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Tajikistan: Search for Roots and Rewards

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by K.N. Pandita – In the neighboring friendly Central Asian State of Tajikistan something is happening, which though significant in essence, is still less known to he world outside. From September 7 to 11, 2006, the Tajiks celebrated with remarkable fanfare a combination of three events, namely 15th year of independence dedicated as the year of the Aryans, 2700th year of the founding of Kulab city in Khatlan province and the 6th Annual International Conference of scholars of Tajik-Farsi language.

The configuration of events galvanized entire Tajik nation into a festive mood. Besides a march past by contingents of Tajik armed forces personnel numbering more than ten thousand at an impressive ceremony at the Samani Squire and under the shadow of the imposing statue of Ismail Samani, the founder of the 9th century Samani kingdom of Bukhara, there were various cultural programmes also to mark the day of great pride for the Tajiks.

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Letter to the Editor, The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

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Concerne Pak Democratic Forces:

Dear Sir, This is with reference to Bhutto, Sharif hint at poll boycott (Tribune, 20 Oct). Presidents of two leading political parties of Pakistn, both in exile at the moment, would want Pakistan’s 2007 elections to be conducted under interim and not the military regime, failing which they would boycott the elections. Obviously, at the root of this mistrust is that Pervez Musharraf government is not a democratically elected government and does not enjoy the public support despite feigned exercise in democracy. Therefore by the same token the top leadership of both the political parties of Pakistan should convey to Kashmir separatist and dissident leadership like those of APHC (both factions) that they should decline to talk to the unconstitutionally formed Presidential government of Pakistan on Kashmir issue because any agreement arrived at during these deliberations would not have the concurrrence of the majority of Pakistan’s civil society. Conveying their view to the Kashmir separatist leadership becomes very urgent in view of the rumour that the two contesting countries have almost arrived at an agreement of dividing the valley and making the Wular lake as the watershed between them. K.N Pandita, Geneva.

Letter to the Editor – Tribune of India

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Concerning Seek and hide diplomacy, US-Pak new game:

By K.N. Pandita – Ascribing to the horse’s mouth, sections of Pakistani press recently made a disclosure that in the aftermath of 9/11, Washington conveyed to Islamabad its intention of attacking and destroying terrorist camps in Pakistan with or without her formal permission. Stunning as the news was, its mystery deepened further as bizarre and conflicting deniability flowed from US State Department spokesperson(s).

US – Pakistan relations have never been along an even and discreetly intended path. Nevertheless, given the contours of a culture of contemporary realpolitik, both countries have been opportunistically exploiting each other with or without success. In totality, this relationship demonstrates the acme of heartless diplomacy based on acutely selfish interests on either side entailing denials, understatements, circumlocutions and even benign lies. Once General Zia defended his managerial style by telling the American Ambassador that his (Zia’s) faith “permitted him to lie for a good cause“. The Ambassador later remarked privately “ and he had lied to us about his nuclear programme”.

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Seek and hide Diplomacy: US-Pak New Game

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by K. N. PANDITA – Ascribing to the horse’s mouth, sections of Pakistani press recently made a disclosure that in the aftermath of 9/11, Washington conveyed to Islamabad its intention of attacking and destroying terrorist camps in Pakistan with or without her formal permission. Stunning as the news was, its mystery deepened further as bizarre and conflicting deniability flowed from US State Department spokesperson(s).

US – Pakistan relations have never been along an even and discreetly intended path. Nevertheless, given the contours of a culture of contemporary realpolitik, both countries have been opportunistically exploiting each other with or without success. In totality, this relationship demonstrates the acme of heartless diplomacy based on acutely selfish interests on either side entailing denials, understatements, circumlocutions and even benign lies. Once General Zia defended his managerial style by telling the American Ambassador that his (Zia’s) faith “permitted him to lie for a good cause”. The Ambassador later remarked privately ” and he had lied to us about his nuclear programme”.

