Factbox: Key facts in U.S.-Pakistan relations

July 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment

(Reuters) – Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in Islamabad on Sunday, hoping to bolster shaky U.S. relations with a close ally in the struggle against militant insurgents in both Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan.

Here are some facts about the importance and problem areas of the relationship, what aid has been given, what Pakistan wants and what is to come:

STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE

Pakistan is of huge strategic importance and a main ally for the United States as it seeks to defeat al Qaeda and cripple the Taliban in neighboring Afghanistan. Osama bin Laden, the mastermind of the September 2001 attacks on the United States, is believed to be hiding somewhere along the lawless border with Afghanistan. The leaders of the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan are also believed to be hiding in Pakistan.

Washington is also pressing for Pakistan to step up the fight against its own homegrown Taliban militants, which U.S. officials believe were behind the attempted bombing in New York’s Times Square on May 1.

Washington needs Pakistan as it seeks to stabilize Afghanistan as U.S. President Barack Obama sends in an extra 30,000 troops in the coming months.

SECURITY COOPERATION

Much of Clinton’s meetings will focus on how to improve security cooperation, from intelligence-sharing to more equipment from the United States for its ally.

The two sides held an earlier round of talks in March and agreed to fast-track pending Pakistani requests for military equipment including helicopters, fighter jets and pilotless drones.

Washington has also pledged to deliver 1,000 laser-guided bomb kits to Pakistan and is considering more weapons sales to help Pakistan with insurgents in the Afghanistan border region.

KEY IRRITANTS

There is mistrust on a range of issues, from security cooperation to how aid is delivered. Most opinion polls show a majority of Pakistanis hold an unfavorable view of the U.S. government and are suspicious of its intentions. Pakistan’s government bristles when Washington complains it has not done enough to tackle militants in a war that has killed more than 2,000 soldiers and weighed on the economy.

Civilian deaths from drone strikes are also unpopular in Pakistan, although the civilian government is believed to privately support them.

A recent source of U.S. irritation has been delays in granting visas for U.S. officials wanting to audit how aid is spent while Pakistan complains about increased security checks for its citizens visiting the United States.

Clinton, in a visit to Pakistan in October, publicly expressed puzzlement that its government had been unable to find scores of al Qaeda leaders including Osama bin Laden who are believed to be hiding in rugged border territory that divides Pakistan and Afghanistan.

AID PROGRAMME

The United States is Pakistan’s biggest aid donor and has given about $15 billion in direct aid and military reimbursements since 2002, about two-thirds of it security related.

While Pakistan is being propped up by an $11.3 billion International Monetary Fund loan, a new U.S. aid package triples non-military assistance to Pakistan to $1.5 billion a year over the next five years.

The flow of money is being held up, however, as the Obama administration changes how it distributes that aid. Instead of largely using U.S. contractors and non-governmental organizations, it wants to funnel much of the aid via the Pakistani government and domestic NGOs in the hope this will bolster local capacity.

NUCLEAR COOPERATION

Pakistan would like a civilian nuclear cooperation deal with the United States, similar to the one Washington has with India, but there were scant signs of progress on this front during the March meetings.

The United States is leery of such a deal out of concern for how it might affect ties with New Delhi.

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari recently visited China amid signs that Chinese companies were ready to move ahead with plans to build two nuclear reactors for Pakistan, which could raise concerns in both Washington and New Delhi about nuclear proliferation.

(Editing by John O’Callaghan and Chris Allbritton)

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Most Greeks mistrust government to fight corruption: poll

June 14, 2010 By Leave a Comment

(Reuters) – Most Greeks believe the country’s political system cannot tackle chronic graft and think most politicians are corrupt, an opinion poll published on Sunday showed.

Greece has been rocked by a series of major protests against austerity measures to deal with the debt crisis and a central demand of the protesters has been to crack down on corrupt politicians they blame for mismanaging the economy.

According to the poll by Public Issue, conducted from June 8 to 10 for Kathimerini newspaper, 61 percent of those asked believed the political system could not tackle corruption, with 52 percent saying they never or almost never trusted governments.

“The current crisis of trust in governance can be characterized as structural. It confirms a crisis in representation that has not been seen before, post World War-2,” pollster Yannis Mavris said in the newspaper.

“The conviction that governments serve big interests is universal (89 percent), while regards the management of public money, eight out of 10 citizens think it is wasted.”

Based on the poll, 78 percent of people accept the view that many or all in government are corrupt.

(Reporting by George Georgiopoulos)

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”I”m not just a bad-tempered diva”, insists Naomi Campbell

May 4, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Washington, May 4 (ANI): Naomi Campbell has claimed that she is not just a “petulant diva”, and only gets angry when people she trusts let her down.

