Pakistan and India must resolve issues: Holbrooke

US has once again denied to act as an unbiased figure in resolving Kashmir issue. Special representative of US Richard Holbrooke has said that Pakistan and India must resolve their conflicts on their own; where as Pakistan also needs to increase its internal resources along with foreign aid for the reconstruction of flood affected areas.

Erdogan calls on Gilani

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and discussed matters relating to flood victims rehabilitation, Dunya News reported Wednesday.
During a meeting at the breakfast table, the two men took stock of flood affectees and other issues of bilateral interest. Gilani thanked his Turkish counterpart for extending help to Pakistan to meet with the post-flood crises.
Tayyip would also visit the flood-ravaged areas where he would be briefed about the reconstruction and rehabilitation plans.

US pledge every possible support for flood relief in Pakistan

WASHINGTON: Pledging continued support for Pakistan”s flood recovery effort, the United States has said the reconstruction phase following the current relief work will likely need more international aid overtime than committed to the key South Asian country after a deadly earthquake in 2005.

“What makes this unique is the scale of the disaster and its effect throughout the entire country,” U.S. ambassador to Pakistan, Anne Patterson, said.

“The (7.6-magnitude) earthquake and the displacement of 2 million people from the Swat Valley (in anti-militant operation last year) were more localized. So while the loss of life in this disaster may be less, the economic impact and the need for reconstruction assistance over time could well be greater,” the diplomat added, speaking from Islamabad via teleconference with American journalists.

The United States, she said, is working with the federal Pakistani government and established NGOs to provide immediate life-saving aid to the victims of the worst floods in Pakistan in 80 years.

The UN now estimates that nearly 1500 people were killed, a million people remain homeless, and 4.5 million people have been affected across the country as the initial flood waters moves through the Indus River system toward the Arabian Sea.

It would be as if the Missouri, Arkansas and Red Rivers all overflowed at once and then dumped huge amounts of water and debris into the Mississippi, Patterson said, explaining enormity of the disaster to Americans.

The ambassador estimated that the number of affected people is expected to rise to 6 million by the end of the week.

“Countrywide, 92 bridges have been destroyed, and more than 200 major roads have been damaged. There are four major dams at risk. Crop and livestock loss will affect long-term livelihood and food security.

International organizations believe that up to 2.5 million people will require food assistance. We anticipate that with additional rains this weekend, waters will still be high next week,” she informed.

The U.S. engagement with this flood crisis began last Friday when the Government of Pakistan asked that U.S. helicopters and aircraft, assigned to support the Pakistan interior ministry”s air wing, support flood relief, Patterson said.

“We agreed immediately and began to consider what other ways we could help. In the meantime, these U.S. aircraft have rescued over a thousand people and airlifted over 37,000 pounds of supplies.”

The U.S. has already committed $35 million in assistance to flood-affected populations. President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have vowed to stand by Pakistan in the hour of crisis.

“The money will be provided by USAID to international organizations and established Pakistani NGOs to provide food, health care, and shelter for those displaced by the floods. This is being supplemented by existing programs that we had in place to help many of these same people who were formerly displaced by fighting in Swat. And we are working now to identify gaps,” the dop U.S. diplomat in Islamabad said.

In response to a question, the ambassador underscored the United States” close working relationship with Pakistani government in the ongoing relief effort and praised the federal disaster management authority for doing a good job.

“There are always, in situations like this, NGOs that are associated with what we would call extremist groups who have been active delivering supplies. But they are totally, in my view, overcome by the enormous number of local and highly reputable NGOs and the international NGOs who have already mobilized for this crisis. We are working with already 13 international and local NGOs trying to get money to them as quickly as possible so they can provide services throughout the country. So we think the government is particularly the federal disaster management authority is doing a good job in delivering support to the people.”

Patterson also applauded her U.S. Department of Defense colleagues, who, recognizing the growing crisis, immediately went on a search for emergency meal and said U.S. aircrews aboard the U.S. Air Force C-130 and C-17 transport aircraft flew into Rawalpindi and delivered about 50,000 halal meals in support of a Pakistan Government request. That number grew through the week to nearly 436,000 meals.

The ambassador also visited the airbase where two of U.S. Chinook helicopters were loading up supplies for flood victims and paid tribute to the young American men and women for their service in partnership with their Pakistani counterparts.

