Author: Our Political Bureau
Publication: The Economic Times
Date: September 17, 2001
Despite protests from the usual
suspects in the Left parties and two former prime ministers, VP Singh and
Deve Gowda, the political class appears convinced that India stands to
benefit from the proposed counter-terrorism campaign.
While major political parties have
agreed to go along with the government's line on the issue, the defence
and policy establishments are of the view that it is the right opportunity
to address the issue of terrorism and the plight of the country in the
hands of the 'jehadi' gang. Although it remains to be seen how military
force can be used to quell the problem, the Indian policy establishment
is drawing comfort from a series of factors.
One, the US is attempting to get
a vast majority of countries on board the campaign, and this would mean
an isolation of those countries and forces that harbour terrorists. The
Bush administration is on record saying that efforts are on to secure active
participation of more than 100 countries. This surely will create a situation
where each participant will become sensitive to each other's needs - something
which was missing all these years.
Two, the Bush administration has
said that it will give equal priority to destroying bin Laden and the financial
network of jehadis. The assets of Al Qaeda - from where several terrorist
outfits operating in Jammu and Kashmir draw financial and ideological support
- is estimated to be in the range of $900m. According to reports, $300m
was bin Laden's personal share. Its contributors include rich Saudis and
royal families of the Gulf region.
In their interaction with FBI officials,
the Union home ministry had said that money for the jehadis in Jammu and
Kashmir was routed through Pakistan. According to the information with
the government here, the funds are laundered through dummy firms and so-cared
'humanitarian' groups - another facade for sponsors of terrorism.
If the new alliance that is being
forged by the US can bring diplomatic, economic and military pressure on
Pakistan, it would be a major achievement for New Delhi.
Domestically, the Vajpayee government
does not expect any major opposition to its pro-US policy. However, there
is apprehension that some local outfits may try to communalise the issue.
Already there are strong indications with subversive groups like the SIMI
coming out in the open to oppose the government's decision. SIMI, which
has been lionising Bin Laden, has also said that he should not be made
a target of attack. The security forces are aware of the organisation's
ability to create trouble. Already, several Congress-ruled states like
Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have banned their activities in communally
sensitive areas.
