IPI project still on track

CONTRARY to press speculations that following reported rejection b; Pakistan and India of the recommendation of the consultant appointee by three countries regarding price and tariff for Iranian gas to be supplied to South Asian neighbours, Islamabad and New Delhi were apparently succumbing to U.S. pressure against the IPI project. Positive signs have emerged from the telephonic conversation of President Pervez Musharraf and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on the issue on Saturday. It is encouraging to note that the two leaders have agreed to remove bottlenecks in the implementation of the trans-country gas pipeline project vitally required by the two nations for sustaining their fast growing energy needs.
The two Presidents agreed to expedite the implementation of the project. Of course, there is disagreement between the Islamic Republic on the one hand and Pakistan and India on the other over the price for gas demanded by Tehran. The 2000-km long gas pipeline project proposed to be implemented at a cost of US$7 billion to transmit Iran’ natural gas first to neighbouring Pakistan and onwards to India. President Musharraf has repeatedly stated that the IPI project is a wit win proposition for Iran and Pakistan as it will supply at reasonable cost natural gas of Iran and help meet the requirements of the country’s fast growing economy. While concerted efforts are being made to bridge the supply and demand energy gap through a variety o measures including construction of hydroelectric projects and expansion of nuclear power generation capacity in Pakistan through the assistance of the Chinese Government, natural gas requirements from indigenous reserves can not be fully met. Pakistan accordingly desperately needs to import gas either from the Gulf or from Central Asia. The much talked about project to transport natural gas from Central Asian Republics can not see the light of the day until situation in Afghanistan normalizes. This possibility is presently non-existent given the mounting violence in Afghanistan through which the propose pipeline is to pass.
In view of the above situation and foreign troops’ difficulties in the wartorn Afghanistan natural gas from Central Asia will not be available in the foreseeable future. IPI project is not only feasible but can easily be taken up at the earliest once differences over pricing and tariff are resolved. Saturday’s telephonic discussion between President Musharraf and Iranian leader has once again raised hopes that IPI project will soon take off. Pakistan and India are sovereign states and their leadership can not be dictated terms when it comes to taking action in their supreme national interests. All said and done, the IPI project is very much alive and surely on track. What is important is that the parties involved should in their common interest expedite its implementation.
 

Another revolution?

LEBANON appears to be headed for another revolution. The huge anti-government protests by Hezbollah supporters have once again demonstrated the militia’s political muscle. Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators were camping in the centre of downtown Beirut for a second consecutive day yesterday demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.
Ironically, it was a similar display of people power that helped Siniora and his party come to power last year, riding on an anti-Syria wave in the wake of Rafik Hariri’s killing. This time around though these street protests are seeking to bring down the Fouad Siniora government.
But why? Hezbollah accuses Siniora and his party of being anti-Syria and working under the “tutelage of the West”.
However, even if the charge of Siniora dancing to the Western tunes is correct, what do Hezbollah and its allies hope to achieve by holding Lebanon and its people to ransom? What is Hezbollah leadership trying to prove by bringing down the government in Beirut?
Hezbollah won itself plaudits and support from Arabs, Muslims and the rest of the world for the exemplary courage and perseverance it demonstrated in the face of Israeli aggression earlier this year. This newspaper had joined other media in the Middle East and elsewhere in hailing the victory of Lebanese people including Hezbollah over a ruthless power armed to its teeth.
Which is why it is unfortunate that Hezbollah should squander that hard-earned public support and sympathy in such a pointless exercise, which could seriously destabilise an already volatile country.
Lebanon is yet to recover from the all-round devastation inflicted by Israel. It will take years and decades to put the Mediterranean country back on the track. This is time for the people of Lebanon — Muslims, Christians, Sunnis, Shias and others — to come together to build their country anew and make a fresh start for their shared future.
This is time for unity and peace. This is time to join hands for a common cause. This is no time to play politics or settle old scores. Lebanon, already bruised and battered by years of upheavals, cannot afford any more dangerous games. Especially when it has plenty of enemies looking for an opportunity to strike. The killing of Pierre Gemayel last week, the eighth prominent politician to be killed over the last few months, goes to show that the country is caught in the crossfire of big powers. All parties concerned including Hezbollah must sit down and talk, if they have any issues to discuss and settle. Street theatrics like these will only strengthen the enemies of Lebanon.
—Khaleej Times
LEBANON appears to be headed for another revolution. The huge anti-government protests by Hezbollah supporters have once again demonstrated the militia’s political muscle. Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators were camping in the centre of downtown Beirut for a second consecutive day yesterday demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.
Ironically, it was a similar display of people power that helped Siniora and his party come to power last year, riding on an anti-Syria wave in the wake of Rafik Hariri’s killing. This time around though these street protests are seeking to bring down the Fouad Siniora government.
But why? Hezbollah accuses Siniora and his party of being anti-Syria and working under the “tutelage of the West”.
However, even if the charge of Siniora dancing to the Western tunes is correct, what do Hezbollah and its allies hope to achieve by holding Lebanon and its people to ransom? What is Hezbollah leadership trying to prove by bringing down the government in Beirut?
Hezbollah won itself plaudits and support from Arabs, Muslims and the rest of the world for the exemplary courage and perseverance it demonstrated in the face of Israeli aggression earlier this year. This newspaper had joined other media in the Middle East and elsewhere in hailing the victory of Lebanese people including Hezbollah over a ruthless power armed to its teeth.
Which is why it is unfortunate that Hezbollah should squander that hard-earned public support and sympathy in such a pointless exercise, which could seriously destabilise an already volatile country.
Lebanon is yet to recover from the all-round devastation inflicted by Israel. It will take years and decades to put the Mediterranean country back on the track. This is time for the people of Lebanon — Muslims, Christians, Sunnis, Shias and others — to come together to build their country anew and make a fresh start for their shared future.
This is time for unity and peace. This is time to join hands for a common cause. This is no time to play politics or settle old scores. Lebanon, already bruised and battered by years of upheavals, cannot afford any more dangerous games. Especially when it has plenty of enemies looking for an opportunity to strike. The killing of Pierre Gemayel last week, the eighth prominent politician to be killed over the last few months, goes to show that the country is caught in the crossfire of big powers. All parties concerned including Hezbollah must sit down and talk, if they have any issues to discuss and settle. Street theatrics like these will only strengthen the enemies of Lebanon.

—Khaleej Times