Washington, May 06, 2009
Several US lawmakers have questioned President Asif Ali Zardari's ability to control Pakistan with one of them comparing the country to a man whose pants are on fire but who does not realise the danger.
When one's pants are on fire one has to do two things to survive, said Democrat Gary Ackerman as a House panel on Tuesday questioned Richard Holbrooke, US special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan on America 's strategy for the troubled ally.
"First you have to realise your pants are on fire. Then you have to do something about it," he said. "Let me be blunt. Pakistan's pants are on fire... but they seem convinced that if left alone or attacked piecemeal, the Islamist flame will simply burn itself out. That hope is, at best, folly."
Even now with insurgents a mere hour's drive from the capital, Ackerman said he suspected that among the senior officers of the Pakistani military that "bedrock belief is still that Pakistan's real enemy is India remains untouched by events."
Holbrooke urged Ackerman and others to speak with Zardari about their concerns while he is in Washington suggesting that the US has overreacted to the situation in Pakistan "when statements of concern became predictions".
The US should try "to dispel a self-fulfilling sense of pants-on-fire syndrome. It is not a failed state. It is a state under extreme stress," said Holbrooke.
"Now he said the pants really are on fire, and I understand exactly what he (Ackerman) said. But I also think it needs to be put in the perspective of what we're trying to achieve," he said.
"Pakistan as such is of immense importance to the United States strategically and politically, that our goal must be unambiguously to support and help stabilise a democratic Pakistan headed by its elected president, Asif Ali Zardari," Holbrooke said.
Showing posts with label US. Show all posts
Showing posts with label US. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Sunday, September 7, 2008
One in 20 Americans 'depressed'
Miami, September 7: It seems that 'young America' is in depression.
Yes, despite being in one of the richest countries in the world, more than one in 20 Americans aged 12 and older are depressed, according to the latest statistics from the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.
And what's shocking is that depression has been found to be more common in women than men.
Of the people suffering from depression, 80 per cent have reported some level of functional impairment, with 27 per cent reporting that it's difficult to work, get things done at home, or get along with others because of the condition.
"Reflecting this high rate of functional impairment, almost two-thirds of the estimated USD 83 billion that depression cost the US in the year 2000 resulted from lowered productivity and workplace absenteeism," according to study authors Laura A. Pratt and Debra J. Brody.
In their survey, the authors culled data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from year 2005 to 2006, which comprised a nine-item screening tool asking about depressive symptoms during the past two weeks.
Yes, despite being in one of the richest countries in the world, more than one in 20 Americans aged 12 and older are depressed, according to the latest statistics from the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.
And what's shocking is that depression has been found to be more common in women than men.
Of the people suffering from depression, 80 per cent have reported some level of functional impairment, with 27 per cent reporting that it's difficult to work, get things done at home, or get along with others because of the condition.
"Reflecting this high rate of functional impairment, almost two-thirds of the estimated USD 83 billion that depression cost the US in the year 2000 resulted from lowered productivity and workplace absenteeism," according to study authors Laura A. Pratt and Debra J. Brody.
In their survey, the authors culled data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from year 2005 to 2006, which comprised a nine-item screening tool asking about depressive symptoms during the past two weeks.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
US poised to bomb Pakistan: Reports
LONDON/ISLAMABAD: US troops in Afghanistan are massing close to the border with Pakistan, poised to launch bombing raids on suspected terrorist bases in the North Waziristan region, British and Pakistani newspapers reported on Wednesday.
Nine American soldiers were killed and 15 wounded on Sunday in an attack by militants on a US base in Kunar province, close to the Pakistani border.
The Times said troops have been airlifted from the village of Lowara Mandi and that heavy artillery and armoured vehicles were also being moved into position for possible cross-border attacks on Pakistan.
The paper said US admiral Michael Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, during a visit to Islamabad at the weekend, had told Pakistan's top civil and military leadership that the US could take unilateral military action if Pakistan were unable to stop cross-border attacks in Afghanistan. Mullen also said some elements within Pakistani security agencies could be helping insurgents operate from their bases in the border region; the paper quoted well-placed sources as saying.
The Times quoted an influential Pakistani army official as saying there were strong indications the US was ready to launch bombing raids against suspected Al-Qaida and Taliban camps inside Pakistan.
