MR & His Foreign Trips

| by A Special Correspondent

( October 6, 2014, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Since Mahinda became president he has made hundreds of foreign trips at the expenses of public money and indeed, in the history of Sri Lanka no president has made so many foreign trips as MR has made. It is estimated that his trips alone cost more than 1000 million rupees or more from public money. Indeed he has gained maximum benefits and enjoyment out of his trips at the expense of public money. Sometimes he had made these trips with hundreds of his party supporters, friends and relatives. Sometimes he has taken private flights at expenses of public money. No president wasted public money as MR has done. Most of these trips are just holiday trips and picnics at the expense of public money. Since he is an executive president no one could question him and no one could object these luxurious trips. Many MPs have gained maximum benefits from these trips.

If you check his official diary and expense you could come up with “an Asian wonder” in Sri Lanka. That is to say that you could realise that MR has made more trips than OBAMA or some other European political Leaders. No other leaders in Asian countries would have made foreign trips as MR did in his two terms so far. Compare and contrast foreign trips of Asian political leaders and that of MR’s trips. MR deserves a Gold Medal for his trips.

How many trips JR made during his time? How many trips Premadasa made during his time? How many trips CB made during her time? No wonder MR had made more trips than any other leaders. Why does MR make a numbers of trips for foreign countries? He has been to many African countries. He has been to European countries. He had made many trips to South American countries. He made many trips to Asian Countries. He had made many trips to Middle East countries. It could be argued that sometime as a president he must attend some international assemblies of political leaders. That is very much understandable and no doubt in the interest of our nation he should attend those meetings and conferences and yet, to use public money for all his private trips with his own friends, relatives and MPs is not acceptable from any responsible leader. Sometime he uses private jets at the expense of public money. This is the true nature of executive president we have in Sri Lanka. He managed to fool 20 million Sri Lankan to get maximum benefits for his holidays. All these happen when poor Lankan are struggling to make ends meet and some people make suicide out of poverty and starvation. Yet, our president enjoys his life with public money: public money of poor is misused in a broad day light without any human remorse for the suffering of poor in Sri Lanka.

Most of his trips are not official engagements rather his own private and picnic trips. According to JVP leader he takes private jets to beg money from some countries. Yet, people in Sri Lanka do not know all these. They may know these and yet, they do not have any voice to object this. Only JVP had revealed some of these dirty works of MR and his family. Unfortunately, UNP could not reveal these figures and these dirty handy works of MR and His family yet. Of course, UNP had brought to the attention of public some of the failures of this government such as MATTALA Airport project and Sea port project and yet, a lot of MR’s evils and dirty works are not properly made in public.

This government is connected to drug dealers and drug imports

This government is connected to looting public money

This government is connected to wasting public money in many Mega projects

This government is connected to anti-minority hated campaign

This government is connected to BBS.

This government is connected to nepotism and family rule

This government is connected to thugs

This government is connected to perverting course of justice

This government is connected to employing family friends and relatives to diplomatic missions while qualified SLOS professionals are left out.

This government is connected to all sorts of corruptions

Yet, these are not made in public. People blindly support MR and Family and UNP and JVP should reveal all these dirty works of MR and co.

BBS is created to hide all these dirty works and evils of MR and co.

BBS is indeed, created to win Sinhalese votes by inciting hatred against minorities.

Will Sinhalese people realise these facts and send MR and family home this time.

Guti Kemata Niyamithai: Attacking The ‘Diplomat Of The Year’ And Our Foreign Service

By Karu Jayasuriya -October 6, 2014

Karu Jayasuriya MP

The physical assault by Sajin Vass Gunawardena, MP is a clear reflection on the country’s tragic situation. This is the first ever time since Independence that a parliamentarian has resorted to such demeaning behaviour- attacking a diplomat who was on a State-related visit to another country. The matter is even worse in that, the attacker happens to be the Monitoring MP of the Ministry of External Affairs.

