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What is good for the goose is good for the gander |
By Sultan M Hali
India is pressurizing Pakistan to take action against Hafiz Saeed for his purported abetment in the Mumbai attacks but is not willing to provide ample evidence to proceed legally against him. Special Indian public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam told the Indian media that statements of key witnesses will be forwarded by India to Pakistan “within a day or two”. He stated that the court has allowed the prosecution’s plea for certified copies of the statements which will be forwarded through diplomatic channels. The Pakistani mission in New Delhi, however, has not heard from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs in this regard. According to Nikam, the statements include the deposition of a) the magistrate who recorded Ajmal Kasab’s “confession”; b) FBI officers who informed the court that mobile phones recovered from terror sites were used to communicate with their Pakistani “handlers”; and c) officers of a mobile company from abroad who told the court that the mobile phones were exported from China to Pakistan. In addition, evidence about certain articles seized from terrorists, such as the “rubber boat” and food items bearing ‘Made in Pakistan’ labels, will also be forwarded, Nikam said.
It may be recalled that Pakistan had sought from India on 11 July the certified copies of depositions of the magistrate and technical experts, along with samples of “the pink explosive foam” used in the terror attacks. India responded on 1st August that the testimony of experts would be provided to Pakistan after it is recorded during the trial, India had suggested a written request from Pakistani court to the Indian court seeking the samples. Indian media is attaching importance to magistrate Vaghule’s statement because she told the court during the trial that Kasab had ‘voluntarily’ disclosed to her that the conspiracy was hatched in Pakistan by “Lashkar-e-Toiba” (LeT) operatives. However, this contention is questionable on two counts: one, Kasab has since retracted that confession; two, during the trial on 30 September, she admitted recording the confession behind closed door in her chamber, knowing that according to the High Court manual it is mandatory for the magistrates to record such confessions in an open court. The legal value of the ‘confession’ for Pakistan is, therefore, questionable. If Pakistan is expected to take action against Hafiz Saeed based on the ma’la fi’de ‘confession’, India is sadly mistaken.
On the other hand, in another development, police investigation into last week’s blast at Margao in Goa has revealed that Sanatan Sanstha, a right-wing Hindu group is involved in the blast. According to police, one of the four bombs planted by the group exploded, seriously injuring two Sanatan Sanstha members. One of them died later in hospital while the other is battling for life in hospital. The group was originally based in Maharashtra but the blast suggests it may have shifted its base to Goa. The state government said it was investigating if any local politician was involved. It has also arrested one Sanatan member.
Muslim groups and Human Rights organizations working for communal harmony have been pointing out the involvement of Hindu terrorist groups in various attacks on the minorities, including mosques. However, the media, intelligence agencies, police and even courts have been complicit in hushing up such cases. In one such incident, two Bajrang Dal activists were killed in Nanded in 2006 while making a bomb. In another, a serving officer of the Indian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Purohit was charged with terrorism in the Malegaon attacks on Muslims. On 15 November 2008, the Maharashtra police stated before the Court that Purohit had procured 60 kg of RDX from J&K in 2006, a part of which is suspected to have been used in the Samjhauta Express and the Malegaon blasts. Interestingly, while most Muslim suspects in terror cases are charged under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA), 1999, Purohit and his co-accused were not booked under it according to a court decision on 31 July. The case had created headlines here under the able charge of Anti-Terror squad Chief Hemant Karkare, before he was killed under mysterious circumstances on 26/11. He had told the media a day before his death that he was receiving threats from Hindu extremist groups. After 26/11, the case has gone off the media radar.
