| 19 October 2004 | Tuesday | 04 Ramazan 1425 |
Senator Kerry's 'tilt'
Nobel Peace Prize
Chinese engineer's death
Investigating the 1965 war
Wheat prices
Cricket team's performance
Islamabad church
Muslim world & democracy
Readers' Club
Clarification
Kohat library
Army's perks and privileges
PTV draw
Majority
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This refers to the article "America-bashing on the increase in Britain" by Carol Gould (Oct 17). I don't know where she goes from day to day, but the current resentment against the US is much more than just 'a disturbing and hurtful form of psychosis'. There are many things wrong with America, not the least of which is of course its special relationship with Israel. Also, being against Israel does not qualify someone as anti-semitic. Both the US and Israel are extremely right-wing in their national and international policies, and so egocentric that its downright ugly. Let me cite a few examples:
- Right-wing ideologues are ruling America and shaping its present and future. In fact, whenever a Democratic politician tries to prevent this, he's blatantly called a 'socialist' or even 'communist'. Americans have no idea whatsoever what these terms really mean and to Europeans their use of the word is beyond ridicule.
- The separation between church and state in the US is at risk and the threat is growing. The US is considered the most fundamentalist Christian country in the world by most Europeans. Europe does not share America's view on the Middle East because it is provocative, biased, egocentric and dishonest.
- Education in the US is undemocratic and favours the haves and 'have-mores' as George W. Bush himself was so convenient to point out. The children of poor uneducated parents are quite literally left to rot.
- The independence of scientific thought is under threat in the US.
- Instead of 'preserving the values of what America stands for', patriotism now stands for not criticizing the political leaders and doing what you're told. This is quite literally equivalent to fascism.
- The policy of pre-emptive strike is 100 per cent equivalent to Hitler's policy. Americans can deny this till they're blue in the face, but we Europeans know this to be true. We've seen it.
- The principle of US hegemony over the world is equivalent to the Pax Romana of the Roman Empire. Needless to say, the conquered people didn't agree.
- The utter hypocrisy of US society: a move was made to impeach Clinton because of the nature of his relationship with Monica Lewinsky, but Bush doesn't get impeached for starting a war and conquering a country that didn't threaten the US. Americans should be ashamed of themselves.
- The way in which US corporations control US politicians is highly dangerous.
This is just a small list, but it's indicative of America's extreme right-wing behaviour. And it's growing. And US citizens can argue that it's their politicians that are responsible for this, but in the end they are responsible for the actions of their politicians. In fact, calling Europeans anti-semetic and 'illogical' for this America-bashing is not only denigrating and insulting, but is also an example of how Americans are in denial about their own responsibility.
Americans abroad will have to face the fact that more and more people around the world are going to hold them responsible for the wrongdoings of the US. Calling the people of the world America-bashers is outright moronic and irresponsible.
R. PORTEGIES
The Netherlands
Senator Kerry's 'tilt'
In a recent interview with an Indian newspaper, US Senator Kerry said: "I will recognize the vital global role India would play in the 21st century. I will work closely with New Delhi and with members of Indian-American community to strengthen a relationship built on shared values and interests. ...Time is long overdue for the US to distinguish, once and for all, between India and Pakistan and to treat each differently according to the demands of bilateral relations.
...I am troubled by the way the Bush administration implemented the decision of granting non-Nato ally status to Pakistan. Secretary Colin Powell was in New Delhi before going to Islamabad but he did not even take India into confidence before dropping the bombshell. ...Cross-border terrorism must stop in Kashmir and Islamabad must also cease official or unofficial support to terrorist actions in Kashmir."
Mr Kerry's tilt against Pakistan is clear from his statement. The Indian lobby in the Democratic Party and the Indian-American community have done a good job. Indians have reportedly supported Mr Kerry's campaign financially and politically.
India has traditionally been close to the Democrats since the Nixon days when, in 1971, it complained of US tilt in favour of Pakistan. The senator is rather unkind in his remarks in that he has even disregarded Pakistan's role in supporting the US war against terrorism.
Urgent steps need to be taken to portray a balanced image of Pakistan to the Democrats. The Pakistani-American community should take the lead in this matter. It should organize itself into a cohesive body politically and make its presence felt. Our ambassador in Washington has the right connections in Congress and think tanks. He should use his diplomatic and professional skills to establish personal contact with US legislators. This will help better understanding of Pakistan's cause.
S.M.H.BOKHARI
Rawalpindi
Nobel Peace Prize
At last ecology has come of age with the award of this year's Nobel Peace Prize to Kenyan environmentalist Wangari Maathai who is also deputy environment and natural resource minister of her country. The award won by Ms Maathai, 64, the first African women to become a Nobel laureate, underscores the significance now being attached to environmental issues and more importantly to the reality of the interrelationship between ecology and sociology and economy and cultural development.
