The Daily Telegraph

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

•COVER STORY: 'Big cut in number of police on streets'

Sir Hugh Orde, president of the Association of Chief Police Officers, warns that in the wake of government spending cuts fewer police may be on the streets; Home Secretary Theresa May has refused to confirm whether police numbers on streets will fall. (Link)


•'Foreign workers could face NHS ban' p.4
Home Secretary May said yesterday that in order to reduce the burden on the NHS and ease immigration foreign workers may have to use private health insurance if they want to work in the UK.
•''Test English skills on foreign doctors'' p.10

The Chairman of the British Medical Association has noted that doctors speaking almost no English have been allowed to work but has advised that foreign doctors should have to pass an English language test. (link)


•'Aid cash feared lost as £2bn is flown out of Kabul' p.12

The large amounts of cash leaving one of the world's poorest countries regularly since 2007 has led to concerns about whether the money is being taken from Western aid projects or security and reconstruction contracts. (link)


•'Russia warning over Kyrgyz reform' p.13

Sunday's referendum has make Kyrgyzstan the only country to have a parliamentary democracy in Central Asia, but Russia warns that the decision will lead to instability and allow extremist parties to gain power.


•'Children's camp wrecked in Gaza' p.14

In the second such attack within a month, 24 men vandalised a UN children's summer camp in Gaza; the Telegraph notes that though there has been no immediate claim of responsibility, Islamic extremists have accused the UN agency of corrupting Gaza's youth and that Hamas is the UN's main competitor for summer camps. (link)




The Guardian

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


•COVER STORY: 'Shirking fathers should lose their benefits - poverty tsar'

Frank Field, Cameron's poverty adviser, has said that Britain must end its obsession with getting young single mothers into work, and focus on young, unemployed fathers whose historic role as the bread winner has been taken over by the tax payer. (link)


•'Black councillor is found guilty over racial slur' p.5
A black councillor has been found guilty of racial harassment after describing an Asian political opponent as 'a coconut' during a heated debate. (link)
•'Cameron under pressure to review interrogation guide lines' p.10


The government is facing pressure on two fronts to overhaul the secret interrogation policy, drawn up by the Labour administration, that led to terrorism suspects being detained illegally and tortured in the so called war on terror. (Link)


•'Cameron raises Afghan pullout as bomb disposal expert is shot' p.12-13


Cameron injected a note of urgency over the withdrawal of British troops from Afghanistan yesterday as the MoD announced the death of another British soldier in the country. A bomb disposal expert was killed in a gunfight with insurgents. (Link)


•'World briefing: Petraeus is facing some tough choices on Afghanistan' p.18


Simon Tisdall looks at the options facing General Patraeus in Afghanistan; persevere with the twin track counterinsurgency strategy, use military pressure to create time and space for Afghan civilian governance; remove political heat by de-emphasising the importance of a scheduled White House progress review and Nato's Lisbon summit in November; or go with a third Afghan surge. (Link)



The Times

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


•COVER STORY: 'Business chiefs back deep and early cuts'


Leaders of some of Britain’s biggest businesses last night gave their emphatic endorsement of the coalition Government’s decision to cut spending immediately in order to pay down the deficit.(Link)






•'Parents killed by ‘honour killers who set fire to wrong house’' p.17



A father and mother were murdered by mistake when arsonists out to avenge a Muslim family’s “honour” set fire to the wrong house, a jury at Preston Crown Court were told. (Link)






•'UN camp vandalised' p. 26



Two dozen armed masked men vandalised a UN summer camp for children, tying up guards and slashing tents and a plastic pool. Islamic extremists say the UN aid agency is corrupting Gaza's youth.




•'The Holiest Link: TV game sorts out the imams from the boys' p.32


Contestants will compete for the ultimate bonanza: cash, pilgrimage, and a lifetime of piety. These are the inducements of Imam Muda, an Islam-themed reality TV game show that has captivated Malaysia in its search for an “idol” imam. (Link)






The Independent

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


•COVER STORY: 'Don't blame him. Blame the players'

Capello was left to face the media's inquisition, but it is a generation wrapped up in their own domestic glories that are truly to blame. (link)


•'German Defence Minister questions role of Nato in Afghanistan war'



Germany is arguing for the aims of Nato's operations in Afghanistan to be significantly scaled down and wants the alliance to adopt criteria to ensure that it never commits itself to a similarly open-ended mission in future. (link)






•'Barred from Jerusalem for the crime of being Palestinian',



Engineer's battle to overturn loss of residency highlights plight of thousands. (link)





•'Turkey closes airspace to Israeli military after raid on Gaza flotilla'



Turkey has closed its airspace to some Israeli military flights following a deadly raid on a Gaza-bound aid ship, the Turkish Prime Minister and officials said yesterday. (link)










Al Jazeera


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


•COVER STORY: 'US arrests alleged Russian spies'

The US has arrested 10 alleged Russian deep cover secret agents that have aimed at penetrating government policymaking circles for several years. (Link)




•'Afghan approval for five ministers'

Afghanistan's lower house of parliament has approved five new cabinet members. Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai sees this as a positive step forward and is trying to get these nominees a vote of confidence in parliament. (Link)


•'New Kyrgyz constitution approved'


Voters in Kyrgyzstan have approved a new constitution to create a parliamentary democracy. An overwhelming 90 per cent voted 'yes' whilst five per cent of the ballots still have to be counted. Government officials are hopeful the new constitution will bring peace and stability in this ethnically divided country. (Link)


•'Iran postpones nuclear talks'


Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced that talks over his country's nuclear enrichment programme will be delayed until August. He has called for new negotiating partners and more countries, although it is not clear which ones he refers to, to participate in the talks. (Link)


•'UN summer camp in Gaza vandalised'


A group of armed men vandalised a UN summer camp in the Gaza strip yesterday. Plastic toys and swimming pools were destroyed and the rest was rest on fire. Although no one has claimed responsibility for the vandalisation, Hamas has condemned the raid and has ordered a full investigation. (Link)


•'Troops fire at Kashmir protestors'

At least two people have been killed after troops fired at protesters in Kashmir yesterday. Troops opened fire in 'self defense' after a mob tried to demolish a military bunker near Sopore town, 50km north of Srinagar. Monday's unrest is part of on-going clashes between Indian-ruled Kashmiris and police forces. (Link)





The Evening Standard (28th)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


•COVER STORY: 'Train commuters face 10% fare rise'


Commuters in London were warned that they face fare rises of up to 10 per cent with journeys at peak times being made in cattle truck conditions. (Link)


•'Masked men attack UN summer school in Gaza' p.24


Masked men vandalized a UN summer camp for children in Gaza yesterday burning and slashing tents and toys. There is no immediate claim of the attack but Islamic extremists have accused the main UN aid agency of corrupting Gaza's youth with its summer programmes. Hamas police have condemned the attack and said it was investigating. (Link)


The Daily Mail

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


•LEAD STORY: 'Migrants must go private'

Firms employing migrant workers from out the EU will have to pay health cover for the duration of their contract at a cost of hundreds of pounds. Ministers are concerned immigration is placing enormous strain on the Health Service as well as public services such as education and housing. (Link)




The Sun

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


• LEAD STORY: 'US holds Russia 'espionage ring''


TEN people have been held in the US accused of spying for Moscow - just ten days after Barack Obama enjoyed a burger with the Russian president. (Link)



The Mirror

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


• LEAD STORY: 'Foreign doctors 'should have English test''


Top doctors, including the BMA's chair Dr. Meldrum, have insisted that foreign doctors should have to pass an English language test. (Link)

THE TANZANIA MINISTER FOR EAST AFRICA MATTERS ADDRESING THE DIASPORA IN THE UK


Hon D Kamara , addressing the Congregation The tANZANIA hIGH COMMISSIONER H.E MWANA IDI SINARE

Mr Banduka , the Reading TA Chair

Release


Date: June 26, 2010

For immediate release

PRIME MINISTER STEPHEN HARPER LAUNCHES SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISE FINANCE CHALLENGE
Announces Canadian contribution to the initiative

TORONTO – Prime Minister Stephen Harper today launched the G-20 Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Finance Challenge during remarks to international business leaders at the G-20 Business Summit (B-20). The Prime Minister was joined by Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance. The Prime Minister also used the opportunity to announce that Canada will be providing financial support for the initiative.