Sri Lanka inaugurated her foreign service on October 1, 1949. Although there have been many criticisms and fault-finding with our Foreign Service and those who handle it, never was theresuch a blatantly despicable incident. This is total collapse of our Foreign Service and its handlers. Out of 49 diplomatic positions created by this regime no less than 35 have been filled up by stooges of the regime who have chosen to treat Foreign Service like a tool for own social and financial advancement. The only credential that is required is blind loyalty to those who govern.

Even the victim in this particular incident happens to be a political appointee. Even though we might have very legitimate and credible misgivings about Chris Nonis, we believe that he made an attempt to advance the cause of Sri Lanka as a diplomat. Although it looked utterlypolitically-motivated, Nonis could be classified as a person who tried to ‘do his job’.  ’The Diplomat’ magazine once named Chris Nonis as the ‘diplomat of the year’. He was capable of achieving that singular honor from amongst 164 diplomats in Great Britain. It is indeed a rare honour for a Sri Lankan. It is such a person that has fallen prey to his own indecent political masters.

What is even more humorous is the way in which the masters of Nonis reacted to this tragic incident. Instead of holding an impartial inquiry about an incident in which a loyal supporter ofthe Government was manhandled in a foreign land, the regime has decided to investigate some unfounded allegations made by the Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs. As in all otherinstances, the accuser has ended up being the victim and convicted.

Our emphatic appeal the Government is to hold an impartial inquiry into this shameful incident that has brought utter disgrace to our Foreign Service. The incident had taken place where there were well-known witnesses present. That alone should enable the Government to hold a clear and impartial investigation. But the question is whether the President of the land is willing and able to hold such an impartial inquiry at all.

There have been many reports in the media about Sajin Vass Gunawardena, whose name has been involved in this dishonorable episode. The media has exposed the way in which Gunawardena has squandered millions of rupees under the pretext of uplifting the country’s image in the international marketplace. But no investigation has been held nor have any questions been raised by the governing quarters. It is well known that, although there is alegitimate Minster of External Affairs, it is Sajin Vass who controls the Ministry and its mechanics. While taking the controlling switch into his grasp, this person has been behaving as if the Ministry of External Affairs is his personal heritage. If this is the way this Government is treating our Foreign Service, then God save our Foreign Service!

When I heard about this incident, I was immediately reminded of a stage play that is currently being enacted on city stages- “Bound for assault” (Guti Kemata niyamithai) It is quite apt to saythat the entire country is on the verge of an assault by the Government.  Sajin Vass has given advance publicity to that ominous prediction.

*Karu Jayasuriya, Chairman of the Leadership Council, United National Party

‘Anura, a leader of the new order’ – Mangala

 Monday, 06 October 2014 

JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake is a modern leftist leader who has identified the needs of the 21st century, said UNP leadership council member and communication unit head Mangala Samaraweera.

He has said so in an interview with ‘Irida Deshaya’ newspaper.

Samaraweera has also predicted that a government with Ranil Wickremesinghe as the president could be a coalition between the UNP and the SLFP, adding that the role of the opposition could go to the JVP.

Under such a UNP-SLFP regime too, corruption and fraud could take place to some extent, he said, proposing that in order to minimize such a situation, the JVP should be given power at COPE.

He has explained as to whether the JVP would be invited into a common opposition alliance at the presidential election.

“We will be inviting the JVP not to form governments, to approve UNP policies or to campaign for us, what we are saying is that before everything else, the dictatorship in the country should be defeated. We will have to forget about colour and party divisions. I too, believe that it is not proper for the UNP and the JVP to join together and run a country.

But, on the other hand, the JVP has a big role in the administration of a country. Their discipline, voice against corruption are important. Because, even under a regime by us, corruption will not be halted entirely. We too, will have shortcomings. Then, there should be a critical and strong opposition. That is how I see the JVP. What I am saying is that the JVP should be given the COPE.

Responding to a question by the interviewer as to whether he was saying the JVP was today playing the role of the critical, strong opposition, MP Samaraweera said,

“No. No. It is because we are fulfilling that task that 40 per cent of the people have placed their trust in us. But, the JVP says speedily and creatively what we too, say. When we both say the same thing, everybody prefers to hear what they say. Even without governing, the JVP has a big task to do on behalf of the country.