The supermodel has had to address her anger issues professionally after a series of well-publicised outbursts.

The catwalk queen was punished for attacking airline staff on a British Airways flight.

She also pleaded guilty to a charge of reckless assault against her employee Ana Scolavino, and was sentenced to five days community service in New York and ordered to attend two days of anger management classes in January 2007.

And now Campbell insists that she has calmed down since and learned to understand where her rage comes from.

In a candid interview with US talk show queen Oprah Winfrey, Campbell explained that she often sees “red” when those close to her disrespect her and then she sees “nothing” as anger takes over.

She told Winfrey she”s not just a bad-tempered diva.

“It comes from a deeper place than that with me. It comes from another type of emotional disorder because it”s not just, if I don”t get what I want I throw… It comes from, I think, an abandonment issue and it comes from also trying to just build up a family around me that”s not my immediate family and if I feel a mistrust, then… all my cards go down,” Contactmusic quoted her as saying.

“I think it”s also a fear issue because anger comes from fear… It”s not an excuse, I don”t have an excuse for my behaviour… I”ve taken that it”s wrong,” she added. (ANI)

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US to continue reassuring Pak that it faces no threat from India

April 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Washington, Apr.30 (ANI): A top US official has said that Pakistan must recognise the fact that by taking on the Taliban and other extremist groups threatening its very existence, it is not exposing itself to any risk from India.

Michele Flournoy, the Under Secretary for Policy in the Department of Defence, told a Congressional hearing that Pakistan has moved 100,000 troops from its eastern border to bolster the anti-Taliban operation in the restive tribal areas, and that it must be reassured that it does not face any threat from India.

“We must continue to reassure Pakistan that as it combats the terrorist threat, it is not exposing itself to increased risk along its eastern border,” Flournoy told US lawmakers.

Just a day ago the Pentagon confirmed that Islamabad has shifted 100,000 troops from the Indian border to its western border, which marked a clear shift in its strategy.

The Pentagon told the Congress that the massive shift of troops is an acknowledgement of the fact that now terrorism and internal insurgency were posing the greatest threat to Pakistan.

“More than 100,000 troops were moved from the eastern border with India. This unprecedented deployment and thinning of the lines against India indicates that Islamabad has acknowledged its domestic insurgent threat. The Nation quoted the Pentagon, as saying in its latest periodic report to the Congress on Afghanistan.

Earlier, testifying before the House Armed Services Committee, Flournoy said Pakistan has also raised concerns over the increasing India-US relationship.

“A final hurdle, frankly, relates to the legacy of mistrust between the United States and Pakistan. Past US sanctions, past Pakistani concerns about the growing US-India relationship, its scepticism about US staying power in the region have made it a weary partner,” Flournoy said.

“Similarly, reports of Pakistan’s tolerance and support for some violent extremist groups have created scepticism on the US side,” she added. (ANI)

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Will Rajiv Gandhi’s vision for SAARC be achieved at Thimphu?

April 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Apr 28 (ANI): The first summit of the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation in 1985 saw the enthusiastic participation of Rajiv Gandhi, who had just become the Prime Minister of India the previous year following the assassination of Indira Gandhi.

Elected by a massive majority in Parliament of India, young Rajiv Gandhi was hopeful of ushering India into the twenty-first century, promoting harmonious relations within the country as also in the neighbourhood and also developing the subcontinent into a homogeneous entity.

Within the country, he had entered into the landmark Punjab and Assam Accords, and in the subcontinent extended his hand of friendship to Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka with whom India had many misunderstandings.

India’s relations with Bangladesh had soured following the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Pakistan continued to entertain hostility inspite of the Shimla Accord. The Sri Lankan Government had a festering sore with the uprising of Tamils in northern part of the country, led by the LTTE.

Rajiv Gandhi initiated steps to reach an accord with Sri Lanka to ensure peace in the northern part of the country, and ensure that the refugees in Tamil Nadu could return to their homeland and the LTTE would lay down its arms.

For Rajiv Gandhi, the promotion of South Asia as a region of peace was an act of faith. After agreeing to have the summit in Bangladesh, even though India was the senior member, he agreed to hold the next summit in India.

I had the privilege of being associated with the first few summits as Principal Information Officer of the Government of India between 1985 and 1992. And also witnessed how the Association was unable to take off in spite of sincere efforts, mainly because of the mistrust between member countries.

The second summit, held in Bangalore (now Bengaluru) focused mainly on the conclusion of the India Sri Lanka Accord. President Jayawardene of Sri Lanka was the focus of attention and to ensure that the Sri Lankan delegation felt at home, the summit was held in Bangalore instead of New Delhi with

opposition Chief Minister Ramakrishna Hegde being the host. There were back channel negotiations with Prabhakaran of the LTTE, with the DMK extending a helping hand.

