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Journalism of Courage
US Secretary of State Colin Powell comes again to the region, apparently to reduce tensions and build relations with both India and Pakistan, though for different reasons and at different levels. He would also like to ensure that the US war against terrorism picks up some momentum again. The US can be satisfied that great progress has been made in that war.
Afghanistan now has a new liberal government even if its vice president was assassinated and President Karzai8217;s security has to be guaranteed by Washington. The Taliban regime has been dismantled and the Al Qaeda dispersed. But their leadership is still out there somewhere, most probably either in the mountain regions of Pakistan8217;s north and northwest, or in the towns and cities of Pakistan.
By implication, Pakistan is now doing a favour to the US. Pakistan8217;s willingness to act against terrorism appears to be now functioning in inverse proportion to the economic, political and military incentives being provided by the US and its allies.
The snub to British foreign minister, Jack Straw, who could only meet a minister of state during his recent peace-making mission, was only part of the emerging pattern. The unwillingness to allow US forces to search the frontier regions for Al Qaeda-Taliban infiltration while pressing for international monitors on the LoC in J038;K is another.
These and other developments do not increase our confidence in Islamabad8217;s willingness to implement the numerous promises to stop all terrorist activities from its soil. Colin Powell comes to New Delhi against the backdrop of having guaranteed Pakistan8217;s shift of policy in stopping cross-border infiltration and winding up terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan. Terrorism in J038;K has not come down. One hopes he can provide convincing reassurances of progress on that front before any suggestions for further measures by New Delhi are expected.
