India sceptic over Pak acting decisively against terrorists

New Delhi, Dec 13 (PTI) Voicing scepticism over Pakistan
acting decisively against terrorists operating from its soil,
Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee has said
such elements have been "let off" in the past after some
initial action.

"Therefore we shall have to see whether these (actions by
Pakistan) are taken to their logical conclusion," he said,
asking Islamabad to ensure that the terror infrastructure is
dismantled completely.

Reacting to Islamabad's demand for evidence of the
involvement of the Pakistan-based elements in the Mumbai
attacks, Mukherjee said India was ready to do so but not at
this juncture when investigations were yet to be concluded.

"We can make available whatever evidences we have. In
this case, we are also investigating, we have not come to any
conclusion. Therefore at this juncture, perhaps, it would be
premature to share the evidences," Mukherjee told Karan Thapar
on Devil's Advocate programme for CNN-IBN.

He refused to comment on the current crackdown on terror
groups in Pakistan, while noting that similar actions took
place in the aftermath of the attack on Parliament in 2001.

"Almost similar actions were taken at the initial stage
when the international pressure was mounted. After that it was
let off," he said, adding that he was "waiting to see" that
these steps are pursued seriously.

"I am waiting to see ... the infrastructure facilities
available to terrorists are totally dismantled and the
outlawed and banned organisations do not reappear in their new
name with the new signboards but with the same old faces."

His remarks follow Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's
statement in Parliament on Thursday that the international
community has to be galvanised into "dealing sternly and
effectively with the epicentre of terrorism, which is located
in Pakistan."

Mukherjee said the "non-state actors" Pakistan has been
referring to as behind the terror attacks "live and function"
within the territory of that country.

"That is why, repeatedly, I said elements from Pakistan.
That is a phrase I have used meticulously. I would not like to
be more specific unless definitive conclusion is arrived at by
the investigating agencies," he said.

The Minister's comments come amid a crackdown launched by
Pakistan against the Jamaat-ud Dawa, the front organisation of
Lashkar-e Toiba (LeT) blamed for the Mumbai attacks, after the
UN Security Council designated the outfit as a terrorist
group.

Mukherjee noted that in response to the demarche issued
by India, Pakistan said it was considering "various aspects"
on action to be taken and planning to send a high-level
delegation here.

In the demarche, he said he has sought action against two
categories of persons -- those who have committed crime in
India and have taken shelter in Pakistan, and Pakistani
citizens indulging in terrorist activities in India.

"Some people who have committed crime in India and have
taken shelter in Pakistan like Dawood Ibrahim. We are asking
the Pakistan authorities to hand him over to Indian
authorities so that he can be tried as per Indian laws here.

"There are persons who are Pakistan citizens, who are
indulging in terrorist activities in India. Let them be
arrested and tried as per Pakistan law," Mukherjee said.

The Minister said he did not understand the difficulty
Pakistan has in handing over Masood Azhar to India. "He was in
Indian custody. We had to hand over him to hijackers of the
Indian plane in Kandahar. He is available in Pakistan. He is
seen on television screens in Pakistan. I do not know what
difficulty Pakistan has (in handing him over)."

"Pakistan government did not demand his (Azhar's) return.
Hijackers had demanded that you release him. (If) Pakistan
government cannot hand him over to us what is the point in
keeping him under house arrest," Mukherjee asked.

On whether Pakistan has sought consular access to Ajmal
Amir Iman, the lone surviving terrorist arrested during the
Mumbai attacks, he said India has not received any official
request.

"To my knowledge it has not reached me. I do not know
whether it has reached to the lower level. I will find it
out," Mukherjee said.

"Are they saying the man is a Pakistani citizen. I do not
know. Have they claimed the dead bodies, I do not know," he
said, pointing out that "everything is appearing in the
media."

Mukherjee asserted that the government will take all
steps to protect the territorial integrity of the country but
ruled out war as a solution to the problem.

Asked on how long would India wait, he said "it depends
on how fast, how quickly Pakistan responds or whether they
respond at all or not. Therefore it will not be possible for
me to indicate any time frame right now."

On the Joint Anti-Terror Mechanism, Mukherjee said four
meetings had taken place since its establishment but "nothing
has been produced."

Asked whether the mechanisms have failed, he said "I do
not want to come to any conclusion. But I think, whatever they
have committed, whatever they are to do let them do it first."

Mukherjee noted that Pakistan had twice given the
assurance at the highest level of not allowing use of its
territory to carry out activities against India.

"We hope and expect that the new dispensation which has
come in Pakistan through democratic means, will fulfil their
commitment. That is our hope and expectation," he said.

Asked whether it was difficult to deal with several
centres of power in Pakistan, Mukherjee said "It may be
difficult but I have no option. I cannot change the internal
mechanism of Pakistan."

On Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari's article in an
American newspaper, he said it speaks of the agony of a person
who himself is a victim of terrorist act.

Contending that everybody will have sympathy with him but
his sentiments would remain just the same if Pakistan does not
follow "words by proper action".

"It is not a question of a person or individual... What
role he plays as President of Pakistan to fulfil the
commitment he gave to our Prime Minister is important. Words
must be followed by proper action. It will remain mere
sentiment (if there is no action). It will produce nothing,"
Mukherjee said.

Mukherjee also made it clear that he was not interested
in having a trial by media on the terror attacks.

"These are matters of investigation. After investigation,
the matter is taken to court. Due process of law and procedure
established by law should follow.

"Therefore, I am not in a position to share any of the
information. It is for the media to find out," he said. PTI
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