Simultaneously, Rajiv Gandhi promoted the idea of promoting friendship among the countries of the subcontinent. He hoped that travel between the countries would be easy and there would be increased trade among the countries.

India continued to have problems in traveling from West Bengal to Assam and the eastern States through Bangladesh. Sri Lanka continued to trade with the West even though the markets in Colombo and Jafffna were full of smuggled goods from Tamil Nadu.

Prime Minister M.K. Junejo of Pakistan, who had come to Bangalore, did mark his attendance, but nothing moved as President Zia-ul Haq had his own vision of promoting problems in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir.

The relationship with Nepal also remained uneasy.

The second summit ended on a high note, but soon the Indian Peacekeeping Force in Sri Lanka, started facing problems and Rajiv Gandhi’s vision of promoting a South Asian community was a still-born child.

I remember attending the SAARC summits in Male in 1990 and Colombo in 1992. Vishwanath Pratap Singh attended the summit at Male and Narasimha Rao went to Colombo. The atmosphere on both occasions remained tense following the return from Sri Lanka of the Indian Peacekeeping Force and the

escalation of violence in the northern parts of the island nation.

On the positive side, many steps have been taken since then to create institutions that have the ability to promote regional cooperation. They include the SAARC Development Fund, the Food Bank, the South Asian Free Trade Agreement and the South Asian University. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has

taken the leading role in taking up these initiatives.

But these institutions have not taken off. There is more of smuggling among the countries of the region than ‘Free Trade’. The movement between the countries of the region is marked by illegal immigration.

India and Pakistan continue to be wary of each other. Terrorist attacks and infiltration across the Line of Control and the International Border continues.

Pakistan continues to claim that its soil would not be used against India but more than 40 terrorist training camps exist in that country.

Relations with Bangladesh has improved with Sheikh Hasina having taken over the Premiership, but she also has to proceed carefully. Sri Lanka has been able to subjugate the Tamil rebels, but the uneasy situation continues in the northern areas of the country.

Nepal is yet to promulgate a new Constitution for the country, and the Maoists are wary of promoting cordial relations with India.

Afghanistan, the most recent member, is also going through a state of flux and one hopes that it would settle down to be an active member of the SAARC.

It is fitting that the 25th session of the SAARC summit is being held in Thimphu in Bhutan. One hopes that the Himalayas surrounding the city would help elevate the mood of the participants to a higher level and take the association a step forward in the direction conceived by the late Rajiv Gandhi. (ANI)

I.Ramamohan Rao, former Principal Information Officer, Government of India. email. raoramamohan @hotmail.com

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Pakistan wants a N-Deal with U.S similar to that with India

March 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Washington, March 24 (ANI): While the United States has stated that it is committed to conduct a ”strategic dialogue” with Pakistan and not a nuclear deal, Pakistan is pursuing demand for a ”non-discriminatory nuclear deal”, obviously hinting the US-Indian nuclear agreement.

This was clear in the opening remarks of the Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi here today.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi said: “We hope non-discriminatory access to energy resources.”

During his speech Qureshi reminded the United States’ Secretary of State Hilary Clinton how Pakistan have always been there for the U.S. on different occasions, especially after 9/11 attacks and played an important role towards the cause of ‘world peace’.

“Regionally, Pakistan is committed to the world community towards its efforts for peace,” said Qureshi.

He also said: “Thousands of our people became victims of foreign sponsored sabotage.”

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of States Hillary Clinton said the a stable Pakistan is important for the United States and both the countries need to work together to defeat terrorism.

Terming the Pakistan Army’s role in fighting terror as “commendable” and underlining how U.S and Pak have always come together during critical times, Hillary said: “But the U.S. and Pak need to work together to defeat terrorism.”

She also mentioned about the prevailing mistrust and misconceptions on both sides of the U.S.-Pak relationship.

But she said that “Stability in Pakistan is very important for us.”

On a personal note, said Hillary, “Pakistan is close to my heart. Pakistan is also home to many friends of mine.”

Meanwhile, media reports stated that a hopeful Pak has sent 56-page list of demands to the U.S.

The U.S. assured to pay heed to Pakistan’s request of not just military help but also for nuclear civilian assistance.

U.S. has promised strategic dialogue but not the N-Deal, said media reports on Times Now.

Earlier, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, who represented his country during today’s talks, Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and other members of the Pakistani delegation held a series of meeting with US officials.

“Our talks were frank and candid. We conveyed Pakistan”s plans and priorities and expressed our hope that the strategic dialogue will lead to a qualitative difference in the relationship between Pakistan and the US,” Qureshi told reporters after holding a long meeting with influential Senator John Kerry, Congressman Howard Berman and members of their committees that deal with foreign affairs.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan submitted a wish list to Washington ahead of strategic talks, asking for pilot-less drones and helicopter gunships as well as economic and other aid, US and Pakistani officials said on Tuesday.