The JVP should join with us unconditionally to defeat this dictatorship and family regime.

In the future, the role of the main opposition could lie with the JVP. Because, what I see in the next government with Ranil Wickremesinghe as the president is a coalition between the UNP and the SLFP. Because, we and the SLFP do not have the difference between us and the JVP. So, once a government is formed with the support of a group in the SLFP, the JVP’s role as the opposition could bring good for the country.”

BBS calls for a religious State 

  
BY Ruwan Laknath   Jayakody-  October 6, 2014 2:00 am   

Introducing a constitutional draft for the country, the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) said Sri Lanka should be renamed 'Sinhale', with Sinhalese Buddhists being recognized as the historical and national race of the country.
The BBS acknowledged that the country had only one race (the Sinhalese), linguistically the Sinhala language, the Tamil language and the indigenous tongue of the Veddahs existed alongside the religious groups – Sinhala Buddhists, Sinhala Hindus, Sinhala Catholics, Sinhala Christians and Sinhala Muslims.

'While the freedom to follow one's religion of choice remained, the propagation of religions, other than Buddhism, using foreign or government funds, will be forbidden. Vesak Poya Day will be made the National Day. Learning of Sinhala, Tamil and English will be made compulsory for all.'

'The State's spiritual leader will be the 'Sangharaja Mahanayake Thera', and he will appoint a 50-person Supreme State Advisory Council, upon whose advice the National People's Representatives' Council will suggest how to rule the country. The Supreme State Advisory Council will appoint a Cabinet of 10 Senior Ministers to advice and assist the Sangharaja Mahanayake Thera.'
'With regard to the Executive, the Prime Minister will be the Head of State. The Prime Minister and the Cabinet (30 persons, including Ministers in charge of provincial development), will rule the country and the public service. The Prime Minister will be the person, who obtains the most support from the National People's Representatives' Council's Higher People's Representatives' Board (100 persons from political parties, appointed based on votes received, so that all trade knowledge and skills, minorities, advices of various political parties and trade unions are represented) and Lower People's Representatives' Board (200 persons appointed through a general election). A Deputy Prime Minister will also be appointed.'

The Executive Presidency should be abolished within the next six years, the BBS said.
The powers pertaining to the Legislature will be with the National People's Representatives' Council. The existing election system will be changed. Devolution of power should take place at an administrative level. The Provincial Councils mechanism should be scrapped. Independent commissions should be established to safeguard the public service, foreign affairs, the police, the service monitoring good governance, judicial service and election service.

The general election will consist of the local government election and National People's Representatives' Council election. The contestant, who obtains the most number of votes from a particular electorate will be the head of the provincial unit (Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman or Municipal Commissioner) and also the people's representative for the National People's Representatives' Council.
"It is essential that candidates at elections at all levels possess a basic degree or a similar accepted educational or employment qualification. Cabinet appointees have to possess a masters or a doctoral degree. Political parties with a religious or ethnic base promoting separatism will be banned along with organizations and movements attempting to form zones in the country based on ethnic and religious foundations. In all electoral nomination lists, 50% of youth (below 40 years of age) should be represented.
The positions of representatives of the National People's Representatives' Council will be employed full time and should be paid high salaries to prevent corruption and fraud. Having functions and events and engaging in self-promotional propaganda activities, using public money meant for development activities, is forbidden.

The legal system in the country needs to be completely overhauled, with a common law abolishing all religious and personal legal systems.
Finally, all citizens regardless of the position they occupy are equal before the law and will not be afforded special privileges, Chief Executive Officer of the BBS, Dr. Dilanthe Withanage, added.

This is why Chris Nonis resignation was accepted!

 

Monday, 06 October 2014 

The reason for the president’s having accepted the resignation of Dr. Chris Nonis as Sri Lankan high commissioner in Britain is now coming to light. That is because the president is suspecting that Dr. Nonis, a devoted catholic, has complained to the Vatican, through Colombo archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, about the shameful attack he had been subjected to.

