Bijal comments : SV Said++++It made me wonder that how could General Musharraf suddenly do a volte-face today and agree to lend its air space to U.S. A classic case of permanent interests preceding over permanent loyalties.+++
You're right Sunanada, the way Pakistan has changed colours.. the thing is, they don't have a choice but to say Yes to a nation which is much more powerful than theirs.. Pakistan has got nothing of its own left eitherway..
What I think about is, HOW can U.S not see or choose to ignore the fact that Pakistan is the one that has been harboring terrorists and terrorism and even supporting the Taliban? The whole world knows it so does the U.S but chooses to ignore this fact and still seeks help from them.. oh well. everyone serves their own interests..
one more thing, I'm equally sad about the innocent lives lost in the WTC attack and the many more that will be gone once U.S retaliates.. Think about this, ALL THIS WHILE when India has been pleading the U.S that its time we fought terrorism and innumberable people have died in the Jammu-Kashmir region and are still dying today, WHY was U.S a silent spectator???
India has offered to help today too. has gone even as far as to say that it will give its Armed forces for the fight against terrorism.. EVERY OTHER country name is on CNN and other media talking about "SO AND SO" country has offered their help.. how come India's name is hardly mentioned? why is INDIA made out to be the silent spectator in this? OR IS IT because Pakistan wants it that way? so out of nowhere pakistan becomes the Hero who steals the show eh??
At the end of the day, IF U.S decides to intervene in the Kashmir issue due to pakistan's request.. where does that leave us (INDIA)?
I'm sorry if I have my facts wrong, please let me know if thats the case but these are some things i'm looking out for answers on. Would love to hear from you and others on this.
Marjorie Williams comments : I am an American... a teacher, a tutor, and I read with interest comments and concerns from women in Asia about the events of September 11. I do want to say that while not all Americans always agree with our government policies, there are some underlying principles that guide America. I do not believe any U. S. policy caused the events of September 11, 2001. The U S has been put in difficult positions for years, trying to help allies, while also trying to broker peace. I heard a Pakistani declare that the United States wants to rule the world. I can tell you that is absolutely not the truth. The United States wants to do business with the world...sell cars to the world, sell computers and telephones, and modern medicines...etc. Americans like to buy foreign products. America would like to have a peaceful world, an educated world, with all countries with a higher standard of living. After all, the higher the standard in living in countries, the more people will want to stay in their own countries and not immigrate. The influx of people into the United States is very high, and many Americans feel that we were vulnerable to attack because we did have a rather open immigration policy. We are a pragmatic people and it is in the interest of the current situation to use any relationship with Pakistan to get to Afghanistan. That does not mean that we have turned against India. It means we are using a way of working with Pakistan to improve our relationship with Pakistan not to do anything against India. Although we know Kashmir is of great interest to both Pakistan and India, it is not even known by most Americans. We would say that the larger issue for us is protecting us from further attack and so we will talk to any country in the world that will aid us in our protection.
Arun Gupta comments : A little examination of history should allay most Indian fears. 1962 was when India was most susceptible to US pressure, just after the defeat to China and the bail-out by the US. The US did send a team to try to get India to agree to a solution to Kashmir on Pakistan's terms. Obviously, it failed. Since then, India has only become stronger.
India can address its own problems; outside help is welcome but not necessary, outside obstruction is dangerous but not fatal. Recite that fifteen times a day if necessary.
If you behave as a doormat, don't be disappointed when people treat you like that.
-Arun Gupta
Vishal S. Kanwar comments : i beg to differ with the notion that this Operation Enduring Freedom effort is about protecting American soil from terrorist attack. for the past 90+ years, the US has entered conflict upon conflict on foreign soil for self-serving reasons but under the guise of playing Global Cop. we joined foreign wars in the name of promoting freedom for all and erradicating injustice anywhere in the world -- a very noble position to be in, admittedly.
however there is a modicum of responsibility that comes with taking on such a title as Global Cop, which the US seems to have forgotten about. my question is, wasn't there terrorism from fundamentalist religious organizations with anti-US leanings well before Sept. 11? where was this effort when dozens of people were (and are) dying in religious unrest in the Gaza Strip? why was there no Operation Enduring Freedom for fighting the Khalistan movement's terrorism which wreaked havoc in India 15 years ago?
the fact is 15 years ago our political ally Yassar Arafat was the face of terrorism, Bin Laden himself was George W. Bush's business partner in several lucrative oil ventures, and we had just finished arming Iraq in its war against Iran. now, the political landscape has changed and we are going to be fired upon with missiles we gave to the Afghans years ago. let us not tell ourselves that our zealous pursuit of terrorism has as much to do with protecting our borders from strangers as it does putting out a fire we started by arming our friends and then having those friends turn against us or fall out of the US's special interest list in some way.
the point is that the US only reacted to terrorism after terrorism targetted the US. it's sort of like a cop watching a gang assault an innocent person, and not getting involved until the gang injures the cop somehow. very obviously not the fulfillment of the "Serve and Protect All" creed the US laid claim to, is it?
Sam Collins comments : its people who hav suffered an tryed 2 move on with there life..as much as its gonna haunt them...but they are the people i call heroes. it is those an everyother who has helped 2 do summat about about it..those are the ones id bow to.
