MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFIARS of PAKISTAN’ PARTICIPATE IN THE SAARC 31ST COUNCIL OF MINISTERS MEETING IN COLOMBO

MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFIARS of PAKISTAN’ PARTICIPATE IN THE SAARC 31ST COUNCIL OF MINISTERS MEETING IN COLOMBO


Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Nawabzada Malik Amad Khan, will lead the Pakistan delegation to the 31st Session of the SAARC Council of Ministers meeting to be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka on 27-28 February 2009.The meeting has been preceded by the meetings of the Standing Committee (25-26 February) and the Programming Committee (23-24 February).The meeting is expected to review the implementation of decisions taken at earlier Summits and discuss additional measures to promote regional cooperation. The occasion would also be utilized for bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Council.Over the years, SAARC has made notable progress in a number of areas including trade, finance, poverty alleviation and environment. The meeting would provide a useful opportunity for SAARC Foreign Ministers to review the progress in the above-mentioned and other areas under the ambit of SAARC.Pakistan attaches great importance to SAARC and its activities. Pakistan has contributed meaningfully to the establishment, institutionalization and progress of the body. Pakistan has played a proactive role to reinvigorate SAARC by providing substantive inputs Pakistan has hosted the 4th (1988) and the 12th (2004) SAARC Summits and a number of ministerial and technical level meetings. Speaking at the the 36th Session of the SAARC Standing Committee Foreign Secretary, Mr. Salman Bashir emphasized the need to strengthen regional cooperation to mitigate the effects of the current global financial crisis and enhance cooperation in financial matters. He underlined the need to strengthen SAARC regime to effectively combat the menace of terrorism. He highlighted the need for cooperation among the Saarc countries to focus on Science and Technology to consider multilateral energy cooperation to cope with the energy deficiency in the region and focus on water conservation issues and commissioning a scientific study on melting of glaciers In his remarks, the Foreign Secretary also proposed that a global summit be convened to address the problems arising out of the global financial crisis.

Pakistan, India foreign secretaries meet in Colombo

Pakistan, India foreign secretaries meet in Colombo

Indian Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon has informed Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir that India would be responding soon to the queries raised by Pakistan in the context of the Mumbai incident. The issue was discussed in a meeting between Foreign Secretary of Pakistan Salman Bashir and his Indian counterpart Shivshankar held in Colombo on Thursday on the sidelines of the SAARC Standing Committee.
The meeting, which was the first between the two foreign secretaries after the Mumbai incident, was held in a cordial atmosphere. High Commissioner of Pakistan to India Shahid Malik was also present.
The two Foreign Secretaries exchanged views on broader issues of regional cooperation and agreed to continue their efforts to promote cooperation under the SAARC auspices.
They affirmed the importance of promoting regional peace, stability and prosperity, according to a press release issued by the Office of FO Spokesman here on Thursday.
The Foreign Secretaries also discussed various aspects of bilateral relations. They agreed to keep the official channels of communication open.
Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir underscored the importance that Pakistan attaches to preserving the gains made in the Composite Dialogue Process.
He reiterated the need to resume the process as soon as possible with the view to promoting substantive engagement on all issues including Kashmir, for establishing friendly and good neighborly relations.

We are with a double-edged mission to combat terrorism and global Financial meltdown – President Rajapaksha

We are with a double-edged mission to combat terrorism and global Financial meltdown – President Rajapaksha

"We are nations entrusted with a double-edged mission. And, we must re-double our efforts in combating terrorism and global financial meltdown individually and collectively. We need courage to take firm action to overcome terrorism. Sadly, the instability caused by the global financial crisis can be considered quite similar to the threat caused by terrorism to our societies and to our region,” said President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the SAARC Foreign Ministers’ Conference in Colombo today. [Pix : By dailly mirror]

"The depression in the commodity market is adversely affecting most of us, even negating the gains resulting from the declining oil prices. Trade flows, production lines and the service sector are suffering from the domino effect of this crisis and there are looming liquidity problems,” the President added

Kashmir Solidarity Day

Kashmir Solidarity Day

The Kashmiris and Pakistanis all over the world are observing Kashmir Solidarity day on 5^th February to express unity with the people of Kashmir.
The Pakistani nation remains all set to express its unshakable commitment to the just cause of Kashmiris who are struggling against the Indian occupation of their motherland

.In a message the President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari said that we observe Kashmir Solidarity Day every year to express our unwavering political, moral and diplomatic support to the just struggle of our Kashmiri brethren for their right of self determination, as enshrined in the UN Charter and relevant UN resolutions.

