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Bull's Eye

India is not seeking a settlement with Musharraf. It is dealing with Pakistan. The latest proposal from him should, thus, be assessed after a reality check on Pakistan.

Rajinder Puri

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President Pervez Musharraf has now presented his "final solution" on Kashmir. In a TV programme last month he said: "I have proposed demilitarisation as a final resolution. Demilitarise Kashmir, give self-governance to the people of Kashmir with a joint management arrangement on top." Musharraf spoke after returning empty-handed from Beijing. He failed to get a nuclear deal from China. China refused to sign even other deals but preferred to study them further. Musharraf's proposal on Kashmir, therefore, sounded a trifle desperate.

Take a reality check on Musharraf. He is a successful Mohajir. The Mohajirs, unlike most Pakistani Punjabis who opposed the Partition, were the pro-Pakistan ideologues who migrated from India. Later, many recognised their folly and settled abroad. They admit Pakistan was a mistake. The Mohajirs who stayed behind are obsessed with India. Musharraf is one of them. He repeatedly demands equal treatment with India. Musharraf masterminded the attack on Kargil. He continues to describe terrorist attacks on women and children in Kashmir as a freedom struggle. He continues to permit terrorist recruitment and training camps to operate within Pakistan. He is not, therefore, a prepossessing negotiator for peace. Failed assassination attempts against him persuaded some critics that he was helpless and could not control terrorism. It does not matter if he can control them or not. What matters is the end result. He does not deliver.

India, however, is not seeking a settlement with Musharraf. It is dealing with Pakistan. The latest proposal from the Pakistan president should, thus, be assessed after a reality check on Pakistan. Musharraf has proposed joint Indo-Pakistan management of a demilitarised self-governing Kashmir. Surely, he knows that joint management of Kashmir can't be isolated from other facets of the Indo-Pakistan relationship. At the very least, joint management would imply total understanding between India and Pakistan on security matters related to the subcontinent. Security itself cannot be divorced from trade and tariff barriers. Joint management of Kashmir would imply a deep and strategic overall relationship between India and Pakistan.

Is Musharraf prepared for it? More importantly, is Pakistan prepared for it? Although Musharraf recently claimed that Balochistan's armed protest had been put down, the problem is far from over. A problem persists even with NWFP and Afghanistan. And a problem persists with the army-controlled democracy Musharraf heads. The Indian government did not take Musharraf's latest proposal seriously.

The question is: Does Musharraf himself take it seriously?

(Puri can be reached at rajinderpuri2000@yahoo.com)

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Filed In Topics: Indo-Pakistan Diplomacy, Rajinder Puri

