The objective of my previous blog was to highlight the selfish acts of a Pakistani Caretaker Minister Ansar Burney, it was not about the peace process between the two countries. I think both countries should 'exchange' as many prisoners as possible and develop an understanding to reduce the number of cases which result in the sufferings of 'innocent' civilians. I believe in peace and harmony in the Indo-Pak subcontinent and for that it is important to develop working relationships on all conflicts to move towards solutions. It is a fact that majority of the people in Pakistan and India are economically and socially struggling due to the effects of the volatile situation between the two countries and the people do not see each other as enemies. I have many Indian friends and I respect their culture and values and the feeling is mutual, I don’t see a reason why the governments can not get along if they are committed to the peace process.
Just as a quick follow up to my blog from March 5, 2008 I am copying a news report from the Associated Press about Kashmir Singh's confession made to the Indian Press just days after his release from the Pakistani prison. This is to further reflect the reality of Ansar Burney's actions relating to the Singh case. Kashmir Singh was convicted in a crime against the state and Mr. Burney and President 'Mr.' Musharraf have made a mockery of the legal system once again. The AP report is quoted below:
"NEW DELHI (AP): When Kashmir Singh was released from a Pakistani jail earlier this week after spending 35 years imprisoned on espionage charges, he stood at the Indian border and hugged the Pakistani minister responsible for freeing him.
The official thought he was embracing an Indian electronics salesman who entered Pakistan without a passport on a business trip and got swept up in the suspicions and enmity that have characterized the rivals' relations for 60 years.
But on Friday, three days after walking back across the border to a hero's welcome, Singh told Indian reporters: “I did the duty assigned to me as a spy ... I was a regular recruit. I did not open my mouth for 35 years in Pakistan.”
The confession turned what was meant to be a humanitarian gesture to reduce tensions and further bolster the India-Pakistan peace process into an international embarrassment for Islamabad that could endanger hundreds of prisoners on both sides held in similar circumstances.
On Saturday, Singh was trying to undo the damage of his loose talk, telling CNN-IBN, a private television news channel, that his comments were misinterpreted and he hadn't actually been a spy.
But few believe his denials, and analysts suggest the quick reversal was made in response to pressure from Indian authorities.
Singh's confession is also another blow for embattled President Pervez Musharraf, who granted Singh clemency at the request of Minister for Human Rights Ansar Burney.
“I am shocked to hear these statements,” Burney told CNN-IBN. “It will surely make it difficult for Indian prisoners in Pakistan and Pakistani prisoners in India.”
Singh's confession “certainly weakens the position of Indian prisoners in Pakistan,” said Ashok Mehta, a strategic analyst in New Delhi. “It becomes that much more difficult for the president to pardon them or give them clemency.”
“These cases are so old — we are talking about the 1960s,” said Mehta. If Singh were a fresh spy engaged in contemporary espionage, the repercussions would be more serious, he said, adding “But this is history ... I don't think this is going to negatively affect India-Pakistan relations,” he said.
Indian military officials declined to comment on Saturday.
Singh, a former policeman, apparently decided to speak out after finding his wife and son living in poverty, not cared for by Indian authorities. In a press conference on Friday in the northern city of Chandigarh, Singh described the lengths he went to in order to live undetected in Pakistan, including getting circumcised so he could pass as a Muslim, studying Urdu and adopting the name Ibrahim. While in Pakistan, he ate beef, which is forbidden in his Sikh religion, and fasted during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Singh said he crossed into Pakistan several times, and also conducted intelligence missions in Afghanistan and Iran.
Singh was arrested in 1973 in Rawalpindi. His cover story was that he was a trader in electronic goods travelling on business.
Singh was convicted of spying and sentenced to death by a military court despite repeated denials that he was a spy."
"NEW DELHI (AP): When Kashmir Singh was released from a Pakistani jail earlier this week after spending 35 years imprisoned on espionage charges, he stood at the Indian border and hugged the Pakistani minister responsible for freeing him.
The official thought he was embracing an Indian electronics salesman who entered Pakistan without a passport on a business trip and got swept up in the suspicions and enmity that have characterized the rivals' relations for 60 years.
But on Friday, three days after walking back across the border to a hero's welcome, Singh told Indian reporters: “I did the duty assigned to me as a spy ... I was a regular recruit. I did not open my mouth for 35 years in Pakistan.”
The confession turned what was meant to be a humanitarian gesture to reduce tensions and further bolster the India-Pakistan peace process into an international embarrassment for Islamabad that could endanger hundreds of prisoners on both sides held in similar circumstances.
On Saturday, Singh was trying to undo the damage of his loose talk, telling CNN-IBN, a private television news channel, that his comments were misinterpreted and he hadn't actually been a spy.
But few believe his denials, and analysts suggest the quick reversal was made in response to pressure from Indian authorities.
Singh's confession is also another blow for embattled President Pervez Musharraf, who granted Singh clemency at the request of Minister for Human Rights Ansar Burney.
“I am shocked to hear these statements,” Burney told CNN-IBN. “It will surely make it difficult for Indian prisoners in Pakistan and Pakistani prisoners in India.”
Singh's confession “certainly weakens the position of Indian prisoners in Pakistan,” said Ashok Mehta, a strategic analyst in New Delhi. “It becomes that much more difficult for the president to pardon them or give them clemency.”
“These cases are so old — we are talking about the 1960s,” said Mehta. If Singh were a fresh spy engaged in contemporary espionage, the repercussions would be more serious, he said, adding “But this is history ... I don't think this is going to negatively affect India-Pakistan relations,” he said.
Indian military officials declined to comment on Saturday.
Singh, a former policeman, apparently decided to speak out after finding his wife and son living in poverty, not cared for by Indian authorities. In a press conference on Friday in the northern city of Chandigarh, Singh described the lengths he went to in order to live undetected in Pakistan, including getting circumcised so he could pass as a Muslim, studying Urdu and adopting the name Ibrahim. While in Pakistan, he ate beef, which is forbidden in his Sikh religion, and fasted during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Singh said he crossed into Pakistan several times, and also conducted intelligence missions in Afghanistan and Iran.
Singh was arrested in 1973 in Rawalpindi. His cover story was that he was a trader in electronic goods travelling on business.
Singh was convicted of spying and sentenced to death by a military court despite repeated denials that he was a spy."
The Pakistani media has increased the pressure on Burney by extensively covering the death of a Pakistani in an Indian prison who went to India with legal documents to watch a cricket match between the two countries in 2005. This matter was brought to Burney's attention but he failed to take any effective action, perhaps he was too busy handling Kashmir Singh's case and making guest appearances as an 'Angel' in Singh's dreams.
I think the least Ansar Burney can do now is to apologize unconditionally for acts which can be termed as 'naïve' if we take a moderate approach or 'stupid' if we look at them independently and ' criminal' if we take a nationalistic view. He must also resign from his caretaker office before it expires when the new government comes in. His attempt to gain instant international stardom has failed miserably and he might consider doing something real to improve the human rights situation in Pakistan to be considered for the 'coveted' prize he is chasing.
