The economic crisis has finally reached South-Eat Asia and people are feeling its pinch. Governments are contemplating stimulus packages and layoffs have increased throughout the region.
The crisis is still in its early stages, but the number of layoffs is supposed to increase. Other countries suffering from this crisis in South-East Asia are China, Singapore, Malayasia, Indonesia and the Philippines. These countries are expected to sign free trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand.
Pakistan is passing the baton to India by blaming the 2007 Mumbai-Pakistan train blasts on India. These blasts were upon the “Samjhauta,” which is a train that runs between India and Pakistan. ”
“Qureshi told reporters in Multan that the Samjhauta Express incident and the Mumbai attacks were interconnected and that the probe could continue only if India responds to questions raised by Pakistan. If India wants the prosecution and conviction of persons responsible (for the Mumbai attacks), then they must answer our questions in a serious manner,” he said, referring to queries sent by Pakistan to India last week seeking more information about the November 26 terrorist incident.”
This comes at a time when the world is focusing its attention on Pakistan and its future actions. Passing the responsibility to India is a way of delaying a further probe into Pakistan’s involvement in the 2008 Mumbai blasts. It is a step back as Quereshi, Pakistan’s foregin minister, had earlier agreed to cooperate with India in persecuting Pakistani suspects.
Tamil pizza maker kidnapped four months ago was found dead in Afghanistan Monday, the Indian embassy confirmed. ” It is unclear if he was killed or left to die by his captors.” The unnamed militant group asked for a ransom of $200,000, but the Italian pizza company “Ciano International” could not negotiate a favorable ransom.
It is a little bizarre that an Afghanistani group would capture an unknown Indian. It is hard to figure out the motivation behind it. The only reasons I can figure out are those related to monetary issues and the obvious resentment of Indians. Still, the case is mind-boggling because the group cannot get any money, now that Simon is dead.
An American U.N. official has been kidnapped in Pakistan. I’m not sure whether I should be surprised or shocked because I’m not, not in the least. The victim this time is John Solecki, the head of the U.N High Commissioner for Refugees Office in Quetta. This comes right after Pakistan’s stance on terrorism is being contested by countries worldwide. The world witnessed the Mumbai attacks, which is being traced back to Pakistan. Even Obama says that Pakistan should improve its position on terrorism, in order to continue receiving aid from the U.S. This particular kidnapping is symbolic because it shows that Pakistan is still not ready or capable for humanitarian agencies to function safely.
A CNN article quoted a U.N. official. “We strongly condemn this attack on humanitarian workers in Pakistan who have been doing their utmost to deliver their humanitarian mission.” Hopefully, the Pakistani government comes through and is able to rescue Solecki. More importantly, will the government be able to curtail terrorist attacks? That is an important question.
