Eqbal Ahmed Lecture by Kofi Annan

Thank you Dr Pervez, for helping us access and read this beautiful speech. I wish more of us would sincerely embrace these ideals. What an age we would create...peace, security and hope.

Someone please quench my curiosity.

Is this Eqbal Ahmed Sahib, the grandson of Allama Iqbal? If it is he, could someone be so kind as to direct me to some of his other works, publications etc.?? Thanks!

MAS

I found most of what Kofi Annan said to be quite sensible. I think he has pointed out a very important fact -the growing disparity of knowledge between the developed and the developing countries. Not only is this chasm widening, there is no process in place that can counter it. I wonder why people are not discussing this important point, and instead focussing on things which (I think) are much less important...

RE: Jagdeep,

You are right. I felt that India and Pakistan should not have done what they did, but when I say that as a citizen of Pakistan or India it is entirely different from someone saying it whose office view looks over the entire world.

Once again, if there is any confusion as to who my comments were directed towards, I will say this once more.

The article was written by someone narrating the lecture given by Kofi Anan. I noticed that the occasion was the celebration of a Pakistani but I was not responding to who and what Eqbal Ahmed is and what he stands for in this case.

Again, my response was for Kofi Anan`s hypocritical stance on the nuclear issue in Pakistan and India, that is it.

Zia sahib, I am still waiting for your response. Do please let me know if you feel that you are clear about this.

Unfortunately I have not heard of Dr Eqbal Ahmed before. But I would salute anybody who has the vision and the courage to condemn India /Pakistan for conducting nuclear tests. Those who raised such voices in India were immediately dubbed as ‘anti-national’,’Pakistani agents’ etc. and I am sure the situation in Pakistan is no different.

However it must be said that the gentleman who has vented his anger at Kofi Annan has a valid point. It cannot be denied that the legitimacy the pro-bomb lobbies in India and Pakistan acquire for these tests is provided to a large extent by the hypocritical and dishonest stance of the major nuclear powers. In this context when kofi Annan condemns the Indian/Pakistani tests without any reference to the stance of major nuclear powers and their refusal to move towards a nuclear free world then that makes him a party to that hupocracy and dishonesty.

Re: Zia

Zia sahib,

It seems that you are not aware of Mr. Anan`s accomplishments in the eyes of the US govt. for which he was awarded the post that he is at in the UN. My comments were directed specifically towards the comments made towards Pakistan and India`s recent nuclear tests. How dare he get up on a soap box and question the right of soveriegn nations to do what they want to do within their boundaries while eyeing away with sealed lips from countries in the west who have done the same and have been doing the same for the past fifty or so years. I was so disgusted as to not say enough and whatever I did say, came out in the most abusive of manners. I am sorry that the choice of my language, which I now realize was not the best, failed in the eloquency test conducted by most of you here but that was the first true reaction and it just came out the way it did. People who have seen my reactions to other articles, I hope, realize that I don`t normally write the way the first response to this article was articulated.

Hope that this answers concerns by another writer refering to me indirectly in the responses below.

it`s ironic, to say the least, that kofi annan -- a diplomat (and we all know what that means)-- was asked to deliver the first eqbal ahmed lecture. couldnt they have chosen edward said?

Re afrasiyab:

Please explain what you found irritating in the article: I`d be interested to know, and so would others, I am sure.

Just to clarify, my comments were directed towards Kofi Anan. As far as being rude is concerned, well, this is the least of what he deserves.

Afrasiyab:

As a man of letters, I found your comments vague, rude and out of place. It belongs in the niche where you well, never mind!

Heard of Ekbal Ahmed first when he led protest marches in the late sixties with Ellsberg and Rev. Berrigan. Have always admired the unique blend of activism and conviction in any individual: more so if he happens to hail from our neck of the woods.

Read him recently when he vainly, albeit eloquently and passionately wrote about why Pakistan should not test the nuclear devices.

Incidentally, where are Daniel and Philip?

regards

Tell him to shove his bakwas where the sun don`t shine. Bloody Hypocrite.