Tycoon dismissed from CIS post
MOSCOW, April 3 — Controversial business tycoon Boris Berezovsky was ousted yesterday from his post in the alliance of former Soviet Republics and said he was considering asking for political asylum to avoid arrest.

Karan Johar’s film wins nominations
NEW YORK, April 3 — Box office hit “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” has been nominated in most categories of the NRI-sponsored “Bollywood Awards” to be held here next month.

My marriage will last: Clinton
WASHINGTON, April 3 — The US President, Mr Bill Clinton, has said his marriage with Hillary Rodham Clinton would last despite the pain of the Monica Lewinsky affair.

Russian Army chief warns of retaliation

BELGRADE, April 3 (AP) — NATO airstrikes hit the heart of Yugoslavia’s capital early today, blasting the federal defence and interior ministries in a sharp escalation of the Western campaign against President Slobodan Milosevic’s forces.

Shortly after three loud explosions were heard just before 1 a.m. (2300 gmt), flames rose from a complex that houses the two ministries and the Serbian police headquarters.

It was not clear which buildings took direct hits, but the intensity of flames lit the night sky orange. Blue lights of emergency vehicles could be seen two kilometers away.

NATO has been conducting its air war against the military and security units directed by the defence and interior ministries. For the last few days, it has warned that it would expand its targets, saying no place in Yugoslavia would be immune from strikes.

At the Pentagon in Washington, spokesman Kenneth Bacon said, "we can confirm that targets are being hit in downtown Belgrade.’’

Two NATO missiles exploded in mid-air near the Albanian capital Tirana early today without causing damage or injury, Albania’s Interior Ministry said, when "a NATO plane heading for Yugoslavia launched two missiles in an unpopulated area after a technical problem developed in the plane,"

A source close to the interior ministry said debris from the missiles fell on Dajti mountain, 10 kilometres north-east of the Capital.

Two NATO missiles fell over Albania on March 25 the day after air strikes on Yugoslavia began and on April 1 neither exploded.

State television reported NATO missiles hit an Army barracks in Vranje in southeast Serbia, while the Tanjug state news agency said NATO jets struck targets near the western Kosovo town of Klina 50 kilometers west of Pristina, the Kosovo capital.

Tanjug said missiles hit the southwest Kosovo town of Djakovica twice yesterday, and that other attacks killed two ethnic Albanians and injured six, including two children.

Elsewhere, a Serb farmer was killed and his brother injured early yesterday when a missile struck their house in Kursumlija, north of Kosovo, according to Tanjug. It said the house was near a power station, which it speculated was the likely target.

Mr Shea and Mr Wilby said the airstrikes were methodically harming the Yugoslav and Serb forces, cutting off fuel supplies to prevent them from deploying as they wish.

The Serbian Government announced it would start rationing gasoline and diesel fuel. It said Serbian vehicle owners could collect coupons from police beginning today, while foreigners would get coupons from the Yugoslav Foreign Ministry.

Also yesterday, Tanjug quoted an investigating judge as saying unspecified court proceedings began in the case of three U.S. soldiers captured this week by Yugoslav forces.

It was not clear if the soldiers attended the proceedings which were described as a gathering of evidence of decide what charges, if any, would be filed.

Meanwhile the international Red Cross said the three U.S. soldiers being held by Yugoslavia must be treated under terms of the Geneva Convention, even if they are not technically prisoners of war.

Responding to NATO claims that the soldiers were "kidnapped" in Macedonia and therefore are not POWs, Red Cross chief delegate for European Affairs Angelo Gnaedinger said the captives nonetheless must be treated as POWs.

"All members of armed forces involved in active hostilities are covered by article 4 of the Geneva conventions," Mr Gnaedinger told DPA in Geneva.

Meanwhile thousands of refugees continued to flee the embattled province, leading to chaotic scenes of masses overwhelming local communities and relief agencies struggling to supply food, medicine and blankets.

Stopping the offensive in Kosovo by Mr Milosevic’s forces and preventing the conflict from spreading were key goals of the NATO campaign.

"But NATO spokesman Jamie Shea announced that 36,500 ethnic Albanians were forced out Thursday alone, compared to 21,000 the day before, causing a refugee crisis he described as "extremely grave, getting graver by the hour."

The USA has ruled out supplying humanitarian aid by air drops to displaced ethnic Albanian Kosovars and the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) at least for now, Pentagon officials said.

Army Lieutenant General John McDuffie told reporters yesterday that despite more than a week of NATO air strikes, Belgrade’s air defence system was still ‘’significant’’ and too much of a danger for the kind of slow-moving, low-flying planes needed for air drops.

"A Russian warship headed to the Mediterranean yesterday to spy on NATO ships involved in attacking Yugoslavia. But Moscow said it would stay out of the conflict and not share intelligence data with Belgrade. Russia has warned that six more ships were on standby for deployment in the Mediterranean.

