US THE DISHONEST BROKER
Like many times before, last night I saw a TV clip of Mark Toner, The Press Secretary, US government. As he spoke he did not have an eye contact with the people and, as in most cases, when he talks about Pakistan and India, he had a sheepish look.
Leaving the eye contact and the looks aside, what is said was devoid of the ground realities in Indian held Kashmir and the current situation in the Subcontinent. And I must say, he was dishonest in his intent. Here are a few things he said:
1) Pakistan and India needs to fight terrorism jointly
2) Pakistan needs to do more
3) He welcomes Indian Pakistan dialogue
He completely ignored, among other things, that:
1) The Indian occupying forces are committing atrocities against civilians and are using weapons that are banned for use on civilians
2) Thousands of Kashmiris are on the streets demanding the plebiscite as per the UN resolution, where India accepted in 1948
3) The City has been under curfew for the last two months causing hardship to civilians
4) Fundamental rights of the Kashmiris are being usurped by India
5) The interference of the Indian PM in the internal affairs of Pakistan
This is just recent and in the context of Pakistan and India. With reference to Palestine and Israel its even worse whereby Israel kills thousands of civilians, The only comment comes from the US is that Israel has the right to defend
If the US has to broker, then it must take a neutral and an honest view or should stay away from it. By taking a dishonest position, the US is hurting more its already tarnished reputation. Believe me, overtime the US will not be left be any friends and will be left alone, if it continued as it is. As things stands now, most countries and citizens around the world don’t like the US policies. It is a question of time when they start boycotting the US. The saner people in the government, intellectuals, media and at other forums must do some introspection to see where the US is headed?