South Asian Free Media Conference-IV

South Asian Free Media Association November 20-21, 2004, Lahore Pakistan

Media Reconciliation

in South Asiaand

Edited and Published by: South Asian Free media Association (SAFMA)

& Peace

Peace Not WarTalks Not Violence

Flexibility Not RigidityCooperation Not Subjugation

Development Not MilitarizationEquality Not Hegemony

Freedoms Not RepressionSimultaneity Not Selectivity

Tolerance Not Impatience Appreciation Not Demonization

Code

Independence Not Embedded-ness

Objectivity Not Propaganda

Neutrality Not Partiality

Authenticity Not Speculation

All-sidedness Not One-sidedness

Caution Not Hate

Contextulization Not Stereotyping

Respect Not Defamation

Glimmer of Peace: M. ZiauddinIce is Melting: Imtiaz Alam

Pakistan Open to Journalists: President Pervez MusharrafSession-I Report: Hussain NaqiReconciliation in the Sub-continent: Najam SethiExternal and Internal Factors: C. Raja MohanMedia for Peace: Mohammad WaseemReconciliation in South Asia: Gokul PokhrelSession-II Report: Dileep PadgonkarThree Faces of American Journalism: Bertrand PecqueriePost 9/11: Independence of Media: Zahid HussainDefending the Profession: Christopher WarrenFreedom of Expression: Dr. Anne-Christine HabbardSession-III Report People Need Peace: Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood KasuriMedia and Reconciliation in South Asia: Rita ManchandaPeace to Reduce Media Rivalry: Khalid AhmedSAARC and Peace: Mahbubul AlamConflict in Nepal: Yubaraj GhimireMedia and Peace in Sri Lanka: Ranga Kalansoorya

Lahore Declaration: Media and Reconciliation Processes in South Asia

Media and Reconciliation Process in Sri Lanka: Lakshman Gunasekara

Concluding Remarks: Reazuddin AhmedSAFMA Memorandum of Association (Constitution)Secretary General's Report Keeping Peace Momentum: K. K. Katyal

Dialogue, Not Bullet: Maulana Fazlur Rahman: Mushahid Hussain: Aitezaz Ahsan: Tehmina Daultana:

Commission for Nepal: Gopal Thapaliya

thSuccess of SAFMA's 4 South Asian Free Media Conference on 'Media and Reconciliation (Processes) in South Asia', at Lahore, was yet another milestone in our struggle to bring the media, governments and the people closer on the issues of peace. The event was the culminating point of our successive conferences on the themes of cooperation and inter and intrastate conflicts around the region to push our agenda of reconciliation forward by engaging media and other stakeholders.

The conference assumed added significance against the backdrop of Pakistani and Indian scribes' visit to both sides of the Line of Control. This conference evaluated the ongoing or stalled reconciliation processes, role of media in promoting or obstructing dtente and reflected upon the state of freedom of expression and independence of media in the post-9/11 period. Since it was SAFMA's annual conference, organizational issues, constitutional amendments and work-plans were also deliberated upon. The conference, with unanimity, re-elected Secretary General for another term.

Concerned about a less than incremental process of composite dialogue between India and Pakistan, the delegates were unanimous in their demand for making the process much more meaningful and rewarding. Resorting to old ways, rigidities and point-scoring, it was felt, could take the subcontinent back to the square one. The process needs a boost from the political leadership to unshackle bureaucratic stranglehold and get out of the box. Overwhelming view was for keeping confidence building measures (CBMs) separate from the respective contentious stands on strategic issues and sorting out ancillary issues without blowing them out of proportion. In the meanwhile, the delegates emphasized, India and Pakistan must evolve a paradigm of long-term partnership that must facilitate the resolution of perennial issues, such as the dispute over Kashmir, in a broader fraternal and regional framework.

Suspension of the negotiation process between the Sri Lankan government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam is alarming and it has not yet revived despite the havoc brought by tsunami. While the Ceasefire Agreement, the conference emphasized, needs to be strengthened and an interim administration ought to be created, the dialogue process must be resumed and taken to a logical conclusion. Similarly, a political settlement of the constitutional crisis and Maoist insurgency in Nepal is most urgently needed, given the fragility of the state and society. The differences between Bangladesh and India also warrant a composite process of negotiations before they become intractable.

The conference provided a sense of direction and called upon the South Asian media fraternity to rise above their nationalist positions and play an active role in building bridges, narrowing differences and promoting understanding. It is hoped the governments in South Asia will allow free movement of journalists, as announced by President Pervez Musharraf, to perform a historic role in bringing the region together.

Imtiaz AlamSecretary General, SAFMA

Rising above divides Contents

he media have acquired a highly critical and decisive role in human development and progress of civil societies. By taking up popular and at times what appear to them the right causes, the media have served as a subliminal instrument of societal change. But they have Tvery rarely played the role SAFMA is trying to play in decisively

influencing the reconciliation process in South Asia.

SAFMA Secretary-General Mr Imtiaz Alam is trying through the SAFMA movement to turn the media from being a mirror of society into a highly influential political power broker. Many of my colleagues and I still have a lot of difficulty in reconciling with the role Mr Alam is trying to define for the media in the region.

Only those who have practiced the profession with some dedication over the years and tried to achieve credibility for their pens and cameras would know the challenges and difficulties that face the media in this reconciliatory role.

Every story, even a simple story of a road accident, has many sides. You can have the end of the day, we are still answering our friends' queries as to who did all the facts at your disposal but still come up with only a few sides of the story the selection, what were the criteria and who funded the visit. And then because of time and space constraints. And then there is a human side to it as well. there is this observation never far from our friends' lips: SAFMA has A newsworthy story conforming to the professional criteria may be interesting served some clandestine purpose of one intelligence agency willingly or and informative for a wide audience but could hurt and pain someone. unknowingly or it was encouraged by another to undertake the journey. I What sounds like highly patriotic and nationalistic story or editorial in one believe in transparency and so, I would be the last person to refuse to country could sound more like tendentious propaganda by another. Or what respond to such remarks. appears in a neighbouring country a reconciliatory piece of writing or TV programme could be interpreted by the establishment in the host country as The challenges and the difficulties facing SAFMA in its declared task are traitorous. indeed many and they will continue to test the patience and the skill of the

dedicated journalists from the seven SAARC countries forming the core of And take for example a recent visit of 16 Pakistani and Kashmiri journalists SAFMA. That is the downside of it all. organized by the SAFMA to the Indian-administered Kashmir. A lot of thought and organization had gone into preparing this event. Even the selection of But the upside of the story is that the regional environment today is just journalists assessing their knowledge and work on the issue and their ability to right for what SAFMA is trying to achieve. Like the leadership in SAARC, articulate and present through their medium their observations during the visit especially the leadership in India and Pakistan, the members of SAFMA to Pakistani audience was taken up with a seriousness of purpose. However, at too are reaching out to grasp the glimmer of peace.

Glimmer of Peace

M. ZiauddinPresident, SAFMA, Pakistan

1 2

On behalf of South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) and on my own

thbehalf I welcome you to 4 South Asian Free Media Conference on 'Media and Reconciliation (Processes) in South Asia'.

SAFMA has the honor to have President Pervez Musharraf twice as chief guest at our two South Asian Free Media conferences, including the founding conference. Personally I admire the chief guest for his leading role in the war against terrorism at the risk of his own life. Even if I would never fail to remind him how complex this fight is which requires a more comprehensive and sustained response. As SAFMA's Secretary General I appreciate his pro-active role in taking forward the peace process and the composite dialogue with India. It requires great courage that he has undoubtedly exhibited in initiating a debate on the options on Kashmir, he and Indian Prime Minister Mr Manmohan Singh had agreed to explore on September 24 and to quote Mr Singh 'think out of the box'.

This conference is taking place at a time when the composite dialogue between India and Pakistan is entering the second round of crucial talks, including the backdoor diplomacy on Kashmir, the efforts to sort out differences between India and Bangladesh have not made any substantive progress, the negotiations between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE) have remained stalled amid an uneasy ceasefire and the crisis in Nepal continues with no signs of resumption of talks between His Majesty's government and the Maoists and the Palace and political parties to solve the constitutional crisis.

