Pakistan asks EU for weapons to fight Taliban

ISLAMABAD (AFP) – Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani yesterday asked the European Union for immediate weapons and training for security forces to help the insurgency-wracked nation drive out the Taliban.

Gilani made the demand during talks with EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, who had earlier pledged full support for Pakistan as it deals with the resettlement of 1,9 million people displaced in fighting with Taliban rebels.The premier urged the EU to provide ‘immediate assistance’ for law enforcement capacity building and the ‘supply of much needed sophisticated weapon systems’ to eliminate terrorism, a statement issued by Gilani’s office said.Gilani also asked the EU member states to ‘deliver on their pledges’ made in a Friends of Pakistan meeting in Tokyo in April where nations promised cash support amounting to 5.28 billion dollars.Solana visited a refugee camp in northwest Pakistan and praised the country’s efforts in managing the return of its displaced people, the vast majority of whom have been made homeless by fighting since late April.’I was very, very impressed by the manner in which this complicated operation has been handled,’ Solana said, describing it as ‘work well done’.’I have seen already today families returning and I think that it is very, very important good news, Solana said.The EU has contributed more than 150 million euros and will continue to support Pakistan as it deals with one of its largest mass-migrations in history, Solana added.’We will continue to be engaged in this battle which is very, very important for your country and not only important for your country but important for everyone.’Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi urged the EU to allow greater market access to countries afflicted by terror, saying the Pakistani economy had suffered losses of 35 billion dollars since joining the US-led ‘war on terror’ in late 2001.’What we are demanding is market access on more favourable terms,’ Qureshi said, adding that Pakistan-EU trade stood at 10 billion dollars. – Nampa-AFP