Now coming nearer to home, mounting evidence has been presented of Indian involvement in the acute and extreme war of insurgency, terrorism and extremism launched by guerrilla elements in Waziristan, Balochistan and Swat. Zaid Hamid and Ahmad Qureshi in their exposé
‘Indians fighting in Swat’ had presented pictorial evidence of uncircumcised non-Muslim militants killed during the Pakistani military sweep of the Swat Valley. A dossier containing proof of India’s involvement in “subversive activities” in Pakistan was handed over by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh during their meeting at Sharm el-Sheikh in July 2009. The dossier, broadly covering the Indian connection in terror financing in Pakistan, is also said to list the safe houses being run by RAW in Afghanistan where terrorists are trained and launched for missions in Pakistan. The dossier also mentions an India-funded training camp in Kandahar where Baluch insurgents, particularly those from Bugti clan, were being trained and provided arms and ammunition for sabotage activities in the Pakistani province. A description of Indian arms and explosives used in the attack on the Sri Lankan team had been made part of the dossier, besides which the names and particulars of the perpetrators, who illegally entered Pakistan from India and joined their accomplices who had reached Lahore from Waziristan, have been mentioned, the report said.
Christine Fair of RAND Corporation had to say about what the Indian consulates are up to in Afghanistan and Iran: “Having visited the Indian mission in Zahedan, Iran, I can assure you they are not issuing visas as the main activity! Moreover, India has run operations from its mission in Mazar (through which it supported the Northern Alliance) and is likely doing so from the other consulates it has reopened in Jalalabad and Qandahar along the border. Indian officials have told me privately that they are pumping money into Baluchistan. Kabul has encouraged India to engage in provocative activities such as using the Border Roads Organization to build sensitive parts of the Ring Road and use the Indo-Tibetan police force for security. It is also building schools on a sensitive part of the border in Kunar–across from Bajaur.
Now DG ISPR has revealed that a huge quantity of Indian arms and ammunition, literature, medical equipment and medicines had been recovered from Sherawangi area, near Kaniguram during the ongoing “Operation Rah-e-Nijat”. With such overwhelming evidence, Pakistan has a strong case to approach the United Nations through its diplomatic channels to thwart India in its bid to destabilize Pakistan. It is pressing us to take action against LeT with little or no evidence but is refuting overwhelming evidence of its involvement in the subversive activities in Pakistan. It should know that what is good for the goose is good for the gander!
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Indian hypocracy towards down stream water rights |
Amjed Javed
l. Recently Indian media made a lot of hue and cry regarding a proposed Dam on
Brahmaputra River by China. The alleged Zangmu Hydroelectric Project better known as
Yarlong Tsangpo to Tibetans and called Yarlungzangbo by Chinese is expected to generate
540 mega watts. Chinese are said to be planning a serious of five dams along the river in
the Nanshan Region of Tibet at Zangmu, Jiacha, Zhongda, Tiexu and Langzhen.
2. Although the Chinese have informed the Indians that these rumors were ignited by
some academic articles and there was no concrete decision on these projects so far, Indian
government and media have given it exaggerated coverage and asked for verification from
China. India being a lower riparian country has strong reservations about water diversions
and storage plans.
3. Ironically, Indian attitude towards its own lower riparian countries is quite contrary
to what it feels about China. Whereas Indians are `panicked' due to reports of such `plans',
India has itself started building Baghliar Dam on River Jehlum in occupied Kashmir and
has already diverted the waters of River Chanab to destroy the water resources of Pakistan.
These projects are also a sheer violation of Indus Basin Water Treaty signed by India and
Pakistan in late 50's and guaranteed by World Bank. Pakistan had compromised its water
rights on River Sutlaj, Ravi and Beas. India in turn left the waters of Jehlum un-diverted.
On the basis of this arrangement, Pakistan invested a Jot in construction of link canals to
irrigate affected areas of lower Indus Basin. These fresh encroachments on Pakistan's
water rights reflect Indian hegemonic designs towards Pakistan.
4. One can understand that Indians have a dream to destroy Pakistan since its
independence; Indians are equally vicious towards its other neighbours. In addition to
controversial Farraka and Teesta barrages to divert Bangladeshi water, India has started
Tapaimukh Dam on Barrak River in Manipur state to cause a virtual draught in Bangladesh
to destroy its agriculture, fisheries and trade. In its lust to destroy others, Indians have even
neglected the advice of activists like Dr. Soibam Ibotombi from Department of Earth
Sciences Manipur University and representatives of SAVE (Society of Activists and
Volunteer for Environment) who have raised serious questions about the environmental
threats caused by this dam besides physical threat posed by this dam because of active
earthquake fault lines beneath the construction site.
