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CONTENTS
June 27, 2002
Volume 3, #22

Nuclear Issues

Afghanistan India-Pakistan Tensions Pakistan India Kashmir
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Special Forum on
the September 11 Attacks


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Nuclear Issues

 

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1. Related News and Analysis

India's Deputy Chief of Army Staff has claimed that the Indian Army can "cope with a tactical nuclear strike in the battlefield." Abdul Kalam, one time director of India's missile development program and the current Indian Presidential nominee, believes that nuclear deterrent helped avert a nuclear war in South Asia. A new report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) suggests that 'dirty bombs' are "a real concern, a real threat."
"Army ready to face N-strike"
"India's 'Missile Man' says N-weapons averted war"
"New dangers from dirty bombs"

In their respective essays for the daily News, Pakistan, Masooda Bano and Pervez Hoodbhoy express their alarm at the wide spread ignorance in South Asia of the consequences of a nuclear war.
"Dangers of ignorance"
"Fearless nuclear gamblers"

Farrukh Saleem's article in the daily News, Pakistan, argues that Pakistan's "nuclear umbrella has ... proven to be no more than a suspended mirage."
"What good is the bomb?"

 

 

Afghanistan

 

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1. Current Situation

The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) for Afghanistan has reportedly found "a large stash of guns, mortars and explosives" eastern Afghanistan. A report in the daily News indicate that British troops may have started evacuating from Khost towards Gardez province. Turkey has taken over the command of the ISAF from Britain. US forces believed to be in Pakistan's tribal areas bordering Afghanistan have reportedly come under rocket fire.
"British troops find huge Afghan arms stash"
"British troops start evacuating Khost"
"Britain hands over ISAF control to Turkey"
"Two rockets land near US base"

The Daily Times published an interview with Ismail Khan, a warlord and the governor of Herat province.
"We don't want American troops in Herat"

Afghanistan's new transitional cabinet was sworn in after former interior minister Yunus Qanooni agreed to rejoin the government as education minister. The proceedings of the Loya Jirga were marked by bickering and "occasional scuffles." According to the Human Rights Watch (HRW), "Afghanistan's warlords [have] emerged from the Loya Jirga with greater power and a new claim to legitimacy."
"New Afghan cabinet sworn in with Qanooni on board"
"Afghan interior ministry rebels against new boss"
"Loya Jirga bogs down over Afghan cabinet"
"Loya Jirga: Warlords more powerful than ever"

Ahmed Rashid's report on the proceeding of the Loya Jirga for the Far Eastern Economic Review suggests that "loya jirga has publicly exposed the contradictions and conflicts that have made stability in Afghanistan and the region so difficult to achieve."
"Freedom Isn't Easy"

 

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2. Humanitarian Crisis

Khaled Mansour, World Food Program (WFP) spokesman, has stated that unless Afghanistan's need for food and funds are met urgently, the country "could soon be inhabited by walking skeletons."
"UN warns of Afghan disaster"

 

 

India-Pakistan Tensions

 

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1. News

The easing of tensions between India and Pakistan has not reduced the war of words between the two countries. Meanwhile, there is confusion over whether India has opened its airspace to Pakistani commercial flights.
"India holds Musharraf to his pledge"
"Incursions almost over but no instant pullback: Fernandes"
"Cosmetic steps won't help: Pak."
"De-escalation 'long way off': India"
"We won without going to war: PM"
"Indian airspace reopening not official: CAA"
"India clears air on Pak overflights"

Rahul Badi's article in Frontline, an Indian magazine, examines the issue of infiltration of Pakistan based militants into Kashmir.
"Infiltration worries"

A report in the daily News, Pakistan, claims that "Rumsfeld had to commit that the USA would not object to the sale of an upgraded version of Israeli anti-missile system [Arrow II] to India, if New Delhi begins taking the heat off Islamabad."
"India bargained on 'de-escalatory moves"

Notwithstanding the current standoff, Pakistan has offered India duty exemption on new export items.
"India offered duty exemption on more items"

