DAP: The breaking news in Cambodia: “ADB provides almost $2 bln to Cambodia in 20 years” plus 9 more

NEW DELHI, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- India on Wednesday executed Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab, the only Pakistani militant caught alive in 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, in a top-secret operation in a high-security prison in the western city of Pune, just days before the fourth anniversary of the massacre.

"At 7.30 a.m. local time Ajmal Kasab was hanged in the Yerawada prison. Pakistan has been informed of the hanging. If there was a request for Kasab's body, we would have obliged, but there was no such request," Indian Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde told the media in the Indian capital.

In fact, 25-year-old Kasab was shifted to Pune's prison from the high-security Arthur Road jail in Mumbai two days ago, an operation which was kept under wraps till he was hanged this morning.

Justifying the secrecy of the operation, the Home Minister said: "The secrecy was necessary as it was a high-profile operation. This is a tribute to all innocent people and police officers who lost their lives in this heinous attack on our nation."

Kasab's hanging came weeks after Indian President Pranab Mukherjee rejected his clemency plea and at a time when Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was out of the country -- he is on his way back to the national capital from Cambodia where he attended the ASEAN Summit.

Moreover, sources said that Pakistani Interior Minister Rehman Mallik's visit to India -- due to begin on November 22 -- was canceled at the last minute as India did not want to host a Pakistani delegation at the time of the execution which was decided soon after President rejected Kasab's mercy plea on November 5.

Kasab was sentenced to death in 2010 by a special Indian court after he was found guilty on 80 offences, including waging war against the state. His death sentence was upheld by the High Court in Mumbai. Kasab's appeal against the death sentence was rejected by the Supreme Court in August this year.

India's main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) welcomed the hanging, saying it was "better late than never". "It is a warning for those trying to instigate terror attacks in India, as well as succor for those who have suffered due to these attacks," BJP Vice-President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told the media.

The last time such an execution took place was in 2004 in the eastern state of West Bengal's capital Kolkata where a man was hanged for raping and killing a schoolgirl.

Experts say that India's ruling Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government was under tremendous pressure to act against Kasab, who along with nine of his associates, carried out one of the deadliest attacks in the country, in which over 170 people were killed and more than 300 others injured.

"There has been an overwhelming demand among people in India since 2008 that Kasab be executed," said Prof Ajay Singh, a Delhi- based political expert.

He added: "Kasab's hanging was aimed at boosting the Indian government's image, perceived to be weak by many. The UPA government has been under fire for its inability to prevent corruption as well as inflation. This political move is a morale booster."

Related:

India's Supreme Court upholds death sentence of Mumbai attacker

NEW DELHI, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- India's Supreme Court Wednesday upheld the death penalty given to Mohammed Amir Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving gunman in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

The death sentence was confirmed by Bombay high court on Feb. 21, 2011 and first delivered by a special court in Mumbai on May 6, 2010 after convicting him of waging war against India and other dozens of charges including murders and terrorist act.

BEIJING, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- The East Asia Summit, which ended Tuesday in Phnom Penh, was expected to focus on ways to boost regional economic cooperation, but was unfortunately distracted by the disputes over the South China Sea as several countries attempted to raise them in an untimely manner.

Raising the disputes on such an occasion is against the spirit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and risks escalating tension and harming the cooperative atmosphere among East Asian countries.

The South China Sea has remained peaceful since the row over the Huangyan Island between China and the Philippines calmed down in April.

China and relevant countries have held two rounds of talks in a bid to seal the Code of Conduct in South China Sea.

Against such a backdrop, it is unwise to raise the South China Sea issue at the East Asia summit.

The Philippines and Vietnam, however, distracted the summit by doggedly highlighting the disputes. When Cambodia, this year's ASEAN chair, said at a meeting on Monday that the 10 ASEAN nations had agreed not to "internationalize" the rifts, Philippine President Benigno Aquino defied basic diplomatic rules to blatantly rebuke Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

As a matter of fact, "not to internationalize the South China Sea issue" is one of the important principles written in the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, which was reached 10 years ago by China and ASEAN countries including the Philippines.

