Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=12/19/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=INDIA / PARLIAMENT (L-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-284391

BYLINE=ANJANA PASRICHA

DATELINE=NEW DELHI

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: India has blamed Pakistan for sponsoring Muslim separatist groups which New

Delhi says carried out last week's suicide attack on parliament. As Anjana Pasricha reports from the Indian capital, India's home minister says the country is determined to stamp out terrorism.

TEXT: In the first extensive statement to lawmakers on the attack on Indian Parliament,

Home Minister Lal Krishna Advani called it the "most audacious act of

Pakistani-sponsored terrorism in India," and said security forces averted what he

called a "national catastrophe."

/ / / ADVANI ACTUALITY / / /

Last week's attack on parliament is undoubtedly the most audacious and also the most

alarming act of terrorism in the nearly two-decade-long history of Pakistan-sponsored

terrorism in India. This time, the terrorists and their mentors had the temerity to try and

wipe out the entire political leadership of India, as represented in our multi-partly

parliament.

/ / / END ACTUALITY / / /

The home minster repeated allegations the attack on parliament was conducted by

the Lakshar-e-Taiba and the Jaish-e-Mohammad -- two hardline Islamic separatist groups waging an armed insurgency in Indian Kashmir.

He says both these groups are sponsored and supported by Pakistan's main intelligence

agency -- the Inter Services Intelligence -- and that terrorism in India is their "handiwork."

Pakistani officials have denied the Indian allegations and say India has provided no evidence to support its claims.

Thirteen people were killed in the attack, including the five gunmen who led the assault.

Mr. Advani did not say how India would respond to the attack -- but repeated tough

statements that have been made by senior leaders in New Delhi since the assault -- saying New Delhi will crush terrorism.

/ / / ADVANI ACTUALITY / / /

Those behind the attack on Parliament House should know that the Indian people are

united and determined to stamp out terrorism from the country. (applause out)

/ / / END ACTUALITY / / /

Before parliament met, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee told lawmakers that New

Delhi is waiting for Pakistan's response. Indian officials have asked Islamabad to crack down on the Lakshar-e-Taiba and the Jaish-e-Mohammad groups.

Many hardline members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party want security forces to attack what officials in New Delhi say are terrorist training camps in Pakistani Kashmir. Some opposition lawmakers are also demanding "tough action." Both armies of the nuclear-capable neighbors are on alert along the military line of control in Kashmir.

The United States has asked the South Asian rivals not to let the situation get out of

control, and urged the two countries to go after the terrorist organizations and not at each other. (signed)

NEB / AP / WD