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Pak offer
on pull out from Kashmir Tigers
free Indian fishermen 4
protesters shot at US
entry-exit norms being changed
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Pak offer on pull out from Kashmir London, December 2 Musharraf also said he would nominate Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for his country’s highest civilian honour, the Nishan-e-Pakistan, if the two neighbours moved forward towards solving the Kashmir dispute. Replying to questions from listeners on BBC’s radio programme ‘Aapke Bath BBC Ke Saath’ broadcast yesterday, Musharraf said “India has seven lakh soldiers in Kashmir, whereas Pakistan has only 50,000. If Indian government is ready to remove their forces, we will remove ours tomorrow.” When reminded by a listener about the Nishan-e-Pakistan conferred on former Prime Minister Morarji Desai and asked whether his country would like to confer the honour on any Indian today, Musharraf said “I would like to nominate Vajpayee Sahib for it if we move forward towards solving the Kashmir issue.” “If there is an achievement, which is significant from Pakistan’s point of view, we would like to honour anyone,” he added. Musharraf said he was optimistic about next month’s SAARC summit in Islamabad as it was taking place as scheduled despite early uncertainties. “Prime Minister Vajpayee will participate and will meet with all the leaders. I am also hopeful that maybe talks (will) take pace, and whatever talks take place, they would be effective, useful and point to a good future,” Musharraf said. Asked whether he would meet Vajpayee, he replied, “Yes, if he wants to meet me, I will meet him.” “I am saying he should not get an impression, that since I have been saying this time and again, I am desperate to meet him. Let me tell you, I am living here and sitting comfortably there is no problem. I would meet him only if he wants.” Dismissing Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani’s charge that cross-border terrorism had not stopped, Musharraf said “even if two birds fly (across the border), they would say infiltration is taking place.” He said India had often alleged that infiltration was taking place under the cover of firing by Pakistani forces. “Now there is no firing on the LoC, so how is the infiltration taking place,” Musharraf asked. Last week, India and Pakistan announced a ceasefire along the LoC and International Border in Jammu and Kashmir. Yesterday, they decided to restore civilian aviation links and overflights from New Year’s Day. Asked whether the Pakistani National Assembly or President was the final authority on Kashmir, Musharraf said “Whatever be the decision on Kashmir, it would be of the Assembly, but the President can contribute.” When a Pakistani listener asked what was the problem in opening the Khokhrapar border as a bus service had started through Wagah and airlinks had been restored, Musharraf replied “there is no problem ... I accept your demand.” “The number of (people) coming and going via Wagah is quite large. I am fully aware that the transport link through Khokhrapar is required, but the rail track there is in bad condition, it needs repairs.” Musharraf said “we are trying to reduce travel restrictions for Kashmiris” on the proposed Muzaffarabad -Srinagar bus service.
— PTI |
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Tigers free Indian fishermen Colombo, December 2 The fishermen seized by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) at the weekend were sent on one of the Indian trawlers captured by the rebels, the Deputy Head of SLMM, Hagrup Haukland, said. “The Tigers have sent back to India
the 32 fishermen early today,” Haukland said. “But they are
holding seven out of the eight trawlers that were taken on Saturday.”
— PTI |
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4 protesters shot at Chittagong, December 2 The attack came as roads to the Chittagong Hill Tracts were blocked by tribal protesters demanding a withdrawal of troops as promised in the accord signed six years ago this week. The office of the United People’s Democratic Front
(UPDF), which opposes the 1997 treaty as it did not grant autonomy, was shot at in the Khagrachari district’s Babucchara area, leaving four party members injured, officials said.
— PTI |
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US entry-exit norms being changed Washington, December 2 The US Department of Homeland Security has announced it will scrap the rule that required individuals previously registered in the National Security Entry/Exit Registration System (NSEERS) to re-register after 30 days or one year of continuous presence in the USA. The NSEERS established a national registry for visitors from 25, mainly Middle East, countries with suspected links to terror. However, the re-registration rule was slammed by Civil Rights groups saying it infringed on immigrants’ rights. DHS is preparing to institute a new programme, US-VISIT, at the end of this year, which, when fully implemented, will collect information and biometric identifiers from most visitors to the USA and record their departure, a press release from the Department stated yesterday. The interim rule outlining the new procedures will take effect immediately with publication in the Federal Register, and allows for a 60-day public comment period. Asa Hutchinson, DHS’ Undersecretary for Border and Transportation Security said, “this change will allow us to focus our efforts on the implementation of US-VISIT while preserving ability to interview some visitors when necessary.” Although certain visitors may still be registered at their time of arrival at US ports-of-entry, there will no longer be a mandatory requirement for all persons registered to report for interviews, once the new policy is fully implemented.
— PTI |
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Miss India among top favourites Beijing, December 2 The current top 10 contestants in the People’s Choice category in alphabetical order were from Albania, Australia, Brazil, India, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Serbia and Montenegro, Thailand and Venezuela, according to a report on the official website of the pageant. Last week, 22-year-old Vashi had emerged as one of the favourites of bookies among 106 beauties competing for the Miss World — 2003 title to be decided on December 6 in Sanya City in South China. Besides Vashi, beauties from China, Ireland, Norway, Venezuela and Brazil are also tipped to win the coveted title, according to readabet.com website. The official website also announced that four of the five Miss World — 2003 fast track finalists have now been selected, with the fifth and final fast track finalist being voted for by a combination of public telephone and web votes. While Miss Ireland Rosanna Davison was named Miss World Beach Beauty 2003, the Miss World girls’ favourite is Miss Bolivia Helen Aponte Saucedo who won the top personality 2003 award. Miss Georgia Irina Onashvili won the Miss World — 2003 Talent Show with a beautiful song about her home town, Tblisi. Miss Canada Nazanin Afshin-Jam has fast-tracked to the last 20 of the Miss World — 2003 final by winning the Miss Sport competition. Meanwhile, Jackie Chan, Hollywood’s top martial arts star, and ‘Sex in the City’ writer Candace Bushnell would be among the judges for the Miss World finals, the website said. Yesterday, the 106 beautiful girls were mobbed by crowds of cheering Chinese in Sanya City of Hainan province.
— PTI |
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Ceasefire effective only
if Pakistan stops supporting terrorism, says Former US Assistant
Secretary of State for Non-Proliferation, Robert Einhorn. (
