Our foreign secretary, known for his refined taste for works of art, poetry, literature etc. took an uncharacteristic and extremely uncharitable swipe at this newspaper for its editorial of March 20 titled “Repatriation hampered”, subtitled “Let our government do more to help”. Starting his press briefing by singling out the Star's diplomatic correspondent and subjecting him to some personal remarks, he termed the editorial as an example of “sad journalism” , “bad journalism” journalism meant to “discredit the government” and damage the “image of the country”, as an example of “not so healthy mind”. He also castigated its editor for “not saying sorry to him” by 5.30 pm (time of the briefing) even though he had called him earlier. He questioned how could an editor not know what an editorial contained (we have no idea why he said so) and said this was not “professional” (of course it is not).
We are obviously shocked, and wonder what could have provoked an otherwise pleasant and soft-spoken diplomat to speak as such. The normal procedure is to send a “clarification”, “rejoinder” or even a “protest” to the paper and wait to see what action the paper takes. The foreign ministry did send a “rejoinder” which we carry it (elsewhere) today, as we carry the one from IOM, both with our replies. So what was need for that “on the record” tirade when a rejoinder was being sent.
From the FS's remarks one would get the impression that the editorial was the only thing we wrote on the Libyan affair. In fact we have written six editorials to date. In these editorials we have mentioned the various actions being taken, and not taken, by the government, praising it for some of its actions. We are perhaps the only newspaper that has sent a reporter to the Tunisian-Libyan border for eye-witness reports. In addition we cover the daily briefing of the foreign ministry, making for large number of stories, articles and opinions on the subject.
In the background of all that we have written, to single out one editorial critical of the government only so far as speed and volume of repatriation from the Tunian-Libyan border is concerned is highly exaggerated, to put it most mildly.
The whole episode- using a common briefing to single out one paper, to call it names, question its professionalism, make it appear as if we are working against our national interest, and insist that he was saying everything “ on record” - is, to us, indicative of a narrowing mindset.
Welcome return from captivity
We express our joy and relief to have our sailors and crew back home. We sympathise with the victims who went through an agonizing captivity for 100 days, much to the concern of their near and dear ones let alone compatriots.
We express our concern over state of security in the high seas. Our MV Jahan Moni was hijacked on December 5, 2010 from a place in Arabian Sea some 170 nautical miles from Lakkha islands of India. After a long saga of negotiation with the Somali captors, the crew were released on March 14. Today piracy poses a real threat to the very growth of trade and commerce by waterways and the shipping industry.
According to the UN, last year the shipping industry incurred a loss of 238 million dollars and the global economy about five to seven billion through piracy at seas. The entire area in the Indian Ocean particularly around the Horn of Africa has become a cause for concern for the ocean going vessels. Somali pirates now rule over more than one million square miles preying on whoever dares to run into their zone. Although pressure mounts on the Somali government to take measures against the pirates, it has not taken any effective step as yet. On the contrary, many Somali lawmakers support the outlaws terming them as 'heroes'. Somali pirates are having heyday using captured ships as their base in the deep waters. Still, some thirty ships remain under their siege.
It's high time the governments and international organizations make coordinated efforts to ensure safety of marine waterways. International waters can be guarded by naval ships at vulnerable points, high-sea patrolling with sophisticated weaponry should be increased, and escort vessels need to be provided in a package of new arrangements worked out by International Maritime Bureau in close consultation with littoral states.
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