Only words, no action

by Rajiv Dogra

(December 03, New Delhi, Sri Lanka Guardian) The terrorists have succeeded beyond their wildest expectations. After the Prime Minister's bluster, the Government now appears to be at a loss as to how to pin down Pakistan. Meanwhile, the world is gaping at a toothless, spineless wonder called the UPA Government

Once again the nation is mourning. But even in catharsis the form is ritualistic. There is much shaking of fists, pledges of firm action against the perpetrators of terror and a resolve to never let it happen again. Then as an expectant nation awaits the details of that resolve, there is deafening silence from the leadership. Their sullen mood having lasted for the duration of the terror attack, the focus shifts to other issues; the GDP growth, a flood somewhere or the next election.

Meanwhile, the masters of terror remain focussed, as they prepare for the next even more horrendous strike.

Evidence suggests that unlike our squabbling politicians, the terror masters are a determined lot. Their game plan clearly is to raise the bar of audacity with every strike, and to maximise the terror. In the past few years there were an average of two major terrorist strikes annually. This year there have been eight already, and the year is not yet over.

It is a fact of history that civilisations that get ravaged and nations that are supine can never rise to greatness. But a nation that has been brutalised repeatedly is at least expected to learn from its mistakes. Unfortunately, we seem to have decided that ignorance must remain our bliss. Like Don Quixote we want to keep tilting at the windmills. Naturally our response remains accidental.

After every fresh terror strike our intelligence agencies look bewildered, wondering how could it happen again? The security agencies take time to gird up and join the battle. And having joined it, some like the marine commandoes hold boastful Press conferences even as terrorists continue their mayhem. Fortunately, our younger officers and their colleagues have so far acquitted themselves well.

But their guts alone will not save India.

We live in a tough neighbourhood and the physical reality for India is getting grimmer by the day. Pakistan is staring into the abyss. Its economy is as parlous as its security situation. The intentions of those who govern Pakistan; the ISI and its Islamic puppets are clear. They want to drag India down into the same morass.

This recent terror strike, recent because their have been so many, in Mumbai was meant to clang shut the gateway of democratic India. The strikes on India's financial system were multiple and synchronised. This time it was not a stray suicide attack, the strike was meant to maim the financial system with the special aim of killing foreigners. The objective was to hit at the decision makers of the financial world.

The terrorists have succeeded beyond their wildest expectations. For the first time they have also brought India's response to international scrutiny. And the world may well begin to wonder if under sustained attack India might become an example of democracy that failed.

Clearly, we are under observation. But so far our response has been haphazard.

The Prime Minister took the exceptional step of addressing the nation on the first day of the terrorist attack. The address should have shaped the national mood. But our kind-hearted Prime Minister sounds apologetic even when he wishes to threaten. Moreover, his speech writers have not served him well.

The essence of his threat to the future terrorists was three fold. He said; "We will curb the flow of funds to suspect organisations. We will restrict the entry of suspects into the country. We will go after these individuals and organisations and make sure that every perpetrator, organiser and supporter of terror, whatever his affiliation or religion may be, pays a heavy price for these cowardly and horrific acts against our people."

These are brave words. Sadly, they will not deter the terrorists.

Let us examine the three elements outlined by the Prime Minister. First, he wishes to curb the flow of funds to suspect organisations. But as we all know the ISI does not depend on the normal channels of bank transfer. It has virtually set up a parallel mint to that of the Government of India which churns out huge amounts of fake Indian currency. Ask any cashier or shop assistant and he will tell you that his daily nightmare is how to detect counterfeit Rs 500 notes.

Secondly, he wishes to "restrict" the entry of suspects. But when you talk of "restrict" as opposed to "stop", you leave open the gates for some to enter! In any case the terrorists who landed next to the Naval Headquarters in Mumbai came without visas.

The third part of the Prime Minister's resolve was that, "We will go after these individuals and organisations..." Surely this is a hollow threat. In what must rank as a major blunder, the Prime Minister is reported to have asked the Pakistani Prime Minister to send the ISI chief to "assist" in the investigations! This invitation defies belief. It is like inviting the main suspect in a murder to join the police in investigations.

But would the Opposition have fared any better if it were in governance? The record of the NDA does not inspire confidence. It postured impotently after the attack on Parliament, wasting thousands of crores and exposing our military strategy when it lined up our troops for well over six months on the international border. Nor did the NDA cover itself with glory in the Kandhar episode. And it was former US President Bill Clinton's goodwill that saved us during Kargil.

What then is the way forward? Is all lost? Will we continue to depend on the luck and pluck of some brave youngsters to tide us through the future crisis, because despite Prime Minister's brave words the terror strikes are not going to cease.

Hopefully, all is not lost yet. If we look at the examples from around the world we will easily find many where determined leadership has effectively challenged and checked the threat of terror to their countries.

At times like these one thinks of Mrs Indira Gandhi. Her response would have been sure-footed and vastly different. She would have chosen the time, finetuned the tactics and carefully decided the extent of damage that she wished to inflict. Thereafter, she would have made sure that the results were obtained for the nation. Then, with a beguiling smile, she would have addressed the nation.

The window of our options is getting narrower by the day. The sponsor of terror across the borders is determined and resilient. Even in this limited window there is hope and sufficient time to emulate Mrs Gandhi.

-- The writer is a senior diplomat who has served as India's Ambassador to several countries. - Sri Lanka Guardian