the people to plant as many saplings as possible so that they will have a green and clean environment. Several officials...

Opposition to hold another rally in Kyrgyz south on 7 April - leader.
March 31, 2012... Excerpt from report by privately-owned Kyrgyz AKIpress news agency website Fergana (Bishkek), 31 March: Another opposition rally will be held in [southern] Dzhalal-Abad on 7 April, where participation of 50,000 people is expected, the leader...

New systems tested in Russian Airborne Troops exercise - TV reports.
March 31, 2012... In a news report on 30 March, Russian Defence Ministry-controlled Zvezda TV showed what it said was the first exercise this year by the Airborne Troops in Ulyanovsk Region, during which personnel and materiel were parachuted. New "know-how" in...

Iran vice-president arrives in China to attend Boao Forum.
March 31, 2012... An Iranian vice-president has arrived in Shanghai, China to attend Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2012, Iranian state news agency IRNA reported on 31 March. During his visit, Iranian Vice-President and Head of the Environmental...

Tajik president says his country suffering from sanctions against Iran.
March 31, 2012... Text of report by corporate-owned Russian news agency Interfax Dushanbe, 31 March: Tajikistan's economy has suffered serious losses from the sanctions of the West against Iran, which is accused of efforts to develop a nuclear weapon, Tajik...

Albanian parties agree to introduce electronic vote counting for 2013 polls.
March 31, 2012... Text of report in English by Albanian state news agency ATA ["Electoral Reform Committee Agrees on Electoral Vote Counting" - ATA headline] Tirana, 30 March (ATA) - The government and opposition representatives in a special Parliamentary...

Premiers of China, Kazakhstan hold talks.
March 31, 2012... Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) Beijing, 31 March: Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and visiting Kazakhstan Prime Minister Karim Masimov on Saturday [31 March] opened the 1st Premiers Regular...

Iranian blogger mulls lack of news in Iran media on Turkish leader's visit.
March 31, 2012... Reacting to the visit of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Iran, Iranian blogger "dalghakirani" wrote in his blog (http://dalghakirani.blogspot.com) on 31 March: "Why was no news published [in Iran] about the meeting of Ahmadinezhad...

Croatian deputy premier visiting Moscow to say Russian investors welcome - daily.
March 31, 2012... Text of report by state-owned leading daily paper of record, Vjesnik, on 26 March [Report and commentary by Jurica Koerbler: "Cacic Calls On Russians To Invest in Croatia"] It is up to Principal Deputy Prime Minister Cacic now to convince...

Bus run in support of Pussy Riot held in Moscow.
March 31, 2012... A bus run in support of feminist punk rock band Pussy Riot has been held in Moscow, Russian Gazprom-owned, editorially-independent Ekho Moskvy radio news reported on 31 March. On 21 February the band performed an anti-Putin song later...

Palestinian premier lauds ties with Germany.
March 31, 2012... Text of report by Palestinian presidency-controlled news agency Wafa website ["Fayyad Commends the Development in Relations With Germany and Affirms the Importance of the Strategic European-Palestinian Partnership" WAFA headline] Berlin,...

Programme summary of Afghan Sharq TV news in Pashto 1530 gmt 29 March 12.
March 31, 2012... 1. Border Police of Afghanistan say they arrested a large amount of Hashish in Pachir Agam district of Nangarhar Province. Video shows the arrested drug. 2. Construction of a new hostel for medical university was completed in Nangarhar...

North Korean article flays Japanese PM's remarks on "sexual slavery".
March 31, 2012... Text of article in English by state-run North Korean news agency KCNA website Pyongyang, 31 March: The Japanese prime ministers' conception of history negating the past is sparking off criticism among international community. Speaking at...

Programme summary of Afghan Sharq TV news in Pashto 1530 gmt 30 March 12.
March 31, 2012... 1. A police killed nine other policemen in Paktia Province. Video shows Paktia Province. 2. Two coalition forces' soldiers were killed in a suicide attack in Helmand Province. Video shows Helmand Province. 3. Coalition forces say that...

By-elections to be held in Burma 1 April.
March 31, 2012... Text of report in English by Japan's largest news agency Kyodo Yangon, 31 March: Myanmar [Burma] goes to the polls on Sunday [1 April] for national parliamentary by-elections where the National League for Democracy [NLD] under Aung San Suu...