Having held regional conferences on Access to and Free Flow of Information at Rawalpindi on January 3-4, 2004, Regional Conference on 'Gender and Media' at Kathmandu on June 26-27, Conference on 'Regional Cooperation in South Asia' at Dhaka on August 20-21, Regional Conference on 'Interstate Conflicts in South Asia' at New Delhi on October 9-10 and Regional Conference on 'Intrastate Conflicts in South Asia' at Colombo on November 6-7, we have come to the

Imtiaz Alam

thculminating point of this 4 SAFMA palpable/short-term and our bigger/long-term interests as people, civil societies and nation-states and above all conference on 'Media and Reconciliation this great region of ours -- South Asia. We have to draw from the immense reservoir of fraternity and shared history (Processes) in South Asia' to push our of our region, rather than a negative jurisprudence, and take lead from the aspirations of the people who want agenda for peace and conflict resolution. nothing but peace and prosperity. The South Asian Free Media Conference-IV on 'Media and Reconciliation In the wake of globalization and information revolution, South Asia is left far behind in catching up with the strides (Processes) in South Asia' will focus on of scientific and technological revolution. As regional groupings prepare to meet the challenges of globalization to the ongoing reconciliation processes in mediate better share for their economies in the word system under WTO, a new realization is dawning on the South

ththe region, evaluate the role of media in Asian nations to put their house in order. At the 12 SAARC Summit, as India and Pakistan agreed to resume this regard and also reflect upon the composite dialogue on the sidelines, the member countries signed a framework agreement on creating South Asian independence of media in the post-9/11 Free Trade Area (SAFTA), a Social Charter and endorsed the report by Independent Commission for Poverty period, especially after the aggression Alleviation (ISACPA). The economic logic and the imperatives of regional development and cooperation have and occupation of Iraq. More than 225 begun to dictate their terms to the conflict ridden South Asian nations. The ideas of South Asian community, delegates from South Asia and common market, uniform tariffs, harmonious customs, compatible exchange rates, monetary union, regional representative of international media energy grid, regional mechanism for water dispute management, transnational communication and physical from International Federation of infrastructures and South Asian parliament are now increasingly informing the policymakers and the citizenry to Journalists, World Editors Forum, take a broader look at the issues facing the people. Even conflict resolution is being seen from a regional Reporters San Frontiers, Aljazeera perspective. Television and International Federation of Human Rights and many observers Living in cold war times, the parties to the conflict and the nation states resisted the ideas of free flow of from civil society will participate in the information across frontiers and tried to obstruct an unstoppable flow of information in the age of information deliberations. The Conference will also revolution. Restrictions on access to and free flow of information within and across borders increased come out with strong support for the misunderstandings, deepened misconceptions and accentuated differences. The governments used all tricks -- success of composite dialogue between very subtle and not so subtle-- to make national media subservient to the official line and those who refused to India and Pakistan, urgency to revive become an appendage and dissented were punished, sidelined or humiliated. Media, in most cases, became dialogue between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE, initiation of a serious dialogue between Bangladesh and India and resumption of talks between the Maoists and the Nepalese government.

The ice on all sides is melting, but not as swiftly as the people of South Asia wish. However, despite a slow pace of and hiccups in the reconciliation processes in South Asia, the parties to all inter- and intra-state conflicts now realise the need for a peaceful resolution through negotiations. They have learnt that conflicts bring misery to the people and devastation to the land. Given our bitter past, we have yet to learn the etiquettes of negotiations, imbibe the ethos of peace, w i l l i n g n e s s f o r f l e x i b i l i t y a n d accommodation and far-sightedness to d i f f e r e n t i a t e b e t w e e n t h e

SAFMA and its 4th Conference

Ice Melting is

3 4

Free and independent media, access to and free flow of information is not only a pre-requisite for growth of a dynamic civil society, socio-economic development, investment and trade, good governance, transparency, accountability and people's empowerment, but also for conflict management, conflict reduction and conflict resolution. But, unfortunately, it was not realized by most of the governments in our region and most big media houses who preferred commercial gains over public interest. The media are supposed to be a watchdog. Exposure by media-persons i rked a lmost a l l governments in South Asia. Journalists remained under attack in our region and little was done to bring media laws in h a r m o n y w i t h t h e d e m a n d s o f information revolution or in conformity with the right to know and freedom of expression. Secrecy, confidentiality and so-called state interests a hallmark of co lonia l ru le worshiped by our bureaucracies-- continued to deny the people their fundamental right to know and, consequently, distort decision-making and implementation processes.

Access to and the free flow of information is vital to the capacity of media and the citizenry for conflict reduction, human security, poverty alleviation and human development through participatory g o v e r n a n c e . T h i s i n v o l v e s t h e achievement of higher levels of awareness, transparency, accountability and reduction in conflict and corruption.

instrumental in fanning nationalisms and demonizing the other side. By selling hate material against the other It is critical to the functioning of side, media, consequently, became a prisoner of their own device which they misconceived as a good selling point democracy, and it is an important while assuming as if the national interest were better served by vulgarizing the other side. The Anglo-American regulatory mechanism for the economy. It media, in the meanwhile, by having embedded to blind retaliation and aggressive militarism in the post-9/11 enables people to protect and exercise period set a dangerous example for those who in our part of the world have never been at ease with whatever their rights and responsibilities and to relative independence media have mustered. Yet, it will be unfair not to acknowledge the contribution being actively participate in development made by an increasing number of media persons and outfits who continue to respond to the call of their actions and in the processes that affect profession. their lives. Where there are low levels of

transparency, rights may be little known

and least respected. The possibility of citizen's recourse and strategy: One, mobilizing national media for media rights and on regional issues. Two, redress are also limited due to a lack of information. Where building a broad-based coalition of mainstream media across all ideological schools to take accountability is weak, corruption flourishes. The same also up issues of free flow of information and free movement of journalists across frontiers and holds for services. Open and accessible information on the building public opinion to resolve inter and intra state conflicts through peaceful means. functioning of the state, private sector and civil society is, Three, creating mainstream coalitions of experts, policymakers, parliamentarians and therefore, a vital component of humane governance. important stakeholders to build bridges of understanding and facilitating reconciliation

and regional cooperation. Information, in general, and the media, in particular, can also be decisive by tipping the social and political balance on issues of In just four years, despite many hurdles and difficulties, SAFMA has emerged as the war and peace, conflict prevention, conflict resolution, and mainstream media body in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal and to an extent in Sri Lanka reconciliation in pre-conflict, conflict and and has been recognized by SAARC Secretariat as an post-conflict situations. It is the nerve Associated Body. On freedom of media, it has critically system of governance. The degree of evaluated the media laws and impediments to press freedom access and free flow of information is one in five countries and has proposed amendments to all those of the defining elements of the political provisions that hinder the growth of an independent press. A system. In autocratic regimes information model law (Protocol) on Freedom of Information has also is restricted on the basis of the need to been proposed for adoption by the respective legislatures in know and information is power based the SAARC Countries. On free movement of journalists and on exclusion -- power for the few. In media products across the South Asian region, SAFMA's democratic regimes with humane protocol to SAARC has so far not been placed on the agenda governance there is the right to of the Standing Committee or Council of Ministers or the information and information is SAARC Summit. However, we have again moved Pakistan's

thempowerment based on inclusion - Foreign Office for its adoption by the 13 SAARC Summit. power for the many.

Due to our extensive lobbying, most foreign ministries in the Against this background, SAFMA was region have in principle supported our Protocol on formed at First South Asian Free Media liberalization of visa regime for the journalists and foreign Conference: Towards Free and Vibrant ministers of India and Pakistan have promised to associate Media' at Islamabad on July 2, 2000, SAFMA as an Apex Regional Body with SAARC. In the sponsored by English-language daily The meanwhile, India has announced liberalization of visa News and the Paragon Governance regime for 12 cities multiple-entry, non-police reporting visa Program of the UNDP. It set two major while dispensing with the tedious procedure of security o b j e c t i v e s : F i r s t , f r e e d o m a n d clearance for the Pakistani journalists. Pakistan has independence of media, right to know, welcomed the decision, but has so far not reciprocated the freedom of expression, access to and free step. Pakistan, India and Bangladesh have most restrictive flow of information within and across the visa regime in the region, whereas Nepal, Sri Lanka and South Asian region. Second, engaging Maldives have most open entry points. South Asia cannot mainstream media to promote conflict have any meaningful cooperation without overcoming reduction and resolution, confidence information deficit which is possible only through building, regional cooperation and involving major liberalization of visa regime for journalists and removal of tariff- and non-tariff barriers to stakeholders in the public domain to promote peace in the free flow of media products. region. Learning from the limitations of the peace movement, Track-II diplomacy and a lack of effectiveness of the NGOs in the While evolving a community of South Asian journalists, SAFMA has also introduced joint filed, SAFMA decided to take the course of remaining in the media productions to benefit the community, the intelligentsia and the people. It produces mainstream and involving all those media practitioners who are a South Asian Journal that has become a leading platform for exchange of ideas by leading for press freedom, access to and free flow of information and experts, editors and academicians on major issues faced by the countries of and the region. conflict resolution through dialogue. It pursued a three-pronged

Similarly, South Asian Media Net, a daily news and views website, has become one of the

SAFMA has proved that media can tilt the scales from confrontation to reconciliation. SAFMA stood against a potentially most dangerous war and took out a joint peace procession in Kathmandu. SAFMA-sponsored Pakistan-India Parliamentary Conference at Islamabad helped build consensus on the necessity to take confidence building measures across all party dividesin the subcontinent. On this occasion President Pervez Musharraf offered a ceasefire on and across the LoC while proposing to withdraw troops from international borders in a day. This conference encouraged the two governments to take CBMs that have been followed by the composite dialogue.

