Kunal Singh Speaks

If this would have happened in an Asian country, World leaders would have painted it as an international issue of immense importance. It could have been called the “Communist Oppression”, or “Islamic Radicalism”, or “Hindu Bigotry”. But the fact that it is “W” & “C” at play, there is much silence.

The pace at which justice is offered in Australia is highly commendable. In some of such assault cases, the accused have been tried and convicted in less than a week’s time. On the other hand, Raj thackrey, on whose behest several workers from Bihar were killed in Mumbai last year, is roaming free. We have no idea if any progress has been made on that case.The 1984 Sikh riot case, where thousands of sikhs were killed in communal protest is still doing rounds in the courts. On what could be a misuse of governmental powers, several Congress leaders have been acquitted in this case by special CBI court, when Congress government itself is in power.

Last week Indian government signed a huge defense deal (2 billion USD) with USA. In the wake of Mumbai Terror Attack, and the war hysteria which has grown (or rather been deliberated created by two governments) between India & Pakistan, no political party has questioned this deal. In absence of the current crisis between India & Pakistan, such a deal would have invited censures from all political & financial circles. So, is it still tough to understand the war games?

It is not the USA Citizen who bears the burnt of those millions of dollars, which USA government pumps in to Pakistan as financial aid.  It is rather, the Indian citizens (and citizens of other third world countries) who have to pay the heavy prices of military funding to a country like Pakistan.

I feel that India & Pakistan should cut down their defense expenditures and spend the same money on national development and social welfare. This is only possible if the voters of two countries act mature, and elect only those politicians who can carry out national development, rather than playing to the tunes of so called world powers.

A couple of weeks back, in an official statement, CIA acquitted Pakistan leadership (i.e. Pakistani Civil Government, and ISI, and Pakistani Army) from any involvement in Mumbai Terror Attacks (though they were also suggesting an entirely opposite possibility, unofficially). Even the USA government did not show much interest in coercing Pakistani government to act against those, who were involved in the Mumbai Terror Attacks. In wake of the multi-billion Indo-American arms deal, American Government has started to put pressure on Pakistani Government to act against the culprits. The Pakistani government has also sensed the situation, and accepted that Kasab is a Pakistani citizen.

Has terrorism become a well planned marketing agent or is it just a coincidence? Recent news is that, India is evaluating the purchase of “Nuclear Defense System” from USA. Wow. Wonderful.

I recently came across this official website of Noam Chomsky. The website contains rich information on the international politics of today’s world. The articles contain more facts than opinions, something which is rare to find. The articles reveal the USA’s Imperialist policies and systematic exploitation of third world countries by the USA corporations.

USA has been invading sovereign third world nations for its own economic interests for last six decades. During the cold war days this was being done on pretext of fighting communist menace. Today it is being done on pretext of “Offering Freedom” or “Fighting Terror”.

The articles also disclose how the USA government has been using the state machinery to carry on false propaganda about “Threats to the USA Freedom” by foreign powers. To persuade its citizens in to fear, so that questions are not asked about the validity of unlawful invasions and wars by the USA.

During his last visit to Iraq as USA President, Bush re-iterated (as he has done several times in past) his two gifts to Iraqi people - Freedom & Democracy.

It is a big mockery of Iraq and its people. The country has been literally destroyed & people enjoy no freedom of any sort. The so called democratic government is a pro-American leadership which has been forced upon the people. Any political protests are severely dealt with and political rivals are arrested, charged and prosecuted for anti-national activities. Political freedom, which is the back bone of democracy is totally non-existent.

Bush’s gift to Iraq are not freedom and democracy - it is destruction, deaths and replacement of a dictatorship with another.

There is another gift too which normally  talks about. It is a magnificient gift, not only to Iraq but to the entire world - destruction and damage of the 5000 years old archaeological monuments - these monuments have been destroyed, altered or occupied in its original condition by USA led military forces. Here is more for the people who are interested in finding out.

H

I have been hearing about the western propaganda that Oil rich Arab countries are funding the Islamic Terrorism. But the evidences suggest otherwise.

……

All the so called “Islamic” Terrorist Camps appear to be based in Pakistan. Pakistani economy has become too fragile to sustain itself. The country is being run on fundings by USA government and the IMF (which is again backed by USA). I have so far not heard of any Arabic country sending financial aids to Pakistan. So, I am wondering what the truth is.

…….

The theory being put up by USA (and other western media) in support of the financial aids to Pakistan is that the Islamic Militia in Pakistan does not enjoy government support. So, a weaker government in Pakistan would lead to rise of hardliners and a bigger threat. But, the recent terror attacks in Indian financial capital have proven that the Pakistani borne terrorism has direct support backing from ISI. The refusal by civil government to act strong against the culprits even suggests the sympathy of civil government to the terrorists.

