| Submit your comments on this article |
| India-Pakistan |
| Row as Nepal gets peace-fund jets |
| 2004-01-23 |
| EFL The Foreign Office says the aeroplanes, to be paid for by the Global Conflict Prevention Fund, are "non-lethal". It’s what the drop that kills people. The move follows a row last year when the same fund was used to buy military helicopters to assist the Nepalese army to combat Maoist insurgents. Dennis Kucinich was not pleased. Parliament has not yet been informed of the decision, which was reported in the Nepalese national newspaper. The UK Government was criticised by committees last year for "covert" use of the peace fund, which MPs called "a mistake". Rename it the ’freedom fund;’ tell parliament that either an Islamic charity or Fidelity Inc. had already copyrighted ’peace fund.’ Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman Menzies Campbell told the Guardian: "Statements from Kathmandu are no substitute for informing parliament." [/righteous indignation] But a Foreign Office spokesman said: "We don’t accept that the same mistake has been made." He said Parliament would get a chance to approve the donation, adding: "The British Government is committed to supporting the Nepalese Government." He said the aircraft were "suited to search and rescue missions ", What a surprise? Their attempts to put down the insurgency by beating terrorists with fluffy pillows so they get out the truncheons. Moaist sympathizers try to undercut outside help by highlighting the brutality of the reprisals aginst the terrorist attacks. Last October Denis MacShane told the House that there was "credible evidence of human rights violations" being carried out by the Nepalese military. "Reports implicate the security forces in serious abuses such as illegal detentions, torture, disappearances, and summary executions," he said. The Foreign Office accepted that human rights abuses take place, but said Britain was pressuring Nepalese security forces to reform. Maybe the Maoists heard of the deal. BBC has Nepal Maoists may accept monarchy |
| Posted by:Super Hose |
| #1 If you want peace, prepare for war. |
| Posted by: mojo 2004-1-23 5:11:56 PM |