5 6

thmain sources of information on the countries of Representative of UNDP, is convening the procession in Kathmandu two days before the 11 South Asia. Recording attacks on the press in our meeting of the prospective donors to help build SAARC Summit. This was SAFMA-sponsored region, we produce an Annual Media Monitor on this media campus to be run by South Asian Pakistan-India Parliamentary Conference held South Asia. We also plan to produce faculty for South Asian students for graduate and on August 10-11, 2003, at Islamabad that helped documentaries to promote our cause. Most post graduate courses and also a diploma build consensus on the necessity to take importantly, SAFMA with the support of media program for on-job training for working confidence building measures across all party community and the academia in the region is journalists from across the region. divides in the subcontinent. On this occasion planning to built first South Asian Media President Pervez Musharraf offered a ceasefire

SAFMA has proved that media can tilt the scales Development Centre and Multi-Media on and across the LoC while proposing to from confrontation to reconciliation. When the University in Lahore for which the Chief Minister withdraw troops from international borders in a largest number of troops after the World War-II of the Punjab has promised a piece of land and day. This conference encouraged the two was deployed on India-Pakistan borders, we from certain donors through UNDP, Pakistan, have governments to take CBMs that have been SAFMA stood against a potentially most shown great interest to help build this facility and followed by the composite dialogue. And quite dangerous war and took out a joint peace our dear friend Onder Yucer, Resident recently, SAFMA organized a first exchange of

Excellency President Pervez Musharraf, we thank you for your or electronic, shall be allowed free flow across our borders under a encouragement and look forward to your support in the following zero-duty regime and without restrictions with an objective to ways: promote free flow of information, harmony and better 1. Reciprocate India's good initial step, although we wanted whole understanding among the member countries; c) Facilitate by all

country multiple entry visa, to liberalize visa regime for possible means the citizens right to know and access to and free flow Pakistani journalists with more consistent measure. of information; d) Form a Special Committee on Media consisting

2. Support adoption of SAFMA's Protocol on Free Movement of of foreign/external, information and interior/home secretaries of Media-persons and Media-products Across the South Asian the member countries, that shall, in consultation with media

thRegion by the 13 SAARC Summit. We want inclusion of one bodies, especially SAFMA, find a suitable mechanism to facilitate paragraph in the Declaration of next SAARC Summit: free movement of media practitioners and media products across

frontiers by developing a consensus on a Protocol; e) Will review The Paragraph is as follow: Realizing the need to respond to the ththe implementation of these guidelines on this issue at our 14 imperatives of information revolution; Recognizing the urgency to

SAARC Summit.overcome information deficit among the member countries about each other and; Appreciating the initiative taken by the South Asian 3. Appoint a committee, consisting of representatives of media Free Media Association (SAFMA) to promote understanding, bodies, to review the media laws and to incorporate necessary access to and free flow of information across the region: amendments to ensure right to know, freedom of expression We the heads of government and state of SAARC agree that: a) and a free press. Leading media-practitioners, with 15 years of experience, to start 4. Benefiting from the presence of the Chief Minister of the with, shall be allowed free movement across our frontiers to Punjab, Chaudhary Pervaiz Elahi, we may request him to waive perform their professional duties without a visa, as being practiced the market price for the piece of land the Board of Revenue has by certain other categories of our citizens; and a liberalized, identified and lease this piece to Free Media Foundation (the countrywide, multiple-entry five year visa regime, without police legal entity dedicated to SAFMA Central Secretariat) for 99 reporting and bureaucratic delays, shall be instituted for media- years since it is a non-commercial educational project. This will persons, with three years of experience with a credible news pave the way for us to mobilize necessary funds to build and run organization and accreditation; b) Media products, whether print this first of its kind South Asian Media University in our region.

reflecting upon the independence of media in the he media persons from the South Asian post-9/11 region met in Lahore, Pakistan, on TNovember 20-21, 2004, at South Asian Free situation and the bloodshed in Iraq arrived at the Media Association's 4th South Asian Free Media following broader understanding: Conference on 'Media and Reconciliation 'Interstate Conflicts in South Asia' and Colombo a. Reiterating our commitment to peaceful

Processes in South Asia'. After having exhaustively Declaration on 'Intrastate Conflicts in South Asia'; resolution of all inter- and intra-state conflicts in analyzing the state of negotiation processes b. Recalling our resolve to rise above the South Asia through sustained and productive between India and Pakistan, New Delhi and Dhaka, national, ethnic, religious and ideological divides dialogue while rejecting the use of force, both by Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers while performing our professional duties as state and non-state actors, and coercive or sham of Tamil Elam (LTTE) and the crisis in Nepal while reporters, opinion makers, producers and diplomacy to solve differences and disputes as critically evaluating the role of media on these compares without indulging in acrimony, enshrined in SAFMA's Kathmandu Declaration on processes in each member country of SAARC and falsification, demonisation, jingoism or embedding 'Media and Peace', New Delhi Declaration on

Lahore DeclarationMedia and Reconciliation Processes

in South Asia

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with respective officialdoms; l. Welcoming the visit of Pakistani journalists across the Line of Control c. Restating our adherence to the roadmap and Guidelines adopted and return visit by the journalists to this side of LoC that have set a good by SAFMA's conference at Dhaka on 'Regional Cooperation in South Asia' precedence to open all 'no-go areas' to journalists; that show the path to all-sided regional cooperation in the best interests of m. Encouraged by the decision of the last SAARC Council of Ministers' all countries of the region; meeting to associate SAFMA as an Associate Body of SAARC and an assurances d. Appreciating joint statements of January 6th and September 24th given by New Delhi and Islamabad regarding liberalization of visa regime for issued by Pakistan and India initiating composite dialogue, stopping cross- the journalists across South Asia, and announcement by the Ministry of border infiltration and repression, exploring all possible options on External Affairs of India to relatively relax visa for the Pakistani journalists Kashmir to find a solution to the satisfaction of peoples of Jammu and with the hope that the announcement made by President Pervez Musharraf at Kashmir and India and Pakistan and, simultaneously, normalizing this conference allowing multiple-entry visa valid for the whole country to the relations, taking confidence-building measures in all spheres and journalists from the countries of South Asia will be implemented; expanding areas of bilateral cooperation; The Conference resolves that: e. Considering that the slow pace of negotiations between India and 1. The peoples of South Asia have suffered too much and for too long due to Pakistan, suspension of ongoing negotiation process between Sri Lankan inter- and intra-state conflicts. Some disputes are perennial that sustain government and the LTTE, failure to initiate reconciliation, in Nepal, and hostility and proliferate ancillary disputes to further complicate the inability of New Deli and Dhaka to put together a comprehensive prospects for regional peace and postpone the agenda of regional negotiation framework to iron out differences and find mutually beneficial cooperation and economic integration as envisaged by SAARC;

2. Rejecting all violent means by any party to resolve inter and intra state solutions to the disputes is causing anxiety among the people; f. Taking note of a set of options proposed to open a debate on the conflicts, this conference endorses peaceful approaches to resolving all Kashmir imbroglio by President Pervez Musharraf, reduction in troops disputes and differences through meaningful, sustainable and productive deployed in J&K announced by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and negotiations;

