US set to irk Pakistan as it takes note of Baloch plight
TNN | Jan 16, 2012, 04.59AM IST
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WASHINGTON: Baloch separatists achieved a significant diplomatic breakthrough on Friday, getting the US administration to recognize their grievances against Pakistani and persuading Washington to urge Islamabad to address their issues through dialogue.
At a time of tense relations with Islamabad, the Obama administration chose a social media platform to air its concern about the plight of the Baloch, whose complaints about targeted killings and other human rights abuse has gone largely unnoticed by the world. The state department on Friday responded to a question on Twitter from a Baloch nationalist on the subject, saying, "This was a very popular question on our feed, so we wanted to make sure that we answered it today."
"The US is deeply concerned about the ongoing violence in Baluchistan, especially targeted killings, disappearances and other human rights abuses," spokesperson Victoria Nulandcontinued, adding that Washington takes the allegations of human rights abuses "very seriously" and had discussed these issues with Pakistani officials.
The question from @cadet1081 was provocative, asking the state department why the US does not intervene in Baluchistan and help the Baloch achieve freedom.
But Nuland was circumspect in her response, noting for now that "This is a complex issue," and Washington believes "that the best way forward is for all the parties to resolve their differences through peaceful dialogue."
But on Friday, far removed yet from the strategic strands, Baloch nationalists rejoiced in their diplomatic advance.
"Acceptance of (Twitter) question and the subsequent response from the department's spokesperson is heartening," wrote Muatasim Qazi on the nationalist website Balochwarna. "It should encourage educated Baloch youth to engage more in online activism and advocacy rather than mere futile political sloganeering or mud-slinging."
=====================================================
WASHINGTON: Baloch separatists achieved a significant diplomatic breakthrough on Friday, getting the US administration to recognize their grievances against Pakistani and persuading Washington to urge Islamabad to address their issues through dialogue.
At a time of tense relations with Islamabad, the Obama administration chose a social media platform to air its concern about the plight of the Baloch, whose complaints about targeted killings and other human rights abuse has gone largely unnoticed by the world. The state department on Friday responded to a question on Twitter from a Baloch nationalist on the subject, saying, "This was a very popular question on our feed, so we wanted to make sure that we answered it today."
"The US is deeply concerned about the ongoing violence in Baluchistan, especially targeted killings, disappearances and other human rights abuses," spokesperson Victoria Nulandcontinued, adding that Washington takes the allegations of human rights abuses "very seriously" and had discussed these issues with Pakistani officials.
The question from @cadet1081 was provocative, asking the state department why the US does not intervene in Baluchistan and help the Baloch achieve freedom.
But Nuland was circumspect in her response, noting for now that "This is a complex issue," and Washington believes "that the best way forward is for all the parties to resolve their differences through peaceful dialogue."
But on Friday, far removed yet from the strategic strands, Baloch nationalists rejoiced in their diplomatic advance.
"Acceptance of (Twitter) question and the subsequent response from the department's spokesperson is heartening," wrote Muatasim Qazi on the nationalist website Balochwarna. "It should encourage educated Baloch youth to engage more in online activism and advocacy rather than mere futile political sloganeering or mud-slinging."
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