PM Gilani warns U.S. against unilateral military action

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani warned Washington on Tuesday that continued accusations of playing a double game in the war on militancy only risked fanning anti-Americanism in his country.  

Speaking in an interview with Reuters, Gilani also said any unilateral military action by the United States to hunt down militants of the Haqqani network inside Pakistan would be a violation of his country’s sovereignty.

“The negative messaging, naturally that is disturbing my people,” Gilani said in the interview.

“If there is messaging that is not appropriate to our friendship, then naturally it is extremely difficult to convince my public. Therefore they should be sending positive messages.”

Asked how Islamabad would respond if there was a unilateral military operation by the United States inside Pakistan to go after the Haqqanis, Gilani responded: “We are a sovereign country. How can they come and raid in our country?”

He said Pakistan had conveyed to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that such unilateral action “will not be acceptable to Pakistan”.  AGENCIES

No martial law likely in Pakistan: Musharraf

LONDON: Former president General (rtd) Pervez Musharraf on Sunday ruled out the possibility of any imminent military action or martial law in Pakistan under present circumstances.

Talking to media after nomination of office-bearers of All Pakistan Muslim League here, he said the government of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has brought situation under control, adding he was not seeing elections before six months.

Musharraf stressed he would contest elections on public desire, remarking he would garner votes by organizing country’s youth together.

It is a political game on the part of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif to give deadline to the government, he added. TrendPK

3 killed in Israeli artillery fire near Gaza

Israeli artillery fire killed three Palestinians at the flashpoint border with Gaza following a rocket attack claimed by militants on Sunday.
The Israeli shelling killed 91-year-old security guard Ibrahim Abdullah Abu Saeed, his grandson 17 year old Hossam Khaled Abu Saeed and a 20 year old man. The military action, which was confirmed by the Israeli army, took place in the town of Beit Hanoun, close to the border between Israel and the Islamist Hamas-run Gaza Strip.
Witnesses said they heard an explosion at the border zone shortly before the tanks began firing.The military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees in Palestine later claimed responsibility for rocket and mortar fire into Israel that occurred at around the same time and location.

Gilani condemns Israeli assault on aid flotilla

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Monday strongly condemned assault by the Israeli Defence Forces on a Gaza-bound humanitarian aid flotilla, which has resulted in the killing of members of this humanitarian mission.

The prime minister said that this unwarranted and unprovoked military action by Israel against a humanitarian mission constituted a flagrant violation of international law and norms and values of humanity.

Pakistan, he said expects the international community to take cognizance of this brutal act and ensure the safety and security of persons including Pakistani nationals who were on this humanitarian mission.

Pakistan, he added, is in contact with all friendly states in this regard.

UN nuke nonproliferation conference begins May 3

TEHRAN: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has applied for a U.S. visa to attend a nuclear conference at the United Nations that begins next week, the U.S. ambassador said.

U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice told reporters at the UN about the Iranian request to come to the review conference in New York for the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. It is scheduled to begin on May 3 and last until May 28.

U.S. officials indicated they wouldn’t bar Ahmadinejad from attending. “We have certain responsibilities as the host of the UN,” State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said. “Any foreign official who’s coming to the UN for business is normally granted a visa.”

Ahmadinejad was last in the U.S. for the UN General Assembly in September, when he denied any Iranian intent to develop nuclear weapons, criticized U.S.-led military action in Iraq and Afghanistan and drew attention to what he saw as U.S. complicity in the international financial crisis.

Bak Sahraei, spokesman for Iran’s mission to the UN, said he couldn’t confirm Rice’s statement or say anything about Ahmadinejad’s travel plans.

Crowley said Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has no plans to have bilateral meetings with Iran during the two-day conference.

In a letter this month to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Ahmadinejad asked that the UN investigate the conduct of U.S. and other allied troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, saying they have failed to combat terrorism. The UN hasn’t replied.

A visit would coincide with negotiations on a fourth round of UN sanctions on Iran intended to halt its uranium enrichment, which the U.S. and its European allies say could lead to production of nuclear weapons. Rice said those talks were “very intensive.”

In 2008, the UN imposed a third round of sanctions, adding to restrictions imposed in 2006 and 2007. The sanctions resolution imposed travel bans on five Iranian officials and froze the assets of 13 Iranian companies.

It also banned the sale to Iran of items that could have military applications and urged governments to withdraw financial backing from firms that trade with the country, inspect all cargo entering and exiting Iran, and monitor the activities of two of its banks.

The UN threatened further sanctions if Iran failed to comply with international requirements.

Kasuri condemns Indian army chief’s comments

TrendPK.com ISLAMABAD: Former foreign minister Khursheed Mehmood Kasuri condemned the Indian army chief’s comments about a possible use of military action against Pakistan. Kasuri claimed that the current Pakistani government has failed to improve relations with India.
He said that the Pakistani army is capable of responding to any irresponsible military action by [...]

Fire In Foreign Office Building

ISLAMABAD: The fire, broke out on the fifth floor of the Foreign Office (FO) building late on Monday night, has been brought under control shortly before arrival of fire tenders, FO sources said.

The Interior Minister Rehman Malik has issued probe orders into incident, confirming that the blaze has been tamed, sources said

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Fire In Foreign Office Building was first posted on August 25, 2009 at 11:43 am.

Operation Started Without Consultation: Ahsan Iqbal

ISLAMABAD: Secretary Information PML-N Ahsan Iqbal has underlined that the military has not taken the Government into confidence in 1992, as the Military carried operation against MQM without political consultation.

Talking in a media program here on Monday, he emphasized that MQM Chief has been airing allegations against PML-N for being responsible for the military action of 1992 in Karachi city by stating that General Asif Nawaz initiated the operation in Karachi against MQM without the approval of the Government at that time.

Ahsan Iqbal further elucidated that if, PML-N was to be held accountable for 1992 operation then MQM should also seek explanation from PPP for the operation that was launched before 1992 during the PPPP’ s regime.

Secretary Information PML-N also acknowledged that in past, the democratic regimes were not authorized completely, but today MQM after serving a term with Former Dictator Pervez Musharraf for 5-years rule, was now airing allegations, “if they were so innocents, why did not MQM voiced during the tenure of the dictator” he remonstrated.

He also emphasized that MQM has been airing allegation at this juncture of time to avert the attention from the 12th May 2007 incident’s investigations, since MQM did not ask for the accountability for bloodshed of its members during the military action of 1992.

“The establishment has never conceded the Supremacy of the democratic regimes and for the supremacy of democratic institutions PML-N made agreements under CoD with (L) Benazir Bhutto to ensure the supremacy of the democratic institutions over the establishment.” He elucidated.

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Operation Started Without Consultation: Ahsan Iqbal was first posted on August 25, 2009 at 11:58 am.