The Hindu : We'll unleash a storm: Musharraf

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 30, 2002

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We'll unleash a storm: Musharraf

Islamabad, May 29. The Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf, today warned that Pakistan would "unleash a storm" if Indian forces set foot across the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir.

"Any incursion by the Indian forces across the LoC, even by an inch, will unleash a storm that will sweep the enemy," he told cheering troops during a visit to the de facto border dividing Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Gen. Musharraf said that Pakistan would counter-attack if India started a conflict. "Victory comes through offensive strategy and our forces are ready for it if war is thrust on Pakistan by India."

Disregarding calls by the international community to end cross-border terrorism and reduce tensions with India, he once again "warned" New Delhi of carrying the war into the "enemy" territory.

"A befitting response to any adventurism by India will be given... The defence forces of the country are fully prepared and ready to respond in a befitting manner in case of any aggression from across the borders," he said addressing officers and airmen at the Minhas base of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) later. "The PAF is a small but a potent and hard-hitting air force with the ability to strike and surprise the enemy in such a manner that it will repent the decision to opt for war."

Special envoy to U.S.

Gen. Musharraf is sending five special envoys to the United States, Europe and several Muslim countries to explain Pakistan's standoff with India, officials said today. The envoys, who met the President for a briefing late on Tuesday, will carry his message that Pakistan does not want a war with India and is ready to resolve all outstanding issues through dialogue.

The diplomatic offensive follows the General's nationwide broadcast on Monday, in which he blamed India for the military standoff and vowed Pakistan would not initiate a war.

The former President, Farooq Ahmed Leghari, has been asked to visit Russia and Germany to explain Pakistan's position, sources in Mr. Leghari's Millat Party said.

The officials said the other special emissaries were the former Senate chairman, Wasim Sajjad, the former Foreign Secretary, Najmuddin Sheikh, the ex-Ambassador to India, Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, and the former Army chief, Jehangir Karamat. - AFP, UNI

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