BBC Monitoring International Reports articles from October 2006

BBC Monitoring International Reports archives from October 2006

Pakistan said still keen on buying Swiss tanks.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by Swiss Radio International's Swissinfo website on 30 October Pakistan has reiterated its interest in buying used M113 armoured personnel carriers from...

Three Czech parties agree on constitution amendment to bring about early polls.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Excerpt from report in English by Czech news agency CTK Prague, 31 October: The Civic Democrat (ODS) and the Christian Democrat (KDU-CSL) politicians agreed today that a change to the...

Internet visas now available for tourists travelling to Iran.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by Iranian news agency IRNA website Shahr-e Kord, Chaharmahal Bakhtiari Province, 31 October: Under a scheme to encourage more tourists to visit the country, a...

Japan grants asylum to Iranian dissident.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by Japanese news agency Kyodo Tokyo, 31 October: The Tokyo District Court granted refugee status Tuesday [31 October] to an Iranian man who has stayed in Japan...

China promise more investment in Philippines.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Bhaby See entitled: "China promised investments in RP" by Philippine newspaper Taliba on 30 October China will pour in investments in the country with the aim of creating...

Highlights from Turkish Islamist Press 31 Oct 06.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) The following are highlights from the Turkish Islamist press on 31 October: Yeni Safak Yeni Safak publishes a front-page report entitled "No Governments Could Give Cyprus Away," which...

Interior Ministry denies "Georgian saboteurs" killed in South Ossetia.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Georgian Imedi TV on 31 October The Georgian Interior Ministry has said that the claim by the Ossetian separatists that they have destroyed a group of Georgian saboteurs...

District chief sacked in Turkmen southeast for "serious shortcomings".
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Turkmen TV on 30 October [Presenter] We draw your attention to a decree and a resolution signed by the president of Turkmenistan, Saparmyrat [Nyyazow] Turkmenbasy the...

Belarusian president to meet Putin on 9-10 November - agency.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka will visit Moscow to meet President Vladimir Putin on 9-10 November, Belarusian news agency Belapan has reported. It quoted the Belarusian...

Iran: Principle-ist elders go to Esfahan to resolve problems caused by the youth.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Iranian news website Aftab on 31 October; Subhead as published A group of Principle-ist elders, including members of the Islamic Coalition [Mo'talefeh] Party's central...

Iran press: Commentary views "tsunami-like" impact of Ahmadinezhad's stands.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of commentary by Ja'far Golabi under the headline: "Should we believe the ninth tsunami?", published by the report by Iranian newspaper E'temad website on 29 October Ahmadinezhad is a...

Japan to uphold non-nuclear principles - spokesman.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by Japanese news agency Kyodo Tokyo, 31 October: Japan may technically and legally be allowed to possess nuclear arms under its constitution, but Tokyo will uphold...

South Ossetian leader calls on southern Russian republic for support.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Russian news agency ITAR-TASS Nalchik, 31 October: A delegation of the unrecognized republic of South Ossetia headed by its president Eduard Kokoyty has appealed to the...

Japanese military delegation visits Russia's Far East.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Excerpt from report by Russian Ren TV on 31 October [Presenter] The command of the Far Eastern Military District are receiving their opposite numbers from Japan in Khabarovsk today. An...

Croatian president, Slovak minister discuss EU, regional issues.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by Croatian news agency HINA Zagreb, 31 October: Croatian President Stjepan Mesic on Tuesday [31 October] received Slovak Foreign Minister Jan Kubis with whom he...

India, Pakistan troops discuss repatriation issue at crossing point.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Indian news agency PTI Jammu, 31 October: Troops of India and Pakistan on Tuesday [31 October] held a flag meeting over the issue of repatriation of four Pakistani...

Tajik president, Prince Aga Khan open bridge to Afghanistan.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Excerpt from report by Tajik news agency Asia-Plus Dushanbe, 31 October: Today Tajik President Emomali Rahmonov and Prince Karim Aga Khan IV left for Mountainous Badakhshon Autonomous...

Australian spy agency chief tight-lipped on interrogation techniques.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Radio Australia on 31 October The director-general of Australia's Security and Intelligence Organization, ASIO, has refused to answer questions about interrogation...

New head of EU delegation head meets Burundi's first vice-president.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Burundi news agency ABP Bujumbura, 30 October: The first vice-president, Dr Martin Nduwimana, yesterday received the new head of the EU delegation in Burundi, Mr Alain...

