Saturday, May 30, 2009

UK & China's "NO" to Blacklist Masood Azhar

.
.
Delhi Stunned: UK & China Stall Move to Blacklist Masood Azhar

Barely seven months after the Mumbai attacks, Indian efforts in the United Nations to place sanctions on Jaish-e-Mohammad founder Maulana Masood Azhar have received a major setback. In a surprise move, the United Kingdom has joined hands with China to block the Indian request to proscribe both Azhar and Azam Cheema, the Lashkar-e-Toiba operative accused in the Mumbai train blasts, under the UN’s “Al Qaeda and Taliban Sanctions” resolution (1267).

India had wanted these two along with Abdul Rehman Makki, another LeT ideologue, to be included in the list just like the Jamaat-ud-Dawa and its head Hafiz Mohammed Saeed were added along with other LeT operatives after the Mumbai attacks. The banning under UN resolution 1267 means freezing of assets, travel ban and embargo on arms.

What has stunned India is the UK’s position because the Jaish as an outfit is already banned by the UN and so it is only logical for Azhar to be put on that list. It’s learnt that London has asked for “fresh evidence” and “more details” while placing the request on a procedural hold. China has taken a similar position.
.
.

No comments: