Can Clinton convince Musharraf?

By C. Raja Mohan

NEW DELHI, MARCH 22. If the U.S. President, Mr. Bill Clinton, can persuade Pakistan to end its cross-border terrorism against India, the Government would have no hesitation in resuming the talks with Islamabad, according to highly-placed sources here.

Senior Government officials believe that India has good reasons to feel vindicated by the U.S. President's public assertion that ending violence by Pakistan was an essential prerequisite for the resumption of the an Indo-Pakistan dialogue.

The Government is now waiting to see how successful Mr. Clinton will be in coaxing the Chief Executive of Pakistan, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, to give up the current campaign of terror against India.

The sources point out that Mr. Clinton's emphasis on the ``respect for the Line of Control and ending violence'' reflects the growing consensus within the international community on the approach to reduce tensions within the sub-continent.

``This is a big gain for India'', a senior government official said. Mr. Clinton's focus on the respect for the LoC does not mean, however, the official insisted, the U.S. is backing a solution for the Kashmir dispute on the basis of the LoC.

Sources believe that ``it is unlikely'' that Gen. Musharraf will publicly concede to Mr. Clinton's pressure on ending terrorism. What India will look for, instead, is concrete ``evidence on the ground''. The sources argue that India will know when the cross- border terrorism sponsored by Pakistan comes to an end and then be ready to resume talks with Islamabad.

The Government is pointing to the dramatic increase in Pakistan- sponsored terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir since the Kargil conflict. Sources here say that Gen Musharraf has sought to unify the terrorist groups operating inside Jammu and Kashmir and endorsed a ``jihad'' against India.

The sources argue that India has no problem with Mr. Clinton's basic approach to reducing Indo-Pak tensions. India has always abided by the principles that Mr. Clinton has identified for peace in the region - restraint, respect for the line of control, rejection of violence and resumption of the dialogue.

The big question now is whether Mr. Clinton can get Gen. Musharraf to accept them. If the U.S. is worried about a nuclear flashpoint in the sub-continent and wants the Indo-Pak. peace process to resume, it is up to Mr. Clinton now to convince Pakistan to get off the dangerous course it has embarked on.

Besides the new realism in the American position on Kashmir, officials here say, the visit will help India and the U.S. realise the full potential of their relationship.

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