Stop training militants, Fernandes tells Pak.

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, DEC. 26. The Defence Minister, Mr. George Fernandes, today said Pakistan would have to dismantle terrorist camps inside its territory providing training to militants to establish the basis for a meaningful dialogue between the two countries.

``Pakistan's true intentions would be judged only when it stops giving aid to and training fundamentalists for creating disturbances across the border,'' said the Defence Minister while addressing troops in forward areas in Siachen Glacier and Kashmir Valley on Christmas Day.

At the same time, the Defence Minister maintained that terrorist activities such as the car-bomb explosion in Srinagar on Monday or the attack on the Red Fort will not deter India from attempting to bring stability to the disturbed areas of Jammu and Kashmir. ``The time has come for Islamabad to realise that there was no alternative to pursuing the path of peace for the welfare of its own people and Jammu and Kashmir in particular.''

The Defence Minister pointed out that during the last one month, firing on the border had considerably reduced and tension had gone down perceptibly. However, Pakistan had not stopped aiding and abetting terrorists in creating disturbances in various part of the India leading to loss of innocent lives including women and children.

He said the extension of the ceasefire till January 26 will give an indication of Islamabad's intentions to establish a dialogue.

On the attack at Red Fort, he said it could not be termed a security lapse. While some Army troops were stationed in the fort, it was not as impregnable as generally assumed. Various civilian offices were located inside the premises and hundreds of visitors from abroad and within the country visited the fort. There were also a large number of commercial establishments and many shop-owners living right in the fort. The back wall facing the Yamuna was open and unguarded. ``In view of this, the place was not impregnable as is generally believed.''

According to an official news release, the Minister ``lauded the high morale of the forces and praised them for maintaining a strong vigil on the highest battlefield in the world despite facing extreme weather conditions''. This was Mr. Fernandes' 18th visit to the Glacier since he assumed office. On the occasion of Christmas, Mr. Fernandes distributed 5,000 pieces of cake to the troops.

Mr. Fernandes said the key accused in the Bofors case the Italian businessmen, Mr. Ottavio Quattrocchi would be brought to India soon.

``There is no extradition treaty between India and Malaysia, which was causing delay and the Government was working out details to bring him to India,'' he told reporters after a talk on ``socialism in the days of WTO'' at the College of Combat Lawns in Mhow.

He said Mr. Quattrocchi's claim that he owned only one passport too would be proved wrong in due course.

Mr. Fernandes said the situation after World Trade Organisation (WTO) conditions come into effect would be dangerous and the Government was thinking on the issue.

Narrow escape

UNI reports:

Mr. Fernandes escaped unhurt when his car collided with a tractor, 15 km from Ratlam, in Madhya Pradesh, today. Police said the accident occurred when Mr. fernandes was on way to Bamania from Jhabua district to attend the death anniversary function of socialist thinker Mama Baleshwar Dayal. Police have arrested the tractor driver Kaiju Badrinath.

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