BBC Monitoring International Reports articles from October 2008

BBC Monitoring International Reports archives from October 2008

Algeria says US air raid "violates" Syria's sovereignty.
October 31, 2008... Text of report by state-owned Algerian TV on 30 October According to a statement which has been issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Algeria is following with deep concern the attack which was carried out by US air units on a Syrian...

Dalai Lama arrives in Japan, to give speeches in Tokyo, Fukuoka.
October 31, 2008... Text of report in English by Japan's largest news agency Kyodo Narita, Japan, 31 October: The Dalai Lama arrived in Japan early Friday [31 October] from New Delhi. He is scheduled to give speeches at the Foreign Correspondents' Club...

S Korean shares rise after weak start.
October 31, 2008... Text of report in English by South Korean news agency Yonhap Seoul, 31 October: South Korean stocks opened slightly lower Friday [31 October] but soon gained ground as foreign and retail investors were heartened by overnight Wall Street...

South Korean currency dips to US dollar.
October 31, 2008... Text of report in English by South Korean news agency Yonhap Seoul, 31 October: South Korea's currency plunged against the dollar Friday [31 October] for the first time in three days following the previous session's surge triggered by a...

Ten militants killed, one arrested in Pakistan's Swat.
October 31, 2008... Text of report by official news agency Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) Peshawar 30 October [Thursday]: As many as 10 militants were killed while one was arrested as operation continued in Sarsanai in Swat valley, says a press release...

Takesaki formally named as Supreme Court chief justice in Japan.
October 31, 2008... Text of report in English by Japan's largest news agency Kyodo Tokyo, 31 October: Hironobu Takesaki, head of the Tokyo High Court, was formally named as the 17th chief justice of the Supreme Court Friday [31 October] at the Cabinet...

Taleban release 62 armed force members in Pakistan's Swat.
October 31, 2008... Text of report by official news agency Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) Peshawar, 30 October [Thursday]: The Swat Taleban on Thursday released 62 members of 'Qaumi Lashkar' [national armed force] made hostage by them four days ago...

Pakistan asks US to provide night-vision goggles to combat militants.
October 31, 2008... Text of report by official news agency Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) Islamabad, 30 October [Thursday]: Pakistan on Thursday reiterated its demand to the United States of America to provide night-vision goggles and latest equipment...

Pakistan official says India failed to provide required water storage data.
October 31, 2008... Text of report by official news agency Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) Islamabad, 30 October [Thursday]: Indus Water Commissioner (IWC) Jamaat Ali Shah on Thursday said India had failed to provide the required data to Pakistan about...

Pakistan TV show discusses government's failure to complete federal cabinet.
October 31, 2008... Karachi Geo News television in Urdu at 1600 gmt on 29 October relays live regularly scheduled "Today with Kamran Khan" programme. Noted Pakistani journalist Kamran Khan reviews, discusses and analyzes major day-to-day developments with...

S Korean defence minister leaves 6 Nov to visit Iraq, Lebanon.
October 31, 2008... Text of report in English by South Korean news agency Yonhap Seoul, 31 October: South Korean Defence Minister Lee Sang-hee will head to Iraq and Lebanon next month to visit South Korean troops deployed there as part of the country's...

Report says poor security on Pakistan-Afghan highway hampers travel.
October 31, 2008... Text of report by Sudhir Ahmad Afridi headlined "Terror reigns supreme on Pak-Afghan Highway" published by Pakistani newspaper Daily Times website on 30 October Landikotal: Bomb blasts, suicide attacks, firing and kidnappings have made...

UAE Air Force team meets Pakistani counterparts in Islamabad.
October 31, 2008... Text of report by staff reporter headlined "UAE air force team visits Air Headquarters" published by Pakistani newspaper Daily Times website on 30 October Islamabad: United Arab Emirates [UAE] Air Force Deputy Commander Muhammad Ibrahim...

Three killed in suspected sectarian attack in northwest Pakistan town.
October 31, 2008... Text of report by correspondent headlined "Three killed in D.I. Khan" published by Pakistani newspaper Dawn website on 30 October Dera Ismail Khan [North-West Frontier Province], 29 October [Wednesday]: Three members of a family were...