3. In pre-conflict, conflict and post-conflict situations, there is always a need confidence building measurers being proposed by the two governments to manage and defuse the conflicts and take confidence building measures regarding Kashmir, including proposed bus services between Srinagar and that are crucial to creating an enabling environment for the resolution of Muzaffarabad, Jammu and Sialkot;

g. Concerned about the deadlock over resumption of dialogue core disputes and addressing real causes behind the conflicts;4. Looking beyond the traditional notions of security and focusing on between the government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE;

h. Cognizant of serious differences between Bangladesh and India cooperative security, the South Asian nations must act in their self-over cross-border infiltrations, re-demarcation of certain points of border, including numerous enclaves, redistribution of water and issues of trade, etc; i. Worried about the continuing political and constitutional crisis in Nepal, Maoist insurgency, delay in resumption of dialogue between the Maoists and the government and the Palace and the political parties; j. Taking a serious exception to the pretext of using inter and intra sate conflicts or war against terrorism to clip civil liberties, introduce draconian laws, suppression of the democratic aspirations of the people, violence against the civilian population, especially women and children, who often become a victim in the crossfire of parties to the conflict;k. Appreciating the voices of sanity for peaceful resolution of conflicts from the civil societies and the media while expressing disappointment over those sections of media still embedded to the so-called 'national consensus' or respective establishments;

enlightened interest to ensure security within their states and beyond their trade imbalance and differences over the river-linking project by India borders at the regional level while avoiding to exploit an intrastate conflict seem to have strained their relations; while India should do more to in any manner; remove tariff barriers on exports from Bangladesh and take Dhaka into

5. The choice is not between conflict resolution and regional cooperation: the confidence over the river-linking project, both the countries must take only way out is to simultaneously move forward in finding solutions to the each other's security concerns more seriously and prevent cross-border political disputes and expanding all avenues of economic and cultural hostilities;cooperation, both at the bilateral and regional levels, while allowing 11. The political conflict in Sri Lanka, that has assumed an ethnic form due greater interaction among the people, especially free movement of to the marginalization and exclusion of ethnic minorities, cannot be journalists and media-products across borders as proposed by the SAFMA resolved with a mindset of an already defined majoritarian-hegemonic Protocol; state, nor can a distinct Tamil political identity in north-eastern region

6. All reconciliation processes and negotiations have to be even-handed, be recognized, without ensuring equality to other ethnic and religious attuned to the priorities of the parties to the conflict, balanced, productive minorities, territorial integrity of the state and stopping human rights and mutually beneficial, and need to be framed and phased in a manner violation from all sides and guaranteeing the rights of minorities. In the that the interlocutors continue to benefit from the process and are able to interim, the Ceasefire Agreement of 2002 need to be strengthened and move forward; the urgent needs of the people of the war zone, including the rights of

7. As nuclear powers, putting at risk the entire region, India and Pakistan the minorities, necessitate the establishment of an interim must respect the desire for peace of their peoples and not let them down by administration structure without further delay;slipping back into their old official postures; it would require approaching 12. Reviewing Indo-Nepal Treaty of 1950 and the Letters exchanged in the outstanding issues with flexibility of approach and innovation, 1950 and 1965, there is a need to effectively regulate Nepal-India border especially with regard to Jammu and Kashmir; the ancillary disputes to stop cross-border activities that are detrimental to peace and security should be quickly resolved to create an environment favorable to the of the two counties. The Maoist conflict cannot be solved militarily and, resolution of perennial dispute; therefore, calls for a negotiated settlement that can happen only if the

8. As Indo-Pak composite dialogue enters its second phase, it is essential to constitutional forces reach an agreement to bring the constitutional remind the interlocutors to avoid beating about the same bush and outlive process back on the rail and the Maoists are brought on board to settle the habit of perpetuating stalemate and the belligerent tendency of not the conflict on a democratic basis. There is an urgent need to stop making any concession or compromise, and the need to be more flexible, violence and violations of human rights by the security forces and the creative, adjustable and pragmatic in a spirit of give and take. The New Maoists. Delhi conference had resolved that the confidence building measures 13. The states of South Asia have to collectively face up to the challenges should be taken while simultaneously examining various proposals such as low river-water discharges and global trade disparities in order regarding the Jammu and Kashmir issue with a sincerity of purpose. There to prevent the birth of a new inward-looking era in which each sate was a consensus that Kashmiri interests and aspirations needed to be fends for itself in the face of essentially collective problems. addressed by the governments; the representatives of Kashmiris from 14. Call upon all the governments and the parties to the conflicts, be they both parts should be consulted so that a viable solution from which all inter or intra state, to respect internationally recognized fundamental parties felt they had gained could emerge; human rights and democratic aspirations of the people;

9. A new regional understanding of the riparian issues is essential to resolve 15. Appeal to the South Asian media fraternity to join hands in reinforcing Indo-Nepal, Indo-Bangladesh and Indo-Pak water disputes since the values of independence, sanity, sobriety, objectivity and neutrality Regional Riparian statutes are obligatory under RRR statute model of their profession to strengthen the reconciliation processes in South respecting Helsinki Convention that envisages 8K upstream and Asia, encouraging open debate and dialogue to create room for downstream rights; flexibility and compromise, rather than becoming instrumental in the

10. Recent cooling of Indo-Bangladesh relations is a mater of concern; New hands of officialdoms or a prisoner of respective rigid national Delhi's complaints of Dhaka's alleged 'help' to militants from India's standpoints. North-east and Bangladesh's concern over India's 'refusal' to correct the

and Taslima Miji9 10

disputed former princely state is an integral part of the Indian union] -- never unilaterally. And last, we have the courage to go for a solution. On both sides we need courage to go for a solution.

Pakistan wants to carry forward the peace process constructively but I am sorry to say that the other side is doing nothing for this. India should show courage to find a solution acceptable to all parties to the festering dispute over the Himalayan region.

Indian leaders say Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India, that a solution to the dispute has to be found within the Indian constitution, that there will be no redrawing of borders, and that New Delhi is prepared to listen if Pakistan proposals are given formally. I hope my feeling of discouraging signals from India is only a suspicion. I can still see light at the end of the tunnel. I am not pessimistic about the ongoing peace process in South Asia.

It's not a one-way traffic...it's not a song that one sings and others listen. When we talk we expect answers, and we expect to move forward. There is no use of us talking and others listening.

The courage to confront and fight is far easier than the courage to reconcile and accept and it needs real courage to extend a hand that resolves disputes.

My proposal for a debate on various options for a solution to the Kashmir dispute than the plebiscite did not amount to giving up Pakistan's stand that Kashmiris must decide through the UN-mandated plebiscite whether to join Pakistan or India. I had two reasons to make the suggestion at an Iftar party during the holy month of Ramadan.

President Pervez Musharraf opened South Asian Free Media Conference-IV organized by the South Asian One reason was that I had not been able to get an Free Media Association (Safma) and delivered an extempore speech. Following are the excerpts: answer to the queries for options for a solution acceptable to Pakistan, India and the Kashmiri We would like to meet India halfway. We will not move all the way. Halfway journey is from India. We want people. to discuss ... with sincerity to resolve disputes with flexibility and an open mind. We will leave our position

[demand for holding a UN-mandated plebiscite in Kashmir] when India leaves its position [that the

Pakistan open journalists

to

I have asked this question from dozens of... Kashmiris, Indians how do you want me to go about the dialogue on options. I thought that is the way. and Pakistanis - everyone from all walks of life - (but) I have not got an answer ever. Therefore, I thought I must give a direction It is a misconception that I have proposed any solution to the Kashmir dispute. I have only towards a discussion so that people... at least know the nuances identified geographic, ethnic and religious realities of Kashmir. That is all that I have done. of the ground realities and they are able to discuss options.

This was a key statement that could lead to a discussion that called for identifying seven I differ with people who think there are no options acceptable to regions in Kashmir for possible demilitarization and change of status. I have set a direction all the three parties. I know there are options which can to discuss options. acceptable to all three.

I have never said that a whole area should be demilitarized. Once we identify a region, part The other reason for the proposal was that leadership in or whole, that region should be demilitarized. That will give comfort to the people of Pakistan and India could have a feel of people's views before Kashmir and then change (its) status. discussing or agreeing on any options and avoid the possibility of any agreement being shot down by parliaments. It is a misconception that Pakistan has given up its stated position on Kashmir. No we have

not. There is a fine difference. I have been saying we must go beyond stated positions, we Shouldn't the people or the assemblies or the politicians, or must show flexibility, but this is not unilateral. Kashmiris, everyone discusses options so that we can get a feel... of what people in India, Pakistan and Kashmiris want and then Pakistan has not left its position for a plebiscite under the UN resolutions. But if bilaterally we reach an option? India and Pakistan both want to move off (from stated positions), we will show flexibility

and we may also have to meet somewhere halfway if we want to resolve disputes. Now every country has its own environment. I think it was essential to throw it open, to the media, to everyone, to debate it, Both India and Pakistan need to step back from their maximalist positions. If we are not let me get a feel what do you want, what do you want me to say, prepared to step back it cannot be done unilaterally and Pakistan will never do unilateral

President elaborating his view on Indo-Pak relations and his much talked about outlines on Kashmir11 12

cooperation, South Asia lacked such cooperation mainly because of India-Pakistan conflict. My deduction is that we must reconcile. There has to be reconciliation of conflict between India and Pakistan, and then there will be intra-regional cooperation within South Asia and then only there will be inter-regional cooperation and South Asia will come into the loop of economic, commercial, trade ties in Asia.

