September 23, 2004
 

Charles de Gaulle II spoke at the UN General Assembly yesterday and primarily focussed on building up a dark scenario of an iron curtain descending between the West and the Islamic World [ed: I wonder where India figures in that categorization] if "legitimate" and internationally recognized disputes [ed: obviously alluding to Palestine and Kashmir here!] were not handled sensitively. [ed: obviously to the satisfaction of the Islamic world, who he seems to be trying to represent. Since when did Pakistan become the spokesperson for the OIC?]. He speaks of Pakistan recognizing the right of Israel to exist, but wants Israel to revert to pre-1967 boundaries. I wonder if he'll agree to apply the same logic to Kashmir - pre 1948 or pre 1975 positions. Does Pak have diplomatic relns with Israel? I remember he had proposed it last year, I wonder if it bore fruit.

Its interesting that he mentions that trade, and not just aid, is the way to promote growth and benefit from globalization. Yet Pakistan continues to dampen India's efforts at provoking more intra-SAARC trade through the SAFTA. Absence of MFN status to India means that prices of goods continue to be high and also ensuring that trade barriers exist to the detriment of consumers across the sub-continent, specifically India and Pakistan.

He takes potshots at India's aspirations to get a permanent berth on the UN Security Council and seeks the inclusion of small & medium states [ed: obviously meaning Pakistan?] in the UNSC. Even more interestingly, he takes on the US when he talks about the need for multi-lateralism based on the UN Charter!

All in all, I suppose a far less vitriolic speech than last year or 2002. Perhaps he's aware that India will call his bluff if he doesnt act responsibly.

Labels: jammu and kashmir