The Philippines' and Vietnam's disregard of diplomatic protocols was apparently driven by their coveting of the rich oil, gas and maritime resources in the South China Sea.

China has a persistent and clear stance on the sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and their adjacent waters.

Prior to the 1970s, countries around the South China Sea had a tacit recognition of China's sovereignty over the isles, but when oil was found in the seabed in 1976, everything changed.

In 1978, the Philippines claimed sovereignty over the Nansha Islands. And this year, the Philippines went so far as to decide to change the name of "South China Sea," a name that has been recognized across the world for hundreds of years.

Before 1974, Vietnam also recognized China's sovereignty over the isles, which can be proved by its governmental statements, diplomatic representations, official maps and textbooks.

However, out of the same reason as that of the Philippines, Vietnam passed a maritime law earlier this year to claim sovereignty over a number of isles in South China Sea.

Both Vietnam and the Philippines have been playing a crying for help card to seek bolster from countries outside the region, notably, the United States amid its Pivot to Asia strategy.

Those two countries intended to press China with the hands of U.S. President Barrack Obama, who also attended the summit.

This point of view is shared by quite a few Western media which believed "backing" from the United States encouraged the pair to speak loud at the summit.

Although President Obama lowered his tone by urging "restraint" at the summit, senior U.S. diplomats repeated the call for "freedom of navigation" after the summit.

In fact, "freedom of navigation" is a fabricated excuse.

China, the world's second biggest economy and top exporter, attaches importance to peace, stability, free navigation and security in the South China Sea. Thanks to its efforts and those of relevant countries, free navigation and security in the sea are fully guaranteed.

Repeating the issue of navigation freedom in South China Sea was intended to disguise the real motive of certain countries.

Disputes over the South China Sea can only be resolved through direct bilateral talks among relevant parties.

China is ready to work with related countries to maintain the hard-won cooperative atmosphere and make unremitting efforts to promote lasting peace and prosperity in East Asia.

This is the only right track forward, any deviation from which is unwise and short-sighted.

BEIJING, Nov. 21 (Xinhuanet) -- US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has called for a "durable outcome" to the fighting between militants in Gaza and Israel.

She was speaking in Jerusalem after holding a late-night meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Clinton was sent to the region from Cambodia, where she was accompanying President Barack Obama on a visit.

At a news conference with Netanyahu, Clinton stressed America's stance as Israel's ally. She said the goal must be a durable outcome that promotes regional stability and advances the security and legitimate aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu said Israel would welcome a diplomatic solution to the crisis but threatened further military activity when necessary.

Hillary Clinton said, "In the days ahead, the United States will work with our partners here in Israel and across the region toward an outcome that bolsters security for the people of Israel, improves conditions for the people of Gaza and moves toward a comprehensive peace for all people of the region."

Netanyahu said, "Now if there is a possibility of achieving a long term solution to this problem, through diplomatic means, we prefer that. But if not, I'm sure you understand that Israel will have to take whatever action is necessary to defend its people."

BEIJING, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- The East Asia Summit, which ended Tuesday in Phnom Penh, was expected to focus on ways to boost regional economic cooperation, but was unfortunately distracted by the disputes over the South China Sea as several countries attempted to raise them in an untimely manner.

Raising the disputes on such an occasion is against the spirit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and risks escalating tension and harming the cooperative atmosphere among East Asian countries.

The South China Sea has remained peaceful since the row over the Huangyan Island between China and the Philippines calmed down in April.

China and relevant countries have held two rounds of talks in a bid to seal the Code of Conduct in South China Sea.

Against such a backdrop, it is unwise to raise the South China Sea issue at the East Asia summit.

