Pakistan News And Discussion-9

Naresh · 02-08-2007, 03:21 AM

Mudy Ji & Husky Ji :

The other side of the coin :

[center]Kashmir policy - the fault lines[/center]

Every February 5 an annual ritual to demonstrate Pakistan's moral and diplomatic support to the beleaguered Kashmiris in IHK is held with great fervor. The Day provides an opportunity to highlight the brutalities of Indian army on helpless Kashmiris and to remind the international community of its obligation to help in immediate settlement of the issue. This year was no exception. The nation joined ranks across the country to demonstrate their solidarity with their Kashmiri brethren.

The messages from Pakistan leadership on the occasion however lacked conviction as we have now practically disowned the liberation struggle. Pakistan has made a definite U turn on its principled policy of seeking solution to Kashmir issue through the UN resolutions. In an interview with NDTV on Dec 5, President Musharraf observed that Pakistan would be prepared to give up its claim on Kashmir if India agreed to make it a self-governing and autonomous territory.

The sensational announcement, some call it a 'sell out', was made without reference to any Public institution like Parliament, or official body - the Cabinet or National Security Council. Despite government disclaimers that there has been no paradigm shift, the crude reality is that Pakistan has resiled from the old position and is now open to "new ideas". Some observes even claim that Musharraf's proposal amounts to recognition of India's sovereignty over Kashmir valley, Jammu and Laddakh. <img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/Flush.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='Flush.gif' />

A cursory glance at the contemporary political landscape should leave one in no doubt that current constellation of forces and factors are adverse to the early realization of the aspirations of Kashmiris. Since 9/11 there is no more a legitimate armed struggle against foreign domination or alien occupation. It is seen only through the prism of terrorism and the verdict is that freedom fighters are terrorists and deserve the destined fate. Accordingly, the West has accepted the Indian claim that the struggle of Kashmir is in reality an act of subversion and insurgency fomented and financed by Pakistan.

Our policy continues to be desultory even contradictory. Spate of proposals have emanated from Pakistan and none has created any positive response or resonance. Being half-baked and ill advised they have led to serious attrition to our historical stand on the issue. These proposals have also encouraged others to further muddy the waters. There is discussion on a variety of models - the Ireland formula, the Swiss model and the Economic Union proposals. Instead of tabling these ideas on the negotiating table in a serious and formal manner, they have become an issue of public discourse, and in ultimate analysis harmed the cause of Kashmir.

The history of negotiations with India clearly brings out the fact that it has been a bilateral dialogue between India and Pakistan, both sides arrogating to them the right to represent and interpret the wishes and aspirations of Kashmiri people. The joint communiquÃ© following Vajpayee's meeting with Musharraf on January 6, 2004 also spoke of a solution "acceptable both to India and Pakistan". No mention of the people whose future is at stake and at the heart of the problem. There has been no discussion on the modalities of Kashmiri leaders participation either, let alone a meeting of minds between the leaders of India and Pakistan. It has been stated that once the talks on Kashmir reach a substantive state, the Kashmiri representatives would be consulted. However, no efforts have been made to explain or ascertain who will represent the Kashmiris- the APHC, National Conference, or others. These organizations being poles apart in their outlook, maintaining conflicting and contradictory positions on the final resolution of the issue, defies any hopes of reconciliation or a unified approach.

Pakistan's policy towards Kashmir has also suffered from lack of direction. It has neither focused on nor has involved the Kashmiris in the negotiations, at any level. Statements reiterating support to a solution "based on the aspirations of the Kashmiris" have not become part of the policy. All these years we have repeated the mantra without associating Kashmiris with the peace process. There has been no mechanism or medium to ascertain the "aspirations" of the Kashmiris. The divergence in the views of Kashmiri leadership following Mir Waiz's recent visit to Islamabad and his appeal to his Kashmiri brethren to give up armed struggle would only lead to more confusion, division and frustration rendering consensus on "aspirations", even more difficult.

Kashmir in the present context of international turmoil and turbulence requires a consistent and realistic policy. Our unilateral concession to India instead of facilitating the solution has only complicated it. India continues to maintain arrogant and intransigent policy and interpret Pakistan's concession as weakness and adroitly exploits it. The views expressed by Mir Waiz during his recent Islamabad visit would further encourage India to seek a solution "with in the Constitution of India", leaving Kashmiris vulnerable and divided.

The sad fact is that Kashmir as "core" issue has lost its urgency and primacy as the determinant of peace and security in the region. The world focus is no longer on this issue. India has succeeded in preserving all its positions and has shifted focus from its unlawful occupation of Kashmir to the overall objective of advancing the peace process.

The course of negotiation, during last couple of years has confirmed this. While our unilateral CBMs did lower the temperature between Delhi and Islamabad and had partial success in creating limited public contacts and interaction on trade and commerce; these CBMs have been manipulated by India to create the faÃ§ade of a new dawn of hope and friendship between the estranged neighbors without any significant advance on the settlement of Kashmir issue.

What is worse is that capitalizing on West phobia about Islamic fundamentalism and terrorism, the Indian propaganda machinery has subtly but effectively exploited this fear and equated the Kashmiris struggle for self-determination to a terrorist activity, supported and sustained by Pakistan. The well orchestrated campaign has narrowed the parameters of Kashmir issue to the "cross-border terrorism" and Pakistan has been put in the dock, and blamed for violation of its solemn commitment in January 6, 2004 Joint CommuniquÃ© that "Pakistan's soil would not be allowed to be used for any terrorist activity".

None can question President Musharraf's sincerity in seeking solution for Kashmir, nor with his assessment that it can be secured only through negotiations and dialogue. However the haste and impatience to seek any solution has led to compromising our principled stand without any corresponding gain. Similarly the tendency to offer 'out of box' solution needs to be curbed. Kashmir is not merely a piece of real estate that can be disposed of, in any manner, by one or four individuals, now privy to the ongoing negotiations. During last 7 years there has been no full dress debate on our foreign policy in the parliament, nor any authentic and authoritative effort to seek consensus on Kashmir issue, in the context of changing international situation and geo-strategic interests. In the absence of a policy democratically debated and duly endorsed by public representatives, our initiatives would fail to mark any impact, or advance the resolution of Kashmir issue. Rhetoric is no substitute for strategy and posturing is not policy.

The writer is a former ambassador

Cheers <img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cheers.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='cheers.gif' />

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