Kashmir Solidarity Day is also an occasion to pay tribute to the countless sacrifices of the valiant people of Kashmir who have remained resolute and steadfast in the face of oppression spanning more than six decades.He further said that I wish to reassure my Kashmiri brethren that Pakistan remains firmly committed to finding a just and peaceful solution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Kashmir . For more than six decades, the Kashmir issue remains on the agenda of the UN as an unfulfilled obligation. We will continue to support the Kashmiri people in their quest for realizing their right to self determination. Pakistan calls for an end to the human rights violations in the Indian Occupied Kashmir.He reiterated that Pakistan would continue to pursue a resolution of the Kashmir dispute based on the wishes of the Kashmiri people. To that end, we believe that Kashmiris should be associated with the Dialogue process. We are in no doubt that ultimately, Kashmiris would be the final arbiter of their destiny.

I take this opportunity to reiterate to our Kashmiri brethren our pledge that they have Pakistan ’s full moral, diplomatic and political support. Their goals are our goals. Their dreams are our dreams. May Allah grant us the strength to continue our joint struggle.

liberate Visuamadu Town; battles enter last phase at Mullaittivu

liberate Visuamadu Town; battles enter last phase at Mullaittivu

Troops of the 58 Division after hours of fierce fighting that ensued with LTTE have reached the Visuamdu junction, this afternoon (Jan 28). According to latest reports received, troops have now gained total control over the Visuamadu town, following initial search and clearing operations conducted in the area, security sources said.

LTTE resistances were rattled during the multi-frontal military assault, ground sources said adding that scores of terrorists were killed and many injured during the fighting.
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20090128_09

Mullaittivu liberated; LTTE main garrison captured

Mullaittivu liberated; LTTE main garrison captured

Sri Lanka Army announced that troops of 59 Division, lead by Brigadier Nandana Udawatta, entered into the LTTE's main garrison town Mullaittivu, have gained total control over the Mullaittivu Township after completing the mop up operations conducted in the area by this evening, 25 January.

Recapturing the Mullaittivu town which had been dominated by the LTTE terrorists for last 13 years marks the significant milestone of war against terrorism launched to free the entire country from LTTE.

On July 18, 1996 the LTTE terrorists launched an attack on Sri Lanka Army base at Mullaittivu town on the north eastern coast and captured it as troops tactically withdrawn from the town. Since then LTTE terrorists established its main military and administrative bases there.

According to the battlefield sources, troops of 593 Brigade lead by Colonel Jayantha Gunarathne have made a surprise attack across the Nanthikandal lagoon and entered the Mullaittivu town area this morning. Infantrymen of 7 Gemunu Watch (7 GW) lead by Lieutenant Colonel Chaminda Lamahewa have been in first to enter the town amid heavy terror resistance, the sources said. The Mullaittivu town is situated in a narrow stretch of a land between Nanthikandal lagoon and the Indian Ocean.

Announcing the victory, Army Commander Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka requested the people to celebrate the victory with dignity by hoisting the national flag.

Give me back my child

Give me back my child

A woman, whose child died from drinking tainted milk, holds a sign reading 'Give me back my child' outside Shijiazhuang Intermediate People's Court, Hebei province. REUTERS

LTTE creates 'humanitarian catastrophe'

LTTE creates 'humanitarian catastrophe


According to defence.lk web 'LTTE terrorists have blasted off the Kalmadukulam Tank bund Jan 24th morning in a desperate attempt to stall the multi-frontal military surge towards Visuamadu area, latest reports from the Mullaittivu battlefront said. "This is totally an inhuman act with least respect to the lives of innocent Tamil civilians entrapped in the area", a defence official said while urging worldwide condemnation for the terrorist act.

