Pakistan: Helicopters from anywhere except India and Israel
AFP:
UN and Pakistani officials have desperately appealed for the world to send more helicopters to help out. During a visit to Muzaffarabad on Friday, Information Minister Sheikh Rashid said extra choppers were vital.
One option remains out of the question -- helicopters from Pakistan's neighbour and long-time foe India.
"There is a place with hundreds of helicopters that could easily bring food, blankets and tents, and that is in Indian
Kashmir," a senior aid official said on condition of anonymity, referring to the disputed Himalayan territory that is split between New Delhi's and Islamabad's control.
"But the first thing the Pakistanis told us after the earthquake was that they would take helicopters from anywhere except India and Israel."
In any case, the helicopters are vulnerable to the weather -- and that is about to turn for the worse.
UN and Pakistani officials have desperately appealed for the world to send more helicopters to help out. During a visit to Muzaffarabad on Friday, Information Minister Sheikh Rashid said extra choppers were vital.
One option remains out of the question -- helicopters from Pakistan's neighbour and long-time foe India.
"There is a place with hundreds of helicopters that could easily bring food, blankets and tents, and that is in Indian
Kashmir," a senior aid official said on condition of anonymity, referring to the disputed Himalayan territory that is split between New Delhi's and Islamabad's control.
"But the first thing the Pakistanis told us after the earthquake was that they would take helicopters from anywhere except India and Israel."
In any case, the helicopters are vulnerable to the weather -- and that is about to turn for the worse.
posted by India News Watch at 1:36 PM
<< Home