From: Sandeep Vaidya <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: India & Pakistan: On the brink [ HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK --------------------------- ON THE BRINK (Editorial) The Kashmir Times, Dec 26, 2001 Tragically both India and Pakistan are again being pushed into a bloody conflict which is bound to prove disastrous for the people of the two neighbouring countries. The consequence of any such war, full-fledged or limited, can very well be imagined. It seems that the ruling elites of the two countries have not learnt any lesson from the past. The bon-homie of last year, which culminated into Agra Summit, has been replaced by bellicosity and sabre-rattling. The developments of the last two weeks are frightening enough for the leaders and people of the sub-continent to ponder, introspect and take steps to reverse the process. The need is for reconciliation rather than confrontation of any kind. Both New Delhi and Islamabad should know that war is no answer to any problem. The leaders of India and Pakistan cannot be so naive as not to understand the consequences of any war. Once any confrontation starts there can be no end to it. With every move on either side the escalation gets compounded. The nuclearisation of the two countries, in their mad race for militarisation, leaves no one in doubt that any escalation of conflict has all the potentialities of a nuclear war. The consequences can very well be imagined. It is also known to the rulers of the two countries, who are allowing themselves to be pushed to the brink by their respective hawks ignoring much larger peace constituencies in their respective states, that neither of them can be in a win-win position in any future war. The wars in the past left both sides as losers even if these might have satisfied their misplaced egos. There are ominous signs of the sub-continent heading towards a long-drawn conflict which will only bring further miseries to its people who need peace and development. India's concern over the growing menace of terrorism is not misplaced. The shock and anger over the attack on the Parliament too was natural. New Delhi was equally justified in asking Islamabad to move strongly against the terrorist groups, which it believed to have been let loose by Pakistani establishment, particularly its notorious ISI. The terrorist attack was indeed most condemnable but it certainly was not an act of war by Pakistan against India. The clear objective of the terrorists was to provoke India to react in a manner that could escalate the conflict with Pakistan responding by similar brinkmanship. While Islamabad failed to act in putting an end to terrorist activities New Delhi acted in panic and haste by recalling its envoy and more unreasonably terminating the bus and train services between the two countries. The massive troops buildup all along the borders by Pakistan with India following suit has created a dangerous situation, which if not checked can lead to head-long confrontation. The tongue-lashing has been replaced by sabre-rattling with heavy exchange of fire all along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. The climate of fear that the shelling on the borders has created provides an opportunity to the hawkish elements in both the countries to push their leaders into a serious conflict. The war machinery in both the countries is being oiled to plung the region into another bloody war. Thousands of people from the border areas are fleeing fearing for life, leaving their hearth and home, standing crops and livestock behind. Once this process escalates there will be no end to it. It's time to ponder and listen to the voice of reason for the rulers of both the countries. They are expected to be disctated by the good of their people, their security, peace and progress rather than getting swayed by their emotions and their narrow political interests overpowering the intrests of their people. The climate of confrontation must be replaced by a climate of conciliation. Mutual goodwill, accommodation and understanding are needed rather than doing anything that creates further problems. Islamabad must understand the genuine feelings in this country and its concern for the growing menace of terrorism. President Musharraf must put his foot down and take steps to put an end to the terrorist activities in his country. Prime Minister Vajpayee too should understand the predicament of the Pakistan President who is facing a serious threat from the fundamentalists in his own country, particularly after he acted wisely in joining the fight against Taliban. He has also moved to some extent to deal with the jehadis in Pakistan, though that is not enough. India needs to respond positively to Musharraf's moves in mending fences with New Delhi. A battle is on in Pakistan between the moderates and the extremists with Musharraf taking some steps to clip the wings of ISI and clamping down on fundamentalists, risking their wrath. Any wrong move on New Delhi's part will only strengthen the hands of extremists in the neighbouring country. While pressure on Musharraf to take appropriate action to check cross-border terrorism may continue the doors for a dialogue should not be closed. For dialogue is the only way not only to resolve the outstanding disputes between the two countries but also to persuade Musharraf to rein in the terrorists operating from his country. Both the countries must realise that war is no solution to any problem. They should make sincere efforts to give peace a chance. That calls for mending the fences and not escalating the conflict. They should not be pushed into brink by the hwaks in their respective countries, who need to be isolated. _________________________________________________ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki Phone +358-40-7177941 Fax +358-9-7591081 http://www.kominf.pp.fi General class struggle news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe mails to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Geopolitical news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] __________________________________________________
