Press release
WASHINGTON DC, May 12: A U.S.-based Baluch journalist and poet has requested U.S. presidential hopefuls to inititate direct talks with the Baluch leadership, including the exiled de jure ruler of Baluchistan, the Khan of Kalat His Highness Suleman Daud Ahmedzai, for a peaceful resolution of the Baluchistan crisis, and denounced the talks that U.S, officials are holding with the Pakistani terrorists.
In a letter sent to the campaign managers of Senators Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and John McCain--the U.S. presidential hopefuls-- Ahmar Mustikhan urged the three leaders to spell out their policy on Baluchistan and informed them about the upcoming global protests on May 28 to mark the 10th anniversary of the nuclear tests in Chagai in Pakistani-occupied Baluchistan
He said Pakistan is a failed state on its death-bed and the U.S. and world interests would be best served by initiaing talks with the Baluch leadership, in stead of courting terrorists belonging to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement who staged an orgy of blood and bodies on the streets of Karachi on the instruction of Pakistan coup leader Gen ( R ) Pervez Musharraf.
Following is the full text of Mustikhan's letter to the U.S. president hopefuls:
I like to bring to your notice the continued subjugation of the people of Baluchistan at the hands of Pakistani and Iranian governments and the dangers posed to the peace-loving citizens of the world as U.S. officials have opted for talks with leaders of a Pakistani terrorist organization responsible for the killing of innocent people.
You might know Baluchistan is a Texas-sized stateless region divided among Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan. The area forms the northern skirt of the Straits of Hormuz. The region remained stateless primarily because of the ill-conceived forward policy of the United Kingdom more than a century ago. A part of the huge area was handed over to Iran by the British and another part was forcibly annexed by Pakistan in March, 1948 seven months after the British left the Indian subcontinent.
Continued occupation of Baluchistan by Pakistan and Iran has added to misfortune of the region. Pakistani generals dreaming of hoisting the green crescent on New York used Baluchistan to test its so-called Islamic Bomb in Baluchistan 10 years ago. Baluch people all over the world will protest the nuclear tests in Baluchistan on May 28.
I am most disgusted at the talks U.S. officials are holding with terrorists from Pakistan, namely the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, as this clearly violates the stated U.S. policy that it will not talk to the terrorists. This is a colossal waste of U.S. tax-payers monies, but even more dangerous is the fact that it encourages those who use terror tactics for achieving political goals worldwide.
I am appalled that U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan, Madam Anne Patterson, met with the chief of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Altaf Hussain, in London, while Mr. John Negroponte and Mr. Richard Boucher, met leaders of the same terrorist outfit in Karachi. This is most despicable.
Exactly one year ago an orgy of blood and bodies was staged on the streets of Pakistan’s commercial capital Karachi by none else but the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, under direct instructions from Pakistan’s coup leader-turned-president Gen. ( R ) Pervez Musharraf. How can the U.S stoop so low to talk to the very same people who show scant regard for human life?
I urge you to make it publicly known that any undertaking or assurances given to Pakistan military leaders and terrorist outfits allied with them, including the MQM, will not be binding on the new U.S. government that takes charge in less than one year from now.
It is high time for the U.S. to talk with the leadership from Baluchistan, and equally oppressed Sindh province, rather than trying to bolster the Pakistani army generals by talking with their street show-boys. Terrorists are terrorists and their targets can change any moment. Just because they are supporters of a coup leader, Gen. ( R ) Musharraf does not give them any sanctity.
The U.S. State Department reports have clearly said that the MQM uses terror tactics including killings of political opponents. How can the U.S. that has historically taken a stand on terrorism be warming up with terrorists in spite of the U.S. State Department reports?
Pakistan's political leadership consists of an alcoholic general (Pervez Musharraf), a man known worldwide for corruption “Mr. Ten Percent” (Asif Ali Zardari, husband of slain former premier Benazir Bhutto) and a fugitive terrorist Altaf Hussain (chief of the MQM), while the real power is still in the hands of omnipotent and corrupt generals.
Pakistan is an artificial country and is today the headquarters of all kinds of terrorists from Al Qaeda to the MQM. The U.S. should not be courting any such kinds of terrorists.
Pakistan is on the death bed as it has utterly failed as a state and its peaceful Balkanization on the lines of the former Soviet Union will make the entire world, including the U.S. safer.
I urge you to immediately establish contacts with the Baluch leadership that includes de jure ruler of Baluchistan, His Highness the Khan of Kalat Suleman Daud Ahmedzai, who is now exiled in London, and others among the Baluch leadership from Pakistan and Iran, including Sardar Akhtar Mengal, Nawabzada Brahamdagh Bugti, Nawab Khair Bakhsh Marri, Mir Hasil Bizenjo, Dr. Hayee Baluch and the secular leaders from Iranian Baluchistan for creation of a unified, independent and secular Baluchistan.
I urge you to take a firm stand on the stateless people of world, including Baluchistan. A clear-cut U.S. policy on the independence of Baluchistan must become part of your election manifesto.
If you want any further information on Baluchistan, a team of Baluch experts from Pakistani- and Iranian-occupied Baluchistan can meet you and members of your team dealing with foreign affairs at short notice.
Sincerely,
Ahmar Mustikhan
Journalist |