In Washington the US Government warned that it would be a "grave mistake" for Russia to send military aid to Belgrade.

"We made very clear we think it would be a grave mistake for the Russians to move from sympathy in their body politic (toward the Serbs) to a situation where they were assisting Yugoslavs in any military way," State Department Spokesman James Rubin said yesterday.

He was referring to Russian ships making their way to the Balkans and a telephonic talk between Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and her Russian counterpart Igor Ivanov.

After calls from Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic yesterday for military aid from Russia, Moscow’s Chief of Staff General Anatoly Kvashnin refused to rule out military shipments, but said the situation did not yet warrant direct intervention.

In Belgrade itself, Serb sources quoted by Voice of Russia from Moscow said only United States aircraft were conducting sorties over Yugoslavia now.

Russian defence sources spoke of an imminent third phase of attacks on Yugoslavia that would replace air raids with ground forces. Moscow estimates the West will have to deploy 1,00,000 soldiers in such a conflict.

Chief of Russian General Staff Gen. Anatoly Kvashnin has spoken of the urgent need to protect Russia’s interests.

"If the question is that of to be or not to be, Russia must use everything that is in possession of our armed forces, including nuclear weapons," the general told the media here last night after consultations at defence headquarters.

Expectations that NATO would dominate Yugoslav skies unchallenged have now come a cropper, noted defence experts who provided the example of the fallibility of the formidable F-117 Stealth fighter-bomber and two NATO helicopters with some 60 NATO soldiers which crashed in the mountainous regions of Serbia last night.

Russian naval preparedness is gathering momentum to face any eventuality in the Balkans. Naval Commander-in-Chief Adm. Viktor Kuroyedovit has been personally supervising the north fleet’s exercises and is on board the flagship Pyotr Veliky.

For its part Yugoslavia has offered to turn over parts of a U.S F-117 Stealth fighter, which it claimed was shot down by its forces last Saturday, to Russia.

Yugoslav Defence Minister Pavle Bulatovic was quoted by the official Yugoslav news agency Tanjug as saying today the guarded parts of the aircraft could be handed over to Russian military and scientific institutions, reports Xinhua.

The Pentagon had confirmed the downing of the aircraft but said it was not clear what caused the crash. The pilot of the F-117 had been rescued.

US House panel worried over
India, Pak arms technology

WASHINGTON, April 3 (PTI) — A US House panel has listed India along with Pakistan, North Korea, Iran and Iraq as potential proliferators of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) who can “undermine significantly US capability to play a stabilising role in Asia.”

The commission set up by Congress cautions that the countries of proliferation concern have acquired ballistic missiles or WMD or are working hard to do so as the “now have extensive access to technology and increased incentives to cooperate with one another.”

“India and Pakistan,” says the report, “are not hostile to the USA. The prospect of US military confrontation with either seems at present to be slight...But their aggressive, competitive development of ballistic missiles and arms of mass destruction poses concerns.”

“It enables them to supply relevant technologies to other nations. The two neighbours can also seek additional technical assistance through cooperation with their current major suppliers because of their perceived threats from each other and their mounting international isolation.

“Their growing missile and WMD capabilities have direct effects on US policies, both regional and global, and could significantly play a stabilising role in Asia,” the commission headed by Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld warned.

“While India continues to benefit from foreign technology and expertise, its programmes and industrial base are now significantly advanced that supplier control regimes can affect only the rate of acceleration of India’s programmes,” the report said, adding the country “is in a position to supply material and technical assistance to others.”

India, says the commission, is developing a number of ballistic missiles from short-range to those with intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)-class capabilities, along with a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) and a short-range, surface ship-launched system.

“It has the infrastructure to develop and produce these missiles. It is aggressively seeking technology from other states, particularly Russia. While it develops its long-range ballistic missiles, India’s space-launch vehicles provide an option for an interim ICBM capability.

The commission rates Pakistan’s ballistic missile infrastructure as more advanced than that of North Korea and cites China and North Korea as Islamabad’s major sources of ballistic missiles, production facilities and technology.

Hasina favours discussion

DHAKA, April 3 (PTI) — Premier Sheikh Hasina has ruled out any scope of presidential intervention to resolve the current political impasse in Bangladesh that threatens to dry up foreign funds within the country.

In an interview to the BBC yesterday, Begum Hasina, said she does not see any necessity for a presidential initiative to sort out the lingering government-opposition stand-off that has claimed several lives and ruined the country’s economy.

“The door is always open and dialogue can take place any time...All problems can be solved by making Parliament effective,” Begum Hasina said turning down suggestions that she request president Shabuddin Ahmed to intervene.

