The Follies of the Natives

sameerJB:
``Don`t you wish that god should have revealed his messages in mathematical forms instead of prose or poetry.``
Ah, but then, the Puppeteer wouldn`t be having the fun He is having as we perform the programmed roles assigned to us. Maybe, the Indian sages were not wrong in calling this world ``Bhagwaan kee leela``. And now, even the non-mutant children of Abraham are wondering if we are all in a programmed matrix. The only way to get out of this `maya-jaal` of the matrix is to follow the path of the Buddha.:-)

ferozk:
``Would you agree that the clarity of statements, on both sides, can be considered as a confidence building measure?``
For the peace process to succeed, it is even more important that the respective leaders understand the compulsions of their negotiating partners (yes, during negotiations, they should be considered as partners and not adversaries - this was the single biggest mistake committed by Musharraf at Agra!) and try to seek for the positive in their statements. Indeed, this was the first step I had mentioned in my roadmap in the article ``the beginning of the end of the kashmir problem``.

Alephnull, Sridhar:
The Indian system of government is different from the free-wheeling American system where the concept of party and cabinet discipline is somewhat looser than in the Parliamentary democracies, such as India. But even in the U.S, most of the disagreements are not voiced openly but aired through inspired leaks. And once the decision to proceed in Iraq was taken, even the dovish Powell went all out to defend it in the U.N.

Tipu#113
Good post. Now, I expect you to show more respect for your ancestors and their achievements in your future posts:-).

=== Interact Filtered ===
view this users filtered interacts

re: Dost-Mittar

Adversial relations is what the problem and it is very difficult to step away from it. Even though I would agree with you, I would still say that blaming Musharraf for all the problems is not going to solve the issue. We have a distinct perception of India and Indians have a perception of Pakistan and it reinforces this adversial relationship.

I can agree with you to an extent, but I will not agree to the proposition that there is no anti-Pakistani sentiments in India, as you seem to be suggesting. The problem is on both sides and cannot be geographically confined to one side of the fence.

Ciao

ferozk:
My prescriptin was meant for both sides. Let me explain: When in negotiations, even with an adversary, you become a partner with your adversary; if you succeed they succeed, if they fail, you fail. This is why both Kissinger and his Vietnamese counterpart got the Nobel prize. Musharraf forgot this cardinal principle at Agra and started scoring points over his counterparts, this is why I gave his example.

re: Dost-Mittar # 135

Thanks for a series of productive interacts. I will let you have the last word and bid you adieu, as I take a two week vacation trekking and camping. I will be back on Chowk after July 4th!

Best Wishes!

Ciao