Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Idea Of The Day -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: sandeep who wrote (41155)	10/22/2001 3:16:27 AM
From: IQBAL LATIF	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 50167

On that 'burqa thing'.. I hope you will appreciate that Pakistan is going to get some pretty pictures to the networks, since beards and burqas are still stealing the media show. Pakistan’s silent majority is traumatised by the beard-and-burqa image of Pakistan being projected by the media networks. They feel that the silent majority is quite hip, it is designer-clad, parties till the stars go out and goes to English medium schools not the madaris, the networks keep harping on. The ‘civil society’ has therefore decided to flex its muscle and get ready for camera. A premier women’s club in Lahore had two journalists over, explaining the US stand point to a sea of women, wrapt in tea and sympathy. Another, gathered on the Lahore Mall, in a show of solidarity with the Afghans people. And none as it happened were supporting a burqa or a beard — the media please note. It is said that the Karachi ‘civil society’ is also coming out with a bang having booked the Press club for the 25th October, where the trendiest Karachites are expected to put in an appearance — the networks are formally invited. Grand plans are afoot to get a similar thing going in Lahore courtesy the haveli and its swinging host, so who is complaining about a ‘fundo’ society.

To: sandeep who wrote (41155)	10/22/2001 2:22:11 PM
From: IQBAL LATIF	Respond to of 50167

<Thirdeye, the northern alliance has not been financed by India to my knowledge. > It is an alliance supported by Iran for its Shia leanings, India for its anti-Pakistan leanings and Russia for its secular leanings, this is a rainbow coalition, in its content and its savagery it is as bad for humanity as ‘Taliban’ were. However, for India it is best way to control Pakistan from its backyard and from its eastern front. This is the final straw in the great game. For Iran a Shia centric Afghanistan in terms of their access to CAR is importance and realignment of old Ashikabad-Afghna Shia axis, Russia sees in it an opportunity to establish in Afghanistan an anchor through Us arch rival Iran, so it is not that simple straight relationship that some want to show behind it lies lot of big dreams of control and hegemony. Iran-India-Russia and Alliance based axis, the only thorn is my country, that is the reason it is not war of civilisations, it is war of opportunity and jockeying for 'greater regional control,' if muslim Shia, Hindu India and Orthodox Christian of Russia can get it, so be it. National interests are superior than the 'religious interest' in this region and this is the reason Iran and Pakistan has separated ways, as Pakistan is more Sunni centric and more traditionally its army ‘US prone’ to the dislike of Iranians. Dalbandin is just 200 Km from Iran border and the Ayatollahs are upset for setting up a US base in close proximity in this case, naturally this has led to further chill in Iran relationship with Pakistan/.. US strategic pundits realise that the Iranian controlled-Russian supported Indian stamped Alliance holding Afghanistan would in future would not let Gulf or warm water ports of Pasni and Gawadar be at disposal of US, Us has four air craft carriers in no time at the mouth of Gulf, the 40% OPEC oil flows through this narrow strait, when the want the future arrangements they want to make sure that a 'mad General' in a coup in Russia joining hands with old friends India and Iran and a Shia Afghanistan ( who has now agreed to buy 9 bn $ and calls US the greatest Satan) may not be able to call the entire shots, closing the straits for Japan and US. Nations have strategic interest beyond what I and you see it, Pakistan is a hedge and that is the reason so far US in a show of deference have not moved and thrown the Talibans from Kabul, they want an arrangement that may not give a chance to Iran-Russian mad general to control 40% of OPEC oil flow. National interest are supreme and US after seeing that Pakistanis s a reliable ally would help them to remain a counter balancing force in the region. Putin is a product of young democracy and in this world young democracies have suffered; th4e putsch against Gorbachev was one such example. That was also not the last if economic situation of Russian does not improve, every nation hedges its interest and US will do it too in face of grand designs by the Indians in this region for a ‘greater Super power role,’ associated with their 50 years long deep relationship with ex-USSR and now Russians and Iran, things will be hedged in my opinion.