Twenty-five feared dead in sand slide in Indonesia.
October 31, 2008... Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) Jakarta, 31 October: At least 25 sand miners were feared dead in a sand slide Thursday [30 October] in Sulawesi Island, east of Indonesia, Health...

UK's Prince Charles leaves Japan, heads for Brunei.
October 31, 2008... Text of report in English by Japan's largest news agency Kyodo Tokyo, 31 October: Britain's Prince Charles and his wife Camilla left Tokyo Friday morning [31 October] for their next destination Brunei, following his first visit to Japan...

Japan's consumer price index rose again in September.
October 31, 2008... Text of report in English by Japan's largest news agency Kyodo Tokyo, 31 October: Japan's key consumer price index in September rose 2.3 per cent from a year earlier for the 12th straight month of increase on growing energy and food...

East Timorese leader asks for help to counter people smuggling.
October 31, 2008... Excerpts from report by Radio Australia on 31 October The President of East Timor says his country is vulnerable to becoming a staging ground for people smugglers unless the Australian Government does more to help East Timor's maritime...

India: UN chief for "urgent" action to address financial crisis.
October 31, 2008... Text of report by Indian news agency PTI New Delhi, 30 October [Thursday]: Fearing that the global financial crisis could affect development assistance and hurt poor nations, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday advocated "urgent,...

Tokyo stocks fall due to selling for quick gain, dismal forecast.
October 31, 2008... Excerpts from report in English by Japan's largest news agency Kyodo Tokyo, 31 October: Tokyo stocks retreated Friday morning [31 October], with the key Nikkei index failing to maintain the 9,000 mark, as investors secured quick profits...

Three dead, 26 still missing in northwest China colliery blast.
October 31, 2008... Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) Chengcheng, Shaanxi, 31 October: Three are confirmed dead and 26 others remain missing 36 hours after a colliery gas explosion in northwest China's...

Pakistan "should formulate its own policy" to tackle militancy - journalist.
October 31, 2008... Text of report by Saadia Khalid headlined "Pakistan 'should formulate its own policy'" published by Pakistani newspaper The News website on 30 October Islamabad: Pakistan should make its own policy to curb militancy in FATA [Federally...

Ghana: Police rescue Israeli businessman kidnapped by "Nigerian fraudsters".
October 31, 2008... Text of report by state-owned Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) Radio 1 on 30 October A sixty-two year old Israeli businessman and consultant, Dror Weinstein, who was lured into Ghana by a gang of Nigerian fraudsters and kidnapped,...

International body chief urges DRCongo to solve crisis in east.
October 31, 2008... Text of report by George Kagame and Arthur Mordaunt entitled "Don't blame Rwanda, solve crisis - ICGLR advises DRC" published in English by Rwandan newspaper The New Times website on 31 October Johannesburg: The Executive Secretary of...

Pakistan: Doctors go on strike as government fails to recover abducted colleague.
October 31, 2008... Text of report by Mushtaq Yusufzai headlined "Doctors go on strike in Kurram, Khyber regions" published by Pakistani newspaper The News website on 30 October Peshawar: The Provincial Doctors Association (PDA) announced to withdraw...

Tanzania: House panel urges freeze on new mining contracts.
October 31, 2008... Text of report by Rose Mwalongo entitled "No new mining pacts, House team pleads" published by Tanzanian newspaper The Guardian website on 30 October The parliamentary committee on energy and minerals has urged the government to refrain...

Sri Lankan president calls for local military research.
October 31, 2008... Text of report by Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence, Public Security, Law and Order website on 31 October President Mahinda Rajapakse yesterday urged those engaged in scientific research to focus their attention on military research. ...

Japan repeats call to N Korea to act on promise to probe kidnaps.
October 31, 2008... Excerpts from report in English by Japan's largest news agency Kyodo Tokyo, 31 October: Japan reiterated its call on North Korea on Friday [31 October] to launch as promised a reinvestigation into cases of its past abductions soon, with...

