Over the weekend, I came across some interesting (from an Indian perspective) statements from the PPP co-chairman, Asif Ali Zardari.
Zardari said, "I am not getting hostage to that issue. The idea is that we feel for Kashmir, the PPP has always felt for Kashmir. We have a strong Kashmir policy, we've always had one."
"But having said that, we don't want to be hostage to that situation. That is a situation we can agree to disagree (on). Countries do, we have positions, and you have positions. We can agree to disagree on everything."
Zardari said India and Pakistan could "agree to disagree on (the UN resolutions), we can wait, we can be patient till everybody grows up further, maybe the coming generation grows up even further and then let's interact as human beings and come to a position of love."
I looked at the reaction from some "Kashmiri Leaders",
- The pro-freedom parties in Kashmir today described Pakistan Peoples Party's co-chairman, Asif Ali Zardari's statement of sidelining Kashmir as "unrealistic and dangerous" and accused him of undermining the legacy of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who had vowed to "fight 1,000 year war" with India. Not sure what Mr. Bhutto's legacy is in Pakistan. "It is against the interests of Kashmir and Pakistan," the chairman of the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat and his faction of Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Shah Geelani. Mr. Geelani is an idiot of the first order, in my humble opinion.
- Mirwaiz-led All Parties Hurriyat Conference said the route for India -Pakistan friendship passed through Kashmir.
- United Jihad Council described the statement as a "sign of political immaturity".
- The spokesman of the premier conglomerate of militant groups, Sadaqat Hussain, described the statement as "rubbing salt into the wounds of Kashmiris." He said Zardari should know how important freedom of Kashmir was for Pakistan's independence.
- Senior leader of Hurriyat Conference, Javed Ahmad Mir, asked the PPP co-chairman, Asif Ali Zardari, to desist from making "anti-Kashmir" comments. Mir said, "Nobody can ignore the sacrifices of Kashmiris." "Zardari should remember that PPP founder, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, considered the resolution of the Kashmir dispute as his priority," Mir said, hoping that Pakistan would continue to extend unconditional diplomatic support to Kashmir.
Couldn't find much reaction in the Pakistan media (Geo, Dawn). You may call him 10%, but this guy makes more sense than Mr. 1,000 year war. This is a bold statement given the history of the two countries.
The way I see it is that Pakistan is held hostage by this Kashmir issue and Kashmiris have become handicap and blind.
RE:My 2 Cents...
by imran patel on Mar 03, 2008 07:59 PM Permalink
This all boils down to the definition of freedom,
Economic Political Religious
Pakistan separated from India. End result was a "Disaster". Bangladesh was created, same result. Divisions and barriers are not in the interest of Muslims and humanity. We need trade, cultural exchange and free movement of people to grow as a strong community.
Formation of "GETTOS" will result in stagnation. And Kashmir is an example of Stagnation. Their fight is now to have a "Kashmiri" state. How un-Islamic is that. I believe that Islam advocates a free trading society. This concept that no one else other than a "Kashmiri" can live in Kashmir is racist and hence un-Islamic.
RE:My 2 Cents...
by imran patel on Mar 03, 2008 09:34 PM Permalink
1. Jews blew themselves up in 1945 - King David Hotel.
2. Japanese blew themselves up in WW-II. KAMIKAZE.
3. LTTE started the suicide bombing campaign. Assasination of Indian PM, Mr. Rajiv Gandhi.
4. Crusades. Knights Templar destroyed one of their own ships, killing 140 Christians in order to kill ten times as many Muslims.
5. Belgian Revolution, when the Dutch Lieutenant Jan van Speijk detonated his own ship in the harbour of Antwerp to prevent being captured by the Belgians.
6. Belgian Revolution, when the Dutch Lieutenant Jan van Speijk detonated his own ship in the harbour of Antwerp to prevent being captured by the Belgians.
7. African American soldiers in the Union Army conducted a suicide attack against a Confederate position in South Carolina, as honored in the 1988 film "Glory."