As soon as he arrived at the Vatican, the president had called Dr. Nonis to inquire about it, and wanted to know if he had complained to Cardinal Ranjith. Dr. Nonis has replied that he has complained only to the president, and that he was expecting justice from the president only. However, the Cardinal had called him after getting to know about the incident through the media, and he had been told about the entire episode, he said. Angered by that, the president has told Dr. Nonis, “Do not become a party to defeat me,” and disconnected the line, without allowing him to explain.

The president firmly believes that Sajin Vaas Gunawardena, a member of his entourage to the Vatican to officially invite Pope Francis to visit Sri Lanka, was refused entry to see the Pope due to that reason.  Members of the delegation have instigated him on that. Therefore, on the morning of October 03, the president ordered Dr. Nonis to vacate his position and that his resignation be accepted. That fax message had been sent by the external affairs ministry to the Sri Lankan high commission in London on the same afternoon.

Accordingly, Sajin Vaas and Kshenuka Seneviratne have successfully hunted down the last member in the list of ‘diplomats to be hunted down’ which they had prepared together in 2012. Their previous victims were Dr. Dayan Jayatilake, Dr. Thamara Kunanayagam, Jaliya Wickremasuriya, Chitrangani Wagiswara and P.M. Amza. Commenting on the low depth the Sri Lankan diplomatic service has fallen to, a retired senior diplomat said, “The Sri Lankan Foreign Service is nearing its death on the grips of a pimp and a prostitute.”

Pervious article

 This is why Chris Nonis resignation was accepted!

Vaas wins over clash with Nonis!

Vatican door closed for thug MP!

Eyewitnesses in Nonis assault incident

Sajin Vaas, Chris Nonis come to blows

Dons reborn as dogs

Rajapaksa Family Stands To Receive In Commission Anywhere Between US$1.2 To US$ 1.8 Billion During 2005-15

Editorial-October 5, 2014,

Those who stole public funds, a Speaker once said in Parliament, would be reborn as buffaloes. We argued in these columns that if so, bovines would one day outnumber humans in this country. Buffaloes are, in fact, far superior to most politicians in many respects though there are some similarities between the two species such as their thick hides and predilection for wallowing in mud.

A Maha Nayake Thera also said something similar a few moons ago. Public officials who did not perform their duties and functions properly would have to pay for their lapses in the next birth, the prelate said.

Now, a university vice chancellor tells us that corrupt dons and administrators will be reborn as canines. Dog lovers may take exception to this claim which is an insult to man’s best friend. Dogs may be blamed for anything but corruption; never do they betray trust.

Sri Jayewardenepura Vice Chancellor Prof. N. L. A. Karunaratne, addressing a group of students and their parents last Thursday, said his university was full of stray dogs, but he did not want to get rid of them. He has chosen to let the poor creatures be not out of any love for them. He said he believed that they had been corrupt university dons and administrators including vice chancellors in their previous births!

The ferocious mangy mongrels found near the student welfare centre, barking and making a nuisance of themselves to one and all, were student leaders reincarnated in canine form, the learned professor told his captive audience which chortled with delight. Such curs are, no doubt, a curse, but never do they misbehave like the politically motivated undergrads who attack one another, cracking skulls, breaking bones and gouging eyes because they cannot stomach dissent. Dogs also fight once in a way but basically they are at peace with the world as well as themselves.

During university vacations, he bought food for the campus dogs, spending his personal funds, said Prof. Karunaratne, because their ubiquitous presence served as a dire warning to the present-day teachers, students and administrators alike. The only way bad karma which turned humans into animals could be avoided was for dons and administrators to work diligently for the salaries they drew without sullying their hands with corrupt activities and for students to study hard without being a nuisance to others, according to the J’pura VC.

Opinion may be divided on the reincarnation of humans in animal form, but the fact remains that most state institutions have gone to the dogs—universities included; unless their employees are made to work like dogs the prospect of their recovery is bleak.