The SME Finance Challenge is intended to expand business opportunities and create jobs by inviting the private sector — financial institutions, private investors, companies and foundations, among others — to develop proposals that will attract private investment for small businesses in low-income countries.

“Small and medium enterprises are the single largest contributor to employment and job creation, in Canada and around the world,” said Prime Minister Harper. “This G-20 initiative will help provide developing countries with the access to financing they need to get their small businesses up and running.”

The best proposals will be presented at the G-20 Summit in the Republic of Korea , November 11-12. The G-20 has committed to ensuring public funding is available to implement the winning proposals.

Dear Friends,
We invite you to join us for a day of films (Memories of Lumumba, Street Children of Kinshasa,and Apocalypse Africa) cutting edge discussion, and an evening reception featuring Congolese performers to reflect, assess, and celebrate the way toward a truly free and liberated Congo. A special commemoration will be held to celebrate the life and work of Congolese human rights activist Floribert Chebeya Bahizire.
Congo Independence 50 Years Later: The Continuing Pursuit
Wednesday, June 30, 20102:00 pm to 8:30 pm
True Reformer Bldg's Lankford Auditorium12th & U Street, NWWashington, DC USAClick here for directions!Click here to download flyer!
On June 30, 2010, the Democratic Republic of Congo will celebrate its 50th year of independence from Belgian colonial rule. Celebrations will take place throughout the globe commemorating this golden anniversary. However, not all Congolese are celebrating. Nor are peace and justice loving people who value and respect a more united and elevated African continent. The ultimate independence and liberation of the Congo has yet to be achieved.
This event will offer prescriptions to chart a way forward to a free and liberated Congo, and examine its potential role within the African continent as a whole.
The program will include a dedication and tribute to the life and work of Floribert Chebeya Bahizire (1963 - 2010) a leading Congolese human rights activist, who was suspiciously murdered on June 2, 2010. Hailed as a champion of human rights, as director of Voix des sans Voix (Voice of the Voiceless) Chebeya worked for more than 20 years defending human rights in Congo. Congolese activists in Kinshasa and across the globe are seeking justice through an investigation into his murder, and accountability for those responsible. Congolese activists made a call for a month of action in response to the assassination of Floribert Chebeya. His driver and member of Voice of the Voiceless, whose body has yet to be found will also be acknowledged.
PROGRAM:
Film Screenings and Discussions with the Filmmakers 2:00 pm- 4:00 pm
“Memories of Lumumba” by Lubangi Muniania“The Street Children of Kinsasha” by Gilbert Mulamba“Apocalypse Africa” by Del Walters
Poem Dedication: Christian KuleTribute and Dedication to Floribert Chebeya, remembering, honoring, and celebrating his life and work.Panel Discussion: 4:30 pm- 6:30 pm
Panelists:Dr. Georges NzongolaBibiane TshefuLubangi MunianiaGilbert Mulamba
Moderated By:Del Walters
Closing Remarks:A Call To Action: How To Join The Global Movement
Reception 7:00 pm to 8:30 pmLight refreshments will be served.Featuring:Omekongo Dibinga
A $10 suggested donation at the door will be much appreciated to help with costs. All are welcome. No one turned away. Please RSVP to netfa@ips-dc.org.

Click here for more information.Hosted by: Africa Action, Africa Faith & Justice Network, Congo Global Action, Friends of the Congo, TransAfrica Forum, IPS' Foreign Policy In Focus

MEET SHAMI CHAKRABARTI

Shami Chakrabarti has been Director of Liberty (The National Council for Civil Liberties) since September 2003. Shami first joined Liberty as In-House Counsel on 10 September 2001. She became heavily involved in its engagement with the “War on Terror” and with the defence and promotion of human rights values in Parliament, the Courts and wider society. A Barrister by background, she was called to the Bar in 1994 and worked as a lawyer in the Home Office from 1996 until 2001 for Governments of both persuasions. Since becoming Liberty’s Director she has written, spoken and broadcast widely on the importance of the post-WW2 human rights framework as an essential component of democratic society. She is Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University, a Governor of the London School of Economics and the British Film Institute, and a Visiting Fellow of Nuffield College, Oxford and a Master of the Bench of Middle Temple

Liberty is also known as the National Council for Civil Liberties. Founded in 1934, we are a cross party, non-party membership organisation at the heart of the movement for fundamental rights and freedoms in England and Wales. We promote the values of individual human dignity, equal treatment and fairness as the foundations of a democratic society.

Liberty seeks to protect civil liberties and promote human rights for everyone. Liberty campaigns to protect basic rights and freedoms through the courts, in Parliament and in the wider community. We do this through a combination of public campaigning, test case litigation, parliamentary lobbying, policy analysis and the provision of free advice and information.

KAZI KAZI KAZI

JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Working for life, liberty, free speech, fair trials and equal treatment – just an ordinary day at the office.
Operations Director (full-time, permanent)Liberty is seeking a committed individual with the necessary skills and experience to take on a broad role. With overall responsibility for Liberty’s Finance, Human Resources, IT and Governance, as well as significant management responsibilities, this role is vital to the efficient running of the organisation. Deadline for applications: noon, Friday 25 JuneJob Description (Word)Application Form (Word)Monitoring Form (Word)
Legal Officer (part-time, permanent)
Liberty is looking for an enthusiastic lawyer to join our legal team.The post will be three days a week and you will share responsibility for some cases with another lawyer working part-time. The post is open to both solicitors and barristers.Deadline for applications: noon, Monday 28 June
Advice and Information Officers x 2 (full-time, permanent)
We are currently looking for two bright, enthusiastic and committed people to join our Advice and Information team, providing free human rights law advice to members of the public. As well as dealing with written queries, our Advice and Information Officers help to manage our free advice line, keep our Your Rights website (www.yourrights.org.uk) up to date and contribute to the achievement of our key campaigning objectives. We are looking for people with legal training and experience in an advice giving role. Deadline for applications: noon, Monday 21 June 2010

