Stay firm & focused

Editorial
The Economic Times
May 28, 1999

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Title: Stay firm & focused
Author: Editorial
Publication: The Economic Times
Date: May 28, 1999

The attacks on two Indian combat aircraft by Pakistan call for a firm,
but sharply focused, response.  It is clear from the attacks, as well
as the propaganda campaign that Pakistan launched when announcing the
attacks, that this is another attempt to internationalise the Kashmir
issue.  Pakistan may also hope that international opinion will force
India to ease the pressure on the infiltrators it has sent into this
country.  These infiltrators can then be used to reverse the trend
towards peace in the Valley.  India cannot allow this to happen.  But
in its response it must not allow its attention to shift from the
plain fact that the current problem is one of the large number of
infiltrators in the Kargil sector.  Even as it uses all the power at
its command, military or otherwise, to clear Indian territory of
infiltrators, it must be wary of Pakistan's efforts to escalate the
conflict in a way that gains international attention.  The attacks on
the combat aircraft may be just one of the provocations that Pakistan
plans.  India must ensure that its response sends out a clear message
to the world: this country will defend every inch of its territory
with all its might, but it will not be provoked into escalating the
problem in Kargil into a major conflict.

This message calls for a response to Pakistan's provocation not just
on the military front but also in the realm of international opinion. 
And the situation in Kargil provides an opportunity for India to
present its case.  As long as the military action is on Indian
territory, Pakistan will require to be blatantly aggressive to
escalate the conflict.  This would set them back in the battle for
international opinion.  Indeed, the course of events in Kargil so far
provide as clear evidence as possible of Pakistan's nefarious
designs.  The attacks on the planes is, in fact, an indication of the
extent to which Pakistan will go in support of the heavily armed
infiltrators.  This should remove doubts, if any existed in
international opinion, of Pakistan's involvement in militancy in
Kashmir.  Even as India defends its territory, it must take the attack
mode in the battle for international opinion.

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