Fwd: Saudi, Pak, Yemen: update early today 8 April 2015
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Begin forwarded message:
From: Nasra Hassan < [REDACTED] >
Date: April 8, 2015 at 08:50:52 GMT+2
To: Terje Rod-Larsen < [REDACTED] >, Andrea Pfanzelter < [REDACTED] >
Subject: Saudi, Pak, Yemen: update early today 8 April 2015
Latest points on Saudi, Pak, Yemen:
Status:
-Parliamentary debate on Pak involvement in Yemen war will continue today:--Not a single Member ofParliament has spoken in favour ofPak boots on the ground;
-PM Sharif has refused to disclose details of his "understanding" with the Saudis. so far refuses to make a pronouncanent on whether Pak will join the Regional Coalition; calling instead on Iran(whose Foreign Minister arrives in Pak today 8 April. to be involved in the talks on Yemen security (1cannot imagine him making this comment on his own, but who knows);
-PM also is waiting for response from Turkish President on a joint shuttle diplomacy, Turkish Foreign Minister expected any day in Islamabad;
Meanwhile, the new Saudi kid on the block. 30 year old Saudi Prince Mohammad is visiting Ankara this week. Turkish Foreign Minister visiting Iran:
references to Pak troops being part ofa UN Security-Council mandated PK force;
many in Pakistan arc no longer buying into the Sunni Saudi versus Shiite Iran story:
I Senator asked that China as a PS, be involved via UN Sec Council;
idea to convene special session of OIC;
yesterday 7 April. Egyptian Army Chief paid surprise visit to Pak Army Chief to discuss Yemen;
Under the radar: concern over 2 million Pak workers in Saudi whose remittances add to the National Exchequer: plus on the Pak-Iran Gas Pipeline Agreement; US Slate Dept has approved Pak request to purchase USS I billion wonh of high-tech arms & military hardware o fight inurgency (including combat aircraft such as attak helicopters - earlier this year. US handed over to Pak Army weapons, ammo & other sophisticated military equipment which had been used by ISAF in Afghanistan).
End.