The Hindu : CCS reviews security situation

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Feb 21, 2002

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CCS reviews security situation
By Atul Aneja

NEW DELHI, FEB. 20. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) today took stock of the security situation in the region including Pakistan and Afghanistan, besides the developments in Jammu and Kashmir.

Highly-placed sources in the Government said the CCS evaluated the trends in cross-border infiltration in Jammu and Kashmir. This was necessary as a drop in cross-border movement may lead to resumption of a ``composite dialogue'' with Pakistan on eight issues including Kashmir.

The Government, the sources said, had noted the nuance in the U.S. position on Kashmir. Instead of highlighting the centrality of Kashmir along with other issues, the U.S. now wants India and Pakistan to resume direct talks to resolve ``all outstanding issues, including Kashmir''.

This formulation which is similar to the Indian disposition on the ``composite dialogue'' with Pakistan was aired during the recent visit to the United States by the Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf.

India has also observed that the U.S. did focus on some economic aspects of its relationship with Pakistan during Gen. Musharraf's visit, but did not reopen military supplies to Islamabad.

The Government, however, is fully aware that the U.S. is committed to supporting Gen. Musharraf. However, the Indian side has been ``privately assured'' by the U.S. that in engaging the General, it will not act in a manner that would be detrimental to India's interests.

Aware of the relevance of infiltration, the U.S. during the visit to India last month by its Secretary of State, Colin Powell, had signalled that Gen. Musharraf had begun taking positive steps to curb cross-border movement.

However, Gen. Powell felt that India should monitor on its own whether Pakistan sustained this effort. India is of the view that Gen. Musharraf's activism against Kashmir-centric terrorism lasted mainly for three days after his televised address on January 12.

On infiltration, the sources pointed out, it would be difficult to make an assured assessment on this subject before the end of May. With the Jammu and Kashmir receiving the highest snowfall in 10 years, a drop in infiltration this winter is possible. But India will be in a position to confidently pronounce on cross-border movement, and de-escalation that could follow, only after the snows melts and infiltration routes got reopened.

Asked to comment on Gen. Musharraf's reported comments that India is likely to pull back forces around May-June, the spokesperson of the External Affairs Ministry said the observations were a reflection of the ``extended season of kite flying'' in Pakistan.

Referring to the developments in Jammu and Kashmir, the sources said the Government was willing to consider the question of autonomy, provided there was a reduction in violence.

The CCS began with remarks by the External Affairs Minister, Jaswant Singh. The chiefs of the Research and Analysis Wing and Intelligence Bureau also made their presentations.

Besides, the Chief of Air Staff, S. Krishnaswamy, briefed the CCS in the presence of the Chief of Naval Staff, Madhvendra Singh and the Vice-Chief of the Army Staff, N.C Vij.

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