 ISLAMABAD - The Pakistani military on Friday rejected as ‘distorted’ allegations that its peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of Congo traded weapons for gold with militias they were supposed to disarm.
‘This is irresponsible reporting,’ Army spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad said of the claims by BBC television that United Nations peacekeepers, including Pakistani troops stationed in eastern Congo in 2005, were tied up in the illegal activities.
Pakistan would wait for the findings of a UN investigation that was launched last year, Arshad said, noting that a statement on the matter issued Wednesday by the office of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon made no mention of Pakistan. ‘Pakistan is one of the best countries, has the best troops,’ Arshad said of his country’s long involvement with UN peacekeeping missions.
| "We're right up there with the Samoans!" |
In past years, UN peacekeepers in Congo have been accused of buying sexual favours from refugees in exchange for food rations at camps under their supervision. Dozens of peacekeepers have been removed from their duties and sent home supposedly to face punishment by their governments. |