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10/23/09 - Prensa Latina (Habana) - DIRECT FROM HAVANA (AM)

LATIN AMERICAN NEWS AGENCY, SA
P R E N S A L A T I N A
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Morning Transmission
Friday, October 23, 2009
For up to the minute news: www.plenglish.com

CUBA-NATIONAL NEWS CUBA
US Blockade Hinders Cuban Culture
Cuba Aspires to Conquer Volleyball Cup
Cuban Friendship Group at European Parliament
Greeks Slam US Blockade on Cuba
Cubans Illegally Heading for US Tortured
Zaida del Rio in Cuban Cultural Day in India

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
Mexican Teachers Reject Econ Policies
Chile Professors on National Strike
Nicaragua Faces Tense Situation
Entrepreneurs at Bolivian Amazonian Fair
Uruguay's Mujica: Presidential Runner without Tie
Venezuela Socialist Candidates to Congress
Zelaya: Current Honduras Talks Used Up
Typhoon, Cold Expand Flu A in Mexico

US, CANADA, EUROPE
NATO Evaluates Afghanistan Mission
Obama Seeks Support among University Students
WHO Reports Over 414,000 A Flu cases
NATO Summit Ends Without Accords
Europe, LatAm for Better Pro-Environment Actions

AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST
More Political Will to Aid African Refugees
120-Day Missing Govt Erodes Lebanon

ASIA AND AUSTRALIA
More Blasts Kill 25 in Pakistan

*************************************

CUBA-NATIONAL NEWS CUBA

US Blockade Hinders Cuban Culture

Havana, Oct 23 (Prensa Latina) Cuba's impossibility of marketing a part
of its cultural product is another consequence of the US-imposed
economic, commercial and financial blockade to this island.

ARTEX Company has been seriously affected in marketing rights. The
Washington policy has impeded the promotion and adequate broadcasting of
several musical talents.

The Caribbean island has lost about $130.000 in sale between May 2008
and April 2009, states the resolution "Necessity of put an end to the
economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States
against Cuba."

The Cuban Book Institute has been affected in marketing Cuban
literature, as the impossibility of cashing checks or receiving
transferences in US currency of foreign publishing houses with which
they have inked working contracts.

The document also analyzes difficulties carried out by the Cuban Fund
for Cultural Assets in a rise in raw materials to develop visual and
applied arts.

Cuba is obliged to purchase US materials and supplies to higher prices
in European and Asian markets, a fact that has caused the country
estimated losses valued at $636.990.

Cuban Institute of Art and Film Industries also faces significant
restrictions in distributing, screening, restoring and preserving film
heritage, as a result of the impossibility of purchasing important
equipment, technologies, spare parts and materials for the development
of those activities.

Cuba Aspires to Conquer Volleyball Cup

Havana, Oct 23 (Prensa Latina) Cuba aspires to conquer the throne in the
next Volleyball Champions Cup for men, said the Antillean team head
coach, Orlando Samuels.

"To defeat United States gave us the ticket, but also the security that
we can aspire to the maximum," Samuels said to the national press
concerning the gold medal reached in the 21st regional tournament of the
discipline.

The Cuban trainer assured that he trusts the performance of his players
in the coming contest, which will take place in the Japanese cities of
Osaka and Nagoya on the days of November 18 and 23.

"To classify in the tournament of Puerto Rico is something that I
consider superior to the fourth place achieved in the World League this
year, Samuels pointed out and added that it will reinforce the trainings
for the Champion Cup.

The opening of the Cubans will be on the 18th against Brazil, a
bereavement that will be very tense in the strategist's opinion.

Besides Cubans and Brazilians will fight in the competition against
Poland, Egypt, Iran and the Japanese hosts.

Cuban Friendship Group at European Parliament

Strasbourg, France, Oct 23 (Prensa Latina) Representatives of United
Left, Social Democratic, Greens and Liberal parties are now included in
the Group of Friendship and Solidarity with the Cuban people at the
European Parliament (EP).

EP vice president and Spanish Socialist Deputy Miguel Angel Martinez,
elected to lead the association, said the immediate priority will be the
eradication of the Common Position about Cuba, adopted by the community
bloc in 1996.

Martinez talked of the European Union (EU) agreement, termed
"unacceptable and discriminatory," and highlighted the Euro-deputies'
commitment to create the group for the full normalization of links of
the 27 EU nations with the Caribbean island.

