DATE=3/21/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PAKISTAN-KASHMIR (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-260420
BYLINE=AYAZ GUL
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Pakistan has condemned Monday's massacre
of 35 Sikhs in Indian Kashmir. New Delhi has
blamed the attack on militant Kashmiri groups
opposed to Indian rule of Kashmir, but Ayaz Gul
reports from Islamabad that the Pakistan-based
Kashmiri militant groups are denying involvement
in the killings.
TEXT: Pakistan's foreign minister, Abdul Sattar,
called the massacre a "gruesome act of terrorism"
and urged the Indian authorities to carry out an
immediate investigation into the attack.
/// SATTAR ACT ///
We condemn the killings of members of a minority
community in Kashmir. We would like a very
thorough investigation to be conducted into this
incident so that it is not exploited for the
purposes of propaganda, in order to deflect
attention from Indian repression in Kashmir.
/// END ACT //
India says it believes that two militant Kashmiri
groups, Lashkar-I-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahiddeen,
are responsible for the massacre. India accuses
Pakistan of providing military support to rebel
groups that are fighting to oust India from the
two-thirds of Kashmir under New Delhi's control.
Syed Salahuddin, leader of the militant Hizbul
Mujahideen, has denied involvement in Monday's
massacre and has accused India of orchestrating
the killings for propaganda purposes.
/// SALAHUDDIN ACT ///
This is an unsuccessful attempt by Indian
(secret) agencies to stigmatize this
(Kashmiri) movement by terrorism and to
deprive it of international sympathy.
/// END ACT ///
The Kashmir dispute has caused two wars between
India and Pakistan. The latest violence in the
region comes at a time when President Clinton is
visiting India. In his talks with Indian leaders,
Mr. Clinton has called on both countries to
resume dialogue over Kashmir. The U-S president
is due to arrive in Pakistan Saturday to hold
talks with the Pakistani leaders. (SIGNED)
NEB/AG/LTD/AG/KL
21-Mar-2000 10:06 AM EDT (21-Mar-2000 1506 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
