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World Bank not a guarantor for 1960 Indus Waters Treaty

     New Delhi: In a significant development, the World Bank today denied being the guarantor for Indo-Pak Indus waters treaty. According to a write-up posted on its web site, the bank said that it's not the responsibility of the bank to arbitrate. Pakistan had earlier approached the World Bank to appoint a neutral expert for resolving the Indo-Pak Baglihar Dam following the failure of talks between the two countries' experts. The Bank said that after examining the request they will follow the procedures laid down by the treaty. The bank further said that it was a "signatory to the treaty for certain specified purposes," many of which had been completed, with only "three remaining responsibilities," namely the appointment of a neutral expert, in case India and Pakistan failed to agree on a neutral expert to solve their differences, the establishment and management of a trust to meet the expenses of the neutral expert and finally, the treatment of the "differences" as "dispute" in case the expert fails to solve the issue, a scenario whereby the Bank will play a role in establishing a Court of Arbitration, but will itself not arbitrate.

Best time for Indo-Naga solution: Muivah  (Go To Top)
by Gaurav Shrivastava

     NSCN Camp Hebron (Dimapur): Expressing hope towards the realization of peace process National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah said that after fifty years the time has come to work out the solution that is best for Nagas. "Time has come after so many years, time has come after 50 years to work out the solution that is best for Nagas", said Muivah is his own cultivated style. "Nagas are proud people and I am also proud because you are behind us." Muivah was addressing the huge gathering at the afternoon session (first day) of the 4th Naga People's Consultative Meeting at the organizations Council Headquarters (CHQ) 'Camp Hebron' in Munglamukh, some 40 kms from Dimapur town. The Consultative Meeting, organised to strengthen the ongoing Indo-Naga political peace talks, was the first of it's kind since the NSCN (I-M) collective leadership, chairman Isak Chisi Swu and general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah landed on Naga soil. The general secretary reiterated, "We belong to people, we will never let you down, we know that your advise, your decision are so precious". "It is your time now, we are asking your views, your advise, don't fail. We will negotiate with India but not at the cost of Nagas", he added.

      Muivah appealed to Nagas to realize the importance of time and also realize the mistakes, sins that have been committed. He called Nagas to be serious, if they want to save Nagaland. "It is time now to prove ourselves, but the fact is that let us not quarrel among ourselves." He also thanked people: "Today you have come realizing the biggest responsibility towards nation". Making his firm claim towards the issue of integration and sovereignty he said, "Government of India recognizes the unique history and situation of Nagas. Unique history because Nagaland was never part of India either by consent or conquest." The NSCN general secretary said the solution of the ongoing Indo-Naga political dialogue has to be honourable, recognizing each other's history and through peaceful means. Both the rights of Nagas and Indian have to be taken care of, he added. Referring to the groups, in the neighbouring states of Manipur, Assam and Arnachal Pradesh, opposed to the integration of Naga dominated areas, Muivah said, "We are all brothers and sisters. We want to live in peace, if they so desire, there will be no discrimination, we will not force them to become Nagas." He made a call to all such groups to live in harmony and cooperate with NSCN (I-M) for the success of the ongoing peace parlays.

     The six thousand chairs put up to accommodate the delegates were fully seated and the ground was jam-packed like a watertight compartment. The meeting organised to strengthen the ongoing Indo-Naga political peace talks was attended by intellectuals from all across Naga dominated areas including Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Myanmar (Burma / eastern Nagalim). Representatives from Meghalaya, Naga NGOs, tribal organisations, student bodies and village heads from all across Nagaland were present. All the NSCN office bearers including steering committee members, council of ministers, military commanders were also present in the meeting. OTS Choir, musical group, also presented mesmerizing patriotic song during the meeting.

Bush begins day with church service (Go To Top)

     Washington: George W. Bush, following a long-held inauguration tradition, attended church services Thursday, a preamble to his swearing-in for a second term as president. The president and first lady Laura Bush departed the White House for the tiny St. John's Episcopal Church, directly across the street from the executive mansion, for a brief prayer service -- a tradition dating back to President Madison in 1809, reports The CNN. The Rev. Luis Leon delivered a 15-minute homily, said church director Hayden Bryan. Leon appealed to the president to "invite us to be a good people, better people, beyond red states and blue states." Regardless of color or sexual orientation, "we are one. ... I invite you to consider that over the next four years," Leon said.

     At noon -- under unprecedented security -- Bush will take the oath of office, ending with the words, "So help me God," as first spoken by George Washington during his inaugural as the nation's first president. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney will be sworn in on the West Front of the Capitol. Afterward, the president will give his second inaugural address, which aides said will emphasize freedom and Bush's vision of spreading democracy worldwide. Late Wednesday, the White House released excerpts from the speech: "We are led, by events and common sense, to one conclusion: The survival of liberty in our land increasingly depends on the success of liberty in other lands. The best hope for peace in our world is the expansion of freedom in all the world." "America has need of idealism and courage, because we have essential work at home -- the unfinished work of American freedom. In a world moving toward liberty, we are determined to show the meaning and promise of liberty."

     Bush is scheduled to be sworn in by Chief Justice William Rehnquist, who will be making his first official appearance since beginning treatment for thyroid cancer in October. Cheney will take his oath from House Speaker Dennis Hastert, marking just the fourth time in U.S. history that the House speaker has been called on to perform that task.

    The swearing-in ceremony will be followed by the traditional inaugural parade along historic Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House, and the day will be capped off by inaugural balls, including one for military personnel who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Bush is scheduled to attend nine of the balls.

     All eyes will be on Washington in a short while from now, with George W Bush set to be formally sworn in for his second term as US President today. Billed as the most expensive inauguration ever at the Capitol's Rotunda, heavy security arrangements have been made in Washington D C for the event. Bush was re-elected in November last year. The ceremony is expected to cost the national exchequer nearly 40 million dollars, and will include nine inaugural presidential balls, besides dozens of lunches, dinners and receptions over the next two days. Republican Party supporters started descending on Washington earlier this week to witness Bush's swearing-in. Several protestors have also arrived in the US capital to display their disagreement with Bush's policies.