Shedding new light on America's involvement in Afghanistan and Pakistan, Dartmouth drama professor Framji Minwalla spoke about his native Pakistan's troubled history at an informal discussion yesterday in Collis.
Minwalla returned recently from Pakistan, and provided a different perspective on the events of Sept. 11. He pointed out the complexities of the relationship between Afghanistan and Pakistan and brought up the role that America has played in exacerbating tensions.
In order to understand the present situation, Minwalla stressed it is necessary to look at the region's history, particularly the manner in which the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan was arbitrated. The British, hoping to create a buffer state between themselves and Russia, established the border between what would later be Pakistan and Afghanistan without considering the ethnic divisions of the area's residents.
"The border is not drawn on ethnic lines, literally splitting tribes and families," Minwalla said. "Thus, residents have never really honored the border. It is very porous because tribes have gone back and forth for years."
The Cold War also created problems as the Soviet Union supported Afghanistan, causing Pakistan to look to the United States for aid. The low point in the two countries' relations came, Minwalla said, when Afghanistan installed a communist regime in replacement of the monarchy. The Northern Alliance in Afghanistan came into being at this time.
"It was funded by the United States to beat off the Soviets," Minwalla said.
Minwalla was also quick to point out that the Northern Alliance, contrary to present media portrayal, is violent and oppressive.
"Members of the Northern Alliance have murdered people by the thousands," Minwalla said. "They are every bit as militant and conservative as the Taliban."
The Taliban, Minwalla said, was actually created by the Pakistani Intelligence Agency and was trained in camps funded by the United States. Their original goal was to establish peace after the warlords of the Northern Alliance had ravaged the country.
"All that we have seen happen is a reversal of positions," Minwalla said.
Due to America's past involvement, anti-American sentiment in Pakistan is no surprise, according to Minwalla. While he said that most papers in Pakistan condemned the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, many people felt that the bombings were a terrible idea and saw America as having first created the terrorists it was punishing.
However, Minwalla reported that the present situation in Pakistan is quiet. While a small part of the population is pro-Taliban and a section of the army is militant, he does not believe Pakistan will become a militant Islamic state.
"What's happening there now is nothing new, although in context it is," Minwalla said.
After Minwalla spoke, the audience of around 20 students and staff members discussed what could be done to improve the situation, and many felt that Americans should be more knowledgeable about the government's role in foreign affairs.
"I think it is important for all of us to learn more about others right now, particularly areas we might be misinformed about," Advisor to Asian-American Students Nora Yasumura said. "This is a valuable opportunity for all of us to grow and learn."