…….

Let us think rational - which country would most want to run run a strong armed network in Asian region? The only country which is notorious for raising such covert operations is USA. They have done it for years to fight the communist forces during cold war. In the modern era they want to do it to fight against the rising economic strength of two large Asian countries. Does it make sense? To me it does.

………
“The headquarters of the Al Qaeda, the headquarters of the Taliban, the headquarters of Lashkar-e-Taiba, the headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammad is in the world centre of terrorism — Pakistan, All the roads of world terrorism lead to Pakistan.  - Salman Rushdie at a Panel Discussion organized by New York’s Asia Society.

As was expected, the big brother USA has cleared ISI from any involvement in the Mumbai Terror Attack. So what was all with the claims about, “An evidence of definitive ISI support”? Just a pressure tactics to coerce the Pakistani Government to put ban on a few organization - so that the Bush Administration can add some thing more to its achievements before finally vacating the White House?

……

USA’s so called “War on Terror” has resulted in the dramatic rise of Islamic Terrorism in last one decade. The world under threat of “Evil Forces” is probably the best environment which Imperial forces within USA (which implies the few rich and wealthy rulers of the country, not the ordinary USA citizen) would always want to exist.
…..
The USA is a powerful country and the recognition of any power relies on the co-existence of a strong (but slightly weaker) enemy. An enemy who can be branded as the “Evil Force” to arouse the fear in human soul. For it is the fear which drives human beings to act in most unnatural ways. It is the fear which kills the rational ideas in men and makes them blind to the atrocities being inflicted on them by their protectors & saviors. During the cold-war era, “Russian Imperialism” was the “Evil Force”, that threatened the existence of entire human race. After the collapse of Soviet-Russia, there had been a void of such an “Evil Force” and recognition of “American Power” had suffered.

…..

China was a force strong enough to fill up the void created after collapse of “Soviet Russia”, but the political interests of Chinese government were very different from that of Western Powers. China’s national policies were not being formed by Imperial Forces, but by the force committed to betterment of ordinary people. For years the USA (and other Western Allies) have tried to implicate China (claims of human-right violations, and complaints about lack of freedom to the Chinese people) in to a war-zone, but China always responded in a diplomatically accurate way, It pressed pressed its will & commitment to the sovereignty and at the same time showed a resolve of not interfering in other countrie’s personal affairs. As a consequence, the western propaganda about “Chinese Evil” has subdued during last one decade, and it has been replaced by “Fight on Islamic Terror”.

…..

In wake of the Western Propaganda and policies, today every Muslim carries an image of a Terrorist and every “Social or Political Islamic Organization” bears an image of that “Evil Force” which is a threat to the existence of Humanity. Naturally, the USA (and other western allies) are the “kind spirits” and the “saviors” who have pledged on themselves the role of saving the humanity. Out of this responsibility of being a protector, comes the right of defining the social, political & economic policies of every country in the world. “Economic Policies” is the keyword here, as it is vital in satiating the greed & hunger of the imperial forces which are bent upon creating a fearful world for their self-interests.
…….

When any one talks to you about “Islamic Terror”, first thing you should question yourselves is “who invented the idea of Islamic Terrorist forces”. Second questions you should ask yourself is “who is trying to educate you about the prominent threat poised to humanity by Islamic Terrorism”.

- Both the above questions have a common answer.  So let us stop getting divided on religios lines and unite ourselves as a human force. The religious leaders raging the religious wars often say that, “The Religious commitment comes before the National Commitment”. We must also realize that “Commitment to Humanity comes before the Religious Commitment”. Let we all be committed to love & peace. Let us not get misguided by imperialist propagandas and let us not give control of our nation’s “social, political & economic policies” to the fear-mongers.

Jundallah is a terrorist group fighting for the rights of Sunni Muslims in Iran. It does not strike me that this group has ties with Al-Qaida. But, what strikes (or rather shocks) me is that this terror group is claimed to have ties with (and support from) USA Government.

- It is interesting to know that a government which has invaded two sovereign countries (Iraq & Afghanistan) in last decade under aegis of “Fight against Terror”, itself supports terrorist groups (and too be more precise, Islamists terror groups).

- It is even more interesting to note that Jundallah has support from both USA government and Al-Qaida. Does it not make Al-Qaida and USA as allies?

