War And Peace. Black Smoke, White Smoke

Breakfast with Bwana

By Anil Madan

The election of a new Pope follows a traditional process within a papal conclave.After each vote, successful or unsuccessful, the ballots are burned. Black smoke signals that no Cardinal eligible to be Pontiff has secured a supermajority of votes cast — at least 89 of 133. A skilled translator of smoke signals will tell you that white smoke means “HabemusPapam!” — Latin for “We have a pope!” White smoke is generated by adding a mixture of potassium chlorate, lactose, and a tree or bush resin called rosin.  

By the time you read this, United States Cardinal Robert Prevost will have been elected the first US pontiff in the 2000-year history of the Catholic Church; he has taken the name Pope Leo XIV.  

Regarding the voting system used to elect the new Pope, the results of the first ballot produced this:

Vatican Conclave – Black Smoke. Pic – WTOP

President Trump immediately declared: “The election is rigged.” He is blowing smoke, as usual.

There had been much speculation about whether the Cardinals in Conclave would elect a Pope who would continue to follow the course charted by Pope Francis or revert to a more conservative stance. Francis appointed 108 of the 133 Cardinals who participated in the vote, so it seems reasonable that they would not all, like sheep, have turned away from his inspiration.

The Pope is, of course, known as a voice calling for peace. Largely ineffective, but with a big microphone or a big miter (mitre in Brit English) anyway.

In America, a daily blast or two of black smoke, emanating from the chimneyless White House, signals that yet more due process has gone up in smoke, more rights and liberties charred. Indeed, common sense going up in smoke as the embers of Democracy smolder (smoulder in Brit English. Why can’t the Brits spell?)

The world continues to see wars rage on and break out,but,even without any input from the Pope, signs of peace are breaking out.

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The India-Pakistan Fracas

The latest outbreak of war is the India-Pakistan fracas. By the time you read this, hopefully the fracas will not have become a nuclear fracas. Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif warned that threat of nuclear waris “clear and present.” He added: “Pakistan has faced such threats before, and the region could once again be on brink of a strategic standoff.” This is not the first time that Pakistan has suggested that a conflict with India could lead to a nuclear exchange.Perhaps we should not worry too much, because officials of both countries have sent peace signals of white smoke declaring that they seek to deescalate the situation. It is not clear whether this signal was sent by India or Pakistan.

A news report from Pakistan had a photo of anti-Indian protesters dishonoring an Indian flag by stepping on it with their sandals. I’m always amazed that Pakistanis have no shortage of Indian flags and Palestinians no shortage of Israeli flags to burn or stomp on.

Meanwhile, Putin of all people, yes Pootie himself, has declared a three-day unilateral ceasefire in his “special military operation” against Ukraine. President Zelenskyy has rejected this as a sideshow and stated that Ukraine will not guarantee the safety of Russia’s planned celebratory military parade to be held in Moscow’s Red Square on Friday. N.B. When Churchill announced that Victory in Europe (VE) Day would be commemorated at midnight on May 8, it was May 9 in the Soviet Union. Hence the discrepant dates for celebration in London and Moscow. Regarding celebratory events, the Brits once again put on a show of great pomp and pageantry at Westminster Abbey. Yet, after promising to pray for and work for peace 80 years ago, humans still find reasons to want to kill each other.

Speaking of wanting to kill each other, surprisingly, President Trump announced that the Houthis had agreed to a ceasefire: “They’ve announced to us at least that they don’t want to fight anymore. They just don’t want to fight, and we will honour that.” He added:

“And, they have capitulated. But more importantly, they — we will take their word. They say they will not be blowing up ships anymore.”

Oman said it had mediated the ceasefire between the US and the Houthis who will stop firing on US. Naval ships and stop attacking commercial ships. Israel was not mentioned, so presumably, the Houthi attacks on Israel will continue. Asked about this, Trump said, “I don’t know about that, frankly. I know one thing: They want nothing to do with us.” Meanwhile, the Houthis denied that they capitulated, saying instead that Trump backed down. “What changed is the American position, but our position remains firm,” the Houthi chief negotiator said.

Oh, to have more battles of words, and bullets and bombs would be unnecessary.

Speaking of Israel, who can figure out what is going on? Hamas has rejected a ceasefire. Xinhua.net reports that a Hamas official told it: “Israel is exerting maximum pressure on Hamas to accept its controversial proposal for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza, only to resume hostilities later … We will never accept such an agreement.” He added: “We have officially conveyed our rejection to the mediators and made it clear that we will not engage in any negotiations unless there are guarantees that the war will come to a complete end.”

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has announced that he will initiate a new intensive offensive in the Gaza strip. Israel has also stated that it will control the distribution of food and humanitarian aid in Gaza, accusing Hamas of diverting to its own use the aid that is allowed in.

The impasse shows no signs of resolving. Israel declares that its aim is to destroy Hamas. And Hamas declares that its aim is to destroy Israel.

Cheerz…
Bwana 

Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 9 May 2025