When we talk of intra-regional cooperation, we talk of preferential trade agreements, free trade agreements, most- favoured nation treatment. Pakistan is very much into this...But I would like to sound a word of caution: these are good words but we create barriers through tariff structures when MFN ... become meaningless. So therefore, when we talk of all these, we need to be genuine and sincere in opening borders and not creating barriers through tariff.

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) should be made more potent by changing its charter so it could help resolve bilateral disputes between its seven member countries.

I would like to say in this context that Saarc has a role to play, has a key role to play. This is our organization, we must make it potent and we must make it more proactive to the extent... of conflict resolutions.

My concept of enlightened moderation has caught on and I think that is the way forward for the world and for the Muslim world.

It's a two-pronged strategy: one of the prongs to be delivered by the Muslim world rejecting extremism and militancy, going on the path of socio-economic development. But most important part is the second parts to be delivered by the West, particularly, by the United States, to resolve political disputes and help us in our socio-economic development. Success of this operation is in both prongs succeeding. If one of the prongs fails, the operation will never succeed.

Pakistan is moving on a dual track - political and military - in the fight against foreign militants hiding in the tribal area near the Afghan border.

On behalf of Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi I announce that land in the outskirts of Lahore will be given to SAFMA free of cost to set up South Asia Media Development Center and Multimedia University.

favoured nation treatment. Pakistan is very much into this...But I would like to sound a word of caution: these are good words but we create barriers through tariff structures when MFN ... become meaningless. So therefore, when we talk of all these, we need to be genuine and sincere in opening borders and not creating barriers through tariff.

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) should be made more potent by changing its charter so it could help resolve bilateral disputes between its seven member countries.

I would like to say in this context that Saarc has a role to play, has a key role to play. This is our organization, we must make it potent and we must make it more proactive to the extent... of conflict resolutions.

My concept of enlightened moderation has caught on and I think that is the way forward for the world and for the Muslim world.

It's a two-pronged strategy: one of the prongs to be delivered by the Muslim world rejecting extremism and militancy, going on the path of socio-economic development. But most important part is the second parts to be delivered by the West, particularly, by the United States, to resolve political disputes and help us in our socio-economic development. Success of this operation is in both prongs succeeding. If one of the prongs fails, the operation will never succeed.

Pakistan is moving on a dual track - political and military - in the fight against foreign militants hiding in the tribal area near the Afghan border.

On behalf of Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi I announce that land in the outskirts of Lahore will be given to SAFMA free of cost to set up South Asia Media Development Center and Multimedia University.

trade agreements, most-

The core dispute is Kashmir because we fought three wars (there) and we have been killing each other on the Line of Control every day.

I am not a unifocal man as alleged. We want to resolve each and every dispute with India. We are talking of Baghliar dam, we would like to involve ourselves in the Sir Creek (dispute)... but the core remains Kashmir.

We have to move this process forward but lately you may have seen that vibes since then coming across to us are not encouraging. I don't believe in mincing words, I don't believe in diplomacy here, the vibes are not encouraging.

I firmly believe in liberalization, freedom of speech and freedom of access to information and places. All journalists belonging to Safma could visit any place in Pakistan as well as in Azad Kashmir. We don't have anything to hide. I would like to open up Pakistan border for journalists from South Asia.... From now on you can move anywhere you want.

stepping back. Let that be very, very clear. We stand at the original position. We will wait and see bilateral shifting. I really welcome the first visit by Pakistani

journalists to the Indian-held Kashmir last I could never imagine reaching a solution without the involvement of Kashmiris. Let that be very month. We would certainly welcome any media clear. Sooner or later we have to take Kashmiris along, whether immediately or a little later - earlier persons from South Asia and especially from the better. That is our stand, because I can't imagine a solution to Kashmir problem without the India to go to any part of Pakistan, including people themselves involved. Kashmir.

Kashmiris have to be involved, I don't know when. Let me tell Kashmiris sitting here: we are for South Asian cannot be divorced from the world that was (your) involvement and we cannot reach a solution over your heads. in turmoil because of disputes, extremism, terrorism,

bomb blasts. Violence in Kashmir could end with a solution of the dispute. Islamabad is trying to move forward on two tracks - the confidence-building measures (CBMs) and the dialogue process. But the unfortunate irony is that all these conflicts

involving Muslim countries have acquired a religious Pakistan favours the start of bus services across the Line of Control as one of the CBMs with a overtone despite being political in nature. proviso that the travel should not be on country passports of Pakistan or India because Kashmir was a disputed territory. We are moving forward on other possible travel documents. We are for Pakistan is concerned with all these troubles, particularly opening of bus routes not only one, but may be two or three. those in Kashmir and Afghanistan and its involvement in

finding a solution. But the CBMs and the dialogue process must move in tandem. One cannot be galloping and the other moving at snail's pace. That cannot be done. We cannot have confidence within ourselves All this, whatever is happening in the world and in our unless we resolve disputes, which is unnatural, not doable. Therefore we have to move the CBMs region, has a direct fallout on Pakistan's domestic and the dialogue process in tandem. When we talk of dialogue, it is on all issues or the conflicts - all environment. disputes between India and Pakistan must be resolved.

While other regions of Asia benefited from economic

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at the problems the minorities face. The governments say one thing one day and another the other day. The other party continues to pull the rug. Ruling party proposals in Sri Lanka were scuttled down by the president, in minority then. The people are for peace but the leaders have failed to resolve the issues.

Mr. Iqbal Sobhan Chaudhry said it took long to reconcile but reconciliation always paved the way for peace. He said that the five smaller countries of the SAARC could also spoil the peace effort. He pleaded for opening up minds and giving up nationalist jingoism. In his country, Bangladesh, he pointed to the need for understanding and tolerance in the national polity.

Dr Mohammad Waseem of Pakistan said that the third generation in Pakistan found some Chair: SAFMA India chapter President Mr KK Katyal relevance in South Asia discourse dynamics. As Pakistan is moving away from Central Asia Keynote Address: Mr Najm Sethi, Editor of Daily Times and and the Middle East, there is a talk of peace and civil society is much ahead of the Friday Times, Pakistan government. De-demonisation is at work now. There is an intellectual networking and a Discussants: Dr C. Raja Mohan, India, Mr K Malanandan, Sri

process, such as initiated by SAFMA, is now in place. Lanka, Mr Iqbal Sobhan Chaudhry, Bangladesh, Dr Mohammad Waseem, Pakistan, and Mr Gokul Pokhrel, Nepal. Nepal's Mr Gokul Pokhrel said President Pervez Musharraf had triggered a lot of discussion Ms. Bandana Rana, Nepal was the Moderator and Rapporteur for the session.

Initiating the discussion, Dr C Raja Mohan observed that there would be ups and downs in the peace process which had moved forward since Musharraf-Manmohan meeting in New York. He said that the post 9/11 external factor was instrumental in decrying the use of violence as an instrument of foreign policy. No major power wanted continuation of conflict in the subcontinent. Globalization is also demanding reintegration of markets and there is an enormous public enthusiasm in the subcontinent for peace. People lay emphasis on good governance and rapid economic growth for which communal and religious hatred are considered irrelevant. The emerging assertion of trans-boundary communities for bringing South Asian states together is also making its contribution.

Dr Mohan said that any India-Pakistan settlement, embedded in larger integration of South Asia, on Jammu and Kashmir would be enduring. The media, he said, must play contributory role as there is space today to stay ahead of the curve to make the future different from the past.

Mr. K. Milanandam said the minorities in South Asia, as Tamils in Sri Lanka, felt subjugated. The majoritarian states fail to look

SESSION I

Reconciliation South Asia

Hussain Naqi

with his observations on Kashmir. He said that conflict between India and Pakistan, both having nuclear capability, threatened peace and stability in the whole region. Referring to Nepal being embroiled in refugee problem and insurgency, he stressed the need for reconciliation. He emphasized the need for India-Nepal cooperation particularly vis-a-vis refugee problem as in matters of foreign affairs Bhutan was bound to consult India. He asked the media to abide by its pristine values in evaluating the problems.

