Author: Swaraj Thapa
Publication: The Economic Times
Date: May 11, 2003
URL: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?msid=45996527
Suggesing a shift in the American
position, US deputy secretary of state, Richard Armitage on Saturday indicated
that the US could not give a full assurance to New Delhi that Pakistan
would put an end to infiltration from across the border.
"It is not my job to give assurances.
Its not my job to tell our Indian friends what I think,'' Mr Armitage told
reporters, even as he affirmed that he had conveyed to India, the Pakistani
president, Pervez Musharraf's claims that "there was nothing happening
across the line of control, and if there were training camps on the Pakistani
side of the LoC, they would be gone by tomorrow''.
Importantly, it was Mr Armitage
himself who had last year carried a "pledge' from Mr Musharraf that steps
were being taken to put an end to the infiltration from across the border.
New Delhi has, since then, repeatedly pointed to the international community's
inability to get Pakistan to fulfill its promise.
The emphasis by Mr Armitage on Saturday
therefore, clearly indicated that the US was taking care to make subtle
amendments in its position. While carrying the message, there was an implication
that the US should not be expected to prevail upon President Musharraf.
India, meanwhile, remained unconvinced
on the latest message from Islamabad with the foreign office stating that
Pakistan would have to translate its promises into action for the resumption
of dialogue.
While the US deputy secretary of
state was briefed about developments regarding the recent peace overtures,
sources said there was no assertion made on the possibility of resuming
talks.
This was also confirmed further
by the MEA spokesperson who said: "It is for India to judge when conducive
atmosphere is created for the dialogue to take place''. He also rejected
any suggestions that Armitage was in New Delhi in the role of a mediator.
"There is no place for mediation. There is no intention for this,'' he
said.
