THE

CRUSADES
OF

21ST CENTURY

BY RIAZ AMIN
Vol-II

CONTENTS
RECOLLECT AND RECOUNT.4
ANGRY AFGHANS....10
FOUR RISK FACTORS.33
WE GOT HIM.65
KHAN PARDONED...82
RISKS IN AVERTING RISKS109
BALLOTS AND BODY BAGS135
BUNNY AND BUNNY HUG152
TERRORISM AT ITS BEST...174
WISHING BUSH WELL..190
ALLY WITH NO CHOICE.204
HUMILIATING THE HUMANITY ..221
PEACE IN PIECES..245
PUSHED AND PAMPERED...259
NEED TO BE THERE..278
WAR WENT ON...303
SMOULDERING SOVEREIGNTY326
SISTANI SAVED SADR..347
SKIRMISHES OF CIVILIZATIONS.366
HARRASSED BUT HOPEFUL...392
THREE YEARS OF TERROR ...411
AFGHANS DEMOCRATIZED...439
UGLY UNION...457
IN PURSUIT OF PEACE.479
FALL OF FALLUJAH.505
DISCOURAGING SIGNS527
PUSHING FOR POLLS ......549
THIRD PARTY THREAT...568
OPPORTUNITY IN CALAMITY .590
ELECTION ENTANGLEMENT. ..613
DISCOURAGING SIGNS640

FOR SOFT IMAGE .........661

AFGHANS AT THEIR OWN......679
WUTHERING WAR ...699
PROCESS SANS PROMISE ..715
PHANTOMS FOR PAKISTAN..735
SHIITE IRAQ EMERGED .....765
CRUSADES ELSEWHERE........781
LABRADOR ON LEASH ...800
IRAQI INFERNO.....826
DESECRATION AND TORTURE 846
AMERICAN OUTPOST .....872
PROCESS SANS SOLUTIONS...891
TALK OF TIMETABLE......917
SCARRED IMAGE.......941
DEMOCRACY BY DEADLINES...966

RECOLLECTING
The world sympathized with Americans over collapse of twin towers
3

and resultant killings. Americans decided to take revenge. In twenty-eight

months they have caused hundreds of collapses and thousands of deaths.
These were not condoled by many. The war continues. More ravages are in
store.
One should pause and recount some facts, established and almost
established. This war has targeted Muslims only. It is Crusades. This version
of Crusades has not been waged for any holy cause. It is the war for
destruction of Muslim countries aimed at pushing them back to Stone Age,
where they belong to.
The countries nourishing or suspected of nourishing ill-will for the
Crusaders are pushed on priority. Having pushed them, it is ensured that they
stay there for long. The first goal towards achieving this aim is to destroy
Military capability, even the one that is likely to be acquired. They are
deprived of offensive capability completely and defensive abilities are
reduced to the minimum. While doing so the victims are made to believe
that possession of military prowess causes socio-economic problems.
Within Islamic World there are monsters like al-Qaeda having ill-will
for the civilized world. They wage Jihad for fulfillment of their sinister
aims. Waging war without regular troops is terrorism. Those who do that are
terrorists posing grave threat to the lonely superpower. They are killed or
captured.
Their economic wealth is plundered and the one that cannot be
plundered is destroyed. The victims are consoled with promises of
reconstruction. In reconstruction it is ensured that the level of subsistence is
not surpassed.
Political instability is caused by thrusting systems appropriate for this
purpose. Democracy is used as ploy. Those who resist are toppled on the
pretext of regime change and others are eliminated through target killing.
Promise of liberation is used to enslave them politically. All these measures
aim at spreading anarchy and preserving disunity of Muslim World.
Religious and cultural values are subverted with rhetoric of
enlightened moderation. Jihad is considered most dangerous out of all the
values. Subversion of this concept is the key to break the will of Muslims for
their self-preservation.
The Crusades have sufficient military strength to deal with entire
Muslim World unilaterally. The principle of economy of effort, however,
dictates the strategy to muster support of established anti-Islam forces. To

this end freedom struggles of Muslims are declared cross border terrorism.
It helps in isolating Muslims to facilitate their tackling one by one. To
eliminate the chances of Muslims presenting a united front some of them are
neutralized by giving them the choice to step on to their side. This helps
preserving their disunity and their piecemeal annihilation.
Subversion of the spirit of Jihad constitutes important part of
psychological strategy. This can be achieved by diverting their attention
towards Jihad-e-Akbar and by throwing Mulla out of the Mosque as was
suggested by Satan in Iqbals poem named; IBLEES KI MAJLIS-ESHOORA.
Application of the strategy has been ruthless as everything is fair in
war. The principle of might is right is followed in letter and spirit. Nothing is
morally incorrect with use of excessive force. Atrocious acts of the
Crusaders are provided blanket cover by phrases like collateral damage and
force protection.
Deceptive phrases are coined to justify unfair acts to resolve issues of
legality and legitimacy right at the outset. Zero tolerance is exercised to curb
intolerance as human values and values of the civilized world are
considered contradictory. Even young boys of twelve years are kept in
captivity for years, released only after being hundred percent sure that they
no more pose any serious threat.
In fact Muslims have been dehumanized. They have no human
rights; thus, no remorse and no regrets. Mere Islamic identity of a country is
a reason good enough for militant fundamentalists of the Christian World to
invade and destroy it.
Despite the trumpeted pretexts, no war has been so immoral and
illegal. It has been an ugly war, bearing impressive names. Resultantly the
Crusaders have been ruthless and devastating, but devoid of any heroics.
Nevertheless they have won some visible victories. They have
destroyed two Muslim countries and encouraged its partners to crush two
legitimate freedom movements in Kashmir and Palestine. Others have been
allowed to annihilate similar movements from Philippines to Chechnya.
Most remarkable of the achievements can be attributed to their media. It has
convinced the world about necessity of killing of Muslims as a routine.
Despite these visible victories the terrorism has not been defeated.
Nevertheless, the Crusaders have succeeded in restricting it to Muslim
World. This has made the civilized world safer, but only for the time being.
5

It is the worst period of history of Ummah comprising more than fifty

independent and sovereign states. Entire Muslim World is suffering from
BE-YAQEENI (uncertainty), which is worst than slavery in words of Iqbal.
Leaders and masses suffer from fear and hunger; two of the worst curses of
Allah.
Muslim rulers have surrendered unconditionally after seeing the fate
of those two who defied. Most of them agree with the Crusaders that the war
is not against Islam. The few who disagree, lack the courage to confront the
Crusades by calling for Jihad as that will amount to asking for trouble.
Resultantly they have accepted Jehadis as terrorists and condemn
them. They also accept the routine killing of hundreds of innocent Muslims
without a squeak, whereas showing of dead bodies of the Crusaders killed in
battle is condemned. They seek enlightened moderation not realizing that
no faith is more enlightened and more moderate than Islam.
Rulers of Ummah are like rats in panic at the sight of Tom cat. They
find their survival in being on the right side of the Crusaders or in respective
holes. They want to befriend them on humiliating terms tending to forget
that their friendly fire is equally deadly.
Many Muslim leaders and intellectuals still believe that the Crusaders
will provide the medicine for healing of the injuries inflicted by them. They
beg the Crusaders for solving Ummahs problems of poverty and illiteracy.
They believe that the Crusaders will soon get busy in reconstruction of the
countries destroyed in war.
The people who hold their self respect dearer are not deterred by the
might of their enemy. They have not been disheartened by successes of the
Crusaders. They have refused to shun militancy; because this is the only way
to hurt the enemy.
Majority of Muslims disapprove methods adopted by the militants, but
disagreement ends there. They fully support the just causes for which they
are fighting. They resent atrocities committed against their brethrens on
flimsiest of the pretexts. That is why there has been no decrease in militancy.
It cannot be eliminated without addressing the root causes. It will survive as
long as injustice prevails.
The difference in thinking of the rulers and masses of Muslim World
is too conspicuous. The rulers are prepared to tolerate all the disgrace to earn
a certificate of moderation from the Crusaders. The militant segment of the
Ummah is also prepared to face all the excesses of the Crusaders, but refuse

to compromise their self-respect.

Paradoxes of tolerance are at play with extremes. One kind of
tolerance is that shown by a woman often seen working on construction
sites. She carries twenty bricks on her head with her baby tied on her back.
After toiling for day-long she fetches water, collects fire wood, cooks food
and serves it to her family. Despite the hectic routine of hard labour she is
stuck below the poverty-line.
But she tolerates all this without a complaint about abuses of her
rights. Perhaps, she is not aware of rights, except the one that pertains to her
honour and self respect. She is prepared to tolerate every hardship in the
form of exploitation, gender discrimination, poverty, illiteracy and so on, for
preservation of her honour.
Her desire is amply reflected in her upright stance, determined looks
and firmness of her dealings. Her proud conduct is a viable deterrence
against all threats to her self respect.
There is another kind of woman who tolerates no nonsense of above
hardships and exploitations. She wants to have all the privileges at any price.
These cannot be denied to her on pretexts of honour and self respect.
Modern enlightened concept of personal liberty has rendered these pretexts
untenable.
Muslim leaders are not likely to unite to confront their common
enemy as most of them like Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia have
joined hands with the Crusaders to curb Islamic militancy. Therefore, the
war is likely remain one sided, but it will not be a walk-over for the
Crusaders. Muslim masses will keep putting up resistance.
In the context of Arab World the prevalent situation is gloomier. Entire
Arabian Peninsula is practically occupied by the Crusaders as bulk of US
standing army is deployed therein. Arabs cannot dare think of acting against
the interests of the Crusaders. Their Arab League is dead like OIC.
Sharon has been allowed to prepare levelled play-field. He is
engrossed in removing bottlenecks and clearing obstacles on road to peace
suiting Israel. His actions have been and will continue to bear the tinge of
ruthless brutality.
In Iraq Sunni fighters have surprised the world by their resilience in
resisting the occupation of their country. It is because that Saddam, unlike
Mulla Omar, avoided pitched battles and then allowed his soldiers to desert
along with weapons they could carry. These weapons are being used by
7

them, but these are not going to last forever.

The only silver lining has been the encroachment of monopoly of
Western Media by some courageous TV networks of Arabs and by blessings
of the information technology. There is slight glimmer of hope that
resilience of Iraqis may encourage the Arabs to stand on their feet.
In the context of the Subcontinent India cleverly availed the
opportunity presented by the tragedy. It coerced Pakistan to win a victory
without war. India is now consolidating the gains through peace process
entailing crushing of freedom movement. The Crusaders have rendered all
out support.
Tajiks have been rewarded with seat of Kabul for their contribution to
the Crusades, but Afghanistan is virtually disintegrated. Warlords are back
running their respective fiefdoms. Zahir Shah has been allowed to return in
time for the final rights of his own and the kingdom he had once inherited.
The strings of the puppet, Karzai, are controlled by Khalizad on
behalf of the Crusaders. He will be remembered in history for stabbing his
brethren on their back. Pushtoon resistance is dying in the absence of outside
support. They also have to blame themselves for fighting pitched battles in
area away from their secure base ignoring their strength which lied in
fighting unconventional war.
A concentrated dose of wisdom administered at midnight via satellite
proved quite effective. Since then Musharraf has not faltered in his
commitment to war on terror. He is ever-ready to respond to all the calls to
do more.
Second dose was given by India through massive mobilization.
Pakistan succumbed to pressure and allowed India to win without war. It
pleaded guilty to the charges of cross border terrorism and took stringent
measures to check flow of any support across Line of Control.
It has reconciled with installation of hostile regime in Kabul. Today it
has no friend in Afghanistan. Tajiks and Uzbeks are hostile for its backing of
Taliban and Pushtoons are angry for betraying them. No sooner the cross
border terrorism issue with India subsided, Kabul started blaming Pakistan
for the same. Pakistan will not find choking of Durand Line as easy as it was
in case of Line of Control.
Pakistan is also under pressure to introduce socio-political reforms.
Controlled version of democracy has not been accepted by the Crusaders.
The menace of Mulla and Madrassa is still to be neutralized. The rulers are
8

prepared to meet this requirement as is evident from their mindset with

which they would have termed Ghazi Ilm Din Shaheed a terrorist if he had
committed that offence after 9/11.
Outside the country Pakistanis are humiliated, hunted, imprisoned and
deported in hundreds. In some cases, like Macedonia, they are killed for
committing an offence of carrying verses of Quraan on their person. Only
nuclear assets are intact to which Pakistan is clinging on dearly, but for how
long?
Muhammad Riaz Amin
16th January 2004

ANGRY AFGHANS
America wont leave Afghanistan until security returns vowed
Evans. Britain remained committed to stabilizing Afghanistan. Couple of
months later Brahimi warned that UN might quit Afghanistan due to security
hazards and Annan backed him.
Framing of constitution was a big challenge amid violence and
intimidation. Nevertheless new constitution was ratified by Loya Jirga,
which envisaged strong presidential system to unite the war torn country.
Afghan optimists hoped that it would be instrumental in bringing peace.
Angry Pushtoons were the only one who resisted occupation. Some
more Pushtoon groups showed interest in resisting occupation. Younis
Khalis declared Jihad against US, but Governor of Nangarhar denied the
report. Former Afghan President Rabbani and ex-premier Hikmatyar held
secret meeting amidst calls for Jihad. Jaish-ul-Muslimeen vowed joining
hands with Taliban.
In the absence of any secure base inside Afghanistan Pushtoon,
perforce used the tribal areas of Pakistan for this purpose. This has led to
Pakistan bashing. Accusing Pakistan of cross border terrorism on behest of
the Crusaders has become a favourite pass-time for Kabul regime. Perforce
Pakistan has to respond to calls to do more.
9

PEACE AND SECURITY

Afghans still lived in fear admitted Karzai. America warned its
citizens in Afghanistan over security. NATO accepted that security remained
tenuous. South Korea closed Kabul mission. The UN expressed concerns
over security. Karzai rejected the criticism, but his statement was not
accepted by the world body. Afghan Government was urged to do more
regarding security, particularly for relief workers.
Factional fighting remained the main hazard in restoration of peace
and tranquility:

Seven persons were killed in fighting between Tajiks and Uzbeks on

29th September. Nine days later heavy artillery and tanks were used.
Mazar was deserted. Warlords signed truce after killing about eighty
fighters. The truce did not last for more than 24 hours.

Fighting returned to Balkh on 13th October about 800 years after

Genghis Khan. Five days later seven Afghans perished in Farah when
a car was ambushed.

On 1st November police stopped former militia commander loyal to

the government in Helmand province. He resisted and fierce fighting
resulted in killing 47 persons including the commander, three women
and twelve civilians.

On 2nd November fighting again erupted between Tajiks and Uzbeks.

Militia commander, Salangi was shot dead in Kabul three days later.
He had sided with Taliban during civil war.

Governor of Qalat escaped harm in two bomb blasts on 9th November.

On 6th January a militia commander was killed in fresh factional

fighting in Zabul.

Disarmament was the only way to tackle the menace of factional

fighting. In early October UN deployed teams in cities before launching the
campaign to disarm warlords. The programme started in Kunduz on 21 st
October in which 600 fighters surrendered their weapons, thereafter it
reduced to trickle.
Disarming Tajiks and Uzbeks was the major problem. Tajiks offered
selective demobilization. Atta surrendered some tanks and Fahim, under
10

pressure, showed willingness to hand over heavy weapons. Dostum did not
budge. He questioned the drive as Taliban were still active. Intriguingly he
freed hundreds of Taliban prisoners in January. It was not expression of
goodwill gesture for Pushtoons, but of ill-will for Tajiks.
In November government decided to remove heavy weapons from
Kabul. It received mute response from affected quarters as only some
fighters surrendered weapons to ISAF. By mid January no significant
progress was reported.
America backed Karzais efforts to disarm, but did not refrain from
sponsoring favourite warlords. HRW asked US to end support to warlords.
Similarly Britain did not even bother to reply when Supreme Court asked
extradition of Zardad Faryadi, who was involved in murder cases.
Kabul sent a police contingent to Mazar to enforce truce and partially
succeeded in maintaining security. Government vowed more changes to
defuse tension, including merger of rival forces. Option of shifting Atta and
Dostum to Kabul was also considered. UN asked rival factions to put an end
to violence. Dostum and Atta assured of support to Karzais efforts.
Rumsfeld also tried to convince Atta and Dostum to disarm their fighters.
All these efforts failed in making any positive impact on improvement
of security. The government could not protect Afghans from warlords.
Those, who surrendered their weapons, felt insecure as commanders
harassed them. International Crisis Group and Brahimi feared that warlords
could even impede the political process.
Business of drugs has been the main source of money required by
those warlords who did not get financial support from the Crusaders. Aid
agencies blamed drug trade for persistent violence. Opium production was
great danger to stability said IMF. UN sanctions chief feared that drug
money could even finance Taliban.
UK was worried about heroin production. It trained Afghan
commandos for raids on heroin peddlers. US and Afghan troops destroyed
tones of drugs. The government sought ISAF help to counter the mafia.
These steps resulted in sophistication of drug trade.
Poppy cultivation increased to record level. Officials apprehended
further rise in poppy farming. Opium production was spreading like cancer
warned UN and it could push the country towards AIDs. American troops
were also reported becoming drug addicts.
11

Mines remained security hazard and it was estimated that Afghanistan

would be free of them in ten years as only Japan offered $ 5.9 million aid for
this purpose. The incidents of highway robberies continued. In one incident
seven persons were shot dead by robbers on Farah-Kandahar highway.
Performance of ISAF in improving security in Kabul was
acknowledged widely. This resulted in decrease in attacks on peacekeepers;
only one missile was fired towards ISAF base in Kabul during the entire
period. Good performance exerted additional pressure on ISAF. Robertson,
secretary general of NATO urged them to finish the job. NATO must
succeed in Afghanistan he demanded. The pressure also forced them to
listen to the demands of expansion.
Karzai held talks with the chief for expansion of force outside Kabul.
Aid groups urged expansion to areas of insecurity. Annan called for
expansion of ISAF. In September NATO deliberated on the issue and
German Envoy indicated that peacekeeping forces might be expanded. In
October NATO ministers discussed enlarging the force. Next month ISAF
expansion beyond Kabul was approved.
Expansion required additional troops for which UN kept urging
countries for contributions. Canadian soldiers called for and US Senators
urged NATO to send more troops. New NATO chief also sought more
troops, but only Norway and Finland agreed. NATO saw difficulties in
expanding peacekeepers. Its request for more helicopters was rejected and it
struggled to plug equipment and other gaps.
Peacekeepers focused on improvement of Afghan force, but National
army could only rise to about 10,000 because of slow training process. The
government endeavoured to reform police force for which $ 17 million were
pledged. China sent a police officer on UN request to help Afghan
Government. Graduation of another batch added to its strength.
Afghan security forces gave mixed performance. Police assisted in
maintaining peace in Mazar. In December arrest of terrorists foiled rocket
attacks on Kabul. Police also hunted kidnappers of two Indian road workers.
In October one person was killed as police clashed with soldiers.
Governor and police chief of Balkh were sacked due to repeated clashes
between opposing warlords. In November one person died and three were
hurt as troops opened fire in Kabul on sacked civil servants who were
demanding outstanding pay. Afghan army assisted occupation forces in
operations carried out against Pushtoons.

12

The desertions of soldiers, however, caused worries to the

government. About three thousand newly trained soldiers had deserted
which constituted 30 percent of the total strength. Tough training, low wages
and factional links were quoted as main reasons of desertions.
Peace imposed by the US and its allies after the fall of Taliban
remained fragile, according to Amir Taheri of Iran. He attributed it to several
forces still at work:

The first threat comes from the Pushtoons who, like the Sunnis in
Iraq, find it hard to abandon their almost exclusive hold on political
power. And, again like Iraqi Sunnis who draw support from sister
communities in neighbouring Arab countries, the Afghan Pushtoons
look for support to their kith and kin in Pakistan.

The second threat comes from the estimated half a million armed
men, divided into dozens of private armies, some of which are linked
to local and international drug barons.

The third threat comes from neighbouring states, especially Iran,

Pakistan and Russia which, though not a neighbour, exerts influence
through its military presence in Tajikistan. Afghanistan was created in
the 18th Century as a buffer state to separate the Tsarist, Persian and
British Empires. Attempts at undermining Afghanistans neutrality
always led to war and could do so again in future. The most aggrieved
neighbour of Afghanistan at present is Pakistan which, having backed
the Taliban to the bitter end, finds itself with no friends or clients in
Kabul.

The fourth and possibly the most important threat to future peace and
stability in Afghanistan comes from the slow pace of re-construction.

Another reason was that the puppet regime still faced the problem of
acceptance. Vacuum created due to ineffectiveness of central authority has
been filled by warlords. It causes fragile conditions of security. UNHCR felt
that more money and troops were needed for the stability.

REHABILITATION AND RECONSTRUCTION

The talk of rehabilitation ought to begin with repatriation of refugees.
Reportedly 2.5 to 3 million refugees have returned home from neighbouring
countries. The remaining 50 percent have preferred to stay back most of
13

whom are in Pakistan. Repatriation centres in Peshawar and Quetta were

closed in mid November. The refugees stayed back for two reasons; killing
of returnees and lack of interest on the part of UNHCR.
Australia continued pursuing tough policy regarding asylum seekers.
It threatened to deport more Afghans including students. Hunger strikers
stranded on Nauru Island faced death after Australia refused entry. Six
Afghan hunger strikers were hospitalized in Lombok Island of Indonesia.
Britain offered airfares to refugees willing to return. EU planned to
repatriate asylum seekers, which was slammed by the UN. In October Saudi
Arabia returned forty-two abducted Afghan children to Afghanistan.
Europes attention was diverted towards profits of reconstruction in
Iraq though the destruction phase was still not completed. Germany however
announced $ 1.4 million aid for refugees, but Japan threatened to stop aid.
World was urged to help rehabilitation of refugees.
Rehabilitation of education was restricted to plans for launching a
school by a Canadian family and American higher education board planned
to set up a university. In health sector Kabul introduced new ambulance
service in October. US donated wheelchairs for disabled Afghans. UNICEF
observed that health and education of women and children had improved.
On economic front Afghanistan and Britain signed accord to boost
ties. Russia showed willingness to write-off some Afghan debt. Dutch
planned to set up commercial bank. WB launched telecom project to link
Kabul with provinces. Karzai reopened renovated Kabul-Kandahar highway
and thanked Bush for his role in construction.
ADB approved $ 20 million for renovation of roads; funding for
construction of trade route linking Central Asia; and allocation of additional
$ 5 million for irrigation system. FAO launched a project which would
benefit farmers of Hazarajat. Power plant in Kabul was reactivated in
November.
Iran was asked to help in development of rural areas. It responded by
donating machinery. Indian firm was building Afghan radio and TV network.
It also donated 300 trucks to Afghan army and an Indian team planned to
build hydroelectric plant in Bamiyan.
Senior US officials admitted that Afghanistan was not a priority after
occupation of Iraq. Hence Annan and Powell called on donors to extend
help. UN team urged global support and Abdullah sought more foreign aid
for reconstruction.
14

EU pledged 79.5 million euros and Solana reiterated commitment to

reconstruction. EU also gave 50 million euros to help fight drugs trade.
Canadian minister assured support. WB granted $ 95 million for poverty
eradication.
America was repeatedly asked not to forget Afghans. Khalilzad
assured that Bush remained committed to reconstruction of Afghanistan.
Occupation forces established military reconstruction team in Herat.
America offered $ 40 million for construction of bridge linking Tajikistan.
Bush Administration prepared $ 1 billion aid package proposal.
The civilized world remained focused on cultural emancipation.
Germany opened first cultural institute in Kabul in September. In October
the clowns planned to cheer kids in Kabul. Indian engineers saved Buddha
niches from collapse. BBC launched new radio service for Afghans.
An Afghan beauty pageant contested Miss Earth title in Manila and
won special award: Beauties for a cause. US Congress lauded the gains
made by Afghan women. Afghan embassy rejected beauty contestants claim
of Miss Afghanistan. Supreme Court condemned her and it was apprehended
that she could face prosecution. A minister immediately demanded more
protection for women.
Women submitted a bill on womens rights. First women radio station
was established in Herat. Ministry of Culture paid tribute to UN worker. In
January first Afghan woman sung on state television. Amnesty however, felt
that Afghan women were no freer than before.
Supreme Court opposed lifting of ban on women singers. Kabul TV
revived the ban. Some emancipated women feared that Taliban might return.
Revolutionary Association of Afghan Women accused the puppet regime of
excelling Taliban in abusing women. Government was also accused of HR
violations.
The prevalent anarchy was the major obstacle in rehabilitation and
reconstruction of Afghanistan. Aid workers were frequently attacked and
often killed or kidnapped. De-miners were also attacked:

An aid worker was killed and another injured in attack on 25 th

September. One was kidnapped and freed in Nimroz on 7th October.

In November a Turkish engineer was kidnapped near Pakistan border.

Captors demanded release of 250 men, but a month later freed him. A

15

French UN aid worker was shot dead and an Indian working for
private firm was killed.

Three Indian workers were kidnapped on 6th December. India

contemplated sending commandos to protect its installations.
Pushtoons demanded release of 55 prisoners for two Indians, but on
24th December the captives were freed.

Taliban kidnapped an Afghan aid worker in Zabul on 5 th January.

America pledged to make conditions safer for aid workers.

A top cleric was attacked in Herat and a census worker was shot dead.
In September two girls schools were burnt in Mazar and another school was
bombed in Khost in October. In December Taliban burnt a school and killed
the guard in Kandahar.
UN condemned killings of aid workers and suspended relief work
after each attack. It restricted staff movement and banned travel inside
Afghanistan. Ultimately UN pulled out its staff from Pushtoon areas. The
government vowed to bring to justice the killers of UN workers.
Approval of new constitution to introduce democracy in Afghanistan
was the major event of the period. America welcomed and UN hailed release
of draft constitution. Taliban rejected the draft and called for election
boycott. Religious leaders flayed and students protested against draft
constitution. Hazaras demanded more representation.
Women had hoped that new constitution would enshrine womens
rights as demanded. Contrarily the draft constitution failed to protect
women according to Amnesty. America also demanded better protection to
women and religions in constitution.
Loya Jirga was scheduled to meet on 10th December. On 6th
December Karzai hinted delay in debate on constitution. Like the previous
meeting, Loya Jirga was allowed time for wooing the delegates. Once again
the female candidates alleged rigging in Loya Jirga polls.
Karzai advocated strong president for Afghanistan. Northern Alliance
differed with him. Abdul Hafiz Mansoor, an elected delegate from Kabul
opined that the proposed constitution was not for future. It is for
continuation of this government.
Zahir opened Loya Jirga convention on 14th December. Mujaddadis
election strengthened Karzais hands. He had been Mujaddadis press
secretary when he headed government in exile in Peshawar. Mansoor, the

16

defeated Tajik candidate, lashed out at Karzai for manipulating the draft
constitution to grab more powers and prolong his rule.
Malalai Joya, woman delegate from Farah, while speaking in Loya
Jirga caused uproar by criticizing ex-Mujahideen and warlords, most of
whom were part of the Jirga. I request the chair of the assembly not to give
opportunity (to speak) to such people who call the traditional Loya Jirga the
council of corruption and prostitution. They were responsible for leading
this country towards crisis and civil war.
Afghan Loya Jirga headed for deadlock as Pushtoons supported
Karzai for presidential system; whereas NA wanted parliamentary system.
Ismail slammed government for not inviting him to Loya Jirga. On 19th
December delegates clashed over Sharia and women rights. Foreign
journalists were rightly barred from covering assembly proceedings.
Latif, delegate from Nangarhar termed the polls process as animal
market in Bati Kot. He was referring to horse-trading. By 22nd December
officials started pressing for ratification. Two days later Karzai refused to
compromise on strong presidential system. Delegates were given more time
for discussions and by 27th December Karzai emerged as winner.
Next day the debate on new constitution became sour as Abdul Rasul
Sayyaf insisted in putting word of Islam in few articles of the constitution.
He is trying to put the word Islam into every article alleged Finance
Ministers brother. Mr. Sayyaf likes to provoke the international
community he added. Mansoor insisted on his viewpoint. The government
wants to impose their ideas and their draft. Behind this draft are America and
the United Nations. Even if you dont want it, it is imposed on you.
As marathon debate on constitution entered final phase some
delegates threatened boycott. Habiba Danish, an ethnic Tajik said, if they
dont include our ideas in the constitution, we wont give up our weapons. If
they want national unity, we want equal rights. Hashim Mehdawi, a Hazara
delegate said, the Pushtoons were in power for years and should now
behave like equal brothers under the umbrella of democracy.
On 2nd January Afghans, US and UN officials met to end impasse over
constitution. Two days later Jirga agreed on new constitution and ratification
was welcomed widely. Putin greeted Karzai and China termed it a step
towards peace. Iran supported the new constitution. It was termed as triumph
for peace. It was also a triumph for the US and UN, whose officials worked
tirelessly to broker a backroom agreement

17

Salient features of new constitution are as under:

Afghanistan is an Islamic Republic with Islam as its sacred religion.

Followers of other religions are free to perform religious ceremonies
in accordance with the provisions of the law.

No law shall be contrary to the beliefs and practices of Islam. Men

and women have equal rights and duties before the law.

The president will be directly elected by the Afghan people with two
vice presidents, who will be nominated by presidential candidates
when standing for election.

The highest authority will be a Loya Jirga grand assembly consisting

of national assembly members and provincial and district council
chairpersons. The Loya Jirga can prosecute the president and amend
the constitution.

A national assembly will consist of two houses: a Wolesi Jirga or

house of people of 220 to 250 members, and a Meshrano Jirga or
house of elders.

The Wolesi Jirga will be directly elected by the Afghan people. It has
the authority to impeach ministers.

The president will appoint ministers, the Attorney General, nine

judges of the Supreme Court for ten years and Central Bank Governor
with the approval of the Wolesi Jirga.

Ministers, the Chief Justice and Supreme Court members can

participate in the Loya Jirga without voting rights.

Ministers should not hold foreign passports but the Wolesi Jirga
should vote whether to approve appointments of ministers holding
dual nationality.

One-third of Meshrano Jirga members will be appointed by the

president, of whom 50 percent will be women.

Former king Mohammad Zahir Shah is to be accorded the title of

Father of the Nation for his lifetime.

National assembly elections will be held within one year of the

presidential elections. Pashto and Dari will be the official languages.

Despite ratification differences persisted on some aspects. New

constitution was flawed by deals with warlords observed HRW. America too
was concerned over religious aspects of the constitution. Rahimullah
18

Yusufzai saw Karzai following Musharrafs footsteps. Jamiat Jaish-ulMuslimeen rejected it.
Peacekeepers and Karzai government performed commendably in
ensuring security of delegates attending the Jirga, though Kabul was hit by
rockets on 16th and 22nd December. Six days later five Afghan officials were
killed by suicide bomber near Kabul international airport. Taliban claimed
responsibility for suicide attack.
The next step towards democracy entailed holding of elections. Karzai
had approved new law on political parties on 12 th October. Voters
registration started in December and voters were urged to get registered. By
second week of January over 250,000 Afghans were registered, including
women. UN faced funds shortage for registration. Canada donated
registration kits to electoral body.
CIA was the first to cast doubts about holding of elections as per
schedule. Some apprehended that ethnic division could cast shadow and
Annan warned that violence could jeopardize elections. An official of UN
sounded more pessimist; elections in June seemed impossible.
Afghan government was determined to hold elections despite
violence. Zalmay Khalilzad vowed that elections could be held even earlier
than June despite UN doubts. America was to push for polls. Karzai was sure
to contest presidential polls.

PUNISHMENT OF PUSHTOONS
The Coalition forces administered following punishment to those who
resisted occupation of their homeland:

On 22nd September several Kochees were killed in bombing by US

warplanes in Zabul. The same day US forces also clashed with
militants in Paktika.

Mulla Omars aide, Mulla Abdul Razzaq Nafees, was killed in

southern Afghanistan on 6th October just days after killing of Mulla
Abdul Rahim. US troops again clashed with militants in Paktika.

Pashtu language newspaper was banned in Nangarhar on 10 th October.

Four days later Afghan and US troops raided Taliban camp in
Uruzgan.

Seven Pushtoons were reported killed and 12 held on 15 th October

after two days of fighting northeast of Kandahar.

19

Taliban commander blamed for rocket attacks was arrested in Uruzgan

on 20th October. Five days later fifteen Pushtoons were arrested in
Kandahar operation.

US-led Coalition killed nine fighters in Paktika on 26 th October. Next

day twenty al-Qaeda fighters perished near Pakistan border and antiTaliban operations continued in Zabul and Ghazni.

On 28th October eighteen more were killed in US air raids on Taliban

and al-Qaeda. Next day US Marine helicopter unit joined Coalition
forces.

On 2nd November eight members of a family were killed in Kunar in

air raid. Eight days later US forces launched fresh operation in
Nuristan province and killed one next day.

Twenty-two Afghans were killed in two different incidents opposite

Waziristan on 15th November.

Six Afghan civilians were killed in Paktika in air strikes. Governor

expressed frustration over US friendly fire. Next day America
claimed that those killed were terrorists.

On 21st November US troops arrested four militants involved in rocket

attacks in Paktika. A week later Hizb commander Ghulam Sakhee was
killed by US troops in Kunar.

Coalition troops clashed with Taliban forces in Khost on 4 th December

and suspected terrorist was arrested in Kabul.

On 7th December nine Afghan children were killed in air strike in

Makur southwest of Ghazni. UN urged swift inquiry into attack and
America swiftly regretted.

America launched largest ever anti-Taliban offensive with 2,000

troops in south and east Afghanistan on 8th December.

US troops launched air assault in Khost on 9th December. Next day six
more children were killed in Paktia offensive and two Taliban
commanders were arrested near Spin Boldak.

On 11th December US troops killed four Afghans in their bid to arrest

General Asmatullah in Jalalabad.

Two Taliban were arrested in Uruzgan on 16th December and US

forces killed two persons near Bagram base.

20

On 23rd December US troops captured bombers in Paktika and two

days later twenty bombs were seized in Jalalabad.

US troops killed fourteen fighters in eastern Afghanistan on 1 st

January. Next day security forces seized weapons near Jalalabad.

On 10th January four suspected Taliban died while trying to lay bomb
on a road. US-led forces unearthed weapons cache four days later.

Infliction of collateral damage remained conspicuous part of

collective punishment. On 22nd September several Kochees were killed in
Zabul in bombing by warplanes. America investigated the incident and
closed the case after regretting civilian deaths. During first week of
December eight children were killed in air strike, which added to sense of
fear. The attackers must have desired exactly the same.
War on terror cannot be won at the expense of civilians said Annan.
Afghan leaders preferred tolerance over showing annoyance over killings
of innocents. Such tolerance wont have been shown if some innocents of
the civilized world were killed.
Six more children were killed in Paktia offensive on 10th December.
The same day Rumsfeld had defended targeting of individuals. His brave
soldiers included children in the blanket cover provided by Rumsfeld. US
military defended the action. Hence there were no regrets this time.
Regrets no regrets, Americans were least pushed about these
incidents. To them controlling of terrorism was as important as controlling
of nuclear proliferation. Effective control of proliferation entails destruction
of fission material, not the destruction of bombs only. Children represented
the fission material of terrorism. With this mindset it would be better if
Americans name man-hunting operations as Operation Regrets or
Operation No Regrets or Operation Collateral Damage rather than giving
fancy names.
Afghan militias assisting US were also accused of human rights
abuses, but Pushtoons did not take punishments lying down. They retaliated
and resisted:

On 26th September an American soldier was wounded in Kandahar.

Two days later seven Afghan guards were killed in attack in Helmand
province. Pushtoons claimed that US troops had abandoned Barikot.

Six rockets were fired at US base in Paktika on 29th September. Next

day a US soldier was killed and two were wounded in gunfight.

21

On 1st October Pushtoons claimed killing eighteen government men.

Next day eight Afghans were killed in southern Afghanistan, two
Canadians perished in mine blast and a driver carrying fuel for
Coalition forces was beheaded.

US-led bases came under rocket fire on 4 th October. Three days later
rockets were fired at US base in Kandahar.

On 8th October three rockets were fired at Jalalabad airport. Next day
US Special Forces convoy was ambushed on road Gardez-Khost.

Forty Pushtoon prisoners escaped from Kandahar jail on 11 th October.

Next day fighters claimed killing 13 militiamen, kidnapped uncle of
Ghazni governor and captured Khak-i-Afghan district. US soldier was
wounded in fire fight in Kabul the same day.

Four Afghan troops were killed in ambush in Uruzgan on 13th October.

Next day an American civilian was injured in another ambush.

Remote controlled mine explosion killed one and injured two in

Nangarhar on 16th October.

Twin blasts shook Jalalabad on 22nd October and Coalition soldier was
injured in attack in Paktika.

On 24th October ten were killed in ambush in Samangan. Four days

later two CIA operatives died in ambush in Shkin.

Three Americans were hurt in ambush in Paktika on 29th October and

bombs went off in UN facility. Two days later US soldier was killed in
clash in Uruzgan.

Rebels attacked a building and looted arms in Kunar on 1 st November.

Three days later four US soldiers were wounded in attack in Paktika.

Bomb exploded near offices of Oxfam and Save the Children on 5 th

November and two rockets hit Jalalabad airport.

Fighters attacked on 7th November and killed policemen in Zabul

district. Three days later office of mine sweepers was attacked. By
that day Afghan forces had lost control of seven districts in Zabul.

On 12th November fighters claimed killing Romanian soldier in

Kandahar province. Next day a blast near US military base in Kunar
killed four Afghans.

Two rockets landed near US base in Shkin on 14 th November and

22

another Romanian soldier, wounded earlier, died. Next day three US

soldiers were killed in mine blast in Kunar.

Five rockets were fired at US-led base in Kunar on 20 th November.

Four days later five US troops were killed in helicopter crash and US
convoy came under rocket attack on road Gardez-Logar.

Two US and one Afghan soldier were wounded in clash in northeast

Afghanistan on 28th November. Two days later fighters claimed
capture of Mizan district.

Afghan soldier was killed in clash on 2nd December. Next day two US
soldiers were wounded in grenade attack in Kandahar.

On 6th December twenty persons were injured in blast in Kandahar.

Four days later fighters claimed capture of two district headquarters.

American soldier and Afghan worker were hurt in rocket fire at

military base on 11th December. Next day two US soldiers were
injured in blast near Asadabad.

Seven soldiers were killed in attack near Spin Boldak on 21 st

December. Six days later several persons were killed in ambush in
Khost.

Two US soldiers were injured in raid on convoy on 5 th January. Next

day a grenade was hurled at UN office in Kandahar.

Gunmen killed twelve Hazaras in Bagram district of Helmand

province on 7th January. Next day bomb blast at army base in
Kandahar wounded two soldiers.

Six Afghan soldiers were killed in Kandahar on 10th January. Next day
fighters killed four Afghan policemen.

On 15th January US base at Khost came under rocket attack and

attackers claimed killing ten Americans.

Pushtoons resolve for waging Jihad did not dissipate. They refused to
bow despite perpetration of atrocities against them for the last two years.
Even Guantanamo detainee, Mulla Shehzada released in July, led attacks
according to Time magazine. Taliban were still popular in many Pushtoon
provinces and Omar continued casting shadow over Kandahar.
Omar held secret meeting in September and Taliban tape urged
Muslims to counter US. He called for Jihad and vowed to expel US-led
23

forces. Pushtoons threatened to step up attacks. Ex-minister Ghazi also

declared that resistance in Iraq and Afghanistan was Jihad. Pushtoons
asked people not to cooperate with foreigners. They urged Afghan drivers
not to transport foreigners. Afghan women working for foreign NGOs were
threatened.
In the absence of any outside support Pushtoons resorted to
innovations. Reportedly they were making bombs out of DEEG BUKHAR;
local word for pressure cookers. They also countered their defamation as
threats to those with shaven faces, involvement in Kandahar blast and killing
of Pakistani engineer in Ghazni were denied promptly.
Occupation forces were determined to rid Afghanistan of terror
threat. America denied the reports that Taliban were making a comeback.
Armitage claimed Taliban were frightened. They were fighting a losing
battle said the visiting US Senator.
Catching Osama was not a priority said US General, yet Saddams
capture put bin Laden in spotlight. Focus was back on bin Laden said
Khalilzad. Bush claimed that US was on Osamas trail. He was running out
of hiding places according to Myers. Congressman asked to double the
bounty on Osama. Mention of Osama once again brought Hazrat Ali in the
limelight whose forces were blamed for providing safe passage to Osama,
US troops struggled against anti-occupation forces. Rafsanjani
claimed that they were too terrified in Afghanistan and Iraq. Abizaid visited
troops in southeast as US planned tactical change by establishing twelve
bases in southern Afghanistan.
America found it difficult to win Afghans hearts. Therefore,
Afghan government weighed talks with Pushtoon moderates. A spokesman
announced release of Mutawwakil and his involvement in talks was
confirmed. Karzai and US denied his release and Taliban denied talks with
Afghan government. Mutawwakils whereabouts remained a mystery. The
prevalent insurgency was summarized by Gwynne Dyer as under:

Most of Zabul and Uruzgan provinces and half of the Kandahar

region are once again Taliban controlled by night.

Over two dozen American and ISAF troops have been killed this
year, a loss rate worse than Iraqs, given the far smaller number of
foreign troops in Afghanistan.

US troops claim to be inflicting vastly greater casualties on their

opponents; more than 400 fighters were killed in September alone.
24

Most of these casualties are caused either by American air strikes or

by local militias leave much room for doubt. The militias have a habit
of furthering their private interests by labeling their opponents as
Taliban.

After fifteen aid workers were killed in Taliban attacks in recent

months, the United Nations has pulled its foreign staff back to Kabul
and has forbidden them even to walk in the streets.

Senior UN officials have publicly doubted whether the elections

schedule for next June will happen at all.

The occupation force in Iraq numbers at least 150,000 American and

allied troops, but there are only one-tenth as many in Afghanistan.
One third of that is ISAF troops.

Why is it so small? Because US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld

was determined to keep most US troops free for the planned attack on
Iraq.

This meant that his only option for controlling rural Afghanistan was
to make alliances with local warlords and try rule through them.

When Karzai tried to fire four or five governors who were running
their provinces as personal fiefdoms, US officials over-ruled him.

Until recently, the US also blocked every attempt to expand ISAFs

role beyond Kabul, because international peace-keeping troops would
not tolerate the informal American-warlord alliances that are the norm
in rural Afghanistan.

He made three predictions: one there will be no internationally

recognized free elections in Afghanistan in 204; two, US forces0 will pull
out within three years and lastly, Taliban will be back in power within five.

PAKISTAN BASHING
Karzai accused Pakistan of cross border terrorism and then sought
closure of religious schools in Pakistan. He also claimed that Osama was
hiding in mountains near Afghan border. He, in concert with others,
continued the campaign of Pakistan bashing:

On 7th October Khalilzad asked Pakistan to do more against Taliban,

while denying secret meeting between Taliban and US officials in
Islamabad.

Kabul sought more help from Pakistan against terrorists. Five days
25

later Abdullah asked Islamabad to do more against Taliban and alQaeda.

On 20th November Pakistan was warned against failure on terrorism.

America, however, refused to comment on Taliban-ISI link.

Three days later Karzai again urged Pakistan do more against

terrorism. A week later he discussed infiltration from Pakistan with
Abizaid.

Karzai reported sighting of Mulla Omar in Quetta. When Pakistan

refuted the report Kabul questioned swift denial of the charge.

Pakistan is a sanctuary for rebels alleged Khalilzad on 24 th

December.

In addition to accusations, Pakistan was subjected to physical

aggression just as India did across Line of Control. On 28 th September
rockets landed in South Waziristan from Afghan side. Next day US troops
bombed Pakistan area. On 2nd November eight persons were injured in PakAfghan border firing. Reportedly Afghan agencies also planned sabotage in
Pakistan.
Events inside Afghanistan were bound to affect Pakistan, but more
than that it was its submissiveness which invited undue bashing. Pakistan
failed to give befitting reply to Karzais baseless remarks about sighting of
Omar in Quetta.
Karzai had no justification to raise hue and cry over such sighting. He
too had been in Quetta for years and still owned a house in the city. There
are millions of Afghans staying back in Pakistan. How could he justify their
stay when he has been ruling Afghanistan for more than two years? Millions
of Afghans can be sighted in on Pakistani soil.
Khalilzad termed Pakistan sanctuary of rebels. This tout of the
Yankees should have been told that Pakistan joined the war not to crush the
rebels, but terrorists. It would have been better if he had advised his master
to redress the grievances of Pushtoons. This was the saner way to stop
Pushtoon rebels becoming terrorists.
Pakistan at last spurned Afghan claim over Taliban activities and
blasted Karzais remarks about Islamabads cooperation in the fight against
terrorism. What the Afghan leaders can and must do is to talk less and do
more in putting their house in order. Kabul recoiled and termed these
remarks irresponsible.

26

Pakistan never refused to do more, but kept mentioning its limitations.

Musharraf rejected the notion of going slow against terrorism. He, however,
wanted electronic intelligence and high-technology intelligence devices.
Pakistan also sought helicopters and UAVs for surveillance and asked Kabul
to share intelligence. Pakistan was doing all to improve border security
said Kasuri. He vowed to strengthen cooperation against terrorism.
Surveillance of Pak-Afghan border was intensified and fencing of border
was started in October.
Despite allegations and counter allegations, both Islamabad and Kabul
had always been cognizant of the fact that they faced common challenges.
Karzai acknowledged that friendship with Pakistan was in Afghanistans
interest. Addressing a delegation of Pakistani journalists he said, PakAfghan ties are deep-rooted. Stable Afghan Government is in Pakistans
interest reciprocated Faisal. Kabul condemned suicide attack on Musharraf.
Jamali and Karzai vowed to fight out terrorism, during formers visit to
Kabul.
Pakistan was aware of the fact that cross border movement was a
concern of the civilized world rather than a worry of Afghans. A Canadian
delegation was escorted to Pak-Afghan border in November to provide them
first hand knowledge of ground realities and measures taken.
A month later senior foreign diplomats visited Pak-Afghan border.
No trespassing by undesired elements across border assured Governor
Baluchistan to the visitors. He added with grief, it is heart-burning to note
that there is no matching appreciation for our contributions in these efforts
against terrorism. He should have also told that it was wrong to call
resistance of Iraqis and Afghans as terrorism.
In addition to taking preventive measures Pakistan consented to joint
operations against Taliban and al-Qaeda. Pak-US-Afghan body stepped up
anti-terror activity. Top Pak, Afghan and US officials visited disputed border
and both neighbours agreed to strengthen the control.
The Crusaders wanted more. They pressed Pakistan to launch
operations in Waziristan, the tribal area adjacent to troublesome Khost,
Paktia and Paktika. Pakistan was coerced to employ its troops against
Pushtoons and a force was assembled in South Waziristan for crackdown.
Right at the outset four soldiers were killed in Wana when their camp
was subjected to rocket attack on 9th January. Next day a bomb blasted near
police check post in Tank. Punjab sports minister along with three persons
went missing in the area.
27

Wana Jirga served 48-hour ultimatum for surrender of wanted men.

Tribesmen offered help ahead of deadline. The authorities were asked to take
elders into confidence before carrying out search of suspected places. It was
quite sensible suggestion.
Hunt of wanted men by Tribal Lashkar was also proposed. On 13th
January three tribesmen surrendered and seventeen more were produced
before authorities in next three days. The most wanted men remained
unaccounted for.
Nevertheless Powell was happy about operation. I am pleased that
President Mushsrraf has responded to our overtures and is conducting new
military operations in that region this week. And he understands that this
kind of rogue presence is not in his interest and is dangerous for Pakistan,
just as its dangerous to Afghanistan. If asked, the Government of Pakistan
would still deny any outside interference in its internal affairs.
Operations carried out under duress were criticized. Wana action was
termed a conspiracy against Pushtoons by ANP. Asfandyar said that the
world knew who brought al-Qaeda in this region. Imran condemned military
action. There was a row in Senate and JUI-F leader demanded end to
operation. Earlier Baluchistan Assembly had asked for troops pullout from
border.
Pakistan never allowed Kabuls impulsive reactions to mar bilateral
relations. Trade activities kept increasing and Pakistan expected $ 1 billion
trade with Afghanistan. National Bank of Pakistan opened a branch in
Kabul. Pak-Afghan JMC meeting was quite productive according to Aziz.
Pakistan remained committed to rebuilding Afghanistan. Survey for laying
Chaman-Kandahar rail track progressed. PIA planned to operate three
weekly flights to Kabul.
Afghanistan handed over 53 detainees in November and 49 more were
freed in mid January against expectations of release of all Pakistani
prisoners held in different jails. Pakistan freed 149 Afghans before Jamali set
out for Kabul. Release of prisoners like pigeons every time a VIP visited the
other country was not in good taste. Those who deserved to be released,
must be released; visit or no visit.
Even Benazir wanted the government to do more in the context of
addressing Karzais concerns. She tried to be more civilized than the
civilized. Who should do more: US, Pakistan or Afghanistan asked
Rahimullah Yusufzai. Every day, Afghan government functionaries in
Kabul, Jalalabad, Khost, Ghazni, Kandahar or Helmand issue statements
28

claiming that the Taliban had found sanctuaries in Pakistan and regrouped to
launch attacks on Afghanistan.
He answered, the US and the Karzai government would have to
concentrate on accelerating Afghanistans reconstruction. Instead of making
Pakistan the scapegoat for their own failures, they also need to do more to
check the movement of al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters on their side of the
long and porous Pak-Afghan border and stop them from launching attacks in
Afghanistan. Denying the sanctuaries in Afghanistan by initiating measures
aimed at ending the alienation of the Pushtoon population would probably
be the best strategy in the present situation.

CONCLUSION
Improvement of security and acceleration of reconstruction of
Afghanistan have not received the required attention of all concerned.
Therefore, Karzais calls for unity, prosperity and stability are likely to
remain unanswered, despite his optimism about Afghans future.
Pushtoons wont give up struggle despite their complete isolation.
Domination of Tajiks in Kabul will remain a uniting factor. Glimpses of their
unity were witnessed during meeting of Loya Jirga.
US death toll in Afghanistan has reached one hundred. Some
observers thought American losses were more than the reported in media.
There were no grounds to believe this contention. America has only 15,000
troops in entire country which are used quite sparingly in direct encounters.
The effects of American casualties cannot be considered in isolation
of the losses of forces resisting them. America has the ability to kill in two
minutes, more than its soldiers killed in two years. And as long as
differences between various factions of Afghans persist, American losses
will remain low.
Afghans have reasons to be angry with Pakistan, but they must realize
that peace with Pakistan is extremely important for both the countries. Both
seemed to be conscious of this; however both failed to understand that peace
was not necessarily as important for the Crusaders as for them.
Pakistan can never stop the movement across Durand Line even by
erecting fence. It must press for redress of grievances of Pushtoons rather
than alienating own tribes in meeting demand of the Crusaders to do more.
Jamali while saying US taking on too much in war on terror and going to

29

Iraq leaving Afghanistan unstable conveyed the same message. This has to
be conveyed more explicitly.
16th January 2004

FOUR RISK FACTORS

No pressure on vital issues said Musharraf on 29 th November. Seven
weeks later, after having acquired vote of confidence he addressed the joint
session of the Parliament. He warned the elected representatives against four
major risk factors: allegations of nuclear proliferation, cross border terrorism
in Kashmir, cross border terrorism in Afghanistan and accusation of
extremism within Pakistan.
As regards proliferation of nuclear technology Pakistan was already
investigating about scientists greed after denying government level
involvement in providing assistance to any third country. Adoption of middle
line, between guilty and not guilty, provided fuel to Western Media for
raging the fire.
Musharraf while talking to Kashmiri leaders on 22nd December asked
Delhi to show flexibility on core issue. He boasted, Pakistan cannot be
coerced on Kashmir. Two weeks later he formally assured Vajpayee that he
would not allow use of any territory under Pakistans control to support
armed freedom struggle of Kashmiris, or cross border terrorism as India
preferred to call it.
30

For the satisfaction of the Crusaders and Kabul, Pakistan recently

launched operation in tribal area, which was appreciated by America. Yet the
government insisted that operation was against criminals hiding in these
areas. No invisible power behind FATA operation said Kasuri; thereby
accepting that everything was crystal clear. This risk factor has been covered
in the last article.
Musharraf ruled out any room for extremism on Pakistans soil. This
word, like terrorism, is yet to be defined to establish as to who are the real
extremists. The government, however, continued with its crackdown against
the extremists. America was not satisfied with the progress made against
this evil; hence it announced long-term strategic partnership with India. Such
partnerships were essential to tackle Islamic militancy.

PROLIFERATION FACTOR
Libya decided to rid itself of WMDs and opted for international
inspections. Its officials met IAEA chief and he announced inspection at the
end of the month. IAEA team discussed nuclear issue with Libyan officials
on 28th December. Next day Libya revealed nuke secrets and showed
willingness to allow snap checks. ElBaradei wound up landmark visit with
praise for Tripolis cooperation. His team completed nuke probe and
agreement to dismantle Libyan nukes was reached on 19th January.
Qaddafi advised other states to give up their nuclear programmes. The
Crusaders rejoiced over another visible success in war on terror. America
asked rogue states to follow Libya. Powell said, Tripolis decision had put
the United States and its allies on the rollWe hope that the North Koreans
are watching all this, and realizing that others are getting smart, and its time
for them to get smart too. In radio talk he also advised Syria, to get out of
the hole that you have been in for all these years.
So, diplomacy, force and diplomacy - they have to be married up and
each used in service of the other he said. Powell believed that Iran has now
been more forthcoming toward the international community and started to
acknowledge that it had programs denied earlier.
Qaddafis decision strengthened the conviction of the Crusaders about
justification of use of force against Ummah. Hoon in Sky News said, I dont
think you can separate out the relevance of military action in Iraq from the
decisions which the Libyans have takenWe showed after Saddam Hussein
31

failed to cooperate with the UN that we meant business and Libya, and I
hope other countries, will draw that lesson.
Shahryar K Baseer in his letter to the News did not find much for
rejoicing. Col Qaddafi has made the best move by any Muslim leader that I
have seen so far. Admit to destroying something you never had and you will
not only gain approval, praise from all over the world, but you would also
receive rewards for it. Well done. Peter Preston of the Guardian said the
same with slight difference. Muammar Qaddafi, growing older, and his
isolated Libya, growing poorer, was getting nothing worthwhile from the
atomic bomb they had not built yetLogic and common sense meant
changing tack.
In fact Libya tried to be clever to earn favours for its bold decision.
Its Prime Minister asked Israel to scrap its weapons programme. Lockerbie
dues tied to lifting of US curbs said Libya. Boldness of the decision was not
duly acknowledged. America decided to keep sanctions in place and the
same day a report alleged that North Korea and Iran developed WMD in
Libya. Qaddafis country still remained a rogue.
Iran signed protocol on surprise nuclear checks on 18 th December, yet
Israel mulled attack on Irans nuclear sites, assuring steps to save Iranian
citizens. Iran warned Israel against attack and Rowhani claimed that his
country was respecting nuclear safeguards.
Iran too had divulged some secrets in its report submitted to IAEA,
but denied foreign scientists had helped its nuclear plan. Sharing of
information with UN watchdog (or US) was enough for pointing fingers
toward Pakistan.
Reportedly Iran had contacted Pakistani scientists for acquisition of
nuclear know-how during Zia Era, but military leader kept the cooperation
restricted to peaceful programme. During Nawaz Sharifs first tenure the
rumours spread about Aslam Beg suggesting transfer of nuclear know-how
to Iran. This time the civilian leader snubbed the General.
Iran too had tried to earn some rewards while surrendering. Like
Libya, Iran was also disappointed. America refused to send Iranian rebels
home and instead decided to send them to third countries. US eased
sanctions against Iran due to Bam tragedy, but only temporarily.
North Korea rejected US move for six-party talks and vowed to
continue building bombs. It pledged to fortify nuclear force and slammed
32

US move to build low-yield nukes. Japan, US and South Korea softened

stance for the sake of six-way talks. In December North Korea gave green
light for talks early next year.
Analysts observed that North Korea was unlikely to follow Libyas
path as it vowed to continue diplomatic wrestling with US. Washington
must agree to reward for refreezing nuclear weapons facilities, asked North
Korea. China hailed the move. South Korea, US and Japan welcomed the
reference about halt of nuclear activities.
On 9th January North Korea said that it would be a folly to hope it
would follow Libya. Next day it showed nuclear deterrent to US
delegation. US team cautioned against premature comments about their
visit to nuclear complex. On 12th January North Korea again offered freezing
of nuclear reactors.
Roh urged patience in nuclear row. In third week of January US and
South Korea agreed to pull American troops out of Seoul. This confirmed
that America had no plans to use military means. The pullout meant meeting
the requirement of troops against Muslim World.
Revelations made by Iran and Libya led to investigations against
Pakistani scientists. Before talking about investigations a few words about
history of proliferation as traced out by Shireen M Mazari:

Among the first proliferators in the nuclear field were the US and
French governmentswho transferred nuclear technology to Israel.
France insisted that it committed no violations as in 1950s because at
that time there was no agreement.

It is widely believed that two states (South Africa and Israel)

conducted a joint nuclear weapon test in the Indian Ocean in
September 1979.

An ex-Mossad agent, Ostrovsky had disclosed that one of his

assignments was to escort a group of Indian nuclear scientists in midJuly 1984, who had come on secret mission to Israel to meet with
Israeli nuclear experts and exchange information.

India and Israel have also cooperated on the nuclear front and it is
known that the second set of nuclear tests conducted by India in May
1998 were a joint Indo-Israel venture.

Russias role as a proliferator is another fascinating study - again

33

linked to India.
Nadeem Malik compiled following information about role of nongovernmental elements in trafficking nuclear technology:

Urenco, a British, German and Dutch consortium, was the first name
in various international reports as the primary culprit for leaking
uranium enrichment technology to Iran, Iraq and North Korea.
Concerns about Urenco emerged more than 10 years ago when
thousands of centrifuge parts, based on Urenco designs, were
discovered in Iraq after the Gulf War.

When the United States and the IAEA were engaged in investigations
against Iranian nuclear programme, suspicions emerged that Irans
uranium enrichment programme used technology identical to Pakistan
plans. IAEA requested all third countries to cooperate closely in
clarifying questions about Tehrans nuclear programme.

Iran reportedly informed IAEA that its centrifuge enrichment

programme was based on Urenco designs. (To enrich uranium to
weapon-grade, centrifuges are used to process raw uranium into fuel
for reactors or fissile material for bombs. This enrichment process
requires perfect machines, which spin at twice the speed of sound.)

Urenco denied providing technology or blueprints to Iran, but there

are possibilities of obtaining it through a middle man or steal it from
a nuclear laboratory.

Mufti Jamiluddin Ahmad summarized the events leading to accusing

Pakistan. According to him:

Muslims have at last started behaving or have been made to behave.

As the class of naughty students started behaving, the head-boy
threatened to attack and destroy the Iranian programme.

Now come reports in Washington Post quoting European officials

and US, which point out overwhelmingly to Pakistan as the source of
crucial technology that put Iran on a faster track toward becoming a
nuclear weapons power.

There are also reports about the involvement of some German

business people and a Sri Lankan Muslim. It is said that Iranians have
given these names to IAEA.

This led to debriefing of A Q Khan, which was reassuring for

America. Wed certainly welcome Pakistans investigation and its
34

debriefing of individuals who may have valuable information to

convey.
Pakistan had admitted a year earlier that scientists involved in its atom
bomb programme might have been driven by personal ambition or greed to
export technology to Iran, but insisted that government had no part in any
such deals, reported a British newspaper. On receipt of two-page letter from
IAEA Pakistan embarked upon hectic debriefing of scientists. It sent nuclear
probe teams to Libya and Iran to look into greed factor which could have
led them to cash in on nations nuclear know-how.
IAEA assured guarding secrecy of Pakistani scientists role in Iranian
nuclear programme. The Agency believed that public disclosure of such
names, provided by the IAEA to Government of Pakistan, could jeopardize
the investigations of Pakistani nuclear scientists.
Saif-ul-Islam Gaddafi supported Pakistans contention. Libya has
purchased weapons and other necessary equipment from international black
market; not from Pakistan. We have purchased even the spare parts of our
passenger planes from black market he came out with rather weak
argument.
A Q Khan was being questioned accepted Foreign Office on 22nd
December. Nadeem Malik reported that debriefing was linked to his pastone-time association with Urenco. By 21st January three scientists, Yasin
Chohan, Mohammad Zubair and Saeed Ahmed, were released after
debriefing. Three days later Rashid disclosed that eight scientists and
administrators from the Khan Research Laboratories were still held.
Government accepted that scientists debriefing was linked to IAEA
letter, but denied involvement of FBI in debriefing and refused to handover
scientists to any foreign state. Pakistan pledged to distance itself from any
scientist found guilty of nuclear proliferation. The culprits, if found any,
will be punished said Rashid.
Qadeers fate hanged in balance, reported Kamran Khan. He further
added that foreign accounts having proceeds from nuclear technology
transfer have been found. Dubai bank had provided the required
information to Pakistan. The Iranian authorities have confirmed the
information about bank accounts that were being controlled by suspected
Pakistani scientists. The details of these accounts were held by IAEA and
America. Top scientists contacts with Dubai-based gold trader were also

35

under probe. Its an open and shut case said his source.
Spokesman termed the detention of scientist as normal practice.
Nobody asked him as to how many of them were detained before 9/11.
Supreme Court Bar Association alleged that scientists debriefing was being
carried out under US pressure. Nuclear scientists arrest also echoed in
Senate on 10th December.
Surprisingly the criticism of debriefing from within Pakistan was far
less than expected. Only Bilour expressed concern over questioning of
Khan. He reminded the government that India had honoured its nuclear
scientist and elected him president. PPP and PML-N refused to attend
briefing on nuclear issue. Country-wide protest on 23rd January, mainly by
lawyers, was too less and too late.
Meanwhile a Jew, Asher Karni, a businessman from an African
country, was arrested in Colorado on 14th January for exporting triggers to
Pakistan. This drama was necessary to add more suspense to Pakistans
involvement in proliferation. UN also contemplated quizzing Benazir and
Nawaz on nuke export.
The role of developed world in proliferation of nuclear technology, by
act or neglect, was ignored altogether. Urencos denial was accepted as final
word and other proliferators were not asked any questions at all, though
AlBaradei had accepted existence of international network and its
involvement in proliferation.
IAEA was reminded in a press briefing that it had no legal mandate to
evaluate the nuclear programmes of India, Pakistan and Israel and other
countries who have still not signed the NPT and full-scope safeguard
agreement with IAEA. As reported by Zia Iqbal Shahid, Gwozdecky
admitted, but insisted that all countries should become part of the nonproliferation regime and all should receive equal treatment.
Asked whether the IAEA still called India and Pakistan threshold
nuclear states or the status of the countries has been redefined by the IAEA
after they have conducted nuclear bangs, the spokesman parried the question
again citing lack of jurisdiction over such countries. But he argued that the
current situation of nuclear and non-nuclear states would changeThe
current situation where you have have and have-not nations is
unsustainable in the long run.
The bias was too obvious. While sanctions were imposed on others on
36

suspicions, Israel remained top recipient of American aid. Peter Preston of

the Guardian questioned; if Libya can do it, why not Israel? He elaborated:

If Weapons of Mass Destruction are a menace in unstable regions

such as the Middle East, if their availability must be reduced, the logic
begins to move closer to the confrontation we never seekBush and
Blair seldom mention Israel.

Israel possessed 200 nuclear warheads 17 years earlier. That makes

Israel the worlds fifth largest nuclear power. US Congress has also
accepted that Israel has undeclared offensive chemical warfare
capabilities and is generally reported as having an undeclared
offensive warfare programme.

Logic behind allowing Israel to possess these capabilities was that it

was surrounded by many potential foes who denied its right to exist.
(The facts are to the contrary. Israel has been used for surrounding
many Arab states.)

Now Iraq stands wrecked, Libya has surrendered its right willingly
and Iran has stepped back voluntarily. Logic comes knocking at
Sharons door. The situation demands not to keep Dimona and the
biological research centre at Nes Ziona out of question and to
pretend that they dont exist.

In the meantime Israel could hardly contain its delight at the turn of
events. With one of its sworn enemies with nuclear ambitions having
been trapped in a hole, and another becoming warm and fuzzy with
the West, it is left holding all the cards or, to be precise, the long-range
nuclear missiles and nuclear submarines wrote Linda S Heard in Gulf
News.

Shireen M Mazari viewed the bias from Pakistans perspective. She

blamed bizarre confessions from the weak within the Ummah providing
further abusive ammo for the highly prejudiced Western Media and their
government. But by the logic under which France provided nuclear
technology to Israel, those states, and citizens of those states, that are not
signatories of the NPT, MTCR and other agreements, do nothing wrong if
they provide missile and nuclear support for third countries she added.
Even according to the Western Media international market in nuclear
weapons technology has flourished with European, Asian and North
American companies, middle-men from Germany, Sri Lanka and Israel, and
scientists from Germany, Pakistan and India.
37

Pakistan too had developed its nuclear capability through stealing or

by violating the trade regime. It exploited the civilized peoples lust for
monetary gains. If the West could destroy countries to earn profits from
reconstruction, its individuals called middlemen were justified in selling
secrets to accumulate easy money. Naomi Klein said the same thing. Its
greed, not ideology that rules the US and rest of the civilized world.
America too was not bothered about intricacies of logic in pursuance
of its aim of denuding Ummah from any worthwhile military capability. The
manner in which Bush and Blair gave the good news of Libya denouncing
the WMDs was similar to those made after fall of Kabul and Baghdad.
No doubt destruction of these countries had convinced Qaddafi about
futility of nuclear programme and America expected more countries would
follow. Bush threatened the suspects; US will never seek permission for
war. The noose was now being tightened around Pakistan.
Haass, a former key member of Bush Administration, alleged that
Pakistan was still a threat to world. To this end the civilized people could
apply the laws of jungle as and when desired, the laws that continue
threatening world order in words of Annan.
Musharraf and Jamali repeatedly asserted that nuclear assets were in
safe hands, but American trust wont last for long. Emphasis has already
shifted from no nuclear transfer to nuke safeguards. America expressed
its doubts in concealed statements. Pakistan was expected to live up to
nuclear pledge.
The final effect of ongoing investigations being carried out in own
national interest could prove to the contrary. According to the News dated
24th January, the manner in which the whole process was conducted seemed
to judge them (scientists) guilty before being heard.
Some greedy scientists might be caught and punished. But that wont
mark end of the row. Western Media will then start accusing the government
of its inability to control activities of selected few. How could such a country
be trusted with safety of nuclear weapons?
These fears were confirmed by the statements of Pakistani leaders.
Jamali urged PAF to exercise full vigil. Army overhauled nuclear command
and control structure. During recent visit to Davos Musharraf refused to give
up nuclear programme unilaterally, but was willing to consider it if India
agreed to do so.
This brought in Indian nuclear programme. According to Praful
38

Bidwai although nuclear technology and material are among the worlds
highly traded items and many Western states are deeply implicated, yet the
recent events constitute a wake up call to us in South Asia. Nuclear
weapons have become a liability, not an asset.
According to Zia Iqbal Shahid, after Tripolis pledge to give up
Libyas unconventional weapons programme, the major world powers intend
to concentrate on South Asia pressing India and Pakistan to follow the
example by initiating a process which could culminate in dismantling both
the countries nuclear, chemical and missile programmes.
Once Bidwais awareness spreads and India also realizes that its
hegemonic designs can be pursued far more effectively through conventional
means, it might agree to have nuclear-free South Asia. If this does not
happen, Pakistan can be pressed to give up unilaterally. Badar Alam,
however, felt that Pakistan and India have already frozen their nuclear
programmes and missile development would also stop.
Musharraf complained about involvement of scientists of other
countries and about passing of breaches by European countries in silence,
but nobody listened. Similarly his cries upon being asked to rollback the
nuclear programme could prove ineffective and his pledges of no
compromise would be of no help. Peaceful component of Pakistans nuclear
programme could also be affected.
Dick Cheney, the day he met Musharraf in Davos, said that direct
threats require decisive action. Democratic nations must join together to
fight against terrorism and the spread of the worlds most dangerous
weapons. Who else was left other than North Korea and Pakistan? The
former enjoyed the advantage of not being part of the Ummah.

PLEADING GUILTY
Attempts for peace were sincere, claimed Jamali. President and Prime
Minister lauded acceptance of ceasefire by India and adoption of confidence
building measures was accelerated. Pakistan accepted Indian demand of
according preference to restoration of over-flights over other means of
transportation. Pak-India air link was resumed on 1st January. PIA planned
12 flights a week to Delhi and Bombay. Air links with Bangladesh and
Nepal were also resumed on 4th January.

39

India agreed for talks on Samjhota Express. The matter was discussed
in New Delhi on 17-18 December in which both countries agreed for
resumption of rail link with effect from January 15. Bus service to Amritsar
was also considered.
Pakistan also agreed to increased bilateral trade though it was done
indirectly by signing free trade pact at SAARC Summit. Other measures
taken were:

Foreign ministers agreed on additional protocol on terrorism and

social charter for poverty alleviation.

India proposed direct sea-link and Pakistan welcomed the proposal.

State Bank of Pakistan froze accounts of three banned groups.

AJK Government banned six religious groups and sealed their offices.

India handed over seven prisoners to Pakistan on 5th December.

Replica of Ghauri missile was dismantled in Islamabad and replaced

with peace statue.

Pakistan promised India-Iran gas pipeline safety.

India freed Pakistani women sleepwalker after detaining her long

enough to be raped and give birth to baby girl.

Pak-India border security officials held talks on 20 th December and

agreed to joint border patrolling.

India offered new transport and diplomatic ties to Pakistan.

Two roads in Quetta and Hyderabad were dedicated to Hindu hero

Lala Lajpat Rai.

Musharraf was satisfied with peace at Line of Control. Incursions

were down after ceasefire acknowledged Vajpayee. However meaningful
dialogue with Islamabad could resume only after Pakistan permanently ends
fighters crossing into IHK he added.
Some measures were mentioned for the sake of point scoring.
Pakistan considered conferring an award to Vajpayee. Musharraf promised
pullout from AJK if India agreed to withdraw from IHK. India proposed
celebrating 150th anniversary of 1957 war of independence jointly by India,
Pakistan and Bangladesh. Vajpayee suggested common currency for South
Asia. Pakistan termed the proposal as premature.
Single currency feeler tasted sweet and sour to Ibrahim Khan. India
40

wanted to follow European example. It did not realize that in a region with
most political disputes resolved and military instrument of NATO fully
established for protection of common political and economic interests, the
idea took half a century to materialize. Indian intention to rush from
confrontation to common currency was too noble to be trusted.
Mother of all the measures was announced by Musharraf in an
interview. He said that Pakistan was ready to drop plebiscite demand. We
are for United Nations Security Council Resolutions, however, now we have
left that aside.
The statement earned mixed reaction. America welcomed his stance
on Kashmir. European diplomats said that Indian, Pakistani and Kashmiri
leaders indicated their propensity by dropping plebiscite demand for
tripartite talks. India too welcomed surprise offer. Some Pakistani
commentators also welcomed it. Mufti Jamiluddin Ahmad saw Pakistan
coming out of stereo types. Zia Iqbal Shahid hoped that the offer will
encourage diplomacy. Some leaders in IHK saw it as step forward.
Opposition parties termed it another U-turn. If so, it had been taken
long ago, but made public only now. Musharraf has no right to decide on
plebiscite said Qazi. Senators traded allegations on Kashmir. Hizbul
Mujahideen criticized the offer.
It is difficult for people to digest flexibility opined Nusrat Javeed.
Foreign Office clarified that Musharraf was quoted out of context. No
change in stand on Kashmir said Rashid. Kasuri assured that demand based
on UN Resolutions was not dropped.
India made a positive move by accepting the invitation to attend the
SAARC Summit, but ambiguity about Vajpayees meeting with Pakistani
leaders was maintained though he was keen to meet Jamali and hinted at
meeting with Musharraf. Sinha ruled out immediate summit level talks.
Pakistan welcomed Vajpayees participation and remained hopeful of
Musharraf-Vajpayee meeting though Musharraf was not dying to meet
Indians if they didnt want. Delhi again rejected one-on-one talks on 30th
December.
Three days later Sinha told Kasuri not to discuss Kashmir issue.
Kasuri thought initiation of dialogue was must to achieve durable peace.
Uncertainties about Musharraf-Vajpayee meeting persisted till start of the
SAARC Summit. Vajpayee again ruled out bilateral talks, but Sinha hinted at

41

breakthrough.
At the start of the summit on 4th January Musharraf asked SAARC to
take up bilateral issues. Next day Musharraf and Vajpayee held one hour
meeting and vowed to work for peace. Sinha refused to say anything about
issues discussed in the meeting and also warned others against doing so.
Who-so-ever will say more than what I have just said will not do justice to
the cause of peace and normalization.
He, however, felt that meeting would boost talks momentum. The
same day foreign secretaries exchanged views. One thing was very clear
right at the outset that India had started dictating, not only the agenda of
dialogue, but also controlling dissemination of information related to
discussions on various issues.
On 6th January Sinha addressed the press conference. Before reading
the written statement he said, Mr. Kasuri will soon meet you to tell you
more or less what I will tell you. His remarks were responded by
spontaneous laughter as he smiled. The media was told that:

Prime Minister A B Vajpayee said that in order to take forward and

sustain the dialogue-process; violence, hostility and terrorism must be
prevented.

In a similar vein, President Pervez Musharraf assured PM Vajpayee

that he would not permit any territory under Pakistans control to be
used to support terrorism in any manner.

Composite dialogue between Pakistan and India will start from next
month.

Musharraf boasted of making history and denied secret deals. No

sell-out on Kashmir and nuclear plan he reiterated. Agreement to benefit
both countries claimed Jamali. Kasuri was cautious, next six months are
vital for peace. JI rejected the breakthrough and vowed not to allow
sidelining Kashmir.
Advani found Vajpayees meeting with Musharraf as satisfactory. He
hailed Musharrafs call for war on extremism. Vajpayee enjoyed the feel of
positive winds. He saw new chapter in ties with Pakistan. Now no one will
be allowed to infiltrate. We have proper arrangements on the border and we
have an agreement.
Kashmiris pinned little hope on Pak-India leaders meeting. Their
leaders cautiously expressed concerns about their aspirations. Gilani hoped

42

that wishes of Kasmiris would be kept in view and appealed to observe

Yaum-e-Dua for success of talks. Sultan doubted Indias sincerity.
Salahuddin alleged that Musharraf and Vajpayee failed to address ground
realities and termed goodwill atmosphere artificial. Freedom fighters refused
to halt attacks in the Valley, so did Indian troops.
Musharraf promised to take Kashmiris into confidence. There will be
no unilateral shift on Kashmir, he assured. AJK leaders and APHC
representatives reposed trust in him. Pakistan will surely take Kashmiris into
confidence once it sees the dialogue making any headway.
The secrecy about breakthrough was aptly captioned by Nusrat
Javeed; momentous outcome and clueless bureaucrats. When Photostat
copies of joint statement reached Pakistans media centre in the basement of
Holiday Inn; at least four very senior officials were seen anxiously reading
the joint statement with visibly stunned faces.
He then narrated the secret way to breakthrough. Tariq Aziz held an
exhaustive one-on-one meeting with Mishra in London and since then they
remained in active contact to choreograph moves for building the lasting
peace between India and Pakistan.
Another surprise came in the form of unusual secret meeting. Jamali
while replying to a question on Mishra-ISI chief meeting said, every
individual has the right to work for national interest and added our own
national interest comes first. He, however, denied any external pressure for
holding such meetings.
Since Musharraf-Vajpayee meeting the tempo of confidence building
measures has been maintained:

Pakistan asked Delhi to adopt liberal visa regime and increase

diplomatic staff. India agreed to raise diplomatic strength.

Faisal invited Advani to Pakistan for structured dialogue on modalities

of a bilateral extradition treaty and other priority issues related to the
internal security of both the countries. India only sought extradition of
most wanted man.

Pakistan planned to step up crackdown on Jehadis.

Samjhota Express left Lahore on 15th January with 65 passengers.

Pakistan and India agreed to bus service for five years.

On 19th January Pakistan offered talks on new bus services between

Muzaffarabad and Srinagar, and Khokhrapar and Monabao.
43

Baghliar dam row was discussed and India showed willingness to

modify the design.

Sinha and Kasuri renewed pledge to talks and Kasuri and Menon
reviewed peace initiative.

India and Pakistan agreed not to jail strayed civilians.

While going extra miles for building mutual confidence India could
not desist from the habit of resorting to negative measures, before and after
agreeing to dialogue. It stepped up fencing of Line of Control. Pakistan
accused India of violating accords and vowed to make all bids to stop it.
Musharraf threatened to go very offensive, if attacked, thereby telling that
fence had no protective value. He asked India not to change status of Line of
Control. India rejected Pakistani concerns; fencing is operational need.
Ultimately Pakistan apprised UNSC of fencing and termed it violation
of UN Resolutions. While doing so it overlooked the fact that Pakistan too
was prepared to side step these Resolutions. It could not enforce ceasefencing after unilaterally agreeing to ceasefire.
Other negative measures included; Indian request to Israel for satellite
pictures of Kashmir; rejection of gas pipeline via Pakistan; and inviting
Benazir to Delhi. India also conducted seven test fires of Trishul, Akash and
Pirthvi missiles and revived AEWACS development programme. Gilani and
40 others were denied permission to proceed for Hajj. India detained twelve
Pakistanis and Pakistan reciprocated by arresting 67 Indian fishermen.
Pakistan refused to lift ban on Indian TV channels.
India had invited Ansari group for talks as Vajpayee came to attend
Summit. APHC moderates and hardliners differed over talks with India.
Gilani saw conspiracy behind Advani-APHC talks. He was of the view that
these talks would weaken Pakistans stand. He asked India to accept
Kashmir as dispute, release all prisoners and send its troops back to barracks
to show its sincerity in holding talks with Kashmiris.
Talks were ultimately held in Delhi. Both sides urged end to violence.
APHC-Ansari backed Vajpayee on his bid to resolve Kashmir dispute and
make peace with Pakistan. Mirwaiz found Vajpayee and Advani positive.
He hoped that New Delhi might halt security operations in which 87,563
Kashmiris have been martyred in last 14 years.
The most negative aspect was intensified perpetration of state
terrorism since enforcement of ceasefire:

44

Sixteen persons were reported killed on 28th November in two days as

state terrorism continued even on Eid.

On 30th November six persons were killed in violence. Chief Secretary

was among those injured in ambush.

NC activist was among twelve gunned down in IHK on 1 st December.

In November 44 women were widowed and 133 children were
orphaned.

Seven fighters and a woman were killed in gun battles on 3 rd

December. Five fighters and two civilians were killed two days later.

Two militants of Hizbul Mujahideen were killed in Delhi on 7 th

December.

On 9th December Indian soldier was among five killed in IHK. Two
days later thirteen including nine fighters were shot dead.

Five were killed in violence on 12th December. Two days later thirteen
more were killed.

On 15th December a woman was killed in Indian firing in first

violation of ceasefire.

Two constables were among four killed in the Valley on 18th January.
Next day four persons died in violence.

On 22nd December twelve persons were killed. Next day Indian troops
killed five more Kashmiris.

Four persons died in violence on 24th December. Three more were

killed three days later.

On 29th December three persons were killed in fighting. Two days

later a top Lashkar man was among two killed.

A soldier and three fighters were killed on 1st January. Next day four
Indian soldiers were among ten killed in attack.

Four persons died in the Valley on 4th January. Next day four fighters
were killed in gun battles.

On 6th January seven persons died in violence. Three days later nine
more were killed and twenty hurt in blast and gun battles.

Eight persons died in violence on 10 th January. Next day a couple was

among eleven killed in the Valley.

45

On 12th January three persons were killed and thirteen wounded in

attack and nine more were killed next day.

Five commanders of Hizbul Mujahideen and al-Badr were killed in

Srinagar. It is a spectacular achievement boasted an Indian Brigadier.
Next day ten fighters were among sixteen killed.

Lashkar commander and nine others were shot dead in IHK on 19 th

January.

Awami League activist was among five killed on 23 rd January. Next

day seven persons were killed in clashes.

The civilized world led by America kept pressing Pakistan to meet

the prerequisites of dialogue with India. Musharraf briefed US Senators on
Kashmir on 30th November. Two weeks later Armitage asked Pakistan and
India not to lose momentum.
After Musharraf-Vajpayee meeting Powell talked to Musharraf and
Kasuri on telephone and hoped for positive results. America offered help to
expedite the peace process. Armitage wanted Kashmir dispute to be resolved
peacefully. Powell declared that America worked with Pakistan and India for
peace, but declined to take credit for peace moves.
Pakistan welcomed US facilitation, but denied pressure for talks with
India in pursuance of any foreign plan. India as usual ruled out the scope of
third party role in talks. No pressure behind peace moves said Sinha.
Mirwaiz negated the stance of both the countries. America was facilitating
talks he said.
Before reviewing the historic breakthrough a few words about
ceasefire and fencing of Line of Control. AFP had visualized no immediate
impact of ceasefire on Valley. That proved right. Perpetration of state
terrorism continued with increased ferocity as ceasefire was related to Line
of Control only. It was not binding on India inside IHK. Pakistan should not
object to fencing as it would facilitate checking cross border terrorism.
The factors leading to breakthrough were summarized by Nasim
Zehra as under:

Back-channel interaction, although limited, had set the stage for the
success.

Ground realities closed all options for India and Pakistan, except
dialogue.

46

Personal factor made it possible. Musharraf and Vajpayee personally

oversaw the last few weeks thaw in bilateral relations.

The continuous external nudges primarily by the British and the

American ambassadors in both India and Pakistan consistently
encouraged initiation of back channel diplomacy.

The last factor was the decision to meet and produce a joint statement
under wraps.

As regards the aspect of secrecy, media was kept away due to bitter
experience of Agra. Last minute backing out, after having agreed to sign the
protocol, had caused lot of embarrassment to India. Journalists had to be
kept in dark to save India from more embarrassment, in case it had to back
out once again.
Indian analyst, Praful Bidwai, opined that change in mindsets was
caused by new realities and pressures. He attributed the success to five
factors:

First, the Pakistani establishment increasingly recognizes the futility

of the policy to stir up trouble in Indian Kashmir by supporting
Jehadis. India has absorbed the damage, and won sympathy from the
international community, especially the US.

Second, in Pakistan, this change is linked to the realization that the

Jehadi Project, which stretches from Afghanistan through Kashmir to
West Asia, is indivisible. It is not possible to encourage Islamists in
Kashmir and crackdown on them in Afghanistan or Pakistan.

Third, the confidence-building-measures negotiated between India

and Pakistan have created just what was intended: confidence and
trust. New Delhi was pleased that Pakistan recently stopped dragging
its feet on the South Asian Free Trade Agreement.

Fourth, there was US pressure on both governments. He quoted

Powell. Weve been working with the Indians and Pakistanis for
almost two yearsa lot of these seeds that were planted are now
germinating and youll have us harvesting crops.

Finally, recent allegations on leaks of Pakistans nuclear technology to

North Korea, Iran and Libya alarmed Washingtons policy-makers and
also increased their leverage vis--vis Musharraf.

47

India beamed with feelings of another victory without war. There is

no denying that India has succeeded in securing Pakistans agreement to
following the route of first confidence-building-measures, plus breaking the
barrier to freer trade and cultural relations prior to taking up the Kashmir
issue and that too as part of a composite agenda commented Inayatullah
Sinha visited America soon after the breakthrough. He outlined the
roadmap for peace in a speech at Woodrow Wilson International Centre.
He unfolded the map with demand of cooperation from Pakistan in
combating terrorism and preventing activities that undermine security and
stability. Combating terrorism included all forms of cross border crimes;
such as trafficking in narcotics, arms and human beings, smuggling, money
laundering and illegal migration.
The road to peace passed through valleys of advancing democracy
and strengthening democratic institutions throughout the region to ensure
good governance. It zigzagged through greater economic engagement,
cultural interaction, people-to-people contacts and ultimately leading to
socio-economic integration of the region. The disputes could be resolved
peacefully on journey towards peace.
The plan was made public in America rather than any other place in
the Subcontinent. It began with emphasis on addressing Indias concerns
over terrorism. It had to be that way because India was facing numerous
separatist movements on behest of its neighbours. As regards good
governance India has IHK model for countries of the region.
Because of Pakistans timid attitude, India believed that it has
resolved the core issue in its favour. Pakistan has undoubtedly conceded
too much, particularly in showing flexibility on UNSC Resolutions. The
wisdom of showing excessive flexibility without actually entering into
dialogue on Kashmir was questioned by many. Nasim Zehra felt the need to
examine five criticisms in this context of joint statement:

One: By not mentioning the UN Resolutions in the statement Pakistan

has abandoned the UNSC Resolutions.

Two: By referring to Kashmir as a bilateral issue and not as an

outstanding issue Pakistan has accepted the issue as India has
demanded, i.e. within the bilateral framework.

Three: By not mentioning Kashmiris alongside India and Pakistan, to

whose satisfaction the dispute must be resolved, the Kashmiris have
been left out as the principal party to dispute.
48

Four: Pakistan has conceded linkage between terrorism and the

Kashmir issue since there is no mention of Indian state atrocities on
the Kashmiris.

Five: By agreeing to the formulation in Para 5 of the statement which

states that two leaders agreed allowing the process of the composite
dialogue Pakistan has allowed India to drag its feet on starting
composite dialogue.

Pakistan will keep waiting for talks on core issue; whereas India will
talk about everything other than Kashmir. India has already asked Pakistan
to stop Rashid from mentioning Kashmir dispute. The prevalent distrust
would keep tempering the hopes as reported by Reuter:

Rajendra Paswan, an auto-rickshaw driver of New Delhi said, it is

good that these two people are talking. But I am afraid this (peace
process) will fail because we are used to these failing in the past.

Gulzar Singh, a taxi-driver in Bombay said, the militants and

fundamentalists in Pakistan will never allow Musharraf to keep his
side of the bargain. Terrorists will not stop attacking Kashmir.

Ashok Pundit, a leading film-maker said, I dont trust these

handshakes. They are like a romantic couple one promising moon to
the other. But when reality dawns, they will be fighting against each
other. Kashmir will never be resolved.

Said Ashraf Khan, a driver in Karachi said, nothing will happen. We

have seen suffering in Kashmirfor the last 56 years and I am sure
my next generation will also see what I have seen.

Razia Aziz, a government worker in IHK said, we should not get

carried away by what has happened in Islamabad. These things
finally end up in situations like Kargil.

Prof Anwarul Haque warned of the shark in SAARC. One can see
easily that there is a shark in the pond. Almost all the members of SAARC
are frightened and threatened by the shark. This shark has made these other
countries into almost non entities. Each of this country is a victim of overt
and covert sate terrorism of the shark.
He continued, right now Musharraf is actively helping Indian army to
control Mujahideen and killing Mujahideencoward generals like
Musharraf and Yahya Khan can not break the spirit and fire of true freedom
and the fall of Dacca will be avenged in Kashmir. Insha Allah. He stretched

49

his hopes to the extreme.

Shaukat Aziz found Ataljee a simple man. His observation did not
repel apprehensions of the correspondent, who dwelled on Vajpayees dual
personality. He is founding member of BJS and RSS, two extremist Hindu
groups. Of late he has been able to create an image of moderation and peace.
He ordered the Indian nuclear tests in 1998, but also wrote poem about the
devastation wreaked by nuclear havoc in Hiroshima. He wrote poems about
destruction of the Babri mosque, but the man who masterminded the whole
affair (Advani) is Vajpayees most trusted associate. He calls Muslims as
AKBAR KAY PUTAR.
Barrister Baachaa too was not optimistic about the future of dialogue,
because of the inability of leaders on either side to take bold decisions. As
soon as questions of will or decision or reason or choice of action arise, the
leadership of Pakistan and India are traditionally at a loss for an answer.
Nevertheless optimists like M A K Lodhi advocated giving Vajpayee a
chance. Lets believe him and give him a chance to ascend the lofty heights.
If he does, he will bequeath a lasting peace in South Asia. He would deserve
a Nobel Peace Prize and his stature among the world leaders will be as high
as that of Nelson Mandela and may be a little above him.
The News dated 8th January stressed upon the need to take people
into confidence. The Pakistan Government, however, will do well to
involve the nation in its preparations for the talks. The position it intends to
adopt in the dialogue requires popular backing as only then will our leaders
be able to speak from a position of strength. The issue of Kashmir is of
immense emotional concern to the people and its final resolution, therefore,
must satisfy them.
Presence of co-architect of historic breakthrough in Islamabad at the
occasion of issue of joint statement was no surprise. But his contacts with
ISI officials were definitely mysterious. No body divulged any information
about the meeting. Was it for most wanted men or for exchange of lists like
those of Benazir era? The link between this meeting and spectacular
achievement in IHK ten days later may be established some day.

CHARGE OF MILITANCY
Musharraf was never tired of renewing his resolve to uproot
extremism. Armitage was satisfied with him for keeping the promises. A
few days later Abizaid visited Islamabad to discuss ties against militancy
50

and cross border terrorism.

In first week of December he sought Ulemas help for eliminating evil
of extremism that undermined national integrity. He vowed not to tolerate
any extremist group. Interior minister kept repeating his governments
resolve to dismantle terrorist networks.
Government allocated Rupees 5.7 billion for reforms of Madaris. The
Cabinet approved amendments in ATA making terror funding non-bail able
offence. It was claimed that terror funding law would meet SAARC needs,
but more than that it would meet demands of the Crusaders.
Governments crackdown against extremists continued. Pakistan
expelled six Indonesian suspects on 10th December and ten days later Jihadul-Islami man was held with 30 dynamite sticks in Karachi. On 11 th January
five suspects were held in raid on two Madaris and hospital in Sargodha.
Two terrorists were arrested in Attock on 14th January and four days later
seven al-Qaeda suspects were arrested in a raid in Karachi. FBI agents were
to join the probe. Three terror suspects were arrested in Sargodha on 20 th
January.
Chinas wanted man Hasan Mahsum was killed in 2 nd October in joint
operation by Pak-US troops. Pakistan had claimed that it was exclusive
achievement of its troops. China hailed Pakistans help in combating terror.
Why did militant Muslims from all over the world converged on to
Pakistan? In 1980s Pakistan had supported Jihad against the Soviets, which
led them to believe that its help would continue for the cause of other
oppressed Muslims. Pakistan too contemplated reinvigourating the freedom
struggle in Kashmir.
Zia probably had such intentions. With his demise some of these took
initiative and helped Kashmiris. This was not liked by the civilized world
and other usurpers of Muslims right of freedom. After 9/11 they were
dubbed as terrorists and hunted. Pakistan was declared a safe heaven for
them. Jehadis committed grave mistake in reposing too much of trust in
Pakistan and concentrating at one place.
Extremists, militants, Jehadis, terrorists; call these oppressed Muslims
by any name; have not yet accepted the defeat. They continued retaliating.
As the government remained focused on them, other anti-Pakistan forces
also availed the opportunity to inflict damage:

On 28th November Chaman Express escaped disaster that could have

been caused by dismantled track.
51

In Karachi four shops were damaged on 1st December in a blast. Two

days later seventeen persons were injured in petrol pump blast. Two
policemen were shot dead on 8th December.

Two blasts halted rail traffic in Karachi on 26th December. Two days
later two small bombs exploded in Quetta and MQM activist was shot
dead in Karachi.

On 5th January a priest was shot dead in Khanewal. The same day
incidents of bomb explosion and rocket firing took place in Quetta.

Two blasts rocked Kolpur on 9th January. Next day a boy was hurt in
blast in Quetta.

Bomb attack on church injured thirteen in Karachi on 15th January.

On 17th January bomb exploded in Quetta and another two days later.

Seven al-Qaeda and Taliban members were arrested in Karachi on 24 th

January.

The retaliatory act feared since long took place in December. Two
successive attempts of assassinating Musharraf were made. In first attempt
he escaped as Chaklala Bridge near Jhanda Chichi was blown up minutes
after his motorcade crossed it on 14th December. No individual or group
claimed responsibility, but al-Qaeda was declared main suspect. Forty
persons were arrested within two days.
Cabinet reposed trust in Musharraf and condemned attempt on his life.
Armitage telephoned Kasuri and America strongly condemned the attack.
West offered help for Musharrafs security. He declined to enjoy the
privileges enjoyed by Karzai.
Eleven days later another daring attempt on his life was made almost
at the same place. Musharraf escaped unhurt, but twin suicide bombing
caused widespread damage to life and property. Death toll reached 17
including four policemen and two soldiers and more than fifty were injured
including five police and four soldiers.
Angry Senators asked Interior Minister to resign for security lapses.
America, Afghanistan, Iran and Saudi Arabia slated the attempt on
Musharrafs life and the world condemned. Christians of Pakistan and
Kashmiri leaders assailed the attack.
Attack on Musharraf was viewed differently by various vested
interests. To America it proved continuation of terror war. PkMAP saw it as

52

an obvious consequence of Afghan policy. But it failed to weaken

Presidents resolve to fight terror according to Maleeha.
Three days after the attack investigators claimed identifying body of
second suicide bomber. Joint Kashmiri and Afghan network was believed
behind attacks. Three Kashmiris and five Afghans were arrested from
Rawlakot and Karachi. On 10th January Ghulam Yasin of Special Branch
was detained for interrogation. One suicide bomber was identified as Jamil.
He had been captive with Ahmad Shah Masood and was projected as
army officer by Tajiks to blame Pakistans direct military cooperation with
Taliban, to cut on his humiliation due to reverses suffered on the hands of
Mulla Omar.
After narrating long story of the suspects Jihad against anti-Taliban
forces the reporter concluded; if Mohammad Jamil was the member of
Pakistan army, then why Karzai Government released him and sent him back
to Pakistan, to plan the murder of none other than the chief of the Pakistan
armed forces.
This account was quite dubious, as at this early stage no one could be
implicated or exonerated, though Musharraf has accused al-Qaeda of trying
to kill him. Based on available information following inferences could be
drawn about those involved in attempts of assassination:

One: Musharraf while talking to PTV reporters after the second

attempt pointed toward misguided extremists who were tarnishing the
image of Islam. He suspected the terrorist groups that have been
targeted by Pakistan; al-Qaeda, Taliban and other extremist groups.

Two: Professor Ghafoor during panel discussion on PTV suspected

involvement of elements jealous of Pakistan. He referred to signing of
constitutional accord between MMA and PML-Q and forthcoming
SAARC Summit as positive developments not liked by anti-Pakistan
forces. These enemies were bent upon creating turmoil. He indirectly
doubted the neighbours.

Three: In the same discussion Mushahid Hussain made passing

remarks to air crash in which General Zia was killed. He suspected
America on the basis of its track record. It has destroyed many assets
once it apprehended them becoming liabilities.

Why should America be suspected particularly during the war in

which Musharraf has done so much for the Crusades? America would like
him to die with boots on so that his death could lead to upheaval and
53

uncertainties, which could be used as pretext to take care of Pakistans

nuclear assets.
Musharraf is still a valuable asset for America; therefore time for such
a drastic action has not yet come. Once it comes, America will surely avoid
direct involvement. And once it happens, nobody in Pakistan would dare
pointing his finger towards America openly, despite having plenty of proof.
Suspicion about involvement of anti-Pakistan forces is natural
outcome of the past experience. Kabul regime dominated by known
terrorists of Northern Alliance, India having agencies like RAW can commit
this kind of heinous crime. However, analysis of two attempts, with regard
to capabilities, expertise and intent of attackers negates the above mentioned
possibilities:

On 14th December the attempt was made through demolition of a

bridge. Selection of the site of attack could not be better. Within the
site the demolition point was also correctly chosen in relation to the
movement of the target. The attackers thought that the last span of the
bridge would be damaged to the extent that it would fall into nullah.

The amount of explosive required for creating the desired effect was
not correctly worked out. It was not enough to destroy strong RCC
Bridge. It meant that attackers were not well versed with demolition
related calculations.

Detonation of the explosive was probably carried out through remote

control, which did not work at the right time due to jamming device
installed in one of the vehicles of Presidents convoy.

Considering the location of the site it was indeed a daring attempt,

irrespective of the fact that thunderstorms on two successive nights
preceding the incident made it easier for completion of the task
unnoticed.

Assessment of the failure led the attackers to change the tactics. On

25th December two suicide bombers were employed. Selection of the
site was even more daring. Two petrol pumps, located at a distance of
about hundred yards from each other, perfectly suited for ambush
style double attempt of bombing.

Both attackers waited at petrol pumps and moved onto the road and
blew themselves as the convoy reached within the striking distance.

Timings of two bombings violated the ambush technique. Technically

54

the bomber on petrol pump at farther side should have attacked the
head of the convoy first and then the one on nearer side should have
attacked from the rear.

Presumably the plan was to make two attempts in quick succession

rather than combining the two into an ambush. Nevertheless the
effects achieved were devastating though the target escaped unhurt.

The effects would have been even more serious if the convoy was
attacked while on its way out from the camp office. In that case the
target would have been moving on nearer side of the gas stations.

On both occasions the convoy was attacked on its way back to the
residence. The reasons were that traveling time from residence to the
sites of attack was not enough to alert the strikers. On way-in this
could be easily done by a person positioned suitably along the longer
route to the sites.

Based on these findings one can rule out involvement of the

Crusaders. They could not have committed so many technical and tactical
mistakes. This held good for India too as RAW is no novice. The same was
true for Northern Alliance. The investigations, therefore, should revolve
around al-Qaeda, Taliban and Jehadis.
The attacks pointed out following failings on the part of security
agencies:

They were clueless about the activities of the terrorists, thus incapable
of forewarning.

There were only a few critical points along the route frequently used
by head of the state and the bridge near Jhanda Chichi was the most
conspicuous. It was not guarded or watched properly.

A cursory glance under the bridge would have led to suspecting

mischief if somebody had seen the wooden ladder left behind by the
terrorist at the site.

The residents of the area around bridge watch at least twice a day the
casual attitude of hordes of policemen employed to control traffic.
Many of them indulge in making money through traffic checking
while waiting for the President to cross their place of duty.

Information of jamming device was reported in print media

immediately after the first incident. This classified information must
have been divulged by some responsible person employed on
55

security duty.
The credit of miraculous escape of the President goes to his escort,
which executed perfect drill without panic. The leading escort vehicle was
hit by the first attacker. In execution of the planned drill the escort vehicle
following the VIP rushed forward to take the place of vehicle hit. As it drew
parallel to Presidents car it came in between the VIP and the second bomber
and got knocked off.
The attacks by evil forces failed to earn any sympathy of the
Crusaders. They still keep urging Musharraf to do more. Western Media, as
quoted by Shireen M Mazari, has called for the US to find other allies in
Pakistan. Musharraf has not done enough regarding al-Qaeda and the
guerrilla infiltration into Occupied Kashmir.
America has never been interested in making Pakistan an ally. It only
wanted some Muslim leaders to work for its cause. As long as Musharraf
serves the Crusaders, he will be praised. This will have nothing to do with
Pakistan.
The extent of bias against Pakis was evident from the hesitation in
restoring Pakistans membership of a club of ex-slaves. Management of the
club displayed the notice not allowed. Musharraf regretted, but
McKinnon kept his hopes alive by saying that Islamabad was moving in the
right direction.
Commonwealth linked Pakistans re-entry to issue of uniform. Accord
with MMA and vote of confidence had not helped in winning support of the
civilized world. Islamabad again blamed Delhi for blocking its re-entry;
instead of calling spade a spade. However, Benn like McKinnon saw
improvement in Pakistans status.
European Parliament questioned government-MMA deal. They
wanted democracy of their liking rather than its sustainable version. Issue of
bugging received no response. The visiting minister wanted written request
from Pakistan in this context. Meanwhile Pakistan was accused of trying to
bug UK Embassy. IMF pressed anti-money laundering laws and WB asked
for review of taxes on oil and gas. America slammed Pakistan over issue of
minorities.
Expulsions of Pakistanis from foreign countries continued, but during
last two months the uncivilized world had been in the forefront. Fifteen
Pakistanis arrived from Sri Lanka on 29th November. Eleven days later 1,025
prisoners arrived from Muscat. On 19th December Iran handed over 110

56

Pakistanis to levies. Cyprus held five Pakistanis as terror suspects on 29 th

December and freed them next day.
Western Media kept accusing Pakistan of cross border terrorism. In
this connection two French journalists went to remote Pushtoon area in
Baluchistan to sex up evidence as mere cooking or concocting no more
served the purpose. They were held in Karachi on 17 th December for visiting
Quetta without permission and preparing films of fake Taliban Training
Centres.
A court denied bail to Marc Epstein and Jean-Paul Guilloteau. Within
three days the decision was reversed and two Frenchmen were released on
bail. The civilized people could not be kept in police lock up for too long.
On 10th January journalists got six months jail. Sindh High Court reversed
the decision and ordered their release. They departed for home three days
later. Surprisingly there were no gifts for the parting guests.
The grounds for their speedy disposal were prepared at the time of
their arrest. The FIR registered had no relevance to the nature of offence
committed by distinguished guests. Violation of visa rules was no charge
against those who tried to harm Pakistan deliberately.
Reportedly the scope of investigation was expanded. Every patriot
Pakistani waited to know more about the forces working behind two
journalists. If Crusaders from a country that opposed invasion of Iraq could
try falsely implicating Pakistan, they wondered as to what extent the people
spearheading the Crusades could go?
The humane treatment meted out to French journalists had obvious
outcome. The day after they left for Paris, Rashid rescued Las Angeles
Times Bureau Chief, along with another journalist, from a Madrassa in
suburbs of Islamabad. They had gone there to prepare a report on activities
of Madrassas without informing authorities.
The commitment of Western Media to defame Islam and Pakistan
seemed much firmer than that of Musharrafs commitment to war on terror.
If he could risk his life for the Crusades, the journalists of the civilized
world could do the same to harm Islam and its citadel. The News questioned
governments wisdom in being so soft with foreign journalists. This became
more questionable after charging a sitting member of the Parliament for
using fake monogram of GHQ.
The Western Media remained worried about the safety of French
57

journalists co-accused. CNN asked Musharraf about whereabouts of Mehdi

Rizvi. He slammed missing reporter for being unpatriotic. He was trying to
fabricate a story within Pakistan and purporting it to be Taliban activity from
Pakistan and Afghanistan. I have no sympathy for him whatsoever, I dont
know where he is, I wont like to find out where the hell he is. Bit of such
annoyance should have been showered on foreign journalists as well.
Bush announced strategic partnership with India on 13th January. Ties
would cover nuclear safety, missile defence and space technology. Both
countries agreed to expand cooperation in these fields. Delhi had also been
seeking Washingtons approval to launch civilian satellites for third
countries that contain US licenced components.
America offered dialogue to Pakistan on strategic partnership. It was
to keep Pakistan shut over announcement made by Bush. Pakistans
Ambassador to Washington quickly saw enduring relationship with US,
rather than saying that Pakistan would keep enduring relationship with
America. That would have pleased the Yankees more.
Exactly a week after that announcement India and Russia signed 1.5billion-dollar military deal for aircraft carrier and MiG-29K Maritime fighter
jets. Other components included Kamov-28 and Kamov-31anti-submarine
helicopters, missiles, electronics and the new navigation systems. Support
to Musharraf will continue consoled Powell next day.

CONCLUSION
Musharraf surprised none by mentioning four risk factors. The only
surprise was that he did not even make passing remarks about prejudices of
the Crusaders in the context of proliferation; perpetration of state terrorism
by Indian armed forces; grievances of Pushtoons; and extremism and
militancy of neo-conservatives.
From the long list of known and suspected proliferators only Pakistan
was pressed for debriefing of its nuclear scientists. Pakistan once again
volunteered to become frontline state in combating proliferation. Its
unconditional cooperation with IAEA could invite continuous demands to
do more.
Whatever the final outcome might be, Muslim brothers would have to
share bulk of the blame than enemies of Islam. Iran and Libya have

58

succumbed to pressure most unworthily. Both might have hoped to shift

pressure onto Pakistan, but it would be foolish on their part to expect much
of relief for too long.
Reconciliation between Pakistan and India is apparently innocuous
part of the overall campaign against nuclear capability of the former. India
may ultimately agree for nuclear free South Asia, because through
conventional means it can squeeze Pakistan better; militarily and
economically.
In its endeavour to find solution to core issue, Pakistan could lose two
things in one go; Kashmir and nuclear deterrence. India has moved faster
and confidently since agreeing to dialogue. Vajpayee briefed his Cabinet
immediately after returning to Delhi. Advani held talks with APHC and
secured its support for Vajpayees plan. Pakistan has yet to make any move
of this kind.
Accusations of cross border terrorism from either neighbour
continued. Musharrafs willingness to tread Indian roadmap to peace and
Jamalis visit to Kabul has provided temporary relief. This wont last beyond
next hurting blow from Taliban, al-Qaeda or Kashmiri freedom fighters.
The risk factor of extremism and militancy of Pakistanis is far too less
immoral and condemnable than unilateralism and belligerence of the
civilized people. Two pronged strategy advocated by Musharraf will never
succeed for want of launching of the second prong.
The reality of prejudices of the civilized world has started dawning
upon Musharraf, but very slowly. It took him two years to realize that
Madaris are the best NGOs. It might be too late for him to note that four
risk factors are visible parts of the trap laid for his country. He must
remember that hast frisking of risk factors could be more risky.
26th January 2004

59

WE GOT HIM
Ladies and gentlemen, we got him announced beaming Bremer on
14th December. Saddam was captured hiding in a hole in isolated Adwar
farm ten miles from Tikrit at 2000 hours on 13 th December without firing of
single bullet. His arrest was based on tip from close family member. Tariq
Aziz confirmed his identity.
Capture of Saddam was important event for Bush. Bush hoped to get
some political mileage from this militarily significant visible victory. The
occupation forces had their own expectations. They hoped it would help
breaking the will of resistance of Sunnis.
At the time of arrest Saddam appeared mentally deranged person or
addict: ignominious and disgraceful. Even those who never admired the man
felt ashamed the way he was pulled out of the hole held by his tail. It would
be absolutely wrong that capture of such a person would influence any
event.
Insurgency in Iraq continued, increasing the rate of casualties to more
than a Yankee-a-Day. US commanders acknowledged intensification of
violence. It compelled them to review their tactics once again. The revised
tactics brought no respite.
On political front America made efforts to win support of the world
body. Within Iraq it made no headway beyond collection of a bunch of
enlightened Iraqis to form the Governing Council. The possibility of
fulfillment of promises of democracy through holding elections remained
elusive.

SADDAM SOLD
Bush claimed end of a dark and painful era in Iraq. Blair hailed the
capture, saying that already deposed leader has gone from power. Both
indirectly appealed to Iraqis to give up resistance. Coalition claimed that
Iraqis in Baghdad welcomed the arrest. In Kurd area arrest was celebrated
with fire killing six and injuring twenty people.
The circumstances leading to his arrest were not disclosed, but these
could be inferred from the related reports. Praful Bidwai viewed his capture
as under:

60

Saddam looked like a bedraggled old man, his hair long unwashed
and his beard at least weeks old. His spider-hole was barely enough
for one person to lie down inSaddam could not have come out of
the opening without help from the outside.

It is likely that Hussein was already a prisoner when US troops

discovered him outside a derelict, ramshackle, hut with a tiny
bedroom and a badly maintained kitchen, and without even a latrine.
His own confidents had probably drugged him and led him to the
safety of spider-hole and then guided US hunters to the site to get the
head-money.

According to Atul Aneja of the Hindu a larger number of Iraqis

believe that Saddam was either gassed or drugged before he was captured.
His daughter living in Jordan said the same, her father was gassed and
stunned before capture.
It appeared that the dictator, once feared by Iraqis, was totally at the
mercy of his relative bodyguard. The fugitive ultimately became a liability
and the bodyguard decided to get rid of him. He was drugged and escorted to
a hole for safety before American troops arrived at the given time to catch
him by the tail and pull him out to mark another visible victory.
Khamenei was pleased over Saddams arrest and wished Bush and
Sharon must also go. Vatican felt pity for Saddam and a Palestinian group
denounced his capture. Rest of the world remained cold in its reaction.
His arrest was termed personal victory for Bush, which could give
him political boost for next election. America hoped to get information about
WMDs and insurgency. I want to negotiate reportedly Saddam told the
captors. Since these reports he only gave tip on $ 40 billion booty, invested
in Europe and Japan under fake names.
Analysts disagreed about the effects of his arrest on resistance. Hiwa
Osman of the Gulf News opined that the arrest of Saddam has flushed out
his supporters, who are less followers of the man than Sunni Arabs who fear
the loss of their minority rule to the Shia minorityThose who were
backing Saddam and believed he would one day return; now feel that they
are at their own.
Others apprehended that Iraqi leaders humiliation could increase
Arab support to those fighting against occupation. This assumption was
strengthened by the reports that al-Qaeda and Saddam loyalists were
growing. A US General saw more attacks and UK feared increase in the
61

violence for some time.

Russians were more rational in observing that capture of Saddam was
only a symbolic event. No doubt Saddam, who fired missiles on Israel, was
considered as symbol of defiance against the Israeli-US combine, yet he was
not the driving force behind the resistance to occupation.
It sounded ridiculous that a man hiding in a spider hole instigated or
controlled insurgency. Iraqis have not been fighting for the return of such a
coward. The real driving force has been the anger of Iraqis against those
who have ruined their country. The strategy of shock and awe has failed to
intimidate them and instead multiplied their anger.
Killing of teenagers in particular has fuelled anti-US rage, as reported
by Reuter:

Alaa Naimi whose 19-year old son Othman was killed in a rally said,
Saddam is just a nameTomorrow 25 million Saddams will emerge
to bring hell to the Americans.

Salah Mashhadani whose 16-year old son Osama was shot fatally in
the chest in a protest rally said, they (US troops) saw the emotions
and acted with arrogance and cowardice and opened fire on the
youngster.

Saddam is not the driving force for the resistance and the biggest
evidence is his presence in a holeif he was their hero how he could
be leading them when he was hiding said Muhsin, a merchant.

It is not Saddam who is moving the resistance Its our country, we

will defend it with death said a former official.

Atul Aneja of the Hindu reported the simmering anger adding to the
above report:

Hashim a Shia taxi driver, who was tortured by Baathist said, if

Sistani tells him to he will take on the Americans.

Abdul, a tea vendor, said, Americans are inseparable from IsraelisI

was opposed to Mr. Hussein, but the way the Jewish Americans
captured him, I cannot accept it.

With little opportunity to offer, many young men may now be driven
to take up weapons against the Americans said Abdul Raman, who
owns a transport company.
Iraqis cannot be drugged and pushed into a hole to be pulled out to the
62

convenience of brave American soldiers. It is stupid to say like Saddam,

Iraqis are living in a hole wrote John Simpson. In the streets of Baghdad
and other cities, plenty of excitable people tell you that life under the
Americans is now worse than it was under Saddam he added.
Public trial of Saddam was demanded immediately after the arrest.
Bush pledged fair trial. Irony was that the man who caused irreparable
damage to Ummah by attacking Iran and then invading Kuwait, both on
encouragement from a father, will now get fair trial from his son.
Bush wanted ultimate justice, but EU opposed death penalty for
Saddam. America decided to postpone the trial till restoration of Iraqis rule.
Khatami doubted fair trial of Saddam. Rafsanjani wanted that US should
also be tried for Saddams crimes.
Iraq started preparing list of criminal complaints against Saddam and
torture victims were desperate to testify. A minister said, Iraqi judges
alone must try Saddam and Chalabi pleaded for death penalty. The
civilized world saw Iraqi judiciary lacking experience in war crime trials.
Impartial observers pleaded for meeting the ends of justice in entirety.
Praful Bidwai wrote:

The trial must not be allowed to obscure the circumstances pertinent

to Iraqs invasion of Iran, Husseins use of chemical weapons against
the Iranians and later, allegedly against the Kurds. This will legally
establish that Washington encouraged him throughout the Iran war,
passing on to him vital intelligence about Iranian forces location. It
transferred heavy conventional weaponry, and above all, biological
agents to him.

These went into Iraqs WMD. They included the anthrax bacillus,
three deadly strains of the Clostridium bacteria - which causes
systemic illness, other toxic effects and diseases attacking lungs, the
brain, spinal cord and heart.

Hussein was US protg right from the mid-1970s and received

generous support, especially after the 1979 Iranian Revolution when
Washington pursued a blind my enemys enemy logic.

The international tribunal should also go into the economic sanctions

upon Iraq, which were imposed and prolonged by the Western powers.
These have led to one million deaths, half of them of children.

Justice in the Saddam Hussein trial cannot be separated from Western

63

responsibility for equipping and encouraging him to do harm. Nor can

it be divorced from fixing culpability for the death of a minimum of
7,935 Iraqi civilians (high estimate, 9,766).
Nasim Zehra recollected background of Saddam-Yankee nexus in
more detail:

He was first picked by CIA in 1959 and set up in an apartment

opposite Abdal-Karim Qasim who had overthrown the westernsupported Hashmite monarchy. In 1963 Qasim was removed through
CIA-supported bloody coup. CIA claimed it as great victory.

Secretary General of the party boasted, we came to power on a CIA

train. Subsequently CIA was involved in systematic elimination of
the opponents of the Baath Party. It provided a list of pro-Qasim trade
unionists, socialists and pluralists. Partys intelligence headed by
Saddam eliminated those through execution squads.

Four years later Baathists nationalized Iraqi oil and CIA fell apart.
Iraq was placed on terrorist list. America supported Iran and supplied
weapons to Kurds. Iran and Israel became the protector of US
interests in the region.

After revolution in Iran in 1979 and Saddam taking over from al-Bakr,
Washington cultivated Iraq as instrument for the containment and
capitulation of Iran. In 1982 Reagan removed Iraq from terrorist list,
which was followed by Rumsfeld visit to Iraq and meeting with
Saddam.

CIA supported Iraqs invasion of Iran. After Rumsfeld trip, US

provided full-throttle backup to Saddam. Baghdad received billions of
dollars worth military equipment. CIA Director ensured the supply of
weapons especially Chilean cluster bombs that he believed were
necessary against Iranian human waves.

CIAs support continued even through the March 1988 use of poison
gas by Saddam against 5,000 non-combatants Kurds in Halabja.

After Iran-Iraq ceasefire in 1988, US-UK pressure on Iraq began to

build up. Iraqs invasion of Kuwait proved to be point of no return.

All along Saddam acted like a stooge to the moves made by CIA. He
committed all the atrocities that Yankees wanted him to commit and
for which they had provided him adequate means. Therefore, any
verdict against Saddam should include America equally guilty.

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Hiwa Osman of the Gulf News has tried to identify the positive side
of the trial:

For the victims of the regime, the image of Saddam in a court of

justice will be the climax of the cathartic experience that began with
images of his arrest. This will allow a national healing process to
begin between those who believed in the former regime but do not
have blood on their hands and those victimized by the regime.

This healing process could translate into a national reconciliation,

provided there is forgiveness on the part of the victims and a
denunciation of violence by those loyal to the Baath Party but
innocent of its crimes.

IRAQI RESISTANCE
Iraqis have continued their armed struggle against illegal occupation
quite gallantly:

On 5th December one US soldier and four Iraqis were killed in blast in
Baghdad. Next day security officer and a cop were killed in violence.
Bremer survived ambush on his convoy.

Bomb attack killed US soldier in Mosul on 7 th December. Next day a

US soldier and policeman were killed in attacks.

On 9th December fifty-eight US troops were injured in suicide attack

on military base in Mosul. The same day three American soldiers were
killed in accident north of Baghdad and a helicopter was shot down in
Fallujah. Three Iraqis died in blast in Baghdad mosque.

Two American soldiers were killed in Mosul on 10 th December. Next

day another US soldier was killed in suicide blast in Ramadi. Two
journalists of Time were injured in Baghdad by a grenade explosion.

On 12th December an Iraqi was killed and two Polish troops were
injured in blasts in US headquarters in Baghdad. A device planted on
road frequently used by the US army went off killing a policeman and
injuring another.

On 13th December two US soldiers were killed in different incidents.

Next day seventeen persons were killed in car blast in police station
and twenty were injured in Ramadi.
65

Two car bombs killed ten persons in Baghdad on 15 th December. Next

day seventeen more Iraqis were killed violence.

Truck blast killed ten persons in Baghdad on 17 th December. Next day

a US soldier and two Iraqis were killed in violence.

On 19th December blast in office of Shia party killed one person and
two US soldiers were wounded the same day. Next day a US soldier
and three Iraqi policemen were killed.

Two US soldiers were among five killed on 22 nd December. Next day

a Turkmen judge was shot dead in Mosul.

Three US troops were killed in roadside bombing on 24 th December

and twelve Iraqis died in violence. In next two days five US soldiers
were killed in different incidents.

Four Coalition soldiers and seven Iraqis were killed in Karbala on 27 th

December. Next day two US soldiers and twelve Iraqis were killed in
attacks.

Five persons were killed in blast in Baghdad on 31 st December. Next

day an Iraqi was killed in Kirkuk in bomb blast.

US helicopter was shot down killing one US soldier on 2 nd January.

Next day three US soldiers were among seven killed in different
incidents.

On 5th January two British soldiers were killed in road accident in

Baghdad. Next day two French citizens were killed in Fallujah.

Nine US troops were killed as Black Hawk was downed near the
restive town of Fallujah and C-5 transport plane was hit by hostile fire
on 8th January. Mortar attack left another soldier dead and 34 wounded
and bogus bombs spread panic in Baquba.

Bomb killed six in Shiite mosque in central Iraq on 9 th January. Three

days later bomb killed US soldier in Baghdad.

On 13th January Apache helicopter was shot down near Fallujah. Next
day two Pakistani truck drivers, a Turk and an American soldier were
among 17 killed.

Three Iraqis were killed in roadside blast on 15 th January. Next day

one Iraqi was killed and five injured in bomb blast in Baghdad.

Three US soldiers and two Iraqis were killed in roadside blast on 17 th

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January. Next day two US contractors were among 25 killed and 130,
including six Americans, were injured in attack on Coalition
headquarters on 18th January.

US soldier was among six killed on 19th January. Three days later two
US soldiers were among ten killed and Spanish police chief was
wounded.

Two communists were killed in bomb blast in Baghdad on 23 rd

January. Next nine US soldiers were killed and ten civilians including
four policemen died in violence.

US helicopter crashed in Tigris on 25th January and two-man crew was

missing. Another American soldier died of wounds.

Six Iraqi policemen were killed in attacks on 26 th January. Next day

three US troops and two CNN workers were killed.

On 28th January six persons were killed in Baghdad in suicide car

blast. Next day an Iraqi officer was killed and 11 persons were injured
in attacks. Three Iraqi soldiers were killed in Mosul on 30th .

It is evident from the foregoing that Saddams capture did not

discourage the resistance groups; instead Arab anger was felt outside Iraq as
well. America cautioned its nationals in Kuwait after several troops were
injured in attacks in that country.
Nicholas Berry in the Moscow Times observed that back in the days
of the Evil Empire the United States pursued what was called the bleeding
strategy toward the Soviet Union. He thought that the strategy had now
come home. France hoped that US was now realizing complexity of Iraq
situation. But the level of resistance was not serious enough to drive the
American forces out of Iraq.
The insurgents were blamed for random killings of civilians. The
occupation forces hoped that attacks might backfire due to large number of
civilian casualties. But there were no signs of insurgents losing public
support in Sunni Triangle.
Peaceful protests continued on different counts. Angry protesters
condemned killings in Amara. Shias protested over sheikh crushed by US
tank. Demonstrators in Basra and Baghdad demanded early polls. Sistanis
demand for election prompted fresh demonstrations, but two days later he
called end to anti-US demonstrations. Protests were held against US and
Iraqi Governing Council. Protesters demanded Kirkuk for Kurds and Arabs

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called for counter-protest against this claim. Demonstrations against

terrorism were organized in Baghdad.

LIBERATORS LABOURED
American forces decided to adopt measures other than depending on
military means. Some of the measures included to:

Raise anti-guerrilla unit of ex-Iraqi soldiers and train Iraqi spy agency
under CIA.

Pacify Iraqis by releasing over 500 prisoners out of more than 10,000
held in custody.

Employ new tactics in Sunni triangle to win hearts and minds by

being courteous to local people.

Focus on rooting out Baath members. Anti-Baathist plans included

razing of Saddams house in Uja.

Cut patrols with a view to curtailing movement and reduce chances of

coming under attacks.

One of the measures was to choke the voices expressing Iraqi

viewpoint. Restriction on al-Arabiya were imposed, because it incited
violence in the name of religion, calling for Jihad and thus encouraging alQaeda and other terrorist groups to carry out suicide attacks against our
friends in the Red Cross, the United Nations and among our Coalition allies.
The use of word our for UN was worth noting.
The revised strategy resulted in reduction of visible victories:

On 8th December a man with $ 1.9 million was arrested in Samara.

Three days later US troops captured three persons and seized large
weapons cache in Tikrit.

An Iraqi tribal chief was shot dead in Mosul during Christmas. On 28 th

December US troops carried out raids on guerrilla suspects.

US troops killed three Iraqis in Mosul on 29 th December and police

arrested two Egyptians, one Iranian and one Afghan in Kirkuk.

Iraqi suspected of smuggling foreign fighters was arrested on 2 nd

January. Two days later three Iraqis were killed and US soldiers raided
offices of Kurdish party in Kirkuk.

US forces killed Iraqi couple in Fallujah on 7 th January. Next day

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several people were held in a raid in Kirkuk.

On 9th January two policemen were killed in friendly fire and twelve
Iraqis were held in biggest raids in Tikrit. Next day Iraqi police killed
six protesters in Amara.

On 11th January US forces arrested a Saddam loyalist. Next day seven

Iraqis were shot dead by US troops and four more were killed in
separate incidents on 13th January.

A British tabloid suggested a theory to deepen the ethnic divide. Iraqis

have so far avoided falling into the trap. Communist Party gave the reason
behind it. A majority of the Iraqis are opposed to the US occupation. There
are differences though on how to end American presence in the country. A
banner in Sadr city, considered as natural ally of US, read, Sunnis and Shias
are like the Tigris and the Euphrates.
Iraqis rejected the tag of terrorism on their struggle. Dont call us
Osama said Iraqi Imams. Kurdish Islamists too denied al-Qaeda link. The
world body couldnt pick the courage to call the naked aggression
perpetrated by Americans as terrorism.
America was condemned for deaths that could have been avoided.
British troops were accused of beating Iraqi prisoner Baha Mousa to death.
Thirteen US soldiers have been punished since May on charges of adultery,
assault, drunkenness, kidnapping, stealing, abusing prisoners and attempting
to flee to Syria. Many cases must have been disposed off summarily or
ignored altogether. The nature of charges amply reflected the splendor of
American values.
American excesses made the task of winning hearts and minds quite
difficult. Nevertheless occupation forces claimed that attacks in Samara had
declined. Resistance was waning in Tikrit as US forces closed in on clans
supporting insurgency. But Bremer feared more attacks during transition.
Maintaining the morale of Coalition forces was important. Following
the steps of their leader Spanish Prime Minister and Blair made secret visits
to Iraq for this purpose. Meanwhile America started rotation of war fatigued
troops via Turkey.
An economical way to save its soldiers from fatigue was to convince
other nations to contribute troops for Iraq. Powell wanted greater NATO
role, but Robertson rejected. Many Bulgarian troops refused to go to Iraq.

69

Poland, however, reaffirmed commitment to military role and Italy extended

peacekeeping mission up to June. Tokyo formally approved troops dispatch,
despite Chinas advice to the contrary and criticism at home. Opposition
demanded Koizumis resignation over troops dispatch. South Korea asked
Parliament to approve sending 3,000 troops amidst protests. Philippines
agreed to keep troops for another six months. Thailand too vowed to keep its
forces in Iraq. Australia sent more troops.
Contributions could be enhanced through increased involvement of
the UN. America and Britain discussed UN role and sought Annans help.
American and Iraqi officials met Annan, who gave guarded support to
sending UN team. Iraqi Governing Council hailed the outcome of the
meeting. Moqtada Sadr, Shia radical leader, rejected UN role in Iraqi polls.
As regards empowering Iraqis, America wanted to avoid elections for
some time. It wanted to retain a bunch of selected rulers till finding a way to
handle Shia majority. America was willing to hand over power to Iraqis
without elections. Britain too felt that holding early polls was difficult.
Iraqs legislative should be elected rather than selected, said Aziz.
Sistani rejected provisional government plan for Iraq and demanded direct
general elections. Chalabi also demanded direct elections before handing
over of power.
Kurds wanted autonomy and asked Arabs to back Kurdish rights.
Governing Council agreed to federalism as well as Kurdish autonomy, but
Kirkuks status would be decided after elections. Sistani endorsed role for
Arab League in Iraq.
Annan insisted that new Iraqi government must come soon. He agreed
to send UN mission to assess feasibility of elections. Meanwhile America
announced that its forces would remain in Iraq after transfer of power,
possibly till 2006. However, US plans to have biggest diplomatic staff in
Baghdad with over 3,000 officials, indicated that the stay could be much
longer.
Reconstruction of Iraq remained a contentious issue. On 10 th
December Pentagon barred France, Germany, Russia, Canada, India,
Pakistan, China, and other nations from Iraq contracts. These countries had
refused to join US-led Coalition. Schroeder hit out at US. France, Germany
and Russia contemplated legal action against US move. Beasts had started
growling once again.
European leaders vowed to continue war on extremism and reaffirmed

70

pledge to political and economic reconstruction of Iraq. France and US

agreed on cutting debt. Japan and China considered reducing Iraqi debts.
Saudi Arabia and Kuwait agreed to forgive Iraqs debt.
An Australian company won electricity contract. Philipinnes hoped to
win job contracts. Whatever little was done was marred by reports of
cronyism and favouritism in deals and graft allegations against US-led
Coalition. Iraqi tribes remained at loggerheads on pipeline contract.
Criticism of Iraqi invasion continued. Indonesia made scathing attack
on US-led invasion. American Envoy slammed Indonesian criticism. A week
later Putin termed US war on Iraq unjustified. Next month Arundhati Roy
wished Bush shared Saddams fate.
WMD-issue, despite finding no weapons, was hotly debated. White
House was accused of ignoring CIA warnings about uranium story. Bremer
and Blair disagreed on the issue. Straw was disappointed at failure to find
the weapons.
On 24th January US weapons inspection chief resigned after
announcing that Iraq had no such weapons. This alarmed the key players
about Kelly report, but Blair was surprisingly cleared. BBC DG resigned.
Blair ran short of magnanimity in accepting the apology, as he demanded
stronger apology from BC governors.
Blair-BBC feud ended, but public was not convinced. Most of Britons
thought the report was whitewash. Malcolm Rifkind wrote in the Guardian,
some of Huttons conclusions, despite the evidence, let the government and
the ministry of defence off the hook. Bush remained arrogant and rejected
probe into incorrect pre-war claims.
America couldnt believe that Iraq had no WMDs, because it had
equipped Saddam with chemical weapons. After 9/11 it feared that the same
could be used against its citizens. This apprehension had caused repeated
anthrax scares. American leaders were not prepared to accept that Saddam
might have destroyed those after Gulf War.
That was why they kept talking about these weapons. A dissident was
quoted claiming that Iraqi WMDs were smuggled into Syria before war.
Iraqi Foreign Minister kept the hopes of Americans alive by telling them that
Saddams WMD have been carefully hidden.
Due to non-acceptance of the truth a doctor suggested medics
technique to discover the weapons. In a letter to the News he wrote, a video
clip on CNN showed a doctor examining Saddam Husseins oral cavity very
71

keenly. I suggest that Saddams endoscopy be performed to look for Weapon

of Mass Destruction (to which no clue has been found till now); after all
American elections are nearing.
American leaders kept defending US-led Iraq war. They had to do so
for the sake of Bush familys role in Middle East dealings for the last four
generations. Kevin Philips recollected some facts emphasizing that its
crucial that Americans come to understand how the current presidents
family have embroiled the United States in the Middle East through CIA
connections, arms shipments, rogue banks, inherited war policies and
personal financial links. Some excerpts from his article are:

In 1964, George H W Bush, running for the US Senate from Texas,

was labeled by incumbent Democrat Ralph Yarborough as a hireling
of an Arab state, for whom Bushs company drilled offshore oil
wellsThe family even has links to the bin Ladens.

The family member, lured by the Middle Easts petroleum wealth,

was George W Bushs great-grandfather, George H Walker. He and his
company participated in building the Baku oil fields.

Walkers son-in-law Prescott Bush (George W Bushs grandfather)

became involved with the Middle East in the years after World War II.
But it was George H W Bush, the current presidents father, who
forged the dynastys strongest ties to the region.

He was the first CIA director to come from the oil industryHe went
on to become the first vice president, and then the first president, to
have either an oil or CIA background. This helps to explain his
persistent bent toward the Middle East

He encouraged CIA involvement in Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan and

other Middle Eastern countries, and he pursued policies that helped
make the Middle East into the worlds primary destination for arms
shipments.

After leaving CIA in 1977 he became chairman of the executive

committee of First International Baneshares and its British subsidiary
where he travelled on the banks behalf and sometimes marketed to
international banks in London, including several Middle Eastern
institutions.

Once in White House, Bush was linked to at least two Middle Eastcentered scandals. First, Iran Contra affair, in which arms were
shipped to Iran illegally. Second was Iraq-gate in which hidden aid
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was provided by the US to Saddam Hussein for its high-stakes war

with Iran during the 1980s. He initiated and supported much of the
financing, intelligence and military help that built Saddams Iraq into
the aggressive power that the United States ultimately had to destroy.

During these years his four sons lined up business deals with Saudi,
Kuwaiti and Bahraini moneymen.

The Crusaders while embroiled in Iraq did not allow any respite to
Iran on nuclear issue. They pressed for dropping of more nuke activities.
Their watchdog demanded full Iranian cooperation. Proliferation remained
the real concern and the rest were pretexts, i.e. rejection of Iranian trials of
al-Qaeda men and urging Tehran to honour democracy. The decision of
Irans Guardian Council to bar reformist was not liked by the civilized
world. Ties with Tehran depended on elections threatened EU. France
called for free elections.
The Crusaders blamed Iraqs other neighbour as top weapons source.
Arab League denied Syria having any WMD. A dissident reiterated
accusations of smuggling of WMD into Syria. Damascus denied receiving
Iraqi weapons. Arab League expressed concern about sanctions. Syria
complained to UN over Israels Golan plan and asked US to help revive
talks with Israel. These requests merited no response, because Israel accused
Syria of backing terrorists.
Israel on its part continued perpetrating state terrorism:

Israeli soldiers killed four Palestinians on 18th December and Sharon

warned of unilateral steps if roadmap failed.

On 21st December Israel arrested Hamas leader and killed a minor.

Two days later eight Palestinians were killed in raid in Gaza.

Jihad chief and four others perished in Israeli raid during Christmas
holidays. On 27th December a Palestinian was killed and thirty were
hurt. Next day Israelis fired at American and Israeli protesters.

Israeli troops fired on protesters and arrested Swedish MP on 31 st

December. Two days later five Palestinians were killed in Nablus and
Gaza.

Four Palestinians were killed in Nablus on 7th January. Next day two
more were shot dead.

On 12th January clashes broke out in Tulkarem refugee camp during

demolition of houses. Next day a Palestinian was killed in Gaza.
73

Israeli troops killed two Palestinians on 24 th January. Two days later

Israel exhumed bodies of 59 Hezbollah fighters.

On 28th January Israelis killed eight Palestinians in Gaza. Two days

later Israeli troops gunned down three Palestinians.

Palestinian militants retaliated against Israeli terrorism. The first to be

targeted during this period was a friend of the Yankees. Egyptian Foreign
Minister was attacked at Aqsa Mosque on 21st December. During Christmas
holidays four Israelis perished in Tel Aviv suicide bombing. An Israeli was
killed on 13th January. Next day four Israelis were killed in suicide attack.
On 29th January suicide bomber of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade killed ten
Israelis.
Israel talked about withdrawal from Gaza and dismantling of some
settlements, but Sharon remained adamant on separation plan. After suicide
attack of 14th January Israel issued death threat to Sheikh Yassin and
postponed debate over West Bank route. Hamas threatened to kidnap Israeli
soldiers. Fortunately the exchange of prisoners went ahead.
The reasons behind the plight of Palestinians were described by Dr
Muzaffar Iqbal. It is unthinkable that this could happen to any other nation
on earth. It seems that these atrocities are only possible against Muslims
who remain a helpless witness to the slaughter of their own brethren in faith.
This callousness has deadened the hearts of the general public to such an
extent that now verified and authentic reports about the crimes of Israeli
Defence Forces do not raise any eyebrows anywhere in the world. This
deadness of humanitys conscience is the product of a remarkable control of
information in the West.

CONCLUSION
Arrest and trial of Saddam cannot legitimize the illegal occupation of
Iraq. In words of Castro, Saddams mistakes did not justify US-led war.
Critics like Agha Murtaza Pooya wanted the trial of captors instead of the
captive, as crimes committed by them made Hitler look like an angel.
According to Dr. Marwan al Kabalan of the Gulf News two-thirds of
all Europeans think that the US and Israelare the biggest threat to
international peace and security. In the absence of a rival superpower, the
US has probably gained more freedom to disrespect international law, but
has also become more prone to losing the respect of the world and, hence,
earns the title the worlds true rogue.
74

Rulers of Muslim World could dare not indulge in such loud thinking.
They cannot even wish Bush facing political fallout, because the new man in
White House would guarantee no relief. He could even be more demanding.
Israel has been moving ahead merrily. It showed unusual tolerance in
going ahead with prisoners swap over. It could be having plans to kill some
of the freed persons by targeting them with armed helicopters. Killing them
in captivity could have raised undesirable questions about morality.
31st January 2004

KHAN PARDONED
In words of IAEA chief international black market dealing with
nuclear technology is like an iceberg. He had no reasons to exaggerate or
cause undue alarm. Keeping his position in view, one has to believe him.
He was not the one who sighted the iceberg. It was sighted years
earlier and it has been adrift since then. Its southward movement was known
to the iceberg-watchers. They keenly observed every inch of its movement.
After 9/11 the civilized world feared that if its movement was not
checked or controlled, the consequences would be catastrophic. All the
eventualities were considered before reaching the conclusion that the most
dangerous could be ignored no more.
The Crusaders carefully selected the tasks to be performed in this
context. They plotted the course of icebergs movement and then cleared it
by demolishing the obstacle of Iraq. After that it was steered towards Iran
and Libya.
Both the countries sensed the dangers and consented to cooperate.
With their cooperation the Crusaders were able to steer it towards Pakistan.
That was how ElBaradei found himself on tip of the iceberg.
75

TOWARDS THE TIP

Debriefing of scientists was meant to safeguard national interests
claimed Rashid on 25th January. Next day Musharraf vowed to punish the
guilty scientists and Faisal revealed placing of certain scientists on Exit
Control List (ECL). The same day Father of nuclear bomb was reported as
key suspect by Pakistani press.
On 27th January Dr Khan was accused of having links to nuclear black
market. Scientists debriefing was to be concluded soon and Kasuri assured
US about sharing of results of the probe. America was reassured on scientists
issue as Dr Qadeer was subjected to microscopic scrutiny.
Rashid denied placing of scientists on ECL and Faisal announced,
Qadeer was not suspect in nuclear transfer probe. Two days later Qadeer
was removed from adviser post on recommendation of National Command
Authority (NCA). The command reiterated commitment to non-proliferation.
Pressure from West continued. EU vowed to link non-proliferation to
future deals. International Crisis Group questioned Pakistans efforts to curb
proliferation. America vowed to engage India and Pakistan on WMD.
Extremism in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia again started worrying US. It feared
that nuclear material could be stolen from India and Pakistan. Abaizad
declared that ongoing war on terror was not mainly a military mission. It is
a battle of ideas as much as it is a military battle. Western Media focused on
Pakistan ignoring involvement of half of Europe in proliferation. But Jamali
denied anyones pressure.
Most of the critics saw western vultures eying Pakistani nukes. A trap
is laid for Pakistan wrote Palvasha von Hassell while analyzing the
proliferation probe. Aslam Beg defended nuclear scientists. Shahbaz alleged
that nuclear scientists were being humiliated. A demonstration was held in
Islamabad against scientists detention. Benazir asked Musharraf to take
nuclear export responsibility.
One faction of PPP was annoyed on Saifullahs remarks. He had said
that if Bhutto, who gave this country nuclear capability, could be hanged and
Nawaz Sharif, who carried out nuclear tests, could be banished from the
country, Qadeer too could be punished. The party submitted a motion to
discuss nuclear export issue.

76

Qazi expressed his concerns about atomic programme. He called for

strike on 6th February; immediately after commemorating Solidarity Day
with Kashmiris. Calendar-wise the nuclear cause was following closely
behind the Kashmir cause. Mohammad Shareef in a letter to the News
expressed the public fears. To day it is the scientists, tomorrow it will be
our nuclear programme. Government tried to dispel rumours about any
sellout. President, Prime Minister and Kasuri ruled out rollback. Rashid
argued, only three out of 6,000 scientists were being probed.
Shafqat Mahmood summed up the impact of probe. We would be
lucky if we can negotiate this difficult time with our nuclear sovereignty
intact. We would be luckier still if our frightened scientists continue working
on the programme. It is important though to review the entire gambit of
nuclear safeguards we have put in place.
On Eid day as Pakistanis slaughtered the lambs of QURBANI, they got
the news of Qadeers confession. He confessed sharing nuclear technology
with Iran, Libya and North Korea between 1986 and 1994. It is with deepest
sense of sorrow, anguish and regret that I have chosen to appear before in
order to atone for some of the anguish and pain that has been suffered by the
people of Pakistan on account of the extremely unfortunate events of the last
two months.
I am aware of the vital criticality of Pakistans nuclear programme to
our national security and the national pride and emotions which it generates
in your heartI am also conscious that any untoward event, incident or
threat to this national capability draws the greatest concern in the nations
psyche. It is in this context that the recent international events and their
fallout on Pakistan have traumatized the nation.
I have much to answer for itThe recent investigation was ordered
by the government of Pakistan, consequent to the disturbing disclosures and
evidence by some countries to international agencies, relating to alleged
proliferation activities by some Pakistanis and foreigners over the last two
months.
The investigation has established that many of the reported activities
did occur, and that these were invariably initiated at my behest. In my
interviews with the concerned government officials, I was confronted with
the evidence and the findings, and I have voluntarily admitted that much of
it is true and accurate. I have chosen to appear before you to offer my
deepest regrets.
NCA forwarded Qadeers written petition to the Cabinet. The
77

government confirmed detention of four scientists and three others; namely

Qadeer, Farooq, Yasin Chohan, Nazir Ahmad, Brig Sajawal, Brig Tajwar and
Maj Islamul Haq.
Why did Qadeer accept public disgrace? According to Kamran Khan
Lt Gen Khalid Kidwai, Lt Gen Ghulam Mustafa Khan and former law
minister S M Zafar helped in reaching mutually agreed formula for an early
end of the controversy. He speculated that by taking all the blame Qadeer
might be saving many big names.

REACHING THE TIP

A day before Musharraf held the press conference; America denied
any role of Pakistan in nuclear spread. Armitage said, Musharraf is right
man in right time. Boucher lauded probe over leaked nuclear secrets. IAEA
picked up the courage and sought Europes help in further investigations.
After addressing the AJK assembly on the occasion of Kashmir
Solidarity Day, visibly perturbed Musharraf held press conference on the
issue of nuclear proliferation. Excerpts from the conference are as under:

Describing the history of Pakistans nuclear programme he praised

Bhutto for his courage to decide to undo the disequilibrium caused by
India in 1974.

He then explained why the information remained restricted. I

appreciate the secrecy kept over the nuclear programme during the
covert interlude. This was the best way to continue it with
determination and resolve.

During the covert period we had to hide its development from the
world with determination, courage and sagacity. After 1998 the
government and army were involved. Now I and the government will
be held responsible if anything (wrong) happens.

Coming to the issue of investigations he told that in mid-2003 Iran

accepted IAEA inspectors under pressure and showed them the
centrifuges, which were of Pakistani designs and one of them was
contaminated Iran came to its knees and gave the names of
Pakistani scientists to the IAEA inspectors.

This impression was totally wrong that all Pakistani scientists were
being investigated. There are 6,500 scientists in the country and
45,000 people are working in the scientific organizations. Only eleven
persons have been detained; seven scientists, three retired army
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officers and a technician.

Only Pakistani officials investigated the scientists and no foreigner

investigated our people there was no coercion at all during the
investigations because there is documentary evidence.

During the investigation an undisclosed number of persons, including

Aslam Beg and Karamat, were debriefed as they were in the chain of
leaders, knowing the development of nuclear programme and they
were aware of what was happening (proliferation).

Investigators succeeded in establishing that proliferation started in the

eighties and ended in 2001. We came to know that the Pakistan
Government is not involved in proliferation, but certain individuals
are comprehensively involved.

He called Qadeer a national hero. Nobody can negate or cancel his

achievement. This is the realistic approach and the hero gave us
honour and prestige.

The hero admitted his guilt about proliferation. I have tried to shield
him but one has to balance between shielding a hero and damaging
Pakistan. Dr Khan is my hero and Pakistani nations hero and will
remain so as he made Pakistan a nuclear power.

But when I philosophized this issue, I came to the conclusion that

such people make out a larger than life image of their own and take
themselves above the human level. But after all, they are human
beings and Pakistanis.

Theres a written appeal from his side and theres a pardon written
from my sideMy job is to protect my nation as well as the dignity
and honour of the hero. I will never reverse this order.

Pakistan alone could not be blamed as a whole underworld was

involved in this activity. It is because of the underworld that all
countries including India became nuclear powers. All fabrication had
been done in Europe and Asia.

We should forget others. They did not consult us while giving our
names (to the IAEA). We should learn a lessonWe are acting as a
responsible country.

He claimed making unprecedented development in nuclear and

missile technology during the last four years and we have gone
beyond the minimum deterrence level and the development is
79

continuing.

I will be the last man to rollback the nuclear and missile programmes.
There will be no compromise on vital national interests. If need be, I
will sacrifice my life in defending and protecting them.

We face no danger. But if we act irresponsibly and continue trying to

prove that the government and the army are involved (in
proliferation), others would say their programme should be rolled
back as they themselves are doing so.

He repeated the need to correct four perceptions about Pakistan. If we

do not get rid of these negative perceptions, any excuse can be used to
catch us. If we remain on the right course, nobody is asking us to
rollback.

He lamented local media for depicting that the government and the
army were involved in proliferation. I would say even if they are
involved, the media should not write this in the supreme national
interest.

This could lead to imposition of economic sanctions, or Pakistan

could be asked to rollback nuclear and missile programmes or it could
be declared a rogue state. Another corollary could be physical danger
to Pakistans vital national assets.

In this connection, one can see Iran and Libya falling on their knees
and seeking apologies. Their media have not projected anything
damaging their countries. When national interest is involved, we
have to rise above emotions and politics. Misgivings and
misunderstandings are being spread without any rhyme or reason.
This reflects the defeatist, pessimistic and cynical tendency.

Replying a question that whether Pakistans probe has satisfied the

relevant world quarters he said, I stand between Dr Khan and the
international world. It would be for Dr Qadeers own safety not to go
abroad. He however missed the pertinent part of the question, which related
to Pakistan. To a question as to what prompted the scientists to proliferate,
he said without any hesitation, it was money. This is a reality. May Allah
save everybody from the greed!
A correspondent from Western Media revealed the future plans of the
civilized world. He asked, for the satisfaction of those doubting that army
was involved in proliferation, to hand over the details of investigations
carried out by Pakistan; order an independent inquiry for establishing
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whether or not the army was involved; and place Pakistans nuclear
programme under UN supervision as suggested by Washington Post.
Musharraf emphatically said No to his three-in-one question. No
body can come here and check as Pakistan is a sovereign state. However, if
IAEA wants to come and discuss, Pakistan will communicate details of its
investigations.
As Musharraf addressed the press conference, CIA chief applauded
US and British spies for bringing shamed to Qadeer:

Daring US and British spies exposed Pakistans disgraced national

hero Abdul Qadeer Khan after penetrating his covert nuclear
smuggling ring stretching across three continents.

Our spies penetrated the network through a series of daring

operations over several years.

First, we discovered the extent of Khans hidden network. We tagged

the proliferators. We detected the network stretching from Pakistan to
Europe to the Middle East to Asia, offering its wares to countries like
North Korea and Iran.

Working with our British colleagues we pieced together the picture of

the network, revealing its subsidiaries, scientists, front companies,
agents, finances, and manufacturing plants on three continents.

Our spies penetrated the network through a series of daring

penetrations over several years. Through this unrelenting effort we
confirmed the network was delivering such things as illicit uranium
enrichment centrifuges.

Khan and his network have been dealt a crushing blow and several
of his senior officers are in custody.

Malaysian authorities have shut down one of the networks largest

plants. His network is now answering to the world for years of nuclear
profiteering.

AT THE TIP
At the tip of the iceberg Pakistan stood embarrassed as the Crusaders
jubilated. CIAs daring men and Ummahs smart men had brought shame
not only to Khan but to entire Pakistan. The government was prepared for
this situation but people were taken aback completely.
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The government had probably hoped that investigations and the

follow up action taken by it would settle the issue to great extent; it didnt.
Sinha in company of Jack Straw addressing joint press conference said, it
appears to me that things will not stop here because it is not merely an
internal matter of Pakistan but one which concerns the international
community. Jon Wolfsthal of Carnegie Peace repeated the same thing from
other side of the globe, The idea that this is the end of the story is
impossible to accept.
The debate on various aspects continued. The important ones were:
access to the outcome of investigations; extent of involvement of army or
the government; need to take the nation into confidence; measures for future;
pardon of Khan; exploration of rest of the iceberg; and the fate of Pakistans
nuclear programme.
Boucher expected that Pakistan would share information that theyre
unearthing in their ongoing investigation with the international community.
Yet Pakistan denied reports asking it to share details of the probe. Realizing
its limitations Islamabad agreed to cooperate with IAEA and Musharraf
assured visiting Japanese deputy foreign minister about sharing results of
nuclear probe with Japan.
The access was to lead to the demands to do mores. Foreign Office
tried to preempt that saying scientists issue cannot be raised at any forum.
Pakistan can do nothing more on nuclear issue said Kasuri. The very next
day UK expressed profound concerns about the illegal activities of A Q
Khan and his associates.
The day Musharraf held press conference Reuters compiled a report
about public reaction within Pakistan. The statement quoted by the agency
pointed towards army and governments involvement in proliferation:

Karim from Karachi said, Dr Qadeer is definitely under some

pressure. He alone cannot be held responsible for all the mess. He
seems to be a scapegoat. Others involved should also be brought in
front of people.

A retired radio journalist Aziz from Islamabad said, for the nation, he
is without a doubt a hero and will remain a hero. He has been used as
a sacrifice for the nation.

Many believe that he will not be tried, because it could expose the
militarys role and make a martyr out of the scientist.

Nadeem a vegetable seller from Lahore said, Khan was pressured to

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give the statement and he should be presented before the people so he

could tell the truth.
The same day BBC broadcast PPPs Senator Farhatullah Babars
statement. The issue as I said earlier could not be resolved by using the
scientist as a scapegoat. Western Media was working in accordance with
well worked out plan.
Haji Adeel of ANP alleged that Qadeers statement is a compromise to
protect army generals. Benazir asked Musharraf to step down on nuclear
issue. Foreign Office rejected allegations of proliferation including the
report that a military plane had carried nuclear equipment to North Korea.
Benazir asked the government to share probe contents with
opposition. PML-N and PPP demanded parliamentary probe into nuclear
issue. Leghari advised the government to take Parliament into confidence.
The people wanted to know the facts and the government should take them
or their representatives into confidence.
Boucher said, its up to the Government of Pakistan to take the
necessary measure that this kind of proliferation will not happen againIt is
important that those measures be comprehensive and they be enduring
This advice should be accepted and implemented without prejudices.
America accepted the pardon of Qadeer as an internal matter of
Pakistan. Annan also refused to criticize Musharraf for pardoning Khan.
This lenient stance was criticized by the more civilized people. Kay said, I
can think of no one who deserves less to be pardoned. He accused Khan of
essentially running a Sams Club of nuclear weapons technology. Daryl
Kimball of Arms Control Association, called the State Departments
response to the pardon wholly inadequate. Subsequently, for reasons not
known, Pakistan announced that Qadeer was not granted blanket pardon.
ElBaradei termed Khan tip of an iceberg and promised further probe
into the nuclear black market. He said, Khan was an important part of the
process, but not working alone. Theres a lot of chain of activity that we
need to follow through on.
Four European states, which formed hub of underworld black
marketing; Britain, France, Germany and Holland, vowed to seek evidence
from Pakistan. On their behalf EU announced, we have heard about such
allegations, but the concerned EU member states should be provided with
the information on that account. Representative of these countries planned
to discuss with Islamabad the issue related to President Musharrafs

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allegation of European countries involvement in the scandal.

IAEA again vowed to continue probe into black market of nuclear
trade. A Western diplomat at the IAEA showed hesitation in this regard. We
have to look at the statute to see if theres the expectation that other member
states would cooperate with the agency with the safeguards elsewhere.
About sending team to Pakistan to further probe Qadeer, he said, the IAEA
doesnt want Musharraf to fall. That would be the worst thing that could
happen.
Reuters revived the issue of insecurity of Pakistans nuclear weapons
by referring to concerns about the stability of Pakistan:

Michael Krepon, an expert on South Asia said that what matters most
is not what the Pakistanis say but what they do. Though overall the
picture in Pakistan is much better than it was a couple of months ago.

Feinstein of the Council on Foreign Relations said, if Pakistan

becomes a failed state or if radicals manage to topple Musharraf or a
successor, then any technical fixes or law enforcement efforts are
bound to fail. US policy is tied closely to Musharraf and if he is
forced from power, officials acknowledge it would be a terrible blow
to American interests.

Sinha alleged that Pakistan was not the only nuclear proliferators. He
indirectly conveyed that Pakistans involvement in proliferation was
confirmed. Frenandes supported his contention. What is now appearing in
the media is what we always knew. Israel feared that Pakistani nukes might
fall into al-Qaeda hands and Europe wanted to discuss nuclear imbroglio at
UNSC and asked Pakistan, India and Israel to sign NPT. Bush sought
tougher action against proliferators. Despite the visible threat, Islamabad
hailed his anti-proliferation agenda.
Apprehensions of the people of Pakistan were aptly expressed by
Sherbaz, a taxi driver from Karachi, as reported by Reuter. The government
is toeing the US agenda in this region and this is an attempt at sabotaging
our nuclear programme. Nuclear programme is being compromised said
Qazi. PML-N offered unconditional support on nuclear issue if government
guaranteed no rollback.
Pakistan endeavoured to reassure international community as well as
its own people. No nuclear leak to terror groups said General Shoukat
Sultan. Foreign Office spokesman claimed that nuke probe showed that
Pakistan is a responsible state. For its own people Pakistan vowed not to
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sign NPT and denied the report on US role in protecting its nuke assets.
Musharraf kept repeating his pledge to enhance nuclear capability.
As regards the countries implicated in proliferation, other than those
belonging to the civilized world, Tenet had accused Malaysias Scomi
Precision Engineering, linked to Badawis son, of manufacturing
components for Libyas uranium enrichment programme through Sri Lankan
middleman B S A Tahir. This middleman worked for Khans black market
nuclear syndicate. Malaysia rejected the allegation and asked world not to
cast suspicion on his country over nuclear proliferation.
Iran denied getting nuclear technology from Qadeer. Asefi said,
Pakistans worries are Irans worries. It was no consolation for Pakistan.
Two days later Saif al-Islam corroborated the statement of its co-approver;
no Libyan role in uncovering Dr Khan.
Defector Hwang Jang alleged that North Korea and Pakistan had
signed nuke deal in 1996. North Korea, however, remained firm and denied
nuke deal with Pakistan. Israel on the other hand pooh-poohed IAEAs
move to discuss its nuclear programme.

COMMENTS
Tenet claimed all the credit for brave spies of CIA and MI6 for
uncovering Pakistans links to nuclear proliferation; whereas there were
many who had contributed toward this. The UN watchdog, Iran and Libya
played significant role in providing evidence about Pakistani scientists
involvement. However, CIA and MI6 can be credited, along with Western
Media, in singling out Pakistan to fulfill the long outstanding ambition.
Azam Khalil recollected that once Bhutto decided to have an Islamic
bomb, after the world had Christian, Jewish and Hindu bomb, since then
America has tried its best to deny this capability to Pakistan. Pakistans deal
with France for installation of reprocessing plant was stopped by forcing
France to surrender under US pressure. Germany was stopped to provide
even five uranium ore carrier trucks.
India was allowed to carry out series of tests while Pakistan was told
not to detonate its devices. After 9/11 Pakistan was asked to choose the side
hoping that if it refused the war against terror could start from the land of
Islamic bomb. Musharrafs decision, commonly known as U-turn, forced
America to revise the game plan for catching the monkey.
America knew well the existence of underground black market
dealing with nuts and bolts required for nuclear technology. The Wal-Mart
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of this commodity existed in America and Europe. America also knew that
Pakistan purchased most of the technology from this black market. This
business expanded as more countries became interested in acquisition of
nuclear technology.
Brave spies of CIA and MI6 tracked the movement of the
merchandize sold by these Marts and collected evidence against the preselected rogue customers. Once they reached the intended target, the entire
network of underworld black market was tagged as Khan Enterprise.
The civilized world with the help of its media has bracketed Khan
with Osama of al-Qaeda, Omar of Taliban and Saddam of Baathists.
Pakistan had nothing to do with Saddam and it could disown Osama and
Omar, but it couldnt disown Qadeer.
This hypothesis has been partly confirmed by a statement of
Musharraf and a report by Kamran Khan. Musharraf said, underworld,
mostly European technology traffickers, leaked nuclear secrets. The latter
reported that Pakistan received CIA report on Qadeer in October when
Armitage and Centcom chief visited Pakistan with proof against scientists.
The credible evidence was provided by Iran and Libya who learnt
lessons from the example of Iraq. After Iran sensed the danger; there was
no more resistance. No more refusals. No more defiance. Both countries
decided to surrender under pressure of the Crusaders giving Bush a much
needed justification of war of necessity.
Khan committed a fatal error of judgment in good faith. He tried to
provide a lions denture to infested rats. The rats handed over tons of
evidence to the Crusaders, including a contaminated centrifuge. Khan got
the money from rats along with plague.
When IAEA inspectors found traces of enriched uranium in Iran,
Tehran insisted that its programmes were for generating electricity. When
asked about its equipment contaminated with enriched uranium, it promptly
blamed the previous owner. This was a deliberate effort to implicate
Pakistan. If Iran wanted to avoid implicating Pakistan the contaminated
equipment could have been easily destroyed rather than dutifully producing
it before inspectors.
There are reasons to doubt Irans intentions. While surrendering, it
tried to settle the score with Pakistan over Afghanistan. Since emergence of
Taliban it had estranged itself from Pakistan and developed closer ties with
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India. This assumption is strengthened by Frenandes claim that India was

aware of Pakistans nuclear proliferation. The adversaries by Pakistan had
most probably hatched a conspiracy.
There are reasons to suspect Iran acting like Satan, who first seduced
Adam to commit an apparently innocuous act and then left him alone to feel
the pinch of the guilt. Satan escaped all the blame and Adam had to seek
mercy of the Creator.
Tariq Butt condemned the role of two Muslim brethrens in these
words. Both the countries happen to be Muslim, which stridently champion
the cause of Muslims, and had been great opponents of the United States for
its global policies towards the Muslims. Their disgraceful surrenders were
the real visible victories of the Crusaders. Two giants raised their arms on
pointing of the guns. Musharraf said the same in press conference. In a
private gathering he would have said it using American and Punjabi slang.
Tariq also quoted Musharraf cautioning Jehadis about two months
back. Nobody would come to your rescue when you will be in trouble; you
have to stand on your own feet and rely on your own power and capability
he told those who talked about unity of Ummah.
After delivering a fatal blow, Iran denied causing worries to Pakistan.
Ayatollahs should be told to stop talking about Pakistan and instead
concentrate on enjoying their Muttah (Shia equivalent of marriage of
convenience) with India.
Pakistans investigations were based on and continuation of evidence
collected by brave spies of Britain and US, selected pieces of which were
provided to Islamabad. All the pieces targeted Father of Islamic Bomb.
Before the confession, Kamran Khan compiled following evidence against
Dr Qadeer:

He has built a fabulous hotel in Timbuktu, a city in Mali, and named it

after his Dutch wife. It was one of the dozens of business and
financial undertakings under probe by intelligence officials.

PAF C-130 was used to ferry wooden furniture from Islamabad to his
Timbuktu hotel via Tripoli. Dr Mohammad Farooq, a centrifuge
expert at the KRL, accompanied the furniture.

Farooq had the most specific information on transfer of knowledge

and technology to Libya and Iran. Two other scientists have confirmed
his account.

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The business undertakings under probe were: real estate consisting of

apartments in posh area of London; real estate project and bank
accounts in Dubai; a dozen of houses in Islamabad and Bain Gala;
assistance to his ex son-in-law in establishing a supplier firm for the
KRL; and his elder brothers business interest in the KRL.

Undertakings not included in the probe so far were; assistance to GIK

Institute, Mainsail Institute, Qadeer Khan Institute, Institute of
Behavioral Sciences and Sachet with total monetary effect worth
Rupees two billion.

Several officials alleged that by the time Musharraf launched a low

key cleansing operation in the countrys nuclear programme, particularly the
KRL; by replacing Dr A Q Khan with Dr Javeed Mirza the damage was
already done.
Investigations against nuclear scientists have been criticized on
various counts. Kamran quoted a federal minister saying that there was
growing perception both within the country and abroad that the army was
essentially trying to cover its failure on the KRL.
Dr Farrukh Saleem and I Hassan had similar suspicions. The latter
wrote, Dr Qadeer Khan is being forgiven because he was co-joined by very
high and mighty in the loot. The doctor has mentioned their names. To assail
him, the good doctor would take that high and mighty with him.
Imran too felt that scientists were made scapegoat. No one in the
world will buy the rubbish that nuclear proliferation was taking place under
the nose of the entire intelligence network. After Musharraf was named in
foreign press reports, he forced Dr A Q Khan into making the confessional
statement just to save his skin and power that rests on foreign crutches.
Every country in the world acquired nuclear technology from the
black market, yet only Pakistan was singled out. At least half a dozen of
European countries were involved in proliferation, including both the
nuclear powers of Europe. Hundreds of civilized people were involved in
this business. Yet CNN never asked Blair, Schroeder or Chirac those
questions, which Musharraf was asked to answer.
The bias of the Crusaders has been too glaring. Imran Khan felt that
after failing to destroy our nuclear programme from outside, the enemies
have conspired to destabilize the entire nuclear establishment internally by
targeting key nuclear scientist.
Pakistanis also apprehended that as a result of the investigations,
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Pakistan could lose its assets which were acquired after investing billions of
dollars. Nuclear scientists community and other informed officials estimate
that some ten billion dollars had been spent on the secret programme till
Pakistan conducted its nuclear tests.
Apart from monetary aspect Pakistanis have emotional attachment to
being nuclear nation. They genuinely feel that it has effectively deterred
India from belligerence, although many experts and analysts disagree with
this viewpoint.
Another reason was rulers total capitulation in the face of pressure.
Imran Khan observed that the timid and weak-kneed policies have
demoralized the people, crippled vital national organizations and turned
national heroes into villains. He added, Musharraf has consistently
succumbed to external pressures and his policies are fashioned by fear of
losing power. The scientists crisis is the latest blow to national self-esteem
where the government has been unable to defend either national interest or
honour.
Judging from General Musharrafs recent press talk it seems that he
is getting increasingly irritated with politicians and journalists who do not
agree with his policies. However, he should realize that today Pakistanis feel
less confident and more insecure than ever before, especially after the
scientists issue, which is perceived as a first step towards dismantling our
nuclear programme he concluded.
There have been very few voices, other than the rulers, who supported
governments handling of the issue. Nasim Zehra was one of them, who said,
Pakistans approach to dealing with the problem has contrasted with the
Libyan and the Iranian approach.
Libya, under pressure, opted to essentially wrap up their nuclear
program. Last week a US air force plane carried 55 tons of paper and
equipment related to Libyas nuclear program to the US. Iran, meanwhile,
under pressure gave South Asian names to the IAEA inspectors divulging
the source of their technology.
Pakistan has resisted pressure to rollback its nuclear program, while
choosing to take steps to enhance Pakistans credentials as a responsible
nuclear stateIn a high-pressure, near hostile international environment
tempted to label it the rogue state or even worse declare its demise, through
the proliferation crisis, Pakistan has taken steps to demonstrate that it is
indeed transitioning from being a weak and haphazard to effectively
established state, that as a state it is transitioning from a chaotic and ad-hoc
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one, to a systematically functioning state she summed up.

Pakistanis have been angered, grieved and anguished on many counts.
Firstly, the myth of unity of Ummah has been broken to their utter dismay.
The countries that were helped by Qadeer stabbed Pakistan on its back. Out
of the three beneficiaries of Khans good faith the error of judgment
conspicuously stood out in case of two. Only the non-Muslim did not point
accusing finger towards Pakistan.
Secondly, their governments failure in checking the proliferation has
destroyed the remnants of their faith in rulers. Through sheer negligence and
complacence, they have made the nation a rogue in eyes of the world.
Lastly, the revelation that in their country even patriotic persons like Qadeer
can fall prey to monetary temptations has been shocking. The man who gave
nuclear capability to Pakistan nearly jeopardized its retention.
Khan, however, retained the image of a hero though somewhat
tarnished. People refuse to blame a person who enjoyed an explicit
authority from the state to beg, borrow or steal for no less than twenty years
to deliver his nation its nuclear bomb in words of a senior serving military
official quoted by Kamran.
We embraced him when he stole the technology and most crucial
information from Urenco in Holland and delivered the most unachievable to
us. What harm has he caused to Pakistan by extending the same knowledge
to another Islamic country the official questioned.
Imran Khan was grieved over the shameful way in which a national
icon was brought on TV and made to apologize in English. He opined that it
was for the benefit of foreign masters and not the Pakistani public. The
News editorial dated 5th January expressed similar views.
It is sad that our top scientist who is also known as the Father of the
Islamic Bomb should have been pushed to such a point where he had made
an admission in humiliating language. But in spite of this painful
development he has in no way lost any of the esteem he enjoyed. He played
a critical role in providing the country a protective jacket at the time when it
needed it most. His services to the nation will never be forgotten and he will
continue to enjoy the affection he so generously received.
S Ihsan described aches and irks of Pakistanis. No doubt the sad
admission of the hero ached every heart in the nation but what irks the most
is outrageous behaviour of those who take this internationally dangerous
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situation as a God gifted pie of opportunity and want a big piece out of it.
The truth is that this poor unfortunate nation, deprived of national heroes in
past, looted and plundered by many had this one imagined hero who
admitted making error of judgment.
Khans involvement in proliferation was most certainly restricted to
provision of guide-maps for Marts established by the civilized world. If the
intended buyers had paid him exorbitantly for the guidance, it was the price
they had to pay for their ignorance about what was happening in the world.
They were fined for nourishing ambitions much ostentatious than their
stature.
Although one can list many names who scrounged more money than
Khan without rendering any service to the country, yet he couldnt be
exonerated from the charge of greed. He however cannot be blamed for not
delivering what Pakistan desired earnestly. He provided the much needed
nuclear deterrence.
Musharraf, with his chest out, had said in the press conference that he
stood between Khan and the world. About a week later government
spokesman announced that Khan was given conditional pardon. Kamran
Shafi questioned; what is conditional pardon? It might be yet another U-turn.
US Administration has supported Musharrafs actions regarding
proliferation, but Western Media has refused to condone the crime. It
continued fearing that nuclear material could be stolen from India and
Pakistan, despite the facts to the contrary. So far everything related to
technology has been stolen from Europe, US and Russia.
Western Media has been trying to implicate army in proliferation as
could be seen from some of the headlines compiled by Dr Farrukh Saleem.
Los Angeles Times wrote, Pakistan caught in a web of evidence and
scientists friend says army knew of nuclear transfers. The Washington Post
published, nuclear noose around Pakistans neck; Pakistans nuclear crimes
and Musharraf named in nuclear probe. The Chicago Tribune reported, a
nuclear weapons Wal-Mart and the Pakistan tightrope.
Earlier the press had published reports about Aslam Begs suggestion
to Nawaz Sharif of selling technology to Iran. In his interview he had
insisted that they dare not, they dare not when asked about his interrogation
by NYT. All this was reported to highlight armys involvement.
The media had promptly criticized the pardon granted to Khan. It was
labeled as mother of all pardons; though American history is replete with

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such pardons. The West seemed to be more interested in punishment than

steps to check proliferation.
The role of European countries involvement in proliferation did not
receive even the proverbial lip service. It obviously made no mention as to
who exploded the first bomb in the world? In words of Mufti Jamiluddin
Ahmad it remained focused humiliating smaller nations. As regards
smaller nations, Pakistan has climbed to priority one.
IAEA meekly asked European countries about illegal transfer of
nuclear technology to rogue states. It was done only after Pakistans hero
had been brought to shame. This watchdog shamelessly lied that it only
came to know the existence of black market in Europe after inspections of
Iran and Libya; whereas soon after the Gulf War investigations of Iraqs
WMDs led to several well known European and even American suppliers.
European countries have decided to contact Pakistan about
information about allegations against citizens of the civilized world. This
too reflected their mindset and possible outcome of probes to be carried out
by them. The fact is that they know more than Pakistan can tell them.
America has opted for waiting game regarding Pakistan. At this
juncture it rejoiced over poaching the hen; eggs could be picked up later.
Meanwhile Malaysia could be pressed for its Prime Ministers son link to
proliferation. Chances of making good progress with Pyongyang have also
brightened.
America is constrained to look the other way because it needs
President Musharraf for its war on terror just as it looked the other way
when Pakistan was making its bomb in the days of the Afghan War
observed Ghazi Salahuddin. But the wait might not last for too long this
time. America would like to see apprehensions of Feinstein come true early.
Drawing strength from Americas looking the other way, Musharraf
has frequently said, I will be the last man to compromise on this issue. But
he is the man who is preparing grounds for forcing a compromise by his
successor. That was why he said in the press conference that it would be
someone else who would compromise.
Inayatullah in his review quoted Michael Kepron predicting more to
come, while appearing before US Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Pakistans proliferation practices are of great concern. More would be
known about the help provided by Pakistan to Libya and Iran through a
process of international verification that is now under way. Public reports

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indicate far more extensive nuclear commerce with North Korea, while other
transactions might come to light.
Ghazi Salahuddin commenting on Bushs remarks also predicted
more twists and turns in the nuclear thriller in which Pakistan finds itself on
the centre stage. Bush had projected nuclear proliferation as the greatest
threat before humanity today and argued that war on terror necessitated the
dismantling of Dr Khans clandestine network and making all of them
accountable for the threat they have posed.
The News expressed similar views in its editorial. US President
George Bushs call for tougher global curbs on Weapons of Mass
Destruction and his drawing lessons from black market sales by Pakistans
nuclear scientist sends a meaningful message to Islamabad.
The paper continued, the new Bush initiative clearly implies that only
those states will be permitted to maintain nuclear programmes which are
licenced by America. How this will affect the only three known nuclear
countries outside the long established club of five N-powers India,
Pakistan and Israel is yet to be seen. While it is unlikely that Washington
will be ready to pull out Israels nuclear teeth the same cannot be said about
the other two. India can also be excluded at some later stage.
Nazism Zehra was one of the few who saw silver lining. The
international communitys accountability thrust for Pakistan is not headed in
a punitive direction, instead in a cooperation seeking direction. It is about
stopping proliferation not about enforcing some nebulous notion of justice.
She opined that nuclear Pakistan is now partner in counter-proliferation.
There is no denying the fact that the probe which was primarily meant
to please the Crusaders has thrown Pakistan into deeper waters. It could be
declared a rogue state, for which India had been working for since long,
though it has been treated as such without formal declaration.
Pakistan could find itself at the verge of losing nuclear capability in
unenviable manner. A country that could not exercise control on activities of
few individuals employed on as sensitive task as nuclear programme, cannot
be trusted to possess bombs. Many intellectuals within Pakistan have already
questioned the utility of possessing nuclear bomb.
Pakistan should also read the situation emerging from headlines of
Western Press. There has been a series of well-deliberated leaks and
orchestrated plants both by the IAEA and CIA. All this effort cannot be
without a specific goal.

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Since the well publicized press conference Pakistan has been forced to
give explanations and assurances about safety of its nuclear assets on daily
basis. Why Pakistan alone is being targeted? Inayatullah had an answer.
That we are the only Muslim state possessing nuclear weapons is only part
of the answer. The real answer is that weve asked for it. That we did
something wrong and we got caught. Others too may have done so but have
so far managed to escape.
Pakistans argument that its government did not proliferate, wont
convince anyone. Khan did it as head of nuclear programme; thus the
government is automatically implicated. Nobody would listen to
commitment of NCA to non-proliferation. Musharraf too cannot deter the
Crusaders by saying that nobody can come here and check as Pakistan is a
sovereign country. Iran had said exactly the same when it was given a
deadline in September last year.
Pakistan has to put in concerted effort to re-establish its credibility.
This should begin with establishing all the loopholes through ongoing probe.
First of all it should be determined that the centrifuge produced before IAEA
inspectors were (or not) acquired for this very purpose. Pakistan should
scrutinize the past events like the dollars 30 million war chest collected by
US, India and Israel to undermine Pakistans nuclear programme. It has to be
found out that Irans cooperation could have been sought using good offices
of India.
Possibility of planting it through middlemen should also be probed.
The joy of the Crusaders over disgracing Pakistans hero with emphasis on
his smuggling ring smelled of a conspiracy. This is important to preempt
the daring spies from bringing more disgrace to Pakistan.
Another aspect of the ongoing inquiry by the Pakistani authorities
could be to find out in case hostile forces had infiltrated into Pakistans
nuclear programme by purchasing some unscrupulous elements. Incase the
answer was in the affirmative, then all the black sheep would be taken to
task.
Before discussing measures to secure Pakistans nuclear assets, it will
be appropriate to consider the views on rollback. Some doves were already
cooing about dangers posed to humanity by the piles of nuclear weapons. I
Hassan wrote that the plea that the good doctor provided Pakistan a
deterrent. Please consider this theory of deterrence that is a mirage.
Muhammad Ahsan Yatu justified and supported the rollback indirectly
suggesting total submission to the Crusaders and the proxy crusaders. The
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situation will not turn grim. If we choose to respond sincerely and truthfully
as Libya and Iran didWe better behave as the circumstances and sanity
demand, and start talking about the things other than disputes and
detonators, and wars and weapons, if we are interested in a purposeful living
through a meaningful interaction with the rest of the world.
M B Naqvi out rightly recommended cutting the deterrence out. No
strategist, whether real or armchair variety, can rely on it after they are not
deterred by it: they said then let Pakistan use it first, if it so likes. But then it
will have to wait for a riposte in kind. That will send Pakistan back to the
Stone Age. He argued that it was a credible narrative, if also gloomy.
Instead of deterring the designated enemy, it deterred Pakistani decisionmakers from using it. What is the point of it? Lets cut costs.
Naqvis suggetion was based on the presumption that there have been
situations warranting use of the bomb. It is wrong presumption. War does
not have to start with use of nuclear devices. The device is meant for
preempting the war; and it did, despite that India wanted to go to war more
than once in last two decades. Once the possession fails to deter the war,
only then it has to be used, though in that eventuality the effects will be
catastrophic for both the nations.
Praful Bidawi is an Indian analyst whose commentaries are regularly
published in Pakistan. He termed deterrence a flawed doctrine. Nuclear
weapons possession does not necessarily improve a nations military power
or ability to compel an adversary to behave in a certain way. He suggested
that the time has come to face the plain truth. The nuclear proliferation
danger is real everywhereThe bomb and its makers have brought
disgrace to South Asia. The bomb is no asset for Pakistan or India. Its a
liability. The sooner we rid ourselves of it, the better.
Whereas the doves talk of surrendering the eggs, the hawks fear that
these will be taken away by force. No matter how honest we want to be,
states like the US and the Europeans will not rest till they have managed to
undermine Pakistans nuclear capability. This message comes clear when
one is interacting with experts and government representatives from these
countries wrote Shireen M Mazari.
Already, they have delinked Pakistan from India in the context of
nuclear capability and, frankly, there is nothing we can do to stop them from
hounding us short of giving up our capability. At the same time US
analysts are calling on their government to insist that the US supervise
Pakistans nuclear programmes security including whetting and drug testing
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of the nuclear scientists and accessing of Pakistans nuclear data she added.
That means handing over the nuclear programme to the US she
concluded. But she insisted on retention of nuclear capability. Let us hold
our head high and be proud of our nuclear capability that we acquired
against all odds. Now we have to ensure that we retain and develop it against
all odds, if need be.
Retention of the capability will not be easy, because of the hostile
mindset of the Crusaders. They have launched a multi-pronged assault and
are steadily moving towards Pakistans nuclear assets. If the nation sincerely
wants to avoid the rollback, the politicians, the people, the press and the
government have to put in concerted effort.
It is time to put this entire sorry episode behind us advised Shafqat
Mahmood. Politicians have to be careful not to wash too much of our dirty
linen in public. Let us not forget that this is just the beginning of a sustained
campaign to roll back our nuclear programme.
Mir Jamilur Rahman cautioned that Pakistan is not out of the woods
yet. He appreciated Musharrafs efforts to steer the country away from the
stormy waters. But some politicians are bent upon politicizing the issue of
Dr A Q Khan. They accuse General Musharraf that by discovering the
proliferation culprits he has compromised the nuclear programme. They
accuse him of rolling back. They refuse to pay heed to his pronouncement
that nuclear programme is on course and is progressing steadily.
Anxiety of the common man was genuine, but there was no need to be
perturbed about unfortunate turn of the events. They must retain their
composure and refuse to act irresponsibly at this critical juncture. Coming
out to the streets is no solution of the problem.
They must control their emotions about unity of Ummah. This dream
is not likely to come true in prevalent disarray of Islamic World. Mufti
Jamiluddin Ahmad ruled out the possibility of unity. Whither, by the way,
goes the Muslim solidarity that people of this country have always in good
faith for the Muslim Ummah, strived after.
While discussing the ongoing war the need for the unity of Ummah
was always felt. They should learn from the recent episode in which two
Muslim states have tried to harm Pakistan. After this incident prudent
persons should avoid talking about it for the time being without abandoning
the hope completely. This temporary change is needed because at the
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moment all the Muslim rulers are scared of Tom cat like rats. They are
hiding in their holes with heads down and tails up to be pulled out by the
Crusaders at will.
They will require lot of time to turn other way round, creep up to the
opening of the hole, wait for some time to sniff the presence of the cat, pick
up the courage to pop their heads out of the hole, look around and step out in
the open. They will then look for others, crawl cautiously, get together and
start talking of belling the cat. It will be undoubtedly a long wait. Pakistanis
must act wisely during the waiting time.
Local media is totally dependent on foreign agencies for news items
even those relating to Pakistan, because the government holds back the
essential information. In consequence of this dependence the local media has
become reproduction unit of Western Media, unable to publish anything
original. The media must scrutinize the information received from foreign
sources before publishing. It should also avoid sensationalism.
Musharraf has repeatedly vowed to protect Pakistans nuclear assets,
but he sought help from all walks of life. He emphasized the need to correct
four perceptions about Pakistan, i.e. cross border terrorism in Kashmir,
terrorism in Afghanistan, nuclear proliferation and militancy.
While endeavouring to mend the perceptions, the rulers have to
remember that it can only be done with two-pronged strategy. Jehadi
terrorism in Kashmir cannot be suppressed unless India stops perpetrating
state terrorism on innocent Kashmiris. As long as that goes on Pakistan can
always be blamed for cross border terrorism.
All that is happening along western border is the obvious outcome of
hurried and haphazard invasion of a sovereign state. Its spill-over was
anticipated, particularly when Pushtoons were being victimized. As long as
they remain aggrieved party their resistance will continue and thus the
accusations against Pakistan.
Correction of perception about proliferation is not easy, particularly in
the wake of recent revelations. The biased approach on non-proliferation
will further aggravate. Only those weapons will be considered dangerous
which are possessed by Muslim states and Pakistan is the only country
having these.
As regards fundamentalism, intolerance and militancy, these are
matters of opinions. If one has to agree with comments of the western
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experts, the Islam teaches nothing but intolerance or militancy. They are not
impressed by the name it bears. Therefore, the perceptions of civilized
world and Pakistanis (Muslims) can never reconcile. This has never
happened in more than fourteen centuries.
The government should accord priority to control the damage caused
or likely to be caused by the ongoing investigations. Dr Farrukh Saleem
recommended the following in this regard:

Allow UN inspectors to oversee all our nuclear facilities and verify

our entire stock of enriched uranium.

Make the global community confident that we are living up to our

non-proliferation obligations.

Make the world confident about peaceful purposes of our nuclear

know-how.

Imtiaz Alam opined that in spite of all what General Musharraf has
done to save Pakistans nuclear program; it has come into sharper focus and
will remain so until we have answered all the questions and taken all
measures that can assure the world that our nuclear program or capabilities
wont fall into wrong hands. He recommended sharing of findings with
IAEA; cooperating with IAEA in future without signing NPT; and making
scientists secure against international mafia of nuclear proliferation.
The News editorial dated 11th February noted that even the repeated
assurances by our leaders failed to assuage foreign anxiety nor has the fact
that it is mainly an internal matter stemmed the flow of interferenceThe
least that can be done is to set up a judicial commission to inquire into the
circumstances leading up to the confession and the massive intelligence
failure that was responsible for it.
Shafqat Mahmood raised a question as to how could we convince the
world that we are a responsible state, that even something as dangerous as a
nuclear weapon is safe with us? He answered, we must do so by
transparently investigating all the wrong doings of the past. We must punish
the offenders and not shield them and we must convince everyone about the
effectiveness of the safeguards we have put in place to stop proliferation in
the future.
According to the News the confession of Dr A Q Khan and its fallout will leave a painful stigma on our history. Its tremors will continue to be
felt for years to come with the issue raising new questions on the credibility
of our society.
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Even the best of efforts may not satisfy the civilized world as
brought out by Dr Farrukh Saleem. Time will come when Osama is no more
or when the White House changes tenancy. Our leadership ought to prepare
us for that time. This is the eventuality which the government must never
forget. It has to decide now as what is to be said when once again America
gives a mid-night telephone call and asks to choose the side; Yes or No.
In case of Yes Pakistan like Iran and Libya, should expect no
rewards for rollback. Pakistan will be giving up which it acquired with
efforts of three decades without any promise of compensation. In case of
No Afghanistan and Iraq have to be kept in mind. The leaders must prepare
the nation for that. Self-respect can never be preserved without paying the
price.

CONCLUSION
The Crusaders have shamed the hero. Shaming is not the end, but a
step towards the ultimate goal. It has brought the Crusaders in sight of
nuclear assets of Pakistan. With a pretext in place the grabbing can be
accomplished at convenience.
The government has tried to absolve itself from accusation of
proliferation by placing the entire blame on greedy scientists. The
civilized world was not impressed with this finding. It suspected
involvement of army.
Many Pakistanis believed that Khan was made scapegoat.
Proliferation occurred during covert period when President, COAS and
Qadeer dealt with the project. All of them represented the government at
highest institutional level. Involvement of any of the three, irrespective of
the motive, meant that government was involved.
The government, in words of the News, tried to control the damage
in a cavalier manner. It required copious explanations to put the record
straight. A sedate approach would have saved it from making needless
corrections that only roused suspicions at home and abroad of a cover up.
The government cannot afford to be complacent after granting
mother of all pardons. Only Khan has been pardoned. Punishing or
pardoning the crime of proliferation is the prerogative of the Crusaders.
Parrot like repetitions of no roll back cannot delay the inevitable.
Pakistanis have to choose the line of action to be adopted after

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Musharraf leaves the stage. They have to decide as how to protect nuclear
assets and at what price; having done that they must prepare to face the
related dangers.

16th February 2004

RISKS IN AVERTING RISKS

The Government has been working hard to improve Pakistans image
in the context of terrorism, militancy and proliferation. In doing so it never
questioned the biased perceptions of the civilized world about Muslims in
general and Pakistan in particular.
The government never realized that perceptions of jaundiced eyes can
never be correct as these are based on observation of the sick eyes. Impaired
observation analyzed by prejudiced minds can never help in formulating
correct perceptions. These risk factors will exist as long as sickness persists.
The so-called risk factors should be reviewed in the light of some
incidents of the recent past. After the terrorist attacks in Spain, the civilized
people had no justification to blame any other nation for barbaric terrorism.
They had asked for it.
At the time of these attacks Pakistans hockey team was in Spain to
participate in Olympic qualification round. The team stayed on to play in
remaining matches. If an incident, even of lesser magnitude, had happened
in Pakistan the teams of civilized world would have packed up and left
catching the first flight.
Indian cricket team played a match in hub of Pakistans militancy on
13 March. The Karachites belied all the accusations against Pakistanis.
They were magnanimous in appreciating the performance of the visitors in a
closely contested match. Had it happened in Kolkata, the rowdy crowd
th

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would have been forced to leave the stadium to complete the match. Yet
Pakistanis remain intolerant and uncivilized people.
On 9th March Pakistan test-fired a long range missile and the
Crusaders asked it to cut on the tests; whereas Indian had been testing
missiles now and then, but no such reaction was shown.
There is hardly anything that Pakistanis could do to correct such a
biased perception. Nevertheless their leaders keep asking them to rectify the
imaginary faults.

APPEASING INDIA
Pakistani leaders led by Musharraf have been hopeful of finding a
negotiated solution of Kashmir. The intellectuals, speaking on 12 th death
anniversary of Mir Khalil-ur-Rehman, approved the steps taken by Pakistan.
The critics felt that Pakistan was making compromises in improving ties
with India.
Kasuri tried to silence the critics by denying the allegation. Similarly
Musharraf, while addressing the AJK Assembly, on Kashmir Solidarity Day,
ruled out unilateral flexibility. Both Islamabad and Delhi will have to leave
stated positions. On its part Islamabad has been moving fast away from the
stated position, but India has not.
During talks on 16th February both sides agreed on eight point
agenda; Kashmir, Siachen glacier, Sir Creek marshes, Wuller barrage,
CBMs, drug smuggling, trade and economic cooperation, and easing travel
restrictions. Next day Pakistan offered pact to reduce war threat.
Both sides were able to chalk out roadmap for future in first round of
composite dialogue. Talks between Director and Inspector Generals of
Border Security Forces will be held in March-April; expert level talks on
nuclear CBMs in latter half of May; foreign secretaries will discuss Kashmir
in May or June and Foreign Ministers will meet in August. Since then
following confidence building measures have been taken:

On 21st February military commanders met across Line of Control

after three years and opposing commanders met at Chorbat La in
Kargil Sector on six days later.

During second week of March Pakistan and India agreed to resume

bus service on Monabao-Khokhrapar route after holding another
round of talks at end of the year.
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Earlier chief ministers of Indian and Pakistani Punjab met in January.

Arminder Singh urged removal of artificial boundaries. Both the Punjabis
are twin brothers as they had the same language, same culture, same
heritage, eating habits, and even social problems. Arminder proudly
declared the Khalistan movement as dead.
His counter-part did not pick up the courage to tell that the most
blood-soaked boundary in the world had come into being after meticulously
executed ethnic cleansing through massacres and forced exodus. In entire
world there was no other boundary more real than this. He instead
announced setting up Punjabi Institute and his visit to India.
About a month later Jamali displayed unwarranted exuberance for
normalization of relations with India while being interviewed for Indian
weekly; the Frontline. His ambiguous reply to a question related to twonation theory was misquoted. At least the Chief Executive should have
been clear and precise in making any statement about ideology of Pakistan.
Meanwhile his Foreign Minister vowed not to raise water issue
internationally even in case of certain violations of the Indus Water Treaty
by India. The above incidents reflected the mindset of Pakistani leaders
about the extent to which they could go to please India.
Undoubtedly Pakistan has been trying hard to remove obstacles in
ties with India and Kasuri saw Pakistan and India showing commitment to
solution of Kashmir dispute. The people, however, were not much excited
about the outcome.
India obliged Pakistani rulers in giving some reciprocating statements.
It vowed to resolve differences with Pakistan. Ban on traveling of Sikhs to
Pakistan was lifted. Vajpayee expressed his desire to live with Pakistan.
Advani was happy to visit Pakistan, if invited.
An Indian general, however, alleged that terror camps still existed in
Pakistan. RAW intended to win Kashmir without war. Advani saw change
in Kashmir and boasted that only BJP could resolve issues with Pakistan;
thereby meaning that only BJP knew how to handle Pakistan. India ruled out
ceasefire in occupied Kashmir as its armed forces continued perpetrating
state terrorism. Since January 25 following casualties have been inflicted:

Four persons died in violence in on 26th January. Two days later four
more were killed.

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On 30th January five top fighters were among thirteen killed. Next day
three militants were killed in siege of a mosque.

Seven persons were killed in violence on Eid days. Five soldiers were
among 23 killed on 5th February.

Top fighter, Mohammad Rafique of al-Umar Mujahideen and 20

others were killed on 6th February. Next day senior Ikhwan militant
and seven civilians were killed.

On 8th February five dead bodies of young men used as human shields
by Indian troops were recovered. Kashmiris protested against their
killings.

Six fighters were shot dead on 13th February. Three days later a
politician was among were killed in the Valley.

Five fighters and a woman were killed on 18 th February. Next day

Indian troops killed four fighters.

Nine fighters were shot dead on 20th February. Four days later two
commanders were among five killed.

One person was killed on 26th February in police firing on protesters

in Srinagar. Next day a girl was killed and four persons were injured.

Twenty persons were injured as police stopped mourners in on 29 th

February. Next day Hizb commander was among three killed.

Six persons were killed in jail shootout during Ashura. On 5 th March

violence left six more dead. Ten more were killed in next two days.

Two attackers were killed in Kashmir media centre on 9 th March. Next

day five persons were killed and 51 hurt in blast.

On 11th March thirteen persons were killed as stand-off at school

ended at Pulwama.

On 12th March four Indian soldiers were among five killed in IHK and
six more were killed two days later.

In addition to state terrorism India tried to subvert freedom movement

through other means. India offered money to militants for surrendering arms.
During election rally BJP warned Mujahideen to give up arms or face death.
Perpetration of state terrorism was undoubtedly intensified. Even Mufti
Sayeed accused Indian troops of violating Human Rights. Ansari threatened
to pull out of talks over HR abuses. Assassination attempt on Gilanis life
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was condemned. Pakistan asked Delhi to stop HR abuses.

Through the ploy of dialogue India had successfully caused disunity
in Hurriat leadership. Ansari started towing the line of India. He announced
that UN Resolutions could be scrapped. Mirwaiz urged Mujahideen to
observe ceasefire, though Indian troops had never talked of such thing.
Advani-Ansari talks were termed as conspiracy. The split in Kashmiri
leadership could weaken the stand of Pakistan. Disunity will benefit India
said Anwar. Kashmir struggle has been derailed opined Sardar Atiq. Ansari
group was accused of weakening freedom struggle.
Efforts to reunite Hurriat have not succeeded so far, but the freedom
fighters refused to give up their armed struggle. Mufti escaped an attempt on
life when two grenades were thrown on him in a public meeting. Freedom
fighters vowed not to spare him. Hizb also warned voters of severe
consequences of participating in elections.
The Crusaders continued pressing Pakistan to choke all kinds of
support to armed struggle of Kashmiris. This is part of their plans to
suppress Islamic militancy in all over the world. To this end they have even
asked Pakistan to change Kashmir policy as reported by former Hurriat
Conference Chairman; Ghani.
There was no such pressure on India and instead the Crusaders have
been helping it in developing its military might to keep Pakistan under
pressure. In February India and US launched joint air exercises. Indian air
force was also asked to join NATO military exercises. Indo-Israel military
cooperation was encouraged. India was permitted to produce Israeli Rafael
missiles. During first week of March Israel and India inked $ 1 billion
Phalcon deal despite concerns of Pakistan.
This cooperation was not restricted to two countries. India planned to
purchase aircrafts from Uzbekistan and send those to Russia for fitting of
powerful engines. Then the consignment will be sent to Israel for installation
of the system which has the parts manufactured in different parts of the
civilized world.
India has been supported to vehemently pursue its missile programme.
Russia has delivered aircraft carrier to India. The Crusaders also support
Indian seat at UNSC apart from its inclusion in NATO as Partner for Peace.
All this was not done for peaceful resolution of Kashmir dispute.
According to a US Senator, Kashmir is very tough problem. Pakistan has to
follow the roadmap prepared by India. This was the reason as to why India
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accepted US role in resolution of Pak-India disputes; America and EU

welcomed resumption of talks; US Congressmen discussed Pak-India
dialogue with Musharraf and Powell showered praise on peace moves.
The Crusaders and Indian perception of peace was quite different
from that of Pakistani rulers. For them peace meant an end to freedom
struggle of Kashmiris. Musharraf was conscious of this fact as he repeatedly
mentioned Kashmir as core issue during his talk with Indians in New Delhi
via satellite. On the other hand the audience stressed upon resumption of
economic and cultural ties leaving aside the core issue. In reply to almost
every question he was embarrassed to say that Kashmir cant be sidelined.
Next day India rejected Kashmir as central issue.

OBLIGING THE CRUSADERS

Accusations of cross border terrorism in Kashmir were supported by
the Crusaders to win over India for their war against Islamic militancy.
However, in case of Afghanistan armed struggle of Pushtoons has been
hurting the Crusaders directly. European Parliament asked Pakistan and Iran
not to meddle in Afghan affairs. The message was meant for Pakistan more
than the other neighbour.
The Crusaders have been urging Pakistan to act against Taliban (read
aggrieved Pushtoons) terming them as common enemies. America planned
spring offensive to foil Taliban movement for which it decided to share
intelligence. Coalition forces increased surveillance near border.
America provided funds to bolster security in FATA and Nancy
planned to brief MPs on US funded projects. All these measures were aimed
at telling Pakistan to do more. However, America was disappointed as
Pakistan failed to act against Taliban.
Concealed threats were served. Chicago Tribune reported US plans to
launch offensive against al-Qaeda in Pakistan, as Powell lauded Pakistan for
handing over 500 al-Qaeda men. Rumsfeld praised Musharraf and Bush
praised anti-terror help by Pakistan. Russia too discussed steps to check
terror with Pakistan and agreed to share information.
Pakistan acted as desired by the Crusaders, but not as aggressively as
it did against al-Qaeda. It was not possible do so. At the end of January
NWFP and Baluchistan decided to shift refugee camps from tribal areas as a
precautionary measure against cross border infiltration.

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Afghan warlord, Badshah Khan Zadran, was handed over to

Afghanistan during first week of February. He had been in Pakistans
captivity for the last three months. The man about whom Kabul had shown
concern was pardoned by Karzai on return and handed over to his tribe.
In mid February a wounded al-Qaeda suspect was arrested with two
Afghans in Khyber Agency. Pakistans security forces sealed the border area
when America launched an offensive near Spin Boldak and adjoining tribal
area. Musharraf warned of attack and asked tribal leaders to hand over alQaeda men and Taliban sheltering in their areas, assuring that the militants
who gave in wont be extradited.
On 22nd February mobilization of Pakistan and US forces on Afghan
border was reported after arrest of seven nomads in Khost province. The
detainees were suspected of links with al-Qaeda and Taliban. Jamali
confirmed that action was initiated after receiving secret reports.
The same day Sunday Times, quoting US intelligence source, reported
that Osama and 50 others were surrounded in 10 sq kilometer area north of
Quetta. He had moved in the desolate Toba Kakar Mountains about a month
ago. Area was under surveillance from geostationary satellite. Mulla Omar
was believed to be with him. He was boxed in and could not escape as US
and British forces awaited orders to move in.
Pakistan denied the report, but continued pressurizing the tribesmen,
who by 23rd February had handed over 60 percent of wanted men. PakAfghan border remained under strict vigilance disclosed Jamali. Next day
more persons were arrested in Shakai (Wana) in a peaceful operation. Faisal
stated that arrested persons were well trained.
Pak-US forces were reported to be closing in on Osama. Rumsfeld
thanked Islamabad for operation. Optimism on capture of Osama increased
in America. Yusufzai reported intensification of search on fresh leads.
However visible victory eluded.
On 28th February the worst happened. Troops manning Ziary Noor
check post opened fire on pick-up after having been cautioned that the
wanted men could try to escape guising as passengers. Thirteen innocent
passengers were killed. No terrorist was among dead. Army attributed the
incident to mistaken fire.
Pakistani troops were learning the Yankee ways. They panicked and
inflicted collateral damage. They were also picking up the habit of overkilling. Most unfortunate element of this episode was that others perpetrate

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state terrorism for their national interests, but Pakistan did it to serve the
cause of the Crusaders. Political Agent announced Rupees 100,000
compensation for heirs of each deceased.
Musharraf ordered probe. Meanwhile Tehran Radio triggered debate
on Osama fate. Pakistan and America denied Osamas capture. Faisal
announced widening of operation in Waziristan, but Pakistan denied quid
pro quo with US. Administration warned Mehsud and Barki tribes and by
6th March Faisal claimed breaking 75 percent of al-Qaeda network.
Next day formation of Tribal Lashkar was announced to hunt alQaeda and Taliban. Tribesmen were warned against non-cooperation. By
14th March the Lashkar achieved no success as wanted tribesmen refused to
surrender. Nek Mohammad of Yargulkhel clan of Zalikhel sub-tribe of
Ahmadzai Wazirs said, I and the other wanted tribesmen cannot surrender
because we dont expect justice from the authorities. Besides the
government has already condemned and punished us by demolishing our
homes. Meanwhile Orakzai Tribal Jirga executed eight persons on charges
of kidnappings and other crimes.
Any operation in tribal areas is riddled with risks of violent reaction.
On 11 February a Pakistani soldier was shot dead near Wana and firing of
rockets on PAF base in Kohat could also be attributed to the same. On 1 st
March two rockets were fired on Scouts base in Miranshah. Next day FC
posts in South Waziristan were again subjected to rocket attack. Four
Khasadars were injured in blast in Wana on 4th March.
th

Qazi accused the government of pitching army against people. He

flayed pro-US policies and warned of countrywide campaign. Wana killings
echoed in Senate and opposition staged walk-out. Political leaders slammed
army action against own citizens. Government restricted several religious
and political leaders to forestall possible resistance against governments
pro-US policies. JUI-F resented ban on Fazlur Rehmans entry in South
Waziristan Agency.
Rumours of direct involvement of US troops in operations inside
Pakistani territory spread, but the fact remained that America never wanted
to employ its troops in such operations. Even in Afghanistan hunting was
mostly done by Afghan troops. US troops only indulged in causing collateral
damage, where required.
Similarly in Iraq, the hurriedly gathered police force has been used for
this purpose. Why should America risk its troops in operations which could
be done by others? Pakistanis have been definitely performing better than
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Afghan forces. However, feeding of reports of US troops moving into

Pakistan was necessary for coercion.
According to Mir Jamilur Rahman the tribesmen by not handing over
the suspects were defying the writ of the government. They were advancing
an unacceptable plea that the suspects were their guests and under their ageold traditions they could not betray those who have taken refuge with them
and were thus under their protection. Taliban had said the same about alQaeda presence in Afghanistan, yet their argument couldnt be brushed
aside. Operation too was more meeting demands of the Crusaders than
establishing writ of the government.
Behroz Khan conceded Waziris support to foreigners. The tribal belt
might have provided safe sanctuary to suspected foreign terrorists, but
overall, local tribesmen have not joined the ranks of al-Qaeda and Taliban in
a big number. The situation in South Waziristan Agency is slightly different
from rest of the FATA. In South Waziristan local youth are believed to be
attracted by the anti-American stance of Osama bin Laden and Mulla
Muhammad Omar, and some of them are suspected to be involved in the
attacks against US and Afghan military bases in Paktika and Paktia
provinces.
It has been an obvious consequence of war against Soviets. The area
between Wana and Parachinar had provided the largest and strongest base
for Jihad against the Soviets. A decade long war fought from this base
greatly influenced the psyche of those who grew up in those environments.
The existence of problem could not be denied, but the manner in
which it was tackled had been questionable. Masooda Bano objected to
strategy of General Barnes, Commander of US forces in Afghanistan, who
advocated that tribal chiefs who do not comply could face destruction of
homes and things of that nature.
She criticized the government for following such directive to oblige
US. In doing that it excelled in publicly denying that it was following US
directives while in reality everything that the US demanded was done very
smoothly, knowingly that America was quite good at fabricating intelligence.
Now the latest is that US forces in Iraq have intercepted a courier
carrying 17 page letter that they say is written by Abu Musaab al Zarkawi, a
Jordanian terrorist supposedly for al-Qaeda contacts in Afghanistan and
Pakistan border area. She condemned the rulers for having no national
policy at work. Since September 11 Pakistan has been following US orders
even before they are clearly spelt out. She could be right in her
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observations, but it was wrong to say that the government had no policy. The
policy was in place; better to consent before the inevitable happens.
Yusufzai highlighted some humanitarian flaws in governments
crackdown. He reported the plight of boy terrorists. In that he conveyed the
concealed message that Pakistan was picking up the habits of the Crusaders.
Kareems father Ahmad Saeed Khadar established schools, clinics
and orphanages and did other welfare work while running a Canadianfunded NGO for Afghan refugees in Pakistan during Jihad against the
Soviets. He was accused of being top al-Qaeda operative by ISI and was
killed in an operation in October in Baghar, South Waziristan. Kareem was
injured in the same operation.
Ahmad was studying in a madrassa in Islamabad. He was arrested,
along with nine others who were visiting him, and taken to unknown place.
His father is brother of famous Afghan Mujahideen commander Jalaluddin
Haqqani, who later joined Taliban and now is on most wanted list of the
CrusadersHaqqani and his brothers were the darling of the ISI and CIA
and were often termed as the leaders of the best guerrilla fighters. He was
now on the run.
Ahmads mother said, even the Americans had to release the three
Afghan teenagers who were held for the last two years in the Guantanamo
jail. Pakistan is an Islamic Government and we expect it to free my innocent
boy at the earliest. She hoped for too much.
Operation in Waziristan pleased Karzai. He claimed that Taliban had
been defeated after the conduct of this operation. We see no resurgence of
Taliban. The Taliban as a movement does not exist anymoreI think we
have won the war against terrorism. What we are doing is the pursuit of
them. Gentlemen, we are going to take them and finish them completely.
Operation might have been to the liking of the Crusaders and their
puppets, but it could have serious consequences for Pakistan. Achakzai
asked the government to stop double game in Waziristan. The intelligence
agencies brought and harboured foreigners in border area and now under
pressure from the international community were staging the drama of
operation against them. This double game is dangerous and can land the
country into very serious trouble.
Fazul ur Rehman also warned against provoking the tribesmen and
urged the government to naturalize foreigners in tribal areas. These people
came here on Pakistans request to fight Soviet aggressors whom they

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defeated and pushed back. They lived in tribal areas since then and have
married into the local population and have their own families now. They
cannot go back to their own countriesWe should give guarantees of peace
and should naturalize them.
Views of the people of the area were explicitly expressed by Mahabat
Khan Bangash in a letter to the News. Once there was a person namely
Khani Zaman who lived near his fields in a hilly area. He had raised a falcon
but it was so lazy that during hunting when it felt itself unable to catch a
partridge, it immediately turned towards Khani Zamans house and swooped
upon the domestic pet chickens and caught them. It, then, became famous
and proverbial in the surrounding locality that so and so person is like
Khani Zamans falcon, which can attack and catch its own domestic
chickens.

EXTREMISM AND MILITANCY

There has been no decline in incidents of militancy, but most of these
could not be attributed to religious extremism:

FC man was killed in mine blast near Kahan on 28th January. A week
later two persons were killed and four hurt in blast in Peshawar.

On 10th February a rally in Karachi vowed to resist KBD and Thal

canal. Two days later an explosion took place near Baluchistan Chief
Ministers house.

Five persons were injured on 16th February in blast in Gilgit mosque

and one person was killed and five hurt in attack on train near
Muridke.

Bid to blow another school in Chilas failed on 19 th February and gas

pipeline was ruptured in attack near Sui.

On 20th February 9th girls school was torched in Northern Areas. Next
day five persons were hurt in three bomb blasts in different parts of
the country and 12 rockets were fired in Sui.

On 23rd February three Sui gas pipelines were damaged in rocket

attack. Next day a bomb exploded outside Jang offices in Quetta.

Bandits kidnapped 12 bus passengers in Loralai on 27 th February.

Next day a suicide bomber blew himself in Imambargah in Pindi.

On 5th March FC post was attacked in Sui. Next day MPA of PPP and
his driver were shot dead in Karachi.

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The worst happened during Ashura. The terrorists fired from a

balcony on participants in the procession in Quetta. Armed men from Hazara
community returned the fire. When the attackers felt surrounded two of them
blew themselves up. About fifty innocent people were killed and most of the
dead received bullet injuries. The same day fifteen Azadars died in stampede
in Parachinar and TIP leader along with another person was killed in clash in
Phalia and 53 more were injured.
Crackdown against extremism appeared to be dissipating. During the
period an Afridi malik was held for probe in life bid on president; two LJ
leaders were arrested before Muharram; and 13 persons were held in blast
case in Imambargah. Earlier the government had stopped banned outfits
from collecting hides.
President met Ulema and renewed his pledge to fight extremism
seeking their help. He warned against spread of hate material. Rashid also
asked Ulema to help maintain tolerance and unity. Education Minister,
however, claimed that Madaris dont breed any kind of extremists. Yet the
government sought the help of Dr Hernando De Soto of Lima in detecting
fault lines that encourage terrorism, in Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
Judicial inquiry was ordered to probe attack on Ashura procession in
Quetta. The government and its agencies were criticized in the Senate for
their failing in preventing the incident. Provincial minister, Younis Chengazi
blamed police for firing at procession. Benazir came out with her standard
demand and asked the government to quit over Quetta massacre.
Rashid justified hiding the number of Ashura victims for averting
untoward reaction elsewhere. Lashkar-e-Jhangvi was the prime suspect in
the case, but Jamali said, foreign hand behind Quetta killings cannot be
ruled out. Suddle suspected al-Qaeda involvement. As regards targeting
WB-funded schools in Northern Areas, the banned outfits were suspected.
One of the solutions found by the government to check spread of hate
and resultant militancy was to delete Quraanic verses from text books. This
measure amounted to realization of apprehensions expressed by Ihtesham
Kayani in his letter to the News. Who would be surprised if the Quraan and
Hadith are the targets, as both spread hate against enemies of Islam (Jews
and Christians) whose policies our President loves to follow. The
government scooped too low to earn a certificate of tolerance, disregarding
that no Pakistani hates them more than they hate the Pakis.
Perhaps none of the above incidents were of any concern to the
Crusaders as many of the actions taken by the government prompted US to
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accuse Islamabad of Human Rights violations. Booking of Khawar Mehdi

on charges of sedition and conspiracy was of major concern to the civilized
world. It was right as charges were too serious as compared to the charge of
violation of visa rules leveled against the real culprits.
The discriminatory manner in which the accused involved in the same
case were segregated for dispensation of justice had weakened the
prosecutions version right at the outset. It was clearly an act of Khani
Zamans falcon. Western rights groups and media organizations had reasons
to slam Mehdis treatment by police.
Other matters of concern were Tasman crew and Australian wheat.
European Parliament asked Pakistan to release the crew. Australia sought
meeting with Jamali over wheat row, asked Howard to intervene and then
wanted third country as referee. Short of accusing the inspectors as operators
of al-Qaeda, Australia tried every trick. Surprisingly both the demands of the
civilized world stood rejected to-date.
Carrot-loving rulers of Pakistan were shown the carrots in the form of
brightened chances of return to Commonwealth; stabilization of economy;
and suspension of duties on carpets. Number of carrots presented, however,
kept decreasing constantly.
During first week of March British Foreign Minister mocked
launching of second prong of the strategy proposed by Musharraf for
removal of misperceptions between two civilizations. He visited Jamia
Imdadul Uloom-e-Islamia in Peshawar Cantonment to pronounce Islam as
religion of peace, love and justice.
Islam does not require any certificate from any one and more so from
the Crusaders. Even during his reconciliatory mission he evinced keen
interest in curriculum and finances of the school. It was not to acquire
understanding of the great religion, but probing with suspicion.
I warmly welcome President Musharrafs call for Jihad against
extremismand his concept of enlightened moderation because of its
recognition of the needto promote tolerance and combat terrorism. Why
did he make this announcement from a Madrassa in Peshawar? Why
couldnt he do it from a Cathedral in London?
The worst incident of extremism of the period related to sectarian
intolerance. The attack in Quetta should not be considered in isolation. It has
to be seen in combination with massacre in Iraq and different incidents
elsewhere in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

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Shia-Sunni hostility had never been so high in the past, despite

centuries old sectarian divide of Ummah. But events of this magnitude had
never happened even during era of the cruelest of all the dictators; Saddam.
Rulers of Ummah have to ponder about possibilities of adversaries fanning
hatred within various sects of Islam. In Iraq the Coalition has been trying to
initiate civil strife. The Crusaders wont mind creation of similar situation in
Pakistan.
These incidents also reflected the depression and anger of Muslims.
Nasim Zehra attributed this to the horror of transition times. According to
her these killings could prove potentially divisive and destructive. Targeted
Muslims can see them systematically targeted with or without state support.
Quick-fix observers can interpret these gruesome terrorist acts as the rise of
religious intolerance.
These are clearly signs of a transition time within the Muslim World.
So much so that the unwise, short sighted and destructive state has passed
for politics and for foreign policy. The responsibility laid with the policy
makers in the West, especially in the United States, but no less with the
rulers and managers in the Muslim World.
This formed the most tragic part of Muslim intellectuals thinking.
They feel that the civilized world would do something to change things for
better in their world. The Crusaders have started the war to punish the
Muslims through destruction and plunder. They are not obliged to take
actions proposed by Nasim.
There was nothing wrong with strategy of the victims of the Crusaders
to target those who collaborated or cooperated with their enemy. But the
manner in which they tried to vent their feelings was regrettable. It did not
serve the cause of Ummah in any way.
People and leaders in Pakistan must evaluate the entire situation
seriously. Evaluation should begin with determining the reasons of increased
indulgence in frivolities on religious occasions. In not too distant past some
of the activities carried out now were not even heard of. These activities
undermine the solemnity of religious occasions without adding any fervour
whatsoever.
If the government, on behest of the Crusaders, can launch crackdown
against Mullas and Mosque, it has no excuse to shy away from taking
measures to control festive or mourning activities on Eid Milad and
Ashura. These measures are essential for ensuring safety of public life and
property.
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Mullas of all sects should be assembled and compelled to deliberate

till they come out with an acceptable solution to reduce activities on each
occasion. Failing which, the government should act unilaterally for the
safety of the innocent believers.
As first step all activities should be restricted to premises of
designated places. The devoted believers have no right to disrupt public life
and causing inconvenience to millions of people. These should be kept away
from streets, which are not the befitting place to celebrate the birth of the last
Prophet (PBUH) or mourn death of his grandson.
No complacence or status quo could be justified for the fear of any
reaction from religious leaders. This excuse is too old and too lame. The
government cannot absolve itself from shouldering the responsibility of
providing security. Enemies of Ummah cannot be blamed every time.

PROLIFERATION
The issue of proliferation involving Muslim countries, both as
suppliers and recipients of nuclear technology, has been of great concern to
the Crusaders. For rest of the world they have been tolerant quite
conspicuously.
The daring agents of the civilized world have pushed Pakistan to the
frontline in war against proliferation. Before visualizing the future plans of
the Crusaders on proliferation it would be appropriate to view the
developments since middle of last month.
Scomi Precision Engineering, a subsidiary of the oil-and-gas company
Scomi Group, was accused of involvement in proliferation. The parts, seized
en route to Libya last October, were produced by this company majoritycontrolled by the Prime Ministers son, Kamaluddin Abdullah.
Malaysia summoned the US Embassy charge de-affairs on 19 th
February to protest against its singling out by US President George W Bush.
He had called for global crackdown on the international nuclear black
market. Spokesman of the Embassy insisted, strengthening the control
systems worldwide is one of our top priorities for non-proliferation. Next
day Malaysia released the information extracted by police from Sri Lankan
businessman Buhary Syed Abu Tahir, who was named by Bush as deputy
to Khan. Excerpts from the police report were:

Tahir never told the truth about the nature of the parts he ordered and

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the company thought it was involved in a legitimate business.

Police alleged that Khan sent enriched uranium to Libya in 2001 and
sold centrifuge parts to Iran in mid-1990s.

Centrifuge units were shipped from Pakistan to Iran via Dubai and
were paid for with about three million dollars in cash and kept in an
apartment used by Khan each time he visited Dubai.

Tahir quoted Khan telling him that a certain amount of UF6 (enriched
uranium) was sent by air from Pakistan to Libya around 2001.

Tahir and Khan met Libyan representatives named as Mohamad

Matuq, Mohamad and Karim in Istanbul in 1997 when the Libyan
asked for centrifuge units.

Between 1998 and 2002 several more meetings were held in

Casablanca and Dubai. A certain number of centrifuge units were sent
in 2001-2002.

Khan developed a network of middlemen that involved not only Tahir,

but several people and companies from Europe seeking to make
profits by selling certain materials and equipment.

Tahir named a Swiss citizen, Urs Friedrich Tinner, actively involved

in the manufacturing operations in the Scomi. He was always careful
to take back his drawings once a component was finished, saying he
was safeguarding trade secrets and no suspicions were aroused.

Late Heinz Mebus, a German engineer, was involved in discussions

between Khan and Iran to supply centrifuge designs.

Gotthard Lerch, a German living in Switzerland, allegedly tried to

obtain supplies of pipes from South Africa for a project called
Machine Shop 1001 which aimed to set up a workshop in Libya to
make centrifuge components. He failed even though payment had
been made by Libya earlier.

Peter Griffin, a British citizen who once owned Gulf Technical

Industries based in Dubai, was alleged to have been the middleman
involved in the Project Machine Shop 1001. He has now retired and
living in France.

Gunas Jireh, a Turk, was alleged to have supplied aluminum casting

and dynamo at the request of the nuclear arms expert, Khan.
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Selim Alguadis was alleged for supplying electrical cabinets and

power supplier-voltage regulator to Libya through arrangements made
by Tahir.

Police cleared Scomi Precision Engineering and called on IAEA to

start investigations on several individuals from Europe allegedly involved
in the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Swiss engineer Tinner admitted his
ties with Khan. Malaysia hoped for an end to nuclear episode casting doubts
about its involvement. The end, however, was not in sight.
Washington Post published a report accusing China of providing
nuclear arms design to Pakistan. The paper said, documents turned over by
Libya have yielded dramatic evidence of Chinas long suspected role in
transferring nuclear know-how to Pakistan in the early 1980s. The purported
designs were resold to Libya by a Pakistani-led network that is now the
focus of an expanding international probe.
China denied transfer of nuclear technology. Meanwhile EU
considered lifting trade ban on Libya and Tripoli and signed protocol on
snap checks on 10th March. Saiful Islam disclosed that America and Britain
had promised political, economic and military gains.
America hailed Libya and urged Iran to do the same accusing it of still
trying to develop nuclear arms. Tehran refused to acknowledge inspectors
findings and rejected American call. It also claimed achieving a big success
in nuclear fuel technology. Kharzai vowed that Iran could produce and sell
nuclear fuel.
International inspectors claimed finding advanced centrifuges in an air
base. Iran denied having new generation of centrifuges, but admitted buying
nuclear material from dealers. IAEA raised new concerns about Iran.
Rowhani refused to declare all nuclear activities, leading America to suspect
that Iran was hiding atomic plan.
Iranian vice president visited Pakistan. He refuted nuclear transfers
from Pakistan after signing a trade agreement. Pakistan insisted that Iran had
provided material against its scientists. Iran had tried to cover up its guilt
belatedly.
Iran demanded closure of nuclear file at IAEA fearing that its case
might be referred for sanctions. IAEA rejected Irans call for end to scrutiny.
Tehran threatened to end cooperation postponing UN inspection. IAEA
condemned Iran for hiding nuclear activities and Powell expressed US
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worries about Irans nuke plan.

North Korea remained steadfast and vowed death defying fight
against US. South Korea held strategy sessions with allies ahead of nuclear
talks eyeing inspection plan in six-nation talks. On 25 th February US and
North Korea held ice-breaking meeting. Previously America had been
refusing direct talks.
Next day North Korea offered to freeze nuclear programme. Six
nations agreed on North Korean nuclear draft, but failed to finalize it. North
Korea blamed US for lack of progress on six-nation talks. Japan opposed
imposing curbs against North Korea.
As expected the pardon granted to Khan did not mark the end to the
crisis. America implicated China by accusing that it was still helping Riyadh
and Islamabad. It was concerned about what the Saudis were getting from
the Chinese in terms of missiles. It is well past time for Washington to
renew calls for independent inspection of Saudi missiles...
Washington Post urged Mr. Bush to insist that Pakistan supply the
details of its trafficking to the IAEA and allow outside monitoring of its
programmes. Stopping Pakistan from proliferation is vital to US security. It
cannot be left to Mr. Musharraf to decide how or whether it will be done.
New York Times alleged that the Pakistan military was aware of and
a part of the illicit and perilous commerce. In subsequent editorial it said,
holding him to his word, is one way to make sure that future military
leaders are less likely to become merchants of nuclear bomb technology. It
clearly meant that shaming the hero was not the ultimate aim of the
Crusaders; it was a step towards the ultimate aim.
The Guardian insisted on inspection of Pakistans nuclear programme.
Whatever the domestic pressures, General Musharraf was unwise to reject
out of hand the possibility of future UN nuclear supervision or an
international investigation. A French observer accused Qadeer of terror
links and termed him mad about God and a fanatical Islamist. US Senators
criticized Qadeer pardon.
Ex-officials of Pentagon said that Pakistan had threatened to give
nukes to Iran. Pakistan and North Korea may have jointly tested nuclear
weapon alleged NYT. General Aziz was misquoted for nuke technology
talks with Nigeria. Once again it was alleged that latest declassified
documents linked China to Pakistans nuclear programme.
These reports amply revealed the intentions of forces working behind
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Western Media. US Administration, however, adopted softer approach for

obvious reasons. It accepted Pakistans view that scientists were acting on
their own; praised Pakistans policies; and granted it the right to determine
Qadeers fate. Pakistans fate could be decided later as at the moment its
steps against nuclear leaks were considered vital.
Publicly adopted softer stance did not reflect true intentions of the
Crusaders. There were series of discussions on the subject apart from foreign
ministers making a bee-line to Islamabad:

On 20th February America discussed missile defence with Pakistan,

primarily to assess its existing capability and future plans. Russia also
discussed nuclear proliferation.

Next day Zia Iqbal Shahid reported EU foreign ministers deliberated

on Pakistans nuclear issue.

Tenet visited Pakistan on 23rd February to discuss nuke and Osama

issues. Tom Harkin urged South Asian neighbours to sign NPT.

EU foreign policy wizards discussed with US Secretary of State Colin

Powell the issue of nuclear proliferation. On 10th March America
asked Pakistan to scale down missile tests.

