Sunday, Oct 19, 2003
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By Rajesh Ahuja
Referring to the recent Organisation of Islamic Conference meet held in Kuala Lumpur, Mr. Vajpayee assailed "those" advocating the right of self-determination in Jammu and Kashmir and called upon Pakistan to vacate the occupied territory. Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir was an integral part of India and "whenever talks are held, we will make it an issue." He was addressing a gathering here after laying the foundation for the Rs. 10,000-crore Panipat refinery expansion and related projects. Questioning Pakistan's credentials for demanding the right of self-determination in Jammu and Kashmir, Mr. Vajpayee asked: "Does Pakistan have democracy? Does it have an elected Government? I am an elected Prime Minister and will be there so long as I enjoy the people's mandate but in Pakistan everybody knows that the people who captured power at gunpoint are at the helm of affairs. How can they raise this demand for self-determination for the people of Jammu and Kashmir'' The Prime Minister said India did not want anybody's land but it "will not part with even an inch of ours.'' The issue of one-third part of Kashmir was still alive. "We want peace and I took the initiative thrice to mend fences with Pakistan but the neighbouring country was not even interested in trading with India or forging friendship. How could talks be held with Pakistan when they only want to talk about Kashmir?'' He said it was a positive signal that the world's thinking was changing in favour of India. Today, instead of pressuring India on talks with Pakistan, world leaders were merely saying that there should be a dialogue. While seeking international support for the extradition of terrorists, Mr. Vajpayee said that India had been fighting terrorism in the last 20 years but regretted that some other countries were engaging in "doublespeak" and they generally applied "double yardsticks" to terrorism. "Why don't they help us? Why don't they stop helping those who foment terrorism in India?" India was at a crossroads, but efforts were on to accelerate development. The industrial and education policies were being modified to open up new avenues for employment. Panipat, the city of handlooms and handicrafts, could play a vital role in this. The Centre had brought about economic changes in cooperation with the State Governments and several countries, which had earlier boycotted India, were now offering their hand of friendship. Mr. Vajpayee praised the Haryana Chief Minister, Om Prakash Chautala, for the accelerated pace of development in the State. Paying tributes to the Haryana-born U.S. astronaut, Kalpana Chawla, he urged the youth to take inspiration from her life. If China could send a manned spacecraft, why not India, he asked.
says Advani: Page 8
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