Cuban ambassador at the EU Elio Rodriguez and a delegation of relatives
of the island's five anti-terrorist fighters unfairly imprisoned in the
United States, comprised of Adriana Perez and Olga Salanueva, spouses of
Gerardo Hernandez and Rene Gonzalez, attended the Strasbourg meeting.

Together with Gerardo and Rene, Antonio Guerrero, Ramon Labañino and
Fernando Gonzalez are serving harsh sentences since September 12, 1998,
for merely monitoring terrorist actions against Cuba planned in US
territory.

Greeks Slam US Blockade on Cuba

Athens, Oct 23 (Prensa Latina) Cuban residents in Greece demanded Friday
the end of the US-imposed economic, trade and financial blockade on Cuba
almost 50 years ago.

There is no reason for that genocide against the people that only wish
to live in peace, states a declaration published on Friday in this
capital entitled "Homeland: Cuba," by the Association of Cuban Residents
in Greece.

The document insists on the need to end that White House policy that,
according to official sources, has caused losses to the Cuban economy
valued at $96 billion.

The UN General Assembly will vote on October 28 for the 18th
consecutive time in favor or against the resolution to lift the
blockade.

The US siege has received an increasing condemnation at the UN since
1991, a repudiation that last year got the record figure of 185 votes
for, the highest figure since the issue started to be discussed in that
forum.

The declaration also ratifies the solidarity with the cause of five
Cuban anti-terrorist fighters unfairly imprisoned in the United States
since 1998, and currently serving harsh sentences ranging from 15 years
to double life terms.

Fernando Gonzalez, Ramon Labañino, Antonio Guerrero, Gerardo Hernandez
and Rene Gonzalez were tried for merely gathering information about
violent actions against the Caribbean island settled in that northern
nation.

The Association of Cuban Residents in Greece reiterated the commitment
to defend its identity, and announced the Second National Meeting for
November 7.

Cubans Illegally Heading for US Tortured

Havana, Oct 23 (Prensa Latina) Four Cubans who had illegally left the
country to get to the US with the help of traffickers said they suffered
kidnapping and tortures.

After being deported from Mexico, Kendry Melenilla, 24, Julio Cesar
Urbina Diaz, 25, Jorge Arencibia, 29, and Yunier Rosado Sosa, 26, all
from the Isle of Youth, were victims of cruelty by human smugglers.

Despite having families, profession, and jobs in Cuba, and encouraged
by US propaganda and the bloody Cuban Adjustment Act, they started what
ended up as a terror adventure in Cancun, Mexico, where they were held
captive by sinister dealers.

Melenilla had heard about earning "easy money" in the US, and thought a
friend he had there would assume the cost demanded by the traffickers.

But due to the severe economic crisis in the US, his friend could not
afford it, and even changed his phone number to avoid further calls.
Melenilla was then beaten, suffered electrical shocks, had the tips of
his ears cut, and was even threatened to be killed in the hands of drug
traffickers.

The 14 people onboard the speed boat, and whose relatives in the US did
not pay the money requested by the smugglers underwent similar tortures.

For 13 days they were kept in a small room, sleeping on the floor, only
wearing underclothes, and having a small glass of beans and water. It
was a tragedy of different dramatic tones, until the Mexican army
rescued them.

The torturers, of Cuban origin and residing in the US, were the same
who steered the boat for Cancun. They contacted the victim's relatives
by phone so that they could hear them screaming with pain, to force them
pay.

Urbina was the one who, taking advantage of negligence by their armed
captors, could send messages through a window to a nearby house.

The four young Cubans agreed in their statements that they knew the
meaning of torture for the first time. They admitted with regret they
were attracted by siren's calls, and the act through which Cubans who
illegally reached US territory are allowed to stay.

At the end of the interview, they said they wanted everybody knows
their tragedy, hoping it helps prevent other people from suffering
something similar.

Zaida del Rio in Cuban Cultural Day in India

New Delhi, Oct 23 (Prensa Latina) Painter Zaida del Rio, invited to the
Cuban Culture Day in India, promotes Friday here the rapprochement of
artists and local public to the plastic arts movement of the Caribbean
island.

Del Rio, who also makes successful incursions into engraving, ceramics
and drawing, already visited the principal cultural institutions of New
Delhi and went to a quarter-study of the city, where most of Indian
plastic artists are located.

The famous Cuban painter is also working on the setting up of a
personal exhibition that will be opened in the next days in the
prestigious gallery of the Lalit Kala Akademi, which is the place in
charge of promoting plastic arts in India.

