The Hindu : War still an option, says I.D. Swami

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Sep 27, 2002

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War still an option, says I.D. Swami

By Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR SEPT. 26. The temple siege was the result of "sheer desperation and frustration" on the part of militants and Pakistan as elections were going smooth in Jammu and Kashmir and normality had returned to Gujarat, the Union Minister of State for Home, I.D. Swami, said today.

The Minister maintained that India was still trying the diplomatic channels in order to make Pakistan behave but "still all the options were open''.

Asked whether the war was also an option, he shot back: "Do you think war is not included in all the options. We have faith in the international coalition and still hope it will rise to the occasion and help in ending cross-border terrorism'', said Mr. Swami but added "we are not dependent upon the world as far as our problems are concerned''.

Accusing Pakistan of continuing with its plan to create trouble in India, the Minister told newsmen that the Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf, had not lived up to his commitments.

The infiltration continued and the activities of militants had gone up after the elections were announced. "They (militants) got frustrated with the enthusiasm people showed in the electoral process".

Mr. Swami disagreed with the view that the attack on the Akshardham temple was a reaction to what happened after Godhra in Gujarat.

The two militants were from across the border. The Tehrik-e-Kasas is nothing but a cover of the Lashkar-e-Taiba and the Jaish-e-Mohammad."

Gujarat has a soft border with Pakistan that is why the militants managed to do it there. And Gujarat has a long history of communal violence.

So the enemy will always try to select this place to carry out the nefarious plans.

Pakistan's aim to aid and abet the militants was to destroy India's economy and create a wedge between different communities.

Complimenting the people of Jammu and Kashmir for braving militants' threats and participating in the polls, Mr. Swami said the Government had made it clear to the international community that cross-border terrorism had to end. "To end this we are determined and the willpower and the strength of the people of country is enough to win it,'' he said.

Dialogue with Kashmiris

"Soon after the electoral process is over, the Centre will initiate a dialogue with the representative government and also with those who did not participate in the elections. They (separatists) stand isolated and exposed," the Minister said.

The development of the State and the grievances of the people — whether political or apolitical — would be discussed.

The Government would consider any proposal from the State on devolution of powers and the BJP-led Government at the Centre had gone ahead with its efforts in that direction.

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