With the discussants having concluded their observations, the topic was thrown open to the House for discussion.

Mr Riaz Punjabi, an Indian academician, observed that new formulations about South Asian reconciliation are coming forth from people with different viewpoints. Mr. Nururl Huda from Bangladesh desired that the reconciliation formula be devised by SAARC.

Senator Shafqat Mahmood from Pakistan noted the impatience on the part of General Musharraf for the resolution of Kashmir issue and asked if there would be any movement forward by India.

Secretary General of SAFMA Mr Imtiaz Alam said the situation would not unfreeze in a short time. The position of academia on the issue is behind that of the establishment. The process will continue. Borders will not be redrawn but these can be softened to meet the people's aspirations. Demilitarisation may move on and strengthen political process in Kashmir.

Answering different queries Dr Raja Mohan agreed that small countries could create big problems. There was some danger in imposing unnecessary clarity. With reference to President Pervez Musharraf's observations at the opening session, Dr. Mohan said he restored some of the ambiguity. He considered Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz's vist to India as a move forward.

Mr Najam Sethi answering the queries observed that there would be a lot of hiccups in the dialogue process and noted that the processes were not linear.

Mr Riaz Punjabi, an Indian academician, observed that new formulations about South Asian reconciliation are coming forth from people with different viewpoints. Mr. Nururl Huda from Bangladesh desired that the reconciliation formula be devised by SAARC.

Senator Shafqat Mahmood from Pakistan noted the impatience on the part of General Musharraf for the resolution of Kashmir issue and asked if there would be any movement forward by India.

Secretary General of SAFMA Mr Imtiaz Alam said the situation would not unfreeze in a short time. The position of academia on the issue is behind that of the establishment. The process will continue. Borders will not be redrawn but these can be softened to meet the people's aspirations. Demilitarisation may move on and strengthen political process in Kashmir.

Answering different queries Dr Raja Mohan agreed that small countries could create big problems. There was some danger in imposing unnecessary clarity. With reference to President Pervez Musharraf's observations at the opening session, Dr. Mohan said he restored some of the ambiguity. He considered Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz's vist to India as a move forward. Mr Najam Sethi answering the queries observed that there would be a lot of hiccups in the dialogue process and noted that the processes were not linear.

With the discussants having concluded their observations, the topic was thrown open to the House for discussion.

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historical tensions and distrust. This is in contrast to the states of South East Asia where conflict resolution has been steady and concrete. The contrast is demonstrated by the relative success of ASEAN and the relative failure of SAARC.

Third, dispute resolution in the larger Asian region has preceded mutually beneficial trade blocs and not the other way round. Thus Indian attempts to get SAARC off the ground without a resolution of contentious disputes with neighbours have failed to yield fruit. This has compelled a focus on bilateral trade agreements between India and Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh, India and Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh and Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The remarkable thing about these bilateral trade agreements is that they are now poised to actually hinder the assimilative processes unfurled by SAARC in recent years. In each country case, a resolution of political tension based on conflict resolution paved the way for preferential trade agreements and not the other way round. For example, India and Sri Lanka's preferential trade agreement followed an Indian disavowal of interference in Sri Lanka's internal affairs after the withdrawal of Indian forces from the island in the 1990s. Similarly, India's trade agreement with Bangladesh followed a partial settlement of its water disputes with the country in 1996. The same may be said of Pakistan. Its trade relaxation with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are of recent standing following a normalisation of India's relations with Sri Lanka and Pakistan's with Bangla Desh.

Fourth, the negative fallout of simmering disputes has both shaped the internal politics of the countries as well as been shaped by it. This is especially true of the India-Pakistan relationship. Until recent times, both countries were explicit prisoners of the unfinished business of partition. This was exemplified by Pakistan's demand for a plebiscite in Kashmir coupled with the fear that India's dismemberment of Pakistan in 1971 was not the first or last stone to be cast at its territorial integrity. This led to the creation of a national security state in Pakistan whose praetorian ambitions and Islamic motivation have

he reconciliation process in South Asia is characterised by many features thwarted the impulse of civil society and democracy. In India, the which impinge on its success and failure. First, we must recognise that response to this civilisational threat from Pakistan and Afghanistan has India is placed squarely at the centre of the region both physically and been articulated through the anti-secular Hindu movement led by the politically by virtue of its geography and size and strength. Thus what T Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In the case of India-Bangladesh

happens inside India, how it articulates its ambitions and what role it perceives for relations, this is manifested in the splitting of the mainstream two party itself, in and out of the region, have a tremendous bearing on all the countries of the system in Bangladesh into pro-India and anti-India sentiment and region. political parties. Equally, Bangladesh nationalism has become

bifurcated between the anti-Pakistan and pro-India painful birth Second, the states of South Asia have generally taken a long time to try and overcome

in the sub-continent syndrome and the anti-Hindu India and pro-Pakistan Islamic understanding the sensitivities on both sides and meeting them. But has there been any state reality. substantive improvement on the issues that have bedevilled relations between the two? As

usual there are two views on that.Fifth, the disputes have seemingly increased with the core country in South Asia instead of diminishing over time. This is The pessimists would tell us - and in the past they have generally been right - that the ride true of India's disputes with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and has been bumpy. That a quick checklist shows that the various rounds of talks on issues Pakistan. In 1947, there was only the Kashmir dispute. Now ranging from Wuller Barrage project, Siachen, Sir Creek, nuclear risk reduction measures, there are at least eight issues of dispute between India and trade and Kashmir have not really departed from the grooves in which these issues have Pakistan, most of which have developed in the last three been caught and have been sliding for long. This is cause for concern.

The optimists would say that one should not take up these issues separately and see how decades. Similarly, Bangladesh's border enclave problems with much distance has actually been travelled. They would point to two factors: there is India at the time of its birth in 1972 were exacerbated by pressure on both India and Pakistan from international interlocutors to not allow the immigrant, trade and water issues in subsequent decades. process to stall or get derailed; two, on the sidelines of the main show being conducted by

Fifth, the failure of the peripheral states to settle disputes with bureaucrats and technocrats, there has been a flow of people on both sides that is creating the core country India or the other way round has weakened its own momentum. Both factors are significant and if they remain within the equation, one these states and made them unstable. But the blowback has hurt can hope to see a forward movement.India's bid for great power status and compelled it to reconsider

There is something to recommend the optimists' view. We do know that there have been the costs of war and appreciate the dividends of peace. The civil some changes on all side. The United States, which generally stayed away from South Asia war in Sri Lanka, the bitter two-party system in Bangladesh, the until the events of September 11, 2001, is now a South Asian power. It has a long-term supremacy of the armed forces in Pakistan, the anti-secular agenda in the region and it is much more seriously involved in facilitating the process of a sentiments in the subcontinent - all are owed to the inability of dialogue between India and Pakistan than before. It needs both the countries within its India and the peripheral states to resolve disputes. In each case, camp and the only way to keep two warring countries on its side is to force them into making however, the dispute is with India and not between any of the peace. With Mr Bush in his second term, Washington is likely to push further for peace other states.

India and Pakistan: Problems and prospects between India and Pakistan.Pakistan and India are embarked on a peace process following the January 6 Islamabad Statement that forms the basis of the framework in which talks have to be conducted between them on various issues. The most significant aspect of the declaration was that it satisfied two major demands on both sides. India accepted that Pakistan is a party to the dispute on Kashmir and it would not flinch from talking to Islamabad on Kashmir; Pakistan conceded that it would talk to India on all issues and would not hold the process of normalisation hostage to a Kashmir-first approach.

As if to underscore goodwill on both sides, India did not invoke the cross-border mantra at Islamabad while Pakistan, in signing the declaration, undertook to do everything to ensure that no one crossed over from its territory into Indian-held Kashmir.

