The Hindu : China sends list of wanted terrorists to Pakistan?

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jan 18, 2004

International

International

China sends list of wanted terrorists to Pakistan?

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, JAN. 17. China is believed to have sent a list and profile of terrorists and terrorist organisations to Pakistan for investigation.

In a front page report, the Pakistan English daily, Daily Times, quoted unnamed sources as saying that the list of the first batch of identified Eastern Turkistan "terrorist organisations and terrorists compiled by the Ministry of Public Security, China, on December 15, 2003, has been sent through diplomatic channels to Pakistan, with a request to forward the list to the departments concerned for investigation". The report assumes significance as a few weeks ago while talking to Pakistani editors and senior journalists, the President, Pervez Musharraf, told them that even Beijing was concerned about spread of Islamic fundamentalism in the country and he was surprised when Chinese leaders raised the issue with him.

There have been reports in the media that some of the extremist outfits in Pakistan have been aiding and abetting terrorist outfits operating in Xinjinag province in China. In the aftermath of 9/11, China and Pakistan have intensified their cooperation against terrorism. During the recent visit of Gen. Musharraf to China, an extradition treaty was signedbetween the two countries, sources explained.

The Daily Times said the recent list sent to Pakistan noted various aspects of at least two terrorist organisations, Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) and Eastern Turkistan Liberation Organisation (ETLO) as well as terrorists attached to these organisations. It also claims that these organisations and terrorists are well connected to Osama bin Laden's Al Qaeda outfits and receive training as well as funding.

The paper said the Chinese have provided details of the origin of these organisations, a brief description of the major acts of terrorism committed by them, their chief leaders, major sources of funds and personnel, as well as an outline of relations between them and other global terrorist organisations.

The ETLO is also known as the Eastern Turkistan National Party. It is said to be working for the founding of an Eastern Turkistan State in Xinjiang, China, through violence and terror. The ELTO was founded in Turkey with its headquarters in Istanbul.

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