The two Italian marines of their merchantman, 'Enrica Lexie' have been allowed to go home to be with their families for Christmas. It's a diplomatic victory for the Italians much to the discomfort of the government of Kerala.
Citing past instances, the Kerala government is not so sure about the marines returning to see the logical conclusion of the case which indicts them for having shot dead the Malayalee fishermen. The case is to resume in the Kerala courts in early Jan. The government of India , following diplomatic niceties, had cleared the marines' move thanks to the request from the Italian government.
And it's here that I give full marks to the Italian diplomatic initiatives to get their citizens back. They'd put intense pressure on our government by the visits of their government officials - at various levels - including their minister and the Ambassador to bring about a thaw.
Compared to this, we seem to have done too little to extricate our countrymen who continue to languish in the custody of the Somalian pirates. Wonder why and as a citizen of this country, I've the following questions to the powers that be:-
(a) Are the lives of the ordinary Indians less precious?
(b) Is it because none of those people in captivity have any connection with the people in power?
(c) Is there a difficulty in identifying the right group among the Somali pirates with whom talks can be
carried out? If that be the case can't we carry out a rescue operation by our troops?
Tailpiece.
In addition, a vigorous 'track - 2' diplomacy needs to be pursued to bring about the release of the hapless prisoners! Otherwise, they're going to feel sad that they're Indians!!
Citing past instances, the Kerala government is not so sure about the marines returning to see the logical conclusion of the case which indicts them for having shot dead the Malayalee fishermen. The case is to resume in the Kerala courts in early Jan. The government of India , following diplomatic niceties, had cleared the marines' move thanks to the request from the Italian government.
And it's here that I give full marks to the Italian diplomatic initiatives to get their citizens back. They'd put intense pressure on our government by the visits of their government officials - at various levels - including their minister and the Ambassador to bring about a thaw.
Compared to this, we seem to have done too little to extricate our countrymen who continue to languish in the custody of the Somalian pirates. Wonder why and as a citizen of this country, I've the following questions to the powers that be:-
(a) Are the lives of the ordinary Indians less precious?
(b) Is it because none of those people in captivity have any connection with the people in power?
(c) Is there a difficulty in identifying the right group among the Somali pirates with whom talks can be
carried out? If that be the case can't we carry out a rescue operation by our troops?
Tailpiece.
In addition, a vigorous 'track - 2' diplomacy needs to be pursued to bring about the release of the hapless prisoners! Otherwise, they're going to feel sad that they're Indians!!
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