French Foreign Minister De Villepin visited Pakistan and accepted

Pakistans nuclear capability as reality. While acknowledging the reality,
France offered Islamabad three proposals on nuclear non proliferation. We
have been following this development (nuclear proliferation) very closely
and we are prepared to be helpful in opening a dialogue with Pakistan on
this issueThere are three ways to go about it: first strengthen the existing
export control system, ensure greater transparency in close cooperation with
IAEA and participation of Pakistan in international efforts on nuclear nonproliferation with the UN Security Council.
Then came Jack Straw from London and showed satisfaction with
Pakistans nuclear probe and gave qualification certificate for re-entry into
Commonwealth. He was to be followed soon by American Secretary of
State.
IAEA sought Pakistani samples against Iran HEU verification.
ElBaradei said, it is really important for us to get particle samples from
Pakistan. This really is the most important outstanding issuewhich really
raises the question of whether these are just contaminations through imports
or a question of undeclared nuclear material.

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US Ambassador to the IAEA, Kenneth Brill wanted to know if

Pakistan helped Irans nuclear plan as it did in case of Libya. He said, as we
meet, squads of Iranian technicians are working at still-undeclared sites to
tile over, paint over, buy, burn or cart away incriminating evidenceThere
are also questions as to whether everything that was found in Libya may also
be found in Iran given their common source of supply.
America and EU were hopeful that Pakistan would share nuke probe
with them. President Musharraf has promised to share all the information he
learns about the A Q Khan network, and has assured us that his country will
never again be a source of proliferation.
India, the adversary for which Pakistan acquired nuclear capability
has been trying to take advantage of the situation despite the on-going peace
process. Pakistans nuclear leak is serious issue said Vajpayee. He was
coaxing the Crusaders to pounce.
The News published an article about proliferation tangle withholding
authors name. According to the author Western Media was projecting the
perceptions of a rogue army, an irresponsible government, a nuclear
capability not under control and a flawed personnel reliability programme
that has allowed extremist and unreliable people into the intelligence and
nuclear facility.
He apprehended that India would like to avail the opportunity as
brought out by K P S Gill, President Institute for Conflict Management, in a
paper titled; Armed, Dangerous and Unaccountable. From the very moment
of its creation, Pakistan has been little more than an organized criminal
enterprise masquerading as a nation-state, for years now, I have been arguing
that Pakistans nuclear capabilities will have to be shut down. Countries that
cannot control their nuclear establishment and prevent illegal transfers of
technology cannot escape the ambit of international controls.
Countries that actively promote such illegal proliferation must draw
upon themselves the harshest of international sanctions and inspection
regimes. To fail in this course is to ignore the great danger that such rogue
states constitute, not only to peace, but to human survival itself.
Above events added to apprehensions and criticism. Opposition
accused government of mishandling the issue. Aslam Beg feared that
America was out to damage Pak-Iran ties. Qazi saw Musharraf falling into
US trap. The defaming of the nuclear scientists has discouraged the

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countrys youth who were planning to opt their careers in science and
technology. Professor Khurshid demanded that there must be no roll back
of our nuclear capability and the people, government, opposition and armed
forces should join hands to foil designs of our enemies.
Benazir, true to her nature of opportunism, asked Musharraf to resign
over nuke scam. She feared Khan might be killed to silence him forever. She
was out to implicate army while trying to improve her credentials. She
claimed to have refused to sell nuclear technology. Dar repeated the
allegation that former COAS had asked Nawaz to sell nuclear technology.
Meanwhile contradictory reports poured in about Qadeers health.
Relatives struggled to get scientists released. Lahore High Court reserved its
verdict on scientists detention and Qadeers detention was challenged in
Supreme Court.
The government kept reassuring the nation about retention of nuclear
capability. On 16th February the Senate was assured of no secret deal on
nuclear policy. Two days later Musharraf vowed not to allow inspection of
nuclear sites. Minimum deterrence would be maintained he reiterated.
The government endeavoured to dispel fears of roll back through
physical acts of defiance. Hatf-III missile was handed over to army on 21st
February. Shaheen-II missile with range of 2,500 kms was test-fired
successfully on 9th March. Pakistan disclosed its plans to test more long
range missiles and pledged to maintain competitive edge of its nuke
programme. Jamali denied the rollback of nuclear programme.
The government, while dispelling the apprehensions of Pakistanis,
held two-day closed-door conference of envoys to chalk out plans to take
world capitals into confidence on nuclear issue. Musharraf and Jamali held
marathon meeting on 1st March on key issues of terrorism and proliferation.
Kasuri termed Wolfowitzs remarks highly inappropriate and unacceptable
and asked for accepting Pakistan as nuclear power.
Review of events of the period must start with mention of persistent
irresponsible reporting on the issue. Dr Masud Ahmad Malik pointed one of
the incidents in his letter to the News. I write to express my dismay the way
you made headlines from gossips from Associated Press and a little known
Jewish author Mr. Levy, I wish the News had taken a more responsible
approach on a sensitive matter, rather than joining the stone throwingand
letting some other settle old scores.
The dependence of local press on foreign agencies was the root cause

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of irresponsible reporting as brought out earlier. The dependence has

eroded its ability of positive reporting. Other reason was the absence of any
clear-cut guidelines from the government.
Pakistan was asked by IAEA to provide samples for verification of
Iran HEU. This should have been demanded by Pakistan right at the outset
of the investigations. Pakistan should provide the samples and also insist that
its scientists must participate in such verification. It is necessary to ascertain
the possibility of planting a contaminated centrifuge. This should not be left
to a watchdog.
The confession and pardon of Khan have in no way forestalled threats
to Pakistans nuclear capability. According to Syed Shahid Husain by that
infamous admission of Mr. A Q Khan on TV, we have registered an FIR
against ourselves. The West will choose its timing for raising the issue
against the regime. It is ones guess that as soon as Presidential elections are
out of the way in US, Pakistan would be under tremendous pressure to put
aside its assets beyond commission.
In the likely event, the incumbent President gets elected; even he
would change tack and put full pressure on Pakistan to place nuclear assets
in safe hands, read American hands. A team has already visited Pakistan to
lend us technical help in securing our assets. The pressure will be much
greater, if a Democratic goes to the White House.
He apprehended that increased visits to Pakistan since confession
could be for another diplomatic coup? According to Mark Leonard, the
Crusaders even in their disagreement over Iraq remain a united entity. With
reference to Iran he said, the new spirit of cooperation is untested, but the
early signs have been positive. The British, French and German foreign
ministers managed to score a diplomatic coup when they persuaded Iran to
freeze its uranium enrichment programme in return for civil nuclear
assistance.
Dr Iffat Idris expressed similar views. Pakistan is again in the
international spotlight. But the visitors this time - foreign ministers of
France, Britain and the US - are coming less to praise and commend, as to
admonish and check.
Iqbal Mustafa was also inclined to agree with this viewpoint. There
will be many interests and concerns that will keep trying to reopen the issue.
Pakistan will have to do far more than a confession and promises of future
vigilBush in his policy speech did not implicate Pakistan but he spent a
good fifteen minutes playing prosecutor general to A Q Khan. The
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implications are quite clear.

Seymour Hersh proposed another kind of exploitation of nuclear
proliferation crisis. Thousands of US troops will be deployed in a tribal area
of northwest Pakistan in return for Washingtons support of President Pervez
Musharrafs pardon of the Pakistani scientists who this month admitted
leaking nuclear arms secrets to Iran, Libya and North Korea. Acceptance of
pardon was at the price of compromise on sovereignty.
Pervaiz Iqbal Cheema attributed the debate to genuine concerns
regarding the safeguarding and preservation of the strategic assets. Some
apprehensive individuals are even entertaining the notion of possible
rollback. Docile and peace-loving analysts, like I Hassan advocated
dropping the option of bomb. It has been proved that the best deterrence is
not to have the bomb, it is better to get rid of it sooner, than later. The
billions of dollar that have been wasted in lining the pockets of the good
doctor Qadeer, could have been used for building Pakistan in education,
health care and general welfare of the people.
The hawks like Shireen M Mazari advocated no to arm-twisting and
recommended pro-activism. Most immediately, though, Pakistan needs to
be more assertive on the Iran-Libya case and demand that it be allowed to
send a team of investigators to Germany to question the Germans identified
by Iran, as well as examine the German export control system and its
loopholes. After all, we need to know the composition of the nuclear
technology black market originating from Europe. Pakistani scientists only
played one part of this the European sourced the materials and nuts and
bolts.
She suggested that it was time the Pakistani state and nation stopped
subjecting itself to guilt and doubt. Sure some of our scientists erred on
proliferation, but they are not the only ones internationally there are
European citizens and developed states that have and are openly flouting
their legal non-proliferation commitmentsNow, when we have greater
tangible power, we must not be undermined psychologically into thinking
that we are weak and vulnerable. We only become so if we are undermined
psychologically.
Dr Farrukh Saleem, however, saw the pressure from within. Our
Bomb is not being targeted. It is our instability that is under scrutiny. It is the
way we run our politics that is making us ineligible from becoming part of
the nuclear club. It is the way our leaders run the affairs of our state that
disqualifies us from membership to the nuclear club. Whatever it might be a
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pretext has been provided to the Crusaders for whatever scrutiny they may
like to carry out.
Rahimullah Yusufzai borrowing the words of IAEA talked of a
different solution. The world must drop the idea that nuclear weapons are
fine in the hands of some countries and bad in the hands of others. He
recommended destruction of every single weapon that has been
manufactured in our unstable world. His solution is morally and logically
perfect but not so when seen in the context of values of the civilized
world.

CONCLUSION
In its endeavour to avert the risks of cross border terrorism across
Line of Control Pakistan has given up the support of armed struggle for
liberation of Kashmir. It has reconciled with the solution to be found through
dialogue, whatever and whenever it might come. The core issue has been
equated with ordinary irritants like resumption of rail and road
communication.
This has forced the Kashmiri leaders to reconsider their strategy. In
the absence of out side support they too have been compelled to have
dialogue with Delhi. Both Pakistan and Kashmiris would be kept involved in
dialogue for indefinite period with no chance of any positive outcome.
In stopping the cross border terrorism across Durand Line Pakistan
has antagonized large population of Pushtoon tribesmen. By carrying out
operations in tribal areas Pakistans backyard has been turned to the fore, in
words of Rahimullah Yusufzai.
In suppressing Islamic militancy the government seemed to be
stepping the danger line. Enlightened moderation can never be brought by
deleting verses of Quraan from text books on recommendations of NGOs.
The Crusaders on their part would do nothing to bridge the gap of
misperceptions, even if it has been so desired by Musharrf and Maleeha.
In its exuberance to address the concerns of the Crusaders over
proliferation Pakistan has provided sufficient evidence incriminating itself.
This would be handy as and when the accused would be arraigned for
prosecution.

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16th March 2004

BALLOTS OR BODY BAGS

The intensity of insurgency in Iraq has increased but it was feared that
it might have taken an unfortunate turn. The gruesome killings during
Ashura, irrespective of the attackers and their motives, could have negative
effects on freedom struggle of Iraqis.
Targeting the supporters of America ought to be part of the strategy of
those resisting occupation. But by indulging in such indiscriminate killings
the liberation struggle of Iraqis could lose public support. They should
concentrate on targeting the Coalition forces to inflict as many casualties as
possible.
The present rate of casualties inflicted on enemy is enough to hurt
them. Sending American soldiers back home in body bags is the only way to
make Bush pay the price of invading Iraq. Seeping blood from the body bags
could spoil some of the ballot papers rendering them invalid. It will hurt
Bush badly.
On the eve of first anniversary of the invasion America was widely
subjected to criticism. Bush Administration was not perturbed. American
troops were encouraged to use excessive force while dealing with insurgents
and also coaxed Sharon to intensify state terrorism against Palestinians.
Sharon did not disappoint White House. He went on the rampage. The
focus remained on target killing and in one of the attacks, personally
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supervised by Sharon; Yassin was killed while coming out of a mosque. The
raids conducted for target killings also resulted in collateral damage.

RESISTANCE
Attacks by Iraqi freedom fighters on occupation forces and those
suspected of supporting them continued with increased ferocity as could be
seen from the following:

Three US soldiers were among 18 killed in different incidents on 31st

January. Next day 56 persons were killed in two suicide blasts in
offices of two rival Kurd parties in city of Arbil. The same day 20
persons were killed in south-west Iraq after people attacked and
destroyed an ammunition dump.

One US soldier was killed and seven injured in attack on 2 nd February.

Next day another US soldier and three police officers were killed and
one soldier was wounded.

On 5th February Sistani escaped assassination bid when gunmen fired

at him as he left his office. One US soldier was shot dead in Baghdad.

Mortar fire hit US base at Kirkuk airport on 7 th February. Next day

one US soldier and three Iraqis were killed.

Two US soldiers were killed in accidental blast on 9th February. Next

day 55 persons were killed in suspected suicide bombing outside a
police station. Six policemen were killed in other attacks.

On 11th February 47 were killed in car blast at a recruiting centre.

Three US and five Spanish soldiers were hurt in separate attacks.

General Abizaid escaped RPG attack on 12th February. Two US

soldiers and two Iraqis were killed in separate incidents.

American and British soldiers were killed in different incidents on 13 th

February. Next day 23 persons were killed in different incidents,
including a daring attack on a police station by masked men. The
same day bodies of three missing American soldiers were found.

Two US soldiers and five civilians were killed on 16th February. Next
day three US troops and six civilians were killed in attacks.

Eleven Iraqis were killed in twin suicide attacks and 58 foreign

soldiers were wounded on 18th February. Next day two US troops and

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one Iraqi were killed in bomb blast.

Three Iraqis, including a Sunni cleric, were shot dead in Mosul and
Baghdad on 22nd February. Next day suicide bomber killed 13
policemen and oil pipeline was attacked in Karbala.

Two US soldiers were killed as a helicopter crashed into river near

Baghdad on 25th February. Next day a policeman was killed and 7
were wounded as a blast jolted Baquba.

Oil pipeline was attacked on 27th February. Next day three Iraqis were
killed in violence.

Estonian soldier was gunned down on 29th February. The same day
two Iraqis, including police officer, were killed in separate attacks.

Big explosion rocked central Baghdad on 1 st March. Next day one US

soldier was killed and a blast damaged oil pipeline in Kirkuk.

On Ashura 271 persons were killed in blasts in Kabala. The same day
70 persons were killed and 321 were wounded in Baghdad.

Nine Iraqis were killed on 4th March. Next day roadside blasts rocked
Baghdad. Two Iraqis were killed and four UK soldiers were injured in
shootout on 6th March.

One US soldier and three Iraqis were killed in violence on 9 th March.

Next day two Americans and Iraqi translator were shot dead.

US soldier was among five killed on 11th March. Next day two US
soldiers died in blast in Habaniyah.

On 13th March two US soldiers and Iraqi civilian were killed in blasts.
Next day four US soldiers were killed in bomb blasts.

Three US civilians were shot dead in Mosul on 15 th March. Next day

two Germans and six Iraqis were killed in separate attacks.

On 17th March 27 persons were killed in blast in Baghdad hotel. The

same day an American soldier and 5 Iraqis were killed in other
incidents.

On 18th March six civilians and three US soldiers were killed. Next
day two US Marines were killed.

On 20th March one person died in attack on Iraqi Kurdish party

offices. Next day two US soldiers were killed in attack near Fallujah.

Two US soldiers and two Finnish traders were killed in different

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incidents on 22nd March and three Iraqis died in violence.

Iraqis also resorted to resenting the occupation peacefully. Residents
in Khalidya protested outside US base on 6 th February. On 23rd February
teachers and students demonstrated against detention of scientists. Hatred for
occupation forces and their Iraqi collaborators persisted in Fallujah.
Tensions were reportedly high even before the start of Muharram,
which resulted in mass killing on Ashura in Karbala and Baghdad. In
Karbala three suicide bombers succeeded in detonating their body-bombs.
Fourth attacker was apprehended. His national identity was not disclosed.
OIC and GCC joined the chorus of condemnation of suicide blasts
urging Iraqis not to be dragged into internecine fighting. Sistani blamed
Coalition forces for not securing borders against infiltrators; thereby
doubting that these were acts of outsiders.
Survivors in Baghdad hurled stones at US troops who arrived on the
scene after the incident. The Americans are the cause of all the trouble and I
want them to leave said Khalil Ismail. It is true that there are some
terrorists who want to create trouble but they will fail. Iraqi people can
secure a stable future on their own he added.
It is difficult to believe that the Americans could not have foreseen
the mischief or were not forewarnedIts policy of divide and rule vis--vis
Iraqi politics might be furthering American interests but it is causing a
serious schism in the country and raising fears of divisionit is best that it
withdraws and let the Iraqis run their own affairs commented the News in
its editorial on 4th March.
The enemies of Islam have been exploiting this weakness (sectarian
divide) of ours to their advantage. Their agents are quite adept at covertly
targeting a place of worship belonging to one sect of Islam, thereby setting
into motion the vicious circle of retaliation and counter-retaliation by the
followers of each sect opined Masud A Shaikh.
He added, Pakistan has suffered a lot in this way. The enemy hand
can be seldom ruled out from such incidents. Even in the latest events in
Iraq, fingers are being pointed at the American agents who might have lit the
first matchstick to start the ball rolling. What other method could be more
effective to punish the Iraqi people for their gross insubordination to the new
masters?

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Efforts were made to cast doubts about possible involvement of Iran.

In Karbala enraged Shiites turned on Iranian pilgrims after the blast. Eleven
Iraqis and five Iranians were arrested after the incident. Iranian Foreign
Minister denied involvement in attacks, in which 49 Iranians were killed.
Straw promptly expressed sympathies with families of those killed.
Solana condemned heinous attacks in Iraq and Pakistan which he said had
turned a Shia holy day into a nightmare and a bloodbath. Annan was
appalled that these incidents took place in and around Muslim shrines
during the holy occasion of Ashura. He urged Iraqis to refrain from acts
that could undermine efforts to achieve reconciliation at this delicate stage.
Even Bush was grieved over killings.
These messages of condolence were attempts at shifting the blame
onto Iraqis. The Media was quick in evoking Shia-Wahhabi animosity in
Iraq. AP quoted preacher quoted Hazim, we are not afraid of saying the
truth, which is that al-Qaeda and the Wahhabists are behind the attacks on
Kazimiya and Karbala. The agency recounted the history of sectarian rift.
The aim was clear.
Michael Jansen argued that the objectives of the militants are; on the
one hand, deny legitimacy to the US occupation regime and, on the other, to
make it possible for Washington to govern Iraq By bombing police
stations, municipal offices, training centres for Iraqi security forces and
killing Iraqis serving in the police and armed forces and working with the
US administration, the militants seek to break the connection between Iraqis
and the occupation regime.
He continued, by striking at the Jordanian embassy, and later at
Turkish, Spanish and German missions, the militants sought to undermine
the legitimacy of the US presence. He then concluded that by these attacks
al-Qaeda tried to pit Sunnis against Shiites. He too blamed the monster.
Iranian vice president joined the chorus of accusing reactionary alQaeda. The terror group reached a conclusionthat they have two enemies:
the United States as the political enemy and Shias as the ideological enemy.
Did he try to suppress the divide in Ummah or further deepen it?
Iraqi puppets appealed for calm. Hadi Muddaresi said that the
bombings were an attempt by Sunni extremists to foment civil war. We as
Shias refuse to be drawn into such a conflict. Hussein Shammari said the
same thing. Enemies of Shias want to kill Shias and provoke civil strife.

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Council members and America blamed Zarqawi referring to his letter.

Al-Qaeda denied the allegation. We have nothing to do with these
acts. We strike the American Crusaders and their allies. We strike the Iraqi
police who work for America, which uses them like a stick to beat the
Mujahideen in Iraq. We strike the infidel council, called the Governing
Council, and all those who surround it, among the Sunnites and Shiites.
The statement was signed by Abu Hafs Brigades/al-Qaeda. It alleged
that the attacks were an American plot aimed at provoking sectarian conflict
between Muslims in IraqUS troops have committed a massacre against the
innocent Shias to set sectarianism ablaze among Iraqs Muslims.
Iraqi militants announced that al-Zarqawi was dead. He was killed in
Sulaimaniya Mountains in northern Iraq during American bombing there.
Allaho Akbar Mujahideen claimed that fabricated memo has been used by
the US-led Coalition to back up their theory of a civil war in Iraq.
He has not been in contact with his mother for the last four months.
The truth is al-Qaeda is not present in Iraq the statement said. Though
many Arabs entered the country to fight US troops, only a small number
remained, the group added. We had to help hundreds of them leave for their
own protection because they were only a burden on the resistance. It was
difficult to hide them from Iraqi informers cooperating with US forces.
These statements could be aimed at deceiving Americans.

BACKLASH
Criticism of Iraq War started with the exposure of lies told to justify
the invasion. Persistent resistance against occupation resulting in steady flow
of body bags back to America increased the backlash. Blasts in Madrid
further strengthened the argument against war.
Debate on lies about war continued. Ex-BBC chief accused
government of intimidation. Brits wanted probe over Iraq war, according to
polls. US intelligence faced uncertain future and Bush agreed to formal
inquiry into intelligence fiasco. Powell, however, opposed debating WMDs
in election campaign. Howard also ordered fresh inquiry into pre-war Iraq
intelligence. Denmark decided to probe leak of confidential report on Iraq.
Blix accused Blair of dramatizing intelligence and reiterated that he
never said that Iraq had WMDs. He blamed America and Britain of
concocting facts before war and highlighted correctness of intelligence

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collected by UN inspectors. According to him both Bush and Blair knew

they were exaggerating. In his view even if Saddam had breached the UN
Resolution, it did not make Iraq War legal.
Clare Shot raised a new issue of alleged bugging of Annan before Iraq
invasion by UK spies. Bugging Annan was no problem for Bush and Blair
who buggered the world body he headed.
Major Usman Ali Khan in a letter to the News compared the Bush and
Saddam highlighting the difference. George Bush raised a false alarm, lied,
and cheated the world on Iraq. Saddam Hussein said the truth; we do not
have WMDs. Many Americans will return in body bags to America.
The war has also been criticized for profiteering. Zubair Rahman
reported that it stirred a backlash in the US among families angry that their
sons and daughters have been placed in harms way to enrich Cheney and his
ilk. The case of a soldier in Florida, who preferred prison than return to Iraq
to fight an oil-driven war, was part of the resentment.
Clancy Sigal of the Guardian covered this case in some detail. Staff
Sergeant Camilo Mejia, a squad leader in the 53rd Infantry Brigade of the
American army fighting in Iraqs Sunni triangle, has been hiding and living
like a criminal in the United States ever since he went absent without leave
from a brief furlough five months ago. He was afraid even to see his threeyear old daughter in New York.
After arrest he was accompanied by a GI buddy, Oliver Perez, who
said, I fought next to him. He is not a coward. Mejia had refused to fight a
war for oil, based on lies. Sgt Mejia and his 600 co-deserters could well be
the harbingers of a new GI movement. The writer concluded that army
recruiting has become a tough sell, a far cry from the upsurge of patriotic
enlistments after 9/11.
The dirty war on Iraq has been termed a war against all mankind.
Putin saw Iraq becoming new home to terrorists. Kerry, contesting
forthcoming elections, accused Bush of failure to protect US troops.
Terrorist attacks in Madrid resulted in defeat of one of strong supporters of
Bush. Reuters blamed al-Qaeda for hijacking Spanish election. New Prime
Minister termed occupation disaster. He saw terrorism threatening Europe
and announced that Spain will pullout troops from Iraq.
Straw immediately countered, UK and Spain not at risk due to
support of Iraq War. Britain planned to discuss UN role in Iraq with Spain.
Withdrawing Spains troops from Iraq would be mistake said spokesman of

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outgoing Prime Minister. Spanish new Prime Minister rejected all appeals
for troops to stay.
Mayed Ali termed the victory of socialists justice at the ballot
against anti-terror coalition. Praful Bidwai attributed the Spain debacle to
creation of huge mess by US with a welter of discontents, unaddressed
grievances and injustices. He concluded that the US-led war on terrorism
has not united the West; rather, it has divided it. That makes the struggle for
a saner, more peaceful, multi-polar world order particularly worth waging.
Italian minister termed Iraq invasion as mistake. Poland feared it
could be next after Spain and contemplated pullout from Iraq early next year.
Bush sought world help on Iraq War anniversary and EU held talks after
Madrid blasts.
Dr Farrukh Saleem viewed the possible effects of Spain attacks from a
different angle. Europe is scared. So is America. America is at war with alQaeda. Spains March 11 is going to turn Europe against al-Qaeda as well.
Europe knows that it cannot fight al-Qaeda on its own. Bush has long
wanted Europe to become his partner in Americas war on terror and alQaeda has now provided Europe a perfect pretext to join America. Al-Qaeda
has blundered. Europes relationship to Bushs war on terror is about to
change. March 11 was al-Qaedas strategic miscalculation, and all signals
from Europe are going to turn blood red for al-Qaeda.
Al-Qaedas involvement has been hyped by Western Media, despite
that outgoing Prime Minister blamed ETA immediately after the attack. The
only suspects arrested so far have also denied link to al-Qaeda. Therefore, to
say that this incident would contribute significantly toward unity of the
Crusaders due to strategic mistake committed by al-Qaeda wont be entirely
correct. The Crusaders have never been disunited, despite having
disagreements. Spanish Prime Minister has only asked for change in
American policy.
Global protests on first anniversary of Iraq invasion demanded end to
US occupation. The slogans raised by the protesters reflected the nature and
extent of opposition to illegal occupation. Pull our troops from Iraq; antiBush, anti-Blair, anti-war everywhere; no more lies, time for the truth; no
blood for oil; 20,000 Iraqis killed, this is Bushs democracy; hell with
American democracy and freedom.; and Baghdad stand strong, make
America miserable were some the slogans reported in press.

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In New York a mother carried photo of her deceased son shouted

Bush you killed my son. Bush lies, who dies? End the occupation of Iraq.
In Australia protesters termed Howard as war criminal. In India protesters
vowed to remind war mongering US and its allies that there are more
people in the world who condemn the war than support their evil designs.

CONSOLIDATING OCCUPATION
The Coalition forces have been facing problems in controlling Iraq,
but not to the extent that would force it to think of abandoning the conquered
land. America has been working to consolidate the occupation. Counter
insurgency operations continued with no sign dissipation of the resolve:

Two Iraqis were killed in US firing on 6 th February and six wanted

Iraqis were nabbed in Tikrit the same day.

On 7th February 18 Iraqis were held. Next day US troops killed Iraqi
police officer who had attacked them with other gunmen.

US troops detained ex-Baath chairman on 10 th February. Next day US

soldiers killed ten Iraqis and bounty for Zarqawi was doubled.

Former Baath official, Zimam, on most-wanted list was held on 15 th

February. Ten days later Police General and ex-Baath party member
was killed.

Iraq and US forces arrested a terrorist leader in Baquba on 4 th March.

Border security was beefed up after attacks.

Four Iraqi suspected militants were held in a raid on dairy on 7 th

March. Four days later six Iraqi cops were arrested on charge of
killing US troops.

On 17th March US forces launched fresh offensive in Baghdad. Two

days later another journalist died of fire wounds.

On 22nd March a suspect was arrested in Tikrit, who was involved in

an earlier attack.

Preservation of morale of troops was the key to continuation of

occupation of Iraq. US Administration paid special attention to this
important aspect. Wolfowitz made a surprise visit to Baghdad for this
purpose.
On 19th March Powell also visited Baghdad. He hailed Iraq War to
convince the soldiers that they were fighting for just cause. The people of
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Halabja never have to worry again, neighbours never have to worry again
because you have removed you and your buddies have removed a
horrible dictatorial regime.
To stiffen the spine of his soldiers he said, this is noble work. We are
not only fighting these former regime elements and fighting those who have
come to Iraq to start trouble; we are fighting terrorism around the world and
this is part of that battle. You cant walk away from it, you cant escape it,
you cant ignore it, and you cant pretend that terrorism wont affect you or
affect your country. Its threat to every civilized nation.
As he gave this sermon to brave US soldiers, 7,000 Sunnis and Shias
marched against the occupation after Friday prayers in two main mosques.
No to America, no to Saddam they chanted thereby bracketing the two as
horrible dictatorial regimes.
In the world outside it was important to win support for occupation of
Iraq. NATO remained unconvinced about its role. America tried to attract
attention by announcing that it planned to award $ 5 billion contracts in midMarch. At the same time the Council was told to seek non-US funding for $
4 billion projects. Out of these so far $ 1.1 billion contracts have been
awarded to US and UK firms. Russian firm signed deal to deliver fuel to Iraq
and also won a contract in Kirkuk
Efforts were also made to win over the Iraqis. Iraq was granted
observer status at WTO. Seventy-five prisoners were freed. Red Cross was
allowed meeting with Saddam. Optimism about the issue of empowering
Iraqis was kept alive.
Triggering civil war to exhaust fighting capabilities of Iraqis remained
a possibility. On 9th February a document accused al-Qaeda of asking to
foment sectarian war in Iraq. Two days later AP reported that civil war might
break out in Iraq after al-Qaeda letters threat.
Gareth Stansfield of the Institute of Arab & Islamic Studies at
England University of Exeter opined that the potential for a civil war was
already in place. It did not need al-Qaeda to encourage. Violence, some of it
clearly sectarian, has already claimed hundreds, if not thousands of lives.
A senior US official predicted, the prospect of Iraq slipping into civil
war was real. Jordanian king also feared ethnic war. On 13th March a Shia
mosque was blown up outside Baghdad at night. Coalition troops resorted to
raids on mosques, which irked Iraqis. Such raids could accentuate mistrust
between Sunnis and Shias.

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Efforts were also made to dub the resistance of Iraqis against

occupation forces as rebellion against the puppets installed by America.
America was helping Iraq to hunt rebels reported New York Times.
The resistance was also dubbed as terrorism. Al-Qaeda was blamed
for all the bombings. Global terror threat is real said Blair. Despite these
accusations the Coalition did not enhance border security to desirable extent.
This loophole could have been left deliberately for blaming and pressurizing
the neighbours.
Arabs from outside Iraq were discouraged through courtesy of media.
Reuters reported that the fighters who had come to fight during the invasion
were sold out to US by Iraqis. The selling out was exaggerated. Mostly
Kurds handed over the Arab fighters who went to their areas for Jihad. These
incidents were now publicized to discourage those who still wanted to go to
Iraq to fight against Americans.
The Coalition had been uncertain about handling of some important
issues. One of these related to raising and equipping of Iraqi police and
army. Lack of trust in Iraqis was the real cause though shortage of funds was
made an excuse.
Americans were also in no hurry to dispose the case of Saddam,
despite considering him more dangerous than Taliban. Some Iraqis insisted
on trial, US lawyers team worked on compilation of his war crimes and
Kuwait planned to demand death sentence for him. However, America
waited on this issue apprehending undue reaction.
The best in the world were alleged of committing excesses in Iraq.
Britain agreed to probe Iraqi prisoners death in custody. Meanwhile a
British soldier was caught trying to smuggle gold bar. The looted property
had started surfacing.
Empowering Iraqis was the best way to appease Iraqis. The world and
Iraqis kept demanding transfer of power. America agreed but did not want it
in democratic spirit, but in Yankee-style. It planned to transfer power on
30th June without holding elections. Islam will not be the only source of law
and women to be given representation in all political bodies.
America partly succeeded in dragging UN into the process of transfer
of power. To begin with US and UN differed on the issue, but the latter
vowed to help Iraqis in restoring sovereignty. Its team held talks with Iraqi
politicians and agreed with Sistani for elections.
Brahimi warned Iraqis on 13th February to be wary of risk of civil war
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and ruled out elections before June 30. Annan endorsed his plan and linked
UN role to improvement of security. About a month later he again assured
UN help in polls process and formation of government.
UNs decision on polls received mixed response from Iraqis. Shias
remained cool on United Nations role. Brahimi, however, claimed that
Sistani wanted UN role, but an aide denied. Rifts also surfaced in Governing
Council. Some wanted the role small and others bigger.
Majority of Iraq Council followed the line dictated by the Master.
They wanted to delay elections. Governing Council hoped to rule Iraq even
after June 30. The Council succeeded in resolving the differences over
constitution. Interim constitution was signed on 8th March. America, Russia,
Britain, France and others hailed; Turkey and Sistani rejected the basic law.
Everything went the way the Crusaders wanted. Islam was not to be
the only source of law. It was to be one out of many. The Council agreed to
hold national polls on 31st January next year. Kurdish self-rule was
deliberately left unresolved. Modalities to constitute a new government to
take power from June 30 were to be worked out.
Shias generally demanded early polls, particularly Sistanis supporters
warned of problems if polls were delayed. He, however, agreed to a short
delay calling for polls by end of 2004. SAIRI showed its willingness to back
off polls but with a guarantee of Shia domination in transitional government.
Sunnis opposed early polls as they feared these wont be fair under
US occupation. As regards interim government they vowed to react
violently, if ignored. US formula of choosing Iraqi legislature on regional
basis was also opposed.
Differences on constitution remained despite its signing. Moqtada
Sadr questioned legitimacy of constitution. Muslim clerics slammed
constitution and demonstrations were held in Najaf and Mosul.
Trail of body bags, the backlash and blasts in Spain caused no serious
worry to Americans in the context of occupation of Iraq. They were not hard
pressed to comply with Desmond Tutus advice, asking Bush and Blair to
say sorry for immoral Iraq War.
Rumsfeld blamed al-Qaeda for violence thereby claiming that Iraqis
were not against occupation. Bush vowed not to change US policy due to
attacks and hoped democracy in Iraq will prevail. His only worry was to
avert any backlash affecting his re-election, thus he focused on Iraq and
terrorism during election rallies.
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TERRORISM BY SHARON
In the absence of any pressure from any side, America not only
ignored the criticism but also kept threatening Iran and Syria. Rumsfeld
warned both the countries against interference in Iraq. During his visit to
Baghdad Powell asked Syria to pull troops out of Lebanon.
In Iran elections were held as scheduled despite unprecedented
number of disqualifications, resignation of more than hundred MPs, and
requests for postponement. Reformists conceded defeat as Conservatives
headed for solid victory and the Guardian Council hoped for encouragement
of spirituality and morality.
No sooner the outcome of polls was known, America declared Iran
vote unfair. EU and US called Iran elections flawed. (No Muslim state had
dared to say that Bush was elected through flawed elections.) Khamenei
hailed Iran vote as victory over US.
During mid-February six neighbours of Iraq called for UN role and
vowed to eliminate terrorism. This was followed by Cofer accusing Iranian
government of having contacts with al-Qaeda. America and Europe agreed
on Resolution against Iran. Kharzai refused to accept that his country was
NPT violator. On 15th March US forces traded fire with Iranian guards and
killed one.
The diversion of world attention toward Iraq was fully utilized to
allow free hand to Sharon to break the back of Palestinian resistance:

Five Palestinians were injured in Israeli incursion on 1 st February. Six

days later Islamic Jihad man and a boy were killed in a raid.

On 9th February Israeli troops killed three Palestinians. Two days later
fifteen more died in Israeli raids.

Israelis killed PA security official on 16 th February. Ten days later

Israeli troops killed two Palestinian protesters.

On 27th February Israeli police stormed al-Aqsa Mosque. Next day

three Palestinians were killed in air strike.

Two Palestinians were killed in West Bank on 29 th February. In next

two days Israel killed three Hamas activists near Gaza City.

On 5th March Israel sealed off West Bank and Gaza Strip. Next day six
Palestinians died at Gaza border crossing.
136

On 7th March fourteen Palestinians were killed as Israel raided two

Gaza camps. Nine Hamas fighters and three boys were among dead
and 93 were injured.

On 10th March Israeli agents killed five al-Aqsa members. The same
day Abu Abbas died in US custody.

Three Palestinian were shot dead on 14 th March. Two days later Israeli
troops killed two more in Gaza.

Four Palestinians were killed in Israeli raids on 17 th March. Four days

later Hamas man was among five killed in a raid.

In addition to Yassin eleven Palestinians were killed in raids and

clashes on 22nd March.

In worst of target killings Hamas founder Ahmed Yassin was killed by

Israel in missile strike by helicopter when he came to the mosque for Fajr
prayer. The operation was supervised by Sharon and he greeted the military
after its successful completion. He called Yassin the mastermind of
Palestinian terror and a mass-murderer who was among Israels greatest
enemies. He signaled more targeted killing.
The analysts had warned Sharon that killing of Yassin could be seen
as an attack on Islam and unnecessarily widen the circle of conflict. Sharon
was shrewd enough to correctly assess the reaction capability of Ummah and
went with his plans.
Hamas vowed killing hundreds of Jews. Attacks would also be carried
out against US targets as the Zionists would not have perpetrated such an
act without obtaining the green light from the terrorist American
Administration and it must assume responsibility for this crime. All the
Muslims of the world will be honoured to join in on the retaliation for this
crime.
Arafats Fatah movement said, the Palestinian reaction for this
cowardly act will be an earthquake Hezbollah vowed that Israel will pay
very dearly. Hizbollah also clashed with Israeli troops in Lebanon. Egypts
Muslim Brotherhood blamed the indulgence of Arab leaders in the
assassination as they allowed Sharon to behave as he wished.
Assassination was condemned and condoled by many Muslim, Arab
and even by Pakistani leaders. Some European countries also condemned the
killing. This was hypocrisy at its best. Each one of them knew that Hamas
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was included in the list of terrorist organizations. By virtue of that Yassin

had been equated with Osama, Omar and Saddam. They also knew that the
Crusaders must have approved Sharons plan. How could they now condemn
the incident in which a high value target of war on terror was eliminated?
All those who support the war directly or indirectly should have hailed this
visible success of Sharon.
This valiant Crusader answered all the criticism by vowing more
killings. Close aides of Arafat feared that he could be the next target. There
was nothing to deter Israel if it chooses to kill an ineffective person like
Arafat. But most likely the next target will be Aziz Rantissi.
While Israel indulged in killing spree, the world kept talking of the
barrier. Israel indicated shortening of West bank barrier route to ease
Palestinian lives and travel restrictions, but world court was told that barrier
was aimed at bolstering occupation. Israeli barrier was wrecking ME peace
hopes said ICJ. Israeli Supreme Court asked the government to suspend
work on barrier.
Hundreds of Palestinians protested after every incident of killing at
times resulting in clashes with Israeli police. Qorei demanded return of
money seized by Israel through armed bank robberies. Hamas ordered largescale suicide attacks, but during the period the attacks launched were quite
few.
Eight persons were killed in suicide bombing on 22 nd February. AlAqsa Brigade accepted the responsibility. Five days later two Israeli soldiers
were killed in another suicide bombing. Double suicide attack killed twelve
persons in Israel on 14th March.

CONCLUSION
Violent reaction against occupation caused some worries to Bush
about his re-election for second term. He could afford to deny elections to
Iraqis and reject the results of polls in Iran, but could not counter its effects
on elections in November.
The war for oil might be criticized more strongly in days to come.
Firstly, due to ever increasing resistance against occupation forces and
secondly because of spread of terrorism to Spain. It could result in
differences in Coalition forces, but the Crusades will continue.
Assassination of Yassin was in accordance with American policy of

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target killing. This gruesome act wont serve as wake-up call for Muslim or
Arab leaders. They will remain in disarray suffering from indecision and fear
of the Crusaders. The have accepted the defeat without joining the war.

Blasts in Karbala exposed sectarian divide of Iraqis. This could be

exploited by the Crusaders to delay the fulfillment of promise of democracy.
The existing Governing Council could be replaced with a fresh bunch of
puppets under the banner of Interim Government.
25th March 2004

BUNNY AND BUNNY HUG

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Powell invited the carrot-loving bunny for bunny-hug dance during

his visit to Islamabad. He promised Pakistan the status of non-NATO ally,
and looked forward to the day when you and your children will taste the full
fruits of democracy, prosperity and peace. He vowed to continue to work
together in areas of border security, immigration, crime fighting, counternarcotics, and counter-terrorism.
Musharraf rejoiced over the latest promise and hoped that
misperceptions about Pakistan would soon go, notwithstanding the fact that
his country would fall into the category of Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain. The
people, however, had their reservations on this development.
Barrister Baachaa for a change quoted Pushto saying instead of
Shakespear to convey his viewpoint. According to him the worthlessness of
the status was aptly pointed out in saying, KHAN RATA DELA OVAY very
happy and excited because Khan (the boss) has called me a pimp.
M B Naqvi conveyed his views by rephrasing a Punjabi saying. He
thought that this partnership amounted to taking an elephant to bed. Dr
Iffat Idris observed, the MNNA status conferred on Pakistan for services
rendered in the US-led war on terror and also for services yet to be rendered
a carrot to keep the Musharraf government in the American camp.
From across the border Praful Bidwai saw Pakistan now joining the
league of 12 loyal partners of the US outside NATO. It was an obvious
reward for latest operation in Waziristan, capping illicit activities of Khan
and company and showing good behaviour towards India.
Apart from showing bigger carrot America served some smaller ones
in the form of offering $ 460 million relief; lifting sanctions that were
imposed after military take over in 1999 and ending visa restrictions on
Pakistanis. The opposition was not impressed. It accused the government of
giving up on key issues.

EASTWARD TERRORISM
During Powells stay in Delhi America asked Pakistan to take more
action on border and close militant camps, while appreciating Pakistans
actions. I am pleased with the commitments made to go after these camps
and Ill be speaking to President Musharraf about these matters when I see
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him on the next leg of my tripWe cant be satisfied until the entire
network is gone, branch and root.
On reaching Islamabad Powell assured Musharraf and Jamali of
Washingtons support to Pak-India dialogue, which indicated that America
fully understood the earnest desire of Pakistani leaders for peace. In
collaboration with India America was trying to extract maximum price from
Pakistani leaders.
Disclosure of intention to grant status of non-NATO ally was
promptly followed by a statement urging India not to be angry about it, yet
India expressed its annoyance. It was done despite the fact that India was
much closer and trusted partner and was getting more than Pakistan could
ever dream of.
Pakistan rejected Indian indignation over status of non-NATO ally.
Frenandes played down the pretended rift with America. Meanwhile
American and Indian troops held jungle warfare exercises and a US general
visited occupied Kashmir.
Having done all that it could to choke means of cross border terrorism
Pakistan kept trying to convince India to accept Kashmir as core issue.
Jamali asserted that talks without Kashmir would be meaningless. Kasuri
again assured own people that there was no sell-out on Kashmir.
Musharraf feared being outwitted by Indian leaders on Kashmir and
expressed his apprehensions. Advani termed Musharrafs stress upon
dialogue an outcome of domestic compulsion thereby saying that he
(Musharraf) was not much concerned about dialogue on Kashmir.
Nevertheless he considered Musharrafs remarks not good for peace.
Pakistan denied giving deadline on Kashmir. Obviously Musharraf
was not in position to dictate when his intentions for peace were doubted.
Kasuri had to reiterate that Pakistans desire for peace with India was
genuine.
In the absence of any worthwhile progress on Kashmir Pakistan had to
be satisfied with progress on peripheral issues, like Kashmir bus service;
border officials agreeing to curb smuggling and its team visiting Salal
project in held Kashmir. It availed the resumption of sports ties to project its
friendly feelings for the neighbour.
Indian polo team played three matches and enjoyed hospitality of
Pakistanis. Opening and closing ceremonies of SAF games reflected
enlightened moderation rather than upholding the spirit of the games.
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Similarly Indian cricket team played matches in un-precedent cordial

atmosphere.
Over-projection of Pakistans desire for peaceful coexistence was
too obvious, which at times appeared to be artificial. Musharraf claimed that
it had positive effects on perceptions about Pakistan. But it must not have
impressed others when many Pakistanis blamed authorities of prefixing the
cricket matches. Spokesman of Foreign Office had to clarify that defeat in
Multan wont help Vajpayee in elections.
As part of people to people contacts to promote understanding
Pakistani lawyers and journalists left for India during first week of April.
Few days later Pakistan arrested 36 Indian fishermen for releasing them with
gifts sometimes later as part of CBMs.
India focused more on talks with Kashmiris with a view to striking a
deal to rule out the need to have dialogue with Pakistan. During talks in
Delhi Advani urged APHC not to boycott polls and both parties agreed on
more negotiations in June. He hailed APHC leaders participation in talks
and asked Hindus and Muslims to reconcile. Both factions of APHC,
however, refused to take part in polls.
India concentrated on consolidation after choking the cross border
terrorism. It planned to complete fencing of Line of Control by June.
Perpetration of state terrorism continued unabated:

A Politician was among 11 killed in IHK on 18th March. On the same

day it was announced that 56,000 additional troops were to be
deployed in the occupied valley.

On 19th March three Kashmiris were killed and nine more were killed
next day.

Violence claimed nine lives in the Valley on 21st March. Five days
later two Indian soldiers were among six killed.

On 29th March three persons were killed in violence and Mehbooba

Mufti escaped attack. Next day Police killed three more in IHK.

A girl was killed and five were hurt in on 31 st March. In all 167
Kashmiris were martyred during March.

On 3rd April eight were killed in IHK and two days later eight more
were died in violence.

Three persons were killed on 7th April. Next day 25 were killed in pre-

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election violence. Two ministers were hurt in grenade attack.

India cleverly kept Pakistans hopes alive about dialogue on Kashmir.
Vajpayee saw the only way to peace in solution of Kashmir dispute and
hoped that there would be no war with Pakistan. He urged permanent thaw
in ties with Pakistan and vowed not to lose peace chance. He talked about
solution but refused to compromise on Indias self respect.
Sticking on to Kashmir has been the practiced strategy to preserve
Indias self respect for which it had to accumulate military hardware. India
inked $ 1.45 billion jet trainers agreement with UK. It also carried out four
test-fires of different kinds of missiles in last week of March.
Musharraf expressed his apprehensions in concealed words but others
were fairly straight forward. Professor Khurshid took exception to the
statement of Powell in which he had gleefully said that he was going to talk
to General Pervez Musharraf to dismantle terrorist camps in Azad Kashmir.
The professor asked President Pervez Musharraf to have the courage
to tell Colin Powell that while there is no terrorist camp in Azad Kashmir
every day dozens of innocent people are being killed by the terrorist
machine of the occupation force of India in Jammu and Kashmir.
Air Commodore Azfar A Khan in his letter to the News wrote, in my
opinion, India is just using dilly-dallying tactics and has no intention of
holding a meaningful dialogue with Pakistan. Its just buying time after
all; 57 years are good enough to understand the Hindu mindset. There were
no reasons to doubt that Musharraf did not understand this simple point.
Blix in a rare statement said, Kashmir is more important than nuclear
issue. India never cared such views because of the support of the Crusaders.
It will follow the roadmap reserving the right to decide about time and
agenda of each round of talks. The journey will be agonizingly tiring for
Pakistan.
Musharraf has to wait for indefinite period to have peace with honour
and dignity. That may not come at all as Congress has already accused
Indian Government of going too soft on US, thereby telling it to ask America
to put more pressure on Pakistan.

WESTWARD TERRORISM
America had been talking about spring operation since long. This
was to be carried out by Pakistan under supervision and technological
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guidance of America. Afghan and US troops were to block the escape routes
emanating from South Waziristan.
With the onset of spring Musharraf disclosed that terrorists were
hiding in tribal areas, particularly in South Waziristan. We have information
that 500 to 600 foreign nationals were staying in our countryThey recruit
Pakistanis for suicide missions after paying those millions. Jamali told that
aim of war on terror was to bring peace.
Long awaited operation began on 16th March as FC troops moved in to
raid village Kaloshah three kms from Azam Warsak. The raiding force was
ambushed short of the target and a group of 19 soldiers was encircled by
armed tribesmen. They tried to take cover in a dry stream, but most of them
were killed or injured and some were captured. Tribal elders and government
officials accompanying the force deserted as soon as the force was
ambushed.
In all 16 troops and 23 military vehicles were lost in the action and
two tehsildars and some militiamen were reported missing. It was highest
toll since joining war on terror. The government claimed killing 24
foreigners, but bodies of only two Chechens were recovered. According to
locals only six of them were killed. Neither Nek Mohammad nor Nur Islam
was killed or captured.
On 18th March troops besieged militants strong-hold. Musharraf
claimed surrounding a high value al-Qaeda target. Jets, gunship helicopters
and artillery were used. Shelling killed one boy and injured nine including
six women. A major and a soldier were killed and three were wounded.
Militants made two attempts to break the cordon which were foiled killing
two, including one foreigner. Five fighters, including one foreigner, were
arrested.
The government claimed trapping 400 militants and reported Zawahri
might have narrowly escaped. Pentagon rejoiced over anticipated capture of
al-Qaeda leader as it would be a big blow to terrorists. But to their dismay
Taliban announced that Zawahri and Osama were safe somewhere in
Afghanistan. Meanwhile the Governor discussed the situation with Tribal
Jirga, vowing to root out foreign terrorists. Rashid asserted that terrorists
would be eliminated at all costs.
On 20th March a school was hit by army helicopter. Armed helicopters
also attacked other wrong targets. A young woman wailing besides charred

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wagon told that 13 members of her family, including two babies were killed.
US jets also bombed Pakistani territory. Nine bombs were dropped in
Lawara area of North Waziristan.
Spokesman of Nek Mohammad refuted the claim of army about
encircling the militants. We will not surrender. We are fighting because
army attacked our homes. He claimed killing 75 soldiers and capturing 12
and two tehsildars. Eighteen vehicles were also seized.
By that day 41 persons were killed including 25 civilians and 16
foreigners and 40 tribesmen were arrested. Bodies of 12 soldiers were
recovered. 150-member Jirga drawn from all tribes except the troubled
South Waziristan arrived to negotiate ceasefire.
On 21st March Pakistan protested against violation by US helicopters
in North Waziristan. The government claimed killing two more Chechens
and bodies of six others were recovered. The fighting subsided as Jirga
sought truce. The government spelled out the terms, i.e. release of 12 FC
men and two tehsildars; surrender of five most wanted tribesmen; and
handing over of foreigners or their expulsion from the area.
Next day tripartite body met to discuss the ongoing operation. Army
ruled out ceasefire as Jirga failed to make any headway. Army claimed
discovering two kilometer long tunnel with a stream linking houses of
wanted tribesmen. The same day 12 troops were killed and 22 were
wounded in an ambush near Wana.
On 23rd March Tribal Lashkar arrested three suspects as most of the
militants were believed to have escaped. Next day it was officially accepted
that US technology was helping Pakistan in al-Qaeda hunt. Local
authorities took preventive measures; use of motorcycles was banned and
the Press was disallowed entry into area. Exodus of people continued.
NWFP Government convened Tribal Jirga. Militants blew up a bridge near
Ladha in South Waziristan.
On 25th March Mahsud Lashkar burnt house used for ambush of
military convoy. Militants demanded troops pullout to free the hostages.
Zawahri urged Pakistan Army to rise against Musharraf. Next day Rashid
slated Zawahris remarks. Bodies of eight missing soldiers were found.
On 27th March Musharraf reacted to Zawahris statement. Now as far
as if hes taunting me well, I would like to say that Im going to eliminate all
of them. Head of Islamic Republic of Pakistan by getting personal scooped
to the level of a fugitive with head money. He claimed that Zawahri was on

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the run. A senior Uzbek al-Qaeda member was also reported on the run after
having been wounded.
The same day Ulema and tribal elders met militant leaders to
negotiate release of fourteen hostages. ISPR announced completion of the
mission. Rashid vowed to deal with terrorists firmly. Faisal declared that the
focus on four high-value local targets will remain in place.
On 28th March militants released militiamen and troops pulled out of
Azam Warsak. Villagers complained about looting of their homes. Next day
al-Qaeda spy chief, Abdullah was reported killed in recent operation. ISPR
also confirmed that Yuldeshev was injured and was on the run.
On 30th March ISPR announced that killed al-Qaeda man was not spy
chief. Bodies of two tehsildars were recovered from a well. Faisal vowed to
re-start operation on receipt of reports of terrorists presence. Musharraf
accused Zawahri of trying to destabilize Pakistan.
Next day ISPR acknowledged that locals offered resistance in Wana.
Reinforcements were sent to target al-Qaeda suspects. Pro-government
handbills were distributed. A teacher and students of a Madrassa were
arrested in Wana.
By 1st April 6,000-man force was assembled for fresh operations.
Tribal Lashkar asked foreigners to leave. The government gave 10-day
deadline to Zalikhel tribe. Six-day deadline was set to produce culprits
involved in attack on army camp in Shawal.
On 3rd April wanted tribesmans sons exchanged fire with troops. Two
days later the Governor offered safe passage to al-Qaeda men. The offer was
ridiculous as all escape routes were blocked. Tribesmen were given 15 days
to politically resolve foreign militants issue.
On 6th April Utmankhel tribe launched hunt for al-Qaeda men. Jamali
asked them to stay away from Pakistan. Next day he pledged to root out alQaeda from country. By then Pakistan and US forces were reported poised
for fresh offensive, but America ruled out sending troops into Pakistan.
On 8th April a wanted tribal commander denied presence of al-Qaeda
and Taliban suspects and said no to surrender. He did not trust Islamabads
amnesty offer. Next day JCSC vowed to continue war against terror and a
deal with three tribes was inked.
Powell praised operation against al-Qaeda and US Senators assured
support to Musharraf. Powell also lauded Pakistans efforts for border

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security. NATO too applauded FATA operation. The appreciations, however,

did not last long.
As the operation started the government and opposition clashed in
National Assembly. Emotionally charged MNAs from FATA remembered the
tribesmen who had given their blood for liberation of Kashmir and now their
off-springs were being conquered to please America. The government was
assailed for not taking National Assembly into confidence about operation.
Opposition in NWFP Assembly expressed concern over Wana killings.
The government was warned by opposition of 71 like situation while
delivering hard-hitting speeches against military operation. This criticism
was brushed aside by terming it an attempt to gain political mileage by
exploiting issues sensitive in nature.
Condemnation of operation was led by religo-political parties, who
could always be accused of Islamic militancy or extremism. Fazl warned
that operation could breed more attacks. JUI-F protested against Wana
operation and convened meeting of tribal agencies on 7 th April. This Jirga
condemned army operation and vowed to protect every inch of tribal area.
Professor Khurshid termed Wana killings against Islamic teachings.
He was alarmed at Powells non-NATO ally status offer. About Musharrafs
remarks that there is no room in Islam for killing of innocent people on any
pretext he said that it was also applicable to him and Pakistani forces, which
were killing innocents to please America.
He should also give such sermon to Powell as according to the count
kept by an American university, over 17,000 innocent people mostly women
and children, leaving aside tens of thousands Taliban who were killed in
Afghanistan, have been massacred by American-led forces in Afghanistan
The tally of the innocent killed in Iraq is even many times high.
Qazi asked government to stop killing of tribesmen. He accused
political administration of resorting to divide and rule. He considered
Islamic movement as only solution to anti-Muslim terrorism. JI also
convened a Jirga, but the government promptly held a counter Jirga and
rejected decisions of JI sponsored Jirga.
MMA held rallies, but generally remained sedate. Similarly ARD
stayed away from MMA walkout, announced march up to Waziristan and
then postponed it. PML-N leader slammed Wana operation. Babar suggested
negotiated solution to the problem. ANP vowed to resist governments
alleged illegal action.

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Senator Gul Naseeb termed Wana operation disastrous. Leghari

accused India of bribing tribal chieftains to create unrest. The United States
became a silent spectator and doing nothing to stop the Indian ambassador in
Afghanistan from bribing tribal chieftains.
Benazir as usual tried to downplay Musharrafs commitment to war
on terror. She alleged that tribal operation was a stunt to deceive a foreign
power. Every high value target was allowed to escape months in advance
while the tribal population was used as scapegoat to satisfy the power lust of
the regime.
She added that the badly planned operation has backfired. Instead of
catching high value targets, the population has been alienated leading to a
more fertile recruiting ground for the very militants the regime claims it
wishes to eliminate.
People of NWFP slammed use of armed forces against own citizens
and wanted immediate halt to operation. Behroz Khan reported Tribal Jirgas
were held in North Waziristan and Orakzai Agencies to express solidarity
with their fellow tribesmen and to issue warning to the government of
retaliation, in case operations were not stopped.
Pamphlets in North Waziristan threaten elders for supporting the
government. Tribesmen protested against operation and a demonstration in
D I Khan denounced it. NWFP senior minister warned of organizing ten
million tribesmen for self-defence. The operation also resulted in retaliatory
actions from tribesmen:

On 17th March a bomb rocked Tank city. Next day al-Qaeda warned
Pakistan of attacks and two bombs went off in Zhob.

Three rockets fired from Khyber Agency hit Peshawar city on 23 rd

arch. One of those fell near flag-staff house. The same day three
troops died as result of rocket attack in Kurram Agency and three
policemen were among four killed in bomb blast in Bannu.

On 25th arch a rocket attached with time device was recovered near
levy post in Sadda area.

Huge explosion was reported in Azam Warsak on 3 rd pril. Three days

later Rupees 15 million were looted from UBL branch in Wana.

Militarily the operation was ill-planned and badly executed. On the

other hand the militants displayed exceptional fighting skills in ambushing
the FC troops that were moving towards Kaloshah for raid. The disastrous

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operation resulted in capture and deaths of about 200 fighters and 46 troops.
The government exaggerated preparedness of the militants by
breaking the news of underground tunnels. The discovery of mystery of
tunnel in Azam Warsak should however be seen in the context of centuries
old Karizes used for irrigation. Lack of preparedness on the part of military,
which resulted in fiasco, was not mentioned publicly.
Apparently the operation was carried out in haste. The urgency must
have been caused by reasons other than clearing the tribal areas from the
menace of criminal militancy. After all Pakistan has been living with it for
more than five decades.
It was not for enhancing our national security as pointed out by
Ahmed Quraishy in his letter to the News. He opined, American-style hot
pursuit in our territories can be good for the Americans who are facing tough
elections ahead and need quick victories. But this will be disastrous for
Pakistans long-term integrity and stability.
In another letter Khalid Mustafa cautioned the government about the
repercussions. The peoples reactions are likely to flow in the future from
governments present actions in Wana area. Retaliatory actions, particularly
targeting Peshawar Cantonment with rockets, confirmed his apprehensions.
The News editorial dated 25th arch advised the government that
rockets fired at several areas in NWFP should be treated seriously. It is
obvious that these projectiles were not fired just for fun especially when it
seems an effort was made to spare the population.
The government should not over-value the rewards bestowed upon it
by the Americans. Praful Bidwai cautioned against the price to be paid for
the reward. Wana operation will have much serious consequences than the
casualties suffered by the troops. Durand Line peace may come apart.
As regards proliferation, no body believes Pakistans version he
continued. Pakistan still may not get F-16 as there could be another shift in
American policy. And instead it could lead to US demanding from Pakistan
to sign SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement) like the one it has with Japan
and South Korea. It could lead to a domestic furor.
The reward of MNNA was given to promote American interests as
seen by Imtiaz Alam. Since NATO has taken over the command in
Afghanistan and the US is now inclined to stay on, the strategic relationship
with Pakistan had to be formalized, even if there are no big prizes involved.

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The News in its editorial dated 18th March had warned about the price
paid by Pakistan. It should put at rest the continuous bickering by America
that we are not doing enough for the war on terror. A high price has already
been paid and it will be incorrect to indulge in further violence merely to
prove our commitment to eliminate terrorism.
The seeds of more bickering were sown by the government by hyping
about high value target. In his interview to CNN Musharraf referred to high
value target, which led to speculations about Egyptian surgeon who was
effectively the al-Qaeda number two. Myers and Wolfowitz saw that a big
blow was about to be delivered with the capture of Zawahri.
The frenzied speculations were triggered by the sighting of a foreigner
being whisked away at high speed in a bullet-proof vehicle when
paramilitaries searched for tribesmen. A land-cruiser burst out of a
compound, two other land-cruisers emerged to protect it, and scores of
fighters appeared from several directions, hurling grenades and firing at the
paramilitaries. The search party was virtually wiped out.
Yusufzai rejected the hypothesis that fierce resistance put up by
encircled fighters was the only reason to suspect presence of high value
target in the area. He suspected that American and Pakistani commanders
might be having some intercepts as proof as General Shaukat had already
confirmed presence of US intelligence men with Pakistani troops. He,
however, concluded that both Zawahri and Osama could not be at one place,
if so that would mean that they have run out of hideouts.
According to information compiled by him the fighters were mostly
Chechens, Uzbeks and Pushtoons, whereas followers of Osama were mostly
Arabs. Uzbeks would be more inclined to protect their leader Tahir
Yuldeshev, head of Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, who was believed to
be hiding in the border areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan. For Chechens, it
would be absolutely essential to protect their commander, Daniar, who too
was reportedly holed up in the tribal borderland. His analysis linked up the
Russian discussions with Pakistan in the recent past.
He added that for the Pakistani tribesmen, who were part of this
group, it would be much more relevant to protect Nek Mohammad, Sharif
Khan, Nur Islam, Maulvi Abbas and Maulvi Aziz, five of the most wanted
men in South Waziristan. He ruled out Zawahris presence in the area
without saying it categorically.

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Yusufzai criticized the hype about possible capture of Zawahri. He

opined that if he was not killed or arrested Pakistani forces would be
accused of incapability and pressure for allowing US troops in tribal area
will increase.
He proved to right as the Americans started swirling the stick soon
after the operation. On 24th arch Khalilzad questioned Pakistans
commitment to elimination of Taliban. Farhan Bokhari remarked that
Washington has chosen to become Islamabads close ally at one level and a
skeptical party to a conflict involving Pakistan at another.
He asked the government to take tougher response to non-career
diplomat, whose bias towards one community of Afghans over another was
too conspicuous. He advised that Pakistan should not take military route
without political dialogue.
In continuation of coercive policy towards Pakistan a US General
called on Musharraf on 30th arch. Next day Kasuri assured that Pakistan was
for stable Afghanistan. Two days later three missiles landed in Kurram
Agency from Afghan.
Five days later Zalmay warned of hitting Taliban and extremists
within Pakistan. Addressing the Centre for Strategic and International
Studies, a Washington based think-tank, he said, we have told the Pakistani
leadership that either they must solve this problem or we will have to do it
for ourselvesWe cannot allow this problem to fester indefinitely.
If asked the Pakistani leaders would still insist that operations in tribal
areas were being conducted in national interests and there was no pressure
from any side. A nation enjoying the status of MNNA, no matter how small
it might be, has never been ridiculed like that, what to talk of a nuclear
power?
MMA saw Khalilzads remarks as intent to declare war. Musharraf
meekly conveyed that Pakistan needed aid and not foreign troops. He should
have picked up the courage to tell Khalilzad what the News wrote in its
editorial dated 8th April.
He should instruct the commander of American forces and advise the
Afghan President to eliminate the Taliban who are increasingly active in
Afghanistan. Pakistans problem of the al-Qaeda and Taliban militants is
mainly a by-product of American and Afghan failure to deal with these
organizations in Afghanistan. It is not our creation.
It should have been said after replacing the word Taliban with
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Pushtoons, who are resisting against occupation forces. Taliban is the term
used to grant legitimacy to occupation as Baathist is used for occupation of
Iraq. Both in Iraq and Afghanistan the resistance against illegal occupation
has spread beyond Baathists and Taliban.
No doubt such response would not have been taken as advice by the
employee of US Administration, who has been hired to look after the
interests of America. He wont be pushed about interests of Pakistan or even
Afghans. Nevertheless, tough response was necessary to give vent to
feelings of self-respecting people of Pakistani.
On 8th April Rice disclosed before inquiry that Musharraf was warned
before 9/11. She blamed that Pakistans backing for Taliban caused failure of
US anti-terror strategy. Her disclosure made it easy to understand as to why
Musharraf decided in seconds to be on American side.
The same day Khalilzad, known for his anti-Pakistan mindset, arrived
in Islamabad to be received warmly and Jamali assured him of support to
Afghanistans peace. He should have also advised him to send US troops to
the Faryab from where Kabul Regimes men were fleeing to seek refuge in
Turkmenistan.
Would the capture of Osama or Zawahri or both have cast any adverse
effects on operative capabilities of al-Qaeda? Myers and Wolfowitz
answered this question in negative. The organization has been decentralized
into small cells. Myers quoted the example of Iraq where capture of Saddam
and most of the wanted men has made no negative impact on attacks on US
troops.
The conduct of war on terror has proved to be counter productive.
Americans by not listening to any logical arguments caused the spread of
hatred and resultant militancy. This simple fact should be clear to Pakistani
leaders.
There were some fringe beneficiaries of the operation. Uzbekistan
promptly sought extradition of captured militants; Pakistan agreed. Russia
too should be satisfied with killings and arrests of some Chechens.
Unfortunately there were no Chinese-origin militants to oblige the trusted
friend.
Theoretically Pakistan has been an ally of America which aspired to
be elevated to the status of MNNA, but practically it was being treated as
part of the Axis of Evil. We are left with no options except to say Yes Sir
to any and every American demand, howsoever, unsavory, humiliating,

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degrading, maddening, heartrending and tormenting it may be opined

Barrister Baachaa.

MILITANCY
Pakistanis were accused of extremism and militancy for different
reasons. The internal reasons revolved around sectarian intolerance, political
polarization and nationalist aspirations. At times even an ordinary crime was
dubbed as act of terrorism. Law enforcement agencies and miscreants
remained embroiled during the period:

Two bombs exploded on railway track near Khairpur on 16th arch.

Three days later a Ranger was shot dead in Karachi and two customs
men were gunned down near Gwadar. Nawab Sial, ex-chairman
Baldia Jhang was arrested in Tariq Azams murder case.

On 21st arch kidnapped bus passengers were recovered in Baluchistan

and three persons were killed in blast in Chagai.

PML-Q Sialkot president was shot dead on 24 th arch. The same day
Power supply tower was damaged in blast in Sibbi.

Rocket was fired at FC check post in Quetta on 29 th arch. Next day

gas pipeline was blown up near Jacobabad.

Large arms cache was recovered in Baluchistan on 31 st arch. Next day

Police arrested a militant with explosives, but denied PM was target.

Three days later five cops were killed in attack on Karachi police
station and one person was killed by landmine blast in Baluchistan.

Four persons were killed in Karachi shootings on 6 th pril. Four days

later one more was killed in car bomb blast and Rangers seized huge
cache of arms in Karachi.

The Crusaders were not much concerned over that part of militancy
which posed no threat to their interests. The government too paid special
attention to look after their interests. On 15th arch an attempt to blow up US
Consulate in Karachi was foiled. An accused involved in US Consulate
firing was awarded death sentence. Pakistan dealt firmly even in cases of
dubious nature. Jordan, who covered Pearls kidnapping, was now
romantically involved with his widow.
Britain and Pakistan mulled prisoners transfer pact. American kept
visiting Pakistan to discuss terrorism. US General met Jamali on 29 th arch to
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exchange views on the issue. The main cause of accusing Pakistanis of

militancy was their sympathy for oppressed Muslim nations all over the
world, particularly Palestinians and Kashmiris. It was for this reason that
65% Pakistanis thought well of Osama as revealed by a recent survey.
These foreign fighters were held in high esteem for about two decades
by Americans and people of Pakistan. The former along with rulers in
Pakistan changed their stance, but it was not so easy for the people to change
their mindset as they were convinced that fault lied somewhere else.
Dr M S Jillian pointed out the reason of Islamic militancy after
quoting recent events. The real cause of Muslim militancy is the
expansionist agenda of the Zionists of Israel (and their likes) and the Israeli
governments, defiance and arrogance supported by the US. The same was
applicable to Kashmiris and many others.
Irrespective of these realities Musharraf remained firm in his resolve
to rein in extremism. His resolve was further strengthened by two
unsuccessful attempts on his life. He was now bent upon giving personal
touch to war on terror.
Enlightened moderation was part of this personal touch. During the
period under review revision of academic curricula came into focus. MMA
criticized removal of anti-India stuff from textbooks, but PPPP and PML-N
backed the government.
Farad Piranha of the JI read out a call-attention notice. It claimed that
researchers of an NGO, SDPI, compelled the education ministry to radically
cleanse and alter the national curriculum for the comfort of anti-Islam
elements. The Jihad inspiring verses of the Holy Quraan were deleted from
the syllabus. Schoolchildren are no more told that Hindu obsession to
dominate motivated and justified the creation of a separate country for the
Muslims of South Asia. Stories, narrating the heroic acts of our soldiers in
fighting different wars with India, might also be expunged from the
textbooks.
Javeed Nusrat reported that Subside Jalap, the darling of local and
global NGOs, defended the motion with defeatist excuses. The Ministry of
Education had to take notice of the SDPI-study of our curriculum, because
the print and the electronic media were spinning and drumming the upsetting
stories about it. Extended meetings, at the Ministry of Education, were held
to counter-check the textbooks, in view of the faults spotted by the SDPI

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researchers, who mostly proved wrong in their assessment.

She asserted, I do not recognize and care for any SDPI, but national
curriculum would surely be improved, not for the pleasure of any donor, but
in the supreme national interest of educating this nation in accordance with
the ideology of Pakistan.
Javeed Nusrat added that she hesitated furnishing a straight answer to
the question whether anti-Hindu material is to be expunged from our
textbooks, but implicitly admitted some preparations for it by quoting a
verse from the Holy Quraan that condemns the killing of fellow-humans in
strongest terms. All the political Maulana, present in the National Assembly
rose in unison to insist that the Education Minister wrongly read and quoted
a verse from the Holy Quraan and they proved right in the end.
The darling of the hawks, Shireen M Mazari, criticized Bushs vision
of introducing moderation in Pakistan through certain type of secularism
and democracy. She quoted the SDPI sponsored seminar on Hijab in
which carefully selected speakers reached a consensus.
She then mentioned the efforts to rewrite the history of the region
which will deny all historical realities of Hindu-Muslim differences. We are
not to remind our children that Muslims were MALEECH in Hindu society.
She emphasized the need to examine the sources of funding of NGOs.
Jamali was constrained to restore some of deleted verses. He assured
that nothing against Islam would appear in syllabus. National Assembly was
told that no Islamic text was removed from syllabus. The darling of the
house later expressed her disgust over some of the recommendations made
by SDPI.
In a TV debate she mentioned the one related to Muslim way of
greeting, ASLAAM-O-ALAIKUM. SDPI had questioned as to why the
children should be taught this. The moderator did not ask her as to what
were the pressing compulsions to discus this sensitive issue with an NGO
with such a mindset. He, perhaps, preferred to show his enlightened
moderation.
The darling of diplomatic corps, Maleeha Lodhi advocated building of
bridges between UK and Muslim World. This was followed by a report that
air-hostesses wearing veil were to be sacked. They were considered neither
the moderate nor enlightening. Thus they were threat to lone superpower, the
Crusaders and the civilized world. The absconding darling, Benazir, made a
surprise move and asked workers to be soft on Musharraf.

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The Crusaders served some incentives for moderation. America

announced $ 300 million aid to help Pakistan fight terrorism. Powell pledged
strengthening of Pakistans institutions. McKinnon termed 2002 polls fair
paving the way to Commonwealth. British and Pakistan Law Council was
launched with support of Blair and Musharraf.
Despite acknowledging progress EU observed that formation of
NSC would hinder vindication of Pakistans democracy. ICG called
devolution plan as pack of lies. Any measure ensuring political stability was
not liked by the Crusaders. Pakistan was ranked fourth on US piracy list.
Reportedly EU was to deliver another demarche to Pakistan over Tasman
Spirit crew.
Misperceptions about Islamic militancy cannot be corrected unless it
is accepted that traffic on this highway runs both ways. Honey Marwan
enumerated some amazing facts about it. The leaders must explain to the
people as to what was being done to eradicate these misperceptions:

A Jew can grow a beard, practice his faith and have freedom, but
when a Muslim does the same, he is an extremist and terrorist.

A nun can cover herself from head to toe and be respected for
devoting herself to God, but when a Muslim does the same she is
oppressed as a reactionary.

When a Western woman stays at home to look after her house and
kids she is respected because of sacrificing herself and doing good for
the house-hold, but when a Muslim woman does so by her will,
because Islam dont prevent Muslim women work, they say she
needs to be liberated.

Any girl can go to university wearing as she need and have her rights
and freedom in western society, but when a Muslim wears a Hijab she
is prevented from entering university.

When a child dedicates himself to a subject he has potential, but when

he dedicates himself to Islam he is hopeless.

When a Christian or Jew kills someone religion is not mentioned, but

when a Muslim is charged with a crime, it is Islam that goes on trial.

When there is trouble we accept the solution, but if the solution is in

Islam, we refuse without having a look at this solution.

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How the people who do not tolerate headscarf can advise others to be
moderate? Afzal Rahim added to the above list in his letter to the News.
What is United States showing to the Muslim Ummah by driving tanks in
the streets of Iraq and Afghanistan? Isnt it giving a boost to more and more
extremism?
The fact is that the Crusaders want to extend such military activities to
all parts of the Muslim World and for that the prejudices against Islam have
to be preserved. Pakistan representing OIC has the right to regret
vilification drive against Muslims but nobody will listen.

PROLIFERATION
The debate on nuclear proliferation in media and diplomatic circles
has died down with astonishing abruptness. Apparently the Crusaders were
satisfied with actions taken by Pakistan. This, however, should not be taken
for granted.
At the moment the Crusaders are happy with their successes in the
context of Libya and Iran. Diplomatic efforts are also going on to press
North Korea to achieve acceptable solution. As regards Pakistan, there are
other issues more urgent than its nuclear capability for which it has to be
urged to do more. Therefore, proliferation issue in relation to Pakistan has
been frozen to be brought out at appropriate time. After defrosting in
microwave of Western Media, it will be as fresh as ever.
It was alleged that Libya paid Qadeer $ 100 million in nuclear deals,
yet the aging rogue, Qaddafi, was pardoned by the Crusaders after his
decision to give up nuclear programme. Blair visited Libya, met him and
saw common cause in anti-terror fight.
Iran agreed to accept IAEA inspections unconditionally. Iran
announced that making of centrifuges was stopped to win worlds trust.
However, ElBaradei was not confident to rule out Irans nukes plan and he
sought more cooperation. IAEA team arrived in Iran on 27 th March to check
two nuclear plants.
UK, France and Germany condemned Irans decision to resume work
on a key nuclear programme. America slapped curbs on suppliers linked to
Iran. Seven companies of Russia, Belarus, North Korea, Taiwan and UAE
were affected. Iran showed its willingness to reveal more details and sought
European trios help on nuclear issue.
In its endeavour to win trust of the world, Iran had betrayed Pakistan.
But nature of inter-state relations is such that Kasuri had to say that Pakistan
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and Iran still enjoyed cordial relations. On the other hand Russia stuck to
nuclear cooperation with Iran, primarily to keep the option of bargaining
with America and Europe open.
North Korea proved to be hard nut to crack, primarily for the reason
that other countries of the region were against bringing war to their
doorsteps. The Crusaders now worked for return of IAEA inspectors, who
were thrown out by this rogue state.
Pakistani leaders expected no pressure for rollback of nuclear
programme at least for the time being. Musharraf vowed to conduct more
missile tests. No inspections only talks said Rashid and Rao refused to
compromise on nuclear programme.
To keep the belligerent Bania quiet, Pakistan invited India for talks on
nuclear CBMs, which earned no response. Within Pakistan the persons
involved in the scandal were allowed to seek justice through courts.
Supreme Court issued notice to government in Dr Qadeer case and FIR
against him was challenged a week later. Dr Farooqs detention was also
challenged. On 10th April three accused; Brig Tajwar, Naseemudin and
Aizaz were released.
The Crusaders demanded more openness and cooperation from
Pakistan. Powell expected full discussions with Musharraf on nuclear leaks
during his visit to Islamabad. He said, we are pleased that we are getting a
great deal of information from Pakistani authorities as a result of their
interrogation of Dr Khan and his associates. We are pleased that this network
is being broken up. After the visit he acknowledged getting more data on
nuke issue, but denied any pressure on Pakistan to sign NPT.
Europe turned down Pakistan and Indian demand of recognition as
nuclear powers. Meanwhile IAEA chief saw no tolerance for WMD seekers.
IAEA sought inspection of Pak nuke facilities. Melissa Fleming said, IAEA
has requested Pakistan to provide all possible information on nuclear black
market network, most urgently. IAEA wants to know from Pakistan whether
some other countries or non state actors had been buying nuclear technology
as customers of the A Q Khans network.
She added, we want Pakistan to allow the IAEA inspectors visits to
the relevant Pakistani nuclear facilities enabling them to take environmental
samples which could help in verifying the Iranian claim that highly enriched
uranium (HEU) contamination found in Iran originated from Pakistan. She
claimed that both the requests were conveyed to Pakistan officially and I
would not like to go into further details.
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On 28th March Rumsfeld exonerated Musharraf. He was not involved

in nuclear leaks. Three days later America alleged that Musharraf was aware
of Qadeers activities. Bolton, testifying before a congressional committee,
came under fire from opposition Democrats. They accused the Bush
Administration of failing to hold Pakistans leaders accountable for Qadeers
black-market activities and for not using economic muscle to keep countries
and companies from doing business with Iran and North Korea.
On 1st April IAEA reiterated the need to verify nuke samples. Three
days later assets of firm linked to Pakistans nuclear leak were frozen in
UAE. The sword has been placed back in scabbard, but loosely. According
to Masooda Bano this was done because Pakistan is now being blackmailed
into taking more action in Waziristan or else international community will
open inquiry into Pakistans nuclear set up.

CONCLUSION
Pakistan has done more for war on terror than any other country
including America, but its endeavours to rectify four misperceptions have
not yet succeeded. American policies regarding Pakistan remained a curious
brew of patronage, friendly advice, command, applause, disapproval,
indignation, threats, etcetera in words of Dr M S Jillani.
What kind of MNNA status it would be in the existence of
differences questioned Nasim Zehra. Differences on many issues still
remain; on the Iraq War, on Pakistans nuclear programme, on the solution to
the Kashmir dispute, on the Palestinian dispute and on a politico-military not
only merely a military response to terrorism.
Keeping these in view M B Naqvi recommended that Pakistan would
be better off without an honour of MNNA. There are other implications in
accepting this status which constrained Jamali to clarify that US decision
wont affect Pak-China ties and Musharraf hoped that Sino-Pak ties would
expand. Such statements wont be enough to dispel Chinese concerns over
America making inroads into Pakistan.
Pakistan must exercise caution in accepting the invitation for bunny
hug. It should not eye on receiving aid cheques. There are other things more
precious than money.
It should not temper with religious sentiments of the people. Even if
the government replaces Islamiyat with subject of comparative study of
religions, accommodating verses from Bible and Geeta, that wont please the
Crusaders and Indians, as people wont stop cherishing Islamic values.
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12th April 2004

TERRORISM AT ITS BEST

On the last day of March some American contractors were killed in
Fallujah. A photo taken by AFP showed children celebrating with broad
smiles on their faces and one of them was hitting the destroyed vehicle with
shovel. The picture said all about the anger of Iraqis.
The manner in which Iraqis were treated after having been liberated,
that was the only way to express their gratitude. It was not more inhumane
than throwing Iraqis off a bridge into Tigris River or crushing protesters
under a tank.
Their bodies of dead were dragged, hanged and left dangling on a
bridge. Bremer termed the incident barbaric and vowed to punish the
murderers. The subsequent event proved that his threat was not hollow.
Fallujah, the site of incident, has been hub of Sunni defiance.
Americans reacted violently and used brute force to administer collective
punishment to the residents. In revengeful mood they also tried to bully
followers of al-Sadr. Stern actions taken by Americans resulted in retaliation
from Shias as well.
Followers of Sadr constitute that part of Shia community who were
referred to as the people most oppressed by Saddam Regime. The pretext of
liberating Iraqis was used in that context. The liberated people now faced
oppressive forces which were far better equipped than Baathists to commit
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brutalities.
The events unexpectedly took a turn the gravity of which was
acknowledged by Bush and Blair. America was forced to contemplate
sending reinforcements to Iraq, but such a decision wont be easy for Bush
in election year.

RESISTANCE
In about three weeks more than seventy American soldiers perished
and many were wounded which amply reflected the increase in intensity of
combat actions initiated by the resistance forces. The casualty rate picked up
despite the fact that Americans mostly employed police on risk-prone
assignments as was evident from about 350 Iraqi cops killed since revival of
this force. Details of insurgents attacks are:

Twelve Iraqi cops were killed in drive-by shooting on 23rd March.

Next day American soldier and a foreign guard were killed and main
pipeline in southern Iraqi was set ablaze.

On 25th March three US soldiers were killed in attacks. Three days

later gunmen killed a Briton and a Canadian in Mosul.

US soldier was killed on 29th March and an explosive device jolted

Baghdad. Next day a suicide bomber rammed his car into the house of
local police chief in southern Baghdad.

On 31st March nine Americans were killed in two attacks. Charred

corpses of contractors killed in Fallujah were dragged and hanged.

Three US soldiers were hurt in attack in Kirkuk on 1 st April. Next day

two US soldiers and three policemen were killed and thousands
protested against closure of newspaper owned by radical Shia cleric.

Eight Salvadorans were reported killed on 4 th April and oil pipeline

was attacked in Basra. Protesters demanded withdrawal of Australian
troops. Mehdi Army militiamen entered the citys main police station
while others set up a checkpoint at the northern entrance of Kufa to
control incoming traffic. Supporters of Moqtada Sadr were pitched
against Spanish-led troops.

On 5th April Iraqis seized office of Basra governor for peaceful sit-in;
eight US soldiers were killed in clashes and a Shia cleric again urged
Australia to pull out troops.

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Ukrainian soldier and US army interpreter died and five soldiers were
injured separately on 6th April. Twelve Italian soldiers were injured in
Nasiriyah as Sadr ended Kufa sit-in and moved to Najaf.

On 7th April seventeen US soldiers were killed in Fallujah and Kirkuk

and twelve Marines perished in an attack on Ramadi palace and about
two dozen were wounded.

Next day Iraqi guerrillas abducted seven Koreans, three Japanese, two
Arab Israelis and one Briton from different places. The captors
demanded respective countries to withdraw their troops. Sadr asked
the Coalition to vacate Karbala before Chehlum. Interior minister
resigned as Bremer was not happy with performance of his ministry.

On 9th April five US soldiers were killed; four Italians and two
Americans were captured and fighters seized main highway. UK
termed situation most serious and another minister resigned.

On 10th April two policemen and a taxi driver were killed In Mosul. A
convoy of US Army oil tankers was attacked with rocket propelled
grenades in Abu Ghraib. Fighters fired mortars on Coalition
headquarters in Basra. One US soldier was killed and two injured at
Balad air base. Elsewhere two US troops were killed and two went
missing. Two German embassy security guards were also missing.

The same day Sadr held ceasefire in Karbala on Chehlum, but warned
US troops to stay away. In Fallujah US ceasefire offer was ignored.
Group calling itself the Brigades of Martyr Sheikh Yassin threatened
to behead 30 foreign hostages if US did not pullout.

On 11th April US Apache helicopter was downed in western Baghdad

and two crew members were killed. In Kirkuk one policeman and four
fighters were killed. Eight American troops were killed elsewhere.
Fighting continued in Abu Ghraib and Fallujah.

Next day four Americans were killed and nine were missing: three
Marines were killed in Anbar province, one near Samara and two
policemen Baghdad. Two US soldiers, seven contractors and two
Czech journalists were reported missing. Germany asked its citizens
to leave. Eight Asians; three Pakistanis, two Turks, and one Nepalese,
Indian and Filipino each were released. US troops were given
ultimatum to pull back from Fallujah. Al-Sadr militiamen pulled out
of police stations.
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On 13th April two US soldiers were killed and another US helicopter

was downed. Marines who rushed to secure crash site came under fire
and sustained casualties. When casualties were being transported for
treatment Marines again came under fire. Four Italian civilians were
captured and Russians and Ukrainians were freed.

Signing of Constitution was considered a milestone in transfer of

power to Iraqis, but doubts about American intentions kept simmering. Even
Shia majority had some apprehensions as was indicated by Sistanis letter to
Brahimi asking the world body not to sign the fundamental law, because it
was considered a blow to plans for handover of power.
American plans to stay in Iraq after transfer of power were seen with
suspicion and concern, as new Iraqi government will have no control over
production and sale of oil and to whom it is sold and how the sale proceeds
are utilized. It will also have no control over the American troops who will
stay indefinitely in autonomous bases and Iraqi courts shall try no American.
The sight of charred bodies of Americans strung by their feet from the
top of a bridge in Fallujah shocked the civilized world. The world that has
never been moved by the atrocities committed by Americans against
Pushtoons (dubbed as Taliban), Sunni Iraqis (cursed as Baathists), Kasmiris
(blamed for cross border terrorism), Palestinians (the inventors of suicide
bombings), and innocents detained in Guantanamo Bay (the al-Qaeda
operators) and against Chechen, Pilipino and others Muslims.
The incident of mutilation of slain Americans was slammed by proAmerican Iraqis including the Governing Council. Even Arab TV channels
cautiously aired scenes of the incident. But all of them kept quiet over
collective punishment administered by Americans.
The act of hanging of charred dead bodies in no way was more
gruesome than hanging the freedom, liberty and self-respect of a nation.
Iraqis would have liked to take these to hang them with statue of liberty, but
they could not do so and perforce selected a bridge in the vicinity.
Americans angered Shias by crushing two protesters under a tank.
They turned against US-led forces. Sadr told his supporters about futility of
demonstrations, as the enemy loved to terrify and suppress opinions, and
despised people. Terrorize your enemy, as we cannot remain silent over its
violations. Sadr warned US of revolution, asked Bush to withdraw troops
and went on hunger strike. You will lose the elections you are now
struggling for. He termed members of appointed Council as traitors.

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Mosques called for Jihad. Women took up arms. Iraqis moved from
self-defence to civil disobedience. Sunnis and Shias rallied behind Sadr.
Sunni Ulema suspended all contacts with UN, until it clearly condemned
operations by US. Unity of Sunnis and Shias seemed to be emerging. No
Sunnis, no Shiites, yes for Islamic unity shouted protesters. Sadr urged
Iraqis to unite. He was ready to die for anti-occupation drive. I am ready to
sacrifice and I call on the people not to allow my death to cause the collapse
of the fight for freedom and an end to the occupation.
Iraqi Council tried to work out ceasefire in Fallujah, but failed. The
Council denounced military operations launched to administer collective
punishment. It urged the Americans to focus on economic and social
problems.

OPPRESSION OPTIMIZED
The US Marines had vowed to bring peace before the start of recent
uprising. The incident of Fallujah provided them the pretext to eliminate
terrorism in Yankee style. Crushing of Shia protesters under a tank added
fuel to the fire. In last two weeks more than 700 Iraqis, including women
and children were killed:

Seven Iraqis were killed on 24th March. Two days later fourteen more
died in bloodshed.

On 27th March five Iraqis were killed in violence. Next day US troops
launched massive search in Samara.

On 29th March US seven persons were killed and American military

accepted responsibility for killing two Iraqi journalists. British troops
and Iraqi protesters clashed in Basra.

Protester was shot dead in Basra on 1 st April. Two days later violence
left four Iraqis dead.

On 4th April 24 Iraqis were killed as troops and Shiites clashed in

Najaf. Four people died in fighting with British soldiers.

Next day 22 more Iraqis were killed and 75 were wounded in clashes
in Baghdad. Bremer warned Moqtada al-Sadr and warrants for his
arrest were issued.

Fifteen Iraqis were killed in clashes in Nasiryah on 6 th April. Dozens

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were feared dead in Fallujah. Bremer renewed resolve to firmly deal

with outlaws.

Next day the uprising spread. Forty Iraqis died in bombing of mosque
in Fallujah. Fighting east of Fallujah resulted in killing of 26 including
16 children and at least 8 women. In Karbala eight were killed
including five Iranians and 16 wounded including Sadr aide. Thirteen
were killed and 20 wounded in Kirkuk fighting.

By 8th April the death toll reached 300 in Fallujah alone. About four
hundred Iraqis were killed and more than one thousand injured in last
six days. Next day US troops recaptured Kut.

On 10th April eleven Iraqis were killed in Baquba in clashes. US

consolidated control of Kut. Twelve fighters were killed when a truck
was targeted with missile near al-Thubat. Two Iraqis were killed near
Mosul city hall.

On 11th April US soldiers fired on minibus by mistake in Baquba and

killed one civilian and injured six.

On 13th April nine Iraqis were killed and 38 wounded. US claimed

Zarqawi was hiding in or around Fallujah and the city was dubbed as
hotbed for foreign fighters.

America kept seeking more troops earning rather discouraging

response. Australia, Bulgaria and Philippines agreed to keep troops in Iraq,
though Australians pressed their government to explain exit plan. Japanese
Prime Minister refused to pullout troops despite protest against sending
them. South Korea pledged to send troops as per plan. Kazakhstan decided
to withdraw its contingent of about 27 persons. Thailand reconsidered
troops deployment.
America changed its strategy of seeking troops as part of the
occupation forces. It sought multinational force to protect UN, thereby
disclosing unmentioned aim of expanding UN role. Pakistan and India
received fresh requests for troops under this ploy. America perforce mulled
sending more troops to prevent chaos. Blair and Powell bargained with
Zapatero. Other European countries generally stopped short of offering more
troops.
Occupation forces took other measures to control resistance.
Hundreds of Iraqis were freed from prison in Baghdad as pacification
measure. Sadrs aide was also freed. Countdown for transfer of power began
and Iraqi GC met UN electoral team. Bremer vowed to form Iraqi cabinet
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before deadline.
As part of the preventive measures US designated Ansar al-Islam as
terror body. Fresh restrictions were imposed on Shia pilgrims from Iran.
Suppressive measures continued simultaneously. Seventeen academics, who
criticized occupation, have been clandestinely killed so far.
Prolonged occupation had its effects on Coalition forces. America
accepted sharp rise in suicides among troops during last year. Norwegian
Foreign Minister and Italian Prime Minister made surprise visits to Iraq to
boost the morale of their troops. Bush acknowledged facing tough days.
Criticism of invasion and occupation of Iraq continued. Clarke blamed
Iraq invasion for undermining the war on terror. As result of use of
excessive force to suppress the uprising America was blamed by Jonathan
Steels for creating its own Gaza in Fallujah. EU leaders called for new UN
Resolution. GCC urged an end to violence. China was concerned over
violence and Russia asked US to end offensive.
Blair insisted that there would be no turning back in Iraq. It was,
however, feared that violence could delay transfer of power. Annan refused
to increase strength of UN presence. The kind of violence we are seeing on
the ground is not conducive for that sort of political process and transition.

PALESTINIANS PLIGHT
Assassination of Yassin received more condemnation as Japan
summoned Israeli envoy and told him it was a reckless act that has no
justification whatsoever. Iraqis observed strike over Yassins killing.
Indonesia feared that it could worsen tension. Turkey accused Israel of
terrorism. Protesters in US slammed Sharon and Bush.
Killing of Yassin led to debate about Sharon adding a new dimension
to state terrorism. Patrick Seale gave ten reasons as to why Sharon killed
Yassin, of which first five are part of the strategy of war on terror:

One: Killing is what Sharon does best.

Two: For Sharon the choice is stark; victory or holocaust. It is part of

strategy of fear. Enemies should spend energies on protecting rather
than attacking.

Three: Strengthen deterrent capability, which was damaged by the

suicide bombing.

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Four: To convey the message that Palestinians can achieve nothing by

violence.

Five: Aping the doctrine preached by Americas neoconservatives and

practiced by Bush, of the unilateral use of force, unrestrained by
international law.

Six: He was confident of political cover from Washington. (Perhaps

he had prior approval)

Seven: Before withdrawing from Gaza, he wanted to dispel the view

that Israel was driven out and it should not be seen as a victory by
enemies.

Eight: To silence the domestic critics of his proposed withdrawal.

Nine: To pre-empt any offer of a long term truce by Hamas spiritual

leader.

Ten: To pre-empt any possibility of a renewed peace offer from the

Arab summit in Tunis on March 29-30.

Jonathan Freeland opined that Israel killed Yassin as part of its plan to
crush and decapitate Islamist movement, but has strengthened extremism.
Rantissi, new Hamas leader, immediately called on the military wing of
Hamas the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades to carry out an all out war on
the Jewish state. You must teach a lesson to the enemy. The door is open for
you to strike all places, all the time and using all means.
He ruled out ceasefire with Israel. Khaled Mashaal, Hamas overall
leader based in Syria said, I hope that the holy warriors can retaliate against
this awful crime by targeting the most prominent Zionist leadersincluding
Sharon.
Israeli Defence Minister consulted senior security officials and
marked Rantissi for death by proclaiming him a top strategic enemy. The
same day Sharon taunted his adversaries by saying that he wanted peace
with entire Arab World.
Thirty-one countries adopted a Resolution condemning Israel for
assassination. Australia and US rejected it and eighteen countries including
the EU states abstained. US vetoed UN move to condemn Israel. America
also kept Syria under constant pressure regarding Palestinian groups and
interference in Lebanon.
Receiving encouragement from America Israel threatened to act

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against Arafat soon and continued perpetrating state terrorism:

On 24th March two Hamas fighters were shot dead and two more died
elsewhere. Four farms, two houses and a road were destroyed.

Four Palestinians were killed on 26th March. A week later two more
were injured as Israeli police stormed al-Aqsa.

On 3rd April a Palestinian was killed after he shot an Israeli dead. Next
day one more Palestinian was killed.

Israeli troops killed three Palestinians in Gaza on 5 th April and Sharon

renewed threats against Arafat.

Palestinian girl was shot dead in Gaza on 10th April and five militants
were held in West Bank after clashes. Two Palestinians killed in Gaza
on 12th April.

PA blamed Washington for giving Jewish state licence to kill (which it

already had). Rantissi termed Bush and Sharon enemies of God and
Palestinians warned US over backing Sharon. Nevertheless Qorei expressed
helplessness of Palestinians by requesting US to ensure Israeli pullout from
Gaza hoping it might revive peace process. Sharon called party vote and
Bush said the pullout wont replace road map.
Trauma of Arabs and Muslims was aggravated by the shock of US
veto to shield Israel. Postponement of summit at Tunisia further stunned the
Arabs. Palestinians and Hamas regretted the decision, Israel welcomed the
move.
Commenting on Israeli atrocities Nasim Zehra opined that US was
principal accomplice in Israeli state terrorism. Like most intellectuals and
analysts of Muslim World she ignored that the master-plan has been
prepared by the Crusaders and Israel was one of the executioners.
Masud A Shaikh opined, the region will continue to remain in the
grip of extreme tension for a long time to come. The number of suicide
attacks against Israeli targets is going to increase substantially, leading to
greater oppression and retaliatory killing of the Palestinians by the Israeli
armed forces.
The writer then gave the familiar sermon. America should stop
supporting state terrorism of Israel, the world body should shoulder the
responsibility of resolving the dispute starting with clamping of sanctions
against Israel, Arabs should unite to make the Israeli nose bleed, and
Ummah should unite and provide teeth to OIC.
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None of the four parties addressed by the writer were receptive; the
first due to its arrogance and mindset of self-righteousness and the
remaining three due to their utter weakness to confront the lone superpower.
Therefore, the analysts, intellectuals and experts should start advising and
supporting groups fighting for rights of oppressed Muslims.
Palestinians and other freedom movements of Muslims have been
targeted by the Crusades. These groups have tentacles all over the world,
particularly the Palestinians. They should plan targeting leaders of the
Crusaders one by one, rather than wasting their energies in targeting
ordinary people. Meticulously planned operations executed with patience
and secrecy will definitely succeed and hurt the enemy.
Milne saw that Palestine was now part of an arc of Muslim resistance.
Across the Middle East, western-backed occupations are fuelling terror. In
such conducive environments the freedom movements should not face any
problem of recruitment.

VIEWS AND REVIEWS

The Crusaders remained adamant and refused to accept that
unresolved political disputes, their biased policies and perpetration of state
terrorism have contributed towards rise of terrorism. The policy architects in
Washington argued that the denial of basic rights and exercise of repression
by the governments create conditions conducive for the spread of terrorism
as quoted by General Jamshed Ayaz.
EU-NATO-G-8 Summit envisaged wide ranging reforms in Middle
East for human rights, particularly status of women, improvements in the
education system and liberalization of educational and political systems.
According to the writer this was in pursuance of plan unveiled by Bush at
the meeting of the American Enterprise institute, the think tank of the
neoconservatives which is known to have anti-Muslim and faction-ally antiArab policy orientation.
He quoted two events while tracing the history of this strategy. In
December 2002 Powell announced Middle East Partnership Initiative
(MEPI) at Heritage Foundation with American aim of aligning itself with the
people of Middle East. In November 2003 Bush at National Endowment for
Democracy said MEPI would support economic, political and educational
reforms efforts in the Middle East.
America talked of democracy despite knowing that free and fair
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elections would return radicals opposed to the US rather than the present
conservative and pro-American rulers. This casts doubts over US intentions.
But the writer argued that as long as oil production remains a lynchpin of
the global economy; Washington cannot afford democratic and pragmatic
governments in the oil producing Gulf States.
By raising the issue of human rights America wants the regimes not
to bow before the public opinion which demands a just settlement of the
disputes and conflicts whatsoever and wherever they are? Is it kind of
blackmail to force these regimes to tow the US policy in the region? Anyone
who steps out of the line will be eliminated he referred to double standards
practiced by America.
He then touched upon the crux of US policy. America is more
interested in economic reforms that enable US corporations to take over
every sector of the economy including production of goods, extraction of oil
and minerals, construction of roads and airports and provision of water and
electricity under the pretext of economic liberalization.
Arabs discussed the US plan in Cairo, but there was no agreement on
joint response. Egypt, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia favoured dialogue; Syria,
Lebanon and Yemen wanted rejection of the proposal to prevent
interference; and Bahrain and Qatar advised to wait and see. This reflected
Arabs inability to press America for bringing any change in its policy.
The author then drew the familiar conclusion. He suggested the
course of dialogue for America rather than imposing it by force and
coercion. To this end solution of political disputes is fundamental. Why
should America be inclined to find negotiated solutions when it can
formulate and impose own road maps? That was why Hasan Abu Nimah saw
America pouring fuel on fire by supporting Israel.
The principle of might is right is working effectively. The Crusaders,
while preserving disunity of Ummah and Arabs, signed up seven new
countries for historic expansion of NATO. Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia,
Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia deposited instruments of
accession increasing the number of EU to two dozens.
The uprising in Iraq has raised the hopes of Shia-Sunni unity. The
News editorial dated 6th April warned America of the possible
consequences. Should the radical cleric succeed in swaying most Shias to
his side, America will lose the tacit support of the community and an
important pawn in the game of divide and rule it is practicing and will be left
only with Sunni Kurds support. This will spell a final denouncement for
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Americas efforts to put method into its now frayed occupation and achieve
its minimal aims.
Michael Jansen mentioned three pillars on which the Bush
Administration built the occupation; the US armed forces, the support of the
Kurds and the toleration of the Shiites. But he saw all the three pillars
crumbling.
M A K Lodhi passed taunting remarks after speculating such an
eventuality. US might need Saddam again. He under estimated the
Yankees. Even hundreds of Saddams are no match to the greed of a Yankee
for wealth and power.
Naomi Klein of the Guardian accused Bremer of deliberately pushing
Iraqs Shia south into all-out chaos. Chaos in the Muslim World has been the
real aim of the Crusaders. However, America seemed to be oblivious of the
adverse effects on its interests at this juncture. Power-drunk Americans were
not much pushed about alienation of a faction of the community which was
prepared to cooperate on certain conditions or of Kurds disappointment over
delay in grant of autonomy. In this frame of mind they could enact mass
killings of larger magnitude as compared to those carried out by Israel.
As regards the prospects of Iraqis resolve Sami Ramadani had no
doubts that the resistance will spread to new areaswith the intense antioccupation feelings of the people turning into more militant forms of
protest. Shias have started realizing that the peaceful road to evict the
occupiers is not leading anywhere. This realization was caused by the
incident in which an Abraham tank crushed two peaceful demonstrators
protesting against closure of a Sadr newspaper by Bremer, the champion of
free speech.
Iraqis had also noticed the implications of Article 59 of the USengineered constitution, which placed newly raised Iraqi forces under
occupation forces. Similarly the new sovereign government will invite
occupation forces to stay on after the handover of power in June. This
occupation force will be backed up by 14 large US military bases and
biggest US embassy in the world in Saddams republican palace in Baghdad.
With the upsurge in insurgency the analysts also started comparing it
with wars of the past. Gregory Clark drew following parallels in Vietnam
and Iraq:

The lies and pretexts needed to prosecute both the wars were equally
transparent.
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Americans refused to bow to terror when guerrilla forces of the other

side tried to end what they saw as the cruel and illegal occupation of
their country. The same was said by the Coalition after some
foreigners were taken as hostage.

The same mindless fight to the finish and light at the end of the
tunnel slogans were heard now that we saw in Vietnam.

Hopefully, the Iraq War will end more quickly since this time the US
is fighting a powerfully fundamentalist religion in front of TV
cameras, against a population it once said it wanted to save. But the
basic dynamic is the same: for each individual you kill, others emerge
who want to kill you. Eventually you give up.

Then he listed the factors influencing the outcome. The advantage of

overthrowing brutal regime has frittered away with the removal and
capture of Saddam. Installation of puppet regime has guaranteed lack
of support.

Japans ex PM Ohiro had said, Japan should not be too critical of the
Americans since they were committing the same mistakes Japan had
made when it tried to occupy Chinathey were ignoring the force of
local nationalism.

Recently Bremer reminded the critics to remember the Americans

who won out in the 18th Century rebellion against British control. He
forgot that Iraqis were fighting with the same cause; even nobler than
that.

Force, prejudices and ignorance remain the basis of foreign affairs

thinking.

Andrew J Bacevich identified difference of guerrilla war in Vietnam

and Iraq. In Vietnam, intense fighting was concentrated in countryside.
South Vietnams mountains and jungles offered Communist guerrillas
sanctuary, concealment and base of operations. Major cities saw heavy
combat only rarely, as during the famous 1968 Tet offensive. In Iraq, the
situation is the reverse. The countryside is a barren wasteland of little use to
the fighters.
Therefore, in Iraq the resistance has to start from places where it
should end, with victory or defeat for one side or the other. He then
enumerated some facts about the conduct of operations by occupation forces
comparing those with Algiers.

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Referring to the incident in which American soldiers dumped two

Iraqi detainees off a bridge into the Tigris River he said, The environments
are similar to Algiers where Algerian terrorists were pitted against the
French forces of order. French opted to fight a dirty war as lawful
traditional war amounted to concede to the other side. They employed
systematic torture, extra judicial killings and their own brand of sacred
terrorism. The result was impressive; French made impressive tactical gains,
temporarily dismantled much of the resistance network and gained control of
Algiers. In the context of long term consequences, French army laid the
foundation of eventual French defeat.
These facts were filmed by Gillo Ponecorvo in his documentary The
Battle of Algiers bringing out the lesson that winning battles did not mean
winning war. The documentary was screened in Pentagon for Defence
Department officials. In one of the films most famous scenes, reporter
question French commander sent to clean up Algiers, about rumours of
torture and assassination. We are just doing what you sent us to do replied
Col. Mathieu.
When US troops were asked about the punishment meted out for the
Tigris River incident, an American soldier replied, its a little like the
French colonelyoure all complaining about the tactics I am using to win
the war, but thats what I am doing winning the war.
Bacevichs argument was supported by the report of Naomi Klein. He
quoted following incidents to prove his point:

Rumsfeld termed the resistance just a few thugs, gangs and trorrists.

Ambulance driver carrying injured Iraqis including a pregnant woman

was injured by fire from a US Humvee.

US targeted a hospital in Abu Ghraib with missiles. After a raid on an

office I saw several copies of the Quraan that had been ripped and
shot through with bullets.

Thousands of Shias were lined up in Sadr City to donate blood for

Sunnis hurt in the attacks in Fallujah. We should thank Paul Bremer.
He has finally united Iraq against him.

CONCLUSION
Apparently American strategy of divide and rule has received a
serious setback and chances of Shia-Sunni unity brightened, but it was not
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so. In fact Americans have caused disunity within Shias by targeting only
one faction of the majority community.
Nevertheless, the difficulties of the occupation forces were far from
being over. Face saving through transfer of power to puppets by 30 th June
wont be easy. Sending of reinforcements wont be of much help in view of
rise in anti-America feelings.
The resistance was predictable according to Chalabi because an
occupation was ill-advised, as Iraqi people understand liberation but reject
occupation. Use of brute force will prove counter-productive. Iraqis may not
win an outright victory, but they are likely to make stay of America painful
by denying them free ride.
America and its allies could however try to hang on to the conquered
land and for that some policy adjustments will be necessary. More countries
will be seduced or coerced to send troops to Iraq. Accusation of terrorism or
foreign interference will be hyped more vigourously. Japanese Prime
Minister has already blamed the Iraqi fighters for terrorism. Strangely, his
nation had held its suicide bombers in high esteem and affectionately called
them Kamikazes; the cherry blossoms.
The Crusaders will devote more energy on destruction of Iraq.
Specially trained hit-squads of US forces have been assassinating scientists
and academics to date; now its scope might be enlarged to include
politicians and religious scholars.
Apathy of Arabs and Ummah has been heartbreaking. Cancellation of
Arab Summit and Kuwaiti Prime Ministers indirect suggestion to America
to stay on has brought shame to all Muslims. He said, I am not sure if
power will be handed over to an Iraqi government, especially after voices in
the (US) Democratic and Republican parties have been asking the White
House to delay such plans.
14th April 2004

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WISHING BUSH WELL

During election campaign Vajpayee claimed that massive deployment
against Pakistan was necessary. He was indirectly referring to winning a
victory without war. The deployment had helped coercing Pakistan to see
merits of peace for which it continued working to date.
He further added that Iraq War prodded Pakistan and India into
making peace. The terms and conditions of this peace were dictated by India
with the connivance of the Crusaders just like Israeli in case of roadmap for
peace in Middle East.
Kasuri capsuled all the wisdom in one sentence; only fools confront
US. Guided by the wisdom Pakistan has refused to back down from war on
terror in the context of Afghanistan, though America and its puppets in
Kabul were not satisfied.
Durrani indulged in countering the allegations of cross border
terrorism by raising the issue of state terrorism perpetrated upon
Afghanistan, Iraq and Kashmir. He was absolutely right but could do
nothing more than asking Ulema to counter propaganda against Islam.
Bush Administration has frozen the proliferation issue to concentrate
on sorting out the problems already in hand. This made Jamali to believe
that America had accepted Pakistans viewpoint on the issue. He prayed for
the success of Bush in forthcoming elections.

CONFIDENCE BUILDING
Till the middle of last month the two rival nations remained deeply
engrossed in watching ups and downs of confidence building measures.
Most talked about measure was resumption of cricketing ties. Sports are
generally considered having no influence on politics, but in the Subcontinent
it has a lot to do with politics and vice versa.
Cricket is the most popular game in the Subcontinent in which the
people two nations get emotionally involved. The defeat or victory in a
match ought to affect the morale of people. For this particular reason India
deliberately politicized this great discipline of sports for the last two
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decades.
In Eighties Indian team suffered consecutive defeats at the hand of
Pakistani cricketers. India was the first to realize that results of matches have
effects similar to the outcome of war. The defeats have demoralizing effects
on the general public. India decided not to confront Pakistan to avoid
humiliation.
It refused to play in Sharjah accusing that matches on that venue were
pre-arranged to ensure victories of Pakistani team. Thereafter, it severed
cricket ties on various pretexts and ultimately linked these to cross border
terrorism. The decision to resume cricket series was vested in the highest
political authority, making it as important as resumption of dialogue on core
issue. Surprisingly other sports remained mostly unaffected.
Since 9/11 another pretext was added, i.e. terrorism. Pakistan was
declared unsafe and cricketers of many countries refused to tour. This
refusal deprived Pakistani players of opportunities to play test cricket against
good teams. Perforce Pakistan concentrated on playing one day matches
against weaker teams.
Constant isolation caused deterioration of skills of Pakistani players
essential for the longer version of the game. India kept watching and waiting
while occasionally testing Pakistan in multinational tournaments. Pakistans
defeat in last world cup indicated the beginning of decline of its team.
Then there was a match played in Multan where Pakistan struggled to
win against Bangladesh. It confirmed completion of the decline. Thereafter,
India was ready to resume cricketing ties as the difference in standard of two
teams had tilted in favour of India. India government gave green signal to
cricket authorities to go ahead with tour of Pakistan as diplomatic
environments were considered conducive for reviving such relations.
Pakistan fared comparatively better in one-day series, but suffered
humiliating defeats at Multan and Rawalpindi tests. The resentment and
anger expressed over performance of Pakistani cricketers confirmed that
Indian political leaders were right in assessing the true extent of involvement
of public sentiments. The same was confirmed by the jubilations on the other
side of the border.
No Pakistani was prepared to accept that due to prolonged cricketing
isolation Pakistani team had considerably deteriorated. The critics cursed
Pakistani batsmen for flashing at outgoing deliveries, but nobody mentioned
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the circumstances causing the deterioration. Most of the players had got into
the habit of neglecting virtues of patience and perseverance and preferred
aggression and exuberance.
It was hard for Pakistani fans to accept that Indian team played far
better cricket than their rivals. They criticized the players, the coach, the
selectors, and all those involved simply because it had hurt them badly. It
was difficult to digest that a team of known chokers had defeated their
team.
In short, Indian rulers had rightly emphasized on winning for reasons
explained above rather than simple resumption of ties. Victory even in sports
plays great role in achieving psychological ascendancy over adversary. They
attached great importance to this factor and achieved what they wanted.
Leaders on other side did not care much about such things. Had they cared,
they could borrow the Indian analogy and refused to host Indian team till
their team had gone through rebuilding process.
In their quest for peace and to show the spirit of moderation they did
not bother about possible adverse effects on public morale. To them
confidence building measures were need of the hour. To this end India team
received unprecedented hospitality and Indians got unprecedented boost to
their confidence.
Cricket series were the climax of confidence building process during
the period under review and thereafter it was generally a downward slide.
Nevertheless Vajpayee stressed that people to people contacts could improve
ties.
Kasuri called for liberal Pak-India visa regime and talks on Siachen
were expected in August. India was blamed for delaying talks on bus service
and New Delhi announced that Kashmir highway would be ready by middle
of 2006.
India refused to reduce occupation forces in Kashmir two days before
Anwar urged India to withdraw troops. Fernandes was not impressed by
Pakistans plan to reduce its army by 50,000 and denied reciprocal plans to
down size army.
European Union was prepared to back single currency and open border
move in South Asia only a few days prior to Vajpayee hoped of forming a
confederation. Two days later he again accused Pakistan of sponsoring
terrorism; Pakistan rejected the charge.
Perpetration of state terrorism in Kashmir continued. Pakistan instead
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of highlighting the atrocities committed by Indian occupation forces

preferred to downplay those. Media too curtailed the coverage as could be
seen from the incidents reported during last one month:

On 11th April five persons were killed in IHK. The same day the
minister injured earlier sought probe into attack. Next day seven more
were shot dead.

On 16th April 13-member APHC anti-polls team was arrested. Next

day fourteen persons were killed in violence and reportedly 22
fighters had surrendered.

IHK government suspended 22 workers on 18th April for refusing to

perform polls duty. Next day ten persons were killed in the Valley
ahead of elections. In all 160 Kashmiris were slain in April.

On 1st May four Kashmiris were killed in violence. One was killed
and 33 hurt four days later as boycott marred Kashmir voting.

Hizb commander was among eight gunned down in IHK on 6th May.
Three days later one more person was killed. Another Hizb
commander along with nine more was killed on 11th May.

Resistance by Kashmiris dissipated to occasional retaliatory attacks.

On 15 April two Indian troops employed on election duty were killed. Four
days later a rocket was fired at polling station. On 23 rd April Congress office
and police HQs were attacked. Two days later Mehbooba Mufti escaped
attempt on her life. Grenade attacks killed three and injured 85 on 28 th April.
On 8th May nine persons were killed in landmine blasts in Udhampur and
Doda.
th

First phase of elections began with complete strike in occupied

Kashmir. Call for boycott received overwhelming response according to
Gilani. Violence marred all phases of polls in the Valley. India blamed
Pakistan for poor turn out.
Concurrently Vajpayee desired durable peace with Pakistan by
resolving differences through dialogue. He again vowed to continue peace
process. Pakistan wanted progress on Kashmir urging inclusion of
Kashmiris in talks. Musharraf expected talks to move forward and Kasuri
stressed upon change in Kashmir stance.
America continued working behind the scene to bring Delhi and
Islamabad closer. Powell discussed the progress on talks with Musharraf
and three weeks later he announced that Pakistan and India were following

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roadmap. Bitter experience of Palestinians of treading roadmap prompted

Pakistan to deny existence of such map on Kashmir.
When Secretary of State on foreign affairs referred to roadmap it
certainly existed though Pakistan might not have seen it. Shireen M Mazari
had this in mind when she wrote: The Bush acceptance of the Sharon plan
on Palestine should give us a sense of forbidding. Given the new Indo-US
strategic partnership, India may also present a plan of the settlement of
Kashmir focusing on the status quo already they are fencing the Line of
Control a la Israeli style. And US President will probably support India
since the US is least interested in a just resolution of Kashmir she added.
That map has been drawn by the Crusaders and proxy crusaders. In
that India will endeavour achieving normalcy in the name of CBMs and at
appropriate time, after having achieved that, it will claim lasting peace can
be achieved without tackling the core issue.

MEETING CRUSADERS DEMANDS

In words of General Kamal Matinuddin, the military operation in
Wana did become necessary, but unfortunately it was ill conceived, ill
planned and incorrectly executed. Despite failing in achieving military
success the wielding of stick had positive political effects. The government
decided to exploit these through dialogue.
On coaxing of political authorities a tribal Jirga met Nek Muhmmad
and his colleagues on 12th April. Pir Muhammad Burki, who was released
from Guantanamo Bay, deliverd an emotional speech narrating his ordeal
bringing tears in almost everyones eyes. Nek Muhammads men then
rejected the demand for surrender of the five most wanted men and objected
to presence of troops in tribal area. They renewed terms for talks, i.e. release
of arrested tribesmen forthwith and payment of compensation for the killings
and destruction.
They criticized US role in the region and elsewhere in the world and
were of the view that Jihad against America was now justified. The
steadfastness of wanted men prompted the News to speculate that next
operation in Wana would be on a much bigger scale, but advised that killings
wont be the correct solution as it would cast odium on Pakistan.
Grand Jirga failed to unite Zalikhel sub-tribe in favour of government,
but Janikhel was ready for talks with army. FATA MPs assured support to
President. Meanwhile Army continued tightening cordon of suspected den of
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al-Qaeda. On 15th April arrival of fresh troops in South Waziristan was

reported.
Next day Zalikhels raised a force to get wanted men and ISPR
announced that fresh operation would be carried out as a last resort. On 17th
April militants were given ultimatum by tribal Lashkar and next day hunt for
wanted-men was launched.
On 19th April the Governor agreed to give more time to Lashkar to
expel foreign nationals. Next day elders met top fugitives in Wana and
Lashkar was given ten more days to arrest the wanted men. Army saw the
prospects of wanted mens surrender brightening.
A day before the reconciliation Yusufzai reported, Corps commander
will fly to Shakai to meet surrendering men. The militants will present gifts
to him It will be the first time since 1947 that tribesmen committing crime
will go unpunished.
On 24th April Army and militants embraced peace. Four of the five
most wanted men were given amnesty in Grand Jirga. Thirty year old Nek
Muhammad, Sharif Khan, his brother Nur Islam and Maulana Abbas
surrendered in person, whereas Maulana Aziz was represented by his
nephew. Foreign fighters were asked to surrender by 30th April. Next day
fifty tribesmen were freed as part of the deal. Maulvi Abbas denied
surrendering and Nek Muhammad denied having ever met Osama.
Another group of 16 prisoners was freed on 29 th April but there was
no surrender as deadline passed. Next day 78 more Waziris were freed and
the deadline was extended to 7th May. Tribal leaders stressed upon
registration of foreigners.
The authorities insisted on full information from foreigners opting for
surrender. The foreigners were reluctant to provide photos and detailed
information as it could be leaked to their respective countries and the
Crusaders, who would then target their relatives. Hence, the second deadline
also failed to earn any response. Nek Muhammad said that most of them in
any case had left the area and were not traceable.
Talks on foreigners registration collapsed. Nek Muhammad reiterated
that registration of aliens was not part of the agreement and setting deadline
for the purpose was an attempt to sabotage the Shakai deal. Tribesmen asked
the government to provide text of the agreement. Snags also hit formation of
Lashkar for hunt.
UN Special Envoy had met Musharraf on 14 th April, who reminded
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the envoy to address the root cause of the problem. He wanted ethnic
balance in Afghanistan, indirectly pointing towards Pushtoons concerns
over their inadequate representation in Kabul.
On 18th April US Envoy asked Pakistan to do more in Wana. Pakistan
termed Khalilzads remarks foolish and rejected them. Next day UN asked
Pakistan to close 15 refugee camps accommodating 200,000 Afghans as
these were too close to insurgency-hit regions.
America expressed satisfaction over Pakistans cooperation. Without
commenting on clemency granted to wanted militants, America hoped that
operation would continue in tribal areas. Faisal denied that Wana operation
was carried out to appease US.
Krimov took advantage of the situation and alleged that Pak-Afghan
border was haven for Uzbek militants. Next day AP enquired from Jamali
about whereabouts of Osama. He demonstrated unusual boldness. We dont
care where Osama is. I think the people who tried to look towards him in
first instance, are the ones who should be worried about it.
The month of May began with US General and Kabul asking Pakistan
to kill or capture foreign militants. They were indirectly showing their
concerns over release of tribesmen after Shakai agreement. Earlier this
General had thanked his Pakistani counterpart for neutralizing the tribal
Islamic militants through recent amnesty. He had acknowledged that there
were no attacks for the last four weeks. But publicly he used the language of
Khalilzad, report Yusufzai. Jamali, however, assured that no al-Qaeda and
Taliban suspects were freed.
Apart from verbal threats the Crusaders resorted to physical
intimidation. US jets violated Pakistan airspace on 15 th April and
construction of an airstrip near Pak-Afghan border was reported. During
early May US troops entered Pakistan territory in tribal area and questioned
some locals in Lowara Mandi near Datakhel.
Tribesmen of North Waziristan protested Pakistan troops inaction and
foreign policy came under fire in the Senate. Pakistan was constrained to
protest against US troops intrusion, which Washington promptly termed as
inadvertent and assured Pakistans territorial integrity. Four days later US
troops again intruded, to demonstrate the degree of their respect for
Pakistans territorial integrity.
While focusing on Wana Pakistan did not ignore its obligations in
other areas. On 13th April two suspects were held in Kurram Agency and 19

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remote-controlled time devices and two audiocassettes were recovered.

Tribesmen of Khyber Agency handed over heavy weapons to FC on 25 th
April. Raids were carried out in Peshawar to arrest al-Qaeda operatives.
On 29th April an Afghan journalist was quizzed for violating law as he
had tried to help American journalist Eliza Gisward to sneak into Waziristan
area. The lady too had violated the same law but was allowed to go home. It
was not reported whether or not she was given any gifts on her departure.
Angry Pushtoons kept retaliating. Two policemen were injured in
rocket attack in Peshawar on 15th April. District Nazim of Peshawar blamed
Afghan refugees for deteriorating law and order situation. Afrasaiyab asked
the government to repatriate Afghan refugees forcibly.
The comments on the events of last one month ought to begin with
Musharrafs advice to UN Special Envoy about the need to address ethnic
grievances. He took more than two years to point out the root cause and that
too indirectly and to a wrong person. The matter should have been directly
referred to US. As regards asking Pakistan to shift refugee camps away from
border, the government should have told UN to repatriate them forthwith.
Pakistan singled out Khalilzad to show its wrath over constant
pressure to do more. Foreign Office spokesman gave an impression that this
Afghan returnee was acting on its own. He ignored that the envoy had
passed these remarks addressing Pakistani journalists who had gone to
Kabul on a trip arranged by Nancy. The spokesman also accused him of not
knowing the diplomatic language and termed his remarks foolish. The
reaction was equally undiplomatic.
Pakistans protest against incursion was ignored. To call it
inadvertent was a bigger lie than that of WMDs. US troops never operate
without Afghan guides, who know every inch of Durand line better than
many soldiers of Pakistan. All incursions were deliberate acts of
intimidation.
The tribesmen complaining about Pakistan forces inaction against
intrusions should have understood that gallant soldiers have stopped acting
against the Crusaders and Indians. They are part of the anvil and hammer
strategy.

MILITANCY AND PROLIFERATION

There was no respite in discrimination of Pakistanis abroad. America

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deported 64 Pakistanis and more than six hundred were repatriated from
Muscat. A Pakistani was charged with terrorism in Australia, while declining
Pakistans request for institutionalizing arrangements to counter the threat of
terrorism.
On the other hand the Crusaders endeavoured to inculcate moderation
in Pakistan. European Parliament voted on democracy, despite Kasuris
request for not to meddle in Pakistans affairs. BBC criticized, EU regretted
and US expressed concerns over Hashmis sentence.
Admonishing was combined with admirations as hither-to-fore.
America praised Pakistan for winning world respect in war on terror. Bush
specifically acknowledged Musharraf as good and strong ally. EU approved
trade ties with Pakistan and Kasuri thanked for supporting democracy.
Pakistan reciprocated by concluding anti-drug trade pact with EU.
Moderate Pakistan was the US goal, claimed Roca. Japanese Foreign
Minister, who had avoided visiting Pakistan more than once, considered
Pakistans role vital against global terror threat and supported Islamabads
efforts to build a moderate welfare Islamic state. President and Prime
Minister were obliged to renew their commitment against terrorism.
Main thrust of inculcating moderation focused on revision of curricula
of schools and colleges. The debate was triggered by a report released by an
NGO accusing that Pakistani children were taught to hate peoples of other
faiths and nations (India and America), accept bias against women and
minorities (Hijab and blasphemy) and glorify violence (Jihad). They are not
being taught values of mutual respect, equality, justice and peace that can
contribute towards a just, peaceful and democratic Pakistan.
A lobby alleged that madrassas in Pakistan and Quraan teach
militancy. It was an attempt to equate Islam with terrorism. Religious forces
warned against change in curricula. Jamali rejected Wests misperceptions
about Pakistan and regretted western prejudices. He pledged not to take any
decision against Islamic teachings.
The prejudices were glaring as brought out by Nasim Zehra. The
growing intolerance within the US must appear more prominently on the
radar of US policy-makers who have been busy perpetually criticizing what
is said and taught in Muslim mosques and madrassas. She then quoted
Severin, the host on Radio WTKK-FM owned by network of Boston
academic institutions, who while answering a caller asking about Muslims in
America, said, you think we should befriend them; I think we should kill
them. The management refused to fire this host after his comments were
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resented by some.
In April in Beaverton, a town in Oregon State, Shahriar the president
of Bilal Mosque Association was de-invited on Mayors annual breakfast
prayer because Muslims pray to Allah rather than to God. In October 2003
Boykin had called Muslim Somali warlord an idol-worshiper. I knew that
my God was bigger than his. I knew my God was a real God, and he was
idol-worshiper. In June he had said that radical Muslims hate the United
States because were a Christian-nation. Pentagon refused to fire him.
She added, framing the problems of the Muslim World within
ignorance, retrogression and anti-US framework, ignoring impact of its
blindly-pro-Israeli policies and taking the problems of so-called
fundamentalism and militancy to xenophobic levels, the United States has
further exacerbated the socio-political problems in the Muslim World and
also at home.
The fact remained that Pakistanis hate no one more than neo-cons hate
Islam; Indians hate Pakistanis, Kashmiris and Muslim minorities; Israeli hate
Palestinians, Russians hate the Chechens; the Serbs hate Bosnian Muslims
and so on.
Recently Macedonia admitted killing seven Pakistanis. Former head
of the police was suspected of ordering the execution to show support of
US-led war on terror. These Pakistanis had committed an offence of carrying
Quraanic verses. This heinous act amply clarified as to what were the ways
to please America.
Pakistan kept quiet for two years without saying or doing anything;
after all it had to prove its tolerance. Once Macedonia uncovered the real
motive, Pakistan called it hideous before seeking compensation. What a
shameful it was to value the lives of its young and innocent citizens?
In the back-drop of such prejudices Pakistani leaders advised their
people to be moderate and also hoped for positive response. Spokesman of
Foreign Office asked the journalist to counter the propaganda alleging that
Quraan teaches militancy, thereby absolving the Government of Islamic
Republic of Pakistan from all the responsibility. Instead of planning to send
an official to Macedonia, the government should have raised the issue at
world fora as suggested by Mushahid and America should have been asked
to de-link terrorism from Islam and Pakistan.
Despite the established bias of war on terror the government has not
faltered in its resolve to crush terrorists. Two terrorists were arrested in

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Lahore on 16th April and Levies seized huge quantity of weapons in Pishin
district. A terrorists gang was busted in NWFP. But the militants of different
creeds kept retaliating:

On 21st April rockets hit Kohlu area. Poppy growers burnt UN and
army vehicles northwest of Quetta and a bomb ruptured gas pipeline
near Jacobabad.

Bomb blast took place in Quetta on 23rd April and SHO was shot dead
in Karachi.

Bomb exploded on 1st May and next day a grenade was thrown at
police vehicle in Quetta. Another bomb exploded four days later.

On 7th May 14 persons were killed and 200 hurt in blast in mosque in
Karachi and two persons were hurt in blast in BHC premises.

One person was killed in Karachi gunfire during protests against

attack on mosque. Three days later a blast took place near the News
office in Quetta.

The worst incident of terrorism took place in south-western corner of

Pakistan in which two Chinese engineers were killed in Gwadar. The motive
behind this killing might not be related to al-Qaeda or Taliban. Chinese were
quick in appreciating the situation correctly and decided to continue work at
Gwadar port.
Pakistan continued appeasing the Crusaders over proliferation issue
while vowing not to rollback its nuclear programme or allowing nuclear
access to UN. It pledged to support IAEA in use of nuclear technology for
peaceful purposes.
Pakistan proposed nuclear talks to India for initiating CBMs in this
regard which was graciously accepted by Delhi. The Cabinet approved
tighter nuclear controls and proposed a law to check nuclear proliferation.
Meanwhile the scope of the principle that only fools confront America was
extended to Europe and Tasman crew was allowed to go home.
As regards Khans network the government continued probing into his
spending, but opposed his production in Supreme Court. The apex court was
moved against Khans inquiry by CIA. Benazir feared Khan might be killed
(to cover up Armys involvement). Foreign Office ruled out any threat to his
life.
Japan lauded Pakistans efforts against nuclear proliferation. China
acknowledged it by striking a deal for construction of 300 MW nuclear
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power plant, Chashma-2. The Crusaders on the other hand continued

working on tightening the measures to control proliferation.
During second week of April New York Times alleged that Khan had
seen three nuclear devices in North Korean. Reportedly Pakistan had
formally conveyed that three nuclear devices were seen by a senior scientist
during his visit. It was a step to further implicate Pakistan.
America desired that NPT violators should lose nuclear access even
for peaceful use. On 28th April UN Okayed Resolution on WMDs in which
member states were required to adopt laws to prevent non-state actors from
getting weapons. It was apprehended that anti-WMD Resolution would be
applied with bias to press rogues and that was why Pakistan had opposed
draft Resolution.
As regards Maleehas urging action against European companies
involved in nuclear black marketing, a Dutch was charged with illegal
exports to Pakistan. It was yet another step to keep Pakistan on the hook.
Meanwhile Libyan was rewarded for its good conduct by easing economic
sanctions. It was an incentive for others to follow Libyas example.
Pressure on Iran was not eased. Bush alleged that Iran was attempting
to develop weapons secretly. Kharzai rejected the charge and denied its
troops were running secret nuke project. Tehran answered all queries of
IAEA and Kharzai met European leaders to counter US allegations.
These moves were seen by Shireen M Mazari with concern. With
highly militarized India being asked to play the regional policeman by the
US, and by a new and highly interventionalist PSI (Proliferation Security
Initiative), we can see the expansion of the pre-emptive agenda in a manner
which should be of grave concern Pakistan was not yet out of
proliferation plantations (the woods).

CONCLUSION
Pakistans dependence on the West for resolution of Kashmir dispute
has brought it to a place where it finds itself helplessly clueless. Its position
is no better than that of Palestinians. It will be in Pakistans interest to
reduce the dependence on the West in general and America in particular.
This should begin with running a cadre for employees of Foreign
Office to learn pronunciation of names of presidents and prime ministers of
far eastern countries. It was quite embarrassing when a spokesman

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pronounced their names with great difficulty.

Long-term goals cannot be achieved through military action in tribal
areas, opined Dr Nuri. If tribal regions have to be integrated with the rest of
the country and if trouble-free borders are desired (whether in the east or
west), the government will have to co-opt major political parties to build up
a credible popular base in the larger national interest, or else be prepared to
handle the looming problems by itself.
This prudent course should have been adopted right at the outset. The
use of force might have been unavoidable to drive prudence into the minds
of militants, but after having done that the government should relentlessly
pursue the peaceful course without being distracted by the statements issued
from Kabul.
After the news received from Macedonia Pakistan should have no
doubts as to what pleases America. It has linked terrorism with Islam in its
holy war on terror. Therefore, the government should do something better
than wishing Bush well.

12th May 2004

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NEED TO BE THERE
In the wake of resurgence of resistance Bush vowed to complete the
job. Well need to be there for a while and for that he was willing to send
10,000 more troops. He ordered military commanders to make every
preparation to use decisive force if necessary to maintain order and to
protect our troops. The violence weve seen is a power-grab byextreme
and ruthless elements. A few days later a US report accepted that attacks in
Iraq were not terrorism.
He acknowledged that US troops still faced serious challenges, but
withdrawal of troops was not contemplated. Bush tried to silence his critics,
Im going to tell the American people I have a plan to win the war on
terror. Blair demonstrated his resolve; violence wont derail Iraqs
reconstruction.
Before the start of month old intense insurgency Iraqi fighters had
concentrated on targeting police, because they were considered traitors and
the best source of human intelligence for occupation forces. Since the
beginning of April the fighters has been provided opportunities of direct
confrontation with the Crusaders.
On the sidelines of Iraq, Sharon made the hay in shining sun. America
and Britain allowed him to accomplish whatever sinister designs he was left
with. While all this happened the Muslim rulers kept quiet lest they
disclosed their location by speaking.

FIGHTING IN IRAQ
The brief account of fighting in Iraq during month ending 13 th May is
as under:

14th April: Nine Iraqis were killed out of which five died in Fallujah
where truce had been extended. Local US commander vowed that
stalemate wont last long. America also threatened to kill or capture
Sadr. Four Marines were killed in al-Anbar and bodies of four US
contractors were found. Hostage-taking sparked exodus of foreigners.
France demanded release of TV journalists and its Red Cross
suspended operation.

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15th April: Four Iraqis were killed in violence. American soldier was
killed and Italian hostage was executed. Iranian diplomat was shot
dead in Baghdad and that was linked to Iranian effort to mediate.
Three Japanese nationals were set free.

16th April: American and Danish businessmen were kidnapped. Sistani

warned Coalition to keep away from Najaf and Karbala. Iraqi clerics
sought police control in Fallujah. Sadr warned US-led forces of
violent repercussions and ruled out compromise with Coalition.

17th April: Najaf, Karbala and Fallujah stood encircled. Two Iraqi
fighters were killed in clash east of the Euphrates River near Najaf.
Mediation with Sadr failed. Sadr and Sistani again warned America
against attacking Karbala or Najaf. One American Marine was killed.
Kidnapping of about 40 persons from 12 countries was confirmed.
Captors were willing to swap US soldier and set free two Japanese.

18th April: Thirty-two Iraqis were killed; out of which 25 died in an

encounter near Syrian border and four near Diwaniyah. Najaf siege
persisted. Twelve American soldiers perished; five of them were killed
in an ambush near Syrian border and three were killed in clashes with
supporters of Sadr near Diwaniyah. Dawa party mediated with the
Coalition.

19th April: US ended Fallujah siege and announced $ 77 million aid. In

the past two weeks, at least 86 US soldiers were confirmed killed and
561 were wounded.

20th April: Mortar attack killed 22 in Abu Ghraib jail. Elders of

Fallujah and US called on fighters to surrender.

21st April: Sixty-eight persons were killed and over two hundred
injured in car bomb attacks targeting police stations and police
academy. Four British soldiers were also wounded. Thirteen Iraqis
were killed in clashes elsewhere. Fighting continued in Fallujah
injuring three US soldiers. The Coalition accused fighters of
threatening cease-fire. Khatami warned US against attacking Najaf
and Karbala.

22nd April: Fallujah toll rose to thirty-six. American soldier was killed
and three hostages were freed.

23rd April: Bulgarian soldier was killed in an ambush in Karbala. Sadr

threatened suicide attacks and US forces were warned of uprising if

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Fallujah was attacked again. Death toll in Basra rose to 74.

24th April: Eight US soldiers were among 77 killed in different places.

In Sadr City 14 were killed and 36 injured in four explosions.
Fourteen were killed and 11 injured in bomb blast in Iskandariyah.
Three boats exploded near oil terminal. Twelve policemen and four
civilians were injured in Tikrit car blast. Marines claimed killing 30
fighters in Fallujah mainly through air strike. Five fighters were killed
near Karbala by Polish soldiers.

25th April: US troops killed four children in Baghdad, who had come
out of school and gathered around a burning Humvee. In Mosul four
Iraqis were killed and 15 injured. One US soldier was killed and three
wounded as an improvised device exploded. Number of US soldiers
killed in suicide attack on oil terminal reached three. Situation in
Najaf remained dangerous.

26th April: Three US troops and 16 Iraqis died in violence. Sadr

threatened US troops with fires of hell.

27th April: Fierce gun battles broke out in Fallujah. Sixty-four Iraqi
fighters were killed in outskirts of Najaf. US claimed destroying air
defence system. US soldier was killed in Baghdad and a helicopter
exploded in Kut. New Zealander was held by unknown persons.

28th April: US helicopters pounded Fallujah. Heavy gun battles were

reported near city railway station. Fighter jets and AC-130 aircraft
were used. Bush said, our military commanders will take whatever
action is necessary to secure Fallujah on behalf of the Iraqi people.
Four Coalition troops were killed in separate attacks.

29th April: Americans bombed Fallujah after deciding to pull back. Ten
US soldiers were killed in attacks out of which eight died in car bomb
attack in Baghdad. South African civilian was shot dead in Basra.

30th April US started pullout from Fallujah. City was handed over to
Saddam general. Sadr slammed the move. Two US soldiers were
killed in suicide attacks.

1st May: Ex-Republican Guards General Jasim Mohammad Salah was

entrusted the duty to deal with fighters in Fallujah with newly raised
force of ex soldiers and police. US troops withdrew to safer distance
ready to pounce when required. Four US soldiers were killed in
separate incidents. Two foreign security guards, employed for
protecting oil convoys, were killed and five wounded.
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2nd May: Eleven US soldiers were killed and more than 40 injured in
different attacks, out of which 6 were killed and 30 wounded in
Ramadi.

Six US troops were killed in next two days. Najaf remained tense as
skirmishes around it continued. Myers criticized bad reporting about
appointment of Saddam General in Fallujah. Iraqi General denied
presence of foreign fighters in the city.

5th May: Four Coalition soldiers were killed outside Najaf. The
standoff scared off pilgrims.

6th May: Forty-one Iraqis were killed in Najaf battles. Governors

house was recaptured as US formulated a plan to isolate al-Sadr. Two
US troops were among eight killed in blast in Baghdad.

7th May: Twelve men of Sadr were killed in Najaf. Four Iraqi
policemen died in blast in Mosul. A Polish and an Algerian journalist
were shot dead south of Baghdad. Osama offered gold for killing
Bremer and Annan.

8th May: Sadr men and UK troops fought street battles after gunmen
attacked governors office. Bloody clashes were reported in Karbala.
US troops blocked road to Imam Hussains shrine. In all 15 Iraqis
were killed including a child. In Basra gunmen took control of an
intersection. Fighters also attacked a convoy outside Amara. Two
Polish soldiers killed and two British soldiers were wounded.

9th May: Thirty-four Iraqis were killed as Sadr men clashed with
occupation forces in southern cities. Blast in Baghdad killed seven
including three policemen. US soldier was killed and another
wounded in mortar attack. Four Coalition soldiers were wounded in
Basra.

10th May: Sixteen Sadr men were killed in Baghdad. US jets flattened
clerics offices. US Marines began Fallujah patrols with Iraqi forces.
Rockets were fired at US patrol in Mosul. In Kirkuk gunmen killed a
South African and a New Zealander. Fighters bombed convoy of
Governor of Diyala province in Baquba. In all three US soldiers were
killed and two wounded.

11th May: Eighteen Iraqis were killed out of which 13 died in Kufa.
Fighters attaked a convoy on way to Baghdad from Jordan destroying
several vehicles. Four persons were killed and 25 wounded in a blast

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in Kirkuk. A Dutch soldier and Russian employee were also killed.

Two Russians were taken hostage and Moscow urged its citizens to
leave Iraq.

12th May: Twenty-two Sadr men were killed in Karbala attacks. Cleric
vowed to die as martyr and refused to disband Mehdi Army. Four
Filipino contractors were shot dead.

13th May: Fighting took place near Imam Hussiens shrine. Three
Iraqis died in Najaf when fighters loyal to Sadr ransacked police
headquarters. US soldier was killed in Baghdad in roadside blast and
one died in Anbar. A roadside bomb injured four Marines in Fallujah.
A Turkish worker and his driver were killed in Mosul. An Iraqi
working as translator for Americans was killed in Baquba.

Bush rapped Spain for withdrawal of troops which had disturbed the
force level in Iraq. Honduras and Dominican Republic also decided to
withdraw their contingents. Unwilling Bulgarian soldiers were allowed
returning home. Thais wanted their troops back. Poland and Ukraine
hesitated in taking part in combat operations but decided to hang on.
The raising of Iraqi force hit snags as Iraqi soldiers were reported of
donating their weapons to fighters in Fallujah. According to American
General, about 40 percent refused to fight and 10 percent actually worked
against us. Chalabi also blamed some police chiefs of helping insurgents.
Desertions in US Army were also reported, some of which sought refuge in
Canada.
Italy considered Coalition forces in Iraq insufficient. Britain looked
for replacements, Cheney called for support while visiting Seoul and
Abizaid asked Pakistan and others to send troops to Iraq. Kasuri said, troops
could be sent under UN. Sending troops to Iraq would be a blunder, warned
MMA. Norway rejected Powells plea for troops stay. Italy, South Korea and
Denmark agreed to keep their troops. Albania and Macedonia were willing
to increase their contribution.
The situation forced the major willing partners to mull increase in
troops. Pentagon, however, decided to maintain present force level of
135,000 troops till end of 2005. Australia and Britain also pended decision
about sending more troops.
The occupation forces solved the problem through employing
mercenaries for security duties. Linda S Heard reported presence of 20,000
mercenaries; the number could be more than that. Erinys, a British company
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has employed 14,000 for protection of pipelines. Its rival Armour Group has
employed 700 Gurkhas to guard personnel of some firms.
Employment of mercenaries has boosted private British military
firms revenue from $ 320 million before the war to 1.5 billion as revealed
by British security firm Janusain. In addition Naur, employed for training of
Iraqi police, was linked to Chalabi; Dyncorp, worlds premier rent-a-cop
business, was linked to former head of the US Defence Policy Board
Richard Perle and Halliburton, a military support firm helping with logistics
and engineering, was formerly headed by Cheney.
At least 80 foreign mercenaries were killed in the eight days preceding April 13. That clearly told as to how the civilized people make
money in blood-letting. Reportedly Indian ex-soldiers were also being
recruited for Iraq.
With the start of confrontation with Sadr and Sunni groups supporting
him, the US moved fast to preempt Shia-Sunni unity. US Marines struck a
ceasefire in Fallujah and gave Iraqi security forces facelift. Saddams men
were allowed to join new force and ex-Baathist teachers were to be reemployed as they want to rejoin jobs. This move could also be aimed at
diverting the focus of resisting groups from police to more conspicuous
traitors; thus weakening the Sunni resistance. It would not only ensure
saving American blood, but also allow the Coalition to concentrate on Shia
militancy.
Another measure was to press Syria to stop foreign fighters entering
Iraq; a US General asked Syria to help or risk stability. The argument was
strengthened by revealing the information extracted from foreign fighters,
who reportedly admitted being paid for attacks. They have to be provided
sustenance by someone and that was fitted in excuse to press neighbours.
To maintain the morale of occupation forces Howard and Bulgarian
President visited Iraq to thank their troops. Press reports about body bags
were curbed. Husband and wife were fired from their jobs on Kuwait
International Airport as the lady had photographed coffins of twenty dead
US soldiers.

OTHER ASPECTS
In a surprising move Iran sent a top foreign ministry official to Iraq
for talks with Coalition officials. The move came in response to American
request. Iraqi politicians and religious figures agreed to help mediate an end
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to the current wave of unrest.

Iran denied mediation. It was a venture to assess the situation. Iran
claimed that it has been trying to be as constructive as possible towards the
redemption of the Iraqi people. Iranian official met two Kurd leaders, head
of Dawa party, head of SCIRI, Brahimi and planned to meet Chalabi, head
of Governing Council and one of its members. It warned US against action
in Najaf for which Coalition forces were concentrating outside the city.
Myers who was in Baghdad at the same time had his reservations on
Iranian involvement. With the very challenge that the Iraqi people have in
building a better Iraq, the last thing you need is influence from neighbouring
countries trying to promote or protect their own self interests. Iran blamed
America for the unrest. The insecurity, chaos and bloodshed result from the
erroneous policy and ill-considered methods of the United States in the
region in the face of terrorism.
Iran quitted mediation soon after the killing of its diplomat. Two
weeks later it insisted that Iraqi Shia leaders should be allowed to resolve
Najaf crisis. Meanwhile Italian Foreign Minister offered dialogue, promised
to work hard to help Iraqis and try to persuade America for the same.
The disagreements amongst the Crusaders persisted. France slammed
racial campaign in America against it. France and Spain vowed to work
together on Iraq. Germany and Spain wanted end to US occupation. But
Spain hoped that troops withdrawal wont sour its foreign ties.
Differences between Britain and US were also reported over Iraq
policy. A rally in UK demanded pullout of troops. Putin called for greater
UN involvement. Ukraine called for stronger voice in Iraq. Only Koizumi
backed Bushs policies. Osama tried to capitalize on these differences by
offering truce to Europe if its troops were withdrawn.
The differences spread to the Governing Council. Four ministers
resigned in protest against excessive use of force and collective
punishments. The disagreements traveled down to public level as three UN
cops were killed in fight over Iraq in Kosovo.
Debate on transfer of power continued. Germany asked for early UN
Resolution on transfer of power; France called for full transfer of power and
Russia opposed limited restoration of sovereignty in Iraq. Italian and Iranian
Foreign Ministers wanted rapid transfer of power. Pakistan and Yemen
demanded early transfer of power and end of occupation. Arab Foreign
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Ministers discussed Iraq and Middle East unrest on 8 th May, but remained
quiet on Governing Councils request for troops.
Iraqi leaders were consulted on forming new interim government.
Pachachi the possible candidate for president-ship in interim government
defended Brahimis role. UK vowed to handover power. Suicide attacks
wont derail power transfer said Straw. Bremer thought Iraqi forces were
not ready for hand over, yet handed over charge of seven ministries.
America seemed to be working on transfer of power by 30 th June to
defuse the prevailing tensions. Rocca visited Islamabad to discuss new
Resolution, but Annan apprehended that US forces would make transition
hard. The more the occupation is seen as taking steps that harm the civilians
and the population, the greater the ranks of the resistance grows. His
representative, Brahimi, warned of vacuum.
Other developments of the period included unveiling of proposed flag
which resembling Israeli flag and Sistani suspected conspiracy behind Najaf
standoff to sow chaos. Syria termed American sanctions unjustified and
accused US of being source of instability in Middle East. Qatar assured
America to address its concerns about al-Jazeera. A poll showed that
exuberance of Americans about Iraq was withering.

ISRAELI TERRORISM
Sharon had no mercy to Palestinians. Perpetration of state terrorism
continued unabated:

Israeli troops killed Palestinian teenager on 16th April. Next day

Hamas chief and his son were killed in Israeli missile attack.

On 20th April five Palestinians were killed. Next day Israeli troops
killed twelve more in Gaza.

Four Palestinians were killed on 22nd April. Next day four more were
killed in raids.

Israeli troops killed teenager in Gaza Strip on 26 th April. Three days

later al-Aqsa fighter was killed in West Bank.

On 1st May two Palestinians were injured in clashes. Next day two
were slain in Gaza shooting and four were killed in Israeli air strike in
West Bank.

Israelis killed two Palestinians in next two days and two teenagers
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died of wounds. Entrance to Arafat HQ was blocked.

Israeli troops killed two Palestinians on 6 th May. Next day three more
were shot dead in West Bank.

On 11th May eight Palestinians died in Gaza fighting. Two days later
twelve more died in Israeli raids.

Rintissi was assassinated too soon after Yassin than expected. That
spoke of Zionist arrogance due to backing of the Crusaders. He was buried
amid revenge calls much before similar calls given after Yassins murder
could materialize.
Hezbollah blamed American Administration, which provides cover,
both moral and political, as well as material support to the murderous
government in Tel Aviv. It has direct responsibility for the crime. Hamas
wont be cowed by Israeli killings claimed Khaled Meshaal, who in now
number one to take Rantissis position. Israel had already announced that he
would meet an identical fate. Earlier in 1997 he was caught by Mossad
agents and injected poison on a street in Amman. He fell in coma and King
Hussein demanded antidote if Israel wanted the captured agents to be free.
Middle East seethed over killing. King Abdullah called it an ugly
crime whichwill lead to more violence. Lebanese President linked it to
chain of state terrorism practiced by Israel with the encouragement of
Washington. Syria highlighted American responsibility for the
assassination. Egypt termed it Israeli crime saving America from any
blame. GCC called it state terrorism and Musa Keilani said that it was
against all world laws and conventions.
Pakistan like other Muslim countries made the crucial move by
condemning Rantissis killing. EU condemned the killing and insisted on
talks. Pope termed assassination inhuman. Sharon responded to these
condemnations by saying Arafat no more immune from attack.
Sharon got another boost after Bush took U-turn over West Bank
withdrawal. Bush and Blair backed his plan. EU opposed any unilateral
change and supported the already announced internationally backed
roadmap. Permanent representatives of Arab League assembled in Cairo and
rejected US policy which encouraged Israeli aggression. Refusal to return of
refugees was also rejected.
Amr Mussa termed US neo-cons more dangerous than Jewish lobby.
I never imagined that the (US) guarantees would reach the extent of
allowing Israel to annex vast Palestinian territory and end the issue of
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refugees. I never expected a superpower to be so biased for one party against

the other. This showed limitations of Arab and Muslim leaders vision. Even
a man in street of Cairo knew that for sure. King Abdullah postponed talks
with Bush.
Afif Safeih blamed Bush and Blair for allowing Israel to dictate their
Middle East policy and carry out a Palestinian politicize. Martin Indyk
opined that Israels exit plan will mean a US entrance. as on exit Hamas,
which is declared terrorist organization, will take over Gaza Strip.
OIC condemned Sharon Middle East plan and US backing in an
extraordinary meeting although there was nothing extraordinary about its
joint statement. America and Israel came under fire in Security Council.
Even some Jews held a rally against Sharon plan. Ultimately Sharon faced
defeat in vote for pullout from Gaza Strip.
Palestinian retaliatory reaction showed marked decrease in intensity.
Zionist soldier was killed in suicide attack and two more troops and a guard
were injured on 17th April. On 28th April Hamas launched suicide attack in
Gaza injuring four Israeli troops. A Palestinian collaborator was killed
separately. Five settlers were slain in Gaza shooting on 2 nd May. Five days
later Israeli soldier was killed in Hezbollah attack. Six Israelis died in Gaza
fighting on 11th May. Next day six Israeli troops were killed and five injured
in another explosion in south Gaza.
Arafat remained defiant despite death threats. He wanted total end to
Israeli occupation. He, however, was being ignored by the world. Even a
Palestinian MP asked him to quit. Palestinians have been left alone on road
to peace at the mercy of highwaymen.

COMMENTS
Bushs political rival, Kerry, alleged that the President had failed to
explain how he would stabilize Iraq. We need to set a new course. We need
to internationalize the effort and put an end to the American occupation. We
need to open up the reconstruction of Iraq to other countries. We need a real
transfer of political power to the UN.
Kerry viewed the situation from American perspective. Mahathir saw
it differently. He accused US of stirring hornets nest. I know Saddam is not
the nicest person in the world but by the time this thing ends, more Iraqis are

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going to be killed than Saddam ever did. He added, is it better now? I think
it is worse off. Today, the fear of terrorism is far greaterNow you look
after the railway stations but can you be sure that they will not attack other
things? So the world is going to spend huge sums of money trying to secure
itself, only to find that it is not secure.
Cambodian king saw Coalition forces facing fierce resistance in Iraq
in times to come. There is and there will be a resistance more and more
violent, more and more determined, more and more generalized, more and
more infernal, more and more tragic in terms of loss of human lives on all
sides. Vajpayee termed US-led war in Iraq a mistake. Bush erred in giving
Saddam priority opined Clinton.
Bush tried to counter criticism by holding a press conference, but
failed to impress. Times commented, he did not seem to indicate any fresh
or clear thinking about Iraq. US Today wrote, he played down the risks that
the upsurge in violence could derail the mission of creating a stable Iraq.
Wall Street Journal termed it most ringing defence to date of his decision to
invade Iraq.
Rice justified Iraq War. Im not going into a speculative discussion of
what might be done here. But the fact is that these are killers and thugs who
are trying to intimidate the international community. If this statement is read
without referring to who said it and for whom, it would sound true for
Americans.
Based on such utterances the Japan Times described some of the
sterling qualities of Bush and his administration. Determined, but not
prepared to admit mistakes and need for change. Like to have a ready-made
script for every occasion, but do not handle spontaneity well. Surprises
prevail, but flexibility is not a word easily associated with it.
America shunned truth; Arthur Nelsens report on treatment meted out
to al-Jazeera held testimony:

Brigadier General Kimmitt said, stations that show Americans

intentionally killing women and children are not legitimate news
sources. One of the condition for cease-fire spelled out by US was
that al-Jazeera team should leave Fallujah.

In November al-Jazeera cameraman, Salah Hassan was arrested, kept

in chicken-coup-sized cell, forced to stand hooded, bound and naked
for 11 hours at a time. He was beaten, abused and a month later
dumped on a street outside Baghdad, in the same vomit-stained red
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jumpsuit that he had been detained in.

Twenty other al-Jazeera journalists have been arrested and jailed by

US forces. Sami al-Hajj, a cameraman, was captured in Afghanistan
and is in Guantanamo to this day.

Under intense pressure from White House al-Jazeera silenced some

outspoken journalists; Yvonne Ridley was dismissed for this reason.

Earlier Powell personally met financer of al-Jazeera to rein in the

network, but when he did not agree its office in Kabul was bombed.

The targeting of al-Jazeera is all the more remarkable, given that it is

the only Arab TV network to routinely offer Israel, US and British
officials a platform to argue their case.

Some analysts opined that America has been humbled in Iraq. Nasim
Zehra drew this conclusion basing on number of US soldiers killed; some
signs of disintegration of Coalition; increase in criticism within America;
and UN refusal to rubber stamp US moves.
The argument of casualties is not convincing as these are just 1.4
percent of those suffered in Vietnam. Iraq has no parallel to Vietnam. At
peak of the war US had 550,000 troops in Vietnam as against only 160,000
in Iraq; in Vietnam War 58,000 American soldiers were killed whereas in
Iraq only about 800 have been killed so far; Vietcongs had all-out support of
North Vietnam and China but no one is supporting Iraqis.
America has lost support but it will try to entangle faithful like
Pakistan on sexed up pretexts. Office spokesman accepted that a request
for troops for protection of UN has been received and was under
consideration. Strangely it came from Washington rather than New York. It
was also not mentioned as against whom the UN will need protection.
The News dated 15th April criticized the government for giving up its
sensible position of remaining aloof from whatever was happening in Iraq,
other than the fact that the request has come from Washington. This is not
reason enough and the government should make it clear to America that
sending troops at this juncture when the Iraqi popular forcesenjoy popular
sympathy in Pakistan. The paper overlooked that it would amount to telling
Bush that his Iraq policy was not correct. This would mean confronting
America and Foreign Minister has already said that there were no fools in
Islamabad.
The disagreements within America may not last beyond elections.

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Historically UN has always acted on advice of Kasuri and never acted

foolishly to confront US. It has been known as facilitator for America.
Aslam Beg predicted US retreat from Iraq, but to date there were no
signs of such retreat. Michael Meacher conclusion, however, was more
appealing. West is losing the war on terror by playing Bin Ladens game.
There was disagreement within military leadership as reported by
Washington Post. Deep divisions were merging at the top of the US military
over the course of the occupation of Iraq, with some senior officers saying
the United States faced the prospect of taking high casualties without
establishing a democratic Iraqmajor worry was that the US was prevailing
militarily but failing to win the support of the Iraqi people.
It was premature to say anything about the final outcome of the war,
but one thing was clear that the war has exposed America completely.
Lieberman wrote that the United States, under Bush, has become the 21st
Centurys evil empire. Maureen Down observed that in Bush-world the socalled cherished values of the civilized world have been replaced by the
following:

In Bushworld, America can win over Fallujah by bulldozing it.

In Bushworld, it was worth going to war so Iraqis could express their

feelings without having their tongues cut out, although America
cannot yet allow them to express intemperate feelings in newspapers
without shutting them down.

In Bushworld, you can reign as the anti-terror president even after

hearing an intelligence report about al-Qaedas plan to attack America
and then stepping outside to clear brush.

In Bushworld, they struggle to keep church and state separate in Iraq,

even as they increasingly merge the two in America.

In Bushworld, imperfect intelligence is good enough to knock over

Iraq. But even better evidence that N Korea is building the weapons
that Saddam Hussein could only dream about is hidden away.

In Bushworld, the CIA says it cant find out whether there are
weapons of mass destruction in Iraq unless America invades on the
grounds that there are weapons of mass destruction.

In Bushworld, America is making progress in the war on terror by

fighting a war that creates terrorists.

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In Bushworld, you dont need to bother asking your vice president and
top Defence Department officials whether you should go to war in
Iraq, because theyve already maneuvered you into going to war.

In Bushworld, you expound remaking the Middle East and spreading

pro-American sentiments even as you expand anti-American
sentiments by ineptly occupying Iraq and unstintingly backing Prime
Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel on West Bank settlements.

In Bushworld, America went to war to give Iraq a democratic process,

yet disdains the democratic process that causes allies to pullout troops.

Bush was likely to persist with his war on terror as there were many
who urged him on. Prime Minister of Singapore warned against abrupt
pullout. Speaking at a forum before embarking on visit to Washington, he
said America has the capacity to lead the geo-political battle against Islamic
terrorists. Iraq has become a key battle ground. The key issue is no longer
WMD or even the role of the UN. The central issue is American credibility
and will to prevail. If that is destroyed, Islamic extremists everywhere will
be emboldened. We will all be at greater risk.
The Crusaders were united, despite differences and disagreements, to
face the challenge of Islamic militancy. Europe celebrated expansion of its
union, whereas Muslims dont have time to mourn their disunity. Although
Tabassum Mairaj in his letter to the News disagreed that Ummah was not
united. They were united in bearing humiliation.
Crushing of Palestinian resistance was the main objective of BushSharon peace plan. In words of Praful Bidwai this was inspired by three
major considerations; to decisively cripple the Hamas leadership, to push
further the political initiative Israel seized over the past two months by
announcing Israels disengagement from the Gaza Strip, and to complete and
formalize the exclusion of the Palestinian people from the peace process and
indeed, any discussion of their own fate.
Based on this Sharon calculated that assassinations will further
isolate and enfeeble the Palestinian leadership, as Hamas will be reluctant to
name the next leader. The most egregiously unjust solutions to the
question of Palestine can then be imposed upon a dispirited leadership and
the people he added.
According to him Sharons real goal is to reduce Palestine to a cluster
of Bantustans without contagious territory, sovereignty or independence.
This can be done by practicing apartheid separateness and segregation.
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Sharon has been doing just that by trying to:

Confine Palestinians to small pockets (Area A under the PAs full

control, and Area B under joint security), and keep them out of fully
Israeli-controlled C Area.

Subject them to daily harassment, obstruction and economic

punishment so that their will breaks.

Prevent their movement by creating 760 checkpoints and other

roadblocks throughout the West Bank and Gaza.

Demolish peoples homes and uproot them and then impose ethnic
segregation. Over the past three years, Israel has stepped up house
demolitions under the guise of fighting terrorism. Over 4,000 houses
were destroyed and 15,000 damaged. Besides, lacs of olive trees were
uprooted and hundreds of water wells closed.

Bush fully supported Sharon. The News dated 18th April wrote that it
was expected that Bush will use every dirty trick in the book to be reelected, but it was not imagined that he would go so far as to wreck an
established principle of American policy of American neutrality (America
had never been neutral) in the Israeli-Palestine dispute for the sake of the
Jewish vote.
Bush aimed at temporary gains and Mahathir warned him against long
term consequences. Israel cannot just say: Well, we have America behind
us, we can do what we like. We can assassinate anybody. They may be able
to do that but the people who will suffer will be the Americans. Robert Fisk
accused Bush of legitimizing terrorism by endorsing Ariel Sharons plan
and then suggested to Osama to recruit Bush as he was the best available
material for terrorism.
M B Naqvi saw a different factor behind Bushs decision to support
Sharon openly. Bush could take this huge jump in policy more easily
because of the present status of the Arab regimes in the region; from the
American viewpoint they deserve the contempt that has been duly shown
(to) them. They are actually a string of ciphers. Each Arab GADDI is totally
dependent on American goodwill and perhaps subsidy in a few cases. The
Muslim World, except for one or two exemptions, eats out of Americas
hand. None of them can exercise any restraining influence on the sole
superpower.
Hasan Abu Nimah opined that Arabs were fully aware of their
limitations. The Arabs know very well that their warnings to Sharon are
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empty; even for local consumption they have lost their effect: people ridicule
them and treat them as devalued currency.

CONCLUSION
American lust for Muslim blood began in Afghanistan and moved on
to Iraq. Others were encouraged; Sharon targeted Palestinians with
impunity; India unleashed state terrorism in Kashmir and extended it to
Gujarat; Thais killed over one hundred in action; Nigerian Christians killed
couple of hundreds; and Russians continued killing Chechens quietly. Some,
like Macedonians, indulged in killings to please America.
Muslim leaders also joined in as Dostum suffocated hundreds of them;
Saudis targeted terrorists not touched hitherto; and Pakistan killed and
captured hundreds of them. Yet American thirst for Muslim blood was far
from being quenched. Therefore, Bush-Sharon Axis posed far greater threats
to the Arabs than intensity of insurgency in Iraq posed to the occupation
forces.
Ordeal of Iraqis was far from being over. The Crusaders continued
using decisive force as directed by their supreme commander. Iraqis were
resisting bravely, but they remained disunited; even Shias disagreed on
strategy for ending the occupation.
`UN has refused to re-enter Iraq to hold elections, unless America
assured security, but was prepared to act as glorified subcontractor allowing
US to maintain control even after transfer of power. Someone rightly
recommended ditching of interim constitution, protecting Iraqs wealth or
assets, dechalabifying Iraq and withdrawing US forces. Who will do that?
16th May 2004

HUMILIATING THE HUMANITY

Human beings have been humiliating other human beings throughout
the history by degrading and torturing them for various reasons. The recent
reports about torture of Iraqi prisoners, therefore, constituted no surprise
revelation.
This is done in different kinds of mental states out of which anger,
frustration and desire to impose superiority stand out conspicuously.
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Americans are revengefully angry since 9/11, they have been completely
frustrated by Iraqis refusal to accept them as liberators and no nation is
suffering from superiority complex more than Americans.
They are in right mental state to do what they did. Driven by their
anger, frustration and superiority complex they hyped hatred for Islam and
its followers. That was drilled into the minds of civilized people by their
leaders and media. Blair right at the beginning of war had urged his people
not to let this fire extinguish.
Time magazine quoted psychologists saying that under certain
circumstances, almost anyone has the capacity to commit the atrocities seen
in the photos that have shocked the worldIt is remarkably easy for people
to lapse into sadistic behaviour when they have complete power over other
human beings, especially if they feel the behaviour has been sanctioned by
an authority figure. Such impression rules out fear of punishment.
It is a bitter reality that torture is prevalent in most parts of the world
and it has been fairly widespread in the recent past. Generally it is practiced
to extract confessions or information from hardened criminals, enemy agents
or captured combatants. Some times torture is perpetrated to administer
extra-judicial punishments.
The Crusaders have waged the war on terror to punish Islamic
militants. Administration of collective punishment is considered the quickest
way to accomplish the task. After indiscriminate killings, the opponents are
taken as prisoners, with little or no effort to sift the culprits from hundreds of
innocents. They are tortured and humiliated flouting internationally
recognized laws and codes of conduct.

WHAT HAPPENED?
CBS was the first to air photos of torture of Iraqi prisoners in its
programme, 60 Minutes II. One of the pictures showed a female soldier
holding a leash wrapped around the neck of naked prisoner cringing at her
feet. Months earlier Taguba in his classified report had disclosed systematic
and illegal abuse beyond what appeared in the photos. However, CBSs
initiative encouraged those, who had been hesitant, to publish more photos
of Iraqi prisoners.
The images included forcing prisoners to wear womens underwear;
pouring phosphoric liquid on them; sodomizing with chemical light and
using dogs, which Muslims consider unclean, to intimidate detainees as
reported by Time. Some other techniques used included stripping, sleep
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deprivation, hooding, wiring, rape and photographing all that.

The magazine also published some tales narrated by released
detainees. Nabil Shakar told witnessing soldiers beating prisoners, including
a mentally unstable man. Unis Hassan witnessed soldiers having sex with
female detainees.
Mohammad claimed that prisoners, angered by the death of a man
forced to lie on his face, loosened a tent pole and hit a US soldier so hard
that he died. Mohammad was beaten for hiding a pack of cigarettes. A
woman soldier cuffed him tight with cell bars and then poked his eye with
her finger so hard that he could not see afterward. He too had seen a soldier
having sex with a female detainee regularly.
British troops were also accused of abusing Iraqi prisoners. Troops
urinated on a prisoner. One prisoner was shown lying on ground with a boot
of a soldier on his head and hitting him on his groin with rifle butt. A
teenager was thrown out of a moving truck.
AI accused UK troops of killing civilians including 8-year-old girl; in
situations where the troops were under no apparent threat. Armed forces
minister said that pictures were appalling, despicable and there was no
justification.
Telecast and publication of images of torture encouraged Egyptian
paper al-Wafd to show US soldiers raping Iraqi women; America promptly
claimed that these were staged photos. Only information received from
civilized sources was considered authentic.
At last Taliban also accused US of prisoners abuse. Mistreatment of
prisoners in Afghanistan was systematic, alleged HRW. Almost two and half
years after the taking of prisoners, ICRC sought access to US jail in
Kandahar. America vowed to pursue prison abusers in Bagram jail. No
mention was made of places like Jangi Fort and Shiberghan where
perpetration of torture had started.
Government of Pakistan, following the wisdom of not confronting the
US, had kept quiet on this sensitive human issue. It was left to the people to
tackle the problem privately. In late April eight Pakistani prisoners had
bought freedom from Shiberghan jail by paying Rupees 150,000 each.
Taliban and Pakistani prisoners staged protest in Shiberghan jail.
Three days later Nasim Zehra asked the government to get its citizens
released, who had been rotting in jail under Dostums control. Dostum too
had asked Kabul to take them away since he was unable to feed them.
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Karzai and Fahim told Pakistan to take its prisoners if allowed by the
Americans. Americans gave the permission last year on condition that they
should be allowed to interrogate them one last time in Pakistani jails.
Pakistans Interior Ministry did not agree to this condition fearing political
repercussions. Musharraf over-ruled Ministrys objection in July last, but the
prisoners remained where they were.
Pakistans ambassador had visited these prisoners last year and
concluded, there is not much of a human being left in them. Once they
were ruled out of the category human beings, there was no sense in making
efforts for their release.
The images of atrocities that occurred at Abu Ghraib prison, once the
infamous home of Saddam Husseins torture chambers, outraged the world.
China and Japan blasted US over abuse of prisoners. Some sections of the
civilized world were also shocked by images of the abuses.
Sadr demanded trial of Bush. I demand the international community
make Bush and all his deputies stand trial before an Iraqi court. He also
demanded release of all prisoners and destruction of Abu Ghraib prison
adding, what sort of freedom and democracy can we expect from you
(Americans) when you take such a joy in torturing Iraqi prisoners?
Muslim activists decried prisoners abuse like Sadr, but most leaders
preferred to avoid commenting perhaps, to them urine of the best in the
world was the right cleanser to wash out Islamic militancy.
Photos revealed only a fraction on what has been happening for more
than two years. In Iraq torture had been practiced since day one of the
occupation, which had chosen not to see Iraqis as humans according to
Haifa Zangana. Red Cross has estimated ten to fifteen thousand prisoners in
Iraq and there was new generation of missing men.
In Abu Ghraib the abuses were no aberrant act, but a warped product
of US policy and the practices of its intelligence community in words of
Vekram Dodd of the Guardian. He described some instances to strengthen
his argument.
An email from a sergeant about use of dogs to intimidate prisoners
said, we have had a very high rate with our style of getting them to break.
They usually end up breaking within hours. (Some of them were actually
bitten by dogs.)
CIA personnel and private contractors actively requested that guards
set physical and mental conditions favourable for interrogation They
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were of the view that against Muslims nudity and sexual acts proved more
effective.
Rumsfeld disclosed that Pentagon has obtained more photos and video
footage that show US troops engaged in even worse behaviour. It was
estimated that there were about two thousand photos in addition to video
films. Most of these will never be aired or printed.

IT HAD TO HAPPEN
The manner in which the Crusaders unleashed the holy war against
Islamic militancy the incidents of atrocities and torture had to occur. The
trouble in Abu Ghraib was long time brewing, according to Time. The
discussion on this point should start with description of circumstances,
which led to the tragedy of Abu Ghraib, as viewed by William Pfaff:

The values and attitudes that have characterized the conduct of the
so-called war against terroropened the way to the torture, abuse
and, in some cases, apparent murder of prisoners

Even before the September 11 attacks, the Bush Administration

displayed hostility toward international law and treaty obligations that
it considered as limits on US national sovereignty or as obstacles to
American national interest.

In the Afghanistan War it summarily shipped prisoners outside of the

countrywithout serious examination of their cases, and in disregard
of Geneva norms concerning prisoners taken in war

US Army regulations on dealing with prisoners of war were

bypassed, since these people were by presidential definition enemy
combatants, not prisoners of war.

While the administrations disregard for international, military and

constitutional law was widely acknowledged at the time, there was
little protest in the American press, and no effective challenge from
Democratic Party leaders.

Someprisoners were transferred to third countries. Reporters were

informed, with a smile and a wink that this was because they could be
tortured there. Again there was negligible reaction in US press and
political circles.

The involvement of civilian contract employees in intelligence and

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interrogations has been that they are not subject to military discipline,
and responsibility for them and what they do can be plausibly denied
by US officials.

All this is consistent with an attitude toward violence characteristic of

the neo-conservativeswho for years insisted that history is made
through violence, and that in the national cause a governing elite has
the right to mislead the public in order to achieve goals that the
leaders alone are in a position to understand.

This lies behind the administrations pressure for violent action to

change regimes and intimidate so-called rogue statesRumsfeld
repeatedly says that those who oppose the United States in Iraq and
elsewhere have to be killed. He does not speak in terms of defeating
them, much less of negotiating of them, as the British do in southern
Iraq.

Dehumanizing language has been deliberately employed to describe

all those who oppose the United States. The cumulative effect of this
has conveyed to American troops that international and national
norms of lawful conduct have been suspended or actually limited in
the war against terror.

The Bush Administration created a state of expectation, mode of

conduct, hostility to traditional norms of military behaviour, and
attitude toward Iraqi, Afghan and other Islamic terrorists that opened
the way to atrocities.

Offensive operations are intended to shock and awe opponents

through massive use of violence, even when civilians are potential
victims

American military doctrine of force protection mandates killing

civilians perceived as being in any way threatening to American
forces. This requires American soldiers to treat all Iraqis as potential
enemies, and their lives as being of lesser worth than American lives.

In short Americans see them as untermenschen; subhuman. As far as

they are concerned Iraq is bandit country and everybody is out to kill
them. One result of that training was what happened in Abu Ghraib

Young military reservists from small American towns do not

spontaneously torture, humiliate, sexually abuse and obscenely mock
powerless prisoners unless people in authority over them have ordered
or encouraged them to do so.
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Who debouched these young American men and women soldiers? I

would argue that the moral debauchery came down the chain of
command from Washington.

Out of the points brought out by Pfaff, the silence of world in general
and Muslims in particular; excessive use of force to administer collective
punishments; violations of laws; and dehumanization need elaboration.
While doing so it must be remembered that recent reports pertained to a
phenomenon of gory acts which started after the fall of Kunduz.
Entire world remained silent over news that started trickling after the
battle fought north of Hindukush. The tragedy was extended from Kunduz to
Jangi Fort, Shiberghan, Guantanamo, Bagram, Kandahar and Macedonia
culminating at Abu Ghraib.
Western Media avoided reporting, despite the fact that many of the
incidents were more horrendous than what happened at Abu Ghraib. In case
of Afghanistan incidents of abuse, torture, humiliation and cold blooded
murders of innocents, including women and children, was ignored and even
condoned as at that time the world in general and Americans in particular
were in different frame of mind.
Therein Americans did not directly indulge in torture, humiliation and
murder too often, because they had experienced Uzbeks and Tajiks at their
service. They only collected a few to be transported to Guantanamo Bay to
satisfy their own urge of humiliating the humanity.
The great American nation kept quiet on these unlawful acts and
international community could do nothing to stop it. However, on receipt of
reports about crimes committed in Iraq, they, for reasons not so difficult to
be explained, have raised unexpected hue and cry.
Muslims leaders had no guts as most of them had been terrified by the
Crusaders. Incidents of humiliating and butchering Muslims kept increasing
constantly from Thailand to Nigeria. Muslim leaders had no time even to
condemn the brutal killings. Astonishingly human rights organizations in
Muslim World too remained mum. This encouraged the Crusaders.
Pakistan showed extraordinary resilience in its commitment to war
on terror. It remained silent after brutal killing of its citizens in Macedonia,
except demanding few bucks in compensation after the story of their cold
blooded murder was told after two years. The day Muslims in Thailand were
massacred Pakistan vowed to enhance cooperation with that country. The
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pictures of Iraqi prisoners simply horrified the spokesman of its Foreign

Office.
The use of excessive force began at Kunduz. Thereafter it continued
unabated to administer collective punishments. American strategy of
consolidation in Iraq has been based on this principle. Torture and
humiliation are off-shoots of this strategy.
Violations of laws have been frequent and widespread. Sidney
Bluementhal wrote about Bushs global network of extra-legal and secret US
prisons. It stretches from prisons in Afghanistan to Iraq, from Guantanamo
to secret CIA prisons around the world. There are perhaps 10,000 people
being held in Iraq, 1,000 in Afghanistan (number is less because therein
killing was preferred to detention) and almost 700 in Guantanamo, but no
one knows the exact number. The law as it applies to them is whatever the
executive deems necessary. There has been nothing like this system since the
fall of the Soviet Union.
The US military embrace the Geneva Conventions after the Second
World War, because applying them to prisoners of war protects American
soldiers. But the Bush Administration, in an internal flight, trumped its
argument by designating those at Guantanamo enemy-combatants he added.
Rumsfeld extended this system a legal black hole according to
Human Rights Watch to Afghanistan and then Iraq, openly rejecting the
conventions. All this was done because the incidents, some of which have
been revealed through publication of pictures, were not only anticipated but
pre-planned. America did not sign the treaty envisaging establishment of
ICC, because it had plans to the contrary.
Private contractors have also been used to save US soldiers from any
harm. All these are part of Bushs legal doctrine in which a system is
created beyond law to defend the rule of law against terrorism. We defend
democracy by inhibiting democracy.
Pfaff made passing remark to dehumanization. This is an important
factor as the process of humiliation begins with exclusion of a person or
group of persons from the category of human beings or at least considering
them men of lesser god like Boykin. American leadership and media
vehemently pursued this propaganda theme.
There were other aspects not raised by Pfaff, i.e. psyche of Americans
and the techniques used for torture and humiliation. As regards the psyche of
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Americans that has been briefly described in the very first article and
occasionally mentioned thereafter. Overall psyche of the Whiteman can be
assessed from the case of Bulgarian health workers, who deliberately
infected children with HIV in Libya. Out of 426 children 40 of have died.
The psyche of Americans have to be assessed keeping in mind that they are
sons of bad guys who ran away from Europe.
The techniques of torture are taught as per US military training
manuals. A manual reads, the purpose of all coercive techniques is to induce
psychological regression in the subject by bringing a superior outside force
to bear on his will to resist.
The threat of coercion usually weakens or destroys resistance more
effectively than coercion itself. For example, the threat to inflict pain can
trigger fears more damaging than the immediate sensation of painIf a
subject refuses to comply after a threat has been made, it must be carried
out. Otherwise, subsequent threats will also prove ineffective. The reported
deaths of more than two dozen prisoners could be attributed to this
technique.
The effectiveness of most of non-coercive techniques depends upon
their unsettling effect. The interrogation situation is in itself disturbing to
most people encountering it for the first time. The aim is to enhance this
effect, to disrupt radically familiar emotional and psychological
associationsWhen this aim is achieved, resistance is seriously impaired.
There is an intervalof suspended animation, a kind of psychological shock
or paralysis. It is caused by traumatic or sub-traumatic experience which
explodes, as it were, the world that is familiar to the subject as well as his
image of himself within that world. At this moment the source is far likelier
to comply.
According to CIA manual, a persons sense of identity depends upon
the continuity in his surroundings, habits, appearance, relations with
othersdetention should be planned to enhancefeelings of being cut off
from anything known and reassuring.
It was an American who said that anything that can go wrong shall go
wrong. The war on terror was destined to go wrong and it went wrong in
many ways. Main cause of this lied in American psyche which has been
influencing the planning and execution of war on terror. The war that
began with cry; they have to pay the price had to include some hard
payments like Jangi Fort, Shiberghan, Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib.

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OH HELL! SORRY
First time Bush confronted the media after airing of the images, he
expressed disgust and disbelief. The disgust implied indirect
condemnation and in his disbelief he tried to defend the image of American
values. His usual arrogance made him hesitant to say sorry spontaneously.
As the pressure mounted he could not escape the embarrassment of saying
sorry. Thereafter, he and Rice made appearances to apologize, but kept
insisting that these incidents were just an aberration.
Bush scolded Rumsfeld over the way he was informed about
prisoners scandal. He promised full accountability, but refused to fire
Rumsfeld and instead thanked him for his leadership. You are doing a
superb job. He was the best Secretary America ever had, said Cheney.
Rumsfeld tried to brush aside all the reports of torture by saying that
these were cases of abuse which are technically different from torture. He
was not prepared to accept these as torture cases. And therefore I am not
going to address the torture word. He came out with this argument without
reading the report of Taguba.
He was more concerned with the damage to America than any
remorse or regrets. I failed to identify the catastrophic damage that the
allegations of abuse could do to our operations in the theatre, to the safety of
our troops in the field, the cause to which we are committed.
When pressure for his resignation mounted he reluctantly apologized
for prisoners abuse. These events occurred on my watch. As secretary of
State for Defence, I am accountable for them. I take full responsibility. I feel
terrible about what happened to these Iraqi detainees. They are human
beings. They were in US custody. To those Iraqis who were mistreated by
the US armed forces, I offer my deepest apologies. He carefully avoided the
use of word torture.
Since receipt of report prepared by Major General Antonio Taguba on
March 9, which revealed stories like sodomising a detainee with a chemical
light and perhaps a broom stick, Bush Administration in general and the
entire defence establishment in particular was more concerned about its
exposure than its contents. Rumsfeld and top US military officers sought to
keep the prison abuse scandal quiet for several months. Abizaid and Sanchez
did the same.
Once airing of images of torture became certain Myers ran from pillar
to post. He went to CBS news asking it to suppress its story and horrifying
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pictures. After publication of pictures, he went to Sunday morning news

programmes and there during questioning he acknowledged that he had still
not read the report, which he had tried to censor from the public for two
weeks.
When Senators were briefed in closed doors they wanted special
investigation, but the Republican leaders did not agree. They sought public
hearing of Rumsfeld and Republicans again blocked it.
Blair followed the example set by Bush. He said that he recently
became aware of prisoners abuse. The Prime Minister of the best in the
world preferred to lie about having prior information. He did what he knew
the best; lying.
The British Media saved the best in the world from embarrassment by
not disclosing names of those who committed crimes of torture. They
preferred to call them A, B and C. Soldier E said he was sickened by what
he witnessed in Basra. It wasnt rightand it was condoned all the way
from the top. He recounted troops taking turns to assault a prisoner inside
armoured personnel carrier. The decision was made to allow the soldiers to
go in individually, one by one, into the back and beat this fellow up.
Britain even resorted to counter-allegations by branding prison abuse
photos as fake. Yet it contemplated to disband the regiment for consistent
disciplinary record. Bush and Blair were also reported planning joint trip to
Iraq; for what?
The Bush and Rumsfeld apologies are unprecedented in the history of
war wrote the News, but these probably were spurred to some extent by
strategic considerations as much as a sense of regret over something that
happened under their control. Moreover, it was evidently not the
international uproar that made the apologies necessary butno political
party would dare to go against the sentiments of the electorate while seeking
its votes.
Haifa Zangana wrote that apology is acceptable only when it
genuinely marks an end to unacceptable practices. That is not the case. Last
week occupation forces in Tikrit handed over four dead prisoners to their
families, tortured and riddled with bullets.
Apologies were surely for reasons other than showing respect to
humanity. The occupation forces still seek to justify their crimes by blaming
a few individuals. It was to this end that they started beating up the theory
of bad apples.

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Telecast and publication of images of torture did not come as surprise

for US Administration. International Red Cross had warned US officials of
abuse of prisoners in Iraq more than a year ago. We were dealing here with
a broad pattern, not individual acts. There was a pattern and a system. The
warning was obviously based on evidence gathered during invasion of
Afghanistan.
Taguba had also blamed leadership for prison abuse. Failure in
leadershiplack of discipline, no training whatsoever and no supervision
Supervisory omission was rampant. Army investigations concluded that
numerous incidents of sadistic, blatant and wanton abuse have been going
on for months.
As per Time the reports have been in circulation since the day Abu
Ghraib was reopened. Head of the ICRC disclosed that when he met Bremer
and Sanchez to discuss abuses in jail he had the impression that they were
aware of abuses before he entered the room.
Bremer and Powell had personally raised the issue with the rest of
administrations national security team, yet no action was taken. Abizaid
learnt about abuses in January and told Myers, but Pentagon officials
showed no urgency.
Myers did not bother to see photos and the same was true for
Rumsfeld. He told a lie when he said that he did not know. If so how could
he have informed Bush in February of an issue involving mistreatment of
prisoners in Iraq questioned Time.
AFP reported from Baghdad; it is evident that torture is systemized
and deliberate in all the detention camps all over Iraq. Human rights
campaigners said, torture is endemic at camps across the country. AI had
warned the government last May that Iraqis had been tortured and killed in
British custody. If lower echelons of the government did not inform any
minister, it indicated that they did not consider such abuses a serious matter.
When Myers asked the CBS to delay airing of pictures for two weeks
he was seeking time to formulate a plan to counter the allegations. This plan
revolved around finding some scapegoats; thus came the theory of bad
apples.
Kimmitt begged, please dont for a moment think thats the entire US
military, because its not. So far seven goats have been chosen to escape the
guilt. Many bad apples will never be picked up including Miller who went
from Guantanamo to tell that guards should also act as enablers for

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interrogation. Even if the argument of bad apples is accepted, the ratio of

bad apples reflected the rotten nature of American values.
It is not the act of few miscreants reported Time. All the guards
accused of torturing prisoners have claimed that they were acting on orders
of the interrogators. Uncle of a sergeant told that his nephew and the other
guards were following orders when they tortured and sexually humiliated
Iraqi prisoners. Father of Jeremy claimed that his son was just doing what
he was told to do. England said she was obeying orders.
The investigators, military and civilian contractors, asked them to
loosen up men for interrogation. Herman told that they instructed them to
make it hell on the prisoners in order to make them talk. An interrogator
instructed the guard; loosen this guy up for us. Make sure he gets the
treatment. Another guard was praised for good job done; just like Bush
praised Rumsfeld.
All the seven accused are known as tenderhearted persons with the
exception of one. An ex-colleague of them said, I think they were doing
what they were told. Some of the techniques used were textbook illustration
of a classic torture method. You dont learn this sort of thing in West
Virginia. Somebody had to tell these soldiers what the parameters were for
their behaviour.
Taguba had also reported that abuses were carried out after soldiers on
duty were told that inflicting such indignities would set the conditions for
favourable interrogation. What happened in Abu Ghraib was not isolated
but symptomatic added Time.
The smiles on faces of guards did not suggest that they were acting
against their will. This deduction has been drawn to strengthen the argument
of bad apples. In fact the guards did not find anything wrong with such
orders. They took these as part of legitimate interrogation techniques and
therefore, felt no burden on their conscience.
The purpose of torturing prisoners certainly went beyond the scope of
extracting information. As reported by Time some of the victims were never
interrogated during entire detention period spread over months and then
released. Arrests were carried out at random. Detainees arrived in Abu
Ghraib at the rate of 250 a day. Criminals, insurgents and innocents were all
lumped together.
Waleed Sabih was detained after soldiers found suspicious wires near
his house. He stayed in Correctional Facility (new name of Abu Ghraib jail)

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for five months during which he was suspended with hooks with roof three
times. Each time a translator shouted at him. You are a terrorist. You are a
terrorist. No serious questioning took place. Torture was certainly a
deliberate attempt to humiliate Iraqis.
Like the smiles on faces of guards, taking of snaps has also been used
to prove the theory of bad apples. Others said that the guards took snaps of
prisoners for fun. The guards claimed that pictures too were meant to serve
as a psychological tool to scare new prisoners into talking. It worked very
efficiently as compared to some of other techniques.
In view of the foregoing some individuals on duties related to
prisoners could not be blamed for acting on their own. They did exactly that
for which they were trained and ordered. Entire system of US army and
America as a whole was responsible for committing offence against
humanity under the toxic influence of superiority.
Bush or Rumsfeld might call them unacceptable and un-American
but there was nothing denying the fact that it was not only in accordance
with training imparted as per military manuals, but also conformed to
American psyche. These offences were more heinous than ordinary war
crimes defined in different documents; calling these abuses or torture was
deliberate attempt to understate the gravity of offence.
If Karpinski could be held responsible for the wrong-doing, on the
analogy that when a commander says, I didnt know, that in itself is an
indictment then why this was not applied to others up the chain of
command? The New Yorker Magazine has in any case accused Rumsfeld of
approving and encouraging interrogation methods at prison that became
notorious.

ITS ALRIGHT! OUR FAULT

Pictures of torture triggered global outcry. The offenders rendered
apologies one by one but with noticeable reluctance. The confessions
impressed the analysts of the third world to the extent that they admired the
civilized world for its value of accountability. Dr Farrukh Saleem saw the
humane side of the civilized mind. He availed the opportunity presented by
the tragedy to ridicule Pakistan and entire Muslim World.
Some commoners like M I Khan were also impressed by the
accountability system of America. He wrote to the News, I was surprised to
find 3-star and 4-star generals lined up before the Committee. The generals
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along with Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld were shown visibly quite
shaken. I was wondering if our generals could also be called before our
Senate Armed Forces Committee to explain their conduct.
Dost Khan in his letter to the News responded to his comments. Such
eager indulgence in self-criticism must take a lot for granted. I guess well
never know if we can be redeemed for our past sins in the eyes of
contemporary sinners since there never was nor is there still our own church
of free media where we can confess and free our souls of guilt. This soap
opera of decimating whole countries and then valiant patriots coming
forward with the ugly truth and gaining the admiration of lovers of their
civilization like Doctor Sahib is getting too old, too fast while many of us
are steadily losing faith in the benovalence of this rich fortress; America.
Razi Azmi praised powerful and unfretted press, the role of
independent and assertive Congress and self-respecting nations not ashamed
of washing their dirty linen in public. In the same breath he ridiculed the
Islamic World from Karachi to Cairo, Dhaka to Damascus, Rawalpindi to
Riyadh, and Tehran to Tunis for humiliation and torture of prisoners on the
scale that will make Abu Ghraib look puny.
Some sections of print media abstained from publishing pictures of
gory acts. The Jang Group of News Papers was a glaring exception to show
restraint in publishing the photos of prisoners abuse. It was this policy of
restraint that enabled Geo TV to earn Excellence Award from the Western
World.
They could be forgiven in view of the utterance of Prime Minister of
Pakistan amidst the world clamouring against uncivilized acts of the
civilized world. He prayed for the success of Bush in forthcoming
elections. Silence is certainly gold.
The puppets installed in Iraq took slightly different view as reported
by Haifa Zangana in the Guardian. The Governing Council claimed that
these incidents were not as bad what used to occur under Saddam. It had to
say that because the Council shared the responsibility as it embraced the
occupiers policy in every aspect.
In their haste to shower praise on their ideal civilization and to please
America like Macedonia, they ignored the reality. Dr Saleem while
acclaiming the report of Taguba failed to note that it was classified as
Secret/ No Foreign Dissemination.

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Youssef M Ibrahim had following to say about undue praise showered

on Western Media:

CBS delayed broadcast by two weeks as it negotiated with the

Pentagon. You dont negotiate to hide a war crime.

Even after CBS broadcast American Media largely kept silent and
acted only after Arab channels put these pictures on their screens.

Embedded journalists cannot claim of free reporting. Before the war

American Media was briefed about what to be published and not to
be published and it obeyed the instructions.

Fox News has become ultimate insult to objectivity in American

journalism.

His comments could be applied to other cherished values of the

civilized world as brought out by Rabia H Khan in her letter to the News.
The first time he (Rumsfeld) gave an acknowledgement he did not
apologize until the media brought up the question of a missing apology; it
was literally scoffed out of him. His visit to Iraq lacked remorse; if you dont
know what I mean then see the footage of his visit, his expression is
anything but remorsefulI call it face saving. He did not give a darn about
those abused. It was only to please the Allies
During a visit to Abu Ghraib in October, Red Cross delegates
witnessed the practice of keeping persons deprived of their liberty
completely naked in totally empty concrete cellsUpon witnessing such
cases, the ICRC interrupted its visits and requested for explanation from the
authorities as mentioned by Kamran Shafi. The Red Cross saw this
violent abuse in October 2003, and informed the rest of the world in May
2004. Is this not by itself a scandal of gigantic proportions?
It would have been better if these critics had argued that the captors
from the civilized world were actually trying to educate the newly liberated
people about personal liberty. To be nude falls within the scope of individual
rights. The guards on duty gave compulsory lessons to Iraqis on this aspect
of personal liberty.
Seeking sexual pleasure in any manner falls within the purview of
basic rights. The woman soldier who ordered a prisoner to masturbate
simply tried to teach him one of the ways. There was nothing wrong in
asking a captive to do so, as the captor too was flaunting her bare breasts
right in his face; thus accusation of humiliation is untenable.

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The nudity and sexual perversions staged at Abu Ghraib were no

different from the crude hazing and horseplay that are commonplace among
servicemen as reported by Time. That is the way civilized soldiers enjoy
their personal liberty. They stage field f__ to simulate mass rape of one
Marine by others, to let off steam and entertain a visiting journalist.
Liberal societies permit such deviations from natural ways including
use of foreign objects like broom handle and chemical light. The guards at
Abu Ghraib committed no offence in teaching Iraqis some of the techniques
which people of restrictive and oppressed societies are shy of practicing.
Imparting of such lessons will gradually liberate them from shackles
of the regressive religious tenets and cultural values. After going through the
enlightening process they would learn to enjoy life rather than turning it to a
term of punishment. It was for this reason that Abu Ghraib jail was reopened
and renamed as Baghdad Correctional Facility.
Once the closed societies are opened, one by one and through rigorous
process of enlightenment, gender discrimination will be eradicated. Then
women will have equal participation in not only abusing male prisoners but
also enjoy having fun in doing that.
Unfortunately admirers of the civilized world are so impressed by
the false impression created by Western Media about its values that they are
not prepared to accept that most of these values are rotten and some are
more rotten. Any value or code of conduct, no matter how noble it might be,
is rendered worthless by its biased application; and the civilized world has
excelled in that. It has now been very clearly established that neocolonialist powers donning the garb of the merchants of democracy and
human rights are as mean and power-hungry as were their colonial
predecessors who used to appear in the garb of the merchants of
civilizations opined Masud Akhtar Shaikh.

WHAT NEXT?
The possible effects and consequences of this tragedy should be
identified by answering some of the questions. Will the torture stop? Will the
ends of justice be met? What is the extent of damage caused to America?
Will America succeed in pacifying Iraqis? Will America consider ending
occupation of Iraq?
Before answering these questions, one should bear in mind the
important contents of a letter written to Bush by human rights organizations.
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They wanted full disclosure of interrogation practices and the records of

investigations:

For the past year and a halfleading newspapers have repeatedly

quoted unnamed US intelligence officials boasting about the use of
torture and other ill-treatment of prisoners.

These incidents occurred across continents and over many months, but
they were nevertheless linked. The head of the CIAs Counterterrorism
Centre told Congress in September 2002, there was a before 9/11,
and there was an after 9/11 After 9/11 the gloves come off.

Since then intelligence officials have said repeatedly that they have a
mandate to obtain information by breaking prisoners through a
combination of pain and humiliationThe sexual humiliation of
prisoners now documented at Abu Ghraib was extreme, but not new.

For more than a year (we) repeatedly asked you and senior officials in
your Administration to act promptly and forcefully to publicly
repudiate the statements of intelligence officials and to assure that the
treatment of detainees is consistent with international humanitarian
law. (It meant that process of appeals was initiated on the basis of
reports received from Afghanistan, not Iraq.)

Last June, human rights groups welcomed your pledge that the United
States would lead by example in the fight against torture. Yet
whatever steps your Administration may have taken to implement that
pledgethat appears to be out of control and of inadequate action to
match your pledges

You have stated in eloquent terms that human dignity is nonnegotiable, but you have tolerated a US system of interrogation that
is specifically designated to degrade, humiliate and destroy the human
dignity of prisoners to obtain information.

In their letter they asked; the choice is not about whether to express
your abhorrence over the events at Abu Ghraib and to investigate them. The
choice is whether you dismiss them as the actions of a few bad apples while
continuing an interrogation and detention system that is cruel and illegal, or
act forcefully to end the stress and duress system of incommunicado
interrogation in Iraq, Afghanistan, Guantanamo Bay, or anywhere that
people are held in US custody.
Bush said, people in Iraq must understand that I view those practices
as abhorrent. They must also understand that what took place in that prison
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does not represent the America that I knowThe America I know is a

compassionate country that believes in freedomThe America I know has
sent troops to Iraq to promote freedom Only Bush could talk of
compassion and freedom when the world condemned heinous crimes
committed by his soldiers against humanity.
The kind of justice he will dispense can be judged from his overtures.
America has promised full-scale inquiry into maltreatment of prisoners, but
that wont start from Kunduz and Jangi Fort. The word full-scale has been
used in the sense of deformed shape of fools cap. Therefore, it will be a
comprehensive cover-up, true to the face of America known by those who
have been at the receiving end.
Ending brutalities wont go with American psyche. America will
cover the filth uncovered in Abu Ghraib, but will continue the abuse while
taking precautions to prevent video or print media reporting, as was done in
case of Guantanamo Bay. Its decision to outfit military dogs with bulletproof
vests in Iraq spoke loudly about the priorities of the superpower. And it had
cheeks to issue a rights report slamming Southeast Asia.
The kind of justice that will be administered can be assessed from the
case of Lieutenant Calley who was court-martialed for Mai Lai massacre. He
was awarded life imprisonment, which was reduced to three and half years
under house arrest by Nixon.
So far only six soldiers have been reprimanded and one was
admonished. What a punishment for committing war crimes? The matter
will end with court-martial of selected scapegoats. The big black sheep will
never be touched.
Justice or no justice; the tragedy has stripped America as naked as
some of the prisoners were shown in the pictures from Abu Ghraib. The
ideals of great white civilizations have been buried under the debris and filth
of crimes committed by the US and its Coalition in Iraq wrote Dr Pervez
Iqbal Khan Tareen.
Doctor deliberately avoided saying that it has been always filth. Its
shine has been skin deep and the filth deep-rooted. The tears of innocent
victims have washed cosmetic cover off the real face of America. Its
ugliness is now a well established fact as seen by Dr Moonis Ahmar. Many
have seen what Moonis saw. Only some of them have shown their disgust,
others out of fear declined to describe what they saw; and there were still
others who tried to cover it up with bad apples theory.

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His (Bush) teammates through a combination of arrogance, ignorance

and insolence have besmirched the good name of the US wrote John Berry.
He added that Americans have degenerated from liberators to occupiers to
torturers. This may not represent the America Bush knows. Sadly, it is the
one with which the rest of us are becoming all too familiar commented
Barry Younge.
Bush has been most impassionate when `he railed against Saddams
torture chambers and rape rooms. Even last week he told an audience;
because we acted, the torture rooms are closed reported Time. He will
continue blurting such rhetoric, but find Americas image irredeemable.
America will try to pacify Iraqis. As first step it has decided to reduce
the number of prisoners, particularly in Abu Ghraib. More than 550
prisoners were released from this notorious jail during first fortnight of May.
Rumsfeld also visited Baghdad to check the Correctional Facility personally.
Polly Toynbee recommended a saner course. All prisoners must be
handed over to UN authority to be dealt with transparently under
international law. America, who is not prepared to allow visits of Red Cross,
will never agree to tread such a course.
Abizaid expected that the outrage of Iraqis will fade as the US
demonstrates its willingness to take action against the perpetrators. That
action has been initiated. Rummy, however, decided to use dollars to
compensate the victims. He still believed that in this context the dollars are
as lethal as Daisy-cutters.
It will not be as easy as Abizaid and Rummy thought. A soldier was
quoted saying, were not helping ourselves out there. Were never going to
get the Iraqis on our side. For many Iraqis, no amount of US generosity or
contrition will erase the taste of humiliation conveyed by the photographs
wrote Time.
Irum Saleem in her letter to the News has put it in these words:
apology was no answer as it could not remove the stain given to honour of
the Iraqi soldiers. They will never forget the treatment they had at the hands
of American troops.
This viewpoint has been confirmed by the first reaction of the
resistance groups. A video posted on an al-Qaeda-linked website showed the
beheading of an American civilian in what was said to be revenge for abuse
of Iraqi prisoners.
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The video showed five men wearing headscarves and black ski masks,
standing over a bound man in an orange jumpsuit - similar to a prisoners
uniform. After the man read a prepared statement, the men were seen pulling
the man to his side and putting a large knife to his neck. A scream sounded
as the men cut his head They then held the head up to camera.
For the mothers and wives of American soldiers, we tell you that we
offered the US Administration to exchange this hostage with some of the
detainees in Abu Ghraib and they refused. So we tell you that the dignity of
Muslim men and women in Abu Ghraib and others is not redeemed except
by blood and souls. You will not receive anything from us but coffins after
coffinsslaughtered in this way.
Bush condemned barbaric and brutal killing of Breg. Zarqawi was
blamed for carrying out Breg beheading. Bush failed to note that the
execution was carried out after offering a fair deal and it was free of any
ridicule or humiliation.
At the end comes the question asked by Musa Kellani; to leave or not
leave. He had following to say:

The American commitment in Iraq has gone too far for Washington
to contemplate withdrawing its military from the country. Total and
absolute control of Iraq is a central pillar of the American strategy
However, the US went wrong in administering Iraq; the mistakes it
made are too many. Today it is trying to hang on to a country which is
spinning out of control.

Unless the US eliminates more than half of the population of Iraq and
bribes or terrorizes the rest into submission, the resistance, Abu
Ghraib torture and the brutal slaughter of hostages, like that
committed by Zarqawi will go on.

It is time for the American Administration to get out of Iraq post

haste and hand over the country to the United Nations to begin to attempt to
unscramble the terrible mess wrought by the so-called coalition forces
demanded Inayatullah out rightly. Tony Blair too should seriously consider
accepting his unpardonable sins of omission and commission and call it a
day he added.
Tom Goeller went farther and asked Bush to submit the US army to
international law and institutions, to pull out its troops from the entire
Middle East immediately after handing over authorities to the Iraqis on June
30, and to eventually dissolve its Marine Corps, since the 19th Century
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entirely designed for invasion of other countries.

CONCLUSION
Perpetration of torture and humiliation of prisoners has been part of
the war on terror. It has been an extension of campaign to ridicule Islam
and its followers, planned and executed deliberately in full knowledge of the
superiors. The Crusaders, however, adopted strict measures to keep the
media ignorant and silent.
If secrecy was desired then why individuals were allowed to take
snaps and make videos? The motive was certainly not to uncover the
negative side of US armed forces behaviour. It was part of interrogation
techniques as mentioned by one of the guards or to have fun in ridiculing the
followers of Islam to convey that they were men of lesser god.
How did the pictures land in hands of media men? It was accidental;
not intentional. As the number of prisoners increased so did the persons
involved in handling them. Perpetration of torture turned into orgy
photographed by Tom, Dick and Harry. The perpetrators started sharing their
fun with people back home using internets. Somewhere someone picked up
the clues.
Why did media decide to make it public whereas it had been strictly
following the instructions of Pentagon on what to be published? It could be
attributed to growing criticism of war on terror. The election factor might
have also come into play.
In Afghanistan every atrocity was accepted because only the Axis of
Evil was paying the price. When the other side started paying some price
the opposition to war started growing. The same had happened in Vietnam
War. The revelations came only after opposition to war increased within
America.
Will it stop? The prospects are not bright as seen by Noman Sattar.
Once again the US Administration seems to have dodged the bullet. Hence,
torture and humiliation of prisoners will continue discreetly with secrecy.
Entire Islamic World has bee dehumanized for this purpose.
Indulgence by some analysts in Pakistan in self-scolding was
unwarranted. They availed the opportunity presented by the tragedy for self
projection and in doing so they ridiculed Pakistani society. The issue should
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have been addressed squarely.

They are the ones who consider themselves unfortunate to be born in a
down-trodden society. By scorning Pakistan they endeavoured to identify
themselves with people of civilized world rather than Pakistanis. They tried
to be more civilized than the civilized.

All that has been happening or still happening in countries like

Pakistan have never been condoned by anyone. It will surely remain a slur.
But in the civilized world all such crimes have been condoned on the
pretexts of faulty intelligence, collateral damage, force protection and bad
apples theory.
20th May 2004

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PEACE IN PIECES
Karzai was awarded US Liberty Medal in recognition of his services
to the Crusades and Franks got honorary knighthood in May, yet America
kept urging its citizens to stay off Kabul streets. This was in recognition of
fragility of peace and security in Afghanistan. Annan and his representatives
expressed concern over security, but it caused no worry to the Crusaders as
controlled anarchy fitted well in their game.
Reconstruction never took a kick-start in Afghanistan. Slow process of
repatriation, inadequacy of funds, attacks on workers of aide agencies and
mismanagement were the main causes of slow rebuilding of the country that
suffered destruction for more than two decades.
In the absence of economic development Afghans farmers reverted to
cultivation of cash crop of poppy. The drug production boomed and most of
the money so generated has been falling into the hands of warlords and
insurgents adding to the problems of security. The civilized world was
concerned over outflow of poppy-based drugs from Afghanistan.
The task of man-hunt was mostly got done through Pakistan. It has
come up to the expectations of the Crusaders. Nevertheless the Pushtoons
had been resisting the occupation but with noticeable decrease in intensity of
their armed struggle.

PEACE AND SECURITY

Warlords and terrorism remained major problems. Most of the
warlords have secured pieces of disintegrated Afghanistan to establish their
fiefdoms. America issued hollow threats of shake-up, but continued relying
upon warlords. The label of terrorism was reserved for the victimized
Pushtoons still resisting the occupation.
Dostum kept challenging the central authority. In February Karzai
Government arrested four commanders for their involvement in factional
killing in Mazar. On 7th April forces of Dostum launched an assault into
Faryab province. The government-appointed governor ran away and
reportedly sought refuge in Turkmenistan.
Three days later Dostum withdrew his forces and the government

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troops moved to Mazar. Fighting again erupted in Faryab resulting in death

of six Afghans a month later. In June Dostum and British Envoy discussed
security. Two days later one person was killed in clash between Wahdat and
Jamiat militia.
In Badakhshan twenty persons were killed and 40 injured in factional
fighting on 7th February and three more were killed next day. One person
was killed in sectarian clash in Kabul on 1st March. Seven persons were
killed in gunfight between police and fighters of a warlord in Sarobi district
in mid May. Three persons were killed in Ghor on 14th June.
The worst incident took place in Herat on 21 st March resulting in
death of about one hundred, including Afghan minister. Ismails minister son
had gone to investigate earlier attempt on his fathers life. It was a rebellion
against Ismail, who had refused his transfer.
Clashes between Ismails forces and soldiers of the governmentappointed local army commander continued. Ismail regained the control of
Herat and General Abdul Zahir Naibzada escaped. Karzai visited Herat in
tight security, but exercised caution in reacting against Ismail.
Disarmament was essential for controlling factional fighting, but
convincing Tajiks and Uzbeks to surrender the weapons was not easy.
Despite reports of thousands of militiamen surrendering weapons in Mazar
and moving of more heavy weapons out of Kabul UN was not satisfied with
the progress. The government vowed to intensify the campaign.
The role of peacekeepers in ensuring security in Kabul was
appreciated widely. ISAF troops exercised vigilance in checking untoward
incidents by arresting suspects and occasionally defusing roadside bombs.
The performance resulted in demands for its expansion, but nothing was
done except deployment of some troops in Kunduz.
American lawmakers urged NATO to send additional troops.
Washington asked Spain and Turkey in particular to do more in
Afghanistan. UN also wanted NATO to expand forces. In response NATO
also asked its members states to send more troops.
Britain was willing to expand ISAF. Spain agreed to boost military
presence, but then backed out. Germany, Italy, Japan and Turkey considered
sending extra troops. Only Holland and Sweden announced dispatch of 135
and 85 more soldiers respectively. Turkey and Holland sent three and six
helicopters respectively.
European countries despite showing willingness were generally
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reluctant. Attacks on peacekeepers caused hesitation. A German soldier was

injured in rocket attack on 11th May. Two casualties were suffered in similar
attack on 23rd May and next day a Norwegian soldier was killed in clash
with Taliban.
NATO was disappointed over poor response of member states. The
United Nations felt frustrated over slow expansion of ISAF. Karzai wanted
foreign troops for ten years by which time; he visualized the demise of
warlords and terrorism.
Afghan police started contributing towards maintaining peace. It
carried out operation to prevent terrorists entering Kabul. Turkish engineer
was freed after police raid and some arms were also seized. However,
recruitment and training of police continued at slow pace.
French Army opened military college in Kabul and French
Government pledged increase in military and financial aid. Poland donated
weapons to Afghan National Army. America hoped that strength of Afghan
Army would exceed 10,000 by the end of this year. AFP claimed that new
army had won hearts and minds of the nation.

RECONSTRUCTION
Reconstruction had to start with repatriation of millions of refugees.
UNHCR resumed repatriation in March. In April Lubbers reviewed the
process. By mid April 50,000 refugees returned from Pakistan and UNHCR
hoped to see 1 million returnees. Inadequate emphasis on rehabilitation of
returnees was the main cause of slow repatriation.
Reconstruction also suffered due to lack of interest on the part of
those who had promised to rebuild Afghanistan. America was requested to
focus on reconstruction and in turn Powell called for world to be generous.
Lot of hopes was tied to Berlin moot. According to finance minister
Afghanistan needed $ 27.5 billion over next seven years and the same was
sought at Berlin moot. Malaysian help was sought in development of media
and Moscow was asked for debt relief.
Germany hosted donors conference in March in which they pledged $
8.2 billion aid package. In April US decided to raise 21 Provincial
Reconstruction Teams by summer and Germany and Holland also mulled
new PRTs. Foreign firms, however, eyed on privatization of Ariana.
Most of the aid materialized from Japan which reached $ 683 million

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and few days later $ 8.7 million were released as emergency aid. UK
announced 500 million pounds assistance. ADB approved $ 55 million soft
loan, China forgave debt as part of warming ties.
A US agency pledged $ 1 million for tree plantation, but America
focused on giving tips on begging techniques. Afghan and Iraq foreign
ministers met G-7 finance ministers with begging bowls. Similarly they
were invited to G8 Summit.
Afghan Government under guidance of America exploited the
neighbours interests in increasing their influence in the country. Powell
enticed them by saying that Afghan ring road would benefit neighbours.
Kabul hosted economic moot to boost trade.
During the period Iran opened Consulate in Mazar-i-Sharif and
donated $ 100 million. India agreed to install digital exchanges in 11
provinces. Its companies continued construction work in other sectors and an
Indian bank planned to open a branch in Kabul.
Pakistan provided assistance in banking and Habib Bank opened
branch in Kabul. Pakistan decided to build two schools. Pak-Afghan trade
marked tremendous progress. ECC expanded scope of Afghan transit trade
and deleted 14 items from the negative list. Kasuri handed over first
consignment of 35 trucks to Afghan Envoy in March and second was given
in June. National Assembly was informed about provision of $ 20 million
for reconstruction and Pakistan worked on 12 projects in Kabul.
Cultural refinement of Afghans remained the focus of the civilized
world. Within that emancipation of women received special attention.
Annan pressed the government to secure womens rights. Micro finance
programme was launched for women. However, women oppression
persisted. Ismail Khan demanded end to women singing on TV, but
Nangarhar lifted ban on female performers. Taliban were blamed for
poisoning three schoolgirls. Karzai called for end to social injustices against
women.
Little progress was made in other spheres of cultural refinement. In
Kunduz 159 child soldiers were demobilized. UNESCO planned to build
cultural center in Bamyan. England bishop contemplated visit to
Afghanistan. First Afghan private TV station went on air.
In the absence of desired progress in reconstruction and economic
development illegal business occupations increased, out of which revival of
poppy cultivation was the most attractive. Reportedly Afghanistan produced

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three-quarter of world opium and Britain felt that eradication measures were
inadequate to curb opium.
America and Afghan Government resolved to fight drugs. Delegates
gathered in Kabul to tackle drug trade. American and NATO help was sought
to end poppy cultivation. Khatami called for fight against drug dealers.
German troops, however, were told not to fight against drug trade.
Karzai sought more help to fight the menace. America vowed to
launch new strategy, but on ground nothing new was observed. The same old
controlling measures, including seizures, destruction of fields and labs,
encouraging alternative crops, and seeking public support continued.
Canadian peacekeepers detained 16 drug smugglers in January. In
March 27 kg drugs were seized in Kabul and in April Russian guards seized
145 kg heroin. Labs in Nangarhar were raided. Governors of three provinces
were asked to destroy poppy fields.
UN appealed for $ 60 million for farming sector. Afghan farmers were
guided to turn to saffron as replacement of poppy crop, but poppy farmers
protested against anti-drug drive as they battled corruption and drought.
Karzai urged Afghans to wage Jihad against drugs. Afghanistan and
neighbours signed accord on drug fight.
America created hurdles in curbing opium cultivation with its biased
approach towards warlords. On the same count Herat governor slammed
Karzai over drugs. The effects of drug trade were felt; 19 Canadian soldiers
failed drug test and US found link between drugs and terrorism.
Another consequence of economic deprivation was indulgence in
child-trafficking. UN offered support as concerns were expressed over
smuggling of children. But child kidnapping and trafficking continued
unabated.
The agencies engaged in rehabilitation and reconstruction faced
serious threats from groups resisting occupation of Afghanistan. Taking
advantage of their vulnerability the aid workers were frequently attacked:

Five aid workers were shot dead near Kabul on 26th February on the
eve of Rumsfelds visit.

On 7th March Afghan Red Crescent worker was shot dead and two
more girls schools were burnt in Farah and Badakhshan provinces.

Road construction vehicle was set on fire in southern Afghanistan on

23rd April and two days later seven warehouses were burnt and a
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school was put on fire by in Kandahar province.

On 10th May militants killed UN contractors in Nuristan province. Six

days later a bomb exploded near UN office in Kabul.

On 2nd June five aid workers were killed in ambush in Baghdis and
Taliban claimed responsibility. Five days later a European aid agency
was attacked, but there were no casualties.

Eleven Chinese workers were killed on 10 th June in attack south of

Kunduz. Karzai condemned the killing.

Aid agencies were asked to be more cautious in the field, but that
made no significant impact. US-led Coalition troops further endangered aid
workers by operating in civilian clothes and vehicles.
Landmines were another impediment in reconstruction. Afghanistan
remained the most mined country in world even after two years of
occupation. Incidents of mine blasts kept causing losses to life. Attacks on
de-miners aggravated the problem further. Condemnation of killing of
deminers or award of death sentence to captured attackers served no purpose
except pleasing the occupation forces.
Last but not the least of the hurdles in rebuilding Afghanistan was the
improper use of meagre foreign aid given by the donors. A minister accused
NGOs of squandering funds provided for reconstruction, but corrupt
government departments were no exception.
Political reformation was an important part of reconstruction.
Elections were scheduled for June and Karzai promised to do his utmost to
ensure free polls. Rules for political parties participation were approved in
mid March. New election law was considered essential for political
development.
EU offered additional 8 million euros and donors pledged $ 68 million
for polls. The UN requested help from the world. According to estimates
over 500,000 Afghan voters were registered. Afghan refugees demanded
arrangements for polls in Pakistan.
In addition to Karzai five more candidates emerged to contest
presidential polls. Hazara leader Mohaqiq resigned as planning minister to
contest elections. Dr Massouda Jalal was the only woman aspirant. Ismail
Qasimyar also joined the race. Zia Masood, younger brother of Ahmad Shah,
emerged as main challenger to Karzai. Of late Ahmedzai, a close aide of
Sayyaf, joined the race.

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In the absence of well organized political parties more spoilingcandidates might come up to earn few bucks in the game of political
bargaining. Karzais talks with warlords have already stirred suspicions of
pre-polls pact and he has been accused of tampering the constitution.
Presidential elections were scheduled for June, but soon after
acquiring consent of Loya Jirga on new Constitution US hinted at delay in
elections. On 18th February Patten said that elections were unlikely to be
held on time. About six weeks later Karzai put off elections till September
and NATO welcomed the decision.
Apprehensions were expressed about the new schedule as well
because of prevalent security environments. Preliminary work for elections
was often disrupted due to attacks on election teams. In March UN team was
attacked with rockets in Paktia. British workers were killed and in early June
election team was ambushed in Shwak district. Factional fighting in Herat
raised additional doubts.
Taliban urged Afghans to boycott elections and vowed to step up
attacks ahead of polls. Karzai kept calling for help to ensure safe polls and
Abdullah urged better security. UN feared factional fighting could affect
polls; thus security during elections remained major worry of all concerned.

INSURGENCY
Resistance from Pushtoons continued at low intensity. During second
fortnight of January rockets were fired at US military base in Khost. Bomb
blasts occurred in army training compound in Kabul and Kunar. An official
survived ambush in Zabul. Two soldiers were killed and nine wounded in
Kandahar. British soldier died in a blast in Kabul. Seven US soldier died in
blast in Ghazni, one was missing and three injured. Three Tajik guards were
killed on Afghan border. Canadian soldier and an Afghan were killed in
suicide attack in Kabul.
In February an official was among seven of family killed in bomb
attack in central Afghanistan. An attacker blew himself up after killing an
official in Khost and Kunar governor escaped bomb attack. In another bomb
explosion in southern Afghanistan two persons were killed. Twenty rockets
were fired on Khost airport. US soldier was killed and one more died in
accident in Kabul. US helicopter was shot down killing the pilot.

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In March seven Afghan soldiers were killed in a raid and Turkish

engineer was shot dead between Kabul and Kandahar. Four Afghan soldiers
were killed in accidental blast near Gardez. Two Afghans were killed and ten
were reported missing after a raid by Taliban. Two Afghan soldiers were
killed near Kandahar. US base in Kunar was attacked and rockets hit Khost
hotel. Two US soldiers were killed in firefight in Uruzgan. A suicide bomber
died while trying to attack a military base in the same province.
In April bomb killed Afghan soldier and injured five in Zabul, another
bomb injured three cops near a US base. A soldier died but governor escaped
unhurt in blast in Kandahar. Seven Afghans were executed in Birmal district
after professing support for Karzai. Mizan district police chief and ten
guards were killed in Zabul.
Eight Afghan security men were killed in attack on a post on HeratKandahar road; a soldier and two charity workers were killed in Kandahar;
and Afghan commander and five others were killed in ambush near
Kandahar. Four Afghan soldiers were killed in Zabul and two more were
killed and mayor injured in Uruzgan. Truck driver and a soldier were killed
at checkpoint in western Afghanistan. Driver of Pakistani trailer carrying oil
for US was killed near Spin Boldak. Afghan official was kidnapped in
central Afghanistan. Taliban claimed control over 26 rural districts. Rockets
hit US base in Khost.
In May an Afghan military commander escaped grenade attack.
Fourteen Afghan soldiers and policemen were killed in Kandahar. District
office in Kandahar was also attacked. Jaish-ul-Muslimeen kidnapped
government official and Taliban killed two Afghan soldiers in Zabul. Three
more were killed in Paktika and four soldiers were killed in Helmand. Four
persons were injured in bomb blast near Khost city and Paktika police chief
was among nine killed in blast.
In the same month two Brits and translator were killed in eastern
Afghanistan. Three US jeeps were blown up in Paktika. Two foreigners were
stoned to death in Kabul. US soldier was killed in ambush in Helmand and
four American soldiers were among 8 killed in grenade attack in Khost. Two
US soldiers were injured in skirmishes near border in Paktika. Four US
soldiers were killed in Zabul.
During first fortnight of June district police chief of Jalalabad was
killed in blast. Six Afghan troops were killed in ambush in Zabul and one
Marine was killed and three were wounded. In Uruzgan one US soldier was
killed and two wounded in blast. A police officer was killed in Logar.
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Taliban threatened to hang Dr Dost Muhammad for spying for US. Two cops
were captured in Paktika. US-led convoy of UN and government officials
was ambushed in Paktika.
Besides fighting, threats were hurling on each other. Taliban vowed to
launch more attacks against US-led Coalition and Omar issued fresh
warning. A commander vowed to fight on; no peace until US troops are
expelled. Mulla Dadullah threatened suicide attacks and vowed to turn
Zabul into Panjsher.
Khalis urged Afghans for Jihad. Hikmatyar asked suicide bombers to
wage Jihad against US following Iraqis example. He paid tributes to al-Sadr
for anti-US uprising, but his party was reported to be disintegrating due to
power struggle.
Omar and Osama were reported in good health by Taliban website.
The report that Mulla Omar was injured in US bombing in Zabul was
denied. It was also claimed that Osama had evaded capture several times;
thus the Crusaders, assisted by the puppet regime, continued punishing
Pushtoons:

Three Pushtoons were killed and four wounded in Kandahar on 17 th

January. Two days later eleven civilians were killed in US bombing of
a village in Uruzgan.