MKUTANOA NA WAZIRI WA EAST AFRICAN CO-OPERATION 19.06.2010
Jumuiya ya watanzania Reading inapenda kuwaalika watanzania wote waishio UK kwenye mkutano na Waziri wa East African Co-operation
Dr. D. Kamala utakaofanyika katika Ukumbi wa:
Novotel Hotel
25B Friar Street, Reading.
RG1 1DP
Kuanzia saa. 8 mchana mpaka saa 11 Jioni (2:00pm – 5pm)
Kabla ya hapo kutakuwa na Mkutano wa wakinamama kuanzia saa 7 mchana mpaka saa 8. (1pm – 2pm).
Jumuiya imewaalika viongozi mbalimbali wa kitaifa na Mgeni rasmi katika mkutano huu atakuwa ni Mh. Mama Balozi Mwanaidi Sinare Maajar .
Jumuiya imeandaa Ripoti Fupi, Na wafuatao watakuwa na machache ya kusema, Ben Tv, Dr. Cleopa John, Sporah, B Consultant, vile vile tutapata fursa ya kumsikiliza Katibu mwenezi kuhusiana na Tovuti ya T.A inayoandaliwa.
Muda wa maswali na majibu kuhusu umoja wa Afrika mashariki utakuwepo, jaribu kuandaa maswali na maoni yako. Unaweza kuyatuma kwa kutumia Barua pepe (tzra2009@gmail.com) au Ujumbe mfupi wa simu(07865673756).
Kufika kwako ndio mafanikio ya mkutano huu. Naomba umjulishe na mwenzio.
NYOTE MNAKARIBISHWA.

Post Amnesty conference about the Conflict in Niger delta

The report of the government-constituted Technical Committee on the Niger Delta, submitted to Nigeria’s President , offers an opportunity to reduce violent conflict significantly and begin longer-term regional development in the oil-rich region.

The government needs to respond urgently and positively, in particular by accepting a third-party mediator to facilitate discussions of amnesty and demobilisation of militants, in order to dispel growing misgivings in the Delta, save the region from further violence and organised criminality, and ensure Nigeria’s continued reliability as a leading source of energy for the world.

The urgency is underscored by the grim security situation in the region and the risk that instability may spread to the land or maritime territories of Nigeria’s neigh­bours across the Gulf of Guinea. Late 2008 saw some of the Delta’s bloodiest fighting between government forces and Delta militants, and there have already been a number of attacks in Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea by groups probably linked to the militants. Piracy incidents throughout 2008, exacerbated by the lack of security in the region, made Nigerian waters second only to Somalia in terms of danger.

Baroness Linda chalker was one of the Mediators

Dear ayoub --
We've done a lot of campaigning over the past month - it is definitely time for a party!
Along with our friends at Unlock Democracy we've teamed up with new music website Eye See Sound to present Eye See Purple, a music gig on 9 July.
Held at the Luminaire in Kilburn, one of the best live music venues in London, the night brings together three of the best up and coming new acts: the Penny Black Remedy, True Ingredients and JonnyGoneHome. It is going to be a fantastic night out so don't miss it:
http://www.power2010.org.uk/page/m/294f6a59/9792b8/7f5e345b/69d9866e/2245922346/VEsE/
Tickets cost just 4 pounds (or free if you join Unlock Democracy via the Eye See Sound website) and there are only 250 of them. So make sure you buy yours today to avoid disappointment:
http://www.power2010.org.uk/page/m/294f6a59/9792b8/7f5e345b/69d9866e/2245922346/VEsF/
Any profit will be going to the Take Back Parliament campaign. As well as some serious campaigning over the next few months, we're planning to hold a number of other fundraising gigs like this around the country, so let's make this one a success!
All the best,
Andy May
National Coordinator, Take Back Parliament

The Nigeria High commisioner in London Dr Tafida at a staff and service providers meeting at the Nigeria High commission in London

Photo:Ayoub mzee

Press Release Contact: Ashok Viswanathan
TO NEWS/POLITICAL DESKS 0208 983 5426 or 07725 945 877
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Operation Black Vote & Government Equalities Office BAME Women Councillor Shadowing Scheme

Political Scheme Makes History for BAME Women

Women from black and minority ethnic (BAME) communities who became local councillors thanks to a ground-breaking scheme will be honoured at a House of Commons reception on Monday (14 June).

Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone and Race Equalities Minister Andrew Stunell will meet women who took part in the scheme, which was launched last year by Operation Black Vote and the Government Equalities Office. It paired BAME women with local councillors to help demystify the role of councillors and encourage people from more diverse background to engage with their councils.

60 women took part in the scheme and 15 were so inspired that they stood for election in the 6 May poll, four of them winning seats. Many the women who took part in the scheme will be at the event, along with some of their councillor mentors.

Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone and Race Equalities Minister Andrew Stunell will give the keynote address, along with Operation Black Vote Director Simon Woolley. This will be followed by a photo opportunity and refreshments.

The event, hosted jointly by the Government Equalities Office and Operation Black Vote, will be held on Monday 14 June at the House of Commons, Terrace Room, Terrace Pavilion, Westminster. Arrivals are expected from 3.30pm to allow for the security clearance, and the event is due to end by 6pm.
Lynne Featherstone, Minister for Equalities said:

“BAME women make more than 5% of the population but less than 1% of councillors. Our democracy is supposed to be representative, rooted in the community. It won’t be representative until more women like these are at the heart of decision making at a local and national level. We need all sections of society represented in politics so we can get decisions that can have a real effect on everyone.

“These new Councillors do not just want change; they have put themselves forward to make change happen. They are role models for equality – bringing a voice to decision making that has been missing for too long.”


Francine Fernandes, OBV Head of Shadowing Schemes said: “The women have blazed a trail of political success. Within a very short period of time, they have moved from political bystanders to political leaders. Their collective journeys and achievements starkly demonstrate the wealth of talent within BAME communities and defy stereotypes about women, and particularly BAME women. OBV are particularly pleased that so many of the participants put themselves forward as candidates and are now local Cllrs. We celebrate their entrance into public life and commend the positive contributions which they are making to their local communities. “

Governance and Leadership in Africa
A one-week training programme
Held at SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies),
University of London
13th – 17th September 2

THE TANZANIA DISABILTY MP HON AL SHAYMAR KWEGYIR MEETING THE DIASPORA

She addressed tge Diaspora about the plight of the Albinos.

Known as the "Zeru Zeru", or ghosts, Tanzania's albinos have put up with the name-calling and the stigmatisation of being "black in a white skin" for years

The unluckier ones have even been kicked out of their home by relatives who see their condition as a curse on the whole family. Now albinos in the east African nation face an altogether more deadly threat.

They have become the favoured prey of traditional healers, who kill them to harvest their body parts for get-rich-quick concoctions.

In the most gruesome of a spate of albino murders in the north-west region around Lake Victoria, one corpse was exhumed with all its limbs cut off. Others have been found minus tongues, genitals or breasts.

The problem has reached such proportions that Tanzania's President, Jakaya Kikwete, used his monthly television address to announce a crackdown on the traditional healers as well as plans to register albinos to improve their safety. "These killings are shameful and distressing to our society," said Mr Kikwete in his Wednesday night speech to the nation. "I am told that people kill albinos and chop their body parts, including fingers, believing they can get rich."

Many of the people using the potions made from sacrificed albinos are thought to be miners and fishermen, hoping for extra lucrative mineral finds or bumper fish catches.

