Why Pakistan was ignored ?. India and China invited by President.Obama to attend the Annual G-8 Summit 2009 at Italy?
Mushtaq Ahmad Sethi asked:
Fleshy bones being thrown towards India by the US .The recent events and developments between the two, amply confirms that US is appeasing India.
The generous and extreme importance US is extending to India while overlooking its strongest ally, Pakistan in the war against terror. For instance the civil nuclear agreement, the invitation to India and China to attend the exclusive G-8 summit 2009 (ignoring Pakistan) held this month in Italy, the US distancing, themselves from the Kashmir issue, terming it as a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan and last but not least the planned forthcoming visit of Mrs. Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State for the enhancement of bilateral relations, terming India as a major developing country of the world.
However, what I fail to comprehend is the policy of having invited China along with India, by President .Obama, while ignoring Pakistan. Also, it makes me wonder whether the war on terror no longer remains the priority of the G-8 members?. As,it noticeably was never listed, on the agenda of this 2009 G- Summit!
I append below a letter to the editor published in Daily Dawn newspaper by a Pakistani, provincial minister, for culture and Tourism, Sindh, expressing, her concern with relations to what I have narrated above about the G-8 summit 2009.
//G-8 summit ignores Pakistan
Tuesday, 14 Jul, 2009 | 02:07 AM PST
THE annual three-day summit of the Group of Eight leading industrialized nations took place the other day in a region devastated by an earthquake less than 100 days ago. President Barrack Obama had invited counterparts from China, India, Brazil, South Africa, Mexico and other countries to it.
The G-8 Summit was a major test for world leaders to resolve economic problems, fight world hunger and address the issue of climate change, following the last year’s global financial meltdown.
G-8 talks traditionally bring together the eight leading economies: Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the USA. However, the recently-held summit had been expanded to include emerging powers such as China and India. The talks also focused on the emerging political crises in Chinese Xinjiang region, Iran and Honduras.
We know that these G-8 countries had suffered serious economic downturns after credit crunch in the US, which quickly dragged the world into its worst recession since the early 1930s. Although I agree that climate change was an important issue as well and should have been addressed, what about the never-ending war on terror and the war-like situation that our country is facing in different areas. As a result of these turbulent situations, Pakistan is facing serious economic problems, but it had not even been invited to the summit to discuss these.
The other day I read an article, co-authored by Nicolas Sarkozy, the president of France, and Luix Inla da Silva, the president of Brazil, published in The New York Times. In the article they have talked about different global challenges but there is no mention of ‘terrorism’, which makes you wonder how they forgot to mention it as it is the world’s most serious threat and challenge.
Then I came to know about the G-8 summit’s agenda and I was extremely disappointed to learn that there was no mention of Pakistan anywhere. I think, and I am sure other people will agree with me, that ‘terror’ should have been on this summit’s agenda.
Many believe that the response of the US administration to terrorism has been shared in accordance with the conception of its own national interests, national prestige, and international power and position.
Today Pakistani people ask about their security and their national interests. We do not want them to think that they are being used as tissue paper and no one cares about their dignity, welfare and security.
Our people believe that nothing can justify the ongoing drone attacks. But if the G-8 countries have any justification, then Pakistan should have been included in the summit’s agenda.
There is a growing feeling among human rights advocates that despite the current challenges and global threats created by terrorists, human rights of all people, particularly of the poor and weakest, should be protected.
Needless to say, terrorism as a tool of destabilization, both within and between states, has emerged as the biggest threat that must be properly addressed as soon as possible.
I would like to emphasis that the G-8 and other First World countries must realize that Pakistan has lost much in this ‘war on terror’. Our people, especially leaders like Benazir Bhutto, have given so many sacrifices in that fight. I strongly believe that Pakistan should be given top priority while planning agendas for holding such international summits in future.
SASSUI PALIJO
Minister for Culture and Tourism
Government of Sindh Karachi //
The question about Pakistan being ignored is raised not only because the agenda didnt contain the war against terror but also that Pakistan is an equally important country within the south asian region probably more due to being the frontline ally in the war against terror and also being a nuclear state such as the other two new invitees.It is a known fact that Pakistan and India have been traditionally been never on good relations and keeping this inview the hosts should have realized that by inviting one and not the other could send wrong message or vibes to the one ignored.The trust deficit could be further damaged.Thus in all fairness if India was invited then so should have Pakistan !
