UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan today [Oct 28] formally presented to the First Committee its proposal to establish a nuclear-free zone in South Asia, with the hope that the General Assembly “will act, decisively and effectively”. “In proclaiming that South Asia shall be nuclear weapon-free zone, the General Assembly will be acting in the true interests of all the peoples and countries of the region,” Ambassador I.A. Akhund said. At the same time, he said that Pakistan “does not under-estimate the difficulties which will have to be overcome before the idea becomes a reality”. — News agencies

[Meanwhile, as reported by news agencies from New Delhi,] US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger said here ... that America’s relations with the Peoples Republic of China were of “fundamental importance”. Addressing the Indian Council of World Affairs, Dr Kissinger said it was necessary to end … mutual isolation and hostility with China because there could be no stable peace in Asia or in the world without … peaceful international relationships that included “this powerful and talented nation”. Dr Kissinger said: “Rapprochement with the Peoples Republic of China is not sought at the expense of any other nation.”

Published in Dawn, October 29th, 2024