Terrorists have used high explosives and triggered the detonation flooding a section of the A-35 Pranthan - Pooneryn main road, Ramanatpuram, Dharmapuram and Visuamadu. LTTE terrorists had resorted to this cheap tactic after suffering heavy beating by the security forces during intense fighting that erupted since Friday (23), Northeast of Kalmadu and Nethiliaru, security sources said. Terrorist resistances were beaten comprehensively in the ground battles, which left its fighting formations in total disarray, security sources said.

Sri Lanka: Media must be allowed to work freely and safely -Amnesty International

Sri Lanka: Media must be allowed to work freely and safely -Amnesty International

Sri Lankan authorities must ensure that the country's media are allowed to work without restriction and in safety, Amnesty International said today.

"The Sri Lankan authorities are doing little to ensure the safety of the country’s media, or to prosecute those responsible for murdering or attacking them. They are also directly responsible for subjecting journalists to harassment and interrogation, " said Yolanda Foster, Amnesty International' s Sri Lanka Researcher.

Sandaruwan Senadheera, editor of 'Lanka-e-news' (www.lankaenews.com)was questioned for six hours today by officers from the special wing of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at their headquarters in Colombo Fort about a complaint lodged by the Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse.

The complaint concerned an article posted on the website on 21 February 2008 headlined 'International intelligence service suspends providing information to Sri Lanka; Gota is responsible for the losses since December 31.' Mr Senadheera was told that officers would visit his office next week for further questioning.
Picture-Lasantha Wicramatunge and his body
This comes a day after an assault on Upali Tennakoon, chief editor of the Rivira weekly newspaper, and his wife Dhammika, and follows the fatal shooting earlier this month of Lasantha Wickramatunga, editor of the Sunday Leader newspaper.

At least 14 media workers have been unlawfully killed in Sri Lanka since the beginning of 2006. Others have been arbitrarily detained, tortured and allegedly disappeared while in the custody of security forces. More than 20 journalists have left the country in response to death threats.

"Without a free media that is able to express alternative views and offer the opportunity for public scrutiny, abuses can flourish under a veil of secrecy and denial. Sri Lanka's climate of impunity for attacks on the media has made it impossible to get an accurate impartial picture of what is happening in the country. By threatening journalists with the risk of arrest, and failing to protect them from attack, the government is failing its citizens," said Yolanda Foster.

Special team to probe media attacks - Anura Yapa

Special team to probe media attacks - Anura Yapa

President has instructed the IGP to appoint a special Police team to probe attacks on media, following the assault on Rivira Editor Upali Tennakoon and his wife.

RIVIRA newspaper editor attacked

RIVIRA newspaper editor attacked


Editor of Rivira newspaper Upali Tennakoon has been assaulted and stabbed this morning, stated staff members of Rivira. hIS WIFE ALSO ASSAULTED AND CAR DAMAGED BY A gang.Mr. Tennakoon has been admitted to a hospital.

U.N. protests Tamil Tiger refusal of safe passage

U.N. protests Tamil Tiger refusal of safe passage
The United Nations said on Thursday Tamil Tiger rebels had violated international law for refusing to allow local staff and their families to leave Sri Lanka's war zone.

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) are now cornered in less than 400 sq km in northern Sri Lanka along with what aid agencies say are around 230,000 people trapped between the separatist rebels and a massive Sri Lankan military onslaught.

"The United Nations in Sri Lanka has issued its strongest possible protest to the LTTE for their refusal to allow U.N. national staff and dependents to return from the Vanni with the present U.N. convoy," a U.N. statement.

The convoy went into the war zone, a region known as the Vanni, on Jan. 16 and was only able to leave on Thursday, the U.N. statement said.

