A Farce of Peace
29 August 2007
by Christian McPhate, Contributing writer for AnaiRhoads.org
AnaiRhoads.org - Why is it that the governments of the world never seem to get anything done?
On July 27, 2007, the two-day International Kashmir Peace Conference concluded in Washington D.C. with little accomplishment but a list of promises that will soon be broken.
It was the seventh conference held for the war-torn country.
The round table discussion took place on Capitol Hill with numerous speakers presenting creative ways to reach the long sought goal of the Kashmir people—peace.
The Kashmir conflict is a territorial dispute between China, India, and Pakistan. The countries are arguing over the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent with India laying claims to the Dogra Kingdom of Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan has contested this claim, for the dictatorial-ruled country controls a third of Kashmir.
There have been three wars between Pakistan and India over the rich natural resources and trade routes of the Led Zeppelin country.
Azad Kashmir Prime Minister Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan offered to provide jobs to professionals on both sides of the ceasefire line, electricity and Sui gas. He believes that sharing the resources would help bridge the gap between the citizens of Kashmir.
Deputy Ambassador Muhammad Aslam Khan declared that Pakistan would never betray the trust of Jammu and Kashmir while professor Showkat Hussain lamented on the failure of India to educate its citizens on the human rights abuses taking place in the country.
And the list goes on with various promises and ideas thrown out for the people of Kashmir, ranging from the use of water resources as a bargaining chip to the nuclear free zone and a committee of civil society actors to develop a vision of future Kashmir.
The resolution draft included:
- The process of reconciliation and peace building between India and Pakistan be expedited, and the people of Jammu and Kashmir be acknowledged as integral partners of the process and acknowledged as its primary stake holders. The parties should determine the parameters of the process and define a time frame for its implementation.
- Free movement across Jammu and Kashmir be reinstated, all traditional routes across the ceasefire line may be reopened and made operational.
- The fundamental rights and freedoms of the people of Jammu and Kashmir be ensured and the various draconian laws be withdrawn. The expeditious release of all detainees and prisoners be ensured and cases against them and those already released be withdrawn. Information may be made available about the conditions and fate of approximately ten thousand disappeared persons.
- The return, rehabilitation, and resettlement of all internally and externally displaced persons, including Kashmiri Pandits and those from the border areas and ceasefire line, be facilitated with dignity and honor.
- For comprehensive and lasting peace in South Asia, and a politically secure and democratic future, the inalienable right to self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir be recognized and respected.
- All cycles of violence in Jammu and Kashmir should end and a space be created for the conclusive settlement of the dispute in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of all the people.
- Demilitarization is a necessary step for ensuring peace in the region.
- India and Pakistan should negotiate a treaty to create a nuclear weapons-free zone in all of Jammu and Kashmir.
- Trade and Tourism across the Ceasefire Line be prompted and inflow of tourists from India and Pakistan to both sides of Jammu and Kashmir be allowed and encouraged.
And U.S. Congressional leaders input on the issue of Kashmir, a country where the citizens must wake each day to the horrors of humanitarian violations, including torture, rape and murder?
Congressman Dan Burton, Danny Davis, Clarke, Rahall, Moran, Pascrell, Tom Davis, Rohrabacher, Honda, McDermott emphasized that a solution was needed for establishing peace and all parties needed to navigate a settlement to end the agony of the Kashmiri people.
And President Bush's contribution to the conference?
His office released a statement that "he [Bush] sincerely appreciates your thoughtfulness in writing and sends his best wishes."
How is the country of Kashmir going to find a resolution without an overseer mediating the process of peace?
India and Pakistan are too ingrained with their own agendas to truly bring about a democratic peace settlement with the Kashmiri people.
The country of Pakistan is disintegrating underneath the media's watchful eyes while dictator Musharraf tries to solidify his powers over a people who do not respect or want his rule.
And India is the one committing most of the atrocities taking place in Kashmir.
Of course, with the president's handling of the U.S. attorney firings and his abuse of his office in forcing his staff members to remain silent, his partnership with dictators like Musharraf and his lack of foresight with the blood feud between the Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds in Iraq, what does the world expect?
His agendas lie outside the realms of humanitarian.
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