DATE=7/26/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=INDIA / KASHMIR (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-264813
BYLINE=ANJANA PASRICHA
DATELINE=NEW DELHI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: One year ago, India concluded a military
operation in Kashmir to evict hundreds of Pakistani-
backed Muslim infiltrators from snow-capped peaks in
the Himalayan mountains. On Wednesday, the nation
marked the anniversary of the offensive. Anjana
Pasricha has a report from New Delhi.
TEXT: President K.R. Narayanan and Prime Minister
Atal Behari Vajpayee led the country in paying tribute
to the nearly 500 soldiers killed during last summer's
10-week battle with Muslim intruders in Kashmir. Tens
of thousands of people lit candles countrywide to mark
what was called "Kargil Victory Day."
Last year's flare-up in the Kargil region along
India's border with Pakistan brought the two countries
to the brink of war, and focused international
attention on the world's most volatile border. The
face-off ended after Pakistan agreed to withdraw the
intruders.
Political observers say India's handling of the Kargil
operation has led to substantial diplomatic gains for
New Delhi. Independent foreign-policy analyst Kanti
Bajpai says India won international praise for not
provoking a wider war with Pakistan by restricting the
military offensive to its own territory. India and
Pakistan have fought two of their three wars over
Kashmir.
/// BAJPAI ACT ///
Diplomatically, I think the most important
fallout of Kargil was that the United States and
the international community made it very clear
that they would not countenance and support any
change in the line of control [in Kashmir
between India and Pakistan] beyond the present,
[or] any kind of change based on the use of
force by any party.
/// END ACT ///
One year after the operation, relations between India
and Pakistan continue to be tense. New Delhi has
refused to resume a dialogue with Islamabad until it
gives up what India calls "cross-border terrorism."
And with mistrust between the hostile neighbors
running high, New Delhi increased defense spending
this year by more than 20 percent. More troops have
also been posted in the Kashmiri mountains.
Meanwhile, Defense Minister George Fernandes says New
Delhi's success in pushing back the Muslim
infiltrators last year has prompted militant groups in
Kashmir to "rethink" their future. Mr. Fernandes was
referring to the recent decision by a major pro-
Pakistan militant group [Hizbul Mujahideen] to
temporarily suspend its armed struggle in Kashmir.
/// FERNANDES ACT ///
All of the militancy in Kashmir had both the financial
and military backing of Pakistan. And when Pakistan
was beaten in Kargil, in what they thought was not
going to happen, I think all those who depended on
Pakistan for support began rethinking about their
future and the kind of situation they had now come to
face. And we have welcomed the recent development
where people have not only laid down their arms, but a
large number have said they would like to have a
dialogue and they would like to find ways of living in
peace in Kashmir.
/// END ACT ///
But as Indians celebrate last year's military victory,
analysts admit that peace between India and Pakistan,
and a settlement of their volatile dispute over
Kashmir, remains a difficult and probably distant
goal. (Signed)
NEB/AP/WTW
26-Jul-2000 08:51 AM EDT (26-Jul-2000 1251 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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