tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184696282011-08-21T15:34:59.073+01:00news and views about the terror attacks in new delhi on october the 29th 2005. alerting citizens of all civilized nations on new terror threats.cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.comBlogger2111100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1143880906521585532006-04-01T09:30:00.000+01:002006-04-01T09:42:56.790+01:00<div style="text-align: justify;"> We inform our readers to update their bookmarks to <a href="http://cynical-nerd.nationalinterest.in">cynical-nerd.nationalinterest.in</a> and the new RSS <a href="http://cynical-nerd.nationalinterest.in/?feed=rss2">feed</a>. This partly explains our lapse in our posts last week. Cheer up, we have been busy and at our usual self in the new site. Check out our latest take on the <a href="http://cynical-nerd.nationalinterest.in/?p=10">Candle Kissers</a>, the <a href="http://cynical-nerd.nationalinterest.in/?p=13">jihadist</a> neighbor and a worrying <a href="http://cynical-nerd.nationalinterest.in/?p=16">development</a> in Sri Lanka. We thank <a href="http://acorn.nationalinterest.in/"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Acorn</span></a> for having taken this initiative in creating <a href="http://nationalinterest.in/"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Indian National Interest</span></a> portal. See you there! And no, this ain't an April Fools prank!! </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114388090652158553?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1143223797706378922006-03-24T18:09:00.000Z2006-03-24T18:18:58.716Z<div style="text-align: justify;"> Following our <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/03/hollandse-schijnheiligheid.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">take</a> on Dutch morality lessons on signing the <span style="font-style: italic;"> NPT</span>, now it is the time of the Australian Labour (via <a href="http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,18570994%255E2702,00.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><span style="font-style: italic;"> The Australian</span></a>): </div> <div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> AUSTRALIAN uranium should be off-limits to any country refusing to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Kim Beazley will pledge tonight. </span><font><span style="font-style: italic;"> Hardening his stance against uranium exports, the Opposition Leader will promise a future Labor government would strengthen safeguards with individual countries.</span> </span></div><font> </span><div style="text-align: justify;"><font> <font> <font> Well here is the thing Mr. Beazley, you are sitting safely down under the big nuclear umbrella of the United States under the <a href="http://www.awm.gov.au/korea/origins/anzus/anzus.htm" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><span style="font-style: italic;">ANZUS </span></a> defense pact signed as early as 1951. Even to date, your own Ministry of Defence <a href="http://www.defence.gov.au/whitepaper/docs/WPAPER.txt" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">says</a> that <span style="font-style: italic;"> "</span><span style="font-style: italic;">Australia relies on the extended deterrence provided by US nuclear forces to deter the remote possibility of any nuclear attack on Australia"</span>. Well, when India asked for similar protection after the Chinese exploded their bomb in 1964 we were emphatically told 'no'. You might want to know why. We would like to remind you another thing from the past. Successive Australian governments allowed several <a href="http://www.naa.gov.au/Publications/fact_sheets/FS129.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> nuclear tests</a> by the United Kingdom as late as 1963. Even worse, the British did not divulge all the consequences of nuclear tests such as radioactive contamination when they negotiated. But then all the tests happened not in the Australian mainland but in small islands like Maralinga from where the Aboriginal inhabitants were <a href="http://www.aic.gov.au/publications/lcj/wayward/ch16.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">chased</a> away (yet again!). But many of them didn't want to leave their ancestral lands and stayed during the tests getting exposed to the toxic radioactive materials. Long after enduring the negative effects including cancer, they were <a href="http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/1995/196/196p11.htm" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">compensated</a> only in 1995. But the British carelessly left behind significant quantities of highly radioactive weapons-grade Plutonium, making parts of the islands uninhabitable for tens thousands of years. Mr. Beazley also apparently doesn't have anything to say about selling Uranium yellow cake to China - the #1 proliferator. We urge you to stop pretending to take a pseudo moral high-ground vis-a-vis us 'lesser' souls and engage in some serious diplomatic initiatives with India - whose partnership is essential to ensure maritime security west of the Malacca Straits in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). </span></span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114322379770637892?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1143218274165885612006-03-24T16:37:00.000Z2006-03-24T16:47:27.026Z<div style="text-align: justify;"> Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in a <a href="http://www.ibnlive.com/article.php?id=7213&section_id=3">speech</a> today made a passionate offer of peace to Pakistan to the extent of praising General Musharraf's "bold" measures in tackling terror, the results of which we are yet to see. The "tactically brilliant" General has his own way of responding to this offer (via <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&amp;u=/060324/ids_photos_wl/r2368777953.jpg"><span style="font-style: italic;">Reuters</span></a>): </div> <div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;">A faxed copy of a pamphlet in the local Urdu language dropped by the Pakistani military aircraft in Wana, South Waziristan, and Miranshah, in North Waziristan bordering Pakistan, is shown in Islamabad March 24, 2006. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Pakistan's military airdropped pamphlets this week over towns in restive tribal regions near the Afghan border urging tribesmen to shun 'foreign terrorists', <span style="font-weight: bold;">saying they were part of a Hindu and Jewish plot</span></span>. the pamphlets, bearing the sign-off 'Well Wishers, Pakistan's Armed Forces'. Titled 'Warning', the pamphlets said <span style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">the foreign militants were fighting against Pakistan in connivance with 'Jews and Hindus',</span> a term that would play on traditional prejudices among the region's Muslim conservatives. 'They (foreign militants) not only pose a danger to our sovereignty, but are also creating troubles for our people,'</span> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> We would be surprised if this news makes it to the Indian mainstream media. Even worse, the drumbeats will start rolling from the Candle Kissers demanding yet another bus journey to Lahore to 'advance' the peace process which is apparently now 'irreversible'. </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114321827416588561?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1143150045760023572006-03-23T21:40:00.000Z2006-03-23T21:40:47.193Z<font><br> We don't usually take a serious note when nutcases like Syed Ahmed Bukhari who <a href="http://in.rediff.com/news/2006/mar/19onkar.htm" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">says</a> &quot;Talking about terrorist attack on the Sankat Mochan Mandir by the terrorists early this month, Bukhari said that this was a well planned conspiracy to defame the Muslims.&quot; See Pankaj's <a href="http://writepad.blogspot.com/2006/03/indias-communal-harmony.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">take</a> on terrorist's real objectives. But this caught our attention </font>(via <a href="http://www.navhindtimes.com/stories.php?part=news&amp;Story_ID=031911" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><span style="font-style: italic;">IANS</span></a>):<br> <br> <div style="margin-left: 40px;"><font style="font-style: italic;" color="#000000" face="Arial" size="2">Leaders of Muslim minority gathered here on Saturday to forge nationwide unity to fight for the community's rights, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">voicing support for the Kashmiri cause for the first time</span>.</font><br style="font-style: italic;"> <br style="font-style: italic;"> <font style="font-style: italic;" color="#000000" face="Arial" size="2">The 140 million Muslims in India constitute the largest minority in the Hindu-majority country. While the community has many common problems, it has generally kept away from the separatist conflict raging in Jammu and Kashmir since 1989.</font><br style="font-style: italic;"> <br style="font-style: italic;"> <font style="font-style: italic;" color="#000000" face="Arial" size="2">Attending the meeting in the premises of the 17th-century Jama Masjid, the country's largest mosque, was Abdul Ghani Bhat of the <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Hurriyat Conference</span>, the moderate wing of the separatist grouping in Jammu and Kashmir.</font><br style="font-style: italic;"> <br style="font-style: italic;"> <font style="font-style: italic;" color="#000000" face="Arial" size="2">&quot;<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Our main agenda includes Jammu and Kashmir</span>&quot; said </font><font style="font-style: italic;" color="#000000" face="Arial" size="2"> Mr Zafaryab Jilani, the Lucknow-based convenor of the Babri Masjid Action Committee.</font><br> </div> <font color="#000000" face="Arial" size="2"><br> This is setting a dangerous precedent. By allying themselves with the so-called 'moderate' pro-Pakistan groups like Hurriyat, some Muslim groups are now openly advocating the secession of a Muslim-majority state from the Indian Union. Using their freedom of speech and rights guaranteed under the Indian Constitution, they are attempting to cause a great damage to the Indian democratic set-up itself. Talk of the wooden handle of an axe helping to chop down a tree. While we are on the subject, how come these worthies (and their media cronies) never talk about the displaced Kashmiri Pandits.<br> </font><br> <font color="#000000" face="Arial" size="2"> </font> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114315004576002357?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1143144785286639002006-03-23T20:13:00.000Z2006-03-23T20:25:22.040Z<div style="text-align: justify;">Via an unsigned <span style="font-style: italic;">Times of India</span> article titled "<a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-1461774,curpg-1.cms">Sonia: A bit of a Mahatma</a>": </div> <div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Two years after she declined to be the prime minister, Sonia Gandhi remains an enigma: a successful politician no doubt but one clearly different from the rest of the tribe in India. </span> <span style="font-style: italic;"> For the second time in less than two years, Gandhi, 59, caught everyone off guard as she resigned her Lok Sabha post after coming under political cloud and tried to recapture the moral high ground in an arena where power is seen as the only driving force. </span><span style="font-style: italic;"> In that dramatic announcement she made at her 10 Janpath residence, the mother of two, born in Italy <span style="text-decoration: underline;">but now completely Indian at heart, proved once again that she is not and will never be another run of the mill politician. </span></span><span style="font-style: italic;" decoration="" underline=""><u>many now compare her with Indira Gandhi</u></span><span style="font-style: italic;">, her own slain mother-in-law-cum-prime-minister who was often known as one of the shrewdest beings Indian politics has ever produced.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">But far from leading a Congress-led coalition government, which she was widely expected to do, she renounced the job, saying she was listening to the voice of her conscience, a</span><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-style: italic;">nd thereby gained a saintly halo round her that made many compare her to the greatest renunciate, Mahatma Gandhi, whom Indians revere as the Father of the Nation. </span> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-style: italic;"> TOI</span> has already hit rock bottom several times and yet digs further. While we don't bother much about party politics, <span style="font-style: italic;">TOI</span> is parotting the same words as some of the sycophantic Congress party workers. Hey, whatever happened to freedom and independece of press? Guess, it is applied selectively. </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114314478528663900?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1143019436917363742006-03-22T09:19:00.000Z2006-03-22T09:23:56.946Z<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><span style="" lang="EN-US"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><span style="" lang="EN-US"><span style="font-style: italic;">thal·as·soc·ra·cy</span><span style="color:blue;"> </span><i>- <span style="font-weight: bold;">n</span>.</i>, Naval or commercial supremacy on the seas.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><span style="" lang="EN-US">Greek thalassokratiā : <span style="font-weight: bold;">thalassa</span>, sea + -<span style="font-weight: bold;">kratiā</span>, -cracy.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </span></p> <div style="text-align: left;"><span style="" lang="EN-US"><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="" lang="EN-US"> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="" lang="EN-US">Indian Thalassocracy Part III<span style=""> </span>-<span style=""> </span>Post 5th century A.D.:</span></i></p></span></i></p>Part I <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/03/brief-history-of-indic-thalassocracy.html">here</a>. Part II <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/03/brief-history-of-indic-thalassocracy_21.html">here</a>.</span> </div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><span style="" lang="EN-US"> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="" lang="EN-US"> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="" lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p> </span></i> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="" lang="EN-US"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="" lang="EN-US">A golden age of Indic maritime activity (525-650 A.D.) which witnessed the expansion of India and the spread of Indic thought and culture to the farther East Java, Cambodia, Burma, Siam, China and even Japan), was largely a South Indian enterprise in which the <i>Andhras</i> and the <i>Cholas</i> played a key role.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="" lang="EN-US"><i>Bengal: </i> In the time of <i>Kalidasa</i>, the people of Bengal appear to have been widely famous for their nautical resources, for in his <i>Raghuvamsa </i>the poet sings about harbors and dockyards had come into existence as early as the 6th century A.D. A copper-plate grant of <i>Dharmaditya</i> (dated 531 A.D.) refers to a <i>navata-kseni</i> or ship-building harbor. <i>Kamarupa: </i> The ancient kingdom of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamarupa_%28History%29" target="_blank"><i><span style="" lang="EN-US">Kamarupa</span></i></a><span style="" lang="EN-US"> consisting of the Brahmaputra river valley and surrounding areas. King <i>Bhaskaravarman</i> (7th century A.D.) was in "possession of splendid ships" fought a naval battle with <i>Mahasena Gupta</i> on the waters of the Lohitya (Brahmaputra). The Chinese pilgrim <i>Hiuen Tsiang</i> (</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xuanzang" target="_blank" title="Xuanzang"><span style="" lang="EN-US">Xuanzang</span></a><span style="" lang="EN-US">) who visited <i>Kamarupa</i> estimates that <i>Bhaskaravarman</i>’s fleet was large as 30,000 ships.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="" lang="EN-US"><i>Chalukyas:</i> <i>Pulakeshi II</i> (611 A.D. to 639 A.D.) was the most powerful ruler of the <i>Chalukyan</i> dynasty who led his forces in all the directions – land and sea. <i>Pulakeshi</i>’s principal naval expedition was directed against Puri, a great and wealthy city which prospered by its overseas trade and was famous as “the mistress of the Western sea”. The city of Puri has not been properly identified - some consider Puri as the Elephanta Island, others think it is the modern town of Gharpuri on the West coast of Gujarat. The most important fact is that it was the support of sea power which made Pulakeshi the master of the land.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="" lang="EN-US"><i>The Peak of Chola Power:<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="" lang="EN-US">According to Chakravarthi, “the impress that the people of the Tamil states have left on the naval history of the ancient Hindus is the deepest and most indelible”. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="" lang="EN-US"> Under the <i>Cholas</i>, Indian naval power attained its culminating point. The great <i>Chola</i> king <i>Rajaraja</i> 1 (985 to 1014 A.D.) tried to take the <i>Chera</i> country under his control and took the key part of Quilon. He is also said to have attacked Maldives Islands and Sri Lanka. His son <i>Rajendra</i> <i>Chola</i> 1 (1014 to 1042 A.D.) knew the great importance of foreign trade and built a powerful navy meant for trade and war. <i>Rajendra</i> prepared a naval expedition against the </span><i><a href="http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9069321?hook=184936" target="_blank"><span style="" lang="EN-US">Srivijaya</span></a></i><span style="" lang="EN-US"> empire, first taking Andaman and Nicobar Islands to serve as an advance base. The <i>Chola</i> fleet sailed on and took several coastal ports. This attack was only to break <i>Srivijaya's</i> commercial monopoly and not to occupy it permanently. He contained Arab competition by sending a naval expedition against Maldives to stop the Arabs from building and equipping merchant ships there.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="" lang="EN-US"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="" lang="EN-US">His successor <i>Virarajendra</i> continued and strengthened the maritime tradition and made Tamil naval power invincible. <i>Rajendra Chola's</i> naval adventures covered the Nicobar Islands, the Malay peninsular and Sumatra. Under his rule, the Bay of Bengal and the eastern Indian Ocean became a “Chola lake”.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="" lang="EN-US"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="" lang="EN-US">Conclusion:<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="" lang="EN-US"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="" lang="EN-US">While our posts obviously sing paeans to past Indic maritime achievements, sometime down the lane its power waned and almost became non-existent. While analyzing this decline can be left to serious military historians, it is evident that building and maintaining a strong navy was essential for guarding commercial and strategic interests. It is a lesson from the past which is still applicable to this date and even in the future. In a coming post, we intend to present the technological breakthroughs, strategic alignments and regional threats for the Indian Navy to become one of the big-leaguers and reclaim its historical role as the custodian of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) – from the Sea of Oman to the Straits of Malacca and we daresay even beyond. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="" lang="EN-US">-End of series-<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="" lang="EN-US"><span style=""></span><i>References:</i> Prithwis Chandra Chakravarti, “</span><a href="http://ccbs.ntu.edu.tw/FULLTEXT/JR-ENG/cha.htm" target="_blank"><span style="" lang="EN-US">Naval Warfare in Ancient India</span></a><span style="" lang="EN-US">”, <i>The Indian Historical Quarterly</i>, Vol. 4, No. 4, 1930, p p. 645-664 <o:p></o:p> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="" lang="EN-US">O.K. Nambiar, “</span><a href="http://indiannavy.nic.in/pfr2006/MaritimeHistory3.htm" target="_blank"><span style="" lang="EN-US">An Illusrated Maritine History of the Indian Ocean</span></a><span style="" lang="EN-US">”, Excerpts available from the official Indian Navy website.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="" lang="EN-US">Paul Lunde, “</span><a href="http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/200504/default.htm" target="_blank"><span style="" lang="EN-US">The Indian Ocean and Global Trade</span></a><span style="" lang="EN-US">”, <i>Saudi Aramco World,</i> July/August 2005 </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="" lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p></span></p></span></p></span></p></span></p> <p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114301943691736374?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1142923612517587262006-03-21T06:42:00.000Z2006-03-21T06:46:52.553Z<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><span style="" lang="EN-US"><span style="font-style: italic;"> thal·as·soc·ra·cy</span><span style="color:blue;"> </span><i>- <span style="font-weight: bold;">n</span>.</i>, Naval or commercial supremacy on the seas.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><span style="" lang="EN-US">Greek thalassokratiā : <span style="font-weight: bold;">thalassa</span>, sea + -<span style="font-weight: bold;">kratiā</span>, -cracy.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="" lang="EN-US">Part I <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/03/brief-history-of-indic-thalassocracy.html">here</a>.</span><i><span style="" lang="EN-US"> </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="" lang="EN-US">Indian Thalassocracy Part II - From the 4th century B.C. to the 5th century A.D.:<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <i><span style="" lang="EN-US">The Mauryas and the Greeks:<o:p></o:p></span></i> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="" lang="EN-US">The first known Greek book devoted entirely to India is from the late fifth century B.C., written by a Greek doctor named <i>Ctesias</i>, who served the Persian king <i>Artaxerxes</i>. Everything in it is hearsay, filtered through Persian sources. It would not be until the arrival of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_the_Great">Alexander</a> on the banks of Indus in 326 B.C. that we start getting a better picture.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="" lang="EN-US">According to the Greek ambassador <i>Megasthenes</i> appointed to the <i>Mauryan</i> court shortly after Alexander’s death, <i>Chandragupta</i>’s war-office was divided into six boards, of which the first was associated with the “Chief Naval Superintendent”. <i>Kautilya's</i> <i>Arthasastra</i> agrees with <i>Megasthenes</i>, in describing an official called <i>Navadhyaksa</i> or the “Superintendent of Ships”. Of the duties described in the <i>Arthasastra,</i> the <i>Navadhyaksa </i>had to see through that pirate ships were pursued and destroyed whenever they were found. The same regulation applied to ships and boats of an enemy's country when they violated their territorial limits.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="" lang="EN-US">After <i>Chandragupta</i>, his grandson Emperor <i>Asoka</i> maintained diplomatic relations not only with Sri Lanka but also with the Hellenistic monarchies of Syria, Egypt, Cyrene, Macedonia and Epirus which presupposes the existence of a “sea going fleet as well as an army”.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="" lang="EN-US">Greek trade with the peoples of the Red Sea coast and eventually with India strengthened under the <i>Ptolemies</i>, the dynasty that derived its name and foundation from one of Alexander's generals, who took power in 320 B.C. At </span><i><a href="http://www.archbase.com/berenike/english3.html" target="_blank"><span style="" lang="EN-US">Berenik,</span></a></i><span style="" lang="EN-US"> archeologists have discovered fragments of documents in 12 different languages, including Tamil and Prakrit, evidence that this Red Sea port was in touch with both southern and northern India. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <i><span style="" lang="EN-US"> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></i> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="" lang="EN-US">The Andhras:<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoBodyText"><span lang="EN-US">The decline of the <i>Mauryas</i> resulted in the ascent of the Andhra <i>Satavahanas </i>in the South.<i> </i>This Buddhist dynasty who ruled large portions of the Deccan between 200 B.C. to 200 A.D. The <i>Satavahanas</i> maintained<span style=""> </span>a large fleet to rule over the Coromandel coast and fend off the pirates. A <i>Ptolemic</i> account mentions several important ports on the Andhra Coast between the mouth of the <i>Ganges</i> and the <i>Godavari</i> from where ships sailed to the East. <i>Podouke</i> (Pulicat, north of Chennai), <i>Masulipatnam</i> (in Andhra) and <i>Melange</i> (Mahabalipuram<i> </i>in<i> </i>Tamil Nadu) were a few of the important ports which exported spices, sandal, pearls, camphor and silk that was imported from the farther East. Chinese merchants had their warehouses at the mouth of river Krishna. After the <i>Satavahanas,</i> the <i>Pallavas</i>, who were originally from Andhra continued the seafaring tradition. It appears from a study of the Buddhist <i>stupa</i> found at <i><a href="http://www.encyclopedia.com/html/P/Prome.asp">Prome</a></i> (in Myanmar) that Buddhism probably came to that country from Andhra. The cultural influence moved on further to the Malay peninsula with the creation of the <i>Sri Vijaya</i> dynasty (see Part III). </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="" lang="EN-US"><i>Early Tamils:<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="" lang="EN-US">According to early Tamil <i>Sangam</i> literature, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cholas" target="_blank"><i><span style="" lang="EN-US">Poompuhar</span></i></a><span style="" lang="EN-US"> (or <i>Kaveripoompattinam</i> on the <i>Kaveri</i> river delta region) </span><a href="http://www.nio.org/projects/vora/project_vora_5.jsp" target="_blank"><span style="" lang="EN-US">developed</span></a><span style="" lang="EN-US"> into a great port city of the early <i>Chola</i> kingdom only to be washed out by a </span><a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6826956/" target="_blank"><span style="" lang="EN-US">tsunami</span></a><span style="" lang="EN-US"> later around 500 A.D. Writing in the 1st century B.C., <i>Ptolemy</i> noted about <i>Poompuhar</i> and another port town of </span><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nagappattinam" target="_blank" title="Nagappattinam"><span style="" lang="EN-US">Nagappattinam</span></a></i><span style="" lang="EN-US"> as the most important towns of the <i>Cholas</i>. These two towns became seats of trade and commerce with Greece, Egypt and the Far East and acted as a cosmopolitan center of learning.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="" lang="EN-US">In the first century B.C. 'King Pandiod' or the Tamil dynasty <i>Pandyas</i> is recorded to have sent two embassies to <i>Augustus Caesar</i>, desiring to become his friend and ally. One of these reached Augustus when he was at <i>Terracona</i> in the 18th year after the death of <i>Julius Caesar</i>, and another reached him six years later. The Tamil poet <i>Madalan</i> sang in praise the <i>Chera</i> king <i>Cenkuttuvan</i> who led an expedition to the Gangetic plain via an expedition to Orissa by sea.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="" lang="EN-US">The Romans:<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="" lang="EN-US">We get a more clearer account during the Roman Age thanks to a Greek work by an unknown author written around 70 A.D. called <i><a href="http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/periplus.html">The Periplus of Erythraean Sea</a></i>. According to the <i>Periplus</i>, trade with India was booming at </span><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barygaza" target="_blank"><span style="" lang="EN-US">Barygaza </span></a></i><span style="" lang="EN-US">(or Bharuch in present day Gujarat), Greek traders sold or exchanged Italian and Greek wine, copper, tin, lead, coral, cloth, glass, storax and antimony for ivory, bdellium gum, onyx, myrrh, woven and unwoven silk, “mallow cloth” and pepper. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="" lang="EN-US">In the 1st century A.D., Roman author </span><i><a href="http://www.britannica.com/ebi/article-9333360" target="_blank"><span style="" lang="EN-US">Pliny</span></a></i><span style=""> </span><a href="http://history-world.org/india3.htm" target="_blank"><span style="" lang="EN-US">complained</span></a><span style="" lang="EN-US"> that trade with India was threatening their economy “Affnd by the lowest reckoning India, China and the Arabian Peninsula take from our empire 100 million <i>sesterces</i> (about US $10 million now) every year - that is the sum which our luxuries and our women cost us,” </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="" lang="EN-US">To be continued in Part III.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="" lang="EN-US"><i>References:</i> Prithwis Chandra Chakravarti, “</span><a href="http://ccbs.ntu.edu.tw/FULLTEXT/JR-ENG/cha.htm" target="_blank"><span style="" lang="EN-US">Naval Warfare in Ancient India</span></a><span style="" lang="EN-US">”, <i>The Indian Historical Quarterly</i>, Vol. 4, No. 4, 1930, pp. 645-664 <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="" lang="EN-US">O.K. Nambiar, “</span><a href="http://indiannavy.nic.in/pfr2006/MaritimeHistory3.htm" target="_blank"><span style="" lang="EN-US">An Illustrated Maritime History of the Indian Ocean</span></a><span style="" lang="EN-US">”, Excerpts available from the official Indian Navy website<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-US">Paul Lunde, “</span><a href="http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/200504/default.htm" target="_blank"><span style="" lang="EN-US">The Indian Ocean and Global Trade</span></a><span style="" lang="EN-US">”, <i>Saudi Aramco World,</i> July/August 2005 </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span style="" lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114292361251758726?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1142878409301772122006-03-20T18:13:00.000Z2006-03-20T19:30:04.176Z<span style="font-size:100%;"> </span> <div style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" >Pardon our linguistic irreverance since the post title means 'Dutch hypocrisy'. Here is why (via </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="font-family: times new roman;" href="http://in.news.yahoo.com/060320/43/632sa.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><span style="font-style: italic;"> IANS</span></a></span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" >):</span> </div> <div style="margin-left: 40px; font-style: italic; text-align: justify;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">A group of influential Dutch MPs currently on a week-long visit to India Monday said they would prefer it if New Delhi signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="margin-left: 40px; font-style: italic; text-align: justify;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">'We would still like India to sign the NPT. We do not know the details of the India-US (nuclear) pact and therefore can't comment on whether it contradicts provisions of the NSG (Nuclear Suppliers Group),' said F.W. Weisglas, president of the House of Representatives. </span></p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="text-align: justify;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Readers who have seen <a href="http://media.putfile.com/photochor" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">this</a> video (higly recommended), may recall that the most infamous A.Q. Khan started his proliferation career while he worked in the Dutch uranium treatment company Urenco. The failure of the Dutch authorities to prevent Khan from stealing Uranium enrichment details is actually a violation of the </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >NPT</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> to which it is a signatory. Meanwhile, the German media has been all over the trial of one, Gotthard Lerch, a German citizen tightly linked with the Khan network throwing even more light on the Dutch and other perfidies. </span></p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="text-align: justify;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">via </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >Deutsche Well</span><span style="font-size:100%;">e (<a href="http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,1936115,00.