GPS "Gaffe Par Sans" of Fareed Zakaria.
Shakir Mumtaz
November 24, 2009
For few months however, I sensed a shift in his approach, which may be due to a shift in CNN policy or sudden awakening of an Indian in him. He started presenting the point of view of those who are master of distortions such as Niall Ferguson and some others.
(Read my article "From Axis of Evil to Axis of Upheaval")
In the last segment of Nov, 15th he highlighted the "Mumbai attack" story--- which I dubbed as Indian 9/11" in one of my articles.---in which he aired the conversation between the alleged terrorists and their handler in Pakistan.
I was baffled not by the conversation itself but by the crude justification presented to make believe that it was between two Pakistanis of Punjabi origin.
The justification was that Indian intelligence was able to sell some cell phone "sim cards" to the suspected terrorist. The intelligence agency, therefore, was able to record the conversation due to the known frequencies of these sim cards.
Bravo! What an achievement! Indian intelligence was able to sell the sim cards to them but was not able to apprehend them and stop the carnage. Does it make any sense to anyone?
Yet another point, that they were talking in Urdu language with Punjabi/Hindco type pronunciation. Why were they not talking in their native language instead? Were they not coached to talk in Urdu to generate mass audience and credibility as a propaganda technique? Does the conversation prove anyhow that the handler was in Pakistan and not in India?
With the documentary evidence presented to CIA Chief, on his most recent visit to Pakistan, by Pakistanis about Indian involvement in terrorist activities in Sindh and other areas of Pakistan, would it not be a strong possibility that Indian cooked this whole thing and colluding CNN aired it at the crucial time to deflect the attention from the facts thereby preempting the public opinion favorable to India???
Fareed tarnished his image by exercising poor judgment in his "Desh Bhugti wrap" patriotism for India. I wonder if CNN would take a serious look into this ridiculous GAFFE.
For this Sunday he went running to India to interview Dr. Man Mohan Singh. If it was just for a normal interview the efforts put would have been laudable, but the way he was trying to put the words in P.M mouth was very despicable. His un-canonical behavior put his efforts in the box of yellow, partisan journalism. Or rather in the group of conscience less stooges of Indian Courts. One could clearly see him desperately trying to get Dr. Man Mohan Singh trash Pakistan in street language.
Although, in my opinion, Dr Man Mohan is very balanced person, but when presented with an opportunity on an international forum Like CNN and the host is a Desh Bhugat Indian, who could resist the temptation of hurling some slurs on his sworn enemy.
Although, Fareed exposed himself in a very crude fashion during the interview. The impetus clearly was the preemption of the public opinion in India´s favor, as CNN, evidently being an Indian Israeli Colluding Network, does not lose any chance to glorify India as part of its adopted strategy.
Freed addressed the PM as the great and esteemed economist, which he surely is. One must, however be wondering if he is really so great an economist and happens to be the PM of India; the world´s biggest democracy, then why India is "the Poorest country" "housing the biggest slum in the world?" falling even behind Burkina Faso, the poorest of poor country and would need 3 Centuries to get out of misery and hunger?
Freed also lamented as to why India is not developing like China?
The reply given simply adds upto, "shut up stupid, we are not China, we are India" we have different systems and our democracy is slow and China´s system is more efficient for that kind of developments.
PM was realistic enough, during the interview, to cough up some very sobering remarks, such as, "If India could continue to be a functioning democracy" In my opinion, Lurking somewhere in the back of PM´s mind was the dreadful golden temple carnage, recent Gujrat genocide of Muslims and the demolition of Christian Churches and rape of Christian Nuns, and also the numerous potential secessionist movements raging through out India.
A fear seems bothering the CNN strategists, which Freed seems sharing as well, that President Obama´s leaning in agreement with General McChrystal´s point of view: that without sincere and genuinely solid relations with Pakistan there could not be any kind of success possible in Afghanistan, be it instituting friendly government or exit strategy. Also that Indian involvement in Afghanistan need to be curbed as it is destabilizing the region and is counterproductive to US strategic interests.
Freed raising a question, in the backdrop of change of US Presidency, concerning a possible shift in the nuclear technology co-operation between India and US, is a good indicator of intensity of concerns and the activation of the all out propaganda machinery.
Indian Lobby had been very successful in getting some conditionalities added in Kerry/Lugar aid Package to Pakistan, by portraying Pakistan as a crumbling state and the possibilities of its Nuclear arms falling into the hands of rouge elements. It was also, partly, due to the admittedly shameless role of some of Pakistani/American US-shoe lickers.
Now, conversely, there is very genuine concern that President Obama might really borrow a page from Regan´s book this time.
India wants to see Pakistan destabilized, weaker and permanently entangled in insurgency like situation so that India could steal its water resources, suppress the freedom movement in Kashmir, break Bluchistan away like East Pakistan (Now Bangladesh) and prepare the ground for de-nuking it. Ultimate goal is the establishment of its hegemony in the region.
Freed also conjured up the notion that there has developed a strong camaraderie between aging Dr. Man Mohan Singh and young President Obama. This notion seems self deceptive and delusional, like an ostrich burying his head in the sand to ward off the immanent danger; here it is the new thinking in the White House. What a creative GAFFE!
Which notion is true! Camaraderie or the new thinking? Only President can shed some light on it. It is beyond Fareed´s pale.
I will end this peace on a positive note that Indian people of the Indian sub continent, despite abject poverty in Hindustan, and lack of opportunities across the board, are not only surviving but also spearheading in many fields with ingenious inventions, which is duly laudable.
I would also not hesitate, with the apology to those who may take an offense due to sentimentality or unrealistic sense of patriotism; to further the idea that balkanization of India is the solution to the miseries of countless people. It would be like a managed care plan (one smaller country of its own for each nation, who is forced to live under one flag) which could eventually and at much faster pace develop into major plan. (An independent fully functional vibrant country with its own resources and control).
I would also like to suggest some kind of Federation or Unification between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which would end the Pashtoon problem at best. Afghanistan shall no longer be a landlocked isolated un-developable country. Unification or inclusion into the federation would bring this isolated region into the mainstream.
Kashmir issue once again has proved its resilience and despite Indian "denial hysteria affliction" seems to be getting the acute attention of the decision makers. There seems to be growing realization that prohibition of "K" word for the US envoy was most ridiculous an idea and issue need be tackled head on. As a matter of fact it has gained the prominence of centrality for the overall peace and stability in the region; which is vital for the regional players such as Pakistan, China and Afghanistan and others, as well as the western stake holders-especially USA.
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