Political News – Newsletter for December 25, 2010

Lack of strong leaders led to parliament paralysis (Comment)

The relationship between a Congress-led government and the opposition parties in India remains hostage to the belief prevalent among the latter during the first few decades after independence that they were too weak to end the Congress’s virtual monopoly of power, especially at the centre.

The conviction that they will continue to be in political …. Source article  : Lack of strong leaders led to parliament paralysis (Comment).

Pak military forced govt. to record protest with UN on Benazir murder report

KARACHI – Pakistan’s military establishment had reacted strongly to the United Nations Commission report on former prime minister Benazir Bhutto’s assassination, and forced the government to write a letter to the UN to reopen the inquiry, it has been revealed.

Official sources said that the army had termed the UN report that was issued in April …. Original article  : Pak military forced govt. to record protest with UN on Benazir murder report.

Benazir Bhutto assassination probe should have started from Musharraf: Aitzaz Ahsan

LAHORE – The investigation into former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto’s assassination should have started from former president Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Aitzaz Ahsan has said.

Talking exclusively to Geo News, Ahsan said that the arrest of former Rawalpindi city police chief Saud Aziz was like getting to one of the pawns that …. Source  : Benazir Bhutto assassination probe should have started from Musharraf: Aitzaz Ahsan.

Gay marriages gain support in US: Biden

WASHINGTON – US Vice President Joe Biden has said America’s attitude about gay marriages was evolving and such relationships were gaining acceptance in the country.

“I think there’s an inevitability for a national consensus on gay marriage,” Biden told ABC’s “Good Morning America” programme Friday.
The vice president said the recent repeal of the “don’t … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Gay marriages gain support in US: Biden.

BJP celebrates Vajpayee’s birthday in Lucknow

LUCKNOW – The 87th birthday of former prime minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) patriarch Atal Bihari Vajpayee was Saturday celebrated by party leaders and activists here.

Mass feasts, recitation of verses from the Ramayana and cultural events were hosted by BJP cadres in Lucknow, which Vajpayee represented for five consecutive terms in the Lok …. Source  : BJP celebrates Vajpayee’s birthday in Lucknow.

Security up in Hyderabad ahead of Telangana report

HYDERABAD – Central paramilitary forces began arriving in Andhra Pradesh to tackle possible protests as the Srikrishna committee prepares to submit its report to the central government by Dec 31 on the demand for a separate Telangana state.

Of the 50 companies sought by the state government, nearly half arrived Friday. The remaining were expected …. Original article  : Security up in Hyderabad ahead of Telangana report.

PM to pay homage to Karunakaran in Thrissur

THRISSUR – Security was tightened as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was expected to arrive here Saturday afternoon to pay homage to four-time Kerala chief minister K. Karunakaran who died at the age of 92 two days ago.

Manmohan Singh is to arrive here at around 2 p.m. as opposed to the earlier 11 a.m., Congress …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : PM to pay homage to Karunakaran in Thrissur.

Readout of the Vice President’s Call with the Sudanese Second Vice President

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

Vice President Biden spoke with Sudanese Second Vice President Ali Osman Taha today regarding the upcoming referendum on the status of Southern Sudan. The … Original source on Gaea Times at : Readout of the Vice President’s Call with the Sudanese Second Vice President.

Readout of Inter-Agency Coordination Call to Respond to Holiday Threats

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

On December 24th, Assistant to the President for Counter-Terrorism and Homeland Security John Brennan convened an inter-agency coordination call with Secretary Napolitano, DNI Clapper, …. Original source  : Readout of Inter-Agency Coordination Call to Respond to Holiday Threats.

Readout of John Brennan’s call with President Saleh of Yemen

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

Assistant to the President for Counter-Terrorism and Homeland Security John Brennan called Yemeni President Ali Abdallah Saleh on December 23 to emphasize the importance …. Source article  : Readout of John Brennan’s call with President Saleh of Yemen.

