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With Western markets becoming saturated, Asia provides a huge opportunity for businesses to expand their market share, and regional businesses can get their due share, he added.

 

“One of the best ways to do this is to set up a good e-business infrastructure,” said Kalam, whose country is one of Asia’s information technology leaders. He said India, which has expertise in information and communication technology, space technology and a skilled work force, could be a partner if the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations decided to establish an e-business network. Kalam said that in addition to the cooperative agreements New Delhi has signed with Manila on defense, tourism and agriculture during his visit, his country also plans to develop and market innovations created by Filipino and Indian software specialists. India also will help set up small businesses in the Philippines for production and marketing of farm tools to boost agricultural production, sell medicines to the Philippines at affordable prices and help develop facilities for bio-diesel production and solar energy, he added. Kalam left for South Korea shortly after his speech, ending his four-day visit to the Philippines. (AP)

 

Cambodian Opposition Member Freed

 

A senior Cambodian opposition politician who spent a year behind bars on subversion charges walked free Monday from a military prison after receiving a royal amnesty from King Norodom Sihamoni. Cheam Channy, a former lawmaker of the Sam Rainsy Party, was convicted and sentenced last year to seven years in jail by a military court on charges of trying to form an illegal armed group to topple the government. "I feel extremely delighted," Cheam Channy, 45, shouted to supporters from inside a car as he was driven outside the prison gates. Some 100 supporters and family members gathered outside the military prison to greet the politician. Last week, King Sihamoni ordered Cheam Channy's seven-year term cut by four years. Then on Sunday, the king issued an additional royal decree granting the former lawmaker total amnesty following a request from Prime Minister Hun Sen. Cheam Channy's release came after opposition leader Sam Rainsy and Hun Sen agreed Friday to a truce in a long-running feud. Sam Rainsy, currently living in self-imposed exile in Paris, apologized to Hun Sen for an accusation that the prime minister was behind a deadly 1997 grenade attack on a peaceful anti-government demonstration. Last year, a court sentenced Sam Rainsy, in absentia, to 18 months in jail on charges of criminal defamation. Hun Sen accepted Sam Rainsy's apology Friday and requested a royal pardon from the king. The king, in a royal decree issued Sunday, granted a pardon to Sam Rainsy, paving the way for him to return home from exile and resume political activities. (AP)

 

 

Friday, February 03, 2006

 

Anniversary Marks 45 Years of Kachin Revolution

 

The armed ethnic Kachin Independence Organization today began four days of celebrations to mark 45 years of struggle against the Burmese government. More than a thousand people—including representatives from other armed groups such as the Kachin Defense Army and the New Democratic Army-Kachin—gathered at KIO headquarters in Laiza, eastern Kachin State, today for speeches and cultural performances. KIO central committee member Lt-Col Numdaw Nuk Gan told The Irrawaddy that the celebrations aimed to reinforce unity between all Kachin groups, and honor those who have died since the KIO first formed and revolted against the Burmese junta in 1961.