Author: Vishal Thapar
Publication: The Hindustan Times
Date: February 11, 2004
URL: http://hindustantimes.com/news/181_565109,0008.htm
Had Pakistan's military attache
to India Brigadier Akram Sahi opted for a career other than the military,
journalism would have been right up his sleeve.
He demonstrated his talent at a
press conference addressed by the Swedish delegation at DefExpo 04. Brigadier
Sahi blended effortlessly with scribes in his civvies. His questions were
the sharpest and most incisive, putting all other journalists to shame.
The Pakistani attache sparkled best when the discussion veered around the
improved version of the Bofors (towed) howitzer, which India is planning
to buy.
As the Bofors (now SWS) chairman
Hakan Kangert boasted how his gun outperformed competitors Soltem (of Israel)
and Denel (of South Africa) during trials in Rajasthan and Sikkim, Brigadier
Sahi asked whether the gun had been tested in Siachen as well.
Between furiously taking down notes,
the Brigadier fired more volleys: Has the Indian Army asked for a night
sight on the artillery gun? What will be the delivery schedule?
The Pakistan attache looked crestfallen
when, in reply to a journalist's question, the Swedes said they would not
sell the howitzer to Pakistan. "You won't sell just this gun or any defence
equipment?" he asked. "We can't sell any defence equipment to Pakistan,"
the Swedes replied (they presumed he was an Indian journalist).
Brigadier Sahi fired one last question
to get even. "India's is now making peace with Pakistan and China. Your
gun may not be required in the changed scenario. Are you worried about
losing your clientele?" The Swedes responded with customary cool: "We welcome
the peace moves. The operational requirement for the guns is decided not
by us but the Chief of the Indian Army."
The ISI's gain is journalism's loss.
But no one quite knows how he slipped into the press conference.