Comments invited,Please !
Fleshy bones being thrown towards India by the US .The recent events and developments between the two, amply confirms that US is appeasing India.
The generous and extreme importance US is extending to India while overlooking its strongest ally, Pakistan in the war against terror. For instance the civil nuclear agreement, the invitation to India and China to attend the exclusive G-8 summit 2009 (ignoring Pakistan) held this month in Italy, the US distancing, themselves from the Kashmir issue, terming it as a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan and last but not least the planned forthcoming visit of Mrs. Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State for the enhancement of bilateral relations, terming India as a major developing country of the world.
However, what I fail to comprehend is the policy of having invited China along with India, by President .Obama, while ignoring Pakistan. Also, it makes me wonder whether the war on terror no longer remains the priority of the G-8 members?. As,it noticeably was never listed, on the agenda of this 2009 G- Summit!
I append below a letter to the editor published in Daily Dawn newspaper by a Pakistani, provincial minister, for culture and Tourism, Sindh, expressing, her concern with relations to what I have narrated above about the G-8 summit 2009.
//G-8 summit ignores Pakistan
Tuesday, 14 Jul, 2009 | 02:07 AM PST
THE annual three-day summit of the Group of Eight leading industrialized nations took place the other day in a region devastated by an earthquake less than 100 days ago. President Barrack Obama had invited counterparts from China, India, Brazil, South Africa, Mexico and other countries to it.
The G-8 Summit was a major test for world leaders to resolve economic problems, fight world hunger and address the issue of climate change, following the last year’s global financial meltdown.
G-8 talks traditionally bring together the eight leading economies: Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the USA. However, the recently-held summit had been expanded to include emerging powers such as China and India. The talks also focused on the emerging political crises in Chinese Xinjiang region, Iran and Honduras.
We know that these G-8 countries had suffered serious economic downturns after credit crunch in the US, which quickly dragged the world into its worst recession since the early 1930s. Although I agree that climate change was an important issue as well and should have been addressed, what about the never-ending war on terror and the war-like situation that our country is facing in different areas. As a result of these turbulent situations, Pakistan is facing serious economic problems, but it had not even been invited to the summit to discuss these.
The other day I read an article, co-authored by Nicolas Sarkozy, the president of France, and Luix Inla da Silva, the president of Brazil, published in The New York Times. In the article they have talked about different global challenges but there is no mention of ‘terrorism’, which makes you wonder how they forgot to mention it as it is the world’s most serious threat and challenge.
Then I came to know about the G-8 summit’s agenda and I was extremely disappointed to learn that there was no mention of Pakistan anywhere. I think, and I am sure other people will agree with me, that ‘terror’ should have been on this summit’s agenda.
Many believe that the response of the US administration to terrorism has been shared in accordance with the conception of its own national interests, national prestige, and international power and position.
Today Pakistani people ask about their security and their national interests. We do not want them to think that they are being used as tissue paper and no one cares about their dignity, welfare and security.
Our people believe that nothing can justify the ongoing drone attacks. But if the G-8 countries have any justification, then Pakistan should have been included in the summit’s agenda.
There is a growing feeling among human rights advocates that despite the current challenges and global threats created by terrorists, human rights of all people, particularly of the poor and weakest, should be protected.
Needless to say, terrorism as a tool of destabilization, both within and between states, has emerged as the biggest threat that must be properly addressed as soon as possible.
I would like to emphasis that the G-8 and other First World countries must realize that Pakistan has lost much in this ‘war on terror’. Our people, especially leaders like Benazir Bhutto, have given so many sacrifices in that fight. I strongly believe that Pakistan should be given top priority while planning agendas for holding such international summits in future.
SASSUI PALIJO
Minister for Culture and Tourism
Government of Sindh Karachi //
The question about Pakistan being ignored is raised not only because the agenda didnt contain the war against terror but also that Pakistan is an equally important country within the south asian region probably more due to being the frontline ally in the war against terror and also being a nuclear state such as the other two new invitees.It is a known fact that Pakistan and India have been traditionally been never on good relations and keeping this inview the hosts should have realized that by inviting one and not the other could send wrong message or vibes to the one ignored.The trust deficit could be further damaged.Thus in all fairness if India was invited then so should have Pakistan !
Comments invited,Please !
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