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'Pullback only after concrete Pak. steps'
By Sridhar Krishnaswami
The U.S. Secretary of Defence, Donald Rumsfeld, with the Defence Minister, George Fernandes, during a press conference in Washington on Thursday. - Retuers
WASHINGTON, JAN. 18. India cannot withdraw forces from the border until Pakistan ceased cross-border terrorism and handed over the 20 terrorists sought by it, the Defence Minister, George Fernandes, stated here.
``It is only when we realise that Pakistan has taken specific, very concrete steps to end cross-border terrorism we can discuss the withdrawal of the troops that are now on the frontiers,'' Mr. Fernandes said at a press conference at the Indian Embassy on Thursday evening.
While acknowledging that the diplomatic efforts had yielded ``substantial results,''he said India was not looking at a timeframe for ``non-infiltration.''The Indians in the list of 20 would have to be handed over and New Delhi and Islamabad could discuss over the Pakistani nationals.
``If there is any problem with regard to the Pakistani nationals, it could be discussed further. But so far as people of Indian citizenship who have been used for terrorist activities and since found shelter in Pakistan are concerned they should be handed over forthwith.''
Mr. Fernandes was generally upbeat over the nature and scope of bilateral defence cooperation and exchanges. ``Today this relationship is qualitatively different from the days of the Cold War'', he remarked on more than one occasion.
In the realm of defence cooperation between the United States and India, it was announced that the next Round of meeting of the Defence Policy Group will be held in May, before which there will be a meeting of the Executive Steering Groups. Next month the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Richard Myers, will be visiting India and the return visit of the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. S. Padmanabhan is set for April.
India and the United States on Thursday signed the General Security on Military Information Agreement (SGOMIA).
In the view of the Defence Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, the agreement paves the way for ``greater technology cooperation'' between the two countries.
Mr. Fernandes, both at the Pentagon and later during the press conference, made it known that there was absolutely no problem with the Bush administration on the Israeli sale of the Phalcon system; and that the reporting to that effect had been wrong. The administration here, according to Mr. Fernandes, had given the ``categorical assurance'' that there is no change with respect to the Phalcon.
The impression, however, is that while Washington approves of the Israeli sale, it is leaning on the Jewish State not to go through with it at this time in view of the existing tensions in South Asia.
Mr. Fernandes did not foresee any difficulty with regard to weapons procurement from the United States, saying that was satisfied with the assurances that there would not be any obstacles.
``Several pending cases of supplies of defence equipment and spare parts from the U.S. to India, such as engines and other systems for the Light Combat Aircraft and Weapons Locating Radar were discussed. We have been assured that these licences are in an advanced stage of processing within the U.S. system and final decisions are expected to be conveyed shortly.''
On Thursday, Mr. Fernandes was received by the Vice President, Dick Cheney. Earlier, he was at the White House for a meeting with the National Security Advisor, Condolezza Rice, which was followed by a meeting, including at the delegation level, at the Pentagon.
Mr. Fernandes also met the Deputy Secretary of State, Richard Armitage, and termed the meeting as ``very productive.''
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