‘Extortionist Karat,inept Shivraj,a Cong chief who never misses a chance to miss a chance’

(Chairman of the PM’s National Security Advisory Board,K V) Rajan told Charge (Charge de affairs) that this trip was part of an effort on the part of the Iranian government to encourage anti-American,pro-Muslim scholars and think-tankers in India to influence Prime Minister Singh’s supporters to take a more pro-Iranian,anti-US view,and that his presence on the delegation would have handed Iran a PR coup. In light of his suspicions,Rajan canceled at the last minute,citing a sudden family emergency…. To counter this new and worrying effort to reach out to Indian opinion makers,Rajan proposed a visit to the US starting May 14 in his NSAB capacity for five to seven days to talk to officials,think tanks,and the intelligence community to discuss ways to understand better US assessments of Iran. He would expect this to feed into NSAB discussion of Iran policy options…. The United Progressive Alliance government is deeply interested in appeasing its Muslim and Left Front supporters,and is concerned about the outcome of elections in Uttar Pradesh,where a large number of Muslim constituents reside.

Didn’t give Geelani visa,shouldn’t give Majid either; have to be neutral over Kashmir

June 4,2007: Seeking advice on visa for former Ikhwan leader usman abdul majid

Beginning in early 1990s,India’s security forces used Ikhwan (Ikhawan-ul-Musilmeen) to combat terrorism in the Valley. Known for its brutal and corrupt practices,Ikhwan is notorious for its use of torture,extra-judicial killing,rape,and extortion of Kashmiri civilians suspected of harboring or facilitating terrorists… Ikhawan has a reputation… for committing brutal human rights abuses… (MLA and former Ikhwan leader Usman Abdul) Majid’s reputation in the Kashmir Valley is one of the worst among those associated with the GOI (Government of India). In light of our rejection of the Geelani visa,we will not be able to maintain our record of neutrality in the Kashmir dispute if we grant this visa. Nonetheless,denying his application may have some repercussions with GOI officials,especially those from India’s Intelligence Bureau….

Sonia never misses an opportunity to miss an opportunity… Karat is an extortionist

Nov 6,2007: US Ambassador on nuclear deal,

Gujarat elections

If the Congress Party puts in a good performance in this BJP stronghold (Gujarat),it might feel politically strong enough to challenge the Left parties by moving forward with the IAEA on the safeguards agreement at the risk of (or even the desire for) early mid-term polls. However,Mrs Gandhi never misses an opportunity to miss an opportunity to show real leadership… Gujarat is a large state…,a prosperous state. It is also one of the most “saffron” states in the country… With the future of Indian foreign credibility hanging in balance,Sonia Gandhi has been unable to show principled leadership even when it might benefit her party at the polls and reveal Prakash Karat to be the extortionist he is. Mrs Gandhi never misses an opportunity to miss an opportunity.

Menon wondered if Ahmadinejad speaks badly about India to others

May 1,2008: Foreign Secy briefs US,tells it to avoid gratuitous advice

Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon related to the Ambassador May 1 that he wanted to provide a briefing of the April 29 “transit stop” in Delhi by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. During the meeting with the PM,Menon related,Ahmadinejad described a world that has improved from Iran’s point of view…. He (Menon) noted that while Ahmadinejad did not attack the US explicitly,he opined that the US has destabilized Iraq and would withdraw soon. When asked about specifics,Menon continued,Ahmadinejad became “relatively mild”…. Ahmadinejad also bad-mouthed other countries,including China… As a result,Menon judged,“we assume he speaks badly about us to other countries”… Menon also cautioned the US against telling India what to do,especially in public. “This government has to be seen following an independent foreign policy,not responding to dictation from the US,” he stated.

Shivraj Patil spectacularly inept,asleep on job,but protected by Sonia

Nov 30,2008: US ambassador David Mulford on

political ramifications of 26/11

The Indian public and the media point the finger squarely at the Prime Minister and Sonia Gandhi for breakdown of the intelligence apparatus and for failure to build the capacity to fight terrorism. “Enough is enough” is the prevailing sentiment. In this environment,removal of the Home Minister was inevitable. He has over the last four years proved himself to be spectacularly inept. In almost every incident of terrorist or communal violence — Bangalore,Ahmedabad,Jaipur,Delhi,Uttar Pradesh,Guwahati,Samjhauta Express,Orissa,Karnataka,J&K — he has been asleep on the watch. Each time there have been calls for his ouster but Sonia Gandhi has protected him. The public’s reaction to the Mumbai incidents has been such that even she could not save him this time.

To stop malaria,kill the swamp,said Narayanan

Mar 4,2009: National Security Adviser meets FBI Director Robert Mueller

He (M K Narayanan) then described a changing trend in terrorists being recruited to jihad,saying that while in the past Kashmiri terrorist recruits were vulnerable because they were economically disadvantaged,any of today’s terrorists were professionals who came from well-to-do backgrounds. India,with its vast Muslim community living side-by-side with Hindus,was having difficulty identifying the sources of radicalization,he explained,adding that even Muslim leaders XXXXXXXXXXXX were confessing they were “losing control of their flock”. India is also seeing the beginnings of Hindu extremist groups that use violence,he said,agreeing with the Director’s point that terrorists come from more than just Muslim backgrounds…. He urged Director Mueller to keep the pressure on Pakistan to prosecute terrorists and dismantle their infrastructure,saying “if you want to end malaria you have to get rid of the swamp.”

