CRISIS IN THE KASHMIR

Conflict Timeline

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/in_depth/south_asia/2002/india_pakistan/timeline/default.stm

A Web Quest for 9^th Grade World History

Designed by:

Mr. Glover

Bayonne High School

Bayonne, NJ 07002

E – Mail

Kashmircrisis106@hotmail.com

Figure 1 Indian, Kashmiri, and Pakistani flags

Introduction

Hostilities have renewed between India and Pakistan in Kashmir. It has been reported by CNN that a high explosive weapon detonated near the demarcation line that separates the two countries. It is unknown at this time if the explosion was a low – grade nuclear or highly – charged conventional weapon, (see photo* below along with an eyewitness statement of the event) nevertheless causalities number in the thousands on both sides. Neither India nor Pakistan takes responsibility for this act, and thus far it is difficult to ascertain which side is the aggressor nation. Both countries have mobilized additional ground troops to this region, and it has become apparent that the political leadership of India and Pakistan are hesitant to make conciliatory gestures in order to avoid further escalation of hostilities

The situation has reached a critical stage, and is “nearing the edge of a political abyss.”[i] This attack underscores the enormous challenges facing peacemaking efforts. Saturday’s carnage was the latest bloodshed in one of the most violent incidents of the ongoing Kashmiri conflict. Further hostilities can be prevented if the United Nations Security Crisis Intervention Team (UNSCIT) urges all participants to attend a cease – fire conference and possibly broker an agreement to halt the fighting. It should be noted that India and Pakistan have weapons of mass destruction, and this not only jeopardizes South Asia, but the adjoining regions of Southwest Asia (Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, and Turkey) and Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) as well. Arrangements have been made for you and the other members of UNSCIT to immediately travel to Geneva, Switzerland where the conference will be held.

Eyewitness statement:

Figure 2 Kashmiri explosion

Mr. Shri Chavan is a 28 year old doctor in the region’s only hospital at Kargil. The hospital was located three kilometers from the explosion. The following statement is an account of what he witnessed:

“I was in my office. I had just entered the room and said ‘Good morning,’ to colleagues and I was about to approach my desk when outside it suddenly turned bright red. I felt very hot on my cheeks. Being the chief of the room, I shouted to the young men and women in the room that they should evacuate. As soon as I cried, I felt weightless as if I were an astronaut. I was then unconscious for twenty or thirty seconds. When I came to, I realized that everybody including myself was lying at one side of the room. Nobody was standing. The desks and chairs had also blown off to one side. At the windows, there was no window glass and the window frames had been blown out as well. I went to the windows to find out where the bombing had taken place. And I saw the mushroom cloud over the gas company. The sound and shock somehow suggested that the explosion had occurred at the gas facility 3km away.”[ii]

Task

In order to expedite this conference it is imperative that you, as a member of the United Nations Security Crisis Intervention Team (UNSCIT), prepare the following written report for the delegates of India, Pakistan and Kashmir. It will include the following:

· a summary of the factors that contributed to the conflict, including cultural, historical and economic information on India, Pakistan, and Kashmir, and

· recommendations for preventive action leading to a cease – fire, to be viewed in a PowerPoint slide presentation.

Designated groups will act as advocates for the individual belligerent parties and reflect their point of view in the written reports.

Process

This Web Quest is a conflict resolution task. It is a long term, interdisciplinary project that combines research, critical thinking, and writing skills. You will review a selection of websites that have been provided for you to get an overview of the events that occurred before the current (albeit fictitious) hostilities were initiated. To get to these sites place your cursor over the photograph/picture (or the URL), press key Ctrl, then click.

Group Responsibilities

1. Each group is a member of the United Nations Security Crisis Intervention Team (UNSCIT).

2. Group responsibilities must be assigned to your team in order to complete your task, which is to write a 1000 word document titled Crisis Prevention and Resolution in the Kashmir. Each group member may have more than one role and responsibility during each phase of this assignment.

3. The different phases of the assignment are:

· organization; assigning roles and responsibilities

· research

· writing

· editing

· production and printing.

Sources for Research

India

http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/intoc.html

http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/in.html

Figure 3 Nehru and Gandhi & Vajpayee

Pakistan

http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/pk.html

http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/pktoc.html

Figure 4 Ali Jinnah and Musharraf

Kashmir

Figure 5 Kashmir

http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2001/kashmir/overview.html

http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2001/agra.summit/

Military Strength

http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/south_asia/newsid_1732000/1732430.stm

Figure 6 South Asia’s military

Maps

http://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/jammuandkashmir/

Figure 7 South Asia and Kashmir

International News Sources

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/south_asia/newsid_353000/353352.stm

Figure 8 New York Times - August 16, 1947

United Nations

http://www.clw.org/pub/clw/un/whyunmat.html

http://www.clw.org/pub/clw/un/unstand.html

Figure 9 UN Headquarters, NY, NY and Security Council in session

Figure 10 UN Seal

Figure 11 Turmoil in South Asia

Evaluation

There are two evaluations; the first evaluation will be based on how well you have worked with your group in order to produce your document, and the second evaluation is based on your ability to analyze data and incorporate that material into your report.

