Monday, Dec 02, 2002
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By Sridhar Krishnaswami
Titled "Healing Kashmir,'' it said that there was a new hope for progress towards the settlement of the 50-year old political dispute that had made Kashmir a flashpoint. "Now a new provincial government in the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir has promised to open talks with the separatist groups, release political prisoners and ease the Army's often repressive tactics. Though a real solution is a long way off, this is at least a start.'' The editorial stresses the fact that the new leadership in Kashmir must get the support of the Central Government and Pakistan. "India's nationalist ruling party looks with suspicion on the new Kashmir Government, and some of its Ministers are already accusing Mr. (Mufti Mohammad) Sayeed of encouraging terrorism with his conciliatory tactics,'' the Post said. But the sting was reserved for Pakistan and Gen. Musharraf. "Far worse is the behaviour of the Pakistani President, Pervez Musharraf, who has blatantly broken his promise to the Bush administration to control the infiltration of terrorists from Pakistan to Kashmir,'' the paper said, referring to the recent terror attacks in the State that has claimed the lives of at least 40 soldiers and civilians. ''...meanwhile, the leader of the foremost Pakistan-based terrorist organisation was released from house arrest. Gen. Musharraf's renewed tolerance of terrorists threatens not just to spoil Kashmir's fragile political progress but also to return Pakistan and India to the brink of war. The Bush administration must hold him accountable.'' It is quite easy to call on the Bush administration to tighten the reins on Gen. Musharraf and end cross-border infiltration; but it is politically difficult for the U.S. to even say anything outwardly for the record. It is not as if Washington does not know what is happening across the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir or the extent to which Gen. Musharraf has "delivered'' on his commitments to the U.S. and the international community. But having identified Pakistan as a "stalwart ally'' in the fight against global terrorism, the Bush administration started off by putting itself in a tight corner as many in this country and elsewhere questioned Islamabad's credentials in the campaign against terror. At the same time, the Republican administration, while privately leaning on Pakistan to "do more,'' has also been conveying the impression that Gen. Musharraf cannot be held directly responsible for every one of the infiltrations taking place across the border. The bottom line to the Bush administration — and one that is expected to continue for some time — is that Washington will not rock the Musharraf boat any more than it has to. While much of this has to do with fighting terror and Osama bin Laden, Washington will also need all the ``friends'' it can muster — not merely for operational reasons — in the event of a military showdown with Iraq.
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