Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=02/22/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-272881

TITLE= INDIA / CEASEFIRE / EXTENSION / L

BYLINE=JIM TEEPLE

DATELINE= NEW DELHI

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: India has extended a unilateral cease-fire in Indian-administered Kashmir until the end of May. India's Prime Minister announced the extension in Parliament, at the same time warning that his government would act decisively against any groups promoting violence in Kashmir. V-O-A's Jim Teeple reports from our New Delhi bureau.

TEXT: Speaking in Parliament Thursday, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee faced down his critics in the opposition and also within his governing coalition saying he still believes the Kashmir cease-fire declared last November can help ease tensions in the disputed region.

Mr. Vajpayee says while he will extend the cease-fire until the end of May, he will not tolerate the surge of violence in Kashmir, which over the past few weeks has claimed scores of lives - and led many in India's political elite to question the wisdom of the cease-fire.

/// VAJAPAYEE ACTUALITY ///

If you inflict injury on any Indian citizen in the state of Jammu and Kashmir or elsewhere, or commit any act of violence or terrorism the security forces have clear instructions to react decisively and to defeat such intentions. Law and order shall be maintained.

/// END ACTUALITY ///

Senior Army commanders have consistently voiced support for an extension

of the cease-fire. Under the terms of the deal, Indian security forces have suspended offensive operations against separatist militants in Kashmir. Indian newspapers report that those rules will now be relaxed to allow security forces to conduct targeted attacks against hard core militant groups - and some search and seizure operations.

Separatist militant groups have called the latest cease-fire extension a ploy by the Indian government to increase its troop strength in Kashmir. In recent weeks militant groups have actually stepped up their attacks against high profile targets such as the main airport in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. While they welcomed the initial cease-fire, separatist political groups have also voiced skepticism about the most recent extension - saying unless talks take

place on a political settlement of the Kashmir dispute, no cease-fire will work.

Speaking to parliament Mr. Vajpayee appealed to Pakistan to respond

to his initiative.

/// VAJPAYEE ACTUALITY ///

It is my hope that Pakistan will act even now and abjure violence give

up their continuos hostile propaganda against India stop promoting and

aiding cross-border terrorism and take the path of peace.

/// END ACTUALITY ///

Pakistan, which controls one-third of the disputed Kashmir region, denies involvement with separatist militants in Kashmir. Islamabad has also voiced skepticism over the latest cease-fire extension. A spokesman for Pakistan's military government says extending the ceasefire changes nothing on the ground. (Signed)

NEB/JLT/PFH