| September 22, 2003 | Monday | Rajab 24, 1424 |
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No to Thal Canal and Kalabagh Dam
Tobacco control in Pakistan
Indo-Pakistan rail link
Praise for a purpose
Absorption of surplus staff
Sending troops to Iraq
Cricket and sycophancy
Ariel Sharon
Fissures between Washington and Pyongyang
FOLLOWING earlier expressions by western leaders, in the post-9/11 period, of “clash of civilizations”, “crusade” and “conflict between the civilized and uncivilized worlds”, we now have a new one from President Bush seeking help from allies in his effort to build a stable Iraq by joining the “fight between civilization and chaos”. The million dollar question is, why and how did Iraq fall into chaos from which the West feels the need to rebuild Iraq, a country with the second largest oil reserves in the world?
The sanctions on Iraq, spread over more than a decade, resulted in disastrous consequences, including the death of more than 500,000 children due to malnutrition and lack of medicines. The restrictions on the sale of oil caused a serious adverse impact on the economy. The sponsored war with Iran had started the decline much earlier. The invasion of Kuwait, into which Iraq was lured, led to the attack by allied forces headed by the US.
Then came the much-trumpeted war and invasion of Iraq to save the world from its weapons of mass destruction and attack on the West within 45 minutes. What more do you need to create chaos?
No weapons of mass destruction, whether nuclear, chemical or biological, were found by the UN inspectors and they were asked to leave. The UN inspectors publicly declared Iraq free of WMD but the shock and awe attack had already taken place. Iraq was taken over by force after being pounded into submission. The nation and its infrastructure were destroyed.
The result, as the world has been seeing over the past few months, can be summed up in one word “chaos”. The US now wishes to fight what is now emerging from this chaos in the shape of Iraqi resistance with the obvious support of foreign militants.
By the second anniversary of the attack on the twin towers, a barbaric and murderous act of terrorism rightly condemned by the world, the US intelligence team had concluded its investigations saying that “there is no smoking gun”. Iraq may have had the ambition of developing a nuclear weapons programme but none had been produced. The other weapons supplied earlier by the West were no more in existence.
We now have an Iraq in chaos. A perfect breading ground for terrorists seeking revenge not only for the attack on Afghanistan and Iraq but also for the ongoing killings between Israelis and Palestinians. There is chaos in Iraq and Afghanistan and since it is obvious how this stage was reached, let the civilized world mobilize its wealth and resources to overcome the existing chaos by demonstrating sincerity of purpose, with compassion rather than aggression, coupled with immediate reconstruction under political management by the UN, pending a handing over to an interim Iraqi government selected by the UN Security Council.
The US combat forces need to be withdrawn and steps taken to prevent further deterioration of the environment caused by use of bombs, rockets, missiles and depleted uranium ammunition, which has raised radiation levels. Iraq, a country with vast reserves of oil, lies in chaos without electricity and water and a broken-down infrastructure. It needs peace-keeping forces and technology from Western countries to enable an interim Iraqi government to succeed. Democratic elections must follow one year.
The war on terror is against forces which have no territorial boundaries and unless the issue of terror is dealt with by trying to remove the cause, there may be more chaos in the world — some created by terrorists and other types of chaos arising from pre-emptive action taken by nations to protect and safeguard themselves out of fear or panic, real or imaginary.
LIAQUAT MERCHANT
Karachi
WORK on the Greater Thal Canal is continuing, though the CCI (Council of Common Interests) has given its decision against this and other similar projects, while the Sindh Assembly has opposed it several times.
First, it should be clear to President Gen Musharraf and his government that the Thal Canal was never a part of the 1991 water accord. Moreover, the government must know why the people oppose it. The people of Sindh feel deeply about the water crisis as it is affecting their agriculture, as well as their very way of life.
