The Hindu : Musharraf's call spurs debate

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jan 14, 2003

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Musharraf's call spurs debate

By K.K. Katyal

New Delhi Jan. 13. Washington's relations with Islamabad are a major subject of discussion in Pakistan not only because of the embarrassment caused to it by the woman-beating charge of its Permanent Representative, Munir Akram, but also because of the controversy over the ``hot pursuit'' of Al-Qaeda members in Pakistan by American forces and the inclusion of Pakistan in the list of countries whose nationals are required to be registered with the Government during their stay in the U.S.

In this context the debate received a fillip by the Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf plea last week that the two countries needed to have for a ``broad-based strategic vision''. The reactions of the press, a credible index of the public opinion, are varied. Some call for a review of the ties with Washington, others want the Government to address the immediate relationship instead of focussing on the long-term vision, some others want a tough line to be adopted on Kashmir and on relations with India, instead of dependence on the U.S. on these issues. The advocates of the hard line on India would like Gen. Musharraf to become a whole-time Chief of Army Staff and entrust the burdens of presidency to someone else.

This last aspect is pointedly dealt with by Nation and Naw-i-Waqt. According to the Nation, ``To all intents and purposes, President Musharraf's policies vis-a-vis the U.S. and India have not been successful. To the people's utter outrage, the Government has failed to check the FBI's needlessly intrusive activities in the country. As far as New Delhi is concerned the language of peace and reconciliation constantly emanating from Islamabad has not had any impact. We should be prepared for a conflict that India seems determined to inflict upon us. A credible defence of our frontiers demands undivided attention to the armed forces' upkeep, it bears repeating here that the President should keep one hat. In this time of crisis, he is more needed as COAS.''

Naw-i-Waqt sees Gen. Musharraf's pro-U.S. stance, apart from other factors, as causing divisions and disunity in the country (instead of forging unity). ``It is not possible for the Army alone to wage a war, when it is deprived of a full-time Chief. Let Gen. Musharraf and his nominated Jamali Government prepare the nation for war, sacrificing their (personal) interests for the sake of the country's solidarity. Donning his uniform, General sahib needs to take over the stewardship of the Army and entrust presidency to an experienced and wholesome politician. The General is known for his action-orientation and is in a position to gauge the gravity of the situation and take decisions, which are in keeping with national interest, over and above his personal interests. Also, we need to have a second look at our relations with the U.S. though an effective action plan.''

Daily Khabrain draws attention to the contradiction in the U.S. actions — on the one hand, American agencies like the FBI have a free run in Pakistan, arresting whosoever they like, and, on the other, life has been made difficult in the U.S. for peaceful Pakistanis. What is the justification for this double standard? It asks and adds that the requirements of the time demand revision of American policies.

Daily Jang advises the Government to ``concentrate on efforts to get results from present-day ties with the U.S. instead of worrying about broad-based strategic vision''.

Dawn refers to Pakistan's enduring assets like its geographical location but bemoans that ``the pull of this asset has been weakened by the country's chaotic domestic situation and the mismanagement of its economy. A politically stable and economically vibrant Pakistan would be an ardently sought partner by all those nations, interested in peace, progress and regional economic cooperation....The U.S. is going to stay in the region. Pakistan would do well to set its house in order and develop itself economically and socially.''

According to daily Ausaf, it is in the interest of both the U.S. and the BJP that the Kashmir issue remains unresolved. In its view, the U.S. would lose its clout in the region in case the Kashmir issue is settled on a just basis.

The Pakistani leaders need to ensure that they do not commit the mistake of total reliance on the U.S. and, instead, work for the support of the Muslim nations, the paper says.

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