Thousands of DRCongolese refugees arrive in northwestern Rwanda.
October 31, 2008... Excerpt from report by Martin Tindiwensi entitled "Thousands flee Goma to Rwanda" published in English by Rwandan newspaper The New Times website on 31 October Hundreds of Congolese and international aid workers continued fleeing to...

Saudi Arabia announces 100m-dollar aid for Pakistan quake victims.
October 31, 2008... Text of report by leading private Pakistani satellite TV channel Geo News website on 31 October Islamabad: The Saudi government would provide 100m dollars for Baluchistan quake victims. Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Ali Awadh Asseri...

UN panel urges Japan to consider ending death penalty.
October 31, 2008... Text of report in English by Japan's largest news agency Kyodo Geneva, 31 October: A UN human rights panel urged Japan Thursday [30 October] to consider the termination of the death penalty regardless of public opinion. In its first...

India, Russia giving final shape to moon mission-2 - official.
October 31, 2008... Text of report by Indian news agency PTI Bangalore, 30 October [Thursday]: With Chandrayaan-1 well on its way to moon without any glitch, Indian Space Research Organisation [ISRO] has now initiated a dialogue with its Russian counterpart...

Canadian company says India can buy uranium "anytime" and "stockpile".
October 31, 2008... Text of report by Indian news agency PTI Mumbai [western India/Maharashtra], 30 October [Thursday]: Canada, one of the key members of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), on Thursday said that India can order for uranium anytime and can...

India: UN chief pitches for pro-poor outcome at WTO trade talks.
October 31, 2008... Text of report by Indian news agency PTI New Delhi, 30 October [Thursday]: Pitching for a pro-poor outcome of the WTO talks, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday said leadership from all sides, including India was required to...

PM says "divisive" forces out to halt India's progress.
October 31, 2008... Text of report by Indian news agency PTI [Manash Pratim Bhuyan] Nanded (Maharashtra), 30 October [Thursday]: In the wake of attacks on north Indians in Maharashtra and a series of explosions across the country, Prime Minister...

Tanzania: Energy regulator gives oil firms "one week" to lower fuel prices.
October 31, 2008... Text of report by Angel Navuri entitled "Oil firms are given seven days to lower retail prices" published by Tanzanian newspaper The Guardian website on 30 October The Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (Ewura) has given oil...

Sri Lanka Air Force attack kills teenager in north - Tamil website.
October 31, 2008... Text of report by Sri Lankan TamilNet website on 30 October A 16-year-old boy was killed with his arm blown off and 17-year-old girl seriously injured in the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombing the civilian settlement in Va'l'lipunam in...

Armenian economist blames food, fuel prices on monopolies.
October 31, 2008... The monopolization of its economy will prevent Armenia from benefiting from the falling international food and fuel prices, an Armenian economist has said. Professor Tatul Manaseryan has told a news conference that import-oriented...

Ugandan opposition to "wait longer" to govern country, says minister.
October 31, 2008... Text of report by Grace Matsiko entitled "Opposition will wait for long before leading country -Amama" published by leading privately-owned Ugandan newspaper The Daily Monitor website on 31 October Security Minister Amama Mbabazi...

Bank of Japan cuts key interest rate to 0.3 from 0.5 per cent.
October 31, 2008... Text of report in English by Japan's largest news agency Kyodo Tokyo, 31 October: The Bank of Japan decided to cut its key interest rate to 0.3 per cent from the current 0.5 per cent on Friday [31 October]. The decision was made at...

Uganda: Pay TV firms introduce automated payment systems.
October 31, 2008... Text of unattributed report entitled "Pay TV ease reconnection" published by leading privately-owned Ugandan newspaper The Daily Monitor website on 31 October To better service delivery through innovation, pay TVs have introduced an...

S Korea to delay steel delivery to North pending nuke protocol.
October 31, 2008... Text of report in English by South Korean news agency Yonhap Seoul, 31 October: South Korea will likely postpone steel shipments to North Korea until agreement is reached at upcoming six-party nuclear disarmament talks on a protocol to...

