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Kashmir Editorials
INDIAN PRIME MINISTER Atal Bihari Vajpayee dramatically described last week's unexpected peace overture to Pakistan as the "third and last" effort of his lifetime. That suggests historic possibility, but the overture also was well timed for short-term gain. The Indian leader revealed his intention to restore full diplomatic relations and cross-border transport links with Islamabad just a week before a visit by a senior Bush administration official who was expected to press for just such a reopening of dialogue. Mr. Vajpayee also made his move as warmer weather in the disputed territory of Kashmir facilitates a surge of infiltrations by Pakistan-based Muslim militants challenging Indian rule and a repeat of the violence that brought the countries to the brink of war last spring. If it accomplishes nothing else, Mr. Vajpayee's initiative has lessened the likelihood of another dangerous standoff between nuclear powers in the coming months. It may also give the Bush administration's envoy, Deputy Secretary of State Richard L. Armitage, a better chance of persuading Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf to keep his unfulfilled promises to stop terrorists based in his country from attacking India. In the News
Healing Kashmir (Post, Dec. 1, 2002)
Nepal's Throwback War (Post, July 21, 2002) Nepal's Throwback War (Post, July 20, 2002) Pakistan's Poor Results (Post, July 17, 2002) Addressing Kashmir (Post, June 6, 2002) Brinkmanship, With Nukes (Post, May 26, 2002) Brinkmanship, With Nukes (Post, May 25, 2002) The General's Broken Promise (Post, May 15, 2002) Mr. Musharraf in Washington (Post, Feb. 12, 2002) Mr. Musharraf Speaks (Post, Jan. 15, 2002) Face-Off in South Asia (Post, Dec. 30, 2001) © 2002-2005 The Washington Post Company |
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Kashmir Editorials