[Reader-list] ATTENTION / Avert Nuclear War Over Kashmir

[Anjali Sagar]

from Andrea in Norway. beena

From: "Eli Pariser, 9-11peace.org" <moveon-help-550-690338-RV%
2FLEVIDCeZZw9JVNeTWlg at list.moveon.org>
Date: 28 May 2002 22:34:27 -0000
To: "Andrea Soendervik" <andreasondervik at yahoo.co.uk>
Subject: Avert Nuclear War Over Kashmir

Dear friend, 

The conflict between India and Pakistan over the disputed territory
of Kashmir is edging ever closer to a nuclear war.  A nuclear
exchange between these rival nations could kill 12 million people and
spread radioactive fallout around the globe. Please join us in
calling on President Musharraf of Pakistan and Prime Minister
Vajpayee of India to step back from the brink of holocaust.

Sign a message from concerned citizens of the world to these two
leaders at: 

http://www.moveon.org/nonukesoverkashmir/

Both leaders are currently banging the drums of war.  Yesterday,
Pakistan tested its third missile in as many days, emphasizing its
ability to deliver nukes to the Indian capital city New Delhi in
under three minutes.  Prime Minister Vajpayee told the 700,000 troops
stationed along the border of Pakistan that he was preparing for "a
decisive victory." 

While India has stated that it will only use its nukes in the case of
a nuclear attack, Pakistan has made clear that it will strike first
if threatened.  And there's reason to believe that it will follow
through on this policy: in 1999, such an attack was narrowly averted,
over the protest of then-General Musharraf.

More worrying still, India and Pakistan have broken their diplomatic
ties.  Unlike the US and the USSR during the Cold War, India and
Pakistan have no direct line connecting the leadership of each
nation.  The possibility exists that nukes could be launched as a
result of a mistake, since there's no easy way for the leadership of
one nation to verify the intentions of its rival.  With millions of
lives in the balance and weapons on hair-trigger alert, the lack of
communication between the two countries is just plain wrong.

If India and Pakistan were to go to war, the effects would be felt
around the world.  The trade winds above the two countries are
ideally situated to spread nuclear fallout.  Essentially highly
radioactive dust, fallout can cause leukemia and many other kinds of
cancer, as well as radiation poisoning.

Assuming either nation survived the attacks, it's unlikely that the
conflict would even be resolved.  Instead of pushing their countries
toward Armageddon, Mr. Vajpayee and Mr. Musharraf must re-establish
diplomatic ties, disavow the use of nuclear weapons under any
circumstances, and work toward a comprehensive agreement on the
future of Kashmir. 

Please let them know that you're deeply concerned about the
escalating conflict today:

http://www.moveon.org/nonukesoverkashmir/

The lives of millions of Indians and Pakistanis could be at stake.

Sincerely, 

--Eli Pariser
9-11Peace Campaign Director
MoveOn.org
Tuesday, May 28, 2002






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