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Tajikistan on road to democracy

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By K.N. Pandita – On November 6, 2006, Tajiks will vote for the presidential candidate. To some it is unbelievable that Tajikistan, the only republic of Central Asian region, which got engulfed in a civil and a fratricidal war after it decided to opt out after the demise of the Soviet Union, is now struggling to institutionalise her democratic political arrangement.

Large scale turmoil in Afghanistan, the state with which she has more than five hundred miles of common border to her south, had its impact on Tajik political situation. With a few pockets like Garm where radical Islamists wanted a theocratic state to replace the given model, internal as well as external forces interplayed and forged a disastrous civil war, which came to an end only five years later after an armistice of sorts was signed.

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US-Pakistan relations: diplomacy of somersaults

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By K.N. Pandita, edited by Daily Excelsior – Ascribing it to the horse’s mouth, sections of Pakistani press recently made a disclosure that in the aftermath of 9/11, Washington conveyed to Islamabad a threat of attacking and destroying terrorist camps on her territory with or without her formal consent. 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 seldom run 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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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”.

Continue Reading…