Author: B L Kak
Publication: The Daily Excelsior
Date: February 8, 2002
The Government of India has turned
down Pakistan's formula for a phased pull-out of troops from the borders.
Pakistan President and military
ruler Gen Pervez Musharraf, has renewed his offer to New Delhi for talks
on a phased withdrawal of troops to defuse the tension.
The Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari
Vajpayee, was apprised of Gen Musharraf's renewed offer. Mr Vajpayee, Government
sources divulged, declined to attach much importance to the offer.
According to these sources, the
Prime Minister reiterated that tensions between India and Pakistan could
ease only after Islamabad curbed cross-border terrorism meaningfully.
Gen Musharraf's offer is interpreted
as yet another effort by Islamabad to tell the international community
that despite its persistent and consistent measures to defuse the tense
atmosphere, New Delhi is being adamant. By linking troops withdrawal to
resumption of a comprehensive dialogue to resolve all outstanding issues,
including Kashmir, Gen Musharraf has sent a signal that there could be
no peace in the region as long as Kashmir remains unresolved.
It is, apparently, in this context
that New Delhi wants Islamabad to ensure that it curbed cross-border terrorism
irreversibly by destroying the entire infrastructure that facilitated infiltration.
Yet another demand voiced by New Delhi: Pakistan should dismantle the Kashmir
cell run by the ISI.
There are four other components
to Gen Musharraf's statement that essentially seek India to come to the
negotiating table to discuss all issues, including Kashmir. The aspects
are (1) Pakistan is willing to restore on a reciprocal basis air, rail
and road links severed on January 1, (2) Withdrawal of troops should be
followed by a comprehensive dialogue on Kashmir and other issues, (3) The
UN military observers group on India and Pakistan should be beefed upto
credibly monitor the LoC and (4) New Delhi should allow human rights groups
and international media to monitor human rights record in Kashmir.
The Government of India, it was
officially asserted, would not allow any change in its position on the
status of Jammu and Kashmir. It was also stated that Pakistan's fixation
on Kashmir as the 'central issue' is bedeviling relations between the two
countries.
Government sources reiterated that
India, whenever talks being, would wish to see the revival of the 'composite
dialogue' process with Pakistan on eight issues, including Jammu and Kashmir.
According to these sources, India
may be inclined to prioritise discussions on Jammu and Kashmir "only if
Islamabad takes meaningful action to counter terrorism". Sources indicated
that Washington is not insisting on a pullback of Indian troops from the
Line of Control and International Border. The US administration wants New
Delhi to consider taking them off from their present 'high alert' status.
Sources said that New Delhi had
conveyed to Washington that thinning down of troops can be considered only
after Pakistan takes "decisive" steps to stop infiltration and act on the
list of 20 fugitives sent by India recently. New Delhi's focus is mainly
on cross-border infiltration.
On the other hand, Gen Musharraf
has clearly indicated that he will, during his coming meeting with the
US President, Mr George W Bush, persuade him to play a more active role
in urging India to reduce the tension on the borders and agree for a dialogue
to resolve all bilateral differences, including Kashmir. Gen Musharraf's
meeting is slated for February 13.
