Rohrabacher asks Radio Free Asia to broadcast in Balochistan

WASHINGTON: US Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, who had recently introduced a controversial legislation and resolution on Balochistan, asked Radio Free Asia (RFA) to report on and broadcast in Balochistan to better equip them with the current news.

According to a press release issued by his office, Representative Rohrabacher wrote a letter to Radio Free Asia's president, saying that the Baloch people would be "receptive to RFA broadcasts in their own language and the increased exposure to accurate and objective news would no doubt be to our and their great benefit."

Rohrabacher, who is also Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee for Oversight and Investigations, told the RFA, "While the government and intelligence services in Pakistan act against the interests of the United States, I believe America can find common ground with the people of South Asia."

The letter further states: "The central government of Pakistan, despite the billions of dollars in aid that the US government has provided, has not acted in good faith with America, targets Americans for murder and has purposefully moved closer to their main ally, Communist China. Because of these factors, America's strategic calculus regarding Pakistan is changing."

He added that the government of Pakistan is repressing the Baloch people, and that the Balochi nation has a right to self-determination.

Radio Free Asia, according to their website, is "a private, nonprofit corporation that broadcasts news and information in nine native Asian languages to listeners who do not have access to full and free news media. The purpose of RFA is to provide a forum for a variety of opinions and voices from within these Asian countries."

In February, Rohrabacher had chaired a hearing on human rights abuses in Balochistan. He also introduced a House Concurrent Resolution, asking for the Baloch people to be given the right to self-determination. The Republican congressman from California had earlier introduced bills asking for Dr Shakil Afridi to be given US citizenship and the Congressional Gold Medal, and has called on President Obama to intervene in the case


By Huma Imtiaz

http://tribune.com.pk/story/353541/rohrabacher-asks-radio-free-asia-to-broadcast-in-balochistan/