“The U.S. Government has been working to support Pakistan”s Government as it struggles to save lives and property. Secretary Clinton, who has been deeply engaged in building a strong relationship between the United States and Pakistan, has made our support for Pakistan in this time of crisis a priority.

Our government is fortunate to have a number of people here and in Washington with substantial experience available to assist and support Pakistan, including several who were here during the earthquake. We are using the unique capabilities of our government to help save lives and to provide humanitarian assistance in full partnership with the Government of Pakistan.”

$8.7 bln in Iraq funds not accounted for: audit

WASHINGTON: The Pentagon cannot properly account for nearly nine billion dollars in Iraqi oil revenues and other funds received for reconstruction programs after the 2003 US invasion, a US audit found Tuesday.

“The breakdown in controls left the funds vulnerable to inappropriate uses and undetected loss,” the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction said in a report.

The Pentagon received 9.1 billion dollars in 2004 from the fund set up by the US-led occupation authority to benefit Iraqis with Iraqi oil and gas revenues and assets seized from the ousted regime of Saddam Hussein.

But the audit found the Pentagon cannot properly account for 8.7 billion dollars because defense agencies that received the money failed to set up required Treasury accounts and no single organization was created to manage the funds.

The audit found that “weaknesses” in the Department of Defense (DOD) financial and management controls meant it could not account properly for the funds.

“This situation occurred because most DoD organizations receiving DFI (Development Fund for Iraq) funds did not establish the required Department of the Treasury accounts and no DoD organization was designated as the executive agent for managing the use of DFI funds,” the report explained.

Separately “our selective review shows the records were not always complete. For example, (the Pentagon) could not provide documentation to substantiate how it spent 2.6 billion dollars,” the report added.

The US Army Corps of Engineering and the US Central Command disputed the finding, the report said.

The Central Command said documents that could account for the missing money were “likely” deposited at a US base but retrieving it “would require significant archival retrieval efforts.”

The Army Corps of Engineering said it had provided auditors with two billion dollars of the funds.

However, the Office of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction recommended that Defense Secretary Robert Gates should specify procedures for future accounting all non-government funds made available for such operations.

Pakistan to have more access to US markets: Dr Mirza

i>By Raja Zahid A Khanzada/i>

HOUSTON: The adviser to the Prime Minister Dr. Mirza Ikhtiar Baig said that US was getting out of Afghanistan and no program can succeed sans taking Pakistan onboard. But it would be prudent if right demand gets made on the right time, Geo news reported.

He was speaking at the reception gathering hosted by the Pakistan Chamber of Commerce (PCC).

He said that Pakistan has spent $35 billion on the war on terrorism whereas US has given only $12 billion. In addition to that, Pakistan had to spend Rs.650 billion, meant for the growth of social sector, on provision of basic amenities to affectees residing in war-torn areas. Out of that amount, Rs.350 billion were also earmarked for the rehabilitation of the affected Afghan refugees.

He said that like Americans, this war has proved to be much dearer than what was anticipated. This war has almost ruined Pakistan’s economy.

As a result, the textile industry, previously constituted 60 per cent share of the total Pakistani exports, has now reduced to 53 per cent, he maintained.

The reason for this decline, he said, was the bad law and order situation besides US policies.

“Nevertheless, the incumbent Pakistan government has urged US administration to provide assistance in trade and for making US market more accessible to Pakistani products”, he observed disclosing, “In this regard, the bill that has been introduced in the Congress, falls short of our expectations and we have reservations over it.”

Under the Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) package, only the areas lying at the border stretched between Afghanistan and Pakistan would benefit, he said further.

Also, Dr. Baig shed light on the approach of incumbent Pakistan government to ROZs.

PM seeks US help for foreign markets access

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Monday said the economic challenges that Pakistan is faced with are directly linked to its war against terrorism.

Pakistan, at this critical juncture, hence needs assistance by way of market access through Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) plus regime and through passage of Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) Bill by the United States Congress to be able to address the root causes of terrorism, he added.

The prime minister was talking to a delegation of the members of US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee led by its Chairman Howard L. Berman that called on him here at the Prime Minister House on Monday afternoon.

Prime Minister Gilani underlined the imperative need for creation of new employment, development of infrastructure, provision of education and health facilities as well as enhanced security in the militancy affected areas to defeat the phenomenon of extremism for the safety and security of not only Pakistan but also the world at large.