“Why should I make such a request? Parliament is functioning. There are lawmakers of different parties and the leader of the opposition (Begum Khaleda Zia) herself is present in Parliament. So, there is a lot of scope for discussion.”

She dismissed Opposition allegations that their voice was being stifled.

“They (opposition leaders) do not turn up properly and do not want to sit across the table for discussions. Instead, they complain that they are not given the opportunity to speak. This is not definitely desirable,” she said.

Political observers here attach great significance to Begum Hasina’s statement coming as it does only a week after US Ambassador John C Holzman visited Mr Ahmed and hoped he would exercise his “moral authority” to restore political stability in the country.

Pak writer to seek asylum in USA

WATERVILLE (Maine), April 3 (AP) — A Pakistani journalist, who was imprisoned and accused of being a traitor in his homeland, said he plans to seek political asylum in the USA.

Mr Zafaryab Ahmed was due back home on March 2, when his 90-day permit from Pakistan expired. He was allowed to leave the country to fulfill a fellowship at Colby college in Waterville.

“Their objective is to break me. Now I’m here,” he said. The Pakistani Government can say nothing.’’

Mr Ahmed, 45, faces sedition charges in Pakistan for his stories that exposed slave-like working conditions of children in Pakistan and attracted international attention.

He was allowed to come to the private liberal arts school in December after pressure from U.S. Officials.

At Colby, Ahmed is the first scholar-in-residence under the Oak Institute for the Study of International Human Rights, which is meant for people who incur personal risk while pursuing human rights.

Ahmed was arrested in 1995 after he wrote about the murder of 12-year-old Iqbal Masih, an activist against Pakistan’s bonded labour system.

Ahmed said his defection could have a negative impact on his family remaining in Pakistan. He is divorced and has no children but has a mother, brother, sister and nephews and nieces in the country.

“My major concern is my mother,” he said.

Ahmed said he thought he would return to Pakistan, but the longer he stayed in the USA, the less sense it made.

He said that if he returned, he would not be allowed to work as a journalist or a human rights activist, and he would face constant surveillance.

He also said martyrdom would accomplish nothing.

“I love life. But I don’t love life for life’s sake,” he said.

“I love life when I am able to do good.”

Tycoon dismissed from CIS post

MOSCOW, April 3 (AP) — Controversial business tycoon Boris Berezovsky was ousted yesterday from his post in the alliance of former Soviet Republics and said he was considering asking for political asylum to avoid arrest.

During a summit in Moscow, the leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States heeded Russian President Boris Yeltsin’s demand to dismiss Mr Berezovsky from his post as Executive Secretary of the coalition.

Mr Berezovsky tried to resist the ouster, but couldn’t get to Moscow. He said his plane from France was denied permission to enter Russia’s airspace and was re-routed to Kiev, Ukraine. He blamed Russian secret services.

“For nearly 24 hours I have been trying to get permission to fly to Russia,” Mr Berezovsky said. “What’s going on is beyond reason.”

Mr Berezovsky, who is seen as a powerful player in Russian politics with close links to Mr Yeltsin’s inner circle, was ordered by Mr Yeltsin to vacate his post last February after losing much of his clout.

Prosecutors have opened a probe against Mr Berezovsky on charges of setting up an illegal bugging network to eavesdrop on government officials. Yesterday, they sent him a letter asking him to appear for interrogation.

Mr Berezovsky has denied any wrongdoing, but he said on Thursday that Russian prosecutors planned to arrest him right after his removal from the CIS post. He said he would consider asking for political asylum in Ukraine.

Mr Yuri Yarov, a low-profile former Soviet bureaucrat who has previously served as Mr Yeltsin’s aide, was appointed to succeed Mr Berezovsky as the CIS Secretary.

During the summit, the alliance’s leaders also discussed a collective security agreement and plans to set up a joint anti-missile defence system, apparently in response to US plans to consider such a system.

Mr Yeltsin, who is the current Chairman of the commonwealth, said the group also called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Kosovo.

Another top item on the agenda was how to make the alliance more effective by creating an economic committee that will facilitate trade between member states. Closer cooperation has been stalled by differences in the level of CIS nations economic development and broad fears of Russian domination.

Karan Johar’s film wins nominations

NEW YORK, April 3 (PTI) — Box office hit “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” (KKHH) has been nominated in most categories of the NRI-sponsored “Bollywood Awards” to be held here next month.

Other movies nominated for the best film are “Payar to Hona Hi Tha” (PHHT) and “Pyar Kiya to Darna Kya” (PKDK), the chief executive officer of the awards Mr Kamal Dandona said.

The nominees for best actor are Shahrukh Khan, Ajay Devgan and Salman Khan for their roles. The awards will be presented on May 1.

Popular stars Kajol, Manisha Koirala and Juhi Chavla will compete for the best actress award for their roles in KKHH, “Dil Se” and “Duplicate”, respectively.

