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about Asia Buzz
Subcontinental Drift: What Really Happened?
Pakistanis deserve an explanation for Kargil
By APARISIM GHOSH
JUNE
1, 2000
Web posted at 10:30 a.m. Hong Kong time, 10:30 p.m. EDT
What are we to make of Muhammed Nawaz Sharif's latest claim that Pakistan's
Kargil misadventure was planned and executed without his knowledge? Very little,
I think. The former Prime Minister obviously gains by distancing himself from
his country's greatest embarrassment since the 1971 Bangladesh war. He also has
an interest in blaming the whole sorry episode on the military clique that
ousted him last fall. So we can hardly take Sharif at his word that the generals
acted in secret and on their own in the Himalayan heights of Indian-occupied
Kashmir.
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 ASIAWEEK
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On the other hand, Sharif's demand for a full investigation into the 10-week war
bears closer attention. The history of conflict in the subcontinent is littered
with too many unexamined and unexplained battles; the governments of India and
Pakistan have proven quite adept at covering up these episodes. Apparently they
believe this is good for the morale of their populations--and, in particular,
their fighting men. In reality, all it does is leave gaping holes in the
national consciousness, encouraging people--including, presumably, soldiers--to
underestimate the other side. (It also spawns endless conspiracy theories, but
that's a whole other can of worms.)
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For years, Indians were told that the frequent exchanges of fire across the Line
of Control in Kashmir were minor affairs and that the Indian Army was primed and
ready to repel any Pakistani infiltration. Likewise, Pakistanis were repeatedly
assured that their soldiers were so superior to the Indians they would easily
win any clash between the two sides. Kargil proved that New Delhi and Islamabad
were both being economical with the truth.
Nor is this sort of misinformation restricted to small skirmishes. Pop quiz: Who
won the Indo-Pakistani wars of 1948 and 1965? O.K., the precise result is a bit
vague, since both wars ended in cease-fires negotiated by international
mediators. I'll rephrase the question: Which side ended those wars in a superior
position? Most Indians would say they came out on top; most Pakistanis insist
THEY did. It is not unusual for protagonists of a war to disagree on its
conduct, but rarely do they differ on its conclusion!
That could easily happen with Kargil, too. To its credit, New Delhi has for once
conducted an independent inquest into the battle, and its findings are being
debated. General Pervez Musharraf would be doing his people a terrible
disservice if he allowed Kargil to join the long list of military mysteries on
the LOC. A thorough public investigation is a good idea--even if it does come
from Nawaz Sharif.
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