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Pak, US working on joint strikes along Afghan border
Now, gatecrasher No. 3 at state dinner
Maoists plan India bashing in next round of protests
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Prabhakaran’s personal gun, body armour found
Religion-based political parties face ban in B’desh
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Pak, US working on joint strikes along Afghan border
Pakistan and the United States are working on a plan to take joint military action against the Taliban and launch coordinated attacks on both sides of the Pak-Afghan border, according to Gen Stanley McChrystal, Commander of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan.
“In fact, we are developing a joint campaign plan so that we approach the entire problem together and as much as possible, we can make our efforts synergistic,” Gen McChrystal told reporters at the residence of the US Ambassador after holding talks with military commanders here and visiting Swat. He said strong partnership between the US and Pakistan was critical for counter-insurgency operations on both sides of the border. “The most important thing we can do is to coordinate our operations with the Pakistan Army and then there is, of course, going to be political coordination,” he said. In contrast to some other US officials, who have been lecturing Pakistanis on the need to “do more” in the fight against extremist elements, Gen McChrystal repeatedly called for “partnership” between the two countries and said that differences should not detract them from their aims. Referring to the often-discussed trust deficit between the two countries, he said the level of mistrust had declined but it needed to be narrowed. Surprisingly, Gen McChrystal did not broach either the Haqqani Network or the Quetta Shura - the two problems that have posed serious challenges to cooperation between the two countries. The Pakistan Army, which is engaged in a campaign against militant groups operating from its soil, has been accused of ignoring Afghanistan-focused groups, prompting critics to claim that Islamabad - fearful of the growing Indian influence in the war-torn country - was trying to preserve these factions as future assets for keeping its influence in Afghanistan. Gen McChrystal, all praise for the military’s counter-insurgency campaign and the leadership of Army Chief Gen Kayani, said he had no reasons to doubt Pakistan Army’s sincerity. “I’m hopeful of the time when the Haqqani Network, which is causing damage inside Afghanistan, is taken on by both of us jointly to reduce the damage they are causing. It is important that we together do that,” he said. About the Quetta Shura of the Taliban, he said that the best course was cooperation with Pakistan military. He opposed any direct action against the Shura. “The Taliban that threatens Afghanistan needs to be pressured everywhere. Partnership with Pakistan is the best road to that, as we strengthen the strategic partnership. That is the best way, I think,” he said. He said that successes against Taliban in Pakistan and Afghanistan were interlinked and could not be achieved in isolation. “If Afghanistan suffers from instability it is going to be contagious. Everybody has a stake in coming out well,” he said. On the issue of India using Afghanistan to destabilise Pakistan, he said the complaints needed to be addressed. Although he said he did not have enough information to confirm or deny the allegations. “If perceptions drive people to mistrust, then there is a need to work on them,” the General said.
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Now, gatecrasher No. 3 at state dinner
A third uninvited guest crashed President Barack Obama's state dinner for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the White House in November, the Secret Service confirmed on Monday.
This individual reportedly sneaked in with the Indian delegation, which was invited to the dinner. The Washington Post, citing an anonymous source, identified the crasher as Carlos Allen, a Washington party promoter. Virginia socialites Tareq and Michaele Salahi had earlier left the Secret Service red-faced when they attended the dinner uninvited and later posted photographs on a social networking site of them shaking hands with Obama and posing with Vice President Joseph Biden. Revelations of a second breach of the security at the White House sent the Secret Service into damage-control mode this week. "This individual went through all required security measures along with the rest of the official delegation at the hotel," the Secret Service said in a statement. The agency added: "The subject travelled from a local hotel where the official Indian delegation was staying, and arrived at the dinner with the group, which was under the responsibility of the Department of State." After going through security at the hotel, the group "boarded a bus/van" to the White House, the statement said. News of the latest gatecrasher broke on Monday morning when author Ronald Kessler, who has written a book on the Secret Service, reported it on the Newsmax website. "At the last minute," Kessler wrote, "someone from the Indian diplomatic delegation invited a man to attend the White House event on November 24 without the knowledge or consent of the White House. As with the Salahis, the Secret Service ignored the fact that the man was not on the guest list and failed to conduct a background check on him." Indian officials denied Allen was part of the Indian delegation or that the Indian Embassy in Washington had arranged for his access to the dinner. In a statement to the Politico, Allen denied attending the state dinner, saying repeatedly, "I did not attend the state dinner.
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Maoists plan India bashing in next round of protests
The agitating main opposition party, Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoists (UCPN-M), on Tuesday announced their fourth round of protests against the government as well as India in what they call for the establishment of civilian supremacy and safeguard national sovereignty.
Unveiling the protest programme at a press conference, Parchanda said the party would carry out fortnight-long programmes which would include mass meetings, interaction programmes and visit to border areas where India had reportedly encroached upon. According to the Maoist party secretariat, they will conduct interaction programmes at several places in the country until January 10, inspect and organise mass rallies at several bordering regions allegedly encroached by India on January 11, torch the copies of several treaties with India on January 14, demonstrations outside Indian Embassy and Singha Durbar on January 19 and organise joint mass meeting at several places from January 19-24. The Maoists will also organise 'exposure' campaign across the country until January 24 starting today. Maoist central committee meeting at the party headquarters earlier today had endorsed the party's fourth phase protests finalised by Maoist politburo. Demanding establishment of civilian supremacy and correction of President's move of reinstating Army chief sacked by the Maoist-led government, the Maoists have been protesting against the government. They have already announced 13 autonomous states across the country as part of their third phase protests. Three weeks ago before wrapping up their third phase protests, Prachanda had expressed his wrath against Indian saying that the later had played a key role backing the ruling coalition not to address their demands for the establishment of civilian supremacy. Prachanda who had also announced to hold dialogue with New Delhi to restore civilian supremacy and safeguard national independence has been reportedly said the India establishment were backing the party ideologue Dr Baburman Bhattarai to wear the cap of premiership in Himalayan nation replacing the incumbent government. However, during the press meet today, Prachanda refuted the media report that was carried out by national dailies in Kathmandu, he said it was baseless and distorted reports.
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Prabhakaran’s personal gun, body armour found
Colombo, January 5 The arms used by Prabhakaran were found buried 15 feet under the ground at Vellamulliwaikkal area in Mulaittivu along with scores of suicide kits and several anti-aircraft guns. Senior DIG for Vavuniya Nimal Lewke confirmed that the weapon a M-16A2 with a grenade launcher that was found was used by the LTTE leader as his personal weapon, local media reports said today. Prabhakaran was killed by Lankan Army at Nanthikadal lagoon in Mullaitivu on May 18 last year. —
PTI
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Religion-based political parties face ban in B’desh
Dhaka, January 5 Law Minister Shafique Ahmed told mediapersons yesterday that since the Supreme Court has upheld the High Court verdict regarding the fifth amendment to the constitution, religion-based political parties will be banned. —
PTI
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