| 12 May 2004 | Wednesday | 21 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425 |
UN concern about nuclear safety
Pillage of Karachi
A landmark judgment
Lack of bank facility
Sense of responsibility
Need to revamp police force
Iraqi prisoners' treatment
A reminder
Indian visit visas
Wheat shortage
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In what must surely be the last nail in the coffin of American good intentions to bring" freedom and democracy" to the Iraqi people, the photographs of physical and sexual abuse and torture of the hapless Iraqi prisoners by American soldiers in Iraq have sent a wave of shock and anger across the Muslim world in general and the Arab world in particular.
These graphic revelations - disgusting and revolting as they are - have also put paid to the boisterous American claims that their mission in Iraq is to "win the hearts and minds" of the Iraqi people.
The war against Iraq, from the very beginning, was a phony war. It smacked of hypocrisy, double standards, lack of legitimacy and superpower chauvinism. The real motive - never openly expressed - was, and still is, to exercise complete American control over Iraq's oil supplies and to ensure Israel's military superiority in the region.
Towards this end, a policy was designed by a bunch of cronies in the US administration, known as the neo-conservatives. Some of them have strong links to Israel, and almost all of them are strong advocate of an imperialist America, extending its hegemonic reach world wide through military intervention, pre-emptive strikes, unilateralism and utter disregard for international law and norms of civilized behaviour that should govern inter-state relations.
The run-up to the war saw unprecedented protests by millions of people who turned out in the streets of London, New York, Madrid, Sydney, Tokyo and many other world capitals. The US administration was not moved. It chose to ignore these protests.
It turned down the pleas of the majority of the members of the UN Security Council who counselled restraint. It ignored the findings of the UN arms inspectors that they had not found any weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.
On the contrary, the US justified war on the grounds that Saddam had hidden his weapons of mass destruction, including chemical and biological weapons, and that he also had links with terrorist organizations, particularly Al Qaeda. None of this has been proved to be true.
A year after the war, the situation in Iraq is as chaotic as ever. The US-nominated governing council is unable to check the deteriorating law and order situation, the casualty rate of the US soldiers and among the Iraqis continues to rise, the Arab media reports that demoralization and disillusionment among the US military (even suicide cases) is becoming a serious problem. In short, the US has created a mess in Iraq which it does not know how to clean up.
On June 30 the governing council is expected to give way to a new body which will hopefully be more representative of the Iraqi people. But no spectacular improvement in the situation will take place if the US continues to have the final and decisive say in its affairs.
As I see it, the only honourable way out for the US is to discard the neo-conservative ideology it has adopted, and to return to the time-tested principles enshrined in such famous American documents as the Declaration of Independence and Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg address, These documents embody the finest hopes and a vision of the American political system which has a universal appeal and application.
In short, America should return to its roots.
SALAHUDIN K. LEGHARI
Lahore
UN concern about nuclear safety
The recent UN resolution on "the nuclear safeguards against nuclear proliferation and theft" passed by the Security Council under Chapter 7 of the UN charter is albeit a timely move provided it is followed in letter and spirit by its five permanent members.
In 1956 the UN voted on a statute to create the International Atomic Energy Agency to promote the use and development of atomic energy and its contribution to health and science, without furthering any military purpose.
The issue of "the physical protection of nuclear material and Nuclear Facilities" was addressed by the IAEA in its Information Circular, INFCIRC /225, in 1975. This document provides states with guidelines for systems of protection and parameters for international cooperation in promoting physical protection and recovery of lost materials.
States are responsible for the physical safety of nuclear material and facilities within their own borders, but transport of nuclear material across national borders is an issue of international concern.
The UN has addressed this with the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material signed in March 1980. The convention applies to nuclear material used for peaceful purposes and outlines measures for international cooperation to ensure the physical protection of such material in transit across borders.
In the early to mid-1990s, major theft of nuclear material occurred in Europe. The international market in nuclear material is not, however, fed only by the former Soviet states; other nuclear weapons states, as well as the 27 states with nuclear research and power facilities, have materials at risk of becoming part of the illicit trade. In 2001, Colombian police seized highly enriched uranium (HEU) originating from an unknown location.
Of the requirements needed to build a nuclear or radiological bomb, fissile material is the most difficult element to acquire, and access to such materials is the primary limitation for those who want to illegal produce and use nuclear weapons.
Because production of weapons-grade fissile material is both a lengthy and technologically difficult process, non-state terrorists would be more likely to acquire it through theft or a black-market transaction.
Weapons-grade HEU and separated plutonium are relatively well protected by military and research facilities, but considering the sheer quantity of stockpiled materials, the risk of theft is considerable.
Estimates suggest that stockpiles of separated plutonium equal some 450 tons, while there are over 1,700 tons of HEU stored at military facilities and civilian research reactors worldwide.
By definition, any use of a nuclear weapon - which always targets civilians - constitutes an act of terrorism, whether committed by non-state terrorists or states. States contribute to the terrorist threat with stockpiled nuclear weapons and fissile material that are at risk of being stolen and nuclear technology that is at risk of being acquired by terrorists.
