Where's The Confusion?

Transcript of the press-interaction: Dec 23

Navtej Sarna: 

We have a press release for you on India's signing the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime(UNTOC). On December 12, 2002, India became a signatory to the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC) and its three Protocols, namely:

(i) Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children;

(ii) Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air; and

(iii) Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing and Trafficking in firearms, their Parts and Components and Ammunition.

India has thus joined a large group of almost 145 countries, representing both developed and developing, who have signed the Convention till date. By taking this important step, Government has made clear our commitment to the object and purpose of the Convention and Protocols and signalled our interest to become Parties to this comprehensive global instrument which covers a range of illegal activities, advocating international and national action, inter alia, to tackle money laundering, illegal sale of firearms, criminal associations and conspiracies, smuggling, and trafficking in persons, including women and children, etc.

Transnational organised crime has emerged over the past two decades as a major threat to global security with obvious links with international terrorism. It is in view of this that India places great importance to the Convention and the Protocols and hopes that it will, on entry into force, reflect international resolve to tackle the scourge of global and cross-border terrorism.

I received some calls in the afternoon asking the details of the meeting between Joint Secretary (Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran) Shri Arun Kumar Singh and the Pakistan's Charge d' affaires Mr. Jalil Abbas Jilani. 

The main issue that was discussed in the meeting: The SPGC led Sikh Jatha that had visited Pakistan in November in connection with the birthday celebrations of Guru Nanak Devji had observed that Sikh shrines and holy places were in a poor state of repair and were not well maintained and had asked the Government to take up this matter with the Government of Pakistan and this was taken up during this afternoon's meeting. 

I have a specific question and I think the answer will be specific. General Musharraf in an interview with Iranian Television said that Pakistan is ready to accept the definition of terrorism formulated by UN. I think there has been lot of formulations on terrorism by UN. What is your comment on that statement. 

Navtej Sarna: Well, you are absolutely right. The UN Security Council has addressed the issue of terrorism and has condemned it in all its forms. In fact I can give you chapter and verse. The UN Security Council Resolution 1377 adopted by the Security Council at its 4413th meeting on 12th November 2001 had the following formulation:

"Reaffirms the unequivocal condemnation of all acts, methods and practices of terrorism as criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, in all their forms and manifestations, wherever and by whomever committed".

I think that's specific enough.

India and the United States has been working on counter terrorism. US has told India that it will put pressure to end terrorism. Is US working sincerely to curb Pakistan's terrorism?

Well, India and the United States are partners in the global war against terrorism and we have also bilateral cooperation in terrorism. There is a Joint Working Group between India and the US which has been working on terrorism and on this issue we have spoken several times at several levels. A lot needs to be done to end cross border terrorism and obviously if sufficient amount has not been done by Pakistan Government otherwise we would have had an end to cross border terrorism.

Our Prime Minister and EAM have spoken about double standards by west in dealing with terrorism. Any comments?

The Joint Working Group works at a functional level between the two countries. They meet regularly, they interact with each other, and they open channels for exchange for information and various other things within their mandate. However, what the statements that you are referring to are aimed to end any artificial distinction that may be made between good terrorists and bad terrorists.

Do you have any reaction to President Musharraf's statement?

Well, I don't want to react to his statement. He has simply said that the UN Security Council should lay a definition I have given you one of the definitions that UN Security Council has given. The essential formulation is that all acts, methods and practices of terrorism have been denounced as criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivation, in all their forms and manifestations.

Was any other issue also discussed between Arun Singh and Jilani?

Well, I understand that other issues were more of a housekeeping nature, issue of visas, issue of fishermen, etc. 

Was the issue of SAARC discussed?

No. Well, our position was made very clear by the External Affairs Minister a few days ago in the Parliament.