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Flexibility needed to resolve
Kashmir issue, says Musharraf
65 troops killed in Somalia clashes
Plea for fresh probe into anti-Sikh riots
Manual for UN peacekeepers on gender issues
10 Maoists killed as truce comes to end
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India, Bangladesh to hold talks on Teesta river
Pak needs to curb terrorism, says US official
Russia fears more suicide attacks
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Flexibility needed to resolve
Kashmir issue, Islamabad, October 30 Pakistan’s principled stand on Kashmir remained the same, Musharraf said, addressing a meeting of the newly elected representatives of the Northern Areas Council in Rawalpindi. “Both countries will have to show flexibility for finding a solution that is acceptable to them and the Kashmiris as well,” state television quoted him as saying. “The resolution of the dispute will be in the interest of peace and development of the region and all parties concerned,’’ he said. Musharraf said he had not proposed any solution to Kashmir issue but only suggested a debate on different options to resolve it so that a solution could be identified. It could be resolved only when Pakistan and India think for solutions by moving away from their stated positions. He said he had only asked the media in Pakistan to identify various options and initiate a meaningful debate on them. Musharraf’s comments followed strong criticism from Pakistan’s opposition parties as well as militant groups and a section of the media over his remarks that solution cannot be found by insisting on plebiscite or making the Line of Control a permanent border. Issuing a fresh clarification on the issue today, Foreign office spokesman Masood Khan said in his October 25 address, the President only identified the routes from where a solution to Kashmir issue could be executed. Contrary to speculation by the press, Musharraf has not floated any suggestion towards solution of Kashmir issue but he invited the media to hold an open debate, he told PTV. Khan said Pakistan has not changed its official position on Kashmir and making LOC into a permanent border was not possible. Both the countries sticking to their stands was not the solution, he added. Pakistan Foreign office had yesterday also said that the President did not make any proposal but threw open certain ideas to the media for debate and to elicit a public opinion. Khan said, in his speech, Musharraf described the various ethnic and geographical regions of Jammu and Kashmir and said one way to initiate the debate was to identify regions, demilitarise them and look at ways to change their status. The spokesman said media should carry out a debate to elicit public opinion, which if conducted in these broad parameters will bring out dozens of options, reflecting various shades of public opinion.
— PTI
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Pak needs to curb terrorism, says US official Washington, October 30 “Many of the religious parties in Pakistan have links with extremists who fought in Afghanistan and Kashmir. A crackdown on extremism in Pakistan is necessary to help prevent future terrorists attacks as well as to facilitate India-Pakistan peace,” Senator Lugar said. “We support the Pakistan Government’s efforts to root out terrorism and we are committed to Pakistan’s long-term development and prosperity,” he said. US Ambassador-designate to Pakistan Ryan Crocker told his Senate, “Indo-Pakistani reconciliation is key to regional stability and international security”.
— PTI
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65 troops killed in Somalia clashes
Hargisa (Somalia) October 30 The minister said 60 Puntland soldiers had been killed and 23 captured in the fighting that broke out on Friday after weeks of growing tension sparked off by the election of a former Puntland warlord Abdullahi Yusuf as Somalia’s President. He said Somaliland lost only five soldiers with another five were wounded during the clashes at Adi-Addeye village, a flashpoint during previous flare-ups between the two armies. Mayrah said Somaliland forces had won the battle after they forced Puntland troops to flee and leave behind bodies of their very senior soldiers, including that of a zone commander. There was no immediate comment from Puntland officials. Both sides claim victory and have accused each other of starting the battle. Abdullahi Yusuf, in a letter sent to neighbouring states and the United Nations, said on Friday that Puntland had told him that the authorities of Somaliland were waging “an all-out war”. He said there were reports of “gross casualties”, but gave no details. Many in Somaliland see Abdullahi Yusuf as their arch foe, accusing him of instigating the clashes between Puntland and Somaliland, but he has promised to work with Somaliland peacefully. Tensions between the two regions rose sharply after October 10, when lawmakers elected warlord and Puntland political boss Abdullahi Yusuf as president of Somalia at national peace talks held in neighbouring Kenya. — Reuters
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Plea for fresh probe into anti-Sikh riots
New York, October 30 Seven government-appointed commissions investigated the riots but, all were a mere “whitewash” or met with “official stonewalling and obstruction,” the Human Rights Watch alleged. The report of the latest commission, Justice Nanavati Commission, was due on November 1, but had been delayed for another two months, it said. “The time for commissions that do not lead to prosecutions is over,” said Mr Brad Adams, Asia Director of Human Rights Watch. “After two decades, the prosecutors and the police should act. There is more than enough evidence to do so now,” he said in a report. “The fact that many of the alleged planners of the violence were or are members of the Congress should not be a barrier to justice for the victims.” “Both the judiciary and administrative inquiry commissions have failed to hold these perpetrators accountable,” Mr Adams alleged and urged the Congress-led government in India to launch a fresh probe on the 20th anniversary of the riots.
