INTERVIEW-Hindalco eyes expansion, acquisitions for growth

9 December 2003 Reuters News English (c) 2003 Reuters Limited BOMBAY, Dec 9 (Reuters) – Hindalco Industries, a leading Indian maker of non-ferrous metals, aims to expand its aluminium and copper capacity through expansion and acquisitions to attain global reach, its managing director said on Tuesday. Hindalco is the flagship of India’s third-largest conglomerate by…

India relives midnight “tryst with destiny”

14 August 1997 Reuters News English (c) 1997 Reuters Limited  NEW DELHI, Aug 15 (Reuters) – India’s leaders gathered in their parliament’s majestic Central Hall on Thursday night to relive their nation’s “tryst with destiny” a half-century ago.  The vast domed chamber, its thick warm air stirred ineffectually by ancient fans, was packed with lawmakers…

Britain’s Labour accused of Kashmir freedom agenda 

16 October 1997 Reuters News English (c) 1997 Reuters Limited  NEW DELHI, Oct 16 (Reuters) – Queen Elizabeth’s tour of India slid deeper into controversy on Thursday with sources close to the Indian government charging that Britain’s ruling Labour Party had a “hidden agenda” to create an independent Kashmir region.  Even as British officials scrambled…

Aquino Ignores Coup Waning to Visit Rebel Island

Reuter  19 January 1987  Sydney Morning Herald  MANILA, Sunday: President Corazon Aquino flew to the violence-racked island of Mindanao today, apparently unruffled by a night of tension triggered by warnings that a fanatical military group was plotting a new attempt to topple her Government.  In Manila, soldiers, backed by water cannon and armoured cars sealed…

Christ and communism make explosive mix in Philippines

REUTERS  16 April 1987  The Seattle times  MANILA _ Weeks of fierce fighting between government troops and communist insurgents have highlighted a deep rift between radical left-wing priests and conservatives in the Philippines’ powerful Roman Catholic church.  Amid some of the worst violence in the 18-year revolt, high Church leaders have moved to sever the…

Pressure to Act Soon/Land Reform Issue Splits Aquino Aides 

21 May 1987  The San Francisco Chronicle  Manila  President Corazon Aquino’s ambitious plan to distribute land to more than half the country’s peasants is in danger of falling victim to the Philippines’ return to full legislative democracy.  Pressure has been mounting on Aquino to use her sweeping legislative powers and sign the Accelerated Land Reform…

Philippine Central Bank Chief Sees Health Growth in 1987

2 June 1987  Reuters News English  (c) 1987 Reuters Limited  MANILA, June 2, Reuter – The Philippine economy’s impressive growth in this year’s first quarter suggests the government’s ambitious economic targets are within reach, Central Bank Governor Jose Fernandez said today.  “I don’t see anything on the horizon that should cut (growth) short,” Fernandez said…

Philippines Revises Reform Plan, Puts Off Land Distribution

3 June 1987  Reuters News English  (c) 1987 Reuters Limited  MANILA, June 3, Reuter – The latest draft of the Philippines’ ambitious land reform program delays final land distribution until 1997, details options for compensating landowners, and holds out imprisonment for violators.  Teodoro Benigno, spokesman for President Corazon Aquino, told reporters a cabinet meeting today…

Manila Bank Closure Exposes Strains in Philippine System

8 July 1987  Reuters News  English  (c) 1987 Reuters Limited  MANILA, June 8, Reuter – The closure last month of the Manila Banking Corporation, one of the Philippines‘ nine largest banks, highlights the weaknesses still plaguing the country’s financial institutions, bankers and analysts said today.  Manila Bank was declared insolvent by the Central Bank of…

Land Bank Chief Criticises Philippine Land Ceiling

11 June 1987  Reuters News  English  (c) 1987 Reuters Limited  MANILA, June 11 – Proposed land reforms that would limit all holdings in the Philippines to seven hectares are likely to scare away private entrepreneurs, said Deogracias Vistan, president of the state-owned Land Bank of the Philippines.  The government should carefully study minimum land needs…

Row Intensifies Over Philippine Oil Privatisation

 23 July 1987  Reuters News English  (c) 1987 Reuters Limited  MANILA, July 23 – A row over the proposed privatisation of Petron Corp, a fully-owned subsidiary of the Philippine National Oil Co (PNOC), intensified as the Committee on Privatisation (COP) said overwhelming arguments favour the sale.  PNOC’s board of directors last month opposed Petron’s sale,…