We in Pakistan should also awake to the reality of the interaction between deforestation and human rights, importance of bio-diversity in the creation of jobs, role of afforestation in the emancipation of rural women, population dynamics and pollution management, imbalance in rural-urban populations and the resulting impact on urban ecology or rural agroecosystems, sustainable water distribution and irrigation systems for resolution of disputes among the federating units and the nexus between healthcare and clean environment.
Your editorial "A fitting recognition" (Oct 10) has aptly stated that "with the Nobel Peace Prize for the year 2004 to Ms. Maathai, realization of the essential link between peace and sustainable development and the right to a clean and livable environment will be recognized".
Sustainable use of earth resources without compromising the individual's rights to use them is a challenge we need to address on a priority basis. Educational institutions, the print and electronic media and social organizations can play an effective role in the realization of social implications of environmental conservation and ecologically sustainable development among policymakers and masses.
ARIF-UZ-ZAMAN
Karachi
Chinese engineer's death
The news of the kidnapping of two Chinese engineers and the death of one of them in a commando operation on Oct 17 is saddening indeed.
Freed safe and sound was engineer Wang Peng belonging to the state-run Chinese firm, Sino Hydro Company, which is building the multi-million dollar Gomal Zam dam in the volatile region of South Waziristan. However, Wang Peng, aged 40, a surveyor, was killed in the operation.
Chinese engineers have been targeted in Pakistan for the second time in a span of five months. A car bomb blast killed three Chinese in May 2004 while developing port facilities in Gwadar. Abdullah Mehsud having links with Al Qaeda is stated to have masterminded the kidnapping of the two Chinese engineers. Mehsud was freed in March 2004 after 25 months US custody in Camp X-ray, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
A security official is stated to have said that "the man has become too big for his shoes" (Dawn, Oct 16) and now they will evolve a strategy and do some planning. Why didn't security forces hitch up and gather intelligence on the man soon after his return to Pakistan?
Abdullah Mehsud was simply a stooge - halting counter-terrorism operations in Wana could be an objective. The killing followed by the kidnapping of the Chinese engineers is surely a conspiracy to drive a wedge between Pakistan and China.
LT-COL (retd) SYED AHMED
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Investigating the 1965 war
This refers to George L. Singleton's letter (Oct 12) on the above subject. The retired colonel has given a 'Red' background to Ayub's misadventure of 1965. We must not forget that during the 60s, Americans saw a 'Commie' behind every bush. Having said that, it was Ayub's idea to 'defreeze' the Kashmir issue by starting a limited skirmish in Kashmir, which, much to the shock of the high command, resulted in Indians crossing the international border and turning it into a full blown war. It goes to the discredit of our military planners who did not take that eventuality into account and put the entire country at risk.
When the Indians had crossed the border at Wagah on September 6, 1965, and our field marshal was caught unaware, the then American ambassador in Pakistan, Walter P. McConaughy (misspelt by the colonel) had told Ayub: "The Indians have got you by the throat, Mr. President, haven't they? (Asghar Khan, "The First Round: India-Pakistan War 1965", Tabeer Publishing House, Lahore, 1979). In his telegram to the State Department, September 6, the ambassador translated it into the diplomatic language: "Responding (to) my observation this appeared (to) be major (Indian) military undertaking, President (Ayub) said, 'Yes sir, it is catastrophic and we are getting ready for (a) desperate fight'" (The American Papers compiled by Roedad Khan, 2000, OUP, p.17).
ASLAM MINHAS
Karachi
Wheat prices
Mr Muhammad Younus of Sargodha ("Wheat prices", Oct 16) is just daydreaming. Soon he will realize how true Allama Iqbal was when he said some 70 years ago that farms that failed to provide a livelihood to farmers should be set on fire.
It is the choice of the rulers either to read the writing on the wall or disregard it. It is for them to formulate and implement a farmer-friendly policy or to continue doing the existing 'patch work'. It is up to them to save the agriculture sector of the country or push it to further destruction.
Something positive should done by our all-powerful president.
SYED MOHSIN RIZVI
Lahore
Cricket team's performance
Pakistani batsmen again collapsed in a crucial game, giving Sri Lanka the chance to lift the trophy despite being beaten twice in the tournament.
This inconsistency in our batting line-up has been continuing for a long time. We perform in one match and fail miserably in the very next. There is a point beyond which the coach is also rendered helpless as he can only coach players and the team but cannot come out and play himself. Now after the shuffling and reshuffling of coaches and management personnel, one thing for sure has come to light: there is a chronic problem with our batting which is usually dismal, particularly the openers and the top middle order.
We need to sit together and rectify this issue once and for all.
ANAS A. KHAN
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
(2)
The Pakistani cricket team's defeat by Sri Lanka in the finals of the triangular series has once again proved that what our team actually needs are not good coaches like Javed Miandad and Bob Woolmer but a sports psychiatrist who can train the team members in maintaining their nerve at critical times. How can anyone explain the loss in the final game after having won all the matches of the series?