Dalai Lama concerned about climate change,not Tibet solution

Aug 10,2009: US Ambassador Tim Roemer talks with Tibetan leader

The Dalai Lama suggested the US engage China on climate change in Tibet,recognizing that Tibetans could wait five to ten years for a political solution. The Ambassador assured the Dalai Lama that climate change was a priority for President Obama and the US was prepared to work with China and India. The Dalai Lama argued that the political agenda should be sidelined for five to ten years and the international community should shift its focus to climate change on the Tibetan plateau.

(Comment) The Dalai Lama’s message… may signal a broader shift in strategy to reframe the Tibet issue as an environmental concern. When Ambassador Roemer discussed the importance of climate change issues…,the Dalai Lama said that there were “three poles” in danger of melting: the north pole,the south pole,and the glaciers at the pole of Tibet.

Feel in my bones Headley wasn’t acting alone in India,said Chidambaram

Feb 26,2010: Home Minister confides to FBI

Director his thoughts on Headley

In a February 23 meeting,FBI Director Robert Mueller told Indian Home Affairs Minister P Chidambaram that the USG (US Government) would continue to cooperate with the GOI in providing information on the David Headley case and other cases involving terrorism directed at India… Mueller observed that Headley has expressed hatred toward India and may “clam up” if his guilty plea is tied in any way to cooperation with the GOI… After thanking Mueller for the “outstanding cooperation” displayed by the USG,Chidambaram stated that… GOI investigators had developed information on their own through examination of Headley’s computer and emails. Chidambaram insisted that the GOI have access to Headley: “we must be able to say we had access,even if Headley did not speak”…. Chidambaram confided that “I have a feeling in my bones that Headley was not acting alone” in India and expressed frustration over what he characterized as Headley’s false claim that he had no accomplices in India.

Aug 4,2006 When ‘garrulous’ Sonia opened up to Gov. Arnie’s wife

In a relaxed August 3 conversation with California First Lady (Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s wife) Maria Shriver,Sonia Gandhi revealed a rare glimpse of herself. She spoke at great length… demonstrated a strong commitment to a progressive left-of-center agenda. She was also realistic,revealing an in-depth knowledge of Indian culture,especially the rural/urban divide. She spoke about the compulsions of political life… Her comments and demeanor put the lie to cocktail party suggestions that she courts Manmohan Singh’s job.

The Indian woman’s burden…

Mrs Gandhi (said) the situation for women in India is more troubling and traumatic than that in the US…,as Indian women must deal with myriad problems not found in the west,such as child labor. In addition,most Indian women live in remote villages with severe “cultural compulsions” that work against women,making it difficult for the GOI to enforce the law….

… And that of her own

Without prompting…,Mrs Gandhi spoke at length about her personal life. She revealed that after her mother -in-law’s murder Rajiv Gandhi was under intense pressure to take up the political mantle of the Gandhi family,but both Rajiv and Sonia… had no interest in politics. According to Mrs Gandhi,she urged her husband repeatedly to avoid politics,but he insisted… After her husband’s assassination,she withdrew,(but) as “the right was becoming strong in India and Congress weak,” (she was) “compelled”… to enter politics. She also revealed that her children were “not keen”,but eventually told her,“whatever you decide,we will back you”.

Marrying Rajiv

Mrs Gandhi revealed that her own parents objected to her marriage to Rajiv Gandhi and she “resented their position” and… married him anyway. She also noted that she felt that her gender has never been an issue in her political life and that Indira Gandhi also made the same observation. In Hinduism,“women are seen as goddesses and no puja (worship) can take place without them,” while,ironically,oppression of women is common. She also revealed that common women in India’s rural areas do not hold her in great awe and don’t think of her as a great personality,as “their priorities are so different.”

Saying no to becoming PM

She was reluctant to provide details regarding her decision to turn down the PM post…,stating that “I am often asked about this,but tell people that I will write a book someday with the whole story.” She would only say that she “felt better” that someone else became PM and “did not regret” her decision. Shriver congratulated Mrs Gandhi for her resoluteness and described her as “courageous.” Clearly embarrassed by this adulation,Mrs Gandhi made no response….

Comment

Sonia Gandhi is often stiff and detached when in public. This was a more relaxed Sonia,possibly because she felt a personal rapport with Maria Shriver… Deeply hurt by personal tragedy,she has erected a strong and stoic persona to prevent public access to her personal space. Whenever she spoke of the deaths of her husband and mother-in-law,she struggled to keep her emotions in check. Despite her carefully erected Indian persona,her basic Italian personality is clearly evident in her mannerisms,speech and interests. She presents an intriguing enigma of a warm private personality that remains concealed and is available only to her closest confidants and family members.