'Let Pakistan Operationalise What The President Of Pakistan Has Announced'

Jaswant SinghMy apologies. Good afternoon. And also my apologies to ruin your Sunday. I am sorry that I kept you away from lunch. I will make a statement. I will read it out and there will be sufficient copies which would be distributed subsequently. I will then endeavourto answer Questions.

Ladiesand Gentlemen of the press, this is what I have to say in a prepared statement. I would be happy to answer such queries andclarifications as you might have.

Question: Could you give some specific steps that you would expect asproof of their moving away …

Jaswant Singh:It is after all only yesterday that the President Gen Musharraf sahab hasannounced the programme of intentions that Pakistan has. We understand that itwill take sometime to be operationalised on the ground. But we do expect that itshall be operationalised. When it is operationalised, you want me to illustratehow it is operationalised. I have said earlier in the statement itself,for example, by stopping all infiltration across the line of control.India is the direct victim of such cross border terrorism which is promoted, andhas been promoted all these years, from Pakistan. When you ask me, "Can yougive me one example of what would India expect?", well, here is one example.Let Pakistan operationalise what the President of Pakistan has announced.Let there be no further infiltration or cross border terrorism fromacross the line of control, from PoK, or any other part of Pakistan, northernareas of Pakistan; and certainly we will take full note of it. As the PrimeMinister has repeatedly said, for every one step that Pakistan takes, we shalltake two. Pakistan has justannounced that it will take a step. Weawait its taking a step. Be assured, India will then not be found wanting.

Question(NEW YORK TIMES): I have a brief addendum to one Question and then I haveanother Question. One is, how longwill it take to see the results, if the General is sincere? How long will youwait for him to deliver? The secondis, I am curious to know as to whether you would agree with this assessment andif so, how will you react on it. It seems that there would be a terrificincentive now to the Jehadi groups to try and sabotage whatever the General isdoing - if he is indeed sincere - and try and start a war and spread troublebetween India and Pakistan as the best way of headingoff action against them. Thereare tremendous fears I know amongst Americans that this could spark a war andprecipitate action by India and to hit back if there is another terrorist attackagainst it. How do you avoid beingused by the Jehadis to sabotage peace?

Jaswant Singh:To the first part – "How much time?" - I would like to give all the duetime for effective implementation of the announcements made by His ExcellencyGen Pervez Musharraf. The reformsthat he has cited or announced, for society, polity within Pakistan will ofcourse take a great deal of time. That is, as I have said in my statement,really Pakistan’s internal matter. Wewelcome those steps inasmuch as they impinge upon and have a direct nexus toexternal relations. On the inherentdangers of many forces within Pakistan, currently operating there, or even thosethat have been expelled from Afghanistan but currently present in Pakistan –Ihere refer to the elements of Al Qaeda and Taliban that have found place inPakistan after being expelled from Afghanistan – India is entirely mindfulthat such elements within Pakistan, who have taken shelter in Pakistan -it is not for me to say with or without the knowledge of the Governmentof Pakistan – will attempt to distract focus and attention from the globalfight against terrorism. This too,what India is endeavouring to do, is also a part of that total global addressagainst terrorism. We are mindfulof this. We are mindful of thedangers. We are mindful of theattempts that might be made by many elements within Pakistan to destabilise thesituation. We are alert also inthat regard.

Question(HINDUSTAN TIMES): There have been repeated instances over the years ofPakistan trying to kill bilateralism to promote third-party intervention inKashmir. From yesterday’sstatement of the Pakistan President it is more than obvious that while he seeksto delink that aspect which has given a bad name to the Kashmir movement, orKashmir struggle or whatever he calls it, he has tried to restore the same oldpolitical content to which Pakistan has been committed since partition andprojected it internationally while seeking third-party intervention.How does India react to this? Whatis your appraisal about this? Is there a possibility of a third-partyintervention at all being accepted by India in the near future or in the distantfuture?

Jaswant Singh:I have answered that. That Pakistanshould endeavour to re-state its position is, of course, not unnatural. Theywill. Whether it is practical position? – No, it is not a practical position.Is it workable? – No, it is not workable. Does India accept it? – No,India does not accept it. Do weaccept it in the near? - No,neither in the near, nor middle nor distant future.

Question:Will President Musharraf’s speech in any way lessen the military tension onthe borders between India and Pakistan?

Jaswant Singh:I have answered this Question. Itwas asked in Hindi a little earlier. Thelessening of tensions on the borders is entirely dependent on the steps that aretaken inside Pakistan to operationalise what has been stated by His ExcellencyGen Pervez Musharraf. We have to gonot by the stated intent, but by action on the ground.

Question(AL-JAZEERA): Musharraf has said that he will not surrender any Pakistanis.Does India accept this?

