International

End cross-border terrorism, E.U. tells Pak.

By Batuk Gathani

BRUSSELS June 15. The European Parliament has, in a resolution, supported India's stance on cross-border terrorism and called upon the Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf, to "eradicate terrorist activities carried out from Pakistan, especially infiltration of terrorists".

This resolution, along with another on the European Council in Seville, was passed during its session on Thursday. The plenary debate on the resolution was addressed by De Miguel, Spanish Minister for European Affairs, who stressed that the "commitment of Pakistan against organised terrorism must be total and unconditional and non-selective both in terms of direction and time". Pakistan must also respond to India's legitimate demand on the terrorism issue.

The European Parliament's resolution called upon Gen. Musharraf to implement his commitment — outlined in his January 12 speech — "to eradicate terrorist activities carried out from Pakistan, especially to stop infiltration of terrorists across the Line of Control into Jammu and Kashmir". It also called for "the resumption of bilateral talks on the Kashmir question" and underlined "the need to strengthen moderate forces in Kashmir and to help develop a stronger civil society".

All anti-India amendments, including those by the pro-Pakistan MEP (Member of European Parliament), Liz Lynn, for mediation, were rejected. Many prominent MEPs were strongly supportive of the Indian position, and there was no statement in Pakistan's support.

Charles Tannock urged Pakistan to arrest and hand over to India the terrorists involved in atrocities against civilians in Jammu and Kashmir and the attack on Parliament. Sakellariou, from Germany, welcomed the measures announced by India, including the withdrawal of the ban on over-flights by Pakistani commercial aircraft, the appointment of a High Commissioner and the withdrawal of naval ships from forward positions. He said that he was in Kashmir a few weeks ago and had visited the Line of Control (LoC).

"The fight against terrorism can actually only be conducted on the Pakistani side. Pakistan not only holds the responsibility to keep terrorists away from the border, it also has to punish and isolate them." Mr. Sakellariou also stressed the importance of democracy. India was a democratic country, he said, expressing the hope that elections in Pakistan would also lead to a democratic government.

The Chairperson of the South Asia delegation, Maria Carrilho, from Portugal, highlighted the need for maintaining a high level of vigilance. "I had the opportunity to visit India some weeks ago and I can affirm that beyond tension there is also an effective will for peace."

Ms. Carrilho said it was necessary to take effective steps towards a common European diplomacy. "Only by these means will E.U. have real weight in conflict prevention and resolution. And as far as India and Pakistan are concerned, our task will be to help these countries use their capabilities in eradicating poverty and promoting sustainable development; this is their true historic challenge." Neena Gill, a parliamentarian of Indian origin and who hails from Britain, stressed the role of trade and economic development in promoting cooperation and called for bilateral talks between India and Pakistan. "It is crucial that Europe takes responsibility and initiative in solving the crisis in the region and does not just leave the peace efforts to the U.S. and Russia, especially since some European Union member states have strong historical links with the region.

"However, despite the reduced tension at present, skirmishes along the border continue. Casualties continue to rise. So the sooner de-escalation takes place, the better. Although war seems to have been averted for now, tensions could easily rise again, especially around the time of elections in Kashmir in September," she added.

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