The New Nation - Internet Edition

China sets Tibet protest deadline

Protest in Lhasa: A burning car, Chinese flag being
burnt by demonstrators and a convoy of armoured personnel
carriers (APC) travel through the streets yesterday. Photo:
Agencies

BBC News

The authorities in Tibet have given anti-Chinese demonstrators until Monday to surrender, following violence that officials say left 10 people dead.

"The plot of the separatists will fail," the head of Tibet's government warned as security forces patrolled the main city, Lhasa. State media said the 10 killed in Friday's clashes had included business people who were "burnt to death".

But exiled Tibetan leaders put the death toll higher and blamed China. "There have been 30 confirmed deaths until today, and over 100 unconfirmed deaths," the Tibetan government in exile, which is based in northern India, said.

James Miles, a British journalist in Lhasa, said there were some clashes on Saturday morning, were not on the same scale as Friday. Police used tear gas to disperse demonstrators defying a curfew in the old quarter of the city, he said. Police later cordoned off the centre. "Lhasa is completely closed and there is Chinese military all over," Danish tourist Bente Walle told Reuters news agency. In a statement quoted by the state-run news agency Xinhua, the Tibetan government urged "the lawbreakers to give themselves in by Monday midnight" and promised that "leniency would be given to those who surrender". Tibetan government Chairman Qiangba Puncog denounced the "plot of the separatists".

"We will challenge them firmly, according to law," AFP news agency quoted him as saying. He said no shots had been fired by police since the start of the unrest.

Officials told Xinhua that those killed on Friday were "all innocent civilians" - among them hotel employees and shop owners. Western countries have expressed concern at the clashes, and US officials called on the Chinese to act with restraint. The violence - the worst in Tibet since 1989 - erupted on the fifth day of largely peaceful protests that began on Monday's anniversary of a 1959 uprising against Chinese rule.

Fires broke out near the Jokhang temple, one of the most sacred sites for Tibetan Buddhists, and Xinhua reported that shops, banks and hotels were destroyed.

Racism, sexism charges poison US presidential race

AFP, Washington

With Hillary Clinton running to be the first woman in the Oval Office and Barack Obama bidding to be the first black president, charges of racism or sexism were inevitably never far from the surface.

But some are becoming concerned that the level of debate in the battle between the two Democratic candidates is sinking to new lows and detracting from the party's main aim of ousting the Republicans from the White House.

Last week, Obama's campaign was up in arms accusing Clinton's aide Geraldine Ferraro of trying to write off the Illinois senator's success as due merely to his race.

"If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position," said Ferraro, a trailblasing politician who was the party's and the country's first female vice presidential nominee in 1984, in an interview with a California newspaper.

"And if he was a woman-of any colour-he would not be in this position. He happens to be very lucky to be who he is," Ferraro added.

She resigned from Clinton's campaign finance committee a day later, accusing the Obama campaign of playing the politically- charged racism card, in a country still plagued by racial divisions. "The Obama campaign is attacking me to hurt you. I won't let that happen," she wrote to the former first lady.

Clinton publicly rejected Ferraro's comments about Obama, but her campaign, in turn, recalled certain comments by her rival's supporters which could be construed as sexist.

In February, Air Force General Merrill McPeak came out in support of Obama, saying one of the reasons the Illinois senator had won his backing was because he didn't "go on television and have crying fits." It was a deliberate swipe at Clinton, who in January had appeared to choke back tears at a New Hampshire campaign rally.

Others have taken sides with Ferraro, pointing out that Obama has won several nominating contests in the country's deep South thanks to the African-American vote. In Mississippi for example he cruised to victory, taking 91 percent of the black vote, but winning over only 30 per cent of white voters. On the other hand, some have noted that Obama's mixed race origins-his father was from Kenya and his white mother from Kansas-are an essential part of his allure for voters who want a break with the politics of the past.

So far Obama has tried "to run a race-neutral campaign," argued academic Ron Walter, which has enabled the young senator to win in such states as Iowa where the African- American population is neglible.