Jaswant Singh:I have said in my statement. Whenyou read it again you will see. Incidentally,it is not ‘Mr.’ Musharraf. Itis ‘General’ Musharraf. On Gen Musharraf’s statement that he does not wishto hand over any criminals because of their nationality, I am disappointed. Agreat many of that list of 20 criminals and terrorists are not Pakistanis.It is our expectation that action will follow in that regard.

Question(STAR NEWS): If bothsides have such perceptibly intractable positions about Kashmir, how do youthink there is going to be a window for dialogue open at all?

Jaswant Singh:I think only by what Prime Minister has said and which the General so kindlycited – ‘by shedding the excess baggage of history and by breaking newground.’

Question(STAR NEWS): How will you break new ground?

Jaswant Singh:By shedding excess baggage of history.

Question(ALL INDIA RADIO): You have given a very cautious welcome to whatever GenMusharraf has said yesterday. Is it because you don’t trust that he will takethe steps which he has promised? Oris it that you think that the fundamentalist forces in Pakistan are so strongthat he would not be allowed to take those steps?

Jaswant Singh:You have described what I have just announced as the Government’s position ascautious steps. I don’t thinkcaution is bad policy. I would much rather be as a traveller that has travelledmany of these padavs, many of thesehalts. From Lahore to Kargil, to Kandhar, to Kashmir, to Agra, to Kathmandu, Ihave travelled many miles in this endeavour. Therefore, I approach this journey,which will continue, cautiously, that is not unnatural.

Question:Gen Musharraf has announced certain reforms in his own country in Masjids andMadarsas. Does the Government ofIndia think that the same kind of reforms should also be introduced in India, asthere has been a lot of reports by the Intelligence Bureau about variousMadarsas indulging in the same kind of activities and working as the dens of theISI.

Jaswant Singh:I have referred to the internal reforms that Gen Pervez Musharraf sahab hasannounced and I have welcomed them inasmuch as they have a relation withexternal events. I wish the people of Pakistan well in this movement towardsreform. But you would appreciatethat India has to take decisions about reforms within Indian society and polityincluding, as you say, the reforms that are necessary in regard to functioningof Madarsas and Masjids. That isentirely a decision that India has to take not in emulation of what Pakistandoes or any other country does, but really quite independently by assessinginedpendently the requirements of India.

Question:You have mentioned that there would not be any third-party mediation asMusharraf has said. With Advani in Washington and Colin Powell coming here thisweek, there is some third-party involvement, some kind.When Powell arrives, he is obviously concerned with the heightening oftension globally on South Asia. What kind of assurances are you going to givehim? What will you be saying as a confidence-building measure? My follow up Questionis, as Zhu Rongji is also coming, will the Chinese expect to play any informalrole in this kind of rapproachment between India and Pakistan?Do you actually see that thecontinuation of improved relations with China and specifically about …

Jaswant Singh:First about the impending visit of the Secretary of State.Yes, he does arrive here next week.I think it is mid-week next week. Igreatly look forward to his visit. Does this amount to third-party interventionbecause he is arriving here and my Home Minister is to night sleeping in thesleep of peace in New York, does it amount to? – No, it doesn’t amount to…Nations will be interested in what is happening globally.If, for example, an emissary from India goes to visit West Asia and callsupon Yasser Araft; or if Shimon Perez comes here; does it mean that we areinterfering in their affairs, or intervening?It doesn’t mean that at all. Ihave had, for example, not only Colin Powell coming here, Zhu Rongjiis due to reach Agra later today, if he is not already there.And later again I will have the Foreign Minister of Russia too arrivinghere. These are the normalprocesses of consultation between countries that must take place and continue totake place. As to what I willdiscuss with the Secretary of State, is really much better left to until when hearrives and I do discuss with him. On India-China relations I can assure youthere is movement forward. You willsee for yourself on Zhu Rongji’s visit that there will be significant furthermovement – economic, political and in other regards.A number of agreements are to be signed.China has neither any intention nor shall it play any mediatory role inmatters which involve India and Pakistan. Weknow that China has a special relationship with Pakistan and that they havemilitary equipment supply relationship also.Notwithstanding all this, India remains committed to improve itsrelations with China. There isprogress in that regard and I am confident that there will be further progresson Zhu Rongji’s visit which actually formally starts tomorrow morning.

Question(MIDDLE-EAST BROADCOASTING CORPORATION):Actually, Gen Musharraf said yesterday that terrorism has no place in theKashmir cause while India always stated that in the State of Jammu and Kashmirand elsewhere, terrorism is only because of the cross border terrorism. Now withthe diplomatic offensive that India is going to undertake by sending missionsall over the world, what is the Government’s position on a common ground?Is it terrorism? Is itfreedom fighters? Could you please explain?

