Date:23/10/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/10/23/stories/2003102300381203.htm

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Dangerous liaison

Sir, — George W. Bush is making a serious mistake in pampering Pakistan. It was Pakistan that first floated the news that Osama bin Laden was dead but it says now that he is probably alive. Dawood Ibrahim is in Pakistan and yet Islamabad denies it. Several acts of terrorism, including the attack on Mufti Mohammed Sayeed's house, are proof of Pakistan's encouragement of cross-border terrorism.

It is time India put its foot down and adopted the hot pursuit policy.

C. Lakshmi Narain,
Chennai

* * *

Sir, — I refer to the editorial, " No material change " (Oct. 21). After going for a unilateral war, America is now mulling over its threatening consequences. U.S. claims on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and export of democracy have been discredited. The result is lawlessness, disarray, and socio-economic disruption. Having destabilised Iraq, the U.S. now seeks troops for stabilisation.

Arjun Bhandari,
Dehra Dun