The Hindu : 'U.S. must remain actively engaged in South Asia'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 28, 2003

International

International

'U.S. must remain actively engaged in South Asia'

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

Washington March 27. The United States must remain "actively and effectively engaged" in South Asia where most of its vital interests "are at stake", the Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia, Christina Rocca told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

In prepared remarks to the panel on U.S. Foreign Assistance programmes and priorities in South Asia, she maintained that "even as we advance our efforts in the Middle East, South Asia remains at the frontlines of the war on terror and regional stability remains critical. We must remain actively and effectively engaged in this region where our most vital interests are at stake".

Ms. Rocca condemned the latest terrorist attack in Kashmir, which, she said, was aimed at disrupting the efforts of the State authorities to restore peace.

"Although the U.S. has no preferred solutions for Kashmir, one thing we do know is that violence will not provide a way forward and should cease immediately. The Kashmiri people have demonstrated a desire to move forward with a peaceful political solution and their efforts should be supported by all sides."

She said that last year, Washington had successfully helped walk India and Pakistan back from the brink of war. "However, continued terrorism like Sunday's attack threaten to provoke yet another crisis in the coming months," she pointed out.

"We look to Pakistan to do everything in its power to prevent extremist groups operating from its soil from crossing the Line of Control. Pakistan has taken steps to curb infiltration but we are asking the Government to redouble its efforts."

"At the same time, we will use our good offices to continue to press both sides to take confidence-building steps that will lead to a process of engagement addressing all issues that divide them (India and Pakistan), including Kashmir," she said.

Ms. Rocca stressed, in her prepared remarks, that Pakistan had increased its cooperation with the United States in the war on terrorism, including expanded military and intelligence cooperation in looking for members of the Al-Qaeda and other terrorists inside Pakistan.

And in the round up for South Asia in her introduction, she said that "with an eye to the future, we will continue to transform our relationship with India, a rising global power".

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