CAN Obama play Jesus
by Zahir-ud-Din
US President has other reasons for skipping Kashmir during his visit. The growing Chinese interest in Kashmir must be a cause of worry in Washington DC as well. Beijing has recently said “Pakistan is to China what Israel is to US.”
It will not be proper to deny that Obama’s election as US President generated hopes in Kashmir. Some people went to the extent of saying that US was desperate to extend the hand of friendship to the Muslim world. They also said that there were chances of the cross and crescent appearing on the firmament together in near future.
It will not be proper to deny that Obama’s election as US President generated hopes in Kashmir. Some people went to the extent of saying that US was desperate to extend the hand of friendship to the Muslim world. They also said that there were chances of the cross and crescent appearing on the firmament together in near future. The hopes were not totally unfounded. Obama in an interview to an Arab television said: "We sometimes make mistakes. We have not been perfect." Although a candid confession but somebody has to play Jesus to ensure the cross and the crescent share a common firmament in near future.” Immediately after Obama’s election, renowned Indian born US based Anthropologist Dr Angana Chatterjee visited Kashmir. During her interaction with people from different walks of life, she said: "America desperately wants to show to the world that it was not anti-Muslim. Something very positive is going to happen in the coming days. Of course Obama cannot touch Palestine. He has already hinted at pulling out from Iraq in a phased manner. We in US believe the Obama administration would concentrate on Kashmir."
Obama, himself, talked extensively about Kashmir. There was even talk of appointing former US president, Bill Clinton as special envoy on Kashmir. He not only offered mediation to Islamabad and New Delhi for early resolution of the Kashmir conflict but also linked Kashmir and Afghanistan. He believes the `war against terror' in Afghanistan could not succeed unless Pakistan feels relieved along the border it shares with India.
The US government also sought suggestions from think tanks in the country for improving relations with the Muslim world. Some groups have already submitted their suggestions. One such think tank even sent its draft to a credible Kashmiri group for consideration and feed back. The draft while identifying some grey areas has made a mention of Kashmir. According to the draft, India and Pakistan have already fought three wars on Kashmir. `America must try to find a solution to the Kashmir conflict.' However, the think tank suggests freezing of the issue for twenty-five years initially followed by measures aimed at permanent Kashmir settlement.
A series of articles in newspapers, magazines and journals across the globe added to the optimism shared by some people here in this neglected land. But as the time passed, the optimism started fading away as nothing moved at any front. Most of the people who shared the optimism were not ready to accept that Obama had failed them. “Obama has assumed office when the American economy is not as rosy as it used to be. Most of his time shall be consumed in getting his country's economy back on rails. The world leader, however, cannot ignore other issues of grave importance. The US has a strained relationship with the Muslim world. Smoothening it, therefore, is as important as fixing the economy”, they hoped against hope.
What then went wrong? Obama today has landed in India and to keep New Delhi in good humour. Political experts believe, Obama will not touch Kashmir. The conflict ridden state may be important for US but it definitely is not more important than New Delhi. The Muslim world can be taken care of by other ways and not necessarily by ensuring Kashmir resolution.
The visiting US President, however, will find it very difficult to skip Kashmir. The media will not allow him that luxury. In such an eventuality, the statement on Kashmir will be highly guarded. Most probably he will say: “Kashmir is a dispute between India and Pakistan and the two neighbours must solve it amicably through dialogue.”
He may also say that “US is ready to mediate if New Delhi and Islamabad agree.” New Delhi will thank Obama for offering his good offices and that is it.
Will such a statement make any difference?
Saudi Arabia and Russia have already issued statements and offered their good offices for resolution of the `long pending’ dispute. So New Delhi has nothing to worry about especially for the time being. Obama has other reasons for not touching Kashmir. The growing Chinese interest in Kashmir must be a cause of worry in Washington DC as well. Beijing has recently said “Pakistan is to China what Israel is to US.” This important statement was almost ignored by the media but it must have given sleepless nights to New Delhi and Washington DC. So Obama will not play Jesus? In Kashmir Syed Ali Shah Geelani believes the coming days were crucial for the freedom movement. He has called for `civil curfew’ for a couple of days to convey a `strong message to Obama’. This is high time when the Kashmiri leadership must stand up and convey in clear and strong terms that no country including Pakistan, India, China, Saudi Arabia or for that matter the US has a right to declare Kashmir as a bilateral dispute between India and Pakistan. Geelani and other leaders will find it difficult to digest but this is the way out. Let nobody take the people of Jammu Kashmir for granted. This is what self determination is all about. In fact, Obama must be told not to become a stumbling block by issuing a useless statement.
It has to be borne in mind that Obama is not coming for Kashmir resolution. It is for securing America’s geo-political and economic interests that have made him undertake this visit. The interests can be best secured by making no mention of what policy makers in US call “K word”.
Writer can be reached at din.zahir@gmail.com
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Source: WichaarDisclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the ‘Wonders of Pakistan’. The contents of this article too are the sole responsibility of the author(s). WoP will not be responsible or liable for any inaccurate or incorrect statements contained in this post.
