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Sunday,
July 21, 2002, Chandigarh, India  
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Sufficient proof that Pak is terror state Pervez’s anti-terror efforts ‘half-hearted’ India gives list of NRIs funding ultras to UK India’s warning on Al-Qaida regrouping
‘PPP to replace Bhutto as chief’ |
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Jatoi disqualified to contest poll Review of US travel warning
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Sufficient proof that Pak is terror state Not facing the truth and not telling the truth seem to be the two cardinal principles of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf’s foreign and domestic policies. They are based on double-talk, arrogant self-justification and promises made with rapid speed and generous quantity, only to be skilfully and unashamedly broken at the first available opportunity. Another interesting diplomatic trick frequently applied by the Pak President and his trained propaganda machine is to feign innocence and demand convincing proof when faced with obvious and ugly facts of their deeds and designs. Their double-talk on three burning issues has exposed their hackneyed dual diplomacy in recent times. These include the promises made and broken about stoppage of cross-border terrorism from the Pakistan territory, protesting ignorance about the existence of the Taliban and Al-Qaida activists in Pakistan, specially in the Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir and feigning ignorance about the training camps for terrorists in PoK and contiguous areas of Pakistan, under the close patronage and supervision of Pakistan Army’s Inter-Services Intelligence Wing. President Pervez Musharraf and his diplomatic hounds have been in the habit of demanding proof for everything happening in Pakistan and from Pakistan across the LoC in India, as if they have some kind of super-sovereignty over the neighbouring country. But again and again, the international community, and happenings inside Pakistan, have thrust convincing proof down their throats which they have conveniently swallowed. Pakistan-watchers all over the world, therefore, considered that the death of 12 Pakistani soldiers at the hands of Al-Qaida terrorists, in an encounter within Pakistan, should be proof enough to convince Musharraf and Co. Proof they always demand and dead Pakistani soldiers within Pakistan itself should be proof enough, if they really and honestly intended to fulfil promises made ad nauseum to the international coalition against terrorism led by the USA that they are committed to ending all forms of terrorism. And they had been told again and again by their American, British, Russian and Japanese friends too that cross-border terrorism targeting Indian territories by so-called “terror crusaders” or the “mujahideen” from the Pakistani territory, particularly the PoK, was also recognised as one of the most vicious and virulent types of terrorism and should not be hawked again and again as some kind of ‘war of liberation’ by highly paid gangs of guerrilla fighters whose main aim is to support the annexation of Kashmiri territory by Pakistan. In fact several political elements in Pakistan are also beginning to realise that more than the people of Kashmir, the people of Pakistan, denied civil liberties and human rights in very large areas, who deserve to liberate themselves from the stranglehold of the military-fundamentalist gangs. It has to be noted that most of the world powers, notably the USA and the UK have been at pains to remind President Musharraf about his promise to end cross-border terrorism. The reminder also underlined a pressure to close all training camps for cross-border terrorist groups being run under the patronage of Pakistan in Pakistan and in PoK. Technically, Pakistan could claim that the PoK camps are not on its territory. Would that not mean an admission of the truth that PoK was the territory belonging to the Kashmiris and not to Pakistan, unless there had been some kind of secret understanding between the Government of Pakistan and the bandit groups masquerading as ‘liberators’. There were so many of these groups, ever quarrelling and quibbling about who really represented the Kashmiris’ interests that they finally managed to create the impression that they represented the interests of none other than the ruling military elite of Pakistan and the ISI. It was time that President Musharraf read the writing on the wall for his own sake and for the sake of the people of Pakistan, many of whose political leaders have either been banished, banned or put in jails pending his ‘managed campaign’ to install a ‘henchman parliament’ and ‘henchman assemblies in the forthcoming national election in Pakistan. Those who oppose General Musharraf and his regime in Pakistan have been heard murmuring: “If he has his way, this would be the most rigged election in Pakistan where elections have generally been rigged by the military.” Latest reports from Pakistan make it clear that despite his many promises, President Musharraf’s government and his favourite ISI, are still providing protection and escort to Al-Qaida and Taliban and the recent ‘Kohat incident’ in which Pakistani security personnel as well as Al-Qaida activists were killed, was an accidental exposure. These reports also indicate that in his crucial battle to gain legitimacy and extended rule over Pakistan, General Musharraf has managed to get 80 per cent parliamentarians disqualified for the forthcoming elections to the Pakistan national assembly and the four provincial assemblies in Punjab, Sindh, North West Frontier Province and Baluchistan. The new eligibility criteria for legislative candidates are designed to wipe out the majority of national and provincial legislators who were elected to the legislatures of Pakistan during the past 15 years. But will all these time-tested dirty tricks to sabotage the emergence of democracy at home and peace in the South Asian region ensure legitimacy and permanency for General Musharraf? He might as well as sit back and ponder. India’s newly inducted Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha has made it clear in his initial public statements that normalisation of relations with Pakistan and even the basic initiatives in that direction would depend upon Pakistan fulfilling promises it makes repeatedly. End of the cross-border terrorism was the core issue. Foreign ministers of the USA and the UK have also stressed that end of cross-border terrorism was necessary to defuse the Indo-Pak confrontationist atmosphere. And Foreign Minister of India, in a very polite signal to Pakistan and its leaders, had expressed the view that India, with a far superior defence force, had exercised extreme patience. India’s defence structure was far superior to that of Pakistan. One might add to the Foreign Minister’s view that India’s democratic political structure too, despite its natural boils and bruises, was far more stable than that of Pakistan which was being slowly eaten by militarisms, terrorism and fundamentalism. If General Pervez does not end terrorism at home, it could end him and his country. It was perhaps his last chance to save himself and Pakistan from the terrorist menace. Will he miss the bus? The choice is crucial but the choice is his.