According to the Tanzanian government, 19 albino people have been killed in the past year, with another two missing presumed dead. However, disability campaigners say the real number of victims could be as high as 50, given that many deaths do not get reported in a country where albinism is still seen as something to hide or where family members may even be complicit in the killings

DONATIONS TO THIS CAUSE CAN BE SEND TO :

GOOD HOPE FOUNDATION

PO BOX 9133

DAR ES SALAM

TANZANIA

ACCOUNT NO.01560000940

BARCLAYS BANK

KISUTU BRANCH

DAR ES SALAAM

TANZANIA

The secretary General of the commonwealth Parliamentary Association Dr william Shija with Hon Al sheymaar Mp for disabilty in westminetr London

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
1,600 delegates assembled in Kabul in the first National Consultative Peace Jirga to discuss the reconciliation process: "The West and the Muslim world, including Pakistan, should support this effort because it is a good first step towards peace. Peace negotiations should start in Saudi Arabia with those Taliban elements who want to join. NATO must plan these negotiations as an integrated part of its overall strategy for Afghanistan, supplementing its military campaign. Until now the U.S. plan has been lacking this element. They should not wait for a successful military operation but act immediately. Afghanistan needs a new approach to reconciliation, and a new double strategy of power and reconciliation that includes both soft and hard factors for stability."
From June 2nd to June 4th 2010, over 1,600 delegates from all regions and social groups in Afghanistan assembled in the first National Consultative Peace Jirga (Loya Jirga) to discuss the reconciliation process.
The resolution that emerged is a document of hope and wisdom.
Afghanistan needs a new approach to reconciliation, and a new double strategy of power and reconciliation that includes both soft and hard factors for stability.
The World Security Network Foundation was one of the first promoters of this new political approach, and has called for talks with the Taliban and focus on these two pillars of peacemaking in several newsletters (see Hubertus Hoffmann: Afghanistan: Negotiations with the Taliban as the Path to Peace and Afghanistan & Pakistan: A new and comprehensive NATO Double-Track Decision is needed).
The Loya Jirga calls for several things:
To act and comply by the teachings of Islam and respect the aspiration of the people of Afghanistan for lasting peace and ending war and fratricide through understanding and negotiations. The peace and reconciliation initiative shall be for and among Afghans only and does not include in anyway foreign extremist elements and international terrorist networks.
No peace efforts should question the achievements made so far or their legal values, and should not lead to a new crisis in the country.
As a gesture of a goodwill, to take immediate and solid action in freeing from various prisons those detained based on inaccurate information or unsubstantiated allegations;
The government, in agreement with the international community, should take serious action in getting the names of those in opposition removed from the consolidated blacklist. The government and the international forces should guarantee protection and safety for those who join the peace process and should provide for a safe return of those in armed opposition;
The disaffected in armed opposition should renounce violence and all other activities that result in killing our people and destroying the infrastructure, and should dissociate themselves from al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups;
The international community expedite the process of equipping, training and strengthening Afghan national security forces, so they can acquire the capability to take responsibility for providing security for their own country and people;
The representatives want and urge a long-term international commitment, so Afghanistan does not become again a playground for regional conflicts, and that external interferences can be averted and thus space for stronger regional cooperation can be provided;
They call on the international community to support the peace process led by the government of Afghanistan;
The government, with public support, should take every necessary step to deliver good governance, make sure appointments are made on the basis of merit, and fight administrative and moral corruption as well as illegal property possession at both national and provincial level. This will boost public confidence in the government and the chances for a successful peace process;
The people of Afghanistan demand a just peace which can guarantee the rights of its all citizens including women and children. For the purpose of social justice, the Jirga urges that laws be applied equally to all citizens of the country;
A High Peace Council or Commission should be created to follow up on the recommendations made by the Jirga and the Peace Process. The Commission shall form a special committee to handle the issues related to the release and return to normal life of prisoners.
As a gesture of a goodwill, to take immediate and solid action in freeing from various prisons those detained based on inaccurate information or unsubstantiated allegations
The government in agreement with the international community should take serious action in getting the names of those in opposition removed from the consolidated blacklist
The government and the international forces should guarantee protection and safety for those who join the peace process and should provide for a safe return of those in armed opposition
The West and the Muslim world, including Pakistan, should support this effort because it is a good first step towards peace.
Peace negotiations should start in Saudi Arabia with those Taliban elements who want to join. Others, like those firing grenades at the assembly, will stay out for now.
NATO must plan these negotiations as an integrated part of its overall strategy for Afghanistan, supplementing its military campaign.
Until now the U.S. plan has been lacking this element.
They should not wait for a successful military operation but act immediately in the framework of a new NATO double strategy of power and reconciliation that includes both soft and hard factors.Dr. Hubertus HoffmannPresident and FounderWorld Security Network Foundation

Nominated Candidates for leadership of the Labour Party announced
Today Labour released the validly nominated candidates for the leadership of the Party.Andy Burnham, Ed Balls, David Miliband and Ed Miliband and Diane Abbott have all received the necessary minimum of 33 nominations from Labour MPs by the deadline of 12.30pm on 9 June.
Over the next few months, millions of people who care about Britain’s progressive future will have the opportunity to listen and quiz the nominated candidates at hustings events across the country.
Voting will take place through September and the successful candidate will be announced on 25 September before the start of Labour Party’s Annual Conference.Acting Leader of the Labour Party Harriet Harman said:
“Over the next few months over 4 million people will have the chance to help shape Britain’s progressive future by choosing the next leader of the Labour Party.“This will be the biggest and most widespread election of any political party or any organisation in this country. “The contest will be open engaging and energising. It will be a chance to invite supporters to join the party to have a vote. “This debate will involve Labour Party members, supporters in our affiliated trade unions and the wider public. This leadership contest is Labour’s opportunity to take forward the rebuilding for our party for the future challenges ahead. “Over the coming months the candidates will meet thousands of people in meetings across the country and take the debate over Britain’s progressiv e future to as wide an audience as possible.”
For more information about the shortlisted candidates please click here

June/July: Hustings will take place. The Labour Party will work with a range of organisations to ensure regional balance and encourage affiliates and third party organisations to organise workplace hustings involving members and supporters. We will explore new media hustings to ensure the public are able to take part in the process.Monday 26 July: Close of supporting nominations.Wednesday 8 September: Freeze date for new members to join and be eligible to vote in the leadership election. Wednesday 22 September: Balloting closes.Saturday 25 September: Announcement of ballot result.

Diana Abbott has declared her intetion to run for Labour party leader's office

THE EAST AFRICA COMMUNITY MINISTER DIODORUS KAMARA TO ADDRESS THE UK DIAPORA
The Tanzania minister for East Africa Community affairs Hon Diodorus Kamara MP will address the Tanzania Community in London on the Friday 18th June 2010 at The Tanzania Mission in London located at 3 Strafford Place London .STREET MAP(http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&q=tanzania%20high%20commission%20london&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl).
The meeting will start at 3 Pm Prompt. The issues to discuss will range from accelerated implementation of Regional Trade and Transport , evaluation of the implementation and impact of the EAC Customs union, economic integration, free movement of Goods , collections and accounting

Should you have any questions or intend to attend please register at email : communications.talondon@gmail.com

The East African Community (EAC) is the regional intergovernmental organisation of the Republics of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Republic of Rwanda and Republic of Burundi with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The Treaty for Establishment of the East African Community was signed on 30 November 1999 and entered into force on 7 July 2000 following its ratification by the original three Partner States – Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The Republic of Rwanda and the Republic of Burundi acceded to the EAC Treaty on 18 June 2007 and became full Members of the Community with effect from 1 July 2007.
You are all welcome.
Thank you

A.mzee
Communications
Tanzania Association-London
Tel 07960811614, 07837035771,07960417788

SAFARI YA WAZIRI MKUU WA TANZANIA HON .PINDA UINGEREZA

Mwenyekiti wa TA london Bwana Said surur

Balozi mwanaidi majaar na mheshimiwa Pinda

Mwenyekiti wa TA Taifa John Lusingu

Robert Blake O. Blake, Jr.
Assistant Secretary of State
For South and Central Asian Affairs
Foreign Press Center Briefing

“A Read-out of the U.S.-India Strategic Dialogue”

June 7, 2010

Moderator: Good afternoon, and welcome to the Washington Foreign Press Center. We’d also like to welcome our colleagues in New York.