*************

- We all are well aware that Taliban and other Islamic Terror groups were a brain child of CIA. The concept had originated during cold-war and was aimed at fighting the Russian Empires in a covert way. So, thats not a news for any one of us. The news (from last one decade) is that the Islamic Terrorism has back-fired after the collapse of Soviet Russia. The terror groups have grown out of CIA control and the USA (and other Western Powers) itself has become the target of terror attacks. But a close look at the realities like “Jundallah” create a suspicion about the claim that Islamic Terror has  grown out of CIA control. Is it that the CIA is just using the “terror groups” as part of a strategic propaganda against “Arabs” & “Middle-Eastern powers” who have emerged as strong political and financial forces in an oil-based economy? These forces are USA’s greatest financial rival (after collapse of Soviet Russia) in modern world.

- USA is a democratic country and claimed to be a great proponent of Democratic Ideas. But it does not reflect well in their actions outside USA. USA has on so many occasions destabilized Democratically Elected Governments for political and Monetary Gains. USA has also endorsed Military & other non-democratic form of governments on several occasions for their petty self interests. USA has also funded Islamic Terror groups in Past to create unrest in different parts of world. But the idea that they could still be funding a Islamic terror outfit while raging wars in different parts of word on the name of “Fight against (Islamic) Terror” is truly shocking.

*****
Here is a news item claiming that Iran Government has sufficient proof about USA/UK support to Jundallah. If the claim is true, then we all must wonder - what will happen to this world? Has the men in west really become too corrupt and blind in power struggle? I hope that all this is not true.

Perhaps every one would have read the story about “Two Cats and the Monkey”. Though all of us have read or studied this story, but most of us fail to practically learn the moral of this story.

…….

December 13, 2001: Terrorist attack on Indian Parliament. Seven Indian Soldiers died. Indian Intelligence Agencies blame Pakistan for supporting cross-border terrorism.

- Indian Military starts amassing troops on the western frontier. Paskistani Military retaliates with similar military movements. A major Military stand-off arises between two nuclear armed countries. The stand-off is later resolved by USA intervention. But the USA intervention comes only after the Pakistani government (led by Parvez Musharraf) agrees for a greater cooperation to USA forces fighting the Afghan war.

- Though the USA government succeeds in achieving a diplomatic mile stone in Afghan war, the improving relations between India and Pakistan suffer.

……

November 26, 2008: Mumbai Terror Attack. Hundres of Innocent Civilians died. Several Indian Police and Army Personal too laid down their lives fighting against the terrorists. India blames Pakistan for Mumbai Terror attacks. Pakistani Prime-minister denies any kind of support to the terrorist by Pakistani Civil government, but does not rule out a possible involvement of rogue military elements. He ensures full co-operation by Pakistani government in Terror attack probes and promises visit by ISI chief to Mumbai. Indian government rules out any military action against Pakistan.

- Pakistani government steps back from sending ISI chief to India (as promised earlier) for assisting the Mumbai Terror Attack probe (under what pressure?).

- USA government declares a possibility of Military Attack on Pakistan by India (what could have been the objective?) . Though Indian Government rules out any imminent Military Action, different sections within the USA Government repeatedly declare a possibility of Military attack by India and advocate for the right of Indian government to do so.

- USA achieves another diplomatic milestone in Afghanistan War. Some more groups in Pakistan are labeled (by UN and Pakistan) as terrorist groups. More cooperation by Pakistani government is assured to the USA/NATO Troops fighting in Afghanistan.

- USA is projected in Pakistan as a long-term Pakistani friend and sympathizer who is helping Pakistan to resist Indian Military Threat. This probably aimed at creating some good-will for USA in Pakistan (which is currently marred by anti-USA sentiments)

…….

The questions which we all must ask ourselves

- Who are the looser?

- Who is a clear winner?

- Who still aids and controls the ISI?

India & Pakistan are geographically close to each. The two countries even have lot of cultural similarities. But, citizens of two countries wake up to different realities. A look at the major news headlines in two countries, represent a strikingly different pictures of the world.

Indians start their day reading news items about ISI sponsored terror camps in Pakistan, the non-cooperation by Pakistani Government in nabbing the conspirators of Mumbai Terror Attacks, and confessions of Ajmal Kasab (the lone captured terrorist during Mumbai Terror attack).

Pakistanis start their day reading about Grave Military Threat on Pakistan from India, Atrocities on Kashmiris by Indian Forces, False accusation (without any solid evidence) by India about Paskitan’s involvement cross-border terrorism.

In a global world, where the information flow is unrestricted, such a wide gap in news reporting is surprising. I hope that as the information technology grows, this gap will bridge and the international politicians will find it difficult to play around with the nationalist emotions of countries. That will perhaps be the biggest contribution of Information Technology to World’s peace.

………………………………………..

A few headlines from Dawn (Pakistan’s leading English newspaper) today

- Indian Planes intrude in to Pakistan’s airspace.
- Kashmiri dies in firing by Indian Police
- Indian Politicians looking for scapegoat