Yet Friday saw Obama moving swiftly to try and quell an uproar over racially charged remarks by his long-time preacher, who said the September 11 attacks were brought on by American "terrorism."

Reverend Jeremiah Wright also urged African-Americans to sing "God Damn America" to protest their treatment.

In a blog post on the Huffington Post website, Obama decried the "inflammatory and appalling remarks (Wright) made about our country, our politics, and my political opponents."

"I vehemently disagree and strongly condemn the statements that have been the subject of this controversy," Obama wrote, and said such comments flew in the face of his own "profound" love of America.

Democratic Party leaders are increasingly concerned about the ugly turn of events, worried about the long-term effects on the party's image ahead of the November presidential elections.

"When they attack one another, it's not just an attack on the other candidate, it is taken I think by women and by African- Americans in a more personal sense," House majority leader Steny Hoyer told the Washington Post.

"To that extent I think the continued clash between the two candidates, which is inevitable, is not particularly helpful."

The fear is that the longer the deadlock between the two White House hopefuls drags on, the deeper the divisions may grow among Democrats, and the more embittered one camp could become against the other at such an early stage.

And with Republican John McCain, who is not noted for being either racist or sexist, already out pushing his party's agenda, such charges of racism and sexism could flare out into the open at the height of the real campaign.

"It's very important that the Democratic party begin to crush this," said Walter. "If there isn't an overwhelming consensus that this kind of politics is wrong, yes, you're likely to see it in the fall."

Certain quarters trying to create confusion in BNP, says Hannan Shah

UNB, Dhaka

BNP chairperson Brig Gen (retd) Hannan Shah Saturday said certain quarters are trying to create confusion in BNP by taking advantage of party secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain's illness.

Talking to media men at his New DOHS house, he urged BNP leaders and workers to remain alert against any conspiracy and confusion. He said BNP remains united and its future action programmes will be mapped out to run it more effectively on Delwar's return from abroad. "There is no misunderstanding amongst us. After my release from jail, I had a long discussion with him (Delwar). As he has fallen ill suddenly and gone abroad for treatment, certain quarters are spreading confusion," he said.

Shah wished Delwar's early recovery.

BNP joint secretary general Goyeshwar Chandra Roy was critical of some dailies for what he called creating confusion in BNP. He said no one has the right to drop Khandaker Delwar Hossain from the post of BNP secretary general as per the party constitution. He said there is no confusion about Begum Khaleda Zia as its chairperson and Khandaker Delwar Hossain as secretary general, and BNP will run under their leadership.

Roy said if the unity of the nationalist forces could be given a firm footing, the release of Begum Zia will be expedited.

Anti-corruption rally in Ctg

Chittagong Correspondent

A spontaneous and strong social movement against graft of both individual and institutional levels has been emphasized here at a grand rally yesterday aimed at taking the nation out of the vicious cycle.

Chairman of the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) Lt Gen (retd) Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury reiterated the urgency of a social movement while addressing the grand rally as the chief guest.

Meanwhile, our Staff Reporter from Dhaka added that 40,000 people who participated the rally vowed to curb corruption from the society at any cost.

People from all walks of life including children, women, students and professionals took out a colourful parade to say 'no to corruption' that encouraged Lt Gen (retd) Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury, a former Army Chief, who, said Bangladesh would be a corruption free democratic society in the future.]

He called upon all to come forward in washing away nasty thing like corruption from the society.

Committee for Prevention of Corruption in Chittagong organised the rally that was attended by about forty thousand people including youths, students, professionals, members of the private voluntary development organizations, shop owners association, apex body of the RMG exporters, members of different socio-cultural organizations and trade bodies.

Executive Director of the Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Dr. Iftekharul Islam and the President of the Committee for Prevention of Corruption in Chittagong Monwara Hakim Ali also addressed the rally.

The graft eliminators marched in the long queue and carried banner, festoons and placards with slogans hating graft with a vow to say 'No' to corruption.