On 21st January four persons were held in Kandahar for planning

attacks. Two days later four suspects were arrested in Kandahar.

US jets bombed Kunar areas on 25th January after rocket attack. Next
day Afghan soldiers fired on mistaken identity and killed four
civilians in Helmand.

US air strike killed ten civilians on 31 st January. Three Pushtoon

fighters were killed five days later.

On 14th February six Pushtoons were killed. Next day a suspected

terrorist was held in Kabul.

Forty Pushtoons were arrested in Uruzgan on 16th February. A week

later thirty more were held in Kandahar after downing of helicopter;
whereas Australian pilot killed was reported to be a thrill-seeker.

On 4th March US forces revisited Tora Bora to hunt Osama and

blocked roads leading to tunnels. Two days later US and Afghan

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forces killed nine Pushtoons.

Three Afghans were shot dead by US forces in central Afghanistan on

7th March. Two days later US rocket attack killed one in Nuristan.

US and Afghan troops exchanged fire at border checkpoint. Two days

later US troops launched Operation Mountain Storm against
terrorists in southern Afghanistan.

On 15th March US troops killed three during search of caves. Four

days later Afghan and US forces arrested semi-senior terrorists near
Pakistan border in Paktika and called for air strikes after fatal ambush
in Uruzgan.

On 20th March nine persons were killed in clashes in Paktika. Nine

days later US troops killed an attacker near Jalalabad.

Six Pushtoons were held on 31st March. Five days later arrest of close
aide of Hikmatyar was reported.

Two Pushtoons were killed on 6th April while laying mine in Uruzgan.
Next day a Taliban commander was arrested in Kabul.

On 16th April arrested suspects were linked to Hekmatyar. Three days

later eight more persons linked to Hekmatyar and al-Qaeda were
arrested in Kabul.

US troops killed two militants in Khost on 21 st April. Two days later

ex-US football star was killed in suspected friendly fire.

On 25th April twelve Hizb suspects were held and a man linked to
foiled attack on Karzai was arrested. Three days later sixteen were
arrested for smuggling weapons into Kabul on donkeys.

US troops killed an assailant in Khost on 1 st May. A senior Taliban

commander was among 30 held in Zabul eight days later.

US troops killed five Pushtoons on 13 th May. Eight days later three

persons, including two women, were killed in bombing near Khost.

On 25th May twenty Pushtoons were killed in US air raid near Spin
Boldak. Six days later US troops killed a student fleeing search
operation in Khost.

US forces killed six Taliban in Zabul on 1st June. Three days later 17
militants were killed in Miana Shien district of Kandahar.

US jet pounded insurgents hideouts near Tirin Kot on 7 th June. Next

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day Coalition forces claimed killing 23 Taliban in air strikes in Zabul

province.

Scores of Taliban were killed in week-long operation in Zabul and

US-led troops captured 90 militants by 14th June. Next day Afghan
troops killed four Taliban suspects in the same province.

Brutality remained the hallmark of US war on terror. According to

AFP 638 civilians were killed by end of January, but the figure could be
much higher. America kept rejecting all accusations of civilians killings.
Report of civilian deaths in January was refuted and US refused to release
findings of probe into killing of nine children.
More information about torture and killing of prisoners was revealed.
Irish film-maker Jamie Doran documented deaths that took place between
Qala-i-Zeini, Shibbergan and Dash-i-Leili. The massacre was carried out in
the presence of US troops. America stuck to earlier denials.
The film Convoy of Death revealed that three thousand prisoners
were crammed into airless containers and left to suffocate in soaring
temperatures. When prisoners cried out that they could not breath, their
guards fired at the containers indiscriminately killing and wounding
detainees in the process. One of the soldiers said; I hit the container with
bullets to make holes for ventilation. Some of them were killed. I noticed
that blood was running from the containers.
Prisoners licked the sweat off bodies and bit others to obtain moisture.
When containers were opened at Shibbergan, a Dostums soldier described,
I shall never forget the smell as long as I live. It was a smell to make you
forget all other smells you have ever experienced in your life.
Many of the Pakistanis, Chechens, Arabs and Afghans who survived
the four-day ordeal were taken to Shibbergan Prison from there they were
taken to Dasht along with the dead and were shot. When asked how many
American soldiers had been at the scene, a driver told about 30 to 40.
HRW decried abuses by US forces in Afghanistan. Civilians are
being held in a legal black hole with no tribunals, no legal counsel, no
family visits and no basic legal protectionsBut the United States has
refused to allow any independent observers access to detention facilities in
Afghanistan, except for the International Committee of the Red Cross, which
does not report publicly on its findings.

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Mulla Zaeefs family demanded trial as reported by Yusufzai. His

nephew complained about the values of the civilized world. The UN
people in Islamabad have been uncooperative. The ICRC officials also
express their helplessness in helping us. The human rights groups havent
taken notice of such a clear violation of human rights of a diplomat.
America took more than two years to establish that three prisoners
were children and released them from Guantanamo Bay in January. In
February it decided to free five Britons and fifteen Afghans were released in
April. Released Afghans accused US of mistreatment. One of them said, if I
am a Taliban or al-Qaeda why did they release me? The others still in jail are
just like me.
The prisoners from Shibbergan were shifted to Kabul, but US military
vowed to keep Afghan jails secret. This decision reflected on designs of the
Crusaders. German soldiers, however, were advised not to take Afghan
prisoners.
Threats from the monster opposing the occupation were hyped
continuously. America remained under al-Qaeda threat claimed Tenet. It was
alleged that foreign militants were planning suicide attacks. Therefore, the
presence of US military was beefed up in border regions and new airbase
was built in Paktika.
Taliban (Pushtoons) were frequently reported regrouping and planning
attacks. America expected spring offensive by Taliban. During spring a
commander confirmed that attacks on US bases were increasing and at the
same time America claimed that Talibans offensive was weakening.
America and puppet regime in Kabul considered amnesty for Taliban and
negotiations with less radical groups were reported.
Even non-existence of social services in Afghanistan was exploited to
track down the militants. Colonel Custer, commander of Asadabad base
claimed adoption of another course to hunt Osama we established a clinic
for locals and then there was rocket attack. We closed the clinic saying no
clinic if you attack. Soon locals told us the names of those fired rockets.
Nevertheless US vowed to continue offensive until autumn as
peaceful and stable Afghanistan was in interest of America and much
work was to be done in this regard in words of Powell. Bulk of the work,
however, was passed on to Pakistan.
Allies supported American contention. Germany saw growing terror
threat in Afghanistan. Australian Foreign Minister still considered

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Afghanistan a dangerous country. New Zealand sent commandos for

stability and first batch of Czech soldiers arrived. Canada agreed to send 600
troops in August and Spain planned to double its troops.
Omar and Osama, the two great monsters, remained at large. In
January Osama was reported alive and present in the region. America vowed
to capture him by end of the year. In February efforts to capture Osama were
intensified according to Meyers and hunting parties focused on border with
Pakistan.
In March UK sent Special Forces to hunt al-Qaeda leaders as Osama
and Zawahri were reported hiding in hilly areas of Pak-Afghan border.
America decided to send Marines to step up hunt. In April US and Afghan
forces searched caves and forests for al-Qaeda. Karzai claimed that recently
the forces came close to capturing Osama, but US declared that Osama
couldnt be captured this year.

CONCLUSION
Security environments of Afghanistan remained fragile, but no serious
threat was posed to occupation forces. Warlords were generally allowed free
hand to rule their respective fiefdoms in return of controlling elements
operating against the Coalition forces.
Reconstruction was neglected for different reasons. The prevalent
state could be judged from the fact that only 12 percent of Kabul residents
had access to clean water. In the absence of economic development poppy
cultivation flourished and Taliban were remembered for their effective drug
control strategy. So was their strategy to control warlords.
Suppression of Pushtoons continued. Some effective blows were
delivered in this context, particularly with the help of Pakistan. Karzai
acknowledged Pakistans anti-terror role more than once and thanked US for
helping Afghanistan. US soldiers were part of countrys history he claimed.
16th June 2004

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PUSHED AND PAMPERED

On 16th June Bush baptized Pakistan as Major Non-Nato Ally. That
added to the family of Israel, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand,
Philippines, Thailand, Japan and South Korea. From Islamic World Pakistan
had the company of bothers (or sisters) Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait and
Morocco.
This honour was bestowed upon after Pakistan had been continuously
pushed for two-and-a-half years to do more and more in Americas war on
terror. Pakistan always came up to the expectations of the Crusaders and that
was acknowledged at least on papers.
It was a reward for services rendered in most controversial war of the
history. Musharraf has shown no intention to become field marshal, but at
some stage White House might consider promoting him to that rank despite
him having no such ambition or retain him in present rank.
While Pakistan was engrossed in pleasing Washington and Kabul,
political change in New Delhi caused concerns about fate of the peace
process initiated by the government led by Vajpayee. Though it was too
early to cast doubts, yet it was considered a setback to understanding
achieved with outgoing rulers, warranting a fresh start.
Crackdown launched to crush cross border terrorism resulted in
retaliatory attacks within Pakistan. The situation could further aggravate in
the wake of recent killings of Pushtoons in Waziristan. The Crusaders wont
be perturbed on that count as it would fall within the purview of internal
affair of sovereign Pakistan. The issue of nuclear proliferation however
remained frozen for the time being.

ON BEHEST OF BUSH
Pressure for doing more to check across border terrorism continued.
Pakistan, US and Afghan ministers held tripartite talks in South Korea on
16th May. Next day US and Afghan militia fired on Pakistani territory and
three days later US troops targeted house of Pakistani tribesmen in North
Waziristan. Pakistan protested the incursion, while Musharraf assured

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elimination of al-Qaeda; no room for aliens in FATA.

America agreed to discuss the issue of incursions; but talks were
delayed as Karzais aide claimed more insurgents had entered Afghanistan.
On 27th May US promised no more incursions, but very next day its
warplanes and helicopters violated Pakistans air space. Eleven days later a
helicopter violated the space in Parachinar area.
America wanted long term ties with Pakistan. These should be
beyond Afghanistan and Iraq said Rice. She perhaps wanted to extend
these up to Wana and Islamabad. On 21st May Pakistan planned to seal
Chitral-Wakhan border, which should be seen in the context of recent visit of
Rice to Chitral.
Pakistan endeavoured to do more in Waziristan. It was reported that
foreigners had consented to registration, but disagreement persisted. It could
not be carried out as foreign militants could not afford allowing the
government to compile a list of BASTA BAY.
Resultantly Lashkar was prepared to launch operation. On 18th May
area of Azam Warsak was combed for foreigners. Next day a house of alQaeda supporter was set on fire after Lashkar failed to find any foreigner in
Shakai area. Iftikhar blamed tribal Lashkar and linked terrorism incidents
inside the country with FATA situation.
On 25th May last warning was issued to tribal elders to deliver. On 3rd
June Corps Commander visited Waziristan and urged aliens to get registered
with authorities. Next day Lashkar launched fresh operation, carried out
house-to-house search, but again found no foreigner.
On 8th June FATA MPs threatened to withdraw support to government
over Wana. They considered forming a bloc and demanded separate seats in
National Assembly, reported Yusufzai. Lashkar was again blamed for not
doing the job and in counter allegation Army was blamed for pre-empting its
action.
Government resorted to pressure tactics and stopped payment of
salary to Ahmadzai tribesmen. More than a dozen tribal chiefs were arrested
and Wana bazaar was sealed. Economic blockade of SWA was termed
violation of human rights.
Meanwhile preparations for another military operation were carried
out. Troops were redeployed on 17th May. Faisal and Sultan denied, but

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Jamali said that there was no halt to anti-terror fight. Military action in
Wana could not be ruled out, reported APP.
Seeing military action imminent, the militants acted first. On 3 rd June
a foreigner and a soldier died and two militiamen were injured in suicide
attack south of Miranshah. Nine persons including six foreign nationals were
arrested. Next day an Army soldier died in friendly fire, which reflected the
degree of the prevailing tension.
The worst happened on 9th June. FC posts were attacked resulting in
killing of nine army men, eight FC personnel, four foreign militants and four
tribesmen. One injured foreigner was held. Eleven people, including
children and women were also killed. Next day troops and militants clashed
again and Nek Muhammad threatened attacks outside Wana. In Dir protests
were held when bodies of Scouts arrived.
Major military action was launched on 11th June, in which three
hideouts were targeted. Warplanes and armed helicopters bombed and
strafed the area and commandos were dropped to flush out militants. Sultan
claimed killing 35 militants, most of which were Central Asians. In Dir
complete strike was observed to mourn death of Scouts.
By 12th June 54 persons had been killed. One captain, two soldiers and
three FC men were wounded in the fighting. Rockets were fired at military
post in North Waziristan and a suicide attack attempt on a convoy was
foiled. One refugee was injured in cross fire and Afghans were given 72
hours to leave the area. Opposition protested against Wana operation before
Budget speech.
Next day air strikes continued and Army claimed operation was a
success and near completion. On that day twenty miscreants were killed and
eight Northern Alliance intruders were shot dead at border post. A convoy on
its way to cantonment from Bannu airport was attacked with roadside bomb
damaging a vehicle and injuring four soldiers.
Law enforcing agencies achieved phenomenal breakthrough outside
Waziristan when they arrested leading al-Qaeda man, nephew of Khalid
Sheikh, and twelve others in Karachi. The arrested militants of Central Asian
origin were involved in attacks on Corps Commander, police station in
Gulistan-e-Johar, DHA area during performance of an Indian singer and
other places including firing on Rangers. The group was trained in Shakai.
Three persons were killed in blast near Miranshah on 14 th June.
Miscreants continued occasional firing of rockets next day. One foreigner

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was killed at Jandola post and four were arrested. Thirty persons were
arrested during house to house search. Four dead bodies, including a woman
and a child, were recovered from debris in Shakai area. Faisal vowed not to
extradite Arochi, nephew of Khalid Sheikh. JI demanded immediate halt to
operation and Benazir wanted amicable solution to crisis.
The fighters targeted FC post in Ladah on 16th June with heavy and
light weapons. Three fighters and three soldiers were killed out of which one
soldier and two attackers were killed when paramilitary troops tried to
capture injured fighter. The same day two dead bodies of suspected foreign
fighters were found.
Next day fighter jets and armed helicopters targeted militant hideouts
in mountains near Angoor Adda. Militants continued attacking in different
areas. Fort at Sarwekai was rocketed and positions in Kaniguram and Tiazra
were attacked. On 17th June Nek Muhammad rejected offer of talks and
government claim of arresting any foreigner.
Next day he was killed in Dhok village. Precision guided missile hit
the house used as hideout. The missile attack was so accurate that it did not
damage anything except the men sitting in the lawn. Nek, enjoying the
evening breeze, was killed after receiving injuries on the head, arm and leg.
Five others were also killed. In Baghar area Khan Muhammad, another
wanted man, was killed and two men and three women were wounded.
Rahimullah Yusufzai called Nek a daring and reckless man. He was
hiding in a house of late Sher Zaman barely four miles from Wana where
military was concentrated; whereas Pakistans armed helicopters had been
strafing hideouts in Shakai mountains and Baghar area.
He was daring in staying so close to Army concentration, but his
recklessness related to his frequent use of satellite phone including long
interview to BBC. It helped tracking him down. He had been talking on
satellite telephone for about 15 minutes just before the attack.
There were speculations about as to who fired the missile, which came
from opposite direction where the Army troops were deployed and it took
only three seconds to hit the target after being fired. Men guarding on roofs
had seen a white unmanned plane and also saw a bright white ray of light
emanating from it just before missile attack. ISPR claimed that Pakistan
Army alone planned and executed the operation. The tribesmen, without any
exception, blamed US for targeting and killing Nek.
Thousands attended funeral in his village Kalooshah which was quite

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large considering that most people had left the area. It showed sentimental
attachment of the people. A man in Peshawar conveyed a message that his
killing would be avenged.
The observers saw the focus now shifting to Shrif Khan, his brother
Nur Islam, Maulana Abbas and Abdul Aziz. On 19 th June operation in
Baghar was halted in which 23 tribesmen were arrested. Wana remained
calm as tribesmen condoled with Neks family. Reportedly Sharif Khan and
his brother also visited the village to condole personally.
Sultan claimed killing 63 miscreants in all. First al-Qaeda and
Taliban suspects then called as foreign terrorists and militants and now this
term observed Yusufzai. Next day two tribal journalists, who tried to reach
Baghar, were detained in Wana.
The government revived the political process during the operation, but
economic blockade remained in place. Khasadars of Ahmedzai were
persuaded to report on duty. Offer of amnesty for foreigners was renewed.
Administration continued pressing Afghan refugees to leave.
American Envoy was satisfied with the operation. Karzai talked to
Musharraf on telephone. Pakistan did more beyond Wana to appease the
Crusaders. Four al-Qaeda suspects, one Afghan and three Uzbeks, were
arrested in Peshawar on 19th May and six days later 35 more trucks were
gifted to Kabul. Three Afghans were shot dead in Quetta on 2 nd June and
UNHCR and NGOs were moved to safer places. Hunt for Taliban suspects
were launched in Baluchistan. On 14th June two Afghans were arrested and
terrorist network was busted in Peshawar.
The comments must begin with observation of Kamran Shafi on
incursions used as part of coercion. According to news reports a young
Captain of the militia in whose area the incursion took place refused to
speak to the Americans, saying he was under instructions to remain quiet.
This in a way is good. For what would the boy have said to the
Americans? Ask them to respect our sovereign territory and leave? What if
the Corporal in charge of the American raiding party told him to go and
climb a tree? What if the Corporal told him to bug off, plain and simple?
What if, indeed, he cuffed our Captain Sahib one on the right ear? What
then? Yes, it is good policy to tell all of our commanders in the field to go to
ground whenever the Americans decide to come pay us a visit, and stay there
until the coast is clear.

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All the concerned parties failed in resolving the issue amicably. The
government failed because of its track record of handing over everyone to
the Crusaders without asking any question. The reluctance of foreigners to
get registered could be attributed to this policy. Jirgas did not prove effective
because the scope of dispute extended beyond tribal or even national
boundaries. Militants erred in attacking FC posts first, thereby providing an
excuse to the government to do what it did.
Who killed Nek Muhammad? This was the point widely debated;
despite being quite irrelevant. It was clear that most of the intelligence and
technical assistance was provided by America; therefore, it was immaterial
as to who fired the lethal missile.
The more pertinent question was as to whose interest was served in
killing Nek Muhammad? A day before the killing a US General had said that
Pakistans offensive was most significant ever. We will continue to squeeze
them (al-Qaeda) as we continue to operate on both sides of the border. AlQaeda was used as pretext to punish Pushtoons resisting the occupation.
David Barno, with reference to figure of 400 to 600 militants often
mentioned by Pakistani leaders, had said it loud and clear when he recently
declared that his government wanted Pakistan to kill or capture each one of
those terrorists.
In no way it will serve Pakistans interest in the long run and instead it
could create some problems. Operation against Bugti tribesmen, who
frequently attack gas installations and pipelines, could have served
Pakistans interests better, but the government did nothing about that.
Pakistan has dedicated its military and law enforcing resources to
waging Americas war on terror even at the risk of neglecting its internal
security problems. It was prepared to use ultimate force to kill one man
wanted by the Crusaders.
The display of governments resolve was commended by Mir Jamilur
Rehman. President Musharrafs pronounced policy against terrorism has
attracted worldwide favour. Every country of the world, including our best
friend China has backed his endeavours of fighting terrorism. Not a single
country, or any world leader, has opposed or criticized Musharrafs
determination to fight and eliminate terrorism. It had to be so as only
Islamic militants were at the receiving end.
Musharraf could rejoice over attaining the status of MNNA and
provision of some US helicopters for border security, but Pakistan will
remain a suspect because of its Islamic identity. A commission has already
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implicated Pakistan in 9/11 attacks alleging that it supported al-Qaeda and

Taliban.
Faisal hoped that Neks killing would help eliminate terrorism. He
agreed with Americans who believed that trimming of poison tree would
help in controlling the evil. Musharraf on the other hand feared Wana
fallout. His apprehensions were based on the neglect of the strategy he had
been advocating, e.g. eradication of root-cause. In this case the root-cause
lied in grievances of Pushtoons.
Militants immediately threatened to avenge Wana. Omar, brother of
two most wanted men Sharif and Nur, succeeded Nek and he vowed, I
consider my new position as a challenge. I have taken part in Jihad all my
adult life and was wounded four times. I fought against the Soviet
occupation troops in Afghanistan and later joined the Taliban to fight the
Northern Alliance and the US invaders.
He stood out head and shoulder above Musharraf in war experience,
yet he was for peaceful resolution of issues with Army. Only in case of
failure we will fight against Munafiqeen. He termed US and India real
enemies of Muslims and vowed to wage Jihad against them.
Comments on operation should end by quoting excerpts from last
interview of Nek to BBC, which might have led to his spotting:

After completion of religious education I went to fight along with

Taliban. I first fought against NA and then US aggression and at the
time of invasion I was based in Bagram. Our tribal people have
always been on the forefront in support of their Afghan brothers.

During Afghan Jihad, scores of Mujahideen from around the Muslim

World came to Afghanistan to help Afghans in their holy war against
the Soviet aggression. Since then these people have been living in
Afghanistan as well as in our tribal areas and some urban centres of
Pakistan. Now under US pressure, Pakistan has launched an
operationagainst so-called al-Qaeda (but they) are not terrorists.

I admit (presence of foreigners) as three million Afghans migrated to

Pakistanincluding Uzbeks, Tajiks and

Pakistan Army has conducted five military operationshunting

down al-Qaeda fugitives but so far not a single member of that
organization has been captured. Government is doing it for the
pleasure of United States. Regarding the charges of cross border
terrorism, so far none has proved
245

The Mujahideen have been living here for more than 20 years but the
government never took any action against them earlier. Everyone
knows that the government has raised this issue under US pressure. It
is a US conspiracy to make Pakistan Army fight with the
Mujahideen.

The rumours of presence of Zawaheri and Yuldash are continuously

being churned out by the Western Media. I dont think that such highprofile people can hide here.

Registration of foreigners was not part of the Shakai Agreement. I

never agreed to thiswe would not do anything harmful to interests
of our country. It is the government that violated the agreement and
now we would teach it a lesson.

I did not surrenderI still stand by my point of view and will still
fight against the enemies of Islam until the end.

He denied the charge of taking money from foreigners. The

tribesmen are true Muslims and that is the reason they are helping
their Mujahideen brothers.

There cannot be any talks now Our goals are very clear. We want
to remove the US-installed puppet governments in Afghanistan and
Pakistan.

STUNNED BY SONIA
Sonia stunned Vajpayee as well as the Government of Pakistan by
winning in general elections. She was then compelled by threats from Hindu
fundamentalists to resign and nominate her successor. The impact of
government change in India was felt more in Islamabad.
Pakistani leaders tried to shrug off their fears about future of peace
process. No Indian party was against talks said Kasuri. Rashid hoped that
dialogue would continue. Change in India wont affect talks claimed
Jamali and hoped Congress would resolve Kashmir.
Manmohan, the first Sikh Prime Minister, did not want Pakistan to
panic. He desired most friendly ties. Musharraf congratulated him and gave
upbeat account of his conversation with Singh. He then invited Sonia to visit
Pakistan. He also talked to Vajpayee, who must have told him, TU HAYE
DIL PUKAR MEIN PUKARON HAYE GUL. Jamali and Singh discussed
peace. Kasuri and Natwar vowed to speed up peace initiative. All indications
from India were positive, said Maleeha
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New Indian government, however, shook up Pakistan so that it noted

the change. Three thousand terrorists were ready to infiltrate Kashmir,
claimed India. Natwar referred to Kashmir as a place where a deadly Islamic
revolt against Indian rule has raged since 1989If our diplomats spend 30
percent of their time on Kashmir, their (Pakistani) diplomats spend 85
percent. This must stop.
Natwar questioned efficacy of January 6 SAARC Resolution as
Vajpayee and BJP did not know how to distinguish between diplomacy and
foreign policy as reported by Mariana Baabar. He wanted frank
discussions with Pakistan and then said, I will ask them when they plan to
stop their terrorism programme.
It was evident from his rhetoric that he did not consider Kashmir issue
beyond cross border terrorism. To talk about any other aspect of the issue
was waste of time. If his counter-part had any guts he would have told him
that Pakistan couldnt stop terrorism without first restarting it. If Natwar so
desired Pakistan was ready to oblige.
The rhetoric-jolts worked and Pakistan came back to square one.
Kashmir central to peace in South Asia said Foreign Office and denied
hidden agenda behind January accord. Kasuri urged India to restrain from
rhetoric. After having seen the desired effects India said, it held Pakistani
leadership in high esteem. Singh government committed to Indo-Pak ties
said National Security Advisor. I was misquoted Natwar told Kasuri. Since
his arrival on the scene he was misquoted almost everyday.
Optimism about talks with India was revived. Pakistan and India
were moving in right direction said Kasuri and his office wanted to set aside
Pak-India misgivings. Musharraf recommended adoption of sincere
approach on Kashmir. Kasuri and Natwar met in China and pledged to work
for peace. Indian Foreign Ministry termed talks warm and productive.
There was no significant development in the process of confidence
building measures. India did not oppose Pakistans re-entry into
Commonwealth. Pakistan assured security of gas pipeline, despite its
inability to protect own gas installations. Both countries agreed on steps to
curb drugs. Rangers and BSF signed an accord to improve border situation.
The two neighbours reached an understanding on water sharing.
Chandigarh moot called for boosting Pak-India trade and MoU was
signed for uplift of Indo-Pak business women. Pak-India singers performed
together in New Delhi. The artists went their way to improve ties: MAINO
NACH KE YAR MANAWAN DEY.
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The tendency to be negative persisted. Indian Navy killed three

Pakistani fishermen and Pakistan asked India to be lenient. India vowed to
modernize military. It test-fired supersonic cruise missile and anti-tank
missile and planned to test Agni this year. America renewed its offer to India
as officials of two countries discussed missile defence. Pakistan test-fired
nuclear capable Hatf V on 29th May and India expressed its concern.
Perpetration of state terrorism topped the list of negative measures.
But even in that English medium print media in Pakistan reduced the
coverage of state terrorism as a step toward confidence building:

Nine freedom fighters were gunned down on 12th May and nine more
Kashmiris were killed a week later. Nothing was reported in print
media in between.

Four persons were killed in Kashmir on 20 th May. Again a week later

killing of nine more persons was reported.

On 29th May rocket was fired at Mirwaizs house in Srinagar and his
uncle died a week later as result of assassination attempt.

On 1st June it was reported that 180 Kashmiris (on the average of six
per day) were martyred during May out of which 25 were killed in
custody.

A politician was among three killed on 3 rd June. Two days later two
women were among 11 killed.

Eleven persons were killed on 6th June. Seven more were killed three
days later.

Fourteen perished in violence on 14th June. There was no coverage

thereafter; perhaps publishing of monthly aggregate was preferred as
daily reports had become too boring.

For a change Amnesty urged India to respect Human Rights in

Kashmir and EU team planned to examine Human Rights situation in the
Valley. EU envoy, however, remarked that Kashmir was part of India.
Kashmiri leaders condemned his statement.
New Indian government planned to continue talks with APHC giving
hints for autonomous status for Kashmir. APHC-A had already claimed that
its talks with India had Pakistans backing and there was no question of
discontinuing dialogue process. It was reported that Gilani was considering
Indias talks offer and both Hurriats were to discuss Indian invitation.

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Kashmiri freedom fighters continued their struggle. On 23 rd May

thirty-three Indian soldiers were killed and ten wounded in landmine blast on
Jammu-Srinagar road. Two days later four Indian soldiers were killed. Eight
PDP workers were abducted and one was killed on 16th June.
Commenting on the future of peace process Kamal Matinuddin wrote,
no one expected that the new government would stick to the schedule
agreed upon by the two foreign secretaries in February. Regarding talks on
core issue Natwars viewpoint has already been mentioned. He would like to
talk about weather rather than Kashmir.
Chances of settlement of Kashmir dispute in foreseeable future
remained bleak. With a Muslim as president and a Sikh as Prime Minister it
will be extremely difficult for India to shift from the stated stand without
which settlement was impossible. If Sonia could be forced to resign as PMdesignate, a Sikh can dare not move an inch from Indias stated position on
Kashmir.
Sikandar was forthright in doubting that Congress could resolve
Kashmir issue. The News dated 30th May agreed with his suspicion. At no
time in the past, except when a non-Congress held power, relations (between
Pakistan and India) could be termed as normal and healthy. All the mess
was created by this party.
Ehsan Mehmood Khan raised two questions after reviewing the
history of Congress in dilly-dallying on Kashmir including betraying. Would
the confidence of Kashmiris again be ripped apart? Would it add nothing but
another chapter of deceit to the story of betrayal being written since long? In
the end Dr Moonis Ahmar could prove right, who opined that taking U-turn
on Kashmir was more painful than U-turn taken on Taliban.
Musharraf understood this possibility and that was why he advocated
sincerity in resolving the core issue. However, one could not believe that
he did not understand the significance of sincerity in international relations,
which revolve around national interests.
Jamali admitted that US and UK have been helping in Pak-India talks.
He has not been praying without interest for the success of Bush. If his
prayers are not heard, things would become gloomier when Bush leaves
White House after elections.
Similarly his Foreign Minister talked of win-win situation after
meeting Natwar. I am not talking of concessions. I am talking of statesmanlike resolution of the dispute in which everyone wins, most importantly the

249

people of Jammu and Kashmir There is no game in which everybody

wins. There is no winner without a loser and the loser is always the weaker
side.

MILITANCY AND PROLIFERATION

There was no respite in acts of militancy. Following incidents took
place during the last six weeks:

Seven persons were killed on 12th May in Karachi bye-polls as MQM

swept elections amid accusations of rigging.

On 22nd May gas supply was halted as 16 rockets were fired at Sui.
Two days later 14 security men were wounded in blast near Quetta.

One policeman was killed and 32 others hurt as two car bombs
exploded outside Pakistan-American Cultural Centre. The same day
two persons were hurt in rocket attack in Sui.

Mufti Shamezai, one of the biggest supporters of Taliban and MMA,

was killed in ambush in Karachi on 30th May. Protesters resorted to
violence.

On 31st May 16 persons were killed and 36 injured in blast in Shia

mosque in Karachi. The same day two persons died in rocket attack
near Zubaidas house in Mand.

Police and mourners clashed on 1 st June during funeral in Karachi and

blast toll reached twenty. The same day six rockets were fired on Sui
police station.

One person was killed on 3rd June in clashes in Gilgit over syllabus
issue resulting in imposition of indefinite curfew. The same day
British teacher was shot dead in Multan and US citizens were asked to
stay away from Karachi.

On 4th June one person was killed and ten hurt during MMAs strike in
Karachi. Foreigners were evacuated from Hunza and a bomb went off
in Sialkot.

Protesters clashed with police in Gilgit on 5 th June. Next day three

curfew violators were killed. The same day a doctor was gunned down
in DG Khan in suspected sectarian attack and four FC soldiers were

250

injured in landmine blast in Dera Bugti area.

Landmine killed policeman and a civilian in Kohlu on 7 th June. Next

day curfew was relaxed in Gilgit.

On 10th June seven army men were among 11 killed in Karachi in an

attempt on Corps Commanders life. The same day rocket attack
injured 12 persons in Sui.

One person died in blast outside FC officials house in D I Khan on

12th June. Four days later 50 rockets were fired on paramilitary post in
Jafarabad, injuring one JCO.

On 17th June PPP leader Munawar Suharawardy was shot dead in

Karachi. Two days later a soldier was hurt in rocket attack in Sui.

Rockets and a blast destroyed airport in Sui on 20 th June, resulting in

fighting but no casualties.

These incidents can be grouped into various categories on the basis of

their motives. Some of these were in retaliation to Pakistans support to the
Crusades and against enlightened moderation. Some were the result of
parochial politics resulting from ethnic and linguistic intolerance. Others
could be attributed to sectarian militancy. In one particular area these were to
pressurize the government for monetary gains in the form of royalties.
Assassination of Mufti Shamezai could be the result of Crusaders
strategy of targeted killing. He had traveled number of times to Afghanistan
and met Mulla Omar. He had also endorsed the call for Jihad against the USled forces in Afghanistan. Rally in Mansehra blamed US for murder.
Elimination of religious scholars could be part of moderating
Pakistanis. It could also be a political murder because of his support to
MMA. But attack on Corps Commander was clearly in retaliation to
Pakistans role in the ongoing war on terror.
Karachi has been notorious for political violence because of the
militancy of MQM. This party first rigged the bye-elections and when
results were declared void by the commission, removal of Irshad was
promptly demanded.
The incidents of violence after the rigging of bye-polls were the result
of tussle between political parties of Governor and Nazim. One of them has
to be declared terrorist before attributing these to terrorism. Nazim should be
the obvious choice because of his appearance. MQM is making hay in
present sunny days. Targeted killing of cops, who cleaned up Karachi in
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1992, has been reported recently and MQM also declared that cases against
Ibad were scrapped.
Bugtis have been allowed to cause inconvenience to millions of
Pakistanis by damaging gas installations at will. This has encouraged them
to oppose military cantonment in Sui. This matter was not less serious than
Wana. At last Faisal talked about military action in Sui. Alas! America had
no interest in Sui; otherwise it would have been done long time back.
The crackdown by law enforcing agencies made inroads. Network
behind attempts at Musharrafs life was smashed. Eight al-Badr men were
arrested in Peshawar. A suicide attack on Karachi police station was foiled.
Notorious terrorist, Dawood Badini involved in major sectarian killings in
Quetta was arrested from Federal B Area. Another Jund member was
arrested in Karachi. Thirty suspects were held for attack on Sui airport.
Faisal saw terrorists struggling for survival. At the same time he
sought cooperation to check terrorism in Karachi. Was he asking Musharraf
for cooperation as recent incidents in Karachi have much to do with MQM?
Opposition demanded ouster of Ibad and Mehr.
Ijaz-ul-Haq suggested revival of Peace Protection Committees to
control sectarian militancy. He urged Ulema to revive the Council of
National Integration; evolve unanimous code of conduct; preach fraternal
love in sermons; and condemn terrorist activities in all forms. He advised
electronic and print media to desist from fanning sectarian feelings and
asked opposition parties to desist from gaining political mileage.
Musharraf said terrorism and extremism were biggest hurdles to
progress. He urged police to reach out planners of terrorist attacks and
speedy trial of terror cases assuring protection to judges. Jamali was for
revamping security agencies and desired stern action against those involved
in attack on Corps Commander.
While struggling to set own house in order, the government extended
hand to combat international terrorism. Pakistan and Tajikistan vowed to
fight terror. Jamali supported Saudi steps against terrorism. Pak-Turkey joint
body vowed to fight terror and drugs. Jamali and Goh agreed to boost antiterror ties. Pakistan also agreed to help Azerbaijan in developing Madaris.
Efforts to inculcate enlightened moderation continued. Musharraf
called for review of Hudood Ordinance with special emphasis on Blasphemy
Law. Jamali talked of consensus on Hadood Ordinance. Enlightened persons
like Farhatullah Babar advised the government to hold fast against religious

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parties.
How can the religious elements claim that those demanding a change
in the law are guilty of negating the Quraanic injunctions? The enlightened
elements within the religious parties must support this resolution. Also, the
parliamentarians not belonging to the religious parties should prepare
themselves for the debate and not abandon the field to those who claim sole
monopoly of interpretation of religious tenets.
The civilized world showed different kind of enlightened moderation.
Qazis entry into Europe was banned. He was termed a terrorist and
Pakistani Bin Laden. US Congress released biased report on Pakistans
democracy. The government was accused of ignoring abuses against women
and children. Visiting US was humiliating Kasuri told Powell. Keeping
these in view, Musharraf was justified in calling Pakistan a tolerant country
and in saying that Islam and West were heading for abyss.
Whipping boy was given few candies. America agreed to free 20
Pakistanis from Guantanamo. Macedonia apologized to Pakistan.
Commonwealth readmitted Pakistan hoping that Musharraf would fulfill
pledge to stand down as army chief. America bestowed MNNA status and
Powell assured not to back government change in Pakistan.
Review of militancy and endeavours to curb it should start with
mention of involvement of military men in bid on Musharrafs life. It was a
matter of grave concern; irrespective of the fact that no senior officer has
been accused. It could be inferred from the number of military men arrested
that Hashmi might not have used fake letter-pad.
The finding that al-Qaeda king-pin had brain-washed the suspects was
another disturbing aspect. It meant that the organization has reached out to
men in uniform and the number of contaminated soldiers could never be
ascertained accurately.
Another finding that Pearls killer had master-minded attacks on
Musharraf did not make an equation to be proud of. In one of the earlier
articles it was apprehended that at some stage the militants resisting the
Crusaders would realize that unless they dealt with Muslim leaders allying
with US, they could make no headway. The recent events indicated that this
phase of their struggle might have started, which could be extremely
damaging for Ummah. The Crusaders would love it.

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Dr Zulfikar Ahmed mentioned the same in his letter to the News. He

visualized mass uprising against such rulers and in initial stage of war of
resistance and war of liberation, the mass resistance will turn into a general
insurgency and power in the entire Muslim World shall be assumed by the
masses. All the dictators shall be kicked out and brought to justice for their
misdeeds and support to a satanic power.
He stretched visualization too far and added, thereafter a full-scale
war a clash of civilizations will erupt and the Americans and their friends
will be taken by surprise. This may be a war of death and destruction of
unimaginable proportions as the hatred in the hearts of the Muslim is so
deep-rooted that only intervention from God can save the Western
civilization from total annihilation. They have to settle score accumulated
over centuries.
The attack on Corps Commander has undermined Armys image,
irrespective of the motive of the attackers. Armys respect is countrys
stability commented Ansar Abbasi. As usual this realization has also come
bit too late.
As regards enlightened and moderate Islam Dr Muzaffar Iqbal had
following to say about its propagators:

They would like to see a radical recasting of the entire Muslim

history in order to secure their formulation by eliminating and
obscuring events and personalities which continue to inspire the
contemporary men and women who defy the injustice

They call for reconciliation, rather than defiance and opposition, as

the route to resolving the problems upon the Muslim World by the
Western aggression.

They want a religion that would not be the source of guidance and
inspiration of resistance against aggression. In other words, the entire
political foundation of Islam would be removed and the Quraanic
terms like Jihad would be understood only in their limited sense as
personal struggle against some nebulous inner conflict.

Western and Islamic civilizations claim universality, but only the

former has means to impose it worldwide by force. Therefore, the
champions of the new Islam would like to enter into some kind of
bargain with the West on this aspect and accept some parts of their
worldview in exchange of their acceptance of some parts of Islam.

But this is precisely what is impossible, as Quraan and Sunnah, the

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twin sources of Islam, are unalterable, therefore, all efforts of the

propagators to change Islam would have to rely on interpretation of
these sources.
The idea of enlightened moderation as understood by the West is that
everything that needs to be corrected relates to Muslims and there is nothing
wrong with the other side. The ongoing Crusades were being conducted in
this spirit.
It wont succeed when the Muslim World is being denied justice by
the mighty, when the power drunk mighty has let loose rein of terror and
tyranny against helpless, hapless Muslim people that include innocent
women and children, when the perpetrators of crimes against humanity, and
their abettors do not listen to any reason or logic wrote N A Khan in his
letter to the News. He asked, can it then be expected of the oppressed lot of
people facing cruelties of the mighty to display behaviour of enlightened
moderation towards the mighty?
As regards nuclear proliferation issue Pakistan understood that it had
been deferred but not closed, therefore, it took some measures to improve its
image as responsible nuclear state. America was assured of law to stop
spread of the technology. On 7th June the Bill on nuclear transfer was tabled
in National Assembly.
Indo-Pak talks for nuclear-restraint through formalized CBMs were
aimed at attaining status of nuclear states rather than the stated goals. That
was why India proposed common nuclear doctrine amongst India, China and
Pakistan. The proposed common nuclear doctrine though underscored
cooperation rather than confrontation, yet India desired formal recognition
as nuclear power.
Natwar wanted nuclear talks to top the agenda. Pakistan sought
mutual nuclear reduction. Both countries discussed crisis management on
19th June and next day agreed to set up nuclear hotline and renewed
moratorium on tests. They pretended to act as recognized nuclear powers.
Iran kept America and its watch-dog pre-occupied on nuclear issue.
Iran on the verge of nuclear breakthrough claimed Rafsanjani. On 22nd May
Iran submitted declaration to IAEA and next day asked UN to wrap up its
nuclear files.
IAEA made new revelations and threatened to take Iran to UNSC, if
found guilty. Iran played down new nuclear revelations, but America
255

accused it of hiding nuclear bomb plan from UN. Britain and others grilled
Iran in IAEA Resolution. Khatami threatened to resume uranium enrichment
and next day it was denied. Iran to stay in NPT and will continue to allow
tough UN checks. The very next day its spokesman said that Iran might
resume centrifuge assembly.
Despite their pre-occupation Pakistan was not completely forgotten.
IAEA wanted more Pakistan cooperation on HEU issue. Libya used Pakistan
made centrifuges, alleged IAEA report. Russia and US agreed to clean up
nukes around the world.
Pakistan welcomed IAEA proposal to invite India and Pakistan in
future talks on nuclear non-proliferation, but Shireen M Mazari observed
we will always remain suspect as long as we are the Islamic Republic of
Pakistan with a nuclear capability.
That was why the doves like M B Naqvi continued seeking peace.
Lets have a proper solution that prevents war altogether and banish the
trust destroying nuclear weapons. The doves tend to forget that there had
never been a period in known history of mankind when peace prevailed for
considerable time.

CONCLUSION
Adding to the views on MNNA status included in previous articles, it
might be said that this status is no more than a letter of appreciation the
Whiteman used to give to a native in recognition of services rendered by
him. It was in recognition of curbing cross border terrorism on either front,
done with complete disregard to long term security interests of Pakistan,
which lie in Muslim population of the region.
It was an act of pampering. Col A M Butt looked at the dangers that
lied in unequal alliance. To be an ally of Mr Bush at this juncture is like a
melon getting friendly with a knife. The melon will keep feeling the
pricking of the knife even in the absence of any designs to cut it.
Killing of Nek Muhammad was a victory for the Crusaders achieved
through services of Pakistani armed forces. Pakistan in the long run might
lose in many ways despite optimism to the contrary. This was in no way a
fatal blow to Islamic militancy.
Dialogue process between India and Pakistan was being pursued
because of the pressure from America, but its pace has been controlled by
New Delhi. India will try to seduce Pakistan to shift from its stance and after
short-listing the options it will try to dictate the most favourable one. The
256

Crusaders will then pressurize Pakistan to accept that or face the allegation
of intolerance or non-accommodation or belligerence.
Pakistan has done a lot to serve the interests of the Crusaders, their
puppets and proxy crusaders. It must also address those aspects of law and
order which have direct bearing on security of people of Pakistan rather than
dissipating energies in improving security in Paktia and Paktika. Merely
making speeches and giving out statements that the whole thing would be
dealt with an iron hand would not solve the problem, and that culprits would
be brought to justice is not enough advised the News.
The issue of nuclear proliferation remained frozen. Once defrosted
Pakistan would again be a front line state but standing on the other side of
the line. Pakistan wont be able to act as visualized by Madeleine Albright
and Robin Cook; unless the US and Europe cut the nuclear arsenals now,
non-nuclear states will rebel.
24th June 2004

WAR WENT ON
America does not stay where it is not welcomed said Bremer. He
indirectly conveyed that America was welcomed in Iraq. However, the
reception accorded so far has been too hot to be called warm. It turned even
hotter as the date of June 30 neared.
As the killings in Iraq continued Bush kept Saddams pistol in his
office, considering himself the sole legal heir of illegal means. He also
claimed that he knew as to why Iraqis opposed US; distaste for occupation,
yet he showed no intention to pull out US troops.
He visited Vatican to get the blessings, as protesters attempted to
disrupt the visit. Pope chided him and wanted speedy return of Iraqs
257

sovereignty. Three days later he announced, free Iraq will signal end of US
mission. The word free meant complete submission.
His had been belying his words, therefore, no one believed in his
promises, more so the Iraqis. A policeman on duty in Iraq said, Bush is a
scorpion. He is a liar. He is sneaky, making all kinds of promises when he
just wants to control Iraq.
Situation in and outside Iraq was disheartening for Arab and Muslim
masses. Their leaders remained haplessly disunited. In Iraq Sadr condemned
Sistani over keeping mum on fighting with US. The enemy is entering the
city (Najaf) and is shelling it and you are quiet. The dome of Imam Alis
Mausoleum is hit and you are quiet. Your people are under the boot of the
occupier and you are quiet. When are you going to speak up? His message
was applicable to all Muslim rulers.

FIGHTING IN IRAQ
Iraqi people bravely kept resisting the occupation as could be seen
from the summary of fighting in last six weeks. Ten fighters of Sadr perished
in Najaf on 14th May and Shrine of Hazrat Ali suffered damage. Clashes also
took place in Karbala. One Marine died in Anbar.
On 15th May US forces killed 21 Iraqis and wounded ten in Baghdad.
UK troops killed 20, injured thirteen and arrested nine in Amara after a
convoy was ambushed. Five American soldiers perished and two British
soldiers were wounded in encounters. In Mosul recruiting centre was
bombed killing four and injuring 15 and in Tikrit gunmen killed two
policemen and a guard.
US tanks made incursion into Karbala on 16th May. Iraqis fought
against Italian troops in and wounded six Italian soldiers. In Basra mortar
fire at base of British troops killed four civilians and a blast took place near
another base. A female translator working with occupation forces and two
others were killed in attack on a minibus. US soldier was killed in roadside
bombing in Baghdad.
On 17th May Iraqi council chief, Ezzedine Salim was killed in suicide
attack outside the high-security US-led Coalition Headquarters in Baghdad.
In addition ten persons were killed and eight wounded. US general blamed
Zarqawi. A local police chief was killed in Amara. Home and office of

258

Sistani were targeted in Najaf. Clashes took place in Nasiriyah, Karbala and
Baghdad and US claimed killing 50 fighters. American and Italian soldiers
were also killed in clashes.
On 18th May two US soldiers were killed in Anbar, UK contractor (exUK Marine) and a foreigner were killed in Mosul. Clashes took place in
Karbala. Four suspects linked to Salims killing were arrested. Next day US
bombed Iraqi wedding party in a village near Syrian border killing 41,
including 15 children and ten women as more than hundred bombs flattened
the village. Nine Iraqis were killed and 14 injured in clashes in Karbala.
Explosion occurred in Coalition HQ in Baghdad. In Mosul fighters killed a
policeman and injured another. Three US soldiers were killed on that day.
Nine civilians were killed and 16 wounded in Karbala on 20 th May. A
woman was killed and four men wounded bomb in Mosul. One US soldier
was killed and another wounded by roadside bomb near Baghdad. Another
US soldier was killed and three wounded in grenade attack.
Fierce fighting took place in Karbala and Najaf on 21 st May. Ten
Iraqis, including al-Jazeera man, were killed and dozens wounded. In Kirkuk
US forces arrested undisclosed number of Sadrs men. Four Iraqis of
paramilitary force were killed in Baquba. Spanish journalist was held by alSadr fighters in Najaf. US soldier and two Iraqis were killed elsewhere.
On 22nd May Coalition and Sadr men vacated central Karbala. In
Najaf six Iraqis were wounded in short burst of fighting. One US soldier was
killed and three other wounded when a car hit their vehicle south of
Baghdad. Another died near Fallujah. Bombing killed five and injured 14
Iraqis including a minister.
US troops massacred 32 in Kufa and scores of them were wounded as
tanks crashed the gates to enter the Selah Mosque on 23rd May. Fighting in
Najaf killed 14 Iraqis and wounded 37 others. Iraqi fighters killed two and
wounded five in an ambush in Fallujah area. Suicide bombing on residence
of senior official killed five and injured 13 in Karbala. Two Coalition
soldiers were wounded in Baghdad. Five Iraqis including two children were
killed in Basra. A policeman was killed while traveling from Baquba to
Baghdad. Eleven more Iraqis and three US soldiers were killed in other
attacks.
In fighting around Sadr City 33 persons were killed on 24 th May.
Gunmen killed senior official of Turkish party in Kirkuk and explosions also
took place in Mosul. An Iraqi scientist died in custody. Two Britons and two
Americans were killed in blasts.
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On 25th May US mortar fire hit Hazrat Alis Shrine. America blamed
fighting between two factions for the damage. Fighting in Najaf left seven
Iraqis dead and 45 wounded. Five were killed and 18 wounded in Kufa. In
Baghdad five were wounded in car bomb. Two US soldiers were killed and
six wounded in rocket attack northwest of Baghdad. One more was killed
and two wounded in vehicle accident near Dwar.
On 26th May US claimed killing 100 militiamen in Sadr City and
Najaf. Key Sadr aide was arrested. Two Russian contractors were killed and
six wounded in southern Baghdad. US soldier was killed in roadside blast in
Tikrit and two more were wounded. Six Iraqis were killed in fighting.
Roadside explosion near Fallujah damaged one vehicle of US convoy
on 27 May. Another bomb exploded on Baghdad highway and in retaliation
troops killed one Iraqi and wounded seven. Three US Marines were killed in
Anbar. A man and his two sons were killed and nine others wounded when
mortar round exploded in Samara.
th

Five Iraqis were killed and 14 wounded in clashes in Kufa on 28 th

May. In Najaf two were killed and six wounded. Convoy of Salama, member
of Governing Council, was attacked killing her son and guards. Another
convoy was attacked and two Japanese journalists and their Iraqi translator
were killed south of Baghdad. One Turkmen was killed in Kirkuk. US TV
team was released after kidnap in Fallujah.
On 29th May US troops killed five militiamen in Najaf and Kufa.
Driver and bodyguard of editor of an American-funded newspaper were
abducted and murdered. Chief of Civil Defence and several family members
were killed in Kirkuk. Six US soldier were wounded in car bomb in Tal Afar
base in Mosul.
Three US soldiers were killed in Anbar on 30 th May and one was
killed and nine wounded south of Baghdad. Two Iraqis were killed and five
wounded in clashes in Najaf. A mother and daughter were killed in Mosul in
mortar fire at US base and two persons were killed in premature explosion of
bomb.
On 31st May twenty Sadr men and two US troops died in Kufa. One
US soldier was killed and two injured in roadside bomb in Baghdad. One
wounded earlier died in Mosul. British convoy was ambushed on northern
Baghdad highway.
On 1st June a suicide car bomber killed 11 north of Baghdad. Clashes
took place in Kufa. One US soldier was killed in western Iraq. Next day two

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car bombs in Baghdad killed five. Nine more were killed in fighting in
Kufa, Najaf and Fallujah. An explosion rocked US base in Kirkuk.
Five were killed and 15 wounded in Kufa on 3 rd June. Two Iraqis were
killed in mortar attack in Baghdad. Next day four American soldiers were
killed in an attack on a convoy in outskirts of Sadr City. Five soldiers were
wounded out of which one died later. After attack clashes broke out. A
cameraman was wounded as US troops fired on crowd rushing out to
celebrate attack on their convoy.
A roadside bomb killed two US soldiers and wounded three on 5 th
June. Three mercenaries, two Poles and one American were killed in ambush
on road to Baghdad airport. In Amara a guard of Civil Defence was killed
and another wounded in grenade attack. In Mosul a man involved in killing
of Saddams sons was gunned down and American SUVs were ambushed. In
Sadr City mortar fire on US convoy hit three vehicles. Troops returned fire
and killed several people. Fighters guised as police killed 13 police
personnel and wounded ten near a police station in al-Musayyib.
On 6th June six people died and 68 wounded in suicide car bomb in
front of US base in Taji. In Kirkuk area a policeman and a civilian were
killed and nine wounded in bomb blast. Next day two Iraqis were killed and
nine wounded in explosion inside Kufas Great Mosque. Three Arabs were
killed in separate attacks in Kirkuk. US soldier was killed and another
wounded in mortar attack on their camp near Baghdad. One US soldier was
killed and two wounded in roadside bombing near Iskandariyah. One Marine
was killed in Anbar.
Eleven Iraqis, including women and children were killed in clashes in
Fallujah on 8th June. Two US vehicles were damaged. A suicide car bomb
killed one US soldier, one Iraqi and more than 39 including ten Iraqi
soldiers, outside US base in Baquba. A car bomb killed ten and wounded 37
in Mosul when convoy of General Sammi al-Haj was targeted. Two Poles,
three Slovakian and one Latvian were killed in mortar attack south of
Baghdad. Main oil pipeline was attacked near Kirkuk.
On 9th June 12 Iraqi security men died in Fallujah in first ever attack
on General Latifs Brigade. Two Iraqis died while planting roadside bomb.
Two contractors were wounded in ambush near Baghdad. One US soldier
died on that day.
Militia and Iraqi police clashes left six dead in Najaf on 10th June.
Next day two children were killed and 23 persons wounded in clashes in
Baghdad. Three US soldiers were wounded in car bomb on a convoy and
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fourth was wounded in roadside bomb.

Deputy Foreign Minister was shot dead on 12 th June. Next day a
suicide attacker detonated a car near US base in Baghdad killing 12 people
including four and injuring 13 policemen. Six Iraqis including two men died
in clashes with US forces in Sadr City. Two Iraqis working for US funded
TV network were found dead near Syrian border. Gunmen killed senior
Education Ministry official in Baghdad and a professor was also killed. In
Kirkuk a Kurdish religious leader and another person were killed. A former
Baathist was shot dead in Baquba. One US soldier was killed and four
wounded in roadside bomb near Taji, north of Baghdad.
Car bomb killed 16 and injured 60 on 14th June in Baghdad; the dead
included two British security contractors, one each from US, France and
Philippines. Five Kurdish recruits of new Iraqi Army were killed near
Samara and their bodies were burnt. Five Iraqis were killed and seven
injured in clashes between US soldiers and fighters in Ramadi. Kurdish
rebels killed three Turkish guards and two Lebanese went missing.
A car bomb killed one and injured another in Hilla on 15 th June. Six
Shias were captured and executed in Fallujah after ruling given by a cleric.
Damage to pipeline in southern Iraq shut down oil export. It had the capacity
of 50,000 barrels per hour.
On 16th June Iraqi oil security chief and his bodyguard were killed in
Kirkuk. Three US troops were killed and 23 others wounded along with two
foreigners in rocket attack in Balad, north of Baghdad. Nine including four
foreigners died in Ramadi attack and six including police officer were killed
in roadside bomb. Pipeline near Faw was attacked.
On 17th June car bomb killed 41 in Baghdad and wounded 141 as
Army recruitment centre was targeted. In another car bomb six civil defence
soldiers were killed and four wounded in a city north of Baghdad. Hungary
suffered first casualty in blast south of Baghdad. US troops killed five
fighters who ambushed their convoy near Baquba. One civilian was also
killed and five wounded.
US soldier was killed and a contractor wounded in mortar attack in
Baghdad on 18th June. Two fighters were killed in Baquba after they had
fired a rocket on US troops. Three civilians were injured in roadside bomb in
Mosul and three more were wounded in explosion in Nasiriyah. Two British
soldiers and a Pilipino guard were injured in mortar fire in Amara.
On 19th June 22 Iraqis were killed in US missile attack in Fallujah.

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Twenty were killed or injured in Sadr City. Five Iraqis were killed and a US
soldier was wounded in Samara. In Basra a Portuguese contractor and a
policeman were killed and an Indian and an Iraqi were injured in roadside
bomb. US soldier died in firefight in Baquba and two were seriously
wounded when their patrol was attacked.
Four fighters were killed north of Baghdad as US troops returned fire
after their compound was attacked by mortar fire on 20th June. Three Iraqis
were killed and nine wounded in clashes in Sadr City. US troops shot and
killed a Turkish truck driver and wounded two others after their vehicle
failed to stop at a checkpoint near Baghdad. A roadside bomb east of Tigris
killed one civilian and wounded three. Another bomb explosion killed two
Iraqi National Guard soldiers and wounded 14 as they patrolled on foot in
Baghdad. An explosion near Iraqs Central Bank killed one security guard
and wounded several. One civilian was killed in mortar fire in Samara and
six policemen and four civilians were killed and 12 others wounded in
clashes. In Tikrit a member of local council was killed in roadside bomb.
Five civilians were killed in another roadside bomb in Gayara near Mosul.
Bomb disposal expert was wounded in Mosul while trying to destroy a
roadside bomb. A US soldier was killed in Anbar.
Four US soldiers were killed in Ramadi on 21st June and one was
killed in mortar fire in Baghdad and six others wounded. Iran seized three
UK naval boats and arrested eight sailors after they entered Iranian waters.
Next day South Korean hostage was beheaded. Two US soldiers were killed
and one wounded when their convoy was attacked near Balad. A suicide carbomb killed three-year-old girl and a policeman and injured eight others in
Baghdad. In Mosul dean of university law school and her husband were
killed in their home. In Fallujah US air strike killed four and wounded six.
June 24th saw fieriest attacks by Iraqi fighters and Zarqawi group
claimed responsibility:

Mosul was hit hardest with at least four powerful car bombs killing 44
and injuring 116. Blasts were followed by running street-battles with
US troops. One US soldier was killed in blast and a private security
guard was also shot dead in fighting.

In Baquba two US soldiers were killed and seven were wounded in

the early morning attack. Twenty Iraqis were also killed, more than
half of them were policemen.

In Ramadi two police stations and governors house were targeted.

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One police officer and one fighter were killed.

In Fallujah a convoy of Marines was ambushed resulting in two hour

fighting. Warplanes and helicopters were used. One Cobra helicopter
was shot down.

Four Iraqi National guardsmen were killed and two wounded in car
blast in southern Baghdad. Iran freed British sailors.

Analysis of the fighting revealed some bitter realities for all the
parties involved in Iraq. The most important was shattering of the myth of
Shia unity. Sadr wondered as to what had happened to Badr Brigade which
had been most supportive of his late father. He warned them not to fall prey
to America and start fighting amongst Shiites. Sistani asked armed groups to
leave holy cities and protests were organized to pressurize Sadr.
The differences deepened further when Friday prayers on 11th June
were cancelled in Najaf after scuffles between Kubbanji and Sadrs
followers. SCIRI members were stoned as they tried to enter Imam Ali
Mosque. A week later supporters of Sadr stoned al-Kuddanji for preaching
without permission from Grand Ayatollah.
Shia-Sunni unity remained elusive; despite nine truck-loads of food
and medicine sent to Kufa by Sunnis of Fallujah and greeting their arrival
with announcements from mosques. But incidents like assassination of a
Sunni cleric and execution of Shias on verdict of Sunni cleric could have far
reaching effects as compared to few truck-loads of food and medicine.
Disunity of Iraqis was exploited by the occupation forces. When
fighting with Shias intensified they arranged a truce with Sunnis of Fallujah.
While battering Shias America insisted on surrender of Sadr and
disbandment of his force. Then ceasefire was arranged in which patrolling of
Shia cities was agreed and demand of surrender and disbandment was
deferred. Sadr was made to believe in peace and he ordered out-station
fighters to go home.
Police started patrolling streets of Najaf and Karbala and US troops
began pulling out. Soon after that the US tanks again gathered outside
Fallujah and prepared for entering the city. Air strikes were carried out;
despite Police denying presence of foreign militants in Fallujah. Shias and
Sunnis were responsible for their piecemeal annihilation.
Targeting collaborators is an important part of guerrilla tactics. The
leaflets warning collaborators of death and destruction of their homes fell
within the precincts of this strategy. The flesh of collaborators might be
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tastier than that of Americans, but through indiscriminate application of

this strategy the resistance groups could start losing the support of masses.
Targeting of mercenaries operating as private contractors, their
kidnapping and execution were aimed at forcing the countries to withdraw
their support to occupation of Iraq. This has not produced the desired effect.
No government was likely to withdraw troops after killing of one or two of
its citizens. However, some private companies decided to pullout their
workers; reportedly 25 percent of them had left Iraq.
Execution of captives and release of videotapes of their beheadings
had negative effects. Showing of a Korean hostage begging for his life and
asking his government to withdraw its troops earned condemnation of
resistance groups rather than sympathies for them.
Despite the disunity and anomalies in strategy the resistance groups
demonstrated commitment to their mission. Fighters of Mehdi Army vowed
to follow Imam Hussein. Sadr asked his followers to fight on if he was
killed. In view of that US officials expected more soldiers would lose their
lives as they saw no immediate end to the bloodshed.
Ruthless application of ultimate force has been the part of strategy of
shock and awe. Bombing of a wedding party was carried out under the
pretext of force protection. According to AFP in Baghdad 4,279 deaths have
been recorded with an average of 357 a month or about a dozen a day. That
meant 76 per thousand of total population have been killed.
With all its cunning moves America was still far from getting out of
quagmire. But Rumsfeld had plans to scale down the US presence on the
ground and replace US and allied troops with Iraqi Civil Defence cadres and
party militias as reported by AFP. He had sinister design to embroil different
factions to carry on with bloodshed as was done in Afghanistan.

HOLDING ON TO IRAQ
The aim of retaining control of Iraq was aptly described by M B
Naqvi. Physical presence in Iraq would provide means to execute American
designs to remake the Middle East; change the regime where needed; and
award punishments and rewards to those who disregard American wishes or
cooperate. Along the way, the US would then be better placed to solidify the
logistic foundations for its current thrust in Central Asia and the rest of
Asian mainland.

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Dr Farrukh Saleem touched upon financial aspect of the occupation.

According to estimates dug out by him America has spent $116 billion on
Iraq War and it wont leave until it recovers the invested capital plus a
decent return on that investment.
America has the desire and means to hold on to Iraq, but Bush
Administration had to pacify own people who have started questioning the
moral grounds of invasion and the conduct of war, particularly in the
backdrop of prisoners abuse. Newsweek blamed Bush Administration for
putting American soldiers in the wrong place at the wrong time for the
wrong reasons.
Lawrence Freedman while writing for Financial Times concluded that
Bush had gambled on Iraq and lost. The US could no longer impose its will
on Iraq because it lacks the moral authority to do so. Most analysts held
neo-cons responsible for the mess created by their holy war. Bush has been
accused of playing their game.
General Zinni wrote, there is no serious political or military leader or
diplomat in Washington who doesnt know about the neo-cons agenda and
how it led America to war. Neo-cons wanted to turn most of Middle East
states to US-client states, Iraq was the first, next to be were Iran, Syria,
Saudi Arabia or even Egypt. Bush could clear the mess by firing the neocons, and he would be applauded by much of the world, but it would
represent political earthquake in American politics and in US-Israel
relations, almost unimaginable a mere five months from the US presidential
elections in November wrote Patrick Seale.
David L Phillips was quite harsh in criticizing the conduct of war. As
a result of the Pentagons mismanagement, hundreds of American soldiers
and thousands of Iraqis have died needlessly. In Iraq, the well has been
poisoned and a hard job made even harder. The fight against terrorism and
the cause of global democracy are also casualties of war.
In the absence of such a bold action against neo-cons, New York
Times asked Bush to at least apologize to the American people for going to
war. Jonathan Steele was forthright in asking American troops to pull out of
Iraq. Moore kept producing award winning anti-Bush documentaries
questioning the moral grounds of invasion and the conduct of war. Clinton
denounced Bushs Iraq strategy. Australian opposition leader Latham
criticized alliance in the context of Iraq and renewed pledge to withdraw
troops like Spain.
The Crusaders kept coining variety of excuses to justify invasion,
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continuation of occupation and resultant bloodshed. Osama constituted a

ready-made excuse and his threat never stopped from lurking around and his
deputy Zarqawi was blamed for waging holy war.
Coalition forces under-played Iraqis resistance against occupation by
accusing foreign fighters of all the death and destruction. The aim was twofold; dub the resistance as terrorism and alienate the fighters from masses.
US suspected Zarqawi in every major attack and vowed to defeat terrorism.
Allawi also accused foreign fighters of attacking oil pipelines.
An anonymous CIA official criticized US war on terror and Iraq. He
predicted; al-Qaeda will attack the continental United States again, that its
next strike will be more damaging than that of 11 September 2001, and
could include use of Weapons of Mass Destruction.
This book, like many others, has been written to draw such
conclusions. Bitter criticism by a serving official has been cleared for
publication by CIA; because it supported the argument of terror threat
frequently harped by Bush and Cheney. Despite findings of the Commission
to the contrary, Bush insisted al-Qaeda had links with Saddam and Cheney
refused to back down on Saddam-Qaeda links.
Other excuses were to save Iraq from becoming Shia state and
preventing its disintegration as threatened by Kurdish separatists. Turkey
had even opposed the autonomy and warned Kurds over Kirkuk. It would
not sit quiet if Kurds took control of oil rich city. Patrick Seale, however,
disagreed with those apprehending disintegration. The argument that Iraq
will fall apart if US forces leave is as fraudulent as the arguments used to
justify the war.
The criticism could not be stopped from becoming harsher without
taking measures to reduce US casualties in Iraq. This could be done by
reducing combat duties of its troops for which there were two options; one,
involve Iraqis in security duties by raising Iraqi forces and two, secure
international military involvement.
Blair wanted speeding up the creation of Iraqi bodies. Italy
demanded establishment of Iraqi law enforcing agency. Prime Ministerdesignate wanted to revive Iraqi Army. But the already employed Iraqis
faced deadly dilemma; to leave or not to leave. They were in trouble in
either case in view of the threats from resistance groups.
Any meaningful involvement of international community could not be
secured without accepting some of their demands. The first demand related

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to transfer of power by due dated. The Coalition pledged to abide by the

deadline of June 30 and America expedited formation of such Interim
Government, which should tow its line.
Brahimi was pushed for finalizing the list of president, two vice
presidents, prime minister and 26 ministers. Shia Muslim physician Iyad
Allawi, an ex-dissident member of Baath Party having strong ties with CIA,
was nominated Prime Minister on 29th May. Decision on president was
delayed, because of the disagreement between US and Iraqi Council.
On 1st June Yawar, Sunni tribal leader, was installed as new president
as Pachachi declined to accept the post. Apart from characteristic smile his
credentials were; educated in George Washington University, hailed from
multi ethnic city of Mosul; belonged to strong Shammari tribe, which has
Shias and Sunnis in its folds; and he respected Shias, Kurds and Christians.
Ibrahim Jaffari and Roj Nuri Shawis were named as two vice
presidents. Bush said, we are step closer to realizing the dream of millions
of Iraqis, but many challenges remain. Powell was pleased with the
selection. Annan urged Muslim states to back new Iraqi government.
Khamenei termed it a lackey government.
Brahimi, the man assigned the duty of selection, admitted that the new
government has to work hard to earn legitimacy, because it had been dictated
to him. He called Bremer dictator of Iraq. He has the money, he has the
signature. Replying to accusation that Americans hijacked the project
behind closed door he said that they were governing the country so their
point of view was certainly taken into consideration.
Selection of new Interim Government could not resolve the issue of
the degree of sovereignty to be granted. Surprisingly Chalabi wanted greater
control over armed forces as Iraqis wont accept limited and questionable
sovereignty. His viewpoint was rejected by an Iraqi minister saying that US
forces needed more power to ensure security.
Iraq sovereignty means control over oil and ministries insisted
Chalabi. He was made to pay the price very next day as US forces raided his
Baghdad office; arrested few for fraud and kidnapping; and confiscated
computers and documents.
Chalabi decided to sever his ties with the Coalition. Western analysts
linked it to Chalabis wrong information about WMDs for which he was
paid handsomely. Other reason was his close link with Iran. Tehran
dismissed charges of Chalabis spying for Iran. The quality of his spying was

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not reliable when judged in the context of WMDs.

Bush granted full sovereignty to Interim Government only to deal
with Sadr the way they see it fit. Allawi vowed to deal with Sadr judicially
and wanted national dialogue with him. A speaker on behalf of Sadr said,
Iraqis wont accept a government seen as a US stooge. Sadr met Sistani
and discussed the possible developments after transfer of power.
America included Iraqi clans hoping that the government could help
restoration of peace. Michael Janesen had his reservations. Unless the new
government can assert its control over its emerging armed forces and police,
spends its own revenues, and runs its own ministries, Iraq will not have true
sovereignty and the US will remain an occupying power, spurring Iraqi
popular resistance to the alien presence in the country. America remained
adamant on these points.
Nevertheless, it pretended to be reasonable by promising that its
troops would leave if asked by the Iraqi Government. Will the government
ever ask for that? A bunch of exiles, many of them having been on payroll
of CIA and in the absence of popular support they knew well that they wont
last for a day without US troops. Therefore, Allawi was quick to respond,
Iraq needed foreign troops to fight insurgents.
After offering Iraq sham sovereignty America tabled new Resolution
to hoodwink others to acquire legitimacy for transfer of power through
UNSC. In the new draft international community was asked to send troops.
Security Council remained divided over nature of sovereignty. France and
Germany wanted Iraqis to have power to veto major operations. Iraqis to
have veto power over military Blair lied once again.
New Resolution gave no exit date for foreign troops, but proposed
transfer of authority by June 30. France, Germany, China and Russia wanted
improvement in UN Resolution. Blair, however, had no intentions to show
that he was not US poodle against the advice of Larry Elliott.
Bush agreed to work with Putin on the draft. Germany helped US
in new Resolution. France termed the draft Resolution a good working
document but desired improvement. On 5th June Powell indicated that deal
on UN Resolution was very close.
On 7th June America and Britain submitted new Resolution in UNSC
and pressed for quick vote. The Council adopted it unanimously on 8th June
and the very next day the G8 countries Okayed partnership for reform in
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Middle East and North Africa.

UN vote gave Bush an important diplomatic victory. Annan
considered it equitable and fair. China termed it a milestone. France
considered it an important text for pursuing the political process in Iraq.
Putin saw it as a major step forward. Schroeder hoped it would bring more
stability. Solana welcomed it with caution.
The News observed that with the adoption of the Resolution America
had ensured deployment of troops of other powerful nations to reduce the
burden. At the same time by installing puppets it has shown no desire to
empower Iraqis and intention of leaving Iraqi soil.
Shireen M Mazari saw US agenda moving ahead. Member states like
France, who made a major issue over the issue of having a specific date of
withdrawal of occupation forces from Iraq eventually gave in on this
demand with barely a whimper. And, of course, the UN itself had already
succumbed to US demands on Iraq including the selection of Interim
Government, which was supposed to have been the UN Representative
Brahimis mandate. But, as he was eventually compelled to state publicly,
the selection was American with Paul Bremer effectively functioning as the
new dictator of Iraq. She added, the US clearly needs the UN cover in Iraq,
given the local hostility to the occupation, but it is clearly not prepared to
give the UN an inch of effective control and certainly not over the military
forces.
After the adoption of Resolution, Allawi asked Muslim nations for
troops after 30th June and Bush sought greater NATO role. Earlier he had
urged G8 to forget past differences over Iraq. We must expand international
security forces to support the return of United Nations international
personnel to Iraq he explained.
Overall effect of the appeals was not encouraging. Thai troops were to
leave Iraq by September. Howard ruled out peacekeeping role under UN.
Opposition flayed Koizumi on Iraq stand. Ukrainian protesters called for
withdrawal of troops. Pakistan remained reluctant to make any commitment.
Japan, Ukraine and South Korea, however, vowed to send troops despite
opposition and threats. NATO agreed to enhance its role. Perforce America
continued banking on contractors. Reportedly US agencies tried to recruit
ex-servicemen from Pakistan for this purpose.
New President vowed to follow reconciliation policy dictated by US

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and assured that Sadr could join politics if he disbanded militia. Allawi was
to accord number one priority to security followed by elections and control
of economic crisis. He asked people to stand tough against terrorism.
Reportedly the puppets were already considering draconian laws to
end violence and might impose laws of Saddam era. Justice Minister said,
from the old regime, there was a statute, which foresees exceptional
measures, which do not violate rights of the citizens, that has never been
abrogated. Interior Minister threatened imposition of martial law.
Arabs and Muslims virtually remained non-players in the entire game.
Nobody listened to Arab Leagues demand for incorporation of Musa in the
process of transfer of power. OIC scholars kept advising avoidance of
confrontation with West. Iran showed Muslims the way of raising hue and
cry. It decided to observe mourning day after the Crusaders struck Imam Ali
Mausoleum.
Prior to the formation of Interim Government Arab League Summit
was held from which Qaddafi walked out reflecting the disunity of Arab
world. Arab countries, however, refused to send their troops as long as US
forces remained in Iraq. The neighbours woke up after the adoption of
Resolution and wanted US-led forces under Interim Government.
On 16th June OIC leaders gathered and backed the new government.
Ayub Jadoon in his letter to the News wrote, OIC backs new Iraqi
governmentIt appears that meeting of foreign ministers of OIC in Istanbul
was called to endorse the US policy of crushing Iraqi Muslims
Analysts like Niall Ferguson supported the American idea of limited
sovereignty. History tells us that limited sovereignty after occupation can be
the most progressive solutionthe organized hypocrisy of limited
sovereignty may sound unsatisfactory to the bien pensant critics of American
imperialism. But it is preferable to an over-hasty exit from Iraq and a
possible descent into chaos.
Annan termed Iraq too dangerous for UN return. However, he was
grateful to the Security Council that they inserted the phrase that we could
go in as circumstances permit As of today circumstances do not permit
and we are monitoring the situation extremely carefully.
Bush kept talking of unveiling new strategy, but never revealed
anything new except that General Casey replaced Sanchez and Tenet
resigned. Blair asked his people to desist from criticizing US as it would
hurt UK troops morale. He defended Iraq War decision. You cant please

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all the people all the time.

Powell was forthright in saying, pullout of Coalition troops was
unthinkable. Iraqi politicians supported Powell. Rumsfeld demonstrated the
will to do it; despite that his boss had acknowledged difficult days ahead and
the way forward sometimes appearing chaotic. There is no way US
Coalition forces can be defeated on the battlefield he boasted.

ABUSES AND STATE TERRORISM

More facts about crimes committed in Iraq came to the limelight
through confessions and revelations through inquiries. Many of the facts
were still held back. Whatever has been known so far was sufficient for
demanding accountability of higher hierarchy.
US Administration took superficial actions to pacify the resentment
shown by different quarters, but there was no indication that it had any
intention to stop annihilation and humiliation of humanity. Israel kept
receiving encouragement for perpetration of state terrorism and the same
was allowed to go on elsewhere under the pretext of curbing Islamic
militancy.
Jeremy Sivits regretted and apologized for his role in the abuse and
humiliation of prisoners. He informed the court that he was told that they
were softening up detainees. They were asked to do this and keep doing
what they were doingbecause it was working, they were talking.
Camilo Mejia under trial for desertion told that he had seen Iraqi
prisoners mistreatment. In early May (2003) we went to a prisoners
detention camp in al-Assad and we began to see that prisoners were not
allowed to sleep for several hours. Plus, there was psychological
mistreatment. They were threatened with death, they screamed at them and
they insulted them.
According to sworn statements obtained by Washington Post the
interrogators ordered guards to use unmuzzled dogs to intimidate prisoners.
Two handlers even had a contest to see who could use their dogs to frighten
more Iraqi prisoners into urinating on themselves.
Karpinski said that she was made scapegoat. General Miller, in charge
of Guantanamo and now in Iraq, had told her that prisoners are like dogs
and if you allow them to believe at any point that they are more than a dog
then youve lost control of them. The manner in which US army dogs were

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looked after it showed Iraqi and Muslim prisoners were treated even worse
than dogs.
She added that Miller during his visit in September had wanted to
Gitmoize Abu Ghraib. He talked about Gitomizing in terms of what the
(military police) were going to do, he was going to select the MPs, they were
going to receive special training That training was going to come from the
military intelligence command.
New images of prisoners revealed that some of them were forced to
eat from toilet. Most of the revelations related to the best in the world.
British soldiers had beaten Iraqis in the presence of an officer. The Guardian
reported that out of the 22 death certificates issued by a hospital seven
reflected signs of mutilation and torture.
The doctor told that on 15th May the police came and asked us to send
ambulances to the British base to collect some bodies. When they brought
the 22 bodies, it was a surprise to us to see some of these bodies mutilated
and tortured. These killings took place a day after fighting in al-Majar alKebir outside Amara, where in June 2003 six British soldiers had been
killed.
Ahmad, 19-year-old casual labourer, had several bullet injuries,
blueness of left eye, sharp cut-wound on right arm and signs of beating and
torture. Haider, 21-year-old labourer, had several bullet injuries with
mutilation of genitalia. Hamed, 19-year-old, had bullet wounds at neck and
foot, fractured right arm and complete distortion of face. Ali, 37-year-old,
had several bullet injuries in head, face and body with slash marks on his
neck, right arm severed at the shoulder, large opening in the right cheek and
gauging of the right eye.
Some facts were still kept secret as was evident from Rumsfeld telling
the committee that if pictures held back by Pentagon were released to the
public, obviously its going to make matters worse. Michael Saba listed
following unanswered questions relating to handling of prisoners:

Who were third country nationals involved in interrogation; Israelis?

Last year a psychologist wrote a paper on technique of sexual

humiliation. How did the contents of this paper not only traveled to
Abu Ghraib but also were practiced literally?

One of the two interrogators named by Taguba in his report were not
traceable; why?

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Why Iraqi Survey Group, primarily responsible for uncovering

WMDs, was involved in interrogation?

The evidence collected so far was enough to denounce the heinous

crimes against humanity. London march demanded Bushs trial for war
crimes. London Mayor Livingstone asked that he should be prosecuted for
the war crimes as he has overseen and unleashed those.
Amnesty blasted US for violations of Human Rights. Anti-terror
policy was bereft of principle as indicated by unlawful killings of civilians;
questionable arrests and mistreatment of prisoners, Guantanamo Bay and
Afghanistan; and opposition to a new global criminal court.
Bergrin, a defence attorney of soldiers under trial said, I would love
to question George W Bush, but I dont think he will ever permit that. I dont
think he has got the guts to do that. Top US lawmakers expected more Court
Martial targeting senior officers.
A US General was accused of not only being aware of torture, but also
seeing some of the interrogations. He denied the allegations of witnessing
abuses at Abu Ghraib. When Col Thomas Pappas was named, he in turn
claimed that it had approval of a two-star General.
US Administration endeavoured to pacify the critics. Hearings of
accused soldiers (the scapegoats) were started with urgency. Powell
promised justice in prison abuse to Norway, instead of Iraq, as its parliament
was about to vote on troops stay.
Some steps were taken in Afghanistan as well. America promised to
probe into death of three detainees and investigate cases of prisoners abuse,
including case of former police colonel who was beaten, sexually taunted
and deprived of sleep while in detention in Kandahar. North Carolina man
who worked as contractor was indicted in detainees death. ICRC was
allowed to visit Kandahar jail.
Prisoners strength was reduced to manageable limit. On 21 st May 472
corrected prisoners were released from Abu Ghraib. Over 600 were
released a week later. Nine bus-loads of prisoners were freed on 6th June
and more were freed next week.
Karpinski was suspended pending the outcome of investigations. Bush
planned to destroy Abu Ghraib jail. Pentagon was surprised by his pledge.
Even Bush had the conscience to feel the pinch of guilt, but he did not
realize that even destruction of entire Iraq could not erase the spot on his
soul, provided it existed.
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There were clear indications that desire to humiliate humanity still

existed. Most conspicuous indication was persistence of arrogance. FBIs
Director told Senate Judiciary Committee that none of its agents were
involved in practices reported about Abu Ghraib. Its FBIs policy to
prohibit interrogation by force, threat of force or coercion. This could be
termed as Mother of all lies.
US Army defended breaches of Geneva Convention in December last
in its reply to Red Cross. Where absolute military security so requires,
security internees will not obtain full Geneva Convention protection. UN
kept rendering the required services as in May release of rights report on
Iraq was delayed.
America vowed to keep detaining prisoners even after return of
sovereignty. US-led Coalition planned to keep 4 to 5 thousand prisoners
after transfer of power. The allies shared the arrogance. Poland dismissed
report on prisoners abuse. Even estranged ally, Spain, refused to condemn
US on the issue of abuse.
Second indication was continuous efforts to seek immunity for acts of
its soldiers through UN and other means. Bush Administration has legalized
torture according to Washington Post. In a paper prepared last year under
the direction of the Defence Departments chief counselthe President of
the United States was declared empowered to disregard US and International
Law and order the torture of foreign prisoners.
The paper added that interrogators following the Presidents orders
were declared immune from punishmentand torture itself was narrowly
redefined, so that techniques that inflict pain and mental suffering could be
deemed legal. All this was kept secret till Rumsfeld said, there is no wiggle
room in the Presidents mind or my mind about torture. This was in the light
of Justice Departments memo stating that cruel, inhuman or degrading acts
may not amount to torture.
America dropped the idea of UN exemption from ICC in view of the
strong opposition after Abu Ghraib abuses. Instead Bush announced the
immunity on his own. He said on national television that the rules of law
under the Geneva Convention did not apply on the war on terror.
UN and its organizations were guilty of being accomplice to the
criminal activities of the Crusaders. It seems that the human rights
organizations and UN can only detect human rights violations when a weak
state is doing it; they have no power to check violations when a powerful
state does it. International Red Cross that had access to the Abu Ghraib
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prison and knew about some of the violations could not do anything more
than write a confidential report to the US officials to address this issue
observed Masooda Bano.
Third indication was the emphasis laid on precautions to prevent
leakage of information related to prisoners. Rummy banned camera phones
in Iraq. Fourthly America continued the hype of terrorism. US is in serious
threat period, said White House.
Fifthly, the so-called punishment of an accused was no more than eyewash. On 19th May Jeremy Sivits was sentenced in a court-martial to the
maximum of one-year jail term for his role in the abuse and humiliation of
prisoners. This should be weighed against award of seven year jail to an
Iraqi for possessing illegal weapon and three years imprisonment to an
Afghan cab driver for lying to FBI. Above all no military officer has been
charged so far. Miller should have been the first to be indicted as there was
flurry of suicide attempts at Guantanamo prison after he took the charge.
More importantly the prejudices and hatred have been fanned
incessantly. Therefore, the roots of Abu Ghraib could be found in synergy
of intellectual discourses and policy recommendations of think-tanks,
journalistic writings, and scholarly concepts of clash of civilizations as
pointed out by Dr Albadr Aishateri.
Youssef M Ibrahim looked at from a different angle. Radical,
wrongful, religious thinking is not a Muslim monopoly. Bigotry comes in all
colours and is found in all religions. The White House and the Pentagons, as
well as Israels Supreme Court allowed, indeed, urged the torture of Iraqis
and Palestinians. This is done by the nations that claim a higher moral
ground. Even after the shameful conduct of its soldiers Britain planned that
its experts would train Iraqis in Human Rights Law. On that analogy Miller
should be the best man for the job.
Lastly, it is not so simple to wind up secret world of US jails. Jason
Bruke reported on invisible network of prisons and detention centres into
which thousands of suspects have disappeared without a trace since the start
of war on terror:

The ghost prison network spreads from the biggest jails in Bagram,
Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo to naval vessels in the Indian Ocean.

America heavily relies upon allies. In Morocco scores of detainees

once held by America are now in al-Tamara Interrogation Centre
located in a forest near Rabat. Many of the detainees were donated by
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Pakistan.

Even Syria held detainees sent by America in series of jails in

Damascus and other cities.

Egypt also received steady flow of prisoners from US and other

countries. Prisoners were often flown in CIA planes and kept in
interrogation centres under intelligence directorate.

Scores of them are kept in US airbase in Qatar. A large number have

been sent to Saudi Arabia where US agents are allowed to sit in on
some interrogations.

Zarqawi said, whoever the Americans find hard to investigate in

Pakistan and Afghanistan, they move to Jordan, where they are
tortured in every way.

Terrorists have also been sent to Baku, Azerbaijan and in unknown

places in Thailand where Khalid Sheikh and Ramzi were interrogated.

Jabarah M Mansur involved in an attempt to attack US and Israeli

embassies in Singapore was interrogated in Oman. Location of
Islamuddin, bin Laden of Fareast, is not known.

He added, Americans are prepared to go to extraordinary lengths to

capture suspects and take them to environment favourable for speedy
extraction of information. Yemeni suspect was kidnapped from a hospital;
another Yemeni was lured through fake charity to Germany, captured and
sent to US. Iqbal Madni of Pakistan was captured in Indonesia and flown to
Cairo after working on legal systems of three states.
US claimed having captured more than 3,000 al-Qaeda operatives out
of which 350 are held in Guantanamo. Unfortunately most of the detention
centres, where prisoners are tortured and interrogated, are located in Muslim
countries which are ever-ready to cooperate. Therefore, America is justified
in remaining unrepentant. You have to break the eggs to make omelets.
Iraq like abuses in Indian Held Kashmir has been going on since years
and sufferings of Kashmiri prisoners were going on unnoticed. The soldiers
of puppet regime in Afghanistan have also been encouraged to behead
Taliban fighters. Israel was allowed to annihilate rather than humiliating
Palestinians:

Israelis attacked Gaza and demolished 88 buildings in Rafah camp on

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15th May. Arafat termed demolition cruel aggression.

On 17th May four Palestinians were killed and next day 20 more were
killed and 30 wounded as tanks and troops stormed Gaza.

Ten Palestinians were killed on 19th May in Israeli firing in Gaza.

Next day UNSC condemned Israel over Rafah massacre and Israel
responded by killing ten more and convicting Burghuti.

On 21st May police clashed with protesters at Gaza checkpoint. Next

day three Palestinians were injured after suicide attack on Israel
checkpoint. Three-year-old Palestinian girl was also shot dead.

Israel raided UN Jenin office on 23rd May. Five days later four
Palestinians were killed in separate attacks.

Israeli missile attack killed three Hamas men on 30 th May. Three days
later Israeli troops killed two Palestinians in Gaza.

On 6th June Israeli court awarded five life terms to Palestinian leader.
Next day two Palestinians were shot dead.

Two persons died in West Bank explosion on 14 th June. Two days later
Israeli troops killed a Palestinian in West Bank and three Palestinians
were killed in Gaza on 24th June.

Apart from dispensing death and destruction Israel pursued its plan to
grab as much of Palestinian land as possible. Uri Avnery observed, he
(Sharon) wants to annex at least 55 percent of the West Bank, hoping that
the life of the Palestinians in the remaining 45 percent will become so
impossible that they will leave the country of their own accord. Earlier he
had commented that Sharons Gaza plan had neither hands nor feet, but Uri
failed to visualize that it would still walk more uprightly than most Arabs;
why?
The reason was aptly described by Rima Merriman. Bushs own
religious inclinations of southern fundamentalism have strong Christian
Zionist element, which holds that all Palestine belonged to the Jews as
deeded by God.
Iffat Idris saw no respite even if Bush lost the elections. US Middle
East policy under Jhon Kerry might be more engaged than that under
President George Bush, but its key feature of partisan support for Israel will
remain the same.

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In view of the above Israeli saw its aggression working. Al-Aqsa chief
showed willingness for ceasefire. Torn on Israels idea to cede Arab areas,
Palestinians were still willing to consider Sharons plan. Accusation of
Amnesty that Israel was committing war crimes against Palestinians and
request of OIC to the Quartet to rein in Israel went unheard.

CONCLUSION
The fighters in Iraq have focused on targeting the collaborators. They
were treating Munafiqeen and infidels at par. For any armed struggle against
occupation of their land it was important to target informers or human-ints,
allies or partners, puppets or stooges. In doing that the fighters seemed to be
over-indulging; thereby undermining their own interest which lied in
preserving the support of the masses.
Despite the rise in intensity of attacks by the resistance groups, they
still remained far from achieving a victory in military terms. Disunity of
Iraqi resistance groups and apathy of Arabs were the major causes of their
inability to inflict casualties on occupation forces corresponding to their
resolve to fight on.
The installation of interim government and pending transfer of power
marked no victory for any one but it definitely indicated the designs of the
Crusaders. The message of Fatima, reproduced by Dr Muzaffar Iqbal, asking
Bush why did he destroy a country on the pretext of democracy or why did
you do this to us, will never reach him.
Iraq should act as warning shot for Ummah in general and Arabs in
particular. Perhaps most rulers of Muslim World have already read the
message and that was why they were willing to obey the Crusaders to
forestall Afghanistan and Iraq like regime changes.
26th June 2004

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ALLY WITH NO CHOICE

If Musharraf and Bush were asked to formulate strategy for tackling
the menace of terrorism they would never reach consensus. The differences
would emerge right at the outset as they wont agree on definition of
terrorism.
The definition by Bush would revolve around Islamic militancy
emanating from the concept of Jihad. Musharraf would plead for exclusion
of freedom movements of oppressed Muslims from terrorism. Bush would
never concede that because it would render the terrorism an unworthy
challenge for the Crusaders.
Musharraf would request for eradication of the root cause of the
terrorism i.e. resolution of political disputes confronted by the Muslims.
Bush would stress upon the need to crush all Islamic movements struggling
for the settlement of these disputes.
With such divergent thinking America and Pakistan had been fighting
as allies in war on terror. What has been the binding factor in this odd
alliance? Why Musharraf has been so resolutely committed to the holy war?
The weaker has no choice but to follow the stronger. It has to do what the
stronger desired. Therefore, Musharraf spoke truth when he said that no
body was dictating him. Everything was being done out of fear.
Despite obeying all commands with urgency and commitment
Pakistan has failed to satisfy the dominating partner. It would never be able
to address the concerns of the Crusaders fully as long as Kashmiris keep
talking of right of self-determination; Pushtoons do not reconcile with
occupation of Afghanistan; Mullas in Pakistan are not enlightened and its
scientists retain the know-how of nuclear technology.
When considered discretely these issues are not concerns of Pakistan.
These in fact are the interests of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, which
automatically become concerns of the Crusaders. Musharraf had been trying
to address these since 9/11.
The Crusaders had never been interested in Pakistans viewpoint on
these issues. They had been pressing hard to render more and more services
in their biased war on terror. And of late they wanted Pakistan to extend its
services to the Middle East, by sending its valiant forces to save the precious
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blood of American soldiers. Musharraf seemed to be prepared for that too,

but the public reaction had been prohibiting him.

CORRECTION OF MISPERCEPTIONS
During last six weeks Pakistan continued working for peace with
India by adopting confidence building measures. India and Pakistan agreed
to reopen missions in Mumbai and Karachi, restore full strength of
respective High Commissions and ease visa curbs.
India agreed to free 16 Pakistani prisoners and BSF handed over two
kids to the Rangers. India allowed Scouts to enter IHK and fly Pakistani
flag. They reciprocated the gesture by extending helping hand in
construction of fence as its erection neared completion. Pakistan however
denied consenting to fencing of Line of Control.
India approved increase in military spending by 18 percent. Pakistan
observed the raise unusual but did not term it as matter of concern. Rashid,
however, vowed to maintain balance of power. India assured that defence
budget hike wont harm relations and Aziz Khan was quick in noting that
Pak-India ties were improving.
Both countries expressed the desire to pursue composite dialogue.
Pakistani Prime Minister observed talks moving positively and Islamabad
wanted secretary level talks to succeed. Aziz wished peace in the region and
Khokhar found India serious and determined to move forward.
Kasuri, however, urged flexibility and Musharraf wanted sincerity in
Pak-India talks. He expressed his apprehensions by asking for time-frame
on Kashmir. He then desired meaningful talks with India thereby saying
that so far these have been meaningless.
Manmohan mentioned about negotiated settlement of Kashmir
dispute. Natwar hoped concrete outcome of dialogue and Dixit expected
tangible results, but India was disappointed with Musharrafs statement
about time-frame for settlement of Kashmir dispute.
Kashmiri had no choice but to hail Indo-Pak talks. Pakistan apprised
Kashmiri leaders about dialogue with India. Kashmiris could not desist from
expressing fears. Amanullah warned that betraying Kashmiris could be fatal.
Sikandar cautioned that India was not serious about talks. APHC leaders
remained preoccupied in forging the unity.
Foreign Secretaries of two countries met in New Delhi during last
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week of June and discussed CBMs, repatriation of fishermen, bus service

and consulates. On 2nd July Kasuri and Natwar met in Jakarta to build trust.
On 13th July Pakistan and India agreed to discuss six out of the eight
outstanding issues; Wuller Barrage/Tulbul Navigation Project, promotion of
friendly exchanges, Siachen, Sir Creek, economic and commercial
cooperation and favourite issues of terrorism and drug trafficking.
Natwar visited Islamabad in connection with SAARC related meeting.
He met Musharraf on 23rd July, discussed Kashmir and pledged to continue
peace process. A week later Pak-India water talks ended without accord
setting a precedent for talks on other issues.
Indian on the other hand continued suppressing Kashmiris.
Perpetration of atrocities had been on the increase as per statistics released
by APHC. Since 1989, 88,477 Kashmiris have been killed, 9,477 women
were molested and 104,552 houses and shops were burnt till May last.
Indian forces killed 1,034 persons in last six months. In June 171 and in July
180 Kashmiris were martyred.
Kashmiri freedom fighters also kept retaliating. The casualties of
either side reported during last six weeks were as under:

Five persons were killed on 23rd June. Two days later kidnappers slit
throats of two Indians in the Valley and a youth was martyred.

Politician and a cop were shot dead on 28th June. Next day eight
persons were killed in blasts and shootouts and police arrested 20
militants for plotting attacks.

Violence left five dead on 1st July. Two days later eighteen more were
killed in the Valley.

On 5th July 115-year-old school was gutted and copy of one of worlds
oldest Quraan written by Usman bin Affan was lost. Next day
violence left 17 dead and strike was observed against gutting of the
oldest school.

Indian commanding officer was among nine killed on 7 th July. Next

day an Indian army officer was among four killed in the Valley.

On 9th July seven persons died in IHK. Next day eleven more were
killed in violence.

Sixteen persons were killed on 11th July. Next day nine more died and
thirty were injured.

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On 13th July seven persons were killed in separate incidents and

Deputy Chief Minister escaped attempt on his life. Next day two
Indian soldiers were among four killed.

Two persons were killed in grenade blast on 15 th July. Two days later
Indian army claimed killing six infiltrators.

Deputy Chief Minister escaped another attack on 19 th July in which

six persons died. Next day a protest was held against disappearance of
two youths.

Four policemen were among nine killed on 21 st July. Next day twelve
persons were killed and 20 houses were burnt.

On 24th July two policemen were killed in shootout. Next day ten
people were killed.

Five troops and two fighters were killed on 26 th July in an attack on a

camp. Four persons perished in shootouts two days later. On 1 st
August Indian troops killed ten militants.

In summing up it may be said that composite dialogue made no

worthwhile headway. The core issue was overshadowed by the irritants. It
did not merit inclusion in the schedule announced by the two secretaries.
Both sides seemed to have agreed that perpetration of state terrorism and
fencing of Line of Control could go on unhindered.
Dr Moonis Ahmar attributed the failure to absence of the urge to
follow the principles of trust, fairness, give and take and magnanimity
during the course of talks. India showed no desire to pursue the peace
process with urgency. JI was justified in criticizing Musharrafs flexibility
on Kashmir as it was not reciprocated by the other side.
The war on terror along western border continued. Brig Mahmood
claimed killing 100 militants in Wana operation and Sultan vowed that the
government was ready to handle reprisals. Economic blockade of South
Waziristan was lifted for ten days, but authorities stuck to policy of stick and
carrot. The government promised to extend the lifting of the blockade if
tribesmen extend solid and meaningful cooperation.
Situation in South Waziristan remained tense. On 1 st July troops and
militants exchanged fire and next day two wanted tribesmen, Eda Khan and
Dawar Khan, surrendered. Tribesmen were asked to hand over remaining
wanted men before 10th July.
The government and MMA agreed on registration in Wana and use of
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loudspeakers was limited to Azan and Friday sermon. Fazl claimed that
MMA forced the government to resolve the issue through talks. Nationalists
accused MMA of endorsing governments Wana policy. Tribal Jirga
remained divided over foreign militants, who had rejected the recent pact.
Troops and militants exchanged fire near Shakai on 7 th July. Security
forces again exchanged fire with militants on 10th and 11th July. Next day
ten civilians were killed in crossfire near Shakai and six soldiers were
injured in mine blast. Seven missiles were fired at Razmak Fort. Shaukat
blamed miscreants for sabotaging peace. Tribal committee was disbanded.
Meanwhile economic curbs against Shakai tribes were lifted.
Jirga handed over Shaukatullah on 15th July and the government gave
fresh list of 44 wanted men. Jirga again failed to resolve the row with
government over wanted men. Two days later three civilians died and four
were wounded in clash near Pak-Afghan border. Three rockets were also
fired at Cadet College Razmak.
On 18th July Jirga gave deadline for removal of Political Agent for his
high-handedness. Army and militants exchanged heavy fire. Next day troops
drove militants out of Santoi and Mantoi Hills. Two Uzbeks were among
three killed in exchange of fire and by that day twenty-seven out of 44
wanted tribesmen had surrendered.
Hideouts in Santoi and Mantoi areas were bombed on 20th July killing
ten militants. Next day relatives of two wanted tribesmen surrendered and
roads were opened for a week. Afghans in Wana were asked to vacate
refugee camp and Iftikhar chaired meeting on repatriation of Afghans.
A minor girl was killed in clashes on 28 th July. Two days later night
curfew was clamped in South Waziristan. Next day a soldier was killed and
six persons were injured in firing. Three army Jawans were injured in blast
on 1st August and next day another soldier was killed and three hurt in
landmine blast. Troops and militants again exchanged fire on 3rd August.
Reverberations of Wana operation were felt in the form of retaliatory
actions taken by Pushtoon militants away from the scene of fighting:

Rockets were fired on FC post on 23 rd June. Three days later seven

persons were injured in rocket attack on Bannu Cantt.

Rights convener was shot dead in South Waziristan on 9 th July and

rockets were fired at PAF base in Kohat the same day.

A blast took place outside officials residence in Sadda in Kurram

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Agency on 23rd July.

Rockets were fired at Scouts camp and airport on 25 th July. Next day
two levies men were shot dead in Orakzai and tanker carrying fuel for
US forces was attacked in Chaman.

Radio station tower was blown up in Wana on 27th July. Next day
Taliban seized and burnt six Pakistani trucks working for the
Crusaders in south Afghanistan.

Seven persons were killed in suicide attempt on Shaukats life in

Fateh Jang on 30th July. Musharraf and others condemned attack.

Elimination of Nek Muhammad was a big visible victory, but it did

not mean the end of Pushtoons struggle. Militants had promptly warned of
fallout of Wana operation though Prime Minister denied that ongoing spate
of terrorism was a backlash.
Other anti-state forces also took advantage of the situation and carried
out following subversive activities during the period:

Electricity tower in Guddu-Dadu circuit was blown up on 23 rd June

and explosions rocked Gwadar the same day.

On 25th June thirty-five rockets were fired at FC post in Mand and

Kohlu districts. Next day Pir Binyamin along with his guard and
driver was gunned down in Lahore.

Five rockets were fired at FC check post in Kohlu on 27th June. Next
day two levies men were among five killed in Kohlu shootout and in
Karachi rocket landed in Jamshed Quarters.

On 29th June FC man was killed in rocket attack in Kohlu. Next day
two blasts rocked Quetta hurting one official.

Bugtis attacked Punjab village on 1st July with rockets and killed four
persons. Next day rockets were fired at Sui and Kohlu.

Five soldiers were hurt in mine explosion in Uch gas field on 3 rd July.
Next day one person was killed as van carrying employees of Uch
power project hit the landmine.

On 5th July two soldiers were killed in rocket attack in Rohjan Mazari.
Next day gas pipeline exploded at Uch suspending supply to thermal
power stations.

SHO and a cop were shot dead by terrorists in Rawalpindi on 10th

July. Raja Saqlains murder shivered down the spines of 28 Punjab
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cops on terrorists hit list.

Councilor was shot dead in Karachi on 14th July and rockets were
fired at Quetta Cantt the same day.

On 16th July fourteen rockets were fired at Mirani Dam site and a
powerful blast rocked Quetta the same day.

MMAs provincial Amir, Sherani survived attempt on his life in

Quetta on 18th July and 18 rockets hit Uch checkpoint the same day.

Rockets were fired at FC and police posts in Sui on 23rd July. Next day
a bomb killed one and injured six in Karachi.

Security forces were attacked in Kuddan area near Turbat on 26 th July.

Two days later two persons were killed in explosions in Kohat and
three rockets were fired at troops in Sui.

On 30th July 23 rockets were fired at paramilitary posts in Sui and 16

persons were injured in blast in Faisalabad.

Four persons were killed in Chaman as police clashed with tribesmen

on 31st July and three bomb blasts rocked Gwadar the same day.

Five soldiers and their civilian driver were killed and two others
injured on 1st August in ambush in Khazdar; Baluchistan Liberation
Army claimed responsibility. The same day tribesmen protested in
Lakki Marwat against kidnapping of 13 people including two girls.

On 2nd August Jam survived attempt on his life. Cop and an attacker
were killed. Baluchistan government said incident was result of
misunderstanding. Next day ten persons were wounded in firing in
Quetta.

Interior Ministry recommended hanging of 51 terrorists awarded death

sentence and crackdown against Islamic and other kinds of militancy
continued:

On 24th June two persons were arrested in Peshawar on suspicion of

links with al-Qaeda.

Qazi and Fazl were sent back from Karachi airport on 26 th June. Next
day three hundred people were arrested as police broke up MMA rally
in Karachi.

Two doctor brothers, Waheeds, were held on 2nd July in connection

with attempt on corps commander and eight persons were awarded
death for killing DIG.
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On 6th July three LJ activists were awarded death for sectarian killings
and 150 illegal aliens were held in Lahore.

Ulemas entry to Gilgit was banned on 7 th July and a week later Ibad
hinted at imposing ban on JI.

Two persons were held on 19th July for attempt on life of Sherani.
Next day two militants of LJ were arrested in Multan.

Eleven protesting activists of MMA were held in Karachi on 23 rd July.

Two days later four foreigners were among 13 held in Gujrat after 14hour gunfight. FBIs most wanted man, Khalfan was included in the
detainees.

On 1st August two alleged terrorists were arrested in Gujranwala. Next

day Rashid disclosed that al-Qaeda-linked computer expert was held.
Two suspected militants were arrested in Gujranwala.

On 3rd August Faisal announced that two more top al-Qaeda men were
among 18 suspects arrested in last ten days. The same day a cop was
picked up from CMs residence for al-Qaeda link.

Some of the actions taken by law enforcing authorities were

politically motivated and thus earned criticism. Qazi and Fazls expulsion
from Karachi was condemned. The government was also criticized for
Binyamins murder. Attack on Shirani was condemned, but Senate chairman
blamed Taliban for that. On the other hand Shujaat offered ten ministries to
militant MQM in exchange of peace.
The government decided to establish military cantonments in troubled
areas of Sui. Kohlu and Gwadar, but rejected army action in Baluchistan. It
also contemplated setting up special security zone from Afghanistan border
to Ran of Kutch.
Faisal held talks with Chinese counter-part and decided to procure
Shangai Security System for installation in five major cities. Revision of
laws to check terrorism was considered. However, ban on registration of
religious institutions was lifted after negotiations with MMA.
Pakistan remained under watch for nuclear exports, announced Roca.
America was also concerned over missile plan in South Asia. Talbot
proposed 5-2 nuclear status for Pakistan and India. The Two should accept
certain conditions imposed by the Five. CIA was asked to keep watch on
Pakistans nuclear activities. US officials held nuclear safety talks with
Pakistani officials, probably for the same purpose. Pakistan was constrained

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to share outcome of nuclear probe with IAEA.

THE BIAS PERSISTED

Pakistan tried its best to correct misperceptions by actively
participating in war on terror on all fronts, but the Crusaders stuck to their
biased attitude. Pakistan has yet to shut training camps, said US. Clearly all
infrastructures have not been dismantled observed Armitage while visiting
New Delhi. Any level of infiltration is too much he added. Pakistan
rejected US assertion on training camps.
After alleging Pakistan categorical about retaining infrastructure of
cross border terrorism, he came to Islamabad to give an ambiguous
statement; violence in IHK must end. He allowed room for Pakistan to
interpret it in the context of state terrorism, but he was referring to cross
border terrorism.
Armitage has been acclaimed as seasoned diplomat, though from his
appearance he would have suited well for guillotine duty during medieval
France or for beheading duties in todays Saudi Arabia. He did not forget
carrying few carrots. He hinted at selling hi-tech equipment and reiterated
strategic ties with Pakistan.
America offered $ 496 million debt write off. Washington expressed
its satisfaction over peace process pursued by Islamabad and Delhi.
Armitage welcomed CBMs and talks with Kashmiri groups. EU wanted
Kashmiris role in talks. During Musharrafs visit Sweden and Finland
desired solution of Kashmir dispute.
During the period India planned to buy 16 Sea King helicopters. US
Okayed sale of missile warning system to India and develop missiles in
collaboration with Israel. On the other hand Sweden ruled out sales of arms
to Islamabad. Similarly Russia also denied any plan to sell arms to Pakistan,
yet Kasuri saw cooperation with Russia all embracing. Musharraf was
concerned over German backing of Indian bid for UN seat.
The Crusaders pressed Pakistan for action against Pushtoons. Nancy
met Faisal and lauded Pakistans anti-terror fight, indirectly urging
Pakistan on. Abizaid visited Islamabad to ask for more and at the same time
Khalilzad alleged that Taliban have safe heavens in Pakistan.
Norwegian Envoy met Iftikhar and discussed development in FATA.
Swiss Agency granted Rupees 5 million for NWFP. Tripartite body hailed

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Pakistans military operation and US released two Bell helicopters, but

refused to release Pakistani prisoners held in Cuba. Soon after his visit
Armitage threw a spanner; Osama may be hiding in tribal areas.
Physical pressure along Durand Line was also exerted. Pakistani
soldiers were attacked along border in Ghalanai, northwest of Peshawar. On
6th July Afghan and Pakistani troops again traded heavy fire between
Nangarhar and Mohmand Agency. On 12th July Afghan troops kidnapped
four levies men from Chaghai district. Afghan captors refused to free
abductees, accusing them of illegal entry. The release of hostages was
ultimately secured after hectic efforts.
Abdullah Abdullah visited Islamabad and wanted Pakistan to do more
to check attacks across border. He also advised Pakistan to work with India
in fight against terror. He, however, praised Musharrafs vision indirectly
appreciating anti-Pushtoon aspect of this vision.
Afghanistan informed Pakistan that American conditions for release of
its prisoners had been settled. On 19th July 66 Pakistani prisoners reached
Torkham. Many of them were mentally sick due to inhumane treatment
meted out to them by officials and warlords. America had waited for this to
happen. About six hundred Pakistanis still languished in Afghan jails as
Abdullah tauntingly informed that they still wanted to wage Jihad.
On its part Pakistan termed Khalilzads assertion contrary to the
realities. Pervaiz Iqbal Cheema identified the need to probe as to why
Khalilzad had been persistently leveling charges against Pakistan when Bush
had been equally persistently acknowledging that Pakistan had been working
closely with US in war against terror. This apparent contradiction was no
myth or mystery. Khalilzad had been reading the script provided to him by
his employee.
Pakistan denied existence of any pressure to produce high value
targets. There was no pressure for arrest of Osama and Omar before
elections. Foreign Office denied with confidence that war against terror was
not fought under duress.
Pakistan also took measures to appease the puppet regime installed by
the Crusaders to administer the occupied Afghanistan. Power struggle and
not Jihad dominates Afghanistan said ISPR boss. In other words the real
Jihad is to assist the Crusaders in illegal occupation of Afghanistan.
Pakistan assured facilitation of registration of refugees for Afghan
polls. Pak-Afghan trade was to touch billion dollars mark. Islamabad and

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Kabul vowed to curb drug trafficking. Faisal promised three-million for

Afghan security and Pakistan donated 35 more trucks.
About Islamic militancy against the interests of the Crusaders
Maleeha tried to pacify all quarters. No clash between Islam and West she
said. Musharraf vowed to stamp out terrorism. He denied that decisions were
being taken at the behest of West. Dismantling terror network was in
Pakistans interest he informed visiting US Senators. Mushahid asked for
concerted efforts against terrorism and Rashid vowed to eliminate terrorists.
Whenever a Pakistani leader visited a country or a foreign leader
visited Pakistan pacts on two issues were invariably signed, i.e. drug control
and fight against terror. That amply spoke about the reputation of Pakistan in
international community.
During the period Musharraf went all the way to Sweden to discuss
trade and terrorism. Pakistan and China planned to set up anti-terror hotline.
A document in this context was signed in Azerbaijan in the presence of
Musharraf. Pak-Indonesia MoU on drug trade was inked. UK and Pakistan
agreed to strengthen anti-terror cooperation. Islamabad and Riyadh vowed to
accelerate efforts to fight terrorism and extremism.
Pakistan initiated major political move to please the Crusaders by
bringing in-house change for inculcating enlightened moderation. Shujaat
replaced Jamali, who in turn would be replaced by Shaukat after winning a
seat of National Assembly.
Four persons, including Afgan and Zakaullah, offered their safe seats
to Shaukat. The volunteer whose seats would be accepted would be made
Senator and rewarded with a ministry or through other means. On 29th June
Shujaat was elected to resign in few weeks time.
During the special session of National Assembly for the vote of
confidence innocuous looking Amin Fahim said it all in the opening
sentence of his speech. I congratulate Chaudhry Tariq Aziz, I am sorry,
Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain for acquiring the vote of confidence. The
government explicitly demonstrated the tolerance, sincerity and enlightened
moderation by cutting the speech lines when leader of the opposition spoke.
Musharraf was termed a grand architect of grand drama by Tariq
Butt. According to him Shaukat fitted into Musharraf plans, because:

He is non-politician. Politicians are not trusted by military men. There

will be no apprehensions in Presidents camp about defiance.

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He is outspoken technocrat of high stature, well known and well

respected internationally, suited for enlightened moderation.

Once he relinquished the seat he would fly abroad as he owns assets

worth Rupees 400 million in foreign countries including a house each
in London and New York.

He has unblemished corruption free career, but he has a big minus

point of popularly believed the nominee of Washington.

Qazi expressed his fears that Shaukat would serve US interests.

Benazir also accused that he was being brought to please America. Durrani
did not see Jamalis removal as good omen. The rulers were trying to make
country a US colony, said former president Tarar.
Imtiaz Alam observed that with Presidents and COAS office vested in
one person, now the kings party has been excluded completely at federal
level. With this in mind Ghazi Salahuddin taunted, it is billed as the
smoothest transfer of power in our history. But where is power and who has
transferred it to whom?
The government focused on enlightened moderation after smooth
transfer of power. Hudood and Blasphemy laws would be reformed
announced Hiraj. On second thought Prime Minister decided not to bring
hasty change. The Bill on repeal of Hudood Ordinance was deferred and
sent to Council of Islamic Ideology. Zubaida continued working on measures
needed to remove errors from curricula.
The Crusaders revered Shaukat as pragmatic politician. He fitted
well in their regime-change Doctrine; therefore America declined to
comment on Jamalis resignation terming it as internal matter of Pakistan.
America liked the one-pronged strategy of enlightened moderation ignoring
the other prong altogether. The growing culture of hate continued in
America unabated as was brought out by Linda S Heard:

Ive an idea. Lets all kill Muslims said Severin. Harvey when
talking about cock-fighting in Iraq said that it adds to the thirst for
bloodwhich encourages killing, and it is entirely understandable if
Americans come to this bloody party unprepared.

Dr Laura rejected the idea of a mother who wanted to send her

daughter to local mosque to learn how Muslims are treated in
America.

Boykin had earlier referred to Islam as an idolatrous, sacrilegious

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religion against which we are waging a holy war.

Pipes on board of the US Institute of Peace had said in a convention,

I worry very much, from the Jewish point of view, that the presence,
and increased statue, and affluence, and enfranchisement of American
Muslimswill present true dangers to American Jews.

He was also quoted saying that Palestinians are miserable people

and they deserve to be.

In New Jersey and Texas, mosques have been targeted by vandals,

who dumped dead fish outside the entrance to one, and liquor bottles
inside an Islamic Education Center.

Inside a Muslim Community Center in Florida was written: Kill all

Muslims.

A message received by Council on American-Islamic Relations read,

it may be time to take Muslims hostage here in America.

Many of the statements had been quoted in earlier articles. Herein

some of those had been repeated because of their relevance to conclusion
drawn by Linda. She opined that all these have been outcome of fear and
ignorance. Fear plus ignorance equals evil. Ibtissam al-Bassam supported
the above opinion by referring to some more facts:

Double-faced media with opaque motives and dubious intentions;

kind, honest and perceptive sometimes; cruel, prejudiced, deceptive,
conniving and severely hostile to Muslims and the Muslim World
most of the times.

The gun has replaced the olive branch, a culture of revenge and
hatred, hard to reverse or restrain, is growing fast. Injustice, mistrust,
divisions, arrogance and lies have replaced justice, trust, cooperation,
humility and the truth. Respect for world cultures and reverence for
world religions have disappeared.

Many Western and Westernized writers, journalists and radio and TV

presenters relish leveling harsh criticism at Islamic teachings, Islamic
culture and the Muslim way of life.

Arab and Muslim women suddenly caught the attention of the

Western Media. Their status and their lives have been scrutinized with
the curiosity and interest which are normally reserved for a newly
discovered planet, an important Egyptian mummy or an ancient
Roman or Greek ruin.
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He summed it up by saying that the aim of showing concern for the

well-being of women was to ridicule Muslims and Islam. Such things do not
happen in Muslim World, simply because Muslims respect other religions as
part of their faith. Therefore, the question is which part of the divide requires
enlightened moderation than the other?
Shireen M Mazari raised Pakistan-specific bias displayed in
deportations from America. The excerpts are:

US government insisted these people return; handcuffed and tied to

their airplane seats even though the Pakistanis in charge felt no threat
from them.

Every petty act of vengeance such as shackling Pakistani deportees

on their way home offers some satisfaction for this highly disturbed
superpower.

Our media barely refers to these deportationsand officialdom is

seemingly quite uncaring. A minister expressed regret but objected to
the use of the term plane loads of deportees.

She asked at the end as to how many would it take for us to say
enough is enough. When would we have the commitment to object
to even one of our citizens being mistreated by a foreign government?

That wont happen in foreseeable future. Even countries like Cyprus

continued wrongly deporting Pakistani students. Pakistan was happy as
these could have been killed as well. UK did not hesitate in suspending visas
to under-25 Pakistanis. Pakistani woman was arrested for FBI probes.
German police kept tracking 9/11 suspects to Pakistan for sending emails to
his wife. ADB stopped release of funds as Punjab imposed ban on wheat
movement and finance ministry failed to meet certain conditions. IMF
continued asking for anti-money laundering law.
Pakistan has surrendered all its rights in the name of war on terror.
The government will keep insisting on not to hand over Khalfan to US, till
one fine morning he will be extradited. Kasuris statement that US cannot
ignore Pakistan should be read in this context and comments by Imtaiz
Alam should be ignored. Too much alignment with the US, even at the cost
of our own national interest, will backfire.
On war against WMDs the Crusaders remained pre-occupied with
Iran. EUs nuclear deal with Iran was reported to be falling apart and trio of

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Britain, Germany and France discussed nuclear issue with Iran, without
making any progress. Iran continued threatening building of centrifuges at
any cost. Iran was not afraid of referring its nuclear record to UNSC and
rejected 9/11 report as election fodder.
Meanwhile ElBaradei began visit to Israel with little hope. During his
visit the UN atomic chief preferred to discuss Iranian nuclear issue rather
than Israeli programmes. Iran criticized ElBaradeis Israel visit and slammed
him for not speaking out against Jewish nuclear arsenal.
Iran warned US and Israel of stern response if attacked. Rear Admiral
Shamkhani said, if there is a military attack, that would mean that the IAEA
has been collecting this information to prepare for the attack. Israel was not
deterred and it vowed to hit Irans nuclear sites.
Similarly biased approach was adopted about India. UAE extradited
Indian businessman for offering nuclear technology to Gulf States, but the
Crusaders took no notice. IAEA accepted that 20 companies were involved
in illegal nuclear sales, but refused to disclose their sacred names.
North Korea rejected US offer over nuclear issue. The US is foolish
enough to calculate that such mode imposed upon Libya would be accepted
by DPRK too. This defiant attitude merited no wrath of the Crusaders. Even
American nuclear establishments proved to be vulnerable to nuclear thefts as
one of its nuclear lab ground to halt amid missing data, yet no alarm about
data falling in the hands of extremists was raised.
Pakistan must have felt relieved because of the diversion of attention
away from its nuclear programme, but this would be a temporary phase. It
will receive due attention at an appropriate moment as Pakistan has not been
delinked from Iran and North Korea.

A NEW CONCERN
As if the allegations of cross border terrorism, Islamic militancy and
nuclear proliferation were not enough to coerce Pakistan, so the Crusaders
decided to test its sincerity to holy war by asking troops for Iraq. This
proved a hard test for the Government of Pakistan.
A bold decision of saying NO, in commensuration with the public
sentiments, would have been better, but Pakistan fearing the annoyance of
the Crusaders preferred to remain non-committal. This invited trouble for
Pakistan as the resistance groups in Iraq reacted against its pro-US stance.

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Despite disapproving Pakistans ambiguous stand on sending troops to

Iraq the captors responded positively to appeals and released Pakistani
hostage on 2nd July. They hoped that their gesture could move the rulers of
Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
Amjad Hafeez had joined a job to serve the occupation forces in Iraq,
knowingly that the war was against Islam. Earning money was his primary
consideration. When he was captured everyone from Musharraf to his family
lectured militants about Islam. Despite the double standards of those
appealing for mercy, the captors released Hafeez.
Those who had used dollars to hire his services refused to compensate
him saying it was no fault of theirs. Strangely, despite the magnanimity
shown, the captors continued to be called terrorists and Hafeez and his
employers as victims. Amjad Hafeez preferred to call his captors as
Mujahideen rather than terrorists.
Asif Ali Shah in his letter to the News on release of Amjad Hafeez
asked Pakistani officials, who disdainfully boast of handing their fellow
Muslims over to the Crusaders for their humiliation and custodial killings to
learn something from the terrorists about human rights and fair play.
Hafeez claimed that he had captors message for Musharraf. I will
share only with President Pervez Musharraf; if I cannot, it will die with me.
His release in itself constituted strongest message, but Musharraf had gone
too far to retrace his steps back. He reiterated that Muslims had become
hostage to terrorism. In fact the rulers had become hostage to fear of the
superpower and its war on terror.
On 25th July two Pakistanis were reported missing and the government
sought UN help to trace them out. The captors threatened to kill Pakistani
hostages as Foreign Office and the families appealed for their release. The
spokesman argued that two men had nothing to do with international
politics. He deliberately ignored two important aspects. In the capacity
transporters of logistics they certainly aided the illegal occupants of Iraq. If
they had nothing to do with international politics, then what about women
and children who were killed by the Crusaders in Iraq everyday?
On 27th July National Assembly appealed for the release of hostages.
This time the appeals did not work and next day two Pakistanis were
executed by their captors. They were sentenced to death because their
country was considering sending troops to Iraq.

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Musharraf and National Assembly condemned the killings. Senator

Babar Ghauri urged Muslim Ummah to act. Allawi and Powell condoled
with Pakistani leaders. America was outraged at brutal murder of two
Pakistanis. In doing that all of them had no real remorse as the blame was
shifted entirely to the terrorists.
Every one of them failed to identify the real murderers. The onus of
all the killings lied on US for invading and occupying Iraq with no
justifications. Americas criminal act was the real cause of ongoing
bloodshed. One evil act led to commission of many evil acts. But nobody
accused America of committing war crimes. Nobody shed any tear on brutal
killings of innocent Iraqi women and children.
The so-called leaders of Ummah had been hiding in their holes when
the Crusaders set their dirty feet on sacred soil of Iraq, the birth place of
most of human civilizations. They now stuck their heads out to condemn
acts of the resistance groups and by doing that to earn appreciations of the
illegal occupants.
The wise leaders of Ummah wont listen to the rationale put forward
by Sheikh Abu Anas al-Shami, the spiritual leader of Zarqawis group. He
argued, if infidels take Muslims as protectors and Muslims do not fight
them, it is allowed to kill the Muslims. The killers were justified in trying
to stop Pakistan from intervening in Iraq on flimsy pretexts.
The families of the deceased accused government of not doing enough
as it gave no signal to the kidnappers that Pakistan had no intention of
sending troops to Iraq. By remaining ambiguous the government aimed at
averting criticism and at the same time pleasing America. This approach
could fool own people but not the Iraqis, who have been subjugated in the
name of liberation.
The government should have asked all Pakistanis to move out of Iraq
after the kidnapping of Hafeez. One should not earn few bucks through an
occupation that hurts someone elses vanity. No Pakistani could plead
innocent after keeping the logistic life line of the Crusaders open. This
simple point was understood by the government after execution of two
Pakistanis and it asked its citizens not to travel to Iraq.
Babar Ghauri had indirectly pleaded to Ummah for sending troops to
Iraq. Mir Jamilur Rehman agreed with him as he wrote; Pakistan is a
sovereign country and adequately strong. Its foreign policy cannot be
dictated by a bunch of kidnappers or al-Qaeda. On issue of Iraq, Pakistan
will make its move keeping national and Ummahs interest supreme as its
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guiding principle.
There was no secret about American pressure on Pakistan for sending
troops to Iraq. Ashraf Jehangir was appointed as UN Envoy as a string to
catch Pakistani rooster. Washington assured support for his actions. In fact it
would be other way round.
The nomination was seen by the other Qazi as step towards sending
troops to Iraq. Armitage denied any pressure on Pakistan and the new
appointee said the UN post was not linked to sending troops. Couple of days
later UN and Iraqi Government again asked Pakistan for troops. Annan
hoped that Pakistan might commit and Allawi expected that Bahrain and
Pakistan might soon send their troops.
Qazi Hussain said that decision had already been taken, but he
demanded a clear NO. The Opposition warned government against and
PPPP vowed to resist dispatch of troops. In an exclusive interview Jamali
too opposed troops to Iraq.
The governments wisdom was restricted to maintaining ambiguity.
Kasuri told Senate that decision on troops was not yet taken. Rashid talked
about the need for Parliaments approval. Prime Minister promised to take
National Assembly into confidence. Foreign Office said, no troops to Iraq in
present situation.
Praful Bidwai opined that Pakistani troops in Iraq could be subjected
to the same treatment meted out to the kidnapped citizens of Bulgaria,
Egypt, Japan, Poland, the Philippines, South Korea and the US. The
domestic reaction to hostage taking and beheadings will not be pleasant. The
most vicious of Jehadis will exploit it, setting back the democratization
project.
More crucially, troops dispatch will polarize Pakistani opinion
sharply and tensely. Only a minority, comprising pro-Western elements in
the Pakistani military, bureaucracy and business, might support it. Arrayed
against them will be the vast majority, including the liberal intelligentsia, the
Left and, at one extreme, hardcore Islamists. This is not a happy
combination, but a recipe for bitter contention and social strife, which might
obstruct Pakistans evolution into a tolerant, moderate, democratic society.
Morally and politically, this outcome is profoundly undesirable he added.
On appointment of new UN representative he commented, Qazi is
taking an enormous risk towards the end of his distinguished career. The
previous UN representative Sergio Viera de Mello was killed in Baghdad

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just 11 months ago. But Pakistan is exposing itself to an even greater risk by
becoming complicit with an immoral and illegal occupation and the
imposition of an unjust imperial order upon the world.
In subsequent article he observed that Islamabad would be making an
even graver blunder if it imagines that the USs hegemonic position in the
world is here to stay. He indirectly conveyed that Musharraf has accepted
the US as master of the World. It would be unbelievably foolish and tactless
too he concluded.
Dr Muzaffar Iqbal foresaw that as a client state of America Pakistan
might not be able to resist the temptation. In this redrawn map of the
colonization of other nations, the role of the client state is the same as that of
the Petit Nawab of the nineteenth century. Just as Nawab was beholden to
his masters for his wealth and power, a client government exists merely
because of the support it receives from its real masters. Just as the Nawab
had no regard for the life and property of the poor and unprocessed, the
client government has no regard for the life and property of its own people.
Only people like Farhan Bokhari having mindset of the Petit Nawab
could recommend earning few million dollars by rebuilding a nation
destroyed immorally and illegally. He saw a historic opportunity for
Pakistan to play a role in the rebuilding of Iraq.
Nasim Zehra suggested no troops without national and OIC
consensus. The News dated 26th July wrote, despite the extraordinary
pressure for the last eighteen months, Pakistan has been refusing to commit
troops to Iraq as it considers that any unilateral decision, bypassing the
Islamic World, could evoke an extreme internal reaction and also affect
relations with the Islamic World The UN cannot persuade the Muslim
countries to commit their troops until they are convinced that there forces
would be operating and serving under the UN Charter, and would only be
accountable to the world body.
Kamal Matinuddin recommended that criteria for sending troops
should be: will sending of a force to Iraq add to the instability within our
country and will it contribute to bringing about peace and help in the rebuilding of the war-ravaged Muslim land.
M B Naqvi was for according due importance to public sentiments.
Sending troops means Pakistan accepts American aims as its own. Do all
Pakistanis agree that what the US is embarked on in Asia is morally just and
is a noble aim? It had better find enough reserves of will to say the simple N
word. Shireen M Mazari also opposed sending troops on similar grounds.
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Ikramul Haq in his letter to the news wrote, at this stage such move is
dangerously harmful to our national interests. At no cost should we jump
into this black hole committing our troops to extremely hostile environments
with no end to genocide in foreseeable future as long as American
occupation is there. It is not our business to further American strategic
interests. All other countries that jumped the American bandwagon of socalled terrorism are pulling out one by one... The benefits are too meager
and uncertain and it is only rational to wait and see.
The government should also shun the ambiguity on this vital issue.
Mir Tabassam Mairaj in his letter on no decision has warned the rulers
about the consequences of such approach. Procrastination itself is a
decision, in most cases very costly.
Pakistan or any Muslim country that decides to send its troops to Iraq
will assist America in illegal occupation of Iraq. America has been working
cleverly to force Iraqis to kill each other in pursuance of its designs. America
wants to eliminate or reduce casualties of its troops.
America wants troops from Muslim countries to take on the security
role so that US soldiers can sit in their bases while Muslims shed the blood
of each other. In that process Americans wont mind flying air missions to
cause some collateral damage.
Muslim countries should send their troops only once America
apologizes for criminal act and pulls out its forces. Modality of induction of
Muslim soldiers should be based on clear deal that for each soldier inducted
a Crusader must leave and as per military tradition the command should
change once half of troops are replaced. The schedule of complete
pullout/induction should be clearly spelled out and it must not extend
beyond five to six months.

CONCLUSION
Pakistan has been boasting of its alliance with the superpower,
because it has contributed toward war on terror more than any other country.
The Crusaders on the other hand were not prepared to accept it as partner in
holy war, because it talked about just causes of Palestinians and Kashmiris
too frequently.
If Pakistan nurtured such notion; it was not the fault of America. It has
been a front line state in war against terrorism to the extent that it has been
punched by the terrorists in the face and pushed and kicked at the back by
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the Crusaders.
There have been no signs that the Crusaders attitude toward Pakistan
would change for better. Pakistan has done the maximum it could. It has
been frequently negotiating U-turns at high speed and absorbed lot of
nonsense while treading the path of peace, but it remained a suspect. The
Crusaders have been looking for the evidence to implicate it.
Therefore, henceforth appreciations for Pakistan, Musharraf to be
precise, will start withering because having done the optimum it would be
hard to improve the output. The demands of the Crusaders on the other hand
wont decrease and they wont hesitate in blaming Pakistan for every
untoward incident that happens in its vicinity.
Sending of troops to Iraq wont help in correcting the misperceptions.
Pakistan must not try to grab this opportunity to win favours. In any case it
wont be the last opportunity in the war that the Crusaders want to wage for
ten or twenty years. It will be better to wait for another opportunity if the
rulers are so keen to avail one.
4th August 2004

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SMOULDERING SOVEREIGNTY
America handed over power to Iraqis on 28 th June two days ahead of
Schedule. Bremer slipped out of Iraq quietly leaving Yawar and Allawi
pleading for peace. The conduct of ceremony spoke all about the situation
that prevailed in Iraq.
The transfer of power was not meant to make Iraq a sovereign state. It
was aimed at prolonging the occupation and hoping that the criticism would
subside. Up till then Americans were blamed for staying in Iraq against the
wishes of Iraqis and after the installation of puppets it had a pretext for
staying on the request of Iraqi Government.
Iraqi people had the plans contrary to the likings of Americans and the
puppet regime. The transfer of power was not approved by the resistance
groups and instead they reinvigourated their resistance. That resulted in
increased intensity of fighting. Smouldering sovereignty proved to be too
hot to handle for agents of the occupation forces.
Americans were not caught unaware by the upsurge in insurgency. In
the absence of poor response of international community they were prepared
to tackle it single handedly. Before the installation of puppet regime they
were hesitant to use brute force for fear of criticism, but now every gun
could come into action from Allawis shoulder.

FIGHTING
Iraqi resistance has not dissipated despite the apathy of Muslim World
and ruthless might of the Crusaders as could be seen from the summarized
details of the fighting during last six weeks. On 25th June 25 Iraqis were
killed in Fallujah in air strike on suspected hideout. Three policemen were
killed and one injured in an attack on police station in Baquba and director
of electricity department lost his wife and six children as they fled the

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violence.
Car bomb blast in Hilla killed 17 and injured scores of others on 26 th
June. Another car bomb killed a man and wounded 40 in Kurdish city of
Arbil. Gunmen attacked in Baquba killing three guards and blew up a
building used by Allawis party. In Kirkuk a police patrol was ambushed
killing one policeman and injuring another. US soldier was killed in ambush
in Baghdad. Main pipeline was repaired, but another pipeline was attacked
south of Baghdad.
One US national was killed when a US C-130 military transport plane
was hit by gunfire as it left Baghdad airport on 27 th June. Another US soldier
was killed in rocket attack on a base in Baghdad. Five Iraqis were killed in
mortar fire while wadding in Tigris. Six National Guardsmen were killed in
attack on checkpoint northeast of Baghdad.
On 28th June US Marine was killed in Anbar. In Basra one British
soldier was killed and two wounded in bomb attack on a convoy. Next day
three US Marines were killed and two wounded when their convoy was hit
by a bomb in Baghdad and two Iraqi fighters were killed in gun battle in a
police station. District police chief in Kirkuk escaped attempt on his life. In
Mosul three Kurdish fighters were killed. Killing of a British security
consultant was also reported.
Eleven US soldiers were wounded on 30th June in mortar fire on a
base in outskirts of Baghdad. A car bomb exploded outside police
headquarters in Samawah injuring two persons. Next day seven persons
were killed and 17 wounded in air strike in Fallujah. A senior finance
ministrys official with two others was killed in an attack in Baghdad and
five more were killed in roadside blast. A soldier of US-led force was killed
and two others wounded in blast targeting a convoy in northern Iraq. One
Marine was killed in Anbar. A US soldier died and four injured in accident.
In Fallujah one Marine was killed and another died of wounds on 2 nd
July. Several rockets were fired at Sheraton hotel injuring one US soldier
and four Iraqis. Mortar fire on Headquarters of Iraqi Islamic Party injured a
guard. Next day seven National Guard soldiers were killed and two wounded
in roadside blast south of capital. In Anbar a US Marine died of wounds
received earlier. In Basra one British soldier was killed and two vehicles
were damaged in bomb blast. In Mosul a police officer was killed in attack
on check post and seven national guardsmen were injured in similar attack in
Mahmudiyah. Oil pipeline in the south was breached.
On 4th July three people were killed and one wounded in foiled suicide
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car bombing on National Guard station and US troops shot dead two fighters
and wounded another in central Iraq. Next day twelve persons were killed as
US dropped six bombs on suspected safe house of fighters in Fallujah. In
Baquba two relatives of district head were killed. In Basra one person was
killed and three wounded in rocket attack. Another was wounded when
roadside bomb targeted US convoy. Five more were wounded in similar
incident in Mosul.
Nine persons died on 6th July in car bomb attack in town of Khales,
north of Baghdad. Gas pipeline feeding power plants was set ablaze in
Kirkuk area. In Anbar two US Marines were killed in action and one died of
wounds. US troops, exercising right of self-defence or force protection,
killed a boy and injured his brother when their father driving a car failed to
stop on a checkpoint in Baghdad. Another Iraqi was shot dead when he tried
to over-take a convoy.
Four US Marines were killed in Anbar on 7th July. Next day a US
soldier was killed and two injured in a road accident. Five Iraqi soldiers
were killed in rocket attack near Taji. Heavy gun battle broke out in central
Baghdad after fighters fired at National Guards and US troops killing two
guards and wounding ten. Five people were injured in attack on Allawis
office. One policeman was killed in Mosul.
On 8th July five US soldiers and two Iraqi National Guards were killed
in mortar attack in Samara. Two truck drivers believed to be Turks were
killed near Samara. Four guerrillas were killed by missile attack from a
helicopter and dozens of civilians were killed or wounded in ensuing
fighting. High ranking official of Baath Party was killed in outskirts of
Baghdad. Inside the city an Iraqi soldier was killed and 12 wounded. A proUS tribal chief and his two guardsmen were killed in Ramadi.
In Kirkuk a Kurd and a translator were stabbed on 10 th July. US troops
shot dead two fighters in Ramadi. Three Iraqis were killed by US troops in
Fallujah. Gas pipeline to Beiji was damaged. Next day four US soldiers
died in accident near Fallujah. A roadside bomb targeted US patrol killing
two US troops and injuring three near Samara. Another roadside bomb killed
a Coalition soldier in Mosul and one was wounded; a fighter and a civilian
were also killed. British vehicles were fired at in Basra a day later. Police
arrested 500 hundred criminals in crackdown.
On 14th July a massive suicide car bomb exploded near British
Embassy killing 11, including a US soldier and four guards, and wounding
forty. Governor of Mosul and two of his guards were gunned down on their
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way to Baghdad; four of the assailants were also killed. A senior official of
ministry of industry was killed in Baghdad.
Ten persons including three policemen were killed in car bomb out
side police station in Haditha on 15th July and 27 including seven policemen
were injured. In Kirkuk four members of a family were killed in rocket
attack and gunmen shot dead an Iraqi guard employed on pipeline. Iraqi
security forces claimed killing 15 suspects in Baghdad and arresting nine. In
Baghdad five shops of liquor were destroyed and a headless body was
recovered from Tigris. Allawi claimed arresting top al-Qaeda activists.
A policeman was shot dead in Kirkuk on 16th July in area inhabited by
Kurds and Turkmen. Thirteen persons were wounded in fight between
insurgents and US soldiers in Fallujah. Two persons were wounded in
Baghdad when a grenade was thrown on US patrol; a car bomb on convoy
wounded six including a US soldier; and gunmen struck checkpoint killing
one policeman and wounding another.
Iraqs justice minister survived car blast in Baghdad on 17 th July, four
bodyguards were killed and seven wounded. Another car bomb exploded
outside National Guards Headquarters in Mahmudiyah killing two and
wounding 47 others. In Iskandariyah gunmen killed police chief. A man was
killed while planting explosives under pipeline. A US soldier was also killed
on that day.
On 18th July US air strike carried out with Allawis permission on
house belonging to very poor family killed 14 and wounded 12 Iraqis in
Fallujah. In Kirkuk a senior commander of Republican Guard was captured.
Two car bombs in Tikrit killed two police officials and injured five.
A huge truck bomb ripped through car park on 19 th July in Baghdad
police station killing nine and injuring 62. Ten minutes after the bomb
militants fired rocket-propelled grenade at a fire station. In another incident
senior official of defence ministry was shot dead. In Basra military
helicopter of UK crashed due to suspected hostile action killing at least one
crewmember.
Four Iraqis were killed and three wounded in roadside bomb in
Baghdad on 20th July. In Ramadi a policeman was gunned down. In Basra
coordinator of council along with two guards was killed. A US Marine was
killed in Anbar. In Samara US forces killed four Iraqis. Rockets were fired at
Danish Army camp near Basra.
On 21st July Iraqi guards seized arms cache and 450 kg of TNT.

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Mutilated body of Iraqi scientist was found in Samara. Next day Marines
killed 25 Iraqis and injured 17 fighters in Ramadi and 14 US soldiers were
also wounded. In Baghdad a roadside bomb killed two people and injured
two more; in another incident a boy was killed. In Kirkuk fighters attacked
police force killing one and injuring a lieutenant. Twenty Arab suspects were
held in raid in Baghdad.
On 23rd July gunmen killed an ex Iraqi General and his neighbour in
Mosul. He had worked for former US occupation government. Two US
soldiers were killed and one wounded outside Samara in roadside bomb. In
Fallujah US struck a house injuring five including a child; it was seventh
such attack on suspected locations of Zarqawi. US tank hit a van carrying
civilians and left the scene killing nine and injuring ten.
Oil pipeline at Tartar Lake near Samara was blown up on 24 th July.
Next day thirteen militants were killed in clashes in Baquba and in another
incident a civilian was killed and nine wounded. The incident took place
after US troops arrested fifteen persons. In Baghdad gunmen killed former
regional official of Saddam era and car bomb shook the city. In Beiji one US
soldier was killed and another wounded in roadside bomb. In a similar attack
a contractor was wounded. Three militants also attacked a police patrol
injuring one officer. In Kirkuk five persons including a woman and her two
sons were killed. Brother of Jordanian MP was killed in Mosul.
On 26th July four people including a child were killed in car bomb in
Mosul. In Basra two women working at airport were killed. A guard of
police commander was killed near border. Next day one Iraqi was killed and
14 US soldiers and a civilian were wounded in mortar attack in Baghdad and
a doctor was shot dead by unknown persons. In Fallujah US forces and
police killed six including two women and a girl. A blast took place in
Baquba. In Kirkuk a follower of Zarqawi was arrested.
On 28th July 123 persons were killed in suicide attacks and fighting. In
Baquba 68 persons were killed and 56 wounded in car blast out side police
station. South of Baghdad 35 fighters and seven Iraqi troops were killed in
raid on resistance group. In Anbar one fighter was killed and 11 US troops
were wounded out of which two died later. Two aircraft were hit by small
arms fire and forced to land injuring a pilot. In Fallujah a home-made bomb
targeted a convoy killing four policemen and injuring one. In Baghdad two
persons including a boy were killed in mortar attack. In Balad a US soldier
was killed and three wounded in an ambush.
On 29th July gunmen ambushed a patrol in northern Iraq near Hawija
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killing an American soldier. A translator was also killed. An Iraqi border

guard was killed and nine others wounded in another ambush near the
Iranian border. A man died in Baquba. Two US Marines were killed in
fighting in Anbar. One Polish soldier was killed by remote-controlled mine
between Hilla and Baghdad.
Twenty insurgents were killed on 30th July in clashes in Fallujah and
thirteen persons were wounded. At least four blasts rocked Baghdad as
Powell arrived on secret visit. One Polish soldier was killed and eight
wounded in south-central Iraq when their patrol was attacked. Next day
three Iraqis were killed and ten wounded in fighting in Fallujah. Head of
teachers institute was also killed. In Baghdad mortar fire injured two
children. Sadr aide was arrested in Kabala.
On 1st August six car bombs exploded outside churches in Baghdad
and Mosul killing at least 15 persons and injuring dozens. Two Iraqis were
killed and as many injured as bomb exploded in central Baghdad and
mortars were fired at US base. Northwest of Baghdad four US troops were
wounded in bomb blast. In Mosul car bomb exploded outside police station
killing five and injuring 53 others. Air strikes and clashes in Fallujah
resulted in killing of ten fighters. In Samara a US soldier was killed and two
wounded in bomb explosion.
On 2nd August US troops clashed with Shiite militiamen in Najaf
killing one woman. US forces detained member of Sunni group.
Government blamed al-Qaeda for church bombings. Next day a roadside
bomb killed a local police chief with two of his guards in Baghdad. Suicide
car bomb at a checkpoint outside Baquba wounded six Iraqi guardsmen. Two
US soldiers were killed in roadside bomb in outskirts of Baghdad. Two
Marines were killed in fighting in Anbar.
On 4th August fourteen persons were killed in clashes between police
and fighters in Mosul. Next day four insurgents were shot dead as they drove
up to the police station and opened fire. After they fled a small minibus
hurtled towards the building and blew it killing five policemen and injuring
21 including 18 policemen. In Najaf five persons were killed and US
helicopter was shot down. A doctor was killed and four staff members
wounded in rocket fire on hospital. A US soldier was killed and five
wounded when a convoy was attacked near Najaf. Fighting in Najaf erupted
after US troops arrested one of the key deputies of Sadr. In Basra Shias
vowed to wage Jihad against British troops after arrest of four of their men.

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NEW DIMENSION
Hostage-taking added a new dimension to the resistance against
occupation of Iraq. Various groups started kidnapping the foreigners
working in support of the Crusaders in different capacities. The primary aim
was to hamper the logistic support of the occupation forces and compelling
their countries to pull out.
During the last six weeks following incidents of kidnapping,
execution and releases by various groups were reported:

As Bush visited Turkey, Zarqawi group kidnapped three Turks on 26 th

June and threatened to behead them.

Iraqi abductors threatened to behead Pakistani employed by US firm

Kellogg, Brown & Root; if American forces did not release some
prisoners within three days.

On 29th June three kidnapped Turks were released, but US Marine and
a Pakistani faced decapitation despite appeals.

Two Turkish hostages released on 2nd July were in good health. Next
day Marine of Lebanese descent was reported executed, but the group
denied his killing.

Egyptian driver was made hostage by a group on 7 th July. Next day an

Iraqi interpreter was kidnapped in Ramadi.

On 9th July Egyptians kidnappers demanded ransom for release. Two

days later execution of Pilipino was extended by nine days.

One of the Bulgarian was executed on 14th July and fresh threats were
served to Allawi.

Egyptian hostage was released on 19th July. Freed Egyptian was well
treated by his captors.

Captors of three Indians, three Kenyans and an Egyptian gave new 48hour deadline and demanded payment of compensation to victims of
Fallujah and release of Iraqi detainees from American and Kuwaiti
prisons.

Head of a construction company was kidnapped in Baghdad as Sadr

opposed beheading of South Korean.

On 26th July two Jordanians were kidnapped raising the number to

twenty and deepening the crisis. Two days later three sons of a

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governor were kidnapped.

A Somali was taken hostage on 29 th July. Iraqi kidnappers threatened

to kill one hostage if Kuwaiti company did not stop operating in Iraq.

On 30th July the captors extended the deadline for Kuwaiti company
and Turkish driver abducted earlier was released.

Two Turks were kidnapped on 1st August and the captors demanded
the Turk workers to leave Iraq. Two Lebanese businessmen were also
kidnapped.

Turkish hostage was executed on 2nd August. Next day seventh

Jordanian was taken hostage.

A Turkish driver was killed in north Iraq and two were kidnapped on
5th August.

Gloria was quick to respond to demand of kidnappers. On 8th July

Philippines stopped sending workers to Iraq. She was then urged to pull out
troops from Iraq. Philippines decided to do so by 20 th July. Arroyos decision
was hailed at home, but denounced by the Crusaders.
Australia was disappointed with Philippines decision and blamed
Spain and Manila for prompting a militant groups threat to bomb
Australia. Howard flayed Manila and Spain for pullout. Allies re-examined
ties after Manilas decision, but Philippines remained US ally.
The hostage crisis made the Hungarian minister unsure about
extending its mission. Ukrainian Prime Minister also mulled cut in troops in
Iraq. Poland and Bulgaria however refused to succumb to al-Qaeda threats
and rejected the ultimatum. Japan too remained steadfast when asked by
militants to follow Philippines example. Singapore and Denmark backed
US policy on kidnappers.
Turkey rejected kidnappers demand, but Turkish firms considered
quitting Iraq to save hostages. On 2nd August a Turkish Transport Company
decided to stop transporting goods for US troops. Saudi company decided to
quit Iraq to save Egyptian hostage. In Jordan the kins of hostages threatened
to behead company director if it did not stop operations in Iraq.
Allawi urged Egypt to stand fast in face of diplomats kidnapping.
Iraqi president vowed not to compromise with kidnappers. However, the
Governor of Anbar resigned after his three sons were released by the

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kidnappers. America assured the puppets that kidnapping wont affect

rebuilding of Iraq.
Khamenei suspected some mischief by US and Israel behind hostagetaking. This was possible in an endeavour to turn world opinion against
resistance groups. The suspicion was further strengthened when Tawhid wal
Jihad Group rescued a child kidnapped by a criminal gang headed by a
police officer. Certain vested interests might be operating to defame the
resistance groups.
The threats by some groups to murder al-Zarqawi if he did not stop
killing innocent Iraqis and defiling Muslim religion also fitted in this
strategy. Attacks on Iraqi Christians should also be viewed similarly, because
Islamists had denied the bombing of churches.
If that be so, America again misread the mood of Arabs. The treatment
meted out to the US Marine freed by the fighters on reaching Lebanon
should be an eye opener. His clan blamed him and his family for
collaborating with America and two persons were killed in clashes over this
allegation.

COUNTERING CRITICISM
There was no respite in criticism. Apart from the illegality of the war
the valiant resistance put up by the Iraqis did not allow the criticism to die
down. It did not happen in case of occupation of Afghanistan which was
equally immoral. There the Pushtoons failed to fight back after having spent
too much of their energies in conventional war at the outset.
Robert Fisk wrote that before the war, our governments warned us of
threats that did not exist; now they hide from us the threats that do exist. US
Senate report took CIA to task on Iraq. Bush and Blair accepted that No
WMDs were found in Iraq, but insisted that Saddam had intentions to
possess. But Australian Prime Minister refused to regret invading Iraq.
Both of the war criminals were exonerated after their confessions. On
that analogy Saddam should have been exonerated from invading Kuwait
after blaming the faulty intelligence. Perhaps for this reason Saddam and 11
others were handed over to Iraqis.
Hassan Abu Nimah observed that Saddams trial, fair or unfair will
cause serious problems for both the Iraqi government and the occupying
authority. When Saddam was produced before Iraqi court he denounced trial
as theatre. He called Bush the real criminal and questioned the validity of
tribunal. In view of the brutalities committed by him, his aspersions on the
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trial could be laughed at, but his remarks about Bush merited serious
consideration.
Saddams court appearance caused waves. Defence lawyers termed it
shameful and theatrical. Rafsanjani accused US of censorship on Saddams
trial. Iraqi lawyer for three accused froze work in protest of illegal judicial
system.
Farooq Zaman in his letter to the News wrote, in the coming weeks
and months, we are sure to witness the unfolding of an amazing and historic
drama with all its torturous turns and twists. Who will ultimately emerge as a
hero only the time will tell but Bush will be the villain though he will not
appear on the stage and will constantly pull and manipulate the strings
behind the scene.
The crimes committed during the conduct of holy war were also
criticized, therefore investigations to cover up were carried out, but
contents were not released. One report had denied existence of any
systematic problem, even though there were 94 documented cases of prison
abuse, including some 40 deaths, 20 of them homicides. Even US press
termed the military report on prison abuses in Iraq and Afghanistan as
whitewash.
While investigations about abuses in prisons administered by US
Army were on, a new scandal was reported. Three Americans and four
Afghans were held for running private jail in Kabul. The arrested Americans
had abused prisoners in private jail and disclosed that senior officials right
up to Pentagon were aware of all their activities.
Drama of trials was enacted concurrently. Four US troops were
charged in drowning case in which they forced a prisoner to jump of the
bridge. UK troops were to stand trial over Iraqi boys death. Danish Army
also joined the drama by charging a Captain with abusing a prisoner. During
her trial England said that photos of Abu Ghraib were taken just for fun. It
implied that torturing and abusing prisoners was one the ways for US
soldiers to seek fun.
Release of prisoners also continued to ensure effective control over
remaining detainees. On 1st August 128 prisoners were released from Abu
Ghraib bringing the total number of detainees released since January to
7,000. That amply proved that most of Iraqis were detained without any
serious charges against them.
Shafiq Rasul, Asif Iqbal and Ruhal Ahmed were released from

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Guantanamo. They described the degradation they and their colleagues had
suffered; shackling in bent position to a ring in the floor for hours and days,
isolation for weeks or months, being held naked, kept in freezing airconditioning, sleep deprivation, near starvation. Imposed injections, forced
shaving of hair and beard, with-holding of family mail, refusal of medical
attention, beatings, interrogations, psychological torture to force false
confessions or false testimony against others, sexual humiliation, being
shown pornographic photos and videos.
The US Supreme Court ruled that US courts had jurisdiction to hear
appeals by inmates held at the US military base in Guantanamo Bay
challenging their designation as enemy combatants ineligible for usual US
legal rights. The court rejected the governments really unprecedented claim
that because he was engaging in a war against terror, the president as
commander-in-chief can do whatever he wants, whenever he wants to
whomever he wants without any meaningful review by any of the other
branches of government. Judge Gibbons argued that the executive branch
may not maintain a no-law zone anywhere in the world.
Most of the prisoners, captured during the Afghan war in 2001, have
spent more than two years in secret detention without access to lawyers.
Only six have been slated to appear before a military tribunal and only three
of those actually charged.
The decision was considered a setback to Bush Administrations antiterrorist policies that had been criticized for short-circuiting civil liberties in
the name of national security. First step would now be to ask the government
for permission to visit their clients and the government would be obliged to
justify the detentions. If the Pentagon starts to free or transfer a large
number of the prisoners to their respective governments, it will mean they
had not enough evidence to keep them.
The government planned to wriggle out of embarrassing legal
situation. It considered shifting Cuba detainees to US military jail on
mainland. US Administration remained adamant on denying legal rights to
prisoners even after the verdict. The court allowed access but the lawyers
still struggled to secure access to their clients.
Rumsfeld vowed to find new mechanism in view of the court
decision. Thats something that the lawyers are reading those opinions and
attempting to work their way through them and see what would be
appropriate, given the range of views that were expressed there.
The war has exposed the ugly face of America. The mildest
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Newspaper of the Jang Group wrote that the US and allied forces in Iraq
seemed to have an insatiable lust for Muslim blood. Deputy Chief of US
Mission objected to editorial remarks of the News. It amply proved that
Americans were ashamed of seeing their true face.
Iraq War, however, helped in diverting the attention away from the
state terrorism perpetrated by Sharon. Israel continued killing Palestinians
without drawing the attention of international community:

On 26th June seven Palestinians were killed in Nablus, including three

senior commanders of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade. Two days later four
Palestinians were killed.

Israeli troops moved into Jericho and detained 35 on 1 st July. Two

Palestinians were killed in missile attack in Gaza. Three days later two
more were killed.

On 5th July Israel killed two Palestinians in Jenin and Gaza. Next day
six more were killed in clashes.

Seven Palestinians were killed in Gaza on 8 th July. Five days later

Islamic Jihad chief was killed in Jenin and dozens of Palestinians
were arrested in Gaza.

Hamas commander was killed in Hebron on 15 th July. Five days later

Hezbollah man was killed in clashes. A day earlier a Hezbollah leader
was killed in Beirut in car bomb blast.

Israeli troops demolished six houses on 24th July. Next day six
Palestinians were killed in Tulkarem.

On 28th July Israeli tanks entered Gaza and demolished 20 houses.

Next day two Palestinian fighters were killed in Israeli strike.

Israeli troops killed five Palestinians on 30th July. Two days later
clashes broke out as 30 tanks and bulldozers entered Jabilya.

Three Palestinians died in Gaza blast on 3rd August. Next day three
young Palestinians were killed.

Palestinians kept fighting the losing battle. On 27 th June five Israeli

troops were killed in Gaza when their post was blasted by digging tunnel up
to the post. Three Israelis died in unrest on 28 th June. Next day rockets fired
from Gaza Strip landed 200 meters from Sharon as he visited a town. One
Israeli was killed on 4th July and two days later an Israeli officer was killed
in clashes. One female soldier died in bomb blast near Tel Aviv on 11 th July.

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Nine days later two Israeli troops were killed in clashes.

Middle East Quartet met in Jerusalem on 6th July and discussed peace
process as Israeli troops planned to stay in Gaza till 2005 and construction of
600 new settlement homes. OIC could only warn Israel against attack on alAqsa Mosque. Musharraf requested the West to persuade Israel to withdraw
from Palestinian territory.
ICJ declared Israels West bank barrier illegal. Arabs and Iran hailed
the ruling, but let the opportunity to slip. Annan meekly asked Israel to tear
down the barrier. Tel Aviv and Washington rejected and Sharon defied the
verdict. US officials then discussed the issue with Sharon who agreed to
alter barrier route.
The losing Palestinians declared UN Envoy persona non grata and
quarreled in desperation. Qorei resigned after spate of kidnappings in Gaza
Strip. Arafat did not accept his resignation. Gunmen occupied Governors
office in Gaza, burnt down a police station and demanded sacking of
Arafats cousin. Palestinians also rejected appointment of new security chief
and in the wake of widespread protests Arafat asked Razek to return to the
office he had vacated. Such rifts allowed Israel a free hand to crush
Palestinians resistance.

POWER GRANTED, IRAQ RETAINED

Hasty retreat of Bremer gave an impression that America was running
out of Iraq. Russian newspapers commented that the United States ran
away by handing over power two days earlier than expected. But it was
departure of only one person and rest of the military machine required for
occupation of territory and subjugation of Iraqis remained in place with
possibility of enhancing it through NATO.
Composition of new government reflected the future intentions of
America. According to the US Council on Foreign Relations, five of the six
leading posts in the new Iraqi government are held by the people who lived
abroad for a significant period of their lives and at least two of the new
cabinet members are US citizens while eight, including Prime Minister
Allawi, are members of exile groups financed by the US.
With Iraqis in charge, the US will now exercise its influence tactfully
and quietly according to Steven R Weisman. Ambassador Negroponte will
be nearly invisible. About 150 Americans will remain in Iraqi ministries as
advisers to exert wide influence.
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The laws promulgated by occupation authority, including the one

relating to immunity to US soldiers, will not be repealed. For US military it
will be less search-and-destroy and more guard-the-border, help the Iraqis
and a lesser rather than bigger foot print. America will mobilize media
power to improve the image of Allawi to solve the problem of legitimacy he
added.
I Hassan was quite blunt in his comments. Sovereignty is not a cap
that a conqueror dons. It is not transferable. It belongs to the people and that
being the case no one can bestow it upon the occupying country. In the case
of Iraq the fact that the people to whom sovereignty belongs have not chosen
a government is a fact that needs no spelling out.
Iraqis have lived this lie before. The British transfer of sovereignty in
the 20s was equally meaningless opined Haifa Zangana. Viewing the
chances of pacifying Iraqis through transfer of power Seumas Milne said,
resistance campaign is Iraqs real war of liberation. The sham of this weeks
handover will do nothing to end the uprising.
Allawi was right in fearing more escalation in violence, though
Hoon was optimistic about progress being made on security. Bremer was
also confident that new government would restore tranquility. Sadr vowed to
continue resistance despite power handover. Damn Allawi and Damn
occupiers he said.
The Crusaders tried to de-legitimize the armed struggle of Iraqis. Ann
Clwyd, Labour MP and special envoy to Blair, wrote, the Iraqi resistance
offers only bloodshed and chaos. The Coalition forces on the other hand
showered freedom and democracy in the form of bombs.
A report in UK dubbed Iraq as battleground of al-Qaeda, thereby
saying that Iraqi resistance was nothing more than terrorism. Yawar termed
them as rebels who were escalating violence in utter disappointment;
whereas the term rebel suited well for him and all those who were
cooperating with the Crusaders.
Muslim analysts like Amir Taheri too preferred to call them as
terrorists. The terrorism that Iraq is facing today is largely of the serial
type with elements of the former regime, black-market Mafias and
ideologically motivated militants, united to prevent a stabilization that could
end their diverse careers.
The neighbours were blamed for encouraging the resistance. Iran and
Syria were accused of backing fighters. Reports linked Iran to 9/11 attacks

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by arranging plotters transit. Tehran denied the charge of fomenting antiCoalition violence; confirmed dismantling of al-Qaeda groups and warned of
global reprisal in case of attack. Iran also resorted to counter allegations and
slammed US over its decision to protect Mujahideen-e-Khalq, the main
Iranian armed opposition group, having 4,000 members. A report speculated
that Saudis might have also infiltrated in Iraq.
On 7th July Allawi signed new security measures empowering himself
to declare emergency for 60 days in any area; issue arrest warrants and
impose restriction on the movement of foreigners. The puppet regime could
censor mail, bug telephones, ban political groups, cancel meetings, bar street
protests, and impose curfew for limited period.
He also planned pacification measures and offered amnesty to
insurgents. UK and Australia supported amnesty offer. The measures made
no positive impact. Iraq is now another Palestine commented Salim Lone.
Sami Ramadani accused America of sowing the seeds of civil war.
America understood well that it could not afford sitting back to retain
Iraq if intensity of insurgency continued increasing. The resistance groups
have to be crushed. America coaxed the puppet Prime Minister to use its
powers for improving the security by asking the occupation forces for
punitive actions. This legitimized the use of excessive force.
At the same time America worked on securing involvement of other
nations so that the occupation was internationalized. Mustering of support
through UN was the first priority. Iraqi Foreign Minister urged UN to return
to Iraq. Asean Regional Forum (ARF) called on UN to assist in
establishment of democratic government.
The views of the world body on Iraq War were explicitly expressed by
Brahimi. The war in Iraq was useless, it caused more problems than it
solved, and it brought in terrorism. It was for this reason that no country
was prepared to involve itself in Iraq under UN flag. Even India could not be
convinced to join in rebuilding Iraq beyond the help in education and
health sectors. Only Indonesia showed willingness to send troops.
Seeing no worthwhile progress on first option America tried to muster
support of the estranged Crusaders. Bush hoped that NATO would help train
new Iraqi Army. He looked forward to seal an agreement for NATO to help
stabilize Iraq. Path for NATO involvement appeared to open up. The
Crusaders were urged that the split over Iraq should never happen again.
NATO consented to train Iraqi security forces. Like it or not, EU will

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play Middle East role said Solana. EU relaxed arms embargo against Iraq.
France agreed to restore diplomatic ties with Iraq. Slovakia considered
training Iraqi policemen and engineers.
Resistance groups warned Europe against troops in Iraq. Al-Qaeda
threatened Italy with bloodbath and Europe with a bloody war. Italy was
asked to pull out its troops. The gravity of security environments caused
hesitation in European Crusaders. Poland considered cut in troops. Germany
preferred to play Iraq card in bid for UNSC seat.
Third option lied in raising Iraqi security forces. Amir Taheri
supported the argument that Americans were liberators of Iraqi from cruel
rule of Saddam. The truth is that a majority of Iraqis want the US-led
Coalition to keep its forces in Iraq for the time being. The reason is that the
newly-liberated country needed time to build its own armed forces and
police So, the quickest way to end the military presence of the Coalition is
to help the Iraqis build their military and police capabilitiesand help the
Interim Government to hold elections. NATO was convinced to undertake
this task, but France opposed training inside Iraq.
Fourth option was mustering support of Arabs as they could not afford
Iraq problem to linger on. Iraqi Prime Minister tried to seduce Arabs by
assuring that there was no move to forge ties with Israel. He urged Arabs to
fight terrorism. Allawi called for new era of cooperation with Syria;
discussed security and debt with Jordan; and hoped for billion-dollar Saudi
aid pledge.
The response of Arab World was reflected in the statement of Foreign
Minister of Oman. No need to send troops to Iraq as requested by Interim
Government. Only Jordan mulled sending troops and Bahrain was ready to
send naval force, if asked by Iraq.
The reason behind Arabs indifference was the mutual mistrust
between Americans and Arabs and the puppets and Arabs. The suspicion
obscured their vision to see what Rosemary Hollis has seen. Without
regional cooperation the place may never be stable There is no way to
isolate it (Iraq) from the wider region. America seemed to be bent upon
remaking the region with sheer force disregarding the desires of people of
the region.
The last option was to seduce Muslims. Allawi desired Arab and
Islamic troops to protect UN. On 28th July Powell and Saud discussed

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Saudi proposal of Muslim force. Powell said, we discussed the Saudi

initiative. It is an interesting idea from the Saudi Government as to how to
generate additional Muslim forces to participate in the work in Iraq.
His statement contained some intriguing points. He termed it as
Saudi initiative. In fact US had been trying for involvement of Muslim
forces for months. He called it an interesting idea. It ought to be not only
interesting, but also quite attractive for the casualty-scared Americans. The
work in Iraq implied nothing but consolidation of occupation.
This force would be sent either as part of the Coalition or as a
separate organization which would operate within the framework spelled out
by the Coalition, perhaps to provide protection to the United Nations. That
meant that Muslim soldiers would act on orders of the Crusaders.
America was not prepared to give up its agenda. It was only interested
in saving US soldiers. The Crusaders would concentrate on looking after its
political and economic interests and the problems would be handed over to
brave Muslim soldiers who were napping when Iraq was invaded by the
Crusaders illegally and immorally.
He added that various proposals were at an early stage but had been
welcomed by the US. He also added that we will study the suggestion and
we continue to discuss it with leaders of Arab and Muslim states, excluding
neighbouring countries, to participate in the multinational force.
Right at the outset Americans had brushed aside the need of having
Ummahs consensus. There would be some Allawi-type Muslim rulers to
serve America by sending their innocent soldiers like the workers who
have already gone there to earn honest living.
Powell disclosed that many Muslim countries have been considering
participating in the force. They needed to see a UN mandate. That is there
in the form of UNSC Resolution No 1546. They wished to see a sovereign
government. That is there up and running.
Rational way out was that America should have spelled out the
schedule of leaving Iraq and Muslim forces under UN and/or OIC could take
charge. The present puppet regime should also be replaced. But US would
never give-in that much; thus the proposal had bleak chances of getting
through. Disunity of Muslims would be another hurdle.
Yawar has already rejected replacement of the Coalition by Muslim
force. Amr Mussa and Iran have opposed Saudi proposal. Only Malaysia
was willing to mobilize Muslim brigade to rebuild Iraq. Pakistan has kept
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the options open by remaining ambiguous.

Fighter groups threatened to attack Muslim force. We will not stand
idle if forces from Arab or Muslim countries, notably Saudi Arabia, Pakistan
and Egypt, are sent to Iraq. That has been the aim of the Crusaders of
seducing Muslim countries to send their troops.
In view of the foregoing many analysts termed Iraq venture as failure.
The aims of war of having foothold in oil rich region; taming an extremely
non-friendly country; testing the global dominance; and creating further
division in Muslim World remained far from achieved commented Mohsin
S Jaffri. All calculations, worked by highly qualified professionals, both
civil and military personnel, about the occupation of Iraq and the expected
local response all went wrong he added.
John Chapman argued that fears over oil and the future of the dollar
were the real reasons for going to war. Moore in his most publicized film
Fahrenheit 9/11 concentrated on highlighting this aspect of the war.
Australian minister branded him as an ugly American.
In words of Masud Akhtar Shaikh America in misadventure of Iraq
has gained universal enmity and hatred, especially among the Muslim
population in general and Iraqi in particular; lost face in the comity of
nations; suffered tremendous economic losses; lost lives of hundreds of
soldiers; and increased terrorist activities throughout the world.
He was also of the view that in the ongoing war they produced results
that the conventional Crusades of the past could never dream of. This
related to the blood-letting, which the Crusaders pursued without fearing
opposition from any country. No wonder that Bush insisted that Iraq War
was right and despite his popularity graph dipping to 42 percent, he wanted
second term to help Iraq and Afghanistan.
Hapless Muslims in general and Arabs in particular started looking for
glimmer of hope in November elections. Unfortunately neo-cons of Kerrys
camp were even worse according to Jonathan Steele. He would keep troops
in Iraq far longer than Bush. Youssef M Ibrahim compiled the following
about the bunch of neo-cons in the other camp:

The Democratic Partys neo-con vampires are a lot worse than the
current ones the second movie could be more frightening than the
first.

Gelbs answer to how American troops get out of Iraq is to split it

into three states: Shiites in the South, Kurdish in the North and one
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Sunni state in the middle. American troops can leave a new mess and
say bye-bye.

Another Guru, Galbraith added that this model would solve many
contradictions of modern Iraq. The Shiites could have their Islamic
republic, while the Kurds could continue their secular traditions.
Alcohol would continue to be a staple of Kurdish picnics while it
would be strictly banned in Basra Three-state solution would permit
the United States to disengage from security duties in most of Iraq. Of
course, America would keep some American military bases just in
case.

Such a division would result in shifting of major segments of

population. Two million Shias from Sadr City and hundred of
thousands of Sunni Arabs from Kurdistan and from the South. It is
guaranteed formula for bloody civil war and destabilizing Saudi
Arabia, Kuwait and Iran.

The rest of the democratic neo-cons world vision is even more

frightening. For the Greater Middle East, their view is to appoint
Israel in effect the American pro-counsel for the Arab World by
supplying it with more military and financial aid while diminishing
such aid to Egypt and other Arab countries.

This will enable Israel to squeeze Palestinians into Gaza. Its land,
sea, and sky borders would be under Israeli control turning it to a cage
where Palestinians can rot.

CONCLUSION
Armitage said America underestimated Iraqi fighters. This was a rare
acceptance of miscalculations by the Bush Administration. Americans,
however, seemed to be prepared to face the challenge by resorting to use of
brute force legitimized through the puppet Prime Minister. Indifference of
the world also compelled America to go that way.
The much trumpeted transfer of power has only added to the miseries
of the Iraqi people, but they were not willing to accept the occupation of
their Motherland. However, while struggling for liberation of their country
Iraqis remained divided in various camps, which promised only one thing;
more bloodshed.
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Post-sovereignty July saw around 460 Iraqis killed along with 25

Americans. Washington somehow seemed to have become immune to the
killings, whether of Iraqis or Americans commented Nauman Sattar. He
then suggested that US has to make the fateful decision of withdrawal.
Such dreams of Muslim analysts wont be realized.
American control remained in place. The Crusaders would try to
involve Muslim troops under the UN-flag or in the garb of rebuilding Iraq.
Saudi proposal has come in time. The Crusaders might achieve their
ultimate aim of spilling Muslim blood on either side.
Such a proposal from the Saudis should have come before Gulf War.
In the ongoing Crusades it would be against the interests of Ummah, yet
some Muslim countries may send their troops. While taking this undesirable
decision they should at least ask America to spell out the date of withdrawal
of its forces. Chances, however, were quite bleak.
7th August 2004

SISTANI SAVED SADR

Like Saddam, the US is now killing the same people whom it had
encouraged and raised as militants to resist Saddam wrote M Azim Khan in
his letter to the News. The killings by the Crusaders have been more
widespread and indiscriminate as compared to those carried by the man from
whom they claim to have liberated the Iraqis.
The civilized world did not pay any heed and its media deliberately
avoided giving due coverage to daily killings of innocent Iraqi people.
Europe lost its interest due to American monopoly and American media
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mentioned it only in the context of forthcoming elections.

Resistance groups tried to draw the attention by taking hostages, but
the coverage remained focused on portraying negative image of the
resistance groups. Nevertheless, some European countries were could not
afford to ignore it.
Counter insurgency operations against Mehdi Army, which had been
concentrated in Najaf by Sadr to gain tactical advantage for his self-defence,
were intensified. He was able to save himself from being arrested but his
fighters suffered losses that could have been avoided.
Upsurge in fighting allowed America to cover up its war crimes by
pushing them under the carpet of fake trials on charges of abuse. Israel
took full advantage of the situation to crush the Palestinians. Arabs and
Muslims remained hapless.

FIGHTING
Fighting in Iraq escalated during last five weeks. On 6th August
fighting again erupted in Shia dominated areas engulfing Najaf, Basra,
Nassiriya and Baghdad. US planes pounded Najaf killing more than fifty
fighters, but US sources claimed killing 300 militants and Najaf governor
put it at 400 killed and over 1,000 captured. Interim Government declared
war against all illegal militias and vowed to extend it to other areas. Two
Marines were killed in fighting in Najaf. Fifteen American soldiers were
wounded in various incidents in Baghdad.
On 7th August seven persons were killed and 30 wounded. Next day
two national guardsmen were killed and 13 people injured in fighting in
Najaf. In Baghdad dozens of people were injured in six blasts and one US
soldier was wounded north of the city. In Amara four people were killed in
fighting and two men were killed in Qurnah. Protests were held in Karbala
against fighting in Najaf.
Seven police officers were killed and 17 people injured north of
Baghdad on 9th August in an attempt to kill deputy governor of Diyala
province. In Khalidiyah four Iraqis were killed in bomb blast. In Baghdad
four security guards were killed and nine, including three US soldiers, were
injured in an attack. In Basra a British soldier was killed and five others
wounded in clashes. US Marine was killed in action west of Baghdad. Four
Iranian reporters were arrested by police.

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On 10th August US pounded Najaf on sixth straight day and asked

residents to leave. In Baghdad ten people were killed and 104 wounded in
Sadr City. Next day US prepared for major offensive in Najaf. In Baghdad a
bomb blast killed six and injured nine. Twenty people were killed and 50
wounded in clashes with British troops in central and southern Iraq. Ali
Saadi former head of military wing of SCIRI was shot dead in Mahmudiyah.
In Fallujah two persons were killed and four wounded. In all 30 people were
killed and 219 wounded in last twenty-four hours in different cities
excluding Najaf.
US forces assisted by Iraqi troops launched massive two-pronged
attack on 12th August to crush Shia strong-hold in Najaf. Sadrs house was
pounded and raided. British soldier was killed by home-made bomb. Two
US Marines were killed in helicopter crash near Anbar. Bombing in Kut
killed 84 Iraqis and wounded 180, including women and children; after
which fighters attacked a police station killing one policeman and wounding
nine. In all 165 people were killed and more than 600 wounded. Protests
were held in Basra. A Fatwa forbade Muslims to cooperate with occupation
forces.
On 13th August US scaled down Najaf assault. Talks began after Sadr
was reported wounded. In Fallujah four Iraqis were killed and three
wounded. In Kut seven were killed and 34 wounded. Next day US Forces
pounded Sunni town of Samara killing 50 and wounding 86 others. In
Fallujah eight people were killed and ten wounded in clashes. Fighting in
Hilla left 51 dead. In Anbar two US soldiers were killed. One person was
killed in Kirkuk.
On 15th August mortar fire landed around area where conference for
future of Iraq was being held in Baghdad killing two and wounding 17
others. In Fallujah five persons were killed and six wounded in US bombing.
An oil well near Amara was set on fire. A Ukrainian officer was killed south
of Baghdad and four were wounded. One US soldier was killed in northern
part of Baghdad City.
One person was killed and two wounded as US troops opened fire on
demonstrators on 16th August. In Baquba mortar fire aimed at US base killed
a girl and a boy and injured four persons. Three policemen were wounded in
a blast. Three US soldiers were killed that day.
On 17th August seven persons were killed and 49 wounded in
Baghdad. Three Italian soldiers were wounded when their patrol was
attacked. In Basra three British civilian vehicles were destroyed. In Sadr
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City 14 people, including two young girls, were killed and 122 wounded. A
US soldier was killed and some more wounded in Baghdad. In Ramadi a
senior police officer was killed. Oil well was attacked in Amara. Ex-Iraqi
secret police deputy was held.
US troops claimed killing 50 militiamen in Sadr City on 18 th August.
One US soldier was killed in Anbar. Five people were killed in Kut. Fighting
in Najaf killed six and wounded 23 others. In Mosul five Iraqis were killed
and 20 wounded in mortar fire.
On 19th August eight persons, including five policemen, were killed
and 30 wounded in Najaf and one US soldier was also killed. In Sadr City
more than 50 Iraqis were killed and two US soldiers were also killed. In
Baghdad two employees of US Embassy were wounded. In Hilla two Polish
soldiers were killed and five were hurt. One security man was killed near
Kirkuk. Several pipelines were attacked in Basra and Amara areas.
On 20th August Najaf was pounded by US aircraft and helicopters
through the night. Five people were killed and six wounded in Fallujah. Two
US soldiers were killed and three wounded in ambush in Samara. Dutch
troops killed two Iraqis in Samawah. In all 77 people died on that day.
In Najaf 21 Iraqis were killed on 21st August. In southern Baghdad a
US soldier was killed and two wounded. In Samara two US soldiers were
reported killed and three wounded in roadside bomb. In Hilla one Polish
soldier was killed and six wounded in car bomb. A senior policeman was
killed in Ramadi. Four persons were killed elsewhere in the country. Col
Saad, head of crime fighting unit was killed in Fallujah. In Baquba two
persons were killed and six wounded. In Mosul one guardsman was killed
and another was killed west of the city.
Forty Iraqis were killed in fighting in Kufa on 22 nd August. Three
persons were killed and 18 wounded in renewed fighting in Najaf. In Khalis
two persons were killed and 8 wounded. One Indonesian and two Iraqis were
killed and a Philpino wounded in ambush of a convoy in Mosul. Two
policemen were killed south of Baghdad. Five US soldiers were killed and
another wounded in last 24 hours in Anbar, Mosul and Ramadi.
On night 23rd August Najaf cemetery and shrine were bombed. US
denied targeting the shrine. Two fighters were killed and four wounded. In
Sadr City an explosion killed four and wounded nine others. Nine people
including a Turk were killed in attacks across Iraq. In Basra a police officer
was killed.

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Bombing of Najaf continued during the night and of 24th August

Defence Minister asked the fighters to lay down the arms. If they do not, we
will wipe them out. In Baghdad five bodyguards of a Minister were killed in
suicide car attack; three persons and another guard was wounded. In
southern Baghdad a roadside bomb exploded alongside the convoy of
Education Minister killing one guard and wounding two others. An
ambulance going to Najaf was attacked killing two persons. In rocket attack
one US soldier was killed and two others wounded. In Amara 12 Iraqis
including 3 children were killed and 54 wounded as British troops clashed
with fighters. Zarqawi threatened that ministers wont be spared next time.
On 25th August Sadrs top aide was arrested. US planes continued
bombing Najaf and hundreds of Sadr men were caught inside shrine. More
than twenty persons were injured and many remained unaccounted because
US snipers made the movement difficult. In Kufa three persons were killed
and 10 wounded. In Amara 12 were killed and 50 wounded. In Baghdad four
ex policemen were killed by fighters. In Fallujah four persons were killed
and another four wounded.
On 26th August 74 persons were killed in mortar attack on mosque and
376 were wounded. Ten supporters of Sistani were killed in attack by
gunmen in Najaf. US offensive was temporarily halted to facilitate ongoing
talks. One US soldier was killed in mortar attack in Baghdad. Eight pipelines
feeding southern oilfields were sabotaged.
Sadrs men surrendered weapons and left Najaf shrine on 27 th August.
Iraqi police took control. Some fighters refused to give up arms and US
troops who were supposed to vacate Najaf were still around. Polish troops
seized arms near Karbala.
Six Iraqi policemen were killed and 11 people wounded in Baquba on
28 August. In Baghdad two persons were killed and six wounded in mortar
fire by fighters. In Fallujah US troops killed five and wounded 32 others. A
senior woman academic was killed in Mosul. Fighters blew up a pipeline
inside an oilfield.
th

On 29th August talks started to end fighting in Baghdad. In Sadr City

ten people were killed and more than 100 wounded in clashes. In Tal Afar
two persons were killed and 34, including 26 women and a child, were
wounded in fighting. In Mosul a US soldier was killed and two wounded by
homemade bomb. A pipeline was blown up in southern Iraq.
Four Iraqis, including two children and a woman, were killed and five
wounded in air raids in Samara on 30th August. South of Baghdad two
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persons were wounded. Iranian photographer was arrested by police. Next

day three women, who worked in US base, were killed in drive-by shooting.
On 1st September mortar fire greeted the interim advisory council in
Baghdad on its swearing-in ceremony. Aide of Sadr and two others were
killed between Najaf and Baghdad. One policeman was killed and 18
persons injured in mortar attack in Mosul. Estranged Chalabi escaped
assassination attempt in which two of his bodyguards were wounded.
Twenty people including three children were killed in Fallujah in US
air strike on 2nd September. All the wounded were families. Among the
dead, there could be two to three children, but the bodies were torn to pieces
and it was difficult to tell said a resident. In Ramadi two civilians were
killed and 11 wounded in clashes. Two persons were killed in roadside bomb
in Kirkuk. Next day four persons were killed and six wounded by tank fire
on Iraqi military camp in Fallujah. Oil pipeline to Turkey was blown up
north of Kirkuk.
On 4th September Iraqi Police and National Guard assisted by US
forces launched offensive in no-go area of Latifyah in which 12 policemen
were killed, five guardsmen wounded and 200 suspects were arrested. In
Kirkuk 17 people were killed and 36 wounded in car bombing in front of
police academy. In Tal Afar US forces battled with fighters for six hours
killing 13 Iraqis and wounding 53 more. A helicopter was hit by fire injuring
two soldiers. Two guardsmen were wounded in separate incident. Two oil
pipelines were blown up in the south.
Iraq government claimed capture of top Saddam aide in operation in
which 70 of his supporters were killed and 80 captured in Tikrit on 5 th
September. Al-Douri was sixth on the list of most wanted men. In Tal Afar
two Iraqis were killed and nine wounded in clashes. An Iraqi nuclear
scientist was killed south of Baghdad.
On 6th September a car bomb near Fallujah killed seven Marines and
three Iraqi National Guard soldiers. US soldiers opened fire in sheer revenge
wounding four civilians. One person was killed in Baquba in roadside bomb
which missed the actual target. Iraqi fugitive security officer was held in
Kirkuk. An unmanned airplane was downed. Pipeline to Turkey was blown
up. Capture of Ibrahim was denied.
On 7th September three US soldiers and 40 Iraqis were killed and 270
wounded in fighting in Sadr City. Fallujah was bombed and shelled killing
over 100 Iraqis. Baghdad Governor escaped assassination attempt and in
Mosul son of governor was killed. In Samara a Turk driver was killed.
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Two US soldiers were killed on 8th September in Balad and Sadr City.
Six Iraqis were killed by US troops in Fallujah and four foreigners were
injured in US helicopter crash near the city. A Turk and two foreign drivers
traveling under US protection were killed in ambush north of Baghdad.
On 9th September forty-five Iraqis were killed and about 100 wounded
in relentless bombing of Tal Afar and Fallujah. US troops announced siege
of Tal Afar for five days and they claimed that the town was infested with
foreign fighters. In Samara US troops were allowed to enter the town after
striking a deal. American soldier was killed and seven wounded in accident
near Baquba. Iraqi forces raided Sadr office for weapons.
The counter insurgency operations since transfer of power showed
that Interim Government was unable to rein in the US presence and fell in
line with Americas military imperatives in words of Kamil Mahdi.
Americans endeavoured to destroy or marginalize those movements which
opposed the occupation in any manner, he added.
In the process the world lost the count of Iraqis sufferings. Mubarak
Shah put it across in these words, pathetically, while until recently the tally
of American casualties was being recounted religiously, not even rights
watch-dogs have bothered to find how many Iraqis were killed in the carpet
bombing of the invading army that had kept Iraqs skyline aglow
The world community remained more or less unconcerned about
sufferings of Iraqi people. It only felt a pinch when oil prices hit the record
highs as result of frequent disruption of oil exports due to blowing up of
pipelines. The world was interested only in free flow of oil and so have been
the illegal occupants.

SURRENDERED AND ESCAPED

Iraqi government with the backing of lone superpower vowed to crush
militias. Allawi invited Sadr to election, launched limited amnesty and reimposed death penalty. In response protesters marched through Baghdad and
other cities. Sadr aide spelled out conditions for truce:

US-led forces to withdraw and handover Najaf to Marjorie, the Shia

religious authority. All Iraqi forces, including police and Mehdi Army,
to leave.

Mehdi Army to be recognized as an ideological movement with its

members allowed carrying weapons.

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All basic services must be restored. Those jailed for supporting

resistance, all imprisoned clerics and women must be released.

Sadrs organization should be allowed to decide for itself whether it

becomes a political movement or not.

All followers of Sadrs movement should be under a legitimate

constitution written by free, elected government.

All efforts should be aimed at building a free, independent and unified

Iraq.

Three days later Iraq Conference decided to send a delegation to Sadr

and asked him to withdraw fighters from Najaf. Sadrs supporters again
protested against US attack. Meanwhile Iran asked UN intervention to stop
fighting and Vatican offered mediation to avoid bloodshed. Ashraf Qazi also
offered help to end standoff. Allawi insisted that Militia must disarm for
peaceful solution.
Next day the relative of Sadr, who was appointed as leader of the
delegation for mediation, arrived in Najaf in US helicopter. On 18th August
Sadr accepted a peace plan to end fighting that would disarm his militiamen,
remove them from the holy shrine and convert to political party, but Sadr
remained defiant to Allawis call to disarm.
Two days later Sadr agreed to hand over keys of Najaf shrine to
Sistani. On 22nd August government delegation met Sistani in London as
handing over of the Shrine could not be carried out. Three days later Sistani
returned to save Najaf from further death and destruction. He asked Iraqis to
march on holy city.
On 26th August Sadr accepted Sistanis initiative for peace. Najaf and
Kufa would be weapon free cities and foreign forces would withdraw. Police
would take over and government would compensate those harmed by
fighting. It was a face-saving surrender.
Two days later Sistani reaffirmed opposition to armed resistance for
the time being against US presence in Iraq. His spokesman Najafi said, we
are not out of peaceful solutions yet to end the occupation (but) armed
struggle will become a possibility. He added, the result of their (US)
intervention in Iraq is not liberation but a new front for them to fight their
enemies and attack Islam.
Ministers visited the city to congratulate Sistani and to secure peace.
Mehdi Armys surrender encouraged the Crusaders and their puppets. Allawi

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vowed to crush those militiamen who refuse to surrender. Sadr ordered

ceasefire across Iraq and asked followers to join political process. We call
upon the Iraqi Government to show patience and wisdom. We also call upon
all members of the Mehdi Army to stop fighting except in cases of selfdefenceas we are about to submit a political project that serves the
interests of the Iraqi people.
The government denied initiation of any such process, describing the
clerics call as face-saving formula after the evacuation from Najaf, its
very hard for them to go anywhere else. Puppets rejoiced the Najaf victory
and Sadr licked his wounds.
Talks were initiated for securing similar truce in Sadr City and Basra,
but in case of Sadr City these were stalled when government rejected
demand of Shias asking for US troops to stay away from the city. State
minister, Daud said, we dont like to reach any agreement with any militia
people. We dont want to go into negotiations with any armed group. The
puppets were getting tough and adamant, like the Crusaders.
On 2nd September US urged Sadr men to surrender heavy weapons.
Next day Police sealed off Najaf and Kufa. Assadi in his Friday sermon
accused the government of restricting access to Najaf, raiding religious
classes, hunting Mehdi Army members, harassing pilgrims and mistreating
clerics loyal to Sadr.
It was commented that by intervening Sistani risked facing challenge
from young fighters who opposed occupation. He put his credibility to tough
test in coming days. At the same time the truce did not promise quelling of
insurgency. It also did not guarantee resolution of differences between Sadr
and Sistani.
Sadr committed mistake by concentrating Mehdi Army in Najaf and
thus turning it into battlefield and suffering too many casualties. He tried to
gain strategic advantage in selection of Najaf as battleground as damage to
holy shrines could have infuriated Shia community, but it fired-back and he
was blamed for the damage.
Dr Mahnaz Fatima opined that Sadr assembled Mehdi Army in Najaf
to escape his own arrest under the garb of resistance against American
occupation. This was also evident from incidents of protests demanding
Sadr to quit Najaf and residents showing resentment when they returned to
see their destroyed abodes.

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Sadrs plan to adopt political course too had remote chances of

success. Path to democracy being lined up by the US and Iraqi government,
is quite different from the path being followed by Iraq observed Dr Iffat
Idris. Hopes of Iraq returning to normalcy have dampened more than ever
he concluded.
Kamil Mahdi agreed with this viewpoint. The US has no intention of
permitting a genuine Iraqi political dialogue or the development of an
inclusive democratic process. Delegates at the conference had also accused
main political parties of hijacking a scheduled vote for a new interim
legislature, saying members were chosen long ago in secret. The only way to
make political inroad was to join some indoctrination course to become proAmerican like two hundred ex-Baathists who attended de-Baathification
class for re-election.
America succeeded in avoiding final assault on shrine area, which
could have resulted in widespread resentment in Muslim World. It also
secured respite to sort out Sunnis and other pockets of resistance. Operations
in Fallujah and Sadr City were intensified. After that America would sort out
Sistani, if he did not mend his ways.
Puppets responded perfectly to pulls of their strings. Allawi proved his
credentials as long time trusted source of CIA and MI6. He torpedoed
talks with Sadr on instructions from the US as Washington was not prepared
to have amnesty granted to Sadr as noted by Dr Iffat Idris. Americans are
still in charge using hastily trained Iraqi Army as props to fuel the line that
Iraqis are quelling the insurgency he added. Americans were allowed to
claim that operations were carried on the request of Iraqi government.

HOSTAGES
Hostage warfare continued. During the period following cases of
taking, releasing or executing took place:

Four Lebanese were taken hostages on 6th August. Two days later
Iranian diplomat was taken as hostage. Jihani was accused of fanning
sectarian war.

On 9th August Militants claimed beheading Bulgarian hostage. Next

day Egyptian hostage was beheaded for spying for the occupation
forces. The same day a Lebanese was freed, a Jordanian was
kidnapped and a Saudi escaped.

329

Another Jordanian was kidnapped on 11th August. Beheading of CIA

agent was displayed on website. Two days later British journalist was
kidnapped and captors threatened to behead him.

One US journalist was kidnapped on 14th August. Next day a Syrian

driver and two Lebanese colleagues were released.

On 17th August one Lebanese was reported missing and a Jordanian

was rescued by police in Karbala. Two days later Turkish firms were
given 72 hours to quit in exchange of hostages life.

A group kidnapped 12 Nepalese on 20th August. Two days later US

journalist was released by the captors and an Iraqi police intelligence
agent kidnapped earlier was found dead in Basra.

On 24th August Lebanese hostage was released. Next day Brother-inlaw of Defence Minister was abducted.

Kidnapped Italian journalist was killed on 27th August and Baghdad

Bureau chief of IRNA was freed.

Next day one Egyptian worker was killed and another abducted in
Beiji. Two Turkish hostages were released on 29th August.

On 31st August twelve Nepalese hostages were executed. Next day

seven hostages of Kenya, India and Egypt were released. Turkish
hostage was also freed.

Three Turkish hostages were killed on 2nd September. Two days later a
Turk was taken hostage.

Body of an Egyptian kidnapped on 27th August was found in northern

Iraq on 5th September. Next day a Turk, three Jordanians and a
Sudanese were released.

Two Italian women were kidnapped on 7 th September. Next day

Deputy Governor of Anbar was kidnapped from his house.

The aims of hostage-taking, apart from drawing the attention of the

world, could be inferred from the following:

A hostage was shown on video confessing to spy charges and taking

women to US soldiers, which was aimed at stopping Iraqis to spy for
Americans or cooperate with them.

Turkish hostage was shown regretting for working for the US. In this
case the captors clearly spelled out their aim by asking his company to
stop operating in Iraq.
330

Twelve Nepalese hostages were executed in carrying out the sentence

of God against those who came from their country to fight against
Muslims and to serve the Jews and the Christians

Kidnappers of US journalist demanded withdrawal of US troops from

Najaf in 48 hours.

In case of kidnapping of French journalists the group demanded lifting

of ban on headscarf. This was the only aim which related to Ummah
in general.

Hostage-taking compelled some Turkish firms to quit Iraq. Kuwaiti

firms were caught between reward and risk and one firm ceased operation
to save seven hostages of Kenya, India and Egypt. Two airline companies
suspended flights to Iraq. Aid agencies having foreigners on staff planned to
leave. But overall effects must have fallen short of the expectations of the
captors as many countries refused to hold direct talks.
Kidnapping was exploited by the Crusaders to tarnish the image of
resistance groups. They were even accused of serving interests of US and
Israel. The media while reporting Iraqi casualties kept calling them as
terrorists or Islamic militants to fan anti-Islam feelings; effects of this were
felt in Nepal.
Reaction to abductions conspicuously varied in case of abductees
belonging to the civilized world and those of lesser nations. The civilized
world was not as horrified over the execution of Nepalese as it was over
killing of Italian newsman.
Racist discourse laced hostage butchery wrote Ramzy Baroud.
Where was the outrage at the killing of 12 cheap labourers from Nepal
just days before the French hostage crisis was set off he asked. French
journalists proved to be more equals. The equals found it hard to initiate
any move to save their citizens. The Pope had time only to pray for the
release of two Italian aid workers.
French Foreign Minister dashed to Middle East to establish contacts
and a Muslim delegation from France followed on her heels and held talks
for release. But France refused to yield to demand on headscarf ban. EU
immediately urged release and Straw was concerned over French hostages.
Allawi postponed his visit to France over hostage crisis. Qazi
appealed for French hostages release. A cleric issued Fatwa asking for
release. No such Fatwa was issued in case of hostages from lesser nations.
Religious scholars forgot about headscarf altogether.
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French journalists appealed to their government to repeal headscarf

law. The government had already refused to do so, because it was very grave
issue as per French Philosopher, Bernard-Henri Levy who had termed the
veil as a symbol of hatred and associated it with fanaticism and
fundamentalism. The one worn by the nuns was an exception.
Earlier in case of American journalist Sadr ordered his release on 20th
August. The very next day his kidnappers withdrew death threat. Two days
later the released journalist thanked Sadr and planned to continue staying in
Iraq.
The aspect of involvement of some elements other than resistance
groups in kidnapping was not much deliberated by the observers and
analysts. Reports about Australian troops taking part in covert operations
including kidnapping were closed with the issue of statement rejecting the
allegation. Demands of ransom were also not probed despite that these did
not fit in the aims of the resistance groups.

OTHER ISSUES
The period of intense fighting was used for covering up crimes
committed in war on terror. Efforts to dispose of the filth discovered in Abu
Ghraib continued. To this end twenty-seven soldiers have been implicated,
but cases of all of them have not been sent for trial as yet.
The filth kept emitting the stink despite the plans to bury it deep in
holes of trials. Abu Ghraib was hell said Sergeant Hydrue when asked to
sum up his opinion of the jail. I am being made scapegoat said another
accused. It was reported that a Judge might compel military officers to
testify in abuse case. US denied meddling in trial, but declined to seek
Iraqis testimony. Strangely the victims were not allowed to testify.
In Canada a Guantanamo prisoner talked of torture in his testimony in
a federal court. He was repeatedly stripped naked, they photographed
private parts; and checked his anus three times in eight day. The prisoners
were hung by their shackles as long as four days; placed in smoke-filled
cells, which were heated up or cooled to freezing point to deprive them of
sleep; beaten arbitrarily and indiscriminately.
His testimony proved that torture techniques practiced in Abu Ghraib
were not new. These were practiced and perfected in Guantanamo, the incharge of which has now been sent to Iraq. The only technique not reported
from Abu Ghraib was that faces of prisoners were smothered with feces as
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was done in Guantanamo.

Trials of some prisoners began with military-appointed lawyers
challenging the Guantanamo judges. An al-Qaeda member defied US war
crimes tribunal and refused to accept the defence council appointed by
Army. These incidents indicated the nature of justice to be dispensed.
In Afghanistan a vigilante accused US Embassy in Kabul of withholding documents that would show he was working with the US authorities
at the time of his arrest. The lawyers linked to trial blamed US for damaging
the video evidence in which his client was shown meeting Qanooni. ISAF
had already admitted supplying them the ordnance after mistaking them as
US Special Forces. The accused claimed that NATO knew exactly who they
were.
America kept monitoring the trial of mercenaries and worked on cases
of more than two dozens of Army personnel who were likely to be charged
with deaths of Afghan detainees. The end result of their cases would be no
different from that of CIA man. He was accused of torturing Afghan prisoner
to death, but was ordered to be freed pending his trial.
The burial through trials was reinforced with use of disinfectants of
investigations and inquiries to quell the stink. A panel accused Rumsfeld and
US military of faulting in prison abuse and an independent panel blamed
the military men in Abu Ghraib for abuses, but exonerated the high-ups in
Pentagon.
Rumsfeld was accused of condoning prisoners abuses. Two reports
immediately absolved him of ordering or encouraging abuse. Thomas E
Ricks adopted milder approach to defend the main accused. In Iraq War he
(Rumsfeld) played a key role in shaping help create the conditions that led
to the scandalHis slow response to insurgency flared last summer
worsened the situation.
The expectation by the Defence Department leadership, along with
most of the rest of the administration, that following the collapse of the Iraqi
regime through coalition military operations, there would be stable successor
regime that would soon emerge in Iraq led to the detainee abuse (in
desperation).
Kerry, however, insisted that it was not just the little person at the
bottom who ought to pay the price of responsibility; the accountability for
the scandal went right to the White House door. He said that not to uphold
any values, but to gain political mileage.

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Abu Ghraib contractors on their own defended the work they did in
Iraq. This is the true face of sordid American values; thus the instinct to
commit war crimes did not die. It was reported on 18 th August that soldiers
killed two prisoners in Abu Ghraib when a fight got out of control. On 7th
September British soldier was held on charge of murdering an Iraqi civilian.
Jews continued taking advantage of the war on terror raging in close
vicinity. Israel consolidated its gains:

On 11th August two Palestinians were killed in blast in West Bank.

Two days later one more Palestinian was killed.

Israeli troops killed three Palestinians on 17 th August. Three days later

Israeli Army leveled ten houses in Gaza.

Hundreds of Palestinians were arrested in West Bank on 24 th August.

Next day Palestinian intelligence chief was injured in ambush and his
two guards were killed.

On 26th August Israel blocked Gaza roads after rocket attack. Israeli
Army arrested 38 persons in West Bank five days later.

Four Palestinian boys were shot dead in Gaza and two multi-storey
apartment buildings were demolished on 1st September.

Fourteen Palestinians were killed as Israeli jets raided Gaza on 7 th

September.

On 8th September Israeli tanks and bulldozers rolled into northern

Gaza and next day eight Palestinians were killed in West Bank and
Gaza.

The successes added to the arrogance of the Jews. Israel refused to

give up Golan Heights to Syria; Sharon Okayed 1,000 new settlements in
West Bank; planned to expedite barrier construction; and paid no heed to 18day hunger strike of thousands of Palestinian prisoners.
Since 1967 Israel has detained 65,000 Palestinians. On 15 th August
Israel had about 7,500 political prisoners out of which 750 were
administrative detainees without any charge and 380 of them were under 18
years. Elias Zananiri reporting the plight Palestinian prisoners wrote; they
were subjected to random firing of tear gas into cells and prison courtyard;
strip searches in full view of others; and children were confined with adults.
Palestinians kept resisting on the back foot. A Jew was killed in West
Bank on 13th August. On last day of August sixteen persons were killed in

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Israeli town of Beersheva by two suicide bombers traveling in buses. The

attack came only hours after Sharon announced timetable for pulling settlers
and troops out of Gaza.
Arafat admitted making unacceptable mistakes, yet Israel renewed
threat to banish him. The differences within Palestinians remained
unresolved. On 29th August three persons were killed in clash between
Palestinian groups in a camp in Lebanon.
America fully supported Sharon, who extended settler homes plan.
Palestinians and Arab League accused US of destroying Middle East peace
plan. America, however, denied that its troops were being trained in Israel,
as Iraqi Envoy supported diplomatic ties with Israel.
On home front Bush prepared for November showdown with Kerry.
He kept scaring Americans to secure their vote. On 17th August he warned
that they were still not safe. He wanted to capitalize on fear of terrorism to
muster support just like his father did in Gulf War to muster support of the
Arabs.
He admitted miscalculation about Iraq, which was by-product of a
swift victory. Nevertheless he claimed that Iraq and Afghan successes
would end extremism and vowed victory over terror. Laura defended her
husband, Bush didnt want to go to war but had to. She could not admit
that the neo-cons had forced the war on him.
These overtures did not impress all Americans. Albright flayed Bush
for creating hapless mess in Iraq. Rumsfeld was sued over forced retention
of troops. A man in Hollywood burnt their van and self when Marines came
to inform him about his sons death in Iraq.
Huge rally in New York on 29th August blasted Bush and called him
liar. One of the posters read; Terror alert; Bush is in New York. Protests
continued for four days in which police arrested 900 protesters. The rally
could have political motives, but it indicated the growing opposition to war
on terror.
The plans to muster international support seemed to be fizzling out.
Poland started considering quitting Iraq as soon as possible. However, EUs
new boss called for efforts to help US in Iraq; NATO started training Iraqi
security forces; and Putin, Chirac and Schroeder vowed to work for stability
in Iraq.
Out of NATO Thai troops started pulling out. Ukraine decided to
reduce its troops from 1,600 to 200. Japanese troops were told to come home
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in civil dress. Philippines and Russia were willing to train Iraqi civilian
personnel. Only El Salvador sent troops despite threats.
America has already rejected any troops from the neighbouring
countries as most of them were blamed for fanning insurgency. Iraqi
Defence Minister accused Iran of backing Sadr and Allawi accused foreign
terrorists of violence. Khatami denied stirring violence. In turn Iran accused
US of using al-Qaeda against Islamic World and Khamenei predicted
decades of hatred for America.
Khamenei condemned US attacks and called for OIC meeting on
Najaf situation. Iran and Syria called for meeting on Najaf, but Iraq (US)
rejected Iranian proposal of regional summit. Later on Tehran offered help
for restoration of Najaf shrine. Meanwhile Iran invited Allawi, but Iraqi
deputy Prime Minister visited Tehran on 29th August. Iran assured him of
help on security.
Turkish apprehensions about Kurdish mischief remained in place. A
group threatened more attacks in Turkey. Kurdish rebels were responsible
for Istanbul blasts said Turkish police. Ethnic tension rose in Kirkuk as
Turkmen slated Kurds. Turk Prime Minister rapped US over failure to crack
down on Kurd rebels. Turkey also rebuffed Vaticans call to drop Muslim
Turkeys quest to join the European Union on cultural grounds.
Arabs involvement was restricted to their private firms operating in
Iraq, except Egypt which conducted training of Iraqi officers. Megawati
visited Madina to discuss Iraq as Indonesians protested military action in
Najaf. Malaysian Prime Minister urged end to violence in Najaf. Bangladesh
and Malaysia said NO to Muslim force for Iraq.
Rulers in Pakistan gradually picked up the courage and on 9th August
Musharraf said, no troops for Iraq. Few days later he also requested
Abizaid to respect holy sites in Iraq. When US paid no heed to his request
the Senate and National Assembly flayed US attack on Najaf.
Muslim apathy over sacrilege of Alis tomb was regretted by Mayed
Ali. Having tested waters in Najaf, and gauged the extent of response from
the Muslim World, the sky is the limit for the barbaric force. He then feared
that if the Crusaders decide to march on to Makkah and Madina there would
be nobody to stop them.
An Egyptian cleric based in Qatar and often described as a moderate
urged Muslims to act. He ruled, it is a religious duty for Muslims to fight
Americans in Iraq, including US civilians. His call, like others in the past,

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fell on the deaf ears.

CONCLUSION
The death and destruction perpetrated by the Crusaders has failed to
draw corresponding attention of the international community. The plight of
Iraqis has been described by Mubarak Shah in these words, verily, the Iraqis
have fallen from a tyrants frying pan into the fire of an alien army, private
militias, terrorists, kidnappers, hired guns, criminal gangs and parasite
exiles.
The much awaited barrier of thousand US-casualties was crossed
during the period, but these were insignificant as compared to those suffered
by Iraqis. America has succeeded in saving casualties through excessive use
of brute military force and involving the police and other new Iraqi armed
forces in waging the United States war-by-proxy.
The urge of the civilized people to commit crimes against humanity
has not diminished. Individuals still continued committing war crimes.
Collectively the random killings of civilians in bombing and shelling
remained unaccounted for as these fell in the category of collateral damage.
Sadr accepted the terms dictated by the Crusaders through puppet
regime to save himself, but vast majority of his followers has not abandoned
the resistance against occupation. His surrender, however, has allowed the
Crusaders to focus on Sunni strong holds.
Zawahri claimed that US was on the verge of defeat in Iraq and
Afghanistan. This was no more than an ambition of the resistance groups.
Americans wont give up the conquered lands so easily, particularly in the
absence of any support to them from the Muslim World. Nevertheless, his
statement implied that fighting in Iraq would continue indefinitely.
12th September 2004

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SKIRMISHES OF CIVILIZATIONS
The land of Euphrates and Tigris has been the main theatre of the
Crusades or clash of civilizations for more than a year. Afghanistan has
turned into secondary effort. Two proxy crusaders, India and Israel,
escalated the war they had already started in Kashmir and Palestine. The
most willing partner in war on terror, Pakistan, kept hunting the extremists
and militants within its own territories.
The area from Gaza to the Valley of Dul Lake being ravaged by the
war is quite large, but Muslims inhabit many parts of the globe. In these
areas skirmishes of civilizations have been going on, only occasionally
flaring up to draw attention of the world.
Most of these comparatively minor clashes were going on before 7 th
October 2001; since then these have been accepted as part of the Crusades of
21st Century. Some of these are being fought as per directions of the
Crusaders. A few are being fought by the opportunists for their ends. Many
Muslim countries have also been coerced to launch crackdowns on Islamic
militancy.
These skirmishes have been covered in earlier articles. On third
anniversary of 9/11 the events of last nine months have been compiled
together to highlight the importance of these apparently insignificant
clashes, which are spread over Mainland Asia, South East Asia, Middle East,
Africa and Europe.
This also brings out that entire Ummah, barring the militants, has
accepted the all-out offensive launched against Muslims as necessity. In
addition to military offensive the war is being fought quite aggressively on
media and diplomatic fronts. On these fronts Islamic militants are utterly
outmatched. They are unable to carry out suicide missions on these fronts.
338

MAINLAND ASIA
Disintegration of Soviet Union and resultant creation of Muslim states
in Central Asia did not solve all the grievance of Muslims of the region. The
Chechens were betrayed by Moscow just like New Delhi cheated Kashmiris.
They were promised autonomy, but later on Russia changed its mind which
led to Chechen uprising.
Since then two million, one fifth of Karachi, have been fighting
against ruthless military might of Russia. Sons of Imam Shamil have not
allowed Moscow to rule their land in peace as could be seen from the events
of last nine months:

Rebels held up ten hostages in Dagestan on 16th December. Two

policemen were killed in Chechnya six days later.

Two policemen and a passerby were killed in Groznyy on 23 rd

December. Five Russian soldiers were killed five days later.

Six soldiers and two police officers were killed in Chechnya on 3 rd

January. Three Russian servicemen died in mine blast eleven days
later.

Four Russian soldiers were killed in ambush on 26 th January. Thirtynine persons died in explosion in Moscow metro eleven days later.

Six Russian soldiers were killed in blast in Groznyy on 10th February.

Three days later ex-Chechen leader whose extradition had been
demanded was killed in car blast in Doha by Russian agents.

Eight Russian soldiers were killed in explosion in Chechnya on 26 th

March. During first week of April a Chechen leader survived suicide
attack.

An Afghan was killed on 7th April when youth attacked traders settled
in Volgograd region. Next day a Chechen female suspected of trying
to carry out suicide attack was awarded 20 years in jail.

On 13th April 24 persons were killed in clashes in Chechnya. Five

days later Russia claimed killing a Saudi commander in Chechnya.

Chechen rebels killed five Russian soldiers on 25th April. A week later
13 Russian troops were among 17 killed.

Blast in Groznyy killed Chechen president and 31 others on 9th May. A

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week later two Russian officials were killed in shooting in Dagestan.

On 18th May 12 Russian soldiers were killed in Chechen attacks. Six

days later three persons were killed in firefight.

Chechens attacked Russian government building in Groznyy on 27 th

May. Two days later Russian train was hit by explosion near
Chechnya.

Blasts killed seven persons in Russian market on 4th June. Next day
Seven Russian troops were killed in fighting in Chechnya.

On 12th June a bomb killed two policemen in Chechnya. Eight days

later twelve Russian soldiers were killed.

On 22nd June about hundred persons were killed in attack in

Ingushetia. A bomb rocked Nazran the largest city in Ingushetia two
days later.

A former Chechen pro-Russian deputy prime minister was gunned

down in the centre of Moscow on 25th June. Two days later a bomb
was found in Ingushetia.

On 18th July Russia claimed killing 19 Chechens in major fight.

Eleven days later three Russian policemen were killed in clash in
Chechnya.

On 31st July five persons were killed in clash in Dagestan. Sixty

people were reported killed in fighting on 23rd August.

On 27th August an Islamic group claimed responsibility of crash of

two Russian planes, in which about one hundred people were killed.

Suicide bomber killed ten and injured twenty in Moscow on 31 st

August. Two days later nine Russian servicemen died in blast in
Chechnya.

The above did not reflect the sufferings of Chechens correctly,

because of strict control over media to cover other side of the tragic picture.
Ahmed Zakaev showed a glimpse of that while writing in the Guardian. Ten
years ago Chechnya had a population of 2 million. Today it is 800,000, and
Vladimir Putin has an army of what we estimate to be up to 300,000 Russian
soldiers in Chechnya inflicting a regime of terror.
At least 200,000 Chechen civilians have been killed (ten percent of
the total population) by Russian soldiers, including 35,000 children. Another
40,000 children have been seriously injured. Thousands of innocent people
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kidnapped by Russian soldiers disappeared without a trace. Some were

ransomed to their families, alive and dead. Some were found in mass graves,
disfigured by horrible torture. A Russian officer recently confessed taking
part in more than 50 executions.
I am perhaps one of the few who were not really impressed by the
photographs from Abu Ghraib prison. For I come from the part of the world
where humiliation, torture, rape and murder in the name of the war on terror
is a daily routine while exposure, apology, and punishment of the
perpetrators is an unattainable dream he added.
How can anyone be surprised that our youth a brother whose sister
was raped, a son whose father was tortured to death do not heed our
sermons of moderation, and join the ranks of desperate suicide avengers? He
concluded that by his biased approach Bush has pushed the world towards
total clash of civilizations.
After 9/11 Putin supported war on terror and in turn, Chechnya was
declared a part of the global war on terror. Putin blamed Maskhadov for
suicide attack and having links with al-Qaeda. That was why Foreign
Minister said, Russia was fine with US troops presence in former Soviet
states.
Russia carried out target killing of Zelimkhan, former Chechen
President. When Qatar charged two Russian agents with murder it angered
Russia and Qataris in Moscow were arrested immediately. Nevertheless two
Russian agents got life prison.
Chechen War spilled over to neighbourhood in the form of
kidnappings and roadside explosions. When Chechen rebels staged
unprecedented series of strikes in Ingushetia Putin reacted angrily and
vowed to destroy the attackers. Disappearances that followed in Ingushetia
sowed fear in Chechens, who were kidnapped and tortured by Russians.
Amidst war Russia forced fake elections on Chechnya. On 29 th August
polls were held to elect new president. Hamid Mir was first-ever Pakistani
journalist to visit Groznyy to cover recent elections. He, along with other
journalists, was stopped to visit any polling station and was confined to
brigade headquarters, because there were no voters.
Next day pre-planned result was announced. The separatists wasted no
time in threatening to kill Alkhanov, another Moscow stooge. He meekly
offered talks with rebels, which his mentor has been rejecting all along. Only
two days after elections the worst happened.

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An armed group took over one thousand hostages in Russian school

near Chechnya. Eight persons were killed while taking over the hostages.
Next day death toll reached 12 and captors freed 31 women and children. On
3rd September Russian troops stormed school after some hostages escaped
and their captors fired at them.
The militants detonated the explosives and roof of the school
collapsed. About 400 people including more than 150 children were killed
and more than 700, including 259 children, were hospitalized. Twenty
militants, including ten Arabs, were killed. Three including a woman were
arrested and five escaped, but Army denied that.
The attack was condemned worldwide. America termed it a barbaric
act of terrorism. Putin visited the town and admitted failure to act firmly
and effectively, but he could not escape criticism. Some quarters urged him
to begin peace talks with Chechens.
Putin ruled out talks and said, why dont you meet Osama bin Laden,
invite him to Brussels or to the White House and engage in talks, ask him
what he wants and give it to him so he leaves you in peace You find it
possible to set some limitations in your dealings with these bastards The
feelings expressed in last world were mutual. Later on he accused US and
Britain for double standards.
Russia did not heed to prudent advice and instead announced its
readiness for pre-emptive strikes on terror bases worldwide. Reward of 10
million Dollars was announced for information to neutralize Aslan
Maskhadov and Shamil Basayev. Annan reacted to Russian threat and urged
respect for rule of law; whereas he never said such things when America
actually violated the law in many cases. Pakistan, however, agreed to share
intelligence with Russia.
Western Media immediately reported that the attack bore the signs of
a Chechen rebel operation. Putin got strength from involvement of Arabs
and stressed that mostly the foreigners were involved in Chechen fighting.
Major Chechen groups including Shamil Basayev did not accept the
responsibility.
Hamid Mir reported that Russian Media was not writing facts.
Independent sources said that more than five armed women belonged to less
known group called Black Widows of Chechnya. Its name surfaced when a
Chechen woman sentenced for twenty years for terrorism told the
investigators about it. Zarema said, she belongs to the Black Widows of
Chechnya, their main aim is to take revenge from Russians, they killed our
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husbands and children, and we will kill their husbands and children.
According to a source the Beslan operation was led by Khaula
Nazirove of Groznyy. Her husband was killed by torture in a Russian camp
and some relatives were killed when Russians bombed a school. The
attackers led by her included her 18-year old son and 16-year old daughter
and other relatives. It was a family affair with sole motive of revenge.
Two women who blew up two Russian aircrafts were Chechens.
Amnat and Satsita who were close friends and both had lost their husbands
in Chechnya. All their relatives went underground immediately after suicide
attack. Suicide attack in Moscow metro was also carried out by a woman.
They have little knowledge of Islam; they carried out just revenge missions.
As regards Russian endeavour to link Groznyy to international
terrorism he added, they claimed to have recovered passports of Pakistan,
Turkey and Bosnia from those killed on border with Georgia, but the
intelligence officer also disclosed that Pakistani passports were printed in
Moscow.
Motive of the attackers of school was not to render any service to
Muslim Ummah. Why should they have done that when Muslims have done
nothing for them? It was not even for freedom of Chechnya. It was sheer
revenge taken in their individual capacities.
Mir also focused on the theme of anger, revenge and counter revenge;
a never ending vicious cycle. The anger is not diminishing and instead was
being multiplied by the ruthlessness of the war on terror. This would
continue as long as either side kept treating the other as bastards. The
casualty figures quoted by Zakaev amply proved as to who was the bigger
bastard.
What anger can do was reflected in reaction of the locals who
assumed one bearded man as rebel. People jumped on him by dozens,
kicking and beating till police rescued him from sure death. He is a
journalist. He is a journalist screamed an officer. Russia seems trapped in
an endless cycle of terror, vengeance and atrocity wrote Herald Tribune.
Isabel Hilton wrote, there will be another Beslan. In asymmetrical war, the
most vulnerable will be on the frontline.
Neighbouring Uzbekistan also experienced terrorist attacks, which
were primarily the outcome of blatant violations of human rights committed
by the government. Nineteen persons were killed in terrorist attacks and a
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blast on 29th March. Next day 23 more were killed in clashes in Tashkent.
Another blast took place on 31st March. Three months later US and Israeli
embassies were attacked. A group called Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan
was blamed, but accusation was rejected. On the other side of Caspian Sea,
police stormed dissident mosque in Azerbaijan on 30th June.
In December China issued list of Muslim groups and sought
international help. The four groups included in the list were; East Turkestan
Islamic Movement (ETIM), Turkestan Liberation Organization, the World
Uyghur Youth Congress and the East Turkestan Information Centre in
Germany.
America, however, pursued biased policy towards Muslim dissidents
of China. It refused to send the detained suspects back to China. Beijing told
US not to send wrong signal to Uyghur terrorists by sending them
elsewhere. The reports of handling of the captives of various origins
differently indicated that America has plans to use some of them sometimes
later.
Japan has no Muslim population, yet most Japanese feared that the
risk of terror attacks was increasing. The government made its contribution
by arresting foreigners linked to al-Qaeda on 26 th May. Eight days later
Japanese police arrested 8th al-Qaeda suspect.
In the context of North Korea Japan changed the tack. It agreed to
give 250,000 tonnes of food and 10 million dollars as ransom for kidnapped
Japanese. It was not liked by US. A former diplomat said, US is no more the
dominant power, indirectly urging Washington to keep Japan under its
thumb.
North Korea stood on the other side of the divide on war on terror.
The main aim of pressing North Korea was to stop it from any military
cooperation with Muslim World. To this end military drills were carried out
in March. America demanded check of nuclear site.
It tabled new proposal asking North Korea to dismantle its plutonium
and uranium weapons programmes. In return it would give the go-ahead to
start sending heavy fuel; provisional guarantee not to invade; begin direct
talks about lifting an array of economic sanctions; and remove DPRK off its
list of terrorist states.
North Korean nuclear talks ended without progress in June. America
claimed that DPRK had admitted its nuclear weapons related plan. Bolton
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warned that US wont be fooled again by North Koreas offer of a nuclear

freeze. He demanded that North Korea should follow Libyan model.
China kept urging flexibility in Korean nuclear issue. Davos forum
also asked US to soften its stand. Russia and Japan too did not want any
armed conflict in the region. Even South Korea asked US to avoid Iraq
errors on North.
DPRK accused US of using talks to prepare for war. It termed Cheney
as mentally deranged. US proposal of giving three months to shut down
and seal its nuclear weapons facilities in return for major economic rewards
was called unrealistic. As regards Bush, he was dubbed as a thrice crushed
fascist. It is the greatest tragedy for the US that Bush, a political idiot and
human trash, still remains in the presidential office of the worlds only
superpower, styling himself an emperor of the world.
North Korea rejected total disarming of nuclear plan and turned down
Souths aid offer. In May it announced plans to test new missile regimes. In
response to the military drills carried out in its vicinity, North Korea ordered
defences preparations for war with US.
America failed to coerce primarily because of its double standards on
nuclear issue. Hiroshima mayor flayed US for making small nukes. On
Nagasaki bombing anniversary US was asked to ban nuclear weapons. South
Koreas admission of carrying out nuclear experiment in 1980s further
weakened its case.
Latest countries engulfed by the war on terror were Nepal and
Bangladesh. Reacting to the killing of Nepalese hostages in Iraq the mob
ransacked a mosque and PIA offices on 1 st September. Protesters chanted,
down with Islam and tore up copies of Quraan. Two demonstrators were
shot dead by police and curfew was imposed in Katmandu.
Ransacking of PIA offices indicated as where Pakistan stood in war
against terror. Ransacking of mosque reflected the anger of non-Muslims
against Islam which have been relentlessly fanned since 9/11 by the media
controlled by the Crusaders.
In the ongoing insurgency, which is nothing more than armed struggle
of Iraqis against occupation, whenever a foreigner was taken as hostage or
killed the point which was highlighted by the media was that the killers or
captors were Islamic militants. Islam was accused and ridiculed.
Although Nepal has sent no troops to Iraq, yet 15,000 Nepalese have
gone to Iraq, some recruited by agencies in Katmandu, others through Indian
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operators in Mumbai. We ask anyone who wants to come to Iraq not to be

cheated by the high salary, because they are false and America is lying said
one of Nepalese before execution.
The protesters ignored the fact that the fighters did not spare even the
Muslims working for the occupation forces. Two Pakistanis were killed
recently. Yet the charged crowd targeted Islam and Pakistan; why? Saleh
Zaafir blamed Hindu fanatics behind Katmandu arson. Push Patti Sena, an
extremist Nepalese Hindu fanatic outfit and off-shoot of the notorious Indian
Hindu terrorist organization Shiv Sena, is responsible for all that happened
in Nepal RAW has established its clandestine network in Nepal and
Maoists are fully patronized and equipped by the RAW.
Indians have developed a nexus with the global forces working
systematically against the interests of Muslims and trying to give a tilt of
every adverse action against Islam and Muslims. He avoided naming the
global forces.
The events proved that the Jewish and Christian neo-cons were not the
only terrorists. Hindu fundamentalists too have got into the shoes of
militants. Therefore, it would be appropriate, at least by the media of
Muslim countries, to use terms of militants and terrorists for them rather
than calling oppressed Muslims by these names.
Pakistan reacted angrily and condemned misdirected anger. It had to
because it considered itself a leading ally in war against terror. Nepal assured
safety of life and property of Pakistanis and also conveyed regrets to Saudi
Arabia over attacks on mosque.
The Nepalese took time in recognizing the real bastard, if one is
permitted to borrow the language used by Putin. The Maoists bombed
American Cultural Centre. Most countries of the world have recognized the
Devil, but seemed to be reluctant to face it squarely.
In Bangladesh thirteen persons were killed as blasts hit oppositions
rally and Hasina suffered leg injuries. Bangladesh did not rule out foreign
hand in explosions. US counter-terrorism expert was invited to Dacca. The
foreign involvement, if any, was very obvious. The investigators from US
would never point out the sacred hand of the proxy crusaders.

