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Clinton to discuss 'Jehad' with Pak

Clinton to discuss 'Jehad' with Pak

Amit Baruah
The Hindu
March 22, 2000
Title: Clinton to discuss 'Jehad' with Pak
Author: Amit Baruah
Publications: The Hindu
Date: March 22, 2000

ISLAMABAD, MARCH 21 - Pakistan's demonstrated inability to rein in terrorist groups operating from its soil will in all likelihood lead to the U.S. President, Mr. Bill Clinton, reading the riot act to the Chief Executive, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, during his six-hour stop-over in Islamabad on March 25.

Mr. Clinton, who has made it clear that he will call for respect of the Line of Control (LoC), restraint, a stand against violence and restoration of the bilateral dialogue with India, will visit Pakistan at a time when the country stands at the cross-roads. In a sense, Mr.Clinton will be offering Pakistan a "last chance" to return to the international mainstream.

Informed sources suggest that Mr. Clinton will take up With Gen. Musharraf the latter's position that there was a difference between "jehadi" and "terrorist" groups which use Pakistan as a base and draw sustenance from intelligence agencies here. Though Gen. Musharraf is expected to make some public remarks on March 23, little or no redress of American and Indian concerns on the "core issue" of Pakistani sponsorship of terrorism is likely. The view is gaining ground that unless Pakistan abandons its policy of "jehad" in Kashmir there is little chance of action against groups such as the Harkat-ul-Mu-jahideen, the Lashkar-e-Talba, the Hizbul Mujahideen.

Interestingly, observers believe that the one area where Pakistan could take a step to meet U.S. concerns relates to signing the CTBT - an area which does not impinge in the area of Kashmiri policy as some sections of the establishment here believe. Mr. Clinton, who is scheduled to address the Pakistani people on State-run television, will definitely make a diplomatic pitch for a return to democracy apart from raising issues of concern directly and pointedly with Gen. Musharraf. On the question of a return to democracy, the Pakistani Chief Executive is likely to announce a schedule to hold local body elections by the end of the year apart from setting out a new structure for local bodies themselves. Though the General is likely to refer to other milestones on the path of a "full return" to elected rule, it remains to be seen whether he provides firm dates.
 



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