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'Military rule has no place in our culture'
Air Chief Marshal S.K. Kaul (Retd) : Hello, I am Air Chief
Marshall S.K. Kaul here. I am ready to answer your questions.
ramudu : ok leave about the thing .now tell me sir about
the situation if the both fail to get a poistive theme from the
meeting. Air Chief Marshal S.K. Kaul (Retd) : Frankly, one
should not expect the outcome from the summit to be such that it would resolve
all the outstanding problems between our two countries. Problems in Kashmir
alone is such a complex one that one cannot forsee tangible results emerging at
the very first meeting between Vajpayee and Musharraf.Since both will be meeting
for the first time, perhaps more important is that they get to understand each
other particularly their minds and resolve to continue the dialogue on all
outstanding issues between India and Pakistan including that of Kashmir.The
process of dialogue needs to be established during this summit alongwith the
will to live in peace gets reinforced. That is what we should expect from this
summit. And hopefully, it moves in that direction.
madhu : why cant indian government allow the hurriyat
leaders to participAtein the summit Air Chief Marshal S.K. Kaul
(Retd) : One must appreciate the Indian governments stand that
Hurriyat is only representing a group of people of J & K particularly those
who believe in secession of Kashmir from India. Hence they are truly not
representative of all the people of the state particularly those residing in
Jammu and Ladakh. There are many other organisations. They too need to be
represented if Hurriyat is given a place around the table.
shailesh : dont u think that the summit has created an
unnecessary hype and do u think that some think constructive will come out of
the summit Air Chief Marshal S.K. Kaul (Retd) : I agree that
there is tremendous media hype created on both sides of the border but such a
hype is inevitable when leaders of two fueding nations decide to meet in an
attempt to resolve problems through dialogue than through guns which in any case
have always failed to produce lasting solutions.
madhu : sir,i agree with u. But how long our centre will
be watching the deathos of innocent kashmiri.And why cant indian govt. treat
them as a major group as they are beyond the control of musharraf and they are
strongly supported by pakistani people.Why cant three party heads put together
their heads and discuss the issue. Air Chief Marshal S.K. Kaul
(Retd) : I had mentioned earlier that the Kashmir problem is very
complex. It is not the problem of the valley alone. It is first about Pakistanis
invading Kashmir in 47-48 and still occupying many parts which orginally belong
to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Secondly, there are people who belong to
Jammu as well as Ladakh who do not necessarily subscribe to the same views as
some of those in the valley. So, it is not a case of three parties involved.
There are more than three parties involved.
vidhyesh : do u think American pressure is the real key
behind Vajpayee's sudden invitation to pak president Air Chief Marshal
S.K. Kaul (Retd) : Americans have been talking about India and
Pakistan resolving their issues through dialogue for quite some time. But I do
not think Mr. Vajpayee invited Gen. Musharraf as a result of American pressure.
Dialogue between the two countries was totally stalled after Kargil and it was
time that some efforts were made to resume this. It is in this quest that the
dialogue is being held and not under any pressure.
mishracs : Is it necessary to have such a grand reception
and summit when one can talk across the world like we do with you now. more so
when we are not sure about the intention of our neighbour. Air Chief
Marshal S.K. Kaul (Retd) : You have a point in what you say. But
you have forgotten the fundamental thing that Mr. Vajpayee has invited Gen.
Musharraf to India for talks. Musharraf comes as a guest and as is traditional
in our country guests are treated extraordinarily well and given all the
respect. Apart from this, as hosts it is also for Vajpayee to ensure that an
atmosphere for the talks is conducive and is held in the spirit of
cooperation.
panduhawaldar : What is the merit in talking about Kashmir
when the leadres from both sidesare already decided on the issue...and they
still say that we are going to begin with an open mind?? Air Chief Marshal
S.K. Kaul (Retd) : The leaders on both sides have merely stated
their positions with regard to problems related to Kashmir. These have been
stated so for many decades now. What is hoped is that during the summit there
could be some movement forward in trying to resolve the issue with a give and
take approach.
grewty : why cant we have a referendum on kashmir?what
will be the defence services reaction to any such move? Air Chief Marshal
S.K. Kaul (Retd) : We can have a referendum in Kashmir provided
the ground situation is conducive for such a development. For this to happen,
Pakistan must first vacate the occupied part of Kashmir totally and secondly,
the cross border terrorism has to stop completely for such an excercise to be
contemplated.
