The Hindu : National : Pranab Mukherjee rules out pullout of troops

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jun 21, 2004

National

National

Pranab Mukherjee rules out pullout of troops

By Our Special Correspondent

KOLKATA, JUNE 20 . India viewed both China and Pakistan as friends but would not consider withdrawing troops from the India-Pakistan border at this point in time, the Defence Minister, Pranab Mukherjee, said today. Participating in a meet-the-press programme at the Kolkata Press Club here, Mr. Mukherjee said he would not describe China as Enemy No.1 as did his predecessor, George Fernandes. The country was, however, prepared to face any eventuality. "I cannot afford to have the luxury of calling any country as Enemy No.1. That was the perception of my predecessor," he said.

Mr. Mukherjee said India had good relations with Pakistan and experts from both the countries were engaged in talks on nuclear confidence-building measures. The Foreign Secretaries of the two countries were slated to meet later. The ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir would continue, he added.

To a question, he said that no deadline had been fixed for test firing the surface-to-surface missile, Agni-III. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was still working on it. "It is difficult to say what will happen when."

On the issue of having a hot line between India and Pakistan, Mr. Mukherjee said this would enable the two countries to communicate better on problems on the borders and so on.

Asked whether he had been able to identify any area where he thought Mr. Fernandes took wrong decisions, Mr. Mukherjee said he would not like to sit in judgment on anyone.

He denied that the country was putting up a barbed wire fence on the no-man's land along its border with Bangladesh saying that the fence was being erected in tune with international laws.

Mr. Mukherjee said the Centre had not taken any decision on the creation of a post of Chief of the Army Staff. He said that certain areas of defence production had been privatised and certain others could be opened up as and when required.

Replying to a question, he said the United Progressive Alliance's Common Minimum Programme had suggested the formation of a separate Telengana State. "Many others have come up with such demands. We will have to look into them."

Referring to the West Bengal unit of the Congress, the Minister said that he would not be in a position to run the party in the State for long. "How can I take the dual responsibilities of both Defence and the State party?" he asked.

He said the Congress' performance in the Lok Sabha elections in the State was "sort of alright" as it could increase its seats to six from the existing three. "But we will need to strengthen our organisation, counter the ruling Leftists' policies and programmes and conduct a sustained movement on crucial issues. Our aim should be to capture office and not be the No. 1 Opposition party in Bengal."

He did not agree with the view that the Leftists could be defeated in the elections only if the Opposition parties, namely, the Congress and the Trinamool Congress, came together. "In the last Assembly election, we did come together but it did not make any difference. We could not increase our seats."

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