DATE=7/21/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-251989
TITLE=INDIA / KASHMIR (L ONLY)
BYLINE=ANJANA PASRICHA
DATELINE=NEW DELHI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: MILITARY COMMANDERS IN NEW DELHI SAY THAT ALTHOUGH SOME
ISLAMIC FIGHTERS STILL REMAIN IN INDIAN TERRITORY, INDIAN TROOPS
HAVE WON A DIFFICULT VICTORY IN KASHMIR. FROM NEW DELHI, ANJANA
PASRICHA HAS THIS REPORT.
TEXT: OFFICIALS IN NEW DELHI SAY INDIAN SOLDIERS HAVE FIRED
ROCKET LAUNCHERS AND OPENED HEAVY ARTILLERY FIRE ON ABOUT 100
PAKISTANI-BACKED TROOPS HOLDING ON TO THREE MOUNTAIN PEAKS IN
INDIAN KASHMIR.
MAJOR GENERAL H.M. KHANNA, COMMANDER OF INDIA'S NORTHERN FORCES,
SAYS MOST INDIAN TERRITORY HAS BEEN VACATED, AND THESE FIGHTERS
ARE NOT A SERIOUS THREAT TO THE 10-DAY TRUCE.
/// INSERT KHANNA ACT ///
THEY ARE NOT OF ANY NERVE-SHATTERING TACTICAL
RELEVANCE, BUT THE FACT REMAINS THEY ARE ON OUR SIDE OF
THE L.C. (LINE OF CONTROL) AND WE WILL HAVE TO PUSH THEM
OFF IF THEY DON'T WITHDRAW BY THEMSELVES.
/// END ACT ///
THE DEADLINE FOR FIGHTERS TO WITHDRAW ENDED SATURDAY. INDIA
OPENED FIRE FOR THE FIRST TIME TUESDAY ON THE LINGERING
INTRUDERS.
MAJOR GENERAL KHANNA SAYS THE ARMY WILL STAY ON HIGH ALERT AS
THOUSANDS OF INDIAN SOLDIERS CONTINUE TO PATROL THE KASHMIR
MOUNTAINS.
/// INSERT KHANNA ACT ///
I THINK THE ARMY HAS LEARNT A FEW LESSONS, THE MOST
IMPORTANT AMONG THEM BEING NEVER TO LET OUR GUARD DOWN,
KEEP SURVEILLANCE AT THE FOREFRONT.
/// END ACT ///
MEANWHILE, PAKISTAN HAS REACTED COOLLY TO AN INDIA'S OFFER OF
PEACE TALKS. PAKISTAN'S FOREIGN SECRETARY, SHAMSHAD AHMAD, SAYS
THE KASHMIR ISSUE CAN ONLY BE SOLVED WITH OUTSIDE MEDIATION AND
WHAT HE CALLS "REAL DIALOGUE".
INDIAN FOREIGN MINISTER JASWANT SINGH SAID TUESDAY NEW DELHI IS
READY FOR A PEACE DIALOGUE WITH ISLAMABAD SINCE MOST ISLAMIC
FIGHTERS HAVE LEFT KASHMIR. IN A TELEPHONE CONVERSATION WITH
INDIAN PRIME MINISTER ATAL BEHARI VAJPAYEE TUESDAY, PRESIDENT
CLINTON ALSO STRESSED THAT BILATERAL TALKS WERE IMPORTANT FOR
LONG-TERM PEACE IN THE REGION.
BUT ANALYSTS SAY INDIA IS UNLIKELY TO OPEN A DIALOGUE WITH
PAKISTAN UNTIL A NEW GOVERNMENT IS ELECTED IN OCTOBER. INDIA'S
ELECTIONS BEGIN SEPTEMBER.
(REST OPT)
THE KASHMIR CONFLICT HAS ALREADY BECOME A SENSITIVE POLITICAL
ISSUE IN INDIA AS MAINSTREAM PARTIES LAUNCH THEIR ELECTION
CAMPAIGN. THE OPPOSITION CONGRESS PARTY IS ACCUSING THE HINDU
NATIONALIST COALITION OF NOT PREVENTING THE INTRUSIONS BY
ISLAMIC FIGHTERS. THE HINDU NATIONALIST COALITION IS CLAIMING
CREDIT FOR A MILITARY AND DIPLOMATIC VICTORY OVER PAKISTAN IN
RESOLVING THE KASHMIR CRISIS. (SIGNED)
NEB/AP/KL
21-Jul-99 8:22 AM EDT (1222 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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