PAKISTAN INDIA TALKS 

Inspite of the congenial atmosphere created by PM Jamali's phone call to Vajpayee , India is still harping to the tune of "Cross Border Terrorism".

With this attitude, it is doubtful if talks will proceed further. But we must not let the opportunity slip by , rather, grab the moment and go forward from here.

First of all it is sheer nonsense to call the freedom movement in Kashmir as "Cross Border Terrorism". We have a long border with India measuring more or less 1,500 miles. Starting from the South and going Northwards we have on our borders Indian States of Gujarat, Rajasthan, East Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. If Pakistan was creating "cross border terrorism" then all these Indian States would have been in turmoil. But the reality on the ground is not so.

So, let us call a spade a spade. Let us admit without any guilt that there is "CROSS LOC TERRORISM''.  WE CAN START TALKING WITH iNDIA ABOUT this "Cross Line of Control Terrorism" and proceed from here. This will automatically lead us to the question as to why there is:"LINE OF CONTROL". Since when is this line in existence. What is the genesis of this line and what is the time limit for its termination. How did this line happen to take shape in the first place???????????????

This should be our starting point of talks because India also attaches the highest importance to "Cross LOC Terrorism".

Air travel, overflights, trade, diplomatic consulates etc are secondary questions. Once this LOC business and the terrorism it breeds is finalized other things will automatically fall into place.

It may be noted here that this "LOC" is unlike East Pakistan when Mukti Bahini were being trained on the banks of thr river Hooghly and sent to East Pakistan. THAT was real "CROSS BORDER TERRORISM". Moreover, is Pakistan creating cross border terrorism in Assam and Tripura where the situation is no different from Kashmir???

Kindly pass this on to all right thinking Indian and Pakistanis. Thanks and regards.

Ibrahim Suttar,

May 9, 2003.

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