More In: International, Opinion, Bull's Eye

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Jul 12, 2006 12:00 AM 12	Gulam: >>One thing is certain. The terrorists who struck Mumbai do not give a damn about what happens to Indian Muslims. So far, there has never been a case of communal riots following terrorist attacks (which have been innumerable). Hence your statement does not have any basis. RSM Delhi, India
Jul 12, 2006 12:00 AM 11	This is horrible news...May their souls rest in peace.. 146 dead and counting.. Dr.Manmohan Singh - why don't you repeal IPC now, just like you repealed Pota earlier? Give jholas to all policemen and make them join NGOs promoting peace with Pakistan. Kuldeep Nayar - go and light a few more candles at the wagah border today.. shankar Mumbai, India
Jul 11, 2006 12:00 AM 10	One thing is certain. The terrorists who struck Mumbai do not give a damn about what happens to Indian Muslims. Ghulam Y Faruki New York, United States
Jul 11, 2006 12:00 AM 9	It is more than likely that Muslim fanatics such as L-e-T are again responsible for the dastardly Mumbai blasts. I feel ashamed and outraged. These evil elements must be eradicated with utmost celerity. Ghulam Y Faruki New York, United States
Jul 11, 2006 12:00 AM 8	The timing of the bombs could not be more exquisite. India gave $25 million for the earthquake victims and then on the same day............ And Yoginder Sikand was wondering aloud in this forum as to why, when it comes to kashmiris, the rest of India does not open its purse. Based on extensive research, I found it has something to do with common sense. Ganesan Nj, USA
Jul 11, 2006 12:00 AM 7	The likes of Jha, who was advocating that we withdraw from Siachen and bend towards Pak, must be dancing on the streets with the news about serial bomb blasts in Srinagar and Bombay. rediff reports that multiple bomb blasts took place in bombay. And our response? We would condemn the "cowardly" acts, say we will not be "deterred", say peace process would continue and then go back to hibernate mode. What is the message we are sending to terrorists? That we are a soft nation. The government must take such a stand that fear should go thro' the spines of these terrorists and most importantly to those who support them. Terrorists cannot operate on their own. They need a lot of help and you must instill fear in those people. The govt withdraws POTA which had provisions to arrest those who support terrorists with mere words. Whats the message we are sending? That we are a soft nation. People as one must demand strict action against terrorists. We dont treat poison with half measures. We remove it totally. Same with the terrorists. It is a pity that we did not have a single govt that acts with such determination. The only exception is the first two years of Narasimha Rao where he stamped out terrorism in Punjab. After that we have had govt with half measures like the NDA or no measures like the UPA. Ganesan Nj, USA
Jul 10, 2006 12:00 AM 6	Why don't we give up the Kashmir valley? The people don't want to stay as part of India. Why not respect their wishes rather than being the occupiers. If you don't want to give up Kashmir to Pakistan, why not set up an Independent nation? They will be dependent on India and Pakistan for access to sea, trade etc. After realizing their follies of Independent life might wish to be part of a lose conferation with India. If such decisive steps are not taken, declare Kashmir as a permanant part of India just like any other state. The only exception will be that forever Kashmir will be used as a field training center for Indian army and paramilitary forces on fighting insurgency. New Me Cochin, India
Jul 10, 2006 12:00 AM 5	Brother Goolam Can you tell us aaa. What Israel should od to make peace in their region. How should Hamas respond. bbb. What should Hindus do to improve relations with muslims, christians, jews, sikhs and parsees. How should the muslims respond. Take your time and come back. Solutions are needed. Its time to do your bit. Thats better then blameing the whole world, for targetting muslims. You are a prime example of a muslim liveing securely and with respect in the USA. How many Americans would be able to do the same in Pakistan. I know that they could do it in India. India has taken in all sorts pf people. Jews and Parsees, afghans and Iranians.Jews who left for Isreal are still fond of India. The muslims who left for Pakistan have amongst them Zia ul Haq, A Q Khan and now Musharaff. Not one iota of friendship for the country where they were born. Zia was educated in St Stephens, my old college. Can you tell me of a single muslim land which would provide asylum to non muslims these days. lalit bagai kalundborg, Brazil
Jul 10, 2006 12:00 AM 4	Sai/Bodepudi, >> "Jews reminding themselves of the Holocaust is not to live in the past but to prevent it from happening again" Jewish programs dealing with the Holocaust never tried to spread hatred against the Germans, and never referred to German "genes" etc. Why don't you leave this task to people who are better equpped to carry it out? Ghulam Y Faruki New York, United States
Jul 09, 2006 12:00 AM 3	Sai/Bodepudi, Your mind is a captive of the past or has been taken hostage by the outrageous blather of lunatics like Osama bin Laden. Under those circumstances you are the worst possible spokesman on the subjects of what India can be, and what kind of communal relations we should have. If you are not aware of communalistic hatred in your writings, only God can help you! Ghulam Y Faruki New York, United States
Jul 09, 2006 12:00 AM 2	Sai/Bodepudi. Under the pretext of preserving Indic heritage, all you are doing is exacerbating anti-Muslim feelings. You try to clothe your evil act with gobbledegook. You say you care for heritage, and that you love your Muslim bretheren, but I never hear you say a word about preserving Indian Muslim heritage. Instead you encourage anti-Muslim hatred. You sir are a sham. Ghulam Y Faruki New York, United States
Jul 09, 2006 12:00 AM 1	Sai/Bodepudi, We do need a rigorous birth comtrol policy. No need to bring in "Islamic conquests" into this discussion, because it makes you lose your credibility as a population control protagonist, and makes you look like a communal buffoon. Ghulam Y Faruki New York, United States