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Shanghai – 6 and regional strategies

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By K.N. Pandita – 15 June 2006 summit meet of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is variously interpreted in political circles. In Washington inquisitive circles would want to know if it is the Chinese version of the now – defunct Warsaw Pact to counter NATO?

The declaration issued after the summit, reflects SCO’s unexplained fears, expectations and warnings. Russia and China, two dominant members of the organization, would like to reassure Washington that the SCO is not intended to be an anti-US bloc, and in a sense, complements her agenda of war against terrorism. However, the hyperbole is difficult to receive easy acceptance.

Indian Prime Minister was the only head of the government among the three observer members (India, Pakistan and Iran) who did not attend the summit. This seemed a very calculated move.

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Retracing the ancient Silk Route

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By K.N. Pandita – On June 18, 2006 Indian and Chinese senior officials met in Beijing to discuss among other bilateral matters the question of setting a date for the opening of Nathu La. The historic event is scheduled to take place this month (June 2006)…

Though Sino-Indian détente could be traced to 1975, yet the visit of the former Prime Minster A.B. Vajpayee to Beijing in 2003 remains a definite landmark in a bid to straighten relations between the two countries. India took a long time to arrive at this stage of mutual relations just because of Beijing’s continued military support to Pakistan unmindful of its anti-India implications.

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Nuclear Iran on Slippery Ground

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By K.N. Pandita – The EU envoy had a two-hour long meeting with the Iranian nuclear negotiator Larijani in Tehran. No side is expected to make public the contours of the talks.

Iran has one disadvantage and the western powers plus the US have so far avoided that pitfall. Iran has taken a stance, whipped up public euphoria and got caught up in the mess. Retracing her steps would mean not only hurt ego but also a prospect of political uncertainty.

The US has been holding a stick and a carrot policy towards Iran whereas the three European powers, UK, France and Germany took recourse to astute diplomacy in dealing with the nuclear issue. Russia and China have been holding an olive branch to Teheran.

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The hydra-headed bill

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By K.N. Pandita – Indian President has returned the OBC reservation bill, which the parliament had sent in for his assent. The government is obliged to send the bill to the president when the parliament passes it with a majority vote.

Under constitutional provision, the President has a right to return the bill to the government if he wants clarification in part or in whole or if he has questions on the impact of the bill on various segments of society. Obviously, the President has some doubts and some questions. He has suggested some amendments to the draft bill.

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Subtle betrayal in Nepal

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By K.N. Pandita – Indian Ministry of External Affairs is getting exposed inch by inch in its handling of Nepal crisis. In the first place New Delhi was never clear whether it should tow the line of monarchy or of people in Nepal.

With its dubious role in Nepal over several decades in the past, India provided space to the Chinese as well as Pakistani intelligence agencies to fish in troubled waters.

For three decades in the past, Kathmandu has become the hub of ISI’s anti-India conspiracies. No wonder, therefore, many fundamentalist-terrorist leaders based in Pakistan, Bangladesh and other Islamic countries, could very comfortably meet and plan in Kathmandu with impunity and obviously with tacit knowledge of the Indian and Nepalese intelligence outfits. In particular Kashmir separatist leaders met with their mentors all over the world in Kathmandu not once or twice but throughout the decade and half of insurgency in Kashmir.

Never did New Delhi lodge a serious protest with the Nepalese government against the use of Nepalese soil by anti-India elements. Is there a nexus between the Indian and non-Indian intelligence groups? Are the corrupt Indian super agencies minting money through this nexus?

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Iran nuclear issue: miss not the opportunity

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By K.N. Pandita – Security Council is gripped by deep division of opinion among the Big Five on Iranian nuclear issue. It is heading towards polarization if no breakthrough emerges in coming days.

US is determined to rope in some of her European allies for a final showdown with Iran. On the other hand, the Iranian President, in a bravado of sorts, shrugs off the responsibilities that naturally fall on the shoulders of top leadership of an important strategic country. This eye- ball to eye- ball confrontational stance needs to be defused.