Gen Hasan Mashhud led the procession that started from the Al-Falah complex premises at about 10.10 a.m. and returned there after parading GEC Intersection, OR Nizam Road and the MM Ali Road. Regional Director of the ACC in Chittagong Major Zulfiqar Ali Majumder and business leader MA Latif accompanied him.

Gen Mashhud said, "We have gathered here today to raise our voices against corruption." He urged the people of Chittagong to continue to be vocal against corruption in future.

Many went on the rooftop of the wayside buildings to glance the huge procession while hundreds of onlookers greeted the marchers.

"We're working to aware the young generation of the implications of graft and corruption will drop down to a tolerable level when these young start hating corrupts in their respective families and around them," President of the Committee for Prevention of Corruption in Chittagong Monwara Hakim Ali said.

City traffic virtually turned to a total halt when a large number of marchers took the city streets and moved to the Al-Falah Complex.

Call to change food habit

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a discussion meeting yesterday called upon the people to bring changes in their food habit in view of the price hike of essentials and refrain their children from eating junk food.

Addressing the meeting on "Junk Food Generation: CI's Campaign to Stop Marketing of Unhealthy Food to Children," they strongly criticised the government for its dilly-dallying tactics to announce the Consumers' Rights Protection Ordinance.

The speakers emphasised the need for launching vigorous movement to protect the consumers' rights by involving stakeholders.

The meeting, organised by Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) to mark the World Consumers Day, was held at CIRDAP Auditorium with its President Borhan Ahmed, Executive Editor of the Janakantha, a vernacular daily, in the chair.

Former minister Chowdhury Kamal Ibne Yusuf, National Professor Dr Nurul Islam, Prof Dr Shamsher Ali, Principal Hamida Ali and CAB General Secretary Quazi Faruque, among others, addressed the meeting. Public health expert Dr AM Zakir Hossain presented keynote paper while Barrister Turin Afroj moderated the function.

Chowdhury Kamal Ibne Yusuf said junk food is a global problem and children of Bangladesh are victims of this food.

He regretted that crores of taka is being spent in advertisement of junk food, which is harmful for children's health.

Prof Nurul Islam stressed the need for brining change in the food habit saying that more the food is delicious the more it harmful.

"We have to change our food habit and make people conscious about their rights," he said.

He observed that there is no problem with not eating meat.

Prof Shamsher Ali emphasised the need for motivating people to be habituated to eating local food.

He regretted that consumers are being deceived in various ways, as in weight and quality of product.

Borhan Ahmed said though the initiative to enact the consumers' rights protection act was taken in early 90s but it was mysteriously ignored year after year.

Overnight star

AFP, New York

A week ago, she was just a call girl and aspiring singer. But throw the governor of New York onto her client list and Ashley Alexandra Dupre has become an overnight star and budding millionaire.

Media reports said Dupre has already earned nearly a million dollars thanks to Internet downloads of her two songs since the news broke of her escapades with governor Eliot Spitzer that led to his downfall. Her songs "Move Ya Body" and "What We Want" have been bought by two million people and downloaded from the site www.amiestreet.com, the website said.

Dupre gets 70 per cent of the 98-cent cost of each song.

On Friday, the first song stood at number three on the site's "buzzing" list, and the second was number five on the most popular list.

And although she seems to have gone into hiding, Dupre was also reportedly in talks to pose naked for magazines such as Penthouse and Hustler, according to several US newspapers.

"She'll probably take that opportunity, especially because she wants to have a music career," Jean M. Twenge, author of "Generation Me", told the online magazine amNewYork.

"Let's face it. It could help. In some ways it's realistic."

The young woman sings in an R'n'B style, with a hint of Beyonce. And although she has not signed with any record label, her page on the social networking site MySpace says she has been influenced by singers such as Etta James, Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston.

On Friday she had some 1,798 "friends" on the site, and dozens of others had left messages of support and congratulations.

