High hopes have been aroused by Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee’s bold third initiative in mending relations with Pakistan. Pakistani response although not totally satisfactory has been positive. There is a perceptible thaw and brightness in the dark political firmament. The atmosphere and the momentum must be maintained. Lunatic fringe and vested interests in both countries will attempt to sabotage the initiative. Pakistan’s past track record and continuing cross-border terrorism blessed by it should make us very circumspect. However perennial mistrust and rigid positions will not lead to any tangible results. The need of the hour is for courageous farsighted decisions which will generate good relations and pave the path for peace between the two countries which is the fervent prayer of millions in both countries. Does this sound naive and Utopian? Perhaps. But ‘‘remember that a map of the world that does not include Utopia is not worth even glancing at, for it leaves out the one country at which Humanity is always landing. Progress is the realisation of Utopias.’’ Cultural Genocide Looting of art treasurers and museums and burning of libraries is barbaric. When the library at Persepolis was burnt down in 330 BC by Alexander, numerous Zoroastrian scriptures written on 12000 oxhides and invaluable materials relating to the Zoroastrian religion and its history were destroyed. That action, like the recent looting of museums, libraries and other Iraqi cultural centres may well be regarded as cultural genocide. Fortunately UNESCO has been galvanised into action. Its Director-General Koichiro Matsuura has proposed that the Security Council adopt a resolution which imposes an embargo, for a limited period, on the acquisition of all Iraqi cultural objects and require return of these goods to Iraq if their acquisition or exports have already taken place. He has called on museums, art dealers and private collectors to exclude from every commercial transactions any cultural, archaeological or bibliographical object that had recently left Iraq. A tall order considering the vast sums involved. An interesting proposal is for setting up a nationwide Heritage Police entrusted with the task of watching over cultural sites and institutions, including libraries and buildings where archives are stored. The theft and export of Indian antiquities and art treasures are notorious. A well equipped heritage police force would be most welcome in our country. Incidentally, can we ensure its efficiency and integrity? Aye, that is the perennial problem. Security Paranoia National security concerns often cause the administration to go overboard. For example US Attorney General John Ashcroft’s recent decision that illegal immigrants who have no known links to terrorist groups can yet be detained indefinitely for national security reasons. This ruling was given in the case of a detained Haitian immigrant, who had won the right to be released on bail while awaiting a decision on his asylum claim. It was not Ashcroft’s case that the immigrant posed a security threat. The justification for the ruling was the supposed necessity to discourage mass migration from Haiti, which is described as a staging point for Pakistanis and Palestinians hoping to enter the United States illegally. One is not aware of any evidence to support this broad generalised assertion. International standards require that governments have the burden of establishing the necessity for detention of asylum-seekers before a judicial or similar authority in prompt and fair individualised hearings. The Ashcroft ruling goes counter to this basic requirement. Losing Friends Dale Carnegei’s, How to Win Friends and Influence People, was a bestseller in the thirties. It gave useful suggestions about winning and keeping friends. Friendship is a precious gift and, as Dr. Johnson reminds us, needs to be kept in constant repair. That however is a difficult task if you occupy certain positions. As Chairman of the Supreme Court Chamber allotment Committee, I have alienated quite a few lawyer friends who were not allotted chambers in the Supreme Court building because they did not qualify under the prevailing rules. Another source of alienation is the presidency of the India International Centre. It is not just possible to admit all and sundry, those who do not fulfil the broad criteria laid down by the Trustees to ensure that the Centre is not overburdened and its character and ambience are preserved. Hearty hellos and warm handshakes are replaced by frowns and angry jibes by erstwhile friends. Worst is to be on the board of an educational institution where merit is the dominant consideration for admission of students. The consequence of not acceding to unreasonable requests by officials and high-ups for admission of their children is not merely angry looks. The institution is slapped with huge penalties for imaginary breaches of regulations. A book titled, How to lose friends and alienate people, would make interesting reading.