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Befooling

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Letter to the Editor of The Hindustan Times – Dear Sir, David Hirst’s ‘Original sinner’ (HT 5 April) conceals more than what it reveals. Reliable sources have confirmed that during Iraq-Iran war, Iran received large quantities of weapons from Israel via Pakistan and with Washington’s tacit approval. Iran cannot befool all the people all the time. Israel’s security concerns are very different from other West Asian countries that have ganged up against it. Iranian President publicly advocated Israel’s “effacement.” a religious duty of all Muslims. Who is the original sinner? K.N. Pandita, Mumbai.

Way out from Iran imbroglio

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by K.N. Pandita – Teheran has successfully tested fired multi-barrel missile also capable of carrying nuclear warheads. Responsible Iranian official circles show no relent in their defiance of Security Council’s missive. British cabinet called a meeting of the chiefs of armed forces to assess the situation if Iran’s confrontational stance escalates. US Secretary of State has brought in charges against Iran other than her uranium enrichment programme. The situation is heading towards a crisis.

Iran is a case of split personality. Her post – revolution history is, in part, a stupendous struggle for re-establishment of a lost identity. Swinging from one extreme to another extreme has gone into the construct of that society for many historical reasons traceable to pre-Islamic periods. Today the Iranian society is locked in a grim struggle for equilibrium.

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Iran in the eye of storm

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by K.N. Pandita – Iran’s revolution of 1979 was a queer mix of politics, religion and personal vendetta. Anti-Americanism was born out of a three decades – long seesaw battle of the Leftist Tudeh/Jibbh-e Milli against the American supported Pahlavi monarchy, sharp Shia religious sensitivity resulting from endemic ethnic-religious rivalry with the Saudis and personal vendetta of late Ayatollah Khumeini against Reza Shah.

At the time of eruption of revolution, the traditional Left wing had suffered a massive mauling and was in disarray. Absence of a genuine and broad-based nationalist political party forced the remnant of the Tudeh/Jibhh-e Milli to throw its weight on the side of the agitating clerics who had little aspiration of carrying their battle beyond the removal of the monarchy. In the initial stages, the clerics were reconciled to power passing into the hands of the Leftists once monarchy had crumbled.

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Fall out of Indo-US nuclear deal

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By K.N. Pandita

The landmark deal of March 2, 2006 has caused ripples in the waters of geo-political strategy for the region. Its fall out on international politics is also discernible.

Two Asian countries, Pakistan and China have been keeping a close track of events. They have stakes in one way or the other. Pakistan’s main worry is that US has moved away from half a century – old parity politics in South Asia. It demands that her policy planners revisit the features of Pak-US relations in immediate and distant future.

China anticipates sharpening of Sino-Indian rivalry on the one hand and deepening of Indo-Pak estrangement on the other. Thus she has to move along two parallel lines simultaneously.

The first step, which Pakistan has taken to counter the Indo-US camaraderie, is to vitiate the deal in the eyes of Congressmen, media and opinion makers in the US and abroad. She has activated her lobbies in the US Congress, the western lending agencies and the European Union circles.

Islamabad is using the tools, diplomacy and blackmail, to get the deal scuttled. She has called it the wrecking of NPT and has raised an alarm of a mad rush of nuclear proliferation. When Pakistani Prime Minister says that his country can think of other things, it does carry an alarming message.

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A landmark deal between two democracies, part II

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By K.N. Pandita

The nuclear deal between the strongest and the largest democracy in the world is essentially stems from 9/11. No doubt it has come belatedly, but certainly it reflects mature statesmanship of highest level.

If everything goes well, the deal is bound to change the history of contemporary world. In essence it is the strongest and the most effective step to protect and promote rich and colorful human civilization. Its significance lies not in military muscle it may forge or the formidable war machine it may manufacture but actually in terms of the path it will pave to lead mankind to the destination of freedom and human dignity.

Indian and American leadership deserves full appreciation for their understanding of ground realities of contemporary times. Coming together of two democracies is a clear signal to regressive forces that the assets of human civilization cannot be left to spoliation.