"The LTTE's denial of safe passage is a clear abrogation of their obligations under international humanitarian law," the U.N. office in Sri Lanka said.

The LTTE could not be reached for comment.

Rights groups say the Tigers have forced civilians to stay in the war zone to provide a human shield, and is making some fight or work to build defences. The rebels have denied that.

(Reuters)

Airbus crashes in New York river

Airbus crashes in New York river--

Passengers are rescued from the plane's wings

NEW YORK (CNN) -- A US Airways plane with more than 150 people aboard went down in the Hudson River on Thursday after taking off from LaGuardia Airport, and everyone aboard apparently got off the plane alive, officials said.

"It's just incredible now that everyone's still alive," passenger Alberto Pinero said.

3 of 3

Flight 1549, headed to Charlotte, North Carolina, may have experienced a bird strike, according to FAA spokeswoman Laura Brown.

Passenger Alberto Pinero said that within a couple minutes after takeoff, "you just heard a loud bang and the plane shook a bit."

Passengers could smell smoke, and "the plane just started turning. ... We knew something was going on, 'cause look, we were turning back," he said. Watch passenger say he heard a loud bang »

"Somehow, the plane stayed afloat and we were all able to get on a raft," Pinero said. "It's just incredible now that everyone's still alive."

See Video:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7832221.stm

The plane had 148 passengers, Brown said, and either five or six crew members on board when it took off at 3:26 p.m. It was airborne for less than three minutes, she said. Watch footage of plane in water »

Everyone on board is believed to have exited the Airbus A320, the Federal Aviation Administration said. The Coast Guard rescued 35 people, according to Coast Guard Cmdr. Ron LeBrec.

Roosevelt Hospital said it had received four passengers who were being treated for hypothermia, but had no further injures. Other hospitals were on alert.

The temperature in New York was 20 degrees about the time of the crash off Manhattan's west side.

Witnesses reported seeing the plane hit a flock of birds, Brown said. See map of crash site »

A source familiar with the situation told CNN the pilot reported a double bird strike, but it was unclear whether that meant birds in both of the engines or two birds in one engine.

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The pilot initially said he needed to go back, and air traffic controllers started to give him clearance to do so, but the pilot said he wanted to head to Teterboro, New Jersey, because it was closer. That was the last transmission from the pilot, the source said.

Pinero said the plane's captain came on the speaker and said, " 'Brace for impact.' "

"That's when we knew we were going down and into the water," Pinero said. Pinero said rescue boats arrived immediately.

"I think a lot of people started praying and just collecting themselves," passenger Fred Barretta said. "It was quite stunning." Watch passenger describe landing »

Barretta said he was expecting the plane to flip over and break apart, but it did not. "It was a great landing."

Live video showed the plan

e bobbing in the water and moving with the current surrounded by boats, including a ferry that dropped life jackets into the water.

Pictures from the scene showed passengers filing off the plane on safety chutes.

Witness Ben Vonklemperrer said he saw the plane go down.

"I'm in an office building on the 25th floor," he said. "A short time ago, I saw what looked to be a small commercial plane flying south making a gradual landing. I saw it hit the water. It made a big splash. ... If someone's going to land a plane in the water, this seemed the best possible way to do it. The way they hit it was very gradual. A very slow contact with the water."

Jerry Wallis, who said he was a private pilot, said he watched the plane go into the water.

"I've got to tell you, the people flying that airplane deserve all the recognition and commendation they can get," Wallis said.

The National Transportation Safety Board was sending a team to the site, according to an agency spokesman.

Since 1975, five large jetliners have had major accidents in which bird strikes played a role, according to the Web site of Bird Strike Committee USA, a volunteer group dedicated to reducing the frequency and severity of the strikes.

More than 56,000 bird strikes were reported to the FAA from 1998 to 2004 according to the group's Web site.

An Airbus A320 has 150 seats -- 12 in first class and 138 in economy, according to the Airbus Web site.

People who believe they may have had relatives on the flight may call US Airways at 1-800-679-8215 within the United States, the airline said

Thousands mourn Sri Lanka editor

Large crowds gather at Borella cemetary for final rites of Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickramatunga.

