The WikiLeaks' release of classified military documents from the war in Afghanistan is shocking. All wars against terrorism are aimed at safeguarding civilians. But the leaked documents show that the coalition forces have killed hundreds of civilians in unreported incidents. The forces, which bear no responsibility or accountability to the citizens of Afghanistan, have no moral right to continue there any more.
The editorial “Probe the policy, not the leak” (July 28) rightly says that gross violations of human rights have been taking place in Afghanistan under a veil of secrecy that surrounds the “war on terror.”
M. Xavier,
Tirunelveli
America owes to its people and the world at large an apology for murdering thousands of people in Afghanistan. The contradiction in the U.S. policy of funding Pakistan while the latter encourages and funds the Taliban is something those uninitiated in American diplomacy cannot comprehend. Punishing the whistleblowers would amount to witch-hunting.
Why treat the symptoms while the root cause is waiting to be addressed?
K.M. George,
Muvattupuzha
The content of the leaked military documents might have shocked many but it was something that was suspected all along. The ISI's role in lending a helping hand to the Taliban is an open secret.
It must be clear to the U.S. and its allies that the aid meant for Pakistan is being diverted.
P.U. Krishnan,
Udhagamandalam
The WikiLeaks exposé is a shot in the arm for India as it has called the bluff of the Pakistan army and the ISI. It has vindicated India's claims that the terror attack on the Indian Embassy in Kabul was carried out by the ISI in connivance with the Afghan insurgents and the tribal areas in Pakistan are used to stoke insurgency in Afghanistan. Perhaps because of its perception that the terror attacks planned by the ISI-jihadi nexus are India-centric, the U.S.-led international community has been selective in reining in the terrorists operating from Pakistan.
Nalini Vijayaraghavan,
Thiruvananthapuram
It is in Pakistan's interest to keep the al-Qaeda safe because the terror group serves as its strategic asset to get American aid in the form of sophisticated weapons. Why does the U.S., which roared like a lion against Iraq, act meek against the atrocious behaviour of Pakistan? The American forces could have destroyed the camps and captured the Taliban leaders by themselves without seeking Pakistan's help.
It would be naïve for India to expect the U.S. to do what we should have done long ago. Any further delay in dealing with Pakistan firmly will only result in its getting more help to arm itself.
N. Gopalan,
Chennai
It is clear that Pakistan's military establishment and the ISI have utilised the huge military aid from the U.S. to sponsor terror. It is quite possible that the U.S. is aware that Pakistan spends a substantial amount of funds on encouraging cross-border terror. It is time we woke up to the reality and solved our issues with Pakistan without expecting the U.S. to restrain it.
P.R. Thiruvengadam,
Coimbatore
The WikiLeaks website has carried a devastating exposure of American machinations in Afghanistan. As a first step, the U.S. should reconsider continuance of aid to Pakistan — the birthplace of terrorism. The exposé may be just a beginning. Who knows, more devastating revelations may be waiting to be published!
E. Sunny Joseph,
Thrissur
