India/Pakistan

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Pak govt to respond to Ajmal's letter by tomorrow

Islamabad, Dec 23, 2008 (Asia Pulse Data Source via COMTEX) --

Pakistan, which is yet to admit that Ajmal Amir Iman is its national, today said it will respond by tomorrow to a letter written by the lone terrorist captured during the Mumbai attacks in which he has sought legal assistance from it.

In the letter, a copy of which was sent to Interior Ministry chief Rehman Malik yesterday by the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, Iman alias Ajmal Kasab had detailed the circumstances of his arrest and sought legal assistance from the Pakistan government.

"I have given the letter to experts to examine and there will be a detailed response from the Foreign Ministry by today or tomorrow," Malik told reporters after a meeting with the visiting Interpol chief Ronald K Noble.

He claimed that the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), the banned terrorist group blamed for the Mumbai attacks, did not "exist now" and the government would decide on proscribing its front organisation Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) if investigations proved it was involved in terrorist activities.

Malik insisted that India had shared "no official or unofficial evidence" on the Mumbai attacks with Pakistan.

An examination of the National Database and Registration Authority, Pakistan's national database, had provided no records on any national named Ajmal Kasab, he claimed.

"India has experienced the same sort of terrorism as Pakistan and the same people are carrying out suicide bombings here. Both countries are victims of terrorism," Malik said. "That is why we have asked for forming a joint investigation team. Let's work together and probe jointly so the perpetrators can be brought to justice and so that such incidents don't occur in future." Pakistan government had cracked down on Jamaat-ud-Dawa in accordance with a UN Security Council resolution which designated it as a terrorist group and its leaders had been detained and its offices closed, Malik said.

"Pakistan is a sovereign state. Whatever action we take, we will take in the interest of the country (and) we will not get dictation from anywhere," he said.

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China still reluctant to pressurise Pak against terrorism
23 Dec 2008, 1830 hrs IST, Saibal Dasgupta , TNN

BEIJING: The Chinese foreign ministry has finally spoken on the India-Pakistan-China axis amidst the rising tensions over the Mumbai attacks.

But the statements show that Beijing still reluctant to pressurise Islamabad to come clean on the antecedents of the terrorists. (Watch)

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang on Tuesday expressed the hope that India and Pakistan will cooperate with each other in the investigations into the Mumbai attack. He also suggested that the two countries make "joint efforts" to ensure peace and stability in the region.

Qin said that the question of "where the terrorists are from" is a matter that will be known after proper investigations. He was replying to a question about India's concerns that terrorists in the Mumbai attack came from Pakistan and Islamabad's refusal to accept it.

But he skirted specific queries about China's views Pakistan's efforts to book the terrorists or track down their sources and supporters. He did not reply to questions on whether China was talking with Pakistan over the nature of investigations or it wished to take a stand on the issue.

It seemed clear that Beijing wished to stick to platitudes even after Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asked the international community to apply pressure on Pakistan and foreign minister Pranab Mukherjee said New Delhi's patience is already strained.

"We hope that the two countries can have dialogue and consultation to solve relevant issues and improve their relations as major countries in South Asia," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang said at a press conference today. The two countries can "contribute to peace and stability in the region" by cooperating with each other, he said.

Pakistan, which signed an agreement on military cooperation with China on December 15, needs Chinese help today more than ever. China observers say Beijing sees in the current situation an opportunity to play a more important role in the region that it ever did. This is the time for Beijing to try and wean Islamabad as far away from Washington as possible.

Incidentally, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has confirmed her plans to visit Beijing in the new year, Qin said. But the exact dates have not been announced.

China observers said Beijing needed Pakistani support to ensure that Islamic terrorists do not enhance their campaign in Xinjiang province, which is a hotbed of separatism spearheaded by forces trained in Pakistan. China is constantly worried about the East Turkmenistan movement in Xinjiang, where terrorists are battling to carve out a separate nation.

Beijing also feels India would be careful about stroking the fires along the border with Pakistan as long as there is a perception that it will back Islamabad. In fact, Pakistan's defiance of international pressures on the Mumbai attack issue is partly explained by its faith in China, its "all weather friend".

Chinese leaders, who shared a long and cosy relationship with former Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf, have been less than comfortable with the newly elected leadership in Islamabad. The official Chinese media has been harping on the many challenges faced by the new Pakistani leadership in maintaining peace at home as well as feeding its poor millions.

But Beijing would still make the most of the new situation to enhance its influence in Asia at a time when the US is engaged in settling down to a new regime and battling the economic crisis, sources said. The developments in South Asia come at a time when China has managed to resolve many of its long-held differences with Japan and in on the way to solve its problems in Taiwan.

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Dragon dances with terror
24 Dec 2008, 0332 hrs IST, ET Bureau

NEW DELHI: China is still reluctant to back India’s stand that it is a victim of cross border terrorism. The Chinese foreign ministry on Tuesday said it was still early to put Islamabad in the dock. Beijing also argued on the need for “joint efforts” to ensure peace. This call comes at a time when there is near unanimity that no joint mechanism was possible between the tormentor and tormented.