At Thatta, to which I belong, the Indus falls into the Arabian Sea, but there is no water in the river and the seawater is ever encroaching upon the land area. There are several problems emanating in Sindh in the aftermath of the water shortage created by the government through Wapda, Irsa and the military-appointed Sindh administration. Salt water intrusion into the plains of lower Sindh is directly related to the decrease of flow in the Indus. Until adequate water is released to the Indus downstream of Kotri, sea water intrusion, combined with the increased level of Arabian Sea due to climate changes, turns Thatta, Badin and many other parts of Sindh into waterlogged marshlands. Seawater has destroyed at least one-third of the land. Recent estimates put the figure at two million acres lost to the sea.
People who live around coastal areas are dying in the absence of food and water. During the last flood many died, not because of rain or flood but because of the government’s negligence, poor LBOD system and hunger and thirst. Before the flood many died or committed suicide because of hunger, thirst and unemployment in Mirpur Sakro (the constituency I represent in the Sindh Assembly), Baghan, Kharochhan, Keti Bandar and Ghorabaree, Shah Bandar and Jatee. The people of these areas are known as tail-enders who stand little chance of ever receiving their quota of water to sustain their lives. Only saltwater or seawater is available. This means only poison is available for our land, our people and environment.
It is in this background that we say a “loud no” to the construction of the Greater Thal Canal and Kalabagh Dam as these projects will hurt our people. That’s why the three assemblies of Sindh, Balochistan and the NWFP have opposed these projects. If anyone goes against the wishes of the people of these provinces, he will only end up trying to hurt the unity of country.
SASSUI PALIJO
MPA, Sindh,
Thatta
PLEASE refer to the “Dateline Islamabad” by Aileen Qaiser (Sept 16). I fully agree that in spite of the Anti-Tobacco Ordinance in place in the country since July 2003 no practical steps have been taken for its implementation.
Smoking remains as rampant as it was before the ordinance. Those who are supposed to enforce the no-smoking policy in public transport and at public places can themselves be seen violating the law all over the country.
The Pakistan Chest Society recently did a survey in which it was observed that 99 per cent of the general public is not aware that there is a ban on smoking at public places and in the public transport. Even the national flag carrier, PIA, is not implementing the no-smoking policy on its international flights.
It is indeed sad that our ministries of health and information are still debating “safe” forms of tobacco advertising while the rest of the world has banned all forms of tobacco advertising in the electronic media. At a seminar in Islamabad held last month, these ministries requested tobacco industries not to depict smokers as “heroes”. May I ask the officials concerned in these ministries as to how else the tobacco companies will promote their deadly products to the public in Pakistan? Will they tell the public through these ads that tobacco is responsible for over 100,000 deaths every year in the country, or will they show pictures of those patients who died prematurely in their forties and fifties of lung cancer and heart attack?
In fact, tobacco companies have intensified their marketing tactics after the announcement of the anti-smoking ordinance. Recently these companies launched several lucky draw schemes in which youngsters were being offered lucrative prizes for taking up this powerful addiction.
At the World Congress on Tobacco or Health held in Finland last month, tremendous concern was raised by the anti-tobacco advocates from all over the world on the policy of allowing tobacco advertisements on the electronic media in Pakistan. I do not think that we should wait any longer in banning all forms of tobacco advertising in the country. When Bangladesh and India can ban tobacco advertisements on their electronic media, why cannot we do the same in Pakistan as the first step towards tobacco control in the country?
JAVAID A. KHAN
Karachi
ALL those who are looking forward to easing off of the travel restrictions between India and Pakistan are grieved to learn from the statement of the general manager of the Pakistan Railways that “India is not interested in restoring the rail link”, (Dawn, Sept 17).
As a matter of fact, both Lahore-Amritsar and Khokrapar- Munabao rail links should be restored. The latter link is more convenient for the majority of Indo-Pakistan passengers as it provides a much shorter route for the central, south and eastern parts of India. Both these rail links, as well as the Gandasingh Wala — the Firozpore Road link and Badin — and the Palanpur Road link also need to be opened as early as possible, along with easing off restrictions on the issue of visas. Better still, the visa system should be abolished between the two countries, at least on a trial basis.