The 56-page document – set to be discussed during the talks in Washington – includes requests for more help in dealing with water and energy crises, greater cooperation between the ISI and US intelligence outfits, more helicopter gunships and other military hardware. Pakistan also wants a civilian nuclear energy cooperation deal with the US, and a role in any future peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban. (ANI)

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‘Chinese aggression indicates Beijing’s nervousness over India’s rise’

September 17, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Sep. 16 (ANI): A US think-tank has said that China’s recent aggression on Indian border is direct result of Beijing’s “nervousness over India’s rise.”

“Well, I think China is becoming increasingly nervous about India’s rise. It’s something that they have to deal with that perhaps 10-15 years ago they didn’t believe was something that was necessary to focus on.

We saw this when they to tried scuttle at the last minute, the civil nuclear deal at the Nuclear Supplier Group meeting last year and so that was sort of an indication that China is not completely comfortable with India’s rise on the world stage,” said Lisa Curtis of the Heritage Foundation, US.

Recently, two soldiers of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) were reportedly injured in firing from across the border on the Line of Actual Control in Arunachal Pradesh.

New Delhi, however, denied that two of its border guards were injured in firing by Chinese forces.

Curtis said both the sides were mutually mistrustful of each other on the border issue.

“The border issue has lingered for a long time and I think both sides created mistrust on both sides. Perhaps since China is dealing with its internal issue, it has not been interested in completely resolving the border issue but that said. I do not think so either side is interested in any kind of conflict. But I do not see the negotiation moving forward either,” Curtis said.

India and China fought a short war in 1962 and, despite burgeoning trade in recent years, mistrust remains.

The two countries have faced off at multi-lateral forums, including Chinese objections to a 60 million dollar Asian Development Bank loan for a project in Arunachal Pradesh.

Reports of Chinese “incursions” have become more frequent of late.

India has begun modernising its border roads and moved a squadron of strike aircraft close to the China border. (ANI)

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Bridging gap between youth and police in Kashmir

September 12, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Srinagar, Sep 12 (ANI): Youth in Srinagar got a chance to voice their views and grievances against the security forces at a pro-active meet held recently here.

Jointly hosted by the All India Centre for Rural and Urban Development (AICURD), the New Delhi-based non-governmental organisation and the Kashmir University’s Department of Students Welfare, the meet was aimed to bridge the gap as well as mistrust between the youth and the security forces in the valley.

Since last year, there has been rising anger amongst the people of Kashmir against the police.he meet addressed vital issues to lessen that anger, hatred and contempt.

“The attempt was to tell these people the truth and arouse their conscience and listen to their views about us so that we can improve ourselves,” said Hemant Kumar Lohia, Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Central Range, Kashmir.

The students got ample scope to speak out their concerns and complaints before the top brass of the police and allied security forces.

The meet turned out to be an ideal platform for the youth to speak out their minds freely.

“The police are a force which is meant for protection of people. For the first time we got such a platform where we could interact with the police and put forth our views, it is a very good platform,” said Feroze Parry, a student.

The organisers of the meet were confident that the meet would help to dispel the hatred to a great extent.

“We hope that these discussions will help in lessening the hatred amongst the youth towards the security forces. And we can hope for a better Kashmir,” said Anupama Behen of AICURD. (ANI)

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Hindus want actress Jolie to take up apartheid cause of European Roma

July 10, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Nevada (US), July 10 (ANI): Hindus have urged Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie to undertake the cause of apartheid of 15-million Roma people of Europe.

Rajan Zed, acclaimed Hindu statesman, in a statement in Nevada today, said that Jolie, world’s most powerful celebrity, would be very effective in focusing public opinion world over on Roma apartheid. Many Hollywood and other entertainment bigwigs had successfully worked against South Africa’s apartheid in the past.

Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, argued that Jolie had promoted humanitarian causes world over and Roma would be the next worthwhile cause for her to undertake. If she wanted his services in regard to Roma cause, he was willing to support her.

Alarming condition of Roma people was a social blight for Europe and the rest of the world as they reportedly regularly faced social exclusion, racism, substandard education, hostility, joblessness, rampant illness, inadequate housing, lower life expectancy, unrest, living on desperate margins, language barriers, stereotypes, mistrust, rights violations, discrimination, marginalization, appalling living conditions, prejudice, human rights abuse, racist slogans on Internet, unusually high unemployment rates, etc., Rajan Zed pointed out.