Conflicting reports about Tuareg rebels taking Malian town - agency.
March 31, 2012... Text of report by Mauritanian independent news agency Al-Akhbar website Nouakchott, 31 March: Gao, the largest town in the [Malian] region of Azawad, fell into the hands of a number of fighters at dawn today, Saturday 31 March 2012, one day...

Tajik labour migrants go to Russia as there is no other option - president.
March 31, 2012... Text of report by corporate-owned Russian news agency Interfax Dushanbe, 31 March: Tajik-Russian relations are strategic in nature and do not interfere with relations with other countries, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon has told in an...

Russia: Rocket, Conventional Artillery on Exercise in Orenburg Region - TV
March 31, 2012... In a news report on 22 March, Gazprom-owned Russian NTV showed artillery, including rocket, on exercise. The snow-covered location was identified in the report as the Totskoye range, Orenburg Region. The artillery systems fired (shown at...

Afghan MPs say violence will get worse if strategic pact not signed.
March 31, 2012... Text of report by privately-owned Noor TV on 30 March [Presenter] Some Afghan MPs have said that recent actions by NATO troops have provoked an increase in the violence against the troops in Afghanistan, and warn that if the signing of the...

Montenegro's Niksic "transit centre for drug smuggling" - Serbian paper.
March 31, 2012... Text of report by Serbian wide-circulation tabloid Vecernje novosti on 28 March [Report by V. Kadic: "Niksic Becomes Transit Centre for Drug Smuggling"] Niksic - Montenegro's second largest town, Niksic, has been known for years as a...

Programme summary of Kazakh Khabar TV "Novosti" news 1500 gmt 30 Mar 12.
March 31, 2012... Presenters: Yerlan Igisinov and Vera Nigrey 1. 0001 Headlines over video. 2. 0030 Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister Yerbol Orynbayev and Kazakh Labour Minister Gulshara Abdykhalikova visit Kostanay Region to familiarize themselves with the...

Iran intelligence minister condemns Friday prayer remarks on Syria in Mecca.
March 31, 2012... Iran's Intelligence Minister Heydar Moslehi has condemned remarks of the Friday prayer lecturer in Masjid al-Haram in Mecca containing a negative interpretation of Syria developments based on the holy Koran, Fars news agency reported on 31...

Afghan paper examines loss of US support for war.
March 31, 2012... Text of editorial, "Will support for war wane?", by Afghan independent secular daily newspaper Hasht-e Sobh on 28 March After 10 years of the presence of US forces in Afghanistan, now support for this presence is waning in the United States....

Russian paper calls for amending Criminal Code article on ethnic, religious hatred.
March 31, 2012... Text of report by the website of heavyweight liberal Russian newspaper Kommersant on 20 March [Article by Aleksandr Verkhovskiy, director of the Sova Information Analysis Centre: "The Bottom Line"] Article 282 has become so widely known...

Afghan paper urges tougher steps to fight human trafficking.
March 31, 2012... Text of article by Shah Wali Qarar entitled "Human trafficking has caused people's concern" published by state-run Afghan daily Hewad on 27 March People are abducted and trafficked to be used for suicide and guerilla attacks, ransom, or to...

Ukrainian government, opposition hail initialling of EU association accord.
March 31, 2012... Ukraine's government and opposition have welcomed the initialling of an association agreement with the EU. President Viktor Yanukovych praised the event as an "important milestone", the Ukrainian news agency UNIAN reported at 1655 gmt on 30...

IMF team visits Maldives to assess economic situation.
March 31, 2012... Text of unattributed report headlined "IMF Visit To Assess the Economic Situation, Not Grant aid" published by Maldivian newspaper Haveeru website on 30 March Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) said yesterday that no dialogue had taken place...

Paper angry at Iranian leader's remarks against foreign military in Afghanistan.
March 31, 2012... Text of editorial, "Iran can never use Afghans for its political goals", by state-owned Afghan newspaper Hewad on 28 March Iran has used many conferences held to discuss Afghanistan for its political goals. Iranian President Mahmud...

Turkish premier, UN envoy discuss Syria by phone.
March 31, 2012... Text of report in English by Turkish semi-official news agency Anatolia ["Turkish premier speaks to UN-Arab League joint Syria envoy" - AA headline] ANKARA (A.A) - 30.03.2012 - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday [30...

Taleban report attack on foreign forces in Afghan east.
March 31, 2012... Text of report by Afghan Taleban Voice of Jihad website on 31 March Enemy patrol attacked, tank destroyed and two soldiers killed near centre of Laghman [Taleban spokesman] Zabihollah Mojahed: The foreign soldiers have suffered heavy...

