Powell rules out U.S. mediation in Kashmir row

By Atul Aneja

NEW DELHI, OCT. 17. The U.S. today asserted that it would address the question of terrorism in India as part of its global campaign.

The visiting U.S. Secretary of State, General Colin Powell, while addressing a joint press conference with his Indian counterpart, Mr. Jaswant Singh, this afternoon, said ``the problem of terrorism is not only limited to Afghanistan. Our efforts are directed against all terrorism.''

Gen. Powell pointed out that the core purpose of his visit was ``to discuss the global coalition against terrorism and how the United States and India can continue their efforts over the long haul.'' The Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty, which was signed with the Home Minister, Mr. L.K. Advani, this morning, would enhance Indo-U.S. cooperation against crime, he said.

Dispelling apprehensions about a new U.S. desire for mediation, Gen. Powell said Kashmir issue had to be resolved by India and Pakistan. ``To the extent that both nations can find our efforts to be helpful in some way or the other, we will be willing to be helpful.''

He, however, defended the involvement of Pakistan in the global campaign against terrorism. ``I think Pakistan has made it clear in recent weeks that they recognise the nature of the Taliban regime, and are working with us to fight against Al- Qaeda. They are working with us to see what kind of Government can be put together in the post-Taliban regime.''

In response to a question on the centrality of the Kashmir issue, Mr. Jaswant Singh said the two sides differed on the subject. ``As two democracies, we could disagree on an event, but we don't need necessarily to be disagreeable about the disagreement. Together, the question of the State of Jammu and Kashmir is an example of the secular tradition of the Indian nation. In that sense, we really cannot move towards reinventing the two-nation theory all over again.''

Improvement of Indo-Pak. relations is inevitable, Mr. Singh said and emphasised that New Delhi was committed to shore up its ties with its western neighbour. ``This Government has demonstrated commitment on improving our relations with Pakistan, as perhaps no other Government in the last 50 years has, despite difficulties and uncertainties. The Prime Minister has often said that you can change friends but you cannot change neighbours. We can certainly not alter geography. Pakistan, with India, has to learn to live together as good neighbours. It will come, be assured. We cannot push the pace of it. Nobody can push the pace of it.''

Asked to comment on the possible resumption of the U.S. military aid to Pakistan, the External Affairs Minister said that such a development might not be necessarily negative for India. ``We have a certain experience about the military aid to Pakistan in the past. Now that we see some evidence of Pakistan moving away from fixed positions of the past and joining the rest of the international community, we can only hope that the same approach will govern the utilisation of any aid or assistance that they receive from the Untied States of America or from any other country.''

Government sources pointed out that India might not be unduly worried about the possible resumption of the U.S. military assistance to Pakistan. The understanding here was that the U.S. might first extend assistance in training Pakistani armed force personnel. The transfer of military equipment might follow on a ``case-by-case'' basis.

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