DATE=3/21/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=INDIA / KASHMIR (L-UPDATE)
NUMBER=2-260418
BYLINE=JIM TEEPLE
DATELINE=NEW DELHI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A senior Indian official says two separatist
militant groups were behind the killing of 40 Sikh
villagers late Monday in Kashmir. Indian officials
are indirectly blaming Pakistan for the massacre that
took place on the eve of President Clinton's official
trip to India. Correspondent Jim Teeple reports
Indian officials also say the issue of mediating the
Kashmir dispute was not discussed by Mr. Clinton and
Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.
TEXT: Brajesh Mishra - India's national security
advisor says he has evidence the separatist militant
organizations, Lakshar-e-Toiba and Hizbul Mujhadeen
were involved in the killing of Sikh villagers Monday.
Both groups are based in Pakistan and Mr. Mishra says
Islamabad is indirectly responsible for the massacre.
// MISHRA ACT //
It was a combined group of Laskhar-e-Toiba and
Hizbul Mujhadeen. Now these outfits are
supported by the government of Pakistan.
// END ACT //
Mr. Mishra will not say what his evidence is. Both
groups named by him have denied involvement in the
killings. Pakistan has condemned the massacre and
denies offering anything other than moral and
diplomatic support to Kashmir separatists.
// OPT // The killings are the first major attack on
a Sikh village in Kashmir's 10-year insurgency.
Although about 300-thousand Hindu inhabitants of
Kashmir have left the area, Sikhs who control much of
the trucking business in Kashmir, have stayed and have
been left largely undisturbed by the wide-scale
violence. // OPT //
Mr. Mishra says President Clinton and Prime Minister
Vajpayee did not discuss the issue of third-party
mediation on Kashmir. He says India would reject the
proposal if were brought up.
At the same time, India's national security advisor
says India welcomes Mr. Clinton's call for both India
and Pakistan to respect the "line of control" which
divides Kashmir between India and Pakistan sectors.
Mr. Clinton has called the "line of control" the -
most dangerous place on earth.
// REST OPT //
Mr.Mishra also says the United States and India have
agreed to disagree about the issue of nuclear non-
proliferation. President Clinton has called on India
to sign the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
which bans all testing of nuclear weapons.
Mr. Mishra and other senior Indian officials say that
will not happen until a national consensus can be
developed on the issue. India's national security
advisor says India made its position clear to Mr.
Clinton.
// MISHRA ACT //
We will have a minimum credible deterrent, but
we do not intend to engage in a nuclear arms
race with any country.
// END ACT //
Mr. Mishra says there is recognition by both countries
of the need to work together on the question of
nuclear proliferation. (Signed)
NEB/JLT/LTD/
21-Mar-2000 09:53 AM EDT (21-Mar-2000 1453 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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