We’re very pleased to have Assistant Secretary Robert Blake with us to talk about the U.S.-India Strategic Dialogue meeting. First he will make some opening remarks, and then he’ll take your questions. Thank you.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY BLAKE: Thank you, Doris. It’s nice to be back here at the Foreign Press Center. I see a lot of familiar faces here.

Let me just give you a little bit of a read-out of the Strategic Dialogue, and then I’ll be happy to take your questions.

As many of you know, our relations go back now for many years. Over the last ten years we’ve made a systematic, bipartisan effort to improve relations between the United States and India, probably highlighted by the civil nuclear deal in the last administration.

President Obama and Prime Minister Singh decided they would try to elevate our partnership further by establishing this Strategic Dialogue between the United States and India. It was announced last year during Secretary Clinton’s visit to India that you’re familiar with.

Our meetings on June 2nd and June 3rd marked the inauguration of our first Strategic Dialogue. Those meetings featured a wide range of both plenary sessions and bilateral meetings between the U.S. and Indian delegations. Let me just focus on the plenary session.

Secretary Clinton and Minister Krishna led a very wide-ranging two and a half hour discussion that was then followed by a lunch session. I think it was notable because for the first time in our history we had large numbers of cabinet level secretaries on our side and ministers on the Indian side to share ideas and to consider strategic initiatives on a wide range of bilateral, regional and global issues.

The Secretary and Minister Krishna asked the delegations to use the opportunity to really conduct a strategic look at how we could focus our future cooperation. Obviously many of the ideas that surfaced will now be worked, but let me just touch briefly on some of the matters that were discussed.

Security and counterterrorism cooperation was a top priority. We discussed collaboration on a Counterterrorism Cooperation Initiative to further improve information sharing and capacity building between our two countries, and we agreed to look at expanding cooperation in cyber security.

Energy cooperation was also a major focus. Charting a clean and lower carbon energy future is obviously very very important both to the United States and to India. The Indian side reaffirmed their commitment to moving forward with putting in place a nuclear liability regime that will open the door for U.S. companies to export civil nuclear technology to India.

We also discussed ways that the United States can help India to ensure that the massive infrastructure investments that will be made over the next two decades in India can benefit from Indo-U.S. cooperation on things like energy efficiency, smart grids, and many, many other new ideas that are being pioneered in both of our countries.

The United States also shared a draft Memorandum of Understanding with India on shale gas cooperation that both sides believe offers great promise in India.

On the economy, we discussed the importance of sustaining momentum in our trade growth which has doubled over the last five years. As you heard the Secretary say in her public remarks, she mentioned the important boost that India could give to trade and investment by raising some of the foreign direct investment caps that exist in areas such as retail, defense and insurance.

Both sides also look forward to receiving the recommendations of our revitalized CEO Forum when U.S. and Indian cabinet secretaries gather again on June 22nd to meet with the CEOs and hear their thoughts on how our two governments can further relax restrictions and improve opportunities for trade and investment.

The delegations also discussed a wide range of steps our two governments can take to ensure that innovation is a source of growth and dynamism for our two knowledge economies.

The United States plans to send a high level delegation of high tech and other innovation entrepreneurs to Delhi in the fall to develop new partnerships and initiatives in this area in advance of President Obama’s visit in November.

Minister Sibal, the Minister of Human Resources Development, also briefed on India’s hope to see passage this year of legislation that would allow foreign universities to establish campuses and offer degrees for the first time in India. We think this would open enormous new opportunities for American institutions of higher learning of all kinds and help drive new science and technology and other kinds of innovation.

One of the areas where we agreed that we will seek closer scientific collaboration is in the area of food security. Both sides agreed to establish working groups to develop concrete proposals for the United States and India to enhance food security in third countries; to strengthen farm to market links and food processing inside India; and also to develop an initiative to expand weather and crop forecasting.

The common theme underlying all of these discussions was what Secretary Clinton said in her remarks at the concluding press conference. How can the U.S. and India intensify our already wide cooperation to focus on how to deliver results that will make a difference in the lives of the people of the United States, of India, and of the wider world?

We capped the visit and the day with a very sparkling visit by our President who came over for a rare visit to the State Department to honor External Affairs Minister Krishna and his delegation. President Obama, as you all know, announced that he will visit India in November. And he emphasized that our partnership with India is one of his highest strategic priorities.

In sum, as the President says, the United States sees India as an indispensable partner as we move forward in the 21st Century. The Strategic Dialogue that we initiated last week took U.S.-India relations to unprecedented new levels of cooperation that will be highlighted during the President’s visit in November.

Let me stop there, and I’d be glad to take your questions on any of those subjects.

TV Today Network: Tejinder Singh from TV Today.

You did not mention anything about Headley. Will you like to mention or actually explain where this access stands today and how far it will go on? And what exactly is India being given in this?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY BLAKE: General Jones addressed that question in an interview with PTI over the weekend in which he said that India has been granted access to Headley and I think I’ll just leave it there. I’ll leave it to the Department of Justice to offer further comment because they’re the ones that are the lead agency on this. But as Ambassador Roemer and many others have said, our two countries have been engaged intensively on this, and this is another good area of cooperation between the United States and India.

TV Today Network: Just a follow-up. It was one of the subjects that came up during this June 1st to 4th summit. So will you like to expand a little bit on that?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY BLAKE: Actually, it really wasn’t a topic of great conversation. It was not a focus of our discussions.

Indo-Asian News Service: Arun [Kumar] from INS. I just want to follow up on the Headley question. What took you so long to announce access to Headley, and even during the time between last time and this time, Headley has hijacked the Strategic Dialogue for practical purposes. Why did we do it? Why did it take you so long to do it?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY BLAKE: First of all, we were not directly involved so I would refer you to the Department of Justice for that question. But I would dispute your assertion that it took a long time. These are very sensitive matters. We wanted to make sure that Mr. Headley would be willing to talk, so a number of things had to be worked out. Let me just leave it at that.

Again, let me say this in no way hijacked the Strategic Dialogue. It didn’t even come up in the Strategic Dialogue, and again, I think I outlined the extensive areas in which we discussed future cooperation.

Indo-Asian News Service: Last time when we met here you mentioned that there would be deliverables from the Strategic Dialogue. From the list that you just mentioned, it seems to be general-- generic terms. What concrete stuff has been delivered?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY BLAKE: During my remarks last week or whenever that was, time flies, I said the focus was really not on deliverables. The focus was really for the first time to have a strategic dialogue in which we would get large numbers of cabinet level secretaries and ministers and their deputies together to think strategically about how to move our partnership ahead in the 21st Century, and that’s exactly what we accomplished. Again, the idea was to have everybody talk to each other and to eliminate some of the stovepipes that exist and to have kind of this cross-fertilization of ideas. That’s why the dialogue went for two and a half hours instead of the scheduled hour and a half. There were a number of good ideas that emerged that we’ll be working on now.

