Can the Commonwealth save Pakistan?
Posted by AlexT - 20/11/09 at 04:11 pmWith Pakistan in almost perpetual crisis, where can the Commonwealth add value? In this interview for the Commonwealth Conversation, Jonathan Paris, a London-based Middle East and Islamic movement specialist, suggests the Trinidad Heads of Government Meeting could push along the India-Pakistan peace process.
Transcript:
I believe that in the organisation of Non-Aligned States there was a meeting in Sharm-El-Sheik, Egypt, between the Prime Minister of India and the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
It was very interesting in that the Prime Minister of India made some very accommodating statements, saying that they would look into accusations that they were stirring up trouble in Pakistani region of Balochistan. It has always been a serious concern of Pakistan, but India has never admitted to having any involvement with rebels.
That caused a lot of stir amongst Indian elites and army officials- but the fact that the Non-Aligned Movement provided a vehicle for the two adversaries, the two leaders, to sit and go further than they would have in their respective capitals is quite an interesting model for the Trinidad conference.
I would encourage any efforts to push along the India-Pakistan peace process – they call it the composite dialogue- it is the one way to realign the nation’s interests, so that India and Pakistan are not fighting each other, and so the United States and Pakistan are not at cross-purposes. One of the problems the United States is facing in Afghanistan is that they cannot get the Pakistan army to see the Taliban as the enemy.
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November 24th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
Its an interesting question – especially interesting why the Cmwlth doesnt mention the issue.
I imagine a lot of technical assistance could be provided if Pakistan wanted it.
On a seperate point – wouldnt it be hilarious to see Obama meeting the Commonwealth for help with the war on terror!
November 25th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
Maybe they could save themselves?
November 25th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
technical assistance etc could be of great benefit if the Commonwealth was properly resourced.
November 25th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
The whole point of the Commonwealth- although often not realised in practice- is that the countries band together and help each other out in crisis. So, yes, the Commonwealth does have a role to play- and the ramifications of not assisting Pakistan would surely be felt on a global scale with increased terrorism etc
February 1st, 2010 at 11:56 am
Jonathan Paris has released a report on Pakistan – ‘Prospects for Pakistan’ which can be viewed here: http://www.legatum.com/newsdisplay.aspx?id=2926
A full pdf of the report can be found at the bottom of the page