Cassandra watches a historic meeting, and sees the hangman’s noose in the balance!
July 4, 2019, 9:10 pm
Historic moment
30 June 2019: 12.20 local time; 15.53 North Korean time. BBC Breaking news:
30 June 2019: 12.20 local time; 15.53 North Korean time. BBC Breaking news:
President Donald Trump walks across the demarcated lines of the demilitarized zone (DMZ) in Panmunjon, South Korea, to meet President Kim Jong un who descends a flight of steps and walks across to the waiting American. They shake hands and invited by Kim Jong un, Trump crosses over to North Korea. They walk back and at the entrance to a building in the DMZ – Peace House - in South Korea, are met by South Korean President Moon Jae in. They enter the building, continue exchanging pleasantries and engage in a one-to-one conference, Earlier Trump said he was honoured. Commentators said it was an unscheduled meeting, impromptu, but of course choreographed with preparations preceding it. At the G20 meeting in Osaka, President Trump said he was proceeding to South Korea and the DMZ before leaving for home and would be pleased to meet the North Korean leader if he was willing to meet him. China is supposed to have given Jong un the go-ahead and thus here he was shaking hands with the American who took a fatherly stand in body language and often put his arm across the shorter, younger man’s shoulders. Spied among the bevy of photographers and White House officials including Michael R Pompeo were Ivanka and Jared Kushner, in the background.
Why Cass mentions this, apart from its historic and geo-political significance is that while earlier her feminine heart was completely hardened toward the two who met each other in a demilitarized zone and stepped from one national state to another, it softened on seeing the two human beings, isolated from security guards and others, accompanied only by two translators. She had been derisive of the two childishly calling each other rude names; twice meeting and parting with next to nothing achieved. She got the message of the frailty of human nature and human lives.
On Wednesday 3 July, CNN news announced that President Trump has planned a military-on-display Fourth of July in Washington DC though many consider it unnecessary and some say it is just another ego trip. He has given himself 20 minutes to speak. Commentators fear he will use it for personal one-upmanship. He never fails to undermine Obama which instead of building himself up, boomerangs insultingly on him. There’s no finesse in the man Trump.
A scion steps down
Yet another lonely figure. Rahul Gandhi stepped down on Wednesday 3 July from leading the Congress Party. Indophiles interested/ intrigued and admiring/disdaining the Nehru family will be saddened by this. Rahul G took full responsibility for the Congress’ defeat at the recent elections. He however stated that elections had not been fair.
Cass resorts to her seeing third eye. She discerns a shimmer in the future. Is it charismatic Priyanka coming forward to assume the mantle left by her grandmother Indira, whom she is said to resemble in appearance and personality. Cass’s heart beats faster. That family cannot fade away from politics. Forebears paid so much in sacrifice for the sake of India.
Our lone historic figure
Two men over there in a Korean demilitarized zone shaking hands, even one patting the other ; one solitary figure over here determinedly pushing forward the hangman’s noose or killer gallows. Again the thought of how frail humans are. Here is our President having signed the papers necessary to kill by hanging four persons found guilty of the heinous crime of the narcotics and dangerous drugs trade. He stands alone. Opposite to him are ranged local political parties, local organizations, NGOs and international organizations as powerful as the European Union and Amnesty International. These he condemned in no uncertain terms and very vociferously, imputing all sorts of reasons for their opposition to his act which is to free Sri Lanka from narcotic drugs that are harming irrevocably its youth. True. Admirable bravery. But amounting to nothing in the face of other methods being available to stem, and then eradicate the evil. Why is he, the Prez, so stubborn?
Our Prez has been alone before, wielding first a walige against revellers at concerts and then a kaduwa against whom Cass forgets. He verbally assaulted carpenters in a bid to save trees while a much more effective method is at hand – stop illegal felling and punish the guilty - mostly politicians. Mercifully before hundreds of carpenters who follow their trade mostly as a hand-me-down family business and cultural heritage were thrown out to beg on the streets, the President withdrew his carpentry ban.
Now it’s the return at his bidding of the hangman’s noose. But against that black spectre are many obstacles. One is the cancellation of GSP + concessions to our poor textile workers and garment exporters. Other sanctions too. Also being labeled undemocratic and going against enlightened advocacy for banishing capital punishment. Additionally, hints are being adroitly flung - of a Buddhist country and its Prez going against some of the most significant tenets of the Buddha: metta and karuna, ahimsa and so much more. He seems to resemble that Dutch boy who stuck his finger in a hole that had sprung on a dyke, stayed thus all night, and so saved the Netherlands from the sea rushing in over a collapsed dyke. So alone the Prez seems and so ineffectual his noose against the tide of protest and opposition, even the rush of drugs - like a finger keeping the sea at bay.
Many reasons are given for the President sticking his neck out completely on this issue. Votes, national mindedness, concern for the people, ready to lay down even life for the nation. But one is perplexed at the stubbornness of the Prez. He says drug lords carry out their evil business from behind bars so the worst of them must be exterminated by hanging on the gallows that however, still lacks a hangman. Even a simpleton can pronounce a better solution. Prevent prisoners from being in contact with their golayas roaming free. Guard drug offenders with very high security. You don’t exterminate them but you paralyse them. They will die natural deaths of hard labour and stiff restrictions. Let them! And let the noose swing unused.
On Tuesday 2 July, the Prez at a public meeting in Polonnaruwa said his life was threatened; the drug kings could kill him. That too has been said before.
Thus Cass says recent history as it has unfolded around the Prez will unfold yet another drama. He will engage reverse gear and retract on his threat; retreat from the act of already having signed death warrants. He had better before foreign campaigners against execution of the death penalty come upon us with pleas turned to threats and threats turned to action equal to sanctions, and withdrawing life lines thrown to us. One has to live in the world and also, though difficult with the glory of 2500 years of pristine culture et al, cognize we are a small nation and rather poor country. Rich in stubbornness and morality (!) but lacking in agility to bend with the wind, and wisdom to recognize listening to others is beneficial.
What’s your bet about the President going back on his word and saying the death penalty will not be carried out? Cass wagers he will. True to form.
