This Issue:

Table of Contents

Cover Story

Cover Story - Spanish Version

Mini-Lesson

Comprehension Quiz

Teacher's Guide and Worksheets

An Era of New Beginnings

By Ritu Upadhyay

The smell of incense filled the air. President Clinton scattered rose petals and bowed his head in front of a simple stone memorial. He was paying his respects to Mohandas Gandhi, the Indian leader who showed the world that freedom can be won through peace, harmony and nonviolence.

Last week Clinton, with his daughter Chelsea, made a historic visit to India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. His trip had an important goal: persuading India and Pakistan not to fight another war.

Now, more than ever, leaders around the world hope that Gandhi's message of tolerance and compassion will not be forgotten. India and Pakistan are bitter enemies. They have been exchanging gunfire in Kashmir, a disputed territory, for many years. Since 1990, 25,000 people have died in the conflict. An additional 40 were killed in Kashmir while Clinton was in India. The President urged an end to this "tremendous suffering."

The entire world is nervous because in 1998, both India and Pakistan tested nuclear weapons, the most powerful war weapons. Many believe that if peace doesn't come soon, Kashmir could be the starting point for the world's first nuclear war. India and Pakistan have refused to sign a treaty that says they will destroy the weapons.

India's leader, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, said he would not go forward with peace talks in Kashmir until the terrorism stops. Indian officials claim the violence is being caused by groups that are backed by Pakistan.

Clinton's travel plans included a stop in Pakistan to meet with its ruler, General Pervez Musharraf. Clinton wants him to respect the border between the Indian part of Kashmir and the Pakistani side. As Clinton had hoped, Musharraf called for new elections next year.

Rebuilding Relationships
President Clinton called his visit to the region an "era of new beginnings." Clinton is the first U.S. President ever to go to Bangladesh, where the average yearly income is just $289. The poor people of Bangladesh gave the President a very warm welcome. Villagers traveled from far away to greet him and ask for help in rebuilding a country devastated in recent years by storms and floods. Clinton pledged nearly $100 million in aid to Bangladesh.

India has not had a visit from a U.S. President in 22 years. With a population of nearly 1 billion, it is the world's biggest democracy. But historically, the U.S. and India have not been close. President Clinton said he would like to change that. "We have neglected this relationship," he said. "India and America should be better friends and stronger partners."

Prime Minister Vajpayee agreed. His goal, he said, is to create a "productive partnership between the world's two largest democracies." Business between the two nations has been booming in recent years, as India has emerged as a leader in computer technology.

The Sights and Sounds of India
During the five-day visit, the President learned a lot about Indian culture. He danced with villagers in Nayla, a farming community, as people threw flowers on him. He enjoyed spicy Indian foods and visited the majestic palaces of Jaipur. Clinton also squeezed in a visit to a tiger preserve. He and Chelsea caught a glimpse of two rare Bengal tigers.

In Nayla, Clinton was astonished by how much progress women were making. "If in India you can prove that people can lift themselves from poverty and end discrimination against women, you will give the world the greatest gift it could have."

Next: A Holy Land Journey