The Philippines and Vietnam, however, distracted the summit by doggedly highlighting the disputes. When Cambodia, this year's ASEAN chair, said at a meeting on Monday that the 10 ASEAN nations had agreed not to "internationalize" the rifts, Philippine President Benigno Aquino defied basic diplomatic rules to blatantly rebuke Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

As a matter of fact, "not to internationalize the South China Sea issue" is one of the important principles written in the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, which was reached 10 years ago by China and ASEAN countries including the Philippines.

The Philippines' and Vietnam's disregard of diplomatic protocols was apparently driven by their coveting of the rich oil, gas and maritime resources in the South China Sea.

China has a persistent and clear stance on the sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and their adjacent waters.

Prior to the 1970s, countries around the South China Sea had a tacit recognition of China's sovereignty over the isles, but when oil was found in the seabed in 1976, everything changed.

In 1978, the Philippines claimed sovereignty over the Nansha Islands. And this year, the Philippines went so far as to decide to change the name of "South China Sea," a name that has been recognized across the world for hundreds of years.

Before 1974, Vietnam also recognized China's sovereignty over the isles, which can be proved by its governmental statements, diplomatic representations, official maps and textbooks.

However, out of the same reason as that of the Philippines, Vietnam passed a maritime law earlier this year to claim sovereignty over a number of isles in South China Sea.

Both Vietnam and the Philippines have been playing a crying for help card to seek bolster from countries outside the region, notably, the United States amid its Pivot to Asia strategy.

Those two countries intended to press China with the hands of U.S. President Barrack Obama, who also attended the summit.

This point of view is shared by quite a few Western media which believed "backing" from the United States encouraged the pair to speak loud at the summit.

Although President Obama lowered his tone by urging "restraint" at the summit, senior U.S. diplomats repeated the call for "freedom of navigation" after the summit.

In fact, "freedom of navigation" is a fabricated excuse.

China, the world's second biggest economy and top exporter, attaches importance to peace, stability, free navigation and security in the South China Sea. Thanks to its efforts and those of relevant countries, free navigation and security in the sea are fully guaranteed.

Repeating the issue of navigation freedom in South China Sea was intended to disguise the real motive of certain countries.

Disputes over the South China Sea can only be resolved through direct bilateral talks among relevant parties.

China is ready to work with related countries to maintain the hard-won cooperative atmosphere and make unremitting efforts to promote lasting peace and prosperity in East Asia.

This is the only right track forward, any deviation from which is unwise and short-sighted.

JAKARTA, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia reached its target of winning the ASEAN Skills Competition showing astonishing progress in human resources development over the past two years, local media reported on Wednesday.

The Indonesian team taking part in the 20 skills contested during the week-long competition that ended on Tuesday, garnered a total of 19 gold, 12 silver and two bronze medals clobbering opposition from eight other ASEAN member countries contending in the competition held at home. It also won seven medallions of excellence.

Vietnam could only muster five gold, four silvers and five bronze medals to be distant runner-up, while Thailand, which won the biennial competition in Bangkok in 2010, could only scrape together a total of 11 medals, leaving them in third place.

"We appreciate the Indonesian team's performance and I am personally proud of their dominance in winning the competition. It is the first time Indonesia has won the competition since it was first held in 1993," Manpower and Transmigration Minister Muhaimin Iskandar said during the closing ceremony here.

He said Indonesia's supremacy in the competition showed the incredible progress made in developing the quality of human resources and indicated that the younger generation had been able to compete with other countries at the ASEAN regional level.

"For the victory, the government will give a special appreciation and prizes -- scholarships and promotions -- to the glorious Indonesian participants who won medals in such a range of skills," Muhaimin added.

Indonesian team harvested medals in automotive technology, IT system administration, web design, mechanical engineering design, cabinet making, industrial automation, fashion technology ( especially beauty therapy), hairdressing and electronics technicians, the Jakarta Post reported.

"Following Indonesia's embarrassing failure to subjugate the opposition in Bangkok [in 2010], the government coordinated closely with relevant companies to execute intensive training for 42 young workers to represent national interests in the arena."

