The New Nation - Internet Edition

State of the Union speech: US economic growth is slowing, admits Bush

BBC Online

President George W Bush has admitted US economic growth is slowing, but in his final State of the Union address urged Americans to have long-term confidence.

The president acknowledged that the US was facing "uncertainty".

A $150bn (£76bn) stimulus plan negotiated with Congress would help, he said, and must be passed soon.

Bush also said his troop "surge" in Iraq was succeeding after a long and costly war, and that al-Qaeda was "on the run" and would be defeated.

He called on Iran's leaders to cease their "support for terror abroad", although he said the US respected the country's people.

Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said that while they agreed with Bush on the need for a bipartisan approach, he "offered little more than the status quo".

"At a time when our economy is on shaky ground and our leadership around the world is eroding, the status quo won't do," they said in a joint statement.

Bush acknowledged that the US was "undergoing a period of economic uncertainty", but sought to reassure the nation. "At kitchen tables across our country, there is concern about our economic future," he said. But, he added: "In the long run, Americans can be confident about our economic growth."

Bush urged Congress not to expand the economic stimulus package beyond what had been agreed, or risk derailing it. He also urged lawmakers to make his tax cuts permanent.

Echoing a theme of his 2006 address, when he spoke of the US being "addicted to oil", Bush spoke about the importance of US energy independence.

"Our security, our prosperity and our environment all require reducing our dependence on oil," he said. Bush also urged Tehran to suspend its nuclear enrichment programme and "come clean" about its intentions.

He continued: "But above all, know this: America will confront those who threaten our troops, we will stand by our allies, and we will protect our vital interests in the Gulf."

On Iraq, Bush acknowledged that the "enemy is still dangerous and more work remains" to be done.

But he praised the work of American and Iraqi forces in achieving "results few of us could have imagined just one year ago", and assured Americans that al-Qaeda "will be defeated". He urged Congress to "meet its responsibilities to these brave men and women by fully funding our troops".

Bush said that as a result of progress in Iraq and a transition of operations to Iraqi forces, more than 20,000 troops would be returning to the US in the coming months.

In the official Democratic reply to the president's speech, Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius said: "In this time, normally reserved for the partisan response, I hope to offer you something more: an American response.

"There is a chance, Mr President, in the next 357 days, to get real results and give the American people renewed optimism that their challenges are the top priority." But the leading Democratic presidential candidates, Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, took much tougher lines.

Obama said Bush's speech was full of empty rhetoric, and criticised his "failed politics and policies of the past". Mrs Clinton said Bush had only offered "more of the same: a frustrating commitment to the same failed policies".

The two rival Democrats have been fighting a bitter campaign for the candidacy, and although they sat only metres away from each other in Senate for the address, they did not speak.

At one point, Mrs Clinton reached across to shake the hand of Senator Edward Kennedy, who hours earlier had endorsed Obama. As she did so, Obama turned his back.

Republican candidate Senator John McCain stayed in Florida ahead of his party's primary in the state on Tuesday.

The State of the Union address, traditionally delivered once a year, is expected to be Bush's last before he leaves office in January 2009.

He would, however, have the option to deliver one immediately before he goes.

According to Gallup polls of approval ratings around the time of the State of the Union addresses, this is the worst year for Bush since his presidency began.

ACC chief for social resistance against corruption

UNB, Chuadanga

Anti-Corruption Commission chairman Lt Gen (retd) Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury on Tuesday said a social resistance has to be built against the endemic corruption considering it as an enemy.

"Corruption has undermined our image. We have to keep our heads down due to the corruption. It can't go on anymore. Now, it's time to present the new generation a corruption-free country by waging a visible anti-graft movement," he said in a view-exchange meeting at the local Town Hall.

Stressing the need for building a corruption-free society, he said everyone needs to remain clean and free from corruption.

The ACC chairman, now on a tour of districts as part of his campaign to prevent corruption, said, "There is no reason to be worried about security while playing a role against corruption. The country's administration is with you."

The view-exchange meeting was addressed, among others, by ACC director general Abu Taleb Miah, Chuadanga deputy commissioner Abdul Mannan and superintendent of police Mofizuddin Ahmed.

Government officials, local elite and NGO leaders were present at the meeting.

In Narail, the ACC boss also addressed a meeting and said Bangladesh has got a bad name of corrupt country since good people of the society have withdrawn themselves from different spheres.

He called upon the people not to be involved in corrupt practices.

Begunbari, Konipara residents vow to protect their land

Staff Reporter

Landowners of the Begunbari and Konipara at Tejgaon area in the city yesterday urged the government not to forcibly 'occupy' their land in the name of reclaiming Hathirjil and city beautification project.

They vowed to protect their land. They were speaking at a press conference organised by Begunbari and Konipara Land Protection and Development Committee at Dhaka Reporters Unity yesterday.

Presided over by Md Alam Khan, convener of the committee, landowners Md Hafez Khan, Siraj Miah, Haji Habibur Rahman, Abdul Haque and Abdul Mannan, among others, addressed the briefing.