Reports quoting Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang said China was not ready to underwrite the Indian stand that Pakistanis were involved in the attack. Qin said that the question of “where the terrorists came from” was a matter that would be known after “proper investigations”. He was replying to a question about India’s concerns that terrorists in the Mumbai attack came from Pakistan and Islamabad’s refusal to accept it.

Beijing’s spokesman also skirted specific queries about China’s views on Pakistan’s efforts to book the terrorists or track down their supporters. He did not reply to questions on whether China was talking with Pakistan over the nature of investigations or it wished to take a stand on the issue.

“We hope that the two countries will continue consultations for solving relevant issues and improve their relations,” he said. China, which has signed a military cooperation agreement with Pakistan, is keen to use the opportunity for playing an important role in the region.

Besides, it needs Pakistan’s help for preventing jihadi spillover into its Xinjiang province. The province is confronted with terror sponsored by militants trained in Pakistani camps.

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Wednesday, December 24, 2008
India seeking cluster bombs from US

* Indian Defence Ministry seeks fast-track purchase of 500 bombs
* If approved by the US, purchase to cost India $375 million

By Iftikhar Gilani

NEW DELHI: India is seeking the purchase of 500 advanced-technology cluster bombs from the US. Although the order was placed in September, reports here suggest that the Indian Defence Ministry has called on the Americans to fast track the purchase amid rising tensions with Pakistan in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks.

A private news channel reported here that New Delhi had specifically asked the US to provide 510 units of the American CBU-105 cluster bomb along with full logistics support services. If Washington approves the sale, the bombs will cost New Delhi $375 million. Pentagon’s Foreign Arms Sales Division has already notified the US Congress about India’s request and the proposed sale.

According to the notification, “This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the US by helping strengthen the US-India strategic relationship and improve the security of an important partner which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace and economic progress in South Asia.” Cluster bombs are actually a conglomeration of weapons. When released from an aircraft, they splinter into hundreds, even thousands, of ‘bomblets’ that land over a large area.

All bomblets do not explode when they hit the ground, but they can go off later – creating an indefinite minefield, which poses a severe threat to civilians and children long after the conflict is over. Former Indian Air Force western commander VK Bhatia says that although the effectiveness of cluster bombs against terrorist camps is debatable, they are lethal in all circumstances. Control Arms Foundation of India Vice President Anuradha Chenoy, however, has opposed the purchase, saying the government should base its anti-terror policies on intelligence instead of cluster bombs. On December 3, the United Nations launched the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) to ban the use of cluster bombs across the world. So far, 94 countries have signed the CCM. The prominent countries which have either opposed the convention or refused to sign or ratify it include India, Pakistan, the US, Israel, Russia and China.

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26/11 prompts India to seek cluster bombs
Shiv Aroor
New Delhi, December 23, 2008

India has sought over 500 advanced technology cluster bombs from the US. This is a clear sign that the government wants to arm itself to take on large targets, including terrorist camps.

Cluster bombs attracted controversies during their extended use in Iraq, Afghanistan and the former Yugoslavia.

India requested for them in September.

But, after the Mumbai terror attacks, South Block has asked the Pentagon to fast-track the request, sources said.

According to documents listing India's request - an exclusive copy of which lies with Headlines Today - India has specifically asked the US to provide 510 units of the American CBU-105 cluster bomb and full logistics support services. If Washington approves of the sale, it will cost New Delhi $375 million (Rs 1,700 crore).

Headlines Today also has a copy of the notification made by Pentagon's foreign arms sales division to the US Congress about India's request and proposed sale.

According to it: "This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the US by helping to strengthen the US-India strategic relationship and to improve the security of an important partner which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace and economic progress in South Asia."

Cluster bombs are a conglomeration of weapons. When released from an aircraft, they splinter into hundreds, even thousands, of individual 'bomblets'. These land over a large geographic area. The technique is also called carpet bombing.

All bomblets don't explode when they hit the ground. But they can go off later.

This creates an indefinite minefield which poses a severe threat to civilians and children long after the conflict is over.

Former Indian Air Force Western Commander Air Marshal V. K. Bhatia said: "The CBU-105 that India is looking at is an improved cluster bomb. Unlike the older ones, it is sensor-fused and guided by global positioning systems.

"Their effectiveness against terror camps is still debatable. But that they are lethal is beyond doubt."

Cluster bombs, like landmines, continue to be deeply controversial in the global arms control discourse. They are notorious for their indiscriminate nature of destruction and for the collateral damage they cause in almost all war theatres where they have been used.

Control Arms Foundation of India vice-president Anuradha Chenoy said: "These weapons are extremely dangerous. They continue to be harmful for civilians, especially children, long after a conflict and they should be prohibited across the world.

