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USA can help solve Kashmir dispute,
India has enough food for tsunami-hit: FAO
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First ‘Indian Street’ opens in China
Harbin (China), January 12 The first-ever ‘Indian Street’ in China has been opened in Harbin, capital of north-eastern province Heilongjiang, to cement the growing ties between the people of the two countries.
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USA can help solve Kashmir dispute, says Musharraf
Islamabad, January 12 Speaking to a four-member US Senate delegation, the president
recalled his talks with US President George W Bush on the need to
address the long-standing issues like Palestine and Kashmir to bring an
end to the present turmoil. The President had an in-depth exchange of
views with the delegation led by Senate Majority Leader Bill First on
Pakistan-US relations and regional and international issues, including
the Pakistan-India peace process. Other members of the delegation were
Senator Norm Coleman Jr., Senator Richard DeWine and Senator Mitchell
McConnell Jr. President Musharraf highlighted the measures taken for
peace and progress in Afghanistan. He noted that President Karzai's
elections gave a new hope to the Afghan people. He called for continued
international cooperation to support Afghanistan. About the war on
terrorism, General Musharraf reiterated Islamabad's commitment to
root-out the menace to ensure a secure environment for progress and
prosperity of the country. The visiting senators briefed President
Musharraf about their talks in India. They expressed support to the
ongoing bilateral dialogue to resolve all pending issues between
Pakistan and India, including the Jammu and Kashmir issue. The US
Senators welcomed Pakistan's support to Afghanistan in its efforts to
achieve peace and stability. They acknowledged Pakistan's role in the
war against terrorism and assured him of US Congress's commitment to a
long-term engagement with Pakistan to further deepen and expand
bilateral relations, particularly in the areas of commerce, trade and
investment. STRATEGIC TIES: Later talking to reporters, the US
Senators appreciated Pakistan's role in the fight against terrorism and
stressed the importance of strategic and political relationship between
Islamabad and Washington. Senator Bill First said the purpose of this
visit was to exchange views with Pakistani leaders and broaden and
deepen 'our important relations - both strategic and political'. These
strategic and political ties, he added, were very important to the
United States and Pakistan. The delegation earlier held talks with
Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri and also met members of the Senate and
the National Assembly. Describing Pakistan as a 'tremendous ally' of
the United States, Senator First said they discussed ties between the
two countries, ranging from political, strategic and economic to social
relations. A large part of the discussion centred on security
cooperation, he said while referring to the designating of Pakistan last
year as a major non-Nato ally of the United States. Issues relating to
mutual cooperation in terms of sharing of information, sharing of
intelligence and tightening of security on the border with Afghanistan
were discussed with Pakistani leaders and Members of Parliament, he
added. |
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India has enough food for tsunami-hit: FAO
New York, January 12 Pointing that an estimated two million
tsunami-affected people were in need of food aid, Food and Agriculture
Organisation (FAO) warned that in Sri Lanka and Maldives the food supply
problem could worsen. Local communities will face severe food security
problems in the short and long-term because parents and relatives have
been lost, livelihood assets and sources of income no longer exist, it
said. Fisheries and agriculture in coastal areas, the FAO said, have
been severely hit by the tsunami waves. In India the tsunami did not
affect the overall 2005 production prospects. Rice surplus is expected
to be sufficient to cover the food aid needs in the country's worst
affected areas, the FAO said. In spite of local losses, overall food
availability in the region affected should be adequate to cover food
needs, the UN agency assured. "Since relatively large rice
supplies are available in the region, it is recommended that local
purchases be made whenever possible in order to meet food aid
requirements in the different affected countries, so as to avoid
domestic food markets disturbances," said Henri Josserand, Chief of
the Global Information and Early Warning Service. However, given the
damage to infrastructure, in particular roads, and the lack of suitable
transportation means, logistical difficulties will hamper the
distribution of food to the affected population. "Relief efforts
must ensure that local farmers and fisher folk hit by the tsunamis
receive all the assistance needed to cover their food needs and to
restart farming and fishing as soon as possible," it said. FAO
Director-General Dr Jacques Diouf met last Friday with Ambassadors from
affected countries and donors to evaluate the response to the emergency
rehabilitation of fisheries and agriculture in affected
countries. Donors, including Belgium, the European Commission, Germany,
Italy, Japan, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, amongst
others, have already supported or expressed interest in FAO's initial
appeal for $ 26 million. — PTI |
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First ‘Indian Street’ opens in China
Harbin
(China), January 12 “We established the first-ever Indian-style Street in
China, in Harbin, in order to promote Sino-Indian relations and take
advantage of the fast-paced all-round progress in bilateral trade,
cultural exchanges and people-to-people contacts,” Communist Party
Secretary of Harbin Du Yuxin said. Du as well as the Mayor of Harbin,
Shi Zhongxin said here that Harbin, one of China’s top industrial
bases, is eager to forge mutually beneficial ties with Indian companies,
including software firms who are eying to establish bases in
China. “We welcome Indian investments in Harbin,” Du said while
noting that the Indian Street in the city of nearly 10 million people
was getting popular with the locals. The Indian Street in Harbin is a
joint venture between India-based Meena Travel Private Limited and a
local Chinese company. At present, there are two Indian stores in the
street, selling a range of shawls, silk carpets, textile products,
handicrafts and small items. The Mayor of Harbin noted that Chinese and
Indian people enjoy good relations and both countries are known to have
ancient civilisations. He also hoped that tourism and cultural exchanges
between Indian cities and Harbin could be undertaken to enhance
people-to-people understanding. — PTI |
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Cloned cows with human genes born in China
Beijing, January 12 The cows, which have the lactoferrin gene, were born
last week in an animal research base for gene transfer. Experts say the
cloned cows will be able to yield nourishing milk because of the gene
transfer of human milk, the ‘China Radio International’
reported. They say cloned cattle with the human gene is valuable for
scientific purposes and business. Only a few countries are capable to do
this type of cloning, including Britain and Argentina, the report said.
— PTI |
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