The Hindu : Situation along LoC war-like: Jack Straw

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, May 28, 2002

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Situation along LoC war-like: Jack Straw

By Shujaat Bukhari

BERLIN MAY 27. Describing the situation along the Indo-Pakistan Line of Control as "most serious" and that of a "war,'' the British Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, said today that there was an immediate need to end cross-border terrorism in the region in "all guises and disguises,'' reduce the military presence and resume a dialogue between the two countries.

Before embarking on his visit to India and Pakistan, Mr. Straw said at a news conference, also addressed by the German Foreign Minister, Joschka Fischer, that they were concerned over the mounting tension in the region. "Both the countries possess nuclear weapons and a million men along their borders in readiness which has posed a threat,'' he said, adding that he was continuing to talk to other European leaders and the U.S. Secretary of State, Colin Powell, to bring the two nations together.

Mr. Straw had a detailed meeting with Mr. Fischer after he arrived here on Monday. "We discussed the situation in India and Pakistan as also the Middle East... we are of the view that dialogue process should start.'' Asked about his "mission'' to India and Pakistan, Mr. Straw said "whatever we can do in this regard we will as both sides have nuclear weapons and they have said they will be using it. So it is important to tell them what could be the consequences.''

The development in the subcontinent was "fundamentally a bilateral issue" between New Delhi and Islamabad. A decision on a military conflict would have to be taken by the two parties. None of the external powers had illusions of any mediation. "My effort will be make them understand the consequences of a full-fledged war," Mr. Straw said.

Mr. Fischer said on Kashmir that "we have to understand the possible means to ease tensions in the region." All forms of terrorism had to end and India and Pakistan should resume talks, he said.

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