US missile strike kills 13 suspected militants

MIRAMSHAH: US drones fired a salvo of missiles into a compound in Pakistan’s tribal district of North Waziristan on Friday, killing 13 suspected militants, local security officials said.

The attack came just four days after US commandos shot dead Osama bin Laden in Pakistan’s garrison city of Abbottabad, hundreds of kilometres from the tribal belt and just two hours’ drive from the capital.

“A compound and a vehicle were targeted by US drones in the Datta Khel area of North Waziristan killing eight militants,” a senior Pakistani security official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

“Eight missiles were fired on the targets located close to each other,” he said, adding that four other suspected militants were wounded.

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World praise after Osama killing

HONG KONG: Global acclamation Monday over the death of Osama bin Laden was tempered by leaders' acknowledgement that the long war against terrorism is far from over and that Al-Qaeda could yet strike back.

Announcing the killing by US special forces of the world's most wanted man, President Barack Obama said "justice has been done", while his predecessor George W. Bush hailed it as a "momentous" achievement.

But in a sign of tensions to come, India lashed out at its arch-foe Pakistan, saying that the fact the manhunt ended at a luxurious villa north of Islamabad was further evidence that militants find "sanctuary" in the country.

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari convened emergency talks with his prime minister and security chiefs in Islamabad -- a mere two hours' drive from bin Laden's place of death in the town of Abbottabad.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani told AFP in an interview that the killing of bin Laden was a "great victory".

But officials in both Islamabad and Washington confirmed the dramatic operation which took place in the dead of night did not involve Pakistani forces.

In neighbouring Afghanistan, the fulcrum of Bush's "war on terror" where bin Laden had found shelter in the late 1990s, President Hamid Karzai said the Al-Qaeda supremo had "paid for his actions".

But pointing the finger at Pakistan, Karzai also claimed vindication for his oft-stated belief that Afghanistan is not the true hub of the war on terror.

"The war against terrorism is in its sources, in its financial sources, its sanctuaries, in its training bases, not in Afghanistan."

The news was greeted with jubilation in foreign capitals, mixed with apprehension about the possible repercussions and renewed promises of vigilance.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy congratulated the United States for its "tenacity" in hunting down bin Laden nearly 10 years after the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington, which ignited a decade of tumult.

"The scourge of terrorism has suffered a historic defeat but it's not the end of Al-Qaeda," Sarkozy stressed in a statement.

British Prime Minister David Cameron said bin Laden's demise would "bring great relief to people across the world".

"It is a great success that he has been found and will no longer be able to pursue his campaign of global terror," Cameron said in a statement.

Israel was fulsome in its praise of the United States, its vital security ally.

"The state of Israel joins together in the joy of the American people after the liquidation of bin Laden," said a statement from the premier's office.

"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulates US President Barack Obama for this victory for justice, liberty and the common values of democratic nations which fought side by side against terrorism."

The Kremlin said bin Laden's death was a "serious success" for the United States and that Russia was willing to step up its cooperation with Washington in the fight against terror.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said: "Last night the forces of peace achieved a victory. But this does not mean that international terrorism has been defeated yet. We must all remain vigilant."

The US State Department issued a global travel alert to all US citizens warning that there could be an outbreak of anti-American violence after bin Laden's death. Police agency Interpol warned of a "heightened terror risk".

Bush, who was president at the time of the September 11 attacks and launched the subsequent war in Afghanistan, congratulated Obama, US intelligence and military forces.

"The fight against terror goes on, but tonight America has sent an unmistakable message: No matter how long it takes, justice will be done," Obama's predecessor said.

Prior to 9/11, Al-Qaeda earned global notoriety with truck bombings outside the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania that killed 224 people in August 1998, most of them Africans.

Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki said the killing of bin Laden was an "act of justice" for the victims of the bombings at the embassy in Nairobi.

But India, which has fought three wars with Pakistan, said news that bin Laden had been hiding out across its border was deeply worrying.

"We take note with grave concern that part of the statement in which President Obama said that the firefight in which Osama bin Laden was killed took place in Abbottabad 'deep inside Pakistan'," Indian Home Minister P. Chidambaram said.

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William and Kate marry as world watches

LONDON: Prince William married Kate Middleton in regal splendor at London’s Westminster Abbey Friday as huge crowds and a global TV audience watched Britain’s biggest royal celebration for three decades.

Kate, wearing a stunning ivory and white satin wedding dress with long lace sleeves, a veil and a flowing train, stood composed at the altar with the second in line to the throne who wore a smart scarlet military tunic.

“I will,” the future king and queen each pronounced solemnly in turn, before William put a ring fashioned from a nugget of Welsh gold on her finger and then Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams pronounced them man and wife.