We are not in a position to either prove or disprove Prof. Karunaratne’s canine theory, but our belief is that those who misappropriate public funds, engage in corrupt deals and freeload are never reborn. That does not mean they will attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana because they, out of fear of karmic forces, spend a fraction of their ill-gotten wealth to acquire merit by sponsoring religious events and giving to charity. They won’t be reborn because they are doomed to languish in the deepest parts of hell forever. However, punishing them is a task that should not be left entirely to karma and the guards of hell wherever that place may be; they have to be severely dealt with here and now according to the law. If enhanced punishment awaits them after death so be it. They should be investigated, tried and, if found guilty, sent to jail, where they are sure to get a foretaste of what is to come on the other side of the great divide.

De Facto CJ’s Vatican Visit Poses A Grave Threat To Judicial Independence

October 6, 2014

Legal professionals have criticised de facto Chief Justice Mohan Pieris’ visit to the Vatican, pointing out Pieris’ flaunts of his closeness with the Rajapaksa regime has posed a grave threat to the independence of the judiciary.

According to a media statement issued by the Government Information Department on President Rajapaksa’s visit to the Vatican for an audience with the Pope, Pieris had been part of the Presidential delegation. The Lawyers Collective points out that a CJ being part of a visit organized by political representatives of a certain country, is unheard of in the history of the Commonwealth.

Senior lawyer, JC Weliamuna has told media that Pieris’s visit to the Vatican therefore has posed a grave challenge to the independence of the judiciary and on the confidence that the masses have placed on the judiciary.

He has gone on to state that since the appointment of Pieris as the CJ, his participation in events alongside government representatives – almost as a member of the regime – has escalated drastically.

All island train strike imminent 





BY UMESH MORAMUDALI-October 6, 2014


Train services are likely to come to a standstill from 9 October due to the countrywide strike called by railway employees demanding the resolution of their salary anomalies

Joint trade union alliance (JTUA) Convener Janaka Fernando said that despite having...
..many discussions with the Transport Ministry officials, for three years, the salary anomalies of railway employees remain unsettled.
Fernando added that they had several discussions with the Presidential Secretary, Lalith Weeratunga, officials from the Salaries and Cadre Commission, but all those were futile.

Accordingly, nearly 3,000 railway employees, including engine drivers, railway controllers, railway guards, station masters, signal controllers and many other railway employees are to join in the strike.
 
"We requested the government to increase our basic salary to
Rs 16,350 and increase the allowances parallel to that," he stressed.
Fernando also criticized the Transport Ministry Secretary, Dhammika Perera, for not fulfilling promises made by him.
"On several occasions Secretary to the Transport Ministry and its officials promised that our salary anomalies would be settled, but those were never fulfilled," he added.
 
Railway employees have been demanding a resolution to their salary anomalies for nearly three years and engaged in several token strikes. On 9 July 2013, train services came to standstill due to the countrywide strike launched by railway trade unions.
Numerous efforts to contact Sri Lanka Railways General Manager, B. A. P. Ariyaratne and Transport Minister, Kumara Welgama failed.

Asian Games: two SL athletes missing in South Korea

BY Ruwan Laknath   Jayakody-October 6, 2014 

Introducing a constitutional draft for the country, the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) said Sri Lanka should be renamed 'Sinhale', with Sinhalese Buddhists being recognized as the historical and national race of the country.
The BBS acknowledged that the country had only one race (the Sinhalese), linguistically the Sinhala language, the Tamil language and the indigenous tongue of the Veddahs existed alongside the religious groups – Sinhala Buddhists, Sinhala Hindus, Sinhala Catholics, Sinhala Christians and Sinhala Muslims.
 
'While the freedom to follow one's religion of choice remained, the propagation of religions, other than Buddhism, using foreign or government funds, will be forbidden. Vesak Poya Day will be made the National Day. Learning of Sinhala, Tamil and English will be made compulsory for all.'
 