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It will not be proper to deny that Obama’s election as US President generated hopes in Kashmir. Some people went to the extent of saying that US was desperate to extend the hand of friendship to the Muslim world. They also said that there were chances of the cross and crescent appearing on the firmament together in near future.
It will not be proper to deny that Obama’s election as US President generated hopes in Kashmir. Some people went to the extent of saying that US was desperate to extend the hand of friendship to the Muslim world. They also said that there were chances of the cross and crescent appearing on the firmament together in near future.
The hopes were not totally unfounded. Obama in an interview to an Arab television said: "We sometimes make mistakes. We have not been perfect." Although a candid confession but somebody has to play Jesus to ensure the cross and the crescent share a common firmament in near future.”
Immediately after Obama’s election, renowned Indian born US based Anthropologist Dr Angana Chatterjee visited Kashmir. During her interaction with people from different walks of life, she said: "America desperately wants to show to the world that it was not anti-Muslim. Something very positive is going to happen in the coming days. Of course Obama cannot touch Palestine. He has already hinted at pulling out from Iraq in a phased manner. We in US believe the Obama administration would concentrate on Kashmir."
Obama, himself, talked extensively about Kashmir. There was even talk of appointing former US president, Bill Clinton as special envoy on Kashmir. He not only offered mediation to Islamabad and New Delhi for early resolution of the Kashmir conflict but also linked Kashmir and Afghanistan. He believes the `war against terror' in Afghanistan could not succeed unless Pakistan feels relieved along the border it shares with India.
The US government also sought suggestions from think tanks in the country for improving relations with the Muslim world. Some groups have already submitted their suggestions. One such think tank even sent its draft to a credible Kashmiri group for consideration and feed back. The draft while identifying some grey areas has made a mention of Kashmir. According to the draft, India and Pakistan have already fought three wars on Kashmir. `America must try to find a solution to the Kashmir conflict.' However, the think tank suggests freezing of the issue for twenty-five years initially followed by measures aimed at permanent Kashmir settlement.
A series of articles in newspapers, magazines and journals across the globe added to the optimism shared by some people here in this neglected land. But as the time passed, the optimism started fading away as nothing moved at any front.
Most of the people who shared the optimism were not ready to accept that Obama had failed them. “Obama has assumed office when the American economy is not as rosy as it used to be. Most of his time shall be consumed in getting his country's economy back on rails. The world leader, however, cannot ignore other issues of grave importance. The US has a strained relationship with the Muslim world. Smoothening it, therefore, is as important as fixing the economy”, they hoped against hope.
What then went wrong? Obama today has landed in India and to keep New Delhi in good humour. Political experts believe, Obama will not touch Kashmir. The conflict ridden state may be important for US but it definitely is not more important than New Delhi. The Muslim world can be taken care of by other ways and not necessarily by ensuring Kashmir resolution.
The visiting US President, however, will find it very difficult to skip Kashmir. The media will not allow him that luxury. In such an eventuality, the statement on Kashmir will be highly guarded. Most probably he will say: “Kashmir is a dispute between India and Pakistan and the two neighbours must solve it amicably through dialogue.”
He may also say that “US is ready to mediate if New Delhi and Islamabad agree.” New Delhi will thank Obama for offering his good offices and that is it.
Will such a statement make any difference?
Saudi Arabia and Russia have already issued statements and offered their good offices for resolution of the `long pending’ dispute. So New Delhi has nothing to worry about especially for the time being.
Obama has other reasons for not touching Kashmir. The growing Chinese interest in Kashmir must be a cause of worry in Washington DC as well. Beijing has recently said “Pakistan is to China what Israel is to US.” This important statement was almost ignored by the media but it must have given sleepless nights to New Delhi and Washington DC. So Obama will not play Jesus?
In Kashmir Syed Ali Shah Geelani believes the coming days were crucial for the freedom movement. He has called for `civil curfew’ for a couple of days to convey a `strong message to Obama’.
This is high time when the Kashmiri leadership must stand up and convey in clear and strong terms that no country including Pakistan, India, China, Saudi Arabia or for that matter the US has a right to declare Kashmir as a bilateral dispute between India and Pakistan.
Geelani and other leaders will find it difficult to digest but this is the way out. Let nobody take the people of Jammu Kashmir for granted. This is what self determination is all about. In fact, Obama must be told not to become a stumbling block by issuing a useless statement.
It has to be borne in mind that Obama is not coming for Kashmir resolution. It is for securing America’s geo-political and economic interests that have made him undertake this visit. The interests can be best secured by making no mention of what policy makers in US call “K word”.
Writer can be reached at din.zahir@gmail.com
_______
Source: Wichaar
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the ‘Wonders of Pakistan’. The contents of this article too are the sole responsibility of the author(s). WoP will not be responsible or liable for any inaccurate or incorrect statements contained in this post.
YOUR COMMENT IS IMPORTANT
DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF YOUR COMMENT
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