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">article </a> in English): </span></p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: justify;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >Gotthard Lerch, who goes on trial on Friday, was investigated extensively by German authorities in the 1980s for the misappropriation of blueprints at a joint British, German and Dutch uranium enrichment facility in the Netherlands. That was apparently also when he came into contact with Abdul Qadeer Khan. Lerch, however, was never convicted.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="text-align: justify;" face="times new roman"> </p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="text-align: justify;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">via </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >Der Spiegel</span><span style="font-size:100%;">, see <a href="http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/spiegel/0,1518,grossbild-595232-405847,00.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> map</a> of the Khan proliferation network with involvement of several European firms (The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland) all being signatories of the famed </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >NPT.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> Quoting from the accompanying <a href="http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/spiegel/0,1518,405847,00.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> <span style="font-style: italic;">Spiegel</span> </a> article (in English): </span></p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="margin-left: 40px; font-style: italic; text-align: justify;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Khan remained at Urenco until 1975, when he copied the company's most important plans and then fled to Pakistan to build the bomb for his country. However, in addition to being theoretically complex, uranium enrichment poses extremely difficult technical challenges -- especially for a scientist without access to a high-tech laboratory and working in a third-world country like Pakistan. </span></p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="margin-left: 40px; font-style: italic; text-align: justify;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">To solve his dilemma, Pakistan's nuclear spy set out on a search for suppliers. At Leybold Heraeus in the German city of Hanau, a global leader in vacuum technology, Khan found what he was looking for in a young engineer, Gotthard Lerch. Lerch soon attracted the attention of German export inspectors, who wanted to know what he was doing in Pakistan. He admitted that Leybold Heraeus had shipped valves, vacuum pumps and a gas purification system worth 1.3 million German marks to Pakistan. When Lerch left Leybold in 1985 and went to Switzerland, a similar know-how transfer took place. Lerch had hardly begun working for his new employer in Switzerland before a company began producing gas ultracentrifuges remarkably similar to those featured in construction blueprints at Leybold Heraeus. The centrifuges were destined for Khan's laboratory in Kahuta.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="font-style: italic; font-family: times new roman; text-align: justify;"> </p> <div style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" > Even worse, the Dutch </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="font-family: times new roman;" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4135998.stm" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">let go</a></span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" > of Khan without prosecuting as early as 1975 upon the 'request' of the CIA who too were apparently interested on the case wanting to catch an even bigger fish. That fishing expedition never happened even after 1998 when Pakistan exploded its nuclear weapons. It was only when Khan's best customer, the Libyan dictator Muammar Khadafi having caught red-handed with weapons material spilled out everything he knew to the </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" >IAEA</span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" > in 2003 that the world started taking notice of Khan.</span> <span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" >India has a strong case against the Netherlands and other European nations with an 'high' moral-standing for being a passive spectators during the entire nuclear saga resulting in Pakistan's 'beg, borrow or steal' nuclearization which drastically affected India's collective security. While India is not publicly raising any of these issues, it would be wise for the honorable Dutch MPs to likewise concentrate on bilateral trade and other issues of mutual interest.</span> <span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" >Related: </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" >The Acorn</span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" > on </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="font-family: times new roman;" href="http://opinion.paifamily.com/?p=1876#more-1876" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">NPT: Born with a fatal flaw</a></span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" >. </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" >Maverick</span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" > on the </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="font-family: times new roman;" href="http://indianmavericks.blogspot.com/2006/03/does-anyone-take-non-proliferation.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> shocking silence</a></span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" > of many of the the non-proliferation ayatollahs during the entire Khan episode.</span> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114287840930177212?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1142856424032357972006-03-20T12:07:00.000Z2006-03-20T13:41:10.610Z<div style="text-align: justify;">Following Gen. Musharraf's <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4777610.stm">undiplomatic</a> outburst against Afghan President Karzai last week, here is some plain speaking by the Afghan Foreign Minister Dr. Abdulla (via <span style="font-style: italic;">CNN</span> <a href="http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0603/19/le.01.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">transcripts </a>): </div> <div style="margin-left: 40px; font-style: italic; text-align: justify;">ABDULLAH: I should say that as far as the Taliban and the people of Afghanistan is concerned, the people have rejected the agenda of Taliban, and they have rejected it long before. When it comes to their activities, the main issue is that most of these activities are linked one way or another to what is happening in the other side of the border. It's there that we are working. We are talking with our neighboring country Pakistan. BLITZER: Do you have any idea where Osama bin Laden is? ABDULLAH: To the best of our intelligence, to the best of my knowledge, he is outside Afghanistan. And he might be in the same place where all those other members of Al Qaida have been arrested. So that's as far as I can say. BLITZER: You think both bin Laden and Zawahiri are in Pakistan? ABDULLAH: They are not in Afghanistan. I hope they will be able to find those people the same way that they have found all the other members of Al Qaida, in the same places. BLITZER: So you think all of them, all three of them are together or near each other in Pakistan? ABDULLAH: That's our intelligence, that they are among their friends. Their supporters are in Pakistan. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Somebody had to say it like it is. Like we <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2005/12/yet-another-al-queda-3-killedcaptured.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">noted</a> earlier, every *real* Al-Queda leader arrested so far were from big Pakistani cities Islamabad, Rawalpindi and NOT from some mountain caves. For long Gen. Musharraf popped out <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2005/12/did-media-fall-for-false-claims-about.html">mysterious</a> Al-Queda No. 3 leaders without arresting a single Taliban leader. This will undoubtedly put more <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/01/goat-comes-home-to-roost.html">pressure</a> to deliver the real goods - that is if the "tactically brilliant" General survives that long. Otherwise, the glorious mantle as 'The Savior of the Pure Land' will soon be passed to one of the "Corp Commanders". <span style="font-weight: bold;">Update:</span> This is getting interesting. <a href="http://news.monstersandcritics.com/southasia/article_1138845.php/Pakistan_bans_two_Afghan_TV_channels_for_airing_propaganda">Pakistan bans two Afghan TV channels</a>. </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114285642403235797?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1142785986647595932006-03-19T16:28:00.000Z2006-03-19T21:09:04.793Z<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><span style="" lang="EN-US"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><span style="" lang="EN-US"><span style="font-style: italic;">thal·as·soc·ra·cy</span><span style="color:blue;"> </span><i>- <span style="font-weight: bold;">n</span>.</i>, Naval or commercial supremacy on the seas.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><span style="" lang="EN-US">Greek thalassokratiā : <span style="font-weight: bold;">thalassa</span>, sea + <span style="font-weight: bold;">-kratiā</span>, -cracy.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="" lang="EN-US">We attempt to present some aspects of the Indic maritime history. This blogger accidentally fell upon some of these extraordinarily interesting information while researching on contemporary naval defense issues. We hope the readers too will find it absorbing. We are not an 'eminent' historian and so we make no guarantees on the veracity of the information nor on its completeness. We have simply compiled the information as per our comprehension in chronological order. Further references and links have been liberally provided for serious history buffs.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="" lang="EN-US"><i>Indian Thalassocracy Part I - Ancient Period:<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="" lang="EN-US">Indic maritime prowess was spread all over the coastal regions: from the Indus valley, the Saurashtras in the Gujarat coast, the Coromandel coast by the Tamil and Andhra kingdoms and in Bengal in the sea and the great rivers of Ganga and Brahmaputra. Long before the birth of Christ, there were several references in </span><a href="http://www.punjabilok.com/misc/literature/liter_india_jatakas.htm" target="_blank"><i><span style="" lang="EN-US">Jatakas </span></i></a><span style="" lang="EN-US">(ancient Indian folk tales), Greek and Roman accounts, early Tamil poems and Pali texts with some supported by archaeological proof showing the navigation of skills of Indians in the rivers and the high sea. There were ports and harbors all along the Indian coastline such as <i>Tamaralipti,</i> <i>Poompuhar</i>, <i>Bharukaccha </i>and <i>Surparaka</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoBodyText"><span lang="EN-US">Obviously there is very little solid archaeological evidence of the ancient period. But there are several references to maritime adventures of kings from sacred texts proving at least that the maritime instincts existed in popular imagination. There seem to be innumerable references in Sanskrit and Pali literature of men lost to the might of the high seas and of wrecked vessels. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="" lang="EN-US">The <i>Rig Veda</i> for example talks about <i>King Tugra</i> who commissioned his son <i>Bhujyu</i> on a naval expedition which was ship-wrecked on the ocean, “where there is no support, no rest for the foot or the hand”. He was subsequently rescued by the twin <i>Asvins</i> in their hundred-oared galley. The <i>Baveru Jataka</i> indicates “that the <i>Vanijas</i> of Western India undertook trading voyages to the shores of the Persian Gulf and of its rivers in the 5th, perhaps even in the 6th century B.C.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9071117?hook=205305" target="_blank"><i><span style="" lang="EN-US">Tamaralipti</span></i></a><span style="" lang="EN-US"> was a large port city in the kingdom of <i>Vanga</i> (Bengal). According to the Buddhist epic <i>Mahavamsa,</i> Prince <i>Vijaya Simha</i> was banished from <i>Vanga</i> and took off from <i>Tamaralipti </i><span style=""> </span>with a large fleet to land in Sri Lanka in the 5th century B.C. Hence the name <i>Simhala</i> is derived from the <i>Simha</i> dynasty which he created there. An <i>Ajanta</i> painting depicts the scene of the landing of Vijaya in Sri Lanka with his army we see a fleet of large ships with many passengers, elephants and horses. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="" lang="EN-US"><span style=""> </span><i>Indus valley and Initial Greek Contacts:<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="" lang="EN-US">The port of <i>Bharukaccha </i>is referenced in ancient <i>Pali</i> texts of Jain and Buddhist accounts as part of the historic trade route of <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamboja-Dvaravati_Route">Kamboja-Dvaravati</a></i> between <i>Dwarka</i> and </span><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamboja" title="Kamboja"><span style="" lang="EN-US">Kamboja</span></a></i><i><span style=""> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahajanapadas" title="Mahajanapadas"><span style="" lang="EN-US">Mahajanapada</span></a></i><span style="" lang="EN-US"> located in north-eastern Afghanistan is supposed to belong to the Indus Valley period.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="" lang="EN-US">Even before Alexander's arrival on the banks of Indus, there were accounts about the people of the Indus basin indulging in the practice of piracy on the high seas. Many such accounts were told by the Persians to the Greek envoys to the then Persian Empire. Such accounts tend to freely mix facts with fiction with tales about India consisting of beast-headed human creatures and people living for 200 years. This was skeptically expressed by </span><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strabo" target="_blank"><span style="" lang="EN-US">Strabo</span></a></i><span style="" lang="EN-US">, the Greek geographer, who published the earlier accounts in his great compilation in 7 B.C. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="" lang="EN-US">The Indus people, per <i>Strabo</i> were the ‘Vikings’ of ancient India, and the great Persian monarchy was the worst sufferer from their depredations. <i>Strabo</i> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrian" target="_blank"><i><span style="" lang="EN-US">Arrian </span></i></a><span style="" lang="EN-US">(another Greek historian) add that in order to protect their cities against piratical attacks, the Persians made the <i>Tigris</i> entirely inaccessible to navigation. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="" lang="EN-US">Ironically, <span class="pagetemplatebody"><i>Strabo</i> also describes India as “the greatest of all nations and the happiest in lot”. One might wonder why would a ‘great’ and ‘happy’ set of people terrorize the Persians. Of course, for the Greeks at that time anything to their East means India, so some of the reference could also have meant also East African or Arabian pirates. We will get a much clearer after the eventual the arrival of Alexander <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span class="pagetemplatebody"><span style="" lang="EN-US">To be continued in Part II.</span></span><span style="" lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="" lang="EN-US"><i>References:</i> Prithwis Chandra Chakravarti, “</span><a href="http://ccbs.ntu.edu.tw/FULLTEXT/JR-ENG/cha.htm" target="_blank"><span style="" lang="EN-US">Naval Warfare in Ancient India</span></a><span style="" lang="EN-US">”, <i>The Indian Historical Quarterly</i>, Vol. 4, No. 4, 1930, pp. 645-664 <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="" lang="EN-US">O.K. Nambiar, “</span><a href="http://indiannavy.nic.in/pfr2006/MaritimeHistory3.htm" target="_blank"><span style="" lang="EN-US">An Illusrated Maritine History of the Indian Ocean</span></a><span style="" lang="EN-US">”, Excerpts available from the official Indian Navy website.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="" lang="EN-US">Paul Lunde, “</span><a href="http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/200504/default.htm" target="_blank"><span style="" lang="EN-US">The Indian Ocean and Global Trade</span></a><span style="" lang="EN-US">”, <i>Saudi Aramco World,</i> July/August 2005<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114278598664759593?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1142693740191267782006-03-18T14:55:00.000Z2006-03-18T14:55:41.000Z<br> via <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4819312.stm"><span style="font-style: italic;">BBC</span></a>:<br> <br> <div style="margin-left: 40px;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Tens of thousands of protesters have taken part in a march and rally in Taipei highlighting the threats that Taiwan faces from mainland China. </span><br style="font-style: italic;"> <br style="font-style: italic;"> <span style="font-style: italic;"> &quot;The great Taiwanese people oppose annexation and invasion,&quot; President Chen Shui-bian told the crowd.</span><br style="font-style: italic;"> </div> <br> Bravo and more power to these folks. More <a href="http://news.search.yahoo.com/news/search?p=pro-taiwan&amp;c=news_photos">photos</a> from <span style="font-style: italic;">Yahoo News</span>.<br> <br> <br> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114269374019126778?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1142631615325298452006-03-17T21:40:00.000Z2006-03-17T21:42:18.160Z<div style="text-align: justify;"> Earlier, we <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/03/shutting-down-madrassahs-musharraf.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">noted</a> that an Islamic seminary suspected of being a Taliban sanctuary in Miran Shah, North Waziristan was bombed by the Pakistani Army on March 15th. This was of course <a href="http://www.paktribune.com/news/index.php?id=137492" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">denied</a> by the ISPR. However more <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/060317/481/mrn10103171633" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> photo</a> <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&amp;u=/060317/481/mrn10203171634" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> evidence</a> of the bombings have emerged. Now you might wonder where are the protests from Pakistan's so-called Islamist parties? After all they <a href="http://wordjunkie.wordpress.com/2005/05/17/imran-khan-and-newsweek/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> protested</a> against the alleged desecration of the Koran by the U.S. military personnel in Guantanamo Bay. Just ahead of President Bush's visit, they also <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4711318.stm" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">virulently</a> protested against the Danish cartoons. Pakistan's Islamist parties apparently don't consider the destruction of a mosque by their own Army as blasphemous. Or rather they have been ordered not to protest. Worse, <s>Jamaat-ud-Dawa</s> Lashkar-e-Toiba chief Hafeez Mohammed Saeed is still <a href="http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2006-03-17T135212Z_01_ISL237130_RTRUKOC_0_UK-RELIGION-CARTOONS-PAKISTAN.xml&amp;archived=False" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> protesting</a> about the Danish cartoons while saying nothing about this mosque bombing. The <span style="font-style: italic;">Reuters</span> report is still toeing the official line: "Islamists are using the controversy to whip up anger against the United States and Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf". How convenient. For long the military dictators of Pakistan have been hollering the "there is no alternative" theory, i.e., the move towards democracy will only enable the Islamist parties to come to power. But in reality, the military has been <a href="http://www.onlinenews.com.pk/details.php?id=94626" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> consolidating</a> its power and is demanding more and more money for its activities which now includes <a href="http://www.satribune.com/archives/oct7_13_02/LATIMES_story.htm">everything</a> from making breakfast <a href="http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/01_46/b3757138.htm"> cereals</a> to <a href="http://www.ffc.com.pk/">fertilizer</a> companies. On the political side, there is already talk about <a href="http://www.pakistanlink.com/Headlines/March06/16/01.htm" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">extending</a> General Musharraf's term by another five years beyond 2007. It reinforces the fact that the Islamist parties are just a tool used by the Army to retain power and to recruit foot soldiers for its <a href="http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-03-17T152025Z_01_L17662547_RTRUKOC_0_UK-SECURITY-BRITAIN-QUARTERMASTER.xml" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> worldwide </a><a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-malinowski16mar16,0,7318682,print.story?coll=la-news-comment-opinions" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> terrorist</a> <a href="http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060311/NATION/603110407/1020" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">campaign</a>. The sooner the world community sees thorough this duplicity the better. Related: <span style="font-style: italic;">Carnegie</span>'s Frederic Grare on <span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"> </span><em><a href="http://www.carnegieendowment.org/publications/index.cfm?fa=view&amp;id=17998&prog=zgp&amp;proj=zsa" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> Pakistan: The Myth of an Islamist Peril</a><span style="font-style: italic;">, </span>our earlier take<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/orchastrated-protest.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> An Orchestrated Protest </a>.</em> <em></em> <em></em> <em></em></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114263161532529845?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1142429639452596492006-03-15T13:33:00.000Z2006-03-15T13:41:17.400Z<div style="text-align: justify;">via <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4807988.stm">BBC</a>: </div> <div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Security forces in Pakistan have <span style="text-decoration: underline;">demolished an Islamic seminary</span> in the country's north-western tribal region, close to the Afghan border. </span> <span style="font-style: italic;"> The privately-run Khalifa Islami Madrassa in North Waziristan is alleged to have links with fugitive Taleban leader, Jalaluddin Haqqani. </span><font> <span style="font-style: italic;">The Associated Press news agency reports that soldiers removed books from the school before placing dynamite inside and blowing it up.</span> </span></div><font> </span><div style="text-align: justify;"><font> Apparently, this will not incite any <a href="http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=54352">protest</a> from <a href="http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=articleView&id=37701&amp;theType=NB">these</a> folks. Also see <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/060315/481/mrn10103150942">this</a> <span style="font-style: italic;">Associated Press</span> photo. </span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114242963945259649?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1142368086331985422006-03-14T20:28:00.000Z2006-03-14T20:28:06.543Z<br> This is our first blog roll update. Presenting,<br> <br> <a href="http://bombatbengluru.blogspot.com/">BangaloreGuy</a>: Takes on <a href="http://bombatbengluru.blogspot.com/2005/12/terror-in-bangalore.html">faltering</a> cops, dabbles with <a href="http://bombatbengluru.blogspot.com/2006/02/even-bulletin-falls-for-it.html"> missiles</a> and <a href="http://bombatbengluru.blogspot.com/2006/03/messiahs-of-poor-yeah-absolutely.html">exposes</a> the false messiahs. Pretty hard hitting for a gentlemanly Bangalorean!<br> <br> <a href="http://indianmavericks.blogspot.com/">IndianMaverick</a>:&nbsp; <a href="http://indianmavericks.blogspot.com/2006/03/pslv-as-first-strike-weapon.html">Rips</a> <a href="http://indianmavericks.blogspot.com/2006/03/does-anyone-take-non-proliferation.html"> apart</a> false claims by the non-proliferation ayatollahs, <a href="http://indianmavericks.blogspot.com/2006/03/what-pakistan-wants.html">very</a> <a href="http://indianmavericks.blogspot.com/2006/02/pakistan-and-other-stories.html"> knowledgeable</a> about our 'friendly' neighbor and supposedly <a href="http://indianmavericks.blogspot.com/2006/02/why-maverick.html">involved</a> in 'business' despite claiming to being a Gandhian!<br> <br> <a href="http://writepad.blogspot.com/">Pankaj</a>: Writes extremely <a href="http://writepad.blogspot.com/2006/03/consolidation.html">well-researched</a> <a href="http://writepad.blogspot.com/2006/01/crucial-decade.html"> posts</a> on many <a href="http://writepad.blogspot.com/2006/03/global-nuclear-energy-partnership.html">issues</a> with which this blogger shares an avid interest.<br> <br> <a href="http://www.sandeepweb.com/">Sandeep</a>: A veteran blogger who needs no introduction from this newbie. Famous for his '<a href="http://www.sandeepweb.com/category/pseudo-secularism-hall-of-shame/">Hall of Shame</a> ' series.<br> <br> Gentlemen, welcome aboard!<br> <br> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114236808633198542?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1142357785999540642006-03-14T17:36:00.000Z2006-03-14T17:49:31.660Z<div style="text-align: justify;"> via <a href="http://www.ibnlive.com/article.php?id=6785&section_id=3&amp;single=true"><span style="font-style: italic;">CNN-IBN</span></a>: </div> <div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Security has been tightened in Hyderabad after police received threats directed at US-based multinational companies.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="margin: 10px 0px 10px 40px; font-style: italic; text-align: justify;">Security has been tightened in the American call centres after reports of threats to MNCs. Apart from city policemen; a Quick Response Team has been deployed. Every checkpoint is manned by four security guards and two armed personnel. </p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="margin: 10px 0px; text-align: justify;">The blokes working there should take this threat very seriously. After Bombay Stock Exchange (economic power), Parliament (seat of democratic power), IISc (premier scientific institution), Varanasi (one of the holiest shrines) the next could very well be a symbol of India's new economic power. </p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="margin: 10px 0px; text-align: justify;"> </p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114235778599954064?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1142319827489000522006-03-14T07:03:00.000Z2006-03-14T09:21:45.566Zvia <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1448418.cms">The Times of India</a><span style="font-style: italic;">:</span> <div style="margin-left: 40px;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> Other terrorist groups which operate in India, such as Jaish-e-Mohammed (Army of Mohammed), Lashkar-e-Taiba (Army of the Righteous) are named after the Prophet and seek to draw their legitimacy from the divine connect. </span><font> <span style="font-style: italic;">Names like Qahar and Rashid are among the 99 different ways of addressing the Prophet.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Maulana Mastan Ali, director of Jamiat-ul Mominath – one of the largest seminaries in south India – who issued a fatwa on Sunday on using the Prophet's name, said: </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"If they (jehadis) can't shun the path of violence, they must at least drop the names so that the entire Muslim community is not blamed."</span></span> </span></div><font> <span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>Whoa. So is it alright if some outfit named say <span style="font-style: italic;">Lashkar</span><span style="font-style: italic;">-e-</span><span style="font-style: italic;">Kufr</span> (Army of the Infidels) to continue to cause terrorist attacks without using his prophet's name?? </span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114231982748900052?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1142283794418972072006-03-13T21:03:00.000Z2006-03-13T22:18:42.553Z<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:180%;"> I</span>n our concluding <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/03/n-agreement-putting-cards-on-table.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">post</a> on the Indo-US nuclear deal, we had warned against domestic Leftist and Islamist opposition to Dr. Manmohan Singh. Now citing the Varanasi <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/03/terror-strikes-varanasi-plus-ca-change.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> attacks</a> by Islamist terrorists, the 'intellectual' class is up arms against India's geo-political ambitions in general and the alignment with the United States in particular with this deal. Sunanda K. Datta-Ray <a href="http://www.telegraphindia.com/1060311/asp/opinion/story_5951431.asp" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">writing </a> in <span style="font-style: italic;">The Telegraph</span>: </p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="margin-left: 40px; font-style: italic; text-align: justify;">By exposing the limits of <span style="text-decoration: underline;">nuclear muscle-flexing</span>, the Varanasi explosions should have <span style="text-decoration: underline;">pricked the balloon of euphoria</span> generated by George W. Bush's visit. By demonstrating again how closely internal security is linked with neighbourhood politics which depend, in part, on the role of the United States of America in the subcontinent, the blasts should also give pause to those who are feverishly fantasizing about the US transforming India into a superpower while cutting Pakistan down to size. </p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="margin-left: 40px; font-style: italic; text-align: justify;">Excitement over this unites <span style="text-decoration: underline;">saffron chauvinists</span> with <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Congress functionaries</span> basking in a glow of achievement and think-tanks and commentators <span style="text-decoration: underline;">who are dependent, psychologically if not materially</span>, on official patronage and also infected by the craving for gloire. But their jubilation ignores what the deal portends and what it cannot achieve. It exposes anomalies and inconsistencies in India's position. Nor should gratitude for evidence of a special relationship delude us into imagining that the US is dumping China and Pakistan.</p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="text-align: justify;">Note that Mr. Datta-Ray does not see this successful negotiation of the nuclear deal as a victory for all Indians but rather as some sort of ego-boosting <span style="font-style: italic;">Prozac</span> treatment for misguided jingoists. Whichever Brit who devised the '<span style="font-style: italic;">Divide and Rule</span>' policy would be proud. Let's be clear that no one is fantasizing about someone helping out someone else becoming a super power. India will charter out its own course with or without the US. It is just that the US wants to invest in that and reap up some short-term commercial benefits and medium-term tactical understanding of mutual interests, that is if it turns out well as previewed. </p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="margin-left: 40px; font-style: italic; text-align: justify;">None of this is to question Bush's intentions or India's right to sit at the world's high table. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">But we should be objective enough to understand that a unilateral American exception to the nuclear order, albeit in India's favour, formally hammers the last nail into the coffin of multipolarity and consensual decision-making</span>. Henceforth, the US can claim India's approval in riding roughshod over international institutions, organizations and commitments. The nature of the challenge highlighted by the Varanasi bloodshed should also oblige us to acknowledge that <span style="text-decoration: underline;">an obsession with the bomb, making nonsense of previous assertions about greatness lying in the moral and cultural values of 5,000 years of unbroken civilization, cannot protect us</span> from the stab in the back of saboteurs and subversives striking suddenly in the dark or in the anonymity of crowds. </p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="text-align: justify;"> Whoa, Mr. Dutta-Ray is dabbling with nuclear bombs, Hindu civilization, mulipolarity, etc. Whoever said nuclear weapons could stop terrorists - 10,000 U.S. warheads did'nt prevent Al-Queda from striking at the heart of American power on 9/11. And, India did not seek approval from any multilateral institutions from liberating Bangladesh in the face of the Pakistani genocide of 1971. Nor did it get any help in fighting terror in all these years - so why should India give a rat's <span style="font-style: italic;">derriere</span> about such toothless institutions. </p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="text-align: justify;">The author still hasn't answered the question on why should India sacrifice its foreign policy objectives in the face of a changing world-order to a bunch of terrorist low-lives sent by the neighboring Islamic Republic. </p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Nevertheless, the deal recalls the Conference on Disarmament where Israel's Shimon Peres contemptuously dismissed an NPT signature as not being "worth the peel on a garlic". India's V.C. Trivedi argued that the treaty's only purpose was to "disarm the unarmed", while Mexico's Miguel Marin Bosch was reminded of "the slavery debates of the 19th century". Yet, even in denouncing the NPT, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">India swore by Article VI calling on weapons states</span> "to make progressive efforts to reduce nuclear weapons globally with the ultimate end of eliminating those weapons". India also cited the International Court of Justice's demand for "general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control". Will India now jettison Article VI? Or claim that it only restricts signatories?</span> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Before we start worrying about the moral high horse of <span style="font-style: italic;">Article VI</span>, let's talk about a even more fundamental <span style="font-style: italic;">Article I</span> of the <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.fas.org/nuke/control/npt/text/npt2.htm" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> NPT</a> which the No. 1 proliferator China as a 'responsible' Nuclear Weapons State has <a href="http://www.nti.org/db/china/npakpos.htm" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">violated</a> several times. Onto next. </div> <p style="margin-left: 40px; font-style: italic; text-align: justify;">But Pakistan is central to it with Pervez Musharraf hinting that he might seek similar privileges from China which might still regard "a nuclear-armed Pakistan as a crucial regional ally and vital counterweight to India's growing military capabilities", quoting the US Central Intelligence Agency's James Woolsey. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"> It is no longer India's problem if China trades with Pakistan. Under the 1998 Sino-US nuclear agreement and its <a href="http://www.nti.org/db/china/iaeaorg.htm" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> commitments</a> to the <span style="font-style: italic;"> IAEA</span>, the Chinese have 'promised' a strict export control system which will be under safeguards. If it goes ahead and violates again, it is the world's problem to deal with it. </p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="margin-left: 40px; font-style: italic; text-align: justify;">Three reasons are cited for objecting to any such deal. First, Pakistan did not develop its own technology. Second, it is a proven proliferator. And third, it has never shown any interest in civilian nuclear energy. The third factor only extends America's fig-leaf for the pact with India and Nicholas Burns's charade in New Delhi that the US "has not recognized formally India as a nuclear weapons state". <span style="text-decoration: underline;">The first two are also subjective judgments</span>, and all three lie solely within American discretion. In fact, the NPT's erosion reinforces US supremacy, crowning it as the only arbiter of global power and bulwark against a free for all. </p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="text-align: justify;">This guy must be smoking something really strong. Abdul "Xerox" Khan's nuclear Wal-Mart is no longer a secret and is known to one and all. He fails to understand it is India's nuclear tests in 1998 which brought out to open the 'secret' behind Pakistan's nuclear and scientific 'prowess' thanks to Uncle Jiang. In fact after meeting with President Bush, Gen. Musharraf himself didn't want any sort of nuclear deal fearing direct American interrogation of AQ Khan which would directly link the Pakistani military as THE proliferator. </p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="margin-left: 40px; font-style: italic; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Bush's supposed "double snub" to Musharraf</span>, which is causing such glee in this country, will not, in itself, enable India to tackle Pakistan or the terrorists with whom <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Pakistan shares the common cause of Kashmir</span>. Even the snub deserves scrutiny. A great power needs room for manoeuvre, as Kissinger also remarked, and the agreement with India gives the US just that without irrevocably alienating the other two regional partners. </p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="text-align: justify;">First, we did not see any gloating at this 'snub' in any Indian media outlet. Though there was a big <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4776056.stm" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> whine fest</a> in the Pakistani media which we can't do anything about. Secondly, Pakistan-based terrorists (luckily for India), have gone beyond Kashmir and India and have been wrecking havoc (or trying hard) everywhere from <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/a-passage-from-pakistan/2006/02/26/1140888748138.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> Australia</a>, the <a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-2059046,00.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> UK</a> and the <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-lodi24feb24,1,3489802.story?coll=la-headlines-pe-california&ctrack=1&amp;cset=true" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> United States</a>. They are very much <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20040722-051231-9906r.htm" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> interlinked</a> with the Al-Queda and International Islamic Front not to mention the daily <a href="http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/subcontinent/2006/February/subcontinent_February1030.xml&section=subcontinent" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> attacks</a> against Afghan and Coalition troops by Taliban 'sympathizers'. </p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Providing territory, intelligence and military cooperation for Bush's war on terror, Pakistan also remains indispensable. A passing reference to democracy as Pakistan's future does not imply any reluctance to do full business with a dictator. The refusal to mediate in Kashmir only proves that Bush is more realistic than Bill Clinton was. And the refusal to duplicate the India deal was another piece of realism that acknowledged that Pakistan's craving is not so much for global status (like India's) as for Kashmir, subcontinental parity and the ability to pin India down in the neighbourhood. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Nuclear legitimacy is less relevant in this context than the impressive package of arms that goes with Pakistan's major non-Nato ally status.</span> Bush makes no bones about India's booming economy, cheap labour, investment needs, exports and rampant consumerism making it indispensable for America's continued prosperity. The strategic alliance is equally significant.</span> </p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="text-align: justify;">Well the 'non' part of the non-NATO ally is very evident when the Americans fired a couple of <a href="http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/missile/agm-114.htm" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><span style="font-style: italic;">Hellfires </span></a> down their territory in exchange for a few billion dollars of aid and military hardware. Indeed, there is no parity here. </p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 40px; text-align: justify;">So, the game is to balance three Asian props of American power to best serve the US. Of course, the arrangement offers them attractive dividends too, as well as scope for bargaining. It might even allow India to take steps on its own to curb terrorist attacks, but never at the expense of the overarching framework of American interests. </p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="text-align: justify;">No one is believing that the US signed the deal out of pure altruism. It is up to India to make the best out of the new strategic arrangement. The United States Navy desperately needs its Indian counterpart for monitoring the Greater Indian Ocean - from the Straits of Malacca to the Arabian Sea against thugs, terrorists and nuclear proliferation. India is looking for land access to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Asia" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><span style="font-style: italic;">Central Asian Republics</span></a> (CAR) and Afghanistan. While such an arrangement will not materialize immediately, in the medium/long term that route has to open up either via <a href="http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=61805" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">Gilgit</a>/<a href="http://secular-right.blogspot.com/2006/01/baltistan.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> Baltistan</a> or <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/01/balochistan-blues-another-bangladesh.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> Balochistan</a>. </p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="text-align: justify;">This article goes on to show how many Indian commentators have a schizophrenic vision about the new geo-political realities. The author tries his best to put himself in the other guy's shoes rather than analyze India's objectives. His other pet peeve - the multilateral institutions, are fast losing their relevance. With the nuclear deal, the non-proliferation regime under the <span style="font-style: italic;">NPT</span> will soon be toast. India has no incentive to support the <span style="font-style: italic;">United Nations</span> since its doors to permanent membership seem to be permanently closed to her. </p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="text-align: justify;">We are now witnessing a renewed emphasis on power plays between great nation states. Some are more likely to be alliances of conveniences for short-term gains (India and China allied against Western nations and Japan during <span style="font-style: italic;">WTO</span> negotiations ) while some (?) has the potential to develop into a long-term partnership. Understanding this reality is the first step to venture into this brave new world. </p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Update:</span> <a href="http://www.sandeepweb.com/2005/05/06/supporting-communist-despotism/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">Resident Non-Indian </a> and former 'senior' editor of <span style="font-style: italic;"> <span style="font-style: italic;">The </span>Times of India</span>, Prafool Bidwai<a href="http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/mar2006-daily/11-03-2006/oped/o5.htm" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> does</a> his part in a Pakistani paper whining about the nuclear deal. </p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Update 2:</span> Chief Candle Kisser<span style="font-size:78%;"><font>™®©</span></span><font> Kuldip Nayar <a href="http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/mar-2006/14/columns3.php">longing</a> for the good ol' days of 3% growth in another Pakistani daily. </span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114228379441897207?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1142163211992648392006-03-12T11:29:00.000Z2006-03-12T12:29:15.413Z<div style="text-align: justify;"> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.economist.com/opinion/displayStory.cfm?Story_ID=5603449"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4461/1808/200/20060311issuecovUS160.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> The <a href="http://www.economist.com/opinion/displayStory.cfm?Story_ID=5603449">coverpage</a> story of the recent edition of <span style="font-style: italic;">The Economist</span> features a caricature of the famous <a href="http://www.teachwithmovies.org/guides/dr-strangelove-DVDcover.jpg">scene</a> from the Kubrick's apocalyptic film <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057012/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Dr. Strangelove</span></a>. This is another <a href="http://opinion.paifamily.com/?p=1868">attempt</a> at blatant <a href="http://indianmavericks.blogspot.com/2006/03/pslv-as-first-strike-weapon.html">scaremongering</a> by the <span style="font-style: italic;">Atlanticist</span> lobby just as we <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/03/n-agreement-putting-cards-on-table.html">predicted</a>. By showing Bush as a reckless cowboy damaging non-proliferation interests, <span style="font-style: italic;">The Economist</span> hides from adressing the real merits of the deal. We can go ahead and point out some <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/n-deal-deconstructing-non.html">loopholes</a> as <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/n-deal-clueless-gray-lady.html">before</a>: <blockquote style="font-style: italic;">"Instead of a virtuous anti-nuclear cycle, there is now more likely to be a vicious nuclear one. China can be expected to insist on doing for proliferation-prone Pakistan what America wants to do for India, adding to a regional arms race that has led to a cascade of proliferation in the past"</blockquote>The <span style="font-style: italic;">NPT</span> regime and the <span style="font-style: italic;">Pressler Amendment</span> did little to prevent these countries from proliferating. It is the problem of the other responsible <span style="font-style: italic;">NPT</span> states and the <span style="font-style: italic;">IAEA</span> to worry about these proliferations which have now ended up in North Korea, Iran and Libya. Instead of taking them head-on, <span style="font-style: italic;">The Economist</span> thinks that capping India's nuclear program will somehow make them realize their past sins and behave like responsible states. But to counter their biased arguements every time will only put India on the defensive. Rather, India should go on the offensive and throw more light on the cover-up operations indulged by the non-proliferation lobby when China was shipping bomb designs, weapons grade <span style="font-style: italic;">Pu</span> and ring magnets in the 80s and 90s. Despite that, the United States went ahead and <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/negotiating-n-deal-deja-vu.html">signed</a> a nuclear co-operation deal with China with no fissile material cut-off and even lesser safeguards offered by India. It is time to go on the offensive and spread this message far and wide. </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114216321199264839?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1142029974117139922006-03-10T22:32:00.000Z2006-03-10T22:50:17.930Z<p style="text-align: justify;"> </p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="text-align: justify;"> Vir Sanghvi <a href="http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1645821,0008.htm" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">writing</a> (hat tip: <a href="http://theory.csail.mit.edu/%7Ersingh/blog" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> Rohit</a>) in the <em>Hindustan Times: </em></p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> And yet, </span><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-style: italic;">the political and public response to the Varanasi incident has been completely different</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> from the way in which the Delhi blasts were regarded. Then, nobody played up the Islamic angle. There was a stoic unity within the political establishment. And there was a quiet recognition that though Islamic terrorist groups would attack Indian civilians, Indian society would unite to fight the threat. ... My fear is that the increased communalisation of the response to the Varanasi attacks — as <span style="text-decoration: underline;">compared to the more secular reaction </span>to the Delhi bombs tells us something about the manner in which many Hindus are beginning to perceive Muslim extremism. </span> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;">Well we don't want to comment on the political reaction, which in our opinion does not merit further elucidation while discussing serious issues. But how did Mr. Sanghvi arrive at the same conclusion about different public opinions. Does he care to back this up with some opinion poll. As far as we know, we should be equally outraged at every single terror attack against Indian citizens (civilian or military). We believe that all right-thinking Indians will hold similar opinion. And is there something called as a 'secular' and 'communal' terrorist attack? If not, why should there be two diferent reactions. Nevertheless, we invite the reader to go through the whole article which raises many interesting points. In this post, let us ask a counter-question: How did the Big Media treat the two stories? Here is the response: <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>Indian Express</span> <a href="http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=81188" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">editorial</a> after the Delhi terror attacks: <blockquote style="font-style: italic;"><font>In Delhi — indeed, across India — there is a <span style="text-decoration: underline;">hardened mood</span> in civil society, a belief that terrorism has simply gone too far. <font>... <font>Islamabad is seriously misreading the impact of the most destructive terrorist attack on Indian soil, outside Jammu and Kashmir, in 12 years, and the first in the time of 24/7 television. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Public pressure</span> on the government has gone up exponentially. <font>... <font>All this can't be explained away with impotent reasoning like: ''It shows the terrorists' desperation.'' <font>The question is: what is Musharraf doing about it? <font>... <font>In the end, Musharraf is not going to be judged by what he says on PTV or how he responds to Indian initiatives on the LoC. His test lies in the LeT-run jihadist terror school j<span style="text-decoration: underline;">ust outside Lahore</span>. Can the man who invaded Kargil please show the courage to lead his troops into Mudrike? If not, should the world do his job for him? </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></blockquote><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font> <font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font> Note the hawkish position taken back then directly putting the ball in Musharraf's court. Now the same <span style="font-style: italic;">Indian Express</span> <a href="http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=89199" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">editorializes</a> after the Varanasi terror attacks: </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;" decoration="" underline=""><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font>fuel communal passions </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font> would be tantamount to self-indictment. <span style="font-style: italic;" arial="" helvetica="" 85="">That's why the entire political establishment needs to be extra <span style="text-decoration: underline;">cautious</span>.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">...</span> <font>to the VHP's description of the Varanasi attack as being a "war against the nation," such <span style="text-decoration: underline;">rhetoric</span> only plays into the hands of those who have blood on them. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font> 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style="text-align: justify;"><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font> </span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font>Now the </span><span style="font-style: italic;">IE</span> is urging "caution" and dubbing realistic assessments like "war against the nation" becomes a mere "rhetoric". In the former, there is a "hardened mood in civil society" vs today's "fuel communal passions". <font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font>Now onto the </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Times of India</span> <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2005/10/times-of-india-editorial-speaks-out.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> editorial</a> after the Delhi terror attacks: </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font></span><font></span></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font> This is an </span><span style="text-decoration: underline;">act of war</span>, doesn't matter that it's not been officially declared as one </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font> ... </span><span style="font-style: italic;">But New Delhi must tenaciously work at </span><span style="text-decoration: underline;">building a case that proves that Pakistani soil</span> remains the springboard of terror attacks and go international with it. On the domestic front, there is a crying need to strengthen our soft infrastructure: just as we need world-class roads and ports, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">we also need world-class law and order, intelligence and anti-terror agencies</span>. ... <span style="font-style: italic;">The US has made itself extremely unpopular with its new homeland security laws, but if that's what it takes to save innocent lives, it's a sacrifice worth making.</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font> <font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font>Watch out again for the hawkish position. It even calls for tightened internal security laws and agencies. Now the</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>Times of India <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-1443295,curpg-2.cms" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> editorializes</a> after the Varanasi terror attacks: </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font></span><font></span></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font>important is for the political class to ensure that the </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font>blasts do not lead to more violence.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font> </span><span style="font-style: italic;" italic=""> Political mobilisation using religious frenzy is as much an anti-national act as the blasts are in these times of national crisis. </span> <span style="font-style: italic;" italic=""> Outfits like BJP and Samaj-wadi Party have found it convenient to exploit issues of identity to mobilise voters. The Congress, it seems, has not drawn any lessons from the past. The party continues to pander to communal sentiments. </span> <span style="font-style: italic;">...</span> <span style="font-style: italic;" italic="">The challenge in UP is to recapture the political space for citizens. </span><span style="text-decoration: underline;">No amount of security measures</span> can help if the political system continues to rot.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font> <font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font>Just look at who is politicizing the issue. This time around, there is no "act of war" nor "building a case" against Pakistan. Instead, </span><span style="font-style: italic;">TOI</span> goes on a wild ride against UP political parties. <font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font>Both these attacks are by Islamist terrorists (Indian or otherwise) but in any case backed by Pakistan. As Indian, we are pained at every single attack against fellow citizens NO MATTER where it took place. We ourselves are strongly against politicizing counter-terror issues. As we out </span><a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/03/media-irony-du-jour.html">pointed</a> out before, the media does a great disservice by treating different attacks in different manner. <font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font>By treating each terror attack differently, the Big Media is falling for the strategy of the terrorists themselves. They will only become even more emboldened to continue attacks against revered places of worship like Mathura, Tirupathi, Sabarimala, etc. How can the media continue to advocate restraint if each of these places are attacked in the future at regular intervals? </span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font>We've got a big problem here. We don't know what kind of enemy we are dealing with. It is clear there there is increasing involvement of Indian citizens in such attacks. Such people are neither 'poor' nor 'misguided' - it is all well-planned to facilitate the 'deniability' argument from Pakistan while designed to demonize the entire Indian Muslim community as potential terrorists. </span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font></span><font>Only by following a coherent counter-terror policy irrespective of the place of attack, can we send a strong message to the SOBs. </span><font>The key is to decouple this from electoral issues which should be more about economic growth and jobs. Just like we have a nuclear doctrine, we should develop a coherent, long-term counter-terror doctrine which has to be followed by EVERY government in power. Sure, it is easier said than done - but someone's gotta say it in the first place. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114202997411713992?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1142014519360986062006-03-10T18:15:00.000Z2006-03-10T18:23:08.370Z<div style="text-align: justify;"> Presenting Uber Candle Kisser<span style="font-size:78%;"><font>™®©</span></span><font><font> Prem Shankar Jha's <a href="http://www.domain-b.com/people/writers_columnists/prem_shankar_jha/20060310_peace.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> take</a> on the Varanasi terror attacks (we had earlier taken them to task <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/01/candle-kissers-come-out-of-closet.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> here</a> and <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/01/here-comes-another-candle-kisser.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> here</a>): </span></span></div><font><font><font> </span></span></span><div style="margin-left: 40px; font-style: italic; text-align: justify;"><font><font><font><font>India may not yet be a breeding ground for terrorists brandishing the flag of Islam, but as in the rest of the world, the Muslim community here is under multiple pressures that predispose it to regarding itself as a victim of concerted attack by non-Muslims. </span></span></span></span></div><font><font><font><font><font> </span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><font><font><font><font><font><font> 'multiple pressures', 'attack by <span style="font-style: italic;">kaffirs</span>', why is that so? After all, there is a 'secular' government in power both in the Centre and Uttar Pradesh (and Karnataka and Delhi), right? Per Jha, It is because of American imperialism and European cartoons. How do they concern Indian Muslims? </span></span></span></span></span></span></div><font><font><font><font><font><font><font> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font>It is bitterly, and justifiably, angry with the US for its invasion of Iraq and the consequent deaths of more than a hundred thousand Iraqis. It is acutely aware of the way that the US and the Europeans have ganged up on Iran and are pushing it relentlessly towards a confrontation that can only lead to war, more deaths and another spurt in international terrorism. It cannot have failed to notice that the very same countries that do not hesitate to spread democracy by the sword spurn it when it yields results, as in Palestine, that do not fit into their master plan for the universe. And they can hardly have failed to notice the broad current of anti-Islamism in Europe that was laid bare by the controversy over the Danish cartoons of Prophet Muhammad.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font> <span style="font-style: italic;">Regrettably, they have also noticed that the Congress-led government, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">for all of its secular pretensions</span>, has kept an unusually low profile over all of these issues. With the possible exception of the former foreign minister <span style="text-decoration: underline;">K Natwar Singh</span>, not one leader has expressed distress or sympathy for the Iraqis in their present plight. India has joined the US and the UK in putting pressure on Iran; and it has said not even a single word in opposition to the US-Israeli plan to starve Hamas out of power, let alone promised it any help.</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font> But then, India did not support the Iraq war, nor does it advocate a war against Iran. It <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/irans-misplaced-anger.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">voted</a> against Iran in alignment with its principle of non-proliferation. None of the Indian papers published the Danish cartoons so there is little chance of Indian Muslims seeing these cartoons (unless they purposefully searched for it in the Internet). And Natwar Singh during his <a href="http://opinion.paifamily.com/?p=1696">disastrous</a> tenure as Foreign Minister <a href="http://secular-right.blogspot.com/2005/11/natwar-singh-and-oil-for-food-scam.html">feigned</a> sympathies for Iraqis because his <span style="font-style: italic;">backsheesh</span> route known as the Oil-For-Food got cut-off. How can India support Hamas and the loony Iranian President when they openly call for Israel's destruction. Israel is a good friend of India which <a href="http://www.saag.org/papers2/paper131.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">supplied</a> critical toys for our boys during the Kargil War in record time. Does Jha think India can benefit from some <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qassam_rocket"><span style="font-style: italic;">Qassam</span></a> technology? Foreign policies should be based on national interests - no communal BS here. So what does Mr. Jha wants from GoI: </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="margin-left: 40px; font-style: italic; text-align: justify;"><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font>Add to all this their inbred feeling of insecurity, the difficulty they experience in finding jobs, the higher-than-national-average rates of unemployment among Muslim youth, and their growing under-representation in India's new middle class, and one cannot but wonder how much longer the peace will last. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font> Aaah - the famous <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2005/12/terrorism-root-cause-my-ass.html">root cause</a> arguement? Poverty, unemployment et<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>al. exist among all communities. Do we know if any/all poor people turn to terrorism? Jha himself responds to the very same question: </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><blockquote style="font-style: italic;"><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font> Swami's articles also showed that the Indian recruits were mainly from the middle and lower middle classes and were educated. They were, in short, from the same type of background as the 9/11 and the London July 7 suicide bombers. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></blockquote><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font> So they are from middle class with decent jobs just as <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2005/12/terrorism-root-cause-my-ass.html">we</a> <a href="http://www.telegraphindia.com/1060203/asp/calcutta/story_5799048.asp"> noted</a>, not your poor Abdul. So what's the solution he is talking: </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font>The government of the third largest Muslim country in the world must do much more. