The Hindu : No troop withdrawal till Oct.: Fernandes

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jun 28, 2002

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No troop withdrawal till Oct.: Fernandes

By Our Special Correspondent

AHMEDABAD JUNE 27. The Army will not be withdrawn from the borders with Pakistan at least till October, the Defence Minister, George Fernandes, has said.

He told mediapersons here today that a decision to this effect was taken by the Centre in consultation with Army officials in Delhi yesterday in view of the coming elections in Jammu and Kashmir in October.

Making a significant departure from his earlier statement in Jammu and Kashmir, Mr. Fernandes said tension was still prevailing on the border and terrorist infiltration from across the border was still continuing. The Army was taking all efforts to plug infiltration.

Any decision about the withdrawal of the Army would be taken later after examining all aspects.

Mr. Fernandes declined to comment on the recent statements of the Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf, about infiltration across the border. Pointing out that Gen. Musharraf was "the Chief Executive Officer-cum-Army Chief-cum-President,'' he said it was not worth commenting on his statements which "he kept changing from morning till evening".

"What (is there) to comment on his claims about infiltration,'' he said.

Mr. Fernandes also ruled out any change of the Jammu and Kashmir Governor, G. C. Saxena.

"He would not be changed at least till the elections in the State."

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