Tight control over military arsenals, accurate record keeping, safe storage of fissile materials and productive employment for nuclear experts are all essential steps to thwart illicit use of nuclear materials and technology. Irrefutably, complete nuclear abolition would be the most effective means to combat nuclear terrorism.
S. Q. AFZAL RIZVI
Karachi
Pillage of Karachi
The photograph of Jehangir Kothari Parade in your issue of April 28 brought tears to my eyes. This beautiful gift was given to the citizens of Karachi by Sir Jehangir Kothari on March 21, 1921.
I was not even born then but ever since I could cycle, my friends and I had wonderful outings to New Clifton as it was called. Till 1948 or even till 1950 this gift to the citizens was maintained and preserved. Not a stone was stolen or paan stains anywhere.
I remember that as boys we were not even allowed to skate accept on the footpath outside the Parade by the chowkidars who were there round the clock. I had written on this subject a year or so ago with the hope that somebody in the government would wake up and take preventive action.
Alas, it was in vain. Who have stolen the red Jodhpuri stones or the white sand stones? I see these stones being used in the facades of palatial houses. Where did they come from? This is a conspiracy by these rapacious builders and vandals who want to destroy this beautiful monument so that ugly high-rises and shopping malls could be built.
Digressing, just look at the Mai Kolachi Bypass and you will see how the mangroves have been destroyed to build the Karachi Port Trust Housing Society. By the way there is an Old Clifton beyond Mohatta Palace and where the Vatican Embassy used to be, where we used to go with our girlfriends.
The stone benches built almost a 100 years ago have been wantonly destroyed and the kutchi abadi has invaded the hilltop from where we used to see the Keamari Harbour and the Oyster Rocks.
Now all you can see is filth and ugly houses blocking the panoramic view. Very soon some qabza group will take over and nothing will be left. One more Karachi landmark will die.
Incidentally there is another photograph on the opposite page. The caption reads: "Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad presiding over a meeting on the city's problems". I wonder if these gentlemen think that the destruction of Karachi monuments is also a grave problem?
Do we have any love for our city or for matter of fact for our country? Who will stop the rape and pillage of Karachi? I appeal to President Musharraf to visit Karachi and see for himself the destruction of this city. Where is the Sindh Heritage Foundation?
Can they not get out of their glass tower and do something? Let the president ask them a few questions. Breathes there a man, with soul so dead, Who never to himself hath said, This is my own my native land!
F. H. PUNTHAKEY
Karachi
A landmark judgment
Dawn has commended the Sindh High Court judgment in its editorial "Illegality of jirga justice" as a landmark judgment with hopes that the judgment should now act as a catalyst for our lawmakers to rid our society of the inhuman and outdated jirga system.
Mr Ardeshir Cowasjee is also happy with this landmark judgment in his column "First step" (May 2). Let me state that our high courts and Supreme Court have these days started coming up with imposing observations to meet the ends of justice. For example, the chief justice of Pakistan has observed that the plunderers of wealth should not be elected to represent people, and voters should also not encourage characterless candidates (Dawn, April 28).
The Supreme Court chief justice, irked by NAB's failure to furnish documents, observed: You have wasted the entire day during which cases of the appellants remained held up for nothing, (Dawn, April 29). And the chief justice wonders how an official can amass millions. (Dawn, May 2).
Some time earlier I had read in Mr Cowasjee's weekly column that during WW II when London was being bombarded by Hitler's air force, people started losing faith and patience. Premier Churchill was approached. He asked, are our courts functioning properly? Came the reply, "Yes". Churchill then advised the people not to worry.
GHEEWALA A.G.M.
Karachi
Lack of bank facility
Thari Mirwah, a busy city in Khairpur district, has a population of more than 400,000 people. A National Bank branch that we have here caters to the needs of a very large number of account-holders and others coming from far-off localities to pay utility bills and so on.
As the place is a small one it soon gets overcrowded. Many people have to return disappointed as their turn does not come and the bank closes. This causes a waste of their time and energy, as well as of their money in the form of fines they have to pay for being late.
What is needed in the first place is to expand the area of the building, open more counters and ensure that no one returns unserviced. Later, more bank branches should be opened to lessen the pressure on the bank and minimize the suffering of the burgeoning population.
DOST MOHAMMAD DASHTI
Thari Mirwah, Khairpur
Sense of responsibility
Oscar Wilde once said: "To lose one parent may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both seems like carelessness." I wonder if he had us in mind. We had long since lost our direction and now our soul has been up for grabs. Talk about being 'careless,' albeit in a Wilde way. Where is the sense of responsibility? Where is the drive to achieve and the will to compete? Whatever happened to our sense of pragmatism? Why do we insist on being suicidal, figuratively?
The Sheraton bomb blast of three years ago, resulting in the death of a dozen French engineers, left its indelible black mark on the country and made it seem to be stereotypically xenophobic.
It also proved to be a great setback to foreign investment coming into the country. God alone knows where the Gwadar incident will land us. Precisely for this reason, the government has to act proactively to deal with the crisis and pre-empt any threat of confrontational politics with measured sagacity.
For far too long we have blamed everyone else for such disasters, overlooking our own ways of governance. This is our defence mechanism playing into our psyche.
