Mumbai blasts: Pallone concerned over Pak links

Washington, July 19: Leading Congressman Frank Pallone Jr has come out openly in favour of India and spoke against Pakistan's links in the recent terror attacks in Mumbai.

He also hit out at Pakistan for its failure to rein in terrorist organisations operating within its borders, which has threatened the peace process in the region.

In a statement made on the floor of the House of Representatives here yesterday, Pallone said ''Over the past few days, it is becoming clearer that the terror units responsible for the attacks in India and Jammu and Kashmir were initiated and supported by elements in Pakistan.'' All leads are now pointing to the involvement of Lashkar-e-Tayyaba, a terrorist organisation that has received support from Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence (ISI).

Pallone, who is founder and former co-chair of the Caucus on India and Indian Americans, said ''Pakistan has not implemented its promise to stop the terrorism, despite having vowed in 2004 not to allow any part of the territory under its control be used by terrorist groups such as Lashkar-e-Tayyaba.'' He also expressed the hope that ''these attacks strengthen the resolve of the government of Pakistan in combating Islamic terrorism. Pakistan must not let Islamic extremism undermine the peace process.'' LeT is a group active in the anti-Indian insurgency in Kashmir. Although the group is outlawed in Pakistan, it continues to function under other guises. In fact, their leader Hafiz Muhammad Saeed enjoys freedom in Pakistan despite official ban on his organisations by the Pakistani administration.

The group is also blamed for several other attacks on Indian soil in recent years, including the attack on the Indian Parliament in December 2001 that almost instigated another war between the two countries.

Since then, India and Pakistan have been engaged in peace talks over Kashmir. Violence had declined until recent weeks. Though no 'official' deal over Kashmir has been made yet, talks between the countries have led to prisoner releases, increased tourist visas to each country and bus and train links across the divided region.

Mr Pallone said the Pakistani government has simply watched while terrorist attacks took place in Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country. Acts of violence continue to occur under their watch and the people of India and Kashmir are suffering.

He demanded that Pakistan must begin to demonstrate its commitment to the global war on terrorism. It must live up to its end of the bargain and control the violence. Otherwise, it will become exceedingly difficult for India to sustain the peace initiative, Pallone added.

Expressing concern over Pakistan's links to last week's terrorist attacks on Indian civilians, Pallone said although slow moving, the peace process between India and Pakistan was promising and I'm afraid that Pakistan now stands in the way of further progress.

He expressed his deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims of these devastating attacks. On the same day that terrorists hit Mumbai trains in the evening, similar coordinated attacks occurred in Srinagar, earlier in the morning. As a result, over 200 people have died and more than 700 injured. These attacks were senseless acts of terrorism and violence. I am confident that Indian officials will find the person or organisation responsible for these disasters and bring them to swift justice, Mr Pallone said.

He went on to say that the government of India has made a strong commitment to fighting terrorism in all its forms. Like the United States, nothing has deterred their firm policy to fight this regional and global menace.

Unfortunately, Pakistan has not proven this same commitment. The government still lacks the appropriate law and order that is necessary to deter terrorist cells from looming and growing within their borders, Mr Pallone added.

UNI

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