Date:04/04/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/04/04/stories/2007040408821200.htm

National

Joint terror mechanism useless: Advani

Hathras (UTTAR PRADESH): Senior BJP leader L.K. Advani on Tuesday said there had been no change in Pakistan's stand over an extradition pact since the Agra Summit. The joint anti-terror mechanism with Islamabad has no meaning and should be scrapped.

"If it [joint mechanism] is not to be applied to fugitives of Indian law, it should be scrapped immediately," he told PTI.

His comments came a day after Pakistan rejected an Indian proposal for an extradition framework between the two countries.

The former Deputy Prime Minister, however, said Pakistan's stand had not come as a surprise to him as he recalled his talks with President Prevez Musharraf during the General's visit to India for the Agra summit.

"I am not surprised. I recall it was in Agra when I first raised the issue with Gen. Musharraf and he declined."

Mr. Advani recounted that the same year, India signed an extradition treaty with Turkey and conveyed to the visiting Pakistan leader that there was a greater need for New Delhi to have a similar pact with Islamabad.

A joint mechanism with Pakistan, he said, was useless if it did not cover fugitives and the Kashmir issue. — PTI