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CIA believes political turmoil will rock Pakistan

     Washington: A study conducted by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has revealed that Pakistan would continue to be rocked by political turmoil and sporadic violence, with the military continuing to remain involved in the country's politics. According to the Dawn, the 120-page report titled "Mapping the Global Future", by the National Intelligence Council, an in-house CIA think-tank, has predicted that the Pakistani Army will also face a formidable challenge with an increase in religious fundamentalism in its ranks. "A rise in religious fundamentalism in its ranks, will also pose a challenge for the Pakistan Army," the paper quoted the report as saying. The report states that "despite the lack of a clear military doctrine in either India or Pakistan, the nuclear rivalry between the two countries has settled into an uneasy deterrence", with India still "registering only in the context of blocking nuclear disarmament initiatives, grappling with Kashmir, or contending with Pakistan". The report further states because of China's nuclear arsenal and the potential threat from Pakistan, India would continue with its nuclear programmes. "Because of the nuclear arsenal of China and the nuclear potential of Pakistan, India will continue its commitment to its nuclear programme," the report adds.

Bill Clinton, next UN Secretary General? (Go To Top)

     New York: Bill Clinton is reportedly being touted as the most likely replacement for Secretary-General of the UN, Kofi Annan. According to the New York Post, sources reveal that the former US president, who has kept a low profile post his tenure, agreed to partner up with his predecessor, George H.W. Bush, in the tsunami relief effort, partly for the international awareness to position him for the UN job. Clinton, who has now finished working on his autobiography, seems likely to take on the challenging job and his popularity in Africa and Europe may also win the approval of the Security Council. The only hindrance might be his wife Hillary's presidential hopes in 2008. "No one in the UN would want the President of the United States to be married to the head of the UN, and therefore in control of Security Council votes," a source was quoted by the paper, as saying.

Reliance valuation process underway (Go To Top)

     New Delhi: The valuation process of the Ambani business empire is likely to be completed within the next three weeks. The valuation process will lay the basis for a blueprint to end the family feud that has hurt the Reliance group, said sources involved in the process. KV Kamath, ICICI Bank Chairman and a close family friend of the Ambanis, is evaluating the family worth following a family conclave in Mumbai on December 28 at which the two brothers RIL Chairman Mukesh Ambani and Vice-Chairman Anil Ambani were present along with their mother Kokilaben and their two sisters Dipti and Neena. According to people close to junior Ambani, it was agreed at the meeting that Kamath would undertake valuation of the Reliance group estimated to be worth between Rs 90,000 crore and Rs 100,000 crore. After the valuation process, a formula for "legal split" between the brothers would be worked out. The understanding at the December 28 meeting was that valuation would be completed by the end of January, "give or take a few days". Thereafter, the family would get together to discuss the roadmap for the split, said sources. Both the Ambani brothers have met Kamath separately and have discussed at length. Although the December 28 deliberations have been minuted, sources indicated everyone is going to honour the understanding.