NATO denies Afghan troop buildup, urges Pakistan to act
The NATO military alliance denied that it was massing troops on the Afghan side of the border with Pakistan but urged Islamabad to do more to stop Taliban militants taking refuge.
"There is not, nor is there going to be, an incursion of NATO troops into Pakistan. There is no planning for that, there is no mandate for that, and there is no troop movement in that direction," a spokesman said in Brussels on Wednesday.
Pakistani tribal elders raised the alarm on Tuesday over what they said was a build-up of hundreds of NATO-led troops on the Afghan side of the border.
It came as Islamabad was under growing pressure from the United States to curb cross-border attacks by Taliban militants, with the US military chief flying into Pakistan at the weekend for urgent talks.
Reports said some 300 NATO soldiers equipped with tanks, armoured vehicles and heavy weaponry had been moved very close to Lwara Mundi, a border village in North Waziristan.
"There is no unusual military activity in that region," said the NATO spokesman, James Appathurai.
While he insisted that the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) was not gathering at the border, he underlined that they did have permission to shoot into Pakistan if fired upon.
"They have the right to fire back if they are fired upon, and there should be no doubt that they do it," he said.
Nine American soldiers were killed and 15 wounded on Sunday in an attack by militants on a US base in Kunar province, close to the Pakistani border.
The Times said troops have been airlifted from the village of Lowara Mandi and that heavy artillery and armoured vehicles were also being moved into position for possible cross-border attacks on Pakistan.
The paper said US admiral Michael Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, during a visit to Islamabad at the weekend, had told Pakistan's top civil and military leadership that the US could take unilateral military action if Pakistan were unable to stop cross-border attacks in Afghanistan. Mullen also said some elements within Pakistani security agencies could be helping insurgents operate from their bases in the border region; the paper quoted well-placed sources as saying.
The Times quoted an influential Pakistani army official as saying there were strong indications the US was ready to launch bombing raids against suspected Al-Qaida and Taliban camps inside Pakistan.
NATO denies Afghan troop buildup, urges Pakistan to act
The NATO military alliance denied that it was massing troops on the Afghan side of the border with Pakistan but urged Islamabad to do more to stop Taliban militants taking refuge.
"There is not, nor is there going to be, an incursion of NATO troops into Pakistan. There is no planning for that, there is no mandate for that, and there is no troop movement in that direction," a spokesman said in Brussels on Wednesday.
Pakistani tribal elders raised the alarm on Tuesday over what they said was a build-up of hundreds of NATO-led troops on the Afghan side of the border.
It came as Islamabad was under growing pressure from the United States to curb cross-border attacks by Taliban militants, with the US military chief flying into Pakistan at the weekend for urgent talks.
Reports said some 300 NATO soldiers equipped with tanks, armoured vehicles and heavy weaponry had been moved very close to Lwara Mundi, a border village in North Waziristan.
"There is no unusual military activity in that region," said the NATO spokesman, James Appathurai.
While he insisted that the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) was not gathering at the border, he underlined that they did have permission to shoot into Pakistan if fired upon.
"They have the right to fire back if they are fired upon, and there should be no doubt that they do it," he said.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
US poised for ‘hot pursuit’ raids in Pak: Report
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Agencies
Posted online: Thursday , July 10, 2008 at 05:38:32
Updated: Thursday , July 10, 2008 at 05:38:32
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Washington, July 10: US commandos “are poised” to carry out “hot pursuit” raids into Pakistan’s restive tribal areas to stem mounting Taliban attacks against US troops in Afghanistan, a media report said on Thursday.
Three Texas congressmen briefed during a trip to the region said the “plans for stepped-up US military operations are in response to Pakistan’s failure to disrupt terrorist training camps and cross-border attacks from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas,” the Houston Chronicle reported.
The Bush administration is recalibrating US operations in the region because of the increase in violent attacks against US-led forces in Afghanistan that have pushed US casualties for the month of June beyond the monthly toll in Iraq, the lawmakers-- Gene Green, Henry Cuellar (Democrats) and Michael McCaul (Republican) told the Chronicle.
Cuellar said that “either Pakistan does more or we will be taking things into our own hands,” adding: “If our troops are fired on, there will be hot pursuit into that territory.” The State Department did not respond to a request for comment, the Chronicle said.
