World Vignettes

They included the crisis in the Serbian province of Kosovo, compensation by German firms for slave labourers forced to work for them during World War II, and the future of the archives of the former East German secret police being held by the US, which Germany wants returned. Schroeder has also appealed for two German brothers, due to be executed for murder in Arizona in the next two to three weeks, to be spared.

Indo-Pakistan talks

ISLAMABAD: Upcoming talks between Indian and Pakistani foreign secretaries may be rescheduled in view of the proposed visit of the Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, officials said Thursday. Pakistani foreign secretary Shamshad Ahmad and his Indian counterpart K Raghunath are due to hold talks in New Delhi from February 18 to 20. Vajpayee plans to visit Pakistan on the inaugural run of a cross-border bus service on February 20, but Islamabad has yet to finalise a schedule.

If the Indian premier visits on the proposed date, the talks between the foreign secretaries could not be held as scheduled, The News daily quoted foreign office spokesman Tariq Altaf as saying.

Bangladesh strike

DHAKA: Normal life in Bangladesh remained disrupted for the third day today, as toll in the violence related to the three-day Opposition-led general strike rose to four. More than 400 persons have been injured in different parts of the country since Tuesday, following the strike sponsored by the Opposition alliance led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP of former premier Khaleda Zia to press for the resignation of chief election commissioner Abu Hena and rescheduling of local body elections, starting on February 23. Riot police is patrolling streets and paramilitary troops are guarding vital installations and state buildings.