SOUTHEAST ASIA
America vowed to flush out terrorists in key South Asian waterway,

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the Strait of Malacca, hence 'terror topped Southeast Asia army chiefs talks
held in early September. Australia has been the regional leader of the war on
terror. In January it planned counter-terror exercise and discussed missile
shield with US amid fears. Australian government, like America, indulged in
terror scaremongering.
Australia kept dealing with asylum seekers inhumanely. In December
18 strikers were hospitalized, but the government remained unmoved. Racial
abuse was rampant, particularly against Muslim women. The first victims of
racism, the aborigines, rioted in Sydney in February over a boys death.
Aboriginal leader warned of more violence bringing the spotlight to despair
of indigenous population.
Philippines received maximum support from the Crusaders in its fight
against Islamic militancy. Arroyo kept fighting with host of rebels while
focusing on MILF:

On 15th December 12 people were slain as troops clashed with rebels.

Two days later army helicopter was damaged in rebel attack.

Troops nabbed one Abu Sayyaf suspect on 29 th December. Next day

Philippines announced deportation of two Americans for suspected alQaeda links.

A soldier was slain and three rebels arrested on 2nd January. Ten
persons were killed on 4th January in bombing in southern
Philippines. Six days later eight persons were killed in rebels attack.

On 19th February one person was killed in grenade attack at election

rally. Two days later about 20 more were killed.

Two Abu Sayyaf activists were jailed on 27 th February. Three days

later Philippines deported two US nationals suspected of having
contacts with MILF.

On 31st March one militant was arrested. Next day four Arabic
teachers from Turkey were arrested.

Three communist rebels were killed on 11th April. A week later a

grenade was thrown at Shell office in Manila.

Philippines arrested four suspected operatives of JI on 25 th April.

Three foreigners were killed on resort isle during first week of May.

Troops killed three rebels on 26th May. Five days later a Muslim
militant was arrested and bombs were recovered.

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An Arab national was held on 2nd June. Nine days later Army seized
explosives at Manila port.

On 13th June four persons were killed in clashes. A JI suspect was

arrested at the end of the month.

Army officer and six communists were killed in clash in central region
on 3rd July. Next day an American was killed in the north.

A leader of Sayyaf group was held on 31st July. Next day two Abu
Sayyaf guerrillas were killed.

On 3rd August two militants suspected of links with JI were arrested.

Three days later troops captured rebel base after killing seventeen
persons. Rebels postponed release of two soldiers.

On 13th August a court sent 17 militants to death. Next day a

kidnapped leader was killed in air strike.

Clashes erupted between troops and rebels on 28 th August. Six days

later troops killed a gang leader involved in kidnappings.

As America sought more involvement in Philippines; an American tipoff led to anti-terror arrests, but Manila played down US advisory role. US
offered carrot of million dollars development aid to MILF and the stick of
being declared as enemy of America was also swirled.
When Philippines showed reluctance to accept American involvement
it was alleged that al-Qaeda linked group was exporting terror from
Philippines. Manila was annoyed over terror comments, but pressure tactics
worked. US troops were deployed in island of Mindanao during last week of
July followed by Manila-US joint exercises.
In January Manila agreed to resume dialogue with Marxist rebels, but
snags kept hitting talks to end the conflict. Philippines wanted a favourable
deal with MILF. Muslims showed no sign of compromise over central
demand for an independent southern state. Therefore, formal talks to end a
30-year-old rebellion in the south were postponed till October.
Thailand was the other country of the region where Muslim minority
was being crushed with use of force:

Schools were torched in Muslim-majority south on 4th January and

four soldiers were killed.

On 5th January Martial law was imposed in a restive town. Two days
later police attacked in the south.
348

Troops rolled out on night patrol in restive south on 8th January. A

week later arrest warrants for militant rebels were issued.

Two monks and a policeman were killed on 24 th January. Two days

later three more monks were slain in the south.

Three persons were killed in violence on 15 th February. Three more

were killed in the south four days later.

A soldier and village deputy was killed in the south on 29 th February.

Another soldier was killed on 16th March.

Rebels torched 36 buildings on 19th March. Nine days later 28 people

were injured in the south.

Bomb exploded in the south on 19th March. During the following

week trains were suspended due to violence.

Two persons were killed and buildings torched on 23 rd April. Five

days later troops killed more than 100 Muslims on the eve of Jamalis
visit.

On 17th May blasts rocked temples in Muslim south. Eleven days later
a soldier was killed.

On 29th May a policeman was shot dead. Nine days later a Buddhist
teacher was killed in the south.

Ex-policeman was killed and a camp was attacked on 13th June. Next
day an official was shot dead in the south.

A villager was killed on 15th June. Two days later bomb blast wounded
four persons.

Policeman was killed on 19th June. Three days later a Muslim teacher
was shot dead.

Gunmen killed two persons on 23rd June. Four days later a man was
killed in the south.

Two persons were killed on 28th June. Next day a policeman was
killed and attack was apprehended in the south.

Islamists were suspected of killing two Buddhists on 5 th July. Three

days later two persons were killed.

One person was dead and five injured in violence on 1 st August. Three

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days later two persons were injured as two bombs went off.

Unrest in the south claimed two more lives on 6th August. Three
weeks later a bomb rocked Thai south on the eve of Prime Ministers
visit.

A bomb exploded and police de-fused another on 28th August. Two

days later three persons were killed in restive south. Two Britons were
shot dead in western Thailand on 9th September.

With complete disregard to political, economic and ethnic issues

Thailand blamed Muslims and their religion for the unrest. The government
probed into Islamic schools and accused Muslim teachers of insurgency.
Prime Minister vowed to get tough on Islamic boarding schools; whereas his
deputy accepted that police was terrorizing southerners.
Thai court issued warrant for a Muslim teacher though there was
nothing stopping his execution without such legal formality. Muslim MP,
Najmuddin Umar, faced death in his trial, though he denied rebellion.
Deputy Prime Minister thought that the Indonesians threatening Jihad in the
south were misled.
The worst incident of indiscriminate killings of Muslims occurred
when more than hundred Muslims were massacred in a Mosque. The
incident was widely condemned and UN demanded a probe. Head of inquiry
flayed the killings. Prime Minister visited bullet-riddled mosque and
promised help to grieved relatives. Later on he admitted committing errors
and sought soothing Muslim anger, but ruled out US role in restive Muslim
south. Muslims termed it as publicity stunt.
Government employed intelligence agents and soldiers in the garb of
monks. This resulted in slaying of monks sparking fears in that community.
The clever move endangered the lives of genuine monks as some of them
might have been killed on suspicion.
Indonesia fell in the category of those Muslim states which out of fear
of the Crusaders volunteered to clean their countries of Islamic extremism.
In December prosecutors sought life terms for Bali bomb suspects.
Megawati repeatedly vowed to fight terrorism, but civilizations kept
clashing in her country. The summary given below does not include the
fighting in Aceh:

Two JI members were arrested on 18th December. A week later eight

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persons died in Muslim-Christian violence in Ambon.

On 26th April Christian and Muslim riots claimed 22 lives. Next day
two policemen were shot dead in Ambon.

A Muslim was killed by snipers on 29 th April. Next day more people

were injured in firing and blasts in Ambon. On 2nd May family of
Christian separatist chief was held.

On 9th September nine persons were killed and about two hundred
injured in bomb blast in front of Australian Embassy in Jakarta.
Australian expert joined the probe.

Malaysia is the reluctant member of the same category. It accused US

of tarnishing its image. Prime Minister saw no JI links to Thai unrest, hit
back over terror charges and denied offering safe shelter to Thais. But
Malaysia backed Thai crackdown against rebels, deputy Prime Minister
visited Bangkok for security talks and Malaysia tightened security along
border with Thailand.
Malaysia called for showdown with Islamists in early election.
Outside the democratic process Badawi acknowledged that JI was not
destroyed but Southeast Asia was winning war on terror. Throwing of bomb
at Australian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur was the only significant act of terror
that took place during last nine months.
Singapore is one of the most prosperous states in the region having
some Muslim population. Its rulers, fearing Islamic militancy, have been
staunch supporters of the ongoing Crusades. Singapore also claimed winning
battle against JI.

ARABS AND AFRICA

Middle East formed the centre stage of the war on terror. While the
Crusaders were engaged in Iraq and proxy crusader in Palestine, other Arab
and African states were coerced to crackdown on Islamic militants. Saudi
Arabia led the charge. During the period Riyadh stepped up hunt for Islamic
extremists with considerable success:

On 5th January Saudi police found bomb at phone office. Ten days
later militants camps were discovered.

Five security men and a civilian were killed in raid in Riyadh on 29 th

January. Two militants were killed in shootouts in mid of March.

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A militant was killed in shootout on 5 th March. A week later another

militant and a policeman were killed in clash in Riyadh.

Four more policemen were killed in firing in Riyadh on 13 th April.

Next day a security man was killed in firing.

On 18th April eight suspects were arrested after shootouts. Three days
later nine people died in suicide attack in Riyadh.

Three militants were gunned down in Jeddah on 22 nd April. Next day

Saudi forces killed two more suspects.

On 1st May nine persons were killed in shootout. Two Americans were
among the dead. Three attackers were killed and one captured.

Four suspects and a security man were killed in Riyadh on 20 th May.

Two days later a German worker was shot dead.

On 23rd May Saudi police seized arms cache. Next day Saudi security
men and militants exchanged gunfire.

On 29th May nine Saudis and seven foreigners were killed in firing in
Khobar. Pakistani, American, British, Indian, Philpino and Egyptian
were among dead. Body of Briton was tied to car and dragged before
dumping. Fifty were taken hostage, most of whom were westerners.

Hostages were freed in commando raid. Toll rose to 22, including 8

Indians. One attacker was captured and three escaped.

Americans came under fire in Riyadh on 2 nd June and two al-Khobar

killers were gunned down in Taif.

British journalist was shot dead on 6th June. Two days later an
American was killed in Riyadh.

Another American was shot dead in Riyadh on 12 th June. Saudi forces

continued hunt for al-Qaeda as deadline to kill American hostage
loomed.

On 18th June American hostage was beheaded and three suspects were
shot dead. Next day al-Qaeda chief, Abdulaziz al-Muqrin and three
other prominent militants were believed to be killed and 12 were
arrested.

On 28th June the wanted Saudi militant al-Amri surrendered. Two days
later three persons were killed in clash in Riyadh.

Another militant was killed on 2nd July. Next day Riyadh claimed that
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two wanted militants died of wounds.

Saudi al-Qaeda cleric who has been hiding along Iran-Afghanistan

border surrendered on 13th July. Harbi was looking after al-Qaeda
finances.

An Irish was shot dead in Riyadh on 3rd August. Three days later one
of the most wanted terrorists was arrested; leaving only 11 out of 26
most wanted men still at large.

Suspected extremist was shot dead in Makkah on 11th August. A week

later two suspected militants were detained.

US Envoys car came under fire in Jeddah on 30 th August. Next day a

militant was killed and four held near Riyadh.

On 2nd September it was reported that al-Moqrin, who was reported

killed in June, has surrendered.

A militant and a security officer were killed in Buraidah. Two days

later three Saudi policemen were killed in clashes in Burayah. Two car
blasts took place in Jeddah on 11th September.

Saudis endeavoured to link Jihad with charity. It announced that large

quantity of charity cash was recovered from captured terrorists.
Subsequently the government tightened control on charities, sought Fatwa
over information on extremists and asked Imams to avoid talking of Jihad in
their sermons.
The Crusaders continued pressing Saud Arabia. In January Perle
remarked, the Saudis qualify for their own membership in the Axis of Evil.
The ridiculing language forced Saudi Press to react violently. In June US
termed al-Qaeda a serious threat in Saudi Arabia, and Rice said America
and Saudi Arabia were working closely.
Saudi investigators found links of Yanbu attacker with pro-Israel
parties; the attack in which foreigners were targeted. Israel was working on
triggering hostility of the Crusaders for Saudis. In this context some quarters
had apprehended exodus of foreigners from Saudi Arabia.
Yemen too has been encountering hostility of political opponents.
Since second week of June it experienced resurgence of militancy:

Four persons were killed in shootout in mosque on 12 th June. In

clashes during fourth week nine soldiers were among 55 killed.
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Dozens of soldiers and supporters of fire-brand preacher Hussein Badr

were wounded north of Sanaa. Forty-three extremists were captured.
By 27th June death toll in battle rose to sixty-four.

On 5th July 35 more were killed in clashes with supporters of Badr

Eddin al-Huthi and 41 soldiers were reported killed since 18th June.

Twenty-five supporters of anti-US Shia cleric were killed on 10th July.

On 5th August 72 including 34 soldiers were killed in fresh clashes. By

the end of the month killing of more troops was reported.

Yemeni rulers tried for mediation without success. In early July

Yemen called on extremist preacher to surrender, but the rebel cleric did not
oblige and kept eluding the forces. The prevalent tension indicated more
bloodletting in future.
Other smaller states like Qatar, Jordan, and Bahrain were genuine
willing partners in war on terror. They made humble contribution. Qatar
expelled Russian Envoy on 24th March, but this was related to state terrorism
rather than the pure terrorism. In April Jordan police killed three suspects
and foiled suspected chemical attack. Bahrain detained six Islamists in June
and in July probed six released Islamists.
Lebanon and Syria fell in the category of Axis of Evil. They were
continuously accused of harbouring Palestinian terrorists and interfering in
Iraq. Damascus blamed America for interfering in Lebanon and Sudan.
During first week of September UN demanded end to foreign interference in
Lebanon. It meant that the world body wanted Syrians to get out of Lebanon
and Americans to stay in Iraq as they were not interfering at all. On 11th
September US again asked Syria to withdraw troops from Lebanon.
The Crusaders seemed to be keen to escalate the war to the Dark
Continent. At the end of June America decided to wield diplomatic stick
over in Darfur region in Western Sudan, where local tribes had rebelled
against provincial government of Arabs.
Annan dashed to Khartoum to ask Sudan to contain Janjaweed Militia.
Sudanese Government was blamed for siding with Arab Militia against
African tribes. Sudan agreed to send army to stop violence, but warned US
not to create Iraq-style crisis over Darfur.
Actions, not words were needed in Sudan demanded Powell and
America asked Sudan to do more to ease the crisis. The toddy Tony mulled
military intervention in Sudan. US Congress came out with the pretext by

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terming Drafur attacks as genocide.

Sudan rejected the genocide allegation, but EU maintained curbs
threat and France desired triple urgency to solve the crisis. Powell vowed
to end Darfur crisis, but Sudan rejected his concealed ultimatum. Sudans
Army called UN Resolution declaration of war and mass protest in
Khartoum decried the Resolution.
Sudan agreed to disarm militias and at the same time Powell rejected
any alternative to peace. On 8th August UN report urged Sudan to protect
people blaming Khartoum for extra judicial killings. The world body saw
little progress on security in Darfur till mid August. Sudan claimed applying
UN security plan to the letter.
On 2nd September Powell softened the tone, too early to impose
curbs, but EU renewed threats of sanctions. Sudan asked world to meet
obligations on Darfur. America again talked of Darfur genocide, but Sudan
termed the US charge an isolated position.
Concurrently African leaders pressed Sudan to disarm militias and
mulled sending 2,000 troops to Darfur. Sudan reserved the right to reject AU
troops. Africa brought Sudanese parties to the table and British Foreign
Minister went to hold talks. Peace talks were delayed and AU urged Sudan
and rebels to overcome impasse.
Khartoum tried to initiate fresh dialogue with rebels, but opposing
movements rejected peace talks unless demands were met. The biased stance
of the West emboldened the rebels. They walked out of talks in Addis Ababa.
On 24th July rebels killed 42 people. Next day they sought
international troops in Drafur. AU accused militia of burning villagers alive
and on 29th July Ugandan Army claimed killing 120 rebels. Sudan
Government agreed to share power with rebels and worked on arranging
talks, but rebels said peace first and disarming later. However, government
and rebels talks resumed during first week of September.
Germany sought Pakistans help in Drafur. It followed the adoption of
UN Resolution. Musharraf stressed for early solution. On 2nd August
Pakistan sent high-level mission to Sudan, the outcome of which was not
known, but the gesture was appreciated by all concerned.
While reviewing the recent developments it might be said that Drafur
provided a more convincing pretext to the Crusaders to punish Sudanese
Arabs as compared to those used for invading Iraq, though its legitimacy
remained debatable. Before commenting it would be appropriate to have a
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brief glance at genesis of the crisis. Mubarak Shah in his review enumerated
the following facts:

The Darfur crisis was in the making for the last 17 months but
international community remained asleep. America, UN, EU and
African Union failed to prove any systematic genocide despite the
existence of human tragedy resulting in about 50,000 deaths.

There is no ethnic cleansing going on. Janjaweed are no aliens. These

Darfurian herdsmen are as black as their adversaries of the farming
Fur, Masalit Zaghawa tribes. They all speak Arabic, they all are
Muslims, and they all have been fighting intermittently over
pasturelands.

Since the rebels have the international communitys ears, only their
version is coming out. Grievances of Janjaweeds remain untold.
Western Media, unrepentant of its role in Iraq War, is replicating
shamelessly their servility now in Sudan.

Arming of Janjaweed for self defence by Khartoum is the reality that

cannot be denied. Its chief Musa Hilal is comfortably ensconced in
Khartoum under house arrest.

The government cannot feign innocence because it had carried out

punitive bombings. Even if the government has not armed Janjaweed
militiamen, it is supposed to rein them in.

Rebels too are no angels. They have been wantonly killing the
innocent Janjaweeds, raping their women, looting and burning their
dwellings, and stealing their herds.

They have more people under arms: 80,000 as against 12,000

Janjaweeds. Sources arming them are not told to the world. It was the
rebels who fired the first shot and drew inevitable retaliation from
Khartoum.

Why are the long knives out now for Sudan when the government has
already entered into peace negotiations with the Darfur rebels and
even struck truce with them in April, which is still holding?

Darfur is rich in mineral resources, where Chinese are already

prospecting oil and where the French have also invested heavily. US
Congress vote of 422 against nil does say something.

Darfur oil is tempting some eyes in Washington and London, which

has on offer 5,000 troops for any expeditionary force to discipline
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Sudan.

It is next to impossible for Khartoum to disarm the Janjaweeds in 30

days, when their rivals do not want to give up arms. Now the threat of
foreign intervention will harden them in their stance. They have
already foot-dragging on their participation in AU-sponsored peace
talks in Abuja.

Taking sides has worsened the situation; whereas international

community must help unfortunate people out of their distress without
any discrimination.

The Crusaders pressed UN to implement their agenda of punishing

Sudan for its links with al-Qaeda; for enjoying support of Saddam and in the
process to be there in another oil rich country. Qazi Shah Saud in his letter to
the News warned Khartoum; be prepared Sudanese, the Americans are
coming to bring peace and stability in your country like Afghanistan and
Iraq.
Afghanistan was invaded for harbouring the terrorists. Iraq was
invaded because Saddam had intentions to possess Weapons of Mass
Destruction. Now Sudan has been threatened for perpetrating state terrorism;
whereas US has issued the licence to Israel and India to kill Palestinians and
Kashmiris.
Sudan ran from pillar to post. Assessing the OIC capabilities correctly
it sought Arab help in avoiding the curbs. Sudan asked Libyan and Nigerian
help. Arab League vowed to support Sudan on Darfur crisis, but when it
would come to use of bullet everyone would duck for sure.
Nigerian population is the mix of two civilizations, therefore the clash
was unavoidable:

On 30th April 100 people were killed in Christian-Muslim feud. On 3 rd

May Christians killed 80 Muslims as assailants targeted mosques and
houses. Muslims feared that the final death toll could be over three
hundred.

6th May Red Cross estimated that 630 were killed in Christian militias
attack on Muslims.

In retaliatory riots by Muslims on 13th May Christians accused them

of killing 400 people.

Two Nigerians were killed in fresh Muslim-Christian clashes on 29th

May. A week later military and militants clashed outside Nigerian oil
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city.

On 9th June fifty persons were killed in Muslim-Christian riots, which

kept recurring.

Five Algerian soldiers and two policemen were killed on 25 th August

in ambush laid by Islamic extremists; the favourite term used by the
Crusaders.

Moroccan and Algerian contribution to the war on terror during the

period was limited. On 6th March 16 Moroccans were convicted of terrorist
activities. Algeria stopped a boy from wearing Afghan dress and its Army
killed 7 Islamic rebels on 20th June.
In Kenya 40 people were hurt in riots by Muslims against US
Marines. They wanted Americans to leave Muslim dominated area along
Somali border as they suspected hidden agenda under cover of humanitarian
mission. South Africa too nabbed unspecified number of al-Qaeda
operatives.

CRUSADERS ROLE
America as leader of the Crusades kept urging on the willing, not sowilling and reluctant partners, while it focused on Iraq War and internal
security. Hundred countries were blamed for failing to curb al-Qaeda and
Taliban. Later on UN reduced the number to 68 countries which failed on
anti-terror pledges.
In June Rumsfeld vowed to hunt terrorists in Asia. Resultantly US and
14 Asian states held anti-terror talks and Asia coast guards agreed to
coordinate terror fight. A month later Asian states were warned of chemical
terror attack. In early September US issued fresh warning to Americans of
Indonesian dangers as Western hotels were to be likely terror targets.
In the context of internal security the intelligence agencies focused on
issuing terror warnings to avert 9/11-like accusations of incompetence.
Intelligence on al-Qaeda strike plan kept triggering US alert.
Administration concentrated on keeping America free of terrorists.
It kept freezing assets of suspected al-Qaeda financiers. US Congress
probed 25 Islamic charities. The victims complained of witch-hunt. Even
Zakat was suspected. People just assume that by definition if youre
Muslim, youre going to have something to do with terrorismWere under
the assumption that were under surveillance all the timeIt appears you are
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convicted and then you have to show your innocence. A US soldier, Ryan
Anderson who converted to Islam was found guilty of passing information
to al-Qaeda.
Frequent threats issued by al-Qaeda leaders provided the much needed
excuse to the Crusaders to exaggerate the threats posed by the terror
monster. Statements issued by Zawahri and Zarqawi made the analysts
believe that al-Qaeda has the ability to hit US hard.
Britain followed the gimmicks of the boss. UK was warned of serious
terror threat and put on alert status as frequently as the circumstances
permitted. Other steps for tightening the internal security were also taken
which focused on targeting the Muslim immigrants.
Most of the related arrests and extraditions have been covered in
previous articles. Eight terror suspects were arrested in March; a Muslim
cleric was arrested on US request; police held Moroccan terror suspect in
June; and in August Islamic cleric Abu Hamza was held. In June protesters
shouted anti-Muslim slurs and clashed with Muslims at London Mosque.
Repeated reminders of Tony to the civilized people not to forget 9/11 kept
the anger alive.
Spain bore the brunt of terror attacks in Europe. On 11 th March blasts
in Madrid left 190 dead and 1247 hurt. Ten out of 13 bombs went off at 3
railway stations. Government blamed ETA (Basque Homeland and Liberty).
What kind of barbarism this was; and extremism of which religion acted
behind it; the civilized world did not dwell on this point.
Having blamed ETA Spain still probed for al-Qaeda link. Law
enforcing agencies arrested five persons, but mastermind blew himself up
as police tried to raid his apartment. Nothing was disclosed about the final
findings, but two blasts in northwest Spain after ETA warnings said
everything.
France has been mistaken as friendly towards Muslims for its
differences over Iraq, but it did not shy away from fighting on home front. In
April 15 Moroccan terror suspects were detained. In June Islamists were
targeted in anti-terror swoop resulting in arrest of half a dozen suspects.
France went a step ahead of other Crusaders by imposing headscarf ban in
schools. French people increased arson attacks on mosques.
German police launched hunt in May for suspected Turkish extremist.
Sweden arrested a Lebanese with three others on suspected link to terrorism.
Terrorists activities were noticed in Italy when two bombs were found after

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Berlusconi-Blair met in August and rocket fired at coalition base missed the
target in Poland.
In March NATO troops were rushed to Kosovo after 31 people died in
unrest. Trials of war crimes committed against Muslims continued with the
sole aim of improving the image the civilized Christian World. The
punishment awarded earlier to a Croat General was slashed from 45 to only
nine years.
Turkey relished European proximity over its Islamic identity; hence
discussed with European countries. It prepared 69 cases in May for trial over
Istanbul suicide bombing. In June several more linked to the same bombing
were detained a day after killing of four persons in bomb blasts in two
biggest cities. Five more died in car blast on 2 nd July. A powerful bomb was
defused ahead of NATO Summit and Army thwarted bomb attack in southeast in August.
On 13th July the News commented that the Muslim World has
displayed a brazen nonchalance towards the plight of the Muslims and the
atrocities committed in Iraq and Afghanistan by the superpower and its
allies. The indifference of the Muslim World has encouraged America and
allies to fearlessly continue their unheeded deadly masquerade. The events
away from the scene of main battleground proved this point and also the
involvement of some Muslim countries in deadly masquerade.
Even the most outspoken Muslim leader like Mahathir could do more
than asking US to reconsider its focus on conventional military operation
which disregarded complicated political dimensions of terrorism. He
reiterated that terrorism emanated from Muslim World only because of
long-drawn political conflicts.
He rejected the link between poverty and terrorism There is not
necessarily always a linkage between terrorism and poverty, as assumed by
many When people are poor and suffering, they take action against their
government. They dont fly airplane and crash it into a building in some
other country If they attack other countries, it is not because of starvation
or poverty; it is because theyre angry about something.
A US report concluded that military actions cannot purge terror.
Rami G Khouri opined that the prevailing American and Israeli policy of
fighting terror militarily, which is increasingly adopted by Arab and other
governments, has had only limited successes, because it largely fails to
address the root causes that push otherwise normal young men and women
to end their lives in suicide missions. Maleeha kept appealing to the West to
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listen to grievances of entire Muslim World.

Muslim rulers have adopted defeatist approach to find a safe lane
through the onslaught of the Crusaders and their allies. They contemplated
reorganization of OIC to accommodate non-Muslim states and yet retain
the name of Organization of Islamic Countries. Some have been waiting the
November to come, but Kerry has promised them smart war on terror.

CONCLUSION
Christian fundamentalists spearhead the charge against Muslims. Bush
has destroyed two countries so far and has been threatening to use military
force against few more even at the risk of being the most disliked world
leader.
Bush enjoyed the support of Hindu and Jewish militants, because the
Crusades have provided them a golden opportunity to crush freedom
movements of Kashmiris and Palestinians. He reciprocated their support,
particularly in case of Sharon who his runner-up as disliked leader.
Russia got the licence to kill Chechens in return of the support to war
on terror. Philippines and Thailand availed the opportunity to subdue the
Muslim majority areas in their respective souths. China has also been
slightly benefited indirectly.
Enlightened moderates of Muslim World made considerable
contribution to the cause of the enemies of oppressed Muslims. Pakistan and
Saudi Arabia stood out conspicuously in this category. Indonesia did not lag
too far behind.
Muslims struggling for their rights faced the combined challenge of
anti-Islam forces and intimidated Islamic States. They cannot think of
victory of any magnitude, but they will continue killing their adversaries and
get killed as long as their belief in righteousness of their cause remains in
place. The biased conduct of war has definitely strengthened their belief.
Mahathir blamed Muslims for straying from teachings of Islam and
recommended excellence in science to fortify Ummah. He thought it was
necessary for them to possess all such weapons that gave them security
against aggression by their enemies. He was late by half a century. The need
of the hour for those countries, which are likely to be next targets, is to
accumulate weapons suited for insurgency; instead of those recommended
by Mahathir in good faith.

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14th September 2004

HARRASSED BUT HOPHUL

As Musharraf endeavoured to correct worlds misperceptions about
Pakistan, the extension to wear uniform, acquired through courtesy of
MMA, neared its end. It was time to seek another extension. Punjab
Government, probably coaxed by the ever-faithful governor asked
Musharraf not to remove the uniform.
The suggestion was based on argument that uniform was essential for
pursuing the ongoing policies related to economic development and war on
terror. It was an indirect acceptance by the politicians that none of the two
tasks could be performed by the men in civvies.
Such a move could not be initiated without a nod from the Western
champions of democracy. If that be so, then it implied that the Crusaders
needed services of Musharraf at the critical juncture of their sinking into the
quagmire of Iraq.
They needed him to check cross border terrorism and to curb Islamic
militancy in Pakistan. Musharrafs credentials impressed Benazir and she
too issued a statement to please the Crusaders; extremists are tarnishing
Islams image.
The campaign to crush struggle of aggrieved Kashmiris and
Pushtoons continued behind the smoke-screen of composite dialogue and
benefits of internal stability of Afghanistan. Internally the law enforcing
agencies achieved considerable success in crackdown against Islamic
militancy.

WEB OF DIALOGE
There was on dearth of round of talks in the ongoing process of
composite dialogue:

Pakistan and India discussed visa regime on 4th August. Next day
demilitarization of Siachen was discussed.

After agreeing to resolve Siachen dispute peacefully, talks on Sir

Creek ended without making any headway.

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Pakistan and India failed to define terrorism in the meeting of 10th

August, but agreed to check drug trafficking.

Next day Islamabad and Delhi pledged to eliminate terrorism (without

agreeing on definition) and both countries agreed to enhance trade,
but MFN status was linked to sustained dialogue.

On 30th August Foreign Secretary of Pakistan and Indian Envoy held

unscheduled meeting.

On 3rd September India planned to present 72-point peace plan in

forthcoming Foreign Minister level talks. Next day Manmohan agreed
to meet Musharraf in New York.

Talks ended on 6th September without any breakthrough on Kashmir

dispute; instead Foreign Ministers exchanged allegations of cross
border terrorism and human rights violations as good-will gestures to
end talks on positive note.

On 9th September Tariq Aziz went to India for talks with Dixit. Who
takes follow up action; this equation or the foreign offices, remains a
secret.

Joint statement was issued two days after the meeting of Foreign
Ministers in which both countries agreed on 13 points. Promotion of people
to people contacts received special attention. Two countries agreed to hold
talks on Monabao-Khokhrapar rail link; meeting on bus service between
Srinagar and Muzaffarabad; promote group tourism; visits to religious
shrines and upkeep historical sites.
Wide ranging security related issues were also covered. They agreed
to hold expert level talks on nuclear CBMs and missile tests; biannual
meeting between BSF and Rangers; meeting for establishment of
communication between Maritime agencies; defence secretaries meeting on
Siachen; carry out joint survey of Sir Creek area; setting up mechanism to
deal with civilian prisoners and fishermen; and enhanced interaction among
respective Foreign Offices. Meetings of experts to consider trade related
issues and to finalize drug control were also agreed upon.
The results of dialogue were quite disappointing when seen in the
light of hype about peace process. Even Musharraf saw confusing signals
from India on Kashmir. Only Faisal seemed to be satisfied with outcome of
trade talks. Rest of the team tirelessly stressed upon peaceful solution of

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Kashmir to end war risk. Aziz asked India to give up obstinacy. Pakistan
called for result-oriented talks and urged India to lower rhetoric
India hailed the peace process. Manmohan sought cooperation in his
letter to Aziz. Dixit termed Kashmir an important issue. India was ready to
discuss Kashmir said Natwar, but warned not to expect breakthrough. After
the Delhi meeting he said, we have to make progress in all areas political,
economic, communication, nuclear, visas, exchange of students, opening of
consulates in Karachi and Mumbai, pipeline, bus service from Srinagar to
Muzaffarabad.
He made no mention of Kashmir till issue of the joint statement. On
9th September he said, progress on Kashmir only in case Islamabad delivers
on its promise to act against Kashmiri rebels on its soil. PARNALA stayed
where it was. Manmohan was right when he said, India was not afraid to
discuss Kashmir.
Practice of confidence building and suspicion enhancing measures
remained in vogue. Pakistan vowed to make Manmohans birthplace as
model village. India and Pakistan swapped soldiers captured in Kargil
fighting. Pakistan freed two Indian children and on 31st August got 19 in
exchange of 36 civilian prisoners.
On 12th September India held five hundred Hindus to save Mughal
General Afzal Khans tomb near the ruined fort of Hindu warrior king
Shivaji. However, the daily News apprehended that the incident of tomb
promised more trouble for Indian Muslims.
Pakistan remained adamant about ban on Indian TV channels. On 14 th
August BSF killed an innocent Pakistani in Kasur area. On 30 th an Indian
civilian helicopter intruded into Pakistan, hovered over Lahore and went
back. Three Indian spies were arrested in Rasoolpur on 4th September.
Maulana Salfi of Jamaat al-Dawa (formed after banning of Lashkar-eTayyaba) was killed; the group blamed India.
Cross border terrorism remained favourite accusation. Almost every
round of talks began and was followed by accusation of infiltration and
militants camps. India continued fencing the Line of Control. Manmohan
vowed use of force in the Valley and Kashmir Watch noted rise in Human
Rights abuses. Both were right as could be seen from the following:

On 4th August six people were killed in IHK. Next day nine policemen
were killed.

Six persons were killed in violence on 12th August. Four days later
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alleged Laskar man was killed in gun battle in Delhi.

Four of a family, a commander and a politician were killed on 18 th

August. Next day nine, including Jamait commander, were killed.

On 20th August Indian Army claimed killing two infiltrators. Two days
later two Indian soldiers were among seven killed.

Two children were among six killed on 25 th August. Next day teachers
were injured in protest in Srinagar.

Two cops were among six injured in anti-US protests on 27th August.
Next day nine persons were killed.

Nine militants were among 13 killed on 29 th August and arrest

warrants against Gilani and Yasin were issued.

Next day an Indian soldier was among three killed. PTV reported
more casualties.

Four persons were killed in blast and gun battle on 31 st August. Next
day 14 persons were killed ahead of Foreign Ministers-level talks.

Indian soldier was killed on 3rd September. PTV reported killing of

four Kashmiris as well. Next day three more were killed.

Three persons were beheaded in Jammu area on 8th September. Next

day 14 people were killed.

Three people perished in blast and clash on 11th September. Next day
five more were killed in attack on police camp.

Four people were killed in violence on 13th September. Next day an

Indian soldier was among six shot dead in Kashmir.

Kasmiris, like Palestinians, faced the problem of unity. During first

week of August last-ditch effort was made to reunite the Hurriat. Hizb
commander was killed in clash with rival insurgents. Kashmiris remained
apprehensive about peace process. Sikandar cautioned Pakistan; India has
always deceived Kashmiris on the pretext of dialogues.
Pakistan tried to give an impression that it has not surrendered on
Kashmir cause. In Delhi Kasuri met APHC chairman and other prominent
Kashmiri leaders. Having met him the Kashmiri leaders urged Pakistan not
to deviate from its stand. Hizb chief, however, termed Pak-India dialogue
complete failure and its outcome irked Kashmiris.
Review of the events should begin with inability of the two countries

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to define terrorism; whereas it was so simple. Whatever India did, like the
Crusaders, was not terrorism and whatever Pakistan did was terrorism. That
was how the term Axis of Evil was carved by the Crusaders.
The dialogue process, while still continuing, seems to be switching
tracks. From the steady footed track laid down personally by former Indian
Prime Minister Vajpayee and the Pakistani President General Pervez
Musharraf, it now appears to be veering towards a slippery slope. Resolving
disputes may not be easy commented Nasim Zehra.
Even the track selected by Vajpayee was as slippery as that of
Manmohan. He too was not sincere like many of his predecessors starting
from Nehru. Indian leaders were never serious in dialogue primarily due to
illegitimacy of their stand.
The agenda of 72-point presented by India was to make the track more
slippery. Each point might be having two to three clauses and each clause
having multiple implications. Pakistani negotiators have to come out with
convincing arguments on these points before hoping to talk about Kashmir
dispute.
Inayatullah read the recent events related to peace process more
clearly. The impression one gets from the way India is proceeding to
address the composite dialogue is that it has no intention to seriously
consider Pakistans proposals on Kashmir while at the same time it is
determined to realize its own objectives.
Shireen M Mazari aptly commented, dialogue is an end in itself.
Hamid Gul observed that India simply told us that you made an attempt in
Kargil and you failed and now what do you want from us. However, we on
the other hand, let them fence the Line of Control, accepted (offered) the
cease-fire and incarcerated Mujahideen disregarding the UN Resolutions.
India will not listen to you, because we miscalculated India.
Since 9/11 Pakistani rulers have been trying to project their love for
peace to erase the impression of extremism and militancy. They knew all
along that India would never deviate from its stated stand. India also
understood that Pakistan wanted to shift the accusations of militancy onto it.
To this end it continued blaming Pakistan for infiltration. Therefore, so far
all talks have ended with agreements to have more meetings. The trend of
rejecting each others Kashmir proposal will continue till Pakistan gets tired
of treading the road to peace.
It has always been clear that resolving disputes in such situation

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wont be easy. India would try to impose its stated stands on Pakistan as
solutions of the most of the problems, particularly the core issue. Optimists,
however, saw peace talks picking up momentum after US polls and
American experts noted Siachen as potential starter in breakthroughs.

IN OWN INTEREST
Pakistan has been killing people in own national interest. Faisal kept
asking US and NATO to beef up hunt in Afghanistan, but they had already
pushed most of the men to be hunted into Pakistan; thus it was forced to do
more and more:

On 4th August clashes between troops and militants intensified in

Waziristan as General Yousaf visited Wana and other tribal areas.

Eleven persons were killed and twelve wounded in exchange of fire

near Wana after militants ambushed Army convoy injuring eight
soldiers on 5th August. Helicopter that crashed in Karak killing 13 was
also operating in Wana-related movements.

Six tribesmen died in clash in Shakai on 6 th August. Next day an

Afghan refugee was killed in crossfire.

On 9th August one soldier was killed and nine wounded in bomb attack
on Wana-bound bus. Next day three houses were demolished near
Shakai.

Religious leader was among three hurt in mine blast near Shakai on
13th August. Next day a soldier was killed in skirmishes near Wana.

On 16th August troops raided a village near Wana. Two days later
militants and troops exchanged fire in Mantoi.

Three miscreants were killed in clashes on 20 th August. Next day

fighter jets pounded hideouts and body of one militant of foreign
origin was recovered.

Exchange of fire continued in Shakai on 22 nd August. Next day four

foreign fighters were killed and one arrested near Miranshah in a raid
on their hideout.

Two army men were killed and five hurt in roadside blast on 26 th
August near Kund Sarai in Waziristan. Tribesmen protested killing of
locals in Miranshah.

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House to house search was launched in Mantoi area on 27 th August.

Next day rockets were fired on Shawal Rifles camp.

Two soldiers of NLI were killed in missile attack on their camp on

29th August. Another was killed when a vehicle was blown up by
remote controlled roadside bomb. Telephone exchange was attacked
with rockets injuring three kids and two women.

Tribal chief and three others were killed in ambush east of Wana on 1 st
September. Four days later four rockets were fired on Scouts fort in
Wana.

Three soldiers and a civilian were killed in blast in Shakai on 6 th

September. Two days later eight people were killed and 18 wounded
in Wana in an explosion and firing of security personnel. Explosion
destroyed a jeep and injured three security men.

On 9th September 60 people, including 15 foreigners, were killed in

PAF bombing in Dila near Wana. A house was targeted with laserguided missile killing 40 and when tribesmen rushed for rescue the
aircraft bombed again killing 10 and injuring 24 others. A pick-up was
targeted in nearby hills. ISPR claimed that armed forces launched
precise strike on a foreign terrorist training campand successfully
knocked it out.

Seven soldiers were among 13 killed in Wana clashes on 10 th

September. An army convoy was ambushed at night in Karwan Manza
area. Fighters claimed killing 11 soldiers including three officers and
taking 43 as prisoners; ISPR denied. Authorities used bulldozers to
destroy two markets to punish Malik Baa Khan for violating Shakai
Agreement.

Clashes continued in South Waziristan on 11th September. Killing of

six more militants, burning of a check post and protest demonstrations
were also reported. Supply route between Ladah and Razmak was cut
off by angry tribesmen.

On 12th September ten militants were killed in attack on hideout near

Ladah.

Two people were killed in exchange of fire at Kawan Manza on 13 th

August. Next day eight people, including five militants, were killed in
clashes in area bordering Afghanistan after militants had fired rockets
on a post killing one paramilitary and injuring three others.

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The fight against terrorism continued away from Waziristan as well.

Arms cache was recovered near Chaman and 13 people arrested on 14 th
August. Two soldiers were wounded in grenade attack in Noshki on 28 th
August and the same day two religious groups threatened peace in Tirah.
Authorities followed the legacy of British to dispense extra judicial
punishments to the defiant tribesmen. On 10th September bulldozers were
used to destroy two markets. The use of bulldozers by Pakistan was more
heinous than Israel, because these were used against own people.
Governor again assured the wanted men that they wont be handed
over to third country, if they surrender. Rashid renewed surrender offer to
terrorists while vowing to fight on against terror. Musharraf dangled the
carrot of development and urged timely completion of FATA plans.
Sultan claimed purging South Waziristan of foreigners and vowed,
Pakistan wont let terrorists use its soil. The cost of purging was not
mentioned by any body. On negotiation table the authorities were able to
convince Gangikhel tribe not to allow foreigners in their area.
The tribesmen generally resented military operations. On 30 th August
thousands of angry people attended funeral of three locals who were killed
by security men near Afghan border mistaking them as foreigners.
Tribesmen vowed to struggle for rights. Fighters threatened to launch fresh
attacks, if troops did not pull out from area of Mahsud, the tribe which had
been cooperating with government.
Opposition walked out of National Assembly after precision air
strikes in early September. Minister and MPs traded charges on Wana. Fazl
condemned Waziristan bombing and JUI-F held protest rally in Peshawar.
Earlier JI had condemned the killings. Media coverage of operations also
perturbed the government. According to Yusufzai the plan to introduce
embedded journalists was in the offing; ISPR denied.
Entire exercise was for the pleasure of Karzai and Khalilzad. Peace in
Afghanistan was vital for progress in the region as Durrani told visiting
Belgian Ambassador. Reportedly Karzai won Musharrafs support on
Afghan polls. Shujaat ordered release of 250 Afghans. Haji Ghanam too
went to Kabul to assure Americans and Karzai that there were no foreigners
in Waziristan.
It was time to make reciprocating moves. On 12 th September 364
Pakistani prisoners were released by Afghanistan. They could have done
this much sooner said Pakistani Ambassador. Big foot of the Crusaders had

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been blocking their way. Despite these reconciliatory moves certain antiPakistan elements remained active in Afghanistan as was indicated by attack
on Pakistans Consulate in Herat during the protest against Ismails removal.
The analysts have been arguing for durable solution of the problem
through dialogue; even the common people wanted the same. Jawaid Raja in
his letter suggested, excessive force produces negative effects and at times
the negativity reaches such proportions that all efforts at a later stage fail to
rein in the reaction of the masses.
Mehwish Jabeen in her letter wrote, governments are killing and the
so-called extremists as well as terrorists are killing. But every thing seems to
depend on the US intelligence, which has become much doubtful after the
reports about Iraq. She also suggested negotiations.
The day four FC men were killed in Sui, Musharraf boasted, we have
the latest weapons, which can be pin-pointed to exact target, from the air and
from the landwe will finish them off. So far these weapons have been
used against those who are suspected of hindering the way to the sky via
Washington. These have not been used against those pushing the country
toward the pit. He denied military operation in Baluchistan.

DOMESTIC MILITANCY
The old political team dealing with internal security was changed, but
the new team did not lack in resolve to fight against terrorism. Shaukat and
Sherpao vowed to end terrorism. Fight against terrorism will continue said
Rashid. Musharraf supported them to crush terrorists.
The agencies responsible for security performed well during the
period as could be seen from the following:

On 4th August Rangers arrested three terrorists and seized arms.

Akhtar Mengal and 11 others were accused of attack on soldiers. It
was claimed that al-Qaeda man in Britain was also arrested on
Pakistans tip.

ATC issued arrest warrants of Nawab Marri and his three sons on 5 th
August. Four days later two Turks and one African were held in
Lahore.

Four al-Qaeda-linked Turks were arrested on 11th August and two

Iraqis were arrested in Lahore for fund raising.

370

On 12th August two top al-Qaeda suspects were arrested. Next day an
Indian Muslim was captured in crackdown against al-Qaeda.

Four more al-Qaeda men linked to Shaukat case were held on 14th
August. Two days later intelligence agencies arrested a Burmese in
Lahore.

On 17th August Police raided Lal Masjid and girls Madrassa but did
not get the wanted Mulla. Two al-Qaeda suspects were arrested
elsewhere.

On 18th August Police searched Jamia Faridia and Kuwait Hostel in

Islamabad to catch Maulana Abdul Aziz and Ghazi Abdul Rashid for
their links with al-Qaeda. Next day an Algerian was arrested in
Peshawar.

Terrorists gang was busted on 21st August and arms and explosives
were recovered. The government claimed they had plans to attack the
Presidency, Prime Minister House, Convention Centre, US Embassy,
GHQ, Army Staff House and Lal Haveli. Two Egyptians identified as
Qari Ismail and Sheikh Essa were the masterminds.

Five terrorists were arrested in Faisalabad on 24 th August; two more

were arrested over Independence Day plot; and nine were awarded life
term for bomb blast in Karachi.

Two alleged sectarian killers were arrested in Karachi on 26th August.

Next day 150 were arrested in Baluchistan strike against new
cantonments.

On 28th August ISPR claimed arresting terrorists involved in major

subversive acts. Next day three suspects linked to attack on President
were held.

Imam Masjid was arrested in Kalar Sayyadan on 31st August. Next

day a senior al-Qaeda man was held in Quetta.

One suspect linked to failed attack on Musharraf was held in Karachi

on 10th September.

About two hundred suspects were arrested in two weeks ending 7 th

August. The successes continued thereafter making Sultan to boast that
Pakistan was ready to face al-Qaeda backlash. Exuberant security agencies
used torture to extract information from the detained suspects. However,
only one incident was reported in which a suspect died in custody. Qari
Mohammad Noor had wounds and other signs of torture according to
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autopsy. Pakistanis could be lacking in humiliating the Islamic militants but

they were equal to the Crusaders in torturing the captives.
Cooperation with other countries continued. During first week of
August first ever Sino-Pak anti-terror exercise was concluded. Dubai
arrested a senior al-Qaeda man and handed over to Pakistan. Shaukat
discussed terrorism during his maiden visit to Saudi Arabia and Kasuri
reaffirmed help against terrorism in Dushanbe.
The government denied any foreign involvement. Faisal claimed that
only Pakistani agencies were questioning foreign terrorists. The efforts put
in did not prove good enough to stop terrorists from retaliating:

Police officer was shot dead in Karachi on 4th August. Two days later a
policeman was kidnapped in Kohlu.

Two persons were killed and four hurt in explosion in Karachi on 7 th

August. Next day eight more were killed in two blasts.

Paramilitary post was attacked with rockets in Kohlu on 12 th August.

Next day two blasts rocked Quetta.

Five blasts rocked Quetta on 14th August. Two days later four FC men
were killed and four wounded in ambush in Sui and two blasts halted
trains near Nawabshah.

Blast damaged wall of Gilgit University on 22nd August. Two days

later Quetta Express escaped tragedy of electrically controlled
explosive device.

On 30th August three paramilitary soldiers were killed in Dera Murad

Jamali by gunmen riding a motorcycle.

Blasts killed three including two officials of sensitive agencies and

injured two dozens in Kalat on 31st August.

On 4th September rockets were fired at police station in Jaffarabad and

at army post in Sui. A bomb exploded in Phandu Baba shrine in
Chamkani near Peshawar.

Two 500 KV Dadu-Jamshoro towers were dynamited on 6th

September.

Inculcation of enlightened moderation continued. Musharraf wanted

to do away obscurantism. National Assembly cleared changes in antiTerrorism Act. Money laundering bill was also ready, while deliberations on
Blasphemy Act continued.
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There has been a yawning gap between belief and practice in Islamic
Republic of Pakistan. The alarming number of deaths in Multan area as
result of drinking poisonous liquor was a proof. The enlightened moderates
should have capitalized on this to press for free trade of this banned
commodity. They could argue that imported quality would be safer for
human consumption as compared to toxic local brands.
Madaris threatened to launch protest against raids and arrest of clerics.
Soon after that government sought Ulemas help to fight terrorism.
Musharraf met Ulema and accepted that most of religious institutions were
moderate. He asked Ulema to project true Islam and vowed to isolate
extremist Madaris. The government promised help in resolving problems of
Madaris.
So far Madaris have avoided confrontation, but the government has
committed some excesses. It was because of this that Zulfiqar Shah said,
recent government raids on madrassas and subsequent decision by religious
leaders for protests on 9/11 are first shots in a war that has hardly begun. It
would be foolish on the part of rulers to allow that happening.
Faisal blamed MMA for involvement in terrorism. Other officials
denied link of any political party to terrorism, but Faisal asked JI to explain
activists link with al-Qaeda. Qazi rejected and MMA clashed with Faisal on
al-Qaeda charge.
Masud Akhtar Shaikh criticized overtures of al-Qaeda links. In their
over-enthusiasm to malign a major opposition party in order to gain a
political edge over them, our unwise friends completely forgot about the
dangerous international implications of the said statement. They should have
known that right from the time the results of Pakistans last general elections
were declared, our wise enemies had been apprehensive about the shape of
things to come after the sweeping victory of MMA at the polls in the
sensitive Frontier Province and parts of Baluchistan.
There has been a loud clamour throughout the secular world that the
clerics were on ascendance in Pakistan. By linking up MMA with al-Qaeda,
our unwise friends have further strengthened the apprehensions of our wise
enemies regarding Pakistans future leanings. This is going to be used as a
new handle for twisting the tail of Pakistan whenever that would suit our
wise enemy in future he concluded.
The activities of obstinate nationalist leaders in Baluchistan worried
most Pakistanis. Shujaat took wise decision to form special Senate body to
resolve the crisis, but till to date the committee has not been formed.
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Members of the committee as and when formed must remember that tribal
leaders have been perpetrating terrorism for squeezing more money from the
government. This is purest form of terrorism, which should be dealt with
accordingly.
Other aspect related to prevalent unrest in Baluchistan was pointed out
by the News. It opined that RAW was more active in Baluchistan as India
did not like development therein which could have negative impact on its
maritime trade. Pakistans present passive-mould could encourage India to
increase subversive activities in times to come.

BIASED CRUSADERS
Musharraf in his concluding remarks in TV programme ROBAROO,
boasted of not taking dictation from anybody in the world. He snubbed those
who blamed him for taking dictation; it was matter of shame to think that
way for as large a country as Pakistan. In the same breath he talked about
Pakistan standing on cross-roads. One way led to the sky and the other to
the pit. We will finish if we do not change. He did not elaborate as to who
will finish a large country and why?
In pursuance moderation he has declared all active supporters of
Kashmiris as terrorists. He has accepted the rule of Northern Alliance in
Kabul despite wishing otherwise. He has been treating Pushtoons opposing
occupation of their land as terrorists. All this has been done to take Pakistan
to the skies, forgetting that higher you go harder you fall.
The driving force behind his resolve has been the demands of the
Crusaders. All cooperation, assistance and some times solo efforts have been
rendered under the fear of being finished. Contribution of Pakistan has
been so enormous that Clinton commented, US security was contracted out
to Pakistan. The Crusaders, however, remained biased, with complete
disregard to Pakistans services in war on terror.
In the context of India the bias was displayed quite conspicuously
since 9/11. In short period of last six weeks there have been more
confirmations. Line of Control could become border remarked a think tank.
US rejected Pakistans stance on Line of Control fencing, reported Naveed
Ahmad. Kashmir will take time to resolve said Powell.
The Crusaders took no notice of militancy of Hindu extremists. The
blasts outside mosques in Maharashtra injuring 18 persons merited no
response, because it did not fit in Islamic militancy. The same was valid for
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Hindu-Muslim clash in Gujarat in which 18 people were injured. No hue and

cry was raised when India test-fired nuclear capable medium range Agni
missile; instead India and Israel were encouraged to hold talks to build longrange missiles and plan joint air exercises.
In the context of Afghanistan American press
training camps along border; Pakistan denied. Karzai
prevent militants and very next day US provided $
border security. Afghanistan did not release Pakistani
US wanted to keep them for reasons too obvious.

alleged existence of
asked neighbours to
30 million to boost
prisoners as long as

Pakistan spurned the blame for Afghan violence. There seems to be a

compulsion on the part of certain power centres and some individuals to find
scapegoats for failing to address the real security threats in Afghanistan.
Even some (UN) officials seem to be playing into their hands or playing
their game said Akram. The threats to Afghanistan security lie inside
Afghanistan he added and asked NATO to match the number of 75,000
Pakistani troops employed along Afghan border.
Pervaiz Iqbal Cheema commented, most Pakistanis dont doubt the
sincerity of President Karzai; it is the elements within his cabinet and the
American representative in Kabul, which often throw a spanner in the
rapidly improving Pak-Afghan relations.
Hamid Gul was quite blunt in his views. Pakistan has no influence in
Afghanistan following the hands-off policy dictated to it by the US
America put India right in our neighbourhood (backyard) while Musharraf
had been telling us that the Northern Alliance would not be forming
government in Kabul
Even for Waziristan he accused US of interference. Shakai Accord
was unilaterally abrogated and I believe it was done under pressure. The
people of the area had not at all raised one word against Pakistan, and there
is no evidence that they are involved in any thing. On 10th September
Rashid inadvertently accepted that recent operation was started to avoid US
action (invasion).
US enemies are not the terrorists said Fazl. His party vowed to
continue struggle for foiling US conspiracies. To avoid any despair creeping
in hard working contractor; Pakistans role in war on terror was lauded. A
team from UK hailed Pakistans role and Karzai foresaw boost in ties.
As regards internal security America was interested in hunting those
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foreigners who some time back were brought to Pakistan by US. However
measures were also taken to guard against any of these sneaking into
America for carrying out terrorist attacks. Bias in these measures was
conspicuous:

Imam of New York Mosque was arrested for helping Ansar al-Islam
man to buy shoulder fired missiles.

Islamabads protest against endangering the life of Pakistans Envoy

by FBI went unheeded.

Kamran Akhtar who entered US via Mexico and was caught

photographing skyscraper was accused of terrorism.

Pakistani, a citizen of US for the last twenty years, returning from a

trip to Pakistan was detained and harassed at JFK Airport.

Fifty-nine deportees arrived from US. Earlier Oman had returned 600
illegal Pakistanis and Greece had arrested 21 illegal Iraqis and
Pakistanis.

Naseer was deported by US for terror link. Another Pakistani and an

American were held for bomb plot in New York. Police disclosed that
arrested men did not belong to al-Qaeda or any other international terror
group, had no explosives and were not close to being able to attack. It is
clear they had the intention to cause damage and kill people. Their motive
was generally hatred for America he added.
All Pakistani, barring few, could be accused of the above charges.
Perhaps for this reason Imran Khan too was mistreated at Dulles Airport in
Washington for over three hours. The government did not deem it necessary
to raise the issue.
Occasional showers of praise kept the rulers spirits high. Pakistan not
breeding terrorists reiterated US. The head of 9/11 commission said,
Musharraf is unquestionably an ally and advised more investment in
education sector in Pakistan.
On the eve of Azizs election as Prime Minister the State Department
said the US is committed to a strong, deep and long-term relationship with
Pakistan. Downgrading of Pak-US ties would be a mistake said Wolfowitz
three days later. Pakistan was encouraged and sought more anti terror
equipment, including air assets, surveillance and communication. Optimism
of PAF chief over F-16s was also revived.
Policy on nuclear proliferation has been glaringly biased. During last
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six weeks America kept threatening Iran. US to disrupt Irans nuclear plan
said Rice. EU was upset over Irans non-cooperation and urged Iran to
comply with IAEA by November. US Envoy hinted at use of force and EU
warned Iran to stop uranium enrichment. Arrests of several people for
nuclear spying indicated that threats were not hollow.
Iran resorted to hurling counter threats and vowed to destroy Israeli
nuclear sites. Korea-like defiance was also shown. Iran vowed to build more
nuclear reactors; to extract its own uranium by 2006; rejected curbs on
nuclear technology; and test-fired new Shahab-3 version. But Iran hoped
IAEA wont refer its case to UNSC and offered new concessions.
Pakistan was not delinked from Iran. A Bill on Pak-specific sanctions
was moved in US House as reported by Nadeem Malik. It called for
sanctions, if the country fails to get a clean chit from President on the issue
of nuclear black-marketing. It was followed by New York Times allegation
that Pakistan provided centrifuges to Iran and IAEA said, Iranian claim that
contamination came with imported equipment is plausible.
Pakistan perforce followed the example of Korea and Iran and showed
some guts. It refused to allow nuclear inspectors. Musharraf and Shaukat
vowed further improving Pakistans nuclear programme. As a precaution
National Assembly passed Nuclear Control Bill.
American relations with Pakistan revolved around interests of the
superpower. The views of some Americans expressed before US Senate
Committee on Foreign Relations and quoted by Dr Farrukh Saleem were
quite pertinent in this context.
Lugar (Republican), chairing the meeting, in his opening address said
that Americas interest in Pakistan was confined to just three areas;
terrorism, Pakistans nuclear arsenal and Pakistans relations with India.
Biden (Democrat) in his opening statement said, there are few places in the
world more vitally important to the national security of the United States
than Pakistan and few places where our policy is in more desperate need of
serious, long-term strategy. He pointed out that after three years of 9/11 the
architects of the worst terrorist assault in history are still believed to be
hiding on Pakistani soil. He agreed with Lugar that al-Qaeda, nuclear
arsenal and relations with India were the real interests.
Weinbaum, an expert, in his testimony stated that the same military
that fails to provide for a more democratic, stable, and secure country is also
uniquely positioned to advance those goals. He emphasized on two points;
flushing out al-Qaeda terrorists and not materially aiding the armed
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insurgency in Indias Kashmir.

He observed that Musharraf regularly displays his well-meaning,
principled intentions but his actions are noticeably incomplete and
inconsistent Though some extremist groups have been declared illegal, the
most influential of them continue to flourish. He branded Musharraf as
marginal satisfier. He warned Washington of short-sightedly tying the
future too closely to a single individual. He recommended alteration of this
impression.
Another expert Vali Nasr in his remarks referred to recent terrorist
attacks in Pakistan and concluded that extremist Islamic forces in Pakistan
are resurgent, and are gaining in sophistication and strength. He accused
Saudi-Pakistani management of promoting militant Sunni identity across
the region that would be anti-Shia and hence, anti-Iranian, and thereby create
a military Sunni wall around Iran.
He accused Pakistan of protecting Taliban while cooperating in
suppressing al-Qaeda. He added that although sources of funding for
Madrassa and Jehadi groups were disrupted, little was done to either reduce
the scope of Madrassa influence or to reform their curricula While the
military had felt compelled to cooperate with the US in war on terror, it did
not view the American campaign in Pakistans strategic interest. He
recommended that the war on terror should not be a license for
authoritarianism, for no more important reason than it is likely to make the
fight against extremism less effective.

CONCLUSION
The poisonous Indian spider has entangled Pakistani fly into
composite web of dialogue. Strings of this web are many more than seventytwo of those shown in New Delhi. By the time Pakistan would try to wriggle
out of those more will be woven around it. One day Pakistan will regret
equating Jihad with terrorism.
Pakistan has pleased the Crusaders and their puppets by cracking
down on Pushtoon tribesmen, but its effects will also be felt at some later
stage. It has angered the tribesmen to the extent that they were reluctant to
accept compensation through US for rebuilding their destroyed houses.
The religion has been the basis of creation of Pakistan, but now its
staunch followers are suspected of undermining the stability of Pakistan.
Religious leaders and institutions are being targeted on pretexts most of
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which are creation of the Crusaders mind and propagated by their media.
Despite being constantly harassed Pakistan has been hoping for the
best. There is nothing wrong with it, but it must also prepare itself to face the
worst. It is certainly not out of the woods, therefore, must start worrying
about the time when the facility of global positioning, provided by America,
would be withdrawn.
Musharraf in uniform has been projected as solution to terrorism. The
experts have opined that he can hold two offices. As long as he is COAS he
can hold ten offices. He claimed that 96 percent people wanted him in
uniform. In times when popularity graph of most leaders fighting a biased
war was on down-ward slide, only he was the sole exception, yet uniform is
no solution to the real threat which uses terrorism as pretext.
16th September 2004

THREE YEARS OF TERROR

Analysts all over the world have been reviewing the ongoing
American war on terror every year on the eve of the anniversary of 9/11.
This review coincides with 7th October, the day America attacked
Afghanistan unleashing the terror with all the ferocity its military might
could generate.
What happened on 11th September 2001 was a reaction of some young
angry people who had been hurt by the American brand of justice. They
simply wanted to pay back by causing America the pain and they succeeded
in doing that.
The mighty giant had been slapped by dwarfs, who could do that only
by jumping in the air to reach the ugly face. Angry America decided to
avenge the act. This was a natural reaction. It deliberated to choose the first
target of his revenge.
Dissident Arabs, gathered under the banner of al-Qaeda, did not
present a befitting target for the might of a giant. They had no geographic
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identity; hence the strategy of shock and awe or destruction of country or

milder form of regime change could not be applied. Therefore, their
established well-wishers were chosen to make the target presentable.
Taliban's Afghanistan was challenged and Pakistan was asked to
choose the side. America knew it well those al-Qaeda men were gathered
first in Pakistan from where they operated against the Soviets and after
defeating them they stayed in Afghanistan under the patronage of Taliban.
America wanted to include Pakistan, because its tribal areas acted as
jumping pad for al-Qaeda. Pakistan also possessed the Islamic Bomb;
therefore, two birds could be killed with one stone. But America faltered and
committed the first mistake in intended war by making an offer to
Musharraf, who immediately stepped on to their side. Perforce America
decided to destroy Taliban and their guests. The terrified world, not because
of terrorism but because of the wrath of the superpower, quietly consented to
Americas right of revenge.
Afghanistan was destroyed and Taliban were removed, but the amber
of revenge was not quelled. Saddams Iraq was selected as next target of
American brand of terror; while the willing partners were urged on to
perpetrate terrorism in Palestine, Kashmir, Chechnya, Philippines and
Thailand. The wise Muslim rulers were bullied to do the same within their
respective countries.
Occupation of Iraq and resultant resistance exposed the ugly face of
holy war forcing the world to reconsider the extent of their involvement in
view of the evil intentions of the Crusaders. Third anniversary of the start of
global war warranted assessment of its impact, causes of its going astray and
the possible remedy to avoid further damage.

REAL FACE OF WAR

Americans named it war on terror and many Muslims called it clash of
civilizations. Once unleashed, it earned new names of illegal, immoral and
ugly war due its nature of conduct. In essence it remained the Crusades
against followers of Islam.
Muslims have been clear victims of American anger as observed by
Ansar Abbasi. They were tortured and humiliated (despite that) the
Americans and their ignorant allies have not yet produced even a single
terrorist linked with the 9/11 attack.

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The war changed the world entirely for the followers of Islam not
only in the west and the non Islamic countries, but also in their homelands.
The phantom network (al-Qaeda) is today the most convincing excuse to
kill or jail Muslims for months and years without giving them the chance to
defence.
The prejudice against followers of Islam is so wholesome that even a
person blessed with civilized texture of the skin is not spared. Yusaf Islam
(formerly Cat Stevens, a pop singer) was deported from America because his
activities could be linked to terrorism. He was dismayed. The whole thing
is totally ridiculous. Half of me want to smile, half of me want to growl
Its crazy. Everybody knows me from my charitable work and now there has
to be explanations
The most devoted ally of the war, Musharraf said, Muslims felt
targeted. In his endeavour to preserve his loyalty, he stopped short of saying
that they were actually being targeted all over the world. In the same vein he
rejected clash of civilizations theory.
He pleaded for dialogue between West and Islam during his recent
visits from New York to Rome. In his address in UN General Assembly he
talked of divide between two civilizations. He warned of descending iron
curtain between Muslims and the West.
Hans B Bremer compared his warning with that of Churchills in
March 1946. Musharraf has the big advantage over Churchill that hes
warning us of something, not just observing something that has already
happened. Some would argue that any division or clash between Islam and
the West is already irreversible. I disagree, but I agree with President
Musharraf that there in no time to lose. Justice must be offered in the form
of resolution of all outstanding disputes which affect the Muslims.
The fact remains that the Crusaders are in position to seek such clash
as they are strong enough to destroy each and every Islamic State. In words
of Shireen M Mazari, Muslims are easy game to be bullied and pilloried at
will by the powerful.
Intoxicated by the might of their military prowess, they overlook the
extent of human sufferings in an uncontrolled clash. The followers of two
civilizations are so inter-mingled in todays world that the clash would result
in millions of human beings massacred or dislocated.
The clash has been going on since centuries with varying intensity.
One cannot close eyes to the historical facts. All the unresolved disputes in

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which Muslims are at the receiving end are the outcome of this clash. These
were deliberately created and left unresolved to punish the Muslims.
When Pope asked Musharraf to promote dialogue, he did not long for
peace. He wanted that Muslims should keep slumbering ignoring the reality
of on-going war, allowing the Crusaders to have bloodbath in one sided
contest. The question is that if the theory of clash of civilizations is rejected
then why the need for dialogue is felt?
The credit of pulling down the veil from the ugly face of the holy
war primarily went to Iraqis, who gallantly fought against illegal and
immoral occupation of their country. They have proved that they disliked the
continued presence of US-led forces to democratize their country.
Sheikh Abdel Salam Kubaisi of Committee of Muslim Scholars in
Friday sermon on 24th September said, It is strange to hear someone
announce that Iraq cannot achieve democracy without the Americans. He
accused Allawi of abandoning Islamic, regional and patriotic principles. He
forgets that America is the one that slaughtered its Native Americans and
killed millions of Red Indians America is the first to have made mass
graves by bombing Hiroshima.
The cleric went on to say, we live in strange times. As practically
everyone is condemning America and its conquering of Iraq, but we see a
small bit of scum fighting the current, calling America a liberator and
friend Let it be clear for everyone that the traitorscannot give orders. To
die for the country, to be a martyr is not death. Death is for those who betray
their religion, soil, honour and country.
He continued, today Iraq is facing the biggest conspiracy, a
conspiracy to eliminate its most faithful people He termed Iraqi security
forces a cover to sabotage Iraq. Because of this I call for the leaders of the
National Guards and Police not to obey their orders which are meant to
make them the first spear, the first arrow as the criminal of the century Bush
says. The cleric said that while sitting in the eye of the storm.
As was predicted after the fall of Baghdad, the resistance has been
sustained by the voice coming out of the mosques of Iraq. The Iraqis have
responded to the calls so valiantly that Musharraf admitted that Iraq War
made world more dangerous place.
Quentin Peel asked US to accept blame for Iraqs crisis. He observed
that today, the majority of US troops in Iraq are virtually confined to their
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fortified bases, making only token patrols to mark their presence and leaving
the fighting to helicopters and aerial bombing.
Indiscriminate use of brute force proved to be counter-productive.
Peter Preston wrote that civilian casualties accentuate the bankruptcy of
western promises. It exposed the ugly face of American warriors. Is this a
terrorist? Is this a terrorist? Iyad Allawi come and show us the terrorists
screamed a man as he fixed a bandage on the head of a small boy in his arms
after bombing of Fallujah on 2nd September.
Annan decried chaos in Iraq. He cited the post-war chaos and the
prisoner abuse scandal among flagrant and topical examples of disregard
for fundamental laws. Earlier he had called Iraq War illegal. Burhanuddin
Hasan remarked, there comes a time in every bodys life when his
conscience cannot take the brazen lies and open injustice by powerful
nations any more.
Jonathan Steele wrote, when the UN secretary-general himself says
that it was Washington and London who were not complying with
international law, Bush and Blair should now clearly acknowledge they did
wrong. But, he observed, that war crimes are still being committed
abuses in US and UK-run military prisons in Iraq have led to court
proceedings. The bigger issue of crimes against civilians perpetrated in the
air above Iraqi cities and from tanks and other vehicles is still taboo.
International Commission of Jurists accused US of still detaining hundreds
unlawfully. In fact in illegal war every single act of causing death and
destruction has to be taken as a war crime.
The war also stripped Bush. Norman Solomon quoted Saadoum
Hammadi saying on 14th September 2002, we are going to fight. Not only
will our armed forces fight. Our people will fight. His prediction that our
people will fight has come true. Though he did not fight himself and was
caught by occupation forces and when released he went to Germany for
medical treatment. The writer equated Bush with Hammadi for him
escaping the Vietnam War by pulling strings.
In run to the forthcoming elections Kerry challenged the decision
making ability of Bush. This president has made, I regret to say, a colossal
error of judgment. And judgment is what we look for in the president. Bush
countered that Kerry voted to authorize the Iraq War.
George S Hishmeh asked both Bush and Kerry some pertinent selfanswering questions. Are Americans in Iraq safer now-a-days than they were
four years ago when President Bush took office? Are Americans safer at
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home after the horrendous events of 9/11? Are Iraqi people better off after
the overthrow of Saddam Hussain?
Ex General Odom opined that Bush has failed in recovering WMDs
and achieving democracy in Iraq. Right now, the course were on, were
achieving Bin Ladens ends. He added, this is far graver than Vietnam.
There wasnt as much at stake strategically, though in both cases we
mindlessly went ahead with the war that was not constructive for US aims.
Jeffery of Air War College wrote, I see no ray of hope on the horizon
at all. The worst case has become true. Andrew Terrill of Army War College
said, we have a growing, maturing insurgency group. We see larger and
more coordinated attacks. They are getting better and they can selfregenerate. The idea there are X number of insurgents, and that when theyre
all dead we can get out is wrong.
The exposure has come despite the biased media coverage of the war.
In words of Sami Ramadani hundreds of Iraqis killed every week by US
bombardment fail to make headlines, while the horrifying images provided
by a Jordanian kidnapper and killer of British and US are portrayed as the
true face of Iraqi resistance.
The most unfortunate exposure was complacence of the Ummah.
Shireen M Mazari wrote, the silence of the Muslim World on the abuse and
killings of Muslims by the US and Israel should be a cause of shame and
disgrace for us all who claim to be part of a Muslim Ummah. Where is the
concern for the innocent Iraqis being killed by indiscriminate American
bombing? She added subsequently, herein lies the problem for the
Muslim World and herein also lies its shame.
Muslim rulers have shamelessly accepted the defeat. Nobody has the
courage to raise his voice against brutalities of the Crusaders. In words of
Ahmed Queraishi millions of Muslims are torn between the child killers in
Chechnya, who are rightly condemned, and the child killers in Iraq and
Palestine, who are not condemned. Beslan was a solitary incident; whereas
the killers of other side were doing it every day.

THE IMPACT OF WAR

The proceedings of third anniversary of 9/11 at Bagram base started
with showing of video footage of the attacks on the World Trade Centre and
the Pentagon. Its an important time to remember those who were lost and
why we are here. This was in compliance with Blairs advice to save the
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amber of revenge from dying.

The best way to fan the amber of revenge was to keep talking about
the terror threat. Rice said, al-Qaeda is, of course, no longer occupying
Afghanistan. They are no longer sitting in Afghanistan, operating with
impunity. They dont have territory there. They are being chased in every
country in the world. They are sitting in a cave making these tapesbut they
are still a very dangerous organization.
The urge to wage war has been sustained on the theme of revenge.
This was reflected even by the names of private security agencies, i.e. SAS
International, Meteoric Tactical Solutions, Custer Battles, or Erinys
International, named after the vengeance-seeking Furies of classical
mythology.
The conduct of war is riddled with incidents of sheer revenge as
narrated in many previous articles. Linda S Heard quoted a recent incident.
As curious crowds surrounded the burning vehicle, a US helicopter gunship
opened fire killing two reporters and injuring two. According to US
military spokesperson it was to deter looters.
How things have changed since the days American Marines smiled
and waved on opportunistic individuals intent on stripping down Baghdads
hospitals, schools, universities, museums and ministries (barring oil
ministry). If what spokesperson said was true, then preserving the Bradleys
smoking carcass was more important to the US military than the very
existence of the Palestinian journalist Alternately those in the helicopter
were out for revenge and cared (little) who they struck down the process.
The urge for revenge has been multiplying on either side. Each alQaeda tape released resulted in fueling the security debate. Therefore, we
are trapped in a vicious circle of fear, hatred, revenge, conspiracy, selfdestruction and the destruction of others as observed George Nassim.
Armies which resort to revenge are usually the ones that are losing.
As result of the terror rhetoric Muslims were portrayed as monster.
Across the media today, an impression has cumulatively been built up that
all the Muslims are a danger to civilization observed Yasmin AlibhaiBrown. Ansar Abbasi quoted Akbar Dada; things have turned upside down.
Racism, aggressive behaviour, insulting remarks towards Muslim-looking
women and men have increased and have destabilized the Muslim
community.
The injunction of Jihad was the first choice of targeted killing.

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Jehadis were dubbed as terrorists and ridiculed. The effects of the

propaganda were quite encouraging as reported by AFP. Hollywood
characters like Harry Potter and actors like Braq Pitt are becoming more
popular and their posters sell like hot cakes among the youngsters in the
worlds second largest Muslim country Analysts believe that euphoria
created by 9/11 terror attacks on United States among Muslim hardliners has
considerably died down with the passage of time.
After the release of Pakistani prisoners Reuters reported that their
idealism (Jihad) was left in tatters. Boasting about the Crusaders success in
crushing the spirit of Jihad the agency reported that apparently it was the last
batch of volunteers who went to defend the Talibans vision of Afghanistan
as the last bastion of Islamic purity Khans faith in Mullas who sent him
to fight has been shattered.
The prisoners with thick bushy beards that are the trademark of
Islamic religious studentscarried a copy of the Quraan slung across their
chests reported Reuters. AFP also admitted that students of orthodox
religious schools however remain loyal to the ideology preached by bin
Laden. In fact the die-hard Jehadis are not deterred. Many prisoners
released by America and Afghanistan still wanted to wage Jihad.
The majority of Muslims remained inclined to support militants
though without actively participating. That was why men like Zawahri kept
urging them on for organized resistance. We must start the resistance from
nowagainst the Crusaders campaignlike resistance in Iraq, Afghanistan,
Palestine and Chechnya Dont wait for the American, British, French
forces to enter Egypt, the Arabian Peninsula, Yemen and Algeria to start the
resistance.
They have received response to their calls particularly in troubled
areas, despite the propaganda against the evil of terror. America was
blamed for the rise in militancy. Violent actions provoke reactions that risk
catastrophe warned N Chomsky. Every use of force is another small victory
for bin Laden, who is winning assessed Jason Burke.
Yasmin Alibhai-Brown wrote, there were no anti-Western terrorists in
Iraq before we went there to occupy the land. Now the country has become a
favoured destination for terror tourism Bin Laden has succeeded in
causing exactly the chaos he had planned and that his network has
destabilized domestic and international politics, the UN, business, the Arab
countries, the West, Islam itself.
Bushs military hysterical foreign policy that claims to fight terror, in
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fact has been major catalyst and recruiting agent for terror. Najaf, Fallujah,
Ramadi, Baquba and other Iraqi towns did not exist in the American political
or popular imagination three years ago. Today, many citizens in those towns
only wish to haunt, terrorize and kill Americans, and militants from other
countries join them as well wrote Rami G Khouri.
The Arab-Asian region that spawns much global terror suffers a
parallel hysteria, manifested in slightly different ways among three sectors
of society: the bombers and killers are more active than ever, against
innocent civilians in most cases; government authorities use police powers
more forcefully to stamp out terror; with very mixed results; and the vast
masses of the public have essentially suspended their humanity, and shelved
their emotions and basic values, very clearly not supporting their
governments or the US-led war in Iraq he added.
The war that raged on the basis of anger and revenge was bound to
create more terrorists. In such war the terror could not remain one sides
monopoly. The side which had abundance of resources was sure to excel.
Starting from Kunduz and Mazar-e-Sharif to Fallujah and Najaf al-Qaeda
has been no match to brutality of the Americans.
Since the start of war most of the terrorism has been perpetrated by
state agencies and not by the so-called terrorists. America has massacred
thousands of women and children in carrying out targeted killings. In
addition it has encouraged Israel, India and others to do the same.
Bushs war on terror has been a veritable godsend for Israels rightwing parties providing an ostensible pretext for state-sponsored atrocities
If anyone in the international arenacomplains, Israel reiterates it is
fighting the same way its US ally is combating terrorism in Iraqi towns and
cities wrote Linda S Heard.
On 6th October America vetoed Arab Resolution on Israeli actions,
while Britain, Germany and Romania abstained. Algerian Ambassador who
moved the Resolution said, it is a sad day for Palestine, it is a sad day for
the cause of justice. It was neither the first nor would be the last day.
Kashmiris plight has been even worse. In last three years no body
talked about them except in the context of cross border terrorism. Pakistan
has been forced to see the light of pragmatism and start considering the
options other than the UN Resolutions. The carrot of Non-Nato Ally has
been shown, which is not a built-in feature but a necessity. It will only be
used when necessary wrote Abdul Ahad.

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Putin took measures to crush Chechens and after Beslan incident he

decided to tighten Moscows grip on various regions of Russian Empire. He
announced that all 89 regional governors will not be elected; the president
himself will nominate a candidate and the regional legislature will just
confirm the appointment. District-based elections for Parliament were
cancelled. All Muslims on Russian territory will be now stripped of the
right to elect the rulers they want wrote Constantine Pleshakov.
Russia tabled a Resolution stressing the need for the 15 council
nations to cooperate fully in tracking down the perpetrators and organizers
of terrorism. It envisaged a committee to monitor what governments are
doing and consider how to draw up a new list of individuals, groups and
entities involved in or associated with terrorist activities. China backed
Russian draft. Even Japan started considering steps for pre-emptive strike
capability.
Liberated Afghans marked third anniversary of 9/11 with mixed
feelings; some glad of the US-led interventionothers deeply suspicious of
Washingtons intentions. America has proved it is a terrorist by killing
thousands of Afghans through barbaric bombing. Even if Taliban
government had sent Osama bin Laden out of the country the Americans
would still have attacked Afghanistan.
Kamal Matinuddin was the only one who remembered 7 th October by
writing an article. His assessment of the war was that overkill strategy
proved counter-productive; Omar and Osama slipped away to fight another
day. However, Taliban regime was ousted and replaced with US-friendly
puppets and America has achieved foot-hold in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and
Kyrgyzstan.
The war so conducted has further tarnished the image of the US.
Pervaiz Iqbal Cheema wrote that images are tarnished because of three
reasons. First, if the policies of incumbent administration are based on highhandedness that tend to flout the accepted civilized norms and principles
governing the international community along with forceful pursuit of unjust
interests, the image automatically get tarnished though the time frame varies
from situation to situation. Two other reasons are not relevant to the point.
The reasons of tarnishing of US image in Islamic World had been
many. Immediate causes were; pursuit of irrational policies, viewing all
Muslims as terrorists, invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan. The long term
factors were; the habit of abandoning the allies, half-hearted policy-pursuits
and policies towards Palestine and Kashmir.
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According to Yasmin Alibhai-Brown there are more and more people

across the globe who today believe the fanatics were right to do what they
did on 9/11. The Americans deserved this for electing Bush, they say, for
failing the Palestinians again and again, for supporting dictators who then
oppress and torture their own people, for US greed and might. Bush has
stirred up unprecedented hatred of America through out the Muslim World.
Apart from tarnishing of its image America has also suffered
economically as was predicted and warned by nine American Nobel prize
winners in their open letter. President Bush and his administration have
embarked on a reckless and extreme course that endangers the long-term
economic health of our nation
Economic effects of the war raging right in the heart of the region that
supplies the bulk of oil have been felt beyond America. Youssef Ibrahim
wrote, the oil supplies are no longer feeding the hungry world markets
because of sabotage, destruction of fields, pipelines and refineries which
American soldiers have failed to stop. Long term effects will surface with
the passage of time.
The most significant impact of the war has been the exposure of
haplessness of Muslim Ummah as commented by Shireen M Mazari. We
have watched in virtual silence the Guantanamo Bay circus with orange-clad
Muslim prisoners chained and treated like animals and the Abu Ghraib
prison horrors. We accepted the killing of Muslim prisoners in Afghanistans
Qila Jangi and in the truckloads along the dirt road of that country. But for
the Western, in fact American Media, we would not even have known about
the latter incident. We have witnessed the internment and killings of
innocent Muslims in the US with barely a voice of protest unlike the
torrent of condemnation that follows the killing of even one European or
American citizen in a Muslim country. And, for decades, we have watched in
silence the suffering of the Palestinians and Kashmiris. Now we are quietly
watching the murder of Iraqis again with barely a protest.
The Crusaders failed to find any evidence about Saddams weapons,
but they achieved a victory in checking nuclear proliferation in relation to
Islamic World. Libya and Iran succumbed to pressure and Father of Islamic
bomb was humiliated. Dr Khans nuclear network was broken and the
humiliation he met at the hands of Pakistani Administration was like
meeting justice rejoiced Rice.
It was for such reasons that while the Crusaders carried out regime
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change in Muslim countries with the use of military force, the Muslims
prayed for regime change in America in forthcoming elections. In Australia
too the fearful Muslims were keen to see Howard defeated in elections
after increase in racially motivated attacks.
The exposure of disunited and militarily unprepared Ummah was
natural. The most astonishing exposure has been that of the best in the
world. British subservience to America has not only been exposed but
confirmed. Timothy Garton Ash cried and asked Tony Blair to change
Britains humiliating approach to the US.

IMPEDIMENTS
Bush admitted that the war against terrorism may not be winnable;
and it may instead be a long-lasting ideological struggle. Nobody expected
this to go fast. This is a global war and its going to take many years to win.
A CIA official however opined, US is losing war on terror.
Musharraf had different views; he considered the threat close and
personal for many. We are winning the battle against terrorists The
global cooperation has been highly successful. However, what we are doing
is insufficient to win the ultimate war.
The war on terror has certainly failed in defeating militancy. Powell
cautioned, this is not the time to get weak in the knees or faint about it but
to drive on and finish the work that we started. His statement had an
inadvertent reference to one of the causes impeding the success in war.
This cause has been mentioned by Beena Sarwar. The so-called war
on terror, a knee-jerk response initiated by the worlds sole superpower to
the horrific attack on its soil on September 11, 2001, has only lead to more
terror. The doctrine of pre-emptive strikes too is the outcome of knee-jerks.
Most of the causes have been indirectly referred to in the effects of
war covered under the heading of the impact of war. Reliance on military
means and their indiscriminate use has undoubtedly proved to be counterproductive.
Sole dependence of military action, in which force is used
indiscriminately, was the one mentioned by boasting Bryan, a Marine
commander. Its over for us when the last guy who wants to fighthas flies
crawling across his eye-balls. Then we go home. This spoke of typical
mentality of the Wild West.

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The United States is determined to stay on the offensive and to

pursue the terrorists wherever they train or sleep or attempt to set down
roots vowed Bush. Our country is safer than it was three years ago, but we
are not yet safe he added. And America is determined to advance
democracy in the broader Middle East.
His directive was implemented in letter and spirit by US troops. All
those who were killed in bombing, including children sleeping on roof-tops,
fell in the category of terrorists. Its military leaders in their endeavour to
make America safe were prepared to destroy a few more countries.
Pilger, in his 2003 documentary entitled Breaking the Silence,
questioned: Why is it wrong for dictators and terrorists to kill innocent
civilians, and right or excusable for the US to do exactly the same? In reply
Fieth out-rightly denied with a lecture on precision weapons. When Pilger
insisted, the interview was called off. Dennis Holliday explained the point.
If you ask an American student how many people died in Vietnam, hell tell
you 58,000. In other words, they dismissed the two, three, may be four
million Vietnamese who were killed by the US...
That mindset has not changed. The famous or notorious remarks of
Albright with reference to the killing of children due to sanctions, the price
is worth it were still applicable to Iraq, but not to Beslan and other such
incidents. The practice of double standards was partly responsible for the
growing anti-Americanism
The biased approach was one of the major impediments in objective
conduct of the war, according to Richard Norton Taylor. War on terror is
being lost because in Uzbekistan US turns a blind eye to serious abuses in
return for military bases for the same war. In Afghanistan it is wary of
upsetting warlords. Therefore, the greatest obstacle to reducing the threat is
the US Administration.
Similarly, while allowing Putin a free hand to violate human rights,
America wants political solution for Chechens. America finds it difficult to
reconcile two of its conflicting ambitions; defeating terrorism and stopping
Russia to recover and regain its status of superpower. The same is true in
case of Uyghur and China.
With reference to challenges in war on terror in Asia the principal
deputy coordinator for counter-terrorism in the State Department, William
Pope said, it is actually quite sensitive. There are several movements in the
region that clearly are terrorists but still seem to have principally a kind of
secessionist agenda or local agenda or something like that.
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Definitely (they are) terrorists but not global or international type

terrorists. There are several groups from India, Thailand, Indonesia, the
Philippines and Pakistan. We do look at it on case to case basis, there is no
formula, (and) I wish we had one.
Yet the Kashmiris fell in the category of international terrorists and
Mezos and Maoists are not terrorists. Only Muslim movements are treated as
terrorists and those of non-Muslims are ignored. Kashmiris are the terrorists;
so what if there are UN Resolutions granting them the right of selfdetermination?
America has not labeled GAM as terrorist, as it is seeking
independence for the small oil-rich province in the northern tip of the island
of Sumatra. Placing GAM on the (terror) list would demonstrate American
empathy with Indonesias security threats, national unit, and territorial
integrity argued Dan Dillion, a senior policy analyst. This could be the
precise reason for not including it in the list.
Robert Fisk has been a strong critic of Americas biased pro-Israel
policy; because of which the people of the region hate Americans.
Astonishingly we expected to be loved, welcomed, greeted, feted, and
embraced by these people.
Adel Safty wrote, a blunt message for Muslims at large in Mideast.
The causes of Muslim bloodshed throughout the world are the same
expressed by bin Laden, i.e. US military presence in the Middle East,
policies perceived as anti-Arab and anti-Muslim, and support of Israel.
The bias is more widespread than references made above as observed
by Shireen M Mazari. Islam is being abused and mosques are being burnt
the latest incident occurred in Aubagne, France. In Germany, at least four
states have passed a law that bans teachers from wearing headscarf, while
crucifixes and the Jewish caps, as well as the Sikh turbans, are acceptable. A
Belgian Interior Minister decried cultures which force women to cover up
their bodies. She presumed that he would have all women, at least in
Europe, parade around half naked to show they are blending into European
culture.
Muhammad Hafeez in his letter summed it up in one big breath with
reference to Musharrafs remarks that Muslims feel targeted. In fact,
Muslims the world over, are being subjected to unprecedented tyranny,
oppression and gross injustice by the western powers: the planned genocide
of Muslims in Kashmir, Palestine, Afghanistan, Chechnya and Iraq; the
immediate implementation of plebiscite in East Timor and disgraceful
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indifference to the age old UN Resolution of a plebiscite in Kashmir; the

shameful lethargy of the so-called super powers to ensure time for the
designed rape and slaughter of the innocent Muslims of Bosnia; the arrogant
violation of the UN Charter by the super powers for perpetrating naked
aggression against Muslim countries; the illegal wars of Americans on Iraq
and Afghanistan to snatch their natural resources; the unparalleled
humiliation of Muslim prisoners of war in Iraq; the prohibition of decent
Muslim headscarves. Stockpiling nuclear devices capable of destroying the
whole world twice, while making hue and cry when a Muslim country
endeavours to use nuclear power for peaceful purposes; the branding of
Muslims as terrorists when they fight for the defence of their motherlands,
while the atrocities of western state terrorism continue unabated against
innocent civilian Muslims in the name of peace; the targeting of Muslims for
anything evil, while showing the West as the abode of angels.
Pakistan, the country which has made significant achievement against
terrorism, was embarrassed frequently by asking it to do more. The News
dated 29th September wrote, It hurts the sense of self-respect of Pakistanis
who have done so much in this connection. They sometimes feel as if the
idea behind all this talk is to present Pakistan as a terrorist country. The neocons have yet to reconcile with Pakistans Islamic identity.
The bias spoke of unscrupulous leadership. Bush Administrations
ineptness in the region could not have led to a more complete dead end
opined Yasmin Alibhai-Brown. I think that if Tony Blair had been as ethical
and bold as he thinks he is, he might have pulled Bush back from launching
the inflammatory doctrine of pre-emptive strikes. Without the backing of his
devotee Blair, Bush would have found it harder to sell his dangerous strategy
on the war against terror.
Fatima Kamal assessed Bushs capability in her letter. Mr President, I
am your doctor; I am sorry to inform you that you have a problem in your
brain. Your brain has two parts, one left and one right. The left part has
nothing right in it and the right part has nothing left in it. Her remarks
hold good for Blair as well.
Rami G Khouri wrote, Bush and his ice-hearted Republican political
strategists have crassly exploited the shock, fear and bewilderment that
gripped America on September 11, and turned the US into a hysterical arena
defined by a peculiar combination of exaggerated jingoism and militarism as
the appropriate response to a constant perceived threat.
The loss of focus occurred due to the temptation of availing the
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opportunities presented by the tragedy to achieve other sinister designs.

They took their eye off the ball on the war on terror to rush to war in Iraq
reiterated Kerry time and again.
Arrogant American leaders ignored the importance of dialogue
altogether. George Nassim regretted that we have destroyed the basis of
constructive negotiations and fruitful mediation and have transformed our
meaningful dialogues into boring monologue With a thick stick, an iron
fist and a dangling small carrot, the mighty threaten, oppress, suppress and
impose their will, their ideas, their opinions and their systems on the weak.
The root cause of militancy, the long outstanding political disputes,
did not receive the desired emphasis on resolution through dialogue. Bush,
Blair, Sharon and Putin have refused to talk to representatives of evil
forces. Only in case of Pakistan the dialogue has been initiated after it
negotiated numerous U-turns, yet the intentions of the Crusaders and proxy
crusaders remained dubious.
While Pakistan has made substantive moves reflecting good faith in
improving relations with India, the latter has sought to rely on diplomatic
and propaganda point scoring even as it has evaded dealing with the core
conflictual issue of Kashmir commented Shireen M Mazari.
The problem is that President Musharrafs declarations
notwithstanding, we may be propelling ourselves into a situation where our
actions over a period of time may wilt nilt or by the designs of India and
others strengthen the Indian posturing on Kashmir, as well as its
occupation of the bulk of that disputed territory.
One should be clear how static the Indian mind-set is on the Kashmir
issue. With this inflexibility, it boggles the mind as to how one can expect
substantive progress on Kashmir unless Pakistan one way or another
whittles away its position on the dispute she apprehended.
The factors mentioned above have been further aggravated by the
follies committed in Iraq. The looting spree engineered after the fall of
Baghdad subsequently resulted in lawlessness as admitted by Bremer. Abu
Ghraib scandal revealed that the civilized people can seek fun in torturing
and humiliating the human beings. According to Max Hastings the list of
follies committed is extensive starting from Bush and Blair persistently
relating Iraq to al-Qaeda unsupported by credible intelligence to American
strategy to focus on the exploitation of force to suppress armed resistance.

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REMEDY
As first step to find more sensible approach for tackling the militancy,
American troops must quit Iraq. The reason has been spelled out by Quentin
Peel The Coalition forces have become part of the problem, not the
solution. The sooner they go the better, except for the fact that there is no
viable alternative.
In UN General Assembly Musharraf proposed that territorial integrity
of Iraq should be ensured by raising Iraqi police and militia; handing over
authority to the people and allowing them full control over natural resources.
He indirectly suggested pulling out of foreign troops and the same should be
done in Afghanistan; more about withdrawal of troops, a little later.
The bias and prejudices should be shunned if end to clash of
civilizations is sincerely desired. The crimes committed on the pretext of
self-defence and force protection must end. America must listen to Hasan
Abu Nimah. All the crimes which Arab and Muslim countries have
committed, whether real and unreal, were committed, and are still being
committed by Israel. Is it normal that the law be applied selectively? If not,
why are only Arab and Muslim countries punished, and punished so hard?
Or are we the only imperfect people in an otherwise perfect world?
One-sided enlightened moderation is no solution of the problem.
Blind pursuit of such enlightenment would result only in religious and
cultural distortions, like the one mentioned in Dr Irfan Zafars letter to the
News. I had a chance to go to one of the most prestigious English medium
schools in Islamabad. I asked the students about the dates for the Halloween
and the Valentines Day. I got my answer in seconds. On asking about the
Shab-e-Mairaj and Shab-e-Qadar, I saw blank faces. Isnt it painful and
unfortunate? Next day M S Hasan criticized Dr Irfan for blaming children.
His criticism was unfounded as doctor never meant blaming children but
those responsible for educating them.
If such enlightenment is the real goal then the government; instead of
cracking down on madrassas, should patronize such institutions. Schools
like the one visited by Dr Irfan should be awarded the distinction of pride of
performance.
Musharraf told the world body that our objective today has to be
harmony through reconciliation and accommodation, globally and
regionally for which inter-faith harmony has to be promoted. French
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minister suggested the same after Russia tabled a Resolution on terrorism.

This fight against terrorism must be undertaken within international law.
Greater effort must be exerted to combat the roots of terror, among which
are situations of great destitution or complete despair in many regions or
countries of the world.
The major powers of the West have yet to show movement by
seriously trying to resolve internationally recognized disputes affecting the
Muslim World observed Musharraf. I think the United States has to
concentrate on the resolution of political disputes throughout the world he
suggested.
The dispute between Israel and Palestine has undermined the peace
the most. He asked Israel to withdraw the wall; stop the daily atrocities
against Palestinians; Arafat to halt Intifada; urged the Quartet to secure fair
and peaceful solution and US to ensure that peace must succeed in the
Middle East.
Sri Lankas Kumaratunga said the same thing. While no cause
justifies terror unleashed upon innocent, such outrages must make us
redouble our efforts to address their root causes and seek political and socioeconomic explanations and solutions to them. There are many disputes in
the world awaiting urgent resolution.
Terrorism has become a global problem, which cannot be left to
America and al-Qaeda to settle. It is morally and politically unacceptable
for the world to watch on television as Donald Rumsfeld and Ben Laden
slug it out in a duel of two crazed gladiators who will only end up killing
each other and inflicting immense casualties on innocent people in their
respective societies advised Rami G Khouri. He added, such an effort that
has an impact on the entire world cannot be left to the inhumanely
calculating political operatives of the Bush White House and the Republican
Party.
Hasan Abu Nimah blamed the world body in promoting the cause of
peace. It is totally responsible for supporting flagrant injustice, succumbing
to a prevalent state of lawlessness and international chaos. This is not what
the UN was created for.
George Nassim elaborated the point in some detail. Our world has
declared an endless war against an enemy whose motives are not clear,
whose face is not visible and whose geographical location is not known
Peace-lovers are calling in vain for cessations of hostilities and pleading
with the UN to interfere, to mediate and to find the elusive peace, the lost
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stability and the missing security, which they dream of.

The UN was created to promote peace, but the present organization
often digresses from its mission and forgets the reasons of its existence
The fast aging UN and its specialized agencies are poor, battered, expensive,
inflated bodies that cannot stem the rising tide of violence and ignorance,
nor protect religions and cultures against savage onslaughts.
Thus the UN Resolutions are often flouted by the states that wear the
mantle of anti-terrorism and hide behind the cover of self-defence to
oppress, suppress and steal lands. They are only obeyed and respected by
states which are too weak to shelter themselves from internal wrath, the
phobia of sanctions and the threats of armed forces. He concluded that the
present world body cannot:

Establish conditions under which justice and respect for the

obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law
can be maintained.

Develop friendly relations among nations based on respect of the

principle of equal rights and self-determination of people.

Remove the heavy, artificial make-up, which is hiding its deep, ugly
wrinkles Undergo an honest and meaningful process of reform that
cures it of its (own) illnesses.

Save succeeding generations from the scourge of war Embrace the

people of our global village with kind, strong arms.

Stand on solid feet and have a clear, independent mind under the
influence of the only superpower and the developed world.

The world needs a healthy, objective, highly respected organization,

capable of protecting and uniting nations of all colours, all nationalities, all
races and all faiths under one flagit does not needa body that tosses and
turns with the wind of power, dances to the music of wealth and bows to the
mighty he concluded.
Such observations initiated the debate to find ways to make the UN
more effective. Expansion of Security Council by increasing the strength of
permanent members to make it more representative received the maximum
attention particularly of those nations which aspired to become permanent
members.
Japan sought permanent UNSC seat as just reward for its
contributions to global peace and security. India claimed it on the basis of
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most populous democracy in the world. Germany wanted it, perhaps, to

regain the status it lost in last World War. Brazil was considered to give
representation to Christians inhabiting South American Continent.
India was Pakistans main worry as some Muslim states supported it
on permanent UNSC seat. Musharraf opposed expansion of privileged class.
Before reaching home he from outright opposition came down to just
expansion. Pakistan and Italy wanted just UNSC expansion.
The real problem with UN is not the size of Security Council. The
frequent use of veto to save Israel has prompted David Clark to say that the
UN veto is proving as deadly as the gun. Unjust use of this most
undemocratic privilege is the real problem.
Hugh Cortazzi suggested some solutions. The best solution of the
veto problem would be to remove it altogether, but this looks unlikely.
Efforts should be made to try to find of curbing its misuse, perhaps by
arranging that all vetoes should be referred to the General Assembly for
public debate. It would not be possible for the assembly to overturn vetoes
but it could put the spotlight on the veto power and perhaps make for
restraint in the use of veto.
Pakistan should not oppose the expansion of UNSC, but demand
reorganization of this organ to make it more just and effective. It should
propose withdrawal of veto power or empowering General Assembly to
over-rule veto with two-third majority. Moreover, 1.5 billion Muslims must
have permanent representation in UNSC.
The world body, however, will never be reorganized to the likings of
Muslims; therefore they must put their act together outside its premises.
Muslim countries should consider abandoning the UN, which has failed to
solve a single problem but created many for them.
Muslim countries should demand withdrawal of all Western troops
from their soil. Their presence hurts the vanity of people. Those countries
who direly require troops should ask the same from other Muslim states;
failing which they will keep suffering.
Muhammad Hafeez in his letter warned, at this juncture, if the
Muslims of the world do not shed all their differences and unite quickly to
defend themselves and their religion against the enemy, as commanded in
the Holy Quraan, they should then await Allahs wrath for disobeying His
command, and that, believe me, is going to be a far bigger AZAAB.

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PROSPECTS
Bush in his speech in the General Assembly insisted that Iraq War was
justified. The work ahead is demanding, but these difficulties will not shake
our conviction The proper response to difficulty is not to retreat; it is to
prevail. Powell dubbed Iraq critics as defeatists and rattled. In Good
Morning America he said, we cant just wilt in the face of this kind of
challenge; we have to meet the challenge.
American arrogance is deep rooted. Bush claimed, the war for Iraqs
freedom is a fight against some of the most ruthless and brutal men on Earth.
In such a struggle, there will be good days and there will difficult days. But
every day, our resolve must remain the same. These words would have
sounded more meaningful if an Iraqi had uttered them.
Kerrys plan for war on terror is only slightly different from that of
shock and awe. I will fight a tougher, smarter, more effective war on
terror. My priority will be to find and capture or kill the terrorists before they
get us, and I will never take my eye off the ball. He also pledged to prevent
the spread of WMDs.
The reason of persistent arrogance was aptly described by Gary
Younge. America has learnt no lesson from 9/11and instead it has used its
victim-hood to demand a monopoly on the right to feel and to inflict pain
September 11 has served not as a starting point from which to better
understand the world but an excuse not to understand it at all. It is a
reference point that brooks no argument and needs no logic The next time,
the smoking gun could be a mushroom cloud They only have to be right
once, we have to be right every time.
American stubborn ineptness was blamed for creation of the mess by
Aslam Effendi. Why should they be worried about the mess they have
deliberately created? We often overlook the obvious fact that politics is a
game of deliberately creating profitable political projects such as riots,
skirmishes, wars etc and the greater the chaos, the greater the uprising, the
greater the destruction, the greater are the opportunities for those in power
and their cronies. Wars and destruction provide numerous opportunities for
those in power and their cronies to undertake contracts for various projects.
Wars provide immense benefits for those in power who are directly
connected with the arms and ammunition business or indirectly connected
with the business.
It meant that war has been waged in accordance with a well thought

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out plan. In 1996 Feith and Perle wrote a policy paper for Netanyahu; A
Clean Break. It recommended removal of Saddam; weakening, containing
and even rolling back Syria; target Syrian military in Lebanon; exercise hot
pursuit into all Palestinian areas; and nurture alternatives to Arafat. In 1997
Fieth urged Israel to reoccupy West Bank and Gaza. Today almost all these
objectives have been achieved
The incorrect perception of righteousness has been strengthened by
the availability of collaborators and willing partners in abundance. There
was no dearth of Karzais and Allawis in the Ummah, which boosted the
stubbornness of America. It has destroyed two counties and was looking for
the third despite knowing that Mullas wont be easy to be saddled. The
invaders may not be liked by the masses, but it will ensure blood letting of
Muslims.
Americans also know that disunity of the Crusaders is no more than
skin-deep. French still love burning the mosques, Germans have banned
Islamic moot on resistance in Iraq; and Christians cannot resist desecration
of Bosnian Muslim graveyard. In addition there are willing partners like
India. Bush and Singh agreed to push for expanded defence cooperation as
a key component of future ties and work closely in the war against terrorism
and to combat proliferation of WMDs and delivery means.
In the light of the foregoing Masud Akhtar Shaikh opined that
America will continue pursuing its sinister designs. It was hoped that after
severe post-war drubbing in Afghanistan, as well as Iraq, wisdom would
prevail and America would revise its aggressive policy towards the Muslim
countries. However, it seems the stubbornly egoistic American leaders have
learnt no lessons from their bitter experience of last three years. They are
bent upon going ahead with their plans against Iran, a country as important
as Iraq as far as its strategic location and rich oil resources are concerned.
Iran has been on the American hit list ever since the ouster of the Shah.
American leaders are under the misconception that, with Afghanistan and
Iraq already in their pocket, it would be a childs play knocking out the
Mullas of the country. They hope that by capturing Iran, they would be able
to prevent the linking up of the Central Asian Republics with Pakistan,
denying easy approach for these land-locked countries to the sea, and
effectively obstruct the emergence of a really powerful, unified Muslim bloc.
They are also hoping to create prolonged instability in the whole region,
thereby preventing the flow of foreign investment for the rehabilitation of
the war-torn countries and for undertaking major development projects in
the region. In this way, they want to make sure that the captured countries
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remain permanently dependent on America and her Western allies.

A film telecast by PTV on 5th October in connection with China week
covered the history of arrogance of the Whiteman. Since achieving the
technological edge in weapons with the invention of gunpowder the
Whiteman has been considering himself as superior human being. European
imperialism was based on this notion and pursued on the same pretexts on
which America is today trying to perpetuate global domination. With the
gaining of military prowess America has become more civilized than all
other human beings. It has been invading and destroying other countries to
make their people civilized. In doing that the military strength is
augmented with betrayals and deceit using dialogue only as instrument of
war.
The above review promises more bloodshed for the Ummah. Ex
General Hoare could be right that a decision has been made to attack
Fallujah after the first Tuesday in November The signs are there. All this
will be justified by coining deceptive phrases and giving new meanings to
the existing as has been the practice till now.
Masud Akhtar Shaikh wrote on invention of new terms for political
expediency rather than political morality. He dilated on four terms, the
excerpts are:

The term National Security is used to make unpalatable or

unwarranted policy or action readily acceptable to the people.

Democracy is used as political expediency as dictated by the situation

in hand. Even the democratically elected leaders, but stubbornly noncooperative, are branded as a real murderer of democracy and his
country is made to suffer all sorts of pressures, indignities, and taboos,
including economic and military sanctions. Cooperative dictators are
accepted.

The words Freedom and Sovereignty for others mean rule of a

governing body of handpicked locals whose authority factually
extends to only a very limited sphere of governance over fairly narrow
geographical limits, but they are prepared to act as puppets.

Self-defence and WMDs in case of Israel mean that Jewish state has
the right to have those for this purpose, but North Korea and Iran are
not allowed even for peaceful purpose.

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Masud Akhtar Shaikh chose only a few terms, but there are many that
can be quoted. Some terms taken from the dictionary meant only for the
civilized people are listed below in alphabetical order:

Abuse: a word used by the gentlemen of the civilized world as

substitute for torture and humiliation of human beings belonging to
races other than the White, particularly when taken as prisoners. In
doing that they evade the charge of war crimes.

Captives in War on Terror: they do not fall in the category of POWs.

The term is meant for denying the rights to prisoners as envisaged in
international law and conventions.

Coalition of Willing Partners: the allies who have been coerced or

seduced to join a coalition. They are inferior to the real partners.

Collateral Damage: an equivalent of the saying that everything is fair

in love and war. It is to sanctify all illegal, immoral and criminal acts.

Contractors: the mercenaries employed to perform tasks which could

be risky for regular troops in hostile environments of occupied
territory. They are usually the individuals seduced with temptation of
monetary benefits when formal support of their countries cannot be
secured.

Cross Border Terrorism: an Indian term adopted by the Crusaders. It is

to de-legitimize any outside support to Muslim freedom movements
against oppression and state terrorism.

Democratization: the process which starts with installation of puppet

government and most of its members preferably must have served as
CIA agents. Subsequently the puppets are obliged to govern and
administer the state in accordance with a constitution drafted by the
civilized people.

Embedded Journalists: the correspondents in bed with the armed

forces with no active role to perform. They only conceive and deliver
the ideas of those with whom they have been embedded.

Force Protection: it is pre-emptive strike practiced at lowest levels of

a combat force. It can also be practiced individually.

Freedom and Liberation: in modern English these are used as slang to

disenfranchise, enslave, dispossess, denaturalize, and dehumanize the
people of conquered lands. For uncivilized people these are no better
than four-letter words.
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Immunity: a licence to commit war crimes acquired from UN

Headquarters in New York and in case of emergency issued from
White House in Washington.

Inspectors, Advisors and Auditors: the experts appointed by the

superpower and empowered to award contracts, frame rules and
regulations, and can take disciplinary actions against employees
belonging to newly conquered countries.

Interim Government or Provisional Authority or Transitional

Administration: these are the modern forms of providing good
governance by accommodating exiles, liars, fraudsters, pretenders,
opportunists, spies and traitors cloned to implant spurious local face.

Islamic Militants: the improved version of Muslim fundamentalists

and extremists usually used as substitute for terrorists.

Peace Roadmap: are the riddles like those found on leisure pages of
the newspapers in which readers are asked to find the way to the
objective with only one difference that it has no open route and every
dead end means destruction of the peace-seekers.

Precision Bombing: the bombing in which usually women and

children are killed and their killings can be justified as pre-emptive
strike carried out well in advance.

Proliferators: only those recipients of prohibited technology which

belong to Islamic World. Those who export these through black
market earning exorbitant profits are not included in this category.

Rebels: all those who resist foreign occupation and their puppets
seeking liberation of their motherland.

Reconstruction: destruction is mandatory for this and destruction is

the sole prerogative of the superpower; whereas reconstruction is the
obligation of other nations lured in to share profits with the demolition
squad.

Regime Change: to replace an unwanted ruler through pressure of

sanctions or conspiracy or assassination or even by resorting to open
military aggression.

Self Defence: it is true manifestation of the saying that offence is the

best form of defence. It is practiced when one is sure that the
opponent lacks the means to retaliate.

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Targeted Killing: the garb under which assassinations and murders are
carried out to forestall any prosecution.

Truth: any lie repeated insistently becomes truth.

Will of International Community: it is a term usually confused with

the will of entire humanity; whereas it is the will of people of civilized
world. All others are usually ignored.

CONCLUSION
In short span of three years the superpower has committed
innumerable blunders. This has endangered the world peace to an
unprecedented enormity. The country having unlimited military means and
its leaders itching to go to war on untenable pretexts pose grave threat to
humanity.
They seemed to have no shame. Having done what he did, Bush had
no shame in talking about upholding the principles of justice and human
dignity. His statement promised more chaos for the world in general and for
Muslims in particular.
Presently the world body is only serving the interests of the strong
nations. Nimah has remarked that this is not what the UN was created for.
The problem with expert analysts is that they can raise doubts about
established realities. It is a fact that UNSC was created for serving the
interests of the big powers and it has been doing the same to date.
It has created many new problems for weaker nations rather than
solving those outstanding since long. Therefore, the world must act by
making it an effective organization. It must be made democratic. Its
reorganization, restricted to expansion of Security Council, constitutes no
solution.
It is futile to tell any thing to Muslim leaders to make OIC more
assertive in international arena. Over the passage of time the leaders have
developed the inclination to look towards the UN and US even for solution
of exclusive problems of the Ummah, which undermines the usefulness of
the OIC. At some stage Ummah has to consider saying good-bye to the UN.
8th October 2004

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AFGHANS DEMOCRATIZED
The period of last four months began with Karzais visit to US during
which he did not feel like going home, because America is such a nice
country. Bush told him, get home and go to work, will you? Thank you,
and yes (Sir) replied Karzai. He never realized what Bush meant; it was
difficult to replace a loyal servant like him.
During recent visit to US he painted grim picture of the challenges
ahead. He pointed out terrorism and drug trade as major problems. As long
as terrorism continues to exist in our region, neither Afghanistan, nor our
neighbours, nor, indeed, the rest of the world, can be safe.
In between the two visits he remained busy in improving the security
environments of his country and mustering support for his election
campaign. America while warning its citizens over kidnappings and
executions, vowed to bolster security.
Elections remained the focus of occupation forces, the United Nations
and Karzai. As UN concentrated on registration of voters and making
arrangements for polls, America helped Karzai in his election campaign by

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releasing some detainees to appease Pushtoons.

Polls were held peacefully which surprised many observers. America
had longed for it, because it expected positive impact of Afghan elections on
insurgency in Iraq. Boycott of polls by 15 contestants, however, spoiled the
show and the legitimacy of polls.

PEACE AND PROGRESS

Warlords and their private militias remained a major threat to peace
and security apart from the armed resistance of the Pushtoons. A minister
accepted that the business rivalry, not the Islamic militancy, was the most
likely reason behind the killing of Chinese. Business interests of the
warlords spread from Chinese to the prisoners. Reportedly all prisoners from
Shiberghan were released after payment of ransom.
Afghan warlords were accused of violating human rights. Rights
Group claimed that troops were beheaded and skinned in four day fighting
between rival groups in Herat. Amanullah was also accused of Human
Rights abuses.
Private militias posed greater danger than Taliban acknowledged
Karzai, but unfortunately Khalilzad was not listening. NATO too saw private
armies as main threat as about 900 people had been killed this year in
political violence perpetrated by them. The incidents of violence reported
during the period were:

Pro-government commander was injured in attack in Kabul on 19 th

July. On 6th August soldiers fought against police in Herat.

On 14th August twenty-one people were killed in factional fighting

between Ismail and his rival for control of Shindand air base. Kabul
deployed troops to halt fighting. US Envoy brokered ceasefire
between Amanullah and Ismail.

Amanullah, Pushtoon warlord, accused Ismail of breaking spirit of

truce on 23rd August and six days later he was arrested and brought to
Kabul.

On 10th September one person was killed in blast in Herat. Two days
later seven people were killed and 20 injured in attack on Pakistans
Consulate and UN offices in Herat during protests against Ismails

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removal.

Militia man loyal to Ismail was killed on 14 th September, the same day
new governor vowed to disarm factional fighters.

Karzai threatened crackdown on warlords. About a week later he

promoted three powerful warlords as election drew near. Atta was made
governor of Balkh, Khan Mohammad and Hazrat Ali were made police
chiefs in Kandahar and Nangarhar respectively.
Nevertheless he shifted northern warlord, Daud to Kabul and on 11th
September Ismail was dismissed as governor of Herat after he had declined
promotion to a slot in the cabinet. Afghan Human Rights body welcomed
replacement of Ismail, but many locals still regarded him as leader of Herat.
US Envoy warned of tension between Karzai and Northern Alliance.
Fahims exclusion was the main cause of the deepening rift. Qanooni
accused Karzai of failing to boost security. The true extent of the rift should
surface after elections.
Karzai also discussed the security with governors, but the problem
could not be resolved without disarming the private militias. Disarming
militias and eliminating drug trade were considered necessary to make
Afghanistan safe, hence Tahir vowed disarming over 40 percent warlords
before October elections.
Afghan and Norwegian officials discussed disarmament and Afghan
Ulema Council urged people to give up arms. Police seized half a tonne
explosive just outside the capital and Kabul was declared free of heavy
weapons. Warriors in Kunduz were reported exchanging Kalashnikovs for
computers. However, the campaign kept facing problems due noncooperation of local commanders. Fahim was seen as brake on factions
disarmament.
Demands and calls for expansion of ISAF continued. Karzai asked
NATO to rush extra troops. Annan called for increase in peacekeepers.
International help needed to ensure security said Afghan Envoy. NATO
estimated that 3,000 more troops were needed to expand the mission.
NATO agreed to increase force to 10,000 as Blair considered
Afghanistan top priority. Plan for expansion in north was finalized with
Mazar and Meymaneh to have British, Faizabad to have German and Dutch
to be deployed in Baghlan. On 9th August Euro corps took over ISAF

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command.
Sweden, Hungary, Netherlands and Georgia sent more troops. Italy,
Spain, Portugal, Poland, France and Germany remained committed to the
dispatch of more soldiers, if needed. Peacekeepers completed expansion in
five more provinces by 1st October. After elections Czechs agreed to donate
six tonnes of ammunition.
The expansion was termed insufficient; worsening security required
bigger NATO role according to analysts. Iraq War was blamed for marring
efforts to raise peacekeeping force. NATOs unity was sought to avert
Afghan and Iraq failures.
Peacekeepers performed satisfactorily as NATO forces were given
free hand as per military chief. However, some of their actions were
criticized, i.e. arrest of a judge, unwitting help to US civilians in running
private jail and handing over prisoners to government.
First step towards rehabilitation and reconstruction remained far from
completion, despite starting of relocation of IDPs; plans to repatriate over
half million refugees this year; and unprecedented repatriation from Iran in
which one million refugees returned. Insecurity and inadequate aid were the
main reasons of slow progress.
The flow of aid for reconstruction did not go beyond trickle. US-led
forces opened new PRT in Paktika, Turkey agreed to send PRTs and Czechs
joined German PRT team. World Bank approved $ 145 million aid; ADB
was to give $ 600 million in loans and grants; and US promised $ 15 million
for rebuilding.
Health care facilities still lacked. Turkey repaired two hospitals.
Albania, Croatia and Macedonia planned to send joint medical team. US
University launched human resource uplift programme. Denmark vowed
more humanitarian aid. Twenty Afghan judges were to be trained in Rome.
India was to train Afghan officials, which was hailed by Karzai.
Bridge linking Tajikistan and Afghanistan was opened. Iran planned to
finance Sangan-Herat railway project. USAID granted $ 14.2 million for
development of telecommunication. Afghanistan international bank opened
in Kabul and US planned to create fund for small business. HBL planned to
open branches in Jalalabad, Kandahar, Herat and Mazar.
The civilized world remained focused on cultural refinement. UNDP

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considered it appropriate to launch gender awareness programme. US sent

electronic books for Afghan women. UN planned to train Afghan women in
leadership. Educational radio and TV centre were re-opened in Kabul. But
Afghan customs and traditions remained resistant to cultural change. Rights
activist faced death threats; video shops were under fire; and womens role
changed but Burqas still prevailed.
Insecurity remained the main worry of aid agencies. Aid workers
faced perils due to attacks of Pushtoons. Insecurity hampered reconstruction,
accepted a minister. His colleague refuted, security is not major concern for
aid workers. Aid agencies were wasting money, alleged minister
Bachardoust.
Aid agencies urged NATO to increase peacekeepers, while rejecting
US proposal for guards to protect workers. A charity agency withdrew in
July. Other agencies vowed not to follow MSF. UN urged Afghan
Government to condemn attacks on aid workers. After attack in western city
some more aid workers fled and Afghan women were reported afraid of
working for foreign NGOs.
In the absence of economic revival, the drug industry flourished.
Opium production and rape were rampant in Americas Afghanistan,
reported NNI. Afghanistan produced largest quantity of opium, which was
considered a persistent threat to Russia and Europe. This year poppy
cultivation was likely to rise by 40 percent, said a report.
Warlords patronized the drug trade. They exploited the poverty of
masses to entice them to work for them and also exploited the corruption to
earn impunity for drug peddlers. Even Atta Muhammad was accused of drug
trade and drug lords were blamed for attack on Karzais vice-president.
Government destroyed 15,000 hectares of poppy by the end of June.
In July Karzai launched crackdown on drug traffickers within his
government. Neighbouring countries helped Afghanistan. Pakistan and Iran
offered to train Afghan anti-drug officials. Iran seized 106 tonnes drug in
three months. Russian guards seized 118 kg of heroin on 14 th July and 190
kg a week later. During first week of August they seized huge amount of
drugs and Tajik drug Tsar was arrested.
The government also sought the help of clergy. Cultivation of
poppies is against Sharia declared Ulema. UNODC hailed the decree
against poppy cultivation. Afghan volunteers were engaged in drug war.
People were also warned against increasing drug addiction among Afghans.
Special force was demanded to control drug menace.
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Bush rebuked Afghans and others for drug production. America sent
advisers to bolster counter narcotics effort. Rumsfeld discussed opium trade
with Afghan leaders, but US denied any plan to launch war against narcotics.
America was clearly reluctant to act against warlords patronized by it. Putin
accused US of doing nothing to stop drug flow from Afghanistan.
Child labour and trafficking was another by-product of under
developed economy. Poverty forced Afghan children to quit school and
work, said a report. Thousands of children worked on streets of large cities.
Child abduction cases were on the rise and the government was incapable of
checking human-trafficking.

ELECTIONS
Afghan officials faced numerous hurdles in voters registration out of
which security was the major problem. However, the task was accomplished
with great success. Four out of five eligible voters were registered by 23 rd
July and by 9th August 90 percent Afghans were registered as voters.
Registration in Panjsher Valley was the highest.
The process inside Afghanistan ended on 15th August. About 10.5
million were registered as voters, including over four million women. This
was a large number keeping in view the total population of 28 million out of
which two-third was children and under-age persons, EU and ISAF termed
registration process satisfactory. Afghans, however, questioned the process
because of high ratio of registration.
Some non-Pushtoon leaders opposed refugees right to vote, but they
were finally allowed casting their votes. Deadline for their registration was
extended. IOM registered voters in Pakistan from October 1-3; less than a
week before the election. Over 650,000 refugees in Pakistan were registered.
Refugees in Iran and Pakistan formed 10 percent of total vote. A woman of
Islamabad was earmarked to cast first vote in elections.
The puppet regime, the occupation forces and the UN kept warning
about more attacks in run-up to polls. Number of attacks during registration
was, however, less than feared, which enabled Afghans reaching registration
sites. Only in Ghor UN pulled out its staff after mob attacked election office.
Election campaign began on 7th September under shadow of violence.
On 16th September Karzais helicopter escaped rocket attack in Gardez.

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Four days later Afghan vice president candidate escaped attempt on his life
north of Kunduz. Election violence was also reported in Zabul and Khost.
Security during polls was the main concern. Afghan Government
urged NATO to expand ISAF role. NATO was convinced to deploy more
troops despite refusal of German team to oblige. ISAF agreed to help
maintain law and order during polls by bolstering its presence.
National army planned to deploy 16,000 troops. Pushtoon tribesmen
promised to help secure elections. On 8th October about 100,000 Afghan and
foreign troops were deployed and security forces were placed on high alert
across Afghanistan.
Elections were opposed by those who had been against the occupation
of Afghanistan. Yunis Khalis called for boycott. Hekmatyar made a similar
call and urged refugees to remain away from elections. Some warlords also
threatened voters. Taliban also vowed to fight against elections drama.
Musharraf assured the UN General Assembly; Pakistan will do its
best to prevent disruption of elections from its territory. Pakistan remained
neutral in polls and Karzais representative denied Pakistans interference.
Akram Zaki hoped for political stability in Afghanistan. Tajik president also
called for stability.
White House reaffirmed support for elections. Armitage praised the
preparations. USAID provided funds for election advertisements. America
released 11 Afghan prisoners on governments request to help mustering
support of their horse. Two Taliban leaders were also released to bolster
Karzais image. Bush pinned hopes on smooth elections as Powell saw
democracy rising in Afghanistan.
Solana and Karzai discussed electoral process. EU gave more aid for
polls and planned to deploy mission to monitor election process so as to
grant legitimacy certificate. UN approved election preparations after
allowing Afghan government to change law to hold elections.
Elections were to be held in September as per revised schedule, but
UN and Afghan officials were divided over election date. Karzai insisted on
no more delay but new date of October 9 was fixed for elections. Karzai
opposed further delay; trouble inevitable but polls wont stop.
Karzai submitted papers for contesting elections on 26 th July. Apart
from Pushtoons he had support of some Northern Alliance leaders as per
Gilani. Unnamed commanders of Dostum had also pledged to support him.
Millat party and ex-king supported Karzai and his aide sought Mujaddadis
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support as well.
Pushtoons were asked to vote for Karzai. Tezeray tribe in Khost
threatened to burn houses of those who vote for any other candidate.
Ahmadzai tribe announced their support for him. Muhammad Nayeem
Kochai of this tribe was recently released from Guantanamo after remaining
in detention for 21 months. However, people of Kandahar remained split
between Taliban and Karzai.
Karzai, confident of his standing, refused to cut any deal with rivals;
dismissed opponents calls to resign; and ruled out coalition government.
He, however, pledged to accept defeat, if beaten. Karzai was already chosen
by US, said chief of Jaishul Mujahideen. Karzai victory a foregone
conclusion, but Afghans elect president today reported Yusufzai on polling
day.
Karzai faced 17 challengers in October elections. Rashid Dostum
resigned on 23rd July to run for presidential elections. Qanooni was surprise
rival to Karzai as Abdullah decided to support him. The rivals accused
Karzai of spending government money for re-election and asked him to
resign. They also blamed him for propaganda campaign. He is not the only
loyal to US; there are others also. After each accusation they threatened to
boycott elections.
Opposition candidates explored formation of an alliance, but failed to
present united front. Two candidates withdrew before polls. Three
candidates supported Qanooni. Rumours about his withdrawal and deal with
Afghan president were denied. Supreme Court criticized a rival for
committing blasphemy by speaking against polygamy.
Six weeks before polling day Rahimullah Yusufzai had commented on
Afghan elections as under:

Karzai has gone for elections because he was sure of winning, but
undertaking of a potentially divisive exercise like election could
prove dangerous for consolidation of gains.

Enlistment of ghost voters was certain. Pushtoon participation could

be less than non-Pushtoons. This could raise questions about the
credibility and legitimacy of the electoral exercise and inflame ethnic
sensitivities. Already some candidates are exploiting ethnicity.

Even after elections Karzai and his ministers would need outside

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military help for several years in order to keep the Taliban and other
anti-US elements at bay.
AFP also observed that Afghanistan was being pushed to premature
polls. Many experts were doubtful about polls fairness; and apprehended
crisis of legitimacy. Afghanistan may not live up to its own election laws
and Karzai may have little to celebrate after polls.
All candidates except Karzai boycotted elections after accusing that
system to prevent illegal multiple voting had gone awry. Use of washable
ink at some places for marking the fingers was the main reason of boycott.
We want the elections to be re-held as soon as possible in a fair, transparent
manner without interference said one candidate. Any government that
comes to power as a result of todays election has no credibility, no validity
and is illegitimate for us.
Candidates had already expressed surprise over registration of 10.5
million voters out of 28 million in which almost two-third were children and
under-age persons. Candidates believed many people had received multiple
voter cards.
Karzai declared the polls free and fairit is very legitimate but left
the fate in hands of the election panel. Who is more important, these 15
candidates, or the millions of people who turned out today to vote? He,
while casting his vote, said; what is important is that Afghanistan is
deciding its fate. If I win or someone else, the main winner will be the
Afghan nation and we will accept it.
Boycott came as blow to the international community, which spent
about $ 200 million for staging the vote. Halting the vote at this time is
unjustified and would deny these individuals the right to vote said election
official Raty Kennedy. The UN-appointed Joint Election Management Body
(JEMB) for conducting the poll said, it will investigate the complaints but
could not justify halting the vote.
Surprisingly there was no large scale violence as apprehended.
Taliban, however, claimed 46 attacks to disrupt polls. Only one incident of
an ambush of a party carrying ballot boxes was reported in which three
persons were killed. Turn out was 75 percent which could be graded as
excellent. In Pakistan it was 80 percent as against 40 percent in Iran.
Bush termed Afghan polls a marvelous thing. Rumsfeld called
presidential polls as breathtaking. US Envoy tried to persuade opponents to
accept result as America declared Afghan polls legitimate. Election is

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strategic defeat to terrorism said a US General. Afghan polls showed

democracy is possible in Iraq observed Powell.
Observers approved of Afghan elections; demand to nullify elections
was unjustified. German Chancellor hailed elections. Polls were Afghans
victory over terrorism claimed Karzai. Pakistan pledged to respect Afghan
verdict. Russia called for holding parliamentary polls on time.
However, counting of ballots was put on hold as UN decided to probe
irregularities. Deadline for lodging complaints was extended by the UN.
Rivals softened the tone and were prepared to accept the findings of an
election commission inquiry.
It was unique introduction of democracy in many ways; the country
was occupied by America, policed by ISAF, polling was monitored by
commissions from the West, ten percent voters in neighbouring countries
considered their homeland unsafe to return. Ballot boxes came from
Scandinavia, ballot papers from Canada, and ink from India. Strangely the
ink made the legitimacy murky, though the firm blamed Afghan officials for
using the wrong ink.
Peaceful conduct was the biggest surprise. Polls were not disturbed to
avoid killings said Taliban. Hamidullah Tarzi, a former minister opined that
it was the result of the government convincing Taliban not to disrupt polls.
Karzai had been holding meetings with moderate commanders of Taliban,
who wanted him to win. Therefore, attacks were deliberately avoided as in
south and southeast these would have harmed Karzai and in the north such
attacks would have benefited Qanooni.
Tarzis statement was fairly convincing. Barring a few die-hards, the
majority of Pushtoons appreciated that elections were the only way to end
Northern Alliances domination in the centre. The Pushtoons could stick to
same strategy during parliamentary polls as Karzai contemplated to invite
Taliban to participate.

PUSHTOON RESISTANCE
Pushtoon resistance continued at low key. During last four months
following incidents of insurgency and counter insurgency were reported:

Four Afghans were killed on 16th June in blast targeting NATO. Two
days later a rocket was fired at UN office in Kandahar. The same day
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fighters attacked government office in Zabul sparking gunfight that

left five attackers and two soldiers dead and three wounded.

On 19th June Taliban fired 20 rockets at camp at Char Cheno in

Uruzgan and in ensuing fight one Taliban was killed and four
wounded.

Five Afghan soldiers were killed in mine blast near Spin Boldak on
23rd June. The same day a women rights activist survived attack in
Kabul and Hizb-e-Islami leader was killed on his way to Jalalabad.

On 25th June two US Marines were killed and one wounded during an
operation northeast of Asadabad in Kunar and Taliban claimed killing
19 pro-government men in Uruzgan province. Two days later sixteen
Afghans were killed for registering for vote.

US claimed killing 5 Taliban suspects after a plane came under fire in

Zabul on 28th June. Gunmen killed 7 Afghan policemen and soldiers in
two separate incidents; one of which took place near Iranian border in
Farah province and other in Herat. US military claimed capturing two
Taliban leaders. An Apache crashed in Zabul province.

On 29th June US troops killed three fighters in Uruzgan. Three US

soldiers were injured when their vehicle hit an improvised explosive
device in Paktia. A female US journalist was abducted in Zabul.

A Pakistani was arrested in Uruzgan province on 30th June. An Aussie

journalist went missing in Helmand. Taliban claimed downing of
helicopter in Zabul. Blasts in Jalalabad killed one and injured 27,
including three policemen.

On 1st July Taliban killed three pro-government Afghans. Border

guards arrested seven Iranians. Death toll in Jalalabad blasts rose to
four.

US and Afghan troops killed five militants in Uruzgan on 2nd July.

Next day US forces claimed killing 12 militants in troubled south.

Six persons were hurt as bomb factory was discovered in Kabul on 4 th

July. Third injured female UN worker died of wounds received last
month.

On 5th July Taliban claimed killing seven Coalition soldiers and

Helmand mayor survived bomb attack. Next day Taliban killed six
Afghan soldiers in an ambush on Herat-Kandahar Road. A voter
registration worker was shot at in Kandahar.
415

On 8th July two US soldiers were killed and three wounded in Uruzgan
and one fighter was also killed. In Zabul ten US troops were killed
and two fighters injured. In Farah Taliban ambushed a convoy
destroying two vehicles and killing ten cops. Bomb attack in Jalalabad
area killed UN election worker and injured two.

Taliban claimed killing 12 Afghan soldiers in Helmand and Zabul

provinces on 9th July. Next day four persons were killed in clashes in
Zabul.

On 11th July five persons were killed and 29 injured in explosion in

Herat. Two days later an Arab killed himself in Nangarhar to avoid
capture. In Kandahar area Taliban killed police chief and burnt a
government office. One Taliban was also killed in attack.

Troops killed two Afghans on 15th July. Next day an Afghan aid
worker was killed in ambush in Zabul.

On 19th July six bodies were recovered out of 16 killed by Taliban in

Uruzgan few days earlier.

Taliban clashed with US troops in Uruzgan on 20 th July and claimed

killing several US soldiers and six of their men also died. Mulla
Omars brother-in-law was captured. US troops killed one militant
and captured four in Zabul.

On 21st July 19 persons were killed in attack and gun battle in

Helmand and Uruzgan. In Zabul militants fired at security forces
inflicting no casualties.

Taliban claimed killing four Coalition troops in Ghazni on 22 nd July

and four US soldiers in blast on road to Kandahar airport next day.

Four Afghan soldiers were killed in ambush in Kunar on 24 th July.

Next day eight Afghan troops were injured in erroneous aerial raid in
Deh Rawud in Uruzgan.

On 26th July Kandahar police chief escaped bomb attack. Next day US
soldiers killed four Taliban suspects in Zabul. Taliban attacked
election workers in Laghman and fired rockets at Heart airport.

Six persons were killed on 28th July in attack on voter registration

party in Ghazni and rocket hit ammunition depot near Kabul.

On 29th July US adviser and two Afghan soldiers were killed in

clashes in Ghor. Taliban claimed downing US helicopter in Zabul.

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Police seized rockets and explosives in Kabul.

Kabul police foiled bomb blast plot on 31st July. Next day US forces
clashed with Afghans and called A-10 aircraft when they came under
fire during disarmament drive in Ghor.

On 2nd August gunmen killed Afghan soldier in Helmand and Taliban

claimed killing five Afghan soldiers in Khost. Two days later two
NGO workers were shot dead in Paktia.

US air strikes and Afghan troops killed 70 militants near Pakistan

border in Khost on 3rd August. Taliban denied losing so many men.
Rocket attack injured one person in Kabul and bomb killed three
children traveling with government official.

Taliban kidnapped three election workers in Ghazni on 6th August and

wounded eight foreign troops by setting of a bomb near military
vehicle in Zabul.

Two election workers were killed on 7th August in ambush in Uruzgan.

Since May twelve election workers were killed and 33 injured. Next
day two US soldiers and Afghan interpreter were killed in Ghazni.

Afghan forces killed six Taliban in Kandahar on 9th August. Uruzgan

governor claimed capturing five Taliban commanders.

One Marine was killed and 12 others wounded in helicopter crash in

Khost on 12th August. Taliban commander was killed in Laghman
after he led an ambush on US convoy. Newspaper office came under
grenade attack in Kandahar.

On 16th August US and Afghan forces killed seven Taliban and

captured eleven. Two days later three Taliban and Afghan soldier were
killed in clash in Ghazni.

US warplanes fired on Taliban in Uruzgan on 20 th August. Taliban

killed a woman in Zabul for taking other women to camp of Indian
road constructors. Six policemen were hurt in blast at voter
registration office in Farah.

On 22nd August US soldiers killed three members of a family when

their pick-up did not stop at checkpoint in Ghazni.

Taliban fighters killed two commanders loyal to Dostum in Faryab on

24th August. Government said killing was result of factional tension.
Haji Zahir survived attack near Jalalabad.

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Afghan forces arrested nine militants near Kabul on 25 th August. Two

days later Taliban claimed killing 12 Afghan soldiers in Zabul.

On 29th August a truck exploded outside US firm Dyn Corp which

provided Guards for security of Karzai and trained police. About 15
persons, mostly foreigners, were reported killed. In Paktia a blast in
school killed nine students and an adult. Taliban claimed
responsibility of blast in Kabul, but denied involvement in Paktia. A
Dutch airman was hurt in Apache crash and election officials vehicle
came under landmine attack in Nangarhar.

On 31st August eight civilians perished and nine were injured in US

bombing in Kunar. Air raid was in retaliation to Taliban attack in
which three outposts were captured.

Taliban claimed killing 12 Coalition soldiers on 1st September in two

attacks in Uruzgan. Next day rebels attacked Afghan troops and
wounded three soldiers.

On 3rd September Taliban and Afghan forces clashed in Khost

opposite Waziristan. Official claimed killing several militants and
accepted injuries to two soldiers. Jeep blast killed one and injured two
in Kandahar.

Six Taliban and one Afghan soldier were killed in clashes in Zabul on
7th September. Aid offices were attacked at two places.

On 8th September rebels fired at US troops and helicopters in Uruzgan.

Next day three rockets were fired at Kabul. US forces arrested and
then released Iranian journalist.

US soldier was wounded in Uruzgan on 10th September. Two persons

were injured in rocket attack on Kabul and NATO base.

On 13th September US claimed killing 22 Taliban including three

Arabs in Zabul. Taliban ambushed a US convoy near Kandahar
inflicting no casualties.

Three US soldiers were wounded in blast in Uruzgan on 17 th

September. Three Taliban were held for attack on Karzai.

Taliban killed pro-election elders in Maruf district of Kandahar on 18 th

September. Next day US forces killed a militant in Uruzgan. Four
persons were killed in munitions blast in Pul-e-Khumri.

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US helicopter escaped rocket attack in Zabul on 21 st September. Six

persons were killed as another helicopter fired back. Taliban claimed
attacking charity workers in Nuristan.

US soldier was killed in attack in Khost on 22 nd September. Next day

three militants were killed in Uruzgan. Security forces arrested five
terrorists in Logar, claimed a minister.

Taliban killed 9 Afghan soldiers in Helmand and Farah on 25 th

September. Next day Senior Taliban commander, Maulvi Abdul
Ghaffar, along with two others was killed in Uruzgan in an encounter.
He was captured after the fall of Taliban regime, kept in Guantanamo
for eight months and then released.

On 28th September four Afghan policemen were killed in Zabul. Next

day five Afghan troops were killed in ambush in Zabul and four
policemen were killed in another area of the province.

On 30th September Taliban killed 12 Afghan soldiers in Zabul. Four

persons were injured in rocket attack on German base in Kunduz.
Next day a suspected bomber was injured in bicycle blast.

US drone crashed in Jalalabad on 3rd October. Two persons were killed

in bid to bomb Karzais campaign office in Kabul.

On 5th October seven policemen were killed in mine blast near Maruf
and seven Taliban were killed in a raid in Uruzgan. Two persons died
while planting a bomb and three electoral workers were injured in
Khost province.

Two persons died on 6th October in blast at rally of Karzais running

mate in Faizabad, Badakhshan.

On 7th October two US soldiers and a civilian were hurt in Gardez.

Next day three Taliban were killed in Kandahar and US base in Kabul
was attacked with rocket.

US claimed killing 25 rebels in Uruzgan and eight policemen and

three civilians were killed in landmine blast in Kandahar on Election
Day.

On 11th October rocket attack in Kabul killed one person and injured a
child. Next day UN helicopter was forced to make crash landing.

America did not hesitate in using indiscriminate force and random

arrests. Its military faced embarrassment following realization that the two

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men in custody were Afghan government officials from Helmand province

rather than top Taliban commanders as claimed earlier, reported Yusufzai.
Had they not found out that they were officials, they would have been
disposed off as Taliban in manner deemed fit by the Crusaders. In August
US military killed three innocent Afghans and apologized. In September
bombing of a village and resultant killing of civilians was denied. Military
again apologized for killing an Afghan youth in Uruzgan.
Jonathan, who ran private jail, was an ex Green Beret of US Army and
he had also fought along side Northern Alliance. He appeared before Afghan
Judge, Bakhtyari and pleaded that their goal was struggle against terrorism.
They were a non-governmental group, but that they had private contact with
the Pentagon.
In July more charges were framed against private jailers. The accused
insisted that Rumsfeld knew about their activities. The American forces
absolutely condoned what we did, they absolutely supported what we did
said one of the culprits.
Idema told reporters that he was in daily telephone and e-mail contact
with officials at the highest level including Rumsfelds office as they were
zeroing-in on Osama. US Army accepted receiving prisoners from
vigilantes, yet escaped the legal proceedings, but private jailors were
awarded imprisonment. Congressional probe was sought over jailing of
Americans.
AFP suspected the possibility of more private jails in Afghanistan in
addition to the jails of warlords. Afghan militia was accused of detainees
death in custody. The government and Taliban exchanged accusations of
beheading each others prisoners which were denied by either side. UN
demands seeking access to US prisons remained unheard. However, over
700 prisoners were freed apparently on UN request, but in reality it was to
muster Pushtoon support for Karzai in polls.
Both sides also hurled threats and counter threats. Hekmatyar renewed
call for Jihad. Taliban threatened to kill Rumsfeld. An ex-commander
claimed split in Taliban and US military saw Taliban leadership falling apart,
yet the Crusaders kept harping about the threats from the monster.
Afghanistan situation posed threat to Bush Administration. UK
Parliament warned that Afghanistan could implode. Violence in Iraq and
Afghanistan to rise said Bush. These apprehensions were expressed with an
obvious aim to keep troops in Afghanistan indefinitely. The News dated 7th

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July wrote, United States interest in Afghanistan was merely to use it as a

launching pad for its policy of enforcing its hegemony in the region. That
aim was still being maintained.

CONCLUSION
Elections in Afghanistan constituted a milestone in Americas war on
terror. Possible victory of Karzai and acceptance of the result would ensure
lasting foothold for military presence in the region. America could also
expect positive impact on Iraq and would be encouraged to hold polls there.
Pushtoons support to Karzai and their surprise decision to allow the
polls to be held in peace could be taken as beginning of the end of their
resistance. However, this could be a premature conclusion. Nevertheless the
elections have dented the Northern Alliances hold on power; as Karzai has
returned to power, not as mere puppet of the Crusaders, but as president
elected by Afghans.
Pushtoons have carried themselves well through the first phase of
democratization of their country. This phase entailed only the choosing of
head of the state; whereas the next stage is all-important. If held fairly, they
are likely to regain their rightful political position.
16th October 2004

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UGLY UNION
The selection of Allawi as Prime Minister seemed to be bearing fruits
for the occupation forces. He has been issuing permits to legitimize the
killings of innocent Iraqis as frequently as the Crusaders demanded. At the
same time he has been able to convince Sadr to bid farewell to arms. Ugly
US-Allawi union was showing its impact.
On 10th October Rumsfeld met Allawi in Baghdad to discuss prepolls pacification drive, which primarily aimed at ending the resistance in
urban areas. The deal with Sadr militia had already been struck and militia
men started handing over weapons in Baghdad on 11th October. By next day
AFP reported heaps of guns and hopes for peace at Baghdad police station
as surrender picked up momentum.
Efforts to strike a similar deal in Fallujah failed to make headway
which resulted in arrest of chief negotiator. It seemed that residents of
Fallujah were not willing to accept terms of the occupation forces. We
suspended the talks because we felt that the Iraqi government, especially
Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, was meeting the demands of the Americans.
Nevertheless they were ready to resume talks if chief negotiator was
released. On 18th October chief negotiator was released by US military, but
by then the occupation forces were well poised to enter the city by force and
probing attacks had already begun.
Americas immediate aim seemed to be its own elections. It wanted to
control insurgency to a degree that could bring positive effects on election
campaign of Bush. The next aim seemed to be elections in January though
presently the prospects were not so bright, yet Afghan elections have been
quite encouraging for them to undertake this difficult task.

FIGHTING
Allawi boasted on 12th September that more than 3,000 militants have
perished in recent terror washing of the country. Terror washing
continued during last six weeks. On 10th September Iraqi troops fired on
supporters of Sadr as they left a mosque killing two and wounding five. Next
day two persons were killed and three wounded in car bomb attack near US
Embassy office in Basra. A British soldier died in accident near Amara.
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Explosions shook Baghdad as mortar shells landed in Green Zone. Aircraft

bombed Sadr City. An oil pipeline was blown off in the north.
At least 13 people, including three children were killed and 55
wounded during intense fighting around central Baghdad on 12th September
and six US soldiers were also wounded. Sixteen Sunni insurgents were held.
Al-Jazeera reporter along with four others was killed when US helicopter
fired on people gathered around a destroyed military vehicle. Two car
bombing attempts were foiled. In Hilla three Polish soldiers were killed and
three wounded in an ambush. In Ramadi ten people were killed and 40
wounded in clashes. Two police officers and a civilian were killed and 13
wounded in suicide car bomb attack. In Samarra three Iraqis were killed in
roadside bomb and a suicide car bomber missed US patrol and killed two
civilians. In Mosul four policemen were killed and three wounded in an
attack. Zarqawi claimed responsibility of string of attacks on this day.
On 13th September 16 Iraqis, including women and children were
killed and 12 wounded in bombing of Fallujah. Police station was blown up
in Baghdad. One person was killed and three wounded in helicopter attack
on commercial area of the city. Six Iraqis were killed and seven wounded in
Hilla. Kurdish governor of Dahuk escaped roadside bomb blast.
In Baghdad 47 persons were killed and 114 wounded in car bomb
attack on 14th September. Another bomb wounded two persons. Two US
soldiers were killed and three wounded in an attack in the Capital. A US
Marine was killed in Anbar. Gunmen killed a US soldier and wounded five
in Mosul. In Baquba 12 policemen and their driver were killed and two
others wounded in shootout. In Ramadi ten Iraqis were killed in clashes.
Pipeline junction was blown up in Kirkuk.
On 15th September 13 people were killed and 17 wounded in an
explosion and fighting in Ramadi. An Iraqi guardsman and a civilian were
killed and ten more wounded in car blast in Suwayrah, south of Baghdad.
Two Iraqi builders employed by US military were shot dead in Kirkuk.
Three dead bodies of Iraqis were found in Balad. Next day one Iraqi was
killed and 14 people wounded in an explosion in Baghdad. Oil pipeline was
damaged in an explosion northeast of the city. Three Marines were killed in
Anbar.
At least 44 people were killed and 27 wounded in precision bombing
of a village near Fallujah on 17 th September. Most of the killed were women
and children. Bombing was authorized by Allawi. In Baghdad six persons
were killed and 27 wounded in two car bombs and police claimed arresting
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63 persons, including Syrians, Lebanese and Egyptians. In Basra fighters

clashed with British troops. In Tikrit governor escaped attempt on his life.
On 18th September 23 men were killed and 53 wounded in suicide car
bomb attack on National Guard headquarters in Kirkuk and a Shia leader
was killed and two guards wounded. In Baghdad two US soldiers were
killed and eight wounded and three vehicles were destroyed in ambush. One
person was killed and two wounded in roadside bomb. In Mosul a Turk
driver was killed and five bodyguards of a senior official were killed in an
attack. A boy died in blast in Hilla. In Baquba nine people were wounded in
mortar fire. Body of deputy governor kidnapped on 8th September was
found in Ramadi.
Three people were killed and seven wounded including four US
soldiers in car bomb attack on a checkpoint in Samarra on 19 th September.
One Iraqi soldier and a civilian were killed and four American and three
Iraqi soldiers wounded in suicide attack. Warplanes and artillery fire on
Fallujah killed four people and wounded six. About a dozen Turkish drivers
were killed or abducted and four trucks were destroyed in Balad. An Iraqi
was killed in car bomb in Musayib. Four people died in Suwayrah while
planting a mine. A senior police officer was killed when US troops opened
fire on his vehicle south of Baghdad. Sadr lieutenant was arrested.
On 20th September two Americans and a Turk were killed and five
wounded in separate incidents. Two Sunni clerics were killed in Baghdad;
one of them had been kidnapped earlier. One US soldier was killed north of
Baghdad. Dead bodies of two Iraqis working in US base were found. Three
people were killed in Fallujah in double air strike. Three persons were killed
in suicide car bomb in Mosul.
A car bomb targeted a convoy on highway west of Baghdad on 21 st
September killing a civilian and wounding dozen people, including four US
soldiers. Two US soldiers were killed in Anbar in separate incidents.
Marines arrested two close aides of Sadr.
On 22nd September 15 people were killed and 52 wounded in US
offensive on Sadr City. In Baghdad six persons were killed and 54 wounded
in suicide car bomb. A US soldier was killed by roadside bomb near Tikrit.
One civilian was killed and two wounded in similar attack. Three US
soldiers were wounded in forced landing of a helicopter. Another US soldier
was killed in Mosul. Spiritual leader of Tawhid wal Jihad was killed in air
strike.
Gunmen killed a senior official of Iraqi Oil Company on 23 rd
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September. Three US soldiers were wounded in car bomb in Sadr City and
one person was killed and 12 wounded in air strike. Next day four people
were killed and 14 wounded in mortar fire in Baghdad. Seven civilians and
three guardsmen were wounded in clashes in Dhulluiyah. US aircraft and
artillery pounded Fallujah. Four Marines were killed in separate incidents in
Anbar. An Iraqi police captain was killed near Baquba.
On 25th September eight Iraqis, including women and children were
killed and 15 wounded in air strikes on Fallujah. Seven recruits of National
Guards were killed in an ambush of their minibus in Baghdad and a US
soldier was killed in roadside bomb. Iraqi forces raided a Sunni mosque but
found nothing.
Fifteen people were killed and 22 wounded in US air strikes on
Fallujah on 26th September. Ten people were killed in attack on convoy of
petrol tankers in Latifiyah and all five trucks were set ablaze. One person
was killed in mortar attack in Baghdad. US troops arrested Iraqi National
Guards General.
On 27th September five Iraqis were killed in air strike on Sadr City.
Five civilians were killed in roadside bomb in Baquba. Two National Guards
were killed in car bomb attack in Mosul. US soldier was killed in Balad and
one died in traffic accident. Next day three people were killed and six
wounded in air strike on Fallujah. Sadr City was also pounded. Two British
soldiers were killed in ambush of a convoy near Basra. Two Iraqis were
killed and four wounded in grenade attack in Baghdad.
On 29th September Shia Political official along with his son and driver
was killed in Baquba. US troops killed an Iraqi as he failed to stop on a
checkpoint. In Baghdad one Iraqi was killed and another wounded while
planting a bomb and six suspects were arrested. Ukrainian Colonel was
killed and two soldiers injured in accident. In Mosul a worker of Iraqi NGO
was killed.
On 30th September 41 people were killed and 60 wounded in car bomb
attack on opening ceremony of a water supply in Baghdad. Mostly children
were among dead who had been collected for the ceremony. In another car
bomb attack west of Baghdad a US soldier and two policemen were killed
and 13, including three US soldiers were wounded. Another US soldier was
killed in rocket attack on logistic base in Baghdad. In Fallujah three Iraqis
were killed and six wounded in air strike. Bodyguard of mayor of Kirkuk
was killed. A Sunni cleric was shot dead in Mosul.
On 1st October 114 Iraqis including women, children and old were
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killed in Samarra in air strikes and street-to-street fight. One US soldier was
killed and four wounded. Occupation forces raided Shia golden mosque and
captured 25 rebels and 37 were captured earlier. Twelve people were killed
and 11 wounded in clashes in Sadr City. Four policemen and four people
were killed near Basra; seven policemen were also wounded.
In Samarra death toll hit 125 and 88 suspects were captured on 2 nd
October. In Fallujah seven Iraqis were killed and 13 wounded in air strike. A
car bomber died in blast outside the city. Earlier seven Iraqi Christians along
with their driver were killed in ambush near Baghdad. A US soldier was shot
dead in Baghdad.
On 3rd October one Iraqi was killed and three wounded in a roadside
blast. One Pakistani driver was killed while coming from Kuwait. US
claimed victory in Samarra. Fallujah was bombed killing two civilians and
wounding ten. Two US soldiers were killed in Baghdad.
Car bomb blast in front of recruiting centre near Green Zone killed 15
people and wounded 80 on 4th October. Second bomb targeted a US convoy
on Sadoum Street killing six persons and wounding more than a dozen. A
senior official along with another was shot dead elsewhere in the city. In
Mosul five persons were killed and 11 wounded in car bomb blast in front of
a school. In Baquba a police commander and a civilian were killed and
seven wounded. Air strike in Fallujah killed 11 people, including three
women and four children and wounded 12, including six women and three
children. Three policemen were killed in Latifiyah. US claimed capturing
foreign fighter in Samarra.
Two police officers and five policemen were killed in an ambush near
Baghdad on 5th October. One US soldier was killed and two wounded in road
side bomb near the city. Five decapitated bodies of Iraqis were found from
different places. In Mosul three Iraqis were killed and seven people,
including four US soldiers were wounded in car bomb attack. Ten people,
including one US soldier were wounded in two explosions in Ramadi.
On 6th October 12 persons, mostly military personnel and recruits
were killed and 25 wounded in car bomb attack in Baghdad. A child was
killed and seven guardsmen wounded in a car bomb attack on a checkpoint
in Mussayib. One person was killed and ten wounded in Basra by
homemade bomb. In Baquba three Kurd militiamen and a civilian were
killed in an ambush. In Mosul a Kurd tribal leader who had links to Saddam
was killed.
On 7th October two US soldiers were killed and two others wounded
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in separate attacks in Fallujah and Beiji. In Mosul an engineer working for

US was killed by gunmen and 20 people were arrested. Two rockets were
fired at Sheraton Hotel in Baghdad. More than 60 rebels were held from
different places around the Capital.
Air strike killed 12 and wounded 16 at wedding party in Fallujah on
8 October. This strike contributed to reducing the capability of the Zarqawi
network and increasing safety and security throughout Iraq claimed
America. US and Iraqi forces continued combing the triangle of death
formed by Mahmudiyah, Latifiyah and Iskandariyah. North of Baghdad one
US soldier was killed and another wounded when their patrol was attacked
in Tuz. In Kirkuk one policeman was killed and two wounded. Red Crescent
building was destroyed in Ramadi. Next day mortar rounds landed in highsecurity area.
th

At least 17 people were killed in suicide car bomb attack near oil
ministry in Baghdad on 10th October. A car bomb resulted in killing of driver
only. Another car bomb targeted US convoy wounding two persons
including one US soldier. An Iraqi intelligence officer was killed in drive-by
shooting. In Fallujah a Marine convoy was ambushed resulting in killing of
three attackers.
Two Iraqis and a US soldier were killed and 27, including nine US
soldiers wounded on 11th October in suicide car bomb attack targeting a
convoy in Mosul. Blast was followed by firing. In Baghdad two US soldiers
were killed and five wounded in mortar fire. In Ramadi two Iraqis were
killed and three wounded in clash. British security guard was killed near
Kirkuk. US troops came under fire in Hit and in retaliatory air strike a shrine
was damaged. An explosion took place in Fallujah and next day five people
were killed and four wounded in air strike.
On 13th October US pounded Fallujah and Ramadi killing 11 people.
Allawi asked people of Fallujah to hand over Zarqawi. His ultimatum came
shortly after chief negotiator said peace deal was near. Two raids were
launched in Baquba and several Iraqis were detained. One police officer was
killed separately. Four US soldiers were killed in roadside bomb in Baghdad.
In Mosul two US soldiers were killed in ambush of a convoy.
Four American civilian security guards protecting US Embassy and
six Iraqis were killed and another guard, two State Department employees
and several others were wounded in two attacks in Green Zone by four
brothers who operated in pairs on 14 th October. A judge and a woman
journalist of Kurdish TV were gunned down elsewhere in the city. Two US
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soldiers were killed and two wounded in central and eastern parts of the city.
One policeman was killed in Latifiyah. In Qaim near Syrian border 18
national guardsmen were killed in an attack by fighters. Two army officers
were shot dead in Baquba. In Mosul two people were killed and seven
wounded in attack on a convoy. Five people were killed and 16 wounded in
air strike on Fallujah.
Ten people were killed and about a dozen wounded in car bomb attack
in Baghdad on 15th October. Chief negotiator for deal on Fallujah along with
police chief was arrested. Occupation forces were all set for ground assault
to flush out Zarqawi men. Britain was asked to deploy troops in Fallujah. In
Najaf gunmen killed a security official.
On 16th October a suicide car bomb targeted a Humvee killing one
Marine, two US soldiers and a civilian translator in Qaim near Syrian border.
Four Iraqis were killed and 30 wounded in mortar attack. Chief of police in
Rutba was kidnapped near Jordanian border. In a similar attack in Mosul one
US soldier was killed and a photographer working for a European agency
was shot dead. Five churches were damaged in Baghdad in early morning
bombing. In Fallujah a baby girl was killed and three children and a woman
were wounded as US troops sealed off the city for second day. In Baghdad
one person was killed and five wounded in rocket and mortar fire. In Kirkuk
a politician was killed.
Nine policemen were killed on 17th October when their minibus was
ambushed as they returned from Jordan after training. Air strike and clashes
killed four, including a child and wounded 12, including a child and a
woman in Fallujah. In Baghdad mortar shell hit an arms collection depot in
Sadr City killing two Guards and a civilian and wounded nine civilians. In
Baquba one Guardsman was killed and mortar fire killed a civilian in Kut.
On 18th October six people, including three policemen were killed and
26, including 11 policemen wounded in car bomb attack on a caf in
Baghdad and two people died and two wounded in roadside bombs. Two
separate car bombs killed six Iraqis and wounded 19 in Mosul. Two Kuwaiti
Jehadis were reported killed in Iraq.
On 19th October four Iraqi guards and a US contractor were killed and
89 people wounded in two mortar attacks in and around Baghdad. Softening
of Fallujah continued as the city was subjected to series of air strikes. Oil
pipeline in Kirkuk was damaged.
One civilian was killed and two officers wounded as gunmen fired at
police patrol south of Baquba on 20 th October. Four children were killed and
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20 people injured in car bomb attack in Samarra. In Fallujah six members of

a family were killed in air strike. In Baghdad a car bomb killed the driver
and injured two policemen and two US soldiers.
On 21st October ten people, including three women and three children
were killed and 14 wounded in two car bomb blasts in Samarra. A bus in
Baghdad was fired at killing four and wounding 11 people. Two security
officers were killed in drive by shooting.
Armed resistance met a setback when Sadr militia agreed to sell their
weapons to the government in exchange of release of all prisoners and
stopping of pursuing and arresting members of the Sadr movement.
Mediator Kareem said, initial arrangements will last for five days but there
was no official accord. We are cautiously optimistic; it is an informal
understanding.
Similar negotiations in Fallujah were reported making headway on 6th
October. Residents were willing to allow Iraqi security forces in the town
with no powers to search or arrest. Fallujah Mujahideen were warned not to
fall into trap of deal with the government. The hopes of truce ended with the
arrest of chief negotiator.
Residents of Fallujah were told to give up Zarqawi. Allawi asked them
to hand over Zarqawi men. We have extended an olive branch to the people
of Fallujah. We hope (they) will be able to work with the government to
bring the terrorists to justice.
As residents of Fallujah did not accept the terms, the US forces
besieged the town with the intentions of flushing out foreign terrorists. The
occupation forces continued discrediting the Iraqis with rhetoric of foreign
fighters. Zarqawis statement about Osama as the best leader was taken as
proof by spokesman Duffy. The presidents firm resolve to fight terrorists
overseas, so we dont face them in Americas neighbourhoods, is the only
clear way to prevail.
US Army experienced the first incident of collective disobedience.
Troops refused to obey orders to take part in apparently dangerous mission
of transporting fuel from Tallil to Taji. As result of the refusal the company
commander was relieved from the charge. The incident indicated the sapping
morale of the occupation forces.

HOSTAGE TAKING

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Hostage taking continued. Since last April more than hundred

foreigners have been taken as hostages, out of them about 30 have been
killed. In addition to that about 150 workers of foreign firms working
independently in logistic support of the Coalition have been killed so far.
Following incidents of kidnapping, execution and release were reported
during last six weeks:

Three Lebanese were killed and another wounded in kidnapping

attempt in Baghdad on 10th September.

On 12th September Turkish journalist was released after two-day

captivity. Police got freed seven hostages.

Fighters reported capturing two Australian and two East Asian

security contractors on 13th September.

On 14th September Turkish hostage was released after Turkey

protested over a US offensive in northern Iraq.

Two American and three Brits were kidnapped on 16 th September.

Next day a Syrian truck driver was freed.

Two truck drivers were kidnapped on 18th September. Next day a

video showed beheading of three men of Iraqi Kurdish party and three
Lebanese and Iraqi drivers were kidnapped.

On 20th September beheading of an America was shown on web site.

Eighteen guardsmen were released. US and Iraqi forces got a
Jordanian hostage freed.

Another American hostage was executed on 21 st September. Turkish

driver was released after weeks in captivity.

Abducted Jordanian was released on 22nd September. Next day the

captors claimed killing two Italian female hostages.

On 24th September eight telecom workers (Egyptians and Iraqis) were

kidnapped. Next day website claimed that British hostage has been
executed.

British hostage was reported alive on 26th September. Next day Iranian
diplomat Jahani kidnapped in August was released.

Two Italian female hostages were freed and handed over to Red Cross
on 28th September. Website had earlier reported their execution. Pope
was delighted. Two Iraqis abducted with them and two out of eight
Egyptians were also released.
430

On 29th September Zarqawi group claimed killing a female

intelligence agent and capturing three more agents. Bigley was shown
begging for his life.

Two Indonesian women were among ten kidnapped on 30th

September. Next day US forces rescued a Turkish captive from
Samarra.

On 2nd October Iraqi contractor was beheaded. Next day corpses of

two beheaded foreigners, man and a woman, were found near
Baghdad.

British hostage was beheaded on 8th October. Three days later

kidnappers threatened to behead Turkish hostage and ransom of
Jordanian hostage was cut by 80 percent.

Shiite Iraqi man accused of spying for occupation forces was shown
beheaded on website on 12th October. He was a rejectionist; the term
used for Shiite Muslims belonging to Sadr movement. Turkish
Foreign Minister confirmed release of ten hostages.

Two intelligence agents were beheaded by the captors on 13th October.

American photographer abducted two days earlier was released.

On 14th October a Turkish driver was beheaded and Jordanian hostage

freed for $ 50,000.

Zarqawi group claimed beheading 11 policemen on 17 th October. Next

day a group claimed killing two Macedonian hostages for spying.

On 19th October Director CARE International was kidnapped. Next

day CARE suspended operation in Iraq.

Kidnappers demanded release of imprisoned Iraqi women in exchange

of release of British captive. The kidnappers threatened to kill Italian women
if Rome did not recall its troops from Iraq within 24 hours and demanded
journalists should cover the activities of the resistance. They asked
Australia to pull out from Iraq for release of its captives.
On 18th September captors again threatened to kill American and
British hostages in 48 hours if they did not free all Iraqi women detainees.
America said that only two Iraqi female biologists were held. Another group
threatened to execute 15 hostage guardsmen if a Shia radical militia
commander was not released. Release of Abu Bakar Bashir was demanded
in exchange of Indonesian captives.

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Italy ruled out change of policy, but sought help for womens release.
Italian secret service reportedly contacted kidnappers and tried to determine
the location of captives. Abductees were ultimately released and one of them
gave a statement about Iraqi resistance which was not to the liking of the
Crusaders.
France studied the demand of captors asking the journalists to cover
the activities of the resistance. But Paris remained discreet and hoped for
release of hostages. Chirac sought nations unity over hostages while
sticking to his stand of not succumbing to pressure.
Australia refused to negotiate with kidnappers and make any
concessions. Australian Prime Minister suspected that hostage claim could
be a hoax. Hostage claims were investigated and it was announced that
captive could be an Iraqi-Australian. Who cared if he was not a Whiteman?
UK and Iraq refused to give in to kidnappers demands of freeing
female prisoners. Pamphlets were distributed and an Irish MP offered help to
save the hostage. Muslim scholars were dispatched to Baghdad to plead for
Bigley, but UK refused to negotiate with hostage takers.
Bigleys family resented Blairs silence. Al-Jazeera has been more
helpful than the British government. His brother said, this war is illegal,
immoral and costing too many lives. Blairs silence is the kiss of death of
my brother. He should set a firm date for withdrawal of troops. On 10th
October a video on website showed Bigley making last appeal. Here I am
again, Mr. Blair very, very close to the end of my life, you do not appear to
have done anything at all to help me.
On 15th September Jordanian employer of a hostage agreed to quit
Iraq. Six days later Turkish company froze works to save ten kidnapped
workers. Bashir declined to be freed in exchange of two Indonesian women.
Construction Company of released Turks refused to quit Iraq. Truckers also
continued risking life despite beheading threat.

ARROGANT AND BRUTE

The Crusaders remained arrogant in using the brute force in
controlling the insurgency. Precision bombing of Zarqawis fighters
invariably resulted in killing of women and children. If the claim of
precision bombing was accepted then US was guilty of committing war
crimes by killing innocent people deliberately.

432

On 13th September bombing of an ambulance was reported. Hospital

authorities accused the American Army of having no morals. Next day angry
men cursed Bush as tears poured down their shocked faces amid scene of
devastation after car bomb explosion. The gates of hell are open in Iraq
said Amr Mussa.
Indiscriminate killings were subjected to criticism, despite that the
actual death toll was always more than the one reported on the day of
fighting as many wounded persons expired later on. The occupation forces
instead of desisting from committing brutalities instructed the Iraqi Health
Ministry not to release the figures of casualties.
Armitage predicted more violence in Iraq, but Powell vowed
control insurgency. Occupation forces planned to take full control
troubled areas of Samarra, Fallujah, Ramadi, Sadr City and Haifa Street
the end of the year to ensure smooth polls in January for return
democracy. US even considered tougher curbs on Syria.

to
of
by
of

Two elections seemed to be the factors dictating the initiation of

actions in the immediate context. Allawi vowed to hold elections as per
schedule as he claimed success and was confident of bringing peace to Iraq.
His government complained of shortage of UN staff for polls. Straw hoped
polls would be held on time and US indicated plans to send more troops for
elections. Italy decided not to pull out troops before Iraq polls.
Powell, however, admitted snags in holding polls; voting in all parts
of Iraq may not be possible. AP apprehended that extremists would get
upper hand in Iraq polls. Rumsfeld admitted guerrillas were succeeding
through bombing and assassinations in convincing some Iraqis that
democracy in Iraq wont work. He feared extreme violence till to polls and
urged Iraqis to form political and economic system.
Powell was encouraged by the Afghan elections. On 19th October he
said, its still possible to have the kind of election we want to have by the
end of January. The key is security and building up Iraqi forces to make
them competent, fully equipped and able to do the job. Two days later AFP
reported that pro-Iran Shia leader could win polls. America was keeping the
option of postponement open in case of unforeseen eventuality.
On 16th October US asked Britain to send troops in volatile area of
Iraq. Blair had no choice but to re-deploy a battalion in northern parts. He
denied that redeployment was linked to US-polls to boost Bushs standing. A
motion signed by 45 law-makers demanded a vote in the House of
Commons on re-deployment of troops. Blair reiterated, this is nothing to do
433

with the American elections. It has everything to do with the Iraqi elections
in January. His government also tried to cool down the opposition by telling
that troops would be deployed in north Iraq only for weeks.
Putin threw his spanner; Iraq attacks are aimed at foiling Bush reelection. Mahathir, however, felt that Iraq War wont affect re-election of
Bush. He predicted liar Bush will win polls. The American people are, by
and large, very ignorant and know nothing about the rest of the world. They
think that America is the world. He added, they will accept a liar. They will
accept (British Prime Minister Tony) Blair and I am sure they will accept
Bush. They have already accepted (Australian Prime Minister John) Howard
who told a blatant lie.
Annan declared Iraq War illegal. Ive indicated that it was not in
conformity with the UN Charter from our point of view, and from the
Charter point of view it was illegal. Malaysia backed Annans comments
and Gaddafi declared resistance in Iraq as legitimate. The Crusaders were
not deterred by the criticism of their immoral act of invading Iraq.
US claimed that UN had approved the war. Powell contested Annans
assertion and insisted, Iraq War is legal. Howard slammed the UN as a
paralysed body, incapable of acting on major crises. The invasion was
entirely valid legally, he insisted. That was a legal opinion we obtained
from the relevant people in Australia. Opinion of relevant people rendered
the opinion of the world body irrelevant.
Blair accepted a mistake for the first time. I do accept that there was
probably one error that was made, which is that, in retrospect, I think to
disband the Iraqi army in its entirety and to remove all elements of the Baath
Party from positions of authority in Iraq, was done too quickly. He rejected
fixing of intelligence and refused to make full apology over Iraq War.
Annans comments were not clear to Japan. Britain and Japan
defended Iraq invasion. US lawmakers were, however, worried about plan
to spend more on security of Iraq. Kerrys tirades against Iraq War during
election campaign were brushed aside by Bush; Kerry does not understand
war on terror.
America continued covering the filth of war crimes. During the period
a US soldier was jailed for eight months for abusing prisoners. Vigilantes
were found guilty and sentenced up to 10-year jail and American military
and NATO disowned them. Sergeant Frederick was sentenced to 8 years for

434

prison abuse. England was to face court martial. Two US soldiers were
charged with the murder of an Iraqi civilian.
US military released 275 detainees, including 25 juveniles, from Abu
Ghraib on 11th September. Next day over one hudred prisoners were freed
and 180 more were released on 30th September. About 240 prisoners,
including prominent supporter of Sadr, were released on 7 th October. Four
days later 154 more were freed. Over two hundred were released from Abu
Ghraib on 17th October.
Shameless Crusaders thought that their above actions were enough to
satisfy the critics and to continue with immoral war. Rumsfeld appealed for
NATO help in Iraq, particularly for training of security forces. There were
100,000 already on ground and America wanted 45,000 more before
elections.
Allawi asked the world community to set aside the differences over
the legality of invasion and appealed for the help. Pakistan was to be asked
for troops, according to UN representative, Qazi. Bush nd Kerry tried to
appease Islamic World by stressing upon peace and tolerance during
Ramazan. Pope also appealed for peace in Iraq and Middle East. Kerry,
however, said there was no likelihood of enticing allies to send more troops.
Only the countries with vested interests cooperated. Germany agreed
to train Iraqi troops and provide vehicles to detect chemical threats. Danish
troops were to stay and assist UN in securing polls. Czech was willing to
extend military mission. Japan mulled expanding and extending troops
mission. Syria worked to secure Iraqi border under duress and started
withdrawing troops from Lebanon.
Many partners were reluctant with or without feeling pricks on their
conscience. Costa Rica asked US to exclude its name from list of supporters
of war in Iraq. Spain asked other countries to follow its example and pull out
their troops from Iraq. Poland decided to pull out 2,500 troops next year.
Italy also considered withdrawing troops next year and ruled out redeployment. Hungarian Prime Minister criticized pre-emptive war.
Extension of Dutch troops deployment was ruled out. Musharraf too ruled
out troops to Iraq. Even Australia rejected more troops for Iraq.
Under compulsion of the circumstances Allawi and US sought
international moot on Iraq. EU hailed holding of Iraq conference. France and
China endorsed the moot, but the former demanded that the conference must
discuss possible US pullout. The conference was scheduled for November
22-23 to be held in Egypt.
435

Sharon took full advantage of the worlds focus on Iraq as was evident
from the incidents of state terrorism perpetrated on Palestinians and their
ever-decreasing retaliation. Following were reported during the period:

Hamas leader and three others were killed in Israeli incursion on 10 th

September. Three days later three Palestinians were killed in Israeli
strike in northern West Bank.

Ten Palestinians were killed in Israeli raids on 15 th September. Four

days later Hamas leader was killed in missile attack. One Palestinian
was shot dead while planting explosives and three more were
wounded.

On 20th September two Hamas men were killed in air strike. Two days
later two Israelis were killed by female suicide bomber.

Three Israeli troops were among six killed in Gaza on 23 rd September.

Next day an Israeli woman was killed in mortar fire in Gaza.

Israeli army flattened rows of houses in Gaza on 25th September in

retaliation of killing of an Israeli woman and three soldiers earlier.

On 26th September Hamas leader, Ezzdeed al-Sheikh, was killed in car

bomb in Syria. Israeli security claimed responsibility.

Seven Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks on 27th September.

Next day another Palestinian was shot dead.

On 29th September eight Palestinians and two Israelis were killed in

violence. Next day 25 Palestinians and three Israelis were killed in
fierce Gaza battles.

On 1st October Israel killed eight more Palestinians. In last three days
44 Palestinians and four Israeli were killed.

Eleven Palestinians were killed on 2nd October. Next day ten more
Palestinians were killed in ongoing offensive.

Eight Palestinians were killed on 4th October as Israel continued

onslaught. Next day Islamic Jihad military chief was killed in air
strike and more Palestinians were also killed.

On 6th October seven more died in violence. Next day Israel killed
three more Palestinians in Gaza.

On 8th October three car bomb attacks killed 31 and wounded 120 in
Sinai. Most of the victims were Israeli holidaymakers. Three Israelis
were killed in Nuweiba 65 kms away from Taba. Another bomb
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exploded at the Moon Island beach. Three different groups accepted

the responsibility. Israeli troops killed four Palestinians in Gaza City
and one died of wounds received earlier.

Five Palestinians were killed in Israeli fire in Gaza on 9 th October.

Next day one more was killed in missile attack.

On 11th October Israeli troops killed one Palestinian and wounded six
in Gaza Strip.

Israel killed four more Palestinians on 13th October. Next day five
Palestinians were killed in Israeli offensive and on 15 th Israel pulled
out of Gaza.

Five Palestinians were killed in gun battles on 18 th October. Next day

Israel killed two more.

Two Palestinians were killed in Israeli firing on 20th October. Next day
four Palestinians and an Israeli perished in Gaza violence.

More than hundred houses were razed in recent Gaza offensive. AlAqsa was desecrated. Sharon rejected US bid for talks with Syria and vowed
to expel Arafat. US rewarded Sharon for his defiance by selling 5,000
smart bombs to Israel.
Hamas reacted to the killing of its leader by warning that the Zionist
enemy should shoulder the consequences of what it did. Palestinian Prime
Minister described the recent Israeli offensive as systematic state terror that
deliberately targets civilians. Arafat declared emergency and called for
world intervention. The world had no time to listen to cries of the
Palestinians. They rightly feared more of the same after US elections.
Arab League discussed the situation and Arab nations at UN
demanded Israel to stop Gaza attacks. UN agreed that Israel violated law
during Gaza offensive, but could do nothing to stop it just like the invasion
of Iraq. The News dated 19th October observed that American aggression
against Iraqis has given a new impetus to Israeli ambitions against Arabs
and Palestinians. The government of Islamic Republic of Pakistan restricted
its concern to desecration of al-Aqsa.
Comments on on-going war should start with renewed debate on its
illegality after remarks of Annan. In words of Robin Cook, it can be a
matter of time before the invasion is challenged in court. The illegality of
armed intervention in Iraq has been established beyond doubt, though there
were cynics like Ramesh Thakur of UN University in Tokyo, who argued

437

that intervention in other countries should be formalized with consensus.

John Kampfner wrote, whether the prime minister lied over Iraq is a
red herring we now know categorically that he deceived us. He rejected
the five arguments of Blair to justify invasion and termed those as
deception. These were; Saddam could not be disarmed peacefully; foreign
governments agreed on the evidence; war was waged to protect the authority
of the UN; France could scupper the second UN Resolution; and threat
posed by Saddams WMD was growing.
Annan also stated that Iraq War has done little to halt terrorism. In fact
Iraqis, Palestinians and Muslims elsewhere have become the sole victims of
the resurgent terrorism; state as well as non-state. We have opened a
Pandoras box in Iraq that we are unable to close said Chirac. Pandoras
Box Chirac spoke of was opened in the 1920s, when Britain created the state
of Iraq Chirac was reminded by Mark Heller, an analyst of Israels Jaffer
Centre for Strategic Studies. He ignored the creation of Israel.
Chirac was very worried for the future of the situation in Iraq The
demons of civil war, of terrorism, continue to act and even to act more and
more often and more and more powerfully. Hasni Abidi, Algerian analyst
feared, there is a risk of a Somalisation of Iraq.
Abu Keilani of Jordan Times commented; today, the suffering of the
people of Iraq is very real. We are seeing the US and its allies employing hitech firepower against the people of Iraq. The vivid images, coming out of
Fallujah and other Iraqi besieged towns, of terrified women and children
trying to flee to safety are proof of tyranny, aggression and blatant
insensitivity to human suffering.
In the wake of tyranny and aggression reconstruction of Iraq has been
forgotten. Reconstruction money was being spent on security. The Iraqi
minister of planning complained that more money is being diverted to
protecting firms and investors in violence-ravaged Iraq than spent on
rebuilding the countrys infrastructure. Iraqis wanted a bigger role in
rebuilding plans as millions spent in Iraq were not accounted for.
Contrary to the promises the fleecing of Iraq on account of Saddams
invasion of Kuwait continued. Naomi Klein reported some interesting
figures:

On 21st October Iraq will pay $ 200 million in war reparations to some
of the richest countries and corporations in the world. Since 1991 Iraq
has paid $ 18.8 billion in reparations.
438

Iraq has paid $ 1.8 billion to the UN Compensation Commission out

of which $ 37 million have gone to US and $ 32.8 million to UK.

78 percent of the total payments have gone to multinational

corporations like Halliburton, Bechtel, Mobil, Shell, Nestle, Pepsi,
Philip Morris, Sheraton, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Toys R Us.

In the vast majority of cases, these corporations did not claim that
Saddams forces damaged their property in Kuwait only that they
lost profits or, in the case of American Express, it experienced a
decline in business because of the invasion of Kuwait.

Iraqis are justified to resist such an unjust and tyrant occupation. The
freed Italian hostage had rightly refused to call Iraqi fighters as terrorists.
Iraqi guerrillas are right to fight US-led forces. Americans, however, will
never accept the just cause of Iraqis and will employ all means to crush
them.
Max Hastings visualized that after elections in November, Bush will
launch American troops on an intensified offensive to crush the insurgency
in advance of the January elections. The Crusaders will also not hesitate in
escalating the war as brought out by Hassan Tahsin. Security Council
Resolution 1559 must be seen as a warning that the United States and France
are preparing the ground for attacking Syria militarily and eliminating
Hezbollah who represents a threat to the Israeli Army in South Lebanon.
Allawi has performed as well as could be expected from a perfect
puppet. His ascension to power is indication that pragmatism is back in
vogue in Washington after a year and a half of reckless ambition that marked
Pentagons planning in Iraq opined Ahmed Queraishi.
Mr. Allawi knows Baath Partys backdoors and it is widely accepted
that he was instrumental in reviving some components of Saddams
intelligence that spied on Iran and Syria. The old spooks have been tasked
with exposing both countries links to the ferocious Iraqi insurgency. Some
evidence has been traced to Damascus and a high level American delegation
visited Syria a few days ago to confront the Syrian president about it.
He added that Allawi has not been successful in convincing diehard
Baathists, who are the main financiers of the insurgency. They have been
encouraged by the emergence of an indigenous Iraqi nationalist resistance,
made up mostly of young Iraqis convinced that they are fighting to liberate
the homeland from occupation.
He concluded that Allawi was chosen as right replacement of
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Saddam. There were rumours in Baghdad that he personally executed three

insurgents in captivity with point blank shots to the head, as the story goes
just as he was being inducted to power last summer. The moral of the story
was this: Iraqis beware because a central powerful figure, similar to Saddam,
is coming to power to discipline those who dissent.
Despite knowing the intentions of America and its allies there were
some analysts who talked about quitting Iraq. John V Whitbeck suggested
US to think of an elegant exit by holding free and fair elections. New
government should ask US to quit in 3 to 6 months and US must agree to do
so taking immediate and visible steps. Simultaneously America must give
massive reconstruction aid and provide asylum to all collaborators to avoid
gruesome scenes. Thereafter initiate vigorous and determined effort to solve
Israel-Palestine dispute based on international law and justice.
Patrick Seale suggested simpler strategy to Arabs on Iraq entailing
swift and unconditional withdrawal of American and British occupation
troops; US must abandon any plan to establish permanent military bases in
Iraq; and declare publicly that it has no designs on Iraqi oil.
Italy proposed three-stage plan on troops withdrawal. As first step
elections should be held to establish legitimate government. New
government to define a plan to raise Iraqi security forces to establish control
in the country. Meanwhile troops from Arab countries to replace Coalition
forces. The final step would be rebuilding the country.
All the above suggestions begin with the holding of elections. Max
Hastings expressed some apprehensions in this context. He visualized that
credibility of elections in January will be doubtful because of very low turn
out; nonetheless, in early spring Washington and London will attempt to
wind down the Coalitions military role and transfer security responsibilities
to Iraqis.
This policy will fail and matters will become much messier, the
outcome hard to foresee Next year, a growing body of non-violent Iraqis
will press for the withdrawal of the foreign occupiers. He concluded to quit
Iraq now would be as shocking as the invasion.

CONCLUSION
Fighting in Iraq has entered the penultimate period. The side which
faltered at this juncture was likely to lose. America will certainly resort to
use of ultimate force apart from other means to undermine the resistance.
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Shiite elements have already shown weakness by striking a truce. The fate
of struggle now mostly depends on the resolve of Sunni resistance groups.
Hostage taking failed to make desired impact; instead the negative
effects have been more pronounced. Therefore, in future the resistance
groups might resort to killing the civilian collaborators more often. That
would be right approach as it could not be more condemnable than the
killing of women and children in precision bombing.
The puppet Allawi has performed to the expectations of the Crusaders.
He might be rewarded by granting permanence to his rule through elections
like Karzai. He too must be aspiring for that as was indicated from his
boasting that Saddam begged him for mercy, though a report said Saddam
was still unrepentant. Allawi must remember that Iraqi resistance groups
hold him as a traitor and one day he might have to beg for the same from
someone else and despite repenting he might not be forgiven.
It is too early to think about reconstruction of Iraq when illegal
destruction was still going on. Iraqis are entitled to demand reparations for
illegal US-led invasion. They will be justified in claiming a lot from
America and its allies, but in view of American brand of justice they cannot
think of payment of such reparations.
It is also too early to contemplate pullout of the Crusaders. John V
Whitbeck while suggesting the clean break was conscious of asking too
much from the superpower. His suggestion was too prudent for the arrogant
American leaders. Therefore, he himself was not quite optimistic to imagine
it playing.
22nd October 2004

441

IN PURSUIT OF PEACE
Musharraf wanted serious dialogue with India. He indirectly
acknowledged that pursuing composite dialogue has not been as easy and as
productive as dealing with PML-Q. Foreign Office hoped that Pak-India
summit would give direction to the dialogue. Singh responded; India will
pursue talks with Pakistan as long as terrorist threat is kept under control.
India ruled out concessions to Pakistan. All matters of bilateral
interest will be discussed, but there is no question of any territorial
concession. On the other hand Musharraf on arrival in New York said, I
will try my best for making headway on basic issues of contention between
the two countries.
He urged both sides to swiftly move toward the solution of these
matters by taking some pragmatic steps. Indias stubborn stand on stated
position forced him to act unilaterally. He initiated a media debate on
division of Kashmir for which he identified seven distinct regions within the
disputed territory.
On western front Pakistan continued doing more in the context of
war on terror. It claimed successes against local and foreign miscreants in
Waziristan and boasted of being ready to take on the backlash. The events
during the period proved that it wasnt prepared for that.
Within Pakistan the terrorists launched violent attacks in four major
cities. Apparently these attacks were the result of sectarian intolerance, but
possibilities of other motives could not be ruled out. In addition Baluchi
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militancy sponsored by Nawabs also continued.

Not deterred by the prevalent situation Musharraf sought media help
to shun terrorist image of the country. Pakistani media could do very little
because it was dependent on agencies of the West even for ordinary news
items. Western Media on the other hand kept blaming Pakistan whenever an
opportunity came in their way. It would have been better if he had sought
Western Medias help during his visit to US and Europe.

IN DRIVING SEAT
The composite dialogue almost stood still during last six weeks. The
leaders of either side kept giving the often repeated and at times
contradictory statements. Musharraf ruled out talks on re-adjusting Line of
Control. He met Singh in New York and both the leaders vowed to pursue
peace and explore options to find solution to Kashmir dispute. Musharraf
termed the meeting with Manmohan historic.
Shaukat linked South Asian peace with Kashmir, but refused to
compromise. However, Pakistan started viewing options while denying any
U-turn on Kashmir. Musharraf hoped acceptable Kashmir solution will be
found and Kashmiris wont be let down. Singh declared that India could do
business with Musharraf and Sonia vowed to resolve the dispute through
dialogue.
Pak-India border officials held talks in Amritsar to curb incursions
across Line of Control and drug trafficking and ended with signing of ninepoint border accord. On 20th October dates were set for more confidence
building meetings. The schedule had been agreed upon in Foreign Ministers
meeting in September but it took more than a one month to make the formal
announcement. The schedule was as under:

Narcotics Control authorities to meet on November 29 and 30 in New

Delhi.

Railway authorities to discuss Munabao-Khokhrapar rail link on

December 2 and 3 in Islamabad.

Establishment of communication links between Indian Coast Guards

and Pakistan Maritime Security Agency to be discussed on December
3 and 4 in New Delhi.

443

Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service to be discussed on December 7

and 8 in New Delhi.

Committee of Experts on trade to meet on December 9 and 10 in New

Delhi.

Expert level meeting on advance notification of missile tests to be

held on December 14 and 15 in Islamabad.

Conventional CBMs to be discussed on December 15 and 16

December in Islamabad.

Two sides to look into a joint survey of the boundary pillars in Sir
Creek on December14 and 15 in Karachi.

The above meetings will take the two nations through the year 2004.
New Delhi has yet to approve the dates suggested by Pakistan for Foreign
Ministers meeting to discuss Kashmir, peace and security. It showed that
India has firmly established itself on the driving seat; yet Kasuri felt that
direction of Pak-India talks was positive.
Musharraf read the situation and started suggesting for change in
Kashmir status so that solution could be found in a day. Pakistans Envoy,
Aziz referred to various options for exploration. Foreign Office also kept
throwing spanners of options hoping for a breakthrough.
Adnan Rehmat wrote, Pakistan has offered a tantalizing array of
options, all of which are major departures from its principled stand on
Kashmir. The ball is in Indias court to reciprocate. Most of these options
were based on Musharrafs thinking that Pakistan was not interested in
Hindu majority area of Jammu and Buddhist Laddakh.
Addressing an Iftar-Dinner party on 25th October Musharraf desired
initiation of debate on Kashmir. He said, we want plebiscite in Kashmir,
while they (Indians) want Line of Control to be made permanent border.
Theory of seven regions indicated that Pakistan was struggling even on
Muslim majority areas. Therefore, it was prepared to give up a lot just for
realization of its hope to get Srinagar Valley. Pakistani leaders seemed to be
keen to get rid of the problem at all costs for which they were prepared to
start at losing note.
Plebiscite is the pledge of the world body and India had agreed to that.
It is wrong to say that Pakistan wants it. Similarly it is not India that wants
Line of Control to be permanent border. The Crusaders have said that many
times since 9/11. In short his statement implied that Pakistan was willing to

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give in for settlement of the issue; whereas India claimed that the problem
has already been solved by the Line of Control. Both sides cared little for the
wishes of Kashmiris.
On 27th October Minister for Parliamentary Affairs said, I can
confirm that Pakistan and India have a roadmap on Kashmir, but, I cant give
you details as this amount to interruption in the working of the Foreign
Office. The same day Maleeha came out with advice to adopt careful
approach. Kasuri ruled out unilateral flexibility and Musharraf, despite
talking about regions, said, no change in Kashmir policy.
New Delhi responded coolly, or coldly to be realistic. Gilani rejected
Musharrafs Kashmir plan. Salahuddin said, this is not the principled stand
of Pakistan. AJK leaders opposed disintegration of Kashmir and reiterated
demand for plebiscite. These statements indicated that Kashmiris were not
taken into confidence before initiation of debate.
Opposition saw a U-turn on Kashmir. Liaqat Baluch lamented; the
parliament was bypassed in taking a decision on changing the Kashmir
policy as not a single elected person was taken into confidence. One person
is deciding the fate of the whole nation, which is against all democratic and
constitutional norms.
Raja Pervez Ashraf of PPPP accused Musharraf of taking a U-turn on
Kashmir by offering a three-point formula as he did on the Afghan issue.
Hafiz Hussain Ahmed said Qaid-e-Azam had termed Kashmir as Pakistans
jugular vein, but Gen Musharraf pierced into seven piecesby suggesting
demilitarization and change of its status. PML-N rejected Musharrafs
Kashmir proposal. Zafar said, such formulas are an insult to the sacrifices
of Kashmiris.
America was for careful look into any proposal that could advance
peace in the region. The departing Nancy called for debate on Kashmir
options and Powell was satisfied with the progress. Japan urged for showing
spirit of concession on Kashmir.
The News termed it a positive move. Nasim Zehra wrote that an
autonomous Kashmir could become the reason for peaceful existence for
India and Pakistan. In truly dialectical construct let the problem become the
solution. This is the height of optimism. India will never resist from
interfering. If it has not resisted interfering in internal affairs of independent
neighbouring countries, how it could resist in case of autonomous Kashmir

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where it has established links during occupation stretched over more than
half a century.
During the period confidence building measures began with India
easing visa rules for Pakistanis for promoting people to people contacts and
Pakistan hailed the decision. India also scrapped POTA, but Gilani saw it
making no difference for Kashmiris.
Altaf decided to avail the opportunity presented by the promotion of
people to people contacts. He wanted to consult Musharraf on his visit to
India to address a conference. He longed for use of microphone instead of
telephone for a change, and he considered India a safer place as compared to
Pakistan for this purpose.
Musharraf presented paintings and pictures of Singhs childhood
during meeting in New York. Rashid thought that these gifts surprised the
whole world. In the meeting gas pipeline was discussed. A day after the
summit Musharraf was reported offering Siachen demilitarization and
assuring that Pakistani troops wont occupy the vacated area, but it wont
mean that Islamabad gave up its position. Three days later Rashid denied
this report and Natwar termed any such deal a pure speculation.
Pakistani journalists visited IHK for the first time. The visit proved to
be counter-productive. They were received with unexpected applause. In
Srinagar University one youthful leader earned a thunderous applause by
emotionally questioning the idea of visiting us on an Indian visa reported
Mriana Baabar. Assiya Andrabi condemned the visit which was presumed as
if on the goading of the USA.
Pakistani journalists faced criticism as reported by Mariana Baabar.
You are prisoners in the Valley and are only meeting those people that New
Delhi wants you to meet. You have come with a brief from Pakistan which is
hurting our sentiments. You are being feted by members of the government
with the so-called healing touch and what we are seeing is Punjabi
statecraft at work here. Pakistani leadership was called pipsqueaks with
little bombs and warned that if a solution was pushed down their throat they
would revolt. Please do not get manipulated.
Yasin asked at what cost Pakistan and India were looking for peace.
After killing lakhs of Kashmiris you two states suddenly realize that you
have common cultures. None has asked us about our thoughts on what the
Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service should be like. On split of APHC they
said that it was an unfortunate work of agencies.

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After visit to martyrs graveyard in Srinagar Mariana Baabar reported a

Kashmiri saying. When you talk of flexibility and walking away from
stated positions both Pervez Musharraf and Manmohan Singh should visit
these graveyards in Kashmir and ask themselves whether their sacrifice was
in vain.
The views of Kashmiris clearly showed that they saw Pakistani
leaders lying flat on the ground with face down forgetting the Kashmir
cause. They saw them treading the road to peace in a vehicle driven by
India. It was further confirmed when India directed the regional office in
Srinagar to stamp passports with Except Pakistan. Foreign Office could not
read beyond sending of wrong signals. Mehbooba talked of free movement
across Line of Control and Kasuri wanted Kashmir bus service without visa.
Another confidence building measure related to Pakistan and India
agreeing on exchange of agriculture research. It could only be hoped that
Pakistan would be mindful of viral epidemics affecting its crops. All other
measures, including test-fire of Trishul, Hatf-V, and naval version of Pirthvi
missiles; handing over of al-Khalid tank to Pakistan Army; and arrest of
fishermen were purely negative in nature.
India kept harping about cross border terrorism. Indian COAS accused
Pakistan of infiltration and Pakistan advised him not to chase mirages.
Natwar considered cross border terrorism a serious problem. Pakistan was
termed as den of terrorism in Indian textbook, but Zubaiyda was no more
there to take notice of that.
India over-reacted to stoning of the college adjacent to Nankana
Shrine, while Pakistan assured protection of the Sikh Shrine. Pakistan never
reacted in that manner to killings of Muslims in Gujarat and elsewhere in
India. Perhaps, this was attributable to Altafs viewpoint, who doubted the
validity of two nation theory. Partition has curtailed Muslims strength he
had opined.
Perpetration of state terrorism remained the most damaging to the
process of confidence building. During last six weeks following incidents
were reported by Pakistani print media:

Gilanis secretary was shot dead in the Valley on 15 th September. Next

day there was strike in the Valley over Hissamuddins killing by
Indian secret agencies.

On 17th September two fighters were shot dead in IHK. Gilani blamed
Territorial Force for Hissams killing and Hizb vowed not to spare
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killers of Hissam.

Fourteen fighters were among 18 killed in Kashmir on 18 th September.

Next day Indian troops killed five fighters.

On 20th September eight persons were killed in violence. Two days

later Mufti escaped a grenade attack.

Four fighters were gunned down on 23rd September. Next day five
more fighters were killed.

Congress official was among six killed in Kashmir on 29 th September.

Next day two fighters were shot dead.

Shabir Shah was arrested on 3rd October. Next day Indian troops killed
six people in IHK.

An NC activist was among six killed in the Valley on 7th October.

Next day Opposition leader escaped attack.

On 9th October four Indian soldiers were killed in suicide car blast.
Next day Malik was arrested and Gilani and Shabir were placed under
house arrest.

Three freedom fighters were killed in IHK on 11th October. Two days
later bye-elections resulted in killing of 12 people.

Policeman and his son were gunned down on 15th October. Two days
later Indian Army claimed killing four militants.

On 18th October five freedom fighters were shot dead. Three days later
three people died in violence.

Ex-minister was shot dead on 21st October. Next day two fighters were
shot dead and Mufti vowed to reform religious Madarassas.

Omar Abdullah survived bid on life on 24th October. Two days later
six fighters were gunned down and next day an Indian soldier was
among three killed in IHK.

FOR AMERICAS WAR

Manhunt in Waziristan continued for the pleasure of the Crusaders,
though Pakistan had been denying that. Anyhow nothing is more in interest
of Pakistan than pleasure of the Yankees. The summary of operations is as
under:

Three personnel of security forces and three militants were killed in

clash that followed firing on a convoy in Wana area on 15 th
448

September. Explosions also took place in Kulachi.

Bodies of four militants were recovered and weapons were seized on

16th September. Three days later seven missiles were seized in South
Waziristan.

FC man and a foreign militant were killed in clashes in Mehsud

territory on 22nd September.

Ten rockets were fired at Scouts camp and Fauji Colony in Wana on
25th September.

On 27th September five soldiers were killed and 13 others wounded in

two remote-controlled bombs that targeted a military convoy. Arms
cache was recovered and tunnels discovered.

Four soldiers were killed in Shakai blast on 28 th September. Next day

a soldier died in landmine blast and a tribesman died in mortar fire
and seven members of his family were wounded.

Two tribesmen were killed in clash in South Waziristan on 30 th

September. Militants threatened guerrilla attacks.

On 1st October a toy bomb killed four students and wounded two in
Wana area and President claimed killing hundred terrorists in
Waziristan.

Tribal Lashkar killed a Turkmen and captured a Tajik on 3rd October.

Pamphlets warning tribesmen against militants were dropped in
Waziristan.

On 4th October two militants were killed and nine soldiers wounded in
clashes as ten-day ceasefire came into effect.

Two soldiers were killed and 7 wounded in an explosion caused by

remote-controlled device near Jandola on 5th October.

On 7th October ceasefire was broken in South Waziristan with a clash

in Kaniguram and Karwan Manza areas in Mahsud territory. Next day
Pakistan Army completed plugging of gaps on Afghan border.

Two Chinese engineers working on Gomal Zam Dam were kidnapped

on 9th October and taken to Mahsud area.

Three troops were hurt in Shakai blast and Laddah Fort was fired at
on 15th October.

On 16th October two blasts targeted military convoy in Wana. In

449

Bannu a soldier and two civilians were injured in bomb blast.

On 17th October a clash in Karwan Manza was reported. Next day

three soldiers and four militants were killed and five soldiers wounded
in fighting in Spinkai Raghzai area in South Waziristan.

Helicopter gunship bombed militant positions in 20 th October. Five

more died as troops entered Spinkai Raghzai.

On 21st October one soldier was killed and two wounded in Spinkai
Raghzai. Five bodies of troops and tribesmen were recovered. Tanker
carrying oil for US military was damaged in blast near Peshawar.

Four, including one soldier were killed and eight, including four
troops wounded on 22nd October in Mahsud territory.

On 23rd October a soldier and two tribal elders were killed and six
suspects were nabbed in South Waziristan. Weapons were recovered
from Spinkai Raghzai.

Tribesman was killed in blast in Waziristan on 24 th October. Three FC

men were hurt in another explosion and troops recovered more
weapons in Spinkai Raghzai.

More troops were deployed on 25th October in Spinkai Raghzai as

clashes continued.

On 26th October fifteen tribal elders died and six were wounded in
mortar attack in Waziristan. Search operation ended without netting a
single militant. A convoy of three vehicles was targeted by improvised
explosive device between Shakai and Wana. Three missiles were fired
at FC camp. Sarwakai Fort was also attacked with rockets and
missiles. Exchange of fire took place in Karwan Manza and Asman
Manza.

Three miscreants were killed near Wana checkpoint on 27 th October.

They had refused to stop so they were taken as terrorists. Three
soldiers were wounded in firing in Karwan Manza. Militants also fired
missiles at FC post in Widhan and Army camp.

On 28th October militants fired missiles in Spinkai Raghzai. Tribal

elders stopped hunting Mahsud after missile attack on 26th as some
suspected that elders were killed in Army fire.
Kidnapping of Chinese engineers was the worst incident that took
450

place during the period. The kidnappers demanded safe passage. Mahsuds
immediately held a Jirga in Tank, but there was no breakthrough and
militants refused to free the hostages. Tribal leaders supported the use of
military force.
On 14th October a Chinese engineer and five abductors were killed in
rescue operation conducted near Chakmalay village along Pak-Afghan
border. According to official sources the captors killed one of the captives
which led to action by the commandos. Policeman kidnapped along with
Chinese was released and Sepoy Shaban was handed over to journalists
before the raid. Identity of slain kidnappers was not established. Beijing
expressed deep sadness.
Commander Abdullah Mahsud with an artificial leg had ordered
kidnapping of Chinese, reported Yusufzai. His real name is Noor Alam and
is a graduate of a college in Peshawar with D-Com. He spent 25 months in
Guantanamo before release in March. He lost his leg in landmine blast a few
days before the fall of Kabul to Taliban in 1996.
He surrendered to Dostum in Kunduz and remained in Shibbergan
before he was presented to US. He was a comrade of Nek Mohammand and
wants occupation of Afghanistan and Iraq to be avenged, opposes
Musharraf for toeing American line, and vows to fight against both till end.
Prime Minister praised Chinese nation for remaining unruffled in the
face of difficulties and hoped agencies will nab Mahsud. On 17 th October
Chinese workers were shifted from Gomal Zam site to D I Khan, but Vice
Foreign Minister demanded security guarantee. Chinese Envoy, however,
assured, no one can damage Sino-Pak ties. Musharraf wanted to boost
Sino-Pak anti-terror cooperation.
Review of the incident should begin with Yusufzais description of
Abdullah. He wrote few words about his daring defiance. This was taken as
glorification of terror and was not liked; whereas it should have been
acknowledged that the path chosen by the rebel, despite being wrong, was
not that of cowards and instead of wasting energies on non-issue the
government should have concentrated on more important aspects of the
incident.
Sometimes back ISPR boss had boasted that the government was
ready for the al-Qaeda backlash. This incident proved that it was not.
Similarly it also belied ISPR claim that operational space for foreign
terrorists was reduced.

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The News looked at Abdullahs act from different angle. The release
of Abdullah Mahsud from Guantanamo Bay is a matter which demands an
in-depth analysis. The point that demands attention is that why was he
released and did somebody want to use him against Pakistan.
Shireen M Mazari has been comparatively more specific. It is
important to see the Gwadar and Wana incidents as a pattern, rather than as
simple random acts of terror. And within that pattern we must also include
the killing of 11 Chinese workers in Afghanistan on June 8, in Kunduz. It
was interesting that a day before the incident in Kunduz, the Chinese
ambassador in Kabul, in an informal discussionremarked that the Chinese
involved in the reconstruction work in Afghanistan did not feel the need to
have soldiers for security since the local people appreciated what they were
doing and looked after them.
It could also be argued that these men after finding themselves
helpless against the might of America have now turned against softer targets.
That was why anti-US forces have targeted Chinese more frequently than
Americans and Europeans.
It could also be due to the proximity of targets to the abodes of
militant groups. In Pakistan Chinese have been helping Pakistan in the field
and thus exposing themselves to the dangers, unlike the Crusaders who
prefer to remain closer to the nerve centres.
The points pertaining to vulnerability and proximity are in no way
conclusive. The incidents warranted discreet study. The hidden hand could
be that of India or even US. There have been suspicions about involvement
of RAW in terror activities in Pakistan.
As regards possibility of involvement of America, the rise in anti-West
feelings has created a vacuum in the context of economic development
activities. Investors from the West are shy of coming to the region due to
hostile environments. China could fill the vacuum, and that had to be
checked. Targeting of Chinese could be for that purpose.
American and Afghan involvement should also be assessed in the light
of incidents of asylum seeking by men like Malik Bakhan, who went to
Afghanistan after developing differences with Pakistani authorities. As
reported by Yusufzai he met US military commander in Paktika before
heading for Kabul where he met government officials. He has been allowed
to stay in Kabul pending decision on his application.

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The government with complete disregard to the realities of the

Crusades of 21st Century, which is waged to avail opportunities presented
by the tragedies, remained stuck to the age-old colonial strategy. It remained
focused on serving threats, administration of collective punishment and
occasional dangling of carrots.
Operation and talks to continue in Wana, decided high-level meeting
on 15th September. Rashid asked militants to leave the area or surrender.
Tribes were asked to hand over 216 wanted men. Governor vowed not to
tolerate acts of terror in SWA and Mahsud Committee was asked to come out
with tangible results about foreign terrorists.
Economic sanctions were imposed as collective punishment. The
curbs would go against those sub-tribes which were willing to surrender
wanted men. Subsequently, Prime Minister lifted economic blockade and
assured to resolve the issue through consultations, but warned against use of
Pakistans territory for terrorism. Tribesmen welcomed lifting of curbs. On
1st October Prime Minister announced that Rupees 8 billions were being
spent on FATA uplift and affected families of the area were compensated in
cash.
The government claimed success and Haji Muhammad Omar,
successor of Nek Muhammad, also admitted losses in South Waziristan.
Behroz Khan observed that the government has gradually succeeded in
cornering these militants after their own tribes disowned them and a vast
majority does not consider these militants as Mujahideen any more.
On 19th October Corps Commander claimed that hundred foreigners
were among 246 militants killed and 579 arrested. He also admitted that
Army lost 171 troops in Wana operation. However, the success or failure in a
complex situation like Waziristan cannot be measured with the help of the
number of people killed or captured. Army was still facing difficulties as
militants have merged with rest of the population. No doubt some progress
has been made in tackling the problem, but a lot has yet to be done to
address the problem in entirety.

INTERNAL MILITANCY
While curbing the cross border terrorism for the sake of neighbours,
Pakistan experienced resurgence of militancy through its length and breadth.
Following incidents of terror occurred during the period:

Two Rangers were killed on 16th September in an attack in Rajanpur.

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On 25th September three policemen were killed in ambush in Quetta.

Next day two passer-bys were killed in a clash between Levies and
armed men.

Three people perished in Quetta and Sibi blasts on 28 th September.

Three days later thirty people died and over 50 injured in bomb blast
in Shia mosque in Sialkot at the time of Jumaa prayer. Angry mob
torched police van and motorbike. DSP was beaten up and Army
called out.

Victims of Sialkot blast were buried on 2 nd October amid violent riots.

Nazims office was torched; PIA and bank offices ransacked; and
vehicles burnt.

On 4th October bomb blast and rocket fire targeting tennis court jolted
Quetta on the occasion of National Games.

ASP was among three policemen shot dead on 6th October in Karachi
outside Shia mosque. Five persons were injured in blast in Quetta.

Car bomb in Multan killed 41 and wounded hundred on 7 th October.

Attacker targeted the people gathered to mark the first anniversary of
the assassination of Azam Tariq.

Protests and strikes paralysed Multan on 8th October. Rockets were

fired at Kohlu check post.

On 9th October Mufti Jamil Nazim Aalmi Majlis Tahafiz Khatm-eNabuwwat along with Nazir Ahmed Taunsvi was assassinated in
Karachi.

Four persons including suicide bomber died and 9 wounded in

mosque inside Akbari Gate in Lahore on 10th October.

On 11th October two MQM workers were shot dead in Karachi and FC
camp in Uch was subjected to rocket attack. Three days later a bomb
was hurled at ILO office in Peshawar.

Defunct TNSM activist held villagers hostage in Upper Dir on 17 th

October. Next day a bomb exploded in Khuzdar.

On 19th October about three hundred Baluch Levies men revolted and
occupied five police stations to demand increase in pay. Next day
terrorists destroyed main power line in Quetta. Blasts disrupted gas
supply to Karachi and Hyderabad on 24th October.
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The security agencies continued their crackdown and met following

successes:

Six terror suspects were arrested in Abbotabad on 18 th September.

Next day an Algerian was held on suspicion of al-Qaeda link.

On 21st September Police claimed ten most wanted militants involved

in sectarian killings have been nabbed.

Amjad Farooqi, al-Qaeda kingpin was killed on 26th September in an

encounter with Rangers in Nawabshah. He was close associate of Abu
Faraj Farj, the operational chief of al-Qaeda for the region and
involved in assassination attempt on Musharraf and indicted in Daniel
Pearl murder case. Three terror suspects were arrested.

On 27th September more arrests were made. Next day seven militants
were arrested in raids across the country.

A Libyan was arrested in Peshawar on suspicion of al-Qaeda link on

30th September.

Law enforcing agencies picked up two Afghans from Mansehra area

on 3rd October.

Over one hundred were held by 9th October after Sialkot and Multan
attacks. Most of the detainees belong to banned groups.

By 11th October about two hundred suspects were detained for

questioning over Lahore blast. Next day LJ activist was held for terror
attacks.

An activist of Jundola group was held in Karachi on 14th October. Two

days later two terror suspects were arrested in Lahore.

On 18th October two Hizb-ut-Tehrir activists were arrested in Karachi

for distributing leaflets criticizing governments pro-US policies.

Multan blast suspect was arrested on 19th October and Commandos

were moved to deal with outlaw in Upper Dir.

On 20th October two foreign-origin al-Qaeda operatives were held

from Peshawar and Lahore. Multan car blast key suspect was held in
Bakkar. Commandos and police were withdrawn from Upper Dir as
outlaw assured three months truce.

Two kinds of internal militancy stood out conspicuously during the

period; one related to Baluchi Nawabs age-old lust for monetary gains and
other to chronic sectarian intolerance. Both have been exploited by the
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outside enemies in the past and possibility of the same could not be ruled out
for now and in future.
Prime Minister endeavoured to tackle the Baluchi militancy by setting
up a body on Baluchistan. Bugti reacted promptly by giving 15-point
formula for peace to Tariq Aziz. His formula entailed:

Provincial autonomy to the satisfaction of people.

Baluch people should hold ownership of all natural resources.

People want assurance on political, financial, demographic and

administrative implications of multi mega projects especially Gwadar,
Jiwani Naval Base, and possible Coastal Defence Zone.

All revenues in mega projects should be given to Baluchistan and

employment in all such projects should be given to the people of
Gwadar; Mekran and Baluchistan.

All outsiders from mega projects and gas fields should be removed
and replaced with locals.

The right of Baluchis and others to run their own affairs should be
recognized.

Establishment of new cantonments should be cancelled and the land

taken by force be returned to owners.

All four federating units should be given equal representation in the

Senate.

The body of about 1000 hostile tribals raised as a Special Levies

Force in Marri area should be disbanded forthwith and the policy of
divide and rule should be abandoned.

All prisoners kept under various pretexts should be released.

Armed forces from interior of Baluchistan should be withdrawn.

Civil armed forces should be placed under provinces control.

Law making authority for the federating unit of Baluchistan should be

put under Baluchistan Assembly.

Within the federating units, no federal law should over-ride provincial

law.
456

Problems with gas companies should be resolved.

It was appeared from the formula that the Nawab considered himself
at war with the federation to secure complete independence. He wanted
National Assembly to be subservient to Baluchistan Assembly; indirectly
asking that within Baluchistan Bugti law should be supreme. The last point
constituted the real demand for which he was at war with Pakistan.
This is what happens when nonsense is tolerated for too long for
whatever reasons. The price of peace spelled out by him is colossal. He
demanded that all projects should be completed at the expense of the
federation and then handed over to Baluchistan; not the people but Nawabs,
so that he could appoint one of his Lieutenants as Naval base commander.
National Assembly Okayed the plan to form committee on
Baluchistan on 24th September and the same day Baluch Senator, Mohim
Khan rejected it. Five days later 29-member body was formed in which all
parties were represented. Bugti rejected it.
Prime Minister gave additional Rupees 3 billion for Baluchistan on
2nd October and two days later he constituted cabinet body on Baluchistan.
On 10th October Bugti disclosed that there was no offer for governorship as
yet; his denial reflected his desire.
On 25th October Musharraf claimed that he knew that efforts were
being made to form Baluchistan Liberation Army by recruiting people on
payment of Rs 4,000 or 5,000 per month. He then vowed to crush them. The
problem was that he was too engrossed in quelling the trouble in Waziristan,
despite the fact that no tribal elder had spelled out Bugti-like demands, yet
they were being dealt with sternly. Why?
Musharraf should also have known that how funds for raising the
Liberation Army were being generated in the least developed province of the
country. The Nawabs were not likely to spend that much of money from
their pockets. The government must find the source and choke that.
Attacks in Sialkot, Multan, Karachi and Lahore apparently fell in the
category of sectarian militancy. The government immediately banned
religious gatherings. It was a preventive step, but these gatherings have been
a source of concern for the Crusaders as well.
The attacks were launched at a time when the government was
rejoicing over elimination of a big terrorist. America had also hailed the
killing of Amjad Farooqi, but at the same time wanted Islamabad should do
more to flush out militants hiding in Pakistan. President and Prime Minister
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resolved to root out terrorism from within, but demands of do more in the
context of cross border terrorism were coming in their way.
Rashid termed perpetrators of blast in Sialkot as Pakistans enemies.
Chief Minister asked for intense efforts to trace culprits and threatened
action against district government. Prime Minister ordered action against
terrorists as the government prepared to buy 30 bullet proof cars for VVIPs.
Musharraf remained focused on wiping out foreign militants.
The government again summoned the Ulema. After their meeting with
Musharraf on 15th October it was reported that a Fatwa forbidding suicide
attacks would be issued soon. Three days later National Assembly passed a
bill to amend Anti-Terrorism Act to ensure speedy disposal of cases. The
suspects under trial could not get more than two adjournments. The same
day Ulema contradicted the report regarding suicide attacks.
All those fighting the war against terror were undoubtedly scared of
human bombs. It was wrong to say that religion was the motivating factor
behind suicide bombing. If that could be so; most of the Ulema should have
gone to Iraq to join Zarqawi or to nearby Indian Held Kashmir. The real
motivating factor has been the revenge.
Everything cannot be swept under the carpet of sectarian militancy or
al-Qaeda, despite that the incidents appeared to be having markings of
resurgence of sectarian militancy or al-Qaeda backlash for which ISPR boss
had claimed to be ready to take that on. This argument gains added strength
after denial and condemnation of these incidents by most of sectarian
groups.
Similarly following the foot-steps of America, al-Qaeda could not be
used as readily available scapegoat or the monster. This could be cross
border terrorism in reverse order. Indian involvement has to be discreetly
investigated with emphasis on inroads made by its agents into sectarian
groups. Therefore, the probe must go beyond capturing or killing the
individual attackers.
The News while writing about Multan attack, dwelled on this point;
the statement by the chief minister of the Punjab that there may be a foreign
hand behind these incidents seems to be closer to truth. Previously Jamali
and other government officials had said the same about incidents in Quetta.
They had made a neighbouring country responsible for this and had said
that this country is carrying out these nefarious activities through the help of
its consulates in Afghanistan, information surfacing later spoke of
government getting concrete proofs about this foreign involvement. The
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government should not keep quiet for the sake of composite dialogue. The
people have the right to know.
Dr M S Jillani had another suspicion. An extremely frightening
explanation for the murder of religious leaders comprises the possibility that
some hidden powers are interested in eliminating the top echelons of
influential leaders of both the religious schools, so that the cadres of
militants are deprived of vital assistance needed for their operations
survival. He raised his finger towards the Crusaders.

THE BIAS
The civilized worlds bias in the context of India and Pakistan
remained conspicuously visible during the period under review. Wests
favours to India can be grouped under their support for New Delhis demand
for permanent UNSC seat, willing military cooperation and assisting IndoPak dialogue to the liking of India.
America preferred to remain quiet on the issue of expansion of UNSC
at this early stage, but on its behalf Britain worked on the diplomatic front.
India is a country of 1.2 billion people. For India not to be represented on
the Security Council is, I think, something that is not in tune with the
modern times in which we live said Blair.
Singh elaborated that the joint statement envisaged vision, a strategy
and a programme of action. Implications of his statement couldnt be
understood without identifying the objectives of their vision, strategy and
programme. Blair mentioned one of them; we totally and completely
condemn any terrorism associated with Kashmir as we do terrorism
elsewhere in the world.
In New York Singh urged for democratization of the United Nations.
France supported Germany, Japan, India and Brazil for their bid for Security
Council permanent seats. Kerry backed India as permanent UNSC member.
Pakistan could only warn against UNSC expansion and JKLF flayed
Britains support for India.
Joint Indo-US naval exercises were conducted in early October. Both
countries discussed cooperation in nuclear energy and space technology.
America, however, imposed sanctions on two Indian scientists for exporting
banned items. India urged US to lift curbs on scientists and end nuclear
sanctions; US declined to do that for the time being. Meanwhile Indian
Army was reported set to test Israeli missiles.
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Defence Secretary, Hoon visited India during first week of October

with undisclosed, but not so secret agenda. It was part of the consultation
process of the Crusaders and proxy crusaders. During the visit he dashed to
Islamabad to tell Pakistani leaders not to be perturbed and to that end he
supported Pak-India dialogue and discussed Pak-UK defence cooperation.
He also torched a consignment of confiscated drugs.
In addition to the above India and Russia discussed defence and space
cooperation. India also hoped to get Russian nuclear submarine on lease.
France was also eager to seal submarine deal with India. Prime Minister of
New Zealand refused to accept Kashmir as nuclear flashpoint.
In the ongoing dialogue Pakistan was left at the mercy of India.
Feeling the pinch of Indian attitude, Pakistani leaders begged US for help;
US owed vital role in resolving disputes. However, Musharraf had to feel
satisfied with discussing campaign against terrorism with Bush during his
visit to America.
In his interview to Chinese news agency he again repeated the request,
US can ensure substantive talks on Kashmir. About two weeks later Powell
declared that US played crucial role in Pak-India dialogue. A phone call
mended Pak-India ties, he claimed. If phone call could achieve so much then
a lot could be done to end the state terrorism perpetrated by India. That was
not done and even special envoy on Kashmir has not been appointed as yet.
Rulers in Pakistan repeatedly denied the existence of pressure in the
context of peace in Afghanistan. Foreign Office denied Taliban and al-Qaeda
meetings inside Pakistan. Musharraf denied US pressure to capture or to kill
Osama. Barons speculation about Osama and Zawahri was rejected. Some
people could have believed in non-existence of pressure, if the rulers had
desisted from denying it time and again.
Pakistan, US and Afghan officials exchanged views on security
situation. A few days later America acknowledged that Pakistan has not
deviated from its commitment and the record was the proof. Since late
2001 Pakistan has arrested about 600 al-Qaeda men and handed over the
majority of them to US custody.
Even in the ongoing operation American and Pakistani forces were
sandwiching Taliban militants as reported by Reuters. Earlier MMAs Chief
Minister of NWFP had reiterated support to Afghan peace process to the
outgoing ambassador, Nancy. Pakistan also tried to appease Kabul directly
by donating last consignment of 30 trucks; withdrawing cess levy imposed
by Sindh Government on Afghan Trade Transit; helping in registration of
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voters; beefing up border security ahead of polls; and reassuring no

interference in Afghanistan.
These actions were not enough for US forces to desist from violating
Pakistan air space and Afghan Militia to exchange fire with Pakistan Army
in Ghalanai area. Rocca again arrived for talks on terrorism forcing Kasuri to
once again say, fight is not meant to benefit any other country or ruler... War
on terror is for countrys survival.
The Crusaders refused to accept Pakistan as country free of terrorism.
General Barno claimed that al-Qaeda was operating from within Pakistan.
America kept warning its citizens in Pakistan off and on. Each time the
government responded by beefing up security for the foreigners.
Pakistan even took steps to purge Pakistan Army of Jehadis. The
detained officers were shifted to US base in Jacobabad. Somehow it desisted
from extraditing them to Gauntanamo Bay. But their counsel feared that the
detainees could be handed over to FBI. Supreme Courts directions to seek
government reply in their case were not responded.
The government continued its endeavours to make Pakistanis
enlightened or liberal while US wanted expansion of secular education. This
single-pronged strategy was futile according to Palvasha V Hassel. There
can be no real enlightenment without truly open mind, something that is a
rare commodity in Europe
Before embarking upon his recent visit to the civilized world to brief
the leaders on Pakistans fight against terrorism, Musharraf forgot about
political disputes and accepted the Crusaders contention of poverty as the
root cause of terrorism. Pakistan vowed to end poverty to curb terrorism. He
and Bush reviewed progress in the US-led global war on terror and pledged
to continue working.
After his visit Schroeder came to Islamabad to discuss terrorism with
Pakistani leaders. Hans B Bremer while commenting on the visit wrote, I
am convinced that someone like German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder
would not have come to Islamabad twice in three years, in fact he wouldnt
have come even once if it were not for the fact that Pakistan is really seen,
for better or worse, as a major ally in the so-called war on terrorism.
Exceptional performance of major ally was appreciated occasionally
but it failed to earn any concession. America ruled out free trade with
Pakistan. Andaleeb Abbas observed that during Musharrafs recent visit to
the US and Europe, the objective of portraying Pakistan as trading partner

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and haven for foreign investment met with the usual suspicion and restraint.
Pakistanis in countries of the civilized world continued to be treated
as terrorists or suspects. In September ten Pakistanis were arrested in Spain
and three more were arrested in October. Muslim States also availed the
opportunity to cleanse their lands of Pakis. Oman deported 861 Pakistanis in
September and over 1700 in October. Ankara returned 130 and Iran deported
253 illegal Pakistanis.
Pakistans expectations were kept alive with pledges of long-term
strategic relationship and discussions on wide ranging issues. Pakistan,
however, earned two rewards. America returned 35 detainees from
Guantanamo Bay and the other concession was Musharraf-specific, which
related to his uniform.
The campaign to allow Musharraf to stay as COAS was led by PMLQ. Sindh Assembly backed the move. Bill on uniform was moved on 8 th
October, which was amended three days later. NA debated the bill amid
protest and on 14th October it empowered president to keep two offices.
Opposition gathered around Speakers rostrum and chanted slogans. On 27 th
October the bill was moved in Senate which witnessed worst-ever rumpus.
Opposition led the campaign against uniform. NWFP Assembly asked
Musharraf to keep his word. A pro-uniform Resolution in Baluchistan
Assembly was withdrawn for fear of getting defeated. Qadri decided to quit
as MNA. Opposition walked out in Senate on 17th and 18th September. Qazi
accused Musharraf of betrayal.
President was accused of creating chaos. Benazir saw Musharrafs
credibility at stake and PPP decided to brief foreign envoys on uniform.
Lawyers observed black day against uniform, 17th Amendment and LFO.
MMA planned to launch anti-Musharraf movement and refused to accept
president in uniform.
Musharraf personally pleaded his case. Uniform is vital in anti-terror
fight he argued. This was for foreign consumption, but for his fellow
countrymen he claimed that Pakistan has overcome all the past
misperceptions about it Pakistan is out of trouble.
Musharraf went through the above exercise with the consent of the
Crusaders. Tariq Butt observed that three major developments took place
before Musharrafs US visit, i.e. passing of bill on nuclear and biological
weapons by two houses; intensification of bombardment of the hideouts of
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foreign militants in South Waziristan; and heating up of debate on uniform.

