Italy opposes India bid for UN council membership
From the Blog Pak1stanfirstcom - Italy opposes India bid for UN council membership November 12th, 2010 ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Italy on Thursday joined hands to oppose the Indian bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council within a week of US President Barack Obama throwing his weight behind New Delhi's aspiration to become part of the world's powerful decision-making body. The two countries also decided to rejuvenate efforts at the international level to block UN reforms that seek expansion of the Security Council in the permanent category. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and his Italian counterpart Franco Frattini, after their talks, told reporters that the two countries shared a common view on the UN reforms. "Our position is very clear: we don't support the expansion of the UN Security Council in the permanent category," said the Italian foreign minister when he was asked to comment on the US endorsement of an Indian bid for permanent membership of the 'exclusive club'. Pakistan and Italy are leading a Uniting for Consensus Group (UCP) that opposes new permanent members on the UNSC and strongly advocates expansion in the non-permanent category. "We have decided to rejuvenate our efforts from the platform of Uniting for Consensus Group," said Foreign Minister Qureshi. He said Pakistan is also in contact with China on the latest development. President Asif Zardari, who left for China earlier in the day, will discuss the issue with the Chinese leadership. China has reacted cautiously to President Obama's statement, saying it understands India's position on the UN reforms. "We (Pakistan and China) are on the same page," Qureshi insisted. Discussing the current Afghan situation, Pakistan and Italy agreed that the use of force alone will not help take the global battle against extremism to its logical end. "We certainly support Afghan reintegration and reconciliation plan," said the Italian foreign minister. However, he added, the Taliban must renounce violence and al Qaeda and accept the Afghan constitution before they are reintegrated into the political fold. "Pakistan believes that the current Afghan strategy is correct," remarked Qureshi but added that its success will depend on how the plan is implemented. "We cannot pass any value judgements at this stage," was his response when asked to give Pakistan's perspective on the current Afghan strategy. The Italian minister also held separate meetings with Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kayani. In a meeting with the Prime Minister, the two sides discussed cooperation in different fields. The premier thanked the Italian foreign minister for his country's assistance for the flood survivors and advocated Pakistan's case for a free trade agreement with the European Union. In the meeting with the army chief, the Italian foreign minister discussed defence cooperation. Pakistan First
Another US national arrested in Pakistan
From the Blog Pak1stanfirstcom - Another US national arrested in Pakistan November 12th, 2010 A US national has been taken into custody by Pakistani officials for carrying bullets at an airport in the eastern city of Lahore. The US man identified as Gerry Williams, who was scheduled to board a London-bound flight of the Pakistan International Airlines, was arrested on Thursday when Pakistani security officials discovered 30 bullets during a search of his baggage, a Press TV correspondent reported on Friday. According to the country’s officials, Williams and his wife were on their way to the United States and he is believed to be a retired teacher at a missionary school in Lahore, the provincial capital of Punjab. However, the American national was detained by the Pakistani police as he could not present any permit for carrying such ammunition. Williams claimed that he had purchased the bullets for hunting, without knowing that he was violating the law. The US embassy in Pakistan said on Thursday that it was launching an investigation into the case. Earlier in June, another American national, named Gary Brooks Faulkner, was also arrested in Pakistan after he was found carrying weaponries, including a pistol, a dagger, a sword and night-vision equipment. He claimed to be on a mission to hunt down al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden on his own. However, he was released several days later on reasons of being mentally ill. Pakistan is plagued with violence as it is struggling with repeated unsanctioned US aerial strikes and also attacks by militants on NATO trucks that carry supplies to US-led forces in war-ravaged Afghanistan. The victims are mainly innocent civilians whose death toll have become a growing concern in Pakistan and has led to surging anti-American sentiments in the region. Pakistan First
Oxfam slams Pakistan donors
From the Blog Pak1stanfirstcom - Oxfam slams Pakistan donors November 12th, 2010 Sajjad Malik Islamabad - Aid agency Oxfam on Thursday took a swipe at international donors for ignoring millions of victims of Pakistan’s floods, saying they were busier holding “talk fests” than taking practical steps. The criticism came ahead of a two-day donors’ conference in Islamabad beginning on Sunday, which brings together countries and international institutions at the Pakistan Development Forum to discuss rehabilitation and reconstruction of flood hit areas. More than 20 million Pakistanis were affected by the floods that first hit in July. Nearly 2 million homes were damaged and infrastructure destroyed. Seven million remain without shelters. “This is the third major donor meeting since the floods and it is action that is needed not endless talking,” said Fatima Naqvi, Oxfam’s acting country director in Pakistan. “Funding for humanitarian work is in danger of drying up, yet the needs are still enormous, especially as winter approaches and nearly seven million people are still without shelter”, Naqvi said. She urged the donors to show leadership by committing long-term funds and ensuring that money starts to reach those who need it now, rather than making empty promises. Pakistan’ minister of state for finance, Hina Rabbani Khar, said on Thursday that estimated losses to public and private property amounted to more than $10bn. But mobilisation of funds has been slow and a UN appeal for about $2bn has only drawn a 43% response. Pakistan First
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