So we think this was a very positive and encouraging first Strategic Dialogue between our two countries.

Moderator: Why don’t we go to New York for our next question, and then come back to Washington?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY BLAKE: Sure.

CNN IBN: Welcome Secretary Blake. This is Indira Kannan from CNN IBN. I have two questions.

The first one is about David Headley. I want to understand if India and the U.S. have any sort of mechanism to verify any information that is being received from David Headley. Is he required to give this information under oath? If so, who is administering that oath?

My second question is, as you’re aware, an Indian court has delivered a verdict on the Bhopal gas tragedy, and I understand that an earlier request by the Indian government to extradite Warren Anderson, the former Chairman of Union Carbide, was turned down by the U.S. Would the U.S. now be more receptive to any request for extradition of Warren Anderson or other American officials? And would the U.S. also be willing to exert any pressure on Dow Chemical in terms of compensation in the way that you are intending to do in the case of BP for instance?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY BLAKE: I’m afraid I’m going to have some disappointing answers for you. First of all, I have nothing further to say about Headley. I’ve said all I need to say about that and I refer you again to the Department of Justice if you want to get any further details.

On the matter of Bhopal and the announcement that was made today by the Indian courts, that is an internal matter to India. So if you have any questions about that I’d just refer you to the courts themselves about that decision.

The question of extradition: as a matter of policy we never discuss extradition, so I can’t comment on that.

Times of India: Thank you. Chidanand Rajghatta from Times of India.

Let me ask you about Daood Gilani, since nobody’s asked you. [Laughter]. Seriously, Ambassador, why is there such lack of clarity about this issue? And lack of candor. And do you realize that it leads to immense suspicion --

ASSISTANT SECRETARY BLAKE: -- Rahim or what?

Times of India: No, Headley, who is also known as Daood Gilani.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY BLAKE: Okay.

Times of India: Why is there such lack of clarity and candor? And do you realize that it leads to all kinds of suspicions in India? If you look at the kind of feedback that stories on this get, that the U.S. is protecting him, that you’re shielding him, that he’s a double agent, triple agent, and so on. And in fact since India mentioned Warren Anderson, for those of us who covered Bhopal and its aftermath, it actually reminds us of the kind of cooperation or non-cooperation that the U.S. administration offered when the terms were made to get at Mr. Anderson.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY BLAKE: Let me just say that there’s been a great deal of transparency and close cooperation between our two governments. For obvious law enforcement reasons there are many things that we can’t share with the press, but again, I think we’ve had very good and close cooperation on this particular issue, and I think our Indian friends would confirm that.

Times of India: If I can follow-up, Ambassador. There are 172 families who lost members of families here, so I really wonder why is it necessary to hide it from the press or keep this from the press?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY BLAKE: Well it’s because the case is still going on. It’s much better not to comment on these things while such cases are ongoing. So again, there’s cooperation taking place that’s very constructive between our two governments that we can’t necessarily describe to the press.

Washington Trade Daily: Thank you. Jim Berger from Washington Trade Daily.

One item that was high in the Indian agenda for these talks anyway was easing of U.S. export controls as a follow-on to the nuclear agreement and the calls for high technology and so on. But the U.S., the administration is in the midst of reforming its controls as well as Congress. Were there any discussions of how India might be treated in a new export controls regime? Or is it just too early?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY BLAKE: Well as you say, there are two separate processes going on here. One is a wider review on the part of the administration of the overall export control regime. I think you’ve heard Secretary Gates and others have made some quite detailed statements about that.

The second is the India-specific review that also is underway and in fact we will probably split off from the wide review. As you all know, we have made a great deal of progress over the last six years or so in reducing the export controls that apply to India. Now less than one-half of one percent of all exports require any sort of a license at all, and most of those are presumed to be approved. So again, there’s been a lot of progress, but there still are some controls and so there’s a reciprocal process underway now to seek the necessary assurances from the Indians about the strengthening of their own export control regime that would enable us to relax our restrictions.

So I anticipate that there is going to be further good progress on this and we had a good exchange during the Strategic Dialogue in which we shared ideas about how we could achieve that good progress. So I expect there will be some positive announcements to be made before the President’s visit, hopefully well before.


ASSISTANT SECRETARY BLAKE: Let’s go to New York so we don’t ignore them.

Sustainable Development Media: I’m Pincas Jawetz from Sustainable Development Media.

I understand that you personally were ambassador to the Maldives before this position, and you had discussions with President Gayoom on renewable energy and our energy global problems.

Now India was part of the group with Brazil and South Africa and China and President Obama that saved somehow the Copenhagen meeting so it was not the disaster of the way how it was described, but actually there was some kind of a road map that came out of there.

But my question is now, those with the Maldives that were very prominent in Copenhagen, and India, what has actually happened since Copenhagen? And if this past week you had any discussions with India here in Washington?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY BLAKE: Thank you for that question. As you say, I was accredited for the Maldives while I was ambassador in Sri Lanka and we had a number of good areas of cooperation with the Maldives that we started during that time, particularly in the solar and wind area. And we’re going to build on that cooperation with the Maldives going forward because President Nasheed and his team have really made climate change a very high strategic priority for their country because of the threats that they face from climate change if the current trends continue. I think all of us have been very grateful to the leadership that President Nasheed has shown, in addition to the leadership that Prime Minister Singh has shown.

As you correctly noted, the President welcomed the very important role that Prime Minister Singh played in the Copenhagen negotiations, to help bring those to a successful conclusion, and since then our two governments have been working very closely together, and India has formally now associated itself with that accord. India wants to work very closely with the United States and other countries to achieve a successful outcome in Mexico City.

So we had a conversation about this. Our climate change negotiator, Todd Stern, made a presentation during the Strategic Dialogue. Minister Jairam Ramesh was not, unfortunately, here for those talks. But he and Todd Stern remain in very close touch and I’d say that this is one of the many areas in which the United States and India are cooperating productively and closely on global issues.

India Globe and Asia Today: Thank you, Mr. Blake. Raghubir Goyal, India Globe and Asia Today.

Mr. Ambassador, this was a very high level meet between the two countries, largest and oldest democracies, and many call it a big drama in Washington. But what I’m asking you, my question is that there is a triangle -- India, Pakistan and the United States. Many people are concerned in India as there is terrorism across the border into India from Pakistan. What they are saying is that until, unless that is solved, they feel that U.S. may be a little soft as far as dealing with the terrorism against India is concerned. People in India live in fear, and people in the United States live under the fear of terrorism.

Where do we go from here? Because this is the most important issue for both countries. And I think around the globe for everybody.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY BLAKE: First of all let me say that the United States will never be soft on terrorism. This is our highest priority and this is the area that we have probably made the greatest progress in terms of our cooperation with India in terms of not only law enforcement cooperation, but also intelligence cooperation.

We take extremely seriously the threats against both of our countries because we believe that there is increasingly a syndicate that is operating in countries like Pakistan that threatens both of our countries. It also threatens Pakistan itself, and that’s a point that I’ve made frequently not only here but during my recent trip to Pakistan.