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font> Very enlightening. Note the absence of any mention of our friendly neighboring terrorist state(s?). It is another thing to note that Jha doesn't utter ONE SINGLE WORD on Hindu religious sentiments - for they don't exist for secular fundamentalists. Candle Kissers<span style="font-size:78%;"><font>™®©</span></span><font><font> never cease to amaze us, previously from their <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/01/here-comes-another-candle-kisser.html">unrelenting</a> <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/01/goat-comes-home-to-roost.html"> admiration</a> for Herr Meretricious to this <span style="font-style: italic;">Jeanne d' Arc</span> attitude - it is they who know the best to analyze and rationalize any Islamist terrorist action as due to some perceived injustices/policy disagreements. Let's be honest - we don't know what kind of enemy we are facing, this needs a comprehensive study by dedicated experts and some serious a**-kicking by counter-terror forces. But to deflect the causes of terrorism on each and every thing happening around the world for no fault of ours is highly misleading. The Candle Kisser Brigade is exactly doing that. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114201451936098606?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1141985366671228012006-03-10T09:41:00.000Z2006-03-10T10:30:40.300Z<div style="text-align: justify;"> Presenting a sample of SMS/Internet polls conducted by <a href="http://www.ndtv.com/homepage/default.asp?from=home"><span style="font-style: italic;">NDTV</span></a> after each of the recent terror attacks: (For a complete list, vote in the current "POLLSPEAK" at the bottom-right of their homepage and then click on "View Previous Polls") <blockquote><span style="font-style: italic;">Q: Varanasi Blasts: Are the Varanasi blasts being politicised ? (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23918281@N00/110407870/">screenshot</a>)</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Q: Ayodhya attack: Will the Ayodhya attack reignite communal passions? </span><span style="font-style: italic;">(<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23918281@N00/110407871/">screenshot</a>)</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Q: Delhi Blasts: Is Delhi complacent about security? </span><span style="font-style: italic;">(<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23918281@N00/110407874/">screenshot</a>)</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Q: Bangladesh Blasts: Are extremist groups gaining a foothold in Bangladesh? </span><span style="font-style: italic;">(<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23918281@N00/110407872/">screenshot</a>)</span></blockquote> Note that the Big Media asked the right questions about the Bangladesh and Delhi attacks. It is obvious that while they <a href="http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=89254">lecture</a> others big time about not politicizing the issue, they themselves hold different standards for different attacks. Rather than analyze the groups behind these attacks, the local political support they get and demanding concrete measures from the government for <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/01/combating-terror-taking-babysteps-at.html">improving</a> physical security in public places - the media is gunning at the wrong issues. And after all this, they innocuously <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23918281@N00/110407869/">wonder</a> if they are under attack from the 'establishment'. Well, they are certainly <a href="http://www.sandeepweb.com/2006/03/09/got-another-one/">under</a> <a href="http://www.sandeepweb.com/2006/03/09/what-the-varanasi-attack-really-is/">attack</a> <a href="http://spindianexpress.blogspot.com/">from</a> the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1595550542/102-1375445-8103360?n=283155"><span style="font-style: italic;">Army of Davids</span></a>, well we don't have the size yet, but we are hopeful of getting there. </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114198536667122801?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1141836479976435912006-03-08T16:47:00.000Z2006-03-08T16:47:59.986Z<font size="2"><br> There is an old saying which goes &quot;</font><font style="font-style: italic;" size="2">Face is an index of the mind</font><font size="2">&quot;. We did a tour of various Internet news sites (Indian and international) to get a pulse of the media's reaction to Tuesday's terror attacks in Varanasi. We present the top stories presented by the media with screen capture images of the same as we found it. The screenshots were taken at approximately 0800 hours GMT on Wednesday, February the 8th (i.e., ~ 20 hours from the time of attack).<br> <br> </font> <table valign="center" align="justify" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="90%"> <tbody> <tr valign="center"> <td><font size="2">Link to News Source</font></td> <td><font size="2">Screenshot at<br> 0800 hrs GMT<br> </font> </td> <td><font size="2">Top Story at that time<br> </font> </td> </tr> <tr align="left" valign="center"> <th colspan="3"><font size="2"> Internet/Blogs: </font></th> </tr> <tr valign="center"> <td><font size="2"><a href="http://www.technorati.com/search/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><i>Technorati</i></a></font></td> <td><font size="2"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23918281@N00/109628704/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">link</a></font></td> <td><font size="2">'Varanasi' is the #8 blog search keyword </font></td> </tr> <tr valign="center"> <td><font size="2"><a href="http://news.google.com/news?ned=in" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><i>Google News</i> - India</a></font> </td> <td><font size="2"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23918281@N00/109586604/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">link</a></font></td> <td><font size="2">Blasts kill 16 in Varanasi<br> </font> </td> </tr> <tr valign="center"> <td><font size="2"><a href="http://news.google.com/nwshp?hl=en&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;tab=wn&amp;q=" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><i>Google News</i> - Worldwide </a></font></td> <td><font size="2"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23918281@N00/109586603/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">link</a></font></td> <td><font size="2">Indian Seeks Calm After Bomb Attack on Hindu Temple<br> </font> </td> </tr> <tr align="left" valign="center"> <th colspan="3"><font size="2"> Indian Media: </font></th> </tr> <tr valign="center"> <td><font size="2"><a href="http://www.business-standard.com/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><i>Business Standard</i></a></font> </td> <td><font size="2"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23918281@N00/109584442/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">link</a></font></td> <td><font size="2">Photo caption: Sonia Gandhi &amp; Shivraj Patil visiting blast site</font></td> </tr> <tr valign="center"> <td> <font size="2"><a href="http://www.telegraphindia.com/section/frontpage/index.asp" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><i>The Calcutta Telegraph</i></a></font></td> <td> <font size="2"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23918281@N00/109588103/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">link</a></font></td> <td><font size="2">Peace prayer on test<br> </font> </td> </tr> <tr valign="center"> <td><font size="2"><a href="http://www.ibnlive.com/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><i>CNN-IBN</i></a></font> </td> <td><font size="2"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23918281@N00/109584443/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">link</a></font></td> <td><font size="2">Zaheera's flip-flop lands her in jail</font></td> </tr> <tr valign="center"> <td><font size="2"><a href="http://dnaindia.com/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><i>Daily News &amp; Analysis</i> </a></font></td> <td><font size="2"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23918281@N00/109586600/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">link</a></font></td> <td><font size="2">Zaheera gets one-year jail term for contempt of court<br> </font> </td> </tr> <tr valign="center"> <td><font size="2"><a href="http://www.dailypioneer.com/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><i>The Daily Pioneer</i></a><i> </i></font></td> <td><font size="2"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23918281@N00/109584445/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">link</a></font></td> <td><font size="2">Terror Ravages City of Faith</font></td> </tr> <tr valign="center"> <td><font size="2"><a href="http://www.deccanherald.com/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><i>The Deccan Herald</i></a></font> </td> <td><font size="2"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23918281@N00/109584383/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">link</a></font></td> <td><font size="2">BJP-sponsored bandh paralyses normal life</font></td> </tr> <tr valign="center"> <td> <font size="2"><a href="http://www.thehindu.com/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><i>The Hindu</i></a></font></td> <td><font size="2"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23918281@N00/109588102/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">link</a></font> </td> <td><font size="2">Varanasi blasts rock Parliament<br> </font> </td> </tr> <tr valign="center"> <td><font size="2"><a href="http://www.hindustantimes.com/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><i>The Hindustan Times</i></a></font> </td> <td><font size="2"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23918281@N00/109586605/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">link</a></font></td> <td><font size="2">Hours after blasts, three LeT men gunned down<br> </font> </td> </tr> <tr valign="center"> <td><font size="2"><a href="http://www.indianexpress.com/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><i>The Indian Express</i></a></font> </td> <td> <font size="2"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23918281@N00/109587052/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">link</a></font></td> <td><font size="2">SC punishes Zaheera, gets 1 year jail<br> </font> </td> </tr> <tr valign="center"> <td><font size="2"><a href="http://web.mid-day.com/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><i>Mid Day Mumbai</i></a></font> </td> <td> <font size="2"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23918281@N00/109587055/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">link</a></font></td> <td><font size="2">Zaheera gets one year jail for perjury<br> </font> </td> </tr> <tr valign="center"> <td><font size="2"><a href="http://www.ndtv.com" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><i>NDTV</i></a></font> </td> <td> <font size="2"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23918281@N00/109587057/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">link</a></font></td> <td><font size="2">Zaheera sentenced to one-year prison <br> </font> </td> </tr> <tr valign="center"> <td> <font size="2"><a href="http://in.rediff.com/news/index.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><i>Rediff News</i></a></font></td> <td> <font size="2"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23918281@N00/109588105/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">link</a></font></td> <td><font size="2">Politicising the blasts will help terrorists<br> </font> </td> </tr> <tr valign="center"> <td> <font size="2"><a href="http://in.today.reuters.com/news/default.aspx" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><i>Reuters India</i></a></font></td> <td> <font size="2"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23918281@N00/109588104/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">link</a></font></td> <td><font size="2">India on alert to prevent trouble after blasts<br> </font> </td> </tr> <tr valign="center"> <td><font size="2"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23918281@N00/109588101/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><i>The Times of India</i></a></font></td> <td> <font size="2"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23918281@N00/109588101/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">link</a></font></td> <td><font size="2">Temple blasts: Explosives were kept in pressure cooker<br> </font> </td> </tr> <tr align="left" valign="center"> <th colspan="3"><font size="2"> International Media: </font></th> </tr> <tr valign="center"> <td><font size="2"><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/default.stm" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><i>BBC</i> South Asia Page</a></font> </td> <td><font size="2"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23918281@N00/109584440/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">link</a></font></td> <td><font size="2">High Alert After India Explosions</font></td> </tr> <tr valign="center"> <td><font size="2"><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/default.stm" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><i>BBC World</i> Main Page</a></font> </td> <td><font size="2"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23918281@N00/109584441/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">link</a></font></td> <td><font size="2">#2 top story: High alert after India explosions</font></td> </tr> <tr valign="center"> <td><font size="2"><a href="http://cnn.com/international" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><i>CNN International</i></a></font> </td> <td><font size="2"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23918281@N00/109584444/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">link</a></font></td> <td><font size="2">Top right: India Blasts Toll at 20</font></td> </tr> <tr valign="center"> <td><font size="2"><a href="http://www.iht.com/pages/asia/index.php" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><i>IHT</i> - Asia Pacific</a></font> </td> <td> <font size="2"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23918281@N00/109587054/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">link</a></font></td> <td><font size="2">#5 top story: India blasts kill 15 in 'terrorist attack'</font></td> </tr> <tr valign="center"> <td><font size="2"><a href="http://www.iht.com/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><i>IHT</i> - Main Page</a></font> </td> <td> <font size="2"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23918281@N00/109587053/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">link</a></font></td> <td><font size="2">Top right: India blasts kill 15 in 'terrorist attack'<br> </font> </td> </tr> <tr valign="center"> <td><font size="2"><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/pages/world/index.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><i>NY Times</i> - Intl.</a></font> </td> <td> <font size="2"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23918281@N00/109587056/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">link</a></font></td> <td><font size="2">#4 top story: Bombs Rock a City Holy to Hindus, Killing Atleast 15<br> </font> </td> </tr> <tr valign="center"> <td><font size="2"><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/world/index.html?nav%3Dleft&amp;sub=AR" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><i>The Washington Post</i></a></font></td> <td> <font size="2"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23918281@N00/109588100/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">link</a></font></td> <td><font size="2">Photo caption: 15 killed in India blasts<br> </font> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <font size="2"><br> </font> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114183647997643591?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1141803350864262652006-03-08T07:35:00.000Z2006-03-08T07:55:50.940Z<div style="text-align: justify;">In our earlier <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/03/terror-strikes-varanasi-plus-ca-change.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">post</a>, we had written that Indian Muslim organizations should come out strongly against the terrorist attack in Varanasi. Well, one Ulema already <a href="http://www.newkerala.com/news2.php?action=fullnews&id=22089" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">did</a>. Apart from the usual blabla on how 'communal forces' should not be allowed to take advantage of this, certain <a href="http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=64034" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">reactions</a> caught our attention: </div> <div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: justify;"><font><b>Maulana Tauqeer Reza Khan Barelvi</b>, <b>president, All India Muslim Personal Law Board (Jadeed)</b>: "Blasts <span style="text-decoration: underline;">masterminded by BJP and SP</span> who were losing their support base in UP and if communal violence were to be triggered off they would be the biggest gainers.The people should maintain calm and not fall in their trap." <span style=";font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" > </span></span></div><font> </span><div style="text-align: justify;"><font><font> </span></span></div><font><font> </span></span><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: justify;"><font><font><font><font><b>Shaista Ambar</b>, <b>president, All India Muslim Women Personal Law Board</b>: <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Political parties are behind this </span>, people should watch out for the designs of vested interests. </span></span></span></span></p><font><font><font><font> </span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><font><font><font><font><font><font> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div><font><font><font><font><font><font> </span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: justify;"><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: justify;"><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><b>Nehaluddin</b>, <b>president, All India Muslim Forum: Highly regrettable and condemnable</b>. SP and BJP are trying to disturb communal harmony in the state to gain from polarisation of votes. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font> <font><font><font><font>WTF can we say - blatantly insulting to the victims and the millions of Indians who worship at these shrines. What is even more worrying is that such insensitive statements are coming not from hardliners but from people who claim to represent the moderate Muslims. <font><font><font><font><font>We assume that Mr. Maulana Barelvi belongs to the <span style="font-style: italic;">Barelvi</span> sect - a moderate one as opposed to the puritanical <span style="font-style: italic;">Deobandi</span>. And the <font>All India Muslim Personal Law Board (Jadeed) he presides was <a href="http://www.milligazette.com/Archives/2005/01-15Jan05-Print-Edition/011501200511.htm" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> formed</a> as a breakaway organization from the <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/more-idiocy.html">obstructionist</a> AIMPLB as a force for modernity ('jadeed' itself means modern in <span style="font-style: italic;"> Urdu</span>). Ms. <font>Shaista Ambar too represents an organization with the goal of reforming Muslim personal laws especially with regards to womens rights having courageously<b> </b><a href="http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050701/asp/frontpage/story_4936743.asp" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> fought</a> against the <span style="font-style: italic;">Deobandi</span> clerics and the AIMPLB in the Imrana case. <font><font><font><font><font><font><font>Also, it is ironic that <a href="http://www.hindu.com/2006/03/03/stories/2006030317191600.htm" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">earlier</a> some Muslim organizations allied themselves with the same Samajwadi Party (SP) in a huge protest rally of 100,000 people against 'Muslim persecution' or 'Islamophobia' by the Danish cartoons, George Bush, Salman Rushdie, etc. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114180335086426265?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1141764512307420702006-03-07T20:48:00.000Z2006-03-07T20:54:25.673Z<div style="text-align: right;"><i><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span>"Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together"</i> - American author Mark Twain. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:6;">T</span>uesday's terror attacks in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varanasi" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">Varanasi</a> (Benaras), one of Hinduism's holiest cities has happened just a week ahead of the Indian Spring festival of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holi"><span style="font-style: italic;">Holi</span></a>. It was <a href="http://www.ibnlive.com/article.php?id=6460&section_id=3" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> well-timed</a> (<a href="http://news.search.yahoo.com/news/search?p=varanasi+bomb&amp;c=news_photos" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">photos</a> via <span style="font-style: italic;">Yahoo</span>) timed to explode during the peak hour when pilgrims usually throng the <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://sankatmochanmandir.com/">Sankat Mochan</a> </span>temple with Tuesday being a particularly auspicious day for the Hindu deity <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanuman" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> <span style="font-style: italic;"> Hanuman</span></a>. The attack has come just two days after President Bush's trip to India and Pakistan. Coincidentally, President Clinton's visit to India in 2000 was precluded by the <a href="http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?id=366914" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">gruesome</a> murder of 35 Sikhs in <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >Chattisinghpora in </span> Jammu & Kashmir. Since then there have been several attacks targetting Indian civilians starting from the <a href="http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20011217/main1.htm" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> December 2001 Parliament attack</a>, the <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/10/01/world/main523814.shtml" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> October 2002 Akshardham temple attack</a>, the <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/august/25/newsid_3921000/3921475.stm" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">August 2003 Mumbai blasts </a>, the <a href="http://news.indiainfo.com/2005/11/11/1111ayodhya-temple-attack-jaish.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> October 2005 Ayodhya temple attack</a>, <a href="http://www.newkerala.com/news.php?action=fullnews&amp;id=77533" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">October 2005 suicide bombing in Hyderabad Police Commissioner's Office </a>, the <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2005/11/blog-in-memory-of-delhi-terror-victims.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">October 2005 Delhi market attacks</a> and the <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2005/12/prof-mc-puri-rip.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> December 2005 IISc Bangalore attack</a>. One can't help observe the coincidence with President Bush's visit to Pakistan turning out to be a rather <a href="http://opinion.paifamily.com/?p=1855#more-1855" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> disappointing </a> one for Gen. Musharraf and the country's <a href="http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=63925" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> elites</a>. The United States's <a href="http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&ct=us/0-2&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;fp=440d48eab1f7a4be&ei=RbINRPDtO8bswgGtx6GlDA&amp;url=http%3A//www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp%3Fpage%3D2006%255C03%255C07%255Cstory_7-3-2006_pg7_51&cid=1104772994" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> refusal</a> to mediate on the Kashmir issue and the <a href="http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060305/NEWS06/603050454/1012" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">de-hyphenation</a> of its relations with India and Pakistan has clearly <a href="http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&amp;ct=us/1-3&amp;fp=440d77f938cffbf6&ei=WKkNRJ2bM76CwwGbzbWlDA&amp;url=http%3A//www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php%3Fnewsid%3D63933&cid=1104772994" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> rattled</a> them. The motive to order the attack from one their <a href="http://www.saag.org/papers3/paper287.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">Dirty</a> <a href="http://www.freedomfiles.org/war/isi.htm" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> Tricks</a> <a href="http://www.cooperativeresearch.org/timeline.jsp?timeline=complete_911_timeline&amp;geopolitics_and_9/11=isi" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> Departments</a> is clearly to cause communal violence and tarnish India's image abroad. This time again, Pakistan-based <a href="http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/fs/37191.htm">global</a> terrorist group <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2005/11/praveen-swami-on-lashkar.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> Lashkar-e-Toiba</a>'s name has <a href="http://www.stratfor.com/products/premium/read_article.php?id=263098">appeared </a>- they are well-present in India even outside Jammu & Kashmir with a <a href="http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/states/jandk/terrorist_outfits/lashkar_e_toiba.htm" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">history</a> of <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2005/11/possible-breakthrough-in-terror-case.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> attacks</a> against civilians. Per <a href="http://www.newkerala.com/news.php?action=fullnews&amp;id=89061" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">this</a> report dated Jan. 18th, 2006, a <span style="font-style: italic;"> Lashkar</span> captive managed to escape near Varanasi. This <a href="http://www.telegraphindia.com/1060202/asp/calcutta/story_5793394.asp" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> report</a> from <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">T</span>he Calcutta Telegraph</span> dated Feb. 2nd, 2006, reveals the arrest of <span style="font-style: italic;">Lashkar</span> operatives in Calcutta, Jamshedpur and <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Varanasi</span>. Another <a href="http://www.telegraphindia.com/1060203/asp/calcutta/story_5799048.asp" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">report</a> again from <span style="font-style: italic;">The Telegraph</span> shows one of the arrested Tariq Akhtar's role as a terrorist recruiter in Varanasi after having undergone training in Pakistan and Bangladesh with contacts in several Middle Eastern countries. This is shockingly <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2005/12/terrorism-root-cause-my-ass.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">similar </a> to a <a href="http://library.nps.navy.mil/home/tgp/jem.htm"><span style="font-style: italic;">Jaish-e-Mohammed</span></a> operative Mohammed Ibrahim arrested in Hyderabad. Akhtar's arrest goes on to show a familiar pattern: </div> <ul style="font-style: italic; text-align: justify;"> <li>Indian Muslim from a middle-class background</li> <li>A few years of job stint in a Middle Eastern country</li> <li>Trained in Pakistan or Bangladesh or both</li> </ul> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Even after knowing the source of terror as <a href="http://sify.com/news/othernews/fullstory.php?id=14111635" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">before</a>, there is no point in escalating tensions along the Pakistan border accusing them of sending terrorists when they will conveniently deny any involvement. This will play nicely into the hands of the likes of <a href="http://www.stimson.org/about/staff.cfm?ID=18" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">Michael Krepon</a> who has been <a href="http://www.stimson.org/southasia/?SN=SA2001112043" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> screaming</a> about Kashmir becoming a nuclear flash point. In any case, the problem of has to be attended in our own backyard by going after the home-grown terrorists. Worse, following the <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/03/03/D8G461E81.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">fatal</a> anti-American protests, specific intelligence sent by the Central Ministry of Home Affairs about this attack has been <a href="http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1644524,0008.htm" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> ignored</a> by the Uttar Pradesh State Police. In any country taking terrorist threat seriously, heads should roll in the Uttar Pradesh security services after such blatant intelligence errors (by negligence or otherwise). Alas, we have seen such blunders gone <a href="http://www.thehindu.com/2005/12/31/stories/2005123106191400.htm" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">unnoticed</a> before - so why bother this time. Obviously such people cannot thrive without support from their local communities. Uttar Pradesh is a hotbed for <a href="http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&ct=us/4-0&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;fp=440d9f09d620cac1&ei=icENRPuFMouOwQHamZWiDA&amp;url=http%3A//news.webindia123.com/news/showdetails.asp%3Fid%3D253118%26cat%3DIndia&cid=0" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> criminals</a> <span style="">masquerading </span>as politicians, <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/home-grown-idiots.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">hate-mongers </a> as Ministers of State and tons of illiterate people with <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/03/03/D8G461E81.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> skewed</a> priorities in life. It is also the home of the notorious Islamist sect <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darul_Uloom_Deoband" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><span style="font-style: italic;"> Darul Uloom Deoband</span></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barelvi" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> </a>. We think that Indian Muslim organizations should take this opportunity to strongly condemn such violence and carry out protest marches against the same. If they can protest against United States 'imperialist' policies in faraway Afghanistan and Iraq, they sure can protest against the killing of fellow citizens in their holy site of worship. This will not only remove the needless finger-pointing and suspicions from common folks but also sends out a strong message to the world at large and particularly to terrorist groups wanting to recruit amongst them. At this point, the Indian Government should at the <span style="font-style: italic;">minimum</span>: </div> <ul style="font-style: italic; text-align: justify;"> <li>Massively deploy security and riot-control forces in traditional communal flash points viz Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Mumbai and Hyderabad</li><li>Reprimand the <a href="http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1644524,0008.htm" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> negligent</a> state police authorities and create a National Counter Terrorism Agency for some direct action </li> <li>Insist that Muslim organizations denounce such attacks and co-operate with law enforcement agencies</li><li>Not amass troops along the Pakistani border like <a href="http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/MONITOR/ISSUE5-4/shankar.html"> before</a> </li> <li>Start supporting freedom fighters <a href="http://www.flonnet.com/fl2302/stories/20060210000206100.htm" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">here</a> and <a href="http://www.flonnet.com/fl2219/stories/20050923004503000.htm" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> elsewhere</a> in the enemy territory since we have already been <a href="http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006%5C03%5C07%5Cstory_7-3-2006_pg3_1" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> accused</a> of doing so </li> </ul> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Well, coming back to the real world, we are not expecting <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2005/12/goi-responds-after-terror-attack.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">much</a> from the <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2005/12/clueless-indian-leadership.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> clueless</a> GoI. After all, life goes on for average Indian citizen and we've been there and done that several times already. <font>When it comes to handling terrorism in India, <span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;">plus ça change, plus c' est la même chose.</span> Related post: <font><a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/01/anatomy-of-terror-attack.