His strategy worked.
America wanted democratic reforms to continue, but termed
Musharrafs uniform a complex issue. Musharraf was reminded of
democracy pledge, but US was indebted to him because he made war on
terror possible.
Hoon during his recent visit said, Musharraf himself to decide about
uniform. His country, however, welcomed Pakistans transition to
democracy. McKinnon claimed that Musharrafs stance on uniform was
under watch and at the same time he hailed steps taken for democracy by
him. McKinnon met Musharraf and Kasuri on 22nd October and vowed to
respect decision of Parliament on uniform. Opposition asked
Commonwealth to oppose, but four days later McKinnon surprised them by
saying, Musharraf should stay in uniform.
Unexpected resistance of Iraqis has come in the way of America in
pursuing its plans of expanding the war, particularly to physically check
proliferation of nuclear weapons. During the period it dropped ultimatum to
Iran. Nevertheless Bush vowed, US will never let Iran get nuclear weapons
and Israel weighed all options to stop Irans nuclear plan.
IAEA urged Iran to suspend uranium enrichment. ElBaradei however
slated lack of UN action on North Korea while claiming that no material was
seen diverted to nukes in Iran. America considered pushing for IAEA chiefs
ouster. Blix joined the debate and said, Iran has every right to conduct
enrichment plan and he warned against air attacks on nuclear sites.
Britain warned Iran to cease nuclear plan. European Union threatened
tougher action against Iran and at the same time made a lucrative offer to
trap Tehran on the issue. America expressed concern over European offer to
give Iran light-water reactor.
Rafsanjani vowed to resist US pressure. Americas unsuccessful bid to
refer Irans nuclear dossier to the UNSC was seen by Mousavian as total
isolation of US. Iran rejected UN call to freeze enrichment and threatened to
end nuke checks if issue was reported to UNSC. Iranian Parliament refused
to approve tough UN inspections.
Iran offered conditional cooperation to IAEA and in turn the watchdog
agency announced that Iran had not yet made enrichment fuel. European
countries offered economic incentives package, but Tehran declined. The
dialogue with European failed to make any headway to date as Iran

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dismissed all offers of deal as unacceptable.

While negotiating a respectable deal Iran kept showing steadfastness
on its uranium enrichment to attain nuclear fuel capability, but denied any
plans to make nuclear bomb. Its Parliament prepared a bill to urge the
government to resume uranium enrichment. Iran declared that it would
remain committed to Non-Proliferation Treaty if its right of use of peaceful
technology was accepted. It has the right to master nuclear fuel cycle.
US-Iran showdown on nuclear issue has obvious implications for
Pakistan one of which was brought out by Dr Nuri. This showdown was
worrisome because, Pakistan cannot openly support Iran for pursuing its
nuclear programme for fear of annoying the US nor can it oppose Iran in
acquiring nuclear weaponry, which Pakistan itself has acquired for its
national survival and security.
Pakistan did not feel itself off the hook as yet. It had been in the
limelight because of accusations of proliferation. Pakistani leaders had to
give occasional assurances in this regard. No nuclear proliferation pledged
Musharraf to Dutch Parliament. Brazil denied getting nuclear technology
from Pakistan.
However, Japan accused Pakistan of helping North Korea in
developing nukes. Rocca announced that US was working to root out Dr
Khans network. Resultantly detention of scientists was extended, but so far
IAEA meeting with Pakistani scientists has been resisted.
Pakistan took measures to enhance custodial care of its nuclear
arsenal. Bill on nuclear control was tabled in Senate on 17th September.
Pakistan was for preventing terrorists from getting WMD. Shaukat called for
Pak-India nuclear restraint.
On the other hand Israel-like bias for India remained in place. In
September US lifted export controls on equipment for Indian nukes. What
this shows is a growing relationship, both in terms of the number of issues
were dealing with, the importance of the issues and the strength of the
cooperation said the spokesman.

CONCLUSION
Pakistan claimed making too many historic beginnings during the last
three years, particularly in the context of Indo-Pak relations. Despite that it
seemed that it was Pakistan under pressure to solve the dispute, rather than

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India. It dawned upon Pakistani leaders sometimes after Kargil Operation or

Telephone call after 9/11 that there was no military solution to Kashmir
dispute.
Musharraf was forced to come out with some bold idea. He initiated
debate on options. His initiative delivered a fatal blow on more than fiftyyear old stand of plebiscite. His idea of autonomous region was riddled with
dangerous implications. Such status cannot last for long. Anti-Pakistan
forces will soon fill the vacuum leaving the jugular vein in hostile hands.
It appeared that some kind of solution has already been dictated and
the rulers were posturing to pretend as if that would be their decision. The
division of Kashmir with face-saving for the two sides seemed to be
ominous, if a settlement is ever reached. Kashmiris have been relegated to
non-entity.
Pakistan Army remained busy in serving interests of America and
Afghanistan under no pressure. Backlash of Wana Operation nearly
sabotaged its relations with China and it had to act against a man whose
determination was not dented by the captivity in Guantanamo. Even this
operation was carried out because of the fear of America, rather than love for
China.
Internally Pakistan continued with the process of enlightened
moderation forgetting that Turks too had gone through this process. Their
experience showed that even with enlightened moderation and sustained
service to NATO they were still treated no better than MALEECHH in the
context of EU, because of their Islamic identity.
There is no wisdom in trusting the enemies of Ummah whose
prejudices have been proved beyond doubt. They, while advising dialogue to
others, prefer use of military means to solve their problems. Pakistani
leaders cannot prevent clash of civilizations, which has been actively going
on for the last three years.
29th October 2004

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FALL OF FALLUJAH
During last days of October a British medical weekly published a
report in which it was claimed that around 100,000 Iraqis have been killed in
the ongoing war in Iraq. This perturbed no ruler of the Ummah, however,
Straw promised to look into the matter.
The war continued with added ferocity leading to the conquest of
Fallujah during last week of holy month of Ramazan. As a town inhibited by
about 300,000 terrorists was turned into ruins the Muslims all over the
world celebrated the Eid as well as getting rid of terrorists in thousands.
Earlier in first week of November American people re-elected Richard
the Lion of the 21st Century. Many Muslims had wished election defeat for
Bush, but that was not to be. Only Palestinians were wise enough, who saw
Arab, not US leadership change as the key to solution of their problems?
That was true for most Muslim rulers.
The Palestinians suffered a major setback as their revered leader
passed away on 11th November. Israel rejoiced and refused his burial in
Jerusalem. His funeral was held in Cairo and he was buried in Ramallah.
During the same period Afgan, a minister from northern Punjab backed ties
with Israel. In a way he was right; if Pakistan can have ties with US and UK,
why not Israel which is merely a watchdog.
Iraqis and Palestinians suffered major losses during last four weeks,
but these have not weakened their resilience. Iraqis could feel proud of the
fact that the invaders did not go unscratched like the past. They only have to
remain mindful that their enemy would lick his wounds for a while and then
again set out to seek fresh blood.

FIGHTING
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The struggle of Sunni resistance groups for liberation of Iraq from

occupation continued. Major battle was fought in Fallujah, which is covered
separately. In rest of Iraq five US soldiers were wounded in car bomb attack
in Mosul on 22nd October. In Baquba four persons were wounded in clash
between US troops and fighters.
On 23rd October 16 policemen were killed and 40 people injured in car
suicide bombing in Baghdad. In a similar attack near Samarra four guards
were killed and six wounded. Six US soldiers were wounded in roadside
bomb and grenade attack on highway leading to Baghdad airport. Two
mortar rounds fired in central Baghdad killed two civilians and wounded
one. In Mosul gunmen killed two Turk truck drivers and wounded two more.
Police chief was shot dead in Kurdish city of Arbil. Two oil pipelines were
damaged in the north.
Forty-nine dead bodies of Iraqi soldiers were found south of Baquba
on 24 October, who had been killed while returning home after completion
of training in a desert camp near Iranian border. US was blamed for
negligence for deadly ambush. In Karbala a senior Shiite cleric and his
bodyguard were killed in drive-by shooting. US diplomat was killed near
Baghdad in mortar fire. Nineteen policemen were killed and 47 others
wounded in car bomb bombing of police academy in city of Hit. In another
car bomb blast two policemen were killed and two wounded north of
Baghdad. A dead body was recovered from Tigris. A Turk driver was shot
dead in northern Iraq. Bulgarian soldier injured earlier died of wounds.
th

In Mosul a car bomb exploded at the governorate building on 25 th

October killing three and wounding another. Twenty minutes later another
bomb targeting General Motaz, member of liaison committee, wounded
three. In Baghdad three persons were killed and 15 wounded, including two
Australian soldiers. In another car bomb two US patrols were targeted by
roadside bombs damaging two vehicles, killing an Estonian soldier and
wounding five more. Eight Iraqis were killed in clash in Ramadi.
Motorcycle bombing killed one US soldier and wounded another in
eastern Iraq near Sindiyah on 26th October. A roadside bomb killed one
civilian and injured three on highway to Baghdad airport. A senior
opposition politician was killed. Next day two Iraqis were killed and eight
people, including three US soldiers wounded in clashes in Ramadi. One US
soldier was killed in Balad. Another US soldier was killed in car bomb in
Baghdad. Two employees of a TV network were killed and their drivers
were wounded in drive-by shooting in Saydiyah.

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In Ramadi two Marines and an Iraqi soldier were wounded in mortar

attack on 29th October. One British soldier died and three injured in accident
in Babil province. One Iraqi was killed and three persons, including two US
soldiers wounded in car bomb attack in Mosul.
On 30th October 8 US Marines were killed and 9 wounded in an attack
in Anbar province and three vehicles were burnt. In Baghdad seven people
were killed and 19 wounded in car bomb attack outside the office of alArabiya. The group claiming the attack termed the TV network
Americanized spies. Fifteen Iraqis were killed and 20 wounded in
exchange of gunfire south of Baghdad and masked men attacked police
convoy burning a vehicle and wounding three. In Ramadi two police officers
were killed and four wounded in clashes.
On 31st October a rocket hit a hotel in Tikrit killing 15 people and
injuring eight. In Ramadi ten Iraqis were killed in clashes and 15 people,
including three Marines wounded. Two National Guards were killed in
ambush of their car southeast of Baghdad. British soldier was found dead in
a base in Basra.
In Ramadi six Iraqis were killed in fighting on 1 st November. A US
Marine was killed and four wounded, and an Iraqi cameraman working for
Reuters was also killed. Deputy Governor of Baghdad was shot dead. Next
day six people were killed and 21 wounded in car bomb blast outside
Education Ministry building. Another car bomb attack wounded a US
soldier. In Mosul two car bombs killed a police general and guardsman and
wounded 11 others. Another police general escaped a similar attack in Basra.
Oil pipeline was blasted at four points in the north.
On 3rd November one US soldier was killed and another wounded in
roadside bomb on road to Baghdad airport. Nine people were injured in
another similar blast. Three dead bodies were found under a bridge on Tigris
in central Baghdad.
Black Watch regiment of the best in the world had a bad start in new
area of responsibility. On 4th November three British soldiers were killed and
many wounded in an attack, the details of which were held back. Four Iraqis
were killed and 18 wounded in car bomb attack in Dual and two local
leaders were gunned down elsewhere. In Ramadi a tribal chief, who had
been in contact with US Marines, was killed in an ambush. A dead body was
found in Kirkuk.
On 5th November two US Marines were killed and four more wounded
in action in Anbar province; details were held back. Another US soldier was
468

killed and one wounded in roadside bomb north of Baghdad. US claimed

killing unknown number of militants in gunship fire south of the city. In
Baquba two children were killed and four wounded in mortar fire. An expolice officer was gunned down in Mosul. An Iraqi driver was shot dead in
Balad.
In Samara 33 people, including 24 policemen and three national
guards were killed and 48 wounded in four car bomb attacks on 6 th
November. In Baghdad Australian troops shot and injured a man who did not
stop at checkpoint. Polish helicopter came under fire in Babil. In Ramadi 20
US troops were wounded in operations conducted against insurgents.
On 7th November a car bomb near Finance Ministers house killed two
people and an American soldier was wounded in gunfire that erupted after
the blast. In Haditha Iraqi freedom fighters stormed a police station killing
21 policemen and wounding six. Security chief was killed in Haqlaniya. A
US soldier was killed and another wounded in an attack on a convoy west of
Baghdad and a car bomb killed one US soldier and wounded four on airport
road. Two British soldiers were injured in south of Baghdad. A British
civilian was killed in Basra. Bodies of three Iraqi translators and a female
computer programmer were found in Tikrit.
Two US soldiers were killed in Anbar province on 8 th November. One
US soldier was killed in eastern Baghdad while patrolling. In Ramadi four
Iraqis were killed and one wounded in car bomb attack. A blast outside a
church in Baghdad killed three people and wounded 40 and three persons
were killed on airport road in similar attack. Two contractors working with
US forces were killed and two wounded in Samarra. In Mosul a US soldier
and 12 others were wounded in car bomb attack on a convoy.
On 9th November night curfew was imposed in Baghdad for indefinite
period. In Baquba 45 people, mostly policemen were killed and 32 wounded
in clashes after fighters attacked three police stations. Zarqawi group
claimed the responsibility. Two US soldiers were killed in Mosul in mortar
fire. In Kirkuk three people were killed and two wounded in car bomb
attack. In Samarra a senior police officer was killed.
On 10th November 38 people, including two US soldiers and several
policemen and National Guards were killed in rest of Iraq other than
Fallujah. The casualties took place in ambushes, car bombs and running
battles in Baghdad, Mosul, Kirkuk, Samarra, Baiji and other places.

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Car bomb in Baghdad killed nine people and injured 20 others on 11th
November and a US patrol was attacked killing one US soldier and two
attackers. In Mosul masked fighters attacked six police stations, forced
policemen out and looted weapons and ammunition. In Ramadi a policeman
and a fighter died in clashes. In Baquba 30 fighters attacked National Guards
post killing one and wounding three.
In Baghdad a US soldier was killed on 12 th November in roadside
bomb. Two American and an Iraqi soldier were wounded. A Black Hawk
helicopter was shot down northwest of the capital wounding three crew
members. In Mosul one US soldier was killed in fighting and US forces
retaliated by resorting to air strikes. In Kirkuk fighters attacked police check
posts and took away arms. In Najaf 60-day curfew was imposed.
Truckloads of insurgents entered the city took control of southern and
western Mosul on 13th November. Head of the anti-criminal division along
with two guards was shot dead. In Hawaiian five Iraqis were killed and six
wounded when rebels clashed with US and Iraqi forces. Four Iraqis were
killed in Tikrit in roadside bomb. In another attack two US troops were
injured. Two US soldiers were wounded in similar attack near Balad. In
Samarra two children were killed and eight people injured in mortar fire. Oil
and gas pipelines were blown off in northern Iraq. Shia Mayor of Baghdad
suburb was killed by gunmen. Night-time curfew was imposed in Najaf.
Six Iraqis were killed in Ramadi on 14 th November. Sixty policemen
were captured as they returned from Jordan after training. Seven policemen
and 30 fighters were reported killed in clashes in Mosul. Next day about
1,200 US troops backed by air strikes swept into Mosul. Elsewhere a US
soldier was killed in car bomb attack south of Fallujah; one was killed and
one wounded in an attack on a convoy in Balad; and yet another died in an
accident in Baghdad. In Baquba 36 fighters were killed in clash with US
forces and four US troops were wounded. In Baghdad six Iraqis were killed
in mortar fire. A Turk driver was killed in Baiji when his tanker was set
ablaze in rocket attack. In Kirkuk one person was killed and three wounded
in another rocket attack.
On 16th November US troops claimed bringing Mosul under control.
In Baquba one boy was killed and seven persons injured in clashes. Nine
Iraqis were killed in clash in Ramadi. Next day a suicide bomber smashed
his car into US armoured vehicle in Baiji killing 15 persons and wounding
26 others and some US soldiers were also wounded. The incident was
followed by clashes. Nine Iraqis were killed and 15 wounded in clashes in

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Ramadi. Three US soldiers were wounded in roadside bomb. British troops

were attacked south of Baghdad wounding one. A contractor and two Turk
drivers were found dead. A roadside bomb killed two guardsmen.
Four persons were killed in roadside bomb in Samarra on 18 th
November. In a similar attack three persons were killed in Baiji. Two
persons were killed and four wounded in suicide attack in Baghdad and two
mortar shell landed at airport. In Kirkuk two Iraqis were killed and another
wounded in a blast. One security personnel was killed and four wounded in
mortar fire on governors office in Mosul. Four guerrillas were killed and
two policemen wounded in clash in Latifiyah.

BATTLE OF FALLUJAH
Fallujah was besieged for about four weeks prior to attack. All
movements to and from the city were strictly checked by the US troops and
softening of the target was carried out through continuous air strikes and
artillery shelling. Summary of the actions against fighters stronghold
preceding the final assault is as under:

Seven people were killed and three wounded on 22 nd October in air

strike and artillery shelling. Two Iraqi girls were killed and four
people wounded in separate incident.

US troops claimed detaining top aide of Zarqawi on 23 rd October.

Next day six people were killed and seven wounded in air strike.

On 26th October US claimed killing Zarqawi aide in precision

bombing. By next day about 850 British troops completed
redeployment to relieve US troops for attack on Fallujah.

Three people were killed in air strike on 28th October. Next day six
more were killed and four wounded in air strike as siege of the city
entered into third week.

During next week air strikes continued as thousands of families

abandoned the city.

On 7th November air strikes and artillery shelling were intensified as

US troops waited for word from Allawi to attack the city.

As the softening of Fallujah continued Allawi lied that he wanted

political solution. Time was running out for peaceful solution he warned on
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31st October. Next day he issued an ultimatum to Fallujah before proceeding

on European tour. He spelled out three conditions; exit of foreign fighters,
handover of heavy and medium weapons, and allowing the government to
start the process of reconstruction.
Yawar declared his opposition on an assault on Fallujah, but he
blamed Iran for playing negative role in the context of killing of 18 Iraqi
intelligence officers. UN warned against all-out attack. UK dismissed UN
warnings and backed the assault. Allawi imposed martial law in entire Iraq
less Kurd areas. Next day the battle of Fallujah began.
US unleashed the offensive on 8th November. The skies above Fallujah
turned red as Operation Phantom Fury began with aerial and artillery
bombardment and ground offensive. Marines captured general hospital and a
rail station in Jolan district in northwest of Fallujah. At least 12 people were
killed and 20 wounded. Allawi claimed killing 38 guerrillas including four
foreign fighters and two Moroccans were captured.
A cleric in booming voice at a mosque rallied Mujahideen to rise up.
Zarqawi urged Muslims to take up arms against America in internet
message. The Sunni Muslim Clerics Association urged Iraqi security forces
not to fight along with US troops in Fallujah and warned Iraqi forces against
making the grave mistake of invading Iraqi cities under the banner of forces
who respect no religion or human rights.
Next day US forces claimed reaching centre of Fallujah and taking
control of one-third of the city after two pronged attack. Attackers accepted
that about a dozen soldiers were killed and details of wounded or toll of
insurgents were not given. A US soldier was reported having seen about 50
buddies wounded.
Iraqi fighters chose mobility to counter far superior US firepower.
They lurked in side-allies, allowing invaders to pass, and then attacking.
They also resorted to sniping from vantage points. Mosques kept urging to
resist attackers.
Elsewhere anger over the assault on Fallujah grew. A Sunni cleric
asked for boycott of January elections. Islamic Army asked its fighters to
attack 20 targets in reprisals as already agreed upon. Residents of Ramadi
expressed their solidarity with Fallujans. Russia expressed concern over
fate of elections and UN was worried about refugees.
US forces claimed capturing seventy percent of Fallujah on 10 th
November. Attackers hoped to take full control in 48 hours. Fighters were

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pushed into southern Fallujah. By third day 71 fighters were reported killed
and attackers accepted killing of 25 US troops and wounding of 16 Iraqi
soldiers. Militants claimed capturing 20 Iraqi soldiers.
Iraqi spokesman said many armed groups had asked to surrender.
Iraqi authorities will extend amnesty to these groups after it confirmed that
they committed no major crimes. Allawi was shown visiting battle-front and
meeting the US forces.
On 11th November attackers fired artillery barrages against elusive
guerrillas in Jolan district. Two US helicopters were shot down in separate
incidents near Fallujah, both Super Cobra helicopters were hit by rocket
propelled grenades and small arms fire as militants vowed revenge.
Next day US battled to clear resistance pockets. Zarqawi tape urged
fighters to continue fighting. He challenged US to tell the truth and allow
journalists to cover the battle. The US military accepted that 22 American
and five Iraqi troops have been killed and 170 American troops wounded
since the start of battle. They claimed detaining 150 fighters, including a
dozen foreigners out of which 10 were Iranians. About 300 were negotiating
surrender.
Fall of Fallujah became imminent on 13 th November and insurgents
opened new front in Mosul. US accepted fighting a tenacious enemy out
which about 600 have been killed. Number of wounded evacuated to
Germany reached 412, almost all of them were injured in Fallujah. Four US
helicopters were hit by ground fire of insurgents.
The amount of explosives and weapons has been nothing short of
astonishing, claimed interim government. In the last three days 40,000
tonnes of explosives were found in the Jolan neighbourhood. The
government suspected that Zarqawi has fled along with many aides to other
flashpoints.
By 15th November the toll in battle of Fallujah rose to 39 US soldiers
killed and 275 wounded. Five Iraqi troops and more than 1,000 fighters were
also killed. Some fighters continued fighting to death on 16th November.
Deputy Head of interim parliament was arrested by US troops after his
Islamic Party had quit in protest against attack.
Fallujah was pounded by US forces as mopping up of fighters
continued on 17th November. US claimed killing 1,200 militants and
detaining 1,000 in the battle. Next day fighters killed a US Marine and an
Iraqi soldier and wounded one Marine and one Iraqi. Death toll in Fallujah

473

climbed to 51 US and eight Iraqi soldiers killed and about 425 US and 43
Iraqi troops wounded. Resistance groups claimed inflicting heavy losses
including destruction of eleven tanks and 22 other military vehicles.
The salient feature of the battle has been its atrocious conduct as was
expected from ruthless Yankees. Well before the battle Patrick Graham had
predicted that Fallujah was in their sights. As soon as British troops are
redeployed, the US will again turn the city into bloodbath.
The battle began with the capture of general hospital and two bridges.
Thereafter medics kept complaining about shortage of supplies. This was in
response to calls to avoid loss of human life. On second day of assault a
clinic was subjected to air strike killing the medical staff. A nine-year old
boy was reported having died of wounds for want of medical aid. There
must have been many who went unreported. Aid agencies sought access to
the city for taking food and water for trapped civilians. The plight of
civilians who stayed back became uncertain, but US troops refused to allow
Red Crescent aid entering the town.
Infliction of civilian casualties was ensured by stopping all men
between 15 and 50 years from leaving the city. Rumsfeld justified this by
saying that civilians were given plenty of warnings. After taking this
measure the rebels were accused of using residents as human shields.
Allawi matched the brutality of his mentors. After giving permission
he visited the attackers for a word of advice. The people of Fallujah have
been taken hostage just like the people of Samarra and you need to free them
from their grip. Your job is to arrest the killers but if you kill them then let it
be. His Foreign Minister vowed to crush insurgents.
US troops followed his advice in letter and spirit. An unarmed
wounded man lying in a mosque was shot dead. US Army explored to justify
the murder in exercise of the right of self defence. Probe into slaying in
mosque began for covering the crime and US Envoy arrogantly vowed,
mosque killing wont undermine US drive.
Arabs were enraged, but Qasim Daud, interim minister said, mission
accomplished Fallujah has been liberated. The manner in which it was
liberated pricked even the conscience of Allawi forcing him to voice
concern over US killing of injured. Khamenei slated infidel crimes in
Fallujah, but no voice was heard from the Citadel of Islam.
Norman Solomon compiled a report on the conduct of the battle.
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Excerpts from his report are as under:

Battalion commander Gary Brandl said, the enemy has got a face.
Hes called Satan. Hes in Fallujah, and were going to destroy him.
He sounded a lot like Osama bin Laden but US media ignored
American side of the Jihad equation.

As result of phosphorous artillery shells dead bodies of some fighters

were burnt and some were melted.

Hospitals, which are normally not targeted in war, became strategic

targets in Fallujah. So was the case of places of worship as mosques
became priority-one targets.

NYT published a dispatch from Fallujah on 10th November; nothing

here makes sense, but the Americans superior training and firepower
eventually seem to prevail. Americans are encouraged to assume that Allah
may be great but the red-white-and-blue God is surely greater.
Dr Muzaffar Iqbal compiled a report on Massacre in Fallujah.
Excerpts are as under:

As result of phosphorous artillery shells dead bodies of some fighters

were burnt and some were melted.

No one was allowed to go in or come out. Food, water and medical

supplies were cut off days before the attack and till to-date the
International Red Cross has not been allowed to enter the city.

Before the assault a Sgt Man gave a pep-talk to group of 2,500

Marines. Youre all in the process of making history. This is another
Hue City in the making. I have no doubt, if we do get the word, that
each and every one of you is going to do what you have always done
kick some butts.

Like the massacre in Hue City, total blockage of news was imposed;
not a single independent reporter was allowed to enter the city.

Assault began in the final days of Ramazan with orders not to let any
able bodied Iraqi escape and kill or capture all insurgents.
Resultantly, in street battles women, children and the old were killed
and maimed at close range by the invaders.

On first night of attack TARAWEEH prayers were interrupted several

times by calls from mosques to encourage the residents, the attackers
countered it by blasting heavy metal music from the loudspeakers

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attached to their tanks and armoured vehicles. At midnight the assault

was halted and several Iraqi recruits pushed forward deserted and
many Marines were killed.

Count of casualties suffered by the invaders has been meticulously

maintained. But no one is even counting the number of Iraqis who
are dying. No one is interested in them as if they are not human
beings; the US military spokespersons have been vaguely reporting
hundreds of deaths as if this refers to some abstract entity and not the
real men, women and children.

He gave vent to his feelings in summing up his article. Vallejo has

witnessed some of the worst war crimes since World War II is now a wellestablished fact; what remains puzzling is the lack of response from a world
which is continuously witnessing horror after horror in this war when the
world opposed through some of the largest protests ever witnessed in
history. True enough, there have been some protests in the UK and Europe
over the Vallejo massacre, but they amount too little and what is more
astonishing is the deadly silence that prevails all across the Muslim World as
if worlds one billion Muslims have become so callous that nothing can
move them anymore, not even a massacre like the one in Vallejo. On the
other side AFP shamelessly dispatched a report from Fallujah about excesses
committed by the insurgents.
Smi Ramadan recalled the beginning of resistance to occupation in
Fallujah. On April 28, 2003 US soldiers opened fire on parents and children
demonstrating against the continued military occupation of their primary
school - killing 18 of them in cold blooded and injuring about 60 others.
Until the killing of those demonstrators, not a single bullet had been fired at
US soldiers in Fallujah or any of the cities north of Baghdad. But,
remorselessly, little-known Fallujah became a world renowned centre of
defiance, where a poor and poorly armed people has courageously faced the
military wing of the new empire,
Sunni community in general and that of Fallujah in particular was not
prepared to surrender like Shies. They rejected the terms dictated by Allawi
which amounted to surrender rather than face-saving deals struck earlier.
Allawi simply acted as mouth-piece of Americans, who had not come all the
way to Iraq to sort out problems amicably. The moment they were ready to
attack Allawi imposed martial law. In a country occupied by foreign forces
where cities have been bombed almost daily, imposition of martial law was
something very strange.

476

At the start of battle US troops estimated that there were about 3,000
fighters in Fallujah and another 10,000 could join them. In a tightly besieged
city joining of battle by thousands could not be explained. The stopping of
all men between 15 to 50 years from leaving the city ensured making up the
number.
Shireen M Mazari dwelled on the point of foreign fighters. Of course,
the US has made much of foreign fighters aiding the Iraqi resistance to US
occupation of Iraq. Given that Australians, Brits, Japanese and the US
themselves are all foreign fighters on Iraqi soil wherein lies their
condemnation of foreign fighters? Incidentally, it is a universal tradition in
international wars, for sympathetic foreigners to fight for what they feel are
just causes across the world remember the Spanish civil war when many
Brits chose to go and fight Franco. And what about the heroic youth from
the West who have given their lives before Israeli brute force to show
support for the Palestinian struggle against Israeli occupation?
The number of foreigners discovered in Fallujah was surprisingly very
low as seen in the light of great tradition of the Ummah and prevalent
feelings of the masses in Islamic World. In addition to three Frenchmen of
Iraqi origin, siding with theirs brethrens, killed in Iraq so far about a dozen
more have been counted. Shireen attributed it to Muslims de-sensitized to
their fate. But the credit went to the peace-loving rulers of Muslim
countries who took strict measures in controlling them from going to Iraq to
help their brethrens.
The Guardian commented on Fallujah offensive as under:

America and Allawi insisted that operation was needed to flush out
terrorists, former Baathists, murderers and thugs with the aim to
pacify Fallujah before elections.

There are no doubts about the outcome of the offensive, except on

cost and effect of the victory.

Critics of the US have already written it off as a war crime, because

of the civilian casualties.

The critics included Annan, Yawar and Solana feared that attacking
Fallujah could undermine the very process it is supposed to facilitate.

Victory in Fallujah was not an end, but it marked the beginning of

another phase of war. What happens after that will be seen later. No doubt
Iraqis were killed and captured in thousands, yet they are far from being
finished. Many have surely succeeded in escaping and more will be born and
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they will find other havens after Fallujah. US military intelligence has
predicted that insurgents would continue to increase in number. Criminal
acts committed in Yankee-style war could create Zarqawis by dozens, rather
than eliminating one.

OTHER ASPECTS
The Crusades in Iraq allowed Israel to perpetrate state terrorism
unhindered as it has been the main beneficiary of the ongoing war:

On 22nd October weapons expert of Hamas was killed in Gaza. Next

day Hamas killed a suspected Israeli collaborator.

Two Islamic Jihad militants were killed in aircraft missile fire on 24 th

October and Israeli cabinet passed Gaza bill ahead of vote on pullout.

Sixteen Palestinians were killed in Gaza offensive on 25 th October and

next day Knesset approved Gaza pullout.

On 30th October a Palestinian boy was killed in Jenin. Two days later
Palestinians retaliated and killed four Israelis in suicide attack in Tel
Aviv.

Israeli troops killed a Palestinian in Gaza on 3 rd November. Next day

three more Palestinians were killed.

On 6th November Israeli troops killed four Palestinians. Next day an

Israeli soldier was among six killed in Jenin.

Three Palestinians were gunned down by Israeli troops on 9 th

November. Two days later three more were killed in an incursion.

On 12th November two persons were killed in car bomb attack in West
Bank.

Hamas leader was injured in Israeli attack on 18th November and

Sharon apologized for killing of three Egyptian policemen.

Ailing Arafat was shifted to France while struggling between life and
death. On 7th November he suffered liver failure. Next day Soha triggered
controversy by saying a handful of (people) seeking to inherit power are
coming to Paris to try and bury Abu Amman alive. I ask you to look at the
extent of the plot. Palestinians denounced her as a gold digger and
deserter as she had been away for the last three years.
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On 11th November Palestinians suffered a great loss as Arafat passed

away. Israel was delighted. Sharon had wanted to eliminate him through
targeted killing, but could not do that because of the fear of international
reaction due to the stature of the man. Sharon may not exercise such restraint
in case of new leaders.
The outstanding freedom fighter in words of Mandela was accorded
state funeral and peoples burial. He was buried temporarily in the premises
of his headquarters where he had been practically imprisoned by Israel
during his last days. Israel had refused his burial in Jerusalem as per the
wish of the deceased. Soha attended the funeral in Cairo, but skipped the
burial in Palestinian territory.
Doctors had refused to tell the cause of death which resulted in
speculations. Hamas accused Israel of poisoning Arafat as doctors failed to
detect the toxin. The cause of his death could be anything from stomach
cancer to rare blood disorder to Aids, read an internet message. Palestinian
officials ridiculed the idea of Aids circulated to counter toxin accusation.
Doctors announced that Arafat was not poisoned. However, Query ordered
committee to probe cause of death.
Palestinians tackled the problem of leadership temporarily by
appointing heads of three important offices held by Arafat. Fattah was
appointed acting PA head; Abbas was to lead PLO; and Radium was to head
Fattah. Palestinians were to elect new leader by 10th January.
The resistance groups had resorted to kidnapping and hostage-taking
of foreigners. Following incidents were reported during the last four weeks:

Three Macedonian hostages were beheaded on 22 nd October. Next day

a group beheaded a man in Mosul after accusing him of spying.

On 26th October a group claimed abducting 11 members of the

National Guards. Next day son of Interior Ministers deputy head of
police was kidnapped.

Eleven troops taken hostage earlier were killed by their captors on 28 th

October. The same day a Polish woman was kidnapped and
withdrawal of Polish troops was demanded.

On 29th October body of Japanese hostage was found near Tikrit. Next
day Somali, Iraqi and Sudanese were kidnapped and US forces
arrested hostage mediator.

Dead body of kidnapped Kurd journalist was found in Baghdad on

479

31st October. Next day six staff members of a Saudi Arabian company
were kidnapped from their offices in Baghdad.

On 1st November a guard and a kidnapper were killed. Next day two
US contractors and their British colleagues were kidnapped.

Five Jordanians, most of them truck drivers, and a US-Lebanese

contractor were kidnapped on 3rd November. Kidnappers of Margaret
Hassan issued 48-hour deadline.

On 5th November two Lebanese and one Nepali were released. Five
days later a group kidnapped three relatives of Allawi and threatened
to behead them within 48 hours unless the siege of Fallujah was lifted
and prisoners released.

CARE head, Margaret Hessian has been executed reported al-Jazeera

on 16th November. Two days later an Iraqi contractor was found dead
near Balad.

The impact of hostage-taking remained minimal. Only a French aid

group and Medicines Sans Frontiers (MSF) decided to quit Iraq amid
security risk. Hungary mulled withdrawing its 300 non-combat troops by
end of March. Japan refused to pullout troops despite killing of hostage.
While committing fresh war crimes, America did not over-look the
need to cover up the old ones, because men like Canadian filmmaker
continued preparing new videos. He indicted US as co-defendant with
Saddam in film named The Trial of Saddam Hussein; the Trial Youll Never
See. With a view to pre-empting any criticism US secretly moved prisoners
out of Iraq. About 150 non-Iraqis detained were declared non-entitled to
Geneva Conventions.
Apart from carrying out counter-insurgency operations, occupation
forces took other measures to undermine the resistance. Efforts were made
to get the resistance declared un-Islamic. Al-Arabia termed Iraqi militants
operations un-Islamic after attack on its office. When Saudi religious
scholars supported Jihad against US forces, Saudi Mufti declared that
fighting against the occupation forces in Iraq was no Jihad. In other words
he meant that Jihad was to fight along side the Crusaders.
Accusations against the neighbouring countries continued. America
demanded action from Syria and warned of more curbs. Iraqs Justice
Minister claimed that four rebels in neighboring state were directing
violence. They were sent abroad with much wealth by Saddam before his
fall. Minister said these rebels would be named in coming weeks.
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Occupation forces sought more participation from Iraqi troops. Iraqi

Elite troops were tasked to hunt militants. They started using face masks like
terrorists. Police checked public gatherings on slightest suspicion. In
October it stopped followers from praying in Kula. A similar step taken by
Saddam would have invited quite harsh reaction from the civilized world.
America kept trying to muster international support. The first draft
resolution to be presented at an international conference was prepared, but it
made no mention of a timetable for a US troops withdrawal or a date for
elections. Allawi urged spectator countries to get involved.
These measures, however, failed to create desired impact in Iraq as
well as elsewhere. Osama vowed war of attrition against US till it is
bankrupt. At home over 800 US ex-soldiers re-called for duty in Iraq and
Afghanistan failed to report on duty.
America wanted closer ties with Europe after disagreement over Iraq.
Allawi urged NATO to help stabilize his country. EU found cosmetic unity
over Bush and Iraq, disagreement between Blair and Chirac persisted, yet
EU offered strong support. It earmarked 40.3 million dollars aid package for
Iraq polls. First group of Iraqi officers began training in Norway.
France insisted on withdrawal of US troops and Chirac skipped
meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister and flew to UAE. Britain got little for
supporting US, commented Chirac. Blair is a foreign hostage too wrote
Peter Preston. Germany pledged to work with US, but remained adamant not
to send troops to Iraq.
Thousands of protesters in Rome demanded withdrawal of Italian
troops. Pull-outs threatened Polish-led force in southern Iraq. Koizumi
termed Iraq security unpredictable. Russia, however, was ready to reduce
multi-billion dollar debt.

BUSH RE-ELECTED
As election date neared Bush boasted that there was no terrorist
threat before polling day. Kerry, however, accused Bush of scaring
Americans. The opening debate on terror threat before election campaign
prompted George Friedman to say that al-Qaeda has lost the opportunity to
effect political change in the United States by launching a terrorist attack
before the November 2 election.
A week before the polls reports about missing of 400 tonnes of HMX

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and RDX explosive material from al-Qaqaa facility caused new concerns
and led Kerry to hurl more accusations. Now we know our country and our
troops are less safe because this president failed to do the basics, this one of
the great blunders of Iraq, one of the great blunders of this administration.
The incredible incompetence of this president and this administration has put
our troops at risk and our country at greater risk than we ought to be.
This proved to be the last argument of the challenger to muster
support for his election, but Rumsfeld dismissed controversy over missing
explosives. Powell claimed that explosives were removed before US
invasion. Russia denied the allegation of removing explosives.
On 2nd November Jamalis prayer was answered. Bush won with clear
margin and Kerry conceded defeat. Bush wasted no time in reiterating that
Iraq objectives would be achieved. He said, Iraq polls will be ensured.
Blair told Europeans to wake up to new reality.
Asian press generally slammed Bush and doubted Kerry just before
the polls. M B Naqvi assessed the impact of US elections in these words:
The Iraq War is not about to be wound up. It will be pursued with renewed
zeal. If Kerry flies past the winning post he will try to rope in a few other
nations to share the human cost of American occupation. Bush will muddle
on and favored sectors of Corporate America will go on rolling in profits.
The US has meant to reshape the Middle East; that may change marginally
but not substantially; but keeping Iraq under occupation for larger American
purposes is not likely to be affected.
Hans B Bremer commented, as far as the Bush-inspired war against
terrorism is concerned, Kerry makes it quite clear that he would not call it
off. He says he will put it in place a strong and smart strategy to win that
war. I understand that the path to victory will be found in the company of
others, not walking alone We will work with allies in Arab and Muslim
countries and across the globe.
The analysts opined that even in case of re-election of Bush there
would be certain changes in US Administration. It was visualized that
Ashcroft, Powell and Rumsfeld might step down. Allawi remained
confident; US (will remain) Iraqs friend whoever wins polls he said.
Bush victory earned mixed reaction. Re-election bode well; wrote
Russian press. Koizumi and Howard welcomed re-election. UK press was as
divided as US electorate over Bush win, reported AFP. Great vote, grisly
result wrote Timothy Garton Ash in the Guardian. Sixty percent French
thought victory of Bush as a bad news. US voters ignored world concerns
482

wrote Turkish press.

We dont know which Bush we will get, whether it would be a more
pragmatic Bush, or a Bush more committed to his current positions said
Cirincione at the Carnegie Endowment. Arab leaders, however, asked Bush
to bring peace in Middle East. They must be joking.
Mir Jamilur Rahman wrote, the electorate perhaps thought that the
person who created the mess is better equipped to clear the mess than
anyone else. Hans B Bremer visualized; Bush and even more so the neoconservatives surrounding him are interpreting the election result as
something close to licence to kill. That was applied in Fallujah to start with,
which could go up to tightening of some screws on Iran and Pakistans
nuclear programmes.
Shireen M Mazari looked at the re-election in her usual style.
American people think like their president on Crusades against Muslim
World, killings of Palestinians, Iraqis and others. To them American
interests are supreme to international law and world body; therefore equity
and justice will take back seat. For US allies in the Muslim World, the
price can be high and the alliance tenuous.
M B Naqvi summarized American priorities in next four years and
possibilities of their realizations:

America would like to win back European support, but differences

would persist.

There would be no change in Middle East policy particularly in the

context of Israel and Palestine.

America would like to stabilize Iraq security-wise to pursue the goals

of its occupation, but Israel would like to trigger civil war to ensure its
demise or at least to keep Iraq out of any contention for as long as
possible. Israeli agents are already working on that.

There would be no change in case of North Korea as America wont

be sure of what China and Russia could do.

America would hesitate in attacking Iran for cost of invasion in terms

of monetary and military terms.

In the Subcontinent America would continue to insist on a settlement

based on status quo, despite Musharrafs wishes to the contrary.
Praful Bidwai saw hard times lying ahead for the world and South

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Asia during second term of Bush, because of serious conflicts of interests

between the US and South Asia. The goal of a multipolar, plural and
equitable world is incompatible with the Neocons Empire project. A
humane economic policy cannot sit with market fundamentalism. The
universal global stake in nuclear disarmament cannot be reconciled with
Americas plans to keep its own weapons of mass destruction, which Bush,
in absolute self-belief, thinks, can only do good: Washington sees, speaks or
hears no evil.
Nasim Zehra talked of American values while writing about triumph
of Bush and political Christianity. Threatened by an erosion of their core
values, the majority Americans of the non-coast states have now actively
centred their socio-cultural and moral identity in religion Rooted in
traditional Christian values majority of the non-coast Americans feared a
Kerry win would destroy their core values of family and society. She
ignored that waging Crusades is the core of traditional Christian values.
At the moment Bush has been concentrating on selection of his new
team in the wake of resignations that usually follow re-election. Ashcroft
and Evans resigned on 10th November and two top CIA officials followed
them. Armitage did the same on 16th November.
Most important resignation was rendered by Powell. The Times
commented that some analysts thought that he ended an otherwise
distinguished public career in failure. His mistakes were; inability to
prevent Bush from invading Iraq and his appearance at the UN and making
claims about WMDs. He defended series of policies in which he did not
believe. His exit will be celebrated by Neocons. His achievements were;
soothing Indo-Pak relations and realistic approach towards China and Africa.
Bush will take time to formally announce his plans for the next four
years, but he has made one thing clear. As those elections draw near, the
desperation of the killers will grow and the violence could escalate. Success
of democracy in Iraq will be a crushing blow to the forces of terror and the
terrorists know it. And he considered world support must for Iraq polls.
Blair called on US to reach out to partners.
His intentions were also indicated by appointment of Rice as
successor of a moderate person like Powell. The things to come were also
revealed by the advice of Henry Kissinger. He suggested to Bush to
concentrate on combating threat of radical fundamental militant Islam.

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CONCLUSION
Re-election of Bush might be against the hopes of many who hate
him, yet in a way his re-election might suit anti-US forces. Just as
Americans like to keep the monsters alive, the electorate has given a lease
of life to US-brand of monster. It will save the amber of anger and revenge
from dying. An al-Qaeda group has already warned US of unbearable hell
for electing Bush again.
With the demise of a great freedom fighter, Palestinians have lost a
binding force. They will be confronted with many problems in treading
along roads of the map for peace. There will be many roadblocks; some of
them as deceptive as Bush-Blair promise of creation of independent
Palestinian state in four years. The biggest problem would come from
within; therefore, they must preserve the unity.
The world might condemn the destruction of abode of 300,000
Fallujans, but for Americans the liberation of another city for
democratization is a matter of great pride. This was Yankee-style liberation
in which inhabitants are massacred and their abodes are democratized. That
was how America was liberated from clutches of savage Indians. The
process will continue and even mosque killing wont undermine US drive.
Iraqi Sunnis, which constitute about 30 percent of the total population,
have to continue fighting at their own. Ummah has literally abandoned them
for not possessing the WMDs and having no links with al-Qaeda and now
talking about Jihad.
Saudi Mufti declared that Jihad against Americans in Iraq is not
allowed. The Mufti seemed to be oblivious of the fact that Iraqis have
jeopardized plans of the Crusaders to deal with other evil states of Muslim
World. They, by fiercely resisting occupation, have forced the invaders to
postpone extension of holy war.
Pakistan has been busy in fighting American war on terror. It has no
time to bother about the plight of those waging Jihad in Iraq. However, after
Fallujah the rulers of Pakistan will be better advised not to boast any more
about capturing 600 terrorists in the war. America has killed more than 1,200
terrorists in a single battle fought in the holy month of Ramazan.
19th November 2004

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DISCOURAGING SIGNALS
The composite dialogue crawled at convoy speed when not at halt.
Moreover, the leading vehicle was steered by India which made reaching the
destination that much elusive. Journey to peace in such conditions demanded
extraordinary patience.
Pakistani leaders nearly exhausted their patience. President Musharraf
tried to create urgency by initiating debate to get public viewpoint in words
of Sheikh Rashid. It was quite strange that he needed such feedback on fiftyyear old issue and himself having fought couple of wars over it.
Natwar gave a sermon on patience and tolerance of the kind of which
was preached by the Buddha. He was for Buddhist principles of mutual
respect and peaceful co-existence. He forgot that this religion along with its

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principles was thrown out of the Subcontinent by Hindu fundamentalists.

On western front Pakistan almost achieved its military objectives in
South Waziristan. Operation in tribal areas was commendably effective
according to Deputy Commander of Centcom, but America did not allow
Pakistan pulling out its troops from the area.
During the period Bush was re-elected for the second term in White
House. Pakistani leaders were pleased on his re-election. They hoped that
during second term Bush might reward Pakistan for its commendable
contribution to war on terror. Some analysts, however, were not so
optimistic.

SEEKING PEACE
There was no progress on composite dialogue, but both sides kept
talking of talks. Talks with India were progressing said Shaukat on 30 th
October and the same day India announced that it was ready to talk with
Kashmiris. In November Kasuri stated that solution of Kashmir dispute was
the only guarantee of peace. Manmohan reiterated that India was committed
to peace.
Qayyum and Gilani favoured tripartite talks on Kashmir and APHC-G
leader rejected Indian offer of unconditional talks. Mirwaiz hoped Pak-India
talks would yield dividend, but during last five weeks the dialogue process
stood still; nothing happened except delaying of secretary level talks for few
days.
Disappointed by no progress on the core issue Musharraf tried to
initiate public debate to formulate some workable options. According to Dr
Iffat Idris Musharrafs remarks to the press could have been an indication of
his frustration with the Indians reluctance to move beyond CBMs to the
core Kashmir issue.
He identified three ideas in Musharrafs suggestion. One,
demilitarizing the whole of Kashmir and making it autonomous; two,
placing it under the joint control of India and Pakistan; three, dividing most
of the state between India and Pakistan and making the contentious Kashmir
Valley autonomous, or placing it under UN supervision.
He then raised few questions about this radical departure to read
Musharrafs intentions. Was the president serious? Was he testing the waters
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to see what the public would be willing to accept? Was he simply trying to
breathe life into the process, whichhas gone slowly? If Musharraf was
hoping for a reciprocal gesture from the Indians, he was to be disappointed,
because for the Indians, a continuation of the status quo (minus conflict in
IHK) would actually suit them quite well.
Well before Dr Iffat analyzed Musharrafs suggestion, India refused to
negotiate through media or third party. Natwar wanted proposals for
Kashmir solution communicated through diplomatic channels. A few days
later Manmohan ruled out redrawing borders. I have made it clear to
President Musharraf that any redrawing of the international border is not
acceptable to us. Any proposal which smacks of further division is not going
to be acceptable to us.
The suggestion was already bitterly criticized at home by the
opposition leaders, which led to issue of clarifications. No formal proposal
on Kashmir said Kasuri. No change in policy on Kashmir said Musharraf
while meeting Kashmiri leaders.
Kasuri asked India to avoid issuing harmful statements. Indian
signals are not encouraging said Musharraf. He reverted back to the old
stand saying Pakistan wont drop demand for plebiscite in Kashmir. Later
on he warned India against rigidity. Pakistan wont go all the way down on
Kashmir. He was clearly getting irritated.
Natwar downplayed Musharrafs remarks about negative signals from
India. Manmohan simply brushed aside Musharrafs remarks. However,
National Security Council still hoped for positive Indian response to
Pakistans goodwill gestures for solution of Kashmir dispute.
Apart from the official circles in Pakistan, only Mufti hailed
Musharrafs plan for Kashmir solution. Saleh Zaafir reported possible
exchange of non-papers on Kashmir. It seemed that the outcome of
composite dialogue hinged solely on backdoor diplomacy. Much of the
contribution has been made through that channel.
In response to Musharrafs gestures India made some of its moves.
After rowing back on Kashmir options Delhi announced reduction of troops
in the Valley. Manmohan had already explained the rationale of this
decision; Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and therefore this
question of deployment of troops in our own country is not a subject matter
of discussion with out side agencies.
India announced cut in troops in Kashmir. Singh said that deployment

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would be reviewed if infiltration went up. India began reduction of troops in

the Valley on 17th November. It coincided with Manmohans first trip to Held
Kashmir where he said, Kashmir talks were making some progress.
Pakistan welcomed Indian move and Foreign Office said that Indian
pullout would boost peace. China also welcomed the step. Qazi Hussain
termed troops withdrawal eyewash. APHC-G demanded complete
withdrawal of Indian troops. Gilani asked Singh to apologize for Human
Rights abuses.
Manmohan offered unconditional talks to Kashmiri groups and
unveiled $ 5.3 billion rescue plan. Funds will be provided by international
lenders. He also urged fighters to lay down arms. Salahuddin dismissed the
so-called rescue plan.
Pakistans rejoicing over pullout did not last for long. As Islamabad
hoped that troops cut process would continue, there were reports that New
Delhi was sending more troops to the Valley. Pakistan could do no more than
seeking clarification from India on these reports. The answer lied in
Natwars remarks; pro-active policy yielded results.
In last week of November Prime Minister Shaukat visited India.
Before going to New Delhi he termed Indian response surprising and saw no
major breakthrough with India. On arrival he held four-hour talks with
APHC leaders and vowed no deal against Kashmiris.
He also met Vajpayee, Advani and Natwar. Vajpayee assured him, we
will tighten the screws if the Indian ruling elite tries to undo what has been
achieved so far. On 24th November he held talks with Manmohan for 90
minutes and linked peace to Kashmir solution.
He categorically told media stalwarts that APHC is third party to
conflict. Indian journalists termed meeting with APHC amounting to
interference in internal affairs of India. In reply to questions suggesting
progress made on other issues he said, we cannot do cherry-picking. How
can any progress be made putting aside the core issue of Kashmir?
The moves made during the period culminated on 29th November.
India unveiled nine-point strategy to realize twin objective of peace and
development in IHK. The strategy envisaged:

Promotion of interaction with people of Pakistan for which opening of

Jammu-Sialkot, Uri-Muzaffarabad and Kargil-Skardu roads to be
pursued.

489

Initiation of dialogue with all groups in the held Valley.

Acceleration of
unemployment.

Promotion of culture.

Addressing of public grievances.

Avoiding human rights violations.

Intensification of involvement of media in the process of

reconstruction.

Raising additional battalions of reserve, central paramilitary forces

and army from remote and border areas of Kashmir to prevent
alienation of the youth.

Up-gradation of communication equipment, weaponry and

ammunition and training in skills and technology for security forces
and intelligence agencies.

economic

development

and

tackling

of

This strategy aimed at consolidation of the gains made through

coercion of Pakistan. New Delhi India wanted further integration of IHK
with India. It had nothing to do with the settlement of dispute with Pakistan.
Islamabad had to shrug off Indian strategy saying that it has been tested time
and again.
In the process of composite dialogue the aggrieved party of Kashmiris
seemed to be neglected by both India and Pakistan as there has been no
worthwhile interaction with APHC leaders except a meeting with Shaukat in
New Delhi where he assured them that the solution would be reflective of
Kashmiris aspirations. Dr Iffat Idris, however, opined that both Pakistan and
India have not ignored Kashmiris as much as it appeared from the recent
developments.
During his visit to Srinagar Manmohan proposed autonomy for
Kashmir. Mirwaiz and Gilani rejected autonomy plan. Gilani argued that
autonomy wont resolve Kashmir dispute. The statement of Sikandar on this
side of the Line of Control should also be viewed in this context. He said,
next AJK polls might be held without making the condition of accession to
Pakistan mandatory.
In response to Indian offer of talks to Kashmiris, APHC leaders
wanted to visit Pakistan before talks. Mirwaiz sought permission of New
Delhi to visit Pakistan and Indian Home Minister indicated the willingness

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of his government.
Hurriyat leaders held meeting in Srinagar on 18th November and
insisted on visit to Pakistan. Their demand to have mutual consultations with
Pakistan was rational and logical. Islamabad vowed to encourage Kashmiri
leaders visit to Pakistan, but so far the Indians have not allowed them to go
to Islamabad.
There was no worthwhile confidence building measures taken during
last five weeks. On 5th November Sherpao and Menon discussed fishermen
issue and India agreed to free 25 Pakistanis. Four days later these prisoners
were released, but the same day Twenty Pakistani fishermen were held by
Indian guards. Three weeks later Maritime Security Agency of Pakistan
arrested 43 Indian fishermen.
India sought talks with Pakistan on gas pipeline. Pakistan did not
grant MFN status to India but added eighty-one items to import list from
India. In the context of people to people contact Imran Khan discussed peace
and Kashmir with Vajpayee and Sonia. He suggested re-election in IHK
under UN. Altaf Hussain, acting as ambassador at large, assured Indians that
Musharraf wanted better ties with India.
People to people contacts remained restricted to air travel and roadrail services through Wahga. The use of available means of traveling was
also restricted to the liking of India. These contacts were restricted to higher
hierarchy. Indian delegation led by former Chief Minister of Andra Pardesh
was informed by Prime Minister that Pakistan wanted peace. Chief
Minister of Punjab said Punjabi language can boost Pak-India ties while
addressing Guru Nanak Devji University Amritsar. World Punjabi moot in
Patiala discussed agro and industrial cooperation.
New Delhi India rejected the request of Peoples Forum for Peace and
Democracy to visit IHK. AJK cabinet rejected traveling on visa on Kashmir
bus service. Khokhrapar rail track could not be repaired before mid 2006 for
which Pakistani side required about Rupees 2.5 billion.
India was bent upon violating Indus Water Treaty. Indian arrogance
resulted in holding of high-level meeting in Islamabad on Baglihar Dam to
discuss all options. Pakistan was prepared to concede the construction of ungated dam.
Pakistan decided to stop India from violating Indus Water Treaty. The
government was to formally request the World Bank for solution of the
issue. The bank is the third party of the treaty. This spoke of the difficulties

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in bilateral talks with India for resolution of a problem which is a clear-cut

violation of a treaty.
Arms build up spree continued. India test-fired nuclear-capable
Dhanus missile and also carried out two tests of Akash missile during the
period. First India-made Sukhoi-30 fighter was handed over to IAF on 28th
November. Next day Mukherjee announced Indian plans to upgrade nuclear
capability. Pakistan urged India not to disturb arms balance and then testfired short range surface-to-surface missile.
Despite accepting decline in infiltration in Kashmir and dropping of
number of Kashmir fighters, Manmohan said India was ready to resolve all
disputes provided Pakistan stopped supporting infiltration. It wasnt quite
strange if Sardarji failed to see the second leg of the roaster. Pakistan
rejected infiltration charges. In addition to the allegations of infiltration,
lately India accused Pakistan of encroaching upon 40-meter land in Ballard
area along the working boundary in Samba sub-sector; Pakistan denied.
Perpetration of state terrorism continued. Following incidents of state
terrorism and retaliatory actions by Kashmiris were reported during the
period:

Two policemen were among five killed on 29th October. Next day a
politicians son was shot dead in the Valley. In all 108 Kashmiris were
martyred in October.

On 2nd November Lashkar-e-Taiba commander was among six killed

in IHK and eleven persons were gunned down two days later.

Fifteen persons were killed as minister visited the Valley on 6 th

November. Next day rape of a woman and her daughter sparked
protests. On 8th November four troops were hurt in suicide attack.

On 9th November Congress leader escaped attack as seven persons

died in IHK violence. Assassination bid on Gilanis son-in-law was
condemned and anti-rape protests continued. Next day Yasin was
detained over rape protests.

Seven people were killed in clashes on 11th November. Four days later
eleven persons, including three policemen, were killed in different
incidents in IHK.

On 16th November one policeman was killed and two wounded in an

ambush. Next day two fighters were killed.

Policeman was among seven killed on 18th November. Next day a

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Major was among six killed in Held Kashmir.

Indian soldier and a policeman were among four killed in the Valley
on 23rd November. Next day six persons were killed in shootouts and
blasts in the Valley.

On 26th November a grenade tied to the neck of a dog exploded and

wounded four people.

Four fighters were killed in the Valley on 27th November. Next day an
Indian soldier killed seven of colleagues. On 29th November Indian
troops killed two protesters.

The comments start with the mention of idea of exploring options

unveiled in Iftar-dinner party. It was projected by the government controlled
electronic media as bold and brilliant move. In one of the programmes on
PTV Qazi Hussain was invited to give his viewpoint. The compere of the
programme seemed to be far more bold and belligerent than originator of the
idea, and perhaps this was the basis of his selection for conducting the
show.
Qazi rejected Musharrafs suggestion. He argued that there was no
wisdom in showing the flexibility and losing the ground when India was not
prepared to give in an inch. The compere insisted on the theory of peace
and referred to Sulah Huddaibiyah. Qazi missed the opportunity to deliver
the knockout punch. Sulah Huddaibiyah was struck under Divine guidance
whereas Musharraf was acting on the dictates of a superpower.
The delay caused by India in coming on to core issue has started
irritating Pakistani leaders. Musharraf was disturbed over Delhis U-turn. He
became impatient and lost his ground. He should have remembered that he
was not dealing with PML-Q leaders or others like them. He was pitched
against the politicians of the largest democracy in the world.
By the way he is not the only one who knows how to take a U-turn.
Anyhow India took no U-turn. It has stood like a rock on its stand on
Kashmir, despite being incorrect, morally and politically. It is he who has
taken a U-turn on just stand of Pakistan and Kashmiris.
Imtiaz Alam in his article suggested to Pakistani leaders to show
greater patience and resilience in the ongoing composite dialogue. He also
suggested to India to show greater flexibility Unfortunately so far
everything has happened to the contrary.
Tayyab Siddiqui commented; Musharrafs bold but controversial

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iftar-dinner proposals to break the logjam have drawn indifference and his
appeal to show flexibility have fallen on deaf ears, forcing him to complain
bitterly about the vibes that are now coming do not encourage a process of
normalization. One must give credit to Indians for consistency in their
position.
As regards Indian move of withdrawal of troops from IHK, it is a
political move; with little military significance. Pulling out of some troops
has been made possible because of tight control of the Line of Control by
Pakistan, opined Dr Iffat Idris.
Indian strategy should have been clear to Pakistani leaders long ago.
In case they were misguided by their optimism, the recent developments
should make writing on the wall very clear. India has decided to drag its feet
in ongoing composite dialogue and at the same time draw whatever benefits
that come in its way.
Kamal Matinuddin observed; it is becoming evident that India is
trying to extract commercial, political and strategic benefits from Pakistan
by keeping the issue alive but determined not to yield even an inch of the
territory under its occupation. India is wanting to drive a hard bargain
knowing that Kashmir is a core issue for Pakistan and that President
Musharraf is wanting to solve it even it be a truncated Kashmir.
Arif Jamal opined that the new strategy of the Congress-led
government is based on the premise that Pakistan would continue to lose
support and face in Jammu and Kashmir in the post-9/11 period. The events
since then 9/11 have supported his viewpoint.
I A Rehman while writing about Arafat agreed with this observation.
The dawn of the 21st Century marked the end of the season in which the
third world liberation movements had risen and the beginning of a new
world order in which there was no space at all for accommodating different
peoples right to self-rule. He generalized the statement. In fact the Crusades
of 21st Century aimed at crushing liberation movements of oppressed
Muslims.
The result of talks to address the irritant of Baglihar Dam clearly
uncovered Indian intentions. If bilateral dialogue could not resolve an issue
deliberately created by India by violating Indus Water Treaty, how could it
be expected that Kashmir dispute would be settled through bilateral talks?
The optimists were still focusing on the brighter side of the ongoing
494

process. Dr Moonis Ahmar wrote, one identical feature in Musharraf and

Singhs offer is their readiness to go ahead with the process of peace
provided their conditions are met. It means both sides feel that the nature of
pressures is such that it compels them to take a position regardless of
constraints and compulsions.
A lot depended on backdoor diplomacy which might include
involvement of third party. The events have made it evident to great extent
that the decision on settlement of dispute will be taken away from formally
arranged dialogue tables. Some of the options might have been formulated
before the initiation of the recent public debate.
The comments are concluded with views of two ladies. Extracts from
views of Shireen M Mazari on composite dialogue are as under:

It is strange and incomprehensible to continue to hear the Pakistanis

(rulers) insist on their desire to continue the dialogue with India and
their faith in this dialogue.

the present dialogue with India has little substance in it to present

at least on the critical issues. She argued that the recent visit of
Pakistans Prime Minister to New Delhi in which he was not accorded
proper protocol should remove all illusions.

The Indian intent is clearly to sustain the dialogue without any

definitive progress on the real conflictual/divisive issues.

There is an incomprehensible passivity towards India that now seems

to be pervading the Pakistani mind-set. Support for peace in the region
is an admirable goal but it cannot be an enforced and unjust peace.

What is the reason for our new tolerance for Indian excesses she
questioned? The reason identified by her lied in having no energy
left in us to defend assertion of our national interest and being
psychologically on the defensive and pessimistic There is a need to
shake us out of a negative national mood and restore our self-image
rather than be overwhelmed by the negative propaganda intended to
undermine the Pakistani psyche.

This pervasion of the negative mindset within Pakistans civil society

has allowed the political elite to make pronouncements on Pakistan in
India that are not only factually incorrect but would be regarded as
treason in some places because they call into question the very

495

existence of the state itself.

That a leader making such remarks is part of the ruling political

coalition and no action is taken against the leader or his party reflects
either a new and inexplicable level of tolerance or simply a new
passivity.

As for peace, of course it is good, but let us not be followed by those

who would veil their ambitious designs in the garb of peace.

Other lady, Nasim Zehra was symbol of optimism. She thought that
coming to the core issue would require time. However, efforts at bilateral
normalization must continue. Greater top-level political interaction is
required between Pakistan, India and Kashmiris to work towards a three-way
acceptable solution to the Kashmir dispute. Clearly the normalization
process is irreversible for now. She went on to suggest reunification of
Kashmir as first step.
Musharraf too endeavoured to hide his disappointment by being
optimist. Time ripe for solution of Kashmir and Palestine disputes he said
before proceeding to Latin America. In Brazil he said that rapprochement
with New Delhi was under way. He saw light at the end of tunnel. He had
to go all the way to other end of the tunnel (globe) to see the twinkle.
Kashmir and Palestine ripe for resolution he informed his Argentinean
counterpart.
Discouraged by the Indian attitude lacking in urgency, Pakistani
leaders were now trying to remind the world leaders about a dispute they had
forgotten since long. They wanted to create pressure on India and even if
they succeed, it would not be like the one to which Pakistan was subjected to
many times. Perhaps, they have no choice but to keep pursuing the peace
process.

FOR AFGHAN PEACE

Operation against Pushtoons opposing occupation of Afghanistan
continued in Waziristan. Summary of the fighting during the period is as
under:

One soldier was killed and two wounded in clash in Karwan Manza
area on 29th October. Three soldiers were injured and a vehicle
damaged on Miranshah-Kohat road in remote controlled bomb
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explosion.

On 30th October militants fired rockets at force in Wana. Next day one
soldier was injured in Karwan Manza clash.

Nine soldiers were injured in road accident in South Waziristan on 1st

November. Next day 24 troops were hurt in an incident of
mishandling a grenade.

On 4th November nine troops were killed and 15 wounded in four

blasts by remote controlled devices in different parts of South
Waziristan. Deadliest attack occurred on Laddah-Wana road.

Troops escaped three blasts in South Waziristan on 5th November.

Three days later militants fired rockets on FC Camp and Wana airport.
Electricity supply was briefly disrupted.

Six militants and three troops were killed in an operation launched in

Mahsud area on 9th November. Seventeen soldiers and eight militants
were also wounded.

On 10th November five soldiers and two tribesmen were wounded in

different parts of Waziristan. Next day four terror suspects were
arrested near Wana.

On 12th November troops occupied militants strongholds. Next day a

boy was killed and four soldiers injured in Wana. Arms were seized in
South Waziristan on 18th November.

Moulvi Bashirs Madrassa, which was the hub of militants operations,

was attacked on 22nd November in which eight miscreants were killed.
Twelve more were killed in hand to hand fight in Karam Manzai area.
Huge quantity of arms and ammunition was captured.

On 24th November nine persons were held after a blast targeted troops
in South Waziristan. Two days later a blast disrupted phone service in
Wana.

A soldier died in Waziristan in accidental fire on 30th November. Huge

cache of arms was seized.

On 26th November the Governor declared Wana operation over after

meeting Jirga of four hundred elders of Ahmedzai Wazirs. Some the most
wanted militants, including Maulvi Abbas, Maulvi Javed, Maulvi Abdul
Aziz, attended the Jirga held in Governor House. Son of Maulvi Sharif
represented his father. It was also reported that all check posts would be

497

removed and all persons arrested during the operation would be set free.
Next day the media reported withdrawal of troops from South
Waziristan. No troops pullout from FATA ISPR refuted the reports. The
very next day Karamat assured America that troops would stay in tribal
areas. Pakistan is not pulling out troops from Wana confirmed US on 30th
November. New US Ambassador in Islamabad praised Pakistans role.
Tribal elders gradually started cooperating with troops. On 23rd
November tribesmen captured two foreign militants of Tajik origin and
handed them over to military. Troops were directed to honour tribal
traditions. The government gradually succeeded in integration of tribal areas
with rest of the country. The plan to up-grade all agency and tehsil
headquarters hospitals by provision of state of the art equipment were one of
the few steps taken by the government. US also offered help for social sector
uplift in NWFP.
Pakistan also tried to appease the puppet regime in Kabul. The
government allowed tax-free release of Afghan goods. Infrastructure cess
imposed on transit trade goods was waived. The reciprocation of these
gestures was confined to return of tribal elder Bakhan from Kabul to Wana.
Sherpao said militants were getting arms from Afghanistan and a week later
Pakistani Consulate in Mazar was ransacked.
Criticism of military operations in South Waziristan gradually
decreased. However, Siraj said, Wana operation would benefit anti-Islamic
forces. Wana operation is only against terrorists countered ISPR. Rashid
rattled out the often repeated statement, Wana operation was launched in
national interest. Deputy Commander of Centcom belied these; Pakistans
operation in tribal areas was commendably effective.

INTERNAL MILITANCY
Attacks by militants with different kinds of motives continued in
various parts of the country:

Miscreants fired rockets on secret agencys office in Mingora on 30 th

October.

On 2nd November four persons were injured in blast in Quetta near

CMs residence and a Ranger was shot dead in Karachi.

Three people were wounded as bombs went off in Gwadar on 4 th

November. One person was killed and two injured in an explosion in
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Hangu.

On 6th November two bombs exploded in Quetta and Mastung. Next

day three blasts rocked Turbat and Kalat.

Three workers of Sunni Tehrik were killed and four wounded by

gunmen in Karachi on 10th November. Next day one person was
killed in firing in Karachi.

On 12th November blast and rocket fire created scare in Quetta. Next
day a Sunni religious leader was injured in attack in Malakwal area.

Two persons were killed and 29 injured in blast in Mangora cinema on

17th November. Three days later blasts damaged main railway tracks
near Hyderabad.

On 22nd November a teenager was injured in blast in Noshki. Next day

an explosion took place outside police station in Quetta.

One person was killed and 22 injured in blast in Khuzdar on 25 th

November. Next day a grenade was lobbed at police checkpoint in
Quetta.

One person was killed in landmine blast in Kashmore on 30 th

November. Ten policemen were injured in grenade attack in Quetta.

Law enforcing agencies continued with their crackdown against the

militants:

On 29th October 38 Hizbut Tahrir members were arrested. Four days

later two foreigners, including an Iraqi, were held in Quetta.

Two activists of Jaish were held in Lahore after shoot out and 920 kg
explosives were seized in Karachi.

On 17th November Police killed a suspect in Pearl murder case. Next

day suspect in US Consulate blast case was arrested.

Two terror suspects arrested from Swat on 20 th November. Two days

later two wanted militants were arrested in Lahore. They confessed
killing Ghulam Murtaza Malik, Professor Attaur Rehman and Syed
Hasan Raza.

Terror suspect was killed in Lahore on 25 th November. Four days later

a Chechen national was held in dacoity attempt in Quetta.

On 1st December one Chechen was killed and another was arrested in
an encounter in Quetta in which 11 policemen were wounded. Next
499

day a bomb went off in a hotel in Turbat.

Rashid claimed that security agencies have broken the terrorist
network. National Security Council resolved to root out terrorism in its
meeting which was boycotted by MMA because of Musharrafs decision to
remain in uniform. Opposition urged Musharraf to shed uniform and Fazl
alleged that Pakistan was being turned into US colony.
The decisions of courts during the period did not augur well for the
law enforcing agencies. Allama Sajid and two others were acquitted by the
court in Azam Tariq case as the prosecution failed to prove the charges.
Doctor Brothers were granted bail, but were again detained. Families of
detained military officers filed fresh pleas in early November.
The Nawabs of Baluchistan remained angry. Even ex-prime minister
Jamali shared reservations with other Baluchi leaders over Gwadar and
cantonments. The government worked on reaching a settlement with the
Nawab Bugti. On 7th November Mushahid Hussain met him in Dera Bugti
to discuss Baluchistan issues.
Endeavours to inculcate enlightened moderation continued. Musharraf
urged all to promote true face of Islam. However, out of the two prongs of
his strategy, he could launch only one. Western Media left no opportunity to
distort the image of Islam and ridicule its followers.

THE BIASED WEST

Musharraf and Aziz congratulated Bush on his victory in elections.
Bush re-election is in Pakistans interest opined Kasuri. Pakistan will miss
Powell he said on secretarys resignation. The rulers in Pakistan were
generally happy on re-election of Bush. They reaffirmed their
commitment to root out extremism. Bush reciprocated by greeting
Pakistanis on Eid.
Fazl disagreed with the ruling elite and said, Bush election created
unrest among Muslims. There were others who emphasized on need for
caution. Dr Mubashir Hasan advised; time is right for Pakistan to review
its policies and try to emerge as a nation with humility, self-respect and
dignity among the comity of nations. The image of lackey of the United
States must be shed Pakistan must keep in mind that the US needs it more
than it needs the US. Will the scared rulers listen to him?
Farmhand Bookmark warned, it isnave to assume that Pakistans

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relationship with the United States over the next four years would continue
in the same direction as the past four years. He visualized that Pakistan
would be under pressure on various counts, i.e. evolution of stable
democratic civilian rule; purging of maracas which are considered bastions
of militancy; and nuclear proliferation.
The rulers can have high hopes for being rewarded for their services
to war on terror but the must not misread the mind-set of the Whiteman.
Newsweek dated 22nd November published an article with sole aim of
maligning Islam. Amstar Abbasid commented on this article the day the
government ordered its confiscation.
A story by Stryker Maguire written under caption of Clash of
Civilizations was published along with a nude picture of a girl with bare
back having Quantico inscriptions written on her nude body. The writer
asked, whats wrong with this picture?
Amstar urged to see the picture to get the prompt answer as to who
creates gulf between Muslims and the West and as to why Muslims hate the
West and the Western Media. He was asking those who preach enlightened
moderation to take note of the second prong of their strategy.
This picture was taken from the Dutch filmmakers documentary. The
Dutch was killed by a Muslim. Ansar wrote, the western champions of the
freedom of expression expect from the Muslims to tolerate such an attack on
their faith politely and smilingly. It would be nave to believe that they are
not aware of the sensitivities of faith.
Newsweek is not an ordinary publication on current affairs. It has
circulation the world over. The magazine authorities have deliberately tried
to carry the message of Dutch filmmaker the world over. The governments
in many Muslim countries, particularly Pakistan, confiscate ordinary handbills propagating hatred against America and arrest the distributors, but
they were helpless in this case of deliberately spreading hatred.
Abbasi added, its not the freedom of expression; its the bid to ignite
the feelings of the Muslims. Musharraf might be a staunch believer of
enlightened moderation, but after publication of this article he has no
justification in blaming Muslims for intolerance. The so-called civilized
people are not only the most intolerant community of the world but also
ever-ready to hurt the feelings of other people. History is littered with
excesses committed by them against other peoples.
Pakistan may be their partner but for them the Pakistanis remain far

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from being trustworthy. The explosion in Marriot Hotel could be quoted to

explain the extent of trust they have even in ruling elite of Pakistan. That
incident became a point of contention between Islamabad and Washington
simply because three foreigners were injured. Pakistan denied bomb blast
but US said it was not due to short circuiting. They made an issue of a nonissue.
The treatment meted out to Pakistanis abroad is a proof in the context.
Since 9/11 America has deported over 70,000 Pakistanis. Deportation is
much milder action as compared to arrests and in some cases killing them
simply for being Pakistanis.
This attitude has encouraged even Muslim countries to round up and
deport illegal Pakistanis. Till end of October only UAE had deported
31,668 Pakis. In last five weeks Iran deported 139 illegal Pakistanis and
arrested 78 more for similar action. Oman outscored all by deporting about
3,000 in the month of November alone.
The bias in the context of India and Pakistan was too glaring. While
Pakistan was pressed hard to do more and more in fight against terror at
tactical level, India was recognized as strategic partner by EU. Manmohan
hailed the decision. On the other hand World Bank advised Pakistan to
increase trade with India to reduce tensions.
American Company Bell wanted to sell 100 helicopters to India. Sixty
of which will be sold direct and the remaining will be manufactured by
Hindustan Aeronautic Company. India and Israel held wide-ranging talks on
17th November and again discussed defence and terrorism on 2 nd December.
Russia planned to expand role in Indian missile project. Such cooperation by
China, Korea or any other country with any Islamic State would have been
vehemently opposed by the West.
Pakistan has been seeking the help to resolve Kashmir dispute. On 5 th
November Musharraf again urged (begged) Bush to help resolve the conflict.
It was hoped that Kashmir would figure during Armitages visit to South
Asia, but he came, found Musharrafs proposal on Kashmir interesting and
went back.
The West has generally supported Indias bid for permanent member
of UNSC. Pakistan has tried to counter this damaging move by going round
the world. Argentina and Pakistan called for increase in non-permanent
members. China supported expansion by increasing representation of
developing countries. But these counter-moves may not be adequate to
forestall the inevitable.
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In the context of Afghanistan America kept Osama lurking around

Pak-Afghan border for obvious motive. It was to give strength to
Musharrafs resolve to fight against terror. This has been happening when
the two men, who thought Pakistan as part of the solution of terror related
problems, were around. Both of them, Powell and Armitage, have left, but
the two who think Pakistan is part of the problem were staying on. That
makes the prospects for future quite bleak.
The Crusaders remained focused on Iran to check proliferation of
nuclear weapons. The problem was tackled through EU as Iran was not
willing to hold talks with America. Khatami had ruled out negotiations with
Washington. Astonishingly he was under the impression that the Crusaders
of America and Europe had different agendas.
As EU considered concession to Iran, Iranian Parliament Okayed bill
on uranium enrichment to put some pressure. Iran and EU held talks during
first week of November while European leaders offered trade pact if
agreement is reached.
Iran and EU failed to strike nuclear deal, but agreed to continue talks.
In view of the Iranian response on enrichment and continuation of talks
IAEA put off its report. On 16th November Iran agreed to suspend uranium
enrichment in deal with Britain, France and Germany in exchange of
incentives and objective guarantee for not making nuclear weapons.
The very next day Khatami warned EU to respect its commitment. He
said that enrichment suspension was subject to progress in talks with EU.
Iran announced freeze of uranium enrichment with effect from 22 nd
November and IAEA was to verify Iranian suspension by 25th November.
Straw discussed nuclear freeze with Kharazi on and IAEA said that
Iran was yet to meet nuclear freeze pledge. By 26 th November deal on
Iranian nuclear fuel freeze came close to be struck as Tehran dropped
demand of exemption of 20 centrifuges for research purposes.
EU warned Iran on break off nuclear talks on 27th November and the
very next day Iran agreed to full freeze of uranium enrichment. IAEA
endorsed Irans nuclear freeze. EU hailed new chapter in relations with
Iran. However, Khamenei issued a face saving statement; Tehran never to
stop programme.
During negotiations European countries deliberately down-played the
possibility of American military action against Iran; Straw said, US attack
on Iran is unconceivable and war is not an option against Iran said

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Germany. Bush pressed for verification of Iranian claims.

A day before the deal Abizaid warned Iran not to under estimate
incredible US air and naval power. Iran should not be misled that US
forces were too tied down in Iraq. He indirectly threatened missile and air
strikes. On the day of deal Sharon called for stronger action against Tehrans
nuclear programme.
Hans B Bremer observed, the net around Iran is tightening, just look
at the map. And the most likely scenario for any military action would seem
to be not a ground invasion because on this front the Americans are certainly
overstretched with Iraq and Afghanistan. He too indicated air strike. Bush
confirmed his views by saying that Iran freeze was not the final step and
also rejected Iranian victory claim. Irans case was quite similar to post-Gulf
War Saddams Iraq. A decade latter Iraq was accused of possessing the
forbidden bomb.
For the Crusaders Iranian Atom Bomb is no different from the
Pakistani bomb, except that former is yet to be reality and the latter already
existed. Pakistan was conscious of this fact and that was why Prime Minister
said, Pakistan was ready to share nuclear information.
Munir tried to assure that Pakistani nukes cannot fall in wrong
hands. But Australia warned terrorists were trying to get nukes. From
where they could get those; was too obvious. Pakistan also denied that Khan
shifted uranium to Iran and only three days later CIA was reported accusing
Dr Khans network of aiding Irans nuclear plan. Pakistan remained on the
hook to be pulled at appropriate time.
The moves favourable to Pakistan were quite few. By first week of
November US troops vacated Jacobabad air base; last of the four used for
Afghan War. This did not qualify to be a favour as American had established
their foot-hold in the conquered country quite firmly.
Armitage visited Islamabad and met Musharraf, Shaukat, Kasuri and
Khokhar. He termed ties with Pakistan a high priority. This too was a
generalized statement. However, Musharraf availed the opportunity to
request for congressional support for Pakistan exports to US.
On 17th November Pentagon unveiled arms deals with Pakistan. It
notified Congress on three deals; eight P-3C Orion aircraft, 2,000 TOW-2A
missiles, and six PHALANX rapid fire 20-milimeter guns for ships. India
promptly criticized the arms sale to Pakistan. Washington and Islamabad
defended arms sales. Two weeks later Abizaid visited Islamabad during

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which Shaukat thanked him for meeting Pakistans defence needs.

In last week of November Musharraf proceeded on foreign tour of
some countries, including America. Like every trip to Washington in the
past, this too revived the hopes in some quarters about F-16s. Like kids they
took F-16s as lollypops which Uncle Sam would give them.
The most valuable favour related to Musharrafs uniform, but this had
nothing to do with Pakistan. This has been covered in previous articles, but it
remained alive during the period. A PML-Q Senator said that the Prophet
(PBUH) and Caliphs also held dual office. His reference to Islamic history
resulted in uproar in the House. Nobody pointed out that they never fought a
war alongside or on orders of the Crusaders.
Senate passed dual-office bill on 1st November. S M Zafar distanced
himself from the approval of the bill and asked Musharraf to honour
commitment on uniform. Lawyers rejected the bill. MMA announced protest
rallies schedule against president in uniform and vowed to resist foreign
interference in making governments in Pakistan.
On 28th November Uniform bill was sent to Soomro for approval, the
day MMA kicked off anti-government campaign and Qazi set December 19
deadline for Musharraf to doff uniform. Oppositions protest rally was termed
a flop show by Rashid. On 30th November the Acting President Soomro
signed the bill.
Irrespective of the justifications given for retaining a president in
uniform, the bill was betrayal of the agreement reached with MMA. Zafar
should have resigned instead of distancing himself as he was the one who
facilitated the agreement with MMA. He must be regretting the exploitation
of his patriotism and sincerity by someone for his personal interest. The bill
supported Indian contention that Musharraf couldnt be trusted.
McKinnon praised democracy in Pakistan, lamented Musharrafs bid
to retain COAS post and yet approved it quietly. Barrister Baachaa in his
letter to the News commented on the issue. General Musharrafs uniform
has come to symbolize the American might in this regionas long as the
bogey of war against terror is kept alive and, as a necessary consequence,
as long as the American and their frequent incursion at will into Pakistan is
considered necessary the uniform will adorn General Musharrafs person
and persona.

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CONCLUSION
Musharrafs attempt at initiating a debate to explore options for
solution of Kashmir dispute was termed as bold step. Qazi, however, saw no
bravery in acting to the wishes of the enemy. Whatever it may be called, a
shift from a fifty-year old stated would definitely have negative effects.
The intended goals of military operation in South Waziristan have
been achieved by and large. The situation now demanded to take some steps
for healing touch and Pakistan planned partial pull out of troops. But the
Crusaders disapproved and Troops stayed on.
The Politicians of ruling coalition supported Musharrafs decision to
retain the office on COAS by arguing that the Prophet (PBUH) and his
Caliphs had also held dual offices. His endeavour to strike a peace deal with
India was equated with Sulah Huddaibiyah during Qazis appearance on
PTV. These were very foolish attempts to exploit the religion for which the
rulers have often criticized the Mullas. No Mulla had ever resorted to such
cheap exploitation.
Re-election of Bush for the second term has been to the liking of the
rulers in Pakistan. In view of the services rendered in war on terror, the
Government of Pakistan rightly expected handsome rewards. However, the
realization of such rewards may fall well short of the expectations.
4th December 2004

PUSHING FOR POLLS

Rumsfeld admitted failure to foresee insurgency in Iraq. He was
506

referring to intensity of the resistance put up by the Sunnis of central Iraq.

The ferocity of resistance could be judged from the statement of a doctor of
Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, who told that the hospital
treated 17,878 US soldiers from Iraq and 3,085 from Afghanistan up to 27 th
November. There must have been many who were not sent to this hospital.
He accepted only a few mistakes out of the many committed in
imposing an illegal war on Iraq, despite that he was retained as Defence
Secretary. His only credential to continue as boss of the Pentagon was his
ruthlessness in conducting the Crusades. Bush repeatedly commended his
performance in this context.
The world in general opted to remain silent spectator to continuous
destruction of a nation that had nothing to do with international terrorism
before the last years invasion of their country. This apathy has allowed the
invaders to consolidate illegal occupation of Iraq.
Democratization of Iraq by holding polls in January was identified as
priority-one task to legitimize the rule through the puppets. America insisted
that polls must not be delayed. Blair came out with argument that vast
majority of Iraqis wanted free polls. Bush and Yawar vowed to hold
elections in January.
There was no doubt that Kurds wanted elections as a step towards
achieving autonomy through peaceful means and Shia political leadership
has been convinced about the advantages of the elections. Common Iraqi,
however, was not much excited about polls. According to Reuters only one
third of Iraqis were aware of the purpose of January elections, i.e. to elect
National Assembly. With this kind of awareness America was bent upon
thrusting democracy down the throat of Iraqis.
On the sidelines of Iraq War Sharon provided no let to the Palestinians
engrossed in electing new leadership after the demise of Arafat. America,
however, wanted Palestinian elections hoping that new leadership might give
up Intifada. Powell succeeded in winning Israeli pledge on Palestine vote.
Straw also pledged British support.

FIGHTING
The fighting in Iraq raged unabated. Dr Muzaffar Iqbal wrote; today,
Iraq is a nation bleeding to death. The violence continues at a scale that is
simply appalling. There is hardly a day when scores of deaths are not
reported in the media and what is not reported is far more than what is
reported. The reported side of the war during last six weeks is enumerated
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below.
US soldiers stormed Abu Hanifa mosque in Baghdad after Friday
prayers on 19th November killing at least three people, wounding five and
arresting 40 others. Iraqi authorities claimed arresting 104 suspected
insurgents including nine who had escaped from Fallujah. In Haditha
militants blew up mayors office. In car bombs in Baghdad, Mosul and
Kirkuk at least four people were killed. In another raid on hospital in Mosul
three persons were arrested. In Fallujah one US and one Iraqi soldier were
killed by insurgents. A police officer was killed in Muqdadiya.
In Baghdad four government employees were gunned down on 20 th
November. An American soldier was killed and nine wounded in attack on a
patrol. One policeman was killed and another wounded in attack on police
headquarters. One person was killed in suicide attack in the centre of the city
when the bomber failed in targeting a convoy. US forces found nine dead
bodies in Mosul. In Ramadi nine persons were killed and five wounded in
clashes. In Baquba fighters killed a police colonel and his driver and
wounded two others.
On 21st November six people were killed and about a dozen wounded
in Ramadi. In Balad an Iraqi contractor was shot dead. Three more dead
bodies were found in Mosul. Allawis cousin, last of his relatives kidnapped
earlier, was released.
One US soldier was killed in attack in southwest Baghdad on 22 nd
November. Two foreign civilians were arrested in gunfight in which one
guardsman was killed. In Mosul a Sunni cleric was killed by masked men. In
Hawija two fighters were killed in a clash. Ex-Mosul police chief was held
for deliberately allowing fighters to take over police stations.
On 23rd November US and Iraqi forces launched a massive raid in
triangle of death and arrested 32 suspected insurgents. Another Sunni cleric
was gunned down by unknown gunmen north of Baghdad. Next day five
dead bodies were found near Mosul. Deputy Governors convoy came under
fire killing one bodyguard and injuring two. A convoy was ambushed killing
three and wounding nine. Two persons were injured in car bomb on airport
road in Baghdad. A taxi car was ambushed south of Baghdad carrying
National Guards. In Kirkuk one guardsman and a civilian were killed.
US official was gunned down in Baghdad by insurgents on 25 th
November. Two people were killed and 13 wounded in two car bombings in
Samarra. British troops joined anti-rebel raids and detained 80 Iraqis near
Baghdad. Five Arab fighters who had escaped from Fallujah were arrested
508

near Basra.
Four Nepalese were killed and 12 wounded in mortar fire in central
Baghdad on 26th November. In Fallujah two Marines were killed and three
others wounded when they came under fire during house-to-house search. In
Mosul 15 more dead bodies were found in and around the city. In Kirkuk a
policeman was shot dead and three others wounded. In Samarra a man
having links to US military was killed.
A US soldier was killed in roadside bomb in Duluiyah on 27 th
November. Three people were killed and about a dozen wounded in three
blasts in Baghdad. In Baquba three bodyguards of a deputy governor were
killed in a clash. Seventeen more dead bodies were found in Mosul.
On 28th November three US soldiers were killed in clashes in Anbar
province. Five civilians were killed and four wounded in car bomb attack in
Samarra. Car bomb attack on airport road in Baghdad wounded two US
soldiers and damaged two Humvees. A senior Iraqi official along with his
two bodyguards was also injured. Two officers and a woman were injured in
mortar fire in Baquba.
On 29th November a suicide car bomber killed 12 and wounded ten
policemen waiting to collect their salary in Ramadi. Two US soldiers were
killed and three wounded in Baghdad in roadside bomb. Another US soldier
was killed and two more injured in road accident southeast of Baghdad. In
Samarra gunmen stormed a police station and looted arms and ammunition.
One US soldier was killed in a roadside bomb north of Baghdad on
30 November. A car bomb targeting US patrol killed seven Iraqis and
wounded 18 in Baiji. Another attack targeted a US tank and wounded a
soldier, yet another attack destroyed a military vehicle in Baghdad. Next
day four guardsmen were killed and two wounded in Samarra in an attack by
the insurgents. Two persons were killed in roadside bomb in Duluiyah.
Troops arrested 210 suspected militants in week-long crackdown in area of
the triangle of death. Car bomber struck checkpoint in Iskandariyah killing
one.
th

One US soldiers and two Iraqi commandos were killed in attack on a

patrol in Mosul on 2nd December. One US soldier was killed in accident in
western Baghdad. An Iraqi colonel and two of his guards were killed near
Baquba. In city two officials were killed by gunmen and a captain died in car
bomb attack. Two persons were killed and two wounded by fighters in
Diyala. A woman official was kidnapped in Baiji. A doctor was wounded in
Hilla. One captain was killed near Kabala. One person was killed and 11
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wounded in mortar attack in Baghdad. Fourteen dead bodies were

discovered in Mosul.
On 3rd December gunmen shelled a police station near the road to
Baghdad Airport and then stormed it, killing 16 policemen, looting weapons,
releasing detainees and torching vehicles. Several policemen and detainees
were also wounded. A car bomb in Azamiyah in front of a Shia mosque
killed 14 people and wounded 19 others. Two councilmen were killed and
another wounded in an ambush in Khalis. A US soldier was killed and two
wounded in roadside bomb in Kirkuk. In Mosul gunmen killed one
policeman and injured two in attack on two police stations and in return fire
11 attackers were killed and three captured.
Two US soldiers were killed in car bomb attack near Jordanian border
on 4 December. Two more US soldiers were killed in roadside bomb in
Baghdad. North of the city six people were wounded. Simultaneous suicide
bombings in Baghdad killed seven and wounded 59 others. In Mosul a car
bomb killed seven and wounded three Kurd militiamen. Four more dead
bodies were found. US troops killed an Iraqi who did not slow down at a
checkpoint in Kirkuk. Dohuk governor escaped attempt on his life.
Seventeen people were killed and 13 wounded in clashes in Tikrit.
th

On 5th December fighters shot dead 17 Iraqis working for US forces

and wounded 13 in Tikrit. In Baiji a car bomber attacked National Guards
convoy killing the commander and three others. Two National Guards were
killed and four wounded in Latifiyah. Two US soldiers were killed and four
wounded in an attack in Mosul.
On 6th December fighters killed a man in Baghdad working for the
Americans. In Haditha three fighters were killed and four wounded in
clashes. Three US soldiers were killed in Fallujah and Ramadi. Two more
were killed elsewhere in Anbar province. US claimed arresting 14 car bomb
makers in northern Iraq.
Two churches were bombed by gunmen in Mosul on 7 th December.
Attackers got the churches vacated before blowing them off. One US soldier
was killed in Baghdad. Four National Guards were killed in two incidents in
the Capital and south of it.
On 8th December car bomber hit a US check point in Ramadi and
unspecified number of persons was killed in clashes. In Samarra six people
were killed. In Baghdad two US soldiers were wounded when car bomber
attacked a convoy and dead body of a National Guard soldier was found.
Next day two Iraqis were injured in car bomb in Mosul. Three civilians were
510

killed and five wounded in mortar fire in Baghdad.

On 10th December one Marine was killed in an operation in Anbar
province. Two US soldiers died and four were wounded in Mosul when an
Apache crashed into a Black Hawk on ground. Bodies of two slain
policemen were found. Fighters attacked National Guards patrols with
roadside bombs in Tikrit and Baquba wounding 13, including four civilians.
Two attackers were killed when a mortar shell exploded prematurely in
Baghdad. Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan hostages were freed.
Masked men killed seven people in series of attacks in triangle of
death on 11th December. Three Iraqi senior police officers were killed and
six wounded in town of al-Shargat and one more was killed and three
wounded in the same area later in the day. A US soldier was killed in
operation in Anbar province. Fighting erupted in Fallujah and one Marine
was killed. Thirty Iraqis were held in Baquba after attacks.
Fighters attacked National Guards men in Baghdad on 12th December.
One US soldier was killed and three wounded by roadside bomb in suburbs
of the Capital. Four dead bodies were found south of the city. Occupation
forces arrested about fifty Iraqis north of the city. Seven Marines were killed
in two separate operations in Anbar province. Fourteen soldiers were
wounded in various incidents in Mosul. Two car bombers were killed in an
attempt to blow off a US tank in Tikrit. One security guard was killed in
Kirkuk. Gunmen abducted Iraqi oil executive.
On 13th December a car bomber killed 13 and wounded 15 outside
Green Zone in Baghdad. One US soldier was killed and another injured in
accident north of the city. In Tarmiyah a car bomb wrecked two Humvees
and wounded three US soldiers. In Mishahda gunmen killed three National
Guards and wounded three others. Twenty-one Iraqis were killed in bus
accident in Jalula, near Baquba.
A suicide bomber killed seven people and wounded 13 others in
Green Zone on 14th December. Two Marines were killed, but details were
withheld. An aide to Zarqawi was killed and two others captured. Fourteen
more dead bodies were found in Mosul
On 15th December seven people were killed and 32 wounded in bomb
blast in Karbala. A US soldier was killed in attack on a convoy south of
Baghdad and a Marine was killed in Anbar province. Three Polish soldiers
were killed and four wounded in helicopter accident. Four policemen were
killed, 20 injured and 13 were missing after an attack on a convoy south of
the Capital. In Mosul two police stations were attacked and looted.
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Fighters killed five people, including three policemen and telecom

chief, in Baghdad on 16th December. In another incident a SUV was
damaged and three persons including a foreigner were injured. Three
National Guards men were killed and six others wounded in roadside bomb
blast. Italian hostage was executed. Two dead bodies were found south of
Baghdad.
On 17th December masked men killed four people in Mosul; one of
them was suspected to be a foreigner. In Baghdad a rocket propelled grenade
was fired into building housing Australian security unit. US and Iraqi forces
detained two Egyptians.
Two people were killed in mortar fire in Dujail on 18 th December. Two
dead bodies were found in Baiji. On National Guard was killed and three
wounded near Kirkuk. An Iraqi woman was killed and two men injured by
US troops when their car failed to stop at a checkpoint. In Mosul a civilian
was killed and eight wounded in crossfire. In bomb attack on a patrol a
student was killed and six others wounded. Five Turkish guards and two
drivers were killed near Mosul and US forces claimed killing two of the
attackers.
On 19th December 48 people were killed and 90 wounded in car blast
near Imam Ali Mausoleum in Najaf. In another car blast at a bus stand in
Karbala 14 persons were killed and 57 wounded. In Baghdad three election
workers were shot dead by gunmen. Mortar fire on a Sunni mosque
wounded four guards. One police officer was killed in clash near Basra. Four
Kurds were killed by gunmen in Hawaija. Iraqi forces detained 45 people for
illegal entry from Iran.
On 20th December two members of a political party headed by
Saddams military intelligence chief were killed by gunmen in Samarra.
Four men, including three foreigners, were killed in an ambush south of the
city. Three Iraqis were killed elsewhere. A driver was killed near the town of
Yethrub as he left the US base. A translator working for US troops was also
shot dead. Police detained 51 suspects over Najaf bombing.
Suicide bomber attacked US military base mess at lunch time in
Mosul on 21st December. Twenty-four persons, including 19 US soldiers
were killed and more than 60 including 42 US soldiers wounded. This was
the most successful attack since occupation of Iraq. In Hit six people were
killed and ten wounded in air strike. Two dead bodies were found in
Latifiyah. In Baquba unidentified assailants shot dead a scientist. Oil
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pipelines to Turkey were set ablaze near Kirkuk. Two French hostages were
released by the captors.
A car bomber rammed into a checkpoint in Latifiyah on 22 nd
December killing nine people and injuring 13 others. In Najaf one suspected
fighter and a policeman were killed in a raid and four suspects were
detained. In Mahmudiya a car bomb left unspecified number of people dead
and wounded.
On 23rd December three Marines were killed in action in Fallujah and
in retaliation fighter jets bombed the city. One US soldier was killed and two
wounded in roadside bomb in Baghdad. Three Iraqis were killed and three
wounded in mortar fire on a mosque. One policeman was killed and another
wounded in attack on police station. In Baquba a policeman was shot dead.
In Tikrit a tribal chief was gunned down and a National Guard was killed
and two wounded in roadside bomb. In triangle of death 44 suspected
insurgents were arrested. Police chief in Ramadi resigned after fighters tried
to kill him.
On 24th December two people were killed in explosion near Jordanian
and Libyan embassies. In Ramadi gunmen attacked and blew up office of the
mayor and a police station and in retaliation US troops shelled northern
Ramadi. In Baquba two police stations were attacked in which three people
were killed. A councilor was killed northwest of Baghdad. In Duluiya an
Iraqi was killed and four others wounded. One boy was killed and three
people wounded on Road Samarra-Tikrit.
A car bomb killed five people between Najaf and Karbala on 25 th
December while a professor, a councilor and two other persons were killed
in separate incidents. US troops killed a Sunni Muslim cleric in Baghdad.
Governor of Diyalia escaped attempt on his life with roadside bomb. Twelve
more dead bodies were dug out from the site of blast near Jordanian
Embassy. Car bomb was thwarted in Mosul and 34 suspects were arrested.
Turkish businessman and a worker were kidnapped.
On 26th December four Iraqi National Guards were killed in clash in
Samarra. In Ramadi five people were shot dead by the fighters. Seven
members of a family were killed in bomb blast in Karbala. A politician
critical of Syria, a civil defence officer and one of the assailants were killed
in Baghdad. High-ranking police officer was also killed in the city. In Baiji a
father and his on and a Turk driver were killed.

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Suicide car bomber attacked headquarters of al-Hakim and killed 15

people and wounded many on 27th December. Head of SCIRI escaped. One
US soldier was killed and another wounded in roadside bomb in Samarra. In
Siniya four persons were killed and five wounded when fighters tried to
attack US base with mortar fire. Four people were killed in clash between
fighters and US forces in Baiji. Dead body of a US contractor was found in
Mosul.
On 28th December gunmen attacked a police station and killed 12
policemen and then dynamited the building in Dijla. Three policemen were
killed in attack on a checkpoint in Tikrit. Four policemen and a National
Guards man were killed south of Samarra and three guardsmen and three
civilians were killed in car bomb attack on a convoy. In Baquba six
guardsmen were killed in suicide car bomb attack. Two policemen were
killed in al-Shurqat and an interpreter working with US troops was killed in
separate incident and a businessman was kidnapped. Roadside bomb killed a
civilian and wounded another in Baiji. Three Iraqi businessmen working
with US were killed at Suleman Beg. In Baghdad six people were wounded
in suicide car bomb attack on convoy of National Guards General. One
policeman was killed in Balad.
On 29th December the fighters lured in police to search a suspected
house rigged with explosives in Baghdad and thirty-one people including six
policemen were killed and 25 wounded in explosion. Four policemen were
missing. Five National Guards were killed and 20 others wounded in an
ambush west of the city. In Mosul clashes broke out after two car bomb
attacks in which 25 suspected fighters were killed and 15 Coalition soldiers
wounded. A US sailor was killed in Anbar province. Next day two Lebanese
businessmen were kidnapped.

OTHER ASPECTS OF WAR

Occupation forces decided to remain on the offensive, after the fall of
Fallujah, particularly in the triangle of death. They wanted to keep the
Sunni insurgents on the run lest they established another stronghold. In
doing so they did not spare even the places demanding respect on religious
or humanitarian grounds.
The justifications were carved out by accusing rebels of using
hospitals to attack occupation forces, though hospital authorities rejected the
accusation. In Mosul hundreds of students demonstrated in the centre of the

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city, demanding that US troops should cease breaking into homes and
mosques.
Western news agencies remained committed to helping the Crusaders
in this context. These kept talking of winning hearts and minds of Iraqis
while distorting incidents of naked aggression of the occupation forces to
defame the insurgents. Two reports are worth quoting. In one report an
agency criticized Arab channels for frequent airing of recent killing of
unarmed Iraqi in Fallujah mosque terming it negative stereotype.
Adnan used her body to shield her three children traveling in the back
seat of her car. Her husband and three children survived. She was mortally
wounded in the incident that occurred on 9th November. Thats what
Americans do, isnt that so? said her husband Taha, who had seen four
American soldiers firing in the cars direction. They do this all the time in
Iraq he added. The Associated Press shamelessly tried to highlight
unnecessary exploitation of such incidents by Iraqis to fan anger and
insurgency against US forces despite the formal end to the occupation on
June 28.
Failure in finding the desired number of willing partners, forced
America to bank upon employing mercenaries through contractors and on
raising hastily assembled Iraqi forces to serve as gun fodder. During the
period Halliburton hired 25 Colombian mercenaries for providing security
for oil infrastructure in Iraq.
On 24th November 6,000 Iraqi Army recruits graduated. America
planned to train Iraqis to replace US troops in Fallujah. Abizaid, however,
acknowledged that the countries homegrown forces were not yet up to the
task of protecting the elections, which made a planned US troop increase
necessary. The reason was that neither the Iraqi forces were equipped
properly, nor trusted. The gun fodder needed no equipment and no trust.
Americans also did not ignore the usefulness of civil war to save
casualties of their troops and ensure annihilation of Iraqis. The confrontation
of police and National Guards with insurgents in itself qualified to be termed
as civil war. In addition the gunning down of clerics by unknown fighters
smacked of mischief. The possibility of employing the especially trained
Iraqi force in these murders by the occupation forces could not be ruled out.
The personnel of this force use face-masks during operations just like the
terrorists.
Neighbours were blamed for meddling in Iraq. Baathists are directing
insurgency in Iraq from Syria reported Washington Post. Another report
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said, European and Arab radicals were being trained in secret camps. Bush
warned Iran and Syria against meddling in Iraq. Both countries denied the
allegation.
Maintenance of morale of the Crusaders received special attention.
Rumsfeld visited troops in Kuwait about to be inducted in Iraq. Hoon went
to Basra for the same purpose. South Korean president also made surprise
visit to troops. After suicide bomb attack in mess Rumsfeld made secret visit
to Mosul and saw wounded soldiers in combat surgical hospital. He said that
the aim of his visit was to say Merry Christmas to soldiers and thank them.
However, AFP reported that according to psychologists US troops
were haunted by the sight of deaths and appalling injuries in Fallujah. No
news agency has ever reported the effects of horrors of war on Iraqis,
particularly on tender minds of the younger generation.
Efforts to cover up the war crimes committed by the Crusaders
continued. During the period one US soldier was jailed for three years for
murdering unarmed Iraqi. A British court ruled in favour of a bereaved Iraqi
family of hotel worker Baha Mousa, who died in custody of the best in the
world. The court, however, rejected five other similar petitions.
Despite best of efforts of Bush Administration and unprecedented
cooperation of the media in concealing as well as distorting the facts, the
war could not escape the criticism and obvious negative effects. In a poll
conducted to seek Americans view 46 percent said the cost of the war
outweighs the benefits and it is not worth it; 57 percent disapproved
handling of war by Bush; and 53 percent disapproved Rumsfelds handling.
US army historian criticized Iraq strategy of invading the country
without a formal plan for occupying and stabilizing. More people started
talking of peace than before. Pope once again urged peaceful solution to Iraq
crisis on Christmas Day.
The puppets remained unflinchingly faithful to the Crusaders. Iraqi
government warned that Islamic clerics who incite violence would be
considered as participating in terrorism. A number of them who spoke
against attack on Fallujah have already been arrested. They will be tried
vowed Allawi.
They repeated the assertions of the Crusaders like parrots. An Iraqi
minister came out with evidence on WMDs. He claimed finding a laboratory
in Fallujah for making chemical weapons, but Marines were not aware of
that. Americans were no more prepared to trust the sexed up evidence.

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Yawar warned that long-term instability in his country could give

birth to an Iraqi Hitler if citizens continued to feel humiliated and
despondent. He was trying to give evil touch to the insurgency. The puppets
rejoiced over the killings of insurgents. A Minister boasted that more than
two thousand people were killed in Fallujah and over 1,600 arrested.
The puppets sought neighbours help to crush militants. Yawar urged
neighbours to beak their negative silence about attacks in Iraq and play a
positive role in stabilizing the country. A minister went beyond that and
accused Iran of being most dangerous enemy and a source of terrorism.
Neighbours were told to stop meddling by Foreign Minister during his
visit to Beijing. Syria was specifically asked to stop movements of
insurgents across the border. Iraqi government also accused al-Jazeera of
promoting terrorists. All of them rejected the allegations.
The efforts to give holy touch to the unholy war by trying Saddam and
his captured companions for war crimes continued. Allawi announced that
the trial of some former leaders would begin soon. Chemical Ali was chosen
as the first criminal to be tried. The trials were to go ahead despite HRW
observation that Iraqs war crimes tribunal was flawed. The flawed trials
attracted former US attorney general and left-wing activist Ramsey Clark to
join the defence team of Saddam Hussein.
The allies lacked in their exuberance as compared to the puppets. Six
NATO countries refused to help America in Iraq. Germany slated NATO
members over not fulfilling promises of training Iraqis. A Catholic bishop in
UK slammed spending billions of dollars on Iraq War. The last Australian
aid agency suspended operations in Iraq. Putin termed Iraq an incubator of
terrorists that posed threat to the world. Musharraf agreed with him and said
that US invasion of Iraq has weakened global security. Shaukat too criticized
US over occupation of Iraq.
The Paris Club, however, agreed to waive 80 percent of Iraqi debt, but
laid out wide ranging conditions. Hungary, Italy, Slovakia and Japan stuck to
their commitments on troops in Iraq. NATO chief visited Baghdad to open
military academy.
The insurgents, despite the absence of outside help, remained resolute
in their endeavour to end occupation of Iraq. The case of Fallujah amply
demonstrated the resilience of the fighters. On 8th December the occupation
forces claimed that Fallujah was almost completely cleared of arms and
insurgents. The very next day Shaikh Abdullah, who battled US forces in
Fallujah, vowed to oust American troops.
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On 24th December fighting erupted in Fallujah after return of about

1,000 residents to the city. US employed fighter jets and tanks. Details of
casualties were withheld; as US only told that three Marines were killed on
23rd in Anbar province which includes the city of Fallujah. US commander
admitted under-estimating the strength of guerrilla backlash. They hole
themselves up in houses and they wait for the chance to kill an American.
The insurgents not only lacked the outside support but some quarters
were also working to stop their local support. An audiotape accused Ulema
of betrayal. Nevertheless, Osama declared Zarqawi his emir in Iraq. He
also termed all those who would take part in elections as infidels.
The insurgency, however, received some support through words of
mouth. An influential Muslim cleric in Dubai declared fighting US-led
forces a religious duty. International Association of Muslim Scholars held in
Lebanon said that the guerrillas in Iraq were waging a Jihad in selfdefence. A group of Sunni and Shiite Muslim clerics in Iraq supported
attacks on US forces. A rally was held against Fallujah assault in Indonesia
and a group vowed to send fighters to Iraq.
On the sidelines of the Iraq War perpetration of state terrorism against
Palestinians continued. Incidents of Israeli aggression and isolated
retaliatory actions of Palestinians during the period were as under:

On 21st November four Palestinians were killed in two shootouts.

Eight days later two Palestinians and an Israeli soldier were killed in
Gaza.

Four Palestinians and an Israeli soldier were killed in Gaza on 7 th

December.

On 12th December four Israelis were killed in tunnel blast. Israeli

secret service arrested five Palestinians over suicide bombing which
killed seven Israelis. Israeli tank fire on Khan Younis refugee camp
wounded five school children.

Hamas military chief was killed and three Israeli soldiers were
wounded in shootout in West Bank on 13th December.

On 16th December 11 Israeli soldiers were wounded in mortar fire near

Khan Younis. Next day Israeli forces killed seven Palestinians in raid
in Gaza.

Rocket fire injured two persons in Israel on 19 th December. Death toll

in Gaza raid reached eleven.

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On 22nd December four Palestinians and an Israeli were killed in

violence.

Two freedom fighters of Hamas were killed on 23 rd December while

preparing an explosive device and nine persons were wounded. In
Khan Younis a teenager Palestinian was killed by Israeli tank fire.

A senior member of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade was martyred on 25 th

December. Next day Israeli forces killed two Palestinians in Bureij
refugee camp.

On 27th December a local commander of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades

was killed in West Bank by Israeli Special Forces dressed in civilian
clothes.

Nine Palestinians were killed in Israeli ground and air attacks in Gaza
Strip on 30th December.

Sharon demanded end to constant poisonous incitement and

propaganda by the Palestinian. He saw historic chance for Middle East
peace provided Palestinian leadership abandoned violence. As a goodwill
gesture Israel freed 159 prisoners.
Abbas promptly responded and urged media to halt anti-Israel
incitement. Hamas and Islamic Jihad rejected Abbas call to lay down arms.
Palestinians generally rejected Sharons peace terms. One of the reasons of
the rejection was mentioned by Chris McGreal. Bulldozers were preparing
the ground for hundreds of new homes, despite the Israeli Governments
claim that it is not expanding Jewish settlements in the West Bank.
This forced Abbas to list some demands to Israel. He wanted end to
whole occupation, wanted a state on the lands of 1967 including Jerusalem.
He warned, the barrier will not bring security for Israel. At the same time
he again urged abandoning of Intifada; I believe that it is clear that military
solution is impossible. Like Musharraf, he too ruled out military option.
Palestinians remained busy for holding polls. Fatah nominated
Mahmud Abbas as its candidate to succeed the late Arafat. He vowed to
follow Arafat path. Al-Aqsa Brigades endorsed Abbas as their candidate.
Later on Hamas announced boycott of presidential vote, but would honour
the outcome. Islamic Jihad followed the suite. On 13 th December imprisoned
Barghouti withdrew from the race for PA president, which boosted chances
of Abbas victory. Ten days later Palestinians cast their votes in municipal
polls in which Hamas won some seats.

519

ELECTIONS
America saw elections in Iraq as an important move to consolidate the
occupation. By pushing for elections in extremely hostile environments,
America wanted to achieve its political aims, i.e. to have pro-US
government installed in Iraq. It saw no advantage in postponement of polls,
visualizing no improvement in security situation.
International moot held in Sharm El-Shiekh was aimed at mustering
support for political process in Iraq. We must all help in Iraqs political
transition said Powell. He was referring to the transition which started with
illegal invasion of Iraq and gained momentum with the destruction of
Fallujah. On 23rd December the moot supported polls in Iraq, despite what
happened to Fallujah a few days ago. The declaration, however, stressed UN
role in elections.
Iraq polls were difficult, but possible announced France. Ashraff
Qazi was hopeful of credible polls. Musharraf backed efforts to bring peace
by having national government and end peoples sufferings. Zaibari visited
Islamabad to discuss stability of Iraq and Shaukat desired early peace. Arab
League wanted national reconciliation before polls. Brahimi said, Iraq polls
cant be held amid violence.
The puppets fully supported American plans for polls. Allawi boasted
that ballot would prove far more powerful than bullet. As regards boycott
calls, these were ignored by saying that everyone was not expected to
participate in polls, yet it was hoped that main Sunni party would reconsider
its decision of boycotting.
On 21st November Electoral Commission fixed 30th January for polls
for which 56 parties had been approved for participation by then. On 2 nd
December Election Commission extended deadline to 15 th to give more time
to announce candidacy for polls. India offered to train Iraqi election
officials. America was to spend $ 86 million on democracy before polls.
By mid December 70 parties, 9 alliances and 6,400 candidates were
registered for elections. On 21st December the commission unfolded polling
day schedule. Votes will be cast from 7 am to 5 pm. Counting will be done in
polling stations. There were 7,200 candidates for 275 seats of an assembly
that will draft the constitution and 12 to 14 million voters were likely to cast
their votes. Voting will also be arranged in fourteen countries outside Iraq.
Anticipating that Sunnis were not likely to participate in elections US
proposed adjustment vote to accommodate Sunnis in case of low turnout.
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The proposal was rejected by Election Commission. Final decision,

however, has not been taken as yet.
Immediately after first formal announcement about elections during
last week of November leading political parties had wanted delay in
elections for six months. Election commission promised to consider the
request, but couldnt do so due to American pressure.
Request of 17 parties for postponement of elections was rejected. The
rejection came the day Bush had said that elections would be held as
scheduled. Sunnis remained united on postponement and protests were held
in this context, but Shias decided to participate in polls eyeing these as the
sure way to come into power.
All parties of Kurds agreed to form single list for elections. Shiite
parties also unveiled electoral alliance, but Sadr was excluded. Iran-linked
party led by Abdel Aziz al-Hakim topped the unified Iraqi list. Iran called for
massive turnout in polls. The call was obviously for the Shias.
Elections-related violence intensified. Three groups warned against
participating in polls in a joint statement. US warned of more violence ahead
of 30th January. America decided to boost troops presence in Iraq. Force
level was to be raised to 150,000 from 138,000. Similar action was taken
during last spring when 20,000 troops were inducted before hand over of
sovereignty.
US spokesman said, as we move forward in helping the Iraqi people
build a free, democratic future, the enemies of freedom will seek to derail
that transition. Its important that we continue to go after the Saddam
loyalists and the terrorists who want to turn back to the past. They will be
defeated, they are being defeated.
US and Iraqi governments chalked out plan to prevent violence during
polls. Both were confident as reflected from the statement of Brig General
Lessel. Elections could be held today in 16 out of the 18 provinces, the two
in question are Nineveh and al-Anbar. As US commander tried hard to make
polling booths safe, Tehran conference of interior ministers called for unity
in Iraq and greater cooperation against insurgents. The conference was
attended by Iran, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Syria, Turkey, Jordan and Egypt.
Some Shia leaders were targeted in elections-related violence. Shia
leaders vowed not to be provoked by bombs and rejected accusations that
they wanted to install an Iranian-style Shiite theocracy. Mohammad Bahr
al-Uloum, Shia cleric said, they are trying to ignite a sectarian civil war and

521

prevent elections from going ahead on time. They have failed before and
they will fail again.
Blair made a surprise trip to Iraq and said, I think that everyone
understands there will be violence that will continue even after the election.
Powell said, uprising in Iraq will not end as guerrillas are determined to
derail the countrys democratic transition. The fact that the resistance was
restricted to Sunni areas was encouraging for the occupation forces to go
ahead with their plan of polls ensuring elimination of Baathists.
US plan to go ahead with elections amidst violence was widely
criticized. The News wrote, according to the common Iraqi the objective of
holding elections in the recent situation seems to be nothing more than
giving those people who have been brought from abroad on government
positions a legal and democratic entity.
Michael Jansen said the same in more detail. Washington has not
constructed the countrys shattered infrastructure. Iraqis still suffer from
electricity cuts, lack of potable water, disrupted phone services and
inadequate healthcare. The Bush Administration has not been able to repress
the rebellion. Thousands of Iraqis have died in attacks on police stations, US
bases and government offices and more than $ 7 billion in oil income has
been lost due to sabotage.
He added that with complete disregard to the suffering humanity,
Bush wanted elections to democratize a nation. The January poll is essential
to the US because the Temporary National Assembly will have the
legitimacy of being created by a popular consultation, however flawed. So
far legitimacy has evaded Washington. Without obtaining this mysterious
quality called legitimacy, Bush has no real standing in Iraq and remains,
simply, an illegal occupier.
Shireen M Mazari identified the reasons as to why US was so keen for
elections in January. If the results are not to US liking, they can reject them
on grounds that they were flawed and there was a low Sunni turnout
Having held and then rejected the elections, the US could then buy time to
try and mould Iraq into what it perceives should be the political structure
The flawed elections theme, or the Shia success and low Sunni
turnout could be used as a pretext for affecting a division of Iraq an idea
that is not new The manner in which the Shias have called the US bluff on
elections has led some to suggest that elections be staggered the pretext
being law and order. This would allow greater scope for electoral
manipulation she added.
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Dr Farrukh Saleem talked about Iran-US deal. Initially, Khameini

and Bush also saw a common enemy in Saddam. In return for Khameinis
help in keeping Iraqi Shiites from rising against American occupation, Bush
agreed with Iran to allow Iraqi Shiites to dominate any future Iraqi
government. As part of the deal, Iran had also agreed to stop enriching
uranium. Bush smelling success in the Sunni Tribal now seems to be
backing out of his deal with Iran.
Mansoor Jafar opined that Arabs were already prepared to surrender
before Washington for fear of victimization and mounting pressure for the
democratic reforms in the Arab World, which Washington has been
demanding for some time. He anticipated, elections under the present
circumstances will further disintegrate Iraq instead of strengthening the
national fabric and bringing solidarity.
Every endeavour has been aimed to seek legitimacy for illegal
invasion and occupation of Iraq. Puppets were installed for this purpose
during transfer of power and now elections would be held to give legitimacy
to the puppets. End to violence or restoration of peace has never been the
aim. But after illegal invasion all actions that follow will remain illegal, no
matter what name these bear.
About backing out of deal with Iran mentioned by Dr Farrukh Saleem
it fell into the art of exploiting differences in the Ummah. No deal has ever
outweighed American interests. US will ensure that their men win the
majority in polls. They were determined to stay in the conquered land.
Naomi Klein dwelled on this point while writing in the Guardian.
The plan to prevent anarchy by holding elections is designed to spark a civil
war, which suits to justify an ongoing presence of US troops. He suggested
that the Pottery Barn rule of you break it, you own it be applied in Iraq.

CONCLUSION
Destruction of Iraq was likely to continue even after elections as
brought out by Naomi Klein. These are the attractions for US not to fix Iraq
after having broken it. In this context he mentioned Bremers contribution
and Paris Clubs decision.
Bremer had been rewarded with presidential medal for systematically
steeling jobs from needy Iraqis and handing them to foreign firms, sending
the unemployment rate soaring to 67 percent. Paris Club laid out three-year
plan to write off 80% debt once IMF austerity programme through
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privatization to foreigners would lay off 145,000 Iraqi workers.

Anti war movements have ignored these facts. These movements have
not gone beyond demanding pullout. He urged that the world to ask US to
pay for breaking a country and then leave. His suggestion was too logical for
the Yankees to accept.
Muslim countries have already shunned all military options to earn
good conduct certificate from White House. Although illegality of the
Crusaders acts warranted their support to Iraqi resistance, yet none of them
has dared to act beyond seeking stability and peace for Iraq, of course in
accordance with US plans.
30th December 2004

THIRD PARTY THREAT

Pakistan agreed to spare Rupees 2.5 billion to upgrade the existing rail
track to broad gauge from Khokhrapar to inland. Senate supported
restoration of Khokhrapar-Monabao rail link. This showed how keen
Pakistan was to promote people to people contact between the province of
Sind and India. It merited priority as Sind, 57 years after the partition of the
Subcontinent, still remained part of Indian National Anthem.
To date Pakistan and India had exchanged about one hundred CBMs,
yet the glaringly illegal actions of fencing the Line of Control and
construction of Baglihar Dam remained unresolved. Pakistan was
constrained to consider a deadline and referring the issue of Baglihar to
World Bank. This exposed the uselessness of bilateral dialogue with India,
despite the fact that Pakistans learned Foreign Ministers ability to see
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positive change in Indian policy.

During first week of December Musharraf declared Osama trail going
cold. A week later Karzai said, Osama is definitely in the region. US Media
continued indulging in fantasies on Osama. At the end of the month leaflets
offering reward for Osamas capture were airdropped in Nangarhar province
bordering Pakistan. The fantasies were necessary to keep the partner on toes
for doing more.
Apart from tsunami there has been one more Pakistan specific
catastrophic event during the period. Musharraf accused MMA of violating
the agreement and thus decided to retain the office of the COAS in addition
to the presidency.

PEACE PROCESS
Confidence building measures have been termed as prerequisite for
the peace process. India has preferred people to people contacts over all
other measures. It relaxed visa curbs for senior citizens, children and
students and also extended medical treatment facility to Pakistani children.
On 13th December ten journalists left for India. A fortnight later India
wanted more exchanges of media men. India suggested five points along
Line of Control for reunion meetings of Kashmiris. During first week of
January fourteen member delegation of Pushtoon Students Federation
returned after visit to India.
Seeing the keenness of the Indians, Kasuri suggested opening of
Hussainiwala-Ganda Singhwala border for improvement in bilateral ties. He
did not realize that opening of one more route wont satisfy India. In the
long run it would like to have open borders.
Contacts between Punjabis stole the show. Interaction between two
Punjabs would boost regional peace, opined Pervaiz. He opened First IndoPak Punjab Games in Patiala. On return he briefed President and Prime
Minister about his peace adventure.
Promotion of cultural contacts was urged particularly by the Indians.
Joint production of movies was suggested. The visiting Indian film actor
Amir Khan stressed the need for love, peace and trust between people of the
two courtiers.
Other measures included willingness of Singh to visit Pakistan early
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2005. Manmohan was in touch with Pakistan over road route to Kabul. PakIndia trade tripled in last four months and Mukherjee wanted setting up of
common market of two countries. Pakistan freed 266 Indian fishermen on
6th January.
Both countries exchanged information on nuclear facilities. Prime
minister of Pakistan promised India the security of gas pipeline from Iran.
He, however, missed the opportunity to ask India to reciprocate the gesture
by promising the security of its own pipelines.
The CBMs were undermined by continuous perpetration of state
terrorism against Kashmiris. Following incidents of Indian aggression and
retaliatory actions by Kashmiris were reported during last five weeks:

Five Indian guards were killed on 3rd December in an attack on

security camp. Next day Indian troops shot dead two Kashmiris.

Fourteen people perished in violence on 5th December. Three days

later 36 people were wounded in grenade attack.

On 9th December two policemen were killed and five wounded in

attack near Shopian. Next day four policemen were killed in an attack
by fighters.

Eight fighters were gunned down in on 15th December. Five days later
Hizb commander was among 3 killed in IHK.

Kashmiris protested against rape of a woman by Indian soldier during

search operation. On 24th December four persons were killed and
fourteen hurt in violence.

Top Kashmiri fighter, Mohammad Shafi Dar, alias Abdullah chief

commander of the Tehreekul Mujahideen was arrested in the Valley on
25th December.

Senior NC leader was among 14 killed in Kashmir on 29 th December.

Next day seven people, including four freedom fighters, were killed in
violence.

On 31st December ten persons were killed in violence. Next day

Indian troops claimed killing five Pakistanis of Lashkar-e-Taiba, three
of them were killed in 20-hour long gun battle. Four militants were
killed in other clashes. A senior police officer and 18 other people
were injured in an explosion in Anantnag.

Indian Army admitted molestation of old woman. On 4 th January PDP

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official was shot dead in Srinagar.

On 5th January six people were injured in grenade blast. Indian troops
killed a senior commander of Lashkar-e-Taiba. Police arrested seven
activists when handing over memorandum to UN as Kashmiris
observed Self-Determination Day. Next day four missing soldiers
were found dead.

Other actions contrary to the confidence building measures taken by

either side were as under:

On 3rd December Indian Army chief threatened that India could use
other options if Pakistan fails to abide by its assertions.

Pakistan test fired Hatf-IV missile on 8 th December. Two days later

eighty-one Indian fishermen were arrested.

India once again opened a closed issue and wanted release of 54

POWs alleged to be held since 1971.

Kashmiri leaders from either side of the divide could not find a place
to meet in two countries which are very keen to solve their problems.
They had to go to Katmandu for that purpose.

India rejected Pakistani proposals on conventional arms and

establishment of Strategic Restraint Regime in South Asia. On 21 st
December India test-fired Brahmos cruise missile.

Handing over of Jinnah House was a closed chapter, announced India

on 25th December. The same day Indian Foreign Secretary Shyams
meeting with Wali Khan was cancelled at last minute.

Mufti government, which had been talking of healing touch, was

accused of custodial killings.

India called for holding of Local Bodies polls on February 1.

Despite these drags the composite dialogue process continued, but the
outcome was quite obvious. The meetings held on various issues and the
results were as under:

On 4th December Meeting of Maritime-Coast Guards decided to hold

another round of hotline talks.

On 7th December Pakistan opposed traveling in Kashmir bus service

on Indian passport. In turn Delhi proposed traveling on special permit.
Both countries agreed that more time was needed for talks on
Kashmir bus service.
527

Pakistan and India agreed to fight narcotic smuggling on 13 th

December. Next day draft MoU on drug trafficking were exchanged.

On 14th December defence officials of India and Pakistan agreed on

conducting joint survey of Sir Creek. January 3 was fixed as date of
joint survey.

No final agreement on missile test draft was reached in talks held on

15th December.

Baglihar Dam talks broke down on 6th January 2005 due to inability to
bridge the gulf in the differing perceptions and interpretations.

Foreign Secretaries of two countries met in Islamabad on 27 th

December and acknowledged progress on CBMs. Next day they agreed to
continue talks and hold meetings on six subjects, i.e. Siachen, Wuller
Barrage/Tulbul Navigational Project, Sir Creek, Terrorism and Drug
Trafficking, Economic and Commercial Cooperation and Promotion of
Friendly Exchanges in Various Fields, on mutually agreed dates between
April and June 2005. This schedule will take both the countries half way
through next year without coming on to the point. Thereafter the two
secretaries will meet in August to review overall progress.
After the meeting Pakistan asked India to stop the construction work
on Baglihar Dam and proposed that a final meeting of the water secretaries
of the two countries take place in the first week of January 2005 with a view
to overcoming the differences on the issue. In the absence of any results,
Pakistan will be obliged to approach the World Bank to intervene in the
matter in accordance with the provisions of the Indus Water Treaty.
There was no breakthrough on main issue. Foreign Secretary said, we
have not even begun to scratch the surface and are still working on the
modalities such as at which stage the Kashmiris should be associated with
the process. Once these are settled then we would be able to move towards
the substantial issue of Jammu and Kashmir.
He added that repeated assertions, both in public and private, by
India that Kashmir is its integral part and that it is the government of India
alone that speaks for its Kashmiri citizens; is clearly unacceptable and
unhelpful to pursuing a purposeful and result oriented dialogue.
His Indian counterpart made it clear that India has no intention of
budging from traditional stand on Kashmir. He reiterated that Kashmir is an
integral part of India. Yet Pakistan was satisfied with dialogue in words of
Shaukat. Perhaps Pakistan was left with no choice.
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Earlier Shujaat had called for resolution of global disputes. Prime

Minister had stressed that dialogue on Kashmir has to move forward.
CBMS cant gallop forward if dialogue crawls. Foreign Office wanted
flexibility and concrete proposals on Kashmir, assailing Singhs statement on
redrawing of boundaries.
Manmohan had told Pervaiz during meeting that India was sincere in
talks. A week later India ruled out change in Line of Control status.
Manmohan reiterated, I made it clear to President Musharraf that while to
look at various options, we would not agree to any redrawing of boundaries,
or another partition of the country.
An ex-Indian envoy supported this contention by revealing that ZAB
had agreed to make Line of Control as permanent border. With this in back
of his mind Singh told visiting Pakistani parliamentarians that India wanted
peace process to continue.
After the secretary level talks Pakistan said, no friendship was
possible with India without solution of Kashmir dispute. On the other hand
India was prepared to sustain the dialogue for peace with Pakistan until
doomsday.
Pakistani delegation went to New Delhi to avail the last chance for
resolution of Baglihar issue. On 4th January the two sides identified
technical points of the Dam. Pakistan desired bilateral settlement of water
row and India vowed to honour Indus Water Treaty. On second day of talks
technical points were discussed in constructive and focused manner.
The dialogue has been crawling undoubtedly. Why India is going slow
in composite dialogue? Eqbal Mustafa tried to answer by quoting extracts
from selected works of Jawaharlal Nehru. Nehru wrote to Skeikh Abdullah,
we are superior to Pakistan in military and industrial power. But that
superiority is not as great as to produce results quickly in war or by fear of
war. Therefore, our national interest demands that we should adopt a
peaceful policy towards Pakistan and, at the same time, add to our strength.
Strength ultimately comes not from defence forces, but the industrial and
economic background behind them. As we grow in strength, and we are
likely to do so, Pakistan will feel less and less inclined to threaten or harass
us, and a time will come when, through sheer force of circumstances, it will
be in a mood to accept a settlement which we consider fair, whether in
Kashmir, or elsewhere.
That is exactly the situation today which has made Pakistan to look
for the settlement. The writer elaborated the point by mentioning the
529

development in India. Out of the fortune 500 companies, 100 have set-up
their R&D facilities in India. Many of the leading state of the art technology
products are being designed and developed in India by likes of GE,
Monsanto, Diamler, Chrysler, HP and Aston Martin.
He continued, Indias country profile is impressive today: Home to
nearly one billion people and large, growing consumer class estimated at
200 million people with English as main language. It has an adequate pool
of scientists, engineers, managers and labour force available at competitive
costs; it has well developed basic R&D infrastructure, technical and
marketing services. It has a mature financial sector and capital market with
over 8,500 listed companies and market capitalization of 2 trillion US
dollars. Last year, foreign investment of 4.7 billion dollars flowed into India.
Its foreign exchange reserves stand 120 billion dollars, (ten times that of
Pakistan) exports are growing at 20 percent with a diverse range of products
in high tech categories. Indian economy has taken off already on a high-rise
curve. It is the fifth largest economy in the world with a GDP of 2.6 trillion
dollars, growing at a rate of around 6 percent since 1991 and projected to
grow at 8 percent in coming years. Many economists estimate that Indian
economy will equal US economy by year 2050.
This analysis amply proved that India can afford to wait or drag its
feet on composite dialogue as the gap is likely to widen between strengths
of two adversaries favouring India. Shireen M Mazari has termed the
ongoing composite dialogue a trap while observing that:

The so-called CBMs are aimed at winning over the Pakistani

populace while ignoring the core issue.

Through economic cooperation India wants to buy property as well

as business enterprises in Lahore but behind the cover of Pakistani
friends or investor groups ostensibly registered in the Gulf States.

Once Pakistani entrepreneurs are entangled in the web of economic

cooperation, who knows what sort of strategic compromises may be
supported by segments of the Pakistani civil society especially the
self centered elites?

For Baglihar Dam India has bought enough time to present Pakistan
and the international guarantors of the Indus Water Treaty with a faint
accompli.

530

She added that Pakistan was pursuing India policy without a long term
plan. It has failed to take cognizance of the fact that India has taken no
notice of important CBMs proposed by it which are more meaningful, i.e.
nuclear restraint, conventional force reduction, force reduction in IHK, not
to conduct joint exercises in disputed areas and non-induction to antiballistic missile systems. While we can also play the dialogue for the sake
of dialogue game, we should be clear in our minds, that that is what it is at
present. At this moment we are at cross-purposes.
Ahmed Quraishi touched upon the risks involved in the present state
of dialogue. The Pakistani leadership risked its own political career by
going the extra mile in the composite dialogue. But the Indians knew all
along that they will stall the talks on Kashmir until they got from Pakistan
concessions that Islamabad couldnt revoke later - like the air and road links,
the signing of South Asian free trade pact, and the right to use Pakistani
airspace for Indian flights headed to Middle East and Europe.
He added, this mindsetwill not go away through confidence
building measures. And frankly, after the latest Indian inflexibility on
Kashmir, there is no way on earth that Pakistan will ever agree again on
moving in the direction that weve seen in the past few months. And I
wouldnt blame Islamabad if it takes a firm decision to stop the cultural
exchange drama and the new projects like the Khokhrapar-Monabao train
service, which are of no vital interest to Pakistan anyway.
The last project has been rightly evaluated as of no vital interest to
Pakistan. In fact it could have negative consequences. It appeared that in
pursuit of peace Pakistan has ignored the defence implications of this rail
track in view of the mechanization of the Indian Army at a massive scale.
Undue exuberance shown for Indo-Pak friendship has allowed many
doves to talk against two-nation theory. This theory has been questioned
more than ever done before. M B Naqvi wrote that the 1947 solution did
not solve our problems therefore; he recommended open borders. He only
missed the best solution by fraction by not inviting Her Majestys viceroy to
return to the Subcontinent.
Gradually some intellectuals will start discussing openly the very
rationale behind creation of Pakistan while exercising their minds on options
for solution of Kashmir dispute. In their eternal love for peace they will be
willing to undo what Iqbal conceived and Quaid achieved. Indians have
already said that problem is not Kashmir but Pakistan.
Punjabi contacts have been viewed with concern in this context.
531

Naseerullah Babar wrote, Pakhtunistan came to naught, greater Baluchistan

came to naught, Jiaey Sindh came to naught; but mother of evils Khalistan
and Akhand Bharat seem to be flourishing and thriving. He opposed Punjab
Chief Minister and MQM chiefs recent visits to go all out to befriend India.
His views can be rejected by arguing that he stretched his imagination
too far. This risk should be viewed from another angle. If NWFP along with
other provinces continued working to turn Punjabs green fields into a
desert, it would be forced to find a way out. It was said in one of the earlier
articles that once the majority province started thinking negatively, it could
cause irreparable harm to the integrity of Pakistan.
Arif Jamal wrote about the mistakes committed in formulating its
policy on Kashmir. One of those was to put all its eggs in the Hurriyat
Conference basket. It would alienate other more popular political forces if it
continued extending support to the Geelani-led Hurriyat Conference. A
policy change at this stage, however, will amount to changing horses in midstream. Burhanuddin suggested commission of another mistake by catching
of the bull by the horns. He was for granting autonomy to the Kashmiris.
The case of Baglihar Dam should act as eye-opener as already
mentioned in the previous article. India, like the US, does not bother about
the issue of legality in pursuit of national interests. Indian attitude
corroborates conclusion drawn by Anees Jillani. The issues that have caused
tensions between the two states remain unresolved and there is absolutely no
sign of dispute of any nature getting settled in our lifetime. It should not
surprise any one if more issues are created by India.
India was working in accordance with Nehru doctrine as mentioned
above. Its apparently goodwill gesture of allowing Kashmiri leaders to go
to Katmandu was also part of this strategy. Meeting of the 50 like-minded
Kashmiri individuals was arranged by the International Pugwash Foundation
to exchange views behind closed doors. It was aimed at having a solution
acceptable to India.

FOR AFGHAN PEACE

Afghanistan related war on terror in and around Waziristan continued
with marked decrease in its intensity. Most of the foreign militants were
forced to leave the area. Pakistan Army would have called end to operations
and pulled out, but America did not allow this.
The mere presence of the troops in the area was bound to result in
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some untoward incidents. Some of the incidents reported during the period
were as under:

Troops escaped mine blast in South Waziristan on 6 th December. The

same day Abdullah Mahsuds house was demolished.

Four rockets, reportedly fired by occupation forces in Afghanistan,

landed in Pak territory in Waziristan on 10th December.

US jets violated Pakistan airspace three times on 12th and 13th

December in Waziristan area.

On 15th December two soldiers were injured in blast in Miranshah.

Five days later heavy machinegun was found in a house during search
in Laddah area. The same day a boy died in explosion of home-made
bomb outside a religious school near Wana.

Six Pushto speaking foreigners were held on 24th December in South

Waziristan on tip from Peace Committee. They were suspected to be
Afghans. Next day one person was killed and 8 wounded in blast in
Bannu.

An Uzbek suspected of al-Qaeda link was captured near border on 28th

December. He was heading towards Khost along with five Chechens
who managed to escape. The same day paramilitary troops searched a
madrassa in Miranshah.

On 29th December a pro-government tribal elder was killed near

Wana. He was suspected of spying and also helped US in arrest of
Aimal Kansi.

On 30th December political agent of South Waziristan survived bomb

attack near Tank. He and his driver were wounded in the attack. A
Mahsud tribal elder escaped attempt on his life on 5th January.

The most unacceptable incident took place on 2nd January. One

Pakistani militiaman was killed and two wounded in exchange of fire with
Afghan troops near border town of Saidgai in North Waziristan. A contingent
of FC was sent to retrieve the US spy plane which had crashed in Pakistani
territory. As FC men reached the site they were fired at by Afghan National
Army troops occupying hills nearby.
Pakistani troops returned fire in which two Afghan posts were
destroyed and unspecified number of Afghan soldiers was killed. After the
clash Pakistan protested to US over killing of a soldier and Afghanistan
rushed more troops to the border. Afghan Defence Ministry, however, was
533

not aware of the border skirmish, because US troops never keep them
informed about operations.
Two days later US official clarified; Pak-Afghan clash took place due
to crash of spy plane in area where Osama was suspected to be hiding. She
said US warplanes were sent to the area to calm both sides. Pakistani
intelligence official, however, was reported claiming that a US helicopter
had opened fire and killed FC soldier.
ISPR tried to dispel the impression created by certain media reports
which projected the firing incident as a clash resulting in heightening of
tension, whereas US official had termed it a clash. Tensions can never
heighten when one side is willing to accept battering.
Pakistani commanders ignored the US sensitivity to preservation the
vanity of their damaged or destroyed equipment. In Iraq US armed
helicopter had killed many civilians including children who had gathered
around a damaged Humvee.
The commanders should have also remembered what Yusufzai
recollected in his report. Tunnels were constructed in low-lying hills of
Saidgai in 1980s to develop a base and training camp for Mujahideen of
Maulvi Jalauddin Haqqani. It had withstood Soviet bombing. In May 1988
Osama had declared Jihad against America and Israel at this camp. Three
months later the camp was targeted by 79 Tomahawk cruise missiles.
Tunnels in the camp were finally destroyed during invasion of
Afghanistan, but these could still be used by the insurgents after putting in
some effort. This amply indicated as to why US spy planes keep hovering
over this sector. Caution should have been exercised.
Elsewhere in Pakistan police in Peshawar probed dacoits link with
terrorist groups. Palestinian suspect who disappeared from Lady Reading
Hospital in Peshawar was rearrested on 6th December. Jaish leader Akbar
Agha was arrested in Karachi on tip from his own man. Akbar had
masterminded kidnapping of three UN election workers last month. Two
Harkat men were arrested in Chitral on 28th December.
The government also took measures to consolidate the military gains
by pacifying the tribesmen. Governor announced Rupees 270 million for
construction of Agency Headquarters in Shakai. Tribesmen were asked to
maintain peace for uplift. Moulvi Sharif assured governor of loyalty and
peace deal with wanted Mehsuds was likely as reported by Behroz Khan.
Reward of Rupees five million for Abdullahs capture was announced.
534

The government rejected Abdullahs offer to surrender. On the other hand

Abdullah rejected governments threat and disclosed that talks with military
made no headway. The government took measures to strengthen security of
Chinese workers by providing ten FC platoons to ensure resumption of
construction work on Gomal Zam Dam.
Close coordination with the Crusaders continued. Pak-US military
officers met at Torkham. Wireless sets were given to Pakistani side and
Afghan local commander to be in communication for timely passage of
information.
Appeasement of Afghanistan continued. Eighteen Ahmadzai Wazir
elders from both sides of the border went to Kabul, met Karzai and assured
him of peace. Refugee-friendly laws were on the anvil in Pakistan. Nine
more customs check posts were established along Afghan border. Pakistan
donated 45 ambulances to Afghanistan on 6th January.
Pakistanis were reported finding work in Afghanistan, but millions of
refugees preferred to stay on. Pakistan was perturbed over shift of Afghan
Transit Trade to Iran. The fault lied with non-implementation of decision on
exemption of cess and Pakistan Railways and NLC failing in timely
provision of transport facilities.

FOR INTERNAL STABILITY

The crackdown against militants of all kinds continued. The
successes achieved by the law enforcing agencies during the period were as
under:

An Imam was arrested on 3rd December for possessing explosives in

Sheikhupura. Next day two more activists of a banned party were
arrested from the same area.

On 9th December four culprits were awarded death sentence in the

case of attack on a Pindi mosque.

Twelve suspects linked to blast in Quetta were rounded up on 11th

December. Twenty more were held next day.

On 13th December five suspected militants were arrested in Multan.

BSO leader and six others were arrested in Quetta.
535

On 15th December Secretary General of MQM, Amir Khan was

awarded ten years imprisonment in case of murdering two during byelections. Next day two suspected militants were arrested in Karachi.

Six al-Qaeda aides to Faraj were arrested in Lahore on 20 th December.

Two persons were jailed for life for killing Czech tourists in 2001.
Two terrorists were arrested with grenades and Charas in Lahore.

Soldier got death sentence and another life-term in case of first attack
on Musharraf in December last.

On 28th December FC troops recovered Iranian hostage that was

kidnapped from Isfahan in October.

Pakistan extradited two al-Qaeda suspects to Turkey. On 2nd January

Police recovered large quantity of arms and ammunition in Bannu.

Two LJ men involved in killing of two workers of Aga Khan were

arrested in Chitral on 4th January.

Militants also remained active as could be seen from the incidents

reported in last five weeks:

Cycle blast killed 11 persons and wounded 27 others in Quetta market

on 10th December. One soldier was among the dead.

On 14th December one person was injured in two blasts in Naushki.

Four days later a bomb blast took place in Baluchistan Civil
Secretariat.

On 25th December four FC men were killed and four wounded in an

ambush in Buleda area of Turbat. Baluchistan Liberation Army
claimed the responsibility.

Two workers of Agha Khan were shot dead and six vehicles were
burnt in Chitral on 27th December and a bomb blast occurred in Quetta
the same day.

On 2nd January a blast rocked paramilitary base in Turbat. Next day

two home-made bombs exploded in Kalat.

Three rockets were fired in Hazarganji area near Quetta on 4th January.
Two days later Chinese workers at a drilling site in Dera Ghazi Khan
were provided guards after tribesmen protested for provision of jobs.

Jam denied existence of Baluchistan Liberation Army. Perhaps an

army was not needed to fire 771 rockets in last two years on civil and
military installations in Baluchistan. Hectic attempts of the government
536

failed to woo Baluch MPs to rejoin Parliamentary Committee on

Baluchistan.
For inculcation of enlightened moderation Imam-e-Kaaba called for
end to extremism in his sermon in Faisal Mosque. Prime Minister sought
help of Ulema in promoting harmony. The News demanded reformation of
Madrassa. Any expectation that the clergy trained and groomed in
conservative education environment will understand the importance of
opening up new doors to their students is as misplaced as an effort to grow a
pine tree in a desert. The paper advised use of deterring legal stick for
registration of Madaris, lay down curriculum, declaration of sources of
funding and standardization of examinations.
The new passport designed for the purpose of enlightened moderation
became a contentious issue. Opposition planned protests against removal of
religion column and MMA warned Musharraf against secular agenda.
Mohammad Ayyub Khan in his letter to the News wrote, it will be
considered a deliberate attempt on part of the rulers to bring back a specific
group into the fold of Islam who were declared non-Muslims...
Demonstrations were held in Peshawar against omission of the column.
PML conceded that passports will have religion column.
There were others who supported the omission of religion column.
Arif Jamal urged the government not to capitulate before the religious right
on the passport issue. This would be the first step towards the separation of
religion and politics.
The issue was included in the agenda of the Cabinet meeting on 5 th
January. Cabinet was divided over the issue. Ijaz recommended insertion of
the column and Sherpao supported him. Foreseeing heated debate on this
agenda point Prime Minister decided to delay the decision by appointing a
Cabinet Committee.
Rashid asked Qazi to change his attitude towards uniform. The very
next day MMA announced Black Day on January 1 and threatened to march
on Islamabad. The brave commando should stand by his commitment made
with the nation and quit the office of army chief by December 31 or else
should be ready to face joint mass movement for his ouster through street
power. Nation wanted president in uniform asserted Rashid.
Fazl accepted the invitation of Prime Minister for meeting but said
MMA was firm on anti-uniform protest. On 29 th December Shaukat and Fazl
discussed issue of uniform. After the meeting Fazl told Qazi that Prime
Minister was powerless to resolve issues.
537

Next day Musharraf blamed MMA for not abiding by the agreement
on uniform and thus announced that he will retain the office of COAS in his
address to the nation. Before announcing the decision he recounted a long
list of achievements.
Sometimes back Pakistan Army had introduced a self-assessment
performa, which was filled by every officer at the end of a calendar year.
This performa was submitted to the reporting officer before writing of his
Annual Confidential Report. Musharraf made use of that reporting system to
the best of his advantage, though it was no more in vogue in the army. He
graded himself outstanding and recommended retention of dual office.
The copy of the assessment performa he read out on 30 th was meant
for the consumption of the masses. The reporting officer sitting in the
White House was already in receipt of the original copy and his ACR had
been initiated conforming to the contents of assessment performa.
Opposition ridiculed Musharrafs address and decided to go ahead
with oust Musharraf drive. On 1st January Black Day was observed but
MMA failed to mobilize support of masses to the extent it would have liked.
ARD gave cold response to the protest as its two main components avoided
confrontation with the government to earn some concessions for the families
of their exiled leaders. Asfandyar flayed presidents decision and Bugti said
dual office issue was not new and blamed clerics for lodging generals in
power.
Rashid declared oppositions show a failure. He blamed opposition for
SIASAT CHAMKAO by harping about uniform. Nobody from the press
asked him for using uniform for the same purpose by the ruling coalition. As
MMA observed Black Day, the government showed its strength by holding a
public rally in Gujrat, the power hub of PML-Q. President dressed in
uniform spoke for about little less than an hour and again recounted his
achievements, praised PML-Q and criticized opposition for resorting to
undemocratic activities. Musharraf was impressed by the massive
applauding gathering and planned to address rallies countrywide.
This rally was arranged by PML-Q bosses as part of the intense
persuasion referred to by Tariq Butt. The top PML (Q) leadership had
finally prevailed upon Musharraf to change his mind about a patch-up with
Pakistan Peoples Party.
Ghazi Salahuddin felt sad after listening to Presidents address. The
address had themic inconsistency. First he painted a glowing picture of
Pakistans present situation and then he talked about persistence of
538

extremism to justify his decision to remain as the head of the army.

By opting to retain his army position, President Musharraf has made
an eloquent statement about the focus of real power in his country. This
power has been used to the detriment of the growth of a strong civil society.
Retention of uniform to promote enlightened moderation too suffered from
doublethink. He concluded that show of power is essentially a sign of
weakness.
Fawad Nisar in his letter to the News quoted the best joke of the year.
Listening to the words, I will never do any thing against the constitution
from a Pakistani military general in his speech to the nationwas no doubt
the best joke of 2004.
Dr Moonis Ahmar had warned that conditions similar to 1971 are
being witnessed in the country that must be heeded before it is too late. M
Sharif stressed upon the need to draw a line that separates personal or
organizational interests and national interests.
Musharraf vowed to crush anti-Pakistan forces. His government,
however, had taken no notice of Altaf Hussains statement about creation of
Pakistan which had encouraged many to talk about soft borders. This
statement reminded an incident that occurred fourteen years back. Defence
Attaches based in Islamabad visited Corps Headquarters in Quetta. During
informal chat over a cup of tea the Indian Attach passed remarks that border
between the two countries was artificial. The Corps Commander, General
Abdul Waheed promptly responded. Whatever it might be, lot of blood has
gone into that border.
The current negative remarks about borders are not new at all.
Pakistani intellectuals are dwelling on the ideas borrowed from the Indians.
It would suffice to say that today, after Pakistan has ruled out military
options, India is seeing fulfillment its designs of economic and cultural
domination through friendship rather than enmity.

BIASED CRUSADERS
The most active partner in the holy war continued receiving
discriminatory treatment, because the Crusaders still considered it as bastion
of Islamic militancy or terrorism. This impression was widespread. Russian
deputy foreign minister arrived in Islamabad to discuss strategic stability.
During his stay he discussed terror and non-proliferation. Even Beijing and
Islamabad agreed to step up anti-terror cooperation.
539

Because of the impression created by Western Media Pakistanis

remained the victims of criminal prejudices. Colonel Anjum father of a
victim of hate crime asked the government to take up the issue with British
government.
Leader of Opposition was quizzed in France. The News wrote, the
French police had declared the leader of the Opposition as chief terrorist
and subjected his hosts to interrogations. The hosts were also detained for
sometime, and are still being harassed This kind of incident in France is
not the first of its kind. Pakistanis are treated badly in all Western
countries This treatment continues but our diplomats abroad are showing
almost criminal negligence in ignoring such sad incidents. The treatment
meted out to Maulana is an insult to the entire nation.
Foreign Office simply denied meting out of insulting treatment to
Fazl. When members of official delegations were prepared to remove their
trousers to meet security requirements of the civilized people, Maulana has
no right to object to such treatment.
Yet the Crusaders kept demanding enlightened moderation from
Pakistanis. New US Ambassador, Crocker desired putting forward the vision
of enlightened moderation. He wanted Pakistan and US to jointly fight
against extremism.
In its fight against extremism America interfered in internal affairs of
Pakistan. Rauf Klasra reported that in behind-the-scene role in political
reconciliation, America wanted Musharraf to have new political friends
after fresh general elections to muster solid and enough support to carryout
genuine reforms to curb extremism. Armitage had repeatedly talked about
release of three political prisoners. One was already out; Hashmi and Gilani
were waiting. Dumping of the NAB is part of this plan.
Although Commonwealth expressed concern over Musharrafs
decision, yet US had no objection to uniform. White House vowed to
support electoral process in Pakistan; hence no one could dare to have any
objection as uniform represents martial-cum-US brand on democracy.
World Bank asked NWFP for reversal of decision to exempt 5-marla
houses from property tax. Property tax is under jurisdiction of local
governments. The Banks directive proved the extent of interference in
internal affairs despite the claim that Pakistan had thrown away the begging
bowl. Official circles also denied US pressure to scrap Iran-Pak gas project,
which indicated existence of such pressure.

540

Friends dont keep scoreboard said Bush after meeting Musharraf in

Oval Office on 4th December. He termed Musharraf world leader and
Pakistan Army brave. About a fortnight later Bush again praised Musharraf
for his aggressive strategy in Waziristan. In between US congressional team
called on Governor and discussed FATA situation with reference to law and
order. All these statements and actions were terrorism related rather than
rooting out its causes.
The bias was most conspicuous in the context of India. The Crusaders
had already supported India for permanent membership of UNSC. During
the period Putin backed Indias bid for UNSC seat with veto power. This
added to the confidence of India and it refused to accept UNSC seat sans
veto. However, the Crusaders couldnt be blamed as many Muslim
brethrens have also supported India.
Musharraf discussed with Bush the Kashmir issue not as a matter of
secondary importance, but openly describing it as the core issue,
underscoring the necessity of solving it in the interest of durable peace in
South Asia wrote the News on 6th December. Musharraf begged not to let
bilateralism fail to resolve the issue, but response was confined to Paris
ready to facilitate Kashmir solution and Crocker lauding contact between
Indo-Pak Punjab Chief Ministers.
Pak-US defence relations were strictly scrutinized by India. A day
before Bush-Musharraf met on 4th December US ruled out deal on F-16s.
Reportedly F-16 issue was discussed during meeting, but next day Powell
said, no decision on F-16s.
On 8th December India urged US not to sell F-16s to Pakistan. US
arms sale to Pakistan can hurt peace process India told Rumsfeld.
Mukherjee opposed US arms sale to Pakistan. America side-stepped Delhis
objections on arms sales as the weapons to be sold were defensive in nature.
The law, based on the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission,
acknowledged the importance of a stable and prosperous Pakistan for the
Muslim World as well the region. Pakistan termed the legislation positive.
Indian defence shopping spree and cooperation in defence production
continued unabated. Most of the suppliers were Pakistans partners in the
ongoing holy war. US jets were to take part in Indian air show. India and
Israel planned joint production of tank ammunition. Only France understood
Pakistans concerns and agreed to upgrade Mirage jets.

541

Iran-US row over nuclear proliferation continued. America also

suspected that Iran was making two long-range missiles. Iranian air force
and air defence were ordered to guard against possible attack on nuclear
installations after ten nuclear spies working for US and Israel were arrested.
Opposition group Peoples Mujahideen was blamed for espionage. On 3 rd
January US planes violated Iranian airspace.
This row had obvious bearing on Pakistan. US Ambassador Crocker
vowed that Khans network would be followed. No outside agency can
probe Khan countered Foreign Office. However, Mariana Baabar reported
that Pakistan had agreed to provide Iran-related nuclear material to US.
Pakistan again denied helping Riyadh in developing nukes after repetition of
the allegation.
Shireen M Mazari warned that Pakistans nuclear capability was still
the focus of those working for prevention of proliferation. At a recent
conference in Wilton Park, England, focusing on the 2005 NPT Review
Conference, an entire discussion group was dedicated to The Khan
Revelations and the NPT. All others involved in proliferation were
exonerated altogether.
Inayatullah commented on the friendship of unequal. After
enumerating all that Pakistan has done for India and Afghanistan in the last
three years he mentioned three important bills. One bill demanded from US
President to certify that Islamabad is not indulging in any proliferation and
that it is doing everything the stop the so-called cross border terrorism.
Second bill made it obligatory for US State Department to submit
reports to the appropriate congressional committees the strategy of the
government of Pakistan to implement education reform in Pakistan and the
strategy of the government of the United States to achieve that objective.
The new law defines education reform as efforts to expand and improve the
secular education system in Pakistan, and to develop and utilize a moderate
curriculum for private schools in Pakistan.
The third Pakistan specific bill was on the anvil. It requires USA to
help ensure a promising, stable and secure future for Pakistan (how very
kind of the sole superpower to be so very concerned about our welfare). The
bill specifically lays down that US should encourage and enable Pakistan to
continue and improve its commitment to combating extremists, to seek to
resolve any outstanding difficulties with its neighbours and other countries
in the region, to continue to make efforts to fully control its territory and
bordersto take all necessary steps to halt the spread of weapons of mass
542

destruction, to continue to reform its education system and to, in other ways
implement a general strategy of moderation. These bills indicated that
Pakistan was considered the source of all evils in the region in particular and
the world in general.
He concluded, what is to be our reaction to such loving concern for
our future? Isnt it time that our leaders take serious notice of the way we are
being sought to be reduced to a stooge state and to be dictated to think and
act the way we are expected to? Shouldnt they put up a stout resistance?
Shouldnt our civil society activists wake up and assert the citizens right to
be involved in the struggle to save our integrity and dignity as a free country
and society?
Hans B Bremer wanted the need to exercise caution. We should be
prepared to take the Americans by their word, but at the same time we
should remember that even if the new closeness between the US and
Pakistan lasts through Bushs second term in office, the 2008 elections could
result in U-turn.
Khurshid took exception to presidents remarks against basic values
and commands of Islam during his recent visit to Western countries. He
noted that increased dependence on the US is now turning into abject
subservience. The so-called policy of flexibility in fact amounts to
humiliating retreats from Pakistans established, principled and consensusbased policies simply to appease India.
Dr Farrukh Saleem also predicted hard days. He opined; during Rice
as the Secretary of State Pakistan will get more sticks than carrots because
she wants India to be strong to counter China. He described her as
hardliner, unilateralist, pre-emptionist and ideologue.
The rulers, however, seemed to be helpless. Musharrafs visits to
Washington could not be called as visits of a head of a state in true sense.
Each time the visitor was summoned to report progress on some of the tasks
assigned to him. He could not follow Mahathir, who in 1993 had refused
such impromptu meeting with Clinton when the latter asked the former to
meet him during stop over. Clinton was politely told that he should visit
Malaysia if he was keen to meet him.

CONCLUSION
India remained adamant on Baglihar Dam despite the fact that it does
not like third party involvement in Indo-Pak relations. In this case it has
risked that, perhaps hoping to get more concessions through arbitration
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than expected from Pakistan through bilateral talks. World Bank, like other
Western organizations and counties, is likely to favour an emerging super
power aspiring to become a veto power.
Astonishingly India has been constructing the Dam for more than four
years. The issue is as old as Musharraf on helms of affairs in Pakistan.
Nothing was done in this regard earlier, whereas it should have been referred
to third party long ago if India was not on talking terms with Pakistan.
Nevertheless the result of talks on Baglihar Dam should act as a test case
and Pakistan must seriously review its strategy on other issues showing
some guts.
It is good to be enlightened moderate, but deletion of the religion
column from Machine Readable Passport was an ugly attempt towards
enlightened moderation. No religion on Earth can claim to match Islam in
enlightenment and moderation. The mention of Islam should be seen as
such.
Individual and organizational interests have been equated with
national interests, particularly on the issue of uniform. If it had not been so,
the rulers would have sued all those for sedition as they were spreading
hatred for uniform.
Musharraf could also find hard to reject the demand of some
ministers. They wanted to hold dual offices; ministry as well as district
Nazims. Musharraf wont be able to control the spread of the disease.
7th January 2005

OPPORUNITY IN CALAMITY
The ugly face of the holy war was exposed with the occupation of
Afghanistan and Iraq. Human blood kept dripping from the protruding
canines of the Dracula called America since then. This was taken as the
proof of visible successes of US Administration and publicized as such.
Two other members of Dracula family, Israel and India, also pierced
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their teeth deep into Muslims flesh. Their achievements were not mean, but
the media deliberately ignored their coverage, perhaps for the reason that
their actions remained confined to their respective domains. This encouraged
others to follow the trend set by the Crusaders and proxy crusaders.
America also succeeded in coercing some governments in Muslim
countries to enact some horrors in their respective domains. The rulers in
these countries have made quite significant contribution towards the holy
war but not without paying the price.
The war exposed the ugliness of Americans to the extent that even
they hesitate in having a look at it, despite trumpeting rightfulness of the
cause of holy war. Then on 26th December a natural disaster in the form of
tsunami provided an opportunity to the US leaders for washing some of the
ugliness.
The wrath of the Nature should have been availed to learn lessons and
find ways and means to end the ugly war, but true to their national psyche,
Bush Administration tried to exploit the tsunami ravaged people to improve
their image. They boasted about US generosity and in doing so they exposed
more of their ugliness.

CRUSADERS BY OPPOTUNITY
Three countries fall in this category, i.e. Russia, Thailand and
Philippines. All three of them had faced the problem of Muslims demanding
autonomy or independence. Availing the opportunity provided by 9/11, these
countries baptized the state terrorism and it became the Crusades. Two
countries lie in the region where one of the Crusaders, Australia, has been
the overall in charge of the operations against Islamic militancy.
After hostage taking in a school in Beslan, purportedly claimed by
Shamil Basayev, Russia embarked upon taking tough stance against
invisible enemy in Chechnya. Putin again ruled out talking to rebels and
pro-Moscow Chechen leader pledged to put Basayev on trial.
Russian Defence Minister reiterated its right to carry out preventive
strike against terrorists anywhere in the world; with only exception of
nuclear strike. Russian Parliament passed tough anti-terror law. Moscowbacked leader, Alu Alkhanov, however, opined that invasion of Chechnya
was a mistake.
Strict control over media coverage of Russian crackdown and

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resistance put up by Chechens has been part of the tough action. Only
following incidents were reported in press during last four months:

Russia helicopter was downed by Chechen rebels on 13th September.

Five days later a terror attack was foiled in Moscow.

On 24th September five Chechens were killed in shootout. Three days

later Russia claimed killing a Turkish fighter in Chechnya.

Two officials were killed and three injured in blast in Chechnya on

10th October. About a month later two persons were killed in car blast
in Moscow.

On 14th December five Russian soldiers were among nine killed in

Chechnya.

One Russian Special Forces member and two Chechens died in gun
battle in Groznyy on 1st January.

Russia was able to muster international support for Moscow-brand of

Crusades. On 8h October UNSC adopted Russian sponsored anti-terror
Resolution and by end of the month Moscow, Beijing and Delhi agreed to
step up anti-terror fight. Relations with the leader of the Crusades suffered a
setback as Putin accused the US of running a dictatorship over global affairs
and thereby worsening humanitys problems. This bitterness was the
outcome of differences over elections in Ukraine.
In September Thailand bolstered security forces to take on rebels in its
south where Muslims were blamed for perpetrating Islamic militancy.
During the period following incidents were reported:

A Muslim teacher and an official were killed in restive south on 2 nd

October.

On 8th October six persons were killed in the south and next day a
Buddhist student was killed.

Two men were killed on 13th October and an official was killed by
gunmen eleven days later.

On 26th October clashes left 85 Muslims dead and more clashes were
feared.

Two persons were injured as twin bombs rocked southern Thailand on

29th October.

Thailand released Muslims detained in protest, but on 1 st November

police announced that about two hundred detained Muslims would
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face sedition charges.

On 2nd November Buddhist official was killed in the south. Two days
later seven more persons were killed.

Two persons were shot dead on 7th November. Two days later another
Buddhist was beheaded in revenge.

Bombs went off at Laos-Thailand border on 9th November. Three days

later a teacher was killed in the south.

Four blasts in various parts of Thailand left one dead on 13 th

November. Five days later a soldier and a civilian were shot dead.

Deputy Governor was injured in attack in the south on 23 rd November.

Ten days later a Buddhist was shot dead.

On 6th December a bomb exploded at road intersection in Narathiwat

province. Nine days later three persons were killed in the south.

Schools were closed on 22nd December after murders and thousands of

troops were dispatched to the south.

Bomb killed two and wounded five in the south on 24th December.
Next day houses of government officials were attacked.

During first week of October Thai Prime Minister took over battle to
end Muslim unrest. By the end of the month 85 Muslims protesters were
massacred in a single incident. Prime Minister remained defiant over the
incident and asked forces to work decisively.
The government was pressed to explain killing of 85 detained Muslim
protesters. The pressure came from within as the world, particularly its
civilized part was least pushed about it. One Thai Senator punched his
colleague during session in row over Muslim deaths. A group of 144
academics asked Prime Minister to apologize over deaths.
Thailand refused to allow Asian leaders to discuss Muslims unrest,
despite risk of causing divisions in the grouping. Prime Minister accused
foreign-educated Muslims of being behind the unrest and at the same time
his government moved to stem video of beating Muslims.
Human Rights body held Thai government responsible for Muslim
deaths. Muslims warned forces against fanning extremism and they still saw
chance of ending unrest through peaceful means. On the other hand Thailand
remained in hunt for 100 leaders. Its government informed Malaysia that
jungle across the border was being used for training camps by the militants.
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The neighbour was blamed as all Crusaders do.

Southern Philippines faced longest running insurgency. Following
incidents of fighting were reported during the period:

One civilian was killed and four soldiers were wounded in rebels
ambush on 1st October. Four days later eight leftist rebels were slain.

Six al-Qaeda men were charged with ferry blast on 11 th October and
Philippines vowed to hunt down ferry bombers.

On 5th November militants fired grenades at oil offices in Manila. Five

days later MILF rebels freed kidnapped Italian. Two more suspects
were arrested on 18th November over bombing incident.

On 12th December a blast killed 13 people. Three weeks later rebels

freed the kidnapped doctor.

On 6th December Philippines claimed capturing a Sayyaf man on US

wanted list.

Militants of Abu Sayyaf killed three traders in southern Philippines on

10th December. Thirteen rebels and eight soldiers were killed as
guerrillas attacked an army outpost. Three soldiers were kidnapped
and two were missing.

In mid October Arroyo hoped that peace with MILF rebels was at
hand, but a month later Manila and Muslims exchanged blame after clashes.
The rebels threatened to use Iraqi-style weapons and Arroyo vowed to
intensify crackdown. A Japanese newspaper accused North Korea of selling
arms to MILF.
Australia acted as theatre commander in war against terror. Its
government planned stationing anti-terror teams in Asia. If you are there
and you are working in an increased way with the locals, you have a far
greater capacity to bring about, or achieve, the prevention of a potential
attack.
Australian people re-elected Howard for fourth straight term in
October thereby approving his tough stance. Australia planned to establish a
regional spy school while refusing to sign non-aggression treaty with
ASEAN. Contrarily New Zealand agreed to sign the pact. Australia was
accused of double standards.
Manila and Sydney agreed to boost anti-terror cooperation. Moro
rebels, however, rejected allegation of terrorism and asked Australia to send

548

team to check their stronghold for JI men. Indonesia refused stationing of

Aussie troops on its soil. A month later Australia warned of possible terrorist
attack in Indonesia.
The master of double standards vowed to strengthen military ties with
Australia. Powell boasted that American alliance in Asia was strong. Asias
first naval drill against WMD was held in October near Japan in which
navies of the US, France, Australia and Japan participated. Asia-Pacific
leaders were obliged to take tough stand on terrorism.
Australia took strict measures to curb internal militancy. Nine
Aborigines were held over riots in November and Prime Minister offered a
new agreement. Ethnic cleansing which had started more than 500 years ago
was still going on. On other side of the globe Brazilian farmers burnt three
Indian villagers.
Australia also strictly dealt with refugees and asylum seekers. Today
Whiteman is the owner of this Island as big as a continent; therefore the
outsiders are not as welcomed as they were during Aborigines era. Refugees
were constrained to stitch their lips in protest. Asylum seekers had to be
hospitalized after hunger strike.

CRUSADERS BY COERCIAN
Those who were coerced to become Crusaders also fared well in
achieving successes. Pakistan was the one whose contribution was
commended by the Crusaders many times. Its performance is covered with
mainstream Crusaders. Rest of coerced pack is led by Saudi Arabia.
Following incidents of terror and counter terror were reported from the holy
land:

British national was gunned down in Saudi Arabia on 15 th September.

Four days later a Saudi academic was jailed for sowing sedition.

On 20th September a terror suspect was held. Four days later second
suspect in Jeddah blast was arrested.

Frenchman was shot dead in Saudi Arabia on 26 th September. About

two weeks later the government claimed killing militants on Saudis
most wanted list.

Four militants were held in Riyadh on 17th October. Four weeks later
five persons were arrested for spreading extremism.

549

A wanted man was shot dead in Jeddah on 28th November. A week

later twelve persons were killed in attack on US Consulate in Jeddah.
Five security staff and three attackers were among dead. American
Embassy and missions in Saudi Arabia were closed.

On 16th December six persons protesting against the regime were held
in Jeddah.

Three militants were killed in shootout in Riyadh on 28 th December.

Next day two car bomb attackers targeted Saudi Arabias security
establishments in the city.

Ten al-Qaeda men were killed in clashes, claimed Saudi forces on 30 th

December. Ten days later police killed four gunmen in shootout in azZilfi 200 km northwest of Riyadh. Three security forces men were
wounded.

During the period America and Saudi Arabia negotiated terms of

release of Hamdi held by US. In October Hamdi was sent back to Saudi
Arabia. His return reflected well on inter-faith or inter-civilization
understanding reached at government level. But Muslim brotherhood
remained elusive. In December Riyadh withdrew envoy from Libya and
directed Libyan to leave; alleging Tripoli for trying to assassinate its crown
prince.
After militants attack in Jeddah during first week of December,
Riyadh identified three attackers. None of them was on the wanted list. This
implied that sources of recruiting terrorists had not dried up and new
generation of fighters was already operating. Surely al-Qaeda had the
manpower to order its fighters to strike Saudi oil targets.
Kuwait has been the base for invasion of Iraq and sustaining its
occupation. This has been resented by those resisting foreign troops in Iraq;
hence isolated incidents of militancy against US troops stationed in the
country took place:

Two US soldiers were killed and two more were injured in road
accident on 19th December. In another accident one more US soldier
was injured. The accidents were suspected to be hit and run attacks
carried out by anti-American forces.

On 4th January Kuwait uncovered a plot to kill Americans and two

suspects were arrested.

550

Two security men were killed in shootout in suburb of the capital of

Kuwait on 10th January. US warned of attacks on Westerners.

In Yemen two militants accused of carrying out attack on American

ship USS Cole were awarded death sentence on 29 th September. In Lebanon
the militants attacked an ex-minister by carrying out car bombing. The
minister was wounded.
Under pressure of the US the Arab nations teamed up to fight
terrorism finance, but Gulf States started talking of security arrangements
independent of US. In three-day forum held in Dubai, attended by Clinton
and Albright, the speakers urged Arab reform from within.
Clinton while looking ahead to 2020 said, Arabs had two scenarios
facing them and it was up to them to embark on the right path. There is a
negative scenario in which the Arab World would be dominated by
terrorism, continuing conflict with Israel, no Palestinian state, some
countries and terrorist groups seeking weapons of mass destruction, an
exploding population and resistance to necessary political and social
change.
The positive scenario is an Arab World at peace with Israel, a
Palestinian state regional cooperation for security against terrorism, an
independent Iraq with a representative government and Iran giving up
nuclear ambitions. His advice was a sugar-coated ultimatum to Arabs to
abide by American agenda or face the music.
Analysts like Amir Taheri supported American plans of democratizing
Arab World. He rejected seven excuses made for resisting such plan:

One: Economic development must precede political change. He

argued that it should be other way round quoting examples of China
and India.

Two: Democracy is a western system. He said it is merely a form of

government; not an ideology or religious faith.

Three: Arabs are poor and cannot understand democracy. He rejected

it as most Arab countries have more per capita income than in India.

Four: Democracy would require the Arabs to abandon cherished

ancestral values and traditions. True, but these values are not above
critical examination.

Five: Most Arabs are illiterates. He termed it invalid by quoting

examples of Bangladesh and India.
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Six: Democracy cannot be imposed by force as was done in

Afghanistan and being done in Iraq. He argued that in these countries
only the hurdles to democracy were removed by force; thereby
suggesting removal of such obstacles in more countries.

Seven: No democratization until Palestine-Israel problem is solved.

He said that it is not valid in changed scenario the world over.

Turkey, the non Arab state of the region, has acted against the evil of
militancy for temptation of acquiring membership of European Union rather
than American pressure. Ahead of crucial decision on membership, Britain
and Germany supported Turkey while France remained hesitant. Dutch
Foreign Minister had his own way of stalling the membership. if
negotiations start next year, they could be completed in about ten years.
Turkeys main worry in the aftermath of invasion of Iraq, however,
was possibility of re-emergence Kurdish militancy. During the period two
incidents of terrorism occurred. In one incident three persons died in
landmine blast near border with Iraq. In the second incident six people were
hurt in bomb explosion in entrance of McDonalds in Trabzon.
The Continent of African has been riddled with strife of civil wars
since decades, but only Sudan came to the limelight after the Crusaders
focused on Darfur crisis. America placed UN in the forefront to pressurize
Khartoum.
Towards the end of September UN alleged that clashes were hindering
access to refugees. In October it blamed Sudan for lack of progress in Darfur
and warned of no quick end to humanitarian crisis. Next month Annan
expressed grave concern over the situation. In December UN feared Darfur
lapsing into chaos.
Even after the warring sides agreed to sign an accord the UN kept
exerting pressure. Annan showed his concern as he disclosed arms build up
by warring sides in the area. He warned that we may move into a period of
intense violence unless swift action is taken.
Europeans helped UN in pressing Sudan. Blair visited Khartoum to
press Bashir and Solana to discuss the crisis and assuring financing over
half of African mission. AU blamed Sudanese troops raiding rebels despite
claims of withdrawing from the area. America imposed new curbs on Sudan.
Southern Sudanese leader John Garang warned that country could fall
apart unless the government stopped dragging its feet over a peace deal.
Rebels asked the government to choose between peace and war. They also
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accused military of civilian massacre.

Sudan kept protesting against intervention, but showed willingness to
grant autonomy to Darfur. It, however, pledged to work with UN panel,
while resenting recently signed US curbs bill terming it harmful to peace
efforts by Sudan.
On 21st October peace talks opened in Nigeria. AU hoped for deal, but
UN urged action. In November the warring sides first said that peace deal
was imminent and on 19th the government and rebels agreed to end war. On
9th January Sudans vice president and the main rebel leader signed accord in
Nairobi to end 21-year old war.
Algeria and Nigeria continued experiencing militancy. In Algeria five
soldiers and four rebels were killed in clashes on 18 th September. During
first week of January eighteen people were killed in an ambush of security
patrol by Islamic militants in remote area of Biskra.
In Nigeria 26 people were killed on 24 th September in clash near
border with Cameroon. Radical group, al-Sunnah wal Jamma, comprising
mainly university students wanted to create a Taliban-style state in Africas
most populous nation, reported Associated Press. However, in October
Nigeria decided to stop operations in oil-rich Niger Delta and the militia
began disarming under arms-for-cash deal.
The two largest Muslim countries of Far East, Malaysia and Indonesia
reluctantly continued curbing Islamic militancy within their respective
domains. Malaysia pledged no support for Thai rebels and mulled joint
patrols to curb terror threat by tightening security along border.
Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia agreed to boost cooperation on
security amid fears that Muslim unrest in the southern Thai provinces could
explode into a regional threat. Malaysians also feared that violence could
spill across if the Thai military did not exercise restraint as there are many
Malaysians who have relatives on the Thai side. Anwar warned arrogant
Thai Prime Minister over Muslim killings in southern region. Malaysia
rejected US travel warning and US threat to boycott ASEAN, but a
Malaysian court decided in favour of enlightened moderation by upholding
school ban on Muslim turban.
During the period Indonesia continued war on terror. Pictures of
terrorists were distributed. An aide of top terror suspect along with two was
arrested near Philippines border. Four suspects were arrested over embassy
bombing. Bashir was charged over Bali bombings and a huge charge sheet

553

against him was filed on 17th October.

Asian religious leaders were gathered in Yogyakarta for dialogue on
interfaith cooperation. Despite the efforts the militants kept hitting back. A
bomb hit Indonesian Embassy in France in October. Three people were
killed and four wounded in bomb blast in Indonesia in November.
India kept coercing Bangladesh. Manmohan claimed militants were
hiding in Bangladesh. Dacca did not take it lying down. In turn it handed
over a list of wanted men to India. However, Muslims from world over
gathered in Dacca and prayed for peace in Biswa Ijtema.

AMERICA AND EUROPE

Europes Crusades against Islamic militancy was two pronged. One
prong was launched by the governments of this part of the civilized world.
During the period Germany arrested al-Qaeda financier, a Germany born
Syrian in October. In December German police arrested four suspects in
connection with attack on Allawi during his visit and an Iraqi smuggler of
fighters for insurgency was indicted. Germany urged Muslims to learn the
language and mix for their cultural emancipation.
Dutch arrested another former Afghan military spy. UK claimed
preventing 9/11-style attack. Assets of Saudi opposition were frozen; thereby
conveying that opposing Crusades friendly rulers was terrorism. Tough laws
against terrorism were planned and the government refused to free nine
foreign terror suspects even after ruling of the highest court terming their
detention illegal. A study revealed that four out of five British Muslims have
experienced discrimination.
The severest action was taken away from the Europe, in Ivory Coast.
French troops killed 30 and wounded over 100 Ivorian on 7 th November in
retaliation to killing of nine French troops and wounding 30 more. This
massacre was carried out over Cocoa and coffee business. UNSC imposed
arms embargo on Ivory Coast as exodus of foreigners from Ivory Coast
gathered pace. Crisis talks continued in South Africa. Ruling party of Ivory
Coast wanted France to quit.
The civilized people of Europe waged the second prong
demonstrating their care for enlightened moderation. On 8th October an
Imam was stabbed at Friday prayer in Lausanne Islamic Centre in

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Switzerland, a country with reputation of neutrality, tolerance and peace. A

month later an explosion took place in an Islamic school in Netherlands. A
mosque was damaged by fire in Germany. A Belgian running a food
processing firm received death threat over allowing Muslim female workers
to wear headscarf. He was accused of being a bad Belgian who collaborates
with Muslims.
Muslims digested all this in the name of tolerance barring a woman
in France. She resigned from French Muslim Council after blaming it for
doing nothing about integration of five million Muslims. Another woman,
Maleeha said that Muslims in UK felt being subjected to Islamophobia.
She avoided talking straight that Muslims were clearly the victims of
prejudices of the civilized people. She exercised caution for preserving her
image of an enlightened Pakistani woman.
Pakistan and some other Muslim countries took up the incidents of
violence against Muslims in European countries with human rights bodies.
The brave rulers clearly lacked the courage to deal directly with
governments of the civilized world.
The Arab News reported that in Italy an Imam was deported
unlawfully, in Britain an Imam is held in prison since May and in France
several of them have been deported. France made it obligatory for Imams to
study French law, culture and history. Netherlands made learning of Dutch
language and values mandatory and similar law was proposed in Germany.
At the end the paper refused to accept that Islam was under attack in Europe
and instead these laws should be welcomed for the spread of Islam; as if
these governments were promulgating these laws for spread of Islam.
America kept urging the Crusades of all categories mentioned above
to continue the fight against the evil of Islamic militancy without referring to
it as such. America warned of terror attacks in Baltic States and in
Uzbekistan during elections. US Consulate in Bombay was closed due to
terror threat. Kuwait was warned about terrorists still being at large.
Services of experts and willing partners were incorporated for
projection of the threat of terror. Experts questioned Bushs claim that 75
percent of al-Qaeda leaders had been brought to justice; thereby urging him
to do more. Al-Qaeda has gone weaker in Saudi Arabia but the threat still
existed, concluded US research group. South Asia may be hit by major
terror attack warned ex-prime minister of Singapore. America admitted
that its borders were not safe from threat of dirty bomb.
Exerting of pressure continued to secure contribution towards war on
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terror. During the period UN and Sudan remained the focus of attention.
American experts held secret meeting with Annan and spent three hours to
give blunt advice on how to improve morale at the world body and relations
with Washington. Former Prime minister of New Zealand advised that UN
should only do what its allowed to do. Sudan received warning through
UN to rein in militants or face curbs. Then America threatened directly to
stop aid if no peace deal was struck in Sudan.
Some carrots were also thrown along with use of stick. Bush lifted
economic curbs on Libya and Schroeder invited Gaddafi to Germany. In
December curbs on Cuba, Iran and Sudan were eased. US handed over
million dollar payoff to informants for information on al-Qaeda-linked
gunman in Philippines.
Bush told CIA to get more spies. Los Angeles Times published about
enrollment of foreign spies. CIA provides resettlement in the United States
as an incentive for potential spies. It has special authority to bring as many
as 100 people into the United States each year under Public Law 110, a
provision of the 1949 Central Intelligence Agency Act that enables the
agency to bypass ordinary immigration requirements.
Since the end of the Cold War, the bulk of those brought into the
United States under Public Law 110 have been from such countries as Iraq,
North Korea, China, Pakistan, Iran and Syria. Four out of the six are Muslim
countries and the other two have defence related ties with Muslim countries.
CIA also handles the suspects captured from all over the world
focusing on extraction of information. Chicago Tribune wrote about
mysterious jet used for transportation of suspects for torture:

Bayard Foreign Marketing is the newest owner of a US-registered

Gulfstream V executive jet reportedly used since Sept 11, 2001, to
transport suspected al-Qaeda operatives The information about
latest owner of this jet is all fake suggesting that it does not exist.
Information about previous owners of Boeing 737 is also fake.

The CIA has declined to discuss the plane which has been operated by
the Joint Special Operations Command for counter-terrorist operations
in conjunction with the CIA and military Special Forces.

The first public mention of the Gulfstream appeared six weeks after
Sept, 11, 2001, when 27 year old Qasim Saeed, a microbiology
student was picked up by this plane from Karachi Airport in early
hours of Oct 23, 2001.
556

Since then several publications have discussed US practice of

rendition. The suspects captured are shifted for torture to countries
where human rights are not traditionally respected.

First well documented case of transportation occurred in December

2001 when two Egyptians were transported from Sweden to Cairo.
Then aircraft bore the registration number N379P and was owned by
Premier Executive.

Another widely reported rendition to Egypt occurred in January 2002,

when the Gulfstream picked up al-Qaeda suspect Mohammad Saad
Iqbal from Jakarta. On learning that Saad was tortured, Indonesia
refused further rendition.

In November the Sunday Times of London reported that the jet was
based at Dulles International Airport outside Washington. Two days
after the jet was sold to Bayard Foreign Marketing.

CIA relishes, just like the American values, the disrespect of human
rights shown in some of the friendly Muslim States. Pakistan was once again
the first country to which the mysterious plane made its maiden visit.
Nobody knows as to how many missions this jet has flown since then.
The only country which kept defying America was North Korea; no
atomic talks until tests by South are probed. It blasted US deployment of
Aegis missiles and warned that imposition of sanctions would mean war.
America was blamed for waging psychological warfare. It set terms for
rejoining talks which could was possible because countries of the region
identified the peace in the region as their common interest. China said sky
wont fall if talks do not happen this month (September). South Korea said
that there was no need to rush nuclear talks. America was constrained to
remain engaged in dialogue.
Looking at the foregoing discreetly one could conclude that the
Crusaders and their allies were able to coerce Muslims not because of the
strength of the former but because of the weakness of the latter. Sobia Kabir
in her letter to the News blamed the leadership of Muslim countries.
The casualty behind Muslims present abhorrent downfall is neither
due to Israel, the US or rest of the West, Russia or India, nor it is owing to
the military weakness. It is wholly a result of the Muslim leadership drought
the world over. It is never unusual for enemies to operate against their
desired targets. It is responsibility of those attacked to defend them. And the
defence is never possible by docilely requesting the enemies for mercy as
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most of Muslim leaders think.

Muslim analysts and intellectuals kept indulging in debate over
legality of the ongoing war rather than suggesting the ways to end this
internationally acknowledged illegal war. Hassan Tahsin of Arab News in his
column concluded: Was it for imposing the American brand of democracy
by getting rid of a dictatorial regime, preparing the ground for the invasion
of Iran by finding a foothold for American forces in neighbouring Iraq, gain
access to the Caspian Sea, serving Israels interests and enabling the Jewish
state to establish a presence along the Euphrates to realize the Zionist dream
of creating a Greater Israel that extends from the River Nile to the
Euphrates, redrawing the map of the Middle East through interfering in
internal Arab affairs or was it to wage war against Islam? President Bush
said he would start a new Crusade, though he withdrew his statement later.
Withdrawal of statement had no significance. The Crusades has been
going on to achieve all the above aims, which form part of the war against
Islam. Contrarily Muslim leaders kept condemning terrorists. Terrorism is
posing grave threat to very existence of humanity terrorists are misguided;
nourish a sense of hate, vengeance and destructive tendencies said Iftikhar.
Only some scorned the Crusaders and Mahathir was the most
conspicuous out of them. When the planes crashed into the World Trade
Centre on September 11, 2001, Bush immediately identified what he thought
was the true cause. It was because the Muslims were jealous of the freedom
of the American people. It was because the Muslims were poor; this exposes
a lack of understandings on his part.
Some in the West talked of healing the wounds while inflicting more
of them. Patrick Seale wrote about healing the wounds between Islam and
the West. But right from the outset mention of Christianity was avoided. He
mainly concentrated on activities of Conflicts Forum. The excerpts are:

This week saw the formal launch in London of a major international

think-tank, Conflicts Forum, dedicated to forging a new and healthier
relationship between the West and the World of Islam.

A second launch is to follow in Beirut from December 12 to 18, when

a founder of the Forum will explain its aims to the Arab media and
will hold meetings with representatives of Islamic groups, such as
Hezbollah and Hamas.

The views of neo-conservatives were embraced at the highest level in

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America, and to some extent in Britain as well, where the notion took
hold that, for the West to be secure, militant Muslim groups had to be
destroyed and Muslim societies had to be reformed, if necessary by
force. The fact remains that Muslim values pose no threat to Western
societies.

The same attitude inspires the current US campaign of seeking to

impose democracy on the Arab World in order to defeat terror,
despite the fact that Muslims overwhelmingly share a desire for free
elections, popular participation and effective, non-corrupt
government.

Across Europe, not only in Holland but also in Germany and France,
there is evidence that the integration of Muslim immigrants has not
always been successful and has led to severe tensions, sharpened by
Israels brutal repression of the Palestinians and by the war in Iraq.

This has brought suffering to Muslims world over and has also
damaged Western societies by restrictions on civil liberties. The
founders of Conflicts Forum denounce the climate of fear promoted
by Washington neo-cons.

They seek to propagate that estrangement between the West and Islam
is a source of grave concern. The forum has set an ambitious task of
promoting a new engagement with Islam based on dialogue, mutual
respect and tolerance.

It feels that caught in their ideological straitjacket, Western

governments cannot remedy the situation. Ordinary people must act
and speak out for themselves in support of dialogue and of a
listening between peoples.

A basic belief of the founders of Conflicts Forum is the need to

recognize the Other and change the ways in which the West engages
with the Muslim World. With this in mind, the Forum is undertaking a
study of the various currents in political Islam and plans to share its
findings with Western policy-makers and the public.

The Forum also believes it is a fundamental mistake to label

Hezbollah and Hamas as terrorist organizations, and seek to isolate
them as the European Union has done under American and Israeli
pressure. The Forum argues that it is essential to bring these groups
into the political process and, in the Palestinian case, to include them
in the leadership of the national movement.
559

Seale observed that a controversial aspect of the Forums approach is

what it describes as the need to stimulate a rigorous understanding in the
West of the causes and varied nature of armed political action by Islamic
groups and to distinguish this from what is usually labeled as terrorism.
The real aims of the forum could be quite different from those spelled
out. The forum members have held meetings with political leaders of the
West but apparently they have not succeeded in convincing anyone to
change their approach to tackle the problem of terrorism. They held no
meeting with neo-cons, but planned to meet Hezbollah and Hamas in Beirut;
implying that fault lies only with Islamic groups fighting for their rights.
The composition of this think tank also smacks of hidden agenda.
Alistair Crooke, one of the Forums founders, is a former British diplomat
and Middle East expert. Another co-founder is Dr Beverley Milton-Edwards,
a prominent academic analyst of terrorism and political Islam. She is
assistant director of the Centre for the Study of Ethnic Conflicts to Queens
University, Belfast. No expert on neo-cons is included.

OPPORTUNITY OF TSUNAMI
On 26th December the Earth jolted hard and abruptly as if to get rid of
its inhabitants called human beings. Shrugging of the planet resulted in
calamity named tsunami. Eleven counties around Indian Ocean were hit by
the sea waves causing wide spread destruction within few minutes.
The areas hit worst by tsunami lied in Indonesia and Sri Lanka where
civil wars have been continuing since long. The two other countries affected
badly were India and Thailand, where state terrorism is perpetrated against
oppressed Muslims, though the areas hit were away from sites where
atrocities are committed.
Tsunami should have been taken as a warning from the Nature by all
peoples of the world whether affected by the calamity or not. But
unfortunately the monstrous waves failed to drown the evil part of the
human nature. Many took it as an opportunity to pursue their evil motives.
America was the first to attempt availing the god-sent opportunity. It
sponsored formation of four-member tsunami relief core group to bypass
the UN. India, Japan and Australia, were other members of the elite group.
The intention behind formation of the group was to help projecting

560

strategic partnership as opined by Praful Bidwai. For the sake of this

projection India had rejected generous offers of aid for millions of its own
affectees. Bidwai called it part of the Dixit legacy, who never mixed foreign
policy with ethics and morality. He bitterly criticized the formation of this
group. The extracts from his article are as under:

US sponsorship of the group is hardly guided by faith or a bleeding

heart concern for human suffering, but by well-thought-out, cynical,
power calculations. Indeed, the US has militarized the very concept of
relief. The core groups armed forces will deliver it.

He quoted Yale historian John Lewis Gaddis who said Bushs

initiative represents an opportunity to try to move beyond the
frustration of Iraq and pre-emption and his tensions with the Islamic
World an area where US can work that no one can argue with.

Clare Short was quoted saying, I think this initiativesounds like yet
another attempt to undermine the UN when it is the best system we
have got and the one that needs building up.

When the UN official remarked that US tsunami aid was stingy the
reply was; the US is not a charitable organization where we provide
assistance without regard to (its) purpose Its part of our foreign
policy.

Washington has tried to do this on the cheap by first pledging a

mere $ 4 million less than $ 25 million which India, with 10,000
dead of its own, pledged to Sri Lanka. Embarrassed at criticism, it
raised this to a measly $ 15 million, then to $ 35 million, and now to $
350 million.

As regards India joining the core group he mentioned three reasons; to

seek strategic partnership to have important role in Indian Ocean; to
counter possibility of China acquiring larger role in Straits of Malacca
and Persian Gulf; and to project itself as an aid-donor, not aidrecipient to attain Great Power image to facilitate acquisition of
permanent seat in UNSC.

These evil intentions were at play behind the humanitarian aid. India
has done it despite being victim of the tragedy. He criticized India for doing
this while not fulfilling its own primary obligations to the tsunami-affected.
In Nicobar Islands, starving survivors got so enraged at the inadequacy of
relief that they kidnapped civil and police officials.
Powell rushed to the worst affected country Indonesia to capitalize on
561

the opportunity to improve Americas image. The first thing he saw that
tsunami damage was more than war. His statement reflected the burden on
his conscience. He then claimed that US has done a lot for the Muslims and
mentioned democracy in Afghanistan and Iraq in this context.
Bush tried to project American generosity by inducting his Papa and
the predecessor in campaign for collection of relief aid. He recounted
American involvement in relief said, but Americas greatest source of
generosity lies in the hearts of the American people.
Kaleem Omar joined Bidwai in condemning US for making political
capital out of tsunami disaster:

About Powells remarks that Muslim nations would see the best side
of the US in its generous response to the victims, he wrote that
instead of what it does in the Muslim World, the rest of the world is
being given an opportunity to see American generosity, American
values in action.

Powells optimism may turn out to be misplaced. Reasons are that

Muslim World wont forget that the same number of people was killed
in Iraq and Afghanistan by US bombing and air strikes. Nor will they
forget that the ships and helicopters in the forefront of relief
operations, along with US bombers and, fighter aircraft and other
weaponry have been used by the Bush Administration to rain death
and destruction They can also not forget that America has used
veto no fewer than 26 times to block the adoption of UNSC
resolutions condemning Israels barbaric actions.

Powell made these claims on initial stingy response of only $ 15

million then gradually raised, bit by bit, to $ 350 million, which is
much less than $ 500 million promised by Japan which did not say
that its response to the victims of the Asian tsunami has given the
Muslim World an opportunity to see Japanese generosity and Japanese
values in action. Japan quietly pledged the aid

Powells statement, on his arrival in Indonesia that the US aid for

tsunami victims was linked to fighting terrorism is unlikely to go
down well with people in the Muslim World. What has fighting
terrorism to do with disaster relief?

Bushs initial offer of $ 15 million was one-fifteenth of the cost of one

US F-22 Raptor fighter aircraft. The final grant too is the fraction of
what US is spending every day on the war against Iraq.
562

Blair took time to show the same side of British values which Powell
exposed hurriedly. Tony said that the response to the tsunami was the best
illustration of the British character. The same day UNs emergency relief
coordinator, Jan Egeland had underlined the intentions of the donors
generosity in funding for tsunami relief by drawing their attention towards
forgotten crises, particularly in African region.
Twenty-six countries gathered in Indonesia and sought more UN role
in relief works amidst criticism of the US for sidelining the world body.
America for a change saw the light of reason, but not before further
damaging its image. Powell told the summit that Washington was dissolving
core group of nations it had formed to expedite aid for tsunami victims.
Annan visited the countries devastated by tsunami and was awed by
the extent of destruction. While in Sri Lanka he did not visit areas under
Tamil control for security reasons. He however said, Im hoping to come
back and be able to visit all areas of the country, not only those repaired, but
also to celebrate peace. The UN is not here to take sides. He advised Sri
Lanka to use the support it was receiving from around the world to heal the
countrys ethnic division and end a civil war
Muslim countries were criticized for poor response in pledging the
funds for relief for tsunami affected people most of whom were Muslims.
Hans B Bremer countered, those who get all agitated over comparing the
Wests response to the tsunami disaster with that of the Muslim World would
do well to remember that countries other than the oil-rich Gulf states are
hardly in position to match the sums being pledged and hopefully spent on
aid and relief by countries such as Germany and Australia. And let us also
not forget that Berlin and Canberra in particular have strong business
interests in the region, if they play their cards right, expenditure will be
equaled by revenue before very long.
Tsunami once again put the sordid American values at display.
Although America retraced its steps, yet the ugly side of its intentions was
exposed. The dissolution of core group must have been a set back to India,
which underplayed the devastation of tsunami along its long coastline and its
islands.
The generosity of the donors had remained dormant for years and for
decades in some cases. One should recall that Pakistan bore the burden of
Afghan refugees single handedly for years. Where had the generous donors
gone in this case? Terry Jones asked a pertinent question. Why are there no
fundraisers for the Iraqi dead?
563

Asim Sajjad Akhtar commented on the generosity of donors in his

letter to the News. Much has been written about the outright hypocrisy of
the leaders of the free world in recent times as is always the case
following massive natural calamities, (they) appear on media across the
globe expressing their deep sorrow and pledging unequivocal support in this
time of urgent need. And without fail, the assistance actually offered is
almost a slap in the face to the millions of survivors.
Dr Afshan Akram wrote to the News to draw attention of leaders of
Pakistan. Sri Lanka has rejected aid from Israel for the tsunami victims
saying it would hurt the countrys seven percent Muslim population. Are
those in a country of 97 percent Muslims and posing a friendly hand to Jews
listening?
Annan boasted of UN not taking sides. It is obvious that the UN takes
sides only at places where US wants. These are restricted to places where
Muslim freedom struggles are going on. The head of the world body also
had to wait for tsunami to come out with advice of healing touch to Sri
Lanka.
Muslim clerics in Sri Lanka tried to see the divine message carried by
the waves. They said Allah had sent the waves as punishment which bore the
shape reading Allah written in Arabic. The scientists, of course, have a more
rational explanation under-sea earthquake measuring 9.0 on the Richter
scale was the real cause.
The civilized man of the age of science, technology and information
considers all religious beliefs in this regard as irrational. This must be the
main cause of his unenviable plight despite his remarkable technological
advancements. He refused to read the message even after the waves had
come and gone. In this context other inhabitants of Earth had excelled.
Elephants wailed, bats flew around in panic, flamingoes flew away to
higher ground, horses ran in frenzy and fish jumped out of water before the
arrival of disaster, but only man did not do this even after that. No doubt the
animals read the wrath of the Nature before it comes, but the man being
rational animal refuses to take the message.
The belligerent sides remained adamant in refusing to learn a lesson.
State radio of Sri Lanka announced with a sigh (of relief) that Tamil chief
Velupillal Prabhakaran was dead or missing after tsunami. Insurgencies kept
hindering relief efforts. Only two weeks after tsunami gunfire erupted early
in the day in Banda Aceh.

564

CONCLUSION
Muslims will never forget the wounds inflicted by the Crusaders. In
words of Dr Muzaffar Iqbal, regardless of government positions, ordinary
people worldwide have passed a verdict that no state propaganda can
whitewash. Therefore, some Islamic militants will continue retaliating.
On the other side fanatics in the United States will keep supporting
Bush policy as observed by S A Rahman. After the US elections, it has
become amply clear that Bush is not alone in the contempt for others;
majority of the US population supports his policy including that of the preemptive strike. The end to ongoing war will remain elusive.
Death and destructions caused by the war have been beyond
estimation. In most cases nobody has even bothered to estimate the losses.
Bulk of the responsibility of this destruction has to be shared by the rulers of
the Muslim World though many of them will boast of saving Ummah of lot
of harm by ducking down.
The generosity of the leading Crusaders and their allies who turned
donors after tsunami will not heal the wounds of Muslims. The reasons are
that in most cases selfish motives has been the driving force behind
generosity rather than a noble cause.
Meager contributions from Muslim countries should not be made an
excuse to indulge self-scorn. Arithmetically a quarter will certainly appear a
mean contribution in comparison to ten dollars. But if one keeps in view that
the quarter has been taken out of a dollar and ten dollar come out of a heap
of $ 1,000 packets, the value of quarter increases manifold purely on the
basis of principles of mathematics, even if other factors are disregarded.

12th January 2005

565

ELECTION ENTANGLEMENT
The Associated Press cynically compared the sounds of ongoing war,
which Iraqis listen to as routine, with music worlds Top Ten List. At
Number Ten is the roar of power generators necessitated by frequent power
failures. Number Nine is gunfire on hearing which one automatically starts
seeing scary images in his mind.
Number Eight is construction sounds which reflect Iraqis
determination against terrorism. (Most of these sounds are restricted to
newly planned American bases) Number Seven are police and ambulance
sirens as the life has become all about sirens. Number six is loudspeaker
warnings by Coalition patrols, called as sounds of tyranny.
Number Five is the rattle of tanks and Humvees. Number Four is the
clatter of helicopters. Number Three are sirens in Green Zone. Number Two
are explosions, which accentuate miseries of Iraqis (indirectly accusing the
resistance groups.) At top of the list is silence, which is like the silence that
precedes a storm.
In most of the civilized world the bloodshed, destruction and
plundering of oil resources of Iraqis is watched with frame of mind of
entertainment. While enjoying the massacre of innocent Iraqis the people of
this world keep raising the cheers of democracy, freedom and liberty.
In the same spirit Bush went ahead for holding elections on 30 th
January to democratize the first country in Arab World. No country in the
world had ever embraced such a blood-soaked democracy. The democracy
too promised no respite for the Iraqis.

FIGHTING
Media coverage of war in Iraq is generally restricted to the killings
that take place as result of attacks by the resistance groups. Those killed by
occupation forces are never reported unless of course unavoidable. Reports
about operations carried out by American troops give scanty information.
The description of the fighting is based on this one-sided coverage.

566

On 31st December a car bomb in Baiji targeted a patrol and killed two
civilians and wounded six National Guards. One guardsman was found dead
near Fallujah. One person was killed and another wounded when US forces
fired at mosque southwest of the city. US claimed arresting 15 suspects in
Mosul. Polish troops arrested four suspects in Babil province.
A US soldier was killed in action in Anbar province on 1 st January.
Another US soldier was killed and one wounded in roadside bomb north of
Baghdad. Two beheaded bodies were found near Baghdad. A Lebanese was
killed and another wounded in sniper fire in Green Zone. In Baquba gunmen
killed a councilor and his brother.
On 2nd January a bus packed with Iraqi National Guards was attacked
in Balad outside US base killing 25 soldiers and a civilian. One councilor
and a police major were killed in Diyala. Three policemen, a councilor, his
bodyguard and the driver were killed in Samarra. Insurgent blew up a
government building near Mosul after ordering the workers to vacate it. Five
men were found shot dead in Ramadi.
On 3rd January two policemen and a civilian were killed and 25
wounded in a suicide car bomb attack near Allawis party headquarters. Four
National Guards were killed and 14 wounded in another car bomb attack in
Balad. A police man was killed and two others wounded when boobytrapped dead body exploded in Mosul.
Guerrillas killed Baghdad Governor and his six guards on 4 th January.
Truck bomber killed 11 people and wounded 60 in an attack on Interior
Ministry commando headquarters. Three US soldiers were killed in roadside
bomb. A car bomb near Green Zone killed three Britons and an American
working for US security firms. A Marine and a US soldier were killed
around Baghdad. Three National Guards men were killed and two wounded
in roadside bomb in Baquba. Three commandos and two civilians were
killed in Samarra.
On 5th January suicide bomber killed 20 persons and wounded 40 in
attack on police academy in Hilla. Another car bomb killed 2 Iraqis in
Baghdad. Yet another car bomb in Baquba killed 5 policemen and wounded
eight. In Amiriyah a car bomb attack killed 2 persons and wounded ten. A
police Colonel and his driver were killed in near Ramadi. A US soldier was
killed and 2 wounded in attack in Tal Afar. In Mosul a leading Sunni
politician was found shot dead. Reportedly US forces arrested 60 suspects.
Eighteen dead bodies of young Iraqis were found near Mosul on 6 th
January. They had gone to US base to seek jobs. Three dead bodies of
567

Jordanian drivers were found from outskirts of Ramadi with a note; this is
the fate of anyone who cooperates with the Americans. A Marine was killed
in operations in Anbar. Communist party leader was found strangled to death
in Baghdad.
On 7th January a bomb tore apart a Bradley fighting vehicle in
Baghdad killing all seven US crew members. Two US soldiers were killed in
action in Anbar. In Samarra two Iraqi soldiers and a civilian were killed in
clashes. One person was killed in Sadr City. Four Iraqi soldiers and 3
civilians were killed in northern Iraq. A French journalist and her translator
went missing.
A deputy governor and two other senior officials were kidnapped
about 60 km from Baghdad on 8th January. One human rights activist was
kidnapped near Kirkuk. US air strike killed 14 people and wounded five in
northern Iraq. The village was subjected to air strike after surrounding.
South of Baghdad four people were killed and 19 wounded when a patrol
pump was attacked by car bomber. In Baquba fighters killed a translator
working with US. One Iraqi policeman was killed near Baghdad. An official
of National Front and one of his bodyguards were killed and three others
wounded in Khadraa. US confirmed arrest of Zarqawi follower in Mosul.
On 9th January seven Ukrainian soldiers and one Kazakh were killed
while detonating an ammunition cache. One US soldier was killed in
roadside bomb in Baghdad; American soldiers resorted to random firing and
killed two policemen and three civilians. Two policemen and two civilians
were killed and nine others wounded when suicide car bomber attacked a
checkpoint in Yusufiya. Acting police chief was killed near Samarra. One
Marine was killed in Anbar.
Deputy Chief of police and his son were gunned down in Baghdad on
10 January. In south-western Baghdad two US soldiers were killed and four
wounded when a tank was destroyed by roadside bomb. Another roadside
bomb killed two Iraqi soldiers and wounded one Iraqi and two US soldiers
in Samarra. A suicide car bomb struck a checkpoint in al-Maden and killed
one officer. In Mosul fighters executed a drug peddler. Iraqi government
detained 147 suspect insurgents.
th

On 11th January seven policemen were killed and eight wounded in

suicide car bomb attack in Tikrit. Gunmen attacked a minibus in triangle of
death and killed eight persons and kidnapped three. One roadside bomb in
Samarra killed two National Guards and second bomb killed one policeman.
568

Three National Guards men were killed and six wounded in roadside
bomb attack on a convoy of American and Iraqi forces in Mosul on 12th
January. In an encounter with fighters one insurgent was killed and another
wounded. One US soldier was killed in action in Anbar province. In
Baghdad six suspects in slaying of governor were arrested.
An aide of Sistani was killed in a town southwest of the capital on 13 th
January. In Baghdad a Turkish businessman was kidnapped after killing is
seven guards. Fighters killed four Iraqi soldiers and a woman north of
Baghdad. An Egyptian and four Kurds were kidnapped near Kirkuk. A US
soldier was killed in roadside bomb in Mosul. Oil pipeline was blown up
near Kirkuk and US military detained 50 Iraqis. A bank was looted in
Ramadi. A Turkish driver was gunned down near Samarra. A member of
provincial council was killed in Diyala. One US soldier was killed and three
wounded in Mosul.
Eight Iraqis were killed on 14th January when US tank driving in the
middle of the road to avoid roadside bomb rammed into a minibus in
Miqdadiyah. US troops claimed killing seven fighters who were found
setting up a mortar north of Baghdad. Two US soldiers and an election
official were killed elsewhere. Gunmen kidnapped 15 National Guards men.
Oil pipeline in Baiji was attacked. Next day eighteen dead bodies were
found along roadsides in different places. An ICRC worker was killed west
of Baghdad. A US soldier was killed in action in Babil province. A Guards
convoy was ambushed on western desert road. US claimed killing three
fighters in Mosul.
On 16th January son of a representative of Sistani was killed in
Numaniyah. A member of citys council was killed in Mosul. Two US
soldiers died in road accident in Baghdad. Next day ten people were killed
and 20 wounded in car bomb attack in Baiji. In Baquba fighters shot dead
eight Iraqi soldiers in attack on a checkpoint. In Ramadi US troops killed
three civilians and wounded nine when they opened fire after suicide car
bomb attack on their patrol. As per PTV about 50 fighters were killed and
dozens of them detained in last two days in an operation near Fallujah. A
business man was killed south of Baghdad and a civilian driving close to US
convoy was shot dead in Baghdad. Eight Chinese workers were kidnapped
from Fuijan province.
A suicide car bomber attacked Shiite party office in Baghdad and
killed two persons on 18th January. One policeman was killed and another
wounded in attack on a patrol. A woman was killed in roadside bomb and a

569

dead body was found southwest of Baghdad. In Mosul an Iraqi soldier was
killed and another wounded in attack. Catholic archbishop was released by
gunmen. In Baquba a policeman was killed in mortar attack. An insurgent
was killed in Tikrit. In Basra a candidate of Allawis party was shot dead.
Three US soldiers were killed in Anbar province. US troops fired at a car as
it approached the checkpoint in Tal Afar and killed two civilians and
wounded six children.
On 19th January a bomb explosion near police headquarters in
Baghdad killed 18 people, including five policemen, and wounded more
than twenty. A truck bomber rammed into security barriers near Australian
Embassy and killed two Iraqi and wounded several others including two
Australian soldiers. Third vehicle bomb killed two security guards near
airport. Fourth bomb killed two civilians and two Iraqi soldiers at a military
complex. One person was killed in fifth bomb blast in a bank. Four Iraqis
were killed and five wounded in two incidents north of Baghdad. Three
civilians were killed in roadside bomb near Baiji and two persons were
killed in another incident. One soldier was killed and five wounded,
including two civilians, in mortar fire on a checkpoint in Dhuluiyah. One
soldier was killed near Samarra. A British employee of a security company
was killed in an ambush. One police officer was killed and two wounded in
car bomb attack near Hilla. Dutch soldiers opened fire on a car as it
approached their checkpoint and killed one civilian near town of Salman.
One Brazilian and one Japanese were reported kidnapped.
Four Iraqi soldiers were killed and four wounded in roadside bomb in
Samarra on 20th January. One Iraqi soldier was killed and another wounded
in mortar attack in Siniyah. One civilian was killed and three, including a
child, were wounded when Iraqi troops fired on them near Tikrit. Next day
15 people were killed and 39 wounded in a car bomb attack on a Shiite
mosque in Baghdad. Six Iraqi soldiers were killed in a string of incidents in
Sunni area north of Baghdad. Three Iraqis working for US forces were killed
in an ambush. A group claimed beheading a Briton and a Swede. One Italian
soldier was killed when a helicopter was fired upon near Nassiriyah. One
civilian was killed and nine British soldiers were wounded in southern Iraq.
One US soldier was killed and another wounded when they raided a bomb
making den north of Baghdad.
On 22nd January four Iraqi soldiers and a truck driver were killed in
three separate attacks north of Baghdad. Three persons were killed in
Duluiyah in mortar fire and another in ambush near Samarra. A group of
fighters claimed killing 15 Iraqi soldiers after kidnapping them in Hit. Next
570

day sixteen Iraqis were killed and about 100 hurt in fire in a hospital in
Nassiriyah. Three teachers of a technical oil college died in roadside bomb
near Baiji and in another incident a mother and her daughter were killed and
her husband was wounded. One fighter and three Iraqi soldiers were killed in
clash in the town. One Iraqi soldier was killed and three wounded in Tikrit.
A US soldier was killed in clash in Mosul. Chinese captives were released,
but Brazilian was still held. Zarqawi Group claimed killing leading member
of Allawi's party who was kidnapped earlier.
On 24th January two Iraqi drivers and an Egyptian were executed in
public in Ramadi. Iraq claimed arresting top aide to Zarqawi, Sami
Mohammad Said al-Jaf, also known as Abu Omar al-Kurdi, responsible for
32 attacks including the one on UN Headquarters in Baghdad. Zarqawi's
propaganda mastermind Hassan al-Dulaiwi was also arrested. Car bomb
attack on a checkpoint near Allawi's party office killed two and wounded
ten. A Colonel and his daughter were gunned down in southern Baghdad.
Gunmen shot dead a top judge and his brother-in-law in Baghdad on
25 January. The group said that the judge was one of the heads of infidelity
and apostasy of the new Iraqi government. Three policemen were killed and
nine wounded in clashes in neighbourhood of Baghdad. Two fighters and a
civilian were also killed. Two Iraqi soldiers were killed west of Baghdad; a
district councilor was shot dead in another attack; and three staffers of
Communication Ministry were wounded in an ambush. In Mosul a senior
official of Communist Party was kidnapped. Five US soldiers were killed in
road accident north of Baghdad and another was killed in the city in a blast.
An American captive was shown on website begging for life. Zarqawi group
claimed attacking ten polling centres overnight.
th

Thirty-one Marines were killed on 26th January in helicopter crash in

the western desert near Jordanian border; there were no survivors. Four US
soldiers were killed in Anbar province and another was killed in attack on a
patrol in southern Baghdad. Four US soldiers were wounded in car bomb
attack on airport road. Truck bomb attack on Kurdish Party office in Sinjar
killed 15 people. At least nine people, including six soldiers and policemen,
were killed and 12 wounded in three suicide car bomb attacks in a town near
Kirkuk. Three Iraqis were killed in a bomb blast in Samarra. US troops
killed two Iraqis in an operation in Mahmudiyah and two Shiites were killed
by unknown persons. In Baquba gunmen killed a policeman and wounded
eight people in attacks on offices of three parties. During last 24 hours 13
polling stations were attacked.

571

On 27th January double suicide attack in Samarra killed 11 people,

including eight soldiers and seven persons were wounded. Earlier four
soldiers and a civilian were killed in clashes. One person was killed in
Ramadi. Bomb attack south of Baghdad left five dead and 15 wounded. A
car bomb attack in Baquba killed five people and wounded seven. A US
soldier was killed and four others wounded in Babil province. Another US
soldier was killed in Diyala. In Tikrit a US military convoy was attacked and
a police officer was killed in a separate attack. Yet another US soldier died
of wounds received earlier. Eight Australian soldiers were wounded in
suicide attack in Baghdad. Three polling stations in Samarra and two in Baiji
were attacked.
On 28th January a police and a polling station in southern Baghdad
were attacked with car bombs and four people were killed. Three US
soldiers were killed and one wounded in western district. Another US soldier
was shot dead in northern part of the city. One more was killed in roadside
bomb in the south. Fighters also shelled US base with mortars wounding one
Marine two soldiers and three civilians. A US helicopter crashed due to
hostile fire but there were no reports about fate of two crew members. In all
seven US soldiers were killed on this day. In Ramadi six dead bodies of Iraqi
soldiers were found and two people were killed and eight wounded by
fighters. Four Iraqi soldiers were killed near Baiji.
Rockets hit US Embassy on 29th January killing two and injuring four
Americans. Three Iraqi soldiers and 5 civilians were killed in suicide
bombing near Iranian border. Three civilians were killed in a roadside
bombing in Samarra and a rocket attack in Duluiya killed three soldiers. An
explosive-laden donkey cart was blown at a polling station near Mosul
killing a guard; one fighter was killed in a separate incident. Mortar attack
hit a voting centre in Baiji and wounded four guards. Three Iraqi contractors
abducted earlier were found dead near Balad. A woman and her child were
killed in mortar fire on US base in Musyyib. In Ramadi US troops killed 2
Iraqis and 5 dead bodies of slain Iraqis were found. In Surwayrah one Iraqi
soldier was killed and another wounded in mortar fire. One policeman was
killed in attack on polling station in Moqdadiya and two were killed south of
Baghdad. An American soldier was killed in roadside bomb in Baghdad.
A US soldier was killed in Anbar on 30 th January. A British C-130
crashed near Baghdad but details were held back. Two suicide bombers
attacked a polling stations in Baghdad in which seven civilians and two
policemen were killed and 12 wounded. A policeman was killed and four
wounded in Mansur district. Suicide attack on residence of Justice Minister
572

killed a guard and wounded four people. Another suicide attack on a police
station killed two people. A bomb destroyed a bus carrying voters killing
five and wounding 14 people. In Sadr City four people were killed and seven
wounded in mortar fire on a voting centre. In Balad a similar attack killed
two and wounded 15 people. One person was killed and three wounded in
Mahawil in Babil province. Iraqi police held a suspect of attack on US
Embassy.
On 31st January fighters claimed shooting down British C-130 in
which ten soldiers were killed. Three Marines were killed and two wounded
in operation carried out in Babil province. Next day US troops opened fire to
quell a riot in the largest military run prison of Camp Bucca near Umm Qasr
and killed four prisoners and wounded six. State Department admitted that
three Americans were being held as hostages in Iraq and some were
unaccounted for.
On 2nd February one soldier was killed and another wounded in
Duluiya. Two civilians were killed near Dijla. In Baquba two policemen
were killed. Four civilians were wounded in gunfight in Iskandariyah and
police claimed capturing a suspect. In Hilla a police officer and his driver
were shot dead and one policeman was gunned down in Tamiya. In Diyala
police arrested an Iranian suspect. Oil pipeline was blown up near Samarra.
Three Iraqis were killed in Tall Afar. Two US soldiers were killed in action
in Anbar province.
On 3rd February guerrillas stopped a minibus carrying recruits to the
army south of Kirkuk, killed 12 of them and allowed two to go free to tell
others against joining US-backed security forces. Two civilians were killed
near Balad for casting their vote. Three Iraqi soldiers were killed and three
wounded in a bomb attack in Yathrib. A soldier and a woman were killed in
a bomb blast targeting army convoy in Shorgat. Five fighters were killed
when they attacked a village for taking part in elections. A dead body of a
driver working for the US military was found in Tuz. An employee of US
was gunned down and four wounded in Baquba. Two civilians were killed
and six wounded in mortar fire in Tall Afar. A member of Shiite party was
killed in northern Baghdad. An Iraqi captain was killed and two soldiers
wounded in Muthanna. Two Iraqi policemen were killed, 14 wounded and
36 went missing after an ambush in southern Iraq. Governor of Anbar
escaped attempt on his life. Two Iraqis were killed in Baiji by booby trap
bomb.
The insurgents fought for liberation of their country against the

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combined might of occupation forces and Iraqi collaborators. One of the

statements posted on Website after an attack read, young Mujahideen from
the al-Qaeda Group of Jihad in the Land of Two Rivers assassinated a tyrant
from among the Americans agents, the governor of Baghdad, may God
liberate it and the whole of Iraq. We tell every traitor and supporter of the
Jews and Christians that this is your fate.
Their resistance is likely to continue even after holding of elections,
because according to estimates the resistance has grown over the past year
from some 5,000 hard-core fighters to 20,000, despite US forces having
arrested or killed 15,000 enemy fighters. There are about one to three
thousand foreign fighters. In addition a large portion of the population,
including Shias, is also quite angry with occupation forces.
A glimpse of the anger was reported by Associated Press from
Fallujah. Nasser returned and he could barely recognize the place where he
had spent 66 years of his life. His anger against the Americans and Iraqi
forces allied with them has only multiplied since his return. When I see
Americans in Fallujah I feel as if I am seeing devils in front of me he said.