It is the richest display of pageantry since William’s late mother Diana married Prince Charles in 1981 and offers Britain’s royal family a chance at renewal after Charles and Diana’s bitterly public split.

The absence of Diana, who died in a car crash in Paris in 1997, was keenly felt, and music played at the wedding 30 years ago and at her funeral in the same abbey were played during Friday’s service.

Two billion people – a third of the world’s population – are expected to watch Diana’s eldest son wed the commoner he began dating at St Andrews university in Scotland eight years ago.

As a sea of hundreds of thousands of people waved Union Jacks in London, Kate waved to the crowd as she arrived at the abbey with her father Michael in a Rolls-Royce limousine.

She took four minutes to walk down the aisle, which was lined with trees specially brought in to create the feel of an English garden.

William Arthur Philip Louis – as Diana’s eldest son and the second in line to the throne was called during the service – arrived at the church 45 minutes earlier accompanied by his younger brother and best man Prince Harry.

Kate however did not promise to obey her husband in her marriage vows – following in the footsteps of Diana, who married Charles on July 29, 1981 at St Paul’s Cathedral. Charles and Diana divorced 15 years later.

Palace officials confirmed her dress was by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen, the iconic British designer who committed suicide last year.
Guests inside included footballer David Beckham, singer Elton John and “Mr Bean” actor Rowan Atkinson. Fifty members of the royal family and dozens of foreign royals were due after William.

Queen Elizabeth II granted the couple the titles Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as a wedding gift earlier in the day.

Hundreds of thousands of campers transformed The Mall, the wide boulevard leading to Buckingham Palace, into a sea of Union Jack flags.

“They will make the monarchy fashionable again. It’s good for the country,”said Louise Akehurst, 25, an administrator from London.

William, a 28-year-old Royal Air Force search and rescue helicopter pilot, has long been seen as the great hope of the royal family for the future after a string of failed marriages and scandals.

Sandra Russell, 65, who is of French-British nationality, said she thought the marriage would be successful because Kate is “much older than Diana was at the time, much more mature and they are marrying for love.” “Charles was under the pressure of his family.”

People here are still angry at him, and Camilla (his second wife) too. I hope William will be the next king.” After the service, the newlyweds will travel in a horse-drawn open carriage from the abbey to Buckingham Palace where the couple will follow tradition by appearing on the balcony with the rest of the royal family and kissing.

More than 8,500 journalists and technical staff are covering the wedding for a global audience.

And the world will join in the party. New York’s iconic Empire State Building will be illuminated in blue, white and red in honor of the royal couple.

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PPP and Q agree to seal deal

ISLAMABAD, LAHORE: In another round of talks on Friday, the Pakistan People’s Party and Pakistan Muslim League-Q firmed up their new political alliance, with the former conceding to create the post of deputy prime minister for the latter and agreeing to keep the Higher Education Commission (HEC) under the federal government, sources in the two parties told Dawn.

One interesting aspect of the meeting between President Asif Ai Zardari and Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain was that it was also attended by PML-Q’s Faisal Saleh Hayat who was earlier reported to be opposing the plan for his party to join the coalition government.

Mr Zardari, who is Co-Chairman of the PPP, accepted Q-League’s demand that its leader Chaudhry Pervez Elahi should be deputy prime minister in the new set-up.

He also agreed that the HEC would not be devolved to the provinces and the National Curriculum and National Drug Control would remain federal subjects.

The two sides also agreed to create Saraiki and Hazara provinces and to form a commission for the purpose. Mr Hayat said the two parties would formally sign an agreement next week.

If the agreed formula is implemented, the PML-Q will get six ministries —health, trade and commerce, petroleum, industries, agriculture and information technology —and six ministries of state, three advisers to the prime minister and UN ambassadorship.

Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said: “The meeting discussed political situation and realignment of political forces to face new challenges.” He said more meetings would be held soon.

Information Minister Firdos Ashiq Awan told reporters that the political situation would clear in about three days.

When contacted, Faisal Salah Hayat said: “Today we gave a formal shape to our accord with the PPP under which it has been decided that Chaudhry Pervez Elahi will be deputy prime minister.”

Sources said that Mr Zardari had also agreed to make some constitutional amendments for the purpose.

Legal experts said there was no bar in the Constitution to the creation of a post for deputy prime minister and it had been done in the past.

Besides distribution of ministries, Mr Hayat said, many other important issues, including long-term partnership and seat adjustments in the next elections, had been discussed at the meeting.

He said that President Zardari was very candid and keenly listened to “our points of view and assured us that all demands would be met.”

