M A I N   N E W S

Kashmir on US agenda: Jaswant

Washington, October 3
Close on the heels of the declaration by Secretary of State Colin Powell that the USA was going after terrorism worldwide, including the kind affecting India, External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh said today that tackling insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir was very much a part of the US agenda in its fight against terrorism.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell (right), accompanied by Indian Defence Minister Jaswant Singh, answers a reporter's question after their meeting at the State Department in Washington on Tuesday. — AP/PTI

Tony Blair speaks to Vajpayee

New Delhi, October 3
British Premier Tony Blair today spoke to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and supported India’s stand that terrorism cannot be dealt with in compartments and has to be tackled globally.

During the 10-minute telephonic conversation, Blair expressed sympathies and condolences to the victims of the suicide car bomb attack outside the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly in Srinagar on October 1.

"This is the kind of terrorism the governments should cooperate in rooting out,’’ he told Vajpayee.

The two leaders agreed that terrorism cannot be dealt with in compartments and has to be "viewed globally and tackled globally’’, an External Affairs Ministry spokesperson told reporters.

LONDON: External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh on Wednesday met Mr Blair even as Britain pledged its full cooperation with India in dealing with the scourge of terrorism.

No details of the meeting between Mr Jaswant Singh and Mr Blair were available.

Mr Jaswant Singh, who arrived here from the USA, also met his British counterpart, Mr Jack Straw.

Speaking at a joint briefing after the talks, Mr Straw said India had suffered a double blow as a result of recent terrorist violence.

“We deeply grieve for everyone of those who lost their life. The fact that India continues to suffer at home and in the USA where 250 of its citizens have lost their lives demonstrate that we have to fight unitedly against the terrorists worldwide,” he said. PTI

Pak raises Kashmir issue at UN

United Nations, October 3
Pakistan raked up the Kashmir issue at the UN General Assembly while calling for a lasting and honourable settlement of this “dispute” in a bid to bring peace and stability in the region.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to U.N. Shamsad Ahmad referred to the Kashmir issue while participating in a debate underway on steps to combat terrorism here yesterday.

According to observers, Ahmed was the first delegate to raise a bilateral issue during the current debate at a time when the world community was in the midst of stitching a global coalition against terrorism.

While indulging in self-praise for all Pakistan has done to “help” the international coalition against terrorism, Ahmad suddenly brought up the Kashmir issue.

“There are people who even today remain deprived of their fundamental right of self-determination.

The Security Council resolution pertaining to their destiny and future remains unimplemented in the archives of this organisation,” Ahmad said.

“It is time for courageous decisions for correcting historic wrongs and for redressing endemic injustices,” he said.

“Our universal obligation to fight terrorism in all its forms must not deflect us from the need for just, lasting and honourable settlement of the Palestine and Kashmir disputes, which will bring durable peace and stability to the world at large,” he added. PTI

Annan condemns attack on Assembly

New Delhi, October 3
The UN Secretary-General, Mr Kofi Annan, has condemned the militant suicide squad attack on the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Monday that left 42 persons dead.

“The Secretary-General condemns the terrorist suicide bombing that occurred in Srinagar. He expresses his condolences to the bereaved families,” according to a statement issued by his spokesperson. ANI