Solidarity with Iraq
Sir,
The world
wide denouncement of America -- Britain sponsored bombing
of Iraq is commendable. People, cutting across national
boundaries termed this an onslaught on Iraq's sovereignty
and showed their solidarity with Iraqi people. The
effigies of Clinton and Tony Blair were set to fire and
the demonstrations turned violent in several countries.
Though bulk of American society backed Clinton but the
simmering disapproval too, is discernible in sporadic but
impressive demonstrations in American streets against
him.
This
spontaneous outburst against American dictatorship is
imparalled and undoubtedly implies that people cannot be
hoodwinked for long. The official response though was
well-calculated yet several countries exhibited moral and
political courage to question the authority of America.
China and Russia missed the historical opportunity of
daring the bullying of America. Russia's call back
Ambassador drama ended in a fiasco, further confirming
the fact that it is now a toothless Tiger, groaning out
of past habit.
The
nationalism demonstrated by Iraqi people is perhaps
having few parallels in human history. A whole generation
of children is wiped out. Nearly five lakh children have
died following acute shortage of medical facilities and
nutrition. The economy stands desparately shattered but
the will of Iraqi people is invincible.
America has
sent a hard hitting message through this invasion that
"No country is soverign and no boundary sacred for
American missiles". It can hit any country on a
flimsy pretext. It is high time for world leaders to
think who will be the next target of America. The message
has more serious implications for certain nations who
dare the dictations of Uncle Sam.
The tiny
nation Iraq too, sends a message very unambiguously that
even a superpower flanked by its near superpower status
friends, armed with modern sophisticated war technology,
cannot cow down a single nation if its people are well
united, conscious of the nefarious designs of aggressors
and are armed with iron like will power.
Eight years
of inspection questions the credibility, efficiency and
motives of Inspectors. Various investigations have been
made into the Iraqi Soil, knowing it well that nuclear
and chemical weapons need spacious storing facilities,
but still the green signal to uplift sanctions is nowhere
in sight.
The blantant
sidetracking of United Nations is unprecedented. Mr Kofi
Annan went on record to say "it is the saddest day
of my life". It remains to be seen if he calls a
meeting of General Body and pulls up defiant American and
Britain. The official stand of Arab nations, though
smacks of communalism, yet proves to be shot in the arm
for Iraqi leadership and people.
Though future
shrouds in mystery and uncertainty, the carving out of
so-called "No fly zones" from Iraqi territory
is an attack on Iraqi people's self respect and dignity.
The present low key partners of America and Britain are
deceptive but certainly Mr Clinton and Tony read and the
public opinions written on the walls. They saw the
unfavourable winds blowing and had to abruptly cease
"operation desert fox" termed by international
community as "operation Lewinsky". America
fought and lost the war without even a token resistance
from Iraq. Its declared aim of toppling or killing Saddam
Hussain is still as distant a dream as it was in 1991.
Our political leadership must apprise the common man of
pressure tactics of superpower. The passage of Patent
Bill and go ahead signal to multinationals in Insurance
Sector is actually indigestible, keeping in wind
pro-Swadeshi stand of ruling party. The nondisclosure of
diplomatic US pressure will be detrimental to the
political, social and economic health of this nation. The
Iraq like transparency is required to win people's
confidence who are the greatest asset of a country.
Yours etc.......
Shastri T.R. Sharma
Keshav Nagar II, R.S. Pura.
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