Ok, Andy, no more political posts from me on this forum. I will take my political musings to a different blog. Although, I must say that I was REALLY surprised to find the post being characterised as offensive. I thought I was very balanced in my views. And, I am far from your "right wing", and closer to your centre, I would think.
One final comment on the following:
Poirot, when India holds the long promised referendum on Kashmir and the Kashmiris themselves choose to remain part of India, then I will accept your analysis of the situation there. Until these disenfranchised people are given the right to self determination I will remain a skeptic.
From http://www.nancho.net/fdlap/kashmir/jkstates.html
I would say that if a referendum were to result in Kashmir continuing as a part of India, it would deflate the terrorist argument completely. If India is so sure the Kashmiris wish to remain part of India, then a referendum should become a top priority.
India agreed to a referendum in Kashmir in 1948, because Prime Minister Nehru thought it would be the right thing to do. Something, I fully agree with. But, to hold the referendum today, you have to revert Kashmir to the state that it was in 1948. Today:
1. Kashmiri Pandits (30% of the population) have been driven out of the state in waves of ethnic cleansing by the militants.
2. Pakistan holds about 30% of Kashmir
3. Of the 30%, Pashtun tribals (linked to Afghanistan Talibs) control 60% (the northern areas)
So, how do you propose to hold a free and fair referendum? I believe this is no longer even an option in the peace talks between India and Pakistan.
BTW, the "disenfranchised" people of Indian Kashmir elected their own govt two years back in a free and fair election. The govt consists of ex-militants too, who decided to contest the elections and other past pro-freedom parties. This new govt has been investing in infrastructure, with the help of Delhi. And, the tourists are flowing back. In fact, when six tourists were killed by grenade attacks on 11 July this year, all the tourist agencies held a big march in Srinagar in protest against the militants. If left to their own devices, I think Kashmiris are okay with their new govt. It is also up to Delhi not to screw it up again, as they have done so often in the past.
That was just to let you the know the ground realities.
Cheers
Poirot
PS: Here are some articles on Kashmiri terrorist training camps from a PAKISTANI magazine Herald (part of Dawn group of newspapers), which was carried in an Indian paper, for people wanting to know about the "indigenous" struggle of the Kashmiris.
http://www.indianexpress.com/story/10978.htmlhttp://www.indianexpress.com/story/10982.htmlhttp://www.indianexpress.com/story/10980.html