More than 8 million people live in the India held Kashmir region which borders Pakistan and 2 recent wars have been fought over this land, one in 1947 and in 1965. Both times Indias larger population and forces prevailed. In a move similar to that of the USSR, India diluted the primarily Muslim population by importing Hindus from the South.
As they feel more and more pressure the Muslims are demanding the right to hold plebiscite one that was man dated in 1948 by the U.N. In a conflict that is similar to that of the Palestinians and the Israelis where nearly 50 years after the Brits partitioned the countries, the people are demanding the right self-determination. India has ignored this demand in favor to the Shimla agreements which would allow India and Pakistan to work out the issues between themselves. India has the advantage here since Pak had the proviso losing the 1971 war. Pak has dragged its feet tit hurt the Muslims in Kashmir by an attempt to make a U.N settlement.
Most Kashmiris who consider the Shimla agreement think of it as bogus.
Many feel that i am time for new UN involvement. The first move would be to send in a UN. Peace keeping force. Then, after a full debate with the Kashmiri rebels, India and Pak participating, would allow and accept the results of a UN, and supervised plebiscite.
The religious polarization which has occurred since 1947 now pits the Muslim majority of Kashmir against the almost entirely Hindu nation of India. The rebellion has resulted in almost 30,000 deaths in just 2 years. A regional military paramilitary force that numbers 350,000-430,000 has consistently controlled the area with documented repressive measures that are often condoned by special legislative measures of the Indian parliament. Very lite is actually known since groups such as Asia Watch and Amnesty not have been denied access to the area by the Indian govt. Ironically, the U.S. position now favors India ~ inspite of decades of anti-American sentiment. The State Dept. seems intimidated by the 800million Hindu ration and now claims it support the Shimla agreement. Currently the U.S. defense dept. is moving towards military agreements, Recent visits by high ranking U.S. officials negotiating joint activities and revising the hardcore roles of the 20 years of an Indian Soviet partnership. This has further upset the delicate balance of power between India and Pak.
Pak, a country that supported the American assisted Afghan freedom fighters against the Soviets now finds itself under U.S. congressional assault. Pro Indian Rep Steven Solarz verbally castigates Pak. attempts at self defence and Larry Pressler push for an amendment against nuclear proliferation is from the former stance that supported U.S. educated Benazir Bhutto.
The most frightening prospect in the possibility put forth by former president Nixon that predicts an ugly nuclear that may happen in the long term.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 28, 1992
