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| India-Pakistan |
| New port of Gwadar in troubled waters |
| 2006-08-08 |
| First if you are going to visit the link comment out access to "goldhost.com" by adding the following to your HOSTS file as fits your OS 127.0.0.1 goldsea.com The port at Gwadar is without doubt currently Pakistan's flagship infrastructure project. A source of great pride for the Pakistani government, its much anticipated inauguration as the country's energy hub has been twice delayed and it is envisaged to become operational by year's end. Built with Chinese assistance - just how much is debatable, though US$200 million for the first phase is an accepted figure plus loans - this multibillion-dollar scheme is regarded as not only an important economic asset but also a strategic one. The first phase included the construction of three multi-purpose ship berths, while the second, to be completed by 2010, involves nine more berths, an approach channel and storage terminals, by which time it will provide full warehousing, trans-shipment and industrial facilities. The Pakistani government is positioning Gwadar as "an energy port and hub for storage and refining". No country knows the strategic value of the port more than India, which is unsettled at the prospect of having at the very least a possible Chinese listening post so close to home and at worst a possible Chinese naval presence on the Indian Ocean. Consider for one minute, however, the possibility that despite the hype, fears, euphoria and general interest, Gwadar might just be a big, lumbering white elephant. Consider also the possibility that the security situation is now so poor in the area surrounding the port - and more widely in the surrounding province of Balochistan - that even the port's authorities are reportedly questioning whether the facility can become operational in the near term. If proof were needed of the local population's changed attitude, it is witnessed in the security situation. When the port's construction first started, it was reported that about 200 Chinese engineers operated freely in the town, welcomed by its inhabitants and housed without security fears among the population. As the project has developed and local grievances increased, the number of engineers has steadily decreased and the 20 or so who are now left are stationed at the army's barracks, under guard 24 hours a day. A number have died in attacks, the largest of which occurred in May 2004 when three were killed and 11 others (nine of whom were Chinese) injured in a car-bombing. As the situation stands, a five-star entertainment resort in a part of Pakistan surrounded by barely controlled desert (and not forgetting that Afghanistan's Taliban-heavy provinces border Balochistan) will surely top the attack list for a range of militant and terrorist elements. Partying aside, the prospects similarly look poor for the viable operation of the port. |
| Posted by:3dc |
| #5 China's next step is security = technical units, ala CUBA-PANAMA CANAL, and then a Chinese-protected railroad network linked to Gwadar. Never doubt that once America = Amerika + West is escargot histoire', the gloves will come off between China vs Russia over whom is the big boss of the SCO and Mackinder's World Island of Eurasia ,and exclusive of Radical Islam. |
| Posted by: JosephMendiola 2006-08-08 23:27 |
| #4 Is Gwadar anything like gaydar? In either event, both seem appropriate for that part of the world. |
| Posted by: Tibor 2006-08-08 20:23 |
| #3 dammit - that was me - she lies, just ask Hillary |
| Posted by: Frank G 2006-08-08 18:59 |
| #2 temporary alliances |
| Posted by: Juanita Broaderrick 2006-08-08 18:53 |
| #1 To a serious Islamofascist wouldn't a godless ChiCom be even MORE infidelous than a Christian or even a Jew? |
| Posted by: Glenmore 2006-08-08 18:16 |