A strange anomaly
Confusion in American policy toward Israeli settlement activity is understandable. It stems from Washington’s refusal to condemn Tel Aviv for its continued violation of the 2003 roadmap. The confusion came to the fore when the American ambassador in Tel Aviv reacted to press reports which said there was no understanding between America and Israel and that the latter would retain some settlements on the West Bank even after a final peace agreement with the Palestinians. The ambassador insisted that there indeed was such an understanding. The basis of his remarks was President George Bush’s letter of April 14 last which implied US support to Israel for retaining some settlements on the West Bank. Refuting the press reports, the ambassador said that US policy lay in “the support that the president has given for the retention by Israel of major Israeli population centres as an outcome of negotiations.” Secretary of State Condolezza Rice then corrected her ambassador and said that Israel’s settlements policy was “at odds with American policy”. Yet, while saying this, Ms Rice failed to be categorical on the issue and the intended correction only served to support the Israeli position.
The settlements issue has been a major irritant in the peace process, now virtually dead. All peace agreements and plans — the Oslo accords, the re-negotiated Oslo agreements at Sharm al-Sheikh and Wye, and the 2003 roadmap crafted by the Quartet — provided for a halt to settlement activity. The roadmap, prepared by the US, Russia, the EU and the UN, was unveiled by President Bush in April 2003. It provided for the withdrawal of Israel from occupied territories and the emergence of a Palestinian state by 2005. On the settlements issue, the roadmap was clear. Israel not only stop building new settlements, those built illegally after 2001 — when Mr Ariel Sharon came to power — should be dismantled. However, in spite of accepting the roadmap, the Sharon government continued to expand existing settlements and build new ones. Regretably the US did nothing to rap Israel for this gross violation of the roadmap. In fact, the Likud government felt emboldened when President Bush said during a meeting with Mr Sharon that even after withdrawing from the occupied territory, Israel would retain “some” West Bank land. Later, Mr Bush torpedoed the peace plan by saying that 2005 was an unrealistic date for a Palestinian state to emerge.
The settlements issue surfaced last week after Israel announced that it intended to add 3,500 housing units to Maaleh Adumim, a settlement near eastern Al Quds. Ms Rice then asked Israel to be “careful” and said that Washington had conveyed its “concern” to Tel Aviv. Explaining the meaning of the Bush letter, Ms Rice said that it merely meant that a final peace settlement should take into consideration demographic realities on the ground. In other words, instead of using the word “settlements” Washington has come up with new terms. While President Bush’s letter spoke of “Israeli population centres”, Ms Rice talked about “demographic realities on the ground”. This is playing with words. Normally, “Israeli population centres” would mean cities within Israel. However, in this case it means the illegal Jewish settlements built and constantly being expanded on the West Bank. Shorn of this word play, US policy continues to uphold Israeli violations of the roadmap and the continuation of settlement activity.
State of Gandhara sites
This week marks the first Gandhara Week in Taxila, organized by the ministry of tourism “to invite tourists to visit remnants of one of the most significant civilizations of the world.” The week-long event (March 27 to April 3) will centre around Taxila Museum and other historical sites in the NWFP. Also here to attend this celebration is a 13-member delegation of monks from South Korea who have said that they were eager to focus on the preservation and excavation of Ghandhara sites in various parts of the country. South Korea is offering to send in their experts to train and assist Pakistan archaeologists, besides providing them with researchers, technical experts and material for excavation, something Pakistan would clearly benefit from. One only hopes that the NWFP will cooperate with the South Korean endeavor as everyone stands to benefit from this.
Pakistan’s reputation at preserving its historical sites has not been very remarkable and it indicates how little importance is placed on this issue. It is doubly tragic that over the years, precious artifacts have been stolen and smuggled out of Pakistan, at times in connivance with customs officials. Thefts of other treasures in national museums also underlines the country’s indifference to its archaelogical treasures. If Pakistan is to take the South Koreans up on their offer of assistance, the area could attract international tourists; the same holds true for other much neglected historical sites like Moenjedaro and Mehrgarh. Despite the fact that officials periodically state that they recognize the tourism industry could do with a much needed boost, rarely do they move beyond rhetoric. If given its due importance, a museum would attract locals interested in learning about their own history and cultural heritage. But we are only too familiar with how history has been distorted to suit the whims of a few. If we are to celebrate our rich heritage in Gandhara this week, the same should be translated into our textbooks so that there is no confusion about our past.
Idle fire tenders
A report in this newspaper has made the shocking disclosure that only 22 out of a total of 52 fire tenders in Karachi are in proper working condition. The rest are lying idle because the fire brigade department does not have the funds to repair them. Given that this is the case for a city of over 12 million people, the neglect of the city government on this score is apalling. The lack of funding also shows the wrong priorities that governments tend to follow in Pakistan, even where the provision of essential or emergency services is concerned. Karachi should have several dozen fire tenders, all in good working condition, deployed in various localities to deal with fire emergencies as and when they occur. One can only imagine what might happen if a big fire were to break out in a commercial or congested residential area; in its present state the city’s fire-fighting outfit simply would not be able to cope with any such emergency.
The other sorry aspect of this issue is that even the fire tenders which are operational are not being used for their designated purpose. The report says that one was loaned out a year and a half ago to Ghotki district in upper Sindh, for reasons that are not clearly known. The fire tender is yet to be returned to Karachi’s district government. Also, two fire tenders were used in the election campaign of the prime minister in Tharparkar district. Mercifully, these were returned. Vehicles and equipment in official use are notorious for having a very short shelf-life because of poor maintenance. The city government should ask for its fire tender in Ghotki to be returned. It should also make provisions for emergency funding to repair the fire tenders that are out of order. After that, the annual budgetary allocation for the fire brigade department should be increased to provide for the regular upkeep of fire tenders.