ID :
35819
Tue, 12/16/2008 - 12:47
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/35819
The shortlink copeid
Strong evidence about Mumbai attackers coming from Pak: Kerry
New Delhi, Dec 15 (PTI) Contending that there was "strong evidence" of Mumbai attackers coming from Pakistan, influential US Senator John Kerry Monday favoured linking of American military aid to Islamabad's behaviour in dealing with terror groups like Laskhar-e-Taiba.
Kerry, a Democratic leader considered close to
President-elect Barack Obama, said Pakistan must close down
the terror camps and "properly prosecute" whoever is involved
in the Mumbai strikes, which is a "test" for Islamabad.
"We all know it was planned. It was planned over a
period of time. We all know they (Mumbai attackers) came from
Pakistan and we understand the training that took place in
that regard. So, there is strong evidence," he told reporters
here after meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and External
Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee.
"I believe it is imperative for those camps to be shut
down. I think it is imperative for Lashkar-e-Taiba to be
taken on, the top leaders and anybody who is implicated in
this attack needs to be properly prosecuted. It seems to me
that is the real measure and the test here," said Kerry who is
visiting Islamabad after his stay here.
He refused to elaborate on the evidence, saying it will
be inappropriate now as India as also Pakistan are in the
process of gathering that information.
"I am very, very, confident that at the right time that
evidence is properly presented and I believe prosecutions are
going to be forthcoming... I believe it will happen," Kerry
said.
Asked whether US military aid should be linked to
Pakistan's approach towards dealing with terrorism, Kerry said
"we are very sensitive to that and think that it is very
important that the assistance that we are providing in the
next few months be tied to behaviour."
He sought to link LeT with Al-Qaeda, saying the former
had adopted "Al-Qaedaesque qualities".
"LeT is influenced by Al Qaeda and we know in some cases
there have been contacts. And we all understand that," said
Kerry, who unsuccessfully contested the 2004 Presidential
polls against George W Bush.
"It is imperative that Pakistan takes steps to deal
properly with the camps, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad,
with all those entities that are at war with civilised
behaviour," he said while advocating a "new era of (global)
cooperation" in dealing with the scourge in the wake of Mumbai
attacks which he described as a "turning point".
"The message is very, very clear and I hope that the
lesson of Mumbai, for this entire region would be that the
behaviour (of Pakistan) has to be different and all of us need
to cooperate even more to prevent this from happening again
even as we take steps to respond to what did happen," he said.
Backing India's demand for handover of terrorists,
including LeT chief Hafiz Mohd Saeed and Jaish-e-Mohd chief
Masood Azhar, the US Senator said New Delhi has the "right to
expect that Pakistan takes action".
He said the US wants Pakistan to take action "because we
also had people killed -- six Americans. Now, that is not the
reason alone. It is all in our interest to make certain that
there is an adequate response," he said.
Kerry, who will meet Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari
in Islamabad, said he would speak his mind there about what
would be the "adequate response" to the situation.
"I believe President Zardari believes there is an
interest in that happening. We need to work together in
constructive, openly, transparent and accountable way,
accountable to our people to be able to try and make that
happen," he said.
Suggesting that ISI was out of Pakistan government's
control, Kerry said the spy agency should be kept under
civilian control and held accountable to the administration
and the people.
"It is imperative that the intelligence service of
Pakistan (should) not be able to make its own choices or
operate outside of the standards that we have the right to
expect," he said.
"It is an important discussion to have. Our efforts are
obviously to try to leverage a response that is appropriate,"
Kerry said.
Kerry also met Leader of the Opposition L K Advani and
Home Minister P Chidambaram. PTI SKU
SAK
NNNN
Kerry, a Democratic leader considered close to
President-elect Barack Obama, said Pakistan must close down
the terror camps and "properly prosecute" whoever is involved
in the Mumbai strikes, which is a "test" for Islamabad.
"We all know it was planned. It was planned over a
period of time. We all know they (Mumbai attackers) came from
Pakistan and we understand the training that took place in
that regard. So, there is strong evidence," he told reporters
here after meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and External
Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee.
"I believe it is imperative for those camps to be shut
down. I think it is imperative for Lashkar-e-Taiba to be
taken on, the top leaders and anybody who is implicated in
this attack needs to be properly prosecuted. It seems to me
that is the real measure and the test here," said Kerry who is
visiting Islamabad after his stay here.
He refused to elaborate on the evidence, saying it will
be inappropriate now as India as also Pakistan are in the
process of gathering that information.
"I am very, very, confident that at the right time that
evidence is properly presented and I believe prosecutions are
going to be forthcoming... I believe it will happen," Kerry
said.
Asked whether US military aid should be linked to
Pakistan's approach towards dealing with terrorism, Kerry said
"we are very sensitive to that and think that it is very
important that the assistance that we are providing in the
next few months be tied to behaviour."
He sought to link LeT with Al-Qaeda, saying the former
had adopted "Al-Qaedaesque qualities".
"LeT is influenced by Al Qaeda and we know in some cases
there have been contacts. And we all understand that," said
Kerry, who unsuccessfully contested the 2004 Presidential
polls against George W Bush.
"It is imperative that Pakistan takes steps to deal
properly with the camps, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad,
with all those entities that are at war with civilised
behaviour," he said while advocating a "new era of (global)
cooperation" in dealing with the scourge in the wake of Mumbai
attacks which he described as a "turning point".
"The message is very, very clear and I hope that the
lesson of Mumbai, for this entire region would be that the
behaviour (of Pakistan) has to be different and all of us need
to cooperate even more to prevent this from happening again
even as we take steps to respond to what did happen," he said.
Backing India's demand for handover of terrorists,
including LeT chief Hafiz Mohd Saeed and Jaish-e-Mohd chief
Masood Azhar, the US Senator said New Delhi has the "right to
expect that Pakistan takes action".
He said the US wants Pakistan to take action "because we
also had people killed -- six Americans. Now, that is not the
reason alone. It is all in our interest to make certain that
there is an adequate response," he said.
Kerry, who will meet Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari
in Islamabad, said he would speak his mind there about what
would be the "adequate response" to the situation.
"I believe President Zardari believes there is an
interest in that happening. We need to work together in
constructive, openly, transparent and accountable way,
accountable to our people to be able to try and make that
happen," he said.
Suggesting that ISI was out of Pakistan government's
control, Kerry said the spy agency should be kept under
civilian control and held accountable to the administration
and the people.
"It is imperative that the intelligence service of
Pakistan (should) not be able to make its own choices or
operate outside of the standards that we have the right to
expect," he said.
"It is an important discussion to have. Our efforts are
obviously to try to leverage a response that is appropriate,"
Kerry said.
Kerry also met Leader of the Opposition L K Advani and
Home Minister P Chidambaram. PTI SKU
SAK
NNNN
