The Hindu : Extradition, key issue in Pak.-U.S. talks

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, May 07, 2002

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International

Extradition, key issue in Pak.-U.S. talks

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD MAY 6 . The Pakistan Interior Minister, Moinuddin Haider, has left for Washington to discuss a host of issues related to cooperation with the U.S. on terrorism.

Indications are the 10-member team could finalise an agreement on exchange of information on terrorism and extradition of wanted persons.

The demand voiced by Washington for the extradition of Omar Sheikh, the prime accused in the kidnap and murder of the Wall Street Journal reporter, Daniel Pearl, could be a sticky issue in the dialogue.

In his interactive session with western journalists here on Saturday the Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf, had given clear hints that Islamabad would like to try Omar Sheikh under local laws.

The delegation to the U.S. includes the Directors-General of the Federal Investigation Agency and the National Database and Registration Authority and the head of the National Crisis Management Cell.

Local media reports said the team is armed with a list of fugitives it wants the U.S. to hand over. It is also expected to ask the U.S. to release some of the detainees at Guantanamo Bay for their alleged links with Al-Qaeda on the plea that they are innocent. The U.S.-led coalition forces in Afghanistan picked up these persons a few weeks ago.

The delegation is scheduled to hold discussions with the U.S. Attorney General, John

Ashcroft, to finalise a course of action against terrorism in the backdrop of the reports of regrouping of the Taliban in the Afghan provinces adjacent to the Pakistani border.

Indications are that the two sides will finalise details of an agreement for a long-term cooperation in the ongoing fight against terrorism.

The agreement will cover exchange of information and evidence besides extradition of terrorists. Talks are also scheduled with the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, Christina Rocca, the National Security Adviser, Condoleezza Rice, and the FBI Director.

The Pakistan English daily, Dawn, has said that the delegation will inform the U.S. authorities about the sensitivities and threat perceptions if Washington or its allies intend to launch attacks on suspected Taliban elements in Waziristan and Mohmand Agencies in Pakistan.

The paper, quoting sources, also said the delegation will present a list of 15 or so of Pakistani runaway citizens, including politicians and bureaucrats, who had siphoned off billions of rupees and now face court cases at home.

According to Dawn, aall members of the team except the Interior Minister and the NDRA Director-General will also travel to Guantanamo Bay to interrogate hundreds of Pakistanis detained in a camp there with the Taliban and Al-Qaeda members.

The two sides are expected to discuss the U.S. aid to Pakistan for training and equipping border security forces and civil armed forces with the latest arms and equipment, including intelligence apparatus.

At present, the U.S. is providing $70 million for the law and order agencies. Pakistan will be seeking further assistance, including the automated border control system, to check influx of terrorist elements into its territory.

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Extradition, key issue in Pak.-U.S. talks