Periscope on Pakistan

Learn it from IndiaThe Nation: Though some sections of our public opinion may find comfort in what is being perceived as the BJP governme...

Learn it from India

The Nation: Though some sections of our public opinion may find comfort in what is being perceived as the BJP government’s difficulties vis-a-vis its internal critics, this should not blind us to the reality that domestic dissent on the BJP Govt’s handling of the Kargil crisis aside, there exists a national consensus across the political divide on India’s approach on the immediate Kargil solution, as well as the broader Kashmir issue. This consensus has withstood the travails of time and changes in governments at New Delhi. Despite their internal political differences, all parties, almost without exception, have rallied round the perceived national interest in defending India’s otherwise indefensible record in Kashmir, as well as its untenable stance on the Kashmir dispute. This consensus is what has allowed the BJP government to continue its military operations in Kargil, and take the pressure of mounting troops casualties without wilting. Pakistan should, while criticisingIndia’s Kashmir policy reflect on the lessons to be learnt from their national consensus which the Kargil crisis has brought to the fore. (Editorial)

What we say matters little

One of the many off-shoots of the Kargil crisis is the discovery that our official word is not valued by the world. What we say matters little. It is trusted even less.

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For two months we shouted from the rooftops that we had got nothing to do with what was happening in Kargil… We supposed we could change the perception that we were not to be blamed for stirring up trouble in the Kargil heights. We supposed wrong….Kargil tells us a great (deal) about where we stand on the credibility index of nations. It is no better than where we stand on the human development index of the world. (Comment by Syed Talat Hussain)

Story behind flexibility

Dawn: Following the productive’ talks between Zinni and Pakistani authorities, Niaz Naik was sent on Sunday morning (June 27) on the presidential Falcon for a one-day roundtrip to New Delhi where he was given an audience by the Indian PM Vajpayee. It was about this time that the world detected some kind of flexibility’ in Pakistan’s position. And with this flexibility’ came reports from India about safe passage.’ Niaz Naik came back from his back channel’ mission before the PM took off for China from Lahore. The message Naik brought back from Delhi was discussed threadbare on board the PM’s aircraft flying over the Himalayas. It is not known whether following this discussion anybody in Islamabad or Washington was contacted from the PM’s aircraft. But what is known is that it was after this discussion that the PM decided to rush back home to be able to be in a position to fly to Washington at the earliest depending up on President Clinton’s calendar which, however, was full for almost a fortnight after July 4 holidays. (Dateline Islamabad M Ziauddin)