He expressed the hope that the US Congress would play its crucial role also in fast-tracking the disbursement of pledged economic and security assistance to strengthen the hands of his Government in pursuing these goals.

The prime minister stated that despite great human and material sacrifices, Pakistan had remained steadfast in fighting the menace of terrorism and its Armed Forces had achieved remarkable successes in the process.

PM Gilani Seeks India-like Access in Civil Nuclear Technology

Pakistan News: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Saturday welcomed European Union’s Action Plan for Pakistan and its commitment to remain engaged with Islamabad by helping it through financial assistance for socio-economic development.
He particularly appreciated EU’s support in education, infrastructure and energy sectors and for the capacity building of Pakistan’s Law Enforcement Agencies personnel. He, however, emphasized that the European Union must realize that its relations with Pakistan are to be developed on stand alone basis and not for the reasons of contiguity with or neighbourhood of Afghanistan.
The Prime Minister also called upon the European Union to treat Pakistan at par with India and accord it the same access in the civil nuclear technology, as given to India.
He was talking to the Troika of European Union Ambassadors consisting of Ambassador of Sweden, Spain and European Union who called on him here at the PM House on Saturday, to brief him on European Union’s Action Plan on Pakistan as approved by the EU’s External Relation Council, at the end of October, 2009.
The Prime Minister said that he was looking forward to participate in the second Pakistan-European Union’s Summit scheduled to be held in Brussels in April to forge a long term strategic partnership with European Union based on mutual trust and mutual interests.
He underlined the need for regular interaction and institutionalization of summit level dialogue between Pakistan and European Union, to achieve this common objective.
The Prime Minister appreciated European Union’s pledge to assist his government in implementation of Malakand strategy, further liberalization of trade in goods and services and the continued support for Pakistan’s socio-economic development bilaterally, through FoDP and through international financial institutions.
While underlining the need for expeditious fulfillment of commitments made to Pakistan at the Tokyo Donors Conference last year, the Prime Minister noted with satisfaction that the European Union had taken lead in timely disbursement of the pledged amount.
He, however, hoped that the EU would utilize the established transparent government mechanisms for channelizing its assistance in the interest of its optimum utilization and benefits for the targeted populations and areas, in Pakistan.
The Prime Minister also hoped that the major countries in the European Union would fully support Pakistan’s case for greater market access of its products to the European markets by facilitating expeditious grant of GSP Plus facilities as well as start of meaningful negotiations for Free Trade Agreement.
The troika of European Union Ambassadors informed the Prime Minister that the European Union and its member countries were fully cognizant of Pakistan’s importance and its immediate requirements to pursue its campaign against terrorism.
They acknowledged Pakistan’s great human and economic sacrifices on that account and assured the Prime Minister that European Union will stand by Pakistan in the reconstruction phase of militancy affected areas.
They also assured that EU will help Pakistan in developing capacity of its Law Enforcement Agencies, in establishment of technical and vocational training institutions and in reform of various socio-economic sectors.

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PM Gilani Seeks India-like Access in Civil Nuclear Technology was first posted on February 14, 2010 at 1:12 pm.

Bus Crash in Malaysian, 10 killed

KUALA LUMPUR: A police offer says 10 people have been killed and two injured after a bus skidded off a highway and crashed in northern Malaysia.

The bus spun out of control early Saturday in northern Perak state and slammed into a metal barrier that tore through the lower tier of the double-decker vehicle.

A police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to talk to the press, says the cause of the accident was not immediately known.

The bus was heading from central Selangor state to the northernmost state of Perlis bordering Thailand.

Malaysia has a high-quality highway system with a speed limit of 70 miles (110 kilometers) per hour. But speeding is common and many drivers often do not follow safety procedures.

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Bus Crash in Malaysian, 10 killed was first posted on December 26, 2009 at 12:41 pm.

What Time Does Walmart Ppen After Christmas

What Time Does Walmart Ppen After Christmas, What time does walmart open after christmas. Many people who continue to defer shopping essentials frantically try to buy at the last moment. If you are one among them and haven’t shopped for Christmas yet, you may not be able to shop anywhere.
All the shopping stores are closed for today. Neither Walmart, nor Target are open today.