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> Anatomy of a Terror Attack</a>. <font> </span></span></span></div><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font><font> <font> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114176451230742070?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1141740246897960432006-03-07T14:04:00.000Z2006-03-07T14:04:07.766Z<br> Via <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1016718&amp;CatID=2">Daily News &amp; Analysis</a>:<br> <br> <div style="margin-left: 40px;"><span style="font-style: italic;">At least four people were killed when a powerful bomb exploded on Tuesday at one of Hinduism's most revered temples in Varanasi, a police spokesman said. A powerful blast rocked a railway station minutes after the bomb exploded in the temple.</span><br> </div> <br> Related: On Feb. 19th, bomb <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/terror-watch-in-ahmedabad.html">explodes</a> in Ahmedabad Railway Station.<br> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114174024689796043?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1141734336498760172006-03-07T12:25:00.000Z2006-03-07T12:25:36.686Z<br> No surprises here. We don't find anything objectionable. Read the <a href="http://pmindia.nic.in/lspeech.asp?id=291">entire</a> thing. Meanwhile, like we <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/03/n-agreement-putting-cards-on-table.html"> said</a> the non-proliferation ayatollahs have been busy: read their pieces <a href="http://www.enterstageright.com/archive/articles/0306/0306indianukedeal.htm">here</a> and <a href="http://www.carnegieendowment.org/npp/"> here.</a> Also check out this latest <a href="http://www.armscontrol.org/act/2006_03/MARCH-IndiaFeature.asp">scaremongering</a> about India's missile program. For their part, anti-nuclear NGOs too are have started <a href="http://www.clw.org/2006/02/tell_congress_t.html"> campaigning</a> against the deal. Finally, read <span style="font-style: italic;">The Acorn</span>'s take on the latest <a href="http://opinion.paifamily.com/?p=1861">bile</a> from the <span style="font-style: italic;">Atlanticist </span> mouthpiece.<br> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114173433649876017?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1141595237641749812006-03-05T21:47:00.000Z2006-03-05T21:47:20.083Z<br> We <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/03/n-agreement-putting-cards-on-table.html">wrote</a> not so long ago:<br> <br> <div style="margin-left: 40px; font-style: italic;">The <em>Chicoms</em> for their part have already started a massive <a href="http://newsinsight.net/nati2.asp?recno=3623">lobbying</a> against the deal among <em>NSG</em> countries like Australia (currently the biggest Uranium supplier). Some in the Australian administration are already showing their <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2006/s1582904.htm">dissent</a> despite <a href="http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,18341736%255E601,00.html"> hands</a> of <a href="http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,18338950%255E7583,00.html">friendship</a> extended to India from that country.<br> </div> <br> Now during Prime Minister Howard <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200603/s1584452.htm">visit</a> to India:<br> <p style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 40px;" class="wallacepara"> Australia currently does not sell uranium to nuclear-armed India because it has refused to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).</p> <p style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 40px;" class="wallacepara"> Mr Howard has told reporters on his arrival in New Delhi that he is willing to re-examine the policy.</p> <p style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 40px;" class="wallacepara"> &quot;We are interested in the agreement that's been struck between the United States and India,&quot; he said. </p> <p style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 40px;" class="wallacepara"> &quot;We do have long-standing policy of only selling uranium to countries that are part of the NPT regime, but we'll have a look at a bit more information about that and we'll further assess it.<br> </p> <p class="wallacepara">We were expecting this to happen sooner or later, but not so fast.<br> </p> <br> <br> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114159523764174981?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1141563482261800312006-03-05T12:58:00.000Z2006-03-05T13:06:36.353Z<div style="text-align: justify;"><p></p><em></em><strong><em></em></strong> <p><strong><em>Counting the beans</em></strong></p>After some <a href="http://www.aina.org/news/2006030211289.htm">hectic</a>, last-minute negotiations the <em>N</em>-deal has been <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/03/print/20060302-11.html">concluded</a>. The concerns of Indian nuclear scientists which we <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/n-deal-isolated-pmo.html">highlighted</a> were rightly <a href="http://www.hindu.com/2006/03/03/stories/2006030303711300.htm">justified</a> resulting in a <a href="http://www.hindu.com/2006/03/03/stories/2006030301931200.htm">hard bargain</a>. The Prime Minister had earlier announced that the fast breeder reactors cannot be placed on the civil list nor can it be cut off from the civilian grid - respecting the reciprocity clause as we had <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/fast-breeder-civil-or-military-or-both.html">pointed</a> earlier. To the “<a href="http://www.hindu.com/2006/02/23/stories/2006022308280100.htm">in-perpetuity</a>” safeguards <a href="http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/5922_1641687,0015002100000000.htm">demands</a> put forth by Dr. Condoleezza Rice just hours before President Bush landed - there will now be a <a href="http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1641423,001302100000.htm?headline=Nuclear%7Edeal%7Edone%7Eat%7Elast%7Emoment">tri-lateral</a> agreement with India, the U.S. and the <em>IAEA</em> to work out a guaranteed fuel supply plan and work with a group of friendly nations should the U.S. fail to ensure supply. The price India paid for coming late to the party was to offer much more reactors (14 out of the 22 reactors existing/under construction) to be open to phased international safeguards by 2014 than any of the existing weapons states. Also all the future civilian reactors will have to be under such safeguards though it is upto India’s <a href="http://www.hindu.com/2006/03/05/stories/2006030516000800.htm">prerogative</a> to decide which ones are going to civil or military. Another contentious issue which the non-proliferation lobby had raised is the small 40 MW <em>CIRRUS</em> reactor which India imported from Canada in the 50s will soon be <a href="http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=89025">shutdown</a>. <p>We are happy that the deal has been <a href="http://www.business-standard.com/bsonline/storypage.php?bKeyFlag=BO&autono=14355">welcomed</a> <a href="http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=88892">by</a> the nuclear scientists who were taken into confidence during the negotiations after the initial slip-up. The market in general and the shares of Indian power companies like <em>BHEL</em> and <em>Tata Power</em> which have shown <a href="http://www.business-standard.com/bsonline/storypage.php?bKeyFlag=BO&amp;autono=14346">interest</a> in operating nuclear plants too responded <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4767968.stm">favorably</a> to the deal. </p>The game now shifts to the U.S. Congress where the deal has to be ratified by changing existing U.S. laws and the <em>IAEA</em> where the nature of safeguards have to codified in the form of an India-specific <em>Additional Protocol</em>. It may be worthwhile to do a <em><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SWOT_analysis">SWOT analysis</a></em> to examine where the deal stands and how it is likely to proceed. While we are not professionally qualified to do a comprehensive study, we nevertheless present an amateur version. <p><strong><em> Strengths</em> </strong></p>The <a href="http://poll.gallup.com/content/?ci=21712">favorable</a> public opinion of Americans about India and <a href="http://pewglobal.org/commentary/display.php?AnalysisID=1002">viceversa</a> augurs well for the passage of the deal in the Congress (despite minor irritants like <a href="http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/lou.dobbs.tonight/">Lou Dobbs</a> (debunked <a href="http://www.capmag.com/article.asp?ID=3549">here</a>) and the one hit wonder <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arundhati_Roy">Arundhati Roy</a> (fisked among elsewhere <a href="http://www.sandeepweb.com/2006/02/28/the-ink-of-fury/#more-529">here</a>)). Also, contrary to the <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/n-deal-clueless-gray-lady.html">opposition</a> from <em>Atlanticist</em> mouthpieces like the <em>New York Times</em>, a <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/03/president-bush-visits-india-media.html">roundup</a> of several respected American newspapers shows that the deal is viewed with cautious optimism or even welcomed in many cases. <p>Important members of U.S. legislative bodies like Bill Frist, the Senate majority leader, Tom Lantos ranking Democrat on the <em>House International Relations Committee</em>, John Warner chairman of the <em>Senate Armed Forces Committee</em>, have all <a href="http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1641562,001302100000.htm">welcomed</a> the deal terming it as ‘historic’ and a ‘positive step’, albeit cautioning close scrutiny in the coming months. </p>The agreement has been enthusiastically supported by major nuclear powers like <a href="http://www.ndtv.com/morenews/showmorestory.asp?category=National&slug=France+hails+Indo-US+nuclear+deal&amp;id=85368">France</a>, <a href="http://dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1016134">Russia</a>, the <a href="http://www.number10.gov.uk/output/Page9124.asp">UK</a> and even <a href="http://www.ndtv.com/template/template.asp?template=Bushvisit&slug=Japan+upbeat+on+Indo-US+nuke+deal&amp;id=85386&callid=1">Japan</a> (which fiercely opposed India’s 1998 nuclear tests) and very importantly, the <a href="http://in.rediff.com/news/2006/mar/02ndeal1.htm">IAEA</a>. This will undoubtedly carry forward the deal among the <em>Nuclear Suppliers Group</em> cartel and the <em>IAEA</em>. <p><em><strong> Weaknesses</strong></em></p><em>A lame duck:</em> The relative weakness of a lame duck President Bush after the near civil war conditions in Iraq the domestic mismanagement to Hurricane Katrina and the Dubai ports deal somewhat reduces the political maneuvering of the executive power in the American democratic set up. <p><em>Proud, but prickly:</em> Domestically, Dr. Manmohan Singh will face virulent opposition from the Communist parties whose loyalties lies <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/03/skewed-priorities-treacherous-behavior.html">elsewhere</a>. Muslim organizations, irrespective of their opposition to American foreign policies elsewhere should understand the importance of the deal and avoid political <a href="http://www.dailypioneer.com/columnist1.asp?main_variable=Columnist&amp;file_name=swapan%2Fswapan83.txt&writer=swapan">blackmailing</a> and derail national interest. Both these groups are well-organized with big vote banks and media clout and can cause significant political trouble when Dr. Singh attempts to take the Parliament into confidence.</p> <p><em><strong>Opportunities</strong></em></p><em>All politics is local:</em> Even with a reduced political capital, the <em>Republican National Committee</em> still is loyal to the President. It plays a great role in garnering funding for Congressmen’s re-election in November later this year. Indian-Americans with economic clout too can play an important part by lobbying with their Congressmen and Senators. Ultimately, it is in their interest for Congressmen and Senators to look at their your backyard more than listening to the unelected non-proliferation ayatollahs. <p><em>It is the economy stupid:</em> President Bush’s <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/03/20060303-5.html">speech</a> at the Old Fort highlights a growing Indo-US strategic partnership with <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/03/20060302-13.html">co-operation</a> in several important areas for the 21st century which can result in increased trade and mutual benefits for the two countries. American reactor makers like <em>General Electric</em> and <em>Westinghouse Electric Co. </em>(recently <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2006/BUSINESS/02/06/toshiba.westinghouse.reut/">purchased</a> by Japan’s<em> Toshiba Corp.</em>) who will benefit enormously in any future nuclear trade with India should remind Congressmen of the American jobs created as a result. U.S. defense contractors like <em>Lockheed Martin Corp.</em> and <em>Boeing Co.</em> are <a href="http://www.defense-aerospace.com/cgi-bin/client/modele.pl?prod=67077&amp;session=dae.17983735.1141398593.RAhcQcOa9dUAAGDSc6s&modele=release">keen</a> on getting a share on India’s multi-billion dollar <em><a href="http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1635862,0008.htm">MRCA</a></em> deal. U.S. politicians need to be reminded that none of the above can happen <em>sans</em> the ratification of the agreement.</p><em>America’s second ‘Red Menace’:</em> In geo-political terms, China’s fast <a href="http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-03/04/content_4256232.htm">increasing</a> military spending and the <a href="http://www.janes.com/defence/naval_forces/news/fr/fr060224_1_n.shtml">sophisticated</a> naval assets has been <a href="http://www.windsofchange.net/archives/008191.php">worrying</a> many American strategists who clearly see an alliance with India as a <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-usindia4mar04,0,2209074.story?coll=la-home-headlines">counter-weight</a> to China. The U.S. Defense Department in a rare gesture <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/03/politics/03nuke.html?ex=1299042000&amp;amp;amp;en=7cdbac9fe7ec73bf&ei=5088&amp;partner=rssnyt&emc=rss">cheered</a> the agreement with India. Though some of the Chinese <a href="http://www.pinr.com/report.php?ac=view_report&amp;report_id=434&language_id=1">strategic maneuvers</a> in the Indian Ocean should also set-off alarm bells, India has ‘officially’ expressed that it has no intention to toe that line. But like it or not, India will be increasingly viewed as a serious contender to keep China tied. If it helps procure the deal - <em>pourquoi pas</em>? <p><em><strong> Threats </strong></em></p><em>The Revenge of the Ayatollahs:</em> Predictably, they have quickly <a href="http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060303/NEWS07/603030313/1009">voiced</a> their opposition. Make no mistake, they will not go down without a fight. Leonard Weiss - the chief architect of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Act of 1978 who has retired but nevertheless was leading the <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-weiss30dec30,0,3285193.story?coll=la-news-comment-opinions">charge</a> against the deal. The torch has since been passed on to his “shishyaas”. In the coming months during Congressional and Senate testimonies, watch out for noise from: <a href="http://www.isis-online.org/about/staff/dalbright.html">David Albright</a> (<em><a href="http://www.isis-online.org/">Institute for Science and International Studies</a>), </em><a href="http://www.carnegieendowment.org/experts/index.cfm?fa=expert_view&amp;expert_id=10">Joseph Cirincione</a> (<em><a href="http://www.carnegieendowment.org/">Carnegie Endowment for International Peace</a>), </em><a href="http://www.sgpproject.org/experts/bob_einhorn.html">Robert Einhorn</a> (<em><a href="http://www.csis.org/">Center for Strategic and International Studies</a></em>), <a href="http://www.armscontrol.org/assorted/dkbio.asp">Daryl Kimball</a> (<em><a href="http://www.armscontrol.org/">Arms Control Association</a>)</em>, <a href="http://www.stimson.org/about/staff.cfm?ID=18">Michael Krepon</a> (<em><a href="http://www.stimson.org/home.cfm">Henri Stimson Center</a></em>), <a href="http://www.carnegieendowment.org/experts/index.cfm?fa=expert_view&amp;expert_id=145">George Perkovich</a> (<a href="http://www.carnegieendowment.org/"><em>Carnegie Endowment for International Peace</em></a>), <a href="http://www.npec-web.org/Staff.asp?StaffID=1946390440">Henry Sokolski</a> (<a href="http://www.npec-web.org/"><em>Non-Proliferation Policy Education Center</em></a>), <a href="http://cns.miis.edu/cns/staff/lspect.htm">Leonard Spector</a> (<a href="http://cns.miis.edu/index.htm"><em>Center for Nonproliferation Studies</em></a><em>). </em>They will be covertly supported by the traditional <em>Atlanticist</em> lobby in the U.S. State Department opposed to India or the Bush administration policies. Also expect its mouthpieces like the <em>New York Times </em>to give plenty of media space in the form of one-sided op-eds and ‘hard-hitting’ editorials. <p><em>The Chicoms Strike Back:</em> Some analysts see this deal as a <a href="http://www.wpherald.com/storyview.php?StoryID=20060303-102645-4852r">loss</a> of face for China. The <em>Chicoms</em> for their part have already started a massive <a href="http://newsinsight.net/nati2.asp?recno=3623">lobbying</a> against the deal among <em>NSG</em> countries like Australia (currently the biggest Uranium supplier). Some in the Australian administration are already showing their <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2006/s1582904.htm">dissent</a> despite <a href="http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,18341736%255E601,00.html">hands</a> of <a href="http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,18338950%255E7583,00.html">friendship</a> extended to India from that country. China carries enormous clout in Australia as a big buyer of Australian commodities like iron ore. Similar opposition can be expected from some <em>ASEAN</em>, African and Latin American countries where China is flexing its newly-acquired economic muscle. </p> <p><strong><em>The challenge begins now</em></strong></p>It is clear that the we have just entered the hard part. So far we have not seen any statements from Indian diplomats countering the campaign by the <em>Chicoms</em> and the <em>NP Ayatollahs</em> - perhaps the champagne is still flowing in <em>South Block</em>. No doubt, they deserve all the celebration after some hard-won negotiations. But the party is far from over - they should soon jump start their diplomatic offensive. There are so many variables in this equation and several geo-political adjustments to make. All this calls for <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/n-deal-looking-ahead-boldly_21.html">active engagement</a> with the various stakeholders of the game. Interesting times ahead. </div> Previous posts on the nuclear deal <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/01/indo-us-n-deal-more-clarity-needed.html">here</a>, <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/n-deal-isolated-pmo.html">here</a>, <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/n-deal-deconstructing-cheerleaders.html">here</a>, <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/n-deal-looking-ahead-boldly_21.html">here</a> and <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/negotiating-n-deal-deja-vu.html">here</a>. <p> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114156348226180031?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1141420530446855252006-03-03T21:15:00.000Z2006-03-03T21:15:30.553Z<br> via <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/03/international/asia/03protests.html?n=Top%2fNews%2fInternational%2fCountries%20and%20Territories%2fIndia"><span style="font-style: italic;">The New York Times</span></a>:<br> <br> <div style="margin-left: 40px; font-style: italic;"> <p>Rajesh Kumar, 42, a marketing and sales executive for an Indian airline, said he was cynical about how India would benefit from the nuclear agreement. </p> <p>&quot;It's just a balloon of air, designed to pump up India's ego,&quot; he said. &quot;People are still fighting for their bread and butter here. This won't solve anything.&quot; He added, &quot;America wants to dominate the world.&quot;<br> </p> </div> <div> <p>This probably explains the quality of the state-run airlines.<br> </p> </div> <div style="margin-left: 40px; font-style: italic;">The nuclear deal did not impress Sidharth Jain, 19, a computer engineering student, either. &quot;T<span style="text-decoration: underline;">he deal doesn't matter to us much,&quot; he said. &quot;I don't think anyone really understands what it means.&quot;</span> But he was hopeful that improved ties with the United States might make it easier for him to go to a university there.<br> </div> <br> Wishing this student the very best in life.<br> <br> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114142053044685525?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1141404989503035082006-03-03T16:56:00.000Z2006-03-03T16:59:04.576Z<p style="text-align: justify;"> </p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="text-align: justify;">via <a href="http://www.hindu.com/2006/03/03/stories/2006030317191600.htm" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Hindu</span></a>: </p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> Over a lakh Muslims participated in a rally at the Azad Maidan in Mumbai to protest the three-day visit of U.S. President George Bush. Several organisations, including the Communist Party of India, the Communist Gadar Party, the National Railway Workers' Union, the Jamaat-e-Islami-Hind, the All India Ulema Council and the Mumbai Aman Committee, participated in the mammoth rally.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">The speakers touched on a gamut of issues — from <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Salman Rushdie, Taslima Nasreen and M. F. Husain's paintings to the Israel-Palestine conflict, Afghanistan and Iraq crisis.</span></span> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="text-align: justify;"> </p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="text-align: justify;"> No doubt all noble causes worthy of lending a voice. In other news, owing to severe shortage of generation capacity, Mumbai will be facing electric <a href="http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=119308" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">power cuts</a> of up to 20% this summer. The fact that the nuclear deal will greatly help to reduce this gap won't matter to these folks with skewed priorities in life. Now, over to the communist bastion Kolkata: </p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Anil Biswas, State secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and senior Polit Bureau member, said Congressmen who did not favour the Centre's U.S. tilt in foreign policy issues "were increasingly being isolated." </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> He wondered whether the clinching of the nuclear accord was a U.S. attempt to use India and other countries in Asia as strategic partners against China in Washington's campaign against communism."<span style="text-decoration: underline;">We (the Left parties) will not allow this to happen... this is part of an imperialist design to isolate China</span>."</span> </p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="text-align: justify;">The Leftist parties whom we <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/03/terror-watch-maoists-kill-tribals.html">dubbed</a> as <span style="font-size:130%;">C</span>hinese <span style="font-size:130%;">P</span>uppets in <span style="font-size:130%;">I</span>ndia are unabashedly rooting for their masters. Isolate China eh? It is China which is <a href="http://newsinsight.net/nati2.asp?recno=3623">lobbying hard</a> among other NSG countries to scuttle the deal and isolate India. They <a href="http://www.sabha.info/docs/news/commies/ChinaLobbyHindu15Jul1963Pg1.html"> time</a> and <a href="http://www.sabha.info/docs/news/tiananmen/cpimHindu7Jun1989Pg9.html">again</a> prove where their real loyalty lies. </p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="text-align: justify;"> <font>Via the <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/03/03/D8G461E81.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><span style="font-style: italic;">Associated Press</span></a>: </span></p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Anger at President Bush swept through parts of India on Friday as protesters burned his effigy and carried posters of Osama bin Laden. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Three people were killed in clashes, and 18 were injured.</span></span> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 40px; text-align: justify;"><font>While most Indians look favorably upon the United States, and though the protests have not been as large as expected, anti-Bush demonstrations have been held in various Indian cities by communists and Muslim groups during his visit. </span></p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: justify;"><font><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> Violence erupted in the city of Lucknow when dozens of armed Muslims tried to force Hindu shop owners to shut their stores</span> to protest Bush's visit, said Senior Superintendent of Police Ashutosh Pandey. The two sides argued, exchanged blows, and finally shot at each other, killing a Muslim teenager, Pandey said.</span></span> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="text-align: justify;"><font>Idiots. </span><font>The entire thing could have been considered an acceptable nuisance as part of democratic rights guaranteed by the <span style="font-style: italic;">Constitution of India</span> had there not been loss of life or property. In the long run, such barbaric acts does not augur good for the well-being of the Indian democracy itself. Previous idiocy <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/home-grown-idiots.html">here</a> and <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/more-idiocy.html">here</a>. </span></p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114140498950303508?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1141396021828400622006-03-03T14:20:00.000Z2006-03-03T14:27:01.856ZPhoto courtesy <span style="font-style: italic;">Reuters, AFP</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">AP</span> respectively. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/060303/ids_photos_wl/r2550275970.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4461/1808/200/r2550275970.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/060303/481/indd1003030800"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4461/1808/200/capt.indd1003030800.india_bush_indd10.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/060303/photos_ts_wl_afp/b44559834eaabf2e8904d80c93c97dda"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4461/1808/200/capt.indd10803030804.india_bush_indd108.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114139602182840062?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1141314087470991552006-03-02T15:41:00.000Z2006-03-02T15:47:58.400Z<div style="text-align: justify;"> Via <a href="http://in.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-03-02T174012Z_01_NOOTR_RTRJONC_0_India-238998-1.xml" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><span style="font-style: italic;"> Reuters</span></a>: </div> <div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;">China urged India to abandon nuclear weapons and strengthen atomic safeguards as President George W. Bush and the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh sealed a controversial nuclear pact on Thursday.</span> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 40px; text-align: justify;"> India should sign the NPT and also dismantle its nuclear weapons, a spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry, Qin Gang, told a news briefing in Beijing.</p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 40px; text-align: justify;"> "As a signatory country, China hopes non-signatory countries will join it as soon as possible as non-nuclear weapon states, thereby contributing to strengthening the international non-proliferation regime," he said.</p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 40px; text-align: justify;"> Qin said current international safeguards on nuclear weapons were the hard-won product of many countries' efforts and should not be weakened by exceptions.</p> <div style="text-align: justify;">A sample of <a href="http://www.nti.org/db/china/npakpos.htm">past</a> and <a href="http://dawn.com/2006/02/28/top15.htm">present</a> sins. And <a href="http://today.reuters.com/news/NewsArticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2006-03-02T134639Z_01_DEL297780_RTRUKOC_0_US-BUSH-INDIA-REACTION.xml">this</a> should show the mandarins their place: <blockquote style="font-style: italic;">The U.N. nuclear watchdog welcomed a landmark civil nuclear deal between India and the United States on Thursday, saying it would end New Delhi's nuclear isolation and spur global non-proliferation efforts. the support of Mohammed ElBaradei, the head of the International Atomic Energy Authority, gives the deal an important seal of approval. ElBaradei said the deal would help satisfy India's growing energy needs. Burns said Russia and European allies had already indicated that they would support the deal, which will be worth billions of dollars to U.S. firms that provide nuclear technology to India. "So we do expect broad scale international support," he said. </blockquote> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114131408747099155?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1141309186971912932006-03-02T13:39:00.000Z2006-03-02T14:19:47.070ZVia <a href="http://www.coxandforkum.com/archives/06.02.28.SinghAlong-X.gif"><span style="font-style: italic;">Cox & Forkum</span></a>:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.coxandforkum.com/archives/06.02.28.SinghAlong-X.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4461/1808/200/06.02.28.SinghAlong-X.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114130918697191293?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1141303598931348702006-03-02T12:46:00.000Z2006-03-02T13:10:52.670Z<div style="text-align: justify;">While we can't help cheer the <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/02/AR2006030200388.html">agreement</a> accepted by President Bush and Prime Minister Singh, we nevertheless urge caution. At this point, we still don't know the final negotiating terms. The Prime Minister is expected to make a statement to the Parliament. The devil is in the following details: </div> <div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;">- How many reactors are finally going to be declared civilian?</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">- What is the status of the fast-breeder reactors?</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">- What kind of safeguards which are going to be applied (full-scope IAEA?)?</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"> - What about the "in perpetuity" clause (binding the reactors forever) advocated by Dr. Rice ?</span> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Update:</span> Some <a href="http://www.ibnlive.com/article.php?id=6177&amp;section_id=3">initial</a> <a href="http://www.ndtv.com/breakingnews/default.asp?refno=32200661216PM">details</a> are emerging from 24/7 TV channels. We would'nt read much from this at this point. Let's us wait for the official details to emerge in the days to come. </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114130359893134870?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1141252692254944092006-03-01T22:38:00.000Z2006-03-02T06:41:47.566Z<div style="text-align: justify;"> <p><span style="font-size:180%;">A</span>fter an initial <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/viewing-glass-half-empty-or-half-full.html">mini</a> roundup, we now present more press editorials and op-ed pieces on the Indo-US relations in general and President Bush’s visit in particular: </p>The <em>New York Sun </em>has an historical <a href="http://www.nysun.com/article/28320">take</a> on President Bush’s visit when India is rediscovering its rich entrepreneurial roots advocated by Vallabhai Patel only to be stiffled by a socialist-minded Nehru. The <em>New York Times </em><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/28/opinion/28tue1.html?