It was like an undeclared apartheid and it was almost total societal exclusion of Roma. The maltreatment of Roma was outside even the European Union norms. Roma issue should be one of the highest priorities of human rights agenda of Europe and world, Zed stressed and added that he was hopeful that Jolie would not stay apathetic and silent spectator when fellow Roma brothers/sisters were reportedly facing blatant injustice and discrimination in Europe.

Ultra famous-talented-rich-beautiful 34-year old Oscar winner Angelina Jolie (Changeling) is a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Refugee Agency and is known for her refugee projects, conservation work and philanthropy. She has received Citizen of the World Award, Global Humanitarian Award, Freedom Award, etc. (ANI)

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US to press Pakistan, Afghanistan on Taliban

May 6, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Washington, May 6 (ANI): When President Barack Obama meets both Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai here today, he will stress that both are facing the same enemy and need to overcome their mistrust to ensure that joint efforts against the Taliban are not hampered.

Obama administration officials say their approach toward Pakistan and Afghanistan differs from the Bush administrations’ in important ways.

“We’d like an alliance with these two countries against this common threat. It’s very simple, but very profound,” an official said at a briefing for reporters on Tuesday.

Another senior official said Washington would be watching Pakistan closely to see if it pulls back after the concerted effort against militants.

“The past week has reflected a considerable degree of seriousness. We’ll see what follows after this. We’ll be watching intently,” the official said.
American officials are worried that the urgency among Pakistani officials for taking far-reaching steps against the Taliban will also shrivel as the immediate crisis fades.

“We have seen – I have certainly seen – over the last couple of years, bursts of fighting and engagement … and they are not sustained,” Admiral Mike Mullen, the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters Monday after a recent visit to Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The administration also played down reports it was losing faith in Zardari. “We are working very hard to help the Pakistani government in its hour of need,” said a senior administration official. “We are not abandoning them. Nor are we distancing ourselves from Asif Ali Zardari.”

In preparation for the three-way meetings, aides have been discussing the details of an expanded U.S. aid program aimed at encouraging Pakistan not to slip back into ignoring the militant threat it faces.

U.S. officials in recent years have used a combination of encouragement and pressure aimed at Pakistan government in hopes of heading off efforts to reach short-term peace deals with the militants.

U.S. officials have also signaled their interest in reaching out to Zardari’s political opponents, a move apparently aimed at reminding him ahead of his meeting with Obama that support from Washington should not be taken for granted.

Obama has made dealing with the Taliban and al-Qaida sanctuaries in Pakistan the centerpiece of his strategy for stabilizing Afghanistan. (ANI)

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Lets let bygones be bygones, Zuma appeals after ANC election win

May 3, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Johannesburg – South Africa’s ruling African National Congress leader Jacob Zuma on Saturday appealed to his opponents to let bygones be bygones after his party was handed a decisive mandate to govern for the next five years, but with a reduced majority. Zuma was speaking after the Independent Electoral Commission in Pretoria announced the ANC had won 65.9 per cent of Wednesday’s vote to the National Assembly in Cape Town, which is expected to elect Zuma president within days.

“We have gone through a difficult period over a few years,” Zuma, 67, said, referring to the protracted infighting in the ANC between factions loyal to Zuma and ousted ex-president Thabo Mbeki that led to a split in the party.

“It is now time to put it all behind us,” Zuma appealed, calling for an end to “mistrust, uncertainty, pain and tension” and saying it was vital to restore South Africa’s image as a place where country came before partisan interests.

Thanking the millions who voted ANC, Zuma said the ANC’s “decisive” victory was an endorsement of the party’s 15-year track record in government as well as “a victory for the country’s constitution.”

“We reiterate that the constitution is not under threat from the ANC. It has never been,” he said in answer to fears in opposition quarters that the ANC, if it had obtained a two-thirds majority, might have used it to rein in dissent by changing the much-vaunted charter. Zuma has recently questioned the powers of the judiciary, saying judges who ruled against him in his defunct corruption case, were “not God.”

In the end, the ANC fell short of the “overwhelming majority” Zuma had asked for, dropping around 4 percentage points on its 2004 score of 69.7 per cent.

Unemployment of around 40 per cent, and the slow pace of service delivery in poor communities, were listed by voters, including ANC voters, as the most critical election issue.

While the ANC has built around 3 million free or low-cost houses since 1994, close to 1 million people out of a total 48 million still live in tin shacks.

Zuma acknowledged that improving service delivery was critical, while voicing concern about the potential impact on the economy of the global economic crisis.

After averaging 5 per cent between 2003 and 2007, GDP growth in South Africa is forecast to dip under 1 per cent this year, constraining Zuma’s ability to deliver on his election promises of more jobs.

Preparations for the football World Cup being held in South Africa next year has helped buffer the country from the worst of the global economic fallout.