Karan Johar for KKHH, Mahesh Bhatt for Zakhm and Sohail Khan for PKDK are vying for the best director award.

The nominees for best supporting actor are Anupam Kher (Salaakhen), Manoj Bajpai (Satya) and Arbaaz Khan (PKDK) and for best supporting actress are Rani Mukherjee (KKHH), Shefali Chhaya (Satya) and Shilpa Shetty (Pradesi Babu).

Anupam Kher has been nominated for best comedian award for his performance in ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ along with Satish Kaushik (Pardesi Babu) and Jonny Lever (Dulhe Raja).

Gulzar, Sameer and Javed Akhtar have been nominated for best lyric award and Sukhvinder Singh, Kumar Shanu and Udit Narayan for best male singer. For best female singer the nominees are Alka Yagnik, Jaspinder Nirula and Swapna Awasthi.

My marriage will last: Clinton

WASHINGTON, April 3 (ANI) — The US President, Mr Bill Clinton, has said his marriage with Hillary Rodham Clinton would last despite the pain of the Monica Lewinsky affair.

Speaking in a CBS interview on Wednesday, Mr Clinton said he and his wife were “doing well considering what we’ve been through. And God willing, we’ll keep after it”.

Asked what Ms Clinton’s plans would be after he demitted office in January 2001, the President said he had absolutely no idea whether his wife would be running for the US Senate, but added if she did and if she won, he would be backing her 100 per cent and would be quite happy to be the husband of a Senator.

“For 22 years now or more, we’ve done what I wanted to do in terms of my political career. So the deal I made was that she gets the next 22 years. And so I would be happy to be the spouse of a Senator”, he added.

Ms Clinton and the Clintons’ daughter Chelsea are currently on a 12-day tour of North Africa, which Mr Clinton described as “good for them” as they would have time to spend with each other in a new and exciting environment.

When asked whether he viewed his impeachment by the US House of Representatives over his affair with Ms Lewinsky as a “badge of shame”, Mr Clinton replied in the negative.

He told CBS Evening News anchor Dan Rather, “It never crossed by mind to consider resigning due to the Monica Lewinsky scandal, never, not a second, never, never”, adding that his wife too felt he should not resign.

He said had he decided to resign it would have been seen as an abuse of the US Constitution, the Presidency, the history of the country and most of all, it would have legitimised the investigation of independent counsel Kenneth Starr.

German envoy
LONDON: Former Swiss troubleshooter for holocaust issues, Thomas Borer, has been named Ambassador to Germany, a Swiss Foreign Ministry spokesman said. Mr Borer (41), headed a holocaust task force set up in 1996, which the government decided to dissolve. He will formally replace outgoing Ambassador to Germany Dieter Chenaux-Repond in late summer. Mr Borer led Swiss efforts to deal with international criticism of the neutral country’s role as a wartime financial centre with close commercial ties to Nazi Germany. — ANI

No trial for 28 yrs
KARACHI: A Pakistani court on Friday ordered the release of a prisoner who spent 28 years behind bars without a trial. Saeed-ul-Haq, now believed to be in his 50s, was arrested on a murder charge in 1971 but never faced a court. A human rights worker sister Mariam had met Haq during a jail visit a few months ago and filed a public interest litigation in court. Haq was produced before the court on Thursday, where he told the judge of his ordeal. The court ordered his immediate release and action taken against those responsible. — DPA

Mishap kills 14
JOHANNESBURG: South African police investigators on Friday found the bodies of 14 persons killed in a road accident involving six cars and were expecting the number of dead to rise, SAPA news agency reported. Ten persons were burned to death and another four died on impact when their vehicles crashed with two buses at Nylstroom, the report said. — DPA

Oldest man dead
DAMASCUS: The oldest man in Syria, Hussein Shazili, 148, died this week in Deraa province, south Syria, the state-run Al-Thawra newspaper reported on Friday. Al-Thawra said Shazili was born in 1851, according to his friend Ahmad Zoubi. It added that Shazili, who died on Wednesday, was a “historical reference for many researchers since his memory was still good until fate overtook him”. — DPA

Kurd rebel leader
ANKARA: Jailed Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan on Friday met his brother and sister for the first in more than 20 years on the prison island where he has been kept since his capture in February, one of the rebel leader’s lawyer, Mahmut Sarkar, said. Ocalan’s sister, Havva Kesfer, and his brother, Mehmeet Ocalan, were allowed to meet the rebel leader ‘separately for 30 minutes each’, the lawyer said after their return from the island of Imrali in northwestern Turkey. It was the first family reunion since Ocalan founded the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in 1978 and then left Turkey to lead the Kurdish armed campaign for a homeland from Syrian exile. — AFP