Argentine envoy hosts film screening

Ambassador Ivan Ivanissevich welcomed diplomats and guests to the screening of a documentary film about the last dictatorship in Argentina, in the 1970s, at PNCA’s lecture hall.

The film was screened as part of the United Nations Human Rights through Cinematography series, celebrating 70 years of the International Declaration of Human Rights, which a UN Information Centre representative drew attention to at the event.

H.I.J.O.S. El Alma en Dos (Sons and Daughters: The soul in two) by Argentine filmmakers Marcelo Cèspedes and Carmen Guarini was made in 2002, and tells the stories of sons and daughters as they remember their loved ones who were arrested, tortured and often killed, or disappeared, as it was called, during Argentina’s far-right dictatorships between 1974-83.

More than 8,000 socialists and others disappeared. “Nobody knows the exact figure,” said Ambassador Ivanissevich, who felt that many parts of the film were difficult to watch.

He added that not all details in the film were accurate because it was a blend of fiction and nonfiction. The film focused on memories, militant ideals, resistance, the intelligentsia and ordinary people, and how to honour loved ones who risked everything but were silenced.

Ambassador Ivanissevich emphasised that the military in the 1970s was entirely separate from society, and that explained much of why it could rule so ruthlessly. “Today, the military is entirely different,” he said.

“I found the film very important, but I am not sure it was a good film,” said a Pakistani lawyer who attended the event. “Yet, it made us all reflect on the dangers of extreme military rule,” he added.

Oxbridge lecture on Pak-US relations

Retired ambassador Ashraf Jehangir Qazi delivered the Oxbridge lecture for January at the Serena Hotel, on the topic of Pakistan-United States relations. The event was well-attended by diplomats, retired military personnel, and members of the civil society and academia.

“This was indeed a timely topic considering the current discussion between the two countries about the future of their relations,” said a participant.

The speaker said that Pak-US relations are generally good, but he thought the current situation could also become dangerous. He stressed that Pakistan has had little economic benefit from its work with the US on the war against terrorism; the costs of which he said have mostly been borne by Pakistan itself.

In his lecture, Mr Qazi, who has been an ambassador to the US, China and other countries, reflected on Pakistan’s bilateral and strategic relationships. He said that it is important that Pakistan is seen as a credible partner and has long-term perspectives in its cooperation with other countries. He dwelt in particular on Pakistan’s cooperation with China, Afghanistan and also India, in addition to the US.

He added that the China Pakistan Economic Corridor is essential and underlined the importance of Pakistan fulfilling its commitments to maintain long-term good relations with China.

Royal Thai Armed Forces Day celebrated

Colonel Satja Raktiprakorn, the Thai defence and military attaché hosted a large reception at Marriott Hotel last week on the occasion of the Royal Thai Armed Forces Day.

The day commemorates King Naresuan’s victorious elephant duel against the Burmese Uparaja, calculated to have been in 1593. Since 2007, the event is celebrated annually on Jan 18.

The chief guest on the occasion was Vice Admiral Abdul Aleem, chief of staff for personnel at the Navy Headquarters.

In his speech, Col Raktiprakorn praised the cooperation between Thailand and Pakistan since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1951. He said that there is particularly warm cooperation in the defence field, reflected in high level reciprocal visits of military personnel, joint exercises and training.

“I strongly believe that the defence cooperation between our two countries will certainly grow, side by side with deepening of our bilateral cooperation,” said Col Raktiprakorn.

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2018