PM flays Pak on Islamic law

ON BOARD THE PRIME MINISTER’s SPECIAL FLIGHT, Aug 29 (PTI, UNI) — The Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee today flayed Pakistan’s move to make the Koran and the Sunnah the supreme law of the land saying the "growth of religious extremism in any country is a matter of concern for its neighbours."

"We mean well for the people of Pakistan who want stability and prosperity for themselves... we will also take all necessary steps to safeguard our own security," he told newsmen accompanying him on his week-long four-nation tour that began today.

"Whatever happens in Pakistan will have a definite impact on Afghanistan and in the Central Asian republics. When we are preparing to enter the 21st century such a step in Pakistan takes us backward. This cannot be welcomed," he said en route to Oman on the first leg of his tour.

He prefaced his remarks saying he did not want to comment on what was essentially an internal matter of Pakistan when a reporter sought his comments on the latest developments in the neighbouring country following which the Premier, Mr Nawaz Sharif, cancelled his visit to Durban for the NAM Summit, during which the two leaders were slated to have bilateral talks.

Mr Vajpayee expressed "disappointment" at the cancellation of Mr Sharif’s visit, saying had there been talks with him it would have been better.

Later in a statement, Mr Vajpayee said, "while we have no desire to comment on the internal situation in Pakistan, I must also express concern at the direction in which events seem to be moving."

"We have stated on more than one occasion that the growth of religious extremism in any country is a matter of concern for its neighbours. India has lived with some of its consequences, as have other countries in the region, such as Afghanistan and Central Asia," he said.

The Prime Minister said "We mean well for the people of Pakistan who want stability and prosperity for themselves. We, can on our part, seek good and stable relations with Pakistan and will continue our efforts in this direction. We will also take all necessary steps to safeguard our own security."

Mr Sharif, who is facing a barrage of protests from fundamentalist groups and religious parties over his alleged involvement in US missile attacks on Afghanistan, yesterday announced in the National Assembly that he would introduce a constitutional amendment to make the Koran and the Sunnah — sayings of Prophet Mohammed — the supreme law of Pakistan.

On Mr Sharif’s cancellation of the Durban trip, Mr Vajpayee said "I am, of course, disappointed. I look forward, however, to a meeting with the Foreign Minister, Mr Sartaj Aziz in Durban."

"I am sorry, he (Sharif) is not attending the NAM Summit at Durban. I hope I will meet him in New York at the time of the UN General Assembly session," the Prime Minister said at Delhi Airport shortly before departure.

He, however, said that ministerial and official-level talks between the two countries would be held on the sidelines of the NAM Summit.

Asked if India would take an initiative in calling for a coordinated approach for combating international terrorism, Mr Vajpayee said, "Terrorism is a worldwide problem and has to be tackled at that level."

Mr Vajpayee said India had stated categorically that growth of religious extremism in any country was of concern to its neighbours.

In a clear reference to acts of cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, he said India had lived with some of its consequences, as have other countries in the region, such as Afghanistan.

Asked whether he expected an adverse reaction from NAM Summit’s host country South Africa to the recent nuclear tests, the Prime Minister said he had a telephonic talk with President Nelson Mandela recently. "The talks were good," he said.

Vajpayee allays N-arms race fears

SALALAH (Oman), Aug 29 (PTI) — Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today sought to allay apprehensions about India triggering a nuclear arms race in the region even "accidentally" but asserted that the "war" against cross-border terrorism inspired by Pakistan will continue.

Mr Vajpayee’s enunciation of India’s nuclear doctrine in the context of the Pokhran II tests and a veiled attack on Islamabad’s instigation of sectarian fundamentalism in India came during delegation-level talks he had with Oman’s ruler Sultan Qaboos Bin al Said shortly after he landed in this resort town on the first leg of his four-nation tour.

"We are aware, your majesty, that under your enlightened leadership Oman too opposes extremism and terrorism and we are confident that you will raise your voice with us to condemn it wherever it manifests itself," the Prime Minister told his host.

Mr Vajpayee was accompanied by a high-level delegation that included Chemicals and Fertiliser Minister Surjit Singh Barnala and Petroleum Minister Vazhapadi K. Ramamurthy.

During the talks progress of two joint venture projects — Indo-Oman fertiliser project in Sur near Muscat and Bharat-Oman refinery project in Bina in Madhya Pradesh — also came up for review.

Reiterating India’s commitment to peace, stability and prosperity in the region, Mr Vajpayee said the two components of our nuclear doctrine, minimum deterrence and no-first use, indicate that just as our tests were not directed against any country, our deterrent posture is a defensive posture.

"This should allay all apprehensions about a nuclear arms race, accidental use or escalation of any sort. India’s longstanding commitment to non-proliferation and disarmament remains undiluted," he said.

The Prime Minister said India believed and continued to believe that its security and indeed of others, could be assured either through universal disarmament or through equal and legitimate security for all.

"We will continue to take initiatives to free the world of nuclear weapons," he asserted.

Referring to the scourge of sectarian fundamentalism and use of terror to project its point of view and power, Mr Vajpayee said for nearly 20 years India has been a victim of such extremist violence, encouraged within its territory from across the border.

"The Indian people have paid a heavy price in terms of lives lost and property destoryed in combating this evil. Our war against terror will continue," he said.

Touching on "another matter of grave concern to our neighbourhood," Mr Vajpayee said India had welcomed the West Asia peace process as a step in the right direction and was conscious of Arab perception of peace as a strategic option.

"India supports the imperative need for a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the region based on U.N. Security Council resolutions and the principle of land for peace," he said.

Mr Vajpayee said India was deeply concerned at the stalling of the peace process due to Israel’s refusal to withdraw from the occupied Arab territories and continuing with its settlement activities there.

"We firmly believe all understandings and accords must be respected and faithfully implemented by both sides," he said.

Mr Vajpayee said the end of the cold war had provided us with an iniquitous world order in which a few developed nations wielded enormous political, economic and military power to pursue their self-centred ends while the overwhelming majority was compelled to accept their dictates.

"In this situation, we are convinced that the non-aligned movement remains the only effective vehicle to safeguard interests of the developing world, to further the principles of democracy and freedom in international affairs, and to promote a more equal and just world order," he said.

He expressed confidence that at the NAM summit in South Africa, India and Oman would work together to promote political and socio-economic justice and disarmament.

Briefing newsmen after hour-long delegation talks followed by one-to-one talks between Mr Vajpayee and Qaboos, an official spokesman said the Sultan showed understanding of the rationale behind the recent Indian nuclear tests put forward by the Prime Minister.

The spokesman said Mr Vajpayee reiterated India’s commitment to strengthening and expanding relations between the two countries.

He recalled the visit of the Sultan to India his own visit to Omani capital Muscat at the head of a parliamentary standing committee delegation last year saying it underlined the fact that Oman was a special friend and partner of India.

The two sides felt that the two joint venture projects were evolved by a common perception and reiterated their commitment to work for closer cooperation in other areas.

The two projects were discussed by the leaders who acknowledged that discussions had now reached a final stage when they could be commissioned soon.

Sultan Qaboos sought cooperation between the two countries in new avenues.

Developments in Afghanistan were also reviewed by the two leaders. The spokesman said both leaders expressed concern over the rising tide of extremism in Afghanistan.

The spokesman said the fertiliser joint venture project near Muscat was nearing the stage of "financial closure".

He said Mr Barnala had been asked to stay back for two more days for discussions on the project with the Omani side.

Mr Ramamurthy will hold discussions on the refinery project for which some environmental clearance are needed for laying the pipeline from Wadinar off the Gujarat coast.