Exchange of books, magazines, newspapers and periodicals between the two countries also needs to be permitted so that the population of the two countries does not remain hostage to the one-sided biased propaganda of the two countries against each other.
SALAHUDDIN MIRAZ
Karachi
“PAKISTAN is providing tremendous support to the US in tracing out the Taliban and Al Qaeda remnants,” so said Gen Richard Myers, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff (Dawn, Aug 6). In fact, we are at the receiving end of such praises from them since 9/11, and it seems it is one of our most satisfying habits to do so.
But this is not all correct. Any praise may have a different meaning at a different time. A man may praise another man who is working for him free or for low wages, so that he continues working as such, without putting any questions.
The Americans praised Saddam when he attacked Iran. They praised Saudi Arabia when it helped them attack Iraq during Gulf War I. So, what we need to think is as to where Iraq and Saudi Arabia stand now as far as the US is concerned.
Come to business now. The Camp David granted the US three billion dollars. The day our president landed in Pakistan, after completing his three-nation tour of the West, important US senators hastily tried to put unnecessary conditions before its disbursement as if they were waiting for his tour to end successfully. He requested for F-16s. It was refused. India did not, it was offered.
The US policy on Kashmir is that it should be solved between Pakistan and India, bilaterally. But it breaks its own policy when it sides with India on the question of cross-border movements. So, how to describe the American praise for Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and yesteryear’s Iraq?
Z. A. KAZMI
Karachi
I WANT to draw your attention to the office orders/office memorandums issued by the Establishment division in respect of the surplus federal government employees. Three or four years ago the government wound up various federally-attached departments and the employees working under those departments were placed in the surplus pool.
As per the government policy, these employees will remain in strength at the Establishment division which will make efforts to absorb these employees. After the departments were wound up, the Establishment division absorbed many surplus employees, placing them in other departments, but regrettably some of the departments have refused to comply with the orders of the Establishment division, saying that posts are not available/vacant, or they want directly-recruited employees, etc.
The Establishment division is the body to decide such matters and not the other divisions/ministries. I request the director-general of the Estab-lishment division, Islamabad, to issue strict orders to all departments to comply with its orders, failing which the head of the respective department may be held responsible.
SURPLUS EMPLOYEES OF FEDERAL GOVT
Islamabad
PAKISTAN cleric Samiul Haq recently stated that it would be un-Islamic for Pakistan troops to be sent to Iraq. He went on to state that if, God forbid (he didn’t say God forbid, I added these words), a Pakistan soldier died in Iraq, his funeral could not be held according to Islamic procedures.
I am surprised at the lack of outrage over this misuse of religion, on his part. Who has given Mr Haq the power to declare that a person’s funeral cannot be held according to the tenets of the religion to which he belonged in his lifetime ? This is typical of reactionary mullas. When they fail to convince people through logic (which happens often), they invoke religion hoping to scare their opponents.
How can one be sure that Pakistan troops’ going to Iraq will be harmful to the people of Iraq? It could be beneficial also. A strong reason for the current state of affairs in Iraq is US troops’ lack of understanding of Iraqi culture. Despite the best of intentions of the Americans, misunderstanding can erupt. Thus the involvement of Muslim troops could go a long way in avoiding such unfortunate situations and achieving for the people of Iraq full control of power.
I am not implying that Pakistan should blindly send troops to Iraq. This is a separate issue and needs detailed analysis keeping in view Pakistan’s interests.
Mr Haq is free to express his thought but must not use religion to sanctify his personal point of view.
SIDDIQUE MALIK
Louisville, KY, USA
OUR cricket guru, Lt-Gen Tauqir Zia, has implanted his talented, if I may dare use the word, son, Junaid Zia, to play One-day Internationals for the Pakistan team. This is not enough, when you hear ‘expert’ comments of Ramiz Raja, Amir Sohail, Sikander Bakht going all-out to praise the general’s son as to how he picks up the ball, how fast he runs after the ball, how he pitches the ball within the stumps, how he increases the speed of his deliveries, and how he covers the ground during fielding, you could but pity these experts.
