IN REALITY,DIVIDE AND RULE THEORY DOES NOT SOLVE PROBLEM !

I would like to comment on the letter written by Joe Coerur (08/01/2007, Letters, Newsweek)that was referring to the article written by Fareed Zakaria (The Road Out of Iraq, 6 Nov 2006). With due respect, Joe Coerur has failed to consider the historical and political background which led to the partition of India and its border. The situation that India was in sixty years ago is totally different than Iraq is in now. India's new neighbour at that time, Pakistan fought three wars with India and the conflict between these two countries has continued till today. The British colonised India three hundred years ago and Indian all over India both Hindus and Muslims united themselves together to fight for one cause that led to the Independence of India. The partition of India after Independence, shattered the unity between these two community. In conclusion the the partition and creation of new State did more harm than good for both India and Pakistan.

Joe Coerur has suggested that Iraq should be divided into three different countries which I think would bring more bloodbath and conflicts to the region. Lets assume that Iraq to be divided in to three separate states. One for Sunnis, one for Shiites and one for Kurds. Do you think these three new states would live with each other peacefully ? At the moment Kurds have major conflits with the Turks, Shiite and Sunnis with each other. On top of that the newly independent Shiite state would be an ally of Iran. This opportunity would be used by the Iranians to strengthen their position in the region and promote war on Israel and the United Sates of America. Iraq should be as one united country, and the United Nations should play major role in bringing stability to Iraq. In conclusion Divide and Rule theory causes more harm than good.

Deva Guru

Taiping, Malaysia