"India should base its anti-terror policies on intelligence, not cluster bombs." On December 3, the UN opened the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) to ban their use across the world.

So far, 94 countries have signed the CCM - including countries like Afghanistan, Laos and Lebanon - that have suffered the consequences of their use.

The prominent countries which have either opposed the convention or refused to sign or ratify it include India, Pakistan, the US, Israel, Russia and China.

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India stays firm as Pak talks war

24 Dec 2008, 0423 hrs IST, Indrani Bagchi, TNN

NEW DELHI: In a move aimed at preventing Pakistan from using war "hysteria" to deflect attention away from calls that it crack down on terror groups, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh tamped down on war talk even as he made it amply clear that India was not relaxing its tough posture towards Islamabad.

With investigators, both Indian and foreign, gathering more and more evidence that the Mumbai attacks were not just the handiwork of the Lashkar-e-Taiba and links to ISI being pursued, the PM noted that the situation with regard to Pakistan remained "worrisome". This was a clear indicator that the government, backed by the Congress leadership, will continue to insist on a list of deliverables from Pakistan.

Asked if war was imminent, the PM said, "The issue is not war. Nobody wants war." Singh's disclaimer contrasted sharply with foreign minister Pranab Mukherjee's persistent tough stand about military option being kept open, giving the impression of a change of tack. However, the PM's message to Pakistan was the same as Mukherjee's.

"Pakistani territory is used to aid and abet terror. We want Pakistan to take objective efforts to dismantle the terror infrastructure and the government of Pakistan knows what that implies. We expect that as a member of the UN, Pakistan should comply with UNSC resolutions," the PM said.

He added, "The international community should use its power to persuade Pakistan (to end terrorism)." His remarks came amid signs of Pakistan trying to stoke war fears as a diversion. On Tuesday, Pakistan army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kiyani went on record to say the army could respond to India "within minutes".

India, however, refused to get distracted. In the evening, the official spokesperson responded to Kiyani's statement by saying, "The talk of war or creating war hysteria is diversionary. The issue is not defence of Pakistan but a terrorist attack on India from Pakistan."

Mukherjee also stuck to his "deliver on your promise" message to Pakistan. "My request to friends in Pakistan is to address the issue; that is terrorism and not raise war hysteria," he said.

But the thrust and parry of statements once again cast the spotlight on the dilemma India faces in dealing with a recalcitrant and incorrigible Pakistani leadership. Experience virtually rules out the possibility of Pakistan's compliance with its anti-terror promises unless it is forced. But there is the risk of the military-ISI establishment exploiting India's insistence on action against terrorists to rally people by raising the spectre of a war.

Investigations by India and the US are revealing a deeper hand of the Pakistani military-intelligence complex in the planning and strategy of the attacks that showed a degree of sophistication not associated with a terror group. In fact, sources say, Pakistan cannot actually claim with any degree of credibility that the attacks were planned and prepared by "stateless actors".

They also said the Mumbai operation was planned to the T and was meant to provoke India into a largescale troop mobilisation like after the 2001 Parliament attack. If India had reacted with largescale mobilisation as it did in 2001, it would have suited the Pakistan army and the jihadis perfectly, because it would have entailed an instant clearing up of the FATA and northwestern border as the Pakistan army would have piled up on the Indian border, leaving Taliban to make merry in the Pashtun badlands.

Hence the use of LeT, a primarily Punjabi, India-focused terror group, to mount the attacks, giving Pakistani security establishment's real reasons some degree of deniability.

On Tuesday again, Baitullah Mehsud of Tehrik-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), accused of masterminding the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, claimed that "thousands of our well-armed militants are ready to fight alongside the army if any war is imposed on Pakistan", raising questions whether the Taliban and Pakistan army were indeed fighting each other or with each other.

Hundreds of would-be bombers had been "given suicide jackets and explosive-laden vehicles for protection of the border in case of any aggression by the Indian forces", Mehsud said.

India has resolutely refused to fall into the Pakistan military trap, which was then aggravated by reports of airspace intrusions, hoax calls, etc, all intended to whip up war panic inside Pakistan. After arresting some terrorists a few days ago, Pakistan has now released many of them, in a blatant attempt to provoke India into a more militaristic response.

But diplomatic sources said Pakistan's approach was now beginning to annoy countries like the US and UK. It prompted a visit by the US joint chiefs of staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, to Pakistan again. Mullen, said reports, is believed to have told Islamabad to address New Delhi's concerns, including action against terrorists. Mullen met army chief Gen Kayani and ISI chief Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha.

India's best bet continues to be to put pressure on Pakistan by the US, and particularly the US army, which actually has huge leverage there. How far the US will use these assets on Pakistan is the question, but even the US doesn't want to be pushed too far by India to act on Pakistan. Besides, in a transition period in their government, Pakistan actually gets a lot more leeway.