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Sale of F-16s to Pak still on US agenda
Talks only solution to issue, says Musharraf
India to get MiG-29k from 2007
United Nations orders action on Volcker report
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Was Shakespeare wrong about
Macbeth?
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Sale of F-16s to Pak still on US agenda
Islamabad, February 4 However, officials said the meeting held at the Defence Ministry did not succeed in breaking the deadlock on the issue of F-16s and the two sides agreed to hold further discussions on Pakistan’s request for the aircraft. “Both sides agreed to keep the F-16 issue on the agenda of talks till a final decision is reached,” said the US Under- Secretary for Defence, Mr Douglas Feith, while answering journalists’ questions. Sources said Islamabad wanted about 25 F-16s, worth more than $20 million a piece. Mr Feith and Pakistan’s Defence Secretary, Lt. Gen. (retd) Hamid Nawaz, led their sides at the meeting, the first held after Pakistan was declared by the US a Major Non-Nato Ally in June, 2004. Talking to journalists, Mr Feith reaffirmed the US commitment to meet Pakistan’s defence needs and bolster defence trade between the two countries. He said: “Pakistan has been developing ideas to undertake defence trade with the US.” Lt Gen (retd) Hamid Nawaz said the supply of C-130 aircraft would begin by mid-March and expressed the hope that the delivery would be on schedule. He said many defence items were being supplied to Pakistan and more were in the pipeline. Mr Feith appreciated the steps taken by Pakistan and India to ease tension and resolve outstanding issues through a process of composite dialogue. He said the US was in favour of continuation of dialogue between India and Pakistan. “We are taking serious interest in the dialogue so that people of Pakistan and India may live in peace and stability. We are in favour of steps for peace and security in the region,” he said. On the issue of Baglihar Dam which has triggered tension between India and Pakistan, he said the US supported resolution of all outstanding issues between the two countries through diplomacy. |
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Talks only solution to issue, says Musharraf
Islamabad, February 4 “Pakistan believes that a just and lasting solution to the Kashmir dispute can only be found through a process of dialogue and engagement. It is with this resolve and purpose in mind that we embarked on the composite dialogue process with India last year,” General Musharraf said. In a message on the eve of the Kashmir Solidarity Day to be observed tomorrow all over Pakistan, he said, “Our effort was and continues to be, to engage in a meaningful and result-oriented dialogue to seek a peaceful, negotiated and final settlement to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.” He said Pakistanis observe February 5 as Kashmir Solidarity Day “to demonstrate our unequivocal support for the Kashmiri people to achieve their right of self-determination.” The day was aimed at reaffirming Pakistan’s support for Kashmiris “and their endeavour to decide their own future freely, as promised to them by the international community through the UN Security Council resolutions, without the threat of coercion,” he said. The solidarity day is a national holiday.
— PTI |
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India to get MiG-29k from 2007
Moscow, February 4 Russia’s MiG Corporation has been developing 12 carrier-based MiG-29K single-seater fighters with multi-role capabilities and four twin-seater MiG-29KUB combat-cum-trainer aircraft as a part of the $1.5 billion Gorshkov deal signed in January 2004. “The serial production of the planes has already commenced, the work is moving ahead strictly per schedule,” Director General of RAC MiG Alexei Fedorov said here, allaying fears about a delay in the deliveries due to financial problems of the corporation. Mr Fedorov, who has been the pointman in the successful implementation of Sukhoi Su-30MKI deal, was appointed MiG chief last year by the Russian Government.
— PTI |
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United Nations orders action on Volcker report
United Nations, February 4 The inquiry panel, headed by former US Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker found that Mr Benon Sevan had solicited and received allocations of oil from the Saddam regime for a trading company. The interim report of the panel, released yesterday, said Mr Sevan had “seriously undermined the integrity of the United Nations and suggested that he may have received kickback, possibly using his aunt to mask his trail. Releasing the report, Mr Volcker said UN Secretary General Kofi Annan’s son Kojo was also under investigation. At the press briefing, Mr Volcker had said former Secretary General Boutros Boutros Ghali was also under investigation. But later the independent inquiry committee (IIC) issued a clarification which said that Mr Volcker had “misheard” the question and thought it was about Mr Benon Sevan. Mr Sevan is under investigation and Mr Boutros-Ghali has been interrogated with regard to the selection of the bank, BNP. The panel has not so far found any criminal wrongdoing but is investigating “the scope and extent of benefit” that Mr Sevan received for his requests.
— PTI |
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EU condemns Nepal King’s action
Brussels, February 4 The EU has consistently supported multiparty democracy and constitutional monarchy in Nepal. In the present situation, the EU sees no alternative to a broad-based government,” said the current Luxembourg presidency of the 25-member European bloc. The EU called for speedy restoration of multiparty democracy in Nepal to meet the aspirations of the Nepalese people effectively. It also voiced “grave concern” about reported restrictions on political and civil society representatives. “The EU continues to judge that there can be no acceptable military solution to Nepal’s problems and that any search for a solution by military means by either side will only add to and prolong the suffering of the Nepalese people,” it added.
— INEP |
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Was Shakespeare wrong about
Macbeth?
London, February 4 They want to restore the reputation of the 11th century king of Scotland, who has been stained with villainy eversince Shakespeare’s play was first performed 400 years ago. “He (Macbeth) was perceived as a good king who stabilised the country and has since been maligned by Shakespeare’s play,” said Scottish member of Parliament Alex Johnstone. “In a time of war, he unified the country and promoted Christianity,” Mr Johnstone said. In the play, Macbeth is tormented by the prophesies of three witches, murders the king in his sleep to steal the throne and then succumbs to madness before being killed himself. Mostly inaccurate, says Mr Johnstone, who has tabled a motion in Parliament commemorating the 1,000th anniversary of the birth of Macbeth, who reigned between 1040 and 1057. He says Shakespeare wrote the play to appeal to the superstitious Scottish King James VI, who had just succeeded to the English throne.
— Reuters |
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