Author: M. L. Kak
Publication: The Tribune
Date: May 6, 2002
Excerpts from the US State Department's
annual report on "Pattern of global terrorism" presented by US Secretary
of State Collin Powell were released to mediapersons here today.
The Defence Ministry functionaries
cited the report while claiming that there has been no decline in the moral
and material aid that Islamabad and its agencies have been providing to
militants operating in Jammu and Kashmir.
The report, as circulated by the
ministry spokesman, says: "The Pakistan increased its support to Taliban
and continued it to militant groups active in India held Kashmir, such
as Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, some of which had been engaged in terrorism."
"Pakistan's military government,
headed by Gen Pervez Musharraf, continued plans of previous government
to give support to Kashmiri militant groups based in Pakistan. Several
of these groups were responsible for attacks against civilians in India
held Kashmir."
The functionaries said it was strange
that on the one hand the USA and its allies had pledged to root out terrorism
in the world, and on the other continued to provide political and economic
support to Pakistan.
They said Pakistan had been playing
a pivotal role in fomenting and promoting terrorist activities not only
in India but also in Nepal, China, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. As such,
it had become imperative for those committed to end the menace of terrorism
to tame Islamabad and its agencies.
They expressed fear that the US
policy was to befriend Pakistan even at the cost of peace, stability and
integrity of India simply to have military bases in the land of Jinnah
which could help it counter the growing Chinese and Russian influence in
South Asia.
A senior police officer, who has
been engaged in supervising anti-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir
said once Pakistan suspended military and financial assistance to the militants
and sealed its borders, the government would be in a position to restore
total peace and normalcy within two months.