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Tripartite talks on Kashmir only
US Senate agrees to name post office
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Kissinger on damage control, praises Indira
Salman set for Hollywood stint
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Tripartite talks on Kashmir only way out: Pak PM
Muzaffarabad, July 1 Speaking at the budget session of the Council of occupied Kashmir and later to a mixed gathering at the PM Office, he also underscored the centrality of the Kashmir issue and its peaceful settlement in keeping with the aspirations and priorities of the people of the region. “There could not be any other solution. There is no other solution,” he said. Earlier, the premier, who was on his first visit to the capital of occupied Kashmir after assuming office in August last year, distributed compensation cheques among dependents of the people killed by avalanches in the Neelum Valley early this year. “Pakistan firmly believes that the Kashmiris are the real stakeholders and therefore must be the principal beneficiaries of its dialogue with India for a just and durable settlement of the Kashmir issue based on their aspirations and wishes,” Mr Aziz said. The Prime Minister termed the recent visit of Kashmiri leaders to occupied Kashmir and Pakistan a historic step forward, believing that by allowing them travelling on entry permits, rather than on Indian documents, India had conceded that Kashmir was a disputed territory. The visit, according to him, was also the culmination of Pakistan’s efforts to initiate a wide-ranging consultative process to associate the true representatives of the Kashmiris with the peace process. He said Pakistan was determined to press ahead with further efforts aimed at bringing greater relief and succour to the Kashmiris. In this regard, he recalled the idea of President Pervez Musharraf of phased demilitarisation of Kashmir and said it would be a pre-requisite for ascertaining the wishes of Kashmiris. He also listed three steps to achieve “further progress in relations between the two countries ”. “I wish the bus service should also be run from other places and with increased frequency so that the travelling of maximum people is facilitated. And there should also be a truck service so as to start trade between the two parts,” he said. However, the Prime Minister made it clear that there must be progress on the “core issue”. “Progress on resolving the core issue must move in tandem with progress on other issues,” he said, adding Pakistan had been raising this point at every forum. He also rejected outright any proposal that he said was aimed at converting the LoC into a permanent border. He said the ongoing peace process between India and Pakistan was irreversible and it should be consolidated and strengthened. |
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US Senate agrees to name post office after Saund
The US Senate on Wednesday night unanimously voted to honour the first Asian American member of the US Congress by naming a post office after him.
The US post office in Temecula, California, will now be formally named the Dalip Singh Saund Post Office Building after the former California Congressman. Mr Saund, a Sikh originally from India, served as a US Congressman from 1957 to 1962. The Dalip Singh Saund Post Office Building will honour an American who followed his dream to the USA, broke barriers and served as a representative of the people, said Congressman Darrell Issa, California Republican, who authored the legislation honouring Mr Saund. This act of the Congress will preserve Congressman Saund’s legacy and honour the success of all immigrants from India and their accomplishments, Mr Issa said. Born in the village of Chhajulwadi in Punjab in 1899, Mr Saund came to the USA in 1920 to study at the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned a doctorate in mathematics. For nearly 30 years he was a successful farmer in the Imperial Valley, during which this time he began fighting discriminatory laws against Indians. Bobby Jindal, Louisiana Republican and the only second Indian American in the Congress since Mr Saund, called Mr Saund’s story as one of determination and true accomplishment. “He personifies the idea that every person can, through hard work and dedication, achieve amazing heights,” said Mr Jindal. Sikh American groups have lauded the decision to honour Mr Saund. In 1949, Mr Saund and other Indians finally earned the right to become US citizens. His political career was cut short when he suffered a stroke while campaigning for a fourth term in the Congress. The Sikh community in the USA bore the brunt of the racist backlash following the September 11, 2001, attacks on America. |
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Maoists kill Indian trader, two others
Kathmandu, July 1 Besides the Indian businessman, the Maoists gunned down a veterinary doctor and a peon at the clinic in Bardia district of western Nepal yesterday, state-run Radio Nepal reported today. Details about the Indian businessman were not immediately available. The rebels killed the three despite their public announcement last month that they would not target civilians and unarmed people. Maoists have killed 24 innocent civilians across the country since their chief Prachanda asked rebels to stop attacking unarmed persons.— PTI |
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Kissinger on damage control, praises Indira
New Delhi, July 1 Contending that he has "high regards" for her, Kissinger said the expression of strong remarks was a "one-time event" besides which he was a "strong supporter and promoter" of a close relationship between India and the US. "All of these (use of foul language against Indians) have to be seen in the context of a Cold War atmosphere 35 years ago when I had paid a secret visit to China when President Nixon had not yet been there and India had made a kind of an alliance with the Soviet Union," he told a news channel. "It was in that context that we assessed the immediate situation and in fact we were angry. We wanted to avoid a war between India and Pakistan because we thought it would have been very damaging," the former US Secretary of State said.
— PTI |
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Nixon wanted to brand India “naked aggressor”
Washington, July 1 Providing deep insight to the thinking of the U.S.
administration at that stage, State Department documents, declassified by Washington recently, indicate “complete concurrence” of US “gameplan” by Pakistan’s military ruler Yahya Khan. During conversations with his Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Mr Nixon wanted to “put the heat on India’s back”, the documents show. Dr Kissinger responded saying “I am a little reluctant to shoot the big gun. To have you call India and have them kick you”. Mr Nixon said instead of making a phone call, he would like to make a public statement labelling India as a naked aggressor.
— PTI |
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Salman set for Hollywood stint
Amsterdam, July 1 Shooting for American filmmaker Willard Carroll’s ‘Marigold’, billed the first Indo-US co-production ever, is complete and the film is slated for a January 2006 release in the USA. But lead actor Salman is happy doing Hindi films and has no plans to shift base to the world’s movie capital. “I did this film for Willard and Willard alone. I am not doing any other Hollywood film,” he says. Salman’s present stance might change depending on the film’s performance at the US box-office, but emoting in English might have had something to do with his decision. “We do speak English in real life, but to do that
consistently in front of the camera on sync sound was challenging,” he says. ‘Marigold’ is a romantic comedy about an American actress Marigold Lexton (Ali Larter) who gets stranded in Mumbai. The reel adventure begins when she bags a small role in a Bollywood musical and meets Prem (Salman Khan) who is the film’s choreographer.
— PTI |
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Muzaffarabad, July 1