— PTI |
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Manual for UN peacekeepers on gender issues
United Nations, October 30 The 228-paged document offers detailed guidance for peacekeeping personnel working on a range of issues, including human rights, HIV/AIDS, protection of children, media, law enforcement and staff security. While the focus is on meeting the specific needs of women and girls including those who have suffered sexual violence and those who may be pregnant or mothers - the text also highlights how men can make a difference. “The launch of this package is an important milestone in the evolution of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations’ commitment to mainstreaming a gender perspective in all functional areas of peacekeeping operations,” said Assistant Secretary-General Hidi Annabi at a panel discussion in New York. Specific instructions are offered in the manual for sensitising peacekeeping personnel to gender issues. These range from providing both male and female condoms to increasing women’s representation in missions, especially in the higher ranks. According to the publication, women represent only 1.5 per cent of all military personnel provided by member states to UN operations in 2003.
— PTI |
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10 Maoists killed as truce comes to end
Kathmandu, October 30 The clashes occurred yesterday and early today in various parts of the Himalayan kingdom. The truce, announced by the rebels and reciprocated by the government to mark a Hindu festival, ended Thursday midnight. The government had offered to extend the ceasefire indefinitely on the condition that the Maoists followed suit. However, fighting broke out yesterday in Siraha district, southeast of Kathmandu, where two rebels were killed in clashes with Nepalese security forces near the village of Mirchaiya, the source said. Violence continued in the district through the night and another four rebels were gunned down by security personnel early today at Tetis Bigha. Other clashes occurred early today at a village in far-eastern Taplejung district, where another four Maoists were killed, the source said.
— AFP |
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India, Bangladesh to hold talks on Teesta river
Dhaka, October 30 The four-member Bangladesh side to the two-day first joint-technical group of the Indo-Bangladesh Joint River Commission talks would be headed by Mr Tauhidul Anwar Khan. The talks, which begin on November 8, come after two-day experts meeting last month in Dhaka, which ended in an upbeat mood with both sides focusing on seven common rivers, particularly the Teesta. However, it failed to reach a consensus for initiating an agreement.
— PTI |
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Pak needs to curb terrorism, says US official
Washington, October 30 “Many of the religious parties in Pakistan have links with extremists who fought in Afghanistan and Kashmir. A crackdown on extremism in Pakistan is necessary to help prevent future terrorists attacks as well as to facilitate India-Pakistan peace,” Senator Lugar said. “We support the Pakistan Government’s efforts to root out terrorism and we are committed to Pakistan’s long-term development and prosperity,” he said. US Ambassador-designate to Pakistan Ryan Crocker told his Senate, “Indo-Pakistani reconciliation is key to regional stability and international security”.
— PTI |
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Russia fears more suicide attacks
Moscow, October 30 “We have established there are more than 80 suicide attackers trained abroad who are to be sent to Russia to carry out terrorist acts,’’ Nikolai Patrushev told Russia’s State Duma Lower House of parliament. Some of the attackers had been “rendered harmless,’’ he added. “We don’t know what route they might take to get into Russia, and this creates definite problems.’’ — Reuters |
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