_r=1&hp&amp;oref=slogin">chides</a> President Bush to have ignored larger issues like poverty eradication and sustainable energy development and instead excessively concentrate on “a nuclear deal that shouldn't have been initiated to begin with”. It then demands the U.S. Congress to reject the deal should it be presented for ratification. The <em>New York Newsday</em> <a href="http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion/ny-vpind014645605mar01,0,1684321.story?coll=ny-editorials-headlines">cheerfully</a> praises the new U.S. ties with India as “most important relationships of the 21st century” and concluding, “As a pragmatic compromise the nuclear agreement has merit, especially if it becomes the basis on which to build closer ties with Asia's emerging geopolitical giant”. <p>The <em>Los Angeles Times</em> has a <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/editorials/la-ed-indianuke01mar01,0,6120466.story?coll=la-news-comment-editorials">guarded</a> response to the nuclear deal saying ‘the price is too high’. Its opposition to the deal is rooted in the fear that similar demands will be made by other states like Iran or North Korea. <em>The San Francisco Chronicle</em> <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2006/03/01/EDGU9GJEIR1.DTL">credits</a> President Bush for ‘tightly weaving India’s future’ with America’s own but expresses sceptism if he can bring back a deal acceptable to the U.S. Congress. <em>The Baltimore Sun</em> in an <a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/bal-ed.india01mar01,0,2096051.story?coll=bal-opinion-headlines">editorial</a> dubs the President’s visit as an ‘important turning point’ to the Indo-US relations. It further argues that a ‘no deal’ at this point should not stop the two countries from further pursuing ‘big strides’ towards even closer relations.</p>Daniel Sneider <a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/opinion/13980055.htm">writing</a> for the <em>San Jose Mercury News</em> while welcoming the Presidential visit also cautions against falling into three ‘pitfalls’. First, India may not be willing to play the role of a bulwark against an ascending China. Second, Mr. Sneider while welcoming a ‘reasonable’ form of the July 18 nuclear deal, also warns on the resistance the Prime Minister might face from Indian political parties. Third - while the growing Indian economy provides immense opportunities for the U.S., it can equally also present ‘competitive challenges’. Jim Hoagland of the <em>Washington Post</em> <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/24/AR2006022401803.html">opines</a> that the nuclear agreement is a ‘creative’ diplomatic effort as part of the “Rice Doctrine” through a “realistic reshaping of the global non-proliferation rules” to help India which has been ‘scrupulously’ adhering to non-proliferation principles. David Ignatius again of the <em>Washington Post </em><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/28/AR2006022801010.html">acknowledging</a> the need for nuclear power for a vast country like India also categorically rules out any comparison with Iran wanting to imitate India’s nuclear deal since “The same rules don't apply to both; one has shown that it is benign and the other behaves like a global outlaw”. <p><em>The Financial Times UK</em>, while <a href="http://news.ft.com/cms/s/5bbc1dec-a8c7-11da-aeeb-0000779e2340.html">calling</a> the nuclear deal as ‘bold’ and giving solid arguments in its favor (India’s good non-proliferation record in contrast to Pakistan’s ‘nuclear Wal-Mart’, environmental reasons and the ‘China’ factor) nevertheless calls for a more ‘credible’ separation plan from India rather than hurriedly accept a ‘watered-down’ version of the deal. Finally, <em>The Times UK</em> in an <a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,542-2060099,00.html">editorial</a> states that India should respond positively to the fact that “America’s ties with Pakistan are no longer a hindrance to the strategic partnership with Delhi that the Bush Administration seeks”. It further points that while India has big strides to make in developing infrastructure and boosting investment in primary education, an open society with free speech and strong political and business institutions will be on its side on the path towards its rapid emergence. </p> <p><span style="font-style: italic;">Cross-posted in </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://desicritics.org/2006/03/01/180818.php">Desicritics.org</a><span style="font-style: italic;">. </span></p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114125269225494409?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1141205658651195032006-03-01T09:34:00.000Z2006-03-01T09:34:22.270Z<br> Via <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4761268.stm"><span style="font-style: italic;">BBC</span></a>:<br><br> <div style="margin-left: 40px;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Pakistani forces have killed or wounded at least 25 people in a raid on suspected foreign militants near the Afghan border, regional officials say. </span><br style="font-style: italic;"> <br style="font-style: italic;"> <span style="font-style: italic;"> Troops backed by </span><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-style: italic;">three helicopter gunships</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> attacked a suspected militant camp in the North Waziristan region. </span><br style="font-style: italic;"> <br style="font-style: italic;"> <span style="font-style: italic;"> &quot;It was a training camp of <span style="text-decoration: underline;">foreign miscreants</span>,&quot; government administrator Sayed Zaheerul Islam said.<br> </span><font size="2"><br> <span style="font-style: italic;">The attack comes just days before a visit to Pakistan by US President George W Bush.</span></font><br style="font-style: italic;"> </div> <br> Right, those <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/01/war-on-terror-is-this-how-united.html">helicopter gunships</a> were diverted just in time from fighting <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/01/assassins-banned-extremists-terrorists.html"> 'miscreants'</a> in <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/ny-times-on-musharrafs-other-war.html">Balochistan</a>. Perhaps. it could'nt have had a better <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/orchastrated-protest.html"> timing</a> to show its &quot;worthiness&quot; in <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/01/goat-comes-home-to-roost.html">G.O.A.T</a>. Such gestures will fetch <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4384597.stm"> more</a> <a href="http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/02/16/opinion/edhelene.php">F-16s</a>. Who cares about reforming the education system or pushing towards democracy.<br> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114120565865119503?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1141204881481219292006-03-01T09:21:00.000Z2006-03-01T09:43:57.300Z<p> Via <a href="http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1637750,000900030012.htm"><span style="font-style: italic;">Hindustan Times</span></a>: </p> <p style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 40px;">Maoist rebels detonated a powerful land mine killing at least 50 tribal villagers in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday.</p> <p style="margin-left: 40px;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoist ambushed two trucks packed with tribals campaigning against the rebels in the Darmagura area of Dantewada district, about 500 km south of this state capital, police said.</span> </p> <p>Will the honorable Home Minister Shivraj patil continue to call them 'misguided youth'? And what do their cheerleaders in media <span style="font-style: italic;">viz</span> the <span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">C</span></span>hinese <span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">P</span></span>uppets in <span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I</span></span>ndia (<span style="font-size:180%;">CPI</span>) and <span style="font-size:180%;">CPI</span> (<a href="http://opinion.paifamily.com/?p=1844"><span style="font-size:180%;">M</span>orons</a>) who claim to fight for tribal rights got to say now. </p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114120488148121929?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1141158280509124312006-02-28T19:53:00.000Z2006-03-01T09:45:19.293Z<div style="text-align: justify;"> Via <a href="http://ia.rediff.com/news/2006/feb/27guestc.htm"><span style="font-style: italic;">Rediff</span></a>: <blockquote>Undersecretary Robert Joseph replied that 'In principle, making new US law or waivers contingent on India fulfilling its commitments in the Joint Statement is a sound idea. As reflected in its pledge in the Joint Statement, India has already declared that it will maintain its nuclear testing moratorium.' On November 2, Joseph told the same committee that 'India's pledge to maintain its nuclear testing moratorium contributes to non-proliferation efforts <span style="font-style: italic;">by making its ending of nuclear explosive tests one of the conditions of full civil nuclear cooperation</span>' (Emphasis added). </blockquote> That means the equivalent of signing the <span style="font-style: italic;">CTBT</span>, which even the US <a href="http://www.acronym.org.uk/dd/dd61/61app.htm#sig">has not</a> done. Even worse, the US keeps doing sub-critcal tests with the aid of sophisticated supercomputers, via <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200602/s1577409.htm"><span style="font-style: italic;">ABC, Australia</span></a>: <blockquote>The Energy Department has confirmed the United States has carried out a subcritical nuclear experiment at an underground test site in Nevada on Thursday (local time). <span style="font-style: italic;">The test was aimed at gathering ''scientific data that provides crucial information to maintain the safety and reliability of... nuclear weapons without having to conduct underground nuclear tests</span>,'' the department said. </blockquote> Who knows, India is <a href="http://www.allilon.com/Idside2.htm">already</a> there too, but it should be up to her to decide when to <span style="font-style: italic;">really</span> stop testing. Now let us get back to discussing the civilian nuclear cooperation. And while we are on the subject a question to the non-proliferation ayatollahs, what are you doing about <a href="http://dawn.com/2006/02/28/top15.htm">this</a>: <blockquote style="font-style: italic;">China has, in principle, agreed to offer two more nuclear power plants worth about $1.2 billion to help meet Pakistan’s growing electricity requirements. “Initially China is expected to provide us two more nuclear plants of 325-MW each preferably in 2006. Later, we may get some more power plants from China if the US and west continue to hesitate in this behalf”, the official said. </blockquote> Related post: <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/fast-breeder-civil-or-military-or-both.html">Fast Breeder: Civil or Military or Both</a>. </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114115828050912431?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1141154216600469262006-02-28T19:12:00.000Z2006-02-28T19:16:56.630Z<div style="text-align: justify;">Via <a href="http://jang.com.pk/thenews/feb2006-daily/28-02-2006/main/update.shtml#57">Jang</a>: <blockquote>Pakistan has gained what it calls ‘joint standoff weapons’ a <span style="font-style: italic;">capability through which an invisible target can be hit.</span> The missile can hit an enemy target without <span style="font-style: italic;">entering air limits of an enemy.</span> </blockquote>Right, we are all scared! The term <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaporware">vaporware</a> comes to mind!! </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114115421660046926?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1141073844994933572006-02-27T20:57:00.000Z2006-02-27T22:12:36.530Z<div style="text-align: justify;"><p> </p> On the London tube attacks, via <a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-2059046,00.html"><em>The Times (UK)</em></a> (Feb 26th): <blockquote><em>The new documents show that MI5, which is responsible for national security, allowed <u>the July 21 suspect to travel to Pakistan after he was detained and interviewed at a British airport.</u> Once in Pakistan he was monitored by SIS, which gathers intelligence overseas.</em><p></p><em>MI5 then conducted what the leaked memo says was “a low-level short-term investigation” into the suspect, who cannot be named for legal reasons. </em> <p><em><u>It stopped monitoring him because it said “the Pakistani authorities assessed that he was doing nothing of significance”.</u> </em></p></blockquote> <p>On attacks planned against Australia, via the <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/a-passage-from-pakistan/2006/02/26/1140888748138.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1"><em>Sydney Morning Herald</em></a> (Feb 27th): </p><blockquote><em>Thomas said bin Attash told him he had $10,000 for anyone who would attempt a terrorist operation, and <u>suggested that he run surveillance on Australian military installations.</u> </em> <p><em>It was late 2002. <u>Thomas was hiding in a safe house in Pakistan</u>. He was trying to organise passage back to Australia after the September 11, 2001, attacks on the US and the fall of the fundamentalist Islamic Taliban regime in Afghanistan a year earlier. </em> </p><p><em>Minutes before their private talk, bin Attash had announced to several people, Thomas among them, <u>that Australia needed an attack like those in Kenya and Tanzania</u>, where truck bombs exploded near US embassies, killing 224 people, in 1998.</em></p><em>In his private meeting with bin Attash, Thomas said, he was told that <u>his passage out of Pakistan had been arranged</u>, and that he would be provided with $US3500.</em></blockquote> <p>On the daily attacks in Afghanistan, via the <em><a href="http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/subcontinent/2006/February/subcontinent_February1030.xml&section=subcontinent">Associated Press</a></em> (Feb 25th): </p><blockquote><em>President Hamid Karzai has handed intelligence to Pakistan that indicates <u>Mullah Mohammed Omar</u>, supreme leader of the Taleban regime ousted by US-led forces, <u>and key associates are hiding in Pakistan</u>, a senior Afghan official said on Friday. </em> <p><em>The intelligence was shared during a visit by Karzai to Islamabad last week, and comes after a wave of suicide attacks that have fueled Afghan suspicions that militants are operating out of Pakistan. </em> </p><p><em>Afghanistan also provided information about the locations of alleged <u>terrorist training camps</u> along the border and in <u>Pakistani cities</u>, said the official, who is familiar with the information shared with Pakistan. He declined to be named because of the sensitivity of the issue.</em></p></blockquote> <p>On the Lodhi, California terror case, via the <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-lodi24feb24,1,3489802.story?coll=la-headlines-pe-california&amp;ctrack=1&cset=true"><em>Associated Press</em></a><em> </em>(Feb 24th): </p><blockquote><em>During long conversations at Hayat's home, Khan said, Hayat praised Al Qaeda, expressed support for religious governments in Pakistan and Afghanistan and talked about issues surrounding jihad. </em> <p><em>Hayat, 23, is charged with three counts of making false statements to the FBI about <u>attending an Al Qaeda camp in Pakistan in 2003</u> and with providing material support to terrorists.</em></p></blockquote> <p>On the Jamaat ul Fuqra’s terror camps in northeastern U.S., via the <em><a href="http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=48868">World Net Daily</a></em> (Feb. 17th): </p><blockquote><em>The <u>Pakistani terrorist group Jamaat ul Fuqra</u> is using Islamic schools in the United States as training facilities, confirms a joint investigative report by an intelligence think tank and an independent reporter. </em> <p><em>Jamaat ul-Fuqra, or "community of the impoverished," <u>was formed by Pakistani cleric Sheikh Mubarak Ali Gilani</u> in New York in 1980. Gilani, who refers to himself as "the sixth Sultan Ul Faqr," has stated his objective is to "purify" Islam through violence. </em> </p><p><em>Though <u>primarily based in Lahore, Pakistan</u>, Jamaat ul-Fuqra has operational headquarters in the U.S. </em> </p><p><em>Members have been known to <u>go to Pakistan for paramilitary training</u>, but the investigation found evidence the U.S. encampments offer such training so members don't need to risk traveling abroad amid increased scrutiny following the 9-11 attacks. </em> </p><p><em>U.S. authorities have probed the group for charges ranging from links to al-Qaida to laundering and <u>funneling money into Pakistan for terrorist</u> activities. The organization supports <u>various terrorist groups operating in Pakistan and Kashmir</u>, and Gilani himself is linked directly to Hamas and Hezbollah. </em> </p><p><em>Intelligence sources also suggest a link <u>between Jamaat ul Fuqra and Richard Reid</u>, the infamous "shoe bomber" who attempted to ignite explosives aboard a Paris-to-Miami passenger flight Dec. 22, 2001.</em></p></blockquote> <p>Whew! All this is just during a period of just one week. President Bush has his task cut out during his visit to Pakistan. Before <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/master-goat.html">shelling out</a> the usual billion dollar per year aid, he needs to call Pakistani ruler’s <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/01/assassins-banned-extremists-terrorists.html">duplicitous</a> co-operation in G.O.A.T. a bluff. So far not one major Taliban leader has been arrested - its sympathizers <a href="http://www.swissinfo.org/sen/swissinfo.html?siteSect=143&amp;sid=6389878&cKey=1137501331000">running freely</a> in Pakistan are already <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4616732.stm">wrecking</a> havoc in Afghanistan. Ofcourse, several <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2005/12/did-media-fall-for-false-claims-about.html">fake</a> Al-Queda <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/01/do-terrorists-come-in-multiples-of.html">No. 3</a> keep popping out every month or so. Terrorist operatives trained in Pakistan continue to plan attacks from Australia, to London to the United States. This has to stop. So far Pakistan’s military rulers have been using the “There is no alternative” line arguing that the civilian replacements will most likely be from a Islamist political party. This is a <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/orchastrated-protest.html">bogus</a> argument since they themselves <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/pakistan-protest-update.html">encourage</a> the very same parties to conduct <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23918281@N00/99775633/">anti-American</a> and religious fundamentalist rallies. So far no effort has been done to reform the <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4167260.stm">hate-filled</a> public education system or the militant maddrassahs. All this, while using <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/01/war-on-terror-is-this-how-united.html">American-donated</a> weapons in the ‘other’ <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/ny-times-on-musharrafs-other-war.html">brutal war</a> against Balochi rebels. While we are not holding our breath for a radical change in the official U.S. policy of “<a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2005/11/dont-touch-my-sob.html">He is afterall my SOB</a>” towards Pakistan, the tax-paying American public should be well aware of this.</p><span style="font-style: italic;">Washington Post</span>'s William Arkin has similar thoughts: <a href="http://blogs.washingtonpost.com/earlywarning/2006/02/bush_visits_bin.html">Bush Visits Bin Laden Country</a>. <p> </p></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114107384499493357?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1140984534309137302006-02-26T19:42:00.000Z2006-02-26T20:55:00.483Z<table align="center"><tbody><tr> <td> <center><a href="http://www.economist.com/opinion/displaystory.cfm?story_id=5548089"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4461/1808/320/economist_cover.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> </center></td><td> <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11571348/site/newsweek/"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4461/1808/320/newsweek_cover.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> </td></tr></tbody></table> <div style="text-align: justify;">On the eve of President Bush's visit to India, several international publications have given their thoughts. A sample: <span style="font-style: italic;">Newsweek International</span> <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11571348/site/newsweek/">cover page</a> story (excellent read, in our opinion): <blockquote>The world turns and India will have its ups and downs. But today it is India's moment. It can grasp it and forge a new path for itself. Along that road lies a genuine and deep relationship between the planet's largest democracy and its wealthiest democracy. Until now, this has merely been a slogan. It could actually become a reality, and who knows what such a world might look like? </blockquote> <span style="font-style: italic;">New York Times</span> <a href="http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/02/19/opinion/eded1.php">editorial</a> (an <span style="font-style: italic;">Atlanticist</span> hardline view, which we had taken to task <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/n-deal-clueless-gray-lady.html">here</a>): <blockquote>India desperately wants Bush to wring approval from Congress for a misbegotten pact in which America would help meet India's energy requirements through civilian nuclear cooperation. </blockquote> <span style="font-style: italic;">Washington Post</span> <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/25/AR2006022501238.html">editorial</a> (takes a moderate line, but gets its priority right): <blockquote>The nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty is a limited asset: It has not stopped a string of countries from going nuclear, and it's not worth forgoing major prizes such as an Indian alliance in order to preserve it. </blockquote> <span style="font-style: italic;">The Economist</span> <a href="http://www.economist.com/opinion/displaystory.cfm?story_id=5548089">cover page</a> story (another <span style="font-style: italic;">Atlanticist</span> mouth piece hostile to India): <blockquote>As Mr Bush packs his bags, desperate attempts are being made to bridge the gap. The obvious danger is that in order to portray his summit as a success Mr Bush will be tempted to accept even fewer safeguards from India. That would be a dangerous mistake: nuclear proliferation matters too much to allow excessive wiggle-room or create bad precedents. </blockquote> During his short <a href="http://news.webindia123.com/news/showdetails.asp?id=259703&n_date=20060224&amp;cat=World">business-like</a> trip of two days, a major portion will be occuppied in trying to finalize the nuclear deal (which this blog <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/n-deal-deconstructing-cheerleaders.html">has</a> <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/n-deal-isolated-pmo.html">extensively</a> <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/01/indo-us-n-deal-more-clarity-needed.html">covered</a>). Amazingly, we are not yet privy to the final negotiating terms, if they were indeed agreed. Prime Minister Singh is expected to make a statement to the Indian parliament this coming week. Irrespective of whether a deal is signed or not at this point, we hope President Bush's visit further strenghtens India-U.S. relationship. We wish him a <span style="font-style: italic;">tres bon voyage</span>. </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114098453430913730?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1140854835328343202006-02-25T08:07:00.000Z2006-02-25T17:29:02.616Z<p style="text-align: right;font-family:times new roman;"><em><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"></span></em> </p> <div style="text-align: right;"><em><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"> Nations have no permanent friends or enemies. Only permanent interests.</span></em> <span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">British statesman Lord Palmerston </span> </div> <p style="text-align: justify;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">W</span></span>hile thinking about </span><a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/01/indo-us-n-deal-more-clarity-needed.html"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">the</span></a><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"> </span><a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/n-deal-deconstructing-cheerleaders.html"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">current</span></a><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"> </span><a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/n-deal-isolated-pmo.html"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">debate</span></a><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"> on the India-U.S. nuclear deal, it may be useful to recall how the United States inked a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with another nuclear power - China amidst several crises between them. This deal took almost 13 years to materialize between the time that President Reagan submitted the agreement to Congress in 1985 and its implementation in 1998 under President Clinton. Such a long-drawn negotiation can offer several lessons for Indian negotiators.</span></p> <div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">We first present excerpts from a 2005 <em>Congressional Research Service</em> report titled “</span><a href="http://fpc.state.gov/documents/organization/58442.pdf"><em><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">U.S.-China Nuclear Cooperation Agreement</span></em></a><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">” (PDF): </span> <blockquote style="text-align: justify;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">In 1984 under the Reagan administration when the dialog was initiated, Kenneth Adelman, Director of the <em>Arms Control and Disarmament Agency</em> notes that: “The United States sought China's acceptance of IAEA safeguards on U.S. supply under the agreement, <u>but they adamantly refused to accept that condition.</u>” </span> <p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">Deputy Assistant Secretary of State James Devine said that the PRC “assured us <u>orally</u> that they would ... require safeguards on their own exports.” </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">Rep. Ed Markey said the assurances from China were actually assurances in a secret memorandum or "Non-Paper" of the State Department. “<em>we insisted that the United Kingdom, a weapons state and our closest ally, accept [safeguards] as part of our nuclear cooperation agreement. So why not the Chinese?</em>” </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">In 1989 after the Tienanmen crackdown, Congress suspended the proposed nuclear cooperation with China. </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">After the U.S.-P.R.C. summit in 1997, President Clinton in 1998 signed certifications on China's nuclear nonproliferation policy and practices to implement the 1985 Nuclear Cooperation Agreement. “<em>it is in the U.S. national interest to consolidate and build on the <u>progress</u> China has made in the nonproliferation area</em>” </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">In 2004, the NRC issued licences for export of nuclear reactor components under the Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, while the DOE authorized transfers of nuclear technology to China for its civilian nuclear power program based on the PRC's “<em>written nonproliferation assurances</em>”. </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">On February 28, 2005, <em>Westinghouse Electric Company</em> submitted a bid for a PRC contract to supply <u>four</u> commercial nuclear reactors in a deal underwritten by the <em>U.S. Export-Import Bank</em>. Two of the planned Chinese reactors would be built for the China Guangdong Nuclear Power Company at a site near Yangjiang, and the other two would be built at a site near Sanmen for the <em>China National Nuclear Corporation</em> (<u>CNNC</u>*), according to media reports. China already has <u>four</u> operating commercial reactors supplied by <em>Areva</em>, using updated versions of French reactors originally built under a now-expired Westinghouse license. </span></p></blockquote> <span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><u>Bottom line:</u> Currently, China has only </span><a href="http://www.nti.org/db/china/ciae.htm"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">two</span></a><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.nti.org/db/china/qinshan.htm"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">facilities</span></a><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"> under IAEA safeguards with none of the imported reactors being on the safeguard list. The deal was signed with only paper assurances (agreed in ‘secret’) from China to not repeat its proliferation sins (see below) in the future. Also note that the some of the opposition voices to the China deal like </span><a href="http://markey.house.gov/"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">Rep. Markey</span></a><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"> are still around </span><a href="http://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/ap/2006/02/22/ap2546553.html"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">raising</span></a><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"> concerns about the Indian deal. </span> </div> <p style="text-align: justify;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">Now, onto China's </span><a href="http://www.nti.org/db/china/iaeaorg.htm"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">commitments</span></a><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"> to the IAEA: </span> </p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <blockquote style="text-align: justify;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">China first made unofficial inquiries about possible participation in the IAEA in 1978. China applied for membership in the IAEA in 1983, and became a member in January 1984. Since then, China has <u>declared</u> that China will apply IAEA safeguards on all of its nuclear exports. </span> <p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">In 1991, China further <u>declared</u> that it would report to the IAEA any export or import of nuclear materials and all exports of nuclear equipment. </span></p></blockquote> <span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">All empty declarations <em>sans</em> any verification mechanism. Alas just as China was negotiating the deal with the United States in the 80s and 90s, it’s proliferation activities never showed signs of slowing down despite promises to the IAEA during this period (one thinks it still has’nt <a href="http://www.newkerala.com/news2.php?action=fullnews&id=13883">stopped</a> to date). </span> </div> <p style="text-align: justify;font-family:times new roman;"><a href="http://www.nti.org/db/china/npakpos.htm"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">China's Proliferation Sins - A Sample</span></a><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">: </span> </p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <blockquote style="text-align: justify;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">In 1983, China supplied complete design of a 25 kT nuclear bomb possibly a Chic-4 design to Pakistan. In the same year, China reportedly supplied Pakistan highly enriched uranium (<em>HEU</em>) enough for one or two nuclear weapons . </span> <p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">In 1986, Tritium used to achieve fusion in hydrogen bombs and boost the yield of atomic bombs was sold by China to Pakistan. </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">In late 1995, China exported 5,000 specially designed ring magnets from the <em>China Nuclear Energy Industry Corporation</em> (CNEIC) (now <em>China National Nuclear Corporation</em> - <u>CNNC</u>*) to A.Q. Khan Research Lab at Kahuta which was involved in nuclear weapons work. </span></p></blockquote> <span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><blockquote>New insights into the level of Chinese assistance to Pakistan came about in early 2004 as a result of on-site investigations into Libya's nuclear weapons program. As part of disarmament inspections, early Chinese nuclear weapons designs were handed over to IAEA inspectors by Libyan scientists, wrapped in plastic bags bearing an address in Islamabad.</blockquote> </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">Amazingly, note that American companies are now transferring reactors to the same company (albeit with a different name CNNC) which deliberately proliferated to Pakistan with financing coming from the U.S. Ex-Im Bank! </span> </div> <p face="times new roman" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"><u>Lessons for Indian negotiators:</u> The U.S.