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1.4 million civilians trapped as fighting between the Pakistani military and the Taliban continues

5/19/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

As a result of the fighting between Pakistani military forces and the Taliban, the United Nations has reported an estimated 1.4 million refugees have been driven from their homes this month in Swat valley in the Northwest region of the country. This adds up to about 2 million people displaced since August 2008. It is believed that many civilians have been trapped in Mingora, a terrorist haven which is about 80 miles from the capital city of Islamabad.

The United Nations expects a rapidly changing humanitarian crisis lasting for months as the Pakistani government pursues its campaign against Taliban militants. An appeal for international aid is expected to be raised by the UN as the crisis grows worse---probably as bad as the emergency experienced by Rwandans in the 1994 African genocide,.

The Pakistani offensive has broad support from the people. United States is heavily invested in having the Zadari government prevail over the Taliban in part because of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal which may fall on the wrong hands. (Photo Credit: Stefabua Zamparelli) =0=

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Labels: government, Islamabad, nuclear weapons, Pakistan, refugees, Taliban, Totie Mesia, United Nations, war

Pope speaks against terrorism and calls for a Palestinian state

5/14/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

Since his arrival on Friday in the Middle East, Pope Benedict XVI has visited Jordan and Israel. He reached the Aida Refugee camp in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, Wednesday on May 13, 2009 to meet with the Palestinians.

The 82-year Pope Benedict who supports for the creation of a separate Palestinian state, passed through the gate of the 25-foot-high concrete wall which was built by Israel in the West Bank as part of its security.

In the refugee camp where about 5,000 Palestinians reside, the holy pontiff spoke of the towering barrier that divides the Palestinian from Israel. He asked young Palestinians to avoid taking revenge and have courage to resist violence in solving conflicts. He advised peaceful means in pursuing the Palestinian people’s legitimate aspiration to have an independent state.

The pope hoped that the massive wall which sequesters the Palestinians from the Israelis will be demolished someday. In a reaction, Mark Regev, an Israeli spokesman said, "We did not want to build a security barrier. We were forced to by the continuous infiltration of suicide bombers entering our country and murdering our people. We wish the reality were different."----Yahoo News/ AP (05/13/09, Hadid, Namari, D. et al)

The Christians in Middle East is a minority and suffers attrition because of continued violence and war. Many of those who live among nearly 4 million Palestinians in West Bank and Gaza have immigrated abroad to seek better opportunities and escape the cycles of hostilities that characterize these troubled places. (Photo Credit: AP/ New York Times (05/13/09 Todras-Whitehill, T) =0=

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Labels: diplomacy, Gaza, hope, Middle East, Palestine, Palestinian, peace, Pope Benedict XVI, refugees, terrorism, Totie Mesia, Visit, West Bank

As Sri Lankan government forces battle Tamil separatists, death toll rises

5/11/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

In the decades-old war that pitted the Sri Lankan military forces against Tamil separatists, fresh fighting caused the death of about 380 civilians in the northern parcel of land in the island nation held by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Aerial attacks and bombardment by artillery fire killed civilians--- a third were said to be children. More than a thousand people suffered injuries in the escalation of violence.

“Sri Lanka's military has cornered the LTTE on a strip of coast and seized 15,000 square km from them in less than three years, crushing the LTTE's goal of forming a separate state for Sri Lanka's Tamil minority. The war started in 1983.”----Stuff.co.nz / Reuters (05/06/09)

“Yesterday the UN and the Government of Sri Lanka announced they are seeking $50 million to address the urgent needs of up to 250,000 displaced persons over the next three months in the areas of food, water, sanitation, shelter, nutrition, health and protection, as well as educational requirements for thousands of children who have been without schooling for months.”----http: //www un.org (05/06/09)

Independent news media are prohibited to enter the war zone by the Sri Lankan forces, making it hard to know who are responsible for the deaths and injuries. Sri Lankan military operatives don’t want a humanitarian ceasefire which may allow the Tamil fighters to regroup and gain strength. These Tamil fighters are waging war to establish a homeland for about 3 million who are the minority. (Photo Credit: Noaman) =0=

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Labels: Freedom, home, Liberation, Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, LTTE, refugees, Sri Lanka, Totie Mesia

UP Ibalon Bicol

1.4 million civilians trapped as fighting between the Pakistani military and the Taliban continues

Pope speaks against terrorism and calls for a Palestinian state

As Sri Lankan government forces battle Tamil separatists, death toll rises

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