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Journalism of Courage
While he refrained from mentioning Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf tonight called for an amendment to the SAARC charter to let member countries discuss bilateral issues.
As he shook hands with Prime Minister Vajpayee, Musharraf, speaking at a banquet he hosted for SAARC heads of state and government, said: ‘‘There can be no development in the absence of peace and no peace unless political disputes continue to fester.’’
‘‘The elimination of root causes of tension are essential before economic integration can take place. South Asia must confront its problems, not shy away from them. We must forward a mechanism at SAARC to resolve bilateral issues at the regional level. If we fail, cynicism will take over.’’
There was no reaction from the Indian delegation. To be sure, the General did not mention ‘Kashmir’, although he was clearly referring to the old dispute with India. Some said tonight that Islamabad wanted to tell its domestic audience that by signing the SAFTA accord, it was not forgetting Kashmir at the altar of economic growth. Musharraf began his 15-minute speech on a positive note, speaking of redeeming the destiny of South Asia with its common values and heritage. The past, he said, had belonged to Europe, the present to the US, while the future was definitely in the hands of Asia.
‘‘The fact that the region was still afflicted with poverty and illiteracy, high maternal and infant mortality rates meant that the gap between potential and promise remained unfulfilled.’’ The region, he added, must also be premised on sovereign equality, tolerance, magnanimity and respect for each other.