Spitzer resigned Wednesday after he was outed as a client of an exclusive prostitution ring. Dupre was revealed as the call girl known as Kristen with whom he had arranged a tryst in a Washington hotel.

"Wow Ash, you have been getting radio play all over NY," said one of the posts on Dupre's MySpace page. "You became a star in just one night," added another.

Zardari likely to become PM as last case against him dropped

BBC News

A Pakistani court has quashed the last of seven corruption cases against Asif Zardari, the widower of assassinated former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. They were withdrawn as part of an amnesty agreed last year between Ms Bhutto and President Pervez Musharraf.

This has removed a potential obstacle to Zardari's chances of holding public office.

He leads the Pakistan People's Party and is set to form a coalition government after general elections.

Zardari did not stand in last month's elections and would have to win a parliamentary seat in a by-election if he decides to become prime minister. Initially he said he was not interested in doing so, but party insiders say he is now considering it. The corruption charges in Pakistan have hung over Zardari for more than a decade. He could still face cases outside the country. He developed a reputation for allegedly taking kickbacks when he served in Ms Bhutto's governments in the 1990s. Pakistanis nicknamed him Ten Per Cent and he spent 11 years in prison on corruption and other charges but was not convicted.

He and Bhutto always maintained the cases were politically motivated. Ultimately though, she did a deal to win immunity from prosecution, giving support to President Musharraf in exchange for an amnesty. There had been indications that the country's chief justice would declare this deal unconstitutional before the president sacked him in November when he introduced emergency rule.

Future of Pharmaceuticals export: Major surge expected in 2nd half of FY 2007-08

Mashiur Rahaman

Surpassing the export target, set for the period, by over 51 per cent in the first six months of the current fiscal (2007-2008), the pharmaceutical sector has brightened the country's potential to emerge as medicine exporting nation in the near future.

Pointing out this year's performance of the pharmaceutical sector in the over all import figures complied by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), industry sources said the trend of pharmaceutical export was highly promising.

According to the EPB record of export performance, target for the pharmaceutical products in the first half of 2007-08 FY was set US$15.63million. Showing a tremendous growth during the period, export of this potential sector reached US$23.63million, growing over 51.18 per cent from its target. It was US$14.24million recorded during the first half of the previous fiscal year.

Launching an aggressive marketing campaign for the last couple of months in order to capture larger market share, industry leaders are expecting to reach more countries of the world with their products soon, the sources added.

The country now exports a wide range of pharmaceutical products to over 60 countries across the globe including some developed countries like the UK, USA, Germany and others. Major market for our products is the less regulated country, mostly Asian, which has largely contributed in the growth of this sector.

Recent visit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) team to inspect a local pharmaceutical company, participation of 17 member DCCI team to the 'Asian Health Care-2008' in Malaysia and overall inspiring growth of pharmaceutical product export rates during the first half of current fiscal year 2007-08 have inspired manufacturers and exporters to look forward for a major surge in the remaining six months of current financial year.

"This tremendous growth rate is expected to double in the second half of this year as market players in this sector have realised its potential and showing tremendous extrovert movement to reach and capture bigger international markets," said an official from the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI).

Since, very few underdeveloped countries hold the ability to produce world class pharmaceutical products like Bangladesh, it enjoyed almost competition free market access to less regulated Asian countries, including Vietnam, Philippines, Myanmar and Nepal.

After successful business, many Bangladeshi companies have taken serious initiative to reach the moderately regulated markets like Russia, Ukraine and Singapore, said the official of BAPI.

"Our products have received a great response from those moderately regulated markets as well. Now we are looking forward to capture Middle Eastern and European market," said the official.

Recent visit of high-level GCC delegation to the Beximco Pharmaceutical Company on February 19 reflects that initiative to reach the Gulf countries have started.

GCC inspection member Dr Alaa Rady, who is the Medical Division Manager of Gulf General Trading, Kuwait, expressed his satisfaction over the medicine qualities.

"Quality of Beximco products is similar to that of medicines manufactured by world's leading pharmaceutical companies," he explained.

