Search the Internet          Tips

Musharraf's speech greeted with skepticism in India

Minister of State for External Affairs Omar Abdullah on Monday asserted that Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf's denial of any infiltration from his country into India was nothing new and that 'it has given us nothing to build on'.

Speaking to a television channel, he asserted that contrary to Gen Musharraf's claim, Abdullah pointed out that the international community, including the United States of America, United Kingdom, France and Germany, had taken cognisance of the infiltration problem.

Musharraf had also called on the international community to bring pressure on India to reduce tension and to get India to the negotiation table.

However, US President George W Bush had on Saturday firmly told Pakistan to fulfil its pledge to stop cross-border terrorism even as US National Security Adviser Dr Condoleezza Rice praised India's 'statesman-like conduct'.

Germany too has asked Pakistan to curb cross-border terrorism in order to normalise relations with India.

Other Indian officials and observers also reacted skeptically to Pakistan President Gen Pervez Musharraf's claims that there was no infiltration across the Line of Control from the Pakistani side.

A senior army official said that the latest information available with Army Headquarters contradicts Gen Musharraf's claims on infiltration.

In his latest address to the nation, President Musharraf reiterated that his country would continue to provide 'moral, political and diplomatic support' to 'Kashmir's struggle for liberation'.

However, Abdullah virtually ridiculed the General's contention that there were 'Hindu fundamentalists' in Jammu and Kashmir unleashing atrocities on Kashmiri people.

"I am a Kashmiri and I would like to see these Hindu fundamentalists," he said.

Strategic analyst Bharat Karnad said it would have been foolhardy to expect Musharraf to drastically change his country's Kashmir policy.

"Giving up the Kashmir policy would complicate matters for him within the country. The issue also helps Pakistan authorities keep peoples' attention away from internal problems," Karnad told rediff.com.

He reiterated his late-December prediction that there won't be any war and said that sooner or later India, Pakistan and the international community would get tired and 'the present build up will melt away'.

A senior Indian official insisted that the speech would 'not make any change in the Indian stand'.

Indications are that when India gives its official reaction on Tuesday, it will insist on Musharraf translating his words into action.

"This time, the General failed to impress even with his words," a senior Indian diplomat said recalling that the January 12 speech was 'much more dramatic, though he never lived up to his promises'.

The BJP described Musharraf's reiteration of support to the 'struggle for liberation' in Jammu and Kashmir as 'very provocative'.

Party spokesman V K Malhotra said it was time the government took strong action to end cross-border terrorism once and for all rather than expect any move from Pakistan in this direction.

Malhotra took strong exception to the 'civilisational war' the Pakistan president spoke of and said this was an attempt to create division among Indians.

Taking strong exception to his 'anti-India' statements, the Congress expressed disappointment over President Musharraf's address to the nation saying it was a mere repetition of promises made in his January 12 speech and 'does not inspire confidence'.

"Promises made on January 12 have not been implemented so far," pointed out party spokesman S Jaipal Reddy.

Objecting to certain 'absolutely unwarranted references', including to Gujarat, by the Pakistani leader, Reddy wanted India to launch a 'diplomatic counteroffensive to undo the mischief'.

Reddy said Congress would react to Musharraf's speech in detail on Tuesday as it contains 'some aspects that need careful examination'.

Union Minister for External Affairs Jaswant Singh is slated to spell out the government's response on Tuesday afternoon.

With inputs from PTI

MUSHARRAF'S JANUARY 12 SPEECH:
Musharraf bans Lashkar, Jaish; wants dialogue on Kashmir
Terror is against our interest: Musharraf

Terrorism Strikes in Jammu: The complete coverage

More reports on Pakistan

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report