Rwanda denies DRCongolese rebels using its territory.
October 31, 2008... Text of report by Edwin Musoni entitled "Gov't denies DRC rebels using Rwandan territory" published in English by Rwandan newspaper The New Times website on 31 October Nyarugenge - Rwanda's Foreign Affairs Minister, Rosemary Museminali,...

Ugandan MPs say country "backsliding" in information technology development.
October 31, 2008... Text of report by Ismail Musa Ladu entitled "MPs query ICT development" published by leading privately-owned Ugandan newspaper The Daily Monitor website on 31 October The parliamentary committee on information and communication...

Uganda: Security minister accused of tampering with land probe report.
October 31, 2008... Text of report by Emmanuel Gyezabo entitled "Mbabazi tampered with NSSF report" published by leading privately-owned Ugandan newspaper The Daily Monitor website on 31 October The political tide threatening the career of Security Minister...

Uganda: State media firm posts " robust performance".
October 31, 2008... Text of report by Sylvia Juuko entitled "Vision investors to get 1.7bn shillings" published by state-owned, mass-circulation Ugandan daily The New Vision website on 31 October New Vision shareholders will get 1.68bn shillings [about...

Sri Lanka "well equipped" to handle any challenge from Tamil Tigers - minister.
October 31, 2008... Text of report by JG Stephen headlined "Media minister says govt prepared to meet any challenge from LTTE" published by Sri Lankan newspaper Virakesari on 30 October Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena acknowledged at a media...

Southern Sudan state starts campaign in preparation for elections.
October 31, 2008... Text of report in English by independent, Nairobi-based, USAID-funded Sudan Radio Service on 31 October The SPLM in Jonglei state has started a campaign to explain the political ideas of the party in preparation for general elections...

Members of teachers' union arrested in south Sudan state.
October 31, 2008... Text of report in English by independent, Nairobi-based, USAID-funded Sudan Radio Service on 31 October Eleven members of a teachers' union have been arrested in Bentiu, Unity State [southern Sudan]. The union leaders were arrested...

Grenade blast kills one child in southern Sudan.
October 31, 2008... Text of report in English by independent, Nairobi-based, USAID-funded Sudan Radio Service on 31 October A child was killed and eight others were seriously injured when a grenade was thrown into a house in Malakal on Wednesday. Ali...

Defence in banker murder case says no fair trial in Russia.
October 31, 2008... Text of report by Gazprom-owned, editorially independent Russian radio station Ekho Moskvy on 31 October [Presenter] Today the Moscow City Court is expected to set the date when the sentence in the case of the murder of the first deputy...

Palestinians fire missiles at Israeli patrol near Gaza.
October 31, 2008... Text of report by Israel Defence Forces Radio on 31 October This morning, armed Palestinians fired two antitank missiles at an IDF force patrolling along the Gaza Strip security fence. No injuries or damage were reported. The force...

Syria denies reducing military presence at border with Iraq.
October 31, 2008... Text of report by Qatari government-funded, pan-Arab news channel Al-Jazeera satellite TV on 31 October A spokeswoman for the Syrian Government has denied reports of Syrian troop movements near the border with Iraq following the recent US...

Russia, Macedonia lift visa requirements.
October 31, 2008... Text of report by Gazprom-owned, editorially independent Russian radio station Ekho Moskvy on 31 October Macedonia is abolishing visas for Russians. From today [31 October], [Russian] citizens going to that country to make business...

Iranian vice-president recounts agenda of Shanghai block summit.
October 31, 2008... Text of report by state-run Iranian radio on 31 October Iran's First Vice-President, Parviz Davudi, who visited Kazakhstan to attend a session of the Council of Prime Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), has returned...

Pakistan poll body chief leaves for US to monitor presidential elections.
October 31, 2008... Text of report by official news agency Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) Islamabad, 31 October [Friday]: On the special invitation of the US government, Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan, Justice (Retd) Qazi Muhammad Farooq on...

