Making A Difference

"We Are Looking Closely At Bangladesh"

The US state department's co-ordinator for counter-terrorism ducked tough questions on Pakistan—saying these were political, and consequently beyond his brief...

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"We Are Looking Closely At Bangladesh"
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For a person who worked for 28 long years in the shadowy world of the CIA's Directorate of Operations, Ambassador J. Cofer Black is cut out to handle the job he holds in the State Department: Co-ordinator for Counter-terrorism. Here in Delhi last week to attend the sixth meeting of the Indo-US Joint Working Group on Counter-terrorism, Black took time off to meet V. Sudarshan. Guarded and circumspect, he ducked tough questions on Pakistan—saying these were political, and consequently beyond his brief. Yet Black conveyed India's inability to supply adequate information on incidents of cross-border terrorism to the US. Once the interview was over, the ambassador promptly relaxed and posed for our lensman. Excerpts from the interview:

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What's the American assessment of terrorism in Bangladesh?
India keeps saying that terrorists camps in Bangladesh are inimical to the stability of the region.
Is this true?
You have been quoted saying, "In my dealings with the Indian government I ask them and challenge them to do a better job of representing the issue (cross-border terrorism) as they see it and we look forward to working with them and try to get a better understanding. There is great scope for improvement in that area." Can you identify the areas specifically?
The Patterns of Global Terrorism
You have been quoted elsewhere saying, "I look forward to their (India) effectively communicating the reality of the situation as they see it." Can you elaborate?

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So it has not been adequately fleshed out by the Indians?
Patterns of Global Terrorism
Do you think Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has done enough to prevent cross-border terrorism to India?
Is there anything Musharraf can do specifically more to assuage Indian concerns?
India's army chief says infiltration is up, almost double since May. Do you have a view on this?
Last week Musharraf declared that jehadi groups operating in PoK would've to pack up if the government finds a solution. It seems to imply that they are free to operate till there is a solution. How do you view this?
People here feel the US is soft on terrorism in Kashmir but isn't so soft on terrorism related to Al Qaeda.
You hand out certificates saying how well Musharraf has handled Al Qaeda, but we don't get to hear the same on the Taliban. Why is that?
To what extent is the US sharing intelligence with India regarding Kashmiri jehadis?
But Indians are sharing a lot of information on the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), and what its founder Prof Hafiz Saeed is doing...
Have you looked at possible linkages between the Kahuta Research Laboratory and Al Qaeda?
What has been the achievement of bilateral cooperation on terrorism between the US and India?

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It was set up in 2000. But you didn't meet for almost a year.
But there's a view that the joint working group on terrorism will not be really productive unless you discuss Pakistan?
There are reports that mainstream political groups in Pakistan like the Jamaat-e-Islami have been extending support and shelter to terrorists. How does the US government view this?
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