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A landmark deal between two democracies, part I

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By K.N. Pandita

The nuclear deal between the strongest and the largest democracy in the world is essentially stems from 9/11. No doubt it has come belatedly, but certainly it reflects mature statesmanship of highest level.

If everything goes well, the deal is bound to change the history of contemporary world. In essence it is the strongest and the most effective step to protect and promote rich and colorful human civilization. Its significance lies not in military muscle it may forge or the formidable war machine it may manufacture but actually in terms of the path it will pave to lead mankind to the destination of freedom and human dignity.

Indian and American leadership deserves full appreciation for their understanding of ground realities of contemporary times. Coming together of two democracies is a clear signal to regressive forces that the assets of human civilization cannot be left to spoliation.

India desperately needs energy source to meet economic demands of a burgeoning population. The US needs a global structure to support and promote her commitment to human freedom and dignity. The two requirements are interdependent.

The future world must make a shift from military use of nuclear energy to its civilian use. That is perfectly in the interests of all nations. But this cannot happen overnight. The US, with its unique position, is understandably the right country to take the initiative.

India has responded to this initiative with wisdom and pragmatism. It has set an example for others who, unfortunately, assign limited and rather unrealistic use to nuclear energy source.

As economic and technological cooperation between the two democracies grows and impacts the life of broad masses of people in both the countries in a tangible way, the compulsion of military use of nuclear energy will diminish correspondingly. The US and India have caught that vision and taken a bold initiative, which in reality is the first step towards a world free of WMD.

George W Bush is the fifth President of the US to visit India since India’s independence. But he is the first President to reach the people of India: he is also the first President to understand that India a mosaic of different faiths, languages, cultures and ideologies is making the unique yet most stupendous experiment of carrying the one fourth of world’s population along the path of democracy, secularism and pluralism. The US President recognized it fully when he said that in some way Indian democracy was functioning better than that of his own country.

The deal has to be ratified by the US Congress and the Indian Parliament. That is what makes it significant and historic. The Indian Prime Minster has already essayed for majority support in the parliament by making a suvo moto speech delineating the basics of India’s approach to the deal. President Bush will be moving in the direction.

Is militancy on decline?

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K.N. Pandita, 7 Jan 2006 – Ever since Indo-Pak dialogue began a year or more ago, there have been contradictory and even confusing statements from various official quarters about the rise or fall in militancy related incidents in the J&K State. . Ministers and their top bureaucrats apart, even army generals also are willy-nilly dragged into this controversy.

It shows that pressures from some unknown quarters are exerted to force retracting of statements or re-interpretation of policy parameters. Pakistani media loses no opportunity of drawing another mile from New Delhi’s vacillation.

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Pan-Asian Energy Grid: A Crucial Concept

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By K.N. Pandita – For one century in the past the Gulf oil remained the main source of energy supplies to the world. In the process, West Asia, and particularly the littoral states, which incidentally happen to be the Muslim dominated states, emerged as potent actors on the stage of international relations. That contemporary politics is the politics of oil is the whole truth..

Disintegration of the Soviet Union has thrown up a new oil scenario in the territories of the erstwhile Soviet Union. In a sense, the time has come when a century – old West Asian oil monopoly shall lose its pivotal position in determining the course of contemporary history as “Pan-Asian energy goals” begin to over-ride the “ new great game” syndrome in Central Eurasia.

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Telling the truth

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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.

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Iran: The Nuclear Pre-occupation

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By K.N. Pandita – The CPI (M) has made an issue of India’s vote against Iran in the IAEA’s September meeting. It was not willing to give even fringe credibility to the explanation of MEA spokesman about what India had actually voted for. India wanted to help Iran gain some more time to reconsider her position on the issue of enriching uranium to weapon-graded level. In this case the Indian Left seems to have concentrated on faultfinding politics rather than the imperatives of geopolitics, and hence the noise of UPA government’s sell out to the Americans.

There are some interesting aspects of the issue. Iran has clandestinely obtained nuclear technology and some vital components from Pakistan and China. It appears that the three in tandem knew what they were up to.

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