RobinChat : SIR AN IMPORTANT QUESTIONS THAT INDIA NEVER
ASKS PAKISTAN! IF PAKISTAN TALKS OF TAKING KASHMIR ON THE BASIS OF MUSLIM
MAJORITY, THEN TOMMOROW ANOTHER POCKET OF MUSLIM MAJORITY COULD WANT TO ACCEDE
TO PAKISTAN AND THEY WOULD ONLY BE TOO HAPPY TO OBLIGE THEM!IF PAKISTAN WERE TO
USURP KASHMIR WOULD "PAKISTAN, A FASCIST NATIO BE READY TO ACCEPT THE 120
MILLION MUSLIMS IN INDIA?"I THINK SHREE VAJPAYEE, WHO HAS ACTED SO SUBMISSIVELY
TOWARDS PAKISTAN IN THE PAST(MAYBE THATS WHY THEY LIKE HIM SO MUCH) SHOULD ASK
MR.MUSHARRAF THIS QUESTION? Air Chief Marshal S.K. Kaul
(Retd) : I do not subscribe to your thesis that in the 21st
century that India should again be sub-divided on the basis of religion.If we
accept such a division then Pakistan should be willing to accept 14 crore
Muslims who are residing in India within Pakistan because religion is thought to
be the true basis of creation of nationhood. In such a scenario, you can imagine
the catastrophe that will fall on the sub-continent with violence, killing,
uprooting of humanity all over again.Can we allow this to happen.
Dileep : Will the Indian Armed Forces wake up to the call
of our times and take a more assertive, direct and proactive role in combating
our national problems? We have seen enough of politicians spilling words but
doing nothing in the past 50 years. Leading the pack now is Mr. Vajpayee, the
Nehru-reincarnate, "world-vision" statesman .. his sole aim seems to soft pedal
and win a Nobel Peace Prize. Air Chief Marshal Kaul, Sir, why don't u guys take
over the country and lead from the frontlines for the next 50 years? Air
Chief Marshal S.K. Kaul (Retd) : I sincerely hope that never
happens.Because there is not guarantee that if the military takes over India the
situation would be better than what is prevailing today. According to your
logic, Pakistan should have been a model state as it has been mainly ruled by
the military and yet the world considers it a failed state with democracy
nowhere in sight.India is better off with the bungling politicians because
democracy has taken firm roots. Military rule has no place in our culture.
srinivas : sir,how for is it possible to solve terrorism
with musharafs arrival to india Air Chief Marshal S.K. Kaul
(Retd) : I would suggest that you ask this question to Musharraf
because he is the one who is supporting the terrorists who are creating the
problems in Kashmir today.It is for him to stop this support.
amitabh : india should make the offer to let kashmir be an
independent state with only the defence & foreign policy to be handled
jointly by pak & india.your comments. Air Chief Marshal S.K. Kaul
(Retd) : Historically as you know there is a legal instrument of
accession of the erstwhile state of J & K to the Union of India. J & K
is a full fledged state of India with some special provisions made in our
constitution to give it a special status.
vivek : Sir do you think that President's visit will bring
some result. Air Chief Marshal S.K. Kaul (Retd) : Firstly, I
do not know what you mean by results.Between the people of India and Pakistan,
there is a mindset of distrust of each other that has existed for over five
decades. If President Musharraf's visit can help bring about a change or cause a
dent in this mindset, I think his visit would be worthwhile. In any case, just
one visit is not going to resolve all our bilateral issues. There needs to be
composite dialogue on all issues including on Kashmir and this has to be done on
a periodic basis till we reach some aimacable solution to our problems.
Shinde : We know that Mr Musharraf was chief of Army
during Kargil war and he defended his action all along against India. How is he
going to accept our version on India_Pak border issue. And is it not suprising
that Indian govt. still feels something can be fruitful? Air Chief Marshal
S.K. Kaul (Retd) : While the world knows that Musharraf was the
brains and the executor behing the Kargil episode, yet Vajpayee felt it
necessary to resume dialogue with Pakistan which had been stalled after Kargil
in order to make some progress in finding lasting peace in the sub-continent. I
think such an effort is worth trying even if there is chance of a failure.