Zuma said he had spoken to Joseph Blatter, head of the World Cup organizing body FIFA, earlier Saturday and assured him of his “unwavering commitment” to the tournament. (dpa)

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We may have been wrong in not engaging with the US,’ says Castro

April 18, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Caracas (Venezuela), Apr.18 (ANI): Raul Castro, the brother of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro and de facto leader of the island nation 90 miles south of Florida, has admitted that his country may have been wrong in not engaging with the United States.

Speaking at a meeting of leftist leaders heading to the 34-nation summit here eager to represent Cuba’s interests. He said his country’s previous refusal to engage the U.S. earlier might have been a mistake.
“We could be wrong, we admit it. We’re human beings. We’re willing to sit down to talk as it should be done, whenever.” Fox News quoted Castro as saying.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton embraced Castro’s overture.

“We are taking a very serious look at how we intend to respond,” Clinton said.

The only condition Castro set for the talks with Washington was for the White House to respect “the Cuban people’s right to self-determination.”

In Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, President Obama on Friday embraced new calls from Cuba’s communist government to engage in talks– as well as the possibility that the country could lift press restrictions and free political prisoners as part of those talks.

At the Fifth Summit of the Americas, Obama repeated the kind of remarks toward the Castro regime that marked his campaign for the presidency.

“The United States seeks a new beginning with Cuba. I know there is a longer journey that must be travelled in overcoming decades of mistrust, but there are critical steps we can take toward a new day,” Obama said.

Obama noted in his speech at the summit’s opening ceremonies that his administration will allow Cuban Americans to visit the island and send money to families back there.

“The United States has changed over time. It has not always been easy, but it has changed. And so I think it’s important to remind my fellow leaders that it’s not just the United States that has to change. All of us have responsibilities to look towards the future,” Obama said.(ANI)

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Bangladesh faces political storm over ex-PM’s home

April 14, 2009 By Leave a Comment

DHAKA, April 12 (Reuters) – Leaders of Bangladesh’s top political parties have warned of tough actions in a dispute over a home of ex-prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, a controversy analysts say may deal a fresh blow to the country’s stability.

The rivals staged protests in the capital Dhaka and other main cities over the weekend, as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government said it was determined to get Khaleda out of a sprawling house within the army barracks in the capital.

Khaleda, who leads the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, has lived in the house since her general-turned-president husband Ziaur Rahman died in an abortive coup in 1981. The government revoked the lease of the house to her last week, saying she has another leased house in Dhaka.

“This indicates the frivolous and volatile nature of the country’s politics, from which, unfortunately, the major parties have again failed to break out,” Ataur Rahman, a Dhaka University professor and chairman of Bangladesh Political Science Association, said of the dispute.

“They are (fighting) each other on a largely non-political issue at a time when the country badly needs a new democratic structure and a sustainable administration,” he told Reuters on Sunday.

Analysts say such disputes are a distraction when Bangladesh’s government should be concentrating on measures to stem corruption and increase transparency, steps that would help attract much-needed investment and aid to the impoverished South Asian country of more than 140 million people.

Asif Nazrul, a law professor and analyst, said the government and opposition should go to court to resolve the dispute over Khaleda’s residence.

“It could temporarily calm down the situation. But the mistrust created through this incident may manifest in various ways and impact future politics,” he told Reuters on Sunday.

Bangladesh looked set to achieve a degree of stability following a peaceful and credible election in December which ended two years of rule by a military-backed “interim government” that took over amid political violence in January 2007.

Such hopes were soon dented when paramilitary rebels killed nearly 60 of their commanding officers, all drawn from the army, and triggered fears of more unrest.

Hasina, leader of the ruling Awami League, managed to cool the tension by promising to conduct a fair and transparent investigation into the February 25-26 mutiny in the Dhaka headquarters of the Bangladesh Rifles, whose primary responsibility is to guard the borders.

But now the country faces the possibility of growing protests and rallies related to the house lease issue, and the possiblity they will turn violent or seriously disrupt economic activity, as has happened with Bangladesh street politics in the past, analysts say.

Thousands were already involved in demonstrations over the weekend. (Editing by Jerry Norton)

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Global cooperation needed to solve problems: Obama

April 12, 2009 By Leave a Comment

WASHINGTON: Global cooperation is needed to tackle the financial meltdown, climate change, nuclear proliferation and other pressing problems,
President Barack Obama
said on Saturday.

Fresh from his first trip overseas as president, Obama used his radio and Internet address to ask people in the United States and around the world to focus on areas of common interest.

“These are challenges that no single nation, no matter how powerful, can confront alone,” Obama said. “The United States must lead the way. But our best chance to solve these unprecedented problems comes from acting in concert with other nations.”