5. These water aggressions of Indians should be viewed by Indian intelligentsia,
government and - media in the same light and with at least equal concern as they take
"Rumors" of Chinese diversion plans. It is said that in 21st Century, wars would be fought
because of water resources. The global community should realize that if sanity does not
prevail in India the nuclear armed south Asia may be the originator of such regional
conflicts which would engulf the world at large. Simultaneously there is a message for
complacent Pakistani and Bangladeshi governments as well that they should be up and
doing against this "Aqua Terrorism" by Indians lest the draught hit people of these areas
rise and create a turmoil.
Terrorist Activities of Indian Army Officers
1. Indian media has reported that a team comprising police and CBI officials has
zeroed in on Hindu extremist groups in Indore in connection with the Samjhauta
Express blasts in 2007 in which 68 people, mostly Pakistanis, were killed. Investigators
have found that certain items such as suitcases, bottles and batteries used in the blasts
were purchased from Indore.
2. Reportedly, the Samjhauta probe had hit a dead end earlier, but the investigators
are now "pursuing a new line of investigation" focusing on links established "through
phone call record of Ram ji". Ramj I, the main accused absconding in the September
2008 Malegaon blasts targeting Muslims. It is suspected that the organization members
killed one of their own, RSS activist Sunll Joshi, so that the police could not reach them
and bust the network. Joshi owned the motorcycle used in the Malegaon blasts. A
serving officer of Indian Army, Col. Purohit is also under arrest along with eight others
for the Malegaon blasts.
3 . The image of the Indian Army was affected by the reports emerging in the Indian
media pertaining to arrest of Lt. Col Shricant Prohit for his alleged involvement in a
couple of bomb blasts in Muslim populated areas in India. ATS sources of Maharashtra
Police claimed that one former ,Lt. General, one Col presently posted at Daulali Camp,
Nasik and another Lt. Col posted in Madhyaperdash are also being suspected for their
involvement in bombings in India. Lt. Col Prohit allegedly used Army funds in this
regard. Some right wing religious leaders are also being suspected for promotion of
terrorist activities against Muslims by the Hindu radicals. One such leader, Daydand
Pande has already been arrested by UP Police from Kanpur after the accusations of non
co-operation by the Maharashtra ATS. Sangh Privar and BJP are on a defensive after
these terror links; however some of them tried to cautiously justify such acts regarding
it retribution.
4. Major (R) Ramesh Upadhay was first to be arrested by the ATS, followed by
arrest of Lt. Col Prohit. Col Prohit has admitted his involvement in Malegoan blasts and
CBI suspects him for Nanded Blast as well. He was commissioned in 15 Maratha Light
infantry in 1993. He commanded an Intelligence unit as an MI officer in 2002 at
Srinagar IHK. In 2005 while posted in Pune he set up Abhinav Bharat. In 2007 studied
an Arabic course as an intelligence officer. ATS sources suggested that he transferred
huge amounts to terrorists probably misappropriated funds of military intelligence and
masterminded the blasts besides arranging RDX and technical support. He is also being
suspected of involvement in Samjhota Express bombing.
5. Indian channel, Times Now, has claimed to have access to a dangerous plan of
Col Prohit and other accused of Malegaon Blasts. The plan reflects that it was not just a
bunch of Hindu fanatics killing Muslims, rather it was an organized group working for a
greater objective with the help of certain international players particularly Israel.
6. Suspended army man Lt. Col Prasad Purahit Sadu Pardina Singh Takhor
Sawammi Daan and Davanand Pandey are the key players of Saffron Terror .
According to the ATS the detailed audio and videos evidences was recovered from the
Pandays laptop which proves that Purohit has already kicked off efforts to make liaison
with the establishments of Nepal and Israel to set up a separate Hindu Rashtra. Col
Purohit met with Nepal King to seek help to build army for dream nation.
