M A I N   N E W S

Move on Advani a joke: George

New Delhi, January 31
Ridiculing Pakistan’s reported move to demand handing over of Home Minister L. K. Advani, Defence Minister George Fernandes today asked Islamabad to “behave in a serious manner” and hand over the 20 terrorists and criminals demanded by India immediately to prove its sincerity to fight terrorism.

He also said there was a “marginal” decrease in infiltration from the Pakistani side but not considerable enough to lead to any rethink over India’s stand vis-a-vis Pakistan after December 13.

“It is a joke,” the Defence Minister remarked when asked to comment on reports that the Pakistan Government was planning to demand handing over of Mr Advani accusing him of plotting the assassination of Mohammad Ali-Jinnah.

“Pakistan should behave in a serious manner,” he said, adding that Islamabad “should hand over the 20 terrorists and criminals demanded by India immediately if it is serious about fighting terrorism”.

He said the issue of de-escalation on the border with Pakistan had not been discussed by the government and consequently there was no decision taken on it so far. He ruled out any immediate de-escalation in the military deployment on the border.

Mr Fernandes avoided answering a question on what kind of equipment India would buy from the USA after Washington’s decision to start trading in arms.

On the Defence Ministry’s refusal to hand over the Central Vigilance Commissioner’s (CVC) report on defence deals to the Parliamentary Accounts Committee (PAC), as reported in a section of the Press, Mr Fernandes said there was no question of his ministry withholding anything from Parliament. But there were certain secrets the law permits the ministry to withhold.

“Moreover, the Speaker had himself refused questions in this regard in Parliament”, he added.

CHENNAI: Union Rural Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday described as “absurd and childish, bordering on juvenile delinquency” a report in a Pakistani daily that Union Home Minister L.K. Advani may feature in a list of criminals the Pakistan Government was seeking for extradition from India.

Mr Advani is one of the “criminals” wanted in connection with a 1947 conspiracy to assassinate Mohammad Ali Jinnah and the then Pakistani Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan, says yesterday’s report. PTI, UNI

Musharraf holds talks with top commanders

Islamabad, January 31
Pakistan’s powerful corps commanders conference headed by President Pervez Musharraf today discussed the latest diplomatic and military moves being made between India and Pakistan in the border standoff and the defence preparedness of the troops on both sides.

The two-day conference, which began at the Army headquarters at Rawalpindi, discussed a host of issues, including the situation on the Indo-Pak border, an official release here said tonight.

The Corps Commanders and Principal Staff Officers have been briefed on the latest scenario in the region arising out of the massive Indian build-up along the international borders, Line of Control and the Working Boundary, it said.

It also discussed the deployment of Pakistani troops and their state of readiness, the release said.

However, the release did not mention whether the meeting discussed the latest diplomatic moves by the two countries to ease tension. PTI

Kidnapping of scribe: Pak sees Indian link

Marianne Pearl, the pregnant wife of kidnapped US reporter Daniel Pearl, speaks during a television interview in Karachi on Wednesday. Pearl said she had read statements from the hostage takers with an "open heart" and has tried to understand them.  — Reuters photo

NEW DELHI: India today rejected Pakistani charge of an "Indian linkage" in the kidnapping of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl in Karachi, dubbing it as "ridiculous" and imagination running riot. PTI