Collaboration Rubric

__________________________________

	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Accomplished 3	Exemplary 4	Score
Research & Gather Information	Does not collect any information that relates to the topic.	Collects very little information--some relates to the topic.	Collects some basic information--most relates to the topic.	Collects a great deal of information--all relates to the topic.
Share Information	Does not relay any information to teammates.	Relays very little information--some relates to the topic.	Relays some basic information--most relates to the topic.	Relays a great deal of information--all relates to the topic.
Punctuality	Does not hand in any assignments.	Hands in most assignments late.	Hands in most assignments on time.	Hands in all assignments on time.
Fulfill Team Role's Duties	Does not perform any duties of assigned team role.	Performs very little duties.	Performs nearly all duties.	Performs all duties of assigned team role.
Participation in Group Conference	Does not speak during the science conference.	Either gives too little information or information which is irrelevant to topic.	Offers some information--most is relevant.	Offers a fair amount of important information--all is relevant.
Share Equally	Always relies on others to do the work.	Rarely does the assigned work--often needs reminding.	Usually does the assigned work--rarely needs reminding.	Always does the assigned work without having to be reminded.
Listen to Other Teammates	Is always talking--never allows anyone else to speak.	Usually doing most of the talking--rarely allows others to speak.	Listens, but sometimes talks too much.	Listens and speaks a fair amount.
Cooperate with Teammates	Usually argues with teammates.	Sometimes argues.	Rarely argues.	Never argues with teammates.
Make Fair Decisions	Usually wants to have things their way.	Often sides with friends instead of considering all views.	Usually considers all views.	Always helps team to reach a fair decision.

				Total

Source: http://edweb.sdsu.edu/triton/tidepoolunit/Rubrics/collrubric.html

Critical Thinking Rubric

__________________________________

Beginning
1

Developing
2

Accomplished
3

Exemplary
4

Score

Research Information

Offers biased interpretations of evidence, statements, graphics, questions, information, or the points of view of others.
Fails to identify or hastily dismisses strong, relevant counter – arguments.
Ignores or superficially evaluates obvious alternative points of view.
Argues using fallacious or irrelevant reasons, and unwarranted claims.

Misinterprets evidence, statements, graphics, questions, and information.
Fails to identify strong, relevant counter – arguments.
Ignores or superficially evaluates obvious alternative points of view.
Draws unwarranted or fallacious conclusions.

Accurately interprets evidence, statements, graphics, questions, and information.
Identifies relevant arguments (reasons and claims) pro and con.
Offers analyses and evaluations of obvious alternative points of view.
Draws warranted non – fallacious conclusions.

Accurately interprets evidence, statements, graphics, questions, and information.
Identifies the salient arguments pro and con.
Thoughtfully analyzes and evaluates major alternative points of view.
Draws judicious conclusions.
Justifies key results and procedures.
Fair – mindedly follows where evidence and reasons lead.

Total

Source: http://www.calpress.com/rubric.html

The Final Product

Write a 1000 word document titled Crisis Prevention and Resolution in the Kashmir. This document will include the following; a) cover page, b) table of contents, c) fact – finding report on the cause of the conflict, d) recommendations on how to resolve the dispute and e) maps of the areas involved in the conflict. The reports will vary in content depending on the nation your group has been chosen to represent. Your report will be written in the same font type, size (12), style and color (black).

Conclusion

The inability to resolve conflicts peacefully has always been a determined pursuit of humanity. Even during biblical times people and nations resorted to warfare. According to the Federation of American Scientist (http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/ops/war/index.html), there are more than thirty armed conflicts (wars, proxy wars or civil wars) around the globe today.

Peace keeping efforts by the United Nations, individual nation – states, and non – government organizations (NGOs) have been indefatigable in their attempt to bring peace between warring states. The 19^th century philosopher Immanuel Kant stated that, "perpetual peace is no empty idea, but a practical thing which, through its gradual solution, is coming always nearer its final realization..."[iii] Conflict resolution is a complicated, demanding and difficult task. To be successful as a peace mediator in this effort, the negotiator urges the disputing parties to listen to the other’s point of view and compromise on their conflicting points of interest. As simple as this process may seem to appear, it is an arduous and time consuming task. However, the rewards of such an endeavor are immeasurable in humankind’s quest for peace.

“Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed.”

Constitution of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) (1945)

[i] Annan, Kofi A. Secretary General, United Nations (February 2002)

[ii] http://www.inicom.com/hibakusha/hiroshi.html

[iii] http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/kant/kant1.htm