ELECTIONS
Election drama was essential to legitimize and to prolong occupation
of Iraq. Bush claimed addressing the root cause of terrorism. According to
him introduction of democracy was the only solution to end frustration
caused by tyranny. Four days before elections he said, Iraqi polls will be a
grand moment and vowed to complete Iraq mission as quickly as possible.'
Next day he lauded Iraqis' struggle for democracy.
Blair remained committed to hold polls. I think it is extremely
important that the terrorists dont gain a victory. Elections must take place,
said French Foreign Minister. Powell said, the United States could consider
its mission there accomplished once a representative government and an
Iraqi security forces are in place. White House, however, accepted that Iraqi
elections will be flawed and Straw said, elections are going to be
imperfect. Yet Bush saw no credibility problem for US in Iraq.
Prevalent intensity of insurgency was main threat to the credibility of
this plan. The resistance groups further increased their attacks and threatened
to disrupt polls. On 27th January there were 98 attacks, more than three
times, as compared to 29 five days earlier. Next day Zarqawi vowed to kill
anyone who votes in a poll designed to bring Iraqs infidels to power. A day
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before the polling he again warned Iraqis to stay away from centres of
infidelity and immorality; referring to polling stations.
Coalition forces and puppet regime had anticipated this and adopted
all possible security measures for the conduct of polls. On 2 nd January US
sent more troops to Mosul ahead of elections. Britain sent additional 400
soldiers to Iraq. Occupation forces were, however, to remain in supporting
role as per security plan for polls. The precious blood of the Crusaders
could not be spilled for freedom and democracy meant for a Muslim state.
Allawi vowed, we will not allow violence and terrorists to stop the
political process We know some Iraqis fear voting but we have to
overcome those fears. He extended emergency law for 30 days on 6th
January. Iraqi government announced Election Day security plan
encompassing three days holiday, no cars around polling stations, and no
vehicular movement around cities. Two days before the polls land borders
were closed and travel between provinces was banned. Curfew was imposed
in most cities from 7 pm to 6 am.
In spite of the security measures ensuring better turnout in polls
remained a major challenge. Efforts to persuade Sunnis through Arab States
for participation continued till last. Yawar urged the UN, keeping the Sunni
participation in mind, to look into whether the country should hold the polls
as scheduled. Sunni clerics offered participation if the US government
provides, under international auspices, a timeframe for American withdrawal
from Iraq. America rejected the demand. Iraqi minister warned, failing to
take part in the elections is tantamount to treason
Apart from Sunnis Sadr was the only Shia leader to announce boycott
of the elections. I as an Iraqi will not participate in the elections, and will
not enter into this political game at all. Refusing to participate in the election
gets you branded as an enemy of democracy, and if you participate in them
you find that you have been caught in their game in such a way that you
cannot escape.
The occupation forces saw no problem regarding participation of
Shiite majority. Sistani urged Shias to vote in elections. Hakim, confident of
winning majority, promised seats to Sunnis in next government. Zebari said
that post-ballot dominance of Shias was exaggerated.
The election commission took extra measures to improve
participation. Registration date in Anbar and Ninevah was extended to
facilitate voters in casting their votes. Voting by expatriates was arranged.
Polls fever was reported sweeping away from anarchy of central Iraq. Half
575

of Iraqi voters were expected to participate; only Saddam and his aides were
not allowed to vote for technical reasons.
The polling began with casting of votes by 280,000 overseas Iraqis.
Like Afghanistan, a woman was selected to cast first vote in Australia with a
view to inculcating moderation in Islamic societies. Kassim Abood, one of
the first voters was reported saying, when I look at the ink on my finger
this is a mark of freedom. By 29th January 30 percent of overseas Iraqis had
voted.
Within Iraq, Talal Yaldeh standing in a queue outside a bakery on 29 th
January said, going out tomorrow will be dangerous and so is standing here
now. I dont want to get shot for bread. Those who were prepared to risk
getting out on 30th were uncertain whether to cast vote with joy or fear as
reported by AFP after interviewing voters.
Bloodshed marked election in Iraq read the headline of the News.
Zarqawi claimed carrying out 13 suicide attacks. Fallujah looked like a ghost
city on Election Day. There were five polling stations but no one turned out
to vote. Election Commission claimed 72 percent turnout. It was more than
Afghanistan and ought to be so to make it credible. United Iraqi Alliance
hoped to win 45 percent or more seats. Kurds were set to win two-third of
vote in Kirkuk. An Iraqi minister was confident of Sunnis role in future
government. Resistance groups vowed to continue the holy war.
There was mixed international response to elections; the neighbours in
particular remained apprehensive. Jordan accused Iran before polls of
influencing elections and Iran reacted by downgrading its representation in
Amman. Syria said, Iraq was not yet ready for elections. Boycott by
Sunnis will affect credibility of polls observed Arab League.
Turkey cautioned Baghdad over Kurdish voters. It opposed the return
of Kurds expelled from Kirkuk by Saddam under pretext of polls which
could result in Kurdish control of Kirkuk that Kurds want to see, the city in
oil-rich area, as capital of the independent Kurdish state. Turkish Prime
Minister said, my only worry is if the new government will represent all the
Iraqis. Russia vowed to respect results.
As regards the turnout Linda S Heard noted about a week before the
polls that three or four Sunni provinces (containing almost half the
country's entire population) will be virtually excluded due to rising levels of
violence.' Zogby poll showed that 76 percent Sunni Arabs did not plan to
vote, only 9 percent were definite to vote. By contrast 80 percent Shiites
were expected to vote.
576

Election Commission claimed 72% turnout, which in view of the

Sunni boycott meant that almost 100 percent participation of Shias. The
countries complaining of low turnout could consider arranging bloodshed for
couple of years prior to each poll for improving this aspect of the democratic
process.
Participation of the Shias was undoubtedly high. The credit went to
Sistani who wanted elections hoping for establishment of Shia rule for the
first time in history of the country. He had issued a fatwa opposing the
drawing up of a constitution by a coalition-picked council and insisted for
electing a national assembly. He took on US-led Coalition which wanted to
hold off on elections.
He refused to join Sunnis to fight against and convinced Sadr to give
up the fight against occupation forces. He resisted the Sunni calls for delay
in polls and then engineered forming of United Iraqi Alliance of main Shiite
factions. He saw elections as peaceful way to end occupation. In words of
Robert Fisk, Tahrir independence is a word which a lot of people voted
for on Sunday; not for democracy as the Western media would have it
freedom from the Americans.
Sunni clerics immediately branded the new government illegitimate
for writing the constitution, or concluding security and trade agreements.
Zogby poll analysts had already predicted deep divisionsthat are so deep
and pronounced that this election, instead of bringing people together, may
very well tear them apart.
America saw it as a great day for Iraq. Bush called polls a resounding
success. Straw termed it as extraordinary. Allawi hailed election and saw
start of new era for Iraq. He called on Iraqis to join together to build a
society shattered by decades of war, tyranny, economic sanctions and
military occupation. Out of the reasons quoted for sufferings of Iraqis,
Saddam could be blamed for the former two, but the America was
responsible for all the four.
Europe eyed positive news from polls and pledged help to Iraq; even
war critics praised polls. Chirac phoned Bush and told him that he was
satisfied by Iraqi participation in the vote. The strategy of terrorist groups
has partly failed. All the Crusaders, active or dormant, prefer to call Iraqi
resistance as terrorism. Italian Prime Minister said, the election would help
drag other Arab countries out of the Middle Ages.
Observers could note no more than little fraud in polls. Annans
representative termed it transparent and fair. His representative claimed
577

that elections were dignified and peaceful. The advice dispensed by the
US experts to Annan proved effective.
Iran called it a great step, but Arab World voiced cautious optimism.
Saudi rulers warily studied the polls. 'More turmoil in Iraq is what really
worries the Saudis.' Syria feared sedition in Iraq after elections. Turkey
remained apprehensive about Kurds and its Foreign Minister wanted
stronger US action against Kurdish rebels.
Comments on elections should start with mention of quality of media
coverage of this drama. Robert Fisk termed it hotel journalism. All the
information that comes out from Iraq is the American side of the story.
Salient points from his report are as under:

Western reporters in Baghdad are reporting from their hotels rather

than the streets of towns and cities. Some are accompanied
everywhere by hired and heavily armed Western mercenaries.

A few live in local offices from which their editors refuse them
permission to leave. Most use Iraqi stringers part-time
correspondents who risk their lives to conduct interviews for
American or British journalists.

None can contemplate a journey outside the capital without days of

preparation unless they embed themselves with American or British
forces. Several Western journalists simply do not leave their rooms
while on station in Baghdad.

Amid an insurgency where Westerners and many Arabs as well as

other foreigners are kidnapped and killed, reporting this war is
becoming close to impossible. Many journalists consider that a large
dose of discretion is the better part of valor.

Only six months ago, it was still possible to leave Baghdad in the
morning, drive to Mosul or Najaf or other major cities to cover a
story, and return by evening. By August, it was taking me two weeks
to negotiate my dubious safety for a mere 80-mile journey outside
Baghdad.

Many reporters are now reduced to telephoning the American military

or the Iraqi interim government for information from their hotel
rooms, receiving facts from men and women who are even more
isolated from Iraq in the Baghdad Green Zone.

Or they take reports from correspondents who are embedded with

578

American troops and who will, necessarily, only get the American side
of the story.
In a subsequent report he wrote, yes, I know how its all going to be
played out. Iraqis bravely vote despite the bloodcurdling threats of the
enemies of democracy. He added, the big television networks have been
given a list of five polling stations where they will be allowed to film,
four of the five are in Shia Muslim areas where the polling will probably
high and one in an up-market Sunni area where it will be moderate.
European countries warned their journalists to keep out of Iraq.
British media prepared for covering most difficult and dangerous story they
may ever report:

BBC sent ten more reporters to Basra and Kurdish north. Armed with
flak jackets and strict security measures, they couldnt track down
news and perforce had to rely on US and British military reports.

On their own steam they couldnt go beyond Baghdad and could

barely move within the city. Iraqi cameramen were hired. One team
considered armoured convoy and helicopters even for as short a trip as
from airport to Green Zone.

Another grew beards. (Growing beard for deception to have worldly

gains is the way of civilized people, but keeping a beard in obedience
of Divine commands is the way of primitive people.)

The analysts had started exercising their minds well before 30 th

January to visualize the possible effects of polls. Most of the realists were
not optimistic. Maureen Dowd wrote in the New York Times about elections
in Iraq. The Iraqi election that was meant to be the solution to the problem
like the installation of a new Iraqi government and the transfer of the
sovereignty and all the other steps that were supposed to make things better
may actually be making things worse Matters of state and the heart that
start with a lie rarely end well.
Elections could plunge Iraq further into the abyss, wrote Seumas
Milne in the Guardian. Helena Cobban spelled out the reason, true
democracy is about much more than just holding elections. America was
keen to follow precedence set by Afghan. But Afghanistan also set
precedence for invasion of Iraq and that experience had not been quite
pleasant. The same could be true about elections.
On the other hand Jim Hoagland while writing in the Washington Post
a day before the elections recounted miseries of Iraqi people before the
579

Crusaders liberated them and then said, the world will be witnessing a
widening of the circle of human freedom keeping the same in mind
Nasim Zehra had advised Iraqis to 'take advantage of the political opening
provided by the January 30 elections' which the Crusaders had arranged
despite hostile environments.
Ihtesham Kayani in his letter to the News had disagreed. The world
waits helplessly for another puppet, tyrant regime to take effect after the socalled elections in Iraq (to see) American dictatorship in the guise of
democracy. Only fools are optimistic about the results and are asking the
Iraqi people to give their consent. The occupation forces will never like to
see an independent set-up that asks them to pack up after assuming power.
No matter who wins, there will be no let up in oppressing policies in Iraq,
and Iraqis will keep suffering, probably a little more than they are now.
Shia domination remained the focus of most analysts. Maureen Dowd
said, the election is going to expand the control of the Shiite theocrats, even
beyond what their numbers would entitle them to have, because of the way
Bush team has set it up. Patrick Bishop of the Telegraph enumerated the
possible impact on the region with special emphasis on possible Shia rule as
result of the polls:

If Shiites emerge dominant the fear is of a Shiite belt running from

Iran through southern Iraq and along the southern shore of the Gulf
encompassing some of the richest oil fields.

Expansion of Shiite influence alarms even the countries where there

is no religious divide. This could lead to intensify the clash between
secularists and fundamentalists.

The victory of oppressed Shiite majority in Iraq could encourage

Shiite minorities in other countries.

With elections there is the chance that, once the historical imbalance
in power is corrected (by Shias coming into power) Iraq may hold
together. He concluded, whatever the outcome, the results will
trouble virtually every regime in the Middle East where power is
invariably underpinned by authoritarianism.

The neighbours will be apprehensive of the stunning paradox that

the only free and fair elections in the region took place under
American occupation in this case, Israeli in that of last months
Palestinian presidential poll.
Others were not so very sure. Bashkin, a historian said there was a
580

popular phrase during British control al-watha al-shadh or perplexing

predicament referred to the idea that Iraq was ruled by a local government,
and also a foreign government I think something similar is going on now.
George Soros in the Jordan times wrote, '...the elections in Iraq are about to
be converted into a civil war between Shia-Kurd dominated government and
a Sunni insurrection.'
The News in its editorial wrote, in the final analysis, the American
experiment of introducing freedom and democracy under the barrel of the
gun seems to have failed to the extent that Washington may just settle for a
non-representative government that comes out of a farcical poll process.
As regards Allawis political standing Linda S Heard had following to
say:

'The idea that Allawi has mega following is frankly laughable. This is
a former Baathist who fell out with Saddam Hussain and forged links
with CIA.'

'Allawi's bid already looks suspect after he dolled out $ 100 bills to
reporters hoping for favourable coverage.' And for in many areas
people being told that if they don't vote...the food and supply rations
we are supposed to get monthly will be cut off.'

'Iraqis know that Allawi perpetuates the lie (that) their country is now
a sovereign state.'

'Allawi is no patriot and if he remains prime minister after the vote,

then, as far as I am concerned it was a sham, a pre-arranged set-up just
as the Iraqi diplomat confided it would be.'

For these reasons Rumsfeld 'acknowledged that this election will be

far from perfect but believes a flawed election is better than no
election.'

'The outcome of the elections is more or less a done deal. Allawi is set
to continue' Linda S Heard quoted one of close friends of the puppet.
Reuters reported that Shia alliance may win but can't sweep elections and
predicted that Allawi was most likely to stay as Prime Minister. However,
AFP observed that Sistani-backed candidates will try to edge him out of job.
The commentary continued after elections. Robert Fisk wrote, Shia
Muslim power will be enshrined for the first time in an Arab country. And
then the manipulation will begin and the claims of fraud and the admissions
that the elections might be flawed in some areas But well go on saying

581

democracy and freedom over and over again, the insurgency will continue
and grow even more violent, and the Iraqis will go on dying. But there will
be democracy in Iraq.
Hans B Bremer labeled the resistance of Sunnis with a variety of
sectarian violence. He opined, the violence that plagued Iraq in the months
leading up to the election was horrific by any standards. But without wishing
to sound flippant, it could have been much, much worse. In recent weeks,
much of the violence was of a distinctly sectarian variety. And to be fair, one
should call it one-sided sectarian violence. Whatever an extremist minority
of Iraqs Sunni minority perpetrated, it did not lead to retaliation by the
majority Shia community.
As only Sunnis were resisting occupation and mostly Shias dared
joining police and National Guards to launch counter insurgency operations
along with the Crusaders, all killings would look like sectarian strife. Such
appearance of the resistance fitted well in the design of the Crusaders.
The News wrote, the occupying forces must allow the new Iraqi
government a free hand in determining the future course for its people. The
way Iraqi people have responded to elections establishes that they do not
need any sermons on democracy and how it should be run. They must be
allowed to sort out their differences themselves, without being influenced by
outside forces.
Sami Ramadani carried out a comparison. Vietnam turnout was good
as well, but no amount of spin can conceal Iraqis hostility to US
occupation. Excerpts from his article are as under:

In 1967 the New York Times had published; US encouraged by

Vietnam vote: officials cite 83% turnout despite Vietcong terror.
Americans had been surprised and heartened by the turnout. It went
on; growth of constitutional process in Vietnam was encouraging.
The echoes of this weekends propaganda about Iraqs elections are
so close as to be uncanny.

How could you square the words democracy, free and fair with brutal
reality of occupation, martial law, a US-appointed election
commission and secret candidates

The initial claim of 72% having voted was quickly downgraded to

57% of those registered to vote in fact, as UN sources confirm,
there has been no registration or published list of electors. Out of
280,000 Iraqis registered abroad, 265,000 actually voted.
582

Shias responded to Sistanis call and declared that voting on Sunday

was the first step to kicking out the occupiers. Sadr, who rejected the
elections as a sham, is likely to make a comeback in its open
resistance to the occupation.

The big vote in Kurdistan primarily reflects the Kurdish peoples

demand for national self-determination which fits in the plan of
redrawing of map.

In short elections in Iraq were far more unique as compared to Afghan

elections in many ways out of which the size of occupation forces, the
intensity of resistance, resultant bloodshed and destruction, and absence of
UN involvement stood out conspicuously.
The analysis should end with views on the most important issue of US
pullout. Sami Ramadani opined, Iraqis are increasingly united in their
determination to end the occupation. Jonathan Power advised UN to take
over and once a new government is in position it should ask the American
and the British soldiers to leave.
America had ended search for WMDs in December admitting that no
new findings of any chemical, biological or nuclear arms were found. Based
on this Scott Ritter wrote, we now know there were no WMD, and thus no
justification for the war. He also wondered about absence of any
repercussions.
Farhan Bokhari advised America to address the problem by first
recognizing that the war on Iraq was a significant policy blunder, and
subsequently work to tackle the humanitarian fallout. Michael OHanion
and James Steinberg writing in the Washington Post suggested phased
pullout to defuse rising insurgency. Linda S Heard commented on the
possibility of pullout of US troops as under:

'Fears of a take over by Shiite clerics have prompted speculation that

Washington might have been trying to strike a deal with al-Sistani to
keep Allawi as prime minister after the election' he quoted Sunday's
Times.

This is to pre-empt al-Hakim who has been 'clamouring for American

troops to go home.' His call could prove embarrassing as 'Bush has
promised to abide by the wishes of sovereign Iraqi government.'

'US troops aren't about to go anywhere especially since neighbouring

Iran features large on the 2005 pre-emption menu.' A paper signed by
several members of the Bush Administration suggests US troops need
583

to establish a permanent foothold in the Gulf, while keeping a low

profile.'

It would be wrong to speculate that 'Bush administration is poised to

walk off into the sunset sans oil and sans face, leaving an Iraqi
government representing the Shiite majority free to cozy up to the
Iranian ayatollahs.'

'Once Iraq is officially stamped a democracy and American soldiers

withdraw to a series of permanent bases..., the Strauss-cons will have
achieved their objective of occupation in democracy's clothing.'

Julian Borger saw no signs of US readiness to pullout, but there were

signs to the contrary:

The army has said it will need 120,000 troops for the next two years
at least.

Pentagon has accepted building of half a dozen enduring bases at a

cost of billions of dollars; though Global security reported
construction of 12 permanent bases.

Pentagon claimed these bases were for use by the new Iraqi Army,
which has no fighter jets and no tanks. What do you call a country
with no jets and no fighter planes? It is called a protectorate Thirtyseven hundred people are not an embassy its a proto-government.

Bush had said that the countrys new leadership (to be elected on 30 th)
the need for coalition troops at least until Iraqis are able to fight. The
new Iraq government will realize that the US-led coalition is
necessary for the foreseeable future to hold the country together.

The training of new Iraqi security forces have gone slow despite
repeated assertions; we will try harder.

Sami Ramadani said, those who insist that the US is desperate for an
exit strategy are misreading its intentions. The facts on the ground, including
the construction of massive military bases in Iraq, indicate that the US is
digging in to install and back a long-term puppet regime. Salim Lone opined
that had such election been held in Zimbabwe, the west would have
denounced it yet election will anoint an occupation.
American and British officials had been working on finding
justifications for staying on by repeatedly announcing that polls wont end
violence. Bush expected that Iraq is likely to want US troops to stay.
Talks of withdrawal of Coalition forces from Iraq are premature said
584

Allawi. Iraq to be terrorists heaven if US sets date for pullout, explained a

senior Iraqi official the logic behind it. Kissinger and Shultz had already
opposed pullout. Security 'timeline' to guide Iraqi handover, said Blair.
Even on Election Day America resisted timetable for pullout; instead
America had planned to assign thousands of troops to advise and train Iraqi
military units. After elections Rice refused to discuss exit strategy. On 3 rd
February Bush finally rejected timetable for leaving Iraq.
Therefore, the US-led presence will continue, with all that entails in
terms of bloodshed and destruction with marked tinge of terrorism in US
strategy. Such fears are fuelled by the record of John Negroponte, the US
Ambassador in Baghdad, (who backed) terror gangs in Central America in
the 80s and Seymour Hirshs reports on the Pentagons assassination squads
and enthusiasm for the Salvador Option.
M B Naqvi went beyond the bloodshed in foreseeing the events to
come. Bush will pronounce mission accomplished. Some US troops will
soon withdraw. Democracy will return with mostly US-approved people
elected. Iraqis will stay alienated. Killings will continue. Iraqi oil will
remain controlled by US. Most contracts will go to US companies. US will
turn next to Syria to impose democracy.

OTHER ASPECTS
Occupation forces high-handedness both in conduct of war and abuse
of prisoners continued unchecked but was kept well concealed after Abu
Ghraib revelations. On 9th January US forces accepted killing five persons
instead of 14 confirmed by different sources. They however came out with
the excuse that the bomb erroneously hit the wrong house; so the bomb was
at fault. Yet they were gracious enough to regret the incident. The unending
incidents of prisoners abuse committed by the occupation forces led M B
Naqvi to comment that American interrogators have outdone Saddams
torturers.
During the period there were reports about British brand of abuse. The
best in the world were accused of abusing and sexually humiliating
prisoners. British papers published some photos of abuse. If one asks Blair,
he will refute and insist that the best in the world can do no wrong.
The Sun wrote, when we all saw the awful pictures of American
soldiers abusing Iraqis at Abu Ghraib jail, we never imagined such things
could happen at a British camp. We were wrong. After all Americans are
585

none but the sons of British and civilized nations of Europe. If son can do it,
why cant papa?
By 23rd January British Army had investigated nine cases. 48 were
under investigation, and 77 had been investigated and closed. In cases which
went for trial there the defence counsel argued that the accused were only
following orders, just like the American had done. The British leaders also
took refuge behind bad apple theory.
Raj Pershaud while commenting on reports of abuse by British
soldiers ruled out 'bad apple' excuse and dilated on the reasons behind this:

'An extremely dark part of the human psyche in action is sadism; the
taking of pleasure in causing pain or humiliation to another... It is
deeply troubling phenomenon because it is not perpetrated by
animals.'

'Actually it is good knowledge of human attributes that fuels sadism.

For example, the killing of children in front of their parents requires
knowledge of what would be most painful for human to witness.'

'The pictures from the British Army's Camp Bead Basket in southern
Iraq and the earlier US ones from Abu Ghraib reveal that there is deep
understanding in the military mind of the kind of predicaments likely
to be found most humiliating by Arab males and their deployment for
that precise purpose.'

'Sadism occurs when perpetrators are stressed, desensitized, and view

their victims as threats or as subhuman.'

'The kind of sadistic humiliation wreaked on Iraqi prisoners is the

entirely predictable product of the US and UK governments have
unleashed in Iraq

'This is because subordinates not only do what they are ordered to do,
but what they think their superiors would order them to do, given their
understanding of the authority's overall goals.'

'So to understand what the coalition forces have been doing to Iraqi
prisoners, you have to start with the psychological forces...' unleashed
to sell the war.

Anne Applebaum elaborated the last point of sadism and torture.

America does not care about moral, legal and constitutional obligations in its

586

war on terror and added 'wide range of Americans would be prepared to

endorse cruel and unusual methods' to extract information from those who
know where the next bomb will explode. Therefore, in America 'what's at
stake in this controversy is nothing less than the ability of US forces to
interrogate enemies who want to murder innocent civilians.'
Alan Dershowitz argued for legalizing the torture. He suggested 'that
interrogators in such a case should get a torture warrant from a judge.' He
recommended this despite the fact that many acknowledge ineffectiveness of
torture to extract reliable information.
Cover up of the war crimes continued through auspices of Kangaroo
courts. On 4th January two US Navy lieutenants faced hearings on charges of
abuse. Three days later two charges of obstruction of justice and adultery
were dropped against Abu Ghraib ring leader. A week later a US soldier
faced court martial on killing a teenager in slums of Baghdad. Next day the
ring leader was awarded ten years imprisonment.
On 23rd January two US soldiers were sentenced over killing in Iraq.
One got three years and the other 18 months imprisonment. What a
punishment! Britain followed the precedent set by America. Four UK soldier
faced court-martial over abuse charge, one of them pleaded guilty to beating
Iraqi captive. The one who pleaded guilty to assaulting a civilian has had a
charge of disgraceful conduct against him dropped.
Americans also took measures to exercise effective control over
prisoners. On 1st January 260 detainees in Iraq were released. About a week
later another batch of 230 prisoners was freed from Abu Ghraib jail after a
review board determined that these were no longer a security threat. The
criteria for determining this remained a secret.
Neighbours of Iraq were accused of interference on the basis of
American forces holding 325 foreign fighters. Without disclosing the
country-wise breakdown of these prisoners, Syria was pressed to do more on
border security. US considered imposing new sanctions, and Russia was
asked not to sell missiles to Syria. After giving a general threat in his
inaugural speech, Bush came on to specifics. He accused Iran and Syria of
sponsoring terror and asked Saudi Arabia and Egypt to reform.
Turkey, US and Iraq discussed Kurdish rebels issue. On 11th January
Ankara held trilateral talks on Kurdish militants. Iraqi representative
discussed the issue with US undersecretary of state and Iraqi deputy foreign
minister before participating. Three weeks later Turkey slammed US for
failing to rein in Kurds.
587

America mulled adding military advisors to Iraqi forces and US

Embassy sought more money to train Iraqi forces. Rumsfeld appointed an ex
General to conduct an open ended review of the US militarys Iraq policy,
including troop levels, focusing on how best to train Iraqi soldiers and
police. The emphasis remained on collection and preparation of gun fodder
to save own casualties. The retired General sent to Iraq endorsed shifting of
US troops role from direct combat to supporting frontline Iraqi units.
Allawi promised to build Iraqi Security Forces. Iraqi Government
planned to recruit another 100, 000 ex-Saddams army men. Iraq's top
military commander said Iraqi forces would take full security responsibility
by December, with US troops falling back to bases.
Exuberance of willing allies had started dissipating since long. NATO
mulled reducing training mission in Iraq. Portugal decided to withdraw
troops and Poland planned to reduce the present strength of 2,400 troops by
one-third by February. Ukrainian Parliament called for immediate
withdrawal of troops.
Australian Envoy in Iraq preferred to move into US base for safety.
Italy planned to send armoured helicopters. Japanese people wanted their
troops out of Iraq. Even some US soldiers refused second term in Iraq and
Britain was reported urging US to give timetable of withdrawal of troops.
The world body remained a non-entity in the context of Iraq. Annans
special representative, Ashraf Qazi, was hardly seen in Iraq. He only visited
Pakistan with a secret agenda, met Musharraf and Kasuri, and invited PML
to visit Iraq after polls. He used his energies to secure Pakistans
involvement in illegal occupation of a country rather than addressing other
issues like the one mentioned by Yawar, who sought UN assessment about
the feasibility of elections in January.
On the sidelines of Iraq Sharons Israel was encouraged to do what
occupation forces had been doing in Iraq. During the period following
incidents of Israeli aggression and Palestinian retaliation were reported:

Two Hamas leaders were killed in Israeli air strike in Khan Younis
and a Palestinian teenager was shot dead by soldiers on 31 st
December.

On 2nd January Israel launched new incursion into northern Gaza.

Next day a Hamas member died in premature explosion of a rocket.

Eight Palestinian, including an eleven year old boy and five teenagers,
were killed on 4th January as punishment for mortar fire on Israeli
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territory. Next day two Palestinians were shot dead in Gaza.

On 7th January two Palestinians and one Israeli were killed. Barghuti
was held by Israelis and then released. Two days later UN man was
among three killed in Lebanon-Israel border.

Four Palestinian fighters and Jewish settler were killed in Gaza Strip
and West Bank on 12th January.

On 14th January six Israelis and three Palestinians were killed in

Suicide attack on a checkpoint, which was closed for indefinite period
after attack.

Seven Palestinians were killed in clashes with Israeli troops in Gaza

on 15th January. Two days later two militants were shot dead south of
Gaza Strip.

On 26th January Israeli troops killed a Palestinian militant and

wounded two others in Qalqiliya. Next day Israel agreed to free 900
Palestinians.

Abbas won elections by obtaining 62.32 percent votes. He promised

independent Palestine state and reiterated his call to militants to lay down
arms as he eyed a chance of peace with Israel. He asked forces to stop
attacks and in response Hamas demanded that first Israel should stop
operations against Palestinians. Al-Aqsa Brigades, however, announced halt
to attacks.
On the other hand Israel feared derailment of Gaza pullout process,
because of the calls to soldiers to disobey orders. Sharon gave free hand to
army to deal with Palestinians after accusing the new leadership of failing to
control militancy. However, Israel opened Egypt-Gaza border post.
After hectic negotiations Hamas and Islamic Jihad were prepared to
consider ceasefire. Hamas spokesman said, 'our position is that the Israeli
occupation should first commit itself to a ceasefire. After that we have no
objections about dealing with the subject positively.' Meanwhile Israeli
minister claimed that deal for ceasefire had been struck between militants
and the new Palestinian leader.
The same day Sharon put pressure by threatening to launch a largescale military operation in Gaza if Palestinian rockets continue to be
launched against the southern Israeli town of Sderot. Qorei accused Israel of
bad faith over barrier row. 'We are making 100 percent efforts to bring about
a ceasefire but Israel is sending us an ugly message by working on the wall.'

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Officials of both sides held meetings on 26th January to prepare for a

summit between Israeli and Palestinian leaders and to finalize a plan for
Palestinian police deployment in the central and southern Gaza Strip. Jewish
settlers disrupted the first meeting.
On 28th January Israel announced end to operations in Gaza where
Palestinian security forces had been deployed. Peres hoped for new era in
Middle East. Two days later more than 130,000 Israelis protested in front of
parliament against pullout plan from Gaza. On 1 st February Israel put the
transfer of security control on parts of the West Bank on hold as Palestinian
forces in Gaza Strip failed to prevent mortar fire by Hamas. Israel and
Palestinian leaders agreed to meet on 8th February.

CONCLUSION
There were reasons to believe that occupation have struck a deal with
Shias at least for continuation of Allawi, who has proved to be staunchly
loyal. His continuation will also pre-empt the possibility of new government
asking US troops to pullout. The call from any Shiite group would merit no
response in presence of democratically elected government.
Major problem for the new assembly will be to achieve reconciliation
with Sunnis which in turn will make the consensus difficult for framing the
constitution. Nevertheless, the Crusaders will try their best for finalization of
the document through manipulation and coercion.
Two years after harping about Saddams WMDs America abandoned
the search for the dirty bomb that never existed. This year started with the
hype of democracy and freedom for Iraqis and from two years on the world
might find that these too never existed.
Linda S Heard opined that peace in Middle East is not the goal of
America, because it will mean an end to American presence in the region.
America will justify that guns and bloodshed are must for peace, democracy
and freedom. Tyranny is the best tool to deal with tyranny.
The world body was kept out of the game of democracy. Annans
special representative must have been the least talked about UN
representative in the history. He even failed to convince Pakistan about
sending troops to Iraq.
The only encouraging development has been the start of debate on
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pullout. It has started comparatively much sooner than expected. In case of

Vietnam it took more time and more American casualties for initiation of
similar debate. May it was because war in Iraq had been illegal right from
the outset; whereas Vietnam War was fallout of Second World War.

4th February 2005

BUGTIS BALUCHISTAN
The SUI (needle) of affairs in Sui has moved from normal green zone
to the critical red zone. We must bring it back to the normal. wrote Khalid
Mustafa to the News. The needle did not move to red zone all of a sudden; it
had been ticking since long. Mention of the ticking has been made in some
of the preceding articles.
The government totally committed to the Crusades against Islamic
militancy and inculcation of enlightened moderation remained complacent to
perpetration of terrorism by Baluch sardars led by Bugti. It waited till
rockets fell on one of the most precious national assets and caused leakage
of poisonous gas.
The government of the brave General vowed to take stern action
against militants. But gas of valiance and resolve soon leaked out of his
balloon on seeing that all the anti-government and anti-state forces had
rallied around belligerent Bugti.
Till to-date the government, never tired of talking Pakistan first has
remained on defensive. All the measures adopted so far for protection of
national and private assets have been passive in nature; whereas the
perpetrators of terror have continued with their evil activities.
The problem is much graver than it appears. At this stage it is an
internal problem of Pakistan, but if the situation is allowed to deteriorate it
could soon become a matter of concern for the international community. The
civilized world could equate it with Darfur.

NATIONALIST TERROR
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Nationalist Baluchi Nawabs had been resorting to militancy since late

50s on the pretext of economic deprivation. When Pakistan security forces
got embroiled with Pushtoons on behalf of the Crusaders, they saw an
opportunity to press the federal government for more money and privileges,
not for the province but for themselves. This time they had armed
themselves better to perpetrate harassment.
Their subversive activities had been going on for more than a year, but
after the composition of a Parliamentary Committee to address the
grievances of Baluchis, the sardars decided to terrorize the government.
Since then terrorist attacks were carried out daily.
On 7th January armed men blew up gas pipeline at Sui. Next day the
dose was repeated with rocket attack. The staff at gas installations stayed
away from work and the residents started vacating colonies because of the
rising tension. Akbar Bugti was encouraged by the governments
complacence and he extended his agenda beyond Sui by warning against
laying any gas pipeline via Baluchistan.
On 10th January four people died as about 50 rockets were fired at FC
post in Sui. Next day the terrorists launched a well planned attack on gas
installations. Four more people were killed, gas structures were badly
damaged and gas supply was suspended.
According to ISPR a few miscreants under the garb of taking a patient
to the doctor approached and requested for gate to be opened. On opening of
the gate they overpowered security personnel killing one and wounding
another. More miscreants came in and attacked two watch towers and took
control of the DSG. Then they targeted Acid Pipeline, Gas Purification Plant
and residences of PPL workers. It was also reported that 16 vehicles brought
reinforcements for the miscreants from Kahan in Marri area.
Next day Bugti boasted about the invincibility of Baluchis. Baluch
nation cannot be hit Musharraf could hit a few Baluch leaders but not hit
or eliminate the Baluch nation. He then claimed that 96 vehicles of regular
army and gunship helicopters had moved towards Sui and Dera Bugti. He
refuted ISPR that vehicles carried Murris to Dera Bugti area.
He alleged that present incidents were backlash of the gang rape of Dr
Shazia Khalid. He blamed PPL and DSG for covering up the case. The
authorities failed to take action against persons involved despite the lapse of
ten days. He accused FC and DSG of shelling civilian population killing
several women and children. He rejected governments claim that gas plant
and other installations were targeted. Had the gas installations been targeted,
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towers, purification plant and compressors would not have been intact. He
apprehended that preparations to launch military operation in Dera Bugti
within a day have been made. He then said that talks and operation cannot
go side by side.
Fourteen nationalist tribes in Baluchistan got united despite fierce
rivalries and all the opponents of the ruling party also started rallying around
Bugti. Opposition urged political solution to Sui unrest. Four-party alliance
called APC on Baluchistan issues. The alliance members condemned
deployment of security forces in Sui area. Dr Hayee said Baluchistan was
passing through a critical time and deployment of troops has caused great
resentment. Baluch will resist any military operation vowed BNP.
On 15th January MQM threatened to quit government if operation was
launched. Meanwhile the residents of Sui tehsil fled due to panic created by
the rumours of military operation and armed tribesmen started thronging
Dera Bugti. Mengal saw the situation reaching at point of no return. He held
a press conference and said:

Baluch are committed to protecting the integrity of their

motherland No other option but to do or die.

No room for reconciliation. No negotiations on gunpoint.

Search is continuing and women folk and children are being

misbehaved.

FC has established 584 check posts in Baluchistan which are more

than IHK and Palestine.

He thanked Altaf for expressing solidarity with the Baluch people and
condemned rape of a daughter of Sindh.

Bugti showed willingness for talks if government pulled forces out.

NWFP Assembly asked the Centre to resolve the crisis through negotiations.
Nasim Wali expressed concern over Baluchistan situation and vowed ANP
would stand by Baluch people if any action is taken. PPP submitted motion
on lady doctors rape to discuss the incident as to why it took place in a
heavily guarded compound and why the incident was covered up.
On 18th January Baluchistan APC called for political solution. It
alleged that deployment of troops was not for protection but to take
control of gas installations and demanded immediate withdrawal of troops.
It resented Gwadar project meant to benefit multinational companies rather
than for the good of the people of the area. Construction of cantonments was

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termed an attempt to snatch mineral resources of Baluchistan. It objected to

establishment of check posts, naval bases and security zones. The
government was asked to abandon Gwadar, Kalabagh Dam and Greater Thal
Canal and pay Rupees 600 billion as gas royalty.
The same day ARD delegation planned to meet Baluch leaders. Altaf
urged government to stop search of houses in Sui. Next day Bugti said that
Baluch cannot damage their assets. But he knew for sure as to who damaged
the assets. He blamed some powerful people for arranging the drama. He
threatened to follow the path of Bengalis if Baluchis were denied to own
their assets. He vowed to resist military operation.
Five days later JWP rejected talks with government. Bugti declined to
meet Shujaat. Party secretary said dialogue was not possible 'under duress of
army presence.' He denied reports of surrender by tribesmen and repeated
accusation of rape by army officer, snatching of Baluchistan through
establishment of Coastal Defence Zone, and development of Gwadar.
MQM held RTC at Quetta and opposed military operation. MMA rally
expressed solidarity with Baluch people. Baluch nationalists gave strike call
for February 12. BLA while claiming responsibility of bomb blast at railway
track on 1st February said, it was part of the campaign to force the
government to pay higher royalties for gas.
On 5th February Bugti refused to talk to toothless body and urged
arrest of Captain Hammad in rape case. JWP withdrew from Parliamentary
Committee in protest against crackdown on activists of four parties in which
about 100 suspects were arrested. Meanwhile attackers were asked to stop
targeting power towers by agriculturists who resented Baluchistan
governments failure.
Bizenjo asked the federal government to hand over the project to
Baluchistan and stop work on it immediately. The present situation can only
be addressed if the province is granted the rights to own the resources
generated here.
On 7th February while talking to a private TV channel Bugti rejected
1973 Constitution. He said, we neither voted for the constitution nor signed
it, therefore, it does not apply to us. He also denied the charge of taking help
of foreign agencies; instead he said that these agencies were supporting the
generals and not us.
Throughout the period terrorists did not stop attacking rail-road
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communication, gas pipelines, electric towers, telephone lines and other

installations. Responsibility of most of the attacks was owned by
Baluchistan Liberation Army:

On 15th January terrorists fired rockets on FC posts in Kohlu district.

Two days later rockets were fired at FC post in Machh.

A blast rocked Gwadar on 18th January. Two days later another blast
rocked Kalat.

On 22nd January Quetta bound passenger train escaped disaster when a

powerful bomb ripped the rail track apart before its arrival near
Sariab. Three rockets were fired at killi Shabo near Quetta.

Bomb blast damaged rail track near Sibi on 24th January. Three days
later a blast near Mushkaf suspended rail traffic to Quetta for four
hours.

On 28th January main gas pipeline crossing over BS Link Canal was
blown up near Pattoki. Gas supply to Lahore and other areas was
suspended. SNGL confirmed the incident was an act of sabotage, but
police ruled. The nationalists had taken the war away from Sui area.
The same day blasts and rockets fire rocked Quetta.

Four electric towers were blown up in Nasirabad area on 29 th January.

Next day a bomb blast took place near Askari Park in Quetta
Cantonment.

On 31st January rail track near Dera Ghazi Khan was blown up; two
rockets were fired at Quetta Cantonment which did not explode.

Two blasts hit Quetta on 1st February. In one attack four officials of
railway were wounded and in the other a bomber was killed who was
identified as Behar Khan from Dera Bugti. Power line was blown up
near Sibi disrupting electric supply to two-third of Baluchistan. A
bomb exploded near police station in Hyderabad and another in
Larkana.

On 3rd February six explosions rocked Baluchistan. Railway track was

blown up near Mastung. In another incident Chiltan Express escaped
disaster near Dera Ghazi Khan. A telephone tower was targeted in
Maiwand tehsil of Kohlu and an FC sepoy was injured in landmine
blast. An electric tower was blown up near Nushki.

Four blasts took place in Baluchistan on 4 th February. In Turbat party

office bearer of PML-Q was targeted at his home and party office was
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also attacked. In Khuzdar a grenade was hurled at FC-run poultry

farm. In Naushki a blast occurred in main Bazaar.

Quetta-Zahidan rail track was blown in Naushki district on 5th

February and gas pipeline was blown up near Taunsa.

On 6th February BLA threatened to blow up Dhodak oil field. Next

day BLA destroyed PTCL microwave repeater tower in Barkhan
putting off telephone exchanges in Rakhni, Barkhan, Eshani and
Narkot. Rocket fire and bomb blast rocked Quetta.

GOVERNMENTS RESPONSE
The attack of 11th January jolted the ruling elite. Tariq Butt reported
hectic contacts to ensure security in Baluchistan; Prime Minister contacted
Chief Minister and PML-Q contacted JWP chief. Attacks on installations
cannot be tolerated Prime Minister told Sherpao. Musharraf warned Baluch
nationalists saying it is not 70s. He preferred verbal assault over physical
action. Shujaat requested Bugti for help to improve law and order.
Rashid ruled out military solution and wanted negotiated settlement.
Federal government decided to act if asked by Baluchistan government.
Sherpao said, writ of the government will be established. On 12 th January
Owais and Jam met Prime Minister and discussed the situation.
The same day the authorities claimed restoration of law and order in
Sui. Ejaz Khan reported arrest of five suspected attackers and deployment of
2,500 troops at Sui plant. As repair work at Sui got delayed, gas load
shedding was announced and 5 cities were declared sensitive.
On 14th January Baluchistan government formally asked the Centre to
deploy troops in Sui. Provincial Cabinet ruled out military operation and
wanted it to be taken into confidence regarding any action taken by the
security forces against saboteurs and terrorists.
Prime Minister pledged to develop Baluchistan as millions suffered
hardship due to the sabotage of the development already carried out. Gas
plant remained closed despite PPL announcement about resumption of gas
supply within few days. Repair suffered for want of spares which were
sought from countries such as Malaysia. It was a revelation that there was no
stock of reserve spares for an important installation the threats to which had
been looming large since long.
A day before the Cabinet meeting Prime Minister vowed to tap natural
596

resources in Baluchistan and Rashid warned elements obstructing progress.

On 17th January the government resolved to protect Sui gas field utilizing all
available resources at its disposal for the purpose; but short of fully-fledged
military operation. Some members sought solution of the Baluchistan by
hook or crook.
Shujaat, Tariq and Mushahid got in touch with Bugti and other Baluch
leaders. Ten thousand jobs were promised to Baluchistan. Rupees 1.5 billion
raise in gas royalty was proposed by Parliamentary Committee and the
package made suggestions on all the points raised by the Baluchi leaders.
On 19th January gas supply from Sui was restored and police
registered FIR against 36, including son and grandson of Bugti on complaint
of FC, over firing on gas installations. Paramilitary troops launched houseto-house search operation in labour colony of Sui. ISPR clarified that Army
was moved into Sui area as protective measure.
Shujaat met Mengal and Mazari in Karachi on 25th January and
termed meetings successful. He said that military was determined to redress
grievances of smaller provinces. Mazari, a close relative of Bugti, assured
him to convey the message to Bugti and K B Marri. Akhtar Mengal told
Shujaat to first meet Bugti as without defusing the tension there any effort to
initiate talks could not be successful. Attaullah Mengal met him with some
reservations. He wanted withdrawal of troops.
During last week of January night train service in Baluchistan was
halted after frequent blowing up of rail tracks and injuries to five railway
engineers. Military garrison was set up near Sui gas field after buying 400
acres for cantonment. Army wanted the colonies to move away from Sui for
security reasons. Bugti alleged that the land was occupied by force. His
impatience had hastened the process of establishment of cantonments.
Musharraf reiterated his resolve for security of key sites. Shujaat ruled
out Governor's rule in Baluchistan; 'Jam Government will stay.' Zubaida, the
only Baluch lady in the Cabinet said, the government cannot bow to all
demands of Baluch leaders.
On 28th January Minister of State for Petroleum, Naseer Mengal
disclosed that former chief minister of Baluchistan, Akhtar Mengal has
hatched a plot to murder him. (No doubts Nawabs need lot of money for
such hiring) He also named persons who have been hired to kill him. Akhtar
camp denied.
Next day Musharraf wanted to rein in extremism emanating from

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mosques and madrassas while addressing a public gathering in Okara only a

day after gas pipeline was blown up nearby. He was still following the
agenda set by the Crusaders while ducking the terrorism perpetrated by the
nationalist militants.
Based on his experience of backdoor talks with India, Tariq Aziz was
expected to broker deal with Baluch leaders. Shujaat was willing to amend
the Constitution to accommodate recommendations on Baluchistan as he
sought help from Jatoi and Soomro for talks with Bugti. He also told
Musharraf to be soft on Baluchistan.
On 1st February Pakistan Railways assigned commandos to guard
trains in Baluchistan. This measure was adopted to fool the passengers, as
guards, no matter how well-trained they might be, sitting inside the train can
do nothing about a rail track prepared for blowing up through remote control
device.
During first week of February President wanted a negotiated
settlement of Baluchistan issue. No army action in Baluchistan, Sherpao told
the Senate while winding up the debate, but troops will stay in Sui. S M
Zafar proposed review of the Constitution to settle all the controversial
issues. Sizeable number of PML Senators demanded tackling of the situation
with firm hand before addressing the political and constitutional issues.
Owais met Prime Minister on 6th February; the former vowed to
continue dialogue and the latter promised to remove Baluch deprivation. The
same day Mushahid presented Baluchistan report to Shujaat. Meanwhile the
government increased gas price to meet the anticipated demands of the
militant Baluch sardars.
As regards the rape of lady doctor at last two doctors of PPL were
taken into custody by police on 23rd January for investigations regarding
shifting of lady doctor from Sui after the incident. Three days later PMA
demanded immediate arrest of accused persons. Its officials said that after
recording of victim's statement authorities had no excuse to delay the arrest.
On 28th January three senior PPL officials were arrested in Sui for
destroying and concealing evidence related to rape case, but PPL denied
hiding doctors rape incident. Three days later PPL confirmed doctors rape
before the Senate Committee, but refused to disclose the names of four
officials of Defence Security Guards involved in the case. While winding up
the debate in the Senate Sherpao accepted that rape case was mishandled by
PPL, but urged not to make an issue of the incident. Finally the government
decided to record victims statement by NA body.
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COMMENTS
The causes of turmoil, stated or unstated, were many but economic
deprivation of provinces, other than Punjab, has been frequently quoted as
the root cause. But first about the rape case which has been projected as an
immediate cause of terrorism by some quarters with a view to exploiting an
unfortunate incident.
It was said that valiant Baluchis had reacted against molestation of a
daughter of Sindh. Ethnic identity of the culprits was not mentioned as
nobody was sure of that. Army personnel, being synonymous to Punjab,
were blamed for the criminal act.
Sui Gas Company was blamed for aggravating the situation by
mishandling the case, whereas provincial and federal governments were
exonerated. Mir Khalilur Rahman criticized provincial governments
decision to appoint a judge for investigation setting a wrong precedence as
investigations is not the job of judiciary.
Notwithstanding the omissions and commissions in handling of the
case, its exploitation by vested interests was no less than a sin. This led to
exchange of harsh words during debate in the Senate. Senator Kamal Ali
Agha questioned angrily the valiant norms of the Bugti tribe. Where the
Baluch, champions of women dignity, were and where the valour had gone
in Baluchistan when none other than the late son of the tribal chief assaulted
and murdered a young girl at a Lahore hotel.
In his anger he forgot history and Baluch traditions. The honour of a
girl from another land was a different matter altogether. In the incident he
referred to Butgis son, a PUNOO of modern times who first flirted and
probably married a daughter of other people and then killed her following
the tribal custom of KAROKARI. Nevertheless, Bugti owned the girl as his
daughter-in-law and denied the allegation.
On the same day there was news of gang rape of young wife of a
principal in Muzaffargarh. Baluch students had led the assault to avenge
slapping of one of the offenders by her husband for using abusive language.
Nobody raised any hue and cry as no royalties were at stake.
As regards involvement of Army officer and efforts to cover up, if
proved at some stage, this incident would haunt Pakistan Army for decades
to come. For this reason alone the investigation should be completed with
urgency, the facts should be made public and culprits must be severely
599

punished.
To address socio-economic problems of the masses, the provinces
have been seeking autonomy or in other words non interference from the
Centre. This issue has been contested since the time Pakistan came into
being. With the passage of time the simple issue of provincial autonomy has
been deliberately complicated, giving it many ugly images.
The clearest image is the degeneration of provincial autonomy to
nationalism. Every day the print media is littered with reports on and
statements issued by the nationalist leaders. Regional nationalism has cast its
dark shadow over national unity. Undue pride in ethnic identities has
corroded patriotism. Bugti and other leaders like him no more talk of
autonomy, but of nations within a nation.
The ugliest image is that of confrontation between three provinces and
Punjab. Punjab-bashing has become favourite pass-time for the parochial
leaders of smaller provinces. Dr Moonis Ahmar asked the government to
take notice of this because it becomes a weak spot for the country and also
encourages forces who want to target national integration. Measures to curb
negative feelings about a particular province are long overdue.
Bugti has threatened to follow the footsteps of Bengalis, ignoring the
fact that East Pakistan was not a minority province. It was the doing of a
minority that feared the rule of democratically elected majority pushing it
out of corridors of power. All the leaders which have no political influence
outside their restricted domains have the same fear from which Bhutto
suffered in 1971. Apprehension of minorities is a natural phenomenon and
quite understandable, but the real danger lies in fear of a majority when it
sees its mischievous exploitation by minority.
Smaller provinces have been blatantly exploiting the larger province,
which no more enjoys the respect of big brother. Pushtoon and Sindhi
nationalists have been opposing construction of dams to join hands with
Indians in turning Punjab into desert; the former for the greed of royalties
and the latter for annual flooding of KATCHA area. Nationalists in Sindh and
Karachi claim that Karachi alone contributes 70 % of revenue, ignoring the
fact that it is done only after earning 100% profit on agriculture produce of
Punjab. Nationalists of Baluchistan now want to extinguish the burners in
entire Pakistan to scrounge more money.
Bugti was not satisfied with what he had been getting for years.

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According to PPL official Bugti was being given facilities worth Rupees 2
million per month. These benefits do not fall in the category of perks or
kickbacks; therefore, Mir Jamilur Rahman called it JAGGA TAX. He
enumerated the benefits given to the Nawab:

Nawab Akbar Bugti gets Rupees 120 million annually from the
government as royalty, or rent as Nawab sahib claims, for the gas
extracted from the Sui.

In addition Nawab Bugti draws salaries for 110 employees who are
on the payroll of the gas company, though they do not work for it. The
company management has never seen them and at best they could be
defined as ghost employees a sort of Jagga Tax the gas company
pays to Sardar Bugti.

The gas company has also given jobs to 450 people from the Bugti
tribe, belying Sardar Bugtis claim that even ordinary workmen are
brought from outside and local people are deprived of jobs

All these benefits are accrued at the point of gun from gas discovered,
extracted and developed with money of somebody else. Can any expert
quote that such benefits are extracted by a Punjabi at the gunpoint. Out of all
the assets of the land, Bugti focuses on gas only. Last year, there were 626
rocket attacks of which 379 rockets landed on the Sui gas fields and some
targeted the railway tracks. There were 122 bomb explosions on the gas
pipeline. In the first 20 days of year 2005, there have been 1,330 incidents of
rocket attacks and bomb explosions; the main targets being Sui gas
installations and railway communications wrote Mir Jamilur Rahman.
Many experts would still refuse to call all this terrorism. They would
agree with Bugti that it is part of the struggle of oppressed provinces against
the province that has usurped their resources. Forces seeking instability
have unbridled reach to the targets of their choosing wrote the News and
they extended their struggle to the heart of Punjab by blowing up gas
pipeline near Pattoki.
The Baluch sardars perpetrating this fresh wave of violence are
allergic to the army presence in their midst, as if it is a foreign army wrote
Mir Jamilur Rahman. They argued that talks couldnt be held under threat of
troops mobilization and instead they wanted the government to come on to
the dialogue table under constant threat of terrorist attacks.
The slogan of economic deprivation is nothing but hoax. They
themselves are responsible for blocking the economic progress of
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Baluchistan. The sardars who talk about underdevelopment have been

actually perturbed by the development plans of the government. Mir Jamilur
Rahman quoted the incident of murder of Chinese in this context so as to
force China to withdraw.
Similarly, Nawab Bugti has threatened that he will not allow the
Iranian gas pipeline to India to be built across Baluchistan. Is he the king of
Baluchistan that nothing can be done there without his royal permission? His
list of donts is getting larger each day. Dont build cantonments. Dont
bring in the army. Dont build pipelines. Dont buy land he added, while
missing dont of development of Coastal Zone.
Why do the sardars not want cantonments in their areas? He
answered, cantonments tremendously improve the quality of life of the
local inhabitants, which is anathema to the sardars. They would rather die
than allow their serfs the rights enjoined by the Constitution of Pakistan.
Bugti had reasons for not accepting 1973 Constitution.
Out of the reasons of resurgence of nationalists militancy two are
worth mention. They were hurt badly by religious parties who routed them
in last elections. Nobody can refute that religion is the driving force behind
patriotism of Pakistanis. Subsequently the government launched a
crackdown against religious parties as part of the Crusades and nationalists
saw an opportunity to re-emerge. Other reason is the by-product of the
Crusades. As Pushtoons started giving up arms under pressure, the
nationalists accumulated arms and ammunition through these sources.
Development of Gwadar port forced the sardars to put their weapons
to use. They did not want to share the benefits of the development with rest
of the country, particularly after seeing boom in the price rise of real estate
in Gwadar area. Sons of most of the sardars have gone there for the business
of property and they found it difficult to compete with non-Baluchis doing
the same business. Obviously they wanted more money to compete with
property tycoons from Karachi and other parts of the country. As sons ran
short of money the papas embarked upon scrounging some by milking the
ever-willing federal cow.
An implication of the development is that present population of
Gwadar of 200,000 is likely increase to at least three million in next ten
years as brought out by Dr Mehdi Hasan. The local population will be
reduced to a minority. The visualized demographic change along coastal
highway with fast increase in population will affect the political hold of
Baluch sardars a well.
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Hans B Bremer wondered as to why the authorities in this country

ever seem to be able or willing to react, but hardly ever to pre-empt or
prevent. Mir Khalilur Rahman criticized the federal government for
knowing about BLA and yet taking no action and not even sharing the
information with the people.
The option for pre-emption has been lost. Its time for taking counter
action. The option for action should be thoroughly deliberated, carefully
selected, clearly spelled out and steadfastly pursued. It should have no
ambiguities as suggested by the News; attacks on vital installations must
not be tolerated, but dialogue not a confrontation is the solution. But the
parochial and regional nationalist leaders will always resort to militancy as
they know it well that they can never be in power at federal level and to
preserve their political standing in respective regions, confrontation with
the Centre is the only way to muster local support.
Nasim Zehra asked the government to adopt a policy that will break
the circular movements that have previously marked its policy. To this end
of breaking the circular movements all the arguments for and against
military action and dialogue should be weighed.
Ahmad Quraishi forcefully recommended 'no surrender at Sui. He put
forward his case as under:

'The last thing we need to see is the Pakistani state with all its awe and
strength coming down on the knees at Sui, at the hands of those who
train and arm terrorists, run illegal underground jails to torture
innocent Baluchis, sabotage vital installations, and send emissaries to
foreign governments that don't wish us well.'

'It is time to liberate the Pakistanis in Baluchistan from the tribal

Sardari system that is holding them, and Pakistan at large, hostage to
the will of a few tribal chiefs who want to preserve their power by
keeping everyone else underdeveloped and weak.'

'There's a conspiracy against the province, and there's no way to know

who is recruiting and arming the Baluchistan Liberation Army.'

To say that incident of rape triggered recent attacks is a lie. There

was no rape to blame for carrying out 71 rocket attacks against gas
installations in Baluchistan in 2004.'

'The Pakistani state machinery today is geared toward developing

Baluchistan, not only to remedy the criminal neglect of the previous
administrations, but also because our collective strength as a nation
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depends in many ways on a prosperous and developed Baluchistan.'

'The thugs behind the fictitious Baluchistan Liberation Army are not
only traceable but can be mentioned by name, as done the other day
on national television by Mir Ahmadan Khan Bugti, the exiled
member of the ruling Rahija clan of the
Bugtis and first cousin of
Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti.'

He argued against any talks with anarchists, as negotiations will only

stoke their already bloated egos. 'They need to be weakened
and
sidelined. Anyone who is against progress in Baluchistan and
empowering his own people can't be good for Pakistan.'

'The Pakistani state should not be seen as soft by potential anti-state

elements. The failure to take a tough stand now will encourage others
in the future to challenge the state for narrow political or financial
gains.'

'Many of them benefit from a weak state so they can recreate their
own little empires.' Ahmadan said, 'his people in Dera Bugti want
freedom from the tyranny of tribal authority imposed through fear...
Today, there are secret jails in the district that keep the people
submissive and fearful... Pakistan does not exist inside Dera Bugti.'

'We can't turn Baluchistan into a regional trading hub when violent
blackmailers run loose, complete with armed private armies.'

The supporters of military action draw their motivation from

patriotism or to say the correct perception of Pakistan first, but those who
oppose military option had different reasons. Mir Khalilur Rahman after
bitterly criticizing the sardars of Baluchistan suggested that military action
should be taken as the last resort. He did not spell out the yardstick to
determine the right time for the last resort. He wanted dialogue with
sardars and asked the security agencies to choke the sources of arms.
Imtiaz Alam opposed military action to prevent prevalent situation
from aggravation. In this situation, when the country is facing conflicts,
terrorism and great challenges, the answer lies not in opening as many fronts
as you can, but in bridging as many gaps as possible. In other words he did
not want military action because of Pakistans commitments in Americas
war on terror; otherwise his recommendation would have been different.
Ikram Sehgal argued that political solutions, which involve
compromises, are always far better than military operations.' Dr Moonis
Ahmar too recommended compromises while agreeing with some of the
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demands of nationalists relating to force mobilization, more garrisons and

changing the demographic complexion by encouraging outside settlers. He
equated establishment of cantonments with occupation. If all the provinces
start thinking with such enlightenment then neighbouring countries have to
be requested for places where Pakistani troops could be accommodated. He
recommended seeking sardars support for the economic and social uplift of
their areas, while accepting that in some cases the local sardars have
resisted the building of schools and roads. But he did not explain as to how
the former could be achieved without the latter.
Altaf asked the government to stop even the search. His demand
should be seen in the context of his desire to establish MQM rule in Karachi.
He being pioneer of BATTHA had to oppose any punitive action against
another collector of JAGGA TAX. Other nationalists have similar reasons to
oppose military action. MMA and ARD joined the ranks of nationalists
driven by their anti-government stance.
The government has been generally hesitant about adoption of
military option. Provincial government pushed the buck to Islamabad by
asking for mobilization of troops. It hesitated to initiate any action at its own
despite law and order being a provincial matter. This was done to avoid
annoyance of the sardars who are birds of the same feather.
The federal government has passed the buck back by saying that
Centre will act if asked by Baluchistan government. Nobody from the
government had talked of such permission when operations were carried out
in Waziristan. Why now the prior permission of provincial government?
If no military action is justified against destruction of the installations
which are the backbone of energy sources for the country, then how could
the bombing of villages in Waziristan by swarms of gunship helicopters
could be justified? They did no harm to Pakistan. Was that done only
because the Crusaders wanted that?
The Centre would have acted long ago if Washington had asked.
Unfortunately Washington did not ask because Bugti-brand of militancy did
not fall in the category Islamic terrorism. Had Washington asked for
crackdown, surely hundreds of them would have been killed, caught and
extradited including the bin Laden of Baluch militancy.
The day the government denied reports of military operation in
Baluchistan the front page of the News had a footage showing Islamabad
Police beating a teenager protesting against murder of Ziauddin and cases
against 43 persons were registered. This clearly reflected on priorities of the
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government. It only deals sternly with those who protest against terrorism,
rather than the real terrorists. Ghazi Salahuddin rightly saw Sui and Gilgit
incidents as two prominent symptoms of the sickness of the state.
These are undoubtedly the most evil kind of terrorists, who have not
only challenged the writ of the government, but also damaged vital
installations causing enormous financial loss and inconvenience to millions
of people across the country. But then they have the ability to retaliate
fiercely being heavily armed; therefore government seemed to prefer
prudence over valour.
Another reason could be that the Crusaders are on the look-out to
avail opportunity presented by the security crisis in Pakistan. The Crusaders
might intervene to cleanse the Islamic World of the dirty bomb; more about
it a little later.
The Centre has repeatedly said that security forces have been moved
to strengthen the security of Sui installations, but threat is much larger in
terms of time and space. Bugti and others have been quite vocal about a
nation within the nation, yet they committed no crime, whereas a man
accused of showing a letter written by unknown persons was punished for
sedition. The crime committed against the state and people of Pakistan has
merited no cognizance, but an offence committed against an important
person was dealt with severely and expeditiously.
Dialogue could be the need of hour, but it will not be effective to
convince those who prefer to talk through the muzzle of gun. No lasting
settlement of the problem can be achieved, as demands for end to
deprivation will keep increasing.
Despite all these the government has been striving for dialogue with
nawabs, most of whom are not constitutionally representing the province.
Even if the government is keen for dialogue, it should talk to the members
sitting in assemblies representing the troubled province. Why talks with
persons involved in criminal acts?
The hesitation to act and any action lacking firmness will have far
reaching negative effects. First of all it will encourage the terrorists to
further aggravate the situation. On the other hand compromises will send the
message to other nationalists that benefits can only be accrued with use of
guns, rockets and explosives.
The delay, whatever the rationale behind it might be, is riddled with
dire consequences. Once the situation worsens and nuisance becomes

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unbearable the government will have no option but to launch crackdown. In

a belated action the sufferings of innocents will be far more than in an action
taken with urgency.
As regards the losses, the attacks at Sui caused Rupees 610 million
loss to installations, but indirect losses were incalculable. Mir Khalilur
Rahman listed some of them; within a day KSE fell by 233 points or 3.5
percent of its trading history. The country will suffer staggering amount of
nearly Rupees 100 billion. He added that it will also adversely affect
governments economic development plan and demise of Iran-Pakistan-India
gas project.
If one man sitting in remote town of Dera Bugti could cause great
losses affecting entire nation and another sitting in Charsadda can block the
construction of new dams to turn the country dry, no Shaukat Aziz and no
Musharraf can change the fate of the nation, even if they feel to be at takeoff point. The Cabinet members may keep rattling out statements about
development projects in Baluchistan, but these projects can accrue no
economic benefit for anyone if the law and order situation is allowed to
deteriorate as has been done for the last many years.
It has been proved that those obstructing progress have defeated the
successive governments since independence. M S Hassan in his letter wrote,
it seems that condoning serious crimes against the State, succumbing to
blackmail, appeasing and rewarding powerful criminals have become staple
elements of governance. The perpetrators of anti-state activities and tribal
renegades have been tolerated all along and given space to prosper with
blatant impunity...'
As regards the foreign hand Mir Khalilur Rahman identified two
sources of supply of arms and ammunition to BLA, i.e. India and
Afghanistan. In his analysis he ruled out the possibility of involvement of
Karzai and US forces in Afghanistan. He pointed out his finger towards
warlords, al-Qaeda and Taliban. Warlords do it for money and the latter two
for what Pakistan has done since 9/11.
But the quiet support of America and India to warlords cannot be
ruled out. The Crusaders have netted the hen named Qadeer Khan, but the
eggs laid by it are still intact. Turmoil in Baluchistan can help in laying
hands on these eggs.
The US wants to isolate Iran and contain China. And so it cannot go

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along with development work in Baluchistan that would bring a Chinese

presence there and increase overland trade and the energy pipelines
involving Iran. Therein lies the linkage between another facet of our external
and internal political dynamics wrote Shireen M Mazari. America wont ask
Pakistan to scrap the idea of gas pipeline from Iran for the fear of criticism
but can certainly adopt other means to undermine an undesirable
cooperation.
She asked a self answering question. Is it really a coincidence that
whenever Pakistan expresses dissatisfaction with the dialogue process, or
when Kashmiri freedom fighters take on Indian forces, the violence in
Pakistans sensitive areas increases? India is well established to trigger such
violence with its consulates in Zahidan, Kandahar and Jalalabad.
As regards the threat from the Crusaders she said, if Irans nuclear
facilities were to be attacked, we could be next in line given how
uncomfortably our nuclear programme sits with the US. The dirty bomb
remains the ultimate target.
She pointed out that present BLA is different from that of 70s as
many of those old comrades are now frontline supporters of the US. BLA in
Iran is financed by US and its allies. She asked Pakistan to bolster itself
against the multiple external threats that are exploiting our internal
problems.
In her subsequent article she while urging the government to
implement recommendations of Parliamentary Committee emphasized the
need to look at the aspect of great power games and stressed upon taking
steps to re-establish law and order on priority. She opined:

The recent Baluch militancy erupted due to Gwadar which allows

Pakistan and China very concrete economic opportunities including
the opening up of a trade corridor with a reach to Central Asia. If
Gwadar and its surrounding areas develop, business can be attracted
here away from some of the prevailing Gulf financial centres where
India has very heavy financial stakes. Here the economic interests of
India become enmeshed with the interests of the Gulf states.

Nor is the relevance of Gwadar merely economic, although presently

for Pakistan and China, that is the prime objective. In the long run
Gwadars strategic importance has multiplied post 9/11 because of the
US presence in the region both in the Gulf and in Central Asia. To
suddenly have a strategic port at Gwadar, uncomfortably close to the

608

main US overseas bases in the Gulf, to which China would have

access, becomes an unacceptable notion for the US, which sees the
containment and probable encirclement of China as a long-term
strategic objective.

Then there is the issue of energy security and US efforts to keep

control of energy resources in Muslim states and societies, from the
Middle East to Central Asia. India too has similar interests.

As long as Baluchistan remains unstable and the law and order

situation remains uncertain, Gwadars true potential cannot be
realized. And the Chinese will certainly be compelled to take a second
look at their growing economic commitment in Pakistan.

Within these power games she suggested taking cognizance of

Baluchistan Chief Ministers statement that RAW was running at least
40 camps in his province.

For US instability is far more preferable to a stable and economically

booming Baluchistan as the latter could have a positive economic
fallout for neighbouring Iran, which is the likely next target of
America. Nothing would suit the US better than to aggravate
Pakistan-Iran relations by planting rumours that somehow Iran was
involved in the Baluchistan violenceat present it is certainly not in
Irans interests to have a destabilized Baluchistan.

For the US there is a much wider context to what is happening in

Baluchistan. This is linked to its efforts to redraw the map of Muslim
World in the Middle East and West Asia which is now being referred
to as the Broader Middle East. Breaking up larger Muslim states,
redrawing borders between some of them, creating new political
entities all these are part of the new strategic game plan.

In view of the above the argument of Barrister Baachaa is not

convincing. He had equated Baluchistan with Afghanistan and Waziristan
saying the government had and continue meeting US demands. America has
no interest in curbing Baluch militancy and instead it would like it to
flourish and then capitalize on that at an opportune moment to undo Pakistan
to take care of the dirty bomb. He should have read the letter from Catholic
Association published along with his letter on 19 th January in the News. The
Association opposed paramilitary action in Baluchistan, what to talk of
action by army.
America has said nothing about spate of terror perpetrated in
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Baluchistan; whereas UK has desired to enhance investment in the troubled

province. The factor of the Crusaders interest has caused governments
reluctance for military option, fearing that the flag bearers of democracy,
freedom and liberty might jump into the arena.

CONCLUSION
The government will find it hard to crack through dialogue the nut
called Bugti. Having lost the credibility by first coercing simpletons of
MMA to reach an agreement over uniform and constitutional amendment
with the threat of tagging them with Islamic militancy, neither striking of a
deal nor backing out at some later stage would be easy.
As apprehended the slogan of Pakistan first has come down to
provinces first and in this case Bugti first. It was the right time to cry
Pakistan first, but those who coined this slogan preferred to remain quiet
despite all the bravery at their disposal.
Pakistan under pressure from the Crusaders has shut the out-flow
valves of cross-border terrorism but in-flow valves remain open; perhaps,
these are beyond its reach. Pakistan can also not resort to targeted killing,
but in spite of all the limitations the menace of nationalist terrorism cannot
be ignored for too long.
No amount of sincerity can find a lasting solution through dialogue as
long as the tribes of militant sardars remain heavily armed and willing to use
those on flimsy excuses. Any agreement reached through dialogue must
include a clause relating to their disarmament; otherwise the Centre will
confront more problems and water-sharing could be the next.

8th February 2005

FOR SOFT IMAGE

India was blamed for lack of flexibility on Baglihar. The Indian side
has shown no flexibilityin fact, no willingness to conform the design
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according to the treaty. Pakistan decided to look for neutral experts to

resolve the row.
India was still optimistic. Duggal, with reference to neutral experts,
said, I dont think they will do so because India-Pakistan relations are
moving in a very positive manner. But if they do we will have our case to
present (but) we must pursue this bilaterally.
The dialogue which could resolve any major dispute with India has
reached a dead end as could be inferred from its failure in tackling a simple
issue of Baglihar Dam. Nevertheless, Pakistan and India vowed to continue
the peace process or so-called composite dialogue. The former has done so
for having no other option and the latter wanted to get some more gains in
the name of CBMs, while sidelining the issues.
Pakistan has almost achieved the aim of ensuring peace for its
neighbour in the west and reached a stage where it could grant amnesty to
the militants. However, fallout of the process through which the peace was
achieved was still experienced it troubled tribal area.
There was no respite in internal militancy of different kinds, out of
which terrorism perpetrated by Baluch nationalists took a serious turn and
that has been discussed in the last article. That crisis did not allow much
time to the government to talk about enlightened moderation. On the other
hand the civilized world again raised the issue of Pakistans nuclear
programme.

PEACE WITH INDIA

The tempo of confidence building measures slowed down after failure
of talks on Baglihar Dam issue. The gas pipeline remained the most talked
about measure during last five weeks. India said that deal on gas pipeline
was in final stages. Natwar looked forward for three pipelines to meet future
energy needs on India; two of those will pass through Pakistan. On 9 th
February India announced that it was ready for talks with Pakistan on gas
pipeline.
Islamabad hailed the decision. Shaukat had already pledged security
of gas pipeline, hoped it would promote peace and desired to un-bundle gas
pipeline and bus issues from Kashmir. He felt that gas pipeline would reduce
trust deficit. Other confidence building measures progressed as under:

Survey of Sir Creek and Kuchh was completed and computerization

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of survey data started.

Indian General accepted that militants infiltration into IHK was

reduced to near zero.

Pakistan Railways sought Rupees 3 billion for repair of rail track from
Khakhrapar.

Musharraf asked the visiting Indian traders to work for improvement

of Indo-Pak ties.

Musharraf and Shaukat sought tension-free ties with India in their

messages on the eve on India's Republic Day.

Natwar noted that progress on a set of 72 CBMs suggested by India

had been slow. When I visit Pakistan next month I will be discussing these
issues with Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri and may be with
President Pervez Musharraf. He mentioned two of those specifically, i.e.
Kashmir bus service and rail link between Sindh and Rajasthan.
The air of exuberance in Pakistani balloon was leaked by Baglihar.
Members of Special Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir stood divided
over the issue whether Pakistan should have people-to-people contact with
India to pursue normalization or abandon this approach in view of Indias
negative attitude.
Baglihar Dam delivered a serious blow to efforts of confidence
building. The issue remained the focus during routine briefing by Foreign
Office spokesman on 10th January. Most of the questions urged learning a
lesson for future dialogue with India. However, the spokesman being
representative of the government and driven by the optimism or something
else was not much inclined to learn any lesson,
Kasmiris on either side of the divide also jumped into the row. APHCA opposed talks on Baglihar Dam. Ansari said, the rivers are the sole
property of Kashmiri people and no body has right to talk on behalf of
Kashmiris. APHC-G leader said, there is a need to resolve the basic
Kashmir issue first which only can lead to the solution to other peripheral
issues like water sharing and bus service The same thing was asked in the
form of a question to Foreign Office spokesman by an Arab journalist.
Shaukat discussed Baglihar with water experts and Pakistan decided
to move the World Bank. Foreign Office admitted Indo-Pak trust deficit
has widened and asked India to immediately stop construction. Both sides
stuck to their stands; Islamabad to its right to approach World Bank and

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India wanting more talks on the issue.

Indian argument on Baglihar issue was termed fallacious. Pakistan
refused more talks, unless work on the dam is stopped forthwith. Kasuri
asked India not to make Baglihar another irritant. India, on the other hand,
sped up the work.
On 18th January Pakistan requested World Bank for appointment of
neutral expert on Baglihar Dam issue, which was received by the bank next
day. As World Bank considered request on arbitration, Karamat briefed its
President on the issue.
The print media speculated that WB might not discuss the issue
during its presidents visit to Pakistan. Baglihar Dam issue will be raised
with the visiting president, said Foreign Office. On 4 th February WB sent a
questionnaire to Islamabad and also asked whether all the venues available
in the Treaty to resolve the issue have been exhausted.
Musharraf discussed the issue with WB chief on 7 th February and
conferred Hilal-i-Pakistan on Wolfensohn. The visitor assured speedy action
on Baglihar Dam. It was reported that New Delhi had also responded to
query of World Bank on Baglihar Dam.
Baglihar will definitely have negative effects on peace process. the
News wrote, if the two countries cannot settle relatively benign issues
through negotiations, high hopes cannot be pinned on dialogue over thornier
issues like Kashmir, Rann of Kuchh, Sir Creek and Siachen. The views
were quite fair, except equating Kashmir with Rann of Kuchh and Sir Creek.
Moonis Ahmar listed four implications on failure of talks on Baglihar
Dam. One: It will be disastrous as it will give rise to hardliners. Two: Bus
and train services and trade and commercial relations will suffer setbacks.
Three; Achievement of results in other areas will be made difficult. Four: It
will affect SAARC.
The delay in raising the issue was criticized and rightly so. Sardar
Attique said that Pakistan should not have waited for eight years to move the
WB on Baglihar. The dam is near completion. On completion it will have
height of 470 feet, more than that of Tarbela Dam. World Bank arbitrator
cannot be expected to ask India to dismantle some structures even if those
are illegal. That was why the spokesman of Foreign Office was reluctant to
speculate on how the World Bank would handle this case.

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Pakistan should have also seen that Baglihar is part of larger Indian
design. India has planned construction of 20 dams in IHK to make Pakistan
barren, reported Muhammad Saleh Zaafir. Ten of these dams are on River
Chenab out of which three are under construction. In addition to its water
offensive launched to dry up rivers flowing from Kashmir, India was
persuading Afghanistan to build dam on River Kabul.
Reportedly Pakistan was contemplating the case of Kishan Ganga
Dam on River Neelum for sending notices to India and World Bank for
immediate halt of work which is a serious violation of the Indus Water
Treaty. Pakistan may also object to Dul-Hasti Dam near completion on River
Chenab. Pakistan should not hope to win all the cases, taken in piecemeal,
by misusing Hilal-i-Pakistan. The issue has to be dealt with in totality.
Utterances of some Kashmiri leaders demanded taking of due notice.
Muftis statement can be ignored taking it as his masters voice, but not that
of APHC-A. It indicated as to what this faction of will say once, if at all, a
time comes to induct Kashmiris to resolve the core issue.
There have been other negative moves. India first dictated the dates of
SAARC Summit at Dacca and then showed its inability to attend because of
developments in Nepal and security concerns at the venue. India surely tried
to impose its will on other countries of the organization. Musharraf could
only wish an end to SAARC postponements.
Back channel diplomacy received setback when meeting of Tariq Aziz
with M K Narayanan was cancelled at the eleventh hour in New Delhi. He,
however, met main channel players, Manmohan and Natwar, and came back;
India also test-fired Trishul missile on 19th January.
Despite the ongoing peace process, human rights violations by Indian
security forces in held Kashmir have doubled, reported Ershad Mahmud.
Print media, however, refrained from providing proper coverage; only
following incidents were reported during the period:

Four persons were killed in attack on tax office in Srinagar on 7 th

January and by next day eight people were killed.

Hizb commander was among 7 killed in IHK on 9th January and the
same day POTA court granted bail to Mushtaq Ahmed Dar.

On 10th January a student and two fighters were killed in clash in

Anantnag. Two days later four more people perished in violence.

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Two troops and two fighters were killed on 13th January. Next day an
elderly woman was among ten persons killed.

Militants stormed passport office in Srinagar on 15th January and

killed one civilian and wounded 18 others. Next day two soldiers and
two militants were killed as troops cleared passport office.

Four persons were abducted in IHK on 20th January. Two days later
four fighters were killed and two Indian soldiers wounded in an
encounter in Udhampur.

Two suspected Kashmiri fighters were shot dead and two civilians
wounded in an encounter on 25th January. Three soldiers were injured
in a blast in Mattan.

On 26th January ten persons were killed by Indian troops on mistaken

identity. Next day a father and his son were killed in violence and 26
people were injured in grenade attack at an election office.

Four persons were killed in IHK on 28 th January. Yasin and Shabbir

were held for anti-polls drive and a female candidate was wounded in
Pampore.

A candidate was killed and two persons injured on 29 th January. One

candidate was injured in Sopore. Three civilians were killed and about
a dozen injured in attacks on a pre-poll rally.

Eleven persons were killed in clashes on 31st January. There was no

print media coverage of Indian atrocities, except that on 10 th February
protests against brutal killing of a youth were held.

On 18th January India accused Pakistan of ceasefire violation and

killing a girl in Poonch sector and also threatened to review troops cut if
infiltration did not fall. The allegation coincided with Baglihars reference to
World Bank. Indo-Pak DGMOs talked on telephone over the allegation and
Mukherjee hoped that tension would be defused, but Indian COAS said, 'we
are watching and waiting.' Pakistan resorted to counter-allegation blaming
India for violating ceasefire. Anwar went too far and accused India of
violating ceasefire several times. The logic behind keeping silent over those
till then was not explained.
India also went ahead with local bodies elections to show the world
that Kashmir is just like its other states. Four groups of Kashmiris called for
boycott of polls. Mirwaiz termed it an effort to deceive the world. Despite
the boycott and protests election officials claimed that turn out in first phase

615

was 60 percent. AFP reported brisk voting in third phase despite calls for
boycott and threats.
Celebration of Indias Republic Day in Srinagar every year is part of
the rotten slogan of ATTOTANG. Security was tightened to organize a
shortened version of Republic Day celebrations. On 26 th January Kashmiris
observed Black Day and condemned Indian atrocities.
Natwar claimed that IHK was symbol of Indian secularism. Rashid
was unduly disappointed over Indian stand on Kashmir. If Iraq can be
symbol of American democratic values, why cant Kashmir be symbol of
Indian secularism?
On 5th February Pakistan went through the ritual of Kashmir Solidarity
Day and Indians came to celebrate Basant in Lahore. Pakistan assured
unflinching support, and Shaukat promised no compromise. However, the
proceedings of Azad Kashmir Assembly telecast live on PTV exposed the
UK-JITEE to the extent that telecast had to be interrupted to cover its
ugliness.
Musharraf was not discouraged by negative Indian attitude. He said,
peace with India was still possible, but made-in-India solution to Kashmir
was ruled out. The kind of peace India wanted was already in place once
Pakistan ruled out military solution. As regards made-in-India solution the
made-in-US solution couldnt be different from that.
Talks with Pakistan cant be open-ended and it also cannot have short
time-frame, said Natwar. Pakistans optimism was not dented. Shaukat
vowed continuation of dialogue with India and Foreign Office repeated this
statement next day.
Imtiaz Alam, one of the optimists suggested, despite the failure of the
Baghlihar Dam talks, Pakistan and India must continue on the path of
reaching negotiated settlement of the issue. Realists like Shireen M Mazari
reminded that throughout so-called peace process the Indian intent has been
to make the dialogue an end in itself.

FOR AFGHAN PEACE

The low key operations in Wana caused largest ever peacetime
casualties. In all 230 soldiers were killed and about 300 wounded. Though
relative peace situation was achieved as about less than 100 hundred rebels
were left active in Waziristan, yet security forces stayed on in the area for

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the Afghan peace. Following incidents were reported during the period from
Waziristan and elsewhere in the country:

Three al-Qaeda suspects were held near Karachi on 7 th January. Next

day after a gap of about two months militants attacked a military post
near Jandola in South Waziristan. Troops moved deeper into Mahsud
area as deadline of 15 January for surrender of Abdullah neared. Tense
calm prevailed on Pak-Afghan border as both sides reinforced their
troops.

On 11th January mortar shells were fired on Miranshah. Four days

later troops raided a compound near Lowara Mandi and arrested 18
Pakistani tribesmen and two Afghan suspects. Gunship helicopters
strafed the compound before dropping commandos. In another
incident on Pak-Afghan border FC troops wounded one Afghan and
one Pakistani when their vehicle failed to stop on checkpoint.

Two foreign militants were killed in South Waziristan on 18 th January.

Five days later a pro-government tribal elder was killed in Makeen.

Seven people were killed in Miranshah Bazaar in clash between two

tribal groups of same tribe on 26th January.

On 27th January militants attacked army post in Asman Manza area.

An Afghan was held for alleged link with al-Qaeda from Jallozai
refugee camp.

Ex-Taliban officials were among 16 held in Quetta on 28 th January.

Next day a pro-government tribesman and his son were killed in
Wana.

One Afghan soldier was killed in border clash with Pakistani forces
near Angoor Adda on 30th January. Next day another pro-government
tribal elder was killed in an ambush near Tal.

Peace mission head Mian Shah Jehan was killed and two others
wounded in bomb blast in Khar, Bajaur on 10th February.

Pakistan was in position to offer amnesty to militants. On 11th January

deadline for tribal militants was extended for two more weeks. Baitullah
Mahsud, Ameer of Taliban in Waziristan, wanted the government to forgive
Abdullah before asking him to accept amnesty. Deadline of 26th January for
surrender of militants ended without Abdullah or Baitullah laying arms.
The authorities warned tribesmen of military operation in North
Waziristan after their failure to expel foreign terrorists. The threat worked,
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Baitullah signed draft peace accord, and he along with 120 others got
amnesty from 7th February. Peace came into force in South Waziristan in an
unfortunate manner; journalists who covered the proceedings were
ambushed on their way back, two were killed and one wounded. Abdullah
rejected peace agreement.
General Safdar claimed that Baitullah was offered Rupees 20 million
to repay his debt. Militants denied Corps Commanders statement that they
demanded money to pay back al-Qaeda debt. Haji Omar, successor of Nek
Mohammad, said government paid only Rupees 4.2 million out of promised
90 million. The amount was far less to compensate the losses.
The government released twenty jailed tribesmen on demand of Jirga
as reconciliatory measure. Pakistan Army sent Eid package for tribesmen.
The government also continued with its efforts to integrate tribal areas with
rest of the country. Uplift budget was increased and delegation of all powers
to agency councils was considered. Promotion of education in FATA was
accorded top priority.
Pakistan did not lose sight of the problems related to delay in
repatriation of refugees. Shaukat urged speedy Afghan reconstruction for
ensuring refugees to return home. Lubbers told that UN would repatriate
Afghan refugees by year 2006. The government planned to launch census of
Afghan refugees. UNHCR and Pakistan agreed to carry out pilot-test of
refugee survey.
Efforts to appease Kabul continued. Islamabad mulled new package
for Afghan Transit Trade. Pakistan was also considering Afghan request for
return of eight fighter jets which were brought to Pakistan by defecting
pilots during Soviet occupation, Afghanistan claimed that there were 19
aircraft in all.
On the other hand Afghan government disallowed transactions in
Pakistani Rupee. Fate of Pakistanis arrested in Kunar remained unclear; who
were probably handed over to US forces. Dead body of Pakistani billionaire,
who went missing in December, was found in well on 4th February.

INTERNAL MILITANCY
As Pakistans security forces remained focused on checking crossborder terrorism, there was no respite in perpetration terror by various forces

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within the country:

Curfew was imposed in Gilgit on 8th January after 11 persons were

killed in unrest after attack on popular leader Agha Ziauddind in
which he and two of his guards were also wounded.

On 9th January death toll rose to fourteen in Gilgit. An accused of

assassination attempt on Musharraf escaped from Karachi, reported
US magazine; Rashid confirmed it two days later.

Fifteen officials of WAPDA were kidnapped near Kashmor on 12 th

January. Three of them were released by the kidnappers later on.
Protester blocked KKH at Chilas and demanded return of dead bodies
of those recently killed in Gilgit.

Agha Ziauddin and his guard died of wounds on 13th January and
curfew was imposed in Skardu as well.

A blast damaged six pillars of a bridge over Indus near Jamshoro on

18th January. JI leader was injured in ambush in Sialkot. Next day a
Kazakh diplomat shot at and critically injured in Islamabad.

Cleric and his guard were gunned down in Karachi on 30 th January.

Five days later bombs went off in Karachi near Chief Ministers house
and trade fair.

In the context of sectarian militancy Dr Muzaffar Iqbal blamed the

religious leadership. Pakistans true tragedy is not its endless raw violence,
political chaos, or military-mullah confrontation for these are the
consequences, not the causes, of the real dilemma faced by the millions of
this country. A country whose only reason to exist as a separate entity is its
claim as a Muslim homeland where citizens could build an Islamic polity
Pakistans real tragedy is the betrayal of its leaders: a betrayal so deep it
reaches to the foundational principle of its existence, so clearly stated in the
Two Nations Theory.
He added, it is because of this denial of its life force that
contemporary Pakistani society is continuously sliding into self-destruction.
It is the religious leadership that is most to be blamed for this chaos, as they
are responsible for the rise of sectarianism, as well as secularism in reaction
to their false religiosity.
The problem of reinvigourated terror perpetrated by Baluch Sardars
has been discussed in last article. During last three days the militants struck
619

in Naushki on 8th February; damaged another microwave repeater tower, an

electricity tower and detonated a bomb near Frontier Constabulary Camp.
Next day a bomb exploded in Machh.
Owais claimed that arms were flowing in from Afghanistan. He told
that Afghan government has been informed, but it would have been better if
Pakistan had told America. He said army action was not requested because
situation in Baluchistan was different from that of Wana. The difference was
that there action was taken against Islamic militants and here genuine
terrorists were involved, whom he preferred to call criminals. Baluchistan
remained a litmus test; the president needs to actand act now to resolve
the Baluchistan imbroglio wrote Nasim Zehra.
Another turmoil had been brewing since long and with reference to
that Musharraf warned against politicking on dams. The day he issued this
warning Altaf threatened to quit coalition government over Baluchistan
situation. He said, if we are disturbed, then nobody would remain
undisturbed. The man sitting in London exposed limitations of Musharraf.
ANP President termed construction of Kalabagh Dam a conspiracy
against smaller provinces. In view of the controversy over dams, it wont be
a surprise if Manmohan during his next meeting tells his counterpart that
why India is being asked not to do a good which you have failed to do in
Pakistan. Musharraf, however showed some guts through words of mouth by
vowing before some MPs; Kalabagh Dam first.
The successes of security forces against militants were limited during
the period:

Twelve kidnapped WAPDA men were recovered in an operation on

14th January.

Terrorist with high profile role in assassination attempt on Musharraf

was held in Karachi on 17th January.

On 18th January three brothers linked to attempt on life of Shaukat

were held. The same day it was reported that three PAF airmen had
been punished for links with Jaish by a court martial.

Hunt for perpetrators of terror in Gilgit continued and by 20 th January

seventy persons were arrested for attacks in Gilgit and Skardu.

Three more suspects were held on 2 nd February in case of attack on

Shaukat. Next day a leader of banned outfit was arrested in
Charsadda.

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Suicide bomber was among four militants held in Karachi on 8 th

February.

The endeavours for inculcating enlightened moderation continued and

so was the debate on uniform and MRP. As MMA held countrywide protest
against uniform the government mulled changing rules to check unruly MPs.
President and Speaker could get powers to suspend, stop salaries and
allowances of MPs, to moderate Opposition.
Uniform is not a snag in democracy, claimed Mushahid. But MMA
staged countrywide demonstrations against uniform on 14 th January. Fazl
blamed the President for forcing MMA to agitate. Nawaz and Qazi met
during last week of January and agreed on anti-Musharraf campaign.
The Cabinet Body held first meeting on religious column issue on 7 th
January. Two days later PML-Q wanted that all official forms without sect
column. The party found no problem with column of caste, a legacy of
Hindu culture or place of domicile invented to undermine the principle of
merit.
A like minded enlightened moderate, Afiya Sheherbano while writing
on MRP opined, in terms of priority, if we really want to assert out
identities in our passports, it should be in the capacity of social class, gender,
and ethnicity before any other classification. For these identities are more
relevant with regard to our social status, global opportunity and migration,
discrimination and truthful reflection of our real and individual experiences.
She discarded the religion as completely irrelevant in the context of
identity. Astonishingly she arrived at this conclusion after having quoted
some facts earlier in her article to the contrary. She wrote that right-wing
neo-cons in USA equate religion, ethics and patriotism. They insist on the
need to institute religion in schools so they can become better Americans
Perhaps she thought that Islam is not as good as Christianity in the context
of teaching ethics.
Zia Ur Rehman in his letter to the News asked a pertinent question
about formation of a cabinet Committee on religion column. Why did the
Government not establish a committee while canceling the religion column
in passports? If this question is answered comprehensively all the forces
that worked for deletion of this column will be exposed along with their
motives, making the task of the present committee easier.
Another incident of enlightened moderation occurred in relation to
Khawar Mehdi. He was awarded one year imprisonment by a court before
621

which he did not appear as he had left Pakistan for US soon after foreign
journalists involved in preparation of a fake documentary to defame
Pakistani nation were released. Pakistan, in its pursuit of soft image, would
never ask for his extradition.
An enlightened but not so moderate analyst termed Qurbani merciless
butchering of animals. He may be right in pointing out some wrong
practices related to showing off, but he had no justification to use such a
word for a solemn Islamic tradition.
Sayed Vaqqas Andarbi wrote to the News, we expect a paper of the
News caliber to be a little more discreet in printing whatever rubbish it
receives in the garb of enlightened moderation. The Jang Group, since
receiving an award from America, has been constantly inviting trouble for
itself. It was accumulated anger that found its expression in attack on
groups offices in Karachi after publishing of Peres interview.
Musharraf celebrated Basant with Lahorites after the Nature did not
allow him to go to Muzaffarabad for Solidarity Day. Nine persons were
killed and more than 200 hundred were hurt in Basant celebrations. The
headline of the News appeared to be a dispatch from Iraqs Triangle of
Death. But then there is price for everything in war on terror and so is for
enlightened moderation.
Dr M S Jillani wrote that celebrating Basant for enlightened
moderation or to acquire soft image amounted to squandering away ideals. It
underlines the erosion of values like nobility, modesty, honesty,
truthfulness, generosity and social responsibility.
Many have exchanged their original identity with that of clowns in
senseless pursuit of so-called enlightened moderation; even Musharraf could
not escape that. Rumsfeld while talking to his sailors said, we now have
Musharraf in Pakistan; we have Mr Karzai and his team in Afghanistan.
Well have new leadership in Iraq that will be moderate Muslim leadership
in my view. Musharrafs admirers may take it as tribute.

ATTITUDE OF CRUSADERS
The Crusaders tilt towards India remained in place during the period.
Powell repeated his claim that US interaction defused Pak-India tension,
which on first place was created to facilitate achievement of goals of their
war on terror. At the end of January Natwar invited Rice to visit India,
perhaps to discuss strategy for tackling Islamic militancy in next four years,
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while in Islamabad Musharraf requested Feith for US help for maintaining

regional military balance.
Europe wanted Indo-Pak peace drive to stay on course, knowing well
that the course is set by India. During his visit to Europe Shaukat assured
that Pakistan was moving towards peace with India. Meanwhile Netherlands
lifted ban on arms sale to Pakistan and India.
In the context of Afghanistan US Senators paid surprise visit to Wana,
as reported by Yusufzai. They met tribal elders and asked about foreign
militants. UN Congressmen, not the Senators visited Wana, clarified the
government, hoping that this clarification would make material difference.
During mid January US experts visited Islamabad to review counterterror assistance. Pakistan is vital US ally in anti-terror war Rice told
Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Western Media claimed that US forces
and Pakistan Army captured the top leader of the Islamic Movement of
Uzbekistan in a joint operation in the Waziristan. Tahir Yaldesh was handed
over to the US. ISPR denied the claims of joint operation and arrest of Tahir.
On 1st February US military disclosed that Pakistani forward
observers have directed fire of its guns at rebels. US Colonel termed it a
huge step forward. Pakistan again denied promptly. It would have been
better if not denied. After all whose war Pakistan has been fighting for the
last three years; killing, capturing and extraditing hundreds of people? In
which war it claims to be a frontline state?
Interference in internal affairs was quite glaring in Pakistan specific
bias. America kept pressing for exploration of new options to pre-empt reemergence of religious parties. Kamran Rehmat visualized that 2005
promised shift in power permutations.
He criticized MMA to hatch a deal on uniform out of the Parliament,
which badly backfired on them. While MMA would be copping after the
General cocked a snook at them, Zardaris release and behind-the-scenes
cavorting between the General and PPP has awakened blissfully lying in
slumber; the PML-Q.
The stage is set for exciting moves, Musharraf appears to be in
driving seat, but PPP is holding the Aces. Yet PML-Q cannot be ignored by
the General. He always wanted to co-opt PPP but Benazir refused to give up
the demand of turning her back to politics. Perforce MMA came into the
equation. He never felt comfortable dancing with mullahs, because it is at
623

variance with embracing liberalism in the New World Order.

The defiant attitude of MMA, particularly on uniform, is considered
by the General as an international embarrassment. He is forced to look
towards PPP. Musharraf and PPP, with inspiration coming from Washington,
share the Generals wider international agenda.
The PML-Q felt the ground slipping beneath its feet, but it would
have to reluctantly work in the shadows of the PPP. In case the General fails
to win over PPP, the opposition will gain new strength. But MMA will find
hard to undo the damage caused to its reputation by first undermining the
Parliament and then allowing Musharraf to retain the uniform. PPP on the
other hand has little to lose and everything to gain.
The visiting US Senator, Bill First did not hesitate in showing concern
over uniform decision. Democracy Pakistan remained part of US agenda,
said a spokesman on 28th January. During first week of February there were
news about secret meeting of Benazir with DGMI and DGISI in Dubai, as
reported by Mariana Baabar. Contacts were established through Saudi
Arabia, UAE and Qatar. American pressure to patch up with PPP was
working.
Interference was wide spread as may be inferred from the reported
incidents in short period of five weeks:

On 8th January Voice of America interviewed Rind, member of

Cabinet Committee on religion column in passport.

America wanted PTV to telecast incentives for capture of Osama.

America was not satisfied with telecast of incentives on private
channels because of their limited area coverage.

On 10th January Abizaid arrived to review ties and the same day
Musharraf assured that Pakistan would be a moderate Islamic state in
his address in National Defence College.

World Bank asked the government to give high pay raise to high
officials and low pay raise to low officials to improve the standard of
countrys civil service. Ministers got the pay raise.

On 25th January officials conceded that Khalfan was handed over to

US within days after he was caught in Gujrat. The same day a Paki got
six months jail for videotaping skyscrapers in North Carolina.

624

Pressure for ties with Israel existed. Pakistan will take decision on
relations with Israel at the right time reported Ammara Durrani and
Rana Mubashir.

The carrot of F-16s was, however, kept dangling. F-16s sale was
under consideration, said Feith during his visit to Islamabad. But Pervaiz
Iqbal Cheema observed that Pakistans failure to convince the US to supply
F-16s meant; the US policy on defence cooperation is no different than in
the past.
Professor Khurshid criticized Musharraf over accepting interference
of Bush in internal affairs of Pakistan. All the courage and bravery Pervez
Musharraf claims to have evaporates when he is at the receiving end of
President Bushs directives. He claimed that America was directly
interfering in matters related to education and security.
The ugly image of Pakistan portrayed by he Western Media has also
affected the attitude of Muslim countries. Malaysian government refused to
meet Pakistani delegation on import of manpower; since signing of MoU not
a single Pakistani has been sent to Malaysia. It preferred to import
manpower from India.
Iran handed over 29 illegal Indians to Pakistan. These were first
pushed out by Greece into Turkey which in turn sent them to Iran. Finally
Iran gifted them to Pakistan. Authorities in Pakistan had a different story to
tell. Had these been Pakis, Greece would have treated them differently,
including the option of killing them, but Greece, Turkey and Iran did not like
to embarrass India by sending them direct to New Delhi.
Oman deported another batch of 640 Pakistanis on 18th January. This
Sultanate has paid special attention to cleanse its oil of illegal Pakis. A week
later nineteen Pakistanis were deported by Iran. Since last July 1550
Pakistanis were deported from Libya and Oman. According to official
records 24,000 Pakistanis were deported from 10 Arab states and 2,768 were
rotting in jails of five Arab states, in addition to 239 in Turkey and Iran.
The issue of nuclear proliferation was kept alive. War of wits with
Iran on the issue continued. Iran and EU were still at odds over nuclear
freeze, while EU playing down US threats to attack Iran. OIC backed
European approach. Pakistan offered help to EU and IAEA to settle nuclear
dispute and denied giving any data to US about Irans nuclear programme.
America kept frowning at Iran raising hue and cry over Irans nuclear
programme. An Iranian-born US trader was charged with illegally
625

smuggling nuclear equipment to Iran. Iran to open uranium plant within a

year and Israel urged US for strike, Iran will get enrichment ability this
year. ElBaradei asked US to join EU on Iran. Cheney agreed to backed EU
efforts. Rice on her first trip to Europe as successor of Powell said that
attack on Iran was not on agenda, but she asked Europe to be tough on Iran.
Meanwhile Iran allowed UN to take environmental samples at
military site suspected of nuclear weapons, but warned UN inspectors
against spying. What else they are supposed to do? Iran claimed that UN
inspections would disprove US charges. ElBaradei praised Tehran for good
cooperation.
Iran warned US against military action and accused Washington of
trying to disrupt talks with EU. It denied infiltration by American
commandos. Iran was ready for defence said Khatami and accused US of
endangering global peace. Iran threatened to reconsider its cooperation,
declared enrichment suspension would be short-lived, and urged EU to be
serious in talks, while rejecting demands to scrap enrichment.
The happenings in the neighbourhood kept Pakistan committed to
non-proliferation. That was secondary aim of the Crusaders; primary aim
remained to find a pretext to take care the dirty bomb. On 27 th January a
report claimed that North Korea bought complete nuclear bomb. Ten days
later the Time claimed that US was probing whether Khan sold nukes to
Riyadh, missing of 16 cylinders of uranium hexafluoride and that black
market network was still working.
The spokesman of Foreign Office termed Time report as rubbish.
This is a highly speculative report, which appears to have been rehashed
from the past and based on speculative stories but accepted that Dr A Q
Khan case was not closed. Questioning, investigations and cooperation with
IAEA and concerned world capitals are continuing, with Pakistan having
cleaned up the mess of the international nuclear black market.

CONCLUSION
India was quite happy with the peace process which guaranteed no
solution of major problems. It would continue with it whether it moved
slowly or not at all. Pakistan on the other hand would like to expedite, but
has no other option if it doesnt.
Pakistan has successfully eliminated any threat from its soil to Afghan
peace. The Crusaders have not reciprocated in terms of addressing Pakistans
626

problems, particularly the repatriation of refugees and free flow of weapons

to troubled Baluch areas.
Pakistan would be facing hard days in search of internal stability.
Musharraf would find it hard to strike a deal with PPP, as desired by
America, on terms and conditions he would like. This was evident from
meeting between Benazir and Nawaz in Jeddah in which they called for
fresh polls.
America would keep pressing Islamic states to roll back their nuclear
programmes while having a pile of 500 nuclear bombs in Europe and
designing new generation of nuclear weapons. This is one of the major goals
of the war on terror and not simply a matter of revenge as felt by Gwynne
Dyer, who said, there are no pretexts or reasons except that America's
vengeance after 9/11 has not been quenched as yet.

12th February 2005

AFGHANS AT THEIR OWN

The Crusaders interest in Afghanistan has been reduced to two things;
continuation of their presence in the country and elimination of drug trade.
Free and liberated Afghans have been left at their own to tackle rest of the
problems.
Karzais government kept seeking security, but most of its effort was
consumed to meet the requirements of the civilized world relating to
cultivation of poppy, manufacturing of drugs and their trafficking. There
was, however, some progress in disarmament campaign.
Reconstruction never got going due to various reasons, out of which
meager provision of funds and their improper utilization remained major
hurdles. Nevertheless, hopes of Afghan government relating to
reconstruction were kept alive.
Occupation forces continued with manhunt operations. Existence of

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the monster was hyped on as required basis inciting Karzai to say that
worlds help to combat terrorism was needed. The attacks by the
insurgents, however, declined and it was attributed to holding of polls,
ignoring the contribution made by Pakistan in Waziristan.

SECURTY
Security in Afghanistan did not show the desired improvement. UN
aid organizations expressed concern and Annan said, Afghanistan still faced
security threats. NGOs were the main victims of violence. Apart from the
militant Pushtoons, warlords rivalries remained a major factor causing
insecurity. Following incidents of factional fighting were reported:

Police chief was killed in Heart on 2nd November. About a week later
two persons were injured in clash between two pro-government
commanders in Laghman.

In January residents of Faryab fled from local commanders wrath. On

20th January Dostum escaped suicide bomb attack. His brother was
among 23 injured in attack in Shiberghan.

On 27th January six Afghan soldiers were killed in internal fight in

Helmand province.

Karzai focused on reconciliation, but Rights Watch urged Karzai to

sideline warlords; exactly what the Taliban had done to restore peace in the
country. Karzai urged his ministers to stay away from intrigues and cut links
with warlords. Provincial governors joined hands to solve the problem and
during first week of February Karzai replaced six provincial governors in a
bid to reduce power of commanders and extend his authority.
The challenge from warlords could not be tackled without disarming
them. There was some progress in disarmament of private militias as could
be assessed from following reports:

On 22nd November warlords handed over tanks and ammunition under

UN programme.

On 6th December surrender of arms by 588 ex-fighters in two days

indicated growing momentum of disarmament.

Two commanders in Maidan-Wardag province surrendered arms to the

government on 30th December.

On 7th January UN claimed that 32,210 ex-soldiers were disarmed in

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2004 and it decided to disarm NA stronghold of Panjshir.

Military units of warlords in north were disbanded on 9 th January

which marked the start of grappling with Tajiks and Uzbeks.

On 16th January sixty-seven soldiers of Milan joined disarmament

programme. Next day it was claimed that about 34,000 militiamen had
surrendered their weapons.

Officials collected weapons in Panjshir Valley by 19 th January. During

the process three bombs were found on vehicles used for collection of
weapons, including tanks and APCs. In all 62 heavy weapons were
collected.

By 28th January Helmand army corps was disarmed as part of

disarmament campaign. A fortnight later disarmament programme was
completed in Jalalabad.

In view of the steps taken by the new government it was observed by

the analysts that Fahim had become militarily weak after his removal from
cabinet and disarming of his militia in Kabul and Jabal-us-Siraj. It was also
visualized that Dostum could no more hoodwink people in the north.
Encouraged by the progress the government launched new push to collect
Stingers and force Militia commanders to disarm. The UN vowed to
complete disarmament programme within months. Japanese and German
envoys lauded the drive.
When Karzai grappled with warlords, the civilized world focused
raising alarm over poppy cultivation and drug trade. US and allies were
losing battle against drugs said a report. Drugs were a growing threat to
Afghanistans stability warned another. Opium flood overwhelmed
Afghanistan reported yet another.
A UN report warned of booming opium economy. Russia wanted
complete solution to Afghan drugs problem. EU urged Karzai to crackdown
on opium trade. NNI saw hope to curb drug boom after Karzais victory.
Afghan government must show results in combating drugs, demanded
UNODC.
Afghans were also warned of negative effects of poppy cultivation.
Drug use was increasing among youth warned a survey report. Farmers
and opium edicts were selling girls like cattle in Afghanistan said another.
No one remembered Taliban who had controlled drugs effectively or blamed
occupation forces for allowing the drug barons or warlords to flourish to
stall their opposition to occupation.
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Seizures of finished products continued as measure to check drug

trade. In 25th October counter-narcotics force raided opium market. In
December authorities seized 8 kg of heroin at Kabul airport. Tajik police
seized 50 kg of heroin and opium in January.
Destruction of poppy crop was another measure to discourage
cultivators. America planned to destroy poppy crop by aerial spray, Afghan
Government opposed and US official denied spraying. Incentive of
promotion of alternative crops was pursued half heartedly; though Bulgarian
rose plants were proposed to replace poppy and a US agriculturist was hired
for staying in Afghanistan for six months for promotion of substitute crops
for poppy.
Other measures included US demand seeking indictment of drug
barons and tribes suggesting punishment for poppy growers. America
considered supplying helicopters for anti-narcotics campaign. Neigbours
cooperation was sought to curb drug trade. UN anti-drugs chief suggested
conditional aid and the government mulled amnesty to wealthy drug
traffickers.
Pressure on Karzai was one of the measures adopted by the civilized
world. Karzai vowed fight against drugs to be governments top priority
and planned to set up anti-drug ministry. Karzai declared Jihad on drugs as
only this kind of Jihad was permitted by the Crusaders. Like Pakistan, the
visiting UK minister was shown burning of drugs.
Governor of Kandahar asked his deputies in districts to eradicate
poppy cultivation. His counter-part in Samangan vowed to curb poppy
cultivation. The government claimed implementing aggressive strategy. In
last three months the counter-narcotic force had destroyed around 14,800
hectares of poppy out of 131,000 hectares reported under cultivation.
Eradication of poppy cultivation wasnt easy because of economic
reasons. Afghanistan was producing 87% of worlds opium, earning $ 2.8
billion annual revenue, 60% of the countrys economy. In the absence of
slow progress in reconstruction and rehabilitation of economy any
crackdown on cultivators could result in resentment and related security
problems.
On 6th January two soldiers were killed in drug fight in Uruzgan.
Official reports blamed Taliban for the killings in an attempt to equate
Taliban with drugs, while ignoring the real force behind drug trade. US
military role in war on narcotics was criticized. America did not want to
annoy warlords, most of whom controlled the drug business.
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With so many people involved in business, from farm to the

consumer, eradication of poppy cultivation could backfire. Non-government
organizations warned that quick solution could bring in more severe poverty
and social unrest. It was feared that violence could escalate resulting in
instability. Americans and their puppets did not want that.
The funding of alternative crops was critical to the solution of the
problem. This could not be achieved without foreign aid for which Karzai
sought World Banks aid, but the UN wanted to make the aid conditional.
Narcotics Ministry objected to aid conditionality. Inadequate training of
judges was quoted another problem in enforcement of anti-narcotics law.
In spite of the limitations poppy cultivation was likely to drop further
in 2005. The government claimed that in 2004 the harvesting came down by
30% and this year it expected to reduce it by 70 percent. Anti-drug drive,
which resulted in the closure of opium town of Ghani Khel near Khyber
Pass, could lead to establishment of an alternative bazaar in nearby tribal
area of Pakistan.
In addition to the drugs landmines and un-exploded ammunition
added to the insecurity. Afghanistan remained most heavily mined country in
the world, despite three years efforts of de-mining. Unexploded ammunition
was causing more deaths than landmines.
ISAF has been the mainstay of security in around Kabul. During the
period the force raided houses and detained ten people and found an arms
cache near Kabul on a tip. Its performance was the main cause of demands
for its expansion, though America wanted expansion for pulling out some of
its troops.
NATO kept urging, hoping, affirming, mustering, and up-beating,
ISAF expansion, but nothing materialized except the promise to boost forces
for Parliamentary elections. ISAF commander wanted date for polls. Much
depended on Riviera talks and keeping that in view Rumsfeld pressed NATO
to expand forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Only Portugal and Italy showed their willingness to increase their
troops and French minister ruled out cutting troops. Spanish forces,
however, prepared for withdrawal and Germany did not plan to send elite
troops. Meanwhile America considered placing all foreign troops under US
command.
Some incidents indicated that presence of foreign forces, even in the
garb of peacekeepers, was still resented by Afghans. On 23 rd October a

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suicide attacker injured 7, including 3 ISAF soldiers, in a busy street of

Kabul. Next day an American woman and an Afghan girl were killed and
three peacekeepers and five locals were injured in bombing in popular
shopping area.
Three German soldiers were injured in roadside blast in Kunduz on
27 November. Two French peacekeepers were killed in an accident. One
French soldier committed suicide on 13th February. The hazards of being in
hostile environments of Afghanistan could be the reason of NATO countries
hesitation to expand the peacekeeping mission.
th

RECONSTRUCTION
Out of the wide spectrum of reconstruction, democratization was
accorded priority by the occupation forces. It was essential to grant
legitimacy to the puppets. After the elections for president the counting of
votes started with high-note optimism of Karzais landslide victory. He
bagged more than 67 percent of 5 percent votes counted. On completion of a
million-count he secured 62.6 percent and then slumped to 60.8 percent after
counting of one-quarter of votes. His lead dipped to 54.45 percent after 77.5
percent votes were counted.
The vote count showed ethnic divide, as reported by Reuters. By 25 th
October Karzai was set to become first elected president after a long journey
from exile to Jihad, from Jihad to the Crusades, and from the Crusades to
Afghan presidency. Next day Afghan press hailed Karzai and scolded
opposition candidates.
Qanooni refused to concede defeat, felt bitter and alleged Afghans
were robbed of their votes. He forgot that robbery began when NA joined
the gang of robbers from the Wild West. On second thought he said that he
would accept results; Dostum joined him. Khalilzad wasted no time in
warning of more hurdles; country will take ten years to become
democratic.
As Karzai edged closer to officially winning polls, the probe into
election fraud was ended. He declared people were real winners before he
was announced winner on 3rd November. His rivals conceded defeat and
Qanooni felicitated him showing democratic spirit.
Blair congratulated him on victory. Chinese president greeted and
promised cooperation. Musharraf and Iranian presidents felicitated him.
Karzai saluted Bushs re-election and Khalilzad declared him as elected
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president of liberated Afghanistan.

Security was beefed up in Kabul for inauguration ceremony. On 7 th
December Karzai was sworn in as first elected president. Cheney and
Brahimi attended the ceremony cordoned by Afghan, NATO and US forces.
Ahmed Zia Masood and Ustad Mohammad Karim were sworn in as vice
presidents.
Cabinet-making was a great challenge for him. He had to act boldly,
but tactfully to reduce domination of Panjshiris and give due representation
to ethnic group he belonged to. This compelled him to talk to Qanooni
before announcing his new cabinet.
Fahim was replaced by Wardak, a Pushtoon and ex soldier. This
change was read as an endeavour to strengthen his grip, despite Fahims
brother as his vice president elect, Abdullah retained as foreign minister and
Bismillah staying as the army chief.
Gul Agha Sherzoi, Arif Noorzai, Sayed Hussain Anwari, Mustafa
Kazemi, Syed Masoom Stanakzai Mohammad Sharif Faez were dropped
because persons holding dual nationality were ineligible under new
constitution. Three women, including Masooda Jalal were inducted in the
cabinet. Ismail Khan was made minister of energy. Majority of ministers
were Pushtoons. Tajiks, Hazaras, Uzbeks, Turkmen were given
representation.
No Taliban or factions opposing the regime were included in the
cabinet. Two ex ministers, Gul Agha Sherzai and Sayed Hussain Anwari
were accommodated as governors. Many former Cabinet members were
persuaded to take jobs in Kabul just to cut them off from their regional
bases. Soon after the announcement of the cabinet, ministers renounced
political affiliations and Qanooni decided to form opposition party.
Parliamentary polls were next in the process of democratization for
which nation-wide census had to be carried out. In these polls some factions
of Taliban were expected to participate directly or indirectly as was evident
from reports that Mutawakkil intended to form political party.
The experts promptly suspected that Parliamentary polls wont be
free and fair. UN warned of intimidation and fraud in polls, but demanded
that these be held on schedule while fearing that deadline might not be
respected. The world body needed $ 120 million for polls.
Afghan government denied postponement of Parliamentary polls.
Karzai reiterated that holding of elections remained top priority and will be
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held soon. A few days later his spokesman said, Parliamentary elections
may be delayed. Abdullah suspected, technical difficulties may delay
elections. Some legal and procedural issues were being raised by different
quarters. UN agreed; polls date depended on creating voting districts.
In the absence of economic revival unemployment rate soared, but the
government denied. IMF claimed that Afghanistans economy was
recovering. Its mission reported Kabuls strong economic performance. But
there was little proof to support their contentions.
Helmand Bridge was inaugurated which promised prosperity for
Kandahar area; whereas infrastructure in rest of the country was still in ruins
despite heavy funding. Another news related to economy was Kabul
pinning hopes on revival of Pistachio cultivation to revive economy.
Khalilzad promised continued US support, but during the period only
$ 3.5 million were allocated for oil and gas exploration. Sweden gave $ 35
million in aid and New Zealand promised $ 38 million for reconstruction.
South Korea promised help in rebuilding hydroelectric dam in the north.
India sanctioned rupees 4 billion for construction of a dam in Herat province
and pledged $ 25 million for construction of parliament building. ADB
approved $ 1.9 million for water and irrigation sector and agreed to provide
funds for solar energy. WTO approved Afghanistans bid for membership
talks.
In the context of rehabilitation of social sector, some progress was
reported in health and education. Kabul residents revived water supply
system. Saudi Arabia donated US $ 1.2 million for food. A relief agency of
US mulled to launch health plan for women. Public health awareness
campaign was also launched, but in Balkh imposition of fee for medical
treatment was resented. In Education sector the donors pledged $ 600
million. New teaching curriculum was ready for publication. UN agencies
and groups were trying to boost literacy rate.
About cultural refinement a minister said, war has destroyed our
culture. Radio and TV were directed to air Afghan programmes and the
minister wanted review of ban on cable TV. EC was to help modernize
Afghan state TV. Other measures included government order to remove
beggars from streets of Kabul; plan to develop Tora Bora Mountains as
tourist site; plan to restore Buddhas of Bamiyan by UNESCO; and to show
terrorist-theme Indian film in cinemas.
In spite of the efforts for emancipation, women were still fighting for
basic rights. Increase in drug addiction among women was reported due to
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poor economic conditions. Self-immolation by women was on the rise in

Herat. Malalai, rights activist, said situation did not change after fall of
Taliban. She asked Karzai to act. Women wanted role in uplift projects.
First Lady promised more active role for women. Japan International
Cooperation Agency planned to launch projects exclusively for women. First
independent women-managed radio was inaugurated in Maimana. Karzai
considered appointing a woman, Hadiba Surabi, as provincial governor.
UNICEF expressed concern over violence against children. Warlords
were accused of child sex, a crime which had caused the start of Talibans
struggle. During their era no one could dare indulging in this crime, but once
the regime of Islamic militants was toppled with the services of warlords,
the latter were back in the business. The only way out seemed to make the
Afghans civilized people by legalizing sex within the same gender as has
been done in many parts of the civilized world.
Then there is a price of being civilized. It was reported that drunk
drivers were causing traffic accidents in Kabul. Lack of economic activities
gives rise crimes. Police found dead bodies of 18 people killed by car
thieves. High-ups indulged in corruption as was evident from accusation
against Governor Khost who gave land to friends. Guest houses in Kabul
were involved in objectionable activities. Some Chinese restaurants were
shut down on charges of gambling, serving alcohol and prostitution.
As regards raising and training of security forces, 27,000 policemen
were trained during 2004 as per UN claims. A model police station was
established in Kabul and police started showing effectiveness. Police
arrested two kidnappers on 31st January in a raid on private jail southeast of
Kabul. US-led allies accelerated training of new army and Defence Minister
vowed to build strong army. America also talked about revival of Afghan air
force.
Rehabilitation and reconstruction kept encountering the
enumerated in earlier articles. Aid groups considered pullout as
persisted. Korean company asked for employees security.
deliberately avoided accelerating repatriation of refugees as
refugees return could create security problems.

problems
insecurity
UNHCR
surge in

Cases of misuse of funds and corruption recurred. Bachardoust

accused NGOs of misusing funds, which cost him his job. Militia leaders
inflated troops number for drawing salaries. Karzai vowed to clamp down
on corruption and Afghan government wanted direct control of aid money.

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Imports jeopardized revival of Afghan industries. The returning

professionals were not employed judiciously. Misgovernance was another
problem pointed out by Moonis Ahmar. Outside Kabul, conditions are
worse. The country is still under the influence of warlords and mafias
unwilling to relinquish their privileged position a fact that the Afghan
President Hamid Karzai understands and tries to address by excluding some
warlords from the new cabinet. But he too has limits. The US-led ISAF is
hardly interested in dealing with corruption and misgovernance, although
these have a bearing on the law and order situation that it is concerned with.
Neighbours, in the presence of occupation forces of US and its allies
could only afford having cordial relations with Kabul. Karzais victory
augured well for Pakistan, according to AFP. Karzai acknowledged that
Pakistan had worked hard for stability of his government. Musharraf told the
visiting Afghan minister that terrorism was hindering progress and
emphasized on the need to combat the menace, indirectly assuring that his
resolve remained intact.
In spite of Pakistans efforts to the contrary, irritants kept creeping in
ties between two countries. Pakistan was held responsible for everything that
happened or didnt happen in its neighbourhood. In November US claimed
to have uncovered a plot by Pakistani militants to infiltrate western nongovernmental organizations in Afghanistan in a bid to stage kidnappings and
suicide bombings. Pakistani link to attack on Dostum was suspected after
finding a Pakistani telephone, which was further strengthened after
identification of four suspects, two of them were Pakistani.
Karzai made maiden visit to Iran in January. His visit was viewed as
step to enhance Kabul-Tehran ties. Kabul denied that US could use its
territory against Iran. Tehran handed over 276 Afghan prisoners in February
and first Iranian bank opened in Kabul. However, two irritants were talked
about during the period; Iran was blamed for being tough on legal refugees;
and Rafsanjani rapped Kabul over Hirman River water.
India sought strong trade ties with Afghanistan and asked its firms to
export goods via Iran. Natwar met Karzai on 15 th February in Kabul and
assured help in reconstruction. Afghan Government favoured regional
security partnership. Construction of trans-Afghan gas pipeline was to
commence in 2006 and US companies could join the project.
Differences between UK and Kabul emerged after British Ambassador
pressurized Karzai for inducting pro-UK candidates in the new cabinet;
harassment of Afghans by British troops during the operation against the
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drug smugglers in southern Afghanistan; and publishing of a report in NYT

alleging Karzais brother and other high-profile Afghans of drug smuggling.
The ambassador left Kabul amid row. Kabuls decision to re-establish
diplomatic ties with Argentina could lead to more speculations, but Karzai
must have had prior clearance from Britain.

INSURGENCY
During last four months following incidents of insurgent actions and
counter action by occupation forces were reported:

Two US soldiers were killed and three wounded by roadside bomb

blast in Uruzgan on 16th October. In Kunar province gunmen
detonated a truck killing three children and a policeman near Asmar.

On 17th October three Afghan soldiers were killed in Helmand. Next

day an election worker was among five killed in blast in Paktika.

On 19th October rockets were fired at US bases in southern

Afghanistan. Two days later Afghan militia commander and eight
others were killed in ambushes in Badakhshan. A US airman was
killed in helicopter crash in Herat.

US Army truck was hit by roadside bomb in Nangarhar on 23 rd

October. Three days later three Taliban suspects were shot dead in
Zabul.

On 27th October three US soldiers and an Afghan were injured in

roadside bomb in Zabul.

Three foreign election workers were abducted in Kabul on 28 th

October. Jaishul Muslimeen claimed responsibility.

American soldier was killed and two wounded in clash with militants
in Paktika on 1st November.

On 4th November four Afghan civilians were killed in blast in Paktika.

A bomb exploded near US and Swedish aid offices.

On 10th November Taliban killed two Afghan soldiers in Maiwand

district of Kandahar after an attempt was made to rescue them.
Taliban claimed capturing a post in Kunar province.

Rockets hit US military post in Paktika on 11th November. Five days

later four Afghan policemen were killed in blast in Uruzgan.

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On 18th November Afghan forces claimed capturing 24 Taliban in

Zabul. Three days later four al-Qaeda suspects were killed in US-led
attack in Nangarhar near Pakistans border.

US forces killed four militants and arrested three in Bati Kot in

Nangarhar province on 22nd November. Two days later two US
soldiers were killed in blast in Uruzgan. Taliban also killed Afghan
security chief and two soldiers.

On 28th November Taliban killed three persons in an attack on aid

agency in Kandahar area. Two days later a US Marine was wounded
in gunfight in Paktika. Next day a US plane crashed in mountains and
all six persons on board were killed.

Taliban fighter was killed in blast in Kandahar on 3 rd December. Next

day Taliban bomb-maker was killed in blast in Kandahar and another
was arrested.

On 7th December six Taliban and four Afghan soldiers were killed in
clash in Khost province.

US launched operation against Taliban on 11th December involving

entire strength of US forces in Afghanistan. Aim was to keep the
Taliban on defensive and denying them respite for reorganizing. The
same day eight suspected militants were arrested in Mazar area.

On 12th December two Taliban commanders and six militants were

held in raid in southern and central Afghanistan. In Kunar militants
exploded a bomb injuring six civilians.

Mortar attack on US base on 13th December injured 3 Afghan soldiers

in Paktika. Taliban denied kidnapping Turkish engineer.

Nine persons, including four soldiers, and an attacker were killed in

attack by Taliban in Maiwand district of Kandahar on 20 th December.
In Zabul two US soldiers were wounded in an ambush.

On 24th December Afghan and Coalition troops captured ten Taliban

suspects in Kandahar province. Next day Taliban attacked recently
gifted Indian truck in Farah killing at least one driver.

US Marine was injured in ambush in near Kandahar on 27 th

December. Three days later missing soldiers helped 15 prisoners to
escape from a jail in Khost.

On 1st January Afghan government claimed capturing Nida

638

Mohammad in Kandahar, an important military commander, but

Taliban downplayed the claim.

One US soldier and an ex-Taliban leader were killed in shootout in

Shindand on 2nd January. Next day Taliban attacked US post in Logar
and claimed killing four soldiers.

On 4th January one US soldier was killed and three others wounded in
clash with militants in Kunar. Next day five, including Taliban
commander, were killed in Taliban attack in Zabul.

Afghan judge was arrested on 8 th January for car bombing of US firm

in which three Americans were killed in August 2004. Three days later
one person was killed and three wounded in mine blast under a truck
near a military base.

On 20th January a Pakistani driver carrying fuel for US base was killed
in southern Afghanistan. Taliban also claimed killing intelligence
official in Helmand.

Two Afghan soldiers were killed and 12 wounded in separate attacks

in Uruzgan on 21st January. Two days later police chief and three
others were killed in blast.

On 24th January Taliban claimed killing a spy and senior policeman

along with his father, brother and another in Helmand. In Uruzgan
Taliban fighters intercepted a truck ferrying supplies for US troops
and let off drivers after warning.

The same day a US tank was blown off in the same area with IED, but
fate of the crew was not known. Another tank was hit later and
Taliban claimed that crew members were killed. In yet another attack
some US soldiers were killed.

On 25th January two Afghan policemen were killed and a senior

officer wounded in an ambush laid by Taliban near Kandahar.

A Taliban commander was killed and his deputy captured in Helmand

on 27th January. Next day two former Taliban commanders were killed
by unknown assailants near Jalalabad.

On 30th January four employees of a foreign construction company

were injured in blast in Kunar. Two persons were killed and 15 injured
in two landmine blasts in Kunar and Kandahar.

Two persons were killed while placing bomb on road near Jalalabad

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on 31st January. Next day a landmine planted by rebels near Herat

killed one person and injured another.

A week later rockets were fired at a US base near Kandahar with no

casualties. A Taliban commander hiding in a well was arrested in
Uruzgan.

Monster Osama was kept alive. Osama was hiding in eastern parts of
the country, said a report in October. Osama was safe and alive in
Afghanistan, said another report. In January a German police officer told the
court that seventy thousand al-Qaeda fighters were trained in Osama camps.
Associated Press reported that Bin Laden could be in Afghanistan and
America mulled doubling bounty on Osama to $ 50 million.
Kidnapping of UN workers received wide media coverage during the
period. On 29th October kidnappers threatened to kill the captives. Next day
Taliban linked their release to US pullout. The kidnappers gave a deadline
for UN hostages execution, which was frequently extended subsequently.
Jaish wanted 26 prisoners to be freed. The kidnappers kept changing the
place of hostages and warned government against search operation.
Meanwhile involvement of Taliban in the kidnapping was denied.
Appeals for the release of hostages kept pouring. Islamic council
urged their release and Albania appealed for its woman worker. Manila was
asked not to accept kidnappers demands. UN repeatedly appealed for
release of its workers.
Negotiations with kidnappers were first reported on 2nd November and
four days later direct talks with UN and Afghan government were
confirmed. The kidnappers were ready to slash demands if their 26 detainees
were released. Afghan officials said that the list of prisoners was not
received.
The deadline passed without any reply from Afghan government.
Jaish gave more time to find prisoners. On 10 th November kidnappers
claimed that the deal was close and the same day Armitage opposed
compromise. The government remained hopeful about securing the release.
On 23rd November UN hostages were freed after 4-week ordeal. Kidnappers
claimed obtaining release of 24 Taliban prisoners; Afghan Government
denied. Freed UN hostages met Karzai and Zahir honoured them.
Kidnapping spawned multiple conspiracy theories. Immediately after
the incident government officials help to kidnappers was suspected. After
release Afghan officials questioned Briton, who claimed that he had helped
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in negotiations. Yusufzai reported about what happened on the other side

which led to the release of hostages.
Sabir Momin who revolted against Mulla Omar alleged that the
Jaishul Mujahideen leader Syed Akbar Agha took $ 1.5 million through
middlemen for the release of the hostages. He also accused Agha of being
double agent as many Taliban fighters were arrested by the US-led forces on
his tips. A Shura of Momins group had declared Agha as a criminal for
accepting the ransom and bringing a bad name to all those resisting US
occupation of Afghanistan. He vowed to punish Agha once he is caught.
Agha denied accepting ransom. He alleged that Momin wanted money
and on refusal he came out with this accusation. He claimed that release was
negotiated through Mulla Malang, who assured that 24 out of 26 Taliban
prisoners would be released and two others were not traceable He was
hopeful of the release of prisoners, failing which no deal would be possible
in future and Jaishul Mujahideen fighters would take action to settle scores.
Taliban dissolved hostage-taker group for accepting ransom. Captors
apologized for kidnapping, said Filipino Envoy. Mulla Malang was arrested
by the agencies. None of the prisoners was released till then. Agha was
killed in Karachi by security forces. As far as kidnappers were concerned the
drama ended in fiasco.
After an attack in Kunar Karzai condemned un-Islamic face of killing
civilians and children in Ramazan. Atrocities committed by the Crusaders
were never condemned categorically as the offenders did not believe in
Islam. Occupation forces were free to commit acts of brutality and be the
judge themselves. Following acts, reports and statements during last four
months amply reflected on this aspect of the occupation:

By 18th October US Army was questioning 28 soldiers over deaths of

Afghans and America had cautioned Dyncrop (private firm protecting
Karzai on contract) against misbehaviour.

On 22nd October villagers mourned killing of two brothers by US

about a month ago, one was shot dead and another had died in custody
the next day.

UN slammed Coalition on 26th October for violating international law.

Four days later it was reported that fourth Afghan had died due to
heart attack in US custody.

641

On 11th November probe into death of kidnapping suspect was started.

Nine days later a suspect linked to kidnapping of UN workers died of
torture. Next day US vigilantes appealed against their convictions.

Tribesmen blocked Jalalabad-Torkham road on 28th November to

protest against killing of non-combatants in the name of al-Qaeda. The
protest followed the incident in which four students of a religious
seminary were killed and a religious figure along with his sons was
arrested.

On 29th November US defended arrest of Afghan woman on the plea

that her husband was an al-Qaeda member.

On 5th December tribesmen vowed to resist search of their homes by

US-led forces.

On 13th December Human Rights Watch claimed detecting two more

murders in US custody.

US forces were running 22 detention camps in Afghanistan, reported

Behroz Khan on 23rd December. The condition of detainees was
termed worse than Abu Ghraib.

On 28th January Afghan Chief Judge of Supreme Court urged America

to observe human rights.

Released prisoners complained of torture and abuse. UN expert paid

visit on 3rd February to assess human rights situation.

After the visit the expert said, there is a very unusual practice in
Afghanistan, mainly foreign forces, who have taken upon themselves
the right, without any legal process of arresting people, detaining
them, mistreating them and possibly even torturing them.

US military rejected the charge and on 7 th February US-led forces

lawyer met CJSC in Kabul to defy UN report on human rights
violations by occupation forces.

On 10th February the UN monitor again expressed his concern over

human rights abuses. Two days later America again rejected UN
experts concerns on Afghan rights.

On 13th February the lawyers on US-contracted interrogator accused

Bush Administration of inspiring torture and Human Rights body
accused US of killing detainees. Next day it was reported that a US
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panel might probe CIA handling of detainees.

Guantanamo Bay prison remained despite criticism. This camp was
termed an icon of lawlessness and an affront to American values by some
lawyers and human rights groups. Bisher, an Iraqi born British said after
release, I am disappointed in American justice I assured my fellow
prisoners that it was good to be out of Afghanistan and in American hands
and that we would be fairly treated. After two years, I am no longer so
foolish. He has seen the true face of American values.
America apologized for putting Lebanese born German in prison on
mistaken identity, but US interrogator refuted the statements of released
prisoners. He accused freed Briton of lying. One of the four terrorism
suspect decided to sue over 3-year detention. On 15th February ICRC chief
met Bush over Guantanamo detainees.
Unlike Iraq where America preferred to thrash or kill hostile media
men, in Afghanistan it pressed the government to follow strict censorship.
An anti-government magazine was banned in Khost in November. Deputy
information and culture minister resigned in protest against high level of
censorship. In January a paper was banned after publishing anti-government
articles. On the other hand embedded journalists were patronized; Waseem
Mahmood was to be awarded OBE.
America adopted precautionary measures to avoid criticism. US
forces were ordered to take fewer prisoners. Eighty Afghans were released
from US custody in January. Efforts for patch up with Taliban were
intensified.
Release of prisoners was seen as indication of reconciliation effort
picking up. America was willing to ease operations to help Taliban return as
some Taliban started seeing chances of reconciliation. Kabul and Islamabad
worked on amnesty plan for Taliban.
Psychological war went along with reconciliatory efforts. It was
claimed that Taliban think tank had been finished and Mulla Omar was the
only one left on the most wanted list. Rift emerged between Omar and his
commanders, claimed US Army and many senior Taliban were ready to
work with Afghan officials.
In October Taliban commander, Akhtar Mohammad Usmani, rejected
talks with US and Afghan government. Next month Mulla Omar vowed to
liberate Afghanistan and Hekmatyar urged Afghans to wage Jihad. In
December Taliban rejected US amnesty offer. Mulla Dadullah asked

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Khalilzad and Karzai to leave Afghanistan and return to their master.

Hekmatyar also wanted US troops pullout. In January Taliban again ruled
out talks with US and Afghan government.
Taliban, however, welcomed US decision to release some prisoners.
They carried out organizational changes as dictated by the circumstances.
Yasir was appointed new spokesman of Taliban. He had quit Sayyafs party
in protest against its pro-US stance. New leader was appointed to replace the
one captured by Pakistan security forces in Karachi. Taliban refuted reports
of rift in their ranks and resultant defections. Commander Haqqanis son
said, resistance would continue. Hekmatyars son also denied meeting
Afghan officials.
Reconciliatory efforts were part of the plan to linger on in the region
at the same time reducing forces in Afghanistan for employing them in other
adventures. In November up-gradation of US air base in Kyrgyzstan was
reported. US military was building bases in Herat, Gardez, Khost and Mazar.
Khalilzad confirmed that US troops could stay in Afghanistan for indefinite
period, but bases were being built for Afghan army.
On 25th January Khalilzad claimed that US was not 'occupying force.'
Next day Farhan Bokhari wrote, a high degree of disgust and a yearning for
revenge are just some of the probable reactions that can be expected from
those with bitter memories of their incarceration during the Afghan war In
the medium to long term, the US is inevitably up against a dead end in
Afghanistan, in spite of frequent claims of being involved in a credible
process to promote nation building. While the US conducts its war in search
of alleged terrorists, its use of harsh force from the battlefields to the
prisons, carries no assurance of winning new friends for Washington.'
Afghans never suffer from memory loss as far as revenge is concerned.

CONCLUSION
The security environments in Afghanistan have shown some signs of
improvement. This could be attributed to two main factors; contribution of
Pakistan in denying the sanctuaries to Pushtoon militants along Durand Line
and the progress made in disarmament campaign. Sidelining of the
Panjshiris as result of the presidential elections; tactful handling of the
warlords by Karzai; and threat of American presence and their readiness for
indiscriminate use the ultimate force have also contributed towards this.
Karzais return as an elected president has marked more participation
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of Pushtoons in political process. He should capitalize on this prudently and

for that he must press for Parliamentary polls as soon as possible; failing
which militants within Pushtoons would keep creating problems for him.
By now it should have been quite clear to the new Afghan rulers that
reconstruction of their ruined country is no concern of the occupation forces.
Their contribution would never go beyond the trickle. Only Afghans have to
rebuild their country and for that return of millions of refugees have to be
expedited, which is presently being delayed on the behest of the Crusaders.
Occupation forces have shown no intent to leave Afghanistan. The
rulers in Kabul and neighbouring countries, particularly Iran and Pakistan
have to bear with them. The neighbours have to be careful in avoiding
Afghanistan becoming a spring-board against them.

16th February 2005

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WUTHERING WAR
After a lull of about two days the killings continued in democratized
Iraq. Almost all the killed and wounded were Iraqis and mostly by the Iraqis
resisting the occupation. The US-led forces were the real cause of the
bloodshed but the world started losing the sight of them because of the
smoke screen of democracy.
Western Media shifted its focus from the killings to trumpeting the
beginning of democratic process and depicting peace. Even in Pakistan the
pro-US media pulled curtain on fighting in Iraq as had been done about
Kashmir sometimes back. The news items of fighting were relegated to less
prominent places.
Rumsfeld paid a surprise visit to Mosul to recognize the great success
of the elections. Bush greeted the elected candidates on 14th February. Three
days later the vote results confirmed victory of Shiite alliance. It got 140
seats; Kurds won 75 and Allawi secured 40, remaining 20 were won by other
groups. With the announcement of results the new leadership in Iraq started
taking shape.
On 8th February Abbas and Sharon declared ceasefire at Summit held
in Sharm el-Shiekh to end four years of bloodshed. After the announcement
Abbas abstained from blaming any side, but Sharon sounded differently. He
indirectly threatened to act if any thing happened contrary to his likings.

FIGHTING
On 4th February three Iraqis were killed in roadside bomb north of
Baghdad. Two persons were killed by a bomb as they traveled behind an
army convoy. An Iraqi soldier and a fighter were killed in a clash near
Duluiya. One US soldier was killed in roadside bomb in Mosul and another
died in operation south of Baghdad and five more were injured. Two US
soldiers were killed in an attack near Baiji. An Italian journalist was
kidnapped when she was interviewing people in Baghdad.
Three civilians were killed and five wounded in a clash between US
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troops and guerrillas in Tamim region on 5 th February. In Basra four Iraqi

soldiers were killed in motorcycle bomb. In Samarra two children were
killed in landmine explosion, two Iraqi soldiers in roadside bomb and two
persons in clashes. A soldier was killed and four civilians wounded in
clashes in Dhuluiya. Sunni tribal leader was killed in Anbar. Militants
claimed killing seven National Guards. An employee of provincial
government and a civilian were killed in Baghdad and four Egyptian
engineers were kidnapped.
On 6th February four people were killed and nine wounded in clashes
in Sunni villages south of Baghdad. North of the city three Iraqis were killed
in shooting and bomb blast and a dead body was also found. A soldier and a
civilian were killed in Samarra and seven people were wounded. A civilian
was killed and four soldiers wounded in bomb explosion in Balad. Dead
body of a businessman was found in Tuz. A US soldier was killed in action
in Triangle of Death. A US soldier was killed and two others wounded in
roadside bomb north of Baghdad. Another US soldier was killed in Mosul.
Guerrillas attacked a police station south of Baghdad in which 22 policemen,
a soldier and 14 attackers were killed and 18 security men were wounded in
an hour-long battle. Forty-eight hour deadline was given to Italian hostage.
On 7th February a suicide bomber in Mosul wearing a long coat called
the policemen over to him who were waiting for collection of salary and let
the bomb go. Twelve policemen were killed and five wounded. Later,
another civilian was killed and three others wounded in mortar fire. In
Baquba police headquarters was targeted by a car bomb killing 11 people
and wounding 16 others. A mortar shell landed near the headquarters killing
one child and injuring and adult. Bodies of two persons killed in roadside
bomb were found near Baquba. A translator captured earlier was shot dead.
A suicide bomber walked into a line of soldiers and recruits in
Baghdad killing at least 15 of them on 8 th February. Gunmen killed two sons
and a bodyguard of an outspoken politician. Four Iraqis were killed in
Salahedin province. Group claimed killing a man working for US and dead
bodies of two others who also worked on US base were found near Tikrit. In
Mosul two members of Kurdistan Democratic Party were shot dead. Iraqi
soldiers killed two civilians who did not stop at checkpoint in Baiji. One US
soldier was killed in Mosul. Four Egyptians were released.
Four Iraqi policemen were killed and two wounded in roadside
bombing in Samarra on 9 th February. A journalist and his son were shot dead
in Basra. Two Iraqi soldiers and a fighter were killed in Duluiyah. A civilian

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was killed in mortar fire on a police station in Baiji. US troops killed a

suspect in Balad and one US soldier was also killed. Oil ministrys
representative was kidnapped in southern Baghdad.
On 10th February 65 policemen were wounded in fierce fighting
around a police station in Salman Pak. Police claimed arresting several
suspects including three Iranians and two Saudis. Twenty dead bodies of
Iraqi drivers and security forces were found in their burnt out convoy south
of Baghdad. Two persons were killed and six wounded in car bomb attack on
US convoy in Baghdad. One person was killed in Haifa Street. One civilian
was killed and three policemen wounded in fighting in Baquba and a police
officer was killed in a separate incident. In Kirkuk a civilian was killed and
another wounded. Three soldiers were killed in roadside bomb in Duluiyah.
A body of an interpreter was found near Baiji.
On 11th February 14 people were killed and 40 wounded in bombing
of a mosque in Balad Ruz. In Baghdad 11 people were killed by gunmen as
they attacked a bakery. One US soldier was killed in bomb attack. Next day
18 people were killed and 25 wounded in suicide car bombing in Musayyib.
In Basra a senior judge was shot dead by gunmen. Two US troops were
killed in separate incidents of operation and road accident. Eight dead bodies
of Iraqis were found in and around Mosul. Two Iraqis were killed and six
wounded in an attack on US base near Samarra.
An Iraqi General and his two companions were killed north of
Baghdad on 13th February. In Mosul two civilians were killed and two
wounded in cross-fire. Dead bodies of two soldiers were found near
Dhuluiya and two Iraqi soldiers were killed and seven wounded in mortar
fire. Four Iraqis were killed near Baiji and a police captain was shot dead
north of the city. An Iraqi soldier was killed and another wounded in clashes
in Yathrib and one civilian was killed and four wounded in home-made
bomb blast. Three dead bodies were found in eastern Baghdad. One person
was killed in a car bomb attack on a checkpoint near Hilla. One US soldier
was killed and another wounded in mortar fire on a base in Samarra.
On 14th February three Guards were killed and three wounded in
roadside bomb attack on a convoy near Baquba. One US soldier was killed
and three wounded when a bomb exploded near their patrol. Two policemen
were killed and two wounded in attack on their vehicle in Mosul. Insurgents
targeted oil pipeline in Kirkuk. Kidnappers of Swedish citizen demanded
ransom.
A civilian was killed and a policeman wounded in roadside bomb near
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Baghdad On 15th February. Deputy Governor escaped attempt on his life. In

two operations 13 suspects were detained. Turkish businessman taken
hostage two months earlier was released, probably after paying ransom.
On 16th February one US soldier was killed in action in Anbar. Three
US soldiers and a civilian were killed and two soldiers and a civilian
wounded in three accidents. Gunmen shot dead an intelligence officer near
Baghdad and in other incident killed a aviation official and a police sergeant.
In Ramadi fighters fired mortar on US and Iraqi positions. In Mosul gunmen
injured a police colonel and killed his driver and bodyguard. An Army
colonel was killed near Kirkuk. Three policemen and an insurgent were
killed near Samarra. Kidnapped Italian journalist was shown on website
pleading for his life.
On 17th February four people were killed in Baghdad. Eight dead
bodies of employees of a US base were found near Balad. An official of
Allawis party was kidnapped near Samarra and one policeman was killed
and four wounded in attack on a patrol. Iraqi Christian politician was shown
on video broadcast urging Pope for help.
On 18th February suicide bombers struck two mosques, a Shiite
procession, a National Guard checkpoint in Baghdad and a mosque in
Iskandariyah killing 35 and injuring scores of people. Two sons of police
chief of Najaf were killed. Two Indonesian journalists kidnapped by fighters
in Ramadi.
A bomber walked into a tent outside a Sunni mosque in Baghdad on
19 February and blew himself up killing four people and injuring ten.
Another bomber killed two National Guards. Two other bombers died in
Judges Institute and an academic institute without killing anyone. Nineteen
people were killed and 40 wounded in suicide attack in Aden Square and in
subsequent attack at the same place an American soldier was killed. In
Baquba a car bomber killed two guardsmen and wounded another. In
Latifiya a suicide bomber killed two Iraqi soldiers and an officer. Four Iraqis
were killed and 19 wounded in mortar fire near a Sunni mosque in
Adhamiya. In Samarra two civilians were killed in mortar fire and two
policemen were killed by an improvised bomb. Dead bodies of five soldiers
were found near Balad. One US soldier was killed in Anbar.
th

On 20th February one fighter was killed in attack on security forces.

Three Iraqis were killed in two blasts in Kirkuk. Two Kurds were killed in
accidental blast. Next day gunmen killed an Iraqi soldier in Baquba. Iraqi
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security forces killed or captured three of the top men producing websites
showing hostages. Kidnapped Indonesian journalists were freed. American
and Iraqi forces launched fresh offensive west of Baghdad.
Four people were killed and 30 injured in suicide car bomb in western
Baghdad on 22nd February. One US soldier was killed in action in operation
west of Baghdad. Three US soldiers were killed and eight wounded in
another incident according to PTV.
One US soldier was killed on 23rd February in an IED explosion near
Tuz. Another soldier was killed in an accident in Anbar. Dead bodies of two
policemen, one civilian and a Sudanese transporter working for US were
found near al-Hajaj, Shirqat and Tal al-Aaj. In Kirkuk a police officer was
killed and another wounded in firing, in another incident two civilians were
killed and another wounded and in yet another incident two Kurds were shot
dead. An Iraqi soldier was killed and another wounded in Duluiya. Two
soldiers were killed in mortar fire in Tarmiya. A contractor was killed and
another wounded near Suleyman Beg. In Mosul a car bomb killed two
people and wounded fourteen and an official of Dawa Party was killed by
gunmen. American troops entered Haqlaniya to hunt for insurgents.
On 24th February a suicide bomber in police uniform drove his car into
police headquarters in Tikrit and killed 15 and wounded more than 20
policemen. Two US soldiers were killed and two wounded in bomb attacks
in Qaryat. In Iskandariya a car bomber killed five policemen. In another
incident in front of headquarters of the Shiite Supreme Council five people
including three policemen were killed. Four policemen were killed in Qaim
near Syrian border in two roadside bombs. In Baghdad gunmen killed two
persons and wounded another. In Kirkuk two policemen were killed and
three wounded in roadside bomb.
Three US soldiers were killed and eight wounded on 25 th February in
roadside bomb near Tarmiya. One US soldier was killed in action in Anbar.
Two women and a child were killed when a US convoy was targeted with
roadside bomb in Baiji. Operation River Blitz entered sixth day in which 23
Iraqis were killed to date. Thirteen people were wounded in mortar fire in
Samarra. Official claimed capturing a top al-Qaeda man. Polish soldier and
two Iraqis were killed in road accident.
On 26th February two people were killed and two wounded in bomb
attack in Baghdad. Three women were killed in mortar fire near Duluiya.
One Turkish driver was killed near Tikrit. In Mussaieb a fighter died when
his car exploded prematurely. Police reported kidnapping of 11 people in last
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24 hours. Two US soldiers were killed in attacks in the capital. A Marine was
killed in action in Anbar province. Kidnapped Iraqi TV presenter was found
dead in Mosul. Oil pipeline was blown up in the north.
Dead bodies of six Iraqi soldiers, a businessman and a woman spy
working for US were found from Kut, Baghdad and Siniya on 27 th February.
Eight people were killed and two wounded in bomb attack in a town near
Mosul and in the city four people were killed by gunmen. One policeman
was killed and another wounded in Amerli. Australian troops opened fire on
a suspicious car and wounded several people. Saddams half brother was
arrested.
A suicide car bomber attacked a crowd of people gathered for seeking
government jobs on 28th February in Hilla and killed 115 and wounded 148
persons. A car bomber killed himself in Musayyib in an unsuccessful attack.
One civilian was killed and two wounded in fighting in Baquba. Two
policemen were killed in roadside bomb in Baghdad and a US soldier was
killed on a checkpoint.
French journalist made video plea for help on 1 st March. Next day
gunmen killed a judge on Saddam tribunal and his son in Baghdad. In a car
bomb attack seven people were killed and 30 wounded outside an army base
and later the base was attacked by mortar fire killing one soldier and
wounding nine others. In another car bomb attack west of the capital three
soldiers were killed and six wounded. In Mosul two policemen were shot
dead in separate incidents.
Two US soldiers were killed in roadside bomb and two car bomb
attacks on interior ministry on 3rd March killed five policemen. One person
was killed and 18 wounded in another car bomb attack in Baquba. One US
soldier was killed in Babil.
AFP reported that the role of Zarqawi was hyped with ulterior motives
by both the warring sides. The Americans are trying to attribute most of the
resistances actions to him to create something like Bin Laden On the
other hand, certain sections of the resistance themselves, in order to continue
and stay anonymous, also attribute some of their actions to Zarqawi
How could Zarqawi do all these things with his followers estimated to
be no more than 200 people? The occupation forces had an ulterior motive
of dubbing the resistance as terrorism and claiming that Iraqis have no
bitterness for the occupation. The projection of the monster of Zarqawi was
aimed at labeling the resistance with the tag of cross-border terrorism.

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The resistance groups showed no sign of relents in their struggle. This

prompted to I Hassan of Iraqi triumph. The attackers are laying down their
lives for the freedom of their country, which will inevitably come even
though it may take as many years as it took the peasant Vietnam army to
win.
US was conscious of this possibility which remained remote despite
the ferocity of insurgents. Time reported that US was in contact with
guerrillas through diplomats and intelligence officers to negotiate an end to
ongoing attacks. So far two meetings have been held and split in fighter
groups has been reported. Fighters have shown willingness to accept a UN
peacekeeping force to establish a political identity that can represent
disenfranchised Sunnis.
Attacks on 18th and 19th February indicated the insurgency turning into
civil war for which the Crusaders had been working. As consequence of the
elections and bombings of Shiite mosques on Friday the 18 th February Shias
and Sunnis could start fighting each other. The very next day a Sunni
mosque was attacked, which could mark beginning of retaliation, which
Shias avoided before polls.

POLITICAL PROCESS
The elections promised emerging of new leadership in Iraq. United
Iraqi Alliance secured 140 seats, Kurdish Alliance won 75 and Allawi got 40
seats and remaining 20 went to other groups. Sunnis were virtually out of the
democratic game. Their involvement would be on terms and conditions
spelled out by non-Sunnis to accommodate them in democratic process and
their representation would be restricted to the like-minded people.
On 13th February AFP reported that French educated economist and
presently Finance Minister, Abdel Mahdi was the front runner for PMs slot,
because his drive for free-market, decentralization and privatization struck a
chord with the ultra-liberal US Administration. Vice President Ibrahim
Jaafari, the most popular politician at present, was the runner up. Another
contender could be Hussien Shahrastani, a scientist who spent 12 years in
jail for refusing to work in Saddams nuclear programme and strong
advocate of Sunnis inclusion. Kurds wanted Jalal Talbani.
By 22nd February Chalabi withdrew leaving Jaafari as the lone
contender for prime minister-ship. UIA set up commission on new
government to incorporate all political camps. In first week of March Jaafari
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visited north to meet two top Kurdish leaders to bolster his position.
Allawis camp kept hoping that he could succeed as compromise
choice to head the new government if UIA failed to win more than 50
percent seats. After it won more than half of the seats, he planned to form a
coalition to block the way of Jaafari and retain the top post. To this end he
maintained contact with the Kurds.
Sadr boycotted polls but Ismail, a firebrand aide of Sadr, won the seat
in new assembly. He said, we say no to the United States and we will fight
in parliament to obtain a timetable for withdrawal They are a copy of
Saddam and worse than the Baathists. Therefore, in the absence of Sunnis
the spoilers were likely to merge from within Shias.
Kurds emerged as the second largest political party in new assembly.
With their strength they were likely to negotiate and grab presidency. To this
end they showed willingness to cooperate but deliberately remained
undecided on political alliance.
Kurds, however, were the main worry of Turkey as top Kurd leader
warned Turkey immediately after polls not to intervene in Iraq. Rice during
her visit to Turkey assured that Washington favoured unified Iraq. Turkey
kept its options open by criticizing polls result because of low turnout and
irregularities.
The primary aim of electing an assembly was to frame new
constitution. Within a week after the polls Sistani said that constitution must
refer to Islam as sole source of legislation. Later on a spokesman clarified,
Sistani does not insist on Islamic constitution. Allawis party warned new
Prime Minister over ties with Iran and the role of Islam in the state.
Kurds opposed Iraq as Islamic state. Adnan Mufti, an aspirant for
speaker of the autonomous Kurdish parliament said, of course we are a
Muslim people and we must respect our Muslim identity but we cannot pit
religion against democracy. Massud Barzani said, Kurds wantseparation
of religion and the state. Habib warned Jaafari, religion is a dangerous
thing for Iraq Years of investment by the West was paying the dividends.
Sunnis were prepared to join in framing the new constitution on
condition that US troops must pullout from Iraq. Jaafari promised
moderation, but declined to push for US-led troops withdrawal. He rightly
understood that acceptance of Americans was the first proof of moderation.
Commenting on the introduction of Western democracy in Iraq
Muhammad Badar Alam wrote, Americans might have won the battle of the
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Iraqi ballot but the country has lost and so has the Bush dream to bring
democracy to the Middle East. He thought that it was not likely to work.
Chris Cork identified the reasons. Americas promotion of
democracy is tailored to meet its many interests strategic, economic, and
military. It seeks not the universal application of a set of freedoms for all,
and the democracy it peddles is of dubious provenance and hypocritical to
a fault.
Hassan Jumaa Awad warned the occupation forces. Bush and Blair
should remember that those who voted in last months elections in Iraq are as
hostile to the occupation as those who boycotted them. Those who claim to
represent the Iraqi working class while calling for the occupation to stay a
bit longer, due to fears of civil war, are in fact speaking only for themselves
and the minority of Iraqis whose interests are dependent on the occupation.
M B Naqvi spelled out difficulties of the new government. With an
occupying power like the US, with its worldwide interests and the kind of
commitments it has given to Israel, life for the new government will be hard
indeed. But it has to manoeuvre itself through treacherous waters.
With the election of Abbas Sharon and the Crusaders saw possibility
of securing peace on their terms. Before the Summit at Sharm el-Shiekh
Rice asked Israel to make hard decisions for peace and backed Abbas on
steps to stem violence and dangled a carrot worth $ 40 million.
On 8th February Abbas and Sharon declared ceasefire at Summit to
end four years of bloodshed. The Summit was hosted by Mubarak and
attended by King Abdullah. We have agreed with the prime minister to
cease all acts of violence against Israelis and against Palestinians wherever
they are said Abbas. Sharon said, we have an opportunity to turn our back
on the bloody path imposed on us over the last four years. But he cautioned
that it was a fragile opportunity. While Abbas abstained from blaming any
side, Sharon sounded differently and indirectly threatened to act if any thing
happened contrary to his likings.
Rice hailed outcome of the meeting. Germany and France welcomed
the ceasefire. Abbas saw beginning of new era in Middle East, but only two
days later Hamas fired about 30 mortar shells on Jewish settlement of Gush
Katif in Gaza in retaliation to Israeli violation of the ceasefire. Abbas sacked
three security chiefs over attacks and Israel cancelled the meeting scheduled
for discussing implementation of agreement.
Violations of the ceasefire continued. Palestinian boy was shot dead

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by Israeli troops near Ramallah on 15th February. Next day Israeli soldiers
killed two Palestinians. Ten days later four Israeli were killed and about fifty
wounded in suicide bombing in Tel Aviv. Israel blamed Syria for the
bombing. On 2nd March an Islamic Jihad activist was arrested by Israeli
troops in West Bank.
Notwithstanding the violations there was marked decrease in violence
from either side since the change in Palestinian regime. In addition 500
Palestinian prisoners were released. However, Israel showed no change
regarding Jewish settlements. Reportedly it planned 6,000 settlement homes
in West Bank and was poised for U-turn on its decision to destroy 20,000
Jewish homes in Gaza Strip.
The ceasefire established the calm on Israeli terms. Robert Fisk wrote
that there would be no peace in Middle East without justice. He opined that
in Sharn el-Sheikh there was lot of talk about peace but no one bothered
about justice. His reasoning was:

The Palestinians have promised to end all acts of violence against

Israelis while Israel has promised to end all military activity against
Palestinians.

Rice had warned Palestinians that they must control violence but
there was, as usual, no request to control Israeli violence In this
accord the Palestinians were the violent party hence the
admonition that the Palestinians must end violence while the Israelis
would merely end operations.

At no point yesterday did anyone mention occupation. Like sex,

occupation had to be censored

As usual as in Oslo the real issues were put back on a later date.
Refugees, the right of return, East Jerusalem as a Palestinian capital;
lets deal with them later These are the unrealistic dreams that
were referred to by Israelis yesterday. There was no mention of
massive Jewish settlements.

He concluded that Mahmoud Abbas is going to be the Hamid Karzai

of Palestine, his (neck) tie the equivalent of Karzais green gown; our new
man in Palestineit was this same Abbas who wrote the Oslo Accords, who
in 1,000 pages failed to use even once the word occupation, and who
talked not of Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian territory, but of
redeployment.
Karma Nabulsi writing in the Guardian urged the Europe to face up
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the facts that Britain and Europe are funding Israels occupation and
expansion. Excerpts from his article are:

Donors (mostly European states) now pretty much accept they have
done the reverse of helping the Palestinian people achieve their
independence. The facts on the ground created by Israel and the
international communitys refusal to tackle them politically have
turned their engagement into one of funding the occupation. The
World Bank, EU, UN, international agencies and donor countries have
all come to the same conclusion.

There has been no partner for peace in the Middle East for years, and
the absent partner is Israel, not the Palestinians. On the other hand
Blair chaired a meeting in London on the premise that the lack of
Palestinian democratic and institutional reform is holding back
progress The knowledge and expertise of the West can help the
Palestinians acquire the skills and political culture they do not
possess.

The Palestinians have reservations on the reform agenda, a

precondition for peace. They say, we need no lessons in democracy
in the last 10 years Palestinians have resisted concerted attempts to
transform our institutions into agencies that represent Israeli
occupation needs.

He urged international community to listen to Palestinian

delegations courteously expressed requests for application of international
law; the reintroduction of multilateralism; the urgent need for an
international conference that addresses the final-status issues of borders,
settlements, refugees, water and Jerusalem.
Uri Avnery expressed his views on Jewish settlements in the Arab
News. If the settlement blocs that have been created are annexed to Israel,
the Palestinian territory will be sliced up into a number of enclaves
perhaps four, perhaps six. The Gaza Strip, an isolated ghetto by itself, will be
another enclave. Each enclave will be surrounded by settlements and
military installations, and all of them will be cut off from the outside world.
This was the destination towards which the Crusaders were pushing
Palestinians as per the roadmap.

OTHER ASPECTS
Efforts to cover up the war crimes continued. M Gregg Bloche and
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Jonathan H Marks put forward new theory to cover the ugliness of war
crimes committed by American soldiers. Prisoners at Abu Ghraib were
psychotic and out of control. One of them repeatedly stripped off his clothes
and smashed his head against the wall. Doctor David recommended leash for
such prisoners to save them from getting hurt. About 5% of prisoners were
mentally sick. Therefore, pictures of humiliation of prisoners were the result
of prisoners mental state rather than acts of abuse.
Pentagon announced that Marine who killed a wounded Iraqi at point
blank range wont be charged because enough evidence was not found;
thereby telling the world that it raised hue and cry quite unnecessarily. Those
who dared to speak truth like CNNs chief news executive had to resign. He
had committed the offence of accusing US forces of deliberately targeting
journalists.
Blairs best in the world followed the precedence set by Bush.
Attorney of British soldier accused of abuse demanded his acquittal.
Somehow he did not recommend him for gallantry award, because if killing
is fun (or gallantry) for a US General, then at least torture should be so for
British soldiers. Nevertheless two British soldiers were found guilty of
torturing civilians and eleven more faced charges of abuse.
On the other hand Iraqi scientists were coaxed to unearth graves of
Saddam era; whereas it would have been better if their services were utilized
for digging new graves which were required every day. Blair and Howard
arranged week-long training in London for nineteen Iraqi judges. They
held a mock trial to replicate the circumstances they might encounter on the
Special Tribunal during trial of Saddam and other leaders. Every thing from
arraignment to passing of the judgment must have been rehearsed under
supervision of the Crusaders.
Some released prisoners tried to seek justice. A lawsuit was filed on
behalf of four Iraqis and four Afghans, in which it was contended that
Rumsfeld was responsible for torture and abuse of prisoners. One could only
wish that the buck of war crimes should not stop at Pentagon; it must be
passed on to White House.
In view of unending insurgency American army faced recruiting
strains, reported Ann Scott Tyson. In Iraq US Marines hired private Iraqi
force of about sixty men to hunt rebels, but these measures were not
adequate. America wanted participation of all the faithful Christians of
Europe to actively participate in the Crusades under the garb of rebuilding
Iraq. Bush visited Europe after which Solana said, we are for the first time
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really united on Iraq.

Bush and Chirac turned the page on differences and Chirac told
Poland, forget Iraq split and lets cooperate. Iraq War no longer
overshadowed US-German ties. Germany even urged Kuwait to waive debt
of Iraq. Bush sought $ 400 million to reward some partners. Resultantly
Poland agreed that about 1,700 its troops would stay through 2005. Australia
committed 450 and Georgia sent 300 more troops. Ukraine delayed complete
pullout till mid October. However, I50 Dutch soldiers left Iraq.
The News wrote that the best option for peace and stability in the
country is for the US to quit Iraq and facilitate the involvement of the UN
and Iraqs neighbours in setting the affairs of the country. Quitting had
become far fetched idea after democratization. John OSullivan opined that
it was wrong time for US to exit as communal, ethnic and sectarian
differences had to be resolved.
Annan declared that UN troops wont replace US forces in Iraq. US
and UK wont stay in Iraq beyond UN timeframe, said Straw, but no one
talked of timeline for handing over security to Iraqi forces. Allawi reiterated
that Iraq would continue to need and seek assistance for security for some
time to come and he regretted the mistake of US to dissolve Iraqs army and
civil service.
As regards neighbours, Bush had the plans contrary to what the News
had suggested. He heightened warning to Syria and Iran. Syrias out of step
with the progress being made in the greater Middle East it is not in their
interest to be isolated, we expect them to find and turn over former Saddam
regime supporters and send them back to Iraq. About Iran he said, Iran has
made it clear they dont like Israel, to put it bluntly. And the Israelis are
concerned about whether or not Iran develops a nuclear weapon, as are we,
as should everybody.
Amir Taheri in his analysis of Hariris assassination identified
Hezbollah and Syro-Lebanese Mafia as prime suspects. If Hebollah-link is
proved then Ayatollahs of Iran, who did not like the deceased, would be held
responsible. If Syro-Lebanese Mafia (or any other group as the loose term of
Mafia can accommodate anyone) is linked, then Syria would be accused;
hence, yet another tragedy has presented an opportunity for the Crusaders.
America immediately withdrew its ambassador from Syria after
assassination of Hariri. It wasted no time in tightening screws on Syria and
demanded UN action to punish the killers. UN responded promptly and
started probe into Hariris killing. Isolation process was intensified as Syria
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was excluded from the meeting held in London on Palestinian reform.

France studied videos of its journalist and saw Syrian link in her kidnapping,
though it could say so without such study.
In Lebanon the concerned minister resigned on 18 th February as the
pressure mounted on regime. Anti-Syria opposition was mobilized. It
called for mass rally in Beirut and sought no-confidence against Syrian
backed government, resultantly Prime Minister also resigned.
Syria repeatedly denied its involvement in assassination. Bashar
wanted talks with America. Syria announced that it was prepared to
withdraw its troops from Lebanon. The gestures of retreat, including
handing over of half-brother of Saddam were not enough to cool down those
who saw the opportunity to sort out Syria.
Hariri was friend of America and France, who opposed presence of
Syrian troops in Lebanon and was likely to win in next elections. His
assassination obviously placed Syria on top of the bad guys table and neocons pressure for regime change in Damascus was building up, reported
Jonathan Steele.
The inevitable could not be prevented by Syria and Iran by vowing to
form common front to face challenges and threats. Maximum would be
achieved through coercion as Syria has already decided to pullout of
Lebanon and withdrawal of Syrian troops could lead to another civil war in
Lebanon, paving the way for the Crusaders to physically intervene.
Leaving the negotiations to EU and IAEA, America kept building
pressure on Iran. CIA director Goss said that Iran has emerged as top threat
to American interests in the Middle East. Bush emphatically said that Iran
wont be allowed to develop nuclear weapons. Iran is not Iraq he said. Its
vital that the Iranians hear the world speak with one voice that they
shouldnt have a nuclear weapon. We absolutely agree that Iran must say
no to any kind of nuclear weapon, full stop said Schroeder.
America asked IAEA to render nuclear breaches by Iran to UNSC.
Annan had already warned against spread of nuclear arms, thereby pointing
towards other culprits of nuclear proliferation. China was also brought into
spotlight, in addition to Pakistan, with allegations that it sold nuclear
technology to Iran, one of the biggest sellers of oil to China reported
Keith Bradsher.
Iran told US not to play with fire and blamed for spying on its nuclear
sites. It vowed to respond immediately in case of attack. Frequent threats

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from America cast negative effects on EU-Iran nuclear talks. Tehran rejected
EU offer in nuclear talks and insisted on having heavy water. Washington
was also unhappy with IAEA as, like Blix, it did not come out with evidence
that America wanted.
ElBaradei said Tehran was not building nuclear weapons. He invited
US to join Iran talks. Vote on new IAEA chief was postponed till June
because ElBaradei was the only candidate and the US did not want him for
another term. Iran, however, complained to IAEA over leaks of information
provided in connection with nuclear probe.
Pressure on Russia did not work to the likings of America. Putin said
that Iran was not building nuclear weapons. On 24 th February Bush met
Putin, signed a deal on missile control and said that Iran should not have
nuclear weapons. This meeting threatened the deal for Russian nuclear fuel
for Iran, but three days later Iran and Russia signed nuclear fuel deal. Iran
agreed to return the used rods. America showed concern over the deal.
Pakistan opposed use of force against Iran and vowed not to allow its
territory for this purpose. Mahathir apprehended that US could use Israel for
this purpose and Dr Muazaffar Iqbal wrote, occupation of Iran may not be
the real goal of this crusade; Bush may only be planning of massive
destruction through carpet-bombing. This will not cost him any dead
soldiers, but will certainly reduce those beautiful cities of Iran to rubble.

CONCLUSION
First the liberation and then democracy brought no respite for Iraqis.
The war continued causing widespread death and destruction and that too
with lesser effort from the Crusaders. They have succeeded in pitching
Sunnis and Shias against each other.
The Ummah has left the Palestinians and Iraqis at the mercy of the
Crusaders. The former seemed to have reconciled with the inevitable. New
Palestinian leaders have set on the journey of peace on terms and conditions
of the Crusaders, but Iraqi Sunnis kept resisting.
Democratization of Iraq acted as an incentive for the Crusaders to
close their ranks. Arafats death resulted in regime change in Palestine and
now they eyed using Hariris assassination for similar change in Syria.
Whichever of the two, Iran and Syria, is selected as next target has to face
the music alone as rest of the Ummah would dig its neck deep into the sand,
as was done in case of Afghanistan and Iraq.
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The Muslim leaders in general and Arabs in particular have preferred

to save themselves individually rather standing united against the menace
threatening entire Ummah. Some of them might succeed in averting the
disaster momentarily, but in the long run they would be pushed into a
situation where they would be demanding self-determination like
Kashmiris.

4th March 2005

PROCESS SANS PROMISE

Musharraf boasted about the role he played being in uniform in an
exclusive interview to CNN. I think it is this uniform which allowed me to
change the realities in Pakistan. We were almost going to be declared a
failed state, a defaulted state, a terrorist state in 1999. We have a totally
different image now.
In the context of war on terror the Crusaders were not interested in
what he did for his country or himself. Having extracted the maximum from
him, the Crusaders and proxy crusaders were conscious of the fact that he
couldnt be asked to do more in curbing the cross-border terrorism or
cracking down on foreign terrorists.
They now wanted him to keep pursuing the composite dialogue with
India, despite the fact that this process promised no meaningful peace as
India was not interested in resolving any dispute justly. India was not
prepared to give any respite in its water offensive and was equally keen to
launch cultural offensive to invalidate the two-nation-theory. Pakistan was
faced with this kind of peace.
Meanwhile the Crusaders pressed Pakistan on other issues of their
concern. They could now focus on inculcation of enlightened moderation in
Pakistani society and keeping the issue of nuclear proliferation alive while
relegating the democracy for the time being and ignoring the terrorism
perpetrated by Baluchi sardars as an internal problem of sovereign Pakistan.

WITH INDIA
India is sincere in talks with Pakistan said Manmohan. The events

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proved him right to the extent that India was sincere in talks but not in
resolving any issue. Two days after his overture Indo-Pak talks on Kishan
Ganga Dam ended after exchange of records and agreement to hold another
round of talks, but differences remained in place.
On 15th February Natwar arrived for talks. He hoped to provide
impetus to peace process and hinted at agreement on gas pipeline project.
Pakistan planned to raise Kashmir and Baglihar issues. Foreign Office
reiterated that composite dialogue must be result-oriented. Musharraf called
for resolving lingering conflicts.
Next day both sides agreed that Kashmir bus would commence plying
from first week of April. No passport, no visa, only proof of identity would
be required for Kashmiris. Pakistanis and Indians could also travel on entry
permit. Moderates hailed, but hardliners opposed the agreement.
Both countries also agreed to resume Khokhrapar-Monabao and
Amritsar-Lahore rail/road services; open Karachi and Mombai consulates;
and hold defence secretaries meeting to discuss Saichen issue. India desired
more talks on Baglihar, in statement read out after the meeting Narwar made
no mention of Kashmitr. Manmohan happily claimed; talks were on with
Pakistan.
On return to New Delhi Natwar said, complex issues can be
resolved. He then asked Pakistan to end Mujahideen support for
continuation of dialogue. A few days later he claimed meaningful progress
in peace process.
India had deliberately delayed decision on bus service despite its
desire to increase people-to-people contact facilities. The reason was to wait
and see the outcome of dialogue on Baglihar. After failure of talks to resolve
the issue Pakistan referred it to World Bank, which obviously created
negative impression about Indian attitude. It was time to nullify that
impression.
The decision earned spontaneous applaud. The News termed it a
landmark accord. Shafqat Mahmood wrote, the most significant part of this
agreement is the fact that not just the Kashmiris but the ordinary Indians and
Pakistanis have also been allowed to travel in Kashmir Valley without a visa
or a passport. This is not a small matter. It effectively gives the valley a
special status and makes it a sort of shared entity between the peoples of
India and Pakistan.
It was indeed a great step taken at an appropriate time to initiate

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rejoicing by Pakistanis while forgetting Baglihar for some time; and that
some time would be enough to formally inaugurate the dam. On this count
some analysts observed that little progress was made despite breakthrough
of bus service. In any case twice-a-month service was no substitute for
solution of Kashmir dispute.
India has been mainly interested in measures adopted by Pakistan for
confidence building. However, following progress was made during last
four weeks:

Joint process of Sir Creek data was completed and Rangers and BSF
discussed border issues.

India and Pakistan agreed to ease barriers to boost trade. Pakistan

asked India to remove restrictive trade policy for getting MFN status.

Amritsar moot wanted removal of hate material from books and

Indian Punjab minister urged need for open borders.

Visiting communist party leaders praised Musharrafs leadership and

he obliged them by ordering release of 200 Indians who were arrested
mostly from Baluchistan after entering Pakistan without legal travel
documents.

Peace activists planned Delhi-Mulltan march on foot. It was reported

film Mughal-e-Aza, a copy of which was presented to Mushrraf, could
be screened in Pakistan as another CBM.

Musharraf expressed the desire to visit India for cricket and Gujarat
Cricket Association promptly invited him. About a week later
Manmohan invited him and his family for witnessing a match.

India agreed to gas pipeline project, which was termed by Shaukat as

major CBM.

The CBM discussed the most was people-to-people contacts. Hassan

Farrokh in his letter to the News wrote, on Feb 5, precisely on the day we
marked a day of solidarity with the Kashmiri people, private Pakistani
television channels aired the Asian Bollywood Awards. It was a show that
brought together major artists from across the border, who sang and danced
in an effort to bury the Indo-Pakistan hatchet.
He continued, most of the Indian artists, directly or indirectly, kept
attacking the two-nation-theory and, thereby, the very basis of Pakistan.
They described the separation of the two nations as cruel and a great tragedy.
The Pakistani artists either nodded foolishly in apparent agreement or, in
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some cases, harped the same tune.

Meera was the first to enjoy publicity as consequence of people-topeople contacts. She received threats after filming of some scenes in which
she was being kissed by a Hindu actor. Reportedly she asked the director to
cut those un-Islamic shots and film those afresh. It was not reported as to
how she intended to give Islamic touch to the new shots.
The director declined her request. He acted in haste; he should have
consulted the boss of newly founded institute of performing arts in Karachi
as to how to give Islamic touch to such scenes. If nothing else he would have
sent some enlightened moderate from Pakistan to act as stunt-man for the
Hindu hero.
Meera reacted to threats and decided to turn the contact into union by
staying on in India permanently. Impressed by the debate initiated by her
intimate contact the mischief mongers produced a picture of Mrs Shehryar
and Natwar to add some fuel to the fire.
Irrespective of the threat from some fundamentalists and extremists
and what future holds for Meera, her venture has proved the tolerance of 140
million Pakistanis who had no objection to her traveling all the way to
Mumbai to have close and intimate contact. Some rulers unnecessarily felt
perturbed and thought about imposing ban on Pakistani actors (and
actresses) on performing in Indian movies.
The way Pakistan was bent upon seeking peace or soft image, in
which it may or may not succeed, Pakistanis could soon start feeling
embarrassed to talk about the ideology behind their nationhood. This is the
aim of peace offensive launched by India. There were also some likely sideeffects of people-to-people contacts. Health establishments apprehended
HIV/AIDS threat from India.
While pursuing the peace process both sides did not refrain from
showing negative intents; India however excelled in this context. Pakistan
found it hard to stall water offensive launched by India. Shaukat talked about
taking up Kishan Ganga Dam issue as well. It would be appropriate for the
government to see that opposition to construction of new water reservoirs in
Pakistan could be one of the prongs of this offensive. India also continued
with arms build up. During the period Akash missile was test-fired twice.
India announced Rupees 830 billion defence budget, considerably enhanced
from last years defence spending. Pakistan tried to hide its worries by
talking about arms race.

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Pakistan faltered in opposing Indian bid for UNSC permanent seat

with veto power in an unconvincing manner. Kasuri while visiting Tokyo
said Pakistan wanted Japan, not India in UNSC. Pakistan should have
opposed any increase in permanent members, as more veto powers would
cause more problems.
On 25th February Kalam claimed that terror network was intact in
Pakistan. In less than a week later Karachi police arrested six militants
linked to RAW. They are highly trained people and have patronage of the
Indian intelligence agencythey were involved in several terrorist acts,
including attacks on bridges and railway tracks claimed police officials.
Pakistan didnt raise the issue at any forum as its leaders knew well
that this form of terrorism did not fall in the category of Islamic or crossborder terrorism. These highly trained people were part of the holy war
launched against Islamic countries. India rightly planned to spread RAW
network.
In Indian Held Kashmir perpetration of state terrorism went on.
Following incidents of state terrorism and retaliation were reported in the
press during the period:

Ten people were killed in IHK on 11th February. A day earlier militants
shot dead a frontrunner for mayor of Srinagar bringing the number of
candidates killed to four. The same day Srinagar was paralyzed as
strike was observed to honour Maqbool Bhat.

On 13th February four persons were killed and 8 more councilors

resigned and sought public pardon for participating in elections. Two
days later four persons, including a BSF soldier were injured in
grenade attack in Baramula.

Six persons were injured and 65 held on 18 th February. Six days later
seven freedom fighters were killed after they attacked IHKs
administrative headquarters. Three policemen and two civilians were
also killed.

On 26th February four freedom fighters were killed in an encounter.

Three days later two Indian soldiers were killed in clash in Pulwama
district.

One person was killed as Kashmiris protested in Shopian on 4 th

March. Next day Indian police killed three Kashmiri militants in New
Delhi and arrested two.

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On 7th March six fighters were shot dead in an encounter near

Kupwara. Two days later desecration of holy Quraan by Indian troops
in Kokernag village triggered protests.

On 18th February a Kashmiri leader was held after visiting Pakistan

High Commission in Delhi. Similar arrests were carried out in the past as
well. The scope of such arrests could be enlarged with the commencement of
bus service. God knows how many Kashmiris would be arrested on flimsy
accusations after traveling to Muzaffarabad.
Shireen Mazari brought out some contradictions in theory and practice
of foreign policy in pursuit of soft image in the context of India:

A senior retired officer of Foreign Office in a panel discussion said

that the Kashmir issue was effectively a territorial issue for Pakistan
as it is for India and had nothing to do with the issue of selfdetermination. For more than three decades of his service tenure he
must have been acting against his conscience while talking of selfdetermination.

Pakistan opposed expansion of UNSC on the basis that increasing the

number of veto powers is not the solution to organizational anomalies
of the world body. It opposed Indias bid but Foreign Minister while
visiting Tokyo assured Japan that Pakistan had no objection to its bid
for permanent seat.

When its cricket team visited Pakistan, India virtually dictated the
venues of most of the matches, but spelled out the same when
Pakistani team was to visit India. Pakistan objected to the venue of
Ahmedabad, and quite justifiably. Later on it agreed to play an ODI
instead of a test match. Pakistan accepted the concession offered by
India but compromised its principled stand. Pakistan also allowed
time to India to drag politics in sports by bringing in Dalai Lama,
thought belatedly Indian bid was stalled.

Indians viewed the apprehensions expressed by Pakistanis like

Shireen M Mazari differently. Jonathan Vasanth wrote to the News from
Chennai in response to one of the articles written by her earlier in which she
had doubted Indian intentions. If your country cant defend itself, gets
cheated while signing treaties, closes its eyes when dams are about to be
built and wakes up to the fact four years later. It is time you stopped talking
of your enemys evil intentions and did something to make your country
more powerful rather than whine like a child. It was very prudent advice

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that came from across the border.

FOR AFGHAN PEACE

Mistrust about the peace accord prevailed in Waziristan. Militants
foresaw problems if accord was ignored. The government, however, denied
having gone back on promises. Earlier Abdullah had argued that making
agreements with the government was useless as everything in Pakistan was
controlled by the US as reported by Yusufzai. They had also sought probe in
money offer case while denying receipt of Rupees 50 million.
Corps Commander rejected troops withdrawal and asked Abdullah to
surrender unconditionally. Governor told tribesmen to beware of foreign
elements as defence secretary claimed that al-Qaeda was regrouping. The
government offered to buy heavy weapons from tribesmen and some
tribesmen were reportedly willing to sell heavy weapons.
Despite the efforts and relative calm some incidents of violence and
counter actions were reported in last four weeks:

Three foreign militants were killed by an unknown gunman in

Waziristan on 17th February.

On 27th February Afghan commander Haji Munjay survived attack in

Peshawar but two of his cousins were injured.

Two tribal militants and a soldier were injured in clash on 1 st March in

South Waziristan and two militants were arrested.

On 2nd March one soldier was wounded in South Waziristan when

unknown gunmen opened fire near an army post. The same day
authorities warned tribesmen of punitive action if the foreigner who
killed three other foreigners was not handed over.

Two foreigners were killed and 11 men including four foreigners from
Qatar, Albania and Somalia were arrested on 5th March in a raid on a
border village in North Waziristan. Four days later two aid workers
were wounded in attack in Miranshah.

Pakistan electronic media started showing Osama rewards

programme as desired by the Crusadrers. America kept urging Pakistan to
intensify operation along border and at the same time kept violating the
sanctity of international border.
On 14th February US and Afghan troops raided a border village near
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Saidgai and arrested two tribesmen four links with al-Qaeda and Taliban.
Pakistan denied the report. Nine days later US planes intruded into
Mohmand Agency. On 11th March US jets again intruded into area of
Alwaramandi in South Waziristan.
The puppet regime in Kabul kept behaving like their masters. It still
held quite a few Pakistanis in jails some of which bought freedom from
captivity. In spite of the indifference towards Pakistans concerns, Karzai
continued asking concessions including a trade corridor to India.
Repatriation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan utterly lacked the
required urgency. More than three years after the liberation of Afghanistan,
UNHCR and Pakistan were still to establish the number of refugees to be
repatriated. At last both sides agreed to hold census of refugees beginning
from 23rd February.
UNHCR and Pakistan government extended the census date and
completed the task in second week of March. Population census in snow
bound areas of Swat and Chitral remained questionable. A total of 1.85
million Afghans showed up for the head count in which those missing from
the houses were not included. In no census the persons absent from their
houses are excluded.
The census revealed that men outnumbered women unexpectedly. It
was an obvious outcome of exclusion of absentees. Ten days were also not
enough to count all the Afghans. The census, however, revealed interesting
figures. Peshawar hosted more than .6 million, Nowshera more than .25,
Haripur more than .12 and Hangu about one million. Figures from
Baluchistan, Karachi and rest of the country were awaited and in case of the
latter it wont be easy to have the correct count.

INTERNAL PEACE
Internally Pakistan now faced two kinds of militancy. The first kind
was that in curbing of which the Crusaders were interested and the other was
related to Baluch sardars which was the internal affair of Pakistan. The
former is discussed herein.
Crackdown against the militant groups continued. Following incidents
of action and counter-action took place during last four weeks:

On 15th February seven wanted LJ activists were arrested in raids in

Dera Murad Jamali. Three days later two LJ activists blew themselves
up in Quetta to avoid arrest.

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Fifteen persons were held in Quetta on eve of Ashura on 19 th

February. Next day Musharraf told the visiting US Senators that
terrorists network had been crippled.

On 25th February one person was killed in sectarian clash in Gilgit.

Three days later three suspected LJ militants were arrested in Karachi.

Police claimed on 2nd March that key suspect of bombing of Sheraton

Karachi was arrested.

On 4th March Ramazan Mengal, a member of LJ and killer of 130

people, was arrested in Quetta. Two days later an LJ man was arrested
in Okara.

An official was killed on 8th March in a town near Gilgit. Next day
two MQM men were shot dead in Karachi. One person was killed in
violence near Gilgit on 10th March.

Inculcation of enlightened moderation remained the top priority of

the rulers. The government planned to hire sixty-eight highly paid
consultants to present new concepts in more appropriate manners for
textbook developers.
Musharraf hoped that political parties would help promote moderation
while alleging that some religious schools were engaged in extremism. He
sought support for moderate forces while addressing a public gathering at
Multan. A few days later he urged Pushtoons to be enlightened moderate in
similar gathering in Nowshera.
During the period Mukhtaran Mai got the attention of Western Media
and diplomatic corps to highlight the plight of women in Pakistan. The aim
was to blame Islam for all that happened to her, though the religion had
nothing to do with her case. On 8th March Canadian High Commissioner
spared time to visit Muzaffargarh to meet the victim and gave Rupees 2.1
million for her school.
The same day Hans B Bremer, taking note of the exploitation of the
judgment of a court, wrote, these crimes grow out of misguided ideas,
traditions and customs that have nothing whatsoever to do with religion. He
was surely addressing the Western Media and its touts.
The parameter of enlightenment and moderation were defined by the
Crusaders. It was primarily for this reason that some groups opposed such
enlightened moderation. MMA held a rally and vowed to oppose change in
Islamic laws. Protesters shouted, friend of America is a traitor to Islam.

669

WHO initiated another debate by trying to educate school children of

the Islamic Republic of Pakistan about safe sex. It was considered one of
the civilized ways to inculcate enlightened moderation in new generation.
This attempt perhaps precluded that there were no norms of sex in Islam.
During the period public debate on the issue continued. Faqir S
Ayazuddin criticized the tabling of the bill in NWFP Assembly banning
advertisements showing female faces, and banning dance in public and
private places. He feared that the bill would provide a pretext to Washington
to dub Pakistan a terrorist state. What a definition of terrorism and a
criterion to be dubbed as terrorist?
Shakir Husain, an enlightened moderate, in his column Hit and Run
opined that reaction to Meeras kiss was exaggerated and ridiculous. He
indirectly pleaded that acts of people like Meera and Mrs Shehryar should be
appreciated as they sought nothing but soft image for Pakistani nation.
However, when a male Pakistani, Secretary of the National Assembly tried
to be enlightened moderate on board an aircraft, he was arrested by police in
London and later removed from the post.
Dr Moonis Ahmar while commenting on endeavours to seek soft
image wrote, merely by promoting festivals like Basant or the marathon
race, an element of softness cannot be inducted at the international level.
What is required at the state and society level is cleaning up the mess which
exists in Pakistan in the form of corruption, poor work ethics, absence of the
rule of law in most cases, authoritarian political culture, fanaticism and the
culture of patronage.
Political reconciliation had been prompted by the Crusaders primarily
to sideline the religious parties which had made inroads to corridors of
power. Patch-up with PPP was actively pursued. Rashid admitted that the
government was in contact with Benazir.
She also admitted contacts with the government, but denied striking of
a deal. She desired that Bush should be told that she approved his
Afghanistan and Iraq invasions. She could be willing to do more if he
ensured her return to power. She urged Bush to link aid with democracy.
Nusrat Javeed reported that BB-government deal would help
Musharraf in getting elected for next term. Re-election was not the aim of
this reconciliation as this could be assured by the PML-Q. The Crusaders
interest was the driving force behind this.
On 7th March Rashid announced no change in present set-up. Benazir

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cannot return home even in 2007. He denied power-sharing plan with PPP.
PML-Q was against Musharrafs deal with PPP and PML-N. MMA ruled out
talks with president and the ruling party took preventive measure by
proposing rules to check unruly MNAs. Supreme Court, however, admitted
a petition against dual office.

BALUCH MILITANCY
The government desisted from taking military action against
belligerent Baluch nationalist tribal chiefs. On the other hand they continued
with their terrorist activities:

On 11th February oil pipeline was blasted in Dera Ghazi Khan. Five
days later two power supply towers were blown up in Barkhan. One
boy was injured in landmine blast. A tribal chief was among 8 killed
in an ambush in Bolan Pass area. Ambush was laid near levies post
after taking two security men as hostage.

A teenager was killed on 18th February in rocket fire in Quetta. A week

later two blasts rocked the city.

On 26th February a hand grenade was lobbed at Quetta radio station.

Three days later FC post in Kolpur was attacked with rockets and a
bomb blast damaged the outer wall of police post in Quetta.

Two bombs exploded in Quetta on 2nd March. Next day rail tracks
were blown up in Naushki and D G Khan.

On 5th March a bomb exploded in Quetta. Next day Dera Bugti

telephone exchange was torched to ashes. Three days later four
rockets were fired in Kohlu.

Police arrested one person in Quetta during second week of February

and recovered explosives, but the real action came at the end of the month.
On 27th February 1,500 policemen carried out operation in Marri camp in
Quetta. Arms were seized and 20 people were held. Police also discovered
torture cells.
Bugti said that police raid marked the beginning of military operation
and perpetration of state terrorism. Nationalists staged walkout from
National Assembly in protest against raid on Murri House. Taj Jamali, exchief minister rejected the allegation of torture cells maintained by Baluchi
sardars. Women and children of Marri tribe held demonstration against
police operation.
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Search in Marri Camp continued and more arms, ammunition and

explosives were recovered. By 8th March police claimed arresting 25
terrorists and some of them were trained in a camp near Sibi. With so much
of evidence in hand against two or three tribal sardars, the government
preferred to remain moderate and tolerant unlike what it did against militants
in Waziristan.
The government remained in search of political solution. On 11th
February it was announced that a high profile body would discuss provincial
autonomy and review concurrent list. Next day Musharraf ruled out military
operation and rushed to see the ongoing relief works in rain affected areas in
Baluchistan.
Meanwhile rumours of changing the Governor and Chief Minister
were spread. Wasim delayed presentation of his report. The Centre mulled
giving 36 spheres to provinces. On 25th February ECNEC approved Kurram
and Bolan dams and additional men for Baluchistan Constabulary.
Shujaat announced that major portion on profit from natural resources
would be spent in local areas and claimed that Baluchistan issue was blown
out of proportions. Yar Mohammad Rind blamed Jamali and Jam for
aggravating the situation, but Shujaat invited Jamali to meeting on
Baluchistan.
Nationalists gave cold response to governments efforts. On 12 th
February Shutter down strike was observed in Baluchistan on call of
Pushtoon and Baluch nationalists. Opposition wanted political solution
through a roundtable conference. The Centre was warned of Baluchistan like
situation in Sindh as well. Baluchistan opposition demanded withdrawal of
forces from Sui.
Mystery shrouded Shazias rape case which kept the government on
defensive. On 12th February Captain Hammad was taken in custody of Army
for investigations. About a week later Managing Director of PPL told
National Assembly Committee that Shazia was raped and tortured. He still
held back some information pertaining to the accused.
Shazia told the Guardian that there was no law in Pakistan.
Meanwhile the DNA tests did not matched with the main accused on the
basis of which Musharraf defended the army captain. Police held three PPL
employees of Bugti tribe, but there were no criminal charges against them.
The victim failed to identify the accused in parade which included
Captain Hammad. Bugti accused government of pressurizing Dr Shazia in

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interview to BBC. On 9th March the tribunal submitted the report to

Baluchistan government. Shazia was barred from leaving the country.
Two days later Owais revealed some findings of the tribunal. It had
established three important facts: it was by no means a gang rape as only one
person was involved in it; DNA tests of fresh and old condoms found from
her house were identical; and after the incident the inner locks of three entry
gates of her house were not found broken.
`PONM and Baluch nationalists rejected the findings of the tribunal.
Ataullah Mengal alleged that her name was placed on ECL, because rulers
feared that she might disclose names of culprits once abroad. JWP also
rejected the report.
The government seemed to be determined to work out a political
solution based on the recommendations made by the Parliamentary
Committee. But keeping in view the past record it wont be grossly wrong to
presume that there would be a parallel secret deal. MMAs accusation and
Shujaats denial that Bugti has been paid Rupees 120 million, could not be
ignored altogether.
Azam Khalil commented that successive governments have
compromised with these chieftains and bowed down to their pressure that
has resulted in the present state of affairs for the province and its people
Time may be running out fast and the situation has the potential of spinning
out of control, it is therefore absolutely essential to immediately initiate
moves in the correct direction. This direction ought to be different from
bowing down and compromising under pressure.
A secret deal would strengthen Bugtis belief in his self-righteousness.
He would rejoice over bold exploitation of the weakness of the head of state
in uniform who was deeply involved in fighting Americas war on terror.
Bush blackmailed him on Taliban and al-Qaeda; Vajpayee did it on crossborder terrorism; and Bugti could claim that he did it on more justifiable
pretext of Bluchis economic deprivation. Whatever Bugti could scrounge he
would like to invest at least 50 percent of that in arms build up so that in
next encounter the rewards should be more handsome.
Col Arshad Nasim pointed out the dangers of a roundtable conference
over Baluchistan as suggested by the opposition. A similar conference
resulted in release of Mujibur Rehman which resulted in 1971 debacle. The
lesson learnt from past is, nip the evil in the bud. The province of
Baluchistan must be rescued from politicians with vested interests.
Unfortunately, despite all the bravery at his disposal, Musharraf seemed to
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be doing the same what Ayub did, with or without roundtable conference.
His government also refrained from raising the issue of Indian hand in
Bauchistan in pursuit of soft image.
As regards Shazias case the government must bring it to logical
conclusion. This had already been exploited by the evil forces to portray
themselves as angels. It has also been used by nationalists for their
projection through international media which they had been denied to them
after their ouster at the hands of Mullas in last elections.
The findings of the tribunal have revealed that someone had been
visiting her regularly and believably with her consent. Such an affair in a
small place like Sui could not remain a secret for long. It could be possible
that an ordinary case of adultery was distorted with evil political designs. If
established, all the culprits, including Shazia, must be punished.
Musharraf was the first to rush to Baluchistan to see the relief work
for rain and flood affected areas. This was a commendable act, despite the
fact that as head of state he was obliged to be there. However, his intention
to show off generosity of his government the way American leaders did in
case of tsunami was absolutely wrong.

BIASED CRUSADERS
In the context of Indo-Pak peace process the Crusaders had been
biased with apparent touch of neutrality. America kept pressing Pakistan for
improving ties with India. Where ever Musharraf and Shaukat encountered
the leaders or diplomats of the civilized world they invariably assured them
that ties with India were improving. During the period Musharraf briefed
the visiting Senators on Pak-India confidence building measures.
America and Britain only paid lip service for resolution of Kashmir
dispute. US termed the agreement on bus service as historic breakthrough.
Straw claimed that Britain was playing role in resolving Kashmir dispute,
but cautioned that war was no solution. He renewed support to India for its
bid for permanent UNSC seat.
The World Bank showed no urgency in appointing an expert for
Baglihar Dam, which started causing some concern in Pakistan. There was
only one incident in which US Ambassador cautioned India. Apparently
American hostility towards Iran overshadowed the strategic partnership with
India, but actually it carried an indirect message for Pakistan and that must
have been registered.
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Pakistan received 24 out of 27 Bell helicopters for support of war on

terror. It would also get eight P-3C Orion aircraft and TOW missiles.
Pakistans desire for F-16s did not diminish as was evident from Karamats
proposal that both Pakistan and India should get this aircraft. India expressed
its concerns over arms sale to Pakistan.
Wide ranging defence cooperation with India remained glaringly
conspicuous. India and Britain planned to hold largest war games in March.
Sale of Patriot missiles to India caused concerns in Pakistan. This step is
counterproductive, disturb the existing deterrence and send the entire region
to a crisis mode It is certainly not in sync with the goals of peace and
security in the region said Foreign Office spokesman.
During first week of March India and US discussed missile defence
ahead of visit of Rice to New Delhi. Pakistan vowed to discuss arms
imbalance with Rice. Prime Minister tried to counter domination of Indian
Ocean by Indian aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines through word of
mouth while addressing his sailors.
Patriot missile is an effective defensive weapon against missile attack,
which would neutralize the threat of Pakistani missiles; whereas Pakistan
would have no defence against Indian missiles. America deliberately wants
to offset the deterrence and tilt the balance in favour of India. It is part of
the strategy of dictating peace rather establishing it on the basis of equality.
Strong India, like Israel, is considered essential by America for peace
in the region. This has worked in case of Palestinian and in the context of the
Subcontinent America wants Pakistan to act like Palestinians, though
Pakistan despises this equation. Defence cooperation could also help in
taking care of Pakistans nuclear assets as and when deemed fit.
This mindset has allowed common Indians to think and talk big as
Vipul Thakore did in his letter to the News from London. He advised
Pakistan to come to terms with Indias power, rather than trying to grapple
with it through US assistance. In reality, Pakistans relationship with the US
is tactical and not strategic, irrespective of what the spin-doctors say. On the
other hand, US-India relationship is likely to be strategic, as both
democracies have much in common, in terms of free societies, independent
judiciaries and other institutions It is expected that the US will try to
further develop its multi-level relationship with India, which will encompass
economic, military and political ties.
By making India militarily strong the Crusaders would have the
option of using it against Pakistani dirty bomb like the option of using
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Israel for attacking Iranian nuclear installations. It was for this reason that
proliferation issue involving Pakistan had been kept alive. On 12 February
Karamat was constrained to explain that there were no signs that Qadeer
gave nukes to al-Qaeda. America said that Pakistan was cooperating to shut
down the network of A Q Khan. Pakistan also vowed never again to be a
source of nuclear proliferation.
Kasuri while in Japan said that Pakistan wont let foreigners question
A Q Khan. Four days later Washington Post alleged that Khan network had
offered nuclear material to Iran. Iran developed its nuclear programme
through assistance from the West, not from A Q Khan, countered Musharraf.
Benazir enlarged the extent of involvement in proliferation to win
sympathies of the Crusaders. In her interview to VOA she alleged that Dr
Qadeer did not proliferate at his own. She wanted probe to find other culprits
in the government. On 10th March Rashid disclosed that there were no plans
(as yet) to hand over the hero to any other country. CIA also reported that
Pakistans nuclear arms were not in safe hands.
Pakistanis were also accused of militancy. Campbell, senior vice
president of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies said, while
the current focus of US actions in the war on terror is in the Middle East, it
is arguable that the long term hearts and minds challenge associated with
Islamic politics will be found in Southeast Asia, where the largest population
of Islamic followers on the planet resides. Congressional Research Service
described Pakistan as probably the most anti-American country in the
world and also observed increasing signs of Islamization.
Annual US report on human rights blamed Pakistan for violent
police, bad prison conditions and arbitrary arrests. Rashid rejected the
report, but it would have been better if the government had asked for
permission to visit Gauntanamo, Abu Ghraib or nearby Bagram to educate
Pakistani prison wardens as to how the ideal prisons are run. Similarly a visit
to Baghdad could help in learning as to how arbitrary arrests and police
violence can be avoided. They can shoot and kill at random all the people
assumed to be acting suspiciously.
America kept treating Pakistanis discriminately. In his letter Abdul
Rashid Paracha wrote that APPNA (Association of Physicians of Pakistani
Descent of North America) brought the discriminatory treatment of
Pakistanis in issuing visa to the notice of the Crocker. He could only show
his ignorance.
The rulers of Pakistan had been boasting about prospects of
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accelerated economic development. On the contrary Nadeem Malik pointed

out the ticking of debt bomb once again. Debt will increase by 4% and
FOREX will decrease by the end of current year as per statistics released by
State Bank.
Even the mysterious bullish trend of KSE could not be taken as an
indicator of taking off. Though direct involvement of foreigners has not
been proved, yet their indirect involvement couldnt be ruled out. They
could make it to plunge as was done in Malaysia some years back. Pakistan
lacks the strength to recover from a similar situation, so the plunge could be
used as a tool to exert pressure at the right moment.
Pakistan was continuously pressed for enlightened moderation aimed
at distorting Islamic teachings. Dr Muzaffar Iqbal hoped that these efforts
wont succeed. He reasoned; a faith rooted in a Book and the Sunnah of the
Prophet (PBUH) cannot disappear from the face of the earth because the
Book cannot be corrupted; no amount of interpretation of the verses of the
Quraan can take away its basic, clearly understood message: each and every
human being has been created by Allah for a fixed amount of time and after
this life, there is the Day unlike any other day, when all that we did on this
earth will be laid bare and we will be held accountable for what we did. The
ultimate result of this simple belief is so grave that no one can simply forget
that on that Day nothing will avail; no trick of rhetoric and no helper from
the Pentagon will come forward to for what has been committed in this
world.
No Muslim can deny this basic message of the Quraan and no
Muslim can live without a constant awareness of this coming Day. This selfawareness, which often works unconsciously, can become dim, but it cannot
be erased from a believers heart and hence, all interpretations of Islam,
whether by generals or by Maulanas, become exterior to this existential
reality. This is the true enlightenment of the soul, the light of the intellect,
the guiding spirit of the heart. And this not the piece of information that can
be distorted, recast, destroyed or altered. The resilience of Islam is really a
thing as simple as this. Had it not been so, Islam and Muslims would have
vanished from this planet long ago.
This is not to say that the enlightenment of the Deen-e-Akbari and a
made-in-Washington DC Islam cannot mislead individuals; it is a time-tested
phenomenon and there is no reason to believe that human caprice and greed
has ceased to exist on this planet. What is important is that those who accept
anything other than what the Book of Allah teaches know what they have

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taken something against nature, for there is in each and everyone of us an

inner scale; a most impartial personal accountant who informs us when we
fall short. We can ignore this judgment at our peril, but this does not erase
the verdict.
He concluded; this is the true meaning of Islamic enlightenment; it is
an inner light that can never be extinguished by winds of change. No matter
how much money is spent on altering the fundamentals of Islam, they will
not be altered simply because human nature (fitrah) cannot be altered. Yes,
one can create a society whose qiblah is toward Washington DC, but on the
Day when members of such a society will stand in front of a Just and Mighty
Creator, they will have nothing but regrets. So, ultimately, the current winds
of destruction that are tearing apart Islamic values and ways of living are
merely destroying lives of those who are following these caprices, not Islam
which remains invincible.
Musharraf was provided relief on uniform and democracy for his
contribution to war on terror. Commonwealth had no objection to duel role
of Musharraf till 2007. US granted democracy related waiver to Pakistan as
long as Musharraf was moving on the right direction. But America did not
forego its right to back full transition of democracy.
Pakistan military and its growing corporate interests of hampering
poverty reduction efforts and effectiveness of bureaucracy and judiciary, was
disapproved by British High Commissioner to Pakistan. Musharrafs desire
to hang on to uniform under conviction of self-righteousness was causing
irreparable damage to the image of Pakistan Army.

CONCLUSION
India successfully pursued the peace process in accordance with its
own roadmap. The failure in settlement of Baglihar Dam through bilateral
talks exposed Indian intentions, but India promptly salvaged the situation by
striking a deal on Kashmir Bus Service.
In days to come Pakistan would face more pressure to curb the
militancy that the Crusaders feared likely to emanate from Pakistanis. To this
end Pakistan would be urged to inculcate enlightened moderation, settle
nuclear proliferation and the democracy issues, perhaps in the same order of
priority. People like Dr Muzaffar Iqbal have solid reasons for their optimism
that efforts to distort Islam would never succeed, but it wont discourage the
worldly superpower to distort the Message of the Divine Superpower.
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Musharrafs desire to hang around, like Ayub and Zia, was damaging
the image of the army, which could be very dangerous for the country. Its
enemies have been working for years to create a gulf between the people and
the armed forces. His opponents have started blaming army availing
opportunities no matter how insignificant or irrelevant those were. DHA in
Islamabad was the latest pretext. The critics would never acknowledge that
the money contributed by men in uniform had revolutionized the housing
schemes in the country and instead they would keep spitting the venomous
criticism.

12th March 2005

PHANTOMS FOR PAKISTAN

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Musharraf advocated courage for resolution of Kashmir dispute, while

addressing on the occasion of Pakistan Day Parade. He found Indian leaders
lacking in courage, but overlooked that there is hairline difference between
courage and recklessness. Indians could be lacking in courage, but they
surely arent reckless.
Shaukat Aziz vowed that Kashmir cant be put on back burner. He too
overlooked that India has been working to keep it off the burner. Shujaat
embarked upon New Delhi Yatra to coax Indian leaders to at least start
talking about the core issue.
Musharraf kept reiterating crusade against terror. During the period
terrorists of MMA were targeted by the government machinery. AntiTerrorist Act was made operative against this brand of militancy; whereas a
secret deal was struck with genuine terrorist called by the name of Akbar
Bugti, which encouraged other nationalists to be more aggressive.
The Crusaders again dangled the carrot of Phantoms. It had been
dangling for years to ensure that the Pakistani fox kept jumping. Pakistani
leaders must remember that phantoms may appear a reality but their main
characteristic is their elusiveness.

BEFRIENDING INDIA
Composite dialogue for befriending India in pursuit of peace remained
overshadowed by confidence building measures. Out of these measures
Kashmir bus service was the most talked about exactly the way India had
intended it to be.
Chief Minister of IHK wanted daily bus service to Muzaffarabad. On
the other side of the divide Gilgit-Baltistan bus service to IHK was
demanded. Thousands of Kashmiris lined up for forms to travel by bus while
angry families blasted nepotism in allotment of permits. Pakistan was
constrained to deny that pro-India Kashmiri leaders were not on the first trip.
JKLF, pro-independence group, protested while accusing paving the
way for the conversion of the Line of Control into permanent border.
Fighter groups warned civilians to stay away from bus. A few days later
rebels renewed threat to attack bus despite request by APHC to the contrary.
Gilani urged Pakistan not to deviate from core issue. He said,
Pakistans approval to reopen the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road amounts to
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rubbing salt into the wounds of Kashmiris who have been offering sacrifices
for seeking the right to self-determination. Later he refused to attend
Pakistan Day celebrations in New Delhi, despite efforts of diplomats to
persuade him.
He said that he has lost the confidence in the Pakistani leadership
after it sought to accept the status quo of to Kashmir by agreeing to reopen
the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road, ignoring the sacrifices of the Kashmiris for
the past 57 years. He wished well to people of Pakistan but pointed out that
he was bound by the decision of the Shoura.
On 21st March Shoura had dubbed Pakistans approval of the SrinagarMuzaffarabad bus service as an insult since it amounts to rubbing salt into
the wounds of Kashmiris. It had also accused Pakistani leaders of falling to
Indian agenda. Gilani doubted Pakistans support to Kashmiris and
remained non-committal on meeting with Musharraf in New Delhi.
On 3rd April he termed bus service conspiracy. He argued, organizing
massive celebrations and inauguration of the bus service by Indian Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh and the Congress President Sonia Gandhi clearly
indicates that opening of the road is conspiracy to divert the attention from
the basic issue.
India vowed that threats cant derail peace. Three days before the
commencement of Kashmir bus service India arrested 300 people to ensure
its protection. The bus service at last provided long awaited legitimacy to
Indian atrocities. In Pakistan the bus service was discussed at a high-level
meeting and its safety was pledged.
Next day APHC-G accused IHK government of arresting freedomloving youth. Fighters renewed threats to the bus service. In Pakistan
Foreign Office rejected idea of Shaukat inaugurating the bus service. It was
a belated effort to downplay the historic event.
On the eve of bus service resumption militants attacked the building
housing the passengers and set it ablaze. Indian security forces claimed
killing two assailants. Manmohan condemned the attack and pledged that the
bus service would go ahead. Kasuri also slammed the incident and like
Manmohan said, buses will roll on. However, seven passengers pulled out
after the attack.
On 7th April inauguration of bus service was telecast live by both
countries and covered by over 200 newsmen. While addressing the
ceremony the Prime Minister of AJK read out verses of Allama Iqbal and

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then said the day has come for reunion of the SEENA-E-CHAKAAN as
prophesized by the poet-philosopher. He then demanded opening of other
routes and asked Indian occupation authorities to ensure safety of those
embarking on the journey to Srinagar.
In Srinagar Manmohan said, nothing can stop the caravan. Sonia
claimed that history has been re-written. On Indian side of the bridge on
Line of Control Iqbals portrait with a couplet from his poetry surprised
Pakistani newsmen. The couplet carried the message, no religion of the
world teaches hatred and enmity.
Peace wins the day; six decades of Kashmir separation ends read
headline of the News next day. America and the UN hailed trans-Kashmir
bus service, while President and Prime Minister of Pakistan flayed sabotage
attempts on the bus service.
A day after the resumption of bus service Kasuri wanted more
crossing points at Line of Control and Qayyum wished to see Line of
Control crumble like Berlin Wall. From the other side Natwar ruled out
second partition we are open to all options that they offer, except redrawing
of the map
Another measure that attracted attention of the media related to interaction between two Punjabs. Arminder wanted cooperation between both
Punjabs in post WTO world and desired free trade zone at Wagah. He
assured that India respected Pakistans sovereignty. Musharraf rewarded him
by ordering release of 83 Indians and Pervaiz named Nankana-Manawala
road after Guru Nanak. A few days later delegation led by Arminders
brother was received by a provincial minister in Peshawar. Inter-action
between the two Punjabs could be termed as JAT JAPHHA a Punjabi
equivalent of bear-hug
Shujaat embarked upon confidence building mission asking India to
take bold decisions. The delegation led by him met Indian President, Prime
Minister and Sonia on 29th March. He again suggested to Indian leaders to
take bold steps and he demonstrated his boldness by saying that solution of
Kashmir issue should be found without recourse to the UN Resolutions.
Next day he met Natwar and stressed upon confidence building
measures role. He also met Vajpayee and Advani. He claimed that peace
process was irreversible. Mushahid said that Shujaats visit injected impetus
to CBMs. Later Shujaat wanted end to rhetoric on Kashmir; despite the fact
that no talk on Kashmir has ever been complete without rhetoric on either
side of the border. On return he briefed the President and Prime Minister.
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Other confidence building measures taken during the period were as

under:

Manmohan hosted Musharrafs mother, son and brother during their

visit to New Delhi. Mir Jamilur Rahman called the visit of Zarin
Musharraf to India as mother of all CBMs.

Thirty-three member Indian delegation visiting Pakistan was

impressed by the hospitality of Peshawarites.

Director General Confederation of Indian Industry wanted free trade

with Pakistan.

On 22nd March 589 Indian prisoners were sent home on orders from
Musharraf.

Kasuri said that Pakistan was ready to pullout troops from Saichen.
Indians wont have minded a unilateral pullout like the unilateral
ceasefire, but Kasuri ruled that out.

India dispelled security concerns over gas plan, saying that partners
were responsible for safety.

Lambah, former High Commissioner to Pakistan, invited ten exenvoys of Pakistan to visit India from 4 th April. He along with Tariq
Aziz stepped up back-channel diplomacy prior to Musharrafs visit to
New Delhi.

Back channel diplomacy involving Tariq Aziz and S K Lambah

resumed in Dubai on 7th April and finalized the agenda for Musharraf
and Manmohan.

Musharraf preferred cricket diplomacy over front-channel or backchannel diplomacy. His asking for invitation to witness a cricket match in
India showed his worries about stagnation of composite dialogue. He
desperately wanted to give semblance of forward movement to the peace
process.
Abdul Mohi Shah reported that about 120 cricket-mad MPs were
endeavouring to join hands with him to push the cart of composite dialogue
and in the process have free lunch in India. They must have been
disappointed when cricket authorities in New Delhi showed reluctance to
host ODI for security reasons.
The kind of impact created by cricket series was described by Rahul
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Bhattacharya. The sustained silence that greeted Pakistans extraordinary

victory today was the lowest point of a superb Test series. Given how a year
ago applause had poured in for a dramatic last-ball victory by the Indians at
Karachi, an applause that then resonated for the rest of the tour, Bangalore
was an embarrassment. Pakistanis might forgive India for all the excesses
committed by India, but Indians will never forget the sin of creating
Pakistan.
After Bhattacharya, Indian commentator, Sanjay Manjrekar couldnt
resist saying the same thing while commenting on the first ODI in Cochin.
As sportsman he could not digest the pin-drop silence in stadium filled by
80,000 Indian spectators when Pakistani openers started their innings by
hitting splendid boundaries. He failed to understand that because of their
bitter feelings for Pakistan the crowd forgot the niceties of the cricket.
Fortunately his agony did not last for long as Pakistani batsmen started
falling victims to their instinctive rash stroke-play.
Asif from Karachi advised in his letter on this count; those who feel
very close to India or Indians, I would recommend caution as the warmth is
definitely not reciprocated. The matter did not end at Cochin; there was
more to come. During second ODI Shastri too felt embarrassed and tried to
coax the spectators to show some decency.
After showing their hatred for Pakistan in four matches Indians
resorted to physical aggression. In Ranchi captain of the team narrowly
escaped when a stone was hurled at him. The manager of the team confessed
that the incident has shaken the boys. All this happened after Pakistanis had
hosted Indian cricket team with warm hospitality despite bearing the tag of
militancy, but Indian secular moderates resorted to stone pelting on their
guests yet they were neither called fundamentalists nor militants by any one.
Both sides while endeavouring to promote peace did not refrain from
taking steps which did not go well for confidence building. During the
period following were reported:

Pakistan test-fired Shaheen-II missile on 19 th March and Musharraf

vowed up-gradation of nuclear capability. Next day India test-fired
anti-tank Nag missile. On last day of March Pakistan successfully
test-fired short range Abdali missile.

Islamabad reiterated its stand on expansion of UNSC; we feel that

there should be no more centres of privilege. Riaz Khokhar made a
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surprise visit to Moscow where Russian deputy Foreign Minister

informed him that Moscow sees India as a deserving candidate for
permanent membership of UNSC.

On 27th March Indian trawlers with 70 tons of tuna and 73 crew

members were seized. The same day eleven people were hurt in
Hindu-Muslim clashes in Rajhastan during festival of Holi.

Pakistan inked a contract for the purchase of four frigates on 4th

April. Next day Musharraf launched JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft
production with assistance of China.

Stopping of cross-border terrorism and Pakistans expression of

concern over human rights abuses in the Valley at 61st meeting of Human
Rights Commission in Geneva had no effects on perpetration of state
terrorism. Following incidents of Indian aggression and retaliatory actions
by freedom fighters were reported:

On 14th March an army major and two fighters were killed in a clash
in Baramulla. In Poonch area at least 14 people were injured in
grenade attack.

Seven people were hurt as rebels hurled grenade at a bank in Poonch

on 15th March. Three days later seven freedom fighters were killed in
the Valley.

On 23rd March five persons were killed in violence. Three days later
seven more people including three women were killed.

Eleven persons were killed and 17 wounded in violence on 27 th

March. Next day two Indian soldiers were among five killed.

On 30th March two fighters and an Indian soldier were killed in an

attack in Sopore.

Five policemen were injured in attack on their bunker on 31 st March

and house of a minister was also attacked. Two shepherds were
abducted and shot dead in Anantnag. One activist of ruling Congress
party was killed. Three Muslim men and a Hindu were killed by rebels
in Rajouri and Doda.

On 1st April Indian troops gunned down four persons ahead of bus
launch. Spilling of (animal) blood has been part of the rituals to seek
Divine blessings for important events.

Two militants and a shopkeeper were killed in violence on 4 th April.

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An official was found dead three days after his abduction.

Seven people were hurt in blast on Kashmir bus route on 5 th April.

Five fighters and two soldiers were killed in separate clashes.

On 6th April militants attacked the guest house where passengers of

the bus were staying and set it ablaze. Two days later Indian troops
killed two Kashmiri militants.

The flow of goodwill remained one-way. While Pakistan kept

releasing Indian prisoners to seek soft image, no body bothered about
Pakistani prisoners in India. Similarly Musharraf frequently ruled out war as
solution of any problem but an Indian group foresaw Pak-Kashmir water war
as reported by Mariana Baabar.
Contacts within leaders of two Punjabs were observed by the analysts
with curiosity. Dr Moonis Ahmar wrote, if Punjab is transforming vis--vis
India and no longer considers interaction with Indian Punjab unpatriotic,
then it should not raise objections if people from the smaller minority
provinces of Pakistan also want to mend fences with India.
The people from his province have been in contact with India since
long both overtly and covertly. Recently Altaf and Benazir had been in India
where the former doubted the wisdom behind two nation theory. Some
Pushtoons had always maintained close contacts with Indian leadership to
the extent that they loved to call their leader by the name of Gandhi.
Recently contacts of Baluchi leaders with India have been suspected and one
of the sardars indirectly threatened to align with India. There is nothing
wrong if rulers of Punjab openly interact with Indian Punjabis, but it would
be fatal if some Punjabis, like some Mohajirs, Sindhis, Pushtoons and
Baluchis establish clandestine contacts with India.
Cricket diplomacy wont carry the peace process anywhere. Unable
to see their team struggle to avoid follow-on at the hands of the visiting
nations cricket team, the Bangalore IT geeks launched an organized and
ugly cyber attack on the Pakistan Internet Exchange reported the News
quoting telecom experts.
Although PTCL registered a case against Karachi Water and Sewerage
Board for internet collapse, but if observation of the experts was true it
proved two things; the hatred of Indian people towards Pakistan and their
capability in the field of IT. The advocates of composite dialogue and those
seeking soft image, would still see it as a goodwill gesture, the capability in
IT can be used to cripple Pakistani communication effectively at critical
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moment.
Cricket diplomacy, the game which Rice does not understand, held no
promise except self-deception. Manmohan made it clear by saying that he
was ready to discuss with Musharraf all issues including Kashmir while
emphatically stating that this has to be within the parameters of not changing
territories and borders.
The comments ought to be concluded with mention of Kashmir bus
service. The leaders, politicians and analysts would work overtime to
condemn the incident and blaming freedom fighters for harming their cause
by carrying out attack of 6th April. But it has certainly belied the claim that
the bus service would promote peace. The freedom fighters have conveyed
their message clearly; dont catch me by the tail; have the courage and get
hold by the horn.
In the context of Kashmir both India and Pakistan, India by design
and Pakistan under pressure, have tried to catch the bull by its tail. All the
CBMs, including the bus service, represent the hairy tail. Herein resolution
of the dispute in accordance with wishes of Kashmiris represents the horn.
Kashmiris dont want time scheduled MULAQATS like those of captives in a
jail. They want permanent reunion.
The incident, however, has now granted a licence to the Indian
security forces, if at all they needed one, to further intensify crackdown on
freedom movement which had already been receding since choking of Line
of Control by Pakistan to curb infiltration, announcement of ceasefire, and
signing of the accord on bus service. US spokesman Boucher has renewed
the licence by saying, this was a wanton act of terror on a powerful symbol
of rapprochement between India and Pakistan.
India showed determination to inaugurate the bus service as
scheduled. This should be seen while bearing in mind past record of India. It
has been severing contacts, links and ties with Pakistan making ordinary
incidents as excuses. It would have done the same in this case as well, but
the political gains aimed at through this service came in its way. It could
help in maintaining the status quo on Kashmir.
This was frequently mentioned since signing of the accord by many
Kashmiris including those of APHC-G. Liaqat Baloch of MMA expressed
similar apprehensions. The bus service might be a step towards the designs
of declaring the ceasefire line or Line of Control between the two Kashmirs
as a permanent borderthe service could not be conceived a step forward of
resolving the longstanding issue of Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with
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UN Resolutions and Kashmiris wishes.