Kyrgyz police seize extremist files from Internet cafe in south.
October 31, 2008... Text of report entitled "Advanced propagandists" by privately-owned weekly Kyrgyz newspaper MSN on 17 October Already the second case of religious extremists using Internet cafes to promote their ideas has been registered in Kyrgyzstan....

Kyrgyzstan, Turkey sign cooperation documents.
October 31, 2008... Excerpt from report by privately-owned Kyrgyz AKIpress news agency website Bishkek, 31 October: Kyrgyz Prime Minister Igor Chudinov continues his official visit to Turkey, the Kyrgyz government press service has reported. As was...

Abkhaz separatists begin "cleansing" in Georgian villages - TV.
October 31, 2008... Text of report by state-funded Georgian Public Television Channel 1 on 31 October [Presenter] The [Abkhaz] separatists have started the so-called cleansing in villages of the lower zone of [Abkhazia's predominantly Georgian-populated]...

India seeks information on nationals missing in Sudan.
October 31, 2008... Text of report by Indian news agency PTI New Delhi, [Thursday] 30 October: Concerned over the fate of two of its nationals missing in Sudan, India Thursday sought "conclusive" information about them as [Indian] External Affairs Minister...

South Korean medical unit ends Iraq mission.
October 31, 2008... Text of report in English by South Korean news agency Yonhap SEOUL, Oct. 31 (Yonhap) - The medical unit of a South Korean contingent in Iraq this week terminated its mission in the Middle Eastern nation, which provided free medical...

Indonesia: Suspected JI member reportedly arrested.
October 31, 2008... Text of report in English by Indonesian government-owned news agency Antara website [Unattributed article: "Police reportedly arrest suspected JI member"] Article Transcription: Maos Sub-district Police have reportedly arrested a...

USA expresses appreciation for South Korea's Iraq deployment.
October 31, 2008... Text of report in English by South Korean news agency Yonhap WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 (Yonhap) - The United States Thursday thanked South Korea for the contribution its troops have made to the stabilization of Iraq as part of the US-led war....

South Koreans to get visa-free travel to USA from 17 November.
October 31, 2008... Text of report in English by South Korean news agency Yonhap SEOUL, Oct. 31 (Yonhap) - South Korean citizens will be allowed to visit the United States visa-free starting Nov. 17, when the visa waiver programme (VWP) for South Korea goes...

Thailand: Army chief puts forces on weekend alert.
October 31, 2008... Text of report in English by Thai newspaper The Nation website on 31 October [Unattributed report from the "Breaking News" section: "Army chief orders soldiers to be on alert during weekend"] Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Anupong...

South Korea to donate war monument to Colombia.
October 31, 2008... Text of report in English by South Korean news agency Yonhap SEOUL, Oct. 31 (Yonhap) - South Korea will donate a Korean War monument to Colombia this week in a show of appreciation for the thousands of Colombian troops who fought in the...

UN chief to visit Bangladesh 1-2 November.
October 31, 2008... Text of report headlined "Ban Ki-moon arrives tomorrow" by Bangladeshi newspaper The Daily Star website on 31 October UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is scheduled to arrive tomorrow evening on a two-day official visit to the country. ...

Bridge exploded in Georgia's separatist South Ossetia - agency.
October 31, 2008... Text of report by corporate-owned Russian news agency Interfax Tskhinvali, 31 October: A bridge was blown up in the South Ossetian village of Artsevi on Friday night [31 October]. An operational investigative group has been sent to the...

At least 25 gold miners feared dead in Indonesia landslide.
October 31, 2008... Text of report in English by Japan's largest news agency Kyodo Jakarta, Oct. 31 Kyodo - At least five illegal gold miners were killed and 20 are feared dead after being buried by a landslide in central Indonesia, a government official...

EU mulls sending humanitarian aid to eastern DRCongo.
October 31, 2008... Excerpt from report by French state-funded public broadcaster Radio France Internationale on 31 October [Presenter] Calm relative has returned to the eastern town of Goma following looting and violence [committed by government soldiers]....

