US winking at J&K terrorism:PM

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US winking at J&K terrorism: Atal

HT Correspondent

(New Delhi, September 28)

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In his first ever criticism of the US for ignoring India's concerns

against terrorism in the recent past, PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee on

Friday accused Washington of having been indifferent to the

menace, especially in Jammu and Kashmir.

 

"If the nations who are presently raising their voice against

terrorism, had spoken against what India has been braving over

the last many years, the present crisis may not have happened,"

the Prime Minister said today, while addressing a gathering of

Muslims at his Race Course Road residence.

 

Vajpayee made a pointed reference to his speech at the US

Congress in September last year wherein he had warned

against the growing menace of terrorism that knew no

boundaries. "But the US did not take my warning seriously,

except for offering lip service," he said.

 

The PM said terrorists had turned the State of Jammu and

Kashmir into a killing field by targeting innocent civilians. "This is

not the way to fight against what may be perceived as injustice,"

he remarked while expressing confidence that the people of the

troubled State would give their verdict in a free and fair poll within

India's democratic dispensation. "The ensuing polls will prove

who stands where. The wheels of democracy move slowly but

surely towards problem resolution," he asserted.

 

As regards Indo-Pak relations, he reiterated New Delhi's resolve

to continue its pursuit of peace through dialogue and

discussion. "Pakistan will have to give up its continuing support

to terrorism and we will have to live with it as a neighbour," he

said.

 

Referring to yesterday's incidents of violence in Lucknow,

Vajpayee accused vested interests of having exploited the

situation for political ends.

 

He said the prevailing efforts to fight international terrorism were

not ac war against any particular community. "It is not a conflict

between Muslims and no-Muslims, but against those who kill

and maim innocent people for a cause that has nothing to do

with religion or injustice."