To: stockman_scott who wrote (31111 ) 5/31/2002 10:25:21 AM From: Win Smith Read Replies (2) | Respond to Pakistan /The weakest link economist.com Fortunately, war may be less close than it seems. Senior Pakistani sources maintain that the general has already given orders for the incursions into India to be halted and rebel camps dismantled, and that the Americans have been enlisted to verify that this happens. On this account, the general's tough speech is a case of defiant rhetoric cloaking a hidden retreat. There is no doubt that the Americans are actively engaged: America's secretary of state, Colin Powell, is in almost daily contact with General Musharraf. All the Americans have to do is assure India that the Pakistani infiltration will cease; and to assure Pakistan that India will in return offer some form of concession—which could be as minimal as the opening of talks—on Kashmir. What it so impossible about that? India's underlying attitude, in short, has looked too much as though it believes that the status quo suits it fine and doesn't need to be changed substantially. Since the status quo has brought it to the brink of war, this is rash. What India should do now is to give the general some incentives, by promising that if he is seen to be cracking down hard for, say, the next two months, talks on Kashmir will be opened. An opportunity to do this will come next week, when both leaders are to attend a regional summit in Kazakhstan. Some sort of bargain seems to be in the air: the task is to bring it down to earth. The general under pressure economist.com