Pakistan’s ineffective campaign makes it “imperative that US forces be allowed to pursue the Taliban and al-Qaida in tribal areas inside Pakistan,” McCaul insisted.
“If we don’t do something now, they’re going to strike us again (in the United States) and it is going to be out of this area.” U.S. Predator aircraft, pilotless drones, have reportedly carried out at least four missile strikes against suspected terrorists inside Pakistan so far this year, killing at least 45 people.
The Congressmen said their delegation met President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani last week urging additional action against Islamic militants in the tribal territories.
-A +A
Agencies
Posted online: Thursday , July 10, 2008 at 05:38:32
Updated: Thursday , July 10, 2008 at 05:38:32
Print Email To Editor Post Comments
Washington, July 10: US commandos “are poised” to carry out “hot pursuit” raids into Pakistan’s restive tribal areas to stem mounting Taliban attacks against US troops in Afghanistan, a media report said on Thursday.
Three Texas congressmen briefed during a trip to the region said the “plans for stepped-up US military operations are in response to Pakistan’s failure to disrupt terrorist training camps and cross-border attacks from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas,” the Houston Chronicle reported.
The Bush administration is recalibrating US operations in the region because of the increase in violent attacks against US-led forces in Afghanistan that have pushed US casualties for the month of June beyond the monthly toll in Iraq, the lawmakers-- Gene Green, Henry Cuellar (Democrats) and Michael McCaul (Republican) told the Chronicle.
Cuellar said that “either Pakistan does more or we will be taking things into our own hands,” adding: “If our troops are fired on, there will be hot pursuit into that territory.” The State Department did not respond to a request for comment, the Chronicle said.
Pakistan’s ineffective campaign makes it “imperative that US forces be allowed to pursue the Taliban and al-Qaida in tribal areas inside Pakistan,” McCaul insisted.
“If we don’t do something now, they’re going to strike us again (in the United States) and it is going to be out of this area.” U.S. Predator aircraft, pilotless drones, have reportedly carried out at least four missile strikes against suspected terrorists inside Pakistan so far this year, killing at least 45 people.
The Congressmen said their delegation met President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani last week urging additional action against Islamic militants in the tribal territories.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
From bull semen to bras, Iran still buys American
Wednesday, 09 July , 2008, 21:49
Last Updated: Thursday, 10 July , 2008, 01:14
Washington: Nuclear weapons? No way. But there are plenty of items on Iran's shopping list the United States is more than happy to supply: cigarettes, brassieres, bull semen and more.
US exports to Iran grew more than tenfold during President Bush's years in office even as he accused it of nuclear ambitions and sponsoring terrorists. America sent more cigarettes to Iran — at least $158 million worth under Bush — than any other product.
Other surprising shipments during the Bush administration: fur clothing, sculptures, perfume, musical instruments and military apparel. Top states shipping goods to Iran include California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio and Wisconsin, according to an analysis by The Associated Press of seven years of US government trade data.
Despite increasingly tough rhetoric toward Iran, which Bush has called part of an "axis of evil," US trade in a range of goods survives on-again, off-again sanctions originally imposed nearly three decades ago. The rules allow sales of agricultural commodities, medicine and a few other categories of goods. The exemptions are designed to help Iranian families even as the United States pressures Iran's leaders.
"I understand that these exports have increased. However, we believe that they are increasing to a segment of the population that we want to reach out to, we want to know and understand that the US government, the US people want to be friends with them, want to work with them to integrate them into the world economy and become partners in the future," Gonzalo Gallegos, a State Department spokesman, said on Tuesday when asked by reporters about AP's findings.
Last Updated: Thursday, 10 July , 2008, 01:14
Washington: Nuclear weapons? No way. But there are plenty of items on Iran's shopping list the United States is more than happy to supply: cigarettes, brassieres, bull semen and more.
US exports to Iran grew more than tenfold during President Bush's years in office even as he accused it of nuclear ambitions and sponsoring terrorists. America sent more cigarettes to Iran — at least $158 million worth under Bush — than any other product.
Other surprising shipments during the Bush administration: fur clothing, sculptures, perfume, musical instruments and military apparel. Top states shipping goods to Iran include California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio and Wisconsin, according to an analysis by The Associated Press of seven years of US government trade data.
