• Military

• WMD Menu                           

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

US Offers Assistance in Confidence-Building Between India and Pakistan

WASHINGTON, July 16 (APP)- The United States will provide assistance in confidence-building measures between India and Pakistan, said James Rubin, spokesman of the State Department, "We might provide confidence-building area, such as helping them to ensure that they don't have miscalculations or bad warning about conventional developments on the ground". However, James Rubin said in his daily briefing at the State Department, that United States would not supply any technology or expertise in verification technology for a bilateral comprehensive test ban between India and Pakistan. When asked what is the view of the United States on Pakistan's proposal for a bilateral test ban treaty between India and Pakistan, James Rubin emphasized that the United States has urged India and pakistan "not to deploy ballistic missiles, not to conduct further testing of nuclear weapons and not weaponize its ballistic missiles or deploy its nuclear weapons." He said that the visit of Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbot to Pakistan and India this weekend would advance our objectives of non-proliferation."We know that's going to take time to implement and we're working assiduously on it," Rubin said,

IMF loan to Pakistan linked with Talbot's visit

WASHINGTON, 16 (APP): The Board of Directors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) did not discuss the release of 226 million dollars Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility (ESAF) tranche to Pakistan on Wednesday. The main item on their agenda was a new bailout economic package for Indonesia. According to informed sources, IMF loan to Pakistan will come up for discussion after the visit of Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbot to Pakistan and India. Talbot is leaving for South Asia this coming weekend. An IMF official told APP that there is nothing on the agenda at this moment, but it could come up any day. "It is a complex question to answer", he said. The official further said that Board members were informally briefed on Monday by Paul Chabrier, Director for Middle East region, who recently visited Pakistan with Abbas Mirakhor. Mirakhor represents Pakistan on the Executive Board of the IMF. Mirakhor is still in Tehran. He stopped over in Tehran on his way back from Pakistan. The Executive Directors of the G-8 countries are asking for more details and data. Answering a question the IMF official said, "they have been briefed but I don't know when the release of ESAF tranche to Pakistan will be discussed formally." The Board will specifically discuss Russia bailout package in its Monday session and probably Pakistan's case will come up by the end of the month, he said. Meanwhile, Pakistani Americans deplored a deliberate delay by IMF to release the funds in pipeline to Pakistan and said that IMF and World Bank have been politicised in violation of their charter. They stressed that Pakistan should not and must not depend on international loans to pay interest on prior loans. They urged that this vicious circle of debt and loans needs to be broken. Pakistani-Americans are launching a drive to educate the community and friends of Pakistan to help Pakistan in this hour of need.

Khatami condemns international sanctions against Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, July 16 (APP)- Iranian President Sayed Muhammad Khatami has slammed US-led sanctions against Pakistan in the wake of its nuclear blasts as, "injustice to a friendly and brotherly nation," Tehran Radio reported Wednesday. "We consider any pressure on the Pakistani nation and government as injustice and are ready to support Pakistan," the broadcast quoted Khatami as saying in a meeting with Federal Minister Raja Zafarul Haq. Haq delivered a message of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif to Khatami, who is also chairperson of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC). According to Radio Tehran, Prime Minister proposed a meeting of OIC Foreign Ministers to deliberate on the economic sanctions imposed by Western nations against Pakistan following its nuclear tests in May. "It is the right of an active member of OIC and we fully support the proposal," Iranian leader said. Khatami expressed concern over the tension that has been prevailing in South Asia after nuclear tests by New Delhi and Islamabad. He hoped that the leaders of the two South Asian nations would try for durable peace and stability in the region.