Iranian TV commentary on al-Baradi'i's UN remarks.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Iranian TV on 31 October [Newsreader] IAEA Chief Mohammad al-Baradi'i's remarks at the UN General assembly are the subject of our today's commentary. [Political expert...

Chinese spokesman urges restraint on escalating Iran nuclear standoff.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) Beijing, 31 October: China holds that all parties concerned should refrain from taking any action...

Philippine-US war games "a great success" - official.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report [by Ding Cervantes entitled: "Talon vision ends" in English by Philippine newspaper The Philippine Star website on 31 October Clark Field, Pampanga: The 12-day US-RP Talon...

Tussle said possible over post of Speaker after forthcoming Iranian elections.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Iranian newspaper Aftab-e Yazd website on 31 October A founding member of the Party of Iran's New Thinkers has said: These elections are important for the principle-ists...

China tightens border security against North Korea escapees - Japan paper.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Takanori Kato headlined: "Security cameras at border bridge; China on high alert against DPRK escapees"; published by Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun website on 31 October...

Taiwan opposition parties block arms purchase proposal.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) Beijing, 31 October: The procedural committee of Taiwan's "Legislative Yuan" on Tuesday [31 October]...

Portugal "should be" in Lebanon - minister.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Excerpt from interview with Defence Minister Nuno Severiano Teixeira by Teresa de Sousa for Publico and Raquel Abecassis for Radio Renascenca: "I would have been happier with an EU flag for the...

Baghdad's Al-Sadr City said "on strike" to protest US "siege".
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV on 31 October The city of Al-Sadr in eastern Baghdad witnessed a general strike today, in protest of the siege imposed by the US forces on the city...

President to discuss vetting law with Senate Speaker.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by Polish news agency PAP Warsaw, 31 October: President Lech Kaczynski will meet with Senate Speaker Bogdan Borusewicz at 1700 [1600 gmt] on Tuesday [31 October] in...

Iran press: Navy commander says US exercises in Persian Gulf "under control".
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of unattributed report, entitled:"'Referring to the joint exercises, the commander of the navy said: American warships are completely under our control", published by the Iranian newspaper...

China, US, North Korea envoys agree six-way talks to resume "soon" - source.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) Beijing, 31 October: The six-party talks on the Korean Peninsular will be held soon, according to...

Polish minister says leaders' meeting to stimulate Polish-German relations.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Polish radio on 31 October Our chief diplomat, Anna Fotyga, believes that Prime Minister [Jaroslaw] Kaczynski's meeting with [German] Chancellor [Angela] Merkel was to...

UK's Prince Charles visits Pakistan museum.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency Wah Cantt, 31 October: Royal couple Prince of Wales Charles and Duchess of Cornwall on Tuesday [31 October] visited Taxila...

(CORR) CAR: Rebels deny links with Sudan, say want to liberate their homeland.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Radio France Internationale on 31 October (Correcting headline; replacing "Chad" with "CAR". Adding Central African Republic country tag and "CENTAF" to catchline. A...

President Karzai urges patriotism, discipline in Afghan armed forces.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Afghan state TV on 30 October [Presenter] Hamed Karzai, president of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and supreme commander of the Afghan armed forces, had a video...

Iraqi TV reports on security developments in various cities 31 October.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Iraqi Al-Sharqiyah TV within its 1000 gmt newscast on 31 October is observed to carry the following security developments in various Iraqi areas: "A booby-trapped vehicle went off near the...

China's top adviser, Estonian president discuss boosting EU ties.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) Tallinn, 30 October: Visiting top Chinese adviser Jia Qinglin met here Monday [30 October] with...

Indonesia to boost cooperation with China.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) Jakarta, 31 October: Indonesia is looking forward to intensifying and broadening bilateral...

Rights group says police brutality spreading HIV in Papua New Guinea.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Radio Australia "Asia-Pacific" programme on 31 October [Presenter Linda LoPresti] The Papua New Guinea police force has denied claims that its officers engage in...

Iran press: Reformer comments on government role.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report entitled "Abandoning an ideological regime is a most important duty" published by Iranian daily Farhang-e Ashti website on 30 October Farabi cited the abandonment of an...

China's top adviser issues written statement on ties at Ukraine airport.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) Kiev, 30 October: Top Chinese adviser Jia Qinglin arrived here Monday [30 October], beginning his...

Algerian security agency to "re-evaluate" plans following terror attacks.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Excerpt of report by Nissa Hammadi headlined "Double attack: Following the attacks on two police stations, the National Security General Directorate reacts: 'The security presence will be...