So we feel it’s in the interest of all three countries to address this very critical problem, to work together. So we have been in the forefront of countries urging Pakistan to not only continue the progress it has been making in Swat and South Waziristan, but also to address the problem in the Punjab, namely the Punjab based groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba that are operating against India, that have also targeted the United States in the Mumbai bombings and elsewhere.

Again, this will remain a very very high priority for us and you should not doubt the sincerity of that statement.

India Globe and Asia Today: May I have one more, Mr. Ambassador?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY BLAKE: Sure.

India Globe and Asia Today: As far as the presidential announcement to India is concerned, this will be President Obama’s first official visit to India and he was looking forward even before he was senator. This announcement was taken very seriously and with joy toward India. They are looking forward to welcome him.

What I am asking, Mr. Ambassador, what is the outcome from this visit? Because President Clinton opened the doors between U.S. and India relations and President Bush widely opened the doors by this signing the civil nuclear agreement with India. What do we expect anything new from President Obama’s visit to India?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY BLAKE: Well, that’s exactly what we’re starting to work on right now is the details of what the President’s visit will entail, what will be the key areas of strategic focus, where will he visit, and all of these many important questions. But I can tell you that the President himself is looking forward to ambitious results, and again, sees our relations with India as one of the most consequential and indispensable of our partnerships in the world of the 21st Century. So we are going to develop a schedule and a series of results to match that.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY BLAKE: Let’s see. Who haven’t I called on?

Press Trust of India: Thank you, Ambassador. It’s Lalit Jha, Press Trust of India.

As you’ve planed to expand your relationship with India, can you give us a sense of expanding U.S. presence in India in terms of sending more Foreign Service officers or FBI/CIA officials over there in terms of terrorism cooperation, or opening more consulates over there?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY BLAKE: We have no immediate plans to open any new consulates, but we’ve had a steady growth in our staff over the last four or five years. Even when I was there we had a very large growth. That growth has continued as our cooperation has continued to expand. So I would anticipate that we’ll continue to see very strong growth in our relations and in our staff and probably here as well on the part of the Indian embassy.

Business Times: My name is Hasmukh Shah from Business Times.

Last week there were a lot of conferences held on Strategic Dialogue. One of the important points made by Secretary General of FICCI Dr. Amit Mitra. He emphasized that there is a big synergy between U.S. technology and Indian entrepreneurship, specifically the SMEs. And many U.S. SMEs, small and medium enterprises, they believe that if the technology codes are relaxed there is a tremendous opportunity for promoting U.S. exports which would help give more jobs in America and help President Obama’s objective of tripling, doubling our exports in the next five years to 3 billion -- trillion dollars a year.

Can you give us some idea of what kind of relaxations are the thought on this subject? Technology exports.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY BLAKE: Well, again, there is a broad effort underway to look at the whole export control regime because it’s in many cases outdated. But in the case of India we’re taking a particularly close look at the entities list. Many entities, as you know, have already come off it over the last several years, but now there’s a focus on entities like ISRO and DRDO, the Indian Space Research Organization, the Defense Research and Development Organization.

So again, we think that there are enormous opportunities for American companies to do more and work more with their colleagues in the space area and also in the defense area, so these are steps that would serve both of our countries. Again, we’ve shared ideas about how we could make progress on that and we hope to see progress on that in the fairly near future.

On your question about small and medium sized enterprises, you’re right. They are really the core of America’s growth and so that is, as you know, we have a special Department of Commerce office at the U.S. embassy in New Delhi, and their mandate is really to help small and medium sized enterprise. Mostly the larger enterprises already have a large staff and don’t really need as much assistance in developing export and market opportunities overseas.

So this will continue to be a very strong focus of ours, and I’m sure that as you say, a lot of the Indian-American students that have come back from the United States to India have really made a difference in terms of starting up new ventures in areas like nano-technology and bio-technology. So I would expect that the President’s visit will help to highlight a lot of those very important ties that are taking place, and really the great promise for much greater growth in that area.

India Abroad News Service: Aziz Haniffa, India Abroad.

You spoke about a high level innovation delegation preceding
President Obama’s trip to India. Is this going to be sort of a private/public partnership kind of delegation? And Foreign Minister Krishna on his first stop spoke about innovation in terms of his keynote speech at the USIBC.

What exactly are you looking for in terms of the innovation that you are talking about? In terms of this high-level delegation?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY BLAKE: Again, I don’t want to get into too much detail because this is really up to them to decide, but the idea is to bring together mostly private sector entrepreneurs and to have them take a fairly wide look at where they see the big opportunities as we’ve done with the CEO Forum and other kinds of groups that we have. And for them to then make recommendations to the two governments, but also to our two private sectors about how we can further develop innovation partnerships between, mostly between our private sectors. But if there are steps that the governments can take to kind of nurture that and help that we certainly welcome those suggestions as well.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY BLAKE: First to New York.

News X: Ambassador Blake, Anirudh Bhattacharyya. I represent a couple of Indian news organizations, News X and the Sun Times. I have two questions. Unfortunately, the second one is about Headley, but I’ll come to the first one. It’s about Bhopal.

You know, this is a follow-up to a previous question. You’ve been putting pressure on BP in terms of the Gulf oil spill. Will there be pressure put on Dow in terms of reparations with regard to the Bhopal disaster? Is that going to happen from the U.S. side at this point in time?

The second question about Headley is, there have been a lot of reports in the Indian media about how he may not have been cooperating fully with the Indian investigators. My question is indirect. My question is basically, if he doesn’t cooperate fully, doesn’t that invalidate the terms of the plea bargain agreement itself? That says that he needs to cooperate fully with investigators.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY BLAKE: Again, I’m not going to comment on Headley. I’m neither a lawyer nor a Department of Justice expert, so anything I say will probably not be well placed.

With respect to Bhopal, obviously that was one of the greatest industrial tragedies and industrial accidents in human history. Let me just say that we hope this verdict today helps bring some closure to the victims and their families. But I don’t expect this verdict to reopen any new inquiries or anything like that. On the contrary we hope this is going to help bring closure.


ASSISTANT SECRETARY BLAKE: Sir, in the orange shirt.

VOA Pashto/Urdu: Thank you very much. Iftikhar Hussain for Voice of America Pakistan, Afghanistan, border region service.

First of all the Strategic Dialogue of the United States with India was in broader terms, but India is indispensable partner. Pakistan is a strategic ally. Was there any concern from India in respect to relations with Pakistan in the current situation? Or in some way it is hindering the U.S. efforts in the region? Did it come up during talks with the United States officials?

And secondly, we have been listing in media reports last week about the Shazad, the New York failed plot accused. Did any take on the U.S. [inaudible] was traced back to Pakistani soil? And there is an option if Pakistan in a sense doesn’t cooperate fully on that. So what we are hearing on that front from Pakistan to cooperate with the United States. And I’m not sure if you can tell us on.

On the third question, the jirga, consultative peace jirga three-day, which is held in Kabul, in Afghanistan, and just ended and issued a statement demanding peace and also talks with the Taliban. So how the United States is looking to the developments in the region?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY BLAKE: Let me just stick to the topic at hand which is the Strategic Dialogue. Let me say there was a discussion that was chaired by our Under Secretary Burns and Foreign Secretary Rao in which they touched briefly on Pakistan, but again, this is an area that really, as you know, our longstanding position is that this is something that needs to be resolved by India and Pakistan, and the pace and scope and character of that dialogue between your two countries is really up to your two countries to decide.

