British-Pakistani Relations
"A frank discussion will enable us to rediscover a bit of serenity. That is why I will not cancel my visit to London despite this serious accusation. The relations between our two countries are old and sufficiently solid for that." Pakistan's President Asif Ali ZardariWell yes, Pakistan is part of the British Commonwealth. The country inherited many of its values by historical-cultural-osmosis, as it was part of India under the British Raj. Britain's imperialistic and often quite salutary administrative beneficence left its former colonies with a good understanding and practise of jurisprudence and Democracy.
And members of the former British colonies have an especial place in the heart of Great Britain. Just as they have fond and not-so-fond traditions and memories relating to their natural resources having benefited Britain. Still there exist close and fond bonds between the former colonies and their once colonial master.
Great Britain is the beneficiary of Pakistan's fondness, seen in the presence in the country of many Muslims of Pakistani origin, now proud British citizens, resident in the country. From among whom emerge multitudes of British-accented, restive youth looking askance at Britain, from the perspective of romantic violent jihad.
The reason President Zardari is so anxious to speak to the new British Prime Minister, David Cameron, is because of a very undiplomatic statement that issued from Mr. Cameron's mouth, casting aspersions on Pakistan's dedication to battling terrorism. What, Pakistan? Perish the thought; those Saudi-financed madrasses merely teach orthodoxy of religion - just incidentally the beauty residing in jihad.
And the military, and the ISI? Well, they do dabble in training camps for jihadis, they do, it is true, encourage terror groups to focus attention on diabolical India, to think Kashmir and Mumbai, for example, and to wreak whatever terror they can manage, when not focusing on Afghanistan. President Zardari's nationalist feelings have been trodden upon.
He is prepared to inform Mr. Cameron "to his face - that (it) is my country that is paying the highest price in human life for this war (on terrorism)" and that the British Prime Minister was simply quite wrong in characterizing Pakistan as he did; exporting terrorism throughout the world, playing both sides of the game.
If, however, that might be true, well then, it would be well to recall that Pakistan has modelled itself on Britain. And even now, it is being universally recognized that from within Britain itself, vulnerable British youth from Pakistani origins have been recruited into jihad by the fiery mullahs who preach their intolerant religious belligerence in British mosques.
Touche, touche.
Labels: Britain, Middle East, Political Realities, Terrorism, Traditions, World Crises
posted by Pieface @ Thursday, August 05, 2010
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