The Hindu : Time the U.S. acted

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 24, 2002

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Time the U.S. acted

Sir, — The primary concern, in the event of the present Indo-Pak. confrontation breaking out into a full-scale war, is the possibility of Islamabad using its nuclear weapons. This is where the U.S. has to deliver as the founding member of the international coalition against terrorism. It should secure and disable Pakistan's nuclear weapons.

There were reports that the U.S. Special Forces did precisely this during Operation Enduring Freedom, launched against Afghanistan after September 11. The U.S. forces are still present in Pakistan and the least Washington can do is to ensure that Pakistan does not exercise its nuclear option, instead of asking India to show "restraint'' each time Pakistan-trained terrorists attack Kashmir or other parts of India. India must, of course, reiterate its stand of "no first use" of its nuclear weapons.

S. Kamat,

Bangalore

Sir, __ Pakistan is again on the bad job. Cross-border terrorism is now taking quicker steps to eliminate the wives and children of Army personnel. The U.S. rose as one man after the September 11 terrorist strike on the World Trade Center. It cannot be cold when India is attacked by terrorists or counsel patience when non-Americans die like flies. Americans are great Democrats but their attitude towards terror on our borders is strange.

The U.S. must rein in its friend and Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf. This is the acid test for the greatest democracy, which has assumed the global leadership against terror.

The credibility of the U.S. is under serious question — it is on trial today.

Dr. K. Venkatasubramanian,

New Delhi

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