Afghan war

This has reference to Aijaz Zaka Syed’s “Lost war in Afghanistan” (Aug. 29). I commend Syed for his understanding of the issues involved.

However, I would like to disagree on a matter of detail: I do not think that Western troops target civilians “deliberately.” The fact is that they don’t care whom they kill. This attitude will most probably cost them the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Western bloodthirstiness and ignorance of the people they are trying to win over are responsible for the fiasco.

Munir Akhtar, Riyadh, published 6 September 2008

Taiwan in UN bodies

In an effort to allow the 23 million people of Taiwan “meaningful participation” in UN specialized agencies and their related activities, 17 of Taiwan’s 23 allies recently submitted a joint proposal to the UN Secretariat urging it to pass a resolution to this effect at its mid-September General Assembly meeting.

The bid not only called for backing from the international community to end the 37-year denial of the island’s rights to participate in UN-related functions, noting that this would benefit all mankind, but also made clear the hope that Beijing “will also understand the aspiration” of Taiwan, since both sides of the strait are stepping up efforts to improve ties. While it remains to be seen whether the General Assembly will accept this year’s bid —Taiwan’s 16th in a row — there is reason to believe it may be better received by members, given the political context and the focus of the bid.

In contrast to last year’s application under the name “Taiwan,” this year’s bid — based on the principles of President Ma Ying-jeou’s pragmatic “flexible diplomacy” initiative — left the sensitive moniker issue open and focused on “meaningful participation” in UN “specialized agencies,” rather than the world body itself. Such agencies of importance identified by the ROC’s Foreign Ministry include the World Health Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization and the International Maritime Organization.

Recent cross-strait developments such as high-level meetings between ruling party leaders of both sides, direct weekend charter flights and the island’s opening up to more mainland tourists suggested the warming of relations. The de-escalation of tensions naturally spells good news for regional neighbors, who can now focus their attentions on Beijing’s response toward diplomatic overtures from Taipei. As any rejection of these advances at this point would inevitably be construed as a setback to cross-strait ties, mainland China is expected to treat Taiwan’s new UN bid with more subtlety, and hopefully, with more understanding.

Being the world’s 18th largest economy, Taiwan is able to contribute to the success of international organizations, and has in the past, demonstrated a willingness to abide by their standards. There is no doubt that the island deserves its place in the United Nations. While realpolitik is yet to award the country just that, the international community should not hesitate to back Taiwan’s bid to participate in UN specialized agencies.

Fareed Hwang, Jieh-Shan, Riyadh, published 6 September 2008

History repeating

While Asif Ali Zardari may succeed in becoming president, Nawaz Sharif will prove to be the clear winner in the long term. Zardari has shown that he cannot be trusted. His misjudgment of the sentiments of the people will be his undoing. An unofficial poll conducted by the daily DAWN in Pakistan showed that while Sharif’s approval rating has gone up to 63 percent, Zardari’s has plunged to 13 percent. Zardari is a greedy man with a criminal mindset. PPP-led governments were dismissed twice due to the corruption charges against him.

The country is facing turmoil. Popular anger at the spiraling prices, lawlessness, corruption at high places, political instability and so on would will the people against the PPP. There will be agitations, chaos and, probably, bloodshed. The army will be forced to take over. But since the top brass do not want to be dragged into civilian strife at these sensitive times, they will hold an early election and hand over power to the party that has the blessings of the army, the US, and the rigging machinery of the Election Commission of Pakistan. History is set to repeat itself.

Dawoodi Morkas, Karachi, published 6 September 2008

Anti-Christian violence

Your report “Hundreds of Indian Christians flee homes” (Aug. 29) was another evidence that organized violence against minorities is becoming a norm in India. Cases of such violence are on the increase because very few guilty ones have been punished.

Fundamentalist organizations such as the RSS, VHP, Bajrang Dal, Shiv Sena and other Sangh Parivar affiliates have the single agenda of eliminating minorities. Respected bodies such as the People’s Union for Civil Liberties allege that pamphlets were circulated recently by the Sangh Parivar to incite violence against Muslims and calling for an economic boycott of the Muslim community all over India. The idea was to make it difficult for Muslims “to live in any corner of the country,” the pamphlet explained.

The well-planned attacks in Gujarat, the razing of Babri Masjid and the destruction of innumerable other religious places of minorities, riots of Bombay and Meerut, the killing of minorities in various riots across India, the present agitation in Jammu, and widespread looting and killing in Orissa are just a few examples of the systematic destruction of the lives and properties of minorities that have been taken up by these organizations. If India is to continue as a secular country, these organizations have to be banned and their leaders given deterrent punishment.

S.K., Jeddah, published 6 September 2008

Anti-Christian violence - 2

This is a really sad situation. As a religion, Hinduism is perhaps the most tolerant of all. It is a fundamental tenet of the religion that there are many paths to God, and hence, it has no quarrel with any of those who choose their own paths. In its more than 5,000-year-old history, it has coexisted and interacted with numerous cultures, religions and peoples.

This particular atrocity against Christians is orchestrated by a fanatic sect which believes that it has the moral right to protect and further the religion. They should be stopped. But will the governments in power act, with the toughness needed? Doubtful. This is election year in India, and all political parties have gone impotent.

Kishore Nair, Riyadh, published 6 September 2008

Anti-Christian violence - 3

Blaming Hindus alone for the violence in Orissa is to forget the cause and condemn the reaction. The blame should be put squarely on the Christian missionaries who are trying to convert the majority Hindu population. Conversion has always been a subject of controversy and opposed by the Hindus. The missionaries should not cry “helplessness” after provoking the majority population. Provocation invites violence. If giving the Dalits a better life is the mission, then it is OK. But the motive is conversion. When help comes with such a hidden agenda, the help is not “ selfless” but selfish.

“While I firmly condemn all attacks against human life, the sacredness of which demands the respect of all, I express my spiritual closeness and solidarity to the brothers and sisters in the faith so hardly tried,’’ the pope is reported to have said. Why, sir? What is the problem in being close to humanity as a whole? “Spirituality” should mean rising above sectarian or group biases. Those who claim to be “men of religion” should not differentiate between God’s creations.

K.P. Bhattacharyya, Dhahran, published 6 September 2008