Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=9-13-02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=INDIA / UNGA (L-O)

NUMBER=2-294038

BYLINE=ELAINE JOHANSON

DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS

INTERNET=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee accused Pakistan today (Friday) of trying to sabotage next week's elections in Indian-controlled Kashmir. His remarks to the U-N General Assembly came one day after Pakistan's president told the world body that he expected elections in Indian Kashmir would be rigged. V-O-A correspondent Elaine Johanson reports from U-N headquarters.

TEXT: India and Pakistan traditionally trade charges on the international stage. But with the forthcoming elections in Indian Kashmir, and much of the world pre-occupied with terrorism after last September 11th, their hostile rhetoric struck a more chilling note this year.

Both countries accused each other of state terrorism. Pakistan says Indian troops are squashing the right of self-determination in Kashmir. India says Pakistan is backing Muslim rebels in Indian-administered Kashmir, where several people, including candidates and political activists, have been killed in recent days.

Indian Prime Minister Vajpayee, speaking through an interpreter, said Pakistan, which considers itself a crucial partner in the international coalition against terrorism, reveals itself when it calls the Kashmiri elections a farce.

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If elections are a mere fraud, why are terrorists being trained and infiltrated into India at the command of the Inter-Services Intelligence Agency of Pakistan? How can the international coalition condone Pakistan-directed killings of thousands of innocent civilians, women and children included, to promote a bizarre version of self-determination?

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Washington has employed its top diplomat, Secretary of State Colin Powell, to try to defuse tensions in South Asia, where the threat of war would, at the very least, complicate efforts to stabilize Afghanistan and uproot any remaining elements of the al-Qaida terrorist network in the region.

India and Pakistan have fought two wars over Kashmir. Both of the nuclear-armed countries insist they do not want another one, but would respond forcefully and fully in self-defense. (signed)

NEB/UN/EJ/TW