The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Thursday, January 17, 2002, Chandigarh, India

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Powell rejects mediatory role

US Secretary of State Colin Powell (R) meets Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf during a meeting in Islamabad on Wednesday.
— Reuters

Islamabad, January 16
Secretary of State Colin Powell tonight rejected a mediatory role for the USA in resolving disputes between India and Pakistan but said he is carrying “some ideas” to New Delhi for initiating a dialogue between the two countries on several issues, including Kashmir.

He, however, made it clear that the immediate aim is de-escalation of political and military tensions. He said war between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan must be avoided.

Mr Powell, who arrived in Pakistan earlier in the day, held talks with Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar and was due to meet the country’s military ruler, General Pervez Musharraf.

“We really cannot have a war in South Asia and we have to find a way to work through this crisis,” Mr Powell said in an interview with Pakistani state television.

Colin Powell (L) is greeted by Pakistan's Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar after arriving at Chacklala Airbase in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, on Wednesday.
— Reuters

Islamabad is Mr Powell’s first stop on a five-nation trip that includes Afghanistan, India, Nepal and Japan, the venue for an Afghanistan reconstruction conference next week.

His aim in India and Pakistan is to build on a relative reduction in tension since President Musharraf, in a speech on Saturday, met more of India’s demands for a crackdown on militant Islamists attacking the Indian forces in disputed Kashmir.

“I hope that as a result of my visit we can keep the process moving forward to find a solution to the current crisis,” Mr Powell said.

Mr Powell said as a part of the American effort, Washington would press India and Pakistan to lift tit-for-tat diplomatic and travel sanctions they imposed on each other.

“Perhaps, we can begin to review and see whether (the sanctions) should still remain in effect... and in due course hopefully there will be military de-escalation as well,” Mr Powell said. Agencies

Powell to be given ‘ringside view’
Rajeev Sharma
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 16
As US Secretary of State Colin Powell arrives here tomorrow evening from Pakistan on a less than 20-hour-long visit, the Vajpayee government intends to give him “a ringside view” of its concerns on Pakistan’s proxy war against India and to convey that the list of 20 terrorists given to Pakistan was the “barest minimum demand” which India expected Pakistan to act on.

Well-placed sources here told “The Tribune” today that Gen Powell, who is coming here for the second time since September 11, would be apprised of the Indian concerns on the following counts:

Pakistan’s inaction on the list of 20 terrorists and criminals it has given to Pakistan for handing over to India and the Indian viewpoint that it will not compromise at all on this demand.

The presence of so-called Jehadi groups in Pakistan occupied Kashmir, including in the northern areas.

The continued infiltration of terrorists from Pakistan-controlled territories into India.

The need for Pakistan to put a complete end to its proxy war against India.

Pakistan’s continued support to foreign non-Kashmiri terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir.

According to diplomatic observers, Gen Powell, in turn, will be making two major demands on India. One, that New Delhi should initiate de-escalation along the borders in view of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf’s tough stand taken against terrorism; and secondly India should resume talks with Pakistan to resolve all bilateral issues peacefully.

Asked if India would be giving “fresh evidence” to Gen Powell, sources said this may not be necessary as the Indo-US joint working group on counter-terrorism is beginning its deliberations here on January 21. The group meeting could be a better platform for evidence and intelligence sharing, sources said.

Gen Powell arrives here tomorrow at 5.10 p.m. After a reception, he would begin an official meeting and working dinner with External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh. This will be followed by a brief press conference to be held jointly by the two foreign ministers.

On Friday, the US Secretary of state holds an hour-long meeting in South Block with Mr Brajesh Mishra, the National Security Adviser.