Nation & States  

India expects Pakistan to keep its
word  to Asean security forum

What is India News Service, 2 July 2004, 1700 hrs

India said it expects Pakistan to adhere to its commitment of not raising bilateral issues after joining as the 24th member of Asia Pacific's only security forum, the Asean Regional Forum.

Asked to comment on "fears among some Asean members" that inclusion of Pakistan and India in the ARF could create problems as the two countries might
raise bilateral issues, External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh replied that "Talking of such fears does not square with the facts as it is Asean which reached consensus in June 2003 to include Pakistan in the ARF."

New Delhi had shared its concerns with the Asean members and the Asean chairperson, Singh told the Jakarta Post in an interview.

He added, the current chairperson of Asean had sought and obtained an explicit assurance from Pakistan that it would
not raise bilateral issues at the forum.

New PM's vow: Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf and new prime minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain on Thursday vowed to stamp out terrorism and make all-out efforts for the country\92s progress.

At a high-level meeting in Islamabad to review law and order, they stressed that they would not let anyone hinder Pakistan's march \93on the path of development\94.

President Musharraf said that sustained economic growth, political harmony and maintenance of law and order were essential elements for the country's continuous development.

Fighting continues: Pakistani security forces and militants exchanged fire close to the Pakistan-Afghan border in the rugged South Waziristan tribal region on Wednesday. There were no reports of any casualties on either side, official and tribal sources said.

The fighting began when militants attacked a security force checkpoint in Khamrang near Shkai. Both sides reportedly used heavy weapons in a clash that lasted three hours.

Khamrang, a thickly forested area close to the Shawal mountain range on the Afghan border, is widely seen as the new hideout of foreign militants. Hundreds of foreign militants are believed to have fled to the mountainous area following a military operation in their former stronghold of Shakai last month.

Meanwhile, Ahmadzai Wazir tribesmen are meeting yet again near Wana to discuss a 10-day deadline set for them to hand over wanted local militants Maulvi Abbas and Javed Karmazkhel.

Candidate accepts Durand Line: In Paris, a presidential candidate in Afghanistan's forthcoming election said on Thursday he was prepared to recognize the controversial Durand treaty marking out the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Latif Perdram, head of the newly-founded Afghanistan National Congress party, also said he was in favour of a federal system for his war-torn
country.

Pedram is the first Afghan politician to declare his acceptance of the controversial Durand treaty, which was signed between Afghan king Amir Abdurrahman Khan and British India in 1893. The treaty annexed large parts of Afghanistan to British India. Pakistan inherited them after the British left the Indian subcontinent and they are now part of Pakistan. Pakistan,China talk security: Pakistani interior minister Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat will arrive in Beijing on Friday on a four-day official visit to China. Official sources said the visit was aimed at strengthening dialogue and cooperation in the non-traditional security, an area that includes control of terrorism, narcotics trafficking, illegal immigration and illegal border trade. The two sides will also discuss an extradition treaty signed they signed last year. PM announces relief: Prime minister Manmohan Singh, who flew into Andhra Pradesh for a first-hand assessment of the crisis in the farm sector, met  families of farmers who had committed suicide, and announced concessions. More arrests in stamp paper case: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) searched the houses and offices of prominent officials, policemen and insurance company executives. Overall: India wants Pakistan to keep promise:  The Asean Regional Forum is meeting in Jakarta and Pakistan has been admitted into the fold on the condition that it will not raise bilateral issues. Candidate accepted Durand Line:  An Afghan presidential candidate said he had no issues with the border as delineated now.    Manmohan Singh visited Andhra Pradesh: The prime minister met families of farmers who have committed suicide. More skeletons tumbled out: The CBI searched the houses of officials and policemen, and made more arrests in the stamp paper case. Home Page Subscribe to receive this page daily by email Unsubscribe from the mailing list

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