The Hindu : Pak. decries Vajpayee's speech

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 23, 2002

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International

Pak. decries Vajpayee's speech

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD May 22. Reacting to the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee's speech to the troops near the Line of Control (LoC), Pakistan urged New Delhi to desist from ``blatant war-mongering'' and instead focus on peaceful resolution of problems within the country and its neighbours.

A spokesman of the Pakistan Foreign Ministry, in a statement, said the Musharraf Government has taken note of the statement made by Mr. Vajpayee threatening Pakistan with ``a decisive battle''.

``The Indian leadership should desist from such blatant war-mongering and instead focus on addressing their internal problems as well as resolving peacefully their many disputes with their neighbours.''

It said that the Indian leaders must not misunderstand the ``restraint'' so far shown by Pakistan in the face of their ``provocative statements and moves''. The statement said Pakistan has the ability to defend itself against any war imposed by India.

``Any misadventure by India will be met with full force. India must not harbour any illusions of waging and winning a war against Pakistan. This would be a major miscalculation leading to grave consequences.''

Earlier, the joint meeting of Cabinet and NSC expressed ``deep concern'' over India's massing of troops on the border and ``the threatening and aggressive statements by the Indian leadership.''

The statement said the meeting agreed that all differences between Pakistan and India, including Kashmir, should be resolved ``through bilateral negotiations or other peaceful means as provided in the UN charter.'' It called on the international community to ``impress upon India the dangers inherent in the explosive situation created as a result of Indian belligerence and obduracy''.

``The meeting particularly emphasised that the Government will not allow the territory of Pakistan or any territory whose defence is the responsibility of Pakistan to be used for any terrorist activity anywhere in the world.''

In his interaction with newspaper editors and senior journalists, Gen. Musharraf appears to have given the impression that Islamabad does not anticipate any aggression from New Delhi. It seems to be based on the assumption that with the U.S.-led coalition forces making use of its soil for operations in Afghanistan, it would not be easy for India to target Pakistan. In his remarks, Gen. Musharraf told the editors that Pakistan was prepared for war but would continue to work for peace. War, he said, was not the answer to any dispute but ``if war was forced on Pakistan, the enemy will find us fully prepared''.

Gen. Musharraf emphasised that Pakistan's strategy was basically one of deterrence. That, he said, was the main feature of all three defence services. He, however, declared that the greatest deterrence was the ``will and determination of the Pakistani nation to fight to the last drop of its blood''.

Earlier, the Military Operations Directorate gave the editors a detailed briefing on the state of military preparedness. It was followed by presentations by the Foreign Minister, Abdul Sattar and the Foreign Secretary, Inam ul Haq.

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