7. The meeting which was attended by Sawami Daan and Pandy and others the
Lt. Col Prasad Purohit is saying, "We have contacted Israel and our captain has gone
there. We have received a positive response. They told us to show them some thing on
ground, because we had only given them papers. They told us to wait and watch for
6months."
8. On behalf of the council the Prasad Prohit had even managed to clinch a couple
of deals with his counter parts in Israel he asked for four things to give birth to a Hindu
Nation.
a. Continuous supply of equipment training.
b. Permission to start office in the Tel Aviv.
c. Political asylum.
d. Support in the UN.
9. At one point Sawammi Daan and Dayanand Pandey is heard saying, "I had told
you earlier, two people from Israel had come to us, sat here and talked. What ever it is,
they promised cooperation." They also speak about the plan that group also seeks help
from the Nepal king.
l0. In the conservation with others Prasad Prohit tells that they had meetings fixed
with King Gayanendra on June 24 2006, another in 07 and one on February 13 .The
transcripts also make mention about the interest of Queen Ashiwaria in Hindu
fundamentalism and association with Prohit. A Nepal army official acted as a middle
man for King Nepal. In particular conversation with Sawammi Daan and Panday, Prohit
discloses his identity as Col. Prajwal who is a brigadier in the intelligence.
11. He proposed to the King provision of training and weapons to the group. The
kind accepted that 20 men would be given officer training every 6 months and another
100 would be trained as jawans. 40 officers and 200 would be trained as jawans
annually. He asked them for provision AK 47 rifles from the Czech Republic and they
would pay for it.
12. During the meeting Ramesh Upadhyay announces the last decision that Indian
constitution is not and will not be acceptable to them and another constitution will come
to establish a Hindu Rashtra.
13. The story has not been picked by our national media as well as international
media so far. An effort to highlight this may be helpful in countering Indian propaganda
against Pakistan unleashed after the Mumbai attacks.
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The annexation of Colombia to United States |
Fidel Castro Ruz
Anyone with some information can immediately see that the sweetened ‘Complementation Agreement for Defence and Security Cooperation and Technical Assistance between the Governments of Colombia and the United States’ signed on October 30, and made public in the evening of November 2, amounts to the annexation of Colombia to the United States.
The agreement puts theoreticians and politicians in a predicament. It wouldn’t be honest to keep silence now and speak later on sovereignty, democracy, human rights, freedom of opinion and other delights, when a country is being devoured by the empire as easy as lizards catch flies. This is the Colombian people; a self-sacrificing, industrious and combative people. I looked up in the hefty document for a digestible justification and I found none whatsoever.
Of 48 pages with 21 lines each, five are used to philosophize on the background of the shameful absorption that turns Colombia into an overseas territory. They are all based on the agreements signed with the United States after the murder of the distinguished progressive leader Jorge Eliecer Gaitan on April 9, 1948, and the establishment, on April 30, 1948, of the Organization of American States debated by the foreign ministers of the hemisphere meeting in Bogota, with the US as the boss, during the dramatic days when the Colombian oligarchy cut short the life of that leader thus paving the way to the onset of the armed struggle in that country.
The Agreement on Military Assistance between the Republic of Colombia and the United States of April 1952; the one related to Army, Naval and Air Missions from the US Forces, signed on October 7, 1974; the 1988 UN Convention against the Illegal Trafficking of Drugs and Psychotropic Substances; the 2000 UN Convention against Organized Transnational Delinquency; the 2001 Security Council Resolution 1373 and the Inter-American Democratic Charter; the Democratic Security and Defence Policy resolution and others referred to in the abovementioned document, none of them can justify turning a 713,592.5 square miles country located in the heart of South America into a US military base. Colombia’s territory is 1.6 times that of Texas, the second largest state of the Union taken away from Mexico and later used as a base to conquer with great violence more than half of that country.
