The Hindu : Pak. using terrorism as 'a tool of blackmail': PM

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Sep 26, 2003

Front Page

Front Page

Pak. using terrorism as 'a tool of blackmail': PM

By Harish Khare

New York Sept. 25. As expected, the Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, used the United Nations General Assembly today to tell Pakistan and the rest of the world that New Delhi would not have any dialogue with Islamabad as long as Pakistan continued to sponsor terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

Using the Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf's words heard 24 hours earlier, to the Pakistani leader's disadvantage, Mr. Vajpayee said: "Yesterday, the President of Pakistan chose this August assembly to make a public admission for the first time that Pakistan is sponsoring terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. After claiming that there is an indigenous struggle in Kashmir, he has offered to encourage a general cessation of violence within Kashmir, in return for `reciprocal obligations and restraints.''

The Prime Minister said that Pakistan was using terrorism as "a tool of blackmail", and that just as the world had refused to negotiate with the Al-Qaeda or the Taliban, India too would not negotiate with terrorism.

Sparring with Gen. Musharraf over his formulations about what was happening in Jammu and Kashmir, Mr. Vajpayee said the recent elections in the State were "an unequivocal expression of both determination and self-determination". After the recent election, there was no question of India negotiating with Pakistan. As Mr. Vajpayee put it: "If we do so, we would be betraying the people of Jammu and Kashmir, who defied a most ferocious campaign of violence and intimidation sponsored from across our borders, and participated in an election, which has been universally hailed as free and fair."

A dialogue would take place between India and Pakistan only when cross-border terrorism stopped or was eradicated by India, and then "we can have a dialogue with Pakistan on the other issues between us".

Mr. Vajpayee practically told Gen. Musharraf not to try to play above his league. Reacting to the General's plea yesterday that India should not be allowed to acquire a new conventional defence superiority, he said: "I would like to point out to the President of Pakistan that he should not confuse the legitimate aspiration for equality of nations with outmoded concepts of military parity."

Even when Mr. Vajpayee elaborated India's point of view on global issues such as terrorism, Pakistan seemed to be very much on his mind. Talking of partial success in the global war against terrorism after 9/11, Mr. Vajpayee said: "The global coalition against terrorism has registered successes in Afghanistan, but has not been able to extend this elsewhere. Some of its members are themselves part of the problem. We are sometimes led into semantics about the definition of terrorism. The search for `root causes' or imaginary `freedom struggles' provides alibis for the killing of innocent men, women and children."

In his speech on Wednesday, Gen. Musharraf had accused India of raking up "cross- border terrorism" to refuse a dialogue and of wanting to "delegitimise the Kashmiri freedom struggle".

Pakistan was again on his mind when Mr. Vajpayee stressed the need for pooling of resources, intelligence and information "to prevent terrorists from evading capture, simply by crossing national borders. No state should be allowed to profess partnership with the global coalition against terror, while continuing to aid, abet and sponsor terrorism. To condone such double standards is to contribute to multiplying terrorism".

And, again, Gen. Musharraf's indirect "veto" on Wednesday of India's demand for a place in an expanded Security Council, Mr. Vajpayee had a gentle rebuke for the general: "Most U.N. members today recognise the need for an enlarged and restructured Security Council, with more developing countries as permanent and non-permanent members. The permanent members guard their exclusivity. Some states with weak claims want to ensure that others do not enter the Council as permanent members."

Roadmap for Iraq

On Iraq, Mr. Vajpayee demanded a "roadmap of political process for a representative Iraqi government" and a "crucial role" for the U.N. in the reconstruction. The tone of Mr. Vajpayee's brief reference to Iraq was clearly defiant of the American preferences. On Wednesday, the U.S. President had told India that he intended to stay the course in Iraq, that too on American terms.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page

News Update

Stories in this Section

Pak. using terrorism as 'a tool of blackmail': PM

Telecom: coercion in recovery of ST dues stayed

Troops for Iraq: 'India's security needs will dictate decision'

Iraq, U.N. reforms dominate India-Russia-China talks

Venkaiah Naidu meets RSS chief

Suspended