They said if the government occupy their 111 acers of private-owned land, at least one million people would lose their shelters.

They alleged that only to benefit two housing companies, the government is trying to implement the controversial Hirajil project wasting huge amount of public funds.

They suggested the government to organise a view exchange meeting between the landowners and the concerned authorities before implementation of the project.

They drew the attention of the LGRD adviser, Army Chief and RAJUK chairman so that they do not have to launch a movement during state of emergency.

Major emitters must not bypass UN climate change process

BSS, Dhaka

Major emitters of greenhouse gases must not bypass the process led by the United Nations on the ground of cutting their emissions to lessen global warming in order to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change in the future.

The comment was made yesterday by Khushi Kabir, chair of Campaign for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods (CSRL), a civil- society campaign in Bangladesh of around 70 national non-government organisations working on climate change, agriculture and trade policy issues.

She said, major emitters are going to meet in Hawaii on 30-31 January 2008 at "major economies' meeting' which is a parallel process to the UN climate change talks, set up by US President George Bush in June 2007 when the US was under growing pressure to contribute more to solve the problem of greenhouse gas emissions.

The US invited India, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, European Union (to be represented by current EU chair Slovenia and the European Commission), France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Britain, and the United Nations in the Hawaii meeting.

"The UN has been invited at the major emitters' meeting, but this has not guaranteed that demands of most vulnerable countries due to climate change would be reflected and addressed in the meeting. To accord credibility to the revealed objectives of the meeting, most vulnerable countries and victims of climate change must also be included in the process of negotiations of this type of meeting. The UN process can effectively facilitate such process," Khushi said.

Reiterating the Campaign's position prior to the UN climate change conference in Bali, member secretary of the CSRL, Ziaul Hoque Mukta mentioned that major emitters especially the developed countries, must take the bigger responsibility to ensure significant reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions.

Mukta said that the fast growing economies with large amount of emission should also take responsibility to curb emission path under the principle of "common but differentiated responsibility".

EC Secretariat, Supreme Judicial Commission ordinances approved

UNB, Dhaka

The Council of Advisers of the caretaker government Tuesday approved the Election Commission Secretariat Ordinance 2008 to give the institution full freedom from any government control to enable it to hold free, fair and neutral elections.

In another major step, it approved the Supreme Judicial Commission Ordinance 2008 aimed at appointing "competent Judges to the Supreme Court in a transparent process" on the commission's recommendation.

A few months back, a meeting of the council of advisers had okayed the Election Commission Secretariat Ordinance in principle.

As per the approved Ordinance, the Election Commission will not remain under the administrative control of any Ministry or department or office. "The responsibility of overall control of the Election Commission Secretariat will be bestowed on the Chief Election Commissioner," it is stated. Regarding law-related issues the Law Ministry, on behalf of the EC, will place it in Parliament.

A meeting of the council of advisers with Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed in the chair gave the approval to the two important ordinances.

As per the Supreme Judicial Commission Ordinance, the President will appoint the judges of the Supreme Court considering recommendations of the Commission.

However, the President can send back the recommendation to the Commission for revision. "The President can also cancel the recommendations by showing grounds," says the ordinance.

The Judiciary Commission will be formed with Chief Justice as Chairman and first and second senior-most Judges of the Appellate Division, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser or Minister, Attorney General, an MP nominated by Leader of the House, an MP nominated by the Opposition Leader of the House and president of the Supreme Court Bar Association as members and Law Secretary as its member-secretary.

The Commission will recommend names of two persons for judge on the basis of selection against one vacant post. The Commission will take interview of the aspirants. The Commission's recommendations will be sent to the President through proper authority (Chief Adviser or Prime Minister).

In the Election Commission Secretariat ordnance it is stated that the Secretary of the EC Secretariat will be administrative head. The EC will place its budget to the government and the government will consider it. After approval of the budget, the EC would not need any permission of the government in spending the budgeted money.

Canon launches digital, video cameras in Bangladesh

Staff Reporter

Canon Singapore Pte Ltd yesterday launched its image communication products in Bangladesh through its sole authorized dealer J.A. N. Associates Limited.

The products include digital camera, video camera, digital SLR camera and camcorders.

Announcing the launching of Canon cameras for Bangladesh market at a function at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel yesterday evening, Melvyn Ho, Vice President of Canon Singapore Pte Ltd, said J.A.N. Associates has been a business partner of Canon for its printers and scanners in Bangladesh for the last twelve years.

"J.A.N. Associates Limited has done very well and has succeeded to achieve their business targets every year, and that is why Canon Singapore has decided to appoint J.A.N. Associates as the business partner for its camera products. J.A.N. Associates has received the 3C award, the highest award given by Canon Singapore annually, for having a 39% growth from the previous year," he said.

The launching ceremony was also addressed by Abdullah H. Kafi, Managing Director of J.A.N. Associates Ltd. Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, Director of J.A.N. Associates Ltd and Tatsumi (Ted) Yamaura, Director, Camera Services Division of Canon Singapore Pte Ltd were present.

