M A I L B A G

Peace is the only option

Recent diplomatic moves by India and Pakistan indicate that their relations are still at crossroads and we need to discuss the options for a u-turn. Talks on Kashmir are still going on behind closed doors, but when Pakistan President Gen Pervez Musharraf announces a proposal, India reacts in a way as if it has come through a legal channel.

Pakistan first makes a big mistake by throwing the proposal in the air through the media (so that India feels insulted) and then tries to present itself as a deciding force. India also hits back via the media. If Pakistan wants to consult its people first, the question should be asked directly. India is not likely to consult her people on Kashmir because of the nature of her democracy.

Now both have got a lesson in the art of negotiation and the right diplomatic conduct. Both countries do not have many options on Kashmir. Especially India should realise this.

Time has come when independence, joint control and even unification are no longer bad ideas. In any case, peace is the only option left before India and Pakistan.

KULBIR SINGH SHERGILL, Calgary, Canada

Change AIR slots

The All India Radio (AIR) should reschedule its main evening Hindi news bulletin at 8 pm instead of 8.45 pm to give Samayaki an important time-place at 8.15 pm, just after the main news bulletin, in a manner Spotlight is placed after the main English news bulletin of 9 pm. The other programmes presented by the News Services Division of AIR, like "Today in Parliament", "Sansad Sameeksha", "Radio Newsreel" and "Samachar Darshan", can be placed between 8.30 pm and 9 pm. This slot can be utilised to revive the weekly News Sameeksha on Sundays to get important feedback from listeners.

MADHU AGRAWAL, Delhi

US is poor mediator

Apropos of the article "What can President Bush do in his second term?" by Maj-Gen Himmat Singh Gill (retd) (Perspective, December 5), no doubt, President Bush will have his fair share of global issues to tackle, not to forget his domestic constituency. Mr Bush would like to rectify the problems in America that, almost, cost him his Presidency. India and Pakistan would do well not to involve the US in their muddle since their track record in mediation is dicey. The bilateral negotiations may take a lot of time to yield results, but at least they will bear a result, which would be acceptable to both parties. The outcome of the Gulf Wars, the Afghan war and the Vietnam war has not made the world a safer place.

RAJIV BHALLA, Chandigarh