USA accuses Mugabe of refusing to implement power-sharing agreement.
October 31, 2008... Text of report by South Africa-based ZimOnline website on 31 October [Report by Nokuthula Sibanda and Norest Muzvaba: "US Says Mugabe Stalling Power-Sharing Deal"] HARARE - The United States (US) has accused Zimbabwean President...

Afghan leader rejects public hangings.
October 31, 2008... Representatives of women from across Afghanistan have called on President Hamed Karzai not to undermine the situation of women through talks with the Taleban. They called on the president to make sure their rights are guaranteed. Speaking at...

Russia: Man injured in car bomb attack in Ingushetia.
October 31, 2008... Text of report by corporate-owned Russian news agency Interfax Nazran, 31 October: A car belonging to a local resident has been blown up in the Ingush town of Karabulak. The man was injured and taken to hospital. The blast occurred...

Kenyan paper endorses Obama for USA presidency.
October 31, 2008... Text of editorial entitled "Why we endorse Barack Obama" published by Kenyan privately-owned daily newspaper The Standard website on 31 October; subheadings as published The world stands on the threshold of an historic change as the...

Kuwait's premier discusses ties with British counterpart.
October 31, 2008... Text of report in English by Kuwaiti government-owned news agency Kuna website Kuwait, Oct 31 (KUNA) - His Highness Prime Minister Shaykh Nasir Muhammad al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah received on Friday [31 Oct] a telephone contact from...

Daily examines impact of Iranian economy's dependence on oil income.
October 31, 2008... Text of report by moderate reformist Iranian daily Aftab-e Yazd website Text of unattributed report headlined "It is now a rainy day but we do not have much money left in the foreign currency reserve fund! We lost the opportunities that...

Somaliland authorities commence probe into terror attacks.
October 31, 2008... Text of report in English entitled "Somaliland police search for clues after terror attacks" published by Somali pro-Puntland government Garoweonline website on 30 October Authorities in Somalia's self declared Republic of Somaliland are...

Kenya: Report says ethnicity hampering war on corruption.
October 31, 2008... Text of report by Lumiti Khabuchi entitled "Report claims ethnicity in coalition government hampering war on corruption" published by Kenyan opposition newspaper Kenya Times website on 31 October Kenya's power-sharing arrangement has...

Rwanda, DRCongo officials to discuss crisis 31 October.
October 31, 2008... Text of report in English by Rwandan radio on 31 October [Presenter] Rwanda's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Corporation Rosemary Museminali denies Rwanda's involvement in the ongoing conflict in the DRCongo, between the government...

Russia: Ingush opposition leader says "outcry" prompted president's resignation.
October 31, 2008... Text of report by Gazprom-owned, editorially independent Russian news agency Ekho Moskvy One of [Ingushetia's] opposition leaders, Magomed Khazbiyev, links the resignation of Ingush President Murat Zyazikov to "the outcry surrounding the...

Croatia, Serbia discuss plans for joint police task force.
October 31, 2008... Text of report in English by Croatian state news agency HINA ZAGREB/BELGRADE, Oct 30 (Hina) - The national police chiefs of Croatia and Serbia, Vladimir Faber and Milorad Veljovic respectively, discussed the possibility of setting up a...

Ex-Kyrgyz minister says his party not against president but personnel policy.
October 31, 2008... In an interview with reporter Azamat Tynayev, former Justice Minister Marat Kayypov, who has joined the moderate opposition party Dzhany Kyrgyzstan, explains the reasons behind his resignation as justice minister, denies corruption...

Central bank chief assures Belarusians of currency stability.
October 31, 2008... National Bank of the Republic of Belarus head Pyotr Prakapovich has sought to reassure Belarusians of the stability of the banking sector and urged them against panic-buying of foreign currency. Appearing in state TV's main evening news...

Indonesia: Attorney-general's office denies 1 Nov execution date.
October 31, 2008... Text of report in English by influential Indonesian newspaper The Jakarta Post English-language website on 30 October [Unattributed article: "AGO denies execution date rumour, lawyers cite different day"] Article Transcription: The...