The Hindu : ISI abetting terrorism: Advani

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Sep 12, 2003

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ISI abetting terrorism: Advani

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI SEPT. 11. The Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, today said the world should realise that Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) was "promoting and assisting" global terrorist organisations and unless it was checked, the problem of terrorism would continue to haunt the globe.

Speaking at a function organised by the Delhi Study Group here to mark the "Anti-Terrorism Day," Mr. Advani said that it was a well-established fact that the terror groups such as the Al-Qaeda and the Taliban were being given all-out support by the ISI. "The world should stop helping all those nations which are abetting terrorism and initiate strong action against them."

"We do not require the world's help to fight our proxy war against terrorism as we are capable of tackling it. But the world should see the amount of bloodshed we have been witnessing for the past two decades," Mr. Advani said.

"Pakistan handed over 500 Al-Qaeda militants to the United States, but when India asked for 20 most-wanted terrorists whose name also figure in the Interpol's list, Islamabad refused."

According to Mr. Advani, the 9/11 has brought about a great change in the mindset on terrorism, but the world should not forget that India had been facing this menace for years. "To some extent, we have been successful in fighting terrorism. By the combined efforts of our security forces and citizens, we will emerge victorious," he said, lauding the work done by India's intelligence agencies.

At present, there were four main characteristics that underline global terrorism — its destructive potential, no nation or society was immune to its threats, it was no longer a localised problem but had matured into a weapon of war and a potent threat to democracy. Mr. Advani said terrorism could not be linked to any religion, and the fight against it was not against any religion. "When I met the Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, I told him that our fight was against terrorism and not against Islam or Muslims."

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