I said earlier that we’ve taken a strong position on terrorism that is emanating from Pakistan soil. That remains our very strong conviction, that it’s in Pakistan’s own interest to address that and we’ll continue to encourage our Pakistani friends to do that.

But really in terms of the Strategic Dialogue, there was much more time spent on issues like Afghanistan where, again, I think our two countries are working very productively together not only to help with the civilian reconstruction of Afghanistan and to help build the Afghan economy and provide capacity building, but also to discuss the very important reconciliation process that is now beginning.

I think we had a very good conversation in which the Indian side I think had many of their questions answered. Obviously I’ll let them speak for their own concerns, but again, I think it was a good and productive discussion.

The Hindu: Hi Ambassador, it’s nice to see you here.

My question is on a remark that the Secretary made during the course of the dialogue at one of the briefings, I think, where she said that doubts still remain on both sides regarding some aspects of the relationship. Just looking at the U.S. side of things, she did say that doubts remain on the U.S. side about whether India was ready to take up a certain position in the world and in this relationship, and specifically she mentioned loosening regulations in a wide range of areas. The economy, for example, but I would see that as applying also to the nuclear liability question, possibly the education sector.

So how serious are these doubts which the Secretary very clearly enunciated? And how do you see them being dispelled over the course of the next few months or this year?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY BLAKE: I think the Secretary made reference to those doubts because there are doubters within our strategic community about the whole relationship. We’ve heard those doubts before.

I think the dialogue really helped to dispel many of those doubts. As I said earlier, the External Affairs Minister and his delegation reaffirmed their intention to seek passage of the Nuclear Liability Law this year. The same with the education bill that I referred to that would open India up to foreign investment by foreign universities. So I think those were helpful.

But obviously India is a democracy, and often a complicated one, so they’re going to have to wrestle with many of these issues. But from our side I have to say, just speaking as a government representative, a senior government representative, we don’t have any doubts that India’s going to be one of our most important partners in the 21st Century and already there’s been tremendous progress in our relations just in the last ten years. We expect that progress to continue as the Indian economy grows, as more and more Indians come to the United States to study here, as more and more Americans hopefully go to India to study, as the Indian-American community here continues to grow in importance and in size.

So we feel we have these common values and common interests that unlike almost any other country in the world we will really be able to use and benefit to help the peoples of our two countries and also increasingly the peoples of the world. So that’s a quite profound statement that you heard from the Secretary and from the President himself. That’s why I think we have mostly optimism about the future course of our relations. Certainly there are these short term obstacles that we’ve got to overcome, but again, I think there’s great and substantial optimism about the future.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY BLAKE: Who haven’t I asked yet? Sir.

VOA Afghanistan: Thank you. This is Ashiqullah, Voice of American Afghanistan Services. Thank you, sir.

My question is particularly about the proxy war that there have been reports of proxy war going on in Afghanistan, between Pakistan and Afghanistan. A couple of places have been attacked in Afghanistan for which Pakistan was accused, and the same thing happened in Pakistan for which India was accused. And we understand that Afghanistan being on the top priority of foreign policy of the United States and the United States has always asked the support of regional countries, of which India is one, and the neighboring countries, Pakistan is one. And this burden cannot be taken by the U.S. alone. It has to be shared by the regional countries and also the international community.

The proxy war of India and Pakistan is undermining U.S. and international efforts in Afghanistan. Was this issue in any way discussed in the Strategic Dialogue between the U.S. and India, or on the sidelines of the Strategic Dialogue? Thank you.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY BLAKE: I wouldn’t say it was a major focus of what we talked about. Again, we were much more focused on the future of Afghanistan and how the training effort is going and the reconciliation process and the whole process of rebuilding the economy and so forth. But in the past we have talked about it. The United States has expressed its condolences to India for the losses that it suffered in the attacks on the guest house that you mentioned and also the attacks on its own emabassy that have taken place. But we also have reaffirmed our support for the very important work that India has undertaken there and our determination to see if we can find ways to work together more in Afghanistan. Because we do believe that India is playing a constructive role. So that may be a new area of cooperation for us.

Q Can I have a follow-up?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY BLAKE: Sorry. Let me get the gentleman in the back there, who’s raised his hand about 50 times.

AFP: Shaun Tanden with AFP.

I know this isn’t the topic at hand, but I was wondering if you had any perspectives on developments in Nepal. There was --

ASSISTANT SECRETARY BLAKE: Let me stick to India, but I’d be happy to talk about Nepal another time, or we can have a separate interview about that if you want to.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY BLAKE: Ma’am. And then we’ll go to New York afterwards.

India This Week & Express India: Geeta Goindi with India This Week and Express India.

You just mentioned a lot of reasons, you just praised India a lot. Given its phenomenal progress and it’s the largest democracy with over a billion people. It’s difficult to comprehend why it doesn’t have a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. I want to ask you, given that the U.S. is supporting India’s rights and being so vocal about that, shouldn’t it be more vocal about India’s seat on the council?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY BLAKE: I think Under Secretary Burns addressed that question in the very important speech that he gave last Monday, a week ago now, at the Council on Foreign Relations in which he said that India’s expanding global influence will naturally make it an important part of any future consideration of UN Security Council reform. And that’s I think the most forward leaning statement we’ve made so far about this. But it does reflect, again, our growing confidence in India’s positive influence in the world.

But we’ve also made clear that there’s an ongoing process within our government about the whole question of UN Security Council reform and how to expand the council while at the same time maintaining the effectiveness of the council. And that’s really where the debate is now focused within our own government.

Moderator: We have time for two more questions. We’ll go to New York and take our last question here in Washington.

Sustainable Development Media: This is a different kind of strategic question. India has strong financial relationships in the Gulf area, especially with Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Even in renewable energy. Now is there any chance for a triangular relationship between the United States, Emirates, maybe Qatar and India in these areas? My question is really on energy.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY BLAKE: We haven’t really discussed that yet, but that’s not a bad idea. What we have done, I’d say we have common interests in talking to the countries of the Gulf because many of those countries, not the governments themselves but elements within those countries, are providing support for the Taliban and for LET and for other groups like that. So I think we have a very important common interest in working together to address that financial threat. Again, indeed, that is a great focus in what we’re doing already with respect to the Taliban in Afghanistan. But I think there is scope for greater cooperation in that area.

Moderator: Last question

VOA Pashto/Urdu: What kind of role the United States is seeking from India in Afghanistan? Particularly in training, you said the discussion has also come up in the Strategic Dialogue. India is comparable with the reconciliation process, has a question or some concerns on that?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY BLAKE: Well, I’ll let India speak for itself about any concerns that it has, but I’ll just say that we have welcomed the very important role India has played so far. It’s really up to India to decide where it wants to take its cooperation from here. But again, we commend the steps they’ve taken so far. We had a discussion about ways in which we might be able to cooperate together, and so I don’t have anything to announce at this stage, but again, that could be a promising new area of cooperation. Again, it reflects the confidence we have in the partnership that we have with India and also the constructive role that it’s playing in Afghanistan.

Again, thank you so much for all of your interest and your time, and I look forward to continuing our conversation. Thanks a lot.