US Court Declares Dr Aafia Siddiqui Guilty

 

NEW YORK: US Court Wednesday held Dr Aafia Siddiqui–a US-educated Pakistani woman as guilty of trying to kill American servicemen in Afghanistan.

The court declared its verdict on Dr Siddiqui at 2pm (local time).

Aafia Siddiqui, 37, a neuroscientist trained at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology, was found guilty on all charges by a jury in federal court.

She was accused of being a would-be terrorist who in July 2008 grabbed a rifle at an Afghan police station where she was being interrogated and tried to gun down a group of US servicemen.

Dr Aafia was present at the time of the verdict. She listened to the verdict with great fortitude. Also, her brother was present on the occasion.

Source: http://rightnreal.com/us-court-declares-dr-aafia-siddiqui-guilty/





My Op:

No sufficient evidence has been presented against Dr. Aafia Siddiqui. Her accusers claim she had snatched an M4 rifle at baghram base which she allegedly tried to shoot her captors, NO finger prints of her or shell casings where ever found on the M4 rifle.

No beyond-a-reasonable doubt connection to Al-Qaeda and Dr. Aafia Siddiqui have been found.

I believe the Pakistan Government must exercise all it's might in forcing the US to set free Dr. Aafia Siddiqui. A strong message ought to be sent to the White House, on the diplomatic front and other vital fronts where pressure can be applied on Washington. This unjust court ruling must be turned over and Dr. Aafia Siddiqui must be set free.

What a lowly and miserable shame for our beloved nation of Pakistan both at home and abroad.


One of our educated, dignified, mother, and Doctor, Dr. Aafia Siddiqui tortured, imprisoned, falsely accused, and treated like a criminal/terrorist....


I don't understand how any true Pakistani will forever be able to forget and forgive such acts.

Pakistan may adopt tough stance over Indian talks offer

* Diplomats say Islamabad could seek ‘result-oriented dialogue’ linked to timeline for resolution of outstanding issues

By Sajjad Malik

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan might adopt a tough stance over India’s offer for talks and press for “result-oriented dialogue” linked to a timeline for the resolution of all outstanding issues between the two countries, including the Kashmir dispute, according to diplomatic sources.

The sources said Pakistan was wary of an “open-ended” peace process that could linger on for years without any tangible progress on key issues that had been a thorn in the side of relations for decades.

“We are not interested in just talks ... [we are looking for] a fruitful engagement that will result in the solution of real problems and help bring peace,” said the sources.

Pakistan would also seek India’s assurance that New Delhi would not unilaterally suspend the peace process in case of a terrorist attack by “non-state actors”.

They said Pakistan was serious about addressing all issues with India, and would hold in-depth discussions on the offer for talks tomorrow (Wednesday) to decide the key issues related to dialogue with India.

“We are expecting a candid exchange of views on all aspects of relations with India, including the agenda of the talks ... there are several issues, such as India’s refusal to resume the composite dialogue immediately,” they said.

Some diplomats believe that India is not sincere in the context of the resumption of the peace process and New Delhi had only agreed to engage Pakistan under increased foreign pressure and the ”looming loss of its influence in Afghanistan” because of Pakistan’s new role in reintegrating “peace loving” Taliban in the Afghan society.

The sources said Pakistan had already called back Indian High Commissioner Shahid Malik – who is arriving today (Tuesday) to attend the consultations at the Foreign Office and brief the high-ups on his meetings with Indian diplomats.

The peace process was suspended after the Mumbai terror attacks in November 2008. While Pakistan had perpetually sought the resumption of the peace talks, India had been refusing to come to the negotiations table until Pakistan brought the perpetrators of the attacks to justice. India has said that it has made the offer with “an open and positive” mind. While India has now agreed to talks, it is reluctant to fully restore the composite dialogue under domestic compulsions.

Analysts believe that both countries would have to come out of their “fixation” for any solution to bilateral problems.

Source: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010\02\09\story_9-2-2010_pg7_15

China mulls setting up military base in Pakistan

Picture courtesy of Armybase.us

Saibal Dasgupta, TNN, 28 January 2010, 07:58pm IST

BEIJING: China has signaled it wants to go the US way and set up military bases in overseas locations that would possibly include Pakistan. The obvious purpose would be to exert pressure on India as well as counter US influence in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

"(So) it is baseless to say that we will not set up any military bases in future because we have never sent troops abroad," an article published on Thursday at a Chinese government website said. "It is our right," the article said and went on to suggest that it would be done in the neighborhood, possibly Pakistan.

"As for the military aspect, we should be able to conduct the retaliatory attack within the country or at the neighboring area of our potential enemies. We should also be able to put pressure on the potential enemies' overseas interests," it said.

A military base in Pakistan will also help China keep a check on Muslim Uighur separatists fighting for an independent nation in its western region of Xingjian, which borders the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan. Beijing recently signed an agreement with the local government of NWFP in order to keep a close watch on the movement of Uighur ultras.

"I have personally felt for sometime that China might one day build a military base in India's neighborhood. China built the Gadwar port in Pakistan and is now broadening the Karokoram highway. These facilities can always be put to military use when the need arises," Ramesh V Phadke, former Air Commodore and advisor to the Institute of Defense Studies told TNN.

Phadke said the article in very significant. "The purpose may be to see how the international community reacts to it," he said.

China, which has no military bases outside its territory, has often criticized the United States for operating such overseas bases. It has not just changed its standpoint but also wants to enter the lucrative protection business.

"With further development, China will be in great demand of the military protection," the article said. Pakistan, which buys 70% of its military hardware from China, is likely to be an eager buyer for such protection. Beijing may also be able to pressurize Islamabad to accept its diktat using the threat of withholding military supplies.

A Pakistani expert on China-Pakistan relationship has a different view on the subject. "The Americans had a base in the past and it caused a political stink. I don’t think it would be politically possible for the Pakistani government to openly allow China to set up a military base," he said while requesting anonymity. Pakistan might allow use of its military facilities without publicly announcing it, he said.

A Chinese military base can tackle several international relations issues, it said. One of them is "the relationship between the base troops and the countries neighboring to the host country." This is another indication that Beijing is considering Pakistan as a possible base. China’s argument is that a foreign base would actually help regional stability.

"If the base troops can maintain the regional stability, it will be probably welcomed by all the countries in the region," the article said. Beijing is conscious that the move might result in opposition from the US, UK and France which has overseas military bases.

“Thirdly, the relationship between the big countries in the world. The establishment of the troop bases is sensitive to those big countries which have already set up the bases abroad," the article said.


Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/China-mulls-setting-up-military-base-in-Pakistan/articleshow/5510235.cms





 My Op:

Such a monumental decision will take careful analysis and intense strategic planning on our part, before anything such as what is being allegedly being proposed can be finalized.

Several things must be taken into factor.

1) The sentiment of the Balochi people and what they think about a Chinese MB in their province, obviously the base would be in a remote part of Balochistan nonetheless their support or tolerance of a foreign MB will be critical.


2) Time-span

3) Roles and regulations on the activity of a foreign MB in Pakistan territory.

4) The purpose of this Chinese MB must be clearly defined.

"The time is right to revive Balochistan's geopolitical importance on national and international level and a chinese base is the perfect tool to serve mutual interests."- Dutch commentator on Pakistan Affairs.

Is it possible to revive Balochistan's geopolitical importance on a national and international level without a Chinese base? Also I got news for you, Balochistan's geopolitical importance on the inter/national stage has already been revived, not by us, not by the Chinese, but by other powers and factors.



You seriously have to think about these things before finalizing such a major plan and maneuver.