DATE=12/27/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=INDIA/HIJACK CRITICISM (L-)
NUMBER=2-257534
BYLINE=ANJANA PASRICHA
DATELINE=NEW DELHI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: India has sent a negotiating team to
Afghanistan where a hijacked Indian plane is parked
with 160-hostages on board. But in New Delhi, the
Indian Government is coming under fire for its initial
handling of the four-day-old crisis. Anjana Pasricha
reports from New Delhi that relatives of hostages are
also angry with the Government for not doing enough to
end the crisis.
Text: As the grueling hijacking of an Indian aircraft
drags on, security experts in New Delhi say the
government's slow response to the crisis allowed the
situation to get out of control.
Primarily, the Government is being criticized for
allowing the plane to leave Amritsar - the north
Indian city where the hijacked aircraft made its first
brief stop before going on to Pakistan, the United
Arab Emirates, and Afghanistan.
Following the widespread criticism, the Indian
government (Monday) ordered an inquiry to investigate
why the plane was allowed to leave Indian territory.
Although the aircraft circled Amritsar for 40-minutes
before landing, no one experienced in such situations
took charge of the situation - and no steps were taken
to block the runway or disable the aircraft.
Defense expert with the independent Center of Policy
Research, Brahama Chellaney calls this -- a grave,
indefensible blunder.
/// INSERT CHELLANEY ACT ///
The best thing for India would have been to nab
these guys on Indian soil. The hijackers never
bargained for a forced landing on Indian
territory. This was an opportunity that came
India's way and it let it slip by its hands.
The original mistake it committed has given it
basically no real options. So now the country
is paying for that very serious mistake made in
Amritsar.
/// END CHELLANEY ACT ///
Security experts point out, New Delhi could have
easily mounted a rescue operation if the plane had
stayed in India, or negotiated with the hijackers in a
more favorable situation.
But the Indian government now finds itself dealing
with the hijackers in Afghanistan -- a country with
which it does not have diplomatic relations, and whose
regime is sympathetic with the cause of the hijackers.
The hijackers are demanding the release of several
jailed Kashmiri separatist leaders.
The Indian government is defending itself against such
criticism, and says it is exploring every possible
channel to resolve the crisis.
But the "Times of India" points out the government has
virtually no cards to play, and the decks are stacked
heavily in favor of the hijackers. It says the Indian
government has an unenviable dilemma as it tries to
balance the safety of the passengers with national
interest and the need to take a firm stand against
terrorism.
Most security experts say swapping the hostages for
Kashmiri leaders could give a fresh impetus to the
Muslim separatist movement in the state. (SIGNED)
NEB/AP/RAE
27-Dec-1999 08:36 AM EDT (27-Dec-1999 1336 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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