Author: HT Correspondents
Publication: The Hindustan Times
Date: May 24, 2002
US intelligence agencies have concluded
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has reneged three promises he made
to the Bush administration on terrorism in Kashmir.
In an article in Thursday's Washington
Post, columnist Jim Hoagland says the US "misread" Musharraf.
One promise Musharraf made was to
shut down terrorist camps in Kashmir. A US intelligence assessment, says
the article, has concluded that Musharraf allowed 50 to 60 guerrilla camps
in Kashmir to "come back to life" in mid-March. The camps hold about 3,000
militants.
Another promise was to prevent terrorist
operations from Pakistan or Pakistani-controlled territory. The US is sure
Pakistan has reneged on this.
The article quotes a US official
as saying the rate of infiltration into Kashmir is undoubtedly higher than
last year's. "What is still being debated is Musharraf's intention. Is
he unable or unwilling to prevent what is happening?"
Finally, Musharraf had promised
to "dismantle permanently Pakistan's Islamic fundamentalist organisations
that preach violence". This commitment is also being seen as having "withered".
Diplomatic observers say the article
is probably a deliberate leak by the Bush administration to pressure Musharraf.
The New York Times reported the
US was urging Musharraf to keep militants on his side of the border. But
Washington was looking for "the precise pressure point that would make
the General fully change his ways". A US official, referring to Pakistan's
help in the US's war against the Al Qaeda, said, "What ... will convince
the General we're serious, when we need him so much?"
Media reports from Islamabad saidUS
Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage's visit was yet to be scheduled.
He will visit Pakistan only if Musharraf signalled his willingness to accede
to the key demand of curbing infiltration.