GCC members, that is Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE mostly meet their domestic demands through medicine imports. Even a small market share could make Bangladesh earn a huge amount of money.

"Our target is to grab only one per cent of the GCC countries' market, which means over US$100million business alone," said CEO of Beximco Pharmaceuticals Nazmul Hasan.

However, he also informed that the company is expecting positive response very soon from the GCC inspection team.

Beside that, visiting DCCI business delegation to Malaysia is also receiving great response from local and international companies. Positive developments in medicine exports are also expected from the Malaysian market side.

As part of Bangladeshi export diversification initiatives, the pharmaceutical product is expected to play a vital role. Official concerned however expected proper Government support to help this sector in setting their first step into the highly regulated markets.

"If the Government provides required supports, like ensuring availability of quality raw products, this sector can bring home over Tk10, 000 crore per year from export by 2009," said CEO of BPL.

City shoe traders demand arrest of extortionists

Staff Reporter

Representatives of ten thousand shoe traders of Gulistan and Fulbaria at a crowded press conference in the city alleged that they were held hostage by a group of extortionists.

Awlad Hossain, president of BTRC 4th floor market CBS-2, told journalists at the Dhaka Reporters Unity yesterday that one such cheater Tokai Master Hai has been regularly taking extortion money from the ten shoe markets of Gulistan, Fulbaria, Bangabazar and Siddikbazar areas.

At the press briefing, attended by businessmen, employees and labourers of the markets, Aulad alleged that Tokai Master Hai has demanded Tk 50 lakh from the businessmen of the ten markets at different times.

He sought the intervention of the authority to free them from the hands of cheater Tokai Master Hai and demanded his immediate arrest.

Referring to the slump in the shoe trade, he said since China took over 50 per cent of the country's global shoe market. "We are somehow keeping the shoe industry alive in the country, but being hounded by extortionist like Tokai Master Hai most of the businessman are facing ruination."

He said, "We pay the Government Tk 200 crore in revenue and sell about 4000 crore pairs of shoes per year. If this industry is closed some 11 lakh people will lose their jobs."

The businessmen prayed to the Chief Adviser, Home Affairs Adviser, Home Secretary, Chief of Army, IGP and RAB DG for fair investigation to save the shoe industry from the hands of extortionists.

Dhaka gets $ 1.1b highest ever aid this fiscal

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh received at least US$ 1,107 million in foreign aid during July-February period of the current fiscal year, which is the highest-ever disbursement by bilateral and multilateral donors during the same period in yesteryears. The disbursement amount would be higher to some extent as some other releases still remained to be reported, a senior ERD official told UNB.

"It'll be the highest-ever foreign aid disbursement," he said, adding that the commitment for aid is also the highest.

ERD sources said the disbursement of foreign aid in the last fiscal year (2006-07) was only 1,630 million.

"The commitment and the disbursement have been high this year. Recurring floods, Cyclone Sidr and institutional reforms in the country might have contributed towards creating a positive impression among the donors," said the ERD official.

Of the total aid released, US$ 697 million were loans and US$ 410 million were grants.

The major aid disbursements included World Bank's IDA $ 362 million, ADB's $ 300 million, Denmark's $ 113 million, WFP's $ 54 million, DFID's (UK) $ 47 million, South Koreas's $ 38 million and Japan's 30 million.

As of March 5, 2008, Bangladesh received an aid commitment of US$ 2,015 million, which is also one of the highest commitments Bangladesh has received so far.

According to ERD records, the commitment crossed US$ 2-billion mark also in 2007, 1998 and 1994.

"This year, I expect, the commitment will reach US$ 3 billion," said ERD secretary Aminul Islam Bhuiyan.

Finance Adviser Dr Mirza Azizul Islam is not concerned about foreign aid for this fiscal year as well as for the budget 2008-09. "Foreign aid for beyond the next fiscal year would depend on how the next government will deal with the donors," he told UNB.

