The Hindu : U.S. as peacemaker

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, May 07, 2002

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

U.S. as peacemaker

Sir, — The Editorial `A Balancing Act' (May 4) highlights the essence of the U.S. worldview as presented by its National Security Adviser, Condoleezza Rice, in an exclusive interview to Malini Parthasarathy.

Post-September 11, the U.S. is justifiably fixated on the global war against terror and is acting as a behind-the-scenes coolant between the two countries.

But for the U.S., the military brinkmanship between India and Pakistan would have most probably burgeoned into a full-fledged war. Although there are ample signs of domestic dissent regarding the Musharraf regime's servility towards the U.S., let us not pretend that this situation has been advantageous to India. Again but for the U.S., militants such as Omar Sheikh would have continued to enjoy patronage in Pakistan and would have been free to plot more terrorist attacks on India.

As long as the restraining hold of the U.S. over the Musharraf regime remains, it is unlikely that the Kargil episode will be repeated. It is high time the Centre took steps to withdraw troops from the border. Even if it means another fruitless endeavour such as the Agra summit, the Centre should again accept Gen. Musharraf's offer for talks.

Nalini Vijayaraghavan,
Thiruvananthapuram

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