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Sunday, November 27, 2011

Pakistan answer to US! vacate Shamsi Airbase within 15 days


The Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC) in its emergency meeting chaired by Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Saturday evening reiterated the resolve of the Pakistani people and Armed Forces to safeguard the country’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity at all costs.The meeting held here at the Prime Minister House was attended by Federal Ministers, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Services Chiefs and members of the DCC. In accordance with the resolution of the Joint Session of the Parliament of May 14, 2011, the DCC decided to close with immediate effect the NATO/ISAF logistics supply lines. The DCC also decided to ask the United States (US) to vacate the Shamsi Airbase within 15 days. The DCC decided that the Government will revisit and undertake a complete review of all programmes, activities and cooperative arrangements with US/NATO/ISAF, including diplomatic, political, military and intelligence, according to a statement issued from the Prime Minister House after the DCC meeting. The DCC strongly condemned the attack by NATO/ISAF aircraft on Pakistani border posts in the Mohmand Agency which has resulted in the loss of precious lives of officers and men of Pakistan Army and injuries to several. The DCC expressed heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the families of brave soldiers who fought valiantly and embraced Shahadat, and also prayed for the early recovery of injured. The Prime Minister will take the Parliament into confidence on the whole range of measures regarding matters relating to Pakistan’s future cooperation with US/NATO/ISAF, in the near future. The DCC noted that strong protests had been lodged with the United States and at NATO Headquarters in Brussels conveying in the strongest possible terms Pakistan’s condemnation of these attacks, which constituted breach of sovereignty, were violative of international law and had gravely dented the fundamental basis of Pakistan’s cooperation with NATO/ISAF against militancy and terror. The DCC noted that NATO/ISAF attacks were also violative of their mandate which was confined to Afghanistan. Pakistan had clearly conveyed to US/NATO/ISAF its red lines which constituted an integral element of Pakistan’s cooperation that was based on a partnership approach. The attack on Pakistan Army border posts is totally unacceptable and warrants an effective national response, the DCC added.

Air strikes by NATO helicopters on Pakistan


NATO helicopters struck three posts in Pakistan s Mohmand tribal region, bordering Afghanistan, late Friday night and killed 28 soldiers and injured 15 others, sources as said. Foreign Officer Spokesperson, Tehmina Janjua, said that Pakistan is considering blocked of supplies to NATO forces in neighbouring Afghanistan after the incident. Local media has reported that Pakistani authorities have already suspended supplies. The spokesperson was quoted by local TV channels as describing the NATO strikes as  attack on Pakistan s sovereignty . She confirmed that Pakistan has formally lodged protest with the U.S. State Department in Washington. Local TV channels reported that Pakistani diplomats in Washington conveyed a formal protest to the U.S. officials and demanded immediate inquiry. The spokesperson said Pakistan has also started its own investigation and is collecting details of the incident, which has sparked widespread condemnation in the country. "We will review several options after investigations are completed," she said. "Suspension of NATO supplies could be one of the options," she added. Barrister Masood Kausar, Governor of north-western Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa Province, who is also in-charge of tribal affairs, condemned the NATO strike and said Pakistan will raise the issue at different forms. In a statement he warned that Pakistan could take counter action if NATO carries out attacks on Pakistani posts. Sources said that NATO helicopters entered Pakistani airspace in Mohmand tribal region from fghanistan and fired at least three border posts, killing 28 soldiers and injuring 15 others. All posts were also destroyed. The strike was widely condemned by Pakistani political leaders and called for halt to NATO supplies. Opposition leader and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned and termed the strike as  open terrorism . They called for immediate inquiry into the incident. The US commander in Afghanistan on Saturday promised a full investigation after Pakistan said a NATO air strike killed at least 23 soldiers, sending his condolences over any troops who may have died. "This incident has my highest personal attention and my commitment to thoroughly investigate it to determine the facts," said General John Allen, commander of NATO s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). "My most sincere and personal heartfelt condolences go out to the families and loved ones of any members of Pakistan security forces who may have been killed or injured," he added in a statement. In the six months since US commandos killed Osama bin Laden near the Pakistani capital Islamabad without prior warning, Pakistani and US and Afghan officials have traded increasing complaints about cross-border attacks. ISAF said Saturday it remained "committed to improving security relations" with Pakistan, including the coordination of operations along the border -- in many places unmarked -- "in our united fight against terrorism". US ambassador to Pakistan, Cameron Munter, also express regret and reiterated promises of an investigation. "I regret the loss of life of any Pakistani servicemen and pledge that the United States will work closely with Pakistan to investigate this incident," he said in a short statement released by the American embassy. In September 2010, Pakistan shut the main land route for NATO supplies at Torkham for 11 days after accusing NATO of killing three Pakistani troops in another attack in its northwest. The border was reopened after the United States formally apologised.

Mexico suffers worst drought in 70 years


The parched crops and arid fields are some of the signs of the worst drought to hit Mexico in 70 years. Farmers say the lack of rain is threatening the country s corn and bean supplies. Lorenzo Contreras, the mayor of Ocampo in the northern state of Durango, said "We are going through the worst (drought) in recent years. A far as agriculture, we have crops covering 13,900 hectares and at about 9,000 are affected. In regards to the agrarian industry of the municipality, we have 30,000 heads of cattle and up to now we have reports of 1,200 heads of cattle dead." Carcases litter the ground and waters have receded in once full reservoirs. The drought is affecting almost 70 percent of the country.