THE UNITED STATES
Secretary of State Powell engaged in extensive shuttle diplomacy to prevent war between India
and Pakistan following the December attack by Pakistan-based militants against the Indian
parliament.  Now, Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld is continuing efforts toward a negotiated
settlement.

Yet, when the Taliban offered to negotiate with the US following the 9-11 attack, President Bush
responded, “when I said no negotiations, I meant no negotiations.”  Apparently, it’s okay for the
US to respond militarily but not India.

But there is more to this equation.  India and Pakistan are nuclear powers.  The message is clear
to other nations, acquire nuclear weapons if you want the US to take you seriously.

And so war and the arms race continue, and we are made ever more insecure.

INDIA & PAKISTAN
The conflict between India and Pakistan is edging ever closer to a nuclear war.  Both President
Musharrraf of Pakistan and Prime Minister Vajpayee of India are banging the war drums.
Recently, Pakistan tested its third missile in as many days, emphasizing its ability to deliver
nuclear weapons to the large Indian city Delhi in under three minutes.  Vajpayee told the
700,000 troops stationed along the border of Pakistan that he was preparing for “a decisive
victory.”

While India has stated that it will only use its nuclear bombs in the case of a nuclear attack,
Pakistan has made clear that it will strike first if threatened by India’s superior conventional
forces.  There is reason to believe that Pakistan will follow through on this policy: in 1999, such
an attack was narrowly averted despite the protest of then-General Musharraf.

A nuclear exchange between India and Pakistan could kill 12 million people.  Additionally, the
trade winds above the two countries are ideally situated to spread radioactive fallout around the
globe.

Assuming either nation survived the attacks, it’s unlikely that the conflict would be resolved.
Instead of pushing their countries toward Armageddon, Mr. Vajpayee and Mr. Musharraf must
re-establish diplomatic ties, disavow the use of nuclear weapons under any circumstances, and
work toward a comprehensive agreement on the future of Kashmir.

For more information re Kashmir and US interest in the region see
http://9-11peace.org/kashmir.php3
 

ACTION
Join concerned citizens around the world in sending a message to both leaders to step back from
the brink of holocaust, including adding your own comments if desired:
http://www.moveon.org/nonukesoverkashmir