Despite increasingly tough rhetoric toward Iran, which Bush has called part of an "axis of evil," US trade in a range of goods survives on-again, off-again sanctions originally imposed nearly three decades ago. The rules allow sales of agricultural commodities, medicine and a few other categories of goods. The exemptions are designed to help Iranian families even as the United States pressures Iran's leaders.
"I understand that these exports have increased. However, we believe that they are increasing to a segment of the population that we want to reach out to, we want to know and understand that the US government, the US people want to be friends with them, want to work with them to integrate them into the world economy and become partners in the future," Gonzalo Gallegos, a State Department spokesman, said on Tuesday when asked by reporters about AP's findings.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
US lawmakers ask Bush to boycott Olympics
Reuters
Posted online: Tuesday , July 01, 2008 at 04:01:03
Updated: Tuesday , July 01, 2008 at 04:01:03
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Beijing, July 1: Two US Congressmen on Tuesday urged President George W. Bush to rethink attending the Beijing Olympic Games after they were prevented from meeting Chinese human rights activists.
Republican Congressmen Frank Wolf from Virginia and Chris Smith from New Jersey said they had come to Beijing to meet Chinese citizens pressing for greater political and religious freedoms, including two who recently met the US president.
But Chinese authorities pressured or forced nine activists from meeting them at a dinner on Sunday or subsequently, according to a document handed out by the lawmakers.
They said such actions, and other repressive steps taken by the Chinese Communist Party, have cast a shadow over the Games and over Bush's vow to attend them.
"Tragically, the Olympics has triggered a massive crackdown designed to silence and put beyond reach all those whose views differ from the official 'harmonious' government line," Smith told a news conference held in the US embassy in Beijing.
The friction between the visitors and wary Chinese authorities has underscored the political tensions of the Games, with Beijing under criticism from Western politicians and international rights groups over Tibet, censorship and restrictions on religion and political dissent.
Wolf, who with Smith presented Chinese officials with a list of 734 Chinese prisoners they said were jailed for dissent, said Bush should not attend the Games unless there were big changes.
"I personally believe that unless there's tremendous progress over the next few weeks whereby they release some of these prisoners, I personally do not believe the president should attend. Nor do I think the Secretary of State should attend," said Wolf.
Simply Ridiculous
China later hit back, saying the politicians' attempted meetings violated the claimed purpose of their visit. "The two US Congressmen came to China as guests of the United States Embassy to engage in internal communications and consultations," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told a news conference.
"They should not engage in activities incompatible with the objective of their visit and with their status. Speaking by telephone before leaving Beijing, Wolf called China's explanation "simply ridiculous" and said he expected the US ambassador to Beijing to take up the issue.
Two of the Chinese citizens who could not meet the lawmakers, Beijing-based lawyers Li Baiguang and Li Heping, met Bush at the White House on June 23 after receiving awards from the US National Endowment for Democracy.
Li Heping said security officers had ostentatiously tailed him and told him not to meet the US politicians. He said by telephone that he was surprised the audience with Bush had not given him and Li Baiguang some immunity.
"He [Bush] said he was very concerned about human rights and the rule of law in China, especially religious freedom and the freedom of the press," Li Heping said of the meeting. He also said that when he comes to Beijing for the Olympics he will raise these issues with President Hu."
Li Baiguang, an evangelical Christian who has now met Bush twice, could not be contacted. His mobile telephone was cut off and other activists said he has been held by state security police on the outskirts of Beijing.
Wolf said the US government should apply more public pressure to seek the release of jailed Chinese dissidents.
"I think you need to do it publicly," he said. "Frankly, they have to be done the way we used to do it with regard to the Soviet Union."
Posted online: Tuesday , July 01, 2008 at 04:01:03
Updated: Tuesday , July 01, 2008 at 04:01:03
Print Email To Editor Post Comments
Beijing, July 1: Two US Congressmen on Tuesday urged President George W. Bush to rethink attending the Beijing Olympic Games after they were prevented from meeting Chinese human rights activists.
Republican Congressmen Frank Wolf from Virginia and Chris Smith from New Jersey said they had come to Beijing to meet Chinese citizens pressing for greater political and religious freedoms, including two who recently met the US president.