Mr Wickramatunga was killed on his way to work

Thousands of mourners have attended the funeral of a leading Sri Lankan newspaper editor and fierce government critic who was shot dead last week.

Security was tight in Colombo as crowds paid their last respects to Sunday Leader editor Lasantha Wickramatunga.

Reports say some 10,000 people attended a Christian service ahead of a burial ceremony at Colombo's main cemetery.

Journalists in Sri Lanka have suffered a string of attacks as the war with Tamil Tiger rebels has intensified.

Media freedom groups say intimidation and violence make it one of the most difficult countries in the world in which to report.

Death threats

Mourners packed the Assembly of God church in Colombo on Monday afternoon for the service for Lasantha Wickramatunga. His burial was to take place later at Colombo General Cemetery, the city's main burial ground.

Police are investigating the attack

Mr Wickramatunga was shot last Thursday by unidentified gunmen as he drove to work. He died from head wounds after nearly three hours of surgery, doctors said.

Police have yet to make any arrests.

Correspondents say Mr Wickramatunga had numerous run-ins with the government. His killing was one of two major attacks on the media in Sri Lanka last week.

On Tuesday, gunmen armed with grenades ransacked offices of the MBC group, the largest private TV broadcaster in the country.

Mr Wickramatunga worked for the channel as a presenter on a weekly current affairs programme.

MBC had been criticised by the government for its coverage of the war against the Tamil Tigers.

Mr Wickramatunga, 52, and his newspaper had been highly critical of government policy and the war with the Tamil Tiger rebels.

He received numerous death threats throughout his career and was detained on several occasions because of the controversial nature of his stories. He also fought a number of libel cases.

'Intimidation'

Amnesty International said in November that at least 10 media employees had been killed in Sri Lanka since 2006.

Some reporters say the intimidation has got worse as the war has intensified with the Tamil Tigers.

The Sri Lankan government has been accused of encouraging violence against the media by branding reporters seen as critical as rebel-sympathisers and enemies of the state.

The government has condemned the incidents and ordered full police investigations.

President Rajapaksa said he was "grieved and shocked" by Mr Wickramatunga's killing.

Lanka Dissent’ closed amid media suppression

Lanka Dissent’ closed amid media suppression
The editorial of ‘Lanka Dissent’ has decided to close its operations temporarily since today (10) amid the environment of assassinating the newspaper editors and issuing death threats to journalists.

“This compassionate Sinhala Buddhist land does not tolerate "dissent". Those who would not want to learn that living would have to learn that in death. We, who live, would come back when "dissent" comes back as a democratic right, accepted and enjoyed in a modern land of compassion,” Lanka Dissent editorial says in its statement.
The full text of the ‘Lanka Dissent’ statement is as follows;
http://www.lankadissent.com/

Sinhala Buddhists who believe this land belongs to the most compassionate Lord Buddha and constitutionally calls it the "Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka", sing with pride "In wisdom and strength renewed / Ill-will, hatred, strife all ended / In love enfolded, a mighty nation / Marching onward, all as one / Lead us, Mother, to fullest freedom." as their National Anthem.

And….. in this compassionate, democratic Buddhist land enfolded with love, in wisdom and fullest freedom, media is forbidden to raise a dissenting voice. Media is forbidden to criticise the "law" of the ruling regime. The media is forbidden to speak for the people.

Many who thought they as the media have a right to freedom of expression, they have a right to information, that the people also have the same right and that it is a fundamental right in a modern civilised society, have been told very bluntly and at times most brutally, that it isn't so in this land of the compassionate, democratic republic, run by a "patriotic" regime.

The Tamil media in the North were the first to have been told this bluntly and ruthlessly while the Colombo media did not want those dissenting voices in the North, heard elsewhere. They had to learn that lesson, first hand.

And….that was a lesson learnt by some, who are not with us to tell their story. That is a lesson learnt by some, who don't have the right to say it, because they have a right to live some time more. For a lot, it was their station "Sirasa" that went ablaze with that lesson. It was their station that was smashed and set on fire to teach a lesson.

