Kashmir (YP Discussion Group)
The World Affairs Council, Young Professionals invite you to our fortnightly discussion group:Wednesday, 5 December 2011 | 7:00 p.m.
Madison's Grill, 1109 SE Madison St. (Map)
The dispute over Kashmir between India and Pakistan shades their interactions with the rest of the world. It is used to justify ISI interactions with groups supporting terrorism and prevents meaningful cooperation between the two powers. Over the last year, the situation in Kashmir has deteriorated and now resembles the Palestinian Intifadas. Are there opportunities for peace in the region in the near term? Should the US make Kashmir a higher priority?
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During a visit to a Lewis and Clark College classmate's home in Karachi in 1996 I was intrigued by the Pakistani evening television news. At the end of each 30 minute non-commercial broadcast there was a daily feature "The Kashmir Minute" detailing that days occurrences in "Occupied Kashmir". Human rights abuses, discriminatory practices of the Indian Army, protector/rebel activities and casualties were highlighted in brief each evening ensuring that each Pakistani citizen had top of mind the situation in Kashmir. This was prior to the twin nuclear tests when tensions were at an all time high. I crossed the only open border crossing between Lahore and Amritsar on my continuing journey to India. There were 9 checkpoints and more barbed wire, mines, artillery and armor than separated West and East Berlin, certainly comparable to the DMZ. At each checkpoint (Pakistani and Indian) I was interrogated as to the purpose of my journey, I was frisked and my bags were unpacked and contents reviewed in detail. At that time even busses or private cars were not allowed to pass and to this day families (especially Sikh) are divided on either side of the border. My friend now lives in London and works for the BBC, but still, like most Pakistanis except with very special clearances, can not get a visa to visit India.
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