If you hear these comments with your eyes closed, you might wonder if Imran Khan, Dennis Lillee, Richard Hadlee or Wasim Akram has adorned the field, or if some miracle boy has blessed our much-talented Pakistan side. Probably, all these respected commentators are attempting to just secure their positions of authority in Pakistan cricket; and are intelligent enough to know that sycophancy is the key to remain in good books of the generals.
WAJID ALI KHAN
Manama, Bahrain
Israel has caused many “black Tuesdays” on every inch of Palestine. Ariel Sharon be called to the International Court of justice for his crimes.
MUHAMMAD AYUB MUNIR
Lahore
THIS refers to an article by Henry A. Kissinger, titled “Towards an East Asian security system”, published in Dawn on Sept 2).
Mr Kissinger’s thinking, albeit “in form”, reflects the Washington policy of “containment” on Korean peninsula, still or yet “in substance” it unravels and advocates a policy of “gross aggression” against North Korea. This is why I would like to solicit my expostulations here.
The North Koreans were prepared for war but “anxious for peace”. The stand-off between the two nations first flared in October last year when US officials said North Korea had admitted having a secret nuclear programme in violation of a 1994 agreement. As punishment, Washington and its allies suspended promised oil shipments. North Korea retaliated by taking steps to reactivate mothballed facilities capable of making nuclear bombs and withdrawing from the Nuclear Non- Proliferation Treaty. It also deported UN monitors.
The sowing fissures between a hyper power, Washington’s “neoconservativism”, and a communist, Pyongyang’s nationalist totalitarianism, could not yet be lowered down via six- nation multilateral talks in Beijing, Aug 27-29) in that the talks have fallen in cascades. Washington takes denuclearization of North Korea as sine qua non before it provides security guarantees or economic aid. North Korea says it will continue building a “nuclear deterrent” unless the US signs a non-aggression pact first. North Korea also wants the US government to recognize its political system. If they do so, Pyongyang will allow weapon inspectors into North Korea.
While China, Russia and Japan and South Korea want a nuclear-free North Korea, they know that such an agreement would require a guarantee that the US will not stage a pre-emptive strike against North Korea, as on Sept 20 last year, the US proclaimed its right to a pre-emptive strike against it.
Nevertheless, an outlaw and an “out heroded-herod” policy of the US in Iraq has profoundly moved North Korea in pressing their demand for a non-aggression treaty from Washington. North Korea fervently believes it is next on America’s list for pre- emptive strikes. It takes George Bush’s rhetoric in his ‘axis of evil’ speech as a very real threat to its national security.
The writer’s juxtaposition of a success or a failure of multilateral talks with Korea reveals no more than to warrant the US doctrine of “utilitarianism” in the peninsular politics. The emerging tides of neo-regionalism seem to have been narrowing the space to “centrifugal tendencies” in the world. Since Washington has depreciated the South Korean’s liberal policy of “Sun shine” towards North — ipso facto the new generation of the South Korea excoriates and defies the pattern of Washington’s thinking towards the peninsular crisis.
The future of the NPT and its “weltanschauungs” has become invertebrate and moribund owing to the double standards of its legality, discriminating the nuclear states into a “lawful and unlawful group”. Could humanity be ever forgetting the harrowing memories of American atom bombs that brought ferocity and ossification to the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki?
Should it be confuted by Mr Kissinger that the nuclear pursuit by Third World countries is regarded a great “transgression” against the norms of mighty powers agenda and specially against the US new world order which results in chargesheeting them with “crisis management, economic sanctions, amendments, no-fly zones and now the pre-emption? As long as this fossilized attitude of nuclear segregation of the powerful continues towards the weak, the stalemate over the North Korean issue would, in one way or the other, remain unresolved.
S. Q. AFZAL RIZVI
Karachi
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