With this single attack, strongly condemned by Kasuri and other
Pakistani leaders in pursuit of peace, Kashmiri freedom fighters have
become terrorists and their just struggle; terrorism. The small step of bus
service was undoubtedly a great leap for the Indians.
For decades Pakistan supported Kashmiris struggle but under threats
from the Crusaders and the proxy crusaders it first accepted that supporting
them was cross-border terrorism and now their struggle has been virtually
dubbed as terrorism. One should not be surprised if soon India asks Pakistan
to join hand to root-out this cause of uneasy relations between the two
brotherly countries.
This was what the News suggested in its editorial. The assault has
only damaged the noble cause of freedom struggle, rather than reinforcing it,
as there may not be any takers of its claim of legitimacy. Having received
broad condemnation in Kashmir, the attack has opened new window of
cooperation between India and Pakistan as terrorism has become threat to
the interests of both countries.
In view of the foregoing and the past record of India the possibilities
of some mischief in the attack could not be ruled out. It might have been the
freedom fighters, but it also could have been the Indian government itself
that was behind it in order to bring a bad name to the freedom fighters and
their struggle said special adviser to Prime Minister of AJK.
The learned Kasuri while condemning the attack unnecessarily
mentioned Islam just to convey that this great religion does not preach this
kind of aggression. He could simply say that it was inhuman act, but then the
Indian occupation forces commit such acts on daily basis. His mention of
Islam fitted with the message inscribed along the portrait of Iqbal on other
side of the bridge. This was clearly for followers of Islam; Pakistanis and
Kashmiris fighting for right of self-determination.
Prime Minister of AJK also faltered by misquoting Iqbal. No doubt
Kashmiris were in worst kind of subjugation when the great man hoped for
their reunion, but they were not divided by the unnatural Line of Control.
Even if Allama had visualized such division, his prediction of reunion would
have meant much more than mere bus service between Srinagar and
Muzaffarabad. The circumstance in which the bus service commenced was
itself a proof that the union predicted by Allama was far from having been
achieved.

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CRUSADERS CONCERNS
The security forces of Pakistan continued striving for Afghanistans
peace. Following incidents related to war on terror were reported during the
period:

Nephew of a tribal chief was gunned down in Tank on 12 th March.

Next day six tribesmen were arrested in an operation in Shawal.

On 30th March State Bank of Pakistan disclosed that it froze $ 10

million terror funds since 9/11.

Four foreigners suspected of al-Qaeda links were arrested in Peshawar

on 31st March. Sixteen persons were injured when grenades were
hurled targeting an army convoy near Mirali. ISPR clarified that army
convoy was not the target. A week later Pakistan agreed to deport 17
Afghan terror suspects.

Pakistan denied Abdullahs death, but claimed that al-Qaeda had been
de-capacitated. Military and political authorities continued with pacification
measures by carrying out various development projects. During the period
Army launched road communication uplift plan in Waziristan worth more
than Rupees two billion.
Pakistan kept trying sincerely to win the goodwill of Afghans. Two
radio transmitters were gifted to Afghanistan and Pakistan promised to
donate 100 buses shortly in addition to 200 trucks already gifted. On 22 nd
March Musharraf and Karzai pledged to combat terrorism while claiming
success in war on terror. Two sides agreed to invigorate trade and economic
ties.
Next day Karzai witnessed Pakistan Day Parade and both countries
signed five accords. They agreed to start regular bus service between
Peshawar and Jalalabad and between Quetta and Kandahar; and have regular
consultations between two foreign ministers. An accord on enhancing
cooperation in the fields of tourism, information and cultural exchanges was
signed. Two leaders also agreed to push forward gas pipeline from
Turkmenistan.
During the period there was no significant change in indifference of
Afghan leaders towards Pakistan. Karzai and Annan in their speeches in
Madrid ignored Pakistans role in war against terror. Pakistan informally
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complained about this omission. US media as usual went a step farther by

reporting revival of terror camps along Afghan border.
Musharraf once again vowed to fight terror ruthlessly. We have to
replace the instigation of hate, anger and militancy in madaris and print
material with propagation of peace, tolerance and understanding. In the
ongoing spite of crackdown following incidents of actions and counter
actions were reported in last four weeks:

On 14th March al-Qaeda linked doctors were jailed for 7 years by the
court. Four days later the convicts moved SHC against conviction.

Another suspect in attack on Musharraf, Mufti Eid Muhammad of LJ

was arrested from Lahore on 15th March.

On 19th March a powerful bomb explosion at a Shia gathering near

Nasirabad killed 15 people and wounded 25 others. By next day death
toll in Shrine blast rose to 50.

On 23rd March former IG police and his four guards were gunned
down in Gilgit. Nine days later a religious leader was shot dead in
Lahore.

On 3rd April riots erupted outside a stadium in Gujranwala and

continued for three hours after police stopped MMA activists from
disrupting the mini marathon race in which women athletes
participated. Several persons including an MNA were injured and 20
arrested. The same day five alleged militants were held in Karachi.

Three people were gunned down in Karachi on 6 th April in suspected

MQM-linked incident. Next day a priest and his driver were shot dead
in Peshawar and an alleged terrorist was killed in Rawalpindi.

The killing of religious seminaries on 1 st April did not fall in the

category of terrorism defined by the Crusaders; therefore it was difficult to
say that this murder was part of crackdown or retaliatory action. During the
period US soldiers caused irresistible collateral damage by hitting Sabir
Shahs vehicle near Ghazi and left the scene.
Embroil between MMA and Musharraf gained momentum. MMA
during a rally in Karachi called for wheel jam on April 2. About a week later
MMA held protest rally in Peshawar. The protesters charged that military
uniform in politics itself was a symbol of extremism.
Two days before the countrywide strike Sherpao and Rashid
threatened MMA to sue their activists in terrorist courts, if they instigated
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anyone for strike on 2nd April. Sherpao also hinted at arrest of MMA
leadership. Shaukat advocated zero tolerance for saboteurs with reference
MMAs strike. Qazi accused the government of terrorizing the traders.
Meanwhile ARD refused to participate in MMA strike. But the same
day PONM strike in Peshawar, Quetta and Karachi was marred by violence.
Public and private property was damaged, vehicles were torched. Achakzai
thanked politicians, traders and transporters for strike.
The government machinery was geared up to stop Mullas strike.
More than three thousand were held before strike. On the day of strike
Musharraf claimed that army was not involved in politics; he was only
maintaining check.
MMA claimed runaway success and the government felt that the strike
fizzled out. Media reported partial strike in parts of the country. A day after
the strike MMA activists clashed with law enforcing agencies and MMA
demanded registration of cases against Gujranwala authorities.
The government continued working on the deal with PPP and PML-N
to oust Mullas from political arena. On 13 th March Rashid hinted that deal
with PPP and PML-N could be struck any time. Next day Benazir said that
PPP believed in talks and reconciliation and PML-N leaders claimed that
government was vying for a deal.
Shujaat went to London to meet Shahbaz Sharif but the outcome was
kept secret. On 4th April Saifullah urged Benazir and Nawaz to join
mainstream politics. He also hinted at reunification of PML factions.
Enlightened moderate leader Zardari planned to land in Lahore in chartered
plane in mid April. Rashid claimed that Zardaris return can bring PPP and
government closer. Zardari tried to ensure that the rulers remained stuck to
the understanding reached by saying government was scared of my return.
Enlightened moderation in the context of MRP met a setback as the
Committee led by Rao recommended religion column in new passport and
that it must bear words Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The committee,
however, did not apportion blame for unnecessary and undesirable debate
initiated by the deletion of religion column. Sherry Rehman accused the
government of surrendering to Mullas of MMA on the issue. Meanwhile
Musharraf vowed to look into Hudood Ordinance.
Women rights in Pakistan are part of the campaign of enlightened
moderation. Mukhtaran Mais was widely covered by Western and Pakistani
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media to highlight the plight of women though no Mulla could be blamed

for her sufferings.
After FSC termed LHC judgment as unlawful in Mais case, the
Supreme Court took suo moto action and stayed proceedings of both FSC
and LHC. The apex court would now decide the case. Consequently the
rapists were put on ECL and were rearrested the day she had audience with
Prime minister.
Punjab governments efforts to seek soft image through marathon
races met a setback in Gujranwala. Enlightened moderate Chief Minister
was not deterred by the incident and ordered holding of marathons in every
district of the province. He also instructed for womens participation in
forthcoming race at Sargodha. Shafqat Mahmood urged him to stick to his
plans and Durrani sought apology from MMA.
While reviewing the governments endeavours to curb internal
militancy one must start with MMAs strike. On the day of strike the News
commented; well before the day dawned, MMA leaders and workers were
rounded up by the police, heavy-handed raids were conducted and a
propaganda barrage unleashed on the official media against the motives of
the organizers. Even the most insignificant dissenters were rounded and
paraded on the state media if they were willing to open their shops or ply
their buses. For a couple of days before the event, it seemed as if the very
foundations of the state would be shaken if the strike call was successful and
every SHO in the country seemed to be deployed in defence of the system.
All that this achieved was to create publicity for the MMAs cause and give
the impression that the authorities were in deep panic.
Sherpao, Rashid and Shaukat threatened, before and after the strike,
that activists of MMA would be tried under Anti-Terrorist Act. The
government could do that because the Crusaders wanted Mullas to be ousted
from Pakistani politics. It seemed that the rulers have informally declared
the MMA Mullas as terrorists.
Hans B Bremer criticized the governments designs to deal with
political opponents from MMA like terrorists. For the authorities in this
country, the Anti-Terrorism Act appears to be a convenient means of dealing
with things that have absolutely nothing to do with terrorism. Where the Act
could be applied justifiably, there the government resorted to policy of
packages.
It was not applied to terrorism perpetrated by Baluchi sardars. Not
even the threats were served to them who used sophisticated arms against
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the writ of the government and perpetrated terrorism. No one was arrested
before the strike called by nationalists from the platform of PONM. Durrani
had demanded no apology after Sangsela ambush. Did this mean that only
unarmed strikers could be tried for terrorism while heavily armed terrorists
can be tackled peacefully through political dialogue?
Perhaps the Mullas missed a point before calling for the strike. Had
they been armed with KK assault rifles and heavy weapons, they could have
escaped the allegation of terrorism and government would have delivered an
attractive package through auspices of Shujaat-Mushahid Courier Company.
Mullas were constrained to resort to street politics after having
realized that they had been virtually outwitted and out-manoeuvered through
typical Pakistani politicking. They made the mistake of trusting the rulers in
striking a deal on amendment of the Constitution.
In this context the Apex Court preferred to remain inactive. M Ahsan
Khan in his letter urged the Supreme Court to decide on several petitions
about the 17th Amendment with urgency rather than passing judgments on
whether or not food is served at weddings.
The government faltered in resorting to high-handedness to ensure
that the strike failed. MMAs million marches had failed to make political
impact, but the government by launching a media campaign against it gave
undue publicity to the cause of MMA.
The most hyped accusation against the strike was that the Mullas were
trying to derail the economy. No such damage was apprehended from the
strikes called by nationalists nor did they cause any inconvenience to the
public. Upward flight of the economy had already started nose diving well
before the call of strike.
On 24th March the bearish stock exchanges turned the investors
bullish. Five persons were arrested in Karachi after riots. In six days KSE
plunged from over 10,000 to less than 8,000. The culprits of overheating
stock market were to be arrested.
No Mulla could be blamed for suffocating bear hug of stock
exchanges. There was certainly more to it than a simple case of big fish
swallowing the pool of small fish. Chairman SECP while appearing before
the PAC had refused to divulge the names of big fish.
Mulla-bashing is part of the overall plan of enlightened moderation.
The Crusaders wanted beard-bearing politicians replaced with softer image
of Benazir, who has been urging international community to support the
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Bush doctrine of promoting democracy not only in Afghanistan and Iraq but
also in Pakistan. She understood the cardinal point of this doctrine which
was to replace the existing rulers with exiles willing to render services to
protect American interests. Once Benazir is inducted Pakistan would be
automatically democratized. Musharraf also understood that and for that
reason he has been working for reconciliation.
As regards other aspects of enlightened moderation a lot has been said
against prejudiced approach of the government. The rulers somehow think
that frequent indulgence in HALLA GULLA events is the only way to
enlightened moderation. Mir Shakilur Rehman supported this by arguing
that Indias positive global image is due to its films and TV ignoring that
these carry no message other than the hatred for Pakistan.
Afzal Rahim in his letter to the News pointed out misperceptions in
this context. This cant be achieved by arranging concerts, fashion shows,
marathons or for that matter other cultural events in the name on enlightened
moderation. All these are superficial steps.
Launching of only one prong of a two-pronged strategy could never
achieve the desired goals. Musharraf can hardly do anything to curb hate,
anger and militancy propagated against Islam and its followers by the
civilized world, what to talk of asking them to be enlightened and moderate.

BALUCH MILITANCY
The Baluch nationalists continued perpetrating terrorism. Following
acts of terror were reported during the period:

Gas pipeline was blown up near Jacobabad on 13th March. Two days
later rail track near Muchh was blown up. A power supply tower was
destroyed near Dera Murad Jamali. A rocket was fired in Sariab area.

On 18th March two persons were reported killed in Sui area. Two
passengers were killed and nine wounded in two blasts in two trains in
Machh and Mashkaf. A bomb exploded in Quetta.

Four persons were injured in two bomb explosions in Turbat on 19 th

March. A bomb rocked Quetta.

On 21st March four alleged terrorists were held in Usta Muhammad.

One of them had got injured while planting explosives in a mosque.

Gas pipeline was blown up near Kumbri Bridge in Dhadar on 22nd

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March. The activists blocked Karachi-Quetta highway at Lak Pass.

On 23rd March rail track was damaged in blasts near Machh. Rockets
were fired on FC post in Kohlu.

On 25th March ten rockets were fired at FC fort in Barkhan causing

injuries to three soldiers.

Microwave station in Dozan area near Quetta was subjected to rocket

attack and heavy firing on 26th March. One person was killed in an
explosion in Nauski.

On 28th March Quetta-Zahidan rail track was blown up. Next day four
FC soldiers were injured in mine blast in Kahan area of Kohlu.

Opening of Gwadar port opening was put off for security reasons. On
1st April pipeline supplying gas to Quetta was blown up near Dhadhar.

Two FC soldiers were injured in mine blast in Kahan area on 3 rd April.

Next day two more FC soldiers were injured in similar incident.

The government remained reluctant to launch military operation

which taxed Bugtis patience forcing him to make the move for fighting a
battle on ground of his choosing. On 17th March a convoy of FC moving
from Dera Bugti to Sui was ambushed in mountains of Sangsela by about
150 Bugti tribesmen armed with heavy weapons and rockets. Three FC
soldiers were killed and seven wounded. According to intelligence sources
16 tribesmen were also killed. Bugti claimed that 30 people including
women and children were killed and Humayun Marri said 40 to 45 were
killed.
After his tribesmen ambushed a convoy Bugti accused Pakistan
government of starting operations. He vowed, we will see who will finish
this game. Baluchi nationalists held a protest rally in Quetta and blamed
federal government for the incident. Opposition staged a walkout in protest.
IG FC revealed that during the last two months FC convoys were
disrupted many times. He termed the incident an attempt to sabotage the
dialogue process initiated by the federal government. The Chief Minister,
however, was grateful to Nawab Bugti for cooperation in ending the fire
after successful ambush.
Next day Dera Bugti remained tense as the toll rose to 8 soldiers
killed and about 23 wounded. Bugti blamed FC for killing women and
children. Nationalists again held protest rally in Quetta. Altaf demanded halt
to military action. The ruling coalition reviewed Baluchistan crisis. Shazia

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was reported in UK to start a new life.

By 19th March thousands of people fled from Dera Bugti after Bugti
had asked officials and paramilitary forces to leave. According to DCO 90
percent population vacated Dera Bugti. He also reported that at least 1,500
armed men from the dominant Bugti tribe had taken up positions in
mountains and were waiting for an order to attack. Tribesmen blocked all
roads leading to Sangsela, Pirkoh and Loti.
Whereabouts of Bugti were not known, but he told BBC that he
escaped mortar attack. Nationalists and opposition again took to the streets
in Quetta. Meanwhile military took over security of Sui installations from
FC troops and District Nazim reported that one student was killed when FC
troops fired at a rally that came out from Bugti house.
Bugti tribesmen besieged 300 FC troops along with DCO,
Commandant FC and some families. All roads leading to their location were
blocked and they were supplied with helicopters. By 20th March the strength
of battle ready militants had increased to 5,000.
Governor requested Bugti to lift the siege. He regretted that progress
made through political process had been hampered through stage-managed
incident. On the other hand after having blocked the roads, Bugti
complained of food shortage.
After a meeting of militant sardars Rauf Mengal said, we have
demanded release of our activists, withdrawal of cases registered against
them and immediate pullout of forces from the province. Achakzai said that
Pathan, Baluch, Sindhi and Seraiki brothers were willing to cooperate for
resolution of the issue. He deprived the Punjabis of brotherhood. Altaf Bhai
reassured full support to Bugti.
On 21st March incompetent Jam offered to quit if peace was assured.
He alleged that locals were involved in subversion. Being one of the same
feathers he desisted from naming the flock of Sardars. Owais ruled out
governor rule in Baluchistan. Qadir Bugti appeared on PTV and gave
guarded resume about Akbar Bugtis method of ruling his fiefdom.
In National Assembly Rashid remarked, Nawab Akbar Bugti is a
warlord and not a politician and we know how to deal with a warlord.
Opposition staged walkout in protest. Sherry Rehman (PPP) presented the
list of 59 people killed in Dera Bugti, including 27 Bugtis and 32 Hindus. In
addition 33 Bugtis and 22 Hindus were injured.
On 25th March ANP demanded withdrawal of troops from Dera Bugti.
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Next day Musharraf while addressing a public gathering in Badin said,

Baluchistan crisis has harmed national interests. The same day Bugti
wanted that Sher Afgan should lead parliamentary team visiting Dera Bugti.
The Nawab was dictating as to who should talk to him.
Musharraf embarked upon mission of winning hearts and minds of
people of Baluchistan. On 1st April he addressed public gathering in Kalat
and wrote off agriculture loans up to 50,000. He promised more share to
provinces in NFC. Two days later while addressing a similar public meeting
in Zhob he promised Pak-Afghan gateway soon and assured spending
Rupees 100 billion on roads of Baluchistan.
As FC troops and the terrorists were pitched against each other,
parliamentarians of the Opposition accepted government offer to visit Sui
and Dera Bugti to assess the situation. Next day the trip to Sui was cancelled
for security reasons. Opposition termed it an attempt to hide the truth and
facts. Two days later arrangements for visit of Parliamentary Committee
members were finalized.
On 22nd March Bugti hoped that Opposition could resolve the crisis,
but he refused to talk to government representatives. He also refused to send
any message or demand to government circle. He declined to request for a
meeting with Musharraf as he did not consider himself weak; meaning
thereby that the weaker should seek audience with the strong. He termed
Shujaat and Mushahid sincere but powerless and wanted the man with
powers to talk to him. He denied the siege of 300 FC men and officials.
Meanwhile FC commander warned of brewing danger.
Conflicting views were reported after visit to Dera Bugti. Durrani
observed a state within a state. Sherry said that angry Nawab has refused to
negotiate with the government. Nobody ventured to apportion the blame of
killings. Sherry Rehman posed to be ignorant as to who started the fight. In
short all the vested interests ground their axes rather than doing something to
resolve the issue.
Shujaat took the matter into his hands after Shaukat had desired
amicable solution to Baluchistan issue. He contacted Bugti on 20 th March
and held meeting with Mengal and Achakzai. He regretted that Bugti
maintained his stubborn stance and was not willing to show flexibility.
On 24th March Shujaat went all the way to Dera Bugti to strike an
understanding for ceasefire for three days. Next day Akbar Bugti agreed to
72-hour ceasefire on issuing any statement and Mushahid termed it a
breakthrough. The same day Bugti told VOA, if FC can kill our 64 people,
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we can also kill the same number of their men even more than that. The
warlord exerted pressure by issuing threats despite agreeing to ceasefire in
this context.
Dera Bugti deadlock ended with agreement to constitute threemember committee to solve the crisis. In his victory cry Akbar Bugti boasted
that the government would carry out his decisions. After BHARAT YATRA
Shujaat visited Dera Bugti on 4th April and finalized committee for
overlooking implementation of the agreement, which remained secret. DIG
FC will represent Islamabad and Sher Ali Mazari son of Sherbaz Mazari will
represent Dera Bugti, capital of a new sovereign state. Mushahid Hussain
will head the committee.
On return from Dera Bugti Mushahid disclosed that Akbar Bugti had
agreed to extend cooperation for the safeguard of the gas fields and
installations in Baluchistan. Other details of the agreement were kept secret.
On 7th April Shujaat chaired meeting on Dera Bugti accord which was
attended by all the three members of the committee. Some points of the
secret accord were discussed and made public. These were; removal of extra
checkpoints established by FC and Bugti militia; payment of compensation
to the heirs of Bugti tribe victims in fire exchange resulting from ambush
laid by Bugti terrorists. Other clauses of the accord still remained secret, but
next day JWP accused the government of non implementation of Bugtigovernment ideas.
Review of the events related to the crisis revealed disheartening
situation. The day the nationalists in Dera Bugti killed and wounded dozens
of soldiers, Musharraf told the public gathering in Bahawalpur to throw
Mullas out of politics after blaming them of preaching terrorism,
The act of nationalists did not qualify to be termed as terrorism,
because Rice had never desired so. The rulers have lot of blood on their
hands; by showing unwarranted aggression in US war on terror and by
showing unjustified restraint and tolerance towards terrorist networks of
nationalist leaders.
The facts stated by Qadir Bugti and DCO could be alarming for
common people. Patriotic Pakistanis must have been shocked by the
revelations made by them and shamed over elected members keenness to
seek dialogue with people like Akbar Bugti.
The stories narrated by them were no big news for the rulers. The
governments in succession have been aware of Akbar Bugtis concern about
alleviation of economic deprivation of his people. These men were escorted
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to PTV only to win public support in the ongoing conflict which should have
been done long time back.
Rashid at last called Akbar Bugti a warlord, but then withdrew his
remarks. Later Ikram Sehgal also termed Akbar Bugti a warlord, who
considers himself outside the pale of any law except that suits him. In fact
both should have had the courage to call a spade a spade. Akbar Bugti is
two-in-one; a warlord and a terrorist. The accounts narrated by the DCO and
Qadir Bugti were just a glimpse of the man. Similarly Musharraf talked of
the damage caused by Bugtis actions but failed to tell as to what he did to
save Pakistan from such harm.
The king and his party have all along denying military action, as if it
was a forbidden thing unless sanctioned by the Crusaders. They did not feel
embarrassed to negotiate a ceasefire after belligerent Bugti initiated the
action. They could not announce unilateral ceasefire as was done in case of
Line of Control, because Akbar Bugti, unlike Indians, might not have
reciprocated. They had to go all the way to headquarters of the warlord.
Even after the battle in which many precious lives were lost and all
that was seen by the parliamentary delegation during their trip to Dera Bugti
the government continued denying existence of military confrontation or
operation. If there was no military operation then why did Shujaat negotiate
a ceasefire?
Shujaat unlocked the rusty Bugti lock (with reference to an excellent
cartoon in the News in which Akbar Bugti was shown as lock and Shujaat
the key). The old and rusty locks often need pouring of some oil into them to
make unlocking device functional. Shujaats package must have contained
sufficient oil. Once the oil was applied Bugti forgot about the deprivation of
other Baluchis and was satisfied with deal for his fiefdom only.
In case of organizations supporting freedom fighters in IHK the
government had cracked down on them because India had dubbed them as
cross-border terrorists. In case of Pushtoons resisting the occupation of
Afghanistan Pakistan used the ultimate military means because the
Crusaders had termed their resistance as terrorism. In case of the purest and
deadliest terror perpetrated by Bugti the government sheepishly tried to seek
political compromise by presenting him a package.
With such timid approach of his government Shaukat pledged to
ensure government writ in Baluchistan. Iqbal Mustafa rightly had his doubts;
a government that cannot clean the metropolitan streets of syndicated
beggary, or get the taxi meters running right under the nose, or catch tax
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evasion, or make decisions that it doesnt have to reverse under pressure,

cannot hope to assert its writ effectively in any area.
The negotiating team was pleased over Akbar Bugtis consent to
extend cooperation for security of gas field and installations. Nobody
bothered to define the threat and from whom? To put it correctly he agreed
not to damage these in exchange of the package that has been kept secret.
Shujaat claimed solution of the crisis, but any solution without
disarming Bugtis private army would be a compromise. No government
worth its name can tolerate a state within a state. Bugti was lording over the
area having own militia, own private jails, own law and his own brand of
justice and punishment. He is judge, jury and executioner said a patriotic
observer.
Nasim Zehra was one of those who emphasized the importance of
dialogue and praised Shujaat for resolution of the issue. Has this issue been
really resolved or has Islamabad compromised with Bugtis belligerence?
Solution sans disarming of the tribesmen was nothing but a compromise.
Some officials felt that both sides were gaining time. M B Naqvi
observed with disgust; watching Islamabads past and current mindset
reliance on a clever half tactic of stern military action followed by sweet talk
with some money to go on buying time for the status quo is profoundly
distressing. Shazia was allowed to go abroad by design for the same
purpose.
Bugti might have earned handsome monetary gains, but according to
one military official he has lost on other counts. Bugti made a serious error
of judgment in attacking the FC last week. By his actions, he has guaranteed
that he was opposing a permanent presence of the armed forces in his
area.
Another soar point of this confrontation was reinvigourated campaign
of Punjab-bashing. M Abubakar Minhas in his letter to the News wrote that
he was sick and tired of propaganda against everything being done or
happening in Punjab. This sickness is already well-spread and likely spread
widely in the wake of rhetoric of nationalists. It wont augur well if majority
province decides to follow the path of Bengalis.
As regards foreign hand in the crisis Mushrraf referred to it in his
meeting with journalists on 25th March. He said that the problem was created
by three sardars and the government was examining whether these sardars
were following their own designs or foreign ones, and where they were

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getting money and weapons from. Astonishingly as head of the state and
armed forces he did not know these things. If so, what was the use of all the
knowledge and wisdom he has?
Opposition forces did not fair better than the government in dealing
with this issue of grave concern to all Pakistanis. Rallying of all the
nationalists behind Bugti was understandable, but the stance of mainstream
political parties particularly that of PPP and MMA on this important national
issue was deplorable. There was no justification in opposing just for the sake
of opposition.
The comments on Bugtis militancy should be concluded by
reproducing excerpts from analysis carried out by Ahmed Quraishi:

How we handle them could decide many things about us as a nation.

It is a test of politics, sabotage, intelligence, and the militancy.

There are two questions going hand in hand in Baluchistan: One, the
legitimate grievances of the province; and two, the anarchy unleashed
by a handful of powerful individuals against the state and its long term
strategic plans.

Holding talks with Nawab Akbar Bugti is not equivalent to talking to

the Baluch people. The man who bombed, jailed and exiled almost
half of his clan hardly qualifies for the honour of representing the
province.

Terming the activities of Mr Bugti and his accomplices as a provincewide insurgency is not only inaccurate but falls within the anarchists
scheme of projecting Baluchistan as an unstable area not worthy of
investing in its development. This is particularly aimed at scaring
away the Chinese investors.

He blamed print media for allowing people like Mr Bugti in creating

the impression that he is a Baluch Robin Hood who wants to get back
his peoples stolen money and resources.

Cold War dynamics are also at play here. There is a terrorist

infrastructure created by the former Soviet union in Baluchistan
many of the key Pakistani Baluch players in that infrastructure are still
around, some suspiciously active again.

Those running private armies and jails in Baluchistan are not

answerable to democracy Mr Bugtis sudden change of heart and
his willingness to accept negotiations came only after Islamabad

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showed some toughness.

Baluchistans long-term problems will be solved through peace and

development. But this will not come without disarming the private
armies and militias, destroying the private jails, and putting an end to
the terrorist infrastructure that has survived the Cold War.

BIASED CRUSADERS
The bias of the Crusaders was quite obvious in its discriminatory
dealings with Pakistan and India. American ties with Pakistan were termed
as tactical-partnership and with India as strategic-friendship. In this
context the issue of arms sale stood out conspicuously.
A day before the visit of Rice to Islamabad it was reported that US
may sell 24 F-16s to Pakistan and 125 to India. On 16 th March she arrived in
Islamabad and praised Musharraf for his bold vision for South Asia and
initiatives to promote peace and stability in the region.
It was reported on 22nd March that India decided to buy submarine
rescue vehicles from US. Three days later Bush talked to Manmohan and
sought Indias clearance to sell F-16s to Pakistan. A spokesman said that US
was ready to boost defence cooperation with India, including F-16s, F-18s
or other aircraft, to help it develop as a major power.
Shaukat welcomed US decision on sale of F-16s. Kasuri clarified that
F-16s wont change balance of power. The same day Rice unveiled plans to
make India a major power. Washington offered to set up a strategic dialogue
with India to boost missile defence and other security initiatives as well as
high-tech cooperation and expanded economic and energy cooperation.
PML-N rightly questioned governments rejoicing over F-16s.
On 27th March India said that it would consider US offer of military
sales. In Pakistan Musharraf joined the chorus of rejoicing; F-16s will boost
strike power. He hailed US decision to sell military jets. A week later The
New York Times opposed the sale of F-16s to Pakistan. The United States
does have a compelling strategic interest in helping Pakistan. But the right
kind of help does not consist of selling Pakistans armed forces prestigious,
expensive and dangerous weapons systems. The opposition could increase
after signing of 21 pacts and MoUs during Chinese Premier, Wen Jiabaos
visit to Pakistan; launching of JF-17 Thunder production; and Chinas offer
to Pakistan of further assistance in nuclear power generation.

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There was hardly anyone who joined the rulers in rejoicing over the
sale of F-16s, however there were few who welcomed the development with
caution. F-16s were a mere breather for PAF wrote Mayed Ali. Hans B
Bremer commented, when the US government decision on the F16 sale to
Pakistan was announced, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz spoke of red-letter
day. Lets just hope that we wont end up with red-faced embarrassment.
The sale was marred by its history; therefore the decision was widely
criticized by the analysts:

For India, she (Rice) promised greater defence cooperation, more

trade concessions, especially in the energy sector For Pakistan, she
promised a durable, multi-faceted partnership besides the usual pat on
the back for fighting the war n terror wrote Fahd Husain.

Shireen M Mazari raised few questions. What will be the political

and military price, in addition to the monetary price, that Pakistan will
pay for the F-16s? Will we again pay it before all the planes are
delivered?

Farhan Bokhari opined, anyone who believes that the F-16s will
bolster Pakistans military position is only living in a world of
fantasy.

S W Butt in his letter to the News wrote, our dear minister should
enlighten the nation how to shake of this disgrace (with reference to
previous sale which did not materialize) and teach us how to
befittingly thank the Americans.

Praful Bidwai opined that Pakistan and India were sleepwalking

towards danger. Both countries were getting trapped in the USs
arms-selling gambit to their own detriment.

Imtiaz Alam agreed with him; the truth is that both countries are
locked in an arms race, now propelled by the US, and will continue in
the same breath if they do not reverse their current mutually exclusive
security doctrines.

America took this decision after concluding that supply of F-16s

wont make material deference in the context of India. The sale wont help
in attaining the balance and that was why America was generous to approve
the sale. And at the same time it would ensure Pakistans dependence on
America. Bidwai accused both the countries of sleepwalking into the trap.
He may not be right in case of India but Pakistan was certainly doing that.

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While Pakistan struggled for getting F-16s, America offered India to

manufacture improved version of the fighter aircraft under license. Next
time Pakistan could be told to get these from India as relations between the
two countries were improving by leaps and bounds.
Shireen M Mazari missed raising the key question. Who will
guarantee that Pakistan will be paying for planes or Soya bean? Phantoms
could still remain elusive. However, the way Pakistan was denied these
aircrafts last time, only a shameless beggar would accept the alms from the
same generous person. Most Pakistanis would have felt proud if their
government had politely declined the offer.
America remained in touch with Pakistan and India on war on terror
but similar touch regarding Kashmir was not maintained despite asking
Pakistan to improve ties with India. Rice ruled out mediation to resolve
Indo-Pak disputes, while reiterating, it is time for cricket diplomacy.
Britain concentrated only on terrorism as was evident from some of
the events during the short period of four weeks. On 14 th March three
people, including a Sikh and a woman (for a change), suspected of financing
terrorism were charged in court in London. They were accused of funding
Kashmiri organization called Lashker-e-Taiba. Three days later Kashmiri
leader, Abdul Qayyum was released by Britain after keeping him in
detention for 23 years under Indian pressure. A British team paid five-day
visit to IHK to assess further requirements of the illegal occupants to deal
with Kashmiri terrorists.
World Bank seemed to be sleeping over Baglihar Dam issue. On 14 th
March Pakistan asked it to appoint an expert as requested. About a week
later Pakistan decided to send a technical team to Washington to interact
with World Bank. Meanwhile the bank and international environmental
organizations opposed construction of mega dams. It was perhaps for these
reasons that Pakistan decided to send a team to expedite the perusal of its
request before the arrival of Wolfowitz.
Rice had expressed concern during her visit to India over gas-pipeline
project with Iran. India rejected US pressure. It is all rubbish said Mani
Shankar. Similar concern was conveyed to Pakistan as well, but tacticalpartner could not use the language of strategic-friend while denying the
pressure. Friends can take liberties; not the partners.
Rice did not press Musharraf to doff uniform against expectations.

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She expressed optimism about democracy in Pakistan expected elections in

2007. However, a Bill proposing waiver on democracy related curbs was
placed in the legislative calendar. This was done to press reconciliation with
enlightened moderate Benazir to sideline the Mullas.
Benazir remained hectically busy in taking her case to administrations
of Bush and Blair. On 5th April Rice hailed huge transformation under
Musharraf. She said that Pakistan is 150 degrees from where it was. The
remaining 30 degrees of U-turn pertained to Benazir and Dr Khan.
Efforts to moderate Islam continued. US media publicized the leading
of a Friday prayer in a New York mosque. It was considered one of the ways
to inject enlightened moderation into followers of Islam. Another woman
was reported ready to lead Friday prayers in Boston. People like Shakir
Lakhani took exception to that in his letter to the News. I would be willing
to reconsider my Islamic beliefs on the question of a female Imam the day
the Roman Church appoints a practicing homosexual or a nun as Pope.
Mukhtaran Mais case echoed in US House of Representative. Ms Woolsey
asked US to spend more in changing the plight of women in Pakistan.
Nevertheless a US official hailed reforms in Pakistan during a meeting with
Prime Minister.
Annan was outraged at the incident of shrine blast. He and his
mentors did not express any concern over other gruesome incidents,
including the clash in Dera Bugti. America also reiterated criticism of
Pakistan and China over human rights record.
Rehan Ansari wrote about discriminatory treatment meted out to
Pakistanis in America. Since September 11, 2001 hundreds of South Asian
and Middle Eastern Muslim men have been arrested, detained and deported.
The highest number is that of Pakistanis. Most spent years building
businesses in America and have left behind fully stocked stores, middle class
homes, bank accounts, friends, relatives, and even US citizen wives and
children. According to a report by the Lawyers Committee for Human
Rights an estimated 15,000 people have left for Canada, Europe and
Pakistan from one Brooklyn neighbourhood. Unfortunately Muslim
brothers also kept availing the opportunity; during the period 698 Pakistanis
were deported by Oman.
The issue of nuclear proliferation remained alive. On 13 th March it
was reported that Pakistan had agreed to soon give used centrifuge
components to the IAEA for probe of Iranian programme; the government
denied. Two days later Musharraf while replying to a question about Khans
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network giving material to al-Qaeda for making the dirty bomb said, no
transfer on nuclear material except some centrifuge parts and drawings.
Japan also took on the role of IAEA and sought information on Dr Khans
links with North Korea as US alleged that North Korean nukes went to
Libya.
India added fuel to the fire by saying that world powers were blind to
nuclear trade in the region. Rice responded by wanting to know all about
Khans network. Kasuri ruled out nuclear rollback and the government
denied any threat to its nuclear assets, if it shared the contamination of
centrifuges with IAEA. Centrifuges escorted by Pakistani scientists will be
sent to Vienna he said and ruled out inspection of countrys nuclear plant.
He dispelled compromise on nuclear capability and argued that F-16s
and handing over parts of used centrifuges to IAEA would have no impact
on Pakistans nuclear programme. Pakistan again reassured that its territory
wont be used against Iraq.
Opposition moved a motion on earlier statement of Rashid on Dr
Khan. The Speaker made the motion non-admissible and opposition walked
out in protest. In the Senate the Chairman disallowed a similar motion.
There were no justifications in disallowing these motions accept that the
government did not want to hear more on this issue as Western Media was
already clattering a lot about it.
Commenting on Rashids statement Shireen M Mazari wrote, it
placed Iran in a more difficult situation in the short run, it will certainly
harm Pakistan in the long term in terms of further pressure on access to our
nuclear assets. She also recalled Indian proliferation linked to Iran and
asked as to why IAEA did not demand equipment inspection from India?
She was pointing towards the bias of the civilized world.

CONCLUSION
Manmohan and Sonia inaugurated the Kashmir bus service, but
resumption of rail and road services through Wahga had not merited such
high level presence. India did it to convey the message of ATTOTANG.
Therefore, the resumption of bus service was a step towards ensuring status
quo despite Pakistani leaders claims to the contrary.
Thousands of spectators in Bangalore and Cochin conveyed a clear
message leaving it up to the lovers of cricket diplomacy to read that
correctly. The coaxing of Sanjay and Ravi failed to dent the hatred for
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Pakistan spread from east to west coast. It must be remembered that sportslovers are generally more open and big hearted.
The two events, of cyber attack and US consent to supply F-16s, put
together too carried a message for Pakistan. In next military confrontation,
initiated by the Crusaders or by India, Pakistans military means of
conventional war would be rendered ineffective right at the outset. The
assets of large ships, fleet of warplanes and heavy weapons of ground forces
would be turned into liabilities.
For next war Pakistani leaders have to first prepare its people to put
up resistance like the Sunnis of Iraq and quip them with suitable weapons to
wage unconventional war. This had been mentioned in one of the previous
articles and merited repetition because of its importance.
Bugti has successfully extracted a package at gunpoint. The deal was
between Dera Bugti and Islamabad and only restricted to his fiefdom. Other
warlords were out of it; thereby they retained the option and capability to
resort to terrorism whenever they deem it fit.
9th April 2005

SHIITE IRAQ EMERGED

A US General hoped for decline in casualties in the ongoing
insurgency. A week later Annan said that violence in Iraq had returned to
pre-poll levels. By the end of March the General was proved right as
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activities of insurgents fell off significantly; casualties in the month were the
lowest in two years. This prompted the Jang Group of newspapers to pull
curtain on the Crusades in Iraq and instead focus on its democratization.
The Crusaders attributed the decline in attacks by the insurgents to the
democratization process, but the real cause laid in stern dealing with Sunnis.
American and Iraqi forces were holding a record 17,000 men and women in
prisons most without being formally charged. The number of prisoners
proved that occupation forces resorted to random arrests of able bodied
Sunnis.
The process of forming new government progressed slowly but Shiite
majority seemed to be determined to take along Kurds and Sunnis.
Bargaining on distribution of ministries was the major cause of delay.
America felt the need to expedite the process for which Rumsfeld paid a
surprise visit to Baghdad and instructed Talabani and Jaafari to make it sure
that the constitution would be ready by 15 th August. He also told them to
avoid interfering in Iraqi security forces and warned against corruption.
Arabs remained helpless in influencing the events in Middle East,
resultantly Palestinians were forced to reconcile with Israeli peace plan and
Syria withdrew its troops from Lebanon under pressure of the Crusaders.
Iran, however, kept resisting the pressure to roll back its enrichment plans.

FIGHTING
On 4th March one person was killed and four injured in car bomb in
Baquba and 3 militants were killed in clash with US troops west of Baghdad.
The villagers killed seven militants in Wihda. Police chief was killed in
Budayr. Italian journalist was released, but US forces shot and wounded her
and Italian agent protecting her was killed. A Bulgarian soldier was killed in
US friendly fire.
Five Iraqi soldiers were killed on 5th March in mortar fire on a camp in
Duluiyah. One soldier was killed and another wounded in roadside bomb
near Baiji. Four US soldiers were killed in action in Anbar province and
another soldier was killed in road accident.
On 6th March US stepped up hunt for Zarqawi in Samarra. Next day
15 people were killed and 26 wounded in a car bomb, three roadside bombs
and firing on checkpoints in Baquba. Another car bomb in Balad killed 12
and wounded 21 people. In Sadr City two policemen were killed and one
wounded by gunmen and a roadside bomb in suburbs of Baghdad wounded
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several persons. Two civilians were killed and four wounded in a roadside
bomb that targeted US convoy near Amiriyah. Oil pipeline was blown up
near Samarra. In Hilla a Polish soldier was wounded in roadside bomb. A
Jordanian businessman was kidnapped.
An official was shot dead on 8 th March in Baghdad. Fifteen dead
bodies were found in Latifiyah. Kidnapped Jordanian businessman was
freed. Next day a suicide garbage truck bomber targeted Sadeer Hotel
branded as bastion of the Jews and killed four people and wounded 40
including 30 US contractors. In Basra police patrol was targeted with
roadside bomb killing one and wounding three policemen. One bodyguard
was killed when convoy of planning minister was attacked in Baghdad. One
US soldier was killed and another wounded in explosion in the capital. Dead
bodies of 41 Iraqi were found in Qaim and south of Baghdad. Kidnappers
threatened to kill Filipino.
On 10th March a car suicide bomber attacked a Shiite mosque in
Tameem killing 30 persons. In Baghdad, gunmen shot dead two district
police chiefs and two others in separate attacks. Next day the government
claimed killing or capturing 18 of the top lieutenants of Zarqawi. An Iraqi
soldier was killed and another wounded in mortar attack in Duluiyah and
dead body of a businessman who worked with US was found in the same
area. Police announced the arrest of a suspect involved in killing of governor
of Baghdad. Death toll in mosque attack rose to 50 killed and over 80
wounded.
On 12th March gunmen killed three policemen and wounded another
in Mosul. Oil pipeline was blown up north of Baghdad. A US soldier was
killed in Mosul. Two American security contractors were killed and one
wounded near Hilla.
An engineer at Baghdad airport was shot dead on 13th March and in
mortar attack one policeman was killed and three others wounded. Two
Iraqis were killed when US military vehicle smashed into four cars south of
the capital. Four people including two policemen were killed in a vehicle
bomb in Shurgat. Captors spared Filipino hostage.
A suicide car bomber attacked a checkpoint and killed two policemen
and two civilians in Yusufiya on 14th March. In Mosul gunmen killed a
Kurdish cameraman. Three more people were killed in bomb attacks and
ambushes. Next day Iraqi police arrested a killer of Ayatollah Hakim.
On 16th March an explosion took place near offices of an Englishlanguage newspaper and two exploded in Green Zone area. Next day
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kidnapped Spanish businessman was freed after payment of ransom. On 19 th

March fighters killed a police officer in Kirkuk and then bombed his funeral
killing three policemen and injuring two others. In another incident a
policeman was killed. A police commissioner was killed near Baghdad. A
US military patrol was targeted and mortar round fired at Green Zone. Iraqiborn Swede was released.
Gunmen attacked a police station in Abbara on 20th March. In the
ensuing fighting four policemen and four attackers were killed and 14
soldiers and three civilians were wounded. In Mosul a top official was killed
and three persons wounded inside a government compound. In Kirkuk a US
soldier was killed and three others wounded in roadside bomb. In Baghdad a
municipal building was blown up and a Humvee was damaged in roadside
bomb. One person was killed and three policemen injured in Basra. One
civilian was killed and a policeman wounded in roadside bomb. In
Mahmoodiyah one civilian was killed and two wounded in mortar fire.
On 21st March 26 Iraqi attackers and six coalition soldiers were killed
in a fire-fight in outskirts of Baghdad. One soldier was killed and four others
wounded in rocket fire in western Baghdad. One dead body was found west
of Baghdad. Troops killed two suspects in south of the city. One US soldier
was killed in Anbar. One Iraqi soldier was killed in mortar fire in Sherqat. In
Amiriyah gunmen killed one soldier and wounded another. Iraqi police
arrested ten suspects.
A US soldier was killed in Anbar province on 22 nd March. A military
court convicted three Iraqis on charges of terror plot. Next day American and
Iraqi forces launched massive offensive against insurgents. In seventeen
hours 35 persons were killed Iraqi commandos in ground attack and 50 more
in US air raids. Ten foreign fighters were counted among the dead. Six
commandos were killed and four wounded in the fight. One girl was killed
and another wounded in mortar fire in Amiriyah where US forces command
centre was located. In Khadamiyah an attacker was wounded in an
unsuccessful attempt of car bombing. One suspect was arrested in
Mussayeb. In Mosul two US and two Iraqi soldiers were wounded in suicide
car bombing.
On 24th March AFP correspondent reported different story about the
massive attack on training camp of insurgents near Samarra; according to
fighters only 11 of their persons were killed in air strikes and six
commandos were also killed and four wounded. Next day 11 Iraqi
commandos were killed and 14 others wounded in suicide car bombing in

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Ramadi. Four women who worked in US military base were gunned down
south of Baghdad. Three persons were killed by US troops near Baquba. In
Suleman Beg one soldier was killed and one person wounded in mortar fire
on barracks. A bomber blew up his car beside a convoy killing three soldiers
and wounding six more. A General of National Guards was killed and his
two sons wounded. Two Iraqis were killed and 19 wounded in Karbala by a
suicide bomber.
Two US soldiers were killed and two others wounded in car bomb
attack in Baghdad on 26th March. One US Marine was killed in Anbar
province. US forces detained 121 Iraqis in a raid. US claimed foiling an
escape attempt in Camp Bucca jail, holding more than six thousand
prisoners.
On 27th March security forces opened fire on protesters and killed one.
One person was wounded in roadside bomb in Basra. Oil pipeline was
blown up in northern Iraq. Gunmen killed one person and wounded three in
Kirkuk and a Kurd official escaped assassination attempt.
Police Colonel was killed in Baghdad on 28th March and in roadside
bomb two persons were killed and 7 including six policemen wounded. Two
Shiite pilgrims were shot dead in Mahawli. Two policemen were killed and
ten wounded in roadside bomb in Mussayeb. One Iraqi soldier was killed in
Mushahda as he tried to defuse roadside bomb. In Baiji a roadside bomb
targeting US convoy killed a woman and a child and an Iraqi businessman
working with US forces was gunned down. One Iraqi soldier was killed and
two wounded in Balad. In Basra coalition forces arrested 19 suspects.
One person was killed and 17 wounded on 29 th March in car bombing
in Kirkuk. Three Romanians were reported kidnapped in Baghdad. Next day
an explosion took place in US Armys base near Baghdad Airport. On First
April PTV reported killing of nine people in different incidents.
Four policemen and a civilian were killed and two policemen and
three civilians injured in car bomb attack in Baquba on 2 nd April. An official
of education ministry was gunned down in Baghdad. One US soldier was
killed in enemy fire in Ramadi. One US Marine was killed in action in
Hadithah. More than forty US troops and 12 detainees were wounded in
attack on Abu Ghraib jail.
On 3rd April two policemen were gunned down in Mosul. A foreigner
working as private guard was killed in attack on a convoy and few others
wounded near Balad. A government employee was killed in drive-by
shooting near Baghdad, two dead bodies were found and office of the
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Communist Party was torched in Sadr City.

Three people were injured on 4th April in bomb blast near Abu Ghraib
jail. The toll in earlier attack on the jail rose to 44 US soldiers and 13
detainees wounded. Astonishingly attackers suffered 50 casualties out of
reported force of 40 to 60 fighters. There must have been scores of victims
of collateral damage. One US soldier was shot dead and another wounded in
Tal Afar and one was killed in Anbar.
On 5th April one Iraqi and two US soldiers were killed and two US
soldiers wounded in fighting in eastern province of Diyala. One US soldier
was killed and four wounded in roadside explosion in Dora. Ten dead bodies
were found 45 km south of Baghdad and seven of the victims were Iraqi
soldiers and three policemen. Brig Saleh was abducted in Baghdad. In Hilla
a member of provincial council was gunned down. A Sunni cleric was killed
in drive-by shooting in New Baghdad. In Mosul an official of Democratic
Kurdish Party was killed. In Baquba a government translator was wounded
and his father killed in drive-by shooting. One policeman was killed and two
wounded in Basra.
On 6th April a US soldier was killed in Baghdad by improvised
explosive device. Two days later four persons were killed in an explosion in
Baghdad. An Iraqi Army Officer was gunned down in Basra. Four civilians
were injured in bomb blast in Najaf.
Twenty-nine people, including a US soldier, were killed on 9 th April in
various attacks on the second anniversary of Saddam Husseins downfall.
Next day three persons were killed in the ongoing insurgency. Al-Qaeda
claimed killing the abducted police officer and Saddams nephew was
reported captured. Pakistani diplomat was kidnapped in Baghdad and the
day after headline of the News read, new victim, old crime.
On 11th April American and Iraqi forces rounded up 67 people,
including four leaders of three groups linked to al-Qaeda in Dura. Three
civilians and two US soldiers were injured in three car bomb attacks in two
different US military bases. One official was killed in Mosul.
On 12th April the government claimed arresting an ex-Saddam regime
member. Next day 12 persons were killed and three wounded when fighters
lobbed a live bomb on policemen busy in dismantling a decoy bomb near
Kirkuk. In Baghdad three persons were wounded in car bomb attack which
targeted a convoy and three more similar attacks were carried out but details
of casualties were held back.

712

Eighteen people were killed and 36 wounded on 14th April in two car
bombs near interior ministers office in Baghdad and an intelligence officer
was killed in a separate incident. One police officer was killed and three
others wounded in Baquba. Five policemen and a civilian were killed in
attack on a police station in Kirkuk. In Tikrit nine persons were injured in
car bomb explosion outside a US installation.
Occupation forces kept blaming the cross-border terrorists for aiding
the insurgents in Iraq. Abizaid claimed that the number of foreign fighters
was growing who mostly entered from Syria. Some Iraqis feared that foreign
agents were bidding to pit Sunni and Shiite against each other. Sistani called
for unity and solidarity among all Iraqis despite attacks targeting the
innocents.
Iraqi people in general and children in particular completed two years
of suffering from ravages of the war. Application of military means for their
liberation produced more gruesome effects as compared to sanctions
imposed on Saddam regime. Terry Jones summed these, it now appears that,
for from improving the quality of life for Iraqi youngsters, the US-led
military assault on Iraq has inexplicably doubled the number of children
under five suffering from malnutrition.

SHIITE REGIME
The process of establishing Shiite regime moved slowly till the end of
February. During first week of March two members of the UIA dropped out
of the group. Shias and Kurds decided to intensify bargaining on next
government. Sistani called for unity and refrain from bickering. Allawi
refused to join UIA. It was agreed that the Parliament would hold first
session on 16th March.
In second week Brazani demanded settlement of Kirkuk issue
urgently. The Kurds seemed determined to work for autonomy or perhaps
more despite Turkeys opposition. An agreement was reached on appointing
Jalal Talabani as first Kurdish president and a Sunni Arab and a Shia Arab as
vice presidents. Chalabi traveled to Sulaimaniyah for talks with Talabani.
Talabani told that talks with UIA were deadlocked over Kirkuk and
Peshmerga. Kurds wanted concrete pledges for resettlement of thousands of
Kurds expelled by Saddam and commitments that their Peshmerga fighters
will continue to provide security in the three Kurdish provinces of Arbil,
Dohuk and Sulaimaniyah.
In third week of March Parliament met but failed to strike deal on
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forming new government. Shiite and Kurdish powerbrokers tried to woo

Allawi. Jaafari wanted federalism and introduction of Sharia rule. Iraq
should become a Muslim country but without falling under the influence of
Iran or Saudi Arabia. Sistani lost the patience and lamented the absence of
new government nearly two months after the elections.
Shias and Kurds finalized the allocation of ministries during fourth
week; Shias would get 16 to 17 ministries; Kurds 7 to 8; Sunnis six;
Christian and Turkmen would get one each. Yawar was projected as likely
Speaker of the Parliament. It remained doubtful that Allawi or his followers
would join the government or not.
It was agreed that the process of forming government would start
from 30th March, but tussle over the oil ministry and the role of Islam
continued. Allawi asked Iraqi clerics to stay out of politics. Kurds wished to
reduce Islamist influence in the Shiite bloc by including members of the
secular alliance of outgoing Prime Minister Allawi.
Yawar declined to accept the offer to be Speaker in the Parliament.
Jaafari remained optimistic about formation of the government. His deputy
talked about the role of Islam. If you ask me as a Muslim living in a
Muslim country among Muslim people I would say yes I want to see Islam
being followed in life.
The lack of agreement from the minority Sunnis on nominee for the
Speaker forced the adjournment of the Parliament until 3 rd April. Shiites and
Kurds also remained locked in protracted negotiations over the composition
of new government.
Sunni-nominated candidate, Adnan al-Janabi, was vetoed by the Shias
and Kurds due to his brothers ties to Saddams former regime. On 30 th
March a Shia cleric and member of Allawis government said, we expect
the Sunni Arab brothers to nominate their candidate. Otherwise, we will vote
on a candidate on Sunday. Sunnis were being told to adjust with new
realities. They will continue receiving such directions as Saddam will keep
haunting them for long.
Shias threatened that Sunnis wont have Speaker in Parliament if they
failed to find a candidate acceptable to the majority party. Meanwhile
thousands of supporters, of the candidate rejected by the Shias for the
Speakers post, protested.
On 3rd April Parliament elected Hajam al-Hassani as Speaker. Shias
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prevailed to have the Sunni Speaker of their choice who belonged to

Allawis camp. Shiite, Hussein al-Sharastani and Kurd, Aref Tayfur were
elected as deputies. The members of Parliament voted along sectarian lines,
with many of them voting only for one of the posts and not all three.
Disagreements on forming new government still persisted.
Next day Sunni leader Sheikh Fawaz al-Jarba complained, there are
still a lot of problems, and frankly it is becoming more like appointment
instead of a transparent democratic process. Kurds kept on working to bring
in outgoing Prime Minister Allawi into the fold as a way of tempering the
influence of Islamic clerics in the UIA.
On 6th April Parliament elected Jalal Talabani as president. Shiite
Mahdi and Sunni Yawar were elected as his deputies. New president vowed
to heal sectarian division; to talk to resistance groups to reach a result; and to
make Iraq a model democracy.
Meanwhile Bush picked up Khalilzad to be US Envoy to Iraq to make
it a model. On 7th April Talabani took oath and named Jaafari as Prime
Minister. He talked of offering amnesty to the resistance groups. Next day
Jaafari promised clean technocrat government; to appoint more than two
deputies; to fight corruption; and to institute administrative reforms.
Thousands of Shiite protesters of Moqtada Sadr converged on Firdus
Square on 9th April and demanded end of US occupation. There will be no
peace, no security, until the occupation leaves said Sadrs representative.
The protesters asked the new government to take their demands seriously.
For the time being, our position is peaceful. The demands read out were;
quick trial of Saddam, Thursday as the second day off because Saturday
coincides with Sabbath, release of Iraqi detainees, strengthening of border
security, and bringing resistance into the political process.
Similar protest rally was held in Baquba on 11th April. The same day
Allawi announced that his group had decided to participate in the
government, but participation must be a real and effective one and not a
nominal one. He demanded four ministries including one of the main
ministries. A Shiite lawmaker termed his demands too high.
The Guardian rejoiced over democracy in Iraq. It would be
fascinating to know that Saddam Hussein was thinking Wednesday, as he
was forced to watch televised coverage of the Iraqi Parliament naming a new
president. The choice of the veteran Kurdish leader Jalal Talabani to fill this
office is a key-stone of the democratic system haltingly emerging from the
debris of dictatorship, war and occupation. It smacked more of hatred than
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rejoicing over democracy.

Washington Post appreciated Bush for wisely refraining from overt
intervention in forming of new government. The Times wrote, three things
give hope for future stability. The first is the recognition by all political
factions of the need for compromise. Infighting was inevitable; that has not
prevented pragmatic cooperation. That will now be further tested in the
appointment of Cabinet ministers. Secondly, the Government comprises men
of substance, exiles untainted by Saddams brutalities and not easily
manipulated by Iran or those preaching anti-Western violence. Thirdly, the
government has been formed without coalition; Iraqis can, and will, identify
with a homegrown administration founded on democratic principles. The
use of words, exiles, men not easily manipulated, preaching anti-Western
violence, homegrown, and democratic principles were worth noting.
Installation of Shiite regime in Iraq was almost completed. There have
been apprehensions that Shiite Iraq might follow the Iranian model of
democracy. MUH Nuri negated this possibility; any fear of Iraq following
the way of Iran is misplaced The new Shia-dominated government will
remain beholden to the US for freeing them from Saddam ushering in
general elections that has given them power that they think deservedly
belonged to them as a majority.
America did not allow free hand to Shiite leaders as they continued
interfering in the process of forming new government. American diplomats
renewed discussions with Iraqi political leaders last week. But they came not
to nudge the Kurds or the others toward compromise wrote Jim Hoagland.
Embassy officials emphasized instead that nothing should be done to
undercut the intelligence and security services of the floundering and
transparently corrupt interim regime, headed by CIA favourite Ayad Allawi
he added. The Jan 30 elections let an enormous amount of pressure out of
the Middle East cooker. But the steam is building up again as the deadlock
persists, Allawi remains in office and doubts build again about US intentions
and abilities in Iraq.
Seumas Milne touched upon the designs of America in
democratization of the Middle East. Of course Arabs want an end to
tyrannical regimes, most of which have been supported over the years by the
US, Britain and France: that is the source of much anti-western Muslim
anger. The dictators remain in place by US licence, which can be revoked at
any time and managed elections are being used as another mechanism for
maintaining pro-western regimes rather than spreading democracy.
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The criticism forced no change of mind according to Naomi Klein.

Instead of changing his foreign policy, President Bush is changing the
story. He cautioned, we shouldnt be surprised that the Bush
Administration, despite telling stories about its commitment to freedom,
continues to actively sabotage democracy in the very countries it claims to
have liberated.
M B Naqvi opined, Messrs George Bush and Tony Blair do not
possess divine mandate to reshape any region in their own interests. He
overlooked that they were not fighting a war for the good of followers of a
religion whom they and their people hate. They call it holy war and
according to their beliefs the Crusaders enjoy the divine sanction.

OTHER ASPECTS
In last six weeks more facts about US war crimes in Iraq were
reported. Karpinski disclosed that No 2 Army General, Walter Wodjakowski
told her not to release more prisoners. I dont care if were holding 15,000
innocent civilians. Were winning the war. Some documents showed that
US troops had tortured Iraqis in Mosul.
Bob Herbert wrote, people have been rounded up, stripped, shackled,
killed in Afghanistan and Iraq, without being offered even the semblance of
due process. No charges. No lawyers. No appeals. He quoted Arkan
Mohammad Alis ordeal who has now filed a lawsuit. He was detained by
the US military for nearly a year at various locations, including the infamous
Abu Ghraib prison. According to a lawsuit filed against Defence Secretary
Donald Rumsfeld, Ali was at times beaten into unconsciousness during
interrogations. He was stabbed, shocked with an electric device, urinated on
and kept locked hooded and naked in a wooden box. He was told by his
captors that soldiers could kill detainees with impunity.
Italy, a strong US ally, felt the heat of atrocious conduct of the holy
war when the guard escorting its journalist released by the kidnappers was
killed by American soldiers. It proved to be much hotter than Italian Pizza.
Bush promptly apologized for use of excessive chilies and felt sorry over
friendly fire.
Italy rejected US version of shooting. Rome feared that it was a
deliberate act as US opposed Italys policy of dealing with kidnappers. A day
later Italy accepted that Italian agent was killed accidentally but disputed
Washingtons version of events and demanded thorough investigation.
Italian Prime Minister again contested US version of shooting as the agent

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had notified American authorities. At the end of March Italy sought release
of the car in which its agent was killed required for examination by its
ballistic experts.
Straw reacted fast after concealed threat by Italy to pull out its troops
by showing his readiness to discuss troops withdrawal. Rice countered it by
claiming that pullout by Italy wont endanger Coalitions mission. This led
to criticism of Italian Prime Minister for giving ambiguous statement on
pullout of troops. The press said that he was forced to backtrack on
withdrawal.
Till mid April Italy remained unhappy with American investigators
plans to clear US troops of any responsibility in the killing of its security
agent. It forgot that this has been happening since 7th October 2001, but Italy
never talked about it because no brave Italian Crusader fell victim to
American friendly fire, collateral damage, or the right to force protection.
Atrocious conduct of war dissipated the enthusiasm of allies of
America. Poland decided to reduce its troops in July. President of Ukraine
signed order for withdrawal of troops. Spain declared that it required no
permission to pullout from Iraq. At one point 38 countries provided troops
for Iraq, but since March 2003, 14 nations have permanently withdrawn and
about a dozen countries were considering pullout. Estonian assembly,
however, rejected troops withdrawal and Croatia agreed to train Iraqi Army.
The frontline state in war on terror once again felt the pinch when one
of its embassy officials was kidnapped. Prime Minister sought special envoy
to Iraq to seek release of kidnapped diplomat. The News prudently advised
the government to stay away from the fire of Iraq, despite its keenness to
fight Americas war on terror.
Illegal war continued to be criticized. Thousands protested against
Iraq War across Europe on 19th March. Worldwide demonstrations marked
Iraq War second anniversary next day. In Kuala Lumpur police fired teargas
to break up anti-war protest. An ex UN chief weapons inspector in Iraq,
Scott Ritter urged not to let the warmonger off the hook on account of
WMD. Muslims leaders all over the world, however, appeared to have
reconciled with illegality of war.
America was not pushed about criticism of its holy war. It went on
with sweeping the war crimes under the carpet of so-called disciplinary
actions. US soldier who had killed an Iraqi police officer was to be courtmartialed. US Marine, Pantano faced charge of premeditated murder by
shooting two alleged insurgents after taking them as captives. Another US
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soldier went on trial over killing a wounded Iraqi near Kufa. His lawyer
pleaded, he shot the man in an act of compassion to end his suffering.
Apart from soldiers US firms were also charged in oil kickbacks scam to
upbeat American values.
Bush defended Iraq War on its anniversary defying a US
commissions findings that intelligence on Iraq was dead wrong - the
intelligence had provided what the administration wanted. America was not
perturbed about killing of Italian guard who was victim of US policy of
over-ensuring safety of its troops by shooting all those who failed to stop at
checkpoints or driving their vehicles at high speeds. This policy was
followed even by foreign guards who opened fire at Iraqi minister.
The crimes against Iraqi continued unabated. The number of Iraqi
prisoners had doubled in last five months ending 31 st March. Many children
were among prisoners at Abu Ghraib. Killings in captivity continued,
compelling ICRC to demand a probe into riot in prison at Camp Bucca.
Blair followed the master. He too was not deterred by parliamentary
committees report which alleged that excessive use of force by US troops
had antagonized Iraqis and made the process of rebuilding the country more
difficult and opined Iraq had replaced Afghanistan as a training ground for
international terrorists. He was willing to send more troops to fill the void
threatened to be created by pull out of Italian soldiers.
The Crusaders still intended to pursue their plans for reforming the
Middle East. Hostility against Arab states was on the rise among Iraqs
Shiite Arabs, prompted AFP. This hostility suited well for dealing with Syria.
British Foreign Minister forecast that Syria was risking pariah status and
Bush demanded compete Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon.
Syria, Syrian troops and Syrias intelligence services must get out of
Lebanon now We want that democracy in Lebanon succeed, and we know
it cannot succeed so long as she is occupied by a foreign power said
Bush. The case of Iraq and Afghanistan was different; there the presence of
the Crusaders was not be termed as occupation
Syria announced pullout from Lebanon starting 7th March hoping for
let-up in pressure. When Syria and Lebanon deferred pullout UN reiterated
immediate redeployment of Syrian troops. Syria agreed to withdraw all its
forces and during first week of April Lebanese troops took over key
checkpoint on Beirut-Damascus highway and Syria began final pullout.
Syrian pullout satisfied Riyadh, but Arabs in general remained

719

worried over US plans while welcoming the pullout. Pro-Syrian Lebanese

movements opposed the pullout. On 8 th March half a million attended proSyrian rally in Beirut. Hezbollah warned US against interference. Lahud
appealed for dialogue after a bomb blast in Beirut sparked fears of a return
to sectarian violence.
The News commented, Bush has been insisting that the world is a
safer place after the US invasion of Iraq. Let us hope Lebanon is not headed
for that kind of safety. Jim Hoagland while recalling that France and the
United states have found common cause to press Syrias Bashar Assad to
withdraw troops that were sent to Beirut in 1976 with the approval of both
powers; Paris wants to stabilize Lebanon, and Washington wants to
destabilize Syria.
Mansoor Jafar wrote, Hariris assassination is a smart attempt to
deactivate and stamp out what is called the left-over resistance in Palestine,
Syria, and Lebanon, following the taming of Iraq. Some analysts opined
that US saw an opportunity even in the incident of American hostage as it
could blame Syria if any thing happened to him.
The civilized world continued pressing Iran on nuclear issue. In first
week of March Institute for Science and International Crisis claimed that
images showed Irans heavy-water plant was nearly done. On 11th March
Bush extended sanctions against Iran citing an unusual and extraordinary
threat. He also warned Iran of UN action. About a week later a British
newspaper alleged that Iran has approved secret nuclear research centre to
train scientists in atomic technology.
Meanwhile it was reported by Sunday Times that Israel has drawn up
plans for a combined air and ground attack on Iranian installations. Inner
cabinet in a private meeting in Sharons ranch in the Negev desert has
authorized him for attack. Israels Shaldog (Kingfisher) commandos have
used a mock-up of Irans Natanz uranium enrichment plant and Israel has
discussed its plans with American officials.
America reviewed the progress on joint strategy on Iran with EU
Washington talked of incentives to Tehran. EU considered Iranian demand to
allow running of pilot centrifuge plant, but talks with Iran ended on 23 rd
March without agreement. America gave more time to EU and Rice played
down nuclear threat from Iran.
Iran warned that nuclear pressure could prompt oil crisis. Rafsanjani
questioned US dual policy towards Tehran. Iran rejected US incentives as it
did not see any incentives, except some remedying steps. Iran earnestly
720

desired to attain the capability of generating nuclear energy, which has been
identified as key option to galloping fuel needs by international conference
held at Paris.
Israel, after subduing the Palestinians in the shadow of Iraq War,
showed no signs of reciprocating reconciliatory moves made by Abbas. It
vowed to arrest militant leaders if freed; created snags in handing over
Security of Tulkarem to Palestinians; and went along with construction of
Jewish settlements.
The reports in March also revealed that Israeli settlers poisoned
Palestinian land and sheep. On 9th April Israelis killed three teenagers as
tension over Jerusalem built. Israeli police, however, reciprocated
Palestinian police action against a rally by blocking Jewish extremists and
arresting 30 of them.
Abbas accused Israel of dragging feet over peace and urged Bush not
to prejudice peace deal with his assurances to Sharon. Seeing the attitude of
Israel, Hamas rejected long-term ceasefire. Erakat called for immediate talks
with Israel by Quartet. Love song jointly aired by Israeli and Palestinian
radios was yet to show its intended effects.
The civilized world felt satisfied after occasional showing of
concern over settlement plans of Israel. The Crusader-in-chief, despite
differences over settlements, said that it was unrealistic to expect complete
Israeli withdrawal from West Bank.
Arabs remained submissive. Egyptian Envoy returned to Israel after 4year break. Arabs, in summit held in Algiers attended by only 13 out of 22
members of AL told Israel that there would be no normalization without
concessions. Out of the entire Arab World only a cleric in Cairo warned Jews
against their march on to al-Aqsa Mosque.

CONCLUSION
There has been decrease in intensity of the insurgency, but no signs
that Sunnis would surrender to the combined might of the Crusaders, Shias
and Kurds. In the absence of any official support from the Arab World,
because of the tag of cross-border terrorism, and aggressive policy of
counter insurgency, the insurgency could die down ultimately.
The Crusaders have established Shiite regime in Iraq in close
proximity of Arab Wahabis with the intentions needing no elaboration. Shias

721

seemed determined not to let the opportunity slip away as was evident from
their cautious approach in formation of the government.
The Crusaders have succeeded in keeping Iran and Syria on the
defensive, apart from liberating Lebanon from Syrian occupation and
Palestinian leaders coming to terms with Sharons peace plan. However,
Turkey has not liked re-emergence of Kurds as was evident from Turkish
presidents visit to Syria despite American unease.

16th April 2005

CRUSADES ELSEWHERE
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The period of last four months began with Grand Mufti denouncing
anti-Islam campaigns and in the Subcontinent AJK President urged the West
to review its attitude towards Muslims. Both the voices remained unheard
and the Crusades continued unabated.
S M Saleem in his letter to the News wrote about killings of Muslims
the world over. Thank God! We are to be slaughtered by humane methods, a
nanny goat advised its kids. But who is going to impeach the inhumane
slaughtering of millions, physically in some parts of the world, and
emotionally everywhere?
The slaughter, in most cases, was carried out in backyards of the
abodes of Muslims. In February Pakistan wanted OIC to meet new
challenges when its secretary general visited Islamabad. The slaughtering of
Muslims was not included in the list of these challenges; perhaps it was not
considered a new challenge.
The period ended with Islamic scholars demanding apology from
Danish Queen during first week of May. She in her biography had said,
Islam poses an international threat and that it is a challenge that needs to be
taken seriously. The Crusaders all over the world followed her royal decree
in letter and spirit. Many Muslim rulers proudly joined this holy war and yet
some of them, like Shaukat urged countering prejudices against Islam.

MAINLAND ASIA
Chechen leader kept calling Russia for talks and the West to end help
war, but Putin rejected all calls for truce. During the period following events
of war were reported despite Russian clamp on coverage of the war:

An Arab fighter was killed in Chechnya on 15 th January. Next day

Russia claimed foiling a Beslan like terror attack near Chechnya.

On 26th January police surrounded rebels near Chechnya and next day
Russian forces killed 7 militants. One policeman was killed in attack
on a police station in Chechnya on 2nd March.

On 8th March Aslan Mashhadov, leader of Chechen freedom fighters

was killed in clash with Russian troops in village Tolstoi Yurt.
Chechen rebels vowed to continue struggle after Aslan.

Fifteen Russian soldiers were killed in helicopter crash on 11th March

723

in Chechnya.

On 15th March two besieged rebels slipped through hundreds of

Russian troops in Caucasus. On 5th May Russia claimed foiling
Chechen plan to attack cities.

Killing of Aslan was a major success of Russia in last four months.

Russian Army rejoiced over the victory for which $ 10 million were paid for
information on the slain leader. The only thing now is to kill Basayev and
well be able to go home said a Russian soldier.
Dont celebrate yet, Chechens warned Russia. They killed the only
rebel with whom they could have held talks. Now the only people who are
left are the ones who will fight. I dont want war, but there will be revenge
said a Chechen in the capital.
The Crusaders preferred to turn their face away from Chechen War as
observed by Jonathan Steele. When Vladimir Putin, its architect, met the
leaders of France, Germany and Spain in Paris last week, the subject was not
discussed. Bush did the same when he met Putin a few days later.
He added, between 3,000 and 5,000 civilians have disappeared in the
region since Putin launched the second war in 1999, in addition to at least
80,000 killed by bombing and crossfire. He opined that the war would
continue because with no TV coverage of the wars brutality, there is no
pressure for change.
The Washington Post wrote, US officials are reluctant to press Putin
on Chechnya while seeking his cooperation elsewhere in the world; the Bush
Administrations vulnerability to charges of human rights abuse in Abu
Ghraib and elsewhere also may be an inhibiting factor. Most European
officials face no comparable charge of hypocrisy but, driven often by
commercial considerations, are even less willing to offend Putin by
discussing his crimes against humanity in Chechnya.
The fact was that any brute use of military means against Muslims
remained part of the Crusades. Rice did not go beyond lecturing Russia
about basics of democracy. Bush with his record of the rule of law and the
respect for human rights and human dignity could not spank Putin, but he
could not resist talking about democracy. Putins autocratic policies become
worrisome to US.
North Korea was included in Axis of Evil for its cooperation with
some Muslim countries in the field of defence production. Its nuclear
programme was made an excuse to check this evil cooperation, but
724

stubborn North Korea made the task of the Crusaders quite difficult.
American Administration and the media concentrated on blowing up
imminent threats from Pyongyang. North Korea sold processed uranium to
Libya, accused New York Times. DPRK could resume missile tests,
apprehended US. Nuclear North Korea would be capable of hitting America,
said a senior US defence official.
With the rejection of one-on-one talks with North Korea, America
found it difficult to pursue the dialogue process. North Korea was urged to
show that it was serious about talks, and was accused of deepening its
isolation. US was constrained to ask China to press North Korea on nuclear
issue and looked to Europes hand in nuclear talks. America laid no deadline
and made no concessions, but was not prepared to accept boycott of talks by
North Korea, but fate of nuclear parleys remained doubtful.
China was interested in resumption of multi-lateral talks, but was not
willing to show the urgency desired by the US. It said, it knows nothing
about North Korean uranium. China joined diplomatic jet set to woo North
Korea and sent top envoy to Seoul to discuss nuclear crisis. The effort failed
to secure breakthrough as to when the negotiations could be resumed.
Japanese media preferred to join the voice of the Crusaders. Kyodo
reported, North Korea may carry out nuclear test by June. South Korea had
opposite view and alleged that DPRK was playing hard bargain with nuke
boast. Earlier Libya had urged North Korea to follow its lead, not realizing
that North Korea couldnt be blamed for Islamic militancy and therefore, it
had no reason to seek soft image.
North Korea remained steadfast to the embarrassment of the
Crusaders. In February it suspended participation in multilateral talks and
announced possession of nuclear weapons, meant to protect itself against US
attack and vowed to make more bombs. The desire to have direct talks with
US was also dropped and DPRK demanded US dropping hostility as precondition for talks and possibly sought $ 10 billion for giving up nukes. It
also voiced support for Iran taking advantage of its non-Muslim identity.
In March North Korea ended missile test moratorium and statement of
Rice was flayed. North Korea wanted explicit US apology for calling it an
outpost of tyranny as precondition for talks. In April it wanted Japan to
withdraw from talks and then again vowed to bolster nuke arsenal. On 1 st
May it test-fired a short range missile and about a week later hinted at return
to stalled talks.

725

Other countries of mainland Asia like Nepal and Sri Lanka also
experienced militancy but it did not fall in the category Islamic terrorism.
Bangladesh, however, received the attention despite having significantly less
militancy. Bangladesh responded by banning two radical Islamic groups and
charging 15 Islamists with sedition. America offered help to Bangladesh to
fight terrorism. Pakistan signed anti-terror pact with Uzbekistan.

FAREAST
Aroyos Philippines continued with the Crusades against Islamic
militant groups. Following incidents of fighting were reported:

A mayor of a town was gunned down in southern Philippines on 25 th

January.

Two days later helicopters attacked al-Qaeda linked groups after

intelligence reported presence of Abu Sayyaf and leaders of Jemaah
Islamiyah of Indonesia. The same day four communist rebels were
slain in Manila.

On 29th January army claimed that Bali bomber was killed in the
recent air strike. Next day twelve people were killed in fighting.

A journalist was wounded on 31st January. Four days later wanted

kidnapper of Abu Sayyaf group was captured.

On 7th February fourteen fighters and two soldiers were killed in gun
battle in Jolo Island. Next day army attacked Abu Sayyaf base and
claimed killing 50 fighters.

Planes bombed positions of Muslim rebels on 9th February and 60

people were killed in three-day fighting.

On 10th February two soldiers were killed and six wounded and death
toll of rebels was reported one hundred. About two hundred rebels
were surrounded and ordered to surrender. Presence of US troops in
the area was confirmed but their participation was denied.

Next day Philippines sent more troops to Jolo. The military said 30
soldiers and 60 rebels were killed in clashes to date. About 5,000
troops were pitched against 800 rebels.

On 12th February army shelled Jolo on sixth consecutive day of

fighting. Rebels were reported running out of ammunition, food and
supplies.
726

Three more people were killed in continued fighting on 13 th February

and villagers in Jolo fled as troops besieged the rebels.

On 16th February Jolo rebels abandoned the camp before troops got in
and in Manila police warned of market bomb plot.

Three soldiers were killed in clash in Jolo on 19 th February. Six days

later twelve Abu Sayyaf men were killed in clashes.

On 14th March six prisoners were killed in al-Qaeda-linked revolt in a

prison. Next day police ended prison siege after killing 23 captives.

Suspected al-Qaeda man was arrested in Manila on 18 th March. Five

days later army found bombs ahead of Easter.

On 26th March a journalist was shot dead in Manila. Three days later
military claimed seizing a speedboat of Abu Sayyaf.

Six soldiers were killed in an ambush on 9th April. Eight days later
three rebels were killed in clash with Muslim separatists.

On 28th April nine persons were killed in helicopter crash. Two days
later two persons were killed in a blast in town of Zamboanga.

Reporter was wounded in on 4th May. During 2004, 73 journalists

were killed, out of which 23 were killed in Iraq and 11 in Philippines.

Raid in Jolo was a major operation carried out by Philippines Army.

Arroyo vowed to finish what the rebels had started while the operation was
being carried out. In response to ceasefire offer by rebels Gloria said, calls
for a ceasefire are appreciated, but justice has to be served first. It was
feared that 1996 peace deal that granted autonomy to five Muslimdominated provinces might be threatened.
Manila and Muslim rebels held talks during first week of February.
Philippines assured the envoys of OIC that peace initiative was on track
despite the clashes. Another round of peace talks with rebels was held in
April. The dialogue process moved closer to deal, but never reached there.
America backed crackdown on MILF. In January US Ambassador
said, 'we are going to help, we are going to keep making inroads, and the
kidnappers and bombers at the end of the day are going to lose.' In March
US and Britain warned of attacks in Philippines. Growing terrorism is a
challenge for Philippines said US in May.
In April America went wrong in its exuberance to blow up the threat
from Muslim militants. It warned that Mindanao in southern Philippines
727

could become another Afghanistan. Manila misread the US intentions and

protested against the remarks.
Insurgency in southern Thailand continued. Following incidents were
reported in last five months:

Bomb killed one and wounded 29 persons on 16th January. Two days
later three more were killed and a Buddhist was killed a day later.

One person was killed and 7 wounded in bomb attack and gun battle
on 10th February.

On 16th February two blasts hit south ahead of PMs visit. Thai Prime
Minister claimed that Militants children had planted bombs.

Six people were killed in violence on 24 th February. Two days later

four persons were killed as Prime Minister defended his hard-line
policies.

On 14th March a school principal was gunned down. Five days later
two volunteers were killed.

Bomb blasts injured 15 people on 20th March. Six days later a villager
was shot dead.

Three persons were killed in on 12th April. Two days later two Thais
were killed in explosion of a stolen artillery shell.

On 24th April two persons were killed in bombing on Thai-Malaysian

border. A soldier was hurt in bomb explosion on 2nd May.

Human Rights Watchdogs took months to growl over deaths of

Muslims in Thailand. It reported that no proper care was exercised in
breaking up the initial protest outside a police station. Security forces
failed to exercise any restraint in firing live ammunition into the crowd and
assaulting men who had been arrested and had their hands tied behind their
backs.
Seven protesters were killed in breaking up the melee. A further 78
Muslims were crushed to death or died of suffocation after being stacked
like bricks on trucks to be taken to a military base several hours drive away.
And then a government probe cleared the army of wrong-doing; the report
added.
The entire world kept quiet as all the killings of Muslims were taken
as part of the holy war against Islamic militancy. Ironically, the rulers in the
Islamic World too did not blink in their endeavour to prove their tolerance in
728

the face of brutality of the Crusaders and proxy crusaders.

Thai Prime Ministers party won elections despite losing some seats in
Muslim south; thereby getting approval of his version of the Crusades.
Thaksin proudly brushed off loss of Muslim south in polls, vowed to hunt
down the rebels and ordered stepped-up security in the region.
In March he cooled down and urged all members of the Parliament to
turn toward compromise and abandon personal prejudices for the sake of
reconciliation. Opposition leader said, we have to contain (the unrest), not
to allow it to become a regional or international problem. He opined that the
problem worsened after Thailands decision to send troops to Iraq.
Bush Administration approved Thailands crackdown against Muslim
militants, though a report alleged use of excessive force in south.
However, Thailand preferred to act, unlike US acted over killings of Iraqis
and Afghans, and removed three Generals over Muslim deaths.
In Indonesia Bashirs trial remained in the limelight. Bashir and his
lawyers walked out of terrorism court after Mubarok serving a life sentence
appeared in the court as witness to testify Bashir's involvement in bombing
kept mum. Prosecutors sought 8 years jail for Bashir, but the court sentenced
him for two-and-a half years for conspiring in Bali bomb attack. Australia
was disappointed over mildness of punishment.
In January Indonesians wanted foreign troops working in relief works
in tsunami affected areas to be out by March while defending the decision on
relief work by foreign troops. America and UN asked Jakarta to clarify aid
restrictions. Indonesia promptly scrapped the deadline. Japanese Army also
arrived in Aceh to help tsunami survivors.
Indonesia was apprehensive about the presence of so many foreign
troops in a province where insurgency had been going on for more than
twenty years. The civilized world led by America had been pressing
Indonesia for political solution in Aceh.
The Japan Times saw an opportunity for Indonesia to patch up with
rebels fighting for independence and with western governments which
accuse Jakarta on human rights violations. It suggested that Jakarta should
open Aceh, which has been isolated from outside world to shield brutal
campaigns, to defuse local resentment which remains high.
It continued, asking Indonesia to reciprocate ceasefire declared by the
rebels immediately after tsunami which is holding on generally. Indonesia
will benefit if it works for peace with rebels. Presence of foreign troops
729

which came in for relief works should not irk Jakarta though role played by
US 'inspires speculations of conspiracy-minded Muslims in the region.'
Although these suggestions amounted to interfering in internal affairs
of Indonesia, yet Japanese were not as mean in seeing the opportunity as
Americans saw it to boast about its generosity. Indonesian responded by
holding peace talks in Helsinki.
The Crusaders kept talking of terror threat in Indonesia. In January
embassies in Indonesia were closed after bomb alert. In February bomb
threat against US Embassy was reported. In March Indonesia stepped up
security in a shopping mall after US Embassy warned of possible bomb
blast. In May US diplomat and Indonesia discussed military ties.
Malaysia hosted OIC Summit on request of Saudi Arabia to seek
healing of rifts in the Islamic World. Malaysian Prime Minister said, 'parts of
Muslim World were in deep crisis. Inside Malaysia about one hundred
Filipinos were held in crackdown against illegal entrants. In the context of
the Crusaders it failed to resolve differences with Australia over how to
tackle terrorism and called for an end to Islamophobia. Nevertheless
Malaysia and US extended military cooperation pact.

ARAB LAND AND AFRICA

In Arab lands Saudi Arabia led the crackdown against militancy
exactly the way Pakistan had been doing in its region. Following incidents
were reported:

On 13th January fifteen Saudis were awarded imprisonment and

lashing for protesting.

One militant was killed and three arrested in shootout in Jeddah on

13th March in which five security personnel were also wounded.

On 4th April three militants were killed north of Riyadh and about a
month later eight militants were killed in gun battle in town of alRass.

Foreign Minister of Pakistan was asked on 3 rd May to intervene on

behalf of Pakistanis arrested by Saudi authorities during a prayer
meeting at a private house in Riyadh.
Before holding anti-terrorism moot King Fahd and Prince Abdullah
730

blasted terrorists for 'disserving Islam.' On 5 th February delegates from 60

countries gathered in Riyadh to develop a mechanism to tackle the menace;
thereby implying that the war against the evil has been going on for more
than three years without any mechanism.
Abdullah called on all countries to set up an international centre for
combating terrorism. Pakistan promptly welcomed the proposal which won
considerable backing. In addition to the moot Saudi Arabia undertook a
project to reform the terrorists. It also held local bodies polls, which was
welcomed by US while regretting barring women from vote. American joy
must have been short-lived as Islamists were reported leading in local polls.
Saudi Arabia remained committed to cooperation with the Crusaders
in war on terror. Britain and Saudi Arabia vowed to continue fighting against
terrorism. America kept raising alarms about terrorists attacks. Experts
claimed that Saudi oil installations were under terror threat and few days
later Bush and Saudi crown prince discussed oil and terrorism.
The Crusades in the garb of war on terror continued in Kuwait. On
15 January a militant was killed in gun battle, one was arrested and others
fled. An Islamist group claimed the attack and Kuwait boosted the security
after the incident. Five militants and a man of security forces were killed and
three policemen injured in gun fight on 31 st January. Three suspects were
wounded and three including a cleric were arrested. It was a fourth clash
within a month in which there were two Saudis among eight militants killed.
Saudi militant group warned Kuwait of fierce war and vowed not forget
martyrs whom you killed to please your American masters.
th

A UN report warned that undemocratic rule in Arab countries could

be disastrous. It urged these governments to change their ways swiftly.
Kuwaiti Parliament acted swiftly and allowed women to join municipal
polls, later local polls were scheduled for June, but women were not allowed
to vote.
Yemen has been praised for its tough anti-terror policy. In February a
Yemeni court reviewed the punishment awarded to leader of bombing
Limburg (oil tanker). Ten years imprisonment was increased to death
penalty. In March six Yemenis were jailed for bid to join militants in Iraq.
On 2nd April Yemeni army tanks and helicopters pounded Shiite rebel
strongholds in the north and killed 36 people after rebels had attacked an
army camp in which ten soldiers and six rebels were killed. Fighting erupted
again and Yemeni artillery and tanks pounded the rebel positions starting 6 th
April. In next four days 40 anti-US Shiite rebels and 10 soldiers were killed.
731

Lebanon was on the receiving end against terrorists wrath. On 14 th

February Hariri, four times prime minister of Lebanon, and nine others were
killed in a car bomb blast in Beirut. He had resigned over differences with
Syrian President in October 2004; therefore fingers were waged at Syria
despite swift condemnation from Damascus. On 23rd March a Pakistani and
an Indian died in blast and four days later a bomb explosion in a Christian
suburb marred Easter in Beirut.
Qatar has been hosting the command headquarters of the Crusaders
fighting in the region. In March it experienced retaliation by the militants. A
car bomb killed a Briton and wounded 12 people near a British school.
Group behind the blast threatened more attacks. Europe friendly Turkey also
kept facing militancy. In January seven people were killed in clash between
troops and leftists. In April five policemen were hurt in blast at a resort.
Out of Muslim countries in African continent Sudan remained in the
focus of the Crusaders despite considerable decrease in fighting. Only one
incident was reported during the period in which the rebels in Darfur burnt 8
villages, but peace in the region remained threatened by militant groups.
Respite in fighting allowed time to talk about war crimes. The report
on Darfur triggered debate between US and Europe as how to deal with
cases of pillage, slaughter and rape. Europe seemed to be keen on trials.
Even Robin Cook forgot about Iraq and Afghanistan and wanted trials of
war crimes. France pushed for UN vote on Resolution on war crimes.
America, however, in view of the crimes committed by its soldiers in
Afghanistan and Iraq did not support the idea of trials by ICC. Such trials
could make American whitewash of crimes committed by its soldiers
untenable. Nevertheless, the Washington Post suggested imposition of
sanctions and tougher action against Sudan.
UN ultimately approved trials of war crimes. Hundreds of Sudanese
students protested on 2nd April against UN decision to refer those accused of
war crimes to the ICC. Three days later thousands of Sudanese again
marched through the capital against UN Resolution.
In addition to passing the Resolution, UNSC pledged to consider
sending peacekeepers to Sudan with urgency. The world body feared famine
in Darfur where according to UN Envoy 180,000 people had died in 18
months. The donors promised $ 2.6 billion aid to Sudan.
The secret of Crusaders interest in Darfur lied in the name 'Jhon
Garang who had been opposing Khartoum and yet remained untouched.

732

Sudan taking advantage of the peace process considered releasing Turabi,

the jailed Islamist leader, as per statement of Sudanese Foreign Minister.
In rest of North Africa Algerian rebels killed three women in January.
In April thirteen people were killed in an ambush. In Egypt a Frenchman
was among two killed in a blast in Cairo during first week of April and the
month ended with killing of two militants in attacks on tourist spots. On 1 st
May two hundred people were arrested in crackdown against militants. Two
days later eight people were killed and 28 wounded in blast in a stadium in
Mogadishu during speech by the Prime Minister. Libya was rewarded by the
Crusaders by removing restrictions on movement of its diplomats.

EUROPE AND AMERICA

The Crusaders of America and Europe mended their ties and EU head
hoped progress during the visit of Bush. In March Rumsfeld in a NATO
conference declared that America alone could not fight Islamic terrorism.
The response was not discouraging.
In German police raided suspected Islamist network on 14 th April and
searched 30 buildings were in Bavaria. Five days later the trial of an Iraqi
accused of recruiting fighters for Iraq was delayed. Netherlands considered
US request for hunting al-Qaeda men.
Britain, the poodle of Bush, tackled the terror threat to its internal
security. While defending new anti-terror measures, Blair placed security
above liberty. His government mulled following immigration laws of
Australia. Other events reported were:

On 19th January UK planned to deport terror suspects after court ruled

their detention illegal.

Former Guantanamo inmates were questioned by British police. Their

lawyers branded it a bogus process compounding 'three years of
torture.'

New police chief warned on 1st February that terror attacks were
inevitable and Britain tightened immigration controls.

On 11th March a judge granted bail to 8 terror suspects who were held
for the last three years without charge sheet.

Three British nationals were indicted for financing terrorists on 13 th

April. A fortnight later Zayead Hajaig of Essax was arrested on terror

733

alarm raised by US after he had tried to get his licence upgraded to fly
commercial planes.
During his visit to India in February Straw felt ashamed at
Jallianwala massacre. A few decades or a century from now his grandson or
great grandson would visit Iraq, Afghanistan and Kashmir to express similar
feelings over massacres being carried out in these lands.
Feelings of shame, persistent lying, cheating and acting as Bushs
poodle did not prevent Blair winning historic third term as Prime Minister of
Britain. Muslim voters in Britain and a grenade explosion outside UK
Consulate in New York could do no harm.
The civilized people of Britain believed that all was fair in war. They
also understood that Bush and Blair did not cheat their people as most of
them were aware of the facts. They had done it to mislead rest of the world
to bulldoze their way to pursue the holy war and invade Iraq. As regards the
poodle, it was noble act to lick the shoes of the great Crusader of the 21 st
Century who led the charge against Muslims. They acknowledged that the
man was making history.
As regards America the period under review started with release of
Annual report on Human Rights. Following Muslim states were mentioned
in the report for violations of human rights:

In Indonesia resurgence of military power in social and political

affairs was criticized. Forces were accused of committing atrocities in
Aceh and Papua. The government was blamed for intimidation of
press and criminalization of dissent.

Iran was accused of using solitary confinements indiscriminately and

routinely suppressing freedom of expression and opinion.

In Egypt prisoners were tortured and non-violent dissent was

suppressed. Little was done in amending discriminatory laws that
undermined the status of women.

In liberated Iraq the situation was grave and US forces and

insurgents were blamed for that.

Malaysia was blamed for promulgating draconian laws to curb

militants and abusing refugees and migrants.

In Nigeria stability was hampered by Christian-Muslim confrontation.

Police was blamed for arbitrary arrests and extra-judicial killings.

734

Khartoum was declared one of the most egregious violators of human

rights. The crimes of Darfur must not go unpunished emphasized the
executive director Kenneth Roth of US based Group of the Watch. The
International Criminal Court would be the most efficient institution to
prosecute these crimes he recommended.
No such recommendations were made when more heinous crimes
were committed by invaders and their collaborators during invasion and
occupation of Afghanistan and Iraq. The flag bearers of human rights made
no mention of the atrocities committed by troops of Israel, India, Russia and
America.
Other Afro-Asian countries mentioned in the report were Angola,
Burundi, Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Liberia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone,
South Africa, Zimbabwe, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia and
China. The last accused reacted violently and lashed out at serious violations
by US.
The United States should reflect on its erroneous behaviour on
human rights and take its own human rights problems seriously instead of
indulging itself in publishing the human rights country report to censure
other countries unreasonably In 2004 the atrocity of US troops abusing
Iraqi POWs exposed the dark side of human rights performance of the
United States. It added that the United States frequently commits wanton
slaughters during external invasions and military attacks. It also pointed out
failing to deal with poverty, racial discrimination and crime at home.
Some aspects of the double standard practiced by America were
exposed by Jonathan Steele who reported that Bush was now thinking of
building jails abroad to hold suspects for life. Excerpts from his article
published in the Guardian are as under:

The aim of establishing such jails was to pre-empt criticism to which

Gautanamo and Abu Ghraib were subjected, by completely denying
access to prisoners through their isolation in unknown prisons. He
termed it transformation into worlds prison warden from global
policeman.

Appointment of Gonzales as attorney general promised more to come

as he refuses to rule out torture under any circumstances. He had
discussed introduction of new specific interrogation techniques,
including threat of burial alive. He had approved a memorandum
which defined torture as a treatment that led to dying under torment.

735

In other words, if a victim survived, he could not have been tortured.

The memo also explained that pain intentionally used to gain
information or a confession is not torture. He has refused any
assurance that torture would stop.

One proposal is to have the US build new prisons in Afghanistan,

Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Officials of these countries would run the
prisons, and would have to allow the State Department to monitor
rights compliance. This is a laughable proposition.

US held 325 non Iraqis in custody mostly Syrians and Saudis captured
in Iraq and Gonzales believed that these were not protected by Geneva
Conventions.

Rumsfeld had approved the secret holding of ghost detainees in Iraq.

They were kept off the registers.

Hundreds of Iraqis recently captured in Fallujah are included in the

category of detainees which are handled by CIA keeping in secret
from Congress and ICRC.

The US policy of lending detainees to other countries jailers and

torturers, known as rendition began during the war on drugs. It has
expanded enormously under the war on terror. One CIA man told
that the whole idea has become a corruption of renditions. Its not
rendering to justice. Its kidnapping (for life).

In view of the American adamancy the three-fourth of 550 prisoners

in Gauntanamo having left with no intelligence value would never be
released for the fear that they could still pose threat to US.

CIAs ghost prisoners sparked rights and legal concerns in some

quarters, but these quarters did not know as yet the number, identity and
location of these prisoners which America wanted to retain for life without
trying them in any court.
During first week of February Pentagon defended General Mattis who
had said in a panel discussion shown on US television, you go into
Afghanistan; you got guys who slap women around for five years because
they didnt wear a veil. You know, guys like that aint got manhood left
anyway. So its a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them. The audience laughed
and applauded.
Despite all these Bush vowed improving US image availing the
opportunity presented by tsunami. He also greeted Muslims on Eid.

736

Meanwhile his papa and Clinton visited some tsunami affected areas. These
were clumsy efforts to win over angry Muslims. Secretary General of
Indonesian Council of Ulema said, 'Muslims here are not stupid and I don't
think they will immediately change their perception just because the US is
providing millions of dollars in aid for Aceh.' Bush, however, kept harping
about American compassion.
Freedom and liberty were the other ploys used for promotion of
American interests, but in quite aggressive tone. Bush has set bold foreign
policy, said Rice. America will stand for freedom and for liberty. Status
quo was unacceptable in Arab World, she reiterated while seeking enlistment
of EU in US drive for democracy. Rumsfeld pushed for his own method and
wanted resumption of nuclear bunker buster plan.
Harping about terror threat was essential to justify the continuation of
the war. On 17th February CIA director Goss told Senate Intelligence
Committee that it may be a matter of time before al-Qaeda or other groups
attempt to use chemical, biological, and radiological or nuclear weapons in
America. The same day UN also announced that terror attacks by al-Qaeda
were still possible and asked global groups to handle nuclear fuel.
More than 400 delegates from 120 countries discussed the risk of bioterror attacks. A US panel claimed that bio-weapons threat was growing.
Meanwhile America claimed of launching fresh campaign for get Osama
on radio and TV. Bush said stopping Osama was greatest challenge.
The comments begin with Americas intolerance to difference of
opinion as brought out by Adel Safty of the Gulf News. He reproduced some
of the statements to prove that Bushs America does not like to hear a
differing opinion:

Bishop Tutu. I was teaching in Jacksonville, Florida, and I was

shocked, because I had naively believed all these many years that
Americans genuinely believed in freedom of speech. (But I)
discovered there that when you made an utterance that was remotely
contrary to what the White House was saying, then they attacked
you they behaved exactly the same way that used to happen here
(during apartheid) vilifying those who are putting forward a slightly
different view.

Bruce Barttlet, an official of the Reagan and Bush senior era. This is
why George W Bush is so clear-eyed about al-Qaeda and the Islamic
fundamentalist enemy. He believes you have to kill them all. They

737

cant be persuaded that theyre extremists, driven by a dark vision. He

understands them, because hes just like them.

Elaine Cassell, a constitutional law professor. The Congress and the

courts instead of deterring despotic president are providing him
important support. Hundreds of new laws and regulations have come
to pass, hundreds of old laws have been amended This has resulted
in the war on civil liberties accompanied by a war on ideas, a war of
exclusion; excluding alternative points of view, stifling criticism, and
excluding any representations of facts, which do not fit within
preconceived dogmas.

Afiya Shehrbano touched upon brutality of torture committed by

America in its holy war. For a nation that spends endless research and
debate on the vices of disciplinary action like spanking a child, there is an
amazing dearth of debate on torture as an expression of abusive military
power and racism in these contexts.
This has been established beyond doubt that the war began with
psychological offensive in which Muslims were de-humanized as part of the
overall strategy. In this frame of mind Bush had given CIA extensive
interrogation powers soon after 9/11.
His Generals waged the war in that spirit. Words of General Mattis
were the proof and American people approved of the brutal conduct of war
as was evident from the response of the audience when the General
boastingly termed killing a fun.
His remarks were not callous as observed by Mushahid. It was part
of the well thought out strategy for the war and that was why Pentagon
defended the General. Mariana Baabar felt bitter when Mattis boss said, he
is one of this countrys bravest and most experienced military leaders. She
wrote, bravery and experience suddenly take on new meanings and purpose
of war. Not only that this sick mind was promoted three-star General in
December. Like Mushahid she too overlooked that he was from the same
stock which wrote with love from the New York police department on
bombs dropped in Afghanistan.
As regards uttering rhetoric for justification of the war, the News
wrote, by harping on terms like Axis of Evil and outposts of tyranny
Washington is only pushing such outposts to aspire for the ultimate
deterrent as a protection against American aggression
M M Rab advised Bush in his letter to the News to refrain from
738

creating panic to give peace a chance. To make USA safe and let peace
prevail in this world, Mr Bush must come out of his groove and stop
pressing the panic button in apprehension or perceived dangers. He must use
his authority for the care of mankind; dispense justice to those who are still
suffering from the injustices
Justice in American dictionary has contrasting meanings. This was
evident from New York Times writing that justice was in trial in Russia in
trial of the former Russian tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky. Only an
American could say that after putting the justice to sword elsewhere in the
world.
M B Naqvi opined that war on terror was an economic necessity of
America. The US needs devastated economies to rebuild - like Afghanistan
and Iraq - that can keep its cutting-edge technology in use... The US
economy also makes prior demands on its foreign policy. It does need
markets for consumer goods; it exports, mainly, capital and high technology,
for both civilian and military use. It imports consumption goods from Japan
and China, running roughly $ 634 billion as trade deficit.'

CONCLUSION
The clash has been raging round the globe with Crusaders and their
allies, including the rulers of many Islamic countries, on the offensive and
only a few oppressed Muslim minorities and groups putting up the
resistance. The conflict would continue unless the aggressors see the light of
wisdom and oppressed Muslim minorities, like the rulers of Muslim World,
realize that military option held no promise for them; possibility of such
realizations from either side was quite bleak.
Qazi, an Islamic militant from Pakistan, asked America to stop
insulting Muslim states. He inadvertently advised America to keep killing
Muslims, because in case of insult they could react by yelling but in case of
killings they could do nothing. America, however, will continue doing both.
There was no reaction from the Muslim World when Rumsfeld talked
of Islamic terrorism observed Khairul Anam in his letter to the News with
grief. It was hard for the men like him to reconcile with the bitter fact that
their leaders have fallen flat on the ground in front of the charging Crusaders
and that too without a fight.

739

12th May 2005

LABRADOR ON LEASH
The last four weeks were quite disappointing for seekers of soft image
in Pakistan. The progress in peace process was spoiled by India repeating
the allegation of cross border terrorism. Internally Baluchi militants
continued perpetrating terrorism despite Shujaat and Mushahid had worked
out an accord with Akbar Bugti. The aging warlord did not refrain from
growling. Provincial harmony remained elusive due to differences over
distribution of resources and the urge of smaller provinces to be more
autonomous.
Pakistan in pursuit of befriending Kabul regime, overlooked the
public sentiment in the heighbouring country. Afghans found the incident of

740

desecration of Holy Quraan in Guantanamo Bay as an opportunity to express

their feelings about Pakistans role in war on terror by burning its Consulate
in Jalalabad.
European Union refused to allow Maulana Sami attend a meeting in
Brussels, who as an elected member of the Parliament was part of an official
delegation led by Mushahid Hussain. The rulers could afford not to be
ashamed because of Maulanas support for Taliban, but then double punch of
cartoon and desecration was delivered.
The dog in the cartoon could not symbolize any Mulla in Pakistan.
Those who longed for soft image were shocked to find themselves as dogs
on the leash of American GI. Newsweeks report on desecration blew the air
out of the balloon of enlightened moderation. Musharrafs task of preaching
enlightened moderation to Pakistanis, who are certainly more tolerant,
enlightened and moderate than most civilized of the civilized people, has
been made difficult by those for whom he has been fighting on frontline.

PEACE WITH INDIA

Indo-Pak peace process was irreversible according to Musharraf and
he termed Kashmir bus service as first step towards soft borders. The same
day Natwar pledged that India wont repeat Agra mistake; no time-frame
would be attached to resolution of Kashmir dispute. That was how the
dialogue process proceeded during the period. Thereafter, the President and
Prime Minister kept assuring that Pakistan was committed to peace in south
Asia, wherever they went.
Cricket is not more important than resolution of Kashmir dispute
said Musharraf on 9th April. No breakthrough was likely in April 17 talks,
countered Narayanan. On the eve of his departure for Delhi Musharraf asked
India to show magnanimity. He, driven by his optimism, had been looking
for from courage to magnanimity in Bania. India responded by talking of
fresh initiatives for peace.
On 16th April Musharraf embarked upon Delhi Yatra saying that
failure was no longer an option. On arrival he went straight to Ajmair to pray
for peace with India. Manmohan assured him sincere approach. Next day
Kashmir was discussed along with Baglihar, trade and other issues; implying
that India decided not to stall talks on the core issue anymore. Release of
joint statement, however, was delayed due to disagreement on reference to
terrorism.
741

India and Pakistan swore by sincerity in 17 point joint statement

issued on 18th April. Musharraf and Manmohan vowed to stand up to
terrorism and not to allow it to impede the peace process. Both countries
agreed to continue discussions to resolve all outstanding issues including
Jammu and Kashmir in sincere and purposeful manner.
Two leaders also agreed to enhance interaction between Kashmiris on
either side of Line of Control, for which meeting points would be
established. In addition to increase in frequency of bus service, movement of
trucks for trade and opening of new routes would be allowed.
Other important agreements included re-establishment of KhokhraparMonabao rail link by 1st January 2006; opening of consulates at Karachi and
Mumbai before the end of the year; taking measures to alleviate the situation
of prisoners; discussions to find mutually acceptable solutions to Siachen
and Sir Creek issues; and re-activation of Joint Economic Commission as
early as possible. There was no mention of Baglihar Dam. Musharraf said
that the visit was more successful than his expectations.
The outcome of talks in Delhi indicated that the focus still remained
on adoption of confidence building measures, rather than taking concrete
steps to resolve the disputes. The confidence building process moved along
at brisk pace:

On 12th April Pakistan cricket team played an ODI in Ahmedabad to

pay tribute to the killers of over two thousand Muslims. The killer-inchief was present in the stadium. Pakistan, however, erred in winning
the match risking backlash at Muslims in India.

India freed 24 Pakistanis on 14th April; a ritual performed on the

occasion of important visits.

On 16th April India stuck to CBM Mantra and spelled out seven
proposals; additional communication links including Kargil-Skardu
bus service; meeting points along Line of Control; cross border trade
between two Kashmirs; mechanism for permitting pilgrimages to both
sides; promotion of cultural interaction; exploration of cooperation on
issues such as management of environment; and promotion of
tourism. Most of these proposals were included in the joint statement.

India freed 156 Pakistani fishermen on 17th April. The same day
Musharraf was presented birth certificate and painting of his ancestral
Havieli.

On 21st April Pakistan and India discussed joint border patrols to

742

check drug smuggling.

Manmohan supported Musharrafs talk of sincerity to resolve all

bilateral issues in his address at the Asian-African Summit.

On 24th April the commanders of border security forces agreed to free

swiftly the inadvertent border violators.

Indian CEC arrived on 29th April on 4-day visit on invitation of his

Pakistani counter-part.

On 3rd May Pakistan having agriculture based economy decided to

import duty free food items like meat, live stock, potatoes, tomatoes,
onion and garlic from India.

India announced on 5th May a new series of talks on Siachen and Sir
Creek starting this month.

Natwar vowed taking the gas pipeline project ahead.

Monuments of Chaghai Hill and Ghauri Missile were removed near

Lahore Railway Station, however, the authorities stopped short of
replacing them with statues of two Ghandhis from either side of the
border.

On 8th May India offered to remove objections on Kishanganga. Next

day India agreed to allow Pakistani experts to visit the site after laying
down three months deadline ending 15th July to resolve the issue.

Pakistan and India agreed on 11th May on establishing a

communication link for exchange of information on Exclusive
Economic Zone violations, smuggling and drug trafficking.

Both countries also agreed to start bus service between Lahore and
Amritsar commencing on a date to be finalized in a meeting to be held
two months later.

The CBM of Cricket diplomacy ended with two glaring human

errors committed by Indian umpires, and throwing of bottles on the ground
by Indian supporters. These incidents exposed that the friendship being
sought with India was not even skin deep, yet Naval chief in Pakistan
contemplated joint exercises with India. One positive development was that
China and Russia offered help in tri-nation gas project, but it was to be seen
as to how America would react to it.
Both sides did not desist from taking negative steps because of the
743

habit developed over half a century:

On 20th April Indian Prime Minister asked Pakistan to get a hold on

fighters. The allegation was repeated on 3 rd May in an Indian report
which claimed that Pakistan was still training fighters.

India test-fired Trishul missile on 26th April. Next day it was reported
that India had planned war games near Pakistan border. ISPR said that
Islamabad has not been informed.

Indian newspapers wanted to start publication in Islamabad and

Karachi, but Pakistan refused.

On 2nd May India began major war games in Ravi-Sutlej corridor

opposite Lahore-Kasur border.

Pakistan hoped for cooperation from India on Baglihar, but work on

the dam continued. It was apprehended that Kishanganga might also
go to the World Bank.

Pakistan had reasons to oppose expansion of UNSC but the manner in

which its viewpoint was pursued must have been seen by India quite
damaging to mutual trust. The events moved to the disliking of Pakistan.
China backed India for UNSC seat and recognized Indian claim over
Sikkim. Japan and India supported each other on this issue. Pakistan came
down to demanding linking UN reforms to Kashmir.
India accepted that violence in IHK had gone down; on the other hand
AFP reported that Indian troops have intensified operations since launch of
bus service which was supposed to signal peace. Following incidents of
violence were reported:

Ten persons were killed and 20 injured in clashes on 10 th April. Three

days later two persons were killed and six injured in gun battles.

On 14th April three rebels and an official were killed in violence. Next
day six fighters were among 8 killed.

Two top Hizb fighters were killed by Indian Army on 16 th April. Next
day a grenade blast killed two and wounded 15 others and people
protested in Pulwama over disrupting a marriage party by Indian
security forces.

Two Hurriat leaders were released from jail on 21 st April. Four days
later a political activist and two others were killed.

Six persons were killed in violence on 26 th April. Two days later three
744

policemen were among six killed in violence.

On 2nd May three persons were killed and three injured in separate
incidents of violence. Next day four policemen were among 12 killed
in various incidents.

On 5th May two persons were killed and 17 injured in a blast in Hindu
wedding. Next day Indian occupation forces killed 14 fighters in gun
battles. Three days later India Army killed four fighters in intensified
state terrorism.

Freedom fighters killed four people in two incidents on 10 th May. All

of the victims were ex-Mujahideen who had recently surrendered to
Indian troops.

On 11th May thirteen people were killed and 40 wounded in car bomb
attack and gunfight. The same day APHC condemned atrocities
committed against detainees in jails. Two days later ten people were
killed in different incidents of violence.

Kashmiris have been at the receiving end in a dispute between

Pakistan and India in which either side accused each other for cross border
and state terrorism. The two sides now in pursuit of peace have left them
helpless and disunited. They had been distrusting India over decades, but
now they apprehend betrayal from Pakistan.
APHC blasted India for marginalizing Kashmiris, but main thrust of
mistrust was directed against Pakistan. Hurriat held meeting to discuss
Musharrafs visit to New Delhi after which Gilani wished that Pakistan
should have made the bus conditional.
Freedom fighters renewed threat against the bus service. Hizb termed
it conspiracy. They suspected that too much has been conceded on
Kashmir. Amir of JI of AK said, our Kashmir stance was on the verge of
collapse. Only Bhatt praised Musharrafs realistic approach.
In Delhi Musharraf assured Kashmiris that they wont be betrayed. A
week after the assurance, Aasia and Gilani lashed out at Pakistan policy.
They again accused Pakistan of betrayal and termed the ongoing peace
process eyewash. They also blamed Pakistan for the recent killings of
militant commanders as it provided hit-lists to India. Gilani suspected that
India and Pakistan might have already agreed on status quo.
The varying degree of Kashmiris mistrust in India and Pakistan was
the root cause of their disunity. They remained divided over talks with India

745

and ahead of talks with Musharraf. Disunity took a serious turn when Gilani
feared attempt on his life; Farida denied hand in attempt to kill him.
On 4th May marathon talks were held in Srinagar for reconciliation
between APHC factions with no positive outcome. A week later APHC-G
ruled out unification with other factions. Musharraf, however, was hopeful
that APHC leaders were united against Indian occupation.
It was true that all Kashmiri leaders wanted participation in IndoPakistan peace talks. Pakistani leaders also wanted the same, but could not
press for participation in talks which have not yet been allowed to start by
India. Dehli has not even permitted APHC leaders to visit Pakistan.
Starting with confidence building measures, it must be said that
mutual mistrust between the two neighbours remained in place despite lot of
talk about sincerity. Pakistan still considered nuclear deterrence as key to
peace in the region in words of Shaukat. Zaki blamed Indias inflexibility
for hindering Pak-India ties.
On the other side India held war game opposite Lahore and Kasur.
India has undoubtedly maintained million and a half strong armed forces
soldiers solely for military options, unlike Pakistan where Generals have
ruled out military options. India has the right to have them battle ready, but
timings of the game did not fit-in in confidence building. Kashmir bus
service has also failed in providing any respite to Kashmiris from state
terrorism perpetrated against them.
Cricket diplomacy did not win over Indian goodwill, but according to
Shireen M Mazari it did bring out a lesson for Pakistani rulers. Our cricket
team reflected this nation at a micro level defying all odds, marching to its
own drum beat with strong individuals, perhaps less well-oiled
professionally but playing from the heart with a spirit of defiance, against
external pressures and internal wrangling.
It was unfortunate that in Delhi Kashmiri and Pakistani leaders,
instead of taking unanimous stand, talked of betrayal and denying that.
Pakistans inconsistent policy on the issue has been responsible for disunity
of Kashmiri leadership.
This was likely to persist as Pakistan is set to play the political game
according to new rules. It appears there is no place for hardliners such as
Gillani in the new scheme of things in Kashmir wrote Arif Jamal. He also
added, the Jamaat-i-Islami of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir have agreed to
send Pir Syed Salahuddin back to politics in a bid to prepare somebody to

746

take over the mantle of Gillani.

Prospects for solution of the dispute were not bright despite Pakistans
Foreign Office expecting that in two to three years. Dr Farrukh Saleem had
different view, military and economic disparity between India and Pakistan
will continue to widenand our overall negotiating position will continue to
weaken.
Dr Abdul Wajid in his letter to the News blamed Musharrafs habit of
taking U-turns for that. He even refuted the claim that he was safeguarding
the country by taking U-turns and asked pertinent questions. What message
does Musharrafs retreat send to those who can commit aggression against
us and occupy our land? Will this not encourage evil designs against us?
Irrespective of the prospects the doves kept cooing for peace. Imtiaz
Alam wrote, rather than viewing the wider spectrum of Indo-Pakistani
relations from the narrow window of the Kashmir dispute, the two countries
have now opened their minds to so many other things that are crucial to their
much bigger relationship.
The same day N B Naqvi advised the two neighbours to enrich
themselves culturally and economically through cooperation and trade. The
doves indirectly asked Pakistan to change priorities of its national interests,
but India on the other side remained firm on its designs, only the strategy
has been changed.

FOR INTERNAL PEACE

Rulers in Pakistan sought internal peace and harmony through
strategy of stick and carrot. In the context of Baluchi terrorism government
remained conspicuously submissive. Accord on reopening of Dera Bugti-Sui
road was reached on 9th April. Mushahid claimed that modalities for longterm protection of national assets were being worked out.
Next day Shujaat and Shaukat discussed Dera Bugti situation and
Rupees 15 billion were allocated for education sector in Baluchistan. Within
24 hours Musharraf warned, if anyone fired a single bullet in Sui, he would
be eliminated. Whoever would try to damage Pakistan, we would wipe him
from the face of the earth.
On 2nd May Parliamentary Committee decided that Baluchistan would
get Rupees 6 billion as arrears of gas royalty by 30 th December. Oil and gas
companies must spend 5 percent investment on socio-economic well-being

747

of the locals and the successful companies would spend 15 percent. A

substantive chunk (5.7%) of new appointments would go to locals.
The same day Jam claimed that law and order situation in the province
was satisfactory, but he had strange logic to support his claim; the rail track
blasts took place due to negligence of the police although Pakistan Railways
was equipped to fight terrorists. Earlier the Governor had similar claim
regarding law and order. A few days later Bazenjo and Shujaat held
discussions and Shujaat and Mushahid apprised Musharraf on the issue.
Baluchi warlords remained arrogant. On 10th April JWP demanded
inquiry into March 17 incident. ARD expressed complete solidarity with
Akbar Bugti also demanded probe into Dera Bugti incident. Bugti expressed
confidence in Mazari but denied any formal agreement with government.
On 28th April he also denied peace in Dera Bugti; they were still in a state of
war; anything could happen any moment as he never expected good from the
government.
Next day he accused the government of not being sincere in resolving
crisis; Rashid rejected the allegation. On 8 th May Bugti expressed disbelief
in rulers. We once again want to make it clear to the government that we
will defend our interests to the last drop of our blood and we will not
withdraw from our land.
Baluchi sardars continued with perpetration of terrorism. Following
incidents of terror and counter terrorism were reported:

On 10th April police recovered large amount of arms and ammunition

in Quetta and two of the men arrested were from Bugti tribe. Two
policemen were injured in grenade attack in Quetta and tribesmen
were still blocking road to Dera Bugti.

Dera Bugti-Sui road opened on 13th April as check posts by opposing

armies were removed.

On 16th April a microwave station was attacked with rocket fire in

Dalbandin. Three days later three bombs rocked Kalat city.

Four electricity towers were destroyed in Barkhan district on 20 th

April. Next day seven convicts escaped from Machh jail.

On 25th April a woman was hurt when twin blasts blew up rail track
near Kandhkot. Two days later an FC soldier was killed in anti-tank
mine blast in Kahan area.

Bugti gunmen and FC troops again exchanged fire in Bekar area north
748

of Dera Bugti on 28th April. Next day two FC soldiers were wounded
in rocket attack in Kohlu area.

On 1st May rockets were fired at grid stations in Machh and Pasni.
Three days later a labourer was injured in blast in Barkhan.

Two FC troops were wounded in blast in Bakhtiarabad on 6th May.

Two power supply towers were blown up in Bolan district.

Two blasts in Sibi destroyed gas pipeline and electricity tower on 7 th

May. Next day police seized weapons including rockets and grenades
in a raid in Quetta.

On 9th May railway track was damaged in blast near Kashmore. Two
days later three rockets were fired in Kohlu district out of which two
landed in Gowal Dam. Blasts rocked Quetta and Turbat on 13th May.

The comments begin with funds allotted for education sector. Rupees
1.5 billion for a province with population of about 5 million comes to
Rupees 3,000 per head, which makes the per capita allocation far more than
other provinces. The results that would be achieved at the end would be far
less than other provinces because most of the money would land in the
hands of the warlords.
Mechanism of spending these funds has seemingly remained
unchanged. These funds will be placed with respective DCOs who in turn
will issue cheques on directions of the tribal sardars as was revealed by
DCO Dera Bugti. Therefore, the funds will be spent on well-being of the
sardars.
Government-Bugti relations were far from normal, as reported by
Tariq Butt. Farhan Bokhari pointed out the reason by asking a selfanswering question. Why do federal governments in Islamabad only take
notice of those who threaten the countrys existence, in sharp contrast to
others agitating peacefully, perhaps even passively? In fact the governments
act only on orders from White House and quite whole-heartedly.
American role in the prevalent situation in the province has not yet
come to the limelight due to hesitation in debating that, but it cannot be
ruled out. A British magazine reported that US and India inadvertently
stoked unrest in Baluchistan. Perhaps, Pakistan was gradually drifting
towards the situation which it tried to avoid by joining American war against
the Soviet Union in Afghanistan.
Nationalists of other shades threatened national harmony on issues of

749

provincial autonomy, NFC award and sharing of water resources. The

government desired to settle matters related to provincial autonomy through
dialogue. On 3rd May Sub Committee led by Wasim proposed deletion of 30
items from Concurrent List and retention of remaining 17 items. It also
recommended making CCI effective to ensure provincial autonomy.
Prime Minister proposed give and take on NFC and Musharraf
vowed ensuring justice in its award, but smaller provinces wanted to
scrounge maximum by coming out with different formulas, rather than
upholding the spirit of justice or amicable sharing.
During the period the rulers, including Musharraf, did not talk of
construction of new water storage facilities, perhaps they felt contended with
prospects of good wheat crop this year. Only nationalists kept talking and
one of them, Bilour, hurled a threat that Kalabagh Dam would break the
country and IRSA reduced water share of Punjab.
There was no respite in Punjab-bashing by nationalists. This was
primarily for the reason that Pathans, Baluchis and Mohajirs in Sindh have
been allowed to maintain private militias, through constitutional or extraconstitutional provisions. The need for national harmony warrants that these
militias must be disarmed and disbanded; failing which Punjabis should be
allowed to maintain such militias; and that might work.

SERVING WITH PRIDE

The Crusaders have spelled out Pakistans task in their war on terror
in Afghanistan in unequivocal terms. It must deny any base to al-Qaeda
operatives and Pushtoon militants supporting insurgency against occupation
of their country and in the process kill as many of them as possible. In last
four weeks following incidents of crackdown and retaliation were reported:

An Arab and three Afghans were arrested in Peshawar on 11th April.

Ten days later troops carried out search operation for foreign militants
in Mir Ali, North Waziristan. Two persons were killed and another
wounded in blast in a school.

On 12th April US Consulate in Karachi was closed after threat. It

remained closed till next day.

One tribesman was killed and two injured in South Waziristan on 25 th

April while fiddling with an explosive device. Three Afghan teenagers
were injured in similar incident in Loralai.

750

On 26th April bodies of four foreigners were reported lying since four
days of their finding near border. Both sides refused to take them. The
same day a court in Peshawar acquitted four in terrorism case as
prosecution failed to produce solid evidence against them.

Two suspected militants were killed while planting a bomb near

Mingora on 28th April.

A suspected Taliban killed a tribesman in North Waziristan on 30 th

April on charges of spying for US.

On 2nd May intelligence agents raided an Islamic seminary in Karachi

and arrested a Taliban fighter suspected of involvement in the killing
of pro-US Afghan leader. Next day one person was killed and three
hurt in a blast in Chaman.

On 4th May the government disclosed capture of Abu Faraj two days
earlier. Prior to his arrest an Air Force officer, who had escaped from
his cell after death sentence, was also recaptured.

Twenty more suspects were arrested by 5th May in raids in Lahore,

Peshawar and Bajaur after Libbis interrogation; six men and two
women were arrested in Lahore along with arms and ammunition.

Bomb destroyed a music shop in Miranshah on 6 th May. Three rockets

were fired at check post near border in North Waziristan as more
troops were moved to the area. The same day intelligence agencies
claimed foiling another plot to kill Musharraf in which several
conspirators were arrested in raids in Lahore in late April.

Two rockets were fired on Girgit post in Saidgai on 7 th May. Four

persons were killed in an explosion in Wana as they fiddled with an
explosive device.

On 8th May two persons were killed near Mir Ali in a mysterious
explosion in which their car was destroyed.

Fighting in tribal areas had considerably decreased, but the end was
not in sight. Terrorists were still present in tribal areas according to the
Governor, the agent to the President of Pakistan. He added that operation
against them would definitely be launched wherever required.
Majority of tribesmen assured cooperation to the government, but a
Jirga and JI opposed military operation in North Waziristan. Abdullah

751

Mahsud, however, kept urging the people for Jihad by issuing leaflets. Corps
commander sent food items to the area to pacify the tribesmen.
Pakistan continued appeasing the puppet regime in Afghanistan. On
10 April Pakistan donated ten ambulances and a consignment of 35 buses
was presented eleven days later. Afghan government offered jobs to
Pushtoon doctors from Pakistan.
th

America thought it appropriate to keep exerting the pressure.

Rumsfeld visited Pakistan on 13th April combining the trip with Iraq and
Afghanistan. He reiterated strategic relationship. Two days later Bush said
that Musharrafs anti-terror role was in the interest of the US. Pak-AfghanUS body urged better coordination.
Barno kept forecasting operations by security forces of Pakistan.
New York Times reported that America was training Pakistani troops to fight
al-Qaeda. On 2nd May Abizaid held talks with Musharraf. He has been
visiting this sector commander of Centcom more frequently than Musharraf
visited some his corps commanders.
Pakistani leaders did not feel tired of denying existence of American
pressure. Addressing a public gathering in Kasur on 11th April Musharraf
denied making decisions under pressure from America. Eight days later,
while denying remarks about operation in Waziristan, ISPR said, Pakistan
makes decisions on its own. It also claimed that in the meeting of Tripartite
Commission attention of other members was drawn towards increase in
incidents of miscreants movement from Afghanistan to Pakistan. Next day
General Safdar termed Barnos remarks about fresh operation in Waziristan
as highly irresponsible; whereas calling those highly embarrassing would
he been better.
In spite of the meritorious services rendered by Pakistan in war on
terror America did not allow UNHCR to speed up repatriation of Afghan
refugees for fears that some refugees could join insurgents and undermine
the safety of its troops in Afghanistan. Hence; visits of delegations to
promote repatriation produced results to the contrary. When authorities in
Pakistan took some action in connection with maintenance of law and order
the concerns were expressed promptly.
Pakistan was still hosting three million refugees since the start of
reconstruction of their homeland. On 6th May Musharraf asked the world,
instead of Bush, to facilitate refugees return. Next day Jolie, UNHCR
Goodwill Ambassador, opposed even relocation of Afghan refugees.

752

Pakistan encountered host of problems since joining the war on

terror. During the period under review it was forced to look toward next
bidder to complete Gomal Zam Dam as Chinese firms demands became
unacceptable. The worst embarrassment came after the capture of Abu Faraj
considered No 3 man of al-Qaeda and mastermind behind suicide attacks on
Musharraf.
Interior Minster declined to give details of his arrest and interrogation.
According to report compliled by Yusufzai, Anis and Behroz Khan he was
arrested in Shadand Baba locality in Mardan district while traveling on a
motor cycle in shuttlecock Burqa. In subsequent raids an Uzbek was among
seven arrested from a Madrassa and two villages in Bajaur. Arrested
tribesmen belonged to banned TNSM.
Bush patted Musharraf on his back for removing a dangerous enemy
who was a direct threat to America. He forgot to mention Pakistani nation or
even those who worked relentlessly for his capture. Within couple of days
Washington Times published a cartoon causing embarrassment to the rulers
in Pakistan and the Newsweek reported desecration of the Holy Quraan by
interrogators in Guantanamo Bay.
Herein the discussion will be restricted to cartoon; whereas the
incident of desecration will be discussed exclusively in a subsequent article.
Pakistani rulers remained focused on enlightened moderation. On 9 th April a
mini marathon race was held in Bahawalpur, but without women. Next day
separate races for men and women were held in Sargodha. Both the events
lacked the desired flavour of enlightenment.
On 11th April nine girl students of OPF College of Islamabad and
women cops were injured during protest over issuance of degrees. This
incident was absolutely devoid of both enlightenment and moderation.
Injuries to girl students and women cops in Islamabad could be
condemnable by all and sundry, but the government would draw satisfaction
as the incident had tinged of women emancipation; ignoring that all
incidents of violence are invariably the outcome of some frustration.
Away from the capital the forces opposing enlightened moderation
resorted to targeting video shops in Jamrud near Peshawar. Therefore; Chris
Cork was not happy with the progress made by the process of enlightened
moderation. He opined that main hindrance in the way of enlightened
moderation was the masses en-frightened by Mullas.
He did not appreciate efforts of print and electronic media in Pakistan
which extensively covered fashion and entertainment shows. Both have been
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making commendable contribution toward seeking soft image; though the

dress fashion utterly lacked the dress, music videos overshadowed the
music, and commercials had no relevance to the commodity intended to be
promoted for sale.
In the drama of political moderation the episode of return of He was
enacted during the period. On 13th April Rashid warned PPP against policy
of confrontation on the eve of Zardaris return. Punjab Chief Minister vowed
to try troublemakers in special courts. Welcoming Zardari was a legal right,
countered Fahim and PPP challenged imposition of Section 144 in Punjab.
Next day thousands of people were held in anti-PPPP swoop and
violent scenes were observed at Karachi Railway Station. Zardari
condemned police atrocities and PPP refused to be scared by crackdown.
Punjab government denied arrests and Shujaat vowed not to allow PPP the
show of power. Fazl invited Zardari to land in Peshawar. Musharraf
expressed his willingness to meet BB, but not yet.
On 15th April security was tightened. Punjab government banned
public rallies. Karachi and Lahore airports were placed on high alert. PPP
alleged arrest of over 50,000 of its workers and wrote to Commonwealth
about government crackdown. Opposition walked out of National Assembly.
Shujaat, Mushahid and Fahim arrived in Dubai.
Next day Zardari vowed to make his presence felt. He claimed his
return a prelude to Benazirs coming. On arrival he was frisked away by
police from airport and taken to his residence. Chief Minister denied that
Zardari was under arrest. Journalists were beaten black and blue in Lahore,
reported Rauf Klasra. PPP warned of strike against detention of leaders and
workers. Rashid said, you cannot make Nelson Mandela out of Marcos
through posters.
Journalists boycotted National Assembly proceedings over beating in
Lahore, but they were again thrashed in Islamabad and Lahore during rallies
held to mark World Press Freedom Day. Rashid said, we are not to be
blamed for the incident.
Zardari declared that President in uniform was not acceptable. On 27 th
April he, accompanied by Enver Baig and Sherry Rehman, met EU
diplomats to apprise of political situation in Pakistan. On 10 th May
Musharraf confirmed contacts with enlightened moderate forces like PPP
to keep the fundamentalist religious forces out of politics.

754

Within 24 hours he said that Nawaz and Benazir were out of

reckoning. He also ruled out change of government. Rauf Klasra reported
that America was pushing Benazir and Sharif to abdicate party leadership.
PPP sought Wests review on Nawaz and Benazir ban.
Commenting on contacts with PPP Mir Jamilur Rahman wrote,
Musharraf will be the leading candidate for another presidential term of five
years starting 2007. He will need a majority from the four provincial
assemblies and the Senate to get elected. Therefore, he wants to ensure that
the PPP, which may emerge as one of the major parliamentary parties, votes
for him.
So far these contacts have failed to reach any agreement and all the
hustle had touch of a drama. Mayed Ali believed that US mediated to avert
PPP-government showdown. If that be true, Musharraf and the Kings party
wont be able to fool their American masters for too long.
Fazl was carried away by his understanding reached with Zardaris
spouse when she ruled Pakistan and invited him to land in Peshawar. She
had always treated the burly Maulana affectionately, unlike the present
rulers. Fazl, however, seemed to be oblivious of the fact that PPP was being
supported by the Crusaders to elbow him out of the power corridors.
Only one incident of militancy bearing sectarian touch was reported
on 17 April in which three persons were injured in blast in a mosque in
Gilgit. But ICG reported that sectarian terrorism was thriving in Pakistan.
America alleged that Lashkar-i-Tayyiba continued working under different
names. Security agencies arrested eight militants in Gilgit on 30th April.
th

The Government of Pakistan continued cooperating with other

countries in war against terrorism. After Delhi, Musharraf proceeded to
Manila for anti-terror talks. He joined hands with Gloria for enhanced
intelligence in anti-terror fight. She awarded Congressional Medal of
Achievement for his pivotal role in strengthening democracy in Pakistan, his
steadfast fight against terrorism and initiation of efforts aimed at peaceful
resolution of Kashmir dispute for durable peace in South Asia.
On 30th April Koizumi acknowledged the vital role played by
Pakistan in the international community and resumed Yen loan. During first
week of May Pakistan assured Malaysia that workforce sent there would be
al-Qaeda-free. Shaukat signed a pact with Singapore to fight against terror.

PATTED WITH PREJUDICE

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Criticism of American decision to sell F-16s to Pakistan continued.

On 10th April Farhatullah Babar wrote, in 2004 when companys finances
again hit the rocks and it announced that it was sacking over 5,000
employees, the sale of hundreds of F-16s to the Subcontinent seems
perfectly designed to lift Lockheeds sinking financial fortunes. (Thus) the
PAF gets a breather. And Lockheed Martin overcomes its financial woes.
Five thousand American jobs are saved. General Musharrafs political
dispensation receives endorsement. The myth that the army is not involved
in politics is certified. The lie that the present set-up is not dictatorship is
endorsed as truth. The goal of democracy in Pakistan recedes. Indias
strategic relationship with the US deepens.
The writer belongs to PPP. If his party was in power he would have
certainly viewed the sale differently. Most of his partys leaders would have
called the sale of F-16s a diplomatic success, apart from making some
profits through kickbacks. Yet the facts mentioned by him cannot be denied.
The same day Farooq Sulehria quoted the couplets of Ustad Daman in
this context. Its English translation reads, theres no clash between Wagah
and Attari/Its not a matter of the Geeta or Quraan/Nor is it quarrel between
Islam and paganism/Its all about profit and loss (interests), stupid. Proud
and patriotic Pakistanis strongly felt that US offer should have been declined
as two dozen aircrafts wont constitute a battle winning factor.
American dealing with Pakistan continued reflecting its prejudices.
On 20 April India and US inked open skies pact. Next day America offered
fast track sale of F-16 and F-18 jets to India. As regards Kashmir dispute
America said nothing more than appreciating peace moves and welcoming
Pak-India commitments.
th

In an interview to CNN Musharraf desired demilitarization of

Kashmir. India countered by questioning the usefulness of UN observers
role at Line of Control in view of the peace process. Annan expressed his
willingness to discuss it if brought out formally. Pakistan vowed to oppose
withdrawal of UNMOGIP.
On 25th April Shaukat raised Baglihar Dam issue with Vice President
of World Bank, Patel who assured him that appointment of neutral expert
was under way. Pakistan denied any plan to withdraw its petition on
Baglihar while urging bilateral settlement of Kishanganga issue. Both
countries sent replies on neutral expert. On 11th April World Bank appointed
Professor Raymond Lafitte, a Swiss national as neutral expert; Pakistan
756

welcomed the decision and pledged to accept World Bank findings. The
speed with which the arbitration process moved it was apprehended that the
dam would be completed and operative before the decision by arbitrator.
There were three deplorable incidents of Pakistan and Muslim specific
prejudices of the civilized world. Before discussing these, a look at some
other cases:

On 13th April eleven Pakistanis were charged with terror plots in

Spain; most of them were accused of funding al-Qaeda. Next day US
and Swiss visas were refused to Pakistani squash players.

Macedonia acquitted the accused in slaughtering of Pakistani

immigrants on 23rd April. Perhaps, the court was of the view that
killing of Muslims constituted no crime, just as killing and extradition
of over 700 Muslims by Pakistan constituted no crime.

Human rights, particularly the position of women, were being violated

in Pakistan, accused EU.

On 29th April Kamran Shafi, while writing about refusal of visa to Dr

Ijaz Hussain by the British, condemned the passive attitude of
Pakistani rulers who are patted occasionally by US and Britain but lay
Pakistanis, many prominent among them, are kicked in the teeth.

A US Congress mandated commission advised the government to

blacklist Pakistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan for alleged violations
of religious freedom and beliefs. It also recommended removal of
India from the list as there has been significant improvement.
Pakistan termed the accusation baseless. Rashid asked America to first
improve its own image before hurling allegations at others.

Muslim brothers followed the precedent set by the civilized people.

On 24th April Iran deported 49 and on 12th May Oman deported
1,018 Pakistanis. While illegal Pakistani were returned in thousands
by Arab brothers, over 2,000 children smuggled from Pakistan
languished in UAE to be used as camel jockeys for legal recreation
of the Arabs.

The prejudice related to Pakistans nuclear programme and

proliferation lingered. On 10th April NSG team arrived for talks on
spread of nuclear weapons.

After the visit of NSG Musharraf told the foreign correspondents in

Manila that any inspection would tantamount to admitting that we cannot

757

be trusted in our own house. He also dispelled fears that terrorists could get
nukes. God forbid; if this unfortunate thing happens Pakistan would be the
prime accused in any case. Pakistan denied passing nuclear secrets to
DPRK.
A proposed Pakistan Proliferation Accountability Act 2005 in the
House of Representatives suggested prohibiting the provision of military
assistance, sale, transfer or licensing of military equipment or technology to
Pakistan. The law demanded unrestricted access to Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan.
Shireen M Mazari apprehended, it seems Pakistan-specific laws are
once again going to do the rounds in the US Congress especially as the
war in Afghanistan wanes. She suggested buying some new combat aircraft
while continuing to develop the Pakistani-China co-produced JF Thunder.
The incident related to Maulana Sami, cartoon published by
Washington Times, and Newsweeks report on desecration of Holy Quraan
were master pieces of civilized peoples bias, double standards and
prejudices. On 20th April European Parliament cancelled talks with a
delegation of Pakistani lawmakers in protest against inclusion of a proTaliban cleric, Maulana Samiul Haq.
British Labour member said, the European Parliament espouses the
ideals of democracy, equality and human rights. She added that while the
Parliament has members who represent all shades of the political spectrum,
we cannot condone therefore individuals who place outside these
parameters, for they represent everything we stand against.
The leader of the delegation, Mushahid planned to protest. Mushahid
used the words indecent, discriminatory, unfair, humiliating, against dignity
and self-respect, double standards, and against human rights while
condemning the incident. Next day Foreign Office summoned Belgian, EU
and Dutch envoys, but EU envoys refused to apologize. Three days later
Sami got the repeat doze while leaving Blairs Britain.
On 28th April Sami announced protest against his insult. He said the
US and the West have started animosity with the Muslim World. If the
Taliban fight for US interests their battle is legitimate. And if they fight
against their interests they are branded terrorists. Maulana was wrong in
owning all the insult. This was insult of the people who elected him as a
lawmaker.
The incident was widely condemned. The champions of democracy,
freedom of expression and tolerance stand exposed wrote Ansar Abbasi.

758

Shireen M Mazari observed that what makes the Belgian governments

position even more untenable is that their abuse of the Maulana was the
result of the histrionics of Briminghams Nina Gill, who is of Indian origin
and a member of the European Parliaments Foreign Relations Committee.
She added, the war on terrorism has become a pretext to abuse
Pakistanis at will abroad Yet the US continues to allow certain terrorists to
roam free its country as long as they have committed correct acts of
terror. She quoted the case of Luis Posada who bombed Cuban Airlines
plane killing 73 people and was also a suspect in a deadly hotel bombing in
Cuba. He was supported by the then CIA director.
Most of the criticism targeted the government of Pakistan and rightly
so. Shakir Husains in his column Hit and Run wrote, our government likes
to tell us that Pakistans image has improved greatly in the eyes of the world,
but if we use visa policy as an indicator of Pakistans image, we will find
that we have regressed. Never before has a Senator been detained and
deported from a friendly nation. He concluded, the whole enlightened
moderation thing works fine when General Musharraf wants to talk about it,
but our allies visa officers arent really buying it.
Shireen M Mazari was quite bitter in blaming the government. She
alleged, Pakistani state is allowing its sovereign rights to be trampled on by
Western powers within the territorial confines of Pakistan itself There is
access to data on all Pakistanis leaving and entering the country being
supplied to the US with no reciprocity from the US government on
Americans coming into Pakistan We have a member of the British
government at the exit point of the international departure gatescrutinizing
all departing passengers passports, and the Pakistani passengers, in a servile
fashion, submitting to his demands.
She added, it is sickening to see the servility to which the ordinary
Pakistani has been reduces to as a result of state submission to external
powers. If we are so submissive at this micro level, it should hardly surprise
us to find ourselves submitting to the will of external powers on macro
issues also.
She concluded, we have become so used to horror stories of abuse
and unfair detention that has destroyed the lives of many innocent
Pakistanis. Even the killing of Pakistanis in hate crimes abroad rarely elicits
our response, let alone regret.
Masooda Bano was specific in her remarks. Due to how Pakistan and
General Musharraf has been projected in western press post September 11,
759

the western public has actually come to believe that General Musharraf is
the only liberal force in Pakistan. He has deliberately played on the
fundamentalist card to secure his own footing in the West. In his meeting at
Camp David and later in visits to western capitals, he repeatedly asked the
West to support him or else the extremists groups would gain power.
Imran Khan argued, the Pakistani religious leaders are bound to be
seen in a bad light abroad when the president of the country himself calls
them extremists. So was Aitzaz Ahsan, the incident is a reminder that when
parliamentarians are not treated with respect within the country, they wont
get any respect outside either. When democratic institutions at home remain
vulnerable to military dictates, the West is unlikely to take elected
representatives seriously.
Some critics exonerated the rulers and blamed Mullas to whom Sami
belonged. Shakir Husain wrote, I can safely say that 90 percent of those
applying for visas are law abiding and good human beings, yet they are
treated as threats to national security because of the profile of Pakistan
built up over the years, thanks to politicians like Maulana Haq.
Fakir S Ayazuddin urged the government to place Pakistans
commercial interests above the Maulanas self-respect. He advised that
National Assembly should not hurry in passing resolutions condemning the
incident, and those officers in NA Secretariat who are creating seriously
embarrassing situations, should be retired immediately. In Part-2 of his
tirade he solely blamed Sami and his Madrassa for discriminatory treatment
meted out to Pakistanis all over the civilized world.
Mushahid was quite harsh but factual in his reaction to the incident.
He, however, made no reference to the second prong of the enlightened
moderation strategy. He should have at least requested the civilized world to
show semblance of tolerance. Perhaps, he understood that the Crusaders as a
matter of habit abuse Muslims notwithstanding that some of them are
citizens of frontline state in war on terror.
Sami was insulted deliberate in a well thought out plan. First he was
allowed to be part of an official delegation and then on arrival at Brussels
EU refused to allow him to attend the meeting. After maligning the Mulla
and his country in Belgium on behalf of the entire Europe, the Brits decided
to dispense some insult individually.
The civilized people have been standing starkly exposed since long,
but Ansar Abbasi caught the ugly sight only after the incident of insulting
Sami and his country. They only pat the rulers who prefer to call Pakistan
760

an ally in war on terror he cribbed without realizing that they have been
providing forced labour to the Crusaders.
It was no big deal if some Crusaders snubbed a Mulla? The way
enlightened moderates snub Mullas and Madrassas day in and day out it was
bound to happen one day. The rulers also knew that the Crusaders do not talk
with Mullas, elected or not elected; they only negotiate with exiles,
particularly those belonging to Muslim countries on their target list.
That was why Fakir S Ayazuddin used the language which the
Crusader would like to use to ridicule Mullas. Such learned people would
surely recommend red carpet welcome to a neo-con visiting Pakistan despite
the fact that they speak more evil about Islam and its followers than any
Mulla can do about Christianity or any other religion. Moreover, poor
Mullas can do no more than speaking, but the neo-cons have the deadly
means to do what they say, and they do. He also suggested placing
commercial interests above the Maulanas self-respect in the same spirit in
which some Asian countries support prostitution for promotion of tourism.
About a fortnight later Washington Times published a cartoon on
capture of Libbi and Newsweek reported desecration of the Holy Quraan by
interrogators at Guantanamo. The Government of Pakistan condemned and
protested against both. America ordered probe into desecration of Holy
Quraan, but US Ambassador and Washington Times came clean on cartoon
issue with more pats on the back of their pet.
Annoyed by the cartoon, Foreign Minister of Pakistan said Libbi
wont be handed over to US yet. The favourite pet was simply trying to be
playfully naughty. Washington Times retracted over cartoon on 13 th May
the same day Nusrat Javeed in his dispatch covering the proceedings of the
National Assembly wrote:

He recalled one lead writer of Washington Times, who also is the

editor-in-large of a CIA-friendly news agency, has been the most
frequent visitor to Pakistan in 1980s, when this country was used as
the launching pad for getting the Soviets out of Afghanistan.

Even after September 11, he was provided with all the privileges to
watch over the fight on terrorism from vintage points and relish easy
access to our tribal areas that mostly remain no go areas for native
hacks. The rulers in search of soft image would provide him similar
privileges if he desired to visit Pakistan again.

The cartoon should have stirred some soul searching amongst our
761

representatives. They should at least have woken up to the reality that

despite our joining the war on terrorism, wholeheartedly, the public
opinion builders in Washington continue viewing the Pak-US
relations, only in the context where this country is occasionally used
as the tactical ally for achieving the grand strategic interests of the
USA.

They must appreciate that there is no free lunch in the USA and our
friends in America strongly feel that an appropriate price was
always paid to Pakistan for the services rendered. Blame your own
elite, if it miserably failed to extract the right price for its tactical
utility and habitually sold itself cheap.

They should also realize that no country in this world ever take the
National Assembly of Pakistan and its resolutions seriously, if the
mighty ministers of the Musharraf-Aziz government always appear
paying two hoots to its proceedings.

Shireen M Mazari commented, despite this continuous insult of

Pakistan and Islam, we continue to live under the illusion that we are being
seen as a partner in the war on terrorism There seems to be growing
disconnect between our national sovereignty and developments on the
ground.
She added, resultantly we have reached a low point when we are seen
as pet dogs by our supposed allys media and American movie stars state
(Jolies statement on shifting of Afghan refugees camps) their opposition to
our policies while in our country. Apart from the strong Foreign Office
protest, where are the voices that normally harangue on our foreign policy?
Strangely silent; so this is what we have come to now.
Shafqat Mahmood while rejecting cartoonists explanation that dog is
dearly loved in western cultures and that the misunderstanding resulted due
to cultural differences, acknowledged that some of the informed opinion in
the United States sees Pakistan as a subservient country doing its bidding on
command. He opined that the incident provided an opportunity to
understand that all the important actors in America shared the views that
Pakistan is potentially a very dangerous country and can create many
difficulties for the United States and should be treated accordingly.
The cartoon has been viewed by the rulers and common people
differently. The former have been hurt badly because they had toiled hard in
contributing towards Americas holy war. It also belied the two-prong

762

strategy of enlightened moderation.

Instead of brooding over the happening of the inevitable, it would be
better for the rulers to accept some realities and also look for some brighter
aspects. The concept of enlightened moderation may not grant freedom of
speech to religious fundamentalists in Pakistan, but in civilized world the
people are free to express their extremist views including prejudices and
hatred.
It should be matter of consolation that the breed of dog shown in the
cartoon must have been certainly superior to a poodle, which do no more
than rolling in the feet of its master and lick his shoes. The ruling elite
should have felt proud of being patted by a soldier of the superpower.
Recollecting the words of Barrister Baachaa they should have felt happy
when a Khan called them pimps. Secretly many would have done that, but
overtly they had to show some disgust to satisfy their voters.
Once America completes the whitewash, they can claim another
success in Pakistans foreign policy. The News in its editorial had already
shown them the way by welcoming US Administrations response to
Pakistans protest. Why bother if someone blames for shallowness of their
anger?
Common people took exception to the patting of dog representing
Pakistan. So far only Musharraf has been patted by the master for all he did
but when it came to the cartoon Pakistani nation has been patted. They felt
that the dog should have been shown harnessed in some sort of kit.
They definitely consider all the Muslim rulers, who support the
Crusades, no better than a dog. The militants out of them understand that
they cannot reach the master unless the dogs are taken care off. It was for
this reason that there have been quite a few attempts on their lives.

CONCLUSION
Musharraf was more than satisfied with the outcome of his talks in
Delhi, but the peace process has still not gone beyond the spider-web of
confidence building measures. Internally Shujaat must be nourishing similar
feelings, but Akbar Bugti has different intentions.
Eagerness of the rulers to remaining pro-active in war on terror has
led them to the kennel of a Labrador. According to Chambers 20 th Century
Dictionary Labrador is a sporting dog used as retriever; usually black and

763

golden (brown) in colour; and about twenty-two inches in height (a dwarf

by human standards).
Undoubtedly Pakistans position in the holy war is no better than a
beast adopted by the Crusaders. That was why the same day the US
Administration served a bone of Harpoon Missiles; as part of the routine
adhered to by hunters when their pets perform well.

15th May 2005

IRAQI INFERNO
The clouds of death and destruction turned darker and loomed larger
over Iraq than ever before in last two years. Formation of Iraqi government,
with a Sunni Defence Minister on its strength, failed to pacify the
764

insurgency. Occupation forces using services of non-Sunni security forces of

Iraq launched massive operations and in the process resorted to random
killings and capturing of Sunnis suspected of supporting the war against
Americans and their collaborators.
After liberation of Iraq, the occupation forces successfully pushed
for formation of a democratic government, but both successes have pushed
Iraqis deeper into an engineered crisis. The symptoms of civil war became
more evident with incidents of attacks on Sunni and Shiite clerics and
mosques.
In spite of the clamp on impartial reporting on the ongoing war on
terror, the news kept trickling about atrocious conduct of war. America did
not care as to what the world said about its holy war. Its resolve to continue
the war showed no signs of petering away.
Pressure on Iraq was maintained to close its nuclear programme. Syria
earned no sympathies despite withdrawing its troops from Lebanon and
instead was accused of failing to stop terrorists from crossing the border.
Israeli troops kept harassing Palestinians even after agreeing to a ceasefire.

FIGHTING
The information about the fighting in Iraq was canalized through
filter-plant of occupation forces and distributed to rest of the world through
pipelines of their news agencies and media. Of course, like any other filterplant, the impurities were extracted and the fluid was duly chlorinated.
The friends understood American intentions and acted accordingly.
For instance at least 85 people were killed in Iraq on 20 th April as
consequence of its illegal occupation but this gruesome news could not find
place on the front page of the English daily of the Jang Group of
newspapers, whereas an illegal occupant of a seat on the floor of National
Assembly got the front page coverage. The summary of the fighting is based
on these trickles of information.
On 15th April two US Marines were killed in separate attacks in Hit
and Ramadi. Two Iraqi soldiers were killed in roadside bombing near
Samarra. A car bomb targeting US convoy killed one person and wounded
five in Baghdad and in another bomb attack one person was killed and three
wounded. Camp Bucca jail was again hit by riots.
Gunmen attacked the town of Madain and captured it on 16 th April

765

taking dozens of Shiites as hostage and threatened to kill them. Attackers

demolished an empty Shiite mosque and told all the Shia residents to leave
the town. People, including soldiers and policemen left the town. The attack
was in retaliation to the abduction of Sunnis of Dulaimi tribe. American and
Iraqi forces surrounded the town. In Baquba 7 people, including policemen,
were killed and 5 wounded in bomb blast. In Baghdad three persons,
including a Frenchman, were killed and three wounded in car bomb attack
on military-guarded convoy and a policeman was shot dead in southern part
of the city. One US soldier was killed in Taji and another died of wounds in
Tikrit. Three members of security forces were shot dead in Kirkuk. In Mosul
six US soldiers were wounded in car bomb attack on their convoy. Police
arrested an influential Sunni cleric. Ten out of 11 prisoners who escaped
from Camp Bucca jail were recaptured.
Three US soldiers were killed and seven wounded on 17th April in
indirect fire on their camp in Ramadi. Iraqi security forces started an
operation in the town of Madain and claimed capturing 5 hostage-takers.
Zarqawi group said there were no Shia hostages in the town. All the 11
prisoners who had escaped were captured.
A US soldier was killed and another wounded in a bomb blast south of
Baghdad on 18th April. Militants showed execution of three Iraqis. Recapture
of Madain revealed that hostage issue was blown out of proportion. Next
day a suicide car bomber attacked an army recruitment centre in Baghdad
and killed at least six persons and wounded 44 others. In another incident
gunmen shot dead a professor. A roadside bomb south of the capital killed
one person and wounded another. In Baquba three civilians were wounded in
roadside bomb attack on a US convoy. Four Iraqi soldiers were killed in
Khalidiyah. Two US soldiers were killed in Baghdad.
On 20th April 57 dead bodies were recovered from Tigris. These were
believed to be of the hostages taken in Madain. In Haditha nineteen soldiers
were killed and one wounded by the fighters. Two people were killed and
five wounded in first of the three car bomb attacks in Baghdad, second blast
wounded some civilians when a US convoy was targeted and in the third
blast six people were killed and 44 wounded outside a recruitment centre.
Details of the killing of 8 people, including two US soldiers, were not
reported. Three foreigners, including an Australian, were shot dead on
airport road. Allawi escaped assassination attempt.
Six Americans and three others were killed when a helicopter was
shot down on 21st April. Three SUVs were damaged in bomb attack on

766

airport road and two foreigners were killed. Nineteen dead bodies found in a
stadium were identified as those of fishermen and not the soldiers. Next day
seven people were killed in various incidents.
On 23rd April 16 people were killed. A Saudi and an Iranian were
imprisoned for entering Iraq illegally. Next day at least 15 people were killed
and 57 wounded in two blasts in Baghdad and a US soldier was killed in
another bomb blast that targeted his patrol. In Tikrit two bomb blasts in a
police academy killed 7 and wounded several policemen and civilians. Two
policemen were wounded and three suspects arrested in Baquba. In Mosul a
TV cameraman was shot dead and another wounded.
Two policemen were wounded and three insurgents arrested after
attack on a convoy on 25th April. Oil pumps near Kirkuk were set on fire by
the insurgents. Four more suspects in downing of helicopter were arrested.
Next day the fighters shot dead a woman MP in Baghdad. An Iraqi General
was seriously wounded and his two guards were killed in drive-by shooting.
Four more people were killed in different places.
On 28th April gunmen shot dead a General of interior ministry in Dora
south-west of Baghdad. One colonel was shot dead in Baghdad. In Tikrit
five National Guards soldiers and four civilians were wounded when car
bomb attack targeted a US convoy and four Iraqi and three US soldiers were
wounded in car bomb attack on a checkpoint. In Samarra two policemen
were killed and five wounded by roadside bomb. Four people were killed in
mortar attack in Musayuib. Six Sudanese hostages were reported executed.
Iraqi guerrillas reacted violently to progress made in formation of the
cabinet on 29th April. In Baghdad four bomb attacks killed at least 20 Iraqis,
including 15 soldiers and wounded 65, including 30 troops. In Maidan a
roadside bomb was detonated, and then two suicide car bombers attacked
police investigation team from different directions. Third car bomb targeted
a police patrol and fourth was detonated near a hospital. The attacks killed
13 people and wounded 20 others. In Baquba a car bomber attacked a
convoy killing four Iraqis, including two policemen. A Sunni cleric blew
himself up with grenades as police surrounded him. In Basra a roadside
bomb killed one soldier and wounded two. Next day eight persons, including
four US soldiers, were killed in different attacks.
A car bomb attack on a Kurdish funeral in Tal Afar on 1 st May killed
25 people and wounded 30 others. An Australian was reported kidnapped.
Five Iraqi policemen were killed in attack on a checkpoint in south Baghdad.
Five civilians were killed and 12 wounded when a car bomber targeted a US
767

convoy and in another similar attack one person was killed and 10 wounded.
Iraqi police claimed arresting five suspects. Three more people, including a
US soldier were killed elsewhere.
On 2nd May a car bomber in Baghdad targeted convoy of a
commander of elite police commandos injuring two escorts. Second car
bomb killed nine civilians and wounded ten. Two policemen and two
civilians were killed in third car bomb. Iraqi and US forces arrested 84
suspects in the capital. In Khalis four Iraqi soldiers were killed and four
wounded in bomb explosion. A British soldier was killed in hostile action.
A senior official was killed in Baghdad on 3 rd May. In Ramadi US and
Iraqi forces killed 12 militants in firefight at a checkpoint; two civilians and
an Iraqi soldier were also killed and two Iraqi soldiers wounded. Three
policemen were killed in Samarra. One civilian was killed and four wounded
in car bomb attack in Mosul. An Iraqi soldier and a businessman working for
US military were shot dead in Shurgat. Two persons were killed in two
bomb blasts north of Baghdad. One US soldier was killed and seven
wounded in operations and two US airmen died in crash of two aircrafts. A
Bulgarian soldier was killed and another wounded in road accident.
On 4th May a suicide car bomber attacked police recruiting centre
established in Kurdish Democratic Party office in Arbil killing 60 and
wounding over 150 people. Attack was claimed by the insurgents as revenge
for Kurdish support of the US forces in Iraq. Two US soldiers were killed in
two separate explosions in Baghdad. Nine Iraqi soldiers were killed and 17
people, including six soldiers wounded in car bomb attack in Dora. Iraqi
security forces announced that Saddams nephew was arrested earlier near
Tikrit.
On 5th May 15 people died in a bomb attack on an army recruitment
centre at Muthanna Airport. In Baghdad gunmen killed six policemen and
destroyed their two police cars. Three policemen were killed and their cars
burnt in another attack. Two more people were killed in other attacks.
A suicide car bomber attacked a vegetable market on 6th May, killing
at least 58 people and wounding 44 others. In Tikrit a car bomber hit police
vehicle, killing nine and wounding several others. Dead bodies of 14
civilians were found in Baghdad and two Sadr supporters were shot dead by
gunmen. Followers of Sadr clashed with soldiers in Kofa. Kidnappers gave
ultimatum of 72 hours to Australia and another group claimed kidnapping
six Jordanian workers.
On 7th May twenty-two people, including four American security
768

contractors were killed and 35 wounded in two car bomb

Baghdad. A US soldier was killed in bomb attack in Karmah.
claimed seizing a car bomb in Tikrit. Next day US forces
suspected insurgents on 8th May in a raid in Qaim and detained
One US soldier was killed in gunfire.

attacks in
US forces
killed six
54 people.

On 9th May US forces claimed killing 75 fighters and arresting 154

suspects in last three days in an operation launched with air support against a
suspected base of insurgents near Syrian border. Four people including two
policemen were killed and eight wounded in suicide car bombing in
Saydiyah. A Colonel was gunned down in Baiji. Eight dead bodies were
found in Baghdad. Two US soldiers were killed due to indirect fire in
Karmah and one Marine died of wounds. An Australian cleric was flown to
Iraq to obtain release of the hostage.
On 10th May gunmen kidnapped governor of Anbar province. A
Japanese security contractor was also kidnapped. A suicide car bomber
targeted US patrol killing seven persons and wounding 23 others in
Baghdad. Another suicide car bomb wounded three policemen at river patrol
base on Tigris. Three US soldiers were killed in central Iraq. Death toll in
offensive launched near Syrian border in town of Qaim reached one hundred
as US aircrafts dropped 500 lbs laser-guided bombs. Three US soldiers were
killed and 20 wounded in the fighting.
A car bomber struck in Tikrit on 11th May killing 38 people and
wounding 84 others. In Hawijah a suicide bomber killed 35 people. In
Baghdad three persons were killed and ten wounded in three car bomb
attacks. US military caused collateral damage by killing a woman and her
child at a checkpoint in Ubaydi.
On 12th May a Brig General and a colonel were shot dead in Baghdad
in separate attacks. Seventeen people were killed and 65 wounded in car
bomb attack near a busy market and cinema. Enraged crowd turned their
anger on police and journalists. American forces pressed on operations in
Anbar province.
Three Iraqis including two soldiers were killed and six others
wounded on 13th May as a suicide car bomber rammed into a truck carrying
soldiers in Baquba. One policeman was shot dead and five persons including
three policemen wounded in Baghdad and a bomb also exploded near a US
convoy. A colonel was kidnapped near Basra. People were reported fleeing
towns in western desert where US troops continued their operation.
On 14th May a suicide bomber killed four people in Baghdad. Two
769

Saudis were also reported killed. More than 30 people, including five US
soldiers, were killed on this day but details were not reported. Next day 34
dead bodies of executed men were found from three locations in and around
the capital. Senior official of Industry Ministry was shot dead in Baghdad
along with his driver. A Shiite cleric and his nephew were also killed in
separate attack. A policeman and his wife were shot dead in Aalgaya. Four
more people were killed elsewhere. Kidnapped governor was freed. Weeklong offensive ended in which 125 Iraqis were killed, nine US soldiers were
also killed and 40 wounded and 39 suspects were arrested.
The count of dead bodies found reached 41 on 16 th May. Four Iraqi
soldiers were killed and as many wounded in mortar fire and roadside
bombing in Bani Saad. Two civilians were killed in Saydiyah and an Iraqi
General survived an ambush, his guards returned fire and killed four
fighters. Two persons were killed and 12 wounded in mortar fire in Baghdad
and five people were killed and 30 wounded in suicide car bombing.
On 17th May one Sunni and two Shiite clerics were killed. One
engineer was killed in Baghdad. A roadside bomb killed one US soldier and
wounded another in Tikrit. One employee of Defence Ministry was shot
dead in Sadr City. US troops clashed with militants in Mosul. Next day
Interior Ministry official was killed and his wife wounded in Baghdad.
Seven Turkmen captured earlier were found dead in Kirkuk.
Seven persons were killed and three wounded in attack on Sunni
politicians house in Mosul on 19th May. One girl was wounded in a car
bomb attack. In Baghdad gunmen killed a university professor and an Oil
Ministry engineer. An aide to a Shiite cleric, a policeman and one civilian
were shot dead in separate attacks. Two policemen and two civilians were
injured by a roadside bomb in Baquba. Two US soldiers were killed in driveby shooting on their convoy in Baghdad and another was killed in mortar
fire in Ramadi.
On 20th May one US soldier was killed in bomb attack on a patrol near
Taji. Two children were killed and their mother wounded by home-made
bomb outside Shiite mosque in Baghdad. Next day 12 commandos of
interior ministry were killed in a series of clashes in and around Samarra.
One civilian was killed and ten wounded by gunmen in western Baghdad.
One senior official of Trade Ministry along with his driver was shot
dead in northwest Baghdad on 22nd May. Six civilians were hurt in mortar
fire overnight in western Baghdad. One farmer was killed in roadside
bombing near Kirkuk. Two policemen were wounded by suicide car bomb in
770

Tikrit. Two US soldiers were killed in northern Iraq. Two Romanian

journalists were freed by kidnappers after two months. One terminally ill top
official of Saddam was released by Iraqi authorities.
Two carloads of gunmen killed top aide of Jaafari, General Rubaye
and his driver in Baghdad on 23rd May. He was new commander of special
operations room coordinating the fight against insurgents. A car bomb in
front of a restaurant killed eight and wounded 107 people. A policeman was
killed in Dora. Zarqawi Group claimed execution of an Iraqi-American
businessman kidnapped four days back. Another group claimed executing a
Jordanian and two Iraqi drivers ferrying supplies for US troops. In Samarra
two Iraqi soldiers were killed and one wounded in mortar fire. In a town
south of capital a bomb blast outside Shiite mosque killed ten and wounded
30 people. Late at night 35 people were killed and 25 wounded in double car
bombing in Tal Afar. Two US soldiers were killed and one wounded in
Mosul. In a combined operation launched by US and Iraqi forces west of
Baghdad 285 people were arrested.
On 24th May al-Qaeda group said Zarqawi has been wounded. Six
people were killed in Baghdad in a car bomb explosion. Three US soldiers
were killed in Baghdad when their convoy was targeted by a car bomb. One
US soldier was shot dead in drive-by shooting. Another US soldier was
killed by a car bomb near Tikrit and yet another died in road accident in
Kirkuk. A Turkish trader was reported kidnapped.
American forces launched massive anti-insurgent operation in Anbar
province on 25th May. In Dora a car bomber missed the US convoy and
killed one and wounded four civilians. Police chief was killed in Sharma.
Next day American forces fired on a minibus in the Dora district killing
three and wounding four people. The driver of the vehicle had committed the
offence of pulling over to get out of the way of speeding US convoy. Car
bombing killed seven people, including three policemen in Baghdad. Four
persons were killed in fighting in Tal Afar. In the ongoing operation in
Euphrates Valley the toll of suspects killed reached ten. Three prisoners
escaped from Abu Grab jail.
US troops started using gun trucks for protection against roadside
bombs and after seventeen car bombings in a day, Bush and Myers claimed
that US-led forces were making really good progress against hard-nosed
killers. Bush hailed new milestone in training of Iraqi forces and believed
that insurgents would be defeated by Iraqis as they now outnumbered the
771

occupation forces. Selective reporting of Iraqi people expressing their

feelings against insurgents continued. This is not Jihad an Iraqi was
reported saying on a day the Coalition forces were waging holy war near
Syrian border.
The new Iraqi Defence Minister vowed to defeat insurgents. The
government announced one million dollar bounty for information leading to
the arrest of Rasheed Taan Kaddum, a former senior official in Saddam
Husseins Baath Party, who was now leading insurgent operations in the
western al-Anbar province.
Insurgent groups threatened to kill Sunnis who joined the cabinet and
then warned Sunni Arabs against taking part in drafting of new constitution.
The Economist acknowledged that attacks on coalition forces dipped to 35 a
day in February and March from 140 a day before elections, but since last
week of April there were some deadliest attacks since occupation of Iraq.
Zarqawi threatened more violence and warned Iraqis against
collaborating with the Americans. You, Bush, we will not rest until we
avenge our dignity. We will not rest while your army is here as long as there
is a pulse in our veins. Leaflets were distributed by his group threatening to
kill Iraqi troops who did not desert.
After injury to Zarqawis his successor was appointed as rumours
spread of his evacuation out of Iraq for treatment and possible demise. AlQaeda denied naming acting chief after Zarqawi was wounded; however,
injury to Zarqawi was confirmed.

POLITICAL PROCESS
America kept on urging speed in formation of new government. On
25 April Cheney and Rice asked Talabani to end political deadlock and next
day US sought German expertise on writing constitution for Iraq. During
second week of May US Senate confirmed Khalilzads nomination for Iraq,
who had proved his expertise in conducting a puppet show.
th

Allawi insisted on having four ministries for his party in the new
cabinet and the slot of deputy Prime Minister for him, but Shiite majority
rejected his demand. Meanwhile, Talabani ruled out Islamic regime. We the
Kurds will never accept the establishment of an Islamic regime in Iraq.
On 26th April Jaafari finalized a list of proposed cabinet to Talabani.
772

Three deputy premiers, one each from Shia, Kurd, and Sunni communities,
were appointed. The same day three Sunni members of the UIA withdrew
from the list after terming it too sectarian. Jaafari sent proposed cabinet list
on 28th April for approval by three-man presidential council.
Sunni leaders expressed their disappointment. Yawar said, its simple
and easy, if they fail to satisfy the Sunni Arabs then I think the Sunnis
might simply withdraw their candidates from the government. Hakim urged
the new government to crackdown on guerrillas and former regime elements.
On 3rd May Jaafari was sworn in as Prime Minister along with 15
Shias, 7 Kurds and 4 Sunni ministers. Posts of two out of four deputy
ministers and five ministries remained unfilled. Deputy Prime Minister
Chalabi was also to act as minister of oil and Defence Ministry was retained
by Jaafari. The cabinet members vowed to defend Iraq.
Five days later Saadoun al-Dulaimi, a Sunni former military officer
from Anbar province was appointed Defence Minister with the hope that
appointment of a Sunni would help controlling the insurgency. Sunnis also
got human rights and industry ministries. A Sunni deputy Prime Minister
was appointed. Oil Ministry was given to a Shiite.
On 15th May Rice paid surprise visit to Baghdad to give vote of
confidence to Jaafari, but called for patience and participation of all Sunni
groups in drafting of new constitution. For the first time she talked of
defeating insurgency politically, but American forces would stay in Iraq.
The new regime faced the major challenge of controlling insurgency.
The new Kurd president seemed to be determined to take on the challenge.
No amnesty for insurgents. To call for national reconciliation does not mean
giving in to the gangs of Saddam Hussein which are terrorizing Iraqis and
sabotaging oil and civilian installations said Talabani.
It was not so simple. According to a report for the International
Institute of Strategic Studies, 20,000 to 50,000 insurgents organized into
some 75 units still pose a formidable challenge to the under-strength Iraqi
army and police. Most are homegrown Baath loyalists or those who
combine nationalism and Islamism. Iraqi government seemed aware of the
magnitude of the problem and planned to deploy 40,000 troops in Baghdad.
In addition there were three related problems. One, to do it without
triggering sectarian violence or in other words the civil war; two, to maintain
working relationship with the neighbours while hurling accusations of cross
border terrorism; three, how to formulate and implement indigenous strategy

773

in the presence of foreign troops in Iraq.

Sectarian feelings already stood agitated. Hostage taking in Madain
was a clear reflection of this. Allawi alleged that it was aimed at sparking
sectarian strife. A Shia legislator asked for intervention. Since then there
were many attacks targeting each other.
It took a serious turn on 21st May when Sunni muezzins called to
prayer five-times-a-day, but asked people to remain where you are to say
your prayers as mosques remained closed to protest against recent
unexplained murders of civilians and clerics. Sunni Arab leaders had blamed
a Shia militia with links to the government. This was an unprecedented
development.
Four days later Shiite Muslims protested against Sunni cleric blaming
Shiite militia of killings. Sistani urged brotherly ties between Shias and
Sunnis. A day after closure of Sunni mosques, a delegation of Moqtada Sadr
met with Sunni clerics from Committee of Muslim Scholars in an attempt to
defuse sectarian tension which had risen after a string of tit-for-tat murders.
After meeting of Shia-Sunni clerics an aide of Sadr said, we are
going to publish within next few days a statement signed by both parties
which will include reciprocal apologies and will constitute a code of honour
for their relations. Such efforts had to continue to avoid the civil war.
Perhaps, led by the similar spirit Talabani had earlier ruled out signing
death warrant of Saddam, though the Crusaders remained hectically busy in
excavating mass graves for evidence to secure Saddams conviction. He
however, faltered in favouring popular forces of Shiite and Kurdish militias
to fight insurgents. It would be a recipe for the civil war.
On 1st May six neighbours of Iraq pledged to support the new
government. About a week later US military officials claimed that Coalition
forces were now fighting Jehadis instead of Saddam loyalists. The
Economist reported that the insurgents include a mix of nationalists, Jehadis
and some foreign fanatics; all of them mostly Sunnis.
During second week of May Talabani alleged that militants were
funded from abroad, but claimed that Zarqawi has been weakened. I think
that Zarqawi appears isolated and hated by Iraqis and I would not rule out
capture any second Zebari urged neighbours to halt financing militants.
Defence Minister said that Iraq has become the crossroad for
international terrorism. On 21st May his colleague, Interior Minister,
elaborated his statement. As you know we are confronting international
774

terrorism in Iraq. You see Arabs, of all nationalities as well as Pakistanis,

Indians and many other nationalities We are fighting international
terrorism supported by all forces of darkness, therefore our battle is a war of
justice against injustice and, God willing, justice will end victorious. He
claimed killing 250 anti-Iraqi forces and capturing over 200 in May.
Out of the six two neiughbours were accused of not stopping the
foreign terrorists from crossing the border. Hiwa Osman writing in Los
Angeles Times asked the international community to issue an ultimatum to
Iraqs neighbours, Syria and Iran, to cut the insurgents supply lines.
With the installation of Shiite regime in Iraq, Iran moved fast to mend
the fence. On 17th May Kharzai arrived in Baghdadand said, we have a
range of issues on both sides, including non-interference, cooperation, the
economy and closing of the files of the Iran-Iraq War. Three days later Iraq
and Iran blamed Saddam for 1980-88 war and attack on Kuwait.
Jaafari intended visiting Syria soon for talks on border infiltration.
We believe there are many infiltrators, many terrorists that are stepping
through the borders carrying out terrorist attacks against innocent Iraqis said
Zebari. He added, there are responsibilities of the Syrian government to
hamper and prevent this flow of terrorists from coming across.
Syria was left as lone accused to face charges of supporting foreign
terrorists. However, Iran would always experience repercussions if the
insurgency in Iraq turned into sectarian strife. There has already been an
incident on 18th April in which three persons were killed and 200 arrested
when ethnic Arabs clashed with security forces in Iran.
Saudi Arabia coaxed its intellectuals to preempt allegation of
supporting terrorists. A Saudi scholar said, only Iraqis can fight against
occupation. His scholarly opinion implied that in holy invasion and
occupation of Iraq everyone can join.
No neighbour can escape the effects when the next door house is on
fire. Jordan felt the pinch when US forces stopped its flights to Baghdad for
security reasons. In mid April 4 soldiers and 21 Kurdish rebels were killed in
Turkey in clashes near Iraqi border. Security forces also recovered large
quantity of weapons. Turkeys problem is graver than those of other
neighbours.
Presence of foreign troops will certainly hamper performance of Iraqi
government. The incident of 19th April made the environments clear under
which the members of new regime have to work. An independent MP

775

accused US soldier of grabbing him by the throat and shoving him on the
ground. He disclosed his identity but the Yankee replied, to hell with you,
we are Americans.
That was how the liberated Iraqi democrats were seen by the
occupation forces. He must have felt ashamed of contesting elections in the
presence of American soldiers in his country. Iraqi Parliament demanded
apology from US soldier, but nothing was heard thereafter.
Election drama was enacted with the hope that it would help
controlling the insurgency. Dont be fooled by the spin on Iraq, wrote
Jonathan Steele. He opined, US is failing and hatred of the occupation is
greater than ever. The Guardian expressed its concern: larger wave of
criminal violence have made too many yearn for safer pre-war days.
The Guardian apprehended that Jaafari was falling into the trap of
sectarianism by allowing Shiite and Kurds to have their militias. On 20 th
New York Times wrote, unless her (Rice) pleas for greater inclusiveness are
heeded, the new government will not be able to establish the nationwide
legitimacy it needs to draw significant numbers of Sunni away from the
continuing insurgency a large number of American troops will be struck
fighting a prolonged war
It then wagged finger at Iran. The one country it would serve quite
nicely is Iran. Tehran is not eager to see a successful, broadly based Shiite
democracy, which might lead Irans discontented millions to wonder why
they put up a corrupt, repressive and economically benighted Islamic
dictatorship Iran is already reinforcing its ties to Iraqs new Shiite
leadership.
Max Hastings was not pessimistic at all. He thought that neo-cons got
it right in Middle East. He argued; national government has been formed;
progress towards normalization in Shia and Kurdish regions has been made;
Syrian withdrawal gives Lebanon a chance of making something of
democracy; and the criticism that neo-cons methods would escalate a
confrontation between West and Islam has proved no more than skepticism.
The last claim was due to farsightedness of Muslim rulers, more than any
other factor, which enabled them to see that one billion Muslims cannot stem
the onslaught of the Crusaders.
He continued, insurgency in Iraq is no more than the work of Sunnis
alienated by dispossession from power, or jihadists committed simply to
frustrate any project sponsored by the US. The criminal anarchy was being
stemmed; recruitment and training of Iraqi security forces is going a little
776

better.
He concluded by mentioning the good the occupation of Iraq has done
to Israel. Palestinians has been deprived of their Iraqi support and with
Syria also in retreat, the Palestinians are chiefly dependent for their own
future upon international goodwill, a doubtful commodity. Arabs too have
little liking for their oppressed brethren, and no desire to go to the wall for
them. This has ensured enhanced security of Israel.
Dahr Jamail did not agree with above on the basis of interviews of
some people on occupation of Iraq:

A truck driver who has been trying to get supplies into Ramadi said,
all of our problems are due to the Americans. The soldiers have
surrounded the city for so long, there is only one entry way in and all
of the people of the city are suffering.

A Shia driver from Sadr City blurted out, the occupiers are creating
these problems between the Shia and Sunni, but it will not divide us!
All occupations only mean destruction and suffering.

Ahmed said angrily, my cousin is in al-Qaim, and he just told me the

Americans have destroyed so many houses in that area and killed
women and children.

OTHER ASPECTS
Cover up of war crimes committed by the Crusaders continued.
During first week of May England pleaded guilty in Texas to abuse charges.
The judge in her trial said, this trial is going to stop today and pick up some
time in future There can be no findings of guilty that can be declared at
this point. Her mistrial raised new questions and doubts about US forces
absurd attempt to cover up war crimes.
Harman also took full responsibility for her actions and apologized
for her role in prison scandal. Karpinski was demoted over prisoners abuse,
but she blamed her superiors over Abu Ghraib abuse. US Marine was cleared
of shooting incident in mosque in Fallujah. Danish Captain and four soldiers
pleaded innocence in abuse case.
The whitewash could not conceal or cover the spots left by the blood
soaked fingers of the Americans. In this context Bob Herbert narrated the
tale of Delgado, former Army reservist who was repelled by the violence and
de-humanization of the war. On return from Iraq he sought and received
777

conscientious objector status and was honourably discharged.

He has photos showing children barely clinging to life and some
appeared to be dead; a soldier holding someones severed leg; Iraqis with the
deathlike stare of shock; US soldiers happily posing and goofing with the
bodies of dead Iraqis; and a soldier leaning over the top of the body bag with
a spoon in his right hand, as if he is about to scoop up a portion of the dead
mans wounded flesh.
Some of such photos were posted in command headquarters. Shooting
of the prisoners and the circulation of the photos were viewed by the enlisted
personnel as acceptable even admirable behaviour. While working at
Abu Ghraib he found out that most inmates had committed only very minor
non-violent offensives or no offences at all.
In another incident British MP George Galloway accused of having
profited from Iraqs oil-for-food programme only because he has been
strongly opposing Iraq War. He appeared before American lawmakers to
clear his name.
The News commented on the proceedings in its editorial on 19 th May.
He was just too confident when he described all allegations against him as
mother of all smokescreens. But what must have really irked the Senators
was when he told the American lawmakers, youre remarkably cavalier with
any idea of justice His panel jurors did not have any answer when he said
that 100,000 people had paid the cost of the war in Iraq with their lives, and
that included 1,600 American soldiers. The soldiers had been sent to their
deaths on a pack of lies.
The editorial continued, the truth seemed so bitter for the American
lawmakers to swallow that they wrapped up the hearing rather in haste. That
they didnt grill him as they otherwise do in the name of justice only
indicates their discomfort with the presence of somebody who was not only
calling the shots but also leaving them no place to hide. He had also told
his interrogators that their own Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld had
twice met Saddam to sell him arms.
On 20th May the Sun raised the curtain to expose another ugly facet of
the holy war. It published photos of Saddam; one of them in underwear. US
military ordered investigations and said, we take seriously our
responsibility to ensure the safety and security of all detainees. It was feared
that photos could anger people who still respect Saddam for standing up to
the United States.

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Next day the Sun published more photos of Saddam and claimed an
unidentified senior British military source saying that the top brass at the
British Defence Ministry and the US Pentagon were secretly pleased by the
media exposure. It is a morale blow to the resistance to see their great
leader so humbled. About US pledge to probe, it wrote, Bush probes
Saddams pants. It also claimed having more pictures acquired through
American military sources.
Straw condemned photos of Saddam in underwear. I am not in favour
of the publication of material like that which serves to humiliate people,
even if they are in prison, even if they are accused of unacceptable crimes.
So, according to him there are acceptable crimes that can be committed in
war on terror.
The willing partners have been running short of their will. Thousands
of Filipino workers were asked to leave Iraq. Japan considered pulling out
troops by December and Kazakhstan also considered withdrawing. NATO
remained dormant despite resolution of differences over Iraq War.
Italy kept sobbing over killing of its agent. Italian Prime Minister said
that he would never endorse unconvincing findings of US report. US troops
followed rules in shooting Italian agent in Iraq countered a US report. But
Italy and America decided not to allow the killing to harm their ties making
an excuse of coordination problem. Berlusconi still disagreed with US
findings, but did not want to link it with his countries commitment to holy
war. The spirit of Crusades has to over-ride everything else.
Australian Defence Minister visited Iraq on 1st May, but it coincided
with kidnapping of an Australian. Canberra pleaded for release of the
hostage and also utilized services of a Muslim cleric, who on 26 th May
offered to swap places with hostage. However, Howards spirit of waging
Crusades was not dampened.
In spite of the British Muslims desire to punish Blair over Iraq John
Micklethwait and Adrian Woolbridge opined that he was all set for another
term. Bush hoped victory for Blair. An opinion poll showed that Blair was
on course for victory.
On 6th May Blair was re-elected for third term. He joyfully boasted
that Britons were ready to move on from Iraq. Muslims in a country of the
Crusaders could do no more than slightly denting Blairs majority.
Musharraf and Shaukat extended greetings over Blair making the history.
This must add to his resolve and he immediately pledged to keep British
troops in Iraq.
779

Habib Qureshi in his letter to the News wrote, the results of US and
British elections show that both nations are happy with their leaders. A large
number of people in the US and Britain took out protest rallies against their
leaders, especially against the attack on Iraq. But election results show that
that was a farce. He missed to mention Howard and Australia.
The criticism continued despite the historic victories. A poll in first
week of May revealed that Americans support to war dropped to 41 percent,
the lowest since invasion of Iraq. Bob Herbert felt bitter about the way
Rumsfeld conducted the war. The Generals are telling us now that the US is
likely to be bogged down in Iraq for years, and there are whispers circulating
about the possibility of defeat.
Niall Ferguson urged Americans not to lose hope. Instead of throwing
up our hands in an irresponsible fit of despair, we need to learn not just from
past disasters but also from historical victories over insurgents. US House
had already approved funding for Iraq and Afghanistan wars by a vote of
368-58.
While fighting in Iraq, American diplomatic offensive remained
focused on Iran. Europe was used as screw-driver to tighten the Ayatollahs
nut. EU asked Iran to give up enrichment plans while showing willingness to
review nuclear proposals of Iran. On 25th May EU and Iran agreed to avert
deadlock on talks.
The poodle lost the patience when Iran declined the request of London
not to dedicate Tehrans new airport to Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
Britain and Canada issued warning to the civilized people not to travel to
that airport as its runway was unsafe.
America did not leave everything to European screw-driver. Western
diplomats accused Iran of not cooperating with UN. Putin was coaxed to say,
Iran needed to do more to satisfy the world. Rice preferred to hurl few
threats herself, Iran is not immune to regional change and the world wont
tolerate Iranian nuclear weapons. However, US dropped veto allowing
WTO to open talks with Iran.
Iran, except boasting possession of nuclear weapons or threatening to
make few, followed North Korea in defying US pressure. Before the talks
with EU on 29th April it repeatedly threatened to resume uranium
enrichment. Khatami also said that Iran was ready to repel strikes. After the
inconclusive talks Iran again said, solve the issue or well go back to

780

uranium enrichment and told US nuclear plan was none of your business.
In May the desire to pursue nuclear enrichment and dialogue with EU
was expressed almost on every second day. Iran dismissed UN threat of
sending its nuclear case to the UNSC, on 22nd May it warned of unilateral
decisions if its nuclear programme was referred. Tehran denied having
considered a proposal that Russia should enrich uranium for it.
Last Syrian units left Lebanon on 25th April after 29 years of stay.
Four days later an Israeli spymaster predicted that Syrian president could
be toppled. Syrian objective aimed at by withdrawal of troops from Lebanon
was not achieved.
Occupation forces in Iraq continued accusing of facilitating foreign
terrorists, despite Zarqawi Group had denied holding meetings in Syria.
Perforce Syria severed all links with the US military and CIA because of
allegations that it has not done enough to stem the flow of support to Iraqi
insurgents.
Syria has arrested over 1,200 foreigners in recent weeks, who were
trying to cross border into Iraq, told Syrian UN Ambassador next day. They
have been sent back to their countries. We gave a lot of information to the
United States on these issues, which prevented many attacks, but regrettably,
the United States did not recognize such kind of help.
Nagib Miqati formed a new unity government in Lebanon and antiSyrian Lebanese celebrated completion of Syrian troops pullout, after
having delayed polls despite US pressure. The Washington Post warned
Bush Administration of dangers of elections in Lebanon. An opposition
victory, after all would empower not champions of human rights but many of
the same warlords who fought the civil war. The Hezbollah movement too
will gain strength
Israel is not bound by the roadmap said Sharon. Tel Aviv rehearsed,
postponed pullout, killed three Palestinians during the period and then
promised to release 400 Palestinian detainees and pullout from Gaza.
America warned against expanding Jewish settlements but agreed to sell
hundred bunker busters to Israel.
Abbas ordered security forces to use an iron fist if needed, to ensure
Palestinian militants keep a ceasefire with Israel. He had no option except to
do what Israel and America wished. Nevertheless Bush once again backed a
viable Palestinian state as Abbas visited America. His task remained difficult
with Hamas gaining in local bodies elections and Bolton present in the

781

United Nations.
His limitations were exposed when during visit to Islamabad he
formally requested Musharraf to step in and play a role for the early solution
of the long-standing Palestine dispute. Watching from distance, frequent
patting by the Crusaders misled him in over-assessing the capabilities of his
host, who even did not have diplomatic relations with Israel.
Dismal performance of Pakistans foreign relations was recently
exposed by abduction of one of its embassy official in Baghdad. The
government of Pakistan fighting for the Crusaders on the frontline was
compelled to talk of Islamic brotherhood to secure his release. Some leaders
in Pakistan could still be inclined to claim a diplomatic success.

CONCLUSION
Installation of Shiite regime in Iraq has made a significant dent in
Wahabi Arab World. America will now focus on launching massive
crackdown against insurgents to consolidate the occupation using Iraqi
security forces in the forefront for obvious reasons.
America enjoyed clear edge over the insurgents in terms of military
means and hoped to crush the fighter groups. But it wont succeed in
winning hearts and minds of those against whom its soldiers have committed
numerous war crimes. Their stay in Iraqi inferno would certainly be quite
painful.
Despite American plans to educate Iraqi troops on human rights, its
own soldiers wont desist from committing more brutalities against
humanity as by now they know for certain that the world in general and
Muslims in particular can do nothing against them.
The next goal of the occupation forces is to grant a semblance of
stability to new regime and then extract an accord to secure permanent
military bases in Iraq. In doing that the US wont repeat the mistake of
calling another Galloway to appear before the Senate Committee allowing
him to pull down the veil from ugly American face.

28th May 2005

782

DESECRATION AND TORTURE

Newsweeks report on flushing of a copy of Holy Quraan in a toilet by
interrogators in Guantanamo Bay was in no way a maiden discovery made
by its investigative reporters. What surprised many was the unexpected
reaction of the people in Muslim World.
Having seen and assessed the reaction America made yet another
promise for transparent probe. Keeping the findings of previous probes in
view, the outcome of the promised probe was quite predictable. American
military has been committing such evil offences under a well deliberated
plan fully aware of the possible reaction and ready with statements to brush
aside the criticism.
This incident viewed in isolation would lead to incomplete or possibly
wrong conclusions. One must keep in mind the events of forty-four months
of holy war since 9/11 to find plausible answers. In this war the Crusaders
making use of their massive military means have caused widespread death

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and destruction but only in selected areas.

Random killings and arrests in military offensive were aimed at
breaking the will of the enemy. However, military means despite their
enormity had their limitations. Therefore, launching of extensive and
sustained psychological offensive was considered essential to humble the
entire Muslim World.
The abuse and torture of prisoners became an important tool of the
psychological warfare. The effect of this too would have been restricted to
the inmates if all the happenings remained secret within four walls of
prisons. This had to be leaked out to target entire Muslim World. Western
Media provided the cutting-edge in this tool.
Torture techniques used during the so-called interrogations had to go
beyond causing physical pain to achieve the wider goals of psychological
offensive. Therefore, some techniques were aimed at hurting the heart and
soul of all Muslims and to this end their religious beliefs and values were
ridiculed every now and then. Desecration was just one of the techniques
used for hurting Muslims.

PURPOSE AND PURSUIT

The campaign of causing psychological pain to Muslims, in or outside
the prisons, has been going on for more than three years. The issue has been
revealed, telecast, broadcast, published and discussed A lot. The publication
of Newsweek report has steered the issue to a point where some hidden
aspects of this evil phenomenon must be explored.
To date all the abuses and torture has been labeled as interrogation
techniques to extract information from the prisoners. The record proves that
very little useful information has been extracted so far that too could have
been collected without resorting to the evil techniques.
Collection of information may be one of the purposes, but it certainly
is not the purpose. To establish the real purpose of the Crusaders one has to
re-look at all that has happened and debated in the past and also closely see
what was being said now.
Katharine Q Seelye and Neil A Lewis observed that desecration has
been going on for the last two years as was told by three Britons released
from Guantanamo. It was also reported by a released Kuwaiti detainee that
once the prisoners went on hunger strike over mishandling of Quraan. An

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interpreter working in the camp had said that this issue created friction and
problems all the time.
Paul Reynolds of BBC News corroborated the above facts in his
article. In July 2004 a released British detainees had said, when (copies of)
Quraan were provided, they were kicked and thrown about by the guards and
on occasion thrown in the buckets used for toilets. When it happened, it was
always said to be accident but it was a recurrent theme.
Linda S Heard tried to answer that did Newsweek really err.
Pentagon has claimed that the military has found no evidence that such
desecration ever took place. It was a blatant lie because there have been
several previous reports on similar lines. Released British detainees had that.
A lawyer of Kuwaiti detainee had told the court that a Muslim detainee had
been made to watch a guard throw a (copy of) Quraan in the toilet. Hunger
strike by detainees after a guard kicked Quraan was reported in March 2004.
Marda Dunsky wrote, whether or not this particular incident of Holy
Quraan-desecration actually did occur, there is evidence that such an event
would conform to a pattern of allegations reported during the last year by top
US newspapers and the BBC but dismissed by the US military as
groundless.
Bob Herbert in the New York Times said with conviction, there is no
longer any doubt that larger number of troops responsible for guarding and
interrogating detainees somehow loosed their moorings to humanity, and
began behaving as sadists, perverts and criminals.
Many individuals and groups of the civilized world woke after
publication of the report. Even the sleeping watchdogs woke up but only to
howl rather than barking at or biting the violators. ICRC condemned the
treatment meted out to Guantanamo Muslim prisoners. However, the Pope,
projected as symbol of inter-faith harmony, preferred to have long nap over
desecration and enjoy sweet dreams coming true.
The ordeal of prisoners has to be seen in little more detail to
comprehend the situation and to draw plausible conclusions. Outside the
civilized world Rauf Klasra compiled a report on Guantanamo-returned
prisoners who were now held in Adiala jail near Islamabad. He narrated the
story of Hafiz Ehsan Saeed, who had gone to Afghanistan to see the style of
Taliban governance. He was impressed by the revival of Islamic traditions
particularly veiling of women and ban of music.
He came under heavy fire, got injured and was captured by soldiers of

785

Dostum in Kabul, who put him and 200 others in a small container pulled by
a truck to shift them to Mazar-e-Sharif. He was lucky to be one of the 15
survivors as all others died of suffocation and dehydration.
They were locked in a small room and many more died in the black
hole. He also saw several mass graves in which both dead and injured
Taliban were dumped. One day Americans arrived and took them to
Kandahar. They were pleased to see someone speaking English and Hafiz
was selected to act as bridge between the Taliban and Americans. There was
no other reason to take him to Cuba.
On way to Cuba, he and others were blindfolded, tied, chained, and
made to sit in one position for 27 hours. No one was allowed to even go to
toilet. Many prisoners attended the calls of nature while sitting on their seats.
Detention in Cuba was one of the worst things that could happen in the life
of anyone. He was chained and was beaten by the American soldiers daily.
In Guantanamo Bay the Holy Book was used to measure the religious
feelings of prisoners. If someone reacted sharply and indignantly to
desecration, he was adjudged to be dangerous. When desecration became
repeated and persistent, the prisoners went on hunger strike for seven days to
give vent to their indignation. The prison officials were alarmed at this
reaction and they told the outside world that the strike was being observed
against tough dealing of the prisoners by jail staff.
Abuses in Abu Ghraib jail pale into insignificance before the torture
and humiliation meted out to the inmates of Guantanamo Bay. During
interrogation he was asked number of irrelevant questions. When did he
meet Osama and Omar? Whether Osama had any nuclear bombs? What
were the future plans of Osama? What the ISI planned to do in future?
Whether he had any girlfriend and if so did he ever have sex with her? The
questions asked from an ordinary prisoner spoke of the interest of
interrogators in extracting the information from him.
After three years of investigation he along with some other detainees
was declared clear. Just before their departure to Pakistan, two of the
prisoners were chosen and taken to a court. One of the boys was accused of
having pictures with Osama. These pictures were framed and were shown to
the boy who got frightened and puzzled as throughout his life he had never
seen Osama, let alone having a group photo with him.
It is evident that Islam was only used as a tool by interrogators to
torture prisoners. Jane Lampman quoted Colonel Patrick Lang, former head
of military intelligence at the Defence Intelligence Agency, the people
786

doing interrogating (in Guantanamo) know nothing about Islam and not
much about interrogation
British detainees released from Gitmo (Guantanamo called by
Americans affectionately) claim that guards there mocked their faith, cursing
Almighty Allah and the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and mistreating the
Quraan. Army sergeant, Erik Saar who had been in Guantanmo as
interrogator said, we say were trying to win the hearts and minds of
Muslim people around the world, yet they can see we are using their religion
against them. Therefore, it can be ruled out that all was done to extract
information or to win hearts and minds of anyone.
Bob Herbert opined that psychological torture was part of the
psychological warfare. A recent report said, the employment of
psychological torture was a direct result of decisions developed by civilian
and military leaders to take the gloves off during interrogations and break
prisoners through the use of techniques like sensory deprivation, isolation,
sleep deprivation, forced nudity, the use of military working dogs to instill
fear, cultural and sexual humiliation, mock executions, and the threat of
violence or death toward detainees or their loved ones The psychological
torture was central to the interrogation process.
He added, this insidious and deeply inhumane practice was not the
work of a few bad apples. As we have seen from many other investigations,
the abuses flowed inexorably from policies promulgated at the highest levels
of the government.
The evidence of approval of torture techniques has been corroborated
by many others. Anne Applebaum urged not to see the incident of
desecration reported by the magazine in isolation. It is confirmed by
administration and military officials that interrogation techniques designed
to be offensive to Muslims were used in Iraq and Guantanamo.
General Sanchez directed in writing to exploit Arab fear of dogs.
Rumsfeld in a policy memo approved use of nudity to humiliate Muslim
men as an interrogation technique. In the same memo he also approved
removal of facial hair as a technique designed to offend Muslims who wear
beards.
A US investigation report compiled by Vice Admiral Albert revealed
the technique of sexual harassment. Two female interrogators who, on their
own initiative, touched and spoke to detainees in a sexually suggestive
manner in order to incur stress based on the detainees religious beliefs.

787

When former detainees began claiming that they had been smeared
with menstrual blood intended to make then unclean and therefore unable to
pray, (even) their lawyers initially dismissed the story as implausible. But
the story was confirmed by Sergeant Erik Saar a female interrogator who
smeared a prisoner with red ink, claimed it was menstrual blood and left,
saying; have a fun night in your cell without any water to clean yourself.
The writer had no doubts that these were tactics designed to offend,
no question that they were put in place after 2001 and no question that many
considered them justified. Since the Afghan invasion, public supporters of
exceptional interrogation methods have argued that in the special, unusual
case of the war on terrorism, we may have to suspend our fussy legality,
ignore our high ideals and resort to some unpleasant tactics that our military
had never used. It was surprising that despite all the above evidence, the
writer too suspected that prisoners themselves used Quraan to block toilets
as a form of protest.
Seymour Hersh was convinced that this part the war (psychological
offensive) was approved at the highest level. There have been at least 10
official military investigations (in last one year) none of which has
challenged the official Bush Administration line that there was no high-level
policy condoning or overlooking the abuse.
I know of the continuing practice of American operatives seizing
suspected terrorists and taking them, without any meaningful legal review, to
interrogation centres in south-east Asia and elsewhere I know according
to a memo, in my possession, addressed to Donald Rumsfeld, there were
800-900 Pakistani boys 13-15 years of age in custody. When Pentagon
spokesman was asked to comment, he replied, age is not a determining
factor in detention.
When in August 2003 the insurgency in Iraq became more aggressive,
there was a decision to get tough with the thousands of prisoners in Iraq,
many of whom had been seized in random raids or at roadside checkpoints.
It was then that General Miller tutored the troops to Gitmo-ise the Iraqi
system. Representatives of one of the Pentagons private contractors at Abu
Ghraib, who were involved in prisoner interrogation, were told that
Condoleezza Rice, then the presidents national security adviser, had praised
their effort.
In October 2003 the highly trained and tutored military men started
working after they were authorized by the Pentagons senior leadership to
act far outside the normal rules of engagement I know of the young
788

special forces officer whose subordinates were confronted with charges of

prisoner abuse and torture testified that yes, his men had done what the
photos depicted, but they and everybody in the command understood
such treatment was condoned by higher-ups.
The question that never gets adequately answered is this: what did
the president do after being told about Abu Ghraib? It is here that
chronology becomes very important. The writer concluded, there is no
evidence that President Bush, upon learning of the devastating conduct at
Abu Ghraib, asked any hard questions of Rumsfeld and his own aides in the
White House; no evidence that they took any significant steps, to review and
modify the military policy toward prisoners.
This kind of torture was not restricted to prisons only. There have
been numerous incidents since the start of holy war. Recently a Muslim
woman in America ordered a copy of Quraan online through a used books
division and received desecrated Holy Book. She found Death to all
Muslims written on first page with thick black marker. The same day
Australian spy chief was reported saying Australian terror laws were
targeting only Muslims.
The Director of New York based Human Rights Watch criticized the
arrest, detention and release of two brothers in Karachi. It is outrageous that
Pakistan abducts people from their homes in the middle of the night and
tortures them in secret prisons to extract confessions, all the while ignoring
court orders to produce their victims in court.
He added, the United States should be condemning this, but instead it
either directed this activity or turned a blind eye in the hopes of gaining
information in the war on terror. Pakistans dreadful record on illegal
detentions and torture should have acted as a stop sign for the FBI instead;
the FBI aided and abetted the illegal actions of the Pakistani security
services by participating in the interrogations.
Naomi Klein was the first to come close to identifying the real
purpose by narrating the story of Syrian-born Canadian, Arar who was
rendered to Syria, where he was held for ten months in a cell slightly larger
than a grave and taken out periodically for beating. Once released, many of
the prominent community leaders kept their distance from Arar And
perhaps they were right as Arar himself had landed in to trouble due to guilt
by association.
Like him dozens of other Muslims chased and visited by the agents
prefer to remain silent due to fear. The fear so created is meant to terrorize
789

the Muslims. To this end Defence Department deliberately allows release of

seemingly incriminating information about Guantanamo leading to media
hype. It induces and aggravates the fear.
He concluded that the true purpose of torture is not only the people in
Guantanamos cages and Syrias isolation cells but also, and more
importantly, the broader community that hears about these abuses. Torture is
a machine designed to break the will to resist the individual prisoners will
and the collective will.
On 25th May FBI documents also showed repeated complaints over
Quraan sacrilege. Most complaints dealt with the handling of the Quraan by
guards. They threw and kicked the Holy Book and in one case flushed in a
toilet. The same day the Sun claimed that photos of Saddam were released as
a strategy to deliver a body blow to the resistance in Iraq. This is also
applicable to desecration; as it aims at delivering much harder body blow to
Muslims all over the world.
The publication of the report could be related to reassessing the
situation through the process of battle reading, as military leaders prefer to
call it. The Crusaders might have intended to see the impact the war has
made so far. Reaction to desecration report in Muslim World would have
provided them some useful information. This aspect will be analyzed in
some detail a little later.

SURPRISE REACTION
There was no significant reaction to reports of torture perpetrated
through ridicule of religious beliefs of Muslims in the last three years. The
violent reaction to this report in Afghanistan obviously surprised many in the
civilized world.
On 9th May Afghan Apex court slammed desecration of Quraan and
next day students in Jalalabad protested over it. On 11th May Pakistan
Consulate in Jalalabad along with offices of UN and NGOs was set on fire
by angry protesters. Police opened fire to control rioters, and four people
were killed and 71 wounded. Delivery of aid in various parts of the country
was blocked by increasing violence. Rice sought stemming of anger over
desecration through inquiry and punishment of the guilty, if any.
Taliban described the violent demonstration by Afghans in Jalalabad
as firm reaction of the people of Afghanistan against the presence of US
forces in the country and inhuman treatment with prisoners at detention
790

centres and showing disrespect to the Muslims faith.

Anti-US protests spread beyond Jalalabad to ten of Afghanistans 34
provinces. Protesters in Kabul shouted death to America. Seven people
were killed and at least 76 injured in three days. The protests continued on
13th May, despite clerics leading Friday prayers urged people to shun
violence. Four policemen and soldiers were killed in clash with protesters in
Herat. Three protesters were killed and 21 including two policemen injured
in Badakhshan. One person was killed in Badghis province. UN relocated its
staff after riots.
On 15th May clerics in Badakhshan threatened to call for Jihad against
the United States in three days unless it hands over military interrogators
reported to have desecrated the Quraan. Governor of Balkh prohibited antiUS demonstrations. Defence Ministry demanded probe into desecration. Aid
workers were advised to keep their movement secret. By this day 16
protesters had been killed and more than 100 wounded.
An Afghan cleric, Mulla Sadullah of Badakhshan rejected the
clarifications rendered by US Administration on 16th May. We will not be
deceived by this. This is a decision by America to save itself. It comes
because of American pressure. Even an ordinary illiterate peasant
understands this and he wont accept it.
Hafizullah Torab, a journalist from Jalalabad wrote, its not
acceptable now that the magazine says its made a mistake. No one will
accept it. However, Karzai was pleased with the acknowledgement of error
by the magazine; the error which enabled enemies of Afghanistan to
orchestrate violence. But he was unhappy with the way Newsweek handled
the story.
Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah expressed his love for the
occupation forces on 18th May claiming that the protests were not against
presence of US troops in Afghanistan. Couple of days later more of
American documents about prisoner abuse leaked as if to cast evil shadows
on Abdullahs love.
Documents revealed that one prisoner was forced to roll back and
forth kissing the boots of two interrogators. Another was made to pick bottle
caps out of a drum mixed with excrement and water as part of the strategy to
soften him up. Dilawar died of torture, having over 100 blows to the legs
pulverizing the tissues, but interrogators found him innocent.

791

One female interrogator with a taste for humiliation stepped on the

neck of one prostrate detainee and kicked another in the genitals. The man
being interrogated must have shivered thinking about the day Muslim
women would become civilized to that extent through the ongoing process
of their emancipation.
On 20th May clerics of Badakhshan deferred their call for Jihad and
Karzai headed to the United States under shadow of anti-US anger in his
country. He intended to ask Bush to hand over prisoners to Afghan
authorities because of the recent publication of reports of torture. Next day
United Nations condemned US abuse of prisoners and requested for
permission to allow a probe.
Karzai was saddened by reports of prisoner abuse, but he was of the
view that Newsweek story on desecration did not reflect American values.
Perhaps, he chose to talk on behalf of most rulers of Muslim World, who
dare not place Quraan above American values.
Adrienne McPhail opined that the reason as to why the incident
created so much of commotion was, the United States military has lost all
credibility in regards to the treatment of prisoners captured during its war on
terror. M K Bhadrakumar writing in the Hindu opined that the accumulated
Afghan rage was the real cause of violent ant-American protests over
desecration of the Holy Quraan. He began with quoting popular saying in
Hazara Tribe; broken glass becomes sharper and then went on to explain
the genesis of Afghan anger which found an opportunity to express itself.
Surely, the Americans have broken a lot of glass during their threeand-a-half-year military occupation of Afghanistan. Tens of thousands of
innocent Afghans have been killed unnoticed in the past three years of the
war on terror Recently, a senior United Nations official posted in
Afghanistan publicly alleged that his audacity to protest about the American
war crimes in Afghanistan cost him his job.
American militarys interrogation methods have made a fine art of
torture of detainees. The US military itself has acknowledged the unnatural
death of Afghan detainees in American custody in the Bagram Airbase north
of Kabul.
There is a big question as to whether the American military
intervention in Afghanistan in October 2001 was necessary at all The
Northern Alliance did not want an American intervention. As for the former
King, Zahir Shah, he had just formed an alliance with the NA on September
30, 2001 and was about to announce a broad-based government-in-exile
792

under his leadership.

The US simply ignored the Afghan initiatives and instead proceeded
to hand out $ 70 million in 100-dollars bills to handpicked NA militia
commanders to coax them into becoming the foot soldiers for the
handpicked 110 CIA officers and 316 Special Forces personnel who were
being assigned to Afghanistan.
By the way, most of these personnel were deployed in Afghanistan via
Chaklala Airbase. Once the NA militia won the war on the ground, the US
military began moving in The NA leadership in Kabul was taken by
surprise and initially objected to the arrival of the US forces at the Bagram
Airbase.
After establishing its military presence, (it started) playing the NA
commanders against one another, creating dissensions within the NA,
forcing the NA commanders to compromise by means of bribery, threats,
and outright blackmail, the US manipulated to create a power arrangement
in Kabul that was entirely beholden to Washington.
None of the problems facing Afghanistan poverty, destitution, drug
culture, lawlessness, warlordism were addressed making political transition
deeply flawed The Afghan people do not trust the legitimacy of the
transition
Imagine if handful of Non-Resident Indians settled in Detroit or
Alabama or Colorado for the past quarter century were to be persuaded to
assume power in Delhi on the strength of an invading American army. Can
their writ run beyond the sequestered vistas of central Delhi? Then impose a
unitary system of government on a country that is extremely complex in its
diversity of culture, society, religious beliefs, language and ethnicity.
Their precious jewel, Kabul city has become a decadent, corrupt den
of vices in the hands of foreign infidels. He quoted the story reported by
Pankaj Mishra, who saw one tribesman that came to Jalalabad governor to
complain about the dishonour caused to their families by American soldiers
barging into womens quarters, about the frustration and rage felt by him and
others. He spoke for long time, his voice growing in passion until it
broke
Local leaders are too overawed by the profile of the lone superpower
to voice dissent. Yet Afghanistan is far from pacified, Afghanistan has

793

simply lapsed into deeply troubled and sullen. It is seething with

frustration over the humiliation it is being subjected to.
Desecration was the proverbial last straw that breached the dykes
holding back the Afghan rage. In no time the rage erupted at Jalalabad
spread and provided an opportunity to the crowds to chant, Death to
America, Death to Bush and American military go back. At the end he
desired a course correction in Afghanistan but wasnt quite optimistic about
that.

WHY AGAINST PAKISTAN

On 10th May demonstration against desecration and the cartoon was
held in Peshawar. Next day when Pakistans Consulate was ransacked by
protesters in Jalalabad, Foreign Office spokesman made face saving effort
by saying that the protest was against America, not Pakistan. Nevertheless
Islamabad summoned Afghan Envoy and demanded probe.
He tried to sell the idea that the protest in Jalabad was not against
Pakistan, and demanded a probe in an incident where everything was clear
like daylight. There was no possibility of mischief by a hidden hand. It
would have reflected the diplomatic acumen better if the spokesman had said
that the protest was not against America, but only against some bad apples.
Instead of asking for a probe he should have sat in his air-conditioned
office and answered some obvious questions in the context of this incident.
Who is the frontline state in the holy war waged against Islamic militants,
who seek justice against oppression? Who extended the helping hand in
death and destruction perpetrated by the Crusaders in Afghanistan? Who
contributed towards the present plight of the majority Pushtoons in
Afghanistan barring few exiles and pro-Crusades warlords? Who gifted most
of the detainees being interrogated by American interrogators for years now?
Who blames Islamic religious groups for militancy while licking the boots
of perpetrators of terror against Muslims all over the world? Who has been
ridiculing Mulla, Madrassa and Mosque relentlessly to seek soft image for
himself? Answers to all questions lead to the beast held by an American GI
by the leash.
It was definitely a clumsy attempt to reject the public sentiment which
held Pakistan guilty of accesses committed against Afghans in American
war on terror. The same day a report by Rauf Klasra on detainees released
from Guantanamo Bay was published. It constituted one of the proofs of
794

Pakistans guilt.
Thirty-nine Pakistani boys were returned by US after detaining them
in Cuba for three years, chained and tortured, they were now in Adiala Jail
for the last eight months under a law applicable only to those nationals of
Pakistan or Indians, who are suspected of being Indian agents. This has
happened for the first time in history of Pakistan.
Declared dangerous prisoners, all the boys have been kept in separate
cells made exclusively for them before they arrived in Rawalpindi after
their release They were not being produced in a court of law some of
them have even lost memory, inducing psychological disorders. Many
Afghans sent to Pakistan erroneously by Americans are also being kept in
jail under the same law. The inmates say, had they been so dangerous; the
Americans would not have sent them back.
Their agony is unlikely to end in the near future as their poor parents
are not in position to hire lawyers to win their freedom from courts. (And no
NGOs are likely to raise their voices, no lawyers are likely to render their
services free and no court will take suo moto notice for fear of the wrath of
intelligence agencies of Pakistan and America.) That was why Sherpao said,
the government has no objection if the parents of detained prisoners wanted
to get legal assistance. Get it if you can.
One detainee, Hafiz Ehsan was carrying a live bullet in his chest since
2001and is yet to get medical treatment despite the fact that the bullet-pain
does not allow him to sleep at night. He had refused operation by
Americans.
The ailing and sobbing mothers of some victims could be seen every
Tuesday and Saturday passionately, praying to powerful jail authorities to
allow them to meet their sons. First, my son did injustice to me by going to
Afghanistan without my consent. Now, the government was doing the same
injustice by not releasing him when he has been cleared by the Americans.
What is my fault? asked mother of Irfan. When mother and sister of Irfan
were allowed meeting they were only crying instead of talking to each other
for the brief time they were allowed to meet.
Irfan was convinced by a religious group to accompany them to
Afghanistan. He criticized the religious group, but justified his act. He was
not repentant over what he had done in the name of Jihad. The way they
were handled by the Americans has further fuelled their outrage.
The mother of Imran was seen weeping and falling at the knees of the

795

deputy superintendent jail Baig to see her son and the deputy
superintendent arrogantly pushed her away They complained that
attitude of jail authorities in Pakistan was no better than Americans.
Brother of Hafiz Ahsan lashed out at leaders of religious groups, they
send their own children to the US but dispatch children of the poor to fight
Americans in the name of Jihad. He was taken to the American jail only
because he could communicate in English and the Americans wanted to
exploit his eservices for future communication with other detainees.
Astonishingly, next day Rauf Klasra, like spokesman of Foreign
Office, also tried to shift blame for the agony of Pakistani prisoners, on
Abdullah Mehsud, who had rejoined the ranks of anti-US forces after his
release. He missed mentioning the fact that none of them was a terrorist.
In fact the detainees at Adiala have not been freed, but only shifted to
Pakistan as part of the policy of rendition of prisoners to countries where
there is no respect for the law. Those who have been grilled for years under
this policy and their dear-ones certainly see no difference in governments of
America and Pakistan. The number of such aggrieved people in Afghanistan
is certainly far more than those in Pakistan.
National Assembly of Pakistan debated the issue during which Qazis
daughter asked the Government of Pakistan to ask America to hand over
our terrorists in reciprocation of the spirit in which their terrorists were
extradited to America. On 13th May National Assembly condemned
desecration of Holy Quraan.
Shocked by the cartoon, President and Prime Minister of Pakistan
took time to regain their composure to condemn desecration of the Holy
Quraan on 14th May. Next day a rally in Peshawar again condemned
desecration, while ANP condemned explosions at video centres. Qazi
announced to hold protest on May 27.
On 16th May Islamabad demanded probe despite Newsweeks
apology. Meanwhile Rauf Klasra continued reporting on Guantanamoreleased prisoners. One of them, Hafiz Saeed was at a loss to know why the
government of Pakistan has woken up so late to reports of desecration of the
Holy Book whereas it took place the first time some two years ago.
Hafiz and other released detainees were received by Brigadier
Cheema at Chaklala Airport with news that they would be released within 15
days. They were taken to Adiala Jail where attitude of staff was not
sympathetic. One day a jail officer ordered that those returning from Cuba

796

be thrashed. Thrashing by their own compatriots shocked and pained them

more than humiliating treatment meted out to them by soldiers of Dostum
and officials in Cuba.
Punjab Minister for Jails Akbar Niwani met them during a routine
visit to the jail. He told them that the government was helpless as they were
being detained on orders of US and the issue was too sensitive to be decided
at his level. The Punjab Chief Ministers advisor Maulana Ashrafi promised
to send blankets, clothes and other items of daily use, but the promise was
never fulfilled.
He was bitter about the attitude of Hanif Abbasi, MNA of religious
alliance MMA. Saeed and others asked him to raise the issue of their
detention in the National Assembly, but he declined. When he sent some
clothes to them, they refused to accept under protest. He claimed that they
were actually in the custody of Americans despite being in a Pakistani jail.
None of them had any remorse and they all were resigned to the will
of Allah. They firmly believed that they had not wronged anyone, and they
were wronged by many. Hafiz had risked speaking about the Guantanamo
despite the possible consequences the interview might lead him to.
The day series of Rauf Klasras reports ended a young detainee was
shifted from Adiala Jail to a mental hospital after he developed serious
psychological disorder. Many others who also suffered psychological
problems were not yet considered serious enough for shifting to mental
hospital. The same day PTI demanded UN probe into desecration of the
Holy Quraan.
On 20th May the News correspondent accused MMA of trying to
internationalize its forthcoming protest against desecration of Quraan. Next
day Rauf Klasras report made the impact but not the one he or any Pakistani
would have desired; Guantanamo-released detainees were dispersed to other
jails in Punjab from Adiala. On 24th May ARD urged punishment to those
behind desecration of the Holy Quraan. Next day thousands of people
protested in Karachi. Meanwhile Foreign Office announced being in touch
with US on desecration.
Recently released Muhammad Rafique of Swat corroborated the
statement of Hafiz Saeed. Desecration was a hobby of the US interrogators.
Soldiers played jokes to ridicule the ritual of Azaan. Prisoners were told in
advance that they were not human beings but animals, thus treated
accordingly. The feelings of Rafique and others like him are bound to spread
as the correspondent reported that villagers met him daily to ask him about
797

his ordeal.
On 26th May during her visit to Pakistan Rocca said, findings of
probe on desecration may be made public. While America announced $
147 million assistance for health and education, she met Musharraf and then
chaired a Darbar exclusively to hear viewpoint of government and
opposition on internal political problems of Pakistan. She, however, held the
verdict in abeyance.
Pakistanis protested against desecration on 27th May and demanded
apology from Bush. Qazi led the protest in Rawalpindi warned the rulers
against their pro-American policies, which he believed had led to such
incidents of sacrilege. He had brought a former prisoner of Guantanamo Bay
before the participants of the rally as a proof, who said that he during his
stay at the prison had witnessed the desecration of Holy Quraan time and
again. MNA from Islamabad asked America to hand over the culprits to
Pakistan. One speaker alleged that the blast at Bari Imam Shrine was a
conspiracy to sabotage demonstration against desecration. Next day
Musharraf said, desecration of Quraan was not acceptable.
At the end one must come back to the report of Rauf Klasra. Its
heading read, led astray to Afghanistan, then hurt in Cuba, they now endure
agony at home. For reasons that preaching of Afghan Jihad had been going
on for decades in Pakistan with connivance of the government on behest of
the civilized world; taking a U-turn after 9/11; and in the context of the
cartoon published in Washington Times; he should have titled his report, led
by the desire to wage Jihad in Afghanistan and be birds of heaven, then hurt
by the shots fired by the Crusaders, they now land in canines of the
Labrador.
Reading of his article brings nothing but shame to a Pakistani. No
NGO or Human Rights Group, who usually cry out loudly over injustice
meted out to women, had squeaked about this belligerent desecration of
humanity. It was also matter of shame for all the religious leaders that they
kept quiet over it for months and more so if they did not know about this.
They were more perturbed over insult dispensed to Sami by EU; whereas the
Mulla should have refused to go there in protest against the war in which
only Muslims were targeted.
Javed Rana accused the government as well as opposition of not
protesting when desecration was reported for the first time. If the accounts of
released prisoners are to be believed, the government and religious parties
were privy to the reports of desecration long before Newsweek reported it
798

and subsequently retracted under immense pressure from the US

government.
Those in opposition made lame excuses for not reacting to previous
reports. Hafiz Hussain Ahmed waited for full version of Guantanamo
situation to appear. Liaqat Baluch expected the US itself to take action
against the culprits. Chaudhry Nisar blamed Pakistani newspapers for not
highlighting the issue earlier, but had little to say on why his party did not
move a resolution in the parliament or why it did not protest earlier. Foreign
office spokesman sidestepped a query as to why information provided by
prisoners to their Pakistani interrogators was insufficient to condemn the
sacrilege of Quraan. It was quite evident that all of them avoided to be
singled out for the fear of American wrath.
Coincidence of the cartoon and report of desecration promised more
mischief. Dr M S Jillani apprehended that publication of cartoon and report
of desecration in succession could mark start of a new war on terror. This is
too much of a coincidence to ignore. The sudden flurry of activity to haul
up al-Qaeda leaders in and around Pakistani and Afghan borders about the
same time, again, cannot be dismissed as coincidental. Nor can one ignore
the occurrences in Tajikistan (probably an inadvertent mention for
Kyrgyzstan) just a few weeks ago, especially in the light of disturbances in
Uzbekistan, in which at least 600 persons have died.
He added, frustration over the failure of the US and its allies in
Baghdad and Kabul must have produced a feeling of exasperation and
inadequacy among the US Administration. Some day, the message will also
reach the US public, in spite of a blackout of US casualties. That should be a
bad day for any administration. The utter failure of intelligence agencies in
case of the 9/11 episode and the incompetence to foresee events in other
parts of the world is reason enough to make the US government still more
flustered.
The possibility of the start of a second wave of the war on terror in
such circumstances is not improbable... There must have been a nod from
somewhere close to the top. The real objective of the leakage in Newsweek
could be the identification and estimation of the strength of active religious
pockets in the Muslim populations, especially the Muslim countries.
The matter of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan is more serious The armed
conflict in these countries may be an endeavour to cleanse the area by
defeating, or at least demoralizing, the extremist elements. All this fits in a
dual motive: to bring the world under the American umbrella, and use the
799

worlds resources without any hindrance. The second objective is to weaken

the Muslim Ummah and individual Muslim nations to an extent where they
cant harbour any nationalistic, anti-capitalist or anti-American motives. He
concluded, one will not be wrong to conclude that the West, especially the
USA of the Bush era, is grossly biased against Islam and the Muslims. One
does not have to go very far to prove this claim.