We must admit not having learnt the 'management by consensus' model in our affairs. It's not difficult to see why we are in such circumstances. Weak institutions and the lack of a democratic structure have not helped either.
Feudalism is a big curse in the country. Unfortunately, right from our inception to the present day, nothing concrete has been done about this scourge. One need not go to any great length to imagine the reason for this but the mind does go a wee bit frenetic thinking about the inaction in this regard.
Of course, the feudal landlords are fiercely opposed to the development in Gwadar for the fear of losing the cheap (read free) labour to cultivate their vast agricultural fields. They are also sceptical of the hi-tech culture that will come to Balochistan with this project, prodding the local populations toward education.
Given the low literacy level in the area, the Baloch believe they will be driven out of the loop, hence a feeling of unease among them. For the present, this feeling of dismay may not be entirely misplaced. However, from a medium- to a long-term perspective, which is what we all should have, I do not subscribe to this sense of pessimism.
It ought to be understood that with the accompanying FDI (foreign direct investment) into Balochistan, there will be infrastructural modernization, not to mention employment generation at all levels.
This will motivate the locals to acquire the skills necessary to benefit from such opportunities. Yes, this may not happen tomorrow, or even the day after - however, the path toward progress will most definitely have been lit up. The seeds will have been sown, and this is what counts.
How do we get there? Well, the onus is on the government at the federal level to move legislation to this effect in parliament. Of course, the provincial administration needs to be brought on board.
It will take major negotiations but, with fair play, commonality of purpose and the right intent, everything is possible. We have had enough issues and conflicts with regard to other important national projects like Kalabagh Dam for one. Let Gwadar not become another Kalabagh.
MOHSIN HAFEEZ
San Francisco, CA., USA
Need to revamp police force
"Pakistan to reduce army size by 50,000" - report carried by almost all newspapers on April 28. With reference to this news I would like to suggest to the inspector-general of police to follow suit.
The report says that reducing the numerical strength will cut its long tail and sharpen its teeth. The police would only need to cut its long tail, the teeth are razor-sharp already.
After all, the existing strength is good for nothing, with the ever-increasing crime rate, mismanaged vehicular traffic, increasing number of road accidents, carjackings, encroachments, land-grabbing. Can one justify the co-existence of these social evils and crimes with a large police force?
Take this as an example: a very important traffic light on Shahrah-i-Pakistan was smashed about a fortnight back by an unruly mob, angered by frequent power failures.
It not only remained unrepaired/ unreplaced, but also remains unmanned during peak hours, causing traffic jams. Do we need to draw the attention of stakeholders of the city to mend this? Or should we wait for some major road accident to happen or maybe some VIP to pass through the area before the light is fixed?
One can always find traffic police constables, ASIs and SIs in groups at some lucrative sites, least bothered about the traffic jam sites, waiting to pounce on unsuspecting motorcyclists.
Those relieved from the police force could be re-employed in some commercial ventures of the police foundation, emerging on the pattern of Fauji Foundation. The general public would then have less to worry about, and the relieved police personnel would have an opportunity for rizq-i-halal.
MIR SAJJAD MEHDI
Karachi
Iraqi prisoners' treatment
President Bush has expressed "deep disgust" at the torture and humiliation of Iraqi prisoners, saying that this is "not the way we do things in America". He is absolutely right. This is the way Americans do things outside America.
This shameful incident just goes to show the double standards followed by the US when it comes to achieving their objectives. It is sad indeed that the world no longer has a balancing power to keep the USestablishment in check.
IMTIAZ RAZZAQ
Via email
A reminder
"The Palestinian refugees to be settled in a future Palestinian state": Bush. A news item. Shouldn't we remind him that the Palestinian state was born, along with Israel, through the same UN resolution?
Z. A. KAZMI
Karachi
Indian visit visas
On April 21 the Indian high commissioner was kind enough to inform us that they are prepared to operate a camp office for the benefit of Karachi and other cities. The next day the response from our foreign office was very disappointing.
The matter of appointing visa staff is the sole concern of the Indian government. When they have agreed to provide this facility, our government should have immediately itself availed of this offer with thanks for the benefit of its citizens.
Perhaps our foreign office staff has no inkling of the agony (and expenses) suffered by the people of Karachi and Sindh in visiting Islamabad three times for a visa. Further, the spokesman, without an iota of human touch and sympathy, mentions that the waiting period for a visa is six to eight months. Who can plan six months in advance to visit his/her ailing father/mother?
I hope the offer of the high commissioner will be reconsidered and steps taken to open a camp office at Karachi immediately.
S. MUSLEHUDDIN AHMED
Karachi
Wheat shortage
Wheat atta is the main staple of our diet. With growing population and uncertain rainfall, despite our best efforts, we are forced to buy wheat at a huge cost of our precious foreign exchange. Is it possible to remedy this with some sacrifice and self-discipline at the national level?
If our upper 50 million of population decide to forego consumption of wheat for one day in a week, a saving of one million tons of wheat will result in a year. Thus, we can save nine billion rupees in a year.
S. MUMTAZ AHMAD
Karachi
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