Positive News Update 11-22-05
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
India offers Pakistan $25 million in aid
The October 8th earthquake has provided an
``an opportunity of a lifetime'' for Pakistan and
archrival India to improve relations and resolve
their dispute over Kashmir.
Since the quake, they have agreed to open five
crossing points on the militarized frontier to facilitate
the flow of relief and India has offered Pakistan
$25 million in aid.
``Let success and happiness emerge from the ruins
of this catastrophe, especially for the people of Kashmir''
Pakistani Prime Minister Musharraf told donors at
the international aid conference held last weekend.
International donors have pledged $5.4 billion in quake
aid to Pakistan, surpassing the amount sought by the
government, the prime minister said Saturday.
The U.S. nearly tripled its pledge to more than half a
billion dollars in a show of support for a key ally in
the war on terror.
The new pledges came at a donors conference attended
by about 50 nations.
Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn
Wins Indira Ghandi Peace Award
By displaying the humanitarian qualities of a true royal
person, and leading by example, Thai Princess Maha
Chakri Sirindhorn has won the prestigious Indira Gandhi
Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development.
The Princess has been especially effective in rural
Thailand and her many activities, including her work
among underprivileged children, were said by President
Kalam to be 'applicable to many countries of the developing
world', making rural development a 'key issue' in
national development.
She was also honoured for her 'activities to promote and
preserve the rich Thai culture, and her educational pursuit
in Sanskrit, Pali, and Buddhism.'
The Princess was given the award in the presence of Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi,
who heads the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust.
Sharon quits Likud to pursue peacemaking
JERUSALEM - Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Monday
he gambled and broke away from his hardline Likud Party
because he did not want to squander peacemaking opportunities
created by Israel's pullout from the Gaza Strip or waste time
with political wrangling.
Sharon, whose split from Likud electrified Israeli politics
and set the stage for likely March elections, ruled out
unilateral withdrawals from the West Bank, however.
He also said he remains committed to the internationally
backed ``road map'' plan, which calls for a negotiated peace
deal culminating in a Palestinian state.
``There is no additional disengagement plan,'' he told a
televised news conference, referring to the summer's
Gaza withdrawal. ``There is the road map.''
Sharon's decision to form a new party he described as
``liberal'' cemented his transformation from the hawkish
patron of Israel's settler movement to a moderate peacemaker
reconciled to the inevitability of a Palestinian state.
Palestinians said the developments created new prospects
for peacemaking, which ground to a halt during five years
of violence.
``I believe this is an eruption of an Israeli political volcano,
and I hope that when the dust settles, we will have a partner
in Israel to go toward ... a final arrangement,'' said Palestinian
negotiator Saeb Erekat.
Sharon said the Gaza pullout created a ``historic opportunity,''
and ``I will not allow anyone to squander it.''
PM urges SAARC countries to work
together to create peace in South Asia
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, who is also the
Chairman of the South Asian Association for Regional
Cooperation (SAARC), urged member states to join
together to create peace in South Asia.
Russia, Japan work on 60-year-old dispute
The leaders of Russia and Japan said today the settlement
of a 60-year-old dispute that kept their nations from formally
ending their World War II hostilities requires closer economic
cooperation and patient trust-building as Tokyo backed
Moscow's bid to join the World Trade Organization.
Togo begins political dialogue to restore peace
At the urging of Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe,
representatives of many political factions came together
in a political dialogue aimed at calming the turbulence in
the west African country.
The President asked factions to 'find a fit method to settle
the particular situation that Togo has experienced in past years'.
Colombia: Two dozen leftist rebels disarm
Two dozen Colombian rebels laid down their arms this week
in the first group demobilization ceremony of leftist guerrillas
since President Alvaro Uribe took office three years ago.
The group's commander, Raul Agudelo, was captured last year
and from jail persuaded his fighters to desert the Revolutionary
Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC.
Rival Darfur rebel leaders preparing for peace talks
Rival Sudanese rebel leaders are taking a step closer to each
other in peace negotiations. The next round of peace talks,
chaired by the African Union, are due to begin Monday in
the Nigerian capital of Abuja.
Sri Lanka: Children support peace, says poll
The Children's Opinion Poll revealed that 97 per cent of children
in Sri Lanka would prefer to promote peace rather than fight wars.
The leader of The Children's Opinion Poll team, Dr James
Arputharaj said, 'Children represent both the present and
the future. They overwhelmingly support peace and harmony.
We have to listen and respect their views.'
Closer ties between China and the Republic of Korea
contribute to regional peace: Hu
Chinese President Hu Jintao said Wednesday that the fast
growth in cooperation between China and the Republic of
Korea (ROK) has benefited both sides and made an important
contribution to regional peace and development.
New Sri Lankan President
wants peace talks with rebels
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse, elected President of
Sri Lanka on Thursday, said Friday he wanted to hold
face-to-face peace talks with the secretive leader of the
rebel Tamil Tigers in an effort to end two decades of civil war.
'I will bring about an honourable peace to the country
respecting all communities,' Rajapakse said after being
declared the winner.
President Hu says China will
contribute to global peace
Chinese President Hu Jintao took centre stage at a Pacific
Rim forum Thursday, offering assurances there is nothing
to fear from his fast-developing country and emphasizing
that China has great potential to contribute to world peace.
'The Chinese nation always loves peace,' he said. 'China will
firmly adhere to the road of peaceful development.'