For Lasantha Wickramatunge, an editor with a passion for uncompromising media professionalism, it was a challenge to face. A challenge he never minced words, in meeting. He had his own aggressive style in meeting the challenge. Admired and respected but left alone without political backing.

And….. he, therefore, could not surmount this challenge, all by himself.

A lesson learnt, that needs no repeats to learn. This compassionate Sinhala Buddhist land does not tolerate "dissent". Those who would not want to learn that living, would have to learn that in death. We who live, would come back when "dissent" comes back as a democratic right, accepted and enjoyed in a modern land of compassion.

Till then, good bye!

Editorial Board
Lankadissent

A fourth LTTE airstrip was captured by the 59th Regiment of the Army

A fourth LTTE airstrip was captured by the 59th Regiment of the Army
Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara says.

The airstrip was situated five kilometres to the left of the Mullaitivu lagoon. It was two and half kilometres in length and 100 meters wide.

The three airstrips at Panikkulam Ampakamani which were captured earlier by the Forces were situated close to the main road, but this airstrip had been built at a secret location in the thick jungle and was much bigger than the other three airstrips.

If there is an international plot, hand over the investigation too to an international team, asks joint opposition

If there is an international plot, hand over the investigation too to an international team, asks joint opposition

(Lanka-e-News, January 12, 2009, 10.10 AM)

The Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramasinghe made an open invitation to the masses to participate in the funeral of Lasantha Wickramathunga to protest the brutal killings and to safeguard democracy.

The Opposition Leader requested the people to come to Kirimandala Mawatha, Narahenpita at 2.00 PM. The cortege is to leave a cathedral in Kirimandala Mawatha following the funeral service for the General cemetery.

Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) representative Counsel Nizam Kariyappar said the President who rejected the appeal for an international probe regarding Sirasa attack and the killing of Sunday Leader editor, retorted saying that there was an international plot against the war victories. He said that the best practice of the government should be giving opportunity for an international probe in this context.

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramasinghe, MPs Mangala Samaraweera and Ravi Karunanayaka, Nizam Kariyappar, Wickramabahu Karunarathna and Sirithunga Jayasuriya participated in the press conference of the joint opposition.

Lasantha was to complain to Obama about killer squads of Sri Lankan origin US citizens -says Mangala

Lasantha was to complain to Obama about killer squads of Sri Lankan origin US citizens -says Mangala
(Lanka-e-News, January 12, 2009, 10.10 AM) Sri Lanka Freedom Party People’s Wing leader and former Minister Mangala Samaraweera said that Lasantha Wickramathunga had an audio recording of a confession made by one of the members of the killer squad led by the ‘Ugly American’ and a court injunction against Wickramathunga was obtained to prevent him revealing those facts. Addressing a press conference of joint opposition held yesterday morning (11), MP Samaraweera charged that the same persons assassinated Lasantha Wickramathunga.

The press conference was held to request from all to come to Kirimandala Mawatha of Narahenpita, 2.00 PM tomorrow (12) to participate in the funeral of the slain Sunday Leader editor Lasantha Wickramathunga.
Raed more: http://www.lankaenews.com/English/news.php?id=6972

US Ambassador oversteps his diplomatic mandate, charges Wimal

US Ambassador oversteps his diplomatic mandate, charges Wimal

The National Freedom Front (NFF), a party of the ruling coalition, charged today that US Ambassador Robert O. Blake had overstepped his diplomatic mandate by issuing a statement that media freedom had been suppressed in Sri Lanka. NFF President MP Wimal Weerawansa said that Mr. Blake had no right to issue such statements.

Lankan Media under threat - US ambassador Robert Blake

Lankan Media under threat - US ambassador Robert Blake
The US ambassador Robert Blake said today that the media industry in Sri Lanka is under threat following yesterday's attack on MTV/MBC network. He also added that journalists hold the key to defeat terrorism by addressing its root cause.