The declaration, thus, took a creative route towards

17 18

in ways whose significance remains largely subterranean so far but whose impact can On the Indian side, under the BJP government, New Delhi came already be felt. Indeed, it is somewhat ironical that while the two sides have held their very close to the United States. India became the first country in ground on issues like Siachen, Wuller and Sir Creek, there has been greater movement, at the world, ahead even of Washington's NATO allies, to support least unofficially, on the core issue of Kashmir.President George Bush on his Ballistic Missile Defence The SAFMA has been expanding and it has done a commendable job to prevail upon the programme; after 9/11 it offered military bases to the US; New Indian government to allow a group of Pakistani journalists to travel to Jammu and Delhi's relations with Israel have further cemented the bonds Kashmir for the first time in 57 years. We have seen some very good reports from those who between India and the US. The process started under the Clinton were part of the delegation and some of the analyses have come up with quite creative ideas administration but carried on under Bush Senior and will likely on how to resolve the issue without ruffling feathers on both sides. That the Pakistan proceed apace under Bush Junior also. Vested interests have government has reciprocated and allowed a group of journalists from J&K and India - who been created on both sides with the US supporting India in its are part of the delegation at the conference here - to travel to Azad Kashmir is also a good bid for a UNSC seat, sharing dual use technology with it and omen. General Musharraf's October 25th remarks and his invitation to Pakistanis to debate having a broad-based security dialogue with it under a joint the issue of Kashmir also indicates that the two sides are moving towards finding a creative working group. The relationship is developing its own solution. Discerning elements in India are also saying that New Delhi must not flinch from structures and if the process goes on unimpeded, the structural responding to new Pakistani formulations and rethink on the issue. The decision by India to imperatives will free it of the predilections of this or that reduce the number of troops in J&K too is a healthy sign, though New Delhi will have to do government in Washington and New Delhi. As part of this much more to introduce the kind of confidence building measures it should to return to the process, New Delhi has realised that to take the giant leap it has Kashmiris their right to normal life and dignity.

These are good beginnings. But much more needs to be done to travel on the road to always dreamed of taking it would, at the minimum, normalise normalisation. I'd identify the following areas in terms of their degree of difficulty:with Pakistan.

! Cultural exchanges: They cover the entire spectrum of people-to-people contacts. On the Pakistani side, General Pervez Musharraf, blamed in Journalists travelling freely on both sides; student exchange programmes; visiting India for being the architect of the 1999 Kargil conflict, has academics, scholars and fellows; people from the showbiz, opening markets for affected a volte-face on nearly all the traditional national newspapers and books and so on.security ingredients. He ditched the Taliban and joined the ! Political exchanges: Parliamentarians from both sides meeting regularly.American camp; he emphasises economy as the most vital area ! Trade: Opening trade between the two sides. Moreover, while leaving aside issues like for Pakistan's development; he wants to normalise with India;

SAFTA, it would be beneficial to allow regional trade for instance between the two he has climbed down on Pakistan's maximalist position on Punjabs and between AJK and J&K. The two sides could build on these beginnings for Kashmir and indeed invited free discussion on the issue. All this overall trade.is a sea change for the soldier who would not talk to India unless ! Military exchanges: The two sides can exchange military delegations. The two armies

India first brought Kashmir to the table. These turnarounds have more in common between them than with any other army in the world. Such

have also meant a near-irreparable break with those Islamist exchanges will also help in understanding signals during a crisis.

elements on whom Pakistan has pegged its national-security ! Pakistan to understand India's aspirations: Pakistan would need to accept that India

policy in Afghanistan as well as Kashmir. Terrorist attacks has a legitimate desire to play a bigger role in the region and beyond. So far, India's inside Pakistan and assassination attempts on General history of relations with its neighbours shows that it has acted in an exploitative rather Musharraf himself show that the break is near complete. This than cooperative manner. That must change. However, Pakistan will need to creates a huge space for normalising with India. understand some Indian compulsions. This could help both sides develop a better

relationship.However, the issues the two countries are dealing with are not ! India to understand Pakistan: India must realise that Pakistan, while it may be much

just procedural matters. They are substantive. Both have held smaller than India, is a big country and it cannot be dismissed or treated with

their ground and are likely to in the near future until what is condescension. India needs to look at it as a partner rather than as a rival for dominance

happening between the people begins to impinge on the process within the region. Also, India cannot access West and Central Asia without normalising

and partnering Pakistan. Co-existing is therefore important. Until now we have concentrated on the dialogue of the deaf. Track One and Track Two have Both sides need to move towards realising these prospects. It been non-starters because they were based on the wrong assumption that each side simply will not be easy as we move from the first to the last, but one had to convince the other of the rationale of its argument and cause. That was putting the hopes that every step will pave the way for undertaking the next, cart before the horse. What was needed before a dialogue between India and Pakistan was a more difficult venture. dialogue within Pakistan and a separate dialogue within India on where we both want to go

and how we should go about it. Until the conventional status quo view is changed within I think the CBMs that we have launched are significant. I believe each country by means of an independent and free dialogue, there can hardly be a dialogue that SAARC will become truly meaningful only after India and between India and Pakistan. In this context, Pakistan has a head start. We in civil society Pakistan have arrived a mutually agreeable matrix in which to have been discussing options on Kashmir even before the Pakistani state under General solve their core disputes. In other words, the two countries don't Musharraf was ready to do so. But in India there has been no such internal debate. Yes, have to resolve Kashmir before making SAARC meaningful. Nor Indian human rights activists have raised limited concerns but few have dared to challenge can they make SAARC meaningful without arriving at a modus the Indian state's definition of the Kashmir problem. In other words, Pakistanis have been operandi to resolve Kashmir. It is in this context that General ready to challenge the status quo state position on Kashmir but Indians have not been ready Pervez Musharraf's approach makes eminent sense. He has not to do the same. Therefore it is imperative that a sincere and serious debate should be kicked suggested a solution. He has outlined a method on how to go off in India about the options on Kashmir. That will provide the starting point of a serious about seeking one. If both countries follow this approach, they debate between Pakistan and India on how to live and let live.cannot go wrong.

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India has maintained its traditional friendship with Russia while enlarging its interaction with the US and China. Islamabad has sustained its traditional friendship with Washington and Beijing while normalising its ties with Moscow. T o d a y n o m a j o r p o w e r w a n t s a continuation of the Indo-Pak conflict and all great powers seek to avoid the danger of a nuclear conflict and prevent the rise of extremism in the subcontinent which threatens the entire international system.Third, economic globalisation is forcing a re-integration of the markets of the subcontinent. The necessity for regional trade and cooperat ion and their importance in rapidly lifting up the living standards of the people are compelling the leaderships of the subcontinent to view their traditional conflicts in a new light. So long as each of the South Asian states pursued their economic development

he forward movement in the Indo-Pak peace process has surprised most observers in the region and independent of each other, it was easy to beyond. The decision by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the President of Pakistan, Pervez view the sources of conflict in primordial TMusharraf at their meeting in New York in September to explore all options for the peaceful resolution of terms. But the imperatives of economic

Jammu and Kashmir and move towards a normalisation of bilateral relations has been followed by interdependence in South Asia forced by unconventional moves by both sides. Skepticism about the prospects for reconciliation between New Delhi and globalisation and regional integration are Islamabad has begun to be dented, if only in a small manner. This has set the stage for an intense diplomatic encouraging the regional elites to temper effort to transform the relations between India and Pakistan. This paper seeks to identify some deeper structural their views of the inter-state and intra-state factors external and internal that provide the basis for an enduring peace in the subcontinent. conflict. Together the three factors have

altered the dynamics of international On the external front, the post 911 international environment has made the use of certain type of tools and relations in the Subcontinent. And they instruments for the conduct of foreign policy unacceptable. There is a growing consensus across the world that have made peace not merely one of the the use of violence as a means to achieve even self-evidently noble goals must be rejected. All the great powers options but the only one. and regional actors winked at the use of violence, when they saw it as a convenient way of promoting their interests. But today every one of them is threatened by the similar forces of extremism and violence and has a Internally, too, new forces in favour of shared interest in curbing them. peace have been unleashed in the

subcontinent. On every occasion there has Second, the conflicts in South Asia either dovetailed into or were reinforced by the fault lines among the great been a slight relaxation of tension between powers in the world. The US-Soviet and Sino-Russian conflicts made it difficult for any enduring India and Pakistan, the popular demands rapprochement between New Delhi and Islamabad. After the Cold War, both India and Pakistan have embarked for more forward movement have been upon the process of improving their relations with all the major powers.

intense. A conflict-fatigue has set in among the peoples of South Third, until recently, the assertion of ethnic identities cutting across the boundaries of Asia. The traditional argument from the ruling elite that the South Asia was has been seen as an immense threat to the state system in the subcontinent. much needed political compromises in resolving inter-state Today amidst the broader processes of regional integration and general decentralisation of conflict will not be acceptable to the people has begun to lose power it should be relatively easier for states to accommodate the aspirations of many of credibility. these ethnic communities. Going a step further it should be possible to view the emerging

assertion of these trans-boundary communities as a way of bringing the discordant South Second, rapid economic growth and good governance have Asian states together. That could also be a way of transforming the nature of South Asian become popular slogans across South Asia. While many boundaries and the ultimate creation of a South Asia of the regions. Such a framework will traditional popular impulses of religious hatred and communal ensure both the survival of the traditional sovereign states in the subcontinent as well as discord remain strong throughout the region, it has become restore the economic and cultural contact between communities. Any Indo-Pak settlement possible for mainstream political trends to resist a compromise on Jammu and Kashmir will become final and enduring only if it is embedded in larger with these forces. Further, the peace dividend in South Asia is no integration of the Subcontinent.longer seen merely in terms of shifting resource allocation from defence to development. That peace could open up borders that While objective and structural factors drive the peace process today, the ability of have remained closed and revitalise traditional trading relations leaderships to subjectively take advantage of the opportunity remains critical. The among different communities in South Asia has become a challenge for the civil societies in South Asia rests in seizing this moment to expand the powerful force driving the current peace process in the limits of public discourse on traditional issues and making it easier for the political elite to Subcontinent. grasp the nettle.

