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| India-Pakistan |
| Washington Beginning To Turn Sour On Islamabad |
| 2002-12-24 |
| Source: Pakistan Daily Times A serious Indo-US strategic partnership is springing up amidst indications that Washington is beginning to turn sour on Islamabad following significant gains for Islamists in Pakistanâs elections and disclosure of its clandestine nuclear cooperation with North Korea, a leading American think tank said. Other than that, things are fine... India and the United States have already mapped out an ambitious agenda of bilateral military and strategic contacts over the next two years, Ilan Berman, President for Policy at the American Foreign Policy Council, said. With the worldâs attention focussed on Iraq, a major transformation is taking place largely unnoticed in South Asia - a âserious strategic partnership is springing upâ between India and the United States, he said. Bush Administration has officially rolled back its 4-year-old sanctions against India, he said, adding New Delhi now joins the ranks of US allies like Japan and Singapore, gaining eligibility for significant discretionary military assistance. I've said on a number of occasions that India makes a much more natural ally than Pakland. That's not necessarily an alliance that'll last forever, though, anymore than the U.S.-Pak alliance did. The VHP can be expected to work to make it untenable, not being able to comprehend that it's extremism that bunches our undies, not simply Islam. Since the Sept 11 attacks the Bush Administration has consistently courted Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf as its ally in Asian stability, Berman said. Now, however, there are indications that the White House is starting to âsourâ on Islamabad, he added. US is beginning to take notice of Pakistanâs increasingly undeniable radicalisation as the October elections brought considerable gains for religious parties. Behind that is the greater focus that's come on Pakland's internal policies and politix. The Deobandi fundo establishment is one of the prime drivers of terrorism in the world. They flourish because Perv and his minions don't have the nerve or strength, on the one hand, to break them, and on the other hand because their fixation on Kashmir makes them valuable. Likewise troublesome is Pakistanâs track record of proliferation, he said, adding North Koreaâs recent confessions regarding an active nuclear programme exposed a thriving strategic partnership between Islamabad and Pyongyang. Pakistanâs extensive nuclear and missile ties with North Korea, not to mention its ongoing missile assistance to countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran, are now under close scrutiny from Washington, Berman said. Wherever there are nut cases who want some of those Islamic nukes, Pakland's been happy to oblige. I think it's a prestige thing, but I also think it's a part of a push — perhaps an unconscious push — toward Khilafa. So is Islamabadâs stance on terrorism. Despite rhetorical support for American counter-terrorism efforts, ongoing brokerage of insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir by segments of the Musharraf regime, as well as their tacit provision of aid and comfort to elements of Al Qaeda and the Taliban, has unmistakably placed Pakistan on the wrong side of Washingtonâs war, he said. In the meantime, India has steadily moved into the void left by Pakistani policies, Berman said. NWFP is pretty much autonomous. Perv isn't making an effort to control it, and elements within Pakland are supplying the subversion project against Afghanistan, regardless of Islamabad's protestations of friendship and non-interference. Politically, Indian policy makers have embraced Americaâs war on terrorism, based on their own experiences in Kashmir, he said. This emerging alignment underscores a signal opportunity for US strategy in South Asia, he said, adding a deeper US-India dialogue could do much to moderate Pakistanâs policies. Tighter New Delhi-Washington ties, coupled with a greater pressure on Islamabad regarding its support for cross-border terrorism, could also work wonders in nudging India and Pakistan toward a lasting diplomatic dialogue, Berman said. The partnership could eventually assume an important role in larger regional security, he added. It's never going to happen. Pakland wants Kashmir, and India refuses to cough it up. Since Pakistan's proven itself to be a bad idea that got worse, I don't think they should. |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |
| #3 The Muslims make up only the largest group in Kashmir, although their numbers have increased substantially due to the killings of thousands of Hindus, but even if most Muslims wish to be part of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, I can't imagine the idea appeals very much to Kashmirs Buddhists and Hindus. |
| Posted by: Paul 2002-12-24 18:55:23 |
| #2 Its not quite that simple. For example, Pakistan has been pressuring India to hold a referendum by Kashmir over weather they want to be part of India or Pakistan. India has refused repeatedly. There positions are not taken because Pakistand actually believes in democracy and self-determination, or because India is a tyrant. Quite simply, a majority would vote to be part of Pakistan, both countries know it... and that's why its not as simple as 'Islam-monkey bad!' |
| Posted by: Anonymous 2002-12-24 14:51:32 |
| #1 The Kashmir problem exemplifies everything that is bad with these extremist islamic freaks. Kashmir rightfully belongs to India, even though the majority of the population is Muslim. In fact India has a sizable Muslim population throughout its territory and they're not exactly being persecuted. Just like everywhere else on this planet, the Jihadic aim is not to "free" Muslims from bad people, it's a plain and simple land grab (for the local warlord). It's interesting to see how the U.S. will deal with Pakistan in the future. For now it can be reasoned that Pak's nukes are in the hands of the military, and this military has enough of a sound mind not to give away nukes as door prizes for welcomed "guests". The trouble will come when more of those extremist freaks gain control of everything in that country. Shortly after Pakistan showcased their nuclear achievement, I heard someone exalt "Now nobody can touch a Muslim country!". There's political trouble brewing. |
| Posted by: RW 2002-12-24 13:31:02 |