If-I-am-assassinated-by-Shaheed-Bhutto

9. The External CrisisLet us compare the coup d’etats Pakistan has had with those of the sameclass in Africa. The subject is sensitive and only two examples of Asia and oneamong the many of Africa are being given. In Asia, the successive military coupd’etats in Thailand has intensified the secessionist movement in that country. Hadit not been for the bond of unity provided by the Thai monarchy, the countrywould have been dismembered by now. In the Philippines, the Martial Law,albeit led by a civilian president, has accentuated the secessionist movement inMindanao. In sharp contrast the fragile and newly created unity of Malaysia,built on the sunken sands of Duncan Sandys, is showing unexpected resilience. Itis due to democracy. Let us take India, our “great and dear” neighbour. If Indiahad suffered from martial laws and military dictatorships, on the pattern ofPakistan, India would have been three or four separate pieces by this day. Indiais more heterogeneous than Pakistan. But India has been kept in one piece by thenoise and chaos of her democracy. Only the example of the most recent coupd’etat in Africa is being cited. If the military coup recently witnessed inMauritania is of the category under consideration, it would inevitably lead to thedismemberment of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania; the second IslamicRepublic to face dismemberment.The issues involved are very grave. But instead the present militaryregime passes its time producing White Papers which, in fact, are waste paperand should be treated as such. For, God’s sake let us address ourselves to thedire national problems. Apart from the earlier retrograde measures taken by thisregime, the suspension of Martial Law Regulation 115 promulgated by me totransfer land to the peasants of Baluchistan is pregnant with harm.Suspension of this reform until the settlement of land survey is completedmeans its annulment. The former Sardars of Baluchistan are not with you; byannulling a basic reform like this one, you want to lose the peasantry ofBaluchistan as well. Even the well cooked “Sajji” of Baluchistan is not a betterrecipe for secession.This is not the only unpopular measure taken by this martial law regime,which has no mandate from the four provinces of Pakistan. It is only natural thatwhen they feel no sense of participation and there is a political wilderness,national unity is eroded end secessionist tendencies are nurtured. This tendencyhas implications in the field of foreign affairs. In the sphere of internationalaffairs, duty drives me to put questions which are disconcerting to nationalinterest:If I am Assassinated; Copyright © www.bhutto.org 141