Besides, Canon resellers, dealers, photographers and producers were present. Speaking on the occasion, Abdullah H. Kafi said Bangladesh has lately caught up to the enthusiasm for digital photography like most other countries. The local market has a significant demand for the digital cameras, but in absence of market leaders, people have to buy their desired cameras from abroad.Referring to the abnormally high duty on import of camera in Bangladesh, Kafi said the government is being deprived of its expected revenue by imposing more than 50% tax on camera import.

"Digital cameras essentially being a computer component have 10 times higher import tax than other computer accessories. Besides, mobile phones with multiple functions have a flat tax of Tk 300 only, while digital cameras, having a single purpose have a duty above 50 per cent," he said.

Kafi said although cameras bought from the grey channel may save them money, they are deprived of warranty and services. "That is why J.A.N. Associates Ltd has opened a new service center to provide after-sale services for digital cameras at BCS Computer City, IDB Bhaban in the city," he further said.

CA expects WB to help infrastructure dev

UNB, Dhaka

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed Tuesday hoped that the World Bank would come up with bigger package for long-term permanent infrastructure development in Bangladesh, including rebuilding the cyclone 'Sidr'-hit areas.

The head of caretaker government expressed the optimism when visiting World Bank Vice-President Praful C Patel called on him at the CA's office and discussed various socioeconomic issues. Dr Fakhruddin thanked the multilateral funding agency for its announcement on Monday to provide 100 million US dollars in budgetary support to Bangladesh, particularly for rehabilitation works in the aftermath of the super- cyclone Sidr.

He said the government has been able to address the immediate needs and problems in the cyclone-affected areas and hoped that the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and other development partners would extend support to its long-term agenda.

In this regard, he mentioned his meeting with development partners on long-term rehabilitation programme in the cyclone-ravaged coastal belt.

Pak stability vital for South Asia: UK PM

AFP, London

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown told Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf on Monday that next month's elections had to be credible, insisting the country's stability was vital for South Asia.

Brown's call came as demonstrators staged angry protests against Musharraf's visit to London, at the end of a week-long trip to Europe aimed at reassuring leaders about the transparency of the delayed February 18 vote.

"Credible elections" were "essential", Brown said at a joint news conference following what he called "very productive" talks with a "key ally" in combating terrorism and extremism. "I urged President Musharraf to engage with all political parties in Pakistan for a peaceful, democratic future for the country," he said at his Downing Street office.

"A stable Pakistan is essential for the security of the South Asia region."

Musharraf had assured him that processes were in place to ensure transparent polling, Brown said.

The world's priority had to be ensuring "that the democratic process remains on track", he added. Musharraf voiced a "strong desire" to hold the parliamentary elections, postponed in the wake of the December 27 assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto.

"I am very sure that we will have a peaceful transition and we will have a strong democratic government following the February 18 election," he added.

Workshop on breastfeeding

Staff Reporter

Training workshop for making villages child-friendly was launched under the project of "mothers' milk provides best nutrition" at Kishoree Sampad Kendra of Kaliganj in Satkhira yesterday.

Institute of Public Health and Nutrition (IPHN) in cooperation with Agrogoti Sangstha organised the four-day long mobile seminars through rocket service on the water routes from Khulna to Dhaka and Dhaka to Khulna.

Today, the 2nd day of the seminar, some 30 young girls would be trained at IPHN's training room.

As part of the workshop, "Shuvashesh" programme will be held on Sadarghat launch terminal on January 31, where Director General of IPHN Professor Fatima Parvin will be present as chief guest.

At the programme, trainee young girls will be motivated and given instructions on the future working plans.

Every year some 35-lakh children aged less than 5 years across the world die due to lack of nutrition and several lakh more children become disabled mentally and physically.

The state of children's nutrition in the 36 countries including Bangladesh is critical.

Researchers said the children suffer from malnutrition from mother's womb. Child mortality rate can be reduced to 25 per cent, if some inexpensive and easy initiatives could be taken, they added. A press release from Agrogoti Sangstha said.

Asteroid approaches to zoom past earth: NASA

AFP, Los Angeles

Space watchers were set for a rare treat on Tuesday after US space authorities released pictures of a huge asteroid they said would zoom past Earth within sight of amateur telescopes.

The asteroid fly-by "is the closest until at least the end of the next century," said Steve Ostro, a senior astronomer at the space agency NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, in a statement. "It is also the asteroid's closest Earth approach for more than 2,000 years," he added, after the laboratory used high-resolution radar data to produce an image of the hulking asymmetrical object.

Roughly 250 meters (yards) in diameter, asteroid 2007 TU24 would inflict devastating regional damage were it to hit Earth, but NASA said there is no risk of a collision.

It was due to pass within 538,000 kilometres (334,000 miles) of Earth just after 0830 GMT.

"For a brief time the asteroid will be observable in dark and clear skies with amateur telescopes of three inches (7.5 centimetres) or larger," NASA said earlier.