Author:
Publication: The Times of India
Date: January 21, 2001
Defence minister George Fernandes
came down heavily on Pakistan on Saturday for the manner it was responding
to the recent attack by militants in the Kashmir Valley.
In an informal chat with media-persons
after inaugurating a housing complex of the defence accounts department
at Kanjur Marg he accused Islamabad of being unwilling to "rein in those
who had been let loose." The reference was in particular to members of
the fundamentalist Lashkar-e-Toiba.
Mr Fernandes said Pakistan has been
training and supporting terrorists under the guise of supporting a socalled
Jehad. But now that India has taken several initiatives, including announcing
a ceasefire, Pakistan should stop aiding and abetting the terrorists. "At
some point of time we should sit and talk across the table," he said.
Mr Fernandes said while the ceasefire
was working effectively along the Line of Control (LoC), there have been
a few violations in the Valley itself by the Lashkar-e-Toiba and other
Pakistan-backed militant outfits. In this context he emphasised that the
decision to extend the ceasefire beyond Republic Day will now entirely
depend on the response from Pakistan.
Regarding the visit of the Hurriyat
delegation to Pakistan, he said the home ministry was looking into the
matter. Asked if there was any time frame for its visit, he replied in
the negative.
When his attention was drawn to
the statement by Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin that no purpose
will be served by Hurriyat's trip, Mr Fernandes said this may not be in
tune with Islamabad's official stand.
Referring to Indian high commissioner
in Islamabad V.K. Nambiar's recent meeting with Pakistan's chief executive
Pervez Musharraf Mr Fernandes said it was purely a courtesy call.
To a question whether the recent
launch of the nuclear-capable intermediate range ballistic missile Agni-
2 was deliberately done during the visit of the Chinese leader Li Peng,
the minister denied it saying it was scheduled quite some time ago.
About the decision of China to back
out of the international fleet review in Mumbai next month, he said he
was disappointed by the decision. They want to do a separate exercise with
the Indian Navy. The relationship between the Indian, Navy and the Chinese
Navy is quite good," he said.