Obama pointed to his London meeting with leaders of the G-20 nations – a gathering that represented 85 percent of the global economy – where he pressed for increased regulation and economic stimulus. He also noted his attendance at the NATO summit in France to discuss strategy toward Afghanistan and Pakistan, as well as his speeches against nuclear weapons in the Czech Republic and about faith divisions in Turkey.

All are big-picture priorities for the young administration and most have general support among Obama’s U.S. constituents.

“With all that is at stake today, we cannot afford to talk past one another. We can’t afford to allow old differences to prevent us from making progress in areas of common concern,” Obama said. “We can’t afford to let walls of mistrust stand. Instead, we have to find – and build on – our mutual interests. For it is only when people come together, and seek common ground, that some of that mistrust can begin to fade. And that is where progress begins.”

Obama used the eight-day trip to highlight his ambitious foreign policy agenda, including starting negotiations with Russia about reducing nuclear stockpiles. Such talks, announced alongside Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, would be the first in years and are part of Obama’s pledge “to free the world from the menace of a nuclear nightmare.”

Taken as a package, Obama said, his agenda in Europe should be the common goals among people of faith during holy days of Easter and Passover.

“These are two very different holidays with their own very different traditions. But it seems fitting that we mark them both during the same week,” Obama said. “For in a larger sense, they are both moments of reflection and renewal. They are both occasions to think more deeply about the obligations we have to ourselves and the obligations we have to one another, no matter who we are, where we come from, or what faith we practice.”

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AFPAK policy has NATO’s backing: Obama

April 12, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Washington, Apr.12 (ANI): US President Barack Obama has said that the revamped policy for Pakistan and Afghanistan is positively backed by all the US NATO allies.

Reffering to his last week’s meeting with the NATO allies in Strasbourg, Obama said all the ally countries has shown their unity for the new policies.

“It was heartening that our NATO allies united in Strasbourg behind our strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and contributed important resources to support our effort there,” Obama said.

Obama, in his regular radio address, urged all the countries to fill the gap of distrust among them, and fight together against extremism, nuclear proliferation, and economic crisis.

“These are challenges that no single nation, no matter how powerful, can confront alone.We can’t afford to let walls of mistrust stand. Instead, we have to find and build on, our mutual interests,” Dawn quoted Obama, as saying.

“We live in a dangerous world, and we must be strong and vigilant in the face of these threats,” he added. (ANI)

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Obama calls for unity to confront global challenges

April 12, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Washington – US President Barack Obama on Saturday emphasized the need for countries to work together to confront global challenges. He pointed to the economic crisis, terrorism, the environment and nuclear nonproliferation as issues that require international cooperation.

“These are challenges that no single nation, no matter how powerful, can confront alone,” he said in his weekly radio address. “The United States must lead the way. But our best chance to solve these unprecedented problems comes from acting in concert with other nations.”

He noted efforts last week at the Group of 20 (G20) meeting of leading and emerging economies to address the financial crisis and his travels throughout Europe, which also included a NATO summit, discussions with European leaders in Prague and a stop in Turkey.

“With all that is at stake today, we cannot afford to talk past one another. We can’t afford to allow old differences to prevent us from making progress in areas of common concern. We can’t afford to let walls of mistrust stand,” he said.

“Instead, we have to find – and build on – our mutual interests. For it is only when people come together, and seek common ground, that some of that mistrust can begin to fade. And that is where progress begins.”

Obama also sent holiday wishes to Jews celebrating Passover and Christians marking Easter and said the holidays offer a chance to reflect on obligations to others. (dpa)

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US to join nuclear talks with Iran

April 9, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Washington, April 9 (DPA) The US said Wednesday it would join other permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany in talks with Iran over its suspected nuclear programme.

Confirming this, State Department spokesman Robert Wood said European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana was asked to invite the Iranian government to meet representatives of the so-called P5+1, which comprises the five permanent members of the UN Security Council – the US, Britain, China, France and Russia – plus Germany.

The US ‘will be at the table from now on,’ Wood said, indicating a significant shift from former president George W. Bush’s stand that US participation in any talks with Iran would depend on its suspension of all nuclear work.

‘If Iran accepts, we hope this will be the occasion to seriously engage Iran on how to break the logjam of recent years and work in a cooperative manner to resolve the outstanding international concerns about its nuclear programme,’ Wood said.

‘Any breakthrough will be the result of the collective efforts of all the parties, including Iran.’

Earlier Wednesday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad welcomed overtures for better relations by US President Barack Obama, but said that Tehran was still waiting for real changes in the new US administration’s policies.

Obama, in a message last month on the occasion of the Persian New Year, said he wanted better ties with the Islamic republic and offered a new start in relations after decades of mistrust.

‘We are still waiting for practical and essential changes in the US policies,’ Ahmadinejad told a crowd in the central city of Isfahan during an official visit.