Sartaj, Shahbaz call on King Fahd

ISLAMABAD, July 16 (APP): Finance Minister, Sartaj Aziz and Punjab Chief Minister, Mian Shahbaz Sharif were received in audience by Khadim Al-Harmain Al-Sharifain King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz at Al-Salam Palace here Tuesday night. Pakistan's Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Khalid Mahmood was also present, according to message received here Wednesday. Finance Minister Sartaj Aziz conveyed the warm greetings and regards of the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan to King Fahd and expressed the deep gratitude of the government and the people of Pakistan to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its generous support and solidarity with Pakistan at this crucial juncture. Khadim Al-Harmain Al-Sharifain reiterated the Kingdom's support to Pakistan stating that the Kingdom will do whatever it can to help Pakistan. His Majesty King Fahd expressed his confidence that other countries of the Gulf would likewise extend their full support to Pakistan. Punjab Chief Minister, Mian Shahbaz Sharif, thanking His Majesty for his country's solidarity with Pakistan, lauded the services of Khadim Al-Harmain Al-Sharifain to Islamic causes and the Muslim Ummah. The Finance Minister's audience with His Majesty King Fahd was a perfect finale to his successful visit of the Kingdom during which he held useful meetings with His Royal Highness Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, President of the Islamic Development Bank, Ahmad Muhammad Ali and Vice Minister of the Saudi Ministry of Finance.

Arafat calls for efforts to remove misunderstandings between Pakistan and India

ISLAMABAD, July 16 (APP): Reiterating his offer to mediate between Pakistan and India on Kashmir issue, Palestinian President Yassar Arafat Wednesday said attempts should be made to remove misunderstandings between the two South Asian nations. "We have to continue our attempts," Palestinian leader told reporters in Islamabad when asked about India's persistent refusal to international calls for mediation on Kashmir. Arafat, who flew in here after a three-day official visit to China, expressed the hope that upcoming meeting between Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Atal Behari Vajpayee in Colombo on the sidelines of SAARC summit would be fruitful. Palestinian leader, earlier told a news conference in Beijing, that he was ready to mediate between Islamabad and New Delhi to reduce tensions caused by their nuclear tests. "As you know I mediated in the past between Pakistan and India and we achieved agreements," Arafat said before flying out of China for Pakistan. "We are ready to follow up the same line because we are very interested in good relations between the two countries," he added. Referring to Middle East crisis, he said, the situation was very serious and would further aggravate if concerted measures were not taken to stem the rot.

Arafat calls for expeditious solution of Kashmir issue

ISLAMABAD, July 16 (APP): Palestinian President Yasser Arafat Wednesday agreed that the Jammu and Kashmir issue needs to be resolved expeditiously to pave the way for lasting peace in South Asia. During formal talks with Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Palestinian leader appreciated the steps taken by Pakistan to defuse tension in the region. Nawaz Sharif briefed Arafat on the strategic imbalance created by India's nuclear blasts on May 11 and 13 and subsequent steps taken by Pakistan to restore the balance. During the talks, the two leaders exchanged views on the situation in South Asia, with particular reference to the security environment following nuclearization of the region, the current status of the Middle East Peace Process and bilateral relations between Pakistan and Palestine. "The exchange of views was characterized by mutual understanding and identity of views." While reviewing the Middle east situation, the Palestinian President briefed the Prime Minister on the obdurate stance adopted by Israel which has resulted in a stalemate in the peace process. Nawaz Sharif while sharing the Palestinian disappointment over the stalemate, expressed support for the peace process as a step towards achieving a just and comprehensive peace in the region based on international legitimacy reflected in United Nations Security Council resolutions 242 and 238. Later, Prime Minister hosted a banquet for Palestinian President, Secretary General of PLO's Executive Committee Mahmoud Abbas and other members of the Palestinian delegation. The Prime Minister also reaffirmed Pakistan's steadfast commitment to the cause of Palestine and Al-Quds Al-Sharif. During his short stay, the Palestinian leader also called on President Muhammad Rafiq Tarar.

Three persons killed in city Wednesday

KARACHI, July 15 (APP):-Three persons were killed in the city Wednesday, according to an official press note. According to District Magistrate Karachi Central at about 10.10 a.m. the body of Kamran s/o Shahid Ali aged 18/19 years was recovered near Ghazali School in Sector 5-C New Karachi. The deceased was killed by strangulation. A case has been registered in New Karachi Police Station and the matter is under investigation to ascertain the motive of the killing. In another case at about 2.10 p.m. the body of Muhammad Aqeel Hashmi aged about 40/50 years was found at his residence 951/14 F.B. Area with two bullet wounds.