Pak.-sponsored terrorism is the issue, Cong. tells Powell

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, OCT. 17. The Congress today reiterated the national view on the Kashmir issue by making it clear to the U.S. Secretary of State, Gen. Colin Powell, ``that cross-border terrorism from Pakistan and not Kashmir was the central issue between the two countries''. The party's view was put across forcefully at a 40-minute meeting between Gen. Powell and the Congress leaders, this morning.

Gen. Powell who drove down to the Leader of the Opposition's 10 Janpath residence this morning with members of his delegation, met Ms. Sonia Gandhi and senior leaders of her party - Dr. Manmohan Singh, Mr. Natwar Singh and Mr. Pranab Mukherjee. According to party sources, apart from the Kashmir issue, the two sides discussed a number of issues ranging from the strong feelings on the conflict in the Islamic world, and the future set-up in Afghanistan. Ms. Sonia Gandhi also raised the issue of loss of civilian lives and the need to make humanitarian aid to the people.

On the issue of Kashmir, Ms. Sonia Gandhi reportedly told Gen. Powell at the outset that his remarks on the issue had caused great concern in the country. She pointed out that there was a consensus in the country and the core issue was not Kashmir but the cross-border terrorism from Pakistan. Gen. Powell, suggested that the media had chosen to highlight just one word of the lengthy statement that he had made.

He also told the Congress leaders that the U.S. did not intend to leave the people of Afghanistan ``to the wolves''. He said that Washington wanted a democratic and a fully representative arrangement to replace the Taliban regime. He indicated that the former King, Mr. Zahir Shah as well as moderate elements from amongst the Taliban would also have a role to play.

Gen. Powell reportedly told the Congress leaders that his country was aware of the strong feelings in the Islamic world and was doing everything possible to ensure that civilian casualties were avoided and the military campaign was as short as possible. The Congress leaders pointed out to him that India also had a huge Muslim population and the conflict in its neighbourhood was a cause for great concern to it.

In a separate development, former External Affairs Minister, Mr. Natwar Singh has taken exception to Mr. Jaswant Singh describing India as a natural ally of the U.S., and has accused him of trying to ingratiate himself with the U.S. ``I must remind him that we are a non-aligned country and not a natural ally of a member of the NATO'' he said. Mr. Natwar Singh said that Mr. Jaswant Singh ``must remember that he is the Foreign Minister of India and not some subordinate in the service of the erstwhile state of Jodhpur''.

He also chided the Foreign Minister for his remarks that the country did not share a hyphenated relationship with Pakistan. Gen. Powell by first visiting Pakistan and then India has proved that they have put the two countries in the same basket and Mr. Jaswant Singh should know it, said Mr. Natwar Singh. ``All these high-falutin words deceive no one except the Foreign Minister and exposes his superficiality in dealing with serious matters''.

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