Jaswant Singh:The teams will be starting very shortly. Thatis being handled elsewhere and, so, I do not know the details.On terrorism, the Government of India’s position has not changed. It isPakistan that has now – and we welcome this aspect of it – dropped theadvocacy of cross border, or state-sponsored terrorism in the Indian State ofJammu and Kashmir. We have welcomedthis step. They have also droppedthis notion of freedom fight is equalling of terrorism and its equation withterrorism. We have welcomed thattoo. We expect that thesestatements shall now translate themselves into action on the ground. Thataction, as in response to a Question I said, really amounts to stopping anyfurther promotion of infiltration or cross border terrorism in the State ofJammu and Kashmir in India.

Question:The same page which carried Gen Musharraf’s statement today had a smallitem about shelling on the Kargil side of India.What do you read about that?

Jaswant Singh:Well, I read shelling. It is. This is unfortunately, an extension ofdeliberately promoting instability through terrorism.I know that from the Pak-occupied part of Kashmir there has been heavierthan normal shelling in Kargil in the last twenty-four hours, including onKargil town. But that is not thenorm and we hope that it will cease very shortly.

Question:But that was happening when President Musharraf was making that speech.

Jaswant Singh:Yes, that is a part of the reality about Pakistan.That is what I mean by ‘we are awaiting to reduce the gap between thestatement and action’.

Question:If we conclude that India’s reaction to Musharraf’s speech is mixed…not very positive, would you contradict with us?

Jaswant Singh:In fact, it is an extremely hazardous exercise to contradict journalists andwhat they decide to say. You areabsolutely free to decide what you wish to decide.But as to what India has arrived at by way of reaction is what I havegiven. If you want to call itmixed, that is your choice, not mine. By your suggesting that I should agreewith you when you call it mixed, please… I don’t want to. I don’t want toeven comment upon it.

Question:In the last week of December, you had announced some steps against Pakistanwhich amount to, let me say, punitive steps which are hurting Pakistan’seconomy in a fundamental way.

Jaswant Singh: Like?

Question: For instance, PIA’s bottomline was anyway suspect with allthese different routes PIA flights will have to take. You must have seen reportsabout two Pakistani children who urgently need heart surgery in Bangalore.What kind of a message would India send out at this stage when Pakistanis at least making postures about reforming?

Jaswant Singh:I have just answered that - please move from postures to action.You have yourself said Pakistan is making postures.That is your phrase. Allthat I am saying is, ‘from postures, move to action’.

Question: Would you say that the indication that Pakistan is translatingits words into action would be a lowering of violence in Jammu and Kashmir inthe next few days?

Jaswant Singh: There are some clear indices - I cite in response to a Question- curbing and eliminating cross border terrorism and promoting infiltrationacross the LoC. It is visible on a daily basis.It will have an immediate impact, whether it is international border, orline of control, or any of the sectors that we are referring to, whether it is16 Corps, 15 Corps. There is not much of it in 14 Corps.

Question: Since Gen Pervez Musharraf has almost declined to hand over the20 persons whose list Indian Government has submitted, what does the Governmentof India intend to do further on that matter?How would the Government of India want to pursue the matter?

Jaswant Singh: I havefor one, in my statement, when you get a copy of it you will see it, expressedhope that…

Question: Just hope?

Jaswant Singh: Yes, we continue to hope – that Pakistan will readdressthis Question. After all, a good 14or 15 of them are criminals of Indian nationality.They are not Pakistani citizens. Itis my expectation that Pakistanmight re-examine this Question and re-address it more purposefully. We willcontinue to emphasise upon Pakistan the importance of this aspect.

Question (TIMES OF INDIA): Mr. Singh, you have said that it is Pakistanthat has dropped advocacy of state-sponsored terrorism.Pervez Musharraf has also said yesterday that he does not want Pakistanisto go fight battles in third countries.Insofar as it is a declared intent, do you see this as a major shift ofPakistan’s policy?

Jaswant Singh: Yes, in thedeclaration of it, it is a major shift and we have welcomed it in the statement.What I have said is that between the declaration of intent and theimplementation of what you have declared, let there be the least possible timeand let there be the least possible gap. Theearlier it is implemented, the earlier both India and Pakistan can move towards- what I have also said in the statement – engaging in purposeful dialogue onall issues including on Jammu and Kashmir. But we do wish to see the results ofwhat is stated as action on the ground.

Question (DOORDARSHAN): Did you, since yesterday after Gen Musharraf’sspeech, have any talk with Gen Powell or; has there been any talk between USAand Government of India at any level besides Mr. Advani being there?

Jaswant Singh: Yes. Forexample, I have spoken to Gen Colin Powell.If I am not mistaken I spoke to him when he called me earlier thismorning. I have also been in touchwith my Russian counterpart. Butthen, there are time differences in all that.These are routine consultations between Foreign Ministers thatcontinue… sometime more often, and sometimes less often.