‘What the esteemed president of America is saying must be seen in practice, otherwise nothing would change by words,’ Ahmadinejad said.

In a shift from the policies of his predecessor, who branded Iran as part of an ‘axis of evil,’ Obama offered a hand of peace to Tehran if it ‘unclenches its fist.’

‘(The) Iranian nation would welcome a hand if extended sincerely with respect,’ Ahmadinejad said. ‘If this hand appears to be honest but it is dishonest inwardly then our response would be the same as before.

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U.S.-Iranian journalist charged with espionage-media

April 9, 2009 By Leave a Comment

An Iranian-American journalist detained in Iran, Roxana Saberi, has been charged with espionage on behalf of the United States, Iranian media said on Wednesday.

In Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she was very concerned by news of the charges against Saberi and demanded her immediate release.

The new U.S. administration of President Barack Obama is trying to reach out to the Islamic Republic, offering a “new beginning” of engagement after three decades of mutual mistrust.

Saberi, 31, who was born in the United States and has reported for the BBC, National Public Radio and other media, was arrested in January for working in Iran after her press credentials had expired.

Iran’s deputy prosecutor for security issues, Hassan Haddad, said Saberi had confessed to taking part in espionage activities, Iran’s English-language Press TV said.

“She has been charged and a branch of the Revolutionary Court is reviewing her case now,” ISNA news agency quoted him as saying, referring to a court which handles security issues.

The judge handling the case told state television: “Journalism for this accused … was a cover to collect information and intelligence and transfer them to America’s intelligence service.” The television only gave his last name, Heydarifard.

The trial would start next week, he said.

Saberi’s lawyer, Abdolsamad Khorramshahi, told Reuters: “As they have announced, they have accused her of espionage.” But he said he had not yet received official word about the charges.

Under Iran’s penal code, espionage can carry the death penalty. Last November Iran executed an Iranian businessman convicted of spying on the military for Israel.

Clinton told reporters in Washington: “We are deeply concerned by the news we are hearing… We wish for a speedy release and return to her family.”

BROTHERS JAILED

Washington cut ties with Tehran shortly after the Islamic revolution in 1979, but Obama has offered to extend a hand of peace if Iran “unclenches its fist”.

Iran says it wants to see real change in Washington’s policies, away from those of former President George W. Bush, who led a drive to isolate Tehran because of nuclear work the West suspects has military aims, a charge Iran denies.

Saberi’s parents visited her in Tehran’s Evin jail on Monday, after arriving from the United States. Evin is a jail where rights groups say political prisoners are usually taken.

Her parents appealed to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei last month for their daughter’s release, saying she was in a “critical” mental condition.

She is a citizen of both the United States and Iran. But Tehran does not recognise dual nationality.

In another case that has caused concern in the West, state television said a court had upheld the jail sentences of two Iranian brothers accused of involvement in a U.S.-funded plot to overthrow the Islamic system of government.

Arash and Kamiar Alaei, who are both doctors, were arrested last year and later jailed for six and three years respectively.

Iran often accuses the West of seeking to undermine the Islamic state through a “soft” or “velvet revolution” with the help of intellectuals and others inside the country.

Diplomats and human rights groups say Iran has cracked down on dissenting voices since President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad came to power in 2005, possibly in response to Western pressure on Tehran to halt its disputed nuclear work.

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Iran waiting for real US policy change, Ahmadinejad says

April 8, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Tehran – Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Wednesday welcomed overtures by US President Barack Obama, but said that Tehran is still waiting for real changes in the new US administration’s policies.

Obama, in a message last month on the occasion of the Persian New Year, said he wanted better ties with the Islamic republic and offered a new start in relations after decades of mistrust.

“We are still waiting for practical and essential changes in the US policies,” Ahmadinejad told a crowd in the central city of Isfahan during an official visit.

“What the esteemed president of America is saying must be seen in practice, otherwise nothing would change by words,” Ahmadinejad continued, making it first time an Iranian official called a US head of state “esteemed president.”

In a shift from the policies of his predecessor George W Bush, who branded Iran as part of an “axis of evil” and pursued policies to isolate the Islamic state, Obama offered a hand of peace to Tehran if it “unclenches its fist.”

“[The] Iranian nation would welcome a hand if extended sincerely with respect,” Ahmadinejad said. “If this hand appears to be honest but it is dishonest inwardly then our response would be the same as before.”

In a first reaction to Obama’s video message, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected the overture last month, accusing Obama of using “the same rhetoric” as his predecessor.

Tehran and Washington cut diplomatic ties shortly after the 1979 Islamic revolution took power, when students seized the US embassy and took its diplomats hostage for
444 days.(dpa)

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