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Vajpayee talks of terrorism, Pakistan in US

T V Parasuram in Washington

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's address to the US House International Relations Committee and later the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday went along expected lines. He reiterated India's stand on terrorism and said the partners in the coalition against terror could not be allowed to indulge in terrorism.

The prime minister also made it very clear that India could not be expected to tolerate Pakistan-sponsored terrorism on its soil.

Addressing the House International Relations Committee, he said, "As victims of terrorism over the last two decades, we are conscious of the fact that unless this menace (of terrorism) is tackled in a comprehensive manner, it will raise its head in various regions of the world.

"The battle against terrorism cannot end in Afghanistan. It has to address similar manifestations elsewhere," Vajpayee said.

"While tackling terrorism in Afghanistan, if members of our coalition are permitted to indulge in terrorist adventures elsewhere, it would defeat our objectives," he said.

Addressing the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Vajpayee said: "Unfortunately, we continue to face cross-border terrorism and increased infiltrations across the border and the Line of Control."

"You would understand, as elected representatives of the people, that public opinion seeks action from its elected leaders when such incidents occur. That is what I wrote to President Bush on October 1 after the terrorist attack on the Jammu and Kashmir assembly, in which over 40 people lost their lives."

"We have no desire to overload the agenda of the international coalition against terrorism. But at the same time, we need to ensure that we do not tamely accept terrorist acts against us from across the borders," Vajpayee said referring to Pakistan.

India, he said, was vitally affected by the developments in Afghanistan, as the terrorism in India had close links with that country

The prime minister pointed out that he recently wrote to President Bush suggesting the urgent formation of a group of countries, which should engage in a focused manner on political reconciliation and economic reconstruction of Afghanistan.

"We hope that Pakistan plays a constructive role in this," he said, adding, "if indeed it has made the correct strategic choice (by joining the fight against terror), it would be a major advance towards peace in the region."

Vajpayee's host at the Senate meeting was Senator Daschle, while in the House he was hosted by Speaker Dennis Hastert.

PTI

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