Geopolitical Analysis

By K.N.Pandita – Two more write – ups besides the ed op “A case of peace talks through the press?” all pertaining to Kashmir and its terrorism scenario have appeared in the issue of December 9. It reflects seriousness about the situation in Kashmir. Is it not the time to call the spade by its proper name and shun ostrich like attitude? Islamic militants have made deep inroads into all walks of life of Kashmiri civil society; political parties of all hues, administration, bureaucracy, intelligence, law making and civic bodies, police, and security forces. Kashmir has been totally Islamized with non-Muslims hounded out and Islamic theological dispensation ruling the lives of ordinary people.

What is more, the Indian state has willy-nilly accepted a theocratic federating state within a secular union. Public has a right to ask the print media to tell them the truth even if it is harsh and unpalatable. Kashinath, Jammu.

Volcker Report and the aftermath
by K.N. Pandita

UN enquiry into the Oil for Food Programme scam has caued deeper ripples in the Indian politics. The name of Natwar Singh, a Congress activisit inj 2001 when the scam was undertaken has been mentioned inVolcker’s report. Indian opposition party in the parliament made it an issue, stalled the business of the house for four full days and succeeded in showing the door to Natwar Singh as External Affairs Minsiter.

People wondered when Natwar Singh was made EA Minister when UPA took over. There wer younger people in the line with no less experience of foreign affairs. That he was a career diplomat and a foreign minister will not be denied. But the prestigious post went to him by way of acknowledgement of his contribution.

Nobody knows where the enormous oil money went; into which banks and in whose name and where? Some say it went to Jordanian banks other say to Geneva banks.The truth maynever be known.

The point is that Natwar Singh is reported to have carried a letter from Sonia Gandhi to the President of Iraq, Saddam Hussain. Congress partyhas an image with the leadership in world countries that have tried to stand up to the bullying Americans. Congress’ role is well known to such countries including Iraq of Saddam Hussain. Obviously, the letter from the Congress president must have been either obtained or voluntarily written or both in order to make a benefit out of it.

It remains a secret how much of money went to the Congress via Sonia Gandhi and how much went to the share of Natwar and et al? Natwar Singh’s parting remarks that he would not want the parliament tobe paralysed owing to his affair is not going to cut ice with keen and impartial observers. He has been shunted out because the Congress president did not want him to be there. Thus Kapil Sibal another dynastaic loyalist was asked to convey the message. He volunteered obviously in the hope of stepping into the shoes of Natwar Singh. Of course he is lobbying very hard for that.

Earlier the Mitrokhen cas had also rocked the parliament. But l’affair Natwar being more attainable a gain, Mitrokhen episode got relegated to the back burner. The fundamental question is of Congress as a historical and popular political parity of India selling itself in foreign markets. Naturally no benefactor would give lavish doles unless strings are tied to them. What are the strings can be understood from the policy the party is pursuing when catapulted into power.

Natwar affair is not going to die down with the exit of the man. The BJP would not let it died down because having made a dent in the projected profile of the Congress, it would strike when the iron is hot. As an opposition it has the right to demand the resignation of person or persons it thinks are involved. The Pathak Inauiry has now become redundant. Evenif it absolves Natwar, he is not going to stage a come back because there are other forces and before that happens, a new EA Ministger will have already occupied the chair.

The UPA chairm person has to accept her responsibility. She may have succeeded in cutting the branch but the tree is rotten. Internal dissensions and unbounded aspirations particularly among the younger generation in her party is bound to surge with a bounce. Dual power centre arrangement has made a complete mess of the PMO, reducing the PM to a mere pawn on the chessboard.