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Wednesday, July 7, 1999
Periscope On Pakistan
Logic and purpose in a limited war NAWAI WAQT: Indian Army chief General Malik said in April that the possibility of a limited war with Pakistan is there. The statement indicated far-sighted planning. The real purpose of this limited war is to convert the LoC into an international border between the two countries. India has chalked out a strategy that when, under the pressure of world opinion, talks take place, the issue should be to recognise the LoC as an international border and not the Kashmir issue as a whole. Violations of the LoC after 1972 should be adjusted and the violations after the Lahore Declaration of 1999 should be rejected, the status quo being maintained. But this Indian strategy is based on illogical assumptions. India could not suppress the freedom movement of the Kashmiris. It should accept the truth that it can no more deny the right to self-determination to the Kashmiris. September and the Kargil crisis DAWN: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee'srhetoric now centres around the conflict in Kargil, the ``betrayal'' by Pakistan, nationalism, the bravery of Indian soldiers, etc. Seeing its patriotic image in serious danger, the BJP is observing a ``Kargil-Kashmir'' week in various parts of India. Kargil has been dragged into Indian politics as an electoral issue and there are clear indications that Mr Vajpayee's BJP is interested in keeping the Kargil pot boiling till the mid-term elections in September.Our problems according to them NATION: They (Indians) have come to a pass where they are faced with shrinking options and increasing problems. Problem 1: The freedom fighters are simply refusing to quit. The Indian military has tried everything but the rebels just do not give up. Problem 2: Failure is taking its toll as troop morale continues to sink. Problem 3: An acute shortage of officers is plaguing the Army. The Army is planning to launch a massive recruitment drive to fill this huge shortfall and a two-million-dollar campaign isbeing prepared to lure young Indians into the Army which needs at least 13,000 junior officers. Problem 4: The mounting cost of the conflict is beginning to take its toll on the Indian economy. Estimates say the monthly cost is Rs 300 crore. Problem 5: The election date is drawing closer and sending tremors through the BJP rank and file. The BJP leadership knows that going into elections with the Kargil problem unresolved would be nothing short of committing political hara-kiri for the party which gave India its nuclear tests and bus diplomacy.Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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