 

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2. Analysis and Opinions

An editorial in the daily Indian Express believes that it would "erroneous" to assume that terrorist attacks in Pakistan indicate that President Musharraf is not in control of the jihadi fighters. The daily Hindu's editorial urges India to take "imaginative de-escalatory steps and [start] a renewed dialogue with Pakistan on all issues."
"Terrorism in Pakistan"
"Towards de-escalation"

Sarmila Bose's essay in the daily Telegraph, India, states that India would "violate an international treaty and commit a crime against humanity" if it were to abrogate its water sharing treaty with Pakistan.
"Water as weapon of war"

Writing for the daily Hindustan Times, J.N.Dixit urges India to keep up its pressure on the border until it has proof that Pakistan has stopped "adversarial and intrusive activities against Indian security."
"For a beginning to begin"

 

 

Pakistan

 

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1. Pakistan: Domestic Situation

Ten people were killed and many more wounded when a car bomb exploded outside the US consulate-general in Karachi. Earlier, unknown assailants had fired three missiles at a camp where Iftikhar Hussain Shah, governor of Pakistan's frontier province, was staying. A report in Outlook, an Indian magazine, states that President Musharraf is "living under siege, retreating behind impregnable security to escape the wrath of jehadis." The leaders of Muttahida Majlis Amal (MMA), a coalition of six Islamic parties, have stated that the "Kashmir Jihad will continue." In a effort to control religious schools suspected of encouraging extremism, Pakistan government has approved a law to register and regulate the madaris (religious seminaries), and has also arrested activists of militants Islamic groups
"10 die in Karachi car-bomb blast: Terrorist act outside US consulate"
"NWFP governor escapes missile attack"
"Protecting The Prez"
"Govt warned of resistance on Kashmir U-turn"
"Registration made must for Madaris"
"Over 100 activists of banned outfits held"
"Dozens held in midnight swoop on SSP, LJ"

Ten Pakistan Army and paramilitary personnel patrolling remote areas of the tribal regions of the Frontier province were killed in an encounter with suspected al-Qaeda fighters. According to a Daily Times report, 27 men, suspected of being al-Qaeda members, were arrested in Lahore.
"Troops comb tribal areas for Al Qaeda men"
"10 Pak troops killed in clash with al-Qaeda in Waziristan"
"27 Al Qaeda suspects arrested in city"

According to Pakistan's 'Economic Survey for fiscal year 2001-2002' 28.2% of the population is living below the poverty line.
"28.2pc Pakistanis live below poverty line"

Ahead of the October General Elections, President Musharraf's government has proposed major changes in laws governing the constitution of the government including empowering the President to dissolve the National Assembly or to dismiss the Prime Minister.
"Govt floats proposals to amend Constitution"
"Graduation made mandatory for contesting polls"

Khalid Ahmed of the Daily Times reviews news and opinions appearing in Pakistan's Urdu press.
"Why doesn't the Islamic world speak out?"
"Pakistani mindset and policy of violence"

 

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2. U.S. - Pakistan Relations

President Musharraf has denied giving an "assurance" to the US of permanently ending movements along the border.
"No assurance given to US: Musharraf"

Writing for the daily Dawn, Iffat Malik suggest that President Bush is using the 'war on terrorism' to get out of the "sticky hole of domestic criticism, waning popularity, the prospect of electoral defeat and an unfinished right-wing agenda." Adrian Husain's essay in the same newspaper argues that increase in violence by Jihadis is the price Pakistan "has to pay" for aligning itself with the US.
"Bush's cynical use of terrorism"
"Twists and turns of standoff"

 

 

India

 

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1. India: Domestic Situation

Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), a right wing Hindu party, has announced its plans to start a movement for starting construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya reversing earlier assurance it had given to the Union Government that it will abide by the court verdict on the Ayodhya issue. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has sought to distance itself from the stand taken by VHP. Prominent saints and seers in Ayodhya have demanded a ban on VHP. According to a report in the daily Hindustan Times, the Gujarat Government is reneging on its official assurances that the victims of Hindu communal violence now living in relief camps would not be forced to go back till the process of rehabilitation is complete.
"We are no longer bound by promise on Ayodhya: VHP"
"BJP distances itself from VHP's stand on temple issue"
"Saints, seers in Ayodhya demand ban on VHP"
"Modi Govt turns the screws on relief camps"

Aijaz Ahmad's essay in Frontline argues that "today India faces the classic situation of a pre-fascist upheaval."
"Cry, the beloved country"

In a controversial move, the Indian government has opened up Indian print media to foreign investment.
"Govt throws open print media to foreign investors"

 

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2. US-India Relations

Shafek Koreshe's essay in the daily Dawn, and Sudha Ramchandran's article in Asia Times examine growing military ties between India and Israel.
"How Israel is helping India in war efforts"
"India and Israel united in defense"

 

 

Kashmir

 

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1. Internal Situation

The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) has decided to keep its 'parallel election commission', conceived in January to prove the grouping's representative character during the Assembly elections, "in abeyance." The Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) has backed APHC's call to Pakistan to limit its support to the political and diplomatic fronts. APHC has also asked the Indian government to allow its leaders to travel to Pakistan to "negotiate peace with [militants and seek] a peaceful resolution to the dispute of Jammu and Kashmir." Meanwhile, there have been reports of continued violence in the state. However, Hizbul Mujahideen, the largest militant group in Kashmir, has vowed to disrupt the upcoming elections in the Jammu and Kashmir.
"Hurriyat gives its parallel EC a noisy burial"
"JKLF backs Hurriyat offer to get jehadis to call a truce"
"APHC offers to broker truce with Azad Kashmir Mujahideen"
"Hizb vows to sabotage held Kashmir polls"
"23 killed in held Kashmir"
"17 killed in held Kashmir gunbattles"

 

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2. India, Pakistan, US

A report in the daily Hindu suggests that Indian Prime Minister Vajpayee may be open to discussing "devolution of more powers'' to the state of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). VHP has called upon Hindus to "ensure the success of its crusade to safeguard the interests of the minorities (Hindus) in Jammu and Kashmir." India has ruled out the deployment of foreign troops in J&K to help flush out suspected al Qaeda fighters. Prime Minster Vajpayee has stated that he views US role in J&K as that of 'facilitator' not mediator.
"Centre willing to discuss devolution of powers'"
"VHP for division of Kashmir"
"India rules out foreign troops in Valley"
"PM tells US not to play mediator role"

President Musharraf has stated that Pakistan will not accept the Line of Control dividing Kashmir between Pakistan and India as the international border.
"LoC not acceptable as border: Musharraf"

 

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3. Opinion and Analysis

An editorial in the daily Telegraph, India, argues that "there is considerable merit in the demand for autonomy" made by Farooq Abdullah, the Chief Minister of J&K. Writing for the daily Hindu, Harish Khare argues that "it is about time New Delhi realises that the Abdullahs are not the solution but a part of the problem." Kuldip Nayar's essay in the daily Dawn argues that it a delusion to believe that "Kashmir has remained a bilateral problem or that we have been able to keep away the association of a third party." Writing for the daily Hindu, Amitabh Mattoo argues that "converting the LoC into the international border is being seen as the most practical solution to the Kashmir issue."
"Kashmir fragments"
"Our `best bet' in Kashmir"
"Facing the facts on Kashmir"
"The endgame over Kashmir"

 

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The SANDNet Weekly Update aims to serve as a forum for dialogue and exchange among South Asia security specialists.

We invite you to reply to today's report, and we welcome commentary or papers for distribution to the network.

Produced by the Nautilus Institute for Security and Sustainable Development in partnership with the Monash Asia Institute.

Zulfiqar Ahmad, South Asia Program Officer: SANDNet@nautilus.org
Berkeley, California, United States

 

 
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