Press Statement by Sardar Attaullah Mengal A news item has appeared in the papers quoting Pakistan Government version that Gwadar Port has been assigned to China to build and develop. This step is said to be a part of the programme for Balochistan’s development. In prima facie his looks quite an attractive proposition for some one unaware of the history of Pakistan. Since the 1960's Pakistan has very successfully nourished on the policy of blackmailing the West against the threat of the Russian Bear. It was but natural that someone had to pay the price for this gamble. Unfortunately it was Afghanistan who being the immediate proxy had to face the consequences, and one can see Afghanistan today completely ripped apart in every sense. Pakistan got away with only a few scars on the rule of the people (Democracy). Pakistan being a habitual blackmailer, when found himself no more in a position to use the old threat of the Soviet Union after its collapse, was desperately looking for means to survive. Fundamentalism was the first choice. Again Afghanistan was the safest and approachable base to use it for this purpose. It did cause some stir in the Western lobby to some extent but did not pay any dividends. On the contrary it became counter productive. Now comes this new move from the Government of Pakistan to invite China to the Strait Of Harmous (Gwadar) after China having demonstrated its naval exercise in that area only a few weeks back. Needless to say that Strait Of Harmous is situated at the heart of the Persian Gulf. The Arab oil interest, Iran's trade and military interests and the American economic and military interests are all involved in this area. Pakistan hopes to kill three birds with one stone i.e. in return for the blackmail to get free oil supply from Gulf States, to get Iranian products at nominal prices along with some Tumans for its development projects. And also become Americas blue eyed boy as in the past. Optimism apart none of these is possible. I am afraid this time we will be paying a very heavy price for it. The most unfortunate part of this whole affair is that this time the land selected for the conflict of interest is situated in Balochistan and the people of Balochistan will have to pay the price for it. For no fault of ours we are bound to be sandwiched between these heavy weights on one hand, and Gwadar, if let to develop will attract the exodus from Punjab, which will upset the demography of the whole of Balochistan. Permit me to call it a catastrophe then development of Balochistan. This time Pakistan's blackmailing is going to cost us very dearly, but if this army is to be fed whatever the cost, then let us pay it, as the last gamble of our lifetime. Balochvoice 23.7.01