Peepu : Mr Kaul: Do you think it was unethical for Air
Force Chief Tipnis not to salute Musharraf? Air Chief Marshal S.K. Kaul
(Retd) : I find that many of you have asked about Air Chief
Marshal Tipnis not saluting President Musharraf. Frankly, I do not have
authentic information on this yet and hence cannot make a comment.
niranjanp : SIR, IF WE WERE TO DISECT J&K ON BASIS OF
RELIGION WE WILL THEN HAVE TO FACE MANY SUCH DEMANDS SAY BY CHRISTIANS FROM N-E
WHAT ARE OUR OPTIONS IN SUCH A SITUATION Air Chief Marshal S.K. Kaul
(Retd) : Obviously, India has declared itself as a secular country
and its entire polity is based on this fundamental principle of secularism. We
cannot permit division of our country on grounds of religion anymore.
anandmour : CAN the two nations be friends
anyday? Air Chief Marshal S.K. Kaul (Retd) : Very much so.
For this to happen, I strongly believe there has to be a movement of people of
both sides to work together for a better subcontinent.
kaushlendra_m : Jai Hind Sir,Do We really feel proud by
welcoming a person who is very much responsible for killing 1000s of our defence
personal. We are still incompleting our learning from Lahore yatra and waiting
for one more Kargil or even bigger.RgdsKaushlendra Air Chief Marshal S.K.
Kaul (Retd) : I can understand your misgivings about India
welcoming Gen. Musharraf in India who is responsible for Kargil. But we also
need to accept the fact that Musharraf today is not only President of Pakistan,
he is the CEO as well as the army chief. Since we continue to have problems with
Pakistan and we have resolved to make efforts to find solution through peaceful
means, I think Vajpayee has shown statesmanship in inviting Musharraf for talks.
Unless we talk, we cannot find solutions because guns have not found
solutions.
Subhash : Can Mr Jaswant Singh ask Musharaff where arethe
hijackers, whom Jassu very ablydelivered to Pakistan Air Chief Marshal
S.K. Kaul (Retd) : I believe this question of hijackers is likely
to come up during the summit talks at Agra. Let us wait.
S GHOSH : SIR,I THINK THE MOST PRACTICAL SOLUTION RIGHT
NOW SEEMS TO ME PERNMANANCY OF LOC,YOUR VIEWS! Air Chief Marshal S.K. Kaul
(Retd) : You have given a practical solution of converting LOC
into the international border. This has been said so by many people on both
sides of the border. Pakistan government and military in particular does not
want such a solution.
vishnu : kaulji, i heard from the soldier that we lost
nearly 2 batallions during the kargil war.and the reason for that happenings is
due to not proper plan. my question is why the airforce was not put into full
fledging from the beginning. if we have used that havent our soldiers would be
saved?? so where is the fault? Air Chief Marshal S.K. Kaul
(Retd) : Incidentally, I have answered this on this website during
the Kargil conflict. For your information, airpower is employed when one expects
to gain maximum results and in Kargil it was done so at the appropriate
time.
VIJAYD : The Americans learnt their lesson after the
perfidy perpetrated on them by the Japanese in Pearl Harbour. Why can't India
respond in the same vein given what happened in Kargil Air Chief Marshal
S.K. Kaul (Retd) : We are not Americans. Indians have a different
approach in tackling the enemy and history is full of such instances. You can't
expect a Pearl Harbour from India.
gastroagain : sir you are not answering us with the right
indian spirit that is burning in all of us.sir don't you feel that
spiritinyou Air Chief Marshal S.K. Kaul (Retd) : Mere
rhetorics alone does not make a man aggressive. It is the action which
determines that. When Kargil happened India responded strongly and likewise in J
and K our security forces are constantly hitting the terrorist all the time.
Air Chief Marshal S.K. Kaul (Retd) : Thank you very much.
I really enjoyed chatting with all of you and feel happy to know that your
concern about what is happening to our beloved country. Keep your interest
alive.
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