ISLAMABAD, 26 May 2007 — Pakistan yesterday denied “preposterous” allegations that its troops deployed with the UN in the Democratic Republic of Congo had traded gold and weapons with militia groups.
A BBC probe broadcast Wednesday said a UN team sent in 2005 to investigate the claims involving Pakistani UN peacekeepers, who were meant to be disarming the militias, had faced intimidation.
Chief Pakistani military spokesman Maj. Gen. Waheed Arshad said the allegations were “preposterous, malicious and baseless.” “Aspersions have been cast on us without evidence. This is trying to tarnish our image and undermine our very strong contributions to UN peacekeeping worldwide,” Arshad told AFP.
He said the UN had only started investigations into allegations about peacekeepers in Congo, without specifying a nationality. “Despite the fact that the UN has not singled out any country in the probe, the media has jumped the gun and started accusing Pakistan,” Arshad said.
“This is malicious to say the least. Everyone should await the outcome of investigations before accusing anyone.”
He told Arab News, “It is the duty of the United Nations to point out such irregularities if committed by our troops. So far we have not received any complaint from the UN.” He said some elements in the DRCongo provided incorrect information to the BBC. Pakistan’s Foreign Office has already played down the claims, describing them as “mere allegations.”
Shujaat Meets Aziz
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz met Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, president of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League here yesterday. Political issues figured at the talks. Aziz said that PML is the only party that can safeguard the interests of the country and forge unity. They decided that the first meeting of the policy planning group of the party headed by Aziz will be held next week.
The meeting will discuss important national issues and prepare strategy in consultation with party members.