But Chinese authorities pressured or forced nine activists from meeting them at a dinner on Sunday or subsequently, according to a document handed out by the lawmakers.
They said such actions, and other repressive steps taken by the Chinese Communist Party, have cast a shadow over the Games and over Bush's vow to attend them.
"Tragically, the Olympics has triggered a massive crackdown designed to silence and put beyond reach all those whose views differ from the official 'harmonious' government line," Smith told a news conference held in the US embassy in Beijing.
The friction between the visitors and wary Chinese authorities has underscored the political tensions of the Games, with Beijing under criticism from Western politicians and international rights groups over Tibet, censorship and restrictions on religion and political dissent.
Wolf, who with Smith presented Chinese officials with a list of 734 Chinese prisoners they said were jailed for dissent, said Bush should not attend the Games unless there were big changes.
"I personally believe that unless there's tremendous progress over the next few weeks whereby they release some of these prisoners, I personally do not believe the president should attend. Nor do I think the Secretary of State should attend," said Wolf.
Simply Ridiculous
China later hit back, saying the politicians' attempted meetings violated the claimed purpose of their visit. "The two US Congressmen came to China as guests of the United States Embassy to engage in internal communications and consultations," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told a news conference.
"They should not engage in activities incompatible with the objective of their visit and with their status. Speaking by telephone before leaving Beijing, Wolf called China's explanation "simply ridiculous" and said he expected the US ambassador to Beijing to take up the issue.
Two of the Chinese citizens who could not meet the lawmakers, Beijing-based lawyers Li Baiguang and Li Heping, met Bush at the White House on June 23 after receiving awards from the US National Endowment for Democracy.
Li Heping said security officers had ostentatiously tailed him and told him not to meet the US politicians. He said by telephone that he was surprised the audience with Bush had not given him and Li Baiguang some immunity.
"He [Bush] said he was very concerned about human rights and the rule of law in China, especially religious freedom and the freedom of the press," Li Heping said of the meeting. He also said that when he comes to Beijing for the Olympics he will raise these issues with President Hu."
Li Baiguang, an evangelical Christian who has now met Bush twice, could not be contacted. His mobile telephone was cut off and other activists said he has been held by state security police on the outskirts of Beijing.
Wolf said the US government should apply more public pressure to seek the release of jailed Chinese dissidents.
"I think you need to do it publicly," he said. "Frankly, they have to be done the way we used to do it with regard to the Soviet Union."
Thursday, June 26, 2008
U.S.-Pakistan Alliance in Trouble
June 26, 2008
Author:
Jayshree Bajoria
U.S.-Pakistan Alliance in Trouble
Pakistani tribal villagers rally after an alleged U.S. missile attack near the Afghanistan border on May 15, 2008. (AP/Mohammad Sajjad)
Increased military action by U.S. forces in Afghanistan to target suspected terrorists in Pakistan's tribal areas is putting a strain on Washington's already tense relationship with Islamabad. A June 10 U.S. air strike (IHT) in which Pakistan's army says eleven of its soldiers died was followed, just weeks later, by NATO forces firing into Pakistan (LAT) after being struck by rockets launched from Pakistani territory. The U.S. and Afghan governments consistently blame militants ensconced in safe havens in Pakistan's tribal areas for violence in Afghanistan, even though the Pakistani government says it's doing all it can to prevent such attacks. But now, patience on both sides has frayed. Afghan President Hamid Karzai last week threatened to send troops (Guardian) inside Pakistan to hunt down the militants. On June 25, Afghan officials publicly accused Pakistan’s intelligence service of plotting to assassinate (NYT) Karzai in April, further escalating tensions between the countries. Pakistan called the allegations baseless (AFP).
U.S. and NATO officials have expressed concern about the Pakistani's strategy toward militants in the tribal areas. Specifically, they warn that ongoing peace talks between Pakistan's newly elected government and tribal leaders in the border region may be leading to increased violence in Afghanistan. NATO spokesman Mark Laity cautioned (Dawn) against the peace deals, saying that such accords have fueled the Afghan insurgency in the past. Amid the ongoing peace talks, militants executed a twenty-two-member peace committee of tribal elders (al-Jazeera). Even so, polls continue to show a majority in Pakistan favor talks with the militants over military action. For instance, a May poll by Terror Free Tomorrow (PDF), a group that includes Sen. John McCain and 9/11 Commission co-chairs Lee Hamilton and Thomas Kean on its advisory board, found that 58 percent of Pakistanis surveyed favored negotiations, while only 19 percent favored U.S. military action against al-Qaeda and the Taliban.