Del Rio will also participate in an interactive workshop with Indian
artists and intellectuals and will be the guest of honour in a congress
on Cuban culture during the 50 years of the Revolution scheduled for
November 11 and 12.

The Cuban Cultural Day in India is organized by the Cuban embassy there
and also has the objective of celebrating the 50 anniversary of the
establishment of bilateral links.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

Mexican Teachers Reject Econ Policies

Mexico, Oct 23 (Prensa Latina) Members of the National Workers Union of
Education in Mexico will join a march here Friday against the approval
of an economic package 2010 at the Chamber of Deputies.

Sources from the union reported that mobilization will start from the
Revolution Monument to the Chamber of Deputies where they will express
their rejection to the 16 percent of the value-added-taxes (IVA)
promoted a few days ago as part of a national strategy to take the
country out of the crisis.

They also showed their refusal for the 30 percent to the income tax as
well as the law of the Institute of Security and Social Services of the
State Workers on the so-called Alliance for Quality of Education.

The demonstration is also aimed at supporting the Mexican Electricians
Union in assembly and permanent social protest since its light and
Center Force Company was wiped out by president order a few days ago.

After tireless discussions between parties deputies approved last
Wednesday an economic package proposed last September by the Federal
Government that include high taxes as mechanism to overcome the fiscal
gap in the country.

The measure have been refused by the companies and the Mexican people
in general which will be the most affected by taxes amidst the worst
economic crisis in decades, experts said.

Chile Professors on National Strike

Santiago de Chile, Oct 23 (Prensa Latina) The Chilean School of
Professors started Friday a National Strike for unlimited time that
could damage the closing of the current school year after the
negotiations with the government failed.

The Professors Union President Jaime Gajardo assured the strike will
stop when the government presents a project that will include repair of
the historical debt and payment of Additional Special Subsidy Bond.

Those issues have been object of discussion with the authorities in
different occasions, it has been on the negotiation tables always and we
have talked about them in Parliament sessions too; in this case we are
almost finishing the process and not beginning with it, he noted.

Gajardo said we have come to the point that there is no initiative and
regretted that the conflict will disturb the development of the current
school year for which he hold the government accountable for the
situation.

In addition the Education Deputy Secretary Christian Martinez said the
mobilization does not have justification since the historic debt has
moral character, it is not a legal demanding debt How can you value a
moral debt?, he asked.

Nicaragua Faces Tense Situation

Managua, Oct 23 (Prensa Latina) Nicaraguans are undergoing a tense
situation, after threats to President Daniel Ortega's government by
opposition sectors of turning to violence to try to reverse a Supreme
Court of Justice decision.

A group of unknown people attacked Constitutional Court President,
Judge Francisco Rosales on Thursday, throwing eggs against him, when he
was entering the Canal 100% Noticias television station building in
Managua.

The situation became more heated when liberal deputy and ex candidate
for Managua's vice-mayor Enrique Quinones threatened to go from throwing
eggs to riddling him with bullets, something that was seen as incitement
to violence.

Later, judge Rosales rejected a nullity appeal lodged against Monday's
sentence by judges of liberal trend, putting forward that it was
inadmissible.

In this reference, the top-level Court President Manuel Martinez said
the nullity appeal was against the sentence that termed the
constitutional Article 147 inapplicable and that they were proceeding
according to the law.

However, Rosales asserted that it had to be presented 24 hour after the
sentence was announced. That is to say on Tuesday afternoon and not on
Thursday.

He clarified that only a clarifying appeal fits, and it can only be
presented by the people to whom the sentence referred: President Daniel
Ortega and the Sandinista mayors.

In a journalist forum in defense of the Bolivarian Alliance for the
People of our Americas, the Nicaraguan Social Coordinating Office said
in a communique that the decision is legally firm and it is a historic
event to Nicaraguans.

The group guaranteed support to the judges, restoring the people's
right to elect freely their government representatives.

Entrepreneurs at Bolivian Amazonian Fair

Pando, Bolivia, Oct 23 (Prensa Latina) The Ninth International Fair of
Pando (Fexpo Pando 2009) welcomes more than one hundred Bolivian
entrepreneurs and producers and companies from Brazil and Peru,
highlight Friday Cambio daily.

According to Minister of Productive Development and Plural Economy
Patricia Ballivian the event, which is the most important of the
Bolivian Amazonia and was inaugurated Thursday, has the objective of
promoting social, economic and productive development of the region.

Ballivian explained that the current fair edition, the first with
international attendance, seeks to consolidate Pando department as a
leader of the national industry. That forest zone, pointed the
minister, supplies 90 per cent of the chestnut production worldwide.

