Foreign Affairs – Page 47 – ellen tordesillas

Similarities of Pakistan and Philippines

Published by Ellen on May 11, 2008

Lahore- The governor of Punjab, Lt. Gen. Khalid Maqbool (ret.), in welcoming visiting members of Philippine media, enumerated three features common between Pakistan and the Philippines that should move relations between the two countries from “warm and cordial” to vibrant and gainful.

The first common feature, the governor said, is the two countries’ adherence to democracy “haltingly but successfully.” Second is both governments’ reliance on employment of nationals in other countries. Third is our colonial past.

It is interesting how Pakistan and the Philippines, in their own peculiar ways, have dealt and are still dealing with these realities.

Mga Pinoy sa Lahore

Published by Ellen on May 10, 2008

Lahore –Gusto nyo bang maging chef sa Chinese at Japanese restaurant sa Pakistan?

Magbubukas bago matapos ang taong ito ang Avari hotel sa Islamabad at tumatanggap sila ng applicants para sa posisyon na yan. Tingnan nyo sa www.avari.com.

Itong impormasyon ay sinabi sa amin ng chef ng Avari Lahore na si Bonifacio Chew. Si Boni ay Filipino. Siya ang mag-iinterview ng applicants at magrekomenda sa may-ari ng hotel na isang Iranian.

Making RP-Pakistan relations robust

Published by Ellen on May 8, 2008

Islamabad -At the Jinnah shopping mall, where we made a stop after a series of interviews and a visit to the historic site of Taxila outside the capital city, we heard three young boys horsing around, speaking Tagalog.

We were glad to see Filipinos as we needed tips and directions in our effort to contribute to Philippine –Pakistan economic relations.

Fascinating Karachi

Published by Ellen on May 6, 2008

Karachi – I have always thought of camels as desert animals. It was therefore a surreal sight seeing colorfully bedecked camels strolling on Clifton beach against the backdrop of the Arabian sea.

Camels on the beach is just one of the delightful surprises of Karachi that I and five other Filipino journalists (Gemma Cruz -Araneta of Manila Bulletin, Tals Diaz of Inquirer, Fatima Parel of People Asia, Lyn Resurreccion of Business Mirror, and Dante Francis Ang of Manila Times) are discovering about Pakistan this week on the invitation of the Islamabad Policy Research Institute.

Arroyo finally gets invitation to White House after 2004

Published by Ellen on April 25, 2008

Gloria Arroyo is set to go to the United States for a state visit on June 24 to 25.

Aside from meeting President George W. Bush, Arroyo is also scheduled to address the US-Asean Business Council.

The talk is that Arroyo will witness the signing into law of the Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act by Bush.

Esperon willing to testify in ‘Hello Garci’ after retirement

Published by Ellen on April 23, 2008

It seems Esperon does not have the defense portfolio in the bag yet. Sources said Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro is resisting being moved like a piece in chess to another post (Justice?) just to accommodate Esperon. Is this declaration of willingness to talk about “Hello Garci” a veiled threat to the mastermind and beneficiary of the 2004 election fraud?

By Joel Guinto
Inquirer.net

Armed Forces chief General Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said he is willing to testify at legislative inquiries into the so-called “Hello Garci” election fraud scandal after he retires, but only if the proceedings are “reasonable.”

The Baseline issue:a position paper

Published by Ellen on April 3, 2008

by Senator Antonio F. Trillanes IV

Last August 2007, this author filed Senate Bill No. 1467 entitled “An Act Defining the Archipelagic Baselines of the Philippine Archipelago, Amending for the Purpose Republic Act No. 3046, as Amended by Republic Act No. 5446.” or otherwise known as the “Archipelagic Baselines Law of the Philippines.” The bill was the result of a series of consultations primarily with former Senator Leticia Ramos-Shahani, who first pushed for the Baselines bill way back in 1993. It basically defines the archipelagic baselines to include the Scarborough Shoal and designates the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) as a “regime of islands.” To further facilitate the passing of the bill, the technical details provided by the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) as enumerated in House Bill No. 1202 filed by Congressman Antonio V. Cuenco as well as its other provisions were adopted in toto. Congress, however, filed HB 3216 that substituted for HB 1202.

RP in last minute scramble to beat UN deadline

Published by Ellen on March 24, 2008

By VERA Files*

(Last of two parts)

A month before the May 13, 2009 deadline, the Philippine government intends to submit a claim before the United Nations over its extended continental shelf, which scientists and legal experts say include the resource-rich Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) and other disputed territories.

Arroyo neglect, government infighting jeopardize RP’s territorial claim

Published by Ellen on March 23, 2008

By VERA Files*

(First of two parts)

Neglect by President Arroyo and squabbles over turf and money have derailed government efforts to establish the country’s new archipelagic baseline, and may jeopardize the Philippines’ claim over resource-rich Spratlys that fall within its extended continental shelf.

China declares “people’s war” to control Tibet

Published by Ellen on March 16, 2008

A Tibetan monk pleads for mercy as the police arrested them during anti-China protests in front of the United Nations office in Kathmandu March 15, 2008.
(Deepa Shrestha/Reuters)

By Benjamin Kang Lim and Chris Buckley

BEIJING (Reuters) – Chinese officials have declared a “people’s war” of security and propaganda against support for the Dalai Lama in Tibet after riots racked the regional capital Lhasa, and some sources claimed the turmoil killed dozens.

Residents of the remote city high in the Himalayas said on Sunday that anti-riot troops controlled the streets and were closely checking Tibetan homes after protests and looting shook the heavily Buddhist region

Category: Foreign Affairs