Meanwhile, serious political differences exist within Pakistan's ruling coalition on issues relating to constitutional amendments, proposals to impeach President Pervez Musharraf, and the reinstatement of judges deposed during a November 2007 state of emergency. Lisa Curtis, South Asia expert at the Heritage Foundation, believes the political maneuvering in Islamabad is distracting the Pakistani government from dealing with growing militancy in the tribal areas. Experts say the unclear power dynamic between the newly elected civilian leaders and the army, arguably the country's dominant institution, raises questions about the long-term viability of the partnership. A new report by RAND Corporation's Seth G. Jones goes further, charging that some individuals in the Pakistani government continue to support (PDF) militant groups inside Pakistan.
But experts caution against taking Pakistani political rhetoric, often aimed at a domestic audience, at face value. Newsweek's Michael Hirsh reports that Pakistan has been quietly discussing counterinsurgency plans in the tribal areas with Gen. David Petraeus, the next commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), under which the Afghan conflict falls. At the same time, many worry that unilateral military action by the United States would be counterproductive. Ashley J. Tellis of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace writes in The Washington Quarterly that the Pakistan polity, army, and intelligence services "are still deeply suspicious of long-term U.S. intentions in the region" (PDF). Xenia Dormandy of Harvard's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs argues: "If America wants to succeed in the War on Terror, it needs the support of Pakistan. Refocusing the problem to address Pakistan’s needs is the only way of doing this."
Author:
Jayshree Bajoria
U.S.-Pakistan Alliance in Trouble
Pakistani tribal villagers rally after an alleged U.S. missile attack near the Afghanistan border on May 15, 2008. (AP/Mohammad Sajjad)
Increased military action by U.S. forces in Afghanistan to target suspected terrorists in Pakistan's tribal areas is putting a strain on Washington's already tense relationship with Islamabad. A June 10 U.S. air strike (IHT) in which Pakistan's army says eleven of its soldiers died was followed, just weeks later, by NATO forces firing into Pakistan (LAT) after being struck by rockets launched from Pakistani territory. The U.S. and Afghan governments consistently blame militants ensconced in safe havens in Pakistan's tribal areas for violence in Afghanistan, even though the Pakistani government says it's doing all it can to prevent such attacks. But now, patience on both sides has frayed. Afghan President Hamid Karzai last week threatened to send troops (Guardian) inside Pakistan to hunt down the militants. On June 25, Afghan officials publicly accused Pakistan’s intelligence service of plotting to assassinate (NYT) Karzai in April, further escalating tensions between the countries. Pakistan called the allegations baseless (AFP).
U.S. and NATO officials have expressed concern about the Pakistani's strategy toward militants in the tribal areas. Specifically, they warn that ongoing peace talks between Pakistan's newly elected government and tribal leaders in the border region may be leading to increased violence in Afghanistan. NATO spokesman Mark Laity cautioned (Dawn) against the peace deals, saying that such accords have fueled the Afghan insurgency in the past. Amid the ongoing peace talks, militants executed a twenty-two-member peace committee of tribal elders (al-Jazeera). Even so, polls continue to show a majority in Pakistan favor talks with the militants over military action. For instance, a May poll by Terror Free Tomorrow (PDF), a group that includes Sen. John McCain and 9/11 Commission co-chairs Lee Hamilton and Thomas Kean on its advisory board, found that 58 percent of Pakistanis surveyed favored negotiations, while only 19 percent favored U.S. military action against al-Qaeda and the Taliban.
Meanwhile, serious political differences exist within Pakistan's ruling coalition on issues relating to constitutional amendments, proposals to impeach President Pervez Musharraf, and the reinstatement of judges deposed during a November 2007 state of emergency. Lisa Curtis, South Asia expert at the Heritage Foundation, believes the political maneuvering in Islamabad is distracting the Pakistani government from dealing with growing militancy in the tribal areas. Experts say the unclear power dynamic between the newly elected civilian leaders and the army, arguably the country's dominant institution, raises questions about the long-term viability of the partnership. A new report by RAND Corporation's Seth G. Jones goes further, charging that some individuals in the Pakistani government continue to support (PDF) militant groups inside Pakistan.
