"Osama is not the end of the story"

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

WASHINGTON, SEPT. 26. The Bush administration has made it clear that there is absolutely no change in its relations with India; and that the operations against Osama bin Laden and the Al-Qaeda outfit he heads are not the end of the story. After this is over, the U.S. will set its eyes on other terror groups, including those operating in Jammu and Kashmir.

In the aftermath of the attacks on New York and Washington on September 11, as part of the determination to step up the war on terrorism, a number of questions have come up as far as South Asia is concerned. One of them being the implications for Indo- U.S. relations if Pakistan comes closer to the United States. Besides, there is the question of Washington's commitment on fighting other terrorist outfits.

It is understood that many of these issues came up for discussion in the last two days when India's National Security Advisor, Mr. Brajesh Mishra, was in town for meetings with senior officials of the Bush administration. Mr. Mishra held talks with his counterpart, Dr. Condoleeza Rice, the Defence Secretary, Mr. Donald Rumsfeld, his deputy, Mr. Paul Wolfowitz, the Deputy Secretary of State, Mr. Richard Armitage, and the U.S. Trade Representative, Mr. Robert Zoellick.

There is concern in Indian circles whether winning the war against Osama bin Laden and the Al-Qaeda would be the end of the game. The point being conveyed is that there could be no distinction between the Al-Qaeda and other extremist groups and that any temptation to make a distinction would lead to mistakes and long-term damage.

U.S. officials are aware of such apprehensions; but at the same time they are trying to impress upon New Delhi the compulsions of the administration and Congress which for all practical purposes are not glued to the problems of Jammu and Kashmir at this time. And New Delhi, for its part, appears to be sensitive to the ground realities here.

Mr. Mishra's talks with senior officials and top law- makers in Capitol Hill have generally been described as frank and forthcoming. While not mentioning Pakistan directly, Mr. Mishra is believed to have stressed cross border terrorism and India's wholehearted cooperation in fighting the scourge. ``Mishra reiterated India's unconditional offer of assistance to the global coalition against terrorism,'' the State Department's Deputy Spokesman, Mr. Philip Reeker, remarked.

What has to be kept in mind in India is that there are reasons why certain outfits operating in Jammu and Kashmir have been omitted in the White House list. It is not because Washington is unaware of the happenings in that part of the world. The executive order of the President targeting 27 entities, organisations and individuals are Osama and Al-Qaeda specific. In this current squeeze on the Al-Qaeda, known terror outfits of West Asia such as Hamas and the Hezbollah have been left out. The immediate focus is on terror outfits with a global reach.

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Section  : International
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