South Korea welcomes North decision to return to six-party talks.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by South Korean news agency Yonhap Seoul, 31 October: North Korea has agreed to return to international negotiations over its nuclear weapons programme, China's...

French citizen appeals for release of brother abducted in Iraq in 2005.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Dubai-based news channel Al-Arabiya TV on 31 October [Presenter] Ibrahim Bu-Allam, brother of Abd-al-Rahim Bu-Allam, who was kidnapped in Iraq a year ago along with his...

Chinese parliament dismisses Jiangsu deputy over allegedly taking bribes.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) Beijing, 31 October: A senior legislator from China's eastern Jiangsu Province was dismissed from...

Belarussian deputy foreign minister visits Vietnam.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by Vietnamese news agency VNA website Hanoi: Belarussian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka will pay an official visit to Vietnam in early December 2006. In...

Indonesian lawmakers urge government to reap benefits from China ties.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) Jakarta, 31 October: Indonesian lawmakers and businesspeople urged the government to come up with a...

Japan PM, Equatorial Guinea president discuss democratization.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by Japanese news agency Kyodo Tokyo, 31 October: Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged Tuesday [31 October] that Japan will continue to support efforts by Equatorial...

"Important" consensus made in China-Pakistan strategic dialogue - spokesman.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) Beijing, 31 October: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said here Tuesday [31 October]...

Ansar al-Sunnah claims responsibility for explosion in Iraq's Kirkuk.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Farhad Hama Ali, "Ansar al-Sunnah: Kirkuk explosion aimed at assassination of Sarhad Qadir", published by Pro-Kurdistan Democratic Party, KDP, Peyamner website on 31 October...

China adopts law on top court approval for death sentences.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) Beijing, 31 October: China's top legislature adopted a change to the law on the country's court...

Head of Russian firm arrested over aircraft spares fraud.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Russian RBK TV on 31 October Another person involved in the case of using substandard aircraft spare parts has been arrested. Today the Prosecutor-General's Office brought...

Comoran president arrives in Beijing for China-Africa summit.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) Beijing, 31 October: Comoran President Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed Sambi arrived here Tuesday [31...

Nepal former PM rejects joining pro-republic front.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Nepalese newspaper Annapurna Post on 31 October Kathmandu, 30 October: President of the Nepali Congress (Democratic) and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said...

Kazakh, German foreign ministers discuss energy, security cooperation.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Excerpt from report by Interfax-Kazakhstan news agency Astana, 31 October: Kazakh Foreign Minister Kasymzhomart Tokayev met German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier in Astana today....

North Korean radio says South "military warmongers" aggravate situation.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by North Korean radio on 30 October According to a 27 October broadcast of South Korea's KBS, South Korean military warmongers [Korean: namjoso'ngunsahojo'ngwangdu'ri]...

Daily urges Thai authorities to correct "disastrous policy towards Burma".
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of editorial entitled: "Policy on Burma needs an overhaul" in English by Thai newspaper The Nation website on 31 October The overthrow of the Thaksin govt has created an opportunity to...

Nepali Congress condemns Maoist attacks.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Nepalese daily newspaper Rajdhani on 31 October Kathmandu, 30 October: The Nepali Congress has strongly denounced Maoist activists for attacking and beating up Nepali...

PM stresses "substantive" mutual benefits in China-ASEAN business ties - text.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) "Full text of Wen Jiabao's speech at China-ASEAN Business, Investment Summit" carried in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) Nanning, 31 October:...

Bulgarian nuclear plant construction financing "not secured" - chief.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Bulgarian news agency BGNES website The financing of the Belene Nuclear Power Plant construction has not been secured until now. Negotiations are being conducted with...

UK, EU said frustrated at lack of Bangladesh consensus.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Bangladeshi newspaper Prothom Alo on 31 October The European Union and British High Commission have expressed their frustration at the political parties failing to reach a...

China expects closer ties with Brazil after Lula's re-election - spokesman.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) Beijing, 31 October: China believes the China-Brazil strategic partnership will develop further...

Malaysian politicians assess PM's performance after three years in office.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Soon Li Tsin entitled: "Report card: Pak Lah fails" in English by Malaysian website Malaysiakini on 31 October Exactly three years ago, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi took over as...

Opportunity exists to open news agencies in Iran - IRNA chief.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by Iranian news agency IRNA website Tehran, 31 October: Managing Director of the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) Jalal Fayyazi said here Tuesday [31 October]...