ó It is also sought to generate spaces for value-added wood production
and not simply as raw material ó , affirmed the minister.

In the framework of the fair, a negotiation round will take place with
the objective of encouraging the development of sectors as craftsmanship
and food production and allows closing trade transactions to small
business in the region.

Uruguay's Mujica: Presidential Runner without Tie

Montevideo, Oct 23 (Prensa Latina) A graffiti on a wall in the Uruguayan
capital reads: "Keep watch Uruguay, president without tie at sight," in
allusion to Jose Mujica, presidential candidate for the ruling Broad
Front (FA).

Mujica, 75, was one of the founders of the Tupamaros National
Liberation Movement (MLN) that operated in Uruguay between 1960 and
1970.

He went to jail for those activities, and spent 14 years detained at
different military centers. He was part of the MLN group of leaders
known as "hostages." After democracy was restored in Uruguay, he was
released in 1985, benefited by an amnesty for political prisoners.

Some years later, he founded, along with other MLN members, the Popular
Participation Movement (MPP) within the Broad Front.

Mujica was elected deputy to the 1994 elections, and senator in 1999.
In the 2004 elections, he was the legislator with the highest number of
votes, but resigned from that post when he was named Minister for
Livestock, Agriculture and Fishing in March 2005.

On March 3, 2008, he left that post, and returns to Senate.

The FA Extraordinary Congress in December 2008 nominated him as
official candidate of the left coalition for the 2009 internal
elections.

He was then chosen as potential presidential runner for the elections
this October 25.

Venezuela Socialist Candidates to Congress

Caracas, Oct 23 (Prensa Latina) Thousands of members of the United
Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) are nominating the right ones to
represent them at the group's extraordinary Congress, November
21-December 13.

Today is the penultimate day to nominate candidates, process made on
the Internet, with some exceptions authorized by PSUV regional leaders.

According to PSUV coordinator Jorge Rodriguez, 37,890 territorial
grass-root organizations and 3,500 workers had made their proposals
until yesterday.

The lists to be taken to the National Electoral Council will be checked
on Monday.

The other way of attending the congress is by the legal authority
President Hugo Chavez has to name direct delegates.

During the extraordinary forum, Venezuelan socialists will agree on the
PSUV statutes, and draw strategies to consolidate themselves in power.

Zelaya: Current Honduras Talks Used Up

Tegucigalpa, Oct 23 (Prensa Latina) The delegation by Honduran President
Manuel Zelaya stated that the dialogue is exhausted, after considering
the de facto government lacks of political will for a negotiated
solution to the conflict.

The decision was confirmed after midnight Friday by Work Minister Mayra
Mejia, one of Zelaya's three representatives in the dialogue process
started on October 7.

"This phase is used up. We are going to continue with other actions,"
Mejia stated when recalled that October 15 was the statesman's initial
deadline to find a negotiated solution to the crisis unleashed in the
country after the June 28 coup d'etat.

The Honduran official stated that they will meet with Zelaya today to
define the route to follow after the failure of negotiations.

The negotiating process began in July, when Costa Rican President Oscar
Arias acted as US mediator, and presented a plan known as San Jose
Agreement, Mejia stressed.

During that time, de facto President Roberto Micheletti did not show
political will to restore constitutional order, broken by armed forces,
and political and managerial sectors, she noted.

Typhoon, Cold Expand Flu A in Mexico

Mexico, Oct 23 (Prensa Latina) The winter season and typhoon Rick have
helped Flu A(H1N1) spread, warned Mexico Health Secretary Jose Angel
Cordova.

Cordova tried play down general concern saying that hospital
facilities, at least in the capital, are able to assist all cases.

But sanitary sources report saturation in Mexico City health care
network, including facilities specializing in acute respiratory
disorders.

The disease expands as aftermath of typhoon Rick at the northern states
of in Baja California Sur, Sinaloa, Durango, Nayarit and Colima, while
the cold front helps cases soar in seven NE states.

Similar escalation suffer San Luis Potosi, Jalisco, Hidalgo, Queretaro,
Morelos, Sonora, Tamaulipas, and Puebla, Tlaxcala, Veracruz and Chiapas
in the south.

Meanwhile, Chiapas with over 3,600 cases, ranks as as second Mexican
state in the worst situation following the DF.

US, CANADA, EUROPE

NATO Evaluates Afghanistan Mission

Bratislava, Oct 23 (Prensa Latina) Facing the increasing international
refusal the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members analyzes
for two days in a row its military mission in Afghanistan

Although possibilities of concrete solutions have been ruled out because
of the informal character of the meeting sending new troops to the
Afghan territory is still the center of attention inside and outside it.