Create employment opportunities for monga-hit people

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a seminar yesterday emphasised the need for creating employment opportunity through industrialisation in the famine prone area to help poverty reduction.

They said poverty alleviation is not possible through micro credit only. There is a need for taking multi dimensional projects to reduce poverty, they said.

Social Development Foundation (SDF) and the Neeti Gobeshona Kendro organised the seminar on 'Monga' at BIAM auditorium with its chairman Dr Akbar Ali khan in the chair. Prof Dr Mozaffar Ahmad, PKSF Managing Director Dr Qazi Mesbahuddin Ahmed, Dr Lenin Azad and BIDS Research Director Dr Rushidan Islam Rahman, among others, spoke on the occasion.

Dr Akbar Ali Khan said some people are exploiting the poor through micro credit distribution. It is not possible to reduce poverty through micro finance, he said.

Differing with Noble Laureate Dr Yunus over poverty reduction through micro credit, he said it is impossible through one or two micro credit projects.

He said one poor man is buying a cow taking micro credit while another is selling cow to repay the loan. As a result there is no reproduction of cows. There was a chance of getting profit of micro credit if poor people could buy the cow after reproduction, he said.

The former adviser and Chairman of the Regulatory Reforms Commission said people have started to take less food due to the price hike of food grains. As a result they are in risk of suffering from physical problem, Akbar Ali said.

He said the government should take necessary steps so that people from Monga prone areas can go abroad and change their financial position through earning money abroad.

Prof Mozaffar Ahmed said raising self-respect among the people of Monga prone areas can help reduce poverty.

He said non-government organisations are providing loan in the Monga prone areas but failing to bring any change. Dr Ahmed said steps should be taken to send the people from Monga prone areas abroad after training them.

Dr Qazi Mesbahuddin Ahmed said permanent poverty alleviation from Monga prone areas is impossible without industrialisation.

Neeti Gobeshona Kendro Trustee Dr Sheikh Toufiq M Huq in his keynote paper said the traditional loan programmes of the NGO's could not alleviate poverty in the northern area. To reduce poverty there is a need of taking basic programme.

He suggested establishment of special export processing zones in the Monga prone areas to help alleviate poverty.

Gold price hits yet another record high

BBC News

Gold has touched a fresh record high of $1,007.10 an ounce as deepening financial market troubles increase its.

The latest increase in the price of the precious metal came after the news that US investment bank Bear Stearns has been forced to seek emergency funding.

The announcement has raised fears that other US banks may have to follow suit.

After touching $1,007.10, gold had fallen back slightly to $1,000.40 by late afternoon in Europe.

The weak value of the dollar is another factor behind high gold prices, as investors seek a better store of value.

Analysts say that the dollar could fall further over the next few weeks.

Pre-Pala era relics found at Paharpur

Staff Reporter

Archaeologists have found two ancient brick-built structures at the Paharpur world heritage site in the country, which they believe belonged to a period even earlier than the site's known time, the Pala Era.

The brick-built structures were found under the foundation of the main temple at Paharpur.

Dr Md Shafiqul Alam, Director of Archaeology Department, said that another structure was found outside the temple area.

Mahbubul Alam, Assistant Custodian of Paharpur Site, said, "An ancient broken terracotta piece was found under the basement of the temple near the newly discovered structure while a decorated brick was found in the lower portion of the northern side of the temple."

Meanwhile, archaeologists dug out another brick-built structure from an earth-filled base on top of the 72-feet high temple. They believed that the structure was made for beautification.

According to Nahid Sultana, custodian of Rabindra Kacharibari Site of Shajadpur in Sirajganj and also a member of the Paharpur excavation team, said, "An almost similar brick-built wall was found outside the temple premises. Both the structures were built with bigger size bricks."

"These structures confirm that there was a civilization before the Pala Dynasty," she said.

According to the archaeological documents, at least 53 stone statues have been lying in the wall niches in the lower portion of the temple underground.

Some 13 statues have so far been found during several archaeological excavations, according to the officials.