'The State's spiritual leader will be the 'Sangharaja Mahanayake Thera', and he will appoint a 50-person Supreme State Advisory Council, upon whose advice the National People's Representatives' Council will suggest how to rule the country. The Supreme State Advisory Council will appoint a Cabinet of 10 Senior Ministers to advice and assist the Sangharaja Mahanayake Thera.'
'With regard to the Executive, the Prime Minister will be the Head of State. The Prime Minister and the Cabinet (30 persons, including Ministers in charge of provincial development), will rule the country and the public service. The Prime Minister will be the person, who obtains the most support from the National People's Representatives' Council's Higher People's Representatives' Board (100 persons from political parties, appointed based on votes received, so that all trade knowledge and skills, minorities, advices of various political parties and trade unions are represented) and Lower People's Representatives' Board (200 persons appointed through a general election). A Deputy Prime Minister will also be appointed.'
 
The Executive Presidency should be abolished within the next six years, the BBS said.
The powers pertaining to the Legislature will be with the National People's Representatives' Council. The existing election system will be changed. Devolution of power should take place at an administrative level. The Provincial Councils mechanism should be scrapped. Independent commissions should be established to safeguard the public service, foreign affairs, the police, the service monitoring good governance, judicial service and election service.
 
The general election will consist of the local government election and National People's Representatives' Council election. The contestant, who obtains the most number of votes from a particular electorate will be the head of the provincial unit (Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman or Municipal Commissioner) and also the people's representative for the National People's Representatives' Council.
"It is essential that candidates at elections at all levels possess a basic degree or a similar accepted educational or employment qualification. Cabinet appointees have to possess a masters or a doctoral degree. Political parties with a religious or ethnic base promoting separatism will be banned along with organizations and movements attempting to form zones in the country based on ethnic and religious foundations. In all electoral nomination lists, 50% of youth (below 40 years of age) should be represented.
The positions of representatives of the National People's Representatives' Council will be employed full time and should be paid high salaries to prevent corruption and fraud. Having functions and events and engaging in self-promotional propaganda activities, using public money meant for development activities, is forbidden.
 
The legal system in the country needs to be completely overhauled, with a common law abolishing all religious and personal legal systems.
Finally, all citizens regardless of the position they occupy are equal before the law and will not be afforded special privileges, Chief Executive Officer of the BBS, Dr. Dilanthe Withanage, added.

Hong Kong: Will History Be Re-Written?

The present situation and emerging dangerous consequences can evaporate the basic norms and ethics in this society. All who involved in this remarkable event must act wisely before it gate too late to make corrections.

| by Nilantha Ilangamuwa

click here or here to read the first part of this series

( October 6, 2014, Hong Kong SAR, Sri Lanka Guardian) Raymond Chan, who is in the beginning vehemently refused to talk about what is going on in Hong Kong had a change of mind and indeed, once he got started he was difficult to stop.

Hong Kong Will History Be Re-Written by Thavam

Iran frees wife of Post’s Tehran correspondent, but he remains in custody

Washington Post Iranian-American journalist Jason Rezaian, right, and his Iranian wife Yeganeh Salehi, who works for the UAE newspaper National, during a press conference in Tehran on Sept. 10, 2013. (Stringer/European Pressphoto Agency)

By Carol Morello October 6 at 9:05 AM

An Iranian journalist detained in Iran since July along with her husband, The Washington Post’s bureau chief in Tehran, has been released from custody, a family member said Sunday.

While Yeganeh Salehi was freed on bail in the middle of last week, her husband, Jason Rezaian, remains imprisoned, his brother, Ali, wrote in an e-mail.

Salehi succeeded in visiting Rezaian over the weekend and said that she and her husband are “physically healthy” despite being in custody for 21 / 2months, Ali Rezaian said. There have been concerns about Rezaian’s health because he has high blood pressure and must take medication daily.

As first disclosed to the National, an Abu Dhabi-based newspaper for which Salehi was working in Iran, she now does not have accreditation to work as a journalist in Iran. Neither she nor her family in Tehran will be speaking to the media about their detentions, Ali Rezaian said, and he asked for their privacy to be respected.

