Just the Facts

Just the Facts

The Shorthorn (University of Texas)
9/16/2004

Just The Facts An apolitically originated group aims to promote information over opinion on world issues The Shorthorn: Mark Roberts Michael Krepon speaks about U.S. security policy in South Asia on Wednesday night in the Rio Grande Ballroom. Krepon is the co-founder and president emeritus of the Henry L. Stimson Center, an institution that specializes in international security issues regarding policy, politics and technology.

By C J Patton Contributor to The Shorthorn

A new chapter of a national organization stirred up political conversation Wednesday between Republican supporters, Kerry activists and newly converted Nader enthusiasts.

About 30 people were present for the Americans for Informed Democracy presentation on the India-Pakistan crisis and the battle for the Kashmir territory. The group was created in September 2002 in response to anti-U.S. sentiment in the European continent.

The UTA chapter was founded in August, and the group has accumulated more than 30 members before this, its first major event.

“I think we’ve done pretty good,” said Umer Raffat, the group’s campus coordinator at UTA. “It was not a problem at all to generate interest.”

According to Raffat, the group’s purpose is simply to “promote global awareness among students on campus” and to “promote multilateralism among students and the masses.”

The group, which is apolitically oriented, is unique on campus in that it seeks to provide information about the issues at large, rather than opinion or judgment on those issues. By informing the public about the issues, rather than voicing opinion on them, the group increases multilateralism and awareness of the pros and cons of various views, Raffat said.

Secretary Alia Selim credits the events in the world nowadays for the sudden insurgence of interest in the organization.

“There’s a need for this kind of group. A lot of people need answers to some of the questions they have,” Selim said.

As the group’s main speaker, Michael Krepon took the podium and began by praising the organization and its policy of informing the public.

“I agree totally with your message of hope, not hate,” Krepon said, referring to one of the group’s activities nationwide. “It’s a lot easier to hate something you don’t know much about.”

At the evening lecture, Krepon spoke at length of the history, nature and recent developments of the India-Pakistan crisis and the dissent over the Kashmir territory specifically.

“It makes the current situation in Iraq look like meticulous planning,” Krepon said of the de facto cold war between the nations. “There has been a cease-fire across this divide [Kashmir], but I don’t think it can hold if things keep going south.”

However, the policy scholar did leave room for hope, saying that a strong and stable Pakistan realized by both nations to be in their own best interests and that the future of the two neighboring states must reflect this, if peace is to be achieved.

In a brief question-and-answer session, students asked about the relationship between the India-Pakistan struggle and the War on Terror. Krepon explained that, with Pakistan a chief U.S. ally in the military action against al-Qaida, U.S. involvement in the struggle is unlikely.

“The global war against terror begins with al-Qaida, and Pakistan supports us,” Krepon said.

After the event, much of the audience stayed behind to mingle. One of those in attendance was Saju John Mathew, a Kuwaiti of Indian descent.

“I think I can relate well to the Indian-Pakistan war because I am foreign,” John Mathew said.

John Mathew said that his natural curiosity about the India-Pakistan crisis caused him to come to the meeting, which he said he found pretty interesting. He said he will keep an eye open for other group events in the future.

Selim said that the main focus of the group in the near future will be to get more members and to begin working with other groups to plan events and discussions. She said the open and accepting nature of the organization will make this much easier.

“This group has a kinship, no matter what your opinion is,” Selim said.