Some stuff to chew on
First of all, I want to tell everyone who is reading this that you are doing a great job of making this blog popular and useful. Your comments have clearly demonstrated an interest in the committee and the topics pertinent to the issues. I’m glad that people are commenting and really digging into the issues that I present. This will only make our time in March more exciting and more productive. Believe me when I say this–the rest of the BMUN chairs are pretty jealous that this blog gets so many comments. Keep it up!
Also, I want to encourage delegates to e-mail me if they have any questions. A lot of you have already e-mailed me asking logistical questions and/or suggesting articles to post up on the blog. I know a lot of you are first-timers at crisis, so I really want you to ask questions so we can be best prepared to jump right in during the conference in March. That being said, I am almost always on gmail (unless I’m in class or out), so I usually respond very quickly. So don’t be afraid to e-mail me if you have questions, I know you do because the logistical parts of crisis are very new to the first-time delegate.
If you want to chat with our head chair, Eric Ching, he will be holding online office hours on AIM. Office hours are meant for you to get some one-on-one time with the chair and to get any questions you have answered quickly. He will be holding office hours on Tuesday and Thursday this week from 6 PM to 7 PM on the screenname “bmuncrisisoh”. Feel free to IM him during this time if you want to talk to him.
Finally, a few links for you with limited commentary, because this post is already too long for my tastes.
- Pakistan decided to block YouTube, saying that there was content that was offensive to Islam. While not completely relevant, it still raises a debate about whether a government has the right to do this. Also, consider the religious motivations behind this action. The religion issue might be something you have to deal with both internally and externally.
- Thanks to one of our delegates, National Security Advisor M K Naranyan for submitting this article. It’s an opinion article on the effect of what has been happening in Pakistan. A good read.
- Finally, another opinion article on what the recently negotiated Pakistani coalition might offer. This doesn’t relate to India directly, but it’s always good to think about what effects on India certain events might have. This is one of those events.
As usual, feel free to e-mail me at bhuang419(at)berkeley.edu.
February 25th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
I believe it is Pakistan’s right to censor media for their citizens as they see fit - India should not take any stance in this issue as to not anger those on either side of the issue in Pakistan as well as our own nation.
I would like to again highlight the need for increased internal security in our country. At this time of impending crisis - we must prepare adequately both in and outside of India. There is a need for further work in our already promising counterintelligence campaign, the police service and the Intelligence Bureau. While we maintain peace and prepare at home, action also must be taken to prepare for any possible conflict with either the Chinese, Pakistanis and or third party combatants in the form of intelligence gathering and contingency strategies.
Diplomacy will also play a key role in our preliminaries - we must consider our options for negotiating in any conflict with plans for both China and Pakistan. We must maintain a firm stance in these matters and not immediately yield to the wishes of foreign powers. The political shift in Pakistan will not overwhelmingly change military and strategic sentiments but might indeed open the door for negotiation and diplomacy as we have seen the beginnings of already.
February 26th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
There seems to be some promising news this week. Pakistan has decided to relent and lift the ban on Youtube. Though we must never truly let our guard down - it seems as if the Pakistanis are setting an unprecedented standard for negotiation and openness toward change.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7262071.stm
February 26th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
It’s completely within their rights to block YouTube as a sovereign nation (India also engages in censorship if there’s a compelling need for moral or communal reasons), but it is kind of troubling that they’d block the entire website. It kind of speaks to a willingness to suppress dissent through a variety of means, and if its poorly taken, it might lead to some sort of intrastate conflict. This may or may not be the sort of civil war we’ve been concerned about, but its just another thing to think about before the conference.
I am optimistic over the possibilities for a thawing of relations between India and Pakistan. I just don’t expect it to happen all at once. The best we can do is rely on that old Reagan era maxim - “trust but verify”.
February 27th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Of course they can block whatever they feel is necessary seeing that any nation’s government has the right to do whatever they believe is necessary for their citizens. However, I don’t feel that simply blocking a website will cause much conflict, especially since they could easily get other videos off of Google or Yahoo (and it was eventually unblocked, anyway). Yes, the act can be considered “controversial” among a portion of the population who are particularly passionate about it, but I doubt it could escalate into a large enough issue to cause severe unrest. If the government truly wanted to suppress dissent, they would have cancelled a lot more websites or media options other than YouTube.
On the other hand, should the government suddenly plunge into a state where no media was allowed at all based on fear of allowing opposing beliefs to circulate, that is a point when intrastate conflict is likely to erupt. Considering both this act, and its repeal, I suggest that India continue to keep a close eye on the inner workings of Pakistan; but I too have faith in the future between India and Pakistan; just as long as India is always kept one step ahead of the ball for the sake of safety in the event of any disaster within either nation. India is looking for a contructive and cooperative relationship, but one that can be based on trust and confidence, something that Pakistan is far from being awarded as of now.
February 27th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Each of your posts are excellent, and you bring up legitimate philosophical points dealing with the difficult issue of soverignty.
One useful way to approach the issue is from a more pragmatic approach. Say for example that this just happened, and the world is expecting a response from India. What should the response be? What would the response result in? What actors might respond?
Keep up the good work!