Obama plans White House personnel reshuffle

WASHINGTON – US President Barack Obama is planning to reshuffle his leadership team as attention turns to the 2012 presidential election, the New York Times reported Friday.

Obama will unveil the first changes in early January, after reviewing the restructuring plan over the holidays, the paper said.
The reorganisation will come midway through his first …. Read the original article  : Obama plans White House personnel reshuffle.

PM greets nation on occasion of Christmas

NEW DELHI – The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Friday greeted the nation on the joyous occasion of Christmas.

“Christmas is a celebration of the spirit of brotherhood and an opportunity to spread joy and share happiness. The festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ underlines …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : PM greets nation on occasion of Christmas.

Naxalism is an obstacle to country’s growth, says Manmohan Singh

NEW DELHI – The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Friday called for bringing an end to the Naxal problem in order to sustain the growth rate of 10-11% per cent per annum.

“Naxalite violence is yet another problem and naxalism today afflicts the … Original article on : Naxalism is an obstacle to country’s growth, says Manmohan Singh.

Advani accuses Congress of being over obsessed with BJP’s activities

JAMMU – Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Lal Krishna Advani on Friday accused the Congress Party of being over obsessed with BJP’s activities in raising the issue of scams and demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe the 2G spectrum scam.

Advani said after the 83rd Congress plenary session in New …. Source article  : Advani accuses Congress of being over obsessed with BJP’s activities.

Stop political violence, Chidambaram to Buddhadeb

NEW DELHI – Home Minister P. Chidambaram Friday asked West Bengal to curb the “alarming” political violence in the state, days after Trinamool Congress chief and Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee threatened to resign from the government alleging that central security forces were being misused in the Communist-ruled state.

Chidambaram, in a letter to Chief Minister … Original source on Gaea Times at : Stop political violence, Chidambaram to Buddhadeb.

BJP warns of legal action over Ananth Kumar-Radia allegations

NEW DELHI – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Friday warned of legal action against the Congress for accusing party leader Ananth Kumar of helping corporate lobbyist Niira Radia fix business deals and threatened libel suit against TV channels that broadcast the allegations.

The party has advised Ananth Kumar to take action against the maker …. Read the original article  : BJP warns of legal action over Ananth Kumar-Radia allegations.

BJP considers ‘Jammu and Kashmir as a part of India’s ideology’:Jaitley

JAMMU – Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Arun Jaitley on Friday extending all support to the people here said the party considers Jammu and Kashmir as a part of India’s ideology.

Addressing the ‘Ekta Sankalp rally’ here, Jaitley criticized the government for its alleged succumbing to the … Read this article on Gaea Times at : BJP considers ‘Jammu and Kashmir as a part of India’s ideology’:Jaitley.

Buddhadeb praises PM

KOLKATA – West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee Friday praised Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, saying his integrity was beyond doubt but unscrupulous elements were looting the system.

“I personally believe that the PM is an honest man, I have no doubt about his integrity. But unfortunately some unscrupulous politicians, corporates, bureaucrats and power brokers have …. Original article  : Buddhadeb praises PM.

Wikileaks: Rao defends secrecy of ‘privileged communication’

NEW DELHI – Disapproving the leaks of diplomatic cables by online whistleblower Wikileaks, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao Friday said “privileged communication” among diplomats should not be disclosed till such time they are archived and, after a lapse of time, made accessible to the public.

“All democracies operate on the basis of certain rules. There … Original article on : Wikileaks: Rao defends secrecy of ‘privileged communication’.

India rising: Creating a platform for foreign relations experts

NEW DELHI – Against the backdrop of India’s growing global stature, the external affairs ministry is now compiling a list of Indian experts in international relations to enable it create an interactive platform for enriching the process of policy formulation.

The external affairs ministry has partnered with the Jawaharlal Nehru University’s School of International … Original article on : India rising: Creating a platform for foreign relations experts.