ADNI |
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Pervez’s anti-terror efforts ‘half-hearted’ Washington, July 20 In the article “Pakistan’s Poor Results” published on Wednesday, the Post said even the conviction of the assailants of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl appears only at first flush to be a commitment to the US war against terrorism. “But like so much in that fragile partnership, the news of the verdicts may have been less significant than it first appeared,” says the editorial, noting that the decision may be overturned. “What looks like decisive action against a group of terrorists may turn out to be a half-step, and reversible...” “Such ambiguous and troubling outcomes are becoming General Musharraf’s hallmark.” In January he announced a sweeping crackdown against extremists, “but many of the 1,500 or so suspects rounded up were later quietly let go. “More than once he has responded to intense pressure from India and the Bush administration by promising to end the infiltration from Pakistan into Jammu and Kashmir; yet India says that after brief interruptions, the infiltrations have resumed,” the paper noted. Although the Bush administration may be appearing to accept these “partial” results, “yet the evidence is growing that General Musharraf’s ability to fight terrorism has been compromised by his own political ambitions”. The Post said General Musharraf had antagonised Pakistani public opinion by insisting on staging a referendum to extend his own term and then making a series of constitution amendments to restrict democracy in Pakistan. His dependence on the military would increase as a result, “which, in turn, makes it harder for him to make the concessions in Kashmir needed for peace with India, or even to pursue terrorists inside Pakistan without compromise”. The Bush administration should pressurise the Pakistani leader to “seek accommodation” with the civilian leadership in the country, otherwise, his anti-terror commitments would come to naught, the paper said. “The General may be an important US ally over the past 10 months, but unless he is willing to accept that he cannot rule Pakistan by himself, he will not be able to deliver the results that are needed in his country.”
IANS |
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India gives list of NRIs funding ultras to UK London, July 20 The list was submitted to the British security chiefs by Indian investigators here last week along with evidence against those NRI “businessmen who are described as the terrorists’ lifeline”, The Times daily reported today. According to the dossier, a sum of more than £ 6 million a year is sent from the UK to banned groups with links to Al-Qaida, including the
Jaish-e-Mohammad and the Lashkar-e-Toiba. Though Ayub Thakur stated that all money raised by him was for charitable projects, his charity, Mercy Universal, which sent over £ 4 million in a span of 18 months was being investigated. India wants Britain to deal with the 14 men or extradite them. Several of the men have been granted asylum in the UK and others are applying to stay here.
PTI |
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India’s warning on Al-Qaida regrouping United Nations, July 20 “What is more worrying is that they continue to receive external support. It would be tragic and dangerous for Afghanistan and for the region and international peace and security if the malevolent forces, manifested in Al-Qaida and the Taliban, and their external support were allowed to succeed,” Mr V.K. Nambiar, Indian Ambassador at the UN has told an open meeting of the Security Council on Afghanistan. Mr Nambiar revealed that India has already transferred $ 10 million to the Afghan Government as a cash subsidy and another $ 11.5 million have been made available for project-related assistance. Details are also being worked out for the transfer of three Airbus aircraft and 50 buses have already been provided. A computer-training centre is bing run by Indian experts in Afghanistan and internet access via VSAT has been provided to the interim administration, he added. Praising the change in Afghanistan, Mr Nambiar warned against overlooking the threats that could undermine these achievements.
PTI |
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‘PPP to replace Bhutto as chief’ Islamabad, July 20 The move will challenge the Pervez Musharraf government’s plans by fulfilling all the “discriminatory and victimising” conditions set for the October elections, the daily Times reported today quoting PPP sources. A leading party stalwart will be elected as the PPP Chairman and Ms Bhutto will be appointed as its “Rahbar (Patron)”, the sources said. The decision was taken at a party meeting in London on Thursday which was attended by Ms Bhutto and other senior leaders. The PPP vice-chairman Mr Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Mr Syed Naveed Qamar, Mr Qaim Ali Shah and Mr Aftab Shaaban Mirani are the front runners for the top post, the sources said. However, Mr Fahim is the top contender for the post as in Ms Bhutto’s absence, the next party executive meeting on July 23 will be presided over by him. The meeting will discuss the political situation in the country and all executive members have been asked to be present there. The party has also reportedly agreed to hold elections this month at all levels — central, provincial, district and tehsil levels. “The PPP will in principle not approach another party for seat adjustments on its own. However, it will consider proposals from other parties in the light of what they will do in return for the favour,” a leading PPP stalwart told the newspaper. Meanwhile, the PPP has denied the reports that it was planned to replace Ms Bhutto. ‘’The party does not accept the so-called political reforms and constitutional amendments of the military government. We cannot even consider replacing Ms Bhutto, who is the party’s chairperson for life,’’ senior party leader Mr Rashid Rabbani said.
UNI |
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Jatoi disqualified to contest poll Islamabad, July 20 “As things stood, there is little left for politicians to do in Pakistan,” The Daily Times, quoting Mr Jatoi, said today. Mr Jatoi told this to a group of friends in London this week.
UNI |
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Review of US travel warning Washington, July 20 During a congressional hearing on Thursday, Rocca assured the co-Chairman of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans Senator Ed Royce that the travel warning to India was under constant review. Royce had urged the Administration to reassess its warning, saying it was adversely affecting commerce between the USA and India. He said that promoting trade and investment between the USA and India was a primary goal of the India Caucus. This objective is harmed by perceptions that India is on the brink of conflict, he said. “Protecting Americans is our government’s paramount concern, and that means having the most accurate travel reports possible. Given the growing US-India relationship, I am pleased that the State Department has India’s travel recommendation status under constant review,” he added.
PTI |
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2 ISYF men jailed London, July 20 |
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