Jul 09, 2006 12:00 AM 1	Sai/Bodepudi, We do need a rigorous birth comtrol policy. No need to bring in "Islamic conquests" into this discussion, because it makes you lose your credibility as a population control protagonist, and makes you look like a communal buffoon. Ghulam Y Faruki New York, United States
Jul 09, 2006 12:00 AM 2	Sai/Bodepudi. Under the pretext of preserving Indic heritage, all you are doing is exacerbating anti-Muslim feelings. You try to clothe your evil act with gobbledegook. You say you care for heritage, and that you love your Muslim bretheren, but I never hear you say a word about preserving Indian Muslim heritage. Instead you encourage anti-Muslim hatred. You sir are a sham. Ghulam Y Faruki New York, United States
Jul 09, 2006 12:00 AM 3	Sai/Bodepudi, Your mind is a captive of the past or has been taken hostage by the outrageous blather of lunatics like Osama bin Laden. Under those circumstances you are the worst possible spokesman on the subjects of what India can be, and what kind of communal relations we should have. If you are not aware of communalistic hatred in your writings, only God can help you! Ghulam Y Faruki New York, United States
Jul 10, 2006 12:00 AM 4	Sai/Bodepudi, >> "Jews reminding themselves of the Holocaust is not to live in the past but to prevent it from happening again" Jewish programs dealing with the Holocaust never tried to spread hatred against the Germans, and never referred to German "genes" etc. Why don't you leave this task to people who are better equpped to carry it out? Ghulam Y Faruki New York, United States
Jul 10, 2006 12:00 AM 5	Brother Goolam Can you tell us aaa. What Israel should od to make peace in their region. How should Hamas respond. bbb. What should Hindus do to improve relations with muslims, christians, jews, sikhs and parsees. How should the muslims respond. Take your time and come back. Solutions are needed. Its time to do your bit. Thats better then blameing the whole world, for targetting muslims. You are a prime example of a muslim liveing securely and with respect in the USA. How many Americans would be able to do the same in Pakistan. I know that they could do it in India. India has taken in all sorts pf people. Jews and Parsees, afghans and Iranians.Jews who left for Isreal are still fond of India. The muslims who left for Pakistan have amongst them Zia ul Haq, A Q Khan and now Musharaff. Not one iota of friendship for the country where they were born. Zia was educated in St Stephens, my old college. Can you tell me of a single muslim land which would provide asylum to non muslims these days. lalit bagai kalundborg, Brazil
Jul 10, 2006 12:00 AM 6	Why don't we give up the Kashmir valley? The people don't want to stay as part of India. Why not respect their wishes rather than being the occupiers. If you don't want to give up Kashmir to Pakistan, why not set up an Independent nation? They will be dependent on India and Pakistan for access to sea, trade etc. After realizing their follies of Independent life might wish to be part of a lose conferation with India. If such decisive steps are not taken, declare Kashmir as a permanant part of India just like any other state. The only exception will be that forever Kashmir will be used as a field training center for Indian army and paramilitary forces on fighting insurgency. New Me Cochin, India
Jul 11, 2006 12:00 AM 7	The likes of Jha, who was advocating that we withdraw from Siachen and bend towards Pak, must be dancing on the streets with the news about serial bomb blasts in Srinagar and Bombay. rediff reports that multiple bomb blasts took place in bombay. And our response? We would condemn the "cowardly" acts, say we will not be "deterred", say peace process would continue and then go back to hibernate mode. What is the message we are sending to terrorists? That we are a soft nation. The government must take such a stand that fear should go thro' the spines of these terrorists and most importantly to those who support them. Terrorists cannot operate on their own. They need a lot of help and you must instill fear in those people. The govt withdraws POTA which had provisions to arrest those who support terrorists with mere words. Whats the message we are sending? That we are a soft nation. People as one must demand strict action against terrorists. We dont treat poison with half measures. We remove it totally. Same with the terrorists. It is a pity that we did not have a single govt that acts with such determination. The only exception is the first two years of Narasimha Rao where he stamped out terrorism in Punjab. After that we have had govt with half measures like the NDA or no measures like the UPA. Ganesan Nj, USA
Jul 11, 2006 12:00 AM 8	The timing of the bombs could not be more exquisite. India gave $25 million for the earthquake victims and then on the same day............ And Yoginder Sikand was wondering aloud in this forum as to why, when it comes to kashmiris, the rest of India does not open its purse. Based on extensive research, I found it has something to do with common sense. Ganesan Nj, USA
Jul 11, 2006 12:00 AM 9	It is more than likely that Muslim fanatics such as L-e-T are again responsible for the dastardly Mumbai blasts. I feel ashamed and outraged. These evil elements must be eradicated with utmost celerity. Ghulam Y Faruki New York, United States
Jul 11, 2006 12:00 AM 10	One thing is certain. The terrorists who struck Mumbai do not give a damn about what happens to Indian Muslims. Ghulam Y Faruki New York, United States
Jul 12, 2006 12:00 AM 11	This is horrible news...May their souls rest in peace.. 146 dead and counting.. Dr.Manmohan Singh - why don't you repeal IPC now, just like you repealed Pota earlier? Give jholas to all policemen and make them join NGOs promoting peace with Pakistan. Kuldeep Nayar - go and light a few more candles at the wagah border today.. shankar Mumbai, India
Jul 12, 2006 12:00 AM 12	Gulam: >>One thing is certain. The terrorists who struck Mumbai do not give a damn about what happens to Indian Muslims. So far, there has never been a case of communal riots following terrorist attacks (which have been innumerable). Hence your statement does not have any basis. RSM Delhi, India

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