Indo-Pak relations

This refers to the article, “India, Pakistan talks seen good for Afghan efforts” (Feb. 8).

One knows that India-Pakistan relations have been strained since the birth of the two countries. They have fought three wars. People living across the borders, with relatives on either side have been in pain and anguish due to the strife between the two countries. Many issues, including Kashmir, have been the source of friction between the neighbors. The major issue currently is terrorism.

The reason behind terrorism needs to be understood if it is to be eliminated. Terrorism manifested itself on a wider scale after the Americans armed the Taleban to confront the Russian occupation of Afghanistan in the late 1970s. The US created extremist outfits by giving them millions of dollars and tons of armaments to join the anti-Russian forces. After the defeat of Russian forces, these outfits turned against others in the region. They have created havoc and continue to torment the region. They are like a monster, which uses religion for perpetrating acts of violence and currently Pakistan is the major victim of this monster.

While some terror outfits may be based in Pakistan, the Pakistani government or people are not supporting them. To eliminate these terrorists, the civilian government in Pakistan is trying its best, but there are elements that are against it. Peace between India and Pakistan will rob the terrorist of the opportunities to thrive. Acrimony between neighbors will definitely be detrimental to the interests of both countries while it will serve the interests of terrorists.

Dayanandan, Riyadh, published 10 February 2010

Defining people by race

Iman Kurdi brings up a number of interesting points in the article “The idea of defining people by race” (Feb. 8). What seems to pervade the whole of her article is the politically correct nonsensical concept that has it that “only whites are racist.” While I agree with the writer that people should not be judged by race, racism should not be defined as a white phenomenon.

Race is a reality and there is no reason why race should not be used as a definition for people. However, definition is not the same as judgment. We define words in dictionaries — what is so terribly wrong with definitions?

Whether or not characters are portrayed as “black” or “white” in fairy tales or Disney productions should all depend upon the cultural and racial background of any particular story. Would a Bollywood film portray Gandhi as a white Caucasian? Of course not. So it makes perfect sense to portray the princess in Hans Christian Andersen’s fable, “The princess and the pea” as a Caucasian Danish female.

Kurdi, like so many other politically correct types, makes much of America’s first black president. I’m waiting to see the day when Nigeria, or any other African country, elects its first white president! Then perhaps racism (whatever that is supposed to mean) is all right as long as it is not of the white variety.

Francis A. Andrew, Nizwa, Oman, published 10 February 2010

Blasts in Karachi

In his letter, “Bomb blasts in Karachi” (Feb. 8), the writer, Yousuf Quraishi, has been very critical of the media for linking the Taleban to the Karachi blasts. He says, “What you are saying is so biased and lacking in proof,” but at the same time confidently says that Blackwater is behind the blasts as if he has concrete evidence concerning Blackwater’s involvement in the attacks.

I have absolutely no sympathy with Blackwater or any other American agency, but if Quraishi wants us to believe that whatever is happening in Pakistan — terror attacks — is the handiwork of Blackwater and the Taleban can never kill their own people, then he is mistaken. Given the fact that the Sindh governor has himself named “Jundallah,” an offshoot of the Taleban, as being behind the Karachi blasts, Quraishi’s defense of the Taleban looks ridiculous.

Another letter writer, Muhammad Siddique, came up with a much funnier idea. He suggested the involvement of Indian spy agency RAW in Karachi blasts. He simply forgets that similar blasts took place in Iraq on the same day. India has absolutely no interest in destabilizing Pakistan and certainly not Iraq. The only organization which has a common presence in Pakistan and Iraq is Al-Qaeda.

S. Riaz Mehdi, Riyadh, published 10 February 2010

Causeway troubles

This refers to your article, “Causeway delays prompt calls for change” by Siraj Wahab (Feb. 7). Most of the troubles that travelers face at the causeway could be very simply solved if all booths are functioning together. Even during the rush hours or weekends, I, being a regular traveler through the causeway, have never seen all booths functioning.

Tesmin Sunny, By e-mail, published 10 February 2010