Observers believe that the post deputy prime minister will curtail the powers of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

Mr Gilani was kept away from negotiations between the two parties and said this while talking to reporters in Multan talks being held between President Zardari and Q-Leaguers and he would inform “me after finalising the deal”.

The PPP’s core and parliamentary committees have already given their consent to the alliance and authorised President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani to finalise a deal with the PML-Q.

The PPP needs PML-Q’s support for a comprehensive majority in parliament after its two coalition partners — Muttahida Qaumi Movement and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-F —quit the government.

Wajahat Husain, Sheikh Waqas Akram, Raza Hayat Hiraj, Riaz Peerzada, Sardar Talib Nakai, Sultan Cheema, Atif Tauseef, Amir Muqam, Ghaus Bakhsh Mehr and Akram Gil of the PML-Q are set to be included in the expanded cabinet next week.

The sources said the PPP had also agreed to give four Senate seats to the Q-League in the March election.
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29/4/11

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Explosion kills two in Kurram tribal region

PESHAWAR: At least two people were killed and six were wounded in an explosion in northwest Pakistan’s Kurram tribal region on Saturday, DawnNews reported.

Hospital sources said the explosion occurred when a passenger vehicle, travelling from central to lower Kurram, struck a landmine in the Ladha area.

The vehicle was destroyed in the explosion and led to the deaths of two people. Six people were also wounded.

In another incident in central Kurram, armed men abducted eight people along with their three vehicles.

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29/4/11 

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US envoy visits Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Saudi Arabia

WASHINGTON: The US special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Marc Grossman, has begun a tour of both countries as well as India and Saudi Arabia, the State Department said Thursday.

It will be the first time that Grossman, who departed Washington on Wednesday, has traveled to India since he succeeded Richard Holbrooke, who died in December, the department said in a statement.

“In all of his meetings in the region, Ambassador Grossman will emphasize the US commitment to long-term, enduring partnerships with both Afghanistan and Pakistan,” the department said.

“In Kabul and Islamabad, Ambassador Grossman will meet with senior government officials, parliamentarians, and representatives from civil society and local media,” the department said.

He will also meet in Pakistan with those who chair the US-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue working groups to discuss preparations for the next round of consultations, it said.

“In Riyadh, Ambassador Grossman will also meet with senior government officials,” it said.

A State Department document from February 2010 that was released by whistleblower website WikiLeaks late last year said Saudi Arabia has been assisting in negotiations with the Taliban militia in Afghanistan.

Other US diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks said Saudi Arabia is also the key source of funding for radical groups including Al-Qaeda, the Taliban, Lashkar-e-Taiba in Pakistan and Hamas in Gaza.

Gross’ tour comes as President Barack Obama reshuffles his national security team by appointing CIA chief Leon Panetta as defense secretary, and General David Petraeus, commander of forces in Afghanistan, as CIA chief.

The US contingent which makes up two-thirds of the 140,000 member International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) is due to begin drawing down this summer.

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Pakistan’s fight against corruption will bear fruit

ISLAMABAD: Runaway wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider Thursday backed Pakistan’s fight against corruption after bookmakers confessed to making the death threats which prompted him to spend months in self-exile.

Haider hoped steps taken by the International Cricket (ICC), Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Pakistan’s government would curb match and spot-fixing, and said he supported the efforts even if it damaged his career.

“I am satisfied that the ongoing fight against corruption in cricket will bear positive results,” Haider, 25, told AFP by telephone.

“I put my career on line and still don’t bother if it continues to suffer.”

Haider returned to Pakistan Monday, after fleeing an international one-day series in United Arab Emirates last November because of death threats, and seeking political asylum in Britain.

On Wednesday, Pakistan police said bookmakers among eight arrested in the city of Sialkot had admitted threatening Haider.

The wicketkeeper, who is still awaiting security clearance to return to his home city of Lahore, said the arrests have given him more confidence.

“The kind of confidence given to me by the government has brought me back and I am happy that they are taking serious steps,” said Haider.

“The image of Pakistan cricket has been badly hurt by match-fixing and this continues to haunt it after every few months, but now I hope that with the serious steps and actions a time will come when our cricket becomes clean.”

Pakistan cricket has been rocked by fixing controversies since 1995 when Australian players Shane Warne, Tim May and Mark Waugh alleged then captain Salim Malik offered them bribes to underperform during a tour to Pakistan.

Last year Pakistan’s tour of England was marred by a sensational spot-fixing scandal, ending in lengthy bans for three of their key players — Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir.

“Pakistan cricket needs to get respect which it will get,” said Haider. The wicketkeeper, who earlier announced his retirement from international cricket, said he would soon clarify his position with the PCB.

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