The Guardian reported this week on documents that find Pakistani Intelligence Agency (ISI) to have been involved with the 26-11 Mumbai terror attacks of 2008. The document is a report of the interrogation of suspect David Headley.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/oct/18/pakistan-isi-mumbai-terror-attacks
Headley claims that ISI not only met with the LeT but also partially financed two of their missions. ISI officials have denied it and it is being said that perhaps the top-ranked officials were "unaware of atleast the scale of the planned strike." Also, Headley's wife stated that she approached the FBI to report her husband's activities but was ignored.
In the wake of all of this, there is going to be a lot of anger and justifiably so. I'm very torn on this issue. I'd like to know why the ISI is not being held accountable for their actions. I think the United States fancies themselves as the "neutral" parent to two fighting children. If they don't want to "pick a side," that's fine. This is not a playground. What concerns me is that more and more administrations are choosing to stay quiet and be "politically correct" rather than condemn that which is wrong.
Is it solely an India-Pakistan thing? Because when Israeli soldiers brutally attacked an aid ship a few months ago, the Obama administration condemned Israel, a US ally.
When the Twin Towers were attacked, Americans sprang into action. President Bush said he would "go get the people who did this" and a war on terror was declared. Less than a month later on October 7, the US Army marched into Afghanistan. The same administration told Indians to be calm, rational, and not act too quickly when over 160 people were killed by armed militants. These men snuck onto Indian soil and brutally shot men, women, and children. Many claim that the attacks were about religion. But it wasn't just Hindus that died. A Jewish center was among the places attacked. Americans and Britons also died that day.
Last month, I criticized the Indian government for not being more cooperative with Pakistan on the Kashmir issue. I'm starting to understand a little more now why they are so resistant. In light of all this, I find myself wondering if peace is even on Pakistan's agenda.
I'd like to make clear that I have nothing against the people of Pakistan. From what I've read, seen, and heard, the Pakistani government is an inaccurate representation of its people. It would be wrong to hold the citizens of any nation accountable for the actions of their government.
I may hold citizenship in the US but India is the country of my birth and has shaped my identity and my outlook. I will never apologize for denouncing attacks on India or her people. Moreover, as an educated individual, I have the guts to speak out when that which is precious to me is threatened. Do you?
"That which is morally wrong can never be politically right." -Khushwant Singh