Taleban report attack on foreign forces supply convoy in Afghan north.
March 31, 2012... Text of report by Afghan Taleban Voice of Jihad website on 31 March Baghlan: Two tankers set on fire in Doshi [Taleban spokesman] Zabihollah Mojahed: Two fuel tankers, belonging to the invaders' supply convoy, have been set on fire during...

China not wanting Syria crisis to harm ties with Turkey - paper.
March 31, 2012... Text of report in English by Turkish newspaper Today's Zaman website on 31 March [Column by Abdullah Bozkurt: "Turkey and China Amid the Syrian Crisis"] China is clearly looking for a graceful "face-saving" exit strategy for its much...

Taleban report fighting with US forces in Nawzad in Afghan south.
March 31, 2012... Text of report by Afghan Taleban Voice of Jihad website on 31 March Helmand: American forces flee Nawzad after suffering heavy losses [Taleban spokesman] Qari Yusof Ahmadi: A large number of the American soldiers, who arrived in the Karezo...

Programme summary of Iranian Khorasan Razavi Province TV news 1145 gmt 31 Mar 12.
March 31, 2012... A. Headlines B. Provincial news: 1. 1145 In separate announcements, the governor-general and the Islamic Publicity Coordination Council have greeted 12 Farvardin (31 March), Islamic Republic Day. 2. 1146 Video report on Islamic Republic...

Free Syrian Army commander says opposition lacks enough arms to fight regime.
March 31, 2012... Text of report by London-based newspaper Al-Hayat website on 30 March [Report by Bisan al-Shaykh in Antakya (Turkey): "Al-As'ad to 'Al-Hayat': Our Weapons Are Barely Enough for Guerilla Warfare and 'National Council's' Performance Has...

China to give 50m dollars to set up high-tech park in central Uzbekistan.
March 31, 2012... Excerpt from report by Russian internet news agency Regnum, specializing in regional reporting In the next two years, a high-tech park will be set up in Uzbekistan with the use of Chinese investment worth 50m dollars, Uzbek Deputy Minister of...

Afghan border police commander says security better in north.
March 31, 2012... Text of report by privately-owned Noor TV [Presenter] The commander of Border Police Command No 5 said that security at the northern [border] crossing posts has improved, adding that the Border Police seized a massive quantity of narcotics...

New reconnaissance and fire control radar used in Russian artillery exercise.
March 31, 2012... A new radar reconnaissance and fire control system, Zoopark-1, has seen its first use by the Southern Military District's artillery units on exercise on the Tarskoye range (North Ossetia), the corporate-owned Russian military news agency...

Uzbek-Turkmen trade grows four-fold in recent years - envoy.
March 31, 2012... Excerpt from report by Russian internet news agency Regnum, specializing in regional reporting At a meeting with Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, Uzbek Ambassador Sherzod Fayziyev, who has completed his diplomatic mission in...

Taleban report killing police commander in Afghan south.
March 31, 2012... Text of report by Afghan Taleban Voice of Jihad website on 31 March Helmand: Explosion kills four soldiers, including commander, in Sangin [Taleban spokesman] Qari Yusof Ahmadi: According to a report from Helmand Province, a local police...

Taleban report destroying US tanks in Sangin in Afghan south.
March 31, 2012... Text of report by Afghan Taleban Voice of Jihad website on 31 March Helmand: Two American tanks destroyed in Sangin [Taleban spokesman] Qari Yusof Ahmadi: Two military tanks of the American forces have been destroyed by landmines in the...

Turkish foreign minister holds behind-closed-doors talks with Iraqi ex-premier.
March 31, 2012... Text of report in English by Turkish semi-official news agency Anatolia ["Turkish FM meets with al-Iraqiya leader" - Anatolia headline] ISTANBUL (A.A) -Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Friday [30 March] met with al-Iraqia leader...

Programme summary of Bayan-e Shamal Radio News in Dari 1230 gmt 31 March 12.
March 31, 2012... A. Domestic news: 1.0030 Security authorities in Balkh Province said that they arrested four thieves in this province who confessed their crime during the investigation. 2. 0125 World Food Program distributed food for 700 poor families who...

Taleban say foreign forces detain religious scholars, villagers in Afghan north.
March 31, 2012... Text of report by Afghan Taleban Voice of Jihad website on 31 March Konduz: Invaders detain two religious scholars and two villagers in Chardehi [Taleban spokesman] Zabihollah Mojahed: A report has been sadly received from Konduz province...