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expected from them in pursuit of the agenda for bringing peace and he media in Pakistan have harmony between the two counties? We can outline three phases of come a long way during the media's role in Pakistan since independence. In the first phase Tthe last few decades. They (1947- 1971), the press moved in step with politics of the country in struggled hard to gain a measure the midst of pangs of birth of a separate statehood. This led to of freedom of expression. creation of the 'other' in the form of Hindu India next door against Similarly, they acquired a the backdrop of communal riots, cross-migration through a river of credible level of professionalism blood and the ongoing Kashmir conflict. The media in Pakistan in writing skills, technological generally represented a mirror image of their counterparts in India. a d v a n c e s , i n v e s t i g a t i v e The second phase (1971-2003) typically reflected the changing journalism as well as research regional dynamics as Pakistan moved away from South Asia in the methodology. The media in wake of emergence of Bangladesh. Thereafter, Islamabad moved Pakistan provide the most into the Middle East ideologically, politically and economically. For credible forum for debate on Islamabad, the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war, the 1973 Arab-Israel war national issues, far more than opening up the petrodollar-based market in the Gulf, the 1974 academia or any other civil Indian nuclear explosion and the 1974 Islamic Summit in Lahore society institution or group. were important milestones on the way from turning its back on its While the print media have taken Eastern neighbour to cultivating a new identity with South West a long time to mature as a Asia. In addition, the two-decade-long military engagement with platform for dispassionate Afghanistan and quest for an opening into Central Asia further analysis and free expression of pushed Islamabad away from Delhi. Militancy in Indian-news and views about public life, administered Kashmir only widened the gulf between the two the electronic media have countries, duly reflected through its media coverage. recently shot into prominence

with a sprinkling of intellectual However, the last decade also produced counter-currents of talent and capital investment all dialogue across borders in both bilateral and multilateral contexts. around. The English-language The official negotiations were punctuated by Pakistani ruler press is rich in intellectual General Zia-ul-Haq's visit to India in pursuit of 'cricket diplomacy'. p o t e n t i a l a n d a n a l y t i c a l The SAARC summits right up to January 2004 in Islamabad capability, but limited in reach-provided a regional framework for these negotiations. The Track II out and therefore in shaping diplomacy, represented by the so-called Neemrana process, sought public opinion. The Urdu press is to widen their scope. However, it was the peopleto-people dialogue i n f l u e n t i a l i n t e r m s o f that really expanded the scope of understanding between the two communicating with a large publics. The press coverage of these civil society contacts across reading public in the popular borders was helpful but not sufficiently engaging in style or decisive idiom, even as a major part of it displays a high level of

in impact. The military deployment along borders and a nuclear standoff in 2001-2002 partisanship by way of political coverage and analysis. In the represented a setback in the process. vernacular press, the Sindhi press remains vibrant and

energetic but constrained in terms of its ethnic constituency and The post-9/11 situation in South Asia indicates the beginning of a third phase in the media's the overt political agenda. role. It was followed by disengagement of Pakistan from Afghanistan and, to some extent, What role have the media played in shaping public opinion in

from Central Asia. The Middle East region is in potential disarray in the face of the war in the context of Indo-Pakistan relations, and what can be

Iraq. This points to an increase in the relevance of the South Asian region for policymakers

Media for peace

in Pakistan. At the other end, the civil society initiatives have as an organisation of the leading media-persons from the region working for peace and co-also come of age. The visits of NGO activists, the Chambers of operation beyond the national boundaries is a unique initiative that has a potential to Commerce office holders, women activists, human rights facilitate the emergence of an effective network of intellectuals. SAFMA in turn took a major activists, scholars, journalists, and performing artists from step forward by launching the publication of the South Asian Journal that attracted the India and Pakistan have immensely increased the points of talent across the board.contact between the two. The role of media has taken a quantum

What should the media do to further the cause of regional co-operation as a civil society leap forward. The electronic media have moved ahead from the initiative? First, individual and collective visits of journalists, both to cover events and to days of Amritsar and Lahore TV channels attracting the viewers forge professional links among various countries of the region, should be encouraged in from the other side in the 1980s. Now, multiple Indian TV order to facilitate the agenda for de-demonisation of the 'other'. Second, the electronic channels are available to the Pakistani public, constantly media, which exercise a strong and direct impact on viewers, should cover the regional updating India culturally, socially and politically for the events and trends far more than they are doing now. Information about the neighbouring domestic consumption. The time lag in following events in India societies, cultures, economies and polities is the first step towards eliminating hate-based has been considerably shortened, be it Gujarat killings, floods or profiles of one another. After all, ghosts are the product of darkness. The composite elections. The 2004 elections in India and the subsequent dialogue would enormously benefit from opening up of the two media systems to each other process of government formation created a tremendous interest in covering events, splashing news and views and providing a knowledge base for formation as well as appreciation for Indian democracy among Pakistanis.of realistic opinions as well as pragmatic policy options. Thirdly, the media in Pakistan have

However, the two media are still generally preoccupied with typically taken a conflict-resolution approach to Indo-Pakistan relations. They have almost their domestic situations. Bilateral relations continue to follow bypassed the CBM approach to Indo-Pakistan relations, which can lead to an incremental the traditional line. The print media have lagged behind the growth of trust and establishment of a meaningful channel of communication between the electronic media in reach-out across borders and representation two adversaries. Fourthly, the media must use the technological innovations such as video of views from the other side. In this situation, the visit of conferencing between panels of journalists, students, scholars, politicians and diplomats Pakistani journalists to Indian-held Kashmir in October 2004 speaking from their national perspectives. Finally, the media must take the civil society represented a major step forward in judging the ground reality along with them by representing the views of intelligentsia, party cadres, NGOs, at the other end. This trend must continue. There are few media- educationists, human rights activists and professional middle class in general. It is time related joint organisational and professional ventures in place. media took up an agenda-setting role for peace and co-operation between India and The formation of South Asia Free Media Association (SAFMA) Pakistan and in South Asia.

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Mutual distrust, narrow nationalism, religious fundamentalism, intra-state and inter-state conflicts have divided the peoples of South Asia for too long retarding thereupon the process of achieving faster economic and social development. It is very difficult to ascertain which country or part of the region is spared from violence and insurgency. If Sri Lanka is grappling with a 20-year ethnic war, Bhutan is facing the looming danger of instability caused by the expulsion of indigenous people of Nepalese origin and lack of human rights. There are still 100,000 refugees on Nepalese soil since 1991 awaiting their repatriation. The refugee issue has been a major irritant in the relationship between Nepal and Bhutan and Nepal and India. While India insists that it is a bilateral issue to be solved between Nepal and Bhutan, Nepalese people do not absolve India on the grounds that Bhutan is bound by special treaty with India to consult it on matters of defence and foreign relations. It is but natural for Nepal to think that India is not doing enough to pressure Bhutan to solve the issue amicably though dialogue.

The conflict between India and Pakistan has surmounted all conflicts in proportion. The perpetual state of tension dividing the peoples of both the countries having nuclear capabilities is still threatening the security of the neighbouring states and the

entire region. peace and stability of the entire region. The issue of de-nuclearisation of South Asia is yet to gain momentum if a lasting peace and an environment free from fear is to be During the last three years when relations between India and Pakistan achieved. But, fortunately, with the pressure from international community and were on the brink of disruption in the wake of terrorist attack on sagacity prevailing among the statesmen of both the countries, the situation is fast Indian parliament, media leaders of various South Asian countries changing. A dramatic shift in the uncompromising stance was evinced during the have worked relentlessly in breaking the imp