MUSLIM WORLD
Public reaction in Muslim World has been much milder than expected
against such evil act. Very few Muslims turned out to flay desecration on
27th May. In Cairo 1,000 protesters were surrounded by double the number
of riot police. In Beirut 1,000 protested and in Khartoum some gathered in
front of US Embassy. Similar rallies were held in Jordan, Malaysia and
Indonesia. Kashmiris protested as Gillani was put under house arrest by
Indian occupation forces.
Earlier Arabs and Muslims of Fareast had expressed their anger.
Indian Muslims burnt US flag. A senior Shiite cleric in Lebanon said, the
reported desecration of the Quraan is part of an American campaign aimed at
disrespecting and smearing Islam. Arab League preferred to remain mild
and asked Washington to apologize if the report turned out to be true.
The reason could be that the people do not hold only the Americans
guilty of the crime committed. They accuse their own leaders of abetting the
offence and to some extent feel guilty themselves. It was out of shame that
they refrained from condemning others for a wrong towards which they had
contributed. But, more the delay in venting the anger more dangerous it
would be.
Arab News wrote, American misconception about Muslim anger is
that it thinks Muslim leaders are angry. It is not Muslim leaders who are
angry but Muslim people. Hence, tickling the egos of leaders does not do
anything to stem anger.
The policy of systematic torture in US detention centres from
Guantanamo through Abu Ghraib to Bagram has created an anger that needs
to be taken into account and addressed While Newsweek has retracted its
story about desecration of the Quraan, the anger has not gone away because
the same charge has come from too many other credible sources including
rights-monitoring organizations.
The official reaction has always been the same: They do not reflect
800

the American ethos Muslims have another view: Black crimes are being
committed in those facilities and they are being compounded by even
blacker lies.
Ramzy Baroud also rejected the cover up. He felt that Newsweek
report should have led to thorough examination of US Army practices
toward Muslim inmates in the numerous detention camps erected throughout
the world. Instead, the focus was on the less urgent matter of journalistic
responsibility and the seemingly inherent problem of Muslim backwardness
and sadism.
He added that the Times of London made a clever choice when it
selected a Muslim, Irshad Manji, to address the fierce response to the
scandal. Her article insisted on pinning the blame on the popular and
sometimes violent Muslim response to the report, rather than the antiimperialist sentiments in Muslim nations, most notably in Afghanistan.
Similarly Jeff Jacoby in Boston Globe had chosen to push the limits of
cultural insensitivity to downright insult in his piece entitled; Why Islam is
disrespected? He tried to portray Muslims as barbarians and Christians,
Jews and Buddhists as non-violent and civilized people. Every revelation or
deliberate leak ends up into the seemingly much more compelling and urgent
topic of the theological roots of Muslim violence, and the Muslim and Arab
minds innate deficiency and backwardness.
If Bikini-clad beauty queens posing near an ancient Buddhist temple
in Bangkok could infuriate non-violent and civilized Buddhist religious
leaders, barbarian Muslims wont forget and forgive desecration of Holy
Quraan. Bob Herbert has warned that bitterness against the US has
increased exponentially since the initial disclosures about the abuse of
detainees.
Neither the retraction of the original story by Newsweek magazine,
which sparked the protests, nor claims from US officials that Washington
respects all religions including Islam, have pacified anger among Muslims.
The recent protests wont die down. It is set to continue in cycles,
sometimes becoming visible while on other occasions, appearing to settle
down. But in the minds of many Muslims across the world today, the US
presents a grave danger to their freedom as no other country has been in
recent times wrote Farhan Bokhari.

IT WILL CONTINUE
801

Reaction to Newsweeks report may have surprised some but it

remained an unambiguous part of the overall plan of deliberate leaks to
cause fresh mudslinging on Muslims and their religion. All this has been
accomplished remarkably well.
The cover up of evil intent started immediately. Presidential
spokesman Scott MeClellan said, its puzzling. While Newsweek now
acknowledges that they got the facts wrong, they refuse to retract the story.
Rice claimed, its appalling that this story got out there and I think its done
a lot of harm I think its perfectly plausible and even likely that there were
those who used this event to stoke anti-American sentiment for their own
purposes. She indirectly felt sorry for poor America.
Linda S Heard was not impressed by this explanation and subsequent
retraction by Newsweek. Indeed, Newsweeks U-turn is nothing less than
an insult to our intelligence. I would go as far as to say it has probably been
leant on by the powers that be an attempt to avert a global religious and
political divide.
Rather than deny such incidents have occurred, the Bush
Administration would do well to investigate, severely punish the offenders
and offer its sincere apologies to the worlds 1.5 billion Muslims The
United States must begin to hold its soldiers, intelligence agents and
mercenaries (sorry, contractors) publicly accountable, not to mention the
Pentagon suit mob and its attorney-general embroiled in a torture memo
controversy.
To strengthen the argument incidents that occurred outside prisons
were referred to. There have been hundreds of incidents of cold blooded
murders on civilians including women and children, worst form of torture,
outrages on upon human dignity, but all offenders went unpunished and the
world could do nothing about it. If so, then what is the compelling reason
for Bush to now punish someone for desecration of the Holy Quraan which
has already been denied by Rumsfelds headquarters out rightly?
It is also important that the magazine had only retracted but not denied
its report. Katharine Q Seelye and Neil A Lewis commented, the magazine
has not backed out but only retracted the Pentagon was looking for. The
magazine said it showed the original article to a Pentagon official who
challenged one aspect of the story but not the report about the desecration of
the Quraan. This proved that all reporting on war on terror was seen and
cleared by Pentagon. Undoubtedly the freedom of press ends where the nose
Rumsfeld or Bush starts.
802

The magazine said the toilet incident seemed shocking but not
incredible. Nevertheless it apologized; for what? The retraction was only to
avert any damage to the image of United States. In fact the magazine could
not deny out rightly because to stand by its report was much easier than
denying it in the presence of similar reports from numerous sources.
Marda Dunsky felt that this story was not so easy, because it is linked
not only to journalism ethics but also to the realities of American
engagement in the Arab and Muslim worlds. The ongoing clash of
civilizations, or Crusades was referred to by using words American
engagement.
Only hours after retraction Newsweek editor in a broadcast interview
claimed that the source for the story had been a high-level US official who
was in a position to know the things he was telling us. Its someone whom
we had dealt with in the past and we believed to be credible. This made the
retraction null and void. Further, Newsweek had asked a second Pentagon
official to vet the story before it was published, and he did not challenge the
Holy-Quraan-desecration reference. This rejected the single-source excuse.
It was after a barrage of well-orchestrated pressure from the White
House, State Department and Pentagon (in other words from Bush, Rice and
Rumsfeld), the magazine then offered a carefully worded and qualified
retraction. But in doing so, Newsweek did not admit that the substance of
the Holy Quraan-desecration reference had been proved false, only that the
source had backed off his original version.
On 22nd May the US government released 2,000 pages of documents
to the Associated Press under a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit. This
was an attempt of sidetrack the debate on prisoner abuse restarted by the
report of desecration of the Holy Quraan. One document revealed a prisoner
claiming the camp paradise compared to a Taliban jail where he was given
little food and had medical problems.
Yet the documents provided more evidence to the critics, despite that
most of the identifying information such as the names of cities, villages and
countries was blacked out in released documents. Some contents are
reproduced below:

Two nomad brothers were captured while searching for their lost
goats. Another was caught because he shared the same name that was
found on a document recovered at a former residence of Osama.

Whatever I say, nobody believes me said a chicken farmer accused

803

of torturing jailed Afghans.

How could I be an enemy combatant if I was not able to stand up

said an aged and sick prisoner who had not been able to walk for the
last fifteen years.

One prisoner belonging to Lashkar-e-Tayyiba said if you consider me

a terrorist then consider the Pakistan government a terrorist, as it
supported the group for freedom struggle in Kashmir.

One British prisoner, Feroz Abbasi, was kicked out the proceedings
for engaging in a heated debate about international law with the
tribunal president, who snapped, I dont care about international law.
I dont want to hear the words international law again. This amply
reflected on the kind of men who headed the tribunals to make
mockery of justice, or simply Americanize the justice.

Shireen M Mazari on the eve of Roccas visit to Islamabad wrote, she

comes at a time when increasing revelations about abuse of Muslim
prisoners and the Holy Quraan by US authorities in Guantanamo Bay are
impacting Muslim societies across the globe and especially in Pakistan
While the US has managed to control Newsweek, the charge of inhuman
treatment of incarcerated Muslims and desecration of the Holy Quraan is
being leveled from too many quarters Yet the US has done almost nothing
to punish the perpetrators. Instead it has continued to deny a reality, hoping
that pressure tactics will silence the issue.
On 26th May the White House said that the Department of Defence has
publicly stated they have found nothing to substantiate any such allegations
of desecration of the Holy Quraan in Guantanamo Bay. Next day Pentagon
spokesman denied the incident reported by the Newsweek, but accepted that
there were only 13 incidents of mishandling Quraan and interrogators were
involved in four. With this the promise of probe stood fulfilled.
Katharine Q Seelye and Neil A Lewis analyzed the cause of
unexpected violent reaction after mentioning that there had never been
similar reaction over earlier reports of desecration. Therefore, why so much
of hue and cry this time? The writers blamed Imran Khan who summoned
reporters to a press conference on May 6 to draw attention to it. They also
referred to Imrans opposition to American invasions of Afghanistan and
Iraq.
To make Imran look uglier they added that he had said, Islam is
under attack in the name of war on terror. They went on to say that after that
804

Taliban in Afghanistan and religious right in Pakistan capitalized on the

incident. Therefore, the fault lied with Islamic extremists. Paul Reynolds of
BBC News supported the above in his article. He too, apart from anonymous
sources, blamed Imran Khan for instigating the protests because he opposed
Musharraf. Hence: the leakage has helped in identifying another potential
perpetrator of terrorism.
Ethan Casey tried to defend American values by saying that not all
Americans are like Bush. But re-election of Bush has proved that most
Americans are like him. On the same analogy it is also true that most Brits
and Australians are like Bushs buddies, Blair and Howard.
Meyers called Guantanamo Bay a model facility. He slammed
Amnesty International for calling the detention centre a gulag. Earlier Rice
had termed AI remark as absurd. This showed that the torture and
occasional leakage of information would continue as long as the holy war
goes on; and Americans contemplate enlarging the scope of the war. What
we really want now is a strategic approach to defeat violent extremism
instead of terrorism. Therefore, more information would leak in future, and
the blame for that would again be placed on shoulders of young and badly
trained soldiers. In debates so initiated, Islam and its followers would be
ridiculed further.

CONCLUSION
Torture of enemy personnel taken prisoners is not something new in
human history. This has been happening since ages. During last century
Germans, Japanese and Russians excelled in this art. Americans, British,
Italians and French were no less than them, but people living in lands
subjugated by them know little of the crimes committed by their masters.
The motive behind torture has generally been hatred, anger and
revenge. It became more pronounced with those who enjoyed edge over
enemy at certain stage of the conflict. In the ongoing Crusades the motive
remained the same but torture has been perpetrated under the garb of
extracting information using advanced techniques of interrogation.
Extraction of information is useful only when it is done as early as
possible after prisoners are taken. After certain lapse of time, not only the
extraction of information becomes difficult but the information so extracted
loses its value. Therefore, interrogation in Guantanamo and other prisons,
carried out months after the capture of prisoners, had little relevance to the
805

ongoing combat action.

It was primarily done for humiliating inmates to express hatred by
their captors. Expression of hatred was integrated into psychological warfare
not only to soften the inmates but also the people of countries to which
they belonged. The interrogators who desecrated copies of Holy Quraan
were fully aware as to what really hurts a Muslim.
The second part of the desired effect could not be achieved without
the leakage of information related to torture in prisoner camps. That was
arranged tactfully through investigative reports of media fed by anonymous
sources. The publicity was given through sensational breaking of the news;
initiation of debate by analysts writing and speaking for and against; denials
and promises of probes; and then never denying the facts out rightly.
Irrespective of the morality aspect of this ugly psychological warfare,
the desired effects have been created quite successfully. The effects related
to inmates, though limited in scope, have been remarkably horrendous. In
words of Bob Herbert the personalities of prisoners were disintegrated
entirely. Common effects include memory impairment, nightmares,
hallucinations, acute stress disorder and severe depression with vegetative
symptoms.
The inmates incapacitated through torture have been cleared for
being no more capable of posing any threat to America and released. Others
are still considered dangerous and retained in violation of all international
laws and conventions.
The effect larger in scope was created through leakages of
information about torture in addition to brutal conduct of war in which
collateral damage has become a norm. Muslim World has been pulverized by
the fear of the Crusaders.
Two Muslim countries have been physically occupied. Most of the
rulers in rest of the Islamic countries have submitted to the will of Crusaders
finding different justifications. The fact remained that they, much before the
photos of Saddam were published by the Sun, had decided not to give up the
comfort and security of bullet proof cars and well protected offices and
residences. They saw no wisdom in choosing an option which could lead
them to respective cells and washing their linen wearing under-wears.
The religious leaders, who use religion only to gaint political mileage,
preferred to swallow and digest all disgrace as they too were no fools to act
rashly and undergo hardships like those to which Omar and Osama have

806

been subjected.
Rulers and religious leaders have wisely stopped supporting all the
Muslim freedom movements leaving them isolated and helpless, having no
option but to reconcile with occupation forces and with terrorism perpetrated
against them. Masses in Muslim World have been abandoned by their
political and religious leaders. They know not what to do. All these are no
mean achievements of psychological warfare launched by the Crusaders.
As regards Pakistan, Americans are absolutely right in claiming that
their friendship with it is for long haul. But Pakistan has to pay the price
dearly. The incident of burning of Pakistan Consulate in Jalalabad was one
of the installments.
Pakistani rulers cannot de-link themselves from the evil acts of the
Crusaders. Many people in this part of the world hold them in the same
esteem in which the Crusaders are held. They have angered a vast majority
of Afghans despite telling them that Pakistan has sacrificed a lot for them.
All that was done during Jihad against the Soviets became terrorism
with the emergence of Taliban to the dislike of the civilized world.
Subsequent toppling of Taliban has hurt most Pushtoons. The only thing now
left to the credit of Pakistan is its help to Afghan refugees.
This too is likely to be floundered because of the undue delay in their
repatriation to suit the requirements of occupation forces. Over three million
Afghans in Pakistan have technically lost the status of refugees after
liberation and democratization of their homeland; at best they can be termed
as displaced persons and therefore be placed in camps inside Afghanistan.
Pakistan has been unable to drive this point home. Therefore, it should not
surprise anyone if the refugees too become another thorn in already limping
foot of Pakistan.

30th May 2005

AMERICAN OUTPOST

807

Pushtoons kept their resistance going; not with the hope of liberating
their unfortunate homeland but for the sake of taking revenge. To this end
Afghans are blessed with the patience to wait for years for an opportune
moment. While doing that they started learning from Iraqi resistance groups
as was indicated by incidents of roadside bombing, suicide attacks and
kidnappings.
The Crusaders in occupation of Afghanistan, however, were quite
comfortable as compared to Iraq. The low key insurgency suited them
because it made the puppets feel unsafe without Americans. That was why
Karzai had repeatedly asked America not to abandon Afghanistan.
He was keen to continue performing the lead role in the puppet show.
He even urged Bush not to shift Khalilzad, successful director of the show,
as US Envoy to Iraq. He also attended Popes funeral to win sympathies of
the Crusaders. He then went to America, when his countrymen were enraged
by reports of desecration of the Holy Quraan and abuse of prisoners, and
gleefully accepted permanent US bases in Afghanistan. Feeling of insecurity
by him helped America in turning Afghanistan into a permanent outpost.
Reconstruction of Afghanistan was not a vital interest of the West but
they had to pretend doing it. They were definitely concerned with poppy
cultivation and drug trafficking and took measures to check the menace.
Another interest encompassed securing cultural openness, particularly
emancipation of women.

INSURGENCY
Following attacks by insurgents and counter-insurgency operations
carried out by US and Afghan security forces were reported during past four
months:

Two aid workers were shot dead in Helmand on 23 rd February. Next

day Taliban ambushed a vehicle and killed nine Afghan soldiers.

On 25th February one US soldier and an insurgent were wounded in

Kandahar province. One Afghan soldier was killed and three wounded
in attack on a post in Jalalabad area. Six Taliban were killed and five
Afghan soldiers wounded in Khost. Stolen military hardware was
seized from Herat.

Car bomb injured three policemen in Helmand on 28 th February. Two

days later four Taliban leaders were arrested in Uruzgan. Citizens

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guided Coalition troops to explosive devices planted along their route.

On 4th March a foreigner was held at Kabul airport on suspicion of

terrorist attack. Two days later three militants and two civilians were
killed and two American soldiers were wounded in clash in Paktika.

British development worker was shot dead in Kabul on 8 th March.

Two persons were held in Mazar for killing ex-governor. Next day a
bomb blast wounded four people in Faryab.

On 13th March two US soldiers were wounded in an ambush north of

Jalalabad. Two days later one Afghan soldier was killed and another
wounded while searching dead bodies of those killed in air crash.

US soldier and five Afghans were killed and four US soldiers

wounded on 16th March in blasts near US base in Shindand. Nomadic
Kuchis claimed that their 50 men were arrested by provincial security
forces in Laghman.

On 19th March an Afghan was arrested in Kabul for bomb blast in

Kandahar. Two days later one Taliban was killed and another arrested
in gunfight in Zabul in which a police officer was wounded.

One person was killed and six wounded on 22 nd March in riot in

Kandahar prison. A landmine explosion at the foot of Kabuls TV Hill
wounded one person.

On 23rd March US warplanes killed five militants in Khost province

near Pakistan border. US-led troops shot dead a boy in Asadabad
accidentally.

Two boys were among seven persons killed on 24th March in a battle
in Paktika. Two days later four US soldiers were killed in mine blast
in Logar. On 28th March a roadside bomb injured a Canadian and three
Afghans in Kabul.

US base at Bagram came under rocket attack on 29 th March. Five

Afghan soldiers died in attack on a checkpoint in Farah province. Two
attackers riding a motorcycle were chased and arrested. Two attackers
were killed and three arrested at another checkpoint.

Six persons including the bomber were killed and five Afghan soldiers
and an official wounded in Jalalabad on 30 th March. Next day an
Afghan soldier was wounded in mine blast near Shindand Airfield.

On 1st April Coalition forces arrested three Taliban commanders in

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Uruzgan. Next day Taliban stormed a government building in

Helmand and killed nine policemen.

Afghan troops arrested three Taliban in Uruzgan on 3rd April. A blast

near a government office rocked Jalalabad.

On 6th April 13 US soldiers and 3 employees of US forces were killed

and two were missing in crash of Chinook helicopter near Ghazni.
Taliban claimed shooting down the helicopter and US said it was an
accident caused by bad weather.

Five policemen were killed in Zabul province on 7 th April. Next day

drive against militants was launched in Kandahar.

On 11th April twelve suspected Taliban were killed in US air strike.

Battle ensued in Paktia province after an attempt to kill a former
military chief.

On 12th April Taliban vowed to kill ex-Khost commander. Next day

Afghan forces claimed arresting nine Taliban in Kandahar.

Three persons were held on 14th April for attempted kidnap of

American. Car bomb bid was foiled ahead of visit of Rumsfeld.

On 17th April five Pakistani drivers were killed and three others
wounded in Taliban attack in Kandahar province and two oil tankers
were completely destroyed. US forces said explosion of fuel tanker
was accidental. Next day launching of clandestine radio by Taliban
was reported.

US forces arrested 24 militants in Khost on 18 th April. Two children

were killed in a blast in Gardez area.

On 19th April US and Afghan forces launched air and ground attack in
Zabul and killed 17 people, including Chechens and Arabs and
captured 16 others.

Romanian soldier was killed and two others wounded on 24 th April in

roadside blast near Kandahar. Four militants and one Afghan soldier
were killed and one soldier wounded in Paktika.

On 25th April about 60 gunmen attacked mayors office in Reg district

of Kandahar. Two soldiers and four Taliban were killed in fighting.

Two US and two Afghan soldiers were wounded on 26th April when
their patrol was attacked near Deh Rawud in Uruzgan.

Four policemen and one US soldier were killed on 27 th April in two

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ambushes in Helmand province and two Taliban were also killed.

Three persons were injured when US troops opened fire after they
were attacked with home-made bomb in Jalalabad area.

On 29th April Afghan police claimed capturing Stinger missile but man
who tried to smuggle it to Kabul escaped. Mulla Bismillah, a key
Taliban commander, was killed in fighting in Uruzgan and another
important militant was captured.

Three civilians and four suspected militants were killed on 1 st May in

US air strike in Uruzgan. Karzai expressed concern over killing of
civilians. Next day he asked US to use caution in hunting al-Qaeda
fighters. One Taliban was killed and six arrested in Uruzgan.

On 3rd May a US soldier was wounded in home-made bomb blast in

southern Afghanistan and police arrested the suspect. US-led forces
arrested two fighters in Khost.

US-led forces launched major offensive on 4th May in Zabul using

airpower and claimed killing 20 Taliban and arresting six; one police
officer was killed and 5 policemen and 6 US soldiers were wounded.

On 5th May US warplanes and helicopter pounded militants in Zabul.

Sixty-four rebels and nine Afghan soldiers were killed in clashes in
Deh Chopan; three Afghan and a US soldier were wounded. US forces
claimed that the dead included two Chechens and one Pakistani.

A UN worker was among three killed on 8th May in a suicide bombing

at an internet caf in Kabul. Two US soldiers and 23 Taliban were
killed in a clash in Laghman province.

Two soldiers were killed and five injured in mine blast in Zabul on
14th May. Next day rockets struck hospital in Kabul, no casualties
were reported.

On 18th May an Italian aid worker was kidnapped in Kabul. Next day
eleven Afghans working with US-funded firm were killed in two
ambushes in Zabul and Helmand.

One US soldier was killed and three wounded in bomb blast on 21 st

May in Zabul. Next day unidentified attackers claimed that eight US
soldiers were killed or wounded in an ambush of a convoy in Paktika.

Afghan Authorities found Uzbek truck drivers dead bodies in

southern Afghanistan on 23rd May. Coalition forces captured ten
fighters in Uruzgan in a raid and two insurgents were killed in
811

bombing as they attempted to flee.

On 26th May two Dutch soldiers were wounded in bomb blast which
targeted their convoy in Baghlan province. Afghan de-miner was
killed in blast at Kabul Airport.

Two soldiers were wounded in Asadabad on 28th May in a grenade

attack and 12 civilians were killed by unknown assailants in district
Manogay of Kunar province. Five persons were killed and one injured
in mine blast in Nimroz province.

On 29th May pro-Karzai cleric was killed in Talibans attack in

Kandahar. He was 10th clergyman to be killed for defying Taliban.

A bicycle bomb aimed at ISAF injured seven people near capital on

30th May. Next day four policemen and seven Taliban were killed in
gun battle in Zabul.

On 1st June 20 people, including police chief, were killed and 42

injured in a suicide attack on a mosque in Kandahar where funeral of
a slain pro-Karzai cleric was being held.

Two Afghan de-miners were killed and five wounded on 2nd June by
roadside bomb in Helmand. It was third attack in two weeks taking
five lives. UN halted de-mining after the attack. Police searched for
accomplices of suicide bomber of Kandahar mosque.

An election worker was killed on 4th June in Uruzgan province.

Taliban were blamed for bombing in Kandahar mosque.

Six persons, including a senior policeman, were injured in two

roadside bombs in Zabul on 7th June. US and Afghan forces captured
17 suspected militants near Pakistani border. Two Pakistani truck
drivers ferrying fuel for US troops were killed near Kandahar.

On 8th June two US soldiers were killed and eight wounded in mortar
fire on a base near Shkin in Paktika. Italian hostage was released after
three weeks. Next day troops arrested 5 suspects in attack on fuel
tankers south of Kandahar.

One US soldier was killed and three wounded on 10 th June in an

ambush in Paktika; seven Taliban were also killed.

Three days later four US soldiers were wounded on 13 th June when a

car bomber attacked a convoy in southern Afghanistan. Coalition
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forces claimed safely detonating three improvised bombs in south and

eastern Afghanistan.

On 14th June four US soldiers and an interpreter were injured in a

roadside bomb near Ghazni. Foreigners were suspected behind the
attack. Coalition forces killed 7 suspected insurgents and captured 13
in a raid north of Kandahar.

Authorities announced on 15th June that a district police chief was

arrested over killing of five aid workers last year. Two more Taliban
were killed in Mian Nishin

Before going further a few words about two incidents, i.e. desecration
and kidnapping of an Italian. Publication of Newsweek report on desecration
of Holy Quraan provided an opportunity to Afghans to express their anger.
This event has been discussed in detail in last article. Here it would suffice
quoting Karzai; security forces were overwhelmed by protests against
desecration.
On 18th May an Italian aid worker was taken hostage. Italy lost
patience and blamed Karzai government for not doing enough and Kabul
snubbed in return. Italian minister reacted by vowing fining women wearing
the all-covering Burka. His statement implied that the Crusades was not
simply fighting against terrorism or militancy, but also targeting Muslim
culture. The same day Pope woke up and called for release of Italian
hostage. He does so occasionally to preach inter-faith harmony when a
Christians safety is in danger.
In February Reuters reported slowed down of Taliban attacks due to
harsh winter. In May the agency reported that after winter Taliban started
operating in large numbers and suffered big losses. AFP, however, noted
increase in attacks on troops, members of aid groups, and construction
workers of late.
Afghan insurgents started using tactics of Iraqi resistance groups and
Annan condemned suicide bombing. Analysts saw al-Qaeda link in recent
killings in Afghanistan and Pakistan to destabilize the governments of
Karzai and Musharraf. On 14th Geo TV telecast an interview of Mulla
Usmani who claimed that Osama and Omar were alive and in control.
America continued raising alarm about the monster as part of its
strategy. Rise in Taliban attacks was feared in winter. In April US Army
confirmed increase in militancy and American citizens were cautioned
about dangers in Afghanistan.
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Barno said al-Qaeda was still making efforts to stage a comeback.

Theyre still providing financing, with guidance, training, support and
selected individuals that help lead and motivate the operations here in
Afghanistan. He assumed that they were down here in border areas,
probably on both sides of the border.
US forces in Afghanistan remained resolved to hunt Osama and Omar.
Barno opined that the the future doesnt lead to a path that includes alQaeda and Taliban His successor, Karl Eikenberry vowed to be
relentless. US Congress expressed its resolve by passing $ 82 billion
additional bill to fight global war against terror.
Occupation forces conducted counter insurgency operations in leisure,
but whenever they launched an operation it was carried out using excessive
force. American pilots loved Warthogs; an affectionate name for A-10
Thunderbolt II aircraft, and used them indiscriminately. Afghans resented the
atrocious conduct of war.
Massive demonstration was held in Jalalabad against raids of US
Army. Even the outgoing US Ambassador Khalilzad felt remorse over the
conduct of war and apologized to Afghans irked by coalition forces
operations. On 10th June US forces told officials of ICRC that they were not
allowed to visit temporary prisons in Afghanistan; reasons were obvious.
Afghans in America were treated no differently. Hearing of an Afghan
detainee in killing case began in Texas on 22nd March. In April an Islamic
scholar was convicted in Virginia on charges of asking people to join Taliban
to wage holy war against America.
In March a US report cleared military men of blame in prison abuse.
An Afghan court reviewed punishment of US vigilantes; Idemas sentence
was reduced to five years and Bennet will serve three years instead of ten
years. Caraballo had time cut from eight to two years. A daily newspaper
condemned reduction in jail term.
As cover up of war crimes continued, a fresh report on torture and
deaths of Afghan detainees initiated a new wave of criticism. Karzai talked
of requesting US to hand over detainees to Afghan custody. Bush did not
oblige him but promised to return soon some Afghan prisoners from
Guantanamo Bay.
The puppets fully supported America in its resolve to hunt Osama.
Karzai sought world help to counter al-Qaeda. His pleas for control of US
troops and handing over of Afghan prisoners were, however, rejected by

814

Bush, yet he consented to permanent US bases in Afghanistan. On 7th June

Afghan security forces commanders felt that Taliban were broken, but still
remained dangerous. On 15th June Karzai warned that his country would face
violence ahead of polls.

PERPETUATING OCCUPATION
America decided to perpetuate and legitimize occupation of
Afghanistan. On 22 February American Senator John McCain wanted
permanent US military bases and the same day UN supported his demand
expressing fear that Afghanistan could plunge into chaos. Next day a
minister mildly disagreed saying permanent US bases would need
Parliaments approval, not realizing that Parliament was yet to be elected
and America might not wait that long.
Afghans expressed mixed reaction on permanent presence of
American troops, but a US General warned against troops cut. On 28 th
February NNI reported that majority of Afghans wanted US to stay in the
region. The same day it was disclosed that America has acquired 36,000
square yards land in Kabul on 50-year lease for expansion of its diplomatic
facilities.
On 1st March Afghan Government sought long-term military
partnership with America. Next day NATO began expansion of ISAF and
Italian troops started arriving in Herat. NATO also decided to deploy more
troops. A week later Dutch Government defended its decision to send special
troops.
America set up new bases; one each in Helmand, Herat, Nimoz, Balkh
and Mazar and two each in Jalalabad, Khost and Paktika. On 16th March
Myers said that America was mulling establishment of long-term bases in
Afghanistan. Next day Rice while visiting Kabul made it clear that US was
not to commit past mistakes.
On 18th March Afghan Defence Ministry denied reports of additional
US bases. Defence Minister could no more hide his desire and wanted long
term security arrangements with US. For more than a month Karzai kept
talking of security pact with US, long-term help from US and EU, cement
ties with US and finally on 26th May formally requested America to stay
with his Afghanistan. A government spokesman claimed that hundreds of
tribal leaders have backed President Hamid Karzais plan for a strategic
partnership with the United States.
815

Meanwhile some other events also indicated long term designs of the
Crusaders. NATO forces started moving west with plans to move in the
south as well. ISAF took command of Herat and Farah PRTs. Japan agreed
to extend naval mission for logistic support of US-led forces in Afghanistan.
Romania agreed to send 400 additional troops and Britain offered to send
5,000 more troops to Afghanistan.
Strangely, in April Afghans celebrated defeat of last communist
government. In less than a month Karzai consented to establishment of
permanent US military bases in Afghanistan. This wont be acceptable to
many Afghans as was evident from the Press which remained divided over
long-term strategic partnership with US. The people would certainly wish to
celebrate the end of present occupation one day.
On 26th May Mulla Omar rejected Bush-Karzai agreement terming
accord on permanent military bases as sell-out of Afghan land. He warned
informers of Iraq-style executions and those elements parting ways with the
movement and joining hands with Karzai or the US authorities would be
taken to task. He also accused Karzai of allowing Americans to kill,
humiliate and search homes at sweet will. Next day Hekmatyars outfit too
rejected Karzai-Bush agreement on permanent US military bases.
Accord on bases was not enough for secure occupation of Afghanistan
for indefinite period. America had to have Afghans support and purchase
that if so required. Warlords became an attractive commodity for the
Americans and they kept purchasing them right from the beginning.
During last four months they were able to procure the long sought
after warlord. Dostum, an ethnic brother of Karimov, was offered
government the post of chief of Afghan Army. Human Rights groups
opposed his appointment, but US defended and Khalilzad hailed that. On
17th April Dostum relinquished militia leadership and next day officially
took up new post in Karzai government.
American policy of backing warlords continued to be criticized,
because their rivalries created law and order problems, threatened internal
security and their obstinate attitude hindered the establishment of the writ of
the central authority. Though the incidents of factional fighting have
considerably decreased, yet a policeman was injured in February in clash
between border and Balkh police and six persons were killed in clash
between soldiers and police in Herat.
International Crisis Group again accused US-led Coalition of
supporting warlords. On 11th May an editor, Shukria Barakzai slammed
816

American practice of using warlords. The UN, however, had termed

warlords inclusion in government as an important.
Disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process was
considered essential to defang the warlords which could help in extending
Karzais rule. In mid February it was claimed that about 80% militiamen
were disarmed under UN programme to which Japan contributed $ 29
million in March.
During first week of March it was announced that last of heavy
weapons were collected in Panjshir Valley. No Afghan tribe would deposit
last weapon, and least of all the Panjshiris. About two months later a
devastating blast on 2nd May in arms and ammunition dump owned and
hidden by warlord, Jalal-e-Bachbah in Laghman killed 28 people, including
all members of warlords family and wounded over 70 others. Next day the
warlord pleaded innocence as villagers mourned the dead.
After the incident it was reported that some warlords in northern
Afghanistan were ready to surrender weapons. It was obvious that the
disarmament carried out so far was selective. On 12 th June fresh drive for
disarmament was launched. Parliamentary candidates were asked to disarm
by 1st July.
Raising of Afghan security forces could also help in facilitating the
task of occupation forces. These could be used as foot soldiers to act as
shield between insurgents and Americans. It was planned that Afghan Army
would reach full combat strength by 2008. America decided to double the
number of trainers and on 24th February a team of 196 US military
instructors arrived in Kabul.
By the end of February Afghan Army had over 25,000 men on its
strength. In March setting up of military academy was planned, Karzai
discussed military assistance with NATO, and new police chief vowed to
uphold law. On 8th April Dostum met US Envoy and discussed armed forces.
Afghan Army as well as Police will be raised, organized and equipped
to perform the role envisaged by the Crusaders. Their primary role of
ensuring security of Afghans wont get due priority as was evident from the
killings of people who protested against desecration. This will keep
reminding the better side of Taliban rule as incidents of kidnappings made
Kandahar residents to see Taliban rule in favourable light.
Weakening of Pushtoon resistance, along with the above measures
was also essential for consolidation of the occupation. This could not be

817

achieved through military action alone. Therefore, propaganda about

collapse of Taliban as well as reconciliatory moves aimed at drawing away
the disheartened elements.
Propaganda during this period started with rumours about death of
Mulla Omar; Taliban denied. Taliban were down, but not out, said a
Coalition General. Omar has lost control of insurgency, claimed a US
General. Taliban force was on the wane, reported Reuters. Finally on 16 th
April Barno predicted collapse of Taliban within a year.
On 20th March a US commander vowed to fracture Taliban with
Afghan amnesty offer. Afghanistans Reconciliation Commission was
headed by Sibghatullah Mujaddedi. He offered amnesty to Omar and
Hekmatyar. They could re-enter politics, if they lay down their arms,
respect the constitution and obey the government. Hekmatyar rejected
amnesty offer and Foreign Minister immediately rejected amnesty for Omar
and Hekmatyar.
On 17th February four former Taliban, who broke away from the
Taliban soon after the fall of their regime in early 2004, were in Kabul on
reconciliation mission as reported by Yusufzai. Mutawakkil was helping in
reconciliation efforts.
Governor of Kandahar expected defections in Taliban and he was
willing to compensate the defectors. Meanwhile Karzai admitted contacts
with ex-Foreign Minister of Taliban. Mutawakkil said problems can be
solved through peace talks.
Taliban rejected talks and denied that Mulla Kabir was negotiating
with Kabul. They also rejected Mutawakkils call for talks with the
government. Al-Qaeda too ruled out talks with Karzai government. Talks
with people having no authority are meaningless. Nevertheless, propaganda,
amnesty and incentives achieved following successes:

On 28th March Taliban commander Mulla Amanullah gave up

resistance and surrendered in Deh Chopan district of Zabul.

A ranking Taliban commander Abdul Wahid surrendered on 31 st

March. His defection was taken as blow to the Taliban.

On 14th April a Hizb leader surrendered arms in Paktia. Two days later
another Hizb leader surrendered arms in Gardez.

Two senior Taliban leaders surrendered on 21st April in Zabul under

amnesty. A week later seventeen members of Hezb-e-Islami of

818

Hekmatyar surrendered in Paktia and Khost.

On 3rd May a top Taliban commander, Mulla Abdul Khaliq

surrendered to Afghan military forces along with 40 fighters in
Uruzgan.

OTHER INTERESTS
America and the West kept raising alarm about Afghan drugs. Poppy crop
at record high, said US and a report termed Afghan drug trade as a major
threat to global stability. All these statements were aimed at coaxing Kabul.
Karzai government continued battling against drug traffickers. Following
incidents were reported since mid February:

On 21st February drug traffickers killed two policemen in gun fight in

Takhar province near eastern border. Next another policeman was
killed in Herat.

Heroin consignment of 20 kg and 10 kg of other narcotics was seized

at Tajik-Afghan border on 28th February.

During March British-trained force destroyed drugs labs and seized

ammunition during series of raids in Badakhshan.

Anti-drug force seized ten tones of opium on 31st March in northern

Afghanistan. Huge quantity of drugs was also seized on Turkmen
border.

In first week of April police arrested four drug dealers in Helmand.

Police and drug smugglers clashed near Tajik border on 21st April.

Three anti-drug policemen were killed and two wounded on 1st May in
bomb attack in Kunar province.

In mid May anti-drug force began raids on traffickers dens and by

23rd fifteen drug suspects were held in Helmand, claimed an official.

Special Narcotics force raided drug bazaar in Helmand and seized two
tones of opium on 31st May.

On 6th June anti-drug forces claimed seizing 21 tonnes of opium and

heroin in series of raids in Nangarhar and Helmand provinces.

The government ruled out legalizing opium production. Destruction of

poppy fields continued for which US was once again accused of secret
spraying of poppy crop. In Nangarhar province two farmers were wounded
819

on 17th March in an encounter with police.

Security forces and opium farmers clashed on 12th April in Kandahar
province leaving one person dead and 7 wounded. The drive was halted after
clash and poppy farmers vowed to protect crops. Officials blamed Taliban
for disrupting anti-drug drive after faltering. The drive was resumed after a
week, but farmers defied crackdown and kept harvesting poppy. On 14th June
farmers threatened to resume poppy trade.
The UN saw promising trend in poppy cultivation. In April Karzai
claimed that drug crop was down by 40 percent and next month he revised
the drug production fall to 30 percent. Nangarhar was almost 80 percent free
of poppy.
Despite that forty tonnes of opium was confiscated this year. America
alleged that Karzai was not doing enough on drugs. UN anti-narcotics chief
wanted more steps to fight drug menace. Karzai, however, remained optimist
on drug war.
Warlords, government officials involved in drug trade and economic
compulsions of farmers were major hurdles in clamping the drug menace.
The government was hesitant to act against the former two and had little
resources for to provide incentives of alternative crops to farmers. Karzai
could do no more than asking for aid and urging mosques to teach children
the dangers of drugs.
The generosity of the donors did not match the gravity of the threat.
During last four months only Britain doubled the funding and Australia
pledged $ 9.2 million to combat drugs. Alternative of fish farming and oil
roses as substitute were proposed.
The civilized world concentrated on crackdown; America deployed
anti-drug squads and agreed to expand its role to combat drugs. UK named
special commission on counter-narcotics. Russia prepared plan to combat
drug tsunami. Tajik and Afghan leaders also vowed to curb drug smuggling.
Dr Farrukh Saleem blamed Americans in his analysis of poppy-based
drugs produced in Afghanistan:

Taliban-ruled Afghanistan had 4,163 acres planted with poppies.

Under General John Abizaid, 510,766 acres in Afghanistan are being
used for poppy cultivation.

General Tommy Frank recruited every Afghan warlord he could rent,

bigger ones at up to a million dollars a month. These warlords

820

returned to poppy cultivation.

Afghanistans heroin is the purest (and remains an) alternative

currency. Warlords, farmers and traders all store heroin as others
around the globe stash money in the banks.

Hamid Karzai may be the president of Kabul but drug barons closely
allied to America forces are the real rulers of Afghanistan.

Afghanistan now produces 5,000 metric tons of opium, or equivalent

of 600 metric tons of heroin. In 2001, Afghanistans entire heroin
stock was worth $ 600 million on the streets of Frankfurt and
Rotterdam. Last years crop could fetch upwards of $ 50 billion on the
same streets.

The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy was happy
as little Afghan heroin has ended up on US streets Seventy percent
of the narcotics manufactured in Afghanistan are either smuggled to,
or transited through Pakistan.

In 1979, Pakistan had a zero heroin-addict population. Our current

annual consumption is estimated at 100 metric tons with a million
chronic heroin addicts our rate of addiction is double that of the US
and most Pakistani addicts are between the ages of 20 to 35.

Refinement of Afghan culture continued. Students were invited to take

part in law contest in Washington. Radio and TV were privatized. The
Crusaders must have been pleased to note the effects as two students in
Herat University were accused of humiliating Islam.
Intrusions into traditional Afghan culture were resented. Ulema
Council slated TV channels. Frustrated with what they call immoral
programmes on Afghan television, Muslim clerics planned to set up the
countrys first Islamic channel. Taliban torched transmission tower of mobile
company in Logar province and gunmen torched a school in Ghazni.
The exiled-turned-rulers paid special attention to women
emancipation as tutored by the mentors. Habiba Surabi was appointed as
first female provincial governor of Bamiyan and she hoped that her
appointment would open new vistas for women.
Political parties were urged to back more women candidates. Another
driving school for women was opened in Herat. A minister wanted help for
women to hold onto gains. Minister of womens affairs demanded review of
cases of imprisoned women. Education Ministry planned to enroll half a

821

million girls in schools.

Laura visited the land conquered by her crusader husband. She
unveiled host of US-funded multi-million dollar education programmes. Its
an extraordinary privilege to celebrate the incredible progress made by the
Afghan people over the last few years, with women now being teachers,
doctors, businesswomen and ministers. Nevertheless, the civilized world
kept reminding that status of Afghan women was still unequal.
Rape and kidnapping of women was widespread, reported AFP. Alas!
Taliban couldnt be blamed for that. The occupation forces and the puppets
ignored the abuse of women by warlords who kept molesting them
unchecked. Perhaps they were being rewarded for their help in ousting the
fundamentalist Islamists.
Child trafficking continued unabated. When people protested against
kidnapping of children, six of them were killed. A UN monitor dared to
point out human rights violations by the occupation forces. He was promptly
removed from Afghanistan under pressure from Washington. The Crusaders
were pleased with human rights situation as Afghan women were observed
refashioning their Burkas.
The emancipation campaign was resented by Afghans through
violence. In April a woman was stoned to death for adultery in Badakhshan
and authorities arrested the cleric, along with five others, who had ordered
stoning of a woman. On 2nd May a woman and her two daughters working
with foreign NGO were beaten to death by suspected militants in Baghlan.
Three days later dead bodies of three women were found and UN expressed
concern over killing. Former presenter of a music show was shot dead in her
residence in Kabul on 19th May. Amnesty accused government of doing little
to address the plight of women.
The dream of democratic Afghanistan could not be fulfilled without
having an elected parliament. At the end of February authorities delayed date
for polls as 17 political parties differed on electoral system. These parties
asked for 70% seats for political parties and the remaining 30% for
independents.
In March parliamentary polls were proposed till 18 th September.
Election Commission sought $ 150 million for the polls. Meanwhile political
parties condemned delay in district elections who said that parliamentary
elections are incomplete and illegal without them.
In April it was announced that refugees in Iran and Pakistan cant vote

822

in September polls while Qanooni alleged pre-poll rigging. Next month

Hazrat quit the job of police chief and announced his candidacy in upcoming
polls. Mutawakkil got himself registered for and Mulla Mohammad Khaksar
also planned to contest. Both of them are ex-Taliban leaders. In all three
thousand candidates were likely to compete and by 6 th June 6,070 candidates
were listed for parliamentary and local elections.
Some analysts, however, observed that polls in September could
undermine Karzai. Having hundreds of independent parliamentarians to
deal with will work against Karzai in building an effective government and
lobbying for power in parliament. Perhaps, for this reason Canadian base
was considered as possible site for new parliament.
After more than three years rebuilding Afghanistan was still fifth in
poverty from the bottom and residents of Herat demonstrated against
unemployment. Reconstruction was hampered by numerous problems apart
from the inadequacy of funds.
Teachers of high schools in Kabul threatened to quit if their salaries
were not increased. Funds shortage caused suspension of construction of
Herat University. Kabul was compelled to borrow $ 80 million to rebuild a
road in Faryab province.
Corruption remained a serious problem. The government mulled new
laws aimed at controlling aid agencies. With some 2,400 NGOs registered in
Afghanistan, there were suspicions that some were just using the status to
get tax and customs exemptions that help them win government tenders
squeezing out local firms. Aid agencies denied the allegation of making
money.
Karzai also slammed corruption in Afghan administration responsible
for spending and accounting of the aid. In mid April yet another minister
was likely to face the graft charges. Eight officials had already been
sentenced to prison for corruption. Despite these measures corruption kept
impeding reconstruction according to Centre for Strategic and International
Studies.
Insecurity caused frequent disruption of reconstruction works. On 25th
April Japanese contractor working on a road project near Kandahar stopped
the work because of poor security as more attacks by Taliban were feared.
Inefficiency was yet another bug. Ministries and departments failed to fully
utilize development budget.
Return of Afghan refugees was essential to reconstruction, but this

823

was relegated to the list of least priority tasks on behest of the occupation
forces, because most of the refugees were Pushtoons. Refugees kept passing
miserable life whereas Red Cross appealed for aid for relief for snow and
rain affected people and WFP struggled to feed Afghans.
Some aid, however, continued trickling. In March Canada agreed to
help rebuild judicial system. Next month Japan and NATO agreed to
cooperate in reconstruction and ADB planned to provide $ 50 million aid for
power project. In May EU released aid and pledged more help. Japan
granted $ 28 million for new terminal at Kabul airport. ADB provided grant
to monitor development.
Karzai kept crying for humanitarian aid, while telecommunication
firms minted millions of dollars because of the destroyed
telecommunications system. Most of the aid flowed back to the donors as
was evident from the report that 25 percent of workers on US Coalition
projects were non-Afghans and most of them were definitely highly paid.
Karzai however cashed on rivalry of Pakistan-Iran-India trio seeking
influence in Afghanistan. All three of them showed their generosity to when
over sympathies. Pakistans help in reconstruction has been covered in
earlier articles.
Karzai appreciated Irans help after visiting Tehran. In March Irans
first lady paid three days visit in Afghanistan and she invited Afghan female
ministers to Tehran. Iran-Afghan trade had reached $ 260 million. In June
Iranian Ambassador said that Iran-Afghanistan cultural research centre
would be set-up in Kabul. Tehran also promised equipping libraries of
universities in Kabul, Balkh, Bamiyan, Herat and Jalalabad.
Karzai sought Indian teachers and doctors for uplift plans. He
discussed Turkmen gas pipeline during visit to India, sought regional
cooperation, and showed his desire to join SAARC. After the visit
Turkmenistan and Afghanistan agreed to expedite work on gas project.
Meanwhile Indian Airlines agreed to start flight from Delhi and Amritsar to
Kabul and in May Indian doctors began free treatment in Mazar.

CONCLUSION
Insurgency by Pushtoons has shown some signs of revival as well as
adoption of new tactics. Despite the rise in attacks on Coalition forces and
Afghan security forces the intensity of insurgency did not pose any serious

824

threat illegal occupants of Afghanistan.

The great well-wisher of Pushtoons, Asfandyar was late in proposing
gradual withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan. Just as ANP made 15point proposal, another Afghan, Khalilzad briefed US Senate Committee
about Afghanistan; if its a ten-mile journey, we are in mile four. The
journey for Pushtoons is long and arduous.
The agreement on permanent US bases has turned liberated and
democratized Afghanistan into an American outpost. Outwardly it has been
done for security and stability of Karzai and Afghanistan, but the
unexpressed aims relate to entire region.
Americans have yet to tackle nuclear programme and Islamic
militancy in Pakistan in addition to checking cross-border movement of
Taliban and al-Qaeda. This outpost will also help in exerting pressure on
Ayatollahs having desire to acquire nuclear capability. In the north it will
help in reducing Russian influence in Central Asia as well as facilitate
control over oil riches Caspian Sea region.
16th June 2005

PROCESS SANS SOLUTIONS

While addressing parliamentarians and journalists from South Asian
countries on 20th May Musharraf wanted Kashmir solution during the
tenures of current Indo-Pak leadership. In hierarchy of army his wish would
have been taken as an order, but in international politics wishes are no
horses.
The month of June saw two important visits on the invitation of
Pakistan which were quite unprecedented. In one visit leaders of Indian Held
Kashmir crossed the Line of Control with great expectations, but went back
without saying anything new in two weeks of busy schedule. In another visit
Advani came with least of expectations, but surprised people in both the
countries with his positive remarks about Pakistan and the Quaid.
Internally the government succeeded in securing FATWA from a group
of religious scholars against terrorism. The scholars, however, restricted the

825

scope of FATWA to sectarian militancy, which must have fallen short of

rulers expectations. The truce with Akbar Bugti held on, despite occasional
incidents of Baluch militancy reported during the period.
America valued its relations with Pakistan, but in the context of
Kashmir dispute it did not step beyond wishing amicable resolution. After
meeting Kasuri on 10th June, Bush hoped Kashmir dispute would be settled
suitably. He was sensitive to Pakistans security needs and termed ties
with Pakistan unique. He chose all the adjectives very carefully.

PEACE PROCESS
The peace process went along with leaders making statements,
clarifying or denying those subsequently. Musharraf said soft borders were
no solution to Kashmir dispute. Soft borders cant replace sacrifices, said
Gilani. Shaukat looked for speed in the dialogue process. Kasuri denied
existence of any roadmap or foreign pressure on Kashmir issue.
Manmohan welcomed Musharrafs proposal to demilitarize a part of
Kashmir and give it autonomy. It can be given due consideration once
progress on the outstanding issues is seen. To him Kashmir was not an
outstanding issue. Foreign Office of Pakistan denied suggesting autonomy to
any part of Kashmir.
On his way to Australia Musharraf claimed that Kashmir dispute can
be resolved in two weeks. It is all about will. The same day Foreign Office
said Delhi must recognize disputed status of Kashmir. The two statements
had yawning contrast.
In Australia Musharraf indicated that his heart beats for autonomous
Kashmir, but independent Kashmir wont be acceptable to Pakistan and
India. Back home Farid Paracha termed Musharrafs remarks on Kashmir
against the constitution.
The dialogue remained confined to search of solutions to irritants.
Before talks on Siachen Pakistan showed inclination for implementing 1989
accord under which both the countries had to bring back their troops at 1972
positions. Talks began with optimism and ended on 27 th May without
making any headway. Only promises for more talks were made.
Talks on Sir Creek were preceded by media reports on skirmishes
which were denied by Pakistan. Talks on Sir Creek also ended without
progress, but two sides agreed on more talks. Indias obduracy stalemated

826

Sir Creek talks, reported Amjad Bashir Siddiqi. President asked for report on
Siachen and Sir Creek meetings as he was worried about failure.
Before talks on Kishanganga Dam, Mufti suggested joint Indo-Pak
power project. Pakistan wanted timeframe on resolution of the issue. On 1 st
June Pakistan and India discussed the design of Kishanganga, but there was
no breakthrough in talks held in Delhi.
In the case of Baglihar Dam India agreed to inspection of by neutral
expert appointed by the World Bank. After allowing the visit, Manmohan
asked for report on the dam and Water Resources Minister went to the site
on two days review visit. He allayed Pakistans fears that the project would
reduce its share of water.
Musharraf announced that gas pipeline plan was on course and about
a week later it was reported that Pakistan military might be tasked to control
Iran-India gas pipeline. On 4th June Petroleum Minister, Aiyar arrived for
talks in Islamabad and next day Pakistan and India agreed on gas pipeline
from Iran.
Pipeline will foster enduring ties with India, claimed Shaukat. Mani
Shankar termed his meeting with Shaukat encouraging and fruitful. The
two countries agreed on formation of a joint working group, to intensify
interaction between the two sides and deliberate on its technical, legal and
financial aspects. Musharraf while talking to the visitor said that the gas
pipeline was in interest of all partners.
On 13th June Iran announced that decision on gas pipeline would be
taken in two weeks. Kasuri said that details of gas pipeline project would be
finalized by 31st December. Meanwhile America wanted India and Pakistan
to abandon the gas pipeline project.
Hustle of confidence building process went on. Pakistan released 29
Indians from Machh jail. Chief Minister instructed for early widening of
Wagah-Lahore road a week before 100-member Indian team arrived to
discuss trade. Musharraf, however, told the visiting trade delegation that
peace and solution of Kashmir dispute were must for Pak-India trade.
Pakistani lawyers urged screening of Hindi movies in Pakistan after
meeting Dulip Kumar and Meera. India government decided to relax visa
rules for Pakistani journalists. Punjab government upgraded Nankana to
district level to facilitate Sikh Yatrees.
Manmohan visited Siachen and expressed his desire to make it a
mountain of peace. Pakistans Shipping Minister said that Karachi-Mumbai
827

ferry service would start at appropriate stage. On 14th June Lambah met
Tariq Aziz in Dubai as part of the backdoor diplomacy.
CBM-crazy India talked of more. Gujral wanted minimum visa
restrictions. Manmohan while opening a power project in Kargil said he was
aware of demand for linking Kargil with Skardu and Gilgit. Mufti wanted
trade routes to China. Admiral Parkash said that Indo-Pak navies could
cooperate with each other.
These measures were overshadowed by two important visits. On 23 rd
May Islamabad invited APHC leaders of all factions to visit AJK and
Pakistan. India expressed its reservations on IHK Kashmiri leaders travel
into Pakistan. Abdul Ghani Bhat guardedly condemned Indian intentions to
impose travel restrictions and Yasin was not hopeful about meetings in
Pakistan.
On 27th May APHC named five-member team led by Umar Farooq;
included Abbas Ansari, Abdul Ghani Bhat, Bilal Ghani Lone and Fazal Haq
Querishi. Hizb chief opposed APHCs visit. Gilani declined the invitation
and fighter groups hailed his decision.
Eleven Kashmiri leaders were cleared for visit while Shabirs
application was rejected. On 2nd June nine Kashmiri leaders arrived to a
heros welcome. Immediately after arrival Mirwaiz wanted trilateral talks as
bilateralism had failed. The same day Gilani accused Pakistan of deviating
from Kashmir stance.
The visitors urged all Kashmiri leaders to formulate joint plan for
resolution of the dispute as United Jihad Council ruled out talks with them.
Mirwaiz reiterated that talks without Kashmiris were futile and he promised
to make the proposals on Kashmir public after sharing them with Pakistan.
Meanwhile Musharraf termed APHC leaders visit a great leap forward and
Kasuri that the leap was in vacuum by telling that India has rejected
inclusion of APHC in talks.
From across the Line of Control Gilani demanded of withdrawal of
Indian troops and on this side Mirwaiz said the Line cant be permanent
border. On 7th June Musharraf met the visitors and stressed upon inclusion of
Kashmiri leaders to find a lasting solution. The same day they met Kasuri
who advised to learn to walk before running.
The very next day they hinted at other options on Kashmir. The UN
has miserably failed to get its resolutions implemented and, therefore, the
828

APHC leadership is duty bound to explore other options Amanullah

cautioned them about ambiguities and called upon Hurriyat leaders to have
clear stand on Kashmir. Inspired by the reception given to APHC leaders,
Rashid applied for travel to IHK.
The visitors talked of dismantling artificial lines as Hizb saw the
visit promising no change in the situation. Mirwaiz asked fighters to join
political mainstream and stressed upon timeframe for settlement. Gilani
accused APHC-A of speaking Delhis language.
On 11th June Mirwaiz said that Kashmir issue will be resolved on
give and take basis. Next day APHC leaders briefed Senators on rights
abuses in IHK, while Pundits took note of statement of Mirwaiz on division
of Kashmir on geographical line. The statement has vindicated the stand of
Kashmiri Pundits regarding creation of separate homeland who were forced
to flee from the Valley on the basis of faith.
Mirwaiz reiterated that Line of Control as permanent border wont be
acceptable. APHC leaders urged India and Pakistan to open more routes and
hailed India for allowing their visit to Pakistan. On last day of the visit
Mirwaiz said, we expect the Government of India to show seriousness and
play its role in carrying forward this process and next day he claimed
securing Pakistans support on any solution acceptable to Kahmiris.
Advani was invited by Shujaat to visit Pakistan. He discussed IndoPak peace process with Manmohan before embarking on the journey. On
arrival at Islamabad on 30th May he said, peace is key to development.
Next day he called the peace process irreversible and Musharraf pleaded for
a timeframe on Kashmir.
On 1st June Advani proposed formation of parliamentary friendship
association between the parliaments of Pakistan and India. Next day he
regretted demolition of Babri mosque and lauded Pakistan for preserving
Hindu sites after visiting one near Chakwal.
He hoped that all issues with Pakistan would be resolved. On 4 th June
he laid wreath at Quaids Mazar and paid tributes by calling him a secular
leader. He rejected the concept of United India and desired taking the will of
Kashmiris into account.
At the end of his visit on 6th June he said, it was the most memorable
and unforgettable week of my life. The same day RSS and VHP demanded
his resignation over describing Mohammad Ali Jinnah as a champion for
secularism. These Hindu fundamentalist groups also objected to accepting

829

partition and regretting demolition of Babri mosque.

On return from Pakistan Advani asked to be relieved as president of
his party over criticism of his praise for the Quaid. Bal Thackeray talked of
confusion about Hindu nation while commenting on Advanis remarks.
Chief Minister of Gujarat, Modi said Advanis statement was absolutely
incorrect. The city VHP unit in Ahmedabad said. Advani might have done
his party a favour and not to those belonging to Hindu community. Some
VHP activists celebrated his resignation in Ahmedabad.
Senior Congress leader and Defence Minister said, secularism and
two-nation theory cannot go together. Jinnah was father of two-nation
theory. Railway Minister dubbed the resignation as a drama. Within 24
hours BJP rejected Advanis resignation, but he refused to reconsider his
decision.
On 9th June Kasuri was saddened over resignation of Advani. He,
however, was glad over promising start made in Indo-Pak relations. Next
day Advani withdrew his resignation, after BJP Parliamentary Board
applauded his visit to Pakistan. A few days later he snubbed VHP and
refused to apologize.
After getting feedback from Advani on his visit Vajpayee wrote a
letter to Manmohan showing his concern over peace process becoming
Kashmir centric, with APHC getting prominence over the democraticallyelected government of Jammu and Kashmir. He saw Pakistan slipping out of
its earlier commitment to India. With great effort and sustained strategy,
Pakistan was made to commit to comprehensive process of normalization
But it seems that the peace process has now become Kashmir-centric, an
objective cherished by the establishment in Pakistan.
Apart from Advanis confidence building visit turning otherwise, there
were some other negative moves made by either side. India tested multibarrel rocket system on 27th May and about three weeks later test-fired
Akash missile. Manmohan said, peace process can be accelerated, but only
if Islamabad abandons its support for Kashmiri militants.
Kasuri threatened policy change in view of Indian attitude. Inspired
by the APHC leaders, Rashid showed his intent to visit IHK. India accused
him of running training camps for Jehadis. The allegation was corroborated
by Aslam Beg in while talking to BBC, but Rashid AND Kashmiri leaders
rejected the allegation.
The worst came when Gohar Ayub ventured to introduce his

830

forthcoming book based on diaries of his father Field Marshal Muhammad

Ayub Khan. He claimed that a Brigadier had sold Indian war plans for
Rupees 20,000 in 1965. The report triggered media hype and investigations
in India. On equerry from the Indian Express Gohar Ayub told that the
Brigadier was working with DMO and he sold the war plans to Ayub Khan
in 1958 when he was Commander-in-Chief of Pakistan Army.
In less than 48 hours the Indian newspaper dug out the names of all
the officers who worked in DMO, contacted them and published their
reaction. All of them denied the report. One said, Gohar is a frustrated
hawk, he wants to throw a spanner in the ongoing peace talks. Another said,
if they had known our plans, they would have knocked us out on all fronts.
Yet another said, it seems a gimmick. Pakistan did take advantage in
Akhnoor but when we retaliated they were taken by surprise.
Despite the denial by all those who had served in DMO, Indian media
asked Indian government to quickly respond to Gohar Ayub Khans charges.
Indian Army launched in-house verification. Meanwhile General Aslam
Beg rejected Gohars claim.
On 1st June Rauf Klasra reported Gohar saying that doctored reports
of Kashmiri leaders from across the border painted a rosy picture that the
entire population of the Valley was ready to fight Indian forces and they
would help the commandos occupy the target territory, which misled
Pakistan to send 4,000-5,000 commandos to IHK. The anticipated help did
not materialize and resultantly most of the commandos were martyred or
captured. Gohar also blamed Bhutto for Kashmir failure and this time
Nasirullah Babar rejected his viewpoint.
Indian Army did not stop perpetrating state terrorism. During the
period following incidents of state terrorism and retaliatory attacks by the
freedom fighters were reported:

Brother of Abdul Ghani Bhatt was shot dead on 14 th May. He was

commander of the regions biggest freedom fighters group till he gave
up arms.

Four nomadic herdsmen were among six killed on 17 th May. Three

days later four Indian soldiers were killed in Kalakot area when a
grenade was lobbed at an army patrol.

On 21st May gun battles left six dead as the Valley observed strike to
mark deaths of two leaders, Maulvi Mohammad Farooq and Abdul
Ghani Lone.
831

Four persons were killed on 23rd May in three different incidents in

the Valley. Next day a woman was among seven killed in violence.

On 26th May seven fighters were among nine killed. Next day a Hizb
commander was among 12 killed in IHK.

Thirty-one people were injured on 28th May in two blasts. Next day
eleven people were arrested without charge and steep rise in custodial
killings was reported.

On 30th May five persons were killed in violence. Next day seventeen
people were killed in different incidents.

Five persons were killed n violence on 2nd June. Next day a councilor
was gunned down in the Valley.

On 6th June Indian troops killed a Muazzan in Budgam district. Three

youths were killed in fake encounter in Kupwara district and another
was shot dead in Udhampur. A BSF soldier was killed in Kulgam area.
Two Indian agents were abducted and shot dead in Bandipora. One
person was killed in Doda.

Indian Army officer was among four killed on 8 th June in clashes.

Next day seven people were killed in gun battle and Indian Army
chief ruled out ceasefire with fighters in the Valley.

On 11th June seven persons were killed in gun battles. Next day two
soldiers were killed and an Indian soldier committed suicide.

A powerful car bomb killed 15 and wounded about 100 in Pulwama

on 13th June. Mujahideen pointed finger at Indian agencies. Next day
the Valley was shut down to protest against deadly bombing.

On 15th June two fighters were killed in gun battle in Srinagar. Next
day three persons were killed and 11 injured in guerrillas ambush in
Budal area.

The comments on the ongoing peace process begin with quoting

Shireen M Mazari who repeated her observation that India simply wants to
prolong the talking endlessly while creating the feel-good sense within
Pakistan. Musharraf too did not feel good about the outcome of talks on
Siachen and Sir Creek. He asked for report on meetings as he was worried
about failure. After going through the report he would find no option but to
repeat his request to India to be bold and generous, or kick own delegates for
being too reasonable and not showing moderation or flexibility.

832

The only breakthrough made in talks related to gas pipeline. It

indicated that India knew well as to where to make the progress. Meanwhile
there were reports that Pakistan military might be tasked to control IranIndia gas pipeline. Protection of Indian interest of its ever-increasing
demands of energy was an appropriate task for the armed forces of Pakistan
after their Generals had ruled out military options on Kashmir.
Muhammad Amjad from Sialkot while writing to the News criticized
the report pertaining to a man who availed the bus service to travel to IHK,
marry there and returned without his bride as she was not allowed by the
Indians. The incident said all about the confidence building measures.
Pakistani men can go across the border and marry, but they have to leave
their brides there. Pakistani women can travel, kiss an Indian and become
eligible to stay there indefinitely.
Most CBMs related to interaction at various levels. No amount of
interaction can help in building the mutual confidence while both parties
carry suspicion for some reason. Unless that cause of mistrust is resolved no
amount of interaction even eating and sleeping together can help in
confidence building.
Most of the APHC leaders who visited AJK and Pakistan belonged to
the groups that had been holding talks with New Delhi. Two groups of
Kashmiri leaders, one led by the hardliners Gilani and the other to which
Vajpayee referred to as democratically elected, made the representation
incomplete.
Their visit was still good enough for Mushahid to claim that the visit
has made the issue tripartite and Arif Jamal to comment; for real or merely
as an illusion, the visit by Kashmiri leaders creates hope of a solution with
Kashmiri participation.
Gilani, who seemed to have been abandoned by Pakistan, did not
agree with these optimistic views. He said, the visit of Kashmiri leaders to
Pakistan and Azad Kashmir has failed to yield any positive outcome. He
rejected the claim of Mirwaiz Omar Farooq that India has accepted the
disputed status of Kashmir. He accused APHC-A of deviating from the path
and predicted that its leaders may replace Mufti government in near future.
Commenting on the Advani episode, Praful Bidwai wrote, many in
Pakistan see Advani as a tragic hero, and many in India as a villain who has
let down his own followers. His admirers in Pakistan and critics in India
were surely misled by the words he used and grossly misread his intentions.

833

The News admired the hero in these words, what his hardliner
partners cannot read now is something Advani has foreseen there is no
place for radical politics in the changing global geo-political scenario. A
businessman based in Karachi, Fakir S Ayazuddin praised him in hurry. He
hurried in calling Advanis resignation as graceful act which was
withdrawn only hours later even more gracefully.
Hindu extremists were carried away by their hatred for Pakistan. It
was not calling the Quaid a secular leader whom he had conspired to kill,
which perturbed the extremist Hindus but in fact they did not like his visit to
the Mazar on first place.
The Hindu wrote, why did the BJP chief act out of character on his
Pakistani trip? Was he carried away by nostalgia? Not likely. It was
undoubtedly an emotional trip for Mr Advani, yet he would not have gone so
far unless there was a real-politick angle to it.
Shireen M Mazari wrote, Mr Advani is a shrewd and calculating
politician and his remarks on the Quaid were well calculated as was his
resignation and its unsurprising withdrawal. She opined that this drama at
the time APHC leaders were visiting was the planned one. This was clearly
intended to show the world and Pakistan how difficult it is for the Indian
political elite, to shift from its earlier, hostile posturing hence Pakistan
should not expect any more concessions.
An angel can turn into a devil in no time, but a devil does not become
an angel so abruptly. Advani has been leading the pack of anti-Muslim and
anti-Pakistan wolves. He still remained the best of the deadly beasts. So,
why did he say what he said?
Advani came to Pakistan well prepared. He proposed formation of
parliamentary friendship association between the parliaments of two
countries soon after his arrival in Islamabad. This confidence building
measure aimed at proposing a joint parliament of both the countries at some
later stage. The long term goal was subversion of Pakistans sovereignty.
By calling the Quaid a champion of secularism, he had targeted the
Two-Nation Theory the very basis of creation of Pakistan. The shrewd
Hindu hardliner aimed at Islamic identity of Pakistan who thought that the
time was ripe initiate debate when enlightened moderates within Pakistan
were already inclined to erase words of Islamic Republic. His intention can
be best explained by quoting Urdu proverb; NA REHEY BAANS, NA BAJEY
BAANSRI.

834

There is also no change in geo-politics as mentioned by the News.

Neo-cons in the West have not altered their plans to take control of the
world, nor have the Indian Hindu fundamentalists given up their designs.
The incident should be an eye opener for those work over-time to win
Indias goodwill. M A Khawaja in his letter to the News cautioned, we
should be careful about the present artificial peace process.
There is no doubt that India belongs to Hindus despite having a
secular constitution. Millions of Muslims and other minorities have no say in
determining the interests of India and formulation of policies to pursue those
interests. Non-Hindu minorities have been continuously harassed by Hindu
fundamentalists with the support of Indian government. This was evident
from bombing of two cinemas in New Delhi where a controversial film was
being screened and subsequently top Sikh rebel along with two others was
arrested on 8th June.
Hindu extremist have not reconciled with existence of Pakistan. Their
hatred is so deep rooted that even Advani, who is no saint, could not escape
their wrath. Foreign Minister of Pakistan was privileged to deny existence of
any roadmap, but India and the Crusaders certainly have one and Kasuri has
to exercise his mind to find its outline.
Neo-cons openly talk of redrawing maps with reference to Muslim
World. And there are many in Pakistan who are anxious to throw away the
heavy baggage of murky past in words of Ghazi Salahuddin. The creation of
Pakistan occurred in the past and to Hindus that period was quite murky.
On 16th June Vajpayee said it all by reminding Manmohan that the
composite dialogue was not started to make it Kashmir-centric at any stage.
He and his party had masterminded the peace process and they did not want
that Kashmir should ever come in the spotlight in the ongoing process.
Gohar rendered no service to Pakistan or his father by breaking the
broken news. His revelations did not go well with the ongoing composite
dialogue. He timed those very badly; just a day before the Kashmiri leaders
from IHK arrived in Muzaffarabad.
The veracity of the revelations can also be challenged. Pakistan never
had, or even now has, 5,000 effective commandos. Most of the soldiers sent
across were picked up from standard infantry battalions deployed along the
ceasefire line.
If everything from Nehrus office reached Ayub before reaching
Indian GHQ, how did he falter in collecting and assessing vital information

835

related to Kashmiris in IHK? The exuberant son has done no favour to his
illustrious father by raising some dead issues in which the deceased might
have committed some mistakes as all human beings do.
He has also faltered in pointing out the source of information passed
to Pakistan. Irfan Khan in his letter to the News accused him of putting our
intelligence gathering efforts in serious jeopardy He deserves to be
reprimanded for his carelessness which imperils our national security.

PEACE WITHIN
The deal struck with the warlord of Dera Bugti secured peace, but
only partly. Following incidents of Baluch militancy and actions by the law
enforcing agencies were reported during the period:

Four homemade bombs went off in Gwadar on 15 th May. Two days

later security forces raided a house owned by an influential politician
of Baluchistan in Hub City. The criminals hiding there attacked
police with rockets and escaped, but three gangsters and an SHO were
killed and 22 others including 16 law enforcers wounded in the
encounter. Huge quantity of weapons, including sub-machineguns,
light machineguns, and rockets along with launchers were recovered
from the house.

On 18th May a terrorist blew himself up while planting a bomb in

district Turbat. Next day a bomb explosion rocked Naushki and two
policemen were shot dead near Bhag in Bolan.

FC troops came under rocket fire on 29th May near Iranian border.
Two days later a landmine blast killed five people in Dukki area east
of Quetta.

On 13th June saboteurs blew up PTCL tower in Kohlu. Three days

later transmission line of Wapda was damaged in blast near Fort
Manro.

On 14th May Baluchistan minister for Gwadar Authority resigned after

alleging that the authority was powerless. Next day Akbar Bugti floated idea
of Baluch political platform. He intended to enlarge the scope his militancy.
Mengal wasted no time in warning of a big clash in Bluchistan. The great
GHAIRATMAND Baluch warlord, however, seemed to have forgotten about
the daughter that was raped in Sui. Money is a great healer.
The government remained submissive in dealing with Baluch
836

warlords. Huge quantity of weapons was recovered from the house of

Baluch politician but keeping his name a secret was considered more
important than lives of innocent people. A week later Mushahid and Akbar
Bugti reviewed pace of implementation of the accord after which the
warlord expressed his displeasure over progress on agreed points.
PPPP leader Ghulam Qadir Massouri begged the government not to
bow before Akbar Bugti. He alleged that while blackmailing the
government, Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti was getting billions of rupees from it
and was purchasing advanced weapons and had formed a state within a
state.
Sectarian-cum-political militancy continued unabated. Following
incidents of militancy and crackdown by law enforcing agencies were
reported:

A religious scholar was wounded on 16th May in attack in Karachi.

Two days later two members of LJ were arrested in a raid in Lahore.

On 21st May gunmen in Karachi killed police officer who had recently
played a role in capturing some militants.

Twenty people were killed and more than 100 wounded on 27th May
in suicide bombing Bari Imam Shrine.

On 30th May six people, including three assailants, were killed and 18
wounded in a suicide bomb attack at Shiite mosque in Karachi.

Aslam Mujahid, former MNA and Naib Amir of JI Karachi was

kidnapped on 30th May in attack on funeral of JI activist, Jamal Tahir
who was killed a day earlier. Later his bullet ridden dead body was
found. Three suspects of blast at Bari Imam were arrested from
Lahore.

Six people died as protesters set KFC outlet on fire on 31 st May in

Karachi. The protest was against an abortive suicide attempt at a
mosque and Imambargah.

On 4th June 8 Anti-terrorism Court awarded death sentence to an LJ

man for masterminding blasts in two mosques.

Police arrested 8 suspects on 8th June for attack on KFC. Next day
Police arrested two would-be sister suicide bombers from Swat with
links to LJ.

On 10th June two suspects in bomb blast at Bari Imam were arrested

837

and fifty men of MMA protesting against desecration were held in

Karachi.

Three Sunni Tehrik activists were gunned down in Karachi on 16 th

June and resultant violence left five people injured.

Motive behind blast at Bari Imam was the rivalry for having control
over riches of GADDI. Administration was aware of the tussle between two
groups, but failed in averting the unfortunate killings. After the incident
police claimed finding dead body of suicide bomber and that turned out to
be of a first year student. Rupees 2 million reward was announced for arrest
of terrorists. America and Annan condemned blast at the shrine to highlight
Islamic militancy; whereas the incident had nothing to do with religion.
Aslam Mujahid of JI was killed soon after Musharraf visited Karachi
and assured MQM that Nazams would be replaced by caretaker
administrators before local bodies elections. During the same period an
attempt was made to attack a mosque in Karachi and enraged people burnt
an outlet of KFC.
On 31st May MMA gave strike call against killings in Karachi and
Bari Imam Shrine. Next day complete but peaceful strike was held. MMA
blamed MQM for murder of JI leader. Qazi also alleged that the government
and MQM wanted to eliminate him. A clear message in this regard has been
given by setting ablaze my car in Karachi. About 30 armed motorcyclists
had surrounded the car that was returning after dropping him at Karachi
Airport and torched it. Opposition in both the Houses criticized highhandedness of police and Rangers in dealing with protesters.
An interesting development to curb sectarian militancy took place on
17 May. A group of 58 religious scholars representing all schools of thought
gathered issued a FATWA stating that Islam strictly forbids suicide attacks on
Muslims and those committing such acts at places of worship and public
congregations cease to be Muslims.
th

The Ulema led by Chairman Tanzimul Madaris Pakistan and

Chairman Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Munibur Rehman, however, clarified that
the FATWA applies only to conditions in Pakistan and those running freedom
movements in places like Palestine, Iraq and Kashmir are out of its scope.
The FATWA said killing any non-Muslim citizen or foreigner visiting the
country is also forbidden in Islam since those people are under protection of
the Pakistan Government.
Reportedly many top Ulema while agreeing to the contents and spirit
838

of the FATWA refused to support it on the plea that its timing would support
the US conspiracies against Islam and its occupation troops against whom a
bloody resistance movement is being run in Iraq and Afghanistan. Dr Sarfraz
Naeemi said that FATWA avoided mentioning the crimes against humanity
being committed by US troops particularly in Afghanistan and Iraq which
urgently require issuance of FATWAs by the Ulema.
Nationalists and smaller provinces kept criticizing federal government
and Punjab. The only development in the context of Kalabagh Dam was
resignation of AGN Abbasi, who headed one of the two high-powered
committees formed by President Musharraf. His resignation intensified the
conflict. He, however, withdrew his resignation after pursuance.
Consensus on NFC award remained elusive, despite Shaukats
willingness to enhance the size of divisible pool and Presidents directive for
swift formulation of the award. On 30 th May Musharraf was requested to
play the arbiter, but the budget was presented without formulation of new
award with the promise that it would come within three months.
Review of the events of past five weeks must begin with the mention
of the fact that in most cases the militancy in Pakistan is nothing but violent
expression of frustration. The incident of burning of KFC outlet was one of
such unfortunate expressions in retaliation to an unsuccessful attempt of
bombing a mosque.
The people of Pakistan having little knowledge of hidden hands
behind such incidents vent their anger by acting against those whom they
hate. America is an obvious choice to express their anger, just as Islamic
fundamentalists are blamed for all acts of militancy by pro-American
businessmen-turned-analysts like Fakir S Ayazuddin. No doubt such
expressions of anger or frustration hurt them grievously.
Religious scholars may differ on the issue but none preaches
militancy, as was evident from the recent FATWA. This decree is certainly
incomplete in many ways as its scope was deliberately restricted to sectarian
militancy in Pakistan.
The FATWA is not applicable to freedom movement in Iraq, Palestine
and Kashmir, but it failed to mention the forces from within Muslims which
are harming these movements directly or indirectly. This deliberate omission
constituted a major deficiency. By any interpretation of Jihad, these forces
should also cease to be Muslims.

839

The government, which had been coaxing scholars, welcomed the

FATWA. Minister of State for Religious Affairs, Aamir Liaqat Hussain could
rejoice over his efforts bearing the desired result, but the West would pay no
heed to his request to stop propaganda against Islam. Therefore; here too the
pro-American rulers have faltered in extracting a FATWA, not the religious
scholars.
The rulers have been harping about the need for construction of more
water reservoirs, but they earmarked no funds in the budget for any big dam.
Another year will pass in debating the issue and creating more ill-will
between forces for and against the construction of dams.
NFC award has met the similar fate. The elected government has
appointed Musharraf as arbiter. In fact it is an attempt to get decision from
the real decision maker. His decision will be no different from the one in
which Punjab was told to give water to Sindh out of its share. The love and
care for smaller brothers will outweigh the needs of big brother supporting
a large family.

SERVING THE MASTER

On 25th May British Envoy supported liberal democratic agenda of
Musharraf. General Aslam Beg explained that liberal democratic agenda
was in fact US agenda which was being followed in return of the Crusaders
support for his uniform.
Hamid Gul criticized the government for serving the master blindly. It
failed in taking brave stand on the issue of desecration of Holy Quraan and
did nothing about Pakistanis imprisoned in Guantanamo and Afghanistan.
Pakistans sovereignty was totally impaired and on Kashmir it is following
a policy which will lead to deployment of NATO forces therein. Its foreign
policy will leave it without friends like China and Pakistan.
Musharraf understood well as to who can issue his retirement order,
therefore he was not disheartened by the statements of his critics. He and his
government kept pursuing the goals of religious enlightenment and political
moderation.
On 15th May Shaukat invited Buddha followers to visit Pakistan to
show them inter-faith tolerance of his people. Three days later Muhammad
840

Ali Durrani claimed that enlightened moderation would revive Ummahs

glory. On ground the enlightenment campaign went astray.
Asma and Iqbal Haider were among human rights activists detained in
Lahore after thrashing by police. The law enforcement agencies tore the
clothes of female participants in marathon held in Lahore to protest against
violations of human rights. Their urge for enlightenment overtook their
desire to seek soft image. The News termed it another marathon
overreaction.
On 10th June a court in Multan ordered release of 12 accused in Mais
rape case. Her name was put on ECL. Human Rights organizations
condemned her placing on ECL and Asma Jehangir termed it as murder of
law and human rights in Pakistan. Later her name was removed from ECL.
Mai once again started haunting the government endeavouring for soft
image. The government apprehended that Mai would proceed on a trip
abroad and thereby cause damage to the image of Pakistan. Therefore, she
was escorted to Islamabad to discuss PC-1.
Opposition in the Senate lashed out at the government on putting her
name on ECL. Minister of State accused Pakistani NGOs voicing their
support of Mai of exploiting the case of a raped woman for a dinner with
John and Johnny Walker and to get foreign funding. He dubbed the
detractors as vultures, crows and kites sitting on the fence
While enjoying sympathies of the civilized world, the victim has
caused enormous damage to the image of Pakistan. The impression created
by the mishandling of this case has been summed up by a Mais sympathizer,
Naeem Sadiq, in his letter to the News. Mukhtaran Mai has thus chosen to
wage a moral war all by herself against the rest of Pakistan. She is singlehandedly fighting against the jirgas, knowing full well that the powerful
wish to retain them as an instrument of oppression. It was a jirga that
ordered her rape. She is fighting against the corrupt police, who did not
register an FIR till they were forced to do so. She is fighting against the
courts, whose bickering and myopic clerical understanding has denied her
justice for the three years since her ordeal. She is fighting against the
President and the Prime Minister, who did nothing to help her, beyond
promises and photo sessions. She is fighting against the mullahs, whose
measure of morality is limited to opposing marathons. She is fighting against
politicians and parliament, who did nothing to support a rape case. It all
appeared as if one angle was pitched against so many devils in Pakistan.
841

Khan A Shamshad from Karachi commented on editorial of the News

in which holding of mixed marathon race was applauded by the editor. It
would be to the delight of those who feel that Islam must change according
to circumstances. Hats off to the human rights activists who accomplished
what the Crusaders failed to do. Islam has now become civilized.
Dr M S Jillani after a long and scholarly preamble said that Islam and
enlightened moderation are one of the same thing; synonymous. However,
enlightened moderation is being interpreted as an effort to assure the West,
especially the USA, of our willingness to do anything to appease them.
Enlightenment in Pakistan is being seen as linked with western culture, some
of which counters our culture, traditions, and partly religion. Obviously, that
is not acceptable to the Muslim World in general, given the anti-Muslim
biases and actions of the West in general and the USA in particular. The
rulers in Pakistan have done mostly what the West has desired.
Two-pronged campaign for inculcating political moderation went on.
PPP delegation met US officials in Department of State and Pentagon as
well as the UN. Its leaders converged on to London to decide about the
return of She. Thereafter, they rejected talks with the government without
Benazir.
Rashid said the government was in touch with Shahbaz, Benazir and
Zardari. He foresaw outcome of government-PPP talks in days. He,
however, announced that Musharraf would continue as president after 2007.
Kasuri clarified that Musharraf would contest next polls as civilian. The
government refused to withdraw cases against Benazir. Meanwhile MMA
remained united over attending NSC meeting.
Dr Farrukh Saleem confessed running short of answers to questions
lurking in his mind in the context of PPP-government contacts. Will the
General abandon the PML-Q? Will the General abandon MQM? Will the
General abandon the Patriots? Under what circumstances will the PPP be
willing to play second fiddle to the army? Why would the establishment
support fresh elections? Who is the real scriptwriter? What really is
Washingtons script? What is Rice offering Benazir Bhutto?
Pakistans resolve for man-hunt was not dented by the cartoon. It
continued acting in accordance with wishes of the master. Following actions
by security forces and militants were reported:

On 14th May a bomb went off in a cinema in Mingora. Two days later
a terror suspect was arrested from Shabqadar.

842

One person was killed in mine blast in Bajaur on 17 th May. Two days
later to US citizens of Pakistani descent were freed after 8-month
detention in Pakistan on suspicion of links with Islamic militants.
They were released after New York based Human Rights Watch had
asked Pakistan Government to charge or release the men and also
asked the US Government to clarify its involvement.

Three persons were arrested on 20th May in Mulltan for sheltering alQaeda fugitives. Houses of clerics in Bajaur were demolished for
sheltering militants. A tribesman was reported killed in Lwara Mandi
on charges of collaborating with the Americans.

US warplanes dropped several bombs in Pakistani territory in North

Waziristan on 21st and 22nd May killing five persons. Leaflets
threatening collaborators were distributed on either side of the border.

Two terror suspects were arrested near Peshawar on 23 rd May and

more shells landed in Waziristan from across the border. Next day
Police recovered two missiles from the yard of a mosque in Bannu on
lead from an arrested terrorist. Rashid disclosed that eight more
people have been arrested since capture of Libbi.

Five Afghan football players were arrested on 28 th May over hoisting

of Indian, Northern Alliance and Taliban flags in a match played in
Chashma near Miranshah. Local tribal elders sought custody of held
men for punishment under Jirga.

On 29th May former minister Faridullah Wazir along with two elders
was shot dead in Jandola. He was a leading pro-government tribal
leader and had played crucial role in opening up the militants
stronghold of Shakai. Next day ten persons were detained in an
operation in North Waziristan.

Dead bodies of two tribesmen involved in kidnapping of a Punjab

minister were found on 31st May near Mir Ali with a note that they
were killed for spying for US. A tribal elder Malik Ghazi Marjan was
murdered in Lwara Mandi with a similar note left with his dead body.
These incidents prompted Yusufzai to say that targeted killings have
become a norm. Four persons were arrested in Spinwam area and later
released. Ten men were arrested from Shawal area.

On 1st June an Afghan who kidnapped two boys from Balkh was
arrested in Nowshera. Next day two persons were arrested as troops
searched tribal villages in Mir Ali area.
843

A roadside bomb targeted military convoy in North Waziristan on 7 th

June. Two days later four Pakistani men and three women from
Karachi and an Afghan woman, who were arrested a few days ago at
Ghulam Khan post opposite Khost, were shifted to Peshawar for
interrogation.

On 11th June troops raided Madrassa and homes in North Waziristan

near Mir Ali. Five days later two of the seven militants of Khyber
Agency were released on bail.

Reporting the arrest of five Afghan football players on 28th May,

Behroz Khan recalled Indian agents and local commanders loyal to Afghan
government contacting Pakistani tribesmen from Wazir and Mehsud tribes
for recruitment in Afghan National Army. Indian Consulate in Jalalabad had
been active in encouraging Afghans living in Paktia, Paktika and Khost
provinces to enhance contacts with Pakistani tribesmen to revive old links
aimed at reopening the issue of border dispute.
On 14th May Pakistan denied US media reports about killing of
Haitham al-Yemeni by Predator aircraft. Rahimullah Yusufzai reported that
two persons were killed in a mysterious explosion in a car at 2 a.m. on 8 th
May near Mir Ali. One of them was a local tribesman and the other remained
unidentified. Locals claimed that the car was hit by a missile.
He added that US media believed that the unidentified man was alYemeni, a native of Yemen known for his bomb making skills, had been
tracked for some time in the hopes that he would help lead the US to alQaeda leader Osama bin Laden. But with the capture of Libbi US decided
to eliminate him. Next day the relatives of the killed tribesman cleared the
confusion. The second man was an Afghan.
Libbi confessed twin attacks on Musharraf, but his arrest provided no
leads to Osama. On 31st May Musharraf said that Libbi would be handed
over to US, which meant that masters command had been received. Next
day the master said Libbis extradition was not yet discussed. The faithful,
however, wanted to see him hanging in masters game carrier. Within a week
US military confirmed that Libbi has been flown to America. The bird
finally reached the bag following the routine pattern.
The government kept crying wolf and no wolf for obvious reasons.
Kasuri suspected that Osama was alive and moving around. About 100
foreigners were still hiding in Waziristan and we are hunting them, said
Corps Commander. No high value target in tribal areas, said ISPR.

844

Musharraf claimed that al-Qaeda has been crushed.

The Crusaders were assured by Corps Commander that border with
Afghanistan had been fully secured. Outgoing Pakistani Ambassador to
Kabul said cross-border movement of militants was being curbed as Pakistan
has deployed 70,000 troops along the border. Pakistan gifted another
consignment of ten ambulances to Afghanistan.
The government continued with its plan integrating tribal areas with
rest of the country through development. Rupees 60 million were being
spent on healthcare in South Waziristan. On 28 th May Governor Khalil
visited the Agency and addressed tribal Jirga of Utmanzai Wazir and Daur
tribes and lectured them about merits peace and progress. On 16th June the
Governor again visited the Agency and warned tribesmen about outlaws.
Pakistan decided to check nuisance of refugees by closing refugee
camps. Afghan refugees were asked to leave North Waziristan by 30 th June.
UNHCR was thus compelled to launch refugee registration in the area.
Meanwhile Safron Ministry decided to close all schools and start
retrenchment process of health workers in a bid to force Afghan refugees to
return to their country. Health workers resorted to hunger strike and by 16 th
June one person lost his life. School children also protested against closure
of schools. On 17th June it was decided to close two refugee camps in
Baluchistan.
The tribesmen generally cooperated with the government. On 19 th
May a Jirga ordered a tribal lashkar to set ablaze houses of two noted
religious leaders in Bajaur Agency. The clerics were accused of harbouring
foreign militants.
Many grievances of tribesmen remained unaddressed. The family of
Zafar Qayyum Bangash, who was arrested by the law enforcing agencies
some days back on suspicion of links with militant groups, demanded of
authorities to tell them about his whereabouts. Some disheartened Ahmadzai
Wazir tribesmen were reported acquiring Afghan ID cards.

PREJUDICES OF MASTER
With a view to taking advantage of American willingness to sell F16s, Pakistan raised its demand from 24 to 75 and at the same time Air Chief
admitted that acquisition of F-16s wont bridge imbalance with India.
Nevertheless India increased lobbying to block US sales to Pakistan. One
can guess fairly accurately as to who will win ultimately; demand or
845

lobbying. On 16th June Rocca disclosed that US was discussing the number
of F-16s with Pakistan.
Shaukat vowed to resist American pressure on gas pipeline.
Manmohan said India was ready for engagement on non-proliferation with
international agencies and within 24 hours India asked for American help for
nuclear power. Attack on US missionaries by extremist Hindus in Mumbai
caused no raising of eyebrows.
Rice and Kasuri expressed hope that the Kashmir issue would be
resolved in accordance with the aspirations of Kashmiris, but the visiting
lady devoted more time to discuss cooperation in political field. About a
month later British High Commissioner regretted the error of judgment on
Kashmir. All the cheatings of civilized people are always the result of some
error of judgment.
Occupation forces in Afghanistan kept alleging that guerrillas were
still using Pakistani soil. US warplanes dropped several bombs in Pakistani
territory in North Waziristan on 21st and 22nd May. Military and political
sources confirmed the incidents of bombing. ISPR spurned allegations by
Coalition forces that some anti-social elements have crossed over to
Pakistan, though an advance notice might have been served before bombing.
On 7th June new US commander in Afghanistan met General Safdar
and discussed routine matters. Next day Khalilzad while appearing before
the Senate Committee asked Pakistan to curb terrorist camps. He added, I
must praise the efforts of General Musharraf, on all fronts. But we would
like to encourage President Musharraf to do as much as possible
Four days later Shaukat denied existence of any al-Qaeda training
camp in Pakistan. The News pleaded to America not to resort to such
violations as these weaken Musharraf and strengthen religious forces. The
question of Pakistans sovereignty or safety of Pakistanis did not emerge any
where in the editorial. It was all about Musharraf and Mullas.
Apart from the bias towards India and Afghanistan, the usual Pakistan
specific prejudices remained in place. First, a few words about prejudices
displayed earlier. The people from all walks of life kept expressing their
views on cartoon. On 15th May following letters were published in the News:

Farhad Khan from Peshawar. This cartoon has exposed the real value
of these leaders and their policies; the cartoonist Mr Garner has
explained that since the dog is a symbol of loyalty to its master, so is
the Pakistani leadership very loyal to its master; Mr Bush Junior. Just
846

as a dog brings its catch of prey at the orders of its master and is
rewarded by a pat on the head, so does our Pakistani leadership get,
not only a pat, but also a prize in its mouth, and off its sent to catch
its next prey. Pakistanis should be very grateful to the cartoonist who
has shown us the real face of our leadership.

Mahabat Khan Bangash from Kohat. Is it (not) a fact that our rulers
are playing the very role depicted in the cartoon? Because till now we
never heard any word of appreciation for Pakistan or its people from
Bush, Rice or any member of the US Administration, except for
Musharrafs performance.

Naeem Razzak from Karachi. The explanation of the dog and best
friend is even more bizarre and funnier than the very cartoon that
targeted the response. Next time, try showing a poodle along with the
US President as being a symbol of mans best friend, and then watch
the reaction. At least this time you would not be able to blame it on
the cultural gap, as was conveniently done in the case of Pakistan.

Dr Anwar Ul Haque from Islamabad. The recent unanimous

condemnation by the National Assembly of the Washington Times
cartoon is most unfair. Washington Times has shown us the mirror,
and there is no reason to be upset over this.

Before arrival of Rocca, Foreign Office spokesman was asked a

question about desecration, he replied, we will certainly raise this issue
again. During her stay in Islamabad she devoted more time to discuss other
issues than desecration.
The incident of illegal detention and release of two brothers has been
partly covered in an earlier article. The News wrote, there seem to be big
grey areas in the way the international effort against terrorism is being
conducted. Human rights are taking a beating, but it is all justified in the
name of protecting the freedoms and liberties of the people around the globe.
Torture, illegal detentions, arbitrary arrests and lack of respect to the due
process of law have become rampant that they have stopped pricking the
conscience of the general public.
Deportation of illegal Pakistanis continued, on 18th May fifty-seven
deportees arrived from America. On 16th June relatives of two Pakistanis
arrested in California denied links with militants. Next day Pakistani man
and his son were indicted in California on charges of lying before FBI about
their link to al-Qaeda. Another Pakistani was charged in US with illegally

847

exporting parts of jet fighter.

The same day Pakistani lawmakers deplored US Embassys refusal of
visa to Allama Iqbals son and daughter-in-law, both retired judges of Lahore
High Court. The concerned minister said that visas have not been refused but
only the applications had been referred to the concerned office in
Washington. Both later withdrew their applications. The reasons of the fuss
so created lied in their link to Allama who was the greatest critic of the
Western civilization. Had he been alive his name would have appeared in the
list of most wanted men for preaching Islamic militancy and Pakistani rulers
would have been hunting him madly.
During Musharrafs visit Australia and Pakistan signed counterterrorism pact, which is an obligatory ritual for Pakistani rulers wherever
they go. Despite all what Pakistan has been doing for Americas war on
terror, it found itself standing with Cuba on the issue of UN reforms. In
Pakistan Crocker expressing US interests in Gwadar Port, while serving a
carrot of Pakistans removal from US watch list on human trafficking.
Before mention of the lingering issue of nuclear proliferation, a few
words about a British social worker based in Pakistan. Chris Cork has come
to the country to devote maximum time and energy in looking for incidents
that could satisfy civilized mans urge to ridicule Muslims and Pakistanis.
He found one in attack on KFC and blurted out; most of those who were
killed at KFC, if asked what faith they belonged to, would have said with
utter conviction: We are Muslims. The same question those who killed
them would bring the same answer.
Iran was in the eye of anti-proliferation storm, but Pakistan lying in
close vicinity could not feel comfortable. On 15th May France told Pakistan
to first clear itself of proliferation charges before being eligible for nuclear
cooperation. Soon after that centrifuge parts were sent to IAEA for probe of
Irans nuclear programme. Subsequently Pakistan expressed its willingness
on 31st May to interact with the Missile Technology Control Regime.
Pakistan had been refusing the demand of civilized world for
inspection of its nuclear installations. Sending of centrifuge parts was an
attempt to avoid the embarrassment of a gang of inspectors arriving in
Pakistan. You dont come to Pakistan as it would compromise the
sovereignty. We come where you want with whatever you want and that
wont compromise sovereignty.

848

Musharraf, however, warned that attack on Iran would spark uproar.

He indirectly conveyed that if the parts sent reveal some corroborating
evidence, please dont act against Iran in haste as it would implicate him.
He apprehended threat to his rule in case Iran was attacked. Luckily the tests
on centrifuge parts backed Iranian claim. Preliminary IAEA investigation
showed Tehran didnt produce weapons-grade uranium. A few days later Dr
A Q Khan was hospitalized with heart problem.
On 11th June Chairman PAEC, in an attempt to convey that Pakistans
nuclear programme was moving as planned, vowed building 10 to 12
nuclear power plants in few years. Next day India reacted lest an impression
of Pakistan taking edge over it was created.
Chairman Atomic Energy Commission, Dr Anil Kakodkar told
newsmen that for the first time the plutonium and uranium-rich carbide fuel
with high burn-up mark was used. He said, the fast breed test reactor here
(Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research at Chennai) is unique because it
is using carbide fuelwe will leapfrog into using metallic fuel in the next
ten years.

CONCLUSION
Musharraf wished resolution of Kashmir dispute during his tenure.
During his recent visit to Australia and New Zealand, he wanted fast track
flexibility on Kashmir. Embarking on a journey on a bullock-cart he
wanted to cover the distance at the speed of a Ferrari.
Solution of a dispute through dialogue is found when one party has
the capability and the will to extract a favourable solution through use of
military means. In this case Pakistan has accepted more than once, that it
neither has the capability nor the will to resort to military option, therefore;
wishing for solution amounts to asking for moon.
If at all a solution would be found it wont be to the liking of many
Pakistanis, and then they would regret having lost the Kashmir cause in
pursuit of peace. Musharraf should be happy if an irritant as simple as
Siachen could be removed before completion of his this tenure.
Of late Human Rights activist like Asma Jehangir, on behest of the
civilized world, have been concentrating on women-marathons. For them
these races were more important than raising voice for release of illegal

849

detainees in war on terror rotting in jails from Adiala to Guantanamo.

19th June 2005

TALK OF TIMETABLE

850

According to a poll held in June found that 53 percent of Americans

believed that war was not worth fighting and 69 percent viewed the level of
casualties in Iraq unacceptable. According to the Wall Street Journal
reports the current wars unpopularity matched the Gallup findings during
the Vietnam tripping point, the summer of 1968.
The change in public opinion resulted in two unexpected
developments. Some American leaders, including a few from Bushs own
party, started talking of timetable for withdrawal of US troops from Iraq and
secondly, American occupation forces held talks with insurgent groups.
Nevertheless, Bush and Rumsfeld remained steadfast and hoped to defeat
insurgency.
Unlike occupation of Iraq, Americas democratization plan did not
encounter much resistance. Jaafari struck a deal with Sunnis for drafting new
constitution. Abbas delayed Palestinian polls as wished of America. Bashar
announced measures to democratize Syria. Pro-America Saad Hariri
secured majority in Lebanons legislature. Dr Masouma Mubarak became
the first female cabinet member in Kuwait. The only exception was Iran
where a hardliner won the presidential election.
As the civilized world moved on from criticizing legal and moral
aspects of the war to demanding timetable for pull out of US troops
astonishingly Muslim World remained dumb to bloodshed in Iraq. Only a
solitary Egyptian mufti backed resistance in Iraq.
At last OIC picked up the courage to call a spade a spade but quite
politely. The statement issued after a three-day meeting condemned all
aspects of terrorism and insisted on differentiating between terrorism and
legitimate resistance against occupation.

FIGHTING
The period of last six weeks started with Operation Lightening and
ended with Operation Sword. These operations were aimed at crushing
insurgency by resorting to indiscriminate killings and random arrests of able
bodied Sunnis suspects, which resulted in requirement of expanding the
facility for captives. US military expanded its prisons across Iraq to hold as
many as 16,000 detainees.
On 27th May two US soldiers were killed when their helicopter was
shot down in central Iraq. Police arrested four suspects in two raids in
Baghdad after 17 people were wounded in a bombing. One policeman and a
851

civilian were killed in Mosul. The government prepared to launch the largest
operation against insurgents. Three hundred Filipino workers in a US
military camp went on strike to protest poor working conditions and a
Romanian court issued warrant for Iraqi-American who had worked as
interpreter with three Romanians taken hostage.
Next day ten dead bodies of pilgrims returning from Syria were found.
They must have been killed as terror suspects crossing into Iraq. Five people
were killed and 45 wounded in two suicide car bombs outside a US military
base near Sinjar. Four soldiers were shot dead and one wounded near Hilla.
Seven people were killed elsewhere, probably in fighting in which a US
Marine was killed in Haditha. Zarqawi was reported to be in good health
after injury.
Massive operation by 40,000 Iraqi and 10,000 US soldiers continued
on 29 May. Fierce battles were reported in Baghdad after the launch of
Operation Lightening. US troops claimed killing dozens of insurgents
including foreign fighters in towns along Euphrates. The fighters hit back
killing at least 17 people. A British soldier was killed in Southern Iraq and a
US Marine was killed in bomb attack in Baghdad. A suicide car bomber
killed two security guards and wounded a policeman outside Oil Ministry.
Nine soldiers were killed and one wounded in attack in Youssifiyah. Two
policemen were killed in drive-by shooting in Dora. Two police commandos
were killed and five wounded in a car bomb blast in Maidan.
th

On 30th May two suicide bombers blew themselves among policemen

protesting against disbandment of their unit in south Baghdad. Thirty people
were killed and more than 100 wounded in the attack. Four US soldiers and
an Iraqi were killed in crash of Iraqi Air Force plane. Operation Lightening
continued in Baghdad. A senior Kurdish official died of wounds received
overnight. US forces arrested head of the largest Sunni party, Mohsen
Abdul-Hamid. Talabani condemned and Jaafari ordered probe into detention
and feared exacerbation of sectarian tensions. Party secretary-general said,
at this time the Americans say they are keen on real Sunni participation,
they are now arresting the head of the only Sunni party that calls for a
peaceful solution and have participated in the political process.
One civilian was killed and another wounded on 1 st June in suicide
bombing north of the capital. A Sunni cleric was mistakenly killed by an
Iraqi soldier in Latifiyah. In Baghdad four people were killed in mortar fire.
A suicide bomber killed ten and wounded 12 people. In the ongoing
Operation Lightening 700 people were arrested to date.

852

On 2nd June a suicide bomber attacked a restaurant south of Kirkuk

and killed 12 people, including bodyguard of Kurd deputy Prime Minister,
and wounded 40 others. A suicide car bomb attack on a convoy carrying
contractors killed four by-standers and wounded 11 others, another suicide
bomber killed four and wounded four more people in Baquoba. In Mosul
two motorcycle bombs near a coffee house killed five and wounded 13
people. In Baghdad nine persons were killed in drive-by shooting in a
market. A roadside bomb south of the capital killed three and wounded three
more. One person was killed and another wounded in attack on police patrol
in Dora. Three US soldiers were killed in different incidents.
Six people, including two soldiers were killed on 3 rd June in several
attacks north of the capital. In Samarra one person was killed and another
wounded in fire-fight. An Iraqi translator was gunned down near Balad. A
Shiite cleric was shot dead in Basra. In Baghdad a Shiite politician died of
wounds. Turkmen police General was shot dead in Kirkuk. Next day police
in Mosul claimed capturing Abu Raad, coordinator and financier of the
groups operating in the area. PTV reported killing of seventeen people.
Iraqi and US forces captured 108 suspects on 5th June in Operation
Lightening which was extended to the rural area south of Baghdad. US
forces claimed discovering an underground complex bigger than four
football pitches and unearthed 50 weapons caches in last 72 hours. A police
woman was killed in eastern Baghdad. Iraqi Government announced arrest
of another member of Zarqawis group. Five civilians were killed in mortar
fire in Mosul. A US soldier died of wounds.
On 6th June Interior Ministry announced the arrest of a further 216
suspects bringing the total to over 1,200 arrests in Operation Lightening. US
Army destroyed most of the discovered bunkers. A US soldier was killed in
roadside bomb near Kirkuk. Two Romanian soldiers were injured in attack
on airport road. One civilian was killed and two wounded in mortar fire in
Mosul. Three Iraqi commandos were wounded in car bombing near
Baghdad. Four Iraqi soldiers were wounded in suicide car bombing in Tikrit.
A Sunni cleric was killed on 7th June in Basra. Fourteen Iraqis,
including 7 soldiers were killed and 20 wounded in three car bomb attacks
on three checkpoints in Hawijah. Four Iraqi soldiers were killed in an
ambush north of Baghdad. One person was shot dead in the capital and 28
were wounded in car bombing. A dead body was found near Abu Ghraib.
Kidnappers threatened to kill Turkish hostage unless Turkey stopped
cooperating with America in four days. A Spanish judge urged US to

853

question three American soldiers who fired from their tank in Baghdad and
killed TV reporter in April 2003.
Two US soldiers were killed on 8th June in mortar fire on a base in
Tikrit. Another US soldier was killed in roadside bomb north of Baghdad.
Two government employees were killed in drive-by shooting in the capital.
Three persons were killed and three wounded in car bomb attack in
Baquoba. A translator was killed near Khalis. Main oil pipeline to Turkey
was blown up in north Iraq.
Six dead bodies were found near Qaim on 9th June. Five US soldiers
were wounded in suicide car bomb attack on their convoy between Baiji and
Tikrit. Next day five US soldiers were killed when their vehicle hit an
explosive device near Haqlaniyah. One US soldier died of non-combat
injuries north of Baghdad. Two US Marines were killed in roadside bomb
near Fallujah. Twenty-one dead bodies were found near Qaim along Syrian
border. Two police colonels were shot dead in Kirkuk and Basra.
About 40 people were killed on 11th June in air strikes near Qaim.
Five persons were killed in suicide attack on a commando unit in Baghdad.
In another attack three commandos were killed. Two persons were shot dead
and two wounded by US troops when they came too close to their convoy.
Eleven Iraqi construction workers of a base were killed in drive-by shooting
in Diyara. Two employees of Oil Ministry were shot dead in Dora. Two
persons were killed in a blast in Najaf. Two US soldiers were killed when
their vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb near Taqaddum. Two more were
killed in similar attack near Amiriyah.
Police found 28 dead bodies around the capital on 12 th June. French
journalist was freed after five months. Next day four policemen were killed
and seven wounded in double attack on a checkpoint in Bani Saad. Three
soldiers were killed and five wounded by a suicide bomber at a checkpoint
outside the army base in Samarra. Another soldier was killed in bomb blast.
Two police commandos and two soldiers were killed in fighting. Two
persons were killed and five wounded in car bombing that targeted US
convoy in Baghdad and six more dead bodies were found. Two policemen
were killed and 17 others wounded in car bomb attack in Tikrit. One
policeman was killed in Baiji. A businessman was gunned down in
Dhuluiyah as he left US base. Two US soldiers were killed in roadside bomb
in Ramadi.
One US soldier was killed and two wounded on 14th June in rocketpropelled grenade attack in Baghdad. A suicide bomber blew himself up in a
854

crowd of civil servants waiting for pay cheques in Kirkuk, killing 20 and
wounding 81 others. Ten persons were killed and seven wounded in car
bomb attack north of the capital. Security forces claimed arresting bomb
maker close to Zarqawi. Two US soldiers were killed in separate attacks in
Baghdad. Two Bulgarian soldiers were killed and another wounded when
their vehicle plunged into a canal.
On 15th June a suicide bomber blew himself up in a canteen in Khales
killing 23 and wounding 29 persons, most of them were soldiers. Another
suicide bomber killed 8 policemen in attack on their patrol in Baghdad. Five
Iraqi soldiers were killed and two wounded in suicide car bombing on a
checkpoint in Kanan. Two gunmen were killed by police in Kirkuk. Two
Marines were killed in action in Anbar. Five US soldiers were killed in
roadside bombing near Ramadi. Australian hostage was rescued.
An Iraqi judge and his driver were gunned down in Mosul on 16th
June. Gunmen shot dead a former member of Baath party in Karbala, who
was involved in killings of Shiites during their uprising in 1991. Eight Iraqis
were wounded in suicide car bombing in Kirkuk. Five soldiers were
wounded in a car bomb in Baghdad. One US soldier died of wounds
received in Ramadi on 15th June. US forces claimed arresting al-Qaeda
leader of Mosul area. Next day 9 people were reported killed in various
incidents. A suicide bomber attacked a Shiite mosque and wounded four
persons in Baghdad. US aircrafts and ground forces launched attack near
Syrian border. Two US soldiers, an Iraqi and a detained suspect were killed
in an attack by insurgents in Buruz and in the ensuing fight one US soldier
and five Iraqi policemen were wounded.
About 50 suspected fighters were killed by 18th June in two separate
raids in Anbar province. Troops found four Iraqi hostages from one bunker.
Elsewhere in the country 37 people, most of them policemen and soldiers,
were wounded in bomb attacks.
A suicide bomber attacked a restaurant in Baghdad on 19 th June and
killed 47 people, mostly policemen, and wounded 36 others. A bomb blast
targeted at police killed four and injured 26 people in Baghdad. Two
policemen were shot dead in front of their houses. Five soldiers were killed
and 13 wounded in suicide car bombing in Tikrit. Operation Spear continued
on third day against fighters in the town of Karabilah with the toll rising to
53 fighters killed, one US soldier and ten civilians were wounded.
On 20th June a suicide car bomber in Arbil attacked police officers
gathered for roll call, killing 15 and wounding about 100 others. Twelve
855

Iraqi were killed in other attacks. One US soldier was killed by roadside
bomb in northern Iraq. A group claimed attempt to kill Shiite senior
correspondent of al-Arabiyah for his anti-Sunni reporting.
Two people were killed and six wounded on 21st June in mortar fire in
Tal Afar. Earlier two persons were killed and two wounded in blast in town
hall. An Iraqi soldier was gunned down in Baquba. A Turkish driver was
shot dead in Balad. Two Iraqi policemen and two civilians were killed in
fire-fight near Baiji. A dead body was found near Hilla. Dead bodies of a
businessman and a soldier were found in Shorgat. One insurgent killed
himself accidentally. In the ongoing operation 40 suspects were arrested
south of Baquba and 30 south of the capital.
On 22nd June 28 people were killed and 46 wounded in Baghdad in
three car bombs at different places. Two policemen were killed in bomb
blast south of the capital. A Sunni lawyer, who had been asked to join
drafting of constitution, and his son were gunned down. Three people were
killed and seven wounded in car bombing in Mosul and one policeman was
killed in separate incident. Two people were killed in Kirkuk.
Four car bombs in Baghdad on 23 rd June killed 17 people and
wounded about 50 people. Zarqawi Group said top Saudi fighter, Abdullah
Roshoud was martyred in recent fighting. A military vehicle of Japans
mission was damaged in a roadside explosion near Samawa. Next day six
American soldiers were killed and 13 wounded in suicide car bombing in
Fallujah. Three policemen were wounded in roadside bomb in Kirkuk. Six
militants were killed in targeted bombing by aircrafts near Syrian border. A
Danish military vehicle was damaged in roadside bomb near Basra.
Nine people were killed and 16 wounded on 25 th June in suicide car
bombing in Samarra and two persons were killed and four wounded in a
roadside bomb blast. Dead bodies of 8 policemen, 5 Shiite civilians and a
Shiite municipal official were found around Baghdad. A civilian was killed
in fighting in Tal Afar. A Kurdish policeman was shot dead in drive-by
shooting in Kirkuk. Two US soldiers were killed in an ambush near Fallujah.
On 26th June a string of suicide bombings aimed at Iraqi forces killed
36 and wounded 19 people in Mosul. A roadside bomb killed a US soldier
and wounded two others in Baghdad; three persons were killed in mortar
bomb explosion and a police Colonel was shot dead in his apartment.
Australia denied that release of its hostage was stage-managed. Next day
two US soldiers were killed when an Apache helicopter crashed after having
been hit by fire and another soldier was shot dead in Baghdad.
856

Operation Sword was launched in western Iraq on 28 th June. A

member of parliament, his son and three bodyguards were killed in suicide
bombing in al-Rashidyah. Three people were killed and 13 wounded in
suicide bombing in a hospital in Musayyib. One person was killed and ten
wounded when Iraqis demanding jobs clashed with police in Samawa.
On 29th June two Polish soldiers were wounded when their patrol was
attacked with grenades in Diwaniyah and troops injured several people as
they returned fire. Twelve persons were killed and 19 wounded in an
explosion at the Babylon Hotel in Baghdad. Two persons were wounded in
two explosions in Samawa.
On 30th June 13 people were arrested from town of Hit in Euphrates
Valley as Operation Sword was launched. Mortar shell exploded near
Japanese military base in Samawa. The figures released after the month of
June showed that Iraqi deaths from guerrilla attacks had fallen by more than
one-third compared to May, but occupation forces suffered more casualties.
A top aide of Sistani and two others were shot dead on 1st July in
Baghdad while they were on their way to Friday prayers. A US Embassy
official termed it a real threat of a sectarian war. Five gunmen entered a
Sunni mosque and kidnapped Shiekh Tikriti. One person was killed and
another wounded by suicide bomber near office of Dawa Party. A civil
servant was killed in a drive-by shooting. Other incidents in and around the
capital and Samarra resulted in killing of 14 and injuring 15 people. One TV
man was abducted and killed in Mosul.
On 2nd July Egyptian Ambassador, first from Arab countries, was
kidnapped from a newspaper shop. Industry and Mineral Minister escaped
an attack by gunmen. Two suicide bombings directed at elite police killed 19
and wounded 50 people. Two officials of the former Kurdish group were
killed in Mosul. US regretted slaying of Swiss citizen.
Two policemen were killed on 3rd July in attack on convoy of police
chief in Kirkuk. At least 13 people died in a series of attacks north of
Baghdad. Twelve dead bodies were found in Mosul. Next day three Iraqis
were killed and three wounded in roadside bombings around Baghdad. Two
civilians were killed and four wounded in car bomb blast in the capital and a
contractor working in US base was shot dead. An official of KDP was killed
in Mosul. US forces announced arrest of Tunisian suspected of bringing
more than 100 suicide bombers into Iraq. Troops scoured insurgent hideouts
after kidnapping of Egyptian Ambassador and arrested several people.
On 5th July Bahraini charge daffaires was injured in an attack on his
857

convoy and Pakistani Envoy escaped attempt on his life, who was then
ordered to move to Jordan. Four employees of Baghdad Airport were killed
and three wounded when a minibus carrying them was attacked. Seven
people were killed in various attacks north of Baghdad and several people
were injured in a roadside blast in southern parts of the capital. One person
was killed in a roadside bomb which targeted western security guards. A girl
was killed in mortar fire at US base in Samarra and two women were killed
in Ramadi in a similar attack. Mortar shell exploded near Japanese camp in
Samawah. Fresh crackdown around Baghdad Airport resulted in arrest of
about 100 suspects. One US soldier was killed and two wounded in
roadside bombing northeast of Baghdad. One Iraqi soldier was killed and
three wounded by a suicide car bomber near Kirkuk.
Gunmen killed a police officer of special commando brigade in
Baghdad on 6th July. Three policemen including two commandos were killed
west of Baghdad. Nine police personnel, including a brigadier, were
wounded in a series of attacks in the capital. A member of Badr Brigade was
killed in an ambush. A civilian cooperative with the Americans was shot
dead in Tarmiya.
Kidnapped Egyptian Envoy was killed on 7 th July. Statement of the
group said that he represented a government which cooperated with the
Jews and the Christians. His country was the first Arab country to send an
ambassadorin response to the orders of the Crusaders. Three persons
were killed and 52 wounded in mortar fire in Mosul. One person was killed
in suicide car bombing near Fallujah. Two US soldiers were wounded in a
roadside bomb blast northwest of Baghdad. Iraqi security forces arrested
eight top police officers and a number of other policemen in Baghdad for
their link to al-Qaeda. A Shiite imam mosque was shot dead.
The same day the war was carried to Britain. London had the feel of
what Blairs best in the world allying with America had been doing to
liberated-Iraqis for more than two years. Three explosions in underground
railways and one at a bus killed 37 people and injured about 700 people. A
previously unknown group claimed the blasts and threatened similar attacks
in Italy, Denmark and other Crusader state.

OCCUPATION
The ploys of appointing transitional government led by Allawi,
holding of polls and formation of democratically elected government of

858

Jaafari failed to defuse resistance against occupation. Even al-Hakim, the

head of the governing UIA, said keeping foreign troops in Iraq was
terrorism.
The effects of resilient insurgency started showing distinctly.
Americas European allies remained reluctant to come to its help despite
mending of the fences. At home public support for the war showed marked
decline; questioning of American strategy; and some quarters even asked for
timetable for withdrawal of US troops.
Bush Administration remained adamant and rejected criticism and
demands for pullout of troops and instead resolved to tackle insurgency by
launching large scale operations to kill or capture every Sunni. At the same
time America coaxed Jaafari to request for presence of foreign troops,
pressed him to involve more Sunnis in constitution making; took new
initiative of holding talks with the insurgents; and emphasized on the need to
raise Iraqi security forces.
Rumsfelds setup continued repairing the damage caused to Americas
image by its valiant soldiers by committing war crimes. Bush himself
launched fresh campaign to win back public support by raising alarms about
terror threat aimed at agitating patriotism of Americans.
Persistent state of insecurity remained an obstacle in winning
participation of EU in Iraq War. Even Britain had become skeptical of US
post-war planning. However, an EU team led by Solana arrived in Baghdad
to work out new relationship.
At the end of June diplomats from some 80 nations and organizations
gave strong backing to build a democratic, independent and peaceful Iraq,
but the conference failed to formulate a concrete action plan. They asked
Baghdad government to ensure security and stability and urged Iraqs
neighbours to crack down on the movement of insurgents. Annan, however,
termed the conference a turning point.
Insurgency dented the patriotism of American people and some of
their leaders. Gary Younge wrote, anti-war sentiments had always been part
of mainstream national conversation here. But with the Democratic Party
and its presidential candidate having supported the war such views remained
marginal in the body politic. Now, as these statistics make themselves in the
post-bags phone logs of congressmen, the notion that only is the war not
going to plan but that the plan might itself be flawed, is finding expression
in the most unlikely places.

859

Republican Senator, Lindsey Graham said to Rumsfeld, Im here to

tell you sir, in the most patriotic state that I can imagine, people are
beginning to question. And I dont think its a blip on radar screen. I think
we have a chronic problem on our hands. We will lose this war if we leave
too soon. And what is likely to make us do that: the public going south. And
that is happening.
In June this year the US, on average, has had almost three soldiers
killed and 10 wounded, every dayand casualty-phobic have been
troubled If the public support drops by another 10 percent that would be
really bad said Gelpi. He feared that turning point might be close. As
already mentioned, the Wall Street Journal had reported that the current
wars unpopularity now matched the Gallup findings during the Vietnam
tripping point, the summer of 1968.
Top military officials emphasized the need for political solutions to
defuse insurgency, rather than military ones. Max Hastings in the Guardian
drawing comparison with Vietnam apprehended similar, because:

It is hard to believe that Washingtons objective the creation of

viable local government and institutions to run Iraq as a unitary state
is achievable within an acceptable time-frame.

Intelligence is proving a critical deficiency. A commander said, we

need less technology and more spies.

There is no sign that they (American forces) are winning the critical
battle, for hearts and minds. The experience of ordinary Iraqis with the
US military is at best alienating, at worst terrifying.

Richard Beeston referred to uglier aspect of the occupation; the

fanning of sectarian strife. A swath of Shia villages has been ethnically
cleansed and there is evidence that the Shias are fighting back. Several Sunni
clerics have been abducted by men wearing police uniforms and their dead
bodies later dumped near Sadr City.
He added, what I find more disturbing than this cycle of tit-for-tat
violence is the very strong sense that ordinary Iraqis are for the first time
being infected by the sectarian bug. In cleverly engineered civil war the two
opponents of occupation (Sunnis and Sadr followers) were being pitched
against each other.
While apprehending that sectarian divide could lead to civil war, the
analyst compared Bosnian tragedy with civil war in Lebanon. It was a clever
attempt to blame Muslims for their own massacre in Bosnia; whereas
860

sectarian divide had nothing to do with bloodshed there. That was the worst
kind of interfaith intolerance displayed by the civilized Christians.
On 13th June a Republican Congressman demanded timetable for US
troops withdrawal from Iraq. The debate on pull out heated up. Paul
Krugman wrote, we need to deprive these people of their ability to mislead
and intimidate. And the best way to do that is to make it clear that the people
who led us to war on false pretenses have no credibility, and no right to
lecture the rest of us about patriotism.
Mr Bush, facing for the first time demands from within his own party
that he set a timetable for withdrawal, told the Iraqi Prime minister, Ibrahim
al-Jaafari, when he saw him last week, you dont have to worry about
timetables. But you do, and, for good or ill, it is the American people who
may set them wrote the Guardian.
Frank Rich writing in the New York Times pointed towards the
dilemma of Bush Administration. Pulling out precipitously or setting a
precise exit timetable is each a bad option, guaranteeing that Iraq will
become even more of a Jihad central than this ill-conceived war has already
made it.
Paul Krugman said it differently. On one side, the people who sold
this war, unable to face up to the fact that their fantasies of a splendid little
war have led to disaster, are still peddling illusions: the insurgency is in its
last throes says Dick Cheney. On the other, they still have moderates and
even liberals intimidated: anyone who suggests that the United States will
have to settle for something that falls far short of victory is accused of being
unpatriotic.
White House rejected calls for major changes in strategy; no
reinforcements and no deadline for withdrawal of troops. In the Senate
Rumsfeld refused to consider setting a timetable for a withdrawal. In Iraq the
Speaker of the Parliament opposed withdrawal of multinational forces. Bush
Administration asked the occupation forces to launch major operations to
curb insurgency. US forces claimed damaging al-Qaeda, but not the victory
and instead apprehended rise in rebel attacks in Baghdad.
Robert Fisk writing in the Independent highlighted the intensity and
effectiveness of suicide bombing in the ongoing insurgency, to which the
occupation forces had no answer. Back in the days of Hizbollahs war
against Israeli occupation in Lebanon, suicide bomber a month was regarded
as phenomenal. In the Palestinian Intifada, one a week was amazing. But in
Iraq, we reach seven a day; Wal-Mart suicide bombing that raises the darkest
861

questions about our ability to crush the uprising.

He concluded, the reality is that Iraq is more insecure than ever, that
no foreigner can dare now travel its highways that few will venture into the
streets of Baghdad. And we are told that things are getting better. And still
we believe these lies. And still we fool ourselves in the movie-world of the
Pentagon and the White House and Downing Street and, these days, the
UN.
Sunnis accused US forces of killing women and children and
destroying homes, schools and other civilian buildings in Karabilah and
Qaim. Chief Doctor in hospital at Qaim said that most of the casualties
treated were women and children. Sunni Group complained about the ugliest
aspect of counter-insurgency operation. Operation Lightening is designed
only to increase sectarian tension. It is a campaign launched by the
government to strike at Sunni Arabs. We call upon Shiite people to withdraw
their support from the government because it did not fulfill its promises.
Bush Administration was not surprised by the opposition to
occupation and demands for pullout. It had always been conscious of
immorality of occupation and thus kept searching for legitimacy. Jaafari was
prompted to request the UN to extend the mandate of US-led forces in Iraq
and Khalilzad spelled out the extent of the mandate. He said the US had no
intention of establishing a permanent base in Iraq and that it would take less
than estimated 10 years to put down the insurgency there. A few days later
he boasted, failure in Iraq is not an option.
Bush and Blair held a meeting in Washington and said, the United
States and Britain will stand with the Iraqi people as they continue their
journey toward freedom and democracy. On 24th June, the day six US
soldiers were killed in Fallujah, Jaafari met Bush. The host in the company
of his guest said, the enemys goal is to drive us out of Iraq before the Iraqis
have established a secure, democratic government. They will not succeed.
Jaafaris request to the UN for extension of US forces was condemned
by Sunnis. The goal of the recent political process is to change the
American presence in Iraq from occupation by force to occupation by
invitation, and this has become a reality.
Participation of Sunnis in framing new constitution was also pressed
on with the intention of defusing insurgency; details a little later. On 9 th June
it was reported for the first time that Rice had permitted Iraqi government to
hold talks with insurgents. About a week later US and Iraqi officials talked
of amnesty for insurgents.
862

On 26th June American officials held talks with insurgents which were
facilitated by a former minister and tribal leader. Next day Rumsfeld
confirmed contacts with rebels in a bid to stem the insurgency but warned
the uprising could go on for years. He claimed that US officials had held
talks with insurgent groups as brokers for the Iraqi government. The Iraqis
have a sovereign government. They will decide what their relationships with
various elements of insurgents will be. We facilitate those from time to
time. But Talabani distanced himself from talks; the Iraqi government has
nothing to do with the negotiations with insurgents.
Ex-Iraqi minister, Ayham al-Samarie who brokered secret talks
between American officials and insurgents formed a political front to give
political voice to the fighters. He has dual US-Iraq citizenship and strong
tribal links throughout Sunni triangle. Even if the talks fail, his network
would be handy as source of intelligence for the occupation forces.
On 1st July the grand imam of al-Azhar Mosque, after meeting Allawi
last week, asked insurgents to halt attacks for a month. We tell you with all
honesty and sincerity that if this killing and sabotaging going on in Iraq
stopped for a month, all foreigners will start withdrawing from your country
and all the world will stand by your side. The great imam was probably
enjoying siesta when these foreign troops invaded and occupied Iraq.
Why America did go for talks, an option which they have been
opposing all along particularly in the context of hostages? After failing to
control insurgency through use of military means, it decided to sabotage it
through dialogue. No blow can be deadlier than a betrayal after striking a
deal; Americans are quite good at it.
It was for this reason that Zarqawi lashed out at contacts between
some rebels and US officials. He said, some people want to stop our Jihad
in Mesopotamiaat a time when a member of the US Congress has said the
United States is losing the war in Iraq. He announced creation of Brigade
Omar to remove the symbols and the members of the brigades of treason,
the Badr Brigade. He also hit out at some Islamist ideologues, who have
criticized the insurgency.
Bush and Blair announced, our strategy is clear: We are training Iraqi
forces so they can take the fight to the enemy, so they can defend their
country, and then our troops will come home with the honour they have
earned. They said it on 8th June only a few days after an Iraqi army unit was
disbanded after it refused to attend US Army training.
Towards the end of June Rumsfeld said, Coalition forces, foreign
863

forces are not going to repress that insurgency. Were going to create an
environment that the Iraqi people and the Iraqi security forces can win that
insurgency. The Observer reported the kind of training imparted to Iraqi
forces by accusing them of extra-judicial killings, torture and setting up
secret detention centres.
Sweeping of war crimes under the carpet of trials continued. Sergeant
Wrest was acquitted of murdering an unarmed Iraqi. The accused had found
a pistol from Ismails house, suspected of lying and shot him dead in selfdefence; therefore honourable jury ruled that he had committed no crime.
Meanwhile a US soldier was charged with murdering his company
commander. Lawyers for England wanted different judge in retrial, saying
that present judge has wrongly undermined her attempt to plead guilty at her
first trial.
Annan warned against improper detentions in Iraq by occupation
forces, but had no objection to improper killings, because a US General had
blamed Zarqawi for all civilian deaths. Minneapolis-based Centre for
Victims of Torture also demanded independent probe into prisoners abuse,
but Rumsfeld considered rewarding General Sanchez with promotion over
Abu Ghraib, reported the New York Times. US Attorney General made a
surprise visit to Iraq to see if there were more candidates for promotion.
Bush decided to make use his abilities of oration to win back the
public support. In his address to the troops at Fort Bragg he raised alarm
bells louder and then emphasized that sacrifices were essential to ward off
threats to America. I see the images of violence and bloodshed. Every
picture is horrifying and the suffering real. I know Americans ask the
question: Is the sacrifice worth it? It is worth it, and it is vital to the future
security of our country.
His sounded quite passionate, but earned poor response from the
audience and wide criticism from critics of Iraq War. Simon Tisdall in the
Guardian wrote, like a recidivist incapable of going straight, Mr Bush
plunged back into scaremongering rhetoric of last autumns election
campaign and once again deliberately conflated the Iraq War with the 9/11
terror attacks but if the president is not for turning All indications are
that Mr Bushs unionist-style no surrender, hang tough, trust-me patriotism
is wearing thin.
Michael OHanlon observed that Bush asked the American people for
their continued support and thanked the military for its ongoing sacrifice.
But while requesting much of others, he did not do enough to uphold his end
864

of the bargain. Yet the wars die-hard supporters, now in the minority, keep
clinging to the hope that some speech or Rovian stunt or happy political
development in the furtherance of democratic Iraqi self-government can turn
public opinion around wrote Frank Rich.
Richard Cohen in the Washington Post touched upon the bragging
aspect of Fort Bragg speech. Bush descended to Vietnam-speak. This is the
language used by the Johnson and Nixon administrations to obscure the truth
by emitting a fog of numbers. Thus Bush cited the 8 million Iraqi men and
women who voted, the 30 nations with troops in Iraq (a total joke, and the
president knows it), the 40 countries and three international organizations
that have pledged $ 34 billion in reconstruction assistance (another joke),
the 80 countries that recently met in Brussels to aid Iraq, and the 160,000
security forces trained and equipped for a variety of missions one of them
being, clearly, to stay out of harms way.
After the speech he issued statements almost daily to win back public
support. On 4th July he out-rightly asked American people to support Iraq
War. Next day he tried to link Saddam with terrorism in an interview by
saying that Zarqawi was in Iraq before US invasion.
On the occasion of Fourth of July celebrations in West Virginia Bush
said, there were many chances to lose our heart, our nerve, or our way. But
Americans have always held firm because we always believed in certain
truths: We know that the freedom we defend is meant for all men and
women and for all times We will stay until the fight is won.
In Baghdad Jaafari attended the celebrations in US Embassy and said,
our people are in the frontline against terrorin a war of mankind against
the enemy of mankind. Talabani said, we in Iraq will always remember
with gratitude the sacrifices of the United States to liberate us.
Despite the efforts of Bush and his administration, criticism of
occupation was on the increase. It is the presence of foreign troops that is
keeping the insurgents active; it is time for the international community to
rethink its strategy to deal with Iraq. Unless the source of the insurgency in
Iraq is removed, unsuspecting people will continue to be targeted and killed
wrote the News while commenting on attacks on envoys.
Sami Ramadani said, most people in Britain and Iraq want
withdrawal of troops. Trade unions are calling for early withdrawal, as are
some Labour MPs and the Liberal Democrats Iraqi popular hatred of the
occupation was reflected in petition signed by 82 members of the Parliament
calling for speedy withdrawal, after he (Jaafari) backed out from promise to
865

insist on a scheduled pullout.

He concluded, the occupation is the main architect of
institutionalized sectarian and ethnic divisions. He opined that removal of
occupation would act as a catalyst for Iraqis to resolve some of their
difference politically.

AGENDA OF RESHAPING
Democracy was selected as tool to reshape the Middle East. Iraq was
selected as the starting point of reshaping process. The intended shape could
be visualized from Timothy M Phelps commentary on Chalabi. He was
once charged with embezzlement in Jordan, sweetheart of neo-cons, then
alleged for spying for Iran, had his office raided by Bremer, fled away,
returned and contested elections, was now back as a deputy prime minister
with his nephew as finance minister. American leaders like Cheney, Rice and
Perle are back in contact with him.
It appeared that all that happened in last two years was nothing but
drama enacted at the stage of Iraq. The political process was pursued with
singular aim of having time-tested faithful of America as member of
democratically elected government. Al-Sadr rightly observed that political
process aimed at legitimization of the occupation.
Sadrs apprehensions were shared by about one-third of MPs. They
demanded in writing for withdrawal of US troops. It is dangerous that the
Iraqi government has asked the UN Security Council to prolong the stay of
occupation forces without consulting representatives of the people who have
the mandate for such a decision.
America was not deterred by such undemocratic demands; however,
it pressed on Jaafari to give more representation to Sunnis in constitution
making. Sunnis had only two seats in the constitution-making body of 55
members of parliament. On 8th June Sunnis demanded that 25 Sunni Arabs
be named to the committee. They threatened to boycott process of
constitution drafting if their demand was not met.
Talabani agreed that Sunnis would be given 25 seats on constitutional
body. Shia majority offered 15 seats but Sunnis stuck to their demand of 25
seats. Spokesman of Jaafari argued, Sunnis lack of experience weakens
constitutional process. He did not disclose the source of experience of
Shias and Kurds.

866

America kept pressing Iraqi government to be more inclusive and a

deal was struck. Sunnis agreed to have 15 seats on the committee and 10
other seats as consultants. Mutlaq said, we know the drafting of the
constitution is moving in a direction that does not benefit Iraq or Sunnis, but
nonetheless we are hoping to change something or do something with our
presence. It was hoped that deal on constitution might weaken insurgency
and Talabani expected drafting of constitution by deadline.
Shiite and Sunni groups had already agreed to try to ease sectarian
tensions, but Talabani seemed to be indifferent to the necessity of defusing
the tension. He praised Shia and Kurdish militias soon after Sunnis blamed
Badr Brigade for killing their members. You and your (Kurdish) brothers
are the heroes of liberating Iraq. You, my brothers, march on without paying
attention to the enemies claims because you and they (Kurdish militia) are
faithful sons of the country.
Spokesman of Sunni scholars, Abdul-Salam accused Talabani of
acting in line with US policies to prolong the struggle in Iraq and turn it
into an Iraq-Iraq conflict. He had earlier accused Badr Brigade of providing
intelligence to feared Wolf Brigade of the Interior Ministry headed by top
SCIRI member. Talabani seemed to be determined to deal with Sunnis the
way they were dealt with by Saddam, and perhaps even more sternly.
He was more interested in Kurd autonomy. He urged democratic
federal system in Iraq while addressing first session of the autonomous
Kurdish parliament. On 12th June Barazani was chosen as president and two
days later he was sworn in as the first president of autonomous north.
This was not a pleasant development for Iraqs non-Arab neighbours
and for Arabs in Iraq. On 15th June some 300 Iranian Kurds celebrating
Barazanis appointment as president clashed with police in northwestern
Iran. Later Talabani demanded that Kurds be allowed back in Kirkuk and
Arabs be sent to their original homes.
Jaafaris government started making its presence felt at international
arena. The debut was made in Brussels where the donors gathered to rebuild
a country destroyed by the tsunami of American democracy as reported by
AFP. Hoshyar Zebari warned, if this political process, this stabilization
process does not succeed, it will affect the interests of other countries
immediately and could destabilize the region.
On 24th June Jaafari briefed the Council on Foreign Relations think

867

tank on security and boasted that car bombings have decreased from 12 to 14
a day to less than one because of imprisonment of thousands of terrorists. He
rejected the call for timetable for withdrawal of US troops; said it was time
to press for Saddam trial; and blasted al-Jazeera and Arab media.
With regard to Saddam trial, Iraqi government had already planned to
frame 12 charges although there were more than 500 possible cases against
him. On 13th June he was produced before the Special Tribunal after Jaafari
had directed to speed up the trial.
Iraqi Foreign Minister attended OIC meeting in Yemen and asked
Muslim countries to show greater understanding and take an unambiguous
stance in the war on insurgents. There is not a single real initiative to help
the people of Iraq during the current hard circumstances. We want their
positions towards our situation to be clear.
OIC obliged by offering all sorts of support to the Iraqi interim
government to write a constitution, as well as achieve security and stability.
It was clarified that the support was aimed at helping Iraq achieve
sovereignty and end occupation.
Americas democratic offensive made inroads in other countries of the
region. In Lebanon first phase of post-Syria era polls was held and Hariris
son won all 19 seats in the capital. In second phase anti-America Shias won
more seats and US alleged that Syrian agents were still working in Lebanon.
This allegation was to prepare grounds to reject polls as rigged in case antiUS elements secured final victory.
In second round Aoun scored a surprise win bringing Christians back
into the game. Lebanon went to final round of polls with Saad Hariri
needing 21 seats out of 28 to secure majority in legislature, He won all the
seats. G-8 foreign ministers immediately put Syria on notice for meddling in
Lebanon. On 30th June anti-Syrian Siniora was named as Prime Minister.
Abbas, despite possibilities of annoying Hamas, delayed Palestinian
polls in accordance with the wishes of America. In Kuwait Dr Masouma
Mubarak became the first female cabinet member. On 9 th June Robert Fisk
reported that Assads exiled uncle wanted to return to Syria, who was
expelled from after he killed 20,000 rebels in Hama in 1982. He was trying
to contact Bush Administration to arrange a regional reconciliation.
The very next day Bashar announced measures to democratize Syria.
Attitude towards Syria softened. About two weeks later Allawi said, there
are infiltrators, but that does not necessarily mean that they are supported by

868

the Syrian government. The infiltrators are misusing Syrians hospitality and
cross into Iraq.
Iranian elections were not the part of US brand of democracy;
therefore, these were dismissed as rigged two weeks in advance. Race for
presidential election heated up despite killing of nine people in bomb attacks
on 12th June. Moderate Rafsanjani led Iranian polls but failed to win the
required margin of minimum of 50 percent.
Rafsanjani and Ahmadi Nejad qualified to contest next round. Run-off
polls were held on 24th June and Ahmadi Nejad emerged as new president of
Islamic Republic of Iran. Initial comments were that Iran was set on
collision course with the West.
Within a week former US-hostages accused him of involvement in
hostage-taking. American official said, Ahmadi Nejad may have had hand
in hostage taking. His aides rejected the allegation and Iran alleged that
Zionists were behind charges against him. The Crusaders promptly started
rallying behind America; Austria checked murder charges against Ahmadi
Nejad.
All these accusations were part of the process of demonizing Iran.
Earlier a UK paper claimed that Zarqawi had fled to Iran for surgery.
Allegations and threats went on side by side. The man who had
masterminded air strike on the Iraqi reactor said Israeli attack on Iran was
not ruled out.
On 23rd June G-8 foreign ministers put Iran for adherence to
agreement on suspension of fuel cycle activities. Schroeder proposed change
in EU policy over Irans nuclear programme after a hard-liner was elected.
After meeting Schroeder on 28th June Bush said nuclear plan of Iran was
unacceptable and threatened to take issue to the UN. Four days later
Schroeder and Chirac met Putin at Kaliningrad and discussed Irans nuclear
programme and Bush claimed the world (Crusaders) was united against Iran.
IAEA kept going tangent to Crusaders plans. ElBaradei praised
Tehran for nuclear freeze. IAEA inspectors visited Irans nuclear site at
Natanz and according to some diplomats Iran seemed to be honouring
nuclear suspension. On 17th June IAEA agreed to create a committee to crack
down on nuclear proliferators, but without any enforcement powers sought
by the United States.
Iran kept threatening resumption of uranium enrichment. Its Guardian
Council wanted the government to develop nuclear technology. Nuclear

869

technology is Irans right, said Ahmadi Nejad and rejected relations with the
US, but vowed to continue talks with EU. Meanwhile Iran successfully
tested two-stage rocket motor, alleged that America and Israel were real
nuclear threats, and asked America to unfreeze its assets to have direct talks.
At the end of June Iran-US relations were given feminine touch. An
Iranian lawmaker dug out the root-cause of Rices hostility towards Iran;
an Iranian boyfriend at college had spurned her. German Foreign Minister,
Fischer hardened his tone towards Iran after acquiring a girlfriend who
supports the exiled opposition. The other side blamed ElBaradei for being
lenient towards Iran for having an Iranian wife.
Diplomats and analysts opined that the fate of EU-Iran nuclear talks
had become unclear. M U H Nuri was of the view that nuclear Iran could be
more stable and moderate, and even enter into a more enduring relationship
with major powers
Palestinian-Israel relations remained tense. Israel wounded two girls
in air strike in the Gaza on 30th May. After the strike Palestinians warned that
truce was threatened. One Palestinian militant and an Israeli soldier were
killed at a military post on 19th June. On 22nd June, a day After SharonAbbas meeting, Israel carried out aerial raid. Two days later an Israeli was
killed and two other wounded near Jenin. It was third killing in five days.
In late May Abbas won another verbal backing from US, but Israel
immediately blamed the Palestinian leader for not wiping out armed groups.
Abbas suspended the election process in response to Washingtons calls after
the Muslim resistance movements victory in the municipal elections. Jafar
Allawi observed that postponement seriously belied Americas commitment
to democracy and adherence to the will of the people and once again its
dual standards vis--vis the Muslim World.
Israel took some reconciliatory measures. On 2nd June it released 400
Palestinian detainees. Israel agreed to demolish settler homes in a deal
secured by Rice on 19th June, but at the same time Israeli Housing Ministry
asked for tenders to build 700 more houses in West Bank.
Abbas-Sharon Summit on 21st June, however, made little headway.
The Summit began with 20-minute lecture to Abbas by Sharon about his
failure to halt militant attacks. Angry Abbas rejected demands to disarm
fighters factions. Sharon linked any progress to the Palestinians ability to
dismantle the terrorist infrastructure.
Israel remained firm on its pledge to pullout from Gaza. A soldier was

870

jailed for refusing orders on pullout. Opponents of pullout threatened to

paralyze roads forcing Israel to declare a closed military zone in Jewish
settlements in Gaza and seal off a hotel where radical Jews were holed up to
resist a planned withdrawal from the occupied territory.
On 3rd July West Bank settlers started leaving their homes and Israeli
cabinet rejected the demand of delay in pullout from Gaza. Israel and
Palestine agreed on transit link and on 5 th July Israel assigned 45,000 troops
for evacuation from Gaza. Next day settlers planned mass march to protest
pullout from Gaza Strip.
Creation of Palestine state still remained a far-fetched idea. Israeli
journalist and peace activist wrote Uri Avnery on its possibility after BushAbbas meeting. No self-respecting Israeli will let the term State of
Palestine pass his lips. Before that happens, the Chief Rabbi will publicly
eat pork, God forbid. About Bush-Abbas understanding he said, a man
(Sharon) who lies in bed with his wife (Bush) and discovers, to his surprise,
that there is another man (Abbas) in the bed He will, of course, do
everything he can to get him out of there.

CONCLUSION
As insurgents started targeting envoys of Muslim countries, there
would be lot of hue and cry in Pakistan and Arab World. Many government
officials and analysts would remind insurgents of Muslim brotherhood,
conveniently forgetting that many of them on numerous occasions had
declared these fighters as terrorists and no Muslims. As regards fighters any
body standing on the side of the Crusaders was at best a hypocrite and would
be treated accordingly till Muslim rulers start condemning occupation of
Iraq.
Zarqawi correctly understood the designs of America. He lashed out at
contacts between some rebels and US officials and said, some people want
to stop our Jihad in Mesopotamiaat a time when a member of the US
Congress has said the United States is losing the war in Iraq.
The shoots of democracy seem to be sprouting across the arid politics
of the Middle East wrote Anton La Guardia in the Telegraph. Like Zarqawi
he too felt that Bushs efforts may backfire, mostly because of interference
in various countries and the bloodshed in Iraq.
The critics blame America of double standards time and again. The
can save lot of their energies if they understand the American definition of
871

democracy for Muslim World; any electoral process that ensures success of
pro-US elements is democratic, rest is undemocratic. In the light of this
definition, it can be said that America has never practiced double standards.

9th July 2005

SCARRED IMAGE
Musharrafs pledge before performing Umra on 26th June to crush
terrorists was not heard by the other side. His endeavors for seeking soft
image for Pakistan also suffered some setbacks. India accused Pakistan of
cross border terrorism not only in Indian Held Kashmir but also in attack on
disputed Hindu shrine in Uttar Pradesh.
That was how the peace process went along; India accusing and
Pakistan explaining and denying. Yet General Ehsan wanted peace with
dignity; he was asking for CHOPRIAN TEY THO THO (two breads and
buttered too).
On 7th July, the day Pakistan Navy rescued Indian merchant ship and
its crew, Number-2 tunnel of Baglihar Dam collapsed. New Delhi informed
Islamabad about the release of 567,200 cusecs water in Chenab River. The
information was passed according to the Indus Water Treaty with the claim
that no violation of the treaty has taken place.
Afghanistan, like India kept accusing Pakistan of cross border
terrorism and at the same, led by the occupation forces, violated Durand
Line killing 24 people on Pakistani soil in a single strike.

872

Inside Pakistan Musharraf in his exuberance mishandled Mais case

which further scarred the face which he wanted to see as soft. The worst
happened on 7th July when four bombings were carried out in London and
three suspects were identified as Britons of Pakistani origin.

PEACE WITH INDIA

Apart from the statements emphasizing importance of peace process,
the composite dialogue moved quite sluggishly. Talks on Wuller Barrage
were held on 28th June in New Delhi in which for the first time both sides
agreed to record minutes of the meeting. Next day the talks ended reaching
an agreement to hold more talks. During 1st week of July Shaukat met
Natwar in Kazakhstan. The former reiterated commitment to peace and the
latter saw peace process moving ahead.
Kashmiris showed more interest in dialogue than India and Pakistan.
New Delhi hailed the offer of unconditional talks by APHC-A, but rejected
the demand of involving Kashmiri leaders in Indo-Pak talks. During second
week of July APHC-A invited Manmohan to Srinagar. APHC-A leaders held
talks with displaced Hindus on 19th July and Pundits agreed to return to
Kashmir; rebel groups opposed their return.
Hardliner Gilani stood his ground and remained stuck to UN
Resolutions. It was alleged that Muslim League was being victimized. He
slammed opportunists for seeking power and reiterated that APHC-G stand
was based on facts. Meanwhile Shabir flayed Indian Armys brutalities.
Kashmiri leaders started expressing their viewpoints explicitly. Bhatt
backed give and take policy. Amanullah backed independent Kashmir and
Yasin added that 85 percent Kashmiris wanted independence. Accession to
Pakistan Day was observed in Muzaffarabad, while pro-independence
youths protested against joining Pakistan. Despite disagreement, they
remained united on certain points. Martyrs Day was observed on either side
of Line of Control and pledge to continue freedom struggle was renewed.
The process of confidence building went along hectically:

On 21st June Indian Army offered roadmap for converting the Saltoro
Ridge and the Glacier into a demilitarized zone.

Delegation of Indian judiciary visited Peshawar High Court. Pakistan

issued new visa criteria to tackle large number of Indian applicants.

873

Pakistan planned to open Whaga border for trade to ensure the

balance between supply and demand of items of daily-use. Pakistan
also considered submitting demilitarization proposal to India.

Indian bidders joined Pakistan tenders to import 200 bulldozers by

Pakistans Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

On 7th July MoU was signed with Iran for gas pipeline. A week later
India and Pakistan discussed technical, financial, commercial and
legal aspects and agreed to hold next meeting in August. The project
was likely to start in late 2006 and would be operational by 2010.
Both the countries could not desist from taking confidence damaging

steps:

India tested Akash missile on 20th and 21st June making it three in five
days.

Manmohan accused Pakistan of breaching Kashmir travel accord by

allowing Kashmiri leaders to travel into Pakistan.

On 23rd June Foreign Office disclosed that 457 Pakistanis were

languishing in 24 Indian jails for the last 20 years. Next day India
rejected Rashids application for permit to visit IHK.

Indian Defence Minister accused Pakistan of still supporting militancy

in IHK; Pakistan denied.

On 5th July six of the intruders in Babri site were shot dead by police
and three policemen were injured. Pakistan was blamed for attack on
Hindu shrine in Ayodhya. Manmohan warned that such attacks have
the potential to disrupt the peace process and asked Pakistan to
dismantle the infrastructure for terrorism.

Three days later he said that a collective strategy was needed to free
the world from the scourge of terrorism. Natwar talked of existence of
terrorist camps on Pakistani soil. Indian Foreign Secretary joined the
chorus. There is an infrastructure of terrorism across the border
which hasnt been dismantled He added that the issue would be
high in Manmohans agenda during talks with Bush.

Two days later India alleged that Ayodhya attackers came from

874

Pakistan. All five were members of Laskar-e-Taiba who crossed into

India in August 2004 and established a base in New Delhi, said police
chief of UP. DG police IHK claimed that Kashmiris were also
involved in attack on the shrine.

On 18th July Indian troops intruded across the Line of Control and
abducted a civilian in Kotli sector. The abducted civilian was released
after Indian Envoy was summoned and a strong protest was lodged.

The same day five terrorists were arrested from interior Sindh. They
confessed carrying out attacks and having contacts with RAW.

On 19th July Manmohan while addressing joint press meeting with

Bush told America not to worry. His country would not spread
sensitive technologies as has been witnessed in our neighbourhood.
Later on in interviews to the Washington Post and CNN he alleged,
Pakistans nuclear weapons can fall into extremists hands.

Next day Mukherjee said, infiltration is taking place because

infrastructure, including launching pads and training camps, are still
functional across border. Faisal denied infiltration charge. Manmohan
warned; he might be forced to suspend peace efforts if Pakistan does
not curb militant infiltration.

There was no let in perpetration of state terrorism against Kashmiris.

Following incidents of Indian brutalities and retaliatory actions by Kashmiri
freedom fighters were reported:

Eleven Indian troops were injured in helicopter crash in IHK on 21 st

June. Three days later 6 soldiers were killed and 20 injured in bomb
blast that targeted troops bus near Lake Dal.

School teacher was among five persons killed in the Valley on 26 th

June. Two days later two suspected militants were killed in Poonch
district and one was arrested in Bijbehara.

On 29th June four people were killed and seven injured in violence.
Next day militants killed five people.

APHC-A activists were baton charged in Srinagar on 1 st July. Two

civilians were killed and four policemen wounded in separate attacks.

875

On 2nd July six militants were killed. Occupation forces claimed that
militants had crossed into Indian Held Kashmir.

Nine persons including 7 militants were killed on 3 rd July in three

raids conducted on tip off in Anantnag, Pulwama and Baramulla. Two
militants were killed in separate encounters and one government
employee was injured in an explosion. Death of a villager sparked
massive protest in Bandipore.

Four women were among seven people killed on 5th July. Next day six
people were killed and a minister escaped attempt on his life.

On 7th July ten persons were killed in violence. Next day eight more
were killed. On 11th July Hizb refused to join peace process.

On 13th July six fighters were killed in gun battles in Kupwara, Doda
and Anantnag districts and two people died in violence elsewhere.
Next day Indian troops recovered 5 dead bodies as they hunted rebels
in high mountains. Seven people died in other incidents of violence.

Two fighters were killed on 15th July in continued gun battle. Death
toll in the clash rose to nine and 11 Hizb men were arrested.

On 16th July 21 fighters were among 25 people killed. Nine fighters

and a girl were killed in a clash in Baramulla and four were killed in
Kupwara. Six militants, two soldiers and a Nepali were killed in other
shootouts. Four dead bodies of suspects were recovered in Gurez area.

Indian troops used brute force against protesters in Srinagar on 17 th

July. Next day five fighters were killed in clashes. One Indian soldier
was killed and another committed suicide.

On 19th July ten people were killed in violence. Next day four soldiers
and two civilians were killed and 21 injured, including four soldiers in
a car bomb in Srinagar; Hizb claimed responsibility.

Two civilians were killed and three wounded in firefight in Sopore on

21st July and one policeman and a civilian were killed in accidental
firing by a police officer.

It appeared that all the seriousness about composite dialogue was

devoted to $ 4.5 billion project gas project. On the other hand the amount of

876

water released after collapse of a tunnel of Baglihar Dam negated Indian

claim that it had no water storage capability, yet no progress was made on
the issue more important for Pakistan than the gas project.
Serious issues were also ignored in confidence building measures. The
release of Pakistanis languishing in Indian jails would take about five years
at the present rate of about 30 prisoners released every 3 to 4 months,
provided no more prisoners are taken. That would take care of major chunk
of Musharrafs next term as well.
The tendency of Pakistan bashing continued as India did not abandon
its policy of damaging Pakistans image internationally. Faisal Jafree in his
letter to the News from Germany drew attention towards Indian designs. If
you would like to see a specimen please go to the News and then type
Pakistan in search box. Ninety percent of the negative reporting that is
hurting our image in the West is the work of Indian Media.
The arrest of terrorists from interior Sindh revealed, not for the first
time, nefarious design of India. Yet many peace-loving intellectuals from
Pakistan and Praful Bidwai from India suggested joint action against
terrorism. He wrote, after the Ayodhya attack, it has become necessary for
India and Pakistan to act jointly against terrorist militants.
The just stand on the basis of UN Resolutions was gradually
becoming irrelevant in debate initiated for exploring practical solutions.
Amanullah Khan, with a view to supporting independence of Kashmir,
mentioned few fallacies about Kashmir. He claimed that India never refused
to grant independence to Kashmiris if they so desired; Two-Nation-Theory
did not apply to princely states; the Quaid never termed Kashmir as
Pakistans jugular vein; and Kashmir is not inseparable part of India as
claimed by most Indians.
If no Indian from Nehru onward has refused independence, then why
India has had more than fifty-year-long forced marriage with Kashmir. It
was partly correct that Two-Nation-Theory did not apply to princely states.
These states were supposed to opt for one of the two countries. Hindu Raja
of Kashmir opted for India in dubious manner. If on this analogy Kashmir
became part of India, the Deccan should have been part of Pakistan.
It has not been proved that the Quaid used words of jugular vein but
he never considered it less important than that. What were his last words?
And yes, no part of any country is separable or inseparable unless the people
want it to be so. In last half century Indians have tried to prove it as
inseparable and Kashmiris have been trying otherwise.
877

No measures other than the right of self determination can end their
miseries. Ershad Mahmud rightly commented, notwithstanding the CBMs,
the bus service and high profile APHC visit, there is no letup in human
rights violations in the Valley. Kashmiris receive around eight body bags
daily, which undermine prospects of peace on the ground and vindicates
Gilanis point of view.
The worst part of the ongoing tragedy is that no tears are shed, no
wreaths are laid, no silence in respect is observed and not even the mention
of the killings of Kashmiris is made. The opponents of Gilani can argue that
their stand is based on ground realities, but he is absolutely right in claiming
that his stand is based on facts.

AFGHAN AND OWN PEACE

Pakistan remained committed to stability of Afghanistan. Pakistani
Minister for Frontier Regions, Rind told the newsmen in Kabul that his
country was not supporting any force in Afghanistan. Following incidents
proved Pakistans commitment to Afghan peace at the cost of own peace:

On 19th June a pro-government tribal leader succumbed to injuries. He

was ambushed in Wana a day earlier in which his nephew and driver
were killed. Telephone exchange was set ablaze in Karak.

A Khassadar was wounded on 24th June while trying to disarm a

tribesman in Miranshah. Three days later a pamphlet warned 28 tribal
elders for spying for US.

The same day WAPDA sought fresh bids to complete Gomal Zam
Dam as demands of Chinese firm were deemed unreasonable. Two
days later a blast damaged ten music shops in Miranshah.

On 1st July three terrorists were from Mardan area. Next day two
tribesmen were held during an operation in North Waziristan.

An Afghan was arrested on 3rd July attempting to smuggle explosives

to Afghanistan near Chaman. Next day Mutawwakils brother was
killed in Quetta as unknown gunmen fired at office of a coach service.

On 6th July a soldier was killed and four others injured in an encounter
with terror suspects in Shawal Valley of North Waziristan. Six
suspects, including a foreigner were arrested by troops. One person
878

was killed in blast at tribal elders home in Ladha, South Waziristan.

Bajaur Scouts raided refugee camp and arrested 25 people.

A soldier of Shawal Rifles was killed while on leave on 11th July in

South Waziristan. Unknown group distributed pamphlets warning
newly appointed APA. Truck drivers blocked Khyber Pass for five
hours to protest attitude of Afghan Government.

On 12th July a bomb exploded in Wana and damaged a music shop.

Two days later tribesmen in North Waziristan were asked to hand over
al-Qaeda suspects or face search operation.

US planes killed 24 Taliban on Pakistani soil in North Waziristan on

15th July. Pakistani soldiers performed the solemn duty of collecting
the dead bodies of slain Pushtoons.

Next day tribesmen vented their anger at the funeral of men killed in
US air strike. Mourners chanted Down with infidel America. Prayer
leader said, we will not allow any foreigner in our area, but we will
keep on helping Mujahideen.

On 17th July security forces in a search operation in North Waziristan

killed 17 Kazak militants, including 15 women and children, who
tried to escape in two vehicles. Four Central Asians and 12 local
supporters were arrested. One soldier was killed in exchange of fire.
Security officials recovered four passports of Kazakhstan and said
hundreds of foreign militants were still hiding in this tribal agency.
Gunmen killed a passer-by as they fired at a pro-government elder in
South Waziristan. Two Pakistani tribesmen visiting Afghanistan were
reported arrested by Afghan authorities.

Troops searched a village near Miranshah on 18 th July for six hours

but found nothing. Arrest of top Taliban commander, Mulla Kabir,
along with at least four senior colleagues near Nowshera was
reported. Rashid did not confirm.

On 19th July two Afghan suspects were arrested from Peshawar and
Charsadda while tribal elders showed concern over military operation
in Waziristan.

Troops raided a village near Miranshah on 20th July and found nothing
879

in 8-hour search. Police arrested four Afghan nationals from

Hayatabad in Peshawar on 17th July for suspected links with Taliban.

On 21st July two Tableeghi Jamaat members were killed in grenade

attack in Kurram Agency and the Governor warned tribesmen against
sheltering foreigners.

Four soldiers were wounded on 22nd July in roadside bomb in North

Waziristan. Unknown gunmen killed nine pro-government tribesmen,
including two elders, in different areas of South Waziristan.
Authorities freed ten tribesmen in Miranshah.

On 27th June Pakistan government at last picked up the courage and

released 17 detainees returned from Guantanamo Bay. Next day 45
prisoners, handed over by the US forces from Shiberghan jail, were also
released. Another batch of 39 prisoners received from Afghanistan was freed
in Lahore on 1st July.
The credit of their release must go to Rauf Klasra who wrote a series
of reports about returnees from Guantanamo Bay lodged in Adiala. He had
the courage to say a few harsh words about Pakistani authorities, particularly
the staff of Adiala jail. Chris Cork did not like his comments about people
serving the interest of civilized worlds security. He visited the jail and came
out with praise to negate the facts mentioned by Rauf. The soft spoken and
articulate jail staff made good impression upon him and after the visit his
internal Pakistan-meter moved a notch towards cautious optimism.
Afghan refugees stayed on, despite facing problems in earning
livelihood in Pakistan. On the other hand about 50,000 workers had found
jobs in Afghanistan. It was obvious that America and Afghan government
were against their repatriation.
According to UNHCR 10 percent Afghan refugees would return by
the end of 2005, which implied that completion of repatriation would take at
least ten more years. Perforce Pakistan was forced to deal with the problem
on case to case basis keeping American interests in the fore. Refugees in
troubled area of Waziristan were asked to leave, but on 1 st July the cut off
date was extended for one week and thereafter the deadline for refugees
engaged in trade and business was extended for two months.
Indifference of Afghan government made the resolution of even
simple humanitarian problems difficult. Javed Ibrahim in his individual

880

capacity negotiated for release of 37 Pakistani prisoners through auspices of

World Prisoners Relief Commission.
Kabul accused Islamabad of supporting terrorism after arrest of two
alleged Pakistanis in Kandahar and in the same breath hailed arrest of
Taliban leaders near Peshawar. Afghan officials preferred to discuss trade
and bus service. Qasim while receiving gift of 23 more buses in Islamabad
proposed bus diplomacy.
On home front Baluch militancy continued at low key. Following
incidents were reported in last five weeks:

Rockets were fired at FC camp in Kharan on 19th June. An official of

Pak-Arab Refinery was abducted in Dera Ghazi Khan.

On 23rd June two bombs exploded in Mastung. Next day rail track was
damaged in a blast near the same town.

Rockets were fired at Jams house in Kalat on 26 th June. Four days

later militants fired rockets at paramilitary base in Kohlu.

On 5th July Levies police station in Bolan was set ablaze, perhaps in
the spirit of the deal which envisaged winding up of such posts.
Baluch nationalist parties considered quitting assemblies. On 14 th July
an accidental blast of a grenade killed 3 brothers in Jhal Magsi.

The government continued with its pacification plan. On 23 rd June

Parliamentary body okayed package for Baluchistan which envisaged
spending 15 percent of income of oil and gas on education, health, road
construction and other social uplift projects in the area from where these are
drilled. Baluchistan would also get 5.4 percent of quota in the federal
government and role of Coast Guards and Frontier Constabulary would be
reduced to checking smuggling and all their check posts from towns and
cities would be removed.
By 12th July FC removed 66 percent checkpoints. Musharraf assured
Baluch people that mega projects were in their interest. But these interests
seemed to be monopolized by the vested interests as was evident from
Zubaidas complaint and resultant ordering of a probe into irregular
allotment of state land in Gwadar.
Nationalists in NWFP tried to strengthen their argument against
construction of Kalabagh Dam quoting unusual floods resulting from

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unusual snowfall in winters and its equally unusual melting in June. Bilour
claimed floods have proved that Kalabagh Dam was a destructive project for
NWFP. A few days later Musharraf told Sindhis that the dam could have
averted floods. Strangely the president scored a right point at wrong place as
if he did not know that Sindhis prefer flooding of KATCHA area over the
dam. He also reiterated that KBD was the need of hour. It must be the
longest hour in history of the planet.
Sectarian militancy and crackdown against that continued. Following
incidents were reported:

Gunmen shot dead two Sunni clerics in Karachi on 23 rd June. Next

day four alleged terrorists were arrested from Kharian.

On 29th June 13 people were arrested as they set a gas pipeline on fire
and attacked a temple in Nowshera during protest against desecration.

Women rights activist was shot dead in Dir on 1 st July. About a week
later a Sunni religious scholar was shot dead in Karachi.

A suspected militant was arrested in Karachi on 12th July. Three days

later security agencies arrested four suspects in Faisalabad.

On 18th July a religious scholar was shot dead in Karachi and his
cleric father was wounded. Next day one man was killed in Gilgit
after receiving body of another man killed on Karakoram Highway.

Three more persons were gunned down in Gilgit on 20 th July. Next

day mastermind of blast at mosque was arrested in Lahore. One more
person was killed in Gilgit on 22nd July.

FOR SOFT IMAGE

Musharrafs quest for soft image suffered tripple setbacks during the
short period of five weeks in the shape of Mais visa, Hasba Bill and London
bombings. In first case Musharraf himself played spoilers role, second was
MMAs doing and the third was incidental for which neither Musharraf nor
Mullas could be blamed.
During his visit of New Zealand in third week of June Musharraf told
members of Auckland Foreign Correspondents Club that he has placed Mai
on Exit Control List. He said that Mai was being taken to the United States
by foreign non-government organizations to bad-mouth Pakistan over the
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terrible state of the women in the country. He described the NGOs as

westernized fringe elements that are as bad as Islamic extremists. This
revelation contradicted all the previous claims of government officials that
her name was not placed on ECL.
Within days Rice, despite her busy schedule, talked to her Pakistani
counter-part and raised the Mai case. She made it clear that Ms Mai was
welcome to the United States at any time, and that we are looking to the
Government of Pakistan to ensure that she was free to travel whenever she
wanted The Government of Pakistan has committed itself to that, and
therefore it is our expectation that should Ms Mai want to travelto the
United States, there will be no obstacles presented to her to do so.
She placed the brave man in difficult situation and in Pakistan Mai
ruled out reconciliation with rapists. By the end of month Musharraf
implemented orders of Rice; Mai was free to go anywhere. The Supreme
Court issued non-bailable warrants of accused in Mai case. And Nilofar
Bakhtiar, advisor to the Prime Minister in a letter to the News clarified
government position on Mukhtaran Mai.
Mishandling of the case began from the top. The inability of our
present rulers to keep their eyes open in the face of a crisis is strikingly
evident in the appalling manner in which Mukhtaran Mai episode was
handled wrote Ghazi Salahuddin. Dr Farzana Bari supported his viewpoint.
Their patriarchal vision prevents our rulers from seeing how Mukhtaran
Mais visit could have broken the stereotypical images of Pakistani women
as passive victims of violence, unaware of their rights and unable to stand up
for themselves.
Shireen M Mazari opined that the state had caused exactly the
damage that it wished to avoid by handling her travel abroad. Hans B
Bremer used stronger words in expressing his views. The government must
realize that its shameful and often ridiculous handling of the matter over the
past few weeks has done absolutely nothing to promote a soft image of
Pakistan. On the contrary, responses by the US State Department and by
some US and British newspapers indicate that the government and even
President Musharraf have created an image problem for themselves.
In her letter referred above Nilofar appreciated contributions of NGOs
but condemned some for bias and selective exposure of Mais case that,
single out Pakistan and demonize its image. She lacked the courage to
name the organizations with foreign-driven agenda.

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She enumerated long list of actions taken for security and well-being
on Mai to justify that the government had done no wrong. But her
clarification spoke loudly about the bias and selective attitude of the rulers.
The facilities and privileges showered on Mai were enviable.
Hifzur Rehman from Islamabad in his letter to the News wrote, it
appears from the photograph printed on the front page of the News on June
27, of Mukhtaran Mai that she is not a rape victim but a VIP being escorted
by a policewoman to the airport. What to talk of victims of rape, even leader
of opposition or MNAs sitting on government benches have never been
accorded similar protocol.
The same day an article written by Kamila Hyat was published
revealing that since Mukhtaran Mais gang rape in 2002, at least three other
women are known to have fallen victim to Jirga-ordered gang rapes. The
able advisor to the Prime Minister may not know the names of these victims.
Apart from other reasons, it was erroneous use of world Jirga by the
press which attracted the attention of those who were on the look out for
demonizing Pakistans image. There is no such thing as Jirga in Punjab,
though in some places its equivalent may be in vogue.
For NGOs with foreign-driven agendas the word Jirga is
synonymous to Pushtoons whom they call Taliban; the fundamentalist,
extremist, Islamic militants. They found an opportunity in tragedy of a
woman. When they saw the woman responsive and the government jumpy,
they decided to exploit it. That was why an ambassador from the civilized
world wasted no time in visiting Meerwala to sympathize with Mai.
Therefore, Mais stand cannot be entirely attributed to her courage. Any
victim of rape would have stood up like her when people with their own
agendas had rushed to help her.
Shireen M Mazari dwelled on NGOs after saying that Musharraf was
spot on with his comment on their agenda. However, she criticized the
government for doing any thing about them. One of the NGOs very active in
Pakistan, ICG was thrown out of India and Indonesia, but our national
psyche seems to have a strong masochistic streak which allows us to tolerate
abuse after abuse heaped upon us, the NGO community has run riot in
Pakistan with donor funding in abundant supply if the right stance is
taken. She mentioned the following to strengthen her argument:

The absence of any scrutiny of the sources of funding of these NGOs.

ICG findings were challenged by WB funded study.

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No Indian woman is invited to Pakistan to talk about human rights

violations, particularly in IHK.

These NGOs in Pakistan as well as in USA should invite the child

victims in the Michael Jackson case where the celebrity was let off by
the US judicial system, despite strong evidence of his guilt.

This is not to say that rape does not occur in the US or that rapists do
not go free in that country, but our NGOs and their foreign supporters
would have us believe that rape only takes place in Pakistan.

Muhammad Riaz from Malakand Agency expressed his views through

letters column of the News. These organizations or persons have never
spoken of the injustices and crimes committed against women in other parts
of the world the rape cases are reported against Kashmiri women, but
these so-called human rights organizations have never spoken a world
against these cruelties.
As usual Chris Cork parried the criticism of NGOs. He defended
them, despite acknowledging that these have a reputation for being
profligate wasters of time, money and effort; corrupt and corruptible. They
are seen as agitators or nuisances. He then asked not to forget NGOs which
provide care and services for the sick, the blind, the mentally ill, the drug
addicted, the poorly educated, the mentally handicapped, lepers, deaf people,
refugees, the homeless, the dead and the dying
He inadvertently mentioned that these NGOs are home-grown. No
one has ever criticized these NGOs; only the multinationals focusing on
specific human rights for specific purpose are criticized and rightly so. He
also appreciated these NGOs fill in the blanks left by the government
Shakir Husain elaborated the blanks left by the government. NGOs in
Pakistan are operating in a vacuum left by the State in all sectors
education, health, population control, and the environment. If people like Dr
Shahzad had done their jobs better over the past 50 years they would have
had no need to step in.
Hans B Bremer did not like most things about handling of and
discussions over her case. He particularly took an exception to remarks:
after her new makeover, designer purse, gold watch, bleached face, new
wardrobe; she is no longer a Mai. He angrily asked; what business is it of
his to remark on Mukhtaran Mais physical appearance? He did not talk of
the source from which she acquired the funds to change her appearance. He

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also did not mention as to why raped women in America failed to make such
fortunes?
This ultimately comes to the bias of civilized world. Mir Jamilur
Rahman wondered as to why no such kind and sympathetic attention was
accorded to 81,000 women raped in US in 2003. He also noted that 39
percent of the cases go unreported in a country which cherishes its values.
America has never invited a Kashmiri woman to pay a visit. But the
open offer of travel to America by Rice came during the period when man
called Crocker had created hurdles in issue of visas to Justice Retired Javed
Iqbal and General Retired Yusuf. May be they lacked Mais credentials to be
eligible for a visit to the civilized world.
Mais sympathizers seemed interested more in exploiting the
opportunities presented by the tragedy of rape rather than seeking justice.
Opposition was in the forefront. Iatizaz never volunteered to plead similar
cases reported daily in the press. These elements were interested only in
taking advantage of a case which became focus of international media.
To conclude it may be said there is no doubt that cumbersome system
of administration of justice and the poor governance were responsible for
creating mess over an incident of rape. The civilized world and the
multinational NGOs and some political opponents have also played satanic
role to fulfill their evil designs; thus tarnishing the image of Pakistan.
Mai can claim another feather in her cap as she made the head of State
to chew his words. It happens when one scoop down to levels lower than
ones status. Nevertheless he and Mai made the headlines or the top stories
of the day as some news readers prefer to call them.
As the government failed in striking a deal with PPP to oust Mullas
from political arena, MMAs stand became tougher. On 24 th June Dr Amir
Liaqat of MQM was thrashed as he attended funeral of the killed cleric. Four
days later Qazi rejected Farooq Sattars request for meeting because of
involvement of latters party in recent killings in Karachi.
Mullas did not care about Burhanuddin Hasans praise for MQM and
Altaf for their approach towards enlightenment. On 12th July MMA
government in NWFP introduced Hasba Bill in the provincial Assembly to
introduce a system of Mohtasibs at district and tehsil level. These
Mohtasibs, empowered on a broad range of social, cultural, ideological,
ethical and religious matters will be appointed by Chief Minister who will
also be appellant authority.

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The draft bill was sent to Council of Islamic Ideology which returned
it with some observations and yet the provincial government decided to go
ahead. The introduction of the bill received wide criticism on account of
ignoring recommendations of CII; attempting to cover up the incompetence
of MMA government in NWFP before LG polls by manipulating voters
religious sentiments; Mohatsibs could enforce their creed of values which
are akin to those of Taliban; and that it would be in clash with the existing
system.
On 14th July Hasba Bill was passed amid uproar. Provincial
Government planned celebrations, opposition threatened to resign,
Musharraf talked to law experts, and Federal Government decided to move
Supreme Court. Next day the Apex Court issued notices to Frontier
Government on reference on Hasba Bill. On 21 st July Supreme Court formed
9-member bench to hear the reference.
The will of majority in the assembly has to be respected in true spirit
of democracy, but enlightened moderates in and outside the assembly were
not willing to do that. They have been equating MMA government with
Taliban much before the passing of this bill.
M B Naqvi also equated Hasba Bill with al-Qaeda and Taliban, but
blamed that advance in these ideas acceptability in recent years has been
the result of what the US and UK are doing in the Middle East. Musharrafs
reaction was in the context of soft image but he was blowing this issue out
of proportions just as he did in Mais case.
Considering the lobbies working against Mullas, the bill might be
exploited, rightly or wrongly, to defame MMA to manipulate the voters. In
the end MMA could lose some support and nationalists would be the likely
beneficiaries. Passing the bill in the wake of London bombings could also go
against MMA as Britain has started accusing Mullas and Madaris.
On 7th July three explosions in underground railways and one at a bus
killed 50 and injured about 700 people in London. A previously unknown
group claimed the blasts and threatened similar attacks in Italy, Denmark
and other Crusader state. Musharraf ruled that perpetrators were neither
human nor Muslim and Benazir condemned the bombings.
One Pakistani was arrested at Stansted Airport on 10th July with map
of the underground system and three bombed stations circled. Three out of
four suspected bombers were identified as Britons of Pakistani origin. Uncle
of one of the suspects told that his nephew had gone to a madrassa in

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Pakistan in December last to learn to recite Holy Quraan. Straw expressed

concern about some Pakistani Madaris.
Musharraf assured support to Blair in probe and moved faster than
flow of commands from London. On 15th July he ordered stoppage of
collection of donations, display of arms, holding of gatherings by banned
outfits, removal of hate material, arrest of distributors and publishers. Egypt
also showed urgency and arrested alleged bomb-maker.
The same day UK gave list of London bombing suspects to Pakistan.
The list was based on four to five days visit to Pakistan by one of the
suspects. Two schools were named out of which one is run by the banned
militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba. Both schools denied hosting the bombers.
Next day four people were arrested in Lahore and Gujranwala and several
teachers and students of two suspected religious schools were interrogated.
No evidence about the visit to any of the religious schools was found.
On 16th July provinces were asked to launch crackdown on Jehadi
outfits. Next day officials and teachers of about 12 religious schools were
questioned around Islamabad and Rawalpindi and three persons, including a
businessman were interrogated in Lahore. Straws comment regarding
alleged negative role of some Pakistani Madaris in Britain was rejected.
Musharraf asked youth on 18th July to fight against extremism. He
blamed Jaish and Sipah for creating chaos, and accused some religious
seminaries of terror. Munir asked UK not to blame others for blasts, but
should look into own failure to integrate Muslims. Six persons alleged of
having links to bombers had only business contacts with family of a suspect.
On 19th July Blair demanded crackdown on hard-line Pakistani
Madaris. Over 100 people were held in nationwide swoop against Madaris in
pursuance of orders issued personally by Musharraf on instruction from the
Crusader named Blair. Twenty-three girl students and four police personnel
were wounded during raid on Jamia Hafsa in Islamabad. Police arrested
religious teachers and clerics that came handy, including Mufti Abrar
personal secretary of Fazl-ur-Rehman. Twenty-five people were arrested in
Multan and Dera Ghazi Khan. Raids were also carried out in Sargodha,
Khushab and Rajanpur. A business family and teachers and students of a
religious school were questioned in Lahore.
Toll of arrests in crackdown reached over 200 by next day. IGP and
SSP Islamabad were changed for showing undue exuberance in cracking
down on Madaris. MMA planned to observe protest day on 22nd July and

888

Musharraf asked Sherpao to get the whip cracking. Blair praised

Musharrafs anti-terror efforts.
On 21st July Haseeb Meer, one of the suspects, believed to have died
in bombings, was reported alive and living with his father. Father and son
denied involvement in blasts. British High Commission promptly clarified
that Haseeb was never suspected.
Hunt for men linked to London blasts continued and more than two
dozens were arrested in Multan and Mardan. The Times reported arrest of
key suspect from Sargodha. British Envoy said no-one was held in Pakistan
with link to London bombings, but showed satisfaction over cooperation of
Pakistan. Meanwhile Pakistani intelligence dug out evidence about visit of
two suspects to Pakistan twice.
At last Musharraf dared telling Blair addressing him by name in his
speech on PTV. We certainly have a problem which we are trying to address
very strongly but England, too has a problem, which needs to be addressed.
His speech coincided with four more bombings at transport system in
London in which one person was hurt. Next day countrywide protests were
held over raids on Madaris. More than two hundred clerics and activists
were arrested across Punjab on misuse of loudspeakers, delivering
provocative speeches and staging protest.
Musharraf could declare that the bombers were not human, but not
those who killed innocent children in bombing towns and villages,
slaughtered prisoners, and shot people to end their agony. Similarly analysts
like Kamran Shafi hung (not hanged) their heads and prayed God, the
compassionate and merciful, to give solace to the loved ones of those killed
in London, but they never prayed for those killed in Afghanistan, Iraq and
other parts of the Muslim World.
The condemnations could also be looked at from another angle. Most
of these statements did not reflect sincere inner feelings but the desire to win
sympathies of the West. For the same purpose, Sherpao even recalled
Pakistans help in thwarting terror attack before UK polls.
Most of these leaders and learned commentators fully understood that
these attacks were ominous after Britains support to American war of terror
in which countless war crimes have been committed all over the Muslim
World. Thereby, it would be appropriate to call these bombings retaliatory
acts, not the terrorism.

889

Musharraf was right in anticipating that these attacks would affect

Muslim minorities abroad, but whatever has happened or would happen in
the Crusades has and would affect Muslims adversely. He ordered
confiscation of all hate material. Did he include crimes committed by the
Crusaders and anti-Islam propaganda of Western Media in the definition of
hate material? If so, can he or his security agencies stop that? If no, do the
Muslims, who have been and are being grievously hurt, need any hate
literature or speeches from clerics to retaliate as they did?
In any case some Madaris had been doing it in the past and that too
for American interests as brought out by Masooda Bano. It is a wild
exaggeration to say that the average madrassa teaches hatred against other
sects. Those that preach religious intolerance and Jihad are not really
Madrassas but the invention of the US
Hans B Bremer apprehended fizzling out of crackdown like the past
and wanted to see some concrete results this time. The learned German did
not realize that stern actions on mere suspicions would further escalate anger
and militancy as has happened in case of Iraq.
Musharraf is shrewd enough to understand the above and more. He
has the knack of taking advantage of the crises. London bombing provided
him an opportunity to please the Crusaders by initiating another crackdown.
At home he pretended to be focusing on sectarian extremism. Politically he
would like to cover few miles for kings party in forthcoming polls.
Shafqat Mahmood said it in these words: the government response
has been to launch a crackdown on seminaries and religious schools. Much
of this is for show. If there was something wrong with these institutions, why
was this action not taken earlier? Why did we have to wait for London
bombings to discover that there are extremists within us?

THE PREJUDICES
America pushed forward its policy of strategic partnership with India
without bothering about Pakistans concerns. On 29th June India and US
signed 10-year defence pact paving the way for joint weapons production,
cooperation on missile defence and possible lifting of US export controls for
sensitive military technologies. The pact came within three months after the
US unveiled plans to help India become a major world power.
Rumsfeld said, the United States and India have entered a new era.
We are transforming our relationship to reflect our common principles and
890

shared national interests. Pakistan expressed concern over the pact but
Kasuri said, no need to panic. Of course, why panic over an old friend
giving some weapons to ones new friend?
The News chose another way to express its resentment. It published a
boxed news item recalling that Nixon had called Indira old-witch and
Kissinger referred to Indians as bastards. There is nothing stopping the
weak cursing the strong by quoting something said by someone long ago.
Praful Bidwai looked at it from Indian angle. The Indian government
is committing a colossal blunder in allowing such unpardonably nave
perceptions to totally dominate its foreign and security policy thinking. No
rational consideration behind forming a close military alliance with the US
can be blind to the largely negative, retrograde and destabilizing role the US
plays in todays world. The analyst was absolutely right about US but his
perception about his own country was wrong. India has been doing exactly
the same in its region since independence.
America had been actively considering Indias nuclear energy needs
and in that context it cleared gas pipeline project. During Manmohans visit
the deal for transfer of nuclear technology to India was signed. Rice phoned
Musharraf and briefed him about the inter-action with Manmohan and
offered the same civilian-use nuclear technology to Pakistan. On 22 nd July
India reciprocated and opened its nuclear facilities to US inspections.
In the context of Afghanistan the situation was no different. Khalilzad
said that Omar was in Pakistan. Afghan intelligence officials claimed
thwarting a plot to assassinate Khalilzad after arresting three Pakistanis in
Laghman province near the site where he was to inaugurate a road.
CIA Director claimed having an excellent idea of al-Qaeda leaders
whereabouts. Bush discussed terrorism with Musharraf on telephone.
Kabul asked Islamabad to contain militants. Karzais spokesman alleged,
there are elements on Pakistani soil who train terrorist elements, equip them
and send them to Afghanistan. Musharraf talked to Karzai and assured him
support.
Osamas arrest would be important day, said Rice. Musharraf asked
for proof of the charge that Osama and Omar were in Pakistan. He again
talked to Karzai and reassured him of non-involvement in Afghan affairs.
Pakistans Embassy in Kabul tried to defuse the tension by organizing music
concert, not realizing that listening and facing music have different
connotations.

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On 25th June Foreign Office again denied existence of training facility

for militants in Pakistan. Four days later Afghan Interior Ministry
spokesman said that in the recent operation some fighters tried to flee
towards Pakistan and there were some Urdu-speaking Pakistani militants
among 16 Taliban captured. On 4th July Afghan Foreign Minister while
talking at Indian International Centre in New Delhi accused Pakistan of
supporting terrorism.
Corps Commander in Peshawar asked Afghan leaders to avoid issuing
irresponsible statements. He disclosed that 4,000 more troops would be
deployed along Afghan border where Pakistan has already established 731
check posts. The same day spokesman of Afghan Interior Ministry said alQaeda and Taliban leaders were hiding in Pakistan. In short allegations were
hurled and parried time and again.
Yusufzai commented, the Afghan authorities made wild allegations
ranging from existence of terrorists training camps on Pakistani soil to the
presence of training camps of Urdu-speaking Pakistanis among militants
fighting the US-led Coalition and Afghan National Army troops.
With experience of more than thirty-year fighting Afghans need no
training. In any case the insurgents, apart from the knowledge of terrain,
need to know the use of light weapons at right time and right place;
Pushtoons have plenty of that. Similar is the case of the allegation of
speaking Urdu. Millions of refugees with almost three decades of their stay
in Pakistan can speak Urdu more fluently than many Sindhis, Punjabis or
Baluchis of the interior can.
He added, without naming Pakistan President Karzai while speaking
at a recent Afghan youth conference in Kabul asked his audience to
understand the destructive role played by Afghanistans neighbours to spread
death and destruction in their homeland Karzais chief spokesman Jawed
Ludin repeated these allegations on a daily basis and added a few more. It
appeared that with the departure of Khalilzad the duty of Pakistan-bashing
was assigned to Ludin, but his boss was not satisfied and assumed the
charge.
Regarding statements of Rashid and Sherpao in reply to the
allegations, he wrote, instead of the Foreign Office, which over the years
has lost its primacy with regard to formulation of Pakistans foreign policy,
others were doing the talking and making enemies rather than winning
friends. Therefore, the seriousness of verbal sparring compelled Bush to

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step in. His intervention led to two phone calls by President Pervez
Musharraf to Afghan counterpart
The calls failed to rectify the faults. The visiting Afghan minister,
while receiving last batch of the gift of 100 buses talked of three Pakistanis
arrested in Laghman. It was against diplomatic niceties to criticize a host
country but the minister appeared so angry at Pakistan that he didnt mind
annoying his Pakistani host. He concluded, with Taliban guerrilla attacks
rising, both Washington and Kabul would need to find scapegoats - the most
perfect of which is Pakistan.
America and Karzai know that Pakistan can never stop the movement
across the border completely. It suits them as low key insurgency provides
justification for American troops to stay in Afghanistan as already mentioned
in one of the earlier articles. Karzai also understands that continuation of his
rule depends upon presence of foreign troops. Therefore, accusations on
Pakistan will never end.
Apart from these designs the immediate goal was linked to the
ongoing operation in central Afghanistan. Occupation forces wanted
Pakistan to interdict fleeing militants. Hence, Musharraf could do no more
than telling Abizaid that Pakistan wont tolerate future violations of its
frontiers; a typical IB-KAIY-MAR style warning.
Regarding existence of militancy within Pakistan the rulers continued
assuring the world of efforts to curb that. Musharraf met ambassadors of G-8
on 24th June and requested them for resolution of disputes, economic
development and poverty alleviation. Three days later America was assured
that LB elections wont be postponed. On 29 th June Musharraf told the
seven-member group of leading academicians from the US that he wanted
transformation of society through education.
Shaukat assured support to Shanghai Cooperation Organization for
peace in the region during his visit to Kazakhstan. He assured German and
Italian leaders about three things; resolve to fight terrorism, pursuit of peace
with India and desire of stability of Afghanistan.
Americas contempt for Pakis remained in place as was reflected in its
visa policy. After Javed Iqbal, American Embassy denied visa to General
Retired Yusuf on 19th June. About three weeks later visa to senior MMA
leader, Liaqat Baluch was also refused.
The reason of refusal to Liaqat Baluch was quite obvious, but not so
in case of other two. Justice retired Javed Iqbal in an interview revealed that

893

the reason given to him was that there were four persons with the same name
on their lists. When he asked to comment, he exercised restraint in giving
vent to his feelings. He politely replied, there is friendship between the
governments of two countries, but no such thing between the two people.
On the issue of nuclear proliferation no serious aspersions were cast
on Pakistan during the period, except that in New Zealand Musharraf was
asked a question about A Q Khan. The reply was he gave us security when
we were threatened with extinction That is why he is a hero. But the world
doesnt understand this. US claimed Qadeer network was out of business.
In Pakistan M B Naqvi tried to prove that Pakistans nuclear bomb
was a useless dud and India doesnt pose any threat to Pakistan. A
fortnight later Manmohan in interview to the Washington Post and CNN
drew attention towards this useless dud as it can fall into extremists hands.

CONCLUSION
It is quite difficult to predict the outcome of peace process with India,
because predictions are based on reading the speed and direction of the
movement. This process is not moving at all. However, it can be said that
Pakistan was able to get out of a crisis situation threatening Indo-Pak
military confrontation, but it wont be that easy to get out of the quagmire of
peace process. Pakistani leaders have yet to learn that Clemenceau learnt
nearly a century ago that it is easier to make war than to make peace
particularly so with countries like India with ambitious hegemonic designs.
London bombings once again brought Pakistan under pressure,
despite that no threats were hurled at it. The civilized world refrained from
threatening any country because 7/7 failed to arouse world sympathy for the
Brits as 9/11 did for Americans.
Certainly, the British not only expected these attacks but also felt that
their Prime Minister made in inevitable. That was why more people talked of
inter-faith reconciliation rather than military confrontation. Surprisingly the
man in Vatican, projected as symbol of inter-faith tolerance, preferred
remaining in trance.
Manmohans remarks about Pakistans nuclear weapons cannot be
brushed aside by saying no need to panic. These came in the wake of a
defence pact with America and an agreement on transfer of nuclear
technology. These pacts were aimed at achieving a capability for
accomplishing a task indirectly stated by Manmohan.
894

24th July 2005

DEMOCRACY BY DEADLINES

895

Americas inability to control insurgency in Iraq led to bitter criticism

of Bush Administration. In the absence of any military successes, Bush
banked on progress in political process. He wanted finalization of new
constitution with seed so that he could claim progress in democratization.
America decided to push democracy down the throat of Iraqi
parliament by fixing deadlines. When it saw that three ethnic and sectarian
factions of Iraq were unable to reach a compromise, the Kurds were told not
to push for exclusion of Islam from draft constitution.
The control and distribution of oil revenues and federalism were the
two other issues vehemently opposed by the Sunni Arabs. Shiites and Kurds
wanted to have exclusive control over oil extracted from their respective
areas and federal composition of Iraq could facilitate that.
Sunni Arabs were shrewd enough to read designs of Shiites and Kurds
and rejected federalism. America still tried to seek Sunnis consent for new
constitution to acquire some legitimacy. Sunnis did not come to terms;
hence, the deadline was extended by a week.
Meanwhile bloodshed in Iraq continued. In addition America faced
the embarrassment of Irans decision to resume uranium enrichment
programme. However, Sharon obliged America by vacating Jewish
settlements in Gaza to show that Middle East peace process was making
headway.

FIGHTING
On 8th July, a day after the war Britain had been fighting in far off Iraq
came home; gunmen kidnapped and killed a university professor. He was a
Sunni and a former member of Baath Party. A physician was killed in
Samarra. Annan blasted murder of Egyptian envoy. Next day less than a
dozen Iraqis were reported killed.
Twenty-five people were killed and 47 wounded on 10 th July in
suicide bombing at a recruiting centre at Muthana. A suicide car bomber
killed four and wounded three policemen near Mosul. Masked men killed a
member of KDP. Another suicide bomber killed four and wounded 15 people
in Kirkuk. Two suicide car bombers killed seven customs officials along
Syrian border. Five US soldiers were wounded by roadside bomb in
Baghdad. In other incidents of violence at least 15 people were killed,
including a Shiite family of nine. Two US soldiers were killed in combat in
Hit near Syrian border and US troops killed 20 insurgents.
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On 11th July nine bricklayers died of suffocation in metallic police van

where they remained locked for 14 hours under burning sun after their arrest
on suspicion. The incident proved that Iraqi security forces were being
trained exactly like American soldiers. Fighters killed 11 soldiers in attacks
in Khales. Ten soldiers were killed in two attacks in the northeast of
Baghdad and two soldiers were killed in the south. US troops killed ten
suspects in Tal Afar. US-military released Iranian-American who was
detained two months ago.
Three people were killed and 15 wounded on 12 th July in car bomb
attack in Kirkuk. An Iraqi civilian was killed and nine wounded in a blast in
Tal Afar. A police colonel and a policeman were shot dead in Baghdad in
separate incidents. Two bombs struck US convoys in Baghdad and Samarra.
Four human rights activists were killed and one wounded in an attack in
Baghdad and eleven dead bodies of Sunni Arabs were found who were held
two days ago and had been shot in their heads.
On 13th July a suicide bomber rammed into US troops as they handed
out chocolates to youngsters near Baghdad and killed 33, including a US
soldier and wounded 34, including three US soldiers. In a series of attacks in
and north of the capital six persons, including for security personnel, were
killed and six wounded. Iraqi Army removed tones of explosives from
Basra. Two US soldiers were killed in roadside bombing.
Next day al-Qaeda denied any link to killing of children in the blast.
Two policemen were killed and nine people, including five policemen were
wounded in two suicide bombings near Green Zone and third bomber was
wounded and captured. Sunnis accused security forces of detaining, torturing
and killing 11 of their men in addition to deaths by suffocation.
On 15th July ten suicide car bombers exploded in a series of
coordinated attacks across the capital, killing 25 and wounding more than
100 people. A targeted US or Iraqi security forces. Four people were injured
in suicide bombing in a Shiite mosque in Jabila. Two policemen were killed
and one wounded by gunmen north of Baghdad.
Sixty people were killed and 82 wounded on 16th July when a suicide
bomber blew himself at a gas station causing huge explosion in Musayyib.
At least 16 people, including three British soldiers, were killed and three
British soldiers were wounded in al-Amara and around Baghdad.
Two policemen and a civilian were killed and seven policemen and a
civilian injured on 17th July in suicide bomb attack in New Baghdad. In
another suicide car bomb attack at bus stand three police commandos and
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four civilians were killed and three civilians wounded. One policeman and
two civilians were killed and wounded four others in by suicide car bomber
in eastern Baghdad. In Mahmoudiya a suicide car bomber, which missed a
US convoy, killed six civilians and wounded nine. Death toll of blast in
Musayyib rose to 98 as angry crowds railed against the authorities.
On 18th July eight policemen and government workers were killed in
seven separate shootings by insurgents in central Iraq. US forces claimed
killing four fighters in Tal Afar and one in Mosul. One dead body was found
near Baghdad. One US soldier was killed and two wounded in roadside blast
north of Baghdad.
Gunmen fired on a bus carrying workers to a US Army base near
Baquoba on 19th July and killed 13 people. Three Sunni Arab members of
the committee for writing the constitution were killed in shoot out in
Baghdad. Two policemen and a member Talabanis party were killed in
roadside bombings in Kirkuk and Tikrit. Four others were killed in separate
incidents across the country. Next day a suicide bomber attacked an army
recruiting centre in Muthana killing 10 and wounding 20 people.
Algerian charge daffaires along with another diplomat and the driver
was abducted on 21st July. Six soldiers were killed and 13 others, including
five civilians injured in suicide car bombing at a checkpoint in
Mahmoudiyah. Another similar attack in Baghdad suburb killed one and
wounded six soldiers. Three members of provincial council were shot dead
by gunmen near Khadhra. One employee of Oil Ministry was killed in driveby shooting in Sadr City. One person was killed and two wounded in
grenade attack on British security firm in Yarmouk. In Latifiyah three
soldiers were killed and three wounded in roadside bombing.
Seven policemen and four civilians were killed and four civilians
wounded on 22nd July in attacks in Baghdad. Dead bodies of three brothers,
two policemen and a cleric were found near the capital. Next day there was
no coverage and instead devoted time and space to the News, following the
step of New York Times, to divorce issue in the context of draft constitution
of Iraq. Later on it reported killing of a US soldier in roadside bombing. A
local council member was gunned down in Dujail.
A suicide truck bomber attacked a police station in Baghdad.
According to US military up to 40 people were killed, but Iraqi sources said
22 people were killed and 25 wounded. One police officer was killed in
mortar fire. One person was wounded in drive-by shooting. An intelligence
officer was shot dead in western Baghdad. A blast near checkpoint in Haswa
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killed one child and injured six persons. Police Colonel was shot dead in
Yarmouk.
PTV reported killing of 12 people on 25 th July. Two persons were held
in connection with kidnapping of Algerians. Next day gunmen attacked a
workers bus in Baghdad and killed 17 and wounded 20 people. Kidnappers
threatened to execute two Algerian diplomats as al-Qaeda issued death
sentence against them.
On 27th July two abducted Algerian diplomats were killed. Seven
soldiers protecting a water plant in Baghdad were killed by fighters. Senior
official of Baghdad Airport along with two was abducted. Three US soldiers
were killed in central Iraq. Next day insurgents blew up a fuel train near
Daura killing two and wounding six in the incident. Two US soldiers were
killed and one wounded in a roadside bombing in north Baghdad. Death toll
of US soldiers since 24th rose to seven.
On 29th July a suicide bomber blew himself up at army recruiting
centre in Rabia, 80 km northwest of Mosul killing 25 and injuring 35 people.
Two US soldiers were killed in a clash in western Iraq bringing the toll to ten
since 24th. One US soldier died in accident in central Baghdad. American
and Iraqi forces killed nine fighters in a village northwest of the capital. In
Baghdad two Iraqi were killed by a car bomb and one person was killed and
11 wounded in a similar attack in Mosul. US forces claimed arresting a
leader of an al-Qaeda cell.
A car bomb in Baghdad killed 7 and wounded 25 people on 30 th July.
Two British security men were killed by a roadside bomb near Basra. Next
day five US soldiers were killed and two wounded in two roadside bombings
in Baghdad. Seven people were killed and 12 wounded in a car bomb attack
on a police checkpoint in Haswa.
A Brigadier of Interior Ministry was killed on 1 st August in Baghdad
and his two guards were wounded. Six Marines were killed near Haditha and
one more was killed in roadside bomb in Hit. One Sunni cleric was shot
dead. Next day four people were killed and 23 wounded on 2 nd August in a
suicide car bomb attack on US military convoy in Baghdad. Five people
were shot dead as they came out from hospital after looking for the body of
the cleric shot dead earlier and one man was killed in blast in a bookshop.
One police colonel and two government employees were killed in drive-by
shooting. One person was killed and five wounded in suicide car bomb
attack in Baquoba. Four soldiers were killed and five wounded in bomb blast
in Balad. Three workers of a US base were gunned down in Baiji. An
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engineer was shot dead in Dhuluiyah. Body of soldier was found in Samarra
and of a policeman in al-Dawr.
On 3rd August 14 Marines and their interpreter were killed in a blast
near Haditha. One American reporter was Kidnapped and killed in Basra. A
group claimed taking a US soldiers as prisoner. Two policemen were killed
in Baquoba and one policeman and a civilian in Baghdad.
Three Iraqi soldiers were killed on 4th August in bomb blast in
Samarra. Two engineers working in US base were gunned down in Doloyah.
Four Iraqis were killed in suicide bombing attach in Dahuk. Three
policemen were killed in attack on their patrol in Kirkuk. Aide of Chalabi
was shot dead in Baghdad. One US Marine was killed in Ramadi. Three US
soldiers were killed late last night.
On 5th August US fighter planes attacked guerrillas in Euphrates
Valley as ground troops launched operation Quick Strike. Next day a suicide
bomber was shot dead by US soldiers in Baghdad and three people were
injured in blast.
Seven soldiers were killed and 17 wounded on 7 th August in a suicide
truck bombing in Tikrit. Three soldiers were gunned down in Baghdad, two
oil ministry employees were shot dead in the southeast, four civilians were
killed in the south, and three civilians were killed and two wounded in
eastern quarters. One person was killed and 44 wounded when police fired at
protesters in Samarra. Two people were killed in roadside bombing in
Baquoba and seven were killed in al-Sharqat in similar attack. Two civilians
were killed in Latifiyah and nine were killed in separate attacks elsewhere.
On 8th August one US Marine was killed and rocket-propelled
grenades were fired at the offices of the Supreme Council for the Islamic
Revolution. US and Iraqi officials were reported preventing hundreds of
Syrian trucks from entering Iraq. Next day three Iraqi and a US soldier were
killed and 54 others wounded, including two US soldiers, in suicide car
bombing in Baghdad. Elsewhere in the country at least 27 others were killed
in different attacks.
A car bomb targeted US-Iraqi patrol on 10th August in Baghdad,
killing seven people including three policemen and wounding five US
soldiers and seven Iraqis. Four US soldiers were killed and six wounded in
an ambush near Baiji, one was killed in Baghdad and another US soldier was
killed in Habbaniyah. At least 14 other Iraqis were killed across the country.

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A US soldier was killed in Baghdad and two soldiers were wounded

as an Apache crashed near Kirkuk on 12th August. Three US soldiers were
killed and one wounded in a roadside bomb in Tuz and one was found dead
of gunshot in Baghdad. Four hostages, a Kurd and three of foreign origin,
were freed in Baghdad.
One US soldier was killed in roadside bomb in Baghdad on 13 th
August. Two days later 11 persons were injured in suicide biomb attack in
Baghdad. One US soldier was killed near Mosul. US confirmed death of top
aide of Zarqawi in Mosul last month. Iraqi police discovered thirty dead
bodies. Iraqi troops clashed with Allawis Guards.
One US soldier was killed on 16th August in roadside bombing in
southwest Baghdad. Next day in a series of attacks 11 Iraqis, including six
soldiers, were killed in northern Iraq. Three car bombs exploded in the
capital killing 43 people and wounding 73 others. Four US soldiers were
killed on 18th August in a roadside bomb in Samarra. Two persons were
wounded in Ramadi when insurgents attacked when Anbar Governor was
holding talks with Sunni clerics.

OCCUPATION
Aversion to ongoing war and occupation of Iraq markedly increased.
Two incidents had catalytic effect in this context. During late June and early
July one ambassador from Muslim countries was kidnapped and killed, one
was injured and yet another ran away to Jordan. The one from Egypt, who
was killed, was reported to be in contact with insurgents. He must be
working on American assignment of having some assessment of the enemy.
Egypt reacted by vowing to boost relations with Iraqi government and
Jaafari praised brave and courageous move. Meanwhile Iraq urged fellow
Arab and Muslim states to send ambassadors to Baghdad and warned that
the world would be subjected to blackmail if diplomats left. Jaafari stopped
short of askeing for two ambassadors from each country, one of them to be
stand-by. After all it is very important for American interests to have
constant diplomatic relations with Iraq.
On 7th July the inevitable happened, London was subjected to
terrorists attack in which 50 people were killed. A think-tank said that

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backing the US in Iraq put Britain more at risk. Iraq War was promoting
radicalizing of young, said Muslim Council of Britain. Blair and UK
politicians rejected Iraq link to London bombings.
Ghazi Salahuddin asked a question; will the London bombs deepen
the popular aversion to the Iraq War in the United States and Britain or will
this outrage fortify the same stance of President Bush and Tony Blair on the
basis of the understandable fury and emotion of the populace in western
countries? Bush and Blair would certainly to fortify their stance.
From the other suide Osama On the said, if you bomb our cities, we
will bomb yours Its no use Mr Blair telling us, they will never succeed
in destroying what we hold dear. They were not trying to destroy what
Blair held dear. They were only trying to get public opinion to force Blair to
withdraw from Iraq, from his alliance with the United States, and from his
adherence to Bushs policies in the Middle East.
On 19th July al-Qaeda warned Europe. We give you all one month to
reflect carefully on your policy towards Islam and Muslims. Were giving
you this deadline so that you stop running behind the United States and the
Zionists, without paying attention to the blood that has been shed in the land
of Islam in Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestine.
Robert Fisks aversion to war was not new. Why the West waxes
hysterical over Londons dead innocents and not over equally innocent
corpses piled up in the morgues of Baghdad as result of British policy he
asked. Invasion of Iraq had been termed politically illegitimate during the
build up to war by Sir Jeremy Greenstock, ambassador to the UN.
The liberated Iraqis also resented large scale operations like
Operation Lightening which was aimed at nothing but administering
collective punishment. Sadr alleged that the continuing violence was based
in part on the presence of foreign forces in Iraq. Sistani was deeply upset
over suicide attacks. Iraqi Ambassador at UN expressed the same concern
when he asked the world body to condemn rising violence.
Protesters in Baghdad accused the government of pursuing sectarian
policies and torturing and killing. Amnesty International accused Iraqi
government and armed groups committing war crimes. It was taken for
granted that Americans can never commit such crimes.
Within America the analysts became more vocal in criticizing the war.
Cindy Sheehans camping outside Bushs ranch in Texas led candle light
vigil demanding end of war in Iraq. Russian media flayed the US over a raid

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by US-backed security forces on the Baghdad office of Russian state news

agency.
An obvious consequence of the opposition to war was demands for
pullout from Iraq. On 10th July British Defence Minister said withdrawal of
about 100,000 coalition troops from Iraq next year was under consideration.
This statement was for pacifying public anger in the wake of London
bombings. Next day Howard denied that UK had requested Australia to take
over military command in southern Iraq. Meawhile Straw accepted that USled troops in Iraq were part of the problem. The presence of British and US
troops in Iraq is fuelling the Sunni-led insurgency
Jaafari indicated that foreign troops might leave safe cities to Iraqis.
America accepted Polands plans to pull out most of its 1,700 troops at the
beginning of next year. General Casey hoped to sharply reduce US troops
within next year. The reduction of forces would have no bearing on status of
Iraq; it would remain militarily occupied irrespective of the level of foreign
forces considered essential and kept there.
The forces that mattered in deciding the withdrawal of troops had
different views. Pentagon disclosed that only a small number of 171,500
Iraqi soldiers and police were able to fight insurgents alone. Pullout from
Iraq wont end London-style attacks said Rumsfeld. Bush vowed, US will
not withdraw from Iraq prematurely. Earlier Howard had paid surprise visit
to Iraq and assured Jaafari that Australian troops would stay as long as he
wanted.
Finding nothing to boast about militarily, America banked upon
progress in democratization of Iraq, but that too seemed to be bogged down
during drafting of the constitution. Sunni Arabs were putting up stiff
resistance on political front like their insurgent brothers.
Soon after the killing of three Sunni members of the constitution
committee, Talabani said that drafting of the new constitution was almost
finalized and the document could be ready by the end of July. He indirectly
conveyed that killing and resultant boycott by Sunni Arabs wont make any
material difference.
On 20th July all the Sunni Arab members of constitution committee
suspended their membership. Next day they warned not to write constitution
without them. Sunni Arabs denounced proposals about federalism fearing
that federalism would be the first step toward the breakup of Iraq. On 23 rd
July constitutional committee turned down Kurdish demand to give Kurds

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the constitutional right to hold a referendum on self-determination after eight

years.
Next day Shiites and Kurds warned Sunnis. It is in the interest of
Sunnis to participate without making excuses. If they do not take part, the
constitution will not reflect their hopes and ambitions and the process will
not stop. Sunni Arabs ended the boycott and rejoined constitutional
commission after most of their demands were met.
Rumsfeld asked Iraq on 27th July to meet constitution deadline.
Barzani vowed not to back down from federalism. Four days later the panel
said that it would present draft in two weeks, but the head of the committee
sought 30-day extension to finalize the constitution.
Al-Qaeda also joined the row over constitution; Sharia must be only
law in Iraq. America seemed to be prepared to accept mention of Islam in
the draft constitution. However, differences kept emerging. Shiites and
Kurds also disagreed on future polls. Shiites wanted each of Iraqs 18
provinces to be an election constituency in itself. The Kurds wanted the
whole country to be one constituency.
As the deadline of 15th August neared, the leaders remained hectically
busy in breaking the deadlock. On 5th August meeting on constitution was
postponed and Jaafari went to Najaf to consult Sistani and also met Sadr on
constitution.
A week before the deadline, at least 18 issues in draft constitution
remained unresolved, including countrys official name, the role of Islam, a
definition of Islam, autonomy, distribution of oil revenues, and the future of
oil-rich Kirkuk.
One of the leading Sunni Arab suggested postponement of federalism
for the next parliament. On the other hand a Shiite leader demanded own
federal region taking in all of the Shiite areas in oil-rich southern Iraq. Sunni
leaders rejected Shiite proposal for federal Iraq.
The New York Times urged US to stop arm-twisting on Iraq
constitution. But for more arm twisting America extended the deadline by
one week. Soon after the extension, Iraqi leaders feared political turmoil due
to delay in drafting of constitution.
Despite the political deadlock and London bombings, the occupation
of Iraq was not likely to end. Shafqat Mahmood opined that bombings had
indirectly served the cause of the occupation forces. The London attacks,
instead of making the war in Iraq more unpopular in Britain, have actually
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made the task of the British government easier. They have provided a
convenient handle to justify the war Terrorism in almost every case has
been counter-productive. The same is true for the state terrorism or socalled holy war.
The Crusaders would never run out of excuses for occupation; even
the incident during second week of July in which a suicide bomber attacked
US soldiers distributing sweets to children could serve as an excuse. The
stocks of sweets saved during ten years of sanctions must be quite huge;
therefore, White House and Pentagon could even consider sending more
troops to speed up the distribution of sweets.

OTHER ASPECTS
The cover up of war crimes committed by the occupation forces
continued. During the period US Military charged 11 more soldiers for
assaulting captives. Three British soldiers were also charged for similar
crimes, which was termed by the press as tip of the iceberg.
The puppets were pressed to expedite trial of Saddam to divert
attention of the world media. On 29th July the accused was called to a
hearing and questioned about repression of the Shiite uprising in 1991. Next
day an unidentified man attacked Saddam during court hearing and the two
exchanged blows. The head of the court did not intervene to stop the assault.
This could be a prearranged to demostrate Iraqis hatred for the accused.
Tribunal denied assault on Saddam. The defence lawyers boycotted
tribunal over court brawl until the man involved is brought to justice and
the court apologizes. Subsequently Saddams family dissolved Jordan-based
legal team, but the sacked defence team lawyers insisted that Saddam
wanted to keep them on the panel.
In third week of July Jaafari visited Tehran and called for end to
differences. He and Khatami held wide-ranging talks and agreed to
coordinate on security issues. Iran pledged security help to Iraqi premier. In
last week of the month Rumsfeld visited Baghdad and asked Iraq to
aggressively work with the neighbours to end infiltration of fighters.
Americas campaign against nuclear programme of Iran was affected
by Iraq War. During the period most diplomatic moves and actions on
ground were carried our by Tehran. On 12th July Ahmad Nejad vowed new
steps in nuclear and foreign policy. Five days later Iran accused US and
Israel of snaring its atomic experts.
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At the end of July Iran decided to resume uranium ore conversion

activities regardless of what proposals the EU makes. Iran also rejected EU
appeal to delay nuclear proposals. By 1st August Iran was set to resume
nuclear work and asked IAEA to remove seals at nuclear facility.
EU and ElBaradei urged Tehran to halt its unilateral move. Iran vowed
nothing would stop it resuming ultra-sensitive nuclear activities in defiance
of the EU warnings of UNSC action and possible international crisis. On 5 th
August Iran rejected EU package of trade and technology incentives,
declaring its decision to restart nuclear work was irrevocable. Next day
Nejad took oath of office and vowed not to submit to other nations.
Iran seemed unconcerned about UNSC referral and on 10 th August
IAEA seals on Isfahan nuclear plant were removed. It appeared that Tehran
had accurately assessed limitations of America because of international
aversion to its war in Iraq. Two days later Rafsanjani said, West wont push
Iran around. Iran also ruled out resumption of ties with US.
America could do no more than resorting to petty allegations. It
warned Iran not to interfere in Iraq; Ahmed Nejad was accused of leading
1979 student movement and claimed that some roadside bombs were made
in Iran and then slipped into Iraq.
Iran brushed aside all accusations saying that US failure was at work
behind these. Iran rejected also Rumsfelds claim that weapons were
smuggled to Iraq from Iran. Europe and UK termed Tehrans move to
resume enrichment programme as a damaging step. Bush finally warned Iran
of possible UN action and then referred to military option. IAEA told Iran to
halt nuclear work. Russia, Germany and Pakistan rejected use of force
against Iran.
Syria continued facing allegations of cross border terrorism. On 18 th
July Iraqs interior minister flayed Syria for not taking steps to curb
insurgents. Three days later Zebari asked neighbours to secure borders and
repeated the statement a week later. US and Iraqi forces pressurized Syria by
frequently shooting at its border guards without provocation. Damascus was
incapable of coping with clever tactics of smugglers, who load contraband
on dozens of mules or donkeys and set them free to amble down familiar
paths leading to pre-selected points in Iraq.
Turkeys concerns about Kurds generally remained unaddressed,
except that America ordered arrest of top Kurdish rebel commanders on
demand of Turkey. Turkish Prime Minister slammed PKK activities in Iraq.
Zebari countered by warning Turkey against military intrusions in pursuit of
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Kurdistan Workers Party rebels using northern Iraq as a base. On 28 th July

Mayor of a Turkish town was kidnapped by the Kurds and about a week
later Turkey urged closure of PKK office in Kirkuk.
Tensions between Israel and Palestinians prevailed. There were
numerous incidents of violence which were overshadowed by upbeat of
Israeli pullout from Gaza Strip:

Two persons were killed and 40 wounded on 12th July in suicide attack
in a shopping centre in Israeli city of Netanya. Next Day Israel
reoccupied the West Bank city, shot dead a Palestinian policeman and
arrested five Islamic Jihad activists.

On 15th July five Hamas men were killed in Israeli air strikes. Two
teenagers were killed in clash between Palestinian police and
militants.

Six Israeli settlers were wounded on 17 th July in mortar fire in Gaza

settlements. Two Palestinians were shot dead by Israeli troops, as
fresh air strike was carried out and Israel threatened a wide-scale
ground offensive. In last five days 12 Palestinians and five Israeli
were killed.

During last week of July an Israeli couple was killed in Gaza and a
settler and two soldiers were wounded. Israeli troops killed two
Palestinians.

On 4th August Jewish soldier killed four Arabs traveling in a bus in

Gaza. Angry crowd lynched him. About two weeks later Jewish
settlers killed three Palestinians in West Bank.

Israeli pullout from illegally occupied Gaza Strip received wide media
coverage depicting it as a generous act of Sharon. The period began with
Israel seeking multi-billion dollar US and EU aid to bolster pullout from
Gaza. Israel closed Gaza Strip before pullout and on 19th July. Israeli police
was placed on red alert in face of protest march against removal of Jewish
settlements. Next day Israeli parliament rejected delay in pullout from Gaza.
Israeli government envisaged forced removal of Gaza settlers. Israeli
rightists vowed to march into Gaza Strip. On 7 th August Israeli cabinet
approved pullout and Natanyahu, Israels finance minister resigned in protest
against Israeli withdrawal.
On 15th August Israel began evacuation of settlements despite protests
by settlers. Next day clashes erupted as settlers resisted eviction. Police

907

resorted to forcible ejection and had to storm synagogues where settlers had
taken refuge. Eviction from Gaza was competed before schedule.
Reuters reported that Gaza Strip pullout will make history. America
hoped that pullout would revitalize peace. Sami Moubayed had reservations
on prospects of peace. He analyzed Sharons reasons to withdraw from Gaza
as under:

In meeting with Bush, he had made it clear that he wants to create

3,500 new homes for Maade Admumin, the largest colony in the
West Bank.

Sharon is retreating not because he wants peace, but controlling Gaza

has been too costly, both financially and politically The Gaza Strip,
like South Lebanon, has brought him nothing but trouble Sharon
wants to manage, rather than end the conflict.

Today, Sharon is returning all of Gaza. Many claim that Sharon is not
serious in his plan to disengage from Gaza Israel would remain in
direct control over all of Gazas borders, air space, and water,
controlling the flow of goods and people.

Step two of Sharons plan would be to authorize the creation of a

Palestinian State, one that is week, poor, and hundred percent
dependent on Israel.

David Makovsky touched upon risks and rewards in Gaza after Israel
withdrawal:

Palestinians view this lifting of Israeli guards at the border with

Egypt as a symbolic and concrete element of their freedom. Successes
here could spur solutions to similar security-related problems
regarding a future Palestinian State.

On the other hand, failure in this first venture could be costly. If

Palestinian missiles are brought in that are capable of hitting Israeli
cities, alongside the existing crude rockets that hit Israeli border
towns, it will bring Israeli military retaliation and make Israelis wary
of further withdrawals.

Vacation of narrow corridor between southern Gaza and northern

Egypt would place onus of checking weapons smuggling particularly
through underground tunnels in divided city of Rafah.

The News commented, the pullout may encourage Palestinians and

Israelis to negotiate, but the road to permanent peace remains littered with
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rocks. It is not only for the Palestinians and Israeli governments and peoples,
but also the international community to make a collective push to get peace
process going.
Marwan Bishara opined that Palestinians celebrations would be shortlived as mere vacation of Gaza settlement did not promise peace:

The Palestinians are celebrating the withdrawal as a defeat for the

occupation and victory for years of resistance. As a new Palestinian
Slogan goes, they hope for Gaza today, tomorrow Jerusalem and the
West Bank. This is precisely what Ariel Sharons plan aims to
prevent.

Once Palestinians are preoccupied with rebuilding their shattered

lives under international scrutiny, Israel will accelerate the de facto
annexation of the settlement blocs in the West Bank and Jerusalem.

As a General, Sharon understands that in war one must at times cede

tactically in order to win strategically. Accordingly and in the absence
of a Palestinian peace partner, Israel will disengage from Gaza in
order to impose its vision on the 10 times larger West Bank and
Jerusalem: the crown jewels of the occupation.

This translates into a de facto disengagement from the peace

processwhich (he is doing) in complicity with Washington, which
wants the Palestinians to accept the Sharon plan as the only game in
town, regardless of its motives, in order to reshape their destiny.

If the Bush administration goes along with Sharon, a third Intifada

will follow the one that erupted five years ago when American and
Israeli leaders tried to corner another Palestinian president at Camp
David.

CONCLUSION
The impatience of Bush for finalization of draft constitution reflected
his concern about the criticism of his handling of Iraq militarily. He was in
search of some consolatory progress and for that America accepted mention
of Islam in draft constitution and agreed to extension of the deadline by a
week. But America, Shiites and Kurds were nowhere close to winning over
Sunni Arabs.
Sunnis feared that federalism and possible grant of autonomy to Kurds
in future would disintegrate the country. Failure to reach consensus could
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only lead to civil war and hasten the feared disintegration. This would create
problems for the neighbours of Iraq, particularly Turkey in the context of
Kurds.
Polish Prime Minister observed that nation-building efforts in Iraq
have failed totally. America was not much interested in nation-building. It
was also not much pushed about distribution of oil revenues as long as its
extraction and marketing was controlled by US-multinationals.

21st August 2005

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