Author: Mohammad Khalid
Publication: Pakistan Observer
Date: July 3, 2002
URL: http://www.pakobserver.net/july2002/03/article02.shtml
On 18 June 2002, American policy
makers and Indian parliamentarians met to review Kashmir. The US State
Department Director of Policy Planning, Richard Haass, declared that President
Musharraf was fulfilling the American goals; "He (Musharraf) has committed
himself to ending terrorism across the Line of Control and removing the
terrorist camps. We are seeing significant progress...It is very much in
the interests of India and the United States that Musharraf succeeds."
Indeed, at this time the Americans and Indians are in fact working together
to sever Pakistan's connection with the Muslims in Indian-occupied Kashmir.
This has grave implications upon the future of all Muslims in South and
Central Asia.
The American-Hindu collaboration
over the issue of Kashmir is a recent and significant change. Previously
India was outside of the American sphere of influence, under the many years
of the Congress Party. Throughout that time, America used Kashmir to keep
India under the hammer. America turned a blind eye to Pakistan's support
of jihad in Kashmir, even though the Mujahideen used weapons provided by
America for use against the Soviets. America even denied any Indian claim
whatsoever to Kashmir, thereby angering India; US Assistant Secretary of
State, Robin Raphael, in October 1993 declared, "We (USA) do not recognise
the legal validity of Kashmir's accession as meaning that Kashmir is for
ever an integral part of India." America did not condemn Pakistan's involvement
in Kashmir. Mujahideen opened offices, collected funds and recruited Muslims
in Pakistan.
However, the toppling of Congress
by the BJP, meant America was now able to collaborate with the Hindu State.
In 1998, the lengthiest ever discussions between Indian and American officials
took place. And in 2000, Clinton was the first American President to visit
India in over twenty years. In fact, on 17 September 2000 at the White
House, President Clinton and Vajpayee publicly boasted about their new
collaboration. Vajpayee said, "Had you, Mr President, not rediscovered
India, I would truly not have the honour of enjoying your gracious hospitality."
And Clinton said, "It is more than a slogan for Americans to say...that
India's success will be our success, and that together India and America
can change the world."
With the Hindu State firmly in the
American camp, America has reversed its position on Kashmir. Now America
attacks Pakistan over Kashmir whilst ignoring the Hindus killings, torture,
rape and harassment of Muslims in Kashmir and Gujarat. And when Pakistan
gives in to one demand, America supports more demands from India. On 5
June, when Vajpayee declared, "Pakistan claims infiltration has stopped.But
we want the terrorist camps across the border to be closed down too", America
swiftly underlined India's increased demands. On the very same day the
White House Spokesman, Ari Fleischer, announced, "The President (Bush)
reiterated to President Musharraf that the United States expects Pakistan
to live up to the commitment Pakistan has made to end all support for terrorism."
So, this is the real meaning of
former President Clinton's words, "together India and America can change
the world." Kashmir is an important strategic goal to both India and America.
The Islamic Lands of Kashmir provide access to America and India's common
enemies- China and the Muslims of South and Central Asia. Pakistan in particular
is exposed due to its dependence on rivers from Indian occupied Kashmir.
It is true to say that Kashmir is Pakistan's jugular vein. Also, India's
army has been crippled by its engagement by Mujahideen in occupied Kashmir.
On 19 July 1999, the Indian Chief of Army Staff, V P Malik, admitted that
the Line of Control was simply too long and too rugged for any army to
defend it perfectly. In fact, India uses several hundreds of thousands
of Hindu soldiers in a failed attempt to do so. But after Pakistan abandons
Kashmir, India will easily be able to force a solution in its favour. Already
the pro-Pakistani political leadership in Kashmir is under pressure to
submit completely to the Hindus, with the assassination of one and the
imprisonment and harassment of others. And even if the Hindus allow independence
to Kashmir, such a Kashmiri state will be too small to resist Indian domination
once Pakistani support has been eliminated. As for Musharraf, he is co-operating
fully with the American-Hindu plan. Yet, Musharraf presents the surrender
of Kashmir as if it were a brilliant tactical move on his part. In fact,
Musharraf presents all of Pakistan's severe losses as if they were brilliant
tactical moves that are essential to prevent any further losses. So, Musharraf
abandoned Afghanistan claiming that this was necessary to save other Pakistani
interests, including Kashmir. Now Musharraf is abandoning Kashmir and presenting
this as yet another necessary loss. Surrender to the demands of the kuffar
always leads to more surrenders and defeat. The kuffar will not stop their
crusade even if the Muslims concede to their every demand. Allah (swt)
says, "Be not weary and faint-hearted, crying for peace, when you would
be uppermost: for Allah is with you, and will never put you in loss for
your (good) deeds."[TMQ Muhammad:35]
O Muslims of Pakistan! May Allah
(swt) bless you and raise you as the vanguard of Islam! For over ten years
you have supported the Kashmiri Muslims in their legitimate fight against
the Hindu butchers and rapists. You have supported them with your tongues,
your wealth and your blood. You have endured hostility from kuffar all
over the world for your unbending support of the oppressed Muslims in Kashmir.
How after all your efforts can you be silent about Musharraf's surrender?
And you know that today your brave sons in the Pakistani army are fully
capable of liberating the Muslims and the Islamic Lands of Kashmir from
the cowardly Hindu. Do not allow the liar Musharraf to seduce you from
what is right and true.