India offers Pakistan $25 million in aid
The October 8th earthquake has provided an
``an opportunity of a lifetime'' for Pakistan and
archrival India to improve relations and resolve
their dispute over Kashmir.
Since the quake, they have agreed to open five
crossing points on the militarized frontier to facilitate
the flow of relief and India has offered Pakistan
$25 million in aid.
``Let success and happiness emerge from the ruins
of this catastrophe, especially for the people of Kashmir''
Pakistani Prime Minister Musharraf told donors at
the international aid conference held last weekend.
International donors have pledged $5.4 billion in quake
aid to Pakistan, surpassing the amount sought by the
government, the prime minister said Saturday.
The U.S. nearly tripled its pledge to more than half a
billion dollars in a show of support for a key ally in
the war on terror.
The new pledges came at a donors conference attended
by about 50 nations.
Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn
Wins Indira Ghandi Peace Award
By displaying the humanitarian qualities of a true royal
person, and leading by example, Thai Princess Maha
Chakri Sirindhorn has won the prestigious Indira Gandhi
Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development.
The Princess has been especially effective in rural
Thailand and her many activities, including her work
among underprivileged children, were said by President
Kalam to be 'applicable to many countries of the developing
world', making rural development a 'key issue' in
national development.
She was also honoured for her 'activities to promote and
preserve the rich Thai culture, and her educational pursuit
in Sanskrit, Pali, and Buddhism.'
The Princess was given the award in the presence of Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi,
who heads the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust.
Sharon quits Likud to pursue peacemaking
JERUSALEM - Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Monday
he gambled and broke away from his hardline Likud Party
because he did not want to squander peacemaking opportunities
created by Israel's pullout from the Gaza Strip or waste time
with political wrangling.
Sharon, whose split from Likud electrified Israeli politics
and set the stage for likely March elections, ruled out
unilateral withdrawals from the West Bank, however.
He also said he remains committed to the internationally
backed ``road map'' plan, which calls for a negotiated peace
deal culminating in a Palestinian state.
``There is no additional disengagement plan,'' he told a
televised news conference, referring to the summer's
Gaza withdrawal. ``There is the road map.''
Sharon's decision to form a new party he described as
``liberal'' cemented his transformation from the hawkish
patron of Israel's settler movement to a moderate peacemaker
reconciled to the inevitability of a Palestinian state.
Palestinians said the developments created new prospects
for peacemaking, which ground to a halt during five years
of violence.
``I believe this is an eruption of an Israeli political volcano,
and I hope that when the dust settles, we will have a partner
in Israel to go toward ... a final arrangement,'' said Palestinian
negotiator Saeb Erekat.
Sharon said the Gaza pullout created a ``historic opportunity,''
and ``I will not allow anyone to squander it.''
PM urges SAARC countries to work
together to create peace in South Asia
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, who is also the
Chairman of the South Asian Association for Regional
Cooperation (SAARC), urged member states to join
together to create peace in South Asia.
Russia, Japan work on 60-year-old dispute
The leaders of Russia and Japan said today the settlement
of a 60-year-old dispute that kept their nations from formally
ending their World War II hostilities requires closer economic
cooperation and patient trust-building as Tokyo backed
Moscow's bid to join the World Trade Organization.
Togo begins political dialogue to restore peace
At the urging of Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe,
representatives of many political factions came together
in a political dialogue aimed at calming the turbulence in
the west African country.
The President asked factions to 'find a fit method to settle
the particular situation that Togo has experienced in past years'.
Colombia: Two dozen leftist rebels disarm
Two dozen Colombian rebels laid down their arms this week
in the first group demobilization ceremony of leftist guerrillas
since President Alvaro Uribe took office three years ago.
The group's commander, Raul Agudelo, was captured last year
and from jail persuaded his fighters to desert the Revolutionary
Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC.
Rival Darfur rebel leaders preparing for peace talks
Rival Sudanese rebel leaders are taking a step closer to each
other in peace negotiations. The next round of peace talks,
chaired by the African Union, are due to begin Monday in
the Nigerian capital of Abuja.
Sri Lanka: Children support peace, says poll
The Children's Opinion Poll revealed that 97 per cent of children
in Sri Lanka would prefer to promote peace rather than fight wars.
The leader of The Children's Opinion Poll team, Dr James
Arputharaj said, 'Children represent both the present and
the future. They overwhelmingly support peace and harmony.
We have to listen and respect their views.'
Closer ties between China and the Republic of Korea
contribute to regional peace: Hu
Chinese President Hu Jintao said Wednesday that the fast
growth in cooperation between China and the Republic of
Korea (ROK) has benefited both sides and made an important
contribution to regional peace and development.
New Sri Lankan President
wants peace talks with rebels
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse, elected President of
Sri Lanka on Thursday, said Friday he wanted to hold
face-to-face peace talks with the secretive leader of the
rebel Tamil Tigers in an effort to end two decades of civil war.
'I will bring about an honourable peace to the country
respecting all communities,' Rajapakse said after being
declared the winner.
President Hu says China will
contribute to global peace
Chinese President Hu Jintao took centre stage at a Pacific
Rim forum Thursday, offering assurances there is nothing
to fear from his fast-developing country and emphasizing
that China has great potential to contribute to world peace.
'The Chinese nation always loves peace,' he said. 'China will
firmly adhere to the road of peaceful development.'
posted by Mr. Positive! at 2:33 PM
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