akehimat - @ 20six.co.uk

US raid complicating Pakistani's presidential bid

JsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? Pakistani tribal people stand near a car of tribal police which was ambushed by militants Wednesday night, in Khyber tribal area, 15 kilometers (9 miles) north of Peshawar, Pakistan on Thursday, Sept 4, 2008. A senior U.S. military official has acknowledged that American forces conducted a raid inside Pakistan, in the first known foreign ground assault in the country against a suspected Taliban haven. ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) — A deadly American-led raid on a Pakistani village embarrassed the government and eroded support for the pro-U.S. presidential front-runner Thursday just two days before the election.Furor continued to mount over the first known foreign ground assault inside Pakistan against a suspected Taliban haven. The government summoned the U.S. ambassador for an official protest, while Parliament passed resolutions of condemnation.In news likely to stoke more anger, intelligence officials said a missile strike wa...
Originally from: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jIE0IUn4WIiaMBpjG8SI_6H5RXzgD93037SO0

5.9.08 19:31, comment

State of emergency hits economy hard

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has signalled that he is considering how to repeal the state of emergency in Bangkok. This is good news. In fact, the state of emergency should not have been declared in the first place. It has caused panic in the international community. Several countries have issued travel advisories for Thailand. It has also shocked investors, undermining their confidence in their ability to conduct business in the country. Thailand's image has been greatly tarnished, giving the impression that it is a military state.The Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) and the Board of Trade (BoT) deserve praise for calling on the government to consider lifting the decree to prevent further damage to the economy.These two powerful business federations correctly pointed out that it sent the wrong signal to foreigners doing business in Thailand.Already partial strikes have hit Bangkok Port, the railways and other public services, hitting the economy hard following weeks of a political s...
Originally from: http://nationmultimedia.com/2008/09/06/opinion/opinion_30082736.php