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.