A total of 252 young workers grouped in nine teams from ASEAN members took part in the competition and more than 250 experts were deployed as juries.

Except Myanmar, all ASEAN member countries sent their teams to take part in the competition.

PHNOM PENH, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia on Wednesday pinned the government's honorable medal decoration to ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan for his efforts to develop ties between ASEAN and Cambodia.

Surin was bestowed one of the country's highest decorations -- the Grand Cross of the Sahakmetrey Order. Cambodian Minister of Commerce Cham Prasidh, on behalf of the government, awarded the decoration to him.

Surin will complete his term as secretary-general of ASEAN on Dec. 31, 2012, Kao Kim Hourn, Cambodian secretary of state at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said last Sunday.

Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Le Luong Minh will be his successor as the next secretary-general of ASEAN for a new 2013- 2017 term.

The award was made just a day after Cambodia successfully hosted the 21st ASEAN Summit and related Summits on Nov. 18-20.

The Summits were attended by the leaders of the ten-member ASEAN and eight ASEAN's dialogue country leaders including U.S. President Barack Obama, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

WELLINGTON, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand Prime Minister John Key's support for a new Asian free trade agreement received a mixed response Wednesday, with critics saying he was ignoring an obvious conflict between the new proposed pact and the ongoing Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) talks.

Key has joined other leaders from Asian countries in Cambodia to launch negotiations for a 16-nation Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) that would include the 10 ASEAN ( Association of Southeast Asian Nations) states, together with Australia, China, India, Japan, Korea and New Zealand.

"The goal is an outcome that offers New Zealand businesses improved access to key markets across Asia, and robust trade and investment rules," Key said in a statement Wednesday.

The RCEP offered the opportunity for the first time to negotiate a free trade relationship with Japan, New Zealand's fourth-largest trading partner.

"New Zealand's participation in RCEP will complement our existing free trade agreements in Asia," said Key.

"Along with our participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations, it also underlines the government's commitment to ensuring New Zealand actively participates in the development of the trade and economic architecture of the Asia-Pacific region."

New Zealand would work closely with ASEAN and other partners to make the negotiations a success when they began next year, he said.

Critics have said the United States is using the 11-nation TPP talks as a vehicle to contain China's economic growth in the Pacific, while the RCEP includes China and neighboring emerging economy India.

The New Zealand International Business Forum (NZIBF) said Wednesday that while the coverage of the RCEP could be even bigger than the TPP in terms of its contribution to economic welfare, they were mutually reinforcing as potential pathways to a wider Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific.

"This negotiation will build on New Zealand and Australia's existing high quality free trade agreement with ASEAN and will bring both the giant North Asian economies and India into the same network," NZIBF chairman Graeme Harrison said in a statement.

However, Auckland University law professor and prominent TPP critic Jane Kelsey said Key needed "a reality check" if he really believed New Zealand could maintain a balance between the TPP and the RCEP.

"The U.S.-dominated Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement is pitted against the proposed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership that pivots around China as well as India," Kelsey said in a statement Wednesday.

"The prime minister may not want to 'over-emphasize' the China- U.S. stand-off, but that is now the dominant narrative of the TPP, " said Kelsey.

New Zealand Trade Minister Tim Groser had promised that New Zealand would walk away if the TPP became an exercise in "China- bashing," but this promise was "more hollow by the day."

"The TPP has now become a geo-political pact. There is a serious risk that participating governments will sign up for strategic reasons to a text that surrenders their domestic economies and grants undue influence over their policy decisions to powerful, largely U.S., corporate interests," said Kelsey.

The current TPP trade agreement between Brunei, Chile, Singapore and New Zealand came into force in 2006, but the United States, Australia, Peru, Vietnam, Malaysia, Canada and Mexico have joined negotiations to expand the agreement.

Japan announced its interest in joining the TPP in 2010, when the negotiations began, and Thailand voiced its interest in joining this week.

New Zealand became the first developed nation to sign a free trade agreement with China in 2008.