The Hindu : India, Pak. wary of provocative terrorist acts, says Rumsfeld

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jun 18, 2002

Front Page

Front Page

India, Pak. wary of provocative terrorist acts, says Rumsfeld

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

Washington June 17. A terrorist act beyond the control of India or Pakistan could be misunderstood and conceivably provoke a reaction, but both countries are sensitive to the issue, says the Defence Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld.

"There are several risks ahead in the period we are now entering, including the possibility, of course, of a terrorist act beyond the control of either party which could be misunderstood and conceivably provoke a reaction . . . we raised the issue with both countries, and I think they're sensitive to it,'' Mr. Rumsfeld told reporters here.

The top civilian Pentagon official who was briefing the media on his trip to Europe, West Asia and South Asia argued that both New Delhi and Islamabad "indicate a desire for the continued U.S. involvement'' and appreciate the efforts of the American President, the British Prime Minister and others.

Mr. Rumsfeld, like his other senior colleagues in the administration, has stressed that the ground reality has not changed in any notable terms even if there is the perception that tensions are easing and the likelihood of a war lessening.

"The military situation on the ground and the respective levels of alert have really not changed notably. However, there is a clear perception that tensions are easing and the likelihood of a conflict is lessening,'' Mr. Rumsfeld observed, going on to make the point that both India and Pakistan "have taken some initial steps, which while not definitive, are having a positive effect''.

The Defence Secretary pointed out the economic fallouts of a conflict. "The leaders of both countries are increasingly aware that tension in the region is hurting them economically. . . Fear of war discourages international investment to the detriment of the economies of both countries and certainly the people of both countries.''

The Defence Secretary rejected the notion that the Bush administration was involved in chequebook diplomacy as far as South Asia is concerned — that the Deputy Secretary of State, Richard Armitage, went with foreign aid packages in his pocket and the Defence Secretary with military hardware promises.

Mr. Rumsfeld argued that the issue of sensors was discussed. "To the extent that it's possible — and that's a technical question that remains very much open — to the extent it's possible to do something useful in that regard, I suppose people might be willing to do so. But chequebook diplomacy, I think, is essentially an inappropriate comment'', the Defence Secretary said.

"I don't know that Richard Armitage went over with a chequebook, and I know I didn't. So I think it's a misunderstanding or mischief, one of the two.''

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page

Stories in this Section

'Foreigners free to observe J&K poll'

Kalam calls on PM, Sonia

Cong.-TMC merger on Aug.1

India, Pak. wary of provocative terrorist acts, says Rumsfeld

More relief camps ordered closed

SC 'no' to editor

A check on 'madrassas'

U.S. missions in Pak. reopen

High alert in Corbett Park