The agenda of the 28 countries Defense Ministers members of the NATO
also involved analysis of the financial situation of the bloc and the
new anti missile strategy of defense.

The General Secretary of the Organization Ander Fogh Rasmussen admitted
that Afghanistan represents the most difficult problem the Atlantic
Alliance has faced in all over its history.

Rasmussen said the cost of the military mission has been very high
since the arrival to that Asian nation in 2001 where 1,445 soldiers from
the allies have died.

Despite of showing themselves cautious with sending more troops he
insisted on the need to extend the soldiers stay in Afghan territory
since ó the inaction cost will be higher. ó

The refusal of the public opinion to ISAF mission and the controversy
prompted at the heart of the North Atlantic Organization in relation to
its few results hinder the conciliation of a common strategy vis- á-vis
to the future.

Obama Seeks Support among University Students

Washington, Oct 23 (Prensa Latina) US President Barack Obama will
promote Friday his environmental plans at Massachussets Technological
Institute, few days before the Senate starts discussing a proposals to
reduce the pollutant load.

According to a White House press release, Obama will defend the use of
alternative energies before businessmen, traders, community leaders as
well as students and scholars called at the Center for advanced studies.

The President seeks support and counts on some democrat votes to pass a
bill that limits gradually the emission of gases that cause Greenhouse
effect and promotes non-traditional energy sources.

The President ó s speech responds to appeals of legislators and
environmentalists who demand a more active attitude of the presidency,
if this one pretends to gain the 60 necessary votes to pass the reform
in the upper house of Congress.

Parallel to Obama s speech, Manager of the Environmental Protection
Agency Lisa Jackson must issue an economic and environmental analysis of
the proposal, which was presented to the President by senators John
Ferry and Barbara Boxer.

WHO Reports Over 414,000 A Flu cases

Geneva, Oct 23 (Prensa Latina) The World Health organization (WHO)
reported Friday that 414,945 A(H1N1) flu cases have been confirmed and
about 5,000 deceased.

The international entity also noted that the Americas region is still
the most affected with 160,129 cases and with higher number of deceased
(3,539).

This region is fallowed in order by the Pacific and Southern Asia.

The WHO communiqué also explained the infection is lower in most of the
European countries but in Great Britain, Belgium, Holland and Norway the
percentages are very high.

It also emphasized how in warm areas of the southern hemisphere no
activity of the A(H1N1) virus was detected.

Experts insisted on the need to step up personal hygiene measures and
keep a good diet.

For preventing the risk of getting sick the most important thing is to
wash your hands frequently for at least 20 minutes, noted the source.

It is also important to cover your mouth with a handkerchief when
sneezing or coughing and throw them away immediately; if a handkerchief
is not available you are suggested to sneeze over the flexed elbow.

Avoid kisses and close contacts as possible.

The health authorities advise to avoid contact with sick people and
alert those affected with the disease to go to the doctor as soon as
possible.

NATO Summit Ends Without Accords

Bratislava, Oct 23 (Prensa Latina) A 48-hour NATO Summit with 28 Defense
Ministers closed here without an agreement to send in more troops to
Afghanistan yet the US Defense hopes for a final decision within two or
three weeks at the most.

NATO General Secretary Anders Fogh Rasmussen said the ministers failed
to gather more troops to brace the International Security Assistance
Forces (ISAF).

Although ISAF Commander Stanley McChrystal got support on national
troop training, the majority avoided the US demand to send in fresh
troops which Rasmussen assesses in an additional 40,000.

Plus, the other NATO members expect to trail the US in reinforcing the
current 68,000 troops in Afghanistan.

The future of the ISAF mission also relies on the turnout of the
November presidential elections runoffs.

Europe, LatAm for Better Pro-Environment Actions

Brussels, Oct 23 (Prensa Latina) Europe and Latin America requested more
funds, amid the current economic crisis, to achieve credibility in the
action plans against climate change and avoid the Copenhagen
conference's failure.

European Environment Commissioner Stavaros Dimas asserted that without
money on the table, there will not be agreements in Copenhagen, where
the international community will meet from December 7-18 to agree a
world plan against climate change.

There were two European Finance and Environment ministerial meetings
this week that ended without any agreement regarding financial
contribution by the European Union (EU) member countries.

That contribution would be necessary to counteract the climate change
impact on the poor countries, an issue that they will try to settle at
the EU head of States and government summit from October 29-30 in
Brussels.

