Asia-Cast

Asia Cast for Sunday 2nd of March

In this Bulletin…

- Armenia declare state of emergency;
- Chemical Ali to be executed; and
- China and the US set up hotline.

********************
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan declared a state of emergency in the capital on Saturday and vowed to deploy troops against opposition protesters after riots in which at least one person has died.

Protests became violent in Yerevan’s central streets, when police tried to disperse demonstrators protesting at a presidential election they say was rigged.

Kocharyan accused the protesters of shooting at unarmed police and said he would use troops to restore law and order.

The unrest risks destabilising Armenia, a republic of 3.2 million people in the Caucasus Mountains that is now emerging as a key transit route for oil and gas supplies from the Caspian Sea.

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

Saddam Hussein’s cousin, the man known as “Chemical Ali” will be hanged for his role in the killing of up to 180,000 Kurds in the 1980s.

Ali Hassan al-Majeed was convicted of directing the Anfal military campaign against ethnic Kurds in 1988 and acquired his nickname because of the poison gas used to kill many of them.

Hassan al-Majeed was sentenced to death last June, but legal wrangling held up his execution until Iraq’s Presidency Council approved his execution last week.

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

In an effort to prevent military misunderstandings becoming crises, China and the United States have formally agreed to the setting up of a military hotline.

The deal was signed at a meeting of senior US and Chinese defence officials in Shanghai.

Establishing a hotline has been long planned and was last discussed during a visit to China in November by the US defence secretary, Robert Gates.

It is the first time China has agreed to such a link between its defence ministry and that of another country, and it is hoped the move will prevent a repeat of some of the problems which have dogged military relations between Beijing and Washington.

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

Indian archaeologists working in Chhattisgarh have unearthed 79 ancient Buddhist relics dating back to the seventh and eighth centuries B.C.

The Archaeological Survey of India discovered the ancient Buddhist stupas along with some ancient weapons. Archaeologists say this is the first time that so many Buddhist relics have been unearthed in India.

The find includes statues that are between nine and eight centimetres tall, and are enshrined with basic prayers.

********************
And now for our original SOH news direct from China
**********************

According to a report from the Epoch Times, although dirty air, food hygiene, and freedom of expression have become worrying issues for overseas Olympians, one issue that has been neglected is water supply.

According to reports, the authorities will be forced to divert domestic water supply away from millions of residents to ensure a consistent supply of water during the Olympics.

Authorities have also pledged to speed up the construction of waterways, but many experts have criticised this as being a short-term solution.

It is expected that the proposals and the subsequent restrictions on already limited water resources will provoke more complaints and social unrest.

**********************
According to a report from the Central News Agency, the National Peoples’ Congress and the National People’s Political Consultative Congress will be held in Beijing next month.

During the two Congresses, besides the continued discussion on macroeconomic control and readjustment to ensure China’s economic development, the main issue that will be discussed is how to deal with ongoing corruption and greed.

Despite efforts by Premier Wen Jiabao corruption is still rife in many facets of Chinese life, particularly within the business and political sectors and within the CCP itself.

********************
And now for our daily update on the NTDTV Divine Performing Arts “New Year Spectacular” show.
**********************

Today is the last day of Devine Performing Arts Spectacular performances in Paris and Tainan in Taiwan. On Tuesday the Spectacular will continue its world tour in Kaohsiung in Taiwan on Tuesday.

Dr. Yan Chunzheng, Vice County Mayor of Tainan County, made time in his schedule and the Tainan Lantern Festival performances to see the Spectacular.

The Vice County Mayor attended the show with his wife, their two children and his mother. He was particularly impressed with the dance The Risen Lotus Flower.

He said he had watched many performances by Taiwanese groups but had never seen such an impressive production. He hoped the Spectacular could be a reference for Taiwanese performing groups if they want to present the country’s culture on the international stage.

For more information about the Divine Performing Arts world tour, please visit: www.divineperformingarts.org