On the other hand, over 59 years have passed since Colombian soldiers were sent to distant Asia, in October 1950, to fight alongside the Yankee troops against Chinese and Korean combatants. Now, the empire intends to send them to fight against their brothers in Venezuela, Ecuador and other Bolivarian and ALBA countries, to crush the Venezuelan Revolution as they tried to do with the Cuban Revolution in April 1961.
For more than one and a half year before the invasion of Cuba, the Yankee administration fostered, armed and used counterrevolutionary bandits in the Escambray the same way it is now using the Colombian paramilitary forces against Venezuela.
At the time of the Giron [Bay of Pigs] attack, the Yankee B-26 aircrafts piloted by mercenaries operated from Nicaragua. Their fighter planes were brought to the theatre of operations in an aircraft carrier and the invaders of Cuban descent who landed in our territory were escorted by US warships and by the American marines. This time their war equipment and troops will be in Colombia posing a threat not only to Venezuela but to every country in Central and South America.
It is really cynical to claim that the infamous agreement is necessary to fight drug-trafficking and international terrorism. Cuba has shown that there is no need of foreign troops to prevent the cultivation and trafficking of drugs and to preserve domestic order, even though the United States --the mightiest power on Earth—has promoted, financed and armed the terrorists who for decades have attacked the Cuban Revolution.
The preservation of domestic peace is a basic prerogative of every government and the presence of Yankee troops in any Latin American country to do it on their behalf constitutes a blatant foreign interference in their internal affairs that will inevitably elicit the peoples’ rejection.
A simple reading of the document shows that not only the Colombian airbases will be in the Yankees’ hands but also the civilian airports and ultimately any facility that may be useful to their armed forces. The radio space is also available to that country with a different culture and other interests that have nothing in common with those of the Colombian people.
The US Armed Forces will have exceptional prerogatives.
The occupants can commit any crime anywhere in Colombia against Colombian families, property and laws and still be unaccountable to the country’s authorities. Actually, they have taken diseases and scandalous behaviour to many places like the Palmerola military base in Honduras. In Cuba, when they came to visit the neo-colony, they sat astride the neck of Jose Marti’s statue, in the capital’s Central Park. The limit set with regards to the total number of soldiers can be modified as requested by the United States, and with no restriction whatsoever. The aircraft carriers and warships visiting the naval bases given to them can take as large a crew as they choose, and this can be thousands in only one of their large aircraft carriers.
The Agreement, which will remain in force for successive 10-year periods, can’t be modified until the end of every period, with a one-year prior notice. What will the United States do if an administration as that of Johnson, Nixon, Reagan, Bush sr. or Bush jr., and others like them, is asked to leave Colombia? The Yankees have ousted scores of governments in our hemisphere. How long would a government last in Colombia if it announced such intentions?
Now, the politicians in Latin America are faced with a sensitive issue: the fundamental duty of explaining their viewpoints on the annexation document. I am aware that what is happening in Honduras at this decisive moment draws the attention of the media and the foreign ministers of this hemisphere, but the Latin American governments cannot overlook the extremely serious and transcendental events taking place in Colombia.
I have no doubts about the reaction of the peoples; they will be sensitive to the dagger being shoved deep inside them, especially in Colombia: They will oppose! They will never cave in to such ignominy!
Today, the world is facing serious and pressing problems. The entire humanity is threatened by climate change. European leaders are almost begging on their knees for some kind of agreement in Copenhagen that will prevent the catastrophe. They practically concede that the Summit will fail to meet the objective of reaching an agreement that can drastically reduce the greenhouse gas emissions and promise to continue struggling to attain it before 2012; however, there is a true risk that an agreement cannot be reached until it is too late.
The Third World countries are rightly claiming from the richest and most developed nations hundreds of billion dollars a year to pay for the climate battle.
Does it make sense for the United States government to invest time and money in building military bases in Colombia to impose on our peoples their hateful tyranny? Along that path, if a disaster is already threatening the world, a greater and faster disaster is threatening the empire and it would all be the consequence of the same exploiting and plundering system of the planet.
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