“We are thankful Yeganeh has been released on bail,” said a statement by her family. “We remain confident that Jason has committed no crime. We pray that the Iranian government will conclude that Jason should be released as well.”

Rezaian and Salehi were arrested July 22 amid murky circumstances. A photojournalist and her husband also were arrested, but they have been released.

Iran has never stated why Rezaian, 38, a dual American and Iranian citizen, and his wife were arrested or what charges they are facing, but Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told NPR last month that Rezaian was being interrogated “for what he has done as an Iranian citizen.” Neither their families nor the Post have been given any further explanation.

The State Department has called for the release of Rezaian and the others, and also asked about their condition through Switzerland, which acts as an intermediary since Washington does not have diplomatic relations with Tehran. But Iran does not recognize dual nationality and maintains that the United States has no right to weigh in on the arrest of people holding U.S. and Iranian passports.

Douglas Jehl, the foreign editor of The Post, urged Iran to release Rezaian soon.

“We’re relieved that Yeganeh Salehi is home with her family in Tehran after more than 10 weeks in government detention,” Jehl said in a statement. “But Jason Rezaian, The Post’s Tehran correspondent, is still being held without explanation, as he has been since July 22. It is long past time for the Iranian authorities to release Jason and to permit him and Yegi to leave the country.”

In a letter to the editor last month, Salehi’s mother, Fatemeh Talaei, said neither her daughter nor her son-in-law knew why they were being held.

Rezaian’s mother, Mary Breme Rezaian, wrote in a separate letter published along with the one from Talaei that her son had been writing about Iran for a decade to promote more understanding between the United States and Iran.

“Jason did it because he loves Iran and wanted to walk in his ancestors’ footsteps,” she wrote. “His goal as a journalist is to dispel myths each country has about the other, first as a free­lancer and now as The Post’s correspondent in Tehran.”

Carol Morello is the diplomatic correspondent for The Washington Post, covering the State Department.

India-Pakistan fighting kills 9 civilians, 3 militants

BY FAYAZ BUKHARI-SRINAGAR India Mon Oct 6, 2014

(Reuters) - Nine civilians were killed and at least 25 wounded on Monday in fighting along a stretch of the disputed border between India and Pakistan in the Kashmir region, the heaviest toll since India called off a round of peace talks last month.

The Himalayan region of Kashmir has been a bone of contention between India and Pakistan since they became independent in 1947. They have fought three wars and came close to a fourth in 2001 and there have been regular clashes along the de facto border, known as the Line of Control (LoC), in the area.

Pakistani forces shelled the village of Arnia about three km (two miles) from the border in the early hours of Monday, killing five and wounding at least two dozen civilians, according to Rakesh Kumar, an inspector general of the Indian border security forces.

Authorities in Pakistan said Pakistani Rangers had effectively responded to Indian fire. India's Border Security Forces (BSF) killed four Pakistani civilians, including two children and a woman.

The attacks coincided with the Eid al-Adha festival, celebrated by Muslims in both countries.

Another Indian officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Brijesh Panday, said the army later shot dead three Pakistani–based militants trying to cross into India further along the heavily militarized LoC. Two militants escaped back to Pakistan, he said.

Muslim separatists have been fighting Indian forces in India's part of Kashmir since 1989. Pakistan rejects Indian accusations that it trains and arms the rebels in the part of Kashmir it controls and sends them to the Indian side.

The latest round of mortar and gunfire began on Friday, when Pakistan's army said it responded to "unprovoked firing" from the Indian side.

Defence Minister Arun Jaitley said the army would retaliate to the latest violence.

"Let everybody be assured that our armed forces, our paramilitary forces are fully ready and they are responding to each of these provocations," Jaitley said.

Pakistan's army separately attacked 10 Indian army posts along the LoC, according to Indian army officials in Kashmir. Gunfire continued between the two sides in those areas on Monday, they said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi surprised many observers by inviting Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to his inauguration in May. But relations have soured since Modi called off talks last month.

(Additional reporting by Katharine Houreld in ISLAMABAD; Writing by Andrew MacAskill; Editing by Frank Jack Daniel and Robert Birsel)