The Hindu : Cong. cautions Govt. against Musharraf 'designs'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jun 21, 2003

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Cong. cautions Govt. against Musharraf 'designs'

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI JUNE 20. The Congress today cautioned the Government about the "designs" of the Pakistani President, Pervez Musharraf, and asked it not to lower that guard, even as it sought a dialogue with Pakistan.

The Congress spokesperson, Anand Sharma's remarks came in the wake of Gen. Musharraf's remarks in London. The General's reference to the nuclear option "has cast a question mark over the peace initiative. The threat of the nuclear option are provocative and unacceptable''.The party also called on the United States and other countries to rein in Gen. Musharraf. Mr. Sharma said the Government needed to be cautious while dealing with him and the Pakistani military establishment. Mr. Sharma also said the international community should not to be taken in by Gen. Musharraf's assertion that there was no activity on the Line of Control. "His remarks should not befool the international community.''

The party urged the U.S. administration not to give the "go ahead" for the sale of F-16 aircraft to Pakistan. "Pakistan has no case and the sale will alter the balance and escalate tension in the region.'' Mr. Sharma said the Vajpayee Government had claimed that there had been a paradigm shift in its relations with the U.S. "Now is the time to demonstrate that.''

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