Author:
Publication: Outlook
Date: October 22, 2001
His comments tinged with realism
about the lack of formal guarantees to India of a 'Phase II' in the international
war against terrorism that would strike at Pak-sponsored terrorism, a combative
Union home minister L.K. Advani spoke to Ishan Joshi. Excerpts:
Q.: Now that US strikes have begun,
what is India's main concern?
A.: Cross-border terrorism. In
fact, for the past three years since I have been in this job, apart from
trying to contain Pak-inspired terrorism on the ground, we in the government
have been trying to mobilise world opinion against international terrorism
and making them realise this is a global menace. The theoretical responses
have been yes, you are right, and so at least five countries have agreed
to form joint working groups against international terrorism (and) all
of them have promised support to our convention against international terrorism.
Q.: But it has remained theoretical.
A.: Yes, it's theoretical.... But
in actual practice, they've been reluctant even to take positions. We don't
expect them to do anything; it's our problem and we have to surmount it.
But our emphasis has been that the problem is state-sponsored terrorism.
And so, any state that promotes, sponsors or harbours terrorism should
be declared a terrorist state. Countries like America, if they declare
any country as a terrorist state, consequences follow. This is not true
about, say, the UK; that is the logic of a unipolar world. But they've
been reluctant to do so.
Q.: Has this changed after September
11?
A.: Let's see, let's see. Because
the problem is, for them the Taliban regime had not been recognised but
bin Laden's organisation, Al Qaeda, has been proscribed, unlike Lashkar-e-Toiba
or Jaish-e-Mohammed.
Q.: Has this perception changed?
Whither 'Phase II' of the war against terrorism? Is there going to be one?
A.: I think that the dynamics of
the situation would lead the world towards that position.
Q.: But no assurances as yet?
A.: We have not asked for any assurances.
Q.: Let me clarify this: you say
this is your assessment and analysis based on the events which are unfolding
rather than anybody having told the government something concrete?
A.: Also on the basis of what they
have been conveying to us privately. They say 'We cannot, when we
want to have Pakistan as a front-ranking ally in this situation, be saying
things about Pakistan we do believe in'. So I have told whosoever I have
met, like the US ambassador and the British PM, that people are disappointed.
When Tony Blair asked me, 'Tell me candidly what the people in India feel
about us', I said the people of India are unhappy with your attitude. I
said we in government can understand strategy dictates you have Pakistan
on your side but for the common Indian, terrorism is Pak-inspired terrorism.
And he is not able to digest how a terrorist state, which has given us
trouble for over a decade, has become the front-rank US ally in this war
against terrorism. He is not able to digest that. And so, they are unhappy
but that at the same time we can understand. We can understand, provided
it is really a war against international terrorism and not merely an operation
to avenge September 11.
Q.: What do they say to this?
A.: They keep saying yes, it is...
Q.: (Interrupting) But what will
happen is another matter?
A.: I said, Mr Blair, people also
know that Taliban or bin Laden or isi, they are creations in which America
has contributed. And they have linkages. All these things are known. It
is another matter our own conviction has been that those who promote terrorism
one day have to bear the consequences. It happened with the Bhindranwale
cult, it happened with the ltte and it's now happened with Taliban and
bin Laden.
Q.: Does 'Enduring Freedom' have
a Phase II? Will the US
A.: also target terrorist camps
in PoK subsequently? They say so.
Q.: But they don't say so officially...
A.: It's understandable (given
their priority).
Q.: America, Israel and India: that's
said to be the targets for Islamic extremists. There is a growing feeling
India may be attacked as it is seen as the softest target of the three.
Is 'hot pursuit' an option?
A.: Firstly, after coming into
government I have never used the phrase hot pursuit. I've used the word
proactive constantly and which I use even today (vis-a-vis fighting terrorism
in Kashmir). But there are some words which need not be used though internationally
they are accepted; that in certain situations it is legitimate for a country
for its own defence to resort to that. I can only say that the statement
made by the prime minister after October 1 is significant. It was not just
strong words when he said that there is a limit to our patience.
Q.: In the end, it is going to be
an Indian fight...
A.: Yes, yes. I've always maintained
that it's our problem and we have to solve it. But if world opinion is
of a nature which takes cognisance of the menace that is a terrorist-promoting
state, it would be of help to us in our fight. And I visualise this present
phase (of the war against terrorism) as assisting us. Not physically but
at least in terms of the climate created, in terms of the constraints imposed
on Pakistan.
Q.: So you expect the direct fallout
of this Phase I, once it is over, to be that the Americans will actually
put pressure on Pakistan to stop sending people across the LoC?
A.: I think so. Because, see the
language and attitude of the leader of Pakistan himself. I don't call it
a change. I think these are the constraints imposed upon him by the situation
itself.
Q.: But will Musharraf last?
A.: That's the big question. If
there are heavy casualties in Afghanistan, what would be the impact on
Pakistan? There are demonstrations and just this morning there has been
a fire in the army HQ at Rawalpindi. I have said from the day this crisis
began that Gen Musharraf's position is unenviable.
Q.: Will India's 'proactive' policy
in Kashmir continue?
A.: Post-Kargil, terrorist activity
increased considerably. Since then, it has been the same conventional (military)
approach which is bound to yield results though the cost we are having
to pay is heavy.
Q.: Exactly. You have already tried
a 'proactive' policy...
A.: (Interrupts) But there have
been phases in between. For different reasons-because we initiated a dialogue
with certain sections and because we felt that since the people of J&K
have had to go through a lot of anguish, we will give them relief-certain
steps were taken which did not pay because the terrorists took advantage
of them. There is no question of letting that happen again.
Q.: Is the threat of terrorists
using 'biological, chemical and even nuclear weapons' real or just theoretical?
A.: No, it is not a theoretical
one. All inputs indicate the Taliban has access to biological and chemical
weapons and depending on how the situation develops in Pakistan, I believe
even the US is apprehensive lest any wayward group gets hold of nuclear
weaponry. I'd not like to create panic but this reference was made on substantive
inputs.