But experts caution against taking Pakistani political rhetoric, often aimed at a domestic audience, at face value. Newsweek's Michael Hirsh reports that Pakistan has been quietly discussing counterinsurgency plans in the tribal areas with Gen. David Petraeus, the next commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), under which the Afghan conflict falls. At the same time, many worry that unilateral military action by the United States would be counterproductive. Ashley J. Tellis of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace writes in The Washington Quarterly that the Pakistan polity, army, and intelligence services "are still deeply suspicious of long-term U.S. intentions in the region" (PDF). Xenia Dormandy of Harvard's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs argues: "If America wants to succeed in the War on Terror, it needs the support of Pakistan. Refocusing the problem to address Pakistan’s needs is the only way of doing this."
Friday, June 6, 2008
SHIP FROM CHINA
SHIP FROM CHINA -
The Emma Maersk
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What a ship....no wonder 'Made in China' is displacing North American goods big time with this floating continent transporting goods across the Pacific in 4 days no less!!!
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This is how Wal-Mart gets all it's stuff from China . Get a load of this ship!
15,000 containers and a 207' beam! And look at the crew-size: 13 people for a ship longer than a US aircraft carrier which has a crew of 5,000 men and officers.
Think it's big enough? Notice that 207' beam means it cannot fit through the Panama or Suez Canals . It is strictly transpacific. Check out the cruise speed: 31 knots means the goods arrive 4 days before the typical container ship (18-20 knots) on a China-to-California run. So this behemoth is hugely competitive when carrying perishable goods.
Thi s ship was built in five sections. The sections floated together and then welded. The command bridge is higher than a 10-story building and has 11 cargo crane rigs that can operate simultaneously.
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Additional info:
Country of origin - Denmark
Length - 1,302 ft
Width - 207 ft
Net cargo - 123,200 tons
Engine - 14 in-line cylinders diesel engine (110,000 BHP)
Cruise Speed - 31 knots
Cargo capacity - 15,000 TEU (1 TEU = 20 ft3)
Crew - 13 people
First Trip - Sept. 08, 2006
Construction cost - US $145,000,000+
Silicone painting applied to the ship bottom reduces water resistance and saves 317,000 gallons of diesel per year
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Editorial Comment!
A recent documentary in late March on the History Channel, noted that most all of these containers are shipped back to China , EMPTY ! yep you heard it right. We send nothing back on most of these ships. What does that tell you about the current Financial State of the US ?
The Emma Maersk
[]
What a ship....no wonder 'Made in China' is displacing North American goods big time with this floating continent transporting goods across the Pacific in 4 days no less!!!
[]
This is how Wal-Mart gets all it's stuff from China . Get a load of this ship!
15,000 containers and a 207' beam! And look at the crew-size: 13 people for a ship longer than a US aircraft carrier which has a crew of 5,000 men and officers.
Think it's big enough? Notice that 207' beam means it cannot fit through the Panama or Suez Canals . It is strictly transpacific. Check out the cruise speed: 31 knots means the goods arrive 4 days before the typical container ship (18-20 knots) on a China-to-California run. So this behemoth is hugely competitive when carrying perishable goods.
Thi s ship was built in five sections. The sections floated together and then welded. The command bridge is higher than a 10-story building and has 11 cargo crane rigs that can operate simultaneously.
[]
Additional info:
Country of origin - Denmark
Length - 1,302 ft
Width - 207 ft
Net cargo - 123,200 tons
Engine - 14 in-line cylinders diesel engine (110,000 BHP)
Cruise Speed - 31 knots
Cargo capacity - 15,000 TEU (1 TEU = 20 ft3)
Crew - 13 people
First Trip - Sept. 08, 2006
Construction cost - US $145,000,000+
Silicone painting applied to the ship bottom reduces water resistance and saves 317,000 gallons of diesel per year
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]
Editorial Comment!
A recent documentary in late March on the History Channel, noted that most all of these containers are shipped back to China , EMPTY ! yep you heard it right. We send nothing back on most of these ships. What does that tell you about the current Financial State of the US ?
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