Estonian commentary wants 'vision,' not politics to determine new defence chief.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Estonian newspaper Eesti Paevaleht website on 27 October While the other parties would be happy to see Ants Laaneots become commander of the Estonian Defence Forces,...

Chinese PM stresses importance of Vietnam ties in talks with counterpart.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) Nanning, China, 31 October: The China-Vietnam relationship is one of China's most important...

Medical sources say third Palestinian killed in Khan Yunis 31 October.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Excerpt from report by Palestinian Ramattan News Agency website Gaza, 31 October: Medical sources said this morning that a third Palestinian was killed and another was seriously wounded in...

Liberal politicians call for right-wing democratic party in Russia.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Russian news agency Ekho Moskvy Moscow, 31 October: The country needs a democratic and reformist party, [independent] State Duma deputy Vladimir Ryzhkov has told Ekho...

China ratifies pact with Turkmenistan on fighting "three evil forces".
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) Beijing, 31 October: China's top legislature on Tuesday [31 October] ratified an agreement with...

Iran ready to resume talks without pre-conditions - envoy.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by Iranian news agency IRNA website UN, New York, 31 October: Iran's deputy ambassador to the UN here on Monday [30 October] voiced Iran's readiness to resume...

South Korean official says six-party talks November start likely.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Excerpt from report in English by South Korean news agency Yonhap Seoul, 31 October: South Korea said Tuesday [31 October] that it welcomes North Korea's decision to return to the six-way...

Appeal of Croatian war crimes suspect Glavas against detention order rejected.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by Croatian news agency HINA Zagreb, 31 October: A panel of judges of the Zagreb County Court on Tuesday [31 October] rejected the appeal by independent member of...

Pakistan senator condemns Bajaur attack.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Dubai-based Pakistani television GEO TV on 31 October [Presenter] Four senators from FATA [Federal Administered Tribal Area] have condemned the madrasah strike in Bajaur...

Moldova-Russia train service disrupted.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Excerpt from report by Moldovan news agency Infotag Chisinau, 31 October: Chisinau-Moscow train No 47 could not leave Chisinau today because the Russian Railways refused to allow the train...

US satellite launched with Russian-Ukrainian rocket reaches designated orbit.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by Russian news agency Interfax-AVN website Moscow, 31 October: The XM-4 satellite launched by a Russian-Ukrainian Zenit rocket in the early morning hours of...

Scarlet fever epidemic reportedly in North Korean border area - South paper.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of article by Kim Young Jin from China and Reporter Han Young-jin, defector from Pyongyang, headlined: "Spread of scarlet fever in Ryanggang"; carried in English by South Korean newspaper...

Chinese top party official urges political, legal efforts to protect stability.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) Shenyang, 31 October: A senior official of the Chinese Communist Party has called for stronger...

Minister predicts 20 per cent growth in China-ASEAN trade in 2006.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) Nanning, 31 October: China welcomes goods from ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nations]...

Estonian editorial opposes referendum on introducing nuclear power.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Estonian newspaper Aripaev website on 30 October Estonia now faces the decision with which so many Western states have been wrestling: whether to start using nuclear...

Indonesian commentary on Australian Muslim cleric's rape comments.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report attributed to Ati Nurbaiti: "Sisters, something good has gotta come out of this" in English by Indonesian newspaper The Jakarta Post website on 30 October Now here is a...

Maldives opposition puts forward "transitional constitution".
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Excerpt from report by Sri Lankan-based Maldivian Minivan News website on 31 October The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has agreed on a list of amendments that it would like to see...

Nepal deputy PM says no lasting peace until victims get justice.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Excerpt from report by Nepalese daily newspaper Rajdhani on 31 October Kathmandu, 30 October: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister K.P. Sharma Oli has said that there cannot be...

China adopts anti-money laundering law to include accepting of bribes.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) Beijing, 31 October: China's top legislature adopted here on Tuesday [31 October] an anti-money...

China ratifies treaty with Afghanistan forging closer security ties.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) Beijing, 31 October: China's top legislature on Tuesday [31 October] ratified a treaty with...

US Nepal envoy back from Delhi talks, notes closeness of views.
October 31, 2006... (From BBC Monitoring International Reports) Text of report by Nepalese newspaper The Himalayan Times website on 31 October Kathmandu, [Tuesday] 31 October: US ambassador to Nepal James F. Moriarty, who returned to Kathmandu after...