So if you wanted to buy groceries from Walmart or the last minute additions for Christmas Tree or gifts for your dear ones, you are too late now.

Barring some neighborhood stores you may not find any other store open. So relax and wait for the next year to give gifts.

But if you wanted to go to Starbucks, you may still find a few open on Christmas.

Meanwhile it Is said that Walmart will open at 7AM after Christmas on Saturday.

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What Time Does Walmart Ppen After Christmas was first posted on December 26, 2009 at 12:57 pm.

Asia Remembers day Ocean Unleashed its Fury

BANDA ACEH : Asia Remembers day Ocean Unleashed its Fury, People across Asia will pause on Saturday to remember the day five years ago when an undersea earthquake unleashed a devastating wave that killed more than 220,000 people.

A solemn day of prayers and remembrance to mark one of the world’s worst natural disasters is to be held in Indonesia’s Aceh province, which lost almost 170,000 people in the Asian Tsunami of December 26, 2004.

Prayers will be said in mosques throughout the staunchly Islamic province, and beside mass graves in the local capital of Banda Aceh.

Similar scenes are expected to play out in countries such as India, Sri Lanka and Thailand where more than 50,000 people were killed as the wall of water smashed into coastal communities from Kalutara to Phuket.

But as the survivors remember the dead, experts warn that many countries in the region remain ill-prepared to face another killer wave.

The 2004 tsunami was triggered by a 9.3-magnitude earthquake off the coast of Sumatra, and seismologists agree another event of that magnitude is almost certain to strike the quake-prone region again in the future.

Sound alert systems have been developed in many countries to forewarn of impending danger, but getting that message out to seaside communities, and to children in particular, is still a challenge.

Noeleen Heyzer, the UN’s Under-Secretary General, said countries in the region had been working with international partners to strengthen early-warning systems. But ’significant gaps’ needed to be addressed.

“Disaster warnings save lives only if they reach the people at risk and are acted upon,” she said.

“An important part of the effort is to improve the knowledge of coastal communities about the risks they face and how to respond to them.

“We won’t know when the next major tsunami in the Indian Ocean will strike,” she added. “But by learning from disaster response, recovery and preparedness efforts — we can ensure our future is a safer one.”

India has spent 32 million dollars on a tsunami warning system designed to detect all earthquakes above a magnitude of six on the Richter scale in the Indian Ocean, apparently within 20 minutes.

Sri Lanka is ready to send SMS warning alerts to mobile phones in the event of a disaster, while Thailand has set up 103 towers equipped with loudspeakers along the coast and has increased its radio reach in the six seaside provinces.

Indonesia has installed tsunami sirens in Banda Aceh, Bali and Padang, part of an integrated early warning system that relies on seismographs, satellites, tide gauges and deep-sea buoys to measure sudden surges in sea levels.

Despite such efforts, Danny Hilman Natawidjaja, an earthquake expert with the Indonesian Institute of Sciences said many Indonesians were “still clueless” about how to identify and escape a tsunami.

“The drills from the Disaster Management Agency are yet to be effective. They have a lot to learn,” he said.

The agency has carried out about 10 drills since 2004 but “there is still a considerable amount of delay time in the tsunami early warning system,” Natawidjaja said.

As the reconstruction effort winds down, there are also concerns about corruption related to the distribution of billions of dollars of international aid.

Indonesia’s tsunami reconstruction agency finished its work in April, having spent almost seven billion dollars on rebuilding including 140,000 new homes, 1,759 school buildings, 363 bridges and 13 airports.

The reconstruction effort has generally been hailed as a success, but relief agencies have complained about widespread graft and questions remain about how much of the international aid was actually spent as intended.

In Sri Lanka, the government is under pressure from a leading anti-corruption group to account for nearly half of the 2.2 billion dollars pledged to the country by foreign donors.

The country will mark the anniversary with a drill to test the preparedness of people living along the island’s coastline, Human Rights and Disaster Management minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said Friday.

An estimated 31,000 people were killed in Sri Lanka while a million people were driven out of their homes.

“We will also observe two minutes of silence on Saturday morning, at about the same time when the tsunami hit us five years ago, to remember those who lost their lives,” Samarasinghe said.

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Asia Remembers day Ocean Unleashed its Fury was first posted on December 26, 2009 at 1:25 pm.