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Pak. Senate condemns war

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD April 2. Bowing to pressure from the Opposition particularly the religious parties, the Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali Government today facilitated Pakistan Senate adopt a unanimous resolution not only expressing `shock and dismay' over the attack on Iraq but also urging the United States for an immediate initiative to halt the war.

More than the unanimous resolution, it was the wording of the resolution that has come as a surprise to political observers. After all the Government was not willing for a similar resolution by the Pakistan Assembly a few days ago. Obviously the Jamali Government, which has deplored the military action in Iraq, did not want to go beyond a point in finger pointing at the Anglo-American alliance.

Managers in the ruling party had argued in private in the last few days while condemnation of the war would not materially alter the situation on the country, it could hurt the interests of Pakistan given its economic and military dependence on the western block.

Wide spread resentment in the country against the war and the decision of the Bush Administration to impose a two-year trade embargo on Pakistan's premier nuclear laboratory on charges of proliferation appear to have prompted the Government to shed its inhibitions.

On Iraq war, more than any thing else the Government has been trying to forcefully voice its opposition to the doctrine of `pre-emptive strikes and regime change'. Islamabad has been repeatedly pointing in the last few weeks that the doctrine cannot be the guiding principle in conduct of future relations among states. Interestingly Khurshid Ahmad, member of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal, moved the resolution in the Senate. Its adoption was preceded by five days of debate that saw members ventilate their anger against the U.S. President, George W. Bush, and the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, duo. The heated nature of the speeches could be gauged from the fact that at least one member went to extent of asking for prosecution of Mr. Bush and Mr. Blair for `war crimes'.

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