The European Commission has estimated at around 100 billion euros the
contribution required between 2013 and 2020, and calculated that the EU
members should contribute between 2 and 15 billion euros annually, way
under the 35 billion euros demanded by ecologists.

Some countries, as German y are not willing to spend that amount,
putting forward that other large powers, as the United States and Japan
have not made any statement on the issue.

Latin American countries demanded larger capitals to develop projects
to adapt their economies to the struggle against climate change in the
spheres of energy, agriculture and health.

UN Development Program Environment and Energy Group Director Veerle
Vandeweerd recognized that there is commitment in the region to changing
economies in favour of nature.

She also alerted on the need to make quick changes and deal with the
problem globally, because the poor are those most affected by climate
change.

AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST

More Political Will to Aid African Refugees

Kampala, Oct 23 (Prensa Latina) The President of the Commission of the
African Union, Jean Ping, said the future of the continent is at stake
and insisted on more "political will" to resolve the problem of the
refugees and displaced persons.

At a special meeting of heads of State in this capital, to analyze the
subject, the official stressed the 17 million displaced Africans and
intern refugees are a threat to the stability of the region.

When he talked in the forum, Ping said Africa has the third part of the
world refugees and also called to practice more "political will" and to
"new modes of action" to give a response to the problem.

In that way he explained the celebration of the meeting and the
agreements adopted there express "the determination of Africa to
continue and consolidate its efforts in terms of humanitarian rights".

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Antonio Guterres, said
the convention will be an event for the human rights. Agreements to be
adopted by the heads of State and Primes Ministers are the commitment of
the African leaders to don ó t forced big movements in situations of
conflict and to improve life conditions of the refugees and displaced
persons.

In the meeting are present only the heads of State from Uganda, Zambia,
Zimbabwe, and the Primes Ministers from Equatorial Guinea and Namibia.

120-Day Missing Govt Erodes Lebanon

Beirut, Oct 23 (Prensa Latina) Lebanon political circles and the Middle
East grow skeptical with the failure by appointed Prime Minister Saad
Hariri to set up a reconcilement government.

Hariri, Parliament majority leader and head of the Liberal Democratic
Party, have been unable to honor President Michel Suleiman's June 7
request to assemble a coalition with the opposition.

Political clashes with Free Patriotic Movement leader, Christian
Maronite Michel Aoun, are key impediments for Hariri to set up his
reconcilement cabinet 120 days after his appointment.

The media describes the impasse as evidence of the blocks' handicap "to
use the magic formula to give Lebanon a true government."

Skepticism braced this week when Gen. Michel Aoun lashed at some
legislators' excessive optimism in claiming cabinet completion and
readiness to announce its membership any time.

He even charged Christian-Maronite Samir Geagea of plotting against his
block by setting up a government without his knowledge since Geagea
dared to challenge Aoun "to accept their terms to join the cabinet or
remain as opposition".

Gen. Aoun's statement must have caught PM Hariri by surprise since the
cabinet short list they submitted to his consent was almost complete.

Also, Walid Jumblatt an ally of Hariri, warned Aoun "that he will be
trapped in a bid or war" concerning Christian representation in the
executive.

Syria and Egypt also voiced concern with the delay and called the
parties to speed up arrangements and avoid an institutional gap that
could fuel unrestrained rivalry.

ASIA AND AUSTRALIA

More Blasts Kill 25 in Pakistan

Islamabad, Oct 23 (Prensa Latina) The unstoppable wave of violence in
Pakistan is blamed for 25 deaths and 40 wounded left by three explosions
including a buss that set off an anti-tank mine.

GeoTV reported the worst nightmare from Monmand District, Peshawar,
where a bus set off an anti-tank mine planted by Islamic Rebels killed
18 and wounded 27 guests to a wedding.

Few hours earlier, the first explosion resulted from a suicide attack
in Kamra, some 31 miles from Islamabad, that killed two soldiers and
five civilians at an air base.

A second blast next to a restaurant in Peshawar left 15 wounded and
massive material damage, said military sources.

The spiral of violence coincides with a cabinet massive anti-rebel
drive in South Waziristan, a tribal region sharing border with
Afghanistan,

suspected stronghold of the 10,000 to 15,000-strong Tehreek-e-Taliban
Pakistan (TTP).

The TTP - that struggles to impose the Sharia or orthodox Islam in
Pakistan- is also charged of holding ties with Al-Qaeda and for the
latest suicide attacks.

END
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