The Hindu : No de-escalation: Fernandes

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 31, 2002

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No de-escalation: Fernandes

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE MARCH 30. There is no possibility of a de-escalation on the India-Pakistan border till the two most important outstanding issues are resolved by Pakistan, the Defence Minister, George Fernandes, said here on Saturday.

Speaking to presspersons after handing over to the Indian Air Force two Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) — christened Dhruv by him — at the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), Mr. Fernandes said that Pakistan was yet to end cross-border terrorism originating from that country. "Even today there was an attack on a BSF camp by a banned terrorist outfit headquartered in Pakistan '' he added. The second issue was India's demand for handing over 20 wanted terrorists for which there was a negative response from that country.

"Pakistan claims some of those in the list are its citizens but there are others who are Indian citizens wanted for crimes committed in our country and they are living in a `royal style' in Pakistan. We want them handed over to stand trial here,'' he said.

Pakistan was supposed to be involved in the hunt for another international terrorist, Osama bin Laden, he added.

Mr. Fernandes said there was reason to believe that some outfits of the Al-Qaeda and the Taliban, which fled Afghanistan, had moved into Pakistan and were using that country as a transit route to Kashmir.

Asked about the U.S.' suggestion that India and Pakistan hold talks to end tension, he said: "Not when the LeT is on a killing-spree everyday in Kashmir. The international coalition against terrorism should observe the same ground rules for every nation.''

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