Legends and so-called 'expresses' that we keep on producing so often only work when it does not really matter. Against better teams and playing under pressure, the entire team simply falls apart. If we cannot get the services of a psychiatrist for fear of negative publicity, then we can at least get some help and guidance from players such as Courtney Browne and Ian Bradshaw who did a tremendous job under pressure and helped their West Indian side to win the final of the ICC Trophy against England by scoring 75 runs in a ninth-wicket partnership.
PERVAIZ AHMED JUNEJO
Islamabad
Islamabad church
After years of strenuous effort by the Emmanuel Church Committee, the Capital Development Authority had finally graciously allotted a plot in G-8/2 sub-sector, Islamabad, for the building of a church. After completing all the formalities and requirements prescribed by the CDA, we proceeded to begin construction on the site.
However, due to opposition from certain quarters, construction material worth thousands of rupees was removed from the site and the CDA restrained us from raising the building.
We then approached a court which decided the case in our favour. The CDA issued an NOC and we again tried to begin construction. But those opposed to the church construction filed another suit and obtained another order prohibiting the construction.
I appeal to the president to help us fulfil our dream of building Emmanuel Church on the plot that the CDA has already allotted to us.
BROTHER NAZIR MASIH
President, senior pastor and founder of Emmanuel Church, Islamabad
Muslim world & democracy
I agree with Mr Shakeel Nizamani ("US support to Israel", Oct 8) that there are no traces of real democracy in the Muslim world.
It's a shame that we don't even have a single good example of a Muslim country where the real spirit of Islamic laws and a democratic culture are given due importance. I don't believe that by just practising certain religious rituals, we can achieve a true Islamic society.
Islam is more than just praying and fasting; democratic governance is one its important practical applications.
WAQAR HABIB
Ames, Iowa, USA
Readers' Club
This refers to the letter "Readers Club" (Oct 7) by Mr Asif Jamshaid.
It is shocking that instead of removing bottlenecks and improving the performance of its staff, the National Book Foundation has closed down the club which was open to all citizens and had also provided skillfully- selected reading material to civil and military officers (both serving and retired) for more than three decades.
The authorities are requested to immediately reopen the club.
MUHAMMAD IQBAL BRULA
Via email
Clarification
This is apropos of your report (Oct 15) that thousands of fans were disappointed as they were unable to purchase tickets for the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka match at the Qadhafi Stadium on Oct 14.
More than 11,000 tickets out of a total available of 16,000 in the market were sold. In addition to the 70 per cent sale through banks, tickets were sold also through the Internet. There was a visible surge in numbers around sunset.
Through advertisements and press releases, the PCB had publicized that tickets would not be sold at the stadium on the match day. Two large banners were prominently placed around the stadium giving names of the branches of the bank where tickets could be purchased. One such branch is within walking distance of the stadium.
ABBAS ZAIDI
Consultant Media, PCB, Lahore
Kohat library
The Jinnah Municipal Library served Kohat for more than half a century and became a landmark. The recent decision of the city fathers to demolish the library and sell the premises for building a commercial plaza came as a shock. More so because this is happening when an enlightened governor hailing from Kohat is at the helm of affairs of the province. Furthermore, this should not be happening with a highly educated district nazim.
A public library is a pubic trust and cannot be sold. The present authorities are just its custodians and not owners. As they cannot sell the municipal hall, a school, a college or a hospital same way they cannot auction a municipal library.
I request the governor and the district nazim to intervene in the matter and stop this move. If the building of the library is old and not spacious, a befitting modern library can be built at this place, but please do not let the heritage destroyed.
FAQIR AHMED PARACHA
Peshawar
Army's perks and privileges
This is in response to Mr Rafi Nasim's letter on the above subject (Oct 7).
The Pakistan Army is not the only army in the world which is guarding its nation's frontiers and performing duties which "civilians cannot even dream of". But nowhere does an army develop housing societies at public expense, allot plots to its generals at throwaway prices and call this as "entitlement". Nor does any army claim appointment to civil posts (mostly lucrative ones) as a right. And, above all, can anyone name an army which changes its country's constitution every now and then, hang and send elected prime ministers into exile and get away with it?
AHMED RAZA
Abbottabad
PTV draw
I cannot commend or condemn the PTV licence draw. It is really amazing to know that now our government is obliged to give some incentives/ prizes to those who obtain a PTV licence.
Are we now trying to claim that unless we get government rewards, we as Pakistanis will not obtain a PTV licence, but still we switch on our TV sets and enjoy different television programmes?
IQBAL HADI ZAIDI
Kuwait
Majority
"One man with courage is a majority." - Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)
Pakistan's version of this quotation would be as follows:
One man in uniform is a majority.
MIR TABASSUM MAIRAJ
Islamabad
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