-China deal went through multiple administrations over a couple of decades - it was started by Nixon’s famous visit to China and finalized by Bush Jr. This, despite the many geo-political crises between the two countries during this period <em>viz </em>the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiananmen_Square_protests_of_1989"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">Tienanmen crackdown</span></a><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"> in 1989, the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Taiwan_Strait_Crisis"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">Taiwan strait crisis</span></a><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"> in 1996, the Belgrade </span><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/may/9/newsid_2519000/2519271.stm"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">Chinese embassy bombing</span></a><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"> by NATO forces in 1999, the American EP-3 spy plane ‘</span><a href="http://www.asiaweek.com/asiaweek/magazine/nations/0,8782,106831,00.html"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">collision incident</span></a><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">’ in 2001 and ofcourse the massive nuclear weapons proliferation to Pakistan and other states. </span> </p><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: times new roman;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">At this point the Indo-US negotiation is <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20060224/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_india_1"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">stalled</span></a>,<span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"> just days before President Bush’s visit. This despite India <a href="http://www.newkerala.com/news2.php?action=fullnews&amp;id=16245">offering</a> upto 14 of the 22 Indian reactors </span>to be placed under safeguards. The U.S. wants more. Apart from demanding the fast-breeder reactors be safeguarded (which we strongly </span><a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/fast-breeder-civil-or-military-or-both.html"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">contested</span></a><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">), the U.S. is also demanding an “</span><a href="http://www.hindu.com/2006/02/23/stories/2006022308280100.htm"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">in perpetuity</span></a><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">” safeguard agreement. Since there are no “permanent friends”, there should be no clause which “binds” Indian reactors under permanent safeguards. Should there be a need in the future, a resolution in the Indian parliament representing the will of the people should again enable to reclassify any reactor as ‘strategic’ (just as the United States has </span><a href="http://www.tennessean.com/local/archives/03/10/40448916.shtml"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">done</span></a><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">). It should not under any circumstances be held hostage to the whims or sanction threats of the U.S. Congress or Senate run by special interest groups.</span></p> <div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">This article goes on to show that if a President wants, he can push the deal through the Congress. Congressmen are primarily interested in only getting re-elected and securing campaign funding to achieve the same. In the upcoming Congressional elections, candidates will be needing the Republican Party’s support. <span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">With the Republicans controlling both the House and the Senate, President Bush has the power to use his political capital to get through an initial agreement. </span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">The unelected </span><a href="http://www.npec-web.org/Staff.asp?StaffID=1946390440"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">non-proliferation</span></a><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.carnegieendowment.org/experts/index.cfm?fa=expert_view&expert_id=145"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">ayatollahs</span></a><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"> and </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">their</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"> <em><a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/n-deal-clueless-gray-lady.html">Atlanticist</a> </em></span><a href="http://www.economist.com/opinion/displaystory.cfm?story_id=5548089"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">mouthpieces</span></a><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"> can raise all the noise they want, but it cannot stop the Executive Power to act in national interest. Some powerful lobbying by business interests will do the rest. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">Indian negotiators too shouldn't be afraid to play the long-term game without being desperate for an immediate agreement - a <em>now or never </em>approach significantly weakens the Indian position. The fact that China managed to hold on to its proliferation interests (sic) without inviting neither sanctions nor declaring any important sites under safeguards shows that there is no need to hurry up on the deal if there are strategic compromises to be made. Till such a time arrives, India has all the </span><a href="http://www.diehardindian.com/infra/coal.htm"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">coal</span></a><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"> to </span><a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/emm-burn-that-coal.html"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">burn</span></a><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"> to satisfy its energy needs or even better start talking about some </span><a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/n-deal-looking-ahead-boldly_21.html"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">bold</span></a><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;"> endeavors - that is when the Indian leadership show some spine and grow a pair of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testicle"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">you-know-what</span></a> as it once <a href="http://www.gwu.edu/%7Ensarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB79/">did</a><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;">. <span style="font-style: italic;">Cross-posted in <a href="http://desicritics.org/2006/02/25/101551.php">Desicritics.org</a>. </span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114085483532834320?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1140787680486329202006-02-24T13:28:00.000Z2006-02-24T13:28:05.976Z<br>Via <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/feb2006-daily/24-02-2006/main/main11.htm">The News (Jang)</a>:<br><br> <div style="margin-left: 40px; font-style: italic;">Pakistan has declared India as &quot;C&quot; class country for the diplomatic considerations. The decision has been taken in the wake of substandard living conditions and other hardships which are being faced generally by the aliens in that country.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br> </div> <br>via <span style="font-style: italic;">Forbes</span> <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11416638/">Most Dangerous Destinations 2006:</a><br> <div style="margin-left: 40px; font-style: italic;">• Afghanistan<br> • Burundi<br> • Cote d'Ivoire<br> • Democratic Republic of the Congo<br> • Georgia<br> • Haiti<br> • Iraq<br> • Liberia<br> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">• Pakistan</span><br> • Papua New Guinea<br> • Russia (Chechnya)<br> • Somalia<br> • Sudan<br> • Zimbabwe<br> </div> <br><br><br><br> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114078768048632920?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1140717211958908852006-02-23T17:53:00.000Z2006-02-23T17:53:32.060Z<br>Via <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.stratfor.com/products/premium/read_article.php?id=262579">Stratfor</a> (subscription required):<br><br> <div style="margin-left: 40px;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Indian government said Feb. 22 that it refuses to categorize its fast breeder reactors (FBRs) as civilian power plants, but that it will move ahead and separate its civilian nuclear facilities from its military ones -- one of the key U.S. demands for the deal to go through. India's insistence that its FBRs not be considered purely civilian, however, will seriously complicate the negotiations. </span><br style="font-style: italic;"> <br style="font-style: italic;"> <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">For all Washington cares, the FBRs can produce as much plutonium for weapons, or as much power for Bollywood's cinema screens, as India wants -- but not both.</span> Under the Indian-U.S. nuclear deal, only civilian institutions will receive nuclear assistance. If there is a gray area, then the United States would be giving technological aid directly to India's warhead production. This would be bad, from the U.S. perspective, to say the least. </span><br style="font-style: italic;"> <span style="font-style: italic;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br style="font-style: italic;"> <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> Barring a verifiable Indian promise that its FBR reactors will be cut off from the civilian power grid,</span> it would seem unlikely that Washington would accept the terms as they stand and agree to the nuclear deal with India. </span><br> </div> <br> Well, we've gotta a double standards issue here. The <a href="http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/fact-sheets/tritium.html">Tritium</a> needed for U.S. weapons program <a href="http://www.tennessean.com/local/archives/03/10/40448916.shtml"> comes</a> from what used to be the civilian facility of <a href="http://www.tva.gov/sites/wattsbarnuc.htm">Watts Bar Nuclear Plant</a> in the <a href="http://www.tva.gov/index.htm">Tennessee Valley Authority</a>. The <a href="http://www.fas.org/nwp/pubs/trit_bull.html"> plan</a> to classify this reactor as 'strategic' under the guise of 'national security' was approved in 1999 by the Clinton administration and the plant has been producing Tritium gas since 2003. If the United States has joint civil+military reactors, then under the <a href="http://www.indianembassy.org/press_release/2005/July/21.htm">reciprocity</a> clause of the July 18th deal, the FBR too should be able to connected to the power grid while generating adequate <span style="font-style: italic;">Pu</span> for maintaining a credible deterrant. Indian negotiators should make this clear. <br> <br> India has <a href="http://bombatbengluru.blogspot.com/2006/02/charting-dangerous-course.html">already</a> offered much more reactors to be classified as 'civil' than any of the existing weapons states. This double standards have to end there. Just say 'no' to declaring the FBR, even if it costs the deal.<br> <br> <br> <br> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114071721195890885?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1140698851342674782006-02-23T12:47:00.000Z2006-02-23T12:47:35.090Z<br> Via <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&amp;u=/060223/ids_photos_wl/r3617984055.jpg" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">Reuters</a> photo service: <br> <br> <div style="margin-left: 40px;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Urdu-speaking Pakistanis stranded in Bangladesh sit in during a mass hunger strike at their refugee camp in Mohammadpur, Dhaka, February 23, 2006. Bangladesh has been home to some <span style="text-decoration: underline;">300,000 refugees</span> since 1971 when East Pakistan split from the West to become Bangladesh.</span><br style="font-style: italic;"> </div> <br> More photos <a href="http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/news?p=bangladesh+pakistanis+stranded&amp;fr=&amp;c=news_photos" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">here</a>. Background <a href="http://www.refintl.org/content/article/detail/4666/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> information</a> from the NGO <span style="font-style: italic;">Refugees International</span>.<br> <br> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114069885134267478?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1140687033498750382006-02-23T09:26:00.000Z2006-02-23T12:51:39.336ZOne of the better ones heard: <blockquote><span style="font-style: italic;">More than five centuries ago, Christopher Columbus set out for India and proved the world was round. Now some look at India's growing economy and say that that proves that the world is flat. </span><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="sb13">- President George W. Bush in a <a href="http://in.rediff.com/news/2006/feb/23speech.htm">speech</a> to Asia Society. </span></div></blockquote><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114068703349875038?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1140676774592791122006-02-23T06:39:00.000Z2006-02-23T09:34:27.976Z<div style="text-align: justify;"> The <span style="font-style: italic;">New York Times</span> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/23/opinion/23thu2.html">editorializes</a> on the military aggression of the <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/01/goat-comes-home-to-roost.html"> Meretricious</a> Army against the Balochis freedom fighters: </div> <div style="margin-left: 40px; font-style: italic; text-align: justify;"> If the Bush administration is wondering why the Pakistani Army has been losing the war against Al Qaeda and Taliban fighters in the northwestern frontier, it may want to look south. Pakistan's military ruler, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, has increasingly been diverting his armed forces to quell a growing insurgency in Baluchistan, the gas-rich province that borders Iran and the Arabian Sea. ... </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="margin-left: 40px; font-style: italic; text-align: justify;">But it would behoove President Bush, while preparing to visit Pakistan next month, to encourage Mr. Musharraf to endorse, as a first step, an agreement reached last year between a Baluch tribal leader and some members of Parliament. The pact would give Baluchistan increased autonomy. </p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="margin-left: 40px; font-style: italic; text-align: justify;">The Musharraf army has been largely equipped by the United States. Just as America's image was helped in the region when American Chinook helicopters flew over Kashmir to give aid to that Pakistani province after the major earthquake last October, so, too, is that image damaged when American-supplied Cobra helicopters and F-16's attack civilians in Baluchistan. That's no way to win the hearts and minds of anyone. </p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="text-align: justify;">This exactly echoes our <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/01/war-on-terror-is-this-how-united.html">thoughts</a> written more than a month ago. President Bush should insist on the Punjabi dominated regime that all 'outstanding' issues including the 'core' issue of autonomy/self-determination to the Baloch minority should be discussed though a comprehensive 'peace' dialogue and scale down the dangerous 'escalation' of violence in an already unstable part of the world (bordering Afghanistan and Iran). </p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Related <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/14/AR2006021401767.html">thoughts</a> from Selig Harrison of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Washington Post</span>. Background <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/01/balochistan-blues-another-bangladesh.html">information</a> on Balochistan. </p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="text-align: justify;"> </p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114067677459279112?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1140612522305902152006-02-22T12:38:00.000Z2006-02-22T12:48:42.330Z<p style="text-align: justify;font-family:times new roman;"> </p> <p style="text-align: justify;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Indian ambassador to the U.S. Ronen Sen <a href="http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=63237">explaining</a> to American journalists about the nuclear deal:</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify; font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></p> <blockquote> <p style="text-align: justify; font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">If India were unable to expand its nuclear power industry with the help of U.S. and other imported fuel and technology, <u>the country would have no choice but to burn its own stocks of "dirty coal ... at the cost of our health and health of this planet,"</u> Sen told a National Press Club briefing. </span></p> <p face="times new roman" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Sen said India now imported 70 percent of its oil and to sustain the rapidly growing economy, New Delhi had to pursue nuclear energy as an alternative to oil. If that were not possible, he said, <u>"we are going to burn that coal."</u></span></span></p> </blockquote> <p style="font-family: times new roman; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Yeah, baby! Earlier, you heard similar thoughts from yours truly <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/20000-mw-of-green-house-gases.html">here</a>!! </span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114061252230590215?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1140598984225608052006-02-22T08:49:00.000Z2006-02-22T09:03:04.296Z<div style="text-align: justify;">With the outbreak of bird-flu in <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4531500.stm">several</a> countries in the world including <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4731694.stm">India</a>, we came across a startling article published recently in the <a href="http://www.newscientist.com/channel/health/bird-flu/mg18925383.100"><span style="font-style: italic;">New Scientist</span></a>: </div> <p style="font-style: italic; text-align: justify;"></p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <blockquote> <p style="font-style: italic;">A MASSIVE analysis of flu viruses has finally confirmed what everyone suspected: the H5N1 virus has been circulating in Chinese poultry for over a decade.</p> <p style="font-style: italic;">Yi Guan at Shantou University, China, and his colleagues studied samples from 13,000 migratory birds and 50,000 market poultry in south-east China between January 2004 and June 2005. They found H5N1 in around 2 per cent of apparently healthy ducks and geese, and also in some chickens.</p> </blockquote> </div> <p style="text-align: justify;">Note that Yi Guan and his colleagues have already stated this in their earlier work published in the scientific journal <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&amp;list_uids=15241415&dopt=Abstract"><span style="font-style: italic;">Nature</span></a> back in 2004:</p> <p style="font-style: italic; text-align: justify;"></p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <blockquote> <p style="font-style: italic;">Our findings indicate that domestic ducks in southern China had a central role in the generation and maintenance of this virus, and that wild birds may have contributed to the increasingly wide spread of the virus in Asia. </p> <p></p> </blockquote> </div> <p style="text-align: justify;">This was ofcourse vehemently <a href="http://www.newscientist.com/channel/health/bird-flu/mg18725083.500">denied</a> by the Chinese ministry back then. This is a serious issue potentially affecting every person in this world which would cost millions of human lives and livelihoods. Now that this issue has surfaced again, the world community must insist on completely transparency and coordination from the Chinese authorities to get to the root of this virus. </p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114059898422560805?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1140546908466718772006-02-21T18:16:00.000Z2006-02-21T18:35:08.470Z<div style="text-align: justify; font-family: times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> via <a href="http://www.dawn.com/2006/02/21/top3.htm"><span style="font-style: italic;">Dawn</span></a>: <blockquote style="font-style: italic;">Addressing a weekly news briefing here, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam declared Pakistan expected the EU and the UN to take specific measures after the publication of the offensive cartoons of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), first in a Danish newspaper and then in other European publications. “We are not against the freedom of expression but certainly freedom of expression as we have said repeatedly is not a license to insult other people,” she reiterated. </blockquote> via <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4167260.stm"><span style="font-style: italic;">BBC</span></a>: </span><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></div><blockquote style="font-style: italic;"><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">This prompted one of Pakistan's most respected non-government organisations, the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), to undertake an independent review. </span></div><blockquote><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: times new roman;"> <span style="font-size:100%;"></span></p></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="font-style: italic;"><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">It examined textbooks for Urdu, English, Social Studies and Civics from grades one to 12 (5-18 years) and came out with its report a few months after the ministry's review. The findings created a furore. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: times new roman;"> <span style="font-size:100%;">It found "falsehoods, distortions and omissions" in all the textbooks, which it said defied Pakistan's declared objective of turning into a modern, dynamic state. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: times new roman;"> <span style="font-size:100%;">It also found the books "full" of material "encouraging or justifying discrimination against women, religious and ethnic minorities and other nations". </span></p><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: times new roman;"> <span style="font-size:100%;">The report said that most of the textbooks incited "militancy and violence, including encouragement of holy war and martyrdom". </span></p><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: times new roman;"> <span style="font-size:100%;">There were repeated instances of "glorification of war and the use of force".</span></p></blockquote><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114054690846671877?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1140541727202393632006-02-21T16:59:00.000Z2006-02-22T05:12:01.323Z<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:180%;"> M</span>uch has been said about the Indo-US nuclear deal including our own cacophonic takes <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/n-deal-deconstructing-cheerleaders.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> here</a>, <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/n-deal-isolated-pmo.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> here</a> and <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/01/indo-us-n-deal-more-clarity-needed.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">here</a>. At this point, a deal will most <a href="http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=88320" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> likely</a> be signed during President Bush's visit in March. A compromise was apparently reached on the contentious breeder reactor issue - it is now <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1420717.cms" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> likely</a> to be declared 'civil' in the near future. Meanwhile, the <span style="font-style: italic;">DAE</span> will <a href="http://www.hinduonnet.com/2005/09/07/stories/2005090704781300.htm" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">continue</a> with the construction of additional fast reactors as planned. Once the agreement goes through the U.S. Congress and the <span style="font-style: italic;">Nuclear Suppliers Group</span> (NSG), India along with Russia, France, Japan and others will be roped in under President Bush's <span style="font-style: italic;">GNEP</span> initiative. India can somewhat benefit from this deal by getting limited <span style="font-style: italic;">Pu</span> supplies to its already well-developed fast reactors. But experts such as Steven Kraft has <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/18/AR2006021801059.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">said<script><!-- D(["mb","</a> that the <font>Pu\n</span>\n reprocessing plan is clearly a long term idea with the required technologies expected to mature only 50 to 60 years after.\nOf course, to satisfy the immediate energy needs for the next two decades, India will <a>\nimport</a> fuel and dozens of traditional Uranium-based reactors from the usual \'heavy-weights\' like France, Russia or USA. \n<br />\n<br />Let\'s be clear on one thing: all this bonhomie heavily depends on the current mood of the <font>Big Boyz</span> at that time. The <font>P-5</span> (especially the \n<font>\nP-1</span>), can at any time threaten to cut-off supplies or inflict intrusive <font>IAEA</span> inspections (<font><font> </span></span>\nthe <font>P-1</span>\nfunds more than 50% of its budget ) if and when India\'s foreign policy\ndecisions or military hardware purchase doesn\'t pleases them. Hence it\nis important for India to pursue alternative strategies, not only as a <font>Plan-B</span> against possible sanctions but also as an additional energy source to feed its economy.<br />\n<br />\nIn this post, we ponder new, far-reaching avenues to secure India\'s\nenergy\nsupplies and in the process forge new strategic partnerships for the\n21st century. With its excellent non-proliferation record, India has no\nreason to fear from developing a peaceful nuclear energy coalition with\nfriendly developing nations.<br />\n<br />\nAmidst\nall the world attention towards Iran, Brazil quietly <a>started\n</a> Uranium enrichment in a brand new plant in Resende near Rio de Janeiro sending out ",1] ); //--></script></a> that the <span style="font-style: italic;">Pu </span> reprocessing plan is clearly a long term idea with the required technologies expected to mature only 50 to 60 years after. Of course, to satisfy the immediate energy needs for the next two decades, India will <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000080&sid=aXxRzShNAfKI&amp;refer=asia" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> import</a> fuel and dozens of traditional Uranium-based reactors from the usual 'heavy-weights' like France, Russia or USA. Let's be clear on one thing: all this bonhomie heavily depends on the current mood of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Big Boyz</span> at that time. The <span style="font-style: italic;">P-5</span> (especially the <span style="font-style: italic;"> P-1</span>), can at any time threaten to cut-off supplies or inflict intrusive <span style="font-style: italic;">IAEA</span> inspections (<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span> the <span style="font-style: italic;">P-1</span> funds more than 50% of its budget ) if and when India's foreign policy decisions or military hardware purchase doesn't pleases them. Hence it is important for India to pursue alternative strategies, not only as a <span style="font-style: italic;">Plan B</span> against possible sanctions but also as an additional energy source to feed its economy. In this post, we ponder new, far-reaching avenues to secure India's energy supplies and in the process forge new strategic partnerships for the 21st century. With its excellent non-proliferation record, India has no reason to fear from pursuing a peaceful nuclear energy coalition with friendly developing nations. Amidst all the world attention towards Iran, Brazil quietly <a href="http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002806172_brazilnuke12.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">started </a> Uranium enrichment in a brand new plant in Resende near Rio de Janeiro sending out <script><!-- D(["mb","<a>\n\nalarm bells</a> among American strategic thinkers. Note that despite being an <font>NPT </span>signatory and having the <a>\n6th largest Uranium\n</a> reserves in the\nworld, Brazil had to lobby hard with the <font>IAEA</span> to do this (yet another instance of the discriminatory <font>NPT</span> regime). India and Brazil have already work closely in several areas alongside the \n<font>G-20</span> nations. They successfully lobbied against the rich nations to eliminate their agricultural subsidies during <font>WTO </span>summits\nin Cancun and Hong Kong. India should go ahead and further this close\nrelationship and sign a bilateral energy partnership, to provide\nfurther technical\nassistance to Brazil it its civilian program in exchange for Uranium\nmining rights.<br />\n<br />\nSouth Africa is another potential partner with <a>huge</a> Uranium reserves and one of the most \n<a>\nadvanced</a>\n<a>pebble-bed reactors</a>. Brazil, India and China have already <a>shown\ninterest</a>\nin this technology. India can commit itself to purchase a few\nof these reactors in return for sanction-free Uranium supplies. Further\ntrade agreements can be signed to give preferential treatment to South African goods and services in the huge Indian market. (This blogger\nprefers a South African",1] ); //--></script><a href="http://www.americanthinker.com/articles.php?article_id=5265" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> alarm bells</a> among American strategic thinkers. Note that despite being an <span style="font-style: italic;">NPT </span>signatory and having the <a href="http://www.inb.gov.br/english/reservasMundiais.asp" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> 6th largest Uranium </a> reserves in the world, Brazil had to lobby hard with the <span style="font-style: italic;">IAEA</span> to do this (yet another instance of the discriminatory <span style="font-style: italic;">NPT</span> regime). India and Brazil have already worked closely in several areas alongside the <span style="font-style: italic;">G-20</span> nations. They successfully lobbied against rich nations to eliminate their agricultural subsidies during <span style="font-style: italic;">WTO </span>summits in Cancun and Hong Kong. India should go ahead and further this close relationship and sign a bilateral energy partnership, to provide technical assistance to Brazil it its civilian program in exchange for Uranium mining rights. South Africa is another potential partner with <a href="http://www.inb.gov.br/english/reservasMundiais.asp" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">huge</a> Uranium reserves and one of the most <a href="http://www.larouchepub.com/other/2006/3306safrica_pbmr.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> advanced</a> <a href="http://www.eskom.co.za/nuclear_energy/pebble_bed/pebble_bed.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">pebble-bed reactors</a>. Brazil, India and China have already <a href="http://www.larouchepub.com/other/2006/3306safrica_pbmr.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">shown interest</a> in this technology. India can commit itself to purchase a few of these reactors in return for sanction-free Uranium supplies. Further trade agreements can be signed to give preferential treatment to South African goods and services in the huge Indian market. (Personally, your blogger too prefers a South African <i>Steenberg Shiraz</i> <script><!-- D(["mb","<font><font><font> </span></span> </span>than an over-rated French <font>\nBordeaux</span>). Note\nthat till the early 90s under the whites-only government, it had an <a>active</a> weapons program with \n<a>heavy</a>\n\nIsraeli assistance (who in return \'clandestinely\' (duh!) got the fuel).\nSurprisingly, just when the <font>apartheid</span> was beginning to be abolished, the whites-only government shut down its weapons program and signed the <font>NPT</span>\n!<br />\n<br />\nA more daring approach is to target an African country like Niger ( currently the <a>#3 supplier\n</a> in the world ) aiming for exclusive mining rights of yellow\ncake. A pro-active measure is to lure this <a>poor</a>\ncountry with few other natural resources with massive Indian\ninvestments, economic assistance or even military aid. As an ex-French\ncolony, Niger\'s mining\nactivities are probably under proxy French control. New Delhi can try\nlobbying with Paris but nevertheless it shouldn\'t be afraid of dealing\ndirectly. After all these years, what good it did to African nations by\nremaining loyal to their former colonial masters. This idea has its own\nrisk since Niger was also the major <a>embarrassment</a>\nto President Bush\'s pre-invasion intelligence \'slam-dunk\'. Similar\npolicies should be cooked-up to approach other major Uranium suppliers\nlike Nigeria or Kazakhstan (",1] ); //--></script><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:10;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></span></span>than an over-rated French <span style="font-style: italic;"> Bordeaux</span>). Note that till the early 90s under the whites-only government, it had an <a href="http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/rsa/nuke/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">active</a> weapons program with <a href="http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/Israel/Isrsa497.txt" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">heavy</a> Israeli assistance (who in return 'clandestinely' (duh!) got the fuel). Surprisingly, just when the <span style="font-style: italic;">apartheid</span> was beginning to be abolished, the whites-only government shut down its weapons program and signed the <span style="font-style: italic;">NPT</span> ! A more daring approach is to target an African country like Niger ( currently the <a href="http://www.world-nuclear.org/sym/2004/souley.htm" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">#3 supplier </a> in the world ) aiming for exclusive mining rights of yellow cake. A pro-active measure is to lure this <a href="http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ng.