DATE=8/26/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PAKISTAN/INDIA (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-265875
BYLINE=AYAZ GUL
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Pakistan has ordered an Indian embassy
official to leave the country. The expulsion comes
two days after India ordered a staff member of
Pakistan's embassy in New Delhi to leave. From
Islamabad, Ayaz Gul reports.
TEXT: A Pakistan Foreign Ministry statement says the
Indian official, P-C Dey, has been involved in
activities incompatible with his official status.
This is a term normally used to refer to spying. The
statement says Pakistan has asked Mr. Dey to leave the
country by September 2nd.
This is the third day of the latest diplomatic dispute
between the two rival countries. On Thursday, India
expelled a staff member of the Pakistani embassy
(Malik Muhammed Rafique) on spying charges, which
Islamabad says are baseless.
A day later (Friday), Pakistan protested at what it
called Indian trespassing at the home of one of its
senior diplomats in New Delhi. Pakistan said six
people in civilian clothes forced their way into the
home of an advisor to the Pakistani ambassador and
carried out an unauthorized search.
In the last five years, Islamabad says India has
expelled 16 Pakistan embassy officials on what it
calls fabricated charges. It says there have also been
more than 80 cases of harassment and kidnapping of
Pakistani officials in India.
Both the countries routinely blame each other's
diplomatic staffs for spying. The disputes and
competing claims over the Kashmir region have led to
three wars between India and Pakistan since they
became independent nations in 1947. (SIGNED)
NEB/AG/JP
26-Aug-2000 08:46 AM LOC (26-Aug-2000 1246 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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