International Roundup

The appointment of a former Pakistani national as a visa officer in the British high commission in New Delhi has turned into a diplomatic duel. The official, Haroon Suleman, is a British national who previously held dual Pakistani and British citizenship. The application for the appointment of the official was sent to the Indian High Commission in London last May. The Indian ministry of external affairs has asked the British to withdraw the appointment of the official. The request has not been made formally yet to avoid embarrassment to the UK.

Meanwhile, British officials say that it is within their sovereignty to appoint their diplomats. Indian diplomats say the British should have been aware of the sensitive nature of the job and not nominated an official of Pakistani origin. "They've withdrawn Iraqi officials from their missions," a senior official stated. "How do they expect us to take a Pakistani national?" Sources say intelligence agencies had raised objections because of Suleman's Pakistani origin and because of the nature of the job, a sensitive visa section.

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Six of Iraq's remaining 34 Jews have left the country for Israel. The operation is part of a mission led by the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), in cooperation with the Jewish Agency for Israel. Their plane departed Iraq Friday evening with the six Iraqis and Rachel Zelon, HIAS vice-president for program operations.

The Jewish community has lived under a repressive regime for decades. They have lived in a community that despises Jews and Israel. Most of them have to hide their identity because they are at risk given the increase in tensions in Iraq and the open anti-Semitism. Overall, the conditions within the community are considered bleak; most of the Jewish community lives in substandard conditions and are unable to care for themselves. Most of the remaining Jews of Iraq do want to leave the country if possible. Besides Israel, the Netherlands and Great Britain are possible places for resettlement.

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Two agents had their licenses cancelled and a third one has been prevented from re-registering following the shut down of rogue immigration advisers in Australia. Several cases have been referred to the federal police for investigation as the government seeks to clean up an industry that is plagued with criminal behavior. Agents are advising people to watch out for suspicious claims and billing for large sums of money for mediocre services because of extortion of funds from clients.

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A foreign ministry spokesman for India said the country would finance travel, accommodations, and medical treatment for a group of sick Pakistani children. The Ministry stated that the decision followed the positive response in India to a Pakistani baby girl who was successfully treated in an Indian hospital. The announcement was made after the first meeting between the Indian Foreign Minister and the new Pakistani High Commissioner.