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">poor</a> country with few other natural resources with massive Indian investments, economic assistance or even military aid. As an ex-French colony, Niger's mining activities are probably under proxy French control. New Delhi can try lobbying with Paris but nevertheless it shouldn't be afraid of dealing directly. After all these years, what good it did to African nations by remaining loyal to their former colonial masters. This idea has its own risk since Niger was also the major <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views03/0706-02.htm" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">embarrassment</a> to President Bush's pre-invasion intelligence 'slam-dunk'. Similar policies should be cooked-up to approach other major Uranium suppliers like Nigeria or Kazakhstan ( <script><!-- D(["mb","<a>similar</a> to what the Chinese are doing).<br />\n<br />\nAll these ideas require creative thinking and bold <font>realpolitik</span> on the part of Indian\nstrategic thinkers (not the <a>\'cheerleader\'</a> variety). Make no mistake - no one is going to get\nIndia\'s energy supplies on a platter. The <font>NSG</span>\ncartel will try its best\nto maintain its stranglehold on global Uranium supplies. It is only\nwith dynamism and a forward-leaning approach that India can break this\nmonopoly and ensure\nsupplies not only for herself but also for her allies among\nthe developing countries.<br />\n<br />\n\n\n\n",0] ); D(["ce"]); //--></script><a href="http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8FTF1FOE.htm?campaign_id=apn_home_down&chan=db" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">similar</a> to what the Chinese are doing). All these ideas require creative thinking and bold <span style="font-style: italic;">realpolitik</span> on the part of Indian strategic thinkers (not the <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/n-deal-deconstructing-cheerleaders.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">'cheerleader'</a> variety). Make no mistake - no one is going to give India's energy supplies on a platter. The <span style="font-style: italic;">NSG</span> cartel will try its best to maintain its stranglehold on global Uranium supplies. It is only with dynamism and a forward-leaning approach that India can break this monopoly and ensure supplies not only for herself but also for friendly neighbors and allies among the developing countries. <span style="font-style: italic;">Cross-posted in <a href="http://desicritics.org/2006/02/21/184849.php">Desicritics.org</a>. </span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114054172720239363?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1140472598946952842006-02-20T21:56:00.000Z2006-02-20T21:56:39.276Z<br>Then (via <a href="http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=52299"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Indian Express</span></a>):<br> <br>&nbsp;&nbsp;<br> <div style="margin-left: 40px;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The letters reveal Jinnah saw Churchill as an ally against ''caste Hindus''. The Conservative wartime leader — hostile to the ''liquidation of the British Empire'' — was told by the Muslim League leader on July 6, 1946, that the Cripps Mission had ''shaken the confidence of Muslim Indians and shattered their hopes for an honourable and peaceful settlement''. </span><br style="font-style: italic;"> <br style="font-style: italic;"> <span style="font-style: italic;">Replying to Jinnah on August 5, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Churchill ''espoused the right of Moslems and the Depressed Classes to their fair share of life and power. I feel that it is most important that the British Army should not be used to dominate the Moslems, even though the caste Hindus might claim numerical majority in a constituent assembly''.</span></span><br style="font-style: italic; text-decoration: underline;"> </div> <br>Now (via <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/02/19/nsharia19.xml&amp;sSheet=/portal/2006/02/19/ixportaltop.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Telegraph UK</span></a>):<br> <br style="font-style: italic;"> <div style="margin-left: 40px;"><span style="font-style: italic; text-decoration: underline;">Forty per cent of the British Muslims surveyed said they backed introducing sharia in parts of Britain, while 41 per cent opposed it. Twenty per cent felt sympathy with the July 7 bombers' motives, and 75 per cent did not. One per cent felt the attacks were &quot;right&quot;.</span><br style="font-style: italic; text-decoration: underline;"> <span style="font-style: italic;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br style="font-style: italic;"> <span style="font-style: italic;">Last night, Sadiq Khan, the Labour MP involved with the official task force set up after the July attacks, said the findings were &quot;alarming&quot;. He added: <span style="text-decoration: underline;">&quot;Vast numbers of Muslims feel disengaged and alienated from mainstream British society.&quot;</span> Sir Iqbal Sacranie, the secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, said: &quot;This poll confirms the widespread opposition among British Muslims to the so-called war on terror.&quot;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br style="font-style: italic;"> <br style="font-style: italic;"> <span style="font-style: italic; text-decoration: underline;">The most startling finding is the high level of support for applying sharia law in &quot;predominantly Muslim&quot; areas of Britain. </span><br> </div> &nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br>Now again (via <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/02/19/nsharia219.xml"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Telegraph UK</span></a>):&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br> <div style="margin-left: 40px; font-style: italic;"> &quot;Rather, concentrate Muslim presence in a particular area until you are a majority in that area, so that the institutions of the local community come to reflect Islamic structures. The education system will be Islamic, the shops will serve only halal food, there will be no advertisements showing naked or semi-naked women, and so on.&quot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br> <br> That plan, says Dr Sookhdeo, is being followed in Britain. &quot;That is why you are seeing areas which are now almost totally Muslim. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">The next step will be pushing the Government to recognise sharia law for Muslim communities - which will be backed up by the claim that it is &quot;racist&quot; or &quot;Islamophobic&quot; or &quot;violating the rights of Muslims&quot; to deny them sharia law.</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br> <br> &quot;There's already a Sharia Law Council for the UK. The Government has already started making concessions: it has changed the law so that there are sharia-compliant mortgages and sharia pensions.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br> <br> &quot;Some Muslims are now pressing to be allowed four wives: they say it is part of their religion. They claim that not being allowed four wives is a denial of their religious liberty. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">There are Muslim men in Britain who marry and divorce three women, then marry a fourth time - and stay married, in sharia law, to all four.</span><br style="text-decoration: underline;"> &nbsp;&nbsp;<br> <br> </div> Do we hear a Dead Old White Guy turning in his grave? <br> <br> Related post: <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/cnn-europes-communal-tensions.html">Europe's Communal Tensions</a>,&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/tit-for-tat.html">Tit for Tat?</a><br> <br> &nbsp;&nbsp; <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114047259894695284?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1140453063468412522006-02-20T16:31:00.000Z2006-02-20T16:31:03.966Z<br> via <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://ia.rediff.com/news/2006/feb/20guest1.htm">Rediff</a> writes Uday Bhaskar:<br> <blockquote><span style="font-style: italic;">Sacrificing this window of opportunity for more </span><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-style: italic;">emotive considerations</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> and misplaced notions about </span><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-style: italic;">'strategic'</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> autonomy would also make a mockery of India's </span><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-style: italic;"> <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-style: italic;">l</span></span>ong standing commitment </span>to minimum deterrence as a prelude to<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> &nbsp;</span></span><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-style: italic;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span> ultimate nuclear disarmament</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> .</span><br style="font-style: italic;"> <br style="font-style: italic;"> <span style="font-style: italic;">C Uday Bhaskar is one of India's leading strategic analysts</span><br> </blockquote> Can this self-proclaimed 'leading strategist' say which other major powers are even talking about disarmament. Certainly not the case with <a href="http://www.theallineed.com/news/0502/028267.htm">US</a>, <a href="http://politics.guardian.co.uk/columnist/story/0,,1693406,00.html">UK</a>, or <a href="http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/01/20/news/france.php">France</a>. And those in positions of <a href="http://us.rediff.com/news/2006/jan/30nuke.htm?q=np&amp;file=.htm">responsibility</a> certainly have a good idea of what is meant by a <a href="http://www.dailypioneer.com/columnist1.asp?main_variable=Columnist&amp;file_name=parthasarathy%2Fparthasarathy96.txt&amp;writer=parthasarathy">credible strategic deterrent</a>.<br> <br> <br> <br> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114045306346841252?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1140445399392152002006-02-20T14:23:00.000Z2006-02-20T14:23:19.623Z<p><font class="sb13"><br> Via <span style="font-style: italic;">Rediff</span>, </font><a href="http://in.rediff.com/news/2006/feb/20up.htm"><font class="sb13"><font class="sb4">UP Shariat Court issues death decree on Danish cartoonist</font></font> </a><br> </p> <div style="margin-left: 40px; font-style: italic;"><font class="sb13">The decree was issued on behalf of the Idar-e-Sharia Darul Kaza and Ifta Firangimahal Taksal (Islamic courts) by their Qazi on Sunday. </font></div> <p style="margin-left: 40px; font-style: italic;"><font class="sb13">The Qazi said it has been clearly stated in the Quran that whosoever hurt the Prophet, deserved to be sternly punished. Asked whether the fatwa has any significance in India, where Islamic laws do not apply, he said, &quot;It is applicable wherever Muslims live&quot;. He claimed that he was authorised to issue the fatwa in his capacity as the Qazi of the city and he had been doing so for the past many years.<br> </font></p> <p><font class="sb13">To save themselves, the concerned cartoonists should talk to <span style="font-style: italic;">NASA</span> and take the next shuttle to the <span style="font-style: italic;">International Space Station </span>. Related posts <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/home-grown-idiots.html">here</a> and <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/more-idiocy.html">here</a>.<br> </font></p> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114044539939215200?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1140438500294772592006-02-20T12:28:00.000Z2006-02-20T12:29:46.536Z<p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="sb13" style="font-size:100%;"> Via <a href="http://www.rediff.com/news/2006/feb/20sonia.htm"><span style="font-style: italic;">Rediff</span></a>: </span></p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="margin-left: 40px; font-style: italic; text-align: justify;"><span class="sb13" style="font-size:100%;">Congress president Sonia Gandhi has expressed 'outrage' over the publication of cartoons of Prophet Mohammed in European newspapers.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="margin-left: 40px; font-style: italic; text-align: justify;"><span class="sb13" style="font-size:100%;">'The Congress party has the highest regard and respect for all faiths and is committed to protecting their rights and beliefs for preserving and strengthening the secular nature of our society,' she said in a letter to Syed Ahmed Bukhari, the Shahi Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid.</span></p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: justify;"><span class="sb13" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">'I have received your letter and share your sense of outrage about the publication of insensitive cartoons of the Prophet. The United Progressive Alliance government has conveyed its strong setiments to the government of Denmark through the Indian and Danish ambassadors in our respective countries,' the letter said.</span> </span></p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="sb13" style="font-size:100%;">Via <a href="http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20021011/main5.htm"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Chandigarh Tribune</span></a>, back in 2002: </span></p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 40px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> After having told India that it should not view its bilateral relationship with the European Union through the prism of Pakistan, the European Union turned around and did exactly the opposite when the Danish Prime Minister and the Chairman of the European Council, Mr Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who is also part of the EU Trioka brought up the Pakistan issue during the Indo-EU political dialogue and also made remarks critical of India's missile tests. </span></p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="margin-left: 40px; font-style: italic; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha told reporters that it was unfortunate "while they condemned terrorism in private and yet the President of the European Council harped on the Kashmir issue". The Indian delegation felt that clearly the EU </span><span style="font-size:100%;">leader must have been influenced by Pakistan.</span></p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="font-style: italic; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Related post: <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/cnn-europes-communal-tensions.html">Europe's Communal Tensions</a>. </span></p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="sb13" style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114043850029477259?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1140388241959437752006-02-19T22:30:00.000Z2006-02-19T22:42:10.350Z<div style="text-align: justify;"><p></p><p> </p> Pakistan successfully <a href="http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200602191247.htm">tested</a> <strike><em>Hataf-II Abdali</em></strike> oops the green-painted version of <a href="http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/Pakistan/PakArsenal.html"><em>M-11</em> missile</a> just ahead of Gen. Musharraf’s official <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4730182.stm">visit</a> to China. As in the case of <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/orchastrated-protest.html">orchestrated</a> riots, this has to be seen in the context of President Bush's visit to Pakistan. The message is clear: Send us more U.S. military aid, else we'll completely shift our loyalties to Beijing. In other news show-casing the superiority of Pakistani engineering talent, Chinese engineers are attending <a href="http://www.dawn.com/2005/03/05/top6.htm">defective</a> locomotives they themselves supplied to the Pakistani Railways. And did we ever mention the indigenously-built <em><a href="http://habibmotorcars.com/main.html">Habib</a></em> cars. </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114038824195943775?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1140352107226251632006-02-19T12:28:00.000Z2006-02-19T18:59:14.526Z<div style="text-align: justify;"> The <span style="font-style: italic;">New York Times</span> in an editorial <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/19/opinion/19sun1.html?_r=1&amp;hp&oref=slogin" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> speaks out</a> against the Indo-US nuclear deal: </div> <div style="margin-left: 40px; font-style: italic; text-align: justify;">This energy-guzzling congestion will only become worse as India continues producing fairly high-quality goods and services at lower and lower prices — from automobiles that cost only $2,500 to low-budget airline flights for $50. In the new enclaves for India's emerging middle class and its rapidly rising nouveau riche, environmentally unsustainable, high-ceilinged houses feature air-conditioning systems that stay on year round. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Are we the only one to see <span style="font-style: italic;">NYT</span> frothing at the mouth watching India's rising middle class? Aside, I suppose the <span style="font-style: italic;">NYT</span> also does not know that India's <a href="http://www.ecmaindia.com/indian.html">automobile emission standards</a> (close to Euro-III) are much higher than the <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/0211-05.htm">ever-regressing</a> American standards. And India's energy consumption/GDP is less than that of China. </div> <div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;">India desperately wants Mr. Bush to wring approval from Congress for a misbegotten pact in which America would help meet India's energy requirements through civilian nuclear cooperation.</span> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Right, we too are opposed to a sell-out version of the deal, but for <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/01/indo-us-n-deal-more-clarity-needed.html">entirely</a> <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/n-deal-isolated-pmo.html"> different</a> <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/n-deal-deconstructing-cheerleaders.html">reasons</a>. <span style="font-style: italic;"> </span> <span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></div> <div style="margin-left: 40px; font-style: italic; text-align: justify;">In trying to give India a special exemption, Mr. Bush is threatening the nonproliferation treaty's carrot-and-stick approach, which for more than 35 years has dissuaded countries that are capable of building or buying nuclear arms from doing so, from South Korea to Turkey to Saudi Arabia. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-style: italic;">NYT</span> sounds exactly like the <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/n-deal-deconstructing-non.html">non-proliferation ayatollahs</a>. Apparently, <span style="font-style: italic;">NYT</span> does not say a word about exemptions made to Pakistan even while the <a href="http://www.fas.org/news/pakistan/1992/920731.htm">Pressler</a><a href="http://www.fas.org/news/pakistan/1992/920731.htm"> Amendment</a> was in effect and the deliberate <a href="http://www.nti.org/db/china/nsaspos.htm"> proliferation</a> of weapons design/material from China. All this happened under the watchful eyes of the non-proliferation lobby. </div> <div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;">There is no diplomatic quick fix in this energy-hungry world. Even if India shunned Iran, it would still have to turn to other petroleum suppliers that Washington wants to isolate, including Sudan and Venezuela. And the Iranian supplies would wind up going to other energy-hungry nations, tying them more closely to Tehran. If Mr. Bush wants to tackle this quandary seriously, he needs to begin by pushing for significant energy conservation steps in the United States, by far the world's largest energy consumer.</span> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Now, after all this moral posturing, the <span style="font-style: italic;">NYT</span> offers no <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/looking-at-energy-security.html">concrete solution</a> to the energy problem. It will be political suicide for President Bush or any other President to restrict America's energy use - the U.S. ain't going to sign the Kyoto Protocol in the forseeable future. We have argued that if India can manage to hang on tight till 2025, the <a href="http://us.rediff.com/news/2006/feb/06prez.htm?q=tp&file=.htm">Thorium cycle</a> will take over. Till then, we shouldn't be <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/20000-mw-of-green-house-gases.html">afraid</a> of burning the locally available fossil fuel and while developing <a href="http://www.hindu.com/2005/10/14/stories/2005101404761600.htm"> alternative </a><a href="http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2005%5C12%5C21%5Cstory_21-12-2005_pg7_48">energy</a> <a href="http://www.jatropha.de/india/index.htm">sources</a> on its own. Sure, that will again anger the <span style="font-style: italic;">NYT</span>, but then who cares. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Update:</span> Read this much better <a href="http://msnbc.msn.com/id/11436430/site/newsweek/">take</a> by<span style="font-style: italic;"> Newsweek's</span> Fareed Zakaria, though we don't agree with him on certain points. </div> <div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Bush administration has been farsighted on this issue. With China rising and Europe and Japan declining, it sees India as a natural partner. It also recognized that 30 years of lectures on nonproliferation and sanctions have done nothing to stop, slow down or make safer India's nuclear program. Most important, it recognized that India was a rising and responsible global power—India has never sold or traded nuclear technology—that could not be treated like a rogue state. So the administration has proposed reversing three decades of (failed) American policy, and aims to make India a member of the nuclear club.</span> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-style: italic;">Cross-posed in </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://desicritics.org/2006/02/19/094122.php">Desicritics.org</a><span style="font-style: italic;">. </span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114035210722625163?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1140335597732697132006-02-19T07:53:00.000Z2006-02-19T07:59:09.596Z<span style="font-size:100%;"> Following the <a href="http://opinion.paifamily.com/?p=1832">arrest</a> of jihadist leader Hafeez Mohammed Saeed of the Lashkar-e-Toiba, Gen. Musharraf has ordered the arrest of two major </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Islamist </span><span style="font-size:100%;">leaders. Via <span style="font-style: italic;">Geo TV</span> reports <a href="http://www.geo.tv/main_files/pakistan.aspx?id=107143">here</a> and <a href="http://www.geo.tv/main_files/pakistan.aspx?id=107140"> here</a>: </span> <div style="margin-left: 40px;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >Opposition leader in National Assembly Maulana Fazlur Rehman was put into house arrest in his official resident in Islamabad late Saturday night, Geo News reported.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >Qazi Hussain Ahmed, President Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) was put into house arrest in his Lahore residence late Saturday night.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span> </div> <span style="font-size:100%;"> It goes on to show who really runs the show in Pakistan - the Army. All the talk about Islamist takeover 'threat' is baloney. They <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/orchastrated-protest.html">use</a> the Islamists in <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/pakistan-protest-update.html"> token protests</a> if it suits them and come down on the very same groups once the situation goes slightly overboard. More such crackdown and counter-protests by Islamists can be expected until President Bush's visit there during March. Related report by <span style="font-style: italic;">Carnegie's</span> <a href="http://www.carnegieendowment.org/publications/index.cfm?fa=view&amp;id=17998&prog=zgp&amp;proj=zsa">Frederic Grare</a>. Previous post on <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2005/11/praveen-swami-on-lashkar.html">Lashkar</a>. </span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114033559773269713?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1140331700672119412006-02-19T06:48:00.000Z2006-02-19T06:48:20.776Z<font class="sb13"><br> via <a href="http://us.rediff.com/news/2006/feb/19blast.htm?q=tp&amp;file=.htm"><span style="font-style: italic;">Rediff</span></a>:<br> <br> </font> <div style="margin-left: 40px;"><font class="sb13"><span style="font-style: italic;">A powerful explosion shook the Kalupur railway station, Ahmedabad's main terminus,&nbsp;in the wee hours today, injuring around 10 people, the police said. </span></font></div> <p style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 40px;"><font class="sb13">There were no trains present on the platforms when the explosion took place at 1:55 am, they said.<br> </font></p> <p style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 40px;"><font class="sb13"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The damage from the explosion could have much more had there been any train at the station. Two trains had pulled out before the explosion, and the Kutch Express was about to arrive on the platform.</span><br> </font></p> <p style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 40px;"><font class="sb13">The bomb was kept near an iron pillar on platform 2. The impact of the explosion was so strong that the platform's roof was blown up in the blast, and some offices on platform 1 were also damaged.<br> </font></p> <p><font class="sb13">This could'nt have come at a worser time with <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/home-grown-idiots.html">home-grown</a> <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/more-idiocy.html">idiots </a> trying their best to provoke a <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1419510.cms">riot</a>. May the injured recover soon. Keep watching this space<br> </font></p> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114033170067211941?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1140296558038447322006-02-18T21:02:00.000Z2006-02-18T21:02:38.133Z<br> via <a href="http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?aid=276481&amp;sid=REG"><span style="font-style: italic;">Zee News</span></a>:<br> <br> <div style="margin-left: 40px;"><span style="font-style: italic;">AIMPLB member and counsel in the ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid litigation Zafaryab Jilani said the announcement did not constitute an offence in the country. </span><br style="font-style: italic;"> <br style="font-style: italic;"> <span style="font-style: italic;"> &quot;Such an announcement is permissible according to Islaimc law and even if an Indian beheads the cartoonist in an Islamic country he will not be committing any offence,&quot; he said.<br> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br> </span></span></div> And this chap is a legal 'expert'!<br> <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114029655803844732?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1140277278454437492006-02-18T15:41:00.000Z2006-02-18T15:41:22.350Z<br> via <a href="http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1629407,0008.htm"><span style="font-style: italic;">AFP</span></a>:<br> <div style="margin-left: 40px;"><span style="font-style: italic;">French President Jacques Chirac has said that India will become a major polluter unless it generates electricity using nuclear power. </span></div> <p style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 40px;">&quot;If we don't help India produce electricity using nuclear power, we would let develop in India a chimney for greenhouse gases,&quot; he said in Bangkok, a day before leaving for a two-day visit to New Delhi.<br> </p> <p style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 40px;">&quot;The minimum we must do is to let India respond to its energy needs without becoming a major polluting nation,&quot; Chirac said.</p> <p style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 40px;">&quot;I wish that we could, within the non-proliferation framework and existing agreements, help India respond to this need,&quot; he said.<br> </p> <p>Now Monsieur Chirac,&nbsp; if only you could also convince those non-proliferation ayatollahs. Related post: <a href="http://delhi1029.blogspot.com/2006/02/20000-mw-of-green-house-gases.html">20,000 MW of greenhouses gases </a>.<br> </p> <br> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114027727845443749?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1140251089362541362006-02-18T08:24:00.000Z2006-02-18T08:24:49.456Zvia <a href="http://www.ibnlive.com/article.php?id=5533&amp;section_id=3#"><span style="font-style: italic;">IBN</span></a>:<br> <div style="margin-left: 40px; font-style: italic;">The outcry against the cartoons of Prophet Mohammad took an ugly turn on Friday with Uttar Pradesh Haj Minister Haji Yaqub Querashi announcing an award of Rs 51 crore for anyone who beheads the Danish cartoonist who sketched the controversial Prophet cartoon.</div> <p style="margin: 10px 0px 10px 40px; font-style: italic;">Qureshi said whoever dares to agree to the terms will be given gold equivalent to his weight. </p> <p style="margin: 10px 0px 10px 40px; font-style: italic;">He said was making the demand on behalf of the people of the city and also demanded the recall of India's ambassador from Denmark.<br> </p> <p style="margin: 10px 0px;">Enough said.<br> </p> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/18469628-114025108936254136?l=delhi1029.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>cynical nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11728165625567922111noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18469628.post-1140179139202227682006-02-17T12:25:00.000Z2006-02-17T13:04:12.040Z<div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size:6;">A</span>fter a brief period of false bonhomie under the guise of strategic partnership, the deal is falling apart as <a href="http://secular-right.blogspot.com/2006/02/united-states-india-strategic.html">expected </a> and the emperor is out there naked. To give the readers a sample of what to expect in the future: via <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=88076">The Indian Express </a> : </div> <div style="margin-left: 40px; font-style: italic; text-align: justify;">The United States has refused an entry visa to Professor Goverdhan Mehta, former director of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, and one of the world's top scientists in organic chemistry. On February 9, Mehta appeared for the visa interview. He said he was "repeatedly humiliated" by the consular officer <span style="text-decoration: underline;">who accused him of "hiding things" suggesting that Mehta's work related to chemical warfare and bioterrorism. </span> Confirming that Mehta was turned away without grant of a visa, David Kennedy, spokesman for the US Embassy in New Delhi, said it was a "pretty standard affair to ask for more information." </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> via <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.hindu.com/2006/02/17/stories/2006021702941600.htm">The Hindu</a>: </div> <div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;">A former director of the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam, and one of the chief architects of the Indian nuclear breeder programme, Dr. Placid Rodriguez, was in effect denied a visa by the U.S. Consulate in Chennai for attending a conference.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"> he was apparently asked to answer a mandatory questionnaire by e-mail as he came under a special category (known as Visas Mantis for certain sensitive scientific and technological areas and requiring interagency clearance).</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> Visas Mantis was applied extensively to Indian scientists</span> in the w