Time We Civilize Our Foreign Affairs
TRANSCEND MEMBERS, 20 May 2013
Mazher Hussain – TRANSCEND Media Service
If any individuals are found to be peeping into houses of their neighbours or prying into privacy of others, we find it unacceptable and abhorrent. But if the same things are done by countries against each other, they gain legitimacy and acceptance in the name of national security and acquire the trendy tag of espionage!
Apart from spying, many countries spread misinformation, instigate violence, kidnap or kill people in covert operations, facilitate terrorist attacks and even wage wars against other countries in the name of national interest and security. But if individuals or groups engage in similar things like rumour mongering, acts of violence or rioting, then we declare them to be deviant and criminal. Somehow, all that we hold to be illegal, decadent, savage and uncivilized for a person or group appear to transform into necessities, virtues and heroics when these are done by countries against each other. Acceptance and celebration of James Bond- the legendary spymaster of Hollywood -is the iconic manifestation of this contradiction.
Foreign Office Mindset
Despite all the international exposure and diplomatic sophistication, foreign affairs personnel and intelligence agencies appear to act as bullies that are so very common in schools and street corners that operate in packs with the sole objective of scoring over the other “gang” with no qualms about any scruples or values. You just have to Win- irrespective of what it takes. How else can one explain the not so infrequent reports of the beating of the embassy staff of a hostile country and almost immediate retaliatory bashing up of their embassy staff in the other country? Similarly, there are numerous instances of expulsion of a diplomat by a country on charges of espionage or carrying out activities inconsistent with his diplomatic status, and the retaliatory expulsion of a diplomat by the other country almost immediately, citing similar charges. The list can go on to cover retaliatory killings, acts of sabotage, subversion and support to terror groups etc. With such mindsets prevalent in foreign services and intelligence agencies, it is unfortunate and dangerous that these very same people conceive, control, direct (and sometimes manipulate) foreign affairs of most countries with participation of very few political leaders and no space for people.
Hence many countries around the world unabashedly engage in all kinds of immature, illegal and inhuman acts against each other ranging from espionage to invasion and offer what they feel are perfect justifications. Most media also play along with the establishments of their respective countries and while highlighting, and at times exaggerating, the actual and imagined acts of atrocities and aggression of the other country, try to ignore or play down all acts of omission and commission of their own state when it cannot be suppressed altogether. As a result, people in each country are brainwashed into believing in the diabolical nature of the other nation and the innocence and good intentions of their own government.
In such a situation where all aggression is successfully ascribed to the other country and our own country acquires the aura of victimhood and our government appears to be prim and cautious, there is always the danger of the opposition parties (especially in a democracy), charging the establishment of being weak and thereby forcing it to take more belligerent and unreasonable stands that could further precipitate matters. Hence the assertions and actions of most governments engaged in hostilities are not based on facts, honestly and spirit of reconciliation but are often dictated by the need to appeal to and appease the sentiments of their respective publics that have been whipped up to a frenzy of vengeance by a demanding opposition (or the ruling party itself) and a belligerent media.
Need for People’s Foreign Policy
With increasing globalization, at least 50% of the life of common people is being affected by the foreign policies of their countries. Their access to food, shelter, civic amenities, education, health, social security etc also depends to large extent on trade relations with other countries (especially neighbours) and the expenditure on defense and security concerns. Better trade relations and minimum military expenditures could ensure high standards of living for the people and would indeed make poverty history from across the globe!
Despite such significant and critical bearing that proper management of foreign affairs can have on the day to day lives of common people, issues of improving foreign relations hardly ever figures in general public discourse or becomes an agenda in any election. Generally people get involved and respond to foreign policy issues when relations with another country deteriorate and mostly to endorse and urge an aggressive action (motivated by the media hype and general atmosphere of distrust and hatred that is created). Even parliamentarians and other elected representatives hardly question foreign policy formulations and actions when they become belligerent or espouse violence on foreign soil, fearing the tag of being branded anti- national and hurting the general public sentiment.
Result: Our foreign affairs are determined by people who are trained and conditioned to believe that spying, hostility and war are an inevitable way of life and heroic virtues.
But when it comes to people, most have been civilized successfully to shun violence, abhor deceit and discourage aggression in any form. Hence, baring a few fringe elements that may constitute an insignificant minority in every society, most people in most countries would generally favour tourism and trade rather than a foreign policy oriented in favour of distrust, deceit, weapons and war. So if common people do come to take active interest in and become determinants of foreign policy matters, then we can hope to initiate a new era in foreign affairs that bars violence, promotes global cooperation and becomes truly civilized.
India- Pakistan: Truth Time
None would admit but it is a fact that both countries send spies into others territory, support subversive groups and directly or indirectly engage in terrorist actions. Most recruits for such activities are the unemployed from the border districts on both sides whose poverty is exploited by our establishments in the name of nationalism but who are abandoned to their fates and long years of imprisonment in a foreign land if they are caught. For every Sarabjit Singh, Chamel Singh, Sanaullah Haq and Ajmal Kasab who are caught on charges of spying and terrorism, and gain publicity because of media coverage, there are hundreds who are lodged in jails on other side of the border- abandoned, forgotten and unknown. If our governments had indeed recruited them for the noble cause of serving the nation and if they have made the ultimate sacrifice of losing their life or their freedom in line of duty, then why is it that all of them are not declared national heroes and their families provided for adequately? If we cannot, then why lure our poor into a deceptive, dangerous and disgraceful path.
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Mazher Hussain is a member of the TRANSCEND Network for Peace, Development and Environment. He is Executive Director of COVA (Confederation of Voluntary Associations), a national network of voluntary organizations dedicated to the issues of social harmony, peace and justice. The prime focus of COVA is on citizenship rights and on perspective building for harmony and peace in South Asia. Through direct programmes and by networking with other CSOs, COVA organises perspective building activities and programs, carries out campaigns, and conducts research for influencing diverse sections of civil society and the state apparatus to adopt inclusive, secular and egalitarian outlook and policies that would foster rights and secure justice and peace for all. Email:mazherhussain11@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Transcend Media Service (TMS) on 20 May 2013.
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