M A I L B A G

US blaming others for its blunders

In his article, “Arabs against Iran’s N-plan” (Feb 12), K Subrahmanyam has advocated that India should go with Russia and China to extend its support to the US in preventing Iran from going nuclear. Reason? Nuclear Iran would sharpen sectarian divide in West Asia. This is how Sunni Arab states in West Asia perceive and that is why these states have approached the US not to withdraw from Iraq.

What an argument! Before the US invasion, Iraq was peaceful. Under Saddam it acted as a buffer between Sunni states and Shia Iran. Even the US supported Saddam to keep Iran in its place. Without losing a single soldier. Saddam was its best friend and best bet in fulfilling US’ strategic designs. It was a sensible policy.

But, shortsighted US under George Bush, disregarding world opinion, supported by Britain, Australia, and other willing partners, invaded Iraq and dislodged its rulers, had Saddam and his close associates hanged, thereby bringing instability in the otherwise peaceful region. Now, the US has lost more than 3,000 soldiers in Iraq. The US government is confused and blaming others for its self-inflicted cuts and wounds.

Why can’t Iran go nuclear, when its neighbour Pakistan has succeeded in becoming one with US connivance? Pakistan is a nursery of fundamentalism, fanaticism and on its soil terrorists are trained, armed, funded and supported for doing heinous crimes in India and Afghanistan. Surprisingly, Pakistan gets financial and material support from the US in the garb of being an ally of the US against terrorism. What duplicity!

The US runs with the hare and hunts with the hound and creates avoidable conflicts. It must not only be honest, fair and just but appear to be so for restoring peace.

K.K. PRASHAR, Hamirpur

Peace in Lanka

H.K. Dua’s article “Not by quick-fix: Sri Lanka needs healing touch” (March 6) is timely. Though the suggestion for “healing touch” is welcome, one does not know to what extent it is practicable. There is no letup in the bloodshed and even India failed to resolve the ethnic crisis is Sri Lanka at the appropriate time. The LTTE assassinated Rajiv Gandhi.

Why were the Tamils allowed to settle there illegally? Now that they have settled there, it will be very difficult for the government to expel or repatriate them to India.

The LTTE led by Prabhakaran should shun violence and come forward to join the mainstream. President Rajapaksa should not go in for a military solution of the problem as that will only exacerbate violence and will not restore peace. India should warn Lanka not to exacerbate tension and to strive for peace.

SHER SINGH, Ludhiana

II

I endorse the writer’s view that Sri Lanka’s survival as a united country lies in the synthesis between democracy and pluralism. If the present positions of Sinhala and LTTE harden, these will be crushed by the United Nations, the Yugoslavian way.

Sri Lanka needs a bicameral legislature: Parliament consisting of elected legislators and the House of Nationalities comprising Sinhala and the LTTE, having equal members, among others. Parliament should be empowered to decide controversial issues through  consensus.

PRAN SALHOTRA, Gurdaspur

III

Divisive forces are trying to tear the island nation apart. Prabhakaran and his LTTE should heed Mr Dua’s sage counsel and come to the negotiating table for peaceful resolution of the ethnic crisis. Prabhakaran does not have the fundamental right to take the gun and disrupt peace in the island.

Continued violence has disrupted development. It is time for Prabhakaran and President Rajapaksa to see reason and resolve the crisis across the table.

NIRBHAI SINGH, Bholewal Quadeem (Ludhiana)

Conserve water

Water has been rightly called the nectar of life. It is sad to see water being wasted in Kurukshetra. It seems to be a problem of plenty here, thanks to the Municipal Corporation which has installed taps in main markets, bazars and every street or lane, big and small. Taps begin water supply from around 4 a.m., sometimes even at 3 a.m. Most collect drinking water from the taps installed in bazaars and streets, but don’t bother to close the taps.

Some shopkeepers wash the roads in front of their shops with this water which is not charged by the Corporation. Through loud speakers, the district administration should educate people not to waste water. The erring citizens should be fined to act as deterrent.

SANJEEV GAUR, Kurukshetra